Book Review: The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger

Title: The Divorce Papers

Author: Susan Rieger

Publisher: Broadway Books

Publication Date: October 28, 2014

Format: Paperback

Genre: Contemporary, Women's Fiction

Synopsis:
Witty and wonderful, sparkling and sophisticated, this debut romantic comedy brilliantly tells the story of one very messy, very high-profile divorce, and the endearingly cynical young lawyer dragooned into handling it. 

Twenty-nine-year-old Sophie Diehl is happy toiling away as a criminal law associate at an old line New England firm where she very much appreciates that most of her clients are behind bars. Everyone at Traynor, Hand knows she abhors face-to-face contact, but one weekend, with all the big partners away, Sophie must handle the intake interview for the daughter of the firm's most important client. After eighteen years of marriage, Mayflower descendant Mia Meiklejohn Durkheim has just been served divorce papers in a humiliating scene at the popular local restaurant, Golightly's. She is locked and loaded to fight her eminent and ambitious husband, Dr. Daniel Durkheim, Chief of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, for custody of their ten-year-old daughter Jane--and she also burns to take him down a peg. Sophie warns Mia that she's never handled a divorce case before, but Mia can't be put off. As she so disarmingly puts it: It's her first divorce, too.

Debut novelist Susan Rieger doesn't leave a word out of place in this hilarious and expertly crafted debut that shines with the power and pleasure of storytelling. Told through personal correspondence, office memos, emails, articles, and legal papers, this playful reinvention of the epistolary form races along with humor and heartache, exploring the complicated family dynamic that results when marriage fails. For Sophie, the whole affair sparks a hard look at her own relationships--not only with her parents, but with colleagues, friends, lovers, and most importantly, herself. Much like "Where'd You Go, Bernadette," "The Divorce Papers "will have you laughing aloud and thanking the literature gods for this incredible, fresh new voice in fiction.

My Review: 

In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. 

My God. This has got to be one of the most frustrating books I've attempted to read all year. It's literally that bad, so please, do not listen to the reviews done by professionals and other authors. Only read this book if you like reading a bunch of letters and emails about law and family court cases.

When I first saw the synopsis for The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger, I thought that it looked like it would a a great book. I quickly discovered that reading it was utterly agonizing.

If you're a lawyer, you'll probably love this book. Don't get me wrong... I used to want to be a lawyer because it seemed interesting. I even wanted to deal with family law.  The way that Rieger structures this novel just makes it so hard to read and understand. She also introduces a slew of characters within the first few pages of the novel that I had to make a chart just to keep track of all of them.

Also, I know the book is called The Divorce Papers, but there is just way too much focus on the actual divorce papers that I couldn't even stand to read it. The plot was truly interesting. I liked that it's about a high-profile divorce in a small town, but I just wanted to read about it in a different way. I felt like I was snooping instead of actually reading a book. I would have liked this book if it were written like a traditional novel. It would have been a lot better that way, especially if letters and emails were included to expand the story.

I was able to finish the first section of the book, which is all about the intake of a very important client, Mia, but I could not get more than a few pages into the second section of the book.

November 2014 Wrap Up

The time has finally come for us to say goodbye to November and hello to December. It's crazy; it seems like it was only just January, and now we're so close to the end of 2014. But time flies, and we're edging closer and closer to my favorite holiday.

I really wish that November would have been a better reading month for me. Unfortunately, I got sick a few times, and ended up in the ER. I also found myself reading a really boring book, so that really took away from the other books that I wanted to read this month.

Books I Read in November:

• Zodiac by Romina Russell - I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this title, and let me tell you... I loved it. I hope that every single one of you decides to pick this book up when it comes out on December 9. If you haven't already, feel free to read my review.
• Losing It by Cora Carmack - I decided to try New Adult, and this book just wasn't for me. A full review for this book can be found here 
• Atlantia by Ally Condie - This is the book that took the longest for me to read. It was just so boring! My review will explain things a little better.
• Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills - I was able to read an ARC of this book because of On the Same Page ARC Tours. This upcoming YA title won't be released until March. I'll be posting a review for it closer to the release date, but I can tell you that I enjoyed the book.

