Giveaway-Shadow of Night

SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness, the #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to A

Discovery of Witches, came out in paperback on May 28! Not only have nearly 1.5 million of these two books combined sold in the U.S., but a film is in development from Warner Bros.

 

SHADOW OF NIGHT picks up exactly where A Discovery of Witches left off: Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, a witch historian and vampire geneticist respectively, have timewalked to Elizabethan England on their hunt for a magical alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782—its sudden appearance and sudden disappearance have upended the delicately ordered world of magical creatures (witches, vampires, and daemons), threatening to unleash unprecedented metaphysical chaos.

 

For more info on Deborah Harkness and the All Souls Trilogy, check out http://deborahharkness.com.

 

Join Harkness and her editor Carole DeSanti, the author of The Unruly Passions of Eugénie R, for a virtual book event on BookTalk Nation on June 4th at 2pm EST.  Fans can join by phone and buy personalized copies of the book by ordering online here.

 

I have a giveaway of a paperback copy of Shadow of Night and a few buttons.  US residents only.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review- Disneylanders

I just finished reading Disneylanders by Kate Abbott.

From Goodreads:

In DISNEYLANDERS, 14-year-old Casey Allison, on the brink of starting high school, struggles to find a new identity on her family’s annual summer vacation, but with the help of an outgoing boy she meets while waiting in line, she discovers that Disneyland is the one place where her overprotective parents let her have the freedom to grow up.

I am a Disney fanatic.  Big time.  As in, I work there and got married there.  So when the author contacted me so see if I wanted to review the book, I jumped at the chance.  The only hesitation I had was that I don't like middle grade books. This one was portrayed as an upper-middle grade book, so I gave it a shot.

I do have to say that I don't think this is an upper middle grade book.  I would feel perfectly fine with a fifth grader reading the book.  And honestly, it was a little too young for me to completely go bonkers over it. 

But I did absolutely LOVE all the Disney references.  The author did her research! I loved that the chapter titles were sayings from around the park.  And there were so many little nuances that I found myself mentally nodding and saying "yup.  so true!" 

This was a sweet book about first love and family dimensions.  If you love Disney or love middle grade books, then I think you'd love this one!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 29
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 12

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author for a review.

In My Mailbox- May 27, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY

Invisibility- Andrea Cremer & David Levithan--review for an Around the World ARC Tour










WEDNESDAY

Shadow Bound (Unbound #2)- Rachel Vincent--PaperbackSwap

Sparks Fly (Light Dragons #3)- Katie MacAlister--PaperbackSwap

Disneylanders- Kate Abbott--from author for review

The Sunday Salon- May 26, 2013

The Sunday Salon
I didn't do a Sunday Salon last week since I hadn't read any books.  My family came down last weekend and we went to dinner for my dad's retirement and then to Jellyrolls after.  Then on Sunday we went to brunch for a belated Mother's Day.  I love seeing my family!  Only 2 more weeks of school!

I finished and reviewed the following books last week:

Rise (Eve #3) by Anna Carey

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance











I fulfilled items in the following challenges last week:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 27, 28
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 19, 20
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 23, 24
2013 Standalone Reading Challenge: 7
2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 3
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 11

I am currently reading Disneylanders by Kate Abbott, and up next is Everyone She Loved by Sheila Curran (If I don't get a tour book)

Book Review- Spies and Prejudice

I just finished reading Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

This was a fun little mystery book with some romance or two thrown in. It was pretty standard with the sidekick best friends and love triangle thrown in. 

 What made it fun was that usually in a love triangle, you know which boy is the bad boy and which one is the good boy.  In this case, I wasn't sure at all.  I kept going back and forth between Drew being bad and Tanner being bad.

Then when the mystery was solved, it was a surprise. I'm surprised that I didn't think of it, because normally I would have.  But it caught me completely off guard.

And completely random side notes.  I loved the "That's what he said" from Berry's best guy friend Jason, the pun's in Berry's name and Mary Chris's name, and that Berry had a St. Bernard for a pet!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Spies and Prejudice will be released on June 11, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 28
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 20
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 24
2013 Standalone Reading Challenge: 7
2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 3
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 11

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

In My Mailbox- May 20, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY
Towering-Alex Flinn--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











Rise (Eve #3)- Anna Carey--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











The 5^th Wave- Rick Yancey--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











WEDNESDAY
Spies and Prejudice- Talia Vance--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

The Year of the Great Seventh- Teresa Orts--from author for review

THURSDAY

All I Need- Susane Colasanti--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











SATURDAY

Rush (The Game #1)- Eve Silver--review for an Around the World ARC Tour
          

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)- Rachel Hawkins--PaperbackSwap

 

  
 

Book Review- Rise (Eve #3)

I just finished reading Rise (Eve #3) by Anna Carey for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?

When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started.

Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father?

In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey's epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.

Once again I enjoyed the Eve series.  I do have to say that I didn't remember much of what happened in the previous two books.  And I'm not sure I was ever really caught up.  But I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

I liked Anna and all of the girls.  I felt bad for Charles, the man that Eve was forced to marry.  He seemed like he would do anything for her. 

The plot was interesting and kept me hanging on.  There were several little twists and turns.  And the big one at the end--there were no clues that it was going to happen but it was still predictable.  And I liked it :)  I think the trilogy wrapped up nicely and I look forward to seeing what Anna Carey will be writing next.

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 27
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 19
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 23

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

In My Mailbox- May 13, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY
Heartbeat- Elizabeth Scott--review for an Around the World ARC Tour (no cover image yet)

The End Games- T. Michael Martin--review for an Around the World ARC Tour









The Keep (The Watchers #4)- Veronica Wolff--from publisher for review











WEDNESDAY

You Look Different in Real Life- Jennifer Castle--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

 

  

The Sunday Salon- May 12, 2013

The Sunday Salon
Happy Mother's Day!  I didn't do a Sunday Salon last weekend since I didn't read any books that week.  Things are starting to get crazy around here  now that school is almost out.  I can't wait until summer break!

I finished and reviewed the following books last week:

The Returners by Gemma Malley











Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott (there's no cover image yet)

I fulfilled items in the following challenges last week:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 25, 26
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 17, 18
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 21, 22
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 3
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 9, 10
2013 Standalone Reading Challenge: 6

If I get a tour book tomorrow, then I'll start that.  If not, then I'll start Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher.

Book Review- Heartbeat

I just finished reading Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott for an Around the World ARC Tour. (there is no cover image yet)

From Goodreads:

Life. Death. And...Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

Looking back over my reviews for books by Elizabeth Scott, I always seem disappointed.  I always go in wanting the book to move me and make me feel and often times I don't.  So this time I didn't know whether or not to get my hopes up.  But I really enjoyed this story.  It's my favorite of hers yet!

The moral question of the plot just pulls at your heart.  A pregnant woman dies.  Do you keep her alive to save the baby?  So many sides to think about.    Although really, until you're in that situation, you never really know what you'd choose.

I really liked all of the characters.  Emma was so sad and lost. Her world and everything she thought she knew was turned upside down.  But I liked that there was a teeny tiny bit of hope.  That she let Olivia (an awesome best friend) in and didn't shut her out much.  And Caleb, the bad boy but with a complex background.  Who completely got her.  I even liked Dan, Emma's step-father.  He truly seemed to love her and even though she would disagree, I never felt like his action made it seem otherwise.

This book really makes you think and feel.  Just what I like out of my books!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

Heartbeat will be released on August 27, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 26
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 18
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 22
2013 Standalone Reading Challenge: 6
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 10

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- The Returners

I just finished reading The Returners by Gemma Malley.

