Bout of Books Day 1 - TBR Pile Pictures

It's day 1 of Bout of Books 3.0.  I'm already working my way into today's read, which is Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan, but I thought I would take a few minutes to participate in today's challenge, The TBR Pile Picture & Search, which is hosted by Hannah at Once Upon a Time.  The name of the game is to snap a pic of your TBR pile or, if you're me, piles.  Yes, readers, I said piles, as in more than one.  How do I get myself into these messes?  Oh, yeah... I'm a chronic book buyer.  Anyway, I pulled all of my TBR books and put them together on one shelf... or tried to.  *sigh*  In any case, I snapped two pics just so I could do them all justice.  Let's start with the hardcovers:

Scary, huh?  Well, I hate to say it, but that's not all.  There is also a sizable stack of paperback books:

It's all rather daunting, isn't it?  Do I dare mention the books on my ereader?  Nah.  I didn't think so.  How about all of you readers out there?  Do you see anything in my TBR piles that also appears in your own?  If you do, be sure to leave a comment.  I'd love to compare notes!

Top 12 Books I'm Most Looking Forward to in 2012

Here you have it, folks. This is my final list for 2011. Now that I've looked back, it's time to look forward to what the new year will bring. There are so many to choose from, but there are definitely some that stick out most in my mind. You may recognize some from my past Waiting on Wednesday posts, but I hope you will indulge me as I share my entire list with you all. For simplicity's sake (and to prevent myself from turning this list into one that is 24 books long instead of 12), I'm sticking with books that I haven't received review copies of.

Top Twelve 2012 Releases I Am Looking Forward to Reading

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
Release date: February 2, 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Defining characteristics: paranormal; fantasy; mystery; thriller; magic; romance

From Goodreads:

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller.

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano
Release date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Defining characteristics: dytopia; romance

From Goodreads:

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Release date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Defining characteristics: fantasy; historical fiction; romance

From Goodreads:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
Release date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Defining characteristics: vampires; postapocalyptic; dystopia; paranormal romance

From Goodreads:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Release date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Defining characteristics: dystopia; steampunk; romance

From Goodreads:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Release date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Defining characteristics: dystopia; romance

From Goodreads:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum
Release date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Defining Characteristics: paranormal romance; revenants; Paris; urban fantasy

From Goodreads:

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Release date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Defining characteristics: fantasy; romance; werewolves

From Goodreads:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
Release date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Defining characteristics: dystopia; vampires; paranormal; romance

From Goodreads:

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series.

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough
Release date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Defining characteristics: horror; paranormal; mystery

From Goodreads:

In an exquisitely chilling debut novel, four children unravel the mystery of a family curse - and a ghostly creature known in folklore as Long Lankin.

When Cora and her younger sister, Mimi, are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Byers Guerdon, they receive a less-than-warm welcome. Auntie Ida is eccentric and rigid, and the girls are desperate to go back to London. But what they don't know is that their aunt's life was devastated the last time two young sisters were at Guerdon Hall, and she is determined to protect her nieces from an evil that has lain hidden for years. Along with Roger and Peter, two village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries - before it's too late for little Mimi. Riveting and intensely atmospheric, this stunning debut will hold readers in its spell long after the last page is turned.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Release date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Defining characteristics: steampunk; zombies; paranormal romance; historical fiction

From Goodreads:

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
Release date: August 16, 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Defining characteristics: fantasy; paranormal; romance; faeries


From Goodreads:

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own.

Top 11 Non-2011 Releases Read in 2011

I promised more lists, so here's another one for your perusal.  This time, I am counting down the top 11 books released prior to 2011 that I had the pleasure of reading this year.  Once again, I'm going to go with the date I finished reading the book as a means of lining them up.  I can't choose an all-out favorite!

Top Eleven Non-2011 Release Books I Read in 2011

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Published on February 1, 2010
Finished reading it on March 24, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: A deliciously sinister adventure set in the world of the fey.

From Goodreads:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Published on August 1, 2009
Finished reading it on April 7, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words that describe it: After experiencing Maggie's take on werewolves, I'm ruined for all others.

From Goodreads:

Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Published on August 31, 2010
Finished reading it on April 22, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: It's hard to beat magic and Shadowhunters vs. deadly clockwork androids.

From Goodreads:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Published on October 1, 2008
Finished reading it on April 24, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: A dystopian fight for survival broadcast via reality television?  So chilling!

From Goodreads:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Published on April 6, 2010
Finished read it on May 2, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: Necromancers, werewolves, sorcerers, demons, genetic experimentation... this book has it all!

From Goodreads:

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets.  

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Published on March 27, 2007
Finished reading it on May 5, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: With its infinite sarcasm and wit, this book packed a punch.

From Goodreads:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
Published on October 1, 2008
Finished reading it on June 23, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: Probably the most strange and frightening faerie-centric novel I've ever read.

