DNF Review: Instructions for the End of the World

Title: Instructions for the End of the World

Author: Jamie Kain

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: December 8, 2015

Source: Finished Copy from St. Martin's Griffin

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He prepared their family for every natural disaster known to man—except for the one that struck.

When Nicole Reed’s father forces her family to move to a remote area of the Sierra Foothills, one without any modern conveniences, her life is completely turned upside down.

It’s not that Nicole isn’t tough. She’s learned how to hunt, and she knows how to build things—she’s been preparing for the worst-case scenario for what seems like forever.

But when she and her sister, Izzy, are left alone in this remote landscape to fend for themselves, her skills are put to the ultimate test. She’s fine for a while, but then food begins to run out, the pipes begin to crack, and forest fires start to inch closer every day.

When Wolf, a handsome boy from the neighboring community, offers to help, Nicole feels conflicted. She can take care of herself. But things have begun to get desperate, and there’s something about this boy she can’t shake.

As feelings develop between these two—feelings Nicole knows her father would never allow once he returns—she must make a decision. With her family falling apart, will she choose to continue preparing for tomorrow’s disasters, or will she take a chance and start living for today?

Buddy Review: This Raging Light

Title: This Raging Light

Author: Estelle Laure

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: December 22, 2015

Source: eARC from Publisher for Review

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Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

Blog Tour: Signs Point to Yes - Review

Title: Signs Point to Yes

Author: Sandy Hall

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: October 20, 2015

Source: Swoon Reads for Blog Tour

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Visit the Swoon Reads Website

The author of A Little Something Different brings you the most adorkable romance ever.

Jane, a superstitious fangirl, takes an anonymous babysitting job to avoid an unpaid internship with her college-obsessed mom. The only problem? She’s babysitting the siblings of her childhood friend and new crush, Teo.

Teo doesn’t dislike Jane, but his best friend Ravi hates her, and is determined to keep them apart. So Teo’s pretty sure his plans for a peaceful summer are shot. His only hope is that his intermittent search for his birth father will finally pan out and he’ll find a new, less awkward home. Meanwhile, at Jane’s house, her sister Margo wants to come out as bisexual, but she’s terrified of how her parents will react.

In a summer filled with secrets and questions, even Jane’s Magic 8 ball can’t give them clear answers, but Signs Point to Yes.

ARC Review: Truly Madly Famously

Title: Truly Madly Famously (Famous in Love #2)

Series: Famous in Love 

Author: Rebecca Serle

Publisher: Poppy

Publication Date: October 13, 2015

Source: Poppy (for Review)

In this romantic sequel to Famous in Love, new Hollywood "It Girl" Paige must navigate love with her co-stars, both on and off screen and all in the public eye.

Lights, camera, love!

After being plucked from obscurity, Hollywood's newest starlet, Paige Townsen, has a hit film to her name and Rainer Devon on her arm. But being half of the world's most famous couple comes with a price, and soon Paige finds herself dodging photographers; hiding her feelings for her other costar, Jordan Wilder; and navigating tabloid scandals that threaten to tear her and Rainer apart-and end her career as quickly as it began.

Rebecca Serle's sequel to Famous in Love is filled with the kind of celebrity drama and swoon-worthy romance fit for the silver screen.

Blog Tour: Romancing the Light in the City of Dark - Review

Title: Romancing the Dark in the City of Light

Author: Ann Jacobus

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Publication Date: October 6, 2015

Source: eARC from Thomas Dunne Books

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Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository | Kobo | iTunes

A troubled teen, living in Paris, is torn between two boys, one of whom encourages her to embrace life, while the other—dark, dangerous, and attractive—urges her to embrace her fatal flaws.

Haunting and beautifully written, with a sharp and distinctive voice that could belong only to this character, Romancing the Dark in the City of Light is an unforgettable young adult novel.

Summer Barnes just moved to Paris to repeat her senior year of high school. After being kicked out of four boarding schools, she has to get on the right track or she risks losing her hefty inheritance. Summer is convinced that meeting the right guy will solve everything. She meets two. Moony, a classmate, is recovering against all odds from a serious car accident, and he encourages Summer to embrace life despite how hard it can be to make it through even one day. But when Summer meets Kurt, a hot, mysterious older man who she just can't shake, he leads her through the creepy underbelly of the city-and way out of her depth.

When Summer's behavior manage to alienate everyone, even Moony, she's forced to decide if a life so difficult is worth living. With an ending that'll surprise even the most seasoned reader, Romancing the Dark in the City of Light is an unputdownable and utterly compelling novel.

ARC Review: Twisted Fate

Title: Twisted Fate

Author: Norah Olson

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 20, 2015

Source: ARC gifted from Sarah

When Alyson meets Graham Copeland, the new boy next door, she instantly feels like he’s a kindred spirit—shy and awkward like her, someone who has trouble making friends. It’s impossible to resist having a crush on him.

As usual, her sister, Sydney, sees things differently. In Sydney's mind, Graham's odd personality and secretive past scream psychopath, not sweetheart. Her gut is telling her to stay away from him, and to protect a love-struck Alyson from her own naïveté. But despite her instincts, Sydney is surprised to realize that a part of her is drawn to Graham, too.

And the more Sydney gets to know him, the more she realizes just how right—and wrong—she is about everything.

Perfect for fans of Michelle Hodkin, and E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, Twisted Fate is an unputdownable novel, teeming with suspense.

The YA Novels on Oyster Unlimited is Seriously Insane! + GIVEAWAY

Hey there, everyone! Today is a pretty exciting day here at The Hardcover Lover because I have some amazing news for you, especially if you are an E-book lover!

Oyster and I are teaming up today so that everyone can see all of the amazing YA books that are available to you right now through Oyster Unlimited!

And... there's a special offer for everyone who reads this post... You'll be able to try Oyster for yourself for only $0.99! Yes... you read that right! You'll be able to try out Oyster for three months for less than one dollar!

Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

Format: Paperback
Publisher: MTV Books

Publication Date: February 1999

Source: Purchased from Borders

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Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

An Open Letter to My YA Self + GIVEAWAY

 

Dear Erin,

I know that it seems like everyone in the world (or at least school) only reads what they have to for school, but don't let that discourage you from reading what you want and when you want. Just because the kids at school don't read doesn't mean that you shouldn't. English is your favorite class, right? Reading is an important task, and it will help you keep an open mind now and into the future. And don't worry if you're not cool. You'll soon find out that you'll meet people who love reading. I'm not telling you who these people will be, but many of them may come to you in college or after. They will help you to learn that you don't have to be ashamed of what you read.

Speaking of being ashamed... you've been on a Nicholas Sparks kick for a while. Like six years! You've been reading practically everything of his since you were in sixth grade when you read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. Are there even any Nicholas Sparks books left?! It's perfectly okay to read his books, but there are a lot more authors out there. There are even some who write YA, which is something you haven't really read yet. Why don't you give them a try? How about Harry Potter? Remember how you started Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in sixth grade? I think it's time to go back. The final book is about to come out, and you've missed so much. Or you know... wait just a few more years... when you finally think you need something to help you overcome your fears and anxiety.

I know you're just about to start your senior year of high school, and with that, you're feeling scared, anxious, and excited all at once. It's a completely normal feeling! Because I'm you from the future, I also know that as of this very moment, you're thinking of studying journalism in school. Something in you will change, and right before your college applications are due, you'll discover that you'd rather teach than try to write informative articles for a living.

Soon, you'll find yourself in college, and studying the classics, but there will be a required course that you won't be too excited for... Young Adult Literature. Remember how I told you to give it a try? Well you'll have to! How are you supposed to take a class on YA, especially when you haven't really read any? (I mean seriously... Didn't you pretty much only read The Perks of Being a Wallflower and a few middle grade books?) Don't be scared. In fact, embrace the change that will happen because you will discover a love for reading that you didn't know you had in you. You'll find out that there's more to get excited about than just getting an A in the class. (Spoiler alert... you get an A, so don't fret about not making the grade.)

