The Best Reader [Search results for wither] 

"I read this book almost in its entirety in one day... but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from after reading "Wither" was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me." — Miss Remmers

"What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left. "

I've read some awesome books already this year -"Delirium, " "Across the Universe, " "The Iron Queen, " and many others — but none of touched me like Lauren DeStefano's debut, "Wither."

This was one of those "surprise" reads that I had been putting off and putting off for two reasons: I hate the cover and I wasn't sure of the whole "brother" angle. Why do I hate the cover? I have no idea. I feel like I should like it, but I just don't. With the above premise I assumed that the brother was going to play a more pivotal role in this book but he didn't. I'm not sure why I was bothered by the brother bit; I think I assumed that the brother and sister would be the protagonists instead of a love interest. Boy was I wrong.

DeStefano drew me in with the first chapter and before I knew it I was racing through the pages not on purpose but by complete accident. When I finally looked at the lower status bar on my Nook I discovered that hundred pages had been covered. And worse, when I hit that last page I was at a complete stand still. That couldn't be it — could it? I want more. I need more! But we'll return to this later.

I won't lie — I'm still in shock of loving this book so entirely that I am just praying this review makes sense and does the book justice.

Despite not really knowing what was going on in the beginning chapters, I was enthralled with "Wither" and couldn't put it down. Once Rhine met Governor Linden her hatred and my hatred combined for the man could have started any number of metaphorical wars. But somehow, as his character was developed, I found myself looking for him in the novel and seeking his company out for Rhine. Why? He's supposed to be a complete polygamous misogynist! (Nothing against polygamy... it's just how I've been raised I guess.) And despite his need to "consummate" his marriages and the rest of the whole sketchy concept of this society — I like him. It's completely nonsensical and illogical — but I rooted for him and Rhine, I willed their romance to blossom. If we choose "Teams" with this novel (you know, Team Edward, Team Jacob, Team Ash, Team Puck, etc)... oddly enough I'll be the first to join Team Linden.

The setting of this novel, in a huge beautiful mansion, while creepy and imprisoning, was written so eloquently I feel like I've been there. As I feel like I know the characters. There's a saying: "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." by Paul Sweeney. "Wither" is one such book; when I came to the last page (even on my Nook) I felt like I was saying good bye to a female protagonist that I loved and even a half ways antagonist that I had somehow fell in love with as well!

I read this book almost in its entirety in one day — Friday's Recreational Reading in my English classroom; but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me.

The ending of this book, I will say, was very abrupt. Not just because it was so good that I didn't realize so many pages had been read, but the entire climax, falling action, and resolution (if you can call it that) took place during the last chapter. It seemed almost too easy of an... let's just say... ending. Too out of nowhere. Too without problems. Too... flawless. But despite that, I am LONGING for the second book to come out like I haven't longed for a book in a very long time. Many times I struggle with the second book simply because by the time it does come out I'm reading something different. I can tell that as soon as DeStefano's second book is available for pre-order it will be the first book I'll have pre-ordered since "HP 7."

"Wither" is a fantastically brilliant book that I recommend to any lover of dystopia or even romance!

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 5/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 50/60 B

Release Date: March 22nd, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Challenges: Dystopia Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, EBook Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge
-Visit Lauren around the web here: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Review eBook from NetGalley

Wither by Lauren DeStefano Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (March 22nd, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 356 pages Source: ARC from publisher for review Series: Chemical Gardens Trilogy, book #1 Rating: 5 of 5 stars What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
Review: Wither is among other books recently that focus on a dystopian society. This one is one of my favorites! The story is about Rhine, a 16-year-old girl who gets chosen to be a bride along with 2 other teens after being kidnapped. In this society a genetic virus is killing girls when they are 20 and boys when they are 25. Due to this fact, girls are often picked at a young age to be brides and help the population; even without their consent.
Rhine has struggled to survive since her parents were killed years before. Her twin brother was her only protection and now she has been taken away to marry a man she doesn't know. Linden is not a bad guy but his father has ulterior motives for arranging these marriages. He hopes to study the dead bodies and find a cure before the virus takes his son. Rhine's sister wives Cicily, 13, and Janena, 19, have drastically different feelings about their marriage arrangement and Rhine seems to be the one in the middle. While she begins to actually care for Linden she keeps one thing in mind: escape.
The brides are able to get everything they need and they have a lavish home, but they remain locked up most of the time. Slowly Rhine is given the privilege of attending events with Linden but even the idea of being"first wife" doesn't make her stray from her goal of getting back home.
She finds an unlikely ally in Gabriel, one of the servants. Her connection with him gives her hope that maybe somehow they can both get out and survive. While a majority of the story takes place inside the home, it is far from boring! Lauren incorporates the thoughts of Rhine, her past life, and their current situation beautifully. This story is geared towards older teens because of subject matter involving sex and death scenes that are a little graphic.
Cicily, at the young age of 13, is faced with responsibility she is not prepared for. I thought her character was captured perfectly because often young teens have a picture perfect life in mind and they find out the hard way that things may not be as easy as they seem. She evolves dramatically throughout the story and it was perfectly intertwined throughout. Janena, on the other hand, is much more reserved and pensive. She seems to fully understand the world and what awaits her beyond their walls. Her connection with Rhine is a slow process but one that holds strong at the end.
Wither is a fascinating story that is very complex and full of emotion. Rhine brings power to a oppressive situation. Her refusal to back down and her love for her sister wives shines throughout the book. I was very happy with the ending and I can't wait to see where Lauren takes the next installment. I'm curious to learn more about this world she created and what she has in store for Rhine.
Cover: I have to mention the cover because it is breathtaking! The girl is stunning and the the shimmer of the pink outlines (which you can't notice online) are beautiful details! Also, the ring and bird in a cage are circled, which have significance to the story. I couldn't think of a more appropriate cover for this book!

Find Lauren DeStefano Lauren DeStefano / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

Pre-Order Wither Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Check out Wither's page at Simon & Schuster for updates and excerpts.

March 2011 Wrap Up

So March kind of kicked my butt — notice how I'm not writing my Wrap Up post until April 13th. With only nineteen posts I had two movie reviews (I Am Number Four and Beastly) , a short story review (The Necklace) , and a few reviews (links below). But it's quite obvious what my March 2011 was dedicated to — "Wither" by Lauren DeStefano. I not only reviewed the book but talked about my book mourning and had a conversation with the author. I also made my first video (in which I gush about "Wither"). I also contemplated the book blogger turn over rate and confessed my sins as a bad book blogger.
Books Read:

• Enclave
• Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
• Wither
• The Iron Queen

March 2011 Stats 4,618 Page Views 478 Followers Favorite March 2011 Read

My favorite March read was hands down WITHER by Lauren DeStefano.

"I'm so in awe of the world that Lauren has created" — Miss Remmers

Release Date: February 21st, 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Challenges: 75+ Challenge

"Rhine and Gabriel may have escaped the beautiful prison of Wither’s mansion, but they are far from escaping danger. First they’re chased for stealing a getaway boat, and then the fleeing pair ends up in the eerie den of Madame, an old woman who collects girls and sells them to the highest bidders. Worst of all, Vaughn, Rhine’s sinister father-in-law, seems to be on her trail every step of the way. Rhine remains determined to get to her brother in Manhattan—but the road they are on is long and perilous.Now that Rhine has finally regained her freedom, what lengths will she need to go to in order to keep it?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, that list of links right there ^ are the posts in which I have "squeed" over Lauren DeStefano, "Wither," and "Fever." I think it's almost safe to say that I'm completely obsessed. After receiving "Fever" I was almost too scared to read it. I ended up going to Twitter and asking people if Linden (my love) made an appearance and finally Cat (Beyond Elsewhere) told me that there would be "very little." I'd rather know than not — right?

Right.

Well, without Linden, I should be able to wait a few weeks to read it. Right? Wrong. After trying to get into a book for two days finally I just gave in and picked up the book that's been on my "most wanted" list for almost a year!

I immediately fell back into the plot and characters. While I was still ever hopeful of a "Linden Appearance," this never held me back from enjoying the story as it is. I'm still captivated by the setting and the dystopian atmosphere. Even though Gabriel isn't my favorite character, I enjoyed his and Rhine's journey. I liked their adventures and I loved the intrigue.

But something was missing for me.

Romance.

Call me stubborn and call me a fool for liking the polygamist over the poor server boy, but I just don't understand the romance between Gabriel and Rhine. I just don't feel it and I don't think Gabriel's feelings are as strong or as genuine as Linden's. But, I'm not the writer.

There was also a "twist" at the end that I'm not sure if I'm intelligent enough to get (apparently). I had to reread it like six times to make sure I was understanding the lingo. Overall, at this point in the series, I don't have any emotional connection to Rhine's twin brother Rowan and the twist did little to move me.

Bottom line: I enjoyed this book and I'm so in awe of the world that Lauren has created. When I book talk these books to my students they always shine away from the "polygamy" thing but after I explain that's it's more dystopia than anything their interests are peaked.

I do love Linden and I'm so excited to see where the third book will take us, even though I can guess it's not the direction that I'm favoring (because, really, when does the polygamist ever really win?). I'm going to be rereading "Wither" here shortly because I just can't get those feelings out of my head — as it was, I'm pretty sure, the most romantic novel I've ever read.

So, my question for you dear readers is this: am I crazy? Am I making a "romance" out of nothing? Out of one man's naivety and one girl's complete prison? Or do you feel it too?

-Connect with the author: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: ARC received from Publisher

You know it's ironic — just yesterday GReads asked the question: "Book Mourning: does this happen to you? When you finish an amazing book, do you find yourself at a loss to pick up another one? What was the last book that left you feeling so bewildered? & what did you do to overcome it?" I flippantly answered that I couldn't remember the last time it happened to me.

Little did I know that hours later (around 2pm) that I would finish one of the most amazing novels EVER and be in complete book mourning.

Yes, blogosphere, I am in complete book mourning over "Wither" by Lauren DeStefano. While I am not a fan of the cover (weird I know) I am completely in love with this book. I almost reread it today simply because my mourning is that bad! I don't know what to do with myself. I keep thinking of Linden and Rhine (okay, but mostly Linden) and I just NEED to know what happens next. The worst part? The book isn't even "officially" out yet! It's been such a long time since I've felt the loss of a good book — and I've read some great books this year already. But DeStefano has written such an amazing, elaborate, depth-filled novel that right now I can't imagine reading anything else!

I thought I'd pick up a "lighter" quick read to recover from my heart being wrenched out of my body and my soul sucked into the pages of "Wither" so I tried picking up "The Lipstick Laws" and got a few chapters in before putting it down indefinitely. While the protagonist is supposed to be a high school sophomore it seemed like she was more of a middle school student. Maybe I'm 'too old,' but I just couldn't connect to the "mean girl" plot. While, yes, I could have continued reading as I hear it is an okay read — surprisingly it was extremely hard to read something so "light" after reading a book like "Wither" where my whole heart and soul were consumed by the plot and characters.

The worst part, this isn't the first book I've put down this week.

I've been waiting since December for "Entice" by Carrie Jones to get finally get to me; I swear, there were a million holds on it. When it arrived I excitedly picked it up and was almost instantly disappointed. Now, I liked "Need " and I liked "Captivate. " Yes, the dialogue bothered me but the story made up for it. Only a few pages into "Entice" and the dialogue had my skin crawling with the immature and sort of "dumbed down" dialogue. I felt like I was reading a book with a 6th grade protagonist.

It was extremely hard for me to put "Entice" down simply because it was the end of the series. I'd made it this far, waiting that long — why not just suck it up and finish the book?! But the truth of the matter is, for me, I didn't need to know what was going to happen to Zara and Nick. I did however like Astley a lot and am a little curious as to his fate — but not enough to continue reading. Now, just because I didn't like "Entice" doesn't mean that I won't eventually get a copy for my classroom.

"Need" has mysteriously vanished from my classroom and "Captivate" has been checked out several times; I have no doubt that those same students will love "Entice." And I know many of my students will adore "The Lipstick Laws" because of the "mean girl" plot and the more shallow characters. It's just not for me. I'm not afraid to have books on my shelves that I didn't like; what kind of teacher would I be if I only had my favorites out!

But, I'm still a bit disappointed in myself — two "did not finish" in one week! And, the ebook I was really excited to read "Plan B" is all funky on my Nook. None of the text on the Chapter Title pages show up. I've tried deleting the current copy and uploading another and no luck. So I think, in order to survive this vicious bout of mourning without the immolation of any other potentially great reads, I'll try a nonfiction book. Yes, nonfiction. No, I've never reviewed a nonfiction book or even read one recreationally. We will see how this goes. My choice of poison: "Jane Austen: A Life Revealed."

Besides that, my Saturday has been eventful. I worked out, finally talked to D (we're done fighting — thank goodness. Longest 48 hours of my life!), went to eat with my cousins and their kids, met my other cousins and their kids at a wrestling meet in town, and got my hair cut! Great day.

What about you? Do you feel about about your DNF list? How do you recover from such an amazing book that you can't imagine reading anything else? Look for my review of "Wither" on Monday!

Today is your day to go pick up "Wither" by Lauren DeStefano! Too busy? At work all day? Grab it for your Nook, your Kindle, order it from Barnes and Noble or Amazon to be delivered to your house! This is one of those books you need to get your hands on. Not only did I suffer extreme book mourning over this book but I have continued to gush about it on Twitter and at school after my review was posted! This will be the first eBook I've read that I've had to go out and buy two hard copies of! One for me and one for my students! I don't say this often, but if you're fan of dystopia you have to get a hold of this book.

To celebrate "Wither"'s release day I'd like to post a brief conversation with Lauren DeStefano (provided by Simon and Schuster).

Visit Lauren on the web via Twitter and Goodreads. If you haven't read this book, please pick it up. I don't normally gush this long about a single book and I'm never extremely adamant. But seriously readers, this book gave me an experience that all readers are looking for: that book you can't put down, the characters you can't forget, and the plot that leaves you pleading for more.

Last year in what seemed like a span of weeks I read five fantastic novels that just happened to be the first of a series: "Across the Universe, " "Delirium, " "The Goddess Test, " "Wither, " and "Matched. " These five novels absolutely changed my reading life. With each of these books I was positively awe-struck.

"I read this book almost in its entirety in one day... but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from after reading "Wither" was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me."

"I hurt with the emotion I felt, I hurt because I couldn't stop willing the plot on, my heart hurt out of love for the characters, and my adrenaline never slowed the last 100 pages. This book caused me physical pain I loved it so much."

"Fantastically timed writing along with perfectly developed characters and a seamlessly exciting plot makes "Delirium" an instant favorite and a story not likely forgotten anytime soon."

"'Across the Universe' was woven so intricately and beautifully that this plot driven novel is definitely on my 'OMG! I need the next book!' list."

"I don't know about you, but during the duration of reading this book I wrote entirely in cursive. What an inspiring concept!"
So you can only imagine how excited I am for their sequels to be released. "Crossed" (out last week) was in my fingertips at BEA and I had actually started reading while in line for other books but unfortunately it was not to be finished. I pre-ordered it through Amazon about a month ago (and I won't make that mistake again); it arrived on Friday and I am so excited to continue the story.

Today I received in the mail at school a copy of "A Million Suns" by Beth Revis (Jan 2012) from the publisher and am completely stoked! Last week I received a copy "Pandemonium" by Lauren Oliver (March 2012) from the publisher and am currently only about 100 pages in — but this four day weekend will completely change the game around.

Please ignore my yellow bookmark.
And to finish things off I just found out that "Goddess Interrupted" will be released on NetGalley a few months before the release (March 2012).
If you're getting the impression that I am on a book high — you'd be completely underestimating my excitement. My "in my mailbox" has never EVER been so exciting before! I'm a relatively small-town blogger and probably only receive one book a month from publishers (if that). But this post is not an "IMM" (expect a vlog!!), there is a reason these books in particular are crossing my doorstep.
At school I have put together a group of ten students, a very cool name is yet to be decided on, who meet, read, suggest, and promote YA books to my other students during Friday's Recreational Reading time. Basically we meet during lunch and talk books — much like a book club. Then we decided which books of the week are our absolute favorites and each student volunteers to book talk a book to my English classes on Friday before reading. It started out with "older" books and ironically my five favorites were all chosen to be book talked. Then my students started to talk about the sequels and how they were dying to get their hands on them (much like myself) and so I figured I'd attempt to receive one of these coveted ARCS and become the coolest and most awesome teacher ever. So I sent out a few emails to authors (as I have no legitimate "contacts") and low and behold (who ever thought of that term?) two books found their way to my doorstep.
I'll be presenting these books to my students on Monday when we meet and I can't WAIT to see their eyes light up. The idea that publishers would send ME (of all people — according to the students) books before they even came out is a completely foreign idea to these students and I'm just exploding with excitement. I sort of feel like a cave man bringing home fire (or a wheel) for the first time.

• Mercy
• Shift
• Invincible Summer
• The Goddess Test
• Bumped
• Stay
• Enclave
• Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
• Wither
• The Iron Queen
• The Iron Daughter
• If I Stay
• Across the Universe
• Definitely Dead
• The Iron King
• How to Say Goodbye in Robot
• When the Stars Go Blue
• Cryer's Cross
• Nocturne
• Outside In
• Inside Out
• Change of Heart
• Wake
• Delirium

I've decided to join the Bookish Ardour's Dystopia Reading Challenge! From January 1st to December 31st, 2011 I hope to read the following 15 Dystopian novels to qualify for the Contagion Level (15 books). There is an extra book, just in case I can't put the genre down. I really want to thank There's A Book for recommending this challenge to me! I am SO excited to get started!

1. Outside In
2. Inside Out
3. Across the Universe
4. Delirium
5. Enclave
6. Bumped
7. Wither
8. The Giver
9. The Adoration of Jenna Fox
10. Ashfall
11. The Pledge
12. Pandemonium
13. The Maze Runner
14. Crossed

This month I'd like to read and review:

1. Definitely Dead
2. The Iron King
3. The Iron Daughter
4. The Iron Queen
5. Across the Universe
6. All Together Dead
7. Wither
8. Here Lies Bridget
9. The Uglies
10. Plan B
11. Lost Voices
12. Crescendo
13. The Lipstick Laws

PS: What do you think of my graphic? I'm pretty proud of it!

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it in my blog. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course.

For Review:

• "Enclave"
• "The Ice Princess"
• "The Girl Who Was On Fire"

• "Numbers" (THANKS to Anna's Book Blog)

• "Beautiful Darkness" — $8 from The Last Stop CD Shop
• "Wither"

Today I'm participating in two memes — the Book Bloggers Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books & Follow My Book Blog Friday, hosted at Parajunkee's View. I am also putting up my weekly recap... get it? "Follow My Hop Recap?"
If you're a new follower, please leave me a link to your blog in the comments below so that I can return the hello! Also, please follow me on Twitter — it's like my connection to the world! I love connecting with different bloggers!
This week's question from the Hop:
"Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"

Even with my Nook, I have an extremely hard time reading more than one book at a time. I end up feeling like a complete misogynist who cheats on one great book with a "hotter" book. It never turns out good for me. I am able to listen to a different book (thank goodness). But other than that, I am definitely a one book (at a time) woman. This week's question from Follow Me Friday:

Q. How did you come up with your blog name?

Miss Remmers' Review came from a bulletin board I knew I wanted to have in my classroom (I was a junior in college when became a book blogger). When I finally got my own classroom this fall it was the first thing I did to my room. It's where I post my "favorite" reads, what I am currently reading, and what it "up next." Then, once I finish a book, I take it and put it up above my board. Below is an older picture, now I've got cover along pretty much the whole wall.

I love the alliteration and it makes this blog a bit more student friendly. Now that I'll be changing my name I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I don't think I'll change my blog (which is weird I know). But I've built a readership and I just don't feel comfortable changing it along with the buttons and everything else that goes with changing the name. Plus, Mrs. Urbanec's Review definitely does not sound as cool.:)

I Got It Bad: Book Mourning Review: "Wither" Giveaway: Win "I'd Know You Anywhere" (SIGN UP TO WIN!) Back to the Basics: Commenting

This year we wanted to add to the excitement of Top 10 lists by making it an event! Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Rachel from Fiktshun & Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and and I are hosting a top 10 week where everyone can join the fun! You can check out this post for more information. Each day you add your top 10 list to the linky (below), you get an extra entry into the giveaway for a $50 amazon gift card! Just remember, each day will have a linky for THAT Top 10 topic and your list has to be for that top 10.

Today is Top 10 Book Covers of 2011!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
HarperCollins (November 15th, 2011)

Why: This cover is beautiful! It's one you have to see in person to truly see the beauty of it. I think the girl really shows a strong personality — which is exactly what Juliette is.
Read My Review
Add it to Goodreads
Summary: Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini HarperCollins (May 31st, 2011)
Why: I fell in love with this cover from day one and it is another one you have to see in person. The shimmer effect some of these newer books have is just incredible! Read My Review Add it to Goodreads Summary: How do you defy destiny? Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood.. and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Katherine Tegen Books (May 3rd, 2011)

Why: This cover screams"powerful" to me and that perfectly describes this book. I can't imagine a better cover for this title.
Read My Review
Add it to Goodreads
Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle Patrice Michelle (June 27th, 2011)
Why: Isn't this so pretty? Everything about this cover drew me in — the colors, the trees, the girl, the dress — all perfect! Plus I really think it fits the vibe of the book. Read My Review Add it to Goodreads Summary: Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate… until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Balzer & Bray (June 21st, 2011)

Why: I really like the golden look of this cover. I know some people are turned off when a person is on the cover but I like it. I like having a glimpse at a character and this was another cover that I felt showed off the theme of the story.
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Summary: We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten…

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.

