December 31, 2013

Monthly Review: December

Welcome to Turning Pages!

December is over, and so is 2013. Can you believe it? It's 2014.. That's crazy! This is the last monthly review for the year. But no worries, Turning Pages will continue 2014 with both monthly reviews and TBR lists. I've been working on them and trying my best to stick with them, and I feel like once you get in to the swing of using them, they're just amazing!

"It's always been a goal for me to post a "TBR" list at the beginning of every month, and a "Monthly Review" at the end of the month. Why? To set some goals, to have something to work towards, instead of just aimlessly blogging or picking up a book I know I shouldn't be reading because I have to read a different book first. Also it allows me and you to see what I posted the entire month, and if you want to check out a specific post, feel free to click the link!"

Here's what happen this month:

Book Reviews:

The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1)Putting Makeup on Dead PeopleAllegiant (Divergent, #3)Some Quiet Place (Some Quiet Place, #1)


BlythewoodZombie Blondes


It's Monday, What Am I Reading:

BlythewoodAcross the Universe (Across the Universe, #1)Eleanor & Park


Wednesday Memes:

The Sea of Tranquility: A NovelAshes to AshesRoomiesThe Offering (Pledge Trilogy Series #3)


What's Coming This Week/Weekly YA Releases:


Book Hauls:

InvisibilityShadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1)Wintergirls


Others:



Review Commenting Giveaway!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

And to the very last giveaway of 2013!! Dah dah DAHHHHH!


I know I can't believe it either! I've done multiple different types of giveaways, but its the end of the year, and I've decided to do something new this time around! This giveaway is going to be one of the BIGGEST giveaways ever done here at Turning Pages, so tell your friends, tell you family, tell your friends' family. TELL EVERYONE!

At the end of every year, I take the time to link up all the reviews, I've written in the year and add them to my review list. And I'm proud to say that 2013 has had more reviews that 2011 or 2012! 2013 has been a good year here at Turning Pages, and I know no better way to celebrate this than having a party and to host a MASSIVE giveaway!


Just how massive you may ask? Well there will be a total of three winners! The giveaway will go until January 31, 2014! And there are a TON of ways to get extra entries!! So sit tight, read the requirements, and start entering!!

Besides the obvious extra entries you can earn through filling out the rafflecopter, you can earn them in another way. Want to know? Are you ready for this? By commenting!

I've spent all last night and this morning on my review lists. You can select either the review list by the title, or by the author, and go through that list and start commenting. Every comment left on a review after this is posted, is an extra entry!! The more reviews you comment on, the higher your chance of becoming a winner!

But like with any giveaway there are a few rules...

  • You must be 13 years of age, or have parental permission to enter this giveaway.
  • You must be following Turning Pages through GFC, Bloglovin' or Google+.
  • If you live outside of the US the only prize you can win is the Amazon giftcard (shipping is outrageous).
  • You must fill out the rafflecopter below.

And now....for what you ALL been waiting for....

The Prizes!!

Prize Number 1: A $10 dollar Amazon gift card!


Prize Number 2: My copies of Eleanor & Park, and Fangirl, both by Rainbow Rowell!!

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Prize Number 3: A box of mystery books (2-3 surprise books).


*Prize Numbers 2 & 3 will of course have a few other small goodies in them as well!*


Thank you so much for supporting Turning Pages throughout 2013! And goodluck!


December 30, 2013

Turning Pages's 2014 Resolutions

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Just a few days ago, I was pondering the year of 2013, on this blog, Turning Pages. And I was thinking about all the things I've done, and wanted to do, but never got the chance to. I even posted a quick little thing, discussing a few changes/goals I had for 2014. But I didn't really feel satisfied with this list, and wanted to make something that was a bit more detailed, and more broad...if that makes sense, since those are pretty much opposites. But you get what I mean right?


I know people make resolutions every year, and most of those resolutions go down the drain within the first months, but writing a list and thinking of areas I want to improve in, is a good start. What do you say? While I'm not going to bore you with the personnel things I want to change in my life, I figured it would be interesting to see what I want to change on my blog, and in my technique of blogging; especially at the end of 2014, when I'm checking to see if I've reached all my goals.

I decided to break up my list in four major sections, and go from there. I hope that this list gives you a few ideas for your new years resolutions, feel free to let me know what your resolutions are in the comments below!

Blog Layout:


  • Review Lists: Since Turning Pages was born, I struggled with my review list. I just never found a good and organized way to list all of the reviews I had written, so anyone could easily assess them. I've decided to make two lists, instead of just one; by title and by author.
  • Header: The header is another one of those "technicality" that I've been pushing off for almost the last three years. A header is in the works as we speak, and I hope to have in up and fixed before February comes.
  • Background: The background is something I've been playing with these last few months, and trying to figure out what I think looks good. I'm not too picky, but I think I'll try a few more things once the Header banner is up.
  • Social Media Links: I kind of like the way I have them listed right now on my sidebar, but I feel like they just look a little unorganized.


Socializing/Posting:


  • Twitter/Goodreads/Netgalley: I have them all, and I've been using Twitter much more often. But still these are three great ways to meet people, and get my reviews out. I hope to use them daily in 2014.
  • Commenting: I love checking out other blogs and commenting on reviews or posts that I really enjoyed. But on the other hand, I'm slacking in replying to the comments left here on Turning Pages. I hope to reply to every comment left in 2014.
  • TBR/Monthly Review: Want to continue doing these every month in the next year.
  • Reviews/Interviews/Giveaways: More frequently.


Blogger of the Week:


  • Blogger of the Week is a work in progress. I hope to make it simplier, and more interesting for bloggers and readers.
  • It's a way to get book bloggers to know each other and make connections.
  • A button.
  • I hope to get Blogger of the Week going more frequently this year.


To Infinite & Beyond Goals:


  • 700 followers.
  • 100 books read.
  • 20 author interviews.
  • 12 giveaways (one each month)
  • ...go on youtube?


Thank you for sticking with Turning Pages this year, and I can't wait to see you next year!


It's Monday, What Am I Reading?

FangirlTitle: Fangirl.
Author: Rainbow Rowell.
Summary:

"Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind"

My Thoughts So Far:

I'm approximately a hundred or so pages into this one, and so far I'm its going good. I've read multiple reviews, and have been recommend to read this book by everyone and their grandmother, so I did create out of this roof expectations..that Fangirl still needs to reach.

I'm excited to continue the story to see what happens, and see how things go for Cath; moving out and going to college isn't easy.

Have you read this one yet? Or Eleanor & Park also by Rainbow Rowell, feel free leaving a comment down below with your thoughts! NO SPOILERS...please (:


December 29, 2013

Christmas Book Haul

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Christmas has come and gone, and I did get a few good books that I'm excited to show you. While I gave my brother hints of what I wanted for Christmas, my dad did a good job picking out a book by himself! I'm so grateful for all the amazing gifts I got, and I can't wait to finally use them all.

(from my brother)

Enclave (Razorland, #1)
Enclave, by Ann Aguirre.

"New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters--or Freaks--who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight--guided by Fade's long-ago memories--in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs."

Outpost (Razorland, #2)Outpost, by Ann Aguirre.

"Deuce’s whole world has changed.

Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn't fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide."

(from my dad)

Wintergirls
Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson.

"Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery."

(for review)

We Hold These Truths (Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series #5)We Hold These Truths, by Andrew Clements.

"The Keepers of the School—known to their friends as Ben, Jill, and Robert—have one last chance to save their school before it’s torn down to make room for a seaside amusement park. But their nemeses, Janitors Lyman and Wally, are just as determined to keep the kids out of the way and the demolition on schedule.

One way or the other, this battle is about to come to a head. When all is said and done, will the school still be standing? Or will everything the Keepers have fought for be destroyed?"


December 28, 2013

This Week's YA Book Releases!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

This is a meme hosted here at Turning Pages, showcasing all of the new YA books coming out within the next seven days. Interested in any of the books mentioned below? Click on the books title, it'll take you to that book's Goodreads page, where you'll be able to read more about it!

Paperback:

Ali's Pretty Little Lies (Pretty Little Liars Series) by Sara Shepard: Book CoverUnravel Me by Tahereh Mafi: Book CoverSever by Lauren DeStefano: Book CoverThe Essence (Pledge Trilogy Series #2) by Kimberly Derting: Book Cover


Pivot Point by Kasie West: Book CoverProphecy by Ellen Oh: Book CoverAsunder by Jodi Meadows: Book Cover


Hardback:

The Offering (Pledge Trilogy Series #3) by Kimberly Derting: Book CoverThe Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine: Book CoverWarrior by Ellen Oh: Book CoverAfterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler: Book Cover



December 27, 2013

Book Review: Zombie Blondes

Zombie Blondes
Title: Zombie Blondes.
Author: Brian James.
Series: No.
Pages: 232.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Feivvel And Friends.
Published Date: June 24, 2008.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.

Summary:

"From the moment Hannah Sanders arrived in town, she felt there was something wrong.
     A lot of houses were for sale, and the town seemed infected by an unearthly quiet. And then, on Hannah’s first day of classes, she ran into a group of cheerleaders—the most popular girls in school.
     The odd thing was that they were nearly identical in appearance: blonde, beautiful, and deathly pale.
     But Hannah wants desperately to fit in—regardless of what her friend Lukas is telling her: if she doesn’t watch her back, she’s going to be blonde and popular and dead—just like all the other zombies in this town. . . ."

My Thoughts:

I purchased Zombie Blondes during a Half Price Book Warehouse Sale last summer, and pick it up for only a dollar. A dollar for this amazing looking book, and it's about zombies?!?! Whaat?


I know, I can't believe it either.

Hannah Sanders is used to moving around. She's used to coming home, and seeing her dad and all her stuff packed up in the car ready to head somewhere new. Hannah knows when they arrive at the new house that it isn't home, and that there is no need to try and make it feel like it, because they'll be packing up again soon, and going somewhere else.

Hannah and her dad have been doing this for a while now; ever since her dad (who was working as a cop) ratted out some of his fellow police men, for doing something they shouldn't be. Their past and the collection calls are what keeps the two moving. Hannah doesn't like they way their life is going right now, but she knows that they only have each other, and her dad does what he thinks is best.

When the two of them move to a small town in Vermont, called Maplecrest, Hannah has a strange feeling about the place. Something just doesn't seem right about this town, when Hannah sees all the "For Sale" signs on almost every property.

She's never been part of the popular group, not in any of the schools she's ever gone to. Most schools are the same, with the same type of groups and the same type of people. But with a town so empty like Maplecrest, Hannah has a little hope to make friends here.

...but once again, things are exactly the same.

The popular kids are the football player jocks, and the extremely skinny and blonde cheerleaders. Hannah doesn't make any friends the first day in school, but she is approached by a weird kid named Lukas, who believes the entire school is full of zombies. He spends a lot of time during Zombie Blondes trying to convince Hannah of his suspicion.

Cheer leading tryout are soon and Hannah pounces on the first chance to become one of them. After joining the squad she starts to realize small odd things about the girls, and about the football players, but decides to ignore and push those thoughts to the side. She even starts seeing a very cute football player, who has the most wonderful looking eyes.

When this book was only a dollar, and "zombies" was in the title, I had no option but to buy it. I usually don't like books about girls and their need to become popular or cool, simply because I feel that they're usually cheesy and anyone who feels like they need to be popular is usually just wasting their time. High school is only four years, after that no one cares about being popular. Before starting Zombie Blondes that was my biggest worry.


After reading only a few chapters Zombie Blondes veered away from that, and seemed more down to earth. Hannah didn't necessarily want to become popular, but instead wanted to accepted.


I had never heard of Brian James, until purchasing Zombie Blondes, but now I'm completely fascinated by his writing. It flows so smooth, and the story never had a slow moment. It took me only a few hours to get through this one, and I felt satisfied by the end.

There were a few things that I thought I should mention in my review (both good and..not so good), but I couldn't think of any other way to include it other that a simple list.

Characters: I usually like feeling a connection to the characters in any story, but I didn't find this in Zombie Blondes, with anyone but Hannah; I liked it. I'm from a military family and I know what it's like to constantly be moving and trying to make new friends, at new schools. And on the other hand, not connecting to the other characters, I loved it. I shouldn't be able to connect with zombies...they're zombies..duh!

Lukas: Lukas knew about the town and the secrets that were kept in it. He even tried warning the newest girl in school (Hannah) about all that was going on. Why would the Zombies keep him around? They killed all the other people in town, but they never got rid of Lukas, who knew what they were doing and trying to spread the word?

Zombies: This was the part I was looking forward to the most. But Zombie Blondes didn't really feel like a zombie book to me. Yes. The cheerleaders and football players were zombies, but I just didn't feel like my need for zombies was fulfilled, I just needed more.

Overall I enjoyed Zombie Blondes. Brian James's writing was easy to read, and quick. While I had high hopes for this book to be filled to the brim with zombies, it wasn't. And I think that disappointment was more on my end than the book or author's. I just interpreted the title wrong. Hannah wasn't cheesy or over obsessed with becoming popular, which I'm SO happy about.

The final verdict is that I enjoyed Zombie Blondes, but if you're looking for something completely revolving zombies, this isn't really that book. But if you're looking for a high school story, or a girl who just wants to be accepted by her peers, with a zombie twist, this is the book for you. I hope to discover and pick up more books by Brian James soon!