WWW Wednesday

Hey Everyone!  I felt like filming a video for this week's WWW Wednesday!


Titles mentioned:
The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Remembrance by Michelle Madow

Waiting on Wednesday

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy 

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

     This book just sounds so adorable!  It reminds me of a Sarah Dessen Novel mixed with a Romantic Comedy (like the Movie No Reservations).  I can't wait to dig into the adorable-ness! :)


What are you Waiting on?

IMM #20

Hey Remarkable Readers!  Here's this week's IMM!  I got something really cool and quite a few books so check it out!  What did you get this week?  I hope you'll check out my online shop for readers and writers: www.keepcalmreadon.com !  Thanks!

Big News!

     With my love of Reading in mind, I've been developing a site where I will hand select great gifts for readers and writers to purchase!  The site opens today, Cyber Monday!  I will be adding new products on a regular basis, so please check back often!  I look forward to sharing my personal selections with you.  I wish you the best this holiday season!  Remember:  Keep Calm and Read On.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Genre: Young Adult (Time Travel)
Source: ARC from Publisher
Series: Standalone
Buy It: The Book Depository
Challenge: No

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

     When I first heard about this book, I couldn’t wait to read it.  I tried to trade with other bloggers for an ARC-I failed.  I sent a review request to the publisher and had no response for a few weeks.  Then one day, I decided to resend my request and I received a response within seconds, it was an auto reply.  The person I sent it to was out of the office and I was instructed to call another Penguin employee and direct my review request to her!  I was excited to have another chance!  I eagerly dialed my phone and to my luck, she promptly sent me an ARC!  I actually received it the same day!  I was so excited.  I put the ARC in my review basket and waited till November to start it so I could post my review around the book’s release date, so here it is!

     I thought this book had an amazing concept.  It explored how the smallest changes in the present can effect the future and I really loved how facebook was incorporated.  Although the plot was amazing, for most of the book, the writing was just okay, maybe a little better than okay.  I just wasn’t wowed.  But wait!  There’s More! ;)  When I was reading the last part of the book, maybe the last 50 pages or so, the wow-factor tripled!  I absolutely loved how Jay and Carolyn tied up the book!  All the loose ends came together!  The ending was superb!  

     Although this was a very character driven book, I didn’t fall in love with Josh or Emma.  I really loved their complexity and display of feelings, I just didn’t fall in love with them.  Don’t get me wrong, their characters were written wonderfully, I just didn’t love the characters themselves.  I will say that I did get more attached to them as the book went on.  

      The Future of Us was definitely a fast paced read.  I was always excited and intrigued to find out what would happen next!  I mean, everything in this book altered each character’s entire life!  How could you not be on the edge of your seat?!  It was also really interesting to explore how teens living in 1996 would react to facebook!  It made me rethink all of the terms from facebook (wall, poke, etc.) and made me laugh!

     The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler was definitely an interesting book.  Although I wasn’t wowed by the entire book, the ending was great and very meaningful!  My entire view of the book actually changed within the last 50 pages!  Definitely buy yourself a copy of this book because you wont want to miss this cool take on facebook and our generation! 


Final Grade:

Tune in Tuesday

A feature hosted by Ginger at Greads where bloggers can share 
great music!  I'm going to try to share inspirational songs
that are lesser known.  Hope you like it!

I absolutely love this song.  The lyrics are brilliant so listen closely!  
The story plays like a movie in my head.  Do you like it?

IMM #19

Check out my latest IMM!

TGIF: Books I'm Thankful For

TGIF is a feauture hosted by Ginger over at Greads!  Each week, a question is asked and bloggers can post about their answers!

Friday, Nov. 18th - Giving Thanks: Which books are you most thankful for receiving from other bloggers, friends, family members, or publishers?

I'm going to answer this post according to recent books I've recieved.


From other bloggers: The Predicteds from Angela at Book Angel, Dark Mirror from April at Book Away, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone from Ashley.


From Publishers:  Incarnate, Shatter Me, Everneath, and Arcadia Awakens from the wonderful people over at HarperTeen.  All those audiobooks from Macmillan Audio.  The Probablity of Miracles and the Future of Us from Razorbill.  Of course, there are many more books from publishers that I'm thankful for but, I can't list them all! :)


From Authors: The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner :) :)


Thanks to all! :)

We interrupt this program to bring you an important update!

Hey all you Remarkable Readers!
     You probably haven't noticed because I've been rushing to write my posts late at night but, this week I'm behind my blogging schedule!  This happened because I couldn't find the book I was reading for 2 entire days!  I eventually found it in my car but, since I was behind on reading, my review for this week might be a bit late, and that just threw me off completely!  You probably noticed that I haven't posted an IMM yet!  That is also because of this fiasco, so I'm just going to combine this week and last week.  I'm also falling behind on memes that I love to participate in so, you might see some tuesday memes today or even later this week but, still, a post is a post and I hope you'll still read them!  Thanks for reading my update!  As for where I stand in my November TBR, I've read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Handsberry and I'm halfway through the Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (the book I lost!)  Thanks, and don't forget to signup for the readathon!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award—finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

I' really excited for this book.  It has a great cover and just sounds like a great contemporary read!  What do you think?

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers. 

This week's theme is Top Ten books that have been sitting on your shelf unread for a long time.

1. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
     I saw the movie and lost interest in reading this book but, I still have the first three books in the series.  Maybe I'll read them one day!
2. Boys R Us by Lisi Harrison
     Read most of the series and just got older and lost interest.  I hope to finish all the books one day, though!
3.  Charmed and Dangerous by Lisi Harrison
     Same as above.
4.  Mockingjay by Suzzane Collins
      I;ve had this book since the day it came out last August.  Even though its had many bad reviews, I'm still really angry at myself that I haven't read it yet.  I'm promising myself that I'll read it before the movie premiere!
5. Monster high by Lisi Harrison
     For the record, I have nothing against Lisi!  She used to be one of my favorite authors but, I sort of grew out of her books.  I really want to read them though!
6. The Golden Sprial by Lisa Mangum
     I loved the first book in this trilogy, The Hourglass Door, so this is another thing I'm really angry about!  I need to read this soon!
7. The Year I Turned Sixteen
     I just haven't been in the mood to read this.
8. The Juliet Club
     I kept starting this book and never finishing but, I don't know why because I was actually really liking it!
9. The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
     I got this last Christmas and just never got around to reading it.
10. The Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz
     I'm saving this one for summer ;)

The Hunger Games Trailer

I know you've probably all seen this already but, for those who haven't, here is the highly anticipated trailer for the Hunger Games!



So-Is it what you expected?!

A Rasin in the Sun by Lorraine Handsberry

Genre: Drama (Play format)
Source: Library
Series: Standalone
Buy It: The Book Depository
Challenge: No

This groundbreaking play starred Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeill, Ruby Dee and Diana Sands in the Broadway production which opened in 1959. Set on Chicago's South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband's insurance money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans, however: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school.

The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration. Winner of the NY Drama Critic's Award as Best Play of the Year, it has been hailed as a "pivotal play in the history of the American Black theatre." by Newsweek and "a milestone in the American Theatre." by Ebony.

     eh.  The only reason I picked up this book was because I had to read it for school.  I don't think that I would have picked it up otherwise but, I started reading it with an open mind.  If it wasn't a school night, it probably would've taken me an hour and a half to read but, I wound up finishing it in the morning.  In my opinion, A Raisin in the Sun was one of those books that wasn't great, wasn't awful, and wasn't special-at all.  It was completely "eh."  I actually thought that it was a little annoying and I rushed through it so that I would be done with it.

Help Make this Blog Even Better!

Hey Remarkable Readers,
     If you're reading this, you are probably interested in my blog or follow my blog (thank you for that :)
Therefore, I have a few announcements to make to you!  First, I would really like to enhance your viewing experience and the quality of my blog.  I have a few ideas on how to do this.  I would really love if you could give me any suggestions for posts besides memes, event recaps, and reviews.  You can tell me in the form below.  I need to know what you guys want to see!  Next, in the post below, you will see that I'm hosting a Readers Choice Awards.  This helps me learn what genres and books my followers are interested in, thus helping me to improve my blog!  Please cast your vote.  I would also like to get a custom blog design sometime soon and the designer I would like charges $80 for that.  A follower has already generously donated $20, so I'm already 25% there!  I would really appreciate anyone who could help me reach my goal!  In return, I could interview you or post about your book, etc.  Please donate using the button below! :)

                                        



     The next thing I would like to address is the upcoming readathon!  You can find all the information in the readathon tab.  I need your help with this :) !  I need some help getting the word out about this so that we can get more participants!  I'm also looking for prize donations from authors, publishers, bloggers, or anybody really!  I have spots open for guest posts, interviews, cover reveals and more during the readathon, so please let me know if you are interested: remarkablereads@gmail.com.  If you are a blogger interested in hosting a challenge or giveaway, you can sign up in the readathon tab!

   
Thanks so much everyone and I hope you will help me to reach my goal and help me with my readathon :)

Reader's Choice

Hey Remarkable Readers!

I was casting my vote in the 2011 Goodreads Choice awards and realized that we should have awards right here on my blog!  I'd love to know your preferences!  Fill out the form below and on January 31st, I will announce all the winners!  Why January 1st?  I'd like to give all those December Releases a chance to be read!

Characters I Love to Hate

TGIF is a feauture hosted by Ginger over at Greads!  Each week, a question is asked and bloggers can post about their answers!

Friday, Nov. 11th - Love-Hate Relationship: Which characters from a book do you love to hate?






His name slips my mind but, the evil guy from Misfit by Jon Skovron.  Love to hate him! 


I also LOVE to hate Jake Thorn from the Halo series.  He is such a sinister and corrupted "person"  and its alot of fun to hate him.  He is so slick in his evildoing that it makes it fun!


I also love to hate the evil lady from Another Faust by Dina and Daniel Nayeri.  I don't know her name but, I hate her! haha. 



 

Waiting on Wednesday

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

This may be a short description but, I love books with Italian concepts.  I can tell this will be great! :)


What are you Waiting on?

WWW Wednesday

Recently Finished: A Raisin in the Sun

Currently Reading: The Future of Us

Reading Next: The Probability of Miracles

What are you reading?

November TBR

Check out what I plan on reading this November!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Source: ARC from Publisher
Series: Yes, First In Series, Following Titles TBD
Buy It: The Book Depository
Challenge: No

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices,Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

     Shatter Me shattered me.  Corny, I know but, I'm totally serious.  I would say that I'm speechless but, I'd be lying because if I was vlogging , I'd just be screaming "YOU NEED TO READ THIS!"  I will try to contain myself during this review no matter how much I loved it.  Clearly, you already know which direction this review is going but, if you'd like, proceed reading :).    
     Tahereh Mafi is a fantastic writer.  Honestly, there isn't one single word to describe Shatter Me.  Her words just exploded off the page and totally shocked me.  I actually started this book about two months ago.  I kept setting it down even though I was loving it.  I did this for many reasons.  I had other books with reviews that had to be posted soon, or books that I had to finish for school, or sometimes I just needed to process how amazing the book really was.  Anyway, Shatter Me is written from Juliette's point of view, with nothing held back.  The reader knows everything about Juliette and how she was feeling, including that she didn't want to admit some of her feelings.  This was shown through strikethroughs.  At first, there were very many of these stricken thoughts and I had my doubts.  I thought that they'd be very annoying but, surprisingly I really enjoyed them.  They showed exactly how Juliette was feeling at each moment and as the book progressed, the amount of stricken thoughts decreased.  This gives the reader even more insight into Juliette's character and showed how she slowly became more comfortable in her own skin.
     I fell in love with every character (excluding Warner, of course).  I don't even know how to describe it.  (I'm totally "fangirling" over this book right now.)  Juliette was such a complex character and I loved every minute of it.  She was a puzzle meant to be deciphered by the reader.  Everything about her was never set in stone.  She always doubted herself.  She was broken and I just loved how realistic her character was.  Adam was spectacular.  I just absolutely loved him.  He was so perfect but, imperfect at the same time.  Let me explain.  He was perfect in the sense that he was an amazing love interest and super sweet and attractive.  He was imperfect in a good way.  He wasn't a goody two shoes; he made mistakes like a real person would.  I really love when characters are flawed because it makes them jump off the page. Simply put, Adam Captured my heart and didn't let go.  James was totally adorable and I had a love-hate relationship with Kenji.  The romance between Juliette and Adam is indescribable.  It was flawless and flawed, fairytale and realistic, dangerous and cautious, right and wrong.  I absolutely loved it.
     Tahereh Mafi writes with an interesting and unexpected style (you have to read the book to know what I mean.)   There was never a dull moment in Shatter Me. The book was formatted perfectly with excitement then calm and excitement throughout the entire book. I was never bored. I had very mixed feelings about actually finishing the book; I was sad that it was over but, happy that I could finally write my review and share such an astounding book with all of you!  Honestly, the only bad thing about Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, is that I cannot imagine how she will top it when the next book releases but, who knows?  I didn't think a book this great was even possible.
Final Grade:

WWW Wednesday: The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

 A Murder Mystery!  Can't Wait!

Penelope (Lo) Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things. Her dad's consulting job means she's grown up moving from one rundown city to the next, and she's learned to cope by collecting (sometimes even stealing) quirky trinkets and souvenirs in each new place--possessions that allow her to feel at least some semblance of home.

But in the year since her brother Oren's death, Lo's hoarding has blossomed into a full-blown, potentially dangerous obsession. She discovers a beautiful, antique butterfly pendant during a routine scour at a weekend flea market, and recognizes it as having been stolen from the home of a recently murdered girl known only as "Sapphire"--a girl just a few years older than Lo. As usual when Lo begins to obsess over something, she can't get the murder out of her mind.

As she attempts to piece together the mysterious "butterfly clues," with the unlikely help of a street artist named Flynt, Lo quickly finds herself caught up in a seedy, violent underworld much closer to home than she ever imagined--a world, she'll ultimately discover, that could hold the key to her brother's tragic death.