Teaser Tuesday (75) & Top Ten Tuesday (20)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page

Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBe careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles!

Em finally looks up, blushing. "Sorry, sorry. I know--I'm becoming 'that girl'... I'll stop. It's just that I really--"
"Miss James!" we chant in unison.
Em flushes an even brighter red than before.

-Pg. 64 of an ARC of "Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters" by Meredith Zeitlin

I'm a little less than halfway now and I must say, this book is very cute. I'm definitely enjoy it!

What's your teaser?

Top Ten Tuesday is a 10's list meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. There is a different question every week and all you have to do is answer their question with your top ten results!

Top Ten YA Dystopian Novels

1) The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins- This is probably on top of almost everyone's dystopian list and for good reason. This series blew my mind and left my head spinning. Perfect to whet anyone's whistle into the world of dystopian.

2) Divergent by Veronica Roth- Roth builds a very unique world with complex characters that you can't help falling in love with. There is something for everyone in this dystopian.

3) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi- Beautiful, distinct writing and an X-Man concept combine to bring this amazing dystopian to life. With heart pounding moments of suspense and even hotter moments of romance, this is one awesome book!

4) Matched by Ally Condie- For me, this is a quieter dystopian. There isn't all out war but it feels like the world is just on the cusp of it. Plus, I loved the powerful imagery associated with each character!

5) Eve by Anna Carey- Eve paints a terrifying picture of earth were illness befell everyone and all that is left are those that survived. Houses are in ruin, food is scarce and kids are being mined for manual labor or a life of birthing a new generation. The landscape alone in this novel was absolutely terrifying.

6) Wither by Lauren DeStefano- This book addresses the question-- what would you do if you only lived till 21 or 25? The old generation is dying out thanks to a disease. The new generation are ticking times bombs. And their time is up at 21. The characters risk everything for a chance to live their short life their way.

7) The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe- This dystopian reads just like a zombie flick without the zombies. You catch a cold that turns you into a loving human being, then turns you mad and two days later, you are dead. Watching these characters try to survive as the virus spreads is terrifying and exciting.

I'm sure I've read a few more to add to the list but these are the titles that jumped out at me from my shelves. What made your Top Ten this week?

The CW dominates with new pilots!

There have been several developments in the small screen lately that I'm quite excited about. The CW has been beefing up it's already amazing list of shows and has a whole new slew of pilots coming out that you should be aware of. Check out some of the latest news!

The Selection by Kiera Cass, which isn't even out yet, has been picked up by The CW and is shooting a pilot. Right now they are casting for the show but I think it's going to be awesome! They are describing it as "an epic romance set 300 years in the future, when a poor young woman is selected by lottery to be a contestant in a competition to marry Prince Maxon and become queen of a war-torn country at a crossroads."

Cast in the title role of America Singer is Aimee Teegarden, of Prom, Scream 4 and Friday Night Lights (among other things):

In the role of Prince Maxon is Ethan Peck of 10 Thing I Hate About You (tv show), In Time, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice:

Playing the role of Queen Amberly is Leonor Varela from Blade 2:

I'm not sure if this is 100% confirmed or not but Sean Patrick Thomas, most famously known for his movie Save The Last Dance, is also attached to play Sylvan Santos, adviser to the current queen:

Now, to me, the casting looks like it is going well. I haven't read this novel yet and I don't know many of these actors but everything looks like it is going to plan. I can't wait to see where they are taking this show.

What do you guys think?

The CW is on a role with a few other noteworthy shows getting casts for pilots (which is a run through first episode to see how people respond to the show). Some are YA, some are not but all look good. Here's a taste of what's to come!

Another YA novel The Carrie Diaries has been picked up and casting has started here too! For those of you who don't know, this story follows a young Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City learning all about sex and the art of dating!

Cast as young Carrie Bradshaw herself is non other than AnnaSophia Robb from Race To Witch Mountain, Soul Surfer and Bridge to Terabithia.

I absolutely love this girl and can't wait to see what she does with this character! What's more, I think she looks a little like Sarah Jessica Parker (only prettier):

Cast as her love interest in the role of Sebastian Kidd is Austin Butler from Life Unexpected and Switched At Birth.

He's also pretty much wonderful. I loved him in Life Unexpected and don't you think he and AnnaSophia will be the cutest little blonde couple?

Finally, Freema Agyeman from Doctor Who and Torchwood has been cast as Larissa, Carrie's cool mentor of a sorts.

The CW is also cooking up a show called Joey Dakota and is bringing back some of my favorite people for it! Joey Dakota is described as "an adaptation of the Israeli series Danny Hollywood, Maya, a filmmaker working on a docu about Joey Dakota, a rock star who died too young in the 1990s. When Maya (somehow) travels back in time, she meets and falls in love with the musician, only to be thrust back to the present. She then labors to get back to the ’90s to help Joey dodge death — Butterfly Effect be damned!"

