Wednesday, September 30, 2015

I Read Banned Books: The Catcher in the Rye

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

This week is a very important week in the book community because it's Banned Books Week. Librians, educators, and book activists from all around the country and world spend the whole week teaching kids and adults about banned books, and the crazy reasons as to why they were banned or challenged in the first place.  
 
It's one of my favorite events of the year because I love reading and learning about everyone's experiences with banned and challenged books. I also enjoy getting to read all the new articles and essays on banned books and the events that are being held around the world. But mostly, I love celebrating the fact that I read banned books, and that I will never stop reading banned books because every book is a book worth reading.
This week, I'll be sharing a few of my favorite banned and challenged books with my readers. I hope you've been enjoying this mini-series of posts about some of my favorite banned books, and getting to know a different side of me.

Waiting on Wednesday (43)



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. Each week, bloggers shine the spotlight on upcoming book titles that they are waiting on.

This is a meme that I post a lot because it's really fun to share what books I'm waiting on with my readers. I also love seeing what everyone else is looking forward to.

It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:
  • Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles) - I usually only go with one book a week because seeing all the titles can be a bit overwhelming for me.
  • Be sure to credit Jill somewhere in your post (see how I credited her above?)
  • Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog so that others can see your post

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

I Read Banned Books: Persepolis

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

The week of September 27 - October 3 is Banned Books Week, and I'm celebrating my right to read these banned and challenged books on my blog with a mini-series of posts. Banned Books Week is one of my favorite events of the year because I love reading and learning about everyone's experiences with banned and challenged books.
This week, I'll be sharing a few of my favorite banned and challenged books with my readers. I hope you enjoy this mini-series about banned and challenged books. I also hope you learn a little bit more about me, the person behind the blog, and feel comfortable enough to start talking about banned books.

ARC Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right: Two Stories of Holiday Romance

Title: Mistletoe and Mr. Right: Two Stories of Holiday Romance
Author: Lyla Payne
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, INC.
Publication Date: October 6, 2015

 
Two tales of holiday romance from USA Today bestselling author Lyla Payne, where lost love is found just in time, and Mr. Right could be right under your nose.

In "Mistletoe and Mr. Right," Jessica (not Jessie) takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays for Christmas break, sure that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily ever after. But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and the only person making the trip worthwhile is the local farmhand, who has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most . . . and least.

The holiday hijinks continue in "Sleigh Bells and Second Chances," when Jessica's best friend makes her own way across the pond! Christina Lake does not want to be away at Christmas, but it's her duty to babysit one of London's hottest bands at their last-minute concert on Christmas Eve . . . even though she had a fling with Cary, the band's lead singer, that never officially ended. Now forced to reconnect, Christina is starting to think that maybe London is exactly where she's supposed to be to get the perfect New Year's kiss--at least until she finds out that he's been lying the whole time. Can Cary find a way to prove himself before the clock strikes twelve? Or will the New Year ring in a new romance?

Lyla Payne wraps up two perfect holiday novellas, ties them with a ribbon of romance, and tops them with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

Monday, September 28, 2015

I Read Banned Books: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

This week is Banned Books Week, and it's one of my favorite events of the year because I just love reading and learning about everyone's experiences with banned and challenged books. I also love reading all the articles and seeing the infographics that individuals and companies put together to create awareness. But mostly, I love celebrating the fact that I read banned books, and that I will never stop reading banned books because every book is a book worth reading.

This week, I'll be sharing a few of my favorite banned and challenged books with my readers. I hope you enjoy this little mini series, and getting to know a different side of me.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Throwback Thurdsay: Lessons from a Past Erin (5)




Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin is a newer feature to The Hardcover Lover that allows me to share what I learned in my Young Adult Literature class. I've been setting the posts up like little mini-lessons, and so far, I'm having a blast exploring my past and seeing what you all have to say about what I learned in my YA Literature class.

I'm hoping that you're enjoying this new feature, but I must warn you that it's only here for a limited time! The class was only a fifteen week course, and eventually, I'm going to run out of notes! So grab a seat, and welcome to today's lesson!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (42)



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill. You can find out more information on her blog, Breaking the Spine.

The meme helps book bloggers and readers shine a spotlight om some of the many upcoming releases that we are all patiently (but most likely impatiently) waiting on. Get it?

It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:
  • Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles)
  • Be sure to credit Jill in your post
  • Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog

Sunday, September 20, 2015

It's Almost Time for Carry On!


Have you heard the amazing news? About Rainbow Rowell? Oh come on... You must have heard something about her upcoming book, Carry On? You know what I'm talking about...the Simon and Baz story!

No?! Well then what are you waiting for? You need to do some research on this book (or just read this post) because it's coming out soon! Rainbow Rowell's latest book, Carry On, releases on October 6, but if you pre-order it now, you're entitled to some pretty awesome swag! Trust me... you won't want to miss out on this.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Book Review: Famous in Love

Title: Famous in Love
Series: Famous in Love
Author: Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: October 21, 2015
Paperback Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Source: Poppy for Review
Add it to Goodreads
"A must-read for anyone curious about life and love behind the scenes."--Bella Thorne, actor and author of Autumn Falls

When Paige Townsen gets plucked from high school obscurity to star in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month, Paige has traded the quiet streets of her hometown for a bustling film set on the shores of Maui, and she is spending quality time with her costar Rainer Devon, one of People's Sexiest Men Alive. But when troubled star Jordan Wilder lands the role of the other point in the movie's famous love triangle, Paige's crazy new life begins to resemble her character's.

In this exciting tale of romance and drama, both on and off screen, Paige must adjust to a crazy new life without the daily support of her friends and family, while figuring out who she is--and who she wants--as the whole world watches.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin (4)

A newer feature premiered on The Hardcover Lover recently, and it's called Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin. I've been setting the posts up like little mini-lessons, and so far, I'm having a blast exploring my past and seeing what you all have to say about what I learned in my YA Literature class. 

In case this is the first Throwback Thursday post you're seeing, these are notes that I found from my YA lit class. I've set it up to work as a different kind of discussion post. It's acting as a lesson and a discussion post in one. I'll be sharing my notes, and reflecting on them. I'll also be asking what you think of each week's topic.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. Each week, bloggers shine the spotlight on upcoming book titles that they are waiting on. This is one of my favorite memes, and you've probably noticed it as a frequent feature on my blog.

It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:



  • Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles) - I usually only go with one book a week because seeing all the titles can be a bit overwhelming for me.
  • Be sure to credit Jill somewhere in your post (see how I credited her above?)
  • Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog so that others can see your post

Monday, September 14, 2015

A Letter to the Author: Dear Julie Murphy


Wow! Julie, you are a rock star to me. There's really no other way to put it. I can't even begin to describe all the emotions that I'm feeling right now, but I needed to put them into words.

By now, I've read your two books - Side Effects May Vary and Dumplin', and I've got to say that I'm in love with how you write. Your characters are realistic, flawed, and true. That's something that I love seeing when I read a YA book. It just makes the whole book feel whole, and you're nailing it.

Friday, September 11, 2015

ARC Review: Tonight the Streets Are Ours

Title: Tonight the Streets Are Ours
Author: Leila Sales
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) 
Publication Date: September 15, 2015 
From the author of This Song Will Save Your Life comes a funny and relatable book about the hazards of falling for a person you haven't met yet.

Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she's tired of being loyal to people who don't appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom.

Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called "Tonight the Streets Are Ours," the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.

During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn't exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn't exactly who she thought she was, either.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin (3)

Welcome back to Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin, everyone! In case you missed it, I unveiled this new feature a few weeks ago that helps me explore Young Adult Literature through my college self. I take the notes that I took during my classes, rewrite them, and reflect on them with my readers. I'm not always saying that I agree with what my professor or classmates had to say, but it's interesting to look back on the class that really helped spark my interest in YA literature.

At the end of each post, there is a "class discussion" feature, where I invite everyone to share what they think about the notes or my personal thoughts. I thought it would be a fresh way to get people talking about YA.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (40)



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill. You can find out more information on her blog, Breaking the Spine.

The meme helps book bloggers and readers shine a spotlight om some of the many upcoming releases that we are all patiently (but most likely impatiently) waiting on. Get it?

It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:
  • Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles)
  • Be sure to credit Jill in your post
  • Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Hardcover Lover Confessions (13)

Hardcover Lover Confessions is one of two regularly posted discussion post features on The Hardcover Lover.

In the Hardcover Lover Confession posts, I confess bookish habits, thoughts, or other random things with my readers, and then I encourage everyone to start discussing the issue with everyone else. It's a really fun way to get some bookish confessions off your chest.

There really isn't an order as to when I post my Confessions - I kind of come up with them when an issue arises or a thought pops into my head. Sometimes, an issue just eats away at me until I finally decide to write a post. Ergo, there could be one a month or there could be a few a month. There could even be a month when I don't post a Hardcover Lovers Confessions at all. It just all depends on what's going on in the book community or how I feel.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Novella Review: Michael Payne

Title: Michael Payne (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)
Series: Squirrel Hill High
Author: J.M. Varner
Self-Published by J.M. Varner
Source: E-Copy from Author (beta read)
and
Amazon Kindle Purchase
Delve into the life of Michael Payne and live along with him the events he experienced that lead up to the story told in "Mister Teacher Person (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)".

"Michael Payne" is the short story prequel to "Mister Teacher Person (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)". It can be read and appreciated either before or after reading "Mister Teacher Person," as it adds an additional layer of depth to the story of "Mister Teacher Person" character Michael Payne, a teacher at Squirrel Hill High.



Thursday, September 3, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin (2)


Last week, I introduced a new feature on the blog called Throwback Thursday: Lessons from a Past Erin.

In case you missed it, these are notes that I found from my YA lit class. I've set it up to work as a different kind of discussion post. It's acting as a lesson and a discussion post in one. I'll be sharing my notes, and reflecting on them. I'll also be asking what you think of each week's topic.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (39)



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill. You can find out more information on her blog, Breaking the Spine.

The meme helps book bloggers and readers shine a spotlight om some of the many upcoming releases that we are all patiently (but most likely impatiently) waiting on. Get it?

It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:
  • Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles)
  • Be sure to credit Jill in your post
  • Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog