Hey y’all.

It’s been a while, unfortunately, and I actually have to talk about that. It’s been killing me this year that I haven’t been able to blog up to my usual standard – in both quantity and quality – and I have loathed myself for it. Everybody’s used to talking about pressure. Pressure by their parents, pressure to get into college, peer pressure to drink and do other things. This

I face all of that- my identical twin is fantastic at volleyball and I’m a failure at lacrosse no matter how hard I work. My grades are great but they’re slipping and I study until my eyes glaze and somehow still get a B in geometry. I need to get into amazing colleges so I can do something amazing in publishing and be the best.

“Grace, it must be so nice knowing what you want to do with your life.” But I won’t get into the college I want or I won’t get the job at one of the Big Six or one of these days, something’s going to go wrong. I want this industry so badly that it eats me up, the idea that I could easily screw up this fragile future I’ve constructed. My future terrifies me.

I want to stay in on Friday nights and edit manuscripts because I convince myself that my future is more important than now. But I’m worried that one of these days, I’ll look back and realize that I didn’t experience everything I wanted to. Hannah’s on all these school boards and I belong to three clubs. She’s secretary and I do all these little blog things and I have all this pressure to do everything she does and still keep up my unique blogging image. And even the blogging side of me isn’t good enough when standing up to all the incredible people in this industry that I hear about every day.

Whether some of us want to face it or not, the face of publishing is changing. Paperbacks are fading into ebooks and New Adult is (sort of) a genre and social media is more important than ever. Today, I went into my local indie bookstore which recently switched owners. I came out sobbing because I missed how it used to be and wasn’t sure about the changes. I cried for an hour about how Inkwood was changing, how uncertain my future is, that I’m not going to BEA this year, everything that I’m not measuring up to.

I’m stressed about change in publishing although I shouldn’t be (I’m seven years away from a job in publishing, at least) and that means it’s more important than ever to be innovative in blogging. Dozens of blogs pop up every day and there’s always some new post being talked about.

It puts bloggers under a lot of pressure. If we don’t post every day or every week, we feel like failures. We’re letting down our readers and will lose a readership base. If our reviews aren’t long enough, if we were denied by a publisher. If another blog post got more retweets than ours did. We have to be the first, the best, the most publicized. It’s hard to keep from drowning in the sea of blogs and all we want is to be one of the “big blogs”.

I’ve gotten so bad about reading recently. I put review books first and end up having a mental breakdown when I get home because whatever review I write won’t be good enough to stand out. In this way, it’s become so easy to forget why we do this. FOR THE BOOKS. We get caught up in blogging drama, in the pursuit of retweets and page views, even for review books and coveted emails.

Blogging has led to so many opportunities– it’s how I’ve met so many people, gotten an internship, gotten into freelance editing. BookExpo America was the greatest week of my life and I’ve done a lot with my blog and everything but I feel like I haven’t been doing NEARLY enough. So many bloggers post every day with clever blog posts and get fifty comments at least on everything.

I don’t do nearly enough. I’ve been blogging for two years and have less blog posts than bloggers who have been blogging for three months. I don’t interact with publishers nearly as much as I would like. I find myself lapsing into personal tweets on my Twitter more than bookish ones. My passion burns just as bright but I’m so much more insecure about it and so much more pessimistic than I was a year ago because there’s so much pressure to be the best.

I miss BEA. I want to go back and talk with my blogger friends and feel that burning certainty that THIS is what I was meant to do. I’m so passionate about this but there’s so much pressure on me that this won’t work out. What if I don’t get that job? What if these seven years mean nothing? I miss being immersed in the industry. The pressure kills me every day and makes me feel like a failure. I want to talk to publicists and not cry when I see the changes that my indie is making. Everything’s changing and it really really scares me. Every blogger wants to be the best and it’s just too much sometimes. I want to be a part of this industry so badly that it hurts and I’m so jealous of people who get to live out their dreams NOW because I’m worried that mine won’t work out and my blog isn’t good enough.

I just want to be more a part of the publishing industry now instead of later. My priorities aren’t the same as most of the people my age. I just will never be good enough for my own standards. Whatever I’m doing isn’t enough to keep me satisfied. My ambition demands too much.

There’s so much pressure on us. Bloggers, I’d love to hear from you. What are y’all struggling with? What is the hardest part of being in this industry? Tweet me or leave a comment below.

Seven years away,
Grace

(If the formatting looks funky, it’s because I’m actually at a chorus rehearsal right now, attempting to study for an exam, typing this up on the WordPress app. Like I said, I have to do everything.)

Wow. I have a LOT to write for this topic! Props to the creative gals over at The Broke and the Bookish. For those of you who don’t know what it is, Top Ten Tuesday is a really fun weekly meme where bloggers spout their top ten books that fit a particular topic. This week’s? Top Ten Books I Thought I Would Like More/Less Than I Did.

There are always those books that are so hyped up. Whether it be bloggers, friends, the media, or any other source, there are always books we thought we would love and ended up only being remotely pleased. There are always those books we go in with low expectations and end up loving. There are good surprises and bad surprises.

I especially like this topic because there are so many books I see people tweeting about ALL THE TIME that I just frankly didn’t like that much. Everybody’s scrabbling for a copy and I’m too timid to come out and say that I really disliked the character or something like that. Then there are other books that people trash and I COMPLETELY love.

BOOKS I THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE AND DIDN’T

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 

This one was sort of a disappointment. The first book? Really didn’t enjoy it. I thought it was very repetitive of many other dystopians out there and the romance didn’t really grip me. Not to mention that I didn’t realize it was a series, so the ending came off as very abrupt. Lauren’s beautiful, brutal writing style carried over from Before I Fall (which I fell in love with) but the story itself lacked the charisma I felt needed to keep me going.

