Monday Meme: WINTER reads!

 

Lots of people hate winter. So what better way to pass the time spent inside than curled up with a good book? Here are a few winter-themed reads. 

Let it Snow: A winter anthology with stories by authors John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, these short, easy reads are the perfect way to get through a snowy day at home. Click here to request a copy.

Winterkill- Kate Boorman: A darker read, Winterkill tells a story similar in theme to The Village, about a girl who knows there's more outside her small, secluded community and has to escape to get away from the horrible fate that awaits her. Click here to get a copy.

Black Ice- Becca Fitzpatrick: Britt only planned on going hiking in the mountains- the hardest thing about it was going to be facing her ex. But when she and her friend are caught in a blizzard and saved by two mysterious- and possibly dangerous- young men- she has to learn who to trust. Click here if you'd like to check it out.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Trouble With Destiny by Lauren Morrill

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

The Trouble With Destiny

By Lauren Morrill

Publication Date: December 8, 2015

From Goodreads:

With her trusty baton and six insanely organized clipboards, drum major Liza Sanders is about to take Destiny by storm—the boat, that is. When Liza discovered that her beloved band was losing funding, she found Destiny, a luxury cruise ship complete with pools, midnight chocolate buffets, and a $25,000 spring break talent show prize. 

Liza can’t imagine senior year without the band, and nothing will distract her from achieving victory. She’s therefore not interested when her old camp crush, Lenny, shows up on board, looking shockingly hipster-hot. And she’s especially not interested in Russ, the probably-as-dumb-as-he-is-cute prankster jock whose ex, Demi, happens be Liza’s ex–best friend and leader of the Athenas, a show choir that’s the band’s greatest competition.

But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. After the Destiny breaks down, all of Liza’s best-laid plans start to go awry. Liza likes to think of herself as an expert at almost everything, but when it comes to love, she’s about to find herself lost at sea

Why I picked it:

This book has me dreaming of summer, and I can't wait to read it. Click here to put your name on the hold list

Waiting On Wednesday: This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

This Raging Light

By Estelle Laure

Publication Date: December 22 2015

From Goodreads:

Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

Why I picked it:

Something about this book seems very reminiscent of Sarah Dessen's books. And since I am a big fan of her books, I'm excited to give this one a chance. If you'd like to read this one, click here to put your name on the hold list.

Monday Meme: If You Liked THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

      The Fault in Our Stars has become one of the most iconic books for teens in just a few years. The heartbreaking story of love, loss, and finding yourself amid tragedy struck a chord with almost everyone who has read it, and there are really no books that quite fit into TFIOS's category of snark and sadness. However, there are other book in a similar vein that are just as good- and they're different from John Green's novels. So if you're looking for something other than a John Green novel to pick up, or just looking to branch out, here's something new to try. 

Fangirl- Rainbow Rowell: Cath loves fanfiction. When she goes to college and her sister and best friend begins to move on from their high school identities, she has to figure out who she is...on her own. Not completely- with the help of newfound friends and at the close of her Simon Snow fanfiction (now its own novel by Rainbow) she tries to fit herself in somewhere in a new world. If you'd like to see if she succeeds, click here! I loved this novel, and I think most people have. It's also an Eliot Rosewater Award nominee this year!

Jellicoe Road- Melina Marchetta: I've probably mentioned this book before. It's a favorite of mine, and even though it's a little older, I can't stop singing its praises. It tells the story of Taylor, who lives at a boarding school- she has no parents, and her school is at war with the Townies and the Cadets. When the only adult she trusts disappears, she has to piece together the only clues she has left to not only figure out her past, but maybe even change her future. If you'd like to see what all my fuss is about, click here.

Being Henry David- Cal Armistead: This one is my ringer. When Hank wakes up at Penn Station with no memories and only a worn copy of Walden in his hands, he decides to become Henry David Thoreau and seek out Walden Pond to try piecing together his tattered memories. The only way to find out what they are is to face a tragic past- but with the help of new friends, he might be able to do just that. I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and I think you'll like it too. Click here to try it out.

