Falling For YA

Ambient Noise

Do you like writing at coffee shops but don't feel like putting on real pants today? Or maybe you're like me and writing at coffee shops is completely distracting because you can always find something to look at. Well the internet has provided you with the Coffee shop background sound. I love coffitivity because it gives coffee house, lunchroom, or just background noise to work to without having to leave the house. Studies have also shown this ambient background noise makes you work, stay on task, and can help you be more creative.

Maybe coffee house noise isn't your kind of thing, you would rather work outside in nature. The internet has got you covered there as well! I present to you Rainy day background sound. I like writing to this when I have a sad scene or when the weather changes in my WIP.

Authors and their Music

Recently I am have seen more and more authors on tumblr and their websites posting playlists their for books, characters, or specific scenes. I love this! If I really enjoyed a book then I want to know what the author was listening when they wrote it.

Maggie Stiefvater is my favorite author who posts playlists. I follow her on soundcloud and you can find playlists for Gansey, Adam, Raven Boys III and more! I like listening to her playlists because a lot of our musical tastes match up and I've discovered quite a few artists/songs that I love through her.

Becca Fitzpatrick has also released a playlist for her upcoming book Black Ice which comes out in October. It includes one of my favorites songs Seaside by The Kooks so I'm already biased in to liking this playlist.

These are just two examples do you have any other authors whose playlist you love to listen to? Let me know in the comments!

My Recommendations

My musical tastes are like the oceans tides. One minute I will be in to one thing and within the same day I can find myself hating that same song. It makes for a very long playlist. I'm also not saying my taste in music is good. I enjoy a very eclectic mix that doesn't translate well sometimes, especially because I have a love of rap. I like both the lyrical talent it takes to put together a flow and the hard hitting bass beats that are prevalent in the rap and R&B scene. But since this post is about what music you write to I thought I would share some of the songs I'm currently writing to. Keep in mind my WIP is about drug use, death and lifelong friendships.

High For This by The Weeknd
It's Not Your Birthday Anymore by Morrisey
Counting What Ifs by boyChild
Ecstasy by JJ
Dark Star by Jaymes Young (That many remixes of this song are great as well, especially the Milkman Remix)
Nothing Else Is Real by Makintosh Braun
The Drift by Blackmill (Actually, I listen to ALL THE BLACKMILL lol)
Running Up That Hill by Placebo
Spectrum by Zedd
I Can't Stop by Flux Pavilion (For only having 3 words in it this song is awesome)
Not On Drugs by Tove Lo

Actually, none of these songs are rap...just some dubstep, dance, and more melancholy songs.

Last Thoughts

No matter how you set your mood whether it is by music, ambient noise, or clearing a space in your head; I think it shows in an authors writing. I also think it also bleeds through in research and other papers. I recently finished up my writing option, which is required to graduate from law school. I could tell the sections I wrote to ambient noise compared to the introduction and conclusion which I wrote to a long mix by D.Veloped. Those sections had a much more lively spirit and drew the reader in to the heart of the subject matter which was my goal. Even if the rest of the paper had to be a more detached and academic.

Let me know in the comments what you like to listen to while writing, blogging, or just living life. If you have a playlist I would love it if you could include the link! I'm always trying to discover new artists and songs. 

Books blasts don't offer any unique or exclusive content

Book blasts only seem to focus on New Adult books or books that aren't in my favorite genre

This is something I've heard multiple times and I don't know if it's true or not. I can't find any evidence supporting this hypothesis that New Adults are more represented in book blasts. I do think, from what I've seen, the majority of books featured in blasts are self-published. Maybe self-published is what people really mean when they say "books outside their genre".

In my opinion though, it is self-published books that benefit the most from Book Blasts. The internet can be a big, scary place and without the help of a publisher books can be listed on Amazon and never heard from again. It is up to the authors to do all the marketing and be the hype-person for their novel. That is really hard! Book blasts are an easy way of getting a variety of bloggers who would probably never reply to the author's review request to feature and take an interest in their novel.

They are annoying, I hate seeming them on everyone's blogs

Isn't that the point of a blast? Have the novels information featured on a multitude of different blogs to get the word out about new titles? Book's that are on blast should be featured on a wide variety of blogs because, I think, Book Blasts are really meant for non-bloggers.

As book bloggers we often forget that the bookish community is a whole lot bigger then our little corner of the blogosphere. This isn't a criticism, merely something I've noticed. Before I became a blogger, back when I was just someone who really liked to read, I rarely ventured away from Goodreads. In my Pre-goodreads days I got almost all of my books from Half Price Books, Powells, and my mom's or sister's shelves. It would have taken a lot for me to notice a book. Something that would have caught my notice would have been 10 or 20 sites featuring a new book all on the same day.

  Last Thoughts

These are just some of the main point's I've heard in the polarizing discussion on book blasts. So tell me: do you love them? Hate them? Have my explanations and arguments swayed you one way or another? Tell me in the comments!

In interest of full disclosure I haven't participated in a book blast since December when I promoted The Offering by Kimberly Derting (a book I would have been more then happy to feature book blast or no). I'm not sure if my lack of participation is due to a decline in book blasts or if I haven't had space in my schedule, I'm thinking it's a little of both. 

Road to Somewhere
Author: Kelley Lynn & Jenny Morris
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Publication Date: March 11, 2014

Synopsis:

New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood.

A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys.

What could be better?

For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined.

Add in a detour to her grandparents' ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives

Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot lines within her stories.




Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she's ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Play Me Backwards
Author: Adam Selzer
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Expected Publication: August 26, 2014
Goodreads

Synopsis:

A promising and popular student in middle school, Leon Harris has become a committed "slacker" but with graduation approaching and his middle school girlfriend possibly returning to town, Leon's best friend Stan, who claims to be Satan, helps him get back on the right track--for a price.

My Thoughts: I can't pinpoint just one reason this book speaks to me. maybe it's the three devil-horn wearing friends on the cover, the morphing of Leon from something to slacker, the best friend Stan who calls himself Satan. I can't pick just one reason I want to read this book because everything make me want to read it! 

I am unofficially calling this the spring of sequels! My goal is to catch up on all the series I started but for one reason or another haven't read yet. Hopefully this list will keep me accountable and help me to catch up!

1 Life Eternal by Yvonne Woon (Dead Beautiful #2)
2 (Dont You) Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn
3 Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me #3)

4 Once by Anna Carey (Eve #2)
5 Forgiven by Jana Oliver (Demon Trappers #3)

6 Until I Die by Amy Plum (Revenants #2)
7 Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2)
8 Defiance by CJ Redwine

9 The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz
10 Red Glove by Holly Black (Curse Workers #2)

I've been seeing a lot of Book Spine Poetry lately. Rachel over at Beauty and the Bookshelf does Sunday Spinetry every so often. And Michelle at Book Briefs has a giveaway as part of the #TBRreadathon going on that has to do with book spine poetry. Okay, that's only two examples, but it made me want to discuss Book Spine Poetry and try my hand at it.

Emily attempts book spine poetry

Last Thoughts 

What is your opinion on book spine poetry? Do you love it, hate it, are you indifferent? Do you think it takes too much time and isn't worth doing as part of an entry in to a giveaway? I want to know. Tell me in the comments! Also, if you've ever posted about book spine poetry leave links to your poems. 

 

Last night I finished a book, rated it, and as per my usual I checked Goodreads to see if other bloggers agreed, or had differing opinions from me. The book will remain nameless, but I found a lot of reviews bashing it because it had Instant Love. This got me thinking, what has everyone got against Instant Love? Am I the last blogger who doesn’t hate it?

 

 

Actually, it is realistic. If not for Insta-Love I wouldn’t be here today! My parents met and were engaged within 2 weeks, they’ve been married almost 30 years. My Grandparents met and were engaged within a month. Both of their loves were instant. They knew they had met that special someone and just went with it.

 

I am not saying that everyone meets and has a whirlwind romance. I’m just saying that it does happen, more often then you think. And I’m glad both my parents and grandparents believed in insta-love because without it I probably wouldn’t be here.

 

 

I think this is a generalization. Whether the characters meet and fall in love instantly, were dating prior to the novel, or got together in the middle of the story. The problem isn’t the love. The problem is the characters themselves. An author has to make you fall in love with both parties and give you a reason to care about them both independently and together.

 

I think this is the kiss of death for Insta-Love. The real reason people dislike it so much isn’t because they don’t believe in instant love or connections. Readers don’t like Instant love because they don’t care about the characters as individuals before they become a couple.

 

 

Me too. I love a long, drawn out romance. The kind where you’re never really sure if the characters will get together or not. But again, this is more about the characters themselves. I’ve become invested in both of them as individuals so I want to see them as a couple. I think romance with Instant love can be just as good as a slow burn if the author makes you care about the characters and their relationship.

 

So what I’m trying to say is. Hello my name is Emily and I don’t mind Instant Love. Tell me in the comments your opinions on Instant love!  

 

One of my biggest pet peeves is when authors spend too much time explaining to you what happened in the last book. This bothered me when I read The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead. It actually almost ruined the book for me. And this re-capping bothered me again in The Iron Traitor. So much time was spent reminding me what happened in The Lost Prince that I kept wondering when the action was finally going to begin in The Iron Traitor. Then when thingsfinally started to take a turn in the right direction Kagawa leaves us on a terrible cliffhanger.

 

I don’t think I would have been bothered by all of the reminders if I had better connected with the characters. The second book should make me love the characters even more then the first book did. In the The Lost Prince I was introduced to Ethan, Keirran, Annwyl, and Kenzie. This book should have made me love them. Instead, I found myself getting annoyed with Kenzie constantly butting in; Annwyl playing the fragile flower, and Keirran blindly charging in to situations before thinking. The only person who didn’t get on my nerves was Ethan.

 

One of the things I loved the most about The Lost Prince was that some of our favorite characters played a role in the story. In this installment Ash, Meagan, Puck, and Grimm do make brief appearances, but they are very brief.

 

Honestly, in a lot of ways The Iron Traitor was just a space filler to get us to book three. Nothing new really happened in the plot. I think we are meant to have fallen for Annwyl and cared about the relationship between Annwyl and Keirran. Unfortunately, I never found their romance believable. I didn’t understand why these two characters wanted to be together so badly, or why Keirran loved Annwyl so much. She has never really given Keirran a reason to care. I actually wished they would have just let her fade.

 

Okay, okay, that came out a bit harsh. But honestly, I don’t really care for her as a character. I do hope she grows some kind of a backbone in book 3 though. I also hope we finally get to the mystery of the Lost Fey and their queen. 

Despite not really enjoying this installment I will probably continue the series. I am a sucker for The Iron Fey. It was my guilty pleasure and this spin-off series has the general iron fey structure. Although, without the same heart and soul. Hopefully Kagawa can make me love these characters in the next book. I know if a writer can do it, she is more then up to the challenge.   

1. River West- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Oh River! I never trusted you but you were still oh so swoony! He has that rich, east coast prepster thing going for him. I just can't resist that as evidenced by Gansey on last years list. At least I know my type rich, dark, and slightly crazy.

2 Death- Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

I love me a doomed ship and this looks like one of those. Death and Evie have this epic shared history, and he is so lonely. I just want it to work out for him. For my fancast I picked Freddie Stroma best know ,probably, for playing McClaggen in Harry Potter. "I wouldn't mind getting on a first name basis with him, if you know what I mean". 10 Points for Gryffindor if you recognized that quote.

 3 Ink - Indelible by Dawn Metcalf

Despite a borderline cliche entrance I knew I was going to love Ink! He has that distant, not quite brooding, air about him and I just couldn't get enough of it! I need the sequel now.

4 Adrian Ivashkov - The Indigo Spell & The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

I hadn't seen Douglas Booth fan cast as Adrian Ivashkov before, but I can totally see it! He's got that effortless hot thing going on. Also I'm digging the 5 'o clock shadow *swoons*

5 Warner - Unravel Me by Tahreh Mafi

All of the Chapter 62 hype was accurate and the man that made it all possible was Warner! There was no way we wouldn't be on this years list!

6 Jackson Tate - Rush by Eve Silver

I was hesitant about reading Rush because it had aliens. I should not have been concerned! It was an all round awesome read. And Jackson Tate made it all the better. He was secretive, a bad boy, brooding... meaning he was exactly my type!

7 Isaiah - Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

I think the guy on the book cover is perfect for Isaiah; but whoever that CW hottie on the right is...yum! He is also a great cast! He's pulling off the shaved head and tattoo's without coming off as scary.

8 Ethan Landry- The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Ethan is a Louisiana farm boy. I have learned living in SD that farm boys never look like this guy! But a girl can dream! Out of everyone on my list Ethan was genuinely the best boyfriend out of the lot! Supportive, kind, and willing to do anything to help Meg.

9 Naji - The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke 

Naji is an assassin so the entire time I was reading I pictured him like this. lol. Not exactly swoony but I love the way he treats Ananna! And his character development made him a great male lead.

10 Chris Henderson - That One Summer by CJ Duggan

 I just love the Onslow boys I wish I could scoop them up and put them all on the list. After That One Summer though, Chris is my favorite! As CJ put it male model Adam Cowie is wickedly handsome and beautifully broody. The perfect Chris Henderson!

The Darkling - Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Okay, I know I said Adrian was the only book boyfriend to make it on the list two years in a row; but I would be remiss if The Darkling wasn't on here somewhere! Afterall, I did represent him in the Summer Crush Tournament! After Siege and Storm my feels are all muddled but he is still definitely one of my favorites and after the spoiler Leigh gave us (look below) I have high hopes he will make a comeback in Ruin and Rising! Plus, I do love a doomed ship!

“Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at some kind of childish ideal. But I seem to be a victim of my own wishes where you are concerned.” His expression hardened. “What have you come here for, Alina?”

I answered him honestly. “I wanted to see you.”

I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. “There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked.”

<!-- start InLinkz script --> // <![CDATA[ document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=352313&' + new Date().getTime() + '">'); // ]]> <!-- end InLinkz script -->