Waiting on Wednesday (June 12, 2011)

We are starting something different this week with our Waiting on Wednesday picks. For the summer the three of us will be choosing YA titles from some of next year's crop of up-and-coming titles. Many of these titles can be found at the blog, The Apocalypsies, or on this Goodreads list. (We also want to send a shout-out to author Kimberly Sabatini, also a member of The Apocalypsies, for the heads up post on her blog.) This week's first WOW pick is a contemporary YA novel with a head turning cover, Breaking Beautiful, by Jennifer Shaw Wolf.

Here's the blurb: Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a tragic car accident—including her memory of the event. All she has left are the scars and a sneaking suspicion that the crash wasn’t an accident after all. When the police reopen the investigation, it quickly turns on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around their small town.

As the threats begin and the survivor’s guilt sets in, Allie’s memories collide with a dark secret about Trip she’s kept for too long. Caught somewhere between her past and her future, Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? (from Goodreads)

Sounds mysterious, heartbreaking, and the cover definitely intrigues me. What is the story behind those red shoes and what's the deal with the water? Hm, we'll have to wait until next April. Breaking Beautiful will be published on April 24, 2012 by Walker & Company. For more on Jennifer Shaw Wolf, go to her website.

Our second WOW pick is Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood.

The blurb: Cate Cahill and her sisters are considered eccentric bluestockings—a little odd, a little unfashionable, and far too educated for their own good. The truth is more complicated; they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it could mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before their mother died, she entrusted Cate with keeping them safe and keeping everyone, including their father, in the dark about their powers. When her father employs a governess and Cate begins to receive notes from her missing, presumed-mad godmother, her task becomes much more difficult. 


As Cate searches for answers in banned books and rebellious new friends, she must juggle unwanted proposals, tea parties, and an illicit attraction to the new gardener. Cate will do anything to protect her sisters, but at what cost to herself? (from Goodreads)

There can never be enough witch stories and this one involves priests, prison ships, and romance. And even though we've seen poses like this one on other covers, this cover still rocks. We like the placement of the flowers, the typeface for the title, and the model's eyes are conveying something to us--we just need to break the spine to discover what it is. We are so there! Born Wicked has an expected publication date of February 7, 2012. For more on Jessica Spotswood, go to her website.


And our third WOW pick is Katana by Cole Gibsen.

The blurb: Seventeen-year-old Rileigh Martin wanted to spend her summer hanging out with friends, shopping, and working at a hair salon...too bad fighting ninja is a full time job in itself. (from Goodreads)

What a cool cover and the book definitely has a unique story line to it and a colorful cover. We're liking the pose with the swords and the thigh-high boots. Sounds like a fun read. Katana has an expected publication date of March 8, 2012 (Flux Books). Go here for more on Cole Gibsen.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

This year is full of great titles and 2012 promises to be a repeat of excellence. If only there were more hours in each day to read! Now that you know what we're looking forward to reading in the future, what's your pick?