Better Know A Blogger : Alexa from Alexa Loves Books

Better Know A Blogger is a feature hosted by Karen at For What It's Worth, Tiger from All-Consuming Media, and myself. Basically, we interview bloggers we think you should know. Today I'm featuring one of my favorite Twitter buddies, Alexa from Alexa Loves Books. Alexa, take it from here!

Name: Alexa

Blog: Alexa Loves Books



Blogging since: April 2011



How did you get the name for your blog?

My blog name is a simple declaration that's been repeated over and over again in my life - Alexa Loves Books. A lot of people say this about me or when referring to me, and I've wholeheartedly embraced that truth.



How have your reading habits changed since you started blogging?

I actually make more time for reading, as well as consume a lot more novels than I used to. Reading will always be a leisure activity to me, but now I don't feel guilty about constantly immersing myself in books since I have an extra reason to do so *smiles*

I, surprisingly, also read on a schedule nowadays, which is something I'm still getting used to. Though I don't necessarily always follow my schedule, it does give me a better structure and focus when it comes to reading.



How do you choose which book to read next?

I try to follow my schedule (see above question), but more often than not, I grab what appeals to me at any time. There are just days when I need my paranormal fix, days when contemporary calls out to me or days when I just want to revel in the joys of historical romances.



Who is your favorite literary couple?

Ooh, this is a hard question. So I'm probably going to cheat and answer based on genre:

Contemporary YA - Cricket Bell and Lola Nolan (Lola & the Boy Next Door)

Historical Romance - Evie and Sebastian (Devil in Winter)

Dystopian YA - Tris and Four (Divergent)

Paranormal YA - Grace and Sam (Shiver)



What book are you looking forward to the most this year?

There are a few sequels I'm looking forward to, namely Insurgent, Until I Die and Bitterblue. But as for new novels, I can't wait to read Incarnate and Born Wicked!


Great list of books! Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today! Be sure to check out Alexa Loves Books and leave her some love!

XOXO

Interview & Giveaway With Pure Author Julianna Baggot

Hey everyone! Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I have the honor to interview Pure author Julianna Baggott on my blog today. If you haven't heard, Pure is the latest dystopian novel to hit the scenes, and it's pretty intense. Without any further ado, please welcome Julianna!

1. What inspired you to write PURE?

Inspiration is part-beast part-myth. On the one hand it can attack you, but on the other hand it might not exist. You can't wait for the attack of inspiration. You can try to sit in a field covered in honey and hope for bears but, you know, it won't get you through a 400 page novel.

2. Do you have a favorite place you like to write or read?

I flop anywhere. I'm a floppy reader. I read most often at night in bed by a dull lamp because my husband is already asleep. I stay up too late... sometimes to wee hours. I'm probably going slowly blind. I write in a dormerless slant-roofed room at present, but I'll do that anywhere too. Bomb shelter? Yes, I'd love it.

3. What are you currently reading?

I'm not allowed to read at night right now. I'm in edits on FUSE, book II, and my brain is dreamy at night and that's where I get most of my ideas. (I still read though -- just recently a brilliant not-yet-published novel by a student of mine named Dario Sulzman. I'm sneaking Adam Johnson and Lauren Groff too.)

4. What's your favorite dystopian novel?

I think the work of Southern writer Tom Franklin is dystopian -- except it's often set in the contemporary South.

5. Any advice for bloggers who'd like to become published authors?

I think it all feeds the greater good of building language and thought. Words on pages. Reading what you love -- they're all blueprints to what you can write... It's all good. So keep going and then send your beloved book out into the world of agents and editors and madness.

6. In twitter speak (140 characters or less), how would you sell PURE to someone who hasn't heard of it?
Main character is a 16 yo girl with a doll-head fist. Laini Taylor says JUST READ IT.


Thank you so much, Julianna, for taking the time to answer a few questions. And now a treat for all you readers out there. Again, thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I am giving away a copy of Pure to one lucky winner. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is only open to US/CA participants and ends March 10th. Extra entries will be rewarded to those who follow Julianna on twitter, tweet about the giveaway, and/or follow my blog. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review : Article 5

Title: Article 5 (Goodreads/Amazon)
Author: Kristen Simmons
Published: January 31st 2012 by Tor Teen
Source: ARC provided by the publisher for review

Summary: "New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved."

First line: "Beth and Ryan were holding hands."

Thoughts: If you read any book this year, let it be Article 5. It has everything I love about dystopia: Complex characters, amazing world building, and villians so cruel, they'll make you want to kick and throw things. How funny that a world without zombies, vampires, nor werewolves can be so terrifying?

The best way I can explain this book (for all your history buffs out there) is to conceptualize what life would be like had we lost World War II. Imagine a world where concentration camps are deemed "reform schools" and everyone is a target. You can do everything right, follow all the rules, but it still won't save you. This is what the world has been like for Ember ever since the war. To prevent another war, the goverment has issued 5 Articles. Unfortunately for Ember, her mother is charged with a violation of Article 5 (something that is completely out of her control) and is thrown into jail to await trial. What happens to Ember? Well, she gets placed in a reform school where sit's either follow the rules or suffer the punishment.

One of the things I adored about this novel was the character developement in not only Ember but also Chase. Both of them grew and had their own trials to overcome. Ember's strength increases as the book progresses. She went from being a girl who followed all the rules to someone who would do anything to survive. I loved how her reactions were the same as my own, had I been thrown in that situation. Some of the things that happen to her are terrifying, so it was nice to see her scared from time to time. She deals with so much pain and heartache and yet still finds the courage fight for what she believes in. And the love she has for her family and those she cares about was absolutely amazing. Chase, on the other hand, gives silent and brooding a whole new name. As you read further and further into the story, you realize why he's doing what he is, and his story alone is incredible. Any girl would be lucky to have someone like Chase in their life.

