In Her Shoes (16): Claudia from Stolen Night

In Her Shoes is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vanya at YA Story Teller. To participate, simply put yourself in the shoes of a heroine you've recently read about, and then talk about what you would do in her place, or what you've learned from her.

Featuring this week:

Claudia from Stolen Night

Claudia is a character in the Young Adult Paranormal Romance Stolen Night (sequel to Infinite Days) by Rebecca Maizel. In Infinite Days she came off as one of the three resident mean girls in the story, who highly disliked the female lead (Lenah Beaudonte). As Infinite Days progressed I could see that Claudia and her friends started warming up to Lenah and in Stolen Night, Claudia flat out has grown tremendously as a person. In Stolen Night the reader can see that Claudia is a really bubbly, sweet, thoughtful and fun friend, who highly dislikes negativity and confrontation. She just wants to enjoy life and being young and really is the ideal friend. 

Would I change something about Claudia? Not really. I am midway through Stolen Night and Claudia has become one of my favorite characters because I love that she is not your typical mean girl cliché. She dropped her prejudices against Lenah and has embraced her as a friend. When you really get down to it, Claudia totally represents life itself in the novel because she is always so enthusiastic about things and it's great that she is a friend to Lenah now because Lenah is shrouded in so much drama and darkness, that I feel that she totally needs to have a person around her (Claudia) who kinda represents the good side of life.

Showcase Sunday (10) - Stacking the Shelves (2)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vicky at the Books, Biscuits and Tea blog. It is a meme inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and The Story Siren. The goal of this meme is for us bookish peeps to showcase & highlight the books that we have either bought, borrowed, won, downloaded, or received for review the past week :)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Review to highlight the books us bloggers have gotten during the week, as well.

I like both memes, so I've decided to take part in both =)

BOUGHT

UK paperback of Stolen Night (Vampire Queen #2) - by Rebecca Maizel 

FOR REVIEW

Shift (Book # 2 in Firstborn Trilogy) - by Raine Thomas [e-book]

Sidenote: Stolen Night is the sequel to Infinite Days (my all time fave YA book). I have been waiting for this book for about 2 years. It came out in the UK at the beginning of July and I just had to get a copy. It doesn't come out in the US, however, until Jan 2013 under the title 'Stolen Nights' and I didn't want to wait that long, so I tracked down a UK copy *woot woot*... I am midway through Stolen Night already and it is AMAZING. Beautiful writing and incredible characters.

Shift is the sequel to Defy which I read in one day and I cannot wait to read it. Defy was super fun!

What book loveliness did you receive this week? :)

Waiting on Wednesday (26): Furious

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Visit Breaking The Spine to see more entries!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 Furious by Jill Wolfson

Release Date: April 16th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co. BYR

 Format: Hardcover

 Goodreads Summary:

Three high school girls become the avenging Furies of Greek legend.

We were only three angry girls, to begin with. Alix, the hot-tempered surfer chick; Stephanie, the tree-hugging activist; and me, Meg, the quiet foster kid, the one who never quite fit in. We hardly knew each other, but each of us nurtured a burning anger: at the jerks in our class, at our disappointing parents, at the whole flawed, unjust world.

We were only three angry girls, simmering uselessly in our ocean-side California town, until one day a mysterious, beautiful classmate named Ambrosia taught us what else we could be: Powerful. Deadly. Furious.

Reasons I want to read & own this book: 

1. The mythology. To me the furies are some of the most interesting characters/figures in Greek Mythology. I am fascinated by them, by the idea of having three women who seek to avenge wrongs.
 

2. The synopsis. It looks like the three girls in this book are gonna be totally badass and I can't wait to see who they are angry at and how they become the furies and most importantly, what they are going to do as the Furies :O

 It all looks amazeballs!

 What do you guys think? :)


 

 

In Her Shoes (15): Mrs. Chandler from Storm

In Her Shoes is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vanya at YA Story Teller. To participate, simply put yourself in the shoes of a heroine you've recently read about, and then talk about what you would do in her place, or what you've learned from her.

Featuring this week:

  Mrs. Chandler from Storm

 

 

 

 

 Mrs. Chandler is the mother of the female lead (Becca Chandler) in the Urban Fantasy/paranormal Young Adult series called the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer. What I love about Mrs. Chandler is that she is incredibly present in her daughter's life (something that is not always common in Young Adult literature). Personality wise, I would say that Mrs. Chandler is a very warm parent and person in general. Because not always is she there for her daughter Becca, but for her daughter's best friend (Quinn) as well, as Quinn has issues with her own parents. She is an ER Nurse so she works shifts at night but what is awesome about Mrs. Chandler is that she makes time to be around her daughter anyway. Like, she will leave breakfast or dinner ready for her daughter and her bestie Quinn. Talk with them and eat with them when she has time, even if she is tired.

