Waiting on Wednesday: Time After Time by Tamara Ireland Stone

Waiting on Wednesday features upcoming releases and is hosted by 

Breaking the Spine.

Time After Time (Time Between Us #2)

Author:  Tamara Ireland Stone
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion, 368 pages
Expected Publication Date:  October 8, 2013

From Goodreads:
Calling Anna and Bennett’s romance long distance is an understatement: she’s from 1995 Chicago and he’s a time traveler from 2012 San Francisco. The two of them never should have met, but they did. They fell in love, even though they knew they shouldn't. And they found a way to stay together, against all odds. 

It’s not a perfect arrangement, though, with Bennett unable to stay in the past for more than brief visits, skipping out on big chunks of his present in order to be with Anna in hers. They each are confident that they’ll find a way to make things work...until Bennett witnesses a single event he never should have seen (and certainly never expected to). Will the decisions he makes from that point on cement a future he doesn't want?

Told from Bennett’s point of view, Time After Time will satisfy readers looking for a fresh, exciting, and beautifully-written love story, both those who are eager to find out what’s next for Time Between Us's Anna and Bennett and those discovering their story for the first time.

I loved Time Between Us.  It was such a sweet romantic time-travel love story, reminding me a bit of The Time Traveler's Wife, which is one of my all time favorite books.  Time Between Us seemed like a great stand-alone at the time, but I was really excited to hear that there was a sequel.  And it's told from Bennett's POV.  Can't wait!!

Posted by:  Pam

Book Review: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

The Summer I Became A Nerd
Author:  Leah Rae Miller
Publisher:  Entangled Teen, 267 pages
Publication Date:  May 7, 2013

From Goodreads:
On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

Review:
I loved this book.  Cute cute cute (I would say adorkable, but...).  Read this book if you just want to put a smile on your face.  

Maddie had a bad experience in the sixth grade (she dressed up as her favorite super-hero and was laughed at by pretty much the entire school) so ever since then she has hidden her inner nerd and instead has become the stereotypical popular blonde cheerleader who is dating the quarterback.  She pretends with everyone, even her best friend.  But one day a new comic book issue she has been waiting for doesn't come in the mail and she just can't take it and decides to go into the comic book store (a place she has dreamed of going into but never could).  She disguises herself and talks to Logan, whose parents own the comic book store and who she actually has sort of been crushing on.  Logan is cute, but nerdy, and he just doesn't care.  He is friends with who he wants to be friends with, and does what he wants to do.  And the rest of the summer is about Maddie struggling with who she really is and what truly makes her happy (and who) versus who she thinks she has to be in order to be popular.

I really liked Maddie, even though she is pretty shallow and oblivious to everyone around her.  For example, she and Logan are at a restaurant and she doesn't recognize the waitress, who goes to their school and has been in classes with Maddie.  And she lies and makes some pretty dumb decisions and is so obsessed with her image it's annoying.  But it's also pretty realistic.  I remember being in high school and how girls (me included) would pretend to be dumb because it's just what you did.  But I did want to smack her sometimes.  

Logan...what a fantastic guy.  There's nothing brooding or mysterious about him.  He is so thoughtful and sweet and I was just hoping Maddie wouldn't break his heart.  Just such a sweet romance!

And Logan's mom is great, by the way.

Great book for summer.  Fun, easy, light. 

Posted by:  Pam

New Fiery Heart Excerpt and Vampire Academy Chapter from Dimitri's POV

Here is a link to the first chapter of The Fiery Heart, from Adrian's POV and here is a link to the first chapter of Vampire Academy from Dimitri's POV.  

If you have trouble with the link to The Fiery Heart, just refresh.

I cannot wait for The Fiery Heart and the Vampire Academy movie!

Posted by:  Pam

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Beginnings and Endings In Books

We picked beginnings (we thought we may spoil a book if we picked endings!)

Sheri's Picks:

Cristin Terrill.  All Our Yesterdays.  2013.  “I stare at the drain in the center of the concrete floor.  It was the first thing I saw when they locked me in the this cell, and I’ve barely looked away since.”

Kelley Armstrong. The Summoning.  2008.  “Mommy forgot to warn the new babysitter about the basement.”

Jane Austen.  Emma.  1815.  “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence, and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”

J.K. Rowling.  Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone.  1997. “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.  They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense."

