SYNC Summer 2013

SYNC YA Literature into Your Earphones

2 Free Audiobook Downloads Each Week

May 30 - August 15, 2013

Teens and other readers of Young Adult Literature will have the opportunity to listen to bestselling titles and required reading classics this summer.   Each week  from May 30 - August 15, 2013, SYNC will offer two free audiobook downloads.

The audiobook pairings will include a popular young adult (YA) title and a classic that connects with the YA title's theme and is likely to show up on a student's summer reading lists.  For example, Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys (Scholastic Audiobooks), the first book in a bestselling series about a group of teenagers search for the supernatural ley lines, will be paired with the Latino classic of magical realism, Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima (Recorded Books).

To find out when you can download titles to listen to on the run this summer, visit www.AudiobookSync.com or text syncya to 25827.  

SYNC Titles

Summer 2013

May 30 - June 5, 2013

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)

The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

June 6 - June 12, 2013

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

June 13 - June 19, 2013

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

June 20 - June 26, 2013

Once by Morris Gleitzman, read by Morris Gleitzman (Bolinda Audio)

Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Dion Graham (christianaudio)

June 27 - July 3, 2013

Rotters by Daniel Kraus, read by Kirby Heyborne (Listening Library)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, read by Jim Weiss (Listening Library)

July 4 - July 10, 2013

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 11 - July 17, 2013

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, read by Peter Altschuler (HarperAudio)

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, read by Simon Vance (Tantor Audio)

July 18 - July 24, 2013

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon (Recorded Books)

Hamlet by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 25 - July 31, 2013

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Charlie McWade (Scholastic Audiobooks)

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, read by Steve West (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 1 - Aug 7, 2013

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, read by Dan Weyman (Macmillan Audio)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Ralph Cosham (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 8 - Aug 14, 2013

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren (Brilliance Audio)

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, read by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio)

Aug 15 - Aug 21, 2013

Sold by Patricia McCormick, read by Justine Eyre (Tantor Audio)

Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie, read by Tavia Gilbert (Blackstone Audio)

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'Catching Fire' Latest Movie Poster!

So readers, what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Think it could have been better? Post your reaction in the comment section.

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In 95 Days: BEA 2013!

So BookExpo America (BEA), the main event for all bloggers, librarians, authors, publishers, publicists, and everyone else is waiting for this! Having experienced it last year for the first time, I can say it was AWESOME! I did attend solo, which might not be for everyone, but I made it there alive and back.

So what advice would I give to those that haven't attended but are thinking this is the year, the first year to attend? I've got a few things to check off that list that might help.

1) Make sure to pack everything you need the night before. This is one of the things I learned as a kid attending sleep away camp, always back the night before because it's painfully annoying having to rush around that morning finding everything you need and more! So packing the night before causes less stress and easier time to get to the Javitis Center.

2) Eat a well balance breakfast. Why? Well I learned last year that even if you are just taking the train in, you might forget to chomp down on some good ol' fashion nutrients to get you through the first 2-3 hours of BEA. You'll also want to pack maybe a few snack bars or something not sticky, this way you'll avoid getting books sticky, especially since it gets very hot by the afternoon (lots of people, very little space!)

3) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Being it'll be at the end of May this year, it'll still be warm. So make sure to either bring a water bottle with you or have some money put aside for refreshments. And if you need to run and grab something to drink, there will probably be someone nice on line that won't mind holding your spot.

4) Save the tourist stuff for before BEA and after BEA. if you're not native to this part of New York or haven't been there yet, don't stop to look at everything. I know that it's amazing and you want to soak it all in, but NY'ers don't give two cents about it or not. I've been traveling to Manhattan (ie - NYC) since I was 5 years old. I'm now 25. And I've seen how tourists are and with Time Square being so busy on weekends, you'll get trampled if you stop to see it all! So save it for when you have free time while staying in Manhattan. This way you look less touristy and also have a safer time. People get pick pocketed more if they carry suitcases and luggage with them.

5) Comfy shoes are a must! I wore boots last year, nothing with a heel, but by the end of the second day, I never wanted to wear boots again! Make sure if you are going to wear something with a heel, that you get comfy insoles or something gel like that'll make it easier to walk around in. You'll thank yourself later for staying on top of this!

6) Books. So many and SO heavy! From experience, after the first 5 books it can get heavy, especially if you get hard covers! Best advice I can give? Don't get every single book that you want. Make sure its something you REALLY want to read and review. I still have a few books that I haven't gotten to from last year's BEA because I couldn't say 'no' to a few books. Also make sure to have a bag with comfy straps. The first day I didn't have a comfy bag. I brought my backpack the second day and it HELPED so much. It was heavy by the end of the day, but my shoulders didn't feel like they anted to fall off.

7) Business Cards. I didn't have time last year to buy any, so I felt weird going and not having any way to share my blog with people or let them remember me. This year I'm going to be on top of that. My blog is like a business and how I present it is key to making it look good. So by having business cards, I'm making it look awesome lol plus never fear about having left overs. I've heard people do that all the time or run out! So make sure to have extras too!

8) Catalogs. Oh yes, there are catalogs there that show you what the publishing company is set out to publish and what is already available. I actually picked up a few to take home for friends with kids or to have an idea of what books to buy in the future. Also comes in handy if you know anyone that is a teacher or a librarian, but couldn't attend. So don't be afraid to pick up one while you are there from the stacks.

9) Browsing and Walking. Don't stop in the middle of an aisle! I had such a bad time getting around because people would literally stop dead in their tracks to either chat with someone or figure out where to go. Best thing to do? Go to the side or near the entrance if you can! It's VERY crowded at this event and more so the very first day. You'll get your feet stepped on, knocked into with bags, and much more! So it'll happen more if you stop walking.

And lastly...

10) Book Drops. This is one of more popular things that book bloggers love! The book drops are fun to find and tend to involve either popular future releases or books that not well known yet. A lot of Young Adult titles were dropped last year. A good way to find out about some of the more secret ones is to know if any of your blogger friends heard or seen any. This can be done through social media too. Twitter, Instagram, even Facebook will help you know! So make sure that your phone is fully charged as well.



So I'm hoping to be attending this year and if I do, don't forget to look me up and say "Hello!", either in person, by social media, or commenting on my blog somewhere! I'll be more than glad to chat with you, especially at BEA!

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eBook Deals!

As some sequels are being released and a few series are coming to an end, there is a plethora of eBook deals at your fingertips to be bought and downloaded. A lot of popular titles for $2.99 or under! Below are the deals that you can find on Barnes & Nobles and Amazon! Enjoy readers!

Everneath (B&N | Amazon)

Shatter Me (B&N | Amazon)

Incarnate (B&N | Amazon)

Under the Never Sky (B&N | Amazon)

Wake (B&N | Amazon)

Fated (B&N | Amazon)

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Life is Complicated...

So I've been Über busy and blogging has been on the back burner these last few months. I really don't like that it has been, but there is nothing that I can really do about it. Am I leaving the blogosphere for good? No! I am however going to get back to it as soon as I can.

So where have I been all this time? Well, I met someone new and we've been spending so much time together that I'm forgetting about the real world every now and then.

Beyond that? A lot of tragedy and comedy. I had to put my Uncle to rest in October, the exact same weekend I started dating the new boyfriend. Then I had to help say goodbye and bury my boyfriend's best friend last week and that was a hard time. We buried him the day of the Sandy Hook school shooting, so needless to say it was just a whirlwind of emotions.

As of right now, I'm just trying to get focused back on the good in life, which for me includes books, blogging, friends, family, and my wonderful new boyfriend!

I'm hoping everyone is having a safe and festive time right now and keep on reading :)

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My 10 Apps That I Love!

So I recently just upgraded (finally! lol) to a new phone. The iPhone 4S in white! Now after a week of using it, I've come to realize what applications I really adore. These are my top 10 apps I use all the time. Also 9 out of the 10 apps are FREE!

1. Facebook: Who doesn't use this app!? It's probably on everyone's phone and their mother's as well.

2. Instagram: Since day one I've been using this app just to document my life left and right. I'm also a geek when it comes to photo editing, so it was thrilling to add my own little touches to each and every photo I shared.

3. Swackett: Even before my iPhone, I was using this app on my MackBook desktop. Its a weather app! Its really cool and you can either get the free version or the paid one. But it has so many amazing features for one little app that you won't look at weather the same anymore.

4. Everyme: It's a social networking app, but it's a lot more private. You can choose to share information with people by putting them into circles (kind of like Google+) and they can comment on what you share with them. The people you add? They don't even have to have a smart phone to comment! Just a cell number and the ability to text back without hassle. Also the easiest way to share life's wonderful moments without even having to broadcast it on FB!

5. Timehop: I LOVE this app! It collects information from Facebook since the day I've started using it (October 2005!) and lets me see on that exact same day what I posted on my page! Whether it be pictures, status update, etc... it lets me know what was going on. How cool is that? And you can even share it if it's something that you really fancy.

6. Cuptakes: It costs $0.99, but it's worth it! It has some of the coolest and most visually pretty backgrounds for your screen! Whether you want to get a different shelf for your apps or for your lock screen or both, it has many to choose from!

7. Foursquare: The ultimate app for letting friends/family know where you are. The more places you check-in that are a certain categories (ie - diners, movie theaters, bars, etc..) the more badges and level of badges you get! Also you can then be mayor of that place and also some local places offer coupons, discounts, or rewards to their loyal customers that always check-in to the place! This is great if you are a college student eating on a budget.

8. Spotify: The top app for music. Stream your favorite artists/bands at the drop of a hat (virtual or not!). This also lets you create playlists and more! Also you can add friends from FB who use the app and see what music they are listening to as well. You can also share music to listen to together through the phone or online! Great way to do this if you live far away from someone you love.

