Tag Archives: Upcoming Releases

Book Trailer Thursday (64)–Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

10 May

Recently I’ve seen some tweets and received an email or two about an upcoming release called Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (May 15th).  Pretty much everything I’ve seen on Twitter and Goodreads has been positive, so I decided to look into it.  Based on the early reviews and the summary, I decided to check it out and requested a copy via NetGalley which was recently approved.  I haven’t started reading Code Name Verity yet, but I’m looking forward to it because I know historical fiction is popular with a group of my students, the boys in particular.

I have mixed feelings about this trailer because it doesn’t make the premise of the book obvious in regards to text.  I like the music and the warning siren and everything else though because it gives potential readers a good idea of the tone of the book despite needing to pay closer attention to the text as it’s displayed.  I’d love to know your thoughts about the trailer and the book if you’ve read it :)

**Note–This is the trailer created by Edgmont for the UK release which was in February of this year.**

Summary (From Goodreads): Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it’s barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she’s sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page.

 

 

Book Trailer Thursday (62)–Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

26 Apr

I’m getting ready to start reading Struck by Jennifer Bosworth, so I was pretty darn excited to see the trailer.  The cover for this book is really cool, and even though it has a girl on the cover, I think my guys in class will read it without hesitation.  The whole premise sounds fun and exciting, and the now the trailer has left me wanting to read it even more.  A lightning addict?  What a concept!  I’m wondering if Mia will be like Storm from X-Men (probably my favorite comic book series).

What do you think of the trailer?  Is Struck part of your TBR list?  If you’ve read it already I’d love to know what you think!

Struck Book CoverSummary (From Goodreads): Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

 

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

23 Apr

Insurgent book coverTitle: Insurgent, 525 pages

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 1st, 2012

Interest: Awesome series

Source: ARC received from the publisher

Summary of Insurgent (From Goodreads): One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Exciting.  Gripping.  Thrilling.  These are the best words I can use to describe the awesome that is Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Let me say first, that if it’s been a while since you’ve read Divergent then I recommend either re-reading the whole book or at least the last few chapters because Insurgent starts right where Divergent left off.  There aren’t any recaps either.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Insurgent, but let me tell you I wasn’t disappointed!  We’re thrown right back into the chaos we were left with and I couldn’t stop reading.  I think I was about 60 pages in and then BAM!  Major action was happening all around.  It was exciting and non-stop action.  I sat there, awe-struck and completely engrossed the entire time I was reading.   In some ways Insurgent reminded me of Mockingjay in the way the tone changed from Divergent to Insurgent.  It’s not dismal and depressing like Mockingjay was, but Insurgent has more of an intense urgency to it.  Thankfully Roth allowed us some breaks from the action and intensity with scenes full of well-done humor and romance.

I positively love Tris’s character, and in Insurgent we see a different side of Tris—a more vulnerable side.  She’s still reeling from the death of her parents and suffering over the fact that she killed Will.  These deaths haunt her for most of the novel and affect her personality.  She’s not as tough, but she’s still stubborn, adventurous, brave, and reckless (reckless according to Tobias).  We also witness how loyal she is, even if at times she and others question her loyalty.  Tris begins to learn who she really is in Insurgent.  In Divergent she was still figuring that out, especially since she switched factions.  I often worried about Tris, but ultimately I’ve grown to love her character even more because of her supposed weakness which results in immense character growth.  You have to love a protagonist that can overcome her demons.

I don’t want to give anything away, but I can’t write this review without mentioning Tobias.  I still love his character, and I still love him and Tris together.  All I will say is that it’s rocky between Tris and Tobias and I admire Veronica Roth for how she handled their relationship.  She kept it real and didn’t add any extra unnecessary dramatics like so many authors do.  That is all :)

It’s been a week since I finished Insurgent, and my mind is still reeling over everything we learn.  Tris finds out so much more about what it means to be Divergent, but the ending left me with even more questions when I thought many were answered.  But not only am I questioning things about the Divergents, I’m wondering about Amity and Abnegation.  Veronica Roth blew my mind with the ending which is the biggest reason I’m reeling and slightly incoherent.  I need to know more about ALL OF THE THINGS that I can’t discuss b/c it would spoil the book. But ALL OF THE THINGS are exciting and mind-boggling and discussion worthy.  Seriously, read Divergent if you haven’t already so you can read Insurgent and enjoy the awesome!

