Winner!

We have a winner for the signed copy of Nightshade by Maryrose Wood!! A big congratulations goes out to...
AMBER MARIE from booklove 101  Congrats and Happy Reading!

100 Most Popular Young Adult Books

I saw this list of 100 most popular YA books when I was looking at I'd So Rather Be Reading a awhile back (As well as several other blogs) and wondered how many I've read. The ones I've read are in bold and the ones that are on my TBR list are italicized

1) Alex Flinn – Beastly
2) Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3) Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4) Ally Condie – Matched
5) Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6) Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7) Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8) Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9) Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10) Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11) Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12) Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2, 3)
13) Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14) Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15) Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16) Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17) Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18) Christopher Paolini – Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19) Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20) Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2, 3)
21) Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22) Ellen Hopkins - Impulse
23) Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24) Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25) Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26) Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27) Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28) Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29) J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30) James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2 )
31) James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32) Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33) Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34) Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35) Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36) John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37) John Green – Looking for Alaska
38) John Green – Paper Towns
39) Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40) Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41) Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42) Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43) Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44) Lemony Snicket – Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45) Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46) Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47) Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48) M.T. Anderson – Feed
49) Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1,2,3)
50) Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51) Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52) Markus Zusak – The Book Thief
53) Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54) Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55) Mary Ting – Crossroads
56) Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57) Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58) Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59) Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60) Meg Rosoff – How I Live Now
61) Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62) Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63) Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64) Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65) Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66) Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67) Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68) Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69) Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70) Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71) Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72) P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
73) Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74) Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75) Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76) Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77) Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78) Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere Carnal Over 40 Winks
79) S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80) Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81) Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82) Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83) Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84) Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85) Scott Westerfeld – Leviathan (1, 2)
86) Scott Westerfeld – Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87) Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88) Shannon Hale - Princess Academy
89) Shannon Hale - The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90) Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91) Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92) Stephenie Meyer – The Host
93) Stephenie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94) Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95) Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96) Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97) Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98) Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99) Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)100) Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped


40 out of 100. Hmm, not too bad! How many of these have you read/want to read?

Review:The Posion Diaries by Maryrose Wood

My Rating: 5 Stars
Date Read: November 2011


Publication Date:October 25,2011 by HarperCollins

Hardback, 288 pages



Summary from Goodreads:
The latest book in the grippingly dark series, The Poison Diaries. Our heroine, Jessamine, has lost her faith in the men she loved, and her innocence as well. She turns to the dark side and plots to kill her father, using his own poisons, before becoming an assassin, a poisoner for hire. Can she recover from her heartache and reunite with her true love, Weed? Find out in this thrilling story where poisons, darkness and horror are a part of everyday life, and love is the only cure.








My Review:

A Dark, Gothic Tale Of Romance…


And Murder.

Okay, admit it, that caught your attention didn't it?? Well it sure caught mine. From that moment on, I was HOOKED.

This is not a big book so it didn't take me long to read, and I would like to send out a big THANK YOU to the awesome people on the Poison Diaries Team for sending me a copy to review!

At the time I started Nightshade, I had not read The Poison Diaries, but now I feel that I must, just so I can enjoy all of the awesomeness that is this series. And so I can better understand Jessamine and Weed's relationship. I want to know their history. Weed gets to be the narrator at times, and I liked that because, well, Weed is AWESOME!

This book as written really well. I was so absorbed in this book and I was able to feel everything that Jesssamine felt. Sadness, Anger... If SHE felt it, I felt it. Does that make sense?


This book is great to read after it gets dark (which is what I did) It gave me goosebumps, and had my mouth hanging open at times, because I wasn't expecting some of what happened. And the ending! Oh my gosh, the ENDING!! I wish I had the next book, like, right now! I need to know what happens next!


I would recommend this book to any and everybody who is willing to listen to me. :) So if I run into you on the street, beware! ;)

Looking to Get New Blog Followers? Join in for the 59th Edition of Wobble Over Wednesday!

Looking to Get New Blog Followers? Join in for the 59th Edition of Wobble Over Wednesday!

2012 Sophmore Reading Challenge (SRC)

Not Only am I taking part of the Debut Author Challenge, I am also going to participate in the Sophmore Reading Challenge Hosted over at Chick Loves Lit.

Here are some of the Sophmore books that I can't wait for (This is a tentative list, and is bound to change during the year)

1. Wings Of The Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

2.A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

3.A Million Suns by Beth Revis

4.Insurgent by Veronica Roth

5. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

6. The Untitled Mara Dyer Sequel by Michelle Hodkin

7.Timepiece by Myra McEntire

8.Until I Die by Amy Plum

9.Fever by Lauren DeStefano

10.Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Plus many many more!!

2012 Debut Author Challenge

In 2012, I am going to be participating in the Debut Author Challenge. The D.A.C is once again being sponsored by The Story Siren. This is my first time participating and should be really fun!

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

My Rating: 5 Stars
Date Read: November, 2011




Publication Date:October 25, 2011

Paperback, 361 pages




Summary From GoodReads:

My name- my True Name- is Ashallyn'darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court.

And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl...

To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing gentler feelings the Winter Prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase- a half-human, half-fey slip of a girl- smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer faery can survive,

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through its end- a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way, Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.







My Review:

Before I read the book: OOOOOH, ASH'S Story!?!?!?! :)



After I read the Book:
OH..MY..GOSH!!

I didn't think that it was possible for me to be any more in love with Ash than I already was. But then I read this book and found out that I was WRONG. I am way more in love with Ash than before. Sounds crazy, right?

It was only supposed to be a trilogy, but I am extremely happy that Julie Kagawa decided to write this book from Ash's POV, it was interesting to see things from his side, and we all got to learn more about him. And I like how it all ended, everything was wrapped up, but at the same time it also left things open enough, so that another book could be written in the future.

I'm glad that Ash's oath to kill Puck was rendered void. That Was something that hod me worried from the very beginning. Because, even though I am definitely Team Ash, I still love Puck, and I didn't want to see him dead. And, while we're on the subject of Puck, he seemed so much more... mature in this book. we got to see a deeper side of him, just HOW much he was affected by Ariella's death and exactly how much he loves Meghan. He loves her so much in fact, that he will do anything to see that she's happy. Even if it means that he has to step aside and let Ash have her.

Okay, I love Grim. So much. More than any of the other characters combined :D He reminds of a mix between the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and Miyoga from Inuyasha. And, he might try to claw me for saying this, but I just want to hug him. One of the questions in the back of the book asked something along the line of "Why do you think Grimalkin's double didn't fight with the others?" My answer to that question is the fact that Grim is Grim. What you see is what you get. He's not trying to keep some part of him pushed down. I probably sound crazy right now, but it makes sense to me.

The Big Bad Wolf was an interesting add to the story. And, yes I know that he is supposed to be evil, but I couldn't help liking him just a little bit. I found myself near tears every time I thought he was going to get seriously hurt.

I am going to stop myself here, so I don't give away anything too important about the book. Like the fact that You-Know-Who comes back. For a little while anyway. And no, I am not talking about Voldemort. LOL

This was a great ending to a great series, and now I'm not sure if I want to cry because it's over, or smile and dance because it was so completely wonderful. This series is definitely a Must-Read.

GIVEAWAY: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood

Would you like to win a copy of Nightshade by Maryrose Wood? Well, Maryrose and the awesome people on the Poison Diaries team are giving away a signed copy to a very lucky winner!

There are 3 different things to do in order to enter and here are the details:

1. TWITTER


Click on the image there on  the right and follow
@PoisonDiaries. Then Tweet that you'd like to win a signed copy of Nightshade, and that RandomlyKait sent you.

**Note: My Twitter Icon does not seem to be working properly, so here is a direct link to their Twitter page The Poison Diaires all the other links work just fine.

EXAMPLE TWEET: (You can copy and paste if you'd like):

@PoisonDiaries I'd love to win #Nightshade by @Maryrose_Wood. Thanks to Randomly Kait for sending me! http://randomlykait.blogspot.com/

2.Facebook

Click on the image and like their Facebook page. Then leave a message saying that you'd like to win a signed copy of Nightshade and that RandomlyKait sent you.

Example: (Copy and paste it if you'd like)

I'd love to win a signed copy of Nightshade by Maryrose Wood. Thanks to RandomlyKait for sending me! http://randomlykait.blogspot.com/

3. The Poison Diaries Website:  Finally, you have

click on the image and enter the Poison Garden. Find Arum Maculstum  and add it to My Poison Diary. Then click to share it on Twitter. Make sure that you Mention @PoisonDiaries and that RandomlyKait sent you.



Sounds Easy Peasy, right? Well then what are you waiting for? Get going! ;)  And Good Luck!! The giveaway ends on November 21, 2011

TGIF @ GReads (1)

TGIF is hosted by Ginger over at GReads and this Friday the question is...

Gateway Books: Which particular books opened you up to a new genre?

Well, the first book I think of when I hear this question would have to be
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It was the very first Dystopian book that I read, and it made me totally and completely fall in love with it. Since then, I have read many many books in the Dystopian genre, and I have loved almost all of them.