Ask the Author: Karen Fortunati (The Weight of Zero)

Samstag, 30. Januar 2016

   For this weeks Ask the Author I'm bringing you the amazing Karen Fortunati, author of The Weight of Zero. When I first came across this book I knew that this was something I would love, I mean, it deals with hard topics - bipolar disorder and depression - which already is a big plus, but additionally this story sounds really amazing. So, of course, I e-mailed Karen to ask for an interview. She was extremely friendly and fun to talk to. She agreed to do it so, below, discover her book and her amazing A's for my Q's.

The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
Expected Publication: October 11th 2016 by Delacorte Press
Number of Pages: 400 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   Seventeen-year-old Cath knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles meds, preparing to take her own life when Zero next arrives.
   But Zero’s return is delayed. Unexpected relationships along with the care of a new psychiatrist start to alter Catherine's perception of her diagnosis. But will this be enough? This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Karen Fortunati


   1 - Describe The Weight of Zero with a twitter pitch.
   Supported by friends, doctors and family, a young girl moves beyond thoughts of suicide toward a better future.

   2 - What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of The Weight of Zero? Was it a name or the most basic idea of a story about a girl with depression caused by having bipolar disorder?
   In 2012, I was attending a writing workshop and had to come up with a first page of something brand new. Catherine, the main character of The Weight of Zero, and the general idea of her story came to me almost immediately. I knew right away that she was considering suicide because she had little hope that a life with bipolar disorder could be meaningful. And I knew it would be a story of hope. When you first meet her, Catherine is seriously struggling and her doctor has made some changes that include a new group therapy program. So the story unfolds from there and we see how these new supports impact her struggle.
   Looking back now, I think I understand why her story called to me. I’ve seen first hand the impact of suicide. I know people who suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction and bipolar disorder. And for these family members and friends who have battled these issues, I’ve also seen them get through it and emerge to a place of stability and peace. My husband’s work continues to support my own experiences. He’s been a child and adolescent psychiatrist for sixteen years and through him, I have a good understanding of the potential of mental health treatment. My unwavering belief that there is always hope is what propelled me to write Catherine’s story.

   3 - How much research did you do on bipolar and depression? And did you, at some point during research, feel discouraged or anxious in terms of writing about it, or rather incorporating it into your story?
   My first manuscript was a middle grade fantasy so when I started writing The Weight of Zero, I felt a frightening amount of responsibility in getting it as authentic as possible. I read all the time, scoured the Internet reading personal accounts, subscribed to blogs, etc. I found Kay Redfield Jamison’s An Unquiet Mind especially moving and that helped me a lot in understanding Catherine. My husband was invaluable in explaining the symptoms of bipolar disorder and the different types of treatment. I was really lucky that way to have him as a resource 24/7.

   4 - Did you have a personal motivation behind writing a story dealing with mental illness or was it out of pure interest in the illness itself?
   I definitely felt compelled to write about high school and what it’s like with the added weight of a mental illness. High school can be tough – intense pressure to have your life completely planned out by age sixteen, social media, peer pressure, bullying, the stress of friendships and romances beginning and ending or not starting at all, college applications, etc. This is what I remember and these are some of the things I’ve seen my own kids struggle with. So Catherine has to deal with all of that. And come to terms with her bipolar disorder. A struggle that’s complicated by the very real stigma having a mental illness often carries. The story follows Catherine as she learns to navigate the built-in stressors of high school along with her mental health and treatment.

   5 - How long did it take you from first thought until publishing deal? Out of curiosity, how many queries did you have to send until you found 'the one'?
   I wrote the first page of The Weight of Zero in the fall of 2012 but didn’t really dive into writing it until a year later. It took me a year and I finished it in November of 2014. Things moved really fast from there. Sara Megibow of KT Literary, my dream agent, offered me representation in January 2015 and Delacorte Senior Editor Kate Sullivan bought it in February 2015.
   Regarding the number of queries, once The Weight of Zero was finished, I queried around fifteen agents.

   6 - How do you feel about the fact that in only a few more months thousands of readers will be able to hold and read your debut novel?
   Incredibly grateful, excited and nervous!

   7 - Why do you think the readers out there should pick up The Weight of Zero? What makes the story stand out and, in a way, important?
   The story explores the culture of high school and what it’s like for kids who have the added burden of a physical or mental disorder. The story focuses on Catherine’s journey – how she adjusts to changes in treatment: a new psychiatrist, a new group therapy program and a new medication. What’s different about The Weight of Zero is that it shows treatment making a positive change in Catherine’s life! It’s about what can happen when doctors and therapy and medication align. Catherine gets this new, expanded support network from the most unexpected people (including one tiny, Italian grandmother!) These changes and these new supports turn out to be critical.

   8 - While writing the story did you ever imagine how a cover might look like and what do you think about the absolutely gorgeous final version?
   I had a very specific image of Catherine and was really worried that the image of her on the cover wouldn’t be right. My editor Kate Sullivan shared that concern and I know she went through tons of images before coming up with the final version. I can tell you that the cover still blows me away. I love the bright yellow and how Catherine is positioned in the middle of the scribbled zeroes. It perfectly captures her and the essence of her story.

   9 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing The Weight of Zero? If so, could you give us an example?
   I didn’t listen to a specific playlist or artist while writing. In fact, most of the time I wrote without music. But there was one song I heard after I finished the story. It reminds me of Catherine especially as she is in the last three or four chapters of the book - Kelly Clarkson’s “Catch My Breath.”

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?
   Don’t quit! Find critique partners that you trust and enter contests. Contests open up new ways of networking and mentor possibilities.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
   Flying. I have always wanted to be able to take flight like a bird – just start running and then go airborne. Probably because I’m lazy and flying looks effortless.

About the Author

   I’m a writer of contemporary, realistic YA. The subject of my first book, The Weight of Zero, is mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, and it explores the shame, stigma and anxiety that often complicate the management of this chronic condition. The issue is personal to me having witnessed the impact of depression and bipolar disorder in relatives and friends. My goal was to write a story of hope for teens who struggle with mental illness. (karenfortunati.com)

Cover Lust Friday: We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

Freitag, 29. Januar 2016

Cover Lust Friday Logo

   Cover Lust Friday is a weekly meme that's all about covers. Pick a cover that stands out to you, add your reason why you've chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let's have fun with it and share the love for our favorite covers.

   The Cover:


We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Published: January 19th 2016 by Simon Pulse
Number of Pages: 464 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.
   Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.
   What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button.
   But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.
   The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that. (goodreads.com)

   The Reason:


   I think this cover is absolutely stunning. Sure, it might not be the most intricate one, but it's relative simplicity has something intriguing in it, the sky in vivid colors and the design of lines behind and around the title. This definitely is a eye catcher, not in the most classical and obvious way, but I think it's definitely a great one. It's one of those covers that I would definitely place face out on my shelf to showcase it.

* * *


Want to join in? No problem! Just follow the 'rules' below:

  1. Write a blog post (or post a picture using #CoverLustFriday on Instagram) about a cover you love.
  2. Add your link in the comment section of the original post (click here) so we can have something like a list going on.
  3. And if you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
  4. Check out other posts, and have fun!

Waiting on Wednesday: If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Mittwoch, 27. Januar 2016

   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine in which we discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases.

   The book:


If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
Expected Publication: May 3rd 2016 by Flatiron Books
Number of Pages: 272 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   A big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.
   Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. She's determined not to get too close to anyone.
   But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him in. As they spend more time together, she realizes just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself--including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it.
   Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that she used to be Andrew.
   Will the truth cost Amanda her new life--and her new love?
   If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different--and a love story that everyone will root for. (goodreads.com)

   My thoughts:


   This is a story about a transgender girl featuring a transgender girl on the cover - count me in!
   I am so excited about this book, seriously, May cannot come quick enough. This story sounds amazing in so many ways, especially because it deals with being transgender and what that means for you in society, making this book one of my beloved hard topic ones, so of course I had to find my way to it sooner or later. I cannot wait to read it, hoping that it will be all sorts of brilliant. We need more such stories, more diversity.

   Let me know in the comments below or via twitter (@Alice_Reeds) which books you're waiting for this Wednesday!
Shade Me by Jennifer Brown Cover

Cover Lust Friday: Binge by Tyler Oakley

Freitag, 22. Januar 2016

Cover Lust Friday Logo

   Cover Lust Friday is a new weekly meme that's all about covers. Pick a cover that stands out to you, add your reason why you've chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let's have fun with it and share the love for our favorite covers.

