Stacking the Shelves (28)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where bloggers share their weekly book hauls! I absolutely love showcasing what I received over the week, and seeing what goodies everyone else got as well!!!

REVIEW: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

The DUFF:Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger Published by: Little Brown/Poppy on January 1st, 2010 Series: No Pages: 280 Format: Paperback Genre: Contemporary Source: Purchased Rating: 5/5 BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!
From Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. 
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY!

I want to start this post off by saying, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Regardless of whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I want each and every single one of you to know how thankful I am to have you as a friend. I can't believe how many of you care what I have to say, and it humbles my heart each time I talk with one of you. I love you all, and to celebrate the giving season I'm going to have a giveaway. Unfortunately, I'm broke because it's Christmas shopping time, so this  giveaway will be for US only. 

I bet you're wondering what I'm giving away, huh?

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release you're eagerly anticipating!

Tote(ally) Tuesday (7)

Tote(ally) Tuesday is a bi-weekly post on Pivot Book Reviews, where I showcase the most recent totes I've painted for custom orders on my Etsy!

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release you're eagerly anticipating!

DISCUSSION - Should books in a series have a book recap section?

Should books in a series have a 'previously in book 1' section?

Stacking the Shelves (27)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where bloggers share their weekly book hauls! I absolutely love showcasing what I received over the week, and seeing what goodies everyone else got as well!!!

REVIEW: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel Published by: Entangled Teen on November 11th, 2014 Series: The Book of Ivy #1 Pages: 304 Format: Paperback Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction Source: Purchased Rating: 5/5 BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!
FROM GOODREADS: After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.
This year, it is my turn.
My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president's son -- my soon-to-be husband -- and restore the Westfall family to power.
But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he's not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him...
MY THOUGHTS: 
Dear The Book of Ivy,
Okay, I'll be honest right of the bat. I hadn't heard anything about you whatsoever until about three days before your release when one of the blogs I co-blog on wrote a review for you, gushing about how much they enjoyed you. Meh. I thought. Then I saw a few more reviews popping up saying the same things. How great you were. Five stars everywhere. All over goodreads. Then, I went to the bookstore, and lo and behold my bookstore had one copy of you. It was like it was fate. My copy of you was meant for me, and me alone, and destiny had me purchase you. Thank goodness for that, because all those reviews and fate/destiny and what-not? They got me to sit down immediately when I got home to read you, and I didn't stop.
Your main character, Ivy Westfall, is the daughter of one of the founder's of a city after the US was obliterated. But he wasn't the only one. A Lattimer beat him to the throne, and now to keep the peace, he has arranged marriages for everyone. Ivy is arranged to marry the president's son, but her family has plans for her other than marriage. She is meant to kill her new husband, Bishop, but Bishop is turning out not to be who she was raised to think he was. 
Ivy was awesome! I loved her character! And Bishop. Oh how I swooned for him with each passing of your pages, The Book of Ivy. I wasn't expecting much out of you, but in a world drowning in dystopian YA novels, it takes a lot for me to say that you stood out in the crowd. Your characters were spot-on. The prose was great. The setting was flawless. Your pace was fast and kept me on the tips of my toes. I had no idea what to expect next. On the surface, you're a typical dystopian YA book, but I would encourage all my bookish friends to take a deep breath and plunge inside your pages. Because I assure them, they won't stop until they've finished you.
At least, that was definitely my case with you, The Book of Ivy. You blew me away, and I'm totally dying after that ending. WHAT THE WHAT?! You can't do that to me! I have no idea how I'm going to wait for the sequel to you, but I shall endure, because I have a feeling it will be one hell of a ride, just like you. FIVE HEARTS!

Still in awe of you,

Becca

Have you read The Book of Ivy?

Do you want to?

What did you think?

Let's discuss!

Waiting on Wednesday (38)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release you're eagerly anticipating!

This week I'm waiting on:

Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Releases on: January 27th, 2015 ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

From Goodreads: Geek + runway = a hilarious runaway hit! This bestselling UK debut is full of humor and high-fashion hijinks -- and now it's coming to America.

Harriet Manners is tired of being labeled a geek. So when she's discovered by a modeling agent, she seizes the chance to reinvent herself. There's only one problem: Harriet is the definition of awkward. Does she have what it takes to transform from geek to chic?

Geek Girl is the first book in a hilarious new trilogy. It was also the #1 bestselling YA debut of 2013 in the UK, where it was shortlisted for the Ronald Dahl Funny Prize and won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Best Book for Teens. With all the humor and fabulous shenanigans of Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson and Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries, Geek Girl is about to become an international superstar.

Why I'm Waiting:

1. DAT COVER. (I love the glasses!!!)

2. Geeky girl? Count me in!

3. Definition of awkward? This sounds like me!

What do you think of my WoW?

What's your Wow?

Link me up! :)

Tote(ally) Tuesday (6)

Tote(ally) Tuesday is a bi-weekly post on Pivot Book Reviews, where I showcase the most recent totes I've painted for custom orders on my Etsy!

Not so much to show this week, because of my wrist issues. Maybe next time though! I did paint an Anna and a Fangirl tote on top of these three! But I've already shown them before in my other posts so I decided not to this week.

SLA TOTE *FRONT*

SLA TOTE *BACK*

Custom WICKED tote FRONT & BACK!!!!

A THOUSAND PIECES OF YOU TOTE *FOR SALE*

I'm pretty sure I'm in love with how beautiful this one came out! I'll be kinda sad when someone buys it!

I mostly do custom orders, so if you have something in mind, you can contact me here, or email me at BECCAF97200 AT GMAIL DOT COM! 

Which tote is your fave?

What quote would you absolutely LOVE to see on a tote?!

REVIEW - Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Published by: Harper Teen on October 21st, 2014

Series: No

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Gothic/Paranormal Fantasy

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4/5

BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

FROM GOODREADS: It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp -- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance -- and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.

This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance.

MY THOUGHTS:

Dearest Beware the Wild,

Holy cow! Let me just start by saying, I was not expecting to be blown out of the water by you, but whoa. I totes was. I mean, it's not very often that a debut author can wow me as much as yours did. I sped read through you during one of my busiest work weeks of the year. Usually I don't get to read that much during what I call hell week, but I made the time to read and savor you. You. were. so. UNIQUE! And hypnotizing. And I'm gushing, aren't I?

Well, Beware the Wild, you follow the story of Sterling, who gets in a fight with her brother Phin one morning and he ends up running off into the swamp that everyone in town is warned about never going near, and a few hours later, a girl named Lenora May steps out of the swap. All of a sudden, no one remembers Phin except Sterling and Lenora May takes Phin's place. Everyone swears up and down that Lenora May is Sterling's sister and always has been. They pretty much think Sterling has gone a little cuckoo in the head, if you know what I mean. That is, everyone except Heath Durham.

I really liked Sterling as the main character. I felt everything the way she felt them, even if some of the stuff she did, I didn't fully understand. I couldn't even imagine going through what she did, and Heath? I liked me some Heath!!! He definitely gave me some swoonage. As far as the other characters? I didn't really care for Lenora May at all. She drove me nuts, even when Sterling started changing her tune when it came to her. It was annoying, but near the end, I understood and everything, but grrrrrr. I was so frustrated during that part of you, Beware the Wild.

Your atmosphere was wicked, though. I've never been to Louisiana, but you were everything I imagine it to be like! You definitely had one heck of a plot -- full of twists. Once I thought I knew what was happening....nope, plot twist. I think that's what had me turning your pages so fast. I had to know wth was going on, because everything just kept getting crazier and more action-packed and I'm running out of breath just talking about it. (Except I'm typing this, but still)

Honestly, Beware the Wild, you are book that I wouldn't mind seeing made into a movie. You were that damn good. You were unique and unlike anything I've ever read. I'm desperate to read something else from your author. If anyone was curious about you, I would push you into their hands if they enjoyed something like Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. You get four stars from me, Beware the Wild!!! Fabulous storytelling, Natalie! 

Wild about you,

Becca

Have you read Beware the Wild?

What did you think?

Let's discuss!

Stacking the Shelves (26)

 Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where bloggers share their weekly book hauls! I absolutely love showcasing what I received over the week, and seeing what goodies everyone else got as well!!!

PURCHASED:
In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
Talon by Julie Kagawa *SIGNED*
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick *SIGNED*
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
My True Love Gave to Me
Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker (not pictured)

GIFTED:
Voice of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

WON:
Amity by Micol Ostow *SIGNED*

FOR REVIEW:
Zodiac by Romina Russell
The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
The Start of You and Me by Emery Lord
Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle

*HUGE THANKS TO MY BESTIE BRAH SARAH (LOVE YOU), Egmont, and Andye (LOVE YOU TOOOOOO!)*

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BECCA LAND?

Well, not so good in Becca Land this past week, unfortuantely. Things the past two weeks have been nuts, especially with work. Good news is that work has exponentially dropped since Halloween so YAY for Vacation time. Bad news is I've hurt my wrist. Not just any wrist either. My right wrist. (I'm right handed) This has been a travesty for me, because just doing simple things is so very hard for me at the moment. I didn't sprain it or anything. Idk what the deal is exactly, but I woke up last Sunday in the middle of the night with horrible, horrible pain radiating from my fingertips to my elbow and all of my fingers were numb except for my pinky. The past couple of weeks I have noticed that the tips of my fingers in my right hand would become numb while I was painting, but that was no big deal. This was a huge deal though. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the feeling back in my fingers and the pain was just awful. I did some research on the web (BAD BECCA) and it seems most likely that I have severe carpal tunnel. I thought maybe it would get better throughout the week if I rested it, which explains my lack of posts this week, but alas, it hasn't. I also dread and hate going to the doctor, because I just don't like it at all, but I'm going to have to. The majority of the day I spend with a numb hand, and it's very hard to grasp anything without gasping in pain. What makes matters worse is that my right hand is also my painting hand. I had three totes to paint this week, and usually I can have that many done in a snap (or a day), but this week, that so wasn't the case. It took me a whole dang week to paint three bags. I felt horrible for my customers because I know they want their bags ASAP but it's hard to paint quality work with a numb hand. I got it done, but for the foreseeable future, I might not be turning out totes as quickly as I used to. I'm not sure what the doctor is going to do to me on Monday, but whatever it is, I desperately hope it's something that will help. I'm also terrified, because from what I read about it, carpal tunnel is usually the sign of an underlying issue..which can be rheumatoid arthritis (which runs in my family), diabetes, or a thyroid issue. I hope that's not the case, but we shall see. Keep me in your thoughts on Monday. I'll be sure to update everyone!
Other than that, I've been trying to read, but of course, that's difficult as well. The most notable book I've read this week is The Start of You and Me by Emery Lord. I know ya'll probably hate me right now! But seriously, pre-order it. I loved it even more than I loved Open Road Summer, and trust me, I loved the heck out of that book. Right now, I'm in the middle of In the Afterlight (which is good) and Famous in Love (which I'm kind of struggling with). What are ya'll reading?? 
Anyone participating in NaNo, btw?? I hope to start today. I took the first week off for obvious reasons (above), but I'm not giving up. I will win again this year, I swear it. Add me here! BLOG POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

• ARC Review - A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
• Waiting on Wednesday (37) 

AROUND THE BLOG-O-SPHERE:

• Stone Cold Touch by JLA Review & Giveaway on READING TEEN
• Endgame by James Frey Review (in other words, EW) on READING TEEN
• What's on Reader's Minds for October! on ADVENTURES IN YA PUBLISHING

Waiting on Wednesday (37)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release you're eagerly anticipating!

This week I'm waiting on:

The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Releases on: May 26h, 2015 ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

From Goodreads: When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments-- tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle-- and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures and time periods, all watched over by eerie black shadows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer appears-- a handsome young guard named Cassian-- they realize their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers to an otherworldly zoo-- where the exhibits are humans.

When a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer-- though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so... what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

Why I'm Waiting:
1. DAT COVER.
2. HUMANS IN A ZOO?!
3. ALIENS?!
4. The names!!! Cassian is such a cool name, and I've always wanted to name one of my characters in a WIP Cora!!!

What do you think of my WoW?

What is your WoW for this week?

Let me know in the comments, and be sure to leave me a link so I can come back and leave you some comment love! 

Thanks for stopping by Pivot Book Reviews!

ARC REVIEW: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray Published by: Harper Teen on November 4th, 2014 Series: Firebird #1 Pages: 368 Format: Hardcover ARC Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy Source: For Review Rating: 5/5 BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS! *According to FTC Guidelines, I'm required to state that I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.*
FROM GOODREADS: Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.
Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing inventention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite's father is murdered, the killer -- her parent's handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul -- escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.
Marguerite can't let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul's guilt -- and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father's death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.
A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.
MY THOUGHTS:
Dearest A Thousand Pieces of You,
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say anything coherent the rest of the day, because WHOA! I was so not expecting to read one of the best books of the year when I picked you up. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, because I went in blind. I didn't read your synopsis to refresh myself on what you were about, and holy crap, I'm going to start doing that more often now. I had no expectations, so I was blown out of the water with how utterly amazing and brilliant you were. I mean, honestly. 
A Thousand Pieces of You, you follow Marguerite, whose parents are super smart geniuses who basically invented a way to travel to other dimensions where another *you* essentially exists. Pretty cool, huh? But when Marguerite's father is murdered and the killer, who just so happens to be her somewhat love interest, goes on the run in the multi-verse, Marguerite goes after him, because she's totes a badass.
I seriously loved your MC, ATPoY. Marguerite was simply everything I look for when I want to love a character. She was funny, awkward, down-to-earth, and compassionate, but also a badass! Did I say she was a badass? Anyways, Marguerite is one of my favorite characters of the year, and I'm seriously dying to read more from her! Theo, the guy that goes in search of the murderer with her, was a meh guy for me. Of course, Marguerite kinda thinks she may have feelings for him, but I just saw him as a brother type figure. However, PAUL FREAKING MARKOV. *fans self* *swoons* *fans self again* Oh, Lordy. Can I Haz? Seriously, where the heck can I get me one of them, because he's an instant book boyfriend. He shot to the top of my list! If that isn't reason enough to convince someone to read you, ATPoY, well, then more Paul for me! (Psst. NO LOVE TRIANGLE, I SWEAR! And bonus, no cliffhanger!) 
Your plot was out-of-this-world, in every sense of the word (words?). Anyways, all of the dimensions that Marguerite ends up in were so different, cool, and so richly-crafted! They all seemed connected in so many intriguing ways. It was definitely interesting to see how everything was playing out in each one of them, ATYoP. I can't talk much about your plot, because it is mostly a mystery and I don't want to give anything away! But let me say, I didn't see what was coming...at ALL. It was awesome!!!! 
A Thousand Pieces of You, well, you are my next book to push on to every single person I talk to for the rest of the year. My friends should prepare themselves accordingly. You were so unique. I just...I can't even put into words how much I loved you. You made me stay up nearly all night after a week of crazy work where I was completely exhausted to the max, because I couldn't stand the fact that I would have to sleep before finding out what happens inside your pages. Ultimately exhaustion won out, but I tried, ATPoY! I only had fifty pages left of you before my eyes betrayed me, but alas, those fifty pages were just as intoxicating the moment I woke up with you still cradled in my hand. You are a book that should definitely under no circumstances whatsoever be missed. People should empty their piggy banks and buy you in change if that's what it takes. You are that dang good, and you deserve to be read by all, A Thousand Pieces of You. I'm prepared to give anything for the next installment in your series! ANYTHING I SAY! Also, I think it's safe to say that you get ALL THE STARS AND ALL THE BOOK PUSHING AND ALL THE CAPS! ;)

Drowning in Paul Markov swoooooons,

Becca