Review: The Start-Up

The Start-Up (The Start-Up #1) by Sadie Hayes
Release Date ~ October 17, 2011
Backlit Fiction
ISBN13: 2940013286269

Goodreads Synopsis:
When a college freshman's breakthrough software program catapults her into the limelight, she and her twin brother must navigate a treacherous world of money, power, and envy: Silicon Valley.
In a world of tweets, apps, and mobile games, The Start-Up is a fast-paced and exciting serial story with a new episode released each month.

This is hands down one of the most unexpected books I have read this year; it was such a pleasant surprise to pick up a book when I wasn't expecting much and to end up absolutely enthralled with its story and characters. The Start-Up introduces a variety of characters, each with their own problems and motives and it will be interesting to see how it all comes together...

1. "New Adult":
   
   I'm still unsure of how I feel about the "New Adult" label, BUT I have to say that I love reading about characters that are slightly older than the typical YA protaganist. Amelia and Adam are both in university students, which makes it slightly refreshing to read about people in that life stage.
2. Complex, developed characters:
   
   Every single character is well-developed. None of them are perfect, they all have their own flaws and motives, and best of all they all have secrets. Some of which we know about, and others we don't (yet). But it's fairly difficult to hate any one character, because there isn't anyone who's just plain evil- if they are an antagonist, there are reasons why they're acting in such a way. That's something you don't find too often in a book, and I significantly appreciated it in The Start-Up.
3. Dirty little secret mystery:
   
   There's definitely a mystery aspect to The Start-Up, but not in a murder mystery kind of a way... more like everyone has something to hide and the question is, who will uncover those secrets first? I can definitely see why people would compare it to Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl, except I think I preferred this one because there seems to be more at stake here.

I actually decided to read this one, because I had been offered a review copy from the author and was impressed with how put together Backlit and Sadie had organized The Start-Up. It was only after accepting another book from Backlit that I decided to read this one, because initially it hadn't caught my interest. But I can officially say that I'm HOOKED on this series and really excited by where it's going to go. It's such a quick, intriguing story that you have to pick this one up to give it a chance, and I have a feeling that Backlit is something we should be keeping an eye on from now on.

As stated earlier, a review copy of the e-book was provided from the author and Backlit Fiction in exchange for my honest review; no other compensation was received!

Guest Post: Top 5 Holiday Movies

Hi everyone! When I saw Brenna was looking for guest posts from fellow bloggers I was eager to participate. I love her blog and stalk it quite often - so why not be a guest on it too? :) On this post I will present to you my top five holiday movies.

 

5- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

I haven't actually watched this one in quite a few years but I remember watching it quite a few times when I was younger. It was hilarious and I just couldn't get enough of their shenanigans. Out of all the Chevy Chase's Vacation movies this was the only one I really could watch over and over without getting tired of it.











4- How The Grinch Stole Christmas

This is the most recent of my holiday favorites. No one could have been better suited for this role other than good old Jim Carey. I wasn't a fan of all of his movies, but this was the perfect role and I can't imagine how different the movie would be with another actor. I mean, those facial expressions are what makes the Grinch so much fun to watch.









3- Home Alone

Watching it now, I realize this one is a bit cheesy, but who (over 20) did not LOVE this one? I watched Home Alone at least once every Christmas for a very very long time - and if I happen to see it playing on TV now I would watch it still and enjoy every minute of it. I loved watching Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci get hit in the face by paint cans. And the glue & feathers on his face!!? - It never gets old. Really, it was brilliant!

 

2- Edward Scissorhands

Although this isn't Christmas themed, it's still based during the holidays and send a positive message so I still consider it a holiday movie. I still watch this when I catch it on TV and I love it as much as I did the first time I ever saw it. Probably more-so now that I'm old enough to appreciate the beauty of it all. It is not just one of my favorite holiday movies, but also falls in my top 5 movies of all time.

1- The Nightmare Before Christmas

I rarely spend a holiday season without watching this wonderful movie. As you can tell, I'm a big Tim Burton fan he has incredible talent and imagination that never ceases to impress me. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those movies that I would watch, then rewind the tape (remember those days?), and watch it all over again right away. It has a bit of everything that I love - Horror, comedy, fantasy, suspense, and most of all - magic. It's definitely magical and perfect for a snowy Christmas evening.






Wow this brought back some pleasant memories. I'm really in the mood to watch all of these back to back! Thanks so much for having me Brenna I had a blast writing this post! <3

Giselle from Xpresso Reads

Wrapping Up 2011 Readathon

Jessie from Remarkable Reads is hosting a readathon over the holidays! Which is PERFECT timing because I have this time off, and I can devote extra time to reading before the year ends!

