Top Ten Tuesday: The Creepiest Covers Out There!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Creepiest Book Covers Out There

• Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann : This original cover drew me in so quickly and didn't let me down. One of my top favorite creep-tastic stories written. The new cover doesn't do it for me, I feel it takes away from the creepy factor inside its pages. 

• Frost by Marianna Baer : Yes its as creepy as its looks, another great scary story that will have you thinking. 

• Possess by Gretchen McNeil : Gretchen is the Queen of writing creepy, scary and insane books. 

• Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

• Asylum by Madeleine Roux

• Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

• It by Stephen King

• Flowers In The Attic by V. C. Andrews

* On these last two covers, They are super creepy! I just can't handle clowns, if you saw the Stephen King's It TV mini-series, then you had to be affected like I was when it came to clowns. I now can't go near them without getting freaked out. 

And your probably wondering why did I pick the Flowers in the Attic redesigned cover as creepy? HELLO! If you read this book back in the day, then you know this cover is just wrong, like I said CREEPY! EWWWWWW! The cover is pretty if this was a normal contemporary romance but inside the pages is anything but normal. Below you will see older cover designs for Flowers in the Attic that are definitely more fitting tot he story. Again creepy!!!!! 

#YallFest: Interview with Lisa McMann

Today we are excited to share with you an interview with one of this year's YALLFEST authors. 

YALLFest will be happening this November in Charleston, SC. It’s one of the biggest gatherings of Young Adult and Middle Grade Author’s in the South. This years Keynote Speakers are Rae Carson and Veronica Roth. Event will take place Saturday, November 9th 2013.

Lisa McMann

   

Every week – they are releasing interviews with authors, and today’s interview is with Kami Garcia. Here’s what the author had to say…


Q: What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A: Silence.

Q: Best writing tip you ever received?

A: “Think of the one thing your main character would never, ever do. Now make her do it.”

Q: What are you working on now?

A: We’ll be ramping up the releases of books 5, 6, and 7 in the Unwanteds series, so I’m working on Unwanteds book 5 right now.

Q: What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

A: I really enjoy writing in a variety of genres, from realistic to paranormal to dystopian fantasy. At the moment, fantasy is winning, but that could change at any moment. My favorite genre to read is memoir.

Q: At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

A: As soon as I have a one line concept that gives me a little shiver.

Check out some Lisa McMann's books:

 

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For more information on YALLFest, visit their website – yallfest.org

Book Review: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

The Unwanteds
Unwanteds #1
Author: Lisa McMann
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Released: August 30th 2011
Review Source: Purchased

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret— behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

So how many moms out there had students with summer reading assignments? Well one option for my middle schooler was to choose your favorite book and write a review for others. Knowing that her mom and big brother loves books and writing reviews, I believe she picked the best assignment on the list! - Deitre

I started off reading Junie B. Jones and The Magic Tree House. Then I began to drift away from that type of genre. I knew I wanted to read something more action filled. Later on it felt like I was forcing myself to read books that really weren't my cup of tea. Then one day while at the book store I stumbled upon a book that instantly pulled me in. It was called The Unwanteds. I began to read a few pages and was hooked. I didn't buy the book that day. However, I enjoyed it so much I downloaded the sample to my iPod. Eventually, my mom got me the book. A bookish friend of hers had gotten it signed by the author just for me. I couldn't stop reading it. It was the first time I'd ever really been hooked to a book.

This is an action packed book that leaves you in suspense after each chapter. In this story, children caught being creative in any way were immediately sentenced to death. By the day of the "Purge" the thirteen year olds were split into groups of the Wanteds, Necessaries, and the Unwanteds.

A set of identical twin brothers Aaron (wanted) and Alex (unwanted) knew that that would be the last day they'd ever see each other or so they thought. It is said that the wanteds are sent to learn and become leaders and the unwanteds are sent to a death farm to die. Do the twins ever reunite?
In my opinion, the author Lisa McMann has done an exquisite job when it comes down to detail and being able to paint a picture in your head of whats happening in the story. This book by far is one of my absolute favorites. - Princess's Review

Joshua's review

So what did your students have to read over the summer? We would love for you to share.

Simon & Schuster Children's Partner Up with Shindig: “HOT YA SUMMER CHAT SERIES”

SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING TO PARTNER WITH SHINDIG FOR “HOT YA SUMMER CHAT SERIES”

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has partnered with Shindig to offer YA readers and fans an exciting new program to regularly engage with authors through their patented large scale video chat event service. Simon & Schuster will debut the program for fans of YA literature beginning every Tuesday at 7PM EST starting on June 11th, 2013 and will continue throughout the month of July. Fans that RSVP for the events can participate for free and have the opportunity to purchase their favorite authors’ books directly from the chat room site.

New York Times bestselling author Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian will launch the chat series by discussing the eagerly awaited sequel in the Burn for Burn trilogy, FIRE WITH FIRE. Participating authors will include Lisa McMann, Andrew Smith, Corey Ann Haydu, John Corey Whaley, Abbi Glines, Neal Schusterman and Carmen Rodrigues.

“We are very excited to partner with Shindig and to provide a place where our avid readers know they can return week after week,” says Paul Crichton, VP, Director of Publicity. “It’s also a great way to give readers who may not live near a common tour market the opportunity to interact with their favorite authors.”
“We are thrilled to be pioneering the new frontier of online reader engagement with Simon & Schuster. Stated Steve Gottlieb, Founder of Shindig. “Simon & Schuster recognizes that readers around the world are looking for meaningful ways to interact with their favorite authors, from the comfort of their homes.”

The schedule for the chats is as follows:

•June 11 – Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian (BURN FOR BURN) - RSVP Here

•June 18 – Lisa McMann (CRASH) - RSVP Here

•June 25 – Andrew Smith (WINGER) - RSVP Here

•July 2 – Corey Ann Haydu (OCD LOVESTORY) - RSVP Here

•July 9 – John Corey Whaley (WHERE THINGS COME BACK) - RSVP Here

•July 16 – Abbi Glines (BECAUSE OF LOW) - RSVP Here

•July 23 – Neal Schusterman (UNWHOLLY) - RSVP Here

•July 30 – Carmen Rodrigues (34 PIECES OF YOU) - RSVP Here

Audiobook Review: Crash by Lisa McMann

Crash
Visions #1
Author: Lisa McMann
Narrator: Allyson Ryan
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural | Paranormal
Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
Released: January 8th 2013
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Summary: (from goodreads) If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first in a series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy. Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more shesees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

This audio book came to me at the right time. I usually take a long time in finishing a audio book because I don't have a lot of opportunities when to listen to the book undisturbed. So when I had to drive in a single day over 7 hours, I popped in Crash and finished it in one day. The long boring drive, all the sudden was now very entertaining. I didn't want to stop and fuel or take potty breaks because I wanted to keep listening to the audio book. Allyson did a great job portraying the characters in this books. Her voice didn't annoy or sound bland to me. Listen to clip HERE.  

Lisa McMann is an author I once said I would read anything she prints. Lisa is very well known for her Wake Trilogy and Cryer's Cross. So when I heard about Crash, I was game to read it or in this case listen to it. Once again I was reminded why I love to read Lisa's books. Her stories have this edge to them, that just grab you. In Crash, Lisa blends paranormal/supernatural elements with a realistic/contemporary atmosphere. So if you are a fan of contemporary but don't like paranormal, you will still enjoy this book. Its like I mentioned, the elements are very well blended. Lisa keeps us the reader on our toes, trying to figure out what's to come. In Crash think Romeo and Juliette but with pizza . OK its more than that, but you have forbidden love, mystery and thrills. 

Crash is the story of Jules. Jules' life is centered around her family's business. They own a pizzeria and live above it. Jules also has to drive the pizza truck to school everyday, its not very flattering. Not that it really matters because the person that has Jules heart, she cant have. Sawyer is Jules' Romeo, why Romeo? Well because Sawyer's happens to be the son of Jules' family business rivals. Each family owns a pizza place in the same town and have been at war for a very long time. So when they were young both sides of the family prohibited them from becoming friends and definitely not a couple. Everything sounds normal so far, because who hasn't been told not to date a boy before by their parents. Well thing is Jules has this problem, Jules sees visions. Yes you read right, she can see visions and when I say see, these visions are not in her mind. Jules visions replay for her on billboards, TVs, windows, ext... Pretty much any flat surface will replay the vision Jules sees. Her vision is horrible and heartbreaking. She keeps having to witness a scene and always body bags at the end. The visions become more and more detailed with time and she is crushed with who gets hurt. Jules has to decided if she speaks up and breaks her family's wishes. It turns out that when you prohibit someone from seeing each other, life has a way to bring them together. Jules will stop at nothing to save what she loves.

What I really loved about Crash was how Lisa's gave having visions a new twist. I loved the unexpected ending. The Romeo and Juliette modern feel to the love story. I also liked all of Jules comments/phrases, they were LOL and cheesy. 

Grab this book, be it in paper or audio, you will love it. I cant wait for book 2 to know what next after the ending in Crash. 

Book Review: The Unwanteds

The Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Pages: 390 pgs
Reading Level: MG
Release Date: August 30th 2011
Review Source: Aladdin - Simon & Schuster
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Borders

Summarry: (from goodreads) Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Harry Potter has set the standard for youth books. Some books like The Percy Jackson Series have made a name for themselves and have found fame in this young adult novel era. The Unwanteds, I find is a nice refreshing novel that drew me in, to a fantastic new world of magic and creativity.

In a colorless world where only the strong survive, we find a young Alex Stowe being torn away from his twin brother Aaron. Being creative and artistic, Alex is sentenced to die by his government, Quill. Along with the other Unwanted, Alex goes to the Death Farm where they are taken to be eliminated. They are surprised however to find a magician named Mr. Today, who turns out to be a savior. The kids and the reader are introduced to a world full of magic and fantasy.

Cryer's Cross Book Review

Cryer's Cross
Author: Lisa McMann
Pages: 240 pgs
Reading Level: YA
Release for: February 8th 2011
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Galley

I began reading Cryer's cross yesterday afternoon and finished the book about 6 hours later. I was literally sucked in and could not break the pull the book had on me. The way Lisa McMann wrote this book, its like she put a hex on the book to suck you in. The level of creepy in the book is high and I love it but not in a morbid way. The only downside I will say is I wanted more, maybe a little bit more on what was casing the disappearances in Cryer's cross or maybe I just want the story to keep on going.

We get to meet Kendall that's from Cryer's cross, she is a senior in a school that fits all the student body in one room. She has OCD and you literally count when she counting reading this story. She is also pretty much the girl in her town her age. Her best friend maybe boyfriend, she doesn't want to label him as that, he is Nico and they have grown up together since they were born. They sit next to each other and play soccer together for school and he gets her OCD. Before School starts their senior year, a girl goes missing and the whole town is thrown off balance. The girl is never found and the town begin to settle back to normal around the time school starts and when harvesting is beginning. The school has two new students beginning, they are the grandchildren of one of the town's elderly resident. the family move in to help the old man run his business. We meet Jacian and his sister they moved from a big city and now are stuck in this small town, so Jacian is not a happy camper especially since he is accused of kidnapping the missing girl. Events start to take place and all the sudden now Nico has gone missing and well you can imagine how the town and Kendall are handling this. I will not give anymore , if I do I will spoil the story and we don't want that. Lets just say Cryer's Cross has a past that is coming back to haunt the children of the town. Will they figure it out in time???

Summary: The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.