Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Review: Being Henry David by Cal Armistead

Title: Being Henry David
Author: Cal Armistead
Published: March 1st 2013
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

Seventeen-year-old "Hank" has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything --who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or "Hank" and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of--Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Cal Armistead's remarkable debut novel is about a teen in search of himself. Hank begins to piece together recollections from his past. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.

My Thoughts:

I was curious about this one although a little apprehensive as to whether I would like it or not. I have read a couple books in male point of view and if the voice isn’t just right, I may not stay interested. That was not he case with this one. I found it very enjoyable and easy to follow.

Henry, or so he dubs himself, was very likeable. You can’t help but be drawn into his confused mind, attempting to fit pieces together. You follow this journey of his, desiring the to the truth of his past, wondering why he has Waden memorized, why he lost his memory. This mystery alone kept my interest piqued.

When he arrives in Concord, he finds places to hide out as he tries to discover who he is and answer all the questions of his own mysterious mind. In his search for answers, he receives help from Thomas, a local tour guide for Thoreau. He also meets Hailey, a sweet local girl with troubles of her own. She can tell something is wrong with Henry, but he’s not sure how to explain it to her. By the time he discovers what his past truly is, he really doesn’t know who to tell and if they’ll understand.

Being Henry David was a mysterious adventure. I wanted so much to see what it was that he was running from, how he ended up in that train station of all places. Cal Armistead really did an amazing job tackling the male POV. The end was perfectly handled--we got answers to the important things, and everything else, only time will tell.

My Rating:

Friday, February 22, 2013

Thoughts Weekly Update (8)


Welcome to the Weekly Update here on Thoughts! This is where I will share what books I finished, what I am currently reading, the current word count on my WIP, links from the posts from the last week, and maybe a little something on what's going on in my life.

Finished


Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (-Goodreads-)

Currently Reading


Triangles by Ellen Hopkins (-Goodreads-)
Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIHM by Robert C. O'Brien (-Goodreads-)
Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley (-Goodreads-)

Up Next


Just One Day by Gayle Forman (-Goodreads-)

Word Count 

If Only We ~ 57,556
Check out my writer blog for the latest.

On The Blog This Week
The Latest With Me

Yep. I have done practically nothing yet again this week. I don't know how I forgot to schedule some extra stuff on the blog this month... In any case, I'm gonna ride the rest of this month out and make sure March has some goodies in it. I'll be sure to get to that tonight and Sunday, because tomorrow I am going shopping with a couple friends! We'll also be having lunch and dinner together, so that will be a lot of fun. ^_^

Have a great weekend!!!

Jessica

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Review: Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Published: May 23rd 2011
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Dystopian
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

My Thoughts:

I started reading this last spring while on vacation and decided to put it down because I wasn’t really getting into the story. The pace just wasn’t fast enough and the story itself wasn’t sucking me in. I wanted to finish it though, so I picked it up recently and I’m actually glad I did. If I would have just kept reading the next couple chapters, I would have wanted to keep reading.

I like the premise of this story a lot, how and why digital school came to be a desired thing--including the drama surrounding making such a huge change. Justin is one of the thinkers, someone that Maddie needed to remind her of how life should be--not locked in a bottle but experiences and felt. Especially how important it is for people to have one on one in person interactions and not all over the computer only. It makes me long for the good old days when you saw people more and communication was through snail mail and land lines.

The build of the relationship between Maddie and Justin was well done. I have to say, the suspense was killing me. It really did. It was one of those things where I kept thinking, “Oh my god, just kiss already! Stop this tango of frustration!” But I was rewarded with a pretty epic kissing scene, so, I’m done complaining here.

Awaken was a bit dull to start but it picks up near the middle. The story itself isn’t bad, but some of the world building was illogical at times. Like how easily certain things could happen when society is supposed to be able to control people more. However, Katie Kacvinsky’s writing is meaningful, the feelings are portrayed in a way that draws you in. I am still very much interested in seeing how the story continues.

My Rating:

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Published: March 5th 2013
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My Thoughts:

After reading the synopsis, I thought it was a cute idea. The fact that it was set in the eighties pretty much reeled me in as far as requesting it goes. And in the end, I am glad that I was selected to read and review it.

It started off very slow and boring to me that I almost wanted to give up. Then Eleanor and Park started talking to each other, to interact when it comes to music and comics. And it became something epic. The eighties aspect was totally cool, very unique and well drawn out. The way they are together was pretty astounding.

