Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read On The Beach

I grew up in Florida, but I have been living in Arkansas for a few years now. Needless to say, I REALLY miss the beach. Here's what I would love to read if I were on the beach. These books are relatively light-hearted, full of adventure, and brimming with good feelings. And yeah, they're all contemporary novels. 

HAVE ALREADY READ:

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

WANT TO READ:

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (Okay, well, skimming reviews of this book tells me it's not so light-hearted, but there's a pretty sun and lake on the cover, so imma keep it on the list)

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Clearing My Shelves Giveaway #1

So, at the end of last year, my dad moved into a new apartment. One in which my bedroom is smaller and therefore has less room for books. I figured it was time for me to go through all my books and clear a little room. A lot of the books I'm giving away are books I was sent for review when I was running my old blog, but I never read because I accepted everything back then even if they didn't necessarily appeal to my tastes. All of these sound like they're going to be good books...just not for me! I feel like all these books can find a better home more suited for them. 

The first giveaway is for the Shifters Evolutions series by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder. Unfortunately, this giveaway is open to US only. Enter with the rafflecopter below. If you could review the books, that would be awesome, but you don't have to!

The summary for the first book: 

Set in Alaska in 2020, Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon find their lives intertwined when the shifters first land on Earth. Both motivated by love for their families, each is taken down a different path that will change the course of their lives forever and eventually the fate of the world.

Meanwhile, the military has divided into fractions...those who believe in the alien invasion and those who refuse to accept it, leaving Captain Raul at opposing ends with other heads of military.

With the shifters invading the forests of Kenai Lake, they explore their new world of refuge, and must discover how to shift in animal form while uncovering what it truly means to be human.


With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages.

There are six books in the series, but I only have the first 5. Here are the Goodreads links: 

The Invasion of 2020
The SCM of 2030
The Shifters of 2040
The Hybrids of 2050
The Hunted of 2060


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Eclectic Corner #3: What I've Been Binge Watching

The Eclectic Corner is a feature on The Left-Handed Book Lover in which I talk about basically anything I want. A whole variety of topics! This is kinda like my chance to talk about non-bookish things. I came up with this idea because I really wanted to incorporate my love of TV shows and music somehow. This gives me a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers beyond similar taste in books.

If there is anything I love as much as reading, it's watching TV shows. Trust me when I say I get my money's worth from my Netflix account. And so, I decided to tell you about some of the things I've been watching recently. 

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

Netflix blurb: Fiercely independent single mom Lorelai raises gifted, Ivy League-bound daughter Rory amid a continual stream of quick-witted repartee. 

Seasons: 7

Where I'm at: Season 4, episode 7

My quick thoughts: This show is dialogue goals. It's clever and entertaining. This show introduces delightful, quirky characters and a charming small town you're going to want to live in. 

OTHER SHOWS I'VE BINGED RECENTLY:

Netflix blurb: Fast-talking city girl Zoe Hart winds up patching up the locals of a tiny town in the Deep South when she inherits a medical practice in Alabama, 

Seasons: 4

My quick thoughts: I've binge watched this series twice. It's kind of a guilty pleasure--not the most mind-blowing show I've ever watched, but I became addicted to the characters, the will-they-won't-they romances, and the most southern small town one could possibly imagine. 

Netflix blurb: In this new TV series sequel to the classic horror franchise, a cyber bullying incident in Lakewood leads to a murder with chilling echoes of the past.

Seasons: 1 (new season airs on MTV May 31)

My quick thoughts: This show contains some of the cheesiest moments I've ever seen on TV, and the acting isn't the greatest. And yet...there's something about this show that I just loved. It's fast-paced and a decent mystery (which I did end up predicting fairly early on), and it was interesting to watch the characters put all the pieces of the mystery together. It's not really scary, though. 

Netflix blurb: Rudderless without their missing leader, four formerly tight high school friends band together when a blackmailer threatens to spill their dirt. 

Seasons: 5 (for now)

My quick thoughts: This is another show that is like a guilty pleasure for me. I was utterly obsessed with this show for weeks. Again, not exactly the most quality example of television, but the plot is quick and can get really intense. It's fun trying to figure out WTF is going on, and I fell in love with the characters. 

Netflix blurb: After years in foster care, teenager Lux tracks down her real parents to authorize her emancipation. But she lands in their joint custody instead. 

Seasons: 2

My quick thoughts: I'm a bit more meh on this one than the other shows I've talked about. I mostly used this show to get over my TV hangover after Hart of Dixie. Still, this show has some very touching moments, and in the second season things get really intense and emotional (in a good way). 

Netflix blurb: A former superhero decides to reboot her life by becoming a private investigator.

Seasons: 1 (for now)

My quick thoughts: HOLY CRAP THIS IS SO GOOD. A bit of a slow start, but by the end of the first episode I was hooked. Jessica Jones is such a wonderful character, and David Tennant (major heart eyes) makes a villain you will love to hate. This show is delightfully gritty and touches on some really important, tough subjects. 

Have you watched any of these shows? If so, please discuss with me!! I want to know your thoughts. Also, if you have suggestions, I am all ears.

Ten Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - I feel like I'm going to get a bunch of crap for this, but, as time passed after I read this, I realized I just didn't love it as much as I thought I did. It's not that I disliked it, but I had it hyped in my mind to be the most amazing book ever, and it was just good.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - This is pretty much the same thing as Eleanor & Park. We all fall victim to the hype monster every now and then.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead - This one is super painful for me to admit. As you may or may not know, the Vampire Academy series is my favorite series of all time, so when I started this series, I convinced myself that  was in love with it, but as time passed, I didn't finish the series and I realized that it wasn't as great as I was telling myself it was.

Evermore by Alyson Noel & Fallen by Lauren Kate - I read both of these several years ago. Both of these series I just kind of lost interest in and never finished. Now that I think back on them, I realize they're...well, not very good.

Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast - Another series I started reading in middle school. The series started to go really downhill, and now I realize all the books are just meh.

That Time I joined the Circus by J.J. Howard - I didn't really like this one the first time I read it, but I gave it 3 stars and claimed it had something that made me feel good after reading. But now I don't even know what that is.

The Bane by Keary Taylor - I rated this one 4 stars and I have no idea why.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - So, this book. This series is what made me start reading. I was in love with this series (as everyone was), and I read it, I kid you not, 8 times. But then I started reading other books, and I learned what makes a good book, and Twilight, in my opinion, doesn't have those things.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman - This is another book  absolutely hate to put on my list, but I loved If I Stay so much that I was so unbelievably stoked for this book, I thought ti was incredible and I couldn't wait for the sequel, but now I think back on it and I get bored. I like the story and all, but I don't think I'll ever read it again.

What books do you feel differently about now that time has passed (be it good or bad feelings)?

Sunday Post #12

• I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! I've done a lot of relaxing (read: watching Netflix), a little bit of work, and some spending time with friends. 
• Yesterday was my town's annual Crawdad Days, which is supposedly a festival, but really it's just like a fair with rides and business booths. I went with a few of my best friends, and we had a lot of fun. 
• That's about it for me. My life is basically the Roaring 20's, I know. 

Reviews: 
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Features:
Just Write #2

Memes: 
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Picked Up On A Whim

Reviews: 
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Features: 
The Eclectic Corner: My Netflix Loves
Flashback Friday #5

Memes: 
Top Ten Tuesday 

 From Netgalley: 


We Own the Night by Ashley Poston
Release date: June 28, 2016 by Bloomsbury Spark

You Before Anyone Else by Julie Cross
Release date: August 2, 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire

The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle
Release date: June 7, 2016 by Entangled Teen

And I Darken by Kiersten White
Release date: June 28, 2016 by Delecorte Press

What has your week in books & blogging looked like?  

Just Write #2

Ever since I started blogging again, I've been looking for a way to incorporate my writing hobby on my blog. Finally, I've figured out a way to do it. I've started a feature called Just Write, in which I share some of my writing/writing ideas. I'd love feedback, and it would be super cool if y'all wanted to share some of your writing/ideas with me! You can either do your own Just Write post and link it up in the comments, or you can put it right there in the comments. I'm super excited about this, so don't be shy when it comes to interacting. I want to hear anything you have to say!

My first Just Write post featured the pitch for the screenplay I was writing for my screenplay class. Update: I got an A in the class. I didn't write the entire screenplay, but I got the first two (out of three) acts written. Anyway, when I first posted the pitch, a few of you commented,m saying you wanted to see more of it. I figured for this week's Just Write, I'd share a little snippet with y'all. This was a really fun scene to write. This is a flashback to when the protagonist, Riley, first met her best friend, Lexie. 

(The formatting is a little janky because it's hard to put screenwriting format into a blog because screenplays have a VERY specific format guide. Other than that, I hope you enjoy.)

INT. TAXI – LATE AFTERNOON

The taxi's interior is clean, with black vinyl seats and polished door panels. A blue air freshener dangles from the rear view mirror.


Lexie and Riley sit in the back. Lexie's shoulders slump, and she fingers her seat belt. Riley, not wearing a seat belt, leans her head against the window, eyes closed.


The driver eyes Riley through the rear view mirror.


DRIVER
She doesn't drool, does she? I hate wiping people's saliva off my upholstery.

LEXIE
No, sir.

DRIVER
Lemme ask you something. You seam like a fairly nice girl, and she has obviously made it her mission to be as big a handful as possible.

LEXIE
Sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

DRIVER
I guess I'm just wondering why you put up with her. I'm sure there are tons of nice girls who want to be your friend.

Though her eyes are still closed, Riley furrows her eyebrows.


LEXIE
In my experience, sir, the ones who seem nice often aren't. Riley has a sharp tongue and rough edges, but she doesn't pretend.

DRIVER
Still seems like a lot to deal with.

LEXIE
She's the best friend I've ever had.

Riley's hard expression softens into a small smile.



INT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - NOON (FLASHBACK)


The room is vast, with dozens of tables occupying the floor space. Hundreds of HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (15-18, varying ethnicities and physical attributes) swarm the cafeteria, standing in food lines and crowding the tables.


Fifteen-year-old Lexie waits alone in the line for the salad bar. She stares at a table about twenty feet away, populated by a group of seven girls leaning close together, gossiping and laughing.


Fifteen-year-old Riley stands a few people back in line, staring ahead blankly.


A JOCK (17, 6'2" -- brawny arms; short, gelled hair) brushes Lexie's shoulder. She whirls around and smiles politely at him.


LEXIE
I'm sorry. I must have bumped you.

JOCK
No worries. I touched you on purpose to get your attention.

LEXIE
Oh. Well, you have it now. What can I do for you?

JOCK
Many things, I'm sure. You know, you're pretty hot for a freshman.

Riley fixes her eyes on Lexie and the jock's exchange. Her lips purse.

LEXIE
Uh, thanks.

JOCK
So, what that mouth do?

LEXIE
Excuse me?

Lexie glances toward the table of girls again, eyes pleading, but the girls refuse to notice.

JOCK
I bet there's an empty classroom around here.

LEXIE
Uh--

Riley pushes past the people standing in front of her and slings an arm around Lexie's shoulders.

RILEY
Hey, asshole, how about you leave my girlfriend alone?

JOCK
Girlfriend? That's sexy as hell.

RILEY
I bet it won't be so sexy when I cut your dick off. That's right, I'm a little crazy and I am very fond of knives.

The jock's mouth gapes open. Without another word, he pivots and flees. Riley and Lexie burst out laughing at the same time.


LEXIE
Thank you for that.

RILEY
That guy had creeper vibes oozing off of him.

LEXIE
I suck at deflecting people like that. I was hoping my friends would see and come help, but I guess they were distracted.

RILEY
I'm Riley.

LEXIE
Nice to meet you! My name is Lexie. Do you always have second lunch period? I've never seen you before.

RILEY
I'm new, actually. To the school, not just to second lunch. Today is my first day.

LEXIE
Holy cow! Welcome! Are you new to Los Angeles as well?

RILEY
Yeah, I'm from Arkansas.

LEXIE
Oh my. That's kind of a culture shock, I imagine. What brought you to L.A.?

RILEY
My mom has lived here for a few months. I just moved in with her.

LEXIE
Well cool! Hey, if you want, when you get your food, you can come sit with me and my friends.

RILEY
Oh, all right. Thanks!

LEXIE
It's the least I can do after you saved me from that creepy guy.

END FLASHBACK.

Any questions, comments? I'd love to hear your thoughts or tell you more about the storyline. What do you think about this new feature? Also, I would definitely love to see some of your writing!

Lefty's Lowdown: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
(standalone)
Published: May 4, 2010 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 
Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

 I feel like a broken record, spouting over and over again how marvelous Morgan Matson is. But you shoukd blame Matson, not me--it's not my fault Matson has never disappointed me. Not with the other books I've read by her, and not with this one. Morgan Matson set a high standard by putting the word "epic" in the title, and while I don't know that I'd actually describe this novel as epic, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour has so, so, so many special qualities that make it absolutely wonderful.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Morgan Matson is a master of characterization. She has a way of creating interesting, flawed characters that you can't help but root for. Such was certainly the case for Amy and Roger. Amy is struggling to deal with her father's death, and blaming herself for it. Her brother is in rehab. Her mom has been in another state for a month. She's lonely and she's completely broken in the beginning. And Roger begins the trip broken-hearted and idolizing some beautiful, bitchy girl. But they both grow so much over the course of the novel, and it is just an amazing transformation. Matson also has a knack for creating mmorable secondary characters, like Bronwyn and Lucien, who flash through the story and leave their mark on me and the other characters. Her characters are always an absolute delight to read.

