Waiting on Wednesday (12) : The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Release on: March 9, 2010

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

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This is the sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, which was one of my favorite books this year. I can’t wait to get back into the world Carrie Ryan has created.

Additional Links:

 Carrie Ryan’s Website & Twitter

"Waiting on Wednesday" was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

BBAW : Blogger Interview

In celebration of BBAW, I am interviewing Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books! Having never known about this blog, it was great to get to know a little information and find another bookblog. Now, for the interview:

1. How did you find out about book blogging and why did you start a book blog?

I started a blog for my book club to help remember what we’ve read together. When I turned 30, I decided to keep track of everything I’d read for a year. I decided to keep that list on a blog since I already knew how to do that. It was intended to be just for my reference, but it has turned into a very public place and I love it.

2. You seem to review all sorts of books. Any favorite titles off the top of your head?

Oh yes. The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver – The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan – The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley … and I could go on and on.

3. What’s one book you would recommend to anyone? (tween, teen, adult, etc.)

That would be The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. It follows the story of 5 women, a mother and her four daughters, over a 40 year period. It deals with cultural expectations and clashes, relationships, authority, and so much more, plus it is beautifully written.

4. What is your favorite thing about the book blog community?

The people! I’ve met – both online and in person – some of the most wonderful people through blogging. I love that blogging breaks down cultural and economic barriers, allowing us to “meet” people we otherwise would never be in contact with.

5. As a teen, were you a reader or did your love for reading come as you got older?

I’ve been a reader since I was 4 years old. I was the kid reading by flashlight under the covers, or with a book in my desk during class. As a teen I was mostly into Fantasy but I read just about anything.

6. What was your favorite assigned reading book in high school or college?

I really enjoyed Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I recently revisited both of those and I love them just as much today as I did back then.

7. When you buy books, do you buy from retail, indie, or used bookstores?

I don’t usually buy books (I’m more of a swapper or a borrower) but when I do, I go for whatever is most convenient at the time. I’d love to patronize indies more, but the closest one is 30 miles from my house.

8. Who is your all-time favorite book character?

That is REALLY hard! After giving it some thought, I’m going to say the sorceress Polgara. She’s in The Belgariad series by David Eddings. I first read that Fantasy series in elementary school and her character has stayed with me ever since. Even now I can still remember what she looked like and a few of her characteristics.

9. If you could meet one author—alive or dead—who would you want to meet?

Jules Verne. He had a brilliant imagination and was way ahead of his time. I read a few of his books last year and completely loved them.

10. Anything else you’d like to add?

I’d like to invite any of your readers who are in the Maryland area to come out to the Baltimore Book Festival on 9/26 where I’m hosting a panel called The Book Club Toolkit. It is the perfect opportunity to meet bloggers in real life! Details are on my blog at this link: http://age30books.blogspot.com/2009/09/bbf-book-club-toolkit-part-2.html

Thanks so much for partnering with me for this interview – I had lots of fun answering your questions. :)

Thank you as well for the great answers! And I definitely recommend all of you heading over and checking out this blog!

PS. My interview can be found here.

Hyperventilates.

So. I haven’t been around much. At all. Yeeeaaah. I’m sorry. Just feeling pretty unmotivated. But, I’d love it if you join the Fanboy and Gothgirl contest.

Anyway. That’s not what I’m here for. I’m here because.

CATCHING FIRE COMES OUT TOMORROW!

I AM SO EXCITED. Going to the bookstore tomorrow morning with a few friends to buy it. :D :D :D And for those of you who don’t know, Catching Fire is written by Suzanne Collins and is the sequel to The Hunger Games. Which is an amazing book. So go read it.

In other news, hopefully I’ll get some reviews up soon. 

Contest: A signed copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl

My first contest! This one is for a signed copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga (paperback).

Summary:
Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favorite target, his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboy’s new little brother or sister.
But Fanboy has a secret: a graphic novel he’s been working on without telling anyone about it, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, and — most important of all — a way out of the crappy little town he lives in and the bullies that make it all hell for him.
Just when he thinks he’s doomed to be alone, Fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, an outrageous, cynical girl who shares Fanboy’s love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy can’t resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her advice — to ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way.
But Kyra has secrets, too. And they could lead Fanboy to his dreams…or down a path into his own darkness.

To Enter:

• Answer the question: If you were in a comic book, what would your superhero/supervillian name be and why? (+1)
• Bookmark, Stumble, Twitter Favorite, etc. this post (+1 e. / 3 per person)
• Link to this post in your sidebar (+2)
• Become a follower (+2)
• Subscribe via RSS or Email (+2)
• Add me to your blogroll and provide a link (+2)
• Already a follower (+3)
• Already subscribed (+3)
• Post about this contest on your blog (+5)
• Comment on any of my book reviews – must be a thoughtful comment, not just “Nic job!” (+5 e. / 3 per person)

Deadline is September 3rd, 2009.

US ONLY. (unless you can get someone in the US to mail you the book)

This is a wonderful, funny book so I hope you all enter!

Waiting on Wednesday (7) : Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

Release on: August 25, 2009

First there is a Before, and then there is an After. . .
The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.
Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.
David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever.

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I love David Levithan and I’ve heard great things about this book! Crazy excited!

Additional Links:

David Levithan’s Website

"Waiting on Wednesday" was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Review: The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
Hardback, First Edition
Release Date: March 22nd 2005 from Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 240
Best enjoyed by: Females, Ages 13+
Rating: B

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Life’s definitely not easy for Ruby Oliver. In ten days time, she’s been shunned by her friends, lost her boyfriend, and has become a social pariah. To make matters worse, Ruby has to see a shrink to talk about her problems. But Doctor Z doesn’t seem of much help when she asks Ruby to compose a list of all the boys in her life and said list gets copied and distributed throughout the school. Armed only with her talent for making lists, Ruby has to get through her sophomore year, prove her new reputation as a slut false, and maybe win everyone back.

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Two months ago I reviewed The Boyfriend List, but two things happened. The first was that I received the third Ruby Oliver book in the mail (more on that later) and the second was that I was dissatisfied with my original review. So now I’m redoing it.

The Boyfriend List is basically a collection of short stories about different boys Ruby has known, but most chapters also have what is going on in the present. At times it was hard for me to switch back and forth so quickly, but other times it was interesting to read about the version Ruby knew of the boy and compare him to the boy he is now.

Ruby’s narration was very realistic, as was the dialogue, and she felt like a real teenage girl. The one thing I couldn’t understand about Ruby was her obsession with Jackson. He’s obviously a major jerk. He dumps her for her best friend! Ag.

As I said before, one of the reasons I wanted to redo this review was because of the third Ruby Oliver book, The Treasure Map of Boys. I got an ARC of this book in July and loved it. I was so amazed by how much more developed the book was than its predecessors. Ruby became an even better character and the plot was great. Wondering what had changed, I reread the other two books and found them to be much better than my initial reaction.

The Boyfriend List is a fun read with a very realistic narrator and rings true to most high school girls. Recommended to teen girls, especially if you liked the Georgia Nicolson books.

Additional Links:

E. Lockhart’s Website | E. Lockhart’s Blog | Read An Excerpt | Goodreads | IndieBound | Borders | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.

Received:

• Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (ARC) (I actually got this while I was away and have already read it.)
• Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens
  

Bought:

• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (reading now, quite cute)
• Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (Writing reminds me of Libba Bray.)
• My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (felt the need to buy it. I love this book)
• The Devouring by Simon Holt
• The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Other:

• The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl by Barry Lyga (for a contest)

So what did you get in the mail this week?