Book Review: Scarred by J.S. Cooper

Scarred by J.S. Cooper

Series: Scarred #1

Genre: NA Contemporary

Publication Date: March 1, 2013

Publisher: Independently Published

Format: ebook

Pages: 112

Source: Received for review from the author via NetGalley

Everyone in Jonesville thought that Bryce Evans had the perfect life in High School: he was the Mayor's son, the quarterback for the football team, the boyfriend of the head cheerleader and had a 4.1 GPA. His acceptance to Notre Dame came as no surprise but when he chose to enlist in the army instead everyone was shocked.

Lexi Jones was the quiet girl in school and kept to her small group of eccentric friends. She had no connection to any of the popular kids except for one incident on Prom Night when her path crossed with Bryce's.

When Bryce enlisted Lexi was the only one that wasn't disappointed and decided to send him anonymous letters as a way to feel connected to him. She stopped after a year because she felt there was nowhere for their relationship to go.

Fast-forward four years and Bryce is back in Jonesville and once again he and Lexi cross paths. Only he's no longer the seemingly perfect man and Lexi's no longer the quiet girl.

This time their relationship is quite different but both of them have secrets from the past and friends that threaten to ruin their chance at happiness together. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

When I saw this book on NetGalley, I immediately requested it because I'd been on the search for an NA book with a more mature romance (I guess one with more steam). Don't get me wrong, I ADORE YA, but sometimes I'm just in the mood for lots of kissing and less plot. And this book was exactly that. This review took me literally about three minutes to write and I posted it to my Goodreads account right after reading the book, unsure whether or not I was going to post it to my blog. But then I decided why not?

Basically, this was a quick read. Almost like reading a novella. It was sort of a fluffy read. For me, it was a good distraction read. There was good back story to the drama, though there weren't exactly overarching plot lines, ya know? Like, it was interesting and pretty well thought-out, but not an incredible amount of depth.

Because this book was quick and sort of fluffy, I wasn't worried about connecting to the characters. I was reading it more for entertainment than a soul-deep connection. I enjoyed reading about the characters for the most part, though, and I was rooting for them to get their happily ever afters. I'll admit that at times the characters seemed a bit too young. It felt like I was reading about 15 year olds, not people in their early-twenties.

This story could have benefited tremendously from a professional editor. I mean, the writing wasn't awful or anything, but there were some grammatical errors and some places where the writing could have simply used more.

I'm curious enough to see where the next book is headed, because if nothing else, this story line is interesting. If you're looking for something quick and distracting, if you don't care that the writing or the plot or the characters aren't completely mind-blowing, then I say go ahead and read this. I don't feel like it was a waste of time or anything. But if you're looking for the next Book Of Your Soul, I'd recommend saving this for later.

Cover Reveal (+ giveaway): Follow the White Rabbit by Kellie Sheridan

Series: Beautiful Madness #1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

Publisher: Independently Published

Goodreads

For centuries, Wonderland thrived as the domain of beautiful bedlam and unapologetic madness. It was a place like no other. All it took was one girl slipping in through the cracks of the universe to start chaos spiraling toward order. In the 150 years since Alice’s visit, the realm has become tainted—almost normal. Rabbits in waistcoats and playing card minions are little more than creatures of myth, and Wonderland is literally falling to pieces.

For Gwen, Rose, and Lucky, Wonderland is home, and yet they know little of its former glory. When the Alice prophecy resurfaces, they’ll have one chance to use Wonderland’s own legends to bring a little mayhem back into their reality. For she who controls Alice controls the fate of Wonderland.

 Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter

Kellie Sheridan is a Canadian author and book blogger. When not reading books or writing, she also works with books. She is currently working with two small publishers on the marketing/publicity side of things, and is also Joan of ARCs at Spencer Hill Press. In her spare time Kellie watches way too much television and travels whenever she has the opportunity.

Kellie’s first YA novel, Mortality was released in March, and she is currently hard at work on future writing projects.

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It's Monday! What are you reading?

Fresh Out Of The Bath: 
A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - Gabbi
Scarred by J.S. Cooper - Gabbi

Currently Bathing: 
Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook - Gabbi
Golden by Jessi Kirby - Gabbi
Revision guides (no books atm! *Sigh*) - Charlotte

Waiting To Hop In:
The Caged Graves by Dianne Salerni - Gabbi

What are your reading plans? 

Practically Peeing: The Debut Edition

I know, what a weird post title! But there's a lot of times when I'm excited for a book I say I'm peeing my pants for it. So "Practically Peeing" is a feature sort of like Waiting on Wednesday or On My Wishlist or Books  To Pine For where I showcase books that I realllllllly want to read. They might already be released, they might be a year away, they might be coming out next month! Either way, I can guarantee, I really want to read them.

Gabbi - 

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Series: Time Between Us #1
Genre: YA Supernatural
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 368

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett has the unique ability to travel through time and space, which brings him into Anna’s life, and with him a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, the two face the reality that time may knock Bennett back to where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate, what consequences they can bear in order to stay together, and whether their love can stand the test of time.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, Time Between Us is a stunning, spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new voice in YA fiction. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I have had a major crush on this book since the first time I laid eyes upon the beautiful cover.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Series: Standalone

Genre: YA Contemporary 

Publication Date: October 18, 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 304

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I have heard the most amazing things about this book, and I've been told it's life-changing. I'm at that stage in my life where I could really use some life-changing. 

Charlotte-

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Series: Newsoul #1

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Fantasy

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 374

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

 Stunning cover and promising story line!

What debut books, new or old, are you practically peeing your pants for? 

Cover Reveal: Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert

Series: Standalone
Genre: NA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 2013
Publisher: Independently Published
Goodreads

Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Facebook

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Book Blitz: Flight by Lindsay Leggett

Series: Standalone

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Publication Date: April 1, 2013

Pages: 273

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

The first rule of survival in the Underground: When you’re outside, keep your eyes on the skies. Ace Harpy Hunter Piper Madden is used to danger, but the death of her brother slams the brakes on her high-torque lifestyle and leaves her broken and confused.

On the run from the dictating Elder Corporation, she’s eventually found in the quiet undergound city of Ichton and asked to work for the Corp on contract to quell a new and frightening Harpy threat.

Enter the discovery of horrifying Corporation secrets, Harpy attacks, and a new friendship with the strange Asher, and Piper’s days become anything but boring.

Then, a chance encounter leaves Piper privy to a dangerous secret, ad as she and Asher team up in an effort to unravel the truth, the secrets they uncover beneath the ancient walls of the dead city will spark their world into a grand-scale war.

It always starts like this. My vision starts to blur and the depth of the dirty brick walls plummets into a single plane, like I’m staring into an abyss that never ends. Pins and needles prick their way over my body and I fall backward, sinking through layers of sticky black sludge. I land with a thud and David is before me speaking urgently. His eyes are lined with confusion and anger.

“Piper, I don’t like what you’re doing. Please, for the sake of our mother and our friends, put an end to it now,” he says to me. We’re at our place in the mountains, the stars peering onto us like frail paper lanterns. I look at him seriously, my hand over my mouth, mind reeling at what he’d said.

“You don’t understand, David. I love him,” I reply, feeling tears brim my eyelids.

“… … ….” David’s lips are moving, but the noise coming out of his mouth is like raw static.

“I can’t hear you. What’s going on?” I ask. He looks like I just slapped him in the face.

“I can’t believe how selfish you are! “… … … ” He shouts, then comes the static again.

“David, I think there’s something wrong right now. I haven’t done anything!” I cry frantically, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. He brushes me off and gives me a hard stare.

“People are going to get hurt, Piper. I need you to understand that!” he shouts.

“I don’t understand, David!” I plead, “How are people going to get hurt?”

I hear more static come from his mouth, but he doesn’t seem to notice, he just keeps talking, clearly thinking he’s telling me something important. Frantically, I look around for a clue as to what is going on. When I turn back to him, David’s face starts to deteriorate and his body fades away to dust.

 Nearly every writer struggles to put together information about themselves, perhaps because we’re so used to detailing the lives and ways of others. For the most part I am a writer, editor, photographer, and all-around artist living in the wilds north of Toronto, Ontario. I thrive on the juxtaposition of beauty and grit, enjoy urban crawls, indie everything, and time well-spent in the woods.

Her Website ~ Her Goodreads ~ Her Twitter

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Book Review: That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Publisher: Point
Format: Digital ARC
Pages: 272
Source: Received from the publisher for review, via NetGalley

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.

With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

 My thought process: A YA circus book? Heck yezzzz! Romance, tarot cards. Man this is going to rock the pickles off of me! In reality, this book is pretty good, but not nearly as dazzling as I'd hoped it would be. Basically, this book was sheer potential and lackadaisical execution.

I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. I may have liked them while I was reading, but all of them left me the minute I exited out of Adobe Reader. Lexi (Xandra, X, Lex) isn't awful to read about, but she sure isn't winning a Best Protagonist award anytime soon. She is a bit too angsty for my tastes: a penchant for fainting, crying, making things more dramatic than necessary. There were other characters, such as Eli, Jamie, Liska, and Lina, who I could have easily been charmed by but turned out to be sort of a let down because I could never really get a good enough feel for them. I guess Liska ended up being my favorite in this book, with her studious habits.

The writing was pretty mediocre most of the time. There was a large amount of telling, rather than showing. And through out the book I was like: Wait, what? You love him? When the frack did that happen? Or: When in tarnations did you guys become friends? It was like things just happened and I didn't understand when or how. Sometimes I wondered if the author was going to go a certain direction then changed her mind, not bothering to smooth over the abrupt jag in the story (not a twist in the plot--a jag in the entire story). And the romance? Miles and miles from being beautiful and heart pounding. I did enjoy the plot, for the most part, even though there were some things that were a little unbelievable (Okay, so my mom isn't actually at this circus, so I guess Ill just join it myself; What do you know, after a few hours of practice, I'm good enough to drive on the highway; Oh, look here! My mom really coincidentally shows up somewhere with a perfect explanation for everything she's done wrong. Even though I "hate" her and am still reluctant to accept her back into my good graces, we patch things up in one conversation.)

My initial response to this book after reading it: "Wasn't perfect, but it kind of made my heart happy, so that's good." I honestly can't remember what about it "made my heart happy." I do know that this was a quick read, though, and interesting enough for me to want to see it through to the end. I don't think I could really recommend this, because it was simply lacking in too many areas.

Cover Reveal: Sacrifice by K.A. Last

Series: The Tate Chronicles #0.5

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: May, 2013

Goodreads

Seth’s heart is breaking. He knows his decision will hurt the one person he keeps breathing for, but he can’t take it anymore. He can’t be near Grace knowing she will always be just out of reach.

Grace is oblivious to Seth’s turmoil. She loves him unconditionally, but not in the way he wants. They both know that in Heaven physical love is forbidden, and to break the rules is to defy everything they’ve ever been taught.

When Grace and Seth are sent on a mission to save a young mother and her unborn child, Grace must face the fact that Seth won’t be returning home. She doesn’t understand Seth’s decision and hates him for it. But what neither of them realise is how big a part that single decision will play in shaping their entire future.

What would you sacrifice for the one you love?

Her Website ~ Her Goodreads ~ Her Facebook ~ Her Twitter 

K. A. Last was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, and moved to Sydney with her parents and older brother when she was eight. Artistic and creative by nature, she studied Graphic Design and graduated with an Advanced Diploma. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she concentrated on her career before settling into family life. Blessed with a vivid imagination, she began writing to let off creative steam, and fell in love with it. She now resides in a peaceful leafy suburb north of Sydney with her husband, their two children and a rabbit named Twitch.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Liked More Than Expected

1) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Okay, I've loved the ID series since the first word but I never, and I mean never, expected to be flipped so up, down, diagonally by this book. 

2) Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I feel like this book is on almost all of my TTT posts. I can't help it; it's amazeballs. I read it almost 2 years ago and I'm still gushing about it, so that must tell you something. You can read my (very old) review for elaboration on my love for it.

3) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen - Going into this book (and even still) I wasn't very informed on the tale of Robin Hood, but boy did I fall in love. Once again, I read this over a year ago and I have not lost my love for it. My review (another old one).

4) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I'd heard amazing things about this book, but I'd never experienced John Green before and all the hype made me want to dislike it. I could have never anticipated the profound love of this book I acquired. My review.

5) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Oh my. I remember I was on a really bad reading drought. I just couldn't find anything I loved, but Cath Crowley did more than give me a book to love, she allowed me to fall in love with reading all over again. I didn't even like contemp novels at that time (funny, because I ADORE contemp now), but this book...The outpouring of my love.

6) Hushed by Kelley York - This is different than the typical YA book, that is for darn tootin'! My review.

