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Friday, January 27, 2012

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! (83)

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! is where you guys get to see a song or two I like or that I want to talk about each week. Thanks as always goes to J.J. at Random Musings for help with the title.

Here's a song you might not have heard:



(Run to You by The Midway State.)

This is a Bryan Adams cover (the original song was released in 1984!!), but I don't think the cover is very old. It played a lot just a few months ago when CBC was advertising Camelot.

Thoughts? Comments? Song suggestions?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (101)

Waiting on Wednesday is, of course, brought to us by the lovely Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I have a theme again this week! Let's see if you can guess it.


In Honor by Jessi Kirby - To be released May 8th, 2012

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want this: Because I will cry reading it.


Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John - To be released April 12th, 2012

When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national best seller, his publisher sends him on a cross-country tour with his unpredictable older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when Matt offers to drive Luke's ex-crush, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. Luke thinks he's enlightened, but he really needs to loosen up if he's going to discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: Teenaged author. Brothers (boys amuse me). Girl with purple hair on the cover. Road trip. What's not to want to read???

So, did you guess the theme?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Friday, January 20, 2012

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! (82)

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! is where you guys get to see a song or two I like or that I want to talk about each week. Thanks as always goes to J.J. at Random Musings for help with the title.

What song should we do this week? Oh, I know! I haven't done any Anberlin songs!



(Soft Skeletons by Anberlin.)

This is another song you can thank KT for telling me about. Isn't it gorgeous?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (100)

Waiting on Wednesday is, of course, brought to us by the lovely Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This is my 100th Waiting on Wednesday post!! *bells, whistles*

Anyways, did you guess my theme last week? It was blue covers.

Okay, do you remember my 75th Waiting on Wednesday post where I did an all mermaid themed post and I said mermaids/sirens were going to be the next vampires/werewolves/angels? I stand by that opinion.


Waking Storms by Sarah Porter - To be released July 3rd, 2012

This actually the sequel to Lost Voices which was in my 75th post, so I am not going to post the summary because that could really spoil for people who haven't read it. But isn't this cover gorgeous? And it really matches the Lost Voices cover and I always like that.

(Summary on goodreads.)

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown - To be released June 12th, 2012

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy.

But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls.

Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: Two words. Murderous. Mermaids.

Next up, we have:


Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama - To be released August 21st, 2012

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect... or a curse?

With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want this: I love reincarnation stories, especially when they're combined with a love that has lasted hundreds of years. What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic.



The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova - To be released April 12th, 2012

Set against the backdrop of a Coney Island summer comes The Vicious Deep, the story of sixteen year old Tristan Hart whose life is turned upside down when the mermaids make an unscheduled return to land in search of their new king.

When a sudden storm pulls Tristan from lifeguard duty into a deadly riptide, he discovers what he really is—a prince of the Sea Court. Turns out, his girlfriend hopping and talents as a swimmer aren’t caused by his teenage prime hormones after all.

In this modern Arthurian tale with a twist, when all a guy wants to do is get The Girl and enjoy the freak show that is a Coney Island summer, Tristan has to fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity, if he still wants it, as he’s caught in a race for a throne that is as ancient as the gods.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: Wouldn't a male-narrated mermaid book be AWESOME?


Wrecked by Anna Davis - To be released May 1st, 2012

Miranda has lived on Whym Island since the death of her parents. She has taken comfort in its seclusion and in the folklore that claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and its surrounding waters. It's just been easier to believe that things are out of her control.

But when a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy that haunts her dreams. As the guilt of the accident consumes her, she finds refuge in her late night swims. Then, she meets Christian, a boy who seems so familiar, but won't tell her where he is from and why they can only meet at the beach. As Miranda falls for Christian and begins to put the accident behind her, she discovers that there are secrets that Christian is keeping to protect her that may only end up bringing her nothing but harm.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want this: Okay, I'm cheating a bit. I'm not ENTIRELY sure if this one is a mermaid book. But he has scaly things! I'm guessing that's not just a funny skin condition ;) Scales + water = mermaid to me.

Okay. That was fun. What did you guys think?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Friday, January 13, 2012

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! (81)

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! is where you guys get to see a song or two I like or that I want to talk about each week. Thanks as always goes to J.J. at Random Musings for help with the title.



