Another Blog Title Change

Yes, I changed the title of this blog AGAIN! But I think this one is a keeper.
What do you guys think?

P.s. A review for Once Dead, Twice Shy should be up soon.

Re-Create a Cover Contest (2)

Yes, it is time for a new Re-Create A Cover!

I just finished Once Dead, Twice Shy. So, A Certain Slant of Light cover re-create is now closed.

Since only one person entered, I am going to have to say that my sister (sad right?) Bailee won! Plus, her cover was really awesome. She thought it sucked, but it really was awesome.

Anyways, the new contest!

This contest is on Once Dead, Twice Shy! Click here for the summary off of GoodReads. Win a virtual cupcake!

I am sorry there is no real prize, I am currently not sending out prizes for personal reasons, so my contests will only be for fun!

My blogger is acting up, so click here for my cover.

Another Template Change

Yes, I have changed the template of this blog again. I love this template, what do you guys think of it? I love it!
I decided to go with the whole nature theme, since my blog name is Country Reader.
Do you like it?

Re-Create a Cover!

Since I know another blogger is doing a CONTEST for the best cover re-creation, I decided that, even though I live in Canada, I am going to make one and not enter it in the contest.
But do you know what I want YOU guys to do? I want YOU guys to make your own too!

Here is what I want to do:

Every time I finish a book, I am going to post one of these posts asking YOU GUYS to re-create the cover for it! Even if you haven't read it, base your cover on the summary off of GoodReads or another website where the summary is for the book.
You design your cover, post it on your blog, and put a link here!
Although there is no prize, I am going to judge which one it the best! And you get a virtual cupcake! *Claps for virtual cupcakes!*
Good Luck!

The book that we are going to do now is:

Yes! A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb! Click here for the summary off of GoodReads.

....















Good luck to everybody that makes one! Here is mine:

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

Released: September 1st, 2005
Published by: Graphia
Series: -
Page Amount: 282





Plot 8/10
Likable Characters 9/10
Problem Development 7/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 10/10
Character Development 9/10
Cover 9/10
Setting 3/10
Ending 10/10
Beginning 6/10
=
81%
d


In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen--terrified, but intrigued--is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

Review:

I can honestly full-heartily say that this book was very enjoyable. This book was well written, and was beautiful.

Plot: I think this plot was very original, and I have never read anything like it before. I still think that maybe it was missing some key points and that maybe Whitcomb could have added a little more detail or action in some places.

Likable Characters: This book was filled with likable characters, but there were characters, like Mr. Brown, that I think I was meant to like him, but I honestly didn't that much.

Problem Development: I liked the way that the problem developed in this book, but the problem wasn't always obvious through out the book, which I didn't like how you didn't always knew what the problem was half the time.

Solution Effectiveness: I loved the ending even though I think that Laura wanted it to be more tragic that it actually was for me.

Writing Style: Whitcomb's writing style is absolutely beautiful, I was mesmerized at how beautifully written this book was. Whitcomb's beautiful use of detail kept me turning the page, craving so much more.

Character Development: I think Helen grew up very amazingly during the course of this novel.

Cover: I think this cover is very creepy, which is why it only got a nine out of ten, because I usually am not a fan for creepy covers. But I also think this cover is beautiful.

Setting: They never really said where this book was placed (like the state or whatever) but Whitcomb described what was around the characters beautifully without it being too overwhelming with detail.

Ending: I thought that the ending of this novel was beautiful. I think Whitcomb wrote it with the intentions of the ending of this book to be tear-jerking tragic. I didn't think of it that way, but I do think it was beautiful.

Beginning: The beginning of this book was really slow, but I don't think it was horrible or anything.

I really liked this book! I defiantly recommend this book for all of you to read!

Oh my Gosh!

I have eight followers! I can't believe that I have eight followers so fast! I love you guys so much! You guys are the best fans ever! I don't know where I would be without you guys!
I started this blog just for the fun of it and because I love reading and I want to get my voice out there and let people know what books I liked and didn't like. If I was told that I was going to have eight followers this fast on my blog before I started it I am not sure if I would have believed it.
I love you guys!

<3,
Sierra

P.s. A review for a Certain Slant of Light will be up shortly!

5 Followers

Oh my gosh.
I have five followers!
I can't believe it!
And it's all because of YOU guys!
I love you!

Update

As you can probably see, I have changed the title of this blog. Why you may ask.
Well, I was emailing Chapter Chicks (a blog that you NEED to check out!) and Jessica (thanks Jessica!) said that there was already a blog called Page Turner, and they are really big bloggers. So of course I freaked out because I thought that the so uncreative me had thought up a awesome new blog title that everybody wishes that they thought of. Well, maybe I did, but it wasn't new. Thanks Jessica for giving me the heads up!
So just a second ago I was walking around my campsite (I camp all summer long) and I was really enjoying the wilderness and I was thinking about how lucky I was to be a country girl. Then it totally hit me. Country Reader! Like, duh!
My email will still be the same even though the title of this blog has changed, so you can still contact me with that email!
Thanks guys, just thought I would give you the heads up!

Go Outside and Read!,
Sierra (:

Author Interview With Emma Michaels!

Yes, everybody, I got my answers from Emma Michaels! Here is our interview!

1. Your Novel, The Thirteenth Chime, has been getting a lot of positive feedback for a book that has yet to be released, is this your debut novel?


A) Yes, this is my debut novel. I've been very fortunate so far in the marketing that Bokheim and my fellow bloggers have helped me so much! I am also very grateful to the support of bloggers and blog readers. So many of you have sent me personal notes or gave me encouragement - thank you! It means so much to me!


2. I understand that your book is going to be released Friday, August 13th. Why did you choose to release your book on Friday the Thirteen, when that day has been having rumours of bad luck for years?


A) Some believe it is a day of bad omens or ill luck, while others believe it is a day of good luck. It really depends on where you live and what you believe. I asked for the release date because I felt it fits the concept of the book


3. What can you tell us readers about The Thirteenth Chime?


A) Here is a fun teaser from one of the trailers:


Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted.
She is about to finish college, has a fiancé that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie.
But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital.
Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David.
Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again.
Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.
For revenge, fifty years is never too long…


4. Were you a reader as a child?


A) Yes, although it wasn't until I was given my first YA novel that it really hit me how much I loved to read. After those first few pages though, I was unstoppable.


5. What gave you the inspiration to write The Thirteenth Chime?


A) I had the inspiration for the book shortly after coming to Washington one night during a bad storm that knocked the power out in my area. We went next door to share a few candles and for the company. Thunder shook the house as lightning flashed, lighting up the room we were in even through the draperies. Then the the sky was silent. The silence made my breath catch and in the next moment, the antique grandfather clock in the house began to chime. The sound echoed throughout the house and made my heart jump into my throat. I unconsciously reached out to hold someone's hand, desiring to feel a bond, and it was in that moment that "The Thirteenth Chime" was born.


6. Your cover is absolutely gorgeous, did you have a say in the cover?


A) Fortunately, I had a lot to say in the cover. Not only did my publisher hear me out on my ideas for the cover, but they found the perfect artist for it and with just a few revisions, it came out the amazing piece that is now the cover. I am very happy with it and I feel it fits the book perfectly!


7. Do you believe in giving ARCs to book reviewers before the book is released?


A) Yes I do and I've been suggesting various groups to my publisher. Although Bokheim has mostly been giving out e-Arcs, they have also been giving out a select number of print copies too.


8. What is your favourite colour and why?


A) Pink. I know it is a bit stereotypical, but I am a girl so it's allowed. Though I love shades like black, white and gray.


9. Do you have any children? If so, what are their names and how old are they? If not, do you want to have kids in the future?


A) Oh goodness no, I'm only twenty. I do sometimes think about having kids and I absolutely adore children. I haven't decided for sure yet, but my fiance is open to it so that is a good sign!


10. What was your biggest dream when you started writing?


A) To get published and to the top of the "New York Times Bestseller's List". Number 1 - check! Now it's time for Number 2! :-)


11. How fast was the publishing cycle for you?


A) The road to get published took me about six months. I received well over a hundred standard form rejections from agents who didn't even ask to read a sample of my work. Then I began querying publishers directly at the suggestion of a dear friend. What a difference! Once I made my decision which publisher I would go with, things began moving very quickly. Some of this was due to the requests I made about the release date, but it has all worked out great in the end. I am very happy and I hope everyone will enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it!


12. Thank you so much for the interview. One last question, what advice do you have for aspiring authors?


A) Please don't ever give up! I know it can be disappointing and very frustrating because agents treat you like a business and publishers sometimes seem to not be accepting new submissions, but it only takes one chance for everything to come together. It is my hope that I will get to read and enjoy your books as much as I hope you will read and enjoy mine!

Thank you so much for the interview and for helping me spread the word! Thank you to everyone reading! I hope you all will love The Thirteenth Chime!

Thank you so much Emma for the interview! I am sure you will make it to the New York Times Bestsellers List no problem! I can't wait for the Thirteenth Chime!

