Summer Reading...

When I was younger my favorite summer activity was to put on my bikini (where did that body go? ;-p) grab a book and my towel and head to the beach....then, with age came menopause and skin cancer warnings!

Today - I find myself happiest when I can curl up in my favorite chair in front of the AC (hot flashes are a _itch!) with a great YA or Historical Novel.

But I have found that in the summer we tend to accept some lighter faire...maybe it is the heat and our attention span shrinks...but for some reason I like a sweet, light book or a great horror, paranormal fiction read in the summer.

I have been catching up on books that have been on my To-Be-Read stack forever and trying to get through the stack of ARCs that are towering to the point they are about to fall over!

So these are some of the coming reviews you can look forward to seeing here...

From my TBR Stack:

ARC MADNESS...

...and the latest from one of my faves...the Bloody Jack series from L.A. Meyer!

What are you reading this summer?

Rachel Vincent in Chicago with new Soul Screamers!

For all you Rachel Vincent fans...a quick reminder:

Rachel's young adult series, Soul Screamers, debuted on August 1, 2009. My SOUL TO TAKE is the first in the series, about a teenage bean sidhe (banshee) trying to balance a normal high school experience with the terrifying, hidden world she's just discovered. Soul Screamers Book 3, MY SOUL TO KEEP, is now available!!!

Rachel Vincent Event Schedule Friday, June 25th: 10am-12pm Meijer Highland, IN 10138 Indianapolis Blvd Highland, IN 46322 2pm-4pm Kmart Tinley Park, IL 16300 Harlem Tinley Park, IL 60477 6pm-8pm Walmart Joliet, IL 2424 W. Jefferson St, Joliet, IL, 60436 Saturday, June 26th: 10am-12pm Kmart Naperville, IL 1199 E. Ogden Ave. Naperville, IL 60563 2pm-4pm Kmart Bloomingdale, IL 156 South Gary Ave Bloomingdale, IL 60108 6pm-8pm Walmart Gurnee, IL 6590 Grand Ave Gurnee, IL 60031 Sunday, June 27th: 10am-12pm Kmart Racine, WI 2211 South Green Bay Racine, WI 53406 2pm-4pm Kmart Brookfield, WI 18200 W Bluemound Rd Brookfield, WI 53045

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall

by Lauren Oliver

I have to say that my initial reason for picking up this book is a current fascination with debut authors...it didn't disappoint!

How to describe it? It appears that all the pertinent adjectives have already been used up in all the posted reviews...

Heartbreaking, compelling, raw, beautiful, emotional and complex - Before I Fall is all that!!!

In her debut novel author Lauren Oliver manages to find a "teen" voice that is so real I felt like I was sitting at Starbucks at 3pm! ...of course that could be because Oliver is just barely beyond teen herself.

So - you have probably already gathered that this is a "groundhog day" style telling of the life and death of Samantha Kingston...you know this girl. She is the girl that hangs with the "cool kids", has everything yet doesn't appear to appreciate any of it.

The compelling nature of Lauren Oliver's writing takes you from disdain and revulsion to Samantha working through the process of understanding what is truly important and through 7 efforts - to change her outlook.

My one problem with the book was that Oliver does such a great job of developing Samantha's character that I seriously didn't like her and didn't care...but the writing is so good and the story draws you in...all I can say is trust and read this book all the way through to the end.

Product Review From Amazon:

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

2010 Debut Author Challenge Information

I don't know about you but some of the best books I have read in 2009 have been Debut books by really talented new authors. So when I read on Twitter (do you tweet? follow me: @ReadingItAll) that @TheStorySiren will be holding the 2010 Debut Author Challenge!

For more info about the Challenge go to The Story Siren blog and subscribe to stay updated!!! or follow this link to the sign up page!

I will be adding my book list to the side column - so stay tuned and look for my list soon!

Shiver

by Maggie Stiefvater

A trio of girls, a budding teenage romance, the spiteful rich girl, this book has it all - - - oh yeah did I mention the werewolves?

Shiver is well written and definitely reaches for you from the start.

Maggie Stiefvater has accomplished what a lot of writers are still trying to figure out - how to engage a teenage reader without "text-speak" or sounding like a cheerleader who just downed an energy drink...intelligent but still fun.

So - I mentioned the werewolves - don't get any preconceived notions about silver bullets, full moons, etc. - this is NOT your parents werewolves. Stiefvater has done an excellent job of updating the legend and adding her own twist to the tale.

This is a fast read and a lovely afternoon diversion.

Product Description from Amazon

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.