Summer Signings and Events In NYC | That I Plan To Attend

With BEA no longer in NYC, I spent a lot of the Spring looking for summer events to attend. I love the idea of yallfest and yallwest. I wish that I could drive to events in New Jersey and surrounding states, but alas I don't know how to drive. 

These are some of the summer events in NYC that I am planning to attend that are bookish related: These are free to attend, Books of Wonder usually needs you to buy a book to get into the signing. 

Spring Shakespeare Intensive @ Jefferson Market Library
Saturdays, May 7 - June 11, 2:30 - 4:00 pm - More info

A 5 week event featuring discussions on the themes of 5 different plays. This is a more academic event that I am going to with a friend who's planning on specializing in Shakespeare, but it looks to be fun. I won't be at every play discussion but it sounds really fun. This is probably going to be the most nerdiest English major thing I have ever done.

The Raven King Tour  @ Books of Wonder
featuring Maggie Stievfater and David Levithan
Sunday, May 22nd, 2:00 – 4:00 pm - More info

So I haven't read The Raven Boys yet, I know y'all are probably flipping out, but I plan to binge read the series before this signing. I recently read Two Boys Kissing and really want to go to see Levithan as well. I've heard incredible things about this series and I am dying to finally know why everyone is so obsessed.

Fantastic Teen Reads @ Books of Wonder
featuring Roshani Chokshi, Sarah McCay, Marie Rutkoski, and Renée Ahdieh
Wednesday, May 25th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm - More info

I am a huge Marie Rutkoski fan. I have even put off reading The Winner's Kiss because of how much I love this series. I just bought The Wrath and the Dawn and I am so excited to read it. I am planning to buy and read The Star Touched Queen and About a Girl. 

B-Fest @ Barnes & Noble Tribeca
June 10 - June 12th - More info to come 

This is the first ever YA event that Barnes & Noble is hosting nation wide, but Tribeca specifically is planning a lot of really fun author events, panels, and workshops. I will have a lot more information about this event to share with you soon.

My Lady Jane Launch Party @ Books of Wonder
featuring Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows
Tuesday, June 14th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm- More info

I have heard such amazing things about this book and I can't wait to read it. I loved Cynthia Hand's Unearthly series. I need to do a binge read of Jodi Meadows' books and Brodi Ashton (I've read Everneath). I'm really excited for this collaboration!

This Savage Song @ Books of Wonder
featuring Victoria Schwab 
Thursday, July 7th, 6:00– 8:00pm - More info

Again, this is another author that I plan on binge reading this summer. Everyone loves Victoria Schwab and I know I will as well so I wouldn't want to miss a chance to meet her. 

Blog Bound Con @ Jefferson Market Library
featuring bloggers, writers, and publishing professionals
Sunday, July 10th, 1:00- 4:30pm - More info

I just found out about this event and signed up the other day. There are three different time slots with two panels each. I love that the themes for all of the panels. It looks like it will be a really fun way to meet other bloggers and network. It is also being sponsored by Riveted Lit (Simon & Schuster).

Are there any events that you are excited about, where ever you live, to go to this summer? Also, do you know of any other events in New York that I am missing? Are you planning to attend any of these?

Read More

Blogging Slumps and Other Musings | A Discussion

There is no denying that 2016 has been a blogging slump for me. I am just beginning to throw myself back into this head first because I realized how important this blog was to me. I've been thinking a lot about these specific things and how they impacted my slump:

• School - I'm a full time college student taking 18 credits, six classes, with research papers and projects. I also commute to school which takes at least an hour for me to get there. College is great and I love learning, but it is exhausting. 
• Life - I have a new niece who is the cutest little peanut ever. I am a baby magnet. I love small children, they recognize me as one of them. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I babysit my other niece, who is three, and is giving me a run for my money. 
• Not feeling into it - Sometimes I just feel like binge watching TV and not writing blog posts. Also, reading instead of blogging. 
• Taking breaks - If I'm not feeling into blogging, I take a break. That is my attitude on dealing with things I'm not happy with or just not enjoying. Separation makes the heart grow fonder. 
• Inspiration - I was really wanting to write in more of an entertainment journalism way, which is what inspired Nerd Lexicon.
• Ruts, the memes, the reviews, what else? - I like being creative and doing different things. Sometimes the same old blogging style really bothers me. I want my blog to be its own thing, which can be hard when there seems to be a form of how to book blog. I am definitely moving into more of a discussion style of posting in this comeback.

