Monday, February 28, 2011

[Review] Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

Title: Rival
Author: Sara Bennett Wealer
Publication (dd/mm/yy): 15/02/11
Publisher: Harper Teen
Price: $16.99
Source: Bought
Age: 14+
Pages: 320
My Rating:


Summary:

BROOKE
I don't like Kathryn Pease. I could pretend everything's fine between us. I could be nice to her face, then trash her behind her back. But I think it's better to be honest. I don't like Kathryn, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

KATHRYN
I saw a commercial where singers used their voices to shatter glass, but the whole thing is pretty much a myth. The human voice isn't that strong.

Human hatred is. Anybody who doubts that should feel the hate waves coming off of Brooke Dempsey. But I don't shatter; I'm not made of glass. Anyway, the parts that break aren't on the outside.

~~~

Brooke and Kathryn used to be best friends . . . until the night when Brooke ruthlessly turned on Kathryn in front of everyone. Suddenly Kathryn was an outcast and Brooke was Queen B. Now, as they prepare to face off one last time, each girl must come to terms with the fact that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had.

My thoughts: 

Whether you're an aspiring musician, choir member at some point or other, or just the average music appreciator, Sara Bennett Wealer caters to all with her debut novel Rival. With a whole lot of the high school drama that seems to always come with music geeks, as exemplified in the hit TV show Glee, Rival is one book that will keep readers engaged until its heartwarming conclusion.

Daily Dose Monday (5)


Daily Dose Monday is a weekly meme, hosted at Good Golly Miss Holly, a fellow Aussie book blog. The meme features images that inspire, that create life and energy. Hope you enjoy this week's pictures!


I matched up these things with the next four pictures. ;)




Off the top of your head . . . what's your most anticipated 2011 YA DEBUT release?

Sunday, February 27, 2011

In My Mailbox (24): To Dead Girls & Rivalries!




In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren, and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie! Participants are required to tell all about what they've received in the mail--anything bookish!

~~~~~

I'm satisfied with the amount of books that I received in the mail this week. I got my first publisher-sent hardcover book, which will never happen again as most Australian-made books are paperback. I received cool stuff this week though!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Book Tunes (1): Thirteen Reasons Why


"Book Tunes is a new meme that will be held on Fridays and the point is to share the book you're reading and a song you think represents it. Be sure to include the novel you are reading, the summary, the song you think fits it and an explanation of why you chose that particular song. So snag yourself a button, write a post and link up at the bottom of the page!"

With every post that I do, I'll be linking a few youtube vids with a description below explaining why I believe this song matches with the book. Always open to suggestions -- I love finding new music!



I am currently re-reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and I've got a boatload of songs that would match up to the mood of the book perfectly. But I'll be linking just a few. ;)

1. Misunderstood by Bon Jovi


First off, hilarious video. And in Thirteen Reasons Why, Clay continuously adds that he so wanted to help Hannah, but she never asked. If you take this song out of its intended context, it actually makes a lot of sense. And such is the beauty of music and art.

2. How to Save A Life by The Fray (of course!)

Click here for videos

This song . . . everyone's heard it. If you haven't, you're either too young or too old. :P So yeah this is probably the no-brainer song.

3. No More Wishing by Hayley Taylor



I've loved this song since I heard it on How I Met Your Mother. Not an exact match, but in respect to Hannah and Clay's should've-been relationship, this song just fits.

4. Memory by Sugarcult


Other than the totes amazing video, I think this song would pinpoint Clay's consistent wishes that he could go back to the party when he "lost" her. 



Listen to the lyrics.

Book Information

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why {goodreads}
Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: 2009

Synopsis: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.


*If you link up, starting next month, I'll be giving away a book at the end of every month. Every time you do a post, you get a point do you can get SIX entries for next month! Winner gets to pick what they'd like from The Book Depository! Please link up to enter and put your email in the comment section. Can't wait to hear some new tunes!*


[Review] The Locket by Stacey Jay

Title: The Locket
Author: Stacey Jay
Publication: February 3rd 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Price: $18.99
Source: ARC Tour (Good Golly Miss Holly Tours)
Age: 16+
Pages: 288
My Rating:

Summary:
On her seventeenth birthday, Katie discovers a locket and decides to wear it for good luck. But when her boyfriend Isaac finds out she cheated on him— with their mutual best friend Mitch, no less—he dumps her, leaving her devastated.

And then a miracle happens. The locket burns on Katie's chest and she feels herself going back two weeks in time, to the night she cheated with Mitch. At first, Kate is delighted to be a better girlfriend to Isaac this time around. But as other aspects of her life become inexplicably altered, she realizes that changing the past may have had a dangerous effect on her present.

Can she make things right before the locket destroys everything—and everyone—she loves?

My thoughts: 

The Locket by Stacey Jay took me on a tumultuous flux along with Katie, the protagonist, as she travelled through time via magical locket, in hopes that her perfect relationship with her boyfriend remains intact. But what she doesn't expect, is for other aspects: minor details, and major and life-threatening ones, to start popping up. Suddenly she doesn't know what's going on anymore, and she's in constant disarray. The Locket was a really interesting and thought-provoking read, as well as incredibly fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, once I finally got hooked onto it.

How about some paranormal?

If you're a regular visitor here, you'll notice that I tend to stay with the contemporary and historical genres. That will never change. I will always read more books that pertain to those genres. However, what I've been wondering lately, is, is that what my readers want me to read? So, before I pick up where I will leave off on my reading pile, I will slip one (for now) paranormal/fantasy read. These are all books that I own right now, for review.

Thank you for all of the responses, guys!

I wanted this to be quick, so I'm not accepting any more responses via form. If you'd like to suggest anything, feel free to comment! :)

So . . . the next book I will be hitting will be

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS BY MICHELLE ZINK!

I'm glad that this formulated the most votes, as I've been meaning to read this for ever! I will also be reading Siren, Glass Houses and Mercy in the next month, hopefully.


Friday, February 25, 2011

Blog Hop (16) || Follow Friday (13)

Book Blogger Hop
Hey fellow bloggers and/or readers,


Thanks for hopping along to my little blog. :) Hope you enjoy your visit, and like what you see. If you"do, feel free to follow.

If you'd like to hop around, too, then visit Jennifer at Crazy for Books for all the details! 

Here's this week's question:

"Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?"


To be simple, no. While at first "Words on Paper" was just meant to be a temporary title, I got used to it, and now I can't imagine my blog being named anything else.

I knew I wanted something related to books, but also with a little originality, so the actual word "books" or the like was out. I'm not like some other (clever) bloggers, whose blog title actually affects their rating system or choice of words. The title just is.



Hosted by Parajunkee's View, another feature meme through which you can discover new blog sites. :) If you follow me, comment and I'll try to follow you back.

Here's this week's question:

Q. Share your current fav television show! Tell us a bit about it...



I'm also on board with the GLEE fans, and I'm sure many of you who are reading this are fans too, so I'd like to not talk too much about it. Other than that the last episode I did watch was the Christmas special, which I enjoyed.

I'm also really into How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, while Friends & The Nanny remain all-time favourites.






What happened this week?
(weekly)
- Review of Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang: "Yang's debut YA novel is a phenomenal mix of the historical and fictional, the memorable and the entertaining." (5/5)

- Review of Being Here by Barry Jonsberg: "Being Here is a captivating, realistic read that digs deep inside the psyche of a woman during her last years." (4/5)

- I'm waiting on Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard this week.

- A sneak peak into Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer with Teaser Tuesday.

- In My Mailbox (23): Now a monthly meme, apparently!


- Book cover and movie news! Includes several 2011 debut cover reveals and three popular YA novels turned to films.


* I'm back from my blogging break! ;)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

[Review] Being Here by Barry Jonsberg (Aussie YA)

Title: Being Here
Author: Barry Jonsberg
Publication (dd/mm/yy): 01/02/11
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Price: $19.99
Source: Review Copy (from publisher)
Age: 14+
Pages: 250
My Rating:

Summary:
The boy sat in the branches of the fifth tree on the left, his scuffed boots dangling. Leah turned her eyes up. His face was heavily freckled, his eyes large, brown and almond-shaped. His hair stuck out at wild angles. 'Hello,' she said.

Sixteen-year-old Carly is interviewing Leah Cartwright for her local history project. But Leah resists, determined instead to tell her own story: that of a lonely child on an isolated farm, a girl whose only escape is into the world of books. And when Adam appears in the orchard Leah discovers a friend. A secret friend.

Leah draws Carly in with the magic of story - to her present, her past, her secrets, and her unique friendship with Adam.

Being Here is a beautifully told story about a girl whose rich imagination rescues her from a grim reality, and an unlikely boy who changes everything. A compelling novel about love, faith and consequences.

My thoughts: 

Sixteen-year-old Carly aims to interview Leah Cartwright, oldest in her nursing home, for her Social History assignment at school. What Carly is looking for is irrelevant; Leah is going to tell the story of her childhood, which she believes must be passed on to a younger generation by any means necessary. Leah's childhood is constricting institutionalised religion, farming life and therefore solitude, a not-so-imaginary imaginary friend and murder. Through this, the two are inextricably bound together, forming a most unlikely friendship. And while Carly claims not to have any stories of her own to tell, Leah's already started figuring her out.

~~~

Given my little synopsis up above, Being Here doesn't sound like much, does it? That just comes down to poor writing; I don't have the right words right now to succinctly describe to you all the fundamental aspects and plot-points explored in this book. Being Here packs a hell of a punch. Jonsberg weaved with competency the book around several different topics that would have been extremely relevant in its context (early-mid 1900s rural Australia), with Mrs Cartwright passing in and out of the past and present.

The plot was simple and calming by the fact that it is an old lady reminiscing on her younger years. Leah explains over and again that age has given her time to reflect on the things that she didn't understand back when she was a young'un, and I think that's something that many people will be able to relate to: that time gives us perspective on that which seemed unusual or unfamiliar in the past. Leah's story was tightly wound together and was able to elicit several different emotions out of me, mainly intrigue and quiet distaste. I think there were many cases where you need to imagine the context before judging -- e.g. while in modern day society we might just call her mother a crazy bitch, she was closed-off and was under the notion that the deeds she had done were in fact, acts of eradicating evil, although we may not see it that way.

I found Leah and Carly both endearing characters. Leah is filled to the brim with knowledge and wisdom over having lived a whole lifetime and reading a whole library of books. Carly is high-spirited and cheerful on the outside, but she has doubts too. I liked that there was life around the nursing home, that Leah was extremely close friends with another resident/patient there. I also liked that the nurses were given a due amount of attention.

Her story seemed almost like a fairytale, unreal. At first, Leah tells it in third person, but slowly she becomes so immersed in her memories that it is though she is back there, and that's when she begins to speak in first person. I enjoyed seeing how the telling of her memories affected her in her vivid dreams. That said, by the end of the book I was able to make an even more personal connection between Leah and "the girl" in the story. Adam was sweet and I liked seeing the development of her relationship with this boy as he becomes more and more real. As I've said earlier, the girl's mother is a complex individual. The issue of her being good or evil is a bit of an iffy one, because she so believed in the word of God, that there was only good and evil. No in-betweens. She murdered those who were in the way of the ideal paradise, for her. She even wrote a 2000 page story: (spoiler-ish) "trash", all just her personal culminations of the most "sanctified", idealistic place that had accumulated over time because of her innate Christian belief.

I like the allusions to Adam, the Forbidden Fruit (apple on the cover, hello?) and other biblical references also. The presentation of the book is amazing. The prologue is introduced with an outlined leaf. [link] Every chapter is illustrated with floating leaves that are simple yet effective. [link] Furthermore, the cover is detailed and feels great. Kind of funny thing to say, but I like running my nails around the apple, as the whole apple is bevelled (I think that's the word...) minus the title. And there is also immaculate detail with the patterns in the background, making the whole cover feel smooooth. :)

Being Here is a captivating, realistic read that digs deep inside the psyche of a woman during her last years. Leah's story has a little something for anyone to relate to, whether it is the feeling of home, or withstanding dominating authorative figures, or just reveling in past memories.

Quotes:

First Line

"I face a window."

Random Quote

"Faces, places, sounds. Some are now. Some are then. I cannot sift them. One face looms above me. It has red hair and I should know it. I'm sitting in a dusty corner, reading a book. The words don't make sense." (p. 64)

Buy:

* denotes best price for Australians

Live in Australia?

Live elsewhere?
Amazon (kindle) | Book Depository (OOS)

Links:

Official Site
Goodreads Page


I have received this review copy in return for an honest review. 

Challenge: Aussie YA Challenge 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (24): Like Mandarin

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



Title:  Like Mandarin
{goodreads}
Author: Kirsten Hubbard
Release Date (dd/mm/yy): 08/03/11
Publisher: Random House Childrens Books

Why am I waiting on this?

The cover is unique in its extreme simplicity. I love the description of the book. The author is wonderful. Contemporary. Let me introduce you to Hubbard's LIKE MANDARIN BLOG TOUR. ;)

I actually went nuts and asked my mum to pre-order it for me (my bank account is out of order for now, so no Paypal action), so yay I'll be receiving this soon!!

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.

When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.

Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.


Links:

Kirsten's Blog


Thanks for visiting my weekly WoW post. ♥

Comment with your WoW post and I'll check it out!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (14): Rival

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
Grab the book you are currently reading and randomly post two non-spoiler sentences.


Summary:



BROOKE
I don't like Kathryn Pease. I could pretend everything's fine between us. I could be nice to her face, then trash her behind her back. But I think it's better to be honest. I don't like Kathryn, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

KATHRYN
I saw a commercial where singers used their voices to shatter glass, but the whole thing is pretty much a myth. The human voice isn't that strong.

Human hatred is. Anybody who doubts that should feel the hate waves coming off of Brooke Dempsey. But I don't shatter; I'm not made of glass. Anyway, the parts that break aren't on the outside.

~~~

Brooke and Kathryn used to be best friends . . . until the night when Brooke ruthlessly turned on Kathryn in front of everyone. Suddenly Kathryn was an outcast and Brooke was Queen B. Now, as they prepare to face off one last time, each girl must come to terms with the fact that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had.


Teaser:

"Studious cat iz studious," I say. "I can haz hall pass?"
"Don't try to lolspeak your way out of this one," he laughs. "And turn off the Matt Melter. It won't work either."

(pg. 17)

I love this scene. Probably my favourite in the book so far (up to pg. 70). I already surpassed the 2 sentence rule, so I'll leave the rest up for you to find out. :)


Book Information:

Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Pages: 330
Release date: February 15th 2011
Genre: YA, contemporary
Ages: 14+


 Hope you enjoy this week's Teaser Tuesday!


This week's question:


Have you ever had a rival?




Monday, February 21, 2011

In My Mailbox (23): Now A Monthly Meme, Apparently! MONDAY EDITION




In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren, and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie! Participants are required to tell all about what they've received in the mail--anything bookish!

~~~~~

This month has been pretty good. Sorry for the strange book arrangements. Many belong in other "categories" (bought, won, etc). And no, this will not be a monthly thing. The flow of books should lessen for a while though. No complaints here! I already have more than enough books to last me the rest of the year. If only those pesky, sparkly new books would stop getting released!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Book Cover & Movie News!!

Now I have been away from the blogging community for a couple weeks now, so I feel as though I've just been slapped on the face with heart-pumping, fist-pump-worthy news.

Book Cover Reveals

Links go to Goodreads pages.

2011 Debuts



Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez (Fall 2011)
This sounds pretty cool, and the cover is simple yet suitable to its synopsis.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire (March 24, 2011)
How beautiful yet creepy is that cover? Even before the reveal I knew this'd catch my eye.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (April 19, 2011)
After reading the blurb and seeing the cover, I'm sold!



The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton (October 1, 2011)
I like the concept design for the cover. Fairies have never been my favourite, but hopefully Hamilton gets it right!

Don't Expect Magic by Kathy MacCullough (November 8, 2011)
Sounds like a lot of fun! Fairy Godmothers!!

The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner (May 10, 2011)
Having read Of Mice and Men before, I'm interested to see how this book goes.


The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Steampunk! Brent from The Naughty Book Kitties called it awesome. ;)

Established authors


Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls, #1) by Tera Lynn Childs
What a dark outlook! I expect great things from this new series.

Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston
Haven't read up on this one much, but the cover is the kind that one could just sit and analyse for each minute detail.

Series Additions




So Silver Bright (Eyes Like Stars, #3) by Lisa Mantchev
Another otherworldly beautiful portrait for Mantchev's last installment. Anyone surprised?

Supernaturally (Paranormalcy, #2) by Kiersten White
You've seen this one around, no doubt. May Evie forever stand behind flowers, and wear irrevocably flowy dresses.


Movie News

There has been a lot of film rights being thrown around with YA books. These are two such books that I have just found out have scored their own movies!

  1. Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher
Synopsis: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.


My Thoughts:

I remember right after I finished this book that I roamed Youtube in search for fan-made trailers and the like, and now that a movie is actually happening, I'm cautious in my joy. I want so badly for this movie to be a success and well-liked among even non-readers, because a) Jay Asher is awesome and his novel needs a movie that pays due homage to it, b) There needs to be a bigger movie market for stuff that isn't all just action and gunfire, or romance and falling over the place. I was unsure about Selena Gomez, both in regards to her look and whether she'd be able to pull off Hannah's tortured and lonely, misunderstood personality. Time will only tell whether she's fit to the punch.

Links:

Jay's announcement post
Source
Skeptical about Selena Gomez?
Skeptical about Gomez? #2


  1. Forgotten by Cat Patrick

AU/UK/US Covers

Synopsis:

Past. Present. Future. Which matters most?

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her memory of that day is erased.  In the morning, all London can “remember” are events from her future and the people who will play a part in it.  In order to get by, London relies on reminder notes and a trusted friend to navigate relationships and high school life. Adaptable by nature, she tries to view her memory loss as a fact of life rather than a condition. But when London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flashforwards, as the case may be, she realizes that in order to understand her present and her future, she must solve the mystery of her past.

My Thoughts: I am pleasantly surprised that Cat Patrick has already scored herself a film deal, for her still-unreleased debut novel, Forgotten! I have been in love with the covers and the synopsis of this book for, well, since I saw it for the first time. I can't wait to be wow-ed as other bloggers have been so far. No doubt Patrick has earned herself a great headstart - I haven't seen so many publishing deals for a debut novel, just like that, ever! She's doing something right.

Along with the movie publishing deal, we now know who will be playing the main character, London: Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit).

Links:



  1. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Steph Chobsky
Synopsis: Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is navigating through the strange worlds of love, drugs, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", and dealing with the loss of a good friend and his favorite aunt.
My Thoughts: I just saw this over at Roof Beam Reader's blog. Now I haven't read this yet, but I've read the first few chapters and I can't wait until I can get around to reading it. And seeing the movie.

I read somewhere before that Emma Watson, who played as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, was not going to be doing anymore acting. Maybe that was a rumour or something, but anyway, she's going to be in this movie, with Logan Lerman, who played in Jack & Bobby and The Lightning Thief!! It's going to be very strange seeing Watson as anyone other than Miss Granger, but I can't wait to see how she adapts to a new role.

Links:

Emma Watson



Lots of great news. I am once again reminded of how time-consuming all the HTML code proofing and grammar revision can be. I hope you discover a new title or two! I don't plan to make either new book covers or movie deals a meme of sorts, as there are several out there already, but I really do love bringing some good news onto the blog every now and then!
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