Now, I, personally, am a sucker for road trip stories. Probably because I live in a perpetual state of wanderlust. And this is one of the most interesting road trips I've ever read about. I loved reading about the different stops they made, especially considering all of the stops were personal. What's incredible is that Matson has actually made this trip a few times, so all the details are not only accurate, but vivid. I felt like I was actually on the trip myself.

My absolute favorite part of this novel, though, are all the inserts. There are receipts, brochures, photographs, and more. It's just so cool! It makes it feel more realistic, and it adds something special to the story that you don't find in a lot of road trip stories. Also, THE PLAYLISTS. Matson always makes sure that music is a huge part of her novels, and, as an avid music nerd, I just adore that. In this novel, she makes actual playlists that have little doodles on them and funny alternate titles. Those playlists and inserts are what really stole ,y heart.

Although this book deals with grief, loss, familial issues, and other serious subjects, it is a fabulous summer read that will leaveyou feeling good. It has humor and kissing and diners. This is not your typical road trip story. It's better, I assure you.

4/5

Top Ten Books I Picked Up On A Whim

Even though, as bloggers, we most likely read more book reviews than the average bear (I do. I know some bloggers don't like to read reviews of books they haven't read), and we tend to know more about books we haven't read than the average bear. However, sometimes it's fun to pick up a book I don't know much about and just dive in. Coming up with 10, though, was a lot harder than I thought it would be. 

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - I read this on my blogging break. I needed something to read, and I had an ARC on my Kindle, and I just decided to go for it, even though I didn't actually know much about it. Glad I read it! Such an emotional read.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - This one was more recent. It was offered as a free read on the Pulseit website, and I had heard good things about Morgan Matson, so I decided to give it a go, and I LOVED it! I hadn't known anything about it, but now I am a fangirl of all fangirls. Check out my review!

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - I read this novel YEARS ago, pre-blogging. I saw it at the library and thought the cover was pretty (the original cover, shown above, not the redesign). It turned out to be a fantastic series.

Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I am absolutely in love with this book. When I first started blogging, this was going around on an ARC Tour and I was still so enchanted by the idea of ARCs that I signed up even though I had never heard of the book before, and knew nothing about it. It turned out to be a book that was completely out of my comfort zone, and completely amazing. 

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Another pre-blogging book I picked up at B&N one day. Still love this series! 

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - This is one of the first contemp novels I ever loved! Read this when I first started blogging and haven't stopped being obsessed with it since. Check out my Flashback Friday feature for this novel!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - My all-time favorite book series, Ever. Of all-time. I saw this at the grocery store when I was in 8th grade, and, in the era of vampire novels, I knew from the title that I needed it. This is more than your average vampire novel, folks. 

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson - I didn't know what this was about when I saw it sitting on the Walmart shelves, but Morgan Matson wrote it, so I knew I needed it. I was not even a little disappointed. Check out my review!

Pushing the Limits - I remember requesting this from Netgalley before it was released, thinking it sounded decent. HOLY COW. It was far more than decent. Katie McGarry bcame one of my new favorite writers with this novel. 

Thicker than Water by Brigid Kemmerer - Thankful for Netgalley introducing me to this gem. I wasn't sure what I had in store for me when I requested it, but I'm glad I did. A bit different than what I'm used to reading, but I enjoyed it through and through. Check out my review!

I've definitely stumbled upon some jewels on accident! What are the top ten books you've picked up on a whim? 

Lefty's Lowdown: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
(Red Queen #1)
Published: February 10, 2015 by HarperTeen
Source: purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 
This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

 I scored this baby for $1 at a LGBTQ thrift shop I was volunteering for in Atlanta. If that doesn't set the groundwork for a good find, I don't know what does. And a good find it was! Red Queen was everything I was hoping it would be: intense, with a sharp-tongued heroine, a bad case of social stratification, magic and charming boys! Right from the beginning, I was, in the words of my Goodreads status update, hooked so hard.

So, I'm not really sure if this book is considered dystopian or fantasy? I guess it does not really matter, because the bottom line is the world that Victoria Aveyard has created is utterly engrossing. The concept is that there are two different types of blood in the world. The Silvers are royalty. They have magic and money--and closed minds. The Reds are considered lesser. They scour for work so they don't have to fight in the ongoing war. Mare, the aforementioned sharp-tongued protagonist, doesn't have any skills to land her a job, though. She's a thief, and a damn good one. That all changes when she tries to steal from the wrong person. Mare lands a job at court and she learns about the cutthroat nature of the royal Silvers. Like I said, excellent world building. I couldn't help but be sucked into the politics and the society and the unique magical aspects. Seriously, I loved learning about the different types of magic in this world. Aveyard's creativity really shone when she developed the Red Queen universe.

