Title: The Stone Girl
Author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Publisher: Random House Children's
Publish Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher

She feels like a creature out of a fairy tale; a girl who discovers that her bones are really made out of stone, that her skin is really as thin as glass, that her hair is brittle as straw, that her tears have dried up so that she cries only salt. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t hurt when she presses hard enough to begin bleeding: it doesn’t hurt, because she’s not real anymore.

Sethie Weiss is hungry, a mean, angry kind of hunger that feels like a piece of glass in her belly. She’s managed to get down to 111 pounds and knows that with a little more hard work—a few more meals skipped, a few more snacks vomited away—she can force the number on the scale even lower. She will work on her body the same way she worked to get her perfect grades, to finish her college applications early, to get her first kiss from Shaw, the boy she loves, the boy who isn’t quite her boyfriend.

Sethie will not allow herself one slip, not one bad day, not one break in concentration. Her body is there for her to work on when everything and everyone else—her best friend, her schoolwork, and Shaw—are gone.

Sethie is broken, both in mind and body. Her illnesses consume her, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel anymore. It’s all just bleak, black and dark. Her depression consumes her mind, just as her eating disorder takes its toll on her withering body. Pushing her to seek complete validation and reliance on a boyfriend who doesn’t truly care for her, a friend who will never be a true friend and a semblance of control with controlling her eating, Sethie is on the verge of an abyss from which she can never return. Can she find comfort, solace and peace before she does too much damage and loses herself forever?

Most of my readers know that I have quite the penchant for issue-driven novels. I like when a contemporary book isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and take it to that next level, grasping the very core of humanity. The Stone Girl promised all of the above and more. Embracing a powerful topic that hundreds of thousands of people can relate to, we’re given a unique perspective that is both authentic and harrowing. Author Alyssa Sheinmel’s approach is powerful and disturbing as she gives us access to the life and downfall of a girl so desperate for internal and external approval that she very well might lose herself in the process.

There was so very much going for The Stone Girl, and I was really, really excited to read this one. Books regarding eating disorders hold a little place in my heart because they hit home. This one, however, took a decidedly different approach, which turned out to be a tricky downfall for me, unfortunately. The author utilized the very difficult to manage third person perspective, which unfortunately alienated me from Sethie as our main character. I think it was probably used to further illustrate that emotional disconnect, and I applaud the author for testing the waters and trying something new. Unfortunately, it made the story a bit flat for me. That’s not at all to say that Sethie’s journey wasn’t difficult or painful. Trust me, it was. Sethie is lost in a world of addiction – to control over her eating, manipulative people and validation in all the wrong places. I wanted to feel Sethie’s pain and feel with her. I wanted to want to reach into the novel and comfort her. I feel as though I never really got to know her though. I watched her from afar, but I could never actually empathize with her because it was so very detached. Nor did I find myself connecting with or feeling any emotion towards the secondary characters. The Stone Girl could very well succeed for a vast audience because it is raw, and the story is so withdrawn, but I just couldn’t actually feel it, and that made me struggle.

I do believe there will be a wide audience for The Stone Girl, but it just didn’t tug at my heartstrings enough to draw me in. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy issue-driven contemporary fiction and third person perspective.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Cover Reveal: Entice by Jessica Shirvington

I'm so excited today to help the all too awesome Jessica Shirvington and Sourcebooks release the cover for the much-anticipated sequel (in the US) to Embrace, called Entice! Going a bit darker and mysterious this time, the cover certainly fits in the same vein. So, without further ado, check out this amazing piece of art!

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s is back! With a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something. And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori.

It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles. And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.

Ok, sold yet? Entice will be released in the good ol' USA on September 4, 2012.

To tide you over until then, be sure to check out the first two chapters of Entice just in time for BEA!

Or, simply sit back and enjoy this video of the lovely author, herself, as she invites us into the world in which she creates her stories!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Erasing Time
Author: CJ Hill
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Publish Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Pages: 368

In this high-action and romantic futuristic adventure, there is no escape from the future for two contemporary girls pulled out of their own time.

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Ok, I was sold on the cover of Erasing Time alone, but let's be honest...this one sounds awesome. Part sci-fi and part dystopian, this novel seems to closing in on a mixed genre that I'm absolutely partial to these days. I love the idea of sisters transported together because it reminds me of one of my all-time favourite books, Many Waters, in which brothers are transported to the past together. Throwing two completely unlikely girls into a war zone sounds like an epic story in the making. Needless to say, I can't wait! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Title: What I Didn't Say
Author: Keary Taylor
Publisher: Create Space
Publish Date: April 30, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 326
Source: Author

Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat.

