July comes to a close

Hello all :)

I'm sad as a bee about this post because I have some not-so-great news, but it isn't all bad.

Here's the good news: I'm going on a mission trip! Woohoo! I'll be gone for about a week, and not only will I not have time to write on the blog, I also won't have internet access. So obviously I won't be posting anything until I get back.

Here's the sad news: Once again, I've run out of time for my Japanese post! *cries*

T_T T_T T_T

I could fill a whole post with sad faces...but I don't have time for that lol. Point is, I'm really sad and sorry about it. This is what happens when you only expect to work part time because that's what you normally work...but end up coming in early so many consecutive days it's almost full time. 

But, Lord willing, I PROMISE this post will be up early next month. 

Other than that, I hope you'll sign up for the 2014 Summer Reading Olympics on Goodreads and that you enjoy the rest of July!!

Cheers! :)

Goodreads Summer Reading Olympics *2014*

Alright, guys. The Page Turners is hosting Reading Olympics on Goodreads...for the FIRST TIME EVER. Let's make it incredible!

The 2014 Summer Reading Olympics will start on August 1st with the Opening Ceremony. 

Here's a full schedule of the Games.

If you'd like to be an athlete, you pick a country (USA, Japan, Germany) OR a fantastical place (Narnia, Middle Earth, Cobbogoth) to represent and compete for...but you need to have at least 4 other people choose the same place you chose in order for that country to enter the Games.

If you'd rather just watch, there's a spectator stand (uh...sort of) that you can join. Hey, why not, right? 

As a spectator, you won't have to worry about committing to a team if you don't have time, but you can still cheer on whatever team(s) you'd like! 

At the moment, I'm still on the fence about whether or not I want to be an athlete (I'm 24...but who cares. I love games. *shrugs off judgment*)...mostly because I'm just so busy. But if I choose not to be one, I'll definitely be a spectator. 

The Rules:

1) No cheating. Obviously. I mean, did I even need to mention that one...?

2) Keep up with the scoreboard and event times :), and try to take home the gold! 

3) Have fun!

So. Are you ready to enter the Games?!

Tell your friends (both in cyberland and real-life :-) and head on over to Goodreads to sign up!

May the odds be ever in your favor :D 

記憶したか。

Press Play Eric Devine *ARC Review*

When I won the Press Play Cover Reveal Party giveaway a couple months ago, I was stunned; I entered at the last minute because I just couldn't resist all those delicious books--and that gorgeous Unhinged poster *^_^*...and I won. 

*Dance jam after fist pump...*

So if you think you're never going to win a super giveaway, think again!  

Today I'm honored to share my thoughts about Eric Devine's Press Play , which is coming out in October this year. 

Again, HUGE thanks to the giveaway prize participants (Bethany Crandell, A.G. Howard, Eric Devine, Justin Holley, Lisa Ann O'Kane, A. Lynden Rolland)! You're stellar ^_^

And now...my review.

***

Truth, at whatever cost.

Because this is apparently my thing when it comes to book reviews, my one word to describe Press Play is *hardcore*.

Press Play is also gripping, provocative, and authentic, and there's loads to digest during and after reading it.

The depiction of bullying might be considered dramatic by some, but I felt it was as accurate as it was chilling. As such, some of the content is difficult to swallow...but really, that's part of the point. 

Abuse--whether in comes in the form of hazing, bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or neglect--is a terrible, terrible thing that shouldn't happen. It shouldn't be excused or permitted. Yet it does happen, and it is excused or permitted in many contexts--particularly in schools. 

Sometimes, we choose to stand on the sidelines and do nothing even though we know someone is suffering from some form of abuse--whether it's because we're afraid of the abusers, or afraid of the perceptions our peers will have about us. We all have our reasons. 

Press Play delves into those reasons and presents a solid case for doing what's right no matter the consequences, showcasing virtues like compassion, courage, determination, and honor. Devine really engages us and challenges us to consider our choices and perspectives.  

The style, setting, and characters have an authenticity about them that's difficult to come by. I'll admit the swearing was a bit much, but it did  capture the high school setting well. Still, I was overwhelmed at times. 

But I loved how each character--no matter how "together" they seemed--struggled with something on a soul-deep level...and they all tried to hide it. Press Play offers comfort and hope to all of us because we all keep secrets, and we all struggle.

And that plot! Whoa. It was riveting. I had so much fun reading this book! The cliff-hanger chapter endings were tough to resist. (Not-spoiler: I couldn't resist!) 

Me when I read a good book

The villain(s) and/or antagonists were fantastically well developed, and all the character arcs--especially Greg's--were phenomenal. One of my favorite parts about Greg's arc: his changing perspective and reaction to Alva when he begins to see Alva as more than just a bully...but also as a human being. 

Finally, I loved how the title connected back to and emphasized the theme(s). Killer ending with resolution across the board=where's the next book by Eric Devine?! :)

Final verdict: 

| Add Press Play to your Goodreads shelf! |

About the Author:
Eric Devine is the author of multiple works of Young Adult fiction, most recently Dare Me. He is also a veteran high school English teacher, where he spends as much time teaching as he does completing field research for his novels. His work has been listed by YALSA and Booklist for reluctant readers and for Best in Sports. He and his wife have two wonderful daughters and two not-so-wonderful Labradors. Eric’s next novel, Press Play, will be released 10/28, and he is currently working on two novels. Find out more at his blog, his Facebook fan page, or Twitter: @eric_devine

| Website | 

Play On Michelle Smith *Cover Reveal*

Woot woot! Today's post is a snazzy cover reveal of PLAY ON by Michelle Smith. 

Here's the Blurb:

In the small town of Lewis Creek, baseball is everything. Especially for all-star pitcher Austin Braxton, who has a one-way ticket out of town with his scholarship to a top university. All that stands between him and a new start is one final season. But when Austin starts flunking Chemistry, his picture-perfect future is in jeopardy. A failing grade means zero playing time, and zero playing time means no scholarship.

Enter Marisa Marlowe, the new girl in town who gets a job at his momma's flower shop. Not only is Marisa some home-schooled super-genius; she's also a baseball fanatic and more than willing to help Austin study. As the two grow closer, there's something about Marisa that makes Austin want more than just baseball and out of Lewis Creek -- he wants a future with her. But Marisa has a past that still haunts her, one that she ran all the way to South Carolina to escape.

As Austin starts to peel back the layers of Marisa’s pain, it forces him to look beyond the façade of himself and everyone he thought he knew in his town. What he sees instead is that in a small town like Lewis Creek, maybe baseball isn’t everything—maybe it is just the thing that ties them all together.

Are you ready to see the cover?? 

...

...

Ok, sorry, I just had the urge to do that...

HERE IT IS!

Super cute, right? :3

Play On is slated to be on shelves April 2015. Add it to your Goodreads shelf :)

| Goodreads |

About the Author:

Michelle Smith writes books for teens (and adults who aren't ashamed of their love for YA). She's a lover of all things happy, laughs way too much, and is a complete sap. She advocates for mental health awareness, and is a strong supporter of The Trevor Project, Love is Louder, and To Write Love on Her Arms.

Michelle lives in North Carolina with her family.

| @MichelleA_Smith | Website |

Cicada Magazine Calling for Submissions on Maps and Monsters

http://www.cicadamag.com/thisissue/julyaugust-2014

Cicada magazine, a YA lit/comics magazine targeted for ages 14+, is calling for submissions on Maps and Monsters. 

What this means according to their site: 

"Cicada's out to fill an upcoming issue with krakens, ogres, and other beasties, literal and figurative. We're interested in the monstrous as dangerous and strong; in monsters that lurk without and within. Monsters may show up on maps (especially weatherbeaten old sea charts), though largely as shorthand for the uncharted and unnamed. We're interested in the way maps help navigate the wilderness, inspire exploration, and track relationships, spatial and otherwise.

Send us poetry, fic (genre/realistic), essay, and comics on maps & monsters! Include 'Maps and Monsters' in front of your submission's title to be considered."

The deadline is July 31st. It's coming up fast, but if you think you have something to submit--or an idea worth penning and submitting--you should totally go for it!

*I'm not affiliated with Cicada or Cricket (etc) in any way. Just spreading the word!*

Here's the link to Cicada if you're interested in submitting or finding out more before deciding to submit!

Be brave :)

Why *does* July seem so empty? *Update*

Like most months this year, July has been a sad month for the blog :'(. It'll get there eventually... 

The kanji for 'month' and 'moon' (月) are the same in Japanese.
July has been lonely on the blog. Sad moon! 

Anyway, I  mentioned last month that I wanted to have a Japanese post up. Clearly that didn't happen. This not happening stuff is lame...but somewhat expected in light of all that's happened. Random bit of trivia: there are thousands of Japanese apps for iPhones alone. 

Because I wanted to test out several of those to recommend before I posted, and it took me longer than I thought it would, I decided to postpone. It'll be up later this month.  I'm so excited *^_^* 

日本語が大好きです！

Aside from that, the blog has also been slowed by one of my major writing goals this summer: to finish the first installment of SPHERES! (Whispers and Murmurs.) 

...
...
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Yeah, Whispers and Murmurs is moving along at about the pace of a slug. 

Made by stephiethecat, featuring Sokka from Avatar: the Last Airbender

GIFSoup

On top of subbing for people at the daycare during my writing hours, I've been slacking on occasion because the task is just so daunting o_o. I should qualify that. I'm also taking down the second installment, Yellow, at the same time in an attempt to query both of them by December. 

You might be thinking...isn't that your problem? Just finish the first! And part of me agrees. But I actually enjoy switching between the two... 

Worse still, funny-but-seriously-NOT-funny: my blog got marked as spam by Blogger's automated spam detector -_-! Is this why so many have moved to Wordpress? Take note, Blogger! If this ever happens again, I'm moving to Wordpress...

If you were looking for my blog during that time (unlikely, but possible lol), sorry!  

Now for some good news. 

Possibly the coolest online crit network I've found for female (sorry, guys) writers? Ladies Who Critique. LWC is a fantastic critique outreach group--kind of like match.com, except for writers. It's brill. I've already found at least 2 people that I can work well with, and that I can chat with about various writerly subjects (like rejection, busyness, and dreams).

If you're looking for a more intimate crit group/partner and don't have one in your area--or you just want another--check out LWC. Sometimes the site is a little wonky (beta stage), but it's well worth your time and effort to meet and swap with fellow writers. 

Coming up: I'll be reviewing Press Play by Eric Devine ^_^ (and Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell if time allows). 

Enjoy the last bits of summer!! Cheers :)