Author Interview With Emma Michaels Coming Soon!

I have emailed Emma Michaels, and she has agreed to do an author interview with me. I am awaiting her answers, but be sure that as soon as I get them, they will be posted.
But for now, you will have to wait, but it won't be as bad for you because this is probably not your first author interview you have read. But this is the first author interview I have ever hosted!
I can't wait, and I hope you enjoy the interview once I get her answers!

Update

As you guys can probably tell I have been playing around with the blog layout and such, just to let you guys know I am doing this to make it look more professional and neat, because before you
could really tell that my blog was lazy and I wanted to spice it up a little bit. I think it is really awesome now and I think that I can just sit back and have fun with blogging, because that is what I made this blog for, is to have fun, right? Well now I finally love my blog layout so now I can just have fun and blog!

Well, okay guys! Hope your summer is filled with fun and reading!

Turn the page and keep reading,
Sierra

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

Released: June 22, 2010
Published by: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Series: -
Page Amount: 485 Pages

Plot 2/10
Likable Characters 1/10
Problem Development 2/10
Solution Effectiveness 1/10
Writing Style 3/10
Character Development 10/10
Cover 8/10
Setting 6/10
Ending 3/10
Beginning 8/10
=
91%

Overall, this book was not enjoyable.

Plot: The plot for this novel was very broad... you could have gone a million different ways with this book. I also think that the plot is over used, well, the main part of the plot, and this is not the best book that I have read about suicide that I have read.

Likable Characters: Carol Lynch Williams tried to make Hope the most likable character as possible. Although, I didn't find her very likable. Her mother in this book was horrible and I can't see anybody liing her, although I think Williams wanted that to end up like that, I just didn't like that the book was filled with characters that I didn't like.

Problem Development: The problem only developed a little bit, but barely at all. The problem, to me, didn't seem like a problem at all. It's one of those books where, when the problem comes up, you feel like you are indruding on the family's business.

Solution Effectivness: There was no real solution for this book at all. It kind of just... happened. Usually I like it when a book does that... but this one, it was just plain.

Writing Style: I have read some amazing verse writers, but Williams is not one of them. I felt like I was reading 2nd grade poetry, not a grown up book that is written in verse.

Character Development: Hope grew up vary well during this book. I felt like she was beginning to think of herself more like and adult then a child, like most kids do around the age of twelve.

Cover: I like this cover a lot, but I don't feel like it was the right cover for a book like this.Also, if you stare at it for too long, it hurts your eyes, especially if you are looking at it from a computer.

Setting: This book was set in Florida, a place that I have visited many times during my life. But I also felt that it could have been set in a better place than Florida, because for some reason I don't feel like Florida was the right place to set a book like this.

Ending: I felt like the ending wasn't right for this book, I think it could have been more tragic, you know?

Beginning: The bieginning was the mopst enjoyable section of this book, even though it wasn't amazing.

I do not reccemend this book for you guys.

Book Haul #3!

Yes, I have ANOTHER book haul for you guys... although this one is ultra mini! It's only one book! I thought I would show you guys anyways.

The book I bought was THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer. This is the only Stephenie Meyer book that I have not read yet and I saw it in my local Wal-Mart, and I know it recently came out in paperback, and I have been waiting ever since the book came out for it to come out in paperback so it is not so expensive, and I totally freaked out when I saw it at Wal-Mart... of all places.
Since this is only a one book book haul, I am going to add the summary so you guys know what it is about.

Summary from GoodReads:
The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

I am so excited to read this book, so I hope I can get to reading it soon so I have a review for you guys to check out once I finished it.

Hope you guys liked this book haul!

Turn The Page and Keep Reading!

P.S. I am sorry there is no review for A Certain Slant of Light yet, but this book is very hard to get into so I am having a tough time with it. I hope to finish this book soon, though.

Look At This Awesome Contest

Hello Guys!

I am entering a contest on Tales of a Teenage Book Lover's (AlexReadsBooks2010 on Youtube) contest, and I think you should enter too!

Enter at His blog post for a chance win some awesome stuff!

Cover Wars (1)

Cover Wars is hosted by Tales of a Teenage Book Lover (AlexReadsBooks2010 on Youtube.) and it is were 1 book's cover; one from the States slash Canada, and one from the UK. I will tell you what one I think is better... and which one just plain sucks.
A battle between two covers. One from the US or Canada, one from the UK. 3...2...1... FIGHT!

Round One:

UK

U.S. or Canada

I know right now which cover is my favourite. One cover is just plain beautiful, and one cover is just plain horrible. Do you know which one I am talking about? It would be the cover that comes from the U.S.! I love the idea with the bike and the girl on the handlebars and the guy on the seat. If you read the book, you will understand.

Winner: U.S. or Canada

Round Two:

UK



US

This one is a tough one. Both of these covers are similar. They are both very simple, and they both have the tree branches surrounding the center of the book, where the title of the book is placed. But honestly, I like the US cover better. I don't like the font that the UK used for the book. I like the simpler font better, with the wolf on the cover, because, there is wolves in it, so duh it would make sense that there would be a wolf on the cover.

Winner: US

Round Three:


UK


US

One cover, like the last one, is gorgeous, and the other one is just horrid. The answer should be obvious.

Winner: US

Disagree with me with any of the covers? Comment telling me which you like best.

When I'm Not Reading #1

I know you are suppost to post this on Thursday, but I wanted to be different, okay?

Well, When I'm Not Reading is a new meme hosted by The Unread Reader. It's a fun new way for followers to get to know their bloggers.

When I am not reading, I am writing my own books. Writing is a big part of my life, and, like reading, I don't know what to do without it. Writing has given we a whole new aspect on life and how I live it. It makes me think that the situations that my characters go through could happen at anytime for me.
I think writing has improved me as a person because I think I care more about these situations more than I did before because the characters (because I always grow to love the people I put in my books) I care about more than some people would think and I really don't want these things to happen to other people because it happened to somebody I loved. (aka My characters.)
I hope that this inspires you non-writers to write because writing is a truley amazing thing.


I probably will not be doing this weekly, but I will try because this is fun!

The Iron King By Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

Released: January 21st, 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Series: The Iron Fey, Book One
Page Amount: 363 Pages

Plot 10/10
Likable Characters 10/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 8/10
Character Development 10/10
Cover 10/10
Setting 10/10
Ending 10/10
Beginning 3/10
=
91%

Plot: I loved the idea for this book. The plot is so unqiue, I have never heard of any book like this one before. Usually I would never read a book with this type of plot, but I have improved myself and I have been reading different kinds of genres other than relistic ficton. I would have never touched this book before.

Likable Characters: Meghan and (espacially) Ethan were very likable. The other characters were likable too, though. Robbie was the epic prankster best friend, but then Ash was the romantic prince that everybody (well, everybody half decent) should swoon over. There were some unlikable characters, like there are in all books, but you get past that part, because they were part of the problem that Meghan has to get over.

Problem Development: The problem developed at a nice pase, which I liked. The problem was introduced at the beggining, and it flowed at just the right pase all throughout the book.

Soullition Effectiveness: I loved the ending, and I just can't wait for The Iron Daughter. Anybody who fell in love with Ethan will love the ending.

Writing Style: Although Kagawa's writing style is not one of my favourites, it wasn't like it wasn't toleretable. Julie describes her setting without it being too boring. It's in depth, amazing, and makes you want to read more. The dialoge was belivable, which I loved, because in some books the dialoge sounds like somthing that a real person would not say in real life.

Character development: Meghan developed as a character so nicely, she became stronger by the end and she was so much different from the small town, farm house girl she was at the beggining of the story. Her experiance that she went through in the Nevernever made her stronger as a person, at least I think.

Cover: This cover is beautiful! It is not the best cover I have seen, but I have to say that it is breathtaking! I love how on the bridge of her nose there are tree branches and they all kind of flow to the crese of her eye. I love the font that The Iron King is written in and overall it is just breathtaking!

Setting: The Nevernever sounds like a beautiful place. From the way Kagawa described it, It sounds like The Cronicles of Narnia, which is kind of cool in a way, even though I hated The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (the only Cronicles of Narnia book I have ever read). But the Nevernever is a more beautiful version Narnia. Instead of witches and fauns, there are fearies and kings.

Ending: The ending was beautiful, and I can not wait for The Iron Daughter! It leaves you hanging, and I can't wait to see what happens to Meghan, Ash, and Robbie!

Beggining: I Hated the beggining of this book. Pure and utter torture if I do say so myself. Although some people may have not thought it was as bad as I thought, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Overall, I have got to say, I am very impressed with this book!

Book Haul! #2

Yes, another book haul! This one is eight books!
I got:

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headly
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
and
Willow by Julia Hoban

I hope these books are good, and if you have read any of them, please let me know if they are good. I have already read the Short Second Life of Bree Tanner and The Iron King, so a review for the Iron King should be up shortly!

Happy Reading!