Today's Topic: Book Talking with Strangers
We were all warned as children to 'never talk to strangers', but how do you feel about book-talk with random people? When you see people reading, do you ask what it is? Do you talk to people in a bookstore or library? What do you do if people talk to you?
When I read, I get in this sort of "anti-social, block off reality" type of mood. Not in a bad way, it's just that I get really absorbed in the book that I don't pay attention to what's happening in my surroundings. (Maybe that's why my teachers hate when I read during class :P) But anyways, if someone asks me what I'm reading, then I tell them! I like to share about the summary and try to make them want to read it, too. However, if I see someone reading, I usually don't disturb them...especially if it's a stranger. I don't really like it when someone interrupts my reading, so I try to do the same back.
What about you?
We all know the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." But to me, a cover has a big impact on the book. It's what makes me either pick it up on the bookstore shelves, or just walk on by.
So tell me: If you saw this book, Blue Moon: The Immortals (Book 2) by Alyson Noel, would you pick it up off the shelves to take a closer look? Or just ignore it?
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS COVER. (: Every single thing about it just catches my attention. The foggy white text, the picture of the glass ball, the blue tint, etc. I would definitely pick this up off of the shelf to read more about it...(which you can here. [; )
Alright so I know that today is Saturday, and not Wednesday, but shhh! just pretend! Because I can't wait until Wednesday to post this book.
This week's WoW book is Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater! It will be released on August 1, 2009.
Description from Amazon:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
I think this looks like a great book, and I've read good reviews about it. Ahh werewolves, we must love them :] RELEASED ON AUGUST 1, 2009!
What I Review:
I will only read young adult books. I've tried adult-fiction and middle-grade books, and I just don't like either. However, I'm very open to basically any genre. I enjoy realistic fiction, romance, fantasy, apocalypse, horror, mystery, romance, paranormal, etc. (Notice I wrote romance twice - maybe you'll get the hint). Historical fiction is the only genre that I'm very hesitant about reading. I also tend to lean away from novels written in free-verse.
I much prefer actual books or ARCs, rather than e-books or e-galleys. I know our generation is becoming very dependent on technology and I do have a Kindle myself, but I still prefer the traditional written book. However, if there is no possible way for me to get my hands on a copy of your book, then I'll read your ebook or digital review copy. Maybe.
*Edit: At this time, I'm not accepting self-published ebooks, sorry!
How I Review:
Don't expect me to lie or hold back when I write a review. I am as honest as it gets. Sure, sometimes I'll try to add a little sugar on top of a book that I really disliked, but for the most part I will be completely and utterly honest sharing my opinion. So only ask me to review your book if you want to hear my honest thoughts and can take what I'll say as helpful criticism and not insults. For the most part though, I usually like what I read. I'm not too hard to please and will be entertained by most novels. Take a look through my past reviews and you'll get the idea of what I like! So remember, just because you asked me to review your book, doesn't mean I'll write an A+ positive review for it.
I give reviews star ratings, from zero to five. 5 stars basically means the book is flat out amazing and everyone needs to sprint to their nearest book store/library and spend the rest of the day getting absorbed in it. 3 stars means the book was pretty good. It has its pros and cons, and it was alright. 0 stars...well let's just say if you're in desperate need for some toilet paper, don't hesitate to rip out some pages from the book to use. All of the half stars in between I'll let you make up your own definition for. (The average star rating I give books has been around 4 stars - which is rather good. I'm not too harsh with my ratings.)
When I Review:
I'm a slow reader, not gonna lie. It usually takes me a week or two to read a book. If I get a review copy while I'm in the middle of another book, I'll finish reading the current one first. I don't like reading more than one book at a time. I'm good with deadlines though, so if you have a specific time you need the review by, I will do my very best to meet that date. I can't make any promises, but I will make the book my number one priority to read before any others.
Author Interviews:
I will interview authors, whether I've read their work or not. It's usually easier for me to interview authors that I'm familiar with (like I've read one of their books before), so that I don't struggle with what questions to ask. However, I'm very open to meeting new authors and getting to know them before I get to know their books, too. I usually just interview an author once for the blog, however they are more than welcomed to also write a guest post.
Book Promotions:
This blog is solely used for the purpose of anything bookish related (minus the few random posts I sometimes make). I'd love to help promote your book, BUT only if it's something I've already read and liked. I made the mistake one time of having a big book promotion for an author through the course of an entire week, and ended up not even liking their book after I read it. That was awkward, for both me and the author - and I hope to not ever do that again. I don't want my blog to just become a billboard for good advertisement. It deserves better than that! So if you know already that I liked your book or that I'm interested in reading it, you may contact me about a book promotion, blog tour, etc.
