2014 Book Superlatives

These Book Superlatives are based on my opinion, so if you don't agree, please leave a comment because I would love to hear what you think! These are all for YA books, do not expect to see a NA or Adult book in this list.

ALL-AROUND BEST:
Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon

 

BEST DEBUT AUTHOR:
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

 

BEST MYSTERY:

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

BEST THRILLER/SUSPENSE:

Asylum by Madeliene Roux

 

BEST HORROR:

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

 

BEST SCI-FI:

Unremembered by Jessica Brody

 

BEST CONTEMPORARY:

Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore

 

BEST FANTASY:

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

 

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION:
Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves

 

BEST ROMANCE:

Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

 

BEST DYSTOPIAN:

Three by Kristen Simmons

 

BEST POST-APOCALYPTIC:

Day 21 by Kass Morgan

 

BEST SUPERNATURAL/PARANORMAL:
Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London


 

FUNNIEST:

Prom Impossible by Laura Pauling

 

SADDEST:

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

Week at a Glance Monday #5

Goals for this Week:

Currently Reading
Received: Author
Format: E-copy
Review: Yes

Currently Reading
Received: Netgalley (Shawntelle Madison)
Format: E-Copy ARC
Review: Yes








Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Review: Possibly








Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Review: Possibly







Last Week's Accomplishments:

Finished Reading
Received: Library
Format: Hardcover
Did Not Review

Finished Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Did Not Review

Top Ten #3: Sequels I Want to Read Right Now

Theses are the sequels that if I had right now, I would definitely be reading. They are in no particular order except for the very first book and the very last book, the other eight are just random.

#1: Homecoming by Kass Morgan

 

#2: Unforgotten by Jessica Brody

 

#3: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (I'm hoping I get this read before the movies comes out, need to stop putting off reading it :) )

 

#4: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (I started this one already but since I haven't read it in over a year, I need to restart)

 

#5: Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout (I think the cover is what has stopped me from picking it up... I just loved the first three covers and am not feeling this cover so much)

 

#6: Double Life of Incorporate Things by Leanna Renee Hieber

 

#7: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

 

#8: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

 

#9: Hero by Alethea Kontis

 

#10: Scorch Trials by James Dashner (I'm currently reading the first book right now which is why it is listed last)

Week at a Glance Monday #4

There isn't much of a difference between Thursday's goals and this week's goals and that is because of the short time period between the two goal settings, maybe there will be a difference next week. Fingers crossed... although I have exams coming up this week and next before Thanksgiving Break.

Goals for this Week:

Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: Hardcover
Review: No (I know that I said I was going to... but I just don't have the time right now for another review with the rest that I plan on reviewing)

Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Review: Looks Promising

Currently Reading
Received: Author
Format: E-copy
Review: Yes

Currently Reading
Received: Netgalley (Shawntelle Madison)
Format: E-Copy ARC
Review: Yes







Last Week's Accomplishments:


Finished Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Reviewed

Review: Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon

Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon

17-year-old Sophie lies on her deathbed in California, awaiting the inevitable loss of her battle with cancer…
17-year-old Declan stares down two armed thugs in a back alley in Galway, Ireland…
17-year-old Anat attempts to traverse a booby-trapped tunnel between Israel and Egypt…

All three strangers should have died at the exact same moment, thousands of miles apart. Instead, they awaken together in an abandoned hospital—only to discover that they’re not alone. Three other teens from different places on the globe are trapped with them. Somebody or something seems to be pulling the strings. With their individual clocks ticking, they must band together if they’re to have any hope of surviving. 

Soon they discover that they've been trapped in a future that isn't of their making: a deadly, desolate world at once entirely familiar and utterly strange. Each teen harbors a secret, but only one holds the key that could get them home. As the truth comes to light Sophie, Declan, Anat, and the rest must decide what to do with a second chance at life—if they can survive to claim it.

