Stacking the Shelves {6}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a way to showcase the books we've received for review or purchased, borrowed, etc. If you'd like to participate please check out Tynga's website for more information.

Purchased/Won:

Bittersweet, Sarah Ockler

Publication: 1/3/12, Simon Pulse

Goodreads / Amazon

I won Bittersweet from Erin at Jump into Books. Big thank you to Erin!!

Variant (Variant #1), Robinson Wells

Publication: 9/26/11, HarperTeen

Goodreads / Amazon

I received an ARC of Variant from HarperTeen last year and loved it so I finally got around to purchasing a finished copy. I always try to buy finished copies of the ARCs I've received and adored.

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers, Lynn Weingarten

Publication: 12/27/11, HarperTeen

Goodreads / Amazon

I haven't heard too much about this one, but it sounded cute and it was on sale for $2.99 on my Kindle so I thought, "why not?"

For Review:

January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's

Struggle to Save Her, Michael Schofield

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 8/7/12, Crown Publishing

Goodreads / Amazon

Let the Devil Sleep (Dave Gurney #3), John Verdon

Source: ARC from Publisher

Release Date: 7/26/12, Crown Publishing

Goodreads / Amazon

-------

A HUGE thank you to Erin from Jump into Books, Crown Publishing, and Netgalley. That's it for me this week. Leave me a link to your mailbox post and I'll be sure to check it out!!

---------

Mini Review: Break

Break, Hannah Moskowitz

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Publication: 8/25/09, Simon Pulse

# of Pages: 262 (Paperback)

Source: Purchased / My Collection

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. And Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart. Breaking, and then healing, is Jonah’s only way to cope with the stresses of home, girls, and the world on his shoulders.

When Jonah's self-destructive spiral accelerates and he hits rock bottom, will he find true strength or surrender to his breaking point?

My Review: Break was my first novel by Hannah Moskowitz and I can understand why readers love her. She writes with confidence and abandon, tackling tough subject matter and emotions with ease. However, I did have some issues with this book. The ending felt a bit rushed and something happens near the end when Jonah is in the mental institution that had me shaking my head and asking, "What?". In fact, at first, I thought it was a delusion because it seemed so implausible.

Those things aside, Break was a powerful and emotional read. It didn't make me cry. I really thought it would, given the nature of the story, but it didn't. The dynamic between Jonah and his brother Jesse was believable and has to be my favorite part of the story. No one can ever deny the fact that Jonah loves his brother. The plot is unique and interesting and should keep the reader engaged.

Overall a very good book that should appeal to fans of darker/edgier contemporary novels.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Waiting on Wednesday {19}: Touched

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today I'm featuring Touched (Sense Thieves #1) by Corrine Jackson.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns, and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll be coming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.

This is Book One in the Touched trilogy.

Goodreads / B&N

Touched will be released by Kensington Teen on November 27, 2012!

Okay, so that's mine. What's your WOW pick this week? Also, if you want to participate, head on over to Breaking the Spine and link up!!

------

Review: 52 Reasons to Hate My Father

52 Reasons to Hate My Father, Jessica Brody

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Publication: 7/3/12, FS&G

# of Pages: 352 (Hardback)

Source: Purchased / My Collection

Synopsis from Goodreads: Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.

Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

My Review: Okay, two things right off the bat:   

1) This is the first book I've ever purchased based on the book trailer. Normally, I abhor book trailers, but the one for 52 Reasons to Hate My Father was like watching a preview for a really cute teen chick flick and I was all, "OMG, I so want to see this movie," and then "Wait, it's a book! I can buy it right now and read it while I wait for some Hollywood producers to snap it up."

2) This book was absolutely freaking adorable

In the beginning, Lexi can seem almost unbearably obnoxious, but if you avoid judging her and think about the fact that she was raised differently than most people, I think you'll love her as much as I do. She's spoiled, but funny, and even though I'm nowhere near as wealthy as she is, I could totally sympathize with her situation. She's being forced to work for the first time in her life. And not just work, but work menial jobs that until that point she'd just overlooked. I think everyone can remember their first job. I do. I was a teenager working in a McDonald's restaurant. I can remember the first time I was told to clean the bathroom. It was my first and last day on the job. I knew immediately that that kind of work just wasn't for me. Lexi knows it too, but she has little choice. She has to perform each of 52 jobs (1 for each week of the year) to her father's satisfaction or she loses her trust fund. A twenty-five million dollar trust fund.

On the surface, 52 Reasons looks like a fairytale in reverse. A fluff-filled riches to rags story ala Material Girls starring Hilary Duff (did anyone but me actually watch that movie?). But at its heart, it is so much more. It's a story about a daughter and her relationship with her absent father. It's about the pain of loneliness. For all her faults, Lexi has a reason to be angry. A reason to be hurt. Her mother is dead. Her father is never home. Their entire relationship is manufactured by his PR people and played out in front of the press. I'd be angry too. I might even crave attention. Even bad attention if that's all I could get, because at least he'd be forced to notice me.

Lexi's growth is heart-warming and often humorous. As is her relationship with Luke, the liaison hired by her father to make sure she sticks to the agreement. I adored Luke. He is the opposite of Lexi in every way. He grew up poor, worked hard to get into college on a scholarship. But he's also very analytical and controlling and doesn't know how to let loose. And while it may be easy to assume that Luke will be the one teaching Lexi about real life, Lexi helps Luke to grow as well.

Her reactions to the occupations she is forced to endure are so accurate and relatable. And while I know how to use a vacuum and Lexi has to Google it, for the most part I found myself OMGing along with her. The monthly status video reports had me laughing until there were tears in my eyes.

In the end, I think readers will be pulling for Lexi. She's a strong, resilient character. She's likable despite the circumstances. She's funny. She's smart. And she will remind you that while the life of the rich and famous may appear glamorous from afar, the grass isn't necessarily greener just because you can afford to pay a landscaper.   

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N

Stacking the Shelves {5}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a way to showcase the books we've received for review or purchased, borrowed, etc. If you'd like to participate please check out Tynga's website for more information.

Purchased/Won:

 

52 Reasons to Hate My Father, Jessica Brody

Published: 7/3/12, FSG

Goodreads / Amazon

I actually picked this one up because I loved the book trailer. I watched it thinking, wow this would make a really cute teen chick flick. So of course when I went to the author's website to stalk check her out, I found that film rights were already purchased! I've read the book. It was seriously adorable so I can't wait to see it adapted for the big screen.

The Queen's Lady (The Lacey Chronicles #2), Eve Edwards

Published: 4/10/12, Delacorte BYR

Goodreads / Amazon

This one I actually won from somewhere. Some book or writing newsletter I subscribe to. Sorry, wish I could remember. But I adore the cover. Can't wait to crack it open.

For Review:

Quantum Coin (Coin #2), E.C. Myers
Source: ARC from Publisher

Release Date: 10/2/12, Pyr

Goodreads / Amazon

AHHHHHHHHHHHH is all I can say about this one. OMG, I adored the first book in the series, Fair Coin, and have been anticipating this one. For some reason I thought it came out next year, so imagine my surprise when I opened up the package from Pyr. I actually screamed. It made my whole week.

Blood Fever (The Watchers #3), Veronica Wolff
Source: Copy from Publisher

Release Date: 8/7/12, NAL Trade 

Goodreads / Amazon

I haven't read the first two books in this series but I've heard good things. I'll definitely be stopping at the book store to pick them up so I can complete the collection and review Blood Fever.

Heaven (Halo #3), Alexandra Adornetto
Source: ARC from Publisher

Release Date: 8/21/12, Feiwel & Friends

Goodreads / Amazon

This is another one where I haven't read the first two books in the series. I'll definitely have to get to these as well.  

-------

A HUGE thank you to Pyr, Macmillan, and Penguin. That's it for me this week. Leave me a link to your mailbox post and I'll be sure to check it out!!

 

---------

Waiting on Wednesday {18}: Dance of Shadows

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Today I'm featuring Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Curtains up on a deliciously dark new YA trilogy from the creators of Lauren Kate’s Fallen.

Vanessa Adler isn’t so sure she really belongs at the School of American Ballet. But dance runs in her family. It’s been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Her grandmother and mother were prima ballerinas, and her older sister Margaret was, too. That is, until Margaret mysteriously disappeared from school three years ago. Vanessa is heir to the family’s gift and the only person who can fulfill her sister’s destiny. She has no choice.

But she never could have guessed how dangerous the school is. The infamous choreographer, Josef, isn’t just ruthless with his pupils, he guards a sinister secret, one in which the school’s dancers—prized for their beauty, grace, and discipline—become pawns in a world of dark, deadly demons.

Goodreads / B&N

Pivot Point will be released by Bloomsbury/Walker BYR on December 24, 2012!

 

 

Okay, so that's mine. What's your WOW pick this week? Also, if you want to participate, head on over to Breaking the Spine and link up!!

 

------

Stacking the Shelves {4}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a way to showcase the books we've received for review or purchased, borrowed, etc. If you'd like to participate please check out Tynga's website for more information.

The below reflects all the books that I received/purchased in June:

Purchased:

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1), Kendare Blake

Published: 8/30/11, Tor Teen

Goodreads / Amazon

The Girl of Fire & Thorns (Fire & Thorns #1), Rae Carson

Published: 9/20/11, Greenwillow Books

Goodreads / Amazon

For Review:

False Covenant (Widdershins #2), Ari Marmell

Source: Copy from Publisher

Release Date: 6/26/12, Pyr

Goodreads / Amazon

Pushing the Limits, Katie McGarry

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 7/31/12, Harlequin Teen

Goodreads / Amazon

Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures, Emma Straub

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 9/4/12, Riverhead

Goodreads / Amazon

My Berlin Kitchen, Luisa Weiss

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 9/13/12, Viking Adult

Goodreads / Amazon

Those We Love Most, Lee Woodruff

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 9/11/12, Hyperion

Goodreads / Amazon

Salvation of a Saint, Keigo Higashino

Source: ARC from publisher

Release Date: 10/2/12, Minotaur Books

Goodreads / Amazon

A HUGE thank you to Pyr, Harlequin Teen, Macmillan, Hyperion, Penguin,  and Netgalley. That's it for me this week. Leave me a link to your mailbox post and I'll be sure to check it out!!

 

---------

Waiting on Wednesday {17}: Pivot Point

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Today I'm featuring Pivot Point by Kasie West.

 

 

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: Reminiscent of the movie Sliding Doors, Pivot Point is about a girl who has the power to Search alternate futures. When faced with a life changing decision, she lives out six weeks of two different lives (in alternating chapters), both holding the potential for love and loss, and must ultimately choose which path she is willing to live through.

 

 

Goodreads / B&N

Pivot Point will be released by HarperTeen on February 12th, 2013!

 

 

Okay, so that's mine. What's your WOW pick this week? Also, if you want to participate, head on over to Breaking the Spine and link up!!

The Last Policeman

I stumbled upon this today and I wanted to share it with you guys because it sounds awesome. I have to say that this is the first time a title alone has attracted my interest. Then I read the blurb on Goodreads:


What's the point of solving murders if we're all going to die soon, anyway?

Hank Palace, a homicide detective in Concord, New Hampshire, asks this question every day.

Most people have stopped doing whatever it is they did before the asteroid 2011L47J hovered into view. Stopped selling real estate; stopped working at hospitals; stopped slinging hash or driving cabs or trading high-yield securities. A lot of folks spend their days on bended knee, praying to Jesus or Allah or whoever they think might save them. Others have gone the other way, roaming the streets, enjoying what pleasures they can before the grand finale. Government services are beginning to slip into disarray, crops are left to rot.

When it first appeared, 2011L47J was just a speck, somewhere beyond Jupiter's orbit. By mid-October it revealed itself to be seven kilometers in diameter, and on a crash course with the Earth. Now it's March, and sometime in September, 2011L47J will slam into our planet and kill half the population immediately, and most of the rest in the miserable decades that follow.

All of humanity now, every person in the world--we're like a bunch of little kids, in deep, deep trouble, just waiting till our dad gets home. So what do I do while I wait? I work.

Today, Hank Palace is working the case of Peter Zell, an insurance man who has comitted suicide. To his fellow police officers, it's just one more death-by-hanging in a city that sees a dozen of suicides every week. But Palace senses something wrong. There's something odd about the crime scene. Something off. Palace becomes convinced that it's murder. And he's the only one who cares.

What's the difference, Palace? We're all gonna die soon, anyway.

As Palace digs deeper, we are drawn into his world. We meet his sister Nico and her screwup boyfriend, Derek, who are trying to beam S.O.S messages into outer space; we meet Erik Littlejohn, a "spiritual advisor" helping his clients through these difficult times. Palace's investigation plays out under the long shadow of 2011L47J, forcing everyone in the book -- and those reading it-- to confront hard questions way beyond "whodunnit." What basis does civilization rest upon? What is life worth? What would any of us do, what would we really do, if our days were numbered?

-----

Awesome, right? Anyway, The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters is scheduled to be released by Quirk Books on 7/10/2012. I've already pre-ordered my copy.

Goodreads / Amazon

Review: The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing, Christina Mandelski

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Publication: 5/10/2011, EgmontUSA

# of Pages: 352 (Hardcover)

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she’s decorating a cake. Unfortunately, everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems—only her dad’s about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

My Review:  This turned out to be a really cute book. A sweet, light read. Not too much in it that will shock you or make you think, but Sheridan's story is definitely relatable. And it has more heart than one might imagine.

Sheridan's mom ran off years ago and the only thing that keeps her feeling connected to her is her love of decorating cakes, which her mom did before she left. Sheridan is determined to find her, convinced that her mother never wanted to leave and that if she finds her she can convince her to come home. Problem is Sheridan's dad has just been offered a cooking show in New York. Which means they have to move, something Sheridan is dead-set against, especially now that she's found a clue to her mother's whereabouts and there's a super-cute boy interested in her. And what story wouldn't be complete without an equally hot best friend who just happens to be harboring a secret crush on her.

I don't have much to say on this one because there wasn't a whole lot to get angry or excited about. The Sweetest Thing is simply a funny, heart-warming, and sweet read. A little predictable at times, but seeing where things were going didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. There's nothing that's going to make it stand out for me, but I think if you like sweet contemporaries with happy endings that you may enjoy this book.