Bout of Books Day One

 

Scientific Discovery Challenge (hosted by The Book Barbies)

Wow...bringing characters to life actually sounds like a great idea - but only two? Who am I going to choose?

I guess the first one would be my dream boyfriend, Dash from Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. Not because of looks or swoonworty abs or anything like that, but because he is so funny and thoughtful. I like how he handles to be a teenage boy and still use his brain (no offense to all the teenage boys out there who use their brains, too - you are just so hard to find!).

And the second one? Isabel Lightwood from The Mortal Instruments Series. Not only would I really like to see her in action, but I also think she' d be an awesome, loyal and funny best friend I could trust and rely on at all times. Also, she's probably my favorite character in the series...apart from Jace, of course! 

Bout of Books 6.0 Goal Post

Official Blurb:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

It's that time again...

Those of you who have been following my blog for a little while know that I love, love, love Bout of Books. 4.0 was my first Read-a-Thon ever and I had soo much fun! I participated in 5.0 and that was just as awesome. It's just something about this Read-a-Thon that makes it so different from other virtual book events (at least for me). 

Anyway, the point of this post is: I'm participating again! Tomorrow is the beginning of BoB 6.0 and I'm on board for the third time.

My goals this time? Reading? Not so much. I am actually very happy about my reading progress so far. What I really want to do this time, though, is interact with other bloggers more. I want to participate in challenges, comment on other blogs and most of all: start using Twitter!!!

So, my goal is to visit Twitter at least five times a day and to participate in as many Twitter Chats as I can. And for the reading part...the books I will try to get to are:

(Hehe-you get a theme here?)

But I don't want to pressure myself reading-wise. For me it's really about meeting new people!

Feature & Follow

Today's Question:

WHAT NEW YEARS BLOGGING OR WRITING RESOLUTION HAVE YOU PLACED ON YOURSELF?

Great question - I'm looking forward to all your answers...but mine is actually pretty predictable, it's the one thing I always try to do: interact more with other bloggers! Not even commenting on other people's blogs, but I suck at talking on Twitter like...consistently. I always forget to check the updates :D 

Oh, and something else: finally learn some HTML and designing. Because, honestly? I can't even create a blog button for myself and that really bothers me. By the way...have any tips for that?

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronika Rossi

Goodreads Summary:
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky


Other works by this author:


Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Pages: 374 (Hardcover)
Series? #1
Publisher: HarperCollins

LONG STORY SHORT:
This book does stand out in the crowd of YA dystopia that is published these days. Some very unique ideas in the areas worldbuilding, plot and relationships guarantee a rather fresh, somehow different reading experience. Anyway, especially in retrospect I am sure that this is one of the last dystopian trilogies I am going to put on my shelf.

REVIEW:

The main reason why I waited so long to get started with this book is that I am getting tired of dystopian novels and their seemingly always similar scheme. The first book usually works as an introduction to the characters, the world and the main problem with it. During the second one someone decides to plan a revolution and in the third one it happens. And the more dystopias I read the lower sinks my interest for those kinds of stories.
If you feel the same way you should try Under the Never Sky, mainly because the concept is different. We actually don't get to see all that much from Aria's very futuristic and technologically advanced world but more of Perry's rough lifestyle in the woods which is a refreshing take on dystopia.
The only disadvantage of that concept is that although Rossi invented a really cool item with the smarteye which basically works as a smartphone in the form of a patch in front of your eye, we barely get to know anything about it - I hope that will come in the next book, though.
What carries the story, in my opinion, is Perry and his relationship to his family and tribe. His story is sad and heartbreaking and I just wanted things to turn out good for him in the course of the novel. In comparison, Aria appeared rather flat to me. She gets thrown into this new world and tries to somehow survive and yes, she grows as a character but she lacks those rough edges that Perry has.
To make up for that the author reveals a pretty huge secret about Aria towards the end of the book which I certainly wouldn't have suspected!
All in all, I enjoyed Under the Never Sky as I read it, but it didn't overwhelm me. I would recommend it to everyone looking for a dystopian book that is a bit - but not too much - different from the usual stuff.

Side Note: You have GOT to read the novella after you read this book! I loved the story of Roar and Liv, that's what really made me attached to the characters!

RATING: 2/3 Smarties

My Momentous Month

Books Read in December 2012

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K Rowling (German)

The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett (German)

Miles To Go by Miley Cyrus

Dream Dark by Kami Garcia and Margeret Stohl (novella)

Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout (novella)

Roar and Liv by Veronika Rossi (novella)

Dear Bully (Anthology)

Tempestuous by Amy Helmes and Kim Askew

Let It Snow (Anthology)

Lord of the Rings #1 by J. R. R Tolkien (German)

Reached by Ally Condie

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

I have to say I haven't finished the last two books - I just read more than halfway through them so I decided to add them. Also, Miles To Go and Dear Bully are books I started earlier in the year and only finished in December 2012.

Reviews Posted in December 2012

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Tempestuous by Amy Helmes and Kim Askew

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

To Be Read for January 2013

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Tempest by Julie Cross (TBR Pile Challenge)

Vortex by Julie Cross

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (TBR Pile Challenge)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (TBR Pile Challenge)

Shadowhunters and Downworlders

Geek Girl by Holly Smale (Debut Author Challenge)

Favorite Book of the Month

This is difficult! Out of the three novellas I read probably Daimon. Also, Dear Bully, Tempestuous, Reached and Dash and Lily's Book of Dares were all really great :) I can't decide this time!

Favorites in Each Genre

Dystopian: Reached by Ally Condie

Paranormal Romance: Dream Dark by Kami Garcia and Margeret Stohl

Contemporary: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Steampunk N/A

Historical Fiction N/A

Fantasy: Lord of the Rings #1

Favorite Cover of the Month

Favorite Characters of the Month
Alex from Daimon - she's a kick-ass, super-fun teenage heroine :)
Lily from Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - because she's so different...and so much like me!

Favorite Setting/World of the Month
What a question! Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings, of course! Although...the mall in Tempestuous was pretty cool, too!

January Books

You remember the times when I was able to give you an overview of the YA books coming out every week? Yeah...about that. I won't do it anyore. Not because I don't want to but because I really don't have the time to. It seriously is one of the posts that take the most time to prepare but it is also one of the posts that I see on almost every blog at the beginning of each week! So, to make things a bit easier for me I decided to do one post at the end of every month or at the beginning of the new one where I feature all the new releases I want to read and maybe at the end of the month I will do another post telling you about the releases that I did read (because...you know...there's a huge difference between the two most of the time :))

But now, without further ado...this is my January list:

January 22nd

Unearthly, Hallowed and Boundless by Cynthia Hand

I know. That's already an unrealistic goal...but I'm really curious about this series...

January 8th

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Liked the first one and the novella!

January 29th

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

So many good reviews!

January 1st

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Doesn't sound like my kind of story but everybody loves it!

January 1st

The Pledge and The Essence by Kimberly Derting

I am really excited to check out this series!

January 8th

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Love her writing style!

January 22nd

Everneath and Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Again: sounds good!

January 29th

Incarnate and Asunder by Josi Meadows

It's such a shame I haven't started this series!

January 2nd

Prophecy by Ellen Oh

Fantasy!!!! (But only available in hardcover version. It's going to be either the ebook version or waiting on the paperback edition...)

January 22nd

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Sounds mysterious, unique and wonderful! But-I'm waiting on the paperback version :)

January 29th

Shadowhunters and Downworlders

I've got an E-Arc!!!

January 15th

Tempest and Vortex by Julie Cross

I've had Tempest for almost a year and still haven't read it!!!

2012 End of Year Survey

(Credits to this fabulous idea go to The Perpetual Page Turner!)

Best In Books 2012

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Hard question!!! I would say...all in all...the very best book? Partials by Dan Wells. Yeah...probably that one....

Adult fiction: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Contemporary YA: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Dystopian YA: Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Sci-Fi: Partials by Dan Wells
Paranormal: Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margeret Stohl
Fantasy: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Defiance by C.J. Redwine - I absolutely did not get the hype that got me so excited about it :/

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Partials by Dan Wells
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Divergent, because I think it's so universal. Everyone loves it! I even bought that one for my friend for her birthday :)

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Oh my... The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead (I still have to read books 2-6...), The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare although I only fell in love with this one as I was reading the fourth book and The Belles Series by Jen Calonita.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Gosh....I just really started getting into YA this year, so there are many! Maggie Stiefvater, Ally Condie, Cassandra Clare, Dan Wells, Sarah Ockler, Lauren Oliver.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington. I usually don't like Paranormal Romance but that one was pretty good, I think.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I didn't even like that one all that much but I couldn't stop reading until I knew how the story would end.

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Quite a few. Especially with all the recaps coming up...The Matched Trilogy, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins....

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
Again, such a difficult question!


11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Noah and Echo from Pushing the Limits and Anya from All These Things I've Done!

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - what else?

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
If I Stay by Gayle Forman - it really taught me to appreciate life more.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - that book was so brilliant!

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
“It's just that...I just think that some things are meant to be broken. Imperfect. Chaotic. It's the universe's way of providing contrast, you know? There have to be a few holes in the road. It's how life is.”
― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever
I really don't know if that one is my favorite, but it sure is a good one.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Longest - City of Lost Souls (535) I think. It was worth every page and every second :)
Shortest (I don't count novellas) - Bloom by Elizabeth Scott I think it's good hat it wasn't longer....

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It?
I'm going to go with the end of Delirium, too. That was quite something! Also the ending of Insurgent...because I simply didn't get it...and needed someone to explain it to me :)

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Again Noah and Echo from Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits and also Kyle and Lindy from Alex Flinn's Beastly, Halley and Scarlett from  Sarah Dessen's Someone like You, Anya and Win from Gabrielle Zevin's All These Things I've Done.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
The Truth About Forever and Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini! I never intended to read that one because I never read Adult Fiction but my aunt got it for me and I loved it!

Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
365 Days of Reading - her reviews are always to the point and very nicely written!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
Phew. I don't know ;) Maybe the one for Delirium? I actually make sense (I believe) in that one...

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I didn't really have one...I guess. Maybe the one about not judging J.K Rowling's book by its cover?

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
There were many! But I usually don't bookmark them or anything - and if I do, I don't keep the bookmarks for a long time, so I can't really say :/

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Bout of Books 4.0 - my first Read-a-Thon and so. much. fun! Can't wait for 6.0!

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
Uh...the day I started my blog. Because I knew - just knew - that this would be one of the best decisions of my short life :)

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Hehe...by views: My Candy Challenge for Bout of Books 5.0

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
I don't think there were any...I'm always surprised by how many people read and comment on my posts. It's just sometimes that I wish I got more comments on reviews or other more unique posts instead of on the meme posts...

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Oh my...Bookblogs in general, I think?

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Yup, I planned to read 50 books this year, then changed the goal to 100 and ended up with 105 books :).

Looking Ahead…

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, books 2-6 from The Vampire Academy Series, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, Where She Went by Gayle Forman, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
Dare You To by Katie McGarry, Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Fragments by Dan Wells.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
I would like to interact with other bloggers more and make real friends in the blogosphere. I tend to stay to myself which is so sad considering all the great people in the YA community :)
Oh, AND finishing series and trilogies! I have that habit of never reading more than the first book :(