Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover and title of Shatter Me #3

Tahereh Mafi released the title and cover for the third Shatter Me novel. Ignite Me is the final book in the trilogy and I can't wait to read it. I am hoping for an amazing finale.

Plus the cover is amazing. I really like the new cover scheme for this series.

MOVIE/TV

Stolen movie....maybe

I loved Stolen by Lucy Christopher. One of my favourite books I've reviewed on this blog. I have been awaiting news on the potential movie, and something was finally revealed. Lucy Christopher tweeted that she was going to San Diego to work on the screenplay. Is it too early to start my Ryan Kwanten for Ty petition?

City of Bones

I have tickets to a Wednesday night showing. I was quite disappointed to hear that Ottawa was not going to have any midnight screenings. My sister and I are going on Wednesday and I am also going with a friend of mine on Friday night, I believe. Super excited to see this and hope it does amazingly well.

Once Upon A Time Season 2 DVD (AKA Awesome Deleted Scenes)

The second season of Once Upon A Time is coming out on DVD. To promote this, some of the deleted scenes have made their way to media sites. TVLine.com recently shared one I am in love with. Sadly, I can't embed it here, but it features Henry, Baelfire and the words 'second star to the right and straight on till morning'. Needless to say, I had a fangirl moment. The Henry/Baelfire/Emma feelings mixed with my Peter Pan obsession? *dies*. I can't wait for season 3.

OTHER

Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club

The first official 'meeting' of the Sisterhood took place yesterday (Friday) and it went amazingly well. It was so much fun to chat with Kim, Christy, and Kelly. I will be sharing the recap post later this month, and we're already working on plans for our next meeting.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date – February 5, 2013
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 461 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**Purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

tick

tick

tick

tick

tick

it's almost

time for war

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

For me, a story is only as strong as it's characters. Tahereh Mafi has taken her incredibly defined characters and combined them with a page turning plot that makes Unravel Me even more engrossing than Shatter Me.

The characters in this novel seem so authentic and alive because each of them is fundamentally flawed. None of the characters are perfect, or make the right decisions all the time. The "good guys" are capable of wavering, and the “bad guys” may just have some redeemable qualities underneath. Actions, consequences, desires, and upbringing all mold these characters into complex beings that drive the plot.

Juliette’s character fascinates me. Here is a young woman who not only was unintentionally the cause of someone’s death but also has been segregated from everyone for many years. I found her self loathing and inner issues quite understandable for someone who has been through what Juliette has been. Her wonder and aching desire to discover the world that she has been kept from was heart pulling. Her loneliness and desire for human touch is something every human at their core can identify with. Human connections are something everyone needs a base level, and Juliette is no different.

War is almost a character itself in this novel. Tahereh Mafi uses Juliette’s character to show some insightful points. Juliette ponders the soldiers used by the Reestablishment, and how they may not be so different underneath it all. She wonders how many of them are just trying to survive. She’s determined to not kill anyone because they are someone’s family. The soldiers may be fighting for a cause, but doesn't mean they all fully support it, and aren't driven by desperation.

A writer who can make a character so multi-faceted and compelling is someone with rare talent. With the character of Warner this has been done tenfold. He’s layered in a way that characters like him often are not. I think there is still plenty left to be learned about this tormented, often villainous character. Is redemption possible for Warner? Possibly. For me he’s not there yet. It’s going to take a lot for him to redeem himself after the toddler incident of Shatter Me, but my extreme dislike of him has lessened to an understanding. He’s a character that fascinates me as he operates on this fine line and you never know which side he’ll fall on to.

This review would not be complete without mentioning Kenji. A character who became so much more than I expected him to. His sense of humour, and easy banter lead me to assume certain things about him. This novel showed me just how wrong the assumptions were. Brave, loyal and relied upon, Unravel Me's Kenji steps up into a position of prominence and importance. His role going forward is going to be vastly different than expected, and I love that the author was able to surprise me.

Much has been made of the infamous Chapter 62. I have to admit the speech given by a certain character to another character in this chapter is quite swoon worthy. I felt my own knees weaken as this character unexpectedly purged his feelings. The steamy passages are not just limited to this chapter however. I think Tahereh is one of the few authors to actually make me blush because her passages are filled with heightened sexual tension that is masterfully done.

A novel that packs a few surprise twists, and whose final pages left me enthralled with this new direction in the story and for Juliette herself. Tahereh Mafi has created an intense world filled with compelling, flawed characters. It's one I am eager to come back to.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I have some pretty awesome books this week! Super excited to start reading Unravel Me. I can't wait to read Chapter 62 for myself, and see what all the craziness is about.

The Program by Suzanne Young (goodreads)
Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald (goodreads)
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (goodreads)

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date – October 2, 2012
Publisher Website –  Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 111 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45. 

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . . 

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow. 

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

Those who read Shatter Me know that Warner is anything but a typical villain. A complex character that left you certain his back story would be explosive.  Destroy Me lets us into his head. He is just as calculating, and self serving as expected. There is, however, cracks in his facade that are strangely softening. The lighter moments we glimpse into this wounded, yet chilling, character are enough to make you re-consider exactly how you feel about him.
Warner’s unraveling sanity comes as a result of his obsession with Juliette. It is entirely evident that she has shaken him, and he unsure what to handle this. His detachment is something he enjoys and Juliette has broken through that. He can no longer pretend to not care, especially when it comes to her.

Warner’s father is a man who demands obedience and takes pleasure in  punishment. Warner’s upbringing was not nurturing and his father’s presence gives a lot of insight into how Warner was molded. It also brings light to some of Warner's behaviour.

The more steamier parts of Tahereh Mafi’s writing always intrigued me, and Warner’s growing interest in Juliette provides some blush worthy moments that left me breathless.

“I want her clothes off, and the lights on and I want to study her. I want to unzip her out of this dress and take my time with every inch of her. I can’t help my need to just stare; to know her and her features: the slope of her nose, the curve of her lips, the line of her jaw. I want to run my fingertips across the soft skin of her neck and trace it all the way down. I want to feel the weight of her pressed against me, wrapped around me.”

His preoccupation with Juliette allows insight into her character as well. Tahereh’s ability to deepen a character I found quite complex already is awe inspiring. An author who can use a character to tell you something about another character, and do so masterfully, is one with a clear gift.

The writing in Destroy Me is solid, emotionally impacting and filled with angst. Warner's brilliant descent into possible madness left me breathless and anxious to read Unravel Me.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Lots of goodies in the mail this week! I truly felt spoiled with mail this week.

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (Goodreads)
The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling (Goodreads)
Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton (Goodreads)
Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler (Goodreads)
The Archived swag

The flash really doesn't do the cover of Time Between Us any justice. It's shiny and really pretty. A huge thank you to Raincoast Books Canada, Hachette Group Canada and Victoria Schwab for all the lovely books and swag this week.

I also purchased an ebook this week

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Goodreads)

I had to read this and am almost done actually. Will be posting a review sometime in November.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading! A special Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians. Hope you get to enjoy the long weekend.

Waiting on Wednesday...Unravel Me

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

My pick this week is Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

tickticktickticktickit's almosttime for war. 

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance. 

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch. 

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible. 

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life

I LOVED Shatter Me, and that ending made me so eager to get my hands on the sequel. It sounds amazing and I am also looking forward to Destroy Me; the novella from Warner's point of view.

It must also be said that I adore these new covers! So pretty.

Expected release date - February 5, 2013

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me Tahereh Mafi
Release Date – November 15, 2011
Publisher Website – Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter//Facebook//SavvyReader
Pages - 342 pages
My Rating- 10/10
**obtained from Book Expo America and HarperCollins for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

It is fitting that this novel is called Shatter Me because that is exactly what it did. It shattered my expectations and shattered my heart.

Tahereh Mafi’s writing style is nothing short of awe inspiring. It’s different, so full of emotion and very lyrical. It engages your attention and emotions right from the beginning. I felt a whole range of emotions while reading this. I felt everything from wonder, fear, disgust, and hope. There’s a particularly gut wrenching scene involving a child that literally made me sick to my stomach. It’s a testament to the amazing writing that I felt these emotions so vividly.

Her characters are all wonderfully developed. They are rich, layered, complex characters that you can’t help but care about, even the evil ones.

Juliette’s story does not begin as a happy one. She’s been locked away for a murder she did not mean to commit. Juliette’s touch is powerful, and it was an accident. Her character has had to deal with a lot and it’s so heartbreaking. The most amazing thing is, even after all of this has happened, Juliette is kind, caring and quite strong. I am not sure I would be as strong as she is. You want to protect her, but honestly, she really doesn’t need it. She manages just fine.

Adam, the boy that steals Juliette’s heart. The back and forth, touch me/ don’t touch me between them is seriously smoking. I can’t fault Juliette for wanting to be touched after so long. I would crave any kind of connection if I had locked away as well. Add to this the fact that Adam is a hot boy who can touch her back, and it's easy to see how she falls for him. The relationship is intense, and moves quickly, but it never felt forced. You can feel the connection between these two.

The character of Warner is someone you’re going to love to hate, or maybe hate to love. I have to admit that he’s pretty hot. He is complex for this type of character. His backstory so developed. I am looking forward to reading more about him. I could see him being a temptation for Juliette. The novel focus on the struggle within her. Is her power a gift, a curse? Does it make her a monster, or something else? Can it be used for good as well as evil? Adam and Warner factor into this as she makes her way through her journey.

The ending is nothing short of heart stopping amazing. It sets the tone for the second book, and opens up a whole new world to Juliette. It’s one I can’t wait to explore.

All of this is made even more amazing when you factor in that this is Tahereh Mafi‘s first novel. HER FIRST. I can‘t wait to see what she does with book two. Thank you Tahereh Mafi, for creating such an exquisitely beautiful written novel. This book really is a must read.

My Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVison started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

So this week my obsessions are:

First I must call attention to how awesome my blog looks right now. The amazingly awesome Evie from Bookish has provided me with a fantastic new look for the blog. I love it and I think it suits my blog perfectly.

BOOKS

The trailer for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi



This is a stunning book trailer. It suits the book perfectly. I've watched it too many times to count. I makes me want to pick the book up and read it again.

The entire Harper Collins summer catalog

Did you see it yet? Some of the most amazing sounding titles. We have Until I Die by Amy Plum, The Selection by Kiera Cass, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, and Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson just to name a few. There are so many hot titles coming out I am wanting to skip right past Christmas for them.

Movies

The trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman



While I am not thrilled with the choice of Kristen Stewart for this, I can't deny that this trailer is stunning. It's beautiful, yet dark at the same time. I am very excited for this movie now which I wasn't before.

TV

Plot twists and mid-season finales

I may not like having to wait until freaking January to catch back up with some of my favourite characters, but you've got to admit there is nothing like a cliff hanger! I love both Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle and both of them had an amazing ending for the holidays. I am dying to get back to Mystic Falls and Chance Harbour.

That's all for my obsessions this week. Tell me...what are you obsessed with?