YALC Readathon Guest Post: Katherine Woodfine talks YALC behind the scenes

Good morning readathoners! It's day one of the YALC Readathon and I hope that you're just as excited as I am to read some amazing books this week!

Throughout the readathon myself and my co-hosts Carly, Vicky and Michelle will be sharing guest posts from the YALC authors but today to kick the readathon off I have a very special guest post from Katherine Woodfine who works at Booktrust and is part of the team putting YALC together. She's here today to talk about how YALC came about and to give us an insiders look at what it takes to organize such a big book event. Without further ado it's over to Katherine.

YALC: the story so far by Katherine Woodfine

I’m lucky enough to manage the Children’s Laureate programme at Booktrust – which currently, of course, means working with the fabulous 2013-2015 Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Malorie Blackman.

But if that alone wasn’t enough of a treat, I’m also currently organising Malorie’s major Laureate project – the UK’s first Young Adult Literature Convention! Today I’m here to tell you the inside story of YALC, and how the event came about.

When Malorie was appointed as Laureate in June 2013, one of the key things she wanted to do was ‘make reading irresistible’ to young people. With research showing that only 3 in 10 young people read daily out of class, and a fifth of young people saying they’d be embarrassed if a friend saw them reading, she knew she wanted to change perceptions and get ‘more young people reading more’ – but how?

As it happened, the UK’s Young Adult publishers had already been talking about an exciting new idea to put a spotlight on books for young people. Inspired by events in the USA, they wanted to hold the UK’s first YA Lit Con, and had even had some conversations with Showmasters (the organisation behind London Film and Comic Con) about hosting it – but they were short of someone to take the project forward.

As the first Laureate primarily known for writing for teens and young adults, Malorie was the perfect person to step in – and the Children’s Laureate team were on hand and ready to help make the event happen!

Our first job was to go along to LFCC and conduct some ‘research’. We went along for the day with Malorie and had a brilliant time – celebrity spotting in the Green Room, admiring the incredible outfits, and Malorie even had her photo taken in the Iron Throne. We all loved it and knew that LFCC would be the perfect home for the event, where books could sit alongside films, TV and comics.

So far, so good. But to get an event as ambitious of YALC off the ground, we knew we would need a lot of help. Enter the Young Adult publishers – as well as getting lots of advice from them, we also recruited a fantastic YALC Committee of publisher enthusiasts to help us with all the planning. Our brilliant Children’s Laureate PR agency Riot Communications came on board, and Laureate sponsors Waterstones confirmed they would be able to provide a bookshop for the event. We were also delighted to be able to secure additional support for YALC from Prudential Plc, as well as the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society.

We got the ball rolling by inviting all the UK’s YA publishers to suggest topics and authors, and then we started work with Malorie to put the programme together. This was the really hard part - there were so many brilliant ideas and fantastic authors put forward that we could easily have planned a whole week of events, never mind just a weekend!

We announced plans for YALC at the Winter 2013 LFCC, with a special event with Malorie and three other YA authors - Anthony McGowan, Lucy Christopher and Meg Rosoff. The event was great, but it was even more exciting to see the explosion of excitement about YALC from authors, bloggers and readers.

Several months, many meetings, and an insane number of emails and spreadsheets later, we’re now (whisper it…) just a few weeks away from YALC itself!

Our full schedule for the event has been revealed, including 50 amazing authors and a host of industry experts. We have panel events covering everything from fantasy to horror to how to get published; workshop sessions where you can get tips on writing, creating comics, and even pitch your work to agents; and of course, book signings with all our participating authors. There will be lots of books to buy in our YALC bookshop provided by Waterstones – and of course there will be all kinds of other fun book activities and surprise goings-on to enjoy throughout the weekend!

We hope that YALC will offer something for everyone, from the chance to meet megastar authors to the opportunity to hear from new voices and discover exciting debuts. We want the event to be an amazing experience for all those who love books – but also a great way to show those who might not currently be keen readers just how exciting and inspiring YA books can be!

All you need to come along to YALC and join the fun is a pass to LFCC – find out more here. But if you can’t make it, don’t despair – we’ll be photographing, filming and live-tweeting throughout the event, and sharing as much as we can online. Follow us on Twitter @yalc_uk for all the latest news.

Planning the event has been a real learning curve – but one that we hope will conclude with an amazingly fun and memorable event for everyone, which will help create a buzz around reading for young people, and shine a spotlight on YA books.

 Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today Katherine! 

Only just heard about the readathon? No worries! There is still time to sign up here.

Exclusive Reveal! The Manifesto on How to be Interesting by Holly Bourne‏

So if you've followed the blog for a while you'll know that I've been a huge supporter of Holly Bourne's since before the publication of her debut novel Soulmates and so it's such an honor today to be exclusively revealing the title, cover and synopsis for her upcoming book *drum roll...*

The Manifesto on How to be Interesting

I absolutely love this bright coral neon cover and sprayed edges! It's definetely going to catch eyes in bookshops! And here's the synopsis for the book which sounds just as fab as the cover!

The Manifesto on How to be Interesting is a fearlessly frank take on school cliques, crushes and fitting in.

Bree is a loser, a wannabe author who hides behind words. But when she’s told she needs to start living a life worth writing about, The Manifesto on How to be Interesting is born. Six steps on how to be interesting. Six steps that will see her infiltrate the popular set, fall in love with someone forbidden and make the biggest mistake of her life.

Sounds great, right? So I bet you're wondering when you can get your grabby hands, that I just know you're all making at the screen, on a copy. Good news! The publication date has been brought forward to 1st August 2014.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL! 

If you're a fan of Holly's then you probably already know that she'll be at YALC on Saturday 12th July and I'm excited to reveal that copies of The Manifesto on How to be Interesting will be joining her! The book will be on sale early so fans attending YALC will be the first people to be able to buy and read the book.

 Do let both myself and Holly know what you think either in the comments or on Twitter @Jessheartsbooks and @holly_bourneYA 

Find out more about Holly and her books on her website www.hollybourne.co.uk

The YALC Readathon Sign Ups: Read the books before you meet the authors!

The YALC Readathon is a brand new readathon being hosted by myself, Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea, Carly at Writing from the Tub and Michelle at Fluttering Butterflies that will take place between the 23rd-29th June 2014 starting and ending at midnight in whichever time zone you’re in.
 

What is the YALC Readathon?
If you haven’t heard of YALC yet where have you been!? It’s the first Young Adult convention happening in the UK and in case you haven’t heard about it you can find out more here.

There are so many fantastic authors attending and I wanted to try to read as many of their books before I meet them at YALC. I noticed on Twitter that a lot of people felt the same way and so the idea of hosting a readathon was born.

The YALC Readathon is dedicating a week to reading as many books by YALC authors as possible. A list of the authors attending can be found here. We’re also planning plenty of fun stuff during that week and are collaborating with the authors and people behind YALC to bring you guest posts and a Twitter chat which will take place on Thursday 26th June at 7pm UK time.

If you’re attending YALC this is a great opportunity to read the books before you meet the authors and to discuss their books with other readers. However if you’re not attending YALC but would like to join in anyway then please do feel free to take part!

Sounds great, how do I join in? 
To sign up share your intention to join us along with our image on your blog, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Goodreads etc; then post the URL in the linky below.

If you have goals and a TBR in mind feel free to share them! This isn’t mandatory.

When talking about the readathon on social media please use the hashtag #YALCReadathon so we can all follow each other’s updates and progress.


That’s it! I hope that you’ll join us! If you have any questions feel free to ask me in the comments. In the meantime here is my own TBR, I doubt I’ll get around to all of these but I have an amazing pile to choose from and I’m looking forward to seeing how many I can read!

My Most Anticipated Books of 2014 Part 3: UKYA

It's time for the third and final part of my Most Anticipated Books of 2014 series! So far I've discussed debuts, standalones and first books in a new series in Part One and sequels and series endings in Part Two. Today in this final instalment I'm going to be sharing with you the top ten UKYA 2014 releases that I'm the most looking forward to. Being a UK based book blogger I really like to support authors from the UK - we have some very talented writers over here! And these are just a handful of the gems that I'm looking forward to reading. In no particular order here are the books!

Half Bad by Sally Green 
Series: Book One in the Half Life Trilogy 
Coming: March 3rd 2014 
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Synopsis: You can't read, can't write, but you heal fast, even for a witch. You get sick if you stay indoors after dark. You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one. You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen. All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys. And do that before your seventeenth birthday.

In modern-day England, witches live alongside humans: White witches, who are good; Black witches, who are evil; and fifteen-year-old Nathan, who is both. Nathan’s father is the world’s most powerful and cruel Black witch, and his mother is dead. He is hunted from all sides. Trapped in a cage, beaten and handcuffed, Nathan must escape before his sixteenth birthday, at which point he will receive three gifts from his father and come into his own as a witch—or else he will die. But how can Nathan find his father when his every action is tracked, when there is no one safe to trust—not even family, not even the girl he loves?
Why I Want to Read it – Erm, have you read the synopsis? As well as it sounding freaking awesome the publishers are VERY excited about this one and there has been a lot of early buzz already. It sounds like Half Bad is going to be HUGE so you definitely want this one on your radar!

Say Her Name by James Dawson 
Series: None 
Coming: June 5th 2014 
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Synopsis: Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe is not the kind of person who believes in ghosts. A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of 'Bloody Mary': say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear... But, surprise surprise, nothing happens. Or does it? Next morning, Bobbie finds a message on her bathroom mirror... five days... but what does it mean? And who left it there? Things get increasingly weird and more terrifying for Bobbie and Naya, until it becomes all too clear that Bloody Mary was indeed called from the afterlife that night, and she is definitely not a friendly ghost. Bobbie, Naya and Caine are now in a race against time before their five days are up and Mary comes for them, as she has come for countless others before...
Why I Want to Read it – There is something about the Bloody Mary legend that makes me not ever want to try saying her name in front of a mirror - even as an adult! I read my first James Dawson book 'Cruel Summer' this year and absolutely loved it so I can't wait for more from him! Plus, the cover is awesome!

