Ringing In 2012 With A BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BLOGGING BUDDIES!! 

I am sooooo excited for 2012. You have no idea. There are a few personal reasons for said excitement, but a huge chunk of it is due to the super awesome books coming out this year. Among them, one I cannot wait to get my hands on:

A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis

Here's the blurb for the highly anticipated sequel to ACROSS THE UNIVERSE:

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

So. Since I want to kick off 2012 with happy vibes and all that jazz, I figured I'd give a copy of A MILLIONS SUNS to one lucky winner! 

Here are le rules:

1) You must be a follower on my blog. 

2) Comment on this post to enter the giveaway.

3) The giveaway will run till Sunday, January 8th.

4) The winner will be announced Monday, January 9th.

4) Giveaway is international (wherever Book Depository ships). 

That's it. Best of luck to all who enter, and I hope 2012 started awesomely for you!!!

Monday Book Madness: HOLD STILL by Nina LaCour

Folks, I have three words for you on this fine Monday morning:

Read. This. Book.

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.

dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

I know this subject matter isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy gut-wrenching, honest, and hopeful storytelling, Hold Still is for you. 

And that's all I have to say about it. 

Because it is just plain awesome, and I am unworthy of describing its awesomeness.

Now tell me: any books you would recommend to me this week???

Movie Trailer Monday: Water For Elephants

So. Movie trailers rule. 

Well, some of them...

Today I've chosen to share one with you, blogging buddies. I'm sure you've seen it a bazillion times already, but I figured one more time wouldn't kill you :) Plus, this is the start of yet another feature on my blog, called Movie Trailer Monday. Every time I find a trailer for a movie I want to see right this second, I'll post it here!

So. Le trailer for Robbie P's new flick, Water For Elephants (this is also a novel by Sara Gruen, which I haven't read but am dying to).

Now tell me: do you want to see Water For Elephants? Or do you plan on skipping this one?

Monday Book Madness: THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

Folks, I am on a serious dystopian binge. Just ask my to-read pile. Equal opportunity reading is not in my game plan these days. *ducks from knives thrown by other books*

As part of my binge, I finally bought The Book.

What is The Book, you ask? The Book I've been dying to read for a whole year. Yes, that doesn't sound like a long time, but I am a very impatient person. One year = lifetime. So yeah, as soon as I bought The Book, I actually squeed. In front of the cashier. Who retreated four steps back.

Anyway, this is The Book:

THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

Le blurb:

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

As you can see, this is one heck of a deep, moving story. And thought-provoking. And awesome.

Jonas is officially the Best Person Ever. He's so eager to learn, but he's afraid of knowing too much. He's always worried about a particular rule the Community enforces: the precision of language. You must say exactly what you mean to say at all times. No hyperboles or similes or metaphors. Exactly. What. You mean. 

Can you imagine writers living in the Community? The suicide rate would go up for sure...

Anyway! I'm officially recommending this one to all of you fine people. I wish I could talk about it more, but I don't want to ruin the experience. Trust me when I say it's a lovely story with excellent writing and killer tension. And I almost cried three times!

So. There you have it. How I spent my weekend (aside from slaving over two stupid research papers). 

Fess up: what did you read this weekend?

Monday Book Madness: FOREVER by Judy Blume

It's been a while since I've talked about books. The people who write them seem to get all the attention (and with good freakin' reason). But I'm changing that today. 

Why?

Because Monday Book Madness is back!

And the featured book is:

Le blurb:

Katherine and Michael meet at a New Year's Eve party. They're attracted to each other, they grow to love each other. And once they've decided their love is forever, they make love. It's the beginning of an intense and exclusive relationship, with a future all planned. Until Katherine's parents insist that she and Michael put their love to the test with a summer apart...

I am so glad I read this book. Definitely one that needed to be read while I was still in high school. *face palm*

That blurb doesn't do this book justice, though. Yes, those things happen, but seriously? It's a story about The Difference.

What's The Difference, you ask?

Well, The Difference between thinking about what you want your life to be, and living it. Sometimes those two things gel well together. Sometimes, that's not the case. 

But it all happens for a reason.

And that's why I loved this book. Doesn't matter if you're a teen or not, life surprises you. And there's nothing wrong with that as long as you learn.

Even if you can't stomach explicit sex scenes or touchy subjects (like depression), you should give this one a try. Plus, it's freakin' Judy Blume. If anyone deserves a chance, it's her. 

Now tell me: what did you read this weekend??

Monday Book Madness: Awesome Times Two!!

Before I dive into my book recommendations for this week, let me kick things off by telling ya'll that my post is officially up over at Operation Awesome. It's about how to channel your character's voice in a convincing way. If you check it out, I'll buy you a pony. In my mind :)

This week, I finally bought two books I've been dying to get my hands on. *insert huge grin here*

Which books, you ask???

This one:

A BLUE SO DARK by Holly Schindler

Terrified that her mother, a schizophrenic and an artist, is a mirror that reflects her own future, sixteen-year-old Aura struggles with her overwhelming desires to both chase artistic pursuits and keep madness at bay. 

As her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet keeps drawing Aura toward the depths of her own imagination—the shadows of make-believe that she finds frighteningly similar to her mother’s hallucinations. 

Convinced that creative equals crazy, Aura shuns her art, and her life unravels in the process

And this one:

A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL by Kristin Walker

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Yes. I am still grinning.

What's in your to-read pile this week???

Monday Book Madness: Daisy Whitney's THE MOCKINGBIRDS

I know I say I can't wait to get my hands on a particular book every Monday, but this time, I mean it x1000.

