Book Haul #95: The #BEA15 Edition

Hello fellow bookworms!!!

Hello friends!!! 
How has your week been???

I was able to get into NYC for a few hours to visit BEA last Wednesday!!! 
All the aches and pains are SO worth the trip!!!

My morning started with a mad dash to the train station! If it wasn't for my sister's mad driving skills, I would have missed my ride, lol! 
I forgot how Penn Stations knows how to smack reality right into your face!
Catching a cab is SO much fun!!! I'm being serious, it's such a thrilling challenge :)
My first stop was to Hatchette's offices to visit THE NOVL for brunch!!!
Got to meet all the lovely ladies that work there and a few authors...
they talked about up and coming books, bookcovers and more!
Another cab ride... to the Javits!!!
Saw all the bookish things! Got a few bookish things too ;) 
I was only there for 2 1/2 hours 0_O
Another cab ride... and, oh my, can I tell you a few stories about Penn Station again, lol!
Train ride was SO crowded and blech... but, again, SO worth it! 

I don't think I'll make it to another BEA again, so I am really happy that I was able to go even if it was for just a short amount of time :) 

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves, 
hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!!!

*What I received from BEA...

- HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN by Jennifer E. Smith (signed ARC) 
- ILLUMINAE (The Illuminae Files #1) by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (ARC)
- ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL by Jesse Andrews (PB)
- PLAY ON (LEWIS CREEK #1) by Michelle Smith (ARC)
- KILL THE BOY BAND by Goldy Moldavsky (ARC)
- UNTWINE by Edwidge Danticat (ARC)
- THE SURVIVAL GUIDE TO BULLYING by Aija Mayrock (ARC)
- A LITTLE IN LOVE by Susan Fletcher (ARC)
- THE MARVELS by Brian Selznick (ARC)
- ZEROS by Scott Westerfeld (ARC) 
- DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney (MG/Latin PB)
- JUNETEENTH FOR MAZIE by Floyd Cooper (C/HB)
- MAX THE BRAVE by Ed Vere (C/ARC)
- VIP: I'M WITH THE BAND by Jen Calonita (MG/ARC)
- BEN FOX: SQUIRREL ZOMBIE SPECIALIST AT YOUR SERVICE by Daisy Whitney (ARC) 
- THE BOOK OF KINDLY DEATHS by Eldritch Black (MG/ARC) 

*From Book Trades/Swaps...

- TAKE ME ON (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry (HB)  

- THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales (HB)  

- ROGUE WAVE (Waterfire Saga#2) by Jennifer Donnelly (HB)  

- MAGONIA by Headley (ARC) from Maria Dahvana Headley  

* * * 

A few pics from BEA... 

BEFORE BEA... a quick brunch with the ladies at THE NOVL!!! 

Listening to the bookcover process for HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!

And then we got to meet Jennifer E. Smith and hear more about HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, plus about her favorite characters and writing techniques!

Hearing about NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST!!!

WELCOME TO BEA!!! 

The posters are so HUGE!!!
It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the process it goes into making them, delivering them, and then hanging them up! I'm not exaggerating when I say that they are HUUUGE!!! The whole Javits is bigger than huge, lol! This was my third time, and it still catches me by surprise!

It was SO wonderful to meet Meredith (blogger @ Pandora's Books, works for Spencer Hill Press and YA Interrobang) and Liza (blogger @ WhoRuBlog and author to HELLO?)!!!
We met at The Novl brunch; and then took a very speedy cab ride over to BEA :)
They are truly the sweetest girls to hang out with! I miss them and can't wait to see their lovely faces in person again!!!

My YA book haul :)

My swag!!!

And some great middle grade and picture books too!!!

AH! And two of my most wanted books of all :)

I couldn't have asked for a better day!!!
Thanks to everyone who made it extra special :) xo

* * * 

Thank you SOOO much for stopping by!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!

xoxo

Waiting On Wednesday #134: ZEROES by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

ZEROES

by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti

Expected release date: September 29th, 2015

Published by Simon Pulse

Genre: Young Adult 

Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

SUMMARY

Ethan, aka "Scam," has a way with words. When he opens his mouth, whatever he wants you to hear comes out. But Ethan isn't just a smooth talker. He has a unique ability to say things he doesn't consciously even know. Sometimes the voice helps, but sometimes it hurts - like now, when the voice has lied and has landed Ethan in a massive mess. 

So now Ethan needs help. 

And he needs to go to the last people who would ever want to help him - his former group of friends, the self-named "zeros" who also all possess similarly double-edged abilities, and who are all angry at Ethan for their own respective reasons. 

Brought back together by Scam's latest mischief, they find themselves entangled in an epic, whirlwind adventure packed with as much interpersonal drama as mind-bending action.

What I'm waiting for ZEROES...

First of all... "double-edged abilities"!

I am getting a strong X-Men kinda vibe here!!!

Secondly... I feel like I'm already invested into the story!

Why are Scam's former friends so angry with him???

Lastly... Action! Adventure! Drama!

Yes to all!!!

What are you waiting for this week???

Book Haul #94: The Royal Fangirl Stack

Hello fellow bookworms!!!

Good day friends! I hope you have all had an amazing week!

I have a huge bookhaul this week! Not what I was planning right before BEA, lol! But, if you haven't see it on twitter yet...
there's a hashtag for book trades (#booksfortrade, #booksfortradeUK and #booksfortradeAU) and many book bloggers have been trading unwanted books... I have received a lot of books that I want to read, but mostly books that I've been wanting to add to my collections: like the Lauren Oliver ARCs, Lola and Anna, and the Jennifer E. Smith books/ARCs :) 

After shelving these, I need to finally make my schedule and finalize my stuff for BEA next week! I'm so excited to be going again! I'm looking forward to meeting more bloggers and authors, and not being so anxious the whole time :) 
If you're going, please say HI!... I might have candy to share, or gum! lol!

Until next week, happy reading!!!

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves, 
hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!!!

*What I received for review...

- ALONG FOR THE RIDE (PB) by Sarah Dessen from Penguin
- ROYAL WEDDING (Princess Diaries #11) (PB) by Meg Cabot (A) from William Morrow

*Won in a giveaway...
- ALISTAIR GRIM'S ODDITORIUM (signed HB) by Gregory Funaro (MG) from the author

*From Book Trades/Swaps...

- HOW ZOE MADE HER DREAMS (MOSTLY) COME TRUE (PB) by Sarah Strohmeyer 

- PIP BARTLETT'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL CREATURES (ARC) by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater 

- FINDING PARIS (ARC) by Joy Preble 

- ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR (PB) by Stephanie Perkins

- LIESEL & PO (ARC) by Lauren Oliver (MG)

- THE SPINDLERS (ARC) by Lauren Oliver (MG) 

- THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE (ARC and HB) by Jennifer E. Smith

- BONE GAP (ARC) by Laura Ruby 

- PAWN (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) (HB) by Aimee Carter 

- THE WINNER'S CRIME (Winner's Trilogy #2) (ARC) by Marie Rutkoski

- THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME (ARC) by Jennifer E. Smith 

- KISS OF DECEPTION (HB) by Mary E. Pearson 

- FANGIRL (HB) by Rainbow Rowell

* * * 

A few pics from the last few days... 

Outgoing BOOK mail!!!

My first set of PLANNER stickers!

Gum and one of many snacks being packed away for BEA next week :)

My nephew made me a BEEish card :)

This boy!!! 

* * * 

Thank you SOOO much for stopping by!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!

xoxo

Cover Reveal and Excerpt: GUY LINER by J. Leigh Bailey (YA)

GUY LINER

by J. Leigh Bailey

Expected release date: November 10th, 2015

Published by Spencer Hill Contemporary

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Format: Paperback, eBook 

SUMMARY

Seventeen year old Conner works his butt off to maintain the Golden Boy persona he’s created. He has the grades, the extracurriculars, the athletics, the perfect girlfriend, and a part-time job at his dad’s shop. He does everything that’s expected of him and plans every detail to ensure he gets the college scholarships that will be his ticket out of the podunk town where he lives. The last thing he needs is an unexpected attraction to Graham, an eyeliner-wearing soccer phenom from St. Louis, who makes him question his choices, his dreams, and his sexuality. Sure, he’d noticed good-looking boys before—that doesn't have to mean anything, right?—after all, he’s got a girlfriend. There’s no room on the agenda for a relationship with Graham. But the harder he fights his feelings for Graham the clearer it becomes that attraction doesn't always follow the rules.

And when family pressures, bad luck, and rumors threaten to derail his carefully laid plans Connor must face the hardest question of all – does he even want the future he’s fighting so hard to create?

BUY LINKS

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

IndieBound 

EXCERPT

Connor rushed into the locker room already unzipping his duffle bag. The Student Council meeting had run behind schedule, making him late for practice. Coach Petrewski didn’t mind his athletes being involved in other activities, but he did expect that if it came to a scheduling conflict, baseball would take precedence. Connor whipped around a bay of lockers and collided with someone. As they fell to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs, Connor twisted his body so he hit the floor first. A sharp elbow knocked into his cheek and he hit his head against the tiled floor.

“Ow! Man, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” He shook his head to clear his vision and he got a look at the person he’d run into. Ice blue eyes rimmed with thick black eyeliner stared down at him.

“Crap!” Connor tried to jerk into a sitting position but Graham’s lanky body draped awkwardly over his. He stopped moving and stared at the other boy. Every cell in his body vibrated. It was like something out of a chick flick. Time stood still and he expected music to swell at any minute, a violin concerto to signify that that this was a Moment. A capital M Moment.

He swallowed hard and tried to moisten his dry mouth.

Graham didn’t speak, apparently caught in the same spell.

He didn’t know how long they lay there, just looking at each other, neither moving. It could have been seconds, minutes or days. What he did know was that, no matter how terrified the thought made him, Connor didn’t want the moment to end.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - J. Leigh Bailey

J. Leigh Bailey is an office drone by day and the author of Young Adult and New Adult LGBTQ Romance by night. She can usually be found with her nose in a book or pressed up against her computer monitor. A book-a-day reading habit sometimes gets in the way of... well, everything... but some habits aren't worth breaking. She's a firm believer that everyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation or paranormal affiliation deserves a happy ending.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Blog Tour (Review and Giveaway): A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS by Kathleen Baldwin (YA)

A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS
by Kathleen Baldwin
Release date: May 19th, 2015
Published by Tor Teen
Genre: Yound Adult Historical Fiction
Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.

After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts... 

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

MY REVIEW

A captivating, fast-paced and historically accurate, A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS delivers an original story of what may have happened during one of Europe's most historical moments...

It is 1814, during the time of Napoleon's exile... war has wreaked havoc throughout Europe, and everyone has endured some sort of loss. 

The Stranje House has a reputation for reforming rebellious and disorderly young ladies into top-notch marriageable young woman by using extreme measures of punishments. However, we soon realize that much of what is presumed about the house and its inhabitants is a ruse and that there is much more to what is happening behind its closed doors. 

Georgie is not what her parents desire and demand her to be; according to them she is eccentric, reckless and an embarrassment to them and their family name. What we soon learn from Georgie is that she is an independent young woman that is ahead of her time. She is smart, brave and fearsome; although somewhat quirky and clumsy too (which makes her more favorable and relatable). But nothing, not even her wild unruly red hair, can stop her from always asking questions, studying the world around her and looking for ways to conduct science experiments. She is desperate to develop a solution that could have saved her brother's life, who was killed during the ongoing war. Although the results won't bring back her brother, it would bring her solace to avenge his death with it.

The other girls at the house all have their peculiarities as well. Each one has a specific ability almost to a supernatural state, but believable... it is quite a mystery as to how and why these girls have been brought to stay at the Stranje House. They are all quite poised and knowledgable. However, in the end, they are a curious bunch that have managed to live harmoniously and supportive of each other. 

And then there is Sebastian as known as Lord Wyatt; he is charming and brilliant... the banter between him and Georgie was amusing. And I very much enjoyed watching their love/hate relationship bloom into more. The story is fast-paced, so their relationship develops just as quickly. But done well and tasteful. And I do hope that we do get to see more of them in the next book... even though we are already spoiled by knowing that the next book will be told from a different point-of-view.

I highly recommend this book to those who absolutely love historical fiction, to those who love mysteries with spies running about... and, to those who love contemporary reads that have a classic flair with accurate details and well-developed characters set in an awe inspiring period of time!


*A hardcover copy was sent to me from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

GIVEAWAY

- 10 winners will receive a finished copy of A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS. 

- US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 

"I love adventure in books and in real life. I've roamed the Rocky Mountains, wandered the desert, enjoyed way too many classes in college, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, fell in love at least a dozen times, finally met and married my very own hero, and together we've raised four free-spirited children."

Award-winning author - Kensington published four of Kathleen's Regency romantic comedies, including MISTAKEN KISS, a Holt Medallion finalist. DIARY OF A TEENAGE FAIRY GODMOTHER, was a Golden Quill finalist. Her upcoming Historical YA series with TorTeen, A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS, is a Junior Library Guild Selection and won a Marlene.

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Goodreads

TOUR SCHEDULE

Week One:

5/11/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

5/12/2015- Pandora's Books- Review

5/13/2015- Her Book Thoughts- Guest Post

5/14/2015- Pretty Little Pages- Review

5/15/2015- Chapter by Chapter- Interview

Week Two:

5/18/2015- The Book Belles- Review

5/19/2015- Alice Marvels- Guest Post

5/20/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-Tales- Review

5/21/2015- Bookish Things & More- Interview

5/22/2015- Wishful Endings- Review

Waiting On Wednesday #133: A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD by Hannah Moskowitz (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD

by Hannah Moskowitz

Expected release date: August 4th, 2015

Published by Chronicle Books

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Beckan and her friends are the only fairies brave enough to stay in Ferrum when war breaks out. Now there is tension between the immortal fairies, the subterranean gnomes, and the mysterious tightropers who arrived to liberate the fairies.

But when Beckan's clan is forced to venture into the gnome underworld to survive, they find themselves tentatively forming unlikely friendships and making sacrifices they couldn't have imagined. As danger mounts, Beckan finds herself caught between her loyalty to her friends, her desire for peace, and a love she never expected. 

This stunning, lyrical fantasy is a powerful exploration of what makes a family, what justifies a war, and what it means to truly love.

Why I'm waiting for A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD...

First... because it is a fantasy duology about fairies!

That also happens to mention gnomes and "mysterious tightropers"!!!

Second... "true love"!

I'm a sucker for a good romance!!!

And lastly... because this book sounds like no other!

SO, what are you waiting for this week??? 

MY Q&A with ANNA BANKS: JOYRIDE Blog Tour and Giveaway!!!

http://www.macteenbooks.com/blog/

JOYRIDE

by Anna Banks

Release date: June 2nd, 2015

Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary 

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

MY Q&A with ANNA BANKS

*Thank you, Anna, for taking the time to answer a few questions today!

No, thank YOU for having me! I’m excited to be here today. And just so you know, if any of your readers would like a signed bookmark and/or bookplate for JOYRIDE, just have them email me at byannabanks@gmail.com. This is offer is open internationally!       

*JOYRIDE is not your usual romantic contemporary, which is why I loved it so much! And so many others will too! Immigration, mental illness, drug abuse and suicide are all topics that are so difficult to discuss. There are so many different feelings and opinions towards them.

I know. And at first, I was afraid to write a book like that, with not one of those, but all of those issues in it. But in the end, I decided that it deserved to be written, instead of whether or not it was right or wrong to write it the way I did. I doubt any of has not come in contact with, or is even close to someone who, has been  affected by immigration, mental illness, drug abuse, suicide or racism. It touches all of us. I didn’t set out to write a book with all those in it, it just happened, because of who my characters were, and what they were facing.

*Which character spoke to you first, Arden or Carly? And did you know right away what their story was going to be, or did they grow into something more than you thought?

Carly’s story was the one that kept me up at night. That there could be some hardworking teen just getting in from work and school when I was all snuggled up in bed with my family. Yes, it was always Carly first for me. But with Carly, I knew there had to be sort of an anti-Carly. A teen who had it all. But really, there’s no such teen. All teens have their struggles, even if they appear okay on the outside. That’s where Arden started to grow for me. His problems are much different than Carly’s, but somehow they can become the balm that heals the other’s wounds.  

*What kind of research did you have to go through for Carly and her family’s immigration situation?

I didn’t do much formal research for this, because I experienced it in what you could say second hand. As a teen and an adult, I worked with many undocumented Mexican immigrants who were trying to etch out a living here in the Florida Panhandle. As we grew closer, they would tell me of their stories. Of how they were able to make it into the US undetected. Of how they paid these people called coyotes to bring them over illegally. But if I did have to research it, it would have been easy. All you have to do is Google “Family separated by deportation” and you’ll have many responsible journalism outlets covering similar—and heartbreaking—stories.

*I am obsessed with book titles and book covers and I love the look and title for JOYRIDE – everything ties in perfectly! Was JOYRIDE the original title? Were there other titles?

Nope, JOYRIDE was always the title. It just fit so perfectly with what I wanted the book to accomplish. Their relationship itself is a joyride, not to mention the actual joyride that takes place in the novel. Yes, it was always going to be joyride. And I adore the cover myself! I was so excited when I got a first glimpse of it, because it’s true to the story.

Arden and Carly are such strong and entertaining characters, is it possible that we may see them again in a future setting? 

At this time there aren’t plans for that, but I’m on Wattpad now, and I’ve posted all my Syrena Legacy short stories there, so I’m sure I’ll be posting future Carly and Arden adventures there as well.

*On a fun note! (Oops, I almost inserted a spoiler!)… What kind of books does Carly like to read? Perhaps like fairy-tales? If so, what do you think her favorite fairy-tale(s) and/or fairy-tale character(s) would be?

I know you didn’t specifically ask about Disney Princesses, but rather fairytales, but I think Carly would most relate to Jasmine from Aladdin. Jasmine is strong, and recognizes tradition, but always yearns to break free from it. She has a rebellious streak—and this is what she comes to like in Arden as well.

As far as what character she would want to be, I think we all want in some way to be Cinderella. For all our hard work to pay off in a big way, because we did the right thing. But sometimes Carly struggles to define right and wrong, and so she may admire Cinderella for always knowing the difference.

*Thank you again for taking the time to chat with us, Anna!!!

Thanks for having me! It was way fun! 

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Anna Banks

New York Times Bestselling author of The Syrena Legacy series. 

Grew up in a town called Niceville. No, seriously. I graduated from Niceville High School. So did J Lo's second husband. And the guy that plays Aqua Man on Smallville dated my best friend. 

Now I indulge my tendency to lie by writing the lies down and selling them to publishers. Well actually my agent sells it, so she's an accomplice to lies. One of my lies is called OF POSEIDON. The sequel is called OF TRITON. The last and final installment is OF NEPTUNE, and it released May 13, 2014. Be on the lookout for JOYRIDE, my YA Contemporary out June 2, 2015--Bonnie & Clyde meets Latina Pretty in Pink!

And um. I also write adult fiction under pen name Anna Scarlett. One of the adult lies is DEGREES OF WRONG.

That is all. 

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

FULL BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

May 7- The Reader Bee

May 8- A Perfection Called Books

May 9- The Young Folks

May 10- Love Is Not a Triangle

May 11- The Eater of Books

May 12- Xpresso Reads

May 13- WhoRU Blog

May 14- Bewitched Bookworms

May 15- A Book and A Latte

May 16- Green Bean Teen Queen

May 17- Gone With The Words

May 18-Bumbles and Fairytales <---

May 19-Fiktshun

May 20-Curling Up With A Good Book

May 21-Swoony Boys Podcast

May 22-A Reader’s Adventure

May 23-The Irish Banana

May 24-Exlibris Kate

May 25-Love At First Page

May 26-Adventures of a Book Junkie

May 27-Dana Square

May 28-Rather Be Reading

May 29-Paper Riot

May 30-Mundie Moms

May 31-Mary Had A Little Book Blog

June 1-Alice Marvels

June 2- MacTeenBooks Blog