Best of the Bunch July 2013

Best of the Bunch is a meme hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.
I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link anytime in the following month :D
For more info and to grab the button and stickers visit the BOTB page here and then add your linky to the list below. 

July 2012
Aerch! I know I make excuses every month, but I haven't had much time to write any book reviews this month either. I will post some book reviews soon though. 

This month I have read-

• The Rise of the Nine (Lorien Legacies, book 3) by Pittacus Lore- 4 of 5 stars
• Pivot Point by Kasie West- 5 of 5 stars
• Ghost Light (Ivy Granger, book 2) by E.J Stevens- 3 of 5 stars
• Spellcaster (Spellbound, book 2) by Cara Lynn Shultz- 3 of 5 stars
• Unremembered by Jessica Brody- 4 of 5 stars
• The Prey by Andrew Fukuda (The Hunt, book 2)- 4 of 5 stars

And the winner of Best of the Bunch for July goes to...

...drumroll...

... Pivot Point by Kasie West!

Goodreads

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.

I loved this book! It is so unique and very cleverly written in two viewpoints, so that interesting subplots are revealed in jigsaw pieces of events. I love the idea of being able to look into the future and see the outcomes of different choices- I would like to have this ability when I have a difficult decision to make!

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So I'd love to know- what was the best book you read/ reviewed this month? Link it up here! 

Already written up a monthly wrap-up post? Why not link it up here!?

Just let me know- Who gets your bananas?

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Post 7th July 2013

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ to recap the past week on the blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

I haven't done one of these posts in a while so this a massive four weeks worth of new books and bookish news!

Bought:

• Tidal by Amanda Hocking (Book 3 in the Watersong series). I do like this series. I'm sad that they altered the original cover though- it was much prettier.

From the library:

• Imposter by Jill Hathaway (Slide, book 2)
• The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd.
• Parallel by Lauren Miller

• Ferryman by Claire McFall
• Inivisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
• Pivot Point by Kasie West. I read it already and it's so good!

• Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore (a spin-off from Texas Gothic).
• Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris (Unravelling, book 2).
• Zenn Scarlet by Christian Schoon.

• Transparent by Natalie Whipple.

Audiobook:

• Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Grisha, book 2).
• Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger.

For Review:

• Consume by Melissa Darnell (The Clann, book 3)- Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin
• Control by Kim Curran (Shift, book 2).- Thanks to Netgalley and Strange Chemistry.
• Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass, book 2)- Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury. I read it already and loved it!

I posted:

Best of the Bunch June- Monthly wrap-up post

Exciting New July Book Releases

Interview with authors Lisa and Laura Roecker about their new book

Tomorrow is the first day of the Once Upon a Read-aThon. This Readathon is hosted by Angela & Loretta at Reading Angels, Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination. It runs from 12:01 am on July 8th to 11:59 on July 10th.

How was your book week?

Happy reading!

Interview with Lisa and Laura Roecker, authors of This is W.A.R

Today on the blog I am very lucky to play host to sisters-turned-writing-team Lisa and Laura Roecker who are celebrating the release of their latest novel This is W.A.R.

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing-partners with a love of all things Young Adult. Some call it arrested development, but the sisters claim it keeps them young. Plus, its cheaper than Botox. Lisa and Laura live in Cleveland, Ohio in separate residences. Their husbands wouldn't agree to a duplex.

Hello, and welcome to Always Lost in Stories!

Can you sum up This is W.A.R in just 5 words?

Bring the Gregory family down.

Are there any books currently in the YA genre that you would say the book is similar to?

As usual, we’re compared to Pretty Little Liars, but we love those books, so woohoo!

How did the idea for the story come about?

Our incredible editor, Dan Ehrenhaft introduced us to the concept of  girls’ fight club and we set out to make it our own. He was instrumental in the outlining process, sending it back with questions and comments and “think about this(es)”. It was so much fun.

I know you must get asked this all the time, but how do you cope being both sisters and writing partners?! You must get so passionate about the story and the characters, how do you resolve a dispute if you disagree on anything?

It is annoying when someone expresses concern over a plot point or character. We get a bit huffy on the phone while attempting to fix the book. Those conversations usually end with a promise to think about the issue separately and talk later. But honestly, that’s the extent of the arguments if you could even call them that. We are extremely close as sisters and I think that’s the only way writing together works. It would be difficult to have those huffy conversations with friends.

If the book was being made into a movie or TV series who do you picture as playing the main characters?  

Dianna Agron as Willa. Selena Gomez as Rose. Miley Cyrus as Lina.

The wealthy country club setting reminded me a little bit of the Pretty Little Liars series- with secrets, manipulations and scandals, and a clear divide between the rich patrons and those who work there. Which side of the divide is the easiest/ most fun to write from?

Despite knowing absolutely nothing about the incredibly wealthy, we always find it fascinating to write about them! We love our fair share of Us Weekly, so I’m sure it comes from following celebrity culture. The concept that money buys a whole lot of some things but also a whole lot of nothing is intriguing.

Are you planning any further books featuring these characters, or is this set to be a stand-alone novel?

The novel stands alone! But we do have a really cool idea for a spin off featuring some of the same characters and world.

What books have you read lately? What have you particularly enjoyed?

Laura absolutely LOVED ELEANOR AND PARK. Could not put it down or stop talking about it.

Thankyou so much for stopping by and answering all my questions!


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For further interviews, book reviews, extracts, and a chance to win a cute key necklace similar to that featured in the book, head on over to the website by clicking the link below-

This is W.A.R is out now!
Buy the book-

Exciting New July Book Releases

These are some of the new books coming out this month that I am most excited to read...

Most Hotly Anticipated

The Night Itself  by Zoe Marriott Goodreads

Why I'm looking forward to reading it:

I LOVE Zoe Marriott's books- I have read and loved everything she has written right from the beginning, and I'm really looking forward to reading this next book from her. I have it on order already =)

Also released this month 

(please note these are the UK covers and release dates)

• Elegy by Tara Hudson (Arise, book 3)
• Shutdown by Heather Anastasiu
• Team Human by Justine Larbestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. Published in the UK for the first time.

• After Eden by Helen Douglas
• The Arrivals by Melissa Marr
• Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

• Ink by Amanda Sun
• The Lucky Ones by Anna Godbersen (Bright Young Things, book 3)

Any of these that you're also excited to read? Any books that I've missed off this list that you are looking forward to this July?