Hello and Welcome!

Red House Books is going through a bit of a update!

I've always had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted this space to be but I've been detoured from my path by...lots and lost of other people's opinions and ways of doing things...

I'm committed to this little chunk of the interweb but I've also branched out into other places so! Now it's time to think of Red House Books as more of a hub of all things me! And Me is a hell of a lot of book love!

Stay tuned!

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Saturday, December 31, 2011

In My Mailbox - December 31, 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Last Mailbox of 2011! 
Woo hoo!!!

No vlog this week - although we didn't get buried in snow this year I still feel like I'm digging out of a storm. My house is mess and you do not want to look at my ugly mug right now ;)


For Review:
Gun Games by Faye Kellerman
Archon by Sabrina Benulis
Hailey Twitch and The Wedding Glitch by Lauren Barnholdt
Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Gift:
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness -- my family managed to get me a book I didn't have! hehe

Bought:
39 Clues Cahills vs Vespers Book Two A King's Ransom by Jude Watson

So, what's in your mailbox? Leave links!
Happy Reading everyone!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Pure and Angelina's Secret Giveaway

After Christmas Happy Holidays Giveaway :)

I have 2 wonderful books from Spencer Hill Press to give away today!


ARC of Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout - April 2012
ARC of Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers - February 2012

DETAILS
*2 Winners, US only, 18 years or older
*Ends January 2, 2012 11:59pm
*Fill out the form to enter :)

Friday, December 23, 2011

Happy Christmas Eve Eve :)


Happy day before the day before Christmas! 
Or, Christmas Eve Eve :)

I'm just popping in to say that I will be away from my desk (and computer and INTERNET!) for a few days.

Christmas for me means New York and Family and Iavarone (aka The Best Christmas Dinner Ever!) and Presents under the tree for my little one and More Family and Lots and Lots of Smiles!

Hopefully this year it won't snow and I won't (a) get STUCK IN NY because of the fabulous job the city does NOT clearing the roads and (b) come home to EVEN MORE SNOW covering my pretty red house :)

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you all have a very good weekend!

Check back on Monday for a giveaway and I'll see you all sometime next week!

While I'm away, don't forget to SIGN UP FOR NETGALLEY JANUARY if you haven't already :)

Later gators!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Cover Reveal: The Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truit


The Chosen Ones (The Lost Souls #1) by Tiffany Truit
Spring 2012 from Entangled Publishing

What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?
Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.
Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.
But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life.


I absolutly love it!
What do you guys think?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

I declare January to be NetGalley Month - Sign Up Now :)

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I'm a few weeks off ;)

BUT, what I am in time for is Red House Book's 4th NetGalley Month Read-A-Thon!

Between January 1st and January 31st, I challenge you to read as many NetGalley books as you possibly can!

NetGalley October was a ton of fun and for January I've taken into account some participant suggestions:
*I'm using a linky tool for people to sign up with -- lets us all see and hopefully visit each other over the course of the month

*A Twitter hashtag? THERE IS ONE! It's #NetGalleyMonth and you can use it anytime you tweet about your NetGalley reads in January. I'll be checking the feed just about every night and hopefully crashing a few conversations ;)

A few of you also made some suggestions or requests regarding access to NetGalley titles. I just want to make clear that I have no affiliation with NetGalley and your participation in my read-a-thons in no way affects your personal NetGalley approvals. I'm doing this just for fun! If you're a NetGalley member, I'm sure there is at least 1 or 2 (or 10 or 20) titles you've already been approved for that need some love :)

For old and new participants alike, Greetings and Welcome! 

The 'rules' are really simple:
1. Declare yourself!
Write up a post, share it on Facebook, Tweet, sky writing, carrier pigeons...Somehow, let the world know you're participating and link it up below.
2. Read NetGalley books in January!
And tell us about them in February :)

Any questions, let me know! (email: WilowRaven@gmail.com OR tweet me @WilowRedHouse)

**UPDATE**
Thanks to Sarah from Workaday Reads, NetGalley January now has a wonderful button!
Sarah created NetGalley October's button and once again, she has done a fabulous job.
I've included the code in case you want to add it to your site as well.
THANK YOU SARAH!!


