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Showing posts with label Miranda Kenneally. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miranda Kenneally. Show all posts

Feb 5, 2014

what does your crack read like?

a few weeks ago, i had monica murphy by the blog for an interview. in the interview, i had asked her:
q. as i started reading savor, i realized that the first book, crave, had that sister/best friend thing going on. in torn, it had that haters-to-lovers thing going on and in savor it had that forbidden/opposites attracts thing working. which of the three is your favorite to read about?

um…all of them? truthfully, i love love the forbidden, i work for him/she works for me boss/assistant storyline. those stories are my crack.

click here to read the full interview.
ever since then, i haven't been able to get the question outta my head. hence, the prompt for this post.

as the question came and left, i kept pondering my response and eventually, i realized that my absolute most favorite stories to read about are the ones where they've been friends for forever long and then one day, boom—they're not. i mean, in some stories, it's totes-ma-goats obvious and that's fine because i can go in expecting it but the heroin to my veins are the ones where it's unexpected. the ones where they've been the bestest of friends since the beginning of time, but throughout the entire book, they're not trying to get at each other until something or someone crosses the "friends-only" line.

Feb 27, 2013

Book Review: Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks, #3)Title: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks, #3)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release date: March 1, 2013



Connect with Miranda Kenneally: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Note: Mature themes, sexual situations, religious discussions.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound

Jun 13, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (16): Stealing Parker and My Life Next Door

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
_________________________________

Stealing Parker

Title: Stealing Parker
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: October 1st, 2012

Stealing Parker
Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?
Why I'm Waiting: I absolutely adored the heck out of Catching Jordan so I know without a doubt that Stealing Parker will float my boat in all sorts of ways! Like, I really, really, really, realllllllly loved Catching Jordan so I'm anxiously and impatiently counting down the days until I can finally read Stealing Parker - eep, I'm so excited you don't understand!


My Life Next Door

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers
Release Date: June 14th, 2012

My Life Next Door
A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
Why I'm Waiting: 1) It's June 13th today which means I only have one more day to go until I can read this book. 2) It's the summer time and I, for some reason, associate contemporary reads with the summer time, so this one will be perfect. And 3) How adorable and cute is that frickin' cover? I need to have that book on my shelf, end of story.


So, how are all of you enjoying your summer vacay? Any of you doing anything super fun and awesome? Please tell me cause I sure as heck am not doing anything so if I hear your stories and/or plans, it will make me feel like I did something, lmao! Anyway, what are you waiting on this Wednesday? If you have a link, drop it in the comments and I'll be sure to stop by!

Happy Wednesday and always, happy reading!

Apr 26, 2012

[SPOILER ALERT]: Fangirls on Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally


That banner you see right there is my lame attempt at making a banner. Don't laugh. It's embarassing as is. I didn't want to start this post off with just words because well...I wouldn't read it. Would you? Sometimes when I see a post without any pictures I'm just like, "Blergh, too many words for me!" LOL, no joke! Anyway, if you couldn't tell by the all caps in my title, this is a spoilery post about some of my favorite scenes from Catching Jordan. If you couldn't tell from my two past posts and all my twitter tweets, I'm currently very obsessed with this book! So obsessed and in love with it that it's almost not healthy. ALMOST.

So, if you haven't read Catching Jordan, I suggest you stop reading now. Like, for seriously. Or else you'll be so spoiled that sour milk wouldn't even befriend you. ;) Also, if you haven't read Catching Jordan, for the duration of this blog post, you are no longer my friend.


BUT if you have read Catching Jordan and would like to weigh in on some of my favorite parts/scenes from the book, feel free to stick around to the very end! Actually, please stick around! I would love to hear what some or all of your favorite scenes were and why!

• • • • • • • • • • •

Like I've said a few times before, I don't know why I love this book so much. Well, maybe I do but I just suck at putting it into words so instead...I'm settling for scenes and what not. BIGGEST SPOILER FROM THE BOOK:  Henry. Being truly, madly, and deeply in love with Jordan. [Aaannnd...now's the time to grab your copy of the book.] I didn't see that train coming at me at full speed until page 142 and shortly after that, the chapter titled Revelations came into play and then...BOOM! At least, I was a bit prepared, right!? Well, as prepared as I can get within a time frame of three pages.

When Jordan found out, I felt relieved...in a way. I get that Ty's super macho and hot and sexy and you just wanna undress him with your eyes and uuuunnnffff, that guy! BUT as I read more and more, some of the things he said or did just kind of like...turned me off. In a way. From the get-go, you're introduced to him and Jordan's mad infatuation with him that you just can't help but fall for him but even then I was still a bit hesitant and iffy. Anyway, back to Henry. After that revelation came to light, I was so overly tuned into him and Jordan's relationship that...man, it just did something to me. Like I sorta hinted at in my review, there were little things that they did together that didn't really mean much until you realize that Henry's in love with Jordan. Before I start bulleting off some of the scenes that stood out to me, in my review, I mentioned three songs by One Direction that I felt were more than perfect for the book so I wanna go back and explain why I picked the three that I did.

First up, One Thing:
- When I first started reading the book, I thought for sure that Ty Green was going to be the leading male so One Thing started out as a song coming from Ty's point of view. For example, some of the lyrics go something like:

I've tried playing it cool
But when I'm looking at you
I can't ever be brave
'Cause you make my heart race

Shot me out of the sky
You're my kryptonite
You keep making me weak
Yeah, frozen and can't breathe

Something's gotta give now
'Cause I'm dying just to make you see
That I need you here with me now
'Cause you've got that one thing

But soon enough, you realize that Henry was the guy your eyes should have been on and then the song quickly changed and started coming from his point of view. The only lined that mattered to me after I realized that was: But I need that one thing and you've got that one thing <333

Also, not only is the song kinda, sorta, really perfect for the book, it has an upbeat feeling to it that just encompasses all of Catching Jordan. Onto song number two!

I Wish:
- Just from the title, you can already tell whose song this belongs too! Yes, you totally guessed it right! Sam Henry <33 (Man, I love that dude!) To really get my point across, I'll just share the lyrics with you guys!

He takes your hand
I die a little
I watch your eyes
And I'm in riddles
Why can't you look at me like that?

When you walk by
I try to say it
But then I freeze
And never do it
My tongue gets tied
The words get trapped
I hear the beat of my heart getting louder
Whenever I'm near you

But I see you with him slow dancing
Tearing me apart
Cause you don't see
Whenever you kiss him
I'm breaking,
Oh how I wish that was me

He looks at you
The way that I would
Does all the things, I know that I could
If only time, could just turn back
Cause I got three little words
That I've always been dying to tell you

If you're looking something like this


I know,


RIGHT!? I told you. Totally Henry. Oooh, Henry! That reminds, what a coin-ka-dink - one of the singers from One Direction is named Henry <333 Henry Styles! Maybe that's another reason why I love Sam Henry so much!

[UPDATE (3/14/2013): I now realize what a stupid dork I am because his name is Harry Styles and not Henry. But hey, I was in a moment of squee, so, you know, my mind wasn't with me. ;p What a lol moment. Coming back to read this definitely made my day!]

Third song is Moments:
- As Jordan and Henry's relationship becomes more conflicted and harder, this song immediately came to mind. The push and pull, the change and shift in their relationship, the emotional struggle - was wrapped into this song. I pictured this coming from the both of them throughout different scenes. And because this song was playing in the background, my feelings and emotions intensified like...that much more towards the book <333

Shut the door
Turn the light off
I wanna be with you
I wanna feel your love
I wanna lay beside you
I cannot hide this
Even though I try

Heart beats harder

Time escapes me
Trembling hands
Touch skin
It makes this hard girl
And the tears stream down my face

If we could only have this life

For one more day
If we could only turn back time

You know I’ll be
Your life
Your voice
Your reason to be
My love
My heart
Is breathing for this
Moment
In time
I’ll find the words to say
Before you leave me today

Close the door

Throw the key
Don’t wanna be reminded
Don’t wanna be seen
Catching JordanDon’t wanna be without you
My judgments clouded
Like tonight's sky

Hums are silent

Voice is numb
Try to scream out my lungs
It makes this harder
And the tears stream down my face

If we could only have this life

For one more day
If we could only turn back time

You know I’ll be

Your life
Your voice
Your reason to be
My love
My heart
Is breathing for this
Moment
In time
I’ll find the words to say
Before you leave me today

Flashing lights in my mind
Going back to the time
Playing games in the street
Kicking balls with my feet

There’s a numb in my toes

Standing close to the edge

There’s a pile of my clothes

At the end of your bed

As I feel myself fall

Make a joke of it all

So, check out those three songs and let me know what you think of them below in the comments section! I would love to hear what you guys think! And if you guys don't think the songs fit...well, at least you've discovered three brand new songs to get addicted to! ;) NOW, here come some of my favorite scenes/quotes! Bear with me because there might be quite a few!

