Tween Tuesday Review: Storm Watcher

Luke's always been afraid of storms, but it's gotten worse since his mother died from a freak lightning accident.  Now, his brothers are constantly teasing him. He can barely have a conversation with them. He's also not sure how to talk to his father anymore.

When he volunteers at a pet facility that breeds search and rescue dogs, he falls in love with a dog. It's a different type of dog than the kind his keeps, but it's the exact type of dog he was talking about with his mother before she died. The same type he wanted for his birthday - and it's still a search and rescue dog. His father won't speak about it.

The more he helps train the dogs, the more he thinks of owning this puppy. Can he change his father's mind?

My Thoughts: This book is different from other Maria V. Snyder books and I admit, it took me by surprise. But I wasn't surprised to find myself loving it. I felt for Luke - for all he's been through, for his guilt, and for the tough moments between him and his family. The family drama was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved the moments between him and the dogs. I like his developing friendship with Megan. I found the search and rescue parts very interesting. A fantastic heartwarming tale about a boy and his quest for a dog.

Cover Thoughts: I like it
Source: BEA Arc
Publication Date: October

If you think it sounds good, I have a signed ARC to give away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Awaken

*Final book in the Abandon Trilogy*

Pierce and John have been through a lot together in a short amount of time. Now they have to face the biggest test of all.

Something's happening in the Underworld - things aren't running as smoothly as they should be. Maybe John has taken a few breaks to go with Pierce to the real world, but those breaks wouldn't cause the havoc. His actions might have though...

The balance of life and death has been thrown off. If they can't fix it and soon, things in the Underworld and the real world won't exist much longer.

My Thoughts: I really have come to love these characters -they're sassy, funny, and loyal to each other.  I don't want to say too much in case of spoilers, but I really enjoyed the last part of the trilogy. I loved the part where John met Pierce's parents. I liked Pierce's interaction with the dead who were waiting for the ferries. I love how Pierce can make the best of a bad situation and gather people around her who are happy to help. I loved the ending!

Cover Thoughts: Dreamy
Source: ARC from BEA

Getting Ready for BEA: part 1

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

If this is your first time going, I have a few tips for you:

Start planning. Usually, some of my plans go out the window long before I leave BEA because I just can't get to everything. But it's great to have a plan and for the most part it works.

Try to plan:
Publishers you want to to with (names of contacts)
Books you want to talk to publishers about
ARCs you're interested in picking up
Authors you want to meet at their signings
Bloogers/Librarians you want to meet

Now's a great time to book checking on, creating, or printing more business cards. Lots of librarians/bloggers exchange cards during meetings in line. Make sure it as all your important information, plus if your a blogger, your blog logo. People might not recognize your name, but they could be readers of your blog.

See you next week for more tips!

Dancers Among Us

I heard about this book at BEA last year and I was finally able to get my hands on a copy - I just LOVED the idea so much! Basically, it's a book of photographs of dancers in normal settings.

This book blew me away. I loved the photographs. There was so much emotion displayed. I starred at the photographs in wonder. They made me smile. They made me laugh. They made me think.

My favorites are the girl reading outside a building that looks to be a college dorm along with the cram session inside a college library. No wonder that both of them have to do with books.

A brilliant beautiful book that's perfect for sharing. 

Review: Venom

The night of her friend's funeral, Cassandra goes into the graveyard next to her house. There, she meets a boy, an artist whom she bumped into previously on the streets. He's handsome, but cocky.

She also discovers her friend's body is missing and a corpse of a young courtesan rests in her place. The courtesan has been murdered. Cass wants to uncover the truth about the murder.

Falco manipulates her into investigating with him. Together, they travel to places she, as a lady, shouldn't be going into. As the investigation continues, she lies more and more to her aunt and takes more and more risks. Her life would be ruined if she were caught. Still, she can't help the trill of it all. It's the first time she's felt alive in ages, especially when she's with Falco.

My Thoughts: I wanted to Love this book, instead I'm torn between really liking and just liking it. I had a hard time connecting with Cass. She made so many poor choices that I found myself not respecting her at times. However, I did like that she took her choices into her own hands and refused to let people chose for her. I found her daring, determined, stubborn, and brave. I like how she kept a journal and brought it everywhere with her. I LOVED the descriptions of Venice. I wanted to be there; it was such a magical yet dark setting! As first in the series, it ends with a choice.