Shadowplay by Laura Lam 
Series: Book Two in the Micah Grey series 
Coming: 2nd January 2014 
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Why I Want to Read it – I haven't shared the synopsis for this one as it's the sequel to Pantomime a book I read and loved earlier this year. This is a UKYA Fantasy series and it's so different to anything else that I've read before! If I had to describe it I'd say that it's like a YA version of The Night Circus but with more issues and themes. I have this one on my Kindle from Netgalley and I can't wait to see what happens to Micah next!

A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke 
Series: None 
Coming: April 3rd 2014 
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Synopsis: When Alex meets Kate the attraction is instant. Alex is funny, good-looking, and a little shy – everything that Kate wants in a boyfriend. Alex can’t help falling for Kate, who is pretty, charming and maybe just a little naive… But one of them is hiding a secret, and as their love blossoms, it threatens to ruin not just their relationship, but their lives.
Why I Want to Read it – The synopsis for this one is pretty brief but Cat Clarke is one of my favourite UKYA authors and I'd read anything she writes without question. If you haven't read one of her books yet I'd urge you to, especially 'Undone' which is my favourite of hers so far.

The Fearless by Emma Pass 
Series: None 
Coming: 24th April 2014 
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Synopsis: The Fearless. An army, powered by an incredible new serum that makes each soldier stronger, sharper, faster than their enemies. Intended as a force for good, the serum has a terrible side-effect - anyone who takes it is stripped of all humanity, empathy, love. And as the Fearless sweep through the country, forcing the serum on anyone in their path, society becomes a living nightmare. Cass remembers the night they passed through her village. Her father was Altered. Her mother died soon after. All Cass has left is her little brother - and when Jori is snatched by the Fearless and taken to their hellish lair, Cass must risk everything to get him back.
Why I Want to Read it – I LOVE the sound of this one. I still have ACID to read from this author which I'll have to get around to. I'm in a bit of a dystopian slump at the moment and I'm starting to go off the genre a bit so hopefully this one will make me fall in love all over again!

Dark Days by Kate Ormand 
Series: None 
Coming: June 3rd 2014 
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Synopsis: The future world has been divided into sectors-each the same as the other. Surrounded by thick steel fences, there is no way in and no way out. Yet a cyborg army penetrates each sector, picking off its citizens one by one, until no one is left. Behind the sectors' thick walls, the citizens wait to die. Few will be chosen to survive what's coming; the rest will be left behind to suffer. A new world has been created, and its rulers are incredibly selective on who will become a citizen. They want only those with important roles in society to help create a more perfect future. 

Sixteen-year-old Sia lives in one of the sectors as part of a family that is far too ordinary to be picked to live. According to the digital clock that towers high above her sector, she has only fifteen days to live. Sia has seen the reports and knows a horrific death is in store for her, but she is determined to make the most of her final days. Sia refuses to mourn her short life, instead promising herself that she'll stay strong, despite being suffocated by her depressed mother and her frightened best friend. Just when Sia feels more alone than ever, she meets Mace, a mysterious boy. There is something that draws Sia to him, despite his dangerousness, and together, they join a group of rebels and embark on an epic journey to destroy the new world and its machines, and to put an end to the slaughter of innocent people.
Why I Want to Read it – Yes, yes and yes. From the synopsis alone this one is ticking all of the right boxes for me. Give me cyborgs, corrupt rulers, immanent death and a strong heroine and you have got me intrigued! We're still waiting on a cover for this one but boy, am I excited!

Shattered by Teri Terry 
Series: Book Three in the Slated series 
Coming: March 6th 2014 
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Why I Want to Read it - This is the last book in the Slated series which is why I haven't included a synopsis. I'm so excited to see how everything ends for Kyla and I'm so glad that I don't have that long left to wait! Also this is my favourite cover of the series yet! 




The Worst Girlfriend in the World by Sarra Manning 
Series: None 
Coming: 1st May 2014 
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Synopsis: Alice Jenkins is the worst girlfriend in the world according to the many, many boys who've shimmied up lampposts and shoplifted from New Look to impress her, only to be dumped when she gets bored of them. Alice has a very low boredom threshold. But she never gets bored with Franny, her best friend since they met at nursery school. Friends are for ever. Ain't nothing going to come between them. Girls rule, boys drool is their motto.

Well, it's Alice's motto, Franny doesn't have much time for boys; they're all totes immature and only interested in one thing. But then there's Louis Allen, lead singer of Thee Desperadoes, the best band in Merrycliffe-on-sea (though that could be because they're the only band in Merrycliffe-on-sea). He's a tousle-haired, skinny-jeaned, sultry-eyed manchild, the closest thing that Franny's ever seen to the hipsters that she's read about on the internet and she's been crushing on him HARD for the last three years. She's never worked up the courage to actually speak to him but she's sure on some deeper level that goes beyond mere words, Louis absolutely knows that she's his soulmate. He just doesn't know that he knows it yet. It's why he cops off with so many other girls. So, when Alice, bored with callow youths, sets her sights on Louis it threatens to tear the girls' friendship apart, even though they're better than fighting over a boy. They strike a devil's deal - may the best girl win. Best friends become bitter rivals and everything comes to an explosive conclusion on their first trip to London. Can true friendship conquer all?
Why I Want to Read it - I love Sarra Manning and have been reading her books since I was a teenager so I'm really excited for this one! I'm really intrigued to see where Sarra takes this one with the best friends VS boy debacle.

Heart Break Girl by Malorie Blackman 
Series: Sequel to Boys Don't Cry 
Coming: March 6th 2014 
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Why I Want to Read it - I absolutely loved Boys Don't Cry when it came out in 2010 and four years later we're getting a sequel! I can't wait to be back with these characters again although, from the synopsis, I'm worried this one might break my heart! I'm counting down the days!

Trouble by Non Pratt 
Series: None 
Coming: March 6th 2014 
Add to Goodreads 
Synopsis: A boy. A girl. A bump. Trouble. Hannah’s smart and funny ... she’s also fifteen and pregnant. Aaron is new at school and doesn’t want to attract attention. So why does he offer to be the pretend dad to Hannah’s unborn baby? Growing up can be trouble but that’s how you find out what really matters.
Why I Want to Read it - I've heard really good things about this one and am really excited to have a proof copy waiting to be read! I love my contemporaries and am looking forward to checking this one out! Also I salute the publishers for the cover choice!


So there you have it! I hope you guys have enjoyed this little mini series and that I've managed to add some books to your wishlist! Now all that's left to do is wait for 2014 to roll around so that we can finally get on to some of these brilliant sounding books! Which UKYA book are you most anticipating reading in 2014?

My Most Anticipated Books of 2014 Part 2: Sequels

Welcome to the second part of my Most Anticipated Books of 2014 series! Last Friday I was talking about debuts, standalones and first books in a new series. If for some reason you missed it the post can be found here. Today I'll be sharing the ten sequels that are being released in 2014 that I'm the most excited about. I won't be including the synopsis for the books this time around because I don't want to accidentally spoil anybody who isn't up to date with any of these series' or hasn't had the chance to check them out yet. Without further ado, in no particular order, here are my top ten most anticipated sequels!

Cress by Marissa Meyer 

Series: Book 3 in The Lunar Chronicles 

Coming February 4th 2014 

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I'm such a huge fan of this series and Rapunzel is one of my favourite fairytales! Already from the synopsis I think that Marissa's unique spin on this sounds amazing and I'm so glad that I only have to wait until early February to get my hands on a copy!

Split Second by Kasie West 

Series: Book 2 in the Pivot Point Series 

Coming February 11th 2014 

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I absolutely fell in love with both Pivot Point and a certain boy earlier this year and after that ending that broke my heart I have been desperate to get my hands on this book to find out what will happen next! Luckily there's not long left to wait!

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins 

Series: Book 3 in the Anna and the French Kiss Trilogy 

Coming May 13th 2014 

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We have waited for this book for so long guys! So long! It's been pushed back and pushed back but hopefully this time it will finally be released next May. Stephanie wrote a really brave and personal post on why the book was pushed back here. I love Stephanie's books and can't wait for Isla's story as well as checking in with Lola, Cricket, Anna and Étienne. I'm also ridiculously excited that Stephanie now has a UK publisher in Usborne and that all of her books will be out in the UK next year.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 

Series: Book 6 in The Mortal Instruments 

Coming May 27th 2014 

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I know this is a big one for many people. I'm nervous and excited to see what's going to go down and just hope that Cassandra Clare doesn't break my heart! Although I do like this series I LOVE The Infernal Devices on a whole other level and if you've read Clockwork Princess then you'll know why I can't wait to get my hands on this!

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor 

Series: Book 3 in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy 

Coming April 8th 2014 

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This doesn't have an official UK cover yet so I'm using the US one for now. This is one of my favourite series ever and I can not wait to see how it all ends! War, Love, Magic - if this is as good as the other two in the series then this is going to be a stunning finale and I absolutely love the title!

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 

Series: Book 3 in the Mara Dyer Trilogy 

Coming June 10th 2014 

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This is another book that has been pushed back and the summer of 2014 still feels like such a long wait for us poor Mara Dyer fans! I love how different this series is and I adore Noah Shaw. I have heard next to nothing about what this book will be about yet (other than it's the last book in the trilogy) and I feel so teased!

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo 

Series: Book 3 in The Grisha Series 

Coming June 3rd 2014 

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You all know what a huge supporter I am of this series! It's one of my all-time favourite Fantasy series and Ruin and Rising is one of the books I am coveting the hardest in this list!

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead 

Series: Book 5 in the Bloodlines Series 

Coming July 29th 2014 

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Richelle Mead has been one of my favourite authors for years so naturally this was going to be on my list regardless, but after reading The Fiery Heart with that ending I can't begin to tell you how much my soul needs Silver Shadows! Two words: Sydrian Feels!

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey 

Series: Book 2 in The 5th Wave Series 

Coming May 6th 2014 

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The 5th Wave is one of the best books I read this year and I am already so excited for the sequel! The 5th Wave ticked all the right boxes for me with developed and likeable characters, a terrifying world and beautiful writing. I'm hoping for more of the same from The Infinite Sea!

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray 

Series: Book 2 in The Diviners Series 

Coming August 5th 2014 

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I really enjoyed The Diviners when I read it last year and have been looking forward to the second book for the longest time. It reminds me a little of The Infernal Devices so if you like that series I'd recommend checking this one out! I really hope the UK gets a different cover because I don't like this one - the first book was so pretty! 

Are any of these books on your sequels wishlist for 2014? Which sequels are you most looking forward to? Stop by the blog at the same time next week for the final part in this series where I'll be talking about the UKYA releases in 2014 that I'm pining for!

My Most Anticipated Books of 2014 Part 1: Debut, Stand Alone and First in a Series

So last year I did a little post talking about what new book releases I was looking forward to in the coming year and a lot of you seemed to love it! So I've decided to bring it back again this year, only bigger and better! This is going to be a three part series which will all together showcase the top 30 books that I'm excited to read in 2014.

For today's post we'll be looking at books that are either the first in a new series, a debut or a stand alone. I actually think that this is the list that I'm the most excited about because there is always something so exciting about new characters, new worlds, and new authors! You never know what you'll discover. Here are my top ten books in no particular order...

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski 
Coming March 4th 2014 
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Synopsis: As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.
Why I Want to Read it – I stumbled across this one on Goodreads the other week and okay, I'll admit, the thing that first drew me in was the gorgeous cover! But then I read the synopsis and it sounds like something I would love! This world sounds really interesting and I'm glad I only have to wait until March for it to be released!

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira 
Coming April 1st 2014 
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Synopsis: It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.
Why I Want to Read it – I actually got approved for this on Netgalley and then noticed that there was no send to kindle button! *Sobs* This sounds like a gorgeous debut and it has a quote on the cover from Stephen Chbosky - nuff said!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell 
Coming July 8th 2014 
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Synopsis: Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now. Maybe that was always besides the point. Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her. When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . . Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?
Why I Want to Read it – Two words: Rainbow Rowell. I have read and loved all of Rainbow's books this year and have vowed to read anything she writes. Also, this one sounds super interesting!

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
Coming April 15th 2014 
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Synopsis: Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash. But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?
Why I Want to Read it – I'm a sucker for a good thriller and Jennifer is an insanely popular author right now so I have really high hopes for this one.

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith 
Coming April 15th 2014 
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Synopsis: Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father. Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met. A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.
Why I Want to Read it – HOW CUTE DOES IT SOUND!!!??? Jennifer E. Smith writes the CUTEST contemporary romances and this one sounds like THE CUTEST OF THEM ALL!!! Also, New York. And also, Edinburgh.

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings 
Coming June 10th 2014 
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis: An action-packed, blood-soaked, futuristic debut thriller set in a world where the murder rate is higher than the birthrate. Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision. The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?
Why I Want to Read it – This is another promising sounding debut. I'm starting to tire of the dystopian genre but I really like the sound of this one, it sounds bloody and brutal and there are assassins so it should be an exciting read!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 
Coming April 22nd 2014 
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
Why I Want to Read it – Jenny Han is one of my favourite authors for Contemporary YA and this one sounds so good! There's something so romantic about love letters so the synopsis has me desperate to read this one!

The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan 
Coming March 13th 2014 
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis: Polly Waterford is recovering from a toxic relationship. Unable to afford their townhouse, she has to move miles away from everyone, to the sleepy little seaside resort of Polbearne, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop. And so Polly takes out her frustrations on her favourite hobby: making bread. But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local bee keeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes . . . And people start to hear about it. Sometimes, bread really is life . . . And Polly is about to reclaim hers.
Why I Want to Read it – I love Jenny's books and read them without question. She's covered sweets, cakes, chocolate and now she's on to...bread. Okay, so admittedly that doesn't sound as exciting as her previous books, however I love the sound of the plot and Jenny hasn't failed me yet!

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 
Coming January 28th 2014 
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis: Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart. Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him. With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people. But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
Why I Want to Read it – Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast? Yes please! I love fairytale re-tellings and Beauty and the Beast is my favourite so naturally I am all over this!

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick 
Coming April 15th 2014 
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis: Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.
Why I Want to Read it – I looovvveeeddd My Life Next Door by this author and am looking forward to this one for a fun summertime romance. Also the cover is so gorgeous!

Okay, after writing this post I now officially can't wait for 2014 to get here already! I hope some of these books have sparked your interest - they all sound so good! I'd love for you to share the debuts, stand alones, and first in a series books that you're looking forward to in the comments so that I can find even more to add to my ever growing wishlist! Make sure you stop by the blog again next week for Part 2 of My Most Anticipated Books of 2014 series - next time I'll be talking sequels!

