1. If I really love a book, I stop reading it when I get near the end or to a particularly tense, eventful moment. I love it so much, I don't want it to end or to go through that emotional turmoil. I know, ridiculous - if I love it, I should want to devour it! But I just stop. For days. Which is why For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund took me a week to read (I couldn't. I just couldn't.), and why I have literally been reading Throne of Glass for a month. I don't want it to end! I can't!

2. I rarely read chapter breaks/titles. I don't know why, but I tend to not see them. I've tried to break the habit because they're such fabulous elements to a story, but it's difficult. From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer + Valerie Wilson was one book where I definitely tried hard, because fun movie quotes precede every chapter!

3. Following an author on Twitter has made me not want to read his/her book. No, I will not name the name(s). Conversely, however, following authors has also made me push their books higher on my TBR List. Most recently, Dan Krokos' False Memory. I've heard great things so I wanted to read it anyway, but after this tweet...I'm kind of in love with him, and now must read this book as fast as possible. (Number two on the wait list at my library!)

4. I purposely leave John Green's The Fault in Our Stars out of favourite/best of lists. That book is an emotion, it is an experience, and I don't believe I could ever rate it.

5. I tend not to read series until they're done, because I'm horrifically impatient. A few series I have not started: Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Graceling by Kristen Cashore. I didn't read The Hunger Games until Mockingjay was released, and I am so glad I did that - no way could I have waited! And I didn't know The Mortal Instruments was still going when I picked it up all those years ago, else you can bet your buttons I wouldn't have started it yet!

6. I leave books in humid places. Hello wrinkly pages! I also put books in my purse. I know it risks damaging the corners or spine, but it's just too convenient!

7. I have a major pet peeve regarding bookish tweets: when people are pimping their review with a quote from their writing, and it goes something like "A stellar cast of characters and an even better plotline...i highly recommend!" If you're saying the book is so amazing and stellar already, isn't it implied you recommend it?! It feels like a waste of characters, and when there's only 140...it's precious space. I'm aware I'm being irrationally harsh.

8. I still haven't read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I KNOW.

9. I've only read 2 ARCs from ALA. (Three as soon as I finally finish Throne of Glass.) I know! I'm terrible! But I have leant out 17 of them to fellow readers/bloggers, so there's that.

10. I leave post-its on my favourite passages in library books. While not necessarily a bad thing, I always feel like I'm kind of spoiling it for the next reader by pointing out great quotes - but I can't help it! I write little notes on the post-it too, usually something that goes along with the words or something encouraging. Should I stop that? Would you hate that if you were a reader?

RazorBill, 400 Pages
Expected US Release Date: January 15, 2013

Back in June, I swore up and down I'd do a 6-month anniversary giveaway...and then I didn't. A few weeks ago, I said if I hit more than 400 GFC followers, I'd do an awesome giveaway...and then I didn't. And two weeks ago, I took a picture of two Breathless Reads bookmarks I found and tweeted they'd go up in a swag giveaway the following week...and then it never did.

I've got a lot to make up to you guys, don't I?

This is going to get a bit complex, but trust me - it's worth it.
There will be FIVE (5) winners - FOUR (4) in the US, and ONE (1) International (as long as The Book Depository ships to you)!

While I'd love to ship international, it's just too expensive (sorry!) - so INTERNATIONAL followers, enter to win ONE (1) released book* of your choice ($15 USD max) from The Book Depository! As long as it ships to you (check here!), you can enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The above giveaway is for INTERNATIONAL ONLY. You will be required to put in the country you reside in - your entry will be disqualified if you are from the US. And if I find out you are from the US and still insist on entering, I will delete ALL your entries from this AND the US prize. Sorry, but cheating isn't welcome here.

*I've had problems with pre-ordering before, so I am limiting it to released books - sorry! But I know there are TONS of fabulous books being released in September, so you are allowed to ask for a September 2012 release and I'll just wait until it releases to order for you. Hope that makes up for this a little bit!

I bet all you US followers are wondering what you could win. Behold!


ONE (1) Second Place Winner: their choice between the above books, minus whatever Grand Prize Winner chooses. (I feel like this is obvious, but basically...say Prize Winner #1 chooses The Diviners. Second Place Winner will then get to choose between Legend or Throne of Glass. Make sense? Hope so!)

TWO (2) Third Place Winners: super awesome epic swag packs! Whoever's name is drawn third will get to choose which pack they want, and the fourth name drawn will get the remaining pack. Both are awesome, so don't fret! (Pictures and details are below the rafflecopter!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Questions? Ask me! Want to tell me I'm awesome for doing this? Go right ahead! But really, my followers are the awesome ones, so give all of them the pats on the back. <3

What's in the swag packs?...
The swag varies slightly (usually because I forgot to pick up two of something--oops!), but here are the pictures of each one and what's in them:

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa C. Walker
HarperTeen, 272 Pages
US Release Date: May 5, 2009
Source: Borrowed from Heather @ The Flyleaf Review - thank you SO much, Heather!
(Read her review here!)

A fun, flirty teen romance that makes for the perfect beach read, this sweet summer love story is set in the live-music capital of the world, Austin, Texas.
------------Goodreads summary
I think this is the PERFECT summer novel, you guys. Music, boys, a main character filled with a quirky fun personality, awesome secondary characters, and a cross-dressing dog. If that's not the best beach read recipe, I don't know what is! It's also part of this newly-established New Adult genre of YA lit: that awkward time between high school and whatever comes next. I know I would have appreciated New Adult lit when I was going through that time!

