Waiting on Wednesday: Challenger Deep

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine.  

  This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is Challenger Deep. 

Challenger Deep

by Neal Shusterman
Publication date: April 21st, 2015

From Goodreads:

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.

Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.

Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.

Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.

Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.

Caden Bosch is torn.

A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.

Waiting on Wednesday -- UnDivided

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine.  
  This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is UnDivided. 

UnDivided

by Neal Shusterman
Publication date: October 14, 2014

From Goodreads:

The final book in the Unwind Dystology. Coming Summer 2014.

(Yes. That's all it says!)

Teaser Tuesday #3 -- UnSouled

This is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To participate you:

* Grab your current read

* Open to a random page

* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! 

You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

* Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday 

participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teasers are from:

UnSouled (The Unwind Dystology #3) by Neal Shusterman

Teaser #1:

Then she starts the chain saw, and it roars to life, puffing forth acrid, hellish smoke and releasing an earsplitting report that makes Cam's seams ache in alarm.

Teaser #2: 

He means to grab her by the neck and hurl her to the ground, but instead he finds his hand reaching behind her to the ribbon in her hair and pulling it free.

Waiting on Wednesday -- UnSouled

Hi, guys! :) Welcome to my first ever Waiting on Wednesday post! (Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where readers post upcoming releases they're looking forward to.) 

My first "can't-wait-to-read" book is: 

UnSouled
by Neal Shusterman

Publication date: October 15, 2013

From Barnes & Noble: 

The story that began with Unwind continues.

Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they’re not just running away from something. This time, they’re running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.

Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human.

With the Juvenile Authority and vindictive parts pirates hunting them, the paths of Connor, Lev, Cam, and Risa will converge explosively—and everyone will be changed.

Neal Shusterman continues the adventure that VOYA called “poignant, compelling, and ultimately terrifying.”

How about you? What books are you looking forward to? 

Upcoming Young Adult Book-to-Movie Adaptations I'm Looking Forward To

At the risk of being redundant (as this topic is posted about *quite* often on the interwebs, and understandably so), I decided after a recent #k8chat twitter discussion (hosted by Kate Tilton @K8Tilton and Dana @danasquare), that it would be fun to share the YA (young adult) book-to-movie adaptions I'm looking forward to watching that are coming up. Hopefully a few more people will find out about movies coming up in time to read the books first (because yes--that is important)! So here goes, in order of theatrical release:

1. The Book Thief

author: Marcus Zusak

theatrical release: November 15, 2013

The Book Thief is a great, though harder, more mature read (not more mature as in appropriateness, necessarily, just the writing style may not hold interest for younger readers) and I am already planning on taking tissues to the theater. I am very, very curious as to how this is going to be played out in a movie, considering who the narrator is. Can't. Wait.

Blurb:

A New York Times bestseller for seven years running that's coming to movie theaters on November 15, 2013, this Printz Honor book by the author of I Am the Messenger is an unforgettable tale about the ability of books to feed the soul.


Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. 

The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Movie info:

* The Book Thief movie on IMDb (link)

Book info:

Amazon (link)

Goodreads (link)

2. Catching Fire  














author: Suzanne Collins
theatrical release: November 22, 2013

This is the second installment of The Hunger Games series. I know a lot of you adults out there (not usual YA readers) have no idea what happens, and from what I've been able to tell, the trailers don't say either, so I don't want to give anything away. Let's just say that President Snow isn't happy with Katniss and Peeta, and a big something happens because of that. (Vague enough?) For those of you still living under a rock (*she says, jokingly*), here's a link to the first installment.

Blurb:

Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

Movie info:

* Catching Fire facebook page (link)

* Catching Fire movie on IMDb (Iink)

* Catching Fire movie on twitter (link)

Book info:

Amazon (link)
Goodreads (link) 


3. The Maze Runner



author: James Dashner
theatrical release: February 14, 2014

I just finished this about a week ago, and being as it's *so* dystopian, I am very interested to see this on the big screen. I had a lot of questions I felt weren't answered (plop me into a story and I want to know all the whys), and am hoping the second book in the series, The Scorch Trials, will help with that a little. Still, as there is so much in the storyline, it will be a good experience, I think, to have a visual of everything. I'm also excited about some of the actors. :)

Blurb:

The first book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series—The Maze Runner is a modern classic, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Movie info:

* The Maze Runner on IMDb (link)

* Informative article on CinemaBlend.com (link)

* The Maze Runner movie on facebook (link)

* The Maze Runner movie on twitter (link)

Book info:

Amazon (link)
Goodreads (link)


4. If I Stay



author: Gayle Forman
theatrical release date: TBD

Blurb:

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

Movie info:

* If I Stay movie info on IMDb (link)
* Recent article on If I Stay movie news from Variety (link)

Book info:

Amazon (link)

Goodreads (link)

5. Unwind (yayyyyyyyyyy)



author: Neal Shusterman
theatrical release date: TBD (2015?)

