Thursday, November 24, 2011

Guest Post: Top Ten Cutest Couples in Contemporary YA Books



Hi guys! My name is Mary from Anxirium. That's my blog's name, just in case. (laughs) I want to thank Ariel for having me in her blog for this month to celebrate the Contemporary YA Month. I love this idea because all I blog and review are contemporary YA books! Okay, I love reading about love stories in books and I decided to come up with a "Top Ten Couples" list. Here we go!



Click here to go to the Goodreads page. Click here to go to the Goodreads page.

Anna and Will from Sixteenth Summer: I didn't love the book because the relationship between them happened too fast but there's something about them I can't just ignore. Maybe is because Will is Anna's first love, or maybe is the beach or the ice cream. They're sweet, maybe too sweet but somehow unforgettable.

Lucy and Shadow from Graffiti Moon: I can't say much without spoiling the book but this is a couple you will want to read about next year! She's so fascinated by his art and he's so...mysterious. Their story will keep you flipping the pages and giggling and swooning and... you get my point. And what's more romantic that having the book come out on Valentine's Day?

Click here to go to the Goodreads page. Click here to go to the Goodreads page.

Jennifer and Cameron from Sweethearts: (sigh) I can't think about them without feeling sad. They have an incredible friendship. Let's say they are "best friends forever". They will break your heart -- like the cover.

Amy and Roger from Amy & Roger's Epic Detour: Anna is on a road trip with Roger because he's taking her to Connecticut. And in the way there, they fall for each other. But it's so frustrating because they don't see it for a while. I wanted to just get in the book and have them make a move or something.

Click here to go to the Goodreads page. Click here to go to the Goodreads page.

Anna and Tyler from Moonglass: They're one of my favorite couples. For once, is her trying to get his attention and flirt with him and he's doesn't show any interest. Tyler works for Anna's father and her dad doesn't want his employees dating her daughter, which makes for some hilarious scenes in the book.

Mia and Adam from If I Stay: Okay, so what if she's in a coma?! The flashback Mia gives us are more than enough to break our hearts! I can't think about this couple without tearing up! I have to remind myself that, well, they aren't real. They're my favorite couple, by the way.

Click here to go to the Goodreads page. Click here to go to the Goodreads page.

Taylor and Jonah from Jellicoe Road: They're both so alike in a way that she can't stand him and he can't stand her but it works. They're both strong "go for what they want" kind of characters.

Auden and Eli from Along For The Ride: My favorite Sarah Dessen book! I like them together because Auden is this studious girl and Eli is this layback "BMX- bike riding" kind of guy. They both have trouble sleeping and they spend time getting to know each other pass midnight.

Click here to go to the Goodreads page. Click here to go to the Goodreads page.

Anna and St. Clair from Anna And The French Kiss: So, so, so, amazing! They become friends first and you feel their attraction towards each other but they can't do anything about it because HE. HAS. A. GIRLFRIEND. They had me biting my nails!

Maggie and Caleb from Leaving Paradise: I love couples who don't like each other at first and this is one of them. He's was in juvie because he hit Maggie while driving drunk and because of that she walks with a limp. But they are super cute together when they, you know, stop hating each other.


Mary is the blogger behind Anxirium. She fell in love with contemporary YA with one of the Sarah Dessen books. She still doesn't remember which one it was! She also loves to draw, watch college football and the smell of Sharpies!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

IMM: 11/13/11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

Won:
My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Review: God Makes Lemonade


God Makes Lemonade by Don Jacobson

Release Date: August 22, 2011
Publisher: Lemonade Books LLC
Genre: Christian Inspirational
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Buy It: Amazon
Do you know anyone who could use some encouragement? Perhaps that someone is you. In God Makes Lemonade™ you’ll read stories from everyday folks, people like you and me who discover unexpected sweetness in the midst of sour circumstances. Some of these real-life stories are laugh-out-loud funny, others are sobering, and more than a few will have you reaching for a tissue. But these true stories all have one thing in common: hope. There’s no question that life gives us “lemons,” like issues with health, employment, and relationships, truly sour circumstances we wouldn’t wish on anyone. But when those lemons become lemonade, it’s as refreshing as an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day. It’s true that in life “stuff” happens, but I have found that Lemonade Happens™ too! It is my deepest wish that God Makes Lemonade brings you encouragement and inspiration.
I loved this book! It had so many sweet moments that had me in tears if joys, but equally as many moments that had me crying from feeling the pain of the people in the stories. One thing I enjoyed about this book was that it was arranged a lot like a Chicken Soup book, but the author wold add his thoughts in after a few of the stories. This book came at the perfect time in my life, when I needed some inspiration that God would make things right. This book is worth it to take the time and read!



I received this book free for review through Glass Road Blog Tours. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Mini Review and Blog Tour: Love on the Line


Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Bethany House
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Buy It: Amazon
Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though.  He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers.  Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do.  But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.
Many of my followers know I am not one to enjoy historical novels. However, I usually make an exception for romances. Especially Christian romances. This book surpassed my expectations. Deeanne knows her stuff; her facts of the time matched perfectly and did not throw me off one bit.

The romance was perfect! Georgie and Luke are the quirkiest couple I've ever read about, but in a good way! Their constant bickering had me amused often. I did feel however that Georgie's reactions to the various bird fashions were over the top. However, it doesn't detract from the book. I loved it and look forward to more from this author!

I received this book free for review through LitFuse Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.
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Deeanne is thrilled to introduce Georgie and Luke to the word in her latest novel, Love on the Line. To celebrate Deeanne's publisher, Bethany House, is hosting the Love on the Line iPad2 giveaway an Author Chat on Facebook! Enter today and follow the link below to RSVP for Deeanne's rip-roarin' Facebook Party!



One fortunate winner will receive: 

  • A Brand New iPad2 
  • An Autographed Hardback Copy of Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at Deeanne's Author Chat Facebook Party. Deeanne will be wrapping up the Love on the Line celebration by chatting with friends new and old! So grab your copy of Love on the Line (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might could win one!) and join Deeanne on the evening of November 8th for a rip roaring book chat, a little trivia and lots of giveaways (books, and Amazon, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates)!
Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter
Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Contemporary Month: Week One


Welcome to Contemporary Month! This month is hosted by Shanyn from Chick Loves Lit and Ashley from Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing. For the first week, the topic is Why We Love Contemporary. I swapped posts with Kailia from Reading the Best of the Best, and this is why she loves contemporary! 

YA contemporary books have changed me so much and for the better. When I was younger, I was a very awkward girl. I didn’t think I fit in with my friends and I often judged myself. There were time when I had low self esteem and other times when my ego would go too far. I was far, far from perfect and I was…different. For the longest time I thought this was bad. I didn’t like being different from my friends. I often asked myself why I wasn’t more like them. It wasn’t until I read a YA novel that I changed my way of thinking.

In this YA contemporary book, I read about a character who felt the same way I did and I loved, loved knowing that I wasn’t alone. I learned that everyone is different and everyone, at some point in their life (and if they don’t get this feeling, well, then they were really special) feels like they don’t belong or fell awkward or judge themselves or something.
 For the first time, I was able to connect with someone, even if they weren’t real, about real topics and feelings and such. I didn’t feel so alone and isolated anymore. I also began to see the world in a different point of view. I knew from an early age that the world wasn’t perfect but YA books showed me that no one was perfect, no matter how they seemed. 

 I love YA contemporary books because they are real and true and something I can connect with. No matter how sucky or weird or tiring my real life becomes, I can always count on a contemporary book to help me out. I don’t feel alone in having a bad day or liking a guy who doesn’t like me back. 

 I love YA contemporary books because they are my get-away-books. While paranormal books and fantasies are fun to read, sometimes I just want to read about another girl (or guy’s) life and what they are up to. I want to read about their problems and think about their life. I want to get away to a real world where I can recognize things and other such. 

 I love YA contemporary books because they taught me that it’s okay to be different. No two people are alike. It’s not a bad thing to be unlike other people. YA taught me that we’re all different and in all situations, we all think differently. 

 I love YA contemporary books because they have taught me that we are all different and that is what makes us amazing.


Such a great post! Be sure to head over to her blog to read my post! Also, check out the hosts' blogs for more stories!
 
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