If you'd like more of a summary, allow me: Quinn (née Priscilla) just graduated high school and is looking to spend her summer more than just working at the mall with her best friend. So when she calls the record label of her favourite band on a whim to inquire about a summer internship, it turns into a wild summer spent living in Austin with her cousin, Party Penny, and interning at the label. An indie music extremist, Quinn spends the summer dodging her cousin's sorority girl lifestyle, hanging out with the annoying ever-present cowboy and ok-i'll-grudgingly-admit-kinda-sorta-super-hot next door neighbor Russ, and listening to the tunes Sebastian the DJ spins at Dirty's every Friday night -- and maybe hooking up with him every now and again, too. He's the boy she always wanted and always thought she'd be with...if only Russ would stop knocking on her door.

If I were forced at gunpoint (dramatic, I know) to say something negative about this book, I'd probably grasp about and finally say it's predictable - because it is. You pretty much know from 20 pages in how things will work out. But really, it didn't even bother me! Sometimes that makes a great book, you know? It goes exactly as planned, and I loved it. And I liked the end; it was quick, but definitely one of those situations where the two are SO close to being together, and for a few tense pages everything gets ripped away.

Quinn is the quirky, unique main character who thinks she's got herself figured out - but of course, things are always much more difficult than they appear. She's a barrel of sarcasm and laughs, and I loved being with her through her summer. Russ is the perfect friend and boy next door - I kind of felt like I was in the story, because he is definitely not my type and I found myself falling hard! I'd get a few pages in, realize how in love I was with him, and then be like "Nah, can't be - I don't do this cowboy thing." But then five pages later, I'd be swooning hard. It's a tough life! And even though I never liked Sebastian the DJ (ugh), he's a great little character too. Not someone you immediately dislike (I thought he was kind of sweet in the beginning!), but a good balance to friendly boyish Russ.

I know I'm gushing about this being a fluffy romance book, but don't be fooled: there are some great lessons buried in the pages, too. As much as this is a book about finding love, it's also about finding yourself and figuring out who are you - as a person and how you are seen. There's a great focus on people being much more than they appear and second chances, on looking deeper and farther than what we've considered. Not just in characters and people, but also within our choices and judgments.

And there's no way I could review this book and not mention the music! It's not like a lot of other YA books that give you real playlists of popular current songs - there are a few songs specifically named, but a lot of it is kept ambiguous too. I absolutely LOVED how Lovestruck Summer handled music. Never once did I feel stupid or judged for what I do listen to, and I was properly chastised right along with Quinn for being closed off to certain genres. It's a fun focal point to the novel and allows a fabulous amount of versatility with the plot and content.

The problem is, I want a boy to make me a mix CD now. Someone point him my way!

When I first heard about the book Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins, I knew it would be one I'd have to read. I'm fascinated by other cultures, especially ones that are completely unlike my own yet so close - something I think the Amish fall under pretty well! And then when you find out it's a romance, and pubbed by HarlequinTeen (if anyone knows a good romance, it's them)...I mean, that just has to be good. Today I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview Karen and discuss what the Amish culture is like and her experience writing Temptation. Check out the awesome photos she sent, too!
First, can you explain how you came to know the Amish culture?
In 2008 I moved from Tennessee to a farm situated in the middle of an Amish community in northern Kentucky. Immediately upon my arrival, the local Amish teens began coming to the farm to ride in the arena and participate with equine related activities. I got to know many of the Amish young people through the horse business, but I also drove Amish families as a part-time job. Amish girls babysit my younger children and my own teens have struck up close friendships with the neighborhood kids.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about the Amish culture?
That their lives are cozy and quaint compared to their non-Amish neighbors. The Amish have many of the same problems that everyone else has. Marital difficulties, financial stress, issues with disobedient children and disagreements with other families in the community are common among the Amish. But adding to those common problems is a lot of hard work to do basic chores, such as laundry, dish cleaning and mowing the yard. The Amish also face the daily dilemma of having to pay a person to drive them to town or deal with the aggravation of catching and harnessing a horse to do the same task. There is a real possibility of accident and serious injury every time they take to the roadway with their buggies.

What stereotype about the Amish culture is true?
They are very religious.

Was the inspiration for your novel from a real life story you knew or witnessed?
I was inspired to write TEMPTATION from observing the interactions between the Amish and non-Amish teens at my farm. Although, Rose and Noah’s story is fictional, I’ve witnessed several Amish youth leave their community to be with outsiders. In all cases, they were shunned by their families.

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier
Orbit Books, 342 Pages
US Release Date: July 10, 2012
Format: finished paperback
Source: Publisher, via TLC Book Tours (thank you!)

Orphaned, two sisters are left to find their own fortunes. 

Sweet and proper, Karah's future seems secure at a glamorous Flower House. She could be pampered for the rest of her life... if she agrees to play their game.

Nemienne, neither sweet nor proper, has fewer choices. Left with no alternative, she accepts a mysterious mage's offer of an apprenticeship. Agreeing means a home and survival, but can Nemienne trust the mage?

With the arrival of a foreign bard into the quiet city, dangerous secrets are unearthed, and both sisters find themselves at the center of a plot that threatens not only to upset their newly found lives, but also to destroy their kingdom.
--------------------Goodreads Summary

One Moment by Kristina McBride
Egmont USA, 272 Pages
US Release Date: June 26, 2012
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, via NetGalley (thank you!)

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie's life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget.

Maggie remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party. She remembers climbing the trail with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can't she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below-dead?
As Maggie's memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?
--------------------Goodreads summary

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews!