Another Hiatus....

I am so incredibly sorry! But I am moving into a new apartment right now and everything's busy and stressful - and on top of tat I don't ave excess to the Internet right now. I just wanted to let you know that I will try to post again as soon as possible but I really don't know when that will be. I hope yo all have a wonderful week and that I can be back in a week from now at the latest! Happy reading!

(Dusty) Skeletons on my Bookshelf....

Supposedly, everyone has a few skeletons in their closet—I think everyone has a few on their bookshelves, too. Today feature five books you've owned for a long time but never read.

Ohh...this one is easy! When I buy books I always buy a huge pile of them (I usually order them online) and that leads to LOTS of dust before I get to that book I just had to have immediately almost one year ago... ;)

Consider this a sneak-peak on all the books to be featured on this blog...within the next decade...

Which books are collecting dust on your shelves? And which of these do you think I should read first?

Haunted Week - Bats in Your Book Pages

Even the biggest book enthusiasts have some bats in their belfries about things in books that drive them insane. Today tell your readers about five things that drive you crazy in books.

 Insta - Love 

It drives me nuts. Honestly.

Stereotypical Paranormal Romances

I hate superhero, snarky, sarcastic, paranormal boyfriends. I HATE when they think they need to protect their whiny girlfriends. I HATE when they can't be together because blaaaaah.... but they ARE together because they can't live/breathe/think straight without each other. Why can't they just go off and fight some kick-ass battles instead???

3. Wink, Wink, WINKS
You know that when you're reading a book and everything is fine and all of a sudden one character starts laying out his/her entire life story/philosophy in front of you and you're like wow...woah - would you just slow down? It works pretty much like this:
And then I realized I could not give up. I had to follow my dreams. All my life I had (blah....) but that was only because my mom was (blah...) and I never noticed that (blah...) until now and I was (insert detailed analysis of own self here).
Sometimes I'd like to visit authors who do this, pad them on the shoulder and say: It's alright. Just let your character be and I promise you I'll be smart enough to figure out his/her motives all on my own!

The Coolest Characters in the world
This is another specialty in many Paranormal Romances and I a at a point where it doesn't even annoy me anymore. I only find it funny. Just imagine someone tells you you're an angel/part angel/werewolf/vampire/any other paranormal creature. Of course, you would believe them the second he or she says it, right? You wouldn't question the existence of paranormal beings in our world, right? As the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend the first thing coming to your mind would be: Damn, that's annoying! Totally ruins the plans I had! But I can a least stay with my high school crush, right? Pretty, pretty please?

The desire to be someone else
Sometimes some authors seem to try to imitate their idols. I do get that. I'd probably do the exact same thing. BUT I believe that anyone's story - and especially voice - sounds a lot better than the voice of someone who copies the voice of someone else. I really don't like that, either.

Now, let's make this a rant fest - what do you hate in books?

I'm participating in the Haunted Week event!!!

...and as always I'm a bit late...then again as far as my calculations go for most of you guys it's still October 24th while for me it's already 5AM on October 25th. I'm not even start on why I am up this early :)

Now, what is the Haunted Week, you ask? Oh well, it's some kind of Halloween countdown hosted by ThisGirlReads, so everyone participating (or following the blogs that are participating) can really get into the Halloween spirit. NOT that Halloween was that a big deal where I live - because it really isn't. Most people in my litlle town don't even remember when it is. Anyway, I love the US and I love American holidays and that's why I want to get into the Halloween spirit even if noone around me is even celebrating :D

On to the actual first post....

Ever had the feeling that someone was watching you? It just might the spirit of a book you haven't put to rest. Today feature five books you began but never finished. 

Actually, I do try to finish all the books I start reading...which might be because I almost only read books I choose to read and then I end up liking at least the premise of them...and even if they're not good it's kind of like I've gotten myself into this mess all on my own so I've got to work my way through it, you know what I mean?

Anyway, one of the books I've never finished was Narrative Loserdom by Ryan Collins because I just couldn't get into the story at all. Also, I still have got this anthology on my nightstand - "Dear Bully" which is a really good book so far but I constantly forget about it :)

In addition to that there are some German books I never finished because they were mostly those books that are actually very informative - almost like nonfictional content wrapped up in a boring story to make it more interesting for kids and teens - oh well...you can't fool me!

Lastly, I'm still not over the fact that my nine-year-old self stopped reading the first Harry Potter book because I got really scared towards the middle - it took me two more years to catch up on the series and I missed almost all the hype (the costume parties in movie theaters and bookstores, the long queues at four in the morning when a new book came out etc. etc.)

Waiting on Wednesday

It's been ages since I've done one of these :D Anyway, there are so many books coming out that I want to read - I felt like it was time to mention them on here!

Goodreads Summary:

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .
Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Josh, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed

Why I'm waiting on this one? Oh well...first of all ballett fascinates me. Ballet boarding schools fascinate me even more. And then there is the mystery aspect...I honestly can't wait for this one :)

Monday Motivation

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde


MOTIVATIONAL MOVE:

I don't know about you guys, but the weather is wonderful where I live so I'm going to go for a long nice walk and look at all those pretty colored leaves :)

MOTIVATIONAL GOAL:

This week I'm going back to school and my plan is to NOT hide behind a book all the time but to talk to people and act normal :D

And the new releases this week...

All New Stories:


Sequels:



Paperbacks:


Did you guys know I've been waiting for Dark Star forever? No? Well...now you know. And you might also know that I'm on a bookbuying ban...which means that I can't even buy/read the book - just assuming I'll actually come up with some self-control next time I go to Amazon. com :)
The Mara Dyer books sound great, too, but - same problem. I will by Beautiful Redemption, though. Just because...waaahhh! I've GOT to know how the story goes on!!!
Which of these books are you excited for? Did I miss any new releases? What are your goals for this week?
Xo,
the Booksmartie

Sweet Evil Read Along Week 3

My Thoughts:

Um...still not a lot better than last week. I expected way more. It's just that there was all the hype and I'll admit that it's somehow different and it's a super quick read, but...I don't see the epicness. Plot and characters don't impress me. As you can see I'm pretty disappointed. Still. I'll keep reading and hope for an outrageous ending :)

This week's task: Truth or Dare

I used to always choose dare. Not because I minded telling my deepest secrets (my friends pretty much knew everything about me anyway) but because I thought it was fun. Then I came to a new school. On one of the first birthday parties I went to my new friends dared me to tell my friend's mom I loved her. And I had to pretend I was a man, smoking a cigarette. I still hate thinking about it. I was so embarrassed!

Another truth about me? I suck at html and everything that has to do with blog design. Which again sucks because I'd love to spice my blog up a little bit. I'd love to learn how to do that but I just don't know where to start :/

Words of the Week

MY LIFE

I Lost - my phone on Thursday. Which might seem like a really bad thing but actually it isn't. Really....why?
I Want - an I-Phone. I've wanted one forever and ever and I always thought it'd be way too expansive BUT my Ipod (who was my reliable soul mate for almost five years now) is slowly dying as well which means it would be even cheaper to buy an I-Phone instead of a new Ipod and phone. Right? Right? At least...in my head that calculation seemed smart...
I Need - you guy's opinion. Should I (buy an Iphone) or not? Is it really, really worth it? And would you go for the new one (5) or the 4S?
I Will - cut the budget for new books pretty much completely over the next few weeks - which isn't a bad thing as my TBR keeps growing and I keep screaming in despair because I won't ever read all the books I buy...


BOOKS

Beautiful Chaos - I finished it this week - uh-ma-zing!
Beautiful Redemption - is the first book I'm going to ignore my bookbuying ban for because I HAVE to know how the story goes on - and you should hurry and read the series, too if you know what's good for you :)
Enclave - was not what I expected it to be, but okay. I don't think I'm going to read the sequel, though.
Born Wicked - is the book I think I'll read next - I'm really excited for that one!

And the books I got this week?



For my defense - this was before I lost my phone and vowed to work 20 hours a week (after school) and not to spend money on ANYTHING. This just smiled at me on Amazon.com and then it was so cheap and then...it just ended up on my Kindle :)

Feature & Follow Friday

Q: When you step out of your USUAL genre what do you like to read? Best books in that genre?

Wow, good question! Let's see. First of all, I should probably define my "usual genre". I love contemporary! So that's what I read a lot of. I do love fantasy, as well, but with all the new releases (that aren't fantasy) I haven't been reading much of that. Then there's dystopia which I'm not obsessed with but seem to be reading all the time because there's just. so. much. of. that. I think the genre that's not my usual is historical fiction. I love it, but I don't read it that often anymore. Which is why I can't really pick favorites as I read most historical fiction books before I started reading mainly in English :D I'd like to ask you guys, though. Any suggestions for good historical fiction or fantasy books?

Review: Belles by Jen Calonita

Goodreads Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

Release Date: April 10, 2012
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 356 (Hardcover)
Series? Belles #1

REVIEW:

This is a back-to-school book. This is a book that will appeal to all those of you who (like me) are completely fed up with the rich spoiled brats (sorry, I know - language!) at your school that just won't stop behaving like rich spoiled brats ;)
It is a book, though, that most contemporary readers (no matter how rich or poor) will enjoy because you get to see two girls growing up, trying to do the right thing and growing into their own person.

I could identify with Izzie pretty much from the first page but even if you can't the book will have you in - at the latest after the first chapter. Belles starts as a very special type of feel - good novel because you can somehow feel how happy Izzie is with her life. It is hard, of course but her personal confidence and strength really transforms the reader, too.

What I liked about Mira's family was how none of them was a really flat character -and most of the time they weren't your cliche Gossip Girl kind of family. Mira's mom was a bit superstitious and clothing-obsessed, but at the same time she had a heart and you could see that she cared about her kids - and Izzie - a LOT.
Mira's dad was exactly what you would imagine a politician to be like but at the same time he was also the most stereotypical dad you could think of - and that made him totally unique. He was a bit naive, a bit clumsy when it came to emotions and very loveable!

Don't get me wrong. Belles is on the edge of being a very predictable chick-lit, girly read. BUT it isn't because the story is a tad too deep for it and because the characters are a little too realistic and unique for that.

All in all, Belles is absolutely enjoyable because it doesn't make you sad, but it makes you think and it doesn't make you choke from cheesiness but still has that comforting, feel - good touch to it.

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Review: The Princesses of Iowa by Molly M. Backes

Goodreads Summary:
What does it mean to do wrong, when no one punishes you? A smart and unflinching look at friendship, the nature of entitlement, and growing up in the heartland. Paige Sheridan has the perfect life. She's pretty, rich, and popular, and her spot on the homecoming court is practically guaranteed. But when a night of partying ends in an it-could-have-been-so-much worse crash, everything changes. Her best friends start ignoring her, her boyfriend grows cold and distant, and her once-adoring younger sister now views her with contempt. The only bright spot is her creative writing class, led by a charismatic new teacher who encourages students to be true to themselves. But who is Paige, if not the homecoming princess everyone expects her to be? In this arresting and witty debut, a girl who was once high-school royalty must face a truth that money and status can't fix, and choose between living the privileged life of a princess, or owning up to her mistakes and giving up everything she once held dear.

Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Candlewick
Series? No
Pages: 464 (Hardcover)

LONG STORY SHORT:

If you didn't like contemporary until now, The Princesses of Iowa will most certainly change that. It's not even like there was a ton of stuff happening, but the way you can connect to the characters and how the story is so close to life really make the novel something unique and special. Perfect for Back to School, by the way!

REVIEW:

The one struggle most contemporary books face - in my opinion - is to stand out. If you can remember the characters and their stories for longer than three hours after you finish the book, that's good. Or if you have to keep reading and you don't really know why, because there's actually not that much happening in the story. That's also a very good sign.

The Princesses of Iowa was that and even more. Although the plot line sounds so ... generic and usual and like ALL the others, what's inside the book will most likely stick with you. I think the write word for what I was feeling while I read the book would be: joy. I simply enjoyed this story.

The characters had their part in entertaining me, too. The main character, Paige, was very sympathetic. She was a normal teenage girl, falling and standing up again and learning lessons in life and someone whom I got to like more and more as the book continued. Her development from beginning to end was amazing!

The rest of the characters somehow could have deserved a bit more attention, though. There's so much I still want to know about Paige's friends and her family. I did really care for them, as well!

And then the plot did something I absolutely didn't expect: It surprised me. Okay, so it wasn't a big time turn out BUT it gave the novel something special and me a topic to think about.

All in all, I would recommend The Princesses of Iowa to pretty much everyone - well, except if you really hate contemporary with a passion...

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Favorite Authors In X Genre

I chose contemporary! Because apart from Fantasy this is my favorite genre and I definitely have been reading a LOT ore contemporaries than fantasy books :D

1) Sarah Dessen

...because her books have just been lifesavers for me throughout those last few years. She's amazing!

2) Meg Cabot

...because her books have made me laugh harder than anyone else's. She taught me not to take life or myself too seriously and even though I don't relate to her books AS much anymore I still think I wouldn't have survived my tween years without them...

3) Gemma Halliday

...because she's the Meg Cabot of my late teen years. Hilariously funny books, always make me laugh.

4) Sarah Ockler
...very new on my list! I've only read Twenty Boy Summer but can only recommend that amazing novel!

5) Sara Shepard
...because her books have that DELICIOUS mixture of girly gossip and creepiness!

6) Gayle Forman
I have only ever read If I Stay, but it was so. freaking. beautiful.

7)Katie McGarry

see above. Oh my.

8) Ellen Hopkins
Because I find it scary how real her stories always appear to me.

9) Molly M Backes

Because The Princesses of Iowa was so much like I expected it to be but a lot better than I ever thought it could have been done :)

10) John Green
ALTHOUGH I wasn't a big fan of Looking for Alaska which is the only book of his I've ever read. I feel like  have to reread it soon, though. I'm pretty sure the reason I wasn't very impressed is that I didn't really get it.

Monday Motivation

Good Morning everyone (if you're reading this in the AM)!
As you might have noticed if you're not THAT sleepy anymore, Books of the Week just got a title change. And this change actually MEANS something.
Now, you're probably thinking "How awesomely original...Monday Motivation...I'm guessing NOONE EVER thought of that one...".
I decided to do this although it's been done by probably almost every single person out there before.
Because I have a really hard time getting up on Monday mornings, focusing on school or work...do anything but go back to my warm and comfy bed again.
So these posts will start with a little...

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:


“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”
― Albert Einstein

I love reading one - only ONE - quote in the morning and then let that be my mantra for the rest of the day.

This is followed by a...

MOTIVATIONAL MOVE (one activity you should do this week and just have fun with it!)

It's the fall time! Curl up under a blanket, consume a ton of hot chocolate/sweet tea and read through an epic fantasy novel!

MOTIVATIONAL GOAL:

Mine is to read a LOT of books this week so that I can make progress on my challenges before my fall break is over. What is your goal?

And finally...the books you could treat yourself with after working through your Monday Morning blues/ the week/ the things you want to accomplish:

All New Stories:





Sequels:



Paperbacks:

Words of the Week

MY LIFE

Back - in good old Germany. Still not settled in, though, as I have to admit. This blog is still a crazy mess - so much to catch up on, bot also so little time!

Books - I'm SO behind on reading. I've read like...two books so far this month. In addition to that I put even more pressure on me by bringing home tons of library books that I need to finish before October ends - as I said, it's a mess!

Moving - I am. Moving, I mean. Or I should be once this week's Thursday comes around. The good thing is it's only a five minute walk to our new apartment. The bad thing is that I STILL have to carry more than 200 books. Oh yippieh!

BOOKS

The Casual Vacancy - which I've read while I was in Poland...different, oh yes, but I liked it. Not as much as I liked Harry Potter but to that I have to say that if TCV was an epic 7-books series with accompanying epic movies maybe I would love it as much as HP :)

Reckless 2 - by Cornelia Funke just came out in Germany a few weeks ago...and I'm so hesitant if I should read it. I remember liking Reckless, but not being oh-so-thrilled by it. Anyone thinking of reading the English version when it comes out?

And the new books I got this week? Nada! And I'm quite proud of that...but maybe I can show you one of the library books I got...

 which is Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Fall Into Reading Goals

 Yay! I'm participating in my very first reading challenge (apart from the GR challenge). I can't believe it, either, but 2012 is slowly coming to an end and as I am looking forward to gingerbread cookies and Christmas songs Goodreads tells me I'm SEVEN books behind on my goal of 100 books and I see the promotion posts for SO many new books and sequels coming out next year while having a nagging feeling of nervousness in my tummy...
Anyway, that's why I decided to participate in the 2012 Fall Into Reading challenge and the books I plan to read are these:

Books that are collecting dust on my shelf:

1)All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
2)Beastly by Alex Flinn
3)Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
4)Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
5)Enclave by Ann Aguire
6)Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maburry

Series I want to catch up on:

7)Frostbite (Vampire Academy Series) by Richelle Mead
8)Crossed by Ally Condie
9) Entice by Jessica Shirvington
10)Gone by Michael Grant
11)Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
12)Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
13)Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
14)Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor



Books published in 2012:

15)Cinder (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
16)Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
17)Winter White by Jen Calonita
18)Lucid by Adrienne Stoltz
19)Ten by Gretchen McNeil
20)Dearly Beloved by Lia Habel
21)Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
22)The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

New releases:

23)Live Through This by Mindi Scott
24)Reached by Ally Condie
25)The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
26)Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Okay...I hope I haven't forgotten an important one. If so, please tell me in the comments section. Like...if there's a book you absolutely loved in 2012 that I have to read before the year comes to an end or if there's a new release or something...I might be a cheater and change the list :)
To complete my Goodreads challenge I still have to read around 30 books. I didn't  mention 30 on here, though, because there are also a few German books I have on my TBR pile :)
What about you? What are you going to read this fall??