BIRTHDAY: Letter to Myself

WRITTEN TO MY NEW 14 YEAR OLD SELF BY MY 13 YEAR OLD SELF AS OF NOVEMBER BECAUSE a) I am an insanely early poster and b) I thought it'd be fun to see this post and realize how quirky I was (still am?)

Hey Nikki! SO YEAR NUMBER 14 OF YOUR LIFE HAS FLOWN BY (Technically 14, but most people would say 13 since you were 13 years old, but as of today it's been year 14 right? Right.) So most of it has been quirky, but here's what's been going down:

You met and made friends with some SUPER SWEET 2014 debuters! Seriously, they're so sweet and they're called YA Valentines (Yes, Nikki, I am pimping them on your birthday letter. I'M SORRY.)

You had a crush for a few weeks, but it disappeared because you realized you hadn't talked to the guy in a couple of years, so who knows how he changed. And you refused to be that cliche YA girl with a crush on some guy she doesn't know so yeah. Hey high school starts this year! Maybe you'll find a new crush? 

*Update as of 2/10 so you may still sorta like em. Eh.

In the meantime you can totally cheer your friends on since you totally know who they like and who likes them because you managed to pry the secrets from their fingers because you can be annoying (Don't worry, some people actually find it endearing. Some.)

On the downside, you realized you had depression and that put a damper on things. But you're dealing, so it's all good! 

ON THE UPSIDE YOU TURNED GIRLY. Like seriously girly. First you turned from jeans and tshirts to suddenly semi-fashionable in the summer (Like, you wore skinny jeans which you never did. And wore decorative belts. And flowy tshirts. And jewelry. REALLY CUTE JEWELRY. YOU HAVE ADORABLE NECKLACES.) And right now you're actually considering skirts which you always said you'd never wear. Oh all the lies Nikki! Tsk tsk. OH. YOU EVEN WEAR MAKEUP DAILY. Okay not really, just some mascara and once in a while lip gloss. But still. It's a big change. 

You've grown apart with some of  your blogger friends, you've made new ones, but you still miss the old ones. They're busy with all their lives though, but hopefully they come back soon. <3 Some have even stopped blogging, but fingers crossed they come back, eh? In the meantime there's always texting and social media! Hope you stay in touch with the old blogger friends though. After all, they were your first friends in this strange place. 

Chocolate will forever be the best (or will it. WILL IT NIKKI. WILL IT REALLY.) Yes, Nikki. Yes it will be. 

Hmm, let's see what else is new. Uh. OH. You're currently writing, but I dunno if that'll continue after a few months. You think it's a cool idea though, all creepy and a retelling of beauty and the beast! (Honestly, Anita Howard totally influenced you on the creepy and retelling part.)

*Update instead it is now a thriller and you're also working on a contemporary

You worry too much about things only adults should worry about, but you can't help it. 

But it's okay, because you're pretty happy. And you know 2014 will rock (after all you start high school this fall. CRAP. YOU START HIGH SCHOOL. NIKKKKKIIIIIIIIIII.)

-Nikki, the 13 and a half year old version.

PS, you're strange. 

Meet the YA Valentines!

HEY GUYS! I know I did something already for the YA Valentines, but let's be honest. I love them too much to NOT do something for them (or make them do something for me?) on Valentines! I mean seriously. 

Visit the Valentines...on Valentines!  (Sorry I couldn't help it) 

So I asked them two questions: 

1) What book boy would you want to take you out on a date and what would you do?

2) What is your favorite romantic novel?

Not all of them got a chance to answer, but the answers we have are super fun...even if I do, personally, claim most of em for myself! 

Here are the answers in no order whatsoever! (Click their name to get taken to their Goodreads page!)

Kristi Helvig: Okay, if my teenage self could go on a date with anyone from a 2014 book that I've read, it would have to be Micah from The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes. I grew up in a strict household and went to Catholic school, so my 16-year-old self would bring that hawt mohawk-haired boy to my school dance. We would get quickly get kicked out, because you weren't allowed to have mohawks or colored hair at our school, and then we'd go get ice cream while the scandal spread school-wide. I'd know what it felt like to be the "bad" girl. Okay, I guess getting ice cream doesn't qualify as bad, but it would be double chocolate ice cream with hot fudge. ;)

Lynne Matson: I'd pick Trevor from PIVOT POINT. He's cute and artistic, and seriously swoony.

Jaye Robin Brown: I'd like to hang out with Clyde, a supporting character from Sarah Dessen's The Moon and More. We'd eat pie at his restaurant and talk art, maybe go fishing. I love his wry humility and Southern no-nonsense charm. I have a feeling we'd get along just fine and he'd understand that it wasn't a "date" date.

Anne Blankman: Ooo, what a fun question! My choice is Sturmhond from SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo. Not only is he a prince and a pirate, but he's a chameleon, constantly changing his personality and his appearance to suit his own plans. Dating him might feel like you're dating ten different people, but it'd be impossible to get bored!

Paula Stokes: WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME CHEAT ON MICAH?? (And Cole, and Cas, and Cassel, and Ash, and Jonah...)

Oh okay, if I have to go out with a newbie book boy, the choice is obvious. I pick Austin from Rachel Harris's A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. He's the perfect mix of bad boy on the outside and really decent upstanding good guy on the inside. He's funny. He's smart. He's a little bit broken--just the way I like 'em. The fact that he's gorgeous and totally tears it up on his surfboard? Bonus X 2.

What would we do? Obviously, I'd ask him for a surfing lesson. Truth: I've always wanted to learn to surf but I am afraid of sharks. With Austin by my side, I could relax enough to work through my fear and enjoy the challenge of riding the waves.

Lindsay Cummings: I would go on a date with Percy Jackson because.....really. it needs no explaining. He's percy freakin jackson, dude!!

Jen McConnel: First, I'm going to pretend that I'm sixteen and single again (sorry, honey!). With that bit of magic out of the way, I'd say definitely Daniel Cohen from Anne Blankman's PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG. We'd spend hours talking at a street cafe in Berlin, just enjoying the energy and beauty of the day.

Sara Raasch: Reinhard from Anne Blankman's PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG. 

BAH KIDDING. So completely totally KIDDING. *shudders* *locks doors*

I'd love to go out with Fred from Bridget Zinn's POISON. He's adorable and quirky, and we'd get to hang out in POISON's clever and vibrant world and play with Rosie the pig. Who would pass that up? 

Kristen Lippert Martin: Lord Hector from Rae Carson's "The Bitter Kingdom." 
The two of us are going to go spear fishing and then grill what we've caught on the beach and watch the sunset. Or save the world. Or something like that. Whatever will require him to take his shirt off.  

Bethany Hagen: I'd definitely go with Gansey from Maggie Steivater's The Dream Thieves.  He's wealthy, smart and full of angst--YUM.

Bethany Crandell: Jeb from AG Howard’s Splintered. He’s a tortured artist with a protective nature.

We’d have no formal plans. Just play with his…paintbrushes all day.

A. Lynden Rolland: I'm going to have to counteract Bethany Crandell and say Morpheus from AG Howard's Splintered. I never choose the bad boy, but Morpheus is a game changer. It would be a date like no other. Wonderland. Enough said.

Philip Siegel: I'm drawing a huge blank on this one, so that means I probably got stood up, in which case the date would consist of me, an extra-large bucket of popcorn, and the next available showing of that LEGO person movie.

Sara B Larson: I'm gonna have to get my glam on and try to steal Lord Hector from KSnap, because that's who I was going to pick! Or else we can just take turns. I just love a man who can protect me--but also teach me to protect myself. And he can ride a horse. And use a sword. And he's just made of awesome. I'd love to go for a ride (I miss my horse), and then have a delicious dinner somewhere, maybe on a beach. 

Seriously how amazing are they? 
Find more of their awesome here!
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Blogoversary: The Second (and Giveaway!)

Long post ahead. Leave all precious items here because I'm about to cry over you and get sappy.

Well guys. It's come. I'm finally an old blogger.

WELL CRAP.

No no, I'm good.

Seriously. See?

Yeah. We're good.

...

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Guys. GUYS. GUYS. Two years since I started this thing and it's been filled with amazing.

And no I won't stop with the gifs.

The thing is, and I've said this a bajillion times, I never really expected much from blogging. I never knew how giant and big the blogosphere was. I didn't know how much I would love the blogosphere.