Now, let's talk about romance. While there's more tension than anything, I can't help but fall in love with Ember and Chase. They're spectacular together. Even when they're not talking, they each do little things to show that they still care for one another. I adored the flashbacks of what their relationship was like prior to Chase being drafted into the MM. And oh my gosh, just thinking about everything they go through (and it's a lot), I can't help but fall in love with them all over again. Is Chase swoon-worthy? OOOOOH YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!

If you're looking for a pulse-pounding, intense read, I would recommend picking up Article 5. It's a reminder that monsters do exist, even if those monsters are cruel people who make the wrong choices. You can choose to surrender or you can choose to fight. In the end, which would you choose?

Rating:

Better Know A Blogger: Theresa from Fade Into Fantasy

Better Know A Blogger is a feature hosted by Karen at For What It's Worth, Tiger from All-Consuming Media, and me. In so many words, we feature bloggers we think you should know. This week's featured blogger is Theresa from Fade Into Fantasy.


Name:

Theresa

Blog:



Fade Into Fantasy

Blogging since:

October 13, 2010


How did you get the name for your blog?

I tried to come up with something that was original, yet also portrayed my genre tastes. Fading, to me, is like escaping into another realm, and Fantasy equals everything other than reality. Hopefully, it makes sense outside of my own head. LOL


How have your reading habits changed since you started blogging?

The number of books I read has definitely increased and my tastes have become more defined. Instead of one book every couple of months or so, I'm reading one every couple of weeks. Before blogging, I didn't really know what genres of books I enjoyed most. Sure, I knew that I liked everything that allowed me to escape to another world, but had no idea which genres were my favorite. Since my reading has increased, I've learned that I love everything paranormal, urban fantasy, and YA, and I now know the lines I shouldn't cross.


How do you choose which book to read next?

In 2011, I had a list of review books and would read books in order of when I received them. Because of that, I have over 100 books on my bookshelves that have been waiting to be read for "fun". I've declared 2012 as The Year of the TBR (for me, anyway) and am now picking books based on what looks good at the moment. It's really nice to be able to have the freedom back and not have to worry about letting anyone down if I decide to stop in the middle of a book in order to start a new one. :)


Who is your favorite literary couple?

Really? Just one? LOL Um... of course, Cat and Bones from Kim Harrison's series are really fun. I also love all of the brothers from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but think I would make a better mate for them than any of the women in the books. LOL It really is a good thing that we can't literally jump into books, because I would camp out on their front porch until one of them took me in. :P


What book are you looking forward to the most this year?

Ugh! Another hard question! There are so many great books coming out this year. I guess, since I have to pick just one, I will go with... actually, nope. I can't pick just one. Ask me again in 2013. lol


Theresa, thank you so much for dropping by. Be sure to check out her blog and leave her some love!

XOXO

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Y'all, I'm uber excited about the books I got this week. Ch-ch-check it out!

For Review:
*Above by Leah Bobet
*Shadow and Bone by Leigh Barduco

Bought:
*Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager (I keep hearing about how good this is!)

**Special thanks to Scholastic and Henry Holt and Co. (aka Macmillan). You guys rock my socks off!**

So, what's in your mailbox? :-)

Review: Shooting Stars

Title: Shooting Stars
Author: Allison Rushby
Expected publication: February 28th 2012 by Walker Childrens
Source: ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review

Summary: "Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment."

First line: "I crouch behind some thick green shrubbery to do my final check."

Thoughts: If you're looking for a cute, fun read, Shooting Stars is the book for you. While it's a little predictable, the overall story makes up for it with it's charming cast of characters and precious moments. Plus, since the weekend's just around the corner, what better way to spend it than to curl up with a book as adorable as this one?

Shooting Stars centers around the story of Josephine "Zo Jo" Foster, a teenage paparazzi looking for her next great picture (i.e. Ned Harnett, who is basically the book's version of Zac Efron). When Ned ends up in rehab, Josephine receives the chance to get the photo of a lifetime. The one thing she wasn't expecting to do was to get to know Ned. You know how love goes... Once you fall, you fall hard.

I really enjoyed Josephine's character. At first, she was just this teenage paparazzi trying to earn enough money for photography classes. As the story progresses, she begins to question whether or not she's doing the right thing, photographing the personal, private lives of others. Morality and growth are two things Josephine struggles with throughout the novel, and it's also something most teenagers struggle with today. Maybe not to this degree, but nevertheless, it's easy to relate to, and I really appreciated that.

I don't know about you guys, but something I need in each book I read is a little romance. Whether it's a teaspoon of love or a bucket full, it's just something I need. Shooting Stars certainly delivers in this department. I have to admit, it took a while to get there, but once it does, boy howdy!

"I begin to stand up, dripping wet and confused, when something even more confusing happens. Ned pulls me the rest of the way up and before I know it...He's kissing me."-Page 134

Oooooh yeeeaaahhhh! Needless to say, the pool scene was one of my favorite scenes.

I do have to admit, there is a bit of a twist to this story, and I quickly saw it coming. Nonetheless, I still really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to fans of cute contemporary novels. It's age appropriate enough for younger teens and sweet enough for adults who love YA literature. If this book doesn't make you grin from ear to ear, I don't know what will.

Rating:

Cover Reveal : Gravity

HEAR YE, HEAR YE! The cover of Gravity by Melissa West has been revealed, and it's pretty spectacular.

"In the future, only one rule will matter: Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed--arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know--especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war."

Again, I think I'm a sucker for blue covers. I really love the color contrast and the font (And it matches my blog, too!). While it does remind me of Across The Universe, it still works really well with the story. I heart thee!

What do you guys think? Yay or nay?