Because of this I'm really setting the bar high for myself and hoping to get LOTS of reading done.

The readathon runs from December 22nd to January 1st. There will be giveaways and mini challenges, so I hope you participate as well! And the Twitter hashtag is #WU2011R

These are the books I'm hoping to read during the readathon:

• Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer *started reading, barely into it. Readathon reading starts at page 64 FINISHED
• The Beautiful Code (The Start Up #3) by Sadie Hayes *started reading, barely into it. Readathon reading starts at page 5 FINISHED
• Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally FINISHED
• Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes FINISHED
• The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
• First Kill by Heather Brewer FINISHED
• Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Steingl
• Embrace by Cherie Colyer FINISHED
• Titan Magic by Jodi Lamm FINISHED
• The Predicteds by Christine Seifert
• The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis
• Fever (The Chemical Gardens #2) by Lauren DeStefano
• Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Steingl
• Hushed by Kelley York FINISHED
• Tempest by Julie Cross FINISHED

ADDED:

•  The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg FINISHED
• Life is But a Dream by Brian James FINISHED
• Living Violet (The Cambion Chronicles #1) by Jaime Reed FINISHED
• Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking FINISHED

I would LOVE to get through all of these, and I think it's possible. So we'll see what happens if I work hard ;) Good luck!

Update #1: December 22nd 2:51 p.m.
Finished The Beautiful Code by Sadie Hayes
Total: 68 pages and 1 book read.

Update #2: December 23rd 3:29 p.m.
Finished Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Total: 391 pages and 2 books read.

Update #3: December 24th, 1:21 a.m.
Finished Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Total: 679 pages and 3 books read.

Update #4: December 26th, 2:15 a.m.
Finished Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
 Finished The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Total: 1390 pages and 5 books read.

Update #5: December 27th, 12:23 a.m.
Finished First Kill by Heather Brewer
Finished Life is But a Dream by Brian James
Started Embrace by Cherie Colyer
Total: 1977 pages and 7 books read.

Update #6: December 31st, 6:08 p.m.
Finished Embrace by Cherie Colyer
Finished Switched by Amanda Hocking
Finished Hushed by Kelley York
Finished Living Violet by Jaime Reed
Finished Titan Magic by Jodi Lamm
Finished Tempest by Julie Cross
Total: 3587 pages and 13 books read.

I may get a chance to read a bit more before midnight, but I don't think it will be very much... so I'm expecting this to be my final update and count :) I didn't end up completing as much as I had hoped, but I had set the bar EXTREMELY high and I did accomplish lots. I'm pleased with that :) and hoping to continue this much reading into next week before I go back to school.

 

Cover Reveal: The Chosen Ones

Entangled Publishing has another exciting  YA book coming out in 2012 that is the first in a new dystopian series! Exciting, right?!

And, as usual, the cover for it is GORGEOUS! It's amazing how a good cover can sway you to become more excited for an upcoming book :) The Chosen Ones (The Lost Souls #1) by Tiffany Truitt

Let me know what you think of this cover in the comments!

Book Blurb:

What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?
      Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly. 
      Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger. 
      But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

2011 Virtual Advent Tour

Christmas is my FAVOURITE time of year, and I truly believe that it is such a special time of year. Which is why I jumped at the chance to take part in this year's Virtual Advent Tour organized by Marge and Kalaina!

I love everything about Christmas:

The music, which I start listening to in the summer time because it makes me so happy.
The food, mmm how can you say no to this? There are so many special treats, no matter what your traditions are! My family actually doesn't have turkey, we have ham and birthday cake :)
The decorations- tell me you don't love the decorations. I don't see how anyone could. Especially little villages all snowy and lit up for the season!
The shopping, I for one just love gift giving. I adore picking out gifts to make people smile and sho wthem how much I care. I even like the crowds in malls, and wandering down the street filled with cute boutiques.
The time off, because everyone needs a vacation once in a while! And we get to spend it with people we love and care about and just enjoy that time together.

There is so much to be grateful for, and we are so, so very fortunate for all of these things which we can enjoy.

I figure my obsession love must stem from the fact that I'm a Christmas baby- I'm one of those lucky ones born on Christmas day! ;)

And the first thing people normally tell me when they hear that is how awful it must be, or whether I miss out on presents. To answer that quickly: no, I don't. I'm fortunate because my family created very special traditions to include me, and I thought it might be neat to share these with you- you know, so you can have an idea of what it's like to be born on the best day of the year.

We divide the day in two, and celebrate Christmas in the morning and my birthday in the afternoon. There are VERY strict rules about this haha. Absolutely no birthday presents until after our big dinner (at lunch time) and we have birthday cake for dessert. THEN it's present time. But more importantly, I get to spend my birthday with those I love the most. My family is just so important to me, because even though we aren't your typical nuclear kind, we've come together out of love. NOTHING beats that, in my mind!

Different wrapping paper is even used- birthday paper for birthday gifts, Christmas paper for Christmas gifts. And two separate cards- one for Christmas, one for birthday. See? I'm not missing out on anything.

But more than anything, this time of year has always felt like a very special time filled with hope. I suppose a lot of this must stem from the fact that I'm Christian (and was raised Christian as well), so some of it MUST come from the Nativity story but it feels like a time for optimism and new beginnings and celebrating any good thing you can.

And I know it isn't always easy for people. It can be such a difficult time some years too. But I hope you find that silver lining in whatever it is, and know that you aren't alone. My grandma (who adopted me) will be in the hospital this Christmas because she'll be getting her second hip replacement. Disappointing, but what could be better for a Christmas gift than a new hip?! :)

So whatever it is you celebrate, I wish you the best! Filled with the love of family and friends, and optimism for all the new and exciting things to come <3

Have a very merry Christmas!

And check out the other advent posts for today!

Susan @ Bloggin' About Books

Karen @ Sassymonkey Reads

Brenna @ Esther's Ever After

Sasha Soren @ Random Magic Tour - The Coven

Kathy @ A Glass of Wine

 

Waiting on Wednesday {20}

Jill @ Breaking the Spine hosts this weekly meme where we can share a book that we are so excited for and are anxiously awaiting their upcoming release!

This week my WoW pick is...

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

This one started popping up on WoW posts a couple months ago, which is when I first discovered it and fell in LOVE. Love the cover, and I'm crazy about the description! So far it's kind of giving me a Dearly, Departed vibe (not the SAME, but some similar elements maybe? We'll find out!), which was one of my favourite books this year so I have really, really high hopes for this one! And Lauren DeStefano gave it a raving 5 stars. So I MUST read this one!

I'm convinced that there's nothing better than a good plague book.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Doesn't that just sound AMAZING? You should see me right now, I'm practically hopping up and down in my seat with excitement!

Please let me know what you're WoW pick and link are so I can go check them out (and discover more amazing upcoming books)!

Guest Post: Favourite Contemporaries

Top Ten Contemporary YA of 2011

by Ashley from Book Labyrinth

1. Stay by Deb Caletti: A powerful and emotional account of relationship abuse, and one girl's efforts to move on. It's very beautifully written, and I loved both the message and the characters.

2. Where She Went by Gayle Forman: "Absolutely breathtaking" is a good way to describe this book and Gayle's writing. Just incredibly amazing -- one you do not want to miss out on.

3. If I Tell by Janet Gurtler: I had a hard time picking between Janet's two 2011 releases, I liked them both so much. If you're a fan of Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott you should definitely check out Janet's books.

4. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally: This one probably made me smile and swoon more than any other book this year, excluding re-readings of Anna and the French Kiss. Take Anna and mix it with Friday Night Lights and you've got Catching Jordan.

5. The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta: Melina wrote my favourite book of all time (Jellicoe Road), and she doesn't disappoint in this companion book to Saving Francesca. I dare you not to fall in love with Tom Mackee.

6. Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez: An incredibly interesting look at the classical music scene. Carmen is a character you can really empathize with as she deals with her crazy pressuring stage mom and as she attempts to navigate a forbidden relationship.

7. Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park: Don't let anyone tell you there aren't any good self-published novels out there, because this book blows so many traditionally published books right out of the water. College aged protagonist, quirky family, and amazing slow blooming love = amazing book.

8. The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker: Basically Veronica Mars in YA book form. So good!! I loved it, and I can't wait to read the 2nd book.

9. Past Perfect by Leila Sales: Hilarious and full of awesome, especially if you're a history geek like me. Loved the living history museum setting, the awesome characters, and the sweet yet swoony starcrossed romance.

10. Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker: Incredibly compelling and touching. Melissa Walker has written a very nuanced and non-judgemental examination of religion, belief, and truth. I loved the discussions in the book and the search for answers that it portrays.


So those are my Top 10. And because there are so many great books out there, I also have to give honourable mention to Rival by Sarah Bennett Wealer, The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle, Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt, and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

What contemporary YA books published in 2011 were your favourites?? I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks so much for having me, Brenna!