• Reading Slumps - I'm always reading. It's how I get through stress. But usually I read ten books a month and now I've just not been reading at the same speed. I haven't been finding the OMG love it books that I used to. I keep started books, reading up to 30%, and then putting them down. 
• Not reading new releases - I've been reading a lot of backlist books or recent releases, but not new releases. Sometimes it feels like all the book blogging community cares about are new releases. My reading slumps have just led me to pick up random things and I want to talk about them but it seems like no one really cares about random backlist books. 
• Falling out of love with the way the community works on twitter - I'm not into twitter chats as much as I used to be. Why is there one every day? Is this necessary? I am also not happy with the amount of drama that occurs on a daily basis. Let's be happy and talk about books...
• Needing more blogger friends - my blogging slump spurred a twitter slump. I need more bloggers to talk to.

This was a really random rant of what I think about blogging and the community. I am excited to write more posts like this. 

What do you think about some of the things that I have mentioned? Have you dealt with blogging slumps? What do you do to get over them?

Read More

Waiting On Wednesday: The Problem With Forever

Waiting on Wednesday which is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which you show a book that will be releasing soon that you are excited for!

I am a huge Jennifer L. Armentrout fan, I haven't read one of her books in a while which will be remedied with this one. I have reviewed and read so many of her books. She is one of my most read authors. I am so excited for this new release. I will be posting my review on May 14th, so look out for that!

Title: The Problem with Forever

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: May 17, 2016
Goodreads Page

Pages: 480

Synopsis: 

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day. It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble

What are you waiting on this week? Are you a huge JLA fan? What is your favorite book from her?

Read More

Top Ten Bookworm Delights

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks theme:

Top Ten Bookworm Delights

1. When you know all of the books in the B&N YA section, especially with other YA readers who aren't bloggers

2. Being with your people at a booksigning and talking to random strangers about books

3. When your nail polish matches the color of your book

4. Pretty naked books

5. Tear marks on pages

6. Revisiting Childhood favorites

7. Going the movies to see an adaptation with nonbookish people and saying "I read the book"

8. Reading outside

9. Reading a book in one sitting

10. Making life long friends because of a shared love of books

I would love to read your bookworm delights. I really liked thinking about the small things that make me happy about reading.

Read More

Where Do You Read? | Discussion

Dana's Picks: 

For me, when it comes to story consumption I will take it any way possible, whether it be ebook, print, audiobook, or straight to the vein.

When it comes to where I read I have few favorite go to places...

THE BUS

I take the express bus, which is a coach bus with the nice seats because the commute is that long, to school in Manhattan. The commute can be an hour and a half long, which is great for powering through a large chunk of a book. Thankfully, I am not someone who gets sick on long car rides. I will read where ever I can.

MY BED

There is nothing better, reading wise, than staying all day in bed reading. There's something so satisfying and comforting about reading a book bundled in blankets with tons of pillows.

THE COUCH

I love reading in the corner of the sectional in my living room, it is a tiny little cove that I fit in perfectly. I also love the love-seat in my family room, it is a two seater and I'm tiny so I lay across it. I've read a number of books in one sitting on that couch.

THE SUBWAY

I strictly read e-books on my phone on the subway in NYC. I am guided by the principle of don't look at anyone and I just look down at my phone. The kindle app is my savior, especially on long subway rides.

MY POOL / YARD

The reading while in the pool thing started last summer. I know. I KNOW what you are thinking, I am endangering books. I haven't destroyed a book yet. I read Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry entirely in my pool. My back got super tan. I have an inground pool so I just stood in the shallow area with my hands holding the book outside on the concrete. I did keep a towel next to me for good measure.

THE KITCHEN TABLE

I have a big Italian/Puerto Rican family. Everything major in our house happens around the kitchen table. We are always eating, laughing, and talking. The table is really comforting to me. I can sit there for hours and I usually end up reading there as well. Eating and reading, need I say more.