 

 

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook (also in Paperback, Hardcover, and Audio)

Published by: Soho Teen

Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic + Mystery

 

Rating:

4 stars

 

Review:

Michelle Gagnon has written an amazing post-apocalyptic/mystery story that had me guessing throughout the book about what was going on. I was caught on the synopsis of this book, and when I finally opened it up to read, I was not disappointed. The description of the future where Anat, Declan, and Sophie end up is very descriptive. The details in this novel were fantastic. I could imagine everything from the world down to what exists [thrinaxes/cynogs (hide spoiler)] in the world. I loved Declan and Sophie, and the way their relationship developed over the course of the novel. I don't know how I felt about Anat, one moment I would like her and the next I couldn't stand her. Even so... all three of these characters were fantastically written. Along with the other three[or two really, since one of the characters disappears at the beginning of the book (hide spoiler)] characters helped move the story along nicely. I must say that Yosh was probably my favorite secondary character in the novel because she was so intriguing with how she added to the story. I liked the ending, although I had one lingering question after I turned the very last page that was never really answered (or even mentioned again after it's one brief appearance).

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a mystery novel with a mostly post-apocalyptic setting.

Week at a Glance Thursday?

I know that this is nearing the end of the week, but due to school and everything I haven't been that actively blogging. Now that the school year is winding down, I have more free time. So, as you can tell... this is Thursday, not Monday, but I'm still going to give you an update of what I am doing right now.

This Week's Goals:

Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Review: Possibly

Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: Hardcover
Review: Yes

Currently Reading
Received: Library
Format: E-copy
Review: Looks Promising

Currently Reading
Received: Author
Format: E-copy
Review: Yes

Currently Reading
Received: Netgalley (Shawntelle Madison)
Format: E-Copy ARC
Review: Yes







This /Last Week's Accomplishments:

Finished Reading
Received: Library
Format: Hardcover
Did Not Review







Finished Reading
Received: Library
Format: Paperback
Did Not Review







What books did you read this week or are reading right now? Have you read any of the books on my list... if so I would love to hear what you have to say about that. Are there any books on my list that you want to read?

Review: Counting to D by Kate Scott

Counting to D by Kate Scott

The kids at Sam’s school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb. That’s what it means to be dyslexic, smart, and illiterate. Sam is sick of it. So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem. Without her paradox of a reputation, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust. When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect. But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret. The books are stacked against her and so are the lies. Sam’s got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight—without being able to read.

Pages: 227

Format: Ebook (also in Paperback)

Published by: Elliott Books

Genre: YA Contemporary

Rating:

 

3 stars
 

Review:

Counting to D was an interesting story that quickly captured my attention. I love math, so it was great that the main character was amazing at math. It was also quite intriguing to read about someone who has dyslexia while being a math genius, and I thought it added a lot to the main character and how she grew as an individual throughout the novel. All Sam wanted to be, was accepted, for who she was, but peer pressure kept her from opening up to her new friends about who she really was. It was fascinating to see how she dealt with that and how she was able to overcome insecurity issues that she had about herself. The romance was slightly laid-back, and enjoyable, but it wasn't as strong as I wished it would have been. The ending of the novel wasn't great and it wasn't horrible either, and it definitely wasn't how I expected it to end. Overall, the book was a cute, quick read that wasn't too deep or hard to get into.

 

Note: I received this book free from Edelweiss and Elliott Books in exchange for an honest review.

TBR Tag

Writer of Wrongs nominated anyone that wanted to participate, so if you are reading this and haven't been nominated... go ahead, I'm nominating YOU. So have fun reading all about my TBRs.

 

 

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

 

Thanks to Goodreads and The Reading Room keeping track of my TBR list has become a lot easier. I used to have to list it on tons of pages and hope that I didn't lose them... now I don't have to worry about that. Although with the rate that I buy books, some of my books never end up on Goodreads or The Reading Room.

 

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

 

Basically, my TBR list is compromised of any book that looks interesting whether it's print or ebook. I prefer print, but there are some books that are only made in ebook format that have made it onto my TBR list.

 

How do you determine what to read next?

 

When I finish a book, sometimes I am in the mood for that same genre and other times I cannot read the same genre. That's usually the first thing that helps me determine what I am going to read next. Then I look at the books that I have been waiting forever to read and pick one out of them... and sometimes I just random.org my list and read whatever the website chooses for me.

 

A book that's been on your TBR the longest?

 

Oh... hmmm... yeah, I have no idea. There are so many books on my TBR list that I really don't pay attention to when they go on my list.

 

A book you recently added to your TBR:

 

The book that was most recently added to my TBR list would be Entertaining Angels by Monica Millard. But that won't last long, by tomorrow there will be a more recent addition to my TBR list.

 

A book on your TBR because of its beautiful cover:

 

This is so hard to pick just one book that I added because it had a beautiful cover... Ok, I've decided that this would be the one that I definitely added just for the cover: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis. I have no idea what this book is about, but that cover is so gorgeous.

 

 

A book on your TBR you never plan on reading:

 

I don't really have any books on my TBR list that I have no plan on ever reading... I know I won't ever read all of the books, but there are none that I would definitely say... nope never reading. If there is... well they aren't on my TBR list anymore.

 

An unpublished book on your TBR that you're excited about:

 

There are so many unpublished books that I am excited about that are on my TBR list. But the one that stands out the most would be Return to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz, the second book in the Dark House series. Or Red Queen, Orphan Queen, and many more that I just won't list.

 

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you:

 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I have it up in my room right now waiting to be read... but the hype that I had for it just faded and now I don't know when I will read it. Definitely before the movies come out, so it won't be on my list that much longer.

 

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends you:

 

Well the book that most people recommend for me to read was on my TBR list until yesterday when I started reading it, and that was the Maze Runner. I don't know if I have any other books on my list that everyone keeps recommending to me. I'm usually very quick in reading books that are recommended to me.

 

A book on your TBR that you're dying to read:

 

A book that I am dying to read on my TBR list right now would have to be... Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch.

 

How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

 

The minimal amount of books that should be on any Book Lovers list... duh... that would be about 2000. See, totally normal number for us book lovers! :)

Review: Day 21 by Kass Morgan

Day 21 by Kass Morgan

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.
In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

Pages: 320

Format: Ebook (also in Paperback and Hardcover)

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA Sci-fi and Dsytopian

Rating:

4 stars

Review:

I loved this continuation of the first book. It didn't do a lot of reinforming of what was going on, but I didn't think it was necessary (and that may just because I read the books back-to-back, because that is how great of an author I think Kass Morgan is... she hooked me into this series). As I was reading, my opinion of Wells's character didn't really evolve much, I still would have rather not read is part. I actually would have loved to read Sasha's viewpoint or even Octavia's viewpoint to see something other than what you got from both Bellamy's and Clarke's viewpoints.

This series is amazing and definitely worth checking out. One plus about this book is that it is even more fantastic than the first book.

I'm hoping with fingers crossed that Kass Morgan has more books in this series coming out, because she cannot leave me hanging like she did.

*I received this free to read and review. Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley.*

Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

The 100 by Kass Morgan

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

Pages: 323

Format: Ebook (also in Paperback and Hardcover)

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA Sci-fi and Dsytopian

Rating:

4 stars

Review:

The Hundred is a fascinating story set in the future. It was an interesting take from most dystopian books that I have read because Earth has supposably been uninhabited for years. The storyline itself was broken up into four different character viewpoints: Clarke, Wells, Bellamy, and Glass. I enjoyed every characters' perspective except for Wells's. One thing I did like was that there were two guy viewpoints and two girl viewpoints, and that they all didn't take place on Earth, and not everyone of the viewpoints was from someone who was Confined (which is basically being in jail). I do want to say I was very hesitant about reading this book because of all of the viewpoints. I really prefer one viewpoint (and sometimes two viewpoints).

Clarke's Perspective
I didn't really have any problem with Clarke's perspective, but it wasn't as strong of a viewpoint (as attention-grabbing) as Glass's and Bellamy's viewpoints were, but I did like it.

Wells's Perspective
I felt like there was way too much focus on Clarke from Wells... I mean we get it, you like her! It was boring and drawn out to the point that I wanted to just skip his viewpoint every time they came up (I overcame that! and read through the entire story though). I was just very disappointed overall with this perspective and character.