J.K. Rowling.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 2007.  “The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years.  All was well.”
 

Pam's Picks:

I picked beginnings that really hooked me right away.

Tehereh Mafi.  Shatter Me.  2011.  "I've been locked up for 264 days.  I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company.  1 window. 4 walls. 144 square feet of space. 26 letters in the alphabet. I haven't spoken in 264 days of isolation. 6,336 hours since I've touched another human being."

Michelle Hodkin.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.  2011.  "My name is not Mara Dyer, but my lawyer told me I had to choose something.  A pseudonym.  A nom de plume, for all of us studying for the SATs.  I know that having a fake name is strange, but trust me--it's the most normal thing about my life right now.  Even telling you this much probably isn't smart.  But without my big mouth, no one would know that a seventeen-year-old who likes Death Cab for Cutie was responsible for the murders.  No one would know that somewhere out there is a B student with a body count.  And it's important that you know, so you're not next.  Rachel's birthday was the beginning.  This is what I remember."

Kate Karyus Quinn.  Another Little Piece. 2013.  

"The field didn't end so much as trail off, beaten back by the rusted-out trailer and circle of junked vehicles surrounding it.  As if they had forgotten how to be still, the girl's bare and bloodied feet tripped and stumbled over each other.  Slowly, slowly, the momentum that had brought her through the night and into the cold gray dawn leeched away.  She tugged at the garbage bag she's refashioned as a poncho.  It was worse than useless at keeping her dry, but its constant crinkle had been a steady companion, and now that she'd reached her destination it seemed wrong to let it be lost to the wind.

Standing still, she studied the No Trespassing sign spray-painted on a weather chunk of plywood, waiting for something to happen.  Certain that something would.  She didn't know where she was, or even her own name, but she felt sure of this."

Sarah J. Maas.  Throne of Glass.  2012.  "After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien was accustomed to being escorted everywhere in shackles and at sword-point.  Most of the thousands of slaves in Endovier received similar treatment--though an extra half-dozen guards always walked Calaena to and from the mines.  That was expected by Adarlan's most notorious assassin.  What she did not usually expect, however, was a hooded man in black at her side--as there was now."

Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas.  From What I Remember...  2012. "I am jolted awake by sunlight flooding the room.  What time is it?  Where am I?  Disoriented, I attempt to open my eyes.  The light is stabbing.  My head is throbbing, my throat is raw, and my stomach is roiling.  Is this what a hangover feels like?  I wouldn't know.  I've never had one.  Until now.  I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and lie still, trying to get my bearings. Last night was one of the greatest nights of my life.  I think.  But then again, it could have turned into one of the worst.  I don't remember much past a certain point....I turn my head to avert my eyes, and that's when I see him.  The gorgeous, half-naked boy lying next to me.  Asleep.  Oh. My. God. Max."

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Audiobook Review: The Registry by Shannon Stoker

The Registry

Author:  Shannon Stoker
Publisher:  Harper Audio, 9 hours 30 minutes
Publication Date:  July 16, 2013

From Goodreads:
The Registry saved the country from collapse. But stability has come at a price. In this patriotic new America, girls are raised to be brides, sold at auction to the highest bidder. Boys are raised to be soldiers, trained by the state to fight to their death.

Nearly eighteen, beautiful Mia Morrissey excitedly awaits the beginning of her auction year. But a warning from her married older sister raises dangerous thoughts. Now, instead of going up on the block, Mia is going to escape to Mexico—and the promise of freedom.

All Mia wants is to control her own destiny—a brave and daring choice that will transform her into an enemy of the state, pursued by powerful government agents, ruthless bounty hunters, and a cunning man determined to own her . . . a man who will stop at nothing to get her back.

Review:
This book was entertaining, but it lacked that wow factor.  The premise is interesting.  It is sometime in the future, and girls are sold to the highest bidder.  And couples want girls because they get money, and if they have a boy, the boy is given away to the government to learn to be tough and eventually be a soldier.  To keep women in their place, they have no real education.  Instead, they learn how to please their future husband (cooking, cleaning, sewing, make-up, clothes, etc).  

Mia is so sheltered and ignorant, it's rather ridiculous.  She has to take a test for the Registry, and she can't even do basic math.  She has no access to news, computers, etc.  She's lived her entire life on the farm and has had no interaction with anyone, except for Whitney, a girl whose father works for her family and is smart and not that attractive so no one will buy her (which means she'll be married to the government).  

