All posts for the month April, 2013

Book Review: The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

Author: Katie Sise

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Release date: April 30, 2013

Rating: 5 stars – I LOVED THIS TO PIECES!

SYNOPSIS

In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?

TREAD CAREFULLY. SPOILERS MAY LIE AHEAD. TIS NOT TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW.

The Boyfriend App is fresh, riveting, funny, and positively delightful read!

I received an ARC copy of The Boyfriend App from one of Epic Read’s Tea Time twitter livestream a few weeks ago. I was absolutely ecstatic and couldn’t wait to sink into this contemporary novel.

We live in the digital era and The Boyfriend App reflects the technologically advanced world we live in. In Audrey’s world Public is parallel to Apple. BuyPhones are iphones. BuyJames is iTunes. The comparisons are brilliantly done, and I like that Sise contributed those aspects in her novel.

Our female protagonist, Audrey McCarthy is faced with a burden all high school seniors are faced with: How will I pay for college? It’s been a hard life for Audrey ever since her dad died freshmen year due to a job related accident. Her mother works at her school as a lunch lady, her salary barely making ends meet. And Audrey’s measly babysitting jobs doesn’t amount to anything in the end.

But she’s an excellent student, a Trog (incredibly computer geeky), and has great friends. When Public announces an app contest, Audrey jumps at the chance to build the perfect app and secure a 200,000 grand prize scholarship.

I honestly adored this book. From the moment I began to read it, I just couldn’t stop myself from devouring the pages. I read most of it in 3 sittings, and finished a sliver of it this morning. I just loved everything about it, from our female protagonist to her friends Lindsay, Nigit, Aiden, and Mindy; from the creation of TBA to Audrey’s possible romance with ~~Xander and~~ Aiden (you can clearly see who I’d pick).

This novel made me want to be a techy genius! I wished that I could understand programming like I understand words. I wanted to be Audrey, which is something that I have not felt in a long time. Audry is the epitome of high school senior girls, those who worry about university and how they will pay it off without going into debt in the process. I also liked how Audrey had changed throughout her high school career. That was very real and honest. I could identify with Audrey on so many levels and it’s what made me want to be just like her, in the ways that I wasn’t.

The other thing I liked about this novel was the relationships between the characters. I liked how Lindsay, Nigit, Mindy, and Aiden all had a part in Audrey’s journey, but also going on their very own journey’s at the same time. Lindsay found Nigit and vice versa. Mindy found her voice. And Aiden…well, Aiden got the courage to finally do something he’s been wanting to for years. *cue in the swooning*

This isn’t all sugar cubes and rainbows, though. Audrey’s reputation is at stake not once, but three times. I kept thinking that her social life and name couldn’t possibly be ruined any further, but Sise created new scenarios that would have made me have a full on panic attack right then and there. But Audrey is strong and she played a dangerous game, getting burned, hated, and threatened. But in the end she was victorious and I was just so extremely happy for her.

Plus, she gets the guy.

*zips lips* Mum’s the word.

I highly recommend this novel. The Boyfriend App is a fresh, riveting, funny, and positively delightful read! Lucky for all of you, The Boyfriend App hits shelves tomorrow, April 30th, so go out and grab yourself a copy. You won’t regret it! Promise.

5 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 29, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Book Reviews

Tagged 2013 reads, book blogging, book review, bookish, books, contemporary, hightly recommend, katie sise, reading, the boyfriend app, YA Lit, YA novels

Posted by Emma Snow on April 29, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/book-review-the-boyfriend-app-by-katie-sise/

26 Weeks Posts Challenge: 21 of April

T BA's 26 Posts Challenge for Book Bloggers he BA Posting Challenge is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Bonnie from Bookish Ardour. To learn more about this bookish challenge, click here, which will direct you to more information and weekly topics.

This week’s topic is: Book Lies: Have you ever lied about reading a book (if so, what was it)? Would you?

I don’t think I’ve ever lied about reading a book. What would be the point? If it’s to impress a boy or a group of friends, then it’s inevitable that the lie will be caught. People would then ask what your favorite part was or what particular insight you gained from the novel. What could you do? Say that’s it been a while since you’ve read it. Or you could possibly dig yourself a hole. Bookworms know when a person has not read the book so you’d be caught and never trusted again.

