Headed to Cancun...

Hey all!

The husband and I are headed to Cancun tomorrow for a long weekend, so I will be back with another post on Tuesday! I hope you all enjoy your Memorial day weekend.

<3 Tiffany

That Time I Met Sarah Dessen...

About a week and a half ago, I had the extreme pleasure of going to an event at Half Price Books where I was able to meet Sarah Dessen and have her sign some of my books. This was actually my first official book/author event, and I was so nervously excited the whole week leading up to the event. Sarah Dessen has been one of my favorite authors for a very long time, and I could not believe that I was actually going to get to speak to her. This was something on my bucket list, people! I was so nervous I was going to say something dumb and make a fool of myself, but luckily that did not happen!

The whole event went incredibly smoothly, especially since I was not sure what to expect. They had most of Sarah's books for sale so that you could buy any that you wanted to have signed while she was there. I already had my preordered copy of Saint Anything, but I went ahead and picked up the recently released paperback version of The Moon and More; I have recently decided to re-buy all of her books in the newer paperback copies, and this made for the first one. When you bought your books, you were given a pass that had your number on it which let you know about where you would be in line when the signing began. We got there fairly early, but I was still number 106. My friend, Brenda, agreed to go with me so I wouldn't have to go alone, and it was so great having her there with me! (It gave me someone to fangirl/freak out to without seeming like a complete weirdo!).

When Sarah first arrived, she moved to the front of the room and had a seat on the table at the front so it would not seem as awkward with her sitting in the chair (I sit on the tables/desks all the time when I teach, so it was pretty funny). She shared some fun information about herself, and talked through the process of Saint Anything - the struggles and successes that came along with writing it. Then she read a little bit of the book, which was really amazing. There is something incredible about hearing an author read their own book aloud...or maybe that's just me! Then she took some questions, and answered everyone with such genuine, thought-out responses. You could tell that she really liked talking to her fans and appreciated all of the support. She had great advice for other aspiring writers, and helped me finally get into gear and begin writing myself.

I was incredibly nervous about how it was going to go when it was my turn to have my books signed. I watched several other people go through ahead of me to get an idea of how things were going, but I was so nervous and was super afraid that I was not going to be able to speak when it was my turn! Sarah completely broke the ice by complimenting my outfit and saying she saw me sitting up front earlier. It was nice that she had noticed me when I wasn't even expecting her to! That started a great conversation (though short, of course, she was very busy!), which led to the hug in the picture above. She had a lot of appreciation for the fact that I teach middle school, and that's always a nice thing to hear, especially since it happened to be Teacher Appreciation Week! Overall, it was a completely amazing experience, and Sarah was just as wonderful as I had expected!

This Week's Releases: May 18 - 24

Welcome to This Week's Releases! The new weekly post on Beneath the Jacket Reviews that I will post every Sunday. I am going to discuss the releases of the week that I am super excited about, and why. Some weeks there may be a dozen books, sometimes there may be two or three, and sometimes there may be none at all. That's alright though, since it's just about books I am actually interested in!

May 18 - 24

Another week with a lot of YA books releasing! May seems to be a pretty big month for YA releases, and it does not seem like it is going to slow down anytime soon (I am perfectly okay with that, too!). Here are the books I'm looking forward to this week!

1. Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

Series: N/A

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Page Count: 448

Synopsis: Reality, it turns out, is often not what you perceive it to be—sometimes, there really is someone out to get you. Made You Up tells the story of Alex, a high school senior unable to tell the difference between real life and delusion. This is a compelling and provoking literary debut that will appeal to fans of Wes Anderson, Silver Linings Playbook, and Liar.

Alex fights a daily battle to figure out the difference between reality and delusion. Armed with a take-no-prisoners attitude, her camera, a Magic 8-Ball, and her only ally (her little sister), Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay sane long enough to get into college. She’s pretty optimistic about her chances until classes begin, and she runs into Miles. Didn't she imagine him? Before she knows it, Alex is making friends, going to parties, falling in love, and experiencing all the usual rites of passage for teenagers. But Alex is used to being crazy. She’s not prepared for normal.

Funny, provoking, and ultimately moving, this debut novel featuring the quintessential unreliable narrator will have readers turning the pages and trying to figure out what is real and what is made up.

 2. Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt

Series: Once Upon a Crime Family #1

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Page Count: 400

Synopsis: Penelope Landlow has grown up with the knowledge that almost anything can be bought or sold—including body parts. She’s the daughter of one of the three crime families that control the black market for organ transplants.

Penelope’s surrounded by all the suffocating privilege and protection her family can provide, but they can't protect her from the autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise so easily.

And in her family's line of work no one can be safe forever.

All Penelope has ever wanted is freedom and independence. But when she’s caught in the crossfire as rival families scramble for prominence, she learns that her wishes come with casualties, that betrayal hurts worse than bruises, that love is a risk worth taking . . . and maybe she’s not as fragile as everyone thinks.

 3. A Sense of the Infinite by Hilary T. Smith

Series: N/A

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Page Count: 400

Synopsis: It's senior year of high school, and Annabeth is ready—ready for everything she and her best friend, Noe, have been planning and dreaming. But there are some things Annabeth isn't prepared for, like the constant presence of Noe's new boyfriend. Like how her relationship with her mom is wearing and fraying. And like the way the secret she's been keeping hidden deep inside her for years has started clawing at her insides, making it hard to eat or even breathe.