Then Mia finds out from her older sister that the Registry and marriage is not all that it seems, and Mia decides to escape.  Before she can escape, she meets her future husband, the evil Grant.  She and Whitney run away and end up blackmailing Andrew, one of her father's workers, to help them (He was leaving since he has about a month before he has to report for duty and he wants to relax and see some of the country).

So most of the book is them on the run and Grant chasing them.  Mia is incredibly ignorant and Whitney is whiny.  Andrew is almost emotionless, having been practically brainwashed to believe everything he has been told about America.  All he wants is to serve his country, get a great job after, and buy a nice wife through the Registry.  Grant is rather two-dimensional, just evil.  The story is told from three POVs: Mia's, Grant's, and Andrew's.  I liked the chapters told from Andrew's POV because it was interesting to see how he was changing and how he was really feeling since he usually didn't express any emotions (well, he does get mad at Mia and Whitney a lot because they're so ridiculous).  Mia is also changing as she gets more assertive, a little bit more savvy (she's starting at zero), and opening her eyes to the world.  

Part of me liked this book, but part of me thought it was pretty ridiculous. There's a pointless love triangle that just annoyed me.  There is some resolution, but I'm assuming there is another book.  If I had to rate this, I would give it between 2.5 and 3 stars.

As far as the audiobook part of it, I usually do not listen to audiobooks, so I don't have a lot to compare it to.  The narration wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great.

Posted by:  Pam

Book Review: A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange and Deadly #2) by Susan Dennard

A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange and Deadly #2)

Author:  Susan Dennard
Publisher:  HarperTeen, 416 pages
Publication Date:  July 23, 2013

From Goodreads:
Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

Review (*Spoilers from Something Strange and Deadly*):
I loved this book, I think it was even better than the first!  It starts about three months after the Spirit Hunters left Eleanor in Philadelphia.  Things are not good for Eleanor.  She's alone (her mother is in a mental health facility) and without a right hand (which becomes a really important part of the story).  She is still reeling from losing her brother and Clarence.  And she cannot forget that Daniel told her that he didn't love her.  (Although I was always wondering about that, he did say it was complicated, but then she said it was a yes or no question and then he said no).  Anyway...Marcus is back so Eleanor flees to meet the Spirit Hunters in Paris so they can help her and defeat Marcus.

This book is dark and frustrated me to death, but in a good way.  I just wanted to scream at everyone.  Just talk to each other!  Tell each other what is going on!  Gah!  But no one listened to me, which I guess is good because it would have been a pretty boring book if that had been the case.

The Spirit Hunters actually don't make an appearance until about a third of the way into the book, and Daniel doesn't show up until about half way through, so know that going in.  I wanted more of all of them together, but there is not a whole lot of that.  

There is a new character, Oliver, and I have mixed feelings about him.  Daniel...I was so frustrated by the events in this book revolving around Daniel and Eleanor.  There are moments between them, but not a lot.  And I wanted to smack both of them most of the time.  Still no love triangle, though--yay!  But what Daniel was trying to do, with his new clothes, speaking, the "empty" box--so cute! 

Jie--needed more Jie!  

And Eleanor is dealing with her necromancy powers, and I'm afraid of where that is heading.  It is so not looking good.

The book ends in the middle, so be prepared for that.  I still loved it, but I can't believe I'll have to wait however long to get resolution.  Still, awesome book!

Posted by:  Pam

Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door

Author:  Huntley Fitzpatriack
Publisher:  Dial Books for Young Readers, 394 pages
Publication Date:  June 14, 2012

From Goodreads:
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Review:
Sweet, romantic read.  

The focus of this book is on the romance, which is a nice slow-building realistic one.  I just loved how their relationship developed.  And Jase, what a perfect guy!  I've read a few contemporary YA recently and he is definitely my favorite so far.  Good-looking (of course), open, honest, a good brother, good son, great friend.  He can fix anything.  Absolutely a stand-up guy. He comes from a large family that Samantha has always watched from the roof.  I have to say that I'm not sure how they never really were around each other at all.  Yes, they went to different schools, but they lived next door to each other.  Oh well.  Samantha lives with just her mom and her older sister, and the rambunctious Garrett family has always fascinated her (and her mom can't stand them).  Samantha's home is ordered and peaceful (her mom vacuums every single day) while the Garrett's house is messy and completely chaotic.  

