Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday - 104

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what books will soon be published.

The Gathering Dark by Christine Johnson

A mysterious teen boy knows the secrets of Keira’s dangerous hallucinations in this gripping romantic fantasy from the author of Claire de Lune.

Keira’s hallucinating. First it’s a door hovering above the road; then it’s a tree in her living room. But with her parents fighting and her best friend not speaking to her, Keira can’t tell anyone about her breakdown.

Until she meets Walker. They have an electric connection, and somehow he can see the same shadowy images plaguing Keira.

But trusting Walker may be more dangerous than Keira could have ever imagined. The more she confides in him, the more intense—and frightening—her visions become. Because Walker is not what he appears to be. And neither are her visions. (from GoodReads)


This sounds like it could be slightly predictable, but I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt since it seems so interesting! Plus the cover is gorgeous. The Gathering Dark will be released on February 12, 2013.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - 50

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Series I Have Yet to Finish

1. The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
I surprisingly loved this trilogy (it's a fantasy with a male protagonist, so not what I ususally read). But I still haven't read the last book, The Dragon Heir.

2. The Faeriewalker Trilogy by Jenna Black
Another fantasy series that surprised me - but I really enjoy these books! Still need to read the last book, Sirensong.

3. Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz
I was never a huge fan of this series, which is why I've only read the first three books (there's six at this point).

4. Gossip Girl Series by Cecily von Ziegesar
I read a few of these when I was younger, but never loved them. Now there's like a hundred so I'll probably never finish it.

5. The Agency Trilogy by Y.S. Lee
Still have to read the final book, The Traitor in the Tunnel. I love that these books are about a female spy in the Victorian age.

6. The Body Finder Series by Kimberly Derting
This series was so creepy, but in a good way! I still need to read the third book and now I see that there will be a fourth published in 2013!

7. Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen
I loved that these were like Gossip Girl at the turn of the twentieth century! I still have to read the last book, Splendor.

8. Ghostgirl Trilogy by Tonya Hurley
I read the first two books, but not really a fan. I probably won't read the last one.

9. The Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot
I read the first 3 books and loved them! I was also surprised at how different they were from the movies. I would finish it, but there's so many books now that I don't know if I feel like it.

10. Nightshade Trilogy by Andrea Cremer
I was so disappointed in the second novel Wolfsbane but I think I still want to finish the series.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Interview With Hal Eisenberg

I had the lovely opportunity to interview Hal Eisenberg, author of the 2012 debut novel Overnight Sensation! Here are some questions and answers, and hopefully it will inspire you to pick up his funny book!

What made you decide to write about the music industry? Do you have any experience in that field?
Why yes! I do have experience, on both sides of the industry. From the musician’s side, I’ve played in rock bands all my life and even had a regional hit in the 80’s with my band, The Invaders for a song I wrote called, It’s A Mystery. (See if you can find the hidden clue about that in the book :) My current band has opened for a number of oldies acts including Davey Jones of the Monkees (who recently passed away), David Cassidy, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys to name a few.
 
On the business side, I have an advertising agency and have won numerous awards for my creative, working closely with celebrities on TV and radio campaigns for years, so I’ve had a lot of experience with the fame side as well. Given all these experiences, it seemed natural to base the premise of Overnight Sensation around the music industry and the highs and lows of being famous.
How did you create the characters of Jonah and his friends? Were any characters based on people you know in real life?
Oh geez, should I answer this one? Okay, yes – many of the characters were based on people I know in real life. And no, I won’t tell you who they are! This includes Jonah, his friends, Jonah’s dad and mom, Lanny Lambs, the evil president of Meglomania Media (who has a special place in my heart), and even characters with smaller roles like teachers, reporters, etc., were based on real people. Plus, there’s little tributes of places, and musical events sprinkled throughout the book - see if you can find them. And that’s all you’re going to get out of me on this question!
The way in which Jonah's band becomes an "overnight sensation" is very creative. How did you come up with that concept?
Thanks! And I’m glad you asked me this because some readers unfamiliar with the radio industry have said that the concept seemed unrealistic, when in fact it could have very well happened! Here’s how: In the old days of radio, especially FM, what kind of music the station played was typically in the hands of each station. Even the disc jockeys had a say into what songs got played. For example, it was not uncommon for a DJ to bring his own record collection to the station and play whatever he felt like! Each station was free to play whatever they felt like and the only way other stations found out about songs or bands was through other stations or through the record companies bringing them a copy of the records. In today’s world, radio station programming is not only a business, it’s a science, including focus groups, programmers, music testing, and more. Most stations today are owned by a few huge media companies, which produce or purchase syndicated blocks of music they send digitally throughout the country. For example, did you know that your favorite radio show might actually be playing on the other side of the country a few hours from now? Some even plug in local events or things happening around your city to make it seem like they’re in the local studio when in fact, are thousands of miles away. 
 
So, when Bart sent the song to the radio station and the program director for the media company, Tim, received it, he could have easily slipped the song into the station’s play list as well as placed it into the rotation of the other 900 plus radio station’s digital formats with a click of a button and presto – the song is playing all over the country at once. Are there safeguards to prevent this with most systems? Yes. But, could someone of power within the company make it happen? Yes again!
Was it difficult writing in the voice of a teenager?
Sometimes, yes. However, I’m young at heart! But the biggest help was my two teenage boys as well as their friends who would look over my dialogue and give me tips on how things should be worded and what I should definitely leave out!
 
What was it like publishing your first book?
Publishing was a scary thought until I decided to surround myself with experts. I hired a professional company, Streetlight Graphics, and worked closely with them to create and produce the cover as well as the various formats that were needed and I high recommend them. If you are going to self publish, you need a polished presentation that can stand up next to the big publishing houses. It was well worth the money and I’ll definitely follow the same path for all future books. The rest of the process was just a learning curve and once you understand how it all works, it’s not that scary at all.
 
How do you combat writer's block?
Writer’s block affects every writer now and then including me and it can be quite frustrating. What I usually do first is take a break from it all and do something completely different. If I come back to the computer and the ideas still aren’t flowing, I stop writing altogether and then right before I go to bed, I think about what I’ve written and where I want the story to go and then sleep on it. Usually the next day, the ideas start to flow again and soon enough, I’m right back in the story.
Sometimes you can get so deep into what you’re writing that it can overwhelm you. So, the best thing to do is step back and do something else and “refresh” your creative juices. It works!
 
Since your book is about music, what are some your favorite bands/musicians?
First, there’s the classic bands and artists like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Earth Wind and Fire, Steely Dan, America, The Raspberries (some of the greatest pop rock ever created, Google them), Todd Rundgren, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Elton John, oh my gosh - the list goes on forever. Then there’s my current faves like John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Mayer Hawthorne, Linkin Park, Cold Play (they’re in the book!), Maroon 5, Neon Trees, Katy Perry, Train, etc. I’m really into all types of music from blues to funk to rock. Each genre is like a flavor of ice cream and I love to taste them all…
 
Do you have any recommendations for people who want to become writers?
Write what you know. Write about what excites you. You’re going to be tempted to write what is popular. Don’t do it. If you’re into paranormal romance, or steampunk, then write about it. But if you’re not, and your heart’s not into it, don’t even try because there are far too many writers out there who are passionate about those genres and do an excellent job. My second piece of advice is don’t give up no matter what. If you’re in the middle of writing your first novel and you start to feel it’s total crap, keep writing because the next day, you’ll be inspired and the words you wrote the day before will suddenly seem brilliant. Or, if after you’ve finished your novel and some reviewer trashes it, just smile, keep writing that second novel, and concentrate on all the good reviews you get. Remember – not everyone is going to like your book. Even authors like J. K. Rowling have learned this. You absolutely can’t please everyone, but then again, you’re not writing for everyone. You’re writing because you love to write and the reviewers that “get” your book and appreciate your passion and style will reflect that in their reviews.
 
Thanks for reading this long winded blather. And a HUGE thank you to Megan for interviewing me.
For more information about Overnight Sensation go to:
Author’s website:www.hal-eisenberg.com
 
Watch the YouTube book trailor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TN2PStT3zU
Thanks Hal for answering my questions!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Review:
Chelsea Knot is a popular and talkative sophomore at her local high school. She loves to gossip and her penchant for spreading rumors has earned her the reputation of someone who can't be trusted. Under normal circumstances, Chelsea would relish this description. But when she tells a secret that ends in a physical assault, Chelsea's world comes crashing down. Hated by both the victim's friends and the perpetrators, Chelsea decides to take a vow of silence. Not talking is hard, but learning to forgive herself is even harder. With a new set of friends and a new job, Chelsea learns that sometimes it's better to remain silent, and sometimes it's okay to speak up.

Summary:
I thought that Speechless was an excellent YA novel. I loved Hannah Harrington's debut Saving June so I was hoping this would be just as good. Also if you liked If I Lie, you will definitely like Speechless, since they're very similar.

In the beginning, Chelsea isn't a very likable character. Obviously spreading rumors isn't very nice, so she easily gets on people's bad sides. She hangs out with the shallow popular crowd and her best friend is Queen Bee Kristen. This all changes when she tells a very important secret. I won't tell you what it is, but once you find out it makes perfect sense.

What I love about Speechless is that Chelsea learns a very important lesson: that words (like actions) have consequences. I think that's such a great message. What you say is sometimes just as important as what you do and thinking before you speak is an essential part of becoming an adult. Taking a vow of silence really taught Chelsea the importance of communication. I can't imagine giving up talking. It would be too difficult! I was glad that Chelsea stuck with it for a pretty long time.

I also loved that Chelsea moves on from the popular crowd and makes new friends who are actually nice people. The cast of characters at the diner were all fleshed out and had their own personalities, which added a lot of depth to the novel. Sam was a great love interest and Asha seemed like the best friend someone could have. Chelsea even is on good terms with Noah, the boy she hurt with her rumors, which shows the power of forgiveness.

Overall, Speechless was a great read and had a great message of doing what's right, forgiveness and speaking out when it's important.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: recieved from LitPick

2012/Harlequin Teen/286 pages.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Overnight Sensation by Hal Eisenberg

Summary:
Fifteen year-old Jonah Levine is practically invisible at Applecrest High. His Facebook page is pathetic, his baseball skills are mediocre at best, and his IQ seems to drop 50 points when talking to girls. But everything changes when his rock band, Hitstreak, becomes the hottest teen sensation in the country. And now they’re about to perform in front of 15,000 screaming fans.

So why isn’t he jumping for joy?

Well, for starters, that hit on the radio wasn’t really recorded by his band. In fact, six months ago, he and his friends could barely play a note between them. And now they’re about to perform in front of 15,000 screaming fans. What begins as a mindless prank quickly spins out of control, involving his father’s secret past as a 70’s rocker, a high school bully who wants in on the action, and a powerful, ruthless, media mogul who will stop at nothing to claim the band as his own. Will Jonah prevail? Or will he and his band go down in flames and become the biggest farce in pop music history? (from GoodReads)


Review:
When I first read the synopsis for Overnight Sensation, I was wondering how the author was going to pull this off. A new hit song on the radio mistakenly gets attributed to a local teen band? It does sound a little far-fetched. But Overnight Sensation did a great job of drawing the reader in for this whirlwind ride of fame and glory.

What I loved is how much Jonah and his friends sounded like real teenagers. Sometimes the teenage "voice" is hard to write, but Hal Eisenberg did a great job with it. The characters (Jonah and his four friends) were all hilarious, from trying to talk to girls to butchering Spanish. Me gusta leer sobre Jonah y sus amigos y familia (Sorry I just got done writing a composition for my Spanish class!).

As for the music part, sometimes you have to suspend a little of your disbelief. But it's all in good fun! I loved how Jonah's dad decided to play along with the story that Jonah's band recorded a hit number. It was awesome seeing them work together and actually create a real band out of Jonah's friends.

Overall I thought that Overnight Sensation was a very cute and fun novel! It had me laughing and it was very easy to read. I wouldn't be opposed to a second book! There's definitely more to this story.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: received from author.

2012/Bells and Castanets/238 pages.

Friday, September 21, 2012

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

Summary:
PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life. (from GoodReads)


Review:
I really enjoyed The Karma Club so I was very excited to read more of Jessica Brody's work. Luckily for me, My Life Undecided was just as cute and fun!

Even though My Life Undecided was clearly meant for a younger audience (Brooklyn is 15, after all), it was still accessible to a wide age range. I loved the message of choices. The decisions you make are so important, especially for teenagers. Seeing Brooklyn develop and learn to make smart choices was the best part of the novel.

I also loved the blog aspect of the novel. Brooklyn starts a blog where she lets who readers make decisions for her. She was lucky to have a mature set of readers, who usually picked the "right" choice. Sometimes it was hilarious seeing Brooklyn do the things they picked, like try out for the women's rugby team.

Like The Karma Club, My Life Undecided espoused a great message, and it was an adorable novel to boot! Can't wait to see what else Jessica Brody has in store for us.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: received from publisher.

2011/Farrar, Straus, Giroux/320 pages.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday - 103

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at   Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about new books.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie just wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But with every mile marker that passes, Rosie discovers a new sense of self…and that sometimes the best revenge is moving on. (from GoodReads)


I love road trips and summer so this sounds like the perfect combination! This novel will be released May 7, 2013.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - 49

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Bookish People I'd Like to Meet

1. J.K. Rowling
She's obviously a genius and the author of my favorite children's series. I think everyone wants to meet her.

2. John Green
His books are awesome and I love how he communicates with his fans. Nerdfighters unite!

3. Cassandra Clare
I am obsessed with her multiple series and she seems so fun. Her tumblr is awesome as well.

4. Kathy Griffin
She wrote a book so this counts! I loved her reality show and think she is a hilarious lady.

5. Deb Caletti
I love her novels so I think it would be fun to chat with her.

6. Hillary Clinton
She's written several books so she's included on this list. I think she's such a strong and amazing woman.

7. Stephen Colbert
I got to see his show filmed live this summer, but I didn't actually get to meet him. I would probably die as he's one of my favorite celebrities.

8. Ann M. Martin
I used to be obsessed with the Baby-sitter Club series so it would be awesome to meet my childhood idol.

9. Jane Austen
No one said they have to be alive.

20. George R.R. Martin
Just so I could tell him to write faster!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Summary:
Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...(from GoodReads)


Review:
I thought Glow, the predecessor to Spark, was an excellent science fiction novel. I'm not usually a fan of spaceships and the like, but I really enjoyed this story. There was mystery, power struggles, a strong female protagonist, even hints of romance. It was a lot deeper than I expected, even delving into aspects of human nature. And luckily for me, Spark was just as good!

I was so happy that Spark didn't fall victim to the Middle Book Syndrome. For most of Glow, the girls and adults are on the enemy ship of the New Horizon, while power struggles emerge between Seth and Kieran and the rest of the young boys on the Empyrean. But in Spark, Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited but spend most of the book at odds. They are supposed to be engaged, but it appears that after what they went through in the last book, they have many different opinions. What I liked about Spark is that it switched POVs between Seth, Waverly and Kieran, so we get to see the motivations behind all of their actions. And while I didn't always like what they did, I understood completely why they did it. That's a rare quality in a book, to understand the main characters so fully. A lot of the situations weren't black and white, and Amy Kathleen Ryan did a great job of filling in the gray.

I loved how the book delved into some really deep issues. Topics that were discussed were the use of power, the right way to lead a population, peace vs. violence, the use of torture, medical rape, death of parents, Amy Kathleen Ryan covered it all. Since all the adults are stuck on the New Horizon, it's basically a bunch of teenagers running the ship. A lot of them were very capable, but power struggles still emerged, which was interesting to see. I love politics, so the "politics" of the Empyrean were fascinating to me.

Overall, I don't think I can give this book enough praise. The plot was exciting and new mysteries and secrets were being uncovered every other page. I can't wait to see what happens in the next novel and I can't believe I have to wait until Summer 2013 to get my hands on a copy!

Rating: 10 out of 10.
FTC: received from Flamingnet

2012/St. Martin's Griffin/309 pages.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday - 102

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about upcoming books.

Operation Oleander by Valerie O. Patterson

Ninth-grader Jess Westmark had the best of intentions when she started Operation Oleander to raise money for a girls’ orphanage in Kabul. She named her charity for the oleander that grows both in her Florida hometown and in Afghanistan, where her father is deployed. But on one of her father's trips to deliver supplies to the orphans, a car bomb explodes nearby and her father is gravely injured. Worse, her best friend’s mother and some of the children are killed, and people are blaming Operation Oleander for turning the orphanage into a military target for the Taliban. Is this all Jess’s fault? (from GoodReads)

This reminds me a lot of If I Lie because it involves a military towns where some its soldiers are overseas and the protagonist gets blamed for something that isn't her fault. Can't wait to see if it's as good! Operation Oleander will be released March 5, 2013.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - 48

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Books That Made Me Think

1. The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose
This is a memoir about a college sophomore who transfers to Liberty University (he previously attended Brown) and learns about Evangelical Christianity. I thought it was so fascinating reading about the school, it's strict rules, and about the people Kevin met.

2. A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
This is one of my favorite novels and I still can believe it was a required summer reading book. The novel explores such topics as fate vs. free will and faith vs. doubt.

3. Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
I decided to add something more contemporary, and I picked this because I'm currently reading the sequel, Spark. Glow was actually pretty deep and dealt with issues such as power, control, and how people use religion/faith to lead a population.

4. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
All of Jodi Picoult's are extremely thought-provoking, so I just picked the first one I read. This one is about bodily autonomy and what happens when your organs/blood/bone marrow can be used to save someone's life.

5. Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
This changed the way I thought about politics and specifically the 2008 presidential election. I learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes things that happened.

6. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
This seemed like a warning of something to come and was extremely scary (especially if you're a woman).

7. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
I learned so much about Apartheid in South Africa when I read this. I never realized how horrible conditions were.

8. Animal Farm by George Orwell
I thought this was cool because every character represented someone during the Russian Revolution. So it made me think about the time period history and try to line up the event in the book with what actually happened.

9. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
This was about a girl who lives in a Mormon Fundamentalist commune and is forced to marry her uncle. I can't even believe people have to suffer throught that in the US.

10. This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas
This was interesting because it was about a priest stalking a young girl, but it didn't involve sexual abuse. It opened my eyes to the different ways that abuse can occur.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Summary:
Callie LeRoux is living in Kansas during the Dust Bowl. All the farmers have moved away, intense dust storms make it hard to breathe and the hotel Callie's mother owns has long been empty. But when one day her mother disappears in a storm, Callie decides to head to California to search for her. She meets a young hobo named Jack and together they set off. Little does she know, Callie is about to learn about her supernatural background and the prophecy that she is the center of.

Review:
I really enjoyed Dust Girl. When I read the synopsis, it compared it to The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, which is one of my favorite book series. I thought that was a very ambitious comparison, but I'm happy to say I enjoyed this novel. It obviously wasn't as good as Gemma Doyle (and I wasn't expecting that) but it was still a fun story.

I really did like everything about the plot, characters, etc. Callie was a very interesting character, especially once we learn more about her paranormal background. I loved that she was POC character! I don't quite read enough of that. I also liked her relationship with Jack. They meet up and decide to stick together has they travel around the Midwest. He was such an asset to Callie on her journey and I'm looking forward to some prospective romance between them.

The only thing about Dust Girl that I didn't like as much was that the tone seemed younger. This book skirted the line between MG and YA and Callie's voice was a bit immature at times. It isn't a big deal but just something I was thinking about as I was reading.

That being said, Dust Girl ended on a cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read the sequel! I hope the author writes it quickly.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received from Flamingnet Book Reviews

2012/Random House/304 pages.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday - 101

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers who like making lists about books.

Slated by Teri Terry

Kyla has been Slated—her memory and personality erased as punishment for committing a crime she can’t remember. The government has taught her how to walk and talk again, given her a new identity and a new family, and told her to be grateful for this second chance that she doesn’t deserve. It’s also her last chance—because they’ll be watching to make sure she plays by their rules.

As Kyla adjusts to her new life, she’s plagued by fear. Who is she, really? And if only criminals are slated, why are so many innocent people disappearing? Kyla is torn between the need to know more and her instinct for self-preservation. She knows a dangerous game is being played with her life, and she can’t let anyone see her make the wrong move . . . but who can she trust when everyone is a stranger?

Debut author Teri Terry has written a brilliantly compelling, original and thought-provoking novel about an uncomfortably plausible future.
(from GoodReads)


Having your memory erased would be terrible so I'm curious to see how this turns out. Slated will be released in the US January 24, 2013. 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - 47

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like making lists about books.

Top Ten Books on my Fall TBR List

1. Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill
True love and a trip to London? I think this book will be perfect.

2. Sacred by Elana K. Arnold
This novel takes place on an island and features a mysterious love interest.

3. Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo
First off, the title is adorable and it's a book about a girl with a crush on an older guy. This should be interesting.

4. Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara
The title and cover make this book look very literary and deep. I hope it is.

5. The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook
This book features a YA con artist, which reminds me of Heist Society.

6. Live Through This by Mindi Scott
A serious novel about abuse and intimacy, but I hope it's not too sad!

7. Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien
The third and final book in the Birthmarked trilogy. I wonder how it will end!

8. Rebel Heart by Moira Young
The sequel to Blood Red Road. It feels like forever since I've read that but I'm still looking forward to the next novel.

9. Touched by Corrine Jackson
I adored If I Lie so I'm excited to see what else comes from this author.

10. America Again: Rebecoming the Greatness We Never Weren't by Stephen Colbert
He's my favorite comedien and I can't wait for this book!!