Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Would Make Great Book Club Picks

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING!  This week's topic focuses on books that I think would make excellent book club picks.  Sadly, I am not a member of a book club, but I've always wanted to be.  I would love to start one with my girlfriends. Anyway, one with my list:


1.  Any of Philippa Gregory's books- I think her books inspire people to read and enjoy historical fiction; plus, her books are deliciously scandalous. It would lend itself to much discussion.

2.  If I Stay by Gayle Forman- This book is so powerful and moving; how could you not discuss it?


3.  Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani- I love her books.  They are light, fun, and entertaining AND they would go great with wine. ;)


4.  Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman- This book should not be missed and would be perfect for any book club.


5.  Angels and Demons by Dan Brown- It's smart and an edge of your seat kind of read.


6.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- This would a great book to convince adults to read YA. You could have a Parisian themed night!


7.  Any dystopian YA book out there, such as Divergent, Hunger Games, Life As We Knew It, etc. There are so many good ones and they lend to such great discussion.  People usually feel strongly about dystopian books.


8.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- The discussion questions are endless with such a moving book.


9.  Any book by Emily Giffin or Jennifer Weiner, especially if you are making a girls only book club. 


10.  Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly- It's such a captivating story with historical details; it would be great for any book club.

So, what do you guys think? Let me know!

Waiting on Wednesday: In Honor

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Pub. Date: May 8, 2012

Goodreads says, "Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her. Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?"

*I really loved Moonglass, Jessi's first book, and I think In Honor sounds just as promising! What do you guys think?

Book Review: Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

Pages: 490

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 28, 2012

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read my review of Legacy (Book #1)

Goodreads says, "An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...  Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.  Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn."

Allegiance immediately picks up where Legacy left off.  Alera is now Queen of Hytanica and she is trapped in a loveless marriage to Steldor; however, her heart still belongs to Narian.  Unfortunately, Narian is forced to serve the Overlord, Hytanica's enemy, and because of this, Alera knows she cannot be with Narian.  In truth, she is having a hard time letting him go.  Alera must lead her kingdom through a dark time with many unexpected events and her heart cannot be conflicted.  Allegiance, book two in the Legacy series, is action packed, romantic and entertaining. 


Kluver's writing style always takes me by surprise because it's easy to forget she is a young author. Her writing seems so mature and well developed. I love her details and descriptions; it is easy to get lost in the world of Hytanica.  


In Allegiance, Alera had me frustrated from time to time.  She was fixated on Narian and deep down, I wanted her to give Steldor (I know....the horror!) a chance, because he was actually nice at times.  I understand she loves Narian and I get that, but for awhile there it seemed like a hopeless cause.  Alera really grew as a Queen and a person in Allegiance.  There are many dark moments and trials and tribulations in Allegiance and in turn, Alera was really tested and grew as a character.  


The Steldor/Narian love triangle is still very much present, but isn't as important as the events in the book.  The country of Hytanica finds itself in a precarious situation and readers will be consumed with the turn of events.  There's a lot of action and unrest in Allegiance in comparison to Legacy, which definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.


Allegiance definitely reads like a second book in the series; it is setting up the third book, Sacrifice, which comes out this year as well. I cannot wait to see what happens to Alera, Steldor and Narian as well as the country of Hytanica.  If you are a fan of Legacy, you must pre-order this book. 

*Pre-order Allegiance

*Buy Legacy 

Waiting on Wednesday: Gilt

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Pub. Date: May 15, 2012

Goodreads says, "In the Tudor age, ambition, power and charismatic allure are essential and Catherine Howard has plenty of all three. Not to mention her loyal best friend, Kitty Tylney, to help cover her tracks. Kitty, the abandoned youngest daughter of minor aristocracy, owes everything to Cat – where she is, what she is, even who she is. Friend, flirt, and self-proclaimed Queen of Misrule, Cat reigns supreme in a loyal court of girls under the none-too-watchful eye of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.  When Cat worms her way into the heart of Henry VIII and becomes Queen of England, Kitty is thrown into the intoxicating Tudor Court. It’s a world of glittering jewels and elegant costumes, of gossip and deception. As the Queen’s right-hand-woman, Kitty goes from the girl nobody noticed to being caught between two men – the object of her affection and the object of her desire.  But the atmosphere of the court turns from dazzling to deadly, and Kitty is forced to learn the difference between trust and loyalty, love and lust, secrets and treason. And to accept the consequences when some lessons are learned too late."

Will I ever get sick of the Tudor Court? Ha, probably not.  I am very interested to see how the Tudor Court will translate to YA historical fiction.  I'm sure it will be just as drama-filled as ever. I am such a sucker for a good historical read. What do you guys think?

Blogoversary Giveaway Winners

The winner of a signed copy of The Lying Game by Sara Shepard is..............

#9 Jill from The O.W.L.

The winner of a signed copy of Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey is...........

#34 Kate from Literary Explorations

The winner of a signed copy of Last Breathe by Rachel Caine is.............

#13 Michelle from Book Briefs 

Congrats to all the winners and thanks to everyone who entered. I hope you enjoy the books!

My Latest Obsession: Downton Abbey

Photo from imdb.com

Ok, so I know I am late in the game here, but I must profess my love of Downton Abbey on PBS.   I have been feeling under the weather lately and thanks to the genius that is Netflix, I was able to get caught up on season one of the show. I watched it straight through and was hooked. I knew I would enjoy it since I am a huge fan of historical fiction. 


Unfortunately, this has taken away from my valuable reading time, but there's nothing better than getting lost in a fictional TV world when you don't feel good.  The location is to-die-for; Highclare Castle is stunning!  And if you are a Jane Austen fan, like me, I definitely think you'd like Downtown Abbey.  


So, any other fans out there? We must discuss!  If you have never heard of this show, check out the website. You can even watch episodes online! And they have a fun quiz to see which Downton Abbey character you are.  I got the Dowager Countess of Grantham, which made me laugh out loud as I don't see any similarities between us; however, I guess it was better than getting Thomas (so not a fan!)


Anyone else obsessed? Let me know!  I can't wait for the next episode- it airs every Sunday till February 19th. If you ask me, it's the perfect winter escape.

Book Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Pages: 272

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: October 26, 2010

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "“I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”  So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?"

Lily, thanks to her brother, left her red notebook on the shelf of her favorite bookstore in New York City. It's just waiting there for the perfect guy to pick it up and take the dares.  Dash encountered the red notebook at the bookstore and was immediately intrigued. He even took part in the most hilarious dares just to learn more about this girl.  Lily and Dash pass the book back and forth during the holiday season in New York City and it ends up being a grand adventure.  Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a fun holiday romance that will leave teens swooning.


One aspect of this book that I enjoyed is the fact that each chapter switched narration between Lily and Dash. This was perfect and really gave the readers a look into each characters life as well as their motives.  I found Lily and Dash to be quirky, cool and smart. I love the way that they were written and I wouldn't expect anything less as Cohn and Levithan wrote Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.


I saved Dash and Lily's Book of Dares to read during the holiday season and I am so glad that I did!  Nothing beats New York City during Christmastime! The descriptions of the bustling city, Macy's and other city landmarks were spot on; I found myself dreaming of my own little adventure in the city.


I hear that they are going to make Dash and Lily's Book of Dares into a movie in 2013.  I will definitely be adding this book to my classroom library. I know that many students will be dreaming of putting their own notebooks in their local bookstore to see what adventures await.

*Buy Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

*Read an excerpt 

Waiting on Wednesday: Shine

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Pub. Date: May 1, 2012

Goodreads says, "No other love has burned so bright.  Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart."

*This is SUCH a good series and if you haven't picked up it up yet, you must.  Shine is the final book in the trilogy; I can't wait!