Llama Llama Hates the Drama

I'm not going to throw in my "two cents" about the drama that has been going on in the book blogging community this week. Others have said all there is to say. What I will say, is that I don't want to belong to a community where I have to choose sides. If I choose to do In My Mailbox, I "support" The Story Siren and people who don't "support" The Story Siren will assume I support plagiarism. If I don't choose to do IMM...well, you get what I'm trying to say.

I started my blog because I wanted to share my opinions on books. I read because it's fun. I post reviews and interact with readers and other bloggers because it's fun. Well, this week, it has turned into something not so fun anymore. For the first time, I've been embarrassed to belong to a community I love to be a part of. I don't want to feel like I have to choose a side in this "war." I just want to blog, dammit, without worrying about who I'll offend.

I'm actually thinking about stopping. I'm thinking about stopping. That kind of freaks me out! I get and understand where the anger is coming from. I'm upset, too. What I don't get, is where the hate and personal attacks belong in all of this. I don't stand for that and refuse to participate in a community that seems to be overrun with it, as shown this week.  I'm almost 28 and I don't want to deal with stuff like this. Bloggers who I used to respect have shown their claws and now I'm frightened of them. I'm a Hufflepuff, guys. ;P Yet there are other bloggers who have treated this whole situation with the maturity it should have been handled with in the first place. I thank and respect these people.

I've had a really difficult week just in my own life, so thinking about quitting is probably overreacting right now. In fact, I know it is. I'm just disappointed that the situation couldn't have been handled better and was reduced to personal attacks and name-calling (I'm referring to both sides, by the way). What happens to those who just want to stay in the middle?

I'm going to go and listen to lots of MIKA to build my spirits. Specifically, We Are Golden and Grace Kelly because they make me want to dance like THIS! Except where the music artist and viewer apparently have an acid trip halfway through...that's just scary. Oh, I may also dance to this one, too.

You caught me. This post was just an excuse to introduce you to MIKA.

P.S. I have closed comments out of fear and due to lack of energy to debate anything.

In My Mailbox (20)

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren to share books we got in the mail or the library or the bookstore, etc. that week!

Nothing came in the mail specifically for me this week, but what I have to show are books I checked out from work! I'm very excited to read these!

FROM WORK:

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

What did you get this week?

Review: Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson
Publication date: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

What a different and enjoyable read this was! I don't think I've ever experienced anything like it. I'd tell you more, but then I'd be spoiling it for you. This is one of those books that one must go into knowing nothing more than the publisher generated plot description.

First, I was like "Oh, mental institution book! I like!" Then I was like "Heeellooo, doctor." Then I reached little more than the halfway point and was like "HUBBA WHAAA?" <---my reaction through the rest of the book. Ultraviolet isn't what you think it is.

It is obvious that R.J. Anderson did her research on synesthesia and psychiatric institutions. Serious research. I found Alison and the other patients at the hospital to be incredibly three-dimensional and the environment was well used. Anderson blends Alison's condition perfectly with the story. If taken out of it, the book would be something completely different. I just found the whole book to be something fascinating and intense and I couldn't put it down. Stupid work prevented me from reading it in one sitting.

I apologize for the not-so-detailed review, but I think most people, whether they liked Ultraviolet or not, would recommend that it be read without knowing much about it (again, correct me if I'm wrong). I loved it and I can't wait for the sequel! Check this one out if you feel like you've been reading the same YA over and over again.

Top Ten Tuesday: Tips For New Book Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Every week focuses on a different topic and you make a top ten list from it! This week: My Top Ten Tips For New Book Bloggers

I've been blogging for about 7 months now (this still makes me new, right?), but I've definitely learned some things even if I sometimes forget them, myself. I could only come up with seven, but these seven I chose are what keep me going everyday.

1. Don't freak out about numbers. I still do this at times, but then remember that I'm blogging because I enjoy it. If other people enjoy what I write then that's great! Sure, it's nice to have tons of followers, but I think it's also nice to have people who truly appreciate what I do. Besides, those bloggers who have a lot of followers and hits...most of them have been around a while. I think any of them can tell you that building a following takes time.

2. Don't compare yourself to other bloggers. Just don't. For reasons, see numbers one and three.

3. Be who you are. Your blog is yours, so make it yours. If you end up trying to be like your favorite blog, it may not work out in your favor. I love visiting blogs and being able to get a peak inside the personality of that blogger.

4. Comment. If you want to gain followers and readers, I recommend commenting on other blogs and talking to others. Be sure to make your comments thoughtful and not just "hey, great post! Follow me!" If you feel you have nothing to say on a most recent post, go find one where you can add an opinion. I love it when I still get comments on something I wrote months ago. Also, posting a genuine comment makes people more likely to check out your own blog. Or so I think. How else will others know you're there?

5. Talk to other bloggers. This can be done through email (no spam!) or Facebook or Twitter or even in their comments sections. I can't recommend Twitter enough. I think that's really where I've built my audience and pulled in readers. Plus, it's fun. :)

6. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask other bloggers questions. I still do this and have yet to have anyone treat me with condescension or not be helpful. Don't be scared! We're all in this to help and support each other. I know I'm not scary, are you?

7. Don't put pressure on yourself to post everyday. I say this and yet I still do it. You'll burn yourself out and blogging will no longer be fun. You started doing it because you like it. There was a point a while back where I'd been forcing myself to read so much I couldn't read anything for two weeks. Take your time. No one should expect a book review every single day. I try to post 2-3 book reviews a week, but have been lacking on this recently because of...wait for it...burnout.

What tips do you have?

Review: Torn

Torn (Trylle #2) by Amanda Hocking
Publication date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
SPOILERS IN SYNOPSIS FOR BOOK ONE

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story… She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction. Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

If you read my earlier review of Switched you'll remember I wasn't that big of a fan, but was interested enough to read the second. After some urging from a few of my fellow bloggers, I decided to pick up Torn sooner than I was planning. Well, I'm happy to say I am quite pleased with how Torn turned out!

Wendy definitely grows into herself in this book. She is stronger and fights for what she thinks is right. Second, the writing is much better. I found there to be less faults in editing than I found in the first one. The story is exciting, the politics are intriguing, the characters are better developed, and their relationships are more complicated. Plus, we get a few new additions. One being named Loki. *heavenly sigh* *daydreams* Loki...

*clears throat* 

I can't say much because of spoilers, but as in Switched, I think the author has a bad habit of taking the easy way out of most situations. Anyway, there was a character-trait-surprise I wasn't expecting that is more delved into in the third book, Ascend, which I just finished. I have an issue with it, but that will be for my review of the last book.

This was a quick and much more enjoyable read than I was expecting!

Giveaway: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Hidden by Sophie Jordan
Publication date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: HarperTEEN
SPOILERS FOR SERIES IN SYNOPSIS

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory. The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

PRIZE: an ARC of Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Please read my contest policy before entering!

This giveaway is US/Canada only.

Taste Book Trailer and Excerpt Reveal

Hey guys! I'm so excited to have the opportunity to reveal the book trailer and give you an excerpt from Taste by Kate Evangelista. I haven't read the book yet, but after reading the excerpt I am very excited to get my hands on it! I do love me some paranormal romance. And look at the pretty cover! LOOK AT IT!

Taste by Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Publication date: May 1, 2012

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans. When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

About the author:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

Author Website: www.kateevangelista.com
Twitter: @KateEvangelista
Follow Kate on Facebook
Find Taste on Goodreads
Crescent Moon Press page for Taste