BLOG STOP + 3 GIVEAWAYS: Just Breathe by Kendall Grey

REVIEW: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Title:                      Dark Places
Author:                  Gillian Flynn (Cute site!)
Release Date:     May 5/2009

Publisher:           Crown Publishing

Page Count:        368

Acquired:            Library Borrow

Format:              Ebook (epub)

Read From:         Jan 17-24/2013

Goodreads:         ADD

Purchase:           Amazon/Indigo/The Book Depository

I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.

The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details—proof they hope may free Ben—Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club...and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.

As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members—including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

BLOG STOP + GIVEAWAY: Derailed & Veer (Clayton Falls Series) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

RANDOM REVIEW MONDAY (2): Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

Random Review Monday is a weekly meme, run by me, Reeka at BoundbyWords. Each week, I will choose a book from the fiction shelves at work (local bookstore), by simply closing my eyes, and pointing! I will read the book within the week, and review it the following Monday. This gives me a chance to get out of my comfort zone, and hopefully find some hidden gems!

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Title:                      Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Author:                  Maria Semple (Cute site!)
Release Date:     Aug 4/2012

Publisher:           Little Brown and Company

Page Count:        326

Acquired:            Work Borrow

Format:              Hardcover

Read From:         Jan 24-26/2013

Goodreads:         ADD

Preorder:            Amazon/Indigo/The Book Depository

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

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I didn't find this book, this book completely found ME. I swear it. Maria Semple wrote this book, got it published, and then made it so that it found it's way onto the shelves at JUST my eye level. I both liked and grew frustrated by so many things in this book. Let me tell you about it:

The story opens with an outline of Bee's grades, straight A's across the board, an outstanding accomplishment. It turns out that both her mother, Bernadette Fox, and her father, Elgin Branch, had previously promised her an Antarctic cruise as the reward for this exact outcome of excellence. So it's set, the family is going away. But so is Bernadette's Fox's sanity. Since an unfortunate even that took place in her professional life, her tolerance for the people and the world around her took a nosedive. The trip then comes to a stand-still after Bernadette mysteriously disappears.

I felt like I completely understood Bernadette, at least throughout the first half of the book. I  related with her creative side, and her inability to function in a world where her passion wasn't being put to use. I climbed into the space in her head where it was just too difficult to deal with reality, and all the obligations of living a "normal" life. I love that the author allowed the readers a glimpse of both sides of the coin-the view of Bernadette through her daughter's eyes, and through the eye's of those who completely misunderstood her. She is made out to be a creative "genius," though I never quite catch a hold of that line of thought, I mostly found her a tad whiny and overwhelming.

I enjoyed the layout of the storyline, told mostly through letters and correspondence that had come into Bee's possession. I also liked that after each letter, Bee's own thoughts on the matter were there to help set things straight-I felt like I got to know Bernadette better than anyone else in the book did. This very fact helped softened my feelings near the end, which had me questioning Bernadette as a mother, and a human being. Her decision(s) were justified, but not enough to make me like her overall. 

The twists in this book were hard-hitting, and made for one hell of a climax. The sarcastic and satirical humour had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion-serious laughs, not just "ha-has." I especially enjoyed the numerous mentions of us Canadians being too into "equality." An entertaining read, though the build-up throughout the book led to a mostly mediocre ending.

I recommend this book to all mothers, everywhere, who know that you could lose your mind once in a good while, but you could never lose the love you have for your children. Also, for those looking for a few good, heart healthy laughs.

A Bounded Wrap-Up/Stacking the Shelves (7)- Jan 27/13

A Bounded Wrap-Up is a reminder of what posts and features I had last week, and a short preview of what is to come this week. Visit the Features page to see all of my past posts, and other memes I participate in!

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RANDOM REVIEW MONDAY (1): Doppler by Erlend Loe

Random Review Monday is a weekly meme, run by me, Reeka at BoundbyWords. Each week, I will choose a book from the fiction shelves at work (local bookstore), by simply closing my eyes, and pointing! I will read the book within the week, and review it the following Monday. This gives me a chance to get out of my comfort zone, and hopefully find some hidden gems!

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COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Blurred ( by Tara Fuller

TITLE: 

Blurred (Kissed by Death #2)

AUTHOR: 

Tara Fuller

RELEASE DATE: 

July 2/2013

GOODREADS:

Click to ADD

PREORDER:

Amazon/Book Depository 

Cash is haunted by things. Hungry, hollow things. They only leave him alone when Anaya, Heaven’s beautiful reaper, is around. Cash has always been good with girls, but Anaya isn’t like the others. She’s dead. And with his deteriorating health, Cash might soon be as well.

Anaya never breaks the rules, but the night of the fire she recognized part of Cash’s soul—and doomed him to something worse than death. Cash’s soul now resides in an expired body, making him a shadow walker—a rare, coveted being that can walk between worlds. A being creatures of the underworld would do anything to get their hands on.

