Summer Solstice 24 HR Readthon: June 21, 2013


Created by: Rie of Mission To Read 
and 
Cohosted by: Melissa of Harley Bear Book Blog, Lindsay of The Novel Life, Kathrin of StackedNPainted, Angela of  and Melina of The Pretty Nifty YA Reader


The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.  And you know what that means...


So no matter where you are on the planet we want you to celebrate the first day of summer with us in a 24 hr read-a-thon!  Just think of all those summer reads you've been waiting to start!  

1. Create a sign up post on your site saying that you're planning to join in the read-a-thon on the 21st.  You can post a goal list of books you want to read that day, but it's not mandatory.  Include the read-a-thon button and this blurb:

Summer Solstice Read-a-thon is a 24 hr event taking place on the longest day of the year...June 21, 2013.  It was created by Rie @ Mission To Read and is cohosted by Melissa of Harley Bear Book Blog, Lindsay of The Novel Life, Kathrin of StackedNPainted, and Melina of The Pretty Nifty YA Reader.  The goal of this read-a-thon is to take advantage of all the extra daylight and read as much as you can!  Mini challenges and a giveaway will be happening this day so make sure to check out any of the host's blog's the day of for more information.  Don't forget to chat with us at the twitter party 12pm CST #SSRead. 

2. Add the link to your sign up post in the linky below.

3. Check back to any of the host's blogs on the 21st for mini challenges and a chance to win a giveaway!

4. Read till the sun goes down


{Review} The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Number of Pgs.: 544
Publication date: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thriller
How I got the copy: Bought
Rating:  5 Stars
From Goodreads:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Setting: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Style: 10/10
Cover:  I love the covers for this series.  The color in this one is perfect.  It's dark and sets the mood of the book.  It also reminds me of the color of the dress she wears during the amazing beach scene.
48+50=98 (5 Stars)

    Wow.  Ladies and gentlemen I think I just found my new favorite series.  This book really messed with my mind, but in a good way.  I didn't know what was real and what was hallucinations.  I love that slowly pieces of the puzzle are starting to make sense.  I was a little confused with the flashbacks with India though so I hope that's clarified in book three. 

     While we're on this journey with Mara to unravel these secrets of her past, we are also getting a better understand of Noah and his pain.  I was able to predict a few minor things, but overall I was really surprised where Michelle went with the story.  While talking to Judy over at Paper Riot (you can find her review below), we discussed how it felt like there was a genre shift in this story.  I loved that though.

     Noah is just so swoon-worthy it's a tad ridiculous.  He's up there next to Daemon and Aiden on my list of book boyfriends I wish were real.  And Mara's a great character too.  She's a little self deprecating and whiny in this one by thinking she deserves bad things to happen to her.  But I guess if I was doing what she was I'd hate myself too.  I like that there were some new characters introduced and some old favorites, like Daniel, were back and didn't disappoint.  I love that Mara's family seems to be really close.  You don't see that much in YA books anymore.

     This book was the perfect balance of humor, steamy romantic scenes, and action.  There was some paranormal/sci fi thrown in and mystery as well.  Be warned though, there is a cliffhanger...I'm pretty sure I need book three asap.  Standing ovation for Michelle Hodkin!



Sunday Post & Stacking The Shelves #36


 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. 
(36)
Books Mentioned:
Destroy Me
Unravel Me
Through The Ever Night
Requiem
Breaking Point
The 5th Wave
Sweetly
Phoenix

Bloggers Mentioned:
Octavia from Read. Sleep. Repeat

Blog Tour Stop: The Rules For Disappearing (Review, Playlist, & Giveaway)

Besides getting my bookmarks in the mail and doing Bout of Books not much else happened in the bookish world for me this week.  I did meet some friends during the readathon and we're working on some awesome stuff for the future that's really exciting.  It's looking more and more like I'm going to have to miss BEA this year.  And I really want to go to the BEA picnic and meet bloggers!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a miracle.  

In real life, it was a boring week.  I got new glasses finally so now I don't have to wear my contacts all the time if I don't feel like it.  I know, I lead such an exciting life right now.  That's pretty much all that happened.

*Sweet Peril
*The Evolution of Mara Dyer
*Shatter Me
*Review & Recipe (Destroy Me)
*Harley's Hall of Bookish Fame Interview
*WOW

Bout Of Books 7.0: Acrostic Poem Challenge & Giveaway


How is your reading coming along so far?  If you're starting to go cross-eyed from all that reading it might be time to take a break.  And what better way to do that than the Acrostic Poem Challenge I'm hosting today!  

Remember back in elementary school when you would write your name vertically down the page then next to each letter you'd write an adjective describing yourself that starts with that letter?  Well that's the idea for today except with...wait for it...books!  Here's one I did.
I took a picture because I wanted to visually captivate you guys so you'll want to participate.  But it's not a requirement (Ain't nobody got time for dat).  Especially since most titles are not written vertically down the spine.  So if you want you can just type it out!  But pictures are always encouraged of course.

To make sure you are entered for a chance to win any $10 book of your choice from TBD please make sure you enter the rafflecopter and link your poem in the comment section!  You've got 24 hrs...ready set go!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner: Jasprit from The Reader's Den 

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Number of Pgs.: 452
Publication date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thriller
How I got the copy: Bought
Rating:  5 Stars
From Goodreads:

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Setting: 9/10
Pacing: 10/10
Style: 10/10
Cover:  I love underwater covers and this one is no exception.  The first time I read this book it was because the cover caught my eye at the library!
47+50=97 (5 Stars)

     I had reviewed this book the first time I read it, but it was when I was first starting out blogging and it was on my old blog so here it is reposted and then a paragraph about my rereading experience.

-Electrifying physical and emotional attraction between main characters
-Fast paced action scenes
-Well Written
-Suspense
-Murder Mystery 

Check, check, and check!  This book had all of the above and more, making it one of the most unexpectedly exciting reads of 2011.  I only wish I had picked it up sooner.  I immediately connected with the main character, Mara.  Here sarcastic, yet hilarious, sense of humor had me laughing out loud at times.  It's very rare that you see an author write dialogue that is close to how teens actually speak to each other.  (I will advise that there is some cursing in there, for those of you readers who might take offense.)  Mara's love interest, Noah, is British, rich, an animal lover, and hot!  He is also very mysterious and sly.  The way those two interacted was very entertaining and had me laughing one moment and on the edge of my seat the next. 

I am proud to say I figured out who the murderer was halfway through the book!  I liked that the reader is provided with enough clues.  I always get frustrated during Law and Order when they introduce the murderer in the last three minutes of the episode.  It's no fun when you can't guess.  I also liked how even once I knew who did it there was still a bigger mystery that we won't figure out until book two.  My one complaint is that Mara is a little self hating in the end and it comes off a little whiny and ridiculous, but other than that I love everything about this book.      
  

    In my rereading experience I fell in love with this book even more if that's possible.  After blogging for a year and reading a lot more books than I had the first time I read this, I can honestly say this is in my top five books I love.  So if that's not enough of a reason for you to go read it check out the quotes I love below or read some more reviews.


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