Review: Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Release Date: January 15^th, 2013

Number of Pages: 240

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Source: eARC from NetGalley

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Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know. Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Uses for Boys made me feel many things. This is definitely not a fluffy and cute book. If that’s what you are looking for, it’s not the right book for you. This book is sad; it’s heartbreaking. It’s a little dark, and it’s definitely not what I would have expected from the cover. Uses for Boys may be short, but it’s the kind of book that will stay on your mind hours after you are done.

Anna goes through so much. I felt so heartbroken for some of the things she has to live with, the way her mother is so absent from her life. This didn’t stop me from being disappointed in some of her choices, even though I could understand where she comes from. Still, her story is full of ups and downs. I have to say that it made me smile a little when I could see some changes happening within her. Anna really made her way into my heart, making me want to push all the bad people from her life, and to try to show her who the good people were.

One of the characters I really liked was Sam; the one person I felt like could make a real good influence on her. He has the family she deserved in some way, and I really liked most of their interaction. He was the one character I really wanted to see make his place in Anna’s life.

The story made its way into my heart, and I have to say I was really glad to have read it. It was a really short novel, but it is totally worth the time. It is the kind of book that you need to read once. I do have to say; the story is not for the younger audience, as there are some more mature themes that are included.

Find the Author

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Waiting On Wednesday: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, my pick is:

Darkness never dies. 

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can't outrun her past or her destiny for long. 

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling's game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: June 4th, 2013

I've been dying for the sequel ever since I've read Shadow and Bone. I can't wait for June, to find out what happen next in this amazing series.

Review: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

The Memory Chronicles #1

Release Date: January 15h, 2013

Number of Pages: 288

Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR

Source: Bought

GR – Amazon – BD - Chapters 

Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2). 'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.' Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her. Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

I feel like I had been pinning after this book for what seems like forever. Because of that, I ended up going into the story with pretty high expectations, but I can easily say that I wasn’t disappointed. The story got me hooked from the very first pages and I simply couldn’t put it down until I had read every last pages of it. The concept of the story was original and really interesting to read. The characters, the plot, the writing, everything worked well together.

I was told of a love triangle in this novel, and I have to say I did not find Felicia, Neil and Julian to form one. I think it was pretty clear whom Felicia really loved. I found it really interesting that we got to learn to know Felicia through her memories. I found it to really give us a better understanding of her character, and of those around her. I love getting a glimpse of her memories with Neil, a character we don’t really get to meet as much as I would have liked in the present (but at least we have her memories.) There were some memories I had trouble understanding why they were important for us to see, but most of them did help us see more of who the characters are. I cannot not talk about Julian, a character that made feel slightly uncomfortable by moment. I just thought there was something wrong with him, starting with his first appearance.

The writing and pacing just made this novel easy to read. It is the kind of book one can easily read in one sitting. One other thing I really liked about this book is that, despite its upcoming sequel, it felt complete. This book could easily stand on its own. I did end up with some unanswered questions, which hopefully will be answered in the sequel. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were some little things that did make me raise an eyebrow, but all the great things about this book easily made me forget about those. Can’t wait for Level 3.

To Find Lenore:

Her Website

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Blogtour: Review: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Release Date: January 8^th, 2013

Number of Pages: 304

Publisher: Razorbill

Source: Finished Copy from Publisher

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The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls. For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness. With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again. Paper Valentine is a hauntingly poetic tale of love and death by the New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement and The Space Between. 

Paper Valentine is the first book by Brenna Yovanoff, and I have to say, I’m now hooked (I’m already reading another of her books that had been on my unread pile). Paper Valentine simply brings so much to the table, that it was kind of impossible for me to get bored reading it. You get the ghost of the best friend who died of anorexia, you have a murder, and you have some little romance (which was really well included). The mix makes it possible for fan of many genres to fall into the story, because everything seemed so well balanced for me. You get enough of the best friend drama; enough of the murder mystery and enough of the romance not to feel like one wasn’t developed enough (and I’ve just said the word ‘enough’ way too much.)

I have to say that I really liked Hannah. I liked that she followed her instinct. I liked the way she dealt with the ghost of her best friend. She had been dead for six months, which explained the lack of extreme reaction to her ghost, but she didn’t just accept that she was there. She still had issues with how her best friend died, and she ended up questioning her about it. That made me like her, because it gave layers to her character, making it easier to understand her choices. The characters surrounding her brought those layers to light, and I have to say that Finny and Ariel were those characters that I really liked. Ariel is simply so cute, in my opinion. Finny’s chemistry with Hannah was really interesting to follow, which made me like the blooming romance between those two.