From Goodreads:

London teenager Will Hodge is miserable. His mother is dead, his father's political leanings have

grown radical, and his friends barely talk to him. To top it off, he's having nightmares about things like concentration camps. Then Will notices he's being followed by a group of people who claim to know him from another time in history. It turns out they are Returners, reincarnated people who carry with them the memory of atrocities they have witnessed in the past. Will realizes that he, too, is a Returner. But something about his memories is different, and with dawning horror, Will suspects that he wasn't just a witness to the events, he was instrumental in making them happen. Set in the near future, with the world on the verge of a new wave of ethnic cleansing, Will must choose to confront the cruelty he's known in his past lives, or be doomed to repeat it…

Ugh.  This book was horrible for me.  I didn't really like any part of it.

  Will is such a weak character.  He gets mad a lot, but that doesn't make him strong. 

And there's so much racism in the book.  I couldn't handle it.  It's one thing to read a historical novel dealing with racism but this is supposed to be set in the near future. 

There was nothing happy or positive in the book.  The returners are there to absorb pain and suffering,  But they don't do anything about it.  They just accept it.

Add in the constant flashbacks and the dreams and thoughts and it all gets confusing.  Just not my type of book.  At all.

I gave this book a rating of 1.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 25
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 17
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 21
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 3
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 9

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for a review.

In My Mailbox- May 6, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY
Parallel- Lauren Miller--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4)- Kimberly Derting--review for an Around the World ARC Tour










TUESDAY
Destiny’s Path (Warrior Princess #2)- Frewin Jones--PaperbackSwap

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2013 than you did in 2012. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
• Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels: Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books


I am not going to keep a list of the books I'm reading.  I am just going to keep track of how many books I am up to for each month on the last day of the month.  I read 93 books in 2012.

~I am going to try for the Getting My Heart Rate Up level first.

January: 7
February: 12
March: 19
April: 24
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:

2013 Quick Fix Challenge--May Update

2013 Quick Fix Challenge

Challenge Details:

• The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
• Sign ups will be open until mid December.
• You don't have to be a blogger to participate. However, leave a comment and tell me what level you're aiming for.
• For bloggers, post up a challenge sign up post saying what level you've signed up for. Be sure to sign-up with your sign-up post in the linky.
• You don't have to review the books you read however if you do, you will be able to post your links to your reviews here. (I'll have a post up for reviews up in January.)
• Books have to have less than 300 pages to count.
• Books such as MG/YA, graphic novels/manga, audio, rereads, can count toward your goal.
  • *Updated* Anthologies and short stories count as well. (I can't believe I forgot about these.)
• Feel free to crossover the books you read for this challenge with other challenges.

(If you have any questions feel free to ask, I feel like I might be missing something here, but I could be wrong.)

Now the Levels/It will hold with:

String: 5 books

Paperclips: 10 books

Duck tape: 15 books

Gorilla glue: 20+ books

 

~I am going to start off trying for the string level
~I finished the String level so now working on Paperclips level

 

1.  Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann
2.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman
3.   Eternal by H.G. Nadel
4.  Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
5. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
6.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
7.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
8.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
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2013 Mammoth Book Challenge--May Update

2013 Mammoth Book Challenge

2013 Mammoth Book Challenge

Here are the challenge details:

1. This challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

2. You can join the challenge at any time. All books read in 2013 count for the challenge, regardless of when you sign up.

3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges.

4. You do not need a blog to participate! If you are not a blogger, you can post your reviews at Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing and link them up here.

5. All formats of books are acceptable: Bound copies, e-books, and audiobooks as long as they meet the guidelines of Point #6 below!

6. Important Information About E-books and Audiobooks: If you are using an e-book or audiobook for the challenge, the bound format equivalent must be a minimum of 450 pages. Only unabridged audiobooks will count!

7. Both adult and children's literature are allowed: As long as it meets the minimum page count of 450 pages.

8. About large-print books: Same rules apply as noted in Point #6. As long as the regular-bound format equivalent is a minimum of 450 pages, this format will count.

9. No anthologies, short story collections, or poetry: Just novels.

10. There are four levels for the challenge:

a. Walrus: Read 3 mammoth-sized books.
b. Hippopotamus: Read 6 mammoth-sized books.
c. White Rhinoceros: Read 9 mammoth-sized books.
d. African Elephant: Read 12 or more mammoth-sized books.

