Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It’s a weekly meme that allows bloggers to talk about what upcoming book they’re most looking forward to reading.

Waiting on Wednesday

October 27, 2010

Darkest Mercy

by Melissa Marr

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2011

Published by: HarperTeen

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

I love the Wicked Lovely series. Melissa Marr had a huge influence on my enjoying fantasy and Seth is high up on the top of my fictional crushes list. I'm excited to read more about him. Also, how beautiful are the covers for this series?!? Love 'em!

Top Ten Scariest Reads...or not!

Okay... I am the biggest baby in the world. Seriously. I can't handle scary stories. This is partly due to living alone in a forest in the country... it's just too easy to get WAY too freaked out. This aversion to all things creepy isn't normally an issue, however, this week's Top Ten Tuesday (a weekly meme hosted by Broke and Bookish) is about scary stories. Since I don't really read them I don't really have a top ten! All that to say that I am modifying it a bit. I'm still doing a top ten but it's going to be "Top Ten Authors that Made me Love YA." And so it goes...

A little background:

I've always loved to read. I was "that kid." The one that had a book open when I should have been doing math. However, it wasn't until I was in college that I started reading "YA lit." I mean, I read some but mostly I was borrowing books from my high school librarian's personal collection (Bless her heart!)

My sophomore year I took a class called "Literature for Adolescents." It changed my life... literally. It was taught by the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate Rob Reid. The man is amazing. We read and discussed so many books! He "forced" us to read from different genres. Before his class I would have told you that I didn't care for fantasy books. Three chapters in to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and I was in the bookstore buying books two and three (four was only out in hardcover and I was broke so I put it on hold at the library!) I love fantasy. It may be my favorite genre. Who knows how long it would have taken me to realize this if he hadn't challenged me to read outside my box. Because of his class and his example I knew that I wanted to be a school librarian. I loved reading and talking about those YA books! Rob, if you're reading this, thank you. Keep doing what you do.

Okay, trip down memory lane over. Here's the list:

Top Ten Authors that Made me Love YA Literature:

1. John Green: There I was, wandering aimlessly through the teen section of the public library, without a book in mind. And then I saw it... a book with rainbow colored silhouettes of girls on the cover and a title set up to look like some sort of math equation. It was a cover I'd seen before, though I was not sure what the book was about. As I read the inside flap I decided to give it a go. Little did I know that this chance encounter would introduce me to one of my very favorite authors. Scarcely a chapter in to An Abundance of Katherines I began searching the internet for more information on this John Green guy and ordering ALL his books (Okay, okay, so at the time there were only two plus Let it Snow... but still!) I was introduced to Brotherhood 2.0, Nerdfighters and Maureen Johnson... Jackpot! I just crack up everytime I read any of John Green's books. I love the way he describes situations, the quirks his characters have, the intelligence with which he writes. Okay Heidi, enough with the gushing! You're making these too long!!

2. Chris Crutcher: I hear "One of the most banned authors" and I know I have to read him! I picked up Deadline at the library and it made me think and laugh and cry (oh man did I cry... even knowing how it was going to end!) Chris Crutcher's books opened up a new side of YA lit for me. They are real and heart-wrenching and oh so good.

3. Tamora Pierce: When I got my job as a librarian in a 7th and 8th grade building one of the first things I did was walk through the library and just pull out random books. One of the first ones I grab was a paperback and I thought, "There is no way a student would check this out!" It had nothing to do with the book but rather the condition of the copy. I read the back to see if it sounded like something I should order a new copy of. The book was Alanna: The First Adventure and I spent the first few months of my new job reading every Tamora Pierce book we had and ordering more. Pierce's worlds just sucked me in.

4. Holly Black: I have no idea where I got Tithe (my first Holly Black book) or why I picked it up but I am oh so thankful for however it happened! I reread Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside at least once a year. These were the first contemporary faerie tales that I read. All I have to say is thank you Holly Black! Also, White Cat is AMAZING and you have to read it. I have much love for Cassel.

5. Melissa Marr: As I was reading Holly Black's faeries I found Melissa Marr's. Oh happy, happy day! I was instantly in love with Wicked Lovely and the characters Melissa Marr shared with me (especially the ever so alluring Seth!) Her writing enchanted me and opened me up to reading other books with not so human characters.

6. J.K. Rowling: J.K. Rowling made me like fantasy stories against my will. She took every wall and preconceived notion I had and shattered them! I honestly cannot think of a fantasy book I read post elementary school and pre Harry Potter.