Le book:

THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney

Le blurb:

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

I'm on a serious contemporary kick lately (I think that's because I STILL haven't read Clockwork Angel or Paranormalcy...). This book is right up my alley--secret society, girl power, mysteries galore. 

Sold.

Other than that, I'm confident about the way Whitney mixes a very serious issue (date rape) with a lighter  tone. Not many writers venture into this territory, mainly because it's such a steep hill to climb. I'm glad Ms. Whitney took the challenge.

THE MOCKINGBIRDS comes out on November 2nd, so mark your calendars.

How about you? Any books you're dying to read this week?

Monday Book Madness AND A Contest!

Okay. Let's kick things off today with a book I just finished and went 'Holy Hell!' because of its awesomeness.

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman

Ze blurb:

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

________________________________________________________________________________

This book broke my heart, you guys. Tore it a-p-a-r-t. But you know what? I wanted that to happen. I wanted to feel Mia's heartache, and get confused regarding her fate after her accident. You see, she falls into a coma, and has to decide whether to stay alive or leave forever.


*cue waterworks*


It's haunting. It's heartbreaking. It totally didn't end the way I expected, and I loved it for that. Go buy it.

________________________________________________________________________________

Now onto some cheerful news: Operation Awesome is throwing another contest!! This time, my partners and I will be offering super awesome critiques. To see what you can win, go to our blog and sign up. We are all very grateful for your support this past month, so this is the least we can do.

Happy Monday, everybody!!

Monday Book Madness: Kody Keplinger's THE DUFF

At long last, I can gush about a book I've actually read for today's feature.

Which book, you ask?

This one:

Blurb of awesomeness below:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley. 

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

THE DUFF is about so much more than that, you guys. It is an honest take on what being a teen is. I know you've probably heard that phrase before, but trust me, Kody Keplinger nailed it. If you've ever felt like you don't belong, even among the people you feel closest to, this book is for you. 

The best thing about this book is that it made me feel like a wonderful and terrible person at the same time. Wonderful, because Bianca's journey is similar to mine when I was her age (yes, I sort of had my Wesley back then, but not with the benefits part). Terrible, because I thought (and still think at times...) labeling people was cool. If they do it to me, I should do it right back. *hangs head low*

I don't care what people say about the amount of sex/cursing in this book. It's a must read. And if I ever have a child, this is getting in their hands by age 13. Word.

THE DUFF officially hits shelves September 7th, but it's already out in some bookstores across the US. Go. Get. It.

Monday Book Madness: Suzanne Freakin' Collins!!

My assignment of the day is to remind you of Suzanne Freakin' Collins's awesomeness. If you haven't experienced this awesomeness yet, shame on you. Your life means nothing. Nothing!

Okay. Enough with the dramatics. Time for some book gushing.

Here's one reason why I'm a better person:

I read this book about two months ago for the first time. I totally did this on purpose, since I knew the final book would come out this August and I'm way too impatient to wait.

Here are the first things I will pick up as soon as I walk into a nearby Borders:

Book 2

Book 3

I haven't been this excited for a final book in a series since forever, so this means a ton. I know I won't be disappointed. (in case of doubt, see above description of Suzanne Freakin' Collins's awesomeness).

All I have is one simple request, blogging buddies: no spoilers!!

I. Hate. Spoilers.

Keep in mind I haven't read the second book yet, so I'm way behind (just dandy...). I'm stopping by your blogs later today, so if you're reading Mockingjay or plan to soon, please write as cryptically as possible. I'd appreciate it :)

Happy Suzanne Freakin' Collins week, everybody!!

Monday Book Madness: PARANORMALCY By Kiersten White

Book gushing time!! 

I've been reading great reviews about this week's book for a couple months. Goodreads, in particular, is flooding with praise. That should be reason enough for you to run out and pick this baby up, but just in case you need some extra convincing, I'm here to help:

Blurb of awesomeness below:

Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal. 

Normal is so overrated.

Mixing all those burned out paranormal creatures into a fresh, super cool world? Count me in. 

Oh, and I've read Evie has a hot pink taser. Yes, I said 'hot' and 'pink' in the same sentence. 

If you're just as excited as I am, go make the world a better place and buy your copy on August 31st. You won't regret it. Pinky swear.

Monday Book Madness: CLOCKWORK ANGEL By Cassandra Clare

Okay. So I'm a huge fan of Cassandra Clare. Can't deny it even if you paid me.

Her Mortal Instruments series changed my life. For reals. If you're a fan of gritty, dark urban fantasy, read her books. You won't regret it.

A while ago, Cassandra decided to write a trilogy of prequels to her NYT Bestselling series. The first book in that trilogy is this baby right here:

Here's the blurb:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

 

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

 

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

The cool part? You can pick up this book without having read the Mortal Instruments series, since CLOCKWORK ANGEL is where it all starts.

 

If you want a taste of awesomeness, you can pick up this baby on August 31st.

 

Now tell me: any Cassandra fans out there? Or did I just convert you? :)

Introducing Monday Book Madness: NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

Okay. So I have my Fess Up Friday feature every week, but I wanted to add another one that allowed me to proclaim my undying love for upcoming books. Monday Book Madness will do just that.

Each week, I'll post the cover and blurb of a book I CANNOT WAIT to get my skinny little hands on. That way, I'll be both venting and recommending at the same time. Double win.

To kick off Monday Book Madness, we have:

NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer.

Here's the blurb:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

NIGHTSHADE comes out October 19th, so mark your calendars!!

Now tell me: did you know about this YA debut before?