Waiting on Wednesday (23)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly feature that lets us share what titles we're waiting on!

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers
Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Harper Collins

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

This. Sounds. AMAZING. If you didn't already know, I'm a sucker for a good forbidden romance. Also, last year I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Italy. This will be my first time reading a book that's set in a foreign land that I've been to. I'm really looking forward to see what Desrochers does with this title.

What are you excited for this Wednesday?

Anatomy of a Single Girl (Anatomy #2) by Daria Snadowsky

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Source: Author
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 227
Rating: A-

(Spoiler alert for anyone that hasn't read Anatomy of a Boyfriend)

After everything that happened—my first boyfriend, my first time, my first breakup—jumping back into the dating game seemed like the least healthy thing I could do. It’s not that I didn't want to fall in love again, since that’s about the best feeling ever. But as a busy college premed still raw from heartbreak, which is the worst feeling ever, I figured I’d lie low for a while. Of course, as soon as I stopped looking for someone, an impossibly amazing—and devastatingly cute—guy came along, and I learned that having a new boyfriend is the quickest way to recover from losing your old one.

The moment we got together, all my preconceptions about romance and sex were turned upside down. I discovered physical and emotional firsts I never knew existed. I learned to let go of my past by living in the present. It was thrilling. It was hot. It was just what the doctor ordered.

But I couldn’t avoid my future forever.

This book. This book is so real. I just had to state that before writing anything else because it's so true. Do you know how a lot of YA books feature an amazing love story that gives readers false hope about real relationships? Sure, sometimes that's just what we need! But Anatomy of a Single Girl sets the truth straight in the best way possible. This lovely book shows the readers that life and relationships aren't always perfect but can be great learning experiences.

After being in college a few years myself, I've definitely witnessed the types of "relationships" that Dom and Guy displayed. I'm not saying that a reader needs to experience a "friends with benefits" type of relationship, but relationships in general are important for finding out what type of person you want to be and what type of person you want to be with.

Overall, I really enjoyed Anatomy of a Single Girl. It was a super quick, amusing read that will keep you interested. The only thing I would change about this book is the length and depth. If it was a bit longer and had more depth, I think I would've connected (emotionally) more to Dom and the other characters. Other than that, I definitely recommend Anatomy of a Single Girl to anyone looking for a light read or someone in a situation similar to Dom's.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: May, 2011
Source: BEA
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 402
Rating: A

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

I don't think I've ever read a book I didn't enjoy by Sarah Dessen. This woman can literally write about staring at a wall and it would still be an interesting read. With that said, of course, I enjoyed every page of What Happened to Goodbye.

What Happened to Goodbye is a character driven novel (just like many other of Dessen's) that comes with such a unique charm. Whenever I start reading one of her novels, I remember why I adore her so much. The writing is so simple and flows beautifully.

I loved how Mclean's world revolved around something as simple as a restaurant. It almost reminded me of Luke's Diner from Gilmore Girls, and come on. Who doesn't love Luke's Diner? Usually I crave some type of romance when I read YA, but there isn't a ton in Dessen's novels and I'm alright with that. She makes it captivating enough with other issues involving friendships and family.

What Happened to Goodbye is basically the perfect summer read for anyone that is craving something comfortable. It's not a very eventful novel but at the same time it's still entertaining and fun to read. If you've never read a novel by Sarah Dessen, I highly recommend you do so and while I adore all of her novels, What Happened to Goodbye is definitely in my top 3.

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

Publisher: Egmont
Source: Publicist
Edition: ARC
Pages: 304
Rating: A-

Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

Okay, so if I'm going to be honest here... I should tell you all that I've never read Pride and Prejudice (don't hate me!) I do own it... I've just never had to read it yet for college and I'm always more captivated by the lovely YA out there. But there's good news! You can still enjoy Spies and Prejudice without having any knowledge of Jane Austen's most popular novel.

On page 4 of reading Spies and Prejudice, I knew I was going to love it. It already stole my attention and wasn't planning on giving it back. Every few pages I was finding the most hilarious and clever quotes. Talia Vance either took a really long time to come up with some of the jokes and cleverness that's entwined  in Spies and Prejudice, or she's just a natural comedian. Either way, I was giggling and smiling throughout most of the book.

The friendships and romances throughout the book were fun and imperfectly perfect. Mary Chris Moss ([GET IT?!] Berry's best friend) was probably my favorite character of the whole book and sincerely wish I knew someone like her. Tanner was sometimes predictable but still adorable to read about. The romance was perfectly balanced and wasn't over the top, which is a huge plus!

The only issue I had with Spies and Prejudice was the ending. Not even the whole ending! I was just easily distracted towards the end which usually means the book isn't catching my attention as much as I wish it would. It was dragging on and I had to force myself to keep reading. But I promise, this didn't last very long. Eventually I was flipping the pages at a steady pace and needing to know what was going to happen.

Overall, besides the dragging towards the end, I really enjoyed Spies and Prejudice and look forward to reading more of Talia Vance's work. I love when a book can make me laugh out loud and physically smile, and Spies and Prejudice did that.

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Bought (Barnes and Noble)
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 361
Rating: B+

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his h
and, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Yay! I've finally read one of the books that the blogosphere has been raving about. I can definitely understand the hype. I usually don't find a lot of time to read during my school year, but I found a way to make time for Obsidian this past semester.