Wrap Up: My First Dewey Read-a-Thon

22 Apr

Well, considering that I got a late start and decided to join the read-a-thon late, I think I did pretty well.  I think the next one takes place in October, so I’m going to keep an eye on that so I can be more prepared and hopefully read more books!  I had lofty goals for myself yesterday and didn’t read nearly as much as I wanted to.  But I’m okay with that because I still spent the day reading :)

What I Read:

  • Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (Goodreads)–I had already read about half of this one before I started, but I did finish it which was one of my goals.  I needed to do that because on Wednesday my book club is Skyping with Sarah!  The girls are really excited and one of them volunteered to make and bring cupcakes for us to munch on after school during the Skype chat.  The book is adorable and now my favorite by Sarah Ockler.  I’ll work on a full review pretty soon.
  • The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan (Goodreads)–I’ve seen a couple of my guys in class read this one and the original books as well.  I haven’t read any of them, so I figured this was a good start.  It’s a cool graphic novel.  I really liked the images and how colors were used to convey the mood.  Plus, with all the action, I can why it’s so popular in my classroom.
  • Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach (Goodreads)–Have you read Stupid Fast yet?  If not, I seriously hope you do soon.  Nothing Special is the companion to Stupid Fast, and while it’s not exactly a direct sequel, I recommend reading Stupid Fast first.  I loved getting to know Felton better, but the story really focuses on us learning more about Andrew (Felton’s little brother).  I adored this book and can’t wait to write my full review.
  • Switched by Amanda Hocking (audiobook) (Goodreads)–I didn’t finish Switched yet, but I made some serious project yesterday.  I think I have only 4 hours left which I know will be done probably by Tuesday since I spend most of my listening before work while I’m getting ready and in the car to and from work.  I decided on Switched because I bought the paperback for my classroom library and it’s growing in popularity.  It’s pretty good so far and I enjoy the narrator :)

I learned a few things about myself as a reader during the read-a-thon.  I get distracted entirely too easily.  I want to peruse online, see what’s happening on Twitter, check my blog stats, etc.  It’s difficult for me to step away from the computer/iPhone.  I also have a hard time sitting still for a long period of time and not cleaning or sorting or something along those lines.  I’ll look up from my book and notice that my coffee table is dusty, or think about how I need to clean the bathroom, or about how much laundry I need to get done.  I don’t know why I’m like this, but I always have been this way.  It’s one of the reasons I’m really thankful that I discovered audiobooks because I can listen to one while I do all of this other stuff when I can’t sit still to read anymore.  Is anyone else like that?  I mean, if I’m reading a book that’s REALLY engrossing, I can ignore all of the distractions.  So for the next read-a-thon, I’m piling up books I know will be engrossing, more graphic novels, and probably some verse novels because I love them and they’re fast reads.

If you participated in the read-a-thon yesterday, how did it go?

Dewey’s April Read-a-Thon

21 Apr

I found out about the 24 hour read-a-thon late (of course), but I think I’m going to try it!  Right now as I write this blog post, over an hour late considering this started at 8am EST, I’m listening to an audiobook.  I’m happy I’ve discovered audiobooks because this will help me feel more accomplished while I write this post, put together today’s crock pot dinner, and clean our bathroom during one of the breaks.

Anyway, I decided that since I’m late to the party and have a large stack of books I need to finish, I’m going to work on finishing those for the read-a-thon.  I also brought home a graphic novel to read (they recommend starting with a short book), a short ARC, and some alternates.  Here’s my official list:

Books w/100 or more pages left:

  • Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
  • The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima
  • Starters by Lissa Price (on my Kindle)
  • Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

Fresh books I want to read:

  • The Lightning Thief graphic novel
  • The Forgetting Curve by Angie Smibert (ARC)
  • Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach (ARC)
  • Or maybe others b/c it’s Saturday and I’m fickle sometimes :)

Audiobook for during cooking, cleaning, breaks (Cooking & cleaning I want to accomplish during breaks):

  • Switched by Amanda Hocking

I have no idea if I’ll accomplish this or even stay up for the full 24 hours (yeah I probably won’t).  But I like the challenge and I need to beef up my “Read in 2012″ list.  Is anyone else participating?!

Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

16 Apr

The Last Echo coverTitle: The Last Echo, 358 pages

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Harper (HarperCollins)

Release Date: April 17th, 2012

Interest: Favorite Series

Source: ARC received from the publisher

Summary (From Goodreads): In the end, all that’s left is an echo…

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye….

First of all, if you haven’t read this series yet then you shouldn’t read this review, but you SHOULD read The Body Finder pronto!

For those of you who are up to speed with Kimberly Derting’s fabulous series, I positively loved The Last Echo!  It has all of the normal goodies from The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead (mystery, suspense, romance, Jay, etc.), but The Last Echo also feels more mature which fits with where Violet is in her life.  She’s joined Sara Priest and others to help the police find murderers which is a very adult job to take on as a teenager.  This means Violet’s working more closely with Rafe and consequently there’s more tension between those two and also between Jay and Violet.

I like where Kimberly Derting is taking the story and how she’s developing Violet’s character.  Watching Violet trying to navigate through her life as a teen, but also as a teen with a supernatural ability and adult job is really intriguing and has kept me reading the story.  One of the reason I enjoy The Body Finder series so much is because while it has a supernatural element, I feel like I’m still reading something realistic.  Jay isn’t the typical paranormal guy love interest who acts like he’s 30 even though he’s a teenager.  He still rings true for me as a regular teen guy who’s really in love, and just a bit jealous as well.  Violet’s life isn’t exactly normal, but she she still has common worries like other teens her age.  Keeping these characters grounded in the story makes it more believable and entertaining.  I feel like I’m watching Violet grow up and I can’t wait to see where the story takes her in book four.

Of course, while I love the reality, I was completely engrossed in the mystery!  Like always, I had so many predictions and only some were close to accurate.  This “girlfriend collector” is creepy!  As in the past books we get to read sections from his point of view, and when I read those sections I kept making sure my door was locked.  He seems so unsuspecting, but not someone I would want to cross paths with.  The Body Finder had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, but not as much in Desires of the Dead.  I’m happy to report that The Last Echo is very similar to The Body Finder (and then some) in regards to mystery and suspense!

Violet and Jay’s relationship in these books is swoon-worthy.  It didn’t feel quite as steamy in The Last Echo, but it’s becoming more of a relationship of understanding and acceptance while still maintaining a strong sense of romance.  Jay is still always by Violet’s side and supporting her, but the tension with Rafe in the picture and Violet’s new job adds new levels of stress.  Both Jay and Violet are working on trusting each other and working together to be more supportive and understanding.  Jay is still one of my all-time favorite Y.A. crushes.  I won’t say too much more about the relationship because there’s so much left to ponder at the end of Desires of the Dead.

Overall, I am incredibly thankful that HarperCollins sent me this ARC because The Body Finder series is one of my favorites and continues to be.  This book rocked and left me excited for the fourth book!

Book Trailer Thursday (60)–The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

12 Apr

I am so excited that I found this book trailer because I LOVE this series!  Of all the series out there, The Body Finder series is one of my favorites.  I love the mystery and suspense and of course the romance.  Thankfully HaperCollins sent me an ARC of The Last Echo (releases on April 17th!!) which I read right away and am currently finishing my (very positive) review.  If you haven’t read the series yet, I don’t think this trailer will give anything away, but just in case I’m including the trailer for The Body Finder below The Last Echo trailer.