  • "Laughing, I speed up. Soon I'm sprinting as fast as I can go, but Henry catches up anyway. He's so damned fast. He might as well be Forrest Gump. Passing by me, Henry runs to the end of the block, where he turns around and does this stupid victory dance. It looks like he's roping a bull at a rodeo." -Page 55
    Why I like: Because Henry's dancing! DUUH.
  • "I'll never forget how we were sitting out in Henry's front yard playing rock, paper, scissors while eating a big box of Cracker Jacks. I pulled the prize out, and we both desperately wanted it. Since we were at Henry's house and they were his Cracker Jacks, he thought he deserved the plastic football. But since I'm the one who pulled the football out of the box, I thought it should be mine.

    So we rock, paper, scissors-ed for it. I made scissors with my hand. He made rock.

    He's worn the charm around his neck ever since." -Page 56
    Why I like: Because it explains the special meaning of their friendship and the necklace.
  • "I yank the covers back and crawl in, and Henry lies down next to me, reeking of shea butter. 'Ugh. You smell,' I say. 'Turn around. We have to sleep head-to-toe. Mom's orders.'
    'We can't tonight. I heard a rumor that you have athlete's foot, and I can't risk getting it in my nose.'" -Page 80
    Why I like: Because Henry always has an excuse to sleep head-to-head!
  • "His eyes focus on mine and we stare at each other for a while. With his tan skin and emerald eyes, Henry is an extremely cute guy, and it occurs to me how many girls at school would love to find themselves in a potting shed with him." -Page 133
    Why I like: Because Henry was so sweet in this scene and it's just one of my favorites!
  • "All those nights of sharing a bed
    All those times he put an arm around me
    All the things he's done to make me happy
    ...encouraging me to give Ty a chance..." -Page 145
    Why I like: Because Jordan finally realizes!
  • "Another tear falls from my eye, but I don't have the strength to wipe it away. All my energy is being used by my heart, because it's having to pump twice as hard just to keep working. Why wouldn't he kiss me?
    Henry keeps dealing. When all the cards have been separated, I pick up my stack and shuffle my cards again. Then I look up into Henry's eyes, and he's staring back at me, at my tears, and I see all these tiny wrinkles around his eyes - sadness wrinkles. He frowns, biting his lip." -Page 152
    Why I like: This scene was so sad - I can't explain it; I just love it. Crazy!
  • "Henry:
    I love the way his curls flop around and hang across his forehead.
    I love how he never just lets me win. I have to earn it.
    I love how he touches me just because.
    I love his loyalty.
    I love how when we sleep head-to-toe,
    he always finds a reason to sleep head-to-head instead." -Page 153
    Why I like: Jordan starts to realize all the things she loves about Henry and the one I italicized is my favorite.
  • "'Remember when I first started playing ball? And I was looking for crickets and then I threw the ball back to you?'

    'No.'

    What? We used to joke about this all the time. How I destroyed his future career as quarterback of the Titans." -Page 172
    Why I like: It's hard to explain why for this one; it's just the little moments, I guess.
  • "Tears trickle out of my eyes as I slowly buckle my chinstrap.

