"My Touch is Power"--Shatter Me

Want to win an ARC of "Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi as much as I do? Then here are two good chances at

• Courtney Allison Moulton and
• Tahereh Mafi

I've entered a few of these contests for this book and dying to read it! I know I have posted this a billion times, but I still can't get over how much I love the book trailer." Rarely ever do book trailers stick with me, but this one has since May or so, whenever it came out.

For those of you who don't know what the book is about, here is the blurb from Goodreads.com

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Good luck to everyone that enters, but I hope I'm a winner, too! *Crosses fingers!!*

Music Monday (#3)

"Let's go back, back to the beginning. Back to when the earth, the sun, the stars all aligned. Cause perfect didn't feel so perfect. Trying to fit a square into a circle was no life. I defy."

For those of you who don't recognize those lyrics, they are from Hilary Duff's "Come Clean." That's who this week's Music Monday feature is all about. She was one of the first stars that I worshiped as a kid--worshiped being an exaggeration, of course. I only watched all the episodes of Lizzie McGuire whenever they were on, loved Casper Meets Wendy, bought Lizzie McGuire books and the movie, listened to her music 24/7, watched her music videos, tour DVDs, and other movies.

See. "Worship" is only an exaggeration ;)

I really believe Hilary is very talented. She is an amazing actress, great singer, all I need to do now is read her book--her debut young adult novel, "Elixir" co-written with Elise Allen.

Elixir book jacket--I think this picture of her is absolutely gorgeous!

Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

 

Are you a Hilary Duff fan? Have you read her book? If so, what did you think?

Follow Friday (#1)

It's not Friday, but I just discovered this follow friday with an amazing question this week.

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).

I have two subjects:

1.) I want to introduce the books that sparked my reading interest. First was "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner. There are 127 books in the series--sadly I haven't nearly read them all. The story is about four orphans, Henry, Violet, Jesse, and Benny Alden, and their many adventures. Their very first adventure is after the death of their parents, they escape from their home before their grandfather can find them. Though they have never met him, they believe he is a horrible man. Eventually they find their way to an old red boxcar in which they end up living in, thus "The Boxcar Children". Here is a spoiler, but they don't live in the boxcar forever, of course. They find their grandfather who is a very caring man and is happy to take in the children. "Surprise Island," "The Pizza Mystery," "The Haunted Cabin Mystery," and "The Midnight Mystery" are only a few of  the titles in the series. I highly recommend it for your children.

Other books that influenced me when I was a child was Goosebumps by R. L. Stein, a series of children's horror fiction novels. There are 62 books in the original Goosebumps with many spin-off series such as "Goosebumps Series 2000," "Goosebumps Gold," "Give Yourself Goosebumps," and "Goosebumps Horrorland". The first book is "Welcome to Dead House."

2) I was in fourth grade, ten years old, when I first discovered I loved to write. The books and author that influenced me and keeps me going is, of course, the classic, majestic Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

The first Harry Potter book I ever read was "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". Since I had already saw the first two movies, I thought I would skip ahead in books. Something that year in fourth grade clicked. Our teacher announced a short story contest and my insides lurched. I entered the contest with a story about a mermaid and dolphin who were best friends. I didn't win and I don't know what happened to that story, but I've been writing ever since. I realized I wanted to write stories like Ms. Rowling; I wanted to be able to weave a plot, develop characters, and create beautiful settings. I  respect and admire Jo and her imagination. And I always will.

Some of my favorite books to read in the spring and summer are Harry Potter. It's almost a tradition. (Another random fact,  I re-read Twilight in the fall to early winter.) I love all the Harry Potter books, but my favorite would probably be "The Goblet of Fire."

What books got you reading or writing? I would sure love to know.

Another Award?!

I've got another award!

I think I just fainted.

And then I danced with joy!

Okay, I'm done with the GIF images now, I promise (lol). But I did win another award, all thanks to Deirdra at A Storybook World. She is a writer and illustrator who designs all art for her blog, including the award--which is gorgeous. I have been given the Fantastic Fantasy Award.