Some people agonize over the decision to blog--they knew about the blogosphere beforehand, they knew what blogging was. I just dived right in, not knowing what the HELL I was getting into.

I thought I would quit when I got 100 followers. I didn't even think I'd get 10.

I thought I would quit when I wrote 50 reviews. It seemed like so much to me.

I thought I would quit when I reached 1 year. I didn't know how quickly that year would pass.

Blogging has been absolutely amazing and honestly. What would I be doing without it?
Shoving my face with chocolate while I watched Spongebob and Doctor Who.

But instead I'm part of this absolutely amazing community that sticks with each other, doesn't prejudice, and loves books. And authors! Bloggers! I TALK TO THESE PEOPLE. 

And now it's been two years of books, wonder, authors, bloggers, and everything.

I have spent two years on this blog. 

I have spent two years in this community.

I have spent two years being surrounded by crazy book loving people.

I have spent two years...having fun. 

And to all you people who've stuck by me those two years. Or one year. Or even one month.

Yes. Yes here comes the people part. And basically the dedications if my blog were a book.

FIRST TO MY FOLLOWERS. Because lord knows I would've given it up if not for you folk. Twitter, GFC, Bloglovin, Tumblr, whatever. You guys make me smile and I love seeing your comments or tweets. I mean. Guys. People actually care about what I have to say. And you're awesome for not running away.

AND TO MY BLOGGY FRIENDS. 
Merp Squad, first of all. Because they've always been my number one go to and the group of friends I will never let go of. They're awesome, they get me (HAHAHA no. Kudos for trying to understand my 2 AM tweets though y'all!) and I love them! They've pretty much been my first blogger friends and deal with my pettiness and horrible sides with me. (I'm so sorry about that!) I love you all. And we can be fat merpy birds together now!
-I may not talk to most of y'all anymore but I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU for being my closest bloggy friends! <3 Miss talking to y'all but life is rather bossy, isn't it?

Hafsah, Jessica, and Alex because I HAVE TEXAN FRIENDS. You guys don't know how big that is for me.
-Hafsah, the awesome writer who sent me her manuscript of Unbreathable for me to devour and sending me swag and for being up at 1 AM so I can talk to someone. YES.
-Jessica for being so super sweet and amazing. Almost no one does sweet like her!
-Alex for being crazy. And sort of nice. What? She tortures me with all the books she gets! MEAN! But also for being someone fun to talk to!

Kaede for being super crazy and super fun and almost always being on twitter. Or used to. (She sort of disappeared. Hmm) We need to talk more.

And Lucy, Shreya, Christine, YA Reads, and Alyssa for being oh so epic and being there when I must talk and for somehow becoming a close friends in a matter of days. You guys are wiggly things that made me love you all. And thank you for ranting with me. I need that.
-On that note, ALYSSA FOLLOWED ME IN JUNE OF 2012. OMFG GUYS. SHE FOLLOWED ME BEFORE SHE STARTED BLOGGING. HOW CRAY CRAY IS THAT.

Danielle who's not a blogger (totally should be though. Just saying.) but is still SO FREAKING AWESOME and let's me bounce ideas off her!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Rachel for being my NaNo buddy and letting me read her AMAZING stuff and letting me rant to her. Also, for being up at all hours for no reason at all. Stay vampirish, my friend.

AUTHOR FRIENDS. 
You should all come to Houston. FYI. And please don't kill off any characters I'm/I'll get attached to.

Paula Stokes/Fiona Paul. Hey thanks a lot for confuzzling me with ALL YOUR PEN NAMES. But also for being so awesome when I randomly email you. Because I do that. And for making me less scared of authors almost two years ago and giving me that VENOM ARC that made my entire year. My first absolutely awesome author friend who I don't think I'll ever stop bothering. (So sorry about that!) I have a tag for Fiona Paul you know.

ANITA! (A.G. Howard)Who sent me awesome Splintered things and mailed me a birthday gift! How amazing is that? And for letting me facebook her pretty much every other day without being annoyed. Though come on. I am disappointed that you haven't killed of Jeb yet. *Tragic sigh* Also because I now have four Anita signed things. She also has pretty hair. PRETTY HAIR. 

Well hello Romily Bernard and Natalie Richards. Yes I must put you together in this post. Did you know these two both wrote thrillers? And both ripped my heart apart? They're nice like that. But in all seriousness they're amazingly nice people who I would love to squiggle (SQUISH+HUGGLE). Thank you for being so super sweet and letting me spam your twitter timelines. Yep.

Gina Rosati for talking to me about writing and putting me in touch with some professional people I needed answers from and for being so nice and generous about EVERYTHING.

Lili Peloquin! You have an adorable baby. Did you know that? I bet you did.
And for letting me email you randomly so much! I LOVES YOU. I met you! I MET YOU. Thank you for being super nice and not laughing as I fumbled with my books in that signing line.

And I actually didn't include all my author friends. Just the people I talked to recently. (So yes, I do still consider you a friend and I do love your face.)

MY 2014 AUTHOR FRIENDS.
Hello. I hope you consider me a friend and not just the random person who tweets you. Ahem.

(Off the bat, The YA Valentines are AMAZING and all so sweet! <3 Follow their blog here.

Well Paula. Fiona. You're already up there. HMPH.

Sara B. Larson FOR BEING SUPER SWEET on all matters and for using my idea of madlibs and for letting me fangirl over your hair, instead of your book (In my defense, I always wanted curly hair and I still haven't read Defy yet. MY EXCUSE.)

Bethany Hagen for being awesome when I randomly gchat her at 10 PM. And for having an awesome cover. And for letting Merp Squad run her blog tour. And for giving me a boy talk. And for letting me tell her about Cerritos Library 'cause God knows more people need to know about my hometown library. (The thing is massive.)

Lynne Matson because she gives me the blue M&Ms. *sniffles* Thank you for the sacrifice and putting up with my awkward tweetage that sometimes I don't even understand. And for tweets that totally make my day! AND THE SIGNED COPY OF NIL AND CANDY! Ah, one of the best packages ever! (Totally because of the candy. I kid I kid. Or do I.)

Sara Raasch who's last name I mispronounced on a monthly basis. Whoops! BUT NOW I KNOW RIGHT. Erm. ANYWAYS. The pictures of food that you continuously post that makes me hungry. Thanks for that. (I don't even know if that's sarcasm!) And for fighting off the birds. I depend on you to fight off the birds.

 Those birds. *Runs*

But yep! And if I left anyone out my excuse is that I wrote this at midnight a few days ago. 

So now all I have left to say is

Wait no! I have a giveaway too! You can win any of these following books. As long as they can fit in my box, feel free to choose as many as you like! This one is US only.
OR
If you're INT, you can pick any book from The Book Depository under $13 as long as it ships to your country and I've spotlighted, reviewed, or interviewed the author sometime on the blog.

The prize also includes a Catching Fire poster of Finnick (because I might've grabbed two) and an assortment of swag from the Fierce Reads authors and...any other good signed stuff I can dig up. And trust me, my piles are endless. You'll be good.

BOOKS
Auracle by Gina Rosati (signed hardback)
Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White (ARC)
Asylum by Madeleine Roux (ARC)
The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (ARC or hardback)
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler (ARC)
Desert Tales by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (ARC)
Twinmaker by Sean Williams (ARC)
Blackout by Robison Wells (ARC)
Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt (ARC)
Deception by CJ Redwine (ARC)
The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (SIGNED)
Crewel by Gennifer Albin (UK signed copy)
Wake by Amanda Hocking
Lullaby by Amanda Hocking
Tidal by Amanda Hocking
Elegy by Amanda Hocking


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Now I can say goodbye with

Just For Fun

OKAY FOLKS. Not typically the kind of post I usually put up here, but I (SURPRISE. No seriously, it was a massive surprise) had a freaking EMPTY SPACE for this date. And since I've been wanting to post something about NaNo, I decided why not?

SO THIS IS MY FIRST NANO. Ever. I've seen it around but I never thought I'd like writing because, you know, I suck at writing. But then NaNo came around and I was like "Screw it" and signed up. 

And I am falling behind.

By like, a lot. SO YEAH. 

But it's actually really fun because...well I was going to say I got to write a story that's in my head forever, but that's not true. I was going to, but the Beauty and the Beast retelling just wasn't doing it for me. So I wrote my contemporary. Then started my psychological/paranormal (Still thinking which one) thriller. So yeah. 

