I stumbled upon this great August reading challenge and it seemed perfect for the back-to-school month! I have a lot of really great digital review copies from NetGalley that I would like to get read and reviewed so...why not?
Pledge to read those books from your Netgalley and Edelweiss egalleys during the month of August by entering your blog on the linky below!
The books you read do not have to be released in August. They can be already released, released in August, or released later than August.
So...I don't actually know how many books I will get read in August as I'm starting a new job (YAY!), but I'm totally willing to give it a go! (And some expire VERY soon!!) Here's my list of NetGalley books that will be on the challenge TBR list:
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Schultz
The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coates
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
The Girl in the Park by Mariah Frederick
The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough
Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter
Between You and Me by Marisa Calin
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear
OMGqueer by multiple authors
The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer
Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett
Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Inbetween by Tara Fuller
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama
Silver by Talia Vance
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie
Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan
Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin
Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel
Skylark by Megan Spooner
The Curiosities
League of Strays by L.B. Schulman
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronin-Mills
The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab
Diverse Energies by multiple authors
Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell
Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
Hahahaa...seeing that list all written out...OUCH. They are in pub date order, so that is generally the order that I try to tackle them in, but this time I'm in pursuit of new books for my high schoolers so I'll probably start with the ones I think will most appeal to them. :) My GOAL will be to read at least 15 of these in August. Lofty? Perhaps...
During Friday Fling , I share with you a "just
for fun" romance book or novella that I read and really enjoyed. It will generally be a "mini review" instead of a full review and I'll stray from my YA focus into the realm of adult romance (which, in case you're curious, is my not-so-guilty pleasure). These are books that I think are fun, quick (sexy) reads that are definitely worth checking out!
At some point it's going to seem like "Friday Fling!" is just my soapbox to talk about my love of Entangled Publishing (and maybe that's true just a little bit), but they honestly put out really great romance reads. This week's feature was truly a gem of a read. The teaser on their website had me laughing so I knew I had to buy it! Check out this super fun read from Entangled's newest line--Covet!
Publisher: Covet (Entangled Publishing) Release Date: July 2012 Get it! Amazon| B&N
Nick and Casey are best friends. Just friends. Nothing but FRIENDS. At least that's what they each spend a significant time convincing themselves. When Nick finally takes a chance and invites Casey into his world as more than a friend, will she be able to handle the consequences? Better yet, will Nick learn to trust that this feisty woman is one tough chick?
I can't remember the last time that I laughed and smiled as much as I did reading Take It Like a Vamp. The main character, Casey, is awesomely fun to get to know. I loved her snark and her real, curvy body and her insecurities and her fierce loyalty and her strength of character. This chick had it all and I seriously loved her. Top that off with Nick--the loyal, hot, BFF next door guy--and you've got a friends-to-lovers romance that will knock your socks off. The sizzling chemistry is rounded off with a dash of danger, a fabulous cast of side characters (LOVED Linc and Mason), and a trip to the Greek Islands, creating a fabulous, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romance novel. I can't help but hope that Ms. Havens gives us more stories like this (can you say series potential?!). I do believe I'll be heading off in search of more of her books while I wait hopefully for another one like this. :)
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where book bloggers discuss the books that they are most anxiously waiting for! (And this fabulous button was designed by my dear blogger friend Lindsay at The Violet Hour)
Nothing is certain and no one is safe in the second book in the highly praised Dust Lands trilogy, which MTV's Hollywood Crush blog called "better than "The Hunger Games.""It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba's world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh's freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.
What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road," a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of"danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.
Your heart misleads you. That's what my friends and family say. But I love Noah. And he loves me. We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms. It should be ROSE & NOAH forever, easy. But it won't be. Because he's Amish. And I'm not.
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Michael A. Rothman to the blog as part of the Heirs of Prophecy tour! Today I asked Michael to write on a topic that piqued my interest when reading about him and his writing on his website: In the Heirs of Prophecy series, what role does the family as a whole play and what's your take on family dynamics and depictions in literature of kids and young adults?
Without further ado, welcome, Michael!!
As I’ve mentioned in some previous blog posts, the rule of thumb for most fiction today is that your young protagonist(s) must have a hectic home life. Assume they are either an orphan, have family issues of all varieties, or are otherwise stressed by their day-to-day situation.
My books are written in opposition to such norms, and headline protagonists which are likable, fallible, but otherwise should be very relatable. Everyone knows a brother who is a pain in the butt who you would protect with your own life, or an over-protective mother, etc. I aim to prove that the action and strife need not come from the family, but through the situations and adventures they are put through.
In HEIRS OF PROPHECY I strive to bring the family as a whole "Down the Rabbit Hole" from the modern world into the world of Trimoria. Unlike many novels which insist on depicting the family as an element of strife, I put the reader in a situation that forces them to think, "Well – what if this really happened to me and my family, how would we react and how could we handle it?"
In this tale, I put the two young protagonists into a situation that immediately makes note that they will become the focus of attention. Attention that they might not necessarily care for. Unlike today’s world, where the parents can control many of the elements of their children’s lives, the parents are integral to the process of adapting to this new world.
As a parent, they must try to protect their children, yet they too are embroiled in a miasma of confusion as they must learn to adapt to their surroundings as well.
As it becomes clear that the children are meant for greater things in this world, the parents must maintain guardrails as best they can, while the kids themselves must explore and push their way through this new world.
A child’s world and an adult’s world is very different, and the tale covers elements of both, while ensuring the kids are brought forth as the “main” characters in the story.
I’d point to one review I got from another author when he read the book, and it was his opinion that the approach I was taking was quite different than the norm – and unlike the traditional advocacies of “kill the parents” for Fiction – having a more wholesome traditional tale that involves families (all the good and bad involved with such) was a refreshing change from the norm.
"There is a sweetness and light to this novel that often seems missing in modern fantasy. I think that a wise reader will recognize that this is something the world needs, and has been waiting for."- David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Fantasy Author
Thank you so much for sharing, Michael! I love that the family gets to take the journey "down the rabbit hole" instead of leaving behind the parents and never wondering what they're thinking or up to!
The Riverton family had been enjoying a simple summer vacation when, through a fluke of nature, they found themselves in a strange new land.
The Riverton brothers quickly realize that in this world, they have gained unusual powers. Powers that their parents fear will attract the attention of Azazel himself - the merciless wizard who brutally controls this world.
The two brothers soon learn that an ancient prophecy has finally been initiated by their arrival in Trimoria. As the heirs of this prophecy, they are destined to lead the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and even a misfit ogre against the prophesied demon horde.
Only one thing stands in their way:
The evil wizard who has learned of their presence, and has sent assassins to wipe them from existence.
The TOOLS OF PROPHECY is the second volume in an epic saga which describes a prophecy that has placed the Riverton brothers in the lead roles of a struggle to save their world from being overrun by unspeakable horrors. This destiny requires that they face off with the demons that nearly destroyed their world over five centuries ago.
In the first book, the population of wizards had been practically eradicated by the former tyrant. The Rivertons are now charged with creating an Academy of Magic, recruiting qualified students, and furthering their own training with secrets that have long been held by the reclusive elves.
Despite their youth, a mysterious spirit has engaged them in an epic struggle to gain mastery of their newfound skills, help raise and train two armies, and stay alive long enough for their final showdown with destiny.
The only things that stand in their way are the assassins hired to destroy them and the Demon Lord’s minion who holds a personal grudge and intends to witness the young boys’ deaths.
Meet Michael!
I am an Army brat and the first person in my family to be born in the United States. This heavily influenced my youth by instilling a love of reading and a burning curiosity about the world and all of the things within it. As an adult, my love of travel allowed me to explore many unimaginable locations. I participated in many adventures and documented them in what will be a series of books, the first of which you have just read.
Some might put these books in the Fantasy genre, and I never had issues with this label. After all, the adventures were, without any doubt in my mind, fantastic. I simply quibble with the label of "Fiction" that some might put on these tales. These tales should be viewed as historical records, more along the lines of a documentary.
I've learned one thing over the years. Magic is real. Keep exploring, and you too will find your magic. - Mike Rothman
You should know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED Kelley York's debut novel, Hushed, when I read it last year. I've read it in its entirety at least twice and in bits and pieces on numerous occasions. I pimped it out to a close friend who loved it just as much and we talk about it ALL THE TIME. I stalk follow Kelley's blog and Twitter a lot some to keep an eye out for more from her because I LOVE her writing. You know when you read a book and you know you'll love everything that author does? That was Hushed for me. Am I rambling? Yes? Okay, well, when I saw on her blog that she had decided to self-publish a book this fall AND she has a new Entangled Pub book coming out next year, this was me:
So OF COURSE I wanted to participate in revealing her new cover! Have I made you wait long enough yet? Maybe you want to see this beautiful gem now? OKAY!
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