Tuesday, March 31, 2015

RELEASE DAY FOR - BETWEEN NOW & NEVER BY LAURA JOHNSTON - YAY!!!!

I am so excited to be part of this RELEASE DAY Post.  Laura is a fantastic author, and this book was so, so good.  My review can be found here, but you should go buy a copy for yourself, so you can enjoy it in full.


Contemporary YA Clean Romance


Now available on 
and other online retailers.



A convict’s daughter should never fall for an FBI agent’s son, certainly not a feisty teenager like Julianna Schultz who is furious over her mother’s incarceration and the injustice of it all. But that’s exactly what seventeen-year-old Julianna finds herself doing when Cody Rush, the cocky son of the FBI agent who put her mom behind bars, moves into her hometown of Gilbert, Arizona.




Cody Rush—studious, principled, athletic, good looking and blond to boot—is everything Julianna hates, or so she thinks. Yet a series of ill-fated events one night brings them dangerously close, entangling the futures of two people who were never meant to be…







Excerpt—Photo Booth

JULIANNA

We listen to the monotone voice reel off instructions. Four pictures. A light will flash before each picture is taken. Etcetera. How I ended up in this position I’m not sure. We both sit, staring at our reflections on the dark plastic and, no doubt, both stuck on the same thought that crosses everyone’s mind when they’re on this seat.
“Quick,” I say, “what should we do?”
A flash of light. Picture one down. Both of our mouths were hanging open, blank stares straight ahead.
We burst into laughter and can’t stop. A second flash. Picture number two: both of us laughing.
Our gazes meet and we pull ourselves together, his eyes never veering from mine. He leans toward me, coming halfway before pausing, his eyes seeking permission. I regard him with equal parts terror and anticipation, the intimacy of the situation whispering a thrill. He closes the distance between us and glides his nose through my hair. My heart rattles around as though this is the first boy I’ve ever been close to.
“Now smile,” he whispers into my ear. Even if I should be creeped out, forget it. My cheeks burn despite myself and I feel the corners of my lips tugging upward. A flash of light signals the third picture and I am totally seduced.

About the Author


Laura Johnston lives in Utah with her husband and three children. Growing up with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. She fell in love with the young adult genre both through her experience in high school as well as her job later as a high school teacher. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, traveling, writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids.


About Writing BETWEEN NOW & NEVER

My husband was a special agent for five years, and while I’m sure he would have loved it if I’d written an intense thriller about Special Agent Johnston thanks to all of his crazy stories (sorry, babe…maybe someday!), I wrote a romance instead.
The convict’s daughter and the FBI agent’s son—I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t resist.
Soon, characters began taking shape. And then a certain photo booth scene that had been on my mind for years came back to me. For so long, I couldn’t shake the image of two strangers meeting in the mall at a photo booth. I frequently wondered why I couldn’t stop thinking about these two mysterious people.
The two characters now had a face, a name.
Julianna, the convict's daughter; Cody, the FBI agent's son.
Julianna doesn't realize who Cody is at first. Yet he does—Cody knows who she is, knows his dad put her mom behind bars. And he's into her. And Julianna is into him. However, Cody knows it won't last...as soon as she figures out who he is.
Add to all of this the fact that Cody knows Julianna is in danger and we have their first meeting, near a photo booth, right after Julianna gets off work at the mall.
Their story was something else to write, and I’m so excited to see it in print!


Be sure to add BETWEEN NOW & NEVER to your to-read list on Goodreads and get your print or eBopy copy on AmazonBarnes & NobleKensington PublishingKobo, or select other online retailers.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Last one - TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TBR PILE - THE MISSING: BOOK 1 - FOUND BY MARGARET PETERSON HADDIX




1675216
pic and description taken from Goodreads



DESCRIPTION:

Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known that he was adopted, and he's never thought it was any big deal. Then he and a new friend, Chip, who's also adopted, begin receiving mysterious letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you."
Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister, Katherine, are plunged into a mystery that involves the FBI, a vast smuggling operation, an airplane that appeared out of nowhere -- and people who seem to appear and disappear at will. The kids discover they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for Jonah and Chip's lives.
Do Jonah and Chip have any choice in the matter? And what should they choose when both alternatives are horrifying?
With Found, Margaret Peterson Haddix begins a new series that promises to be every bit as suspenseful as her Shadow Children series -- which has sold more than 41/2 million copies -- and proves her, once again, to be a master of the page-turner.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:
My son and I have been reading this book together for some time.  He doesn't usually like for me to read too much to him at once, but today he wanted to finish the book with me.  It was so much fun.
I love it when I find a book that my son will read with me.  He is 10 and hates, hates, hates reading.  He has Dyslexia, so reading for him is not very much fun.  He does however like to be read to.  Most of the time.  I love him.  I love that he will let me read with him.
This was such a fun book to read together.  It is exciting and mysterious.  The characters are so great.  They are young enough that my son can kind of relate to them.  
The idea behind the book is absolutely fascinating.  I cannot imagine finding out that I was from the past.  That I was most likely royalty from the past.  Time warps.  Time travel.  Mysterious people popping in and out of time.  The FBI.   There was so much adventure.  Especially for teenagers :).  
This is a great book for young kids and middle grade, and hey lets face it adults also.  I loved it :).  
Jonah, Chip, and Katherine were a fun trio to follow.   I love Katherine's snarky personality.  She was not going to let the boys get away with doing anything without her.  
I love that Jonah and Chip take it upon themselves to solve the mystery behind their adoptions.  The journey we take with them, is exciting, and mysterious.  I am glad I got to go on this adventure with them.  I am anxious to see where the next book takes us.

MY RATING:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Margaret Peterson Haddix
pic and bio taken from Goodreads


Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois. 

She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of TimeDon’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. DunphreyLeaving FishersJust EllaTurnaboutTakeoffs and LandingsThe Girl with 500 Middle NamesBecause of AnyaEscape from MemorySay What?The House on the GulfDouble Identity;Dexter the ToughUprisingPalace of MirrorsClaim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missingseries. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.


Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.




TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TBR PILE - IGNITE ME BY TAHEREH MAFI

THANKS SO MUCH TO KIM @ CAFFEINATED BOOK REVIEWER
for this awesome challenge.  It was so much fun.  I you don't follow her blog you should because she is awesome!!!!


13188676
pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.


MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:
*** probably spoilers if you haven't read this series yet! ***

I cannot even begin to say fabulous this conclusion was.  I am always so scared when I read a series, that the end won't be what I "expected" it to be and will ruin the whole series for me.  I am soooo happy that didn't happen in this book!  It was just as fabulous as the rest of the series.  

There was so much more discovery, action, and passion in this book. 

Juliette is woman hear here roar.  That is all I could think in this book.  She finally found herself and became comfortable enough with who she was, that she was able to earn the respect she so desperately wanted, needed, and most definitely deserved.  

Kenji, Oh, Kenji.  I love him.  I am saddened that she and Juliette didn't end up together, but I like how it ended so it's all good.  He just was one of my favorite characters throughout the whole book.  He had a foul mouth, but he was quick, and witty, and just plain funny.  He was such a great character.  Hands down my favorite.  I know it's not suppose to be that way, but he was.  He was the most entertaining to read :).  He made me laugh through the whole book.

Adam....well lets just say he didn't end up being the man I thought he would be.  I was very disappointed in him.  Although he loved his brother and I loved their relationship, I hate how he treated Juliette.  He had more PMS in this book than any woman could ever have.  It was a bit annoying.  I always say though that any emotion a character can make me feel is great.  hehe

Warner....Well, I love him.  I really didn't know what to think of him in the other books, but he really came to life in this book.   He is such a beautifully, damaged man.  Yet, he finds away to connect with Juliette and the others, and his true character comes out in this final battle.  

The excitement throughout this book was awesome.  It was so hard to put down, because there was always something happening.

The ending battle int his book was FAN FREAKING TASTIC!  I was in the middle of reading it and my phone rang, and my door bell rang, and I ignored both because it was to intense to quit.  So, if you were the one knocking or calling sorry.  Don't get in the middle of me and my books :).  hehe

Such a great series.  I loved every minute of it.  It was exciting, and had romance to boot.  There is always time for love :).  Especially when two volatile people collide and make something wonderful.

So good.  I could go on and on and on, but I know I have already given some stuff away.  LOVED. IT!

Source:  I bought this series for my self.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:



WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tahereh Mafi
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. 
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.


Saturday, March 28, 2015

NOVELLA REVIEW - FRACTURE ME BY TAHEREH MAFI



17331518
pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Timesbestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel MeFracture Me is told from Adam's perspective.

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother Jame's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

Fracture Me sets the stage for Ignite Me, the explosive finale in Tahereh Mafi's epic dystopian series. It's a novella not to be missed by fans who crave action-packed stories with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu.
 


MY (mini) REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I knew  I loved Adam from the very beginning.  This little novella proves to me why I love him so much.  In the midst of all that is happening he is face with the reality that he may loose his brother.

I do not fault Adam for any of his feelings.  He has been through the ringer.  When he finally questions his loyalty to Juliette, I have to admit I am a little relieved.  Juliette is kind of playing with his emotions, and I don't like it when girls do that.  Like ever.  In books or in life.

I do love that Juliette has realized how much she cares for Kenji.  I love his snarky personality.  He is also one of my favorites.  

I am hoping.  Like really hoping (I know it's not going to happen, but I am hoping) that Juliette ends up with Kenji.  I like him far better than both Warner and Adam.  Maybe because he is so snarky.  I like snarky :).

This was an exciting novella.  I have said this before novellas are not my favorite, but I really did enjoy reading both of them for this series.  It's nice to get behind the other characters.

MY RATING:


WHERE TO BUY:

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tahereh Mafi
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. 
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.


Friday, March 27, 2015

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TBR PILE - UNRAVEL ME BY TAHEREH MAFI



13104080
pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:
*** may be spoilers, I will try hard not to, but just a heads up! ***

I cannot even tell you how much I am loving this series.  Each book gets better and better.  Including the Novellas, and I am not a novella fan.  

This book was so exciting.  Everyone is learning more about themselves, and how to harness their energy.  It's awesome.  

Warner might be human.  Might.  I still have not decided for sure, but he showed some heart in this book.  He almost made me like him, and then right after, he does something stupid to make me wonder again.  He is one messed up dude.  I know it is because of how he was raised, but dang.  Messed up.  His father Anderson, is a piece of work.  Serious piece of work.

Then BAM......Plot twist.  Brothers.  Really.  UGH!  Sorry if you are reading and didn't know this.  I told you I might spoil something.  I cannot believe Warner and Adam are brothers.  Seriously.  Both raised by that crazy, horrible man Anderson.  

I don't know if I want Warner to ever know.  Maybe he will make different choices.  Maybe not.  I don't want to know.  I don't want to see Warner be any more inhumane than he already is.  I don't want Adam to fall into some kind of sick feeling of loyalty towards a brother he never knew he had, who is not a nice person.

Juliette.  This poor girl cannot catch a break.  My heart aches for her...Sometimes.  In this book her wishy washy, love triangle is annoying.  I hate love triangles.  Hate them.  Having said that, the book is still so super fantastic, I can't help it.  Her abilities are growing every day, and she is becoming more confident.  Thank heavens.  I want her to be a force to be reckoned with!

The action was awesome.  I cannot wait to read the next novella, and the next book.  I hope it continues to get better :).

Such a great series!  I am in love with Mafi's writing :)!

MY RATING:



WHERE TO BUY:

  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tahereh Mafi
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste.
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TBR PILE - REVIEW FOR - SHADOW OF NIGHT BY DEBORAH HARKNESS

 I am loving this challenge :)



11559200
pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTIONS:

Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library,she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realize that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782, and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...
 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

*** (may be spoilers if you haven't read the first book in the series) ***

I have been listening to this series for a while.  I usually have more time to listen but this whole month has been a little out of whack.

I love this story.  LOVE IT.  This book was just as good as the first book, and maybe even a little better.  There is so much more going on.  Diana is becoming more familiar with her abilities.

I love the fact that they are traveling in the past.  Could you imagine what it would be like to talk to people like Einstein and Shakespeare.  Seeing things in the process of being invented.  I would love every minute of it.  Every minute.

Matthew is so fabulous.  I laugh at the way Diana and Matthew talk to each other.  I love that Matthew thinks he has some kind of control over Diana, and I love even more that Diana never really lets him tell her what to do.  It's so fun to read...So fun.

There are so many things working against Diana and Matthew, yet they persevere.  There are so many fantastic characters in these books.
I love all the action, and mystery in these books.  I cannot wait to finish the series.  I want all things to work out for Matthew and Diana.  There are so many things going on and they are bound to come to a head soon, and I cannot wait for it.

This is such a fantastic series.

MY RATING:


WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deborah Harkness
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

My life has been a series of left turns that nevertheless took me in the right direction (though it didn't always seem so at the time). I went to college to be a theater major and ended up studying the Renaissance. I went to grad school to become a college administrator and loved to teach so much I became a college professor instead. I thought I wanted to be a Tudor-Stuart historian, and found myself a historian of science. I started blogging because a friend needed help on a project in 2006 and am still blogging about wine today. I started writing a novel in the fall of 2008, and it became a New York Times Bestseller in February 2011: A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES. The second volume in the All Souls Trilogy, SHADOW OF NIGHT, came out in July 2012 and debuted at #1 on the NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller's List. What's next? The final volume of the trilogy, of course: THE BOOK OF LIFE, coming July 15 2014 to the US, UK, Canada, and Republic of Ireland.





Monday, March 23, 2015

REVIEW - DESTROY ME BY TAHEREH MAFI

13623150
pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me,Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
 


MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Ugh, what to think now?  Warner.  Is still don't think I like him, but now I don't know if he's ALL bad or not.  We meet Warner's father the leader of the Reestablishment and dang, he is the devil.  

I love reading from the bad guys point of view.  I know, kind of twisted, but I love reading about how and why they became the way they are.  There is always something behind their behaviors.  Well, with Warner's father in the picture we learn a lot about why Warner is the way he is.

We also learn that Warner kind of has a heart.  I wish I could say I know for sure, but I just can't yet.  I loved reading Warner's side of the story though.  I think Warner might have had good intentions regarding Juliette.  Warner's father on the other hand....

I really enjoyed reading this side of the story.  I love the insight it gave into Warner's mind.  I think I have a better understanding of why he is the way he is.  I cannot wait for the next book.....

That is all I am going to say because I probably already gave something away.  Oops, if I did ;).

Source:  I bought this series for my self.  I have not been compensated in any way for my review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:


WHERE TO BUY:

  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tahereh Mafi
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. 
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.


Saturday, March 21, 2015

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TBR PILE - SHATTER ME BY TAHEREH MAFI


pic taken from Amazon and description taken from Goodreads


DESCRIPTION:

I have a curse
I have a gift

I am a monster
I'm more than human

My touch is lethal
My touch is power

I am their weapon
I will fight back

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
 


MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Okay, I have been wanting to read this series for a long time, and finally got the opportunity.  I devoted a whole month to only reading book on my TBR pile.  Unfortunately other things happened this month that have made it impossible to read.  Now, I am now on my third book (I think) and it has been so much fun.  I love reading my review books, but I really, really love reading my TBR pile :).

This book was so good.  I love reading about people with "powers".  I always think "what would I do with those powers".  I don't think I would like Juliette's power though.  I love to be able to hug my kids, and my husband.  Not being able to touch anyone would be horrible.  

Juliette has been locked away for 264 days with no contact with anyone until a random night when a boy ends up in her cell/room.  Adam.  What to say about Adam.  I loved him.  Loved him.  I didn't know if I would at the beginning, but as the book went on he grew on me.  

Juliette is taken to a man who wants to use her for her abilities.  Warner.  What do I have to say about Warner.  Well he is not my favorite person.  He is a wonderful bad guy though.    He is definitely one of those characters I love to hate.  He wants to use Juliette's power to defeat his enemies.

Adam and Juliette have different plans.  Really, the story is so great.  I love the world building, and characters.  I really felt like I was in the book with Juliette.  The way Juliette describes her world, made me feel the pain she was going through with her.  The writing is just beautiful.

I cannot wait to read the next book.  Although I am doing the novella because I am reading them in order (or order according to Goodreads.).  I really am so excited to find out if Juliette and Adam join the fight against Warner and his people.  

Source:  I bought this book for my self.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:


WHERE TO BUY:

   


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tahereh Mafi
pic and  bio taken from Goodreads

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. 
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.