In My Mailbox 86 (week of October 30)

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 for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-Between Shades Of Gray by Ruta Sepytys
-Monster High by Lisi Harrison (second copy)
-Dark Song by Gail Giles (second copy)
-Dash And Lily's Book Of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (second copy)
-Fearscape (The Devouring #3) by Simon Holt
-The Trouble With Half A Moon by Danette Vigilante
-Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor (no cover yet)

From trades:

-The Pace by Shelena Shorts
-Flyaway by Lucy Christopher

This was a slower week but my birthday is tomorrow so I am hoping to get some of the books that I asked for.  I guess you guys will find out next week if I got them.  =]

What was in your mailbox this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: The Betrayal Of Maggie Blair

Book:  The Betrayal Of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

Release date:  April 18, 2011 from Houghton Mifflin

Summary:
In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment - or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door. Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the King's men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process.

I cannot wait to read this one.  The cover is stunning and I love historicals.  This one sounds like a new twist and I am eager to see if it is as good as it sounds.  =]

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Songs For A Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

Book:  Songs For A Teenage Nomad
Author:  Kim Culbertson
Published:  September 7, 2010 from Sourcebooks Fire
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/256

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

What is the soundtrack of your life?

After living in twelve places in eight years, Calle Smith finds herself in Andreas Bay, California, at the start of ninth grade. Another new home, another new school...Calle knows better than to put down roots. Her song journal keeps her moving to her own soundtrack, bouncing through a world best kept at a distance.

Yet before she knows it, friends creep in-as does an unlikely boy with a secret. Calle is torn over what may be her first chance at love. With all that she's hiding and all that she wants, can she find something lasting beyond music? And will she ever discover why she and her mother have been running in the first place?

I had very high expectations for Songs For A Teenage Nomad and it sadly did not live up to them.  It was a good book but it seemed lacking at times and I honestly just wanted more from it.

Calle Smith (pronounce Callie) is used to moving.  What she isn't used to is having friends.  That is only one of many changes to Calle's life when she moves to Andreas Bay.  Another one is Sam.  He's not like other guys but he is hiding something.  His family has their share of secrets and he's not willing to tell.  Add a mysterious letter from Calle's long gone dad and her whole life is a mess.  What else has been hidden from Calle?

I'm going to start with the good about this book:  the writing.  Kim Culbertson's writing was amazing.  I felt like I was living Calle's life.  It was so descriptive and just plain beautiful.  It was definitely the main reason I kept reading.

Now for the not-so-good:  the characters.  This has to be the first book ever where I didn't like the male love interest.  In fact, I detested him.  He was a wimp with no backbone who couldn't face telling his friends that he liked a girl outside of their circle.  I felt that he needed to grow up and Calle needed to move on.  She was a great character except for her obsession with Sam.  I honestly did like her, I just couldn't see why she had feelings for him.

Overall, Songs For A Teenage Nomad is a beautifully written book that could have used a little more character development.  I did enjoy it but this is one I recommend checking out from your library before buying it.

First line:  "My dad named me Calle after a cat he had in college that ran away."

Writing:  5

Characters:  3

Plot:  4

Ending:  4

Originality:  5

Overall:  21=B

Cover:  4=B-

In My Mailbox 85 (week of October 23)

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 for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-The Sapphire Talisman by Brenda Pandos (for blog tour)(signed)

-Solid by Shelley Workinger (signed)

-Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

-Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

-The Cellar by A.J. Whitten

-Monster High by Lisi Harrison

-Dark Song by Gail Giles

-The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

-The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

-Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5) by Melissa de la Cruz

-Her And Me And You by Lauren Strasnick

-Elixir by Hilary Duff and Elise Allen

-Slice Of Cherry by Dia Reeves (second copy)

-The Hollow by Jessica Verday (second copy)

-Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (second copy)

-Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

Won/bought/from trades:

-Contagion by Joanne Dahme

-The Counseling (Ghost Huntress #4) by Marley Gibson

-Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (signed)

-Destined For An Early Grave (Night Huntress #4) by Jeaniene Frost

-This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous by Nina Beck

This week was so awesome.  I got to meet Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and not only did I get my book signed but they had a ton of swag to give away.  I was so excited.  I went home with an awesome signed poster that is going on my wall as soon as I find the perfect spot for it.

I also got some great books for review.  I am so excited to be a part of The Sapphire Talisman tour because I loved The Emerald Talisman.  Oh and of course I can't wait to read the newest Blue Bloods book.  Such a fantastic series!

So what was in your mailbox this week?

Ghostgirl (Ghostgirl #1) by Tonya Hurley

Book:  Ghostgirl (Ghostgirl #1)
Author:  Tonya Hurley
Published:  August 1, 2008 from Little,Brown
My edition/number of pages:  HC/328

Age group:  Young Adult
Source: Author
Series?:  Yes.  First book.

