Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Best Of 2011: Movies

Wow, is it really almost time for the New Year already?? Dang, where did all the time Go? Well, I have all these little lists of my favorite things from this year, books, movies, songs, etc. And so I thought I'd share them with you! First up? Movies!!

1. Abduction (Taylor Lautner, need I say more?)
2. Footloose
3. The Smurfs
4. Breaking Dawn
5. Jack and Jill
6. Alvin and the Chipmunks:: Chipwrecked
7. Monte Carlo
8. Cars 2
9. harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt.2
10. The Muppets
11. Something Borrowed

Monday, November 28, 2011

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!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

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?

Friday, November 18, 2011

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! ;)

Labels:

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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!

Monday, November 14, 2011

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!!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

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!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

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.

Labels:

Monday, November 7, 2011

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

Friday, November 4, 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.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Songs For Books (4)

Song: It Will Rain by Bruno Mars

Book: Personal Demons and Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

If you ever leave me, baby,
Leave some morphine at my door
Cause it would take a whole lot of medication
To realize what we used to have,
We don't have it anymore.
There's no religion that could save me
No matter how long my knees are on the floor, oh
So keep in mind all the sacrifices I'm making
Will keep you by my side Will keep you from walking out the door.
Cause there'll be no sunlight if I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies if I lose you, baby
Just like the clouds, my eyes will do the same if you walk away
Everyday, it will rain, rain, rain
I'll never be your mother's favorite
Your daddy can't even look me in the eye
Oooh if I was in their shoes, I'd be doing the same thing
Saying there goes my little girl walking with that troublesome guy
But they're just afraid of something they can't understand
Oooh well little darling watch me change their minds
for you I'll try, I'll try, I'll try I'll pick up these broken pieces 'til I'm bleeding
 If that'll make you mine
Cause there'll be no sunlight if I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies if I lose you, baby
Just like the clouds, my eyes will do the same if you walk away Everyday, it will rain, rain, rain
Ooooh Don't you say goodbye, don't just say, goodbye I'll pick up these broken pieces 'til I'm bleeding
If that'll make it right
Cause there'll be no sunlight if I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies if I lose you, baby
 Just like the clouds, my eyes will do the same if you walk away
 Everyday, it will rain, rain, rain...
Cpied from MetroLyrics.com
 
The first time I heard that song, Frannie and Luc popped into my mind.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (3) Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted over at Breaking The Spine and it gives us the chance to shine the spotlight on books that we are eagerly waiting for.

This week my pick is...


                                                                        Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
   Expected Publication: December 6th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books







Summary from Goodreads:In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.


With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.


Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?


As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.










Why I Can't Wait? Umm, Helloooo? Do I really need a reason other than the fact that I will get to see more of Jem and his super hot Jem-y-ness? I didn't think so.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday (2): Books To Read Around Halloween

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke And The Bookish and this week the theme is Books To Read Around Halloween.









1. The Devouring by Simon Holt:
This trilogy still gives me cold chills when I think about it. And the very first time I read it was on the Winter Solstice. Yeah, kind of freaked me out. *SHUDDER* 






2. 7 Souls by Barnabas Miller: Go read the summary here  doesn't it sound creepy?



3. All Hallow's Eve by Vivian Vande Velde: I read this book a couple of Halloween's ago with my sister and found it delightfully creepy. I will never look at a scarecrow the same way again. Nor will I ever be able to hear the song "Up On The Housetop" without thinking of this book




4. The Hollow by Jessica Verday:
This book was based on The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, and  absolutely loved it. I think that it fits perfectly with this theme.




5. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh:        
It ties in with Edgar Allan Poe... Need I say more?






6. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot: This book is not super sreepy, but it still has ghosts in it. I think that makes it perfect for someone who doesn't want to be scared half to death. (Pun intended)




7. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel:  It's not a scary book, but still, a zombie invasion... Seriously, how could I not include this book? It is way beyond awesome.






8. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund: Killer Unicorns. That is all.





9. Devoured by Amanda Marrone:  This is based loosely on Snow White, which is what drew my attention to it in the first place. But it's not the version we all remember from when we were little. And even though it is not Extra Super Duper Terrifying, it's still pretty creepy.





10. Walk Of The Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick:
I love this book, I couldn't NOT include it. It's made of pure Awesomeness.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Review: There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

My Rating: 5 Stars
Date Read: October 2011


Date Published: October 4, 2011 by Thomas Nelson
Paperback, 320 pages
   
Summary From Goodreads:    
In a small cottage house in rural Ireland, Finley discovers she can no longer outrun the past.
When Finley travels to Ireland as a foreign exchange student, she hopes to create a new identity and get some answers from the God who took her brother away and seems to have left her high and dry.
But from the moment she boards the plane and sits by Beckett Rush, teen star of the hottest vampire flicks, nothing goes according to Finley's plan.
When she gets too close to Beckett, a classmate goes on a mission to make sure Finley packs her bags, departs Ireland-and leaves Beckett alone.
Finley feels the pressure all around. As things start to fall apart, she begins to rely on a not-so-healthy method of taking control of her life.
Finley tries to balance it all-disasters on the set of Beckett's new movie, the demands of school, and her growing romance with one actor who is not what he seems. Yet Finley is also not who she portrays to Beckett and her friends.
For the first time in her life, Finley must get honest with herself to get right with God.



My Review:
Oh. Wow. I loved This book. It had me hooked from the very first page. I kept wondering what was going to happen next,
and I was so sad when it was finished. I wasn't ready for it to end!

This book was not light and fluffy, but it wasn't depressing as heck either. It was the perfect balance of both.  It's a Christian novel, but it didn't come off as sounding too preachy and pushy. It reminded me a lot like Caleb + Kate (Another
Christian book that I loved.)


Beckett Rush was extremely funny and entertaining. I loved how he was always "forgetting" Finley's name
and instead calling her every other name that started with the letter "F". My personal favorite was Flossie. For
some reason though, when reading about Beckett, I pictured Zac Efron. :)

Finley was such a sweet main character. She has to deal with many problems in the book but they're problems
that a lot of people go through, and she comes out stronger in the end.

This book will have you laughing and crying, and then laughing again. The romance between Beckett and Finley
was so sweet to watch, especially since they were both so determined to not  to like each other, and you just know that they
are perfect together. They both had their own issues, but seemed to balance each other out perfectly.

I really really liked this book (I know, now I'm being repetitive) This is my first book written by Jenny B. Jones,
but most definitely not my last. And the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! Okay, that was random but I had to
throw that out there.

**I received this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review**

Labels:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday: Touch Of Power By Maria V. Snyder

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted over at Breaking The Spine and it gives us the chance to shine the spotlight on books that we are eagerly waiting for.

This week my pick is...



 Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder. (I put up both of these covers because they're both so pretty)
Expected Publication:  December 20, 2011, MIRA

Summary From Goodreads: Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

Why I can't wait? I love All of Maria V. Snyder's previous books, and I have no doubt that this one will be equally amazing. The only downside I can foresee is the fact that *sniff sniff* Valek won't be there. Hopefully this book will give me another Hunky Hero that can take my mind off of him.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I picked because of the cover/title

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke And The Bookish, and this week the topic is Top Ten Books I Picked Up Because Of The Cover/Title. I laugh at this because I am really bad when it comes to judging a book by its cover/title. The first thing I look at is the cover, then I look at the title, and then I look at whatever else. It's very complicated but still, it seems to work for me.



1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer


Okay, I debated for weeks about this book. It sat there on  the shelf at my library staring at me, asking to be picked up. I resisted for a long time, but finally I just got tired of it, and so I checked it out. And, surprisingly...I loved it. I stayed up way too late reading it. I'm a Twilighter and proud of it.
2. Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood 

I could have read this book earlier, but for some reason it didn't catch my interest until this version came out. Hmmm, I wonder why? ;) 



3. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson


This book was a combination of the cover and the title. I mean, seriously? Who wouldn't fall in love with it?
4. Entwined by Heather Dixon

I love Fairytales re-told, and I was in love with this book waaaay before I ever read it. The dress that the girl is wearing is beautfiul, and I love the flower pattern that's running all along the edges of the book.



5. The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.
I love this book SOO much. I love the title, it sounds so mysterious. And I love the cover. Basically, I love everything about this book.

6.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. 
This one was mostly just because of the title but, the cover is pretty awesome, too.


7.Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

The  way they are dressed on the cover of this book reminds me of something you would see in one of those 1950s movies, and it's just so cute!!

8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer.
This one speaks for itself, I think.



9. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Again, it speaks for itself.





10. Hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

What I want to know is... Who hasn't fallen in love with this?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Review The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

My Rating: 4 stars
Date Read: October 2011


Date Published: September 6, 2011 by WaterBrook Press
Paperback, 352 pages


Summary from GoodReads:
Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.After months in rehab, Aaron Blank returns home to sell his Daed’s failing farm and move his parents into an easier lifestyle. Two things stand in his way: the father who stubbornly refuses to recognize that Aaron has changed and the determined new farmhand his parents love like a daughter. Her influence on Aaron’s parents could ruin his plans to escape the burdens of farming and build a new life.Can Aaron and Sylvia find common ground? Or will their unflinching efforts toward opposite goals blur the bigger picture— a path to forgiveness, glimpses of grace, and the promise of love.

My Review:I have just recently started read Amish books, and I was surprised to find out that I liked them a lot.

The characters were all very easy to fall in love with, and I found myself flipping page after page, eager to find out was going to happen next.

There are several storylines going on at once, and it can get a little confusing as to what's going on if you're not paying attention, and especially if you haven't read the previous books. There is a "story so far" page at the begining of the book, and that will help, as long as you don't try and rush through it.

I liked that Sylvia isn't your typical Amish woman, she doesn't WANT to be your typical Amish woman, and she is more than willing to be out there taking a more hands-on approach. She like to be out working in the dairy farm


I was upset with Beckie and Elam, and sad to see how much Sylvia blamed herself for what happened, but everything managed to work itself out in the end.

I liked seeing Sylvia and Aaron's relationship as they grew closer, It was such a sweet romance.