Because of this class, and the required reading, you'll end up on Amazon a lot. You'll also meet an amazing author who you read before having to take the class - Stephen Chbosky. He'll sign your book, so keep it close to you at all times! Even though many of the books for class will be science fiction and dystopia, you'll find some contemporary books to read. Some of the amazing contemporary YA and middle grade books that you'll love from your class will be:

• Change of Heart by Shari Mauer
• Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn
• Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

After graduating college, you'll be a teacher, and you'll be looking for work. Sadly those honors you had won't make it much easier to find a job. As you're looking and substitute teaching, you'll continue to read a lot of YA because you know that you'll be able to recommend books to students. Some of the contemporary books that you'll love to read and recommend will include but not be limited to:

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
• Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke
• The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler
• Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
• Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
• If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
• Panic by Lauren Oliver
• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

The stories in these books will stay with you for a while, and you'll know that a lot of young girls who aren't necessarily fans of science fiction and dystopia will need to find books that they will like. You'll even meet a sixth grader who will thank you for helping her find Before I Fall because she's over middle grade and ready to discover YA.  

Your life always has and always will be defined by books. You'll be known as the reader or the "Belle" wherever you go, and you'll love it. You might not get approval from your mother all of the time, but she will brag about how much you read, even into your adult years. Keep reading, and don't be afraid to talk about books with others. Some people that you meet in your life's journey will have a lot of things in common with you, and you'll see that there are many YA readers among adults.

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Top Ten Tuesday (19)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. They created the meme because they love making and sharing lists. Well that's just one thing that I have in common with them because list making is essential to my life.

Every week, there is a new topic for Top Ten Tuesday, and all you have to do is create your top ten list (or somewhere around ten if you can't think of ten) 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!

Ten Books I Recently Added to My TBR:

So I have a mix of released and upcoming books for this week's Top Ten Tuesday. Some of these are books that have been getting a lot of attention lately, so I'm very interested in them (The Orphan Queen, We All Looked Up, Mosquitoland, The Wrong Side of Right), and some are books that I am just very interested in reading (and soon). I'm also curious about the similarities in We All Looked Up and All We Have Is Now, so I will probably read those two back to back when the latter is released.

Book Review: The Truth About Alice

Title: The Truth About Alice

Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Source: Amanda (Of Spectacles & Books)

Originally Reviewed for Of Spectacles and Books

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Goodreads || Amazon

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party.

But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car? 

It's true. Ask anybody.

Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom wall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control.

In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students - the girl who had the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door - tell all they know.

But what exactly is the truth about Alice? In the end, there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

My Review

For a book that’s just under two hundred pages, Jennifer Mathieu’s The Truth About Alice packs a punch and delivers the pain right to the guts. This book is one that readers will wow readers so much that they’ll want to devour in one sitting, but it’s also conflicting because readers will want to savor it and make it last just a little longer. I did the latter, and decided to savor it, and it paid off. The novel is both heartbreaking and healing, though much of the book deals with heartbreaking issues such as bullying, depression, death, and mourning. Other issues, such as sex, drinking, and religion are brought up in the book, so it has a little something for everyone. Matthieu tackles these issues with grace and writes about them beautifully with such a vast array of emotions.

The novel is told from four different perspectives, and each character has his or her own opinion about the infamous Alice Franklin. Rumors are swirling around the small town of Healy, Texas, and teenage residents, Elaine, Kelsie, Josh, and Kurt all have something to say about Alice and what allegedly happened at Elaine’s party and the weeks that followed. The multiple narrator aspect allows for a multifaceted story that perturbs and engages readers as they turn every page. I really liked that this novel was told from the different points of view. As the book progresses, readers are able to put the puzzle pieces together to figure out the truth until Alice finally comes out to tell her side of the story. Each character had his or her own voice, and this springboards Mathieu amongst some of the best contemporary YA authors. I was never confused about who was narrating each chapter, and I loved each character’s unique voice.