   The Cover:


Binge By Tyler Oakley
Published: October 20th 2015 by Gallery Books
Number of Pages: 303 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

Pop culture phenomenon, social rights advocate, and the most prominent LGBTQ+ voice on YouTube, Tyler Oakley brings you his first collection of witty, personal, and hilarious essays written in the voice that’s earned him more than 10 million followers across social media. (goodreads.com)
Tyler Oakley himself actually
liked this picture on twitter
so that's pretty awesome!
@Alice_Reeds




   The Reason:


   As you guys know, if you follow my twitter and/or Instagram, is that I adore Tyler Oakley. He is an amazing YouTuber and seems to be an extremely fun person that actually as something to say and uses his "fame" to do good. 
   I love the cover for Binge because it fits both the title and Tyler perfectly. It's colorful, eye-catching and fun. I have the book displayed on my bookshelf cover out so everyone who comes over can admire the beauty of it. And, above that, I was lucky enough to actually get a signed copy that nicely matches my signed poster, which you can see on the picture on the right. 

* * *


   Want to join in? No problem! Just follow the 'rules' below:

  1. Write a blog post (or post it on Instagram using #CoverLustFriday) about a cover you love.
  2. Add your link in the comment section of the original post (click here) so we can have something like a list going on.
  3. And if you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
  4. Check out other posts, and have fun!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati

Mittwoch, 20. Januar 2016

   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine in which we discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases.

   The book:


The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
Expected Publication: September 6th 2016 by Delacorte Press
Number of Pages: 400 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   Seventeen-year-old Cath knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles meds, preparing to take her own life when Zero next arrives.
   But Zero’s return is delayed. Unexpected relationships along with the care of a new psychiatrist start to alter Catherine's perception of her diagnosis. But will this be enough? This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness. (goodreads.com)

   My thoughts:


   When I saw a tweet about this book I immediately knew that yes, this is definitely something I'm interested in. In true Alice fashion this is a hard topic book dealing with depression and bipolar disorder, which, let's face it, screams my name. You know how dear books with hard topics are to my heart so of course I want this book asap. Because I'm me, I've already contacted the author for an interview and everything because I'm intrigued as heck by this book. Mental illnesses are definitely something we need to discuss more in our society, meaning that YA books about them are incredibly valuable, in my opinion, so September can't come quick enough for me so I can read this!
   I so wouldn't mind getting an ARC of it, just saying... ;)

   Let me know in the comments below or via twitter (@Alice_Reeds) which books you're waiting for this Wednesday!
Shade Me by Jennifer Brown Cover

Ask the Author: The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski

Sonntag, 17. Januar 2016

   Welcome to the second edition of Ask the Author of 2016!
   This time I'm bringing you the lovely Jodie Andrefski, author of The Girlfriend Request, who was so nice to take her time and answer my 11 question about her book and random stuff. Check our her book and her A's to my Q's below!

The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski
Published: January 11th 2016 by Entangled: Crush
Number of Pages: 216 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   Updating best friend to girlfriend is more than a change of status…
   Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it.
   Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He’s pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe...he missed his chance with the girl next door.
Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It’s Complicated… (goodreads.com)

Interview with Jodie Andrefski


   1 – Describe The Girlfriend Request with a twitter pitch.
   Falling in love with your BFF? Bad. Creating a fake Facebook profile to get him to love you? Worse.

   2 – What sparked the idea for The Girlfriend request?
   I love the trope of best friends to “more” and tried to think of a unique way to utilize social media at the same time. I knew I wanted it to be a complete comedy of errors, so felt this would be a great opportunity to meld that trope with a silly mess of circumstances at the same time. I hadn’t read any YA novels dealing with a catfish scheme, so I thought it could be fun!

   3 – What do you like most and least about your protagonist Emma? 
   I think one of the things that I like best about Emma is the fact that she is real. She is smart, yet does completely not well-thought out plans, as so many of us did when we were sixteen. She is also a loyal friend. As for what I like least about her, I wish Emma (like so many of us!) didn’t lack the self-confidence to realize how awesome she is even without a boyfriend.