Books I'd Like to Read in December:

Right now, I'm in the middle of a book called The Divorce Papers. I'm not really enjoying how it's written, and it's probably going to be a DNF. I know I'd like to read some Christmas books this year, and I'm hoping to read Skipping Christmas and Dash & Lily's Book of Dares. I'd also like to read the Burn for Burn series before the year is over. I know it seems like a lot of books, but I've read more than that in one month in the past.

Soundtrack Saturday (12)

Soundtrack Saturday is a bookish meme that I created so I can share the many songs that pop into my head while I'm reading a book. On Saturdays, I will either post a mini (four songs) or a full soundtrack for a book that I've read or am currently reading. Anyone and everyone is more than welcome to participate. For more information, feel free to visit the meme's homepage or ask me any questions.

Like all other bookish memes, there are a few things to do:

• Choose a book (any book)
• Create a mini or full soundtrack or playlist for the book
• Credit me and my blog in your post
• Leave a comment on my Soundtrack Saturday post
• Add your name to the link up tool

You don't have to use my image, but either feel free to use it or make your own.

This week's book of choice is Cress by Marissa Meyer. I've already done a mini-soundtrack for this one, but I like the book so much that I wanted to expand the soundtrack.

1. "Everybody Hurts" by Avril Lavigne
2. "Burning Gold" by Christina Perri
3. "Lights" by Ellie Goulding
4. "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons
5. "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran
6. "Lightweight" by Demi Lovato
7. "Roar" by Katy Perry
8. "Hurricane" by Bridgit Mendler
9. "Just a Kiss" by Lady Antebellum
10. "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
11. "Team" by Lorde
12. "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus

As always, feel free to leave your links in the link-up tool. I'd love to see what soundtracks you're creating!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, bookworms! Today is one of America's favorite holidays, and to celebrate, I wanted to share some of the things I'm thankful for this season.

Thanksgiving may not be my favorite holiday (okay... it might be my most hated holiday), but I like having a day to celebrate things that we're thankful for.

I'm thankful that I've grown to be a responsible and intelligent young woman. I've still got some learning to do, but I'm proud of the woman I've grown to be. I'm also thankful that I have a home and am semi-healthy when I know there are others out there who are less fortunate than I. I'm also thankful that I can read and keep learning.

So... I want to know what you're thankful for this holiday season. Leave a comment to let me know.

Oh, and be sure to enter my giveaway for a copy of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. 

Book Review: Atlantia by Ally Condie

Title: Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Publication Date: October 28, 2014

Synopsis:
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

My Review:

Atlantia by Ally Condie is the story of two orphaned sisters, Rio and Bay, who live in an underwater city called Atlantia. They've spent their whole lives there, one dreaming of going above, and one wishing to stay below. It's also the story of lies and deception and a heroine will rise to save her world.

I really wanted to like this book, especially after reading the first few chapters from NetGalley. Unfortunately, I just feel like too many things went wrong for me to like it. 

I'll admit that I like it a lot better than Condie's Matched trilogy, but once again, Condie's writing style is lackluster. When I was reading, especially at certain points in the novel, I felt like Condie was trying to write to little kids instead of the target teen audience. When I read, I want to feel like the author is really trying to say something. Most of the time that is done by including sentences of varying length. In Atlantia, there are way too many sentences of the same length in a row. It makes reading difficult, like someone is trying to beat you in the head to get you to understand what is going on.

The introductory chapters in Atlantia are indeed great at capturing a reader's attention, but the pace slowed soon after. It was almost as if all the life were sucked out of the book. Much of the middle of the book is boring. There were many times that I wanted to put it down. The book eventually picks up the speed and action again in the last third, but at this point, salvaging an enjoyable read was out of the question for me. It was a chore to read this book.

Condie does create an interesting world in Atlantia, but only for The Below. She describes the city well, and I was able to imagine much of it in my head. It's hard to say that her world building is superb when she fails to give The Above half of the detail that she gives The Below.

The characters in Atlantia were okay. Rio really didn't impress me; I feel like Condie could have explored her a little more or at least made her a bit more interesting. Rio's sister, Bay, is mentioned a lot in the book, but I felt like I barely knew her at all. Atlantia also features many supporting characters, and some of them are interesting and characterized well, but I didn't really enjoy reading about them.

I think at this point, it's safe for me to say that Ally Condie is not the writer for me. I don't know if I'll be reading anything else from her in the future after this proved to be a book that bored me for weeks.

Top Ten Tuesday (12)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. The meme was created because they are fond of list making at The Broke and the Bookish. They love sharing, and they love seeing the lists that other bloggers in the book blogosphere come up with each week.

Every week, there is a new topic, and all you have to do is create your list based on it. Oh, and be sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish! Then you can add your name to the link up tool that they include in their post!

Top Ten Books I'd Like to Read this Winter:

1.  Winterspell by Claire Legrand - As a little girl, I was obsessed with ballet. I hoped that one day I'd be able to play Clara in The Nutcracker. Well... I'm still in love with The Nutcracker, and I need to read this retelling!
2.  Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levihan - I bought this one a while ago, and I've been told that it's a good book to read at Christmastime.
3.  Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - I recently bought the whole Burn for Burn series, and I hope to read them all before the new year.
4.  Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas - This one caught my eye on Goodreads a while ago, and I really hope to get a copy as soon as it's released.
5.  A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray - This has to be one of this fall's most hyped releases. I've seen both positive and negative reviews. I'm looking forward to reading it and seeing what all the hype really is about.
6.  I Was Here by Gayle Forman - I loved Forman's If I Stay duo, and I really like that this one seems like it is for a bit of an older audience. I recently requested it, and I hope to be approved. If not, I'll be buying it.
7.  Fairest by Marissa Meyer - I have a thing for wanting to see why Queen Levana is so evil. I will devour this book. I just know it.
8.  Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver - I know this one is a March release, but it's still technically winter, right? I love Lauren Oliver, and I cannot wait to get my hands on this. P.S. If you get an ARC of this and want to pass it along, I'll love you forever. I'll even send it back if you need it!
9.  The Start of You and Me by Emery Lord - Even though I still have to read Open Road Summer, I know that I'll be reading this book.
10.  When by Victoria Laurie - I saw this on NetGalley, and I really wanted to request it. I decided to wait until more reviews were in, but I'll probably end up reading it.

This is a colored box

Book Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver + GIVEAWAY

Title: Panic

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Synopsis:
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Review:

When I first decided to read this book, I saw a lot of people on social media saying that they couldn't understand how it was going to be a stand alone book from the description that was provided, but Panic is definitely a standalone novel. I was probably one of the few people who liked the idea of it being a standalone, and it made me even more excited to read this book from Ms. Oliver.

If you're looking for a complex YA heroine, Heather really isn't it. She's not very complicated, and I liked her for that. I feel like she represents the average teenager of today. She and her sister have a tough life. She's just trying to find her way through life after graduating high school, just like most teens do. She realizes that everything will change when her when her friends, Bishop and Nat, move away and she remains stuck in Carp. Dealing with friends moving away is something that teens, especially economically disadvantaged teens, deal with all the time. On top of feeling sad about losing her friends, she also has to deal with some relationship problems. She's a very realistic YA character.

The pacing of the plot in this novel is great. I never felt like things were being rushed or included just for the sake of trying to get readers. Oliver's descriptions of events in the book are almost perfect; she makes you feel like you're actually watching everything. I like the details that Oliver includes in the challenges of Panic. I could actually tell that she took the time to think of a big game like Panic, but she also put a great deal of time and thought into making the game seem like it's real with the many different challenges and rules. 

Although I was able to correctly predict a lot of events and plot details in this book, I'd definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary YA fiction. I'd also recommend it to readers who like mysteries and thrillers. I think it would appeal to readers of those genres and even introduce them to the others if they haven't read them yet because it is a perfect blend of thriller and contemporary. 

Want More Lauren Oliver? Enter to Win a Paperback Copy of Before I Fall (U.S. ONLY):

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*Please be sure to check the Giveaway Rules here.*

It's Monday! What are You Reading? (11)

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme brought to you by BookJourney. Each Monday, you get to share what you're currently reading and what you plan on reading this week with the rest of the book blogosphere. When you've finished your post, go to BookJourney, and add your post's link to the link up tool. Readers of YA and teachers can also share their link on the link up tool on Teach Mentor Texts.

Now I know in my last few "It's Monday" posts, I've planned on reading quite a few books, but I am having such a hard time getting through one that I told you about a while ago. It's depressing, actually. It never takes me this long to read a book. So... I'm still reading it, but I really hope to finish it today because I've got an ARC on it's way!

