CBA Discussion | To Review or Not To Review

Posted on Friday, August 23, 2013 3:00 AM




As book bloggers we are expected to review books.  I mean, that is the main purpose of having a book blog, right?  But should we review EVERY single book that we read just because of the fact that we do have a book blog?
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I can understand that if we request review copies it is expected that we write a review for those particular books and I try my best to read every single one of those books that I request and write reviews for them.  But what about the books that we purchase or borrow? Do we really need to write reviews for every one of those as well?
I don’t know about other bloggers, but if I read a book, no matter what I think of it, and I don’t write a review for it, I start feeling guilty.  And once that feeling sinks in, I end up writing a review anyway.  I know that’s crazy and that the world will not end if I skip a review every once in a while, but I just can’t seem to shake the guilty feeling.  I swear it’s like it’s ingrained in my brain that if I don’t write a review for a book that I just read then I shouldn’t pick up a new one.  And I’m afraid that if I don’t feel like I can skip ONE review every once in a blue moon then blogging may become more of a chore than a hobby.
So, I’ve decided I’m going to *takes deep breath* skip ONE review.  I’m going to go ahead and apologize just in case this causes a ripple in the universe or the dead start rising up from their graves and since I'm such a nice person I'm going to include a little something for you in case zombies come knocking at your door.
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Talk To Me
Do you review every book you read? Do you feel guilty if you don’t review a book?


Southern Book Carnival | Sign Ups Open!

Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2013 9:33 PM

Sign Ups Open For The







I'm really excited about co-hosting the Southern Book Carnival with Rain from Rain's Reading Room and Brenna from Two Tall Tales

I'm am already planning the challenges that I'm going to be posting here on my blog and there will also be a giveaway :)


The Details
This carnival will consist of fun challenges and giveaways.
You can post any day between October 11 - 14
Your challenge and giveaway (If you post one) can be anything you want as long as you spotlight at least 1 book, character or author in your post.
You don't have to have a giveaway or be from the South to participate.
Want to join the fun? Grab one of the buttons to post on your blog and link up below! 
Need help finding books set in the South?
Southern Book Bloggers has a great list HERE
Have any questions?
 Leave me a comment or email Christy, Rain or Brenna.







Book Review | I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Posted on 3:30 AM


Series: Jasper Dent # 1

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Pages: 361


 

 
What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

To say that Jasper ‘Jazz’ Dent had an unusual upbringing is a huge understatement.  After all, Jazz’s father is Billy Dent, the most world’s most notorious serial killer.  As if having a serial killer for a father isn’t bad enough, Dear Old Dad also took his son with him on multiple kills while Jazz was growing up and he also taught Jazz everything he knew on how to kill in hope that Jazz would someday become just like him. 
 
 Jazz hates the fact that he can think like a serial killer in fear that he may become one someday but as it turns out it’s the very thing that may help him catch the killer who is copying his father’s first kills. 
 
 Jazz was a very interesting character, he was smart and caring.  The only thing that bothered me about him was that he had a TON of self doubt.  I can understand where it comes from and why he’s scared, but there were parts in this book where it felt like it was about nothing but his doubt.  I also really liked him and Connie as a couple.  Connie is a very strong girl, she speaks her mind and I feel like she is exactly what Jazz needs.
 
I absolutely loved Howie and I found myself looking forward to the parts that he was in.  He just has such a great sense of humor and I was constantly laughing out loud over some of the things he would say.  He’s also such a great friend to Jazz and that’s rare in a lot of YA books that I’ve read recently.   
 
Gramma was another one that had me laughing. I know that she’s a sick old lady and half the time she didn’t know what she was saying or doing, but damn, that old woman could make me laugh.
 
I Hunt Killers is an incredibly suspenseful read.  It will have you constantly guessing who the killer is.  I was wrong about the killer in this book, but based on its shocking ending, I still may be somewhat right, I know that sounds kind of weird, but I can’t explain it or I will give things away so you will just have to read it to find out what I mean. 
 
 

Favorite Quotes
 
“We need to move quickly,” Jazz said.  “There’s a rent-a-cop who comes by every hour.”
Howie craned his neck, gawking.  “This place is nothing like on CSI.”
“What did you expect?”
“I guess I expected CSI,” Howie said, miffed.  “Otherwise, why would I have said –“

***********************
 
“Have the lambs stopped screaming, Clarice?” Howie said suddenly in a dead-on Hannibal Lector impression.
“Stop that!”
“Well, I don’t understand why you have to see the body,” Howie complained, hugging himself for warmth.  “She’s dead.  She had a finger chopped off.  You knew that already.”

***********************

Gramma stumbled into the kitchen from the other room, still laughing.  “I think I peed myself.  A little.  Maybe.  I think.” Her eyes lit up.  “Oh look! Chicken! From Kentucky!”  (Yes, I had to include this one, after all, I am from Kentucky ;) )
 


 
 

Southern Book Carnival

Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 7:34 PM



I'm from a small town in Eastern Kentucky and every April we have a festival called 'Hillbilly Days'.   Hillbilly Days is a mix of carnival rides, games, food, shopping, live music and a bunch of a few drunk people. 

What does this have to do with book blogging, you ask?  Well, I have been trying to think of something fun to do here on the blog, but I wanted to do something that would also include more blogs in on all of the fun.  Well, last night I started thinking about Hillbilly Days and blogging an idea popped into my head. 

Are you ready for it???

Southern Book Carnival! 

Ok, here's what I'm thinking. 
Each blogger (you don't have to be from the South to participate) that signs up will host some kind of 'Booth' with a challenge on their blog (kissing booth that features romance books, fortune teller booth that features psychics, haunted house that features horror books, etc.)

You don't have to do a giveaway for completing the challenge, but you are welcome to if that is something you would like to do. 

Since this is a 'Southern' Book Carnival, your post must feature the South in some way (books set in the South, characters from the South, etc.)  However, if your challenge and giveaway (if youare doing a giveaway on your blog) can be anything you want.

Need an idea on what books are set in the South?

Pushing the Limits & Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Sarah Dessen books
Nicholas Sparks Books
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Southern Book Bloggers has a great list HERE

I would LOVE to have a few co-hosts, so if you are interested in co-hosting with me please send me an email at cbookaddiction@yahoo.com and we can discuss details.

Once I and hopefully a few co-hosts get the details lined up, I will do the 'official' post with the dates, graphics and linky.



What do you think?

 Is this something that you would like to participate in? Do you want me to let you know when sign ups start?

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

Posted on 12:30 AM



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.
 
My WoW pick this week is:
 
Up From The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
 
Expected Publication Date: January 28, 2014
 
 
 
There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave
 
 
What book are you waiting on?
 


Top Ten Tuesday (14) Things That Make My Life As A Blogger Easier

Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:30 AM
 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.
 
This weeks topic is: Things that make our life as a blogger easier.
 
 

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What are some things that make your blogging life easier?
 
 

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop

Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 9:00 AM
 
Welcome to my stop on the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop.  This hop is hosted by Bookhounds and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. 
 
I'm very big on series, so I thought I would give one lucky winner a chance to win one of the below first books in a series.  Since I am shipping this out myself this is US ONLY. 
 
The Rules:
 
*Must be 13 years or older to enter
* Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner
*Must provide a valid email address
*I am not responsible for books lost in the mail
*Anyone found cheating will not be eligible to win
 
The Books:
 
Skinned by Robin Wasserman
 
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
 
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
 
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
 
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
 
13 To Life by Shannon Delaney
 
 
 
 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Name It (1) Favorite Books

Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2013 1:00 AM


I have been trying to think of a fun feature to do here on the blog for a while and I finally come up with something that I think I will have fun doing.  I'm going to try to do this every Sunday so If you would like to participate, just link back to me and leave me your link in the comments so I can check out your post.
 
I'm going to come up with a topic and then I will have to choose my answer using my name.  If the first word is The, I will use the next word in the title.   Surprisingly, I haven't read any books that start with a Y so I had to compromise a little.
 
For this first post I'm going to do Favorite Books
 
 
C hosen At Nightfall by C.C. Hunter
 
H alfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
 
R eboot by Amy Tintera
 
I nsurgent by Veronica Roth
 
S hadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
 
T his Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
 
Dare Y ou To by Katie McGarry
 
 
Did you create a 'Name It' post? If so, be sure to leave me a link in the comments so I can check it out!
 
 
 


Early Book Review | This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Posted on 1:00 AM

Format: e-ARC

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Publication Date: September 17, 2013

Pages: 288

( Goodreads / Amazon )






Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.
Do you want to know how much I loved this book? I read the whole thing on my computer in ONE day and I absolutely HATE to read books on my computer.  This Song Will Save Your Life is such a heart-wrenching and beautiful story.

Elise Dembowski has always been the odd girl out, no one has every gone out of their way to talk to her or try to be her friend.  The summer before her Sophomore year, Elise decides to try and be popular so she spends her entire summer reading fashion magazines and doing research on all of the 'cool' things.  On the first day of school, Elise realizes that all of her hard work has failed, she nearly gives up on life.

Fast forward six months later and everything has slowly went back to normal.  Elise is still being either picked on or ignored at school and she is still trying to figure out who she is.  All of this changes when she stumbles upon Vicky and Pippa and a underground nightclub. 

My heart broke for Elise, I just wanted to jump in this book and give her a hug and tell her that everything would be ok.  I also really liked Vicky and Harry, it was such a blessing that Elise ran into Vicky, everything might have turned out completely different if she didn't.

Some people might not understand how music can save or change your life, but I get it.  Even now at 25 years old, if I have a bad day at work or my husband irks me the first thing I do is grab my IPod so I can drown everything else out. 

Overall, This Song Will Save Your Life is raw, emotional, inspiring and honest.  It's one of those books that will have you thinking back to your high school days and praying you weren't one of those people who hurt someone so bad that they got to the point of thinking life isn't worth it.  This Song Will Save Your Life is one of the best books that I have read this year and it's a book that I would recommend it to anyone.



Stacking the Shelves (22)

Posted on Saturday, August 17, 2013 8:17 AM

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that allows us to showcase what books we got the previous week.
 
Here's what I got:
 
 
 
 
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)
 
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)
 
Prodigy by Marie Lu (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)
 
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Traded)
 
Sylo by D.J. MacHale (Traded)
 
 
 
What books did you get this week?
 
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