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Tripping Over October

Oct 1

Five Books I’m Looking Forward to in October

Guys, I LOVE October. You start to get that first hint of nip in the air, the leaves start changing colors. Fall is officially upon us. This October is all of those great things PLUS the release of these five books. I’m stoked.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Fairyland #2) by Catherynne M. Valente

Amazon | Goodreads

Guys, the first book in this spectacularly imaginative series was amazing. Vibrant, clever, sumptuous, and pretty much captivating. I’m looking forward to more from September and her friends in Fairyland. I have total faith that Catherynne Valente will blow me away again. (October 2, 2012 from Feiwel and Friends.)

Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

Amazon | Goodreads

I am really looking forward to this book. It’s got some science-fictiony vibes to it, with alternate universes where dead loved ones are alive. It sounds emotionally complicated and clever. (October 2, 2012 from Balzer + Bray.)

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Amazon | Goodreads

Don’t even tease me with anything Norse-sounding, people. I can’t even deal with how much I love that shizz. This story about a girl visiting family in Norway where her brother is abducted and all kinds of epic mythological shenanigans ensue sounds FUN, and right up my alley. (October 9, 2012 from Harper Teen.)

The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: The Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Amazon | Goodreads

One of these days I’m going to review the original Iron Fey series because it is, hands down, my favorite fairie series of ever. This new series centers around Meghan Chase’s now-grown brother, Ethan. Julie Kagawa can do no wrong with the fairies, friends. (October 23, 2012 from Harlequin Teen.)

The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4) by Cinda Williams Chima

Amazon | Goodreads

YOOOO!!! I cannot WAIT to read this book. I have only recently caught up on the first three books in Cinda Williams Chima’s series, but I am so glad that I did. Because it basically rocks my socks. Han and Raisa have a war on their doorstep, not to mention their really complicated feelings for each other. It’s going to be GOOD. I know it. (October 23, 2012 from Hyperion Children’s.)

Filed Under: Tripping Over... Tagged With: anticipation!, books, new releases

Tripping Over September

Sep 1

Five Books I’m Looking Forward to in September

Ahh, September. The end of summer. The beginning of fall. Also, the month I was birthed. Lots of things going on! Not the least of which are the release of these five books, which I am particularly excited about.

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Amazon | Goodreads

Honestly, ever since THE SCORPIO RACES became one of my legit favorite books of ever, I’ve been dying to read Maggie Stiefvater’s next book–the first in a new series–THE RAVEN BOYS. Bazillion bonus points because it sounds like some kind of pseudo-Arthurian legend retelling and I CAN’T EVEN DEAL. I love King Arthur legends. (September 18 2012 from Scholastic.)

Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan

Amazon | Goodreads

So this series was my first introduction to dragons. Or, at least, dragon-like creatures. The last we saw of Jacinda and Will and and Cassian, SHIZZ was hitting the fan in the escalating violence between the draki and the hunters: drama, kidnapping, confused emotions, etc. I can’t wait to see how things wind up. (September 11, 2012 from Harper Teen.)

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Amazon | Goodreads

Umm, teenage murder mystery? TEN sounds seriously spine-tingly good. And I don’t read nearly enough thrillers and mysteries, friends. I used to read TONS, but I feel like this is one kind of genre–a straight-up, non-paranormal mystery–that gets short-shrifted in YA, sadly. So I’m looking forward to this one. (September 18, 2012 from Balzer + Bray.)

Because It Is My Blood (Birthright #2) by Gabrielle Zevin

Amazon | Goodreads

Dystopian chocolate mafiya? Dude, I couldn’t be more in. The first book in this series–ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE–was really good. Not perfect, but solidly good, and absolutely engaging enough to keep me invested in the story of Anya Balanchine, daughter of a mob boss in not-too-distant future America. Guys, the Goodreads summary for the second book in this series quotes Michael effing Corleone. The mob angle in this series is so legit. (Although, why is Anya so pale on this cover?) (September 18, 2012 from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.)

Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff

Amazon | Goodreads

Japanese-based steampunk fantasy about a young girl who must go on a quest to find a mythic creature long believed to be extinct, only to find herself lost and alone and facing danger at every turn. Honestly. And seriously, this girl, Yukiko, must be badass. I die every time I look at that RAGINGLY AWESOME sleeve tattoo. (September 18, 2012 from Thomas Dunne Books.)

Filed Under: Tripping Over... Tagged With: anticipation!, books, new releases

Tripping Over August

Aug 3

So I’m changing this up a little bit. As much as I love telling you guys about as many awesome books that are coming out each month, I’m feeling like I want to highlight just a few that I am most excited about. So that’s what we’re going to do from here on out. (Or until I change my mind again. Ha!) Without further ado, here are the 5 books (this is a totally arbitrary number) I’m most excited for in August.

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas.

Amazon | Goodreads

Friends, I just started reading this one and I’m already in love. I’ve been EAGERLY anticipating THRONE OF GLASS, the debut fantasy by Sarah J. Maas, for ages, and I can’t tell you how excited I am that it’s finally almost out in the world. Also, I was super lucky enough to get an ARC at BEA this past June, and I got to say “hey!” to the author herself. She was a DOLL, and so far her book is living up to every expectation of awesomeness that I had for it. (August 7, 2012 from Bloomsbury.)

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin.

Amazon | Goodreads

Excuse me while I DIE WITH EXCITEMENT over here. A book about tornadoes? STORM CHASING?! Like Twister, one of my favorite movies of ever?! I can’t deal. Plus, this one has some pretty juicy sounding family drama: an unstable mother, a brother who flew the coop, anger, bitterness. There’s one thing that I love reading about above lots of other things, guys, and that’s brother/sister relationships. I don’t have a brother, so reading about girls who DO have brothers is the only taste of it that I get. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Jane and her brother Ethan get along. Or not. Also, WEATHER. (August 7, 2012 from Putnam Juvenile.)

Palace of Stone (Princess Academy #2) by Shannon Hale.

Amazon | Goodreads

Lots of great fantasies coming out this month, friends! I seem to be looking forward to most of them. But honestly, Shannon Hale’s sequel to PRINCESS ACADEMY, a truly wonderful middle grade? Of course I’d be excited! I don’t want to spoil things too much if you haven’t read PRINCESS ACADEMY yet. Suffice it to say that Miri, the main character, is fantastically bright and smart, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing her and her friends in a new environment. (August 21, 2012 from Bloomsbury.)

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine.

Amazon | Goodreads

The buzz I’ve been hearing about DEFIANCE has been pretty amazing. It’s another fantasy about a girl named Rachel who basically breaks all the rules of feminine submission and meekness to go searching for her presumed dead father against he wishes of the Commander. Of course, she goes on this road trip/quest with Logan, a guy who sounds like a MAJOR hot brooder whom Rachel once confessed her love to, to disastrous effect. FANTASY QUEST WITH FEELINGS. I’m dying over here. (August 28, 2012 from Balzer + Bray.)

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson.

Amazon | Goodreads

Friends, I love military-themed books. Not a secret. I also love books with complicated emotions. Plus I feel like the cover of IF I LIE is some kind of HUGE metaphor: Look at all that GRAY AREA! Totally makes sense when you take into consideration that this book is about a girl, Quinn, who cheats on her boyfriend, Carey, who’s serving in the military. There’s secrets, and lies, and drama. I love the sound of literally all of this. (August 28, 2012 from Simon Pulse.)

Filed Under: Tripping Over... Tagged With: anticipation!, books, new releases

Waiting on Wednesday (26): Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

May 9

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)

by Sarah J. Maas

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

YOOOOO!! Holy crap, guys, THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas is one of my most anticipated books of the year! I’ve been waiting for the cover to come out to that I could fangirl it here with you guys. Because it’s based loosely on the Cinderella tale, but takes a sharp left into high-fantasy ASS-KICKER assassin girl-town. YES YES YES! I’ve been reading the novellas in this series (starting with THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD, then THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT, and then THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD, with THE ASSASSIN AND THE EMPIRE still to come) and they’ve all been awesome. I can’t wait to read THRONE OF GLASS and get to know Celaena better and meet this gruff captain! And also the prince. And also get the 411 on the “greater destiny” business. All of that, too.

