Waiting On Wednesday: Chopsticks

This week's WoW book is Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral! It will be released on October 13, 2011.

SUMMARY: Glory is a young piano prodigy. Frank is the boy who moves in next door. Over the years, their friendship blossoms into an undeniable romance. As Glory descends from stunning piano prodigy into a kind of madness, Frank's love becomes more and more unshakable. They both become hopelessly fixated on the song "Chopsticks". Part love story, part mystery, part visual collage, this novel is told through images as much as it's told through words. Ultimately the reader must decipher what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along.

This book sounds so unique and creative! I love how the authors incorporated art into it to help tell the story. I can't wait for its release. PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 13, 2011.

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: All These Things I've Done
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Published: September 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Future | Romance
Includes: Sensuality, Violence

First Lines: The night before Junior year - I was sixteen, barely - Gable Arsley said he wanted to sleep with me. Not in the distant or semidistant future either. Right then.

It's the year 2083, where chocolate and caffeine are illegal to have, and water is scarce. Anya Balanchine is the sixteen-year-old daughter of a famous crime leader who was murdered. So when her ex-boyfriend is poisoned by a chocolate bar that her family manufactures, all fingers point to Anya. As she struggles to clear her name and also take care of her dysfunctional family, she meets Win, who happens to be the son of a new government leader. And even though she's given direct orders not to date him, Anya seems to not be able to stay away from Win.

The novel had very strong, interesting characters that all played unique roles in the story. Leo, Anya's older brother, suffered a brain injury after a horrible car crash, so he's unfit as the guardian. He was very unpredictable, but I liked him because of his sweetness and innocence. Natty, Anya's younger sister, acted realistically for her age. Anya herself was a pretty strong and brave protagonist. I'm not sure what the main plot of the book was - because there were of course side plots - but it seemed like Win and Anya's relationship wasn't that drawn out. I didn't become immersed in it, and in fact, it felt a little forced at times. I was more interested in Anya's home life than her love life.

The book as a whole felt a little awkward...like it wasn't completely developed. I'm hoping that it's the beginning to a series, because I'd like to read more about this interesting world that the author created. I loved seeing how Zevin used all the NYC landmarks and gave them new purposes: the Statue of Liberty is now a youth detention center and museums became popular nightclubs. However, I was disappointed that the author never described how life became like that. It's like the reader was just supposed to understand and dive right in to the story right away, without any background information. The book dragged, especially from half way through to the end. There just wasn't a lot actually happening in the story to keep my interest. The summary of the book sounded so creative and the first few chapters really intrigued me, but after a while it just went downhill. If there will be a sequel, I'll probably check it out at some point, but I won't be jumping out of my seat to read it.

Cover Thoughts: I honestly don't understand the title of the book or why there is a numbered list on the cover. I do like the chocolate heart though!

Waiting On Wednesday: Deadly Cool

This week's WoW book is Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday! It will be released on October 11, 2011.

SUMMARY: First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously? As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim. I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

This cool cover caught my eye, and I love a good mystery book; can't wait to check this one out! PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 11, 2011.

Debutante of the Month: Leigh Fallon

de·but
-noun
A person's first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Welcome to author Leigh Fallon's debutante ball...

Leigh enters the ballroom wearing a simple, elegant, black dress. Escorting her is actor Jason Behr.

And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Leigh Fallon! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting this month with her book Carrier of the Mark.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís. But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Ooooh, I think I'd like my party to be in one of those ice hotels up in Scandinavia. You know, dance under an ice chandelier, with icy walls that are lit up with blue lights, giving the whole chilly cave effect. Then later, sleep on an ice bed lined in furs. Fabulous!

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet? Authors... ummmm. I'd have to say, JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and Jilly Cooper.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel? Coffee (and lots of it), cinnamon brown sugar poptarts are a bit of a weakness, tea (copious amounts), oh and toast...lots of toast. Nummy.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? I'd love to step into Elizabeth Bennett's shoes for day. I'd get to smooch Mr. Darcy, wear whale bone corsets and beautiful dresses, and I'd have a mom who got away with saying this like 'I admire all my three sons-in-law highly. Wickham, perhaps, is my favorite, but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.' Hahahaa!

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without? I hate to admit it, but my iPhone is surgically attached to my hand.

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life? REM - Everybody hurts. Gorgeous song that has stayed with me from when I was a younger. Love it.

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Megan from Carrier of the Mark! Megan, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in? Oh that would have to be where I evoked my power. Taking control, and being seriously bad ass. I don't get to be like that often. Wow! It was such a buzz.

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What have you learned from your experiences? I've had to come out of my shell a bit more, put myself out there. The publishing world is a tough place, with a lot of competition. People criticize, it's the nature of the business. You have to learn to not take things personally, to move on and not dwell on overly critical comments. In publishing promoting yourself as a person and as an author is a big part of your job. I always hated having my photo taken and being in videos, now I've learned to hold my head up and smile, just be myself.

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book? I've just finished the yet to be named sequel to Carrier of the Mark, and I have third book planned to complete the trilogy. I am also working on a stand alone title, and have another series brewing. All I need now is a second set of hands and endless time to do it all in. LOL.

To finish up this debutante ball, Leigh is generously giving out a party favor to one of her lucky guests! One blog follower will win a signed, finished copy of her book, The Carrier of the Mark, along with some swag!
Just fill out the form below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower. Ends on October 31. USA only. Two extra entries to those of you that spread the word about this interview & contest (via twitter, facebook, blogger post, sidebar, etc).

FIND LEIGH ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Twitter