Judging a Book By Its Cover: The Summer After You + Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.









This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: The Summer After You + Me
Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.

Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating The Summer After You + Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it's about a girl who goes to the beach, but she is sad and doesn't want to swim because the birds pooped on her."

Yup, she's my child... through and through. lol  We then had a long discussion about how before she was born, I went to the Jersey shore and got pooped on by a seagull. Since this book actually takes place there, I thought her description was perfect. lol.

I have not read this one yet, but I hope to get to it soon. We haven't been to the shore since Sandy hit, but we plan to head over there this Summer for at least a weekend. Seaside will never be quite the same though. :(


Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"I think it's about a girl going to the beach. There was another person with the girl, and I think they went to the beach in summer."

I love that Katie decided to empty her entire marker box on the paper for her interpretation of that sunset on the beach. =) She was so proud of her ability to write the title in cursive, too. (Why is that still taught in school?!?)

I like that this third novel from Doktorski doesn't sound like your typical summer romance but more a story of loss. Having read How My Summer Went Up in Flames and also having an ARC of the second book on my shelves to read, I had to add this book to my TBR. I can't wait to read it.


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: aubrey, beautiful covers, contemporary, cover art, jennifer salvato doktorksi, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, sourcebooks, summer

Judging a Book By Its Cover: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.









This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: Victoria Schwab
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic, book #1
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it's about a man who makes Christmas Balls. And they are magic."

lol, This thought may seem off the wall to you all, but I totally got where she was coming from. One year we made these ornaments with yarn, balloons and glue.

She said the cover looked like these yarn balls we made. I have to agree with her. I haven't read this book yet, but Jen has, and she loved it, so that will be another one added to my list. :)


Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"It kind of looks like the guy is falling. But I think the story has some magic in it, and it's dark magic."

Even before we talked about what the book was about, Katie was focused on that coat the guy on the cover is wearing…and with good reason. I think she did super awesome with it -- it's even more detailed in person. Kell does have magic of sorts, and there is definitely dark magic contained within the pages of this book, but one of my favorite aspects is still that amazing coat. I explained a little bit more about it in my review, but if you're curious, you should definitely check out this book. It's Schwab's second adult novel, and though I don't read all that much in the way of adult literature these days, I highly recommend it…plus all of her other YA books. They don't feel YA or adult…they're just books with great writing that speaks to you. =)


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: a darker shade of magic, adult, aubrey, beautiful covers, cover art, fantasy, favorites, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, magic, tor, victoria schwab

Judging a Book By Its Cover: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.









This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: I'll Meet You There
Author: Heather Demetrios
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it was about people going to a hotel and spending time in the pool."

LoL, I can see where she got that idea. I haven't read this one yet but I hope to soon. Jen said it was really great, so it's gotta be worth checking out. :)


Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"Two people meet each other, and they might be friends when they meet. And those two people see a sign and they want to go to the motel."

Ah, the innocence of youth. Or is it just that I'm incapable of dragging my mind out of the gutter? :P Either way, Katie's guess is pretty good. Except that they don't want to go to the motel...they work there. =) I'll Meet You There is already one of my favorite reads of 2015...it brought all the feels, and I still can't stop thinking about it. Loved this one SOOOO much! I hope you'll stop by next week to check out my review!


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: aubrey, beautiful covers, contemporary, cover art, favorites, heather demetrios, i'll meet you there, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, macmillan, military, post hs ya, summer, tough subject

Top Ten of 2014: Best Book Covers of 2014

We are SUPER excited to look back on 2014 with the ladies from Reading YA Rocks, Two Chicks on Books, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, and Tales of a Ravenous Reader. They've put together a blog hop of sorts, looking back on the books we read in 2014 and looking forward to the ones we'll read in 2015. They've got some fun topics lined up, but today's is the BEST BOOK COVERS OF 2014. (You can check out the full week's line-up here.)

Jen's Picks:

I've read all of these and think they'd just look absolutely lovely hanging on my wall. I think that's what makes them my favorite covers of 2014: they're beautiful enough to be hung up as artwork. I love that April and I have quite a few in common, too. =)

April's Picks:

I haven't read all of these yet, but I have purchased or requested all of them, simply because... Ahhh those covers!


Did you read any of our picks? Are you participating in this look back on 2014? If so, share a link and we'll stop by to check out your picks, too!

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Labels: beautiful covers, cover art, favorites, funfunfun, top 10 of 2014

Judging a Book By Its Cover: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.

Okay, I totally missed doing these posts with Katie, and it looks like it's been right at a year since our last one. While cleaning recently, I found the folder that I kept her previous iterations in -- all 33 of them! -- so I begged April to see if Aubrey would be up to contributing, too. Lucky for me, she was! =)






This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Author: various
Series: anthology
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 best-selling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White) and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have 12 reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, edited by Stephanie Perkins...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it's about people who love ice skating at Christmas time. And they live in the snowy mountains."

Aubrey is quite familiar with living in the snowy mountains. I have to say though, the orange skater looks like he broke his leg, but  I didn't tell her that. lol. I'm reading this book slowly right now. A story here, a story there. It's pretty cute so far. Love this time of year!




Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"I think it's a Christmas story and it takes place at night. And I think it's about them having fun and them all skating together."

Hehe...I love this just as much as I loved the book! I think it's adorable that Katie picked her two favorite couples to depict, rather than doing all twelve couples. Actually, what she said was, "I don't have to do all of those people, do I?" It's her vision so I just let her roll with it any old way, and I like the direction she took.

This book is seriously such a cute holiday read. You can read my review here. There's something for everyone...really! Some stories from favorite authors and some from authors I'd only ever heard of, but all of them were worth a read. This anthology definitely got me in the mood for some holiday cheer!


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: anthology, aubrey, beautiful covers, christmas, contemporary, cover art, favorites, happy new year, holidays, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, st. martin's press

Judging a Book By Its Cover: Talon by Julie Kagawa

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.

Okay, I totally missed doing these posts with Katie, and it looks like it's been right at a year since our last one. While cleaning recently, I found the folder that I kept her previous iterations in -- all 33 of them! -- so I begged April to see if Aubrey would be up to contributing, too. Lucky for me, she was! =)






This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: Talon
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Talon, book #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating Talon by Julie Kagawa...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think it's about a red lizard that likes to eat people and he has a long tongue."

Clearly that must be what it's about right? lol. I think she might be off a little but I admire her imagination. And paying attention to detail. when I asked why she thought it had along tongue she was sure to point it out on the cover. I've actually purchased this one already, but I'm not sure when I'll get to it. Soon I hope because I love everything Julie Kagawa has written. :)


Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"I really think it's about dragons going to people and killing them. They could be burning down houses and blowing fire on the ground."

Hmm...I haven't read this book yet, but based on the summary, I'm sure dragons and humans aren't exactly on friendly terms. Still, I don't know how much killing there will be. I've heard the dragon aspect isn't explored all that much in this first book, sadly. I loved Kagawa's post-apocalyptic vampire series, so I was hoping she'd do something fantastic with dragons...


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: aubrey, cover art, dragons, fantasy, harlequin-teen, judging a book by its cover, julie kagawa, katiebug, talon

Judging a Book By Its Cover: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.

Okay, I totally missed doing these posts with Katie, and it looks like it's been right at a year since our last one. While cleaning recently, I found the folder that I kept her previous iterations in -- all 33 of them! -- so I begged April to see if Aubrey would be up to contributing, too. Lucky for me, she was! =)






This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Series: n/a
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"Her hand is really cold because she's living in a cold cold COLD town."

lol, I wish you all could have seen her face when she told me this. I love how she did this cover. She insisted that I lay my hand down on the paper so she could trace it. I'm currently listening to this book and omg I love it so freaking much. It will go down as a favorite of mine, I can already tell. :)



Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"She's really cold and maybe if she touches someone, she might make them really cold, too."

I love it! And Katie's not that far off. I think the people in this book have more to worry about from bites than touches, though, lol. I've listened to the audio for this book several times now, and I think I love it more each time. Hands down, my favorite Holly Black book yet, and it's the perfect read -- or listen -- for this time of year!


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: aubrey, cover art, hachette, holly black, horror, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, the coldest girl in coldtown, vampires

Judging a Book By Its Cover: The Fall by Bethany Griffin

We so borrowed this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. Basically, it's about getting a child's perspective on the story inside the book based on just the cover art. It can be hilarious, but it can also be enlightening.

Okay, I totally missed doing these posts with Katie, and it looks like it's been right at a year since our last one. While cleaning recently, I found the folder that I kept her previous iterations in -- all 33 of them! -- so I begged April to see if Aubrey would be up to contributing, too. Lucky for me, she was! =)






This week, the girls are working on the following book:

Title: The Fall
Author: Bethany Griffin
Series: n/a
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Madeline Usher is doomed.

She has spent her life fighting fate, and she thought she was succeeding. Until she woke up in a coffin.

Ushers die young. Ushers are cursed. Ushers can never leave their house, a house that haunts and is haunted, a house that almost seems to have a mind of its own. Madeline’s life—revealed through short bursts of memory—has hinged around her desperate plan to escape, to save herself and her brother. Her only chance lies in destroying the house.

In the end, can Madeline keep her own sanity and bring the house down? The Fall is a literary psychological thriller, reimagining Edgar Allan Poe’s classic The Fall of the House of Usher.

Behold, the girls' attempts at recreating The Fall by Bethany Griffin...

Aubrey's masterpiece & guess:

Aubrey says:

"I think she must be lost in the woods. She is looking for her momma, but she can't find her. And it's dark and scary because it's Halloween."

Now I haven't read this one, and I don't think Jen has either. Why would we choose this one for the girls to color then? well, scrolling through goodreads Aubrey started yelling that she wanted to draw the one with the yellow haired girl in the scary woods. So there you have it! I've been so wrapped up and busy lately, so I'm sad I haven't gotten to this one yet, but I hope to find time soon! It looks really creepy and Aubrey may be on to something here!

*update* I started The Fall this week, and it's so creepy and awesome so far!



Katie's artwork & thoughts:

Katie says:

"I think it's about a girl who's about to fall because the Earth is all tipped, and she's the only person left on the Earth when it's tipping. And there also might be a storm with mist and fog."

Nope, I haven't read this one yet, but I loved Griffin's Masque of the Red Death duology. I've never read The Fall of the House of Usher, which this book is based on, but I'm intrigued by the premise. I don't think Katie got the same kind of creepy vibe from it that I did, but her interpretation based on the cover is still pretty scary. I'm hoping to get to this one before the end of the month in order to include it in my Spooky Reads.


Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of the girls' artwork and their thoughts on the story's premise?

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Labels: aubrey, bethany griffin, cover art, harper-collins, judging a book by its cover, katiebug, spooky reads, the fall