This is the book-to-movie adaptation I am *most* excited about. YAY! It's still in the beginning stages, but it's happening, and that's all that matters. :D 

Blurb:

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

Movie info:

* Unwind movie website (link)

* Unwind movie on twitter (link)

* Article from The Hollywood Reporter (link)

Book info:
Amazon (link)
Goodreads (link)


6. Chaos Walking Series



author: Patrick Ness
theatrical movie release: TBD

This is the second most exciting up-and-a-long-time-away-but-still-YAY adaptation for me. I mean.. YAYYYYYY. After trial and error (of recommending these books and loaning them out), I've found that there isn't much in-between: either readers like the Chaos Walking series, or they don't. I did--because it was different. And if you decide to read this series (you must), you better make sure you have the second book in the series, The Ask and The Answer, handy, or you will go absolutely bonkers. 

Blurb:

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?


Movie info:

* Informative article on Deadline.com regarding Lionsgate (link)

Book info:

Amazon (link)
Goodreads (link)



So, what do ya think? Are you excited about any of these (or different upcoming adaptations)? Did this list spark interest in a book you hadn't been interested in reading before? 

When a book still pricks at your brain days later, it's a keeper

So I've been on a reading frenzy the past couple of weeks and I thought I'd ask what you've read lately that really stood out. I used to think a "perfectly written story" made the perfect book, where the words were amazing and things ended all tied up and nice and you heaved a contented sigh of relief and went about your day (or promptly fell asleep), but my opinion has changed over the years and now I think the ones forever in my "favorite" category are the ones still pricking at my brain days later while I try to come to terms with it all.

Two that have stuck with me recently are:

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (you can read my review here)



"There’s a reason why Brewster can’t have friends – why he can’t care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can’t be explained. I know, because they're happening to me."

When Brontë starts dating Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins – the guy voted “Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty” her twin brother, Tennyson, isn’t surprised. But then strange things begin to occur. Tennyson and Brontë’s scrapes heal unnaturally fast, and cuts disappear before their eyes. What at first seems like their good fortune turns out to be more than they bargained for…much more.

and

Tamar by Mal Peet (no review because I just wasn't even sure how to put it into words).



When her grandfather dies, Tamar inherits a box containing a series of clues and coded messages. Out of the past, another Tamar emerges, a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Holland half a century before. His story is one of passionate love, jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War -- and unraveling it is about to transform Tamar’s life forever. 

From acclaimed British sensation Mal Peet comes a masterful story of adventure, love, secrets, and betrayal in time of war, both past and present.

Both of these are young adult books, though Tamar actually has adult POV as well. I swear I knew until the very ending of Tamar what was going on. Yeah, no. Boy did I get thrown for a loop. It bothered me for days.

So. There are two of my "pick your brain keepers". What books are picking at your brain? Feel free to share in the comments (I love adding to my TBR list)!

Be blessed,

Jessica

Blog stop updates, Latvia, BRUISER review & more

Somehow I got behind on the blog stops this week and there are three to share today! :)

First, yesterday PIAO was at  Izz "Pingle"Bookish Place (link) with excerpt #1.

Second, Jonas and Hattie made it out of the US and all the way over to Maija's blog, Bookish Randomness in Latvia, Europe (link)! After Maija informed me where it was exactly, I had to check it out!

Pretty cool, right? I mean, they go on a little journey themselves, but that's nothing compared to Europe (see Finland above Latvia, a bit?) ;) I believe there's an excerpt there, too.

Third, Hattie's excerpt is up today over at Sara in Bookland's blog. (link) I'm noticing almost all of these ladies also have birds on their blog designs... coincidence? I think not!!! ;)

I also have a book review of BRUISER by Neal Shusterman (he's written Unwind, UnWholly, the Everlost series, and a whole lot of other books) over at Afterglow Book Reviews. BRUISER was a GREAT book! (link) There were lots of laughing and tears... as with all of Neal's books, it's going to stick with me for a while.

Last, I thought I'd do another little teaser and share a new photo from PIAO's Pinterest board:

There's a pivotal scene that takes place near Hattie's gran's mailbox (for those of you who have the paperback, it's the back cover excerpt). This view here seemed so perfect for how I imagined things to look in Wanless (though, technically, there'd be a little less grass and more dirt).


Happy Wednesday! :)

Jessica