Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR List

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I did this a few weeks ago for Random Friday, but I like doing the TBR list topic twice.  So what summer releases am I looking forward to?

1. A Blind Spot for Boys by Justina Chen (8/12/14)

2. Wildflower by Alecia Whitaker (7/1/14)

3. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (6/17/14)

4. Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones (7/15/14)

5. Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke (7/22/14)

6. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall (8/26/14)

7. Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne (7/8/14)

8. The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno (7/8/14)

9. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins (8/14/14)

10. Deadly Little Sins by Kara Taylor (8/5/14)

So what's on your summer TBR list?

Review: The Vanishing Season

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Grade: D+
Release date: July 1, 2014
This ARC was provided by Read Between the Lynes in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Girls started vanishing in the fall, and now winter's come to lay a white sheet over the horror. Door County, it seems, is swallowing the young, right into its very dirt. From beneath the house on Water Street, I've watched the danger swell.

The residents know me as the noises in the house at night, the creaking on the stairs. I'm the reflection behind them in the glass, the feeling of fear in the cellar. I'm tied—it seems—to this house, this street, this town.

I'm tied to Maggie and Pauline, though I don't know why. I think it's because death is coming for one of them, or both.

All I know is that the present and the past are piling up, and I am here to dig.I am looking for the things that are buried.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: If I'm being completely honest (which I will be), I'll say that the only thing I liked in this book was its setting.  I've been to Door County twice, and it's a great place.  Okay, and maybe I liked Maggie and Liam together.  But the rest of this book let me down.  It's sort of horror/paranormal (which isn't really my thing) but it's also contemporary romance.  At first, there seems to be a bit of a love triangle, but then there isn't, but then there is.  Don't even get me started on that ending.  I can't even grasp what actually happened.  I think someone (not saying who) died?  And I think someone might've been our unseen narrator all along?  I really don't know.

The Verdict: If you liked Jodi's Tiger Lily, then you'd probably enjoy The Vanishing Season, too.  They're both depressing, but at least The Vanishing Season doesn't completely wreck a childhood favorite.

Buy: Barnes and Noble  Read Between the Lynes

Review: Graduation Day

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau
Grade: B+
Release date: June 17, 2014
This ARC was provided by HMH Kids in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: I am going to try and be as spoiler-free as possible, because I know I hate series' conclusions being spoiled.  This is one of the better last books I've read (side note: most people hated Allegiant, but I loved it).  Joelle's writing continues to strengthen, and although this book has flaws, they are not a terrible detractor.  I felt like too often characters' emotions and attitudes were told, not shown, and I like to get hints of what they're feeling instead of always being told outright.  However, the writing style flows well and I expect Joelle's next book to be even stronger.
Cia has to hide out for a bit in this book, and the brief glimpses of that place were definitely cool.  The world of The Testing trilogy is already quite large, so I like when there's a focus on just one small area.  I still enjoyed the fact that Cia and Tomas have known each other for years, so their romance feels right.  Stand out characters include Raffe (who makes some tough choices and reacts well), Dr. Barnes (I know, I know - you'll see what I mean, though!), and Zeen (award for best big brother goes to...).  I continued to enjoy the descriptions of technology and plants and how Cia and Tomas work with them.  It's not something you always see in YA, and it's shown at a very high school/college level - these kids aren't geniuses but they're pretty smart and resourceful.  Graduation Day ended surprisingly well.  A lot of trilogies and series are ending this year.  This is the second ender I've read (well, as of writing this review in early May), and let's just say, it's much better than the last one.
Romance and language continue to be very clean.  Violence is the worst, and there's definitely a cringeworthy scene.

The Verdict: A beautiful conclusion with a few flaws, but these are easily overlooked in the grand scheme of things.  I look forward to Joelle's next book!

Buy: Barnes and Noble  Read Between the Lynes

Mini Reviews: Open Road Summer and To All the Boys I've Loved Before

I bought Open Road Summer and To All the Boys I've Loved Before (both squee-worthy reads) the week they released, and I loved both these contemporary romances.  So, even though they're past their publication dates, I decided to review them for y'all (mainly so I can rave about how adorable they are).


Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Grade: A+
Summary: After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

Review: This book...I bought it April 15th, read it in one sitting, and was ready to reread it immediately.  That says how good it was, right?  Reagan was awesome, Dee (Lilah) was awesome, and Matt Finch...well, I think Matt is my favorite book boyfriend of all time.  He's not your typical bad boy.  He's a nice guy all around, a good friend to Dee, and so adorable when he was with Reagan.  I loved the traveling, and the songs, and how Taylor Swift-y Dee was. (Oh, and let's not forget how adorable Dee and Jimmy were, too.) As for any objectionable content, the worst was a few s-words, and romance stayed pretty PG.

Verdict: If you haven't read this book yet, you must.  I don't care if contemporary romance isn't your preferred genre, Open Road Summer is quite possibly the best contemporary romance I've read ever.  Or at least tied with Better off Friends because Levi and Macallan are just as squee-worthy as Matt and Reagan.

Buy: Barnes and Noble  Read Between the Lynes

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Grade: A
Summary: Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control in this heartfelt novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them... all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Review: So first off, I should note that the summary isn't entirely correct.  The book is less about those secret letters and more about Lara Jean fake dating a guy to get over one of her crushes.  TAtBILB had its weaknesses - Lara Jean's voice was a bit young at times, and Peter's feelings for Genevieve (not to mention Genevieve in general was a pain) and typical boyness got tiresome at times - but I really enjoyed it overall.  I loved the family dynamics.  Mr. Covey is a great dad, and Margot, Lara Jean, and Kitty had a lovely sister relationship (even if I didn't like Kitty most of the time).  But I loved Peter and Lara Jean, and I kept yelling at them to stop fake dating and start actually dating.  Josh was an interesting character that I did enjoy; it'll be interesting to see where things go with him in the next book (this is going to be a duology!).  Anyways, Lara Jean was perfectly quirky and adorable.  
Language was a bit iffy at times, and sex was mentioned on multiple occasions, although it was never shown, and making out is the extent of what is shown.

Verdict: This book was just adorable in general, and I'm so glad I purchased it (without having read it before, or anything by Jenny before either).

Buy: Barnes and Noble  Read Between the Lynes

Book Blogger Feature: Adventures in Reading

This month, I have a feature that will last until July.  I'll be featuring several different bloggers.  Last post, y'all got to know Rebecca of The Library Canary a little bit better.  Now it's time for...

Adventures in Reading!

About Alexia of Adventures in Reading

"I'm a 28 year old blogger and writer. I have been blogging at Adventures in Reading for just about a year. My book blog covers a wide array of genres, both YA and Adult titles.  I am currently working on a couple of writing projects and am hoping to have at least one of them published by the end of the year."

Emma: What would you say is your favorite part of the book blogging community?

The friends that I have made this past year. None of it would have been possible without blogging.

Emma: What's your favorite YA subgenre?

Contemporary

Emma: What's your favorite book within that genre?

Currently it's The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Emma: Signature question time: What's your favorite fairytale?

Beauty and the Beast. I just love how Belle was able to look past the way the Beast looked and focus on what was really important.

Emma: What has been the best moment of your blogging career?

Ooooh, toughie, I gotta go with being auto-approved for HarperTeen's titles on Edelweiss. 

Emma: What do you see as the next big trend in YA (like vampires, dystopian, mermaids, angels, etc.)?

Definitely mermaids. There seems to be a lot more mermaid related books coming out recently.

Emma: What's the YA trope that irritates you the most and why?

Insta-love because it's not realistic. There is no such thing as insta-love. Insta-lust, yes, but not insta-love. Love just doesn't work like that.

Emma: Any upcoming books you're highly anticipating?

Bleed Like Me by Christa Desir. It's a "dark" contemporary which I absolutely love.

Feral by Holly Schindler. Another "dark contemporary that I'm excited for.

Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson. Yes a third "dark" contemporary that I'm really excited about (sensing a theme here Emma?)

Emma: Thanks for stopping by, Alexia!  I'm sure all my followers enjoyed getting to know you better.  And don't forget to check out her blog here and follow her on Twitter here.

Random Friday: Summery Book Covers

Want to participate in Random Fridays? Just do the following: 

• Include the above image in your post and link back to my post.
• Blog about this week's topic.
• Add the link to your Random Friday at the bottom of this post.

Ready to see some books with summery covers?  These are my favorites.

1. Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

2. Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

3. Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

4. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

5. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

What are your favorite summery book covers?

Guess the Book

The following post contains 12 books.  You will not know what these books are until a later date.  Your mission?  Guess the 12 books based on their opening line/paragraph.

A few hints/rules to help you:

• They are all books I own.
• They are all YA (although one may be more MG), but various sub-genres.
• I shared a picture of all these books on Twitter a few months ago (although one book might be a red herring and a few might be missing...).
• Some of these will be easier to guess than others.
• If you think you know and you own the book you think it is, you're free to check it to see if you're right.
• There's no prize, so if you decide to cheat and search the Internet for the answer, that's on you.

Now, let's get started, shall we?

1. "When we got the letter in the post, my mother was ectastic."

2. "The fans scream for her, but they don't really know the girl on the magazine covers - the girl with the guitar and the easy smile."

3. "I suppose a lot of teenage girls feel invisible sometimes, like they just disappear."

4. "You think it's so easy to change yourself.  You think it's so easy, but it's not."

5. "There was a boy in her room."

6. "There is one mirror in my house."

7. "What if Shakespeare had it wrong?"

8. "Guys and girls can be friends."

