BEA Overview: Wednesday

I was lucky enough to attend BEA on Wednesday. First off I had a completely amazing time. My train left Albany at 5:10 and I arrived in NYC at 7:35, where Eleni from Lafemmereaders and Emily from Red House Books were waiting for me. We took a taxi to the Jatvis center and they showed me where to register. After getting my badge we met up with Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic, Jennifer from Reading with Tequila and Lexie( I have to look up her blog name, I don't want to get it wrong!).

We ate some breakfast, or candy lol, then hung out in the press area until we could officially go into the exhibit hall.

It was crazy. It was a madhouse. People were just everywhere and it was hectic. But it was fun.

I got to meet some great authors...

like Simone Elkeles ---->

   From left to right:

Me, Simone Elkeles, Kelsey(The Book Scout), and Eleni(Lafemmereaders)

And Heidi Kling(Sea, out June 10th!)

Not only did I meet a lot of other fabulous authors(Elizabeth Scott, Lauren Oliver, Melissa Marr, Lauren Kate, Steve Brezenoff, Bree Despain and many more!) I also got a ton of great books.

Here is a picture of the books that I got signed:

And here is a picture of all of the other books I got:

I also managed to grab a couple of extra books so I will be giving those away when I hit 500 followers on the blog.

After BEA, Eleni, Emily, Lexie, Taschima and I tried to hail a taxi for an insane amount of time before we just gave up and took a car service to Penn Station. We decided on dinner at TGIFridays, and then I hung out in the station until my train left(my first time there and it was delayed over an hour). I didn't get home until around 2:00am.

So overall it was a lonnnnnng day, but it was so worth it. My shoulders hurt from the bags that I carried around throughout the day, even though I dropped off at the baggage check in place sporadically. And my feet and legs are killing me. I couldn't imagine standing up again all day today for those bloggers that attended today as well.

It was a great experience and I loved meeting so many new people and finally meeting the bloggers that I've grown to love since I first began blogging back in August.

For those of you that couldn't go, I'm sorry and I hope next year you will be able to. I will be planning ahead next year so I can go the whole week.

Did you go to BEA, how was your time there?!

Sherry <3

In My Mailbox: (15, 16 & 17)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

These are the books I have gotten from the past three weeks.

For Review:

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Won from Teens Read & Write:

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Won from BookLove Teen:

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson(signed)

Won from Jessica Lawson(Daisy Whitney & Kay Cassidy):

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy(signed)

Cinderella Slipper Bookmark

Glass Cinderella Slipper(not pictured)

From BookLoverCarol:

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer

Claire De Lune by Christine Johnson

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Won from Ivy:

The Outsider by S.E Hinton

Received from participating in the UMS blog tour:

Under My Sking by Judith Graves

Gift for my mom(thanks Monica & Susan):

Lover Mine by JR Ward(signed)(not pictured)

Swag:

Bookmarks & a postcard from Susan @Wastepaperprose

Bookmarks from Shari Maurer(Change of Heart)

Signed Bookmark from Chelsea Campbell(The Rise of Renegade X)

So that's what I got these past three weeks!

Sherry <3

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Publication Date March 2010

Published by HarperCollins

470 Pages, Hardcover

Review of my own copy, purchased by me.

Summary from Goodreads:

"What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined."

My Review: ***** + = 5+ Stars

Wow. That's the first word that came to my mind when I turned the final page of Before I Fall and I realized what I just read. Lauren Oliver's debut is absolutely stunning and I'm still shocked that this is her first book. Her writing style is graceful and a joy to read. The book is on the longer side but it never once feels like that, you never get to the point of wanting it to go quicker or to end soon.

There is not a single thing from this book that I could possibly complain about. I enjoyed everything about it, the characters, the changes, the meaning of it.

I won't go to far into the end result of what happens but this story is one of great meaning. The growth of the main character, Sam, was moving. This book is a huge eye opener and I recommend it to absoultely everyone. It's a work of art.

Some books just hit you and will stay with you forever. This is one of those books(to me at least).

I look forward to anything that Oliver will release in the future. If it's even only a fraction as good as this, it will still be great.

Sherry <3

Author Interview: Shannon Delany(13 to Life)

For this interview I am going to mix things up a bit. I haven't gotten the chance to read 13 to Life yet, so I figured I would make this a fun, enjoyable interview.

With us today is Shannon Delany, whose debut, 13 to Life, comes out July 22.

Let's get started!

------

Me: Shannon, use the letters of your first name to describe yourself for us.

Shannon:
S- Solid <--It relates to my personality AND body type! Bonus points!
H- Homesteader <--26+ acres and heritage livestock attest to this.
A- Authoritative <--I've recently learned I intimidate some people. COPE. I'm really quite sweet. Well, usually...
N- Novelist <--Who'dda thunk it? ;-)
N- Newbie <--SO much to learn in this biz!
O- Outgoing. <--NOT. But I can occasionally fool folks.
N- Dear heavens! There are a lot of N's in that name! Thanks, Mom! ;-) Umm. Neurotic. But in an absolutely charming way. Really. At least I hope so... ;-)

Me: What are three items that are a must have at all times(i.e. phone, lotion, pen etc)?
Shannon: Pen or pencil, paper of some variety (napkins and envelopes count), cell phone with camera capability. With these I can write down my ideas or capture them in photos.

Me: Do you write in the early morning, late at night, or whenever you get the spare time?
Shannon: Things are hectic on my farm: whenever I have spare time. When I'm deep in writing a book, though, I do carve out specific hours (while my son's at kindergarten usually) to work.

Me: Favorite social network, or one you spend most of your time on?
Shannon: It used to be Facebook, but now Twitter's captured my attention and it's always got something new going on... It's perfect for the ADD writer and researcher in me. Besides, emoticons are more allowable there. :D

Me: If you could play any character in any movie, who would it be?
Shannon: Hmm. Molly from The Last Unicorn. Even though she feels she's past her prime, her dream does make itself known to her and she's has one heck of an adventure!

Me: Truth or dare?
Shannon: Truth. I'll leave the dares to my werewolves, thank you very much. ;-) I like to keep the drama in my novels, not in my personal life.

Me: Biggest pet peeve
Shannon: Currently? People's willingness to make a quick buck at the environment's cost.

Me: You finally get to go to the place you've always dreamed of, where is it and what will you do there?
Shannon: Oh. I've been lucky to get to go to many places already, so: Ettrick Forest (Scotland) a few hundred years ago. I'd absorb the setting and atmosphere and take copious notes so I can get it just right for something I'm working on. Other than that, I'd still like to spend some time in the British Isles, hit a certain area of France, return to Stuttgart in Germany, visit China, Japan, Australia and Russia (of course!) and return to the Castille region of Spain. Then hit eastern Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. 

Me: You have a time machine, do you go forward or back?
Shannon: Packing a bag full of antibiotics, allergy pills and hand sanitizer, I'd go bravely back (and hope I don't get burned as a witch due to some strange mistake--or me opening my big mouth at the wrong time ;).

Me: You're stuck on a desereted island and you only have 1 book until you are rescued, which book is it?
Shannon: My Barnhardt's Dictionary of Etymology would be my first choice. Words each have a story of their own--it'd feed my imagination for a long time.

Me: Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Shannon: Thanks for having me! :-)

-----------------

So there you have it! Make sure you keep an eye out for 13 to Life which comes out in just over 2 months!

Sherry <3

25 things about me!

I got this from Amy over at My Overstuffed Bookshelf.


If there were ever a book written about me, this is the list you would find at the front. Come join in the fun and share yours as well!



1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

Oddly enough I don't have a closest. Yes it is horrible and it sucks. But if I did, definitely closed, theres a sense of neatness when everything is closed up and in it's place.
2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?

Hellz yea. I always do, and the pretty soap bar and the matches. I love little hotel keepsakes.
3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

My dog sleeps in the bed with me and my boyfriend so while I occasionally tuck the sheets back in, they rarely stay so I don't really worry about it anymore.
4. Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees?

A bear. I freaking hate bees. Something about the tinyness and the severness of the pain they may cause. That sounds crazy since I'm comparing it to a bear and all but yea.. f*ck bees.(its a dane cook sketch if you've never heard it before lol)
5. Do you have freckles?

Indeed I do, and even more during the summertime.
6. What is your biggest pet peeve?

That's a tough one. I think my biggest pet peeve and when someone has to try and convince me they are right, even though they are wrong and I know 100% they are wrong. You're wrong dude, drop it.
7. Have you ever peed in the woods?

Yea I definitely have. You gotta go you gotta go.
8. Do you ever dance if there’s no music playing?

Actually yes I am a complete dork and I will do this. You'll just never see it happen. Sowwies.

9.Do you chew your pens and pencils?

Pencils no, my own pens yes. It's something I've always done. Of all of these I've read everyone has said eww no that's gross but I guarentee most of you have. Maybe not. Idk.


10. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Some guys can pull it off but others who think they can but really can't.. they shouldn't wear pink.
11. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

From McDonalds, BBQ sauce, otherwise ketchup.
12. What is your favorite food?

Like ever ever. Well another tough one. I'm a huge shrimp fan. Cocktail shrimp. I could eat a million. I guess that's your answer.

13. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Pride and Prejudice(the 2005 version) I freaking love that movie.


14. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

Negative. I was not ever any type of scout.
15. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

Frak no.(thats battlestar galactica humor in case you are unaware) But for real. Never.
16. Can you change the oil on a car?

