Elsewhere News
- Last week we talked about Robin Mellom's debut novel DITCHED (recap here). But this week, we're moving out of YA and into Adult Fiction by celebrating David Nicholl's #1 International Bestselling Novel, ONE DAY. Not sure what it's about? Click on the link to be taken to the Goodreads page of the edition I have in my possession. Still not sure if you want to read it? I'll be posting my review of ONE DAY a little bit later today (shooting for noon-ish... meh...). Honestly, though, I really enjoyed this book. If I had to sum it up into a one-word review, that word would be "BEAUTIFUL." I thought this was a special, and truly unique story, and I can't wait to talk to you guys more about it later.
- The Livechat this Friday was pretty cool! Although we missed Arianna (yes I use the royal we! Shut up!), Alice and Bella and I had a great time talking about TFiOS, THE HUNGER GAMES, TWILIGHT, and other John-Green-related, and non-John-Green-related shenanigans. You can join us next time by visiting my Livestream channel on Friday at 6 PM PST. We'll be talking about ONE DAY, DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER, and anything else your hearts desire. Think you might forget? Follow me on Twitter to get a link sent right to your Twitter-feed!
- Today is the last day to enter your pieces for this week's Wednesday Writes challenge! Check out the March Calendar for this week's prompts!
- Speaking of calendars, I was supposed to post the April Calendar yesterday but was busy studying for finals. SO! I'll post it later today, pinky swear. In the meantime, I still need your book suggestions for books that fall under the category of CLASSIC, GENRE BENDER, or CLASSICAL RETELLING (follow links for examples of books I'm interested in reading with you lot).
Reviews for Last Week's Releases
....And here's what people are saying about...
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TIME by Ally Carter
SPELLBOUND by Rachel Hawkins
STARTERS by Lissa Price
WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard
And one I forgot to tell you came out!
I even linked the book title to Goodreads so you can check out what it's about. Not a bad turn-out, right, Elsewhere? Last week's book titles were a hit! Now let's see what's hitting the shelves this week, shall we?
New Releases March 19th- March 25th
*All synopses taken from Goodreads
March 20th: A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS by Michelle Zink (looks like a stand-alone with possible series potential)
When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.
March 20th: LOSS by Jackie Morse Kessler (Book #3 in the Riders of the Apocalypse Series)
Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on. But things change drastically when Death tells Billy he must stand in as Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Now armed with a Bow that allows him to strike with disease from a distance, Billy lashes out at his tormentors...and accidentally causes an outbreak of meningitis. Horrified by his actions, Billy begs Death to take back the Bow. For that to happen, says Death, Billy must track down the real White Rider—who is lost in his memories. In his search, Billy travels through White Rider’s life all the way to what may be the end of the world. When Billy finally finds the White Rider, the teen convinces the man to return to the real world.
But now the insane White Rider plans to unleash something awful on humanity—something that could make the Black Death look like a summer cold. Billy has a choice: he can live his life and pretend he doesn’t know what’s coming, or he can challenge the White Rider for his Crown. Does one bullied teenager have the strength to stand his ground—and the courage to save the world?
March 20th: THE DIVIDE by L.J. Smith (Book #4 in The Secret Circle Series)
For the first time since moving to New Salem, Cassie Blake feels normal. But between the secret coven of witches she belongs to and the incredible power she holds within her, Cassie is leading a far from ordinary life. When tragedy strikes the Circle, Cassie realizes being extraordinary can be a curse.
The Circle is being hunted by an unknown enemy and anyone could be the next victim. As they struggle to protect themselves, alliances are formed and relationships are tested. No one knows who to trust or who to fear. Will Cassie be able to save the Circle . . . and herself? Or will her choices break it apart forever?
March 20th: CASTLE OF SHADOWS by Ellen Renner (appears to be a standalone middle grade debut)
Ever since the Queen mysteriously disappeared and the King went mad five years ago, eleven-year-old Princess Charlie has lived a wild and mostly unsupervised life in the country of Quale—until now. With the discovery of an unfinished letter in the Queen’s handwriting, Charlie embarks on a quest to find her mother and save the kingdom from a revolution. With Tobias, the gardener’s boy, by her side, every step closer to the Queen pulls Charlie deeper into an entangling web of lies and secrets—as twisted as the dark castle—where nothing is as it seems.
And I forgot one last week!
March 13th: SEEDS OF REBELLION by Brandon Mull (Book #2 in the bestselling series "The Beyonders")
After the cliffhanger ending of A World Without Heroes, Jason is back in the world he’s always known—yet for all his efforts to get home, he finds himself itching to return to Lyrian. Jason knows that the shocking truth he learned from Maldor is precious information that all of his friends in Lyrian, including Rachel, need if they have any hope of surviving and defeating the evil emperor.
Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have discovered new enemies—as well as new abilities that could turn the tide of the entire quest. And as soon as Jason succeeds in crossing over to Lyrian, he’s in more danger than ever. Once the group reunites, they strive to convince their most-needed ally to join the war and form a rebellion strong enough to triumph over Maldor. At the center of it all, Jason and Rachel realize what roles they’re meant to play—and the answers are as surprising as they are gripping.
Anything you want to read? Let me know!
In Theaters March 19th-25th
March 23rd: "The Hunger Games"
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Going to see it?: Haven't read the books, so no. But I'm sure it'll be a great experience. Go for me! Support YA on the big screen!
Description: Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she's pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
March 23rd: "The Deep Blue Sea"
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Going to see it?: No. But I want to see the version with Vivien Leigh. I love her!
Description: Hester Page (Rachel Weisz) is rescued in the midst of a suicide attempt by her landlady Mrs. Elton (Ann Mitchell) when she smells gas. As those around her ponder why a beautiful woman would choose such a fate, we learn that Hester is not really Hester at all -- she's actually Lady Collyer, the wife of well-known and well-respected judge Sir William Collyer (Simon Russell Beale). However, Lady Collyer has never known love or satisfaction in her marriage, and she fell into an affair with Freddie Page (Tom Hiddleston), a former RAF pilot. Lady Collyer has become hopelessly infatuated with Freddie, leaving her husband and living with Freddie under an assumed identity. But the woman who now calls herself Hester soon discovers she loves Freddie far more than he loves her, and between his drinking and his neglect, she given up her old life for one that has no future. This marks the second time The Deep Blue Sea has been brought to the screen; Vivien Leigh starred in the 1955 version directed by Anatole Litvak.
March 23rd: "October Baby"
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic material)
Going to see it?: I kinda want to!
Description: As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before she can utter her first lines, Hannah—unscripted—collapses in front of the stunned audience.
After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah's difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she then learns from her parents: she was actually adopted … after a failed abortion attempt.
Bewildered, angered, and confused, Hannah turns for support to Jason, her oldest friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past … and find hope for her unknown future. In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned.
March 23rd: "Musical Chairs"
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Going to see it?: If and when it goes to DVD. Sounds good, though. Just don't have that kind of cash.
Description: Set against the exciting backdrop of competitive ballroom dancing, Musical Chairs is about Armando a Bronx-bred Latino who aspires to be a dancer but whose only way in is as handyman at a Manhattan dance studio, and Mia, an Upper East Side princess who is the studio's star performer. Though worlds apart, their shared passion for dance promises to bring them together until a tragic accident changes Mia's life forever, and she finds herself wheelchair-bound at a rehab facility, with her dreams of a dance career shattered. Fortunately, Armando has enough dreams for both of them and, when he hears about a wheelchair ballroom dance competition that will soon be held in NY, he sees a way to return something to Mia that she thinks is lost forever. At first she is reluctant--wheelchair dancing, though highly popular overseas, is something she never even knew existed. But, with the help of several other patients at the rehab center, Armando organizes an intense training program that will bring them all center stage and in the spotlight. The prize is irrelevant: what they really stand to win back is their zest for life.
March 23rd: US Release of "Agent Vinod"
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Going to see it?: It sounds cool! I mean, it was first released in India so I don't know if it's in Hindi or in English... And it's so hard to find info about it. The official site is shut down! So maybe... Maybe...
Description: The story begins with a series of seemingly unconnected events. All over the Globe. Enter Agent Vinod. Vinod (Saif Ali Khan) is the kind of Agent who first kicks the door open and then finds out whats behind it. His unconventional approach puts him in dangerous situations, But he manages to get the crucial leads.Vinod leaves for Morocco, where he meets an elderly Mafiosi Kazan and the beautiful but mysterious or Ruby.
A series of twists and turns take Vinod across the Globe Marakkesh To Riga, Karachi to Delhi and finally London where he discovers the ultimate conspiracy. Agent Vinod... you may not agree with his methods, but you sure are glad he's on your side.
And that's it for this post, Everyone! Hope you all have a lovely Sunday and enjoy an even lovelier week. Let me know what books you bought or movies you watched! This week I saw Sweeney Todd for the first time and I'm dying to discuss!
Peace, love, and ladybugs!
Deserae
So as a peace offering, I'm going to FIRST tell you about a bunch of different contests going on around the blogosphere. 
