Almost that time again...

Well my August (AKA 200 Follower Celebration) giveaway has ended, and it was absolutely fabulous that so many of you participated :). I've decided to do a giveaway every month ~ they're just plain fun and it's awesome to be able to spread the love of a book ~ that's one huge reason why this blog exists in the first place.

So, like last month, I'm going to put it up to a vote. These are going to be books that I've read, reviewed, and adored. Cast your choice, and by September 1st, the winning novel will be up for giveaway :).

The contestants are:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

mm mm mm ~ this book will keep you up all night! 
*review here*

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Fabulous and imaginative take on the story of Robin Hood ~ one of the best books I've read in 2012. 
*review here*

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I couldn't say enough wonderful things about this book ~ intense read. 

*review here*

These are all at the top of my list of favorites, so which ever way you choose, I don't believe you'll be disappointed. :) All a bit different but all equally incredible. 

Cast your vote!

What book would you like to see in your mailbox in September?
	Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
	Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
	Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
pollcode.com free polls

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

How do I even begin to describe how I felt about this book? I've been lucky lately in my reading choices, but this book...blew me away..

Noah and Echo have been through Hell and back, losing the people they love and fighting to survive the impossible obstacles life seems to be handing out in unfair proportions. They come from completely different "social circles" {which makes me remember why I hated high school}, but find themselves pushed in each other's paths at every turn. They've both been torn to pieces by life, so the understanding each has for the other makes it easy for them to become friends...and well..I'm sure you can guess the rest ;).

The writing style is witty, hilarious, heartbreaking, and almost philosophical at times with Echo's and Noah's thoughts always going to that deeper level that most teenagers are lucky enough to avoid. My favorite aspect was how the author did two different points of view, perfectly executed. Each chapter was either from Echo's or Noah's mind, and it was so completely awesome to get to know each of these characters on an intimate level. Their voices are so distinctly different and seeing the same situation from two different perspectives was refreshing. 

Noah, Noah, Noah. Oh, how I adored Noah. {so much so that I did a blurb about him here..} He is the perfect mix of sweetness and rebellion with a distinct voice that's difficult to ignore. He grabs your attention with his 'crude' {according to Echo} language, makes you laugh with his mischievous sarcasm, and gets you weeping with how deeply he feels. He makes a lot of mistakes and is blinded by his emotions, but he always {well mostly always (;} has the best of intentions. Noah is the guy that looks beyond surfaces to find the beauty that is truly there ~ how can you not just fall in love with him?

Echo, I think, has been through more pain than any person should have to endure. She's been betrayed by those she trusts most and has issues believing that anyone does or could love her. Her friends are jokes {excepting Lila, who grew on me} and her pops is this control freak who has a hesitancy in telling Echo he loves her because of his own guilt. At first, I was annoyed with Echo as she was constantly worried about what others thought, especially in the 'social world' of her high school. She even dates this completely obnoxious jock because her "friends" think it will get her social status back up to par. NO thanks. But Echo is insecure at that point, and as she grows on her own {and with a little of Noah's help}, she realizes what truly matters to her.

I love how the characters stand on their own ~ the story isn't entirely revolved around their relationship but how they grow as individuals as well. The attraction is obviously there, but the relationship is slow and sweet, and good-ness can they break your heart. The dozens of different emotions we experience from both sides, both in regards to their relationship and their dramatic lives, is almost overwhelming at times. There is so much pain that they keep bottled up, but there's also so much hope. I keep talking about drama and pain, but there's an abundance of love and understanding in this novel as well. You can't have one without the other. This story comes to life; it's so tangible that you can't help but become completely absorbed to the point that you feel as if you are a part of it.

This story of struggle, growth, forgiveness, compassion, and standing up for who you really are is seriously the best book I've read in 2012 thus far.

It's beautiful, scars and all.

Visit Katie McGarry via

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Website

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Teaser Tuesday

So this is still Should Be Reading's Teaser Tuesday, but I'm gunna add some more tidbits and make it my own. You might meet characters, get enveloped in the fabulous world of an author's mind, or get a little taste of the history involved in a particular story ~ any which way, you'll get a deeper look at the innards of a wonderful book, and hopefully, if my plan works, you'll be thirstin' for more ;).

::my teaser(s) comes from::

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I want everyone to meet Echo Emerson, the heroine of Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits. She's been broken into a million pieces by someone she was supposed to be able to trust with her life, but she's resilient, a tough survivor who discovers, and forces, the freedom to make her own choices (with a little influence from the rebellious Noah Hutchins ~ you can meet him here). I admire her, even in her weak moments, because her strength always overcomes everything in the end. She finds what she wants and ultimately who she really is, and finally, finally, stands up for it. She's honorable and has a desperate need to fill the gaping hole in her heart, but aside from the seriousness, she's funny, sarcastic, and isn't afraid to dish it out when Noah gives her a hard time. I just love her :). 

Here are a few "teasers" from Echo's POV:

"Trust. Why not ask me to do something easier, like prove the existence of God? Even God had given up on me. 'I've already lost a piece of my mind. I can't trust you with what's left.'"

"Nothing increased your confidence level like being insulted by a stoner."

"He'd shared his hamburger with me and made me laugh. Not polite laugh. Not fake laugh. Like laugh so loud people stare at you. Spit-out-your-milk-through-your-nose laugh."

"Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls."

"'Are you ready to take the ACT on Saturday?' my father asked.
Did chickens enjoy being put on trucks labeled KFC? 'Sure.'"

"A cold wind swept across the patio, causing me to shiver. Noah shrugged off his black leather jacket and tossed it around my shoulders. "How are you going to tutor me if you get fucking pneumonia?" I cocked an eyebrow. What an odd combination of romantic gesture and horribly crude wording."

AND one of my favorites ~ 

"He flashed his wicked grin and lowered his voice. 'Mrs. Frost always runs late. I could kiss you now and give the crowd what they're looking for.' That would be an awesome way to start class. I licked my lips and whispered, 'You are going to get me in so much trouble.' 'Damn straight.' Noah caressed my cheek before heading to his seat in the back."

Also, I came across this song that completely and totally reminds me of Echo, from start to finish. Her need to find out the truth, to be more than the scars she bears, the anger she feels.. it touches on everything... It's called Only a Memory by Icon for Hire. Totally eerie when I first heard it while reading this book... Gave me chills.. Check it out..

Can't not read this book? 

Review coming soon!!!

Happy Reading Everyone :)
~ Keely ~

Oh, how I wish....

Noah Hutchins (from Katy McGarry's Pushing the Limits) truly existed in an adult male form... This guy can seriously get the blood flowin'.. what is it about damaged bad-boys that is so freakin' attractive? It's kinda twisted, but it's true.. Maybe it's because they feel so much more deeply, have reached a maturity level that surpasses all others, and have this uncanny ability to understand even the worst of situations. In theory, anyway... Oh, and he's got tattoos... Maybe that's it... ;) 

Yup, totally how I picture this crazy, determined guy with loads of pent up memories. He's got this confidence he carries as if it's an accessory, taking it off and carefully placing it back on, because beneath the hard-ass, sometimes crude, persona he puts off, the guy is stocked full of hope and doubt. 

I love the reactions Echo gets out of him. Totally unexpected, but she's just as damaged as he is, so I guess he sees a similar, tattered soul in her. Someone who understands and wouldn't ever judge. Completely heart-wrenching but sweet and hopeful at the same time. Sometimes words just aren't enough to describe the type of emotions brought out in this book so far. (Nope, not done yet ~ just lovin' it so much I had to gush a bit.)

Here's some excerpts from Noah's point-of-view: 

"Sometimes when you see the line, you think it's a good idea to cross it -- until you do."

"My fist closed and I kept my hand under the table to prevent myself from pounding the wall like I wanted. Keesha would love more leverage to prove my instability."

"She plagued me for several reasons....I took the last hit and held the smoke until my nostrils and lungs burned. And then there were the reasons that confused me."

"Shit, what if she did trust me? What would I do with it?"

"If I'd had the thinnest chance at normal again, I would have burned the damn jacket. I was sure she wanted her brother back as much as I wanted mine. To have a home again, and parents, and dammit. Normal."

"'Noah?' 'Yeah?' 'I'm kind of done hugging you.' Reluctantly, I let go. One shot. One fucking shot. What the hell do I do now? What the hell do I want? Echo."

"I don't know. The truth stuck in my throat. I wanted to tell her that she'd be more, but I couldn't. I didn't do attachments and here was this amazing creature, asking me for one."

"When I said nothing, the best thing that happened to me in three years left. Damn, I was an idiot."

Okay, maybe I went a little overboard, but I don't think you're complaining. :) 

How can you resist reading this book after all that? The trailer is a little "eh", but I love the way it's described, so here it is anyway for ya :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~