2012 YA Contemporary Challenge Sign-Up!

Hey Guys! I wasn't going to do it! I promised myself NOT to sign up for too many challenges because I won't finish them but I spent the whole of January debating it and I don't *think* one more would make too much of a difference right? :) Therefore I'm signing up for the 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by Katie @ Katie's Book Blog and Angela @ The Reading Angel!

It sound fantastic and since I promised myself to read lots of contemporaries this year - it's just giving me the motivation I need right? :) Here's a little about the challenge -

Levels:
Level 1: 5+ books
Level 2: 10+ books
Level 3: 15+ books

Rules:
You can read any contemporary YA novel that is published between January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2012 but you must read them in 2012! (All formats accepted: paperback, ARC, e-book)

Books included:
We have created a spreadsheet (organized by release date) for contemporary YA books published in 2012. If there is a book that is not on the spreadsheet that you know fits the guidelines, let us know and we will add it.  There is also a Goodreads list.  You can use either one.  Currently the spreadsheet has more books on it.

Spreadsheet

Goodreads list

Authors:
If you have a contemporary YA book coming out in 2012 we would love it if you would participate. We would love it if you would be interested in donating swag/books or being featured here on Katie’s Book Blog or Reading Angel. If you are interested, fill out the form here! (You can also email me!)

Participants:
Anyone who has a blog or a Goodreads where they can post reviews is eligible to participate. 

Why you should participate:
Contemporary YA is an awesome genre. Isn’t that enough of a reason?
If not, there will also be giveaways throughout the year as well as one grand prize giveaway at the end of the year. Does that motivate you? =)


You can sign up for the challenge - HERE


I'm signing up for Level 2 - firstly because that way if I read more I can always move up a level and secondly I hate not completing a challenge so I MUST challenge myself to a level that is complete-able. :) 


I going to start with a empty list and add books as I got along -


1) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - Review
2) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
3) Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)


Badass Bookie xx

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Review Time! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith is a YA contemporary release that the whole YA blogosphere has eagerly anticipated for a long time! FINALLY in January the release came upon us :) Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

The Short Story? –A quick, cute and completely bittersweet novel about love at first sight. Jennifer E. Smith has written a heart moving love story that spans over the course of 24 hours. Beautifully written, an adorable plot and two characters that make me want to believe in destiny! Thumbs up read!

The Long Story? – I think I want to marry the next guy I sit next to on a plane ;) Smith makes me want to believe in love at first sight! I really enjoyed TSPOLAFT, it everything the hype made it out to be, if there was a little more humor it would have been heaven! BUT, the novel wasn’t THAT funny – actually it covered some quite heavy topics. Smith has developed a wonderfully bittersweet plot filled with romantic encounters of two teens that meets by fate (I think). This is a love story, no vampires, no werewolves, no saving the world. JUST love between two human teenagers who happen to meet. It’s hopelessly romantic!

What a cute characterization! TSPOLAFS focuses on two teen who happen to meet (by fate – I think) at a airport. There are other characters in the book but they’re of no importance – really! Hadley our protagonist is a teenager dealing with the divorce of her parents and the fact that her dad is getting remarried. Hadley is strong, she keeps all her emotions inside and while she is bitter about her parent’s divorce she really just keeps it to herself. The best thing about Hadley is how normal she is! She’s an ordinary teen, like me and yet her story is so special! We can all relate to her! Oliver is everything that I look for in a guy, he’s a gentlemen, he’s hilarious, good-looking but also kind. The pairing of Hadley and Oliver is really top class! Fantastic Smith!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is romance in it’s true form. This was romance before Twilight – where guys were human! YOU will love this, YOU will laugh, YOU might cry but YOU definitely should seek the opportunity to read it! Smith has written a winner of a contemporary, she’s written a love story about how love should be. I BELIEVE in LOVE at FIRST SIGHT!

What’s it Worth? – Hand Over the Paycheck/ Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

Breakfast with the Bookie: The YA Blogosphere - Cliquey or Not?

Breakfast with the Bookie is a semi-weekly feature here @ Badass Bookie which is making a reappearance in 2012. Every other Wednesday morning, let's all grab our teas and coffees to gather and discuss and share our opinions! Everyone is welcome to join and make sure you leave a comment to state your opinion. Don't be shy!

This Week's Topic - The YA Blogosphere - Clique-y or Not?