Earlier, when I mentioned the charming boys, I wasn't kidding. There is somewhat of a love triangle present in this book, but it's not the annoying kind, I assure you. There's Cal and Maven, and I don't want to tell you much about them because that will give some spoilers that you need to experience for yourself. But just know that they both have their moments of glory, and while I didn't want to like one of them, I couldn't help but be charmed along the way. And then there's Kilorn, who is Mare's best friend, and not really a romantic interest. But I loved him. He is scrappy, and clearly cares about Mare. As of right now, I am Team Kilorn.

Red Queen is a book that calls loyalty into question. A book in which you're never sure what's true and who to trust. A book that is fast-paced and ensnaring. A book with strong writing and twists that will keep you turning pages faster than your fingers can handle. Red Queen is a great start to what I'm praying will be a dynamic series. I cannot wait to get my paws on book number 2.

4.5/5

Sunday Post #11

• Howdy, everyone. I hope you're having a wonderful week! Life for me has been delightfully uneventful lately, thanks to summer break, and I am a-okay with that. 

Reviews:
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Features:
Flashback Friday: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Would You Rather #2: Contemporary Books

Reviews: 
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Memes: 
Top Ten Books I Picked Up On A Whim
Sunday Post #12
Feature and Follow Friday

Features: 
Just Write #2

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - Picked this beauty up the other day, and I am so siked to start reading! 

Cristina from Girl in the Pages posted a super important, wonderful discussion about personal aesthetic in literature. I love this post because this subject doesn't receive a ton of attention. Also, I am a huge clothes/makeup fanatic, and the idea that makes me vein and shallow is a stereotype I always try to bust in my writing. 

Beth at The Quiet People suggested 50 ideas for interesting posts. This could really help spark some inspiration for people! 

Would You Rather #2: Contemporary

Hiya! Would You Rather is a pretty self-explanatory new feature here at The Left-Handed Book Lover, and I think it will be a lot of fun. Each WYR post will have a different theme.

In honor of summer vacation being upon me, I figured contemporary books were the way to go. I picked 20 of my favorite contemporary novels, paired them up at random, and then picked one. This was extremely difficult! I love all these books so much, and there were some pairings where I spent way too long deliberating which one to choose. 

What do you think? Any choices you'd make differently? Any books you'd add/take away from this list? 

Flashback Friday: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Left-Handed Book Lover's Flashback Friday. I'm not sure if this feature has been done on other blogs. I haven't seen it, but if it has been, let me know so I can give some credit!

FF is a feature here where I talk about books I read a while ago but still want to give major love to. This feature is designed to give some exposure to books that may have been forgotten about or that some people haven't heard of, even though they're really great!

This week's FF goes to...

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
(standalone)
Published: October 18, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA contemporary

Summary from Goodreads: 
Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall.... 

 WHEN DID I READ THIS?

I read this novel on Pulseit in early 2012. I was going through a pretty bad reading slump, and this novel kicked me out of it. 

WHY DID I PICK THIS BOOK?

Point-blank: This novel is wonderful. It received quite a bit of positive feedback when it was released, but it has long since fallen off the radar. It deals with anxiety, drug use, music, competitiveness, and figuring out what you really want for your future rather than what others want for you. Not to mention, there is good writing, and entertaining banter between Carmen (the protagonist) and her best friend. 

Here are three reasons you should read this novel:

1. There is a complicated, yet enticing, romance. Carmen and Jeremy, the couple in question, should be enemies. They should hate each other. And yet...they are drawn to each other. But their lives do not always allow for love to come first. 
2. Family dynamics. Carmen's relationship with her mother is very tense. Her mother has a very short leash on her, and Carmen has to learn how to extend the leash and become more independent. 
3. The musical aspect. Maybe it's just me because I am a music nerd, but I love novels that deal with music and performing, and this book certainly fits into that category, this time in the form of violins. 

AUTHOR INFO

I was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. As a child I played the violin, read books, and climbed trees incessantly. I went on to study English and music at Brigham Young University, and since then I’ve been an English teacher, a symphony violinist, and a mother. I currently live in Orlando, Florida with my husband and three children.

My young adult novels are Virtuosity, The Space Between Us, The Vow, and Kiss Kill Vanish. I’m represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency.
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