Feb 28, 2012

In which I come back with news.

Don't even ask me about that unexplained hiatus.
I have no idea what happened. Or...wait, maybe I do. You know those days when things just start happening and happen so much they just can't stop? Well, THAT happened. Life did. It turns out that I now find myself knee-deep in a thing I didn't even see coming, with a Boy who wasn't even on the List (you know, one that consists of Tom Felton and the Winchester brothers and all those pretty boys on tv) and well, it's been craaazy. This would've kinda made for an interesting high school story, except for the fact that we are both in university. Teehee.

ANYWHO. Enough with the personal talk. Like I said, I have news. Tra-la.

Firstly, guys, guys, guys. Remember that cover contest all of you helped me with? The one where you helped me choose one among several covers I made for Holly Cupala's Don't Breathe A Word? Not once but TWICE? Guess what, all your amazing input went into making me win that contest. And this was my first cover contest in, like, ever. THANK YOU! I wish I could send you guys something, all of you, to show how grateful I am for all your help, but, alas, being a poor college student has it's disadvantages. But, really, if it means anything at all, thank YOU.

So you wanna see what I got?


So that's a copy of Don't Breathe A Word and an audio book of Tell Me A Secret and bookmarks and a graphic novel excerpt and um, stickers? Because of you guys, I now own an audio book. My first one ever. I'm not even kidding.
The best part?

Yes, personally signed! Gotta love that. And Holly's got such nice handwriting, hasn't she? *cuddles book*

In other news, which you must all be aware of by now, unless you've been living under a rock, JK ROWLING HAS A NEW BOOK! (that's just one of the many links Google will take you to if you simply type in 'J.K. Rowling'). So we don't know much about the book, but we know something. We know that:

  • it's NOT Harry Potter
  • it's an adult novel
  • it will be published by Little, Brown
  • more details will be revealed later in the year
godimsoexcitedidontevenknowwhattodorightnow*wringshands*itcrazyohmygodohmygodohmygodthequeenofmychildhoodiscomingbackinmyadulthood!

Also, Maureen Johnson (yes, our very own Maureen Johnson) wrote an amazing article in the guardian asking naysayers to dispose their doubts about THE bestselling children's writer venturing into adult territory. I mean, c'mon, you can't really expect another Harry Potter, but don't put her down before you even know what she's coming up with this time. OH GOD, I'M SO EXCITED. *does jagger dance* (don't laugh, okay? i know you're laughing. stop. STOP)

Moving on (ohmyfreakinggodrowlinghasanewnovel!).
*deep breath*
My friend from college, Paro has a new blog! I've known her for more than 3 years now and she's a wonderful person, a lot of fun to talk to and by god, just look at Leafturner Tales! Isn't it cute? She's brand, brand new to the blogging world and she's already gathered some followers (because she's awesome that way), but it would be wicked cool of you guys to head that way and say 'hi'. Show her how awesome and nice the blogosphere is :)

Random:


(so did the oscars go according to your prediction?)

Also, I came across this one on my aunt's Facebook profile and it made me smile ;)


and, it's 25 DAYS TILL THE HUNGER GAMES!
*hyperventilates*
ohgodohgodohgod

Feb 15, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (#2)


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme started by Jill @Breaking The Spine, where we talk about upcoming releases we just-can't-wait for.

This week I'm waiting for - oh, screw it - this I MUST INSANELY ACQUIRE -

This Is Not A Test
by Courtney Summers
Expected Publication - 19th June, 2012

From Goodreads:
It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually wantto live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?


Why I'm waiting for this:

Dude, it's COURTNEY SUMMERS! Need I say more?

And okay, lets be honest, I'm not particularly fond of zombies, but HAVE YOU READ THE EXCERPT SHE SHARED? No? Go. Read. It. Now.

Her writing is so haunting, and well...it reads like an edgy contemporary - more focus on the characters, less focus on the zombies. Which totally makes it my kinda read.

Also, this is about a girl who wants to die. And if you've read any Courtney Summers, you'd know that she specialises in troubled characters. And she does them brilliantly.

And that cover? All that hair matted with blood and those sprinkled drops up there and all that blue? This is possibly the best cover of the year yet.

That's a book I desperately want to hold in my hands.

What are you waiting for?

Feb 8, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (#1)

So, I've decided to join the bandwagon and do a weekly meme.
I like the concept of Waiting On Wednesday (started by Jill from Breaking the Spine) because:
  • featuring books that I so-can't-wait-for seems like fun.
  • I get to talk about more books!
  • you get to hear about more books!
  • and...well, I'll have a weekly something to look forward to posting. Without fail :)
...and therefore, you see, this is the perfect thing to do every week. Hope you'll stick around.

This week I'm waiting for -

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink
by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Expected publication - May, 2012

From the author's website:
Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

Why I'm waiting for this:

Firstly, I was sold at 'Jane Austen-adaptation-watching'. I mean, I like Ms. Austen's books a lot, but I think I like the screen adaptations even more. I don't give a damn about how the critics rate them, they function like pick-me-ups and are hugely entertaining. Plus, the men are swoony.