Their story felt so innocent, and yet it was very serious. There is a lot of family matters Eleanor faces, and they are not pretty. Park doesn’t really know how bad it is because Eleanor doesn’t talk about it. The reality of life was painful and when you discover the reason a the end, yikes. Just…yikes. The lengths Park goes to in protecting Eleanor is nothing short of amazing. You can tell that the two of them really and truly do care about each other.

Eleanor & Park was a touching and endearing read. There were moments I found myself a bit frustrated with the way the characters acted, especially Eleanor, but once I reached the end, it all made sense. Eleanor and Park made a truly matchless couple. I may go on and on about certain ones, but these two were iconic in their own way. Rainbow Rowell impressed me with this deep and incomparable story.

My Rating:

Friday, February 15, 2013

Thoughts Weekly Update (7)


Welcome to the Weekly Update here on Thoughts! This is where I will share what books I finished, what I am currently reading, the current word count on my WIP, links from the posts from the last week, and maybe a little something on what's going on in my life.

Finished


Casey Barnes Eponymous by E.A. Rigg (-Goodreads-)
Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry (-Goodreads-)
Currently Reading


Triangles by Ellen Hopkins (-Goodreads-)
Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIHM by Robert C. O'Brien (-Goodreads-)
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (-Goodreads-)

Up Next


Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley (-Goodreads-)
Just One Day by Gayle Forman (-Goodreads-)

Word Count 

If Only We ~ 57,556
Check out my writer blog for the latest.

On The Blog This Week
The Latest With Me

It's funny, I did NOT realize that I had almost NOTHING scheduled this week. Oh my goodness. Well, I suppose I can put some of the blame on some changes happening in my life. Anywho... things are looking up, I can definitely say that much! So there will be plenty of new things to talk about in the coming months. I still need to talk about #1) all those things I'm supposed to be working on doing this year, and #2) a post on my blog make-over. The latter is LONG overdue.

Have a great weekend!!!

Jessica

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Winner of the Follower Love Giveaway Hop is...


.....(drumroll please).....
 
CONGRATULATIONS
 
Tia!
 
 
You will be receiving an email from me shortly for more info.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway! *many hugs*


Jessica

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Review: Desire by Kailin Gow

Title: Desire
Author: Kailin Gow
Published: May 24th 2011
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Dystopian
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
A Dystopian world where everyone's future is planned out for them at age 18...whether it is what a person desires or not. Kama is about to turn 18 and she thinks her Life s Plan will turn out like her boyfriend's and friend's as they desired. But when she glimpse a young man who can communicate with her with his thoughts and knows her name...a young man with burning blue eyes and raven hair, who is dressed like no other in her world, she is left to question her Life's Plan and her destiny. Knowing the truth can destroy everyone...

My Thoughts:

I have seen so many Kailin Gow books out there. This is the one series that intrigued me the most though. And that cover… just so gorgeous. So I splurged last year and bought the paperback. I had to find out what it was about this author that everyone loved. I discovered that it wasn’t as great as I expected.

First of all, it is not very well written. Grammatical mistakes aside, the writing was too simplistic and sometimes messy. There was an odd progression to the story, what Kama did or chose to do. She sees some strange, hot guy, Torrid, and suddenly she’s falling in love with him. It was like, forget my Life’s Plan with Liam, the guy she was convinced was the one for her. Then she discovers that her destiny isn’t supposed to be what she expected it to be, the one she used to believe growing up OR the one she wants to believe now. What to do?

Desire left little to be desired. It was not a good world building, and the characters didn’t have much depth to them. Falling in love in a snap along with the whole not allowed to be in love but we know we want to be together. It’s overdone enough as it is, but in this one it happened WAY too fast. I don’t think I’m going to bother seeing what happens next.

My Rating:

Friday, February 8, 2013

Thoughts Weekly Update (6)


Welcome to the Weekly Update here on Thoughts! This is where I will share what books I finished, what I am currently reading, the current word count on my WIP, links from the posts from the last week, and maybe a little something on what's going on in my life.

Finished


Being Henry David by Cal Armistead (-Goodreads-)

Currently Reading


Triangles by Ellen Hopkins (-Goodreads-)
Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIHM by Robert C. O'Brien (-Goodreads-)
Casey Barnes Eponymous by E.A. Rigg (-Goodreads-)
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (-Goodreads-) 

Up Next


Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley (-Goodreads-)
Just One Day by Gayle Forman (-Goodreads-)

Currently Beta Reading
 

Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry (-Goodreads-)
Word Count 

If Only We ~ 57,556
Check out my writer blog for the latest.

