Anna Carey Recommends + Giveaway

Thu, July 5, 2012

Anna Carey Recommends + Giveaway

Note: Today, I’m letting another Anna run the show. Please welcome Anna Carey, author of The Eve Trilogy and one of the loveliest authors I know, as she shares her recommendations and gives you a chance to win her series. And trust me, YOU WANT TO READ THESE BOOKS. — Anna

I just finished Rise, the third and final book in The Eve Trilogy. The greatest thing about ending one series and starting another is the time you have to relax, reflect, and take in all the culture you’ve missed while you’ve been writing away. Here are a few of my favorite books, movies, and music. Some are old favorites, others I’ve just discovered. All of them have served to inspire.

Books

I can’t get enough survival stories. I’m a recovering I Shouldn’t Be Alive addict, and as a teen I devoured books like Hatchet and Lord of the Flies. My more recent favorites are Life of Pi and Wild. There are so many rich, vivid descriptions in Life of Pi—the book has stuck with me in the seven or so years since I read it. I’m halfway through Wild, about a young woman hiking the Pacific Crest trail, and really enjoying it. She leaves for the trail after the death of her mother. Those passages describing her loss, and how her marriage came undone afterwards, are some of the most moving I’ve read.

Movies

I recently went to see The Hunger Games and The Avengers. I loved every minute of The Hunger Games. I was literally giddy watching all the added scenes with the Gamemakers creating the show. It was one of those rare instances where I enjoyed the movie as much as I did the book (in different ways, but still). The Avengers was another fun one…did anyone else tear up towards the end? Tony Stark! Noooooo!

TV Shows

I’m obsessed with Mad Men. It’s rare to have a main character so impossible to predict. What will Don Draper do next? We’re never quite sure. I was also a huge Alias fan—no one does cliffhangers better. If you wanted to be Sydney Bristow too, you may want to check out Kyle XY. The show ran a few years ago for just three seasons—but those seasons (especially the first one) are fantastic. It has Alias-like mystery, adventure, and cliffhangers, but it follows kids in high school.

Songs

I’ve been listening to “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun for a few years now, and it still hasn’t gotten old. I can always count on it to rev me up (and provide the perfect soundtrack for car dancing). Sia’s “Breathe Me” is awesome for those more angsty moments. It’s the modern “Everybody Hurts.”

Albums

Lately The Big Black and Blue and The Lion’s Roar by First Aid Kit are always on. To put it simply, I just love their sound. The Swedish folk band consists of two sisters. They have the clearest, sweetest voices. I could listen to them all day long (and sometimes do).

Giveaway

What are your recent favorites? Is there anything I MUST check out before I disappear again into the ol’ writing cave? Share your recommendations in the comments for a chance to win.

- Two winners will receive copies of Eve and Once
- One grand prize winner will receive both books, plus a $10 iTunes gift card to check out some of these recommendations

Be sure to enter your info in the email field when you comment so we can contact you if you win — don’t worry, this won’t be visible or public. Good luck!

My review of Eve
My review of Once
My giveaway policy

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Posted by: Anna • In: anna carey, giveaway, guest post

39 Comments

Elise said:

You need to read One for the Murphy’s by Lynda Mullaly Hunt as it is a moving fiction novel about a foster child finding her place in a family and in the world. Also, you need to read both Surviving the Applewhites and The Applewhites at Wit’s End. These are both quick reads about the Applewhite family, a quirky, gifted family who come together in spite of (and because of) their creative gifts and the one daughter who comes into her own figuring out where she stands in the family as the one practical, organized person in a huge family.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Hemborgwife said:

If you like Swedish folky music you must listen to The Majority Says, they are great! I found them via a commercial in Sweden and want to go see them live so badly!
Hemborgwife recently posted..Beyond Death and Taxes

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Christi the Teen Librarian said:

My favorite book this year is See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles. It’s heartbreaking (it has made everyone I’ve given it to cry) but it’s such a beautiful story about family.

I read an ARC of David Levithan’s newest, Every Day, and that’s my #2 favorite book for 2012. Comes out in August, I think, and it’s the story of an entity who wakes up every day in a different body. Amazing.
Christi the Teen Librarian recently posted..Reading Road Trip: You are Here: New Jersey!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Book Angel Emma said:

I have fallen in love with Everneath this year – utterly & truly.
Thank you for the fab music recs

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Laura said:

The best book I’ve read lately was TV Goes to Hell, a guide to the TV show Supernatural, and I would totally recommend it if you’re a fan of the show. If you’re looking for a YA title, I suggest Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Randi M said:

For an awesome survival story, check out Ashfall by Mike Mullin! One of my favorites this year, and it takes place in my beautiful state of Iowa. I’ve been on a contemporary kick this year, so this year I have also loved The Fault in Our Stars, Something Like Normal, and Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. Thank you for the sweet interview & giveaway!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Susanna P said:

Thanks for the nice post and giveaway! If you like survivalist tales like Life of Pi (and even if you didn’t), I highly recommend The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean and The Dolphin People by Torsten Krol. Both are fantastic books that I’ve read this summer, but few people seem to have heard of them.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Carmen said:

Books wise- I just devoured the Summer series by Jenny Han. AMAZING! Also Heist Society-LOVE. This song is older and definitely not well heard of, but I cannot stop listening to Rescue You by Jake Epstein. Such a good song. And I’m pretty sure during the movie Friends with Benefits I laughed until I cried, it was a bit awkward. But who can resist JT and Mila Kunis?!?!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Lauren @ Gimme More Books!!! said:

I’m still reeling from Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind. Not a survival story, but it was just so..so perfect. One of my favorite survival books of all time will always be Into the Wild, by John Krakauer. You will either love or hate Alex.
Lauren @ Gimme More Books!!! recently posted..Review: Seraphina

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Lisa S said:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is one of my ALL TIME faves. It was the first dystopian I read, so it will forever remain close to my heart. Highly recommend!

Music wise, I can’t get enough of The Civil Wars and Ellie Goulding lately. Constant repeat!

Thank you for the contest!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Lea Krnjeta said:

I recommend The fault in our stars by John Green. An amazing read.For a move recommendation I recommend Queen of the damned.
Lea Krnjeta recently posted..Cover reveal: ReAwakened by Ada Adams

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Joy said:

I LOVED Alias! I was addicted to it! (I own all the seasons on DVD.)

For YA books: I recently read Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake and Mothership by Martin Leitch & Isla Neal. Both were great in their respective genres.

For Adult books: Have you read Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness? Book 2, Shadow of Night is due out soon. So good!

Movies: I just had to rewatch Crazy, Stupid, Love because it is hilarious. I will also confess to going to see Brave. Yes, I am a grown woman, but I don’t care. I love those kind of movies.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Beth Hindman said:

I just got done reading Born Wicked by Spotswood. It was amazing. I love historical fiction…and this has witches in it too! You can’t beat that. I also really love the Bright Young Things series (again with the historical fiction)!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
JennyC said:

Have you read Cinder or Starter by Lissa Price? I LOVED those books they were sooo amazing!
For movies A Walk to Remember…it is sooo sad but such a good movie…it’s kind of an older film but not that old i think it came out in 2002 or something….

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Kathryn @ Clean Teen Fiction said:

I agree with JENNYC. Cinder by Marissa Meyer was so great!! I loved it!
Kathryn @ Clean Teen Fiction recently posted..Waiting On Wednesday: Witch Born by Amber Argyle

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Sierra said:

M y favorite book is Eon by Alison Goodman.
And my favorite book so far this year is Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Adriane Marshall said:

I am currently loving My Life Next Door…
Adriane Marshall recently posted..First Love

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Rachel said:

Adult fiction – The Shadow of the Wind was phenomenal

YA – If I Stay/Where she Went, Delirium/Insurgent, and Lola and the Boy Next Door (for some mindless fun)

Less Recent but no less amazing books – East of Eden, Pillars of the Earth, Those who Save us, anything by Hemingway and my all-time favourite Fugitive Pieces

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Grad Student @ Young Adult Fiction and Whiskey Sours said:

Birdy is a new young artist I can’t get enough of–her cover of Skinny Love is amazing! As for Dystopias, I liked Partials a whole lot- read it in a single day!
Grad Student @ Young Adult Fiction and Whiskey Sours recently posted..Review: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Heidi said:

Well, you totally sold me on Wild, I’m such a sucker for survival stories as well! Have you read Into the Wild, Night, or Island of the Blue Dolphins? All recommended! Also looking forward to the forthcoming The Raft. Unsure how they plan to make a movie of Life of Pi–I just can’t see how it’ll work (but I’ll watch it to see, that’s for sure).
Heidi recently posted..Graphic Novel Review: Cinderella: Fables are Forever by Chris Roberson

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Molly Frenzel said:

Two of my favorites that I’ve read recently are Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard & The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn. Both are awesome reads that I couldn’t put down and ended up reading in one sitting.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Mary @ My Sisters Bookshelf said:

This is a throwback – I don’t think people are as familiar with her maybe because she is Australian? But I recently reread The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty and it’s just fun. That and Audrey Wait! By Robin Benway are my two reccs for you!
Mary @ My Sisters Bookshelf recently posted..My Favorite Bookshelves: Tadao Ando’s Ryotaro Shiba Memorial Museum

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Ashley said:

I recently finished Partials by Dan Wells, which is AMAZING if you like dystopian books.

Right now I’m reading Confessions of an Angry Girl. I’m not that far in, but so far it’s great!
Ashley recently posted..Summer Reads Giveaway Hop

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Kyle @ A Reader’s Pensieve said:

TV show: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like this show. The best.
Kyle @ A Reader’s Pensieve recently posted..Review: Midnight in Austenland

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) said:

Great post! I LOVE Sia’s ‘Breathe Me’ … it’s such a great song! It’s at the end of ‘Six Feet Under’s’ series finale and fit PERFECTLY!

My current favourites involve Fiona Apple’s new album, as well as Sarah Slean’s. Favourite TV show is WHITE COLLAR! And favourite movie I want to watch again … TWISTER!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..DISCUSSION: Reading Preferances – Substance or Fluff?

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Nikki said:

Book: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Show: Pretty Little Liars, Veronica Mars
Music: The Head and the Heart, Beirut (I love First Aid Kit!)
Movie: Haven’t seen it yet but I’m pumped for the new Spiderman movie.
Nikki recently posted..Writing Advice (3): Start to Finish

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Ashlee said:

I recently read the Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue series by Kristin Cashore. Although this type of fantasy has never really been my favorite, I certainly did not want these books to end. Yes, I was drawn more to the romance, but those characters, settings, and storylines stayed in my head all day. I could not wait to go home, ignore all housework (and even dinner!), to read more. I still want more, and it’s been three weeks since I finished Bitterblue.

Music: I’m a huge fan of Jason’s Mraz’s newest single, “I Won’t Give Up.” Unfortunately, I can’t really tell you how good the rest of the album is; that song has been on repeat since it’s been in the CD player.

Movies: I saw Magic Mike, along with 60 other giggly women in a packed movie theater. It’s fun.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Lexie@BookBug said:

I love dystopians, my favorite TV shows on right now are The Bachelorette and SYTYCD, and my favorite song lately is Springsteen by Eric Church (yes, I’m a huge country fan but I am from Wyoming so it’s totally justified!)

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Faviola T said:

I would recommend Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, and Rock and a Hard Place by Angie Stanton. They are both amazing contemporary books that can definitely pull at you heart strings!

Fanpireextreme@gmail.com

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Sophia said:

The only book recs that I have are Divergent by Veronica Roth (which you’ve probably already read, since everyone has, haha) and Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill.

Sophia
mashimaro401[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sophia recently posted..Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
alicia marie said:

I would definitely recommend Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein if you haven’t read it yet. It gets pretty intense, and might make you cry (I sobbed through the end) but is sooo good. It’s got to be my favorite so far this year.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Jasmine Rose said:

Kyle XY is a fantastic show! Husband and I are actually currently rewatching it together on Netflix :]

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Kaylah J said:

This past weekend I watched seasons 1 & 2 of The Walking Dead… and fell in love! I’m probably the last one in the world to catch on to the craze, but if you’re into dystopia and can look past a few zombie cliches, this show is definitely a winner. I love the character development.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Sarah said:

I read Frost by Marianna Baer in one night – I just couldn’t put it down til I was done! I loved Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi too.

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Sam said:

Anna Carey never seems to let me down!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Tiffany Drew said:

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols and oh em gee, that book is AWESOME. It just came out too, so I DEFINITELY recommend picking up a copy ASAP
Tiffany Drew recently posted..Winner: Summer Reads Giveaway Hop

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Jordan Erika Smith said:

I absolutely LOVED Coveted by Shawntelle Madison. I got it in a contest and wasn’t expecting to be absolutely blown away with how different it was, and now I’m nearly dying waiting for the second book. It doesn’t come out until nearly December!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
Heather said:

Legend by Marie Lu blew me away. I was expecting another typical dystopian novel but it was amazing!

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012
almendra said:

HI! mmm my favorites right now is chaley davidson of darynda jones .. is a great serie or … the Tiger’s Curse
they are so great and fun !!!jijij

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Posted on: Thu, July 5, 2012