<center><a href="http://redhousebooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-declare-january-to-be-netgalley-month.html"target="_blank"><img src="http://i1026.photobucket.com/albums/y327/WilowRaven/NGmonth-Jan.jpg"/></a></center>


Use the linky below to DECLARE YOURSELF!
*The URL link should be a direct link to your declaration post OR just your blog if you haven't written up a post yet OR some other place to find you online (if you have none of these, email me and we'll work something out)
If you link just your blog but do write up a post later, let me know and I can edit your link
*Name should be something like Emily @ Red House Books or Emily's Twitter -- some way for everyone to know who you are :)
*Your email will only ever be seen by me!

10 Harper TEEN e-Books for $10!

You might have seen this around the interwebs already but I can't help my urge to share!


10 e-Books from HarperCollins / HarperTeen for $10

I've already read a few and I bought a few others :)

I'm pretty sure the prices are only good for Kindle and Nook but I'll update if I hear otherwise

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Lucky by Rachel Vail

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

Monday, December 19, 2011

Blog Tour: On A Dark Wing hosted by YA Bound


I am a huge fan of Jordan Dane's so I am supper excited to help get this blog tour started!

In my excitement over On A Dark Wing, I actually posted my review early, so, sorry if this is the second time you're seeing it!

The tour runs from today, December 19th until January 2nd - with over 40 blogs participating!

Ten of these blogs will be hosting giveaways for copies of On a Dark Wing with winners being announced on a live chat with Jordan Dane on January 5 at 7pm EDT.

Also - Jordan is giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky person!!



Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 384
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
"The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.
And Death would be my willing teacher."
Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.
Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.
Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. (from Goodreads)

I was: Captivated by the exploration of the human capacity for love and it's effect on Death himself.

My thoughts:
On A Dark Wing plays out pretty much the way it's synopsis reads however, I suspect, that like me, you'll be surprised and fascinated with the depth and emotion of this story. I wasn't sure what to think going into it. Stories around Death as a main character are usually really great or really bad for me. I guess I have my own notions on how Death should be portrayed. I was more then happy to realize that Jordan must have gotten into my head at some point because her Death? Pretty much spot on.

Loved Tanner! He is sweet and genuine and he really would do anything for Abby and sure, he might be a tad unrealistic but that's what I love about him. More boys (in books and real life) should act like him!

It took me a little while to warm up to Abby. I couldn't believe some of the things she did, or thought. I guess some of it could be classified as typical teenage behavior but sometimes I really wanted to yell at her. She does figure it all out though - and I don't know if I would have been able to do that.

Final verdict:
On A Dark Wing was a unique read for me. I love paranormal tales but sometimes they can be a bit heavy. The elements of the fantastic in this book were realistic to me. No complicated 'you aren't what you think you are' revelations. Death is a constant in everyone's life and whether you view it has a concept or as conscience being, it isn't too far fetched to believe that depth of human emotion could have an effect on 'him'.

My second Jordan Dane book, and defiantly not my last.

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

FREE e-Book Alert


Tortured (Birthmarked #1.5) by Carah M. O'Brien
A bridge story set between Book 1, Birthmarked and Book 2, Prized
Also includes a teaser chapter of Prized
**contains spoilers if you haven't read Birthmarked!**

Also available from iBooks for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Saturday, December 17, 2011

In My Mailbox - December 17, 2012


In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Vlog in which you can see my mad editing skills in action! Seriously, it's not the greatest but I'm proud of it! Let me know what you think!




Links are to Goodreads :)

For Review:
Taft 2012: A Novelby Jason Heller - January 17, 2012

UnCONventional by various authors, edited by Kate Kaynak and Trisha Wooldridge - January 2012

Cinder by Marissa Meyer - January 3, 2012

The Magician's Apprentice by Kate Banks - August 7, 2012

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie - June 5, 2012

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne - June 15, 2012

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen - August 12, 2012

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama - August 21, 2012

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks - May 22, 2012

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth - May 8, 2012

So, what's in your mailbox?

Friday, December 16, 2011

Happy Book Birthday! The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos

I hope you'll all join me in 
wishing Brenda a 
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Today, the 3rd and final installment of her Talisman series, The Onyx Talisman is being released in ebook form. (The physical book will be out in January)

Buy it now for your Kindle or Nook for only $3.99!

And for an added bonus, the Kindle version of Book 1 in the series, The Emerald Talisman, is currently FREE! (and only $.99 for Nook)

AND! For those who post reviews of The Onyx Talisman on Amazon and BandN before January 1st, Brenda is hosting a giveaway of a life-sized Onyx Talisman. Sign-ups are on her blog.

Say it with me now: 
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY BRENDA :)

Brenda Pandos is the author of 2 series:

Talisman Series
The Emerald Talisman
(see my review)
The Sapphire Talisman
The Onyx Talisman

The Mer Tales Series
Everblue (see my reivew)
Evergreen - 2012

Places to stalk, I mean find her ;)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Giveaway: Audio Book of Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?
Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...
Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.
But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside. (from Goodreads)

What a sneak peak of what you could win?
Play the clip below to get a taste!


CONTEST DETAILS:
*1 (one) US resident 18 and older will win a AUDIO BOOK copy of Glow by Kathleen Ryan
*Prize will be shipped by the publisher
*Contest ends on December 29, 2012 at 11:59pm EST
*Fill out the form below to enter :)
*Comment or email me if you have any questions! Thanks guys!


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

FREE e-Book Alert


Tomorrow Is Today by Julie Cross
A short prequel to Julie's Tempest (January 17, 2012)

To get a sense of how time travel works in this world, Julie recommends reading the first four chapters of Tempest before reading Tomorrow is Today. (link is from Julie's blog)

Also available from iBooks for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

On My Wishlist: January 2012 Debuts!


On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City :)

With a new year comes a new crop of fantastic debuts!

The Massive List 2012 is still under construction but if have a minute you should still check it out :)

Here is a taste of some January releases (and a late December one that snuck in :)

Living Violet by Jamie Reed
December 27, 2012 from Dafina
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . . 
Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile. 
But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it. (from Goodreads)


Tempest by Julie Cross
January 3, 2012 from St. Martin's Griffin
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.
That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.
Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.
But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.
Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world. (from Goodreads)


Fracture by Megan Miranda
January 17, 2012 from Walker Children's
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening? (from Goodreads)


Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
January 31, 2012 from Katherine Tegen Books
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

NEWSOUL 
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 
NOSOUL 
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 
HEART 
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? (from Goodreads)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

In My Mailbox - December 10, 2011 - EPIC EDITION!


In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Guys! It's been FOREVER since I posted my mailbox! I've gotten tons of awesome books over the last month :)
First, you can watch my vlog...in which I talk and stuff...sorry...still sick...witty comments have fled...

Just watch the thing ok? :) hehehe




Awesomeness Mentioned! And there is a lot of it! With links and thanks and info and stuff!
Links are to Goodreads :)

For Review
Ringworld by Larry Niven Audiobook -- 1970's sci-fi classic!

The Thorn and The Blossom by Theodora Goss -- A two-sided love story bound up accordion-fold style. Can't wait to read this one!

Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers -- A 2012 debut!

Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout -- loved book 1, Half-Blood!

Big Thanks to Audiobook Jukebox, Eric + Quirk Books, Kate + Spencer Hill Press

Bought
Prized (Birthmarked #2) by Carah M. O'Brien -- loved loved loved book 1, Birthmarked

3:15 Season One: Things That Go Bump In The Night by Patrick Carman -- Middle Grade thriller, interactive wonderfulness! Love love love Patrick Carman!

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa -- love this series! Final book with a great ending


Won from Nikki and Danielle's YA Spooktacular
Frost (Stork #2) by Wendy Delsol ARC-- A modern take on "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen

Frost by Marianna Baer ARC-- A haunted boarding school tale with a psychological twist

Bitter Frost (Frost #1) by Kailin Gow
Forever Frost (Frost #2) by Kailin Gow -- A world filled with fairies that sounds a lot like Marr's Wicked Lovely series

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern  -- THANK YOU Michele!

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs ARC-- THANK YOU Briana!

Ashfall by Mike Mullin ARC -- Debut! Super-volcanic eruption! Love the cover!

Traded
Moonglass by Jessi Kirby ARC -- Contemporary Debut that sounds fabulous -- THANK YOU Margay!
Nora's Soul by Margay Leah Justice -- THANK YOU AGAIN Margay :)

Damage by Anya Parrish -- An imaginary friend who isn't so imaginary - creepy! -- THANK YOU Lindsay!