Waiting On Wednesday: See How They Run by Ally Carter

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

See How They Run (Embassy Row #2)

By Ally Carter

Publication Date: December 22, 2015

From Goodreads:

Inside every secret, there's a world of trouble. Get ready for the second book in this new series of global proportions--from master of intrigue, New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. 

Grace's past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down. 

The twists get twistier and the turns get even more shocking in the second thrilling installment of Embassy Row.

Why I picked it:

Though the last book left me kind of confused --I felt like it jumped all over the place sometimes-- I really liked it and I am curious to see what happens next, and what other crazy situations Grace gets herself into. If you'd like to read this book, click here to put your name on the hold list.

Monday Meme Spotlight: Goodreads Choice Awards

 

The Goodreads.com Choice Awards are here! Every year, the massive book website www.goodreads.com hosts a choice award month to see what books were most loved in several different categories. For YA, there's both general fiction nominations as well as science fiction and fantasy. Here are some of my favorite from the selections.

 Illuminae- Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: Maybe you've passed over this one because of the hype, or because science fiction isn't your thing. I assure you, this book is excellent for any genre reader. A subtle romance, action, thrills, dangers, even a slight apocalyptic theme (no spoilers!) are all included in this whirlwind novel written in found documents. Click here to reserve your copy from the library. 

Winter- Marissa Meyer: The perfect conclusion to a great series, Winter is the last of the Lunar chronicles. The fifth book released under the series name, this book wraps up the loose ends, weaves an intricate tale of danger, politics, and betrayal, and you won't ever want it to end. If you haven't read the series, start with Cinder (click here!) or if you're caught up, click here for Winter. 

I'll Meet You There- Heather Demetrios: A gorgeous story about a damaged boy, a girl going places, and the quirky California hotel job that brings them together,  I'll Meet You There is one of my favorite contemporary novels of 2015. It's understated and heartbreaking, and you'll love the way Demetrios write a tale of losing yourself, and the finding light in the darkness. Click here to check it out.

The Fill-In Boyfriend- Kasie West: Girl meets boy. Girl convinces boy to pretend to be her boyfriend for one night. Lies, chaos, and trouble ensue. Kasie West write a short, light novel that points out the power of friendship and the danger of lies- how they become bigger and more convoluted- as well as the way true friendship isn't built in a day. Also, this author is one of kwatanabe and I's favorites. Click here to check it out. 

It's not too late to vote! If you have a goodreads account, simply log in to choose your favorites in over 15 genres! The final round starts tomorrow!

Waiting On Wedneday: Everything But The Truth (If Only... # 6) By Mandy Hubbard

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Everything But The Truth

By Mandy Hubbard

Publication Date: November 17, 2015

From Goodreads:

If Only . . . she wasn't pretending to be someone else! The If Only romance line continues in this fun rags-to-riches romance.

Holly Mathews' mom is the new manager of a ritzy retirement home, and they just moved in. But having super-rich retirees as her only neighbors isn't a total bust, because the gorgeous, notorious Malik Buchannan is the grandson of a resident. Just one problem: when they meet, Malik assumes Holly is there to visit her own rich relative. She doesn't correct him, and it probably doesn't matter, because their flirtation could never turn into more than a superficial fling . . . right? But the longer she lives in his privileged world, the deeper Holly falls for Malik, and the harder it is to tell the truth . . . because coming clean might mean losing him.

For anyone who has dreamed of their own Cinderella story, this romance shows that when it comes to true love, the best person to be is yourself!

Why I picked it:

The If Only books are super cute, super fun reads, and I can usually finish them in a day or so. Plus, this one give off a Cinderella-y feel, and that gives it a plus with me already. If you would like to check this book out, click here to have your name put on the hold list.