What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

The moment I saw Wither’s beautiful cover and read its intriguing summary, I knew I had to get my hands on this book, so I was thrilled when an ARC arrived at my doorstep in December from Shelf Awareness.

Even though I barely put down Wither as I was reading it, I wouldn’t exactly say that the plot of this novel is fast-paced. However, between the world-building and DeStefano’s writing, every page is filled with intrigue and emotion. Wither is not only one of the best dystopian books out there, but is also one of the most beautifully written. Beauty and horror are perfectly juxtaposed on every page of this novel, leaving the reader in awe of Linden’s mansion and terrified by the secrets it holds. This combination kept me up at night turning the pages, and I wasn’t happy to put Wither down until I had learned everything I could about the world DeStefano has created.

When it comes to characterization, DeStefano is brilliant. I loved Rhine’s strength, dedication and insatiable curiosity. Several other characters, such as Linden and Cecily, appeared completely black and white at first, but quickly proved to be much more layered and complex. I liked Gabriel, but I also wanted to see more of him in the story, and can’t wait to see where his character goes in future installments of the story.

Wither has gotten a lot of rave reviews from bloggers, and it deserves every single one of them. This book absorbed me, yet still left me with so many questions, wanting to know more about this world. Whatever the sequel to this book is called, whenever it comes out, I will be purchasing a copy the day it becomes available. This dystopian debut is a must read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from . Thanks!

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster's art collection has been stolen, and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history—and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

I purchased Heist Society in June of 2010 because it looked spectacular and I’d read some favorable ideas. It sat patiently on my dresser for six months until during a recent read-a-thon I saw on Twitter that Kristen of read it and gave it 5 stars. I’d just finished a heavy, contemporary novel, and knew right away that I had to pick up Heist Society. Heist Society is a fast-paced, fun and flirty read, which was exactly what I needed.

Whether it’s James Bond or Ally Carter, I think any great spy story needs to have two particular elements, and Heist Society had them both. A setting abroad that gives the reader a case of wanderlust? Check. Gadgets so fancy I covet them yet would have no idea how to use them in real life? Check.

In addition to all of this, Carter has also created some lovable characters. Although Kat is sharp and a criminal mastermind who’s able to think on her feet, she also has a compassionate side. I loved her sidekick, Hale, for similar reasons. Sure, he acted cocky sometimes, but also had a very sweet side.

I am so glad that I decided to send my TBR pile into turmoil and throw Heist Society into the mix. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves adventure, spies, strong female characters and cute boys. I can see just about any teen girl finding an element of this book that they love. I can’t wait to read Heist Society’s upcoming sequel , as well as Carter’s other books.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of .

For review:
edited by Liz Miles
by Steve Watkins
by Hannah Moskowitz
Gifted:
T-shirt!
Gift card for
Bought:
by Orhan Pamuk
by Charlotte Bronte
by Susanna Clarke
by Emily Griffin
by Dia Reeves
by Ann Aguire
by Lauren DeStefano
by Caitlin Kittredge

Read:
by Hannah Moskowitz ()
Currently reading:
by Allan Richard Shickman
of the Macabre by John William Polidori
edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
by Jessica Day George
by Ramona Wray
by Lauren Oliver
by Robin McKinley

Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss?

Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive....

Not your typical beach read.

When I heard the words “beach read,” I tend to think of a light-hearted book that will make me smile without making me think deeply. Moskowitz’s sophomore novel Invincible Summer is a beach read in terms of its oceanside setting, but is also a novel that leaves readers with a lot to think about. This is the story of a family that is trying to say together as they grow older. While I didn’t connect with the plot one hundred percent, I found this to be a beautifully done work which nicely showcases Moskowitz’s talent and creativity.

Not one word of Invincible Summer’s plot is sugar coated. It took me about fifty pages to get into Invincible Summer, because sometimes the writing style felt like unedited thoughts. I got used to it, though, and ultimately found it quite poignant. I will say that I didn’t agree with or feel the full impact of every Camus quote in the story.

While I can imagine that some people grow up in a family with dynamics similar to those of Chase and his family, I did not, so it was challenging for me to connect with that aspect of the story. The end of the story was very emotional for me. I loved Chase’s connection to the beach because I’ve felt that way about places where I spent large chunks of my summer.