7) The Bane by Keary Taylor - This one is actually a pretty recent read, as in I read it last week. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by a very interesting plot.

8) Zero by Tom Leveen - This book was so authentic. From awkward first-meetings to stupid mistakes and hulking insecurities. The review.

9) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - Tons of people said this book was AHMAZING but it didn't sound like...super fantabulosa. Well it was. It was emotional and had GREAT characters. In which I demand people read it.

10) The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace - This is another recent read, and therefore it is still an open wound. It sounded interesting enough, but I never ever expected to feel so connected to the characters and their story. ALL THE FEELZ are still with me even after about a week or two after reading it. 

1) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - The blurb does it no justice and I didn't think I'd enjoy it at all but so many people recommended it and now I'm OBSESSED!

2) Star-Crossed by Rachael Wing - It's in second person, short and sweet, sooooo good!

3) Blood Red Road by Moira Young - I was put off by how it was written at first and was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but I reeeeeeally did!

4) Forsaken by Jana Oliver - I dislike third person but adore this series!

5) Shadows by Paula Weston - It just didn't appeal to me but I can honestly say I enjoyed it.

6) Hollowland by Amanda Hocking - The blurb is LAME! It should NOT exist!!!!!!! The book (and sequel) is amazing!! A must read!

These are all I can think of for now...

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Fresh Out Of The Oven

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - Gabbi

Currently Baking

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - Gabbi

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

Rebel Heart by Moira Young (re-read) - Charlotte

Waiting On The Counter

Golden by Jessi Kirby - Gabbi

Okay, so my week hasn't been up to its usual standards. The school year is winding down and my teachers are all like, "Let's assign ALL THE PROJECTZ and test them on everything ever!" Ugh. - Gabbi

What are you reading? 

Book Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Series: Confessions #1

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publication Date: January 4, 2012

Publisher: Mira Ink

Pages: 266

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some CONFESSIONS to make...

#1: I’m livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I’m allowed to be irate, don’t you?

#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed gorgeous Jamie Forta, boyfriend of the coolest cheerleader in the school. Now she’s out for blood. Mine.

#3: But most of all high school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien…and now it’s a case of survival of the coolest.

"About the occasional panic attack and being fourteen in the suburbs without a mobile phone. Read It And Weep."

Rose is my new best friend and she doesn't even know it! I loved how down to earth she was - how real she seemed and how extremely easy to relate to she was in more ways than one.

I originally only accepted this book for review when I read 'panic attack' on the blurb because I wondered how an author would portray a character who suffered from something which I also endured; I was impressed with how Rozett handled Rose's anger issues and was surprised (in a good way) about how Rose wasn't this 'hot under the collar' brute who threw her weight about when she didn't get her own way, but whose anger was mostly silent and only made itself known when she was pushed over the edge - the thin line between being angry and being upset is shown very clearly in this book. I always found myself experiencing the same emotions as Rose in each situation she was in. The guilt, the betrayal, the anger stirring in the pit of her stomach, I felt it all. I suppose I expected an aggressive protagonist, but instead I was presented with Rose.

The plot moved at a good pace, never was I bored, even despite not that much happening. The story is driven forward by emotions and characters and everything was necessary, nothing was just thrown in for the sake of it.

I'd sum the book up to be about a young teenage girl struggling to smother her anger at life (and what it can take away from you) while trying to survive high school with boys, cheerleaders, friends and a whole bunch of personal boundaries thrown in there.

The sparks of romance in this novel are awaiting to be ignited in the sequel! Being just fourteen, Rose isn't 'experienced' so you follow her as she learns all these new feelings, both emotional and physical. The realism of Rose's situations and her reactions made this book all the more enjoyable.
 
I loved this book! There's not really much more I can say without spoiling it but I loved Rose and I can't wait to read the sequel! I recommend it to all!

Book Review: The Undesirable by Sara Celi

The Undesirable by: Sara Celi

Series: Book 1 in The Undesirable

Genre:YA

Publication Date:January 28th 2013

Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing

Pages: 210

What if everything you knew turned out to be a lie?

Charlotte Walker knows how to live under the rule of The Party. She has managed for 18 years. She helps out her drunken mother and keeps life going at a familiar, steady pace. She doesn’t ask questions, even though she has many of them in her heart.

Fostino Sanchez knows how to live under the rule of The Party, too. For 19 years, he’s worked to be the perfect Party member. He knows what must be done to keep Maxwell Cooper in power, and how find the The Undesirables that threaten to take away everything that matters.

As the months go by, what matters most to Fostino is Charlotte Walker.

While their love blooms, danger comes to Charlotte and Fostino’s small hometown of Harrison Corners, OH. Threats they never knew existed could take away all that they care about. And just when these two teens think they know what will come next, Charlotte learns the truth about a secret she has long suspected.

What Charlotte finds out changes everything.

EVERYTHING.

THE UNDESIRABLE is Charlotte Walker’s story, from her point of view. It is a thrilling, suspenseful tale of love, curiosity, adversity, and maturity against the backdrop of a futuristic war.

Should Charlotte trust Fostino with what she knows? Can she trust anyone? Will she find it in herself to rise up against terrible odds? What if the ultimate Undesirable is her?

HEHE, it's another ARC Review. I read the book back in January but since I'm oh-so-awesome at time management, it took me this long to actually write up the review.

So this book is basically another dystopian fiction with a girl on the run. I've read stories like this before but I hesitate to call it typical. I think it had it's difference to other dystopian fictions but I didn't really see a striking difference that made a major mark in lit.

Basically what's going on is that in the future, everything's decided for us and the Earth is kind of set back. There are power hungry tyrants who want to keep control of the world, so a girl Charlotte must save the world... whoop de doo. I really didn't like that part, it was far to easy to think about which made it somewhat unoriginal.

This is going to be a short review but what I liked about it was connecting to the main character. She was one of those character that progressed throught the novel. If you asked her if she was some gun slinging badass, she'd be like "hell naw" but at the end, it's like "load me up!"

I really liked that, but I didn't like the main love interest. Fostino. I found him really useless and it was like Charlotte was the protector and Fostino couldn't do anything. It kind of pissed me off and at the same time, made me proud?

Behind the Blog: Things I Wish I Was Better At

Behind the Blog is a feature I've created to allow my readers to learn more about us outside of the blogging and book world. My hope is to connect with readers outside of books, make friends beyond the blog. As far as I know, the title of this feature came from my own mind. I don't recall seeing it on a blog before, so if you have a feature with the same name, no copy intended.

1) Art - Lemme just say, I do not have the hands of an artist. I try so hard but I can't even draw a straight line...using a ruler. 

2) Organization - I'm a total slob, for one. (Behold, my backpack of doom below!) I actually pay my best friend to clean my room for me (you don't even want to see that disaster). I'm also bad about planning things in advance and remembering what I've planned. 

3) Dancing - All dem bitchez in da club be jealous when I break it dowwwwn. *Le sigh* The extent of my dance moves: 

4) Harmonizing - I love to sing. A lot. And I'm relatively good at it. I get solos and whatnot, but when me and my friend try to arrange a duet, she is always the one that has to find harmony. I clearly wasn't gifted with the magic ear of music. It's really not very convenient considering I'm an alto (for those of you who don't know, that means I pretty much ALWAYS sing the harmony). 

5) World domination - I've only managed small feats thus far, like leaving pictures of cats in random places. But I will take over the world some day. One cat at a time. 

1) Draw!! I seriously can't even manage a half decent stick man...

2) Sing *strangled cat alert!*

3) I know it's a weird one but I wish I could just act confident, I'm really bad at giving into my anxiety.

4) Play the piano (I do play but not very well! :S)

1) Sports - I don't even want to comment too much on this. I've got competition issues which is kind of ironic considering I'm really not that good. I just don't like losing. You should see me and my trash talk; can someone say "all bark, no bite?"

2) Science - I nearly burnt my eyebrows off in my chem class. Let's just say I poured way too much alcohol into the solution and nearly blew the roof off the joint... literally. Thankfully, I didn't get intro trouble because it was an honest mistake, but the science skills are like 0.

3) Working - My favorite word is procrastination. That just means I have a huge issue with balancing my blogging life with  my school life. You know, I've actually still got homework due from March that I haven't done yet. I'm an A student for nothing...

4) Photoshop Designing - I make my own banners and on my blog, you can see little examples of my work. But the simplest designs can take me up to 4 hours which really sucks. I wish I was better and I try to practice as much as possible, but I wish I was one of those cover ninjas.

5) Beat boxing - I love acapella.

Tell us, what activities do you wish didn't make you look like a n00b!?