PLANES

This is obviously a rare one, but I don't sleep on planes. I'm too excited about where I'm going. Again, I'll read anywhere. I read Shadow & Bone on a plane, which made for a great ride.

Hannah's Picks:

I have the problem that if I read on transport, I quite often get sick so I have to get creative about where I read...

THE LIBRARY

Seems like an obvious choice but finding a cosy nook to curl up into, where I'm surrounded by books, is always so fun. Unless I'm so cosy I fall asleep.

MY BED

Locked away in my room, I find it easiest to devour a novel. Even more so if I'm comfy and wrapped up in blankets.

COFFEE SHOPS

If they're not too busy, I can usually settle down and read for hours. Plus, coffee and hot chocolate and other treats!

THE SOFA

Any sofa will do (or couch as my Transatlantic friend would call it)!

THE TUBE/SUBWAY

I don't get as sick reading on the Underground as I would on a bus or in a car, so reading is much easier here. The only problem is that I'm never on it long enough to finish a chapter!

NOOKS AND CRANNIES

I go to a fantastic university that very old and has beautiful architecture so it's never that difficult to find a window ledge or a whole to tuck myself into when I want to read. I often do this to write as well!

OUTSIDE

On a clear day, I love taking a book to a bench somewhere and just enjoying the fresh air along with a book. It's even better if it's warm and you can soak up some sunshine too!

Where do you read? 

Read More

Reading Recommendations: LGBTQ YA

I've been reading quite a few books that feature LGBTQ characters recently, intentionally and unintentionally, and I've really enjoyed them. Here are my recommendations from the ones that I've read:

    

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - Goodreads

This book was incredible. I stayed up to 7am one morning because I had to finish it. I laughed. I cried. I guessed who Blue was accurately. I loved seeing this romance over emails. There was this realness to Simon, his friends, and his family. I can't recommend this book enough. I am mentally pushing into your hands and jedi mind tricking you into reading it now.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan - Goodreads

This was an assigned reading for my YA Lit class and I am so glad that it was. This story is told from this greek chorus plural narrator of men who have past away from AIDs, which is just so amazing. A plural narration is such a complicated thing to pull off and Levithan masterfully writes this loving narrator who is both wistful about having an unlived life, but genuinely happy for the world that these young boys are privileged to live in, of course there are still hardships to be faced but nothing like what it was. This one had the most diverse relationships in it. 

Alex As Well by Alyssa Brugman - Goodreads 

Alex As Well follows a teen who was born Intersexed. Her parents chose for her to be a boy when she was born and started her on hormones, but the problem is she is a girl in her soul. Brugman uses an interesting dual narration between the female and male sides of Alex. You get to see the struggles Alex faces in making the transition, finding her sexuality, and dealing with finding family. 

         

Engage by Erica Crouch - Goodreads

This is a novella in Crouch's Ignite series, which is great and a must read,  following a character's origin story. Kala is an immediate favorite in the series and hearing her story of falling in love with another angel, Ana, was incredible. Kala rebels against everything and unexpectedly finds Ana, who doesn't seem at all like Kala, but they are a great couple.

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow - Goodreads

I may not have loved the world and how this world was built, but I really enjoyed the exploration of sexuality in the novel. It is set around an isolated group of teens, who are held as political hostages, and we see the progression the main character Greta has with her sexual awakening. She is attracted to a boy, her female roommate, and then you see her fall in love with her roomate. I think this was the best written part of the novel.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - Goodreads

Carry On is based on the slash fanfiction that Rowell wrote about in Fangirl. The turning point in the novel is finding out Baz's true feelings. I wish this book could have been all Baz and Simon interactions because those scenes gave me life. Their connection just leaped off the page. They were both tortured souls for many different reasons. Their moments in Baz's room, I'm pretty sure all of those got highlighted on my e-book. 

I have More Happy Than Not, which I plan on reading soon, but I need more really great LGBTQ books to read. Also, more well rounded in the acronym. I feel like YA represents a lot of gay fiction, but I want to read other types of queer stories.

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Read More

A Bit Of Light Reading - Spring Reading Recommendations

This post may or may not have been inspired by Hermione and the beautiful weather that is happening. I just feel like sitting outside and reading a book, plus you don't have to deal with the heat and humidity of summer. These are my go to genres for the spring as well as a few of my recent reads in these genres that would make great light reads. 

Young Adult Contemporary

Contemporary romance just makes me smile!

This Pride & Prejudice inspired book was a one night read that made me so happy. It was cute and angsty, with lots of misunderstandings. This beautiful cover just deserves to be read outside. 

I read this one over vacation as a way to escape my family and it totally worked. I was hooked in my the music scene, but I really enjoyed it for the romance that I held out for. 

Young Adult Paranormal

YA Paranormal, especially boarding school books, are up there with YA Contemps for making me feel better. 

I love the ShadowFalls series. I have one more left to read. C.C. Hunter knows how to write a fun paranormal. This book has everything you could want and almost every paranormal you could ask for as well. 

This was a really quick read for me. It has a bit of a younger narrative voice, but I liked the paranormal take on the vampire and werewolf mythology. 

New Adult Contemporary

These next two books are very hyped, but this was my face when I realized how amazing they were. 

There is a reason why everyone loves this book. The romance is just so fantastic. It goes far beyond what a lot of NA romances do.

This was not what I was expecting this book to be about and I loved the depth the characters had. 

Adult Romance

I randomly found this book and I adored it. It is a bit more intense in the sex department even though the main character is in college, she is dating an older guy, which is why I am saying Adult romance. this book is so funny, the main character has a crush on a guy that comes into the cafe she works out turns out he is her gynecologist, awkwardness ensues. 

This is was a fun romance and followed a trope that I enjoy reading in adult romance, office romances. 

This is basically how I feel right now because of school. I would love your spring reading recommendations to help me conquer my TBR.

Read More

My Recent Reads + Blog Update

Life Update 

School and life has definitely been kicking my butt recently, which has led to the lack of posting on this blog. I started a new blog back in February, because of its newness I've been more excited to post over there. If you are a TV show addict, I definitely recommend you go check out Nerd Lexicon. We also review books and movies, but I post a lot of episode reviews. We are always looking for contributors for the site, if you're interested email me.

My oldest brother and his wife welcomed their first child into the world two weeks ago. So you can imagine how baby crazed my family. I've also been babysitting my 3 year old niece several days a week, by the end of the day I am a zombie.

My Recent Reads

I haven't been reading a lot of newer releases, which has me feeling super out of the blogging loop. I haven't been reading as much as normal, but I've still been reading just not what everyone else is reading. I wish the blogging community was less consumed with new releases. 

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

I didn't really know what this one was about when I picked it up. It was a really strange read. I'm still not sure if I liked it or hated it. The world of this one was very different, which perhaps disoriented me while reading. It was a fast read and one that kept me interested. I needed to find out what would happen, but I wasn't always into where the plot was going. There were some really interesting things as far as politics in this book and I loved the way sexual orientation was in this book. I think Erin Bow wrote a really interesting narrative on sexual discovery that isn't explored in YA. I think you should check this book out for that reason. I don't know this was a really weird one. I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the second book, but I LOVE the cover for the sequel. (I received an arc of this book at BEA 2015.)

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

This was my first David Levithan book and I am in love. I think I can gush on and on about how brilliant this novel is, but I don't want to be here forever. This story is told from this greek chorus plural narrator of men who have past away from AIDs, which is just so amazing. The English major in me is still freaking out over how well that was pulled off. This was a part of the syllabus for my YA Lit class and I am so glad that I got the chance to read this one. I definitely plan on picking up another David Levithan book. 

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

This was a fun weekend read, do you ever feel like you need a good contemporary read to make you feel better? I really enjoyed this book. It didn't wow me like I wanted to, but it also wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I think I wanted it to be a bit more like The Distance Between Us by Kasie West. I don't know if I loved the romance. The theft plot was a bit strange. Overall, I found this to be a pretty good read. 

Edgewater by Courtney Sheinmel

This book. THIS book. THIS BOOK. I was not expecting to be blown away by this book. I didn't see any hype for this when it came out. I didn't even know what it was about. I loved this book. It reminded me a lot of that show Revenge, it isn't plot wise like that show but the vibe at times feels similar. I loved how this book played with shame and feeling ashamed of where your family or where you're from, I think theme wise that is something teens begin to feel and isn't usually explored. I loved all of the plot twists. All I have to say is, you need to read this book.(I received an arc of this book at BEA 2015.)

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

This is probably going to be a very controversial statement, but I really didn't like this book. Yes, this book is a great example of representation, but I also can't reward it because it wasn't a well written novel. It is like a checklist of what is a young adult novel, but never feels like YA. There was a hint of romance that got dropped for half of the book. There was a family conflict that was put there, but it went nowhere. The slang in the book was ridiculous and felt so out of place. I'm 20 years old I shouldn't feel ancient reading the language of a teenager. It was just young and all of the conflicts were resolved so easily. Like really a chalk demon? And wait, if you hit it then it is gone. Great, slow applause, for that one. I'm sorry; I'm not usually a ranter about books that I don't like but this one really bothered me. I had to read this for a YA Lit class that I'm taking and there was a lot of people in the class who felt similar to me. But again, these are just my opinions.

What have you read recently? Also, how is life? Are you a college student dying from end of the semester work?

Read More

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead | Release Day Blitz

I am so excited that THE GLITTERING COURT by Richelle Mead releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a special giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Richelle Mead, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book and a $25 Sephora Gift Card courtesy of Richelle, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: THE GLITTERING COURT

Author: Richelle Mead

Pub. Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook

Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads

The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead.

"Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."

—School Library Journal

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him. 

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Exclusive Excerpt:

About Richelle:

Richelle Mead has written over twenty-five novels for teens and adults. She is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series and its spinoff series, Bloodlines. Her recent standalone novel, Soundless, draws upon Chinese mythology and history, and her forthcoming series, The Glittering Court, follows the adventures of girls destined for arranged marriages in a fantasy world inspired by colonial America. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

Website| Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a hardcover of THE GLITTERING COURT & a $25 Sephora Gift Card. US Only.

Ends on April 15th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Blitz: The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S POISONER

As usurper of the throne, the rule of King Severn Argentine’s is already highly contested. To keep his power, King Argentine rules with an iron fist and destroys any opposition. In a failed coup attempt the Duke of Kiskaddon loses his son as a permanent prisoner to the king to ensure his loyalty.

THE QUEEN’S POISONER follows the Duke’s young son Owen on his journey for redemption and revenge as he figures out how to survive the court of Kingfountain. In order to keep his head and gain the merciless king’s favor, Owen must delve deeper into the world of mystery and secrecy that surrounds him. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment of The Kingfountain Series.

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, and a devout member of his church. He is occasionally spotted roaming among the oak trees and granite boulders in the hills of California or in any number of the state’s majestic redwood groves. He is the author of The Covenant of Muirwood Trilogy, The Legends of Muirwood Trilogy, the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy, and the Landmoor Series.

To learn more about Jeff Wheeler visit his website:

www.jeff-wheeler.com

You can follow him @muirwoodwheeler

Chapter 17

A sound whispered from the corridor behind him. It was a footfall. Not the sound of a boot in the corridor beyond the wall. The sound of someone approaching within the tunnel. It was coming from behind him.

The queasiness blossomed inside Owen and a cold sweat started on his brow. Going back was no longer an option. The tunnel was narrow and there was no place to hide, so Owen hurried forward, hoping to find an escape into the main palace corridor. It would be infinitely better to be punished for wandering the hall at night than to be caught in the Espion corridor. His little heart started to hammer wildly in his chest and the blackness in front of him became even darker somehow.

He heard the footfalls again, coming closer.

The boy was starting to panic. Ankarette had warned him this could happen. She had told him it was dangerous to wander the tunnels alone and that he needed to be very cautious and always listen for sounds that were out of place. Such as the footfalls behind him.

The narrow pinch of the corridor suddenly filled in ahead of Owen, the walls closing like an arrowhead. It ended abruptly and finally. It was a dead-end.

Enter The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This blitz was organized by Hannah of The Irish Banana Review

Read More