Category: New Releases

Bookanista Recommendation: BITTERBLUE

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Bitterblue, by Kristin Cashore…

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3)

From Goodreads: Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

I made no secret of my love for Kristin Cashore’s Graceling a few months ago. I never thought I’d say this, but I loved Bitterblue even more. This book… It wrecked me in every way possible. It made me laugh, it made me swoon, it made me angry, it broke my heart and, at times, it absolutely horrified me.  I can’t stop thinking about Bitterblue, even now, nearly a week after reading the last page.

Here’s why…

1. I found Bitterblue to be an utterly endearing protagonist. She’s easier to like than Graceling‘s sometimes abrasive Katsa (who I personally have nothing against), and her inner monologues are charming in their openness and honesty. She makes plenty of mistakes, is often naive and occasionally brusque , but she tries with everything in her to be the queen her people need. The opposition (both external and internal) Bitterblue faces over the course of this novel  is monumental–often soul-crushing–and while she reacts appropriately and relateably, she never gives in to the chaos and turmoil that’s thrown at her from every direction. Her determination and absolute loyalty to her kingdom and her friends make her an easy character to root for.

2. The world Kristin Cashore has created within the pages of her Seven Kingdoms books is so thoroughly developed, with such careful attention to detail, it almost feels real. I was completely immersed in the Monsea’s traditional clothing, food, customs, distinct patterns of speech, and expressions (incidentally, can we PLEASE make “Balls!” happen?). From Bitterblue’s lavish rooms, to Leck’s creepy castle artwork, to the seedy streets of Bitterblue City, this story’s world grabbed me and never let go.

3. Bitterblue is a visit with old friends. Katsa, Po, Raffin, Bann, Giddon, and Helda (among others) appear within its pages, which makes it an easy story for this Graceling fan to fall into. Everyone is eight years older, and it’s all kinds of fun to swoon over men in what is technically a YA story. And speaking of men… My love for Prince Po runs deep, but Bitterblue let me in on a whole new side of Lord Giddon. I’ve always favored the literary strong, silent type, and Giddon is those things and beyond. The gentle, caring way he interacts with Bitterblue is lovely, and I’m not-so-secretly hoping for a follow-up novel that offers more of his story.

4. There’s a scene in Bitterblue that takes place in the Lady Queen’s High Court. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that it features Bitterblue, Prince Po, and adorable thief Saf (who’s fantastic) and it is quite possibly my favorite scene in a book EVER. I read it at the park while my daughter played on the monkey bars, and I’m sure the parents in my vicinity thought I was crazy. I could not wipe the grin off my face. Bitterblue is a heavy book with very heavy themes, but this scene… It is so perfectly executed–clever and fun and rife with tension–I read it twice and still couldn’t get enough. (Is it just me? Those who know what I’m talking about: Did you love the High Court scene as much as I did?)

So, Bitterblue. I can’t say enough about this novel. In my humble opinion, it was just about as perfect as a story can get. If you haven’t read it, please, please, PLEASE pick it up soon. It’s most definitely going on my short list of favorites.

Here’s what a few of the other Bookanistas are up to today:

Tracy Banghart revels in GOING TOO FAR

Corrine Jackson wonders at WHY WE BROKE UP

Elana Johnson enjoys INSURGENT

 

Friends, have you read Bitterblue? Did you love it as much as I did?

Bookanista Rec: AMELIA ANNE IS DEAD AND GONE

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield (Available July 5, 2012)

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

How gorgeous is this cover?

From Goodreads: An arresting un-coming-of-age story, from a breathtaking talent… Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town–and Becca–into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life. Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson’s life are intercut with Becca’s own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia’s death.

Amelia Anne had me at hello. The beautiful cover, mesmerizing synopsis, and steady stream of rave reviews were initially intriguing. But then there was the first line:

The night before Amelia Anne Richardson bled her life away on a parched dirt road outside of town, I bled out my dignity in the back of a pickup truck under a star-pricked sky.

Amazing, right? I’m happy to report that each line that follows the first is equally stunning. So are the characters, the setting, and the desperate, raw tone of this novel.

