The Sunday Symposium: Real books vs. Ebooks vs. Audiobooks

**Again, sorry for the delay in posting.  Family obligations and a family emergency took precedence over the weekend.  But better late than never, right?**

The Sunday Symposium is a weekly feature in which I'll be discussing various bookish topics and asking for your commentary, as well.  This week's topic is real books versus ebooks.

So, you may have noticed the abundance of titles I added to TBR Mountain yesterday in my IMM post.  I'm having a little trouble assuaging my guilt from all of those purchases, and it's made me take a good, hard look at my motivations for purchasing dead tree books versus stockpiling those same titles on my ereader.

You can probably already guess the reasoning behind all of my audiobook purchases:  time contraints.  I have over a thousand books on my want-to-read list, and it's growing every day.  To fit in some of those, I listen to audiobooks.  Not only does it help me reduce TBR Mountain, it also helps pass the time more quickly and more enjoyably when I'm doing mundane tasks such as commuting, exercising, and cleaning house.  If you saw my IMM post from yesterday, you also no doubt noticed that I purchased several titles for which I already own hard copies or ebooks.  I am clearly insane.  Why do I need a print and audio version of a book, you ask?  I don't.  But I bought most of those print copies when I [thought I] had more time to read them, and now I feel like I'll never catch up to read them without the aide of audiobooks.  It's sad, I know.

But what motivates me to buy a hardcover over an electronic copy?  Does the pretty cover determine the version I purchase?  Do I already own the first book in the series, and because I'm so anal-retentive/obsessive-compulsive, I have to own the rest of the series in that same format?  Did I already read the galley and decide it was a must-own book?

Yes, these are all things I take into account before deciding on the format to purchase.  And sometimes, even after careful consideration, I make the wrong choice and still end up with two versions of the same book, usually when I want to read a book very badly and can't find the time, so I purchase the audiobook.  Sometimes, I manage to catch the audio on sale, and that's great.  But more often than not, I use my pre-purchased Audible credits on these books, and that's not so good. 

I mean, it's not terrible...I am supporting the author with both purchases.  But if I looked at my reading schedule more carefully, I could probably avoid the double-purchase.  Well, except in those cases where I just loved the ebook or audiobook sooo much that I had to have the hardcover to add to my collection.  I am building my own library, after all.  Although, I will be the first to admit that I have a problem and might need an intervention soon.  :P

So, do you primarily buy your books in one format?  Which one?  Have you tried other formats, i.e. audiobooks, and found that they just weren't your cup of tea?  (I often hear that audiobooks are hard for some readers to get into, and I initially thought I'd be the same way, but I really enjoy a well-performed audiobook.)  What motivates you to purchase a book in a certain format and which format do you usually prefer?

No contest this week for The Sunday Symposium because of all of the personal stuff I've had going on, but I am currently running a giveaway for Unspoken and will have many more giveaways in the weeks to come.  The winner of The Sunday Symposium:  Putting the Adult in Young Adult post is Jenny from Mimosa Stimulus.  Congrats, Jenny!  Can't wait to see which book you pick!

Read More

Labels: audiobooks, dead tree books, ebooks, the sunday symposium

In My Mailbox #49

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a weekly meme where we all get to brag about the books and swag we got in the mail, for review, won in contests, etc.

**This post would have been up earlier, but Blogger has been giving me trouble for the last 24 hours or so.  Also, I had some serious dental work done yesterday, and I was a little out of it last night, to be perfectly honest.**

Ack!  Guys, I am the worst!  The absolute worst!  I bought audiobooks for books that I already have on my shelf!  Lots of 'em!  I'm just getting so behind in my reading...and I had quite a few Audible credits saved up, soooo...I splurged.  And I've been wanting to read these books since before they were released.  Ugh...someone smack my hand and tell me to stop already!  :(  Here's the damage:

For Review:

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen

Won/Gifted:

Aftermath by Ann Aguirre, signed copy from the author

Purchased:

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson -- SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan -- finally got my own finished copy, enter to win yours [ review ]
Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter -- AIW, zombies, OH MY!
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, signed -- loved this one! [ review ]
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, signed -- EEEEEEEKKKK!!!!

