Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date ~ 11/15/11
Format ~ Hardcover
Publisher ~  Harper Teen
Source ~ Barnes and Noble
Rating ~ 5/5

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.The Hunger Games's action and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

My Review: Shatter Me is the bomb, except instead of a explosion, Juliette comes out and touches everyone to death! 
    In Shatter Me you meet Juliette, a girl who has been treated worse then cattle. She's been isolated all her life from society, even from her own parents, because of her "curse". After killing someone with her lethal touch, the Reestablishment locks her up for murder. Three years later, they decide her curse, would make an excellent weapon. And that is just half the plot of this amazing and thrilling debut.
    I found myself constantly admiring Juliette. What surprised me so much about her, was that she cared so much about the world, even though the world hates her.  Adam, the love interest, loves her for just that as well. It reminded me a lot of the Katniss-Peeta relationship, because Adam and Juliette interacted as children but are reunited after years. 
This book sort of had a love triangle, but not really. There was Adam, who I already talked about, and there was Warner, a cunning and cold-blooded young member of the Reestablishment who sees Juliette's gift/curse as a way to take power and stifle all who stand in his way. I saw Warner as a creepy psychopath, not as a love interest, but I have seen some "Team Warner" badges on blogs, so I felt like I needed to say something about him! 
     Tahereh Mafi had a writing style that really stuck with me. Juliette's narrative was so powerful and I liked the way she crossed stuff out! This entire book is one of the most bleak and believable outlooks on what society could be, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll never end up like this!
     I liked Shatter Me. I loved Shatter Me.

5/5 Stars!

Cover Comments: She looks so striking and dangerous! But this book is too amazing for the typical girl in a dress!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Harper/Harper Imprint Reading Challenge: 5
2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge: 4
2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 2
1st in a Series Reading Challenge 2012: 5

 And, don't forgot to enter to win your own copy of Shatter Me, this giveaway ends ends at 12:01 am on the 1st of February, so make haste!

Top Ten Tuesday (6)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
TOP TEN BOOKS I THINK WOULD MAKE GREAT TEEN* BOOK CLUB PICKS
*This week's subject is Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks, but I'm changing it a bit so it's for a teen fiction book club.
10

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Lola is a quick and fun upbeat novel that would be perfect for a group trying to stay away from "serious".
9

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Faeries? Kidnappings? Star-crossed lovers? What's not to love?
8


Matched by Ally Condie
This romantic dystopian is a page-turner that has great characters that are easy to connect with.
7

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Mara Dyer redefines YA lit. It has it all: a fast-moving plot, an badass man character, and so much suspense.
6

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent is my favorite coming of age story. Most people wouldn't call it that but it is. Plus, it's so hard not to get wrapped up in Roth's world.
5

Zombies vs. Unicorns (edited) by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
This book would have THE BEST discussion! It would be such a heated debate :P
4

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Believe it or not, this dystopian came BEFORE The Hunger Games, yes, believe it or not, there were dystopians before The Hunger Games and this one's a classic (dystopian).
3

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
This book will transport you back to Victorian England, but instead of balls and tea, you get to fight monsters.
2

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This action filled dystopian is one of my favorite. Plus it lots of action for guys and lots of romance for girls, so it's a perfect book group balance!
1

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Almost everyone loves this series. What's not to love? Monster slayin', bad boys (though I'm Team Simon), awesome weapons, and a bunch of other fun stuff!

Born Wicked

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Release Date ~ 2/7/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Putnam
Source ~ ATWT
Rating ~ 5/5

Summary: A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Cassandra Clare in this spellbinding fantasy 
Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. 
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. 
If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

My Review: When I came across Born Wicked, I expected to find a fun and interesting paranormal read. I found much more then that!
   
     One thing I loved about this book was Cate. I don't think I've ever read about someone more selfless then Cate Cahill. She cared so much about her sisters, and went to all means necessary to keep them safe. Sometimes I wanted to pick her up and shake her, yelling "YOU NEED TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF TOO, CATE!!!". That's probably the way you'll feel when you read the ending (which was such a tearjerker). This was the part I was pleasantly surprised about- because in lots of books the main character is like "I'll look after you guys forever, I love you guys so much" then a love interest comes along and she'll abandon her family and fun off to be with him. Fortunately, is not the case in this book.

    Spottswood had a beautiful and elegant way of writing that moved the story along in a perfect tone. Though some parts were a bit more interesting then others, it wasn't all "boringness, boringness, boringness, then a chapter filled with awesomeness", it was a steady pace that always kept me entertained and enthralled.

   Another part of Born Wicked I loved was the genre mixing. There was of course the paranormal part of the novel, which was of course the biggest. But there was also a steampunk aspect and a dystopian aspect. The steampunk because a lot of history had been changed, and dystopian, because it was 1890 in New England, and instead of being ruled by the US Government, they were ruled by "The Brotherhood", a group of religious tyrants who treated women like cattle. Though some people might be taken bake because of genre mix, I enjoyed it! Think about it, it has something for everyone... you like paranormal? Read this! You like steampunk? Read this! You like dystopian? Read this! You like a good book? Read this!

    I loved the mythology that surrounded the witches. There was so much to learn about them, there was just as much depth as Harry Potter. I love all the plot twists about the witches. You never knew who the actual villain was. Obviously The Brotherhood, but were some of the witches also corrupt?

    The side-characters in this book were one of the best part. I loved Cate's sisters, especially, the youngest Tess, because she was so clever. I also really liked the two love interests, especially Finn. The villains were the so much fun to hate!

     Born Wicked is one of the best paranormal books I've ever read. Starting counting down the days till February 7th, because then one of the best books you'll ever read comes out then, and you're not going to want to wait any longer!

 

5/5 Stars!

Cover Comments: One of the best covers I've ever seen! I love the mix of gold, green and brown, and the flowers really stand out!

This book counts in the following reading challenge:
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 3
2012 Paranormal Reading Challenge; 1
2012 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge: 1
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 4
2012 Steampunk Reading Challenge:1
2012 1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 4

24 Hour Harper Readathon!

As part of the Harper/Harper Imprint Reading Challenge hosted by Starry Sky Books is hosting a 24 hour Harper Readathon. Here's what I plan on reading:

1. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
2. Eve by Anne Carey
3. Slide by Jill Hathaway

There's one book I have to read before I can get started with the Harper Books. This Readathon lasts from now (12:00 PM EST/9:00 AM PST) till tomorrow at this time! Hopefully I reach my goal!

A Touch Morbid

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
Release Date ~ 2/28/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Greenwillow
Source ~ Greenwillow
Rating ~ 5/5

Summary: Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.

My Review:

WARNING: EXPECT MAJOR GUSHING AHEAD!

Leah Clifford is beyond amazing. Her books are too good for words. She is becoming one of my new favorite authors!
     This book begins after a huge battle between Luke, the devil and Eden's gang. Eden and Az are finally getting time to work on their love-life. Then, they find out that someone is selling touch to mortals as a drug.  
    Gabriel, Az's best friend and fellow angel has fallen. He is only a shadow of what he used to be, and is lost in New York city without a clear head... naturally, that's not going to lead to anything good.
    One thing I love about this book (and A Touch Mortal) were the characters. Eden, the heroine, is one of my favorite heroines EVER. She had so much spunk and is officially more bad-ass then Neville in the final Harry Potter movie (and that's saying something).
   In fact, there weren't any characters I didn't like reading about. Az was awesome as ever, and I loved hearing more about Gabe (won't tell you what, as it would spoil those who haven't read A Touch Mortal yet). I loved Jarrod and his much bigger role; I enjoyed his character in Mortal and loved all the character development he went through.
    This book was way too short for my liking. It was 300 pages, which wasn't that little, but it felt like it went by SO FAST! I wanted so much more of this addicting series!
   Usually in my reviews I put something negative about the book, but I can't think of anything so I'll just put this:

Fascinating, isn't it?

Me during many parts of this book...

Clifford writes some of the funniest YA books She has a twisted sense of humor that just makes you die laughing. A Touch Morbid was so dark, but it had a perfect amount of comedy to prevent me from committing suicide! 

   Before I go go into rambling mode, I'll just sum it up...

A Touch Morbid is original, dark, and so very, very funny. I fell in love with the world and the characters created by Leah Clifford. I can't wait for more!

   

5/5 Stars!

Cover Comments: I love the blue and the green. This cover compliments A Touch Mortal's cover very nicely!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:

Harper/Harper Imprint Reading Challenge: 4

2012 Sensational Seconds Reading Challenge: 1

2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 1

2012 Paranormal Reading Challenge: 2

2012 Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge; 1

2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 6

2012 Horror/Thriller Reading Challenge: 1

In my Mailbox (40)

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

For Review:

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I've already read this book AND IT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING EVER!!!

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

In a new ice age, Will must find his family. This one looked good, but everyone has been saying it was bad *cries*.

Bought:

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

This book looks SO good and it has WITCHES! We need more books with witches!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Oh. My. God. This book sounds purely amazing!

Won:

Fracture by Megan Miranda

This book looks amazing, trapped under ice for 11 minutes and still alive? YES! 

Won from The Bout of Books Readathon!

From Bloggers:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (Special Edition)

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! And I needed the newer, prettier cover!

Thanks Kindle Obsessed!

Announcing A Month Long Celebration of The Hunger Games Trilogy!

<a href="http://readerbenji.blogspot.com/2012/01/announcing-month-long-celebration-of.html"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e205a823ea&view=att&th=13518f7e5a27b576&attid=0.1&disp=emb&z="160" /></a>
(feel free to re-size if needed)

The Hunger Games movie is soon approaching... and in honor, March is going to be (partially) devoted to a celebration of The Hunger Games on this blog! Don't worry, there will still be lots of reviews, and of course the Middle Grade Reading Challenge. That means March will be a month filled with posts, guest posts, playlists, fan fiction, LOTS AND LOTS of giveaways, and much more! I also have room open for about 15 guest posts, and I'm looking for volunteers. You don't have to be a blogger, just a Hunger Games lover!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GUEST POSTING PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM, IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED, EXPECT TO HEAR FROM ME IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS!
I REPEAT: THIS FORM!

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Young Adult giveaway hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Down The Rabbit Hole

Here's what's up for grabs:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men . Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices,  Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Just a few spots of info before we begin:

• Open to the US and Canada
• Ends Jan 31st, at 11:59 PM EST
• Maximum of 4 entries per person!

Enter after the page break, it's easy!

Blogger Interview: Juhina and Farah

Today I am pleased to welcome the lovely Juhina and Farah, the lovey blogging sisters from Maji Bookshelf!

Hey guys, and welcome to The Non Reluctant Reader, to start off, would you mind introducing yourself's?

Juhina: Hey everyone! So my name is Juhina (pronounced Joo-Hi-Na), I’m 21 years old (a bit on the old side), and I love reading and blogging!! I’m a fourth year chemical engineer and blogging has been a breath of fresh air for me! It keeps me sane during the semester. I love to travel and I am fascinated with the asian culture! And I tweet constantly!

 

Farah: Ello! My name is Farah, and I’m 15 years and 10 months old. Currently in 10^th grade, and surviving. Want to sum up my life? I start off my day with either pop tarts or cereal. Watching and drawing anime is my passion, and buying electronics is my addiction. Books are what make my life much more interesting.

You started blogging in October of last year, how has your book blogging experience been?

Juhina: Well very exciting to say the least! There are so many amazing new authors and books that we would have never heard of if we didn’t start blogging, plus we met some amazing blogger friends that actually understand our book addictions *wink* and it has been and is still an unbelievable journey! Also the blog took up so much of my time that I was afraid it might affect my grades but I’m glad to say that didn’t happen and I just can’t imagine myself without the blog anymore

Farah: I will definitely say that as I started the blog, I read much more than I used to. I got introduced to many new lovely titles and authors. I had the chance to meet amazing book bloggers as well! Let me just say that, I don’t know what I did in my days without the blog. Even though it might be a bit stressing on fixing and editing and etc, it’s definitely an amazing experience.

How is it being international bloggers?

Juhina: It has been tough. Non-international bloggers have so many perks! From participating in blog tours, to going to book expos, to actually meeting some of their favorite authors and actually getting the books on release today. Over her all this is nonexistent. Sometimes I need to wait for two weeks to get the new release, and I always get jealous of people meeting the authors and even getting ARCs of books I am dying to read! So sometimes I feel discouraged, but I go back to the whole reason I started blogging, and that was because of my love of reading. Also NetGalley and The Book Depository have made it easier for us to catch up to all those other bloggers!

Farah: Well, first of all, it made me a jealous person. Haha. Here, books are pretty expensive to buy “as soon as they come out” because they kind of like ripping people off. Here, we don’t have book expos and all that cool stuff either. Here, we don’t get a chance to meet any cool authors because they never come here. Living in the states or Canada, you get a chance to get ARC’s and get to go to ALA and meet authors and stuff. So I thank NetGalley for giving a huge chance for international bloggers.

What's one thing that surprised you about book blogging?

Juhina: The kindness and just generosity of bloggers! I also didn’t think I would become friends of such awesome bloggers! They have honestly expanded and delighted my reading and blogging experience! Also the enormity of the book blogging world awed me. How bloggers actually influence the readers, and how one day I might be able to influence people to read and buy books! I actually got many of my friends hooked on some amazing books that I loved through reading our blog, which always garners up happy feelings! Sorry that I couldn’t find just ONE thing, there are too many!

Farah: It was fun! Actually what surprised me is that there was something called “Advanced Reader’s Copies”! I just thought books were published, and people read them. I was also surprised to see that authors actually interact with bloggers and have interview and etc. A huge thing that surprised me is how many people are so kind and generous by hosting giveaways, and always helping other bloggers. I just think of the blogging “community” as such a cozy place for me to stay in. Sorry I didn’t just have one thing, I was too surprised ;)

Who are some of your favorite bloggers?

Juhina: You of course! there is also Sam at Realm of Fiction (www.realmoffiction.blogspot.com) and Crissy at The Princess Of Storyland (www.theprincessofstoryland.blogspot.com). Those are bloggers that are good friends of mine. Some blogs that I follow are The Story Siren, Sash and Em and Katie’s Book Blog.

Farah: That’s a hard question.. A lot of bloggers are amazing. I really enjoy reading Giselle from Xpresso Reads reviews, the lovely Benji at The Non Reluctant Reader, Story Siren, A cup and a Latte, and Pages of Forbidden Love. Of course I have a lot more, I just cant mention them all!

If you got to invite one author to be your house guest for a week, who would you invite and what would you do with them?

Juhina: oh! J. K. Rowling without a doubt! I didn’t even need time to think about that. The Harry Potter series were the first English books I picked up. As you know, English isn’t my first language and when I moved to Canada everything was foreign to me! I picked up the first books of Harry Potter and fell in love. I was 10 years old, and ever since I never stopped reading. Harry Potter is a big part of my life, and the loss of it still hurts, I would invite her and just TALK about Harry Potter, just divulge in everything related to Harry Potter and see the genius behind this phenomenal series.

Farah: M-E-G Cabot. Haha. That woman is amazing. Meg Cabot’s books were definitely the first Young Adult books I read. Her books are what got me into reading. I grew up reading her books, and I still do! Meg and I would probably just chill with tea and cookies. Talk about boys and how she gets to describe such cute boy protagonists! I would probably go to a carnival with her. Have a crazy photo shoot. Let her sign all my books and my tummy :3

Describe your sister in three words. GO!

Juhina: Farah is Loud, Crazy, and the opposite of shy!

Farah: Juhina is a perfectionist, smart, and caring.

Favorites:

Juhina:

All Time Favorite Read: Harry Potter

Favorite New Release: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Favorite candy: I don’t like candy, I’m more of a chips girl

Favorite Publisher: HarperTeen!!

Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Favorite Place to Read: On my bed! Under the blanket :D

Farah: 

All Time Favorite Read: Anna & The French Kiss

Favorite New Release: Fracture

Favorite Candy: Poptarts?

Favorite Publisher: Harper Teen

Favorite Movie: A Walk to Remember

Favorite Place to Read: On the table while eating my cereal.

And now- just because I love you guys so much, and I know that a lot of giveaways aren't opened to international followers, I'm giving you EACH one book of your choice from The Book Depository! What's your pick?

Wow! Thank you Benji! That is so generous of you!! Thank you so much!

Juhina: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Farah: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (THANK YOU)

Check them out, I promise the don't bite:

Maji Bookshelf

Twitter

Twitter (Juhina)

Twitter (Farah)

Goodreads (Juhina)

Goodreads (Farah)

Facebook (Juhina)

Facebook (Farah)

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at  Break the Spine.

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze
Release ~ 5/8/12
Publisher ~Poppy

Summary:  Happily ever after is a thing of the past.The year is 2090.
England is a barren land. Food is rationed. Oil has decimated the oceans. The people are restless.
A ruthless revolutionary enacts a plan to destroy the royal family, and in a moment, the king is dead. His heiress, Princess Mary, and her brother, Jamie, have been abducted, and no one knows their fate. Princess Eliza Windsor barely escapes, and finds herself scared and lost in London's dangerous streets.
With a mind for revenge and the safe recovery of her siblings, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. There she is tempted by her first taste of independence -- and true love. Ultimately she must summon her courage and fight to ensure that she does not become... The Last Princess. 

This book is a dystopian set in ENGLAND! I know it sounds awesome, and it looks like there is going to be a ton of action, something that I love about thee dystopian genre. I also love books where kidnappings are involved. Sure to be a start to a great trilogy (I mean it's dystopian, how could it NOT be a trilogy?). Thanks to Maji Bookshelf for introducing me to this book!

Top 10 Tuesday (5)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP 10 FAVORITE BOOK BLOGS
(In no particular order)

Note: This week's subject is freebie, so you can do it on whatever bookish subject you want.

10

Faharah and Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
These two Libyan sisters are fairly new to the book blogging community, but they have made a splash in the community already!
9

Chelsey @ Starry Sky Books
Chelsey has such a great blog, with very original and thoughtful reviews! She's makes me proud to be a Washingtonian!
8

Lori @ Pure Imagination
Lori is PURE awesomeness. Plus, she has one of the prettiest blogs out there, and psst... she's designing mine!
7

Kara @ Epic Book Nerd
She's epic. And nerdy. Kara's the EPIC BOOK NERD. Plus, she's my book blogging 'big sib', so I lucked out!
6

Cindy @ Princess Bookie
Cindy is the princess of blogging. And she's SO much fun to talk books with!
5

Kristi @ The Story Siren
The Story Siren is the'mama bear' of book blogging, I haven't actually gotten to talk to her, but her reviews are great!
4
 James @ Book Chic Club
James is one of the few guy book bloggers I know, he's really nice and understands the need to blabber about books.
3

Sash and Em @ Sash and Em
These two bookish bffs are so friendly. I find their reviews very detailed and original.
2

Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer is more of a newspaper then a blog, because all the posts are SO high-quality. Plus, she hosts awesome giveaway hops.
1.

This review site/fan club hosts the coolest events, live author chats, read-a-longs, the list goes on and on! Plus they have great YA reviews.