Whew! Didn't know if I'd make it through...now I need a nap :) I'm never waiting a month between IMM posts again!

So! What's in your mailbox! I really want to know :) Link it up in the comments.

Happy Reading everyone!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cover Reveal: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington


Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
March 1, 2012 from Sourcebooks Fire

It starts with a whisper.

            “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Strange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th birthday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…



Embrace Cover Shoot from Sourcebooks Inc on Vimeo.



What do you guys think? Are you excited to read Embrace?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Book Review: On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 384
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
"The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.
And Death would be my willing teacher."
Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.
Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.
Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. (from Goodreads)

I was: Captivated by the exploration of the human capacity for love and it's effect on Death himself.

My thoughts:
On A Dark Wing plays out pretty much the way it's synopsis reads however, I suspect, that like me, you'll be surprised and fascinated with the depth and emotion of this story. I wasn't sure what to think going into it. Stories around Death as a main character are usually really great or really bad for me. I guess I have my own notions on how Death should be portrayed. I was more then happy to realize that Jordan must have gotten into my head at some point because her Death? Pretty much spot on.

Loved Tanner! He is sweet and genuine and he really would do anything for Abby and sure, he might be a tad unrealistic but that's what I love about him. More boys (in books and real life) should act like him!

It took me a little while to warm up to Abby. I couldn't believe some of the things she did, or thought. I guess some of it could be classified as typical teenage behavior but sometimes I really wanted to yell at her. She does figure it all out though - and I don't know if I would have been able to do that.

Final verdict:
On A Dark Wing was a unique read for me. I love paranormal tales but sometimes they can be a bit heavy. The elements of the fantastic in this book were realistic to me. No complicated 'you aren't what you think you are' revelations. Death is a constant in everyone's life and whether you view it has a concept or as conscience being, it isn't too far fetched to believe that depth of human emotion could have an effect on 'him'.

My second Jordan Dane book, and defiantly not my last.

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Monday, December 5, 2011

Has technology changed the way you read?

After probably frying my daughter's stereo tonight by leaving it too close to the humidifier, it took 2 grow adults half and hour to figure out how to sooth our precious (and particular) 5 year old to sleep. She needed her music and what should have been a simple task turned into an incredibly silly ordeal.

It got me thinking. What about all those times when you only had 1 option? I had a Walkman once. It broke and I upgraded to a portable CD player - which I had for years! I had a stereo system - with 2 tape decks thank you very much. It was the only one in the house. If anyone wanted to listen to music, they came to my room. My first car, didn't even come with a tape deck! If at any time, that one device broke - I was out of luck. No music for me that day. And you know what? Oh well.

So tonight, after running through every possible scenario of the seemingly simple task of getting music into my daughter's room it strikes me as very funny that after: dismissing the old 'boom box' (it doesn't always play CDs right) my work lap top (because I didn't feel like disconnecting it from it's external monitor), my other lap top (because, hello? I need that one tonight!), the old Mac in the bedroom (but what if we want to watch a movie before bed?) - my brain finally settled on the ancient lap top gathering dust under the dresser. No one needed that one tonight and it still works! Now...if I could only remember the password....

My daughter is finally asleep basking in the soft glow of a 10 year old Toshiba.

Really?

Now granted, my guy works in IT and sometimes it feels like our house is a place technology comes to die. But still. Think about it. How many things do you have in your house that do exactly the same thing? How many can openers? How many pairs of scissors? How many things that can make music happen? Or that you can watch a movie on?

Now think about how many ways you can read. Do you have a computer? More then one? What about a smart phone? iPod or iPad? Nook? Kindle? ACTUAL PAPER AND INK BOOKS?

Some of you may only have one or two of these things and a few years ago, I really didn't have any. I'm lucky in my life at the moment but sometimes I ask myself, how much is too much?

When I was younger and I wanted to read a book, I did just that, I went to my bookshelf and I picked up a book. No other option was ever available to me.

Today? I have to ask myself not only WHAT I want to read but HOW I want to read it. Did I put that NetGalley book on my iPad or my Nook? Did I start reading it on my computer at work? What about that short story I downloaded? Is it still on my phone?

How much time do I waste with these ridiculous 'problems'? More then I should.

Now, I feel that I work hard and when I do spend money on myself it's almost always book / reading or technology related. I just never thought that the two would be so very connected - at least in my life.

So I ask you, how has technology changed the way you read? Has it affected you at all?

I for one could never envision a world without hard copy books. Books you have to hold in your hand and open to read. Books make out of paper and ink. Digital just isn't the same. But it is here and it's hard to ignore at times.

In a lot of ways, technology has made my reading experiences better. On a very basic level, without technology, there wouldn't be book bloggers (or any bloggers for that matter). There wouldn't be this wonderful virtual community where we can all gather and share. So for that, I will always be grateful.

But sometimes? It's too much. And even in the end, if I do choose to pick up that paper and ink book, the journey to my bookcase now takes a little bit longer.

Cover Reveal: Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book 1 in Jennifer L. Armentrout's, Lux series, Obsidian, releases tomorrow, December 6th


Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is. (from Goodreads)

I personally believe the world needs more books about aliens :)

And if that wasn't enough to get your excited, check out the cover for book 2:

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
May 2012 from Entangled Publishing

AND! How about a sneak peak at the official blurb....

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…


What do you guys think? Anyone planning on picking up Obsidian tomorrow?

Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Book Review: Flyaway by Helen Landalf

***2011 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2012
Pages: 182
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun is used to taking care of herself. But one night, her mom, who works as an exotic dancer in a downtown Seattle nightclub, never comes home.
That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down.
It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer: the summer Stevie has to stay with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest guy in high school.
But most of all, it’s the summer she finds out the truth about Mom.
FLYAWAY is the story of a teen girl’s struggle to hold on to what she’s always believed, even as her world spins out of control.(from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Flyway is a dramatic contemporary story that I pretty much read in one sitting. It was very easy to get sucked into Stevie's life and story and it was very hard to push her to the side, even for a short time. She's a pretty demanding character. Full of issues and really not sure of herself at all, I found myself liking her, even though I really didn't want to.

Stevie has a life that nobody would want. Her mother is a drug addict and Stevie worships her. She would do anything for her mother and at times this was frustrating. She made excuses and she covered things up because all she wanted was to have her mother home. I wanted her to get mad, but she never did. I wanted her mother to have to pay for actions but that doesn't really happen either.

When it comes down to it, Flyway is about a young girl's struggle with addiction - even though it isn't her own. There is no real redemption for Stevie's mother but this isn't her story - it's Stevie's. We view everything through her eyes and even thought she fillers a lot of her life, it's hard not to feel for her in the end. I wanted to scream at her for her tolerance of her mother's behavior but at the same time, I wanted someone to be there to take care of her.

A really good read for me. I can't say I loved every character (Stevie's aunt got on my nerves) but I very much enjoyed the story as a whole. I'm not at all familiar with drug addiction and how it affects families so I can't speak to the accuracy of the scenarios but I can say that the depth of feeling that these characters experiences felt real to me.

Overall Rating:
4 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Houghton Mifflin / Harcourt Children's
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Monday, November 28, 2011

Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 2011
Pages: 346
Series: 1st in the Shatter Me series
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up Shatter Me. I've heard a lot of really great things about it from readers that I trust so I had some pretty high expectations. I'm not sure it quite filled all of them but I do have to say, Shatter Me was a fantastic read.

A dystopian world that didn't always follow the rules - A romance that I felt like I was walking into the middle of before it really got started - Characters that didn't fit any norm that I had a hard time making sense of. You would think these factors might make for a less then enjoyable read but you would be very wrong! Tahereh combined everything so perfectly, making for a seamless dystopian adventure story filled with characters you won't soon forget. Especially Adam! He's almost too good to be true.

So hard to actually classify this one. Dystopian, yes. But there is also something perhaps paranormal going on? Or maybe it's entirely normal but we just don't have all the pieces yet? I really just don't know! But I loved the journey of this book. I loved watching Juliette and I loved learning about her world with her.

Final verdict:
For a dystopian novel, Shatter Me is up there among my favorites. The romance felt true, with no clichés or love triangles. A lot of memorable characters and a world that has a lot more secrets to offer up. A fantastic debut!

