RTW #96: Going Undercover

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 are your all-time favorite book covers?

So, so, many wonderful book covers out there, ranging from beautiful scenery images, to a little bit creepy. Either way, a good cover evokes emotion - and often times, get's a potential reader to buy it in the first place.

Have you ever bought a book simply based on the cover - and was it just as good...or better?

Here are a few of my favorites, although I'm sure I've missed several!

1. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series (SHIVER, LINGER, and FOREVER) by Maggie Stiefvater 

Loved the simplicity and color on all 3 covers.

2. The Mortal Instruments Series (CITY OF BONES, CITY OF ASHES, CITY OF GLASS, and CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS) by Cassandra Clare

Tons of hidden detail on each cover, that ties into the story.

3. THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

This cover was for the second publication of the book and I think it's much stronger than the first (even though the title is strong enough to pull you in on it's own!).

 4. BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris

This one is in my TBR pile, but I love the cover!

5. TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

Such a beautiful tie-in to a lovely story.

RTW #94: My Best August 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 I get to answer it here!

And this week's topic:

What's the best book I've read in August?

I actually had two favorites this month: TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler and PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White.

Two very different reads: one filled with love, grief, friendship, and life - and another full of some of the funniest lines I've read in awhile! It was almost the most perfect balance to have read both, just days apart, because the humor from PARANORMALCY was just what I needed after the tears from TWENTY BOY SUMMER. 

So what book made you laugh or cry in the month of August? 

1. TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

Goodreads Summary:

"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it." 
"Okay." 
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?" 
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?" 

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. 

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer. Read my review here.

2. PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White

Goodreads Summary:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. 

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal.

FYI: I just posted my review on 9/1/11.