What's Next? (2) 6.28.12

Here's how it works:

• Every Thursday, select three-five books (not too many, not too little!) that you want to read but can't decide which one to read first. 
• Post the cover, and if you want, the synopsis or even a random line from the book, for each of your selections. 
• At the end of your post, ask readers to vote on which one you should read next! 
• Even if you don't end up reading your readers' top choice, you'll know what the majority is excited for. 

Thanks to Iceybooks for hosting this meme!

Here are my next 3 book options. Please help me choose!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I have two weeks. You'll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

Girl Meets Boy Edited by Kelly Milner Halls
Because there are two sides to every story. (Collection from twelve different YA authors)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies...

What should I read next?
	Code Name Verity
	Girl Meets Boy
	Vampire Academy
pollcode.com free polls

Teaser Tuesday 6.26.12

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) teaser sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the TITLE and AUTHOR too, so others can add to their TBR piles or Goodreads list if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week comes from The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.**

The first thing the Sisters do when Jed walks me back to the Cathedral is strip off my clothes and half-drown me in the sacred well. I wait to see if the water will burn off my flesh now that I no longer believe in God but nothing happens as the Sisters chant prayer and scrub my body. (Pg. 18)

Let me know if you've read this book and your thoughts!

**The book's link takes you to the Goodreads page for the book. 

The author's link takes you to the author on Twitter.  

Review: Torrent

Title: Torrent (River of Time #3)
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.

But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

**CASCADE (Book #2) SPOILERS. Proceed with caution!**




My Take:
I have fallen completely in love with this series. Torrent was a great way to end it! I know there are a couple of novellas now, and I will read those, but as for the series, I count it as completed. (Good news! Lisa announced that she is going to have a paperback with both novellas, Bourne and Tributary, for us physical copy readers! As of now, they're only available in ebook format. YAY!)

We start this book off with the girls and their mom...and their dad! They went back in time at the end of Cascade to save him. And they did! When they returned back to Tuscany, he fell right into step with them just like their mom did...after he realized it wasn't really a dream.

More fighting. More capturing. More nails bitten. I'm down to no nails, but I loved every single page!

We also had the Lord Greco feelings to deal with in this book. (I can't wait to read his novella!)

I have loved the world that Lisa created and brought to life for us. It's a world filled with discontent and war, but it's finally over! Yay for the ending and that's all I can say about that without spoiling anything.

Lia and Gabi...true heroines!

Marcello, Luca, and Greco...worthy of the swooning!

My Rating:

I have added this series to my wishlist. However, I have a feeling that I will be rushing to buy them for myself. Soon!

I am very thankful to my Library for having them for me to borrow and fall in love with!

What's Next? (1) 6.21.12

Here's how it works:

• Every Thursday, select three-five books (not too many, not too little!) that you want to read but can't decide which one to read first. 
• Post the cover, and if you want, the synopsis or even a random line from the book, for each of your selections. 
• At the end of your post, ask readers to vote on which one you should read next! 
• Even if you don't end up reading your readers' top choice, you'll know what the majority is excited for. 

Thanks to Iceybooks for hosting this new meme! I believe this is now the 4th week for it, but the end of a school year is too hard for me to do anything new. So I'm starting now!

Now that summer is here, I hope to be catching up on a lot of books that I have purchased. However, I have recently checked out quite a few books from my Library! I need to get those read before I tackle my shelves again.

I need help trying to figure out which to read first! Based on that, and how quickly I can read, I may have new books to post next week. If not, I'll post what I have left...or maybe even be on to my own books by then!

Here are my next 3 book options. Please help me choose!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I have two weeks. You'll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent.

Girl Meets Boy Edited by Kelly Milner Halls
Because there are two sides to every story. (Collection from twelve different YA authors)

Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Title: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
Author: Kady Cross
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Goodreads Summary and Cover:

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

My Thoughts:
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar was just as awesome as The Girl in the Steel Corset! I am so happy that Tiffani has talked these up to me so much and made me want to read them. I never thought that I would enjoy Steampunk novels, but I think the "Steampunk" is so minuscule, in a way, that it's not over-powering and leaving me lost.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar had quite a bit of science in it with Tesla and I kind of just glazed over while I read those parts. I got the jist, but I am definitely no Emily!

I love Finley and her ballsy attitude. She knows she's tough, yet she also realizes she's still human. The way Griffin cares for her just makes me all sorts of, "Awwww!"

I honestly forget when I'm reading these that the characters are so young. Griffin is only 18, yet has so much power. That is definitely a difference between today's society and the Victorian Era, huh?

I am glad that the "group" followed Jasper to try to rescue him. The bond with Griffin, Sam, Emily, Finley, and Jasper is a true bond. Granted, they all have special abilities, but it's more than just that that connects them. They all, especially Finley, risked so much to save him in this book.

I don't want to give away anything or spoil the outcome, but my reactions towards the end were...
"Shame on her! How mean! EVIL wench!!!"
"Oh, she got what she deserved!"
"Forgive her? You're forgiving her?!?!"
"Poor ____. I hope ____ will be OK and join them in London again."

I do fear that Finley is going to have some major conflicts when they return to London. There, Jack Dandy will be in the picture again, drawing out the bad part of her. I am probably going to cry for Griffin a bit because Finley will quite possibly break his heart. Mostly because of the class hierarchy that they will face, but I do think it's inevitable for heart-break. They were very cute together at the end of The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, though. I hope she clings to that!

My Rating:

5 solid Steampunk Mickeys! I really enjoyed the New York adventure for the gang and the bonds that were formed and strengthened.

"Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop

June 15-20

Hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

For this giveaway, one (1) winner will win two (2) books! These two (2) books are

Once a Witch and Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough.

I have read each book one time. They were brand new when I purchased them. I'm easy on my books, so you can't even tell they've been read! :)

Enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win both books. Again, there will be one (1) winner! This is for US/Canadian residents only. Sorry to my International friends!

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Title: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Thoughts:
So...EPIC! Adored the journaling, scrapbooking pages, and the play lists in the book! Very clever.

The story starts out with Amy, who is living in her house alone. Her twin brother is away in rehab, her mother has moved to Connecticut to start a new job, and her father had been killed in a wreck just a few months prior.

Since the accident, Amy has not wanted to drive. Enter Roger. Roger is to drive Amy's mom's car and Amy to Connecticut. He has to spend the summer with his dad in Philly, so it just worked out conveniently.

They are given a route, with hotels lined up already. However, the two of them decide to throw caution to the wind and make their own route. Essentially, the route leads us to Roger's ex-girlfriend and him trying to find her since she won't answer his calls. Along the way, however, Amy and Roger develop a great friendship from spending so much time together. They know what each other likes to eat, music, drink, snacks...it's sweet.

Amy took most of the trip to finally reveal to Roger how her father died and the blame that she placed on herself for it. He made her truly understand that it was not her fault.

At the end of this book, I feel the need to jump in the car and do some driving. Maybe stop along the way and get myself a DQ Blizzard and find a cute guy to sit next to.

My Rating:

EPIC DETOUR!!!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour satisfies a portion of the Completely Contemporary Challenge!

Review: The Sky is Everywhere

Title: The Sky is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transfer from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding. This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

My Thoughts:
Well, sad, sad, funny, sad, sad. Jandy got quite a few tears from me!

Overall, I really did like The Sky is Everywhere. It's heartbreaking to lose someone that you love. I can't even fathom losing one of my siblings.

This was definitely a compelling book with a great recovery message. Grief takes you places you'd never thought imaginable. Also, when that ray of sunshine finally shines through, what a relief!

I am so glad that Lennie was able to grieve. She shared something with Toby, Gram, and Big that no one else could understand. It definitely took them time and awkward moments, but they came through. I adored the brotherly-sisterly bond that eventually seemed to have happened with Toby and Lennie.

Joe. When he showed up with the box of notes...I cried even harder. He really did understand.

Sarah -- what a great best friend! She wasn't pushy, didn't hold grudges, missed Bailey, and was there when Lennie needed her.

Rachel -- You're going down in September! Hehehe

My Rating:

The Sky is Everywhere satisfies a part of the Completely Contemporary Challenge!

Armchair BEA 2012 - Potential Favorite 2012 BEA reads

Graphic made for Armchair BEA website by Nina of Nina Reads. 

Today is a big giveaway for Armchair BEA. Today is also a big Twitter party day!!!

For those of us who don't have giveaways for today, we are to discuss our favorite books OR which books at BEA that we think will end up as favorite reads.

Since I touched on my favorites so far of 2012 in yesterday's post, let's see what I'm most excited for and could possibly be a favorite read from the BEA author list!

• Jennifer L. Armentrout - Onyx, Cursed
• Kady Cross - Girl in the Clockwork Collar (No, I haven't gotten around to reading it yet!)
• Jocelyn Davies - A Fractured Light
• Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian - Burn for Burn
• Marie Lu - Prodigy
• Jackson Pearce - Fathomless
• Mo Willems - The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?, Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (My niece and I LOVE reading his books together!)

I know I am probably missing quite a bit! Some of these books won't be released until 2013, but I do believe ARCs will be at BEA. At least, that's what it seems when I looked at the BEA site. :)

What about you? Is there anything that you can't wait to get your happy hands on from the BEA list?

Armchair BEA 2012 - Introductions

Graphic made for Armchair BEA website by Nina of Nina Reads. 

Today's topic for Armchair BEA is about Interviews. However, instead of taking a lot of time for everyone who is participating to interview one another, we kind of have the task to interview ourselves.

Our task is to answer 5 questions given to us by our friends at Armchair BEA! As I'm typing this part, I have yet to look at the list. We have 5 to answer from a list of 10. I'm going to be just as surprised as all of y'all! Are we ready?!?!?!

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
Well, I am Lisa, aka Dizneeee. I teach computer classes at an elementary school. We are a second-fifth grade school. I know 700 student names! It's kind of freaky, I know. I am in my (mid) 30s. Old, I know! I do love reading YA!

I started blogging in December of 2011. I created my blog to keep track of my reading challenges for 2012, but I started off with the Bookworm Santa post and was able to share that information on the blog! That was exciting!

I got into blogging because I just really thought it would be easier to keep track of my reading progress and reviews for the 2012 challenges I am participating in. I do find myself doing a couple of memes now and joining in on some giveaway hops! I love the thought of surprising someone with a book. I know I do the giddy dance if I win something and squeal like a 5 year old girl whenever a book arrives at my doorstep.

Next question! I fear I've bored you with this one!

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
I just finished Cascade (River of Time #2) by Lisa Tawn Bergren last night. Today, I am diving into Specials by Scott Westerfeld. I have enjoyed both series so far and I'm sad that I'm almost finished with them.

My favorite book that I've read this year...hmmm...tough one. *ponderponderponder* I think I have more than one favorite, for different reasons.

• I read Sign Language by Amy Ackley this year. That book had me a solid mess throughout. You can read my review here.
• The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. Review is here
• This year, I have also read the YA novels that Jennifer L. Armentrout has written. I started out on New Year's Day with Daimon! I have loved Daimon, Half-Blood, Pure, and Obsidian. I can't wait for more of her work to be published!!! I think I'm going to give her adult books a read, too. Those are penned under J. Lynn, if you're wondering!

3. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

My most favorite person on the planet is my 4 year old niece. I call her my "favorite niece" when I talk about her occasionally on Twitter. She has enough personality to share with 20 other kids! I hope I am still working at the school I'm working at when she finally gets to second grade. I can't wait to see her every day and let her ride home with me. Every day!!!!!

4. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

I'm going to cheat a little here. The question didn't really say "one".... HAHA!

I would love to sit and stare at...err...have dinner with JK Rowling, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Aiden and Seth from JLA's Covenant series, Sarah Dessen, John Corey Whaley, Veronica Roth, Maureen Johnson, Victoria Schwab, Michelle Hodkin, Rachel Hawkins, Jeri Smith-Ready, and Zachary and Logan from the Shade series.

Seriously, look at the people who would be at that table! I wouldn't be able to eat. I'd be in awe and just laughing! Granted, it would start as the nervous teetering giggling, but by the end of the evening, full on belly laughs!

5. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

I can honestly say that meeting new people online, and even in person, has been my favorite part! There are some people who I have only had the pleasure of talking to on Twitter and emails, but I feel that if we were in the same room, I would be all kinds of *tacklehugs* on them. 

I have gone to a few book signings and met some other bloggers by doing that. Even back before I was blogging! I am looking forward to meeting more people in Georgia on Friday at the Jennifer L. Armentrout signing and then at YALLFest again in November! (Be there, or be square!)

As for the change, just like everything in real life, there are cliques. That's OK! It's a way of life and they unintentionally happen. However I do wish that some people weren't just flat out excluded. I am too old to care, but there are some really young bloggers out there who need support from us older and wiser people. Well, fine...OLDER people. Hehehe! :)

Now, I shall jump around and visit some other blogs and get to stalking meeting and greeting! Happy Armchair BEA!

Review: Cascade

Title: Cascade (River of Time #2)
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

My Thoughts:
Seriously, SO GOOD!!!

Cascade picks up where Waterfall left off. The girls discover that they had only been gone for a few minutes from present-day time, but lived about 20 days in ancient Tuscany. Freaky, right?!?

In Cascade, the girls travel back in time and they bring their mother along with them this time.

When they return, the Forelli's and the people are so happy to have the "She-Wolves" back. However, the enemy, the Firenze are on a mission to capture Gabi and Lia -- especially Gabi.

I don't want to tell you if they do or not, but know that things are SUPER intense in this book. Marcello and Luca just make me swoon. And be amazed at the impressive Lord Greco. Sign me up for that one! :)

At the end of the story, the girls and their mom decide to head back and try to save their dad. They get to him to only to return to the tomb and try to quickly return to Marcello and the battle still going on.

I am very excited and ready to read the third book in the series, Torrent. I hope by the past being altered, the portal still works and they are able to figure out a way back. If you know me, I'm always rooting for the happiest of endings!

My Rating:

5 solid Mickeys on this one! The adventure, the capturing, the fighting, the family bonding, and the LOVE just made this one a fantastic read! No dull moments, whatsoever! 

R.A.K. Wrap-up: May 2012

It's time for May's R.A.K. Wrap-up!

This month, I sent:
Daimon, Pure, and Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout to Isabelle "Miki" / Blog
Hana (ebook) by Lauren Oliver to Shayna / Blog
Switched by Amanda Hocking to Montana / Blog
Barnes & Noble eGift Card to Ivy / Blog
Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy to Kassiah / Blog

This month, I received:
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews from Kassiah / Blog
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith from Montana / Blog
A BEAUTIFUL handmade bookmark from Isabelle "Miki" / Blog