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand - one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass - a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky - and equally dangerous - dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Published on June 7, 2010
Finished reading it on August 12, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: This isn't your mama's Little Red Riding Hood.  Scarlett March = intimidating!

From Goodreads:

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Published on December 2, 2010
Finished reading it on August 18, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: An irresistibly sweet read that left me yearning to visit Paris.

From Goodreads:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Published on December 1, 2009
Finished reading it on September 24, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: A hint of southern Gothic centered around a hidden supernatural world.

From Goodreads:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
Published on March 30, 2010
Finished reading it on November 11, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: An enthralling read that combines futuristic elements with Dark Age-like society.

From Goodreads:

In the Enclave, your scars set you apart, and the newly born will change the future.

Sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone and her mother faithfully deliver their quota of three infants every month. But when Gaia's mother is brutally taken away by the very people she serves, Gaia must question whether the Enclave deserves such loyalty. A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

STNC's Top 11 of 2011

The end of the year is upon us.  What a year it has been!  I don't know whether I feel as though it has gone too fast or whether it feels as if this past year has been drawn out.  So many wonderful things have come from this blog, including the discovery of new books that I may otherwise never have read.  That, along with meeting some great new people, has been the beauty of book blogging, for me.  It seemed only right that I should put together a retrospective post detailing my favorite reads of the year.  I won't, however, be ranking them.  It just can't be done.  Don't ask me to, please.  I loved all of these books, but I can't pick one over another.  Instead, they'll be listed in order from first to last read.

This will be the first of several posts leading up to New Year's day.  You can expect a post detailing my favorite non-2011 releases read, and a shout out to the awesome book bloggers that I've gotten to know over the past year.  I'm looking forward to looking back on all that has made this year so great.

Top Eleven 2011 Releases I Read in 2011

Die for Me by Amy Plum
Published on May 10, 2011
Finished reading it on May 18, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: Paris; romance; revenants; vivid descriptions; mysterious; intriguing; riveting; buzz-worthy; must-read; fantastic

From Goodreads:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Published on June 1, 2011
Finished reading it on May 23, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: Victorian England; steampunk; awesome heroine; gritty; edge-of-your-seat fun

From Goodreads:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Published on March 22, 2011
Finished reading it on July 5, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: poignant; beautifully written; engrossing; compelling; strength from hardship; emotional; moving; poetic

From Goodreads:

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously - and at great risk - documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Published on August 2, 2011
Finished reading it on July 11, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: nostalgic; mystical; mysterious; the danger of fear; entrancing; enchanting; beautiful writing

From Goodreads:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. 

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Published on October 25, 2011
Finished reading it on July 22, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: harrowing; tenuous; emotionally charged; action-packed; suspenseful; emotionally gripping; touching; magical

From Goodreads:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Published on August 30, 2011
Finished reading it on September 3, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: creepy; horrifying; riveting; gripping; deliciously scary; fantastically descriptive; mysterious; thrilling; awesome

From Goodreads:

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Published on September 13, 2011
Finished reading it on September 19, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: magical; incredible; lovely; beautiful prose; complex; star-crossed lovers; magical circus

From Goodreads:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Published on October 18, 2011
Finished reading it on September 30, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: water horses; couldn't get enough; best thing Maggie Stiefvater has written

From Goodreads:

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton
Published on November 22, 2011
Finished reading on October 13, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: fun; enjoyable; great humor; action-packed; awesome characters; wonderful lore included

From Goodreads:

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien
Published on November 8, 2011
Read it on November 11, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: thought-provoking; intriguing dystopian; lush yet dangerous landscape; fascinating; superb characters

From Goodreads:

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime.  In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Published on December 6, 2011
Finished reading it on December 11, 2011
My review: Click Me
Eleven words to describe it: witty; steampunk; Victorian England; intrigue; adventure; betrayal; discoveries; riveting; intense; moving

From Goodreads:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

June Wrap-Up

It's that time again! It's the end of the month, so it's time to look back upon all that has come to pass at Starting the Next Chapter for the month of June. STNC hit some new milestones this month. Not only did my blog turn 4 months old, but I also reached and surpassed 300 followers! Thanks, everyone! I've bought some good books, borrowed some good books from both the library and a friend, and received some wonderful ARCs from various publishers, all of which I am grateful for the opportunities of reading. I am behind on the writing of reviews thanks to my computer woes, but I did read and review some great books this month. I read 16 books and have reviewed 12 of them, so far. You can expect to see the remaining 4 reviews in addition to reviews for my July reads in the coming days and weeks.

I've had more of a variety of posts over the past month. Not only did I get to interview the fabulous Cara Lynn Shultz, I also wrote posts about a variety of topics, such as my friend's introduction to the book blogging world and responses to the more incendiary articles that have been published as of late. I hope to have more to offer on my blog in July as summer begins to wind its way down. I have two more months until classes resume and my reading load will have to be reduced in favor of doing well in my courses In case you're wondering, I'll be taking intermediate French (eep!), parliamentary procedure (a speech class), an English methods & research class, and a film studies class (important film performances).

I hope you all will join me during the month of July. Hopefully I will have some good stuff to offer or, at the very least, some teasers for what is to come in August. You definitely will not want to miss that!

A Close-Up of the YA Audience

Recently, Library Journal published an article entitled "Not Just for Teens: A 35 Going on 13 Special," written by Angelina Benedetti. The topic: the increasing number of adult readers turning to YA literature. In the aftermath of the inflammatory article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Benedetti's article was a well thought out breath of fresh air. Rather than questioning suitability, content, or motives, Benedetti focuses more on the appeal factor of YA books, as well as the importance of promoting them to a wider audience.

In the midst of the article is a list of possible reasons why adults are electing to read more YA novels. I really enjoyed this aspect of the article and was provided with food for thought in regard to my own tastes and why I like the books I've been reading so much. Among the reasons listed were:

• coming-of-age stories: they haven't lost their appeal!

• writing: YA draws attention through excellent writing and influential prizes

• "emotional immediacy": According to Benedetti, YA list is made to draw the reader in during the first 15 pages, whereas adult novels often take up to 50 pages to do so

• authors making crossovers: more and more authors are writing for both age groups

• "the Mom factor": Moms are reading what their teens are reading and gaining interest in their own right. I especially loved this section of the article. I thought it was an excellent reminder of the importance an rewards of reading with kids.

• Ebook reader demographics: Statistically, the majority of ereader users are adults. There has been an increase in YA ebook sales, so it stands to reason that this audience is made up of a sizeable chunk of adults. However, it is difficult to know for sure since there is not a definitive study to refer to that can pinpoint exactly how big this audience is.

Benedetti closes her article with an entreaty to both adult and youth service librarians to promote YA titles to both audiences. I found it refreshing that Ms. Benedetti was able to see the value of YA literature and avoided sensationalizing the topic. This article is simply a look at who is reading and why, which is definitely needed as of late. I found this to be a valuable article to read when considering my future career path, as I will be entering graduate school next fall. I am thrilled to know that people, no matter their ages, are reading, and I can only hope that the numbers continue to rise.

What do you think of the information set forth in the aforementioned article? Do you agree with the listed reasons? Do you have additional ideas? I'd love to hear them!

A More Thoughtful, Critical Approach to the WSJ Fiasco

Now that the dust has settled somewhat and I have calmed down from my initial reaction to the article in the Wall Street Journal about YA literature yesterday, I wanted to make a more thoughtful, critical approach with my thoughts on Ms. Gurdon's article. My initial reactions were anger and frustration. Now, however, my feelings have cooled, somewhat, to sadness and frustration (I can not escape the frustration in regard to this piece). I say sadness because the knee-jerk reaction is, once again, that these books should be censored. Don't get me wrong, I understand that some readers may not be emotionally prepared for some of the books referred to. That's fine. There are certainly books I would not have been prepared for, myself, at that age. However, there are also books I could definitely have benefited from.

To say that these books should be banned or censored does more harm than good. What of those readers who just might need to read a book featuring characters experiencing, facing, and overcoming difficult situations? What of those readers who just might learn something about sympathy for those in situations different from their own? What of those readers who need to know that they are not alone in their struggles? It is the height of hubris to say that books about life's weightier, more difficult issues should be banned or censored. If there is a concern that a book not appropriate for certain readers' sensibilities will fall into the wrong hands, why not take a more active approach to your children's reading habits? Read with your children, gauge what they might be capable of reading, and discuss it with them. Sticking your head in the proverbial sand about the existence of difficult issues (in the article referred to as "depravity") does nothing more than cause a disconnect between parent and child. I speak from personal experience on this one, both in observing the lives of friends who encountered terrible situations and battle my own, personal demons and home life issues.

The mother referred to by Ms. Gurdon also troubles me a great deal. As a parent in my own right, I can not fathom her position. She says she saw nothing but books with "lurid and dramatic covers" containing "all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff." Ms. Gurdon goes on to say the available material is, "So dark that kidnapping and pedastry and incest and brutal beatings are now just part of the run of things in novels directed, broadly, at children from the ages of 12 to 18." The extraneous usage of "and" aside, such broad, blanket statements are dangerous things. Sure, these topics do exist in some YA novels, but not all YA novels. Making such statements without the benefit of having done the proper research to back it up is (to use one of my favorite words in relation to this article) asinine. As Abraham Lincoln said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Ms. Gurden does have rights to freedom of expression, which allows her to write without fear of prosecution. However, her generalizations and misconceptions made her come across in a very foolish manner, especially in light of her comments toward librarians, book sellers, and publishers who stand up against censorship. As a journalist, I would have thought she would have been more on board with the notion of free speech. From the appearance of her article, she appears to be only interested in her own right to free speech while begrudging authors the right to theirs.

My favorite analogy in relation to the situation in the book store was posted on Twitter. Statements such as the one made by the mother would be akin to walking through the produce section of a grocery store with one's eyes closed and then saying that the store sells only meat. That is essentially what happened here. This mom, with no research in hand and poor guidance from a store employee, could not see the forest for the trees.She overlooked all of the books she would have approved of in favor of those that made her uncomfortable. This is a sadder situation still for her seeming willingness to jump to conclusions about YA lit as a whole. Where is the informed decision-making in this situation? I certainly don't know, but it will serve as a lesson for me, in any case. Now I know what not to do as a parent in relation to my child's reading habits.

Darkness Too Visible? Your Generalizations Are Showing.

I should really be going to bed, but I have been thinking about this article from the Wall Street Journal for the past hour or so. Rather than lie in bed and fume about it, I'm going to have my say. In the article, one Meghan Cox Gurdon takes it upon herself to spout off many generalizations about young adult literature, including the use of words like "depraved," as well as lovely sentiments such as this: "Now, whether you care if adolescents spend their time immersed in ugliness probably depends on your philosophical outlook." Pardon me? Ugliness? I have read a great deal of YA literature in my lifetime. Granted, I am now 28 and a mother in my own right, but that does not mean that I can't appreciate a good YA novel. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made the decision to pursue a library science degree after undergraduate school and make youth services librarianship my life's work of choice. In any case, out of all of the books I have read, I can not honestly say that ugliness is a characteristic I would apply to any of them. Where I do see ugliness is the real world. Most of the YA I have read takes a look at ugly topics and has the protagonist face and overcome them. This world is not an easy place to live in, nor is life easy for everyone. I was a teenager once. I remember how it felt to feel alone. Books got me through many of the rough patches I experienced then, much as they do now.

Another aspect of this article that rubbed me the wrong was was Ms. Gurdon's implied vilification of librarians. Several of her references to libraries, librarians, and the ALA came across with thinly veiled snideness. Rather than addressing one of the real issues (i.e. parents who don't take the time to discuss what their kids are reading with them or, God forbid, pick up the book and read along with them), Ms. Gurdon seems to have gone the over-generalized, scapegoat route with her article. She seems to have picked some of the more sensational examples she could think of to pad her article with shocking statements and then proceeded to lump every single book in the genre along with them. Much like any other reading level, YA is much more varied than that, yet you don't see her mentioning this. Why is that, Ms. Gurdon?

Finally, I would like to address the mother mentioned in the article. I was troubled to see the old adage of judging a book by its cover take on an alarmingly literal aspect. She took special care to mention "lurid covers." That is only the outer face of a book. I find it difficult to believe that out of all of the books set before her she couldn't find a single one whose topic didn't make her cringe. As I previously said, books are varied. There is a wide array of subject matter out there, not all of it "dark" (I would be more inclined to say "weighty"). The book store employee was no better. How about some honest to goodness research for once. I simply can not take anyone seriously who casts aside a book without so much as finding out what it's really about, no matter if it is a YA book or adult fiction. An over-abundance of idealisation is not going to be the most helpful route to take in this day and age. I know that I wish some of the books I have most recently read had been available 10 years ago. I felt incredibly alienated at times and would have benefited from a book that addressed the harder issues that plague society. I am, however, glad that I will have the opportunity of reading with my daughter and then discussing what we read. She might not be able to read yet, but I hope she will grow up with a love of books as insatiable as my own.

I will admit it, this article left me feeling very angry. It was akin to a slap in the face to have one of the genres that has played such a big role in my life be vilified. Censorship is never okay, so to see Ms. Gurdon mention those who stand against it in such a scoffing manner was very upsetting. To write an article so full of generalizations, stereotypes, and demeaning language is ridiculously asinine. However, she has the right to do so, much as everyone has the right to write or read as they see fit. I highly doubt Ms. Gurdon would appreciate having her work censored. Censorship is a slippery slope. The phrase, "Be careful what you wish for," especially comes to mind. Rather than implying that certain topics be done away with, why not set about to engage in informed discussion? Perhaps then each side would understand the other better.

"The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame." -Oscar Wilde

"We read to know that we are not alone." -C.S. Lewis

"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." -G.K. Chesterton



Did the article upset and/or offend you? Have something to say to the Wall Street Journal? Let them know! There is a Twitter hash tag campaign in progress to let them know what YA really means to its readers. Click the button above to go to the Twitter #YAsaves page. Then, write a tweet. In your tweet, write how YA has changed or affected your life and include the hashtag #YAsaves and address it to @wsj.