Sounds awesome, right? Well, check out the two people they have cast!

Amber Stevens from ABC Family' Greek is playing Maya:

I loved that show and she was super funny and fun in it!

Playing Joey Dakota is Craig Horner from Legend of the Seeker (my heart, be still):

My love for him as all around good guy Richard in Legend of the Seeker is pretty much ridiculous. I was a die hard fan of the show and was so sad to see it canceled. Can't wait to see him in this new role.

Finally, The CW has a comic book re-vamp getting ready to go.

Arrow will be another show to look for. Here's the plot thus far: "The show will follow former billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, who after being marooned for five years on a deserted island, returns with a mysterious agenda and lethal set of new skills that he uses in a war on crime. The actor will play Walter Steele, a former business associate of the late Robert Queen and the No. 2 exec at Queen Consolidated who married Moira Queen following her husband's death at sea and the disappearance of her son, Oliver."

Cast in the title role as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow is Stephen Amell:

Katie Cassidy will play Dinah "Laurel" Lance:

For more info and casting news, you can check out IMBD's page for this awesome new series!

What do you guys think? What are you most looking forward to? I can't even begin to choose. It looks like my DVR will be a whole lot fuller very soon!

Saturday Discussions: Do you let people borrow your books?

I'm a rare breed of book buyer. I obsess over the books I buy. When I go into the bookstore, I look for all the copies of the book I'm interested in and begin my thorough search. Which ones have ripped covers? Which are smudged? Which have bent flaps? After I've selected the book with the least imperfections, I proceed to read with extreme caution. I don't even open up the book all the way for fear of bending it.

Basically, what I'm showing you here is I'm a book perfectionist. I paid money for that book and I want it to look brand new, even after I'm finished with it.

Which brings me to my question of today. Do you let people borrow your books?

You'd be surprised to know that, yes, I do. But that's after a thorough assessment of who they are and how they treat their own things.

See, I've lent and lost before. And I still know who has my things and never given them back.

So now I only let people I know well borrow my books because they are each little doorways that sent me to fantastic worlds. I want to remember each of those worlds by brushing a finger over their spines. I can't do that if someone destroys them. Because I'm not lending out the books that don't wow me. If I'm handing over cargo, it's precious. It's the stuff that blew my mind, made me want to become a better writer and stuck  with me so much that I am dying for someone to talk to about it.

So if they do destroy my book and buy me a new one, it isn't that I won't appreciate it. But they aren't returning my book. The book that granted me passage into worlds unknown and made me feel things I didn't even know were possible. It's a bond that even I don't quite understand but one that I cherish.

I currently have three books out on lend. Two, I know are in good hands. And one, a very precious novel called The Hunger Games, is with someone I barely know and who I'm not sure will take care of it. (Mind you, it's a first edition of The Hunger Games too). My hubby assures me it's safe. I still have my doubts.

So my answer is that I do lend books. Just hesitantly and with much trepidation. For me, the joy of sharing something I love outweighs the fear of losing something I love. Which is why I pack off my babies and send them out into the world!

What about you? Do you share books or tell people to go get their own?

Swoon Thursday (11): The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

The ladies over at YA Bound created a sexy meme where you share what made you tingle in your current read. If you want to join in, here is what you do:From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog!

I've finished this week's swoon and I have to say, I thought the relationship in The Butterfly Clues was really sweet. Hope you enjoy!

"...I was ready to board a bus, you know, 'go west, young man,' all that shit--but then, I remembered something I'd forgotten to tell you."
"What?"
He pauses. "That I don't want to leave you," he says, simply, lifting his eyes to my face. "That I can't leave you."

--Pg. 301 of an ARC of "The Butterfly Clues" by Kate Ellison

Like I said, these two were super cute. I hope you like my swoon and I want to hear yours!

The Time Will Come (35): The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

The Time Will Come is a weekly meme started by Books for Company which spotlights books that have been sitting unread on our shelves for too long.

Want to join in?:
- Pick a book you have been meaning to read
- Do a post telling us about the book
- Link the post up in the linky at Books for Company
- Visit the other blogs!

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Seraphina has been alive since the Middle Ages, when her boyfriend, Cyrus, managed to perfect a method of alchemy that lets them swap bodies with any human being. Sera ran away from Cyrus years ago, when she realized that what they were doing--taking the lives of innocent people--was wrong. She doesn't want to die, so she finds young people who are on the brink of death, and inhabits their bodies.

Not only does this novel sound fabulous but it's a tiny little thing too. I have no doubt that when I have time to get to it, I'm really going to enjoy it. I love the concept and I think it's going to be one heck of a thriller!

