Scribbles & Wanderlust
  • Home
  • About
  • Clients
  • Book Reviews
    • Reviews 2012
    • Reviews 2013
    • Reviews 2014
    • Reviews 2015
    • Reviews 2016
    • Reviews 2017
    • Reviews 2018
    • Reviews 2019
    • Reviews 2020
  • Features
    • Deal Announcement
    • End of Year Book Survey
    • If We Were Having Coffee
    • This Season’s Rewind
  • Discover a New Read
    • Adult
    • Young Adult
    • Middle Grade
  • Search Results for: cj redwine

    • Book Review: “Deliverance” by C.J. Redwine (ARC)

      Posted at 7:15 am by Laura, on August 12, 2014

      Deliverance by CJ Redwine 19346438

      Publisher: Balzer + Bray 
      Publishing Date: August 26
      Genre: young adult, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, fantasy
      ISBN: 9780062117236
      Goodreads: —
      Rating: 
      ★★★★

      Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.

      Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.

      Rachel’s captured by Ian and Rowansmark trackers, and Logan’s imprisoned in Lankenshire. Though the two had hopes of forging alliances with other city-states together, their goal increases tenfold once they’re separated. Fighting desperately to find each other once more while struggling to survive political unrest, brutality, and the Wasteland takes its toll on the two young leaders of the destroyed Baalboden. They will fight to find each other  and end the lives of abusive leaders, or die trying.

      If you haven’t read the previous two books of this trilogy, Defiance and Deception, do so now. It’s my favorite dystopian trilogy by far, and this final book truly had my heart pounding the entire time. If I thought Logan and/or Rachel were about to die in the other books, it’s nothing compared to this one! I lived in constant fear!

      This was a fantastic closer to the trilogy. The characters have grown and developed so much across the journey, and watching their realization of this fact — facing death and embracing grief and accepting love — was incredibly beautiful. Rachel was always a stubborn fighter, but her world is no longer black and white, right and wrong. She understands the value of life and death, what it means to be a leader and protector. Logan, likewise, was always a bright inventor and cautious individual. He learned to think on his feet, to observe others and utilize their strengths for good. 

      Plotting out the attack and the war felt authentic. Granted, I don’t know much about strategy, but the elements they crew used to attack Rowansmark surprised me — in a good way. Redwine has this uncanny ability to keep you on your feet, to make you guess and second guess where she’s heading next. I never knew what was going to happen, and that’s what I find so wonderful about this trilogy. It’s complex, compelling, and brilliantly written.

      Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Balzer + Bray for review!

      Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: dystopian, genre: fantasy, genre: post apocalyptic, genre: romance, genre: young adult, review
    • Book Review: “Defiance” by C.J. Redwine

      Posted at 9:25 pm by Laura, on May 24, 2013

      Defiance by CJ Redwine 11410430

      Publisher: Balzer + Bray
      Publishing Date: August 2012
      Genre: young adult, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, fantasy
      ISBN: 9780062117182
      Goodreads: 3.8
      Rating: 
      ★★★★★

      While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

      When Rachel’s father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city’s brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father’s apprentice, Logan–the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

      As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

      Rachel Adams — fierce, impulsive, strong, and daughter to the best courier and warrior of Baalboden — is filled with anger and grief when the brutal Commander declares her father dead and assigns her Protectorship to her father’s apprentice, Logan. Logan, a techie inventor who always has a plan, is just as determined as Rachel to prove Jared Adams is alive. But as Rachel throws caution to the wind and acts impulsively, all of Logan’s plans crumble, and the two are sent out of Baalboden on a death mission into the Wastelands, where the Cursed One is bound to turn up at any moment.

      I eyed this book for months. I rolled my eyes at every dystopian or post-apocalyptic book I saw on the shelves because, really, it felt overdone. But this one, with the cover and fierce female protagonist and enticing first chapters, kept calling to me. I’m so glad I bought and read this book.

      Rachel is impulsive to a fault, and she knows it. That’s the beauty of her character: she’s aware that she reacts without a plan, and it only heightens as more of her loved ones die. Every action screams rage, regret, and revenge — her desire to rid Baalboden of their dictator is justified. What started as anger and frustration and a need to defy authority turned into something realistically deeper and more meaningful. Her reactions are very much like a soldier’s, a war victim’s, a person with PTSD. Beautifully written, expertly explored, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

      Logan is really neat and clever! He’s easy to love. His character starts off as that quiet nerdy boy who loves to play with metal and wires, and bit by bit we discover he’s extremely protective, fiercely loyal, an excellent fighter and huntsman, and quick on his feet. There is always a plan, and you can count on Logan to come up with all sorts of scenarios and how to respond to them. Logic and fear control him, another natural response to a horror he witnessed when he was younger.

      The world, of Baalboden and the Wastelands, is so fascinating! Set in the future, the continent was ravaged by Cursed Ones disturbed by noise and oil drills from above. The Cursed Ones are wingless dragons, and though they should be feared, they did remind me of cranky neighbors or roommates that constantly nag at you to shut up and be quiet. These beasts are unstoppable, and now there is only one left. Survivors of these attacks banded together and formed city-states, under the protector-ship of Commanders. However, like Medieval and Renaissance Italy, these city-states no longer trust one another. People are trapped within their walled cities, trade in markets, go back to male and female spheres, are Claimed for marriage, and have little access to advanced technology unless they work directly for the Commander. Past and future collide in this fantasy and it’s brilliant.

      Action-packed with each chapter, bloodshed and fights and explosions, fear and love mix with plots for revenge, and a tracker or Cursed One looming around every corner — this book cannot be put down.

      Deception will be out August 2013! 

      Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: dystopian, genre: fantasy, genre: post apocalyptic, genre: young adult, goodreads, review
    • Advance Excitement at a Glance XXI

      Posted at 6:35 am by Laura, on January 30, 2016

      advanceexcitement2015

      A monthly meme to keep up with the latest publications, featuring advance copy reviews to look forward to reading.

      Once again, February this year proves to be another great month for new releases. CJ Redwine‘s new fantasy series begins with The Shadow Queen and some great adult fiction by A.A. McDonald and Julie Christine Johnson hit stores this month.

      This book in particular is what I’m most excited for…

      25614492

      Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
      (Philomel, February 2)

      I’m not going to give a quick synopsis, because her name carries so much weight all on its own. This is going to be brilliant. And huge. And even more gut-wrenching than Between Shades of Gray, which I didn’t even think was possible.

      Be prepared for a book hangover with this one.

      What books are you looking forward to in February?

      Posted in Advance Excitement, books | 4 Comments | Tagged advance excitement at a glance, advance reading copy, books
    • 50 Books Challenge: 2014

      Posted at 11:48 pm by Laura, on December 31, 2014

      Here is the compiled list of books I read in 2014. The ones with stars after them are books I’d highly recommend, and any books with dashes next to them were read in its entirety for a class. If there’s an x near it, I would never read it again.

      January

      1. Moth and Spark (ARC) by Anne Leonard
      2. Winter Witch by Paula Brackston (*)
      3. Tyringham Park (ARC) by Rosemary McLoughlin
      4. Just One Day by Gayle Forman (*)
      5. The Girls at the Kingfisher Club (ARC) by Genevieve Valentine
      6. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

      February

      7. The Daring Ladies of Lowell (ARC) by Kate Alcott
      8. Panic (ARC) by Lauren Oliver
      9. Savage Girl (ARC) by Jean Zimmerman
      10. A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller (*)
      11. The Geography of You and Me (ARC) by Jennifer E. Smith

      March

      12. Always Emily (ARC) by Michaela MacColl
      13. Solsbury Hill (ARC) by Susan Wyler (x)
      14. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (*)
      15. Deception’s Princess (ARC) by Esther Friesner
      16. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
      17. Prisoner of Night and Fog (ARC) by Anne Blankman

      April

      18. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
      19. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (*)
      20. Through to You (ARC) by Lauren Barnholdt (x)

      May

      21. The Lovely and the Lost (ARC) by Page Morgan
      22. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord (*)
      23. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
      24. Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison
      25. The Vanishing Season (ARC) by Jodi Lynn Anderson
      26. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
      27. Sparky! by Jenny Offill
      28. Just One Night by Gayle Forman
      29. One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo
      30. Edgar Gets Ready for Bed by Jennifer Adams

      June

      31. The Fortune Hunter (ARC) by Daisy Goodwin
      32. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
      33. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (*)
      34. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
      35. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (*)
      36. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
      37. What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
      38. Blythewood by Carol Goodman (*)
      39. The Major’s Daughter (ARC) by JP Francis
      40. Secrets at the Lighthouse (ARC) by Santa Montefiore (*)

      July

      41. Deliverance (ARC) by CJ Redwine (*)
      42. Landline by Rainbow Rowell
      43. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (*)
      44. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (*)
      45. The Secret Place (ARC) by Tana French

      August

      46. My True Love Gave to Me (ARC) edited by Stephanie Perkins
      47. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
      48. Isla and the Happily Ever After (ARC) by Stephanie Perkins (*)
      49. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
      50. The Caller (ARC) by Juliet Marillier
      51. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (*)
      52. Winter is Coming by Tony Johnson
      53. Black Ice (ARC) by Becca Fitzpatrick

      September

      54. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall (*)
      55. First Impressions (ARC) by Charlie Lovett
      56. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
      57. Snow Like Ashes (ARC) by Sara Raasch

      October

      58. Ravencliffe (ARC) by Carol Goodman
      59. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
      60. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
      61. Jackaby by William Ritter (*)

      November

      62. Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg
      63. Geek Girl (ARC) by Holly Smale (*)

      December 

      64. Harry Potter: The Creature Vault by Jody Revenson
      65. I Was Here (ARC) by Gayle Forman
      66. All the Bright Places (ARC) by Jennifer Niven (*)
      67. Jane Austen Cover to Cover by Margaret C. Sullivan
      68. The Magician’s Lie (ARC) by Greer Macallister

    • End of Year Book Survey

      Posted at 8:00 am by Laura, on December 30, 2014

      2014endofyearbooksurvey

      This is the first year I’m participating in The Perpetual Page-Turner‘s End of Year Book Survey. Jamie is something of a goddess in the blogging world (I remember the first time I saw her I just stared in awkward silence. Guys, bloggers are real people! Who knew?!), and what started off as a fun recap on her blog has turned into an excellent way for other bloggers to catch up with each other and what happened to them/the blog that year.

      So without further ado, here are some of my reflections on my 2014 book life! Note: This includes all books read in 2014 – it doesn’t have to be published in 2014. 

      2014readingstats

      Number Of Books You Read: 67
      Number of Re-Reads: 0
      Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary YA & Fantasy

      bestinbooks

      1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

      This is way too hard. Thank goodness I made a Top Five Books of 2014 post! What pops into my head is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, but you could ask me this same question in an hour and I’d say something else. So many great discoveries this year!

      2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

      I was excited about Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, as well as The Secret Place by Tana French. I thought I’d love Lola as much as Anna but that wasn’t the case; and Secret as much as The Likeness. Though I didn’t love them like I thought I would, I still very much enjoyed the books!

       3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2014? 

      Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch surprised me in a good way. Sometimes high fantasy YA can be just as cumbersome as high fantasy adult — and with loads of hype surrounding it, I was wary. I can be pretty picky about the fantasy I read. And sometimes those physically and mentally and emotionally strong female protagonists all blend together and become way too Mary Sue. But Meira stood out for me in this magical world. I can’t wait for the next book! Such a wonderful concept.

      I was also surprised by my disinterest in the first half of Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. Come on, more Jamie and Claire, right? I should love it! But I didn’t. Stupid, stupid France. The rest of the book was great, though!

       4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2014?

      Recently, Anna and the French Kiss. Earlier this year (and pretty much always) it was Between Shades of Gray and Fangirl. Between wasn’t read in 2014, though. It’s just the book I’m always recommending to YA readers. Same with Night Circus — always recommending, even though I didn’t read in 2014. There was also Letters From Skye that I would recommend to historical fiction/war fiction readers, and they always buy it, but I wouldn’t say I pushed it on them. It was more of an excited suggestion!

       5. Best Series You Started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

      Best series started: Outlander, hands down.
      Best sequel: Possibly The Lovely and the Lost by Page Morgan.
      Best series ender: This is TOO HARD. The Caller by Juliet Marillier? Deliverance by CJ Redwine? Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins? The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness? Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor?

      2014, the year all of Laura’s favorite series ended.

       6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2014?

      ACK another hard one. Right now, let’s go with Gayle Forman.

      7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

      I read mostly within the genres I enjoy. Though I typically don’t read books with much (explicit) sex in it, Outlander was tipping the borderline. That’ll just have to be my answer.

       8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

      Action-packed: Geek Girl by Holly Smale (ARC), in a strange, non-action way. Every chapter ended with a witty cliffhanger, making me turn the pages fast. Review to come in January! 
      Thrilling: Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman. So fascinating!
      Unputdownable: Anna and the French Kiss. I just…I couldn’t. I also read the book while on a mini-vacation with friends, and only got three hours of sleep that night because I simply couldn’t stop reading!

      Note: This is the only time I’ll ever use the non-word “unputdownable.” *shudders*

       9. Book You Read in 2014 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

      So glad this was asked! One of my resolutions for 2015 is to participate in a 2015 re-read challenge. Anna and Fangirl are definitely on the re-read list.

      10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2014?

      The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston, hands down.

      11. Most Memorable Character of 2014?

      The men of the books! James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Outlander). Matt Finch (Open Road Summer by Emery Lord). Etiénne St. Clair (Anna). Willem (Just One Day by Gayle Forman). Levi (Fangirl). I know that was more than one, but seriously, how can I narrow these down?

       12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2014?

      Oooooh. That’s hard. Maybe…Blythewood by Carol Goodman.

      13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2014?

      If I Stay by Gayle Forman. I really don’t know what I would’ve chosen if I were in Mia’s situation.

       14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2014 to Finally Read? 

      Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Seriously, why did I wait?

       15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2014?

      To belong to someone – I didn’t know it, but now that I think about it, it seems like it’s all I’ve ever wanted. To really be somebody’s, and to have them be mine. —To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han

      16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2014?

      Longest: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
      Shortest: One of the children’s picture books, most likely Edgar Gets Ready for Bed by Jennifer Adams

       17. Book That Shocked You the Most

      Oh, that’s hard! Possibly Dreams of Gods and Monsters, only because I had no idea what direction Taylor was going.

      18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

      JAMIE AND CLAIRE.

      19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

      The friendship and sisterhood between Lara Jean and her sisters in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It’s so nice (and refreshing) to see realistic, friendly, companionable relationships between girls in YA books.

      20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

      This was a year of series completions and new author discoveries. Because of that, I wouldn’t say this book was a favorite, but it fits with “author you’ve read previously.” The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness would have to be the book.

      21. Best Book You Read in 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

      Jackaby by William Ritter (thanks, Hannah!).

      22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2014?

      Matt Finch (Open Road Summer) and Jamie Fraser. Actually, everyone mentioned in #11 fits here, too.

      23. Best 2014 Debut You Read?

      I really enjoyed A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall. So unique! I’m feeling all the warm fuzzies just thinking about it right now.

      24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

      Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch, of course, for world-building. Most vivid setting belongs to Outlander. Gabaldon just goes to town describing the landscape.

      25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

      A Little Something Different and Geek Girl take the cake on this! Both made me smile and laugh out loud.

      26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2014?

      The Major’s Daughter by JP Francis made me cry, and as well as If I Stay by Gayle Forman and Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson.

      27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

      Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston, a picture book with vivid artwork and stunning writing.

      28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

      Possibly Just One Day by Gayle Forman. How is it one can have such a wonderful, rebellious day in Paris, and wake up the next morning in a confused panic and not know what happened? The whole journey Allyson went through made my heart ache.

      29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2014?

      If not A Little Something Different, then Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohen, only because the concept is so fun. Texts From Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg is a great parody, as well.

      30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

      Panic by Lauren Oliver because it didn’t seem at all like any of her other books. It didn’t sound like her. The concept wasn’t what I was expecting. I was disappointed — and frowned a lot while I was reading.

      bloggingbookishlife

      1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2014? 

      Lindsey’s Bring My Books and Morgan’s co-blog Gone With the Words, but I’m probably biased because we text each other every single day now.

      2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014? 

      Maybe one that’s not published yet, like I Was Here by Gayle Forman because of all the meaty content, or Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins because it was so fun. Usually when I write reviews they follow the same standard format and I do my best to stick to them. When I really enjoy the book, the format blurs, and the review may come across as sloppy — but it’s my fangirling showing through.

      3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

      The guest blog post with Lindsey for our Jane Eyre appreciation! Check out her post here, and my post there!

