Author: Jana

Top Ten Books that Made Me Think

Posted September 11, 2012 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 8 Comments

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the other blog I write at, The Broke and the Bookish. We LOVE lists over there, and hope you do too!

This week’s topic discusses books that made me think about something regarding my life, my future, the world, etc. Some of these books caused silly epiphanies, whereas others made me really re-evaluate my life. I love it when a book makes me think.

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This book is terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. I mean, the main character’s job is being a fireman who actually STARTS fires. His job is to burn books and the houses those books are found in. A world without books? Not only is that scary, but think of a government with that much power.

2. Night by Eli Wiesel
This is an extremely detailed and heart-wrenching look into the concentration camps during the Holocaust. I always knew that that event in history was horrific and inhumane, but my understanding was deepened even more with this book. They say history repeats itself, and I sincerely hope that “they” are wrong in this case. I felt this same way with The Diary of Anne Frank.

3. Matched by Ally Condie
If any government ever tries to tell me who I’m allowed to marry and what pills I’m supposed to take and what food I can eat I will seriously open up a lunar community and leave the planet. If you think blind dates are bad, just think of blind marriages.

4. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard 

This book made me realize that I’m pretty awesome. The main girl found out so many col things about herself on her trip, that I was actually inspired to go on one of my own. I spent 6 weeks in Europe over the summer, and let me tell you… it totally works. I never would have learned what I learned about myself without that trip.

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I swear, this book is not far off from the reality of today. It’s scary to think about kids killing each other for entertainment, but the reality of the situation is that it’s already happening.

6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Another book where people are not allowed to make their own choices. The world is perfect, with no war or pain. But then there’s Jonah… the one who is going to have to carry the burden of the truth alone. How would that even feel? To know all that pain and pleasure, but not be able to experience it or convey it to anyone? Wow. Talk about courage.

7. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

I loved watching these two broken people bring out the best in each other and change into better versions of themselves. It reminded me that I need to enrich my life with people who make me happy and forget trying to please those who are not worth the effort.

8. A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell
The author of this book tells his story about what it was like to come from a strong moral background and go into a career as an American intelligence agent. He discusses the choices he had to made and the compromises he had to consider. I ended up thinking a lot about whether I could ever do any job that made me settle for less than my beliefs and morals.

9. Unbreak my Heart by Melissa C. Walker

This book made me really think back on my time as a teenager and how I wish I had had this book back then. I’ve identified with this books heroine so many times over the course of my life, and this book took me down a darker memory lane than usual. It was good for me, though, because it reminded me what I want out of my life and the people who are in it.

10. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
I love the way the idea of reincarnation was discussed in this book. I loved the idea of being able to retain memories from a past life and use those memories to enrich a current lifetime. I don’t believe in reincarnation at all, but I did have fun thinking about the “what-ifs?”

So! Which books keep you up at night? Did you choose any of the same ones I did? Link me to your lists, and I’ll stop by and visit!

Hidden by Sophie Jordan (Mini Book Review)

Posted September 5, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 1 Comment

Hidden by Sophie Jordan (Mini Book Review)Hidden by Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight #3
Also in this series: Firelight
Published by HarperTEEN on September 11, 2012
Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance
Pages: 260
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (ALA)
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Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

You know… I’m not sure I’ve ever read a concluding book in a trilogy and ended up really loving that book. The first book leaves you in love, because it’s the first book and that one is always the best. The second book is always a bridge to book 3, and I don’t know about you, but I always find myself not really knowing what to think of it. I always close book #2 with hope that book #3 will blow me away. It doesn’t always end up that way, though. Usually, things get wrapped up too easily or people end up with the wrong people, or people die/get hurt/change. Sadly, Hidden did not check off all the boxes on my list of wishes and hopes for the ending of the Firelight series, and I was left with empty feelings. I just felt “meh” about it. Perhaps my hopes were just too high.

Now, I’m not saying the book was bad at all! It was adventurous and suspenseful, and I really enjoyed it. New characters were introduced and old characters were expounded upon. I really enjoyed reading about the time Jacinda spent as a prisoner in the facility where draki are tested and researched. It was exciting and extremely interesting. During her time there, I got to meet draki from other clans and learn more about the species. The love between Jacinda and Will felt forced and unbelievable, and I don’t think I felt that way with the other books. Then again, I’ve always been team Cassian.

The writing was done very well, and I did enjoy the story. It just didn’t end the way I would have hoped, but trilogies/series rarely ever do. I’m definitely SO glad I got the opportunity to read this book early, though, and am definitely glad I read this conclusion to the trilogy.