The lines between life and death are blurring, and Anaya and Cash find themselves falling helplessly over the edge. Trapped in a world where the living don’t belong, can Cash make it out alive?

BLOG TOUR: Normalish by Margaret Lesh

REVIEW: Unwind by Neil Shusterman

Title:                      Unwind
Author:                  Neil Shusterman
Release Date:     Nov 6/2007

Publisher:           Simon and Schuster Teen

Page Count:        335

Acquired:            Library

Format:              Paperback

Read From:         Jan 5-17/2013

Goodreads:         ADD

Purchase:           Amazon/Indigo/The Book Depository

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

Waiting on Wednesday (13) - Doll Bones by Holly Black

Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine 
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!

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GIVEAWAY: January New Release Giveaway Hop (INTERNATIONAL)

JANUARY NEW RELEASE GIVEAWAY HOP

It's that time of the month again! New release giveaway hop time =). For this hop, I will be giving readers a chance to win a new release for the month of January ($20 and under before tax, Book Depository). You can choose a YA, New Adult or Adult book-I have listed some examples below. Each book cover will lead to it's Goodreads page, where you can read a synopsis and reviews.  

Please remember to read ALL rules and regulations first. 
I would hate to have you miss out on a chance of winning.

 GOOD LUCK and Happy Picking!

BLOG TOUR: Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill

It is my utmost PLEASURE to be talking about this book today: Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill. I found my way to Liesel's blog a couple of months back after she made a kind comment on one of my posts. I went there with the intent of thanking her for her words, and leaving a comment of my own. I then saw that Liesel was actually a published author! I immediately checked out her goods (naturally), and made a mental note, and a written note to email her about checking out her book-I was intrigued, to say the least.

So imagine my surprise when I got an email about a week later from Liesel, asking me if I would like the opportunity to review her book! I think it goes without saying what my answer was =). I'll admit, I enjoyed the sounds of the synopsis, but truly had NO preconceived notions. I'm always a bit weary of what I'll find within the pages of a dystopian book-it's SO easy to follow trends, and end up sacrificing quality for quantity. OH..but THIS book..I will leave my words for the review, and the words that I have...ooohh MAN. 

This book was nothing short of EXTRAORDINARY.

A Bounded Wrap-Up/Stacking the Shelves (6)- Jan 13/13

A Bounded Wrap-Up is a reminder of what posts and features I had last week, and a short preview of what is to come this week. Visit the Features page to see all of my past posts, and other memes I participate in!

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BLOG TOUR: The Trouble with Fate by Leigh Evans

Title: The Trouble With Fate (Mystwalker #1)

Author: Leigh Evans

Release Date:  Dec 24/2012

Adquired: Epub copy provided by author

Goodreads: ADD

Purchase: Amazon

My name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I’m not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father and the Fae executed my mother. I’ve never forgiven either side. Especially Robson Trowbridge. He was a part-time werewolf, a full-time bastard, and the first and only boy I ever loved. That is, until he became the prime suspect in my father’s death…

Today I’m a half-breed barista working at a fancy coffee house, living with my loopy Aunt Lou and a temperamental amulet named Merry, and wondering where in the world I’m going in life. A pretty normal existence, considering. But when a pack of Weres decides to kidnap my aunt and force me to steal another amulet, the only one who can help me is the last person I ever thought I’d turn to: Robson Trowbridge. And he’s as annoyingly beautiful as I remember. That’s the trouble with fate: Sometimes it barks. Other times it bites. And the rest of the time it just breaks your heart. Again…

BLOG TOUR: The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

REVIEW: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Powell

Title:                      Eleanor & Park
Author:                  Rainbow Rowell
Release Date:     Feb 26/2013

Publisher:           St. Martin's Press

Page Count:        320

Acquired:            Netgalley

Format:              Ebook (epub)

Read From:         Dec 30/2012 -Jan 03/2013

Goodreads:         ADD

Purchase:           Amazon/Indigo/The Book Depository

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
"I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Waiting on Wednesday (12)- Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine 
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!

BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY: Just Breathe by Kendall Grey

Title: Just Breathe (Book #3)
Author: Kendall Grey

Release Date: Jan 8/2013  

Goodreads: ADD

Purchase: Amazon/Barnes & Noble

He made a deal with the devil to save the woman he loves… After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can’t forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.

But love—and duty—are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.

Stacking the Shelves (5)- Jan. 4/13

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews that is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. Tynga posts her own STS on Saturdays.

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Reading Challenges for 2013

I'm going to start this new (reading) year off right, and participate in a few reading challenges for 2013. I've been scoping a few out, and have finally decided on 2. I disappointed myself by failing to finish my 50 book Goodreads challenge for 2012, and REFUSE to let that happen this year-these babies should definitely help with that. So without further ado: