Waiting on Wednesday #7

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

This Week I am Waiting On...

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author ofBittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

Okay, normally this is not my go-to genre of book, but I have heard tremendous things about Ockler. And doesn't the story and cover seem sweet and interesting? I hope Ockler pulls off an amazing contemporary! (And since I just finished reading You Look Different in Real Life, the stakes are high for contemporaries at the moment!)

Also, don't forget to check out my first giveaway, 99 followers!

Top Ten Tuesday #6

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book  

1. First, I am always almost guaranteed to pick a book up if it has a blurb from one of my favorites authors on the cover.
2. The word "Queen", "Princess", or "Kingdom" in the title.
3. I will definitely pick it up if it mentions a kick-ass heroine.
4. Dystopian and High Fantasy.
5. Contemporaries with the word "you" in it

1. Aliens!
2. "Stunning" on blurb or a review. Also, "Heart shattering", "Highly imaginative", "Un-put-downable", "Leaves you begging for more!"
3. Assasins/knights/soldiers
4. Werewolves and vampires!
5. "That book made me look at things differently."

What are your top ten words/topics???

And don't forget to check out my first giveaway!

Review: The Samantha Project

The Samantha Project by Stephanie Karpinske

Samantha was seventeen when she finally learned the truth about herself; that she’s part of a corporation’s top secret genetic enhancement project. They told her she was the only one who survived the experiments. But then she meets Erik. He was raised in a lab until a scientist took him and hid him so nobody would ever find him. But Samantha and Erik somehow found each other. They share a indescribable connection that neither one of them can explain.


Their enhanced genes give them special abilities, like the ability to read minds and communicate with their thoughts. Even with their powers, they’re not safe. The people who are after them will never stop looking. But the more imminent danger is something that lies deep within their cells. It’s just one of many secrets they have yet to discover about themselves.

Hmm, The Samantha Project had potential. And the last half of the book showed it, but the first half. Ooh, the first half...was really, really boring. I am sure that not everyone will think this. You do get to know the characters. So if you don't mind a slow pace, you might enjoy this book. Just to me the first half of the book totally dragged the book down.
Nothing happens for like, 180 pages. We mostly see Samantha at school or moping about her parent's deaths.

After that, she went to a cabin and then kidnapped. Yeah, little more interesting from there. There was more action and I felt a little less as if I were just watching a boring reality TV show. The plot was interesting, once it was actually introduced. The setting was vivid and so action scenes were fun.

I found all the characters pretty cool, except for, uh huh, Samantha. All she really cares about is what other people think. Not good, Sam. Life is gonna be hard. Thankfully, she does get better as the book progresses. The other characters were well thought out. So no need to worry about boring side characters!

Overall, this was not my book. The beginning was so slow, and patience is not one of my virtues. I do think people with more patience and than I will enjoy this unique novel.

2/5 bookcases

99 Followers Giveaway!

 I have reached 99 GFC followers! So I decided to celebrate by hosting my first giveaway!

The winner can pick one of these two prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules: 

.US only, sorry! But the shipping anywhere 

else is just too expensive for now. 

.You must be over 13

. No cheating please

Newbie Blogger Diaries #3

This post will be about books-for-review. I will explain my methods (which aren't exactly the work of a mastermind, but, oh well) and then I will explain other ways!

Since I am not exactly famously renown in the book blogosphere, I don't get a lot of books and ARCS flying through my bedroom window every night.

So, I get my books-to-review mostly from

1. Self published authors
2. Goodreads

A couple times a month I have a some self published authors find me. Still not sure how, but they do. And I am always happy when the book they are asking me to review looks like it will be my type of read. Of course, normally I get them in a e-book style. Only the top bloggers will get the certain book as a print ARC or finished copy. I am always happy when I find a self published novel I love. (Thank you all the authors that have contacted me!)

Goodreads is another place I get books to review. Sometimes I join groups that can sign up for e-arcs or  e-books. In these cases sometimes you actually get to contact the author! Also, First Reads (giveaways) is on Goodreads. All you do is enter the giveaway and see if win!

Other ways (that I don't normally do) to get books for review

1. Netgalley and Edelweiss 
2. Publishers
3. Blog Tours

Netgalley and Edelweiss are sites where you can sign up for e-arcs to review. I don't know why this never appealed to me, it just didn't. However, I know they 99% of the book blogoshere loves the sites. I don't know much except that 1) you can get lot of books, if some of the Stacking the Shelves I've seen are indicators. 2) You request the e-arcs and sometimes you get rejecected, and other time you don't. If anyone with more expertise has anything more to add please do in the comments! Thanks. 

Publishers. Well, blogs with happy statistics can get paperback ARCs from publishers. Maybe one day I will try contacting a publisher, but I am at least waiting a couple more months. ARCs are expensive to print so publishers give them only to people with blogs that are sure to be seen!

Blog tours. So far I have only participated in one. Basically, you post a review or promotional post on your assigned day. Sometimes you get the book to review and sometimes you don't.

And Remember

1. You don't need to get review books to have an awesome blog!!!
2. Be patient and BE HAPPY :)

Newbie book blogger vocab quickie:

ARCs- Advanced Reader Copies. Normally handed out to well known bookish people before the release date of final copy

Blog Tours- A book that is posted about on a schedule. They are scheduled by a blog tour site

How do you feel about books-for-review? Do you get them or are happy without? If you do receive them, what method do you use/prefer?

Stacking the Shelves #3

Visit Tynga's Reviews!

Well, I didn't get a bunch this week. But I did get some really exciting books!

Bought

For Review

I am looking forward to reading each of these books. In fact, I have already read Cry Devil. I loved the Selection, so I am especially looking forward to the Elite. And The Samantha Project just looks really interesting!

So what did you get this week? Leave me a link!!!

My first giveaway! *squee*

And don't forget to check out:



Newbie Blogger Diaries #1
Newbie Blogger Diaries #2
Newbie Blogger Diaries #3

Feature and Follow Friday

Q: Is there a song that reminds you of a book? Or vice versa? What is the song & the book?

Song: I'm Coming After You
Book: Poison by Bridget Zinn

I don't know why I think of these two together, some lyrics match up but most doesn't. I just felt like the tune and beat fit this funny, fast read perfectly! I will never listen to this song without thinking "Poison"! Also, both girls are on the run. And sound very feisty.

Now, tell me what you think. Link me up!

Little note: I am now on Bloglovin!

Review: Also Known As

Also Known As

 by Robin Benway

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.


Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

Robin Benway certainly does not disappoint in this laugh-out-loud adventure! I believe I loved Audrey, Wait! a tiny smidgen more, but then again I didn't expect AKA to outshine one of my favorite contemporaries.

This book is slightly similar to the Gallagher Girls series, although not really. Okay, maybe I'll back myself up and make more sense. The "spies" and tone are very similiar. Except the plot is totally different and a little more sophisticated. I think I may have liked it more than Gallagher Girls... and that is saying something. (Little Note: If you haven't read Gallagher Girls, you should!)

The characters are really sweet. And super funny. Not just Maggie (Who was amazing) but also her friends and family. I loved how each character had such a memoable personality.

This book was ridiculous. I mean this in a good way. Maggie is just plain quirky! I am so happy she wasn't another predictable, overused YA character. Also, some of the past spy expeditions Maggie mentions are pretty funny/ridiculous.

The synopsis mentions a lot about "Private School". I think this is bringing the focus off what most of the book is about. I mean I LOVED Maggie's experiences there. But, mostly, AKA is about making friends, afore mentioned ridiculous conversations, and learning what it means to be a spy!

Such a funny read!
4/5 bookcases