Moskowitz’s characters are brilliantly realistic because they have good intentions, but also make mistakes and aren’t the easiest to love. Sometimes Chase frustrated me because he wanted to bring his family together, but would say or do something hurtful to his family. I adored Gideon because he was so loving and full of life. At the end of the day, I really cared about how things worked out for the family Moskowitz created.

For some readers, Invincible Summer will be a novel to which they can relate. Although Moskowitz is an incredibly talented writer, this wasn’t quite the story for me. Fans of honest, gripping contemporary novels will eat up Invincible Summer, and I look forward to reading more of Moskowitz’s work.

To find out another reviewer's opinion of Invincible Summer and continue following the blog tour, visit tomorrow.

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of this book by the publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

For the past few weeks, If I Stay and it’s recently published sequel, , have been two of the most hyped books in the blogosphere. Every time I mentioned that I hadn’t picked this one up, someone would yell at me to read it right away. If I Stay brought tears to my eyes and has stuck with me.

The plot of If I Stay is told through Mia’s perspective, and the story Forman has created is heart-wrenching. Hands down, characterization is the strongest aspect of this story. Mia shows the reader everything from childhood memories to the immediate aftermath of the accident and her time in the hospital. Forman identifies and describes the emotions and confusion that Mia is feeling so perfectly that my heart couldn’t help but break for her.

Some of the hardest and most enjoyable parts of this book were when Mia’s family and friends came to visit her. It was never easy to watch what they were going through, but their love and concern for Mia was overwhelmingly beautiful and eye-opening, and it was amazing to see how she responded to what them. The scenes with her grandfather and aunt had me particularly misty eyed.

What bothered me about If I Stay was the ending, more specifically the last page. Some of the details are skimmed over, and the ambiguity bothers me somewhat. However, I also can’t see how Forman could have added more details without making things cheesy. I know some reviewers might see where one option is clearly preferable for Mia over the other, making the ending obvious. However, because of a combination of my world views, sympathy for Mia’s pain and indecisiveness, each choice seemed equally valid to me and I cared about what she wanted for herself. I’ve grown more accepting of the ending after flipping through the discussion guide in my edition and having a long chat with Ashley of .

It’s been a long time since a book has evoked the amount of thought and discussion that If I Stay has for me. While I only spent a few short hours reading it, I have been thinking about this story for days afterwards. If I Stay is worth every emotion that comes with reading it and is an absolute must read.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

"Literary critics make natural detectives," says Maud Bailey, heroine of a mystery where the clues lurk in university libraries, old letters, and dusty journals. Together with Roland Michell, a fellow academic and accidental sleuth, Maud discovers a love affair between the two Victorian writers the pair has dedicated their lives to studying: Randolph Ash, a literary great long assumed to be a devoted and faithful husband, and Christabel La Motte, a lesser-known "fairy poetess" and chaste spinster. At first, Roland and Maud's discovery threatens only to alter the direction of their research, but as they unearth the truth about the long-forgotten romance, their involvement becomes increasingly urgent and personal. Desperately concealing their purpose from competing researchers, they embark on a journey that pulls each of them from solitude and loneliness, challenges the most basic assumptions they hold about themselves, and uncovers their unique entitlement to the secret of Ash and La Motte's passion.

Winner of the 1990 Booker Prize--the U.K.'s highest literary award--Possession is a gripping and compulsively readable novel. A.S. Byatt exquisitely renders a setting rich in detail and texture. Her lush imagery weaves together the dual worlds that appear throughout the novel--the worlds of the mind and the senses, of male and female, of darkness and light, of truth and imagination--into an enchanted and unforgettable tale of love and intrigue.

I like to keep my reading regime pretty diverse--a little bit of everything mixed in there. Years ago in Barnes and Noble, my mother handed me a copy of Possession, saying it sounded like something I might enjoy. Since then it kept getting shoved to the bottom of my TBR pile, and I kept hearing from others how amazing it was. While I didn’t love Possession the way I hoped to, I think it’s the perfect book to read with a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon.

Possession is the story of two scholars who are pulled together because of a connection between the poets that each of them studies. If you find the world of academia tedious and frustrating, don’t read this book. Part of the reason I’ve chosen not to pursue a PhD is because I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life dealing with the bureaucracy of academics, and I could have skipped those aspects of this novel. However, professors jostling and backstabbing to see who had the most power didn’t take up too much of this novel, so it didn’t spoil it entirely for me.