Sometimes, I would like to lie about reading a book, especially if it’s bad and I don’t want to write a bad review. But I brave it and I try not to book bash as much as I can. That’s the only reason I could think of to lie about a book I’ve read. But most likely I wouldn’t do so. It seems kind of pointless.

I never understood the concept of lying about something you’ve read. What are your reasons if so or your thoughts about it? Let me know in the comments down below!

Barely Breathing

It’s that time of year again where I am suffocating, buried and barely breathing under a pile of homework the size of Mt. Everest. It’s partly my fault – as always – as I am the worst procrastinator on the face of the planet.

Procrastination is like a venous snake, once the poison is in your system its practically impossible to get anything done. The last few weeks of a semester is always the hardest. I’m crawling my way to the last days of the school year, not really caring about my grade. Okay, so that’s a total lie. I do care and it’s killing me knowing that I will probably pass with two B’s and two A’s. That’s not horrible and I may be overreacting, but it’s just me. I push myself to be good or better than good.

Sometimes, I really hate that about myself. Like I’ll be assigned to do 3 pages of an analysis and I’ll end up writing 7. And that’s the reason why I panic. Because when I finish something and I feel it’s inadequate, I generally spend more time on it. Which just plan sucks.

Currently, the things I have to do for school are:

3 page analysis on Environmental and Military Industrial Problems & Social Solutions (roughly 7-10 pages)
2 spreadsheets + reflections for Technology class
Emerging technology presentation
12 academic sources for my final English paper
Week 5 discussion questions for Classroom Management
Education Tool Kit + Presentation

Some of the assignments are easy like the spreadsheets and discussion questions, but they are time consuming, which I detest. I honestly wish that I didn’t have to take technology class. I learned how to use basic Microsoft Office functions when I was 12. The only thing I like about the class is how we create things that I never thought of, which is the point of the class. As a future educator I need to know how to be creative, interactive, and stimulating.

I’m getting that feeling of anxiety and panic just thinking about everything. I’ll be happy when school is over in 3 weeks, where I will presume to do this:

I can’t wait until then. I will be able to read and sleep and only be pulled from my leisure activities when I have to go to work. And I’ll be going on adventures! I’ll possibly be going to Vid Con and Disneyland in August 🙂

But for now I must bear through it all and dig myself out of this whole of procrastination and finish strong.

If I have time this weekend I’ll post 2 reviews and even reveal the WIP I’ve been working on for the last couple of weeks!

P.S. Does anyone have good study music suggestions?

P.S.S. Hope everyone is having a great morning/afternoon/night!

Stay lovely,

Emma

3 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 26, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Musings of a Writer

Tagged anxiety, buried, college, homework, musings of a writer, perks of being a college student, personal, procrastination, spring semester, staying alive

Posted by Emma Snow on April 26, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/barely-breathing/

Holding On Blog Tour Stop: Book Review + Excerpt!

Author: Emma Hart

Publisher: Emma Hart

Release date: April 15, 2013

Rating: 3.5 stars – I REALLY LIKED IT!

Purchase from Amazon | Amazon UK

SYNOPSIS

Living in London after spending almost twenty years in a town with a population of three hundred would be hard on anyone – and Alec Johnson is no exception to the rule.

When Alec followed Lexy to London, he knew his life would change drastically. He just didn’t know how much. With Lexy’s friends and admirer to contend with, he has to show there’s more to the country surfer boy than His ability to ride the waves. With his own shameless admirers, he has to keep Lexy’s trust – and despite her love for him, that’s no easy task.

Beneath her tough girl exterior, all Jennifer Mason has ever wanted to do is paint. London’s School of Art can give her that, and she couldn’t be happier she’s finally breaking free from Lilac Bay. What she’s not happy about is having to leave Carl behind – or his reluctance to visit her while she’s studying.

Their relationship is put to the test as living on her own for the first time and university take their toll on Jen. After all, three hundred miles is a long way to be away from your boyfriend when you’re eighteen years old.

And it’s even harder when you can’t keep your eyes off your best friend’s older brother.

MY THOUGHTS

I always like reading e-novella’s because it gives us all a bit of extra scenes with characters that we love. Holding On begins after the events of Never Forget, where Alec follows Lexy to London because he can’t bear the thought of being away from her. Their relationship is put to the test as they both have a string of admirer’s, which cause their loyalty and love to be questioned.

