Monday Meme Spotlight: Video Games!

     If you're like me, you love books. And if you're like me, you also love video games of all shapes and sizes. When the two collide, it makes for a sweet, sweet escape from reality. So here are my favorite books about video games (or not)

The Aftermath- Jen Alexander: This book was awesome. It balanced the idea of future technology with something that seemed very believable for our futures, and not too far down the road. Being trapped in a video game doesn't sound appealing to some, especially when you don't control yourself but are someone else's avatar. To our main character, though, it's becoming her life, and she wants to escape. When the line between reality and the screen blurs, she has to find her way out, with the help of some friends and the opposition of some pretty scary guards. Interested? Click here. 

Push/Rush/Crash- Eve Silver: Although admittedly, this turns out to not actually be about a video game, it starts out that way, and the premise is the same. They're dropped in a deadly battle with alien creatures- the only catch is that if you die in the game, you die in real life. The monsters have another agenda though, and even though I haven't gotten to the third book yet, I can tell you that each one has been more exciting than the last. Click here to find out about it. 

The Leveller- Julia Durango: This is a new release, which only came out a few weeks ago. I've had the privilege to read it, and let me tell you, it was pretty great. It was what I like to call a 'vacation' book- one so easy to read, one so fun, that you don't really feel like you're reading because you're laughing and enjoying all the funny little details involved, and then the book is over. It's really pretty fun, so if you're in a slump or want something light to read fast. Click the link to hold it!

      I really hope you like video games, because if you don't, that would make me SO sad. If you do, enjoy the summer: 

Monday Meme Spotlight: Debut Novels of 2014

     Writing is hard- take it from someone who's tried, and then decided it was just easier to read other people's books instead. No matter who you are, being an author is in your grasp if you have the tenacity and determination to do so. But innumerable times every year, someone bridges the gap between wannabe writer and actual author. Here are a few of my favorite YA debuts from last year, in no particular order. 

1. Prisoner of Night and Fog: Anne Blankman- This book grabbed me in seconds, and didn't let go until the last word. I know people say this a lot about books, and most of the time it isn't true for others, but seriously. It hooked me, and I'm not a fan of its type, normally. It tells the story of Gretchen, the daughter of one of Hitler's top men, who calls him Uncle Dolf and believes wholeheartedly in his practices, until she meets Jewish reporter Daniel Cohen, who opens her eyes to Hitler's horror and the truth behind her father's death. This book seriously has everything but magic and unicorns- thrills, suspense, danger, murder, romance, mystery, history, etc. I highly recommend it as one of the best books I've ever read, and you can get it from the library here. Also keep a lookout for its sequel, Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke, out in 2015.

2. The Aftermath: Jen Alexander- This book was a real roller coaster. The first in a new series, it's about a girl who sold herself to participate in a brutal real-life game where the people are controlled by rich teens not in the game. But the main character is different- she knows it's a game, and she wants out. With the help of a mysterious administrator of the game, she goes on a mission to get out- she knows there's a better life out there for her. This was a book I picked up becuase I ran out of things to read (amazingly) and it shocked me, amazed me, and made me eager for book two. Check it out here.

3. The Promise of Amazing: Robin Constantine- This debut novel promised amazing, and it delivered. Instead of being a normal, angsty teen romance, it provided a unique perspective, a fun plot, and a happy ending for all the believers in that sort of thing, like me. I'm planning to read it again, myself, so that should be proof enough that it was worth reading the first time. If  you want to read it, click here.

4. Alienated: Melissa Landers- This beginning to a new sci-fi YA series came out early in 2014, but it stuck with me. Not many books can manage to put so much of an imprint on me that I remember the plot a year later, but this one did, and I'm pumped for the recently-released book 2, Invaded. Alienated is normal high school drama, except for one thing- the exchange student is an alien. A hot alien. And this Aelyx, hot alien visitor, knows things about Earth that could change the world. As the main character, Cara, goes in search of answers to the mystery of what these aliens really want with them- and it moves past high-school drama into an intense thriller full of secrets and mystery for those who need more substance in their reading material. Click here to take a look and request it for yourself.

   Now that we're into 2015, I've already noted several new authors this year to check out as well, so keep an eye out for cool debuts you can look forward to this coming year!