It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1)

Read this week:

-How I Found The Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood

-What I Wore To Save The World by Maryrose Wood

-Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Reading now:

-How Not To Make A Wish by Mindy Klasky

Up next:

-Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margi Stohl

-Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

I read some really great books and some not so really great books over the past week but sadly I have gotten very behind with my reviews. Going out of town for two weeks can really do that to you so I will try to catch up relatively quickly. Also, you will be able to see my new review format and rating system. =]

Contest Reminder!

This is just a friendly reminder to let you guys know that my contest for three copies of Need ends tonight at midnight. I will be picking and announcing winners tomorrow and I will also be announcing my giant Christmas giveaway!

Also, up in my menu bar my wish-list has been changed to a list of upcoming releases and I would love it if you guys would check it out and let me know what you think. Is it a good feature or do you pretty much already know about all the books listed? I am always happy for any kind of feedback.

Oh and I am going to be changing a few things on the blog so look out for those changes in the very near future. One of them I will actually be posting right after this. =]

2010 Debut Author Challenge List!

The Story Siren is hosting the 2010 Debut Author Challenge and if you want to find out more about it you can read all her info here. The challenge will run from January 1,2010 to December 31, 2010 but you can join in at any time. The books do have to be released in 2010, though. You can read any number of debut books but I am probably going to try to read a lot. I think I am going to aim for 30 to start with but I'm hoping to read more than that. If you want to sign up, you can do that here.

Bold=own

Italics=read/reviewed

2010 Debut Author Challenge List:

1. Wish by Alexandra Bullen

2. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

3. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount-White

4. The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter

5. The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

6. The Line by Teri Hall

7. The Mark by Jen Nadol

8. Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healy

9. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

11. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

12. The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

13. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

14. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

15. A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

16. Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omolulu

17. Sea by Heidi R. Kling

18. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

19. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

20. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

21. Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

22. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

23. Everlasting by Angie Frazier

24. Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

25. A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner

26. Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

27. Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

28. The Tension Of Opposites by Kristina McBride

29. Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

30. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

31. The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray

32. Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

33. Mistwood by Leah Cypess

34. Claire De Lune by Christine Johnson
35. A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
36. Dark Life by Kat Falls
37. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
38. The Rise Of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
39. Prophecy Of Days: The Daykeeper's Grimoire by Christy Raedeke
40. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
41. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
42. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
43. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
44. Nice And Mean by Jessica Leader
45. The Candidates (Delcroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott
46. Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kiersten White
47. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
48. The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa
49. The Ghost And The Goth by Stacey Kade
50. Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
51. Freefall by Mindi Scott
52. The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
53. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
54. Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
55. Stork by Wendy Delsol
56. Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
57. The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
58. Matched by Ally Condie
59. Plain Kate by Erin Bow
60. Almost To Die For by Tate Hallaway

Read:  34/60

That's quite a few but I am really hoping I can meet my goal. =]

I'm Back and New Cover Alert!!

I am back in Colorado and I have internet, once again. I am so happy to be able to sleep in my own bed tonight and tomorrow or Monday I will do a special IMM that shows all the books I got over the past three weeks and let me tell you, there are a lot. I might have gone a little overboard at the used bookstores but we don't have many in Colorado so I had to use this opportunity to get some books I was looking for.

Also, have you guys seen the new cover for the third Generation Dead book? I really loved the first two so I can't wait for this one. I haven't made up my mind about the cover yet but I think I like it. What do you guys think?

Little Black Lies

Book: Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

Rating: 5 Stars

Release date: October 13, 2009 from Egmont USA

From: Publisher

Summary:

Sara Black is tiptoeing across a fraying tightrope.

As the new eleventh grader at Anton High – the most elite public school in the country – she sticks out like an old VW bus in a parking lot full of shiny BMWs. But being the new kid also brings a certain advantageous anonymity.

In Anton High’s world of privilege, intelligence, and wealth, Sara can escape her family’s tarnished past and become whomever she wants.

And what’s the harm in telling a few little black lies when it can lead to popularity? That is, until another it girl at Anton becomes jealous of Sara’s social climbing.

With her balance evaporating, one small push could bring Sara crashing down.

*****

I could tell from the very beginning that I was going to like Little Black Lies. It’s one of those books where once you start it, there is no stopping for anything other than necessity. It kept me hooked right until the last sentence and even after that it stuck with me.

