And the Winners Are . . .

I need to announce the winners of quite a few giveaways. The winners have already been contacted by email and most have either claimed or received their prizes.

BookWedge Winner - Amanda from Letters Inside Out

No Strings Attached Hop Winner - Natasha

Morganville Madness Glass Houses Winner - Persephone

Going Under e-book Winner -  Jen

First Comes Love Winner - Pam R.

Congratulations to all of the winners!!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Believing Game

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

The Believing Game

by Eireann Corrigan

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: December 1, 2012







A private academy. A cult leader. A girl caught in the middle.

After Greer Cannon discovers that shoplifting can be a sport and sex can be a superpower, her parents pack her up and send her off to McCracken Hill-a cloistered academy for troubled teens. At McCracken, Greer chafes under the elaborate systems and self-help lingo of therapeutic education. Then Greer meets Addison Bradley. A handsome, charismatic local, Addison seems almost as devoted to Greer as he is to the 12 steps. When he introduces Greer to his mentor Joshua, she finds herself captivated by the older man's calm wisdom. Finally, Greer feels understood.

But Greer starts to question: Where has Joshua come from? What does he want in return for his guidance? The more she digs, the more his lies are exposed. When Joshua's influence over Addison edges them all closer to danger, Greer decides to confront them both. Suddenly, she finds herself on the outside of Joshua's circle. And swiftly, she discovers it's not safe there. (from NetGalley)

I'm always happy when I find out about a new book by Eireann Corrigan. Her verse memoir You Remind Me of You, knocked me off my feet. The style was so different and her story was so moving that it stayed with me over the years. She's an author that I'd love for more people to know about and read her books. 

Spring Blog Carnival 2012 - The Karaoke Booth

Welcome to the Spring Blog Carnival 

Karaoke Booth

I love books and music. I love books about bands, musicians, singers - and their muses. I love them so much I'm giving away books about bands!

THE PRIZE

a choice of one book about music, bands, musicians, singers - and their muses

 The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour, Zero by Tom Leveen, Freefall by Mindi Scott, Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready, Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready, Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready, Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway, Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John, Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer, Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell (pre-order), Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Where She Went by Gayle Forman, Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

THE CHALLENGE

Imagine a character from a book you've read enters the Karaoke Booth. Tell me the song they would sing and why they chose that song. Enter by leaving a comment. Make sure to include the character's name, the title of the book they appear in and the song they would sing and why.

THE RULES

Must be 13 or older to enter

Open to US addresses only

One entry per person

Provide an email or twitter name with your comment so I can notify you  

Challenge ends11:59 p.m. on 5/13/2012
Winner will be selected using Random.org

To get you started, here's my challenge example:

When Jacob is trying to decide if he can be friends with Bella again at the beginning of Eclipse, I could imagine him scream-singing "Whataya Want from Me" at Bella. He can't decide if he wants to make up with her and is confused by their relationship because he thinks she may want more but she can't admit it to him or to herself. The playful side of Jacob, and the part of him that wants to make up with Bella, just might even sport some Adam Lambert guy-liner. 

The Spring Blog Carnival is hosted by Lori from Pure Imagination, Candace from Candace’s Book Blog, and Angela from Reading Angel.

Here are of the other blogs participating in the carnival. Have Fun!!

1.	Haunted House Booth at Reading Angel
2.	Parasol Parade Booth at Candace's Book Blog
3.	Kissing Booth at Pure Imagination
4.	Karaoke Booth at Actin' Up With Books
5.	House of Mirrors Booth at The Mod Podge Bookshelf
6.	Cake Walk Booth at The Reading Housewives of Indiana
7.	Fun House Booth at Midnight Book Girl
8.	Cloud of Make Believe Booth at Bumbles and Fairy-Tales
9.	Starry Night Booth at The Magic Attic
10.	Fortune Teller at Stories & Sweeties
11.	Arts & Crafts Booth at By Anonymous Writer
12.	Guessing Booth at Between the Pages
13.	A Weaponry & Deadly Magic Booth at Amy's Book Den
14.	Masquerade Ball Booth at Seeing Night Reviews
15.	Petting Zoo Booth at Emily's Reading Room
16.	Dance of the Undead: a Zombie Bash at Bookish Brunette
17.	Fishing Pond Booth at I Am a Reader Not a Writer
18.	Food Court Booth at Rainy Day Ramblings & Babbling About Books and Stuff
19.	Bouncy Castle Booth at Stalking the Bookshelves
20.	Middle Grade Arcade Booth at Books Devoured
21.	Grab Bag Booth at The Non Reluctant Reader
22.	Dunking Booth at The Musings of ALMYBNENR
23.	Old Time Photo Booth at YA Romantics
24.	Clown Car Booth at I Like These Books
25.	Jugglers Booth at Dizneeee's World of Books
26.	Dress Up Booth at Cambria Hebert
27.	Matchmaker Booth at The Unread Reader
28.	Dystopia Booth at My Shelf Confessions
29.	Alpha Arcade Booth at Crazy Four Books
30.	Goldfish Bowl Booth at Letters Inside Out
31.	Contortionist Booth at Logan E. Turner
32.	Basketball Toss Booth at Stephie's Fantabulous Books
33.	Land of Make Believe Booth at Buried in Books
34.	Vagabond Booth at Coffee Table Reviews
35.	Henna Booth at At Random
36.	Haunted Hayride Booth at My Bookish Ways
37.	Face Painting Booth at Call Me Crazy
38.	Tilt-a-Whirl Booth at Live to Read
39.	Reboot Lounge Booth at Bewitched Bookworms
40.	Wheel of Fortune Booth at Kindle Fever
41.	White Elephant Sale Booth at Candle Beam Book Blog
42.	Popcorn Booth at Peace Love Books
43.	Ferris Wheel Booth at Read My Mind
44.	Horse Racing Booth at Hope, Love, and Happy Endings
45.	Rising Stars Booth at Debbie's World of Books
46.	Magic Booth at Some Like it Paranormal
47.	First Aid Booth at Claire Reads
48.	Booth X at Rachel's Book Reviews
49.	Candy Shoppe Booth at A Date with a Book
50.	Things That Go Bump in the Night Booth at Sweeping Me
51.	Graviton Booth at Lovely Lit
52.	Rummage Sale Booth at Watercolor Moods
53.	Candy Apple Red Booth at LC'S Adventures in Libraryland

