The Reading Hideaway

Title: The Fault in Our Stars Author: John Green Publisher: Dutton Books Rating: 5 Synopsis (via Goodreads):  Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. Review: This book was shoved in my face by my dear friend Kayleigh, (who I've mentioned several times on this blog before). She had nothing but good things to say about TFiOS and any book that she highly recommends, I read. I trust her when it comes to books, and anything really. (: One thing she told me before reading the book was that I was going to cry. She was disappointed when I didn't. Actually, she kind of yelled at me for it. If the movie is as good as the book, I'm sure I'll be a blubbering baby. But, the book is always bet...

Title: White Lines Author: Jennifer Banash Publisher: Putnam Juvenile Rating: 4 Synopsis (via Goodreads):   A gritty, atmospheric coming of age tale set in 1980s New York City.  Seventeen-year-old Cat is living every teenager’s dream: she has her own apartment on the Lower East Side and at night she’s club kid royalty, guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest clubs in the city. The night with its crazy, frenetic, high-inducing energy—the pulsing beat of the music, the radiant, joyful people and those seductive white lines that can ease all pain—is when Cat truly lives. But her daytime, when real life occurs, is more nightmare than dream. Having spent years suffering her mother’s emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone—unable to connect to anyone or anything. But when someone comes along who makes her want to truly live, she’ll need to summon the courage to confront her demons and take control of a life already ...

Title: Better Off Friends Author: Elizabeth Eulberg Publisher: Point Rating: 5 Synopsis (via Goodreads): For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way. Eventually they realize they're best friends — which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated? From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just ...

Title: Shadows Author: Ilsa J. Bick Publisher: Egmont USA Rating: 2 Synopsis (via Goodreads): The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive. Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she'd come to love. But she was wrong. Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don't trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive. Welcome to Shadows , the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters. Review: Just a heads up that this one contains, yet again, spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.  I was determined to read Shadows after I finished Ashes , but now I don't know if I want to get a copy of Monsters to even finish the t...

I feel pretty special saying that I knew Aprille Legacy via Goodreads before she became published, but I feel even more honored to be able to feature her on my blog! I'm sure this won't be the last time, either. (: So, without further ado: Miss Aprille Legacy, author of Soul Fire and Soul Blaze (released on March 29th). Why the change in cover images for Soul Fire and Soul Blaze ? I decided to change the covers to make them more eye-catching. Also, it was a lot of fun bringing the images together! I’m actually on the cover of Soul Fire and cringe everytime I remember, but the model for Soul Blaze is the beautiful Skye Foster. We had a lot of fun with that sword out in the Adelaide Hills! Do you plan on publishing any other books besides those in the Soul Fire trilogy? Absolutely! Ruthless , my Victorian Steampunk, will probably come out later this year, and then after that I have another series cooking away in my head. Who is a character you would be in one of your ...

Just last Tuesday, Elizabeth Eulberg's fifth novel, Better Off Friends , was released. Me, being a big fan of Elizabeth, had to get myself a copy. What do you know? She was coming back home for another book signing. After Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality was released last year, she had a book signing in Wisconsin. Know who missed it? Me. I don't remember the reason, but there was no way I was missing another signing. No way. So, Kayleigh and I went to see her again together. We got another picture with Elizabeth. She was relieved to find out she would more than likely see us again at her next book signing since we'll still be in high school next year. (It's safe to say that we are the biggest Elizabeth Eulberg fans. What's not to love about her?) =) Last year, when I couldn't go to the signing, my mom went for me to get my copy of Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality signed and Elizabeth gave her extra bookmarks to be included in a g...

Title: Ashes Author: Ilsa J. Bick Publisher: Egmont USA Rating: 4 Synopsis (via Goodreads): It could happen tomorrow . . . An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions. Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP. For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human. Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling post-apocalyptic novel about a world that could become ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation. Review: Just a heads up that this one contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised...