Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Savers

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKS FOR THE BEACH

Summer is around the corner. Just a few more weeks of school, and I will be sipping sangria by the pool with as many books as I can handle. Here is my list for best summer reads: 

1-We Were Liars

E. Lockhart

Summer is the best time to feel mysterious. Pick this one up on a hot night when you want to live a little, and unravel this crazy vacation plot. 

2-The Maze Runner

James Dashner

The film will be out in September 2014. There's still time to read it before the premiere. Not sure the book is up your alley, watch the movie trailer.

3-Inhuman

Kat Falls

Summer is the perfect time to start a new series. The best part about Inhuman is that you won't have to wait long for the sequel. It comes out in the fall!!

4-Twenty Boy Summer

Sarah Ockler

Inspiring, heartbreaking story that takes places during a summer getaway.

5-Keeping the Moon

Sarah Dessen

Summer job story about friendship and self-esteem problems.

6-Ten

Gretchen McNeil

Getaway weekend on an island that turns deadly!! Need I say more.

7-Roomies

Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Is this the last summer before you start college? Then this could be the book for you. 

8-Queen of Babble

Meg Cabot

Escape to France for the summer through this funny YA chick-lit read.

9-Perfect Chemistry

Simone Elkeles

This series has some of the sexiest covers out there. This one in particular has an embarrassing beach scene that makes it impossible to put the book down. 

10-Chopsticks

Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Want to experiment this summer? Chopsticks is told through a recollection of IM's, photographs, drawings... a trip down a character's memory lane.

Which book made your list?

Review: Desires of the Dead

She can see sense dead people. 

Although Violet is used to sensing the dead, keeping it hushed has always been a priority. The problem is what do you do after you find the body. Let's face it, what harm could come of placing an anonymous call to the cops -- it's not like it might get the FBI on your trail?

This sequel to The Body Finder is much more emotional than the first, dealing with domestic abuse and the rollercoaster ride of considering sex with that special someone. Derting introduces new characters such as Mike and Megan, charming siblings that will stir up lots of troubles for the happy couple.

Bring on book three.

Feature and Follow Friday: Yay or Nay

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Which do you prefer: (1) Great characters and plot with lousy writing or (2) Middling character development and plot but gorgeous writing?

Hard to imagine a published book with lousy writing. Before it can hit the printer, a critique partner goes through it, followed by an agent, then an editor... Can so many people produce lousy writing?

Sometimes.

Usually when that happens the characters are filled with potential, not greatness.

My answer: neither. A great author has his/her thinking cap on, and should produce the best of both worlds.

Review: Emily and the Strangers

Win a haunted guitar!

The prize is too good to pass on, especially if the only requirement is performing in a battle of the bands. Although Emily prefers the company of cats, she isn't shy and enjoys spending time with others, as long as she can have creative control. But joining a band means letting go and learning how creativity can go even higher when you find others to contribute to the inspiration.

The illustrations were beautifully done. I had yet to see a graphic book displayed with so many layers. It made Emily look like a badass rockstar. Not having read any other Emily Strange books, I found the beginning strangely peculiar as she rattled on about time machines and odd ideas, but once the radio announced the band search everything fell into focus.

Looking forward to many more Emily comics.

Review: Better off Friends

Why can't we be friends?

Sometimes, when we meet someone as fun and awkward as we are  -- we just click. For Levi it was fast. Macallan took longer to open up, but soon, these two became best friends, finishing each other sentences and sharing family dinners. So why should growing up change everything?

Now, Macallan is angry that Levi spends too much time with the boys, while he's angry over the feelings he has for her. Worse, no one can date them without getting in the middle. It's a fiasco! Why can't they just be friends?

Eulberg wrote an compelling story about the coming of age (first period and kiss), bullying, dealing with a parent's death, and falling in love. It's clear that the most beautiful relationships out there take place between two people who are friends to begin with. It's what being soul mates is all about. But for these two, who refuse to take the risk of rejection, pretending not to be in love is difficult and extremely entertaining for the reader.