Audiobooks:

Angel Fire by L. A. Weatherly -- even though I pre-ordered the HC way back when
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown -- even though I won a signed copy prior to release
Rapture by Lauren Kate -- even though I purchased AND won a signed copy (GEEZ!!!)
The Diviners by Libba Bray -- even though I won an ARC (but at least I sorta have an excuse...it's super LONG!  But the audio is FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!!  Totally worth it!)
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes -- even though I won a PB, but this one was on sale for $4.95
The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge -- even though my BBS bought me a copy

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi -- on sale for $4.95, and I've actually already read it, but I will need a refresher soon

Once by Anna Carey -- THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I DIDN'T ALREADY OWN!!! [ review ]

Seriously, someone make me stop!!!!!!!! 

I was soooooo bad this week!  And now I can't decide whether to read The Crown of Embers or The Raven Boys first!  Suggestions? 

The Week in Review:

Reviews:  Once (audiobook) -- my review for Shadows was supposed to go up last night, but there were Blogger issues and dental work to recover from, so it'll be up this weekend at some point.  :(

We put the adult back in YA in last week's edition of The Sunday Symposium.

Current Giveaways:  Win a copy of one of my favorites this year in the Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop!  Also, leave a comment on the above linked Sunday Symposium post and enter to win your choice of YA novel.

Winners:  Melissa won the EPIC Hunger Games movie prize pack in the Books to Movies Giveaway Hop and Alex won a copy of Monstrous Beauty in the Under the Sea Giveaway Hop

Cover Reveals:  Abandon by Elana Johnson & Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Also, I signed up for the Sweet Evil Read Along in October!  Won't you join us as we prepare to swoon over Kaidan?

The Week Ahead:

The fourth post (yay, I've been at it for a month now!!) in my new Sunday Symposium series - a new feature in which I'll be discussing various bookish topics and asking for your commentary, as well.  There may even be another giveaway...just sayin'.  :0)

My review of Melissa Darnell's Covet and Ilsa J. Bick's Shadows will go up later this weekend.  I'll also be reviewing the sequel to Lia Habel's Victorian steampunk zombie romance novel (say that three times fast!), Dearly, Beloved, as well as an audiobook or two that I've been meaning to review for awhile.  =D

Also, I hope you'll stop by and enter to win a super-fantastic-must-read set of books on my stop of the Banned Books Giveaway Hop, which starts at the end of the week.

Read More

Labels: in my mailbox (imm)

Official Cover Reveal: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Guys!  Do I have a treat for YOU today!?!  Get ready for some serious eeeeping and squeeeeing to commence!!!  (And maybe warn everyone around you to put on some hearing protection before you scroll down.  Just a thought.  =D)

About the author:

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

And now for the reason you're really here...

If possible, it's even hotter than the previous covers!!!  :0)  And it'll be released on December 11th...just in time for Christmas.  Some might be dreaming of gum drops and nutcracker ballets around that time of year, but I'm sure plenty of people, myself included, will be dreaming of this eye candy.  :-P  Read below for more details on this exciting new installment in the Lux series.

Title:  Opal

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux, book 3

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Purchase/Preorder:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

And JLA has something special in store for you guys:

Follow this link to an EPIC CONTEST Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page!!!

So, what do you think?  Are you excited?  Did you burst your dog's ear drums with all that screaming??  =D  Let the countdown begin!!!

Read More

Labels: entangled, jennifer l. armentrout, lux, official cover reveals, sci-fi

Audiobook Review: Once by Anna Carey

Title:  Once
Author:  Anna Carey
Narrator:  Tavia Gilbert
Series:  2nd book in the Eve series
Publisher:  Harper Audio
Publication Date:  July 3, 2012
Source:  purchased audiobook
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

After giving Eve only two stars, I probably shouldn't have continued the series.  But my curiosity being what it is, rubber-necking syndrome kicked in and I just had to pick up the next book to find out what happens to our "heroine".  Seeing as how it would have truly brought tears to my eyes to actually purchase a hard copy of this series and have it sitting on my shelf, hating it all the while, I opted for the audio again.  (Though I don't deny that the covers are kind of pretty.  There again, I should have known better...post-apocalyptic novels shouldn't have pretty covers IMHO.)

And again, all that saved me from ripping out my hair in frustration was Tavia Gilbert's narration, even if I did hear some of the same character voices from the Night Huntress books:  The King very much sounds like Mencheres and Eve is still a very ramped-up, overly-dramatic version of Cat.  Rather than making me excited for Once, it made me long for Cat and Bones.  *sigh*

Aside from a hastily thrown together plot, my biggest complaint with this series is Eve's continued naïvete.  She never doubts for a second that her plans are going to work, that she might be the only one trying to manipulate and con people to get what she wants.  Sure, some might see this as optimistic, but I see it as a big ole character flaw, especially considering everything in her world has already gone all wrong.  I just can't get on board with a protagonist like Eve.

I've seen so many rave reviews for this series, and I just don't get what I'm missing.  I expect a sequel to be an improvement upon the first book, and I really didn't see that here.  Granted, I shouldn't have expected anything spectacular considering my luke-warm feelings toward the first book, and I should count my blessings that it's not one of those info-dumping middle books, but I'm still not convinced I should read the next book.  Even though I know I probably will.  Damn curiosity.

Rating: 

Read More

Labels: anna carey, audiobooks, disappointments, dystopian, eve, harper-collins, post-apocalyptic, reviews

Official Cover Reveal: Abandon by Elana Johnson

Hello, lovelies!  Thanks to AToMR Tours, I get to help reveal the cover today for the third book in Elana Johnson's Possession series!  But first, a bit about the author:



Photo by Erin Summerill, courtesy of author's website



Elana is the author of the Possession series, which includes full-length novels POSSESSION and SURRENDER, and short stories REGRET (ebook only) and INSIDER INFORMATION (free here!). Learn how to spell and say her name.

Elana wishes she could experience her first kiss again, tell the mean girl where to shove it, and have cool superpowers like reading minds and controlling fire. To fulfill her desires, she writes young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Using her boring human powers, she graduated from Southern Utah University with Summa Cum Laude honors in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She started her teaching career as an upper grade music and art specialist. After a four-year stint in 3rd grade, she is currently the technology specialist.

In her world, Oreos and bacon would be the only food groups. Everyone would drive 10 over the speed limit. Winter would be eliminated as a season, and Jeff Probst would be President. As it is, she lives with her husband and two kids in central Utah, gets cited when she drives too fast and eats Oreos only on special occasions.

Find out more about Elana Johnson and her books:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | YouTube | Pinterest | Email

And because I know what you're really here for, here's the cover of Abandon:

Isn't it gorgeous?!?  I love how all of the covers coordinate, even the novellas, don't you?



Title:  Abandon

Author: Elana Johnson

Series: Possession, book 3

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: June 2013

seduced by power,

broken by control,

and consumed by love...

Vi has made her choice between Jag and Zenn, and the Resistance may have suffered for it. But with the Thinkers as strong as ever, the rebels still have a job to do. Vi knows better than anyone that there's more at stake than a few broken hearts.

But there is a traitor among them...and the choices he makes could lead to the total destruction of everything Vi has fought for.

Vi, Jag, and Zenn must set their problems aside for the Resistance to have any hope of ending the Thinkers' reign. Their success means everything...and their failure means death.

ALSO: Elana is running a Pinterest contest for the cover. She wants to get 500 pins (or repins) over the next two days. If we can get that many, she'll pick someone who pinned the cover to win a $50 Amazon gift card. 

It's so easy to do this. All you have to do is click this PIN IT button and select one of your boards to pin the cover to. Elana has done everything else!



Don't have a Pinterest board yet? Put it on your Tumblr page. Your Facebook page. Your twitter stream. Elana will count those too! Just be sure to tag her (@ElanaJ on twitter, Possession by Elana Johnson on Facebook).

Read More

Labels: dystopian, elana johnson, official cover reveals, possession, post-apocalyptic, simon schuster