9. "Mrs. Buster gave us our first assignment in English today, to write a letter to a dead person."

10. "I have a dead girl's name.  Technically, I suppose I have a dead girl's life.  Either way, I've had them both now longer than she did, so I guess they're mine."

11. "Every superhero has an origin story.  Mine began with a box of cereal."

12. "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."

I'm excited to see your guesses!  I'll let y'all guess for a couple weeks, and then I'll share the answers.

Book Blogger Feature: The Library Canary

This month, I have a feature that will last until July.  I'll be featuring several different bloggers.  Last post, y'all got to know Alice of Alice in Readerland a little bit better.  Now it's time for...

The Library Canary!

About The Library Canary

"Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog, Emma! I'm Rebecca and I blog over at The Library Canary. My blog just turned one year old in February (Yay!). I started my blog as something to do when I was unemployed and now it has grown into something that I am truly passionate about. Books have always been a big part of my life so I love sharing my thoughts on what I read and discussing books with other people! I'm from Chicago, but am currently living in Northern Virginia (right outside of Washington DC). When I'm not reading (which is hardly ever, let's be honest) I am spending time with my husband, going on walks, working out (and despising it), wandering the museums of DC, or talking on the phone with my family."

Emma: What would you say is your favorite part of the book blogging community?Rebecca: The people. I have made so many friends since starting my blog (that I can't wait to meet in real life!). I love chatting with them about books, but also about other life things. It's really been a great experience, one full of support and kindness. 

Emma: What's your favorite YA subgenre?

Rebecca: Definitely fantasy. I love being able to escape to a world completely different than my own. It truly is the best kind of escape.

Emma: What's your favorite book within that genre?Rebecca: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. That's the second book in the Throne of Glass series for those of you that don't know. These books are amazing!! The main character is a highly trained assassin who, quite frankly, scares me a little. But I totally love her. And the romance!! Chaol Westfall is my man, my number one book boyfriend. I'm in love. The action, the tension, the drama. Everything about this series is awesome and you should all go read it. 

Emma: Signature question time: What's your favorite fairytale?

Rebecca: I've always loved Cinderella. The idea that a girl can go from nothing to a princess just warms my heart. Plus she has little mice that help her get dressed in the morning. I mean, come on, that's awesome. 

Emma: What has been the best moment of your blogging career?

Rebecca: I would have to say reaching my one year blogoversary which took place back in February. I'm really proud of myself for reaching that milestone and for sticking with it for as long as I have. I love blogging just as much today as I did over a year ago. Other proud moments include anytime an author talks to me on Twitter, retweets me, etc. It's always so amazing to be able to interact with an author. I still fangirl like crazy every time it happens. 

Emma: What do you see as the next big trend in YA (like vampires, dystopian, mermaids, angels, etc.)?

Rebecca: Oooh that's a good question. I don't really know. But I'll tell you what I would LIKE to see as the next big trend. High fantasy. It doesn't seem like there's a ton of high fantasy in YA and I want more. With the success of series like Throne of Glass and The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I'm hoping that it becomes a bigger thing. 

Emma: What's the YA trope that irritates you the most and why?

Rebecca: Absentee parents. I know you totally all thought I was going to say the love triangle. But I don't really mind love triangles when they're done correctly. But absentee parents drives me crazy!! Seriously?? You don't notice that there's something seriously wrong with your child?? I can't even think of a specific example right now, but it happens. All. The. Time. Parents care about their children in real life. Why should it be any different in book life? 

Emma: Any upcoming books you're highly anticipating?

Rebecca: Oh geez. How many can I choose?

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas for sure. DYING for this one!
This one is not coming up anytime soon, but Winter by Marissa Meyer. I am dying to see how she's going to wrap up the Lunar Chronicles series!!
Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers, the last book in her His Fair Assassin series. Another one I will shamelessly book push on people.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu because, well, it's Marie Lu.
Oh and Winterspell by Claire Legrand which is a Nutcracker retelling! How cool is that??
I'm going to stop now, but I could seriously go on forever. So many good books! And my TBR pile never seems to shrink. The life of a bookworm, right. 

I'm making grabby hands right along with you for those books. (Especially Mortal Heart.)

Anyway, thanks for having me, Emma! I had a lot of fun answering your questions! If I don't know any of you, tweet me (@LibraryCanary) and introduce yourselves! I love making new bookish friends!

Thank you, Rebecca! It was great to interview you.  Y'all can check out her great posts here as well as follow her on Twitter.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I've Read in 2014

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I've read a lot of good books so far in 2014, and here are my top choices. (And, yes, I'm cheating.  There's no way I could limit this list to just 10.) So without further ado, and in no particular order, the top books I've read thus far in 2014.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

On the Fence by Kasie West

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Splintered by A.G. Howard

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy by Rae Carson

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor

Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor
The One by Kiera Cass
The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
Free to Fall by Lauren Miller
One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington