Weekly wrap-up: November 16-22

DANG this has been a very busy week! I can't really complain because it was all fun, but it'll be nice to have a chill holiday week. Also, I 100% am a librarian now! I start at the library in two weeks, and I couldn't be more excited! Here's hoping your week was fantastic too!

Completed:

The Shape of My Heart (2B #3) - Ann Aguirre: 3 stars. I enjoyed this book, but it was my least favorite of the series. I know it had to be last because of the timing, but it was difficult to read this after As Long As You Love Me both because I think ALAYLM is the best book in the trilogy and because ALAYLM takes place away from the apartment, and it was weird to suddenly be back for Max and Courtney. Also, Courtney says things that I just don't get, and Max was much, MUCH more fragile than I expected him to be, which made me look back and realize I never understood him, which makes me love him a little less than I did before.

Reread:

The DUFF audiobook - Kody Keplinger & Ellen Grafton: 1 star. Since I only listen to books I've already read (and liked), usually I give points for already being a good book. Not this time. I hated Ellen Grafton's voice! She sounded like she just had a tongue piercing or some very invasive dental work and her tongue was swollen or something. Also, her voices for the characters were not distinct enough, and there's just a really whiny quality to her voice overall that made me not just dislike the audio, but I also didn't even like the story the second time around. VERY disappointed with this audio, and I will certainly NOT be listening to any of Ellen's other audiobooks. Farewell, Zombies vs. Unicorns and Wake!

Currently Reading:

Talon - Julie Kagawa. 

Anna & the French Kiss audiobook - Stephanie Perkins. It's so weird. I LOVE Anna and liked Lola, but I'm pretty sure their audiobooks are going to flip flop them because the Lola audio is AMAZING while the Anna audio is simply good.

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

I haven't been to the library in WEEKS because of my work schedule! :(

Bought:

Half Price Books:
Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger & Beautiful Player (2x) - Christina Lauren

Sweet Filthy Boy & Dirty Rowdy Thing (2x) - Christina Lauren

Grim - Christine Johnson

Book People:
Talon - Julie Kagawa

Giveaways & Contests:

Aaaahhhhhh! Thank you, @whatsarahread! #bookmail #Grisha

A photo posted by Mary Hinson (@knoxdiver) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:16pm PST

I won this AWESOME Grisha prize pack from Sarah of What Sarah Read!

Events Attended: 
11/17: Talon tour with Julie Kagawa
11/18: Mockingjay Part One advanced screening
11/20: Christina Lauren & Anna Todd signing

Cover Reveal: Rebound by Noelle August

I am SO excited for this novel, you guys. Boomerang was one of the first new adult books I read, and it helped me realize what a legitimate genre it could be. I really enjoyed Mia and Ethan's story, and I'm excited about Adam and I am....intrigued about Allison. I am very lucky that I got to talk about Boomerang and Rebound with Veronica Rossi, one half of Noelle August, a few months ago, and I simply can't wait to finally check this one out!

Rebound

Boomerang #2
by Noelle August

February 10, 2015

William Morrow

 

Summary:

At Boomerang, one night can change everything…

Adam Blackwood has it all. At twenty-two, he’s fabulously wealthy, Ryan Gosling-hot and at the top of his game in the business world. His life is perfect, until a scandal from his past resurfaces and threatens to knock the tech wunderkind down and throw his company, Boomerang, a hook-up site for millennials, into chaos.

Alison Quick, the twenty-one-year-old daughter of a business tycoon—and the very ex-girlfriend of Boomerang’s former intern, Ethan—has a problem of her own. After nearly flunking out in her senior year of college, she has one chance to redeem herself to her father by proving that she deserves a place in his corporate empire. That means spearheading her father’s plan to sink big money into Adam’s company and launch it into the stratosphere—provided Adam has no skeletons in his closet.

When the two meet, their sizzling chemistry makes it tough to keep things strictly professional. But when Alison discovers Adam’s secret, she knows she should bring it right to her father, who’ll leverage it for his own gain and use it to ruin Adam. The only problem: she’s falling for Adam—hard.

Will earning her father’s approval come at the price of losing her first real love? Or can Adam and Alison leave behind past mistakes and conquer the world—together?

Be sure to check out Boomerang first!

Pub Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: new adult contemporary romance

Summary: Welcome to Boomerang.com, the dating site for the millennial gen with its no-fuss, no-commitments matchups, and where work is steamier than any random hook-up.

Mia Galliano is an aspiring filmmaker. Ethan Vance has just played his last game as a collegiate soccer star. They’re sharp, hungry for success, and they share a secret.