His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

Jake has it all. It’s his senior year of high school, the world is at his feet and the future lies ahead of him in an endless map of opportunity. Plus, there’s the girl in school that’s loved for eternity, and he thinks it might just be time for him to tell her. In an instant though, Jake’s entire future is thrown to the wind. In one rash decision, Jake gets drunk, gets in the car with a very drunk driver and they crash violently. In an instant, Jake’s future is one hundred percent different. His life is a gift, and while he’s lucky to be alive, he’s lost his voice forever. There are so many things he didn’t say while he had the chance though – including telling Sam he loves her – and now he never will.

Guys, I’ve been reading Keary Taylor’s novels for a while now, and I love her take on the paranormal. She has a rich, engaging writing style that is both emote and vivid, luring the reader into her web. So, naturally, I was thrilled to have the chance to try her take on contemporary. What I Didn’t Say is a powerhouse novel hidden in an overflowing genre. Rife with tension, this book will shatter your heart into a thousand little pieces then slowly piece it back together again. With careful, deliberate emotion and endless dramatic reality, we’re given two very broken characters and are allowed the opportunity to watch both put their lives back together again. 

Contemporary has always been a bit of a hit or miss thing for me. There has to be an absolutely seamless blend of drama, emotion, character growth and, heck, a little sweet love thrown in the mix. What I Didn’t Say promised me all of the above. Even better though? It delivered. Jake is the proverbial character who has everything he could ever want, including a girl he’s madly in love with but just can’t seem to find the words to tell her. Sam is the girl who, on the outside seems completely perfect, but inside her heart is breaking. In a single instant, Jake’s life falls to pieces, and we watch as he spirals into a pit of depression, but a very lost and sad girl helps pull him from the abyss and put his life back together. We’re privvied to extensive insight into the innermost thoughts of Jake after the accident as he dwells on everything he didn’t say or do while he had the chance. We’re not, however, allowed access into Sam’s struggles until the most poignant moment of all – a catalyst that tests their friendship, their bond and maybe even the potential for love blossoming between the two. What I Didn’t Say is heartbreakingly powerful. It certainly doesn’t skimp on the drama, but it’s never cloying or unreal. It’s painful, it’s tangible and it’s something that makes you feel real, true, gut-wrenching emotions. Most of all though, when you strip away the pretty words, we’re given two very basic characters who find the most pure and powerful connection of all.

To be honest, I was completely blown away by What I Didn’t Say. If you’re like me and are on the fence, I advise you to hop off and read this one. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy issue-driven contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Guys, I'm a social media manager for a small marketing agency just North of Boston by day, so I'm usually inundated by clients and potential clients asking how a social media platform can be used for their business. Recently, however, a lot of book bloggers have been asking if Pinterest can be used to enhance their blogs' reach. The short answer? Of course it can! The longer answer? Pinterest is still quite new, but the target market is huge, so there's a lot of untapped potential.

I bit the bullet about 6 months ago and got a Pinterest account for me, myself and I. After a while, I began to see the possibility of, perhaps, using it in part for my blog, as well. Now, some of you might be asking yourselves what exactly Pinterest is. It's pretty simple, actually.

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests

*via Pinterest.

Do you see the goldmine of opportunity there?! Anything beautiful you find via the search engines (barring Facebook - don't be creepy - and some sites that have blocked the Pin It Button) can be pinned to your boards and shared to your followers. The potential for things to go viral is enormous.

So, what could book bloggers pin?

- Book covers (WoW posts that track back to your blog) 

- Book reviews (Pin the covers and track back to your blog)

- Writing inspiration 

- Book-inspired jewelry 

- Book-inspired art

- Features (Share your graphics and track back to them)

- Authors

Just as a little example, this is what my bookish pinboard looks like.

If you think about it, the list is pretty much endless. Pinterest has the same idea as any social media platform - sharing. If you find book bloggers out there on Pinterest, share their content! If you find authors and publishers, do the same! We're all dipping our toes in the water at about the same time, so the market's open. Have fun with it!

Some publishers that have bitten the bullet and established Pinterest accounts include HarperTeen, Penguin, Random House, Scholastic and more. Heck, even Book Expo America is on Pinterest. Visit The Well-Read Wife for a list of bloggers on Pinterest, and check out this list on YA Highway for Authors and more publishers on Pinterest to get some ideas!

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What are your thoughts on book censorship in schools?

Hello, hot-button issue! When I started this feature, I knew I wanted to make it a mix of fun discussion topics and heavy-hitting, relevant issues that concern people beyond the book blogging and publishing world. What is a bigger discussion topic than censorship? Censorship, in and of itself, simply makes my skin crawl. I believe that there is merit to just about any written work, and to ban a book across the board, regardless of the content makes me want to pull up my soap box, stand with my head held high and preach to the world just why exactly I think book censorship in schools is wrong.

I'll state it right here and now: my opinions will rub some people the wrong way. I don't apologize for my opinions because they are really and truly my own. Just as I want people to respect my opinions, I truly respect opposing viewpoints. Simply put - I think that banning books across the board in schools is wrong. Many school boards like to gloss over the messiness and call their reading curriculum a "selection," rather than the blatant banning that I believe it is. I'm not going to lie and say that some of the banned books I've seen don't have messy content...because they do.

Consider Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn. One of my all-time favourite authors takes a harrowing story of an abusive (both emotionally and physically) relationship between teens and creates a story that is startlingly realistic and relevant for the young adult crowd. Is it brutal? Heck yeah. There's no glossing over the violence and the drama. There shouldn't be. Abuse is abuse. There are no shades of gray, and a story like that is important for teens who might otherwise be scared into silence because they are the abused and ashamed, or they're the abuser and are afraid to seek the help they need to get better. A Washington school district banned this book due to the graphic nature of the content. Is it right to take this book out of schools just because it makes the parents uncomfortable that their children are reading it? It should make the kids uncomfortable. It should make them think.

Take, for another example, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Written about a young teen who is raped at a party, haunted by the memory, taunted by classmates and friends and damaged to the core, this book is harrowing. I'm not going to lie. It's not an easy read to stomach. Last year, it was referred to as "soft core porn." Needless to say, the bookish community was outraged. Such a comment says that we should ban this book because the victim brought it on herself. The rapist should be allowed to run free through the story. Should such a book truly be banned because it makes someone upset? It's not meant to be pretty, or easy, or simple. Real life is messy. Real pain is tangible and speaks volumes to someone who might otherwise be too afraid to speak up that they, too, were a victim. The same goes for another of the author's novels, Wintergirls. Tackling eating disorders and cutting, it's a hard-edged approach to an all-too common disease. Should it really be pushed under the rug?

There are so many books out there today that are banned because of their "offensive" content. Think of Catcher in the Rye, or the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Think of Bridge to Terabithia, or Harry Potter, or Lord of the Flies. Yes, books might offend people. Content speaks volumes to different people in different ways. That's a good thing. In my humble opinion, parents should read what their children are reading. If you have a problem with the material, discuss it with your child. Don't fight it. Embrace the challenge and open the communication. Speaking about it might just diminish the fear of those words, and children might actually stand to gain more from reading it.

Title: A Want So Wicked
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Publish Date: June 26, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?

Elise’s life has changed rapidly ever since waking up in the park with absolutely no memory of how she got there. But the changes are fast, frightening and just enough to keep her awake at night and rock her to the very core. Without and forewarning, Elise can now read into people’s lives, which is both an entirely inconvenient and unwanted gift. She can see what makes things tick, and she knows there’s a darkness lurking around her, but she has no idea why. To make matters worse, there are two very attractive boys suddenly vying for her attention. One draws her in with his bad-boy charm. The other exudes a familiarity and connection she can’t look past. What are these changes happening in Elise’s life, and can she discover the meaning of it all before it’s too late?

I remember reading the first book in this series, A Need So Beautiful last year, and I really loved the story. Although not the freshest idea, perhaps, it was well written with just enough angst to keep me riveted. Suzanne Young has crafted a worthy follow-up with her sophomore novel, A Want So Wicked, in which we’re invited, once again, to share in her characters’ epic journey to self-discovery and ultimate triumph over darkness. With vivid imagery, strong prose and a cast of emote and well-rounded characters, the story is well-fleshed out with a strong beginning, middle and end. Most of all though, we’re given a heroine that we can relate to, and we become invested in her journey through A Want So Wicked.