I loved this book, and I know that my love for Amish fiction books will continue to grow as well.

I am very happy that WaterBrook Multnomah was able to provide me with a copy for review.

Labels:

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Why I love Blogging About Books

Okay, so I know I've been bad the past few weeks about not posting anything, but I'm going to try and be better now. So, onto my post.

I love letting people know about the books that I've read, and how much I loved or hated them. I like getting feedback, and hearing other people's opinions as well, even if they disagree with me. And I know that I won't annoy my readers by talking about books. (I  tend to talk about books way too much with my family, and my sister especially, will roll her eyes and tell me to shut up.)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Review: If I Die by Rachel Vincent

My rating 5 (thousand) Stars
Date Read: September 2011

Date Published: September 27, 2011 Harlequin Teen
Paperback, 342 pages


Summary From Goodreads:
The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.
But the next scream might be for Kaylee.
Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.
But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life. Anything.
 
 
My Review: (Contains Spoilers)
 
**DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ MY SOUL TO STEAL**
Before I read the book:
This is how it could possibly end:

Tod + Kaylee
Nash + Sabine and
Alec + Emma

And, oddly enough, I would be okay with that. :)

After I read the book:

SPOILERS!!!!!!

OHHH....MYYYY....GOSH!!!!

I was right!! well, partially anyways. I can't believe it! I'm so ecstatic right now, that I'm bouncing off the walls. The last few books that I read had endings that were just kind of... Ehhh. And I was starting to get frustrated. but this book completely took care of that!

Kaylee and Tod's relationship was a long (long, long,long) time coming, even though to some people, it might have seemed rushed.And to those people, I say "You. Are. Crazy!" I have been waiting for this to happen since the second that Tod showed up.

The book still took a few twists that I wasn't expecting, and at one point, I thought that I was going to bawl my eyes out. (if you've read the book already, you'll know what I mean). But everything ended mostly okay, and now I really can't wait to see what happens next.

I love love LOVE Kaylee's relationships with Emma and Alec, and TOD. They are all so prtective of each other, And yes, I still love Nash, even though I think that he could use an itty-bitty attitude adjustment. Gosh, even Sabine is starting to grow on me... I still don't know how I feel about that.

Labels:

Friday, September 23, 2011

Surprise!

When I got home today, imagine my surprise when I found a box with my name on it waiting for me by my front door. Curious, I opened it up, and was delighted to find not one, but TWO books in it! I had absolutely no idea that I was supposed to get them, but am very happy that I did! The two books were

The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson, and Hades by Alexandra Adornetto. (I had actually borrowed Hades from my library, and was in the process of reading it, when the box showed up)






Thursday, September 15, 2011

Vampire Diaries!!

Tonight Vampire Diaries finally comes back! I can't wait. I get to see Damon (Who, at the moment I am in love with) And the whole Tyler/Caroline maybe relationship. I'm counting down the hours.

Not to mention the fact that right after Vampire Diaries is on, Secret Circle premiers! I'm really interested to see how it turns out. I wasn't too in love with the book series (A lot of the people I've talked to weren't in to the books either.) but I really liked  how they took VD and changed some things around, so we'll see..

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Review: The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

  My Rating: 4 Stars
  Date Read: July 2011



Date Published: June 21, 2011 by WaterBrook Press
Paperback, 416 pages

Summary From Goodreads: 
Before DragonSpell, on a different continent and a different time, a young emerlindian’s desperate decision threatens to disrupt the foundation of the world.

Tipper has been caring for her family’s estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling.

She must free her father and save the world. But she can’t do it alone.

Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder’s grace and guidance along the way?



***I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.***


My Review:
I have not read any books by Donita K. Paul before this, but now she is one of my favorite authors!

Wow. This book was totally and completely amazing! It is a book that readers of any age will enjoy, and I will suggest it to anyone and everyone. It has everything you could want in a book, and the fact that it stillmanages to remind us of the importance of our Heavenly Father, makes it even better.


I loved all of the characters, especially Tipper. They all had their own quirks, which is what makes them so wonderful, and I loved seeing how they grew throughout the book. And the story itself is one that will suck you in from page one. (I stayed up until about 3 a.m. to finish it.) The endng was satisfying, yet it left just enough open for a sequel.

Labels:

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Review Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

My Rating 5 Stars
Date Read: August, 2010


Date Published: May 4th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Harback, 344 pages



Summary From Goodreads:
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.



My Review:
Reading this book has me determined to go on an Epic Detour of my very own.

I found this book on accident while browsing the shelves at my library. I looked at it for a long time,trying to figure out if I wanted to get it or not. Fortunately, I decided to get it, and  fell in love with it.

  I absolutely loved this book and all of its characters, and the little extra things inside like the menus, pictures, and the playlists. Plus, I thought the cover of the book was awesome, too. I have to say though, that I was kind of a smidge annoyed with Roger when he kept going on and on about his ex-girlfriend, but he more than made up for it.


The characters were all very real to me, mostly because of the fact that they didn't seem to come off as being perfect. They all had their own issues to work out.

Morgan Matson has made a super fan out of me, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Labels: