Waiting On Wednesday

Lovin' that it's Wednesday again!  Jill at Breaking The Spine hosts this fun meme where we tell you what books we are dying to read that will be released this year.  Here are my latest:

Eden by Jamie McGuire, the last in the Providence Trilogy.  I can't find a synopsis of it but it comes out in May and I cannot wait!  The first two books are Providence and Requiem.  You must read this series!

Goodreads synopsis:
Ryan is in LA to promote his latest film, Reparation, which is premiering Friday night. It’s time to introduce Taryn to “his world.”

So if you feel a tad unsatisfied with some of the open-ended threads from Love Unscripted, we still have Slipknot to film with the enamored Jonathan Follweiler at the helm, then there is the global premier of Seaside II with private jets and foreign countries to visit. Seaside III is scheduled to start production in the fall and Pete and Tammy’s wedding is in there too. And what about that script for The Isletin Solution? What are we going to do about that? Hmm…

More secrets, more lies, more drama, and certainly more media coverage. Stay tuned to read what happens to Ryan and Taryn next!!Expected Publication: March 2012
If you haven't read Love Unscripted, the first book in this series, do so.  I loved it and cannot wait for this one to come out!

Boston, 1767: Revolution is brewing as the British Crown imposes increasingly onerous taxes on the colonies, and intrigue swirls around firebrands like Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. But for Ethan Kaille, a thieftaker who makes his living by conjuring spells that help him solve crimes, politics is for others…until he is asked to recover a necklace worn by the murdered daughter of a prominent family.
Suddenly, he faces another conjurer of enormous power, someone unknown, who is part of a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of power in the turbulent colony. His adversary has already killed—and not for his own gain, but in the service of his powerful masters, people for whom others are mere pawns in a game of politics and power. Ethan is in way over his head, and he knows it. Already a man with a dark past, he can ill afford to fail, lest his livelihood be forfeit. But he can't stop now, for his magic has marked him, so he must fight the odds, even though he seems hopelessly overmatched, his doom seeming certain at the spectral hands of one he cannot even see.
Expected Publication: July 17, 2012
I love historical fiction and mysteries so this one sounds perfect for me!  I can't wait to get my hands on it.
What are you waiting on?

Jamie McGuire

*sigh*
When you were in high school, could you not wait to get out and get away from the mean girls?  Yeah, me too.  But guess what I found out?  The mean girls never go away.
Jamie McGuire wrote a book.  A book called Beautiful Disaster.  Here is Goodreads synopsis:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.
There are some who didn't like this book.  I'm definitely not one of them but there are some who didn't care for it.  And guess what?  That's okay.  Ms. McGuire understands that not everyone is going to like her books.  She doesn't have a problem with that.  And she shouldn't.  
As Abraham Lincoln stated:"You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time."
There are a few women out there who have decided to declare a Witch Hunt against Ms. McGuire.  They didn't like the book and it's main character, Travis Maddox.  They also don't feel it's appropriate to be classified as YA.  The good news is is that Beautiful Disaster is not under the YA category.  Ms. McGuire has never once stated it's YA or classified it under that title.  As far as Mr. Maddox, you have the right to your opinion of him.  But where I'm having a hard time is where you think it's okay to rip Ms. McGuire to shreds?  
This baffles me.  I realize we live in America, the "It's a free country" line we all so love to declare in our defense.  And it is.  It is a free country where we have the right to state exactly how we feel.  So while it's true you can say how you feel however you want, why would you want to in such an ugly fashion?
My first thought is that it's jealousy.  Jealousy of Ms. McGuire and her success.  Jealousy of just how popular her book and it's main character have become.  
Or it really could be that you feel Travis is abusive.  While I don't agree at all, I respect your opinion.  Tell me why you think he is?  He never once hit Abby.  He never once called her names.  He never once demeaned her in any way.  
In fact, Travis stands up for her.  He protects her.  He does not treat her one bit like "just another girl."  He shows her love and respect.  
Yes, Travis is very strong in personality and passionate in his feelings.  He does come on strong and definitely lets his feelings and wants be known but I did not see him as abusive, ever.  I saw a man deeply in love and fighting for the girl of his dreams. 
A point I want to make is this:  Why do we still have the "mean girl" mentality?  What is the point?  Would you want a group of people slamming your work?  The work you put your heart and soul into?  Really, how do you think you'd feel reading a bad review?  That would be tough right?  But you also knew it came with the territory of your chosen career so you deal with it as best you can.  The part that gets me is think of how you would feel when not only are you reading a bad review of your beloved book, but then you have to continue reading crap about you personally, your personal life and your upbringing?  Then as if that isn't enough, having to see every move you make being ridiculed and criticized.  You do one thing thinking it will help ease the situation, only to have these women mock you.  You do another thing, mocked again.  Enough is enough.  Mean girl syndrome has got to go.  I really challenge all of us to stop slinging the mud and start showing respect, even to those who may have rubbed us wrong or who we don't agree with.  We can have debates and disagreements but demeaning someone is never okay.
There will always be an author we don't care for.  There will always be a book we hate.  We may even write a review for one on our blog.  We may go as far as writing the author him/herself expressing our distaste for their book, and that's fine.  But think about this, put yourself in their shoes and think twice before you push that send button.  Remember once you do, it's off into cyberspace and there's no getting it back.  Just think before you speak.

RAK

I have just heard about this awesome meme!  As soon as I saw it on Bookish Brunettes blog, I knew I'd be participating.  The very cool girls at www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com started this to show random acts of kindness which is one of my favorite things.  Seriously.  Go here to read all about it and how to sign up.

We all love books, we all love receiving books, and we all love to give books.  What better way to do that than through this fun program?  Get on making your wish list and tell us all what you want to read.  You might just receive that book in the mail soon...

And just in case you're wondering what is on my wish list, go here.  :)

Waiting On Wednesday

I love Wednesdays!  It's when I get to tell you what books I am dying to read that are coming out this year. This is a fabulous meme by Jill at Breaking The Spine.  Go over and see what she and the other blogs want to read as well.  Heck, link up with her and tell us what you want to read. 

Just look at this cover!  
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Expected publication: April 24, 2012
Doesn't this book sound good??

There’s none so blind as they that won’t see.

Seventeen-year-old Tricia Farni’s body floated to the surface of Alaska’s Birch River six months after the night she disappeared.
The night Roz Hart had a fight with her.
The night Roz can’t remember.
Roz, who struggles with macular degeneration, is used to assembling fragments to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name . . . to find a murderer. This unflinchingly emotional novel is written in the powerful first-person voice of a legally blind teen who just wants to be like everyone else. Publication Date: October 23, 2012
This sounds so interesting to me!  It has a twist with the girl having macular degeneration which definitely plays a huge part in the story.  I can't wait to read it!
So what are you looking forward to reading?
Also, I am SO excited that this book came out yesterday!!!  I cannot wait to read it!