May 2013 Page Count: Final Week Form

Here are our Top Readers this week!

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

FIND OUT ABOUT MORE BOOK BFFs
Book BFFs Interview Melina
 Book BFFs Interview Angela (THAT's ME!)
Book BFFs Interview Rie

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