Love Story by Janenifer Echols MTV Books (July 19th, 2011)
Why: I admit it, I'm a hopeless romantic. If a guy and girl are on a cover being all"cutie patootie" together, it grabs my heart. This is one of many of these covers but this one was my favorite"couple" cover. Read My Review Add it to Goodreads Summary: She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter.. so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter.. except this story could come true.

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
Penguin (December 8th, 2011)

Why: Who wouldn't think this is beautiful?? The colors are amazing and the way the dress turns into flower petals. so pretty! Even the text is so nice and detailed.
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Summary: A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions — gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker — someone who can talk to and help lost souls — and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano Simon & Schuster (March 22nd, 2011)
Why: The detail work that went into this cover is outstanding. Each part has significance to the story (which is a big perk to me) and it just gave off that"dystopian" look. Another book you gotta make sure to see in person! Read My Review Add it to Goodreads Summary: Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Egmont (June 14th, 2011)

Why: This cover really makes you think. It's so unique and I do love the color (obviously!).
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Summary: One hour to rewrite the past..
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes New American Library (March 1st, 2011)
Why: Beautiful!! I never thought I'd love a cover that was mostly black with just a touch of color, but wow, this one is perfect! The girl is gorgeous (and that hair, OMG), and the black flowers really make the red dress pop out. Read My Review Add it to Goodreads Summary: Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.
And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Tomorrow's Topic — Top 10 Book Boyfriends!

Don't forget to link each day! Signing up & then linking your Top 10 posts early you EXTRA entries into the $50.00 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway. The last day to share your posts is January 8th, 2012. The winner will be picked using Random.org and announced during the week of the 9th, 2012. Good Luck!

NOTE: this is the SAME Linky on each of the Co-Hosts Blogs, so please only enter your Name, Blog Name and URL once. Thanks!

Rather than just keep track on my own, I decided to join the 100+ Reading Challenge hosted by My Overstuffed Bookshelf.

1. Delirium
2. Wake
3. Change of Heart
4. Inside Out
5. Outside In
6. Nocturne
7. Cryer's Cross
8. When the Stars Go Blue
9. How to Say Goodbye in Robot
10. The Iron King
11. Definitely Dead
12. Across the Universe
13. The Iron Daughter
14. If I Stay
15. The Iron Queen
16. Wither
17. Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
18. Enclave
19. Stay
20. Bumped
21. The Goddess Test
22. Invincible Summer
23. Shift
24. Mercy
25. Between Here and Forever
26. Summer's Crossing
27. Spellbound
28. Eragon
29. Wintergirls
30. Forever
31. The Giver
32. All Together Dead
33. Entwined
34. The Iron Knight
35. The Beginning of After
36. The Maze Runner
37. The Power of Six
38. Speak
39. The Adoration of Jenna Fox
40. The Juliet Spell
41. Glasshouses
42. The Awakening
43. Fallen
44. Crescendo
45. Ashfall
46. The Pledge
47. Pandemonium
48. Between Shades of Gray
49. Crossed
50. Silence
51. Replication: The Jason Project
52. The Night Circus
53. Cinder

Check out the list of other participating blogs at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

Win a copy of WITHER by Lauren DeStefano by commenting below with your name and email address. You do NOT have to follow and this giveaway is open Internationally. Thanks for stopping by!

I think the Hops are a great way to meet bloggers and visit other blogs, which is why I'm participating. I mean no disrespect to anyone who does require a follow for a giveaway as I've been there. It's just something that I've been struggling with. If you're interested in how I came to this decision read my Bad Blogger Confessions.

Have a great weekend and happy blogging!

Wow! The Spring Blog Carnival hosted by Candace’s Book Blog, Reading Angel, Pure Imagination, and The Book Swarm is almost at a close!

As I promised last week, today I am hosting the "It's a Bad World" Booth Challenge! We've all at least heard the somewhat annoying yet catchy "It's a Small World" tune that depicts the perfect world with everyone from all different races and backgrounds getting along famously well; where no matter the language, the tune and unity is still strong. In case you would like to walk down memory lane (or experience something all new) — here's a video of the "It's a Small World" ride.

However, lately it seems that life is not so "good." Yes, we've had the Royal Wedding, Osama has been found, and schools getting out (that last one is more for me than anyone else), but our world is still in turmoil. We aren't all singing together in unison and holding hands. We are partaking in polygamy and selling the prettiest girls off to the highest bidder in hopes of impregnating them, we are promoting teenage pregnancies by paying girls to "bump," and at the other of that spectrum we have society telling us that love is a disease and that any kind of emotion will make you crazy! We are sending people into space to fix our societal problems and as a result we have digressed into a social class hierarchy! It almost seems as if we are living in a Dystopian Society!!

dys·to·pi·a

1. Write a post explaining why you think Dystopian fiction is so addicting. Why is everyone reading it? What does it say about our society that we want to read about WORSE societies? Are there any implications dystopian fiction's popularity has on our own society? What say you!!
2. What is your favorite dystopian novel to date? Why did you like it? How does it stand apart from all the other countlessly recent dystopian novels? Why would you recommend it above all others in this genre?

Yes, this Challenge is therefore INTERNATIONAL.

Also, anyone have any guesses as to the four dystopian novels mentioned at the beginning of this post?

I'll be joining one final challenge for 2011 — the Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

The idea is to read at least 12 YA books by debut authors; I'll be sticking to the minimum in this case, but I hope to read more. Last year I had a blast with the 2010 Authors at BEA and have enjoyed getting to know them and reading their books — I'm excited to do the same with the 2011 authors!

My choices for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge:

1. Across the Universe
2. Wither (March)
3. Entwined (March)
4. Enclave
5. Bumped
6. The Goddess Test (May)
7. Spellbound (June)
8. The Beginning of After (August)
9. The Juliet Spell (Sept)
10. Ashfall (Oct)
11. The Night Circus (Sept)

Okay, I SWEAR I have a review ("Passion" by Lauren Kate) ready to go for today. However, I'll be posting that tomorrow as I have an interruption. I don't mean this as a "Look what I got because I'm so much better than you" post because, really, if you know me at all you know that's not my style.

I just love when things work out. In 2011 I read some amazing novels but most notably: "Delirium," "Across the Universe," "Goddess Test," and "Wither." Since then I've had this list on my desk of books I needed to get a hold of — that I couldn't possibly wait for!

But as a "small town" blogger like myself, I figured unless NetGalley was overly generous, most of these books would be in my hands on their release date. But, after some coaxing from a fellow blogger, I decided to at least email some authors to see what they could do and these authors totally came through!

First, "Pandemonium" was sent my way from the Harper Collins.

Next, after speaking to Beth Revis, her publisher sent me a copy of "A Million Suns." Beth also sent me some great swag for students as well!

Then, yesterday I was approved from NetGalley for "Goddess Interrupted." And today, when checking my mail at school, I received a large package from Simon and Schuster containing "Fever" (among other titles I'll mention this week).

Again, this post isn't a "look what I got" post but much more of a "how good is life" post. I think it's amazing that four years ago I never knew that this community and professional relationship could exist and now I'm feeling like I'm on cloud nine and having "squee out loud moments" like today. I'm amazed at how generous the industry is and am so thankful for the opportunities that blogging has given me. Plus, I just really love when things work out this way.

The "Squee" is from Sheila (Book Journey) .

My original Challenge Post from 1.11.11 (ironic?)
On January 11th, 2011 I joined the 2011 eBook Challenge hosted by The Ladybug Reads. Having just bought my Nook a the day I joined the challenge I set my goal at 12 books (addicted). I figured that would be one a month and that would be accomplishable (for a girl who wasn't so sure of this eReader thing). Well, it's now June 17th, a mere 5 months and a few odd days and I have officially completed this challenge. But because I am a bit of an over achiever and I completely love my Nook, I've decided to up the ante to the OBSESSED level and attempt to read 20 eBooks before New Years. Maybe I'm just over confident — but I think I can do it.:)
So far I've read —

