There once was an awesome blogger named Ginger and she decided to create a super fun feature where fellow bloggers would answer fabulous questions via blog posts every Friday. TGIF was born and we all have Miss Ginger at GReads! to thank for that! This week’s question is:
Choose Your Next Read:
How do you go about choosing what you read next? Do you have a schedule you follow, or do you read whatever makes you happy at the moment?
Picking what I’m going to read next can be a very tough process. To help my problem just a little bit I have my bedside bookshelf. On this shelf I have my nook, all of my review books, all of my BEA books, and the occasional book I am just DYING to read. First and foremost I try to get any review books that have a deadline out-of-the-way first. If I am reading it for a blog tour or if the author is requesting that it be finished by a certain date then I try really hard to get it done.
When it comes to all others I know it is technically supposed to be review books first. So if I feel like following the rules then I read two at a time: the real copy of a review book that I got first and an e-book. Some nights I feel like reading from my nook and other nights I can read the book.
However, as many of you may know, I am a bit of a rule breaker. Every now and then (or quite often if I am being honest) I pick whatever is sounding good at the moment. Just last week I was in the middle of reading a review book when Easy by Tammara Webber showed up on my doorstep (darn you Barnes & Noble and your free, speedy shipping!). I stopped everything I was doing to read that book. This happens ALL the time to me. I will get a bookish craving for a certain type book and I just can’t help but read it!
This is going to be the last TGIF post for a while :( I am going to miss this feature bunches but I hope to see all of your posts when it returns!
This week on Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands (8/24-8/31):
Today I am so excited to be a part for the cover reveal for mother/son duo C.A. Kunz that is hosted over at Young Adult Novel Reader’s blog! I am a huge fan of their Childe series so when I learned they had a new series coming out I got extra excited. This one is going to be a bit more futuristic/sci-fi/dystopian than The Childe series and I cannot wait to read it. The Modified is due to release this fall; here’s a little bit about the book:
What would you sacrifice to save the one’s you love? To save the one who holds your heart? To save the world?
Kenley Grayson is all too familiar with these questions.
After Earth is thrust into its first intergalactic war with an unknown race called the Bringers, our military forces begin to suffer heavy losses. Desperate for a solution, the Allied Federation issues a worldwide draft for every able seventeen-year-old to enlist. As Kenley turns seventeen, she finds herself thrown into the very war that took her older brother’s life.
This year’s draft is a little different than in the past though. A new program, known as the Magnus Project, has been introduced, and only the best and brightest qualify. Kenley is amongst a select few whom are chosen to join this elite group of soldiers, and as a part of this project, undergoes a modification procedure that leaves her and her peers endowed with powers beyond their wildest dreams.
As Earth continues in its struggle against the Bringers, Kenley is transported to a high-tech training facility, the Magnus Academy, to prepare for the major battle that lies ahead. It’s here that she meets the California heartthrob, and son of a legendary war hero, Landon Shaw. As unexpected feelings toward Landon begin to develop, Kenley wonders if this is the right time or place for romance to bloom, especially when those feelings start to interfere with her training.
With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Kenley is constantly reminded of how important she and the rest of the Magnus cadets are to the fate of humanity. She is one of the Modified, Earth’s last line of defense against utter destruction.
And now, without further ado, THE COVER!!!!!!
Isn’t it just so full of pretty?!? I am absolutely ADORING the color of it and all of the stars (at least that’s what I think they are!), really are just pure gorgeous. And the fact that there is both a boy and girl on the cover? It makes me just a bit excited for some possible romance!!!
Like the cover for The Modified? Well then head over to Nathan Szerdy’s website and peruse his amazing collection of works. We guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
The mom and son author duo, C.A. Kunz, thoroughly enjoys writing about things that go bump in the night and futuristic action-packed romances while drinking massive amounts of English breakfast tea and Starbucks coffee. To find out more about this duo and their books visit their blog, or find them on Facebook and Twitter!
So I think you all are probably very excited for the giveaway. Carol and Adam have put together an AWESOME prize pack for one lucky winner. Here’s what you could win: A swag pack and a poster of The Modified cover!!!
To enter the giveaway, please follow the link below to fill out the Rafflecopter form!
One of my good friends and author Raine Thomas has just released yet another one of her awesome books, Shift! When she asked if I wanted to be a part of her launch tour I had no other option but to say yes! I have yet to ready Defy, the frist book in the series but you guys better believe I am so psyched to get my hands on the both of them. Since Raine is incredibly awesome and knows me oh so well, she compiled a playlist for Shift for me to share with all of you today. But before we get to that, let’s learn a bit more about this book!
Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.
A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.
Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.
The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.
BOOK PLAYLIST:
At the core of the story in Shift is the relationship between Sophia and Quincy. Quincy is a full Estilorian, so he appears no older than a human male in his late teens or early twenties, even though he’s several hundred years old. His love for the eighteen-year-old Kynzesti, Sophia, is perfectly described in “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri.
KEY LYRICS:
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything
Take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died every day
Waiting for you
Darlin’, don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
The second major element in Shift’s plot is the hunt for the powerful Elder Scroll. One of the characters, Ariana, suffered at the hands of the evil Mercesti searching for the scroll, but she has to try and overcome her fears to stop them. Her story includes a blossoming romance, and is reflected in “Lights” by Ellie Goulding.
KEY LYRICS:
I had a way then
Losing it all on my own
I had a heart then
But the queen has been overthrown
And I’m not sleeping now
The dark is too hard to beat
And I’m not keeping up
The strength I need to push me
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I’m alone
And so I tell myself that I’ll be strong
And dreaming when they’re gone
‘Cause they’re calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I’m alone
As Sophia and Quincy’s relationship unfolds, things don’t turn out like Quincy hopes. The depth of his feelings for Sophia is conveyed in “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.
KEY LYRICS:
I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up
And when you’re needing your space
To do some navigating
I’ll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find
The time comes for Sophia to stand with her friend, Ariana, in the quest to stop the Mercesti seeking the Elder Scroll. Her parting from Quincy leaves her with a lot to consider. “Wherever You Will Go” by Charlene Soraia resonates with Sophia’s inner conflict. ()
KEY LYRICS:
I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I’ll stay with you for all of time
If I could, then I would
I’ll go wherever you will go
Way, way up high or down low
I’ll go wherever you will go
Along with Ariana, the Kynzesti, Tate, must use her abilities to try and thwart the Mercesti. There’s no better song than “The Fighter” by Gym Class Heroes to convey Tate’s core character.
KEY LYRICS:
If you fall pick yourself up off the floor (get up)
And when your bones can’t take no more (c’mon)
Just remember what you’re here for
‘Cuz I know Imma damn sure
Give ‘em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life ’til we’re dead.
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter
Here comes the fighter
That’s what they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one’s a fighter
Shift’s ending will surprise many readers, as it departs from the norm as far as the other Estilorian novels go. Still, “First Time” by Lifehouse is a great way to round out the playlist!
KEY LYRICS:
We’re both looking for something
We’ve been afraid to find
It’s easier to be broken
It’s easier to hide
Looking at you, holding my breath,
For once in my life, I’m scared to death,
I’m taking a chance, letting you inside.
Feeling alive all over again,
As deep as the sky, under my skin
Like being in love, she says
For the first time
Maybe I’m wrong,
But I’m feeling right where I belong
With you tonight
Like being in love
To feel for the first time.
If this playlist is any indication to how great this book will be, then I have no doubt I will love it. So what do you guys think of the playlist? Are there any songs you just love??? Let me know in the comments and of course, don’t forget to check out Raine’s website for all of the other tour stops!
Raine Thomas is the author of an award-winning series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.
Tune In Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Ginger @ GReads so you should head on over and link up! It is a great way to bounce from blog to blog and discover what others are listening to! I love music but there is so much out there that I haven’t heard of before. That being said, feel free to leave a link to your Tune-In Tuesday post!
So some of you may be thinking “Katelyn, why the eff do you have a picture of a sad cat on your Tune In Tuesday post?” Well to answer that question lovelies I must say:
-This is the last Tune In Tuesday post for a while and after doing 67 of these bad boys it’s safe to say I’ve become rather attached.
-I’ll be missing all of your guys’ music recommendations! Seriously, hit me up on Twitter or e-mail me because I will be dying without the music recs!
-And sometimes when I get bored I like to express what I’m feeling/doing with pictures of cats. Don’t judge.
So in honor of Ginger the creator of this AWESOME feature that I’m missing already, I’m presenting a band that she fan-girls over quite often (and okay, I’ve been known to fan-girl on occasion as well), a band that she has introduced to a TON of bloggers, a band who as awesome hair (every single one of them), a band who has the most beautiful/meaningful/catchy songs ever, and a band who is made out of flat-out awesomeness. So if you haven’t guessed it already SafetySuit is the band of the day! Here are my favorites from them:
Anywhere But Here by SafetySuit
This is my very favorite song from their first CD. There was just something so touching and beautiful about it.
Get Around This by SafetySuit
Okay, and I love this one too (I not-so-secretly love ALL of their songs but I could only post a couple!)
These Times by SafetySuit
It is not a lie that I cry every single time that I hear this song. I <3 it so very much.
Let Go by SafetySuit
Without a doubt my very favorite SafetySuit song of ALL TIME! It picks me up whether I realize I need it or not.
So I hope you all enjoyed! I will be continuing some sort of music post during the week but you better believe the second Tune In Tuesday is back, I’m jumping on that train again!
IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!
I was able to go to a book signing this week AND I managed to snag some other fantastic books. Let’s see what there was in my mailbox this week:
For Review:
Only one review book this week which is totes okay because I need to catch up!
My Thoughts: I have the first two books in this series but I have yet to read them. Aimee said this one could work well as a book before the series or in between #2 and #3. I’ll have to see!
My Thoughts: Hearing Lara’s inspiration behind this story made me even more excited to read it! She went on a similar trip as the main character so I just know it is going to be awesome!
My Thoughts: I cannot wait to see how this unlikely pair deals with werewolves. Tess read a small teaser at the signing and now I want to read the rest of the book!
My Thoughts: I <3 Carrie!!!! I have so been dying to read this book FOR SO FREAKING LONG! I am over-joyed that I now have my very own, prettyful, signed copy!
My Thoughts: Okay I am not going to lie, I mainly got this book because the second book was super freaking cheap. Not to mention I have only been DYING to read these books.
There once was an awesome blogger named Ginger and she decided to create a super fun feature where fellow bloggers would answer fabulous questions via blog posts every Friday. TGIF was born and we all have Miss Ginger at GReads! to thank for that! This week’s question is:
Back to School Reading:
Which books would you like to see in today’s high school Literature classrooms?
I owe my re-love of reading to my Young Adult Lit class. It is that little fact that really makes me think that if more teachers went above and beyond the required reading material, then maybe there would be more teen readers out there today. What if teachers were to push certain books onto you because they knew you could relate to certain characters? What if they got reluctant readers to enjoy reading because of a well matched book recommendation? Mrs. Andersen, my YA Lit teacher had an AMAZING classroom library on top of an awesome required reading list (After interrogating her yesterday I found out some of her required reading this year and it includes The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner, and Looking For Alaska by John Green just to name a few). Add these great books and our daily discussions about the latest Y.A. books that were rocking her socks off and you have one incredible combination. There was so much love for YA books in that class and I just know that so many others learned to love books as well. However, I know not everyone has the option to take a Young Adult Lit class during high school. And even more than that, the amount of books their teachers are able to provide for them may be limited. A few books that I wish so badly would be in more classrooms would be:
Lately I’ve been having far too much fun with Spotify! For those of you who may not know, Spotify is a free app you can get for your computer and it allows you to listen, categorize, and make playlists up of all of the world’s recorded music…for free! So if you are a music lover and are not already utilizing this app of awesome, I suggest you get it like now!
I’ve literally been making up playlists for EVERYTHING lately including books. I love when authors use music as a huge inspiration for their books and 9 times out of 10, it is those music-inspired books that become instant favorites of mine. So you can imagine how happy it makes me that more and more authors are sharing playlists that go along with their books! I thought it would be fun to share these playlists with you all from time to time.
Today I’m sharing the most epic book playlist of all-time! Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson was one of my favorite books of 2011. I loved the story, the setting, and the characters so very much. This great book was enhanced by awesome little things like Amy and Roger’s receipts, pictures of their trip, and my ultimate favorite, their road trip music! There was a great mix of Roger’s music (Alternative rock, classic rock, etc.) and Amy’s music (Show tunes and Elvis)!
So if you have Spotify, take a look at the playlist below and if not, I have a few of my favorite songs from the book in forms of YouTube videos. Hope you enjoy!
Tune In Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Ginger @ GReads so you should head on over and link up! It is a great way to bounce from blog to blog and discover what others are listening to! I love music but there is so much out there that I haven’t heard of before. That being said, feel free to leave a link to your Tune-In Tuesday post!
It was a long time ago while I was watching TV when I first heard the makings of a BRILLIANT song. It was playing in the background of a commercial and after some intensive Google research I found the genius behind it. Now you can find his song on the background of LOTS of commercials and if you’re extra lucky, even on the radio! The person I am speaking of is none other than Alex Clare. Not only is his music commercial-worthy but it is also sing along, dance along, and all-out love-worthy music. He has such a different sound than anybody else out there right now and that tone of his voice, not quite raspy but oh so emotional… it just gets me every time <3
Treading Water by Alex Clare
This is such a good one!