Just to re-cap:
I only review young adult books, of almost any genre. I will give my honest thoughts on the novel and will not lie to get on an author's good side. I'll read and review the book as fast as I can but you must remember that I have a life outside of reading. I run this blog because it's just a fun hobby of mine to do during my free time and I enjoy it. I don't do it to get free stuff, nor do I get paid from it. If you think I'd like your book (please don't be scared of me, I promise I don't bite!) email me at: booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm sorry everyone, but I'm leaving for a week again! This time, I'm going somewhere in North Carolina for a mission trip with my church youth group. We are going to be working on/building houses for poor people, leading bible studies for little kids, singing choir for churches, and so much more. It would be great if you guys could pray for us - for safety, and to lead others to Christ.
I won't be able to get online until I get back, which will be on July 19. I hope everyone continues to comment and view my site, though! Lately, I've lost so many readers/followers that it puts me in a mood that I don't even want to post anymore. I mean, what's the point? If no one even looks at it.
Anyways - I'll try to post more once I get back! I know I've been slacking a little lately. Adios everyone :]
This week's WoW book is Second Skin by Jessica Wollman! It will be released on July 14, 2009.
Description from Amazon:
Beauty is only skin deep. Popularity goes much deeper. . .
Appearances can be deceiving. Sam Klein’s found that out firsthand. All she wanted was to be popular. But sometimes what we want is the absolute worst thing for us. Sam discovers that Kylie, It-girl of Woodlawn High, owes her popular status not to her expensive clothes, highlighted hair, and spot on the cheerleading squad but to a magical second skin. Nobody can actually see it—but they can feel it. And if you’re wearing the skin, you feel incredible. Invincible. Popularity is yours. So Sam stole the skin from Kylie. Now she’s the most popular girl at school, while Kylie’s social life takes a serious hit. Sam can barely recognize herself. Her old geek clique is history—but are her new friends really people she can count on? The skin is clinging tighter to her each day . . . can Sam get it off before it’s too late?
I think this book's plot seems very interesting. RELEASED ON JULY 14, 2009!
We all know the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." But to me, a cover has a big impact on the book. It's what makes me either pick it up on the bookstore shelves, or just walk on by.
So tell me. If you saw this book, The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott, would you pick it up off the shelves to take a closer look? Or just ignore it?
If I saw this book at a bookstore or library, I would walk on by. It doesn't really catch my attention or stand out to me. However I like the turquoise color outline and the symbols are pretty interesting. But it's only after reading the summary of the book that makes me want to read it. Just looking at the cover, it doesn't look like it would be a young adult adventure/fantasy book.
(Originally by The Story Siren, as "In My Mailbox.") On My Bookshelf is used to share what books I bought from the store, won, or got from the library this week. It's by no means to brag, just to let you know what to expect for me to read/review next.
Five Minutes More by Darlene Ryan! I won this book from a book blogger's site, and had never heard about it before. It was published on April 1 this year so it is still a new book. This is young adult and you can read about it here.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer! I have been dying to read this book for a long time, but they don't have it at my library. So I got it on paperbackswap.com! You can read all about this young adult/science fiction book here. It looks great, and I'll be sure to review it.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult! I always like to read a book before watching its movie, so I scrambled to get my hands on a copy of this book from paperbackswap.com. Since the movie came out at the end of June, I'm hoping to read this book soon so I can watch it at the theater. Here is a summary of the book.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen! Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw that this book was up for grabs on paperbackswap, I decided to get it. My friends really liked this book and I think I will too. It came out in February last year, and is a pretty thick paperback. You can read about the book here. I think it looks really good.
Always Watching by Brandilyn & Amberly Collins! I won this book from a 25 winners giveaway. I'm in no hurry to read it, but I still think it looks interesting considering it's a Christian mystery book and written by a mother and her daughter. It is young adult and came out on May 1 this year so it's a very new book. Here is a summary of it.
Slept Away by Julie Kraut! I won this book from a book blogger and really want to read it before summer ends since it's based in camp. I enjoy these kind of books, because I just love camping and it gets me in the mood. You can read about the book here. It's also a brand new book - published at the end of May this year. I think it looks cute.
Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita! This book went along with the giveaway for Slept Away. I also want to read this one during summer, too. You can read a summary of it. I really like this colorful/outdoorsy cover, it just makes me want to go to camp!
The Chosen One by Carol Williams! I won this book from ReviewerX's 50 winners giveaway. You can read about this young adult book here. It came out in May, also. I'm not in a hurry to read this one, but it still looks interesting and unlike anything else I've read. I like the cover, but for some reason I just can't stand the text. It doesn't seem to fit or look right. Hmm..
Well those are my books that I got this week! I'm so excited to start reading them and reviewing them. What are you guys reading?
