The F-It List: Review

Title: The F-It List
Author: Julie Halpern
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: ARC from NetGalley (Also, a purchased copy)
Release Date: November 12, 2013
Challenge: SARC

Summary

Alex and Becca have always been best friends. But when Becca does something nearly unforgivable at Alex’s dad’s funeral, Alex cuts ties with her and focuses on her grieving family.

Time passes, and Alex finally decides to forgive Becca. Then she’s hit with another shocker: Becca has cancer. It also turns out Becca has a bucket list, one she doesn’t know she’ll be able to finish now. That’s where Alex comes in, along with a mysterious and guarded boy who just may help Alex check a few items off her own bucket list.

Julie Halpern writes about illness, loss, love, and friendship with candor and compassion. Here is an unforgettable book about living fully, living authentically, and just . . . living.

Thoughts
The F-It List wasn't 100% exactly what I was expecting. With a title like The F-It List, you'd think I wouldn't be surprised by what was written. I am still a bit naive sometimes.

Overall, this was a good read. The second half, to me, was loads better than the first. I think it took my brain that long to adjust to language and sex. I'm out of touch with the teens, I reckon!

Our story revolved around our main character, Alex. Alex was grieving her dad (really, not grieving), her best friend's betrayal, her best friend's illness, and the boy she liked (but thought she didn't deserve the happiness).

After the girls spent the summer apart, they did reconcile. They've been best friends since elementary school! Her best friend, Becca, wanted to live vicariously through Alex with her bucket list while she was going through chemo. The chats and banter that these girls had, I enjoyed. They were raunchy sometimes, yet funny.

Leo is the distraction that Alex didn't plan on. She had noticed him and kind of crushed on him for a while, and then WHAM! They bumped into each other and they went with the flow. I actually really liked their relationship. Instead of clingy, lovey-dovey teenagers, they did teenager-y things; they watched movies, had a mutual love/hobby, and made-out.

Alex couldn't deal with being happy when others were miserable. She thought she had to be miserable as well. Essentially, this book was about Alex figuring out that it's okay to be happy and have good things happen even if others are having a rough go at life. She couldn't control her dad's death or her best friend's cancer and it took the whole book for her to get to the acceptance of that.

Rating

Veronica Rossi: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org or @YALLFest for more information!

Today's interview is with...

Veronica Rossi!

Picture borrowed from Veronica's Facebook page.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

Yeah, those. And all the ones in between!

Best writing tip you ever received?

$5. Just kidding. Um… tip… I think it’s probably to allow yourself to suck when writing early drafts. It takes away a lot of the fear of generating good material. It’s not easy to be creative when you’re judging your work.      

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1.       In the past year, I discovered a deep love of Brussel sprouts

2.       I talk to myself. Heck. Sometimes I argue with myself.

3.       I’m arguing with myself about including that last point at this very moment.

4.       My favorite animals are elephants.

5.       Dresses with pockets make me happy.

Where's your favorite place to write?

I usually work in my home office, but I love working in hotel rooms. No distractions!

What are you working on now?

Something I’m very excited about! Can’t divulge any details yet, but it’s an idea I’ve been mulling over for years.

Ransom Riggs: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org or @YALLFest for more information!

Today's interview is with...

Ransom Riggs!

Picture borrowed from Ransom's Facebook page.

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Silence. My noise-cancelling headphones have become almost essential.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

The first. I rewrite and rewrite it a million times. The last comes easy.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I’m six foot four. I lived on a working farm until I was five. I used to know how to cook Indian food but now I've forgotten. I love documentaries. One day I will conquer the moon.

What are you working on now?

A novel for Little, Brown the plot of which is SECRET! (Sort of, for now. But I’m really excited about it.)

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

Oh, definitely YA to write in. I read everything, lots of YA, lots of adult, nonfiction of all sorts. I even read poetry when I’m feeling ambitious. I think it’s crucial to have lots of different influences. If you only read in the genre you write in, your writing will sound like everything else that’s already out there.

I'm looking very forward to meeting Ransom in November!

Rainbow Rowell: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org or @YALLFest for more information!

Today's interview continues with...

RAINBOW ROWELL!!! *fangirl squeeeeeaaaal*

Photo borrowed from http://rainbowrowell.com/blog/

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Lip balm.

Describe your book in 5 words.

FANGIRL - Earnest, snowy, swoony, minty, bookish.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

THE FIRST! The whole first page is a nightmare. I want people to just skip it. And I always end up rewriting it.

Best writing tip you ever received?

“Just finish your book.”

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. I think it would have made me feel less alone.

Where's your favorite place to write?

At coffee shops. In giant overstuffed chairs.

What are you working on now?

I’m revising my adult novel, Landline, which comes out in spring 2014, and playing with a romantic/political/tragicomic fantasy.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I write mostly contemporary. I read mostly fantasy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

All of my ideas are full-length novels. I have a hard time narrowing my scope.

So, you're going to meet us in Charleston now, right? Right?!?! :) Ahhh, I love Rainbow!

Sean Williams: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org or @YALLFest for more information!

Today's interview is with Sean Williams!

Photo by Anna Solding

Photo borrowed from http://seanwilliams.com/

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

The right music. And chocolate as a reward when I finish.

Describe your book in 5 words
Jump meets Uglies. But different.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
The first line is often the hardest to write, but I like a good challenge. The line I like writing the least is the last because it means I have a whole load of rewriting ahead of me.

Best writing tip you ever received?
Give up. If you can do that, you’ll be happier and probably better off as a result. If you can’t, then you know writing is exactly the right thing for you!

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
1) I live in Adelaide, South Australia, a place that’s home to about a million other people but somehow feels like a small town, which is why I love it.
2) I still think music from the 1980s is cool.
3) My stepson has situs invertus, which means his heart is on the wrong side of his body. That’s not really about me, but it is pretty random.
4) I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who.
5) I’m minding a pair of green tree frogs, Skipper and Jumpy, for a young friend while she’s overseas with her family. You can see pictures of them on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seanwilliamsauthor/.

Where's your favorite place to write?
In my study, a lovely upstairs nook containing all my favorite book-related things, but I've trained myself to write anywhere as long as I have my headphones and some music. I quite like writing in hotels, probably because someone else does all the household chores.

What are you working on now?
Crashland, the sequel to Twinmaker.

CJ Lyons: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org or @YALLFest for more information!

Today's interview is with CJ Lyons!

Picture borrowed from http://cjlyons.net/

Describe your book in 5 words:

CJ: Girl dying of broken heart (literally)

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

CJ: The first. I’ll often return to it over and over again until I've sliced and diced and fine-honed it to that perfect combination of intrigue, visceral reaction, and emotional connection with the reader.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

CJ: Code Name Verity because it is so emotionally honest and inspiring, empowering, not to mention gut-wrenching. Really brings the era to life as well as the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

CJ: When I was a kid I worked summer stock theatre and was actually a theatre major undergrad before switching to pre-med. I've had two hard landings in helicopters while working as a flight doc. I survived rampaging Cape Horn Buffalo and a pack of wild baboons, not to mention a leopard (he’s already eaten) while hiking in Hells Gate Park in Kenya. I’m a Capricorn. I diagnosed my niece with the heart condition that’s at the center of my YA thriller, BROKEN.

What are you working on now?

CJ: DAMAGED, my next YA thriller, due out in 2014. It deals with the really tough topic of abuse and coercion and is the most difficult book I've ever tackled—there have been times while writing when I was literally in tears as I typed.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

CJ: I created my own genre of Thrillers with Heart—I love writing fast paced stories with raising stakes but centered on the emotional heart of an evolving relationship. As for reading, I read almost every genre but especially love YA, magical realism, and thrillers. As long as a story grabs me by the throat and won’t let me go because I’m too worried about what the characters are going through, I’ll read it and love it.

Lauren Oliver: YALLFest Interview

The author interviews continue!

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

Check out yallfest.org for more information!

Today's interview is from Lauren FREAKIN' Oliver!!! I am trying to keep from fainting and fangirling! I may be able to control the fainting, but the fangirling, I can't! *fangirl on*

Lauren is the author of the Delirium Trilogy, Before I Fall, Liesl & Po, and more! 

Jonathan Alpeyrie, 2011

Picture borrowed from http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Coffee!

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

Honestly, neither. It’s just every single line in between that feels impossible.

Best writing tip you ever received?

Aim for truth and beauty will follow.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I have fourteen tattoos. I can fall asleep any time, any place. I have a phobia of worms. I hate fruit. I wrote my first novel largely on my Blackberry.

Where's your favorite place to write?

In my sunroom in upstate New York.

What are you working on now?

Two different middle grade books and an untitled young adult novel that my agent described as “the most disturbing thing he’s ever read.” Oops!

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I love realistic books that include just a hint of fantasy.

Check out her website for more information, or better yet, join us in November and meet her in person!

Cinda Williams Chima: YALLFest Interview

So, if y'all don't know about this amazing festival yet, please get on board. I have gone for the past 2 years (as long as it's been in existence) and it is the most fun I have in a day! The growth from the 1st year to the 2nd was phenomenal! I can only imagine what this 3rd year will be.

YALLFest.org

I have been allowed to post this interview from Cinda Williams Chima...ya know, the author of The Heir Chronicles and Seven Realms? Yeah, her! You can check out her website for more information, or better yet, join us in November and meet her in person!

Photo by Augusten Burroughs

Picture borrowed from http://www.cindachima.com/

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A computer

Describe your book in 5 words

Wizards misbehave, magic goes mutant.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

Usually the lines in between.

Best writing tip you ever received?

Give yourself permission to write badly.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1.       I am a twin.

2.       I am named after a character in a novel.

3.       I didn't really start driving until I was 27.

4.       I am descended from Puritans and scoundrels.

5.       I used to be in a folk music band.

Where's your favorite place to write?

On a balcony overlooking the ocean.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing The Sorcerer Heir, the fifth book in a trilogy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

When I’m finished with a full-length novel. 

Check back with the YALLFest blog each day (especially Mondays and Fridays) for author interviews over the next 8 weeks!

November, I am SO ready for you!

Review: The Summer I Became a Nerd

Title: The Summer I Became a Nerd

Author: Leah Rae Miller
Source: Won from a blog giveaway! (Hooray!!!)
Challenge: Standalone Reading Challenge

Summary & Cover:

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

Thoughts:
Straight up? I adored this book!!! These sweet, coming of age, figuring out yourself, loving the adorable boy books are totally up my alley!

Maddie was a great main character. In the beginning of the book, she found out just how hard it would be to be a nerd growing up through middle and high school. So she'd never be made to feel awful about her love for comics and all things nerdy, she became what she thought she had to be: a popular cheerleader hanging with other cheerleaders and dating the football player.

When Maddie ran into Logan, they instantly had that thing. That connection. That whatever you want to call it. It wasn't instant love. No, no. Even though Maddie dated the football player, she knew who Logan was and had always thought he was "adorkable" and cute. Likewise, Logan had liked her since 9th grade, when he moved to Natchitoches.

Logan went along with her hiding herself from who she really was, but helped her embrace it by inviting her into his life and activities. She fit right in and loved it! But how was she supposed to enjoy doing all of those things, and hang out with this super adorkable boy while she was avoiding her friends and her boyfriend? How could she be a nerd, but stay popular and not become a laughing stock?

The path of figuring out who she was and who she wanted to be was hard for her. She figured herself out and had some great advice from her parents, brother, Logan's mom, and his friend, Dan. (Dan was funny!)

Rating:

Completely my kind of book: nerds and adorableness adorkableness!

Hysteria Review & Giveaway!

Title: HYSTERIA

Author: Megan Miranda
Source: Purchased
Challenge: Standalone Reading Challenge

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.
 
In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Thoughts:
Wow!

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. Yes. It was self-defense. Yes. Kind of.

She feels that she is being haunted by him in her house. She can still feel him there -- see the blood stain, even though it's been cleaned. Her parents treat her differently. Her mother is on pins and needles around her. Her parents enroll her in the boarding school, in another state, that her father attended. Mallory is sad to leave her best friend, but also jumps at the chance to get away from her parents and the feeling of Brian being around her.

After arriving to her boarding school, she meets creepy Jason -- the headmaster's son. He knows what happened with Mallory. He's just all around guy you really want to slap because you know he's creep, but other girls swoon all over because they're oblivious to his level of creepiness.

We also meet her roommate, who moves out the next day...after she finds out about Mallory. She fits right in with the clique girls who ignore and make life harder for Mallory.

We also meet swoony Reid! Reid is the son of Mallory's dad's best friend. Got that?  :) The last time Mallory saw him was at his father's funeral. There was some awkwardness then. But 3 years later, Reid is there for her and is trying to be her friend.

Just when Mallory thought she had left Brian's ghost behind, she starts having the same issues at school with his memory and what she thinks is his ghost. There are noises that scare her and bruises on her shoulder. Also, she keeps spotting Brian's mother's car. So, being the genius that she is, she grabs a knife one day while she and Reid are at a diner and hides it in her room. Oh, Mallory!!!

So, remember creepy Jason that I mentioned? He ends up murdered. In Mallory's room. Her parents show up and her mom stays in a hotel with her while the police do their investigating. We have a nice moment between Mallory and her mom. Mallory's best friend showed up...only to disappear. Dun, dun, duuuuuun!

I was on my toes through this whole book! One minute, you're questioning Mallory's sanity and the next, you're wondering who is screwing with her! Megan had some great research (that she even talked about at her signing) and a great story. You must read this book!

Rating:

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am lucky enough to live close to Megan and was able to attend her book launch event at a B&N. YAY! I was very excited to meet her and buy a copy of Hysteria. I had just recently read Fracture since I knew I was going to her launch. It was great, too!

For one of my lucky readers, I have a signed copy of HYSTERIA to give away. Just make sure you're 13+ and live in the US or Canada. Just enter with the Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Challenges: Old & New!

Oh, 2012, you have been a year filled with amazing books! I had a great time participating in the Standalone Challenge and the Completely Contemporary Challenge. I completed my goals for both of these challenges! 

Hooray! *confetti toss* 

However, my goal for my Goodreads Challenge was 110 books, but I didn't quite make it. I'm okay with that, though!

2012 Reading Challenge

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Looking ahead for the plans for 2013, I will be participating in the Standalone Challenge again, hosted by Iceybooks and I Like These Books. It's truly great to read these kinds of books and not have to wait another year for the next installment.

I will also be participating in the Paranormal Reading Challenge. This is a new one this year hosted by Megan Likes Books and Auntie Spinelli Reads. I was excited to find this one since I do enjoy Paranormal books.

I also want to see if I can work on the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge a bit. There are quite a few books on the list that I've been wanting to read and get checked off of that list. I think 2013 is a great year to accomplish some of those!

Finally, my Goodreads Challenge will remain at 110. I want to see if I can do a little better in the coming year since I know when I started slacking on my reading in 2012.

2013 Reading Challenge

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