Bad Shawnee. Being Lazy.

So I've been extremely lazy as of late. 

All I have wanted to do is just lay down, and not read. I know that this is a problem and since I run a book blog I should be reading books non stop. I've just needed a slight break for my brain from always thinking and putting plots together...

I've just gotten lazy.

That is why there hasn't been a new review lately or a "What I'm Reading Right Now". 

However, I am almost done with Divided by Elsie Chapman

The sequel to Dualed (Read my review of Dualed here). Once I finish that (I'm super close to the end) I will write a review and post it ASAP. 

I promise.

-Shawnee Smith

New This Week

Week of June 30, 2014

Hardcover:

 

Sinner (The Wolves of Merxy Falls #3.5) by Maggie Stiefvater

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Paperback:

   

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

On The Fence by Kasie West

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between #1) by April Genevieve Tucholke

Dream Boy by Madelyn Rosenberg

  

Vortex (Insignia #2) by S.J. Kincaid

A Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine

The Watcher in the Shadows (Niebla #3) by Carlos Ruiz Zafron

-Shawnee Smith

Reconnecting

I just recently got together with my best friend from elementary school! Sadly, she moved when we were in Fourth grade and I only get to see her maybe once a year. So it was great getting to see her and talk again.

And this year I found out that she is a major book worm just like me! What a coincidence right?! 

In honor of me reconnecting with an old friend, this post is dedicated to books with people who reconnect with those from their past.

Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Mallory decides to attend a boarding school after a horrific incident months before. While there, she reconnects with an old friend from childhood and begins a new relationship.

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

When Alice finds out that she has cancer, and it seems to be terminal, she reconnects with her childhood best friend that helps her finish her bucket list.

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Little Blue Envelope #2

After her first adventure through Europe, Ginny returns to finish the journey and reconnect with those she left behind.

The Program by Suzanne Young

After Sloane and James *SPOILER* both lose their memory of the other after going through The Program, they defy all odds and reconnect with one another. 

Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin reconnects with his childhood friend Margo Roth Spiegelman after an adventurous night on the town.

-Shawnee Smith

Delirium Pilot. Rad or Bad?

I have finally watched the Delirium pilot available on Hulu...

And I will say that I was pleasantly surprised. While there was alot that was changed around from book-to-book, and added characters, I felt that it was still a good adaptation.

I do feel that the pace was a little fast, the entire first book was played out in the first episode, and I'm just wondering where else they had to go. At the rate the script was going there would be no new material after the first season.

I still don't like that Julian was in the pilot. However I do respect that they didn't have him meet Lena yet, only Hannah. Which begs to question if Julian would still be Lena's second love interest or if he would serve as the catalyst for Hannah to resist the cure.

If you want to see my play-by-play tweets of the episode, you can check out my twitter account @YAFictionReview and look for the Delirium hashtag (note: I forgot to include it in the first dozen so just look until you see the tweet of my announcing my live tweeting).

Have you seen the Delirium pilot yet? What did you think? If Hulu was to expand the series, would you watch?

-Shawnee Smith

I'm Sick

Literally, I'm sick.

Like, can't breathe through my nose, horrible cough, pounding headache, fever, and a clammy body. 

Fun isn't it? 

NOT

ABSOLUTELY NOT

I am faced with an impasse. Obviously I am barely able to read, let alone have the strength to blog while I'm this sick. But I still want to.

As a compromise, I will be updating my twitter account @YAFictionReview until I'm better. So you can go check that out if you still want some book knowledge while I'm down for the count. 

I hope I make a speedy recovery.

-Shawnee Smith

YA Questionnaire

1 - The best book you read last year:

Well I did technically read both Allegiant by Veronica Roth and Champion by Maire Lu last year. :)



2 - A book you've read more than 3 times:

What book haven't I read more than three times? If it's good I re-read it when I'm bored. Some of those are...
 The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Legend Series by Marie Lu
The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Looking For Alaska by John Green
The Testing Series by Joelle Charbonneau,
Dualed by Elise Chapman
The Matched Series by Ally Condie
And on, and on, and on.

3 - Your favourite series:

THE LEGEND SERIES BY MARIE LU! I CAN'T REITERATE HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS SERIES!



4 - A guilty pleasure book:

The Au Pairs Series by Melissa de la Cruz.

5 - A book that made you laugh:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. Go see my review :) (click here)

6 - A book that made you cry:

...Champion by Marie Lu. Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Looking For Alaska (Yes) by John Green. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. If I Stat by Gayle Forman. I cry more at books than I do with movies. True Story.



7 - Most underrated book:

 Nerve by Jeanne Ryan!!! IT'S SO GOOD!!!! READ IT!



8 - Most overrated book:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I mean. Do I have to explain my choice?

9 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving:

The Birthright Series by Gabrielle Zevin.

10 - Favorite classic book:

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas.

11 - A book you hated:

Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum. Sorry guys, I just didn't like it.

12 - A book you used to love but don’t anymore:

The Charlie Bone Series by Jenny Nimmo. I was in Elementary school okay?



13 - Your favorite author:

I love way too many authors to choose just one. I love....
Marie Lu
Veronica Roth
John Green
Lauren DeStefano
and many, many, many more.

14 - Favorite male character:

Sage/Jaron from The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen. He is such a badass and a great guy in general.

15 - Favorite female character:

Alaska Young from Looking For Alaska by John Green. She just has so many different dynamics to her and its fascinating to read every time.

16 - Your biggest fictional crush:

Um....I don't have one? I fail as a fan girl. I'm sorry.



17 - A good quick read:

The Giver by Lois Lowry.

18 - A book that disappointed you:

Panic by Lauren Oliver.

19 - Favorite book-to-movie conversion:

The Hunger Games.



20 - Favorite romance:

Does If I Stay by Gayle Forman count?

21 - Favorite book from your childhood:

Redwall by Brian Jacques (Me and Marie Lu have that in common <3).

22 - A book you can't wait for:

Graduation Day (The Testing #3) by Joelle Charbonneau. IT CAME OUT ON TUESDAY AND I NEED IT RIGHT NOW!!!!



23 - A book you've been meaning to read for ages:

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

24 - A book that you wish more people would read:

I Am The Messanger by Markus Zusak.

25 - Character you are most similar to:

June from The Legend Series by Marie Lu (minus the whole military prodigy thing). I have a brother that is 13 years older than me, I pick up skills (bow & arrow, fighting) really fast, I HATE taking medicine when I'm sick because it makes me feel slow.

26 - A book that changed your opinion about something:

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp. There is a line that says "This idea comes to me that we're all grass blades on the same lawn. We've grown up together, shoulder to shoulder, under the same sun, drinking the same rain. But you know what happens to grass blades-somebody cuts them down just when they reach their prime." I don't know why, but that line has stuck with me since I first read it. I think there is something hauntingly beautiful to it.

27 - Most surprising plot twist or ending:

Chasers by James Phelan!!!!!!!!!!!!



28 - Favorite book title:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. I like the idea of having several different forms of gray, or forms of right and wrong, and this whole books is in between the questionable decisions.

29 - A book everyone hated but you liked:

Nothing is ringing a bell for this category. Pretty much everything I read I like, or if I don't like it others do. I don't think there has ever been a book where I say "Oh my goodness this is the best" but everyone else says "uh no its not".

30 - Your favorite book OF ALL TIME:

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas.

-Shawnee Smith

What I'm Reading Right Now

Since I am on vacation, I unfortunately only have a limited amount of space to bring books. I have been limited to only bringing a few.



Anyways, If you really want to know what those books are you can check out my "Vacation Reading" post I posted on Sunday Night.

Of I can tell you that I am most likely either reading

Divided by Elise Chapman 



or

City of Thieves by David Benioff



If you are ever curious about what I am reading at any day, you can find my Goodreads page and check there. :)


-Shawnee Smith

Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

The 100 by Kass Morgan

 

Publisher: 2013 Little, Brown Books

Pages: 323

Series: The Hundred #1

"In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again."

I will admit, I was a little tentative to read this book because I am a huge fan of the TV show on The CW.

I was worried that the book would be so incredibly different from the TV Show and it would cause me to not like either version. Well, they are both incredibly different, but I am glad that I did end up reading The 100. And I will be the first to say that I am now a Bellark shipper...at least when it comes to the book. I'm still a Filark...Clinn...Finn and Clark shipper for the TV Show. :)

First off, there are so many different dynamics for the characters but they all work so well together. There are those that are in love, those that are strong, and those that are selfish. But together they create a community of loveable characters. While Jasper, my favorite character, was an add on for the TV show, there were many others to love. I found myself being drawn to Bellamy actually. Which surprised me. You get to see a whole different, sweet, side of him that can only be seen through the characters narration.

I normally don't like reading books that are written in several different points-of-view but this one worked. Each chapter had a huge header stating which character's story we were reading. And each of the characters had their own voice, something that Kass Morgan did extremely well! I liked the idea of having one of the teens escape before the launch and stay on the space station. It allows the reader to know why the teens were sent to the ground in the first place and how it is all unfolding out in space. 

And oh my gosh, the ending. As a fan of the TV Show I already knew where the book was going, but it was an amazing ending! It left so much up to the imagination, and so much to be answered in the next book! The sequel, Day 21, is set to come out in September of this year! YAY! I can't wait! Bring it on Kass Morgan! 

-Shawnee Smith

New This Week

Week of June 16, 2014

Hardcover

  

Fan Art by Sarah Tregay

Graduation Day (The Testing #3) by Joelle Charbonneau

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo

Paperback

   

17 First Kisses by Rachel Allen

Earthbound (Earthbound #1) by Aprilynne Pike

Game (Jasper Dent #2) by Barry Lyga

Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake

 

The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

-Shawnee Smith

Vacation Reading

So I am going on Vacation with some of my friends tomorrow! I am so incredibly excited! I get to lounge around and read all day long!

That's the dream. 

In preparation for this relaxing vacation, I have been stocking up on books that I can take with me and devour in one sitting. Some of these books are listed below. 

Divided (Dualed #2) by Elsie Chapman

Yeah, that one might not make it ;)

City of Thieves by David Benioff

Underdogs by Markus Zusak

Sun-Kissed (The Au Pairs #3) by Melissa de la Cruz

Crazy Hot (The Au  Pairs #4) by Melissa de la Cruz

 

-Shawnee Smith

YA Fiction Review Twitter Account???

Recently I have been thinking about other ways I can get in contact with the world of books. Blogger is great and all, but not as easily accessiable as other sites.

With that in mind, I created a Twitter account @YAFictionReview 

You can click here to check out my page. 

Since the account is very new (I only made it last night!) I have limited posts, my header is not great, and I'm not following everyone that I want to.)

However what will happen on this Twitter Page is more frequent postings, reactions to books as I read them, and obviously retweets from other good book accounts I like. 

The world of Fiction is all about give and take so I hope you guys will give me some time to get this up and running before casting judgement on my page :O

I will definitely still be posting on this blog probably once a day, six times a week (I will shoot for seven though!) I have some cheeky ideas for posts rolling around in my head right now. I just need to blog them out :)

So go check out my twitter page @YAFictionReview and enjoy the rest of your fathers day! 

-Shawnee Smith

Delirium Pilot on Hulu?

You read that right. It was recently announced that the previously un-aired, cancelled pilot for Delirium, based off of the books by Lauren Oliver, will be put on Hulu!

 

Now, I am a skeptic, because well, there was a reason it didn't go forward in the first place. Will I try my hardest to see the episode and then formulate my official oppinion. But based off of these gifs that I came across on my Tumblr...

 

 

 

And the trailer I found on YouTube...

I am less than optimistic.

The pilot will be available on Hulu on June 20th for only 30 days!

Don't know what Delirium is? Check out the Goodreads page linked here.

So, my question is: Will you watch the pilot, or just ignore it? 

BTW, Hulu has been looking into the idea of buying the rights and expanding the series if it is well accepted in the 30-day trial period. What this means: If you want to see the Delirium series expanded, tweet Hulu a bunch, and watch the pilot as much as possible. 

-Shawnee Smith

Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Publisher: 2010 Dutton Children's

Pages: 304

Series: N/A

"One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical."

Okay, first off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE both John Green and David Levithan. I have read novels by both authors and thought they were fabulous. So obviously I had extremely high hopes for this novel. Just the other day I thought to myself "Shawnee, you have put off reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson long enough. Now go read it". And let me tell you, I am so glad that I did. 

Will Grayson is just your average teenage boy, well so is the other Will Grayson. You think at times having both main charachters be named Will Grayson would get confusing but John Green & David Levithan compose the story in such a way that it is not. I want to give a shout out for them distinguishing  the two Will Grayson's chapters. One W.G. is written all in lower-case with the text being provided in an almost IM kind of way. It is a little hard to get used to at first but after the first few chapters, I was glad that there was a way to distinguish. 

Now the first Will Grayson obviously has a chip on his shoulder. He has two rules 1) Don't care too much 2) Shut up. He has intimacy issues, he sometimes doesn't like his best friend since supporting him (publicly) being a gay football player has resulted in him being ostracized from his group of friends, and he doesnt seem to want to follow the path his parents have laid out for him. Until he meets the other Will Grayson. 

Will Grayson (the other one) is a slightly depressed recluse. He only has three friends, two mathletes and one girl who he can barely call a 'friend'. The best part of his day is talking to his online boyfriend Isaac, whom he has never met in person. The day he meets the other Will Grayson was the day he was supposed to meet Isaac, something that never actually panned out. 

A bunch of other stuff happens like the first Will Grayson starts to fall for his friend Jane but is too wimpy to do anyting about if for half of the book and the second Will Grayson has a relationship with the first Will Grayson's best friend, Tiny. Who is not Tiny in body mass or personality. 

What sends this book over the edge is the humor. I was laughing the entire time! Just some of the situations they get into and some of the things they have said are absolutely HILARIOUS. Do you want to read some of the hilarity? I know you do.

“I am constantly torn between killing myself and killing everyone around me.”  

“i will admit there's a certain degree of giving a fuck that goes into not giving a fuck."

“I have to tell you man, that my stalker meter is kind of registering in the red zone right now.”  

“Tiny Cooper is not the world's gayest person, and he is not the world's largest person, but I believe he may be the world's largest person who is really, really gay, and also the world's gayest person who is really, really large.”

“rolf! what? are you really rolling on the floor laughing? well, please stay down there for a sec while I KICK YOUR ASS.” 

""I think he'll be all sweaty because, let's face it, most fat people get sweaty just from lifting the Twinkie to their mouth""

 See? Funny! There's so much more, but some of it wouldn't make sense out of context. So you are welcome for no spoilers and not letting you get confused. :) Seriously though, I can not even put into words how funny this book really is. Its worth the read, just for the humor. 

In the end this is another great novel from John Green and David Levithan. You will be laughing, you will see the beauty, and you will not want to put it down. So go pick up Will Grayson, Will Grayson RIGHT NOW. I mean it. RIGHT NOW! :)

-Shawnee Smith

The World Cup Is Starting!

Happy World Cup day everyone!!!

If your not a fan of football (Soccer in the U.S.), than you are going to be incredibly bored over the next month. But if you are like me, a football junkie, you will think you have died and gone to Heaven. 

In honor of the beginning of the World Cup, I have put together a list of books that feature 'soccer' playing in the story. So check out one of these books and catch the football fever! 

Keeper by Mal Peet

"When Paul Faustino of LA NACION flips on his tape recorder for an exclusive interview with El Gato — the phenomenal goalkeeper who single-handedly brought his team the World Cup — the seasoned reporter quickly learns that this will be no ordinary story. Instead, the legendary El Gato narrates a spellbinding tale that begins in the South American rainforest, where a ghostly but very real mentor, the Keeper, emerges to teach a poor, gawky boy the most thrilling secrets of the game. "

Now Is The Time for Running by Michael Williams

"Just down the road from their families, Deo and his friends play soccer in the dusty fields of Zimbabwe, cheered on by Deo's older brother, Innocent. It is a day like any other . . . until the soldiers arrive and Deo and Innocent are forced to run for their lives, fleeing the wreckage of their village for the distant promise of safe haven. Along the way, they face the prejudice and poverty that await refugees everywhere, and must rely on the kindness of people they meet to make it through. But when tragedy strikes, Deo's love of soccer is all he has left. Can he use that gift to find hope once more?"

The Penalty by Mal Peet

"As the city of San Juan pulses to summer’s sluggish beat, its teenage soccer prodigy, El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without a trace — right after he misses a penalty kick and loses a big game for his team. Sports reporter Paul Faustino is reluctantly drawn into the mystery of the athlete’s disappearance, and as a story of corruption and murder unfolds, must confront the bitter history of slavery and the power of the occult. "

Forward Pass by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

"Podium Sports Academy's star goalkeeper wants nothing more than to play on Canada's National Team. Parmita works hard at school and on the pitch, so if it seems like she's avoiding boys, she hopes everyone will think it's because she wants to be the best, and not because she's secretly attracted to girls.

The team's new assistant coach may actually have the pull to get Parmita a National Team tryout, but Parmita is uncomfortable with her coach's constant flirting and accidentally-on-purpose touching. After the coach guesses her secret about her sexuality and corners her in the locker room, Parmita has to decide how far she'll go to get a tryout."

Goal!: The Dream Begins by Robert Rigby

"While growing up on the tough streets of Los Angeles, Santiago's greatest joy is playing soccer. So it is a dream come true when a British scout sees him playing in the park and offers him a trial with one of England's top Premiership clubs. Determined to succeed, Santiago leaves behind his struggling family and his modest home, and flies halfway around the world to give it his best shot.

But it's not smooth sailing when Santiago arrives in northern England. Team practices are intense, and in this place where people live and breathe the sport, many seem eager to find fault with the new Latino player from L.A. The pressure even spurs Santiago to keep a secret that could sabotage his performance. There is no doubt that Santiago has skill, flair, and dedication. But does he have the stamina he will need for the English game?"

-Shawnee Smith