'Til Next Tuesday #8: Nine by Zach Hines

'Til Next Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here @Little Library Muse. It's allows me to share my love of books and showcase new releases. It's inspired by my work developing the young adult collection.

Expected Release: August 7, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

In an alternate world startlingly close to our own, humans have nine lives—and they can’t wait to burn straight through them.

As you shed lives, you shed your awkward phases: one death is equal to one physical and mental upgrade. Julian’s friends are obsessed with the idea of burning lives, but Julian is determined to stay on his first for as long as he can. His mother, the ultimate cautionary tale, burned through her first eight in just a few years, and Julian has no intention of succumbing to the debilitating rebirth sickness that she inflicted on herself.

But the regime has death incentives aimed at controlling overpopulation, and Julian realizes that he’s going to have to burn at some point—especially when he becomes a target for Nicholas, the manipulative leader of the Burners, the school’s suicide club. And when Julian eventually succumbs, he uncovers suspicious gaps in the rebirth system that may explain exactly why his mother went so far down the rabbit hole years ago. Along with a group of student dissenters, Julian sets out to find answers and is soon on the verge of exposing the greatest conspiracy ever unleashed on the world.

He has just eight more lives to uncover the brutal truth. 

Upcoming Releases in March!

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

Pacifica by Kristen Simmons

Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen

Genesis by Brendan Reichs

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

What new books have caught your eye? Any books that you would recommend?

'Til Next Tuesday #6: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

'Til Next Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here @Little Library Muse. It's allows me to share my love of books and showcase new releases. It's inspired by my work developing the young adult collection.

I'm spotlighting The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, mostly because I was drawn to the cover but the story also appeals to me. 

Expected Release: March 6, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.


Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.


Upcoming Releases this month!

Blood Of A Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

Hooper by Geoff Herbach

The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Mercy Rule by Tom Leveen

Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

I'm eager to hear about any other new books that I should consider for my library, feel free to share!

'Til Next Tuesday #4: War Storm by Victoria Aveyard

'Til Next Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here @Little Library Muse. It's allows me to share my love of books and showcase new releases. It's inspired by my work developing the young adult collection. 

Expected Release: May 15th 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Red Queen #4

I chose to feature this book because I've read the first 3 books in the series and want to see how this particular story ends. 

About the Book
VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive. 

Upcoming releases in January & February!

The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Ink, Iron and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare

Reign the Earth by A.C. Gaughen

I'm eager to hear about any other new books that I should consider for my library, feel free to share!

Review: Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeline Kuderick @harperteen

Author: Madeline Kuderick
Title: Kiss of Broken Glass
Publication: September 9, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 224 pp.
Source: Publisher

Synopsis
Madeleine Kuderick’s gripping debut is a darkly beautiful and lyrical novel in verse, perfect for fans of Sonya Sones and Laurie Halse Anderson. Kiss of Broken Glass pulses with emotion and lingers long after the last page.

In the next seventy-two hours, Kenna may lose everything—her friends, her freedom, and maybe even herself. One kiss of the blade was all it took to get her sent to the psych ward for seventy-two hours. There she will face her addiction to cutting, though the outcome is far from certain.

When fifteen-year-old Kenna is found cutting herself in the school bathroom, she is sent to a facility for mandatory psychiatric watch. There, Kenna meets other kids like her—her roommate, Donya, who’s there for her fifth time; the birdlike Skylar; and Jag, a boy cute enough to make her forget her problems . . . for a moment.

"Just one cut to feel alive..."

" Just one cut and you can breathe."

When I began reading this book, it reminded me of Anderson's book Wintergirls and I could see similarities between Kenna and the main character in that book. The need for love and acceptance rings true in this book and that one. Kenna hides her cutting but she also wants someone to notice that she's not alright. She's always been an outsider, so when she meets Rennie, she feels apart of something. Her first cut seals the deal, she feels a rush and can't stop her need for that next high. 

" Purging all the broken bits out of me 
like a tsunami washing debris to the shore"

" I feel the calm,
the bliss,
the sheer weightlessness of zero worry...

And I want this feeling to last forever."

Kenna's ousted in the school bathroom and ends up in a facility where they keep her for a few days to help her and to make sure she won't harm herself more. She meets another girl like her named Skylar, who in a way helps her begin to see things a little differently. I liked Kenna and understood her struggle and her want to belong. Even in just a matter of days she changes but it the war she has between wanting to fit in and being strong enough to stand alone as her own person without someone else influencing her. The story's written in verse and flows so well that I really didn't notice but it paints the picture of Kenna's internal battle so perfectly. I could actually feel her addiction. Overall, the characters and story are realistic and true. The writing is beautiful and quick, I flew through it within a couple of hours. This is a story that will make you really step into the life of the character and come out with a completely alternate perspective on depression and cutting.

Review: The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Title: The Vanishing Season
Publication: July 1, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
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Synopsis
Girls started vanishing in the fall, and now winter's come to lay a white sheet over the horror. Door County, it seems, is swallowing the young, right into its very dirt. From beneath the house on Water Street, I've watched the danger swell.

The residents know me as the noises in the house at night, the creaking on the stairs. I'm the reflection behind them in the glass, the feeling of fear in the cellar. I'm tied—it seems—to this house, this street, this town.

I'm tied to Maggie and Pauline, though I don't know why. I think it's because death is coming for one of them, or both.

All I know is that the present and the past are piling up, and I am here to dig.I am looking for the things that are buried.

From bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson comes a friendship story bound in snow and starlight, a haunting mystery of love, betrayal, redemption, and the moments that we leave behind.

This is the first book I've read by Anderson, I actually own Tiger Lily but haven't gotten around to reading it. This story is an interesting mixture of paranormal, romance and mystery. Maggie's family moves to Door County after her mother loses her job and the lessened income makes living in the city more strenuous. She's accustomed to sacrificing her desires because she doesn't want her parents to feel bad for not being able to give those things for her. Pauline, her neighbor, wants for nothing. She's beautiful, popular and rich. They become fast friends and what happens next will be fun, adventure, love and heartbreak. 

There is also a ghost tethered to the girls for some reason, it's like it senses danger for one or both girls. As much as the ghost tries to interact with the world, it begins to realize that it can only be a spectator to the events. Gradually as the story unfolds the ghost starts to understand its presence. I liked Maggie as the main character; she's so sweet and pure. She's a really good and forgiving person. Pauline, initially I liked her energy but as things progress she's comes off as self-absorbed and selfish. There's this boy who has cared about her since they were younger but she never shows interest in him until he begins something with someone else. There is also a murderer on the loose as girls keep going missing. I actually felt the story didn't need the murder mystery part and that some things could have been more fluid. The ghost narration was a little distracting but once the end comes along, it was easy to understand its purpose in the story. I think anyone looking for a ghost story from a different perspective with some romance, heartache and mystery will like this book.

Giveaway&Review:Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Title: Destined
Series: Wings #4
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication: May 1, 2012
Format: Print ARC
Length: 320 pp.
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5
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Amazon | BN | Book Depository
Synopsis:Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.
He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.
She hated how much it felt like good-bye.
Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series.

Review: I have devoured every book in this series, and right from the beginning I knew I loved it. Most especially Tamani and it is too bad he is a fictitious character.He is just so cool, loyal and protective of Laurel. David is my least favorite other than Klea, he just rubs me the wrong way but he plays an interesting role in the efforts to help Avalon. Laurel has grown so much since the beginning of this series though she has more to learn in this book and the question is will she truly come to terms with the desires of her heart. David or Tamani? I'll never tell.  There is one scene where everyone is doing something, they have a mission and Laurel just seems to be in the way, which she notices but really what else could she do right at that moment. She is not a fighter, she doesn't have it in her to hurt anyone but she is not weak in the sense that her love for her friends is a strong characteristic that I like about her.The pace for this book is a bit up and down, some moments read quickly and others not so much but I still couldn't put it down. Pike has woven an beautifully vivid atmospheric setting in Avalon. It is no wonder that Laurel and her companions will risk their lives to save it from the evil that seeks to destroy it. The battle has begun but will they survive and at what cost? Overall, great read that I would recommend to readers of this series and fantasy lovers.


Cover Review: I love this cover because it is blue and because it is a simple beauty. Just lovely!

Other books in this series:

In My Bag #9

I haven't done an In My Bag in awhile but I decided to do one today. 

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren where book bloggers can share what books came into their home this week. 

Here's what was in my bag this week, these are items for review, and tours...

What's in your bag?

For Review

Arc of Destined by Aprilynne Pike...thanks to HarperCollins

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell 

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire

Both thanks to Pyr

From Netgalley

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Grave Mercy  by Robin LaFevers

Torn by Stephanie Guerra

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Book tours

 Candlewax by C.Bailey Sims 

Here by Denise Grover Swank

Promises by Amber Garr

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Author:Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Pages: 416 pp.

Publisher:Harperteen

Publication: January 17, 2012 

Age: Young Adult

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Purchase: Amazon|BN | Book Depository 

Source:Hollow Tours Blog Tour

Synopsis:

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. 

Review: Hallowed was a good read, I was sad throughout it because I knew someone close to Clara was going to die and when it came to that part of the story my heart broke just a tad. I love the two male love interests as they both offer Clara different things, but who is the right one for her. Well, Christian only because he is like her and will live longer than Tucker. Okay, there is more to it than that but she can really be her Angel self without worrying about the glory making Tucker sick or worship her. However, her heart belongs to Tucker, and I wonder how that is going to play out in the end. I think Tucker is a great character though, all of the characters are well developed and easy to identify with. The story flowed well and the reader gets a better understanding of who Clara is and where she comes from. Hallowed is full of surprises, and can't wait to read more of this series. This is truly a story of loss, self-discovery, family and love.