Hop & Follow Friday! (18)

Happy Friday, lovelies!

I hope you had a fabulous week and are looking forward to an awesome, book-filled weekend! I know I am!!

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads where she poses a thought-provoking question to prompt some blogger discussion!

This week's question:

Bookshelf Tour: Where do you keep your books at home? Are they organized?

I keep my books on a plethora of bookshelves! My camera is out of whack so I can't show you at this moment, but I can certainly tell you about a few of them. First, there is my Bedroom Shelf.  These are books that I haven't read and want to soon-ish or books that are pretty and I want to look at a lot.  They are mostly fiction and they are arranged alphabetically by the authors last name.  This bookshelf is a smallish one that is a folding shelf from Target that I got when I was a senior in college.  My second and third bookshelves are in one of our spare bedrooms and they are bigger (5-shelf and much wider).  One is dedicated to fiction and the other is non-fiction (well, mostly--the fiction has spilled over).  The fiction books here are also arranged alphabetically by author's last name.  The non-fiction are arranged (okay, don't laugh--I'm a huger nerd) by Library of Congress number (with a post-it note inside until I have time to use the awesome acid free stickers that I bought and the typewriter to make them labels...which I did for most of my husbands books). The NF are a little out of order at the moment because I've been trying to make room for books in various places...  

"Follow My Book Blog Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View and Allison at Allison Can Read where bloggers make new friends, including this week's featured bloggers--We Fancy Books and A Novella's Tale!  Pop on over to Parajunkee's blog and join in the follow fun!!  All you have to do is follow the featured blogger, write your own post answering this week's question, and then leave your link!  Oh yeah--and then follow some new peeps!

This week's question:

Q.  Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

1.  Gayle Forman - If I Stay and Where She Went have by far been some of my favorite books this year.  The writing is phenomenal and I would love to just pick her brain about the writing process and her characters.

2. Veronica Roth - This young chick is clearly amazing. She seemed so down-to-earth when I met her in June and I'd love to just sit down and talk to her about the whole experience--getting published, selling the movie rights...all right out of college!

3. Stephanie Perkins - Anyone who can write a book as fun to read as Anna and the French Kiss MUST be a fabulously fun person to hand out with (also true judging on her Tweets). She seems like the kind of person you could spend the afternoon having fun with and the time would fly!

The "Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly bookish meme where you can get to know fellow bloggers! It's generally hosted by Jen @ Crazy for Books.  Stop by and join in the fun!

This week's question:

Q: What's the ONE genre that you wish you could get into, but just can't?

I read pretty widely so this is kind of a difficult question to answer.  However, I'm going to have to say high medieval fantasy.  I know--that's pretty specific, but let me explain.  My husband is not much of a fiction reader.  He's a historian--a medieval historian in the second year of his PhD program.  He almost never reads fiction (I'll give you one guess why...).  HOWEVER, he has a huge love affair with George R.R. Martin as well as a few other fantasy writers (maybe Tad Williams? Clearly I don't pay enough attention...).  I've TRIED (and am still trying) to get through GoT...but it's SO not my cup of tea.  It would be nice to be able to talk books with my hubby occasionally...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I love your comments and try my best to return all follows! 
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!


**Don't forget to check out my 200 follower giveaway! 10 more followers and I will add a 3rd winner! 
Giveaway ends on Monday**

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

"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)

This week I'm waiting on...

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

© 9 August 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Description:

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love

They moved the release date for this up from September 13, which is AWESOME. I can't wait to get the chance to read it. I am working on convincing my husband to let me order a bunch of August releases because there are lots that sound really good.

Also, I figured I would combine this post with W.W.W. Wednesdays...so here is some more info about my reading for this week! To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…Grab the logo...and post your link at Should Be Reading!


What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next? 

What are YOU waiting on this week?

YA Book Review: The Iron Daughter & The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

**Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read this series, well, first off--WHY NOT?  Okay, but seriously, if you haven't read the first book, then be warned that this review may be a bit "spoilery"**

© August 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen


Goodreads Description:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

©  January 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Goodreads Description: 

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts... 

The Iron King was one of the very first books that I ever reviewed here on my blog back in February! I bought The Iron Daughter and The Iron Queen not too long after buying and reading the first book because I thought is was a very good "faery book."  I don't know why I put off reading these two books for so long! Seriously, it's a tragedy!  I've decided to put them together on one review because I read them in the span of a day and a half, one after the other, so for me they flow together as one story. It would be crazy for me to try to separate the stories at this point.

The plot twists and turns in both of these books really kept me guessing.  There is so much deception in the faery world that you can never be sure what to expect next from any given character. It's this deception that keeps you guessing.  At the outset of The Iron Daughter, you find Meghan in Tir Na Nog at the Winter Court's mercy.  The first time she sees Ash, his icy glare and sarcastic comments broke my heart a little.  I mean, I wanted to believe that he was just playing his part, but he was seriously convincing. Thankfully he was not serious. Thankfully. The Iron Daughter and The Iron King are both packed with action along the way as well--from faery attacks in the City of the Dead to all-out faery war.

The character in the series continue to draw me in at every turn.   Meghan continues to grow up through these two books.  She is a strong, respectable heroine, who often follows her head over her heart but does what she really believe is best for the faery realm. She really does make some tough decisions and shows her strength of character. 