I have to admit that I’m a bit on the fence about A Want So Wicked, to be honest. I remember really enjoying book one, and feeling that the journey moved at a good pace, was well-rounded and had tons of self-discovery through our heroine, Elise. However, with book two, I felt almost as if we had the same exact scenario playing out before us, though we were given a new setting and different characters. If I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure if the story evolved much in this installment, which is a bit unfortunate because, heck, I wanted to know what’s happening with Elise! Now, don’t get me wrong, the writing style is just as fluid and fast-paced as before. The plot is still engaging and entertaining, and I definitely still wanted to know what was happening throughout the novel. Plus, A Want So Wicked gives us Harlin who, let’s be honest here, is pretty much awesome all wrapped up in a sexy little bow. He’s a very heartfelt character, and he’s one that I can actually feel for. His emotions, his actions and his demeanor just ooze charisma, and his addition really heightens the investment we have in Elise’s journey, which is a definitive strength. One other qualm I, unfortunately, had was that the villains were just so blatantly obvious throughout the story. The characters might not have seen it, but I did, and I prefer a bit of shock and awe. Regardless of its faults though, A Want So Wicked is engaging in its writing style, and the characterization is true to form, rich and inviting.

Despite a few flaws, A Want So Wicked was a good story overall. It will definitely find its place on many a bookshelf. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and paranormal romance.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publish Date: January 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 400

For sixteen years, Alyssa Gardner has lived with the stigma of being descended from Alice Liddell -- the real life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's famed novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But cruel jokes about dormice and tea parties can’t compare to the fact that Alyssa hears the whispers of bugs and flowers ... the same quirk which sent her mother to a mental institution years before.

When her mother takes a turn for the worse and the whispers grow too strong for Alyssa to bear, she seeks the origins of their family curse. A set of heirlooms and a moth tied to an unusual website lead Alyssa and her gorgeous best friend / secret crush, Jeb, down the rabbit hole into the real Wonderland, a place more twisted and eerie than Lewis Carroll ever let on.

There, creepy counterparts of the original fairytale crew reveal the purpose for Alyssa’s journey, and unless she fixes the things her great-great-great grandmother Alice put wrong, Wonderland will have her head.

You guys don't understand my love of the dark and twisty. For reals. I'm obsessed with everything that's just a little bit off, and whether that makes me a touch psychotic or not...I just don't care! Splintered sounds like a little bit of everything I love. The tale of Alice in Wonderland has always been a bit sadistic and twisted, but this interpretation sounds like the penultimate tale. I can't wait to see just how bleak and creepy this version is! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Blogs/Sites I Read That Aren't About Books:

1. Rockstar Diaries – This site lets my inner hipster run wild! I don’t know how the blogger, Naomi, is exactly as cool as she is, but seriously…I have so much fun reading her posts, checking out all her cute pictures and hoping that one day my life is just as cute!

2. Across the Pond – This blog author is just living the dream! She went to get her masters in Nottingham, met her boyfriend and now lives in Scotland for the time being. Oh yeah, and she was a former fashion model in Los Angeles. Too cool, right?! She’s totally candid and fun.

3. Bright Wishes – Brooke was a book blogger, and she really found her niche in her personal blog. Even though she doesn’t blog all that much anymore, her posts are so fun, honest and open. I really love how frequently her blog design changes, too. It’s so fun.

4. Skinnytaste – This blog comes from my transition to eating meat again and the need to track the calories in each portion. There are so many incredible recipes on this blog, and each one tracks exactly how to reduce calories, how to add flavor and really kick it up a notch.

5. Awkward Family Photos – Ok, this one isn’t so much reading as it is looking at the most hilariously and fantastically awkwardly awesome photos, but holy heck. This is endless entertainment in a nutshell. If you haven’t checked this site out yet, I highly recommend you do so!

6. Damn You Autocorrect – Since I got my iPhone, I’ve had my fair share of snafus in my text messages, so I can relate with a lot of this site. Seriously. Have you read it? Some of the stuff that was said is just so heinously awesome and inappropriate that I can’t tell you how many evenings I’ve spent reading it.

7. Perez Hilton – I’m ashamed. I know, this site is utter garbage, but I just can’t help it! There’s something so filthily delicious to reading his trashy little posts about celebrity life. Let’s be honest, this miss will never pass those golden gates, so I’ll enjoy the gossip from afar.

8. Pinterest – So sue me! I got invited, and I joined, and I haven’t stopped pinning since! I can’t help it. I have boards for books, writing inspiration, crafts, food, beauty…everything. It’s my whole life on a pinboard, and I just love it. Plus, I’m always finding new hairstyles and recipes. Perfection.

9. Facebook – I can’t help it. Guys, I am a social media manager for a marketing agency by day, so I pretty much play on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and more all day every day. With a lot of family overseas though, Facebook is the perfect way for me to keep in touch with all my family in Africa!

10. Hyperbole and a Half – I stumbled across this blog once upon a time way back when I was living in Salt Lake City. Combine epic artwork with the funniest, snarkiest stories in the world, and you have a golden pile of hilarity. I’m addicted to this one!

