Stacking the Shelves #16

Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme hosted Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We missed last weeks Stacking the Shelves because neither of us had a ton to share and discuss, so we decided, instead, to do a short post about Book Lovers Day. I'm still pretty awed that such a day exists, but that's a topic for another time. Here's what we have added to our library's this week. 

The Rosie Project by Don Tillman - I picked this up in the Nashville airport on a whim, and can't wait to get through my list of ARCs to read it. I've heard wonderful things about this book and the first ten pages (I may have read a little... just to see.) have me intrigued. 

Eight Days a Week by Amber L. Johnson - Love. Love this book. It's so cute. So funny. In fact, I've been trying to write a review for it for a few days now and I'm at a loss because I'm terrified that I won't do it justice. 

Duff; Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger - I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of this book. The title alone made me want to own it, but then I read the reviews and downloaded it immediately.

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter - iBooks free book of the week! Alice. Zombies. I couldn't resist. 

Sublime by Christina Lauren - I AM SO HAPPY TO GET THIS! THAT IS ALL!

Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton - I actually won this at the signing I went to last week and it was awesome! The signing, not the book. But the book could be awesome too, I just haven’t started it yet.

Infinity + One by Amy Harmon - This is my free book of the month from kindle. I’ve heard some good things about it. It has taken me a while to pick it because the whole Bonnie & Clyde thing isn’t something I wanted to read. But we will see.

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley - ANOTHER ONE I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE! Both this and Sublime were gotten through this used bookstore named Housing Works. They run on donations and their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. If you want to know more about them or volunteer, go to http://www.housingworks.org/bookstore/

My Drunk Kitchen: A Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Going with Your Gut by Hannah Hart - If there is one youtuber who is my favorite, spirit animal, and anything else, it would be Hannah Hart. And I was so happy when she did a launch party in NYC this week. I can’t wait to make the wacky stuff. And if you haven’t checked out My Drunk Kitchen on youtube, DO IT NOW!

Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee - I am really excited for this read. This is the latest in the Weekday Bride series. Go read the others then this.

Added anything new to your shelf this week? 

Until next time, 

Book Review: Just Call My Name by Holly Goldberg Sloan (@hgoldbergsloan) (@lbkids)

Just Call My Name (I'll Be There #2) by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source:

My Rating:

The happily-ever-after of Holly Goldberg Sloan's acclaimed debut, I'll Be There, is turned on its head in this riveting, emotional sequel about friends, enemies, and how those roles can shift in a matter of moments.
Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives--until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she thought she could trust most.
But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes...and takes his revenge.

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56 #10

"Book Beginnings" on Friday is hosted by Rose City Reader, the meme encourages to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book.

"The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, hosted by Freda's Voice, where you find any sentence, (or few, just don’t spoil it) that grab you from page 56 or 56% in your book/eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)

The weekend is among us and I couldn't be happier. With school having started this week for us things have been crazier than expected, so I'm looking for the two days ahead. Any plans for you?

Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.
As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

“They built it out of stone - dark gray stone, pried loose from the unforgiving mountains. It was a house for those who could not take care of themselves, for those who heard voices, who had strange thoughts and did strange things. the house was meant to keep them in. Once they came, they never left.”

I am freaking freaked out. I read this in the darkness of my room and had to close it. I refuse to read the book at night. Though, I hope it continues to be as creepy as I hope.

“What the…” Dan and Abby tried to see what was going on, but the crowd was just too dense to move more than a few feet. Another police officer rushed in through the front door. Dan could see the flashing blue-and-red lights of the police cars parked outside. It looked like there were four or five of them.

“Move out of the way!” the officer thundered. “This is a crime scene! Move outside, Now!”

I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre

Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….

Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.

The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.

"The first time I saw Ty, I fell down the stairs and tore my pants."

Laughing. What a mortifying way to meet someone, especially your hot-as-hell neighbor! 

"His gaze blazed down my body as he shucked his running shorts. "I planned on taking my time, you know that? I had it all planned out. Multi-orgasms for you, massive self-control for me." "Hows that working out for you?" "It's not. You said that sweet stuff about my name, and now you're all gorgeous thighs, breasts and sex hair. Which I gave you. My ideals have seriously outpaced my will-power.""

Until Next Time, 

Cover Reveal: Eight Days a Week by Amber L. Johnson (@whereisjakeryan)

PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal

for

Eight Days a Week

by Amber L. Johnson

Release Date: November 6 , 2014

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Andrew Lyons has been running from responsibility his entire life. Returning home after a couple of years abroad, he finds himself jobless and living in close quarters with a sister he can barely tolerate. At her request, he searches for a job on Craigslist, but finds a room for rent instead. Or so he thinks. Gwen Stone is in a lurch. With a new promotion at work and two young children at home, she’s in dire need of a caretaker. When Andrew shows up on her doorstep, she thinks he may be exactly what she’s looking for. When she offers him the job, he’s more than interested and she’s confident she’s made the right choice. It shouldn’t be awkward at all. But Andrew isn’t exactly forthcoming about his intentions, and Gwen has some secrets she’s unwilling to share. When the mom and the “manny” don’t have a clue what they’re doing, things are bound to get messy. What do you get with two kids who don’t know how to be kids, a man who never grew up, Beatles Rock Band, and hundreds of hours of kids’ TV? A very interesting job, indeed. But when emotions get in the way, there's more at stake than just an occupation. Because life doesn't have clock-out button. And neither does love.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

Amber is a full-time mom and a full-time wife who is employed full time and writes when she can. She believes in Happily Ever Afters that occur every day—despite the obstacles real life serves up on a regular basis. Or perhaps they’re sweeter simply because of them. She always has two rubber bands on her wrist, a song in her head, and too much creamer in her coffee cup that reads ‘Cocoa,’ because she’s a rebel. If she’s not at her desk, with her boys, or behind the computer, she’s supporting live music with her arms raised above her head and her eyes closed, waiting for the drop.

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Thirsty Thursdays #8: Innocently Hot Cover

"Thirsty Thursdays" is an original weekly feature where we highlight all that makes our mouth water in the world of books. Join us each week where we will pick either a quote, book cover, book boyfriend or kiss from our favorite books, that makes us all swoony. Please link back to us each week, we'd love for you to share what wets your whistle, as well!

Week eight! Can you believe it? I know we can't. So don't forget to pimp this out as much as you can so we can have more people join in on the fun! This week we're putting those covers that look innocent but have that hint of sexy.

Book: Dare Me by Megan Abbott

Swoon Quality: Lip biting, of course

Why: No matter what you read you know that lip biting is a sign of something, be it shyness, nervousness, embarrassment, arousal, etc., but something about the act is so innocently sexy that I found this the perfect cover for this weeks topic.

Book: Friend-Zoned by Bella Aurora 

Swoon Quality: Glossy and red

Why: I am going to have to agree with Keira this week. There is something about lips. These look like it was taken on an inhale and you know how you feel when you take that breath and just hold it… yeah. Innocent on the outside and devilish on the inside.

Check out our Thirsty Thursdays tab for all our future Thursday topics!

Until Next Time!

Book Review: I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan (@hgoldbergsloan)

I'll Be There (I'll Be There #1) by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publication Date: May 17, 2011
Published: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

My Rating:

Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected.
Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes.
As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a gripping story that explores the complexities of teenage passions, friendships, and loyalties.

Waiting on Wednesday #13

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Happy Wednesday! Summer is almost over, especially now that I know some kids are going back to school. It feels weird! I remember when I was younger we didn't start until after Labor Day. Well, I don't know. Anyway, lets get on with the waiting!

Title: The Walled City

Author: Ryan Graudin

Release Date: November 4, 2014

There are three rules in the Walled City: Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife. Right now, my life depends completely on the first. Run, run, run.

Jin, Mei Yee, and Dai all live in the Walled City, a lawless labyrinth run by crime lords and overrun by street gangs. Teens there run drugs or work in brothels—or, like Jin, hide under the radar. But when Dai offers Jin a chance to find her lost sister, Mei Yee, she begins a breathtaking race against the clock to escape the Walled City itself.

I read my first action-like book a few weeks ago and I've been looking for something since that may live up to my curiosity of the genre. This sounds like The Purge Gone Wild (and without the laws every other day of the week.)

Title: Untitled (Penryn & the End of Days #3)

Author: Susan Ee

Release Date: May 14, 2015

Penryn is trying to survive. Because after the angels came to destroy the modern world there are no rules. Streets are ruled by gangs and angels are hunting for humans. When her sister is kidnapped Penryn will do everything she can to find her even if it means working with the enemy. Everything could happen in this new dangerous world.

(This is the summary of the series)

Earlier this year I read both the first and second in days. I loved how creepy they were and was devastated when they ended. There isn't much out about this one that it is still untitled! But I know that I will be right there when it comes out. I can’t wait so I can see how Penryn’s story continues.

What has you waiting on edge?!