Follow and Feature / TGIF (8)

These two memes are a great way to get to know other bloggers! Just answer the questions and join the fun!

Feature and Follow is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. How to participate: follow the hosts and the featured blogs, answer this weeks question and visit the other blogs! Since this meme is about following other blogs: leave a comment saying how you followed so bloggers can return the favor! You can follow Helene's World of Books via GFC, Networked Blogs or Linky. Your choice :).

This weeks questions: 

This week there are two questions. I liked them both so here are my answers:

Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you've read and didn't like?

This is definitely The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate. I loved her Fallen series. I'm always a bit hesitant for the next book apart from a series, because in my experience most of the time it's not so good. But I loved this cover so much I just couldn't wait to read it. Unfortunately it was a big disappointment. I still like the cover though.  

Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you've read and loved?

My new favorite series! I loved Spark (Elemental #2) better, but this cover is prettier! And I loved both books! See my review here. 

TGIF is hosted by GReads!. This features re-caps this weeks posts and proposes a questions to the followers. This will be the last one for a while. Ginger from GReads! is going to focus on her studies. It's sad because I really like this meme, but I completely understand of course! I hope Ginger will pick it up again in the feature. 

This weeks question:

Choose Your Next Read: How do you go about choosing what you read next? Do you have a schedule you follow, or do you read whatever makes you happy at the moment?

It depends on my mood and how big my MBRS (Must Be Read Soon) list is. My TBR pile is always huge. I tried a book buying ban a couple of times, but it has absolutely no effect on me. When I have a lot of review books and I have to read them in a certain order I make a list and most of the time I'll hold myself to it. When my MBRS list isn't that big and scary I choose what I read next when I finish a book. Mostly that means reading a book I feel like. 
Right now I have a list and so far so good. Now I just have to read all those books and write the reviews!

Happy Friday!

Cover Reveal: The Goddess Inheritance

I always get really excited when I see a beautiful cover, especially when the book isn't published yet. It's makes the waiting a little bit better! 

The Goddess Inheritance

Title: The Goddess Inheritance

Author: Aimée Carter

Expected publication: April 1st, 2013 (Harlequin Teen)

Series: Goddess Test #3

I have to admit I haven't read the first one yet. It's been on my shelves for ages and I hope to start it soon. I heard great things about it. I love the covers in this series and the last one is no exception! The Greek 'symbols' are a great twist to the further realistic cover! I like the green colors, it makes it stand out. 

What do you think about this cover?

Review Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Storm

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Published: April 24th, 2012 (Kensington)

Pages: 353
Source: bought
Series: Elemental #1

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.
The storm is coming.

Meet my new favorite series! 

I had Storm on my wish list for quite some time, but I wanted to lower my TBR pile, so I hadn't bought it yet. When I saw Spark (the second book in the series) up on Netgalley, I requested it and got approved. Can you think of a better excuse to buy a book? No one could say now that I couldn't buy it. (That's what I told myself anyway).

This is on of those book that makes you want to hit yourself for not reading it sooner! So amazing! Brigid Kemmerer has an awesome writing style (and most of you will know by now I'm a sucker for a good writing style). You get sucked into the story right away and it doesn't let you go before you finish it! I got out of bed earlier to read this book! Yes, it was that good. 

I love the idea behind the book. Four brothers who can each control a different element. Chris is the MC in the first part of the series. He controls water. His POV is alternated with Becca's. She saves him from a fight in the school parking lot and they're drawn to each other, but not in an insta-love kinda way. She's pulled into Chris' world and the danger lurking there. They must help each other to be save again. 

It's not a superhero story, luckily. Chris is struggling with his powers. He knows he has great potential, just not how great. And losing control could mean losing his life. 

Becca is such an amazing girl! I just loved her. She saves Chris, although she barely knows him. She's picked on because of something she did, but you don't find out what that is until the end of the story. The way she deals with it was admirable. She keeps her head high and ignores them, although as the reader you know she's struggling with it. And than there is her long lost father, who's in town all of a sudden. That can't be a coincidence, right?

A story works better for me if you're not thrown in and everything happening way to fast. Brigid Kemmerer knows what she's doing! The story begins with the fight in the parking lot and it's a good beginning. You're introduced to the MC's in a characteristic way. Becca as a bit shy girl, who can stand up for herself and others. Chris as a powerful guy, but not invincible. The story gradually moves on from there. You get to know the characters better and you learn about the world their living in, but even at the end of the book you don't know everything. In a good way, you'll be curious for more. There's happening a lot, there's enough tension to not want to put the book down, but there isn't happening to much. Which is a good thing!

By now I've also read Elemental (#0.5), Fearless (#1.5) and Spark (#2) and I loved them all! Reviews will be posted soon. With each book I loved the series more. I would definitely recommend it!

And did you see that cover? So pretty :)

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

Eve and Adam by Katherine Applegate & Micheal Grant

Title: Eve and Adam

Author: Katherine Applegate & Micheal Grant

Will be published on: October 2nd, 2012 (Feiwel & Friends)

Pages: 304

Synopsis from Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible. 
While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.

I might pre-order this book, wait impatiently until October 2nd, sit guard next to my mail box and not leave my spot until I have this book in my hands. And than read it! 
Every time I see this book I want to scream. This is going to be so amazing I just know it! 

Visibility Blog Tour + Giveaway

Welcome to the Tuesday stop of the Visibility Blog Tour! This blog tour will run for a week. Articles and interviews from the author and publishing team will run on BlogTown, while readers can visit stops on the tour, learn about those blogs, and acquire super powers. There will be a giveaway at the end of the tour, and readers will have a chance of winning one of three prizes! Scroll down to find out more about my super power, the book and the giveaway!

My super power is

Possession

The Super Survey

1. What is your super power?
As you can see clearly above my super power is possession. And since books are my life I only mostly use it to possess other people while they're reading. The most interesting part is when people are reading books I already read, because I can also 'hear' what they think. It's nice to see someone else's point of view on a book. It gives reading a whole new dimension. And it passes the time when I didn't bring a book myself, or if I don't feel like holding a book. Call me lazy, but sometimes you just have to chose the easy way!

2. Have you told anyone about it?
No, but I've been thinking about it, though. Let me see you explain the weird look on your face when you posses someone. I'm still developing my powers and have to be in the same room as my 'victim' (although, they don't really notice). When I posses someone I can still control my body, but it's like I'm drowsing. 

3. Have you chosen to use it for good, or evil?
Well, that depends. Do you think possessing someone to read books through them is evil? I don't see it that way, but it's not totally good either. So somewhere in the grey?

4. Have you had any super power–related instances at work?
I made clear that books are my life. I'm an intern at a Dutch publishing house, so yes there have been instances. But nothing I couldn't fix myself! Only that one time when I almost misspoke... One of my colleagues was telling me about a book I was just reading through her and I told her what she thought of it... Oops! 

5. Spandex, or no spandex?
Absolutely NO spandex. I try to blend in, not stand out. I look weird enough half sleeping when I'm in someone else's head. 

Join the fun by filling out the Super Survey yourself!

The Book 

Natalie Irving is used to living in the shadow of her infamous mother’s celebrity—she’s done it all her life. So when she discovers that she has inherited Jaydn’s claim to fame, the talent to turn invisible, she knows she finally has the chance to step into the spotlight. Now that she is one of only two people in the world with such an ability, Natalie has a choice to make: follow in her mother’s footsteps or choose a different path, crafting a unique identity that is hers alone.

My review will go up later this week!

The Giveaway

Grand Prize
$50 coupon to Amazon.com

2 Runner-Up Prizes

$25 coupon to Amazon.com

All 3 winners will also receive:
1 copy of Visibility, by Sarah Neufeld
1 copy of Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows, by Molly E. Johnson
1 advanced-reader copy of Wax, by Phil Duncan

* If the winners opt for giftcards to an indie bookstore, we’ll add an extra $5 to the card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey. This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well. You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Finished last week: 

    

The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle

Spark (Elemental #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2) by Julia Kagawa

Currently reading:

Visibility by Sarah Neufeld

Next read:

Tot de Laatste Cent (Bond Girl) by Erin Duffy

Have a great week and I hope to see you soon!

Review Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Pretties

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Published: November 1st, 2005 (Simon Pulse)

Pages: 370
Source: for review
Series: Uglies #2

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect. Perfectly wrong.
Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.
But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.
Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

[This review may contain some spoilers for Uglies, the first book in the series. For the review of that book go here]

Tally finally got what she wanted, she became Pretty. She goes to all the parties and can just be Pretty. Until she gets a message that will change everything. Zane helps her get bubbly, so she has a clear mind. Being Pretty isn't so nice when she remembers. 

After reading Uglies it's always the question if the second book will be good or not so good. I liked Pretties, but not so much as the first book. It was a bit a retelling of the first in almost the same setting. But I still enjoyed reading it. 
The world setting is interesting and the characters as well. 

Tally was a bit more helpless than in the first book and I thought that was a pity. She was a strong character, especially at the ending, but it changed when she became Pretty. Which is obvious of course, but it slowed down the story. 

The writing style of Scott Westerfeld made up a lot! I still had a hard time putting the book down. I'm curious what will happen in book three. 

The ending wasn't really satisfying. The characters had all changed a lot and not all in a good way. I still liked the story, but I hope Specials is better. 

Stacking the Shelves (8)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Bloggers share what new books (physical or virtual) they got these week. This is the first week that I'm participating! I like getting new books and showing them. So here's my haul for this week! 

Bought

Title: Fearless

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Published: July 31st, 2012 (K Teen)

Pages: 44
Series: Elemental #1.5

I'd finished Storm and Elemental, and I couldn't get enough of it, so I bought Fearless and read it immediately! 

Title: Easy

Author: Tammara Webber

Published: May 25th, 2012 (CreateSpace)

Pages: 230

Last Tuesday the TTT meme had a topic where we showed are top ten books read during the lifespan of our blogs. I saw Easy on Lili's Reflections' list and I knew I had to read it! She gives great recommendations.

Title: Snow White & the Huntsman (Dutch version)

Author: Lily Blake, Evan Daughtery, John Lee Hancock, Hossein Amini

Published: May 5th, 2012 (Moon)

Pages: 240

Ever since I saw the movie I wanted to read the book. I hope it's just as good!

Title: Peter Pan

Author: J.M. Barrie

Published: September 10th, 2012 (Vintage Classics)

Pages: 256

I've always wanted to read the original story. 

For review

Title: Enshadowed

Author: Kelly Creagh

Published: August 28th, 2012 (Atheneum)

Pages: 429
Series: Nevermore #2

I can't wait to read this! Nevermore was so amazing!

What's your haul?

TGIF / FF (7)

I'm new to the blogging society and I think these two memes are a great way  to get to know other bloggers! If your new to my blog: you can follow me via GFC, Networked Blogs or Linky. Your choice :). If you follow me let me know, I'll return the favor! 

Feature and Follow is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Follow them and the featured blogs, answer this weeks question and join the following!

This weeks question:

Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you've read and loved?

An easy one this week! That's Finding Sky by Joss Stirling. I absolutely loved the book, but the cover isn't really pretty and doesn't do the book justice.

TGIF is hosted by GReads!. This features re-caps this weeks posts and proposes a questions to the followers. 

This weeks question:

Back to School Reading: Which books would you like to see in today's high school Literature classrooms? 

At my school (I went to school in The Netherlands) they were all about "real" literature. Don't ask me what that means, because I still don't know (and I graduated five years ago). Basically it meant Dutch authors (no foreign authors) that called their own books literary. My opinion back then was that it just had to contain a lot of crap. So if I hated the book it was probably literature. I know harsh, but I hated the obliged reading. YA didn't really exist then, unfortunately. It was or literature (the grown up stuff as I called it) or children's books. 

I think they're a lot of books that should be in the Literature classrooms. So here's my top three:

Review Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Published: July 31st, 2012 (Harlequin Teen)

Pages: 409
Source: for review

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: SO WRONG FOR EACH OTHER...AND YET SO RIGHT.
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.
But when Noah Hutchins, the smokinghot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.
Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

First a huge thank you to Harlequin Teen for providing me a review copy! And a huge thank you to Lili from Lili's Reflections. Without her I wouldn't have read this book so soon!

Last week I was in a reading slump. I was struggling to finish books and I wanted it to end before it got worse. So I was doubting about what to read next: a comfortable read or what I thought I had to read, because my review pile just gets bigger and bigger. After I tweeted Lili said I really had to read Pushing the Limits. And she was absolutely right! Wow, what a book! Just amazing! You're missing something huge if you're not reading this! 

When I first read the synopsis I wasn't convinced. I haven't read that many contemporary and I was a bit hesitant towards it. Why? I have NO idea! Well, I'm over it now! After reading some amazing reviews on other blogs I decided to request it on Netgalley and I got approved (obviously). 

This book has everything you ever could want in a book! It has an amazing story, a writing style that immediately pulls you into the story and the main characters are so real. I had no difficulty connecting with them, even with Noah. 

The story is told from two perspectives, Echo's and Noah's. They both have their secrets and difficulties they have to overcome. Noah's parents died in a fire and he's trying to get custody over his little brothers when he hits eighteen. He wants to be really bad ass and maybe he is, but I loved him! He  cares about his brothers and wants them to be together. 
Echo is a totally different story. Something has happened that she can't remember. She only has the scars on her wrists as evidence of that terrible day. Throughout you learn what has happened to her. 

I'm so impressed by Katie McGarry. She really knows how to build tension in a story. Everything came at the right moment. Gradually you learn a bit more about Noah and Echo and that made it so hard to put this book down. You want to learn more about their pasts. Also Noah's story is told gradually. And their relationship is so beautiful. What I don't like in other books is when a love story is so obviously not real life material. And this totally was. They could walk right out of the book and the story would be exactly the same! 

I can gush all day about this book (and maybe I should!). But I think I made my point. You have to read this book! I'm all for contemporary now!

Waiting on Wednesday (9)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Title: What's Left of Me

Author: Kat Zhang

Will be published on: September 18th, 2012 (Harper)

Pages: 356
Series: The Hybrid Chronicles #1

Synopsis from Goodreads: Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn't…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

This synopsis sounds so good! It something I haven't seen before and I really want a copy of this one! The cover is beautiful and I think it tells a lot about how the story will be. 

Top Ten Favorite Books I've Read During The Lifespan Of My Blog

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday has another topic and different bloggers give their top ten. I love making lists, so here's mine for this week!

This week topic is 

Top Ten Favorite Books You've Read During The Lifespan Of Your Blog

I started my blog officially in January, but it was only at the end of may that I started to get serious about it. I recently posted about my favorite books this year so far. This list contains the books I liked best in the period from the end of May until now. 

1. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGary  

2. City of Swords by Mary Hoffman

3. Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

4. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

5. Bunheads by Sophie Flack

6. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

7. A Witch in Love by Ruth Warburton

8. I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk

9. The Curse Girl by Kate Avery Ellison

10. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

What's your list?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? / Upcoming (14)

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey. This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well. you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

When I started blogging at the end of May I had the Upcoming post on Mondays, but it didn't feel like me anymore. So I decided to start the week with this meme. 

I'll show you what I finished last week, what I'm currently reading and the books I intend to read next. I still like my idea of showing you what reviews are coming up this week, so scroll down and you'll find them at the end of this post! 

Finished last week:

 

Pledged (Soul Wars Saga #1) by Gwynneth White
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Storm (Elemental #1) by Brigid Kemmerer
Elemental (Elemental #0.5) by Brigid Kemmerer
Fearless (Elemental #1.5) by Brigid Kemmerer

Currently reading:

The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle

Next read:

Spark (Elemental #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

Upcoming reviews:
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Have a great week and I hope to see you soon!