The first thing I really liked about the book was Sara. She may have been a huge liar and kind of selfish in some of her acts but I still liked her. She didn’t seem superficial and you could tell by all the guilt she felt how much she hated what she was doing. She was also really funny. She was super clumsy and always tripping over something or running into someone. And usually it was a very cute senior boy.

Also, the story was just really entertaining. I kept reading because I really wanted to know what crazy thing Sara would do next and how she would manage to get herself out of it. And the girls were insane. They were evil. I knew it from the beginning but I didn’t really find out how evil until the very end.

Oh and Sara’s dad was so cute. I felt so bad for him with his OCD and I just wanted to hug him. He had so many things going on with his life but all he ever cared about was Sara. I couldn’t believe that his wife just up and left him, knowing how much pain and trouble it would cause him. No matter what, I could never like Sara’s mom and nothing she did made herself seem any better. I hated her!

Overall, I guess you can clearly see how much I liked the book. While there were some things, like Sara’s confusing relationship with Leo, I didn’t really understand until the end, it all worked out well. Definitely see if your local bookstore has a copy of this because it is super worth it. =]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Hope you have a great day and eat lots of turkey! =]

Waiting On Wednesday: The Six Rules Of Maybe

Book: The Six Rules Of Maybe by Deb Caletti

Release date: April 20, 2010 from Simon Pulse

Summary:

Scarlett Hughes is overly involved in the lives of everyone around her, and exceptionally interested in the habits of her neighbors. But Scarlett is thrust solidly into her own life when her sister, Juliet, returns home from school—pregnant and surprisingly married to a sweet, handsome man whom she seems to have no interest in, but who is hopelessly in love with her. Forced to take a look inward for the first time, Scarlett discovers the necessity of dreams, as well as the necessity of facing reality and speaking the truth.

My reasons for wanting this book badly:

1-While I haven't read any books by Deb Caletti, I have heard nothing but good things about them.

2-The summary really draws me in and makes me want to know more. I'm hoping the book is like that too. =]

3-Another pretty cover. I think that will always be one reason for me. =P

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Teaser Tuesday: Taken By Storm

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall to a random page.
* Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* Share the title of the book that you're getting your teaser from... That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
* Please avoid spoilers!

From page 28 of Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison:

i sit there, numb, wondering what she'd look like lying on a dock with a white sheet pulled over her face. Am I inventing new stages of grief or did the shrink in Belize leave this one out?

I haven't really made up my mind about this book yet. It's told more from Michael's point of view which I didn't expect. I like it so far but I'm haven't read very far so I guess I will just have to see how it goes. =]

What are you reading this Tuesday?

OMG Thank You!!!!

I am still out of town and still have barely any internet but I thought I should post to tell all of you thank you. I can't believe that I have reached 400 followers and I am just squealing with joy right now. I'm just so ecstatic. =]

Also, my currently reading is still Taken By Storm but I am not really reading that right now. I have read quite a few other books but I can't change the picture until I get home. Don't worry, I'm not slacking on my reading just because it's vacation. In fact I have probably read more books away from home than I would have at home.

That's all for now and thanks again everyone. It means so much to me and I will definitely be celebrating with some more contests when I get home.

Nothing Like You

Book: Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: October 20, 2009 from Simon and Schuster

From: Author

Summary:

“You think he’s yours but he’s not, I thought. You think he’s yours but really he’s mine.”

When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly, and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly’s mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she’s getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul’s kisses are a welcome diversion, and it’s nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose.

But things aren’t so simple with Saskia around. Paul’s real girlfriend is willowy and perfect… and nothing like Holly. To make matters worse, she and Holly are becoming friends. Suddenly the consequences of Holly’s choices are all too real, and Holly stands to lose more than she ever realized she had.

*****

When I started Nothing Like You I really wanted to like it. And I did, at first. As it went on, I kind of lost interest in it. The story was good and the writing was good. The main character wasn’t.

Holly Hirsh was annoying. There is no better way to put it. She was whiny and she didn’t accept responsibility for any of the things that she did. I guess maybe she got a little better at the end but not much. Not enough. She did so many things to ruin her life and then all she could do was blame it on other people. That just didn’t make for a good character.

The story was interesting, though. Holly loses her virginity to Paul one night and assumes that it’s over after that. She knows that he has a girlfriend and she knows that he isn’t going to leave her for Holly. And at first that’s fine with Holly. Then things start to get deeper with Paul and she isn’t okay with it. Oh and then to make matters worse Holly starts to befriend Paul’s girlfriend, Saskia. Can you say, problem? Oh it just made everything more complicated.

Then there was Holly’s best friend, Nils. I was a little confused by their relationship. I really wanted them to get together and I was really disappointed when it didn’t amount to anything. He was so sweet and funny and so much better for Holly than Paul. Paul was a liar and he was just really mean. I hated him.

Overall, I really wanted more from Nothing Like You. It was good but I just felt that it left me hanging at the end. I guess maybe there could be a sequel but who knows. Even though I didn’t like it that much, it wasn’t a bad book and most of you guys might enjoy it so check it out!

Troy High

Book: Troy High by Shana Norris

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: August 1, 2009 from Amulet Books

From: Trade

Summary:

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High.

Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.

The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.

*****

Troy High is a modern day retelling of the Trojan War. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad. Obviously it was a bit predictable if you know anything about the Trojan War but other than that it was a cute story. There was romance, betrayals, battles, and friendships. A little bit of everything. =]

The story is told from Cassie Prince’s point of view and you really see everything that goes on. She’s friends with a Spartan and for that she gets a lot of grief. Things don’t get really bad until her friends’ brother gets dumped by his girlfriend, for Cassie’s brother. Then everything goes crazy and the war begins.

All the characters were pretty likable but they all had some bad qualities mixed in. It was a bit annoying but I guess it just made them human. I have to say that Elena got on my nerves the most. She was the one who caused the whole war and she wouldn’t even admit it. It bugged me a lot that Cassie was the one stuck in the middle and she had to choose between her best friend and her family, when Elena should have stepped in.

Okay and obviously there wasn’t a real war between two high schools but they did pull a lot of mean pranks and battled things out on the football field. It was actually a really good comparison between wars of history and high school rivalries. =P

Overall, I really thought Troy High was cute but it had its flaws. If you’re looking for a not-so-typical romance story, this is the one for you!

How To Say Goodbye In Robot

Book: How To Say Goodbye In Robot by Natalie Standiford

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: October 1, 2009 from Scholastic Press

From: Publisher

Summary:

New to town, Beatrice is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

*****

You know, I don’t really know why I didn’t like this book. I really wanted to like it and in the beginning I thought I would but I just couldn’t. It wasn’t the story, because that was pretty interesting actually. I think it had to be the writing. It just wasn’t something that I liked or could really get past.

The story of Bea and Jonah (Robot Girl and Ghost Boy) was a really captivating story. I thought I would be hooked and that I would love the story. It seemed funny when I started it and as it grew more serious, it grew more interesting. The reason I didn’t stay interested was that the writing wasn’t something I really liked and I kept noticing that it didn’t seem to flow together very well. It was all kind of choppy and short. There were three word sentences and not just a couple. So many things could have been cut out or even taken from three short sentences into one longer one. It’s always been something I didn’t like and I think it really kept me from enjoying this one.

Okay and I won’t tell you what happens in the end but I will mention that I hated it. I just thought the ending was terrible. I will say that I wasn’t expecting it but I wish it had been different. I don’t even know if that would work with the book but I wanted a different ending. =P

Overall, I think you can tell how I felt about this one. I won’t be reading it again and I wouldn’t actually recommend it. Of course, I also won’t say, don’t read it. It’s fully your choice but this one just wasn’t for me. Still, I won’t give up on the author. Maybe I will like her other books. =]

I Am A Genius Of Unspeakable Evil And I Want To Be Your Class President

Book: I Am A Genius Of Unspeakable Evil and I Want To Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: October 15, 2009 from Razorbill

From: Publisher

Summary:

Family Guy meets Election in this hilarious young adult debut!

Twelve-year-old Oliver Watson’s got the IQ of a grilled cheese sandwich. Or so everyone in Omaha thinks. In reality, Oliver’s a mad evil genius on his way to world domination, and he’s used his great brain to make himself the third-richest person on earth! Then Oliver’s father—and archnemesis—makes a crack about the upcoming middle school election, and Oliver takes it as a personal challenge. He’ll run, and he’ll win! Turns out, though, that overthrowing foreign dictators is actually way easier than getting kids to like you. . . Can this evil genius win the class presidency and keep his true identity a secret, all in time to impress his dad?

*****

I was pleasantly surprised with I Am A Genius. I didn’t really have high hopes for it when I started it and I am kind of ashamed of myself for that. I should never judge a book by it’s cover but I do and I did with this one. Let me tell you this, don’t. =]

Oliver Watson is not your typical seventh grader. He looks and acts like one, maybe even worse than a normal seventh grader, but underneath it all he is an evil genius. And a funny one at that. He pretends to be dumb so that people underestimate him so that he can get away with more and have nobody be suspicious. His mom is proud of him no matter how dumb he seems, but not his dad. Oliver and his dad have never gotten along and Oliver sets out to make his dad’s life a living nightmare. And how better to do that than to run for class president, and win? He knows that will just ruin his dad’s memories from high school and that couldn’t make Oliver happier.

Oliver was a seventh grade mastermind. He knew he could rig the election so that he would win but he had to at least look like he tried and he was pretty clever and cunning in the process. It was really weird being inside the mind of this evil genius who plans to take over the world and start by winning a class election. He was really pretty mean to the people around him but he was so funny I couldn’t help but like him. And there were times when I felt sorry for him but it quickly went away.

Overall, I Am A Genius was a really quick and funny book. It definitely didn’t take me long to get into it and once I was in, I didn’t want to stop reading it. And this is definitely one of those books that I think guys will love so check it out!

Waiting On Wednesday: Shadow Hills

Book: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Release date: July 13, 2010 from Egmont USA

Summary:

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.

But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

My reasons for wanting this one very badly:

1-Anastasia is a really awesome person. I follow her on Twitter and E-Nation and she is super cool. If you haven't already, check out her site. =]

2-That synopsis is super intriguing and the one review I have read for the book just raved about it.

3-Once again, gorgeous cover that I just can't help but love.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Teaser Tuesday: Pastworld

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall to a random page.
* Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* Share the title of the book that you're getting your teaser from... That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
* Please avoid spoilers!

From page 82 of Pastworld by Ian Beck:

His father looked up hurriedly, nervously, and then as if trying to distract Caleb away from the subject. 'The Fantom,' he said, 'will no doubt prove to be an actor like all the others working for the Corporation. It's all a bit cheap really, isn't it.'

I really don't know how I feel about this one yet. The story is good but the writing isn't really and it's starting to take away from the story. It's a really unique storyline but everything else about the book just isn't keeping me interested. I guess I will just have to keep reading to see if it gets better.

What are you reading this Tuesday?

Give Up The Ghost

Book: Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: September 15, 2009 from Henry Holt and Co.

From: Author

Summary:

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

*****

Give Up The Ghost was a surprisingly cute book. I definitely didn’t think it would be that way when I first started it but it had it’s moments and some pretty cool characters. All in all I liked it but I just don’t think it will be one of my favorites.

Cass McKenna was an outcast at her school and my only problem with her was that she kind of made herself an outcast. When her best friend ditched her and the whole school started making fun of her, she gave up. That was in middle school and the book starts out when she is in high school. Even since then she hasn’t even tried to make friends with living people. Instead she hangs out with ghosts that help her find out the dirty secrets of all the members of her school. Obviously that doesn’t help with her popularity.

I guess throughout the book she kind of came out of her shell but it really took until the end. Also, the end seemed kind of abrupt and I would have liked to know more about what happens to the ghosts when they disappear for good. Cass never really figured out why or how that happened. I felt that there definitely could have been a sequel and I really hope there is.

Overall, I did like Give Up The Ghost and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, quick read. It didn’t take long for me to get into the story and after that I couldn’t put it down. This is one of those books that you should see if your local bookstore has because it is totally worth it!

Need Contest!

Summary:

Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages.

Since I am going to be gone for such a long time I thought I should hold a contest for you guys. I was lucky enough to get copies of Need by Carrie Jones to giveaway and that is what I am going to do.

Details:

-Three readers will win hardcover copies of Need by Carrie Jones!

Requirements:

-You must be a follower to enter. If you aren't already a follower just click the little button and you will be eligible.

-You must leave a valid email in your comment. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email here then just email it to me with your entries. =]

-Please leave all your entries in one comment.

-This contest is US and CA only.

Extra entries:

+1 become a follower

+2 link to the contest somewhere (up to 3)

+3 already a follower

That's all. The contest will be open till November 30 and I will pick a winner the next day.

Happy reading!

Lady Macbeth's Daughter

Book: Lady Macbeth's Daugher by Lisa Klein

Rating: 5 Stars

Release date: October 13, 2009 from Bloomsbury

From: Publisher

Summary:

The daughter Macbeth might have had, if Shakespeare had thought to create her…

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her mother of her father, the powerful Macbeth. Instead she knows the dark lure of the Wychelm Wood and the moors, where she’s been raised by three strange sisters. It’s only when the ambitious Macbeth seeks out the sisters to foretell his fate that Albia’s life becomes tangled with the man who leaves nothing but bloodshed in his wake. She even falls in love with Fleance, Macbeth’s rival for the throne. Yet when Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees—or to change it. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? And can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them to save Scotland from tyranny?

*****

I haven't read a whole lot of really good historical books recently so I just figured this would be another one to add to that list. Boy was I wrong! Lady Macbeth's Daughter was probably one of the best historical books I have ever read! =]

I started Lady Macbeth's Daughter already knowing the story of Macbeth. I don't think it's necessary but it was really fun to compare this new take with the original. Surprisingly they don't differ that much, except for the daughter, obviously. It was a really believable take on an old tale and I guess I wasn't expecting that. Lisa Klein did nothing to take away from Shakespeare's story, she just added onto the brilliance.

I think the one difference between the two stories was the insight into why some of the characters did what they did. Lady Macbeth and the Wyrd Sisters have such a big part in this story where they never really did in Macbeth. They had important parts in the original but you never got to know them. Also, I felt like I really knew Banquo and Fleance and I loved them. They were both so great to Albia. All the characters in the book were just spectacular.

Overall, Lady Macbeth's Daughter is a book I think all historical fans need to pick up. Even if you don't know much about the original story, this one pretty much explains itself and is truly worth buying!

Hold Still

Book: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Rating: 5 Stars

Release date: October 15, 2009 from Dutton Juvenile

From: Publisher

Summary:

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.

dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

*****

Hold Still is one of those books where I don't really know what to say. I loved it but that definitely doesn't adequately describe how I feel about it. It's just really hard to put into words how amazing Hold Still was.

Caitlin wasn't exactly a likable character at the beginning of the book. After Ingrid's death she kind of detached herself from everything. She wouldn't talk to anyone and she wouldn't do anything. Then when she finally might have made some friends she felt that it was disloyal to Ingrid so she detached herself again. It actually kind of pissed me off. I felt bad for her but I also felt that she didn't want to move on and look to the future. She just seemed like she wanted to stay alone and miserable for the rest of her life.

Throughout the book Caitlin did change and it was because of the people who came into her life. There were so many people who loved her and helped her finally let go. I really loved them all and that's not something I normally say. I really don't think I could pick a favorite out of all the supporting characters, they were that good. =]

Then there was Ingrid's journal. There weren't a lot of entries in it but it played a huge role in the book. It held Caitlin back and it finally helped her to move on. It told so much about Ingrid and why she killed herself. It was really sad but it really helped Caitlin understand how little she truly knew about her best friend.

Overall, Hold Still was a perfect book. It was a moving story of love, loss, and friendship. More importantly it was a story of how to hope for the future instead of mourning the past. If you don't already have a copy, go get one because this is one of those books you will want to read again and again!

Waiting On Wednesday: Harmonic Feedback

Book: Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

Release date: May 25, 2010 from Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:
Doctors have pinned 16-year-old Drea with everything from ADHD to Asperger’s Syndrome. She has an obsession with sound design, a tendency to blurt out whatever she’s thinking, and a problem making friends, but likes to think of this as following her own rhythm in a confusing world.

Drea is hesitant to befriend purple-haired Naomi, her teenage neighbor with a kamikaze personality. But Naomi is the first person to treat her like she isn’t a world class dork. Then there’s Justin, the sexy and persistent boy in her film class. If she’s learned anything from her mom, it’s that boys are trouble.