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

And if I should die before I awake,

I pray the popular attend my wake.

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.

If you thought high school was a matter of life or death, wait till you see just how true that is. In this satirical, yet heartfelt novel, Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at some times and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

Ghostgirl is an intriguing story.  I could tell from just looking at the book that it was going to be interesting but I had no idea how interesting until I read it.

Charlotte Usher knows this year is going to be different.  After a huge summer makeover she is determined to be noticed.  At first, things seem to be working.  Then she dies.  Literally.  Now she will never be popular and get to go to the dance with Damen Dylan.  Not only is she stuck here but she has to graduate from Dead Ed.  It doesn't seem like things will ever go her way but then she realizes someone can see her.  Will she be able to fulfill what she believes to be her destiny or will she be stuck on earth forever?

Charlotte was pretty depressing.  She died without really living and then she couldn't give up her life.  She couldn't accept that she was dead and she caused a lot of problems with the other dead kids because of it.  I actually thought she was selfish and immature most of the book.  I felt she needed to stop feeling sorry for herself and try to move on.

The plot of the book dragged for a while but it got much better towards the end.  There seemed to be a lot of build up and not enough action.  Now that all the characters have been introduced I feel like the next book will pick up faster.

Overall, Ghostgirl is a pretty good book and makes me very interested in the series.  It's not your typical ghost story and I'm excited to see where it goes next.

First line:  Charlotte Usher headed purposefully across the parking lot to the front doors of Hawthorne High, repeating her positive mantra--"This year is different.  This is my year."

Writing:  5

Characters:  3

Plot:  4

Ending:  4

Originality:  5

Overall:  21=B

Cover:  5=A++

Birthday Celebration: Salvaged bracelets giveaway!

Salvaged by Stefne Miller is an amazing book that I had the pleasure of reading a couple months ago.  Stefne was also nice enough to send me a couple leather cuff bracelets that go along with the book to giveaway to you guys.  =]

Two winners will receive:
-Salvaged cuff bracelets
-Some Halloween goodies

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form to enter.
-You must have a US or CA mailing address.

Fill out the form here!

This contest will end on my 19th birthday, October 31.

Blog Tour: Cate Of The Lost Colony by Lisa Klein + Giveaway

Book:  Cate Of The Lost Colony
Author:  Lisa Klein
Published:  October 12, 2010 from Bloomsbury
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/336

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

The greatest unsolved mystery of American history--what happened to all the colonists who landed on Roanoke Island in 1587? This novel traces the fortunes and misfortunes of one Cate Archer, banished to Virginia by a jealous Queen Elizabeth because of her dalliance with Sir Walter Ralegh. What will be her fate in this dangerous New World?

Cate Of The Lost Colony, Lisa Klein's newest novel, does not disappoint. From the very first sentence I was drawn into Cate's world and I was captivated. The lost colony of Roanoke is not something that I have ever read about but after reading this I want to know more.

Catherine Archer's life is nothing special until the day she gets a letter from the Queen. The death of her father has left her orphaned and Queen Elizabeth has offered her a place as one of her maids. Things are looking up for Catherine, especially when Walter Ralegh starts showing her attention. Too bad Ralegh is the Queen's favorite and his attention gets Catherine banished to Virginia. There she becomes Cate and nothing is ever the same. Still, can Cate leave behind her first love and her old life?

Cate Of The Lost Colony has three parts to it and each one shows a different side of Cate.  In the beginning she was pampered and rather immature but that changed quickly once she got to Virginia.  I loved Cate's way with the natives and how she wouldn't let the men rule her.  She was stubborn but sweet.  The changes in her weren't spontaneous though which made them seem real.  Cate was just a very real character that I couldn't help but love.

The book is not all told by Cate though.  Ralegh's letters and memos were included and they show what his interactions with Cate don't.  I liked him but he was vain and selfish.  Manteo, on the other hand, only cared about others.  The chapters from his point-of-view were very eye-opening to how the natives actually felt about the English.  I also felt like I got a deeper look into their culture and I really enjoyed that.  Seeing how the natives were before the English came and started trouble helped me better understand their hostility.

Overall, Cate Of The Lost Colony is a fantastic book that I adored.  Lisa Klein is one of my favorite historical authors and this book just proved, once again, why that is.  If you haven't read anything by Lisa Klein yet this is a great place to start.

First line:  At a young age I learned how quickly one's fortune can change, a truth that never betrayed me.

Writing:  5

Characters:  4

Plot:  4

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  4=B-

Now for the giveaway:

-One reader will win a copy of Cate Of The Lost Colony.

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form.
-You must have a US mailing address.
-This giveaway will end on October 31.

Fill out the form here!

FTC Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book, free of charge, in support of this post.

Blog Tour: Freefall Playlist!

Welcome to the next stop on the Freefall blog tour.  Before this tour I hadn't really heard anything about Freefall so I'm very excited to get to share with you guys some more information about it in the form of a playlist from Anna Levine.  If you want to know even more about it check out the tour stops and Anna Levine's website!

Freefall Playlist

When I’m working on tweaking plot problems I like the good ol’ stuff like Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, James Blunt, Jackson Browne, Don Mclean, Joan Armatrading.

For Freefall I let the traditional Israeli artists inspire me: Yoni Rechter, Shlomi Dov, Arik Einstein, Moshe Ben Ari, Idan Reicher, Gidi Gov, Shlomo Idov . Check out some of the newer Israeli artists. They’re amazing, like Alon Geva, Avishai Cohen, Yael Naim.



Thanks for sharing some of the music that you listened to while you wrote Freefall.  I personally love some of the older singers that you mentioned and Yael Naim is a favorite of mine too.  I will have to check out the rest.  =]

Readers, be sure to check out the next stop on the Freefall tour at See Michelle Read and check back later for my own review.

Birthday Celebration: Mockingjay Giveaway!

The Hunger Games is one of my all time favorite books and I was lucky enough to get a copy of Mockingjay for review.  I also happened to buy a copy so one of you guys will get a brand new copy of Mockingjay!

One winner will receive:
-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (HC)
-Hunger Games bookmark and tattoo
-Some Halloween goodies

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form to enter.
-You must have a US or CA mailing address.

Fill out the form here!

This contest will end on my 19th birthday, October 31.

Plus by Veronica Chambers

Book:  Plus
Author:  Veronica Chambers
Published:   August 5, 2010 from Razorbill
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/304

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

"This is the unbelievable story of how I went to college, gained twenty-five pounds, got dumped by my boyfriend, failed physics and became a worldfamous supermodel."

So begins the Cinderella story of Beatrice Wilson, whose life changes overnight when she’s discovered by a scout for the oldest, most prestigious modeling agency in America—for their plus-sized division.

Now she must find the confidence to vanquish skinny rivals, fend off sleazy photographers, and banish scheming frenemies in her rise to superstardom, all while trying to get her ex-boyfriend back. But Bea learns that to win prince charming, you first have to find a way to love yourself.

Plus was a surprisingly cute, funny book.  It was a great look into the world of plus-size modeling, something I never would have thought to read about.

Bea is brilliant.  She always has been.  That's why she skipped a year of high school and joined the pre-med program at Columbia.  Her life is great until her boyfriend dumps her and she gains the freshman 15 plus 10.  Eating is all that seems to help these days and surprisingly, it leads to a modeling career.  The money and fame are only perks though.  The real reason she's modeling is to get Brian back but will she lose her best friend and a real chance at romance because of that?

Bea was obnoxious.  She was obsessed with Brian and getting him back.  There were times where I wanted to reach into the book and slap her.  He was not a good guy and she deserved so much more.  She just couldn't seem to get that.  She also had some problems mixing real life with modeling but she did get back on track eventually.  I actually began to like her after that and she grew into a great character.

Bea may have had her flaws but she was always a strong character.  She believed that she was beautiful and that she should be a role model to others.  Her and all the other plus models she worked with showed that skinny is not all there is.  They may have been plus but they were confident, gorgeous, and sometimes even sexy.  More models (and girls) should be like these girls.  This book showed that you don't have to be like everyone else to be beautiful.

Overall, Plus was just an all around good book.  I needed a fun read and this was definitely it.  I found myself cracking up so many times at Bea's sense of humor and I think others will too!

First line:  This is the most important thing I've learned in my seventeen years on earth.

Writing:  5

Characters:  3

Plot:  4

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  22=B+

Cover:  3=C- (I don't feel like it goes with the book.)

In My Mailbox 84 (week of October 16)

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 for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
-Trash by Andy Mulligan
-Gemini Night by Bonnie Hearn Hill
-Revenge Of The Geek by Piper Banks
-Dash And Lily's Book Of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
-Unraveled by Gena Showalter
-Across The Universe by Beth Revis
-Banished by Sophie Littlefield

Won:
-Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers prize pack (signed copy of Personal Demons, ipod shuffle, tank top, and swag!)

Bought/traded:
-Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (signed!)
-Dead In The Family by Charlaine Harris
-The Unbidden Magic series by Marilee Brothers

I got some great books this week that I am so excited to read.  I am finally caught up with school reading so I should be back soon with some new reviews.  Yay!

Also, I posted a donate button in the sidebar today.  Just so everyone knows, that money will be going to contests.  That is all it will be going to.  I am a teenager so I am kind of broke and shipping adds up.  If you want to donate, that is fabulous.  If you don't, that is fine too.  It is just there now and I wanted everyone to know where that money would be going.  =]

So what was in your mailbox this week?