Posts By: Giselle

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Review: The Future of Us by Asher & Mackler

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The Future of Us
Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Release date: November 21st, 2011
by Razorbill

Goodreads / Purchase

It’s 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They’ve been best friends almost as long – at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh’s family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they’re automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn’t been invented yet. And they’re looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.
By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they’re forced to confront what they’re doing right – and wrong – in the present.

*A copy was provided by Penguin Group for review purposes*
Logging on to your future Facebook account, 15 years ago? Now that would have been interesting! This is what happens to Josh and Emma after Emma gets her first computer in 1996.

Growing up in the 90s, I got a real nostalgic feeling while reading this. Talk of Walkmans, VCRs and scrunchies was simply amusing. I did feel there were a few unnecessary parts thrown in only to add more ’90s detail, but they worked to dig up old memories. It’s not a deep, emotional read like Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why, this is a lighter, much more fun story.

From the dual perspective of Josh and Emma, you’ll realize that seeing the future may not be as fun as you’d think. The mere fact of having dual gender point of views gives the book a fresh vibe. Josh and Emma are both great characters with normal teenage insecurities, which grows tenfold after seeing what their future holds. Time travel can be a touchy subject for me. I often find big loop holes that make the story illogical. However, Asher and Mackler constructed it smoothly and, under the circumstances, credibly. You don’t like what you see? Make a new stain on the carpet – refresh: new future. I was always intrigued by the new developments in their lives. I even got anxious each time they logged on to see what was in store for them. As for their future selves being contemplated in 1996, that was incredibly fun due to the true nature of it: If you would have been told, 15 years ago, that announcing on the Internet what kind of sandwich you ate that day was “the thing of the future” – seriously, you would have laughed!

-“I flinch. “What the hell happens to Pluto?””


Even though the outcome is predictable, the story is fun and unique, with a lot of charisma. I’m not sure how younger readers will relate to this book, but for those like me who grew up in the 90s era, you can’t help but feel that this was written just for you.

4 Hot Espresso

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

Posted by on 01/11/2012 • 55 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:                                     Touched                                     Corrine Jackson                                     Release date: December, 2012 by Kensington/KTeen

Remy O’Malley has the power to heal people with her touch, but her ability comes at a steep cost because every illness or injury she heals becomes her own.  

Add it to your Goodreads to-read shelf

This does sound similar to Maria Snyder’s Touch of Power but I haven’t read that one (yet) and Touched sounds like it could be great. I’m hoping a longer blurb will be revealed soon so we can get more insight on the plot itself. Corrine Jackson is also the author of the upcoming YA contemporary…

Review: Destiny’s Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Posted by on 01/10/2012 • 25 Comments

Destiny’s FireTrisha WolfeRelease date: January 10th, 2012by Omnific Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dusty Reads (16)

Posted by on 01/10/2012 • 36 Comments

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted here, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link at the bottom.  If you wish, you can grab the button and find more information here.

My pick this week:

The Lovely BonesAlice SeboldReleased July, 2002Goodreads / Purchase

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. When we first meet Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. As she looks down from this strange new place, she tells us, in the fresh and spirited voice of a fourteen-year-old girl, a tale that is both haunting and full of hope.

In the weeks following her death, Susie watches life continuing without her — her school friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her…

Still Waters Tour Stop

Posted by on 01/09/2012 • 22 Comments

As part of the Still Waters Tour, I have Emma Carlson Berne stopping by the blog today to answer some fun questions regarding her book, Still Waters. And because you all were nice enough to come take a look, you may have a chance to win!What is Still Waters about?

Still Waters Emma Carlson BerneRelease date: December 20th, 2011by Simon Pulse

Goodreads / Purchase

Hannah can’t wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget. But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit…off. They can’t find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone’s…

Cover Reveal: Untouched

Posted by on 01/09/2012 • 14 Comments

Untouched(Denazen, #1.5)Jus AccardoRelease date: February 21st, 2012

Add it to your Goodreads

Synopsis currently unavailable

The Denazen series:   

This whole series is gorgeous! What do you think of this new pretty?

In My Mailbox (17)

Posted by on 01/08/2012 • 103 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I have received/ purchased/ borrowed during the week.  I hope you guys had a good week. Back to business this week huh? Don’t fret, there’s only 352 days until Christmas! But, who’s counting?

What I got this week for review (click on cover for Goodreads):

I want to thank Omnific Publishing, Flux Books, Bloomsbury, Random House, HarperCollins, AR Wise, Megan Mc Dade and SJ Davis for the review copies.

I have bought:

I have won:

How did I win this? Well, I took part in the Masquerade ball over at Cambria’s site during her blog tour. We all submitted a picture of us in a gown and my picture was one of the…

Cover Reveal: Stealing Parker, Return to Eden, Until Next Time & The Unnaturalists

Posted by on 01/07/2012 • 23 Comments

Stealing ParkerMiranda KenneallyRelease date: October 2012by Sourcebooks Fire

Add it to your Goodreads

About a 17-year-old girl named Parker who falls for the new 23-year-old coach of the baseball team.

Companion to CATCHING JORDAN.

Books by Miranda Kenneally:  Return to Eden (The Soulkeepers, #3)G.P. Ching Release date: Winter, 2012 Add it to your Goodreads

Synopsis currently unavailable

The Soulkeepers Series:

Until Next Time Amy Lignor Release date: February 1st, 2012 by Tribute Books Add it to your Goodreads

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the…