    All I know is, without him as my friend, I'm just a shell. Just a playbook without any plays." -Page 173
    Why I like: This one is self-explanatory. <3
  • "We clap and break, and JJ hikes the ball again. I dash back several feet, avoiding the linebacker trying to sack me, and throw the ball to Henry, but it's way short. I don't get enough on the throw and he runs the wrong route - he was supposed to come back on the ball, but didn't." -Page 176
    Why I like: Because of where their relationship stands, it's clear that they're both frustrated and they just can't play straight. :)
  • "When Henry comes up for air, he looks over Savannah's shoulder at me. He mouths, 'I'm sorry.'" -Page 179
    Why I like: You know, it was just another one of those scenes that stabbed my heart. To pieces.
  • "When unrequited love is the most expensive thing on the menu, sometimes you settle for the daily special." -Page 183
    Why I like: Because I just do and because it's deeeeeep, man! ;)
  • "But my ceiling is bare
    Like my heart
    Mom comes in
    Curls up next to me
    'Mom'
    It comes out as a cry
    'I know'" -Page 210
    Why I like: Because sometimes a mom just knows without you having to say anything.
  • "As the slow song ends, Henry's green eyes find mine, and I pull away from Ty and begin walking toward my friend. Henry stares at me, then stares at my dress. And then he just turns around and leaves the gym, dropping the stupid crown." -Page 217
    Why I like: Because One Direction's I Wish is frickin' perfect for this scene!
  • "I skip stones and throw rocks until the sun starts to set. Just as I'm getting ready to leave, I see a large splash in the river, so I jerk around to find the thrower of the rock. And there he is. Henry. Standing there with a handful of rocks, launching them into the river. No one knew I was coming here, so he must've just shown up, just like me." -Page 233
    Why I like: Because that was like... their special spot.
  • "My tears are everywhere. I sop them up using my sweatshirt, and when I look at his face, he reaches around his neck and pulls off the silver chain that holds the plastic football charm, fingering it. He stares down at the charm, then finds my eyes and puts the chain around my neck." -Page 234
    Why I like: Because throughout the whole book, they're constantly fighting over it and now that he gives it to her, I felt like he sorta just gave up. </3
  • "'Henry?'

    'Yeah?'

    I take a deep breath. 'Remember that time I was searching for crickets at your game, and the ball went out of bounds and I threw it back to you?'

    'Yup,' he says with a grin." -Page 244-245
    Why I like it: Because earlier when she asked, he said no but now he says that he remembers which signifies that their relationship is getting back on track!
  • "'For what it's worth,' Dad says, running his fingers over the picture, 'I've never seen anyone run faster than Henry after you hurt your knee last week.'" -Page 263
    Why I like: Because obviously, Henry's crazy about Jordan!
  • "'What's the occasion?' I ask.
    He glances up at me and takes a deep breath. 'You're the occasion, Woods. I've missed you so, so much.'
    Lowering my chin, I bite my lip. A tear drops down my cheek. I throw down an ace, he throws down an ace. I deal three cards facedown, and he mimics me. At the same time, we each drop a fourth card. He has a queen; I, a king." -Page 278-279
    Why I like: EEEEEEEEEE!
  • "He guesses right, because he takes me by the elbows and pulls my body up so our noses touch. His breath smells like chocolate-chip cookies. My favorite.
    We kiss.
    Finally." -Page 279
    Why I like: Because like Jordan said: FINALLY! ;)
  • "We kiss some more, and his soft lips are making it hot in here, so I pull off my sweatshirt, revealing a tank top underneath, and Henry focuses on the plastic football charm, taking it in his fingers. I hesitate, then pull the chain off and drop it around Henry's neck." -Page 280
    Why I like: Because that necklace means a whole lot to the both of them and that was such a sweet moment!

Okay guuuuuuuuuuuuuys, whew! Again, I told ya to bear with me, hahahah! Boy oh boy, I'm so in love with this book! Weeeelll, now it's your turn! What were/are some of your most favorite scenes/quotes!? Share 'em with me! Also, anything spoilery that you wanna discuss!? Leave 'em in the comments and lets get a discussion going, eh? :)

And if you're still hear reading this whole entire post of nothing but fangirling stuff, well then... you get my heart! I love you and you're the bestest!

Apr 25, 2012

Book Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching JordanTitle: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: December 1st, 2011

Find Miranda Kenneally Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate. 

My $0.02

You know those books that catch you way off guard?  The books that shoot out of the dark and completely blind you!?  But like…in a really good way?  YEAH, Catching Jordan totally caught me off guard!  Well, I don’t know if being blind is really a good thing…but you know what I mean!  Catching Jordan is fun and witty and exciting and Ms. Kenneally depicted high school in a way that made me go, “Wow, this is so real!”  All those things that you experience and go through in high school were very present and Catching Jordan definitely leaves you squirming and squealing and drooling for more, more, and MOAR! ;)

Because of blogging, my life seems to be living by this statement: so many books and so little time.  And because of that statement, when I pick up a book, I need to be grabbed by the balls—right away or else I’ll most likely not continue with it.  Not to say that I won’t ever read it again, just that it will go back on my shelf until there comes a time when the above statement becomes: not enough books and too much time. ;)  What I’m trying to say is that Catching Jordan was one of those books that grabbed my attention from the first page and it gripped me so hard that I became paralyzed until I finished it!

Immediately, I was wrapped into Jordan’s world of football and the guuuuuys.  I love Jordan’s character—how she’s basically one of the guys and her bromance with them and the way she talks to and with them and…it was totally awesome!  Onto her entourage of testosterone: I loved every single one of them!  I also really loved how Kenneally gave each of them their time to shine, so to speak, in certain chapters.  In doing so, you grow to like each and every one of them in their own way.  The guys that I’m speaking of are JJ, Carter, and Henry.  They were Jordan’s dudes, dude!  They’re so funny and they sound like a ton of fun!  I wish I could hang with them for a day!  They each have their own personality and Jordan goes to each of them for different reasons and they seriously have her back like a bra strap!

I’m so flustered right now because other than shouting at the top of my lungs, “I LOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK AND BECAUSE I DO, YOU SHALL TOTALLY READ IT!” I don’t know what else to say.  I just loved everything about it.  The family problems that Jordan goes through to all the high school drama and of course, all the boy drama-llama made me fall heavily in love-love with Catching Jordan!  As I was reading, the only thing that had me kind of go, “Uhhh…” was the short of amount of time that Jordan fell for Ty—that kind of, sort of caught me off guard but as the story progresses and as it unfolds, it makes sense…if you know what I mean by that.  There was one thing that I wasn’t really expecting but I sensed it coming that had me squeal (on the inside) so loud that I almost couldn’t stand it!  To not make you worry, it was a good thing.  A really good thing.

Henry is Jordan’s best friend for like, ten years.  Between the two of them, they have all of these cute little things that they do that just made my heart swell.  Little things that just made me go “awh!”  Things like when either one of them have something serious to say to one another, they kind of start off by breaking the ice with a funny story or they play a game.  Also, I love how they challenge each other and how they can pretty much just read each other inside out!  If you’ve seen my goodreads update, I just really want myself a Sam Henry. <3

Now onto Ty Green.  Instantly, you’re falling and tripping over yourself because he’s just that hot!  But as I got to know more and more about him, there was something about him that seemed a bit off to me—something that made me feel a bit fishy about him.  Eventually, you find out why he is the way he is but even then I was hesitant about letting myself fall completely for him, lol!

Catching Jordan was highly enjoyable and now that I’ve finished it, I’m wishing that I didn’t read it so fast because I wanna re-read it all over again without no recollection of what happened so I can have that “feel-good” feeling once more!  Catching Jordan definitely packs a good load of ear to ear smiles, tingling feels in your toes and fingertips, lots of “awh” and “ooh” moments, and of course, plenty “Omg, that is so me!” statements!  This book is totally my happy place right now and it’s for sure going on my Favorites Shelf where it will always remain!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


One Direction - One Thing


One Direction - I Wish


One Direction - Moments



Links to purchase Catching Jordan: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Apr 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (19): Catching Jordan


This meme is brought to you weekly by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

Anyone can 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 and the author, too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR List if they like your teaser!
I just finished this book yesterday evening so a bunch of my favorite quotes are still fresh in my mind so bear with me as I have quite a few teasers to share with all of you guys! I promise they're not long ones but as I was reading, a bunch of them stood out to me that I really wanted to share with all of my bookworms!

My 1st Teaser 
At least I've got football.

It's been my life since I was seven, but sometimes Henry says I need to spend less time focusing and start "living life like I'm going to hell tomorrow."
- Page 10, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

My 2nd Teaser
When unrequited love is the most expensive thing on the menu, sometimes you settle for the daily special. 
- Page 183, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

My 3rd Teaser
"...You don't need anyone's permission to do what you love. You should just do it."
- Page 157, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching JordanThese three are just a few among the hundreds of favorite quotes from this fantabulous book that I am totally enamored with! If you haven't read it yet, please do so like...yesterday! I promise you'll love it lots and it definitely creates that feel-good feeling!

Catching Jordan

Have you read Catching Jordan!? What were some of your favorite quotes from the book? I had one more that I wanted to share but after reading through it a couple of times, I realized that it could be a bit spoilery...so I didn't share that one but boy did I want to! If you haven't read the book yet, what do you think of my teasers!? If you have a TT, drop a line below and I will come check it out!

Happy Tuesday and happy reading, everyone!