Last night, Ethan and Mia met at a bar, and, well . . . one thing led to another, which led to them waking up the next morning—together. Things turned awkward in a hurry when they found themselves sharing a post hookup taxi . . . to the same place: Boomerang headquarters.

What began as a powerful connection between them is treated to a cold shower courtesy of two major complications. First, Boomerang has a strict policy against co-worker dating. And second, they’re now competitors for only one job at the end of summer.

As their internships come to an end, will they manage to keep their eyes on the future and their hands off each other, or will the pull of attraction put them right back where they started?

Available from:

   

PS Boomerang is only $1.99 in ebook form from Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. BUY IT NOW!

About the Author

Question: What do you get when friends pen a story with heart, plenty of laughs, and toe-curling kissing scenes? Answer: Noelle August, the pseudonym for renowned editor and award-winning writer Lorin Oberweger and New York Times bestselling YA author Veronica Rossi, the masterminds behind Boomerang.

Author Links:

  

Weekly wrap-up: November 9-15

This week can best be described as an emotional roller coaster. Interview for a new job went great, then my house was broken into. GOT the job (I'm gonna be a LIBRARIAN!!!!!), then tons of drama at my current one. I'd like a few days where it's nothing but happiness, kplzthx. That would be great. Needless to say, I did NOT get a lot of reading done this week!

Completed:

99 Days - Katie Cotugno: 4 stars. This book has some really important things to say about the way we treat other people. Not only is it commentary on slut shaming, but it also deals with the way people feel they have a right to comment on others' relationships. I think many people will be uncomfortable with the cheating and family relationship aspects of this novel, but it really is quite good, and I recommend you give it a try. It's just not going to be for everyone.

Currently Reading:

The DUFF audiobook - Kody Keplinger. I enjoyed this book when I read it a couple years ago, and when I saw the audio on sale at Half Price, I figured I'd pick it up and reacquaint myself before the movie comes out next year (MAE WHITMAN FTW). Sadly, the audio is not doing it for me. Not only do I not care for the narrator, whose voice for each character are not distinct enough and who sounds like she either received a shot of Novocaine in the tongue or recently received a tongue piercing and can't quite talk properly yet, but I like the story much less too. Also the narrator pronounces Wesley's name like WEZ-ley, and I hate that.
The Shape of My Heart (2B #3) - Ann Aguirre. I am also sad to say I'm not enjoying this one as much as I had anticipated. I loved books one and two, but this one just isn't quite at the same level. Hoping it picks up.

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

nothin'!

Bought:

B&N:
Let the Sky Fall - Shannon Messenger

Half Price Books: (HPB has coupons this week. COUPONS. FOR 40-50% OFF)
The DUFF audiobook - Kody Keplinger
The Winner's Curse and The Celestial Globe - Marie Rutkoski
Tiger's Quest - Colleen Houck
Sublime - Christina Lauren (WHO I GET TO MEET NEXT WEEK!) 

Events Attended: 
11/12: Everblaze tour with Shannon Messenger. I always have a GREAT time with Shannon! She's so much fun!

Weekly wrap-up: October 26 - November 8

Very mixed week, feelings wise. I got real on the blog for the first time. That was terrifying. It's really hard to admit difficult truths and be honest about personal weakness, and I just want to say how much I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to comment and tell me it's okay. You guys are amazing, and I love you for it. Thank you for your patience and your understanding and your support. In other, happier news, I have applied for a bookish job, and I have an upcoming interview. Cross your figners because this would be an incredible opportunity for me, and I really, really, really want this to work out!

Completed:

Lead (Stage Dive #3) - Kylie Scott: 3 stars. Enjoyable. I REALLY liked Lena, but I was less enthused about Jimmy because of his extreme douchiness in Lick. I also didn't feel much of a story this time around. The conflict didn't entirely work for me. However, it's still fun, it's still sexy, and Mal is still ridiculous. I am so pumped for Deep!

Sweet Filthy Morning After (Wild Seasons #1.5) - Christina Lauren: 3 stars. I really like getting Ansel's pov, FINALLY, but I actually wasn't wild about the narrator. Short and sweet bonus story that I enjoyed, but I wish it hadn't been an audio exclusive.

Diamonds in the Rough (Secret Diamond Sisters #2) - Michelle Madow: 2 stars. I was really interested in this series, and I liked The Secret Diamond Sisters (although it didn't blow me out of the water), but this one was merely okay. I feel like the character talk about things they've done instead of DOING things on the page. Also, there's some redundancy, and I feel like the cast is a bit too large. This series feels like a Vegas version of Gossip Girl, but whereas characters do things in GG over the course of several books or episodes or seasons, the Diamond girls are spinning in circles over the course of a chapter or two. Sadly, the best word I can use here is underwhelmed, and that makes me really sad.

"Two of Us" (The Lonely Hearts Club #1.2) - Elizabeth Eulberg: 3 stars. Cute and sweet. I really love Penny and Ryan together. These shorts aren't really necessary, but they are doing a good job of reintroducing the characters and their dynamics.

Dirty Rowdy Thing (Wild Seasons #2) - Christina Lauren: 5 stars. Finn and Harlow have some crazypants chemistry for sure, and it's SO much fun to read! Not only is this book super sexy, but there's a well-executed and realistic plot going on. I was really, really impressed. Also, I am SUPER excited because Christina and Lauren are coming to Dallas like in a week! YAAAAAAY!

"Bridge of Snow" (Winner's Trilogy #0.5) - Marie Rutkoski: 5 stars. I am SO not okay right now. I mean, I should have expected it after both Winner's Curse and Winner's Crime destroyed my tender feelings, but dang. I didn't realize such a short story would make me cry so fast! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Not only did Marie absolutely NAIL the lyrical literary quality of the story-within-the-story, but she also kept the feel of the Winner's books in the dynamic between Arin and his mother, which was so sweet and tender and precious and utterly heartbreaking.

Currently Reading:

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer. I'm participating in a Twilight reread with some friends on Twitter, and it's soooo much fun!

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

Nada!

Bought:

B&N:
I....don't think I've bought anything in the past two weeks....

Amazon:
Dirty Rowdy Thing - Christina Lauren. I wasn't going to, but I couldn't NOT buy it.

Events Attended: 
11/5: Roadside YA Tour with Tessa Gratton, Julie Murphy, and Natalie C. Parker. SO MUCH FUN.

Mary's Minute: What's going on with Mary

Mary's Minute #1

I dreamed up my discussion feature months ago and figured I would use it to talk about bookish things: trends, genres, themes, whatever. Big publishing news like the Random/Penguin merger or current events like the Life in Publishing tumblr or even that thing that happened in October that I have decided I will never talk about on the blog (I don't want to give free publicity to people who don't respect me or other bloggers). But for various reasons, I never launched my new feature. Well, I want to do that now because I feel like I need to explain why I'm not around so much anymore, even though I desperately love reading and blogging and the entire ya/na book community.

In fall 2013, I decided to post at least once a day (although Sundays I usually skipped). But then in March, I went through a huge reading and blogging slump. By the time I was "back to normal," I was promoted to a position that required me to work 40+ hours a week. When combined with 10+ hours worth of commute a week, my schedule became out of control. I was exhausted and couldn't really dredge up the energy to write posts regularly. In August, I thought things would again go back to "normal," which for me included those daily posts. It didn't happen. Over the past two months, my posts have decreased to the point that some weeks, I even miss my weekly wrap-up or Waiting on Wednesday, which have both been regular posts even when other features or reviews slowed down.

So what's the deal?

Here's the thing: The Mary you know here on the blog and on Twitter is a real person. Yes, that's my name, and yes, the way I talk on here is pretty much how I talk in real life. I haven't created a different person online (although I totally respect anyone who has created an online persona for safety/privacy issues!), and yet...the person you know is not entirely how I am in real life. The public Mary, the one on the blog and on Twitter, is a bit of a jokester. She's silly and (I think) funny. She tries her hardest to be positive and kind and friendly and open. IRL Mary is too–but usually only with people she knows well and is comfortable with, like her family and really close friends.

IRL Mary, the person behind the screen, is actually a huge introvert (I know you're all shocked there because it seems like a lot of bloggers are so nbd). IRL Mary also has anxiety. Like a lot. IRL Mary constantly second-guesses herself and right now is trying to figure out if it wouldn't just be better to delete this post because OH MY GOSH HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO RESPOND TO IT. IRL Mary hates to be late for the fear of missing out, but IRL Mary also sometimes just can't show up to things like parties or events or even church for the fear of being judged, of not knowing what to wear, of not knowing if someone will be there that I can talk to. IRL Mary stresses about every. damn. thing. I found an article in the HuffPo a couple months ago about people who are highly sensitive, and yeah, this just about says it all.