THRONE OF GLASS (THRONE OF GLASS #1) is coming out August 7, 2012 from Bloomsbury Children’s.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, Bloomsbury, fantasy YA, Sarah Maas, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (21): Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Apr 4

Storm (Elemental #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

Don’t have to wait too long for this one, friends! Which is GREAT news because, even though the cover is a little…icky? I’m not a fan of all those blurry, brooding boys GLARING at me. But even though the cover isn’t my favorite, I’m CONVINCED that the story inside is going to be awesome. See, just this past week, Brigid Kemmerer released a little prequel story about the oldest Merrick brother, Michael, and this star-crossed lover thing he has going on with the daughter of his family’s enemy. IT WAS REALLY SUPER GOOD, and it made me all kinds of excited to read the whole story, starting with STORM.

I know I’ve mentioned a bunch of my must-read buzz words before: Scotland, gardening, witches, road trips, Robin Hood, etc. Add to that list controlling the elements. It’s like nature’s superheros, and the Merricks have control over one each. (Michael, from the prequel novella, can control Earth LIKE A BOSS.) Of course, though, there’s bad guys who want to get rid of the Merricks and their powers, so I’m anticipating DRAMA and TENSION, along with some good, tingly romance. Woot!

STORM (ELEMENTAL #1) is coming out April 24, 2012 from Kensington.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, Brigid Kemmerer, Kensington, paranormal YA, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (20): Through To You by Emily Hainsworth

Mar 28

Through To You

by Emily Hainsworth

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day.

As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

Whew. WHOA, guys. This summary kind of blows my mind. Dead girlfriend IS ACTUALLY ALIVE in a PARALLEL UNIVERSE, except things over there are very different. So many juicy things are alluded to in this summary, I can’t even handle it. My mind is literally scrambling to wrap itself around all of this potential AWESOME. I love the idea of the parallel world being different from the current one. I’m imagining that maybe Cam and Viv aren’t together in the alternate reality, and that maybe Cam and Nina had something going on. But seriously, I know NOTHING. (Woop! Unintentional Jon Snow reference for all you Thronies!) But I can’t wait to read this book and FIND OUT. Just this synopsis had my pulse going a little bit. THROUGH TO YOU sounds majorly gripping and dramatic. I have this feeling that I’m going to read it and it’s going to leave me breathless from all of the things. Huzzah!

THROUGH TO YOU is coming out October 9, 2012 from Balzer + Bray.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, Balzer + Bray, Emily Hainsworth, science fiction YA, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (19): Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Mar 21

Tiger Lily

by Jodi Lynn Anderson

15 year old Tiger Lily, proud and fierce, wild and misunderstood, doesn’t believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland, and immediately falls under his spell. Peter is unlike anyone she’s ever known. Impetuous and brave, big-hearted but hard to reach, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland’s inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything – her family, her future – to be with the haunted, hunted, courageous boy who loves her. When – as a punishment for her rebellious ways – she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she’s always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter. With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it’s the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who’s everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

Guys. I have NO IDEA how I am only just hearing about TIGER LILY by Jodi Lynn Anderson RIGHT NOW. Because honestly, there’s very little I love more than a retelling of a classic story, ESPECIALLY when that retelling mines other, completely different characters to lead the story. It helps me to have a more complete understanding of the world, the story, everything. And guys? Could there BE a more awesome-sounding thing than Peter Pan told via Tiger Lily, Indian princess and Captain Hook kidnap victim? I submit that NO there is not. I think this whole idea is the business, especially because there seems to be a love triangle between Tiger Lily, Peter, and Wendy. Now, sometimes triangles make me cringy and frustrated, but I think that this is one I can get behind. Mostly because I am JAZZED to be inside Tiger Lily’s head. She was a firmly secondary character in the versions of Peter Pan that most people know, so I can’t wait to hear her version of events. Also, Peter Pan as a love interest?! WORD.

TIGER LILY is coming out July 3, 2012 from HarperTeen.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, fantasy YA, Harper Collins Childrens, Jodi Lynn Anderson, waiting on wednesday

Top Ten Tuesday (19)

Mar 20

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books to Read This Spring, Or May and June Are On and Poppin’ and April’s No Slouch, Either

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely folks over at The Broke and the Bookish post a top ten list topic so that book lovers like you and me can pour over our shelves and make our own lists. You can check out all the other Top Ten Tuesday‘s on their site!

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Filed Under: Top Ten Tuesday Tagged With: anticipation!, books, top ten tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday (18): Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Mar 14

Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1)

by Morgan Rhodes

Sixteen-year-old Cleo has grown up in luxury, the royal heiress to a prosperous kingdom. But beneath her nation’s seemingly peaceful surface lies dangerous unrest. Whispers of war are growing ever louder—intensified by a murderous incident for which Cleo’s betrothed, Aron, is accused.

Amidst the ongoing intrigue, Cleo has a more desperate mission. She defies her father’s orders and sets off on a secret and perilous journey into a neighboring country, seeking a magic long thought to be mythical. If it’s real, it could be the cure that heals her ailing sister. If it’s only legend, Cleo will be stranded in a kingdom that has just declared war on her own.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with unforgettable characters and vibrantly imagined magic. Falling Kingdoms is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Cinda Williams Chima, and George R.R. Martin.

Guys, do you see those names right up there? Cinda Williams Chima (!), Kristin Cashore (!!), and GEORGE R.R. MARTIN (!!!!!!!!!!)? FOR REAL?!? I could merely cite those names as the only reasons I am BEYOND PYSCHED to read FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes and it would be sufficient. Because seriously. Those are some fantasy heavyweights, not to mention the fact that, around these parts, everyone knows that I’m OBSESSED with A Song of Ice and Fire, so shouting out my boy George is pretty much a guaranteed hook for me. But this book sounds like it’s going to be amazing in its own right, with long-lost magic, defiant heiresses, civil unrest, political scheming, and lots of juicy characters. I don’t know if I could ever accurately describe how excited I get whenever I see a new high fantasy series about to get started, and FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes couldn’t sound any more AWESOME if it tried. So trust me: I’M ALL-CAPS EXCITED. Waiting on this one HARD, friends. HARD.

FALLING KINGDOMS (FALLING KINGDOMS #1) is coming out December 11, 2012 from Razorbill.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, fantasy YA, Morgan Rhodes, Razorbill, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (17): Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John

Mar 7

Thou Shalt Not Road Trip

by Antony John

One crazy road trip that’s a mix of rejection, redemption, and romance.

When sixteen-year-old Luke’s book, Hallelujah, becomes a national bestseller, his publishing house sends him on a cross-country book tour with his older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when irresponsible Matt offers to drive Luke’s ex–soul mate, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. On the trip, Luke must loosen up, discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.

Told with Antony John’s signature wit and authenticity, and featuring smart, singular characters who jump off the page and into your heart, this story is a spiritual awakening and rockin’ road trip in one.

Oh, but THOU SHALT!! I LOVE road trips, guys. LOVE ‘EM. And I read and very much enjoyed Antony John’s FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB last year, so I know that his writing is awesome. I confess (eek! Unintentional religious irony) that I’m not usually a huge fan of books that talk about faith and religion. However, reading about faith as an abstract thing as opposed to a religious thing is something I very much enjoy, and I feel like this book is going to have great depth about lots of stuff. Plus it sounds like the relationships are going to be interesting and complicated and SUPER. And seriously, they’re going on a road trip. Like there’s any way I’m not going to love this…

THOU SHALT NOT ROAD TRIP is coming out April 12, 2012 from Dial.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, Antony John, contemporary YA, Dial, waiting on wednesday

Tripping Over October

Five Books I’m Looking Forward to in October

Tripping Over September

Five Books I’m Looking Forward to in September

Tripping Over August

Waiting on Wednesday (26): Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas