Top Ten Tuesday: Collecting Cobwebs

So this week on Top Ten Tuesday we are talking about books we bought and then...never read. So there are just there, collecting cobwebs until we finally pick them up! And I have plenty of these:



1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

DUDE. I've heard such good things about this book and yet...I haven't picked it up since I bought it around two years ago.

2. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I was so excited! But now...I don't think i'm ever going to read it. I like her Infernal Devices Trilogy soooo much more these, so maybe i'll pick it up some day.

3. Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon 

Yeah....never picked it up after it just arrived on my doorstep! It's kind of a funny story (i.e not funny at all) but I was thinking about buying it when UPS arrives with a package from Hyperion, including this book in it! Super random, wasn't expecting it at all

4. The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones 

Faeries! I love the fey! Yup...never got to it. I read the beginning and it sounded kind of ridiculous and the font was huge and weird so...haha!

5. Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedeke

Won this in a contest, was SO excited, never got around to it!

6. Another Faust by Daniel & Dani Nayeri

Another contest win I never got around too but i'm planning on reading soon since I met Daniel multiple times back during BEA and he's hilarious!

7. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Along with the three other Sarah books I have yet to read...yeah. I just never get around to them and they're not a top priority on my list of TBR books.

8. Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston


I love this series! The Wondrous Strange books are awesome and funny and I was dying for the last book in the trilogy and...never got read. Still sitting there, waiting for me!

9. Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard

I loooooove this show. Like, I love this show. But I can't seem to get myself to pick up the book and start reading it!

10. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

I have the ENTIRE series and I still haven't read Book One...and this pains me because it's HIGH FANTASY. Guys, you know what I love. So ridiculous!

What about you? What kind of books are hidden in your TBR pile? Happy Reading!

Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Review + Excerpt)

Who: Julie Kagawa
What: Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)
When: October 25th, 2011
Where: HarlequinTeen
Why: Series LOVE
How: For Review (Blog Tour)
Note: This review is SPOILER FREE to the series

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.
To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.
And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

No surprise, Julie's final book in the Iron Fey Saga was heart-breaking, beautiful, and absolutely lyrical with an ending that had me smiling so hard.

This last book in the Iron Fey series shifts from Meghan's head to our favorite icy love interest, Ash, who is setting off on a journey with our favorite side characters, Grimm and Puck, to fufill the promise he made to Meghan at the end of Book Three. his ourney with realizing just how much he's sacrificing to do this was both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Ash, as always, is loving and conflicted but even more so in this book. The closer he gets to his goal, the more he starts realizing everything he has to give up.

Julie makes you so connected to the characters that I felt jealous every time Ariella came into Ash's thoughts! I was like: STOP DOING THAT. MEGHAN. MEGHAN. And trust me, the winter faerie plays a larger role in the book than you realize. Speaking of her (highlight the white section for the spoiler part):

I didn't like her, at all. Mostly because I ship Ash and Meghan like, hardcore, but I hated how she kept trying to suck Ash back into his old life even though he was obviously on this insane, deadly quest for Meghan. But by the end of the book, I at least had respect for her because she was noble and loyal to Ash until the very end.

My favorite part of this book had to be Ash and Puck's relationship throughout the entire novel. You really get to see what you didn't in the books as told by Meghan: just how much Ash regrets everything that's happened up 'till now with Puck. And their sort-of friendship is so complicated and funny that I loved reading every second of it. You can really tell that they used to be best friends and watching them struggle with the past to maybe to back to him was so sweet and lovely.

And I want to thank Julie's editor over at HarlequinTeen a THOUSAND TIMES because if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have this book and would've been stuck with the ending of Iron Queen which made me burst into a thousand tears. As Julie said: Her Editor wanted a Happily Ever After. So she wrote one. And it was totally worth it.

_________________________________________________________________________

AND since I am part of the Iron Knight Blog Tour that's running, here is my excerpt for you:

“We’re heeeeere,” Puck sang softly. “And can I say that theold gal hasn’t gotten any less creepy than when I saw her last.”I narrowed my eyes at him. “Just shut up and let me do thetalking this time. It was bad enough when you insulted the centaur chief.”“All I suggested was that we could’ve used a ride out of themeadow. I didn’t mean from him.”

Dying to read more? The rest of the except will be on Life Bound By Books tomorrow AND you can buy this lovely book right here: IRON KNIGHT as well as the rest of the series HERE.

Happy Reading!

YA WATCH (3)

Hey guys! And welcome to another edition of YA WATCH! Lots of cover reveals going on this week so here we go (and sorry, no video this week because my webcam has decided to go bonkers!):

COVER REVEALS

Who: Megan McCafferty
What: Thumped (Bumped #2)
When: April 24th, 2012 (THAT'S MY BIRTHDAY!)
Where: HarperTeen
Note: I didn't finish the first book, but I might give it another shot!

It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day!
Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances.
To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.
The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous:
Tell the truth.

Who: Elizabeth Norris
What: Unraveling
When: April 24th, 2012
Where: HarperTeen
Note: I'm actually very excited for this one!

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

The cover was also changed for Jennifer Hubbard's novel: Try Not To Breathe

TRY NOT TO BREATHE | JENNIFER HUBBARD | VIKING | JANURARY 19th

A dark and provocative novel from the author of The Secret Year
Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

Who: Suzanne Young

What: A Want So Wicked
When: June 26th, 2012
Where: HarperTeen
Note: I LOVED A Need So Beautiful! Can't wait to see where she's going with this!

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?

For the paperback cover of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Soma, they changed it! This makes me sad, since I love the beauty and originality of the first cover!

Who: Heidi Ayarbe
What: Wanted
When: May 1st, 2012
Where: Balzer + Bray Note: Summary is cryptic but it sounds interesting!

A one-word text message: That’s all Michal Garcia needs to gather a crowd. Michal is a seventeen-year-old bookie, and “sanctuary” is where she takes bets for anyone at Carson City High with enough cash. Her only rule: Never place a bet for herself.Then Josh Ellison moves to town. He pushes Michal to love her life- play the game, he urges, stop being a spectator.So Michal breaks her one rule. She places a bet, feels the rush, lives.And loses.In an act of desperation, she and Josh concoct a plan: Steal from the rich to pay Michal’s debt. Then they’ll give the rest of the haul to those who need it the most. How can burglary be wrong if they are making things right?

Who: Susan Dennard
What: Something Strange And Deadly

When: July 24th, 2012
Where: HarperTeen

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance

BOOK TRAILERS:

GUYS. You must know I love this book like whoa. LIKE WHOA. Possibly my favorite book of the year. 

MOVIE NEWS:

all my information comes from the awesome website: Page To Premiere.

"Max Irons lands the role of Jared from THE HOST"
Oo, I like him! I'm much more excited to see whose going to star as IAN though, because
he is so sweet. 

And that's it! See you next week and happy reading!

Legend by Marie Lu

Who: Marie Lu
What: Legend
When: November 29th, 2011
Where: Putnam (Penguin)
Why: Premise
How: For Review (BEA)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

THE ACTION. THE ROMANCE. THE BADASS-ERY.

Marie Lu sure knows how to write some awesome characters. When you're first introduced to June, she is in trouble with her headmaster at her UNIVERSITY (this girl is fifteen, people) because she was caught scaling a building (a very tall, very dangerous SCARY building). She defends herself by saying she was practicing while everyone else is sitting on their asses. You already know that June is what i'm doing to be what I refer to from now on as BAP also known as Bad Ass Prodigy. I loved how calculating and intelligent she was, especially when it came to instances of strategy and her inner monologue when trying to find her brother's killer. But she's not the only BAP in this story, people! We have TWO PRODIGIES, because really? Who else can keep up with a genius but another genius?

And in comes Day. Day is the most wanted criminal in the republic, complete with a rap sheet of dozens of crazy missions he's done to the Republic (although his motives are questionable). Do you know what age he is? FIFTEEN! Do you know who else is fifteen? ME. And here I am, writing a blog post while fictional fifteen year olds are rebelling against their governments and getting into all sorts of shenanigans. Makes a person feel accomplished! Haha!

Alright: back to book. Day was charming and I loved reading from his perspective. The book does have a dual narrative between June and Day, and I really think it completed the story. If I had been from simply June's perspective, I don't think I would've liked Day as much as I did. But seeing his internal struggles between trying to stay alive while protecting his family from the constant plagues that are out in the slums really makes him a memorable and lovable character. He's the warm, impulsive side of the story while June is much more calculating and meticulous. They balanced each other out perfectly.

The plot was crazy as well. I loved the heavy military aspect of it and how much June was integrated in it, especially because of her brother. I wasn't very surprised when they announced the killer because I KNEW IT WAS HIM I NEVER LIKED HIM ANYWAY but I loved reading every thing unfold through June's eyes, especially since she was so blind to the flaws in her system of life. But because she is a BAP, she's quick to come back and always ready with a plan, no matter how risky it is.

And their romance doesn't overpower the story, which I also liked. It was definitely there and I liked that it happens when neither of them know who the other is, because it took out all prejudices that the other might have and they could just be themselves and get together on their own accord. It was a little fast-paced but I didn't mind because it's not some weird, total instalove. Plus, I feel like when characters are thrown into tough and scary situations for an entire book, that brings them closer together and I can accept their romance much more if they fell in love with each other quickly while in school.

Overall, an action-packed debut that I definitely recommend!

Happy Reading!

2012 Debut Author Challenge + The End of my Semi-Hiatus

So Kristi (The Story Siren) finally put the entry form for the 2012 DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE! Woo! I didn't participate much this year but next year? I'M KILLING IT.

This year, my goal was to read 30 debuts for the challenge, and I did it! But for 2012? I'm upping that number to FIFTY books. Because I mean business.

And of course, here is my list of 2012 Debuts I hope to get to next year! There are some crazy good books coming out in 2012 (one of them being INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows, which i'm mentioning because I can't include it since I read it this year and INNOCENT DARKNESS by Suzanne Lazear, for the same reason) and  I can't wait to dive into them all!

LIST:

1.  UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi
2. FRACTURE by Megan Miranda
3. CINDER by Marissa Meyer
4. BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood
5. WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED by Cat Hellisen
6. LOVE & LEFTOVERS by Sarah Tregay
7. TEMPEST by Julie Cross
8. SLIDE by Jill Hathaway
9. WHERE IT BEGAN by Ann Stampler
10. QUEEN OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas
11. THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jess Rothenberg 
12. SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE by Katie Dale
13. THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
14. LEVEL TWO by Lenore Appelhans
15. REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham
16. PRETTY CROOKED by Elise Ludwig
17. SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard
18. BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
19. OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks
20. WHAT'S LEFT OF ME by Kat Zhang
21. IF I LIE by Corrine Jackson
22. SHOOTING STARS by Alison Rushby
23. THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass
24. WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND by Tracy Bilen 
25. UNRAVELING by Elizabeth Norris
26. SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller 
27. DEFIANCE by C.J Redwine
28. SWEET EVIL by Wendy Higgins

.... and more, of course, will be added as we go along!

Also: I have been on a Semi-Hiatus these past two weeks, since i've barely been posting. It's been a particularly stressful two weeks, since I go to an academically rigorous school, but now things are calming down a bit and we'll be back to our normal posting! WOO!

Happy Reading, guys!