TGIF (#3): Choose Your Next Read

Posted August 31, 2012 by Jana in / 5 Comments

TGIF is hosted by GReads, and is a fun meme where we get to answer a bookish question an recap on the past week’s events on the blog. Hopefully we learn more about each other this way!
This is the last TGIF for a little while, since Ginger is taking a small break from the meme while she gets strict with time management regarding school and life. I think this week’s question is kind of a fun one! Watch me get really OCD with this answer. :P
My stack of review books is massive. If any of you remember my book haul post after ALA, you already know this. On top of that, I’ve got quite a few books from Netgalley as well as some review copies other authors and pubs have sent me. We’re talking about a lot of books here. For this reason, I implemented a pretty strict schedule.
  • ARCs are listed chronologically by release date in a Word document on my computer. These get top priority, because it’s my job to get the word out on new and amazing upcoming books! Plus, when I receive an ARC I see it as a contract that I will read it in a timely manner and post a review
  • I have another document that lists out the blog tours I committed to being a part of. These are also high priority, since the pub/author is depending on having me post on a specific day.
  • I have a third document that lists the already released books that I’ve accepted in the order I received them. These are next in line, and I read them as I have room in my schedule, and in the order I accepted them.
  • Then… I have a fourth one that lists the unsolicited books I am sent. I get to these when/if I can.
  • And then… there’s my huge TBR list on Goodreads and the unread books I purchased eons ago. I get to these if I am really lucky and am ahead of schedule on everything else.
Pretty sad, huh? I honestly never thought I’d end up doing this, and I wish I had been more selective with some of the books I chose to review. As many of you know, I just got a new job that’s really stressful for me. Reading has taken on a new meaning for me as a result. Like it was in college, it’s now become an escape for me once again and I see my strict schedule bending and flexing as I decide to pick a happy book further down my list over the heavy, sad one that’s next in line. Now that I finally have a job, book blogging is beginning to feel more and more like a second job. I can’t let it get to that point. So, I’m getting flexible. Just today I grabbed a book I REALLY wanted to read over the next book on my schedule. It was liberating! I think I’m going to do this more often. :)

Again… That’s Totally the Same cover! (#3)

Posted August 30, 2012 by Jana in Cover Talk / 7 Comments

It’s been a while since I showed off some copycat covers, so I thought it’d be fun to write another post! I’ve gotten a lot of comments on my other posts about how stock images are cheaper than hiring a photographer for your own photo shoot, etc. I know! I promise I know this. :) I’m not pointing fingers or trying to stir up trouble. I just enjoy finding duplicates out there in the book world. :) It’s all in good fun!
Blue Skies by Catherine Anderson (Portuguese version)
Cicada by Belle Whittington

I definitely like the treatment of the image better on Catherine Anderson’s book than I do on Belle’s. Plus, I like the typography so much more. It’s not that I don’t like the second one, I just like the entire presentation of the first one more than the second.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Fate by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I like the colors on the second one more than the first. It’s so bright and colorful. The butterfly is more of a focal point, plus I like the way the title was tattooed to the girl’s arm.

Flirting with Boys by Hailey Abbott

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti 
 

I like the first one more because I really dislike the big yellow box on the second one. I also enjoy it when the title has equal or more emphasis than the author’s name. “Deb Caletti” is screaming at me so much more than the title of the book. I guess that works when you’re a really well-known author, but still… The hierarchy is better on the first one regardless. :)
So, now you get to weigh in on your thoughts! Which covers do you like better? How do you feel about multiple covers with the same imagery? Do you get mixed up between books, or do you really not care at all?

 

 

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams (Book Review)

Posted August 23, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 7 Comments

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams (Book Review)Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on August 21, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 240
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (ALA)
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Can a spot on a teen reality show really lead to a scholarship at an elite cooking school AND a summer romance?

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to convince her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant. But the prize includes a full scholarship to one of America's finest culinary schools and a summer in Napa, California, not to mention fame.

Once on-set, Sophie immediately finds herself in the thick of the drama—including a secret burn book, cutthroat celebrity judges, and a very cute French chef. Sophie must figure out a way to survive all the heat and still stay true to herself. A terrific YA offering--fresh, fun, and sprinkled with romance.

Have you ever been on a strict diet and then all of a sudden decide that you need to chill out and eat a little comfort food, or else you just might go crazy? Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff is my comfort food. This book is exactly what I needed to make me smile. It was an adorable, quick read with such a unique sounding storyline that I knew I would love it. And honestly, it had me at the title. I gobbled this book up like I did the delectable pizza I had in Siena, Italy this past May. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. I’m kind of a reality TV junkie. I love all of it. The drama, the excitement, the fact that I’m watching real people rather than polished actors. When I read about this book, I knew we’d make a great pair. It embodies all that is reality TV, but also gives you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes happenings that we all know hold more truth than the show itself. The idea behind the book is so fresh and unique to me. Reality TV meets young adult novel. I’m all for it!

2. The characters are all so likeable. We’ve got Sophie, the main girl, who is this sweet thing with broad hips and a love of food and her foodie family. I love her family. They’re right out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I loved that. Her best friend, Alex, being the true friend that he is, has her back and gets her on the show with a little coaxing and many pep talks. The contestants on the show (two of which become Sophie’s best friends) all fill a very specific role for a very specific character. You know how reality TV is. You’ve got the sweetheart, the villain, the brooding anti-social, etc. I really enjoyed them all, especially when they stirred up drama. The judges were all the sterotypical, dramatic judges you see on TV, and we even had Tommy who is the spitting image of The Chairman on Iron Chef. And then… there’s the hot French guy who, off camera, has Sophie swooning and daydreaming. The cast of characters was a winner in my book!

3. The FOOD. Oh my! I loved reading all the yummy-sounding descriptions of the dishes that the contestants made. Each week they were on the show focused on different genres, if you will, of food. There was a Latin week, an Asian one, a French one, a Mediterranean one, and a Pastry one. This book made me so hungry! Of course, the author included some of the recipes for these meals and desserts, so if you feel the need to satisfy any resulting cravings, you’re encouraged to do so.

4. I was worried about whether or not I would believe the excitement of the kitchen during competition time, but I did! I got really excited and read faster. It was like reading an episode of Iron Chef. I really enjoyed it.

5. The romance was minimal, but there. I really enjoyed the small glimmers of romance, but appreciated that they were not the focus of the story.

6. I also appreciated that the book was not predictable. It was not perfectly wrapped up into the obvious conclusion. It made things more realistic for me.

Overall, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous was stinkin’ cute. It was quick, light, happy, sweet, and savory. I loved the idea, and the execution was done really well. The writing was witty, and the characters were all loveable. I’d recommend this to anyone who needs a little comfort food in their life.