Love My Indie with Katie from Call Me Crazy YA Reviews

Love My Indie is a feature where fellow bloggers, readers, and authors tell me about their favorite independent bookstores. I love the feeling I get when I go into an independent bookstore - like it is filled with hidden treasures just waiting for me to find them.

Showing some Indie Love today is:

Katie of Call Me Crazy YA Reviews

Whenever I visit Katie's blog, I know that it is going to be a lot of fill. Her vlogs are filled with such enthusiasm it that you just can't help but smile and get excited too. A few times when sharing her books, she mentioned her local independent bookstore and I wanted to know more. I asked her to tell me about it and she did. So I ask you to welcome Katie and read about her favorite indie bookstore!

I'm honestly so lucky with my independent bookstore, Anderson's. Not only is it close to my house, it is located in beautiful downtown Naperville, which has a Riverwalk, college campus and tons of yummy restaurants to eat at. I'd love to just make an entire day being spent down there to enjoy the calm atmosphere, just sit and read beside the river.

Photo from Boxcars, Books and a Blog.

Last year it won Publisher's Weekly Best Bookstore of the Year award and were at RT BookLover's Convention 2012, which totally makes sense because it has tons of amazing books, author events seriously almost everyday and such nice people that work there. Events that I've went to in the past at Anderson's were Smart Chicks Kick It Tour, Breathless Reads Tour, Lauren Oliver, Andrea Cremer and a few more, but those were only the ones that I was able to go to, there were so many more I had to unfortunately miss out on because of school, dang!

I rarely go to bookstore chains anymore because when I go to my Indie I know they'll have the book I want and it might even be signed too! Anderson's has all the latest releases and tons of young adult books that the chains usually don't carry. I also love supporting my Indie, it's run by a family and I can really tell when I walk into the store. It has such a warm and welcoming feel that I can't help but feel at home! Everyone that works there is a total book lover and if I ever need a recommendation they're more than happy to recommend a few awesome books!

Thank you so much Joli for letting me spread the love for my Indie!

It sounds like a lot of good times can be had at Anderson's. It is definitely a bookstore that I would want to visit. Thank you for sharing!

I am currently accepting guest posts for Love My Indie. Readers, authors, and bloggers who are interested, just select the Love My Indie image on the sidebar and fill out the form. Thanks!

Zero by Tom Leveen

Zero

by Tom Leveen

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Publication Date April 24, 2012

Pages: 304

Source: Netgalley

For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I have pretty much gushed over all of the books that I've read recently, but I can't help it. They have just been so fantastic and now Tom Leveen's Zero can be added to the bunch. Amanda, aka Zero, just don't call her Amy, is a main character that is easy to relate to. She's a little awkward, a bit unsure, a big dreamer, but needs that little boost of confidence that no one has given her and she can't seem to find within herself.

Amanda has just graduated from high school and as her summer plans have been set off track, her friendship with her one friend is on the rocks, so she takes some steps to make her own way. First by approaching the super-cute drummer of the ska-punk band, Gothic Rainbow - a bold move she never imagined herself doing. As their relationship blossoms, she begins to take more chances - with her friendships, with her art, and with her relationships with her parents.

This was a fun book to read too with many highs, many lows. Laugh out loud moments, oh my gosh - I can't believe that happened moments. Sweet, tender kisses, and some hot, steamy romance - seriously. There's music and mosh pits and Amanda's art. One wish that I have for this book is that it was illustrated - I could imagine Amanda's art, but I wanted to SEE it.

Zero is another book I will be recommending here and to my friends. This contemporary read is where it's at. 

Disclaimer: I requested and received the book for review from NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way for providing a review.

Waiting on Wednesday: Every Day

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Every Day

by David Levithan

Published by Knopf Books for Kids

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. 

Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day. (from Amazon)

I want this book NOW. David Levithan is one of my favorite YA authors and I will read all of his books. LOVE THEM!! If you haven't read his books yet, I ask that you add this to you TBR list and then see if your library has any of his other books you can check out.

First Comes Love Giveaway

First Comes Love
by Katie Kacvinsky

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what’s next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they’re going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you’re sorry.




 I absolutely fell in love with this book. Gray and Dylan's story is one of my favorites. It makes you wonder can your first love be your one true love. Maybe, just maybe. I shared my review of First Comes Love this weekend - read it HERE and now I'm hosting a giveaway for a copy to be given to one lucky reader. Check out the details and then fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway Rules

 Must be at least 16 yrs or older
Open to US addresses only
Following is NOT required

Contest ends May 10th 2012 11:59 EST

                                       One Winner will be selected using random.org

earn extra entries by

following on Twitter, tweeting, and commenting on my review