11. When you write your sign-up post, you must choose your level. You can go up, but you cannot go down!

12. There will be a link-up for your reviews, which will be posted on THIS page.

13. There will be a link for your wrap-up post at the end of the year.
~I will start off trying for the walrus level

1.  Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton
2.  The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge

What books count towards the SRC?
Any second YA or MG book published by an author in 2013 counts – it can be the second in a series, a new series, or a standalone. The only requirement is that it is the SECOND book the author has published in the YA or MG realm (and it must publish in 2013 in your home country)! There is a Goodreads group for the challenge, which includes a selection of books that would count for the challenge – as you can see, there are probably many many books on that list you are planning on reading already :)
The list will be updated as I’m able, but please feel free to read ANY Sophomore book! It does not have to be the second book in a series, just the second YA/MG book the author has published, period.
When does the challenge run?
Books read before January 2014 count for this challenge. This includes books you may have access to now in ARC form!
Why should I join this challenge?
Reading debut novels is AWESOME. It is by far my favorite challenge – it allows me to find many new authors that I love. What better way to support these authors than to read their next published book?
What are the guidelines of the challenge?
Your challenge is to read 10 sophomore YA/MG novels in 2013. To officially participate, you need a Goodreads account or blog where you post reviews in English.
What should I do if I’m an author coming out with a sophomore novel?
I would love to feature you on my blog! Please e-mail me (shanynlee at gmail.com) and let me know if you’d like to be interviewed, featured, would like to offer a giveaway, etc.
How do I join?
Link your blog or Goodreads account below, and make a list of the sophomore novels you’re looking forward to :)
There will be prize packs given away to challenge participants throughout next year. You will receive an automatic entry for signing up to participate – options for additional entries will be announced at the time of the giveway.

1.  The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
2.  Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
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2013 Standalone Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 Standalone Reading Challenge

The Challenge Read 15 Young Adult or Middle Grade standalone novels in 2013 that are released in the United States between January 1s - December 31, 2013.

Eligible Books 

• YA & Middle Grade standalone novels. This means that the book can not have an announced (sometimes sequels happen unexpectedly) sequel, prequel, follow up, etc. Adult novels and picture books do not count.
• This year companion novels count towards the challenge. Companion novels take place in the same world and time as a novel but usually follow a different character. It can be read independently from the book that came before it.
• Released between January 1 - Decemeber 31, 2013 in the United States. If a book was previously released in another country but is being releasing in the US for the first time, it is eligible. At the same time, if you live in a country where it was previously released, but it is being released in the states for the first time - lucky you- it counts.
• Must be read in 2013 (If you have an ARC and read it in 2012, it does not count)
• Can be read in any (legally) readable format: ARC, Paperback, Hardcover or e-book
• Audio books do not count towards the challenge.

Hafsah and I will be creating a list of eligible challenge titles to get you started towards your goal. It will be available soon.

Participation Perks 
There will be a prize pack given away each month to a random participant. You gain entries into that month's prize pack by linking up to your challenge eligible reviews (Unfortunately, prize packs are US only). There will also be giveaways on the hosts' blogs to go along with special posts with authors. That's not even mentioning the random giveaways that we may throw in here and there! People who complete the challenge and fill out an easy form will be entered into another prize pack drawing.

1. Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley 
2.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
3.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
4.  Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
5.  Furious by Jill Wolfson
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2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge

RULES: To be considered a TBR book, you must own it prior to Jan 1, 2013. The book can count toward other challenges, as well. It can be fiction or nonfiction, poetry or play, audiobook–as long as it is a book. This is not a picky challenge–just about reading the riches we already own.

On the last day of each month I will post an entry where you can say how many TBRs you read that month, titles, and whether you liked them or not. Full-blown reviews not required. You can list them in comments or link back to your own blog or page where they are listed.

At the end of the year I will have pretty badges for all levels, and if I haven’t learned to create them by myself, hopefully somebody else will make them for me.