7. Cassandra Clare: I was down sick for the weekend. The library was closed and I had nothing to read. I ventured out to get cold medication and a book. My local store had a very limited selection of books. One of the only ones without Fabio on the cover was City of Bones (featuring a much more attractive half naked guy.) I had been reading more YA lit at this point. Holly Black and Melissa Marr were favorites. I figured it didn't hurt to try this one too. Of course it sucked me right in. It proved to me yet again that there were strong YA authors out there writing books that readers enjoy and that are exciting. This started me on a book buying binge that I am still working to curb!

8. Ally Carter: How could I not pick up a book called I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You? It was another one of those books that I pulled off my LMC shelves when I first got my job. They were fun and full of contemporary girls who kick butt (literally!) SO addictive!!

9. Sarah Dessen: I was on such a fantasy/paranormal kick. I needed to find books for my girls who wanted stories about girls and boys and life and the things that really happen. Enter Sarah Dessen. Exit any free time I had. I started with The Truth About Forever (the most recent at the time) and then read everything else she had written. I've reread most of them at least once. Sarah Dessen's books are never on my LMC's shelves and they give me such a great way to reach those girls who don't LOVE to read.

10. Robin McKinley: I don't even know where to start here. Beauty and the Beast has always been a favorite of mine so I read Beauty for the Literature for Adolescents class I mentioned earlier. Then I had to read Rose Daughter. And then there was The Hero and the Crown which of course lead to The Blue Sword and so on and so on. You get the picture? McKinley introduced me to the novel length retellings of my favorite fairy tale and new stories I didn't know I was missing out on. She also led me to other authors retelling stories I'd loved (like Alex Flinn, Gail Carson Levine, Donna Jo Napoli, etc...) I can never thank her enough!

These are just some of the authors that got me started loving YA lit. There are so many others out there that keep me loving it...Sarah Rees Brennan, David Levithan, Kiersten White, Sophie Jordan, Carrie Ryan, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Simone Elkeles, Maggie Stiefvater, and many, many more. Had I read them earlier this top ten list would have been even harder (and it was REALLY hard!!!) I hope you've enjoyed it. Now I want to know... who hooked YOU?

All Hallows' Read

To start things off, the winner of last weeks contest is...... Jessica Armenta! Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email asking for your address. I'll send out your prize ASAP :)

Now, for the next giveaway! Recently Neil Gaiman proposed in this blog entry that we give each other scary books during the week of Halloween. He's calling it "All Hallows' Read." I like this idea. Since I was already planning on giving away a copy of Coraline (which I think is scary!) I thought I'd combine the two. Neil Gaiman is just full of good ideas isn't he!?!

So here it is folks.... giveaway number two!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (paperback book and movie,) The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P.C. Cast with Kim Doner

Beautiful Darkness poster

SIGNED: Raised by Wolves promo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

NOT SIGNED: Bookmarks from Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Simone Elkeles and Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Prophecy of the Sisters tattoos and fun halloween candies

So there you have it! My All Hallows' Read giveaway. Thank you Neil Gaiman for promoting books of all kinds :) To enter simply fill out the form. Giveaway ends Oct. 31st. Sorry, U.S. addresses only at this time! As always, I appreciate comments and feedback!

Top Ten Tuesday

So, I know this is a day late but I just couldn't do it yesterday and I REALLY love the topic :)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks topic: Top Ten Fictional Crushes

I am sticking to characters from books. If I didn't there would be too many! Who am I kidding? There are STILL too many!!

1. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

1. Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables

I just can't decide between these two! I love them equally! I tried, I really did. Every time I thought I had made a choice I would remember something else about the other and I'd flip flop. Finally, I gave up. They're both number one! They're both smart, handsome men who go after what they want. They're not perfect but they make up for it ;)

3. Seth from Wicked Lovely

***dreamy sigh*** I really like Seth. There is just something about him that is SO sexy. Maybe it's the way he plays with his lip ring.... or even that he HAS a lip ring. I think I reread that scene an obscene number of times! Clearly he is VERY different from Gil and Darcy. Maybe that's part of the attraction!

NOTE: The rest of the guys on my list aren't really in any order. The could all be number four!!!

4. Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instruments

He has that whole gorgeous, aloof, conflicted thing going on. How can you not crush on that? Also, he's tough; he makes me feel safe and he's so good to those he cares about.

5. Alex Fuentes from Perfect Chemistry

I love the way he grows throughout the book. He's dedicated to his family and wants to protect them. Although perhaps a bit misguided at first, the boy has integrity! Bonus.... so incredibly hot!

6. Nick from The Demon's Lexicon

I know, I know... he's a demon. I can't help it. There's just something about him. I mean, obviously there's the fact that he's beautiful. Aside from that... he's trying and that has to count for something. The fact that he can't lie could be a good or bad thing (Does this dress make me look fat? LIE LIE LIE to me!!!) I really think it's Sarah Rees Brennan's beautiful writing style that makes me love him so!

7. Tristran from Stardust

He's awkward and shy but I just adore that about him. Plus, the man is willing to journey to a forbidden land to bring back a token for the girl he thinks he loves. Now, the fact that he thinks he loves her shows a wee lack of discernment but we can forgive him because he is young and he learns from his mistake. He certainly becomes a dashing hero in the end!

8. Hale from Heist Society

Hmmmm, I'm learning that I have a bit of a thing for arrogant men! Darcy, Jace, Alex, Nick and now Hale... who knew? He just kinda got to me. I listened to the audiobook. The way the narrator read his character may have a lot to do with it.

9. Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games

Originally I had him WAY higher. Then I realized, yes, I do have a crush on him but I like him WAY more for Katniss than for me. I mean, he's the boy with the bread. The one who will do anything to protect her. That is totally crushworthy!

10. Ren from Nightshade
Oh Ren, you alpha male you! Again with me and the arrogant boys! I really, really want this boy to have it all. He could be a real jerk. I'm not saying he's sugar and sweetness.... that is certainly not true! Still, he is good to Calla and both of their packs when he could be WAY more domineering. He's definitely the alpha male but he considers the others too. You have to respect that!! Calla can have Shay!!

There were still a few boys I just couldn't see leaving off! I feel like as I read more about them (examples: Lend and Will) They will be bumping some boys out of the top 10. I just haven't seen enough of them yet!

Honorable Mentions:
Michael Moscovitz from The Princess Diaries
Lend from Paranormalcy
Will from Firelight
Cole from The Wolves of Mercy Falls
Po from Graceling

Eric Northman from Sookie Stackhouse books

Prom & Prejudice feeds my obsession

Hi, my name is Heidi and I'm a Pride and Prejudice addict. Seriously, I'm getting help.

Well, okay, so I'm not really getting help... but I am slightly obsessed. I love it... the story, the characters, the time period, the witty banter. It gives me joy. I've read the book and the annotated version of the book. I'm fairly certain I've memorized the movies word for word... both the BBC Colin Firth version and the 2005 Keira Knightly version. I honestly watch them at least once a month. Granted, sometimes "watch" means "have it playing in the background while I read/clean." Still, I spend more time in the company of Mr. Darcy than is likely normal and/or healthy. I own at least 20 retellings or continuations of the story. Literally, I counted! I've read many more from the library. I just... well, I love it.

I say all of this to give you an idea of how thrilled I was to receive an advanced readers copy of Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. I bought her previous book, The Lonely Hearts Club for my middle school LMC. It hasn't been on the shelf since the first week of school. My girls just keep passing it around. They LOVE it. So, combine my knowledge that Ms. Eulberg is a fab YA author and my love of (okay, okay, obsession with) Pride and Prejudice and you end up with one very pleased reviewer! Without further ado/rambling:

Prom & Prejudice

by: Elizabeth Eulberg

Review from uncorrected proof . Publication date January 2011.

About the book:(from inside cover)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.

After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

My thoughts:

I so enjoyed this book. I don't think I'm saying that just because I love Pride and Prejudice. I mean, I didn't really like the retelling where Darcy was a vampire. Just because something is

Pride and Prejudice

related doesn't mean I'll automatically love it (although it clearly helps!)

No, I liked this book all on its own. The writing is engaging and fun. Ms. Eulberg doesn't take it too seriously. She's doesn't try to recreate Austen's

Pride and Prejudice but rather takes it and pays homage in her own unique style. I loved the ways that she works in the names and attributes of people and places from the original. You still have the same main characters but their relationships may be slightly different (Jane and Lizze are roomies and friends, not sisters.) Names may be changed but the "essence" of the characters/relationships tend to be the same.

There were so many aspects of the story that I just found so enjoyable... the boarding schools (Longbourn for girls and Pemberly for boys,) Lizzie as a pianist, prom and it's critical role at the school, Bingley and Darcy's semester in London, it all worked so well with Austen's

Pride and Prejudice and Eulberg's newly imagined version. ***dreamy sigh*** I just really, really liked it. It was a pleasure to read and when it was over I was smiling. I'm not going to spoil the end but I especially enjoyed the way Darcy and Elizabeth enjoyed prom :)

If you haven't read

The Lonely Hearts Club start there. I imagine you'll be adding Prom

& Prejudice to your "to read" pile before your done! You won't regret it!

My very first GIVEAWAY

Ok. Soooo, I'm new to this whole book blog thing (and by new I mean I've had one but not been faithful AT ALL but now I will be faithful.) I read all the time and love talking about what I've read. I just need to set up times to sit and blog faithfully. I love doing it; I need to keep myself accountable! As a way to help myself do that I am going to be holding THREE prize pack giveaways over the next few weeks. Each contest will last ONE WEEK! So, without further ado... here is this weeks prize pack!

Bookmarks from Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr, Simone Elkeles, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, and The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan.

An autographed copy of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and a poster for Immortal Beloved

And, finally, a cute owl candy holder/bobble head in honor of Halloween

To enter fill out the following form: (contest ends 10/23)

Feel free to leave comments as well. I'd love any feedback or ideas you have!

Once in a Full Moon

Once in a Full Moon

by: Ellen Schreiber

Review from ARC ebook. Publication date 12/28/10.

About the book:(from marketing copy)

Celeste hangs with the popular crowd at Legend's Run High and is being wooed byNash Hunter, the football quarterback, but doesn't really feel that she belongs. She only comes in contact with the new and enigmatic student, Brandon Maddox, when she passes him in classes, the hallway, and at lunch, but she suspects there is something different about him other than that he is a Westsider and comes from the wrong side of town.

On a dare, Celeste and her friends go to a psychic's shop for a reading. When it is Celeste's turn for a fortune, the psychic grabs Celeste's hands and warns, "Beware of a kiss under the full moon." Celeste and her friends laugh and mock the fortune teller. But on her way home from their outing, Celeste is blinded by a blizzard. Disoriented, she finds herself deep in the woods bordering town. She is overcome by snowfall and unable to see anything. Above her hovers the glow of a full moon. Just then, she sees beady eyes staring back through the falling flakes. She finds herself in the midst of a pack of hungry wolves. The wolves begin to howl. She can't outrun them, and the shortest tree branch is out of reach. They slowly approach her. At the last moment, a stranger pulls her from the hungry pack. He grabs a branch and fights the pack of wolves until they retreat. In the scuffle the stranger is bitten. It is Brandon Maddox.

Celeste is enamored by her hero and can't get him out of her mind. Where Nash is a hero on the field and court, Brandon is a hero in reality. Celeste steals away from her friends to find Brandon, and they meet on a hilltop near his home. A cloudy sky lingers above them, and Celeste realizes she has fallen in love with a Westsider. But in the next few moments, Celeste will face an even bigger challenge than falling for a guy from the wrong side of town. As the two lean in to kiss, the clouds pass, exposing the glow of a full moon. Brandon feels strange and pulls away. Something is about to change-him.

My thoughts:

You may know Schreiber from her Vampire Kisses series. Once in a Full Moon is very similar in tone. You have the girl who doesn't quite fit in, who longs for something more. Enter: new boy... handsome, kind, different from everyone she knows. Mix in jock boy and supernatural elements. It's a bit cliche but still a fun read. The characters and plot weren't all that developed. I couldn't get in to the deep abiding love that Celeste has for Brandon when they've never really had a conversation. Also, the dialogue didn't seem to reflect how teens talk. For example, "I was so fatigued and cold, I welcomed her care." I just don't see my students saying that. Still, I know my middle schoolers will eat this book up and wait impatiently for the next one! Overall, an enjoyable read even though the quality isn't on par with other YA lit out there. Give it a try if you really love supernatural or werewolf stories.

Nightshade

Nightshade

by: Andrea Cremer

About the book:(from inside Advanced Uncorrected Galley)

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, She'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Call begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By flowing her heart, she might lose everything -- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My thoughts:

Let me start off by saying how awesome the pre-publication blitz was for this book! Penguin really put this book out there. I got a copy at a young adult literature conference I went to. Andrea Cremer was on a panel there so I got to meet her and have her sign it as well (Note: she is delightful! So nice!!) Before the conference I had checked out http://www.shaydoran.com/ and learned more about the book. What Penguin has done is taken Shay, one of the main characters, and made videos "starring" him. They take place right before the book starts and are set up as if they are Shay's personal vlog. He has just moved to town and is living in this creepy mansion alone. Readers/viewers can participate by helping him find answers to what is going on. Andrea Cremer is taking the people who participate and writing them in to a prequel that tells Shay's story. How cool is that?!?! (If you pre-order the book you get the prequel free! I ordered mine from Amazon!) There is also a facebook page that goes with it. What a great way to get people talking!

