What's Next #2







What's Next? Hosted by IceyBooks


 
Icey Books
 
Post 3-5 books that you want to read next, but can't decide on.  
Then everyone can comment on which book they think you should read next.



From Goodreads


When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them, open. Every night they are closed tight. And that every 30 days a new boy is delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. Only the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets that are buried within his mind.
I've been wanting to read this one for a long time, but it's just been sitting on my shelf.  I hear it's really good.


From Goodreads

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
Some people have said this one took them awhile to get into, but others say it was really good.  I got it out from the library a week or two ago, but I haven't read it yet.

From Goodreads

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.
I don't technically have to read this one for another month or so, but it sounds good and I love the cover.







Cover Makeovers: Good or Bad?

How do you feel when a great book gets a makeover? 


As most of you know by now, I am guilty of judging books by their covers.  But really that's what covers are there for.  Their purpose is to give the reader a little slice of what the book is about so the reader can decide if they want to pick up the book and read the summary.  So you can imagine how frustrated I am when I find books being republished with new covers that are not as pretty or have nothing to do with the book.  Yes, I understand it's sometimes to target a new demographic, but still.  Why ruin a good thing.  Take a look at some changes I found.



About a week ago I was on twitter and saw that Giselle from Xpresso Reads had posted a new cover for the Across the Universe series.  I really didn't like the change.  If I had seen these new covers I wouldn't even pick up the book.  Which is sad really (I should really learn not to judge covers), but I know I'm not the only one.  I love the colors in the first one and they give you an idea that it's set in space and involve a boy and a girl.  The second covers just look more boyish and metal-ish.  

              

Shatter Me is such a great novel.  I love the original cover because it shows the main character as being very powerful and it looks like she's shattering glass with her mind since her hands are behind her back.  The second cover, while I think it's gorgeous, doesn't tell you a single thing about the book.  And really the book has nothing to do with her eyes.  If anything it should show Juliette's hands since that's where her power lies.

Review: Belles by Jen Calonita


 Title: Belles
Author: Jen Calonita
Publisher:  Poppy
Publication date: April 10, 2012
How I got the copy: Library
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls’ lives forever.



þ   Makes you think.  How would you react if you were uprooted from your life?
þ   Written in POV of both the unpopular girl and the mean girl.
þ   Great for YA Contemp fans

While I did enjoy this story, I was a little disappointed that it had nothing to do with southern belles.  In fact, if they hadn't mentioned it was in NC I would have thought they were talking about Wildwood vs. Princeton NJ or something.  I just didn't get that southern feel.  Despite this personal disappointment, I really liked this book for so many reasons.  The book is written through Izzie's POV in the beginning (the girl who moves in with her cousin Mira's family).  Then every few chapters we get to see the story through Mira's POV.  I actually liked this because Mira comes off as a B*tch, but once you get to see her side of things her actions make more sense and I couldn't help but feel a little bad for her.  The real villain, Savannah, got no sympathy from me.  She was like Regina George in Mean Girls.  Usually villains have a "human" moment where we feel bad for them, but not Savannah.  I hated her all the way through.  And now that I think of it Mira really reminded me of a blonde Gretchen Weiners!  Like Gretchen, Mira just wanted to be cool and keep in Savannah's good graces so she basically did whatever she had to to stay popular.

Musing Mondays #6


    MizB of Should Be Reading
Each Monday bloggers     answer MizB's bookish question












This week's musing asks:

What are you currently reading?  Is it any good?  Would you recommend it?


Right now I'm reading Something Strange and Deadly because I'm participating in a blog tour.  It's my first zombie book!  I'm actually really liking it despite the fact that it kind of creeps me out.  I also like that the action starts on like the third page and doesn't stop.  And it's set in an old time period which makes it even more interesting. 

 I'd recommend it so far.  I plan on posting my review on Wednesday so check back if you want to see if my opinion has changed.  Also, stop by on July 29th for a guest post from the author Susan Dennard!
My previous Monday posts.

What are you reading now?

I'll be posting a review for Belles later today.

Stacking the Shelves/ Sunday Post #7




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 The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by  Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.  Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  Both are a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and talk about what is coming up for the week on our blog. Link up each week.  I will be doing Weekly Recap, What books I got that week, and a sneak peek of what to expect for the next week on my blog.

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