Luckily, there was redemption. The sequel, Pandemonium, was so engaging to me. I found myself glued to every word and the second book definitely made up for the first.

2. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

I am probably going to get so much grief for putting this on the list. I normally love fantasy and I normally love books like this. Rae Carson is wonderful. I just don’t know what happened. I had to force myself to finish it because I felt like it was very slow. I really enjoyed the world but everybody kept gushing about it. I felt like the allure of the world in Graceling or other fantasies still trumped this one. The main character was fierce and the book itself could have been amazing. I don’t know; I just wasn’t feeling it and ended up being disappointed by the end. It didn’t hook me all that well and I just felt disconnected.

3. Forget You by Jennifer Echols

I normally love Jennifer Echols. I worship her as an author. Endless Summer will forever be one of my most recommended reads to my friends and I reread it every summer at my lakehouse. I love her spunk and the poise that just infuses her writing. Pretty much every other book of hers is spot-on fantastic.

I wasn’t a fan of this one. I’d heard really great things and people loved it. I didn’t like the main character, I didn’t like the flat way things were described, I didn’t like the romance, and I pretty much didn’t like anything about it. I’m bummed that I disliked this one, but she still remains on my auto-buy list.

4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I understand that this book is supposed to be one of the pinnacles of YA. It’s heartbreaking, it’s refreshing. It’s a standard that other books should look up to. Laurie Halse Anderson does so so much for victims of sexual assault and is one of the most outspoken, well articulated authors out there.

Unfortunately, this book just didn’t really do much for me. I found myself bored. I understood Miranda’s situation and why she was depressed. It was character-driven, which I’m normally fine with. I just can’t do much with a book if it doesn’t feel like there’s conflict driving the depression and the grief. A lot of this book just felt like it dragged on too long. It was depressing and parts of it were beautiful and lovely but I still found myself slogging through pages at times, ready for it to get interesting again. I felt like books like Just Listen or Fault Line ( shoutout to my girl, Christa!) and such do a better job making it relatable.

5. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

This was supposed to be interesting, charming, witty, quirky. Funky. Fresh. All of these adjectives have been used to describe Beauty Queens. I simply found it bizarre. Although it was supposed to be an absorbing satire, I was so disconnected and unamused the entire time. Feminist messages and bright descriptions were dotted through the entire narrative but I still thought it felt very unorganized and just…weird. Everything was taken a little too far. Some people can make that work in a very unconventional way but I just wasn’t really taken with this one. I couldn’t really suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy it.

6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I KNOW, I KNOW, I’M CRAZY. I thought Shadow and Bone was really really good. I just didn’t think it was excellent. I didn’t think it was mindblowing, or incredible, or amazing. It was just a solid fantasy with interesting characters that took up a few hours out of my day. I really enjoyed it. I would be honest and give it a great review. Leigh Bardugo is very skilled but I just wasn’t as obsessed as everybody else. Everybody gushes about the Darkling and the action and the world, but honestly, I’ve read a lot of better characters and worldbuilding.

I see everybody gushing about it on Twitter and aching for the sequel and I just sit there like, I don’t remember needing the sequel in my hands. I don’t remember that feeling of WOW THIS BOOK IS AMAZING I NEED EVERYTHING EVEN REMOTELY LIKE IT NOW NOW SEQUEL NOW. It was a good book and a good start to a series.

It was good for me, not FANTASTIC.

BOOKS I THOUGHT I WOULDN’T LOVE AND DID

7. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

C’mon. Title. I’m sorry, but I get really embarrassed if I’m reading a book with a kissing cover or a cheesy title at school. I feel like people are judging me based on the cover. Yes, I know the expressions and the ideas and the whole “I’m not going to be embarrassed by what I read” philosophy but I do. Kids in a high school judge, and sometimes titles with “vampire” and “werewolf” in them make me feel like some people are going to assume the extent of my reading diversity goes to Twilight.

Before I read this, I thought, I’ve read a lot of paranormal books. I thought it was just going to end up being exactly the same. Never would I have thought that it would have the distinct feel that I just sometimes crave reading, the strong characters, the cinematic action that every author should strive to write. This series is seriously addictive. It’s one of those books that is just a complete experience.

8. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I was expecting this one to be good. Solidly good. Not amazing. This one came out of nowhere. It’s so witty, taut, and perfectly ties together everything in this perfectly satisfying narrative that completely fulfills everything I want out of a book. There are nail-biting cliffhangers and killer twists, but it’s one of those books that just has all the answers and just is so refreshing. It’s funny and action-packed. It’s not monotonous whatsoever and is a complete knockout from a lot of what’s in YA right now.

I love love love the character, the time periods, the banter echoing throughout each chapter. I love every single little thing about this book and it’s so good, I just want to force everybody I know to read it all the time. I reread this one a lot and completely devour it each time.

9. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Beauty Queens and Cinder kind of flip-flopped for me. I thought Beauty Queens was going to be incredible and Cinder was going to be bizarre, but it turned out being the complete opposite. I’m ashamed by how long it took me to pick this one up, even after bloggers with very similar book tastes kept trying to shove this one on me. I should have listened. (Sorry, guys.)

This book is just absolutely stunning. The dexterity and complexity of the world Marissa Meyer creates is just completely mind-boggling. The virus and the technology is difficult enough, but with social classes and an Asian feel that incorporates fairy tales with fresh twists? Wow. It’s one of those ideas that just makes you stop and wonder how the heck anybody came up with it, and so ridiculously grateful that they did. Marissa Meyer, hats off to you. You have created a marvel.

Hope y’all enjoyed my post and hope y’all all have a fantastic week!
Grace

Dark Days signing at BEA

Today completely snuck up on me.

So I was writing this killer Top Ten Tuesday post about shocking and amazing endings, when I saw something about a blogoversary (yes, WordPress, this is indeed a word). I immediately panicked, thinking, oh my gosh, I missed my blogoversary. So I scrolled through my posts looking for my first one. When was my blogoversary?

Today.

The past two years have been absolutely incredible. I don’t even know how to thank enough people or even come close to articulating how thankful I am that this is a part of my life. Without blogging and reading and writing, I would be nobody. I would just be a girl with a passion, unsure of what to do with it or how to make a difference in the world.

From BookExpo America to joining Teen Eyes Editorial to becoming friends with my favorite authors, I’ve done so much that I’m just so lucky to have experienced. Books spill over onto my rug and I cram them in the back of my dresser because I can’t stand to get rid of them, because they’re my sustenance, my friends. And I can actually DO something with that – I have a career, a life ambition, a way for God to use me. How many fifteen year olds can really say that with certainty? “This is what I’m meant to do with my life.”

I’m so blessed. Sometimes I get really weighed down with it. I feel like I’m stuck going through the motions of high school because I could be in NYC and I stress so much about my future life. What are apartment prices going to be like in 2021? What if I can’t get a job with one of the Big Six like I want to? I feel like nobody around me gets it, having a passion that just means the world to them. Everybody else is caught up in the little things and unaware of how their actions affect their career choice.

But I’m lucky to be able to shape my resume so early. I’m incredibly lucky to start chasing after opportunities and getting contacts and immersing myself in this industry. Sure, it’s a little weird to tell people that a lot of my close friends are adults. Or that I have to stay in tonight to finish editing a manuscript. But I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

My first year of blogging was a lot more frequent. I posted a lot more, had a lot more enthusiasm about legitimate blogging. I read voraciously and reviewed every single book. The second year was a little less. I didn’t blog as much. I feel horribly guilty and lucky if I manage to post once a week. I reread a lot more and neglect some books that I’ve received for review. I focus more on other things than blogging and life has really gotten in the way. But this year has also been amazing for me in other ways – I got into Interlochen, I’ve recommended a lot more books to the people around me. I’ve gotten to be more social. Yes, my blog has recently been on the backburner and I feel awful. I feel like I’m learning how to be professional on social media and maintain a personal/professional balance. My blog posts may not be as frequent, but I feel much more confident in the quality.

So it’s been a balancing act. When I first started blogging, I convinced myself that I was going to be a hit. I’d get a million page views, be sought after for all the review books. A lot more people have gotten into blogging since then and while I used to be jealous of book hauls and other bloggers, I’ve only gotten to be more grateful for those who’ve helped me out and my readership.

I’ve had some amazing things happen to me directly because of this blog, and because other opportunities found me because of this blog. It’s been absolutely incredible. I’m passionate and that can take over my life sometimes – I need to read more than anything, I need to focus on New York City and Penguin and HarperCollins because if I don’t, nothing’s going to happen when I graduate – but I’ve learned to let life come first sometimes. I wouldn’t give up this blog for the world.

This blog stems from what I want my life to be like. I need to be in New York in seven years, working as a publicist or editor or agent and shaping the future of publishing/reading. It’s been such a powerful need, and I’m so close, but not in the aching way that I used to be. It used to depress me and I’d be filled with this insurmountable feeling that right now wasn’t enough. I was so focused on the future that I let the present slip through my fingers, so focused on getting involved in the industry that I wanted to forget about making the most of my teenage years.

This year has been a fantastic balance. I just can’t even describe how crazy this is for me – two years. Two years. It’s pounding in my head. This has been such a huge part of my life for two years? It’s unbelievable. Just…outstanding how much this blog has done for me. How much you readers have done for me.

I’ve written great posts and crappy posts. I’ve read lifechanging books and horrible books. I’ve done much more than I ever thought I would do. Just, if my life can change this much in two years because of my blog, I wonder what it’ll be like two years from now.

I have so so much I could say about this blog. I have so many posts I could link to and quote and so many things that I just want to pour out. This time last year, I was getting ready for BookExpo America and I was utterly terrified. How would people perceive me? Would I be one of the youngest? What if it didn’t live up to my expectations?

It was mindblowing. It was slightly chaotic and I got to talk to people who I’d only ever considered ‘friends’ on the Internet. I got to finally meet some of the bloggers that I’d been reading for over a year. I got to meet publishers and ask about internships and be so absolutely inspired. And of course, the books.

It all started with the love of books. We all want that book that will just mess with our heads, absorb us into other worlds. We want the books where you can practically feel every sensation, feel the stirring in our thoughts that we can’t ever find again. Those distinct, ephemeral feelings that only come with the smell of ink and paper when you walk into a bookstore. Each one of us feels that. When we’re sad and all we can do is read a book that’ll make us laugh until we cry again, or just forget for a little while. We devour books like it’s oxygen and books are what keep us going. Literally, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for us to describe the addiction to words. The hunger for more, for feelings that don’t quite exist in our own worlds but do in fictional ones. I still have a few final books in series on my shelf that I haven’t read because it’s like saying goodbye to my best friends.

I have a ton of things I want to do in the next year: start blogging more, have more interactions with publishers, expand my horizons a little bit…I’m sure y’all will hear about my goals later.

I just don’t even know what to say. Wow. I’m so blessed to be a part of this community, surrounded by these people, given the opportunity to make people feel and to work on the very books that made me feel something too. Books make me alive. Without them, I would be nothing. Hyperbole? It’s really not. I’m just so passionate about this part of my life and it’s surreal to think that it’s only been two years. And I’m looking forward to a lot more years with it.