The Body Finder series:
The Body Finder
Desires of the Dead
The Last Echo
Book #4 untitled

The Last Echo coverSummary of The Last Echo (From Goodreads):

In the end, all that’s left is an echo…
Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye…

 

 

 

The Body Finder coverSummary of The Body Finder (From Goodreads): Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world… and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer… and becoming his prey herself.

 

Book Trailer Thursday (59)–Insurgent by Veronica Roth

5 Apr

Squee!  The book trailer for Insurgent by Veronica Roth doesn’t tell us too much about the book, but it makes me extra excited for the release anyway.  This book trailer is, however, better than the trailer for Divergent.  Is anyone else über excited about the release of Insurgent?  Has anyone been lucky enough to read it already?!  If you didn’t already know, Insurgent releases on May 1st!

Insurgent Book CoverSummary of Insurgent (From Goodreads): One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

 

Book Trailer Thursday (58)–I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

29 Mar

I’m excited to see that Little, Brown made a book trailer for Barry Lyga’s newest novel I Hunt Killers.  This is a Y.A. crime novel which the trailer does an excellent job of portraying.  I also think readers will have a better understanding of the maturity level based on the pictures included, like the sharp, rusty tools and the blood.  I’m glad we only hear Jazz’s voice too.  It’s nice being able to create my own face to go with the character.  What are your thoughts?

Summary of I Hunt Killers (From the Publisher’s Website):

What if the world’s worst serial killer…was your dad?

 
Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
 
But he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could–from the criminal’s point of view.
 
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo’s Nod.
 
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret–could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Books I’d Play Hooky to Read

27 Mar

Ssshhh!  Don’t let my principal know this (j/k), but I’d definitely play hooky to stay home and finish a book.  Wouldn’t you?  Or maybe skip out on some plans so you can read that last chapter?  This week’s Top 10 Tuesday post is all about being excited for spring and picking the books we’d play hooky to read. I’d love to know which books you’d add to this list!

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

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins (Goodreads)—I <3 Sophie.  The cliffhanger endings at the end of the chapters keep me reading, and I can easily see myself skipping something so I can finish reading this book.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Goodreads)—Is there really an explanation needed for this one? ;)

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (Goodreads)—All I’ve read are positive reviews for this book, so it must be a book worth playing hooky to read.

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood (Goodreads)—I’m kind of obsessed with Born Wicked. This doesn’t come out until February, but I was so hooked when reading Born Wicked I know I’d skip something to read this sequel. (The cover isn’t available yet.)

Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris (Goodreads)—I’m not a zombie fan at all, but I’m a big fan of Kate Grable and Bad Taste in Boys. It’s a hilarious book and a fast read, so I expect the same from Bad Hair Day.

Insurgent CoverBad Hair Day Cover

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson (Goodreads)—This book sounds like it has major playing hooky potential.  I love that there are secrets, relationship & cheating issues, a boyfriend serving in the war, etc.

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin (Goodreads)—I skipped yoga so I could finish reading this J  It’s so stinkin’ funny!

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay (Goodreads)—I didn’t need to skip anything to finish reading this, besides maybe missing sleep because I stayed up until 2am to finish it.  It’s a fantastic book!

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers (Goodreads)—Have you read anything by Courtney Summers yet?  If not, you really need to pick up one of her books.  She writes gut-wrenching stories, and I know this one won’t be any different.  Like I said before, I’m not a zombie fan, but I’ll read this simply because it’s written by Courtney Summers.  And if you’re like me, you’ll expect to possibly play hooky to finish reading it because I’ve been in that situation with all of her books.  Every one has been an “I can’t put this down” book.

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach (Goodreads)—I skipped doing work during my prep hour so I could finish reading this, and in the teaching world, prep time is vital.  Felton is a character I adore and really enjoyed reading.  I can’t wait to read the sequel Nothing Special.

If I Lie CoverLove & Leftovers CoverThis Is Not a Test CoverStupid Fast Cover

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