Hi everyone! Today we’ll be talking about what we read, reviewed, posted, and other IRL happenings!
Month: July 2017
Review: Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance
Publication: August 1st 2017 by Swoon Reads
Series: n/a
Length: 320 pages
Format: ARC from publisher (thank you!)
A new spin on the classic smart-girl-and-bad-boy setup, this witty contemporary romance shows how easily a friendship – even one built on an elaborate lie – can become so much more.
Jenny meets Chance for the very first time when she is assigned as his partner in their Junior Oral Communications class. But after they rescue a doomed assignment with one clever lie, the whole school is suddenly convinced that Little-Miss-Really-Likes-Having-A’s and the most scandalous heartbreaker in school have been best friends forever. It’s amazing how quickly a lie can grow―especially when you really, really want it to be the truth.
With Jenny, Chance can live the normal life he’s always kind of wanted. And with Chance, Jenny can have the exciting teen experiences that TV shows and movies have always promised. Through it all, they hold on to the fact that they are “just friends.” But that might be the biggest lie of all.
Debut author Tiffany Pitcock delivers a spot-on depiction of first love and the high school rumor mill in Just Friends, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan’s young adult imprint Swoon Reads.
Edelweiss Plus Tutorial & Tips
Earlier last year, I wrote a blog post, detailing steps on using Edelweiss, a site on which you can request digital galleys from publishers. Edelweiss has since then transformed into a whole new site, upgrading into Edelweiss Plus. I took it upon myself to write another tutorial on how to use the new and upgraded version of Edelweiss. I hope this helps!
Review: Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Hate to Love
Publication: July 18, 2017 from Swoon Reads
Publication: July 18, 2017 from Swoon Reads
Series: N/A
Length: 256 pages
Format: ARC
Rating: ★★★★☆
Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.
So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.
But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
Review: At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson
At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson
Genre: YA Contemporary, Sci-fi, LGBT
Publication: February 7th 2017 by Simon Pulse
Series: n/a
Length: 496 pages
Format: Hardcover
Tommy and Ozzie have been best friends since the second grade, and boyfriends since eighth. They spent countless days dreaming of escaping their small town—and then Tommy vanished.
More accurately, he ceased to exist, erased from the minds and memories of everyone who knew him. Everyone except Ozzie.
Ozzie doesn’t know how to navigate life without Tommy and soon suspects that something else is going on—that the universe is shrinking.
When Ozzie is paired up with the reclusive and secretive Calvin for a physics project, it’s hard for him to deny the feelings that develop between them, even if he still loves Tommy.
But Ozzie knows there isn’t much time left to find Tommy—that once the door closes, it can’t be opened again. And he’s determined to keep it open as long as possible.
Review: Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
Genre: YA Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
Publication: July 25th 2017 by Delacorte Press
Publication: July 25th 2017 by Delacorte Press
Series: n/a
Length: 336 pages
Format: ARC from publisher (Thank you!)
For fans of Pretty Little Liars, Little Monsters is a new psychological thriller, from the author of The Darkest Corners, about appearances versus reality and the power of manipulation amongst teenage girls.
Kacey is the new girl in Broken Falls. When she moved in with her father, she stepped into a brand-new life. A life with a stepbrother, a stepmother, and strangest of all, an adoring younger half sister.
Kacey’s new life is eerily charming compared with the wild highs and lows of the old one she lived with her volatile mother. And everyone is so nice in Broken Falls—she’s even been welcomed into a tight new circle of friends. Bailey and Jade invite her to do everything with them.
Which is why it’s so odd when they start acting distant. And when they don’t invite her to the biggest party of the year, it doesn’t exactly feel like an accident.
But Kacey will never be able to ask, because Bailey never makes it home from that party. Suddenly, Broken Falls doesn’t seem so welcoming after all—especially once everyone starts looking to the new girl for answers.
Kacey is about to learn some very important lessons: Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Sometimes when you’re the new girl, you shouldn’t trust anyone.
Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
Genre: YA Contemporary, Mental Illness, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Publication: January 3, 2017 by Clarion Books
Publication: January 3, 2017 by Clarion Books
Series: N/A
Length: 330 pages
Format: ARC
Rating: ★★★★☆
At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.
But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.
Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?
Why You Should Use Your Local Library More Often
There’s one underlying expectation in the book community: in order to be a ‘proper’ bookstagrammer/book blogger/booktuber/etc., you must have a plethora of brand-new, beautiful hardcovers.If you’re like me, then you can’t keep up with this either. There are actually very few people who can actually afford to keep up this expectation. One resource that is often forgotten is the library. Today, I’m going to talk about four main reasons why you should go to your local library more often!
Note: I understand there are many cities, states, and/or countries that don’t have good library programs. There certainly is privilege that comes with the access to decent libraries.
Review: Lucky in Love by Kasie West
Lucky in Love by Kasie West
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance
Publication: July 25th 2017 by Scholastic
Series: n/a
Length: 352 pages
Format: ARC from publisher (thanks!!)
In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture.
Maddie doesn’t believe in luck. She’s all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment —
She wins!
In a flash, Maddie’s life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she’s talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun… until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn’t sure who she can trust.
Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn’t seem aware of Maddie’s big news. And, for some reason, she doesn’t want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?
With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.
Review: The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana
The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Publication: July 18th 2017 by Razorbill
Series: n/a
Length: 354 pages
Format: ARC from Dahlia ❤ (Thank you!!)
A romantic coming-of-age fantasy tale steeped in Indian folklore, perfect for fans of The Star-Touched Queen and The Wrath and the Dawn
No one is entirely certain what brings the Emperor Sikander to Shalingar. Until now, the idyllic kingdom has been immune to his many violent conquests. To keep the visit friendly, Princess Amrita has offered herself as his bride, sacrificing everything—family, her childhood love, and her freedom—to save her people. But her offer isn’t enough.
The unthinkable happens, and Amrita finds herself a fugitive, utterly alone but for an oracle named Thala, who was kept by Sikander as a slave and managed to escape amid the chaos of a palace under siege. With nothing and no one else to turn to, Amrita and Thala are forced to rely on each other. But while Amrita feels responsible for her kingdom and sets out to warn her people, the newly free Thala has no such ties. She encourages Amrita to go on a quest to find the fabled Library of All Things, where it is possible for each of them to reverse their fates. To go back to before Sikander took everything from them.
Stripped of all that she loves, caught between her rosy past and an unknown future, will Amrita be able to restore what was lost, or does another life—and another love—await?
arctic books 