The Teen Bibliophile

Brodi Ashton (Author of Everneath) talks about her book past

2012-01-22T08:00:00.046-05:00

Hey everyone! I have Brodi Ashton here on my blog today to talk about the books she liked when she was 5, 11, 16, and 20 years old. Thanks Brodi for sharing with us the books you liked, and I assume still like today. :)

As for the Mr.Darcy part, I think we can all agree that a lot of the time the boys/men in fiction are way better than boys/men in real life. Haha!

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My five year old self would recommend the book ANIMALS IN WINTER. My mom told me that when I was three, I read my first words from that book. So at five, I would've considered myself an expert, and demanded all the other kindergarteners read it so they could be like me. My five year old self was very confident.

When I was eleven, I was probably obsessed with Madeline L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME. Seriously, I wanted to BE Meg. And hang out with Cal. And travel to freaky worlds to fight IT.

At sixteen, I was obsessed with the book DRACULA by Bram Stoker. I fancied myself a very dark person, and sometimes to back it up, I would even wear dark eyeliner. I remember the first time I read this book, starting with letters from Jonathan Harkness about his horrific encounter with a strange Count from Transylvania. It scared the living crap out of me.

It's important to note at this time that my mom was an English teacher, and basically all I had to read were the classics.

By the time I was twenty, there was only one author for me. Jane Austen. I first saw the BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice around then, and I was a goner. I hardly dated, because no boy could measure up to Mr. Darcy. (Okay, at least I tell myself that's why I hardly dated.)

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Well that's the end of this tour stop, but please be sure to check out all the other amazing tour stops as well just click here to see the full tour list.

Here is the synopsis for Brodi Ashton's novel, Everneath: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Want a copy? Well you're in luck, because Everneath will be released this Tuesday!

Short Review: Karma by Cathy Ostlere

2012-01-14T16:32:00.000-05:00

Synopsis: On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in Delhi and for three days Sikh families are targeted and killed in retribution for the Prime Minister’s death. It is into this chaos that sixteen-year-old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India’s political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya’s awakening to the world. KARMA is the story of how a young woman, straddling two cultures and enduring personal loss, learns forgiveness, acceptance and love.

Book Details:
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)
Pub. Date: 3/31/11
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 528

My Review:
Well this is going to be a really short review for a really long book. I liked that it was written in verse, and because of this I actually felt like I was reading it pretty quickly. There was only one problem I had with this book, it took me forever to get into it. When I did get into this novel I really liked it. The subject matter is based on true events and the story was just sad. It made me appreciate the life that I have. There was a little love story in this book and the connection between the MC and the boy was sweet. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a book written in verse. Nice debut from Cathy Ostlere. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

2012-01-13T17:06:00.000-05:00

Synopsis: Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Book Details:

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Poppy)

Pub. Date: Jan 2, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 236

My Review:

When I first saw the cover and read the synopsis for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, I knew immediately that the statistical probability of loving this debut novel would be pretty high. And guess what, I was absolutely right!

As soon as I got this book I quickly sat down to read it. The story was fast paced, and oh how I wish the book was longer than it was. In my opinion the book was too short. Well, really it was the ending that was too short. It has me begging for a sequel. I'd love to spend more time with all the characters.

Jennifer E. Smith did a fantastic job on her debut. She excellently told a story about love. This is one of the many reasons why I love her book. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is not only about the romantic kind of love, but it's also about the love between family members. The dialogue between the characters was fun, flirty, serious, sad, and angry. The love interest, Oliver, made me laugh a lot because he was just so cute, charming, and funny. I can tell how Hadley fell for him. I mean come on he is BRITISH! Hadley was a great MC too. I was able to relate to her and sympathize with her. I was rooting for everything to work out for her.

After reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight I am now a believer of chance and love at first sight. There were many great lessons I took from this book, like tell people how you really feel about them or you'll end up living with regret. Another lesson; there is always more to the story than what people believe too. If you're looking for a fun and cute book to read then this is the book to read.

Review: Are You Going to Kiss Me Now? by Sloane Tanen

2011-12-11T14:11:00.000-05:00

Synopsis (from Amazon.com): Being marooned on an island somewhere off the coast of Madagascar with five celebrities sounds romantic and glamorous, right?

Wrong.
You couldn't find people with fewer survival skills if you tried. Seriously. Cisco may have centerfold abs, but he can't even spell SOS. At least super-sexy Jonah seems to have a clue (too bad about the purity ring). If I'm stuck here much longer, these self-involved head cases might drive me crazy-assuming they don't insult each other to death first. It's like a group therapy edition of Survivor.

At this point, I'm pretty convinced that all celebrities should be caged in Hollywood and confined to the pages of US magazine. And, btw, if you're there, God, it's me, Francesca, and I really want to go home.
Help!

Book Details:
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pub. Date: May 1, 2011
Format: Paperback
Pages: 354

My Review: The first thing I have to say about this book is that everything about it was misleading. The cover, the title, the synopsis... they are pointed to a fun, romantic comedy. In reality, what I got was a book full of bickering and I would say zero romance.

Its has been about a month or two since I finished reading Are You Going to Kiss Me Now? and I can honestly I say there is still a ton of mixed feelings present about this book. While it was not at all what I was expecting, I found myself glued to the pages. For some reason I can't explain or put my finger on while I didn't really like the book I just could not stop reading it! I don't recall a time where this has ever happened to me. So kudos to Sloane for accomplishing this feat.

Now, I'm about to talk about a mild spoiler! The ending was like the only best part of the story. While all the secrets the celebrities held are revealed and they all become close like a family, those two things almost made 300 pages of bickering and griping worth it. But I do understand how celebrities could be so miserable stranded on an island without all the luxuries they are use to having. Oh, and the actions of most of the celebrites and the main character were just awful. I really didn't like how they all took advantage of each other. I didn't like how and why the main character gave up her virginity.

Also, I felt that there was no plot. Sure they all wanted to get rescued but still I couldn't find any major or subplots. I don't know about anyone else, but I need a plot! If I were the publisher I would seriously consider changing the title of this novel.

Aside from all the things that were bothering me with this novel, I did find it somewhat enjoyable when I accepted the fact that it was not the book I was expecting to read. By the end I was able to sympathize with most of the characters. I found Jonah and his dad to be the most sincere people out of the bunch. Everyone was a wreck, but I was glad to see that they all took their experience on the island and changed themselves and their lives for the better.

Where does the time go?

2011-11-18T17:26:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Boy does the time fly by. It feels like just yesterday that I was celebrating the new year. Yet, another new year is right around the corner. It has been too long since I last posted on this blog. For that I am greatly sorry. I never wanted to leave you guys hanging. I just really felt like I needed break. One of the reasons as to why I have not been blogging lately is that I'm more into trying to reach my goal for year of 50 books. Last year I had read 56 book! I felt defeated, because at the start of the year I had made my goal 56 but school has been kicking my butt so I had to lower it to 50. Yet, I'm still finding it hard to keep up with the lowered reading goal. Right now I'm basically 4 books behind. So in my rush to try to read as many books as I can to catch up blogging has taken a back seat.

I do have so many books to gush about and discuss with you guys. I've read an equal amount of books I totally adore and books that were just okay. Also. have you seen the book trailer for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi? Well I saw it when they released it and was blown away it was so awesome. I wasn't even expecting an updated trailer. What are your thoughts about it? If you have yet to see it here it is:

Also, today I saw the trailer for Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I feel like a little kid, because I was absolutely fascinated by the use of smoke in the trailer.

There is one book that is about to hit shelves very soon. This book would be The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. If you didn't know I reviewed this fun and adorable book. You can check out my review here. The trailer for the book was released three days ago. I think the trailer is cute but there was one thing that was bothering me. The person doing the voice over did not sound like a teenager or a even a young adult to me. No offense to the person! The voice just sounded like it came from someone more mature and sophisticated than a teenager would be. Anyways here's the trailer and when you're done watching please tell me what your opinions are on any of the trailers.

Last but not least, Wednesday, 11/16, was my blog's two year anniversary! So happy birthday to my blog! Yay! I'm looking forward to another wonderful book year with you guys. :)

Eve Book Trailer + A GORGEOUS Book Cover

2011-10-03T18:52:00.001-04:00

The book trailer for Eve by Anna Carey was just released today. Take a look at it here:

I love the book's trailer. It really does capture what the book is about. In case you missed my blog tour stops for Eve you can check them out here and here.

While browsing Goodreads I saw that the cover for Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock was revealed. The cover is simply gorgeous! I love the color scheme, the beautiful purple dress, the pretty blue flowers, the background, and the model's hair style. I can't wait to read Hemlock! I just don't know if I'll be able to wait until next year, Hemlock is expected to be released early summer 2012. For more information about Hemlock you can check out its Goodreads page.

Blog Tour Book Review: Eve by Anna Carey

2011-10-02T08:11:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

Book Details:

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub. Date: October 4, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

My Review:

To begin this review I want to say that Eve by Anna Carey was everything I expected it to be and then some. When I first sat down to read Eve I was only going to read the chapter one. Boy was I wrong, because I ended up reading 13 chapters. I had to force myself to quit reading that night due to homework and sleep. Ok, I guess the fact that Eve immediately gripped me was a surprise.

I enjoyed every single step of Eve's journey for a new life. What would you do if you found out everything that you've been told your whole life was a lie? Eve discovers the truth about what really happens to girls after they graduate from school. Instead of having others tell her what her life will be, she decides to take her future into her own hands. I really loved how this is a story about independence and new discoveries.

Eve's journey for the life that she wants is not an easy one. The fact that she is not just any girl on the run makes the journey that much more difficult. Along her journey she makes alliances and friendships. Because when you're out in the wild you sure don't want to be alone to find shelter, food, and face enemies. The plot of this book will have anyone hanging on the edge, and reading like there is no tomorrow just to find out how it all works out for Eve.

Aside from the plot, I loved all the characters. I loved Eve's friends at her school even if they were barely in the book. I loved Arden even though I didn't really care much for her at the start. Arden does prove that there's more to a person than what they project. I LOVED Caleb, he is such a kind and caring boy. The relationship that he forms with Eve is the true kind. I also love the boys who Caleb lives with. Especially the little ones, they were adorable! Although there was one boy who I didn't like from the start and I still don't like him after reading Eve.

Before I conclude this review, I do want to point out that the lies the girls were fed to about boys were very interesting. Yes, boys do cause trouble but they are not something girls should avoid like the plague. The lies Eve grew up memorizing makes her all the more hesitant to accept help from Caleb. So it was fascinating to see how she eventually gets comfortable with Caleb. Not to mention an entire cave full of the opposite sex.

The ending literally had me saying, "Why the ending? WHY? I need book to now!" I'm totally serious I need book two now! haha! I have to know whats going to happen next with an ending like that. There's not even a website that tells me when the next book is expected to be released. :(

Whatever you do do yourself a favor and read Eve by Anna Carey. There's love, danger, friendship, suspense, and moments where I found myself cheering Eve on. A wonderful dystopian to be read. I absolutely loved it, and hopefully you will too.

*I want to thank The {Teen} Book Scene for the opportunity to be on this book's tour. I also want to thank The {Teen} Book Scene and HarperTeen for the privilege of reading and reviewing Eve early. Thanks a bunch! <3*

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

2011-10-01T14:08:00.001-04:00

Synopsis: It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

Book Details:
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub. Date: November. 21, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320

My Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler was pure brilliance. My only regret that I have is not having read any of the authors’ previous novels. Collaborations novels are so fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed Josh and Emma’s story.