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Shatter Me Series:
Shatter Me
Untitled (2012)

Linkage Love:
HarperCollins
Author's Website
Goodreads
Facebook Page - READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!

Official Trailer:

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday! My book giving recommendations :)

Hello brave souls who face the crazy hoards of manic holiday shoppers on this holiest of retail days!
And yes, I am one of them! 

Every year stores are opening earlier and earlier. I would never even think of shopping on Thanksgiving Day but Midnight usually works for me ;)

No matter when you shop this year, at least one person on your holiday gift giving list deserves a book! Or two! Or three! :)

Here are some of my recommendations for the book lovers in your life.

All are young adult books I've read this past year and absolutely loved!

Fantasy
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Between The Sea and The Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Thriller
 
Escape From Furnance Series by Alexander Gordon

Sci-fi
Human .4 by Mike A. Lancaster
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Skyship Academy by Nick James

Contemporary
The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Paranormal
Wildfire by Karsten Knight
Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Dystopian
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch


Is anyone getting books from you as gifts this year?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

A Day To Be Thankful!

For those of you that celebrate,

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am currently enjoying the comfort of my home town - visiting with friends and family and eating way too much food!

I'm thankful that I can enjoy this time with my loved ones and I'm hoping the same for you!

I am also currently in the land of little to no internet (the horror!) 
I'll be back next week!

What are you thankful for today?

Have a safe and happy holiday!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Book Review: Between The Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2011
Pages: 240
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alander, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alander band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I picked up Between the Sea and Sky and literally couldn't put it down. A couple of hours later, I was done and I wished I weren't. I very easily got lost in the world of merfolk and winged folk. What a fabulous world this is! Humans and fanatical creatures living in a Victorian like time. Such a great fantasy setting!

I pretty much fell in love with Esmerine and Alander instantly. Each is such a unique character and each has such a complex background but when it really comes down to it, they want the same things most people do. They want to be loved and accepted. They want to be happy and thankful for what life has to offer. It was so wonderful watching these two discover the possibilities that their lives could offer them if they just gave it a chance.

I very much felt transported into Esmerine and Alander's world. A fantasy world yes, but one that also felt very real to me. Fantasy at it's best!

Like I said, I really couldn't put this book down! If you're a fan of Jaclyn or really just a fan of fantasy, you'll love Between the Sea and Sky as much as I did, I'm sure!

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love
Bloomsbury
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Saturday, November 19, 2011

On My Wishlist: January 2012 Debut Authors

On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City :)

With the new year fast approaching, it's almost time for a whole new crop of fantastic debuts!

The Massive List 2012 is still under construction
(*but you should still check it for the pretty pictures*)

Here is a taste of some January releases that are currently on my wishlist:

Shadow's Edge by Maureen Lipinski
January 8, 2012 from Flux
Goodreads / WebsiteIndieBound

Sixteen-year-old Leah Spencer didn't mind being a natural-born Shaman to the Créatúir. Until she broke Rule #1 and traveled to the Other Realm, where she quickly lost time. Like, a whole year of time. She missed out on everything—holidays, school, her sixteenth birthday, the boyfriend who ditched her. So Leah swore to leave all things magical behind her and lead the life of a normal high school girl.
But when a mysterious dark force starts offing the Créatúir, both Light and Dark, Leah must choose between her new life and "getting all CSI" on the Other Realm murder spree. With the help of her three sisters (each with their own magical gift), and three gorgeous guys—who may or may not be part of the evil magic—Leah must vanquish an ancient dark force that is connected to her family in unimaginable ways. (from Goodreads)

Cracked by K.M. Walton
January 3, 2012 from Simon Pulse
GoodreadsWebsite / IndieBound

Sometimes there's no easy way out.
Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.
Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.
When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….(from Goodreads)

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
January 3, 2012 from Simon and Schuster 
GoodreadsTwitter / IndieBound

Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed. After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.
Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love? (from Goodreads)

The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards
January 17, 2012 from HarperCollins
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.
When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all. (from Goodreads)

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
January 3, 2012 from HarperCollins
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.
As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.
They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY. (from Goodreads)

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
January 4, 2012 from Balzer and Bray
Goodreads / Website / IndieBound

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's... (from Goodreads)