Book Riot YA Unboxing Video #1

Today my first Book Riot YA subscription box came in the mail! I've been waiting for this day since I signed up in February. As promised, here's my video....

Full disclosure: Like I say in the video, my original unboxing video (where you can see me struggling to get the box open) was made un-usable due to technical difficulties. I discovered after the fact that my microphone had been turned all the way down, so the audio didn't record. Therefore, the video below is a recreation of the original.




I have not been compensated in any way for this video. I paid for my subscription. If you are interested in getting your own subscription, you can do so here: https://quarterly.co/products/book-riot-ya

Cemetery Boys Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday to Heather Brewer and her new book The Cemetery Boys! I don't normally do release day (aka book birthday) posts, but this one is a big deal for me. If you've been reading me from the beginning, then you may remember that one of my earliest posts discussed why I read YA (given that I am technically outside of the target market).  I credited Heather Brewer and her Chronicles of Vladimir Tod for getting me interested in reading YA. 

Before it became more common and accepted for adults to read YA literature, I actively avoided it. I had that idea in my head that is unfortunately still held by many, that because the books were for teens then there was nothing of interest in them for me. I didn't insult YA or YA readers, I simply didn't read them. Then I saw a post on MySpace (yes this was when MySpace was the thing) about an author looking for booksellers and reviewers for her new book Eighth Grade Bites (Book 1 of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod). 

I had never heard of Heather Brewer at this point. Well, who would have? It was a year before the first Vladimir Tod book released. But I've always loved vampire stories and this one sounded interesting. I was both a bookseller and a reviewer at the time, so I sent her a message letting her know that I was interested. 

I read Eighth Grade Bites and a new love affair with books was born. Not only did I find a new favorite author, but a new favorite genre. Without Auntie Heather, I might not have found some of my other favorites like Lisa Mantchev, Maggie Stiefvater, Mara Purnhagen, and so many more that I don't have the space to name them all. Without finding Heather Brewer and Vladimir Tod I might not have opted to specialize in Youth Services in Library School. 

So yes, this book birthday is an exciting one for me, and I CANNOT wait for my copy to arrive in my mailbox. So if you haven't already read any of Auntie Heather's books, I strongly suggest that you do. For more information, check her out her site here. 

Happy Book Birthday Auntie Heather! I know it's going to be awesome. :)

A Return...Maybe...

Well, I've been gone from this blog for a long, long time. Life and school are still really busy, so I can't guarantee that I'll be on here regularly, but I'm going to try. I'm in grad school for Library Science, so I'm doing a lot of reading for class. One thing I'm going to be trying to save myself time, is creating video reviews since I can talk faster than I can type. I've also signed up for my first subscription box so when that arrives in April, I'll be posting an unboxing video. I'm excited to see what I get. 

If you're interested, here is the information on the YA subscription box I signed up for: 

http://bookriot.com/2015/01/30/subscribe-now-book-riot-ya-quarterly-box-alive/

And now back to class for me. See you later readers!

Unexpected Hiatus and Tumblr

Hey all! Sorry I disappeared on you. Remind me to never take six classes in one semester again. I'm trying to get back into the swing of book reviewing, but it won't be on the same scale as it was before. School is too big a part of my life right now and I need to focus on it. I have started a Tumblr blog so that I can streamline both of my book review blogs into one place. The Tumblr posts are more likely to be short and sweet and not all of the books I talk about will be YA. With that said, I hope to return to active duty on this blog at a later date, but I don't know when that will be. If you want to follow me on Tumblr you can find me at http://www.bookmaedin.tumblr.com

Thanks for being such amazing readers! And thank you authors for being so supportive!

Review: The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

The Cinderella Society

by Kay Cassidy

http://www.kaycassidy.com

Egmont

ISBN: 9781606840177 (hardcover)

Release Date: April 2010

from the author's site: 

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider.  So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale.  Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside.  She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her.  Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public?  And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters? 

my thoughts: 

This is a girl power handbook that every girl should read. We've all been in situations we're unsure and all we want to do is fit in with everyone else. The Cinderella Society is all about Jessica and her journey towards empowerment. As Jessica comes into her own she learns not only to stand up for herself but for others as well. Jessica becomes a role model for others to stand up for themselves against the Wickeds also. 