The romance between Roland and Maud was quiet and awkward. Roland is a bumbling professor type, not one to pull out suave comebacks and look neatly combed every day. I also found the love story between the two poets very engrossing, because their banter was so witty. Not only did Byatt’s beautiful writing shine through particularly in these love stories, I think she ended not only both of them but her novel as a whole on just the right notes.

Byatt’s novel had a few technical issues, such as too few dialogue tags, that made it a slightly slower read. At the end of the day, however, it proved to be worth it. Possession is both imaginative and beautiful, and the perfect story for any reader looking to be swept away in a lyrical romance.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of .

For review:
by Andrea Cremer
Gifted:
bookmarks from Leah Cypess
by Janet Mullany
by Meg Cabot + swag!
Bought:
by Jonathan Stroud
by Stefne Miller
by Deb Caletti
by Wendelin Van Draanen
by Kirsten Hubbard
by Deborah Harkness


Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Jen of
Heidi of

Read:
by Ally Carter
by Lauren DeStefano
Currently reading:
by Allan Richard Shickman
by John William Polidori
edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
by Hannah Moskowitz
by Risa Green
by Lauren Oliver
by Robin McKinley

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

PROM! The anticipation for prom makes one giddy, the night is one to remember and the pictures are comical in years afterwords. Or at least, that’s the common belief. The Anti-Prom takes place over the course of one prom night, but focuses on three girls who aren’t having the time of their lives and wind up spending the evening together: Bliss, who’s coping with a cheating boyfriend, Meg the wallflower and Jolene the bad girl. The whole thing actually felt as thought it was inspired by The Breakfast Club, but with more cheese and characters with whom it was hard to connect. However, parts of The Anti-Prom were sweet and lighthearted, and I think some readers will love that.

McDonald created three unique characters to center her story around. Each of the three characters in this novel wants revenge, or at least a change of pace. While it was mildly entertaining to watch the characters scheme, I couldn’t help but dwell on how impractical and unrealistic things got. There was at least a delightfully geeky guy at one point, and I enjoyed reading about his character.

Since the novel is centered around prom, I expected great detail towards subjects like makeovers and shoes, yet each of these three girls had serious problems that they were trying to work around. As it happened, I couldn’t relate to any of their problems. Instead of going, “Man, I know you feel” I would just think, “Oh, that’s...sad.” While I was reading I kept thinking McDonald’s writing was a bit cheesy, and in retrospect I think I might have felt differently about the writing if I had related to these characters’ more.

The Anti-Prom turned out to be something of an anti-climatic read for me. However, I think it was just a matter of me not being able to connect with the characters’s circumstances, so this book could be a totally different experience for you. McDonald’s other novel, sounds more like my type of thing, so I’ll definitely give her work another chance.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through .

Based on the fact that I have an entire feature dedicated to books turned movies, you guys probably know that I love watching movies. It seems that the BBC snatches up a lot of the classics and that somewhere along the way, a lot of books become movies. I actually struggled initially, because it seems like nearly everything has been made into a movie. Yet after some careful combing through my GoodReads shelves, I found a few that would make awesome movies.

10.) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
I was a big fan of Sam, the love interest/co-narrator of this story. Yet what I loved even more about this book is Stiefvater's lyrical, poetic writing style. In my opinion, an author's writing style is the hardest thing to translate from book to screen, and I'm worried that it's not possible for any studio to do this novel justice. However, part of me would love to see someone try, on the off chance of success.

9.) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I've actually heard this one is becoming a movie. I feel like this is another adaptation with infinite potential to go horribly awry. Yet if done well, it could be poignant and beautiful. If it really does become a movie, I'm praying for poignant.

8.) The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
As I read The Cinderella Society, I relished how girly and fun it was. I actually see this as the type of thing that Disney Channel might make into a movie. I love picking out outfits and am a sucker for romance, and since both of these two elements are in this story, I think it could become an instant feel good flick for me.

7.) Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Killer unicorns on the big screen? Talk about badass. I think this one would have to be live action for it to be as awesome as the book, though I'm not sure how'd they create the unicorns. I'm sure someone out there has a special effect for that kind of thing.

6.) Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
A story about women by the name of Waverly who own a magical garden, this adult novel is the perfect balance of magical realism and chick lit. I would love to see their fantastic garden on the big screen--I'd walk out of the theater salivating and then go on a fruit and veggie shopping spree.

5.) Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
I absolutely adored this book when I read it this past Christmas, and while it's a sweet story, I also think several of the scenarios would be hilarious in live action. If this were made into a movie, I have a feeling it's one I would watch over and over every Christmas.

4.) I Am Really A Princess by Carol Diggory Shields
Okay, so I'll admit it. You'd have to make a lot of changes to adapt this one into a full length movie, because right now it's a picture book. It's about a girl who imagines what life would be like if she were a princess, but one could write about what it'd be like if she somehow became a princess for a day and make it into a full length movie. My inner 5-year-old girl would adore it.

3.) Anything by Sharon Creech
I loved Sharon Creech's book as a tween and teen, and I still love them now. She's one of my favorite authors. I think any of her books would make great movies.

2.) The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
The Last September is set in Ireland in 1920, so around the time of the revolution when Ireland was trying to free itself from British rule. It has the wit of Pride and Prejudice and the emotion of war, which would make it a really compelling period piece.

1.) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
I've never been to Paris, but I've heard the setting is magical. If you find the right actor to play Etienne St. Clair, it would be fabulous.

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of .

For review:
by Steve Hockensmith
Gifted:
by Lawrence Dorfman
by Jane Austen and Another Lady
Personal Library Kit
bookmarks from Misty
Gift card, used to pre-order by Catherynne M. Valente
Bought:
by Gayle Forman
by Cassandra Clare
The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Misty of
Birgit of

Read:
by A.S. Byatt
by Gayle Forman
Currently reading:
by Ally Carter (Had no intentions of starting it this week, but it called out to me mid read-a-thon.)
by John William Polidori
edited by Leah Wilson
What I plan to read:
by Lauren DeStefano
by Allan Richard Shickman
by Hannah Moskowitz

I’m a bit late to the party here, but lately there has been a lot of discussion in the blogosphere as to whether or not bloggers sell books. It seems to me that many publishers believe the impact bloggers have on book sales is pretty minimal, particularly when I look at which Kristi of had with an anonymous author. While bloggers may not be responsible for selling every individual copy of a book, I think this author underestimates us.

First of all, I want to make one thing amply clear: I did not start this blog because I want to sell books. In fact, I don’t think that’s why any of us who blog for fun post day after day. If I wanted to sell books, I would open up a bookstore. Yet I think that when a blogger is passionate about a title and is able to convey his or her feelings through a clear voice, a few book sales are the end result.

If I read a book that I fall head over heels in love with, I want to show the rest of the world just how awesome it is. One example of this is . I did my best to write a (I realize I mainly just gushed), had a giveaway for it, have given it twice as a gift, and continue to recommend it to anyone who I think might be interested. That’s right, I actively use my blog to give people free books that they can read, and review on their own blog or . And I’m not the only book pusher out there. When I mentioned the other day on Twitter that I still haven’t read Gayle Forman’s , I got about five Tweets from other bloggers saying things like, “WHAT!” and “GO READ IT NOW!!!” Situations like this lead to people in IMM videos saying, “After reading all of the rave reviews I finally bought a copy of this,” or a comment from a reader on my blog saying, “I just went out and got this book because you said it was great and I loved it!”

Clearly, bloggers love to “sell” books to each other. We may trust a fellow reviewer so much that we will at least consider buying any book that he or she reviews positively. However, if you think that bloggers and the impact that they have extends no further than your glossy computer screen, you are oh so wrong.

Bloggers love bookish places. We all have favorite libraries and bookstores that we frequent, and I know lots of people, myself included, who will jump at the chance to go to author signings. Part of what I love about signings is the buzz of excitement as writing wisdom is shared, jokes are made and pictures are taken. I’ll end up chatting with other people I meet at a signing not only about the authors and books there but about other titles that I love. Recommendations are shared and books are passed into eagerly waiting hands.

Yet for some bloggers, showing up for a signing just isn’t enough, and we wind up working more closely with our local indies. I am the YA blogger for indie bookstore , and am also starting a new feature on this blog where I spotlight some of my favorite bookstores. Pam of is another great example of a blogger who is constantly involved with her local indie.

We also spend time at libraries, and in some cases, talk to librarians and patrons. If I see someone pick up a book I love, I might casually say, “Oh, that one is really good.” I’ve also been someone who loves talking to librarians, telling them about my favorite books and getting recommendations. It’s also worth noting that I know lots of bloggers and non-bloggers who attend book clubs. What better way to build hype than to sit around with your friends and discuss the books you love?

Not all bloggers are this involved in the YA community. Some only pick out a few of these activities. I do believe, however, that there are few bloggers who only blog--I think most are also on Twitter or involved in on-site events. As individuals, maybe we each only sell about five books a year, as the author in Kristi's post guessed. But take a look around. Look at all of the blogs out there. Check out all of the blogs in the , or all 965 people who are participating in The Story Siren’s , where she has a link that will send readers to booksellers. If all of these bloggers sell about five books a year, if not more, I’d consider that an impact on sales.

Now try telling me that bloggers don’t sell books.

Based on the award-winning 10-million-plus-hit blog 1000awesomethings.com, The Book of Awesome is a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments:

• Popping Bubble Wrap
• Wearing underwear just out of the dryer
• Fixing electronics by smacking them
• Getting called up to the dinner buffet first at a wedding
• Watching The Price Is Right when you're home sick
• Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row
• Waking up and realizing it's Saturday

Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. With a 24/7 news cycle reporting that the polar ice caps are melting, hurricanes are swirling in the seas, wars are heating up around the world, and the job market is in a deep freeze, it's tempting to feel that the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us-sometimes we just need someone to point them out.

The Book of Awesome reminds us that the best things in life are free (yes, your grandma was right). With laugh-out-loud observations from award- winning comedy writer Neil Pasricha, The Book of Awesome is filled with smile-inducing moments on every page that make you feel like a kid looking at the world for the first time. Read it and you'll remember all the things there are to feel good about.

Immediately after watching the book trailer, and reading the blog it’s based on, , I knew I had to purchase The Book of Awesome.

I was so excited about this book that I started talking to my friends about it as soon as I ordered it, which is unusual for me. One individual said it sounded like something one might buy off of SkyMall, and I admit that the premise may sound cheesy to some. However, rest assured that The Book of Awesome is a witty, feel good read that helps one remember how great the little things are.

Essentially, The Book of Awesome is an extended list. However, it’s more fun than reading a straight up list, because the awesome things are described in slightly different ways. Some have lengthy explanations, others have bulleted advice, others have just a few words or a photo. Pasricha did an excellent job not only of mixing up these formats but of the content of his book so that it never got monotonous.

I won’t lie, The Book of Awesome definitely has moments that are sentimental or reminiscent of childhood. A couple of the awesome things felt targeted at people who are long out of college and have stable lives, and in that respect I may have been a bit young for this book. I think I’ll only grow to appreciate this book more as I re-read it.

I fell in love with this book. It made me laugh, made me go, “Awww” and made me remember to always appreciate the little things in life. As I read, I took it slow, and only read a few pages at a time, often when I was a little glum, and it lifted my spirits every time. I think it’ll have the same effect on you. AWESOME!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. So should you.

As I relax with my computer on my lap, I'm attempting to think of something witty to say about change, but I'm coming up dry. This isn't just a totally random thought, I promise. A few things are about to change at Consumed by Books, and I think these changes are for the better. A lot of you can see that in my left sidebar, right below the link to my Twitter account, I put in a good word for a local indie I frequently shop at, (and if you're in a feed or a reader, trust me: it's there). I order books from there a lot, and talk to the owner, Jerry, frequently. After some discussion, it has been decided that Monkey See Monkey Read is adopting me as its YA blogger. Jerry keeps up a blog called and now, every other Monday, I'll be reviewing a YA title there. He also might put shelf talkers that contain small snippets from my reviews in his store. My hope is that this relationship will not only benefit Monkey See Monkey Read, but direct a bit more traffic to my blog.

In addition to blogging for Monkey See Monkey Read, I'll also be launching a new feature on the blog called Literary Locations. Literary Locations will highlight awesome bookstores, libraries and other bookish places that I visit. I hope that this feature will not only help the stores I love get some extra attention, but give you guys ideas for places to visit. I'll be starting off by featuring Monkey See Monkey Read. A lot of you may remember the last time, I started a feature called Consume and Contemplate, I did one post and after that stopped (I don't intend to continue that feature, I should add). I hope Literary Locations will be very different. My problem with Consume and Contemplate was I wasn't sure what I wanted out of it when I started it, whereas I already have some ideas lined up for Literary Locations.

I'm super excited for all of these changes. Be sure to keep an eye out for my first Literary Locations post!

Three years ago, Persia ran away from her drug-addict parents and found a home with the Outlaws, an underground theater troupe. With time, this motley band of mortals and fey, puppeteers and actors, becomes the loving family Persia never had, and soon Persia not only discovers a passion for theater but also falls in love with one of the other Outlaws. Life could not be more perfect.

Until an enemy makes an unfair accusation against the group and forces them to flee their world and hide in the neighboring realm of Faerie. But in Faerie, all is not flowers and rainbows. With bloodthirsty trolls, a hostile monarchy, and a dangerous code of magic, the fey world is far from the safe haven the Outlaws had hoped for....

Following up her critically acclaimed Serendipity Market, Penny Blubaugh has created a beautiful and mysterious world where anything can happen—especially what you least expect.

I confess, I was dubious going into Blood and Flowers. While I thought the premise sounded intriguing, the title felt a little overdramatic. I still don’t think the title is the perfect fit for this story, and I certainly had issues with the novel, but I enjoyed getting caught up in Blubaugh’s world.

Blubaugh has created a place where the mortal world and Faerie exist side by side, albeit at odds. The world building was nicely explained and an original concept. While no particular passages of prose stuck out to me as being particularly mindblowing, all of the description tied together made me want to see an Outlaws show, or visit a shop where I could buy thread to make books. Occasionally there would be lists in the middle of this story, produced by Persia, the main character and narrator, and while I thought this was a fun idea, it sometimes made the story choppier.

Speaking of characters, they were what I loved most about this story. I think they all could have stood alone, but I loved reading about their family-like dynamic. Meanwhile, I felt that the romances in the story stuck an excellent balance between being sweet and overdone.

As many good things as I have to say about this novel, the pacing felt really off to me. It seemed like we didn’t really get to the primary conflict of this story until about the last 75 pages. Furthermore, everything that happened in the last chapter felt incredibly rushed, and read like the author cut corners in an attempt to finish her manuscript. I would have preferred that section a lot more if it had been two or three chapters with a bit more meat. I read an ARC of this book, though, so maybe it’s different in the final version.

Complaints aside, Blood and Flowers was a unique read. While Blubaugh did a nice job of tying up her plotlines, she also left a couple of lingering questions at the end, as well as room for a sequel. I loved the Outlaws so much that if she wrote another story about them, I would definitely pick it up. While I don’t think this novel is for everyone, I think fans of fey will find this book to be quick and entertaining.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through .

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi of .

For review: edited by Leah Wilson
Gifted:
Swag from
by Meg Rosoff edited by Jennifer Roberson
by Robin McKinley
by Courtney Summers
by Caragh M. O'Brien
Bought:
by Jessica Day George
edited by Ellen Datlow and Terry Windling
by Carrie Vaughn
Blogs and bloggers mentioned:
Enna from
Shanyn of
Misty of
Ashley of
Etsy shops mentioned:


Currently reading:
by A.S. Byatt
What I plan to read:
by Lauren DeStefano
by Allan Richard Shickman
by Hannah Moskowitz

Since my birthday was yesterday, and it’s my blog and I can post what I feel like, today’s post is non-bookish. If you’re not interested in personal content, feel free to pass this one by. This post is about something that is cute and is both a help and a hindrance to my blogging productivity. You’ve seen her in vlogs, and now I’m going to give her a further introduction.

For those who haven’t guessed by now, I’m talking about my yellow lab, Macey, who is five years old. My family adopted Macey from our local humane society in August of 2010, so she’s only been living with us for about six months, but we love her!


If I could use two words to describe this dog, they would be couch potato. She sleeps on the bed with me at night, gets up early for a walk, only to crawl back in once she’s been walked and had her breakfast. However, she motors right along when she’s outside and if you take out a rawhide and run around the house with it she will chase you like her life depends on it.

I know what you’re wondering. Does the dog help me get more or less blogging done? Well, she doesn’t write any of the blog’s content. Sometimes when I spend long afternoons or evenings blogging or curled up with a book, she makes a fantastic foot warmer. On the other hand, I also get slowed done when I have to pause to take her for a walk. Either way, I love having her around.

So there you have it. A little more on my furry companion who I constantly talk about on Twitter and who likes to run through videos. Do you guys have any pets who keep you company while you read and blog?