Bellamy's Perspective
This viewpoint was probably my favorite out of all four viewpoints. I found it the most interesting of the perspectives. I feel like his reason for coming to Earth with The 100 was the most amazing anybody could do for anyone.

Glass's Perspecitve
I loved Glass's Perspective because it was different than the other three because it showed what life was like in space and not down on Earth. Her perspective also held an air of mystery to it, because for the longest time you didn't know what Glass had done to have been Confined.

*I received this free to read and review. Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley.*

Book Blast + Excerpt and Giveaway: The Growers Gift by Vanna Smythe

The Spring of 2102 only brought false hope...

 

Series: Progeny of Time #1
Publication Date: May 15, 2014

Genre: YA Dystopian

The future is bleak in the year 2102. The planet is in chaos and the weather patterns have completely shifted, turning most of the world into an uninhabited wasteland.

The rich and powerful of North America have pulled back into the six remaining megacities, erasing all trace of a central government and leaving millions displaced by the environmental crisis to fend for themselves in the dying world. Sixteen-year-old Maya has a gift, a power she thinks can heal the earth and make it habitable again. A gift that she must learn to harness. The school for the gifted in Neo York is the only place where she can learn to control her power and reach her potential.

Yet the school is not what it seems. Ran by the ruthless head of the city of Neo York, the school’s only objective is to extract the powers of the gifted and then discard them. Only Ty, heir to the city, can keep Maya from being destroyed there.

But Ty has a secret and his loyalty to his family has never wavered. Will his growing love for Maya be strong enough to save them both?

Purchase today on Amazon!

Excerpt:

     Maya huddled into a nook in the fork of an old oak tree that must have seen hundreds

of years of spring and summer, winter and fall. The bark now peeled off the majestic

trunk behind her and she felt no life inside it. The tree didn’t have many more years

ahead of it.

     Below her a stream, swelled by the torrential rains that fell for the last three days

and washed away the last of their grain, frothed and raged. Already it had formed a

river with no bank. The current brought a piece of roof here, a chest there, a chair, a

table, sometimes a doll. Only yesterday the current brought a woman. Bloated, tinged

purple, unrecognizable. She wasn’t from their town, so they let her float on by for

some other town or village to worry about. Maya shuddered at the memory, tears

welling in her eyes. She bit down hard on her bottom lip.

     I’m too much of a crybaby. I can’t ever help anyone if all I do is cry.

     In the distance, along the horizon, the afternoon sun was setting dusty orange, and

cold white stars already twinkled in the sky. Frost would come this night.

Some spring we’re having.

     Maya had known it wasn’t the real Spring when the temperatures rose so soon after

New Year’s. She should have tried harder to warn the people of her town not to plant

yet. Not that they ever listened to her. Winter snows had started back in September,

and everyone was eager to begin planting. The Spring of 2102 brought only false

hope. A fine start to the new year that was. Nearly everyone lost their crops in the

floods that followed the brief spring. Many had feared the end of the world. Yet if

the world was ending, it had started years ago. Earth had been dying a slow death for

decades now, as had the people who still survived in the Badlands.

     Frosts would last for months, the thick snow clouds obscuring the sun. And people

froze or died of heat and dehydration when the sun beat down mercilessly, drying

everything in its path, the soil, the plants, animals and people. There was no more

telling when either would come, or if the next flood would take your home in its

frothing passage.

     There was only today in the Badlands and what you made of it. And you were either

happy to be alive, or not. Too many weren’t.

Vanna Smythe is the author of the Anniversary of the Veil fantasy trilogy and The Grower's Gift, the first book in a new YA dystopian series. She has been writing creatively since her early teens, though one could say her creative writing efforts started long before that. While still in kindergarten, she once tore up a library book to make alphabet soup, and has been fascinated with what words can do, the pictures and worlds they can create, ever since.

The Progeny of Time YA Dystopian series was inspired by the bleak future presented in The Hunger Games, the fight between good and evil played out in Harry Potter, and the TV show Heroes, but with a totally unique story and twist. The story is equally fun for teens as well as adults. The second book in the series will be released in Summer 2014.

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