I had a bit of difficulty with Alec and Lexy’s relationship. I just wished that Lexi’s ex wouldn’t have been such a pivotal and serious matter in their relationship. They both love each other and we see that as a reader, wholly and entirely. Ugh. I just dislike it when there is an increment of doubt. I just wanted to hit both of them with some sense and scream YOU LOVE EACH OTHER. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!

*breathes*

We also have the relationship between Jen and Bing develop. After moving to London to go to Art School, Jen’s relationship with her boyfriend Carl is shaky and uncertain. Through all that trouble, Bing is by her side. I loved their carefree banter, which made me giggle because it was just oh-so-cute!

Alec, Lexy, Jen, and Bing are all central characters who have their own p.o.v’s. I’ve read books with various point of views and I like them a lot because you get to be inside their head and see the difference between their speech and thought. With that said, all the character’s had their own tone of voice and personality. I never felt like I was reading the story from one or two people, which sometimes occurs. It’s difficult to master point of views, but Hart captures them with ease.

Once again, Emma Hart captured my heart with Holding On. It was a quick and fun NA (New Adult) read, leaving it wide open for it’s continuation in the next book in the series, Always Remember. I loved how the story just follows the characters, each having their own experience and adventure in London. Since it’s an e-novella it was shorter than a standard novel and I wished there was more!

HOLDING ON EXCERPT

Alec

She throws a grape at my head, giggling. I gasp in mock shock, and she freezes. One side of my lips curl upwards. She shakes her head and steps backwards.

“I’m sorry. I was aiming for the, errrr, television,” she hedges.

I run forward, and she squeals. I grasp her round the waist, tickling her. She cries out as I pull her towards the sofa. We both fall onto it, me leaning over her.

“Stop tickling me, please,” she begs, writhing and wriggling beneath me.

“Fine.” I rest my hand against her side instead, pressing my lips to hers. She stops moving for a second. She grazes her teeth along my bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth. I growl a little deep in my throat, feeling the movement all the way down to my dick.

She fists a hand in my hair, holding me against her. Her other hand grips my back, and she loops her legs around mine. I lower my hips until they’re pressing against hers, my tongue slipping between her lips. She whimpers when my hips meet hers, her body tensing slightly under mine. I run my hand along her side, down her thigh, and back up. It creeps beneath her top, making contact with the hot skin waiting there.

I hear her intake of breath at the exact same time there’s a knock on the door.

About Emma Hart

By day, bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of juice and writes books.
She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys. Emma is currently working too many books to even count – including Playing for Keeps, the companion novel to the bestselling The Love Game. She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to when all the ideas come to life.

PLACES TO STALK EMMA

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Review: Looking For Alaska by John Green

Author: John Green

Publisher: Speak

Release date: December 28, 2006

Rating: 5 stars – I LOVED THIS TO PIECES!

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

SYNOPSIS

Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter’s whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the “Great Perhaps” (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

TREAD CAREFULLY. SPOILERS MAY LIE AHEAD! TIS NOT TOO LATE TO TURN BACK.

Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia.

John Green’s writing is thoroughly addictive, plunging you into a world full of raw emotion and a realism that hits close to home.

This is my first John Green book EVER and I can see why so many people love and adore his books. John Green’s writing is thoroughly addictive, plunging you into a world full of raw emotion and realism that hits close to home. Green doesn’t sugar coat or sprinkles his words with flowery writing. It’s powerful, a true voice in literature. The story will compel you and stir provocative thoughts, notions that will leave you rendered speechless.

I really enjoyed reading from Miles “Pudge” Halter’s perspective. He was this regular teenage boy, who loves to read biographies and remembers famous last words. He seeks the “Great Perhaps,” which I found was a really good characteristic for Pudge. He wants adventure, foreign land to discover. He finds that at Culver Creek (a private school he decided to go to for the rest of his high school career).

Pudge finds his Great Perhaps with the help of Alaska Young, a carefree and often times unpredictable girl. Pudge instantly finds Alaska Young attractive and falls in love with her in the end. Alaska is impulsive, selfish, and can be a bitch (excuse my language). But Pudge loves her nonetheless. She is the reason why he breaks out of his shell. When a terrible event occurs, nothing is ever the same. Pudge and his friends the Coronal, Takumi, and Lara struggle to surpass it.

