Stephanie Meyers: I'm thankful for your books

Beth Revis, author of Across the Universe and sequel A Million Suns, is having a 'Show Gratitude for Books Giveaway"

Dear Twilight
This is probably going to sound very, VERY generic, but it's very true. Even if everyone (well maybe not everyone) uses you as an example I can not deny that I owe your creator, Stephanie Meyer and you a big heaping handful of thankfulness. (I know that probably didn't make sense just go along with it. I'm tired.) Without you there wouldn't be movies (and without the movies I wouldn't have found you) which leads me right back to why I, Ashley, of Bookaholics Anonymous am thankful for the you the Twilight Series. After watching the first movie, I pretty much went out and bought you  right after (okay, maybe a few days after), and I devoured you (Yes, I did). I wanted more. It didn't have to be more of your world, but I wanted to have that feeling of being able to escape into another persons world (even if it was similar to ours) I wanted more Vampires, werewolves, anything that was similar. I'll admit before you I read the Harry Potter Series, and while I loved and devoured them as well, it didn't leave me with that spark. That spark that went off after reading you. The next few books I bought post-you  were Vampire Academy (and if you know me then you know it is my number one love right, and I wouldn't have it if it weren't for you, Twilight), House of Night books, which I grew fond of (because I didn't realize all the other awesome books out), The Evernight Series, The Blue Blood Series, and The Wolves of Mercy Falls, and because those were my firsts I try and remain loyal to them just as I will to you, Twilight.

In my closing statement this is all I have to say in your defense:
I don't care how many people look at me funny when I say you really don't suck.
I don't care how many people continually say how horrible your insides are.
I will continue to support you.
Twilight you will always be my reason for starting to read and my love for the written words.
I am thankful for you!

Love,

A Touch Morbid or A Touch Shiny?

This is the description in the HarperCollins Catalog:
Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.

Wanna learn more about it, or see what's written on the flap go to Leah Cliffords Site A Touch of Leah or here A Touch Morbid


You will definitely want to check it out, and if you haven't read the first do so. I haven't reviewed A Touch Mortal yet, but I have read it. I might just have to read it again before this one comes out.

NaNoWriMo: This is gonna be nuts!

NaNoWriMo that sounds odd! What is it? An illness? An extinct bird? A made up word? In answer to all those questions. Nope, it is the abbreviation for National Novel Writing Month which begins in November and lasts all month long. It challenges you as a writer to write a 50,000 word count novel in one month. Crazy right? That's okay writers often thrive on crazy. (or so I've heard)

This is going to be my starting point post. If I'm lucky and I make myself write instead of well everything else I usually do I might actually have a story. I originally heard about NaNo last year before it began, and thought "Hey I'm always writing (or trying to write) stories, and they never get anywhere so maybe doing that would help. Well needless to say I failed completely I didn't even get 1000 words. I think it's because it was still sort of new, and I didn't have anyone to encourage me. This year will hopefully be different as I have a few people who I can turn to, and maybe as the month progresses others. I also decided to try again this year because I told Lan I would. Oh, I also want to be able to say I've written a story..no a book. It might not be any good, and it might not make any sense what so ever, but that's what going back over it and revising it is for. I just want this story to be real. Well real as in on screen and not in my head. This story line and these characters have been in my head and in my notebook for a verrrryyyy long time. They've changed as I've grown a fondness for weird character names, but the characters themselves haven't.

This is a complete and totally random post I realize, but I just thought I'd let those of you who follow me, and are participating in this know that I am as well so if you want to add me my user name is AngelicNytmare.

GOOD LUCK!

Feature: Are you a bookaholic? Lan from Write Obsession

Welcome to a feature I do here every once in awhile called Are you a bookaholic? Where I ask questions that other bookaholics can answer. Want to join the fun? Click-> Fun->Feature->Are you a bookaholic and sign up. better yet here -> Are you a bookaholic?

Today's feature is Lan from The Write Obsession

ARE YOU A BOOKAHOLIC?
Are you a bookaholic (remember admitting it is the first step)?
I most certainly am. And I'm proud of it.

When did you notice you had a problem?
I've always loved books but didn't notice until I finished reading The Hunger Games and couldn't get the story out of my head that I might have a problem. I wanted so desperately to discuss what I'd just read with some else. That's when I discovered book blogging and realised that I feel the same way after almost every great book I read. Totally and utterly obsessed.

THESE CAN BE STRICTLY YES OR NO OR YOU CAN GIVE A BRIEF ANSWER.
Do you lose time from work due to your reading?
I have been known to read PDF format books on the computer at work but please don't tell anyone.

Have you ever got into financial difficulties as a result of reading?
According to my credit card I do, but you can't really put a price on a great novel!

Do you crave a book at a definite time?
I always want to read while I'm eating. It seems like a winning combination to me. Except that I get stuff all over the pages.

Do you want to read the next morning?

Does reading cause you difficulty in sleeping?
I have difficulty sleeping because I read! Reading never puts me to sleep so if I've even opened a good book before I go to bed I will end up staying up to read.

Do you read to escape from worries or trouble?
This is one that I don't do. I seem to only feel the need to read when I'm happy. When I feel worried, TV is my answer.

Do you read alone?
Always. I get distracted very easily and I'm one of those people who feels the need to fill silences with endless chatter so I need to be alone when I read.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR ADDICTION (You can answer as little or as many as you want for this part)
What type of reader are you?
A slow one. It takes me forever to read a book because I'm a bit OCD and if there are bits that I don't get or there's some plot point that bugs me, I will go back through the whole book to find the answer. Hmm...I feel like I'm incriminating myself with this answer somehow...

What type of books do you typically read?
I'm a YA girl all the way. I used to say fantasy was my favorite genre but that's changed in the past few years. I'll read anything really as long as it strikes my fancy.

Do you prefer print books or e-books?
I'm slowly getting into e-books but I think my first love will always be print books. There's just no substitute for the touch and smell of a book. I guess I'm just a very tactile person. So if there were a choice between the two, I would always try and get the print book.


What are five of your pet peeves related to books or reading?
1. Never enough time to read.
2. You feel like a weirdo if you don't like a book that everyone else raves about.
3. Books that try to overtly push morality and other messages onto readers.
4. Having super high hopes about a new book and then being disappointed.
5. Having to wait for future books in a series that you love.(I agree with #2 THG is my weirdo book. :) and #5 waiting sucks!)

If you had to choose between really good characters and a bad plot or bad characters and a really good plot. Which would it be?
Really good characters and a bad plot any day. I can live through a bad plot if I care about what happens to the characters, but I can't do the opposite. Case in point: House of Night series. The plot could have been good, I don't know, I didn't finish it because I wanted to slit Zoey's throat. On the other hand, Vampire Academy 4: Blood Promise, plot bored me a little but I didn't care. I just wanted to know that Rose and Dimitri would be together again.

Do you always have a compulsive need to buy books or are you someone who likes books, but doesn't always have the desire to purchase them?
I'm a frugal book buyer. I can't think of anything worse than owning a book I dislike. I always check books out at the library first before I decide whether I will buy a series.

We all have those characters we love. Are you more addicted to the tall-dark-handsome-mysterious type or the sensitive-laidback-bestfriend type?
Can I be greedy and say both? If I have to choose, I'd go with tall-dark-handsome-mysterious guy as long as he's not also creepy-stalker-watching you while you sleep guy. Having said that, I really love the best friend angle and wish there were more books where the laid back best friend gets a shot.

I know we all want to read everything, but sometimes we can't. If you could only read 3 books for the rest of your life what would they be?
This question is too hard. The Hunger Games, The Obernewtyn Series and Harry Potter. Unless my e-reader counts as one book.....

Are you predictable when shopping for books? Do you have a shopping pattern?
I'm not an impulse buyer normally, unless I've had a bad day and need some retail therapy. Usually, I will think I want a book for a long time before I buy it.

What one book would you recommend over and over again?
I think you know the answer to this one ;) The Hunger Games for sure. I think I have recommended this book to so many people Suzanne Collins should start paying me commission.
(LOL, Yeah, I could have definitely answered that for you!)

How much does the book blogging community contribute to your book buying habit/addiction/pattern?
100%. You guys have no idea how much influence over me you have! I haven't picked up a book in the past 6 months that hasn't been recommended to me on someone's blog.

MY BLOG IS MY LIFELINE TO THIS CRAZY ADDICTION
What's your blog name?
The Write Obsession

In twitter detail (140 characters or less) describe your blog.
I'm an aspiring writer as well as a reader so my blog is a mix of these two loves. I do reviews, weekly writing discussions and sometimes I just vent about things that annoy me.

How long have you had your blog?
About 5 months now. My how time flies.

For everyone who wants to start a book blog (or any blog) what's the best advice you can give them.
Be prepared to put in the time and effort that it takes to maintain a blog. It's a lot more work than I thought. Be interactive and social because there is nothing worse than having thousands of followers for the pretty numbers and zero interaction. Don't be disheartened at first if it feels like no one is reading your blog because you never know when you'll meet a blogger that you just click with. I've made some great online friends from my blog. But most importantly, don't let it take over your life!!!

WANNA STALK ME- (You can choose which you want share if any.)
Twitter- I don't have twitter.
Goodreads- Lan (The Write Obsession) or search lc.novel@gmail.com
Shelfari- I'm assuming this is Amazon?
Library thing- N/A
Or any others sites you can join.

Thank you Lan for taking the time and answering my questions. It's always nice to learn a little more about our Australian Bloggers. You guys if you haven't checked out her site yet what are you waiting for go..go. She's super sweet and has some awesome discussions.

In my mailbox (42)

This is another addition of In my mailbox hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Yes, that's Radar, the dachshund

Received:

Lark by Tracey Porter | Amazon(Thanks J.P from YA Urban)

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar (THANKS Lan from Write Obsession You are freaking awesome. Just saying!)(Oh, and it's awesome.)

 My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody | Amazon (Thanks Macmillian Childrens and Tara)

Legend by Marie Lu | Amazon

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey | Amazon

(I nearly peed myself, okay not really but I was really excited)

Bought:

The Reckoning by Lili St.Crow | Amazon

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins | Amazon(I also won this, and should be getting it sometime)

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce | Amazon

Shut out by Kody Keplinger | Amazon

Unforsaken by Sophie Littlefield |Amazon

The Line by Teri Hall | Amazon

Books Mentioned:

The Duff

Away

Lola and The boy next Door

Book Review: Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

AUTHOR: Cameron Stracher

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire
PAGES: 240
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone (I think)

SOURCE: Bought

CHALLENGES: Debut Author
REVIEWED ON: Amazon and Goodreads

OUTLINE:

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil-and worth killing for

Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget.

MY THOUGHTS:
Tuesday my friend and I were sitting at Braums (a fast food restaurant) and I was sitting there reading the end to this, and when I finished I'm like what if this were to actually happen? She looked at me and said "I don't think you'll have to worry about our generation, maybe our grandkids kids." The point I'm trying to make is that it could happen though right? We could run out of water, or at least it could all be contaminated. The ice caps could melt. Isn't that what the whole global warming thing is? (I'm not much of a political or whatever person.) I guess what I'm trying to say is that in that aspect of the story it's totally plausible. Another thing I like about this story is that (as far as I know) it's not a trilogy or anything like that. It's just the one book, and that seems to be a rare thing. I will say  this even though it's one book it seemed like it could be left open if another decides to emerge.

The ending was in my opinion a little rushed and worked out a little to perfectly. I enjoyed the adventures or misadventures that they had getting to that point though.

As for the characters well sometimes you can connect with them and others times not so much. This is one of those instances where I didn't. It's not that I didn't like them because I did. I just didn't love them. I'd say if we were to meet it would be as acquaintances on a scale of enemies to best friends. Vera definitely was not the whiny type that we usually come across. When she wanted something she did it. She didn't think to much of it. I guess that could have been a good or bad thing depending on the situation. I enjoyed the fact that she was able to go on this journey with someone, her brother Will, when do you ever see the MC take a journey with someone (family none the less). Kai, is the love interest I guess you could say. I wanted to love him honestly, but I couldn't for some reason. I guess maybe because there wasn't enough of him since he disappeared. Later though we find out why he's disappeared, and what use he is to all these people who seem to want him. The water pirates were probably my favorite characters they reminded me so much of the pirates from POTC and the pirates from the movie Stardust. They stole water not to be greedy, but for other reasons which we learn. I <3 the pirates!!!

The only other dystopian I've read about water is Dry Souls which was good. I know there's one called Drought which I have on my shelf so I'll have to read that soon to see if I liked it any better.

It is a short book, and at times entertaining so if you want a short dystopian to read then give this a shot. :)

Title and Cover Reveal for Bad Girls #3

While I was glancing at my stream of stuff on facebook I came across a post by Katie Alender, where she revealed the cover and title for book 3 in her Bad Girls Don't Die series, and I thought I'm going to have to show this. Usually, I'll wait and put a whole bunch of new pretty just revealed covers together, but this time I couldn't. These covers are always just to pretty to be ignored, and I love the books. Without further ado I give to you.....

Literary Exploration Follower Giveaway!

Just giving a shout out to a follower giveaway with some cool books on the list. Go and check it out!
That is all. :)

Follow Friday (50) Blog Hop (49)

FOLLOW FRIDAY hosted by Parajunkee N Alison
Q:  If you could have dinner with your favorite book character, who would you eat with and what would you serve?
Let's try a different answer tonight, and go with the Dauntless group from Divergent. I would say mainly Tris and Four, but sitting with their friends wouldn't be bad either. As for what I would serve how about nachos. I'm a simple kinda girl. :)

Covers revealed: Love them all

Alright, I've been a little behind on posting the newer book covers that have been floating around so I apologize some of these are a few months old, but I think I'm caught up now. I have to admit I love pretty much every one of these covers. To learn what series they belong to just hover over the picture. :) Along with that I added my own little thoughts.

