RTW: Best August Read(s)

It's Road Trip Wednesday time - and today's topic:

WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ IN AUGUST?

I was fortunate to read some really great books this month: 

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith

SUCH A RUSH by Jennifer Echols

MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers 

But my absolute, hands-down, favorite? 

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

I think it might even make the cut for my most favorite of all of 2012!!! And you can read my review here. 

I've got some great reads coming up for September - because yes, I made another visit to Barnes & Noble last weekend, and picked up TEN more books!!! So what's coming up next?

Currently reading SECOND CHANCE SUMMER by Morgan Matson

But I've also got ENDER'S GAME, ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, CINDER, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, CRACKED UP TO BE, SOME GIRLS ARE, WHAT I DIDN'T SAY, and DON'T BREATHE A WORD. Plus many, many, MANY, more!!!

So, what was your most favorite read in August?  

RTW: WiP - Oh, How I Love You!

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic. 

And today's topic: 

Inspired by Stephanie Perkins' post on Natalie Whipple's blog, what is your novel's "Love List"?

Stephanie Perkin's just happens to be one of my favorite YA authors, and for good reason too! After all, she did write the amazing ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. I mean, Etienne St. Clair? Come. On.

And I just loved the post Natalie Whipple had up earlier this year, interviewing Ms. Perkins on how she begins working on a new story idea and what helps her to keep it going. The idea was simple:

"Whenever I begin a new project, I also begin a list called “What I Love About This Story.” I start by writing down those first ideas that sparked the fires of my mind, and then I add more ideas to it as I discover them during my push through early drafts."

What a fantastic idea! Not only does it keep the creativity going, but it also keeps you in love with your writing when you're not so in love with your writing. Which we all know, happens far too often!

So with that, here's my list of love's for my current project, THE LUCKY FEW:

• Secret invitations
• Impromptu ball gowns
• Strong-minded girl
• Unforgotten Mom
• Debonair boy
• Déjà vu
• Secret Societies
• New school / Old school
• Brooding boy
• Starting over
• Best friends
• Practical jokes
• Quick-witted
• Journal entries
• French speaking strangers 
• Motorcycle chases
• BRICK HOUSE by the Commodores
• Halloween masquerade party
• Secrets from the past
• Puzzle pieces
• Seven

A few quick thoughts that keep me going, but the list could go on and on! 

So, what keeps YOU in love with your WiP, when you're not so in love with your WiP? 

RTW: Best July Read(s)!

It's Road Trip Wednesday time - and today's topic:

WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ IN JULY?

I will admit, I read some pretty bad books in July. Eh-em, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY turned out to be fifty shades of days I will never get back in my life! 

But...I also read two books, that were both pretty dang awesome. Two books I HIGHLY recommend you all pick up and read this summer:

1. ON THE ISLAND by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Goodreads Summary:

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day. T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island.

Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

My review:

Now I know what you're thinking when you read the above summary - but really, you MUST give this book a shot before assuming the worst. Because honestly, this was one of the best reads I've read in a LONG time - and I finished it in one day.

The characters were well written from start to finish. And by the time I turned the last page, I was a blubbering mess. That's something that doesn't happen often, I can assure you.

I still need to write my review on this one, so I won't say anything more other than you DEFINITELY MUST READ THIS BOOK!

2. THE VINCENT BOYS by Abbi Glines

Goodreads Summary:

Being the good girl isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Ashton Gray has grown weary of playing the part to please her parents, and to be worthy of the town’s prince charming, Sawyer Vincent. Maybe That’s why she’s found herself spending time with Sawyer’s cousin, Beau, while he’s away for the summer camping with his family. Beau is nothing like her perfect boyfriend. He’s the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, dangerous in ways she’s only day dreamed about, and the one guy she should stay away from. 

Beau never envied Sawyer his loving parents, his big nice home, or his position as quarterback. He loves him like a brother. Which is why he's tried everything in his power to keep his distance from Sawyer’s girlfriend. Even if he has loved her since the age of five, Ashton is Sawyer’s girl, so therefore she’s off limits. But when Sawyer leaves for the summer, Ashton, the one girl Beau would move Heaven and Earth for, decides she wants to get into trouble. Stabbing the one person who’s always accepted him and stood by him in the back, is the cost of finally holding Ashton Gray in his arms. Is she worth losing his cousin over?.... Hell Yeah.

My Review:

Let me tell you, Ms. Glines writes boy WELL. This one is a perfect summer read - light, fun, and easy. Again, I haven't written my review yet, so I won't go into detail...other than I really enjoyed it! My only disappointment is that the sequel - THE VINCENT BROTHERS - is only out on Kindle right now (boo!) - but Abbi reassures me (yes, I DM'd her on Twitter!) she's working on the paperback version, and fingers crossed, it should be out soon. 

_______________

Both of the above are great summer reads - and definitely a breath of fresh air from the FIFTY mess I got myself into earlier in the month. 

I also stopped by Barnes & Noble last weekend and picked up 14 new books from my TBR list (ENDER'S GAME, WHAT I DIDN'T SAY, SUCH A RUSH, DON'T BREATHE A WORD, and MY LIFE NEXT DOOR to name a few!), so needless to say, August is going to be a busy month for reading...and I can't wait!

So, what great reads did you conquer in the month of July?

RTW: Best May Read!