Cover Thoughts: Love It!
Source: From Penguin @ BEA
Challenges: YA Historical Fiction 2013 and TRB Pile

Holiday Review Thursday: Life in Icicle Falls

Now that's it's snowed, it's officially time to read and review holiday books! They will range from picture book to teen books to adult romances.

The Sterling family's owned Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company ever since Samantha's great grandmother Rose dreamed about the very first recipe. Now, it's struggling and it's just about to be foreclosed upon.

Samantha can't believe this is happening. The bank can't help them delay their payments any longer. They're calling in the entire loan. She can't help but think it's her stepfather Waldo's fault as he took over her inheritance when he married her mother. His decision making proved to be troublesome to say the least.

He just died, letting the company fall back into Samantha's hands, where she believes it should have been all along. As the older sister, Samantha's always swooped in to save the day. She's not sure she has it in her this time.

With the help of her mother and her two sisters, they come up with a brilliant plan. They're going to host a chocolate festival in Icicle Falls for Valentine's Day. Obstacles are in the way, but Samantha's confident they can overcome them. She's not about to let anyone, including the sexy bank manager Blake, deter her from saving her family business.

My Thoughts: Ok, technically this ISN'T a holiday story, but it reads like one. I love reading about the chocolate business combined with the charm of small town life. I wanted to move to Icicle Falls. The shops and restaurants sound amazing. Plus the people were charming. I loved getting to know the townspeople.  I loved reading from all perspectives and seeing everyone's take on the chocolate business and what it means to the town. A cozy romance, just perfect for sipping hot chocolate and reading under a blanket.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: Signed ARC at BEA
Fun Fact: This recipe came with the book, so I thought I'd share it with you!

*Sequel to Better Than Chocolate*

Cass couldn't wait to host her daughter's wedding, until she realizes the role her ex-husband will play in it. As an absent father for most of her children's lives, she's shocked that her daughter wants her father to walk her down the aisle.  Cass couldn't be happier for her daughter, but Danille's turning into bridezilla. How can she deal with her ex-husband and his trophy wife during the wedding without ruining the special day?

Charlene thought she was done forever with her ex-husband. She's shocked when he turns up, ready to prove himself to her all over again. At first she resists him, but soon he's wearing down her defenses. Could he want to reconcile?

Ella and her husband just finalized their divorce. However, they're stuck living together until they sell the house. It's not an easy situation and Ella tries hard to keep from yelling all the time at Jake. Is there anything fueling that anger?

Between the three women, life in Icicle falls surely isn't dull this holiday season.

My Thoughts: After I finished Better Than Chocolate, I needed this one! I loved picking back up with characters from this town. I loved learning more about their lives,especially characters from the previous book. I like seeing things from multiple perspectives, especially with Jake and Ella. I would have liked learning more about Cass's Gingerbread Haus bakery. Again, a perfectly wonderful romance to devour before the holidays.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: my Library

Similar Read: If you like Debbie Macomber or Sherryl Woods books, check these out!

Up Next: The Next book in the series comes out in March and I can't WAIT!

Review: Keep Holding On

Noelle's life is no picnic.

Her mom's made it clear that Noelle ruined her life. She barely talks to Noelle, except to complain about her life. She certainly isn't interested in Noelle's life.


Noelle tries to keep her head down, hoping that everything will turn out OK. She hates that people laugh at her. She hates having to scrape together lunch - sometimes just a lettuce and condiments sandwich.


She has her best friend to help her make it through the day. She has a secret crush, who makes her day by talking to her. Can she find the strength in herself to keep holding on?

My Thoughts: I can't say I loved reading this book, because it's not a happy book. It's a book that makes you think, a book that stays with you long after you've finished it. It's a book you wish every teen would read and talk about.

Keep Holding On is a powerful novel about bullies, neglect, and the hardships of high school. I couldn't put it down. I cried over it. My heart broke for Noelle, but I admired her too.

Cover Thoughts: I like it, but it doesn't match the seriousness of book
Source: BEA

BEA: Getting My Face Out There

Today I'm at my 10 year college reunion and I can't believe it's been 10 years! That seems crazy to me. Monday I'll be at Book Blogger Con (for the first time) and Tuesday and Wednesday I'll be at BEA. I can't wait to see you all (or meet you) and talk about books!

