Winner of Top 2011 Reads!

The Winner is...

Carly

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Waiting on Wednesday: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

GIRL OF NIGHTMARES (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake
Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Publication date: 8/7/2012
Pages: 304

In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.

The first installment in this series was off the chain! It knocked my socks off! You can check out my review here.

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Top 2011 Reads + Contest!

TOP READS 2011 (Alphabetical order)

These are 4.5 to 5 Star reads

*Click on the links to check out my reviews*

1. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
2. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
3. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky 
4. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
5. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
6. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
7. Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor
8. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
9. Divergent by Veronica Roth
10. Enclave by Ann Aguirre
11. Hardbitten by Chloe Neill
12. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
13. Hourglass by Myra McEntire
14. Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance
15. Legend by Marie Lu
16. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
17. Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
18. StarCrossed by Josephine Angelini
19. Stay by Deb Caletti
20. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
21. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
22. The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
23. The Unbecoming of Mara Dara by Michelle Hodkin
24. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
25. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
26. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
27. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
28. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

There are some that I wish I could have read before the end of the year. I have a feeling I would have given them top stars… :-)

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Contest

The winner will receive 2 books of their choosing from the list above!

*Please comment on which book(s) were your top reads of 2011*

For your chances to win FILL OUT THIS FORM!

Contest ends @ 11:59pm (CST) December 29, 2011. U.S. & Canada Residents Only (Sorry!)

**If you are an international resident and have someone in the states that I could mail the prize to, then you can enter the contest**

Essay Contest for Aspiring Writers of YA/middle grade fiction

Thanks to Logan Kleinwaks, President of Book Wish Foundation, for sharing this info.

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. Click here contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

• Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot
• Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau
• Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust
• Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe
• Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
• Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions here.

Waiting on Wednesday: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

DREAMLESS (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 5/29/2012
Pages: 400
Age range: 13 years

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

The first book in this series was not only swoon worthy but it was action-packed with great drama and a delicious cast of characters. I'm so looking forward to diving back into this series! So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

In My Mailbox (90)

FOR REVIEW

Pure (Covenant, #2) (ARC) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bittersweet (ARC) by Sarah Ockler

BOUGHT

Destined by Jessie Harrell

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi @ The Story Siren and inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie

2012 Debut Author Challenge List

Once again Kristi @ The Story Siren  (Thank You) is hosting a 2012 Author Debut Challenge. This will be my 3rd challenge. I'm looking forward to another great year of books. There are so many that I want to read.

Here's more information on the challenge directly from The Story Siren:

• The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.
• You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate.
• You can join at anytime. Deadline to join is May 31, 2012. The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.

If you would like to sign up, head over to The Story Siren for more info.

Here's my list: I'm sure my list will change to include more summer/fall/winter releases.

1. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
2. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
3. Tempest by Julie Cross
4. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows 
5. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom 
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer 
7. Fracture by Megan Miranda 
8. Harbringer by Sara Wilson Etienne 
9. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 
10. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood 
11. Illuminate by Aimee Agresti 
12. After the Snow by Sophie Crockett 
13. Slide by Jill Hathaway 
14. Above by Leah Bobet 
15. The Selection by Kiera Cass 
16. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
17. Immortal City by Scott Speer 
18. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth 
19. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
20. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks 
21. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
22. Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
23. Glitch by Heather Anastasiu 
24. Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear 
25. Venom by Fiona Paul 
26. Cybernetic by Laura Riken 

This is all I have right now but I'm sure this list will change to include books coming out later that year. I know I'm forgetting some.

Waiting on Wednesday: Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

SHINE by Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: 5/1/2012
Pages: 384
Age range: 14 years

No other love has burned so bright

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

This series has become one of my favorites! You almost expect to be but on an emotional rollercoaster while reading these books. Just Remarkable! So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

CLOCKWORK PRINCE (Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date: 12/6/2011
Pages: 528
Age range: 14 - 17 Years
Series Title: Infernal Devices Series
Source: Publisher (ARC)

The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood.

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain's past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy's motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa's identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a "monster." Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain's side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London...or end them forever.

Fans of CLOCKWORK ANGEL will be thrown back into the wondrous world that is the Infernal Devices. In this installment, Clare pulls the reader deeper into the inner workings of Shadowhunter politics as Tessa, Will, Jem, and friends try to hunt down the illusive Magister. This series is so addictive – you don’t want to put it down!

This book broke my heart. All of these characters are fighting or yearning for something. I got to know each and every one of these characters on a deeper level. Clare continues to keep up in suspense as far as Tessa’s origins. But, we do get some shockers as the twists continue to throw you for a loop. Let me state again how much I adore love triangles. CLOCKWORK PRINCE had me twisted up all inside as Tessa tried to understand her feelings for Will and Jem. It’s a good one – that’s all I’m going to say on that!

It’s amazing that Clare can continue to craft these amazing books filled with lovable characters and great story telling. It always comes down to that last chapter/page. I always dread turning to the last page of these books. I never know what to expect because surely the wait is mind-boggling. I’ve fallen in love with these characters and I can’t wait to continue their journey in the next installment.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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