Weekly Spotlight

Hey guys! I've now began working with Pubshelf! It's a marketing business that promotes self published authors and authors published by smaller publishing houses. I'm very happy to say that I am now an affiliate blogger with them(: Every week I'll be posting a new release that they're currently promoting .. feedback is welcome! Leave comments and say what you think! Sounds good? Pick up the book! 
This week's pick is...

In the Line of Ire by Edwin Dasso
Release: February 3rd 2014
Amazon
Amazon UK

The Prequel to Past Aghast... 

Captain Jack Bass becomes the target of hatred and malicious jealousy from his commanding officer. Blaming Jack for his own failings, he sets his sights on Jack as a scapegoat. Fighting for his life, and new found love with Lori Darden, the pair learn how dangerous it can be to raise the ire of a psychopathic boss. 

When the chain of command breaks down, Jack Bass fights back and attempts to prevent his world from turning to ash right before his very eyes. 

Jack Bass is… 

In the Line of Ire.

About the author:

Ed Dasso's works of fiction leverage many of his "stranger than fiction" experiences from years of practice at major medical centers and community hospitals. Fiction writing is reviving a lost love from earlier periods in his life. In addition to a number of years as a practicing anesthesiologist and critical care specialist, he has published articles in national healthcare journals, written many "Ask the Doctor" columns and has spoken frequently at national healthcare forums. He has also been instrumental in designing and deploying population health programs to help people deal with depression.



Sounds great! Thank you, Pubshelf!
Have a great weekend, people(:
Esty

The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves!

Stacking the Shelves and The Sunday Post are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Recently, I bought:
Where She Went by Gayle Forman


Only problem is, I haven't read If I Stay yet. I should get on that.

From the library:
The Dealer by Robert Muchamore

I loooooved book 1 and am currently really liking this one! Review to come soon(:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Which blogger hasn't raved about this? Can't wait!

13 Little Blue Envolopes by Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson^^ . Nuff said.

That's it for me! Sooo psyched for my haul! What's in yours?
Love,
Esty

BACK AGAIN! Review: Escape from Camp 14

Escape from Camp 14
Blaine Harden
Biography

North Korea’s political prison camps have existed twice as long as Stalin’s Soviet gulags and twelve times as long as the Nazi concentration camps. No one born and raised in these camps is known to have escaped. No one, that is, except Shin Dong-hyuk.
 
In Escape From Camp 14, Blaine Harden unlocks the secrets of the world’s most repressive totalitarian state through the story of Shin’s shocking imprisonment and his astounding getaway. Shin knew nothing of civilized existence—he saw his mother as a competitor for food, guards raised him to be a snitch, and he witnessed the execution of his mother and brother.
 
The late “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il was recognized throughout the world, but his country remains sealed as his third son and chosen heir, Kim Jong Eun, consolidates power. Few foreigners are allowed in, and few North Koreans are able to leave. North Korea is hungry, bankrupt, and armed with nuclear weapons. It is also a human rights catastrophe. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people work as slaves in its political prison camps. These camps are clearly visible in satellite photographs, yet North Korea’s government denies they exist.
 
Harden’s harrowing narrative exposes this hidden dystopia, focusing on an extraordinary young man who came of age inside the highest security prison in the highest security state. Escape from Camp 14 offers an unequalled inside account of one of the world’s darkest nations. It is a tale of endurance and courage, survival and hope.

Hey guys! I'm back! Been a crazy month, had a great time, but all the same it's good to get back to routine. So this last week since my return to reading I finished Escape from Camp 14- a biography (aren't you proud of me??) documenting the above. And wow. 

I'll start with this- it's an emotionally tough read. Don't give it to a kid. But even if you have a sensitive stomach, I firmly believe we all have a moral obligation to learn from this. In fact, I won't be surprised if it props up on one of my siblings' English curriculums when they hit high school. I had NO IDEA of the atrocities I read about, and was inspired to do the research as a result. I'm astounded by what I found- both of the occurences and the tremendous, (yet not big enough) beautiful efforts volunteers are making to put a stop to it. 

So that was my opinion as a human being^^. As a reader I was really intrigued by the psycological effects Shin's life has on him today and was satisfied by their presentation. However, I do wish the biography would've had a more solid resolution- the book was clearly published at a very confused time for Shin so that's how we left off. 

The publication includes pictures, illistrations and general knowledge of Korean history which was really helpful and much appreciated! So all that's left for me to say is, any ideas of how I could get involved? 

Love, 
Esty

P.S. Much as you'll impress your teacher, I do not recommend doing a book report on this. It was exhausting and complicated. Yes, I speak from experience :/

Review: Pictures of Hollis Woods

Pictures of Hollis Woods
Patricia Reilly Giff
Middle Grade 

Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes she can hardly remember them all. When Hollis is sent to Josie, she’ll do everything in her power to make sure they stay together.

First off, announcement: I won't be blogging much, if it all, during the next month. Thankfully, what's keeping me busy is a great thing, except that I won't really be around on the internet. If you want to contact me, shoot me an email or a tweet, I'll still answer those! Also, I think I'll be able to do commenting back- so basically just no posting:(

Anyhoo, I picked up this book because my sister was reading it and it sounded good and we sell it at the store and what the heck. It had a lot of emotional potential- after all, Hollis is a 12 year old orphan looking for home. In truth, the feels only kicked in at the end. Most of the time it was a drag but I'm loathe to DNF even though there's so many other great things to read. It's dumb, I know.

All in all , I don't regret finishing it. It was a nice story, pretty short (we're talking 176 pages) and another Newbery Honor read under my belt. I would recommend it to a younger reader. If you're more to the impatient side, don't bother.
Rating:

Love, 
Esty

Top Ten Tuesday- Bookish Resolutions

Hiya! So after summing up 2013 in the last post, time to look forward into 2014!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish.

top ten bookish resolutions

1) Read everything I own- including everything on kindle!

2) Reach 200 GFC followers by next year(: I am proud to say I reached my 2013 goal of 100!! Thank you *heart* and 100 bloglovin followers. 

3) Read more classics and nonfiction 

4) Post more on my Hebrew blog- talk about neglect!

5) Read 60 books- this was my goal last year and I think I met it, but I have to check.. 

6) Turn my siblings into readers- I've started reading Greek Mythology to them, so far going well!

7) Buy a unique blog design and make a button- if all goes as planned, this will happen in the summer(:

8) Visit more blogs, comment more! Love reading everyone's review and discussions!

9) Review more debuts- if you're a new author, shoot me an email!

10) Continue to enjoy reading and learning as much as I can(:

Hope we all manage to stick with these- I'm proud to say I kept most of mine from last year, you can see them here. Have an amazing year and leave me your TTT posts or just stop and say hi!

Love,

Esty

Goodbye, 2013!

So, I remember I wrote on my last post on Saturday that all is back to normal and I will be posting regularly. Life: Ha ha. So of course things have been hectic, but no fear! I'll always make time for you(: I mean, who needs sleep, right? 

Anyhoo, New Year's Eve came and went and we find ourselves in 2014!! *cue noisemakers and Times Square confetti* So now's the time to reflect on our book year of 2013- and what a year it's been! My first, incidentally(: And on that note I would like to thank YOU, yes, YOU, for visiting my blog and making it what it is. Last December it was just a dinky page and now it's a flourishing little book haven for me where I get to meet awesome bloggers, readers, and writers! So glad and thankful for the follows and comments and nice words- please keep them coming! Love you so much <3 font="">

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for .... END OF YEAR BOOK SURVEY!! Thank you to Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner for hosting this great idea. LEGGO

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) 

Errrmmmm. 
(links to my reviews)

Sci-fi: The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore - One of the bestest series evaaaaa
And cuz I'm a cheater The Host by Stephanie Meyer.

Alternate universe: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld - I has a blast reading every second of this. 

Contemporary romance: Dare You To by Katie McGarry - ummm read this. That's all.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - this doesn't really need an explanation. 

Middle Grade: Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian by Eion Colfer - I walked around with a big smile on my face for like a week. Nuff said. 
House of Hades by Rick Riordan - 3 words: Oh. My. Gods. 

Fantasy: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Still. Can't. Talk. About. This.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry - still loved it, not as much as I thought.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

A Separate Peace by John Knowles  - usually don't read classics but had to do this one for school and loved it!

 4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013? 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. 

 5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

Cherub By Robert Muchamore- recommended recommended recommended. 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

Katie McGarry!

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? 

A Separate Peace by John Knowles 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Pawn by Aimee Carter

 9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - have I mentioned this before?

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

11. Most memorable character in 2013? 

Will Herondale and Augustus Waters- relax, boys! No one's choosing between you two. 

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

I feel like if I mention The Fault In Our Stars by John Green enough you'll have to read it.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013? 

A Separate Peace by John Knowles 
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan 
You Guessed it- The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read? 

The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013? 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?  
Errrm. Do The Ban Chronicles count as books? No? So I think The House on Mango Street was the shortest. And pretty sure either The Naming by Alison Croggon or LotR were the biggests. 

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers! 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

WILL HERONDALE AND JEM CARSTAIRS. (AS YOU CAN SEE, A CERTAIN SOMEONE HAS NOT EMOTIONALLY HEALED FROM CLOCKWORK PRINCESS. DON'T JUDGE.)

Or Isaac and Augustus. Take a guess at which book I'm referring to.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously 

Need I say THE FAULT IN OUR STARS? Also The Leviathan Trilogy- I loved the Uglies Series. Oooh and The Host.

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else: 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

I would guess YA fantasy. Go ahead. Sue me. 

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013? 

Benji and Knox from Pawn! Ash! Ian! 
AUGUSTUS WATERS

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest. 99% sure this was a debut.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013? 

Under The Never Sky, Allegiant. 

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

Cherub Mission #1 and Artemis Fowl!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

I'm sorry. Truly. But- 
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
maybe a couple more...

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out? 

WinterTown by Stephen Emond

Whooooo! Been at this for over an hour! Parts 2 and 3 - Book Blogging Life and Looking Ahead (aha don't worry they're shorter!!) to come later(: What about you? What were your faves? Let me know in comments or links(:
Have a beautiful weekend y'all!
Esty