IRL Mary also suffers from depression, which I've talked about a bit on Twitter this week because everything just got to be Too Much. I'm having trouble at work with my new supervisor, and there is NO solution. I have tried and tried to talk to my boss and have a real conversation about why we aren't able to agree on anything, but...we can't agree on anything! As a part-time employee, I feel like I'm always stressing about money issues. This isn't helped by my extreme addiction to books. I'm a stress eater so I've gained weight in the past couple years, and I HATE IT, but I can't seem to cultivate healthier habits. I'm 26 and single so there's this constant fear of being alone forever. Yeah, I'm a single (mostly) independent woman; hear me roar blah blah blah. That does not prevent me from feeling less like an unwanted loser. Plus, my anxiety keeps me from going places and doing things that would help me meet people (ie guys). Add in the stress of some at-home things (no specifics here because they involve other people), and I'm basically a hot mess all around. There's that phrase in books "bone-weary," and honestly, that's how I feel. Some days I can't drag myself out of bed; others, I can barely get myself to the couch for a marathon of crappy daytime tv. And that's it. That might be all I do that day because it's all I CAN do.

I've always been very careful about how I've said things in regard to my blogging. I don't like to say I'm taking an official break because if the mood hits, I don't want to be like, "JK now I want to blog!" But clearly, blogging is falling by the wayside because it feels like One More Thing I have to worry about while I feel like the weight of my world is resting on my shoulders. I don't want that. I love blogging. I think part of me is avoiding blogging while I feel so down because I don't want to associate books and blogging with the negative feelings I'm having. Because happy-go-lucky Online Mary? I really like her. I like ME. I like being that positive, open, friendly person because it's who I am. When I'm on Twitter or here on the blog, I feel like the rest of the bullshit just slides off. I can forget the rest and just be happy about some awesome books. 

What was the point of this post? I don't know. I just wanted to share that I'm still here. I still love books. I still want to share them with you. It's just hard right now. I just want to say thank you to those of you who have stuck with me, thank you to those of you who will read this entire post. I'm not quitting. But...it might be a while before I'm back where I was, and that's okay. I need to take care of myself first, and I really, REALLY appreciate everyone's kind words and support. You guys are the best! <3

Afterthought:

 By the way, some of you who have met me at events might be wondering wtf am I even talking about. Well, I basically gear up before events. I get my happy Mary game face on so that you don't wonder why the Mary you just met is totally different from who you know online. I really do want to be the same person on and off the internet. And honestly sometimes, when I'm not feeling it, I won't go. That's happened twice this year. But most of the time, I'm really excited because I'm at a book event with other book people. Yeah, I'm usually around friends and people I've gotten to know well (both on and off the web), but there's something about books that just brings us together and makes it not so hard to pretend I'm happy.

Waiting on Wednesday: We Can Work It Out by Elizabeth Eulberg

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

We Can Work It Out
Lonely Hearts Club #2

byElizabeth Eulberg

Coming January 27, 2015

Point

Summary:

When Penny Lane started The Lonely Hearts Club, the goal was simple: to show that girls didn’t need to define themselves by how guys look at them, and didn’t have to value boyfriends over everything else. Penny thought she’d be an outcast for life…but then the club became far more popular than she ever imagined it would be.

But what happens when the girl who never thought she’d date a good guy suddenly finds herself dating a great one? She doesn’t need a boyfriend…but she wants it to work out with this particular boyfriend. And he wants it to work out with her.

Only, things keep getting in the way. Feelings keep getting hurt. Words keep getting misunderstood.

Penny Lane worked hard to declare her independence. Now she needs to figure out what to do with it — and how to balance what she wants with what everyone else wants. In We Can Work It Out, Elizabeth Eulberg returns to the world of her first novel, The Lonely Hearts Club, and gets to the heart of how hard relationships can be…and why they are sometimes worth all the drama and comedy they create.

Why I Want It:

Is it an Elizabeth Eulberg novel? Yes? I want it. End of story. But is it a sequel? Yes? To The Lonely Hearts Club?!

Why I think you should want it:

The first reason I ever picked up The Lonely Hearts Club is because of its darling title and cover. I saw it across a Barnes & Noble and fell in love. The premise had me hooked! So naturally, I took myself across the street and bought it at Borders (#neverforget). And thus started my love affair with Elizabeth Eulberg's books. In 2012, months before I started blogging, Elizabeth was one of the first authors I ever met at a signing, and she was so incredibly lovely. Seriously, SO NICE. But it's because of her sweet and fun novels that I even went to that signing. All of Elizabeth's novels explore some interesting facet of romance, and The Lonely Hearts Club explored the single ladies part. It's all about girls being empowered by their singledom, but then also learning to be okay with friends' relationships. It's about the balance between friendship maintenance and crushes and dates and boyfriends. I love that! We Can Work It Out promises to be full of the feels as it goes deeper into these themes (I am simultaneously anticipating and dreading the drama!)!