See, it's gorgeous! And it's got a fairy on it! I love fairies. (Lol) Thanks again Deirdra :D

Gotta Love Those Covers

A few days ago the cover of the second book in the Chemical Garden trilogy, Fever, by Lauren Destefano was released. Instantly, I fell in love.

I haven't gotten the chance to read Wither yet--and I am very sad about it--but when I first saw its cover, it blew me away as well. They are absolutely gorgeous! I love the high-fashion photos and the bright colors but dreary girls. I just had to share them with you. So while I was on the topic of book covers, I thought I would post some of my other favorites. I wasn't able to think of very many at the moment, but the ones I remembered, I believe, are stunning. Also I haven't read "Halo", "Entwined", and "Nevermore" listed below, but I certainly intend to.

 

 

What are some of your favorite book covers? Have you read any of these books--if so what did you think?

Music Monday (#2)--Double Feature

This week I couldn't help but share two artists that have deeply inspired me this past week. The first is a music video by British artist Ellie Goulding. I absolutely love this song, "Starry Eyed"--and the video! And just as a random statement, her facial features remind me of a younger J. K. Rowling, but that's probably just me (lol).

And for artist number two: Within Temptation

This band helped inspire me for my current novel long ago, and listening to them again helped rekindle that inspiration. Here are a few of my favorite songs that will be listed on Angel Wing's soundtrack--or if they're not on that soundtrack, they will be featured on one of the books in the trilogy.

Songs: "Our Solemn Hour," "The Howling," "What Have You Done," and "Angels"

The first song listed really feels to me like it should be a representation of the whole trilogy, due to what the song is about which is war. The second song listed is in second place for trilogy representation, though (lol).  Oh, and in this first song, "Sanctus Espiritus" is Latin for Holy Spirit--or so I'm told.

Are there any songs that have inspired you this week, or any that have simply rocked your socks off?

Awesome July

Hi everyone! I can't hold it in any longer. I have to say that July was a pretty awesome month. I won four books--Divergent being one--Divergent tattoos, and an amazing blog award--thanks again Francesca Zappia! :D

In May, I submitted an entry to Novel Novice, a dedicated YA book website that has monthly writing contests, and their book of the month at the time was Divergent. Most of the time the writing contest is for short stories, but in May it was an essay and the question was "What's your faction?" Yesterday I discovered that I was one of the five winners, and I just wanted to share my entry with you all. I hope you guys like it!

"To hear my name at the Choosing Ceremony would send my heart into a frenzy. I’ve never been good with crowds, and having hundreds of people hungrily watch me make the biggest decision of my life wouldn’t help my anxiety. And to top it off, they hand me a knife.

Well, at least it’s meant for me to cut myself…

When I ask others, “Which faction do you think I belong in?” I always get the same answer. Abnegation. It’s a complement and I want to help others, but I am too selfish to be eternally selfless.

I will be involved.

As for Candor, I respect honesty, but the truth can hurt others too much for me to bear.

I will be kind.

And let’s face it; I don’t have a brave bone in my body. Though I dream for the excitement of a Dauntless life, I dream of a life in a faction more.

I will be self-sufficient.

As I stand at the faction bowls, the tip of the blade making a scarlet mark across my palm, I am at a crossroads. Erudite or Amity?

I’ve always pictured my bookish-self trying to expand my knowledge, but I question my potential. Intelligence is innate, not learned, and I fear I would fail Erudite’s initiation. Though there is a conflict between Erudite and Abnegation, but I will not let it influence my decision.

I will forgive.

Then there is Amity, a society who cherishes many of the same aspects as I do: forgiveness, kindness, trust. I could have a helpful career as a counselor; I can flaunt the beautiful colors red and yellow.

I will trust, even if only in myself.

So I plunge my hand over a bowl and let my blood drip onto soil.

I am Amity, I am peace."

 If I were really in the choosing ceremony, I would probably panic between erudite and amity, and maybe even dauntless.

Just for fun, what faction might you choose?