Novel Notion (1)

Novel Notion is a meme hosted by Chapter Chicks and inspired by The Readables.
The discussion topic this time is "Y YA?" and "Reading outside of your designated age group" Watch their video on their blog and join in on the discussion here.

I don't think there is anything wrong with reading outside of your age group. Since I was about eleven-years-old I have read books for all ages, my own level at the time, middle grade, as well as YA fiction and adult books. I got into reading very early on so my interest in finding more books to read grew quickly. Now I'm twenty-years-old and I don't read middle grade often, but I do still read YA fiction and adult titles.

I don't see anything wrong with reading books that are aimed at a younger audience. Look at Harry Potter for example. They are considered children's books, but they are for all ages. Many adults have read them, and not just to their children. All over the world, people of all ages enjoy the series.

If someone younger wants to read books for people who are older than they are, I think the only thing to be concerned about is the child's maturity level. If they are mature, there's nothing wrong with it. I know parents and teachers don't want their kids to be reading books that tackle mature topics like sex and violence, but honestly a kid is not going to read anything in a book that is worse than what they see on the news or hear from their peers at school every day. This particular discussion has been addressed on YouTube a lot lately. Someone I agree with on this topic is Daniel Marks and his video on it is here.

I like YA fiction because the stories I like best are paranormal and young friendships. I know there are paranormal books for adults. I want to read more of those in fact, like all the urban fantasy books I've picked up recently. However, I still really like YA's take on all things paranormal. I don't care for YA's chick-lit. I do like some girly books, but that's not my first choice. I do like the books that focus on friendships between young girls and how that affects them, but not books that are like "OMG OMG who's going to ask me to the prom? OMG!" I know I'm probably over-generalizing here, but if a book seems like it's going to be like that I probably won't bother picking it up.

I dislike the stereotype that people who read YA only got into reading because of Twilight. That's ridiculous! I read Twilight in 2008, between the releases of Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I was already eighteen-years-old! I had been reading books (not picture books) since I was at least six-years-old and haven't stopped since. I started reading YA at least seven or eight years before I ever picked up Twilight. Besides that, I don't think it's fair that people kind of look down on you if you say you like YA or books about vampires. People think you only read Twilight over and over again and don't care about anything else. And that can't be further from the truth. Twilight isn't even my favorite series, vampires or not. And Twilight did not write the outline for YA fiction. Or people think you're not very smart and think that YA books are all "simple" or "childish". People who think that way probably have never even read many or any YA books.

My point is I love YA, but I also like a lot of different books. I like biographies, I like classics, I like science fiction, I like transgressional fiction. All kinds of stuff. I just really enjoy YA paranormal. I think everyone should read what they want and not have to be criticized about it.

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Choker

Elizabeth Woods

Simon & Schuster BFYR

Released January 4, 2011

Sixteen-year old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team and tries to avoid the popular girls who, after an embarrassing incident in the cafeteria, endlessly torture her, calling her Choker. But mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her.

Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and the next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she can talk about everything with her BFF.

But just as quickly as Cara's life comes together, it starts to unravel. A girls goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect--including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day while Cara's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what... but what if she turns into a total stranger?

GoodReads

When I finished this book, wow. I just kind of sat there and thought about it. I love when books do that! I kind of predicted the ending, but I loved watching it unravel itself. There were a lot of things I wasn’t expecting at all along the way and I literally gasped at a couple parts. This book isn’t scary in the horror sense. It is a thriller/mystery and some parts are definitely creepy, even though there isn’t anything paranormal about it. I think it would make a great movie. But the movie wouldn’t be better than the book, of course.

I liked the writing style. I think it flowed well. I would have liked to see this in first-person narrative rather than third-person, but putting the ending into consideration I can see why third-person was a good choice. I liked Cara’s character because she surprised me in some parts and that made me interested in her. Zoe’s character also kept me interested because of all the mystery surrounding her. I also liked Cara’s crush Ethan, but I wish he had been in the book more.

When I’m not reading paranormal, I love books that focus on friendships, especially friendships between girls. Girls can be so evil! It’s truly fascinating. Unfortunately I’ve had a lot of experience with mean girls, so I can relate to these kinds of stories. But that’s one awesome thing about books, isn’t it? That you can read something on a page that reminds you of your own life, and for better or for worse at least you know you’re not alone. Then again, there are some parts of this book that I thankfully don’t relate to, but you’re going to have to read it to figure that out because it is a huge spoiler.

This book is also a 2011 author debut, so if you’re doing Kristi’s challenge (and even if you’re not) you should pick it up. And you’ll want to read it again to find all the little hints along the way.

In My Mailbox / Book Haul (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a chance for bloggers and book lovers to share what books they've received or bought recently. You can find out more about IMM here.