However, I have two confessions to make:

1. I'm SHY. Really shy. Sometimes it's hard to walk up to people and start a conversation, especially if a person you think you know is already talking to someone else. Each year I go, I get better at interrupting and saying Hello, but it's still hard.

2. I do spend a lot of time looking at name tags, but sometimes I recognize people from the blog name or twitter handle and NOT by reading the name tag. Then usually, after I'm home and I'm reading about all the fun everyone had, I realize, THAT'S who that was. And I feel like a dork because I didn't realize it at that moment.


So - just in case this works, here I am

And I'm so looking to chatting with book people next week! It's my favorite time of year!

BEA: Making A Plan

Usually, I make plans and the moment I arrive at BEA, it's thrown out that window.

Things change when the lines are too long or there's a super great author I'm dying to meet that I didn't realize was going to be signing. There are times when stumble upon an author and track one down on the floor.

So, this year, I made a smart plan. (actually, I'm still making it and will probably tweak it all next week).

I made a list of publishers I want to visit and contacts I have at each of them. I'm hoping to be better this year about talking to those contacts. It's something that's hard for me because I'm super shy.

I made a list of authors and times they will be available.

Next week I'll finish off my excel file with Tuesday and Wednesday all scheduled out. I know my day won't go according to plan, but that way when I miss and author, I can still talk to the publisher about how I'm excited to read their book.

There are several ARCs that I can't wait to pick up and read along with several authors that I can't wait to meet. I love these days where I meet other book people and we get to talking in line. I learn about books I must read, am introduced to new authors, and new ideas to bring back to the library.

Several people are going from my library. We're working together to come up with a plan for the library in terms of most popular publishers we need to talk to, titles we want more information about, and titles to pick up.

Several items we use as summer reading program prizes and it's awesome that the kids/teens get excited about an upcoming book.  They love looking at the new posters on the wall and grabbing new bookmarks. I simply love it when I hear them talking about books!

Do you have a plan or are you a fly by the seat of your pants person?

10 Things: Recap of BEA

Last week on Tuesday and Wednesday I was lucky enough to attend BEA. I traveled with a fellow librarian from my library. We had a plan - but traffic once again played a little part in the trip. We were delayed an hour and thus missed a few signings. For the next two days, I waited in lines - chatting with various people, talked with many awesome authors I already knew, talked with several awesome new authors, stopped two authors in the middle of the floor like a complete fangirl, talked with publishers about upcoming titles, talked with people in the lines - book bloggers and librarians alike, and have two stacks of books I can't wait to read.

1. I scored Uncommon Criminals - which I'm reading and it's AMAZING. Plus Ally Carter said she likes my blog!

2. I didn't make the cut for the Harlequin Teen signing - which I really wanted to see great authors, but as I wandered away (after taking pictures), I stumbled upon Christoper Paolini signing Inheritance posters. I snagged one.
3. I saw Mike Holmes - I didn't get to meet him because his line was crazy long, but he looked so charming and sweet.
4. Seeing all the new books coming out and all the hype for the books!

5. Hanging out with Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Sarah Beth Durst, and Melanie from the blog Reclusive Blogger

6. I stopped Maureen Johnson in a booth. She was so sweet and after reading my name tag - she said that she knew my name.

7. Meeting Richelle Mead - even though I acted like a complete fan girl.


8. Seeing and meeting so many authors: Ridley Pearson, Harlan Coben, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Ally Condie, Mary Jane Clark, Susan Mallery - just to name a few.

9. I went with Amanda from my library - we went to the Hard Rock Cafe and then Toys R Us before collapsing from exhaustion
10. The best part is I have new books for the library and prizes for teens for the summer reading program. My library doesn't spend much money on summer prizes for Teens, but I love getting books for them!!!!

11. Having so many great books to read and share with teens and other librarians!!!!!

One Week Until BEA: Getting my face out there

In one week, it will be Christmas for the book world. I LOVE BEA for the mingling, the sighting (and talking) to authors, the meeting with other book bloggers, and the talking about books: new upcoming books and books you LOVED reading.

I come back to the library with books and swag, but more importantly with a list of books to read that everyone's been raving about, new blogs to read, and new people to chat with over social media sites (twitter being my personal favorite- I'm also yabooknerd on twitter)

While I Love networking, I'm pretty shy. So if you see me, say Hi and I'll try to do the same. I'll be there on Tuesday and Wednesday.

BEA 2010

BEA was quite an adventure - and that was just the bus ride, which I won't bore with you the details, but it was horrific.