Since The Future of Us is set in 1996, the reader can reminisce about the 90s. That is if the reader is old enough to have experienced that time period. Haha. I’m not trying to make anyone feel old! I was born in the very early 90s, so I have a lot of favorite 90s memories to look back on. I remember getting the AOL CD-ROM all the time in the mail. I remember the fuzzy and staticy sound of the modem dialing up AOL. I remember having to be quick about how much time spent online because there was just one phone line. So I totally understood what Emma had to through. It was also exciting whenever other 90s things got mentioned. Oh, I just love and miss the 90s. Well, I’m certainly glad that the internet is easier to access and cell phone are not as big as bricks!

Anyways, The Future of Us is told from the perspectives of Josh and Emma. A lot of people always complain about books being told from multiple POV, but I loved the way the others made this story come together. There was hardly ever a dull moment in this novel. The plot was pretty fast paced, and had me gripped all the way till the very end. I love how one of the themes was that one cannot control the future. Also one shouldn’t focus too much on the future, and to just live in the now.

All the characters are awesome! I loved them all; from the main characters to the secondary characters. Each character had their own personality and quirks. Seriously, I can’t find one flaw about this book. I loved how they actually made the Facebook posts look like actual posts. I looked forward to seeing what the future Emma and Josh had to say about their lives. I also looked forward to what Emma and Josh would do, which was basically the whole book! The Future of Us is one book that simply can’t be missed. Get your copy as soon as you can, because you’ll be reading this book as fast as I did. Yes, The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler is that good!

This or That with Anna Carey + Giveaway

2011-09-28T06:48:00.002-04:00

Today Anna Carey, the author of the upcoming book Eve, is here to share what she prefers. Read on for some fun and even a giveaway.

This or That with author Anna Carey:
Day or night? Day.

Summer or winter? Depends on which coast. Love the winter in California, the summer in New York.

Library or bookstore? Bookstore.

Paper book or e-book? Paper. I have bookcases all over my apartment, and I love thumbing through books I read years ago, looking at things I underlined or little notes I made in the margins.

Read a 200 page book or 500 page book? Most books I right in between that. But usually: 200.

Book or movie/television version of the book? Book.

Which is better Home Alone 1 or 2? Keep the change ya filthy animal.

Go to a concert or listen to the CD? Concerts (insert a thousand exclamation points here) My favorite venue is the Hollywood Bowl.

Talk on a cell phone or talk in person? I’d much rather talk in person. I’m known for my three-minute cell conversations.

PC or Mac? I’ve written all my books on a MacBook.

Car or Airplane? Airplane—my parents live across the country.

Hot coffee or Iced coffee? Coffee affects me like crack. If I had to pick though, I’d say hot.

Chocolate or Gummies? Gummies (sour!).

Dancing or Running? Dancing.

Be an angel or a fairy? Angel—but only if I could live on earth.

Thanks Anna for your time, I had a blast coming up with this list. Plus, an even more fun time reading your response.

Now, thanks to the awesome publisher, HarperTeen, you have a chance to win a copy of Eve!

Giveaway for a Copy of Eve:
U.S. Residents Only
1 Winner
Giveaway Ends Oct. 4
Click here to fill out the form.

This post is brought to you by The {Teen} Book Scene. To read more fun posts on this blog tour please click the banner at the top of this post.

Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

2011-09-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

Book Details:
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Pub. Date: August 1st, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352

My Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink was a fantastic conclusion to an awesome trilogy. The pace of this novel was a little more faster than the last book, Guardian of the Gate. Which is a good thing, because I would of dreaded picking up this novel just to read a slow paced ending. I have thoroughly enjoyed Lia's entire journey, and Circle of Fire ends the journey perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion than what Michelle gave.

Yes, at this point in the review I'm literally at a loss for words. Michelle Zink's writing is superb. Her writing style is fluid and magical. Michelle really has a gift for writing and being able to put readers into her stories. All along I felt like I was right alongside Lia and cheering her on.

Sometimes trilogies or book series end feeling kind of rushed. Michelle took her time writing out the well thought out ending. Each book tied nicely together. Circle of Fire certainly packed a lot of great feelings and messages to the readers. I felt a wide range of emotions while reading Circle of Fire. Among my favorites about this book is the theme of redemption, love, and friendship. I even came to love every single character by the end of this book.

Michelle has proven herself to be one of those authors I will read anything they write. I can't wait for more books by Michelle! If you haven't read the Phophecy of the Sisters Trilogy I highly suggest you do so. If you haven't yet read Circle of Fire what are you waiting on? Circle of Fire will not disappoint readers.

Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

2011-09-08T17:58:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.

Book Details:

Publisher: Little, Brown books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: August 1, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352

My Review:

What could I possibly say about Guardian of the Gate? Well for starters I was a little disappointed with the first half of the book. I was hoping to love the sequel as much as I loved the first book of the trilogy. The first book, Prophecy of the Sisters, had me completely captivated. Very much so in fact I was on a trip in Florida to go to SeaWorld (which was awesome) and Universal Studios (which was a bore) and everyday I woke up early to read the book. Needless to say Prophecy of the Sisters was one of my most memorable moments from that trip.

For much of Guardian of the Gate, Lia is traveling to Altus. The journey, for the most part, was slow going and not much happened. When things did happen, however, the book got less boring. Along the way to Altus is a journey full of betrayal, budding romance, and flight. To be honest the only good thing to come out of the trip was Dimitri who is Lia’s new love interest. Even though he didn’t make my heart flutter and swoon over him I really liked that he cares a great deal for Lia. He is willing to go to great lengths to protect her and make her feel comfortable.

What happened on the journey to Altus did change the way things are between the keys and Lia. This certain incident made me want to read to find out how, and if, things will get back to the way they were. Besides the first half of the book the second half was awesome! I liked Altus as much as Lia. The people on the island were great (besides two of them) and I like their laid-back kind of living. I mean seriously silk robes as the usual attire sounds heavenly. I remember the day where I would come home Michelle Zink has created and continued to maintain a wonderful world in her Sisters trilogy. Her writing flows magically and thats just one reason why I will forever read her stories. I can say with 100% certainty that the second half of Guardian of the Gate will leave you wanting to read Circle of Fire to find out how it all ends.

Giveaway: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

2011-08-22T10:10:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

If you would like to win a copy of Angelfire here is what you need to know:

The Giveaway is for residents of the U.S. and Canda (sorry I'm really short on cash)

Ends September 10 at midnight Eastern Time

Yep thats about it. :)

Good luck!

Fill out form here!

Review: Lie by Caroline Bock

2011-08-20T22:05:00.001-04:00

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Everybody knows, nobody’s talking. . . .

Seventeen-year-old Skylar Thompson is being questioned by the police. Her boyfriend, Jimmy, stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she’s the prime witness. Skylar is keeping quiet about what she’s seen, but how long can she keep it up?

But Jimmy was her savior. . . .

When her mother died, he was the only person who made her feel safe, protected from the world. But when she begins to appreciate the enormity of what has happened, especially when Carlos Cortez, one of the victims, steps up to demand justice, she starts to have second thoughts about protecting Jimmy. Jimmy’s accomplice, Sean, is facing his own moral quandary. He’s out on bail and has been offered a plea in exchange for testifying against Jimmy.

The truth must be told. . . .

Sean must decide whether or not to turn on his friend in order to save himself. But most important, both he and Skylar need to figure out why they would follow someone like Jimmy in the first place.

Book Details:

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pub. Date: August 30, 2011

Format: Paperback

Pages: 224

My Review:

What can I say about Lie by Caroline Bock other than the fact this is a heartbreaking novel? Lie certainly takes readers on a ride to the truth. This book had me feeling a wide range of not so good emotions. Really this book is not a happy book. While not much happens in this book so much does happen within the characters of Lie. Weird, right? Lie is told from multiple point of views and each character has their own inner turmoil.

Lie is about the vicious attack against two Hispanic brothers. The main character, Skylar Thompson, must accept the fact that her beloved Jimmy participated in this hate crime. No one is talking to the police and Skylar is one of the only witnesses who can bring justice to the victims' family. Will Skylar stay loyal to her boyfriend and friend, Lisa Marie, and stay silent about what happened that night her boyfriend and his friend Sean decided to beat two brothers? Or will she be true to herself and tell the truth to give justice to the Cortez family?

I have so much to say about Lie, and yet I just don't know how to say what I want to say about it. Lie definitely deals with some controversial and difficult topics like hate crimes and immigration. I just don't understand how someone could hate someone that basically has done nothing bad to the other person and gets beaten or worse just because they are different. Lie truly does takes readers into how Jimmy is manipulative. Readers also find out how he believes so strongly in his beliefs that he is actually doing the right thing by beating those that are either not his race or here in the U.S. illegally. But his logic is totally not the right way of thinking. He basically justifies his actions by saying that it is to protect Skylar and making where they live safer. I don't care what race someone is or if they are legally or illegally in the U.S. no one deserves to be beaten or murdered because they are different from others.

While Lie can be slow and somewhat repetitive, because a lot of thoughts are continuously said throughout the novel, it truly is a good read. Lie goes in depth as to how a crime affects the whole community. The word lie also takes on many meanings too in this story. Whatever one does take caution that this book will break your heart and it will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Giveaway: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

2011-08-17T22:18:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very…different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

Sounds interesting right? Well it turns out that I have an extra copy and I'd love to give this copy to one of my fabulous followers. What's that some of you are not follower?! Why the heck are you here then? Just kidding! Follower or not you are still eligible to enter.

Here are the details for this giveaway:

You must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada

Giveaway ends August 31st at midnight EST

If you are a follower you get 2 extra entry points

That's about it.

To enter to win click here.

Good luck!

The Joys of the Internet (that doesn't work)

2011-08-16T21:52:00.000-04:00

The other day I mentioned that I would be posting some giveaways on my blog yesterday. Well, as you can tell that plan did not work out. So I just wanted to let you all know that it wasn't my intention to leave y'all hanging.

I guess I should explain. First off the one major problem is that my internet now a days only works when it wants to which is basically NEVER! Its frustrating. Hopefully my family can figure out if its the modem or our router that is the source of the problems. Its always a bummer when I want to post something and there is no internet connection.

Secondly, when I went to create the forms for the giveaways there of course had to be a problem. I don't really like using the comments as entries for giveaways, so I'm going to post the giveaways whenever the forms start working again.

In the end I suppose that its a blessing in disguise that the internet is not working all the time. It only gives me more time read. Its unbelievable how much reading I've gotten done when the internet is not working. I'm actually catching up in my 2011 reading goal!

Thanks for hanging in there with me! :)

Today August 14th is my 20th Birthday!!!

2011-08-14T23:37:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! So today is my 20th birthday. I know its sad that I'm no longer a teenager. Regardless of my age I'm thinking that I'll keep my blog's name the same. I mean why should I change it just because my age when really everyone is a teenager at heart. :)

Truthfully if anyone was to see me in person one would guess that my age is 12 at the least and 14 at the most. Which is understandable because I'm a small person. I'm like Kiersten White. We're both small and short. Whenever I go out to eat with my family people have to ask how many kids menus are needed. Most recently my family went to the movies and the ticket guy said one adult (my dad) and two kids (my brother and I). Oh how wrong was he?! I often joke about enrolling as a fifth grader and no one would be able to tell the difference. For real haha! Last year I went to my brother's play and all the little fifth graders were the same size as me if not a wee bit bigger. Okay well enough with the comparisons.

The main point of this post is:
1. To inform you all that I am now a twenty year old today.
2. I might just be having two giveaways starting tomorrow because I'm in a festive mood.

Here is a cute penguin holding a yummy cupcake. I hope you all have had a great day today!

*photo found on Google images*

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

2011-08-14T22:53:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

Book Details:

Publisher: Hyperion

Pub Date: August 2, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 288

My Review:

Ever wish there was a fairy tale like story for an audience older than 12 years old? Well look no further because Victoria Schwab has masterfully created a wonderful fairy tale for the older crowd. So good of a book is The Near Witch it's sure to become a classic.

The Near Witch is a story of the town of Near whose children are mysteriously disappearing late in the night. Once the town finds out about a stranger in their territory they blame him for the disappearances. The protagonist, Lexi, is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. Her father always told her stories of the Near Witch and nature. With all towns there are missing parts to every story, things left untold and buried. Will Lexi uncover the truth to the story of the Near Witch, and will she find out who or what is taking the children? Will she be able to find the answer and make it out unharmed?

Seriously this book was pure brilliance! I read this book in two days. Once I started reading I couldn't stop until I was reading the last sentence. The Near Witch is a very captivating tale and will have readers asking where has someone like Victoria been all their lives? Lexi is a very admirable protagonist she is a strong willed person and takes a stand for herself despite everyone's wishes. The stranger while is phantom like in the beginning turned out to be so adorable and cute. Lexi gave him the name of Cole. The whole time I was praying that Cole was not guilty of kidnapping the kids from their beds, because he was so nice to Lexi. I also love Lexi's mother and little sister. I felt the same determination that Lexi had to protect Lexi's sister from whatever is happening to the other children. The mother who is often quite and in her own world really took me by surprise when it came to her daughter Lexi. Just read the book to find out why.

Aside from the great characters in the book the writing is just superb. The words and sentences and story as a whole just flowed naturally and poetically. If your looking for a great and mysterious nighttime read then get The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab in your hands!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi Book Trailer

2011-08-09T22:50:00.000-04:00

I totally can't wait for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi to be released. I've heard nothing but great things about this book. I love the synopsis and the cover. What more can a reader ask for? Oh yeah the book itself. And if we're lucky the release date moved up. Hey a girl can hope can't she?! For now to statisfy my need and want for Shatter Me there's a book trailer that I can watch anytime.

What are your thoughts about the trailer? Are you excited, like me, to read Shatter Me?

Legend by Marie Lu Book Trailer

2011-08-06T14:36:00.000-04:00

I know this book trailer was released two weeks ago,and many of you probably know too, but I just had to share this trailer. Legend is definitely one book I'm looking forward to reading later this year. This book has gotten so much hype and rave reviews, and I have a feeling that it certainly will live up to expectations.

What do you think of the book trailer? For me its a good trailer but not the best book trailer I've ever seen. The trailer does not deter me from reading this book either. Check out the synopsis here:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Conclusion:
Legend's release date is November 29, 2011. I'm guessing this will be a book that will wind up under a lot of Christmas trees. Or it'll be a gift for whatever holiday or occasion around the end of the year. Hopefully it'll be under my Christmas tree this year!

Review: Betrayed by Ednah Walters

2011-08-01T23:42:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: Lil has come to terms with her life as a Guardian/demon hunter and the wielder of the Nephilim most powerful weapon-the Kris Dagger. She trains everyday to master her growing powers, gets along with her Guardian trainee friends, most of the time, and cherishes the time she spends with her human friends.

Just when she feels she belongs, her nature-bender father contacts her and warns her about a betrayal by someone close to her. Then Bran, the boy she loves, starts to act strange and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability. While Lil struggles find a connection between these three things, she begins to realize that someone is manipulating her and will stop at nothing, including hurting those she loves, to lure her to the dark side.

Book Details:

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Pub. Date: August 1, 2011

Format: Paperback

Pages: 368

My Review:

If there is one thing anyone should know its that I just absolutely LOVED, still do, Ednah's debut novel and the first book in The Guardian Legacy series, AWAKENDED. As soon as I got BETRAYED in my hands I eagerly wanted to start reading the book right away. When I finally did get to start reading this book I was disappointed. Two of my thoughts at the beginning were, "I knew the first book was so great that the second might not live up to expectations" and "This book has got to get better I know Ednah can't fail at writing a great story."

Betrayed started out very slow for me at the beginning and it wasn't until the middle of the book where things got increasingly better. While I get the bad stuff out of the way first, I'll say that there was one thing that bugged me a little besides the fact the book had a slow start, was that Ednah waited about 50 pages into the book to refresh the readers about what is going on or maybe the more acurate word is reintroductions. Usually authors refresh the readers with everything, this includes what happened in the previous book and the characters, in the very beginning chapters. Ednah certainly did something unique by waiting until way later. One more thing confusing thing about this book was that some scenes did not make sense. I may have just misunderstood what was going on but there was one scene where Lil was talking about how she wants to send someone to Tartarus. And I was like, "what is she talking about didn't she just send that person to Tartarus?!?!" I hope that wasn't confusing!

Once the book picked up and was able to captivate me exactly like the first book did things went smoothly from there. I'm so glad I stuck with my gut to keep on pushing through the novel because it'd get better. All my favorite characters returned in this novel and there are new additions to the character list like Angelia. I liked all the new characters whether they were good or bad. Yeah I can't really say much without giving it all away. In Betrayed, Ednah certainly did make me think a lot about who could be the traitor and who could be the medium. Is Valafar really trying to be a genuinely good father to Lil? Or does he have a secret agenda? I can tell you that I never did try to guess who the traitor was because Ednah is so good at making the story so open with possiblilities that anyone could be the traitor.

Lil's life got to the point where everything seemed to be going downhill. Lil could not fully trust anyone. Lil's relationship with Bran is getting complicated. It was just easy to sympathize for her. Trust me when I say to keep reading this book when things get slow because this book is worth it. The second half is full of awesomeness. It made me read like the book would dissolve into ashes any minute. Action packed, fast paced, romance in a way, full of mystery the second half redeemed this book for me. I can't wait to read the last book. I know without a doubt that no matter what Ednah will write another astounding addition to The Guardian Legacy books.

Interested in reading my review of the first book? Well here it is.

Check out the trailer for BETRAYED:

This Book Really is a YA Novel!!!

2011-07-30T00:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I found this book on Goodreads. When I first saw the cover I immediatedly determined that it was just another adult book. Boy was I so very wrong. It was not until tonight when I decided to look at the book a bit more, because the title is an attention grabber, did I find out it is a YA novel. Plus, a YA novel that sounds like the kind of book I'll love. So I truly felt compelled to bring this to everyone's attention, who might have also immediatedly judged it for an adult book, that Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts is in fact 100% a Young Adult novel. I can say that yes this another case where I did judge a book by its cover and I'm so glad that I took another look into it. But I can't be the only person out there to have seen this book and was like "well there's another adult book with a set of eyes on the cover." In my opinion nothing about this book cover screams or even gives a hint that this book might in fact be a YA novel. Sometimes I find myself asking why did the publisher choose this cover? Like sometimes I'll find a book that looks like it could be YA but turns out to be an adult novel and vice versa.

Anyways here is the book's synopsis if you are interested:

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

So what are your thoughts about this book and its cover? Did you have the same situation as I did?

"Waiting On" Wednesday (4)

2011-07-27T23:44:00.001-04:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. "Waiting On" is for book lovers to share what book they are eagerly anticipating.

My can't wait for book this week is:

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis will be published iin the U.S. in January 2012 by Amulet Books.

Synopsis: Anna and Abel couldn’t be more different. They are both seventeen and in their last year of school, but while Anna lives in a nice old town house and comes from a well-to-do family, Abel, the school drug dealer, lives in a big, prisonlike tower block at the edge of town. Anna is afraid of him until she realizes that he is caring for his six-year-old sister on his own. Fascinated, Anna follows the two and listens as Abel tells little Micha the story of a tiny queen assailed by dark forces. It’s a beautiful fairy tale that Anna comes to see has a basis in reality. Abel is in real danger of losing Micha to their abusive father and to his own inability to make ends meet. Anna gradually falls in love with Abel, but when his “enemies” begin to turn up dead, she fears she has fallen for a murderer. Has she?

Award-winning author Antonia Michaelis moves in a bold new direction with her latest novel: a dark, haunting, contemporary story that is part mystery, part romance, and part melodrama.

Why I want this book: Just using the words mystery and romance and immediately its already a done deal for me. I love mystery books, and with mysterious deaths in this book with the love interest under suspicion who can't help but become interested? With the synopsis I really want to see how all the characters' lives go. Even though I have yet to read Nevermore by Kelly Creagh I can see these two books turning out similar for some reason. Plus Nevermore has received nothing but good praise too. Another reason I want this book is because the author is German, and I love to read books that were originally published in some other country than the U.S. Lastly I would like to comment on the cover. Its so simple looking that its beautiful. I love how the rose seems to be growing out of the ice.

So what are your thoughts on The Storyteller? What book are you currently waiting for?

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-07-25T23:08:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Book Details:

Publisher: Philomel (Penguin)

Pub. Date: July 26, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 400

My Review:

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer was absolutely phenomenal. Where Nightshade was more about the romance, Wolfsbane was more about finding the truth and the war. Now I’m going to admit that at first I was disappointed that Wolfsbane was not like Nightshade. Wolfsbane was full of action but there was barely enough romance like the first book had. It worked out though because while I do like romance I also like books that have intense action scenes and that's exactly what I got.

Now Wolfsbane picks up right where Nightshade left off, well more precisely a week later. When Calla wakes we are introduced to new characters. The new characters are all Searchers and they Monroe, Connor, Ethan, Tess, Isaac, Silas, Adne, and Lydia. I love every single new character, even if some of them did have a tendency to being a know-it-all and obnoxious. In this book the Searchers prove that they are brave souls and will risk it all if it means peace will exist.

Gosh. After finishing this book five days ago I still don’t know how to put my words together to form a great review. All I can think about is how riveting Wolfsbane is. Seriously this book is 400 pages long and normally it takes a week or two to finish a 400 page book. Not with this book though. It took me two or three days to read and complete Wolfsbane. Now that should tell you something.

This book has it all literally! I was feeling every emotion from happiness to despair. I was hanging on for dear life reading Calla’s story. Andrea Cremer has done it again creating a beautiful masterpiece of a book. Andrea knows how to get right into the core of one’s heart with her writings, and take them on a journey that will leave the reader feeling like they came out with something valuable.

Now I’m left with wanting and waiting for the day that I can get my hands on Bloodrose. I need to find out how it all ends as soon as possible. That cliffhanger at the end is going to make the wait that much more unbearable. I highly recommend Wolfsbane for those who have already read Nightshade. For those who have yet to read Andrea’s books what are you waiting for? The Nightshade series are the best!

Just a Heads Up

2011-07-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

So my blog looks a little blank right now don't you think? Well I feel like now is a good time to make some changes on the blog. My blog's background needs to be new and improved. I've been thinking about making some minor changes on my blog for a while now and until recently, when my boyfriend pointed out that other bloggers have a much updated and cool design, I'm just now putting things into action. Plus I do agree with my boyfriend. Other blogger's blogs are more fun to be on than mine and their back ground works for them. Not saying mine didn't but its just time for change. Thanks for your time and for sticking with me!

Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

2011-07-17T20:32:00.001-04:00

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.
Book Details: Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young ReadersPub. Date: June 7, 2011Format: HardcoverPages: 288
My Review:The synopsis was not lying when it tells the reader that Forgotten by Cat Patrick is a thought-provoking novel. This book had me thinking a lot of the time more than any book really. The beginning was the most confusing and then as the book proceeds it gets less confusing.
Regardless of the fact that this book makes the reader think, Forgotten is an excellent debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about London's life. The story did remind me of the movie 50 First Dates only because London wakes up everyday with no memory of the day before. She can only see future memories. Which brings me to the next thing I would like to point out. I'm not sure about other people who have read this book already, but I was able to figure out what was happening to London fairly quick. I liked that I was able to correctly guess the answer to London's vision mystery. Usually I like books that prove me wrong, but for once I liked being right about the mystery.
Now moving on to the characters. London is a very likeable protagonist. I found myself emotionally invested with London and her predicament. The love interest, Luke, was adorable. Although London's friend thinks he is some kind of freak. I liked reading about Luke and London's relationship and how it develops over time. He genuinely cares a lot about London. Plus, I can't forget the bombshell he throws out there at the end of the book. Don't get worried though its definitely not bad. Its actually cute.
In case no one knows this Forgotten is to be made into a movie with Hailee Steinfeld as London. Now while reading Forgotten I often found myself thinking that London's role seems a little too mature for a 14 year old actress to portray. I guess the filmmakers will make the proper adjustments. I've never seen Hailee's acting but I bet she'll make a perfect London.
Forgotten by Cat Patrick is a perfect blend of everything I love in a book: Mystery, Romance, and Suspense. I love how this book kept me glued to the pages. Trust me when I say that this book is a must read. I absolutely can't wait until I get my hands on another Cat Patrick novel. Forgotten is truly a beautifully written debut novel. Whatever you do don't let this novel be forgotten in your to-be-read pile.

Happy 4th of July + Book Cover

2011-07-04T19:47:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying yourself this Independence Day. Even the overseas peeps, I hope you are having a great day! :)

Right now there is a nasty storm. So that means no fireworks today.

Oh, and I want to explain my little absence from the blog. For awhile my laptop's charger has been stubborn. I've been having to wiggle the charging cord and if that didn't work I'd have to move my laptop somewhere else in the house and see if the charger would work elsewhere. One day it was working better than it had in weeks. So later that day I go to charge my laptop again and it just doesn't work at all. I can honestly say that now I have a new appreciation for laptop chargers. It was really tough for me because I had papers to write and tests to take on a computer. Thankfully, my boyfriend has the same computer as me so whenever he came over to see me he'd bring his charger. But because I couldn't keep my boyfriend around all the time or borrow his charger I was having to get on my laptop strictly for writ ting papers and working on a project for school. Of course I had my mom's and sister's laptops as an option but Windows 7 frustrates me because its so different, everything was backwards, from my laptop. This Friday my dad came over the house with a new charger. On a happy note I now can use my laptop whenever I want to.

Another tid bit: Since getting my new charger I'm happy to finally be playing the new Nancy Drew game, The Captive Curse. I got it the day it came out; even though my laptop was practically dead at the time.

With all that out of the way I wanted to share with you all this beautiful book cover I found while browsing Barnes and Noble.com.

What do you guys think of this cover? I think its pretty and makes me interested in the book. Also, it reminds me of Becca Fitzpatrick's books covers, Hush, Hush and Crescendo.

Want to know more about this book? Take a look at the synopsis:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

2011-06-20T10:26:00.008-04:00

Synopsis:One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.
Book Details:
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pub. Date: June 14, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 397
My Review:

What exactly is Hourglass by Myra McEntire? I can tell you the answer to this question. Whether or not I can tell you without sounding like a total fangirl might be next to impossible. When I first heard about Hourglass I knew I had to read it ASAP. Hourglass sounded totally original, and it is original.

Hourglass is about Emmerson Cole who has been seeing visions of people from the past. She's tried just about every way there is to help get rid of her problem, or at least try to find out why she is seeing these peope from another time. Nothing has helped and Emmerson is tired of taking medication. So without the knowledge of her brother and his wife, Emmerson stops taking the medication. Reluctantly she agrees with her brother to try conselling one more time.
I'm so glad Emmerson agreed to her brother's wishes. If she didn't who knew if she would meet the amazing Micheal Weaver. Actually they more than likely would have met at some point. Micheal helps Emmerson discover what she is and how to handle life with her situation. Emmerson and Michael are now one of my top favorite YA couples. Added plus was that Myra never tortured me by having me wait too long for Emmerson and Micheal to meet up with each other.
Besides Michael all the other charcters are very likable. I mean it when I say all of them. But of course there is a major twist at the end of the book that you'll never see coming. Now that I think about it the whole book was unpredictable. Hourglass seriously has everything anyone could ever want in a book and then some. The last sentence of the book's synopsis says it all perfectly. I found myself laughing a lot because the characters are so funny. Seriously, I adore this book.
To prove my point as to how epic Hourglass is I'm going to say that if time travel were possible and one could only bring one book with them on their travels I would choose Hourglass by Myra McEntire. Really how many times in your life do you come accross a book that has you mesmorized with every word? For me, not many times. Myra McEntire is pure, literary genius. Where has she been all my life? Myra knows how to write an excellent novel. While I was reading Hourglass I kept thinking, "Dang Myra could write any genre, even genres that I don't like, and I'd buy every single book".
Didn't I tell you it'd be nearly impossible for me not to go all fangirl with my reveiw? :)

What Myra McEntire Does When She is Not Writing

2011-06-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

Well the title of this post seems self explainatory. First things first I would like to introduce Myra McEntire. Myra is the author of Hourglass which hit the shelves June 14. I highly suggest, and recommend, every EVERY reader to go out and get a copy. Myra most certainly has made her place on my most favorite author list. Now here is her post where she talks about what she does when she is not writing.

When I’m not writing ……….. I’m kind of always writing. The longer I am a writer, the more details I notice in how people answer questions and interact. I watch the way they hold their bodies, what happens when expressions change. I love sciencey headlines and documentaries, so that any reading or TV watching generally falls under the “work” category. Even when I’m doing things like folding laundry, my plots are running through my head!

But if hobbies are what you’re after, I love to: Read, garden, tweet, and I’m addicted to my iPad. Those time management games, like DINER DASH or SALLY’S SPA? Sanity in a handheld device. That’s probably the only time I can really turn off. OH! I’m also trying to catch up to the last three years of television. I missed a bunch when I was writing. I still haven’t seen the last season of LOST!

________________________________________________

Thanks Myra for your time. I'm thrilled to have you as a guest on my blog. I love those time management games too! To all the readers, If you are interested in reading more posts for, and about, Hourglass by Myra McEntire please click the banner at the top. Trust me this blog tour is awesome!

Also not too long ago the book trailer for Hourglass was released. If I had not already read Hourglass then this trailer certainly would of made me dying to get my hands on a copy.

If you want click here to read my review for Hourglass by Myra McEntire. (Review will be up later in the morning/early afternoon. )

To find out more about Myra and the latest news visit:

-Her blog

-Her Twitter

-The Hourglass Books' Facebook page

Hourglass by Myra McEntire is now available wherever books are sold!!!

Winner of EVERLASTING By Alyson Noel

2011-06-13T11:38:00.003-04:00

Congrats to Amber B. for being the lucky winner of Everlasting by Alyson Noel! Your book should be on its way to you soon. :)

If you didn't win don't worry. You can buy your copy of Everlasting at a bookstore near you or online.

Also, there is still a giveaway going on right now that'll end tomorrow at noon.

If you would like to win a copy of My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody please click here.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Guest Post: Author Jessica Brody

2011-06-07T07:48:00.002-04:00

Todays guest poster is Jessica Brody author of both Adult and YA books. I would like to take the moment to say a big thanks to Jessica for taking the time to write such a wonderful post. Without further ado here is the awesome post about High School.

For me, high school was defined by three words: Finding My Place.

Although my quest was more out of necessity than anything else. You see, before high school was middle school and I wasn’t popular in middle school. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I would even go as far as to say I was kind of an outcast. I had moved from the big city of Los Angeles, CA to my small town in Colorado when I was 12 and it was clear from the start, I didn’t fit in. I spent the majority of my seventh and eighth grade years trying to fit in. Trying to be like everyone else….particularly the popular crowd. And much to my dismay, failing miserably.

But in high school, everything changed. I stopped trying to shape myself to a mold that I would never fit, and instead started to discover places where I already did fit. Exactly how I was. I focused on academics, which I was good at. I joined the French club, which I loved. I started competing in debate competitions, which would go on to be some of my happiest high school memories. And along the way, I made friends. Real friends. Ones that I had things in common with. Not ones I had to pretend to be someone else to impress.

I slowly let go of my desire to be popular and hang with the “it” crowd, and slowly started to not only accept, but appreciate who I really was and what my real interests were.

Now that I’m “all grown up” and living in the real world, I actually use a lot of what I learned in high school in my daily life. Particularly being an author of teen fiction. I honestly don’t think I would be writing young adult novels had I not struggled with my identity in middle school and high school. Those experiences stayed with me. Long enough that I’m able to use them in my writing. An author friend who writes picture books for kids once told me, “I think we write in the age we’re stuck in. I’m still eight years old at heart, so that’s who I write for.”

He’s right. I’m fairly convinced that I’m still stuck (and forever will be) at age 15, trying to sort out the details of my identity.

All of my characters thus far have had a little bit of myself in them. But when I set out to write My Life Undecided, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to write a character who was nothing like me. I wanted to give myself the chance, as an author, to experience high school on the other side of the fence. Where the grass, is, of course, greener. So I invented Brooklyn Pierce. She’s popular. She hangs with the “it” crowd. She’s invited to all the cool parties. She has better things to do than study. And her best friend, Shayne, is the most sought after, most beautiful girl in the school. Yep, pretty much the polar opposite of who I was in high school.

But as I dove further into her character, I realized that she, too, was not much unlike me. She had thought she had found her place (in the inner sanctums of Shayne’s royal palace) but after an unfortunate event on page 1 of the book, she soon finds herself cast out. On her own. With no friends. And without a clue to who she really is outside of the darkness of Shayne’s shadow.

And as the book goes on and Brooklyn is able to see her former life from the outside, she starts to wonder if that really was her place to begin with.

In writing this story, I learned a valuable lesson about high school and life in general. Everyone is trying to figure it out. No matter how glamorous someone’s life looks from the outside, no one has all the answers. We all feel a little lost, scared and out of place from time to time.

I think that’s the reason My Life Undecided is my favorite book that I’ve written so far. Every author starts out a book with something to say. Something to teach. At least I do. And I set out writing My Life Undecided with a valuable lesson to teach Brooklyn Pierce—my lost, misguided and decisionally-challenged fifteen year-old heroine. But never, in a million years, did I expect her to teach me something.

But I suppose that’s why we write. That’s why we live. To learn something from everyone who comes into our lives…real or fictional.

Jessica Brody is the author of My Life Undecided, The Karma Club, and the forthcoming, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father (out summer 2012), which has recently been optioned for film. She also has published two novels for adults. She currently lives in both Los Angeles and Colorado.

My Life Undecided Book Summary:

From the Inside Flap:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I’m gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

My Life Undecided Book Trailer

Review & Giveaway: My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

2011-06-06T23:04:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Book Details:

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR)

Pub. Date: June 7, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 320

My Review:

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody is one of the most fun books I’ve read this year. The novel is about Brooklyn Pierce who has made bad decisions all her life. One day she realizes she needs to make some changes. So she sets up a blog where her readers will make all the decisions for her.

Now Brooklyn’s blog was one of many things I loved about this book. Brooklyn would tell her readers the situation and then they would choose (vote) what she would have to do in that certain situation. I was always curious to see how the readers will vote. In other words the results of Brooklyn’s fate. This is one reason why I kept reading.

Jessica’s characters are the best. She knows how to write books for YA. Brooklyn was one great protagonist. She was funny and she was all around a good person just trying to figure out where she belongs. Plus she was also trying to figure out how to make good and safe decisions. Brooklyn’s so-called best friend, Shayne, is the classic Ms.Popular. The girl who gets everything she wants. In the book Shayne dumps Brooklyn as a friend. In actuality it should of been the other way around, because Shayne is the kind of person who uses others only to benefit herself. Mrs. Moody is the grouchy old lady in the nursing home where Brooklyn has to serve community service. Mrs. Moody has some secrets and they get revealed towards the end of the novel that explains why she is always so moody.

Brooklyn also has a tricky love life. She is crazy about the cute new boy from the South. The new guy is Hunter and let me tell you he is smooth. I loved the part where he willingly got in trouble just to be able to talk to Brooklyn. I hope I didn’t spoil anything by mentioning that part. Face it we all have wanted the pretty and sly boy at one time or another. In life there is always that one person that you don’t see right in front of you. This person would be Brian. He has the brains and knows manners and how to respect people. Brian is the boy who has more to him than what Brooklyn sees on the surface. Which guy will she end up with in the end? Well read the book to find out!

Because the book is so much fun to read I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading every time. My Life Undecided is the first book I have ever read by Jessica Brody. But it certainly won’t be my last. Jessica knows what makes a great YA novel. My Life Undecided has a lot of good messages to send out to readers. So take Brooklyn’s journey with her, like I did, and figure out life too. Trust me. It’ll be worth it. Plus its a great book to sit out in the sun to read.

Giveaway will end June 14 at Noon EDT.

Everlasting Book Trailer & Giveaway!

2011-06-05T22:22:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone! Can you believe the end of the Immortal series is right around the corner? I can hardly believe it. But I bet it will be a great ending. Recently the book trailer was released. So if you haven't seen it yet, take a look for yourself below.

Did you like the book trailer? Feel free to let me know your thoughts on the trailer, and even your thoughts on the book series thus far.

Also feel free to fill out the super quick form for your chance to win a free copy of Everlasting by Alyson Noel. This giveaway will end Friday, June 10 at Midnight EDT.

June 7th book releases I'm excited for!

2011-05-31T23:02:00.004-04:00

So its late at night but I can't help but be excited for June 7th. Which is 1 week away! Here are the 2 books I'm excited about. Everlasting by Alyson Noel
Why I'm excited: Okay I admit I still have to read books 4 and 5 in this series. But Everlasting is the FINAL book in the series. Anyways the reason why I'm behind in this series is because the third book was not that great. So I decided to take a break from the series and read other books. Now I'm ready to dive back in and have an Immortals marathon. Judging from the book cover its going to be a great ending to The Immortals series. I have major cover love for Everlasting.

He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott

Why I'm excited: Hello its by Kieran Scott also known as Kate Brian! Kieran has not failed me yet. She writes the best books! The first book to this triology, She's So Dead to Us, was excellent. He's So Not Worth It is definitely going to be super awesome. Gosh can I just sneak into Barnes and Noble's inventory room, if such a thing exists, and grab myself a copy and leave the money? Seriously. Can. Not. Wait. For. This. Book. Its going to be SO WORTH IT. Hahaha yeah sorry had to throw that pun in there.

Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

2011-05-31T22:41:00.002-04:00

Synopsis:Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly.

Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia’s boyfriend— knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can’t mourn Julia openly, and he’s tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia’s journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he’s desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

Book Details:

Publisher: Speak

Pub. Date: Feb. 17, 2011 (for Paperback)

Format: Paperback

Pages: 192

My Review:

The first thing I would like to mention is that the title drew me into this book when I first saw it online last year. One of the major factors that kept me from buying The Secret Year in hardback was that the story was just 192 pages long. In my opinion that means that its not worth paying 16 or 17 dollars for a quick read. So when the paperback came out I went to the bookstore. Now I don’t really like either of the two covers for this book but dang when I felt the velvety softness of the paperback I just had to get it. Okay I feel like a freak for saying that, but don’t you love soft book covers too? Even cool textured covers?

Anyway with all that aside I somewhat enjoyed the Secret Year. Personally, I did not get emotionally involved with the main character Colt. He was sort of a jerk. But I could only imagine how it would feel to have to grieve alone without the support of friends and family to get you through. How Colt handled situations were not always great. There was a lot of sexual situations in this book. While they were all not explicit but rather mentioned it was still too much for my taste. Truthfully I probably would have stopped reading at some point, but I was very curious to see how this book would go. What was the plot? What is going to happen to Colt? How will this book end? Were some questions floating in my mind while I read that had me continuing to read. I may be blind or something but I didn’t see a plot. The book was just a story that goes from day to day, month to month with what goes on in Colt’s life. As to what happens to Colt, well nothing really happens to him. He didn’t really change from where he started in the book. And the ending let me tell you it felt unfinished to me. I seriously turned the page expecting there to be more.

Almost all the characters were immature. The whole rich and poor war and hate situation was just silly. It was like well I’m rich and too good to hang out and be nice to you poor people. And because you are trash you are not allowed to come on our territory. Hey lets all go around and ruin each others property. That is basically part of the book in a nutshell. The only characters who were the best out of any of the characters of the novel were Michael, Kirby, and Colt’s brother.

To end the review on a good note I will say that there are surprises that were really good in The Secret Year. I liked reading Julia’s letters or should I say diary entires. I really like how Jennifer Hubbard shows readers that someone that meant something will always be with you and you will always have a place for them in your heart. Its okay to move on in life and realize that there are still good things for you after loss. Another theme is that just because someone comes from a rich family doesn’t mean that they are always happy. Everyone feels the same feelings at one time or another. Regardless of my uncertainty towards this debut novel I’m excited to see what Jennifer comes out with next.

Review: Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando

2011-05-22T21:48:00.002-04:00

Synopsis:Jane has traveled the world with her father and twin brother, but it's not until her fractured family–still silently suffering from the loss of Jane's mother many years before–inherits a house and a history in Coney Island that she finally begins to find a home. With the help of a new community of friends, a mermaid's secrets, and a tattooed love interest with traffic-stopping good looks, the once plain Jane begins to blossom and gains the courage to explore the secrets of her mother's past.

Colorful characters, beautiful writing, and a vibrant, embattled beachfront backdrop make this the perfect summer read for anyone who has ever tried to find true love or a place to call home.

Book Details:

Publisher:Dutton Juvenile

Pub. Date: May 12, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 304

My Review:

Dreamland Social Club is one of those books where you read it and have mixed feelings about it. At least that is the case for me. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started Dreamland Social Club. While this is a lovely book about a girl, Jane, discovering who she is and where she belongs its also a story of Coney Island. I learned so much about Coney’s history than I did before, which I have to say my knowledge about Coney was about as much as a rock’s knowledge. Hey, I even learned other things, besides Coney, from this book that I didn’t know before.

Jane comes to Coney Island after her grandfather passes away and Jane and her brother inherit his house. Only his house is more like a museum. Here Jane finds some things of her mother’s who had passed away when Jane was very young. Which goes to say that Jane barely remembers or knew her mother. So Jane then goes on an adventure to find out more about her mother. Along the way she meets Leo who has a familiar tattoo. As she gets to know Leo, they discover there is something that can bring them together. I also want to point out that Jane and Leo’s relationship besides the many questions this book brings is the only thing that kept me reading.

With that said, Dreamland Social Club was boring or for better words slow. The plot didn’t really pick up until the end. Things overall didn’t start to get interesting or exciting until the end. But all that aside this book did manage to hold enough of my attention to continue reading. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate this book; I only like it. Dreamland Social Club starts out like a first book to a series. Where they start out slow to introduce the world and the characters to the readers and then in future books they start to get better. But this is not a series as far as I know it is just a stand alone novel. Nevertheless Tara Altebrando couldn’t have written this book any other way. It just wouldn’t work out in my opinion. Despite the pace of the book Dreamland Social Club is an excellent novel of self-discovery, truth, mystery, secrets, and so much more.

Before I end this review I want to say that I loved all the supporting characters. They were all so different from each other and other book characters. Dreamland Social Club’s one theme is to not judge others by their looks. This is so true with these characters. Jane’s first impressions of them were that they were freaks. As she got to know them better she found out that they are actually great people and friends.

If you like self-discovery books with adventure and a little bit of mystery then this is the book for you. By the end of this book you’ll be sure to fall in love with all the characters, and Coney.

A Quick Announcement

2011-05-17T11:59:00.002-04:00

Well hello there fellow bloggers and followers. I must say this year so far has been nothing but a whirlwind of craziness. While taking over four weeks away from blogger to catch up with school work and deal with final exams I dearly missed the book blogging world. I barely had time to read a single page of a book. It was so hard for me, as any book lover would know. But this whole situation has made me come up with another game plan for dealing with time. So hopefully this time around will work out better with school, reading, writing reviews, and just blogging the latest updates in the book world. This summer I will be taking two college courses but other than that I should have a lot more time than I used to to blog and review books.

At the moment I have TONS of books that need to be reviewed. I'm not joking when I say tons. So all this week I will be working determinedly to write a lot of reviews and posting them here and other book websites.

There is also another book topic I would like to write a post about. Which may or may not cause a lot of discussion. But it has been nagging at me and I would really love to put in my 2 cents.

I have also been heavily thinking about for my big return to make a vlog, but as you can see did not happen. But as soon I feel comfortable and presentable I will make a vlog. Maybe for my massive In My Mailbox post.

So huge hugs for all of you guys. I've really missed you all and blogging.

:) Mallory

Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

2011-04-10T20:48:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.
Book Details:
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin)
Pub. Date: April 5, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 264
My Review:
Before I start completely I just want to say that my review will not do Where She Went justice. As a matter of fact I don’t think anyone’s review could ever do this book justice. No, I’m not insulting anyone here. Just trying to tell you how words cannot simply express this book. It is a book that contains every good and bad emotion.

I remember right after finishing If I Stay years ago one thought came to my mind. That thought was, “Wow what an amazing book! I just wish Gayle could of told Adam’s side of the story.” Little did I know that about one or two years later Gayle would announce that there will be a novel from Adam’s POV! It felt like an answer to my prayers, because she originally was not going to write anymore about Mia or Adam.

Where She Went was everything I could have asked for and then some. Probably one of the greatest sequels I’ve ever read. Adam’s story picks up years later and he is in a now famous band. Only he feels more alone than ever now; even with his bandmates and screaming fans around him. For some reason Mia is no longer in his life. Ever since she left him his life has become somewhat of a downward spiral.
One night fate brings Mia and Adam together again. Will Adam get the answers he’s always wanted to ask Mia? This book is one journey anyone should go on with Mia and Adam. It will at once break your heart and leave you with joy in your heart. Where She Went is also about learning to love again and be loved. Its also about grief and letting go. So many life changing lessons just like If I Stay gave. If you can handle all this join Adam, and even Mia again, on an unforgettable ride.
5 Stars!

In My Mailbox (35)

2011-04-09T22:57:00.003-04:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. IMM is where book bloggers can share what they received, bought, borrowed, or traded in books. Umm... I hope that sentence was not confusing. Haha!

Regardless, I'm super excited with the books I got this week from the amazing people at Penguin! Thank you so much!

I wish there were 48 hours in a day! Then I would be able to read a lot more books than I am now. ;)

Okay so I guess no need to keep you waiting huh? You want either pictures or a vlog. You've probably already skipped my rambling I bet. Well here is the picture of awesome!

Won/ For Review:

Karma by Cathy Ostlere

Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (with the cover change notice and Nightshade button).

P.S. I never really voiced my opinion on the cover change online before but I feel the need to now. Like most of you, I LOVE for series covers to match throughout the series. I LOVE the original Wolfsbane cover and I only LIKE the updated Wolfsbane cover. I love the original because it was light and shinny! The updated cover is just like every single book cover out there at the moment; which is dark. I'm also wondering if they are going to make the updated cover sparkle and shine like the Nightshade cover and also like the cover on the Wolfsbane ARC. Another thing to point out; what about the roughed up or ruffed up edges or whatever the correct term is for the edged paper. I love books that have this added special. Will they also be making the updated book version with this edges? I mean I don't care TOO much when it comes to changes because when it comes down to it all its the STORY inside the cover that matters most. And Andrea Cremer can write a darn good story!

2 Lucky Winners!

2011-03-28T22:22:00.003-04:00

Just to make this a quick announcement the winner of:

ARC of Angel in My Pocket by Ilene Cooper is.... Autum Frailey

And the winner of the ARC of Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter is... Erinberry

You can either e-mail me with your address whenever you see this post, or I will contact you whenever I find the time during this busy week.

Congrats!

