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.

First Campaigner Challenge: Flash Fiction

It's time for our first Campaigner Challenge! And what's on the docket you might ask? Well, Rachel has come up with a doozy:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem - but the kicker is, the story must begin with the words, “The door swung open” (these four words will be included in the word count).

And for an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)

For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

Entries in the First Campaigner Challenge will close on Friday, September 9th (at 11.59pm EDT).

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Yikes. I've never done flash fiction before, and with good reason. I mean, I only get 200 words? Come on! I'm lucky to tell a whole story in 80,000 words, let alone, 200.

This should be interesting. 

So, without further adieu, here's the 200 words (yes, I hit 200 on the dot) I conjured up this morning:

DAMN YANKEE (Post #54 in the Challenge)

The door swung open. And practically whacked me on the ass in the process, as I knelt, scrubbing the floor clean of muddy boot prints. I rolled my eyes for what seemed like the millionth time, as I slung the wet rag over the rim of the bucket, rung my hands dry on the folds of my dress, and stood.

That damn door and its stupid lock. Why be called a lock if you weren’t gonna do your job?

Then again, I was the one that pretty much blew it clear off when I was aiming for his head, but missed. And instead, all I’ve got is splintered shards of wood and a gaping hole, a metal concoction of a lock hanging on for dear life, and a door that won’t stay closed.

Damn Yankee.

If it were his way, we’d be hitched with four kids and I’d be barefoot in the kitchen, cleanin’ somethin’. And then I realized as I looked down at my feet: I was barefoot in the kitchen, cleanin’.

With a curse and a final glare, I gave it a swift kick - and finally, it did what it was supposed to.

The door swung shut.

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To read all of the other submits in the first Campaigner Challenge (and believe me, they're amazing!), head on over to Rach Writes to check them out! 

My Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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.

My Review:

Okay, so I'll admit it: I actually had zero interest in reading this book simply because it had vampires (so over them), werewolves (really?), shape-shifters (blah), faeries (...), and mermaids (I know they're all the rage; I just can't get into them). But thanks to a Friday Fives blog post on great first lines by my lovely writerly friend Alicia Gregoire, I was totally hooked. The opening line is ha-larious! I mean, come on:

"Wait--did you--you just yawned!" The vampire's arms, raised over his head in the classic Dracula pose, dropped to his sides.

That right there told me this book was going to be something different. Kiersten White put a very humorous spin on a variety of characters that have seen their time in the spotlight (at least until they become popular again, twenty years from now).

On more than one occasion, I went into silent laugh mode - especially when the main character Evie would censor herself by saying, "oh, bleep." or when I pictured the funny way she'd say goodbye to her friend Lish (she's the mermaid) by blowing up her cheeks on the glass of her tank. I loved the interaction between she and Lend (the shape-shifter), but wish there had been more between she and Reth (the Faerie); but I'm sure that's coming in the next book...at least I hope so!

Just an overall super fun read and wasn't at all what I was expecting - okay, maybe just a little bit. But still, I really, really enjoyed this one! And to make it all better? I won an autographed copy of the sequel, SUPERNATURALLY (thanks to the wonderful Jessica Kim!), which I just received - and so can't wait to read.

Fun read - definitely recommend.

View all my reviews

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.

Friday Fives: Five Best Back To School Books

Alas, another week has come and gone...and I can't believe it's the last Friday of August. I mean, summer literally JUST started here in Seattle. As in yesterday. Come on!

What's worse? I feel so bad for the kids that started back to school this week. Seriously. I think we've had a whopping 8 days above 75 degrees this entire year. And those unlucky kids get to go back to school, when the weather is finally beautiful? Totally sucks for them.

But, as the sky grows darker sooner, the school buses are back out and about, and the leaves begin to change, it's perfect timing for today's Paper Hangover's Friday Fives - because today's topic:

What are your five favorite back to school reads?

Right up there with the end of the school year, this is my absolute favorite time of year. Fall. September. Back to school. Homecoming. Football games. Love, love, LOVE. Not to mention cozying up on the couch with a good book to read, when the weather starts to turn. There are so many books that remind me of this time of year - but I'll leave you with my "five" favorite (and most recent) back to school reads:

1. WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green & David Levithan

2. ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins

3. THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

4. IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman

5. THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger

All of the above were books I THOROUGLY enjoyed. But of course, I'm always looking for more! What are your favorite back to school titles?