 

 Would I change something about Mrs. Chandler? No. I think that she is a great role model for her daughter because she had to raise her on her own since her husband left, but she never complains or speaks ill of him to her daughter. I also feel that she is a very honest person, with an adorable personality, because she is just a sweet and a kind human being. She always does her best to be a good example to her daughter (Becca) and her best friend (Quinn) who are young women who are facing challenges of their own and need that familial support and guidance from someone, that person being Mrs. Chandler.

P.S. - The reason to why I am referring to Mrs. Chandler as Mrs. Chandler and not using her first name, is because it was not mentioned in the book. Or if it was, It may have been mentioned briefly and I may have missed it. But mainly she is always referred to as Becca's Mom in the story.

Cover Reveal: Shift by Raine Thomas

Hey Guys!

Thanks for stopping by the blog to check out the cover reveal for the upcoming YA fantasy/romance novel:

Shift (Firstborn #2) by Raine Thomas

Ready for some cover awesomeness?

 

 Here it is:

Stunning, right?

 Goodreads Summary:

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

Sidenote: I cannot wait to read Shift. Defy (book 1) in this series was amazing. #TeamZachariahForever :D Read my review for Defy here :) 

Shift by Raine Thomas will be released August 24th 2012 by Iambe Books. Be sure to add it to your To-Be-Read pile on Goodreads!

 Want to know more about Raine Thomas and Shift (Firstborn #2)?

Contact her @

 http://www.RaineThomas.com | http://twitter.com/Raine_Thomas
http://facebook.com/RaineThomas | http://pinterest.com/RaineThomas

So what did you think of the cover?

Let me know. Can't wait to see what you guys think and thanks for reading lovelies :)

  

Waiting on Wednesday (25): The Archived

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Visit Breaking The Spine to see more entries!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Release Date: January 22nd 2013 by Hyperion 

 Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary: 

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

Reasons I want to read & own this book: 

1. The cover. I just think that it is amazeballs. I love the blue and how maybe the girl on the cover is a ghost and the key is the key to unlock something about her. It just has a certain calm eeriness/intrigue to it, that I think is quite cool.

2. The synopsis. Oh my word, you guys. I just can't quit geeking out over the clever bookish references that are worked into the world that this book is gonna present to it's readers. The dead are on shelves as if they were books and they're called histories. Get it, as in every person has a story to them. Ooooo, I just can't with all the awesomeness in that synopsis.

3. The genre. A dystopian/paranormal book that is technically about the afterlife, whatttt? Mind blown! Usually dystopian books are about societies that have these systems of control that are set to 'supposedly' set order amongst living societies and people. But in this book, oh no, they are trying to control the dead with a super strict system of rules. Even dead people can't catch a break. Now if that is not a badass concept, I don't know what is!

 What do you guys think? :)

Showcase Sunday (9) - Stacking the Shelves (1)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vicky at the Books, Biscuits and Tea blog. It is a meme inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and The Story Siren. The goal of this meme is for us bookish peeps to showcase & highlight the books that we have either bought, borrowed, won, downloaded, or received for review the past week :)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Review to highlight the books us bloggers have gotten during the week, as well.

I like both memes, so I've decided to take part in both =)

BOUGHT

1. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

2. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh 



 

Cover Reveal Thursday

Hey guys.

So, lately there have been a lot of cover reveals for either new books, upcoming releases or re-releases and I wanted to share with you, my readers, my favorite two covers that I have seen over the last few weeks.

Cover #1

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 19th 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

 Format: Hardcover

Isn't this cover just gorgeous? I love the Victorian era red dress on the cover model. I think it's stunning, along with the city backdrop. Just love it. And, I am incredibly excited about this book. The Infernal Devices is one of my all time favorite book series. The writing is just beautiful and the character development is really good. These books really tug on the heartstrings. Cannot wait to read Clockwork Princess!

Cover #2

Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 22nd 2013 by HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover

So, Boundless, is the 3rd installment in the Unearthly series. I own book 1 in this series but have not read it yet. I am excited about reading it eventually and catching up with this series because I always hear very high praise for these books. And, I just love the covers for them as well. They are always so ethereal looking and I love the blue/purple-ish tones that are always used for these.