I knew going into this book that a main character dies. That is the terrible event. But there is a different knowing something happens and experiencing it. It brought back memories of a friend of mine who died in a car accident my junior year of high school. The feelings in the novel were real. There’s denial, anger, grieving, blame, and finally resolution or acceptance.

It was very hard getting through the After part because it was difficult reading through it without stopping to cry. There were times where I just had to put the book down and breathe. Just breathe.

Even though, it hurt to read After – I found it positively enlightening. I loved how Green had a deeper meaning within the surface of the novel. It was about loss and trying to live with unanswered questions. There’s also a sense of hope, of realizing that there is a way to get out of the labyrinth, a reoccurring motif. ~~Here is where my inner English major-esque self appears.~~ The way to get out is to forgive and to accept. I know it sounds ambiguous, but it makes sense when loss is concerned.

The other thing I really loved about this novel was the characters. Alaska was a bit turbulent, a force to be reckoned with. But I liked her because there are often times in literature where a girl – much less a main female protagonist – is off the rails imperfect and unstable. Her flaws are what I admired and at times I wished that I was like Alaska, taking the plunge and living recklessly. She was very in tune with her emotions, in a way that caused her to uncontrollably break down or fall asleep the next second.

Pudge’s roommate, Chip Martin “Coronal” becomes his best friend. Their relationship, especially after the accident, speaks columns of what it means to have someone there during the dark times. They decide to undergo an investigation of what happened “after.” But after months of not getting any hints, the passion for it begins to fade. Pudge realizes that memories fade, but not because we don’t want them to, because everything that comes together falls apart with time.

There are so many life lessons that I learned and was reminded of while reading Looking For Alaska. Some of the feelings that ensued were not ones that I wanted to relive, but in a way I was very thankful for them. We can’t suppress them, nor can we ignore them. I believe that Looking For Alaska is a great coming of age story full of friendship, laughs, sex, loss, and hope.

I am incredibly excited for tomorrow night where I will hand out copies of Looking For Alaska for World Book Night. It’s part of the reason why I choose this book and finally settled down to read it. And I don’t regret doing so for one second. Looking For Alaska will stay with me for a very long time and it’s a definite book I recommend to you all.

Memorable quotes:

When adults say, “Teenagers think they are invincible” with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don’t know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are.

The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.

Thomas Edison’s last words were ‘It’s very beautiful over there’. I don’t know where there is, but I believe it’s somewhere, and I hope it’s beautiful.

So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.

2 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 23, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Book Reviews

Tagged 2013 reads, book blogging, book review, bookish, books, john green, looking for alaska, memorable quotes, reading, world book night, YA, YALit, young adult novel

Posted by Emma Snow on April 23, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/book-review-looking-for-alaska-by-john-green/

Book Review: Clockwork Princess ( The Infernal Devinces #3) by Cassandra Clare

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books

Release date: March 19, 2013

Rating: 5 stars – I WILL LOVE THIS BOOK UNTIL THE END OF MY DAYS!

Purchase from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

SYNOPSIS

Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all brides happy?

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa’s heart, will do anything to save her. — Goodreads

MINIMUM TO NO SPOILERS LIE AHEAD. READ FORTH MY LOVELIES!

I have never read a book where I’ve laughed, cried, been unbelievably giddy, and had my heart ripped out of my chest all in a matter of seconds within each page. But Cassandra Clare’s final installment in The Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Princess, takes the gold and a very special place in my heart. It is undoubtedly one of my all time favorite books to have ever been written in the world. Just thinking about it all brings a fresh wave of tears as I say goodbye to a beloved series.

They aren’t just characters on a page, they’re friends who I have grown to know and adore. The level of my emotional state while reading Clockwork Princess was off the radar.

One minute I was giddly happy like this:

Then, the next second I was a complete and utter mess. Kind of likes this:

And finally I was left like this:

I constantly say in my previous reviews that a good book brings forth raw emotion upon it’s readers. Clockwork Princess did that. It actually takes the gold on ailing my poor heart with all kinds of feelings that just made me ridiculously happy, but also broke a piece of me.

It’s been a few weeks since I last finished the series and I still cannot let go of how I felt. It’s unreal. To say that I was not emotionally invested in this book would be a serious understatement.

Okay, so I’m now going to stop myself from rambling on about my feelings and get to the basis of the book and how brilliantly written it was.