1. Outside In
2. Cryer's Cross
3. The Iron Queen
4. Wither
5. Stay
6. Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
7. Bumped
8. The Goddess Test
9. Shift
10. Mercy
11. Between Here and Forever
12. Summer's Crossing
13. Spellbound
14. The Iron Knight
15. The Beginning of After
16. The Juliet Spell
17. Ashfall
18. The Pledge
19. Replication: The Jason Project
20. Cinder

I have a small confession: I am a sucker for the guy who doesn't get the girl.
Recently there have been a few characters who I feel should have gotten the girl. Either they're too boring or are "what their parents or society are telling the girls that they should marry," but for some reason lately it seems that the guys I would choose just aren't getting the girl.
Now, when I was a teen full of angst, I would have wanted Tom LeFroy, Peter, Gabriel, James or, heck, even Will Turner! But today, a few weeks from getting married, I'm reevaluating what I look for in the perfect husband-to-be.
First, let's start with a favorite movie of mine: "Becoming Jane." In this film Tom LeFroy attempts to court Jane Austen. He has little money, is a fighter, very handsome, and definitely not what the Austens or even the LeFroy's had in mind for a match*. On the other hand, a very wealthy Mr. Wisley adores Jane and asks for her hand in marriage. She says no. Now I'm not endorsing not marrying for love, I'm just saying that Mr. Wisley was a smart match. He adored her and was very sweet and romantic and even stood up for her after she turned him down! Sometimes I feel like society tells us that when a boy treats us right it must not be love or that we must fall in love with the boy that we cannot have... the rebel. Think, how many of us have fallen in and out of love with the rebel of our youth — I know I have.
*Remember this is fictional.

In another great movie, Red Riding Hood, Valerie falls in love with the poor, but extremely handsome, and slightly tempered Peter. Right around the corner, Henry, the son of the smith or something like that, asks for her hand in marriage. Henry is just as handsome, slightly more wealthy, and adores her. Again, I'm not saying "go for the guy with money," I'm just pointing out that perhaps, sometimes, our mothers are right.

In Lauren DeStefano's "Wither " you have two similar archetypal characters: Linden versus Gabriel. I've made no reservations about declaring myself Team Linden. I think he's a very caring guy albeit naive and sheltered. Most importantly, I believe he really cares about Rhine. Gabriel, on the other hand, I feel no real connection too. Yes, he "saved" Rhine from a life with "misogynistic" Linden, but that's what society tells us we should want right — the guy who rides in on a white horse? I don't know, maybe I'm spinning circles. While Linden's father was psychotic, I don't think Linden should be held responsible for his father's evilness.

Then there's James versus Henry in Aimee Carter's "The Goddess Test. " Oh, Henry! I adored him! He was absolutely fantastic — one of my recent male character favorites. But society, in this case, still told Kate not to like him because of the whole Hades complex and the "prisoner" bit.

And finally, there's poor, handsome, likable William Turner versus Commodore Norrington. This reference for me is not so much of a "versus" just a quick "did you think of this... " I like Will Turner. I think he genuinely cares for Elizabeth (obviously) and I'm happy for them. But, I think Norrington was made out to be a false "villain" for no other reason than because he had money and status. I think that he, too, genuinely cared for Elizabeth and was attempting to gain her affection the socially acceptable way. But, again, society condemns him for "following the rules of society" (irony) and tells women to fall for the poor guy.

Which begs the question: is it wrong to want a guy who adores me, has some kind of social status, is not poor, and follows the dating rules set by society? If it is not wrong, than why does society continue to impress upon me via literature, movies, etc that I should want to marry the guy who treats me like crap, is full of drama, who my parents hate, and has no money? What's wrong with normalcy in a relationship?

Granted, we read/watch movies to get away from normalcy — I'm just trying to make a point. In real life, what are you looking for? The Mr. Darcy or the Mr. Bingley? For years I've said I want to marry my own Mr. Darcy. But, and no one hate me, the fact of the matter is that I would never want to date/marry Mr. Darcy. His inability to communicate, I feel, would set our marriage up for failure. Sorry, if I'm crushing anyone's vision of perfection here. But why is the "good guy" the wrong guy for the relationship? Do the "good guys" really come in last? Is that society's fault or our own?

When I was sixteen I wanted the rebellious Tom LeFroy and would have and probably did turn up my nose at anyone my parents actually liked. But now, as an adult, that's what I want in a relationship. I want to marry a man my parents like, a man with a job and education, a man with no drama attached, a man who adores me and I don't have to work for it.

Thank God I found him.