As you probably know, Borders is closing many of their locations. Unfortunately, the one closest to me is one of them. So I've been making a lot of trips there, stocking up while it's still open. It seemed like the young adult section was the first to be raided. The first three books on my list are YA, the rest are adult titles. As I said last week, I want to read more urban fantasy, so the rest of the books are of this genre, and I also got one science fiction book.

Choker by Elizabeth Woods. This is a 2011 author debut, so it works for Kristi's challenge! I haven't read any yet, so I've already started reading this. Expect to see my thoughts on it here soon.

Across The Universe by Beth Revis. Yet another 2011 author debut. I'm catching up!

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. I am very excited to read this one, it's been on my list for a while now. I first heard about it from Daniel Marks because he's mentioned it a few times in his videos. It sounds great. I heard of a lot of the urban fantasy authors on this list from his videos as well.

Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead. I love Richelle Mead! Her Vampire Academy series is my favorite and the spin-off is one of the books I'm looking forward to most this year. But I haven't read any of her adult titles yet so I'm starting here with the first book in the Georgina Kincaid series.

Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells. These books look badass! Well, all urban fantasy does, but seriously. Vampires and mages! This is the first in the Sabrina Kane series.

The Mage In Black by Jaye Wells. This is the sequel to Red-Headed Stepchild.

A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang. See what I mean by badass? And there's a unicorn in this one too! This is the first in the Abby Sinclair series.

Greywalker by Kat Richardson. I've heard great things about this one too. First in the series of the same name.

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane. This is the first book in the Downside Ghosts series. Stacia Kane is the name I always hear in relation to urban fantasy so I knew I had to pick this up.

Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane. This is the sequel to Unholy Ghosts.

Stray by Rachel Vincent. This is the first book in the Shifters series. It's about werecats! I thought that idea was interesting so I got it.

Rogue by Rachel Vincent. This is the sequel to Stray.

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane. This is the first book in the Disillusionists Trilogy. I don't know too much about this series, but I've heard good things.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. This is the first book in the Mercedes Thompson series. Werewolves!

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris. This is the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, which HBO's television series True Blood is based on! I love that show but I haven't read the books yet. I already have the first one.

Aliens: Steel Egg by John Shirley. Once again, my boyfriend's influence. Hehe. But I do like the ones I've read and they're hard to find so this was mine when I saw it.

What did you get this week?

Follow Friday (1)

 

I'm trying this one out for the first time this week! This is hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View. Find out more and join in here.

 

If this is how you got here, thank you for checking out my blog! Feel free to comment on my older posts and check the links in my About Me tab above for other ways to contact me.

This week's question: "Share your current fav television show! Tell us a bit about it..."

My favorite television show is Big Love on HBO. It is about a man with three wives and the problems and complications that come along with that lifestyle. It is a drama with some dark comedy and satire mixed in, and it's amazing. It is currently in its fifth and last season, only four more episodes left!

Some other shows I also enjoy are Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Pretty Little Liars, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Sons of Anarchy.

Book Blogger Hop (4)

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books. Each weekend a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer on their blogs. Find out more and join in on the fun at this weekend's post here.

This week's question: "Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?"

No I don't actually. The name of my blog reflects something about me and probably a lot of us here in this community. Sometimes you just get so wrapped up in a book that you will stay up until your eyelids just can't possibly stay up any longer, even if that means the whole night when you have school, work, or plans the next day. We're often busy but we're willing to give up some hours of shut-eye to get our reading time in.

I've even been complimented on my blog name. I came up with it appropriately one early morning when I was staying up. I had already finished a draft of my first post and all I had to do was come up with a name for my blog and post it. I had been thinking for a while and everything I came up with was either lame or already taken. Finally I thought of "Don't Sleep, Read" and I thought it was fitting. I still do!

Waiting On Wednesday (3)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a chance for bloggers and readers to spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. See this week's post here and join in!

My pick this week is Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins.

This is the second book in the Hex Hall series. I really enjoyed the first book. In fact, that's the first book I posted about on this blog back in December! Check out that post here. If you read it, you'll see why I'm so excited about this series and this story. This title will be released on March 1, 2011.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1)

Melissa Marr

HarperTeen

Released June 12, 2007

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

GoodReads

My favorite thing about this book was two of the main characters, Aislinn and Seth. Aislinn is a strong main character and earned my concern for her as the plot unfolded. Her love interest, Seth kept me interested in her life outside of seeing the faeries.

I liked the writing and the way the story was told. Just enough was revealed along the way to keep me guessing, but there was still enough for me to understand the story and stay interested. It was written in the third person but the reader still gets into each of the main character’s heads a little, so it was an interesting point of view. I’m used to reading books told in the first person narrative and I tend to prefer that, but this worked for the story.

This book was a very unique read for me. When it comes to fantasy and paranormal, I tend to go for books about vampires and werewolves or shifters, and often witches, warlocks and wizards. Since I have not read anything else on faeries, I don’t have anything to compare the lore in this book to. However, I still enjoyed this read and I plan on finishing this series and I may look for more faery books and series in the future. I think I already have a couple on my to-read list!

This is the first book in a series of five. The last one is coming out February 22, 2011, today!

Read what I thought of the next book in the series, Ink Exchange, here.

In My Mailbox / Book Haul (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a chance for bloggers and book lovers to share what books they've received or bought recently. You can find out more about IMM here.

Bought:

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. I know, I know. I'm way behind on reading this series. So I finally got it! I hope I'll get to it soon. I really want to read these and share what I think.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. This is the first book in the Caster Chronicles series. I've been hearing so much about this series, so I decided to get it. I also think it's interesting that it's by two authors. I have read books with two authors before and I like to see how it works to tell one story with two voices.

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright and David Leslie Johnson. A movie of this is coming out soon starring one of my favorite actresses, Amanda Seyfried, and I'm really excited to see it. I've seen a lot of people getting this and it looks great. I want to read it before I see the movie.

Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry. I've been wanting to start reading more urban fantasy so I've decided to start here. This one is about zombies, told from a zombie's point of view, and sounds hilarious! Based on what I've heard this is definitely not YA!



Borrowed from the library:

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr. This is the third book in the series. I've already checked out the second and fourth book. I'm currently reading the first book, and I'm liking it! Expect to see a review this week!

Torment by Lauren Kate. I've bought the first book in this series and this is the second one. It was on display so I added it to my pile. I love these covers.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. This is the first in a series. I've been looking for this one at the library for a while. It's another angel series and sounds great.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick. This is the sequel to Hush, Hush. These covers are gorgeous!

What did you get this week?

Book Blogger Hop (3)

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books. Each weekend a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer on their blogs. Find out more and join in on the fun at this weekend's post here.

This week's question: "What book(s) would you like to see turned into a movie?"

Wow! This is a great question. The first thing to jump into my mind is the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. As I've said before, that is one of my top favorite book series. Last I've heard they're looking for a studio for it, so this is a possibility for the future. I just hope it stays true to the series and doesn't change huge plot points, or skimp on the action!

Some other books I would also like to see are The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, and Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk.

2011 A - Z Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by Steph at The Thoughts of a Book Junky. To learn more and join in, check out the challenge post here! The objective of this challenge is to read twenty-six books in 2011, one that starts with each letter of the alphabet. I will be updating this page with my progress as I go along, so check back! You can find this page easily on the 2011 Challenges tab on the top of this page.

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Forest of Hands and Teeth, The by Carrie Ryan

Geektastic edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

J

K

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Marbury Lens, The by Andrew Smith

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

O

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Q

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

T

U

V

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

XVI by Julia Karr

Y

Z

17/26 = 65% done

Waiting On Wednesday (2)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a chance for bloggers and readers to spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. See this week's post here and join in!

My pick this week is Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr.

This is the fifth and last book in the Wicked Lovely series. I am currently reading the first book, Wicked Lovely. I've been meaning to catch up with this series and now I'm glad that I'm reading it. This title will be released on February 22, 2011.

Guest Post: Laura Kreitzer on Phantom Universe & Human Traffickin​g

Hello Literary-Folk!

My name is Laura Kreitzer, and I’m the author of the Timeless Series and the Summer Chronicles. This week I would like to alert everyone on a colossal crisis that’s gone unnoticed in the world: human trafficking. That’s why I’ve asked hundreds of blogs to be involved with spreading the word on this issue that’s become close to my heart.

As an author, and someone whose life is put in the spotlight, I keep most people at a distance. Only a handful of my friends know the whole me and the events from my past. But this week I’d like to share with you a part of myself that the outside world doesn’t see (and a part of me I don’t like to share). I was emotionally abused for five years by someone I thought loved me, my mind beaten into submission. Though the turmoil I went through doesn’t penetrate as deep as someone forced into slavery on the worldwide market for human trafficking, I can sadly relate in some ways: imprisoned, my life dictated down to what I wore, ate, where I went, whom I spoke to, where I worked, when I slept, bending to his every whim. He did not sway, even when I cried through some of the more traumatic things he had me do. I was a slave in my own home. In my desperation for freedom, I held out a gun and asked him to just end my suffering. I was desperate.

I can’t even imagine how many women (and men) in the world are in a similar situation. What’s even worse, I had it mild compared to the children that are sold for labor or sex. Surprisingly, the good ol’ U.S.A. is reported to be the host to two million slaves. Did you know this? Because I certainly did not; not until I was preparing to write my newest novel: Phantom Universe. The main character, Summer Waverly, was stolen as a child and sold as a slave to the captain of a modern-day pirate ship. From a loved child who only knew “time-out” as punishment, to being whipped into silence was something I knew nothing about. So I researched deeply into human trafficking and the psychological effects of torture of various types that one would endure in these circumstances. I felt shaken at my findings and knew I had to tell Summer’s story. (Read a sneak peek here.)

A storm began to brew in my mind; transforming, morphing, twisting, and expanding into this massive, black cloud. I had to bring this tragic atrocity to the forefront. My own emotional experiences, mixed with the research I did on human trafficking, made me feel an intense connection with Summer, and to all women who’ve been through this kind of brutality. The cloud ruptured and rained all over my computer one day. It took one month to write Phantom Universe, the first in the Summer Chronicles. I was so consumed by the story that I wrote nearly nonstop, only breaking for necessary tasks like eating, showering, and occasionally—very occasionally—sleeping.

Though the book I’ve written would be classified as Science Fiction, or as I’d like to call it, Dystopian, the emotions and psychological aspects are not Science Fiction—they're real. Reviewers have said many amazing things about Summer, this character who is so real in my mind and who I cried along with as the words poured from my soul onto my screen.

“I admired Summer's strength and ability to adapt,” says CiCi’s Theories. “I felt tied to her emotions,” Jennifer Murgia, author or Angel Star admits. And Tahlia Newland, author of Lethal Inheritance, remarks, “Summer is strong and smart in mind [. . .]”

Through her overwhelmingly horrendous past, Summer goes on more than just a physical journey in Phantom Universe, she goes on a psychological one as well; growing beyond her mute state to persevere and survive in a new world beyond the whip she’s so frightened of.

Now that the release date is here, I’m excited and terrified to share this story with everyone. I’m emotionally tied in every way to the words I’ve written, because they’re more than words. More than just a story on a page. Beyond the fictional aspects, there’s a real issue that needs to be addressed: human trafficking must be stopped. We shouldn’t sit idly by while this continues to plague us. Our world’s children—our nation’s children—are being affected. It’s time we take action!

Earlier this month Phantom Universe hit Barnes and Noble’s top 100 Best Selling list. I’ve decided to donate 10% of my sales from Phantom Universe, until the end of February, to the DNA Foundation.

“DNA hopes to help abolish modern day slavery, deter perpetrators, and free the many innocent and exploited victims. We are committed to forcing sex slavery out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Freedom is a basic human right and slavery is one of the greatest threats to that freedom. No one has the right to enslave another person.”

—From DNA Foundation’s Website

I ask that you spread the word to everyone you know. Look around on the DNA Foundation website and find a way to get involved in ending human trafficking. Take action today. Everyone has a voice—you have a voice. Will you have the courage to use it?

In My Mailbox / Book Haul (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a chance for bloggers and book lovers to share what books they've received or bought recently. You can find out more about IMM here.



Borrowed from the library:

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. This is the second book in the Wicked Lovely series. I own the first one and I'm reading it now to catch up with this series. I haven't read any books about faeries, so I don't really know what to expect, but I'm curious to see what I will think of it.

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. This is actually the fourth book in the same series. The library didn't have the third one but I decided to just get this to hold on to, and I'm going to keep checking back for the third book, Fragile Eternity.

Stargazer by Claudia Gray. This is the second book in the Evernight series. I have just finished the first one, so I got this one because I enjoyed it and I want to read the entire series.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I've been so excited about this book for a while now and I finally found it at the library. The cover is gorgeous! But that's not the only reason why I want to read this. I've been interested in reading more werewolf/shapeshifter books and the synopsis of the one sounds amazing!

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink. This is a book I've heard about a lot and was curious about. I first saw it in one of Daniel Marks' hauls on YouTube, and I know the Chapter Chicks have talked about it as well. The idea of the story made me really want to read it so when I saw it at the library I snatched it up.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce. I found Jackson Pearce a few months ago on YouTube. I love her videos and her personality, so of course I want to to read her books! This is another werewolf one too, so that's a bonus! I'm really into the idea of this one since it's also a fairy tale retelling. There's also been some controversy surrounding this book and some people's interpretation of it, so of course that just makes me want to read it even more and decide for myself.

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce. I don't know too much about this book, but it's also by Jackson Pearce, so I'm sure it's great and I'm excited to read it. They had it, so I got it.

Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. Umm. Look at that title. Look at that cover. Do I need to say more? I saw this at the bookstore and the cover drew me in. When I flipped through it and realized it was twelve short stories, six about zombies and six about unicorns, all by different authors, I knew I wanted to read it. It was on display at the library so of course I had to take it home with me.

What did you get this week?