Yea probably not. I can check my oil. I should probably know how since my dad used to work on cars but no I can't. I have a pretty good idea on how its done but I don't think I would want to risk screwing something up.
17. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

I have never had a ticket. I am that awesome.


18. Ever ran out of gas?

Once on my four wheeler.


19. Are you lazy?

I am an extremely lazy being.

20. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

Ughh let's see. A lion, a witch, a wardrobe? Just kidding about the wardrobe but I really was a witch once and a lion once. For some reason thats all I can remember.
21. How many languages can you speak?

Uno or Un. That's one peeps in spanish and french, respectively. I took five years of french so I should be able to converse with you if you are french speaking but its not going to happen.

22. Who is better…Leno or Letterman

Conan? :P


23. Do you sing in the car?

I do. And then sometimes I realize that a person looking directly at me is watching me make a complete ass of myself. I'll stop until I'm in the clear and then I'll start back up again.
24. Ever eat a pierogi?

No but sadly I think that's something polish and I'm polish so I probably should have by now, but I haven't.


25. First concert?

Ughh I hate admitting this but I don't remember. Maybe something like Spice Girls(true story) or perhaps The Allman Brothers Band. (Two groups that should not be listed together in the same sentence).


I would love to see everyone else share this on their blogs! If you decide to do it, leave me a link so I can come read it and comment.

Sherry <3

Review: Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Publication Date: July 20th, 2010

Published By MTV

Paperback, 256 Pages

ARC received from Jennifer Echols

Summary from Goodreads:

"There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug."

My Review: ***** = 5 Stars

(minor spoilers, nothing you won't be able to figure out on your own...)

I always find it difficult to start off a review to a book I really, really enjoyed. Well, that was an easy way to get things going. If you haven't already figured it out.... hit yourself Jennifer Echols has done it again! For fans of Going Too Far you will not be dissapointed. Forget You was wonderfully crafted and Echols does a superb job of dealing with teen/young adult issues that aren't often heard of in books. 

Jennifer's characters always find a way to stand out and stick with me, and the characters in this book were no different.  I applaud Zoey, the main character, for stepping out of her comfort zone, even if it took a traumatic event in her life for her to do so. Doug. I can't say much but damn, what a fox indeed. And the chemistry... HOTTT! There's this one scene, in the back of the benz.... Yup that's all you get, but you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you read it.

I LOVED this book. I want to read it again. Right now.

I also felt like a had a stronger connection with this book than I normally would because the characters were all swimmers and I grew up swimming competitively. Having the swim team be such a huge part of the book was awesome, I really enjoyed it.

Anything I say won't really do this book justice because I just don't have the best way with words when it comes to my favorites, which this now definitely is. I will be buying my own copy as soon as it comes out so I can read it again with its pretty cover(mines plain blue).

Have you read this or is on your tbr? What do you think?

Sherry <3

Did you miss me?

        

(haha actually no one said anything about my prolounged absense but I know some of you missed me ;) )

Hey guys! I hope I haven't been gone too long for you all to forget about me! Just kidding. But I really haven't been around lately. I've been working extra hours and I've been very sick so my chances for picking up a book kinda just POOFED!

But things are quieting down this week, and I'm slowly but surely starting to feel better.

I will definitely be finishing some books this week and will finally be posting some reviews after taking the past two weeks off.

Thanks for sticking with me through my mini vacation! :)

P.S - Anyone that won something from the Epic Giveaway, I apologize a thousand times but with getting called in to work Saturday(was going to send them out that day) and with being sick and working late today, they haven't gone out yet. BUT! I have tomorrow off and they WILL be going out, so I'm sorry again, but you will be getting them soon!

You guys rock!!!

Sherry <3

Epic contest Winners!!

Is everyone ready?

It took forever to tally the thousands of entries, but Susan at Wastepaper Prose and I powered through and got it done in a pretty timely manner. (At least I think so.) Now, the results of the Contest of Epic Proportions are in and, as promised, we have 21 fabulous winners. So without further adieu...

In My Mailbox(14)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

I got 4 awesome books this week.

I was good and didn't buy anything.

For review:

arc of Forget You by Jennifer Echols(signed)

Won:

arc of The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff(signed by Heidi Kling, Jennifer Hubbard, Phoebe Kitanidis, Dia Reeves and Kristen Walker)

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves(signed)

Also got a signed A Match Made in High School bookmark and a signed The Secret Year bookmark as well as some Bleeding Violet bookmarks

From Susan @ Wastepaper Prose:

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder(signed)

Big thanks to Jennifer Echols, Steve Brezenoff(and all the tenners that signed -1) and Susan for these great books!! :)

What did you get this week??

Sherry <3