   4 – What do you think makes The Girlfriend Request stand out? 
    I think the fact that it involves social media along with the romance. The characters struggle with communication because of their feelings…and all of the awkward situations that Emma and Eli find themselves in are realistic. They don’t always behave like completely rational people---because really, how many of us do when it comes to matters of the heart? But when it all comes down to it…Emma and Eli are there for each other…period.

   5 – In retrospective, is there anything that you’d change about the story or are you happy with the way it turned out in the end?
   I am happy with how the story turned out, although if I were to change anything, I might make there be a little more build up to when Eli realizes he likes Emma.

   6 - How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? 
   From starting my first draft through signing my contract to publish, it probably took me a little over a year. However, that doesn’t take into account revisions and so on with my editor and copy editor after the contract was signed. The drafting process usually goes fairly quickly for me…it’s all the drafts after that that take some time.

   7 - How do you feel about the fact that from January 11th 2016 on thousands upon thousands of people will be able to read your book? 
   It is super exciting to think of people reading THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST, but at the same time, it is a tiny bit nerve wracking in a way, since I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I loved writing it. It’s always fun to hear from readers, to get their thoughts and reactions, and to hear what parts they liked best.

   8 – What lead you to writing and wanting to be an author? Is it the way you imagined it would be?
   Growing up, I was always an avid reader. My family teases me that from the time I was small I always had my nose in a book. That love of reading kind of naturally progressed to me to wanting to write. I have my undergraduate degree in Secondary Education – English, and one of my favorite parts of when I did teach high school was teaching a Creative Writing elective. In some ways being an author is what I expected, and in other ways….not exactly. Going in, I didn’t fully appreciate just how many layers there are to the publishing process. I am very lucky to have a great team working with me through Entangled Teen—from my editor to my publicist and everyone else. I also have some great CPs (Critique Partners) who were with me through the drafting process. The hardest part is probably (as with any job) finding the time to write and juggle family and other commitments. Also, realizing that during the editing process for one book, you also need to find time to be writing your next plot bunny. But bottom line, I love it and feel so blessed to be able to do what I love.

   9 – Which do you prefer: Facebook or Twitter? 
   Twitter. I like the quick short bursts, which sounds so funny considering I just wrote a book about Facebook! LOL I do have accounts on both though. You can find me on Twitter @2000_words or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JodieAndrefskiWriter
   Also, you can “like” Eli’s page (from #TGR) at https://www.facebook.com/EliPerryTGR/ or the Facebook page of Emma’s alter-ego, Kelli Summers, at https://www.facebook.com/Kelli-Summers

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors? 
   STAY WITH IT! Seriously. If it is your dream to write, then don’t give up. It takes perseverance and hard work, and thick skin (rejection is completely normal in this field)…but it is so worth it. Also, get yourself a good critique partner to read what you write and offer feedback…this is so important. After you write your first draft, stick it in a drawer and leave it alone for at least 30 days, then go back and re-read it with fresh eyes. Also, set time each and every day to write, even if it is just 30 minutes or so.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 
   Fun question! I think if I could have any super power, I would love the ability to read minds. Or…to teleport myself anywhere I like in an instant. That would be awesome, Paris one day and Ireland the next! No TARDIS needed!

   Thanks so much for having me on your blog, and I hope all of your readers enjoy THE GIRLFREIND REQUEST! You can also connect with me on my website at www.jodieandrefski.net

About the Author


   I've been passionate about reading since I was a little girl, which lead to a love of writing. I write YA- -especially if it involves at least some kissing.
   I have my B.S. in Secondary Education-English from Penn State University, and am also pursuing my M.S. in Mental Health Counseling.
   I live in a small town in Pennsylvania with my teenage daughter.

The Unlucky Number 69

Donnerstag, 14. Januar 2016

   Welcome to this rather sad post.
   Today I will not be talking about some book I read, a movie I watched, or even discuss the pros and  cons of fan fiction. Today I'm here to talk about two brilliant men who died at 69. Both were British and both died due to cancer. I know I usually never write about famous people who died, but these two, they are dear to me, dear to my family, so I think it would be wrong of me not to write something.

   Let me start with David Bowie who died on Sunday, January 10th 2016, only two days after turning 69 due to cancer. He was a brilliant musician who changed the course of music history, was brave enough to embrace his weird side and show all of us that being weird, different then everybody else, is more then okay. He broke the rules of gender, appearing almost androgyne on stage, but he never looked silly, like a caricature, while doing so. His music was outworldly, just like he himself, a Starman who didn't seem human.
   Personally, I've never considered myself a fan, rarely listened to his music, despite knowing many of his songs well, yet his passing had a big impact on me. David Bowie was before my time, yet I can see the value of everything he'd done and impact he had on everyone around me and on music. I come from a family of artists, my mother said that Bowie greatly influenced her, and her generation, that back in the times when Poland was hidden away behind the iron curtain, Bowie was the symbol of everything that waited on the other side, the crazy, colorful world that seemed so unreachable to everyone on else who wasn't on that side of the curtain. When news broke that he'd passed away, she told me she feels as if a loved person died, someone you know, even though you've never met them. Many people I follow on twitter said that it felt as if your first love died, your first celebrity crush.
Hauptstrasse 155, Berlin
   Two days ago I visited the street in Berlin where Bowie used to live and found myself amongst a smilier pictures to that we've seen from Brixton, London. People standing on the sidewalk, singing Bowie songs together, putting down flowers, pictures, messages and candles, honoring this man who did so much. I found myself crying amongst them, touched by the impact he had on the people, surprised to find not only people my age, but also elderly ones bringing flowers or singing, sharing memories. I heard the people of Berlin started a petition to rename the street he'd lived on after him, which I think is a beautiful gesture which I hope will go through.

   Next I want to talk about the second man who died, the news came today: Alan Rickman died at 69 due to cancer. When I saw a post about this on Instagram, I swear I though someone was making a really dumb joke, I hoped it was just a joke, but once I went on google I realized that it wasn't a joke at all. I was shocked and speechless, I still am, tears pooling in my eyes.
   The first thought that came to my head was a quote he once said about Harry Potter about how, when he'll be eighty years old, he'll be sitting in his rocking chair reading the Harry Potter books even after all this time. Immediately I thought that now, unfortunately, it will never happen.
   As weird as it may sound, seeing as I belonged to the Harry Potter generation, the first memory of Alan Rickman I have isn't actually of him playing Snape, but Hans Gruber in Die Hard. It is one of my absolute favorite movies and he was perfect for the role. Then, of course, he was Snape, an iconic role that was written for him, as if it were his alter ego, natural and brilliant. I loved the way he played Snape, especially since Snape was one of my favorite characters along with Tom Felton as Draco, because I have a thing for the "villains".
   Alan Rickman has played many amazing roles in his life, was a outstanding actor and just seemed like a wonderful person, though I'm sad that I never got to meet him in person, like many others. We've lost a wonderful actor and someone who was part of so many childhoods. It is hard to believe that he is truly gone, and it saddens me even more since it is a sign that slowly other actors with whom we grew up will follow, a thought that brings tears to my eyes, our icons dying away, leaving our world.

   Before I will melt into a puddle I will end this post. I am deeply saddened by the loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman. May they rest in peace!

Waiting on Wednesday: How to Keep Rolling After a Fall by Karole Cozzo

Mittwoch, 13. Januar 2016

   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine in which we discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases.

   The book:


How to Keep Rolling After a Fall by Karole Cozzo
Expected Publication: August 2nd 2016 by Swoon Reads
Number of Pages: 256 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   The party was at her house. The photos were posted to her Facebook account. That's all the evidence anyone needed to condemn Nikki Baylor for a cyberbullying incident that humiliated a classmate and nearly resulted in the girl's suicide. Now Nikki's been expelled from her old school, her friends have abandoned her, and even her own parents can't look her in the eye. With her plans for the future all but destroyed, Nikki resigns herself to being the girl everyone hates - almost as much as she hates herself. But then Nikki meets Pax, a spirited wheelchair rugby player who knows what it's like when one mistake completely shatters your life. Refusing to judge her because of her past, he shows her that everyone deserves a second chance... and everyone deserves to be loved. (goodreads.com)

   My thoughts:


   Basically, everything, and I mean literally everything, about this book screams ALICE MUST READ THIS ASAP. I'm not exaggerating, not at all. I mean, a former mean girl and a wheelchair bound rugby player, hello, I want, now. I've never even seen a book with a wheelchair bound character as lead so that in itself is amazing! We need more such stories. 
   All in all this sounds like a brilliant story that I cannot wait to get my hands on as quickly as only possible. Also, look at that gorgeous cover! Totally wouldn't mind if Swoon Reads would send me an (e)ARC, not at all...! So, I need this story in my life, can't wait until August!

   Let me know in the comments below or via twitter (@Alice_Reeds) which books you're waiting for this Wednesday!
Shade Me by Jennifer Brown Cover

Cover Lust Friday: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Freitag, 8. Januar 2016

Cover Lust Friday Logo

   Cover Lust Friday is a weekly meme that's all about covers. Pick a cover that stands out to you, add your reason why you've chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let's have fun with it and share the love for our favorite covers.

   The Cover:


Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Published: October 14th 2014 by Balzer + Bray
Number of Pages: 416 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1 in the Snow Like Ashes Trilogy (?)

   A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.
   Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
   Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
   So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. (goodreads.com)

   The Reason:


@alicereedsbooks on Instagram
   As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of fantasy novels, simply because they are not my cup of tea and most of them are written in third person, which I don't like. But, the beauty of this cover made me disregard it all and I went and bought the book anyways, because look at it, it's a darn gorgeous cover. I like the contrast of winter and spring/summer that we see inside the charm (I know there is a more specific word for it in the book but I can't remember) surrounded by the ashes/snow on the lower half of the cover and the blurry background at the top.
   I really like this cover, along with the cover for the sequel, Ice Like Fire. I've even taken a #CoverLustFriday picture of Snow Like Ashes nestled inside my fox SpiritHood for my Instagram which you can see here.

* * *

Want to join in? No problem! Just follow the 'rules' below:

  1. Write a blog post (or post it on Instagram using #CoverLustFriday) about a cover you love.
  2. Add your link in the comment section of the original post (click here) so we can have something like a list going on.
  3. And if you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
  4. Check out other posts, and have fun!

Review: Some Boys by Patty Blount

Donnerstag, 7. Januar 2016


Some Boys by Patty Blount
Published: August 5th 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire
Number of Pages: 339 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   Some boys go too far. Some boys will break your heart. But one boy can make you whole.
   When Grace meets Ian she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses the town golden boy of rape, everyone turns against Grace. They call her a slut and a liar. But...Ian doesn't. He's funny and kind with secrets of his own.
   But how do you trust the best friend of the boy who raped you? How do you believe in love?
   A gut-wrenching, powerful love story told from alternating points of view by the acclaimed author of Send. (goodreads.com)

   I have so many thoughts and feeling about this book that it's hard to figure out where to start. As you all know I love me my stories about hard topics, especially when the stories are done well, deal with the topics in all the right ways. I'm happy to say that my first read of 2016, being this brilliant book, was many things, but definitely not a disappointment.
   Some Boys is one of those amazing books that don't shy away from the real talk, from shining light on problems we tend to not talk about, because they are not glamorous or easy, not something you can discuss in two minutes and be done with. Unfortunately we live in a world where victim-blaming is the new black, something that can go viral online and destroy someone's life. Of course, not the rapist's life, no, the life of the victim because our society has a cruel tendency to blame woman for "bringing it upon themselves" by getting drunk or wearing the wrong clothes.
   There's a very good quote in the book that questions if all the laws we have, if only because you are someone's girlfriend, wife, or a stripper, if that makes rape okay and those laws not apply. Of course it doesn't make it okay, which the book argues. It discusses this by pointing out that women are not property for a guy to play with, that women are human beings with rights and feelings, too.

   "The cops wanted to know if I was Zac's girlfriend, if I was drinking, doing drugs, if I ever worked as a stripper, if I ever kissed Zac before that night.
   What the hell does any of that have to do with what happened?
   Do the laws against sexual assault not apply to strippers? To girlfriends? I don't get that. (...) He thinks because I went to the woods, drank alcohol, and dressed the way I dress, I should have expected this to happen. That I actually wanted this to happen."

   This book picks up this topic and shows the reader all the ways in which rape, victim-blaming and shaming is wrong. We get to see two points of view: that of the victim (Grace) and that of a close friend of the offender (Ian). Because of this dual point of view and the brilliance with which this book is executed, I think it is one of the most important books I have ever read. 
   Personally, and I know many English teachers would disagree with me (just like my former english teacher definitely would), I believe that books like Some Boys are the ones we should have high schoolers read instead, or along with classics. Books like these are valuable to show boys that acting like the offender and his friends, and the rest of their school, is wrong, and to show girls that backing down, giving up, isn't always the right way, even if it's the easier one. You have to stand up for yourself, fight the damon and show the world that this isn't how girls should be treated in the 21st Century.

"Every guy in school feels so justified calling me a slut." (Grace)
"I never called you that." (Ian)
"Really? Not once? That's great, Ian, but what did you do when your friends said it?"

   Another thing that hit me hard in this book, besides the obvious, was the shaming Grace had to endure because everybody was on the offenders side. Growing up I went through my portion of being bullied, but this takes it to a whole another level. Gossip is cruel and in many cases merely spreads uninformed opinions accepted as truth. Just because the lacrosse star said he didn't do it, well, it must be true then, right? No need to second guess his words, better go and call the victim, aka the liar, a "slut" or "whore".
   In Some Boys even Grace's two best friends turn their back on her, take sides with the popular guy, simple because one of them has the hots for him. I don't know about you, but if my best friend would have accused a guy I'm into of raping her, I would definitely change my mind about the guy and not throw away my friend ship for his attention.

   But the thing I might love the most about this book is the fact that Grace wasn't a damsel in distress that needed a guy to save her, no, she saved herself. She was strong enough to march into school every day and not run away screaming and hiding. She didn't just give up, didn't "admit" that it wasn't true just to make the gossip stop. Grace stood her ground and fought back. This is important, especially for younger female readers. We need girl to know that they are strong, that they don't need a guy to save them but that they have the strength to save themselves. It's hard but in life, nothing is easy and free.
   Grace was an amazing protagonist and I love her dearly. She is strong, smart and a fighter, something we need more in books, especially ones dealing with hard topics. She could have gone down the easy rout, stay silent, say nothing, but she didn't and that is great. I love the fact that even after so many days and weeks passed after the party where it all happened, she still got scared, still had panic attacks. This only made her feel more like an actual human being instead of a one dimensional book character whose only trait is 'victim'.
   I also really liked Ian. I loved seeing his mind change over the course of the book, the way he slowly started to process everything, started to realize many things and his feelings, and the way, in the end, he stood up to the challenge and did the one and only right thing. He was an amazing character and I love him. But, he wasn't just a supporting character, as in that his only reason for being the second POV was showing the reader the male view on the topic, no, he had his own problems going on, his own things to take care of. Ian was his own character with opinions and interests.

   It's my face. It's my body. I can dress it up or down however I want. Why is that such a hard concept for guys to accept? All that crap Jax said about dressing to be noticed - being noticed is fine. But being noticed isn't the same as being ridiculed, insulted, ostracised, shamed.
   Being noticed isn't an open invitation to guys to do whatever they want to me.

   Something that was amazing to watch, especially through Ian's eyes, was the discussion if, when a girl dresses a certain way, she basically invites attention and thus is at fault for males advancing on her. I love the way his option slowly changed and he realized that maybe this isn't quite right. Just like Grace pointed out, she didn't wear the clothes she wore to get attention or to make guys want her, but simply because those are the clothes she likes and should be able to wear without guys "loosing control over their own bodies".

   All in all Some Boys takes the incredibly hard and complex topic of rape and rape culture and shines a light on victim-blaming, shaming, and the general problem that we have with dealing with this topic. I salute Ms. Blount for doing such a brilliant job with this novel and I hope more people will pick it up and read it. Books like this are the reason why I love reading, why I think reading is so important. Sure, fantasy or sci-fi are great genres, but contemporaries like this one, they are important and should be discussed, used by teachers to teach young people about what is right and wrong. I love this book. I recommend it to everyone, even if contemporary isn't your favorite genre, just read it. And I admit, I might have cried/had tears in my eyes so many times while reading this that I legit lost count.
I give Some Boys by Patty Blount 5 out of 5 stars.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mirror in the Sky by Aditi Khorana

Mittwoch, 6. Januar 2016

   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine in which we discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases.

   The book:


Mirror in the Sky by Aditi Khorana
Expected Publication: June 21st 2016 by Razorbill
Number of Pages: 352 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   For Tara Krishnan, navigating Brierly, the academically rigorous prep school she attends on scholarship, feels overwhelming and impossible. Her junior year begins in the wake of a startling discovery: A message from an alternate Earth, light years away, is intercepted by NASA. This means that on another planet, there is another version of Tara, a Tara who could be living better, burning brighter, because of tiny differences in her choices.
   The world lights up with the knowledge of Terra Nova, the mirror planet, and Tara’s life on Earth begins to change. At first, small shifts happen, like attention from Nick Osterman, the most popular guy at Brierly, and her mother playing hooky from work to watch the news all day. But eventually those small shifts swell, the discovery of Terra Nova like a black hole, bending all the light around it.
   As a new era of scientific history dawns and Tara's life at Brierly continues its orbit, only one thing is clear: Nothing on Earth--and for Tara--will ever be the same again. (goodreads.com)

   My thoughts:


   I don't know about you but I think this book sounds really interesting, even though the blurb sounds just a little bit all over the place. I love sci-fi and the idea of a second Earth being discovered, well, that sounds really cool. I'm all for everything that has to do with space, the NASA, new planets and good writing. Besides, the cover also looks really nice. I  look forward to this one, and dearly hope it won't disappoint.

   Let me know in the comments below or via twitter (@Alice_Reeds) which books you're waiting for this Wednesday!
Shade Me by Jennifer Brown Cover

Review: Hitman: Agent 47 (Movie, 2015)

Dienstag, 5. Januar 2016

Hitman: Agent 47
Release Year: 2015
Length: 96 minutes
Cast: Rupert Friend (47)
Ciarán Hinds (Litvenko)
Thomas Kretschmann (Le Clerq)
Zachary Quinto (John Smith)
Hannah Ware (Katia)

   HITMAN: AGENT 47 centers on an elite assassin who was genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine, and is known only by the last two digits on the barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. He is the culmination of decades of research and forty-six earlier Agent clones -- endowing him with unprecedented strength, speed, stamina and intelligence. His latest target is a mega-corporation that plans to unlock the secret of Agent 47's past to create an army of killers whose powers surpass even his own. Teaming up with a young woman who may hold the secret to overcoming their powerful and clandestine enemies, 47 confronts stunning revelations about his own origins and squares off in an epic battle with his deadliest foe. (imdb.com)

   Welcome to my unpopular opinion on Hitman: Agent 47. I, unlike many people I've seen online or spoken to, actually really enjoyed this movie. Sure, it's not a state of the art type of movie that will change your view on movies and the world, or win an Oscar for something, but it is great at what it is: an action packed movie centered around a kickass assassin and badass female lead.
   Personally, I think action might me one of my favorite movie genres, so of course I felt drawn to this one the moment I saw the first trailer many months ago. I was really hyped until the movie came out and suddenly everybody said that it sucks. I admit, I felt discouraged and didn't watch it for a long time, obviously. But, now that I've watched it, made myself my very own opinion, I can say that I don't get why everybody is hating on it so much. Unlike many other movies, this one doesn't have some forced love story just kind of squished in there for no reason, which makes me very happy. Furthermore it features lots and lots of fighting scenes, shootings, hand to hand combat, car chases and also a few stealthy scenes. I know many people complained that 47 didn't act like an agent would, because he shot in public and everything, but what else was he supposed to do? Let the bad guys just shoot him and the others?

   Sure enough, the character development is a little lacking, but I don't really mind that much? I really liked Rupert Friend as 47. He had that stoic face going on, that calm and collected stance, and he just looks like a badass, especially in that suit with the red tie. He might not be the best actor out there, but I think he did his job well, he delivered a killer who didn't crack out of character jokes or bust out smiles.
   I also liked Katia. She was a great female lead that showed that for once a woman can also be the special one, the best one of them all, even without taking all her clothes off or running around in something really, really tight. She was determined and didn't whine around, like some heroines tend to do in these kinds of movies.
   Katia and 47 were great together. They had an interesting dynamic going on, and let's face it, they were brilliant at what they do: kill people and get the job done.

   As I mentioned before, this might not be the most eye opening, brilliantly executed and thought out movie there is, but at the end of the day it doesn't have to be. This is a action movie about an assassin,  what I expect from such a movie is that it should have lots of action and fighting, and that's exactly what I got so I'm happy. The music was also really good.
   I give Hitman: Agent 47 4 out of 5 stars.