Brenna Yovanoff’s writing is something worth mentioning, as it is simply beautiful. She creates an atmosphere that is simply perfect for the novel, leaving us in a dark and slightly spooky world. She also created a murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, throwing new information at you to make you doubt your suspect. Brenna Yovanoff is an author I will definitely keep on my must read list. Definitely worth reading if you are looking for that kind of book!

To Find the Author:

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Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky #2

Release Date: January 8^th, 2013

Number of Pages: 368

Publisher: Harper

Source: Bought

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It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both. Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Let me start by saying I should have re-read Under The Never Sky, because I was so confuse at first! I read the first book more than a year ago, so it wasn’t that fresh in my mind. Once I finally remembered what happened in the first book, it was easy to get lost in the story. It was good to see again the characters that I loved in the first book, to learn more about them.

We meet again an Aria so different from the girl we first met in Under the Never Sky. After all, she has been living as an Outsider for a while, learning more about her abilities and how to survive. When she meets Perry again, the now Blood Lord of the Tides, their reunion brings many questions for both of them. After all, the Tides don’t like Dwellers, and Aria, as much as she changed, is still half-Dweller. In this sequel, in see both characters evaluate, forced to change because of their new challenges and responsibilities. We see the two of them make heart breaking choices, because they know it might be the only option to keep things the way they are supposed to be. Perry’s feeling for Aria is challenging, as his people will hardly accept them. This brings them both pain, a pain that let both of their strength shine. This book made me fall all over again with these characters.

Yes, their relationship is still a great part of the novel, but because it is so challenging, you can be sure that it doesn’t go as smoothly as one might hope. There are fears, there are secrets, and to me, it made this believable. I couldn’t really believe everything would be perfect, especially since there are so many things standing in their way. I liked seeing the friendship between Roar and Aria growing, and giving us more than just love to root for. This friendship is important to the story, and it gives a great ally to Aria, as she would otherwise have to stand on her own against so many obstacles.

Once again, I loved the dual point of views, especially since there are many moments when Perry and Aria aren’t together. It gave us the opportunity to really understand what is going on, and the choices both characters made.

I think fan of the first book will love to fall back in the world Veronica Rossi created. A great sequel that doesn’t fall victim to the middle book syndrome. I already can’t wait to fall back into the world in the third and final book.

About the Author

(from NetGalley)

Veronica Rossi's debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, will be published in over twenty-five international markets, starting on January 3rd 2012 in the United States. Film rights to the trilogy have been optioned by Warner Bros.

Her Website

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The Book Trailer

Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day #1

Release Date: January 8th, 2013

Number of Pages: 368

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Bought

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A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines. Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon! 

Wow. It’s been a while since the last time I read a book that left me really speechless. I have to say, Just One Day did just that. I find it hard to put words on the amazingness that is this novel, the beauty of the story. It took me only a few chapters to fall in love with the characters, but not in a swoony “that guy is totally hot” kind of way. I fell in love with the characters because their story, the truth behind who they were charmed me.

I found myself recognizing myself in some aspect of Allyson, but I also found myself understanding the differences, and this made it so easy to understand and believe the choice she makes. Maybe I’ll sound weird for saying this, but I did not feel like she was falling for Willem per say, but I say a young woman falling for the idea he represent, the freedom he has that she does not. I saw her wish for more than her little life back in the U.S., with her parents’ dream to live up to. That’s what made me like Allyson, and that’s what made me fall for her story.

I didn’t see Wilem as a bad boy, maybe because I had heard he was.  I found him to be a character that simply lived for today, no thinking about tomorrow, and I liked that. The world was his to take, and it was easy to see the skeletons hiding in the back of his mind, easy to know that there was much more we did not know about him. That’s what made me like him. What I saw in him was someone chasing the unknown.

Gayle Forman doesn’t fail to impress. Once again, she has charmed me from book, making me fall for the story and the characters, leaving me begging for more. The sequel comes out in less than a year, but it feels like torture to have to wait. As the ending leaves you needing to know, in a good way. This book will please fan of Gayle Forman, that is a given. If you still haven’t read any of her work, it is absolutely worth it. This is the kind of books that leaves speechless by the end of it.

About the Author

(from NetGalley)

Gayle Forman is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in such publications as Jane, Seventeen, Glamour, Elle, and The New York Times Magazine, to name just a few. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

Her Website

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Bout of Books Read-a-thon 6.0: Wrap-Up

Bout of Books 6.0 is now over, and I have to say that I didn’t read as many books as I had hoped. A few things happened this week that weren’t really expected. I knew I was starting this new semester on Monday, but I didn’t think I would have an essay to write for tomorrow (seriously, who does that? An essay due the second week worth 20% is simply mean.) Then my dad had surgery this week, which really wasn’t scheduled. That took priority over whatever I wanted to read.

Now, let’s see what I did read:

Tempest by Julie Cross

Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane (eARC)

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (ARC)

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (Audiobook)

Read at least 2 eARCs (Only read 1)

Listen to at least one audiobook (SUCCESS)!

Read at least 1 ARC (SUCCESS!)

BONUS: Write at least 7 reviews (wrote 3 reviews…)

How did you guys do this time? I already can’t wait for the next Bout of Books Read-a-thon. Hopefully, I’ll do better next time!

Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest #1

Release Date: January 17^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 352

Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

Source: Bought

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The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun. That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities. But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him. Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world. 

Tempest left me with mixed feeling, if I’m completely honest. Yes, did enjoy it. Yes, I’m really excited for the sequel, because I did get attached to the characters. The thing is, the idea of the time jump not leaving a trace in the past slightly annoyed me. It may sound strange, but to me, if you can jump in time and have no effect on it, than I wouldn’t call it time travel. That’s the one thing that made me really step out of this novel with annoyance.

Maybe it’s picky of me, since I found the characters really intriguing. Not only was Jackson really interesting to follow, but also the supporting characters were simply as interesting. I liked Adam and the way he was ready to do so much for Jackson. Their friendship was so fun to read about. Holly’s complexity as a character, the way 2007 Holly was different from 2009 holly, how easy it was to see how she could have grown from one into the other. Then there’s Courtney, Jackson’s twin sister. She may be dead, but she still leaves a shadow in everyone’s lives, and I have a feeling we will see more from her. Finally, I can’t forget about Jackson’s father, whose intentions can be a little unclear by moment. Yet, I still came to care for him.

When I think about Jackson’s power, I had a problem with the idea of his travel not influencing the present. I just don’t understand how that could possible. That took me out of the story, and made it really hard for me to love the novel. Still, Vortex will be in my reading pile when it comes out.

Overall, the novel was interesting and intriguing. Yet, certain details made it impossible for me to completely love it. Yet, I still enjoyed it very much, and I would still recommend it.

About the Author

(from NetGalley)

Julie lives in central Illinois with her husband and three children. She never considered writing professionally until May of 2009. Since then, she hasn’t gone a day without writing.

Her Website

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Review: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Release Date: November 13^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 304

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: NetGalley

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Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

I think there are perfect times to read certain books, and I have to say that Meant To Be came to the perfect time. This contemporary was perfect in so many ways. I mean, how can you not finish this book with a stupid grin on your face. That’s why I say I read this book at the perfect time, because I really need this cute cheesy romance. It may contain a few cliché, but it didn’t stop me from simply loving this book. This is the kind of book that you don’t care how predictable it can be, it was a pleasure for me to get into this novel.

The characters are cliché, but not in a really bad way. We have Julia, the book-smart good girl who believes in true love and meeting the “one”. Of course, on her trip to London, she gets stuck with the bad boy, the one guy she could never fall for, right? I liked Jason, though I can’t really explain why. Maybe it was the bad boy attitude, maybe it was the way he acted with Julia that made me swoon.

I can’t really say what my favorite part of the book was. There were so may things that just kept me reading, from the cute story, the loveable characters, the cheesy aspect, it was just a little ray of sunshine after the holidays. The chemistry between Julia and Jason kept me smiling; a chemistry that kept making sparks between those two.

Overall, it simply was the kind of romance that will make you smile from beginning to end, with those awkward moment between the characters that will make you laugh. I simply loved this book, and it is one that I will read again when I have gloomy days. I loved it, and I cannot wait to read more from Lauren Morrill.

About the Author

(from NetGalley)

Lauren Elizabeth Morrill is many things, including, but not limited to, a writer, an educator, a badass roller derby skater, a former band nerd, an aggressive driver, and a die-hard Mac person. She also watches a lot of TV, eats a lot of junk food, and drinks a lot of Coke. It's a wonder her brain and teeth haven't rotted out of her head.

Her first novel, Meant to Be, sold in a two-book deal to Wendy Loggia at Delacorte for Paper Lantern Lit.

 Her Website

Her Twitter

Review: Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

The Hunted #1

Release Date: December 18^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 304

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source: eARC from NetGalley

GR – Amazon – BD - Chapters

Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.  

Voices told Lucas Darby to run. Voices no one else can hear. He’s warned his sister not to look for him, but Rayne refuses to let her troubled brother vanish on the streets of LA. In her desperate search, she meets Gabriel Stewart, a runaway with mysterious powers and far too many secrets. Rayne can’t explain her crazy need to trust the strange yet compelling boy—to touch him—to protect him even though he scares her.  

A fanatical church secretly hunts psychic kids—gifted “Indigo” teens feared to be the next evolution of mankind—for reasons only “the Believers” know. Now Rayne’s only hope is Gabe, who is haunted by an awakening power—a force darker than either of them imagine—that could doom them all.

If there’s one thing I can say about Indigo Awakening, it’s that it left me with mixed feelings. There were some really great moments, but there were a few things that really bothered me. One thing that really annoyed me was the numerous points of view. I can enjoy two or three, if they really add something to the story. Yet, in Indigo Awakening, there were too many to count. They ended up confusing me more than helping me understand the characters.

Talking about characters, there were both really interesting characters, and some I just didn’t really care about. I liked Lucas, but I wish we could have seen more of him. I started the novel thinking he was the main character, but the thing is, the more I read, the more unsure I was who the main character was. At some point, I thought it was Rayne, a character I didn’t care much about. After, I wished it was Gabriel, who I thought was freaking awesome. Then, we get some insight in the mind of some other characters, like Kendra, Mia, O’Dell, and a few more (I can’t seem to remember who had their point of view thrown in.)

The other thing that slightly bothered me was the growing relationship between Gabe and Rayne, which happened a little fast for me. I mean there were scenes that left me perplex. And I can’t forget about Kendra, who seems to be caught in some kind of love triangle, or the beginning of one, with Raffe and Lucas. Well, that wasn’t my favorite parts.

Despite these little things, I did find the novel interesting, and I really liked the idea of these Indigo kids. There were some really great moments, and one scene that really reminded me of X-Men first class. Still, overall, I liked it. It won’t be my favorite book this year, and I won’t be counting the days before the sequel is released, but it’s a series I would considered reading further into, because the premise is quite interesting. The book may not be perfect, but I still enjoyed it.

About the Author:

(From NetGalley)

Avon/HarperCollins launched Jordan Dane's debut suspense novels in a back to back publishing event in Spring 2008 after buying the 3-book series in auction. Pursuing publication since 2003, Jordan had received awards in 33 national writing competitions and was an energy sales manager in the oil and gas industry prior to selling. Now she is following her passion and writes full time.

Ripped from the headlines, Jordan's gritty plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. She loves challenging a reader's moral barometer with the borderline ethics of her characters and their flawed personalities—dark, angst-ridden antiheroes pitted against unforgettable villains. Publishers Weekly compared her intense pacing to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag—"romantic suspense that crosses over into plain thriller country with tight plotting and exceptional male characters, both bad guys and good."

Jordan and her husband share their residence with two cats of highborn lineage and the spirit of an intelligent canine who is impossible to forget.

Her Website

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The Trailer

Bout of Books Read-a-thon 6.0 Goals

I've once again decided to participate in Bout of Books Read-a-thon. I'll try to read as much as I can, but with both work and school, I don't know how much I'll be able to do. I don't know if I'll succeed, but here is my Goals list:

• Read at least 2 eARCs
• Listen to at least one audiobook
• Read at least 1 ARC
• BONUS: Write at least 7 reviews

Here are some of the books I hope to read

 Tempest by Julie Cross

Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane (eARC)

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Wicked Kiss by Michelle Rowen (eARC)

Altered by Jennifer Rush (Audiobook)

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (ARC)
Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (Audiobook)

Want to join me? Here is the official Blurb about Bout of Books 6.0

(from the Bout of Books blog)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

I'll be back on Monday with some new reviews! If you're participating, don't forget to link up your Goals! 

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Hi guys! This year, I'm planning on cleaning my TBR pile a little, so I thought I should try this challenge. There is 5 levels in this challenge:

Levels:
(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2013)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

I'll aim for the Sweet Kiss Level for the moment, and I'll see how it goes. Here are some of the titles I hope to read this year:

1. All These ThingsI've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
2. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
3. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
4. The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova
5. The Tempest by Julie Cross
6. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
7. Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
8. Fire by Kristin Cashore
9. Eon by Alison Goodman
10. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

And many more....

This is the first ten I plan to read, and I'll try to update the list every month.

Any of you participating in this challenge?