Book Trailer: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

So my blogger friend Casey makes these incredible book trailers on her Youtube channel The Bitter Productions and I wanted to share with you guys her most recent for one of Bloomsbury's big summer titles All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill! Rave reviews for this book have already been flooding in and watching this trailer has me even more excited to check this book out! In case you haven't heard about All Our Yesterdays yet here is the synopsis:

"Em is locked in a bare, cold cell with no comforts. Finn is in the cell next door. The Doctor is keeping them there until they tell him what he wants to know. Trouble is, what he wants to know hasn't happened yet. Em and Finn have a shared past, but no future unless they can find a way out. The present is torture - being kept apart, overhearing each other's anguish as the Doctor relentlessly seeks answers. There's no way back from here, to what they used to be, the world they used to know. Then Em finds a note in her cell which changes everything. It's from her future self and contains some simple but very clear instructions. Em must travel back in time to avert a tragedy that's about to unfold. Worse, she has to pursue and kill the boy she loves to change the future."

 The Trailer

   

 All Our Yesterdays will be out August 1st 2013 and you can pre-order your copy here! Give Casey @DarkReaders and Hooked on Books @hooked_books a tweet and let them know what you think of the trailer! I know they'd love to hear from you guys!

Win a Copy of Icons by Margaret Stohl! (UK Only)

To celebrate the upcoming publication of Margaret Stohl’s (one of the best-selling authors behind Beautiful Creatures!) Icons the UK publishers are providing me with one copy of the book to giveaway to one of my UK readers (sorry to any international readers this was at the request of the publishers as they are the ones providing the book.) In case this book isn’t on your radar yet here is what it’s about…

 

Goodreads Synopsis

"Your heart beats only with their permission. Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting. Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid. She's different. She survived. Why? When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy. Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths. Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future."

The Trailer

 

Rules 

To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter 

 Open to UK residents only 

 End date: Friday 26th April 2013 

 Winner will be contacted by email and will have 1 week to reply else another winner will be selected. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marissa Meyer UK visit! Find out about her next book Cress in my interview, and win some signed Lunar Chronicle goodies!

Hold on to your androids UK Marissa Meyer fans! As I not only come in peace but revealing exciting news! Marissa (author of Cinder and Scarlet - books one and two in the Lunar Chronicles) will be visiting the UK for the first time at the end of this month! Hurrah! The time and place? March 26, 6:00p.m., at Waterstones Bromley. There will be an author talk, signing, and Q&A and she’d love to meet you guys! Marissa asked for my help spreading the word on my blog and she was kind enough to take the time to answer some of my burning questions and put together a giveaway for you guys too but more on that later. For now I’d like to welcome Marissa to the blog as she talks about the next book in the series Cress, planning the end of the series and her favourite character to write about…

Click on the image to go to the facebook page!

 

Interview with Marissa Meyer 

1.) Your books feature a lot of different characters, who is your favourite to write about? 
Probably Captain Thorne. He's this great mix of suave and arrogant, hilarious and obnoxious, and I'm never entirely sure what he's going to do or say next, which is always fun for a writer. I also like to think of him as a mix of Captains Mal Reynolds and Han Solo, so writing him is like paying homage to some of my favorite characters of all time.

I love Captain Thorne too! He's so funny.

2.) What is your favourite fairytale and re-telling?
It's so difficult to choose just one! I love Disney movies, but I'm also fascinated by the dark, eerie versions of fairy tales that don't show up in many of our movies or retellings today. So while I ADORED Tangled, I also love the Grimm version of Rapunzel in which the prince gets his eyes stabbed out by thorns. I feel like there's a place for both types of tales in our storytelling.

I'm always so shocked to see how morbid and dark the original tales are compared to the Disney re-tellings!

3.) Is it difficult to take such a well-known story and make it your own?
I think for me the most difficult part was finding a way to retell it that would make it my own. I'd tried writing retellings before this but they were always too similar to what other authors or creators were already doing, so I never finished them. But when I finally landed on the concept for The Lunar Chronicles, taking popular fairy tales and giving them a futuristic spin, I knew that was the story I wanted to tell. I love how I can use the basic story archetypes to craft something that seems familiar, while still writing a story that, to me, feels brand new and unique. I hope readers feel the same way!

We certainly do! It's so clever how you create a new spin on these old tales that have been re-told countless times. 

4.) Do you know how the series will end? Do you write towards it? Or see how the story unfolds?
Oh yes, I've had all four books planned out since before I wrote a single word. I'm one of those neurotic planner types! And I've had a draft of Book 4: WINTER written since early 2011, so while there's still a LOT of revision that needs to happen, I do have a very good idea of where everything is headed. It helps a lot with foreshadowing and set-up.