When Drea discovers Naomi’s love for drums and Justin’s piano prodigy status, the three form a trip-hop band and a friendship that will challenge everything Drea thought she knew about herself and the world around her.

My reasons for wanting this badly:

1-It's unlike anything I have read before and I love unique books!

2-It's about music and I love music. Listening to it, though. Not making it. I am musically challenged. =]

3-It has an awesome cover that I just want to stare at all day.

That's what I am waiting on, what about you guys?

Going Out Of Town!

I mentioned this in an earlier post but I didn't really elaborate. I am leaving tomorrow to go to Texas and I will be gone for about 3 weeks. I also probably won't have a lot of access to the internet. It will definitely be the longest I have gone without my blog. But don't worry. I have scheduled posts for most of the days that I am gone and it actually helps me get caught up on my reviews. =]

All it really means is no IMM and I won't be able to comment on other blogs. I will just have to catch up when I get home. So you guys will be getting a lot of reviews and I will fill you in on my trip when I get home.

Bye for now!

Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered my contest for a chance to win a finished copy of Hold Still. I had to end it early but I still got quite a few entries. =]

The winner is throughthehaze.

I am just about to email the winner and she will have two days to get back to me before I pick someone else.

Bad Apple

Book: Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: October 1, 2009 from HarperTeen

From: Publisher

Summary:

Junior Tola Riley doesn’t care what people say about her. She knows her ever-changing hair color and goth clothes make her an easy target. Whatever. But the latest rumor is different.... The entire school believes she had an affair with her art teacher. The rumors may be a lie, but the fallout is all too real. Will Tola finally stand up for the truth?

With a heroine you'll root for and a truly relevant story, Laura Ruby has once again brought the authentic teen experience to life for readers who relish dark humor and razor-sharp wit.

*****

Bad Apple is not the kind of book you think you would laugh at. I know I didn’t expect anything funny when I started it but that is exactly what I got. I found myself bursting out laughing at most of Tola’s thoughts and actions. All the crazy ideas she had and the stupid stuff that came out of her mouth was just so funny. And it wasn’t even like she was trying to do it.

Bad Apple is the story of a girl who allegedly had an intimate relationship with one of her teachers. And the story is about that but it also deals with so much more. Tola has so many problems with her life. At home Tola has to deal with a depressed and crazy sister and a mother who thinks she’s a liar. At school she has to deal with a former best friend who is now her worst enemy and everyone believing she’s a huge slut. I think I would probably break under all that stress.

The story was just really good. It wasn’t your typical story and it really entertained me and kept me interested. I have always really liked Laura Ruby’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a great book for teens going through family problems or school problems. It’s got a great heroine who kept me laughing, even while I was feeling sorry for her and her situation. The only thing that was kind of weird for me was Tola’s relationship with Seven. It was just a little odd to me and it didn’t ever really get explained very well. I would have liked a little more elaboration on that but it wasn’t that big a deal for me.

Overall, Bad Apple goes to the top of my recommendation list. It was a quick read that I really enjoyed and think a lot of others will too. It’s on shelves now so go find yourself a copy! =]

Hold Still contest update!

So originally I said that the Hold Still contest would end on the tenth and I would pick a winner on the eleventh. I didn't take into account that I would be leaving very early on the eleventh and wouldn't have time to pick a winner. That means that I need to shorten the contest so it will close tomorrow at midnight and I will pick a winner on Tuesday.

If you haven't already entered, go do that! I have already read it and I loved it. =]

In My Mailbox 40

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either in the mail, from the bookstore, from the library, or from trades. =]

For review:
WTF by Peter Lerangis
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Beautiful by Amy Reed
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
Splendor(The Luxe #4) by Anna Godbersen
Envy(The Luxe #3) by Anna Godbersen
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
The Girl With The Mermaid Hair by Delia Ephron
Bite Me! by Melissa Francis
What I Wore To Save The World by Maryrose Wood

All my review books this week are awesome. I am so excited to read them. I have already read Envy but I got the paperback version which is awesome because I love the Luxe books. Other than that I don't think I can even pick one book that I am more excited about than the others. They all look so amazing!

From contest:
Ruined by Paula Morris

I won this one a couple weeks ago and it looks good. I have read some mixed things about it but I will definitely give it a shot and let you guys know what I think.

For contests:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Debs: Love, Lies, and Texas Dips by Susan McBride (3 signed copies)
Signed swag from Kimberly Derting

Yes, you read that right. These are not from contests but for contests which I will be hosting. I got a second copy of The Maze Runner so one of you guys will be lucky enough to get a copy so be on the lookout for contests. Probably in December, for Christmas!

Bought:
Looking For Alaska by John Green
I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

All of these were bought at a thrift store for about 2 dollars each so I did pretty good this week. I read Looking For Alaska a while ago but I loved it so I couldn't pass it up. And I have heard that Jodi Picoult is a really good author so I thought I would give her books a try. =]

For my birthday:
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Neither of these are published in the United States yet but my parents were so awesome and got me them while they were in Australia. I am so excited to read them. Incareceron will be out next spring and Sapphique is the sequel. Yay!

That was what was in my mailbox this week, what about you guys?

Oh and this will be my last IMM for a few weeks because I will be out of town with very limited access to the internet and no way of knowing what came for me.

Question for my readers about future giveaways!

Well I guess that title pretty much says it all. I would love to know what you guys think about my giveaways. I did quite a few in October for my birthday and Halloween and I really want to know if you think I should do something like that for Christmas. I have a lot of books that I can give away and some awesome author swag along with Christmas stuff but it's really up to you guys.

Would you enter lots of Christmas giveaways? Some of the books include Need, The Debs, Once A Witch, and lots of others. And I have multiple copies of some and some are even signed.

Do you have any suggestions about how I could make the Christmas giveaways even more fun?

Did you like what I did for October? If not, what would you improve upon?

So, yeah let me know what you think. I am going out of town next week for a few weeks so I won't be posting very frequently so I kind of want to make up for that next month! =]

Secret Society

Book: Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: October 1, 2009 from HarperTeen

From: Publisher

Summary: An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York’s wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn’t ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything. Even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown, and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they’re forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they’re part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It’s all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

*****

Secret Society is another one of those books that I have heard a lot of bad things about. Most of the reviews I read for it said it didn't live up to it's full potential. I do agree with them on that point but I still really liked the book.

Secret Society is the first book in a new YA series by Tom Dolby. I don't know when the next book is going to be released but I can't wait because the end of this one really left me with quite a few unanswered questions. I guess that's not a bad way to get people to read the next book and I know I will be one of those people. =]

One of the things I thought could've been improved upon were the characters. They were good characters but I didn't really figure out anything about their histories. The only families that were even in the book were Nick's and Patch's and we only really got glimpses of them. And I guess it was mentioned that Lauren's mom had an alcohol issue but that's pretty much it. I was really wondering why Phoebe and Lauren were chosen to be part of the Society. Maybe that will be one of the things cleared up in the next book.

Also, I felt there were a lot of unneccesary things in the book. So much of it was irrelevant. The book could have been a lot shorter if there was less walking, thinking, and sleeping going on.

Overall, I really did enjoy Secret Society and I recommend picking up a copy for yourself. I can't wait for the next book!

Waiting On Wednesday: Firespell

Book: Firespell by Chloe Neill

Release date: January 5, 2010 from Signet

Summary: As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…

When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

I read about Firespell on another blog a while ago and ever since I have wanted to read it. Once again it was the cover that drew me in but the synopsis really made me want to read it. I love any story about demons, vampires, and I have never actually read one with Reapers in it. Sounds really awesome.

What are you waiting on this week?

New Intertwined Winner!

The original winner for Intertwined never emailed me so I picked a new winner.

The new winner is Arielle from BAM Book Reviews.

She has 48 hours to get back to me before I pick another winner. =]

Wish You Were Dead

Book: Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser

Rating: 4 Stars

Release date: September 22, 2009 from Egmont USA

From: Publisher

Summary: Str-S-d:
I’ll begin with Lucy. She is definitely first on the list. You can’t believe how it feels to be in the cafeteria and turn around and there she is staring at me like I’m some disgusting bug or vermin. Does she really think I WANT to be this way? I hate you, Lucy. I really hate you. You are my #1 pick. I wish you were dead.

The day after anonymous blogger Str-S-d wishes the popular girl would die, Lucy vanishes. The students of Soundview High are scared and worried. Especially frightened and wracked with guilt is Madison Archer, Lucy’s friend and the last person to see her the night she disappeared.

As days pass with no sign of the missing girl, even the attention of Tyler, an attractive new student, is not enough to distract Madison from her growing sense of foreboding. When two more popular students disappear after their names are mentioned on Str-S-d’s blog, the residents of Soundview panic.

Meanwhile, Madison receives anonymous notes warning that she could be next. Desperate to solve the mystery before anyone else disappears, Madison turns to Tyler, but can she trust him when it becomes clear that he knows more than he’s sharing?

The clock is ticking. Madison must uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearances . . . before her name appears in Str-S-d’s blog.

In the spirit of stories like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Todd Strasser updates the teen thriller for the techno age with Wish You Were Dead, the first installment in a new “thrill”-ogy.

*****

Wish You Were Dead is one of the most unique stories I have read recently. It was also one of the creepiest. It definitely wasn’t in the same category of creepy as The Devouring but it was really scary in its own way and what is worse is that it was way more realistic. The stuff that happened in Wish You Were Dead could very well happen in real life and that was what made it so hard for me to read.

From the summary you can tell that teenagers are being kidnapped based on the writings of an anonymous blogger. What you don’t find out from the summary is that there is a lot more going on in the book than just that. And you don’t really find out all the stuff until the very end when it’s revealed who the kidnapper is. It definitely wasn’t predictable and I never would have guessed. It was a real shocker for me. Probably for everyone else who reads the book too.

The story is told from Madison’s point of view, at least most of the time. Sometimes it switched around to the other teens involved but not often. It also switched when one of the teens was being kidnapped. It was written from their point of view when it was happening. It made the book seem a lot scarier because you saw what they were going through and you saw how helpless they were to fight. It was horrible.

The one thing that didn’t really make sense to me was Madison’s cyberstalker. It is revealed at the end who it is but I don’t get why it had to be part of the book. It didn’t really add anything to the story and it wasn’t really clear why the person was stalking her. It just confused me a little. It wasn’t needed and there was already enough going on in the book without that.

Overall, Wish You Were Dead is one of those books I recommend reading when you aren’t home alone. It creeped me out but it was definitely in a good way. If you haven’t read any of Todd Strasser’s books this is a good one to start with. =]

Oh and I just now found out that this is going to be a trilogy. I think this one could stand alone but now I can't wait for the next one!

Books Read In October!

Once again I had a pretty good book month. I read some that I really loved and some that I didn't really love. Hopefully, November will bring some more good books. =]

Now the books:
The Devouring: Soulstice by Simon Holt
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols
Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
How To Say Goodbye In Robot by Natalie Standiford
Secret Society by Tom Dolby
Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen
Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein
The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz
Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe
The Waking: Dreams Of The Dead by Thomas Randall
Hold Still by Nina LaCour

15 books! That is really good for me. All of the reviews are written and some are posted but I am saving some up for this month when I go out of town. I won't have access to internet very much so I will have a lot of posts scheduled, including reviews for these books. =]

New Winner For The Ex Games!

So, one of the winners of The Ex Games emailed me to let me know that she already won a copy of it so I had to pick a new winner.

The new winner is Jessica Kennedy from Book Reviews By Jess!

Once again, email me and let me know where to send your prize. Thanks again everybody!

Winners!

So I finally picked all the winners for my birthday contests. It definitely took longer than I thought it would and surprisingly, one person won two of the contests. What are the chances of that?

Now what you have all been waiting for. . .

Winner of Hearts At Stake is Jenn from Books At Midnight!

The two winners of The Ex Games were Jenn from Books At Midnight and YA Vampire Books!

The winner of Intertwined is Ladytink_534 from The Movieholic and Bibliophile's Blog!

The winner of the Jessica's Guide t-shirt is Natalie Renae from Mindful Musings!

And the winner of the giant Halloween prize pack is Zombie Girrrl from Crackin' Spines and Takin' Names!

Seeing as there are so many winners, I need you guys to email me your mailing addresses. I won't be emailing you guys because I have way too much going on right now. I will give y'all 48 hours to contact me before picking new winners. =]

Also, I just want to say thanks to everyone who helped with my contests, whether you are an author who donated something or a follower who entered, it turned out great and I was shocked at how many people entered. And don't worry there will be more contests like these in the future. =]