Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR pile

This week's topic is Books On My TBR For Summer 2015. I read a lot of books, so 2.5 months is around 75 books. So given that, there's no way to narrow it down to just 10 - sorry.

My plans is to finish the library books I have out right now and then start working my way through the ARCs and books from BEA. I have a lot of books to go through and I can't wait! Bring on the reading time!

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

YA:

Adult:

What will you be reading this summer?

Review: Finding Audrey

After an incident at school Audrey can't leave the house. She can't interact with people. She can't look at people without her dark sunglasses on for protection. She's been trying to make progress with her anxiety with the help of her psychologist.

Now, she's trying things that scare her. She's looking at the world through the lens of a camera. She's going to try to interview someone outside her family.

She interacts with her brother's new friend. He comes over to the house. He doesn't know about Audrey. Still, his kindness helps Audrey open up around him. She starts looking forward to his visits. Can Audrey find happiness again, on her own terms?

My Thoughts: I adore Sophie Kinsella's adult books and I was SO happy to hear about her YA debut. She has the perfect voice for YA. 

Top things I liked:
The moments with Dr. Sarah - how she tried to explain the rules of making strides towards getting better, but that it was going to be a matter of ups and downs. There wasn't going to be an all out cure - and while Audrey could get better, she could also take steps backwards. I found it realistic and an interesting look at life after a bullying incident.
I also really liked that you never found out what that incident was - you could just imagine the possibilities. 
I loved Frank - from his support of his sister to his love for video games. He was funny, sweet, inventive, and entertaining
Their mother - perfectly written in her own addiction to the Daily Mail, her need to get her son off video games, and the lengths she would go to achieve her goals. Wildly entertaining 
Linus - sweet, supportive, likable, and the voice of reason at times
Audrey - flawed, finding herself, taking steps to overcome her anxiety, 
I loved the moments with Audrey and Linus

Cover Thoughts: It's grown on me, but it isn't my favorite
Source: Sent for review

Final Thoughts: Sophie Kinsella knocks it out of the park with her YA debut, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. 

Blog Tour: I am the Traitor

The Unknown Assassin’s 8 Tips for Going on the Run

Thinking of going on the run? Here are eight tips from The Unknown Assassin who has been trained from a young age to move through the world while staying invisible. 

1.    Let go of the ego.

Maybe you like the idea that you go to a certain school or you’re on a certain team. Maybe you like your name or your family’s name, or you’re proud of what your mom does for a living. If you go on the run, you can forget about all of it. Everything about you is an identifier, so the world can no longer know who you really are or where you come from. The Unknown Assassin is unknown for a reason. He’s let go of everything that carries meaning for most of us, making himself into a living ghost.

2.    Your phone is not your friend.

By now you know that your phone can be tracked, your position triangulated between cell towers or pinpointed via GPS. There’s no way to run with a phone in your pocket. But it’s not just your phone. Laptops and tablets also expose you and your coordinates to the people trying to find you. So running means no tech for you.

3.    Forget about flying.  

Or taking the train. Or renting a car. Or calling an Uber. In fact, forget about any form of transportation that requires you to buy a ticket or register your name or information. All of it can be tracked, and if they can find the ticket, they can find you. 

4.    Cash is king.

If you want to stay hidden, you can’t use credit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay, or any digitally-linked payment system. You can’t even go to the ATM at your bank. (Think cameras. Think receipts. Think trouble.)  Your best bet is to have a lot of cash in small denominations. Where do you keep all this cash and how do you replenish it? That’s your problem. You’re the one who decided to run.

5.    Do you have a lot of family and friends? Not anymore.

One of the toughest things about being on the run is being socially isolated. Friends (especially new friends) ask questions, and you can’t afford questions. The Unknown Assassin has no friends. He lives isolated from others, moving from town to town to complete his mission. It’s not fun, but it’s his job. Could you really live like that?

6.    Welcome to the social media blackout.

No e-mail or text messages. No Facebook status updates, Instagram photos, tweets or snapchats. If you want to stay on the run, you have to drop off the web.

7.    Never call 911.

Need help? Sorry. No police or fire to the rescue, and visits to the emergency room are not possible. All of these services keep records, take names, file reports.  The Unknown Assassin is a trained soldier, equipped to handle all situations. Can you?

8.    Get ready to run again. It is inevitable.

Because no matter how far you’ve run or how well-hidden you are, you will be found. And then you’ll have to run again. And again. Forever.

As you can see by this list, being on the run sucks, and it’s nearly impossible in our digital world, especially if you live in a country like the United States. The Unknown Assassin does it because he has to, because he is on a never-ending mission for a secret government organization. If you’re not on a secret mission, it’s a lot easier (and more fun) to stay home.

Miss a stop? Check out the rest of the tour:

6/8/2015- The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia- Excerpt

6/8/2015-Curling Up With A Good Book- Guest Post

6/9/2015- Parajunkee- Interview

6/9/2015- The Book Landers- Review 

6/10/2015- Swoony Boys Podcast- Interview

6/11/2015- Fiktshun- Interview and Review

6/12/2015- YA Book Nerd- Guest Post

About the Book:
Title: I AM THE TRAITOR (The Unknown Assassin #3)

Author: Allen Zadoff

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub. Date: June 17, 2014

Pages: 432

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

In the third and final installment in the Unknown Assassin trilogy, Boy Nobody is on the run from The Program and uncovers a secret about his past that forces him to decide where his loyalties lie.

The Program has sent Boy Nobody on countless missions, instructed to kill whichever target he was given. But now, after going rogue, he is on his own mission to rescue his friend Howard who was captured by The Program. Boy Nobody manages to free Howard as well as Tanya, a mysterious girl who was being held with him. Howard and Tanya help Boy Nobody collect information about his father, eventually revealing a dangerous secret that teaches Boy Nobody a valuable lesson -- he can't trust anyone.

Allen Zadoff packs the third book of the Unknown Assassin series with even more action, higher stakes, and mind-blowing reveals that will leave readers riveted.

About Allen:

Allen Zadoff is the author of the THE UNKNOWN ASSASSIN series as well as several acclaimed novels includingFOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE, winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award and a YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults. Allen's action-packed series debut, I AM THE WEAPON (formerly BOY NOBODY), is a page-turning thriller about a teenage assassin that has already been optioned for film by Sony Pictures & Overbrook Entertainment. The book was featured in the Los Angeles Times' Summer Reading guide and has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and VOYA. Kirkus Reviews called I AM THE WEAPON "fast, furious, and fun." Look for the sequel, I AM THE MISSION, beginning in June 2014.  Allen is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theatre Training. His training as a super spy, however, has yet to be verified. Visit Allen on the web at www.allenzadoff.com.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Sounds Awesome right? I've read and loved the first two books and can't wait to read the conclusion.

You have a chance to win all THREE books!

5 sets of THE UNKNOWN ASSASSIN Series (Books 1-3) US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Wrong Side of Right

Kate's been sleep walking through her life since her mom died. One day she comes home from school to find the press camped out on her aunt and uncle's lawn - waiting for her.

Kate walks in the house and meets the man running for President - and her father.

She travels to meet her new family for the weekend and ends up staying to help out with the campaign. It's more work that she imagines, but soon she's found her rhythm - until it all goes terribly wrong. 

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it reminded me of the movie What a Girl Wants. It was sweet and entertaining, but it also made me think about what's important in life, friendships, family, and where I stand on my own political issues.

• Kate dealing with the death of her mother and what it means to her
• Kate meeting her new family
• Kate trying to help out the campaign
• Learning more about politics 
• Learning more about the people involved in politics 
• Thinking more about the big picture issues 
• Of course the makeover scene
• Family time vs perfect family in front of the cameras - there were communication issues, as there are in any family. I can't imagine how hard it would be to separate the two.
• The moments where she could be herself
• The moments with Andy - I liked the game they played and how it all turned out.
• Kate discovering who she is and what she stands for

Cover Thoughts: I like it, but it doesn't really show what the book's about
Source: Library

Final Thoughts: I couldn't put this book down.

BEA Recap: The Books!

Cooking Class: A fun looking cookbook for kids - great pictures and lots of fun ideas

UnSlut: Important book for teens; part diary part memoir

Come Rain or Come Shine: My Grandmother used to love her books. I couldn't pass this up even though my Grandmother is no longer with us.

Truth According to Us: from one of the co-authors of the Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society

Legacy of Kings: Super fun looking teen fantasy novel from the historical time of Alexander the Great 

Royal Wedding: Perfect read of more Mia and Michael

Rogue Wave: Love this mermaid series - action, friendship, and romance

Infinite in Between: I'm excited to read this one about five teens and their entire high school experience.

Soundless: A new Richelle Mead based on Chinese Folklore. Looking forward to this one.

Queen's Hat: A great picture book that showcases London

Some thrillers and historical books that I picked up:

Duplicity

Personal

Alert

War of Two

President's Shadow: Book 3 in the Beecher White series 

Survivor

Most Dangers: Vietnam book from the author of Bomb!

Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party: Fun read about a Princess with fighting powers

Newt's Emerald: Super looking forward to this Regency read with magic

Sunny Side Up: A fun graphic novel about a girl spending the summer with her grandfather

Blackthorn Key: A boy attempts to decipher the clues his master left behind that might solve the murders happening. Really fun read.

Upside Magic: What happens when you're magic isn't like everyone else's magic? Really really cute read.

Superman 

Walk on Earth a Stranger: New trilogy about magic and Gold Rush

Play On: Baseball, Chemistry, Love, and Secrets = sounds really good.

My Secret to Tell: Another thriller from Natalie Richards.

Zeroes: the new Scott Westerfeld

Black Widow: Forever Red. Super excited to learn more about Black Widow

Daughter of Deep Silence: Smart revenge thriller that sounds awesome

A History of Glitter and Blood: Fairies and war and unlikely friendships

Letter to the King: Randomly picked this one up

Clayton Stone at Your Service: Secret agents

White Hots Kiss: from the Harlequin Teen Breakfast

Golden Match: book 2 that looks super cute.

Mariella Mystery: Picked up for a library friend

League of Unexceptional Children: Real kids getting stuff done

Simon Thorn: new MG from Aimee Carter about a boy who discovers a race of animal shape shifters

Voyagers: 39 Clues type book set in space

City of Thirst: Sequel to Map of Everywhere

Girl Who Could Not Dream: MG from Sarah Beth Durst about a dream shop

Foxcraft: Random pick up.

Heartbreakers: A musician and a girl meet and their lives change

Never Always Sometimes: From the Harlequin Teen breakfast

Hello?: From my awesome friend Liza

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between: awesome book - loved it (review coming soon)

Truly Madly Famously: book 2 in a series about an actor in a blockbuster movie based on a book

Some presents for people at work plus:

Hold Me:  the newest book in the Fool's Gold series

If You Only Knew: the new Kristan Higgins book

Redemption Bay: Book 2 in a series that starts with a Christmas novel