My Month in Books: July

I decided rather than do a weekly IMM I wanted to create a monthly post that combines the books I receive with a look back on the month. A post to talk about everything that has happened book wise - so any books I receive for review or buy, any bookish events I attend, what I've read, reviewed and so on.

I've been a bit behind on getting these posted.  So in an attempt to catch up,  this is My Month in Books for July.

Read in July:

My highlights for the month include:

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson.
I love Sarah Alderson's books and this was just awesome! 

Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent
How much do I love this series!  I can't wait for With All My Soul!!!!!!!!

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
It's Jennifer Echols - need I say more?

Size 12 and Ready To Rock by Meg Cabot
I freaking love this series so as soon as I saw this was being published in the US I knew I had to have it.  Great fun!

You can see (if you so desire) what I read in July  here.

Reviewed in July:

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey [Review]
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson  [Review]
Shattered Dreams by Ellie James  [Review]
Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent  [Review]
Whisper by Chrissie Keighery [Review]
Adorkable by Sara Manning  [Review]
1.4 by Mike Lancaster  [Review]


Events:

Macmillan (4th July Party)

I was invited to attend a 4th July party to celebrate the release of Dreamless by Josephine Angelini.  We got to talk to her via skype and ask questions.  Great fun!

I also picked up these lovelies:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Dreamless by Joesphine Angelini
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Fated by Alyson Noel
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

Big thanks to Macmillan for a great evening:)

Simon & Schuster (Blogger's Summer Party)

I was also invited to the S&S offices to see the July-Dec 2012 highlights and meet Sarah Alderson, the author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila and Fated. I am a really big fan of her books so it was really a treat to meet her.  We were also given a sample of her new book (called The Sound) that will be coming next year and it is awesome! I can't wait to get my grubby hands on it when it's released! And Simon and Schuster have an amazing line of titles!  I can't wait - I'm really looking forward to them all!!!

I picked up these wonderful goodies:

Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Envy by Elizabeth Miles
Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Zom B by Darren Shan
Everwild by Neal Shusterman

Massive thanks to S&S for organising such a fun event:)

and the books for July:

Review:

Destined by P C & Kristen Cast
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Party Disaster by Sue Limb
School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari
Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink
Rift by Andrea Cremer
Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
Debutantes by Cora Harrison
Foretold by Jana Oliver
Twisted Symmetry by Benjamen J Myers
Envy by Elizabeth Miles (since I already have a copy I'll do a giveaway for this)
The Feathered Man by Jeremy De Quidt
A Midsummer Tights Dream by Louise Renninon
Maze Cheat by B R Collins
My Brother Simple by Marie-Aude Murail
Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto
Dark Eyes by William Richter

Massive thanks to everyone who sent books for review:D

Bought:

One Moment by Kristina Mcbride
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J Bick
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown
Once by Anna Carey
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
52 Reasons to Hate my Father by Jessica Brody
The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos
Ex-Mas by Kate Brian
The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
Forsaken by Lisa Stasse
Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot
The Scorch Trials James Dashner
The Death Cure by James Dashner
Crimes of the Sarahs by Kristen Tracey
Private by Kate Brian

-  I've recently had a massive sort out and had to box up some books *cries* so since I am really behind on these posts it means there may be a few books missing from the pictures.  I also apologise for not providing links but this has already taken ages lol!

Hope you had a great month for books:)

Cover Wars: Such Wicked Intent Blog Tour

Today we have Kenneth Oppel, who has stopped by to discuss the US and UK covers for his The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein Series.
---

What’s interesting about the US and UK covers for This Dark Endeavour and Such Wicked Intent is that they both use the same central photographic image of Victor and Elizabeth, but have very different backgrounds and typography.

US/UK

The original US and UK hardcovers for Dark Endeavour were pretty much identical: Victor Frankenstein with his back to the viewer, as seen through a keyhole. I liked this cover a great deal, but my US publisher thought it a bit dark and not “epic” enough so they changed it for the paperback. They did a big photo shoot with two young models in an orchard in upstate New York and shot hundreds of poses. So the new Endeavour cover has a handsome Victor standing front and centre with some 18th century buildings behind him (if you look at the building on the right, you can see an electric street lamp, but shhh, don’t tell anyone).

US/UK

In the UK they took this same image of Victor, cropped it closer and put an amazing spiral staircase and door behind him -- which I think is much more dynamic and hints at Victor’s inner turmoil, and the mystery of both Chateau Frankenstein and the storyline. I also prefer the bold, overexposed title lettering, and my name in red. It’s easier to read than the US cover.

US/UK

Same deal with Such Wicked Intent. Same shot of Victor and Elizabeth, but the UK cover is altogether moodier and darker with its trees and church tower and hint of lightning. Again, I think it captures the mood better than the US cover, which looks more like a romance novel.

I think they’re all strong covers, but I do think the UK covers capture the tone and excitement of the books better.
---

Thanks Kenneth! I think the UK covers just beats the US for me too! I really love backgrounds used, and prefer the title placement. 

His Dark Endeavour and Such Wicked Intent are available to buy now.

You can find Kenneth on his Website and Blog

The Pack: Retribution (Blog Tour)

For Review: LM Preston
Published: 28th September 2012

From Goodreads: Revenge doesn't have a name, but has chosen a victim—Shamira. But she's never been the type to lie down and let someone hurt her family or her friends. In order to find the mastermind behind the threat to all she cares about, she must give up the one person who's found his way into her guarded heart, Valens. Valens refuses to back off easily, and neither will Shamira's friends. They join forces with her in order to deal with a new enemy who seeks to kill everyone in Shamira's life that dared save the missing kids on Mars.

I enjoyed the first book, The Pack, when I read it in 2010 and was really pleased to learn there was a sequel. I was keen to catch up with Shamira and Valens.

The story is set a year after the events of The Pack. Having spent that time training with her team, they about to take part in their last training mission when things don't go according to plan! Resolved to get to the bottom of what is going on Shamira starts to wonder if she is putting her teams, and new friends, at risk and is determined to keep them safe, even if it means letting them go...

This one definitely starts with a bang - we go straight into the action and I really enjoyed that. I got back into the world really quickly too and I really liked the setting. Set in the future and on Mars this has a futuristic feel but at the same time is grounded in reality - having read so much dystopian lately - this has a very similar feel.

As I said this one is actioned pack from the get go and it doesn't let up. LM Preston skillfully manages to combined this with quieter moments between the characters and both works incredibly well. It makes it exciting to read but also gives you the hook you need to stay invested in the story.

The characters are my favourite aspect of the story though and I was pleased to catch up with Shamira and Valens, as well as the rest of the characters we met in the first book. I was please to see Shamira and Valens still together, even if she was still finding it hard to open up to him. I really adore their relationship - it's sweet and he is incredibly caring towards her. I really loved it. The other characters are well fleshed out too - I loved seeing her interact with her family - especially Taren and her father (I love him!)

Definitely worth checking out - the setting makes this one stand out from other books I'm reading at the moment and I really liked the characters.

You can check out my review for the first book, The Pack, by clicking here

There are load of exciting things happening during the Blog Tour! Check them out!

TWITTER PARTY: 
Friday, 9/28 at 7pm-9pm EST, use the hashtag #ThePackRetributionParty and @LM_Preston prizes include $10 Amazon Gift cards for 3 winners & books, swag prizes

FACEBOOK PARTY:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/337549946331607/
Starring eight other authors and blog hosts, tons of prizes and fun.

and LM Preston has a grand prize for you all to enter:

RaffleCopter Grand Prize:
You can win a:

Tshirt,
$20 Amazon Gift Card,
1 Ink Pen,
The Pack Series (Book 1 & 2 in print),
Flutter Of Luv ebook copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also check out the whole blog Tour - see below for details:

9/23/2012 – The Paperback Princesses- www.allaboutyabooks.blogspot.com
9/23/2012 – Black Words White Pages - http://blackwords-whitepages.blogspot.com/
9/24/2012 – Eva’s Sanctuary - http://vampirekiss1967.blogspot.com/
9/24/2012 – My Home Away From Home - http://www.officialmhafh.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – Writer’s Ally - http://writersally.blogspot.com/
9/25/2012 – Mpax Author – http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – My Four Monkeys - www.MyFourMonkeys.com
9/25/2012 – Insatiable Readers - http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – The Magic Reads – www.themagicatticreads.com
9/25/2012 – The Curiosity Key - http://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/
9/26/2012 – PanDragon Dan - http://www.pandragondan.co.uk/apps/blog/submitting-books-to-pandragon-reviews
9/26/2012 – Reviewer Rachel - http://www.rachelsbookreviews.com/
9/26/2012 – Escape Through The Pages - http://thekams.wordpress.com/
9/27/2012 – I Want to Read That -www.iwanttoreadthat.com/
9/28/2012 – YA Book Central – www.yabookscentral.com
9/29/2012 – Comfort Books - http://paigebradish1996.blogspot.com/
9/29/2012 – A Little Bit Of Reviews – www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com 

You can find LM Preston at her:

WEBSITE: 
www.lmpreston.com
BLOG: 
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
PARTY BLOG:
http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com
TWITTER: 
http://twitter.com/LM_Preston
FACEBOOK:
http://tinyurl.com/2fev6qc

I want to read that...

Also Known As by Robin Benway

From Goodreads: ALSO KNOWN AS is the story of Maggie, a gifted teenage safecracker, who works alongside her parents as a spy for the mysterious entity known as the Collective. When she's assigned to infiltrate a private Manhattan high school, she's forced to make friends, investigate the mysterious Jesse, and solve the case, all without blowing her cover.

I am really loving the sound of this one - a bit teen Alias-esq! Plus I adored Audrey, Wait so I am extra excited!

It's published February 2013

Five Things I’ve Learned About Writing (Neptune's Tears Blog Tour)

As part of the blog tour for her novel Neptune's Tears, Susan Waggoner has kindly stopped by to tell us about the five things she has learned about writing...
---

Five Things I’ve Learned About Writing

I wanted to write before I could read. From the minute I understood that the black squiggles below the pictures were telling the story, I wanted to be the person in charge of the squiggles. If you’ve ever felt the same way, here are five things I’ve learned about writing between that day and this,

1. Don’t wait, write.
Writers, especially new writers, often wait for brilliance to strike before putting a single sentence on paper. They believe at the right moment, the story will flow perfectly onto the page. But writing is more of a skill than a talent. Just like ballet dancers, no writer gets on her toes the first time round, but puts in long hours at the practice bar. If you wait for brilliance to strike, writing will become more and more intimidating, and you will you never acquire the skills you need. So grab it, do it, and face the blank page every day.

2. Don’t be afraid of dead ends.
Although some people have an idea for a story that they love, they are often reluctant to write it down, as they are afraid that it won’t work out. Then they will have used up their idea and wasted a lot of time. First of all, an idea is never “used up.” You can always come back to it later, or change it to make it better. If you try to put it on paper and it doesn’t work out, you may have exposed a flaw in the story that needs to be corrected. This isn’t a failure. There are certain features in any story that you only notice when you start writing it. Many times, in the middle of a project, I’ve thought “Gosh, why did I decide to put this in? It just doesn’t fit!” or decided, when I was finished, “Well, I’m certainly not going to do that again.” You may lose interest in your idea or discover that it doesn’t have the potential you thought it did, or you may set it aside and come back to it when you have more experience. Whatever it is, you’ve moved forward as a writer.

3. Ignore people who tell you to “write what you know.”
This is the worst advice I’ve ever heard. If everyone followed it, there’d be no Alice in Wonderland, no Narnia or The Time Traveller’s Wife. Who would want to live in such a world? Who would want to write only about things they already know? Everything can be researched, so if your story takes place in a different world altogether, prepare to put some study time in. Beyond that, though, it’s your imagination and your ability to enter that distant world that will make your story a success.

4. Keep a notebook.
I don’t mean a writer’s notebook, I mean a reader’s notebook. In mine, I write down the title and author of every book I read and jot down my feelings and reactions as I go. What did the writer do that made me want to keep reading? Were certain writing challenges handled in a way I can learn from? I keep notes on books I don’t like as well. What irritated me or made me want to set the book aside? If there are magic moments in a book, I go back over the passage and try to figure out how the writer turned words into images and made them seem like real life. Leafing though my notebook, I find a map of where I’ve been as a reader as well as a writer. But the looking back is mostly for fun. The real value lies in the process of observing myself as a reader, then thinking about what I’ve read and pinpointing why some books work and some don’t.

5. Develop other interests and friends.
There is nothing more boring than a book about a writer writing about writing, so make sure you develop other interests and talents. What would you be if you didn’t want to write? Veterinarian? Tennis pro? Interior designer? Don’t leave these interests behind! Pursue them through volunteer work, part time jobs, or any way you can. It’s also important to have friends whose dreams are different from your own. You will learn things from them your own life cannot teach you, and be able to share experiences you would not otherwise have. Having a range of people in your life and developing as many of your own interests as possible will keep you open to the world and fill you with ideas and insights that will keep your creative spark burning far into the future.
---
Thanks Susan!

You can check out the next stop on the tour tomorrow over with the Bookbabblers.

Neptune's Tears is published now.