"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill atBreaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

(BOOK TWO) After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce just wants to live peacefully on her own. But her tranquility doesn’t last long: she receives news that the tribe is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs her leadership. Anais, the tribe’s cruel queen, wants Luce dead. Dorian, the boy Luce broke mermaid law to save, is determined to make her pay for her part in the murder of his family. And while the mermaids cling to the idea that humans never suspect their existence, there are suddenly ominous signs to the contrary.

But when Luce and Dorian meet, they start to wonder if love can overpower the hatred they know they should feel for each other. Luce’s new friendship with an ancient renegade mermaid gives her hope that her kind might someday change its murderous ways. But how can Luce fulfill her rightful role as queen of the mermaids without sacrificing her forbidden romance with Dorian?

Waking Storms by Sarah Porter will be out July 3, 2012. What books are you eagerly awaiting? 

Irises

Irises by Francisco X Stork

Release Date: January 1 ,2012
Publisher: Arthur A Levine Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Own
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Two sisters discover what's truly worth living for in the new novel by the author of MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD.

TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.

ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.

IRISES is Francisco X. Stork's most provocative and courageous novel yet.

I had been dying to read this book and was excited to finally get the chance to read it. The story wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but still good. I was expecting more of a... mysterious novel with a lot of hidden elements. This novel dealt more with family, love, loss and faith than anything else.

Irises is the story of sisters Kate and Mary who live with their  controling father who is a pastor at the local church, and their mother who has been in a vegetative state for years. The girls find themselves thrown into a world full of choices with the sudden death of their father. The girls are suddenly forced to take care not only of themselves, but also their mother, in the best way that they know how. 

Kate and Mary's character's are very different from one another. Kate's dream is to become a doctor, she makes top grades and has earned a full paid scholarship to Stanford, the school of her dreams. Kate being the older sister is practical, studious and dependable. Mary on the other hand is a very talented painter, and much like an artist she is sweet, emotional and impetuous. 

After the death of their father, the responsability of taking care of their mother, is resting solely on the girls shoulders. They must decide how far they are willing to go to keep her alive, or will they pull the plug? With so many decisions to make, will the hardships bring the girls closer together, or will this decision potentially tear the girls apart forever?

I really felt for these girls as they were dealt one hardship after another. I loved, respected, and admired their sense of family and their inner strength, especially Mary's , to not give up! It tested their love, friendship and faith! 

Overall, it was a fast paced read with a lot of thought provoking events that really make you wonder what you would do if you were in these girls shows. This book was more of a darker story, because of everything that happens to the girls, but despite this I still enjoyed the story!

Bout of Books TBR Picture

Hello Lovelies~

As some of you may know, I am participating in the Bout of Books 3.0 Reading Challenge. Today's challenge is to post a picture of our TBR pile for the read-a-thon. This time around I didn't make a pre set list of books to read, because I wanted to be able to read whatever I felt in the mood for. So here are some of the books I've been wanting to read and will try to work my way through during this read-a-thon.

As you can see, I have a pretty good pile of books to try to read through. And I am extremely excited about each and every one of them! 

If you are participating in the Read-a-thon I would love to see your TBR pile! If not just leave me a comment and let me know what books you want to try to get to from your TBR pile this week. I'd love to know!

XoXo

Pretty Little Liars #2: Flawless by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars #2: Flawless by Sara Shepard

Release Date: December 28,2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Own/gifted
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Four pretty little liars have been very bad girls.

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. But their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

The first book in this series definately left me wanting more. The second book in the series, Flawless, picks right up where book 1 left off. The drama was there from the very  begining,! The mystery and suspense grabbed my attention and had my hooked from the first 5 pages!

In Flawless we get to learn even more about Hanna, Aria, Spencer and Emily. We find out more about their personalities and their "flaws", which only deepened my sympathy for them. I just wanted to hug Hanna and give her a real parent, let Spencer know it is okay to just be herself and not someone else's idea of perfect. I wanted to tell Emily it's ok, and she will always be loved no matter what. I wanted to hug Aria and tell her no parent should ever put her in that position, it isn't her job to be anything but a kid! *sighs* Oh these poor troubled girls...

A definately kicks things up a notch and gets down and dirty in this book! She, or is it a he? finally makes good on some threats and gets back at the girls in a scandalous way! This book had me flipping pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen next and left me gasping in all the right places. I can't wait to start on the third book in this series and find out what other games A has up her/his sleeve!

Bout of Books 3.0 Read-a-thon

Wow! I can't believe it's that time already. My, how time flies! Last year I participated in the Bout of Books Read-a-thon. It was my first read-a-thon, and I had a blast. I have also since, become addicted to read-a-thon's but, that's another story. 


My Goals

• Make new blogger friends
• Read 3 books 
• Have fun!

Books To Read

• I usually fill this up with books I want to read. And then inevitably I never read any of those during the read-a-thon. So this time I am leaving this blank. I'll read whatever I'm in the mood for. No pressure.

Updates

1/9
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Books: Pretty Little Liars #2: Flawless

1/10
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Books: Irises by Francisco X Stork

1/11
Number of books I’ve read today: 50 pages of Harbinger
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Books:
***ok so I officially broke my one book a day spree. *sighs* I blame it on being sick and sleeping the day away. I plan to rectify this tomorrow! Or, the day after... ***

1/12
Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/13
Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/14
Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/15
Number of books I've read today:
Total number of books I've read:
Books:

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Release Date:  January 3, 2012

Publisher: Poppy

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 256

Format: Hardback
Source: Received a copy for review from the publisher
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge, 2012 Debut Author Challenge, 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.
 
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

I've had my eye on this book for quite some time. I am in love with the cover and the use of the black and white photography combined with the bold pop of red. Absolutely gorgeous! Throw in a cute foreign boy with an accent, and you have a recipe for success, and that is just what this book was!

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight, is the story of Hadley. Her parent's divorced, and her father is all set to remarry in London, England. Hadley grudgingly boards a plane for the wedding, not knowing how much that flight will change her life!

This book takes place over a 24 hours period, Hadley meets a cute, English boy at the airport, Oliver. There is an instant connection, and over the course of 24 hours their relationship continues to grow and flourish, in a simple and beautiful way. You would think because the book takes place over 24 hours, that there would be some major insta-love going on, but that isn't the case here at all. There are no declarations of love, or foreverness. They form a bond, that continues to grow as they get to know each other better, over a very long flight to England.

I loved the character's in this book. Hadley wears her heart on her sleeve. Oliver's character complimented her's very well, and in my opinion he is the perfect male love interest! Oliver was genuine, had the perfect amount of mystery about him. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, from carrying Hadley's luggage, coming to her rescue, and laying a jacket out for her on a park bench so she didn't get her dress wet. Aww! *sighs* I fell in love with his character's sense of humor, his kindness, and his caring attitude. He's everything a girl looks for in a guy, including a sexy accent!

Hadley and Oliver are my absolute favorite YA couple! They had so many cute, adorable, toe curling moments together. They are each going through a difficult time in their lives, on their own, and in many ways are exactly what the other needs. It was beautiful to watch their relationship grow as the story unfolds across the Atlantic ocean.

I loved how there was a lot of substance to this story, and the characters, and it wasn't just all a bunch of romantic fluff. Both character's are dealing with deep issues. Hadley is dealing with her parents divorce, being torn between both parents, her father's infidelity and his remarriage. Not wanting to let go of the past, or move on into the future. I feel like this is something so many teens can identify with and I love the expert way that the author tackled the raw and gritty emotions of a teen whose family is torn apart by divorce and infidelity.

This book has quite possibly the best storybook ending ever written in history! At least, in my opinion. The ending was beautifully written and left me sighing happily to myself at end.

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight is fun, romantic contemporary novel. It deals with many things from family relationships, divorce, fear, death, healing and closure. It was the perfect balance between light hearted romance and depth. This book was beautifully written from the plot right down to the character's.

I look forward to reading more from this amazing author! So make sure you go grab a copy of this book, you won't want to miss it!

Cinder

location: home

mood:  sleepy 

watching: 3rd Rock From the Sun: Season 1

music: none

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release Date:  January 3, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Format: ARC
Source: borrowed
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge, 2012 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I heard about this book over the summer and was dying to get my hands on a copy. I am a huge fan of fairy tale's and this one had an exciting twist that enchanted me. When a fellow blogger offered to loan me her copy, I jumped on it!

Cinder is the story of  a young woman named Cinder. Yep, you guessed it, she's Cinderella, but not your typical Cinderalla. Cinder, is a cyborg! She lives in New Beijing with her stepmother and her two stepsisters. Cinder is the best mechanic in all of New Beijing and one day Prince Kai stops by her shop to have her work on his android.

Marissa Meyer did an amazing job retelling this classic fairy tale in a new and incredibly unique way! She stayed true to the "fairy tale" side of it but added in plenty of new elements that the typical Cinderella fairy tale has never seen! Cinder was an incredible dystopian full of family drama, political intrigue, love, and an evil villan! 

My only regrets are that I would have liked to see a little bit more of the culture thrown in there. Other than the occasional kimono or two that were thrown in. And I could definately see exactly where the story line was going, and called it within the first 50 pages of the book. The plot twists were easy to predict before they happened, so it wasn't very "shocking",  but despite that, I still really enjoyed reading it.

I've heard that the author is planning three more books that will tie in the tales of Snow White, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. The way that Cinder ended I can totally see that happening. She definately exhausted everything in the classic Cinderella fairy tale, but yet, left it open to do much more with the story line of Cinder and its characters. Marissa Meyer did an incredible job expertly weaving the classic Cinderella fairy tale with a unique twist all its own! I look forward to seeing how she expertly weaves other classic fairy tales into  the story in the next book!