On The Blog This Week
The Latest With Me

AH! It has been a long week. I think I say this all the time anymore. What is up with that? Anyways... I'm plugging away on all my projects and hoping to have much MUCH more done by next week. Like a freaking ton more done. I am so behind and I have several things coming up soon that I need to take care of. At least I was able to write up like four book reviews... I still need to get the packages/envelopes put together for my Epic Giveaway Winners. Dude! So much to do!

Super Bowl Party on Sunday was fun. :) Going to hang out with my two besties this weekend, so that shall be fun as well. I really need the boost from my friends after such a long week! ^_^

Have a great weekend!!!

Jessica

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Review: This Beautiful Thing by Amanda Heath

Title: This Beautiful Thing
Author: Amanda Heath
Published: November 11th 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: New Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Smashwords
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

Teagan Harper doesn’t have much experience with guys. Her twin brothers have made sure of that. Until one night at a college party she gives them the slip, finding herself in the arms of the most amazing guy she has ever met. Now she's on a mission to find him since she ran from his bed. And forgot to ask his name...

Declan Sage has had control over his entire life. But that is all about to change when the girl who ran out of his bed turns his life upside down. She is about to throw that control out the window. But he’s pretty sure that’s a good thing seeing as she stole his heart...

My Thoughts:

This one had promise, it really did. I thought it did anyway. Boy, was I disappointed. The premise seems interesting enough, right? It should be a nice little secret romance coupled with a good love story, right? Well, it wasn’t.

There’s so much that the story could have had going for it but it seemed to bounce all over and go nowhere. The scenes between Teagan and Declan were so put on that it was hard to believe it was real. I found myself thinking, “Okaaay…” all too often when they were together.

And the grammar and the wording… don’t get me started. There were certain phrases used in certain scenes that were like WHAT?! Are you kidding me?! Then there was the overuse of words that only need to be used a couple times maximum. Every time they were repeated, I believe I facepalmed.

This Beautiful Thing was just not the book for me. I had to skim too much, it got too painful. And the climactic scene near the end that created drama? Um, yeah… what the heck… There was just too much that was unrealistic. I can see some people enjoying it, but if you’re picky about the same things I am, I wouldn’t recommend it.

My Rating:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Rapunzel Untangled Blog Tour: Guest Post by Cindy C. Bennett + Giveaway!

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Welcome to my stop on the Rapunzel Untangled Blog Tour! I am so excited to be part of this tour because I loved Rapunzel Untangled. You can see my review HERE. Be sure to check out all the other fantastic stops on the tour for prizes and reviews of this fabulous book. ^_^

Here at Thoughts, the wonderful Cindy C. Bennett is here with a guest post.

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Rapunzel Really Untangled by Cindy C Bennett

When I decided to write a retelling of Rapunzel, the first thing I did was research her. I looked up and read many of the original fairytales, and either read or read about most of the subsequent retellings. I thought I knew Rapunzel’s story. I was wrong.

We all know about her long hair, about the famous line “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair”, and the Prince climbing up and helping her escape the evil Gothel who holds her in the tower. But I think between all of the retellings, and particularly Disney’s Tangled, much of the story has been forgotten.

The first well-known version of Rapunzel was told by the Grimm Brothers in 1812 with many of those recognizable elements. It’s an adaption of Persinette, published in 1698 by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force in France. There’s also a Persian tale from the 10th century about Rudaba who would let down her hair for her lover Zal to climb up to her, though that’s where any similarities end. It’s also believed that the Grimm Brothers were influenced by the bawdy 17th century collection of tales called The Pentamerone by Italian poet Giambattista Basile. It’s the Grimm version, though, that’s sort of considered the standard for the story.

In the Grimm version, Rapunzel is given as a baby to the witch Gothel because of her pregnant mother’s craving for rampion (an edible plant) that grows in the witch’s garden. (Really? The woman gives away her baby for a plant? Hmm . . . must be something funny in that plant.) The witch locks her up, and it’s Rapunzel’s singing that draws the Prince to her, who sees the witch climbing up Rapunzel’s hair to enter the tower. Soon Rapunzel is pregnant. (You won’t find that in the Disney movie.) When the witch discovers the deception, she cuts Rapunzel’s hair and throws her out into the wilderness. When the Prince comes and finds the witch but no Rapunzel, he jumps into the thorns below, blinded by them. For months he wanders the wilderness until he finds Rapunzel and her twin babies. Rapunzel’s tears then cure the Prince’s blindness and they live happily ever after.

