Stacking the Shelves (1)

Okay, so this is the same mailbox post but I've decided to join the masses. This one is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Let the fun begin..

+ 

For Review:

• Fox Forever by Mary Pearson
• Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell
• Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (Netgalley)

Bought:

• THE CRIMSON CROWN by Cinda Williams Chima (FINALLY!!)

Who I Kissed - Janet Gurtler

Young Adult
Pages: 320
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: October 1, 2012

She Never Thought A Kiss Could Kill. . .

Samantha is new at school and just recently joined the swim team. She’s been flirting with one of her teammates, Zee, who invites her to a party and just as quickly dumps her for another girl. Hurt, but pretending not to care, she turns to his best friend, Alex, and gives him a kiss. And he dies—right in her arms. Alex was allergic to peanuts, and Samantha had eaten a peanut butter sandwich right before the party. She didn’t know. Overnight, Samantha turns into the school pariah and a media sensation explodes. Consumed with guilt, abandoned by her friends, and in jeopardy of losing her swimming scholarship, she will have to find the inner-strength to forgive herself for the tragedy.

This was a big surprise for me. I had never picked up anything by Janet Gurtler before, and now I'm very intrigued by her other books. She chose an unexplored topic, and one that had me interested right away. Can you imagine how you'd feel if you accidentally killed someone by kissing them? It was so thought-provoking, being on Samantha's mind. I really felt her pain and I really enjoyed the theme of the book.

That said, I did feel that the grief felt too heavy at times, and I'm not saying it should have been lightened, but rather that we should have connected a bit more with Samantha before the accident happened. Alex was a mystery from page one and I feel the kiss scene could have been enhanced and maximized instead of so confusing and flat. But either way, the book really took off from there. I was already invested and needed to know how Samantha and Zee would overcome this.

It's one of those few contemporary books that has a strong subject and you feel like the subject was thoroughly explored and never dumb-ed down. It's also a story that will arise awareness of these types of allergies, and how it must feel to live, or have a loved one live, with such a deadly hazard constantly. The characters were well developed and the plot was thorough and gripping.

Yet another great contemporary book that I highly recommend, espacially of you enjoy reading premises that are out of the ordinary. The originality and intensity are what make this novel stand out. I am really looking forward to reading Gurtler's other books.

Goodreads / Amazon

Waiting on Wednesday (166)

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

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Goodreads / Amazon

This is Not a Drill - Beck McDowell (Blog Tour)

Young Adult
Pages: 224
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Release Date: October 25, 2012

When high school seniors—and former couple—Emery and Jake find themselves held hostage in a first grade classroom, they must do all they can to protect the kids. Brian Stutts, a U.S. soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in Iraq, pulls out his gun to convince the teacher to hand over the son he’s not allowed to check out because of a custody battle. The situation turns deadly when a security guard appears at the door and Stutts impulsively opens fire. When the teacher is carried from the room, the children's fate is in the hands of Emery and Jake. While Jake searches for a way to communicate with the policemen surrounding the building, Emery, fighting her shyness, fear, and POTS symptoms, tries to reach out to the soldier. She gains a new understanding of what he faced in Iraq, and discovers remarkable strength in his small son.

Starting off rather slow, this book is an intense roller coaster of emotions. A story about a veteran who comes home to face reality with severe PTSD and thus, is not allowed custody of his son. So he decides to go pick him up at school... 

I was a little conflicted between the actual story and the way it was told at some points. While the narrating certainly builds up the reader to expect some more, the story didn't need that. The events themselves were gripping enough to be a fast paced read. The story is told by Emery and Jake in alternating chapters. The alternating points of view were very well done and it the story was enriched by it, especially at the end. 

It's a heavier book than what I first expected, but it's also a lighter book than what could have been, if that makes sense. Unfortunately, it has become a normal occurrence in the news. It was thrilling and scary, and altogether eye-opening. I must admit I often wonder what really goes on somewhere where they are being held hostage for hours. I think McDowell did a wonderful job with that portrayal. Time kept going by, but the fear and dread comes through just as clearly as when it started. 

Overall, this is a thrilling read, a very realistic story, and a fast read thanks to the quick pace. It's a book I would recommend to any contemporary lover with no hesitation. One of those memorable books that will stay with you long after who've read the last page. 

Goodreads / Amazon

Blog Tour Schedule

Event Recap: Cinda Williams Chima!

YOU GUYS.

After 4 years, 4 books, 4 audiobooks, 4 emails and 4 attempts, I finally met Cinda Williams Chima last night!!! If you read this blog you know she's one of my heroes and her books are like THE most awesome books in the whole world. Last night at Blue Willow Books, she read from The Crimson Crown, answered questions and signed books.

She talked about her adult series (that has yet to be picked up) and how the Seven Realms is a sort of prequel for those books (Squeee!). She mentioned Micah is there as an adult.

She talked about her road to publication and where her inspiration comes from. And she was completely down to earth and friendly and awesome. I love when an author meets and surpasses the image I had created for them in my head.

She has two more Heir books coming and she did not rule out further stories that would take place in the Seven Realms (besides the adult ones). In fact, and I quote, "There are many stories in the Seven Realms. I've told you one of them."

This was definitely one of the authors I've enjoyed meeting the most. I'm actually still awed that I met her and hugged her and she knew who I was!

Thus, I've almost met all my favorite authors. Now if only Melina Marchetta, Courtney Summers and Suzanne Collins would stop by... le sigh.

If you have yet to read Cinda's books--I am so jealous of you because you'll now get to experience them all four together!

The series is now complete: 

The Demon King / The Exiled Queen / The Gray Wolf Throne / The Crimson Crown

Super Cool ad in People Mag: 

YA Releases

This is a weekly post to spotlight some YA/MG books that will be releasing during this week.