Wednesday 30 January 2013

Cover Comparisions! Under The Never Sky

Post which will feature book/reading related things I love!
This post is on Cover Comparisons!
Everyone judges covers! I thought I'd do a comparison on how international covers would have affected my judgement of certain books as covers differ so vastly between countries!
This post's book is Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi!

UK!

Judgement- I didn't like the cover of Under The Never Sky when I picked it up but it did stick out! The cover made me think it would be a sci-fi romance centric dystopia. I also assumed that it would be weaker in world building due to the romance focus..... I judged wrongly! When I thought sci-fi I thought space etc but it wasn't at all! The romance was a key part of the book but it was built in the background and the world building was fab!


USA!

Judgement- Not as eye catching!I would have assumed it was more dystopia and a lot less sci-fi. I would have thought it was more Hunger Games violence and solidarity whereas Aria and Perry are equal main characters!

France!
 
Judgement- I like this cover but looks a lot more like a sci-fi space story with a female lead! I would have thought Star Trek/Glow style setting and plot.

Germany!
Gebannt: Unter fremdem Himmel (Under the Never Sky, #1)

Judgement- Beautiful cover! It looks like a more nature based fantasy than a dystopia though!
Netherlands! 

Een wereld zonder hemel
Judgement-   The girl is kind of creepy and again I'm thinking Sci-Fi fantasy!

Spain!  
Bajo el cielo eterno (Bajo el cielo eterno, #1)
Judgement- Love this cover! It actually features Aria and Perry who are equally the lead characters, however it does look very wintry!

Final Judgement
I initially preferred the USA one but I slowly converted to the UK one as it was eye catching!
However then I saw the new UK one...
All it needs is both Aria and Perry on the front and it would be perfect!

Which is your favourite?
Which do you think represents Under The Never Sky best?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Monday 28 January 2013

Monday Round Up!

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

Another slow blogging/reading week I was struck down by a toothache! I did how ever have a little readathon on the weekend so I made up for my reading but not my blogging!

Posts!
Top Ten Tuesday- Check out what settings I want to read more of!


Read!
Island of Lost Girls was a completely different genre for me and I could not put this one down!
Speechless was fantastic- review coming soon!

Reading!
Finally got this one yesterday! Loving it so far :)
 
What's Next!
So glad I got approved for this one!
 
How's your week been?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Friday 25 January 2013

Vain by Fisher Amelie Contest!



If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story.
Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.
I’m Sophie Price and this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
 
I've been a fan of Fisher Amelie since I read and loved Thomas and January so I am thrilled to celebrate her latest release with two surprises!
 
Giveaway!

Fisher is generously giving away a Kindle Fire! Click here to enter
 
Sneak Peek!
A sneak peek of the first chapter of Vain!

 Six weeks after graduation and Jerrick had been dead for three of them. You’d have thought it would’ve been enough for us all to take a breather from our habits, but it wasn’t.
I bent to snort the line of coke in front of me.
“Brent looks very tempting tonight, doesn’t he?” I asked Savannah, or Sav as I called her for short, when I lifted my head and wiped my nose.
Savannah turned her glassy eyes away from her Special K laced O.J., her head wavering from side to side. “Yeah,” she lazily slurred out, “he looks hot tonight.” Her glazed eyes perked up a bit but barely. “Why?”
“I’m thinking about saying hello to him.” I smiled wickedly at my pseudo-best friend and she smiled deviously back.
“You’re such a bitch,” she teased, prodding my tanned leg with her perfectly manicured nail. “Ali will never forgive you for it.”
Yes, she will,” I said, standing and smoothing out my pencil skirt.
I could’ve been considered a dichotomy of dressers. I never showed much in the way of skin because, well, my father would have killed me, but that didn’t stop me from choosing pieces that kept the boys’ tongues wagging. For instance, everything I owned was skin tight because I had the body for it, and because it always got me what I wanted. I loved the way the boys stared. I loved the way they wanted me. It felt powerful.
“How do you know?” Sav asked, her head heavily lolling back and forth on the back of the leather settee in her father’s office.
No one was allowed in that room, party or no, but we didn’t care. Sav’s parents went to Italy on a whim, leaving her house as the inevitable destination for that weekend’s “Hole,” as we called them. The Hole was code for wherever we decided to “hole up” for the weekend. My group of friends was, at the risk of sounding garish, wealthy. That’s an understatement. We were filthy, as we liked to tease one another, double meaning and all. Someone’s house was always open some random weekend because all our parents travelled frequently, mine especially. In fact, almost every other weekend, the party was at my home. This isn’t why I ruled the roost, so to speak. It wasn’t even because I was the wealthiest. My dad was only number four on that list. No, I ruled because I was the hottest.
You see, I’m one of the beautiful people. That truly sounds so odd to have to explain, but it’s the truth nonetheless. I’m beautiful, and it’s not because I have a healthy dose of self-esteem, though I have plenty of that. It’s obvious in the way I look in the mirror, yes, but even more obvious in the way everyone treats me. I rule this roost because I’m the most wanted by all the guys, and all the girls want to be my friend because of it.
“How do you know?” she asked again, agitated I hadn’t yet answered.
This made my blood boil. “Stuff it, Sav,” I ordered. She’d forgotten who I was and I needed to remind her.
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly, shrinking slightly into herself.
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly, shrinking slightly into herself.
“I know because they always do. Besides, when I’m done with their boys, I give them back. They consider it their dues.”
“Trust me,” she said quietly toward the wall, “they do not consider it their dues.”
“Is this about Brock, Sav?” I huffed. “God, you are such a whiny brat. If he was willing to cheat on you so easily, he wasn’t worth it. Consider it a favour.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” she conceded but didn’t sound truly convinced. “You saved me, Soph.”
“You’re welcome, Sav,” I replied sweetly and patted her head. “Now, I’m off to find Brent.”
I stood in front of the mirror above her dad’s desk and inspected myself.
Long, silky, straight brown hair down to my elbows. I had natural blonde highlights throughout its mass. I’d recently cut my bangs so that they fell straight across my forehead. I ruffled them so they lay softly over my brows. I studied them and felt my blood begin to boil. The majority of girls at Jerrick’s funeral suddenly had the same cut and it royally pissed me off. God! Get a clue, nimrods. You’ll never look like me! I puckered my lips and applied a little gloss over them. My lips were full and pink enough that I didn’t need much colour. My skin was tanned from lying by the pool too much after graduation, and I’d made a mental note to keep myself indoors for a bit. Don’t need wrinkles, Soph. My light gold eyes were the colour of amber and were perfect, but I noticed my lashes needed a touch more mascara. I did this only to darken them up a bit, not because they weren’t long enough. Like I said, I was practically flawless.
“He won’t know what hit him,” I told myself in the mirror. Sav mistook this for speaking to her and I rolled my eyes when she responded.
“You play a sick game, Sophie Price.”
“I know,” I admitted, turning her direction, a fiendish expression on my unblemished face.

Sophie sounds like a character you'll love to hate! I already love how blunt and arrognant she is!
I will be reviewing this one in February! 
 
Good Luck with the giveaway :)
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx 

 

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's topic: Top Ten Settings I'd Like To See More Of or at all
 
How cool is this week's topic? Once I started I made it to ten very easily.
 
Alaska/Hawaii 
 
Basically the two outer states! I don't know why but I'd like to read a book set in either of these states as I imagine way of life differs to the usual American settings.
Small Town, USA
Not a small beach community just a small town. Possibly New England like Gilmore Girls or in the Mid West just something abit different! 
 
 Canada
I am a huge Canada fan- my Grandpa grew up there! I want to read books set in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver! Or in the country or by the sea! Just in Canada :)
 
Australia
Why aren't more books set in Oz? It's such a diverse country and I want to read more about it!
Asia
I'm not really picky on what part of Asia as it's quite diverse, recently I've been partial to Singapore or Hong Kong. Another one I can't explain but I just want to read the setting!
 
Space
I really love the idea of Space as a setting in any capacity- just not too 'high brow' sci-fi! I loved Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund and I want to read similar books. 
Seasonal
I feel like most books are either set in summer or the festive period! I want to read more set in winter or Autumn.
 
Europe Trip
I love road trip books and to me Europe is the ultimate roadtrip destination as you can travel through so many cultures so easily! I want to read people eating Tapas in Spain, drinking Beer in Munich, bike riding in Belgium etc!
Early America
I did my dissertation on colonial America so I really want to read more fiction set in that period.
 
New Adult
I want to read New Adult books set outside of USA! I love them but I want to read about University in the UK or a couple in Mexico!
 
What do you want to see more of?
Please suggest books with any of settings!
Much Love!
Lettie

Monday 21 January 2013

Monday Round Up

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!
 
Not a bad week! I now have a fixed term contract with my temp job and I spent the last bit of quality time with my best friend before she heads to Oz! Plus it snowed and I spent so many years praying for proper snow that I refuse to let it annoy me :)

I feel like I've hit a January slump with my blogging! The festivities backed up review writing and blog storming so I'm going to take part in Mini Bloggiesta on February 2 and 3 to revive my good blogging habits!
 
Reviews!
Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt - 3 Hearts!

Read!
 
Another good reading week- The Vincent Boys was a fun read and I loved catching up with Quinn and Ben!
 
Reading!
I'm in between books atm! I'm still in limb as I've had to order Through The Ever Night- (I'm determined to buy it from a proper bookshop) and I don't want to start something 'big'....

Coming Up!
Stacking The Shelves- Once I get Through The Ever Night I'm going to do a little book haul!
Top Ten Tuesday- I love the topic this week!
Review- I am determined to post at least one- might do a selection of mini reviews....
 
How has your week been?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

Wednesday 16 January 2013

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Uses for Boys
Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.
Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up!


I read this one a while ago courtesy of NetGalley but held the review back until the book was published! It was a little different from my usual 'style' of book and wasn't quite what I was expecting.

What I loved:
  • Anna- For a girl given a very unstable life Anna was so resilient. Her lack of parental control and questionable friendships did lead to some ill advised decisions but she found a way to handle her life as best she could. I liked how determined she was to work and make a good life for herself. I loved her relationship with Sam, it was beautifully innocent and his family were so welcoming! I loved her realisations that people make their own lives regardless of boys, family or friends people have to decide to take control and make themselves happy. I thought it was a really important and poignant lesson and showed what Anna had learnt from her unstable beginnings. Anna made a good main character because she was flawed and she did make stupid choices at times but I loved how she evolved from a confused little girl to a confident resilient woman.
  • Plot- The plot followed Anna throughout her life as she struggled to figure out how to relate to boys, friends and her mum.It was bluntly realistic. Anna's mum, like a lot of women, defined herself by the men in her life and the impact this had on Anna's life was very interesting! I loved all the minor character roles such as Nancy, the step brothers, and Angel, they fitted into the plot well, seamlessly moving Anna's story on. I liked that Anna's story was littered with poor decisions and mistakes but none of these things 'runied' her life, they spurred her on. The plot was a unique take on several 'standard' ideas and worked well with all the characters.
What I didn't love as much:
  • Toy- There was so much more to her story that we never learnt! Her boyfriends and her life needed more explanation especially as she was Anna's best friend! I also just did not warm to her at all!
  • Lack of Emotion- I didn't like the way the book seemed to exclude any real emotion. Anna was quite detached so at times it read quite bluntly even things such as Toy's obvious issues didn't attract an emotive response!

This wasn't my usual type of book but I found it to be very poignant and I  did enjoy it!

Have you read Uses for Boys?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

Monday 14 January 2013

Weekly Round Up + Bout of Books Wrap Up!


Bout of Books Read-a-Thon
 
Well Bout of Books was my week aside from work and soaking up quality time before my friend goes to Australia!
 
Mini Challenge!
The New Year's Resolution Challenge!
hosted by Ex Libris
Pick a book and choose one or several characters from it and make up what would be their New Year's resolutions if they made any.
 
I picked my first Bout of Books read! Going for realistic resolutions because Lucy and Jude need some!
Lucy- To look past appearances and allow explanations before judgements!
Jude- To try and see situations from Lucy's point of view and lock doors before passing out!
Both- To communicate better through phone calls, texting, email, Skye- just communicate!
I love Lucy and Jude and their story is so compelling but they don't make their lives easy!
 
Goals Met?
Aims-
  • To read 5 books.
  • See below!
  • To participate in at least one mini challenge
  • See above!
  • To comment on other blogs...
  • I was awful at this one!

    What I Read!
    Success! My FIRST readathon where I reached my goal!
    I actually read three of the books from my goals post as well, normally books I list before a readathon get 'jinxed'!
    Only downside is Through The Ever Night isn't on the list as I cannot get my hands on it! I have searched 8 bookshops- I'm determined not to buy it online as I have a voucher!

    Challenge Updates
    Genre Variety Challenge- 2/12
    New Adult Challenge-5/20.

    YA Contemporary Challenge- 1/10.
    First Reads- 2/11.
    Steady start- keep an eye on my Challenge page for updates!
    Other News
    The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski- Review and blog tour!

    Coming Up!
    Reviews- This week will have at least two reviews!
    Through The Ever Night- I will find it and read it!

    How did you do with Bout of Books?
    What have you been reading?
    Much Love!
    Lettie
    Xxx

    Friday 11 January 2013

    The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski



    The Edge of Never
    Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
    Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
    With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbours his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
    But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the centre of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?
     
    This wasn't what I was expecting but I really loved it! I loved it so much I actually found it hard to figure out what I liked and what I didn't!
     
    What I loved:
    • Andrew- I loved his attitude, his love of adventure and his approach to life. I especially loved the way his relationship with Camryn developed! I could write pages on how much I loved Andrew, he was my favourite but I don't want to spoil anything or waffle on!
    • Asher- He had little screen time but he seemed like such a sweetheart! I loved his role in the family. Great name, great character!
    • Plot- Great storyline! I liked how the beginning focused on Camryn and Andrew's  point of view was slowly filtered. I loved the road trip aspect which was so unplanned it was perfect. I liked the stops and how they progressed the story. I enjoyed trying to figure out Andrew's secret- and getting it wrong!
         
    What I didn't love as much:
    • Blake- He didn't play a big role but I was convinced he was a date rapist so I spent the whole book waiting for him to be revealed! I was a little disappointed when he turned out to be just a nice guy!
    • Damon- What an awful guy! Such a typical bad boyfriend- I knew full well he was going to cause trouble! Glad he got his comeuppance.

    I loved the characters, the plot and can not wait to sample some more of Redmerski's work! Warning though- this one is very hot!
     
    Did you love it too?
    Much Love!
    Lettie
    Xxx

    Monday 7 January 2013

    Monday Round Up

    One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!
     
    Back to normal now! No more bank holidays or big family meals :/ But Bout of Books starts today and I still have my temp job so I'll still be busy :)
     
    Posts!
    Best of 2012!
    2012: A Round Up!
    Top Ten Tuesday! 2013 Reads!
    Challenges 2013
    In Between Seasons Blog Tour!
    Back To You by Priscilla Glenn Blog Tour!

    Challenge Progress!
    Genre Variety Challenge- 1/12
    2013 New Adult Challenge- 2/20
    Not too shabby- keep an eye on my Challenge page for updates!

    Read!
     *For some reason I can't upload photos atm :/ but I read The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski and The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen*
     

    Two awesome reads to kick start 2013!
     
    Reading!
     Still getting in to this one! Hoping to finish it this week :)

    What's Next!
     
    This comes out today so I will be buying it and devouring it asap! I'm also taking part in Bout of Books so hopefully a lot of other books will be read to!
     
    Upcoming Reviews!
     The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski- Blog tour comes here on Friday!

    Upcoming Posts!
    Bout of Books- Should have a goal post, a progress post and a wrap up post! 
     
    How has your new year been so far?
    Much Love!
    Lettie
    Xxx

    Bout of Books 6.0


    Bout of Books Read-a-Thon 

    Details
    The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

    What better way to start a new year than with a readathon!

    Aim
    • To read 5 books.
    • To participate in at least one mini challenge
    • To comment on other blogs
    Potentials
    Watch Me Disappear by Diane Mulligan
    Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
    Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
    The Perfect Game by J. Sterling
    A Toast to The Good Times by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt

    Are you participating?
    Much Love!
    Lettie
    Xxx