Be on the look out for more giveaways coming soon!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (3)

2011-03-23T21:07:00.004-04:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted weekly by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Waiting On is where bloggers can share with others what book they are currently waiting to read.

This week's "Waiting On" is:

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

The Synopsis:

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

My Thoughts:

Look at that cover and tell me it does not make you want to pick up this book and start reading it right away. Plus that sentence on the cover telling us that the story of Romeo and Juliet is a lie. What? What? Oh, now I must read it to find out why. Also, that synopsis just clarifies why this is my kind of book: suspense, romance, forbidden love, and paranormal (in a way).

So tell me what your thoughts are for Juliet Immortal and mark your calendar for the release date for this book is September 13, 2011. Can't come soon enough huh?

Summer's Secrets in Then I Met My Sister

2011-03-22T07:10:00.002-04:00

Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso

Synopsis: Shannon has been the backdrop of my life since the moment I was born.

Summer Stetson lives inside a shrine to her dead sister. Eclipsed by Shannon's greatness, Summer feels like she's a constant disappointment to her controlling, Type A momzilla and her all-too-quiet dad. Her best friend Gibson believes Summer's C average has more to do with rebelliousness than smarts, but she knows she can never measure up; academically or otherwise.

On her birthday, Summer receives a secret gift from her aunt; Shannon's diary. Suddenly, the one-dimensional vision of her sister becomes all too solid. Is this love-struck, mom-bashing badass the same Shannon everyone raves about? Determined to understand her troubled sister, Summer dives headfirst down a dark rabbit hole and unearths painful family secrets. Each revelation brings Summer closer to the mysterious and liberating truth about her family,and herself.

________________________________________________

The Ten Secrets Summer has:

1. She's scared to death that she's a lot like her mom.

2. She wishes guys liked her more.

3. She really does care about grades but fears she's not smart enough to excel.

4. She wishes she knew her dad better.

5. She kinda hates her dead sister.

6. She hides depression and anxiety by being glib.

7. She doesn't feel beautiful and hates that she cares.

8. She's scared of college.

9. She wishes she could relate to girls better.

10. She's afraid of death but more afraid of life.

To Find out more about Christine and her books please visit here.

If you want to, which I suggest you do, follow the rest of the Then I Met My Sister blog tour feel free to go to The Teen {Book} Scene.

In My Mailbox (31), (32), (33), and (34)

2011-03-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

IMM is hosted weekly by The Story Siren. IMM is where reviewers can show what books they got that week.

This IMM post is a little weird for me. I'm not completely sure if it is to 34 or if its 31-35. Either way here is what I got over the weeks. :)

This week's mailbox contained:

For Review:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano (finished copy; I read it and LOVE it! Review will be posted soon.)

Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Cricket Rumley

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Previous weeks:

Bought:

Haven by Kristi Cook

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

For Review:

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (2nd copy; look for a giveaway)

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton (2nd copy; look for a giveaway)

Father of Lies by Ann Turner

Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh (not shown)

Won (from RandomBuzzers):

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Big Big BIG THANKS to: HarperCollins/HarperTeen, EgmontUSA + Goodman Media, Simon and Schuster, and RandomBuzzers/Random House!

Now for you awesome people, I'd love to see what you got in your mailbox!

Review + Giveaway: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

2011-03-17T19:54:00.000-04:00

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Book Details:Publisher: St. Martin's GriffinPub. Date: March 29, 2011Format: PaperbackPages: 416
My Review:Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter is the epitome of self discovery. For real. The whole book was based on Kylie Galen trying to find out who and what she is. When I got this book I was excited to read it, because I have never read a book that contains all the supernaturals (or should I say supernatural creatures?). At the same time I also had my doubts about whether I would like, or even love, Born at Midnight.

Kylie Galen has never really fit into any social groups at her school. Its always been her and her best friend. One night they go to a party. There Kylie sees her newly ex-boyfriend with another girl. Eventually the cops come and Kylie ends up taken away to camp. Only its not like ordinary camps. Oh no, this camp is for supernaturals: mostly shape-shifters, werewolves, vampires, witches, and fairies. The vampire part I admit was the reason why I had my doubt about liking this book. I did end up liking one vampire, Della. Who became friends with Kylie at camp. She was like a good kind of vampire. I also liked Kylie’s other friend Miranda who is a witch. She was quirky and funny.

Anyways Kylie’s life is seemingly going downhill. Her boyfriend cheated on her, her parents are divorcing, she is miles away from her best friend, and she is at a camp full of freaks. She wants to get out of camp as fast as she can. Life gets a little better when her roommates, Miranda and Della as mentioned above, become really good friends to her. Plus she has two amazingly awesome boys pining for her. one of the boys is sweet and caring Derek. The other is Lucas who use to be her neighbor back when they both were in either elementary or middle school. Kylie’s life just got a little more complicated by having two cute boys after her affection, and all Kylie wants to know is if she is a normal human being or actually one of the supernaturals.

I really found Born at Midnight an okay book but the book series has the potential to be really good. I didn’t like how the teens cussed. They cussed so much and then it was irritating when they took a break from cussing. I mean come on you’ve already been saying those words might as well keep it going instead of going from PG-13 to a censored PG. The book, for me at least, did not pick up until the last 100 pages. The first 200 pages were interesting but more often slow reading. But hey its the first in a series so I’ll give it a break. Back in middle school I read The Clique by Lisi Harrison that book was so slow. Only after the first book the rest of the series was so good until I grew out of the series.

I love the relationships Kylie forms with Della, Miranda, Derek, and Lucas. The question as to who Kylie will eventually date kept me from not giving up on this book. Plus I wanted to know WHAT KYLIE WAS! Oh, and the shape-shifter Perry added the humor in the book. I found myself laughing whenever he was involved in the book. Can’t wait to read the next book, Awake at Dawn, coming out this October. So if you are a fan of supernatural creatures, funny books, mystery, a bit of romance, and self discovery then this book is for you!

3 Stars!

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"Waiting On" Wednesday (2)

2011-03-16T23:07:00.002-04:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. "Waiting On" is where bloggers can share what they are most eagerly waiting to read in the upcoming months.

My "Waiting On" this week is: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey!
Synopsis: Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My thoughts: What can I say beside the fact that I love the color purple? Haunting Violet's cover is so pretty and purple! I love the background scenery. Other than the cover this story sounds interesting.

What are your thoughts on Haunting Violet? Sounds like a book you would read?

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey will be released June 21st, 2011 from Walker Books for Young Readers!

Book Trailer: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

2011-03-14T22:44:00.002-04:00

Wow wow wow wow wow!!!!!! The book trailer for Wither is finally here. After watching it for the first time I could not stop myself from playing this trailer again and again and again.

I'm currently reading Wither (I have 40 pages left to read) and the writing is so well done. Plus the story is haunting in a way. Well maybe I'm trying to think of a different word but haunting will work for now. I really try to stay away from comparing books to other books or authors to other authors, but Lauren DeStefano writes so beautifully like Lauren Oliver. They are both amazing and gifted authors.

What are your thoughts on Wither's book trailer? Are you excited to read Wither? There is only 7 days left until Wither's official release date.

Blog Tour: The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

2011-03-14T00:50:00.000-04:00

Since I'm not smart enough to embed the link in the banner above here is the website to learn more about the tour details. Better yet just read what Lisa and Laura have to say below after watching the interview!

I'm so excited to be able to show you the fabulous interview vlog Lisa and Laura took the time to do. Thanks Lisa and Laura for answering my questions. I had such a great time reading The Liar Society and coming up with the interview questions. For those who have not read The Liar Society go get a copy right away! It is one of my most favorite books of 2011. No lie. ;)

Without further ado here is the vlog!

A word from L&L:
Thanks for putting up with us, everyone! If you want to enter The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome contest, and really, who wouldn't want to enter!?! There's a $100 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Just click here and enter the super secret password, FARROWS, for an entry. Remember you can enter one time for each stop on our blog tour, so be sure to click here and see where else we're visiting this month to maximize your chances of winning.

Giveaway: ARC of Angel in My Pocket by Ilene Cooper

2011-03-09T20:20:00.003-05:00

This will be a quick giveaway, because the book will be released on March 15. That is only 4 days away! And really who doesn't love quick giveaways? ;)

Synopsis: When Bette finds an angel coin among the money collected in a carwash, she puts it in her pocket and forgets about it. But things start to change, especially once Gabby, a mysterious and kind new neighbor, moves into Bette’s Chicago building.

Suddenly, Bette is able to face some big losses—her mother’s recent death; her sister’s departure for college—and move forward. And once the angel coin falls into the hands of three other kids in Bette’s class, their lives change, too. Soon, these two girls and two boys will be connected in ways that open them up to unlikely friendships and new ways to believe in themselves. Here is an entirely new twist on the angel trend.

This Giveaway will run until March 12 at midnight EST time.

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents.

You don't have to be a follower to enter but it is great appreciated!

To enter fill out the form below:

"Waiting On" Wednesday (1)

2011-03-09T19:27:00.002-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. WoW is for Bloggers to share what book(s) they are eagerly anticipating. This is my very first WoW. I've been wanting to participate in this weekly meme for quite awhile now. What better time to start than now? Waiting On Wednesday seems as fun as Kristi's In My Mailbox weekly meme. Here is my "Waiting On" for Wednesday! :)

Small Town Sinners by Melissa C. Walker

Synopsis: Lacey Anne Byer is a perennial good girl and lifelong member of the House of Enlightenment, the Evangelical church in her small town. With her driver's license in hand and the chance to try out for a lead role in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, Lacey's junior year is looking promising. But when a cute new stranger comes to town, something begins to stir inside her. Ty Davis doesn't know the sweet, shy Lacey Anne Byer everyone else does. With Ty, Lacey could reinvent herself. As her feelings for Ty make Lacey test her boundaries, events surrounding Hell House make her question her religion.

Melissa Walker has crafted the perfect balance of engrossing, thought-provoking topics and relatable, likable characters. Set against the backdrop of extreme religion, Small Town Sinners is foremost a universal story of first love and finding yourself, and it will stay with readers long after the last page.

My Thoughts: First who can't look at the cover and fall in love with it? As soon as I saw the cover for Small Town Sinners I knew I just had to read this book. I really want to read this book because I've been reading way too many Paranormal books lately. Sometimes all anyone needs is a break from a certain genre, and Small Town Sinners seems like the perfect book to read for that break.

Small Town Sinners will be released on July 19th by Bloomsbury USA. So mark your calendars!

I'm still alive! A post every blogger or aspiring blogger should read.

2011-03-07T09:35:00.002-05:00

The last time I made a blog post was Feb. 15. That is nearly 3 weeks of being away from my blog. For the followers who have stuck by my side I want to say THANK YOU. YOU GUYS MEAN A LOT TO ME!

I'm currently in my second semester in college and taking a little more classes than last semester. I have to say it is really tough. French takes up 80% of my time alone. The second hardest class I'm taking is English. I've never had to write about topics I'm not passionate about let alone having to write 5 full pages about them. Last semester my English Prof. (a different one from this semester's) was more about quality over quantity. This semester I'm with a Prof. who is more about both.

Back in High School I knew college was going to be a lot more work. I just never knew how time consuming the assignments are. So my question for High School Book Review Bloggers; Have you thought about how you are going to balance your blog, school work, and maybe even a job when you are a full time student at a college?

Seriously when I get home from school all I want to do is absolutely nothing. I'm serious NOTHING. By saying this I'm not saying I'm a slacker even if the statement does sound like one. I have always been a hard worker. In other news,I don't know about other college peeps but whenever I work on my homework I eat so much. My brain and body are so not use to being overworked. Is this why they say the freshman 15?

Right now I'm on Spring Break. This means I have a lot of time to read and catch up on my blog. Of course I'm not off the hook from school work unfortunately. Nevertheless I plan on writing blog posts that should last a week or two. I have even created a resolution for blogging. Hopefully I can stick to it. I miss all of you in the blogging community.