Specifically, I have a lot of people to thank.

with Kimberly at BEA

Reut is one of my best best best blogger friends. From long emails and Skype sessions about personal things, exchanges of quotes from books and recommendations, and just talking books and publishing, she is one of the few people I can say really understands how badly I need to be in this industry when I’m older. She’s the same way. I haven’t actually met her in person (yet!) but she is one of my closest friends. I ADORE Reut so much. If she lived in Tampa, we would be inseparable. She’s like a sister. Thanks so much for always being there. Love ya.

Brent made my year with so many things. I’d been a fan of Brent’s blog and basically stalked his Twitter all the time, so when I got an email from him after a personal post I had written, I nearly cried. He has the best way of articulating the frustration of being a teenager in the industry and knew exactly what to say to keep me going when I was struggling beneath blogging and a passion I couldn’t do much with. From finding opportunities for us to his entertaining tweets to his encouraging messages, Brent is absolutely fantastic.

Kelsey is also one of those people that I NEVER thought I would be lucky enough to talk to. I saw her at BEA and introduced myself for a second. And even though I was just this nervous, awkward fourteen year old, she was nothing but kind, and she didn’t even know me yet. It was after BEA that I actually got up the courage to talk to her and learn from her. Her faith and determination to make the best of the world constantly inspire me. Her love for editing and writing, and hilarious anecdotes never fail to brighten my day. She’s given me advice about high school, about books and publishing, and is just the type of person that I’d like to be like when I’m older.

Gabrielle is my writing buddy. We talk books; we talk writing. She gives the best advice about everything and is like an older sister to me. She has one of the kindest, purest hearts out there and is always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it be 3 P.M. or 3 A.M. I adore you.

Beth is such a wonderful person. After meeting her at BEA, it was amazing to continue to talk to her. It was so refreshing to get to see her in person earlier this year! She came down to Tampa and we talked about books, publishing, high school, everything. It was honestly one of the highlights of my year and every time I see a tweet from her or a mention of her, I’m incredibly grateful that I got to meet her and that she has been such an influence.

Kimberly is so sweet. Her words always make my day better. She’s smart and warm and one of those people you can’t even think a negative word about. She’s FABULOUS. Her books are FABULOUS. She’s funny, adorable, and has done all the invaluable little things that make me just so so grateful.

Craig – how do I even begin to describe Craig? He’s always checking in, wanting to know how my day was. He’s always asking how my day is. He’s so kind and he’s so willing to share anything that might help me out, whether it be personal or writing advice. He’s always there and ready to contribute to help somebody out, and I appreciate it so much.

Cat is just so quirky and wonderful. No matter what, she’s always willing to talk to and make the day of a little awkward freshman. She’s funky, she has excellent ideas and book taste, and she’s straight-up hilarious. She’s always the one I stalk after a bad day! Thanks Cat!

Y’all all made my year absolutely amazing:

Amanda, Bailey, Willa, Jen, Emily, Vy, Kristi, Jamie, Lucy, Steph, Doni, Christa, Siobhan, Leah, Jeremy and Jeffrey, Sasha and Em, Melissa, Kaye.

Each one of you deserves all the happiness in the world and I adore you for everything. Each one of you has done something to contribute to how amazing this year has been for me. I’m probably forgetting a ton of people. And to think, these are only the people directly related to the industry – I’d be going all day if I thanked all the people who have also contributed. I seriously can’t thank y’all enough for being so generous and helpful and just purely astounding people.

I just can’t believe it. Thank you all for reading. Two years? Here’s to two more.

Grace

Hey y’all!

Recently, I’ve been noticing a trend. Obviously, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a very popular book, and evidence from my school shows that. So many people are reading The Fault in Our Stars and really getting into reading again, or for the first time. I love how my grade is starting to read. I love being able to give books to people that changed me and that I hope will change them just a little bit too. It’s always amazing to look up from reading a certain book in a public place and look at the world, milling around like nothing’s happened. You see everybody going about their day-to-day lives and wonder, haven’t they just realized that your entire world is different? Those words changed you.

Maybe it’s just delightfully entertaining. Maybe those words are sobering. Maybe they’re just fluff. Either way, I get so many requests for recommendations from people who have recently read The Fault in Our Stars, or The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or any of the other books currently out there. It makes me so so happy.

So many of my friends have read (and loved!) The Fault in Our Stars. They love it because it’s devastating and romantic and thoughtful and also with a bit of wittiness. Some look at the undertones of hope and fall in love with Hazel’s character, with the nature of Gus and Hazel’s relationship. Others fall in love with it because it describes the dark underbelly of the world, of cancer, in a brutally honest and refreshing way that doesn’t completely depress them. It’s beautiful, and one of those few books that can encompass the world in a way. So naturally, after finishing it (and sobbing), they came to me for recommendations and prescribed books with the qualities that they described.

I’ve decided to start a little mini-series on the blog. Have y’all noticed the little “recommended for” blurbs at the end of my reviews? I always recommend a few books for people who like the book that I reviewed. I started doing this on my Twitter as well, where I’d name a book title and name a few books to read if you enjoyed that title. I’m going to start doing that on the blog. If I do that for those whom I know personally, why wouldn’t I do it for my lovely readers?