What I'm Reading This Week:

Title: Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Synopsis:
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

Title: Positively Beautiful

Author: Wendy Mills

Synopsis:
16-year-old Erin is a smart if slightly dorky teenager, her life taken up with her best friend Trina, her major crush on smoky-eyed, unattainable Michael, and fending off Faith, the vision of perfection who’s somehow always had the knife in for Erin. Her dad, a pilot, died when she was very young, but Erin and her mom are just fine on their own.

Then everything changes forever one day after school when Erin’s mom announces she has breast cancer. And there’s even worse news to come. Horrified, Erin discovers that her grandmother’s death from cancer is almost certainly linked, the common denominator a rare gene mutation that makes cancer almost inevitable. And if two generations of women in the family had this mutation, what does that mean for Erin? The chances she’s inherited it are frighteningly high. Would it be better to know now and have major preemptive surgery or spend as much life as she has left in blissful ignorance?

As Erin grapples with her terrible dilemma, her life starts to spiral downwards, alleviated only by the flying lessons she starts taking with grumpy Stew and his little yellow plane, Tweetie Bird. Up in the sky, following in her dad’s footsteps, Erin finds freedom chasing the horizon. Down on the ground it’s a different story, and facing betrayal from Trina, humiliation from Faith, and a world of disappointment with Michael, Erin knows she must discover the truth about herself. Sure enough, she’s positive for the gene that’s slowly killing her mom.

Suddenly, Erin’s life has turned into a nightmare, and the only person she can truly talk to is a girl called Ashley who she meets online. But when, in a moment of madness, Erin flies away with Tweetie Pie to find her new friend, she finds herself on a journey that will take her through not only shock and despair - but ultimately to a new understanding of the true meaning of beauty, meaning, and love.

So that's what I'm reading this week. I'd like to thank On the Same Page ARC tours for the opportunity to read Positively Beautiful.

What are you reading this week? Feel free to let me know in the comments, and as always, feel free to leave a link to your "It's Monday" post so I can check them out.

Happy reading!

Soundtrack Saturday (11)

Soundtrack Saturday is a bookish meme that I created so I can share the many songs that pop into my head while I'm reading a book.

On Saturdays, I will either post a mini (four songs) or a full soundtrack for a book that I've read. Anyone and everyone is more than welcome to participate. For more information, feel free to visit the meme's homepage or ask me any questions.

I's also like to apologize for not posting last week. Things were pretty hectic personally. If you posted a Soundtrack Saturday last week, feel free to include the link in this week's link-up.

Like all other bookish memes, there are a few things to do:

• Choose a book (any book)
• Create a mini or full soundtrack or playlist for the book
• Credit me and my blog in your post
• Leave a comment on my Soundtrack Saturday post
• Add your name to the link up tool

You don't have to use my image, but either feel free to use it or make your own.

This week's book is Scarlet, the second book in The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer.

1.  "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
2.  "Dirt" by Florida Georgia Line
3.  "Country Strong" by Gwyneth Paltrow
4.  "Secrets" by OneRepublic
5.  "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift
6.  "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
7.  "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
8.  "Clarity" by Zedd
9.  "Don't Trust Me" by 3OH!3
10.  "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
11.  "Me & My Friends" by Tim Meyers & El May

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune

Title: Coral & Bone

Author: Tiffany Daune

Publication Date: July 7, 2014

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis:
Halen knows the sparks igniting under her fingertips are dangerous. She has spent her entire life trying to quell the tingly feelings that make her destroy things, but now that she is back in Rockaway Beach, where she watched her father drown, the flames have become impossible to tame.

Halen is trying to hold on, but when she is thrust into a mysterious new world, the underwater realm of Elosia, she unravels the secrets of her past and can’t help but ignite. As she explores Elosia, she realizes her life has been a lie. And when those who have deceived her come to her for help, Halen must choose—walk away or unleash the magick that could destroy them all.

 

Coral & Bone is free on Amazon from November 18-22!

About the Author

I write stories about magick, love and dark creatures lurking in the shadows. When I'm not lost in Edit Land you can find me reading a book from my towering TBR pile or at the movie theater nibbling licorice. I don't have a lucky number, but my favorite time is 11:11. I completely believe that the fortunes found inside cookies will come true and that you must be careful when wishing on stars. I live on an island, so if you want to visit you'll need a boat, and if you want to survive the passage, be sure to bring candy for the mermaids.

Contact Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Coral & Bone Epic Playlist

"Born to Die" ~ Lana Del Rey

"Clarity" ~ Zedd

"Breathing Underwater" ~ Metric

"Dark Horse" ~ Katy Perry

"Monster" ~ Eminem ft. Rihanna

"Light Em Up" ~ Fall Out Boys

"Burn" ~ Ellie Goulding

Exclusive Excerpt:

"See who you are," the mermaid whispered.

Halen's eyes clouded over and when the smoke cleared she found herself standing in an open field. She was dressed in a cotton dress which fell around her ankles. Soft grass tickled her toes. She took a step forward and a flower sprung from the ground beside her. She leaned down to pick the red poppy. As she took another step a flower sprang up from between the blades of grass. Halen smiled. She walked a little farther and with each step a new poppy sprouted and bloomed. She ran faster and the field blossomed under her feet, and when she waved her hand, the entire valley filled with red poppies. She inhaled their sweet scent and when she exhaled, the birds glided in the breeze of her breath through an endless blue sky.

Halen laughed when the wind caught her skirt and swept the fabric up over her head, but when she pushed it down, dark clouds rolled overhead. She took one step forward and the grass beneath her feet sizzled to a crisp. Taking another step, the poppies burst into flames. The fire licked the hem of her skirt and she gathered it up over her knees. Scanning the field, she spotted a boulder; if she could make it there, remove her feet from the ground, she could save the rest of the field.

She ran in long strides, and with each step, she scorched the ground with her fiery feet. Suddenly, she tripped. Her hands touched down and the ground combusted with a brilliant light. The fire raced through the field, spreading to the trees. The flames reached up, lassoing the birds from the sky, dragging them to the ground. Halen crawled to the rock and hoisted herself up. She stared out to the barren land. "No, no. What have I done?" She clawed the air and the clouds rumbled with thunder. The fire burned hotter and hotter under her flesh. The only way to extinguish the flames was to release them. Tilting her head back, she opened her mouth wide and screamed. What birds had not been burned turned now to black beasts swirling in the torrid sky.

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Stacking the Shelves (5)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. The meme is normally posted on Saturdays, but I post mine whenever I get the chance. Mine are also kind of sporadic because I try not to buy books until I've finished quite a few. The meme is all about sharing the books you've added to your shelves throughout the week. The books you're adding to your shelves can be either physical or digital.

Like I said earlier, I've been trying really, really hard not to buy anymore books until I read a few more, but I've been finding so many books that I want to read. And there are so many great winter releases this year! Of course that means I'm buying some books. Oops.

But... I've been cleaning my shelves too. That sadly means that I'm getting rid of books that I know I'll never read again. I'm also trying clear my shelves of duplicates. It's not that I don't love my books; I just don't have the room for them anymore. And why keep a book when I know that I'll never read it again? I'd rather them end up in the hands of someone else who will read and love them.

• The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger*
• Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
• Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
• Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
• Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver**
• The List by Siobhan Vivian
• Winger by Andrew Smith
• The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
• Just One Day by Gayle Forman
• Just One Year by Gayle Forman  
• Zodiac by Romina Russell

  

* This book is from Blogging for Books. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
** I already owned a paperback, but I found a hardcover that was in really good condition. I'll probably sell the paperback to Half Price Books, but who knows... There could be a giveaway.

• Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune***  
• The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
• Into the Light by Rebecca R. Cohen 

*** I received Coral & Bone from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Even though I don't have an e-reader, I take advantage of any free Kindle books that interest me. I do use the Kindle for Mac app, so I have access to the books. I'm really hoping to save up enough money for an e-reader or an iPad so I can start reading some awesome e-books.


So what did you add to your shelves this weekend? As always, feel free to let me know in the comments. Oh, and feel free to let me know if you've read any of these books. I'd love to know what you thought of them. (Just no spoilers please!)

It's Time to Vote!