A while back I addressed this question on Twitter and I got back a resounding YES from not only new bloggers but older bloggers who have been on the scene for more than a year or two! Honestly at first I didn't see the clique-yness of the blogosphere but lately I have been noticing the problem quite a bit - perhaps because I've been looking out for it.

I find a blogger on Twitter who said "Guess I'm fortunate that I met some folks who are willing to talk and help me out in getting started. I still find it hard to be 'in' with everyone though. You can definitely tell who is part of the in crowd and who's not."

Cliques are natural in communities there obviously going to be people who you are closer to then others and you might not be aware that you are being clique-y ( hell, I've probably been clique-y and not released it) but others notice it and I think it's something we should dissect in this discussion post! :)

The Different Cliques of the YA Blogosphere ( An Unfinished List) -

The Big Fish Clique - The experienced bloggers who have a couple of years under their sleeves and have rather successful blogs, seem to know their way around the publishing world. Bloggers who you look up to. The 'Professionals' ;)


The Country/State Pride Clique - The bloggers who's stick together because of their nationality. They talk about things you have never heard off and joke with each other over twitter and seem to be GREAT friends! 


The Age Similarity Clique - Bloggers of close age that stick together. The mommy bloggers friends with the mommy bloggers. The teen bloggers friends with the teen bloggers. The uni bloggers friends the uni bloggers.  


The Fan Girl Clique - Bloggers who share a love for a book and stick together to express their love. 

My Opinion - The Dissection and How Can We Close the Barrier?


Honestly, Bloggers are very nice people, especially book bloggers. I've been on the receiving end of generosity and kindness that has really touched me. I think that the clique-yness is unintentional and some bloggers might feel that they're being excluded it could simply be because it takes time to form a close friendship with other people ( even bloggers!) and that friendship can take years to form. It's not as easy as starting a book blog and immediately becoming BFF with others.

Like every other relationship in life, it takes time to form the bond. Best way to close the barrier would be to socialise. Twitter is a great way to make new friends and form those bonds. And while the clique-yness can be seen on Twitter as well, make the effort to reply to other people tweets and to follow many people!

As for those who have already got those close friends ( I know I do!) - I think it would be great if everyone could take the time to reply bloggers who tweet you, go out of your way to make others feel welcome and definitely support those bloggers who have trouble starting out and need a helping hand! :)


Now, what's your two cents? Topic is open for discussion!

Badass Bookie xx

The Pale Assassin

Review Time! I’m trailing a little behind with my review lately! With school starting and everything, I haven’t had so much time to write down reviews. I NEED to start scheduling  :( The Pale Assassin is the first book in Pimpernelles series by Patricia Elliott, it’s a novel that I won a while back in a giveaway Hachette Children Australia hosted so thank-you Hachette!

(Goodreads) Spoiled, beautiful fourteen-year-old Eugénie de Boncoeur is accustomed to outrageous privilege. The French Revolution may rage around her, but Eugénie's luxurious lifestyle is only improved by visits from her brother, Armand, especially doting since the two were orphaned. What Eugénie doesn't know is that their guardian has promised her in marriage to the wealthy, vengeful Le Fantome, a revolutionary nursing a secret grudge against her family. As the Revolution becomes increasingly violent, Eugénie is shipped off to convent school. Finally, there is no place in France that is safe for her. Eugénie dusts off her lightly used brains and rises to the challenge of survival; and soon she is in the thick of turmoil and romance, confronting spies, secret agents, and double-crossing suitors in her quest to get out of France alive.

The Short Story? – A YA historical fiction that follows the dangers of the life of a young aristocrat during the French Revolution. Filled with knowledge, danger, secrets and hidden agendas. The Pale Assassin is a thrilling work of fiction that is both beautifully written and wonderfully plotted! Great characterization, this is not one to be missed!

The Long Story? – I’ve always been a sucker for historical fiction but I admit when I picked The Pimpernelles I didn’t have any knowledge about what the book was about. I just thought the cover was pretty! I very much liked the plot, the novel follows the life of a young aristocrat called Eugenie during the French Revolution. It follows her troubles, her fears and her adventure and journey to England. The Pale Assassin is a wealth of information about the French Revolution, even if it is fiction. I really learnt quite a bit about the Revolution through the novel. Filled with plots, secrets and hidden agendas – if you love a good thriller or mystery this one is a winner!

The characterization was accurate. Elliott portrayed characters so that their personalities and behaviors reflected on how the people would have acted during the French Revolution. Eugenie was a fantastic protagonist, we really see her develop and by the end of the novel, she becomes a true heroine. She starts of a little vain and clingy and whiny but I guess that’s how rich fourteen-year-old aristocrats would act! As the novel progresses and as she grows older, her sense of responsibility and awareness develops and you see a significant change of attitude. There were many secondary characters that I grew fond of including Julien, Guy, Belle and Manon. A very rich cast!

The Pale Assassin is perhaps not a very widely known YA work of historical fiction but it is definitely one that is worth a reading! Filled with adventure, secrets and heart-pounding moments, the novel is a roller-coaster ride of a read. Plenty of twists and turns and unpredictable outcomes, Elliott has written not only an enjoyable novel but also one that carries mystery and suspense! Fantastic read, I can’t wait to read the sequel!

What’s it Worth? – Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Instructions for a Broken Heart

Review Time! This year I signed up for the 2012 TBR Reading Pile challenge to help motivate me to read older releases that have been sitting on my shelf for a long time. I also chose to read books that weren’t sent to me for review as one of my own guide lines. It also means to review format is a little different.

(Goodreads) Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

The Short Story? – Instructions for a Broken is a bittersweet YA contemporary about the pain of a broken heart and the steps it takes to start moving on. Culbertson has captured the heartbreak of a teenager romance. Beautifully written and a wonderful character development, it wasn’t what I expected but nevertheless, I’m sure many of you would enjoy it! For fans of Sarah Dessen!

The Long Story? – I really wanted to like this one especially after I pinned away on the book for a good deal of 2011 but it really didn’t meet my expectations.  More than anything, I think the blurb lead me to believe the book was going to be different from what it happened to be. I was expecting a little more romance and comedy and a little less ‘poor me’. Maybe a rebound guy, some parties, few stray kisses and at least flirting with the smexy Italian boys! I really would have liked to see the Italian setting used to its full advantage. For fans of Sarah Dessen – this is your book; you’re going to love it. The broken heart, the instructions and the healing process. For me the novel sat a little too close to the line between “reasonable sadness over cheating boyfriend” and “completely ridiculous, man up and get over it”. Most of you would love Instructions for a Broken Heart but I’m not a huge fan of contemporary to begin with and for my picky taste, this just didn’t make the cut.

As far as characterization, initially I wasn’t a huge fan of Jessa. I could understand that she was broken hearted over the fact that her boyfriend cheated on her but she just went on and on about it. It got to the point where it was just pathetic, I wanted to shake her and say ‘SO WHAT, you boyfriend cheated, he’s a guy! GET OVER IT!’ Eventually, following the instructions (Which were really fun! They were my favorite part of the novel!) she didn’t start to heal her broken heart and I started to like her. In the end, she really became a different girl and I really want to applaud Culbertson on her fabulous character development!

Instructions for a Broken Heart wasn’t bad. There were parts about the novel that I loved. The Italian setting, the instructions and the moving on in the end were fantastic! It wasn’t what I expected and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have like but I’m certain, many of you would love, LOVE this novel. It’s the perfect contemporary for a contemporary lover :)

What’s it Worth? – Squeeze into the Budget

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #40

Morning Lovelies! I'm kinda still in bed but I'm awake so I thought I'll post my IMM. In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Basically we share the bookish contents that we received during the week. I have come to only participate every fortnight! :)

My Bookish Hurl - 

For Review -

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

ARC The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jessica Rothenberg 

Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer 

The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney

Skin Deep by Laura Jaratt

Going Underground by Susan Vaught

Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Between the Sea and the Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

( Thanks to Harlequin, Penguin, Random House, Hardi Grant, Bloomsbury and Hachette!)

Won -

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

( Thanks to Erin @ Erin. L. Schneider )

NOTE: I'm so excited to read all the books from my mailbox in the last two weeks! Especially excited for The Catastrophic History of You and Me which sounds absolutely hilarious and probably a little sad too! I've read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and it's really cute! There are nothing but good reviews about The Fault in Out Stars but I'm actually leaning towards reading Jessica Rules the Dark Side next! I couldn't finish Jessica's Guid to Dating the Dark Side in one go and I had to take a break but it ended up being superb!

That's all for me and make sure you link me to your IMM :)

Badass Bookie xx

New Blog Design!

Yes Guys! I've finally done it! I've gotten off my lazy ass and designed a new one! I'm not sure whether I like this better but it's different! GUYS please give me your opinions because if you don't like it I would change it back to the Green. Blue and White Design!

Opinions Please!

Badass Bookie xx