You Recommend Wednesday

Hey all! What's everyone reading this week? I'm getting behind on my YA reading because when I'm not doing my required reading for school, I've been on a bit of a Romance kick lately. I'm going to try to get caught up this week (after my next book club meeting that is...lol).

So tell me, what's new and hot in the world of YA?

Trailer Tuesday: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Published by Simon Pulse January 3, 2012
ISBN: 9781442430358
http://sarahockler.com

You Recommend Wednesday

Hello again, it's another Wednesday and time for you to tell me what to read. So come on, dear readers, what are you gushing over this week? What's out there that I just have to read?

Trailer Tuesday: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
Published by Hyperion January 24, 2012
ISBN: 9781423146162
http://www.megancrewe.com

Review: The Raven by Patrick Carman

The Raven
Skeleton Creek Book 4
by Patrick Carman
http://www.patrickcarman.com


Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545249959
Release Date: May 1, 2011

from the publisher's site:

Strange things happen in Skeleton Creek - and when they do, Ryan writes them down and Sarah captures them on video. They've solved old mysteries. They've followed clues all over the country and underground. They've investigated secret societies. They've found their answers.

Or so they thought. Because there are still some secrets that Ryan and Sarah haven't uncovered yet. And there's still a shadowy figure standing in their path...someone who doesn't want Ryan and Sarah digging up any more of the past.

my thoughts:

I have been hooked on the Skeleton Creek series from the very start. These books are technically marketed as middle grade novels, but they have a lot of crossover potential. It helps that the main characters are all around sixteen. I love the interactive nature of the series also. The format of Ryan's journals makes you feel like you're reading the real thing. Every few journal entries you get a new password for one of Sarah's videos, and it's always fun to check those out and see what she's come up with now.

The Raven wraps up some story lines left over from The Crossbones. I honestly don't know if this is the end of the series or not; the end of The Raven allows for either scenario. I have to say, I really hope Patrick Carman comes out with another one, but even if he doesn't I know he has more interactive titles available.

I highly recommend the Skeleton Creek books for anyone who enjoys a fun, quick, and spooky read.

Foreign Friday: Rachel Caine in Brazil

For today's edition of Foreign Friday I have for you the Brazilian edition of Rachel Caine's Glass Houses. If you are not familiar with her Morganville Vampires, I recommend them. Glass Houses is the first book in the series, but I strongly suggest that if you're going to read it, you have book 2 handy before finishing, just sayin'.

Here's the US version of Glass Houses:


And here's the cover published in Brazil:


What do you think? I like both, but the Brazilian cover is definitely hotter. Which one do you think depicts the series better?

Eyecatcher: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Illuminate
by Aimee Agresti
http://www.aimeeagresti.com



Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 9780547626147
Release Date: March 6, 2012

from the author's site:

Haven Terra’s soul is in danger, but only she can save herself. Brainy, shy high school outcast Haven can’t believe her luck when she’s recruited for a prestigious internship at a historic hotel in Chicago, under the leadership of powerful and alluring Aurelia Brown, dashing Lucian Grove and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons. But just as she becomes seduced by their glitzy and mysterious world, Haven uncovers the evil agenda at the hotel: they’re devils in the business of buying souls. And hers is the most valuable of all: she’s an angel in training and the devils aim to turn her to their side. Will they succeed in wooing her or will she battle back, summoning a strength she never knew she had? Helping her along the way: a mysterious book instructing her to believe in herself; and her budding friendship with soft-spoken classmate Lance, who has a secret of his own.

why it caught my eye:

I came across this one on Goodreads. The gorgeous dress on the cover caught my attention and I decided to check it out. Looks interesting and I look forward to checking it out. Anyone read it yet? If so, what did you think?

You Recommend Wednesday

Hey there lovely readers! What's everyone reading this week? I'm slowly making my way through my massive TBR pile, but I'm always on the lookout for something new to read.

Trailer Tuesday: Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Got another Tuesday Trailer for ya. Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments.

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
Published by Putnam March 1, 2012
Hardcover, ISBN: 9780399254239

http://kelseyfinkelstein.com/

Review: Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Try Not to Breathe
by Jennifer R. Hubbard
http://www.jenniferhubbard.com

Viking
ISBN: 9780670013906
Release Date: January 19, 2012

from the author's site:

Learning to live is more than just choosing not to die, as sixteen-year-old Ryan discovers in the year following his suicide attempt. Despite his mother’s anxious hovering and the rumors at school, he’s trying to forget the darkness from which he has escaped. But it doesn’t help that he’s still hiding guilty secrets, or that he longs for a girl who may not return his feelings. Then he befriends Nicki, who is using psychics to seek contact with her dead father. This unlikely friendship thaws Ryan to the point where he can face the worst in himself. He and Nicki confide in one another the things they never thought they’d tell anyone—but their confessions are trickier than they seem, and the fallout tests the bound of friendship and forgiveness.

my thoughts:

Wow. Where do I start? I sat down with this book and flew right through it. It's rare for me to find a book with such an emotional journey. Through Nicki's search for answers, we slowly learn where Ryan is coming from and what he needs to do to keep on living. It's not hard to care about Ryan and Nicki. You want them to find the answers they seek, but in the real world you don't always have answers and when you do, they aren't always the answers you want.

Try Not to Breathe is just what I've come to expect from Jennifer R. Hubbard. It's emotional, and deals with hard-hitting life issues. I strongly recommend checking this one out as well as her previous title The Secret Year.

Foreign Friday: Amber Kizer in German

For today's Foreign Friday I have the covers for Amber Kizer's Meridian and Wildcat Fireflies in German. I loved Meridian when I reviewed it way back when. You can check out my review here

For comparison purposes, here are the US covers:




















And now for the German covers:




















There are certainly similarities between the two. What do you think? Do you like one more than the other? Leave a comment and let me know.

Eyecatcher: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star
by Maureen Johnson
http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com



Putnam
ISBN: 9780399256608
Release Date: September 29, 2011

from the author's site:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it’s the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn’t notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

why it caught my eye:

I believe this one originally popped up as a recommendation for me on Amazon. The cover immediately caught my attention. I love the ghostly look of it. I've yet to read any of Maureen Johnson's books, though I've slowly been collecting them. It's a sad fact that English majors have little time to read for fun. Despite not having read her, I have followed Maureen Johnson online for some time now and she never ceases to amuse, so I'm really looking forward to checking out The Name of the Star.

You Recommend Wednesday

It's that time of the week again, lovely readers. It's time for you to tell me what to read. I feel like I've been out of the loop for so long since Borders closed and I ceased being a bookseller (in practice, though I've never stopped being a bookseller in my heart). I need to know what the hot new titles are, help me out. :)

Trailer Tuesday: Cinder book 1 of the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Today is my first ever Trailer Tuesday! Today's trailer is just a short clip, let me know what you think. And if you have any suggestions or recommendations be sure to let me know. Authors and readers can email me at wantmyya at gmail.com.

Cinder: Lunar Chronicles Book 1 by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends January 3, 2012
Hardcover, ISBN: 9780312641894
http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass
by Myra McEntire
http://www.myramcentire.blogspot.com



Egmont
ISBN (hardcover): 9781606841440
Release Date (hardcover): June 14, 2011
Paperback edition available May 8, 2012

from the author's site:

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there; swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

my thoughts:

Love it! There was a lot of buzz about Hourglass right before it came out, and I have to say it was well deserved. Stories with time manipulation tend to hurt my brain; I have trouble suspending my disbelief. However, Myra McEntire handles the issue in a way that allows for a willful suspension of disbelief.

Emerson is a sympathetic character; I really felt for her while I was reading. When she was in pain, I wanted to cry right along with her. I can't wait for the next book, Timepiece. I want to see more of Emerson and Michael, I want to see more of the Hourglass crew, and I really hope we see more of Lily and her abilities. All I can say is that June is going to take a long time to get here.

I recommend checking out Hourglass by Myra McEntire today. It's currently only available in hardcover, but will be out in paperback in only a couple of months. If you can't wait for the paperback then swing by your local library for a copy. If they don't have it, I'm sure they can get it.

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