Kat Rosenfield holds nothing back in the weaving of Rebecca and Amelia’s parallel stories. Her prose is enchantingly gritty, and the relationships she fosters between her characters feel real and flawed and dangerously precarious. Amelia Anne is a fast read, one part literary fiction, one part murder mystery, with a twist that packs one heck of a punch. It’s also one of those books that is simultaneously inspiring (I want to write a book like this!) and discouraging (I’ll never be able to write a book like this…). Writers: Read it, perhaps, when you’re not drafting or in the middle of heavy revisions. But DEFINITELY read it.

Rebecca Behrens was kind of enough to pass an ARC of Amelia Anne to me through a giveaway (read her thoughts on the novel HERE), and I’d love to do the same…

Leave a comment below promising to share what you like (or love!) about Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone through the social media outlet of your choice (your blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), and tomorrow (Friday) at noon, I’ll randomly choose one commenter to receive the ARC.

{This giveaway is open internationally, and I’d be grateful if you’d take a moment to help spread the word through Twitter/Facebook/your blog.}

♥ Thank you, lovelies! ♥

And a few more Bookanista recommendations for you to check out…

Nikki Katz has been hit by STRUCK

Jessica Love is thrilled by TRANSCENDENCE

G is for Giveaway! (Lucky Me, Lucky You!)

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If you’ve read my blog and/or followed me on Twitter for any length of time, you might know that I’m pretty lucky when it comes to giveaways. Random number generators must love me, because I win books much more often than is reasonable. It’s exciting and wonderful, and I’m always incredibly grateful for the generosity of my fellow writers and for the new books that appear magically in my mailbox. So, I think it’s time to spread the love. 🙂

Lucky Me, Lucky You!

Two winners will be chosen randomly to receive either:

A SIGNED copy of John Green’s The Fault in our Stars (open internationally)…

The Fault in Our Stars

OR

A book of the winner’s choice (up to $20) from The Book Depository (winner must live where The Book Depository ships!). Might I recommend a few of my recent favorites? Pandemonium, The Disenchantments, Wanderlove, A Million Suns, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but, of course, if you win, you choose!

The Book Depository

Wondering about the rules of the giveaway? They’re simple:

1. For one entry, leave a comment telling me about a 2012 release you’ve read and loved OR name a book that’s coming out in 2012 that you’re dying to read.

2. The giveaway closes one week from today, Saturday, April 14th, at midnight, PST. (I will post the winner’s name on Monday, April 16th).

3. Once the two winners’ names are posted, the first to email me will have first choice of the prize they prefer (The Fault in our Stars OR The Book Depository book). The second winner to email will receive the remaining prize.

4. Want to earn additional entries?

+1 if you subscribe to this blog today (right column, top —->;;;) or click HERE to easily subscribe via Google Friend Connect
+2 if you are already a subscriber
+1 for following me on Twitter (new or current)
+2 for tweeting about this contest (@katyupperman, please!)

*Please tally up your entries and include the total in your original comment!

Yay! I love giveaways, even my own. Good luck!

E is for Eleanor

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Today’s Bookanista recommendation: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (July 24, 2012)

Something Strange and Deadly

From Goodreads:  Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—The Dead are rising in Philadelphia. And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor… from her brother. Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

There is so much to love about Something Strange and Deadly, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to give this book an early read. It’s a mash-up that shouldn’t work, an equation that looks something like this:

A scant pinch of historical + a few shakes of steam punk + a generous dollop of horror (spirits and zombies — oh my!) = Something Strange and Splendid

Eleanor Fitt is a fantastic protagonist: strong and smart and funny, definitely no damsel in distress. And Daniel! He’s equal parts hilarious and alluring. He and Eleanor have awesome banter. But my, do they have problems. Their world is falling apart around them, and they learn pretty quickly that nothing is as it seems. There are twists and turns and tremendously written action sequences around every corner, which made this book the best kind of page-turner.

One of my favorite aspects of Something Strange and Deadly was  the way the elegant Victorian setting contrasted with the eerie creepiness of the Dead. It was a trip to be immersed in fancy turn-of-the-century customs in one scene, then, in the next, to be thrust into a spine-tingling supernatural confrontation. But it TOTALLY worked. Susan Dennard’s voice and style and attention to detail are amazing — perfect for this unique and suspenseful story. Definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly when it debuts in July.

Thanks so much to Holly Dodson for arranging the
Something Strange & Deadly ARC Tour!

Check out what my Bookanista friends are up to today!

Christine Fonseca  is wowed by WANDERLOVE
Stasia Ward Kehoe reads for National Poetry Month
Tracy Banghart honors THE HEX HALL trilogy
Corrine Jackson is thrilled over A TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER
Hilary Wagner deems the DANNY DRAGONBREATH Series fantastic

Tell me: What’s your favorite scary story?

Bookanista Thursday

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For today’s Bookanista post I thought it’d be fun to highlight a few of my most anticipated 2012 releases. The books on today’s list are particularly special because their gorgeous cover art was revealed in the last week or so.
Check them out…

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
August 28th, 2012 by Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her. At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making. 

Ten by Gretchen McNeil
September 18th, 2012 by Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives – an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury. But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang
September 18th, 2012 by HarperTeen
Eva and Addie live in a world where everyone is born with two souls, but where only the dominant one is allowed to survive childhood. Fifteen years old, and closer even than twins, the girls are keeping Eva, the ‘second soul’, a secret. They know that it’s forbidden to be hybrid, but how could they ever be apart? When a dramatic event reveals what really happens to hybrids if they are discovered, Eva and Addie face a dangerous fight for survival, neither wanting to be the one left behind…
 
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth
October 2nd, 2012 by Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins
Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the pain meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv. The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become, and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all. 

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
October 19th, 2012 by Hyperion
Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility. As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Don’t these sound (and look!) amazing? What are your most anticipated releases of 2012?

Check out what my Bookanista friends are up to today!

Elana Johnson is crazy for CASSAFIRE

Christine Fonseca  falls for EVERNEATH

Tracy Banghart  goes wild over BORN WICKED

Stasia Ward Kehoe announces an author visit giveaway

Gennifer Albin  is givin’ some cover lovin’

Jessica Love wonders at WHY WE BROKE UP

RTW: February’s Reading Wrap-Up and Book of the Month

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Winter Heart

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the girls at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This Week’s Topic: What’s the best book you read in February? 

First, here’s my book wrap-up for the month:

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour – Love, love, LOVE. Technically my very favorite book of February, but I’ve already reviewed it for a Bookanista post so I won’t rehash today. Please do check it out HERE if you’re interested. 🙂

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard – (I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and plan to review it in more detail closer to its publication date, July 24th!) Eleanor is a fantastic protagonist: strong and smart and funny, definitely no damsel in distress. I loved how the elegant Victorian setting contrasted with the eerie creepiness of the Dead. And Susan’s writing is awesome–perfect for this action-packed story. Definitely check it out when it debuts in July.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf – An adult novel about the cost of secrets. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this one. While the writing is lovely, there are multiple POVs (some in first person, some in third person) and tons of backstory. There were also a few plausibility issues I just couldn’t wrap my head around. Still, an intense climax and a well-executed twist tipped the balance of my opinion and I did end up enjoying the story. I recommend it if you like books in the same vein as Jodi Picoult’s.

And February’s Book of the Month: Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

Ditched: A Love Story

From Goodreads: High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her. Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. And then ditched her.

First, I love Ditched‘s cover so much. Such a fun, cheeky twist on the ever-so-popular melancholy girl in a super elegant dress. And the model looks just the way I pictured the story’s protagonist, Justina. Another plus? This cover totally relates to the story, and the dress’ image is carried throughout the pages of the book. Genius.

I have to admit: I was a little hesitant about Ditched when I first read the story synopsis. I thought this one might have the potential to come off as young, or maybe a little cheesy. Thankfully, that was so NOT the case. Ditched is about teens acting like teens. Yay! And Robin Mellom has a fantastic authorial voice, a style that’s one of my favorites–genuine, funny, straight-forward, and unflinchingly honest.

I could not help but smile as I read about Justina and her prom shenanigans. The people populating her world felt real and were full of quirks and imperfections, even will-they-won’t-they romantic interest Ian.  But, flaws and all, Justina and her cast of supporting characters are inherently likable, as was this book! I highly recommend it if you’re in need of a smart and funny contemporary.

Tell me: What’s the best book YOU read in February?

Bookanista Recommendation: THE DISENCHANTMENTS

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First and foremost, WELCOME HOME to my husband! He spent the last nine months deployed to Afghanistan and arrived safely back at Ft. Lewis last night. My daughter and I are beyond happy to have him home where he belongs, and I hope to share a few pictures from his homecoming in the coming days. Until then, check out what my (awesome!) neighbors
did to my house to help us celebrate:

And now, today’s Bookanista recommendation:
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (February 16, 2012)…

The DisenchantmentsI love this cover so much!

From Goodreads – 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?

I’m going to go out on a limb right now and say:

THE DISENCHANTMENTS
WILL BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE READS OF 2012.

Yep. It’s that aMaZiNg.

I loved everything about this book, but particularly the tone (kind of hazy, hippy-dippy and blithe and arty), the voice (upper YA, honest, and completely authentic), and the intense romantic tension between our protagonist,
smart and yearning roadie Colby, and his best friend, moody and mysterious lead singer Bev. The Disenchantments is one of those rare books that had me rereading passages, picking sentences apart to figure out what makes them so simplistic but beautiful.

As Colby and The (beautiful, talentless, and utterly endearing) Disenchantments tour through small, forgotten towns in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, they meet a cast of eccentric characters who are completely unforgettable. They uncover bits of a family mystery. They also begin to discover themselves and the basis of their relationships with each other, their families, and their futures. It’s a simple concept, yet so very fascinating.

While reading this book, I decided that Nina LaCour is masterful at crafting unique but enviable lifestyles. I couldn’t be LESS arty or musical, but she made me long to go to a creative arts high school, join a crappy girl band, and drive along the coast in a vintage VW van with my best friends,
a bag of pistachios, and a Magic Eight Ball.

Intrigued? You should be! And you should most definitely pick up The Disenchantments when it’s released on February 16th. I bet you’ll love it! (And a big thanks to my friend Rebecca Behrens for sharing her The Disenchantments ARC with me. Check out her review of the book HERE.)

Don’t forget to check out what other Bookanistas are up to today:

Christine Fonseca interviews author Denise Grover Swank
Jessi Kirby and Jen Hayley are wowed by WANDERLOVE
Corrine Jackson is mesmerized by MAY B.
Stasia Ward Kehoe interviews DIES IRAE author Christine Fonseca
Debra Driza is entranced by HEMLOCK
Gennifer Albin shares trailer love for STARTERS
Nikki Katz celebrates CINDER
Tracy Banghart marvels at JULIET IMMORTAL
Jessica Love spotlights SHINE

What are YOU reading this week?

January’s Reading Wrap-Up and Book of the Month

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Oh my goodness, has January been good to me on the literary front! I can honestly say I enjoyed every. Single. Book. I read, which rarely happens. They were all winners, but of course I had a stand out favorite. Here’s the wrap-up:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham – Melancholy but lovely. Read my Bookanista recommendation HERE.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi – A post-apocolyptic/dystopian mash-up that left me feeling hot and dirty and bleak. That’s not to say Ship Breaker wasn’t good–it was excellent. I felt a deep connection with protagonist Nailer, which is unusual for me when it comes to books written in third person. And the world building… thorough, gloomy, enviable.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis – I very much enjoyed Across the Universe, the first book in this trilogy, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that AMS improved upon it. Loved it! Read my Bookanista recommendation HERE.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – This one was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Hazel was absolutely darling. Her observations about life and love and death were so very YA and incredibly profound. Though TFIOS doesn’t take the place of Looking for Alaska as my favorite John Green novel, it’s still a definite recommend.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally – A contemporary full of realistic high school relationships and snappy dialogue. It was fun to be immersed in Jordan’s world of football and cute boys. Plus, this book was set in one of my very favorite cities, Franklin, Tennessee!

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder – I love Lisa Schroeder’s writing, and I loved this book. It’s a study in nuance and rhythm, and it’s full of beautiful language, imagery, and symbolism. If you’re unaccustomed to novels written in verse, Chasing Brooklyn is a great place to start. I bet you’ll adore it as much as I do!

And my very favorite book of January:
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith…

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

From Goodreads – Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything? Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A. Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

Title? Perfectly unique. Such a mouthful it can’t help but be intriguing.

Cover? Perfectly adorable. Love the color scheme. Love the font. Love the poses of the models. Love the slightly askew heart encircling them.

Characters? Perfectly delightful. I want to know Hadley and Oliver. I want to hang out with them and laugh with them and hear their stories about childhood. They’re true-to-life teens–flawed and funny and confused and endearing.

Romance? Perfectly real. Sure, it develops in a super short span of time (twenty-four hours!), but you will believe in it and you will root for it because it jumps off the page in its sincerity. And the kisses… so sweet.

Want to know the BIGGEST reason I love The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight? Why it won the title of January’s Book of the Month by a landslide? Easy. This book is contemporary and fairly simple in concept, but Jennifer E. Smith’s writing brings a magical quality to each and every page. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is about people and relationships and learning about one’s self. There are no explosions or evil villains or paranormal beasts, yet I was still at the edge of my seat, flipping page after page to find out what would happen next.

The Statistical  Probability of Love at First Sight is honest and heartfelt and warm, authentic in its execution. It’s exactly the kind of book I aspire to write, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Tell me: What’s the BEST book you read in January?  

Hello, 2012!

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Pinned Image

{Hmm… How long will it take me to get used to writing 2012?}

Ringing in the new year with my girlie…

First, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who participated in last week’s Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest. It was an absolute delight to visit the blogs of all you participants and to read about the books you fell in love with last year. My To-Read list thanks you as well. 🙂

And another HUGE THANK YOU to my three lovely friends and fellow Superlative Blogfest hosts:  Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, and Alison Miller. This whole shebang would not have been nearly as successful without your brilliance, and it definitely wouldn’t have been as fun.
You girls ROCK!

If you’ve yet to read my Class of 2011: Superlative posts (or if you’d like to reread them) check out my header. I’ve given the blogfest its very own tab for easy access to all of the amazing 2011 releases I read. A perfect place to visit if you’re ever in need of book recommendations.

And, as the final category of my last Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest post, I asked you to tell me your:

Most Anticipated 2012 Release

You responded overwhelmingly with mentions of this book:

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)

Other titles named: Nevermore, Perigee Moon, Butter, If I Lie, Cinder, Partials, Hallowed, The Fault in Our Stars, The Lost Girl, Unspoken, Bitterblue, Girl of Nightmares, Ditched, and A Million Suns

My Most Anticipated Release of 2012? As if I can pick just one!

If I LieThe Selection (The Selection, #1)

Under the Never SkyCinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)In HonorThe Fault in Our StarsDitched: A Love StoryA Million Suns (Across the Universe, #2)

And, speaking of 2012 releases I can’t wait for… My incredible CP Jus Accardo has one such book. It’s the follow-up to her debut, Touch, and it’s called Toxic (a perfect title, in my opinion!). Jus finally has the go-ahead to share Toxic‘s cover and summary, and (good news!) I get to help in that reveal. Without further ado, the cover of Toxic…

(She is so Dez!)

And the summary… When a Six saved Kale’s life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she’d lose the one thing she’d give anything to keep… And as if it’s not enough, Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading and the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez’s problems. After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice—surrender to Denazen for the cure…or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn’t involve being bagged and tagged—or losing someone she loves—Dez keeps the poison a secret.  But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there’s a traitor among them. Jade. Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there’s any hope of proving Jade’s guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead…

I’ve read this one, guys, and it’s fantastic! Full of adventure and action and Dez’s snarky wit, it had me feverishly flipping pages. Toxic is available May 1, 2012, and you can find it on Goodreads HERE.

Tell me: How did you ring in the New Year?