Site Update: March 2011

Hello all!

So, this blog has only been up and running for about 2 weeks, but it has been nothing but a blast! I really appreciate all of the support, suggestions, and comments!

I plan on doing a Site Update every month to take a look back at blog improvements or changes I've made that month as well as lay out what I would like to accomplish over the next month. It's more for me than you guys I think. I have a ridiculous to-read list on goodreads, but feel free to suggest any books you'd like to see reviewed or think I might enjoy.

Improvements this Month (besides starting the blog itself):

• Book Clubs section: These clubs are great and I can't wait to start reading their selections and having discussions! You can find these in the left sidebar.
• I have a twitter account specifically for this blog now. Be sure to follow me @InklingsRead

Coming in April (Hopefully):

• Reviews:
  
  
• 100-Follower Giveaway: Iron Fey Series, Books #1-3. If and when I reach 100 followers. Help me out? I really want to do this!! Spread the word.
• Link button

Thanks for reading everyone! I hope your March was as good as mine. See you tomorrow for another "Front-Cover Friday." It sure was a hard decision with all those beautiful covers out there!

To-Read Tuesday: Where She Went

Where She Went (If I Stay, #2)
by Gayle Forman
Genre: YA


It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

via goodreads


Why do I want to read this?

The first book in the series, If I Stay, initially caught my eye but I wasn't sold on it. I have not read If I Stay  and I don't know if I ever will. What made Where She Went stand out in my mind, is the fact that it is written from Adam's point of view. It looks like this will be an emotional rollercoaster of a read according to the reviews! I'm really looking forward to this one. Let me know your opinions if you guys have read it.

Review excerpts from goodreads:

"The writing is raw and powerful and my emotions were on high alert right alongside Adam’s the entire time. Gayle Forman’s powerful prose explores grief, pain, and the possibility of rekindling a spark surrounded by chaos." - Arlene

"This review was difficult to write. I didn't even know where to start. All I wanted to do was pick up the book and reread it. Because it was amazing, heartbreaking, and beautiful." - Alexa

"Note: My review is not going to do this book justice. I don't think I can possibly express how awesome Where She Went is." - Nic

Review: The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale

The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale
by Christine Bell
Carina Press
Advance uncorrected proof received from NetGalley
Genre: Historical Romance, Time Travel
★★★☆☆


 
I'm a time pirate-born in 1810, now a 21st-century woman. I travel through time trying to right wrongs without disrupting the fragile balance between what is and what can never be.

That's why it's vital that I go to 1836 and find the man who conned my brother out of his Time Travel Mechanism as quickly as possible. If the technology falls into the wrong hands, it could change the world as we know it. The notorious Duke of Leister definitely qualifies as the wrong hands. An amateur scientist of the slightly mad variety, he's bound to figure out how to use the TTM sooner rather than later.

I knew this wouldn't be easy. But I wasn't counting on him being as sexy as hell. Or winding up chained to his bed...

via goodreads

What I Loved

• Original plot
• Saucy and tough female protagonist
• Quick and mildly entertaining read
• Time travel elements

What I Didn't Like

• This book was quite short, and a bit too slow for my liking. There was always something going on, but I just couldn't get into it.
• The characters just seemed very shallow to me. Perhaps this is because there was not enough time to really get to know them.

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆

Review

I think this story would be best for someone looking for a quick read. I was looking for something with a bit more substance. I personally felt that the plot was rather simple and shallow, though it does get a bit more interesting later in the book. Characters could have been somewhat more developed as well. I finished this book feeling as if I had not really accomplished anything by reading it. It always felt like it was missing something. As I said earlier, I recommend this for someone who is looking for a quick, mildly entertaining read (airplane ride perhaps?).

News: Upcoming 100 Follower Giveaway

Hello My Inklings,

I hope you are enjoying my blog! Let me know if there is anything I can improve on. I wanted to make an announcement. I will be hosting my first ever giveaway when I reach 100 followers on google! It will be for the Iron Fey series, books #1-#3, by Julie Kagawa.





If you are interested please share my blog with others as well as follow me on twitter for notification of when the giveaway will happen.

Thank you for your support!

Sarah @InklingsRead