I saw amazing people. The ones not included in the video are Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Kristi from the Story Siren, Jessica Miller from I Read to Relax, awesome CT YA librarians, and Laura M who I meant at ALA Midwinter in Boston.

Here's some photos taken with my cellphone and not the best:

Jonathon Stroud:

Lauren Kate:

Ridley Pearson:

The Amazing Harlequin desk

Where I saw Maria V. Snyder!

I missed some great authors and events due to the bus issues.

I missed other authors that I meant to see, but never found.

I also missed some booths that I really wanted to see.

However, I got amazing goodies books like these:

Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading Blog Tour: Guest Blog by Darcy and Charity

Can We Talk?

No really, can we? Or maybe the better question is…should we? There’s been some drama in the book blog world lately. It started at BEA with a panel discussion of bloggers regarding their relationships with publishers, publicists and authors. Later, someone blogged about it (of course) and (this is the internet, so) someone else misconstrued the comments. You can probably guess where things went after that. (Handbasket, meet Hell.)

There were some pretty fiery opinions thrown down and some flaming comments to go with them. In the midst of the heat storm, a lot of really interesting questions came up. One of the topics that grabbed our attention was:

Should authors try to establish relationships with bloggers?

Here’s the Geek Girls’ take on that question: We. Don’t. Know.

As new authors, it’s really exciting to find our book mentioned on a blog. It’s a natural reaction (we think) to want to interact with the blogger, to thank them for acknowledging our existence and, when they’ve given us a great review, to thank them.

But.

Does contacting a blogger (to offer an ARC, comment on a book mention – or on another blog post of theirs) put unfair pressure on the blogger to produce a positive review?

And.

If the review is already up, do comments by the author(s) crush any further discussion of the book? (Because, like an example given at another blog, you might think a baby is ugly -- but would you say that if you knew his mama could hear?)

The Geek Girls know that bloggers are important. They can help make or break a book – especially a book like ours that didn’t receive much attention from traditional book review outlets. We need bloggers to spread the word about The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading, but we want to play fair – we want to treat you ethically and with respect. So, if you bloggers and blog readers are ready to talk, the Geek Girls are poised to listen.

You can read about a couple of other blogger panels here: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6661691.html and here: http://freneticreader.blogspot.com/2009/05/ya-book-blogger-panel-sort-of.html

~ Darcy and Charity

I think that it's awesome when an author comments on a review I've written or really anywhere on my blog. I like the fact that they read my blog first of all, but second of all, that they want to talk. I think authors rock and I confess I do get all fangirlish at times when meeting authors or just chatting online with authors. In terms of the reviews, I try to be fair if I didn't like the book, because I know that my tastes are not everyone's taste. There are some books I read, but don't mention because I've forgotten that I've never mentioned them, or their more adult books that aren't particularly cross over books to YA lit, or that I didn't know what to say. And that happens sometimes- rarely, but it does. I don't know if authors NEED to establish relationships with bloggers, I just know that it makes me feel nice when they notice something cool (booktrailers made, flair made, or an awesome review).

~ yabooknerd

Speaking of awesome reviews: Read my review

Read more about the Geek Girl tour

Read Melissa Walker's cover story

Book Expo America Round Up

I love BEA for many reasons
1) Meeting authors - both new and those I love
2) Knowing what's coming out soonish
3) Getting ARCs
4) Talking about Books
5) The energy that comes from being around books all day


This year was no different (sure there were less ARCs - but that made the ones there special)
I met some very cool authors (I tend to be a bit of a fangirl at these events)

Sarah MacLean - who I saw right when I got into the building. She wrote The Season (excellent regency romance for teens)

Jeanine Le Ny - who I stopped right in the middle of the floor, but who was really nice about it. She was chatting with Judy Goldschmidt


I saw Mari Mancusi and David Levithan - but didn't stop them though looking back, I should have. Plus I saw Jennifer Lynn Barnes (most likely with a group of authors) but she was too quick for me to catch her.

I stood in line to see Meg Cabot and Aimee Friedman (love them both and have met them before - still great)
Then I met Melissa Marr and Cinda Williams Chima. I wanted to catch Lisa Ann Sandell, but she was out sick.

I scored some awesome books - and missed some awesome books.

There were tons of authors that twittered about being at BEA that I didn't see. There's always books and people that I miss, but it's always great fun too!
I'm already looking forward to next year.