The Cinderella Society is pure empowerment and a must-read.  

how I acquired this book: 
I won the ARC in a contest held by the author.  

Trailer Tuesday: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

 Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo
http://www.leighbardugo.com
Henry Holt/Macmillan 
Release date: Today! June 5, 2012

Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Darker Still

by Leanna Renee Hieber

http://www.leannareneehieber.com

Sourcebooks Fire

ISBN: 9781402260520

Release Date: November 1, 2011

from the author's site: 

I was obsessed.

 It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen - everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable... utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike. 

There is a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury didn't commit suicide. He's alive. Trapped within his golden frame. 

I've crossed over into his world within the painting. I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked- bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit, cobblestone streets of Manhattan. And unless I can free him soon, things will only get darker still...

my thoughts: 

Absolutely positively love it! I was engrossed in Natalie's story immediately. The structure of the book instantly engages a reader's curiosity. The story opens with a letter from a police sergeant indicating that the contents are a diary and are part of an investigation. While I'm sure similar literary devices have been employed before, I still feel this is a unique way of grabbing and keeping your readers attention. And it worked. :) I breezed through Darker Still because I could not wait to see how the story would unfold. I anxiously await the release of book 2 in November. 

If you haven't read this one already, I strongly recommend it. Not only is Leanna a fabulous writer, but she's an all-around awesome person. You want to support an awesome person, so she keeps writing don't you? You know you do. :) If you have read it, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. 

how I acquired this book: 
I bought it. 

Eyecatcher: Above by Leah Bobet

Above

by Leah Bobet

http://www.leahbobet.com

Arthur A. Levine Books

ISBN: 9780545296700

Release Date: April 1, 2012

from the author's site: 

Matthew’s father had lion’s feet and his mother had gills, and both fled the modern-day city to live in underground Safe, a secret community of freaks, ghost-whisperers, and disabled outcasts hidden beyond the subways and sewers. Raised underground, Matthew is responsible for the keeping of both Safe’s histories and the traumatized shapeshifter Ariel, the girl he took in, fell in love with – and can’t stop from constantly running away.

But Safe is no longer safe: the night after a frightening encounter in the sewers, Safe’s founder Atticus is murdered by the one person Safe ever exiled: mad Corner, whose coup is backed by an army of mindless, whispering shadows.

Only Matthew, Ariel, and a handful of unstable, crippled compatriots escape to the city that cast them out; the dangerous place he knows only as Above. Despite Ariel’s increasingly erratic behaviour and with the odds against them, Matthew must find a way to rescue Safe from Corner’s occupying army. But as his quest leads him through abandoned asylums and the dregs of urban poverty, Matthew discovers that the histories he’s devoted his life to aren’t true: Corner’s invasion — and Ariel’s terrors – are rooted in a history of Safe much darker and bloodier than Matthew ever imagined.

And even if he manages to save both home and Ariel, he may well lose himself.

why it caught my eye: 

I love the look of the dragonfly wings on the cover. :) Can't help it. I'm a dragonfly kinda girl. The premise is certainly interesting, I'm curious to see what happens. Anyone read it yet? Share your thoughts in the comments.  

You Recommend Wednesday

Your turn. Tell me what to read. Come on, it's summer, I finally have time to read for fun again. :) What's new and exciting that you just have to gush about? Feel free to gush all about it in the comments here.

Eyecatcher: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

The Gathering Storm

The Katerina Trilogy Book 1

by Robin Bridges

http://www.robinbridges.com

Delacorte Books

ISBN: 9780385740227

Release Date: January 10, 2012

from the author's site: 

Saint Petersburg, Russia, 1888.

As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts unwanted attention . . . including from two young men.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

why it caught my eye: 

It's a paranormal and it's set in Russia, need I say more? Ok, so maybe that's only a big deal to me. One of my two minors at school is Russian so it's interesting for me to read about Russia, even a fictionalized Russia. These books look really interesting and I can't wait to get a hold of them.   