(Fast Car by The Wilkinsons.)

Most of you probably know this is a cover of a Tracy Chapman song, but I really like this version.

What do you guys think?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (99)

Waiting on Wednesday is, of course, brought to us by the lovely Jill at Breaking the Spine.

We have a bit of a theme this week. See if you can guess!




Slide by Jill Hathaway - To be released March 27th, 2012

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: It sounds really, really cool. Kinda like extra super cool mind-reading, plus really cool names.

Next up:

The Selection by Kiera Cass - To be released April 24th, 2012

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: For one thing, Kiera Cass is hilarious and super nice and has a beautiful baby boy. For another, this sounds like The Bachelor meets... The Princess and the Pizza is coming to mind, but I'm sure there's a base fairy tale under that I'm not thinking of. Maybe the Princess and the Pea?

Anyways. LOOK at that cover! Tell me you don't want to hoard the shiny like a dragon.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Any guesses about my theme?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Monday, January 9, 2012

YA Review: Future Imperfect

Okay, so, I wrote this last summer, but I've put off typing it up since then. Anything in brackets, I'm adding in today. Got it? Good.


Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese

Published: April 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: YA Science Fiction, I think
Binding: Paperback
Page count: 310 in my copy
Part of a series: Yes, it has a sequel that I can't remember the title of and goodreads is being a jerk... Past Continuous and that came out November 8th, 2011
Amazon link and Goodreads link.

Summary (from the author's website): When 17-year-old Ade Patience knocks himself unconscious, he can see the future. However, he's also addicted to the high he gets when he breaks the laws of physics. And while he's seen things he's wanted to change, Ade knows The Rule: You can't change the future, no matter how hard you try.

His memory is failing, his grades are in a death spiral, and both Ade's best friend and his shrink are begging him to stop before he kills himself. Luckily, the stunning Vauxhall Rodolfo recently transferred to his school and, just like Ade saw in a vision two years previously, they're destined to fall in love. It's just the motivation Ade needs to kick his habit. Only... things are a bit more complicated than that. Vauxhall has a powerful addiction of her own. And after a vision in which Ade sees himself murdering someone, he realizes he must break the one rule he's been told he can't.

Ade and Vauxhall must overcome their addictions and embrace their love for each other in order to do the impossible: change the future.

Review: So I was at the library (in June or so when I read the book and wrote the rough draft of this review) and I noticed we had three new YA books on the new books shelf. Considering that only happens once or twice a year because our YA section sucks (still does but we've gotten about a dozen new YA books in the last year or so which is awesome), I was seriously tempted to take all three. BUT I have a three foot stack of review books to read (*cough* no comment) so I restrained myself. Right up until a day where my library was crazy busy and I had to wait and I read the back of this book. I got totally distracted by the back blurb, so I knew I had to take it out.

And I really, really enjoyed it, especially Ade's awesome voice.

Plot: I'm not even going to TRY. Go read it and you'll see why.

Characters: In case it's not clear, Future Imperfect is narrated by seventeen-year-old Ade, who's addicted to the high he gets when he knocks himself out to the point of giving himself a concussion. He was selfish, self-destructive and sometimes so freaking sweet that it broke my heart what he was doing to himself.

I found Vauxhall pretty interesting, too, and totally called her addiction. Oddly enough, I had just read a romance novel where the main character had a similiar kind of thing going on. The books weren't really anything alike, though, just that one thing that I noticed and probably no one else would. Anyways, I liked her. She was cool. But I didn't really love her. I think I just didn't click with her one hundred percent.

Ade, however, I really liked. I generally enjoy male narrators. It's a nice change of pace from all the female narrators I read. And Ade was no exception to that. The exact note I scribbled down while reading was, "Boy brains are funny. Particularly one that's been getting bashed up for years." And that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

Normally when I talk about boys in books, they're the love interest and I spend a fair amount of time swooning over them. Something I really enjoyed about Future Imperfect being written from Ade's point of view was that h was very three-dimensional and real. So I'm still swooning because, well, I can, but it's not just because Ade was hot, you know?

Cons, complaints, bad stuff, etc.: Sometimes the dialogue could be a tiny bit confusing and I noticed a few more typos than seemed normal in a finished book. Though, really, I read more ARCs than not, so they don't bug me much, but I still noticed them. The last chapter was... odd, to me. I liked the ending fine, though, and it didn't ruin my read or anything. It just didn't fully click with me.