As a girl I remember seeing a cartoon version of Rapunzel that followed the Grimm version sans the pregnancy and babies. I thought it was endlessly romantic that they would risk so much for their love, and that her tears would be the thing that would heal him. Rapunzel Untangled is a different version, though I tried to retain some of the more common, recognizable elements. It’s a much darker version, because to me her story is one of tragedy—being taken from her family and locked in a tower by a crazy witch. Where’s the light in that? I had a great time exploring the darker side of Rapunzel—and a great time discovering the origins and variations as well, untangling her story along the way.

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Thank you so much Cindy!!! <3

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About the author
Cindy C. Bennett
Cindy C Bennett was born and raised in beautiful Salt Lake City, growing up in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She also has two sons. She volunteers her time working with teen girls between the ages of 12-18, all of whom she finds to be beautiful, fascinating creatures. When she’s not writing, reading or answering emails she can often times be found riding her Harley through the beautiful canyons near her home (yes, I ride a Harley and no, you'd never know it to look at me!).
Find Cindy on
Her Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

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Rapunzel Untangled
Rapunzel is not your average teenager.

For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.
Add it on Goodreads
Buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

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GIVEAWAY

Win a copy of Rapunzel Untangled!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Jessica

Review: Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Title: Rapunzel Untangled
Author: Cindy C. Bennett
Published: February 12th 2013
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is. Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

My Thoughts:

After having read two of Cindy C. Bennett’s novels before, I knew I had to request this new gem of hers. As much as I loved her other works, I had a good feeling that this one would be just as great. It is one of the most enchanting stories I’ve read!

Our lovely Rapunzel has been locked away due to a sickness. If she would ever leave the safety of her room, she could risk losing her life. Of course, she can’t help but be curious about the world she could have been in if she wasn’t confined to her home. She discovers Facebook, and decides to friend request Fane. Upon his acceptance of this request, he starts to send her messages. This daily routine ends up making them want to meet. So Rapunzel takes a risk and allows him to come over while her mother is away.

When the two of them meet, it was just amazing. I loved the dynamic between them. There was so much innocence about it, coupled with a sense of wonder about life on the outside. As time goes on, Rapunzel begins to question why on everything. Her mother doesn’t like this one bit but Rapunzel still wants to know. So she and Fane set out to find out why…

Rapunzel Untangled was wonderful. I thought it was ingenious to mash the original tale into a modern day representation. Rapunzel was a lovely heroine, and Fane was adorably charming. The plot was built perfectly with the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep me guessing where it will all lead to in the end. Cindy C. Bennett wowed me with this cleverly woven epic. I could read it again and again.

My Rating:

Monday, February 4, 2013

Follower Love Giveaway Hop! Enter to win bookish things...


Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop! Brought to you by the wonderful I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by The Reader's Antidote The dates for this hop run from February 4th through February 11th. (It is technically a day early, but the giveaway host prefers this for linking purposes.)


I am changing things up... instead of going with my usual Book Depository choices, I have a large box of books that I want to give to you guys! Here is what you could win a HUGE BOX of the following books...

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If We Kiss by Rachel Vail
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Sisters In Sanity by Gayle Forman
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The True Meaning Of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks
I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder
All-American Girl by Meg Cabot
A Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman
Desire by Kailin Gow
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

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Sound good? Good! Here's the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 15 years old.
3. This is for US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from February 4th through February 11th.
5. You can gain extra entries by "liking" my Facebook page and/or following me on Twitter @Jess_Sankiewicz.
6. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on February 12th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for following and entering!!! <3

 Jessica

Presenting... Waiting For The Storm by Marie Landry: Cover Reveal!


Marie Landry has a new book coming out! I love Marie's work... her amazing debut novel Blue Sky Days and last November's The Game Changer. (Read my reviews HERE and HERE.) This new novel of hers is called Waiting For The Storm. I am (again) among the lucky beta readers for this book. So far it is AWESOMESAUCE. That's right, I said awesomesauce.

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That being said... here's the cover!

Charlotte O’Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her beloved mother just died, her sister hates her, and her dad has completely checked out. Fulfilling her mother’s final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her mother once loved.

After a year of being shut away taking care of her mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbor, Ezra, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to confess the issues she’s developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she’s with Ezra, she’s able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets…

Can Charlotte pull what’s left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?
Add it to your GOODREADS shelf

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Find & Follow Marie on:


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It looks and sounds amazing as usual, Marie! I'm so lucky to be one of the beta readers for this lovely novel. Everyone mark this one down to read! Again... add Waiting For The Storm to your Goodreads shelf... You will not regret it. ^_^

Jessica