Waiting on Wednesday #14: Vivian Apple At The End of The World + Alex As Well

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: Vivian Apple At The End of The World
Author: Katie Coyle
Publication: HMH Books for Young Readers
Expected Release Date: Janurary 6th 2015
Pre-order or buy on: Amazon | iBooks | Kobo

SYNOPSIS:

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Katie Coyle grew up in Fair Haven, New Jersey and has an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Her debut novel VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD (previously released in the UK as VIVIAN VERSUS THE APOCALYPSE) will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in January 2015. Her short fiction has appeared in One Story, The Southeast Review, Cobalt, and Critical Quarterly. She lives in San Francisco with her husband.

Title: Alex As Well
Author: Alyssa Brugman
Publication: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Expected Release Date: January 20th 2015
Pre-order or buy on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

SYNOPSIS:

Alex is ready for things to change, in a big way. Everyone seems to think she’s a boy, but for Alex the whole boy/girl thing isn’t as simple as either/or, and when she decides girl is closer to the truth, no one knows how to react, least of all her parents. Undeterred, Alex begins to create a new identity for herself: ditching one school, enrolling in another, and throwing out most of her clothes. But the other Alex—the boy Alex—has a lot to say about that.　Heartbreaking and droll in equal measures, Alex As Well is a brilliantly told story of exploring gender and sexuality, navigating friendships, and finding a place to belong.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Alyssa Brugman was born in Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, Australia in May 1974. She attended five public schools before completing a Marketing Degree at the University of Newcastle.

Alyssa has worked as an after-school tutor for Aboriginal children. She taught management, accounting and marketing at a business college, worked for a home improvements company and then worked in Public Relations before becoming a full-time writer.

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books and Characters for Halloween

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where, each week, a Top Ten list is posted based on a particular topic.

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! I'm a sissy. If you have been following my blog and what goes on in it, you'd know that I am easily terrified of reading scary stories and I'm easily shaken if they have pictures and stuff. Yeah.. A sissy. But I will recommend five books that might just get you in the Halloween spirit. And then five of my favorite characters I'd want to dress up as on Halloween!

BOOKS TO READ

1. Carrie by Stephen King

A quintessential Stephen King read is Carrie which is his debut novel that has put Stephen King on the map! It is the story of a young girl named Carrie who is an outcast at school. Her mother has been overprotecting her and been influencing her in the teachings of the world. Carrie, however, wants to experience how it is to be a normal young teenager but experiencing her first period doesn't help with her situation and everyone bullies her at school. Carrie becomes more of an outcast but learns that she has telekinesis. A tragedy at school prom pushes her on the edge, making this book one of the best horror/thriller books ever. The movie also brought out the best out of Carrie's story. (I'm talking about the 1976 film okay? The new one just didn't cut it. Sorry Chloe and Ansel)

2. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is one amazing story teller, and in fact, one of my favorites! The Graveyard Book is one of his classic books published telling the story of Nobody "Bod" Owens as he lives with ghosts in a graveyard after his parents were murdered by the man Jack. He is then pursued by the man Jack to finish what he had started, and the ghosts in the graveyard won't let anything happen to Bod and decide to protect him. The story is filled with unique and amazing characters that will melt your heart but also give you the spook that you need for Halloween! It's also a perfect Halloween read for the kids!

3. Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Equipped with haunting black and white photos, Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children tells the story of Jacob Portman as he meets children with peculiar abilities and powers. He must help them get away from the hollows that are trying to destroy their time loop in order to get rid of the peculiar children. Jacob, along with the other children try to save their time loop while also finding out about the secrets that lie in his grandpa's past. Ransom Riggs was able to bring out a humor and a definite scare in his novel with his story as well as with the photos he used. Read Hollow City as soon as you finish it.

4. The Shining by Stephen King

Another Stephen King novel, I haven't actually read The Shining yet, however, I do have a friend who has been pushing me to read it. I have seen a little bit of the film, which I regret, not because it was bad, but because it is terrifically terrifying! I had to hide under my blanket, seriously. It tells the story of Jack Torrance who accepted a caretaking position of a hotel where he takes his wife and son, Johnny who has the "shining", an ability to see the supernatural beings living in the hotel. These supernaturals cause a break in Jack's sanity and thus, causing a risk to his family.

5. The Silence of The Lambs by Thomas Harris

If you aren't scared of Hannibal Lecter, in any degree, then I don't even think you are human. I have read Silence of The Lambs, never finished out of fear of being eaten by a novel. I was that scared. The movie wasn't any different causing spasms and a nervous breakdown from my body. If you don't know who Hannibal Lecter is, I have one word for you. CANNIBAL. HAHAHA! Pun, but seriously. If you have the guts to read it, then I really recommend it but read Red Dragon, which is the first, that I finished and was great as well!

HALLOWEEN DRESS-UP

1. Adelina Amouteru from The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Seems impossible really, Adelina is becoming one of my faves, mostly because of her look and also coz steampunk. DUUUH! HAHAHA! 

2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Sport a leather jacket or a hunting jacket, some black jeans, braid your hair to the side and put on some barely there make-up, and you got yourself Katniss Everdeen, somehow. You can make your own bow and arrow or go to a kids' store then spray paint a toy black.

3. Luna Lovegood from The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Now I know most girls would go with Hermione Granger, which is fine, honestly, I would love to, but dressing up as cute and a little loony, Luna Lovegood seems befitting for Halloween. Find a uniform, a wand, a blonde wig if you ain't blonde and then take out some funny shoes and those classic glasses!

4. R from Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Easy enough to mess yourself up with make-up, cake yourself white and walk like a total zombie will surely make a Halloween more halloween-y!, yes? Plus R is so hot, so guys, don't hesitate to dress up as him.

5. Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I know, I know. This is BBC's Sherlock, but it is a lot easier to put on a sexy purple shirt, pants, an amazing coat and a sweater that just accentuates your face. Plus, please, SHERLOCK!??? No matter if it's the classic Sherlock or BBC Sherlock, Sherlock is still SHERLOCK! Sorry, I'm quite obsessed with him.

ARC Review: Play Me Backwards by Adam Selzer

Title: Play Me Backwards
Author: Adam Selzer
Publication: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Expected Release Date: August 26th 2014
Pre-order or buy on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

SYNOPSIS:

A committed slacker enlists the help of his best friend (who may or may not be the devil) to get his act together in this novel filled with humor, awkwardness, and honesty, ideal for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Leon Harris isn't exceptional and he isn't popular. He's the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the gifted program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory.

Now, a high school senior, he's a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.

Determined to get his act together, Leon asks Stan for help. Stan gives him a few seemingly random and mysterious assignments. Date a popular girl. Listen to Moby-Dick, the audiobook. Find the elusive white grape slushee. Join the yearbook committee.

As each task brings Leon one step away from slacker city and one step closer to Anna, he starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn't have promised Stan his soul after all.

Misfit Review: 

Very much at the beginning, I was hesitant to read this novel being that it tackles topics such as Satan and demonic worship, however, once I began reading it, I couldn't quite get the thought out of my head! I was hooked! Play Me Backwards got me reading forward!

"I first met the dark lord when I was nine."

So the story starts with Leon as he narrates how he met Stan, who he believes is actually Satan. Stan is a genius and knows his way to things and somehow Leon respects him. After Anna leaves to study in England, Leon becomes a total slacker, not caring about his grades or his life. Then the news about Anna visiting starts to burn and everyone is curious whether Leon and her would get back together. This is where all the weird stuf starts to happen as Stan asks Leon for different missions and Leon couldn't decline because he's the dark lord. But he has to keep up a nice impression before Anna comes back home.

"Stan always makes it sound like people in hell have a pretty good time when they aren't being stabbed in the ass with pitchforks."

Play Me Backwards is a book full of dark humor edging on rude but it works in such an awesome way that everything that's going on, from the sex to the simple things such as hanging out in the basement of the Ice Cave seems incredibly fascinating to me. It's not a story that blows your mind like dystopian novels or singles out the idea  of boy meets girl and they fall in love with each other. This coming of age novel brings forth the notion that we are all pretty much like Leon, learning to accept mistakes and moving forward with life. He deals with the quirky people in his life and trying to navigate through it without exerting so much effort.

"Your ninth grade girlfriend is coming back to the States, and you're afraid she won't like you anymore now that aren't listening to opera."

I really really loved this novel for it's simplicity and it's complexity. It's a book full of awkward, weird and out of this world situations, courtesy of Stan, my love, my heart breaks and soars for him. Like please, Adam Selzer, find one for me! HAHAHA! It's mix of humor, interesting and serious situations was molded up into this amazing novel, I'm actually left laughing every time I turn a freaking page, like, is it even possible? I also really had a good time laughing at Leon while he has fun with Paige yet he couldn't stop thinking about Anna. What a douche! HAHAHA!

The book seems to be character driven, it may be for the better or worse, but it does pay a lot of attention to what the characters are doing, and that's what's so great about it. From the first page, I was already sucked in by the power of Stan and Leon, and that already says something.

"Maybe I was a pretty good catch, by certain very low standards."

