My blog has had a HUGE makeover! Thanks to the ever magical Parajunkee!! She's worked her magic here and I think it's amazing! She's great at what she does, takes everything you said you’re looking for and makes it all come to life.
If you’re looking to give your blog a makeover be sure to check out Parajunkee's Design Blog here for more info.

There are a few things new as well. First - I have BUTTON! GASP! Yep, finally a button! Over the next few weeks I'll be adding in some buttons from others blogs I follow and love as well. So, feel free to snag the code and post it on your site or blog soon!

Second, now you can follow via your email! On the left side you'll see a place where you type in your email and subscribe. Every time I make a post you'll get it sent directly to your email. It'll let everyone keep up to date on everything here from Reviews, to contest to interviews... to guest posts and more! So subscribe today!

I have a bunch of tweaks to do yet here, so bear with me on a few things. I still want to add a few things as well, so it'll be changing a bit here and there too.

Thanks again to Parajunkee and all her beautiful work! You are amazing chicka!

Comments, Comment and more Comments! What all do you guys think? And, who's taking my button? Because I'm looking to take some myself now!

Also - don't forget to enter to win 1 of 3 copies of Numbers By Rachel Ward! Contest ends tonight, but I'll let it run until I wake up tomorrow. So get your entries in now!

Then while your at it, enter to win an ARC of Perchance to Dream. There's still a couple weeks left for that one, but you still don't want to miss out on it.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

Title: 13 to Life: A Werewolf's Tale
Author: Shannon Delany
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 320 Pages (June 22, 2010)
Preorder here: Amazon, Borders, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Jessica's life seemed difficult enough since the sudden loss of her mother, but meeting Pietr Rusakova turns her world upside down again. The newest member of Junction High, Pietr is a first generation Russian-American, a fact that by itself makes him different enough to get lots of attention in the small town. But Pietr is far more than good looks and an interesting accent, Pietr has secrets to hide-secrets including dramatic changes he's undergoing that will surely end his life early. Secrets dating back to the Cold War get the better of Jessica's curiosity, leading her into an exciting and dangerous world where her understanding of reality and what makes a man or a monster will be challenged.


Another book that the cover caught my eye and had me clicking to find out more. I think this one sounds like a must read. Who all is with me?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's what you do...


 
 

-Grab your current read
 
-Open to a random page
 
-Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
 
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
 
-Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
 
Title: Morpheus Road - The Light
Author: D.J. MacHale
Publisher: Aladdin, 352 Pages (April 20, 2010)
Order From: Amazon, Borders, Barns And Noblens, The Book Depository

"This is... this is... impossible," the mumbled.
"But it isn't. This thing has been coming after me and now it's after you. It's like Grorge O. said. The more people who know, the more will be in danger."
"Know what?" Sydney cried. "I don't know anything!" (Pg. 214)

This book take creepy to a new level that's for sure! It's keeping me more then freaked out. I won't be reading this in the dark again anytime soon. If you like scary movies or books, this one's for you. Happy Reading!

First off, I just want to thank Emily for writing my first Guest Post here. It was great of her to take the time to write about a topic I know I often think about while writing or reading reviews. So, here we go, Emily take it away -

What Do You Look For in A Good Review?

Reading reviews is kind of like going on a date- with the book, the author, and with the person writing. This is especially true of reviews of books that I personally haven’t read; a review, regardless of whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, definitely affects my perspective of a book and whether or not I’ll feel the need to read it.

I have to say, reviews are easily my favorite things that book bloggers write. All the other content is all well and good and special and all that, but reviews are really what determine if I’ll end up being a follower of a blog or not. With that said, there are things in reviews that really suck me in and keep me there:

The reviewer takes a stand. Honestly, I don’t care if you loved a book or found it dull as a beige room. Express yourself! This is usually the place where a lot of people add the caveat of “without being mean,” but I’m going to head out on a limb here and say that personally when I’m reading reviews, I value honesty above all else. There are books out that there that absolutely rub us the wrong way; my dearly beloved has found books that drove me to insanity thrown all over the place, the sad tatters of a book-tantrum. Sharing the feelings that you had while reading a book you did not enjoy, even if they were bad, will not turn me off. I can handle your intensity! Lord knows, I have enough of my own.

The reviewer makes me want to read the book without giving stuff away. Or, if stuff is given away, you warn me about that. Spoilers are sad!

I can tell a real person wrote the review. Book bloggers are a force to be reckoned with, both in terms of publicity, whether it be positive or negative, and in facilitating conversations about characters, books, and their meanings. The need to be articulate is absolutely there, but my absolute favorite reviews have a distinct voice to their writing that shines in every review; a sense of humor, well-organized arguments for and against a book. Let your personality shine through! For my own reviews, I tend to make my major points with YouTube videos. Write/include what you want to include!

The reviewer isn’t afraid to have expertise. My favorite reviews are ones that make me think, that challenge my perceptions of a book or idea, that entertain me, that frustrate me, that engage me. Book bloggers are a passionate bunch- we love talking about books! When that love of books shows through in a review, it grabs me by the nose and makes me pay attention.

Ultimately, every blogger is different, every review style is different, and while there are certainly styles out there that don’t inspire me to run out and grab the book in question right this minute, there are many that do. Ultimately, if your review is honest, your point is well expressed, and your personality is infused in the writing, you have my full and undivided attention. Scout’s honor.

More info about Emily and where she can be found:

Blog address: What Book Is That? I've been reviewing since August 2009
Twitter username: @heynocupcake
Goodreads username: whatbookisthat

Currently reading:

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Must reads: (links back to her reviews for each book)

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield

Fire by Kristen Cashore

Soulless by Gail Carriger

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

The War Against Miss Winter by Kathryn Miller Haines

Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Blog Button:






Emily read's and review's a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy but is game for just about anything. She's also an HBIC reviewer for Blog with Bite, where they party all the time, have some sweet features and giveaways, and review adult/YA PNR AND urban fantasy titles too.

Thanks so much Emily for being the first person to Guest Post here! It's been great! I had a lot of fun and I think you covered this topic perfectly! I couldn't have said it any better myself. So, what do you all think about what Emily has to say about this topic and what she looks for in good reviews? What do you guys look for? Comment, comment, comment!

If anyone else would like to guest post here sometime in the future, please email or comment and let me know. Thanks!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

Title: a blue so dark
Author: Holly Schindler
Publisher: Flux, 228 Pages (May 1, 2010)
Preorder here: Amazon, Borders, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Mom looked down at me, her eyes not just glittering but snapping with fire, like two Fourth of July sparklers. "We're just alike, me and Aura." And, you know, back then, the idea of that didn't scare the absolute hell out of me.

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, Grace, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that creative equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination.

Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked- and together offer an escape from her fears.

Another book that sound heartbreaking, yet amazing! 2010 in books is HUGE! Anyone else adding this to their wish lists or preorder lists?