Title: This Is Not a Test
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publish Date: June 19, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going.

Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

It’s the end of the world. Sloane knows it. Hell, everyone knows it. While the zombie apocalypse rages on outside the walls of the high school in which she and the others have taken shelter, Sloane is desperately clinging to some semblance of a reason as to why exactly she sound go on with this mess they all live in. Everyone seems to be holding on to the life they once had, but Sloane has nothing to hold on to. What’s more, she doesn’t want to. The disease that consumes their former selves and brings them back as monsters almost seems like a mercy to her now. But the world is falling apart outside the school, and as the walls continue to crumble and humanity starts to dwindle, Sloane has to find a reason to continue or be lost forever.

This is not my first novel from Courtney Summers, and I have to say that, as before, her impeccable writing style simply steals the show in her newest novel, This Is Not a Test. I went into this novel unsure of what to expect because I know of the human approach she takes to the novels she writes. She has the innate ability to connect on a truly harmonious emotional novel with her characters, making them speak to the reader not in words, but rather through complex emotions and interactions with others throughout the story. This Is Not a Test is a seamless, heart-wrenching rollercoaster ride of emotion and distress from start to finish. It is never cloying, always powerful and completely connects the reader to both the internal and external struggles throughout the entire novel.

In terms of zombie novels, kids, I’m going to have to call This Is Not a Test “zombie-lite.” Yes, there are zombies, and yes, this is the end of the world as all the characters know it. However, the zombies are not in the foreground of the novel. Rather, the zombies are almost the backdrop and the apocalyptic vibe simply fuels and expands upon the rich, evocative internal struggles that play out through Sloane and her supporting cast throughout the novel. Sloane’s struggle is the true nature of the story and, frankly, it seems as though it is the main purpose. As readers, we’re given access not only to a desolate and bleak world, but the psyche of a broken, battered and utterly hopeless girl simply searching for some reason to want to live. While the secondary characters live in a constant state of unending fear and terror for their demise, Sloane very nearly welcomes it, and her internal struggle to fight the feeling is tangible, painful and extraordinarily real. One would think that in a novel where a half-dozen teens are stranded in a school fighting the zombie apocalypse there would be extreme angst. There is – don’t get me wrong. This angst, however, is real and painful. It’s not your normal teenage angst. Because This Is Not a Test is so very dark and bleak, hope is a beacon, and it’s that little sliver of hope for redemption both within Sloane and for the characters, as a whole, that keeps us riveted throughout.

I’ll be honest, I adored This Is Not a Test, though I really wish there were more zombies! I’m a zombie fiend! I understand the backdrop though, and I respect the creative license in that regard. I give this one a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy post-apocalyptic, dystopian and contemporary novels.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Alibi
Authors: Annie Miles, John Byrne, Isabel Eckersley & Sorrel Provola
Publisher: Twist Literary
Publish Date: 2012
Genre: YA, Mystery
Pages: 100/Installment
Source: Publisher

Abigail Shelton is dead. Spring Valley's golden girl is found floating face-down in her boyfriend’s pool, hands bound behind her back, head bleeding, drugs and alcohol in her system. Her friends are the only suspects – and they all have reasons to want her dead. Everyone has an alibi, but no one is innocent.

ALIBI is a 4-part young adult e-book series. Each one-hundred page installment reveals the perspective of a different character: the secret love, the nemesis, the boyfriend, the best friend. As their tales unfold, we learn that Abby is not as perfect as everyone believes, but she’s not the only one with secrets to hide.

Mysteries are hard to come by in the realm of YA fiction. Yes, occasionally a mystery series will find its way onto the scene, but I’ll be brutally honest and say that they have a difficult time finding their way beyond the little niche. I was approached to review the Alibi series from Twist Literary and authors Annie Miles, John Byrne, Isabel Eckersley and Sorrel Provola, and I was intrigued, to say the least. In the true vein of mysteries and cloak-and-dagger mind play, the Alibi series leads you in one direction at the pace of a runaway train, then switches directions just in time to end the installment.

This series is, truthfully, unlike anything I’ve read. It is a four-part series of 100-page installments, each complete with its own unique vantage point. We’re given the arch-nemesis, the boyfriend, the best friend and the secret love, all of whom might just have a motive, but also have their own unique alibis. As the series progresses, we begin to watch the ties develop, linking the characters and installments together into the tricky web it spins. However, it’s not that easy. We aren’t simply given answers. The authors give the readers just enough to make assumptions, then leave you with a crushing cliffhanger that makes the next installment utterly necessary…like yesterday.

There is so much going for the Alibi series. We’re given a host of entitled and privileged characters each with their own façade, which we must decode in order to read into the story itself. We know that Abby was murdered, and we know that this whodunit mystery is going to shock us, but we don’t exactly know how. Alibi isn’t afraid to spin us into a dark web that’s both unsettling and riveting. It’s like watching car crash. You simply can’t look away. The true beauty of the novels is the fact that, despite having four different authors, four distinct perspectives, a full array of complex characters with their own seaprate pasts, we have a seamless transition from one installment to the next, and we are ultimately given a direction in the story.

Unlike similar mystery series (think Pretty Little Liars), we have all the drama, secrets, backstabbing and evasive mystery, but we find ultimate closure in the end. The mystery does get solved, and we do feel a sense of vindication. I want more just like this story though! I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy mysteries and something a bit out of the box.

I received this series from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What are your top book blogging goals?

This is a question I pose to myself a lot, actually. I've been at this for two and a half years now. I know. Crazy, right? It started as a hobby, but I began to take pride in it, and I began to really enjoy what I was writing. Yes, it's still a hobby, but I put more effort in it now, and I really want to make something of myself as a blogger. What exactly that is...don't ask me. I'm still working on it. Regardless, I set goals for myself each year (sometimes each month), and posting them online helps me with accountability, and plus it really helps build familiarity with those bloggers I follow and admire, as well. So, without further ado...my blogging goals:

1. Transition my blog from Blogger to Wordpress. I've been grappling with this one for a long time. I think I've wanted to do it since late 2010 but, frankly, I'm too dang scared. I know that Wordpress is far superior in terms of SEO. I also know that there's something to be said for owning my own material, rather than having that constant lurking fear that Google actually owns me. So, this one will happen. Courage, self!

2. Comment more. This one stings a little bit. I was SO good at commenting last year. I really was. Then, a lot of personal stuff happened, I got a new job, I moved and everything was thrown up in the air. I still blogged, but I found myself extremely burned out. Now I'm just trying to find that balance again and really interact more again. It will happen. Soon.

3. Do more author interviews. This one is a complete and utter failure on my behalf. It's not that I don't want to do interviews, it's that I hate having repetitive questions and when I don't, I feel like my questions are too lofty and pretentious. This one is sheer lunacy on my part, and I really need to get better at it, especially because I love all the authors out there!

4. Be a better mentor. I've been in this game a while now, kiddos. I know the ropes fairly well, though I'll admit things are constantly changing. I think it's important to help the novice bloggers that really want to succeed though. There is a right and wrong way of doing things, and we've all seen what can happen if one falls into the wrong category here. The point is that I just want to lend what little expertise I have and share that wealth.

5. Build on this discussion feature. It took me a long time to actually decide to make Let's Talk a feature. I did a few posts at random every now and again, but it wasn't anything because I was too worried it would fail. I think I need to own my ideas and just back them with confidence.

6. Be confident. Regardless of the successes I've head here on le blog, I lack confidence a lot of the time. Jenny can vouch for that, as I usually pour my endless woes to her via text, twitter, email...and just about every other medium possible. I want to be in a place where I know I'm being the best I can be, really hone my skills and just go with my gut because, let's be honest, that's what makes us all unique.

I could probably list a dozen or so more, but the bottom line is that I need to own what I have here at my blog. And when I say I need to own it, I mean I need to OWN it and be proud. Same goes for all of you. Take pride in what you do, and above all else - have fun!

Title: Dreamless
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: May 29, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Mythology
Pages: 487
Source: Publisher

Helen needs to get through hell in two ways: by night they reflected the underworld, even worse torments her day that Lucas and they may possibly love. In the underworld, Helen meets Orion. The more time they spend together, the closer they come to. Then something totally unexpected happens, the forces calculated for holding and Lucas Orion: The four houses are combined and Scion, a new Trojan war seems inevitable!

Helen’s destiny cannot be fought. The ancient prophecy that states she can and must free the Scions from blood debts owed to the Furies now rests solely on her shoulders, and her task is arduous, her journey long and the road is rough. She is the Descender, and every night she must cross into the Underworld to find and defeat the Furies’ quest for vengeance, which makes the Scions kill one another. Night after night, she follows her duties alone until she meets another Scion – one she’s never met before – who might just have to save her from dire circumstances. But Descending takes its toll, and Helen’s losing her faith, losing her sight on what’s real and she might just be losing her mind. Can Helen fulfill the ancient prophecy before it’s too late?

I didn’t review book one on my blog simply because I couldn’t put into words how much I loved it. So, naturally, my adoration of the writing style and fluid plot led me to be concerned (at best) for the fate of Dreamless. I shouldn’t have worried though. Veteran author, Josephine Angelini, continues in her proven vein of master-storytelling, crafting a story so rich and vivid that, at times, you might just feel as though you’re in Helen’s shoes. With a soft and steady gait, the plot overtakes you in its alluring web, trapping you in the midst of the characters’ fights for their lives and an epic battle that feels more real than surreal. The words leap from the pages, breathing new life into a tired genre and prove that sophomore installations can meet and surpass their predecessors.

The characters truly soar in Dreamless, allowing the readers to reach new heights of the story by giving us truly unlimited access to their psyches. We get to see what makes Helen tick in this installment, more than ever before, and her quiet subtleties in both her actions and inactions are incredibly telling. We watch as Lucas evolves slowly, as well, and we meet Orion, as well as other new characters, who twist the plot to their personalities, making the storyline evolve throughout. There are touches of romance in Dreamless, but it’s not the end-all, be-all of the book. Rather, they serve to bolster the plot and move it along, changing and manipulating the story as it goes. However, the true strength of the novel lies within the action of the novel. The storytelling is superb, and the pace is flawless throughout. The continuous twists and turns are emphasized with careful detail, description and melodious words. The settings are phenomenal, and more than once I wished I could visit these lands that Helen journeyed to.

I’m a tough critic, but I really loved Dreamless. I thought it was a fantastic sequel, and I’m extremely excited for the next installment. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and mythology.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Unquiet
Author: Jeannine Garsee
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publish Date: July 17, 2012
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 388

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Whoooooo!!! Darkness! I know, I'm a little bit twisted, but you know me and my penchant for dark and mysterious novels. The Unquiet has an intriguing premise including ghosts, psychological trauma and family drama, but most of all, you can't quite grasp the entire story from the premise. That means there is more to discover, which is exciting in and of itself. Plus, I have to mention that I haven't read too many books involving ghosts or spirits. I don't know why. I know they're out there, but usually I feel as though they're too light and fluffy. This looks deliciously dark. And the cover. Yes please! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Favourite Books of 2012 (So Far):

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth – A lot of sophomore series installations simply don’t measure up to their predecessors, but this one totally breaks that mold. Shatters it, actually. This one is non-stop heart-pounding and gut-wrenching adventure.

2. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins – I really didn’t expect much from this one at all. Frankly, I thought it was going to be some sort of cliché little romance novel that was going to bore the crap out of me. I sure at my words on that one.

3. Purity by Jackson Pearce – Despite my few qualms with this one in my review, I actually really enjoyed it. The characters were delightfully flawed, and the plot was solid and twisting. It was a fun, different contemporary for me.

4. Fair Coin by E.C. Myers – This one is pretty unheard of. There wasn’t too much hype, and the author is new to the scene, but that doesn’t take away from this novel at all. Holy originality. I just adore this one.

5. 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad – Sci-fi is really hit or miss for me. It’s either exceptionally done, or it becomes a mess of what could have been a fantastic story. This was deliciously sinister and wrong…definitely my type of book.

6. Partials by Dan Wells – I knew this was going to be awesome. I really did. There is something about dystopian that is so perfect for my dark and twisty brain, and this one was utterly original and awesome. Can I say awesome one more time?

7. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons – The characterization in this book is just phenomenal. From the primary characters to the secondary characters, they resonate huge personalities that continuously fuel an ever-changing plot and evolving storyline.

8. When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen – Ok, yes, this one had a few flaws, but overall, it was incredibly solid and engaging. The mysteries and complexities make this one completely original and new…something that’s rare in a crowded genre.

9. Bewitching by Alex Flinn – Yes, I know a lot of people didn’t like this one. Colour me an outsider here, but I thought this one was just awesome. Maybe it’s just that I love Kendra, but for real, I thought this was a great novel full of backstory and whimsy.

10. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver – I loved, loved, loved book one. Truly, I did. This takes me absolute hatred of love triangles and spins me into a magnificent web of love and sweetness, with a heroine I’d give anything to be!

Title: Revived
Author: Cat Patrick
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: May 8, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

Daisy is used to dying. Actually, she’s died five times. Each time, her life is uprooted, she has to change schools, towns, lives and identities and, frankly, she’s not entirely sure it’s worth it anymore. Nothing is familiar. Nothing is sacred. Everything is temporary, and she wants something a little more solid. Revived has been her saviour each time she’s passed, but Daisy is beginning to see that the silver lining of invincibility isn’t quite as glamourous as it seems. It’s tiring, and nothing is real anymore. Plus, Revived is carefully controlled and God, who controls Revived, his subjects and his agents, is a little more meddlesome than she’d anticipated, and life’s great adventure is a frantic search for normalcy now.

So, colour me crazy, kids, but Revived has one heck of a premise. Death isn’t the end anymore. There’s a world beyond death and this drug is the key to it all. Veteran author, Cat Patrick, has crafted one heck of a plot filled with twists and turns, sending you on whirlwind adventure that’s sinister, realistic and incredibly mysterious. The fast-paced plot speeds you along as you grasp at straws to discover the hidden meaning and capture this character that we so desperately want to help and travel along with. Revived takes reality, turns it on its head, and thrusts an illustrious and unpredictable storyline upon the reader.

Cheating death; now that’s one heck of a crux for a story, eh? Honestly, I love that it makes you think. I’m a religious person. I believe that there is a reason for everything, and I believe that death, while inevitable, isn’t the end. However, Revived presents a reality where death, literally, doesn’t have to be the end…because you can live past it. It’s like a catch-22 though. You can live, but your life changes each time, and that presents questions. Would you still want to live if your life is going to be ripped away? What’s the point of coming back if you can’t come back to the life you love? Those questions run like a fuming undercurrent throughout the story. Revived also lends a touch of contemporary complexity to the story. While the premise is overtly supernatural and paranormal, the story itself, takes a very human approach. The intense characterization helps you become involved in and enmeshed in the journey, and you watch as Daisy carefully cultivates relationships through family, friendships and even first loves. This decidedly human approach makes Revived an interesting blend of contemporary and paranormal – though perhaps clouds it, as well. Finally, I have to remark on that cover. Holy beautiful. Someone buy me an art print, please and thank you!

All in all, I found Revived to be an immensely enjoyable read. I think that, although it was a bit too hasty and speedy at times, it was a solid read overall. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and contemporary elements.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What books can you think of that have covers better than the content and vice-versa?

I've seen this question around a lot lately, so forgive little old me if I'm beating a dead horse here. I'm self-professed cover slut. Anyone who reads this blog even somewhat regularly has probably deciphered that by now. I think covers are as good as any great piece of art. Heck, I even have a framed art print of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, and I've blown up poster-sized framed pieces for my someday future library with the almost hubs (hey...a girl can dream!)

The fact of the matter is that while there are tons of books that perfectly match the greatness of their covers, there will always be those few anomalies. What am I talking about, you ask? Well, have you ever seen an incredibly gorgeous book and bought it simply because of that, only to find that the book was bland? Or, perhaps you bought a book even though the cover was particularly lackluster, and it just blew your mind. Trust me, anyone who reads as much as we do has experienced this at least once. It still boggles me how it happens. However, I figured I'd point out my top one of each of these anomalies.

In which an incredible cover hides a hot mess:

Guys, I so desperately wanted to just love this one. This is seriously one of the most beautiful covers I have seen in my whole life. From the fierce determination in the models' eyes, to the water splash, to the juxtapositioning of the dryness on the cover - this whole thing just rocks off the shelf. Truly, this novel excites a reader to buy it. Unfortunately, the prose just falls flat in comparison. It has everything going for it; a hit genre, a great premise and even a pretty good writing style. It just didn't match up and, frankly, it bored in comparison. A couple other novels that hit the same unfortunate stride? Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto.

In which a lackluster cover hides a work of brilliance:

Ok, guys, I honestly never gave this one a second glance until a blogger mentioned that the cover didn't do it justice a couple weeks ago. In the middle of a book funk, I decided to see if the blogger was right. Well, needless to say, she was. The writing, as with the author's other novels, is sweet and simplistic, but there's such humour, sincerity and light to this story. It was candid and real throughout - totally approachable in a way that made me WANT to read it. And yet, because of a lackluster (at best) cover, I didn't give it a second thought. Here's my two cents: Give it a go. You might just love it like I did! A couple of other novels that hit the same unfortunate stride? Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Through to You
Author: Emily Hainsworth
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Publish Date: October 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 272

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day.

I haven't really been enticed by a paranormal novel in a good while. There have been far too many vampires and werewolves recently (in my humble opinion), and while I don't necessarily need something new...I need something different. Through to You sounds like just what the doctor ordered! I love me some ghost stories, especially when they're darker and just a touch sinister. Plus, I do like that this is from a male POV, which is something we don't see all too often in YA. All in all, this could just be a hit! Fingers crossed and all that. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?