Favorites: August Releases

Favorites is a weekly feature where I will share my favorite books that fall under a chosen category.  


 Today’s favorites are my favorite August releases. I’ve only read 6 August release (so far) and I picked my top 3 out of those 6.

3. Taste Test by Kelly Fiore 

Release Date:8/27/13

Genre:YA Contemporary

My Rating: 5 stars

Received From: Walker Childrens for my honest opinion.

Summary:  

If you can grill it, smoke it, or fry it, Nora Henderson knows all about it. She’s been basting baby back ribs and pulling pork at her father’s barbeque joint since she was tall enough to reach the counter. When she’s accepted to Taste Test, a reality-television teen cooking competition, Nora can’t wait to leave her humble hometown behind, even if it means saying good-bye to her dad and her best friend, Billy. Once she’s on set, run-ins with her high-society roommate and the maddeningly handsome—not to mention talented—son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, mean Nora must work even harder to prove herself. But as mysterious accidents plague the kitchen arena, protecting her heart from one annoyingly charming fellow contestant in particular becomes the least of her concerns. Someone is conducting real-life eliminations, and if Nora doesn’t figure out who, she could be next to get chopped for good. With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

Why:

I loved Taste Test so much! It is such an original book, I’ve never even heard about another YA book about a food competition TV show. I like food competition TV shows, so reading a book about one with teens around my age in the competition was extremely fun. I also highly enjoyed all of the characters. Original and fun storyline plus great characters makes Taste Test my third favorite August release.

2. Infinityglass (Hourglass, #3) by Mrya McEntire

Release Date:8/6/13

Genre:YA Time Travel

My Rating: 5 stars

Received From: EgmontUSA for my honest opinion.

Summary:  

No time like the present. No time in the present. No time left. From the moment the Hourglass group violated the rules of the space time continuum to rescue a murdered loved one, time has been in flux. People from other centuries slide into our time, intruding into our space, threatening our world. Frantically seeking a way to turn back this tide, the Hourglass begins a search for the legendary Infinityglass, tracking it to the city of New Orleans, a place where the past rests easily with the present. Quiet, reliable Dune, the group's favorite geek, is selected to travel to the Crescent City and somehow retrieve the renowned object. But there's a problem. Because the Infinityglass is not an object, it's a person. A beautiful, headstrong dancer named Hallie, a girl so enticing Dune can't take his eyes off her. And time is not on her side.

Why:

I love the Hourglass series so much. I think this is the last book (but I’m not sure, the end of the book made it seem that way but I haven’t heard anything) in the series and I’m sad to see it go but Infinityglass is a great end to this series. I love the characters in this series and they didn’t disappoint in this book. It is in the point of views of Dune and the Infinityglass (Hallie); I loved Hallie and reading from her point of view so much and I loved reading from Dune’s point of view.  Great ending to a great series plus always amazing characters makes Infinityglass my second favorite August release.

1. Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young

Release Date:8/27/13

Genre:YA Contemporary / Ya Parallel Universes

My Rating: 5 stars

Received From: Simon Pulse for my honest opinion via edelweiss.

Summary:  

Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life. The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both. Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted. Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...

Why:

I loved Just Like Fate so very much! The storyline is mind-blowing, beautiful, and highly entertaining. I loved the great message this book holds. I loved Caroline so much; she is really relatable and extremely enjoyable to read about.  A beautiful and meaningful storyline with a message plus an extremely lovable main character makes Just Like Fate my favorite August release!

Comment on this post to help me come up with categories to do favorites on next week and in the future. Remember, I will give the person who comes up with the category I use credit on the post I use their idea on.