Faves of 2011 so far - The Scenes & The Random

Over at the awesome Inkcrush, Nomes is doing a half yearly list of her favourite books so far.  They are 3 different lists The Books, The Charactersand The Scenes & The Random.  The books are any books you have read in 2011 so far regardless of what year they were published.  

the scenes
1. best first chapter

Stay by Deb Caletti ~ completely captivated instantly. Same with Divergent by Veronica Roth.


2. best climax -

Shadowfever books by Karen Marie Moning. Followed by Divergent by Veronica Roth.

3. best ending - 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

4. best plot twist/revelation (no spoilers!) - 

Any of the Fever books by Karen Marie Moning ~ such an unpredictable plot. 


5. scariest/most disturbing scene

Grace by Elizabeth Scott ~ Grace's world under the dictatorship of Keran Berj and life as an Angel, a suicide bomber.


6. steamiest scene (or sweetest/sexiest kiss award) -

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning ~ All I have to say is nekkid Barrons eating a mango and it dripping all over him O.o. Followed extremely closely by Saving June by Hannah Harrington ~ the hotel scene. Then Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler ~ the shower make out scene.

7. best swoon-worthy moment - 

Pg 219 of Saving June by Hannah Harrington. Don't want to spoil it for you but it made me melt.

8. biggest nail-biting moment - 

The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning again. Followed by Divergent by Veronica Roth.

9. most hilarious scene -

This Side of The Grave by Jeanine Frost where Kat talks about how there is only one fat part of Bones body *wink wink*. I couldn't stop laughing. I had to put the book down and walk away for a while and compose myself. Also Slice by Steven Herrick ~ the camping trip and so many more moments.


10. most heart-breaking/tear-jerker moment -

Sweethearts by Sara Zara ~ What happened to Jenna and Cameron when they were kids.  Followed by But I Love Him by Amanda Grace ~ Connor and Ann's relationship.

the random
1. fave first sentence

Fury by Shirley Marr. "My name is Eliza Boans and I am a murderer."

2. fave book title -

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas - Simple, elegant and powerful like the book. 

3. fave reading experience (ie: created a great reading memory) - 

Reading It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han with Nomes of Inkcrush. We had a great time discussing all the swooning. Followed by Saving June by Hannah Harrington with Nomes again and Jess from Tales of Compendium.


4. book with the best food in it (made me so crazy-envious-hungry) - 

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton. ICE CREAM! Followed by the peanut butter scene in Saving June by Hannah Harrington (and I don't like peanut butter lol).


5. book with the most sensual weather (made you shiver/sweat) - 

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton. You felt like you were at the beach.


6. most embarrassing book cover (feeling sheepish in public) - 

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols. It makes it look like a tween book and well I am not a tween. Also Ten Things I Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Sarah Mylnowski. Too kissy for public!

7. can’t believe you waited this long to read the book (!) - 

Heist Society by Ally Carter and Graceling by Kristen Cashore. Both I had on my shelf for a year!


Thanks to Nomes for coming up with this awesome list. And sorry about the spacing again. Blogger troubles.

My Book Boyfriend #22

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by the awesome blogger Missie at The Unread Reader.   What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out Missie blog The Unread Reader.

This week's pick is 

Marcello 

from Waterfall (River of Times Series)

He was the most handsome guy I'd ever seen, with a model's physique and face to match.  Big chocolate-brown eyes, square jaw, aristocratic nose, pronounced cheek bones.... a serious hottie.

Marcello is from fourteenth-century Italy.  He is a knight and the future lord of Castle Forelli.  Marcello also is a fierce fighter, loyal, kind and smart.

But then he had his big hands on my waist.  He bent down a little, getting ready to lift me to the saddle, just as I looked up at him.  Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin.
We froze.  Neither of us moving, simply staring at each other if the other was going to move first.
"You are," he whispered, "uncommonly stirring."
He closed his eyes then, as if he had to in order to break the bond between us, then lifted me to the saddle and stare at the ground as he guided my feet into the stirrups.

"Nay, this is most definitely unwise," he said, leaning in until my back was against the wall again.  He hovered, waiting, until I gave in, lifting my chin to offer him my lips.  He kissed me again, not touching me with his hands, just tilting his head one way and then the other.  He tasted of cinnamon and wood smoke.

He was strong with not an ounce of fat on him.  I could feel muscle beneath his tunic.  He smelled of wood fire and leather and earth and sweat.  All...... man.

What do you think of Marcello?  

Has anyone read River of Time series?

Thanks to Missie for hosting this meme.

Interview with Hannah Harrington

Today I have the amazingly talented author Hannah Harrington.  Her debut book Saving June is published by Harlequin Teen and is available in Australia now and will be available internationally in November.  If you have stopped by mu blog recently you will know that I am in love with Saving June and it has found a place in my absolute favourite shelf.  You can check out my review here.    It is definitely one book you shouldn't miss out on.

1.  What were your inspirations?

SAVING JUNE was inspired by a combination of things. Some of it comes from my own life experiences. Music, of course, was definitely a significant influence, too.

2. What is one thing you most admire about the main character Harper?

Harper is very uncompromising. Not that she isn't willing to admit when she's wrong, but more that she doesn't change how she behaves or what she thinks in order to please other people. She has no problem standing up for herself or those she cares about. I admire her personal integrity.

3.  I love the character Jake (okay I might have a bit of a literary crush on him) so I was wondering how did he come together as a character? Was he inspired by anybody?

Jake is not based on any specific person, though I've known people who are sort of like him. He definitely has a bit of a "bad boy" persona, but I didn't want him to be too broody, since Harper was already in a dark enough place. I knew I wanted music to be a strong theme, so giving him that obsession felt like a good way to weave music throughout the story. I also wanted someone as a good foil to Harper, and I liked the idea of them both being these very strong personalities even while being emotionally guarded, with enough differences to butt heads at times, but also challenging each other in good ways and bringing out honesty in one another, so you could see why they actually connected.  


4.   What was the hardest part of the writing process for you?

Whatever part of the process I'm currently in is always the hardest! Whenever I'm writing a first draft, I'm wishing I was finished so I could move on to revising because it seems easier, but then when I'm revising, I wish I was back at the first draft stage because it seems easier. The grass is always greener, I suppose.

5.  If you could go on a road trip with anyone from the past or present, fictional or real, who would it be?  Why?

Oh, man! Hmm... Amy Poehler is hilarious, and I bet she has some fantastic stories. If you're going to be trapped in a car with someone for a long time, they better provide good conversation. I think we'd have a lot to talk about!

6.  Music is a big part of the story.  What are five albums your recommend?

Ooh, I love this question!

Off the top of my head:

Jack's Mannequin - Everything In Transit (Great driving music; my favorite tracks are "Bruised" and "MFEO Pt. 2 - You Can Breathe")
Hole - Live Through This (It's one of those albums that got me through high school; I was living a decade behind, musically. "Doll Parts" is the most well known song off of it, but I really love "Asking for It", which is also included on the mix Jake makes for June)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell (Karen O is amazing; "Maps" and "Modern Romance" are my favorite tracks)
Tarkio - I Guess I Was Hoping For Something More (This is Colin Meloy's, lead singer of The Decemberists, first band; I love his voice and his lyrics.) 
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way (Her voice does things to me. It's very old school soul. The title track and "She Ain't A Child No More" are my favorites.)

7.  Can you tell us anything about your next novel Speechless?

My second book, SPEECHLESS, is tentatively due to be released in September 2012 (also by Harlequin Teen). It centers around Chelsea Knot, a girl who takes a vow of silence after her gossip-mongering ways yield unexpected consequences. There is, of course, also a romance involved!

Thank you Hannah so much for stopping by.  I surprisingly own one of the albums you mentioned!  And I can't wait for Speechless.  I am just going to have re-read Saving June a lot to get me through until September next year.


You can visit Hannah's website for more information or Goodreads.  

                                     Australian cover                                  US cover

Faves of 2011 so far - The Characters

Over at the awesome Inkcrush, Nomes is doing a half yearly list of her favourite books so far.  They are 3 different lists The Books, The Charactersand The Scenes & The Random.  The books are any books you have read in 2011 so far regardless of what year they were published.  

Today we are talking about the characters.  Anybody can participate just make sure to visit Inkcrush.

1. best female POV -

Piper from Five Flavors of Dumb. Followed closely by Olivia from This Gorgeous Game and Leigh from Psych Major Syndrome.
2. best male POV -

Adam from Where She Went. Followed by Darcy from Slice and Noah from Invincible Summer.

3. Best couple <3 -

Will & Kate from Perfect You. Followed by Adam and Mia from Where She Went and Jake and Harper from Saving June.


4. who i so want to be best friends with -

Em, Lyd & Cassie from The Year of Secret Assignments. Followed by Leigh from Psych Major Syndrome and Chelesa from Past Perfect.

5. who I fell completely in love with (new literary crush) -

                        Nathan                           Jake                                  Patrick

                   Barrons                                    Four                                  Finn

Nomes this isn't very fair making me choose between my guys. So the best I can do is a top 6 for this year (in no particular order) Nathan from Psych Major Syndrome, Jake from Saving June, Barrons from Fever series, Four from Divergent, Finn from Stay and Patrick from Fixing Delilah. And instead of covers I put book boyfriends pictures.


6. worst (best) villain -

Ty from Stolen. He is not really a villain but I should of disliked him for what he did and I didn't.


7. best character twist (who you loved then hated or vice versa) -

Eliza from Fury. At first you think what a b#$ch. But I ended up loving her. One of the most memorable characters I have ever read.  


8. best kick-arse female -

Mackayla from Fever. Followed by Katsa from Graceling and Gabi from Waterfall.

9 best kick-arse male -

Barrons from Fever is definitely my top pick. Followed by Marcello from Waterfall and Po from Graceling

10. broke your heart the most -

Angel from Redeeming Love, Jenna and Cameron from Sweethearts and Ty from Stolen. 

11. best/worst character names -

Best - Darcy Franz Pele Walker from Slice.  That name just makes me smile. Followed by Four from Divergent and Hale from Heist Society. Worst Po from Graceling. It reminds me of the Teletubbies. Followed by Vlane from the Fever series.

BONUS: 5 fave covers (from books i have read)