For my ending question I want to ask all the college student bloggers and even the working mom blogger; How do you handle school along with the homework or work along with having kids while maintaining a blog? I'm finding out more and more that maintaining a blog requires two things motivation and devetion. I admire all of you who are able to post every day of the week and maintain good grades or a job. Seriously I don't know how I'd be able to do it without going insane. lol. :)

Sweet Venom Cover Reveal + Giveaway

2011-02-15T05:18:00.002-05:00

Wow is this a cover you all should get to see today at this very moment. I'm honored to present to you the awesome cover of Tera Lynn Childs' upcoming novel Sweet Venom. Without further ado here it is:
Don't you think its amazing. I love how dark and mysterious the cover is. The braid with the medusa like end definitely gives readers a clue that there has to be something about Medusa in the novel. Plus the font fits perfectly with the cover. What are your thoughts? I'm just going to add that Tera Lynn is an excellent author and I can't wait to read Sweet Venom. I'm sure its as great as her other novels. :)

To find out more about Sweet Venom please visit here.

To add Sweet Venom on Goodreads go here.

Also there is now a Facebook page for the Sweet Venom Trilogy which looks like will be updated for the latest news on the book and contests. Go here to visit the Facebook page.

Giveaway Time!

At the moment I'm thinking I'll give at least 1 or 2 lucky winners a bookmark for Sweet Venom. Does that sound good to you? Plus who can say no to a bookmark? Personally I love it when I can read a book and have that book's bookmark. Somehow it just makes reading that book even more fun and cool.
To Enter to Win: All you need to do is comment on this post and leave your email addy (so I can contact the winners). Good Luck everyone! Ends March 1 @ Midnight. U.S. and Canada residents only.

In My Mailbox (30) + 200 Followers!!! :)

2011-02-13T17:01:00.005-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly by Kristi @ The Story Siren. IMM is where everyone gets to share what they got that week in books. Whether the books were from the library, bookstores, online, and publishers/authors.

This week I got a book I have been eagerly awaiting for its paperback release. Plus the cover in my opinion is way more pretty than the hardcover edition. Only one local Barnes and Noble store in town had the paperback version in stock. Its very saddening that the YA selections are narrowing down because the stores are becoming more of a Nook store than a bookstore. Well here is the book I bought that I can not wait to read (whenever that may be; probably months from now because I have so little time to read anymore because of school).
The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

In Other News: I reached 200 blog Followers!!! To be honest I never thought I would reach 200 followers. Thank you all so much for liking my blog enough to follow it. I try my best to keep my blog up to date because I'm forever busy at this time in my life. 200 followers calls for a fab giveaway don't you think? I'll have more details about this later. <333

In My Mailbox (28) & (29)

2011-02-06T20:51:00.002-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren This week I have two weeks worth of IMM to show you guys.
For Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Thanks to Penguin and Librarything.com)

Bought: Here Lies Bridget by Paige Hrbison

Swag: 2 bookmarks and 2 bookplates (each signed) for Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (Thanks Courtney for the beautiful swag!)

Now that you've seen what was in my mailbox its your turn to tell me what you got. :)

Review: Deadly by Julie Chibarro

2011-02-03T20:08:00.001-05:00

Synopsis: A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York.
Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist?
If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.
With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?
Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.

Book Details:

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon and Schuster)

Pub. Date: Feb. 22, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 304

My Review: My feelings for Deadly by Julie Chibarro are mixed. Seems like I’ve been reading a lot of books that have caused mixing feelings for me lately. Towards the end of last year I have started to really like Historical Fiction books. Deadly is another good YA Historical Fiction book to add to the bookshelf. Be aware that it was not a book that had me saying, “Oh I can’t stop thinking about this book and I need to read more of it NOW!” I would suggest anyone who is interested in reading Deadly to do so. I’m just one of those people who are “sitting on a fence” with this book.

The Good: Deadly is a girl power book. I felt proud to be a girl while reading this book., and if a boy reads this he will more than likely wish he were a girl. Or at the very least feel great about how far we women have come. Prudence is interested in becoming a doctor and back then it was rare for females to have what was considered a man’s job. Prudence is out to help save the world from sickness. By landing a job in the department of health she hopes to prove the doubting adults that she can work in the medical field and that it was no mistake to leave the girl life behind. Prudence and her chief are given a case of a typhoid outbreak. Will her and Mr. Soper (her chief) solve the mystery as to who or what is behind the illnesses? I liked the mystery aspect in the book. I was constantly wondering what happened to her dad. Is he alive or is he dead. Or could he very well be right in front her. What will they do with Mary once they get her to cooperate with the Department of Health? If she even cooperates with them at all.

The Bad: Deadly is written in diary entries. In my opinion writing a novel, and a story for that matter, in diary entries is challenge. Is it really possible to write a diary novel that will keep readers turning the page to find out what happens next? While the questions that Prudence had throughout the novel were the only thing that kept me reading, in order the find out the answer, I had trouble seeing Deadly as a novel. Yes Deadly is a novel, but I guess I just found it hard to see any plot in Deadly. It was mostly about a girl doubting herself and worrying about things. Plus I found Prudence to have an obsession with her best friend that moved away. I will also add that the book's synopsis was somewhat misleading. From the synopsis I thought it would be more of like a detective novel and the main character would be constantly on the hunt to solve the problem. Which was not the case.

I will give props to Julie for writing about Typhoid Mary. To have an author write about an actual person in history is rare. Most authors just like to set stories in the past and not write of a person who once lived in real life. If you like short chapters with artwork included, a little mystery, and female empowerment Deadly is the book to read.

I need some advice and opinion for the website GoodReads

2011-01-30T12:42:00.003-05:00

So I'm sure you know that book website called Goodreads? Some of you may not like it because some of the people that review books on the site are cruel and harsh towards some of the books they read and did not like or have not read but have expressed their hatred towards the book for whatever reason.

Its not till recently where I'm starting to get a problem. My e-mail is getting a thousand e-mails with a notice that yet another person has requested to be a friend of mine on Goodreads. I have no problem getting friend requests, but its gotten to the point where its too much. A lot of the people have no common reading interests as me. I prefer to accept and request those that have the same reading interests as me. I don't mean to be descriminate but I just like seeing updates in my update feed containing books I would read. Not books that I have no interest reading. Plus there are the people who like to treat Goodreads like Facebook or Myspace.

I want to narrow the amount of friend requests I get, but at the same time I don't want to offend anyone. What should I do? How do you (If you are on Goodreads) handle friend requests? What are your reasons for having a Goodreads account?

New Cover Alert!!!

2011-01-25T15:24:00.003-05:00

Are you familiar with Cayla Kluver's debut novel Legacy? It was first published by Amazon Encore. Well now HarlequinTeen is publishing Cayla's novel and the rest of the books to the series. Legacy will be released on June 21, 2011. The cover I am about to show you may or may not be the final cover but I absolutely love it. When I saw the cover on BN.com I just had to share it with you all. Here is the before cover along with the new cover, and the synopsis of the book. For those who are wondering the blurb says: "I recommend you get this book in your hands as soon as possible."- Teen Trend Magazine

Synopsis:The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon of the nighttime sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, on the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

Across the land of Hytanica, under the shadow of the crimson moon, infant boys continued to vanish. Not until the blood had faded from the sky did the disappearances stop and the bodies of the murdered infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. For the next sixteen years, peace reigned, but one mystery remained unsolved. The Cokyrians had abducted forty-nine newborns, but returned only forty-eight bodies.

Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian's shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth.

Further Discussion: Thoughts and opinions anyone? I love the first cover. When I saw it in the bookstore I found it different from any other book cover and intriguing. It didn't even have a dust jacket. The cover art was on the book itself and really I much perfer hardcovers that way. But, wow, when I see the new cover I couldn't have asked for more. The new cover is so gorgeous in every aspect. I can not wait for Legacy to come out in paperback this June.

In My Mailbox (27)

2011-01-23T18:34:00.005-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. You can click here for more information.

This week's IMM is actually for the past I don't know how long weeks. Maybe the past couple of weeks worth of books.

For Review:

Vesper by Jeff Sampson (Reading it right now and it is a super super fun read.)

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Thank you HarperCollins and Simon and Schuster for the books!

Bought:

The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

I must admit I don't really like the cover for The Secret Year, but I really want to read it. What really sold it for me was the feel of the book cover. It is one of the softest books I've ever felt. If not for the story itself, which I'm sure is really good, get the book for the feel of the cover. I hope I'm not the only person who feels this way about the cover. lol. :)

I'm really excited to read all the books I got these past few weeks! There is another thing I want to tell you all about; While at the bookstore last week I discovered a gorgeous reprint of Robin McKinley's novel Chalice. Isn't so pretty? I've never heard of Chalice before but it sounds like an interesting read. Have you guys read it?

What did you get in your mailbox?

Across the Universe ARC + Swag Giveaway Winner!

2011-01-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

The winner of the Across the Universe prize pack, chosen by random.org, is Krystal! Congrats Krystal you have 24 hours to reply to my e-mail, because I hope to ship your prize to you tomorrow.

For the winners of the Prize Packs of my previous giveaways I will be mailing them out tomorrow! Sorry it took me so long, I didn't have envelops at the ready.

Much love,

Mallory :)

Blog Hop: Jan. 14-17

2011-01-15T15:55:00.002-05:00

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted weekly by Jennifer @ crazy-for-books.com. The blog hop is where you can discover other great blogs out there. =)

This week's question is: Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?

My answer: I really don't have a definite answer to this question. I will read anything that sounds good to me. As long as its not an erotica or vampire book. I do find myself mostly reading Young Adult Paranormal Romance because I like how they are always dark and mysterious. They are all around a fun read. I do like to read contemporary books too, because its nice to take a break from fantasy and read books about regular everyday teens.

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

2011-01-14T14:56:00.003-05:00

Synopsis: A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Book Details:

Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)

Pub. Date: Jan. 11, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 416

My Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis blew me away to space. This is one epic debut novel I suggest everyone read. With all the hype about Across the Universe I was expecting to be enthralled through out the novel. While this is partially true I sometimes found myself thinking that Across the Universe was an okay book. Nothing too awesome about it. It was not until the ending of the book where I found myself thinking this is one freaking awesome book and I totally love it!

First I want to mention the cover. I have complete cover over Across the Universe’s cover. I love all the colors in the cover. Purple is the most awesome color to ever exist so when its placed with pink and multiple shades you get one pretty cover. I love looking at astronomy pictures so the stars on the cover are beautiful. Plus I can’t forget the couple who I suppose are meant to be the two main characters. They are just lovely.

Beth Revis creates a new vocabulary for Across the Universe. I don’t know about anyone else but I love love love when authors get creative and have fun with their novels by creating a special and unique vocabulary. Although most of the unique words Beth created are mostly space curse words I appreciate that Beth did not use actual well known curse words of today. This does not mean that I dislike when authors do use curse words in books, because the truth is almost everyone has cussed at some point in their life. I just like how Beth got creative.

It was really easy to sympathize with everyone on Godspeed. Even if Eldest was a liar ,and evil in his own way, it was understandable why he did what he did. Even though he could of went about the situation a different way. I really like Amy, Elder, and Harley. They were the most real and their own person. Most of the people of Godspeed practically all shared the same mind.

If there was one thing I really didn’t like about the book it has to be The Season. It was really disgusting. The Season is where almost everyone on the ship mate. May I add they mate anywhere they can and that they don’t care if its in front of other people. I do understand why Beth added this situation to the novel. Everything written in Across the Universe is important to what Beth is trying to get across to people. Beth seems right about the 3 causes of discord too. Not too many people think about the reasons why there are hate and wars in this world but Beth did.

The mystery as to who is unfreezing and murdering the frozens will put readers on the edge on of their seats. It was a shock as to who it was although I did have my suspicions on the culprit. I must admit that right after finishing I went back to read the first 10 chapters (or something like that) again. Which has never happened to me before so kudos Beth!

Across the Universe is about seeking the truth when everyone is telling lies. Its also so much more than. I recommend you read Across the Universe to find out for yourself why Across the Universe has gotten all the hype it deserves. Plus its a great addition to the sci-fi and Young Adult shelf.

5 Stars!

Giveaway: Across the Universe ARC + Swag

2011-01-10T19:36:00.005-05:00

I recently read Beth's debut novel and I have to say it was pretty epic. I have an extra ARC copy that I'm pleased to say will be someone's very soon. I'd like to thank Beth for making this giveaway possible. There will be some ATU book swag along with the ARC. All you have to do is fill out the form below. Since I'm feeling generous this giveaway is not only for U.S. residents but it is also for Canada residents as well. I'm slowly but surely making my way to an international giveaway sometime this year.

*Also you don't have to be a follower to enter but it is GREATLY APPRECIATED. =)

*Plus feel free to spread the word about the giveaway. Even if you don't get extra points. Do it to spread the book love! =)

Giveaway Ends 1/14 at 11:59 P.M. EST

Book Trailer: Clarity by Kim Harrington

2011-01-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

You know Clarity by Kim Harrington don't cha? That book with the beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis? Well here is the book trailer for it.

This book seems like a win win. The cover is beautiful, I'm sure the novel will be beautiful, and the trailer is beautiful! What do you think about the trailer?

Total times I said the word beautiful= 5!

Two Great Covers Revealed!

2011-01-06T14:48:00.003-05:00

If you click the covers it should take you to their Goodreads page.

Yesterday the cover for Michele Hodkin's debut novel, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, was revealed. I really like the cover. Its mysterious but at the same time kind of romantic. Unless the guy is trying to pull her under. Hope NOT! The expected release date is Sept. 27, 2011.

Today Lauren Kate's third book in her Fallen series, Passion, had it's cover revealed. I have yet to read the series even though I have the books. I think Passion's cover is my favorite out of the 3 books. I love how all the covers compliment each other and the girl holding the rose is pretty. Its like we are 1 step closer to finally seeing the girl's face. Expected release date is June 14, 2011.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the 2 new covers?

Book Trailer: Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

2011-01-05T20:21:00.002-05:00

Here is a book trailer for the upcoming YA historical fiction novel, Deadly by Julie Chibarro. To find out more about Deadly here is a link to its Goodreads page: Deadly's Link. While searching Youtube for the book trailer I came upon a video of Julie reading from Deadly and talking about the book. I HIGHLY suggest you watch BOTH videos!

Tell me what your thought are after watching. Are you excited to read the book now? More than you already did?

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2011-01-03T22:32:00.002-05:00

Synopsis:In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.
Book Details:Publisher: HarperCollins (HarperTeen)Pub. Date: Jan 4, 2011Format: HardcoverPages: 448
My Review:
I simply love Angel books. So when I found out about Cynthia Hand’s debut novel Unearthly I just had to have this book. I can honestly say Cynthia is one of those authors that make such a stellar debut that they make it on the must buy everything from this author list! Cynthia writes in a way that makes you feel like you are there. Literally, no lie, while I was reading I was actually smelling the smells and picturing the world that she was describing. Don’t worry though the descriptions are not boring or painfully redundant.

Instead of mysterious and dangerous fallen angels Cynthia writes about the good Angels. Well there is a dangerous fallen angel in the book but that’s only a minor character. The main character, Clara, is an angel but she is not a full blooded angel. All angels are sent to Earth to fulfill a certain purpose. Clara starts to get visions of what her purpose is. Her visions include a boy and fire.

Clara’s mother soon decides its time to move to a town that is out in the middle of nowhere. It doesn’t take long for Clara to meet the boy in her visions, Christian. Christian is the kind of boy that is too perfect. Even though he has a girlfriend Clara can’t stop thinking about him and what exactly it is she has to do with him in her visions. But is Christian all that he appears to be? To make things worse Clara seems to have a guy out to make her life a pain. That guy whose name is Tucker happens to be her new best friend’s brother. What is Tucker’s problem anyway? Well us girls (and maybe guys who do this) should know what his problem is. I don’t want to spoil anything but as the book progressed I started to love Tucker. He is a really down to earth kind of guy. In my opinion Christian seems more friend material for Clara. Boys aside, Clara made some pretty cool friends one that seemed to know what was best for Clara before Clara even knew what was best for her. This girl would be none other than Tucker’s sister Wendy. The other friend is quite quirky. I hope I’m using the right word to describe her. But I still don’t know whether Clara should trust her or not. Clara’s mother and brother. Well gotta love them. I’m glad Clara has them in her life.

With Unearthly I don’t ever remember being bored. The mystery, characters and the ending was enough to keep me on the edge of my seat until I finished reading.

I don’t know what else to say without giving out a review that is over 600 words. I’ll just say buy this book for Tucker, Clara, the story itself, and for Cynthia Hand because without her this extraordinary book would not exist. Most of all buy it because I’m sure you will fall in love with this book as much as I have. Plus how many YA books have girls as the Angel instead of the guy being an Angel falling for a mortal? Only one other that I can think of. So if you want to read a book that puts a fresh spin on Angels read Unearthly!

5 Stars!

In My Mailbox (26) Plus Christmas Stash

2011-01-02T22:48:00.006-05:00

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Its where people show others what they got that week thats book related.

Since I was away last week I didn't have time to take a picture of the books I got for Christmas. I'm finally back home and just now took pictures of what I got from the holidays and while I was away from home.

From Christmas:

Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

(Not Shown)- Pure Sin by Kate Brian

For Review:

Clarity by Kim Harrington (See the sticker on the envelope? I thought it was awesome show I had to show you all!) Thank you Scholastic/Point for providing me a review copy!

The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker (Thank you Sourcebooks Fire)

What did you get in your mailbox?

Review: Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen

2011-01-02T11:49:00.002-05:00

Synopsis:Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive….

Book Details:Publisher: Harlequin TeenPub. Date: September 2010Format: PaperbackPages: 224
My Review:First off how many of you are tired of constantly reading books that are 300-600 pages long and bulky? Really its hard to find a book that is under 300 pages anymore. I’m pleased to say that Mara Purnhagen’s Past Midnight is a wonderful paranormal novel that is under 250 pages!

Past Midnight took me a few days to read and I enjoyed every second of it. Charlotte’s family moves around a lot because of her parent’s career as ghost hunters with their own T.V. show. One day something goes wrong at a place in Charleston, SC where Charlotte’s parents are filming. Afterwards Charlotte starts seeing strange things in her sleep and bedroom.

Charlotte makes new friends in her new hometown. The first friend we meet is a girl how lives across the street from Charlotte. That girl would be Avery who has a secret that everyone in town seems to know about but will not tell Charlotte when she asks about what happened. Then there are two guys introduced to us. Theres Jared who is somehow connected to Avery’s secret. Then there is Noah who, if I remember correctly, is a good guy that cares about Charlotte and they seem to be on the path towards a relationship. Really though the only boy that stuck with me months later after reading Past Midnight is Jared. I really don’t remember anything about Noah. Sorry Noah! Jared just seemed more flirtatious and a better match for Charlotte. They had natural chemistry or something! Whenever Charlotte needed someone to talk to who would understand she’d call her sister Annalise. They are so nice to each other. Annalise was like a fairy godmother to Charlotte in certain ways.

Along with Charlotte’s friends keeping secrets, Charlotte keeps that fact that her parents are ghost hunters a secret from her friends in hope that she can actually live a normal teenage life. Don’t worry though every mystery gets revealed at the end; which includes what happened with Avery and Jared and why are ghosts following Charlotte? Will Charlotte’s family secret stay hidden forever or will the town find out?

My only suggestion would be to rush out to your local bookstore and see if they have a copy of Past Midnight available and buy it! I can hardly wait for Feb. 15, 2011 to get here so I can go out and buy the second book in the series One Hundred Candles.

5 Stars!

WINNERS and Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T20:57:00.002-05:00

Happy New Years everyone. 2010 was a fantastic year of blogging and sweet book releases! It was a great year for me. Being as I feel like an established book blogger, finally! I got to graduate High School and start and finish my first semester of college. I also got to celebrate my 1 year blogoversary this year too. Here's to 2011 and another awesome year of books to come.

Now onto the winners of my 1 year blogoversary. I know its a little late! I still have more books to giveaway soon. =)

Using random.org here are the winners:

The winner of the Lisi Harrison Prize Pack is...

Theresa M

The winner of the Darren Shan Prize Pack is...

Cindy Gates

The winner of Star Crossed: Gemini Night by Bonnie Hearn Hill is...

Jennelle S

Congrats, I will be e-mailing you soon! You have 72 hours to respond or I will have to choose another winner.

Review: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

2010-12-28T20:34:00.003-05:00

Synopsis:The non-stop sequel to The Dark Divine delivers an even hotter romance and more thrilling action than Bree Despain's first novel. Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She gave her soul to the wolf to save him and lost her beloved mother. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven. Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot - a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel begins to crumble. Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace becomes prideful in her new abilities - not realizing that an old enemy has returned and deadly trap is about to be sprung. Readers, raveous for more Grace and Daniel, will be itching to sink their teeth into The Lost Saint.
Book Details:Publisher: EgmontUSAPub. Date: December 28, 2010Format: HardcoverPages: 416

My Review:

Bree Despain does not disappoint with her sequel, The Lost Saint. The story takes off a little under a year after Grace’s brother Jude ran away. Before starting The Lost Saint I was wondering how Bree could pull off a second novel after her amazing debut The Dark Divine. Well I found myself one again captivated in Grace’s world and breezing through the pages just to get to the end.

Not only has Bree continued to give us an awesome book but she also introduces more characters to the story. Talbot and Katie. Katie is a classmate who seems to want Daniel as her boyfriend. I felt the same way as Grace did about Daniel and his seemingly blossoming friendship with Katie. Talbot was a mysterious guy who seems to be into Grace. For some reason I liked Talbot more than Katie. I guess its because he was more in the story and we got to know more about him. Oh, and we also get to see more of Gabriel when he comes to town.

Grace gets a call from her brother and a string of vandalism and robberies follow. Grace and Daniel wonder if Jude has something to do with these crimes. Grace and Daniel tell each other that they would not keep secrets from each other. Turns out they both start hiding a lot of important things from each other. Grace and Daniel’s love for each other is tested with the addition to the 2 new characters and with their hidden secrets.

The ending was a little predictable. I was able to guess who the leader of the pack of vandals were. Still I was shocked at how everything went down in the battle. At the end it all made sense about why Daniel was acting so distant from Grace. How could anyone ever doubt him for a second? I love Daniel he is such a great boyfriend to Grace. Even if he ignored her for practically the whole book. Although all of their problems could have been avoided if they were just open and honest to each other.

To try and make a long review short, The Lost Saint is an epic sequel that had me feeling almost every emotion. Fans of The Dark Divine will never be let down as they join Grace as she goes undercover to fight crime with her growing powers and discover who is behind the crimes and find her brother.

In My Mailbox (25)

2010-12-23T17:38:00.004-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Its where people can show others what they got that week in books. IMM also helps introduce books some people are aware of. :)

For Review:

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Look for a giveaway of this book next year!

Thank you Liz for sending me the copies!

Check out my Guest Post

2010-12-23T17:32:00.002-05:00

Today I have a guest post over at Katie's blog, Books are Dreams. Please feel free to take a moment and go check out her blog and the Holiday Celebrations posts. Just click the button and it'll take you there. Plus I should of done this post a long time ago. Sorry! Its just that time of year where life gets crazy. ;)