So one night Jase climbs up the trellis and they talk for the first time. (I'm not sure if I missed this, but do they ever explain what made him finally climb up?)  

Samantha is a realistic character.  Unlike Jase, she has flaws.  She's beautiful, but a little closed off and she listens to her mother too much.  I did not like her mother at all, she was a piece of work.  

There were times when I was so disappointed in Samantha for how she was treating Jase (not bad, but...well, let's just say she doesn't treat him as well as he treats her), but it felt real.  She grows throughout the novel.  It was nice seeing her come into her own as she grew to love Jase and his family.  And the sex in the book is handled in a realistic, responsible way.

Also, I ended up loving Tim.  He cusses, he drinks, he does drugs, he's irresponsible (he's constantly getting fired, even from a hotdog stand), and he's been a horrible friend to Samantha.  But...he ends up being such a great surprise.  Nan, his sister, who has been best friends with Samantha since they were five, also ends up acting in a surprising way.  The relationship between Samantha and Nan is one part of the story that does not get resolved.

And the Garrett family, such a warm, wonderful family!  George is adorable (I think he's four).  

There are some serious issues that come up in the book, and it raises questions about what you would do in a situation where you have to choose between your family and doing what's right.  

Awesome read!

Posted by:  Pam

Stacking the Shelves (4)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  It is hosted by Tyngas Reviews.
Pam's Weekly Haul
From the library:
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Bought (E-book):

Starglass by Phoebe North

A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange and Deadly #2) by Susan Dennard

The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse #2) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Sheri's Bounty of Books:

I love when I can read an entire series, one after the other!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

What books did you add to your shelves?

Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

All Our Yesterdays

Author:  Cristin Terrill

Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion, 368 pages

Expected Publication Date:  September 3, 2013

From Goodreads:

 "You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. 

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Pam's Review:

I love time travel books!  They make my head hurt, but in a good way.  This book kept me riveted from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down.  Em was a great character, strong and focused on what she has to do, but it becomes obvious that she is not sure she can kill the person she is supposed to kill.  At first, you aren’t sure who that is, but as the book progresses, it becomes quite clear (I mean, you definitely have a good idea, but there is a red herring thrown in there). 

There is a ton of action in this book and I absolutely loved Finn, at all points in the book.  I felt for James, for who he was and what he wanted to do.  I also felt so bad for Marina and what she had to go through.

Now with a time travel book, there are all of those paradoxes about what you can change and the ripple effect of those changes and then also about encountering yourself in the past and what will happen if you do.  This book has its own take on how all of that works, and while it sort of made sense, you just have to go with it.  I loved the scene at the end, when you find out what Finn and Em talked about and what Finn told her.  So sweet!

And the best thing of all, there's no cliffhanger, everything is resolved.  I heard there was a sequel in the works, but I guess with time travel, you can always do more.  Back to the Future?  Terminator?  But to me, the story was complete.  Definitely recommend this one!

Sheri's Review:
So I should be honest and say that I am one of those people that likes to read the last chapter first.  I know many of you purists will throw your arms up in disgust and say, "BUT WHY?"  Under normal circumstances it allows me to enjoy the book more but in the case of this book it was a very BAD decision and I would not recommend this strategy.

One of the things I loved about this book was knowing it would begin and end in a single book.  While the book was a page turner it took me about a week to finish and I started another book in between.  One of the reasons I found myself putting the book down was I actually never connected with James.  I really didn't feel much of anything towards him.  On the other hand I really liked Finn and loved the way Cristin Terrill developed young Finn and old Finn in such a way that he basically becomes a better version of himself while she takes Marina in a completely different direction.  Given the various rules each author sets in time travel I found it interesting that the characters in her own book had such different responses to their young and old selves. 

Another reason I found myself putting the book down was time traveler Em's attitude toward Marina.  While I understood and began to care for the character of Em I did not feel that way toward Marina.  Em's attitude towards Marina drove me crazy to be frank.  I wish Cristin Terrill had given Marina more depth and complexity as a character.  Given her family situation she could have been a much more interesting character than she was presented as. I appreciated that the  minor characters only played minimal roles in the plot which made it easier to keep things straight while moving back and forth between periods of time.  

Overall I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it as a great time-travel book!