First, I need to profess why I enjoyed reading Obsidian. What I loved the most about this book is the addicting quality that comes with it. I never wanted to put it down for several reasons, including: the spunky and relatable main character (Katy,) cute boy, fast paced plot, and mystery.

While I really enjoyed this book, there were a few things that it could've done without. Like mentioned above in the summary, Daemon is infuriating. Like... really infuriating. I understand why people think guys with a jerky personality can be attractive. I think it was laid on a bit heavy though. At times I was sighing out loud because I just needed him to leave his attitude at the door.

For reasons I can't remember (I read this book about a month ago, oops!) I kept comparing Obsidian to Twilight. I kept noticing a lot of unnecessary similarities that started to get on my nerves. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't be the only person that noticed this.

Lastly... there's something in the book that isn't a huge deal but I felt it needed to be mentioned in this review. Katy is a book blogger. Some may find this to be awesome and make her that much more relatable! However, some may feel it was a cheap way to capture the readers' attention. I'm sort of in the middle. It doesn't really matter to me either way because it isn't big part of the novel, but I still felt the need to address it and any issues that may come with it.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Obsidian to other readers. I really look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing where Armentrout takes these characters.

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly feature that lets us share what titles we're waiting on!




Truly Madly Deadly by Hannah Jayne
Publication Date: July 16th, 2013

Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."

AH! Need this book more. First of all, love the title. It reminds me of that song by Savage Garden. The whole concept sounds like such a page turner. Basically, I'm dying to get my hands on this.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Share your answer in the comments or leave me a link to your blog so I can check it out!

Bloglovin

Hey everyone! Just wanted to jump on the bandwagon and make it easier for all of you to follow BAM Book Reviews once Google Reader ditches us. I've personally been using Feedly which I love but everyone has their preferences so if you plan on using Bloglovin, then click on the link below!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

If you're not sure what reader to start using after Google Reader crashes, Parajunkee has a great post about some alternatives. You can check that out here!

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Happy Tuesday! Well, technically it's Wednesday, but I'm going with it! I finally decided to participate in the amazing Top Ten Tuesday. I look forward to these posts every week so I'm shocked it's my first time participating. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and it's a weekly feature/meme that gives you the chance to share your top 10 (insert adjective here) books! 

• Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker: This was the first book I've read by Melissa Walker and I've been stalking her books on Goodreads for a while! Her covers are SO attractive. I'm a big fan of photographed covers with a little extra added to them. While the covers are what originally attracted me to Walker's books, she knows how to back them up with a great read.
• Speechless by Hannah Harrington: Okay. I know what you might be thinking.  This is one of your favorite covers? There is no cover. That's why I love this so much. With all of the different covers out there, you have to stand out somehow. I think whoever thought of leaving the cover mostly blank was a genius. It  gave my eyes a break for once and let me focus on the actual story. Which brings me to another reason why this landed in  my top 10. When you read the book, you might understand the symbolism behind the cover. Bottom line: I love this cover or lack of.
• Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth: Don't get me wrong, I love the cover of Divergent. But the cover of Insurgent?! While they're similar, I'm in love with the color scheme of Insurgent's cover. It's so peaceful like Amity and just PRETTY. LOVE.

• On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves: If you couldn't already tell from the blog itself, blue is one of my favorite colors. So there's the photographed cover which already makes this cover a front runner. Then in the photograph there's an amazing beach with gorgeous blue water? Win.
• Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: One of my favorite types of books to read are ones with forbidden love stories in it. You know, the kind of relationship that is either looked down upon, against the law, or just plain WRONG. This cover executes the whole forbidden love theme very well and is one of the main reasons why I decided to read it.
• Salvaged by Stefne Miller: Can someone please tell me why so many people are disgusted by feet? I don't understand it. They're kind of like hands... just on your legs. Anyway, this cover makes me want to just lay in my back yard and read a good book. This cover screams "summer read"!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• That Summer by Sarah Dessen: Even though this isn't my favorite Sarah Dessen novel, the new covers are AMAZING. They're just the makeover that these books needed to keep people reading them. First, the blending of the pink and orange in "Sarah Dessen" is so perfect and pretty. I love the simplicity of "That Summer" also. And pretty much any book with a beach on it makes me want to read it, so that's sold.
• Identical by Ellen Hopkins: Lets just say if I didn't limit this list to only having one Ellen Hopkins book on it, her titles would take up most of it. I think Ellen Hopkins is pretty well known for her covers and how amazing they are. I just want to take a second to protest against the new covers for the Crank series, by the way. Stick with the old ones please!
• I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak: 
  The only reason I picked up this book was because of it's cover. I remember I was in a reading slump when I picked this up and wanted to read something different. I felt like I was constantly reading the same old stuff and I just needed a change. Admit it, this cover is unique. It's not the most attractive of covers, but it's definitely one of my favorites.

• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: You can hate on the book all you want, but you have to admit... the covers hit the spot. They're so PRETTY. A lot of you will probably disagree with me, but hey, besides word of mouth... something convinced people to read these books. And I'm pretty sure it was the cover. By the way, if you click on the link within the title, you can read my very first review! It's kind of embarrassing but you gotta start somewhere, right?!

So what are the top 10 favorite covers of books that you've read? Let me know in the comments or share your link so I can come check out your post!