I did feel like the four narrators represented the typical high school stereotypes and were clichés but the inclusion of that feature made the book more realistic and believable. No matter where you go to school, there are popular girls, jocks, nerds, and quite possibly, back-stabbing friends. I really enjoyed reading and learning about these characters they all conform to their respective stereotype in certain ways, but they are still able to break the mold and surprise readers by doing unexpected things at unexpected times.

Every teenager (and fan of young adult books) should and must read The Truth About Alice. Even with it’s more mature content, it’s such a powerful and emotionally slaying read because it realistically shows just how vicious teenagers can really be. On the other hand, it also shows that there still is some good in the world, even when it seems like all hope is lost. I would recommend this book for fans of gut-wrenching books and movies like The Breakfast Club and Mean Girls. If you’re looking for something realistic and suspenseful, read this book.

Top Ten Tuesday (18)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. They created the meme because they love making and sharing lists. Well that's just one thing that I have in common with them because list making is essential to my life.

Every week, there is a new topic for Top Ten Tuesday, and all you have to do is create your top ten list (or somewhere around ten if you can't think of ten) 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!

Please don't hate me... this is my first TTT since January! I've really been meaning to participate more often. I just had so many ARCs to read, and since I post ARC reviews a week before the book is released, I felt like I'd be overloading you with posts.

Now... it's time to list those books!

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List:

I used this list to compile my choices for this week's TTT. These are the books that I really want to read this spring, but realistically, I know I will probably only get to half of them. I still have winter releases to get to!
I do have ARCs for a few of these titles (and other June titles), so look out for reviews.

1. The Heir by Kiera Cass
2. Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
3. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
4. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
5. The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver
6. 99 Days by Katie Cotugno
7. Love, Fortunes, and Other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius
8. Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler
9. Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby
10. Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Review: Dorothy Must Die

Title: Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1)

Author: Danielle Paige

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Source: Purchased from Amazon

Add to Goodreads  || Purchase from Amazon

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado - taking you with it - you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road - but even that's crumbling.
What happened? Dorothy.
They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm - and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission.

ARC Review: My Best Everything

Title: My Best Everything

Author: Sarah Tomp

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Rating: ☆☆☆

Add it to Goodreads | Purchase from Amazon

You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.

Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.

Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.

Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?

The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?

My Review

My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp is as sweet as molasses when it comes to the plot and friendships, but I felt like it lacked that little extra kick to make it a little more buzz-worthy and really make it a superb book for me. While the book is not as great as I was expecting, it's a wonderful debut novel that will leave readers wanting more from Ms. Tomp. It's one of those books that you'll want to read on vacation or at the beach.

While reading, I was concerned about how people from the South will see the book, but I'm not from the South, so I can't really speak for some of the traditions and culture included.

I really liked a lot of the characters in this novel. Lulu is the goody goody and smart girl who just wants to get away from the small town where she was born and raised. On her journey out of town, she faces many challenges that will test her faith and reputation. Lulu's best friend, Roni, is content with the small town life until something huge is thrown at her, and I really like how she handled it. The girls are accompanied by their significant others - Bucky for Roni and Mason for Lulu. I didn't care too much for Bucky, but I found that he redeemed himself a bit at the end of the book. Mason was a good match personality wise for Lulu, but I thought he was a bit too old for her. The rest of the characters, including rival shiners and junkyard employees help to round out this southern tale.

My Best Everything is written unlike any other book I've ever read because it's written like a first person narrative, but also like a giant love letter. I thought the narrative was cute and unique, but sometimes it bothered me because the narrator Lulu is basically rehashing everything that happened over the summer to her boyfriend who experienced most of it with her. I also found that there were a lot of moonshine metaphors. I expected some of them, but by the end of the book, it got a little repetitive.