Hey, everyone! As you may know, my blog was nominated in three categories for this year's Best of the Book Blogosphere Awards. Voting started yesterday (November 15, 2014). Voting continues until December 31, so you have time to vote (and convince your friends to vote).

The categories I've been nominated for are:

• Best Young Adult Book Blog
• Best Contemporary/New Adult Blog
• Best Bookish Meme

I'd really appreciate the votes! It's an honor to have been nominated, especially when I'm still feeling like a new kid on the block because I've only been a part of the Book Blogosphere since July.

Vote Here

If you vote for me, please let me know so I can thank you personally! I'm also thinking of hosting a giveaway if I win one of the categories, so keep an eye out!

Waiting on Wednesday (8)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Each week, participants write a post about a book that they cannot wait to get their hands on. It could be one that is being released soon or a book that is still months away from publication - as long as it's not published and you're waiting on it, you're good!

For my WOW post this week, I'm visiting another author who has been previously featured in my Waiting on Wednesday posts. Actually, her last book was the first book that I featured on my blog for Waiting on Wednesday. Can you guess? Or did you cheat?

Title: Vanishing Girls

Author: Lauren Oliver

Expected Publication: March 10, 2015

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping story about two sisters inexorably altered by a terrible accident.

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.

What are you waiting on this week? As always, feel free to let me know what you think of my pick in the comments, and be sure to let me know what you're waiting on. I'd love to see your posts!

National Young Readers Day

Happy National Young Readers Day! If you're anything like me, your love for reading probably began at a very early age. The kind people at Casper, like us book bloggers are also avid readers. They are a mattress company that enjoys combining a comfortable mattress with a good book before bed.

For me, life was different. I had a mom who didn't really read bedtime stories. She'd read a few books here and there, but they were always the same ones. It wasn't until years later that I finally understood why my mom didn't really read to me. She came from a much worse life. Her mom was a single mom and never made enough money to support the family. It lead to my mom dropping out of school in eighth grade. My mom was just embarrassed that she'd mess up while reading in front of us.

As the years passed, I became a stronger reader. Reading, then English, quickly became my favorite subjects. I'll always remember watching my mom read. It took her a long time to finish a book, but she always kept at it. I respect her for that, and it drove me to read more and more.

Do I wish that my mom would have read more with me? Yes. Would I trade my childhood away for one with a mother who could have read to me? Absolutely not. I've learned from my mother. Because of her, and her determination, I became a bibliophile. If she could sit there and read the Harry Potter books on a seventh grade education, I knew I could with a college degree.

I know my mom probably wishes that she could have read more with me and my siblings, but now I get to help her with things. I've recommended a few books to her, and even though it takes her a while to read them, she tries. I often stumble into her room before bed to wish her goodnight and see her reading.

To me, reading is definitely important during childhood. Because of my mom, I became a stronger reader. I thirsted for books, and I'll forever be grateful to her for teaching me that I was lucky.

My Favorite Childhood Books:

•  A Light in the Attic
• The Polar Express
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Where the Sidewalk Ends
• The Giving Tree
• A Little Princess

It's Monday! What Are You Reading (10)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme brought to you by BookJourney. Each Monday, you get to share what you're reading this week with the rest of the book blogsphere. When you've finished your post, go to BookJourney, and add your post's link to the link up tool. Readers of YA and teachers can also share their link on the link up tool on Teach Mentor Texts.

Last week, I was reading Zodiac by Romina Russell, and I planned to read Flawless by Sara Shepard. I didn't start the second Pretty Little Liars book because I forgot all about wanting to read another book.

Unfortunately, I got extremely sick over the weekend, and took a trip to the emergency room, so I don't know how much reading I'll actually get done this week.

What I'm Reading This Week:

Title: Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Synopsis:
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

Review: Losing It by Cora Carmack

Title: Losing It (Losing It #1)

Author: Cora Carmack

Genre: New Adult

Publication Date: October 12, 2012

Synopsis:
Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, Bliss Edwards decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible - a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

My Review:

As you may know, I mostly review Young Adult books on this blog, but I do read other genres. New Adult was still something I hadn't tried before. I've heard the voices are still very similar to YA, so I figured I'd get around to it one day. I gave it a try when I found this book for free online, but I really think that it wasn't the best book to introduce me to new adult.

For some strange reason, I just couldn't take Bliss seriously. Yes, she's twenty-two and in her senior year of college. I felt like she was acting like a girl in middle school instead of someone who is about to graduate college and go into the real world. I get that she has some issues about not wanting to leave college with her v-card in tact, but to scheme with her friend just seemed unrealistic and insulting to women. 

Then there's the friend, Kelsey... She's supposed to be Bliss' best friend? If you ask me, she's a pretty terrible one at times, especially the beginning of the book. Like if you're really someone's best friend, you'll let them do things on their own... when they're really ready. 

Oh... the man. His name is Garrick, and Bliss pretty much swoons for him as soon as she sees him reading Shakespeare in a bar, even though she tries to play it cool. Alright... now I love Shakespeare, but I would never, ever read his sonnets or plays in a bar. Garrick isn't actually a bad character, and I'd say that I tolerated him better than the rest of the characters, but even he didn't seem fully developed.

The rest of the friends in the book are pretty static and boring. I felt like Cormack could have characterized them all a little better to give the book a little more variety. It's like they all had the same personalities.

I don't know... I think this book could have been a lot better if a little more thought was put into it. And a little more editing. There were so many mistakes in it that I really couldn't take it seriously. There were missing commas. There were commas in places where they shouldn't have been. Oh, and what editor missed "every once and a while" so many times? I know it was originally a self published book, but stuff like that really isn't that hard.

I'm glad I didn't pay for this book. I kind of enjoyed the plot, but there were just a few issues that bothered me.

Soundtrack Saturday (10)

Happy Saturday! You know what that means... another Soundtrack Saturday post from The Hardcover Lover.

In case you missed it, I started my own meme, and this is it. On Saturdays, I will either post a mini or a full soundtrack for a book that I've read. Anyone and everyone is more than welcome to participate, and it's actually a pretty quick post (at least for me). For more information, feel free to visit the meme's homepage.

Now with all bookish memes, there are a few things to do:

• Choose a book
• Create a mini or full soundtrack or playlist for the book
• Credit me and my blog in your post
• Leave a comment on my Soundtrack Saturday post
• Add your name to the link up tool

You don't have to use my image, but either feel free to use it or make your own.

For this week's Soundtrack Saturday, I'm making a soundtrack for Cinder, the first book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series.

1. "Mirror, Mirror" by Jane Taylor
2. "Invisible" by Hunter Hayes
3. "Manic Monday" by The Bangles
4. "The Scientist" by Coldplay
5. "The Only Exception" by Paramore
6. "Nothing Left to Say" by Imagine Dragons
7. "Warrior" by Demi Lovato
8. "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic
9. "Royals" by Lorde
10. "Let Her Go" by Passenger
11. "White Blank Page" by Mumford & Sons
12. "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus

ARC Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac

Series: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: RozorBill

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads Program

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

My Review:

Romina Russell's debut novel, Zodiac, is both out of this world fantastic and stellar. Trust me and the bad puns - you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Russell creates a new kind of world in the science fiction genre that both teens and adults will want to explore for years to come.

In the first book of the proposed trilogy, Russell introduces readers to a futuristic world whose inhabitants are descendants of the people from our world. Parts of this story are revealed in the book, and Russell definitely proves to her readers that she didn't just dream this world up in one night. There are allusions and references to stories that we know, but they've been altered so that they now belong in this futuristic solar system named after the Zodiac.

Ms. Russell's world building is fantastic. I truly believe that people are going to compare her to some of the top names in YA, like J.K. Rowling, with this book just because of all of the details that she includes in her books. It's so full of new and original vocabulary that describes not only simple devices to all kinds of new planets and moons. She even includes a glossary on her website so that readers can look up these terms.

The characters in Zodiac are also creative and innovative. Even though they represent people from a future society, they still hit close to home. Readers can pick up on how far this society is removed from Earth, but still relate to how human they remain. 

Rho Grace, the novel's protagonist, has faced a lot of adversity in her young life, and it truly shows. Her rise to power is quick, and she faces it the way that any teen would. She's a little scared and confused. She is a unique character that will leave readers wanting more after they finish the last page. Rho is supported by two great groups of supporting characters - her friends and the people with whom she journeys through the far reaches of the Zodiac.

Yes... there is a love triangle in Zodiac. If you're one of those people who choose not to read books because of the inclusion of love triangles, I'm asking you to give this book a chance. The inclusion of the love triangle in no way takes away from the impressive plot.

The many twists and turns in Zodiac will leave readers wishing for more. Sometimes you find a book that's predicable, but that is not the case with Zodiac. I was shocked and surprised multiple times while reading. I know that I'm already waiting on the sequel, and this book isn't even out yet!

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Recommended for fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles.

Top Ten Tuesday (11)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly list-making meme that is hosted by the ladies over at the blog, The Broke and Bookish. For more information on the meme, feel free to visit their page about it.

This week's list is all about re-reading books. For me... I try to read as many new books as I can in a year. I don't re-read much, even though I'd love to re-read so many books. I try to take the time to re-read a few books a year, and I am going to dedicate more time to it in the future.

I'm cheating on this list by including some series and books that I've already re-read. I'm also including some plays.

Top Ten Books I'd Like to Re-Read:

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
8. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
9. The Selection series by Kiera Cass
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

It's Monday! What Are You Reading (9)

I know I've said it before, but I really do like Mondays. There's something nice about being able to start over, and each week, Monday brings that.

Here in the book blogging world, Mondays are all about sharing the books that you're reading. This meme, It's Monday! What Are You Reading is brought to you by BookJourney. I used to try to participate every week, but I felt like things were getting repetitive, especially when things got in the way and I hadn't finished my book(s) from the previous week. You've probably noticed that my posts are a little more sporadic now, but I still love sharing!

I'll probably be able to get a lot more reading done this week than I have in the past few weeks because of Election Day. That might sound crazy, right? Well my dad is involved in politics, and because of that, he is supposed to stand at the polls all day and pass out "literature." He works, so it usually gets put on me. A lot of people vote during the morning and evening rush hours, so I get to sit outside and read when no one is there.

What Am I Reading This Week?

Title: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Synopsis:
At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain....

This first book off an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series takes place in a galaxy inspired by the twelve astrological signs. ZODIAC is rendered with a stunning complexity that both transports readers to a fascinating new world and holds up a mirror to reflect how we can better know each other in our own.

Title: Flawless (Pretty Little Liars #2)

Author: Sara Shepard

Synopsis:
In the exclusive town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, where the sweetest smiles hide the darkest secrets, four pretty little liars--Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna--have been very bad girls. . . .

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. And Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is literally making her sick. But the most horrible secret of all is something so scandalous it could destroy their perfect little lives.

And someone named "A" is threatening to do just that.

At first they thought A was Alison, their friend who vanished three years ago . . . but then Alison turned up dead. So could A be Melissa, Spencer's ultracompetitive sister? Or Maya, who wants Emily all to herself? What about Toby, the mysterious guy who left town right after Alison went missing?
One thing's for certain: A's got the dirt to bury them all alive, and with every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message A sends, the girls get a little closer to losing it all.

Stacking the Shelves (4)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly book meme created and hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you've added to your shelves throughout the week. The books you're adding to your shelves can be either physical or digital.

Okay... it really does seem like it's been forever since I've done a Stacking the Shelves post, but that's because I've been trying really hard not to buy any more books until I've read a few that were on my TBR list. Well... I read a few, but my book lust got the best of me, and I've purchased some books. I also received some free e-books since my last Stacking the Shelves post.

• My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins - If you've been keeping up with my blog, you'll know that I received an ARC of this in September. I couldn't resist it when I saw it in Target the other day.
• Atlantia by Allie Condie - Many of you might remember my not so favorable review of the Matched series, but I read the preview for Atlantia and I really enjoyed it. It left me wanting more, so I bought the first copy that I saw.

• Miss Mabel's School for Girls and Antebellum Awakening by Katie Cross - I won these two books from the same Goodreads giveaway. They are the first two books in The Network series.
• Zodiac by Romina Russell - I also won an ARC of this book on Goodreads, and from what I can tell, there are quite a few people who were jealous. Let me tell you... it's good so far.
• Channel '63 (The Age of Amy #3) - I also won this book on Goodreads. It's part of a series, but I haven't read the first two books. It does seem like it can be read as a standalone book.

• I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
• The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
• The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
• The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
• Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover*
• Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson*

 * Many thanks to Tika from Fangirl Confessions for these books!