      4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

       Meeting Victoria Schwab (and other authors) at Children’s Book World in Haverford, PA! Second would be #TBTBSanta. That book swap was so much fun!

      5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2014?

      Becoming a literary agent! What a silly question 😉

      7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

      According to the stats, my most popular post of 2014 was “Plowing Through the Piles,” with the most views. Not surprised. It has pictures of my bookshelf, features a TBR jar, and exposes my insane Excel spreadsheet, haha. “Nonfiction Selections for the Bookish Fan” was also big, thanks to Ortberg’s retweet.

      8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

      I was expecting more love on my Outlander review, only because I posted it in the middle of the first half of the TV show season.

      9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

      Not so much a discovery as an achieved goal — I visited Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO!

      10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

      I sure did! I set a goal to read 50 books again this year, and I surpassed that. I also unexpectedly read more ARCs than ever this year and set up a monthly update “Advance Excitement at a Glance” that I was able to keep up with as well.

      lookingahead

      1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

      Dream Boy by Mary Crockett and Madelyn Rosenberg and White Space by Ilsa Bick only because I’d purchased them with a friend with the intention we’d read those books together. Obviously we haven’t gotten around to it!

      2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2015 (non-debut)?

      Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman. Gotta know what happens to Gretchen and Daniel in their flight from Hitler!

      3. 2015 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

      Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, mostly out of curiosity. I mean, look at that cover!

       4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2015?

      There are so many, but what pops to my head right now is Maureen Johnson’s The Shadow Cabinet!

      5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2015?

      Reading: Find the nice balance between reading manuscripts, reading ARCs, and reading published books. I’ve stumbled around this fall and I think the new year will give me a chance at solid footing.
      Blogging: Re-reading more and sticking to my resolutions. I gotta stick to those resolutions!

      6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

      It’s already released in the UK, but I highly recommend Geek Girl by Holly Smale. It’ll be a debut here in the US and I’m beyond excited for it. Fully plan to push it into people’s hands.

       ~

      That was exhaustive and fun! What books were highlighted in your End of Year survey?

       

      Posted in books, Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal
    • Advance Excitement at a Glance VII

      Posted at 1:18 pm by Laura, on July 6, 2014

      This year, in an effort to blog more, to become more involved with the blogging community, and to keep up with the latest publications, I thought I’d create a monthly post about the ARCs I’ve received. These ARCs will be read and reviewed a month prior to the publishing date. The Advance Excitement at a Glance posts will feature one or two (or more, depending on what happens this year) books to look forward to, and it will motivate me to keep my to-read list on track.

      Last month I shared two YA books out for publication in July. August is filled with ARCs (and I have no idea how I’ll get to all of them!), but I’ll share two in particular that I’m deeply excited about.

      19346438

      Deliverance by C.J. Redwine 
      (August 26, Balzer + Bray)

      Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.

      I can’t do my own summary for this one. In fact, I don’t even care what this book’s summary contains — I just want the book SO BAD. *grabby hands* I love CJ Redwine. (Defiance and Deception reviews!)

      20821043

      The Secret Place by Tana French
      (August 26 [possibly September 2], Viking Adult)

      Detective Stephen Moran has been waiting for his chance to get a foot in the door of Dublin’s Murder Squad—and one morning, sixteen-year-old Holly Mackey brings him this photo. The Secret Place, a board where the girls at St. Kilda’s School can pin up their secrets anonymously, is normally a mishmash of gossip and covert cruelty, but today someone has used it to reignite the stalled investigation into the murder of handsome, popular Chris Harper. Stephen joins forces with the abrasive Detective Antoinette Conway to find out who and why.
      But everything they discover leads them back to Holly’s close-knit group of friends and their fierce enemies, a rival clique—and to the tangled web of relationships that bound all the girls to Chris Harper.

      Once again, I can’t even do my own summary. Tana French is another author whose books I’ll read simply because her name is plastered on the cover. She’s such an excellent writer, and this Dublin Murder Squad series is so psychologically mind-bending I can’t help but flail.

      Which ARCs did you receive for August? What books are you looking forward to reading?

      Posted in Advance Excitement, books | 0 Comments | Tagged advance excitement at a glance, ARC, books
    • World Book Day // Birthday Gifts

      Posted at 2:23 pm by Laura, on March 6, 2014

      Happy World Book Day! On this day, buy a book from a bookstore or give a book to a friend, family member, or light/non-reader; read and relax and find new adventures; anything and everything relating to books, do it!

      For my birthday I received several gift cards to my bookstore (that I of course immediately used and violated my resolution to read five books before purchasing one more) and an amazing gift from a dear friend.

      Books1

      Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard was one of those books that just called to me. Just like CJ Redwine’s Defiance and Sharon Biggs Waller’s A Mad, Wicked Folly stared at me from the shelves at work — and I tried to avoid them for days, weeks, months — this book stared at me, taunting me. The cover is really pretty, and because the title alone is a reference to music and piano, I had to grab it. Within the first 20 pages, I was hooked. So now I own it, and can read it entirely soon!

      Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is a book I’m ashamed I haven’t read yet, and have seen so many raving reviews! Plus, WWII books have always enticed me, so I can’t wait to begin this one.

      Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys is a book that, when it was first published, I wasn’t sure if it was for me. But as time wore on, the story, the awards, the reviews, and even Sepetys herself (come on, if she can write Between Shades of Gray then clearly she can write anything) convinced me that I need this book. I’m glad I’ve purchased the paperback — I think the cover is much prettier, and as you know I’m all about aesthetics.

      Books2

      Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I should’ve read ages ago. I grabbed this book so many times on lunch breaks and was completely stunned at how…similar, too similar, I am to Cath’s obsessions. I’m an open fangirl, and have been since I was 10, on Harry Potter. And as an adult I’m still very much a fangirl in other things, like TV shows or book series. But I have to admit, I was nervous to read this book (let alone buy it) because of those similarities. Odd? I know. But  my friend Cara convinced me that every fangirl should read this book because it’s like looking into a mirror and facing one’s fears. I trust Cara’s judgement.

      The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott because, come on, I enjoyed it and I can add it with my other Kate Alcott book!

      The next book was a gift from a friend. We’ve worked together for over a year now, and have become incredibly close ridiculously fast since about this time last year. Our conversations flourished shortly after I mentioned my thesis topic. After months of literary, philosophical, musical, historical, political, and humorous discussions, suddenly we became best friends. It’s not a proper, enjoyable work day if the other isn’t around. Don’t you love those friendships? I sure do.

      Monk1If you followed my blog starting roughly this time last year, you would’ve noticed a trend in my book reviews: young adult, dark, mysterious, creepy, frightening stuff. It was a never-ending stream of terrifying yet brilliant YA Gothic books — and so you may have guessed my graduate thesis revolves around Gothic literature. And if you know anything about Gothic literature, you’d know that The Monk is one of the most celebrated Gothic works, frequently referred to because it was one of the first Gothic novels to be written, published, and create quite a sensation among the public (so much so, even Jane Austen’s characters discuss it in Northanger Abbey — not-so-coincidentally my favorite Austen novel).

      Monk2

      The Monk was published in 1796, and in this “Gothic romance” the monk explores all sorts of transgressions. He’s lustful, murderous, incestuous — all those bad things the Church frowns upon. He gives in to temptation, and it takes him down a wild path. It’s all about sexual desire, how power can corrupt, and it sparked such drama in the public that it still remains popular today.

      Monk3This is a genuine 1830 edition of the first volume of The Monk! All marked, torn, tattered, and faded. It even smells wonderful, that hint of vanilla within the musty scent of old pages. On the inside of the cover is a signature, a Mrs JL Dyer, who must have been the first owner of this book. Makes me want to know her own history, why she purchased it (or who purchased it for her), and what she thought. Alas, at that time, women lost their names to men and this Mrs. Dyer may not ever be found. But wouldn’t it be fun?

      What did you do for World Book Day? Any exciting books you received or gave away?

      Posted in books, Update Post | 9 Comments | Tagged books, genre: classics, genre: gothic, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, personal, World Book Day
    • 50 Books Challenge: 2013

      Posted at 11:30 am by Laura, on December 22, 2013

      Here is the compiled list of books I read in 2013. The ones with stars after them are books I’d highly recommend, and any books with dashes next to them were read in its entirety for a class. If there’s an x near it, I would never read it again. Anything with a cross was read for my graduate thesis.

      This year I read 19 more books than my goal!

      1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
      2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
      3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor ★
      4. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor ★
      5. Requiem by Lauren Oliver ★
      6. Children of Liberty (ARC) by Paullina Simons
      7. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (-)
      8. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (-) ★
      9. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (-) ★
      10. The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban
      11. Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell ★
      12. Snobs by Julian Fellowes
      13. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (†)
      14. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare ★
      15. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
      16. The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle (†) ★
      17. The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd (†)
      18. Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson (†)
      19. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (†) ★
      20. Revel by Maurissa Guibord (x)
      21. Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (†x)
      22. Tea Rex by Molly Idle
      23. I Want My Mommy! by Tracey Corderoy
      24. Defiance by CJ Redwine ★
      25. The Archived by Victoria Schwab (†)
      26. Broken Harbor by Tana French
      27. Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough (†) ★
      28. Longbourn (ARC) by Jo Baker ★
      29. A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee (†)
      30. Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell (†)
      31. Dark Companion by Marta Acosta (†)
      32. The Poisoned House by Michael Ford (†)
      33. Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey (†)
      34. Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier ★
      35. The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestly (†)
      36. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman (†) ★
      37. This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel (†)
      38. The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan (†) ★
      39. Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz (†)
      40. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke (†)
      41. The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells (†)
      42. Turn of the Screw by Henry James (†)
      43. Deception by C.J. Redwine ★
      44. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (†)
      45. The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Sandiford
      46. Cruel Beauty (ARC) by Rosamund Hodge
      47. Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Tree House 1 by Mary Pope Osborne (-)
      48. Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (-)
      49. Babymouse: Queen of the World by Jennifer Holm (-)
      50. The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan (-)
      51. The Outside by Laura Bickle ★
      52. The Last Enchantments (ARC) by Charles Finch ★
      53. Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman (-)
      54. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar (ARC) by Jennifer Laam
      55. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey (-)
      56. Monster by Walter Dean Myers (-)
      57. First Part Last by Angela Johnson (-)
      58. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (-)
      59. The Promise of Amazing (ARC) by Robin Constantine
      60. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (-)
      61. Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole ★
      62. Feed by MT Anderson (-)
      63. And We Stay (ARC) by Jenny Hubbard (x)
      64. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling ★
      65. All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry
      66. Her Dark Curiosity (ARC) by Megan Shepherd
      67. A Very Fuddles Christmas by Frans Vischer
      68. Gothic Reflections: Narrative Force in 19th-Century Literature by Peter Garrett (†)
      69. Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

       

    • Top Ten Tuesday: New-to-Me Authors in 2013

      Posted at 8:05 am by Laura, on December 17, 2013

      Top Ten Tuesday, a concept started by The Broke and the Bookish, is a themed post that connects bloggers to bloggers, bloggers to readers, and readers to readers. Every Tuesday has a special topic, and this Tuesday is Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2013.

      top ten tuesday

      There were many new-to-me authors I read this year, partly because of my thesis and partly because I enjoyed so many debuts. This list, seemingly easy, became rather difficult to narrow down. Here I go!

      1. Laini Taylor (her website, her Twitter)
      2. Rachel Hartman (her website, her Twitter)
      3. Patricia Bracewell (her website)
      4. Laura Bickle (her website, her Twitter)
      5. C.J. Redwine (her website, her Twitter)
      6. Page Morgan (her website, her Twitter)
      7. Jo Baker (her website)
      8. Neil Gaiman (his website, his Twitter)
      9. Jessica Brockmole (her website, her Twitter — also an Indiana native!)
      10. Matt Phelan (his website, his Twitter — met him in one of my graduate courses!)
      Posted in Top Ten Tuesday | 14 Comments | Tagged authors, top ten tuesday
    • Hello, I’m Laura!

      I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!
    • Search the Blog

    • Currently Reading

    • Book Review Rating Key

      ★★★ — It’s good
      ★★★★ — It’s great
      ★★★★★ — OMG LOVE!!!

    • Recent Posts

      • Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, MG Contemporary
      • Deal Announcement: Chloe Gong, YA Fantasy
      • MSWL for 2021
      • Top Five Books of 2020
      • Book Review: “A Darker Shade of Magic” by VE Schwab
    • 2021 Reading Challenge

      2021 Reading Challenge
      Laura has
      completed her goal of reading
      1 books in
      2021!
      hide

      4 of 1 (100%)
      view books

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×