9. Words with Friends: I'm more of a Scrabble person, but this game is almost identical to the Hasbro version. Almost all my friends and family on are on this and its fun to see who has a knack for spelling. Also great to use when you are bored and have nothing to do! Also check out SongPop if you are a fan of music and are really good at identifying bands/artists easily!

10. Path: Sort of like Everyme, but just as cool! You can share what song, movie, book you are reading, you can check-in to places you are located at, you can let people know what time you are going to bed and what time you woke up, you can share pictures, updates of your life, when you've arrived at the airport, etc... it's full of possibilities. Now the only issue is that some people have left complaining comments on the iTunes app's page, due to access to their information like contacts, pictures, and location without permission. But they have fixed that.

So readers, what apps do you need 24/7 on your phone? Does it make life easier or more fun? What app have you found out about that you want to share with your friends? Voice your thought below with the rest of the readers!

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Tune in Tuesday (#20)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads!, but until further notice you can find it over at Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands. In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week. And this week, I'm going to talk about... music that has caught my attention!

I'm really digging AWOLNATION's, "Kill Your Heroes" and Passion Pits, "Take a Walk". These two songs are awesome! The lyrics alone really are different and I love the beat that is paired with the songs. For instance, I'm digging how the chorus sounds when it chimes in from each verse. It has a good flow to it.



So readers, what song(s) have grabbed your attention lately? Is it a new hit on the radio? Is it something that you came across while searching through iTunes? Did you stumble upon it on Youtube? Voice it below and share it with other readers. Who knows, your new favorite song could wind up inspiring someone to love it too!

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Tune in Tuesday (#19)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads!, but until further notice you can find it over at Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands. In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week. And this week, I'm going to talk about... real life.

End of September was one of my more difficult moments I've had in the last few years. My boyfriend of 2 1/2 years broke up with me by text message on Monday (September 24th) and then Sunday (September 30th) I found out he cheated that prior weekend with a girl I know. Hence one of the reasons why I've checked out of blogging lately. So I wanted to take some time, clear my head, and figure out what I need to move on and make things better for myself. I found out that many people were on my side and very supportive for me. It reminded me how much love there is out there in the world when you least expect it.

So this is dedicated to all the readers who have ever been lied to, cheated on, and broken up in a horrible way by an ex... these songs are for those people who did us wrong.




Now even with everything, I've had time to reflect... I've learned that I don't hate HIM, I hate what he did. It's a very long story as to why, but I've risen about the issue and decided to forgive him and just move on. It was hard, but it was for the best. I also saw the silver lining, without him doing what he did, I wouldn't have landed my second job as a make-up special effects artist! So I'm thankful for the screwed up situation lol So there is always some good that comes out of the bad folks.

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Updates!

"Oh my gosh, where has she been!?" "Has anyone seen her!?" "Nope... I think she fell off the face of the planet!", lol probably something like that, maybe not quit, but maybe you might have wondered in that context where the heck I've been! Well over the course of the week, I'll be getting back to the blog, not as quickly as I'd like due to Halloween creeping closer.

Anyway, I've mentioned in a prior post that I've been working. And not just any job... a haunted house job! I get to do special effects make-up and also work as an actor in one of the three houses! WOOHOO! It's loads of fun, not for everyone cause you work in crazy conditions. Worked in 30 degree weather and raining one sunday! I ended up getting sick and on top of that loosing my voice left and right... I've got bruises like a real horror movie victim cause I'm literally running around a room and screaming!

Now below are some pictures from my job... the first one I'm on the right in the corner, with the white shirt on and ripped blue jeans. You can't see my face, but its all kinds of twisted makeup lol The second is one of my co-workers who is in the same room as I am. He uses a chainsaw to scare the crap out of people!

(This is me, in a real vintage 1800's shirt that I own, which I bloody up. Make-up done by one of the head make-up guys! Yes, that blood is really in my hair lol)

(This is my handy-dandy job of painting this creepy clown face. That is also blood dripping down her face. She is a ticket taker at the clown house. Yeah, we got some scary clowns!)

So as you can see I've been SUPER busy. I'm running around friday-sunday with no time to spare and starting this thursday we are doing it too! So four days of crazy fun for moi... plus add in school and trying to keep up with the rest of my life... books and the blog have taken a back seat for the month of October. I'll fill you all in on the rest of what has been happening this week. So stick around readers... I'm not going anywhere :)

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Busy as a Bee!

The reason I've been absent from blogging is because I'm working AND going to school. But also because this past monday I've been dealing with some personal stuff that took a real toll on my focusing on books, let alone read required stuff for the blog. I miss you all and reading amazing books. But hopefully, I'll be back next week refreshed.

On a side note here is a sneak peak at what I'm doing Thursday - Sunday. Don't click the link if horror movies scare you! Pure Terror Scream Park

*(10/1/12) Update: I might be gone longer due to finding out more information from my personal life that just turned it upside down yesterday afternoon. I wish it was a different outcome with all my heart, but with these unforeseen circumstances, my blogging is being put on hold for all of next week and possible the week after that.

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