*Fan-girls and try's to think of a way to bribe the ending out of Marissa* 

5.) What can readers expect from the next book in the series?
Book 3: CRESS is my retelling of Rapunzel, but instead of being stuck in a tower, Cress is trapped in a satellite orbiting Earth. She also happens to be a master computer hacker and she's been forced to spy on the leaders of the Earthen Union and report back to Queen Levana for years. However, she's become an Earthen sympathizer and is now working to find a way to escape her imprisonment and help Cinder in her plot to save the world.

I am excited! I LOVE the sound of this one already.

 Thanks for stopping by the blog Marissa! 

As if all that excitement wasn’t enough Marissa is providing ONE swag pack for ONE lucky UK winner (sorry International people but with the visit being in the UK we wanted to keep the emphasis on that! We still love you :) ) which will include bookmarks, stickers, temporary tattoos, and signed book plates. To win this fantastic prize simply read the rules and fill in the rafflecopter, good luck!

Rules 
*  To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter
*  Open to UK residents only
*  End date: Sunday 24th March 2013
* Winner will be contacted by email and will have 1 week to reply else another winner will be selected.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stunning Cover Reveals From Gayle Forman, Lauren Kate, L.A. Weatherly and More!

There has been an abundance of stunning cover reveals lately so I wanted to group together a few of my favourites from authors I love to share with you guys in case you haven't seen them yet so we can fangirl together!

  Just One Year by Gayle Forman

My Thoughts: So at first I was kinda disappointed in this cover. I really wanted a mirror image of the last book with Willem wearing the watch in the cafe and although I still personally think that would make for the BEST cover I'm still a fan of this one. It's beautifully simple and understated like Just One Day and I love the reflections in the window like the last book. Just One Day is my favourite book of 2013 so far so needless to say I can't wait for this one!

  

Teardrop by Lauren Kate 

My Thoughts: Lauren Kate really lucks out in her book covers. Her Fallen series are some of my favourite book covers ever so her new novel Teardrop had a lot to live up to and whilst it's really different to the Fallen series it's just as beautiful and is probably my favourite cover reveal of this bundle. I adore the colours used, and the magical looking city in the background, but most of all the water dress. HER DRESS IS MADE OUT OF WATER! So stunning.

 

Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly 

My Thoughts: Lee's Angel trilogy is my favourite out of the angel series that are out there and I can't wait for this final instalment! Seb joins Alex and Willow on this final cover and he looks very similar to how I imagine him. Like with Teardrop I love the colours used for the background on this one.

 

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 

My Thoughts: Another final book to one of my favourite series! I'm a huge fan of the Mara Dyer covers. I still remember when I saw the cover for the first book and I was all of a flail over it. The way Noah is clutching Mara and with them hitting the bottom of the water now just seems so fitting for the final book and I absolutely love it!

 

Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne 

My Thoughts: I loved Tanya Byrne's Heart-Shaped Bruise and have been eagerly anticipating her next release. I think the cover works really well with this title as it looks like we're following the character into this dark forest. I love the colour of the Autumn leaves framing the image and think the bright orange gives a pop of colour to a gloomy cover whilst still keeping the dark and spooky theme.

These are the covers that have really stood out to me lately and they are all books that I'm really looking forward to being released. Are you loving any of these beauties? Which one is your favourite? I can't wait for them all to be released so that they can look gorgeous on our bookshelves!

Giveaway for Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black! (UK/ Ireland Only)

Hello lovelies! Today I wanted to bring to your attention an exciting upcoming February release that I am really looking forward to Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black which is being published in the UK on the 12th February by Bloomsbury. This book is being pitched as Black Swan meets Gossip Girl and I can’t wait to read it! And thanks to the publisher I have one proof copy to giveaway to one of my UK readers but in case this book isn’t on your radar yet here’s a little bit more about it…

Synopsis
"Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .

Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

Black Swan meets Gossip Girl in this thrilling first book in a new series. Sexy, sinister and full of secrets, readers will be hooked on Dance of Shadows from the first page. Look out for the sequel in 2014."

 Watch the stunning trailer! 

You can also like the Facebook page, add to your Goodreads wishlists, or even download the first three chapters for free from Amazon UK to get a taste for the book! For your chance to win simply read these rules and enter the Rafflecopter good luck! 

Rules 

To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter 

Open to UK/Ireland residents only 

End date: January 24th 2013 

Winner will be contacted by email and will have 1 week to reply else another winner will be selected.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Most Anticipated Books of 2013!

It’s that time of year again! Christmas is approaching, the 2013 titles are flooding in, and my 2012 to be read pile is dwindling so it’s time to turn my attention to the new upcoming books which publishers have me drooling over in the year to come. Whilst this list is only a very small fraction of the books I’m looking forward to I wanted to do a post featuring the ones I’m most looking forward to and that I think should be on your radar too! I’m going to be finishing off the year with the last few books on my TBR pile and I’m so looking forward to January and the coming months to getting around to some of these pretties! So here they are in no particular order…

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay 
Coming June 4th 2013 by Atria Books
Synopsis
I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk. 

 Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Why I Want to Read it – The synopsis for this completely sucked me in and the few bloggers that have already read it are already dishing out the 5 stars for it!

