Zac and Mia Archives - Angel Reads

Top Ten Beach Reads

May 31, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. All bloggers are then welcomed to join. This week’s topic is: Top Ten Beach Reads.

I love summer it’s my favourite time of year. I love going to the beach, swimming, laying on the sand and reading. But sadly, winter is coming to Australia, well I think it’s already here. It’s quite cold at the moment and all I want is to feel the sun on my skin.

So here are some of my favourite beach reads. As you will see most of them are contemporary, but when I think beach reads, I think contemporary books.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick: I loved this book so much. It’s full of romance, family, and friendship. It will take you on a journey that you want to keep on riding.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson: loved The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. It is a tale of friendship, family, love and unexpected adventures that all feels real. The Unexpected Everything is for every author, book lover and reader alike. It’s a beautiful story of friendship, heartbreak and family | Full Review

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson: Since You’ve Been Gone is a book about self-discovery, growing, and changing. It’s about taking chances and making new friends. It’s simply a fun summer, cuteness overload read. The friendships are beautiful, with a hint of an adorable romance | Full Review

Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway: Emmy & Oliver is full of feels. It will take you on a journey that makes you laugh and cry. You will want to hold both Emmy and Oliver in your arms and you will want a friendship that they have within their groups of friends. Emmy & Oliver is honest, real and bittersweet. It tells an important story of growing up, friendship and family | Full Review

How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss: How Not To Disappear is an emotional, gripping read that both, warms your heart and rips it out. It’s about family and motherhood through generations and what it is like to love | Full Review

The Thing’s I Didn’t Say by Kylie Fornasier: The Things I Didn’t Say is a gorgeous novel that breaks you down. It pulls at your heart and slowly rips it. With beautiful writing and a slow burning romance that starts off quick, but takes it’s time | Full Review

The Natural History of Us by Rachel Harris: Overall, The Natural History of Us tells us a story of how two people that have been torn apart can be brought back together. With writing that is captivating, a story line that is intriguing and characters that you want to be friends with | Full Review

Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar: Summer Skin is not for the faint hearted, be prepared for a sexy, slow burning love full of passion and secrets. Summer Skin deals not only with young men taking advantage of women, but how women can act differently to it. It shows us that people hide behind fronts not only to keep themselves safe, but others as well | Full Review

On the Fence by Kasie West: On the Fence is a book of self-discovery, love, friendship and family. The tale of a girl becoming a ‘girl’, finding love and friendship. On the Fence is mesmerizing, moving and funny.

Zac and Mia by A.J Betts: Zac and Mia is heartbreaking, uplifting and moving. The adventures of finding out what life really is and what your life is worth is explored throughout Zac and Mia.

That’s it for today’s Top Ten Tuesdays. What are your beach reads? Do we share any? Let’s Chat!

I love talking so talk to me over on my twitter @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram, tumblr and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email

#LoveOZYA Interview: A.J. Betts

May 27, 2016

I love Aussie YA. I love reading books from authors that live in the same country as me, that know things that people out of Australia might be so confused about. I love how sometimes they can incorporate this into their book and it is fabulous.

So in saying that, I have decided to start a new feature on Angel Reads spotlighting Australian YA Authors. Each Friday for the next couple of months, I am going to interview an OZYA Author. I thought it would be a fun way to share my love for Australian Young Adult authors with not only fellow Aussies, but everyone around the world. I want more Australian YA books to be read, because they are amazing.

First week I interview Sarah Ayoub, then Fleur Ferris, followed by Will Kostakis, then Shivaun Plozza, and Gabrielle Tozer, followed by Jay Kristoff, then Kylie Fornasier. This week we have A.J Betts author of Shutterspeed (2008, Fremantle Press), Wavelength (2010, Fremantle Press) and Zac and Mia (2013, Text Publishing).

Hi AJ Betts, and welcome to Angel Reads. First can you introduce yourself to everyone? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi there. I’m an author and teacher who lives in Perth. I love cycling, travelling, bushwalking and living by the sea.

What has your writing journey been like? Where did you start? Why?

