Waiting on Wednesday: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.
Publication Date: February 13th 2013

Out of the Easy - Philomel Book

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

After reading a lot of supernatural / fantasy lately, I need something more realistic in my line of sight and Out of the Easy gives me just that and more. It's historical fiction featuring a young heroine, topped off with some murder mystery (god knows, I like that a lot ;) ) and a strong character who seems determined to make her own descisions, despite what others want for her.

Which titles are you waiting for? Let us hear in the comments!

Teaser Tuesday: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Redemption - Razorbill

As Amma used to say, the good thing about the truth is it’s true, and there’s no arguing with the truth. You may not like it, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
-- Chapter 1

If fear is going to stop us, we should concede failure right now.
-- Chapter 20

The Caster world has to be one of my favourite literary worlds. I couldn’t explain why this is the case without writing an essay about it. Suffice to say that I loved this book and feel so glad with all the loose ends neatly tied up. I would have hated it if this had felt rushed or unmotivated, but this is not the case at all. It fits perfectly with the style and the story arc of the rest of the series while completing it’s very own arc as well. I will re-read the series in the near future to appreciate all the foreshadowing and hidden meanings that I’m sure I missed. Overall, I’m sad to see these characters go, but happy for the worthy ending this series received.

Are you by chance reading a last book in a series as well? Or are you starting a brand new one? Share it in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Pivot Point by Kasie West.
Publication Date: February 12th 2013.  

Pivot Point - HarperTeen

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through ... and who she can’t live without.

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

I wouldn’t want to know my future. All those possibilities would probably drive me crazy and I wouldn’t be able to decide anything. But that won’t keep me from reading about it. :) I’m curious about how Addie is dealing with her gift on a daily basis and how she will decide at this crucial moment in her life. The synopsis promises suspense and surprises - despite a look into the future.

What are your most anticipated reads this Wednesday?

Teaser Tuesday: Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris.

Unravelling -
Harper Collins Children's Books

I wonder how long I was dead. Because I know with absolute certainty that I was. Dead.
-- 23:23:56:40

“No, ma’am,” I say, looking down to avoid her eyes—and I’d be embarrassed about that except Annabeth Trechter is the only woman who scares my dad. And she likes him.
-- 16:19:58:49

I've just started Unravelling (or Unraveling, if you want the American version - I liked the British cover better)  and it gripped me immediately. Janelle, the main character, is not only brought back from the dead, but there’s also a clock ticking down towards the end of the world and Janelle has to find a way to stop it. The chapter titles actually show the counting clock, which aditionally keeps up the suspense.
So far I like Janelle, who is clever and definitely not a damsel in distress. But I’m fonder of the dark, brooding Ben and hope he gets more page time as the novel progresses. I’m all for dark and dangerous guys!

Suspense or romance, mystery or zombie? What are you reading this Tuesday?

Waiting on Wednesday: Ink by Amanda Sun

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Ink by Amanda Sun.
Publication Date: June 25th 2013.

Ink - Harlequin Teen

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

This book sounds absolutely fantastic in all regards ... well except for the quite far-off release date. But considering that I have books on my list that are expected closer to 2020 than to today I really shouldn’t complain. So Japan and drawings coming to life mixed with a death threat. If that isn’t intriguing, I don’t know what is. Unless you have no interest in Japan or drawing or adventure/mystery whatsoever then that’s fine. :)

Which book can you hardly wait for and what is the furthest anticipated release date on your waiting list?

Teaser Tuesday: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares -
Knopf Books for Young Readers

If I hadn’t appreciated her sadism, I would’ve headed straight for the hills. But instead, I headed straight for Santa. ... Luckily, I always travel with a book, just in case I have to wait on line for Santa, or some such inconvenience.
-- Chapter 3

It is much harder to lie to someone’s face. But. It is also much harder to tell the truth to someone’s face.
-- Chapter 7

I had such a hard time deciding on only two teasers for you. This book is so precious! Just right before Christmas, which is its own character in this story, but certainly not a Christmas-story. Really gorgeous writing ... and I better stop it now or I’ll embarrass myself (even more?) by gushing about this book. But really if you’re looking for a pleasant read that will make you smile, this is one great candidate for the task.

Share your Teaser Tuesday pick in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Mind Games by Kiersten White.
Publication Date: February 19th 2013.

Mind Games - HarperTeen

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

This book is called Sister Assassin in the UK and also has quite a different cover as well as a much more detailed synopsis. I can’t really say which cover I like better. Obviously, the UK cover is edgier and will probably make for a nice eye-catcher, but I also think that the US cover fits well with the chosen title. It will be interesting to see Kiersten White depart from her Paranormalcy characters. This promises to be a great story if the characters manage to become as distinctive as Evie and Lend.

Share your Waiting on Wednesday in the comments and let me know your thoughts about title and cover choices.

Teaser Tuesday: Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch.

Moon Over Soho - Gollancz

There’s no such thing as a full-service forensics team. It’s very expensive, so you order bits of it up from the Home Office, like a Chinese takeaway. Judging by the number of Noddy suits filing past us, Stephanopoulos had gone for the super-deluxe meal for six with extra egg fried rice. I was, I guessed, the fortune cookie.
-- Page 78

After having been very pleasently surprised by Rivers of London, I thought, I might just carry on with the series. Moon Over Soho is book two. Again it's a murder mystery with a supernatural touch that is set in modern day London.
Peter Grant, low ranking police officer of the Metropolitan Police London, wizard's apprentice and general nice guy, is on his next case - which has a lot to do with jazz. Peter is telling the story from his PoV. He's ironic, witty and his analogies to explain police work to ordinary people are weirdly creative. That's why I like him so much and hope the book gets as good as the first.

Which books are you reading this Tuesday?  Leave us a comment.