Bonus:

In April, I finally got to see Elizabeth again at TLA, and this time, I went prepared with extra books to be signed! One lucky winner will received a signed copy of The Lonely Hearts Club, the book that started it all! Open to US and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bonus WoW:

 

  

In addition to We Can Work It Out, Elizabeth also has three Lonely Hearts Club novellas out this year, starting with "A Hard Day's Night," out October 1! Can't wait!! (covers link to Goodreads)

What are you waiting on today? Feel free to share your picks and links in the comments!

Weekly wrap-up: October 26 - November 1

Originally, I was planning to read a bunch of first-in-a-series books this week, but after The Young Elites, I really just needed to keep it contemporary. Oddly, I was apparently big on road tripping this week. Also, I got to moderate another panel this week which was awesome! How was your week?

Completed:

Let's Get Lost - Adi Alsaid: 4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this, but there were just a couple minor complaints that kept it from being a total 5 for me.
The Fine Art of Pretending (Fine Art of Pretending #1) - Rachel Harris: 4 stars. I loved the first half of this so much more than the second half, but overall, this is a Rachel Harris novel: it's sweet, funny, emotional, and relatable. And if you're not in love with Brandon by page 10, I don't believe you.
The Young Elites (Young Elites #1) - Marie Lu: ?? stars. I'm going to be honest. I don't really know WHAT to rate this book. I enjoyed it, but it's so unexpectedly dark (well, not entirely unexpected because I heard reviews mentioning said darkness, but I was not expecting the extent of said darkness) that I felt my enjoyment lessen. Also, this is pure speculation on my part, but there's an epilogue that leads me to believe that book two will be going in a certain direction, and that makes me nervous. But to alleviate any fears, Marie is a masterful writer and world-builder. The prose is gorgeous.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson: 5 stars. OH MY GOSH WHY DIDN'T YOU PEOPLE TELL ME TO READ THIS SOONER?????

Reread:

Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine & Eden Riegel: 2 stars. This is one of my favorite books, and I got a real craving to reread it after I watched the movie a couple weeks ago. However, when I realized the narrator was a child, I said some REALLY bad words. Does Eden do a good job of reading the book? Sure, I guess. Does she do a good job of keeping characters' voices distinct and individual? She tries. Are those different vocies and tones tolerable? Not really. Also, I don't want a CHILD NARRATOR while I'm over here cheering for Ella and Char to make adorable babies! Also also, in a complaint that actually has nothing to do with Eden's narration, I often wonder the wisdom of audio adaptations of books with fictional languages. That (the attempt to read gnomish and ogrese, not the book as a whole) was painful to listen to, truly (not that the book as a whole was fantastic either, much to my utter dismay).

Currently Reading:

The Iron Trial - Holly Black & Cassandra Clare. I know, I know. I started this ages ago. I just keep having to put it on hold for other books!
The 5th Wave audiobook - Rick Yancey. YAY DUAL NARRATORS!!!! Liking this so far!

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

The 5th Wave audiobook - Rick Yancey. I wanted to reread before I start The Infinite Sea, and I heard the narration is fantastic. Here's to hoping!
Fire (Graceling #2) - Kristin Cashore. I just finished the audio and LOVED it. To right a review, I wanted to have the actual book on hand.

Bought:

B&N:
The Beautiful and the Cursed (The Dispossessed #1) - Page Morgan
The Lovely and the Lost (The Dispossessed #2) - Page Morgan 
Winterspell - Claire Legrand x2. I usually try not to buy books before their official release date because that actually can affect sales numbers, but I really could not resist when I saw two copies. I had a huge B&N coupon available for this weekend only and only in stores. B&N coupons are not available for preorders either. PLUS now I can ship them off to be signed!!!
Afterworlds - Scott Westerfeld
Rumble - Ellen Hopkins

Amazon:
"Lie for Me: Griff's Story" (Find Me #0.5) - Romily Bernard
I went a bit bananas this week and preordered a veritable butt-ton (a unit of measure common in the American South, just fyi) of novellas and short stories

Gifts:
Afterworlds - Scott Westerfeld. My dear friend Karen of Teen Librarian Toolbox gave me this beauty just because she saw I tweeted that I couldn't wait to read it. <3

Giveaways & Contests:
For Real - Alison Cherry. Alison did a quick giveaway on her Twitter for this one, and miracle of miracles, I won! I'm super excited for it because I LOVE sister books AND romance AND reality tv! This book and I are a match made in heaven! Thank you, Alison!

Events Attended: 
Let's Get Lost tour with Adi Alsaid. Harlequin Teen & Irving Public Library let me moderate this awesome panel with Adi. We had a lot of fun! Giveaway coming soon!