I’m happy to present to y’all the following list:

if you liked the wittiness and romance, with a sad undertone

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky*

Why read this? Like The Fault in Our Stars, it’s beautifully written. It focuses on a view of the world that’s very unique and that not many people think of. This book has life in it, I swear to you. It’s about high school and drugs and sex and love and growing up on one level, but on another, it’s about a number of emotions and experiences that all knot together to make a book that you will put down and cry over. Not necessarily in a sad way, just in a way that will remind you that there’s so much more out there than the small lives we sometimes choose to live. Like Charlie describes in the classic line, “I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be”, this book will both make you happy and sad.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Why read this? It’s so poignant, so reflective. While some other books take a look at the world through a grittier viewpoint, this type of sadness was softer. What makes this one different from some of the other books on this list was that it focuses on the happy things. It’s very beachy and is the perfect beach read. Not so much the sun-and-sand but more the sound of the waves in the darkness. It’s funny and sweet and sad. If you want that calm, quiet, sad-and-happy feeling, definitely pick up Moonglass. 

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson*

Why read this? This book is so beautiful. It captures the feeling of grief so well – raw and powerful, but with a gorgeous feel that doesn’t make it harsh. It’s infused with notes and poems written by Lennie about the loss of her sister, Bailey. From the two completely different romances to the memories of her sister and her family falling apart, all the elements work together perfectly. Lennie pours her emotions into her art and it’s heartbreaking in the best possible way. If you’re a fan of well-written, witty books that will make you cry and laugh simultaneously, this is the one.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington*

Why read this? This is a lot grittier. It portrays more of the helplessness and anger that comes with grief. It’s hilarious and fantastic and horrible in some ways. It deals with everything in this blunt way that perfectly encompasses a wide spectrum of emotions. Harper is sharp and her humor is really dry, which saturates the entire book with a sarcastic undertone that balances out everything perfectly. It’s one of the most realistic portrayals of this type of plot. I love this book. When Harper’s sister June commits suicide, Harper, her best friend, and a boy with a mysterious connection to June and a passion for music embark on a road trip to take June’s ashes to California. The music scattered through it make it a must for any aficionado. If you like darker, wickedly funny books, and a fiery romance, this is a definite for you.

if you want a book that will make you ugly cry*

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Why read this? This is one of those books that will make you cringe while reading it. It will slightly horrify you and it’s uncomfortable and really really well written. The main character, Valerie, is sad and guilty and hurt by all the events of the previous year. When a school shooting pioneered by her own boyfriend rocks the community, Valerie finds herself drowning. When the shooting appears to have been inspired by a list created by Valerie and Nick about everything they hate, the school begins to turn on Valerie. From getting her classmates to trust her again to dealing with her personal demons and missing Nick, Valerie begins to piece her life back together.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Why read this? So many friends of mine have read and loved Thirteen Reasons Why. It’s not incredibly complex or devastating, but it’s solid and sad. When Clay finds a box of tapes on his doorstep, he’s puzzled. When he discovers the voice of Hannah Baker on the tapes, a classmate who committed suicide two weeks earlier, he’s even more confused. But that discovery sparks many more, and soon Clay finds himself on a hunt all over town for the people and things that contributed to Hannah’s death.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Why read this? Oh, John Green. John Green is a GOD. This was actually the first John Green book that I actually read. I listened to it on audiobook and it will just kill you. It’s one of those books that is just so distinct and funny and SHATTERING. When Pudge starts at a boarding school in Alabama, he expects anything but what he finds. The magnetic and screwed-up Alaska Young enters his life and everything changes. From smoking with them to pulling pranks with the Colonel to debating the Great Perhaps, Pudge’s existence at Culver Creek is finally coming together. Until one night, and one event, changes everything. THIS BOOK IS CRAZY AMAZING AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO READ IT.

if you want a book about cancer*

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Why read this? I’ve honestly heard mixed things about this book, but it’s one of my favorites, and I’ve read it multiple times. Cam is wry and slightly morbid and also tries so hard to appreciate the beautiful things in life even when she’s been dealt sucky cards. The cancer isn’t focused that much on, as opposed to her dying. Instead of focusing on technical treatment and all that, she focuses on making the most of the time she has left and trying not to give up on finding a miracle. If you like a skewed viewpoint of the world, little gorgeous details that embellish a story, and a bucket list, this is the book for you. This one will make you cry, but more in the way that makes you think about the world and how beautiful and messed up it is sometimes. Definitely will always be one of my favorites!

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Why read this? This book is just…wow. The beginning is powerful. Tess deserves to feel sorry for herself and sometimes she does wallow in pity. Tess didn’t have a normal teenage life. She’s determined to experience all the first times that she never got to have. It’s brutally honest and a lot sadder than other books like this. It’s filled with passion and has this lyrical writing style. It’s somber and moody. Tess is selfish sometimes. There are some parts of this book that are uncomfortable and will make you sob uncontrollably and the writing just kills me. The last line…just kills.

*All starred books and categories will make you ugly cry, for different reasons.

To all you The Fault in Our Stars fans, I hope y’all find some new reads!

Hey y’all!

So this week has yielded a pretty fantastic book haul. I went to Barnes & Noble and my lovely indie Inkwood Books and got some amazing books. I also helped my uncle pick out picture books for my baby cousin and ended up getting really nostalgic.

For those of y’all unfamiliar with IMM, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It’s basically where bloggers gush about the great books they bought, borrowed, won, received for review, or somehow acquired.

I hope y’all enjoy!

Hey y’all! 