Secondly, there's a museum and CAMDEN HARBOR IS HAUNTED! So ghosts. I love ghosts! Especially in contemporaries where they make a guest appearance. I mean, seriously, what's not to love?

Thirdly, see those other characters mentioned? I *want* to read about them. I want to read about the hostile coworker, the supersmart reporter and the pretty sailor. Wait...what?! A sailor? Where did he come from? WHY AREN'T THERE MORE BOOKS WITH SAILORS? Authors, are you listening?

The moment I came across this book on one of my lurk-sprees, I almost sang out. This book is for me, me, me. It sounds fun and quirky and there's Jane Austen and ghosts and - oh damn, I need this right away.

What are you waiting for?

Feb 6, 2012

Drowning Instinct

Drowning Instinct
by Ilsa J Bick
Released: 1st Feb, '12.
From Goodreads:
There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.) 
Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a controlling psycho and her mother is a drunk. She used to count on her older brother—until he shipped off to Afghanistan. And then, of course, there was the time she almost died in a fire. 
There are stories where the monster gets the girl, and we all shed tears for his innocent victim. (This is not one of those stories either.) 
Mitch Anderson is many things: A dedicated teacher and coach. A caring husband. A man with a certain...magnetism. 
And there are stories where it's hard to be sure who's a prince and who's a monster, who is a victim and who should live happily ever after. (These are the most interesting stories of all.) 
Drowning Instinct is a novel of pain, deception, desperation, and love against the odds—and the rules.

A word about the cover: For some reason, one glance at the cover made me think this was a paranormal. Of course, I hadn't read the book description or anything then. And, well...I passed it up, because I wasn't really in the mood for a paranormal. After reading the description, though, my reaction went along the lines of Holy shit! How could I pass up THIS book? Now that I look at it, I think the cover captures the mood of the book rather well. I mean, to me, it kinda looks like the girl has just washed her face after a run and that's...significant. You know what I mean? No? Well, find out.


My Thoughts:


Drowning Instinct is one of those books that can't exactly be summed up in a review. But there are certain things I can tell you. Like,

  • While the book description tells you a few things, it doesn't prepare you with expectations. At least for me, it didn't. Which means, that the experience that Drowning Instinct packs within those pages, may, in plain-speak, blow your mind.
  • There's self harm and all kinds of abuse and other twisted things that will take you to dark places and make you squirm and keep you awake at night. And keep you thinking. Thinking is always a good thing, right?
  • Surprises. There are lots of them. Sometimes these are small bumpy ones, sometimes they are roller-coaster-plunge worthy-ish. Either way, it's a ride.
  • If you have expectations from Jenna Lord, dump them with the garbage. Jenna Lord is not a very reliable narrator. She might also be insane. Mostly though, you won't be able to forget her.
  • Even before the threads of the relationship - yes, that forbidden relationship - manifest, you will be saying, oh no no no no no, don't even go there! back off! But then, long past those early scenes, somewhere in the middle of the story you will probably wonder if you said that 'back off' out of concern or jealousy.
  • Oftentimes, especially in the latter half of the book, you will think how very twisted Mitch Anderson is and will want to scream What is up with that man?! Sooner or later, that might alternate with Why can't I have that man?! Oh, yes, Mitch Anderson in inexplicably swoon-worthy.
  • While the rest of the book will probably keep you in page-flipping-frenzy mode, the last quarter will make you hyperventilate alongside. But be careful. If things get too serious, remember you can't really blame your medical condition on a book.
  • Soon you might stop breathing.
  • Then, you'll probably experience an overwhelming outpouring of emotions.
  • Later, you will be wondering who was to blame. If anyone was to blame. What you condoned and what you disapproved. If you even have the right to. What was right and what went wrong. If you are even in a position to judge. If you can even point a finger at anybody. The dilemma won't really leave you with an answer.
Then again, this story is not only about Jenna and Mr. Anderson. There are several more players, each with their own desperate obsessions, twisted pasts and existence of half-truths.
Primarily though, Drowning Instinct is a story that weaves through the lives of broken people looking for something to grasp on to, before they drown in the desolation of their own existence. It is also incredibly brilliant.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that it somersaulted straight up my favourites list.

What upcoming release do you want to drown in?

Feb 3, 2012

This is me...+ contest winner

This is me right now:


And, naturally, it's not been pleasant. 
So I've been looking at things like this:


And these:



...and alternately laughing and swooning and snickering.

Anyway.
Remember the New Year contest I had throughout Jan? Well, it's time to announce the winner.
So, the e-copy of Kelley York's HUSHED (review here) goes to....

                                                         *drumroll*

                                                       Emily R. King

Congrats, Emily. You will be hearing from me soon.

As for the rest of you guys?
Thanks for being so amazing.
You're ALL superstars.

.....and now I shall go back to talking to the ceiling.
 
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