Clockwork Princess is written in various 3rd person p.o.v’s, which added to the level of closeness and familiarity the reader had with the characters. For the first time in the series, we got to hear from Cecily Herondale and Gabriel Lightwood. Two new voices and surprisingly, important characters to the series.

The novel begins a few months after the events of Clockwork Prince. Tessa is trying on her wedding dress, when Gabriel Lightwood comes to the London Institute with terrible news. His father has turned into a demon. And not just any demon – a ghastly worm.

This event throws the London Institute Shadowhunters into action and ultimately brings them to a clue about Mortamin’s plans. Tessa is the key to his plans and Will and Jem will do anything to keep her safe.

One of the things that I really loved (and it’s probably my favorite thing) about Clockwork Princess was the character development. Tessa has grown immensely throughout all three novels. She isn’t that fragile and shy girl we met in Clockwork Angel. She’s fiercely loyal and strong.

Then, there is Will Herondale ~~who is one of my fictional loves~~. I just love him. I love how noble, infuriating, cocky, funny, and selfless he is. He denied himself happiness for so long that I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything is going to be okay. Will is faced with inner turmoil over his love for Tessa and his undying loyalty to Jem in this novel. It’s not easy being in love with your friend’s fiance but he manages to keep himself in control of his feelings ~~most of the time~~. He has grown so much; from the boy who was sarcastic and only showed tenderness towards his Parabati to a guy who slowly begins to come out of that hardened shell.

Next is Jem Carstairs, Will’s parabati and best friend. Recent developments endanger his life and Will and Tessa will go till the ends of the earth to save him. There are certain parts within the novel that I just absolutely admire Jem. He’s brave and strong, and much like Will, unselfish. There is a surprising twist to Jem’s character that you will just love and not believe. But it’s so cleverly ingenious that you are left incredulous.

The character dynamics/ relationships within all the characters is just FANTASTIC! I really got that sense of being there, watching it all unfold in front of my eyes. I just LOVE LOVE LOVED the relationships. It’s what made me giddily happy and took some of that disheartening stress away from perilous events. I received my copy of Clockwork Princess with the family tree. But by the angel, DO NOT READ IT UNTIL YOU FINISH THE BOOK.

I absolutely loved every single character, even Jessamine Lovelace redeemed herself from what she did in Clockwork Princes. Every character is vital and it’s one of the things that I adore. Henry Bramwell is a genius. He’s the reason why Shadowhunters have the devices they do in the modern world, which is brilliant on Cassie’s part to have intricately woven that concept in this series.

That’s how important small details matter. Cassandra Clare is the Queen of integrating small things into her novels that eventually become very important things. We find out a lot revelations like how the Herondale mark began, the mystery behind Tessa’s lineage, and why Alec (from The Mortal Instruments) has blue eyes. They are truths that have always made me think, and I’m very happy about the results. EXTREMELY HAPPY.

Also, I really liked how Tessa defeated Mortmain. That was clever. Genius! It was simply done, but I loved how her gift played a part in it.

Lastly, there is the epilogue. I LOVED IT. I honestly loved it to pieces. It broke my heart, I was sobbing uncontrollably reading it and then I was happy for Tessa and *insert character name here*. There is a lot of debate over the epilogue, but in my opinion, it was the best and most beautiful way that Clare could have ended the novel. It was just…PERFECTION.

If you are a fan of the Infernal Devices series and haven’t read the final installment, READ IT. If you love books, READ THIS SERIES. It’s just purely magical. You’ll fall in love with characters and Clare’s uniquely and addictive writing style. It’s just absolutely, amazingly, brilliant.

2 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 19, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Book Reviews

Tagged 2013 reads, book review, bookish, cassandra clare, clockwork princess, favorite series', gif reactions, reading, romance, supernatural, the infernal devices, the mortal instruments

Posted by Emma Snow on April 19, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/book-review-clockwork-princess-the-infernal-devinces-3-by-cassandra-clare/

Start the week with free clothes: An international giveaway

Love fashion? Love free clothes? Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a $30 giftcard from Indressme Chic Destination Online.

26 Weeks Posts Challenge: 14 of April

Hello lovely readers!

Today I bring you an ultra cool and brilliant blog challenge hosted by Bonnie from Bookish Ardour. Rather than creating a 30 day bookish blog challenge, Bonnie has created a 26 week posting challenging. To learn more about the rules, feel free to click on the picture which will direct you to Bookish Ardour’s website.

This week’s post topic is: Loving Blogging: What do you love about book blogging and book blogs?

Book blogging was never my intention when I first started this website a couple of months ago. My website was going to showcase my current WIP’s and hope to find a new home for them here. But then this website became a home for something I loved to do as well. Book Blogging.

I’m an avid reader and love books like they were my own children. I wrote measly reviews of some books I read and posted on Goodreads. But that was about it. I kind of got inspired to start my own Book Blogging site after seeing some others out there. The thing I love about Book Blogging is sharing my thoughts. I can go on and on about how much I adored a book, sometimes I even fangirl if a book is AMAZING. I have to stop myself sometimes because then it just becomes a bunch of nonsense.

I also love being able to introduce books to other people. In the last few months, I have talked some people into reading some of my favorite YA series’ like Under The Never Sky, Shatter Me, and The Luxe. I also love being able to help and promote indie authors by reading their work and telling all you lovely people out there about it.

Book Blogging has helped my expand my reading horizons. I’ve read NA and horror fiction in the last two months, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It has also expanded my circle of friends. Other book bloggers and authors.

It’s an all around great experience and I’m glad I joined the ranks!

Some of my favorite blogs are:

Kelly from Belle of the Literati. I absolutely LOVE all her content. She’s inspired me to post a Top Ten Tuesday one day because they look engaging and fun to make.

Zach from Zach’s YA Reviews. He reviews YA novels with minimum to no spoilers. Zach’s book blog is actually the first book blog I ever found and became really active in reading. He also hosts a lot of really neat giveaways!

Jade from Bookish Feelings Recorded who practically loves all the books I love. She’s just amazing and I love her reviews!

Finally, there is Anna from The Writer Diaries who is my best friend and partner-in-crime. We kind of went into this book blogging business together. Her reviews are honest, funny, and she’s just an amazing person all around.

If you love reading reviews be sure to check them out some time! You’ll pos-it-tute-ly love them just as much as I do!

4 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 17, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged 26 weeks posts challenge, book blogging, bookish, books, favorite book blogs, love, loving blogging, reading, reviews, thoughts

Posted by Emma Snow on April 17, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/26-weeks-posts-challenge-14-of-april/

Earth Day Blog Tour: Reviews + Giveaway!

Today I bring you a very special blog tour hosted by Candace over at Candace’s Book Blog. It’s going to be a different sort of post as I generally review Young Adult or New Adult novels. In the spirit of Earth Day (coming up in a week), I signed up to review 3 Children’s books and a Juvenile Fiction novel. This was a really nice experience because I enlisted the help of my seven year old sister, Angie. When we got the books in the mail, she was excited and couldn’t wait to start reading them. Every story I am to review is written by Stephanie Lisa Tara and has a creative and insightful vision behind each one. There’s also a giveaway or two ;D

The story is about a girl named Gwynne who discovers that music is magic and can bring forth the beauty within.

MY THOUGHTS

I let Angie take the wheel for this one, letting her read the story as listened. Throughout the story, Angie would give her own commentary like, “She wants to leave because the Knight is mean” and “She likes music because it’s not allowed.” The story itself is engaging as it is written in simple and beautiful prose. It’s a delightful story told in rhyme. The message behind the story is powerful as it encourages readers to follow their hearts no matter the consequence. Lastly, I adored the illustrations.

A story about a little mouse as he ventures into the library and goes into a whirlwind of adventures within each book he finds.

MY THOUGHTS

As with Gwynne Fair & Shining, I let Angie also read Little Library Mouse. She devoured the pages, only needing help with a word or two. As an avid reader, I loved the meaning behind this story. A little mouse is shown into the vast world of books where he dives into a different adventure in each one. The rhyming is beautiful and clever, easy to read and creative. Plus, how can a bookworm not love the message behind the story? 🙂

On a quiet, moonlit beach, a baby green sea turtle stirs from a dream of home. Slowly, slowly, with a tap, crick, crack, the baby turtle embarks upon a mysterious nighttime journey. Gentle, tender verse and enchanting illustrations carry this tranquil tale from sand to sea.

MY THOUGHTS

This was a great book as it teaches children the process of how sea turtles find their way to the sea. The baby sea turtles mantra was gentle and sweet, like a lilting breeze:

I’m coming, Mama, I’ll see you soon

I know just how… I’ll follow the moon.

Angie completely adored this story, loving everything about it. But she’s partly bias because of her love for sea turtles. It reminded her about the day a two years ago when we went to the beach and found sea turtle eggs. The other thing that we both enjoyed was the use of onamonapia – the formation of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. The story was over flowing with them and it was truly beautiful, lyrical, and even magical.

A story as ageless as the forever trees it celebrates.

Suddenly Mother jumped to her feet and ran to one of the trees, a three-hundred-foot-tall redwood. ”Forever tree! Forever tree!” she cried, smiling. She swept the skinny girl up into her arms. The child s pale skin shimmered in the golden forest light. ‘‘Forever trees, forever trees,” they sang, spinning in circles. The memory melted into the fog, and Eliza felt very tired. The question came again to her. It appeared out of the gray, out of the damp, out of the cold corners of this new house. The question whispered it always did the kind of whisper that sounded very loud indeed: Where had Mother gone? Shadows appeared and disappeared in Eliza’s mind. Still, she couldn’t remember. She simply could not remember anything after that last story in the forest. For some reason, she wasn’t terribly worried. She was a little worried, for sure, but not terribly worried, because a strange calm held the shadows and the question. It held Eliza, too. Because love is forever.

MY THOUGHTS

Eliza memory is fogging, unable to remember what happened in the Redwood Forest. There’s a question that pulls at her, wanting an answer, “Where had Mother gone?” Taking control of her life, she sets out on an adventure into the Redwood Forest to find Mother Redwood, and ask for her help. Along the way she meets and befriends some of its inhabitants, where they discover the truth and mystery surrounding the disappearance of Eliza’s mother.

I read this gem on my own as it was a novel rather than a Children’s book. Angie didn’t mind, she was having too much fun re-reading the other books we read together. Eliza’s Forever Trees is a beautiful and inspiring story about forever love. It’s also a story that tugs at heart strings as a child learns about love and loss.

It’s also a story about friendship as Tara personifies the animals that Eliza meets. It’s vivid and creative. I cannot tell you enough how beautifully insightful the story is. It’s words are wildly imaginative and will have any reader captivated.

About Stephanie Lisa Tara

I’ve always believed that magic hides in special places. As a child, people would often stare at my bright red hair, which was very, very bright indeed.Unfortunately, I developed a bad habit of making up rhymes about all of them, and they soon became funny characters. I didn’t have much time to think about being different; fanciful lyricisms danced in my head, and no one was safe!Since then, I’ve come to believe that storytelling has the power to inspire a deep love of language and learning. Words tripping off the tongue in somersaults that stick to your thoughts like taffy– those are the things that stay forever in the mind.I’ve lived in many special places: on a farm, in a city skyscraper, on a tropical beach, and in the beautiful country of France. Now I live in northern California, between the redwood forests and the sea. Even though I’m an adult, I’m still as silly as ever.Many nice words have been used to describe my books, such as fun, engaging, delightful, and whimsical. Some folks say that I deliver timeless messages of love for kids and parents to share again and again; this makes me very happy. I hope that you’ll enjoy my stories, too. Captivating children with language is something that I believe in, and I strive to live my life with this always. — Stephanie Lisa Tara

Connect With Author:

www.StephanieLisaTara.com

Cause Pages (each supports a book’s vision):

Facebook page for Save the Polar Bears | Facebook Page for Save the Green Turtles | Facebook Page for Save the Redwood Forests

Stephanie Lisa Tara’s Personal Sites:

Facebook | Amazon | Website

GIVEAWAY

Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

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2 Comments

by Emma Snow on April 16, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Blog Tours

Posted by Emma Snow on April 16, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/earth-day-blog-tour-reviews-giveaway/

Book Review: School Spirits (School Spirits #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release date: May 14, 2013

Rating: 5 stars – I LOVED THIS TO PIECES!

Purchase from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

SYNOPSIS

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy’s mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who’s always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? — Goodreads

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. SPOILERS MAY LIE AHEAD.

I received an eARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For months I have been highly anticipating the release of School Spirits, the spin-off series to Rachel Hawkins beloved Hex Hall series. You cannot believe how ecstatic I was to get approved by Netgalley! I think I may have let out an inhumane sound – sort of like when Dory is trying to talk whale in Finding Nemo.

Anyways, onto reviewing we go!

Izzy Brannick is your average, teenage monster hunter. Her family has been in the business of hunting beasties for centuries. They are the great Brannicks, women of immense strength and legend. When Izzy’s older sister, Finely disappears, her mother decides to take a break and find a small job in a new town. The local high school has been subject to recent hauntings. Izzy is determined to prove to her mother that she is a good hunter. But as she sets out to investigate, Izzy instead gets tangled into a web of social norms, friends, and a possible love interest that may be hiding a secret.

First, I want to say that I absolutely adored Izzy Brannick! She has a little bit of sass just like her cousin Sophie Mercer. You may remember Izzy from Spell Bound, the last book in the Hex Hall series. Izzy isn’t as sarcastic as Sophie, but I loved her nonetheless. Izzy is strong, smart, incredibly witty, and sassy. She’s also cutely oblivious to social norms and behaviors. Her run-in with boys and what their actions may entail were a mystery to her, an uncertainty. I really liked those small parts because, well….it reminded me of awkward high school days. You remember those days? The ones that consisted trying to guess what a boy meant when he walked you to class or gave you his phone number. Did it mean he liked you? That’s kind of the same vibe that Izzy struggles with Dex.

That sort of atmosphere also made the novel relatable, which I adored. It’s founded on realism and tinged with kickass supernatural themes.

When it comes to her love interest, Dex, I can’t help but smile. He’s different. There’s quite a mystery surrounding him. When Izzy first meets him, she senses magic. She guesses that he is Prodigium – a magical being such as a warlock, fae, werewolf, ect. I honestly thought so too, but he didn’t seem to know that he was. Dex is quite the character. He’s unique, funny, and charming. He also has dazzling blue eyes – who could not fall for that? Dex’s story isn’t revealed until the very end where I am met with a tantalizing bulldozer. But it made complete sense for the entirety of the novel, which was brilliantly done.

Secondary characters were used entirely in this novel, which is something that I like seeing. Romy, Anderson, Maya, and even Torin (the Warlock trapped in a mirror). I loved Romy and how she stood behind the PMS (Paranormal Management Society) club 110 percent even when the other kids in school treat her differently and like a joke. Then there is Anderson, a reformed jock, who joined because well…~~I won’t tell you this reason because it’s spoilery and I don’t want to give anything away!~~ Just know that it’s a good reason. And finally, Dex, who will do anything and everything out of the norm. Maya and Torin prove to be valuable when information is concerned. Without them there would be no momentum for the novel. Every single character served a purpose and wasn’t left off to the side and forgotten. If there is something I truly dislike in a novel is discarded characters. Definite brownie points to Rachel Hawkins for this!

The benevolent spirit that haunts the high school is of Mary Evans, a girl who died in a cave a few miles from the school. The mystery and reasoning for the haunting is also revealed at the end. It’s part of that shocking and unexpected twist I mentioned earlier. The ghost is evil and wants revenge for what happened to her and she won’t stop until she succeeds. The few instances where Mary is able to manipulate certain objects and attempt to kill someone is scary to say the least. Let’s just say that I wouldn’t want to be a target of Mary Evan’s anger.

All in all, I adored School Spirits. There was a little bit of everything throughout the novel: romance, action, mystery, surprising twists. I just loved Izzy Brannick and her spunk. Her tone and voice was one of the things that drove this novel. If it wasn’t for a strong female protagonist then it would have flopped. But it didn’t. I highly enjoyed it and loved every piece of dialogue and humor that was woven into the story. Definitely recommend it to all you Hex Hall fans when it hits the shelves later this year in May!

Memorable quotes:

Not even lunch and I’d already nearly killed someone.

I was never going to stop blushing. I was actually going to die of blood loss because there wasn’t any left to pump through my heart. It was all in my face.

I actually felt it was going quite well, and I hadn’t even gotten to the part where I declare you a tiger sent to matriculate among kittens.

This is fun. Weird and disturbing and possibly illegal, but still fun.

1 Comment

by Emma Snow on April 12, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Book Reviews

Tagged 2013 reads, ARC, book review, bookish, books, netgalley, rachel hawkins, reading, school spirits, supernatural, YA novel, YALit

Posted by Emma Snow on April 12, 2013

https://emzsnow.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/book-review-school-spirits-school-spirits-1-by-rachel-hawkins/

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