My Best Of List

Lots of people like commemorate the end of one year and beginning of another by putting out lists of their favorite things.  Yes, some would say these lists are totally overdone, but I enjoy reading them!  It's always fun to relive the year through someone else's pov :-) 


So here's my attempt at one list, maybe just maybe I'll get another one or two posted before the year officially ends.


BEST / FAVORITE READS OF 2011 


SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY Series by Jenny Han 
Belly has always lived for the summertime because it means all her favorite things: swimming, the beach and the Fischer boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. She has spent every summer with them at Cousins Beach for as long as she can remember. She has always been in love with Conrad and finally, one summer, it seems like he might have feelings for her too. But it turns out, so does Jeremiah. As the summers go on, Belly has to choose between two brothers who love her as she comes to the realization that she will have to break one of their hearts. 


I started this series in 2011 right after the 3rd book (We'll Always Have Summer) came out.  I sort of love it when something like that happens... being turned on to a series when all the books are already available.... because I was able to read all 3 books in a row.  A good book series always has so much more of an impact when read together like that. In this situation when i finished the 3rd book I picked up the first one and read them all through a second time lol.




FORBIDDEN by Tabitha Suzuma 

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives--and the way they understand each other so completely--has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending. 


 One day while reading SHELF LIFE I saw a banner ad for FORBIDDEN, a few minutes later I saw someone posting about it on Twitter.  I took this as a sign and ordered a copy.  To say this book was different from my normal reads is an understatement.  Although it's YA, it is not something I normally would be drawn to.  This book took me out of my comfort zone and broke my heart into a thousand pieces.  (The subject matter is mature and I wouldn't recommend this read to anyone under the age of at least 14.)  But it was so incredibly written I found myself rooting for them to find a way to make their forbidden relationship work!  Definitely not what I would call a feel good book, but one that stayed on my mind for days, even weeks after I finished reading it.  A powerful book.

SILENCE by Becca Fitzpatrick 
The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever. 


What can I say about SILENCE?  If you follow me here or on FB, Twitter, Tumblr (etc) you know that I am extremely involved in all things HUSH, HUSH Saga. I love these books and Becca Fitzpatrick like crazy!!  And SILENCE which came out in October was no exception.  Patch + Black Silk Sheets = LOVE lol  See below for your chance to win a cool SILENCE locker poster!




WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman 
It's been three years since the devastating accident... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other. Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. 

WHERE SHE WENT is the sequel to IF I STAY but told from Adam's point of view instead of Mia's.  I liked IF I STAY enough, but I totally LOVED this book!  I loved being inside Adam's head, although it definitely wasn't always a very comfortable place to be.  I've read this book a few times this year and I sit squarely on Team Adam.. he's awesome!!  Speaking of Team Adam... have you seen these awesome buttons?! ---->>>


 Thanks to the fabulous Gayle Forman I have a few to give away!  So if you are Team Adam, or even if you're not yet (you will be once you read WHERE SHE WENT) See below for your chance to win one!




Want to win a TEAM ADAM button or a cool SILENCE locker size poster?  Leave a comment telling me what your favorite read(s) of 2011 is/are.  Be sure to include an email address if I can't get an email to you by clicking on your google profile. Contest ends January 8 at midnight.  

Exciting News!

My sister Rebecca and I are so excited that we were able to announce this morning that FallenArchangel.com will be live streaming the CRESCENDO cover reveal.  CRESCENDO is the follow up to Becca Fitpatrick's NY Times Bestselling HUSH HUSH!!  Exciting Stuff.

Big Day

Today has been a big, busy day for us over at FallenArchangel.com. We made the announcement that we are now the OFFICIAL Hush, Hush Fansite. How exciting. We are still celebrating with give-aways of books (courtesy of Simon & Schuster) and bookmarks.

Come on over and check us out at FallenArchagel

I'm Still Here

I haven't posted anything in forever, I am still here, just crazy busy. My sister Rebecca and I have been working our fingers to the bone (lol not really) on FallenArchangel.com. We had a GREAT cover week last week and are going to meet Becca Fitzpatrick on Saturday! This little project is turning out the be a little bigger and a lot more fun than we had expected. I have also been extra busy at work, with the kids, preparing for the holidays and following all of the New Moon hype as well :-) Looking forward to heading out with the NEPA TwilightMoms tonight for drinks and snacks before the MIDNIGHT release!!

I made a promise to myself that I would buckle down and make time to blog, I really want to talk even if no one wants listen :-). For now I leave you with this hilarious video which made me laugh out loud at my desk this morning.

Note: While that video was funny it's not the one I meant. This is the one I intended to post.

Fallenarchangel.com. Spreading the Hush, Hush love.

I'm gonna let my sister Rebecca say it for me, since she said it so well!!

I couldn't let October 13, 2009 pass without mentioning the small detail of today being the official release day of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Not only because I think it's an incredible book that you should all read, but as I've mentioned before my sister and I started Fallenarchangel.com, a Hush, Hush fansite.

Yep, we love it that much.

We've got all sorts of great stuff, a forum, a blog (for those of you who have read it you get why it's called The Coldwater High eZine) contests, twitter, even an "Ask Becca" thread on the forum where she'll stop by on Mondays to answer questions. She is just that super cool and down to earth. Just ask Lisa and Laura who posted 13 reasons why they love Hush, Hush!

While it's still insane to think we have an actual fansite, things have REALLY started to get exciting. Especially with the release today! Jenn (that's me!) and I are going to be at our local Borders in Scranton, PA this Friday from 7-10 pm to help promote Hush, Hush with giveaways (bookmarks, posters, a signed copy!) and a reading. Eeek, we even plan on wearing t-shirts with Fallenarchangel.com on them. Becca will be in Philly next month so we are working on arranging a time to meet her. In person!!! We've had the pleasure of working with Simon & Schuster here and in the UK. So many amazing things and more in the works.

And let me tell you Becca'a fans are incredible. One of the best parts about starting the site (aside from getting to work with Becca) is meeting the people who love Hush, Hush like we do. We have 119 amazing members who have been already built an awesome community with pics of who they see as Patch and Nora, other books and TV shows the love and more. Then there's Brittany who has been pumping out some killer banners using the teaser lines we posted the last ten days leading up to the release today. I'm telling you, they are just the best fans a girl could ask for. Becca is one lucky lady!

Hopefully if you've read Hush, Hush you will come join the fun and show your love for Becca. And if you haven't read it, you'll go pick a copy up today and come hang out with us when you finish at http://www.fallenarchangel.com/.

So here's a BIG shout out to Becca Fitzpatrick on her very first release day! Thank you for writing one of the best stories I've ever read, and for being so supportive and just plain awesome. I am beyond excited to see what lies ahead. Hmm, Crescendo (the follow up to Hush, Hush) anyone? Heck yeah!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've been super busy lately with some really great stuff!

My sister Rebecca and I have started a HUSH, HUSH fansite, blog & forum called FallenArchangel. HUSH HUSH is a fabulous new YA book by Becca Fitzpatrick which debuts on October 13. After reading an ARC we fell in love with the book and decided to go for it!! It's been a lot of work, and is still in progress BUT check it out! Becca has been a great help and we are currently working with the publisher on some great stuff.

Also working with our local TwilightMoms to make plans for the Midnight Release of New Moon. Lots of good stuff coming this Fall!

Hush, Hush Book Trailer

I can't tell you how excited I am for the October release of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. For a little something to hold you over until the book comes out click here.

I Can Make a Difference and So Can YOU!

Check out this blog/project called Living Your Five. It's an amazing idea that empowers each and every one of us make a difference a little at a time!

Living Your Five is all about knowing what matters most to you and making a difference in your world in ways large and small.

Living Your Five is founded author by Kay Cassidy, and features authors Tera Lynn Childs, Becca Fitzpatrick and Alyson Noel.

Check out their site here and spread the word. Together we really can make a difference.

Hush, Hush & 500 Days of Summer

I have decided to hold off on posting a review of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, until we get closer to the release date, probably sometime next month. I will tell you that I LOVE this book, absolutely love it :-)

I was really excited to see (500) Days of Summer over the weekend. It was only in for 3 days - I was supposed to see it Friday, had a little snag in the plans; was busy with the family all day Saturday; but finally made it on Sunday afternoon. I was not disappointed. The movie was really great and the actors were fabulous. My heart opened up to Gordon Joseph-Levitt as Tom Hansen, he did such a great job with this character, and then broke for him as well. And Zooey Deschenel as Summer Finn was absolutely beautiful.

Love the tagline.... "This is not a love story. This is a story about love." It hits the nail on the head.

I had a few 'issues' with things near the end, but would totally recommend it. If you have the chance to see this movie, by all means..do!

Hush, Hush

Well thanks to my fabulous sister Becky, I spend my night last night reading an ARC (advance reader copy) of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I will be writing about this later, so stay tuned!

Find out more about Hush, Hush!