But most especially, she isn't prepared to lose Noe.

For years, Noe has anchored Annabeth and set their joint path. Now Noe is drifting in another direction, making new plans and dreams that don't involve Annabeth. Without Noe's constant companionship, Annabeth's world begins to crumble. But as a chain of events pulls Annabeth further and further away from Noe, she finds herself closer and closer to discovering who she's really meant to be—with her best friend or without.

Waiting on Wednesday: Made You Up

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The book I am looking forward to currently is Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Synopsis: Reality, it turns out, is often not what you perceive it to be—sometimes, there really is someone out to get you. Made You Up tells the story of Alex, a high school senior unable to tell the difference between real life and delusion. This is a compelling and provoking literary debut that will appeal to fans of Wes Anderson, Silver Linings Playbook, and Liar.

Alex fights a daily battle to figure out the difference between reality and delusion. Armed with a take-no-prisoners attitude, her camera, a Magic 8-Ball, and her only ally (her little sister), Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay sane long enough to get into college. She’s pretty optimistic about her chances until classes begin, and she runs into Miles. Didn't she imagine him? Before she knows it, Alex is making friends, going to parties, falling in love, and experiencing all the usual rites of passage for teenagers. But Alex is used to being crazy. She’s not prepared for normal.

Funny, provoking, and ultimately moving, this debut novel featuring the quintessential unreliable narrator will have readers turning the pages and trying to figure out what is real and what is made up. 

Top Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday! As always, I am linking up over at The Broke and the Bookish, and this week I am talking about the top ten authors I REALLY want to meet. I checked one off my list last week (I will share more about it later this week!), so my top ten list has probably changed a little bit now. I feel like I have done something like this before, but I'm going to do it again anyway. In no particular order, here are the Top Ten Authors I REALLY Want to Meet.

 1. Liz Czukas

Books: Ask Again Later & Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

I read Top Ten Clues You're Clueless earlier this year, and I fell in love with Czukas writing style. The book was so fun and sweet, and I flew through it because I loved her writing. I definitely need to go back and read Ask Again Later as well. Based on the story, I think that it would be amazing to meet Liz Czukas.

2. E.V. Fairfall

Books: Transformed & Sleeping Tom

E.V. is not just a great author, I am blessed to say that she is also a friend. We have been talking back and forth via social media for quite some time now, and I even had the joy of being a beta reader on her latest book, Sleeping Tom. It would be so amazing to be able to meet her in person, and I do hope to in the future!

3. Heather Hildenbrand

Books: A Risk Worth Taking, Imitation, Deviation, & MANY others

I have read several of Heather's books now for blog tours and enjoyment, and there has not been a single one that I have not enjoyed. Her writing is fantastic and always so interesting and exciting to read. I am also in a Facebook group for her, and she seems like such an amazing person. It would be awesome to meet her.

4. Veronica Roth

Books: The Divergent Series

I am sure that Roth is probably going to show up on a lot of these lists, but I did have to add her. I think that she is an incredible writer, and I was quite pleased with the character arc and full circle she took her series and characters through. Along with that, she seems like such an awesome person from the interviews and videos I have seen her in. I bet she would be so fun to talk to!

5. John Green

Books: The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, Etc.

I am sure that John Green will be on a ton of lists today as well, but I just had to add him. Aside from the HP series, TFIOS is the only book that I have re-read at this point. Not just once either, but MANY times. His writing is so beautiful and thought-provoking, and from watching his YouTube videos I know it would be awesome to meet him.

6. Ruth Silver 

Books: Aberrant Series, Orenda, & More

Ruth Silver seems like such an awesome person. I have read a couple of her books, and even have them signed from her, which is always awesome! Her writing is fantastic, she has her own blog that I love to follow along, and she leaves comments on other blogs as well. Overall, she seems like an awesome person, so it would be great to meet her!

7. Sara Raasch

Books: Snow Like Ashes Series

I read SLA earlier this year, and it was AMAZING. One of the best books I have read so far this year. Then I contacted Sara via Twitter about doing an Author Spotlight on the blog, and she was amazing about all of it. She seems so easy to talk to, and her writing is absolutely beautiful. Obviously it would be amazing to meet her.

 8. Katherine Ewell

Books: Dear Killer

Dear Killer was my favorite book of 2014, I cannot get over how original the story was, and how beautiful the writing. It's also amazing that Katherine Ewell was eighteen when the book was published - incredible. I think it would be amazing to meet her, though I am sure I would feel so inadequate because she is younger than me and has an amazing book published!

9. Susan Dennard

Books: Something Strange and Deadly Series & Truthwitch 

I am going to be honest, I actually have not read any of Dennard's books YET. However, I do follow her newsletter, and I am constantly reading her writing advice on her blog as I continue doing my own novel writing. She gives such wonderful advice, and has a wonderful sense of humor in her advice, so I am sure it would be amazing to meet her.

10. J.K. Rowling

Books: Harry Potter Series & MUCH More

Of course, I could not do one of these lists without adding Rowling to the list. It would be so, SO amazing to be able to meet and talk to her in person. I am sure that tons of people feel the same way because she is so amazing. A girl can dream, right?

Which authors do you REALLY want to meet?