It's Road Trip Wednesday time - which is great news, as I feel myself slacking in the blogging department now that April A to Z and Blog Me MAYbe are done!!!

And today's topic:

What was the best book you read in May?

Well, I have three, actually!

1. GRACELING by Kristin Cashore

I don't know why it took me so long to read this series, but I have to admit - I'm so glad that it did, because I got to read all three books in the series back-to-back-to-back!!!

I adored this book - and I loved Katsa and Po, even more! 

For more details, see my review here.

2. FIRE by Kristin Cashore

If it's at all possible, I finally found a sequel that I loved even more than the first book! Don't get me wrong, as I mentioned above, I loved GRACELING - and I definitely can say it has been a long time since I've read a book that I didn't want to put down, or kept going back to re-read pages! But...I have to say the relationship between Fire and Brigan in this title, really won me over! Maybe it was the horses. Maybe it was the whole knight in shining armour thing...I dunno. But I love me some Brigan.

Stay tuned for my review!

3. BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

Third book in the series, this one picks up right after GRACELING - but ties all three books in so nicely, with a great big bow! 

While there wasn't nearly enough romance in this book - and I totally get that wasn't the point - I still found that I missed the relationships so evident in both GRACELING and FIRE. This title was the darkest of the three, filling in almost all of the blanks behind Bitterblue's treacherous father, King Leck. And it ended, leaving the reader to wonder, will there be a fourth book? 

Well, I sure hope so!

Stay tuned for my review on this one, as well!

Net / net: May was a good month of reads for me! I love when I come across a book - or better yet, an entire series - where I just can't put them down!

Sadly though, I'm now suffering to find something good to read - and have started 5-6 other books (UNRAVELING, PANDEMONIUM, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and DITCHED to name a few!), but can't seem to get past the first few chapters!

So with that, I leave you to answer (enter my selfish way of finding great new books to read!):

What was your favorite read in May?

RTW #107: Best November Read

Similar to Friday Fives, Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ hosted by the fabulous ladies over at YA Highway. Each Wednesday, they post a weekly writing - or reading - related question, and we all get to blog about it!

And this week's topic:

What's the best book you read in November?

I'll admit, my TBR pile is gi-nor-mous right now. I'm talking jam-packed with tons of amazing reads I just can't wait to get to. Reads such as: DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, SHUT OUT, HOURGLASS, LOOKING FOR ALASKA, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, and A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL. And those are only a handful of what's to come, stacked precariously on my dresser, in front of my bed. Waiting. Patiently. 

But alas, revisions, revisions, take precedence over everything else right now. Not to mention, NaNoWriMo (which, I'd like to proudly admit, I will hit the 50k marker tonight!).

However, I have promised myself to read a little something, every night before I go to bed. And because of that, I do have two books I will chalk up to the best I've read in November:

SUPERNATURALLY by Kiersten White

The sequel to PARANORMALCY - which, I must say, had me laughing in silent laugh mode (which on the scale of laughter, is up there pretty high) on several occasions. The second installment, while maybe not as ha-larious as the first, was still entertaining. 

Plus, my copy is an autographed hardback that I won - so that just makes it even better. 

Goodreads Summary:

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

I'm actually still reading this one right now. And I will already say, I absolutely love it. It's not at all what I expected (so far) and I know I'm not even to the good stuff yet. Plus, I love the boy, Noah (even if he smokes, he's still yum). And Michelle Hodkin does Teen, amazingly well. 

This one is good. 

GoodReads Summary:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

So, what good books did you read in the past 30 days?

Afterall, that TBR pile of mine is just begging for one more to topple it over!

RTW #102: Best Book(s) for October

Similar to Friday Fives, Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ hosted by the fabulous ladies over at YA Highway. Each Wednesday, they post a weekly writing - or reading - related question, and I'll blog about my answer here!

And this week's topic:

What was the best book you read in October?

October has been an awfully quiet month for me in the blog-o-sphere, mostly because I've been crazy-busy doing major revisions on my current manuscript, for an amazing agent (one that shall remane nameless at the moment, but believe me, he's nothing but pure awesome!). It's been a tad bit hectic, but in the end, I know it will so be worth it.

But that also means it may stay a little quiet around these here parts for awhile. I'm still here, it's just my head is buried behind my computer screen, revising away!

I was also fortunate to spend the first part of the month, down in Cabo San Lucas with my husband, for our anniversary. We did absolutely nothing but lay in the sun, eat amazing food, go to the spa (ahhhhhh...), lay in the sun some more, and of course, read. 

Which leads us to today's RTW - what was my favorite book this month? Well, I've got two:

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins

Sequel to ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Lola (huh, that sounded so much better in my head). In fact, it actually was my very first eBook purchase for my iPad. Still not sure if I'm convinced about reading on an e-reader but Lola on the other hand, did not disappoint! 

Goodreads Summary:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

THE POWER OF SIX by Pitticus Lore

Sequel to I AM NUMBER FOUR - this was also a highly anticipated title for me. I really enjoyed the first book in the Lorien Legacy series and this second installment, was equally entertaining.

Goodreads Summary:

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us. 

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together? 

They caught Number One in Malaysia. 
Number Two in England. 
And Number Three in Kenya. 
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed. 

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive. 

And I'm ready to fight.

_________________

So with that, what great books did you read this October? Would love to add some new titles to my TBR pile!