Blog Tour: Skeleton Lake by Angela Kulig

Title: Skeleton Lake
Author: Angela Kulig
ISBN: 978-1937733-03-2
Release Date: October 21st, 2011
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Synopsis: Unsure if she's drowning or being saved, all Marlow wants to do is run away. Ensnared in a haunting love triangle, she realizes both boys have holes in their hearts—scars from loving the same girl, a girl who managed to stay dead. Now she is being hunted for what she has become and what she never asked to be. Even as a Skeleton Marlow isn’t the worst thing in the night—she isn’t even close.
Cover and Summary at Red Iris Books: http://www.redirisbooks.com/p/books.html#sl
Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12668517-skeleton-lake
Author Twitter: @angelakulig
Author Website: http://angelakulig.com/

Let's welcome Angela Kulig

Characters that Grow; the Flight or Fight Reaction

In middle school, I was a peer mediator. I was a pretentious brown noser until ninth grade when I decided I’d rather wear all black and try my hand at Haiku, before that I’d volunteer for anything. So back to peer mediating--it was not a glorious gig by any means. The kids there had been shoved into it by well meaning administrators at an attempt to avoid explosion. I sat between kids who decided to go at each other across the table; I was shoved, kicked, and spit on. I saw more characters than exist in fiction on a daily basis, but I learned lessons that stuck with me my whole life.

One such lesson was about the Flight or Fight reaction. In a nut shell, it divides people groups based off of how they respond to confrontation.  Do you flee, or do you fight? In school the answer was always FLIGHT, for no reason justifiable or otherwise can you fight in school. In real life though--and subsequently in fiction, we know there are things worth fighting for, and forces worth fighting against. That doesn’t mean that every character has it in them to be the hero, some people can’t even save themselves. Some of them aren’t good people.

I’m a sucker for the long shot from the left field. Have you ever read the book where it’s obvious the nerd with no self-esteem and bad hair is about the save the universe? Those are great and all, but I like the characters that are so flawed, they must undergo some fundamental changes before they can even hope to go there.

In Skeleton Lake mistakes come back to haunt you in ways not even possible in real life, but just as people should grow from their misfortunes so should our fabricated friends. Character growth for me is an essential part in any book, characters must learn from their errors or they are doomed to repeat them. Only just like real life, some of them are more hard headed than the rest.

When I read books I like to group characters in them into Flight and Fighters. I used to think that Fighters made for more interesting books, but as time has marched on I have learned that sometimes the runners will come back and lunge across the table, because sometimes situations break the camel’s back.

Waiting on Wed: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

So like always I was strolling through the upcoming releases in 2012 on Goodreads, and came upon some awesome sounding books. One that caught my attention was Harbinger.



Author: Sara Wilson Etienne

OUTLINE:
Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn’t expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she’s going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she’s come home. She’s even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can’t trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her—and the rest of the world too.

Expected publication: February 2nd 2012 by Putnam Juvenile

Giveaway and Book Trailer: Destined by P.C and Kristin Cast

Guess what guys I'm back with another trailer and giveaway from the wonderful people always bring these awesome giveaways. So what's up for grabs this time? Let me show you.

That's right it's the 9th book in the House of Night series: Destined. Have you read all the books, and can't wait to read this one? I know I'm a little curious (I haven't read awakened yet, but I have read all the others) Well here's your chance to get the newest addition.

Giveaway Rules:
Winners should be in USA/ Canada only (Sorry again my hands are tied)
Giveaway end November 4th (So I can sure to have it to them by the 7th)
And as always since this is a book in a series I might possibly buy the first book or two if the winner doesn't have them and send them to the winner. (Sorry 8 books is a little much to buy, even for me)
So leave you name and email address below.
Following is not mandatory, but it's always appreciated.
If you have read the series (and this is pure curiousness on my part) Who is your favorite character? I like Stark and Aphrodite. :)

Bout of Books ReadAThon

So I finished up the Wonderfully Wicked Readathon Sunday and I completely sucked at it. I did have fun though, and I got Lark, identical, and Dry Souls read. Then I started The Water Wars, but haven't finished it so that's where I'm going to start now. Then after I finish that one up I'm going to read my AWESOME COPY of Raw Blue that I just received from Lan. Then after that I'll probably go on to Shattered Souls and maybe Legend. Those are pretty big books so it might take me the rest the week to finish them.

Book Review: Identical by Ellen Hopkins

AUTHOR: Ellen Hopkins
PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry
PAGES: 565
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone I think
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old identical twins, the daughters of a district court judge father and politician mother running for Congress. Everything on the surface of their lives seems Norman Rockwell perfect, but underneath run deep and damaging secrets. Kaeleigh is the good girl-her father's perfect flower, something she has tried so hard to be since she was nine and he started sexually abusing her. She cuts herself and vomits after every binge, desperate to feel something normal. Raeanne uses painkillers, drugs, alcohol, and sex to numb the pain of not being Daddy's favorite. Both girls must figure out how to become whole, but how can they when their world has been torn to shreds?