Book BFFs Interview Melissa

During the last Bout of Books readathon I met an awesome group of girls (a couple I had seen around before, a few were new friends) and a group was made - Book BFF's.

 

This group is on goodreads and we chat about our lives, our books, and just anything really!

 We actually have several upcoming features planned together, but the first one we are doing is interview swaps!

 

I got the pleasure of interviewing Book BFF Melissa from Harley Bear Book Blog

Melissa is a doll baby and I can't wait for you all to get to know more about her!  

1. Tell me about yourself, what kind of person are you behind the computer/phone screen?

My name's Melissa and I'm 23. The two things in life I can't live without (besides books) are dancing and baking. Basically, I'm the first person on the dance floor and the last one off. You can find me at a Zumba class a few times a week which is how I stay healthy because I also bake at least once a week too. I recently started learning how to design cakes and want to one day own a bakery! It's crazy how life can take you down such different paths than you planned for yourself because before 2012 I had been dead set on being an Elementary School teacher. I got my BA in El Ed and Psych with a minor in Spanish. But then decided to try other career options. I'm even working on writing a YA novel that I hope to get published one day! I used to be very shy and extremely OCD, but this past year has made me open up, appreciate life, and take it one day at a time. And it's a good thing too or I never would have met my new book bffs!

2. How long have you been blogging and what made you start?

When I finished college in 2011 I had so much free time on my hands suddenly and all my friends lived far away. So I read a lot. After every book I read I would tell my friends and family about it, wanting someone to share my beloved reading experience with. My dad got tired of hearing me talk about characters like Tris and how she chose to join Dauntless, as if she was a real person. He never knew what I was talking about. He knew I liked web design so one day he suggested I start a blog where I could talk to people who have read the same books. It was a "Duh, why haven't I thought of that before?" moment.

I had started a random blog awhile back that I never used so I completely gave it a makeover. I didn't know what to call it though. Then one day Hurricane Irene came barreling in and we had no power for awhile. I curled up on the couch with my brother's pomapoo, Harley Bear, and read while he napped. I figured I would call my blog the Harley Bear Book Blog because 1. he's my favorite reading buddy and 2. it had alliteration in the title (I've spent too much time in an elementary classroom!). And then it took on a life of itself. Now I've been blogging pretty steadily for about a year and I still can't believe this journey all started with a casual suggestion from my dad.

3. In your opinion, what makes a book a great read?

If there's not character development or if the characters are hard to relate to I can't read the story. I crave an emotional connection to the people in the stories (like in the Shatter Me series). I also love a fast paced and very action based plot (think Article 5). The cover has to be pretty (like Splintered) because I'm obsessed with covers. And I've come to realize I prefer first person narrative. Probably goes back to relating to the character more easily. And finally, I HATE, DESPISE, ABHOR cliffhangers. It's ok if there's a little one, but books that end where you're not sure if someone died is not okay. Especially if we have to wait a year for the next book!

4. What are the first 5 books that come to mind?

Unravel Me, Evolution of Mara Dyer, Perks of Being A Wallflower, Deity, Obsidian

5. What are your blogging tactics/strategies? How do you, personally,manage blogging and your real life?

I keep a very detailed and color coded blog calendar that helps me stay on track. I also take notes while I read on my phone so when I go to write my review I know what I want to say. I try to also schedule posts in advance so I don't fall behind.

6. What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Pepperoni. Sad fact: I haven't had a slice of pizza since August 2011 because of dietary restrictions. I'm Italian so this is very difficult!

7. Ice cream toppings?

Um…everything?! I love rainbow sprinkles, oreos, reeces, carmel, whipped cream, cherries…ya any kind of junk food really.

8. Favorite genre?

YA Paranormal has become my new favorite. I also enjoy a good dystopian!

9. #1 Book Boyfriend?

I have three. Shhh don't let them know I'm cheating. Daemon Black (Lux Series) because he's hot, witty, and likes cookies. Aiden St. Delphi (Covenant Series) because he's strong, sexy, and plays guitar. And Noah Shaw (Evolution of Mara Dyer) because he's British, funny, and wears the disheveled- just rolled out of bed look perfectly.

10. One question you never get asked that you wish someone would ask, and the answer?

I don't know. I guess…Why do you read mostly Young Adult books? I always feel like people are judging me when I buy a YA book and I wish they would ask me why I enjoy that genre so I could explain myself. Young Adult fiction focuses on such strong emotions and experiences that the characters are usually dealing with for the first time. This could be love, betrayal, figuring out who they are, heart break, etc. Things that as adults we still deal with regularly, but the emotions aren't as amplified because by 23 we've already had many loves and heartbreaks. It's also easier for me to connect with a teen than an adult character because currently I'm not married, I have no kids, and I don't have a set career. So most of the adult fiction like Nora Roberts just doesn't appeal to me because I have nothing in common with the characters. Also, as a stressed adult it's easier to escape the world of bills and work by delving into a magical world like Hogwarts or you know...a world where hot aliens named Daemon live next door. I have a feeling I will be reading YA for a very long time if not forever and I hope to one day write novels in that genre too. 

FIND MELISSA AROUND THE WEB:

BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BLOGLOVIN  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  YOUTUBE

Review: The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Ivy Rose + Giveaway

Reading Level: New Adult 
Book Length: 248 pages
Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services (May 18, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1484044177
ISBN-13: 978-1484044179
ASIN: B00CVBBHCQ
Source: Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review
                              5 Butterflies
 

Synopsis:

This isn't a deep book about first loves or self-discovery. If you want a book like that, I'd be happy to recommend one, but I don't have that kind of story to tell. Instead my story is about rash decisions and finding out that your dream guy is bad in bed. It's the story of when I finally went skinny dipping, and how my life was never the same again. Oh, and it's also the story of my freshman year of college and realizing Mr. Right might have been there all along.

My Thoughts:

I haven't read too many of the new adult books that are so popular at the moment.  Of the ones I have read, I've found them to be hit or miss for me.  I had thought that The Hazards of Skinny Dipping would be a fun and fluffy piece about a girl who gets a little wild during her first year of college and manages to find love along the way.  It ended up being so much more!

The Hazards of Skinny Dipping surprised me with the depth of characters, issues, and excitement it held.  I did not expect to go on such an emotional journey with Juliet.  All of her struggles through wrong guys, and independence, and friendships, and even right guys pulled out my emotions and kept me glued to the pages.  I read the entire book in a day.  

I knew from the moment Dylan opened his mouth that he was a giant asshole.  Why Juliet thought for one second that he would be anything other than an asshole still has my mind blown.  She may have crushed on him for being such a hottie when she was a young girl, but going into college Juliet seemed to be smarter.  I wanted her to kick him to the curb from the very beginning.  When he kept getting worse, I didn't know if I was going to be able to stand reading the scenes with them together.  But then there was Reed.

Let's talk about how much I adore, love, cherish, want to have Reed's babies, shall we???  From the second Reed called her Annie when she took him out during a rousing game of laser tag, I knew he was the one for me, eerr, I mean Juliet.  Reed and Juliet form this amazing friendship and while I can see that Reed wants more, I'm just wishing he would see ME.  No, no I know they are perfect for each other, but seriously, can this guy not come in pairs??

When it comes to The Hazards of Skinny Dipping, I say ignore those pesky warning hazard signs and jump right in! This is a contemporary romance that you just don't want to miss.

 ADD TO-READ ON GOODREADS  |  BUY FROM AMAZON

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Author Bio:

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Covers

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke & The Bookish

This week's topic is;

Top Ten Favorite Book Covers Of Books I've Read

& I have to narrow this down to 10?! Really! 

Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

Hardcover: 416 pages

Published: April 30th 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1442445807 

ISBN13: 9781442445802

Series: The Program #1

Received: For Review

Challenge: 2013 GR Challenge

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Do you ever have a day you just feel off, sad, helpless...hopeless? In Sloane's world this is just the type of thing to get you into The Program. You watch how you feel, you don't show it on the outside ever. You lock those feelings away deep down inside, and you never look back. But for some it's just not that easy. How do you lock away the feelings of being depressed after someone close to you commits suicide? After a friend gets taken away to The Program, and you know they will come back eventually... but changed forever? The Program changes you, wipes your mind clean of every memory that makes you feel anyway but happy. They take everything from you. Leaving you a blank piece of paper, starting everything over... new.

You do whatever you can, you stay hidden, you never cry out in the open, you smile when your heart feels like dying, and you just hope and pray that then men in white don't come for you.

Sloane & James have been together for a couple years. They look out for each other, they love each other. They work together to keep each other sane, keeping everything inside, never letting anyone but "each other" know how they are "feeling". After someone close to Sloane killed themselves, things for Sloane we're hard. But having James make them easier. He promised her.

"James Murphy," I say, watching the sun fade below the horizon.
"I love you madly."
"I know you do," he answers seriously. "And that's why I won't let anything happen to you. It's me and you, Sloane. Just us. Forever just us."

It's not until after one of their close friends commits suicide that they are sent on an emotional roller-coaster from hell. When does it end? When does the pain go away? They both know they are close to cracking, holding it in isn't easy anymore. The pain to strong, the depression. But when one of them cracks, the other must do everything in their power to survive, alone... but will they? Or will the pain engulf them, devouring everything inside of them, tearing them apart emotion by emotion until it's a matter of time before they are taken... to The Program.

I loved everything about this book. There is not one flaw that I could even point out. Nothing. Everything, every word, every feeling, everything that happened was so engrossing. Sloane was such a great character. She was broken, yet the ways that she held every single thing in, until that right moment. The moment when her and James were together. It was sad, yet beautiful. Their relationship that they had was so strong, with everything that they had been through. Everything they had witnessed and felt. And just when Sloane thought that she just couldn't take it anymore, James lifted her up, gave her hope, and most of all love. 

James *sigh*, oh James. How is it that every time Young writes a book I fall into emotional book crush for her male characters. He was so amazing. What he felt for Sloane was real. They both have had it so rough. I mean their world is full of suicides, people they know, coming back blank. You have to live everyday of your life impassive. Or fearing that you will be taken to The Program.

Which is place I would never want to step foot in. It's rather creepy. They take everything from you, one pill at a time. Sloane makes it her mission to do whatever she can to make it out alive, and as herself. No matter what it takes. 

You will meet a couple more characters along the way, one you will love, ones you will hate (*ahem*Realm*ahem). You won't know who you can trust, and just when you think you can trust people, you are smacked in the face with the realization that you are on your own. The ending left me with SO many questions. Like #1 being... When can I read book #2. I was on the edge of my seat. More, I need more. 

   The realization that The Program is something that could happen, is terrifying. 

   While you're reading, Young knows how to make you feel the way the characters feel; Broken, hopeless, and lost. But she always gives you the feelings of determination, love, and the means to survive.

    You will devour every word, and still be left wanting more. Brilliant.