#TeaTime Rewind: Bedazzled Books (Episode #74)


Hello there, crumpets, and welcome back to our fourth #TeaTime rewind blog post! For those of you who don't know, #TeaTime is a weekly YouTube livestream with two of the most awesome girls from Epic Reads, Margot and Aubry. In addition to running the Epic Reads blog, they also take time out of their week to host the livestream videos where they cover all sorts of topics such as book boyfriends, books that changed your view on the world, and our personal favorite...Theo James Appreciation Day. 

This week on #TeaTime (Episode #74), the topic was BEDAZZLED BOOKS. (You can watch the episode by clicking here!) Some fun activities (like bedazzling e-readers) and ideas were discussed (especially The Jewel!!), so Amber and I decided to put our opinions out there for everyone to check out.

*What we're reading this week:

Jessica: I'm currently reading Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth and I'm only one chapter in...but I'm already in love! *heart eyes*

Amber: I just started Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

*If you could live in any dystopian world, what world would you want to live in?

Jessica: Hmm...this is actually a question I'm asked a lot when I'm interviewed on the blog. I have to say, I'm a big fan of the Oz after Dorothy takes over in Dorothy Must Die. It's probably dangerous and scary, but it's a pretty interesting (and different) kind of dystopian world that I would try out.

Amber: Well, dystopian worlds are usually bad. But if I had to pick it would be The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver. It takes place in Atlanta in 2025. (Based on the story line it could be considered dystopia...maybe?) 

*Your favorite transformations in YA:

Jessica: YA transformations? Character-wise, I'm a big fan of how Tris matures and comes out of her shell throughout the Divergent trilogy--great character development and transformation. Definitely an inspiring (and incredibly difficult to achieve) one.

Amber: Jess pretty much stole all of my thoughts. I agree with what she said. 

*One of the most bedazzled book-related things you own:

Jessica: I have a cute little string bookmark that I got from a bookstore while I was on vacation, and it has a bunch of cute little jewels and charms and beads on the end--totally adorable and chic and sparkly. *more heart eyes*

Amber: I have a bookmark that says "Shhh. I am trying to read." in rainbow letters that is all shimmery! Mine is lame compared to Jess's though. 

That's all there is for this week! The next episode of Tea Time airs Wednesday, September 10th @ 3:45pm, and we hope to see you all there!


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Let's Talk...: Book Character Deaths

Character deaths! 

I think we can all agree that deaths are the worst part of reading. Yes, some of them we hope for and are alright with. Others not so much. I put books off because I can't handle the thought of a character I am fond of dying. Now, I am a very emotional person. I have a lot of books feels, so some people not be sad about a character death. Others cry. I have asked tons of people who read about how they feel. The results always vary. But I found it is pretty common that we get emotional and sad when a character we love dies.


I went into The Fault in Our Stars by John Green knowing that Augustus was going to die. I was even mentally prepared! Did that stop me from bawling like a baby? Not at all. There are also times when I am school and an important character, or favorite of mine that ends up dying. It is so hard not to get emotional about it most times. Especially if it is in the middle of the series or the end. 


Out of my curiosity I asked on twitter how other bloggers, readers, and ect. felt about book deaths. Here is what they had to say: 



So reactions vary depending on the scenario.  So here are some questions I have for you: 
  • What was the last book that you read where you were shocked about a character death? 
  • What is your reaction when your favorite/main character dies? 


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Summer 2014 Wrap Up!

This was our first summer as bloggers and I think it was pretty successful. We've talked to some pretty amazing people, organized a blogger tour, and learned that blogging isn't always easy. I am excited to say that I can't wait for another year of doing this! Here is what we read and did this summer: 

Amber's Summer Reads:



Amber's Reviews:
  TV Shows Completed: 


I would like to thank Ri, Dana and Rachel for getting me hooked on this show. It has officially taken of my life. I'm ready for season 3! 

Amber's Comments: 

Summer wasn't as productive as I wished it to be but it wasn't horrible. With school starting my reading will slow down more until I can get into an routine. But I am proud of the progress Jessica and I made during the summer. Now let's bring on our Junior year of High School and a job! 

Jessica's Summer Reads:



Jessica's Reviews:



Jessica's Comments:

I actually read a lot more books than I expected to this summer, and I'm hoping I can keep up the trend when school finally rolls around (but unfortunately, I doubt that's going to happen!). I covered a lot of tours and ARCs and the blog was busy and packed pretty much every day of the summer, which was impressive. Time for school, and hopefully this doesn't cut into my reading time! 


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Book Tour: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid



Title: Let's Get Lost
Author: Adi Alsaid 
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)
Hardcover, 352 Pages
Release Date: July 29th, 2014 (Get it now!)

Summary: Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. There's HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script. And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love. Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.

I received an ARC copy of this book for review courtesy of Zoey over at Wunderkind PR, and let me just say, I was so excited for this one. As soon as we received the email asking us if we'd like a copy, I was squealing on the phone with Amber in excitement because I could hardly contain myself, having wanted to get my hands on an ARC of this book for so long.

And I'm glad that I did.

Let's Get Lost was a really great book. Seriously, I have nothing but good things to say about it. The story is told in five separate parts, five different points of view--you have Hudson, who is a mechanic in a small town but destined for great things. Bree, a runaway who's escaping her haunting past, stupid decisions, and severe pressure from her older sister. Elliot, who prepared for years to tell the girl of his dreams how much he loved her and then got turned down flat. Sonia, the girl whose boyfriend passed on and then she falls in love (sort of) with another boy not long after--in secret. And lastly, you have Leila, the girl who ties the story all together.

Leila is traveling throughout the country on a solo road trip on her way to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. She tells each person she comes across a different reason as to why she's going, but the real reason is the most important reason of all--which you have to read to find out! She comes in contact with each of the four other characters throughout her trip, and winds up sharing some interesting memories with each of them. A night of kissing and momentary making out on an island with Hudson. Shoplifting, car stealing, and jail time with Bree. Chasing down true love with Elliot. Rescuing wedding rings with Sonia. Finally getting to Alaska.

This story touched my heart in so many ways, and I absolutely adored it. Adi Alsaid is a literary genius. His work reminds me a lot of John Green, my absolute literary hero, and I know that authors hate being compared to other authors, but I see it as high praise in my eyes. You don't just compare anyone to John Green. 

Leila was a pretty awesome character. Her humor was on point, plus she had such a good heart and was willing to help out all four of the people she came across, no matter what the consequences were. Plus, her thrill for adventure! This girl is on a road trip by herself (which would scare me so much) and encounters some pretty interesting and scary things, as she also learns some life lessons.

Just some of Leila's adventures throughout the trip that I found interesting:
  • Sneaking across the border
  • Making out on an island
  • Drukenball
  • Cardboard cutout kidnapping
  • Seventh Birthday Parties 
  • Chalkboard writing in the men's bathroom
  • Donut truck hitchhiking
If you're reading the above bullets and thinking that this book seems very, very weird, you'e right. Throughout the story, Leila encompasses some strange (yet fascinating) adventures, stories, and people. 

All in all, I loved every second of this book and couldn't get enough of it. Adi Alsaid created a heartwarming story of adventure and humor and love and loss, and it really opened my eyes to some of the problems that people have and also how interesting the world can really be when you decide to open up your eyes and really explore it.

5 out of 5 stars! This book was amazing, I recommend it to everyone, so add it to your TBR right now! Can't wait to read more of Adi Alsaid's work. :-)


*Please Note: I received an ARC copy of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed throughout this review are entirely my own and in no way did I accept any bribes from Wunderkind PR, the author, or anyone affiliated with them.

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Cover Reveal: Puppet by Pauline C. Harris








Penelope lives in a world of advanced technology but many claim society has yet to catch up. Marionettes have advanced in the form of robots; lifelike creations remote controlled to perform super human tasks. 
When Penelope makes a deal with Jed, a marionette-obsessed scientist, she doesn't fully realize what she’s getting herself into. In order for Jed to take her away from the orphanage she lives in, she must first agree to undergo his experiments and tests, ultimately creating something no one ever dreamed possible; the first living marionette. 
As Jed shows off his scientific creation to the world, concerns arise surrounding Penelope’s abilities and what she’s capable of doing. Ordered to somehow lessen her abilities, Jed makes a desperate attempt to change Penelope to make her more human, more vulnerable. After Penelope lies to the officials about her past, Jed makes sure it’s the last one she’ll ever utter. The truth is now the only thing she is capable of telling. 
As Penelope struggles with her past, her disturbingly new present, and her uncertain future, she is thrust into a magically twisted world of mayhem in search of the one thing she wants, but knows she can never have. The chance to be just a girl again. To be normal. To be real.

Publication Date: October 2014
Genre: Science Fiction



 Pauline C. Harris is the author of middle grade and young adult science fiction novels and published her first book at the age of fourteen.  She's currently working toward a degree in English.  Other than writing, her time is consumed mainly by reading, playing the violin, watching old black and white movies, and trying to survive her college classes.     

Links: 

                                                                                                            


  




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