I keep on tweeting Adam Selzer before that he's a genius. I just feel bad that I haven't posted my review out of sheer speechlessness and feels. The book grabs you and allows you to gravitate towards its characters without making you think of too complicated stuff outside of the story. It just wants you to focus on it, really. Which brings me back to the fact that ADAM SELZER IS A GENIUS!

Play Me Backwards takes you into this realm of trust, friendship and comedic relief that you would remember till you leave this world. You might even meet Stan sometime. But seriously, don't. HAHA! *winks*

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Adam Selzer's first book was HOW TO GET SUSPENDED AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE (now available in a "Now With More Swearing") edition, his next one is PLAY ME BACKWARDS (for satanic young adults), and his best known is probably I KISSED A ZOMBIE AND I LIKED IT, a Twilight satire that was not marketed as a satire.

He also writes the SMART ALECK'S GUIDE series and has published a bunch of Chicago history/ghostlore books. 

You can also find him under the name SJ Adams, the name he used for SPARKS: THE EPIC, COMPLETELY TRUE BLUE (ALMOST) HOLY QUEST OF DEBBIE, which one a Stonewall honor and made the YALSA popular paperback list.

EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY: The Outlanders by Erin Albert Rhew

Title: The Outlanders (The Fulfillment #2)
Author: Erin Albert Rhew
Publication: October 21st 2014, BookFish Books
Buy on: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

With King Jesper dead and Prince Wilhelm mortally wounded, Halfling prince, Nash, and the Fulfilment, Layla, assume the throne of Etherea. They must contend with a new Prophecy Candidate who asserts her position, and Layla is surprised to find her fate intertwined with this challenger. Facing a myriad of choices, Nash and Layla’s decisions affect not only their own futures but that of two kingdoms. 

Unbeknownst to the Ethereals or the Vanguards, a slumbering menace stirs in the south, awakened after centuries of slumber. The mysterious Outlanders, a force shadowed in mystery, sit poised to tip the balance of power, sending ripples of fear throughout both warring kingdoms. 

Elder Werrick proved a formidable foe, but Layla may yet meet her match in the monstrous Outlander queen. This mistress of the dark’s plans, rooted in revenge and ancient lore, now threaten the livelihood of all three kingdoms. 

Racing against time, Layla travels to the Borderlands—home of the Voltons and Ecclesiastics—to discover as much as she can about the war, the First Ones, and the prophecy itself. Lives teeter in the balance, kingdoms sit on the cusp of ruin, and a beast, greater than any she’s ever faced before, plots a catastrophic attack.

READ FULL EXCERPT

GIVEAWAY

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About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Erin Rhew is an editor, a running coach, and the author of The Fulfillment Series. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police." A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin now lives in a rainy pocket of Pacific Northwest with the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) writer, Deek Rhew, and their “overly fluffy,” patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. She and Deek enjoy reading aloud to one another, running, lifting, boxing, eating chocolate, and writing side-by-side.

BOOK SIGNING RECAP: #GrayandRouxinPH

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! If you have been following (or stalking) me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, you'd know that I was actually at the book signing event of Claudia Gray and Madeleine Roux last October 18, Saturday at Glorietta. I went there out of sheer and utter love for A Thousand Pieces of You which I was privileged enough to read earlier than most! Special thanks to Pinoy Book Tours and Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again.

Anyway, I headed to Manila the day before the signing, so that I could set up camp at my Aunt's place and that I wouldn't have to suffer the same fate I did during the Jen and Lissa event last month. I got to Glorietta at around 7:30 and lined up, seeing that my friends were such early birds.

I had the chance to chit-chat with them about the books, our thoughts on the plot lines and what not and got some of the books that Apollo had asked Godwin of Machinations of My Muddled Mind to sign it for him because he couldn't make it, and so we were left to help out Godwin.

Also got to take photos with mah girls! Special thanks to Jera for buying me a prototype Firebird, which is inspired by the Firebird in A Thousand Pieces of You... Read it Misfits! READ IT!

When the time arrived for us to enter the NBS store, we got registered, then headed out to the teen's section with Eriele and found some awesome books!

Copies of Dash and Lily! Now you can choose your covers! I really like the blue one!

Belzhar is now available in most National Book Store branches nationwide! GRAB A COPY NOW!!!

Then I searched for some things to used as banners we'll show to Claudia and Madeleine. Karrel did such a wonderful job on one banner, seriously! So much skill! :)

While waiting for Claudia Gray and Madeleine Roux to arrive, we took some photos, including a Scarlet photoshoot that I took! WOOOT! We also took our group photos! :) I actually saw some people from the same book club/group over at Facebook, but I got shy. Yes Misfits, I do get shy. HAHA!

Scarlet Queen, Charm! :)

Oh Eriele! HAHAHA!

We then finished our banners and headed to our seats. We all freaked out when Madeleine Roux and Claudia Gray entered and sat down for the interview.

They are so, so cute!

I didn't catch much of the interview because I was freaking out. I am now making a note that I will record the whole interview on video or on Soundcloud or something. One thing is for sure, both Claudia and Madeleine were inspired by different situations in their lives that brought them into writing their stories. Claudia having countless jobs, got inspired into writing the Evernight series after her experience as a lawyer and Madeleine was scared of clowns, which brought her into writing Sanctum.

Claudia also talked about ATPOY, saying that the Filipinos were lucky that the book has been released a month earlier than anywhere else in the world. Thank you Claudia, thank you! And thank you HarperTeen for that! Madeleine was also excited to tell the fans about the 3rd book for Asylum and can't wait for people to see it. They talked about a lot more things involving their new books and advice for people who wish to write their own novels. The book signing proper commenced.

I was #37, pretty early, yeah, I must say. First of off, I got to talk to Madeleine, who was extremely gorgeous and amazing up close. I told her that I haven't read Asylum, and I wouldn't have had the balls to do  so in the future if my friends haven't been raving about it. I also told her, though I don't exactly like reading scary stories, I have tried writing a short called Poppy, which I published here on the blog. Don't even search for it. T'was bad. HAHA! But she was very encouraging, saying it was really like that at first and you tend to get used to it in the process, but she also said that writing scary stories comes with research, so she insisted I read some.  I'll build up the courage Madeleine, I swear.

Finally, I got to talk to Claudia Gray. I didn't actually know what to say to her when I came up to her glorious face! I was just, hey, A Thousand Pieces of You was amazing! And she was already beaming up. I told her I was the #TeamLtMarkov chick who had tweeted her on Twitter about it and she was surprised, saying she was happy to meet me in person. I also gave her a banner with James McAvoy's face on it. She claimed her future hubby, telling me she won't give it back, ever. I pointed out to Momma Joan that time and Claudia said hi, saying she was wearing the bracelet she gave her. Awwwww...

I talked to her more about ATPOY and how truly perfect it was. I think I might've scared her a bit coz of my fangirling but she was really happy that I have been promoting the book through my blog. I also told her I'm from an alternate dimension, coz I was wearing a prototype Firebird. In short, we had an ATPOY role-playing sesh. She's one of the best authors I've met and I can't wait for Firebird #2.

I was planning on heading home later but because I might get lost and also coz I had a ton of books with me, I settled on leaving early. Also because Momma Joan had plans. I went home with Jera and took the really claustrophobic triggering MRT but got home safely at least!

ME AND MY BOOKS

UGH! GORGEOUS BABIES! MOMMA LOVES YOU! 

The signing was amazing and I would not exchange the experience for anything really! See you all at the #MarieLuinPH event!

One Lovely Blog Award

I was nominated by Kayla of The Bookish Owl for the One Lovely Blog Award! Thanks a lot sweets!

The rules for this nomination are:

1. You must thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.

2. You must list the rules and display the award.

3. You must add 7 facts about yourself.

4. You must nominate 15 other bloggers and comment on one of their posts to let them know they have been nominated.

5. You must display the award logo and follow the blogger who nominated you. (If you don’t want to follow me, that’s okay!)

7 FACTS ABOUT ME

1. My music buffness is not something that many people understand. I end up liking any genre of music, of course, at long as it appeals to me. 

2. I am a sucker for contemporary stories, or stories like Perks, Spectacular, Palo Alto, stories that would depict a normalcy, but bring certain quirks that are indeed present. So, yeah! You guys know what to get me for my birthday! :)

3. I loooove to write short stories! A known fact to a lot of people I know!

4. I am not very OC when it comes to editions of books. As long as I have a copy of that certain book, no matter where it came from, it will be loved.

5. I tend to have crushes on guys a little younger than I am. Yikes.

6. I have serious fangirling issues. Like please. If you know any psychiatrists that are willing to slave a few hours over my feels, then recommend them to me. I already rejected 1803 of them. HAHAHAHA!

7. I tend to raise my voice over people who never understand what I'm trying to say or people who think they can belittle me. I may be sweet, but don't abuse it honey. :)

TAGGING:

(I can't really do 15 bloggers, but they are my top picks)

Kristy and Melissa of Book Nerd Reviews

Jaz of Fiction in Fiction in Fiction

Hazel of Stay Bookish

Feather of Bibliophile Feather

Laurence of The Lucius Flux