I am SOLIDLY "Team Ash" so all those "Team Puck" people out there, please excuse me for a moment while I gush! Ash is simply amazing.  His devotion is solid and true and even when Meghan doubts his true affections, he comes through in the end, proving his love for her at every turn.  He is also super sexy. Just sayin. ;-)

Julie Kagawa is truly a master of the fae world.  The Nevernever continues to uphold and exceed my expectations for the faery realm. The world that she has created is truly spectacular.  I could seriously gush about how awesome I think her weaving of classic fae literature with modern life for EVER.  Seriously, I think it's absolutely phenomenal. Back in February, Julie kagawa drew me into the realm of faeries and I've never wanted to go back.  

Tune in Tuesday! (3)

A weekly feature hosted by GReads! that showcases music! Each week she posts a new or old song in hopes to gain more interest. Join in the fun and spread the love of music! If you want to participate, follow the link above and link up at her blog...then check out what everyone is sharing this week!








This Tuesday's Tune: Not Fair
by Lily Allen




This song makes me giggle. :-)  Okay, but giggling aside, I actually really enjoy listening to Lily Allen's music.  It's fun! Enjoy!

YA Book Review: Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

Release Date: 15 February 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Won from Bewitched Bookworms

Buy this! B&N | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads description:

What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had?

Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star.

Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship.

The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with friendship and ended in betrayal.

My Thoughts...

As far as teen books go, this contemporary read kept me well-engaged and really was a breath of fresh air among many books that I've read or am reading.  The musical rivalry was a fresh concept that was woven well into a story of personal conflict and misunderstandings.

Kathryn and Brooke could be the best of friends, and for a little while, they were.  Then a series of misunderstandings and conflicts split them apart, turning Kathryn into a social leper.  As the girls' senior year progresses, each faces her own challenges.  Kathryn worries about how she will pay for college. Brooke struggles with her out-of-the-picture Dad.  In the end, will music bring them back together?

This book read, for me, as a very realistic relationship between high school girls. Their motives and uncertainties made them relateable.  I had relationships like that in high school, so it's quite possible that's the reason that I found it relateable.  There is definitely a little of that "mean girls" feel to the situation as well that possibly makes the animosity seem over the top. However, I thought that Brooke and Kathryn were both complex characters with a lot going on in their lives that contributes to their actions. Each has some belief about the other that is wrong in some way, but they are unwilling to attempt to resolve their differences.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable summer read.  It was really a breath of fresh air to read--a book that isn't all about falling in love with a boy! These girls have their high school crushes, etc., but the focus here is on their relationship and their music.

This is my first "HarperTeen July" post! (1 of 5)

Hop & Follow Friday! (17)

Happy Friday, lovelies!

I hope you all had a fabulous week!! I've been sick so my apologies that my posts were a bit lacking this week!

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads where she poses a thought-provoking question to prompt some blogger discussion!

This week's question:

Book Blogger Appreciation: Which book blogs have inspired you or made a difference in your blogging experience?

OOO!! <3 Okay, so I'm super excited about this question because it means that I get to gush about some of my favorite bloggers.  I hope you will check out all of their blogs because they are fabulous.  Two of the earliest blogs that I followed were Lindsay @ The Violet Hour and Ashley @ The Bookish Brunette.  These chicks are seriously fabulous.  Their book blogs are fabulous and definitely book centered. They write fabulous reviews and their enthusiasm for books truly shines.  The other blog that I would call an early influencer of mine is Kristi, The Book Faery.  Her blog is fabulous and this chick has a real passion for the written word.  I love following her reviews. LOVE!

"Follow My Book Blog Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View where bloggers make new friends, including this week's featured blogger--Angela @ Angela's Anxious Life!  Pop on over to Parajunkee's blog and join in the follow fun!!  All you have to do is follow the featured blogger, write your own post answering this week's question, and then leave your link!  Oh yeah--and then follow some new peeps!

This week's question:

Q.  What do I do when I'm not reading?

Ummm...work? I suppose this question is supposed to be about other hobbies and such, but let me tell you a little about my life.  I live in the country with my husband and I've failed at gardening two years in a row (last year I grew moldy squash and this year a weed FOREST).  I work two jobs and I go to school.  So, when I'm not at work or class, I'm with my husband or reading a book.  So...I guess the answer is that when I'm not reading I'm spending time with my hubby! (Wow, long-winded much? Apologies!)

The "Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly bookish meme where you can get to know fellow bloggers! It's generally hosted by Jen @ Crazy for Books.  Stop by and join in the fun!

This week's question:

How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

I get the majority of my books from the public library.  I try to avoid buying too many books (*try* being the operative word there. I mean, did you SEE last week's IMM?)  Anyway, I work PT at the public library so it's easy for me to get books there. I am a pro and putting books on hold. I currently have 10 books checked out from the library...which is actually probably a record low.  When I do buy books, I generally get them from B&N.   I wish I had a good local indie, but alas, I do not.  Sometimes I do try to order from indie bookstores online. I'd love to hear what people think about sites like paperbackswap, etc.!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I love your comments and try my best to return all follows! 
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

**Don't forget to check out my 200 follower giveaway! 25 more followers and I will add a 3rd winner!**