PG-13 stuff: Well... yeah. Language, violence, mature content, yada yada. It's an older YA and it all felt necessary, so I'm cool with it.

The one thing I'm not so cool with in books (or life) is the underage drinking thing. And remember, I'm Canadian so I'm not talking twenty-one. I'm talking under eighteen. (Though the drinking age in my province is  19 and obeying the law is a good thing.) It's a STUPID thing to do in real life and I don't like it in books. BUT I know it's realistic. It's just a pet peeve of mine in books, on TV and in real life. So you can probably ignore this because I don't want my quirks to stop you guys from reading a good book. Moving on now!

Cover comments: Funny story. All the time I was reading this, I was pretty sure I'd heard about it before. Possibly even WoW'd it. (Totally did.) But I had never seen the cover when I saw it at the library. I'd only seen this one.

Anyways, I like this cover. The boy on the front looks kinda pretty despite the fact that the library put the bar code sticker right across the space between his mouth and his nose like some sort of weird mustache. I like the faded look, too, and I think it might sort of appeal more to boys because it's pretty unisex, yeah?

Conclusion: I enjoyed Future Imperfect a lot and I'm excited to read the sequel. Four out of five roses.


Other notes:

Okay, explanation time first. Saskatchewan is a dry province. We normally lean towards the whole drought thing. So the year before last, we had a grasshopper/cricket problem. And they freak me out. A lot.

But.

This last summer, it rained a LOT, and there were so. many. dragonflies. (Weird coincidence - dragonflies are a recurring thing in Future Imperfect.) So keep that in mind when you read the notes I had.

- "My backyard has a lot of butterflies and a dragonfly is stalking me." (It was summer and I was reading outside.)
- "FREAKING DRAGONFLY."
- "STALKED BY A DRAGONFLY."

It kept landing on my notebook. *shudder* And I was covered in bug spray.

- "Soothsayer is a cool word."
- "Flutterby's a real word?"
- Not a direct note, but when I was reading the back at the library, I thought Vaux was goingto be a guy and I was bit thrown off at first that she was a girl and a tiny, tiny bit disappointed. But that was just me being weird and it was only for a couple pages.

And that's all folks! Wow, this was long. Have you read this? What did you think?

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! (80)

Fun Friday: Give Me Something to Sing About! is where you guys get to see a song or two I like or that I want to talk about each week. Thanks as always goes to J.J. at Random Musings for help with the title.

The first Fun Friday of the year! That deserves a special song.



(Annie by Safetysuit.)

This is one of my absolute favourite songs. (Thank you KT for telling me about it.)

Go ahead and tell me how much you love this song now in the comments!

Peace and cookies,
Laina

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (98)

Waiting on Wednesday is, of course, brought to us by the lovely Jill at Breaking the Spine.

HEY, first WoW of 2012!!!


Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale - To be released February 14th, 2012 (Another book you could get your honey/bestie for a Valentine's Day present!)

When 17-year-old Rosie's mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington's Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother's best friend, "Aunt Sarah," that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn't her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.

Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, joining her ex-boyfriend on his gap year travels, to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: I don't read enough contemporary books and this seems like one I would love... but that would make me cry. But I would love it more if if it made me cry. Does that make sense?

Also, I actually know what Huntington's is because of House.


The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes - To be released May 8th, 2012

Paige Sheridan has the perfect life. She's pretty, rich, and popular, and her spot on the homecoming court is practically guaranteed. But when a night of partying ends in an it-could-have-been-so-much worse crash , everything changes. Her best friends start ignoring her, her boyfriend grows cold and distant, and her once-adoring younger sister now views her with contempt.

The only bright spot is her creative writing class, led by a charismatic new teacher who encourages students to be true to themselves. But who is Paige, if not the homecoming princess everyone expects her to be? In this arresting and witty debut, a girl who was once high-school royalty must face a truth that money and status can't fix, and choose between living the privileged life of a princess, or owning up to her mistakes and giving up everything she once held dear.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Why I want to read this: Same reason as above! I also don't see a lot of YA books about characters who write. That might be very interesting.

Okay, so what are you guys looking forward to today?

Peace and cookies,
Laina