Now, for my thoughts on the actual book. First I have to say that the cover is gorgeous, however, I fear that it will really put boys off. It's very purple. They story itself is not all girly. There is action, mystery, suspense... all the stuff guys and girls both enjoy. If you work with students make sure the boys know this!

Throughout the book we follow Calla. I love that she is a tough chick. She's an alpha in her own right. Calla and Ren (an alpha from another pack) are set to marry soon (yes, they are teenagers) and start a new pack. This has been planned for so long Calla doesn't even think to question it. It's just how things are done. Enter Shay... gorgeous human boy who causes Calla to question her life and the rules that govern it. From the moment she meets him she is breaking rules. The way Shay gets Calla thinking and her reactions to him reminded me of Peeta and Katniss in The Hunger Games. Since I loved that book it was a good thing :)

Cremer is very clear that Calla and the Guardians are NOT werewolves. It was interesting to see the history she built for the Gurdians and the Keepers (even more so if you follow Shay's videos and try to put the clues together!) I loved the way Cremer worked Guardian/Keeper history in to our history and events that actually took place.

The story is fast paced and moves along nicely. There is action, adventure, mystery, romance, humor, suspense, and so much more! I found myself falling for Ren and can't wait to read the next books to see how it all turns out for him! Don't forget to pre-order to get the free prequel! Follow Andrea Cremer on Twitter at @andreacremer :)

Why I love banned books

I'm at work but I felt the need to share yet another reason I love banned books. I intentionally didn't mention book titles because it could have been anything.

I am a library media specialist in a middle school. We have about 500 seventh and eighth grade students. I love my job. It's perfect for me. An eighth grade boy gave me yet another reason today.

He's always been a nice kid but never really one to come in the LMC for books. He would come in with his class and check out a book and maybe come in to use the computers. I wouldn't say that he was a reader but he wasn't an "I hate reading" kid either. At the beginning of the year he picked up a book I recommended during book talks. He read it and enjoyed it. He enjoyed it so much that he told a friend about it and they swapped books. He liked that book too so he came in to get another one. I recommended a different book and it's companion. He checked them both out and brought them back today. Right away he came to me for a recommendation. I asked him what he thought about the books he just returned. I was expecting a simple answer about whether or not he liked them but he blew me away. Remember, this is a kid who MAYBE read two books outside of assigned reading last year. We've been in school less than two months and he has read FOUR books just for fun. Best of all, he was THINKING about them. He started to tell me about the books and what he liked and didn't like. He ended by saying something along the lines of, "I know this author has other books but I think I'd like to try someone new. I felt like he just ended the books in a hurry... like maybe he just got sick of writing them or something."

I was so pleasantly surprised. It's not that his answer was super in-depth. It's more that he was really getting in to what he was reading. He was thinking about what was happening and what the author may have been feeling. He chose to engage himself in a book when nobody told him he had to. I know students do this all the time. They are intelligent and more capable than most people give them credit for. It's just exciting to see a student who hadn't done that in the past, who probably would have said he didn't like to read, engage in a book.

We walked along the stacks together and I pulled out books I thought he might like. We talked about them and he told me more about what he was interested in. He settled on two books with a big smile on his face saying "I'm gonna take two because I've read more this year than ever before." As he went to the front to check out his books the LMC aide asked if he had found some good ones. He said he thought so and I said I hoped so. He turned and looked at me and said, "You've never let me down." And I melted.

The point to my rambling... that first book he checked out? The one I book talked? The one he read that sparked an interest? The book that showed him reading can be enjoyable? The book he liked so much he swapped it with a friend? Some people would say it shouldn't be in my library... it should be "banned." If I listened to that the only thing that would have been banned would have been that eighth grade boys discovery of books.

I understand that some books are more appropriate for older readers and that parents are "concerned" about what their children have access to. Please, talk to you kids. Go to the library with them and discuss book choices. Look at sites online and decide what is appropriate for your family together. Don't make choices for other people. Don't judge people and their parenting by what they allow or don't allow their children to read. If you have a problem with something READ IT and then talk to the teacher or librarian. The fastest way to get a student to read a book is to ban it. I'm all for getting them to read but I think I'll take the more informed road.