My non-review of Mockingjay plus what you MUST read next

For someone who spends all of her time reading and writing, I suck at writing book reviews. I'm always paranoid I'll give something important away and spoil the story for someone and it takes me FOREVER. So, in honor of that little random fact about myself, I give you my non-review of Suzanne Collin's, Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy.

A W E S O M E.

Mind-blowing, shocking, non-stop suspense and action, incredible...you get the drift. If you haven't read these book you need to. You MUST read these books. I finished MJ on Tuesday night (ok, Wed morning at 2am if you want to be specific) and haven't stopped thinking about it since. I can't even start a new book yet. I'm consumed with the sheer brilliance of Suzanne Collins and the world she's created. And clearly I run my mouth about these books any chance I get because when my son's pediatrician called to setup his allergy blood work she thanked me. Haha, she thanked me for suggesting she read The Hunger Games back in March. Turns out she took my suggestion and fell madly in love too and got her mom and sister hooked. Awesome.

One thing that has helped me cope with the ending of these books is reading one of, if not, the best opening chapter of any book. Ever. And it comes from the fabulous Beth Revis' debut novel, Across the Universe. Be prepared to freak out and obsess over the need to read the rest of this book after you check out the first chapter. WOW. Check it out here! I guarantee you'll be hooked. Plus, Beth totally rocks...and so does her cover. Swoon.

Right book, Right Time (not mine)

While there's nothing to report regarding my book (I'm still working on the MG while I wait to hear back on submissions) I seem to have read the right book at the right time.

I've heard great things about POISON STUDY and the other Study books by Maria V Snyder. The first one came out in 2005 so I realize I'm way behind on discovering these fabulous books, but in this case I'm glad. As soon I finished the first book earlier this month, I went to check out Maria's site for more info on her and her books, and got a fantastic surprise. Maria is part of a workshop for childrens/YA writing in a town less than an hour from here!

So on the second Saturday in September I'll be attending my very first writing workshop with one of my new favorite authors. I love when life works out this way. Serendipity, baby! I get to learn from the woman who created Valek? *fangirl giggle*

If you haven't read any of her books I highly recommend them. I'm half way through FIRE STUDY and ordered the companion books STORM GLASS and SEA GLASS. The third book, SPY GLASS, releases Sept 1st.

I'm giving away an ARC of MATCHED by Ally Condie!

Since I'm a sucker for sharing a good book and I was fortunate enough to score 2 copies of MATCHED by Ally Condie, I'm going to make this a super easy contest. (sorry, I can't part with the personalized signed copy)

All I want is to know a little about you. I have a bunch of new faces in that little followers box and I'd like to know more about you. Are you a writer? A reader? What are you reading? How did you find me? Anything goes. All you need to do is be a follower (new or old) and leave a comment telling me something about you and you're eligible to win MATCHED. How easy is that? I promise that from page one you'll be hooked...

Contest guidelines - Open Internationally

*Contest will close Monday, August 16th at midnight EDT

1.You must be a follower

2. You must leave a comment sharing a little something about you

3. If you're google profile doesn't have contact info then please leave an email address in your comment.

And in case you haven't heard about this awesome book here's some info from Dutton Juvenile (Penguin). It doesn't release until November! How gorgeous is that cover and wait until you see the actual one, it's all shimmery and futuristic-looking.

Society matched them, but love set them free.

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate...until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Whatcha reading?

I'm reading THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan. Yup, still in middle grade mode to prepare for my own MG boy adventure book I'm starting this month. Love Percy.


But I couldn't resist starting one of the books I've heard so much praise for, POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder. I don't love reading more than one book at a time but there are just too many great stories out there and not enough time. ; )

What about you? Reading something good? I'm nosy!