Crap. I was going to leave it at this, but this post is way to short. 

Umm, anyone want to see the beginnings of my stories then? (I'm way too fond of opening paragraphs!) 

All My Goodbyes

Dying hurt, but it was what came after that hurt the most.

It was more than just not being a live anymore. It was seeing people suffering with the guilt. It was seeing people move on so easily. It was seeing everyone try to get past their sorrow. It was everything that came after the word “died.”

I suppose what they said was true.

Being left behind is more painful than death.

But watching those left behind hurts so much more.

Red Queen Killer

                The first time I killed, my mom bought me a doll. I was eight.

The second time I killed, my dad gave me the knife. I was ten.

                The third time I killed, my brother tried to stop me. No one could find him after. I was thirteen.

                The fourth time I killed, it was a double kill and my parents were dead. I was fourteen.

                After that it was just me and my doll doing what my parents had taught me.

                Never show mercy, he said as he sharpened his blade. They’ll beg for their lives, claim that they were innocent, that they never hurt anyone. But when God carves their name out on our hands, we know that they’ll kill and hurt thousands. Better to cut one life short than a thousand more. Ignore the plea in their eyes, the shine of tears. You say more lives than the one you cut.

                Patience is a virtue, she said, twirling her knife and stabbing at the air. Killing for Him is an art. Don’t be some mystery faced killer. It may take months to get close to the target and you can hate him as much as you want. But be patient and get close to him. Do whatever it takes to bring him down. It’ll pay out in the end.

                Do what He says, they said, sitting in front of me. When you’ve learned all you can, names will be carved on your hand. It will hurt and you will bleed, but you will be able to make out the name. And you will hunt down, and you will manipulate, and you will kill that person. You’ll be guided, of course. But in the end, you must do the killing.

                And so I did. 

How's YOUR NaNo going?

Just For fun: DNF'd Books

HELLO. I DRAGGED MY BEST FRIEND EILEEN HERE TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS WE DNF'D (Did not finish) AND WHY. Then reply to those. It should be interesting. And just because WE didn't like these books doesn't mean you wouldn't. And we don't mean to insult anyone so, just...*backs off*

Nikki's DNF'd

Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon
 This was just really slow for me at first and the weird names turned me off. Not to mention, it went hard-hard-hardcore sci-fi and did the whole Martian thing and weird alien names and creatures. I don't think I was quite prepared for this much sci-fi.
  Yeah, so I've never heard of this book before you said you DNFed it a few days ago.

 Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett

I really did enjoy this at first. I'd been pining over it for months! But the main character...she was just so...ugh.  It's been a looonnnggg time since I tried to read it, so I'm blurry on details, but there was this forest scene where she was just so stupid. I just snapped. She was ridiculous! If it wasn't for Evie though, I'm sure I would've loved Eternal Starling!
  Oh, look! Eileen hasn't heard of another YA book! Surprise, surprise.

Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto
 Beth was just so idiotically stubborn in the first 15 pages and it just got super cheesy. I also skipped to the ending and saw the dreaded HEA (Happy Ever After) I wasn't surprised, but I was definitely irritated. Unbelievably so. I'll probably give it another chance when I ahve the time since I liked the other 2 books well enough!
  Heh. Never read this one. BUT at least I've heard of it!

Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

I was so excited for this! And it would've been amazing, I think, except for the insta love and the coincidences that led to the main romance. Immediately our two characters have a "connection" across a room when they connect eyes. Then he happens to stumble upon her with a piano and he just happens to be kind and not get her in trouble.

Ooh yay for me not buying it! EWW INSTA LOVE! GET. IT. AWAY.

Doomed by Tracy Deebs 
 I wasn't exactly the...biggest fan of her Tempest series, but I took the chance since Doomed just sounded amazing! But...within (I think) The first 2 chapters, we have a seemingly unattractive, tom-boyish main character which, you know, is fine. And then we suddenly have two brothers, one dark haired and moody (and rude.) and one (I think) blonde and bouncy and completely chivalrous. And they were both pretty into our main character even though they had gaggles of girls after them. Mhmm. DUDE RIGHT? 
Seriously the fights between the brothers were SO forced and it was ridiculous and seriously I ranted SO HARD about this one on my Kindle. There are still the notes somewhere *digs them out* Merp. Apparently my brother has the iPad so I can't get to my Kindle app (where I read this when my first Kindle was...injured...let's say), JUST TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IT'S BAD. It's not even about the game that much rather than the real life aftermath. *sigh*


Eileen's DNF'd

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

I actually was really intrigued by this one. It sounded like a fantastic promise, but I only got 15 pages in before I realized that I just couldn't do it. We all know that I'm OCD (CDO, since the letters need to be in alphabetical order or else I will go insane), and when I saw the grammar mistakes and the spelling mistakes, I started twitching like nobody's business.

There weren't QUOTATION MARKS. I had no idea when someone was talking and when she was just thinking! In this case, it wasn't anything to do with the book, it was more of the fact that the direction Moira took the writing wasn't compatible with what I could handle.

OMG. I DNF'd this too for the same reason! Props to the author for writing like that for over 300 pages, but I just couldn't get used to it and it bothered me so much. ACK.

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Oh dude, this book literally put me into a reading slump. I was reading this one, just not feeling it, and then put it down and all of the books I read after that for months made me want to puke all over myself. It was absolutely ridiculous, how City of Fallen Angels and City of Lost Souls were both just last-ditch efforts to milk her success as much as she could. Don't get me wrong, I loved The Infernal Devices, but that was a well thought-out series. This one just kind of ruined a trilogy that was fine on its own. 
I was badass and quit the book before this. ;) It just started going EVERYWHERE. But same, TID totally beats TMI for me!

Taken by Erin Bowman

Dear God, can I just take a moment to express how utterly boring this one was? There was no world-building, and the beginning left much to be desired. What I expected was to finally discover how the Heist worked, and what this world he lived in was like, but then he ditched it all to go running after some lighting. I'm disappointed in you, Gray. It just got more boring and boring that eventually I stopped reading it, and then I started another book. And another. And another. And then I officially shelved this as a DNF a month later.

ADIFHWLKSAFNLKWHES:LDCKN. *headdesk* IT WAS SO AMAZING AFTER. Definitely give this another try or I will cremate you. THE COVER IS GORGEOUS TOO

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
This one had so much promise. I heard such fantastic things, and I was doing some serious cover-lusting for that beautiful cover. And then, alas, I opened the book. The beginning was great, and I was thinking, "This is getting really interesting!" Halfway through, I started to get bored. Soon enough, I couldn't bring myself to finish, or even turn another page. What's Left of Me concentrates a lot on the character development between Addie and Eva, which was a serious issue for me because I need a strong plot to love the book. And if the plot isn't very intense, there has to be some romance. And if there isn't any romance, then that plot really better be good. And so on. Of course, I do care about character development, but it's not my main priority when reading a book. It's just the way I was built.
Yeah this one was sort of slow. Can't blame you for DNFing! I was so close, but I finished! Book 2 is definitely going to be really good though, since we've gotten most of the introducing out of the way! :D

Just For Fun

So. As a Just for Fun thing, I thought I'd show you some of the cover changes of the year (Well, 2012)! You probably know all of these, but hey. It's Just for Fun! I don't really hate any of these or love any of these. Though I do miss the old covers for Across the Universe...

Just for Fun

Wow! I haven't done these in a while! The last time I did this was in the summer when I was always behind. As in, no posts scheduled at all. I'm now a month ahead, BUT thought I'd do this JUST FOR FUN!

So this time I'm choosing my Top 10 Awaited 2013 Debuts. This was INCREDIBLY hard. As in, I probably chose a random number and counted. There are just a ton of amazing debuts. (AND YES. These are ones I have NOT read!)

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Ummm...hello? What's NOT to like?!Actually, this was my WoW for yesterday! ;D

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholk
*COUGH* How could you not be intrigued by this? I have so many questions!!! I am definitely preordering this! You already know not to trust the bad boy, but out MC doesn't...so what's happening?

The Madman's Daugter by Megan Shepherd
MAD SCIENTIST GUYS. HOW AWESOME DOES THAT EVEN SOUND? And mutations. And romance. And the historical era. I rest my case.

Taken by Erin Bowman
I'm incredeibly curious about this world. The guys are taken? A whole new meaning to "Girls rule" right? *whistles* This is defintiely going to be interesting.

Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
THIS JUST SOUNDS AMAZING AND HAS THE MOST GORGEOUS COVER! LOVE the pink, even if I'm more of a blue girl myself! Singing powers? It's like a mutated siren! And I mean that in the best way possible.

Altered by Jennifer Rush
There has been MAJOR hype about this book, mainly from people who's opinion I trust to the moon and back! Not to mention that cover. ;D I think yellow does look nice sometimes lol! Plus, what kind of expirements would need 4 guys locked up? And from reading the excerpt, why do all 4 guys have scars in the same place?

City of A Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
THIS ONE is where I have the most questions! I need, NEED, all of my questions answered so 2013 better get here ASAP.

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
This was so awesome, I put this as my WoW TWICE. You can see both here and here

Prophecy by Ellen Oh
A female warrior in a place full of men? Sounds a bit Mulan to me, and that was my favorite Disney tale fo so long. I've got high hopes for this! Think it'll meet them? I think so too.

Ink by Amanda Sun
I've been loving all Japan-style books lately! Stormdancer, (I'm counting Katana as one since it had samurai), and I'm just DYING for Tokyo Heist! Plus, drawings that come to life? This kind of makes me think of Nevermore, which I totally loved!


Any of these on your TBR? Any you've discovered? Any you absolutely want and will squee with me when you're done?

Have a Picture!

Is it or is it not completely true?

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Armchair BEA: Ask the Experts

My questions for all those other amazing bloggers and my own tips for blogging. Warning: My tips will most likely be cheesy sayings

Tips

• Never give up; keep at it.
• Post as frequently as possible! I, for one, hate going to a blog and seeing that there hasn't been a post for a week or something
• Socialize! I've found that being on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads help spread the word about your blog and helps you make a few blogger friends of your own! And those friends are some of the best!
• Post your actual opinions! I've seen a few bloggers (who've admitted it) post reviews where half was what they actually felt and the other half was just what everyone else was saying. Trust me. A lot of people can tell when it's not your actually opinion.
• Make blogger friends! This is basically rephrasing Tip #2, but seriously. Blogger friends are some of the best friends you can have. After all, who else can rant about books as much?
• Don't diss an author or book. Using Ann Stampler's words (find the interview here) "It’s inevitable that some people just won’t like a book.  It’s their prerogative to say so, although, one would hope, not in vitriolic way.  I have seen some bizarre, nasty stuff, but I suspect it is more a reflection of the reviewer than the book in question It makes both viewers, publishers, and authors thinking badly. After all, no one wants to read a book full of hate, hate, and hate, with no reason why or no good things. After all, a book can't be completely bad.

Questions

• How do you keep your content unique and fun?
• What do you think publishers particularly look for when you request ARCs?
• Have you ever made an author friend? Just curious. :)
• How do you gain more followers; what do you think attracts more followers? Besides giveaways of course.
• When you review books, do you just use one "layout" or do you just end up rambling about the book?

Armchair BEA: Tips for Blogging

"Have you done any freelance writing? Are you monetizing your blog and how so?"

Since neither of those apply, I'm was going to go with the third question:

"How do you make connections outside the book blog community on the Internet?"

But then I had no idea how to answer or what they wanted. So I went with Option #2:

"If none of these apply we'd love for you to share a fun aspect about your blog or life that may be completely separate from books!"

So here I am with a "fun aspect about my blog or life"!

The Post:
Blogging is hard. No, not as in it's hard to write the posts, that's easy! I just do what Jen (http://www.jenryland.blogspot.com/) does and pretend I'm just talking about a book I read instead of feeling like I'm writing a review. What's hard is finding the time! The Internet hasn't been working in forever so I write my posts on the library computer everyday. I spend 4 hours at least at the library, scheduling posts, socializing with the blogosphere and chatting with a friends. Multitask! But it's definitely worth it to introduce new books to people, give readers a chance to win a book or swag, and talk to bloggers/readers/authors! Another thing I love about blogging: literally anyone can be a book blogger! You don't have to have amazing writing skills or a 1000 foot deep understanding of books. You don't have to have an A+ in ELA or have enough books to fill a library! God knows I don't have any of that! I just love books so I write about them.

I don't think any of that fit the topic, so here's what I think of as a fun aspect of my life:
My mom is so awesome, she buys me three batches of 20 books a year and around 3 books between those giant batches. :3 I am happy. My mom will one day be broke. Oopsies.

Armchair BEA: Real Life Book Experience!

OK, the topic for today was a real life bookish experience which would definitely be fun to write about! Problem? I've never had a real life bookish experience. Why? Because...

• There are no indie bookstores within 25 miles of me
• My local library never has any fun programs
• No authors come to Sugar land. Austin, Dallas, and Houston, but usually on a school day so...

That's basically it. I asked one of the moderators on what I should do and she said that I could "express my frustration with he lack of opportunities" or how I may start networking outside the WWW.

So...

Since I have never been to any type of book convention, I always try to track down all the bookish events and see if I can go. And guess what? I finally found one: Teen Author Carnival. I'll be in NYC on June 5 and June 11 so this corresponded perfectly! I'm so glad I found out about it! Since I'm scheduling this, I have no idea what I felt yesterday...that's weird. This is basically a past me talking about yesterday me...anyways! I think that with Summer Break here, I can actually go to one of the eve ts that's 5 hours away or something! Hopefully! This is pretty short, but that's all I have so..bye!

Armchair BEA: 2012 Favorites!

Another Armchair BEA post! What are some books at BEA that I hope will make it on my favorites shelf...It's a gian tlist. Let's see:

Favorites at BEA: You have no idea how jealous I am of the people who get to go to BEA! These are some amazing books and hopefully I can snag a copy!

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

A Fractured Light by Jocelyn Davies

Starling by Lesley Livingston

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Renegade by J.A. Sounders

Did you make it through that list? What are some of your favorites of 2012 or books at BEA you hope will make it to your favorites list?

Armchair BEA: Self Interview

I decided to join Armchair BEA and this is the first post: a self interview where I answer 5 questions. Hopefully I can get all the posts since I wont have a lot of Wi-Fi. Ugh. So here it is:

Armchair BEA: Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Fiction Freak: I'm a teen blogger who (I'm saying this for the fifth time) can not believe how many followers I have! It's just mind blowing! I've been blogging for 7 months and first got into it because...in all honesty, I was just bored on Thanksgiving. All my friends called be a book freak and I joked saying I was a fiction freak since I hated textbooks. I got so bored I just decided why not? And started this blog. It only made sense at the time.

A BEA: What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

FF: I'm currently reading Katana by Cole Gibsen which is rocking my face off! I can't believe how awesome it is. My favorite book, however, has to be Sweet Evil! It was absolutely stunning!

A BEA: If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

FF: Meghan from The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa for sure! Her or Ash, but I'm afraid that if it was a dinner with Ash I'd be swooning all night. So let's go with Meghan. Why? Because I've always loved the series and I'd love to ask Meghan why she did some things or how she felt on other things. There are just so many things that aren't revealed. Like if Keenan was actually born!

A BEA: What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

FF: All the authors and bloggers I meet and the books I'm introduced to! I've met so many awesome people and Haas some fun interviews with such talented authors. Bloggers make amazing friends especially since they have a giant love for books thar can challenge mine!  And I can't think of much I'd love to change except for the fact that a few bloggers aren't exactly nice to others because of how many followers we have. But I have met a lot of nice bloggers too, so I can't say anything bad.

A BEA: Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

FF: Yes actually! I used to end up reading unsatisfying books that made my stomach churn in a bad way or just...ugh. But now, thankfully, I can sniff out a good book! It's such a relief!

~°~

So how was it? Fun? Not so fun? Well I hope you enjoyed!

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Teams I'm On

As in love triangle teams. Here are my favorite guys in a love triangle.

1. Team Ash from the Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

2. Team Alex from Delirium by Lauren Oliver

3. Team Will from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

4. Team Lucas from the Shadow Falls series by C.C. Hunter

5. Team Ren from the Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck

What teams are you on?

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Fun Post: Covers

So, here's one more fun post with a few beautiful covers! My top five favorite covers (In no particular order):

            

 

Beautiful, no? My absolute favorite is Disenchanted, and I want the book! I would love to print out the cover and hang it on my wall! It's absolutely stunning! What are your favorite covers of 2012? Any debuts?