Pantomime by Laura Lam 
Coming February 5th 2013 by Strange Chemistry
Synopsis 
R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

 Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

 But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

Why I Want to Read it – Once again I’ve already heard amazing things from a few of my favourite bloggers. I love my Fantasy and this one sounds really different!

The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris 
Coming January 17th 2013 by Simon and Schuster
Synopsis 
How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you? Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future? And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye?

This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they'd be together forever. Six years and thousands of kisses later she's married to the man she loves. But today, when Ryan kisses her, Molly realises how many of them she wasted because the future holds something which neither of them could have ever predicted…

Why I Want to Read it – I recently read and adored Miracle on Regent Street this author’s debut it was my favourite chick-lit novel of the year so I’m expecting great things from this one.

Pivot Point by Kasie West 
Coming February 12th 2013 by HarperTeen
Synopsis 
Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . . 

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Why I Want to Read it – I haven’t heard much about this one yet but the synopsis sounds so interesting that I can’t wait to give it a read!

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Coming January 22nd 2013 by Hyperion
Synopsis 
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

 Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. 

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

 Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

Why I Want to Read it – I got a sneak peak of this on Netgalley and it looks incredible. I’m really interested by the idea and have heard Victoria’s writing is amazing.

Dead Romantic by C.J. Skuse
Coming February 4th 2013 by Chicken House
Synopsis 
Camille wants to find the perfect boy, with an athlete's body and a poet's brain. But when she's mocked at a college party, she kows there isn't a boy alive who'll ever measure up. Enter Zoe, her brilliant but strange best friend, who takes biology homework to a whole new level. She can create Camille's dream boy, Frankenstein-stylee. But can she make him love her?

Why I Want to Read it – I love CJ’s books and have been anticipating this one for some time. As I said to her on twitter it sounds brilliantly barmy!

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Coming January 8th 2013 by Dutton Juvenile
Synopsis 
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Why I Want to Read it – I’m in awe of Gayle Forman’s writing and can’t wait to read another gorgeous contemp by her!

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
Coming January 15th 2013 by Usborne Publishing
Synopsis 
"I pause to look around the hive – all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories… I’ve wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me."

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in Level 2, the waiting room between Earth and Heaven, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend…and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her…

 Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing in Level 2, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves. A choice that will change everything…

THREE LEVELS - TWO LOVES - ONE CHOICE

Why I Want to Read it – Book Blogger turned Author? Yes please! I followed Lenore’s book blog for ages, a fellow lover of dystopians, I’m so proud that she’s broke into the genre with what sounds like a great read, I can’t wait to check it out!

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes 
Coming January 3rd 2013 by Penguin
Synopsis 
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

 Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Why I Want to Read it – This has been pitched to me as a Game of Thrones for teens. A few blog friends have read and loved it already and I do love my Fantasy so I’m sure to love this!

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan 
Coming March 14th 2013 by Sphere
Synopsis 
As dawn breaks over the Pont Neuf, and the cobbled alleyways of Paris come to life, Anna Trent is already awake and at work; mixing and stirring the finest, smoothest, richest chocolate; made entirely by hand, it is sold to the grandes dames of Paris.

It's a huge shift from the chocolate factory she worked in at home in the north of England. But when an accident changed everything, Anna was thrown back in touch with her French teacher, Claire, who offered her the chance of a lifetime - to work in Paris with her former sweetheart, Thierry, a master chocolatier.

With old wounds about to be uncovered and healed, Anna is set to discover more about real chocolate - and herself - than she ever dreamed.

Why I Want to Read it – Paris? Chocolate? Romance? Need I say any more really? I also read my first Jenny Colgan this year and adored it so this sounds like a recipe for success! *Cheesy pun noted*

Shadows by Paula Weston 
Coming January 3rd 2013 by Indigo
Synopsis 
It's been almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn't help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who's been appearing in Gaby's dreams, he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense.

Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth - and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares. Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly - who can she trust?

Why I Want to Read it – I’m a sucker for an Angel book and an Aussie author. That and the building hype surrounding this book makes January seem like such a long way away.

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna 
Coming January 3rd 2013 by Definitions
Synopsis
Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination – an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her ‘other’, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known – the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love – to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

Why I Want to Read it – This is another one where the synopsis completely sucked me in. Plus I’ve heard some pretty brilliant things for this book from US bloggers so I’m excited to see what all the fuss is over!


So those are the books I’m biting my nails over in anticipation for the release next year! Hopefully I’ve sparked your interest in some of these and you’ll be adding them to your 2013 wishlists too. I wanted to keep this list strictly debut, stand alone, or first in a new series because there are so many sequels coming out that I can’t wait for that this list would be taken up by them and I wanted to give some recognition to some books you might not of heard of before, because let’s face it, if you loved the rest of the books in the series you’re going to want to read the next instalment which should be on your radar already!

All links lead to goodreads so you can add them to your wishlists, I’d love to know what books you’re looking forward to reading in 2013 so let me know in the comments! :)