Tightrope by Alex Clare
The lyrics to this song are made of awesome <3
Hold Yuh by Alex Clare (Gyptian Cover)
I think it is safe to say that I absolutely adore this version of the song!
Too Close by Alex Clare
Was, is, and always will be my favorite song of his. It gets me moving every time I here it!
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A.
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.
Let me start off by saying I was a bit nervous for this book. I already knew I loved the cover and I thought the title was so adorable (even if it is a bit of a tongue twister.) With the first two things being insta-love for me, I wasn’t so sure the story within the pages would quite live up to the greatness I was making it out to be. But never fear fellow book lovers!!! I should have known it would turn out to be this lovely, incredible, and surprisingly deep novel.
When we first meet Hadley she is one moody girl, but who can really blame her? Her family is kind of in shambles and it seems as though her dad has moved away to create a whole new life without her. Yeah, that’s what I consider a total suck-fest. But even though Hadley has her moments in which she lashes out at her parents, she is still a fun, snarky girl that I think A LOT of readers can relate to. If not for her personality, then for at least what she is going through. Divorce is never easy on anyone involved. It is as Hadley sits in an airport wondering just why she needs to be flying off to London for her dad’s wedding, one she is still not too happy about, that we first get a sense for how hurt she is. However, missing her flight to London by just 4 minutes, miss moody-pants meets a boy who will change her life. That’s right folks, all it takes is a day of these two strangers being together for things to completely change for her. And do you want to know what the most shocking part of this is? Every last second, every detail of their relationship is believable. As unlikely as it may seem, I found myself rooting for Hadley and this boy throughout the entire story!
You may be wondering who this mystery boy is that makes such a great impression on our dear Hadley. He is none other than Oliver. Let’s get this straight, Oliver is cah-ute. Oliver has an accent which makes Oliver irresistible to 99.9% of girls. Oliver seems to understand Hadley a bit more than she can understand herself. Oliver is yet another one of my fictional crushes. In short (or not so short, depending on how you look at it) Oliver is a very caring, kind individual that can sense how badly Hadley is hurting and he makes her feel better. He brightens her mood and gets her to relax for the first time in a while. I think that is the main reason why I fell so in love with these two so quickly. They just seemed to click; they were able to be comfortable around one another from the very first second they met.
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight takes place over one day. Throughout this day, by chance, by luck, and sometimes by sheer force of will, Oliver and Hadley continue to cross paths. Call it what you may but I choose to call it fate. Sometimes when you are meant to be with somebody or at the very least be affected by somebody, then fate steps in and does what it must. I loved turning the pages wondering if and when these two would run into each other.
Don’t let my excitement over these two finding each other fool you. The moments in between were just as remarkable except in a whole different way. Throughout the course of the day Hadley seems to grow, not by height or weight….duhh, but as a person. Her reasoning, her maturity, and her ability to grasp and understand her parent’s divorce is astounding. Sure it may have taken her some time and a whole lot of stubbornness to reach that next level, but she eventually makes it and it is such a beautiful thing to see her wanting to build a relationship with her dad and new stepmom.
Hadley is not the only one that changes. Even though 90% of their encounters involve Hadley leaning on Oliver for support whether it is physical (I believe she uses his shoulder as a pillow for the entire flight from the U.S. to London) or emotional, there comes a point in the book when Oliver learns that it’s not always the way it has to be. He can’t always be so tough; there do have to be moments when you are the one that needs to lean on someone for support. See, another reason to love these two! Being there for each other during hard moments and learning to lean on one another when you most need it is such a beautiful thing.
So this whole situation may seem unlikely (Don’t let me fool you. Weeks after reading this I had a flight from Michigan to New York and you better believe I spent a good half hour searching the airport for a cute, English boy named Oliver), but I think that is what is so great about it. There are sometimes instances, chance encounters, or moments like missing a flight by 4 minutes that can change the course of your life. I love how Jennifer E. Smith brought this very fact to light in her book. Nothing is set in stone, life is crazy, unpredictable, and never what it seems. Sometimes it may suck and tear your family apart. Or sometimes it can be incredibly great and you can meet a lovely boy named Oliver who helps change your life. Either way you choose to look at it, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is an incredible book!
IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library!
I got a couple of review books that I am incredibly excited for this week!