The professionals at NetGalley recommended this novel for fans of Rainbow Rowell, but I think fans of Sarah Dessen will like this one a little more because there's a little bit of romance and it's balanced out with some intense issues. Personally, I would recommend this one for older teens (and adults who like YA) because it is a bit more mature than a lot of the YA books on the market.

Blog Tour and Review: Biggie

Title: Biggie
Author: Derek E. Sullivan
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Publication Date: March 1, 2015
Source: eARC from Publisher via NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours
Rating: ☆☆☆

Add to Goodreads || Purchase from Amazon
 Purchase from Barnes & Noble

Henry "Biggie" Abbott is the son of one of Finch, Iowa 's most famous athletes. His father was a baseball legend and his step-dad is a close second. 

At an obese 300+ pounds though, Biggie himself prefers classroom success to sports. As a perfectionist, he doesn't understand why someone would be happy getting two hits in five trips to the plate. "Forty percent, that's an F in any class," he would say. 

As Biggie's junior year begins, the girl of his dreams, Annabelle Rivers, starts to flirt with him. Hundreds of people have told him to follow in his dad's footsteps and play ball, but Annabelle might be the one to actually convince him to try. What happens when a boy who has spent his life since fourth grade trying to remain invisible is suddenly thrust into the harsh glare of the high school spotlight?

My Review

Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan is a very respectable debut novel about an overweight teenage boy name Henry. Unfortunately for Henry, his size has made his peers call him Biggie, so that's what everyone calls him. In my opinion Sullivan does a good job at capturing the emotional aspect of what it's like to be overweight/obese as a teenager. (I was overweight as a teenager, and it's no picnic.) The book isn't as emotional as I thought it would be but instead, it has a lighthearted humor that captures readers. It's definitely worth a read, especially if you are looking for a book told from the male perspective.

The main character, Biggie (Henry) is definitely an odd character. While reading, I had to shake my head a lot just because of how strange Biggie is. Don't get me wrong... he's interesting and unique, but if he were at my school, I probably wouldn't be friends with him because he's a little freaky. As with all weird kids, there is a story to Biggie that explains some of his odd habits, and eventually, he becomes understandable. I did grow to like him a lot more as the book progressed, and by the end of the book, I probably would have been Biggie's friend. It's all about getting to know a person, right? Well it's all about getting to know Biggie in the case of this book. 

The other characters in the book are basically your typical high school kids. Biggie finds himself becoming friends with the jocks, so you get to see what he thinks of them and their popular friends. Even though Biggie is quiet and doesn't talk much to his peers, you'll see him break through his shell and eventually form friendships with these characters. They are Killer, Jet, Kyle, Annabelle, and a few college girls. While reading, you'll meet and learn a little about Biggie's mom, but you will get to know his stepfather and half-brother a little better.

There is one moment, at the end of the book, that made me want to go in and slap a character. I don't want to spoil anyone, but it's just so heartbreaking and sad for Biggie. That one moment really made me think about the emotional aspect of broken families. Sullivan earned all of my respect for including such a sad, but real and truthful moment.

Biggie is an enjoyable read. There were a few times that I questioned some of the medical aspects of the book, especially when Biggie says that he "beat diabetes," but if you look past that and focus on the baseball driven and coming of age plot, it's pretty darn good. The novel is a fresh story in contemporary YA, and I am looking forward to more books from Sullivan in the future.

About Derek E. Sullivan

Derek E. Sullivan is an award-winning reporter and columnist at the Rochester Post-Bulletin in Minnesota. As a reporter, he has written more than 1,000 stories about the lives of teenagers, which he attributes to helping him find his YA voice. He has an MFA from Hamline University. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and three sons.

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The Friday 56 (13)

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Freda over at Freda's Voice. The rules are easy  to follow, and this is a great way to share books with other bloggers.

So what do you need to do to participate in The Friday 56?

• Go to page 56 (or 56% for e-readers) of the book you're currently reading
• Grab a few sentences to share with your blog's readers, but be sure not to spoil anything major
• Add your name to the link-up on Freda's blog

This week, I'm reading My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp. The book releases on Tuesday, so look for a review between now and then.

It's about a bright teenager who is getting ready to leave her small town life for good. Unfortunately, her dad loses all of her tuition money, so it looks like she'll be stuck in Dale, Virgina for a little longer. Then she cooks up a plan to make and sell moonshine so she has her tuition money.

As of right now, I'm about 30% through the book, and I can tell you that I'm really liking it so far. 

"We hadn't done much beyond kissing. Heated hours of kissing, but for someone measuring progress, there hadn't been any quantifiable change. All clothes stayed on. Curious hands had roamed the landscapes of each other, but there'd only been quick, furtive slips beneath to reach hot skin. The way I ached inside whenever you held me close felt like something so different than hard science."

ARC Review: Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills

Title: Positively Beautiful

Author: Wendy Mills

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

Source: On the Same Page ARC Tours

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Add it to Goodreads
Amazon

In this heart-wrenching story of love and loss, a teen grapples with a medical question that could change everything.

Erin Bailey's life changes forever the day her mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. It's always been just Erin and Mom, so living without her is not an option. Life takes another turn when the cancer is linked to a rare genetic mutation, and Erin must choose whether or not to have her own DNA tested. Her only escape outlets are a new friend she met in an online support group and flying lessons, where looking to the horizon calms her deepest fears. But when a flash decision has Erin flying away to find her friend, she embarks on a journey to new love and a better understanding of the true meaning of beauty.

This thought-provoking story brings readers to the emotional brink and back again as they experience Erin's fear, her frustration, and ultimately . . . her freedom.

My Review

A few simple words can't explain what reading Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills will do to readers. It's an emotional roller coaster of a read that will have readers laughing, smiling, swooning, and crying. You will be in tears by the end of the book. I promise you that. The book will literally transform the way readers think about life and death.

The novel starts out by introducing readers to sixteen (almost seventeen) year old Erin Bailey. She is your average American teenage girl. She does well in school and has a best friend. She's not the most popular girl in school, but I wouldn't say she's on the lowest rung of the social ladder. She's also got a nemesis like quite a few girls do in high school. Her best friend meets a boy, and soon they all begin to hang out with Michael, a boy who used to be quite popular until he decided to drop it all. Pretty status quo, right? Well... that's just the beginning of the book.

Mills introduces the main problem of the book - Erin's mom's cancer diagnosis - rather quickly, but after reading the whole novel, I like that she did that. With the inclusion of a very quick diagnosis, Mills creates a very realistic case of what it's like to battle cancer because cancer really can strike anywhere and at any time. 

If you read the synopsis, you know that Erin's mom discovers that the cancer is linked to a genetic mutation. Some of you may already be aware of this gene - the BRCA gene - because Angelina Jolie recently decided to have a mastectomy because of it. After Erin finds out that she could be at risk, she orders a kit to have her own DNA tested. I thought that Erin was brave for wanting to find out the truth, even though everyone, including her mom, is insisting that she wait until she's older to be tested. I admire Mills for bringing this into the story. It really shows that some people want to know just how they could die.

I also enjoyed that there were a few things going on in this book. It's not just about cancer (although the aforementioned cancer is the reason that Erin does a lot of what she does). There are some heartbreaking moments between Erin and her best friend. There are some times when you'll feel so bad for Erin that you want to jump into the book and give her the biggest of hugs. You'll see Erin go online to find support groups to help her cope with the genetic mutation that is destroying her family. Erin also tries to distract herself with flying lessons so she can feel closer to her late father. Erin is a mufti-faceted character that I think will connect with many of today's teens.

If you're only looking to read a few new books in 2015, this should be one of them. It's emotional and it's raw, but it will teach you about life and love when it seems like all hope is lost in the world.

Blog Tour: Kalahari + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to my stop on the Kalahari Safari! If you’re new to the Safari, check in at Base Camp to learn what it’s about and how you can win!

 

From the Author:

Sarah Carmichael

Sarah Carmichael is the main character and narrator of Kalahari. She’s grown up all over the world, in one remote camp after another, with her zoologist parents. As a result, she’s fluent in several languages, knows a ton about animals, and is more at home in the jungle or desert than in a city. So when her father agrees to host five city kids for an educational safari, Sarah is not a fan of the idea. She’s always been more comfortable around creatures with four legs than ones with two—especially ones her own age. Still reeling from the recent death of her mother, the last thing Sarah feels up for is trying to fit in with new faces from a completely different world than her own.

But that becomes the least of her troubles after her dad goes missing and Sarah must not only work with Sam, Kase, Miranda, Joey, and Avani—but keep them alive.

Sarah’s character was inspired by two well-known “nature girls”: Tippi Degre and Bindi Irwin. Tippi Degre was the daughter of wildlife photographers who spent her childhood in the Kalahari, where she learned from the San Bushmen, ran wild through the desert, and befriended a host of animals. Photos of her unusual upbringing depict a carefree child who seems happiest when perched on an elephant or cuddling a meerkat. In her own words in My Book of Africa, Tippi describes her connection to animals and her love for the Kalahari. Bindi Irwin is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, the renowned TV personality “The Crocodile Hunter.” After her father’s tragic death, Bindi has carried on his legacy and passion for educating the world about animals and nature.

Tippi Degre

Bindi and Steve Irwin

Sam's Number:

Complete the challenges below (the more you complete the higher your chances of winning a big prize!) and then head back to Base Camp and on to the next challenge!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thanks so much for visiting my stop on the blog tour. If you haven't, you can check out my review for Kalahari, and be sure to pick up a copy tomorrow. Thanks again for dropping by.

The Friday 56 (11)

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted over at Freda's Voice. The rules are easy  to follow, and this is a great way to share books with other bloggers.

So what do you need to do to participate in The Friday 56?

• Go to page 56 (or 56% for e-readers) of the book you're currently reading
• Grab a few sentences to share with your blog's readers, but be sure not to spoil anything major
• Add your name to the link-up on Freda's blog

This week, I'm reading the upcoming book, Biggie, by Derek E. Sullivan. I'm reading it as part of a blog tour, so keep an eye out for a review early next month! I'm not too far into this book (and definitely nowhere near the 56% mark for this quote), but so far, it's pretty good. I'm looking forward to learning more about Biggie and the other characters in the book.

"You need to throw up," Killer says. "Do you know how to do that?"

I really don't, so I shake my head as a cop pulls into the driveway.

So what are you reading this week? As always, feel free to leave a comment to let me know, and don't be afraid to leave a link to your own Friday 56 quotes so I can check them out.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (14)

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme brought to you by BookJourney. Each Monday, you get to share book or books 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.

A while ago, I discovered another great outlet to share your It's Monday posts. Readers of YA and educators can also share their links on the link up tool on Teach Mentor Texts. I highly recommend this if you are a teacher or a librarian because I've discovered so many great books through the bloggers on that list.

It's been a while since my last It's Monday post, but that doesn't mean that I wasn't reading. I've actually been doing a lot of it! I've already got a few reviews scheduled to post later this month, so make sure you're watching for them because a few of them are for upcoming titles that you won't want to miss.

What I'm Reading and Planning to Read This Week

•  Staying Strong by Demi Lovato - Yup! Still reading it. I'll be reading a page a day this year.
• The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu- I'm reading this for a guest review on Of Spectacles & Books. So far, I'm only a few pages in, but it's really intriguing so far, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds. 
• Twisted Fate by Norah Olson - A blogging friend of mine sent me this book, and so far, it's strange but interesting. I put it on the back burner the other day to get some February ARCs read, but I'm hoping to finish it soon.
• Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan - I'll be reading this upcoming title for a blog tour. I'm hoping to start it this week or this weekend.

So those are the books that I'm reading and planning to read this week. I'd love to know if you've read or are planning to read any of them, so don't be shy. Feel free to leave a comment, and you can definitely leave any links to your It's Monday posts.