For those of you who haven’t seen this feature before, I started A Day in the Life just to give y’all updates on what I’m reading, thinking, and what’s going on in the bookish world! I hope y’all enjoy! Here goes:

The Books:

Thirteen Plus One by Lauren Myracle – I’ve read this book so many times and I’m currently rereading it again. The Winnie Years series was one of those that kept me going through my middle school years. Winnie went through so much with boys, friends, goofy adventures, and growing up. It was one of those novels that just helped me so much with understanding life and those things that nobody will ever really explain to you but you’re bound to experience. Winnie’s such a bubbly character and I love how vibrant the books are even when they’re discussing things that are slightly heavy. This one takes place at the beach and deals with pre-high school nerves which I could definitely relate to! I just love these books so much. They’ve helped with a lot, and I like to reread them when I’m stressing out about something.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder – This is my second time rereading this one but it’s still among my favorites. Some people don’t like it because of the main character, Cam, and I can see why they don’t, but I love it. It just has so much of life in a book. It’s not morbidly sad or another “cancer book” but it’s very sad and happy at the same time. It’s just beautiful and so vivid. It’s filled with imagery and emotion and a sharp wit. I just finished this one and I actually had to tell the person I was talking to that I had to excuse myself for a bit and go cry. It was also amazing because of the place I read it and it just put me in such an amazing mood. It’s so good. This is why I read – for books and feelings like that.

The Life:

Hannah and I at the beach during Spring Break

One of the reasons why I’ve had such a bad time blogging recently is because I’ve been bogged down with schoolwork, dance, lacrosse, and friends! Plus, I’m still waiting to hear back from Interlochen, which I discussed in my writing post. I applied for the camp and a merit scholarship, so fingers crossed! I’m really nervous – if all works out, my summer will be so busy! It’d be so worth it though, to be surrounded by passionate and creative artists looking to make a mark on the world! Those are the type of people I want to expose myself to and I would love the chance to do so!

I’m starting lacrosse next month. I didn’t play during eighth grade but I got back into it this year and I’ve been working really hard at it. I’ve also been getting into running! School has been difficult, just because I’m not really not a math person! I’m a little burnt out already but I’m hoping to power through the rest of the year! This week was Spring Break, so I go back to school tomorrow. I also deleted my personal Twitter so now I’m learning how to balance my professional/blog side with my personal side. I’m glad I’m learning this now though, because I feel like it’s a good skill to understand.

My Posts:

Like I mentioned earlier, my blog posts have been slightly lacking as of recently. Not so much quantity, but I’ve been working on getting the quality up! I’d rather write one or two great posts a week than post a mediocre one every day. Recently, I cowrote Real Life Relationships vs. YA Relationships with Reut and Willa. That post is about the perceptions of boys and relationships that REAL teenage girls have in our (little) experience as opposed to the stereotypical YA romance.

I also wrote Top Ten Series I’d Like to Start but Haven’t Yet recently.

The News:

I’ve been working on a manuscript for a friend and am severely behind on email! I’m really excited to be getting into editing. For those of you who don’t know or follow me on Twitter, I’ve recently started editing for Teen Eyes Editorial. The incredible Brent (I’m literally obsessed with Brent – he’s the best!) asked me to be a part of it and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The entire premise of Teen Eyes is having your manuscript edited by those with publishing/writing experience AND the teen perspective, which most people can’t give you. It’s great to have a grammatically correct and complex manuscript, but if teens can’t relate, what’s the point in the YA market? If you’re interested, check out my editing page here!

I also got blog t-shirts! Hannah, my wonderful twin, gave them to me as a Christmas present! They’re light blue and really cute. I originally was going to get a few (for the family) but a ton of my friends wanted them. We ended up buying over a hundred! We charged a bit for each shirt and donated the profit to Sandy Hook! Now, I come to school and see at least two or three people wearing my shirt every day and it makes me so happy. I’ll post a picture when I manage to get one that WordPress doesn’t hate!

I think one of my blogging goals for the year might be coming true, but I can’t say anything concrete until I have more details! So, I’m in suspense for now.

Other Posts:

Jamie

I honestly have the biggest crush on Jamie’s blog, The Perpetual Page Turner. Not only is she a fabulous person (I basically fangirled in front of her at BEA when I met her and could barely form coherent sentences), but her blog is so amazing. It’s one of my favorites because she manages to articulate all these ideas about books and blogging that I feel but can’t describe. Her writing is very clear and descriptive. Her reviews are fantastic and her book taste practically mirrors my own. I basically want to grow up to be her. She wrote a post A Moment of Truth on the Blogging Front today that is absolutely wonderful. I highly encourage y’all to read it.

So I hope y’all enjoyed! That’s basically what I’ve been up to recently. Still working on getting back to consistently blogging, but thank y’all for being patient!

Happy reading!
Grace

Hey y’all!
I’m back today to do a meme that I haven’t in a while, but it’s one of my favorites. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and the Bookish and is basically where bloggers post their top ten books or series for that particular topic. Today’s post is Top Ten Series I’d Like to Start but Haven’t Yet and I LOVE this one. There are so many series that everybody always gushes about that I haven’t had the chance to read!

1. The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Basically, if you haven’t heard of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’re living under a rock. This was one of my brother’s favorite series, many of my friends’ favorite series, and one that everybody’s pushing me to read. I’m always somewhat hesitant when reading spinoff series (I just read the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead the other week) because I’m worried that it won’t be as good as the original. For this one, I know it won’t be as good but I still want to read it.

2. The Jenna Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson

I don’t know why I haven’t read this one yet. I actually have the second book sitting upstairs in my room. It’s always one of those books that I narrow down on my to-buy list and it competes with one or two other books. I just haven’t actually bought it yet. One of the other ones always wins out. I’ve heard excellent things even though this one is apparently a little different. I know that this series is one of Kristi‘s favorites and that definitely influences me to read it, especially since Kristi’s taste in books is similar to mine. Maybe next time this one will beat out the other books in the bookstore.

3. Hourglass by Myra McEntire

I’ve heard pretty great things about this series. The cover is gorgeous and engaging. My twin sister Hannah swears by it and it constantly trying to get me to read it, especially since I do own the series thanks to her. It sounds pretty good, but like the Jenna Fox Chronicles, has simply never made it to the top of my TBR list. I would love to read it, especially since I’m a huge fan of paranormal.

4. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

I’m ridiculous for having not read this. It seems like everybody’s read this. I started out as a blogger on Random Buzzers and everybody was always reviewing this or gushing about it. I still see tweets about it and discussions about it. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of zombies but apparently this series is really well written. I love the title and the cover. If anybody’s looking for Accelerated Reading points, I’m pretty sure this one is worth quite a few as well! I don’t own any of the books in this series and my local bookstores don’t have copies but if I ever get the chance, I feel like I need to read this to consider myself “well read” in YA.

5. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Most bloggers I know would be absolutely horrified if they knew I hadn’t read this series. It’s more MG-geared than YA-geared but I know my brother still loves the books. My family owns the series thanks to my brother devouring them. I feel like I definitely need to be in the mood to read it but I definitely need to soon. All I really know is that Artemis is a mastermind and that it involves faeries, but I don’t really know any specifics.

6. Dream Catcher by Lisa McMann

Okay, this one is cheating a little bit. I read half of the first book, but I was only about thirteen at the time. I wasn’t a huge fan. Now that I have a few more years tucked under my belt, I’d like to attempt it again. I know a girl who absolutely worships this series and so I’d like to give it another try. I’m actually very interested in dreaming- and sleeping-based books like this series and Lucid so I’d like to try this series again and see where the dreams take me. I’ve also heard that Lisa McMann is a great author and is fantastic with making her books slightly creepy, which takes a lot of talent. If you can freak me out in a book, I consider it a job well done.

7. Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

I have an obsession with the 1920s. I’m consistently convinced that I was born in the wrong time period and I would love to have been alive during the Jazz Age. Books like these are how I live vicariously. So many people I know absolutely SWEAR by these books and are always pushing me to read them. Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s not just drama – I think there also might be danger, which is a definite plus. I’ve heard good things and great things, but some people also really don’t like these books. It seems about half and half, so I’m a bit hesitant to dive in. I loved other books set in this time period so I don’t know about these. I’ve been debating giving them a try and I just might.

8. Jessica Darling by Megan McCafferty

For all the other series, people would be shocked that I haven’t read the books. For this series, I know some bloggers and readers who would kill me. I HAVEN’T READ SLOPPY FIRSTS? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! I’ve heard incredible incredible things and from what I hear, this is one of those books that will change you. It’s a foundation of being a YA reader; it’s a bible of the teenage years. The books that will always be a part of me were The Winnie Years books by Lauren Myracle. This seems like the older version of those and I really really really want to read them. Out of all the series on the list, this is the one that I want to read the most. I need to read this series.

9. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Also by Anna Godbersen, The Luxe series looks like a delicious and dramatic read. Most of the time, I like more serious reads. Intricate plots and action-filled pages, or a sizzling romance and emotional character development. But sometimes I just want a guilty pleasure read. A frothy historical read. This is that series that I always see in the hands of girls who are readers, but not intense readers. The average girl I know might have read this book. The history and friendships and betrayals? Count me in. I’m saving this series for when I next need a distraction from my life. Plus, the covers are absolutely gorgeous.

10. Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien

There are so many dystopian reads clogging up the market and so many that I haven’t had the chance to read. This, I’ve heard, is one of the best. It’s one of those series that I see everywhere – at Barnes & Noble, in the airport, at the library – but I never seem to read. There used to be so many series like that for me - Vampire Academy, Evernight, Shiver - and I’ve slowly chipped away at them. Now, there are so few older series that I haven’t read and I’d really like to change that. The cover is haunting, the premise sounds amazing, and the reviews praise these books. I should definitely make a point to read these soon.

I hope y’all enjoyed! There are so many series that I want to – and need to – read soon, and so many more series that I’ve read the first book of and need to continue! Are there any series y’all want to start? Leave me an answer below in the comments or tweet me! Have a great week!
Grace

In honor of Valentine’s Day season, I decided to ask a few of my blogger friends about questions that I’ve been debating about YA romance vs. real life romance. As many of you probably saw last week, there were tons of people carting around flowers, teddy bears, balloons, chocolates, or making out in the hallways at school.

There’s a huge difference between real life relationships and romance vs. how they’re perceived in YA. There’s always the standard formula for romance in YA. There are SO many differences. Despite this, we still dig into romantic reads and daydream about fictional boyfriends (ahem, most of the Twitter population) and still long for that YA-worthy moment.

It’s no secret that my favorite thing to read about is romance. It’s actually hard to find a YA book WITHOUT some sort of romantic relationship in it. Love triangles? Check. Moody boy with a secret in a paranormal novel? Check. Friend who turns into something more? Check. There are so many STANDARDS in YA when it comes to relationships.

Today, Willa, Reut, and I are telling you how it’s different in real life based on our experiences with boys, friendships, and the general awkwardness of being teenagers.

Who is your favorite YA couple?

How do you think YA relationships are different from real life relationships?

Grace (me), 15
Follow me on Twitter here.

YA romance and real life romance have such different standards. In reality, boys and relationships and friendships are just so confusing.

For one, the actual getting together is different. You second guess everything you say or do, there’s a lot more gray area, and it’s really uncomfortable at times. It’s not perfect, but those little imperfections are what makes it perfect for you. In YA, everything seems to come so easily to the characters. In real life, there’s this confusing stage called “talking”, there’s a lot more texting involved, there are a thousand more factors. It’s not just that you see some attractive guy and immediately fall in love and beat out the obstacles. Secondly, in YA, it’s a lot of immediate love and liking. For most teenagers, it’s not really about that right away. I’m of the personal belief that it should be about being best friends. There’s a lot more goofiness and silliness involved as well. In YA, there tends to only be one type of love and relationship. YA CHARACTER, STOP BEING SO SMOOTH AND PERFECT ALL THE TIME. THAT’S NOT REALISTIC. It’s a lot harder to describe in real life. There’s not always some issue or drama standing between two people.

I’m only a freshman but I’m exposed to this all the time at school. It’s a lot more confusing than YA makes it out to be and it doesn’t happen in the same way. Moments can be really nice and really awkward at the same time, and that’s something that YA doesn’t really discuss, but in a way, I think the awkwardness is what makes it even better. Sugar-sweet YA can be great to read about, but the imperfections and little things make it better and more perfect. Real life is a lot more memorable.

Why do you read YA romance?

Willa, 14
Follow Willa on Twitter here.

I adore romance. Mainly because it gives stories another element, but either way, I think romance adds so much more to a story. I love romance, so much. I think (I really have no clue of this) that love in YA is more perfect. But in many ways it’s also very, very flawed in so many ways. I love that in all YA Romances I adore, there is always some sort of flaw, especially when those flaws are so human in every way.

Thanks so much guys! For those of you who don’t know, Willa and Reut are some FANTASTIC book bloggers around my age. They’re both fabulous, and I had the amazing pleasure of meeting Willa at BEA last year! I hope y’all enjoyed!

Grace

Release Date: June 27, 2013

Publisher: Philomel/Penguin

Format: ARC

Source: Publisher

Find it on Goodreads

Liam MacGregor is cursed. Haunted by the wails of fantastical Bean Sidhes and labeled a demon by the villagers of Dòchas, Liam has accepted that things will never get better for him—until a wealthy heiress named Annabel Leighton arrives on the island and Liam’s fate is changed forever.

With Anna, Liam finally finds the happiness he has always been denied; but, the violent, mythical Otherworlders, who inhabit the island and the sea around it, have other plans. They make a wager on the couple’s love, testing its strength through a series of cruel obstacles. But the tragedies draw Liam and Anna even closer. Frustrated, the creatures put the couple through one last trial—and this time it’s not only their love that’s in danger of being destroyed.

Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling poem Annabel Lee, Mary Lindsey creates a frighteningly beautiful gothic novel that glorifies the power of true love.

Review:

Ashes on the Waves was absolutely stunning. It was a taut narrative, with passionate characters and a gloomy mood completely different from anything in the YA market at the moment. This novel – loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s Annabel Lee - had allusions to Poe throughout the text that enhanced the story without being obvious. The beautiful setting, harsh undertones of discrimination and hidden secrets, and enthralling romance made this a page-turner.

The mood was absolutely glorious. It was somber and stormy, but not depressing. Little details and lovely writing contributed to the incredible world-building. It was a heavy atmosphere, gloomy in the vein of Poe that really took influence from the voice of Poe. It astounds me how Mary Lindsey was able to create such a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, without being obvious and creating a beautiful piece of art that could easily be enjoyable for somebody who never knew that it was connected to Poe.

For those readers who understood that it was a retelling, there are hints and allusions buried within the narrative. At the beginning of some chapters were excerpts from Poe’s poems that fit the events in the chapter perfectly. Instead of feeling like Lindsey inserted them to make her story line up with Poe’s work, it was woven in so naturally. Instead, the allusions enhanced the story and simply made it more of an experience.

I LOVE relationships where they both make each other better. Sure, there can be angst and drama and passion, but overall, the best relationships in books and in life is where they make each other better in the end. Liam helped Anna and softened her brash personality, and Anna helped Liam confront his past and his own demons.

Ashes on the Waves was very different from a lot of YA retellings out there, because it was not an obvious caricature. Even if you’ve studied any Edgar Allan Poe, you’re kept guessing until the very end. You don’t know what happens and it doesn’t seem like it would be based off the poem. It connects to the poem, sure, but it’s a completely different story. One that’s complex and dark and satisfying.

Extended Review…

Continue reading →

Hey y’all!

I know it’s been way too long (almost a month) since my last post and I’m still beating myself up over that. I hate not posting, but if you follow my personal blog, you know that I’ve had a lot of personal stuff and stressful stuff going on. And being sick and lacrosse tryouts and midterms. One of my goals was to start posting more often and I’m working on it. Oh well! I’m here now. I’m here to share my top books of 2012. This list is inspired by the End of the Year Book Survey hosted by the Perpetual Page Turner! Interested in which books were my favorites last year? Check out my round-up from last year!

These books are all ones that I read this year. You can also check out how many books in total I read this year by heading over to my read in 2012 page! I just started a read in 2013 page as well!

Most Surprising

Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Most Relatable

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti
Paper Towns by John Green
Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Best on Audio

Looking for Alaska by John Green; narrated by Jeff Woodman
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater; narrated by Jenna Lamia and David LeDoux
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake; narrated by August Ross

Best Middle Grade

The End of Infinity by Matt Myklusch
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

Best of the Underrated

The White Glove War by Katie Crouch
Waking Storms by Sarah Porter
Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Best Rereads

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Best Stand-Alones

Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Best Series Beginnings

Venom by Fiona Paul
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Best Sequels

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Until I Die by Amy Plum
Belladonna by Fiona Paul

Best Conclusions

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Endlessly by Kiersten White
Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto

Best Overall

Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Amy McNamara
Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Origin by Jessica Khoury
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I hope y’all enjoy! What were your favorite books of 2012?