You Recommend Wednesday

Happy Wednesday lovely readers! How is everyone today? Well, as you can see it's that time of week again for you to tell me what to read. Don't be shy. What have you fallen in love with that you haven't seen me mention here? What do you think I should be reading. Leave a comment and let me know.

Review: Blood Feud by Steven A. Roman

Blood Feud

The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Book 1

by Steven A. Roman

http://www.pandorazwieback.com

StarWarp Concepts

ISBN: 9780984174102

Release Date: June 15, 2011

from the author's site: 

It’s a war among the houses of the undead! Elegant Gothic Lolitas from Japan, silk-suited London vamps, leather-clad hunters from Eastern Europe—all seeking the same prize: a mysterious crate recently delivered to the horror-themed museum owned by the father of Pandora Zwieback.

What is the terrifying secret of Item #179? How do its contents tie into an incident from the blood-drenched past of Pan’s new friend, a 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter named Sebastienne Mazarin? And, more important, will Pan survive long enough to get any answers?

my thoughts: 

Wow! From the first page I was hard pressed to put Blood Feud down. In fact, the first night the only reason I put it down at all was because I had a friend in labor and I was obsessively checking Facebook for updates on her condition. But seriously, Blood Feud is non-stop action from page one. The focus switches back and forth between Pan and Sebastienne better known as Annie which keeps the story moving. My only complaint is that I don't have book 2 in front of me so I can find out what happens next. I need to know! 

Blood Feud by Steven A. Roman is highly recommended. Unless of course you don't like monsters and violence, but if you do, then you should definitely read this one. 

Guest post: Meredith Zeitlin author of My Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters

Happy Monday everyone! Well it's extra happy for me because it's my last Monday of the semester. :) I've just got to get through my finals and I am free for three months! Then you'll finally get to see some reviews up on this site again. Yay! In the meantime I've got a great guest post for you today. 

Today Want My YA is visited by the lovely Meredith Zeitlin, author of the book My Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters. So without any further chatter from me, I give you Meredith. 

 

TIPS FOR SURVIVING FRESHMAN YEAR... FROM SOMEONE WHO ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT:

 

My freshman year was both really hard and ultimately really rewarding. I started at a brand new school that year, which was nerve-wracking. I missed my friends from middle school and could barely find my way around the place, much less comprehend why I had to bear the additionally heavy cross of braces and awful bangs and a nose I had yet to grow into. But I actually ended up loving it - I did make friends, and figure out where to sit at lunch, and got cast in a lead role in the school play, and somehow ended up on the lacrosse team - a sport I'd never even heard of before. (In a related story, I was TERRIBLE at it. But I had fun!)

Of course, this is me as an adult looking back; at the time I know I was incredibly frustrated much of the time. It's so hard to be new. It's so hard to be fourteen! It took a long time for things to be mostly fun instead of mostly terrifying.

I've been asked a lot during this book tour what I'd say to myself if I could go back in time, and the answer is: PLENTY. Of course, I can't. So here are some tips for those starting on the often horrifying, sometimes awesome journey that is freshman year. Who, if they're anything like I was at fourteen... will probably ignore me. Ah, well. Points for trying?

1) Don't try so hard. Trust that people will like you even if you aren't always "on," or cracking a joke, or proving you're right about everything, or agreeing with the popular opinion, or whatever your go-to self-defense method is. Here's the thing - all the other kids are just as insecure about themselves as you are. Be yourself. Relax. All that energy you're expending working to fit in (or be deliberately different)? No one is noticing. Just do your thing.

2) The guys (or girls) you're agonizing over don't deserve your agony. People used to have to wait for their high school reunions to realize the crushes they lost their minds – and many, many tears, and occasionally even friends – over end up being, well, not nearly as great as they seemed at the time. In the era of Facebook, you don't even have to wait! So have fun, date, hook up, flirt, and do all that stuff. Even get your heart broken – we all have to go through it sooner or later. But try not to take it too seriously if you can. You will look back and think “I liked THAT guy (or girl)?! Whyyyyyyyyyy?” in ten years. I promise. 
 
3) Don't suck up to that junior after the cast list for the fall play goes up - or whatever your corresponding situation is. It's annoying to everyone else and usually backfires. You will be better off earning upperclassmen's respect and admiration for your writing or art or whatever makes you special. Let them come to you, or see if friendships just unfold naturally. . (Trust me on this one – that cafeteria scene with Julie Nelson in the beginning of the book? Ripped from the headlines of my life. Nightmare.)

4) Do not to go into Manhattan to stay over at the apartment of a random girl you barely know from camp. She turns out to be really weird and live in what is essentially a room filled with garbage! This will not end up being the cool adventure you think it's going to be – not even close. (Hrm. Maybe this one really only works for me? Sorry 'bout that.)

5) Don't let your parents – or teachers, or anyone - make you think that every single thing you do in high school is going to make or break the rest of your life. My parents had me panicked about my SAT scores the second I set foot in high school. Not to mention grades, extra-curriculars, clubs, leadership positions... the pressure to succeed was incredible. And I'm certainly not saying those things aren't important – of course they are. BUT. One C (or even an F!) on a paper or test is not going to kill your chances at a good school. Your SATs will not determine the kind of person you end up being or the quality of the life you end up having. So yes - study hard. Join clubs and activities that interest and motivate you. But also have fun. Make choices. Make dumb mistakes. Learn from them. Don't let this looming senior-year mission to get accepted to Yale or wherever predicate every move you make in high school. There are just as many important experiences to have that are never going to come up on a college application, and you don't want to miss them.

By the way - the advice I could offer for the next three years after ninth grade? Or college? Well... that's another post (and book!) all together. Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by Meredith! :) And fabulous advice. I seem to recall not being overly thrilled with my Freshman year either, or really with any of high school. lol Now I'm just spending the rest of my life in college. I swear I'll be done one day. 


Thanks again Meredith for the guest post. Readers be sure to check out her book, My Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters.  

Eyecatcher: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly

by Susan Dennard

http://www.susandennard.com

HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780062083265

Release Date: July 24, 2012

from the author's site: 

There’s something
strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

 

The years 1876, and Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about.

Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

why it caught my eye: 

I LOVE that cover. It's absolutely gorgeous. That was enough to entice me to find the blurb on the author's site, and I have to say I'm intrigued. I love Victorian stories as well as all things paranormal so I suspect I'm going to love this one as well. Too bad I have to wait until July for it. Guess I'll just have to be patient. :) 

Eyecatcher: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave

by Melissa Darnell

http://www.melissadarnell.com

Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210350

Release Date: October 25, 2011

book description: 

 Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.

For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

why it caught my eye: 

This is another one that popped up on Amazon. I'm rather curious about it, have any of you read it? I'd like to know how it is. If you've read this one be sure to leave a comment.  

Eyecatcher: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Here's another book from another fabulous author that I met at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon. 

The Demon Trapper's Daughter

by Jana Oliver

http://www.janaoliver.com

http://www.demontrappers.com

St. Martins Griffin

ISBN: 9780312614782

Release Date: February 1, 2011

from the author's site: 

 It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

 why it caught my eye: 

I believe this book was originally recommended to me on Amazon, so when I saw Jana at the Barbara Vey event, I thought, "Hey, I recognize this book. It's on my list." It's always nice how that works out. :) So I made sure to pick up a copy and get it signed. Now to find the time to read for fun again. lol How long until my semester's over?

You Recommend Wednesday

What's everyone reading this week? What should I be reading? Come on, it's your turn to recommend to me.

Trailer Tuesday: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragonswood
by Janet Lee Carey
Published by Dial January 5, 2012
ISBN: 9780803735040

New Layout

So what does everyone think of the new look?

Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon

In yesterday's post I mentioned that earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending Barbara Vey's first Reader Appreciation Luncheon. It was so much fun, I'm already looking forward to next year's event. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of either of the authors that I'm featuring here as Eyecatchers. Rest assured Erica O'Rourke and Jana Oliver are both lovely ladies and I was thrilled to meet them. 

Hands down the highlight of my day was meeting Leanna Renee Heiber, author of such fabulous stories as The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and her most recent release, Darker Still. If you haven't read her books, you need to. She's a wonderful writer and just an all around awesome person. 
 
 

 
I highly recommend checking out her books. And just to help you out, you can check out my review of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker here.