Writing was always a passion of mine. As a young adult, my main interest was poetry, and I had a number of poems published in my early twenties. My first novel, Shutterspeed, evolved out of a short story I’d been working on. I had the idea in 2000, and it was published in 2008.

What was the process of getting your first book published?

I entered Shutterspeed into a major writing competition, which I received excellent feedback and encouragement from. On the judges’ advice, I sent the manuscript to Fremantle Press, and it was fortunately picked up by them. I guess my story is quite straightforward and positive, compared to most

Was it different when getting your next books published?

Every book has a different process, in terms of writing and publication. My next novel, Wavelength, was also sent to Fremantle Press. My third, Zac & Mia, was entered in the Text Prize as an unpublished manuscript. I’ve never been contracted to write work, and I don’t want to. I still prefer to write independently and privately, then seek the best avenue for the manuscript. While it may be easier to be published now (as a previously-published author) I think the process is equally tough. Each novel should be viewed as a complete work in the best version it can be, rather than an extension of a writer’s oeuvre.

What was the difference between getting your books published here in Australia and internationally?

They’re very different, and I have less power/involvement in the publishing process overseas (as it’s handled by my rights manger at Text Publishing). Every country makes their own choices about their intended market, and will package the novel accordingly, including some alterations to the manuscript.

You are an OZYA author, what are some of your favourite Aussie YA books?

At the moment, anything by Fiona Wood, Vikki Wakefield, Julia Lawrinson and Cath Crowley.

I have read Zac and Mia and really loved it. You can find A.J. Betts at @a_j_betts on Twitter, ajbetts.com and you can add her books to your goodreads.

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts

Pages: 310
Publish date: July 24th 2013
Publisher: Text Publishing
ISBN: 9781922147257
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – Dymocks

“When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics.”

So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can’t forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.

***

Thank you A.J. for joining me at Angel Reads. That is it for this week’s #LoveOZYA Interview. What did you think of A.J and her books?

Come back next week for some more Aussie fun. If you want to know more about the #LoveOZYA movement check out the website for all the details.

Mini Book Reviews: Reboots, Dilemma’s and Adventures

Dec 16, 2014

So I decided to do a couple of mini reviews as I do have a lot of books to review and this minimises the amount of normal book reviews posts so that it’s not all book reviews that you read.

Reboot by Amy Tintera

Pages:384
Publish date:June 2013 (Aus)
Publisher:Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781743315507
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Reboot:

I was sent a copy of Reboot by Amy Tintera from Allen and Unwin. This is no way las influenced my review.

Let’s just say that I have been recommended this book so many times and I have, wanted to ever since I heard about it, I just never seemed to find it in the shops and never brought it online so when I was sent Reboot from Allen and Unwin. I nearly screamed the house down.

All I can say about Reboot is wow. I adored this book. As soon as I picked it up it did not leave my hands it was just so addicting. Wren was a really thought-provoking character to read and have an insight about. It’s not every day that you are in the mind of someone who has died, come back to life and is now killing machine.

I loved reading into her mind, reading how she was feeling was something very different because of whom she has become. Nevertheless the one thing that I loved the most was reading her journey. She went from a person that came back to life after 178 minutes to now someone that can think and feel like a human again.

‘I laughed and utter delight danced across his face, like he hadn’t been sure that the statement was true.’ – page 202

Wren is now a trainer, training new reboots to become warriors just like her, all her years have been adequate up until she picks Callum whom is a 22. He is still very human and man did I adored his character. When reading you are able to witness Callum through Wren and it’s unusual and very unlike other relationships in books. Possibly because she doesn’t have many human emotions but Callum is practically still human.

I loved the connection between Wren and Callum in Reboot. Their relationship is very different from what I have read before which is refreshing and intriguing. Wren trying to hold in her feelings while trying to stop Callum from disobeying. It’s something so different but pulls at the heart strings.

The writing style of Tintera is simple yet very heaving and emotionally driven. Reboot is original, refreshing and unbelievably amazing. The world that Tintera created is mesmerizing and so intriguing. There was twists and turns all over the place but that is what made the book that much more exciting.

The Rapunzel Dilemma by Jennifer Kloester

Pages:318(ebook)
Publish date:27 August 2014
Publisher:Penguin Australia
ISBN: 1743484100
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Lily’s had a charmed life so far, and now she’s off to London to pursue her dream of becoming a great actor. But life at the London Drama Academy is full of surprises – and for the first time, Lily finds that things don’t always go her way.

It’s not just the other students who are making life difficult. Lily’s got a secret she’s not sure how to handle, but she finds that a room in one of the Academy’s deserted towers makes a perfect refuge. Lily can’t stay locked in the tower forever, though. And when she meets the mysterious Ronan Carver, everything starts to change . . .

The Rapunzel Dilemma:

I received an e-copy of The Rapunzel Dilemma by Jennifer Kloester from Penguin Australia in exchange for a review this is no way has influenced my thoughts about what I have read.

I really relished in reading The Rapunzel Dilemma but I didn’t loved it as much as I enjoyed reading The Cinderella moment simply because I didn’t really like Lily our main character.

Lily, just moved into her new school, the London Drama Academy but it’s not what she expected it to be. Lily has practically gotten everything she wanted in life but now she has to make decision that she never thought would have any choice in including the decision that might force her family to fall apart or worse herself.

Lily is well a little naïve I guess. She just didn’t understand how and why some people didn’t like her, why things didn’t go her way and I understand that she is this way because of her life but after it kept on happening and happening it got me so angry and frustrated. I wanted to jump in the book, slap her across the cheek and give her a reality check.

Furthermore other than my little dislike for Lily, The Rapunzel Dilemma is a stunning read. Jennifer Kloester is an amazing writer that is gifted in capturing the reader, pulling them in and she doesn’t let them go until the end, even then it’s hard to let the story go. It’s beautiful, and mesmerizing.

Again Kloester knows how to capture the audience and I love that her characters are very different from each other, some I wanted to strangle, some I wanted to hug and kiss all day. There is something there for everyone.

If you loved The Cinderella Moment then you are going to love The Rapunzel Dilemma. And if you haven’t read anything for Jennifer Kloester yet, then get onto it.

Zac and Mia by A.J Betts

Pages:304 ebook)
Publish date:September 2nd 2014
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group
ISBN: 0544453271
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

The last person Zac expects in the room next door is a girl like Mia, angry and feisty with questionable taste in music. In the real world, he wouldn’t—couldn’t—be friends with her. In hospital different rules apply, and what begins as a knock on the wall leads to a note—then a friendship neither of them sees coming.

You need courage to be in hospital; different courage to be back in the real world. In one of these worlds Zac needs Mia. And in the other Mia needs Zac. Or maybe they both need each other, always.

Zac and Mia:

I received an e-copy of Zac and Mia by A.J Betts from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group in exchange for an honest review. This is no way has influenced my opinion on the book.

Zac and Mia is an absolutely stunning and heart gripping novel that will pull your heart into pieces. Zac and Mia is not your typical YA novel. There is something about it that separates it from other novels that I have read before. I cannot really pick what it is but it just makes the novel so much better.

Zac’s very witty and in saying that I would love to have him as a best friend, there is something about his character that always put a smile on my face. Zac has a beautiful nature and it complements Mia’s wild and most of the time irritating characteristics. Mia is an interesting character, she is well, very immature and selfish but I cannot really blame her, with everything that has happened in her life furthermore everything happening in her life in the moments of the book.

I’m the least brave of everyone. I never signed up for this war. Leukaemia conscripted me, the fucker

I don’t know how many times I shed tears for both Zac and Mia, the way that Zac is unconditionally loving and would do pretty much anything for everyone else. The friendship that builds between these two is absolutely beautiful.

A.J Betts is a remarkable writer that is able to capture so many emotions. The character development of both Zac and Mia is something. The reader is able to see and understand both Zac and Mia changing and some of it for the better.

Zac and Mia is heartbreaking, uplifting and moving. The adventures of finding out what life really is and what your life is worth is explored throughout Zac and Mia. Both Zac and Mia are both incredibly young but have been so much and A.J Betts understand and does this so well.