What are you reading?

Book Review: Dead To You by Lisa McMann

Dead To You by Lisa McMann

Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442403888
ISBN-13: 978-1442403888

Series: No

Source: ARC provided by publisher

Cover: I wasn't sure how this cover tied into the novel but having read it, I totally understand. I think the snow on the eyelash is a beautiful touch and I like that it's impossible to tell whether the snow is melting or the person is crying. I really like this cover.

First Sentence: "The three of them are there."

Mini-Review: Dead To You is a dark novel, exploring the idea of family and love through the eyes of someone who has seen little of either.

Summary:

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Review:

I don't think Dead To You is the right book for everybody. It's one of those novels you read when you are in the mood for something a little off and very dark. Lisa McMann dives into what it means to be a family and literally rips this idea from seam to seam while exposing the darkest parts of humanity. Ethan's rough voice coupled with his tough childhood contrasted by the innocence of his little sister Gracie is brilliant and McMann is able to mold her sparse writing style into exactly what the story needed.


Stolen away from his family at a young age, Ethan's reunion with the family that never stopped looking for him is heartbreaking and just a little bit awkward. Ethan's point of view is colored by his rough life. Everything he thinks or does is aimed at survival. Because of this rough way of living, he appreciates all the small things that being a family and having a steady home is about. It was really fascinating to watch him gravitate towards certain items and concepts like his pictures and the idea of his won room since he hadn't experienced those things before. I loved how rough around the edges he was and watching him try to fit in with a family that actually cares for him.

I really liked Gracie as a character. The fact that her parents wanted to shelter her from what happened to Ethan and how she and Ethan were able to bond really touched me. I felt like their relationship gave the novel a tender edge which is so desperately needed thanks to Ethan's very rough voice. I thought Blake would be the one Ethan would bond with since they knew each other from when Ethan was abducted but that was so not the case. The tension between Ethan and his brother Blake made for some great reading. I also really liked how fiercely Ethan's mother loved him and even how he was able to bond with his dad.

I wasn't exactly sure where the plot was going and got annoyed at how little Ethan remembered about his former life. Like him, I was fascinated with what happened after he went missing and I was always grateful to hear how his life was post abduction. What I didn't expect was for him to finally figure out his role in the family and then the explosive ending that left my jaw permanently unhinged. Seriously, this novel packs a huge, very emotional punch in that end that still has me reeling and I can't quite figure out if I'm okay with that.

Having read and loved the Wake series, I wasn't sure how McMann's sparse style would lend itself to a story like this. Turns out, I didn't need to worry because she showcases a completely differentway of writing. What I like about it though is she's still able to capture this simple way of seeing things and encasing this idea in the most beautiful words. Ethan's voice sounded natural and the writing was one of my favorite parts of this novel.

However, I don't feel like this novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers. As I was reading it during a trying time in my life, I found myself a little reluctanct to pick up the story because of the major darkness of the theme. This is not the novel's fault and I feel like at another time, I'd have appreciated the dark theme more. I felt like this is a story that needed to be told. I can see a character like Ethan just itching at the writer's brain and his story was definitely not like anything I expected.

Dead To You truly is unique read. Combining an honest voice that doesn't come around very often, a very stressful and delicate situation and a jaw dropping conclusion, it will definitely leave you shocked and will stick with you if you can stomach the dark themes.


Rating:

Favorite Lines:

I feel panic welling up in my gut. If I move, they'll see me.

--Pg. 2 of an ARC of "Dead To You" by Lisa McMann

And here I stand, freezing my balls off, sucking down a cigarette, and wishing for some of the booze that is flowing inside of the house, when across the frozen tundra comes a sweet red coat of distraction.

--Pg. 54 of an ARC of "Dead To You" by Lisa McMann

My fingers slide through her hair and she slips her arms around my neck, and here we are, crazy, both of us starving for this. And I don't want to think about why I am starving, or why she is; I just want to kiss her, taste her, be with her.

--Pg. 195 of an ARC of "Dead To You" by Lisa McMann

I am Nigeria and she's my Brazil, and we exist in this moment...

--Pg. 196 of an ARC of "Dead To You" by Lisa McMann

Happily Ever Endings... A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Happily Ever Endings... was born out of sheer frustration. You know how when you read a series and you love it but the last book takes a little while to come out and then you sort of forget parts of the novel? That's what these posts are going to serve to remedy. Happily Ever Ending... is a short post about what happened at the ending of each book that is going to be in a series for people who need a quick reminder of what happened in the previous installment. I hope this saves someone else the frustration that I went through!

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

A Beautiful Dark is the first book in a captivating trilogy by debut author Jocelyn Davies.

Click "Read more" to read the ending of A Beautiful Dark so you'll be ready for the next installment of the series!