What do you guys think? Are there any book covers that you are gushing about? And if so, which ones are they? :)

Thanks for reading lovelies <3

In Her Shoes (14): Becca from Storm

In Her Shoes is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vanya at YA Story Teller. To participate, simply put yourself in the shoes of a heroine you've recently read about, and then talk about what you would do in her place, or what you've learned from her.

Featuring this week:

Becca Chandler from Storm

Becca Chandler is the female lead in the Urban Fantasy/paranormal Young Adult series called the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer. Personality wise, I would say that Becca comes across as a very compelling character because she is strong and brave but at the same time there is a certain brokenness to her due to bullying. Thing is, Becca's ex boyfriend in the novel has spread horrendous rumors about her with other guys that have left her with a terrible reputation so she is a bit hesitant when it comes to trusting guys and is always on alert about what she is doing and making sure that her actions are not misinterpreted. Would I change something about Becca? No, I wouldn't. I like that even though she might feel afraid, she faces things head on and tries to do what is right. She also, because of bullying, starts to take self defense classes which I thought was really bad-ass. I also like that she is a bit snarky and has a realistic inner dialogue going on in her head. Becca is not always sure of what she is doing, but she tries her best, which is a great trait to have in a female heroine.

Dreamcasting (6): From books to film

I am a very visual person and when I read a book I like to envision in my head what each book character would look like in actuality and who could play their roles if they ever adapted that particular book into a film.

What is a dreamcast? Well, it's the cast of actors that you think would be perfect to interpret a character on screen. Today I will dreamcast a popular book character and explain why I think the actor I chose for this dreamcast would be perfect for the role of said character.

Dreamcast for Dimitri Belikov & Abe Mazur

Jon Kortajarena as Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy

So, I know, I do, I know that everybody and their pet hamster tends to dream cast Ben Barnes as Dimitri Belikov. But I decided to go rogue on the Vampire Academy fandom and switch things up a little bit because I haven't always been quite sold on Ben to be honest, Ben is lovely and an awesome actor (Prince Caspian, anyone?) but I feel that he lacks the edge for a character such as Dimitri. Speaking of --> Dimitri Belikov, is the male lead in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. He is in his mid twenties, he is Russian, longish brown hair, tall, handsome and a dhampir. A dhampir in the lore of Vampire Academy is like a mix of a vampire and a human. He is not technically a vampire (no fangs, no feeding on blood) BUT does have slightly enhanced abilities (agility, vision etc). And in the Vampire Academy series, dhampirs have the job of being guardians for the royal vamps, the moroi, so therefore they train in fighting and Dimitri is an instructor and top guardian.

Jon Kortajarena is a top male model in the fashion world from Spain. The first time I saw him, was in the Tom Ford film, A Single Man, an incredibly thought provoking and visually stunning film, in my opinion. Minimalism at its finest. And Jon had a small part opposite Colin Firth, and even though his appearance in the film was brief, he made quite the impression. Not only was he incredibly beautiful in that film (Bless your heart Tom, for casting him) - it has to be said, the man is super handsome, but he had quite an intense energy about him, almost predatorial in nature because of how aesthetically beautiful he is as a man, but at the same time, with, like, a certain wistful and good energy about him. And that is SO Dimitri Belikov to me. Dimitri is always described as being fierce in battle and as being focused and determined but at the same time, Dimitri is also described as having a certain 'zen master wisdom' vibe to him because he is always calm, collected, and thoughtful as a person. Jon not only has the fierceness to him because he has such a strong presence on film and on camera but he also has the zen master wisdom thing going on too. As research for this post (that is my story and I am sticking to it) - I decided to look up as many Jon Kortajarena interviews that I could find and you guys, he just seems to be so down to earth, thoughtful, light hearted, with an almost bohemian/ world peace vibe to him. It's almost hard to reconcile the Jon in A Single Man or on the runway, to Jon in real life. Again, that is so Dimitri to me. Fierce in his job, yet gentle as a person. And Jon actually had long dark hair at the beginning of his modeling career, he is super handsome, tall and he has the allure that I think Dimtri possesses as well. Jon Kortajarena = Dimitri Belikov!

Johnny Depp as Abe Mazur in Vampire Academy

Abe Mazur is the father of the female lead (Rose Hathaway) in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. He is the epitome of badassery and he is in his 40s and moroi vampire, who is often called a zmey by many other characters in the Vampire Academy books, which means snake in Russian, because of how slick he is as a man. Abe is the epitome of street smarts and even though he is a lawyer, he doesn't follow the rules of moroi court or rules. He has connections in all places and bends the rules like it's going out of style. Not a person to mess with and is characterized as being charming with the ladies, as being a very unique dresser (scarves, emerald green & purple suits), and as being very sarcastic but savvy when it comes to solving problems. Why do I think Johnny Depp would be the perfect Abe? Well, Johnny is kinda like Abe in real life, already. He doesn't follow trends, has a unique and fun bohemian/punk rock style in his dressing, and is beloved by a lot of women in the world. He also has that charisma as an actor (Captain Jack Sparrow, anyone?) that is needed for a character with such a presence and style like Abe Mazur (who might be the coolest dad in book history) and also has the physical look of Abe (Abe is described as having tanned skin, dark hair, being handsome).

 Have you ever dreamcasted your favorite book characters? If you have, let me know about it. Also, if any of you have a different dreamcasting idea for the character I mentioned in this post, I would love to hear about it, as well. Thanks for reading :)

Waiting on Wednesday (24): Mila 2.0

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Visit Breaking The Spine to see more entries!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Release Date: March 12th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

Format: Hardcover

 

 

 

 

 

Goodreads Summary: 

Pitched as a "Bourne Identity"-type sci-fi thriller about a teenage girl who discovers that she is a Mobile Intel Life-like Android, an experiment in artificial intelligence created by the U.S. government, and her scientist mother, who kidnapped her when she was found to have human emotions.

 

 

 

 

 Reasons I want to read & own this book: 

 1. The cover. You guys, isn't it kick-ass? It reminds of the film, the Matrix, like when Neo (Keanu Reeves) finally could see that the agents who were chasing him were computer programs made out of green codes and not really people :O

2. The genre. Science fiction/dystopia. This book is like a mix of the films: A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) & Eagle Eye where the artificial intelligence created by governmental agents/scientists take on a life of their own and go rogue on their creators by experiencing the unexpected --> human emotion.

 

3. The synopsis. A sci fi thriller like the Bourne Identity? Well, count me in! I love films like that where the protagonists are engineered by a government agency to act in a way but go awol when they realize the truth about their origins. It's like watching an episode of Gossip Girl where you don't know who is back stabbing who BUT with the advantage of having awesome fight sequences and international destinations.

 

 

 

 What do you guys think? :)

 

Happy 4th of July, btw!!

 

 

 

 

In Her Shoes (13): Emily from I'm Yours

In Her Shoes is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vanya at YA Story Teller. To participate, simply put yourself in the shoes of a heroine you've recently read about, and then talk about what you would do in her place, or what you've learned from her.

Featuring this week:

Emily from I'm Yours

 

 

Emily is the female lead in the Contemporary Young adult series called Bold as Love by Lindsay Paige. Personality wise, I would say that Emily is a really sweet girl; who is thoughtful, kind and considerate with those she loves. She unfortunately went through the trauma of being verbally abused by her mother and struggles of self worth/anxiety birthed by that situation. Is there something I would change about Emily? No. I think that Emily is an extremely realistic character, who takes her time to evaluate things and think them through and in I'm Yours she is facing even grander dilemmas so far than the issues she faced in book 1 (Sweetness) and slowly but surely facing them with great resolve. She is not the most decisive person per say but she also doesn't take forever to realize something, she always kinda goes through a process and if she sometimes takes a bit to kinda take control of a situation its because her selflessness gets in the way. So I just would have to say that I love how real Emily is. She is not perfect, she makes mistakes, and that is what makes her compelling.

Showcase Sunday #8

Showcase Sunday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Vicky at the Books, Biscuits and Tea blog. It is a meme inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and The Story Siren. The goal of this meme is for us bookish peeps to showcase & highlight the books that we have either bought, borrowed, won, downloaded, or received for review the past week :)

BOUGHT

1. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - paperback edition

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Sidenote: I have actually read both of these already and both are really good. Revolution is a profound YA novel, that is extremely well-written and unique in it's plot-line. I own the hardcover of it but wanted to get the new paperback with the new cover (which I love) and because the hardcover is just a bit too big to carry around. And well, what can I say about Pride and Prejudice. Not only do I love the book, but I love the 2005 film and the BBC mini series as well. Pride and Prejudice is timeless.

What book loveliness did you receive this week? :)