August 18, 2013

Blogger of the Week: Books Books In Her Head!

Your Name/Blog's Name:  Remy at Books In Her Head
Genre: Young adult and sometimes Middle Grade
Blog Established: November 18, 2011
Inspiration: The needed to share books and writing with the world.
Coffee or Tea: Both :)

1. Name one book that made you shed a tear, why?

I cried multiple times while reading Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan.  I cried because Emma's situation was so dark, and no matter how hard she tried to make it better her aunt would (literally) slam down on her again.

2. What time of day are usually reading?

Although I can really like reading at all times of day, my favorite is at night.  Something about just having all the lights off except for the lamp next to my bed, being snuggled up in blankets, and having my cats close by just makes reading all the better! :D

3. Which do you prefer; paper back, hard back, ebook, why?

I prefer paperbacks because they are cheaper and easier to carry around, although hard backs always look nice on a shelf, and are easier to hold while you're reading.  I don't own an e-reader, so I'm not one to really judge e-books, although I do think that sliding your finger across a screen really takes away from the feeling of reading, but maybe that's just me.

4. Have you always loved reading, if not, what caused you to start?

I have always loved reading.  As a child, books were my favorite things on earth.  Before I could even read I would go through the pages and make up stories of my own, but when I did learn eventually, I remember distinctly reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, and drifting to sleep with books on my lap.  I've always read more than several grades above myself in school, and have always been known as a very bookish person.

5. What is your favorite book?  Describe it in four words.

My favorite book is The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty.  In four words, The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie is:  mysterious, captivating, spine-tingling, and surprising.

Thanks so much for this opportunity!

Remy's Links:


Thank you so much Remy for becoming Blogger of the Week! If you're a book blogger and would like to become Blogger of the Week, get more information and sign up HERE!

Book Haul!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

And I know, I know. I know exactly what you're going to say.."Lisa, but aren't you trying to get your old books read, and bookshelf cleared?" YES! I am. But I couldn't turn these books down, and instead of reading them right away, I hope to save them for later, when I finished reading some older ones!

Fixing DelilahFixing Delilah, by Sarah Ockler.

"Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery."

The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1)The 5th Wave, by Rick Yancey.

"After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up."

Thanks for stopping by, let me know what you think of these two!


August 17, 2013

Audio Book Review: Breathe

Breathe (Sea Breeze, #1)Title: Breathe.
Author: Abbi Glines.
Series: Yes, #1.
Pages: 334.
Source: Publisher.
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
Published Date: 6/4/13.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.

Summary:

"In the shore town of Sea Breeze, Sadie discovers that fame is nothing in the face of passion. A steamy read from bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Sadie White’s summer job is at the beach, but she won’t be working as a lifeguard. Since her mom is pregnant and refuses to work, Sadie will be taking over as a domestic servant for a wealthy family on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie were normal—if she hadn’t spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house—maybe she’d be excited about working for a rock star. But she’s not.

Even though Sadie isn’t impressed by Jax’s fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax, but he fights his attraction: Relationships never work in his world, and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. Yet as the summer stretches on, Jax’s passion leaves him breathless—and Sadie feels like the only source of oxygen.

Can their love overcome the disparity in their lifestyles? One breath at a time, they’re going to find out…"

Cover:

I've seen so many different covers for this book, but I do have to say that I like this one the best. I feel like it portrays the main characters very well, and I like that it's white, bright and colorful!

But I was just listening to the digital audio book, so I haven't actually seen the cover in person!

My Thoughts:

When I was asked to review Breathe, I couldn't turn down the offer. I heard many amazing things about Abbi Glines and her writing! I've read many reviews raving about her stories, and the various characters featured in them! I couldn't wait to start listening to this one, to see what everyone was talking about!

But my excited was a bit short lived.

I usually listen to audio books while I'm doing other things, for example when I'm blogging, doing chores, cooking, or anything else where my hands are full. So yes, I do actually read other books while I'm listening to audio books (not at the same time, but you know what I mean)...I read three books..throughout the entire time it took me to finish this audio book.

While listening to Breathe, I read The Vincent Boys also by Abbi Glines and loved it! It gave me motivation to continue and finish the story; in hopes that it will become better.

Breathe follows the story of a girl named Sadie, who is not only raising herself but now also her pregnant mother who is unable to work. Bills are due, and the only thing Sadie can think of to do to keep the income, coming in, is to go to her mothers work at a mansion in hopes to fill in for her mother.

The story also follows a very handsome teenage rock star, named Jax; who is looking to spend a quiet and peaceful summer with his family in their summer house in Alabama. He's tired of the rocker life style and all the fans, Jax is ready to spend the next couple of months relaxing!

Even though the two are so different, and Sadie ACTUALLY works for Jax, they start to have feelings for one another, and seem to always be around each other. Throughout Breathe the two teenagers confess their love, hit a few bumps in the road, and work them out again later.

Breathe felt...a little forced to me. After reading The Vincent Boys and completely loving the voice and flow of the story, I felt that Breathe wasn't the same. The relationship between Sadie and Jax wasn't only instant love, but also felt very forced. Overall the flow in the story, and the background between the two main characters also just felt a bit rigid.

One thing that really bothered me about Sadie, was that the entire time before she even got to meet Jax, she was always claiming that he was a rich spoiled guy, who is used to girls attention, and that she will do anything and everything in her power to avoid him....but within moments of meeting him, she does none of that. And the same with Jax; he was complaining about girls, and just wanting alone time, to himself.

After hearing so many amazing things about Abbi Glines, and even reading The Vincent Boys and absolutely falling in love with it, I didn't find Breathe to be so enjoyable. I really liked the entire idea behind the story; the synopsis is what pulled me in. But the execution of the idea wasn't really to my liking.

I know this was kind of a negative review, but I wanted to give my honest opinion.


What's Coming This Week?

Welcome to Turning Pages!

"What's Coming This Week?" 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:

Just One Day by Gayle Forman: Book CoverLake Thirteen by Greg Herren: Book CoverCarter's Unfocused, One-Track Mind by Brent Crawford: Book Cover

Just One Day, by Gayle Forman.
Lake Thirteen, by Greg Herren.
Carter's Unfocused, One-Track Mind, by Brent Crawford.

Hardback:

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle: Book CoverAsylum by Madeleine Roux: Book CoverDoon by Carey Corp: Book CoverIf You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan: Book Cover

The Infinite Moment of Us, by Lauren Myracle.
Asylum, by Madeleine Roux.
Doon, by Carey Corp and Laurie Langdon.
If You Could Be Mine, by Sara Farizan.


August 13, 2013

End of Summer Read-A-Thon Conclusion and Grand Prize Giveaway!


I can't believe it! After more than a month of preparation, and getting things ready, the End of Summer Read-A-Thon has come and gone! Four days of none stop reading, and finishing up books!

First off, I want to thank everyone who signed up and took part in the End of Summer Read-A-Thon! It's been fun and rewarding! I hope you will all take part again next year, when Audris and I take this read-a-thon to the next level!

I finished four books this weekend, which is absolutely amazing! The books I read include, Hooked by Liz Fichera, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Monster High The Ghoul Next Door, by Lisis Harrison and Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz! A total of 1269 pages! Four books!

How many books/pages did you read?

And now to the giveaway winners! There were four giveaways, one for each day of the read-a-thon! We also hosted four challenges, and every correct answer given, your chances of winning the grand prize were greater!

Giveaway #1: Signed copy of Burn Bright!

Ginny!!

Giveaway #2: The Body Finder Swag Pack!

Crystal!!!

Giveaway #3: What Really Happened in Peru and The Runaway Queen Audio.

Kapri!!!

Giveaway #4: $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Kristen Harvey!!!

If you are one of the winners, you will be receiving an email from me very soon letting you know that you won, and what information I require from you!

Now for the grand prize!!!

Paige! You're the winner!!

Again, you will also be getting an email soon!

Thank you all for taking part in the read-a-thon! I can't wait for next year (:

Waiting on Wednesday!

Asylum
Title: Asylum.
Author:  Madeleine Roux.
Summary:

"Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity."

Release Date: 8/20/13.


August 12, 2013

End of Summer Read-A-Thon Challenge #4



The fourth day! The final day, meaning this is the final chance to rack up some extra points!

*There will be one challenge for everyday of the read-a-thon, each challenge will be the same here on Turning Pages, as it is on YA Bookmark. So if you complete the challenge here or there, it’ll will be the same, and your correct answer will only count towards you once.

Each correct answer will count as one point towards the grand prize at the end of the read-a-thon. Everyone entering in the read-a-thon is automatically included in the grand prize raffling, but correctly completing the challenges will better your chances!*

Rules:

-You must be taking part in the read-a-thon to be taking part in this challenge.
-Try to guess each author by the four given clues.
-Once you believe you have the answers, you must fill out the form.
 -Have fun and continue reading!

The Challenge:

Author #1
Crusade. Born in Los Altos CA. Degree in Communications. Wolf Springs Chronicles.

Author #2
Captivate. Born in Bedford NH. Distinguished Alumn Award. She resides in Maine.

Author #3
The Day Before. Resides in Oregon. Owns a cat and dog. Intials L.S.

Author #4
Legend. Born in 1984. Attend University of Southern California. Currently in Pasadena.

Author #5
Maze. Born in Georgia. Studied accounting. Resides in the Rocky Mountains.


Keep us all updated, share what you’re reading and what you plan to accomplish! Stay connected with Twitter at #EndSummerReadathon

The End of Summer Read-A-Thon is almost over in just a few hours! Finish strong and keep reading!