There are five levels of accomplishment (and a bonus challenge) in the Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge.

Copper: Read 6 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bronze: Read 12 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Silver: Read 24 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013

Gold: Read 36 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Platinum: Read 50 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bonus Challenge! The same levels are also available for digital samples. If you are like me, you also have a quizillion samples you’ve downloaded onto your e-reader. Culling through samples and deciding whether to keep reading or not is a separate challenge with all five levels and the same year-end prize–a special badge.

~I am going to start off trying for the Copper level

1.  Pug Hill by Alison Pace
2.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
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2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2013 YOUNG ADULT

READING CHALLENGE

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

The Rules:

-Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

-Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

-No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 -December 31, 2013.

Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

 

~I am going to start from the beginning trying for the Mega size

 

1.  Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann
2.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
3.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman
4.  Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton
5.  Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
6.  Sever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #3) by Lauren DeStefano
7.  The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
8.  The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
9.  Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
10.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
11.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
12.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
13.  Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
14.  Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
15.  The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
16.  Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
17.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
18.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
19.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
20.  Furious by Jill Wolfson
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What's in a Name? 6 Challenge--May Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

2013 Debut Author Challenge--May Update

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Challenge Goals

I love the Debut Author Challenge because it accomplishes two very awesome things – obviously it helps debut authors out with exposure, but it also helps readers find debut books that they might have otherwise missed, and I think that’s pretty awesome.

So, with that in mind, I’m asking that each participant come up with a list of at least twelve (12) debut books to read and review in 2013. You can read as many as you want, but in order to be eligible for the grand prize, you must have read and reviewed at least twelve (12).

Rules/Guidelines

Just a few simple rules/guidelines to help things run smoothly!

1) You must have a blog, a Goodreads account, a YouTube account, an Amazon account – any where you can post your reviews and share them with others.
2) There is no deadline to join the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, but make sure you give yourself enough time to achieve the goal!
3) ARCs of 2013 debuts read before January 01, 2013 do not count towards your challenge goal.
4) The 2013 debuts must be read between January 01, 2013 – January 31, 2014 to count for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge. The extra month is to allow participants more time to read the December releases.
4) 2013 debuts must be young adult or middle grade in order to count towards the challenge.
5) The title must be the author’s young adult or middle grade debut. If they have previously published an adult title, and this is their first young adult/middle grade title, that counts towards the challenge. If this is their second young adult/middle grade title, it does not count towards the challenge.
6) If you’re a blogger in the US, all debuts must be US debuts to count towards your challenge goal. Likewise, if you’re a UK blogger, all debuts must be UK debuts to count towards to your challenge goal, and same goes for other countries.
Note: I’m removing this rule. I was under the impression that it was easier to buy debuts in your own country, but based on feedback I’ve received in comments and e-mails, it sounds like it’s not! So if you live in Australia or India or wherever, and it’s easier for you to buy a US/UK debut on your kindle or purchase a book through the Book Depository or whatever, go for it – that will count.
7) Each review equals one entry in the monthly prize pack. If you post six review of debut titles in January, you have six entries to win the January prize pack.

Sign-Ups

That’s it! That’s all the rules for joining and participating! There is more information here regarding contests and other resources for the challenge.

Here are some buttons for challenge participants – but feel free to make your own!

If you are an author and interested in what you can do, please click here!

 

1.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
2. Dualed by Elsie Chapman 
3. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
4.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
5.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
6.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
7.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
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2013 ARC Reading Challenge--May Update

2013 ARC Reading Challenge

The Levels

Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.
b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.
Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS
Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS
Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS

Rules:

To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.

• You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year.
• You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.
• If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
• Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's.
• Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

~I am trying for platinum again.

1.  Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann
2.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
3.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman
4.  Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton
5.  Sever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #3) by Lauren DeStefano
6.  The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
7.  The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
8.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
9.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
10.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
11.  Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
12.  The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
13.  Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
14.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
15.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
16.  Furious by Jill Wolfson
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