AyeCaptain Reviews

And This Is What It Comes To...

2009-08-10T09:13:00.003-04:00

I said yesterday that I would explain why I closed the giveaway early.

To put it short and sweet, in a matter of time, AyeCaptain Reviews will not be running any longer. Well, it will be here for you to browse around, but no more charming posts, no more insightful reviews, you get the idea... ;)

Have any ideas why? Some of you might, but let me explain. It's as easy as 1,2,3,4.

1. School. I'm headed into my junior year and really need to devote all my time to schoolwork. I noticed last year how much I procrastinated on here, and being homeschooled, that could be dangerous.

2. I've had a year's foray into the YA genre, but it's time for me to move on for now. One of the things I thought about when I was up in Chicago this weekend for an editing workshop, was that I haven't gone through all the classics, like To Kill a Mockingbird and Catcher in the Rye. These books are essential for me, and I want to learn how to become a better writer, which is not possible just reading the YA genre. It feels unfair to me to keep a YA blog, but blog about more classic books everyone has heard of. It's also very time-consuming.

3. I've been reading a wonderful book called Do Hard Things, about how teenage expectations have dropped. I don't need to be spending so much time on here when I could be working to really change something. I joined the PolyphonyHS staff this year as a second reader (basically an editor). If you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, check it out! We give feedback to every poem submitted. If you want to see what being an editor is like, you can be a First Reader. We always need more. Please check it out; it's wonderful fun and you learn so much!

4. I've really slacked on my relationship with God. I've put him off to review books, obsessed about reviewing books, and read books when I could have been in His word. Some of you may not understand this, but just let me say, it isn't fair to him. He's the most wonderful thing in my life and deserves way better.

I've been so, so blessed to be let into this wonderful community for just over a year now. I've learned so much about books and love talking about them, and hope many other kids will make their way into the blogging realm as well.

To all my followers: I'm so sorry to leave you hanging, but I've thought about this long and hard, and I have to do it. I know it's right for me.

I love you all and appreciate everything! Let me know if you need anything ever:

emilyruth@gmx.com

Thanks again!

Sleepaway Girls WINNER!

2009-08-09T23:03:00.004-04:00

Hey all! Alright, I have to close this contest early for a reason I'll disclose in a post coming tomorrow (hopefully).

I'll be shipping Sleepaway Girls out tomorrow as well (hopefully). :)

So, without further ado...

The winner (taken from random.org) is:

DeAnna!

CONGRATULATIONS DEANNA! I don't know if any of you know, but this is really freaky for me, since deanna is my best friend in real life. I thought about redrawing just incase any of you thought I'd cheated, but I decided it would be unfair to deanna to do that. So I took a screen shot for proof.

(I circled the number 3 in red, which means the 3rd commenter, which means it goes deanna)

So, yeah. Really weird.

But I promise you this was completely fair and if you don't believe me...

deal with it.

Just kidding :)

Thank you all so much for participating in this contest!

Review: Offworld

2009-08-09T21:48:00.003-04:00

by Robert Parrish

Summary: Commander Christopher Burke is the first man to walk on Mars, and the mission is a success despite the unexplained 18 hours he went missing. But when his crew returns to Earth, something's wrong.

Everyone is gone.

Review: Offworld is an adult novel set in the future. The action is intense (as anyone could guess from the summary). In fact, even though this is an adult novel, Offworld could quite easily overlap into the YA section. The writing is simplistic, the dialogue clever, the premise interesting. I really can not say enough for this book. The pages fly by.

There was no lag in the plot, which was a perfect example of moments of action interspersed with moments of calm, all under one big plot. The ending was, in a word, satisfactory. All is explained well enough, with a little room for our imagination.

The characters were well developed, each with their own personality. A nice addition to a clever plot.

On the negative side, I expected an adult novel to have a more developed sentence structure and a wider vocabulary besides the big words here and there. Parrish quite obviously can write, but I see his writing as more of a YA fit. There are cheesy moments, and the obvious love triangle/unattainable love/happy ending love. But really, it doesn't make the book bad.

People will enjoy this book. It's a nice crossover, has a great plot with a perfect resolution, doesn't drag, and is an easy read.

4.5 Stars

368 Pages

Adult Sci-Fi

Released

*contains no inappropriate material

Props to the cover designer. It's quite simply perfect. AND it's got this nice, soft paper, not that ugly shiny kind...

Review: Once Was Lost

2009-08-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

by Sara Zarr

Summary*: Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed---about God, about your family, about yourself---is transformed.

Review: I realize some of you may shy away from a 'Christian' YA book, but Sam's story really is awesome. There's mystery, love, struggling, family issues, kidnapping... everything you could want in a YA book. There's tension and excitement. It's clean, but real.

If you can't tell already, I really liked this book. From the title to the gorgeous cover, Once was Lost is everything I've wanted for a long time. A good, not crappy, not cheesy, christian novel. There's way too many of the crappy ones.

The plot arc is exciting. I was glad Zarr inserted a little something other than just 'spiritual growth' to keep the book going. The kidnapping was great and had a nice twist at the end. The ending was open and left room for thought.

But though I really liked this book, there was no 'wow' factor. Nothing that kept me after I closed the book. Nothing that left me thinking. Really thinking. It might be because I don't struggle anymore with my salvation, and I know I'm saved, but I just wish there might have been something... I don't know... more.

4 Stars

224 Pages

TBR October 1, 2009

*contains no inappropriate material

*Summary taken from Amazon because this book has not yet been released.

Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth

2009-08-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

by Carrie Ryan

Summary: Mary never questioned the Sisterhood or Guardians that kept her town safe from the Unconsecrated--those that used to be people, but now gnaw at the gates of the village for blood. Until now. When Mary joins the sisterhood, she comes across things she never imagined--particularly a woman from the Outside, named Gabrielle.

But that was before Mary's village is attacked by the Unconsecrated.

Review: In a word, creepy.

It's a mix of The Village and I Am Legend.

But it's good.

Plot. Mary's story instantly draws you in, and the love triangle keeps us in. Carrie Ryan has it all planned out; she has this huge tantalizing background story (that gets confusing sometimes). The whole story circles around a kind of Catholic church theme, which was really cool as well and added to the creepy feel. I must admit, the story starts out a tad slow and is kind of confusing for the first part of the story, but once you get into the action it gets much better.

Characters. Mary was a good protagonist-- confused but still pretty strong. Her pining after Travis gets a little annoying, but I could deal. I never saw much development in the other characters until the end. It didn't really bother me because the story was so exciting, but now that I think about it, I wish they had been a little more defined.

Overall. A very good book, with a very good 'wow' factor. The ending was fantastic. I would really reccommend this book if you aren't faint-hearted. Some have complained about it being too graphic/bloody for them, but I really didn't feel it was too graphic except in one part. Even then, it wasn't graphic, it was just horrible to imagine. Ryan doesn't linger.

4.5 Stars

320 Pages

Released

*contains brief sexuality

here's an awesome trailer:

Tuber Tuesdays [8]

2009-08-04T11:11:00.002-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

The purpose of Tuber Tuesday is to share a great video you've found throughout the week. It can be funny, inspirational, gut-wrenching, interesting, a book trailer, a movie trailer, an author chat, or anything else you want to share!

If you need help embedding a video, please let me know.

Week 8 Video: Book trailer for Lisa McMann's Wake. The book was good, but I like the trailer even better, haha. Take a look.

Review: Willow

2009-08-03T08:11:00.003-04:00

by Julia Hoban

Summary: Ever since the night when Willow was driving her parents home in the rain.

Ever since crash that followed and killed her two parent with Willow at the wheel.

Willow's been a cutter.

And she's been able to keep it well hidden as she lives at her brother's house, until a guy Willow barely knows accidentally finds out. If he tells, it will destroy Willow's brother, who has already been through enough pain. If he doesn't, if he just leaves Willow, it might destroy him...

Review: Willow's story is heartbreaking, to say the least. It seems like everything that could go wrong, went wrong. But the chemistry between Willow and Guy is charming. Though well over 300 pages, Willow is still a rather quick read and has a nice pace. Nothing really major happens, but the story is still somehow very enticing.

I didn't particularly like Willow's character, however. Granted, her circumstances were awful, and this is the reason she is a cutter, but her complaining every single page got a little old. Guy's character was fantastic, and I would much rather have heard the story from his perspective, as He constantly surprised me. For me, Guy kept the story going.

And finally, my last annoyance.

*SPOILER WARNING*

I really didn't like the fact that everything got better once Guy and Willow slept together. It totally ruined the book for me, and seemed to send out the idea that you can get over anything if you sleep with a guy. I'm really sad that a YA author would even hint at this; it quite depresses me. I think if Hoban wouldn't have had this play a part in Willow, I would easily have suggested it for Teen's Top Ten at my library. However, I really don't think book that promote premarital sex should be promoted at the library.

*/SPOILER*

Okay, so overall: a very good book, a quick read, interesting characters (some annoyingly weak), and sends an awful message.

3.5 Stars

336 Pages

Released

*contains language and sexuality

Review: Bones of Faerie

2009-07-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

by Janni Lee Simner

Summary: Liza has been told of the War with the faeries that destroyed the human world. She's been told, like everyone else in her town, to cast out anything that shows remnants of faerie magic. But Liza is haunted by the memory of her sister, cast out and left to be eaten by wild animals as a newborn, because of the color of her hair. That was the night before her mother left.

Now Liza is seeing things, and knows she, too, has been tainted.

If she is to keep the rest of her town from harm, she must flee.

Review: Bones of Faerie is the best faerie story I've read in a long, long time. No shallow characters, no stupid love triangles, no lumps on a girl's back turning into wings, no girl who is really gorgeous that thinks she's ugly... No, this book is real. This book is cold and sharp.

We aren't told much about the War, which some reviewers have said annoyed them. But while it did make me wonder what really happened, I felt like it left something open for me to wonder about. And I like a book where EVERYTHING isn't known and tied in a perfect bow by the end.

Liza was very realistic. You could see the attraction between Matthew and her, and Simner didn't make that too cheesy. She just let it flow. Kudos! There were no really 'big' revelations, but there were some small ones that kind of surprised me a little. The book wasn't a mystery novel though, so I wasn't expecting a big turnaround.

Simner's writing was elegant, somewhat simplistic, but perfect for this story. I couldn't stop reading it. I was planning on just reading a little every night, but that just.. didn't work out. I had to read it during the day too and finished it in two days.

I liked that there wasn't much focus on the faeries, but that Simner focused on Liza and her character and her problems. But the faeries were still worked in. All the imagery around the plants was incredible, too. And making the plants evil in their own way was just wonderfully imaginative.

It's a very quick read, and somewhat short, too.

So in all, I strongly reccommend this if you're looking for a good faerie story, and not another cheesy love triangle. Also, if you want a nice, quick, satisfying read.

Be warned.. I got teary-eyed at the end. (Another bonus! For a short book like this, that's wonderful!)

5 Stars

256 Pages (well spaced and larger font)

Released

Contains no innapropriate material

Tuber Tuesdays [7]

2009-07-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 7 Video: About Musical Freestyle Dressage... Currently I compete in Dressage, but it's one of my goals to do a Musical Freestyle test. A nice, really random choice for this week's Tuber Tuesdays, don't you think? Here's one of the top dressage riders of our time.. Anky van Grunsven. She's incredible. Might be boring for you... but amazing for me to watch ;) it's a TON harder than it looks. The whole point is to make it looks easy. But anyway...

Sleepaway Girls GIVEAWAY CLOSED

2009-07-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

To hold you over while I'm on a mission trip next week,

I've got a little something planned...

Everybody scream.

It's another giveaway!

Enter at your own peril...

Brave the seas of adventure.

You may be tossed overboard.

Or you may just find something

Fantastic.

Something...

[Insert your own word here]

Instructions:

-leave a comment with your email [+1]

-blog about this giveaway and share the link in a separate comment [+1]

-follow me/state that you are already a follower in a separate comment [+1]

I will select a random winner for a brand new copy of Sleepaway Girls on August 25, 2009.

*Only open to the US.*

Not-Review: Sleepaway Girls

2009-07-23T11:58:00.003-04:00

by Jen Calonita

Summary (taken from amazon): When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, she's not ready to spend the summer listening to the two of them call each other "pookie." Sick of being a third wheel, Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. But what she doesn't realize is that it's not going to be all Kumbaya sing-alongs and gooey s'mores. If Ashley, the alpha queen of Whispering Pines, doesn't ruin Sam's summer, then her raging crush on the surfer-blond and flirtatious Hunter just might. At least she has playful Cole, who's always teasing her, but is oh-so-comfortable to hang out with, and the singular gang of girls that become fast friends with Sam-they call themselves the Sleepaway Girls.

Review: Confession: I didn't finish it.

That's right, I didn't finish this book.

I got to about page 60 and couldn't suffer any longer.

My brain was hurting.

I'll tell you what I think, but I'm not going to grade this book, because I didn't feel it and I don't think I should grade something that I did not finish. So here we go:

The writing seemed very "teen"-ish. I can't really explain it in any other way than that... it just wasn't mature. I suppose I don't really read summer chick flicks, like, ever, so this may have just been "culture shock" for me. I can't really say whether you'll like this book if you like chick flicks, because I really have no idea.

All I know is that Sleepaway Girls wasn't for me. The antagonist was cheesy, thel ending was very predictable (from what I read at least... I haven't read the ending, so I may be wrong), the protagonist was somewhat shallow.

In all, maybe you'll like it. Maybe you'll hate it.

I go for the latter.

But kudos to the cover, which I still think is adorable.

Question: if I had a giveaway for this book, would anyone be interested in entering?

Review: Liar

2009-07-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

by Justine Larbalestier

Review: Micah has been a liar her whole life, and now she's going to tell you about it. She'll tell you about the murder at the school, her family, her history, her life. This time, she's not going to lie.

At least, that's what she tells us. But how do you know whether to believe a liar?

Summary: I couldn't put Liar down. Micah's voice is compelling and addictive; her stories quirky and original. You feel like there's something you're not grasping, and that keeps the story going.

It started out fantastic. A quick read; a sure success. About half way through Micah gets a little boring (it is a good length book), and Larbalestier must know that because suddenly were back up and down another roller coaster of events.

I must say, I didn't see any of the twists and turns in this book coming. Looking back, I can see some hints, but I totally missed them. Most books you can kind of predict what's going to happen, but with Liar, you think you know where it's going, and then you're surprised.

FANTASTIC.

The characters were starkly realistic, and I almost felt like I was intruding on Micah's mind. She made me uncomfortable, sorry, surprised, and more.

My only two complaints were:

1) The language. I felt like the book could have been fine without it. There was also some mention of homosexuality which was explained, but still just awkward.

2) The cover. While the cover is freaking awesome, it looks nothing like Micah is supposed to look like. She's described as african american, looks like a boy, and with close-cropped hair.

NOT a cute girl with a stylish bang. But the cover is well done other than that, and I would definitely pick the book up based on that.

Overall, an excellent book with strong characters and a brilliant plot, but some unneccessary language that could turn away an audience of readers.

4.5 Stars

384 Pages

TBR September 29, 2009

Tuber Tuesdays [7]

2009-07-21T08:16:00.002-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 7 Video:

Book trailer for one of the awesomest books everr... Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.

Review: The Musician's Daughter

2009-07-17T07:21:00.000-04:00

by Susan Dunlap

Summary: When the body of Theresa's beloved musician father is found near a gypsy camp, Theresa isn't just distraught. She wants to find out what happened. But how can she when their family has no source of income, her mother is ordering her to visit a matchmaker, and no one will tell her anything?

Theresa sets out on her own to find out what happened, and it brings a whole lot more trouble than she expected.

Review: I had high hopes for Musician's Daughter, because the cover looked decent, it's a murder mystery, it has to do with music, and Theresa is on speaking terms with Haydn. The Haydn. For those of you who don't know, he's a really famous composer.

But honestly, it was kind of slow.

It started out great- murder, creepy necklace no one knew about, cute guy, hot chocolate... you know, just little things that pull you in. And that lasted at the most about 100 pages or so. And then we're left with a creepy rich uncle, a main character that's basically wandering around looking for answers, much confusion, and no solid characters. By solid characters I mean that none of the characters besides Theresa are really developed. They are just there. I felt this most with Haydn, who I was really looking forward to read about. Who cares whether the account is fiction!? I want to see this guy! I got a little bit of him, but there were almost too many characters that Theresa had to jump around too much between them.

So the slow part lasted another 150 pages or so.

And THEN... then we got to the exciting part. Action, revelations, Theresa actually thinking and working things out, murders, people locked in dark places. yaaaay!

But the characters? They remain flat. (spoiler warning...) Theresa kisses boy. Honestly? I didn't feel the pull. I mean, the guy's cool, he comforts her, but they haven't ever had a conversation really. They just *look* at each other and decide they're in love. (I might be taking that too far...)

/spoiler.

All in all, I wasn't really impressed. It didn't have as much as I wanted about Haydn. There were too many characters, so they ended up pretty flat. There wasn't enough about music. The murder mystery was good, but slow during the middle.

It was... okay.

2.5 Stars

336 Pages

Released

Thoughtful Thursdays [3] -Harry Potter Fave-

2009-07-16T07:34:00.002-04:00

This week's Thoughtful Thursday is me asking you (in honor of the release of the Half-blood prince yesterday)...

Which Harry Potter Book/Movie is your favorite?

Review: The Sorcerer King (Faerie Path #3)

2009-07-15T07:00:00.001-04:00

by Frewin Jones

Click here to see my review of Book One: The Faerie Path.

Click here to see my review of Book Two: The Lost Queen.

Summary*: Tania has brought the long-lost Queen Titania back to Faerie from the Mortal World of modern London. But when they cross between the worlds, they find only devastation. The Sorcerer King of Lyonesse—ancient enemy of the Faerie Court—has been released from his amber prison. As the wicked sorcerer regains his power, King Oberon, Tania's father, is imprisoned and the Faerie Court is being destroyed.

Tania and her true love, Edric, must travel the Realm to try to find and rescue King Oberon, who is their only hope for defeating the evil Sorcerer King. And Tania must prepare for battle . . . and to fight a war that she may not survive.

Review: I didn't really like this as much as the other Faerie Path books, but I think perhaps it is because I'm getting tired of them. You can only drag something out for so long. Yes, it was good. Sure, it could be exciting in parts. But even though the characters were the same as in the other books, I got tired of them, even annoyed. Tania seemed really blond most of the time. The scenes with her and Edric made me want to cry from annoyance. It was fairly predictable. The language of Tania's sisters still seems forced.

And yet, it could be pleasant to read as well. The adventure to Ynis Maw was very inventive. The story had a good ending. Frewin didn't bring any dead people back from the dead. The writing was fair. Nothing really changed that much from the first two books, so I'm trying to grasp what it was about this one that I didn't really like, and I think it's just that the story is getting old. I need something new and shocking.

Perhaps we'll find it in the next one.

3 Stars

336 Pages

Clean

Released

*summary taken from amazon

Tuber Tuesdays [6]

2009-07-14T11:57:00.001-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 6 Video:

One of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailers.. in honor of its release at midnight TONIGHT!!!! XD *shrieks*

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-07-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Dream of the Stone

By Christina Askounis

Someone is following Sarah Lucas. When she peers down from her apartment window late one night, she sees him hovering in the shadows. And what about the other strange things that have been happening to her? The old woman who appears every so often to give Sarah a cryptic piece of advice and then vanishes? The mysterious gleaming stone that turns up in the mail, a universe of tiny stars suspended in its depths?

But there's no one Sarah can trust with her story. Her journalist parents have been killed in a freak plane crash, and her older brother, Sam, a scientific genius, has disappeared under suspicious circumstances from the top secret institute where he works.

Sarah couldn't be more alone in the world, until the day she meets Angel Muldoon, a half-Gypsy stable boy who carries a secret of his own. Together they will begin an incredible journey to another world, where they must return the stone to its rightful place and keep the forces of unimaginable evil at bay.

Liar

By Justine Larbalestiar

Micah is different. She has always been a loner and freely admits to being a liar, but when her secret boyfriend dies mysteriously, her whole life comes under scrutiny. Now she plans to tell you the truth, the whole truth......or so she says.

Interview with Hannah Greer

2009-07-12T12:51:00.006-04:00

Author of Velvet Bag Memoirs.

Click to see my review of the first two books.

1. What of yourself do you see in Asa and Prentiss? Asa and Prentiss Fallmark represent the imaginative child in me that still sparks my creativity today. They are delightful children with the desire to learn about the world with few inhibitions. The characters' models were my own two darling twin grandchildren whose love for life and insatiable interest to explore the world keep the stories coming.

2. Did you “transport” anywhere when you were little? Were the places Asa and Prentiss visited based off of those at all? :) My brother and I used to play on a sand dump at the end of our block. We would put up tents and pretend we were the king and queen of unknown lands. It was so enticing, that many neighborhood children joined in the fun. Each person developed a fictional character and the stories grew in depth and excitement every day. Visits to Stonehenge and England in Book Three, The Castle Ivengless, were based on my own travels there. The British castles and Stonehenge filled me with plots that I wished to pour into children's books.

3. When did you start writing children’s books? I started writing children's books two years ago, with the beginning of the Velvet Bag Memoirs series. However, I have been writing and telling stories since I was a child. I found it easier to remember scientific and historical facts if I put the information into fictitious stories.

4. Where is your favorite place to write? I like to write at my computer. I cannot hand write faster than I can think, so typing my stories enables me to get the ideas down quickly. When I sit down to write, I literally find myself within the story, interacting with the characters.

5. What advice would you give those of us who wish to be authors as well? If you wish to be an author, you must keep writing. Everyday you should write something down. Often, my stories start with my daily journaling. Write to please yourself and no one else. Be true to your characters and the settings of the stories. Jump into the story and the plot will unfold.

6. How has writing affected your life? Writing gives me hope and strength. I love my characters and as a book ends, I feel like I have given birth to a child. Then, I nurture the child and keep it safe as I think of new stories.

7. Is there a specific message you want to send to children through your books? I want children to rekindle the love of learning and reading. I want them to use their imaginations by jumping into the stories and imagining what it would be like to go through the adventures that the characters experience. I hope that the touches of scientific and historical knowledge that pop up in the stories makes the readers inquisitive about the subjects.

8. Could you tell us a little about any current projects? Right now I'm writing the fourth book of the Velvet Bag Memoirs, Back to Pompeii, in which eleven-year-old Asa and Prentiss find themselves in a time machine going back to Pompeii in 79 A.D. right before Mount Vesuvius blows. One of their cousins was left behind in another time machine adventure, and the twins are going back to rescue him before the disaster strikes. I try to incorporate new characters into each book. I have even received emails from young readers who wish to play a part in a story. They develop their characters and I put them in the book. It is great fun. I am also writing a series of middle grades books based on the seven ancient wonders of the world. The first one, The Gift of Re, takes four underachieving seventh graders to the Great Pyramids of Giza. The second book, The Pharos Legacy, takes the same characters to the ancient lighthouse at Alexandria. In each story, the four heroes must outwit evil spirits and seek the help of good spirits. (Oh, this sounds good!)

9. And what about the cover and pictures in the book? They’re wonderful! Can you tell us more about those? My very talented older sister, Tica Greer, has created all the pictures and covers of the books. We know each other so well that as I write the stories, she comes up with the perfect illustrations. I don't think I could work with anyone else at this caliber of understanding.

10. Is there anything else you could like to add? I love writing. It keeps me young. A well-exercised imagination is the key to a long life. I still have a lot of writing to do and I intend to get the stories out well into my 100s.

Thanks so much, Hannah!

Reviews: Velvet Bag Memoirs [Books 1 and 2]

2009-07-11T11:19:00.007-04:00

by Hannah Greer
Illustrations by Tica Greer

The Magic Cottage: Book 1 [Velvet Bag Memoirs]

Summary: In this first installment, sister and brother Asa and Prentiss Fallmark find a magical land called 'Serendipity' while on vacation at their grandparents' house. The land is full of all kinds of magical things--talking dogs, an obsessive rabbit, a beautiful butterly. But most of all, it's filled with their imagination.

And imagination can get you into all kinds of trouble.

The Lighthouse Summer: Book 2 [Velvet Bag Memoirs]

Summary: In the second installment, the twins take off on another adventure (this time with their grandparents), and end up face-to-face with cousins they never knew they had. These cousins claim that, like themselves, Asa and Prentiss are sprites. Asa and Prentiss aren't quite sure what to think of this, but when the cousins lead them to a lighthouse, all that that is certain is that another adventure is about to begin...

Reviews:

I must confess I'm not quite sure what to think of these. While possessing a fairly large amount of excitement and adventure, neither of the books really have a main 'purpose' or climax. It's more a bunch of short stories. Because of this, I would suggest them as a read-aloud for younger children. They are great for children going into school because Hannah Greer sneaks in a bunch of educational information (very cleverly, may I add!) that will undoubtedly make it easier for children to remember.

The illustrations are very cute, but unfortunately in black in white. I think they would be more attention-grabbing in color, but we can't have everything, can we? They aren't 'professional', per se, but I think younger children would like them :)

Velvet Bag Memoirs could appeal to both boys and girls. I suggest them as a read-aloud (as I said before) for children.

Harry Potter: Audiobook or Not?

2009-07-11T08:09:00.002-04:00

I'm going to let you decide the format in which I read the last Harry Potter book.

You all know I'm absolutely in love with the audiobook.

But I have a friend who wants me to read it in the regular format.

...while I want to read it in audiobook format.

So I'll let you choose:

Audiobook or Regular?

Waiting on Wednesday: Splendor

2009-07-08T17:55:00.005-04:00

What: Splendor (Luxe Series #4)

When: October 27, 2009

Why: It's set in an awesome time period with amazing clothes, pretty girls, and dashing boys :) AND it's the final installment.

Summary from Amazon: It’s a new year, and Manhattan’s favorite socialites are stirring up brand-new drama: Elizabeth uncovers a dangerous secret from her past; Diana has an opportunity to follow her heart—and claim her future, Lina discovers money can buy happiness…for a time, and Penelope finds that life without Henry brings unexpected pleasures. In this dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, old ties are broken, fresh bonds are formed, and every decision comes at a cost.

What are you waiting on?

Review: Wintergirls

2009-07-08T16:33:00.004-04:00

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary*: Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies.

But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives.

Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way - thin, thinner, thinnest - maybe she'll disappear altogether

Review: After all the 5 star reviews, it seems almost pointless to review Wintergirls, but I will share my thoughts as well.

Gutwrenching. Horrifying. Terrifying. Coarsely Addicting.

So many adjectives to describe it, but none do Wintergirls justice. Anderson has a way with words that's unmistakable, and a gift of twisting them into a story with passion and meaning. Lia's story isn't just about Lia, and I think Anderson made that point clear. There are so many others suffering from annorexia that hide it very well, and it's easy to hide because our society accepts and applauds stick-thinness. In all, Wintergirls is very real, and very descriptive of a scary reality.

But just looking at the book-- the arc of the story is well plotted. Rather than chapters, Anderson used something more like 'sections' that were a bit shorter, but kept the mood of the story and my attention. It didn't annoy me at all, and wasn't choppy.

As a warning, Anderson branches out from the regular writing with strike-throughs and other new ways of showing inside a person's head. But it works. I was a bit worried at first, but came to love this new style. I applaud Anderson for branching out like this and succeeding.

Wintergirls is very, very deep though, and I really suggest reading it with someone so you can talk about it if you are planning on reading it. It didn't bother me quite as much as other people I know, but I think reading Wintergirls with someone really would provide good conversation and keep you from getting too creeped out :)

Nevertheless,

5 Stars

288 Pages

Released

*Summary taken from front flap

Review: Watersmeet

2009-07-07T12:47:00.002-04:00

by Ellen Jensen Abbott

Summary: Abisina has been an outcast since birth because her dark skin, dark hair, and green eyes are so different from the Vranille ideal--blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Children like her are thrown outside city gates to die, but Abisina was spared because her mother, Sina, is the village healer. But the life she lives is disparaging, and when a legendary ruler comes back, Vranille turns on Abisina and other outcasts.

Before Abisina escapes, her mother gives her directions to Watersmeet.

And to her unknown father.

Review: Watersmeet is a bit slow at the start and a tad long, but man is it worth it! Abisina's tale is unique and imaginative, in the fashion of Lord of the Rings. Centaurs, dwarves, fairies and more light it up brilliantly, and the human characters are delightfully woven in. I really have not read a book this imaginable in a long time.

Abisina's time in Vranille was touching and realistic. I felt what it was like to be her, and could easily see the cruelty of the town and the love of her mother, all the while sense the mystery lying behind everything. Abisina battles what she's been taught to fear against the reality of her fears.

The climax is well developed, not too short or too long, and just complicated enough to keep me guessing. The story nicely builds throughout and finishes with a content flourish.

My favorite part (besides the fantasy aspect.. of course. Am I prejudiced?) is that Watersmeet is entirely clean and written brilliantly. It can be done. Bravo, Abbott.

I would definitely buy Watersmeet in hardcover. Several of my friends said the cover was 'creepy', but I don't think it's creepy at all :) I love it, and think it fits the story nicely.

5 Stars

341 Pages

Already Released

Tuber Tuesdays [5]

2009-07-07T11:33:00.002-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

The purpose of Tuber Tuesday is to share a great video you've found throughout the week. It can be funny, inspirational, gut-wrenching, interesting, a book trailer, a movie trailer, an author chat, or anything else you want to share!

Week 5 Video:
A trailer from my personal favorite movie, Pan's Labyrinth. It's the best there is.

Harry Potter Giveaway [Link]

2009-07-06T12:53:00.001-04:00

In honor of the upcoming (spectacular) movie, GirlWiththeBraids is hosting a giveaway at her blog, ReadingtoMyself.

Go, go, go!

http://readingtomyself.blogspot.com/2009/06/harry-potter-and-marvelous-giveaway.html

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T07:09:00.003-04:00

Thoughtful Thursdays [2] -Twitter-

2009-07-02T13:51:00.000-04:00

...Yep.

This thursday, we're thinking about twitter.

(sorry its a little late... blogger was mad at me earlier.)

Time-consuming?

Beneficial?

FUN?

Stupid?

No point?

Morale-boosting?

What do you think of twitter?

Interview with Kevin Krohn

2009-07-02T10:37:00.005-04:00

Author of Severed Ties (click to see my review).

1. As a guy, why did you choose to write from a girl’s perspective?

I think there is a stereotype where people assume a
male is strong enough mentally to kill someone, and a male assassin has been done so many times that I thought the main character written as female would add some more dimension. I also really like the
father/daughter relationship compared to what would have been a father/son relationship had I written the character as male.

2. What of yourself do you see in your characters?

There is definitely a little of me in each of the characters in Severed Ties. Eric, Nyne's love interest, was pretty much written straight-up as me when I was that age. I even included the real-life story of when my arms were stained blue and people called me a Smurf as Eric's story in the book.

3. When did you start writing books, or is Severed Ties your first attempt?

Severed Ties was the first book completed. I have pieces of started books that never seemed to get going and I always moved on to other projects. It was released as Volume I to ensure I would continue the writing this time
around.

4. Do your surroundings affect how you write?

Absolutely. I have a four year-old daughter and a two year-old son, so writing at home can become difficult to keep a train of thought. I like to write in public and people-watch, a lot of ideas and descriptions come from watching various people doing random things.

5. What advice would you give those of us who wish to be authors?

Just write it and put it out there. You can't write what you think people would like, write something you like and don't be persuaded otherwise.

6. Is there a specific message you wanted to send through Severed Ties, or is it purely written for entertainment?

I think there are some messages that come through in Severed Ties: Volume II, but it was written purely as an entertaining suspense-thriller. I wanted to write something that my friends would think was cool and that my mom would be shocked by. I think it worked.

7. Could you tell us a little about any current projects?

Severed Ties: Volume II was officially released today (6/30/2009). The easiest way to find it is on Amazon. Some people are looking for a Volume III, but my next project will be something different. I want to keep the topic a surprise because I think it is going to ruffle some feathers, but I can tell you that I will be jumping into the horror genre for it. At least if I didn't shock my mom with Severed Ties I will have a better chance with a horror novel!

Thanks, Kevin!

Review: Severed Ties (Vol. 1)

2009-07-01T12:49:00.005-04:00

by Kevin Krohn

(isn't that last name awesome? I think so...)

Summary: Nyne Harper has been on the run with her father ever since she can remember. She's trained hard--she can plan, fight, defend, and kill. She wants to avenge her family's death, but it's getting harder all the time.

You can't question yourself when you're a murderer, unless you want to get caught.

Review: Severed Ties (Vol. 1) is officially my first thriller about murder and the what-not. To tell the truth, I was worried. The cover's cool, and it sounded neat, but... let's face it, I'm a girl who reads fantasy.

But I couldn't put Severed Ties down. It defines the term 'action-packed'.

To make it even better, the pages were kind of small and well-spaced, so I felt like I was reading really fast. Which is a plus when I'm choosing between that and a 350 paged single-spaced book looming at me. It's just easier to pick up the quick read.

Nyne was suprisingly well developed, and I liked the insight into her head. Krohn did an excellent job getting inside the female mind. The little bit of romance will attract us girls to read it, but there isn't so much that it will annoy guys. And trust me, because too much romance sickens me as well.

The plot. The plot. The plot.

THE ACTION. was fantastic. It definitely built tension (--oh wait, I already talked about this didn't I? eh... let me talk some more) and excitement the whole way through. There was no 'slow section' and the killing didn't get old and wasn't too gruesome (now I sound cold-hearted..). It was just emotional enough.

My only complaint would be that some of the formatting messed up in places, and got a little distracting.

4 Stars

PG for violence and some language

178 Pages

Already Released (Vol. 2 Released 6/30/09)

Tuber Tuesdays [4]

2009-06-30T15:31:00.003-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 3 Video:

A human slinky... it's brilliant (and hilarous to watch, I personally believe).

Spotlight: Illustrated Guide to Religions

2009-06-27T18:00:00.006-04:00

by James A. Beverley

Summary:

Introducing the big, bad Illustrated Guide to Religions, a brilliant composition of explanations of, and facts about, over 200 different religions, sects, and cults.

IGR is a gem among books. Beverly answers critical questions and offers well-composed analyses that sit next to information on religious leaders, histories of the religions, and resources for research. He dives into new religions and clearly expresses how to judge the authenticiy of each. All of this is tied together with brilliant photos, into a one-of-a-kind book for old and young alike.

Review:

I could get lost in this book for hours, as it’s more in story-form than textbook-form, but still exceedingly informative. The pictures are beautiful and spunk Illustrated Guide to Religions up a little, so there aren’t [600+] straight pages of words to read through. The facts, stories, and backgrounds are interesting and well-explained. Considering there are over 200 religions discussed, Beverly is still very thorough in each. For anyone who is interested in learning about other religions in an un-biased perspective (there is an excerpt at the beginning about defending Christianity, but otherwise the book is purely informational), I highly recommend you try this book first. I’ll certainly be spending hours in it—the thing never ends!

5 Stars

644 Pages

Released May 19, 2009

Review: Betraying Season (Leland Sisters, Book 2)

2009-06-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

By Marissa Doyle

Summary*: Penelope (Pen) Leland has come to Ireland to study magic and prove to herself that she is as good a witch as her twin sister, Persy. But when the dashing Niall Keating begins to pay her court, she can’t help being distracted from her studies. Little does Pen know, Niall is acting upon orders from his sorceress mother. And although it starts as a sham, Niall actually falls deeply in love with Pen, and she with him. But even if he halts his mother’s evil plan, will Pen be able to forgive him for trying to seduce her into a plot? And what of Pen’s magic, which seems to be increasingly powerful?

Review: I adored the first book in this series, Bewitching Season, for its fairy-tale like magic and romance. The second book was wonderful as well (not quite as good as the first I personally thought, though I'm sure some of you will disagree). There was a bit more sexuality in Betraying Season, which turned me off a little even though they don't end up sleeping together (yes, I'm one of those that goes for the clean, good stories).

I absolutely must applaud Doyle for her research, however. Check out her blog. She knows so much about the time period she's writing in, which is the mark of a very good writer, and what will make a very successful writer.

The characters were absolutely and completely believable, as far as fantasy books can make them. Pen was sweet and likable, but also witty and clever. Niall could be weak at times, but was suave and fun.

But the circumstances of the "love" between the two seemed a little unrealistic, regarding Pen's ability and Niall's family. Definitely possible in real life, but really? Two completely gorgeous people happen to have important magical similarities and happen to fall in love on the spot and neither happens to be spoilt rotten? It's possible, but just that.

The ending was fairly predictable, and I like a good twist, so that was a bit of a let-down, though there were a couple of neat twists within the plot.

Because of that, I feel like I must give Betraying Season 3 stars, even though it was a spectacularly fun read. I recommend it if you're looking for something light, romantic, and fantasy.

3 Stars

PG for brief sexuality and some language

336 Pages

TBR September 29, 2009

Thoughtful Thursdays (a.k.a. when I have nothing better to post on)

2009-06-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'll be starting Thoughtful Thursdays when I have nothing better to post. I'll just tell you something interesting that has happened in the world, and you can tell me what you think (or not... if it bores you. You can even say it bores you if you like. I'll be that kind).

Anyone else feel free to join in! I'd like to see what else you guys can bring up :) But its your choice...

So, here's mine:

Apparently, KFC uses beef flavoring in their chicken. Does this ruin it for you? Should this still be classified as "real chicken", even if the amount of beef is small?

or does the beef contaminate the chicken and make it some other substance we have yet to name, unfit for humans to eat?

Tuber Tuesdays [3]

2009-06-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 3 Video:

Taylor Swift's CMT Awards 2009 Opening. My personal favorite part is where she raps XD It's brilliant.

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-06-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

IN MY MAAAAAAAAAIL! :)

I got one (yes, one. But one is quite enough with all the TBRs I have PILED UP) in my mailbox this week:

Severed Ties

And two (yes, two. I had to... I just had to) from the Mock Printz club at my library. I've been wanted to read these for a long, LONG time:

Musician's Daughter

Betraying Season (sequel to Bewitching Season)

Update

2009-06-18T20:31:00.002-04:00

I'm going to be without internet connection until next Saturday, but I do have some posts scheduled for you next week :) No reviews, just some fun stuff.

I just finished a children's book, but I'll be reviewing the second of the series along with it, so that won't be up until I come back.

But when I do come back... be looking out for a BUNCH of reviews.

It's what happens when you go on two road trips in a row ;)

See you in a week!

Thoughts: Harry Potter 5 Audiobook and Movie

2009-06-16T18:57:00.004-04:00

Click to see my thoughts on HP Sorcerers Stone Audiobook.

Click to see my thoughts on HP Chamber of Secrets A/B.

Click to see my thoughts on HP Prizoner of Azkaban A/B.

(for some reason I forgot to review HP 4... I think I got carried away and rushed to start 5 *blush*)

So, book 5.

The Order of the Phoenix.

a.k.a. The Most Depressing Book in the Entire World.

I've gone through today (2 days AFTER finishing it) completely depressed, and thinking about the *big sad thing* that happens in this book. I just can't freaking believe it.

But once I'm over that, I'd like to gush about Jim Dale's narrating skills once again. Those who have heard me gush 3 time previously can skip ahead ;)

He does all the voices perfectly. Even Hermione's is good (whether I've just gotten used to it, or he's gotten better at it, I'm not sure...), which is suprising for a guy reader, and Professor McGonnagil is FANTASTIC. It's never boring, the funny parts are even funny, and the stunning parts leave your mouth open. Again, it's not like someone is reading to you, it's like an very talented person is telling you a story. That's the best I can describe it.

Okay, so my only negative remark is that Hagred got a little annoying (yeah I know! Very sad). I'm not sure if this would have happened had I read the book, but Jim Dale didn't change his voice or anything so I don't know what it was. Did anyone else feel this way, or am I just a loner?

But I feel like a traitor saying that because the rest was so... there just isn't anything to describe it. Pick the best adjective you can think of.

Then I watched the movie, so here are my thoughts on that:

This is actually the first movie I felt didn't go with the book well enough. The order of things was switched around somewhat. What was that about Cho spilling?! And Dumbledore's speech to Harry at the end (which was very emotional, and very important, I felt) was cut completely down to like 5 seconds! O.O Awful!

Luna Lovegood was... weird, but I think she was quite close to how I imagined her. Though I was hoping she would have more, ahem, "protuberant eyes". But anyway.

I actually did like how the movie portrayed Fred and George (my favorite characters by FAR), especially the scene the director added where they're comforting their kid. It made their characters a little deeper, and put my "respect" for them way, way up.

The battle was well done, I thought, though I did miss that they didn't show the brain attacking Ron ;) and his fit of giggles. That would have been great, but i suppose would have distracted from the siriousness of the moment (no pun intended.)

So, is anyone else getting caught up for the movie coming out in a month? XD I can't freaking wait. Midnight release, anyone?

Tuber Tuesdays [2]

2009-06-16T18:49:00.003-04:00

If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Week 2 Video:

An amazing french youtube singer... I adore all the songs he sings. Here's his Right Now cover. I actually like it better than Akon's original, lol. Take a listen!

And link your video below :)

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters

2009-06-14T16:21:00.002-04:00

by Michelle Zink

Summary*: Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe has just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

Review: I absolutely adore fantasy book about riddles and prophecies and such, so obviously I have quite high standards for books in that genre. Prophecy of the Sisters quite easily topped my list of To-Be-Reads, and has also quite easily found its place among my favorite fantasy books. Michelle Zink's writing skills are phenomenal, especially considering the time period the book is set in. I've read books set in a different time period that had the language seem almost a little too different, but Prophecy's language slid in quite nicely.

The plot was wonderful, and Lia's emotions expressive. It's obvious Lia's position is uncomfortable for her, and she struggles to know which "side" she is on. James definitely added a nice touch, and I have no doubt many of us will be thinking about him for a while after reading the book. ;)

My only teeny-tiny (miniscule. almost non-seen.) annoyance was that everyone seemed to be pretty. I know, I know. We are all beautiful. But it just seemed like everyone was exceptionally pretty. But as I said, the book completely makes up for that tiny little thing I, personally, found odd. And it's not like we have lavish descriptions on every page of how tiny their waists are and how their perfect heart-shaped faces just cause men to fall over at the sight of them (are you catching my Luxe illusion here?). Haha, in any case...

If you like fantasy, read this book!

And who wouldn't want to pick it up with a cover like that anyway? *drools*

5 Stars

PG for some witchcraft

352 pages (it does read that long, just a warning)

TBR August 1, 2009

*Summary taken from Amazon since this book has not been published.

GoodReads is Gooder

2009-06-12T21:36:00.003-04:00

I've switched over from LibraryThing to GoodReads. Why? Well, I've heard Librarything has a limit on the books you can add, GR is quicker to add books, I've found more people on GR (surprisingly), and I think GR is easier to navigate.

So add me as a friend, and I'll follow you on GR!

Here's my profile on goodreads.

As always, thanks for following!

Review: North of Beautiful

2009-06-10T16:40:00.004-04:00

by Justina Chen Headley

Summary: Terra would be beautiful if she didn't have that port wine stain across half her face. She knows it; everyone tells her so. It's why she has to have a perfect body, why she's lucky to be with shallow boyfriend Erik, and part of the reason her jerk Dad is able to cut her down every single day. But one icy drive and a gothic Chinese stranger later, Terra starts to learn more and more about herself, about the girl behind the mask of makeup.

*note: this summary sucks. It's way better than that, I'm just awful at summaries... but I'm practicing, so stick with me here!*

Review: If you're anything like me (a fantasy geek), you'll take one look at the cover of a girl's face with her blond hair cascading down over half of it, and think... pretty, but no thanks.

And if you're anything like me you'll have a best friend who loves books like this, and tells you time and time again to read it.

And if you're like me, you'll say 'Okay, sure.' and put it on your shelf under books about faeries and talking animals and ghosts and stuff. Because it's big. And it has a cascade of blond hair across the front.

And then if you're like me, your friend sees that the book is on the bottom of the pile and says, 'Really! It's so much more than that blond cascade of hair down the front! Just try it!'

And if you're like me, you finally sigh and put down your other books and open it to please her.

So did I close it after the first 10 pages, and say 'No thanks, chick flick?'

NO!

North of Beautiful is. absolutely. fantastic.

The writing is enough to make your draw drop, if it hasn't already with the heart-wrenching dialogue and tension between Terra and her family. Headley intertwines the theme of maps and compasses with surprising ease and creativity. And then there's the characters that are spontaneous and sweet and fun and adorable and...um, hot?

And the surprise trip out of the country! Yay for scene changes that work!

Really, this book feels. You feel everything. And it's actually a breeze to read through, which really surprised me.

I don't think I'm conveying how much I loved this book.

IT WAS FANTASTIC! PERFECT! WONDERFUL! ASJF AOWIE JFALS;KDFJAS;LD!

Did that work for you?

5 Stars

Rating: PG

384 pages

Released.

Review: Skeleton Creek

2009-06-06T11:05:00.008-04:00

by Patrick Carman

Summary: Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out. . .and then email the clips for Ryan to see.

In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.*,

Review: In the complete opposite with the previous book I reviewed (Shadowed Summer), I thought Skeleton Creek was going to be... cool. Okay. Neat. But no- it was fantastic. Definitely the best book I've read in a long time. Ryan's journal was realistic, like it really was a journal (ever read those books where you were like... no way someone would write like that in a journal? Yeah, this isn't like that.) Even though the jounal was personal, it felt like it was meant to be read.

Sarah's videos. The most important part. The part that made people debate whether Skeleton Creek was really a book since there were (heaven forbid) movies intertwined with it. It took me all of 5 minutes to get used to Sarah. For a minute it seemed kind of fake to me, but then I realized that I would probably sound the same way on a video. Sarah didn't try to make it over-dramatic. She made it kind of creepy, but Ryan tells us in the journal that she's just like that. So I thought Sarah had personality. She wasn't annoying, and the videos seemed so real. (I FREAKED over the last one... pathetic, I know.)

Which brings me to the ending, which left my jaw dropped for 5 minutes, while I texted my friend and paced my room, because Skeleton Creek was the best 'haunted' story I think I've ever read. Action-packed, mysterious, quirky, tense, and even with some depth, Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman deserves the 5 stars I'm giving it.

5 Stars

Rating: PG for some frightening images ;)

Length: 144 Pages (yes, a quick read. Even more reason to dive in!)

Released: February 10, 2009

p.s. don't kill me if you don't like it because you don't like ghost stories. But I bet you will.

* Summary From Amazon

Review: Shadowed Summer

2009-06-04T08:20:00.004-04:00

Summary: Summer in Ondine would have been boring as any other if Iris and her friend Collette hadn't been able to make up stories in the graveyard about the disappearance of the 'Landry Boy' years before. But when Iris claims she sees his ghost, things get tricky.

And then they just get dangerous...

Review: I was really excited for Shadowed Summer, but honestly, it let me down. There was a good amount of witchcraft and kind of a 'horror' aspect, rather than a honest-to-goodness ghost story. But that's my preference speaking. The witchcraft aspect just creeped me out in a not-good kind of way.

It was, however, rather well-written. You could place the characters easily by the way they spoke, and I really felt the 'aura' of the story. I just didn't like the aura.

Shadowed Summer is definitely a quick read, and pretty tense throughout. There isn't really a dramatic climax, it just kind of... comes. And there was one part of the 'revelation' that threw me. And definitely creeped me out more than anything else.

So in conclusion, though I did like the mysterious characters, love triangle, and I think Saundra Mitchell did a good job writing this story, I didn't feel much for the story itself. I wanted a ghost story. And this was... a story about a ghost. Does that make sense? Probably not.

2.5 Stars

Rating: PG for witchcraft and some frightening elements

Length: 183 Pages

Released: February 10, 2009 (yes)

Tuber Tuesdays (Would You Like to Join In?)

2009-06-02T12:47:00.003-04:00

Today marks the first Tuber Tuesday! If you'd like to join in on the fun, put up a youtube video with a link back to my Tuber Tuesday post. If you'd like, you can post a comment with a link to your video!

Let's get started :) Here's mine (entitled Sardoodledom... You only have to watch the beginning if you want. I just loved it, haha)

Link yours below!

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-06-01T13:05:00.006-04:00

Though I already have too many books to read, I'm rejoicing over these 4 from Randombuzzers XD

Bones of Faerie

Anatomy of Wings

Book Theif

Likely Story #3

What do you think: Teaser/Tuber?

2009-05-28T13:21:00.002-04:00

What do you think?

Teaser Tuesdays is the most often found meme around the blogging world on Tuesdays, but I was thinking about how addicting YouTube is, and how sometimes you just find a video and NEED to share it, so what do you think?

Continue with Teaser Tuesdays? (Which, by the way, I haven't really been doing... sorry.)

Or switch to Tuber Tuesdays? (I'll share a video I've found that I like)

Or alternate between the two?

Review: A Crooked Kind of Perfect (Linda Urban)

2009-05-26T08:13:00.003-04:00

Zoe knows she's a prodigy, or at least knows she's going to be, once she gets a piano. But her dad doesn't buy her a piano.

He buys her a Perfectone D-60. An Organ.

Zoe is doing her best to cope with the Perfectone, her strange dad, workaholic mom, and ex-bestie Emma Dent, but its hard being a piano prodigy with an organ in tow.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect was a quick, adorable read. It really hit me with all the musical stuff, because I play flute and sometimes feel like I deserve to be amazing without practicing, so it was very affecting as well. Zoe had some dimension, but as this is a children's book she doesn't need to be really developed. There wasn't really one point I could call the 'climax'. Rather than a mountain of a story arc, it was more a little hill. The ending was cute and realistic, but a little disappointing for me.

Overall, Urban has written a great book for children, musically inclined or no.

And the title and cover are just brilliant and fit perfectly.

Star: 5 (Children)/3 (YA)

Rating: G

Length: 224 Pages (reads like 150)

Released?: Yes

Read-a-like: Umbrella Summer (coming this summer)

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-05-25T09:40:00.002-04:00

In my (not) mailbox :)

From the Library:

-(take a guess....) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

-Skeleton Creek

-Shadowed Summer ARC

-Prophecy of the Sisters ARC

-Watersmeet ARC

Can anybody guess what I'm reading first? ;)

Review: Storyteller by Edward Myers

2009-05-23T09:30:00.003-04:00

Summary: All Jack every wanted to do was tell stories, and now he's left his poor family to seek his fortune out in the Royal City. And once he's there, he tells stories to anyone who will listen--That is, until the King takes him and his bird, Loquasto, captive. Through an incredible turn of fates, Jack becomes the Royal Storyteller. But that job entails more than he could have imagined, because Jack's storytelling could change the future of the kingdom.

Storyteller is full of mystery, fights, beautiful princesses and unruly princes. And most of all, it's full of stories.

Review: I liked it, I really did. It was really original and everything, but there was just something missing. There was no emotional attachment really. The only way I can explain it, is that it seems like it was written to be read aloud. This is the first book I've read that I think would be better as an audiobook.

It was fairly predictable at first, but did get more mysterious as it went on. There were some things left unexplained at the end (particularly about a character named Zephyrio), but not annoyingly so.

The whole 'grandfather telling grandson story' was entirely too reminiscent of Princess Bride. That annoyed me more than anything.

But the story itself... I kind of liked it. It was different. But I would reccommend it for a bit younger audiences.

Stars: 3.5

Rating: G

Length: 288 Pages

Released: Yes

(p.s. there's one available used on Amazon for $2... just so you know)

Thoughts: Harry Potter 3 Audiobook

2009-05-19T10:28:00.002-04:00

Click to see my thoughts on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Audiobook.

Click to see my thoughts on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets A/B.

Thoughts:

-Need I say it? Brilliant.

-The ending was my favorite out of all of them so far. I actually went, "Awwwww" and couldn't stop smiling for 5 minutes.

-I remembered one thing that bugged me: whenever someone says "uh-oh", it sounds really strange. And Hermione's voice was kind of weird again, but I'm getting used to it.

-I can't get over how amazing the voices are. I let my sister listen to a little bit of it (she's already read them all but the last one) and she thought it was incredible too. Now she wants to go get the last book on audio. Score.

So then I watched the movie; thoughts:

-Harry grew up! :( sigh. He was so cute when he was little

-I really do like the old Dumbledore better, but McKellan was okayyy. You could tell he's gay though, more than in other movies. Something about his voice... ehh.

-Radcliffe(harry)'s acting really improved as he aged, which I was happy about. I'm not saying he was a bad actor in the previous movies, but some people lose it when they get older. Haha, I loved the beginning scene.

-Even though I'd already seen the movie, it was really neat seeing it again because I'd forgotten quite a few things, and I liked comparing it to the audiobook. It wasn't annoying at all.

Has anyone else tried the audiobook?

By the way, incase you were wondering, Jim Dale narrates it. Just so you know.

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-05-18T11:13:00.004-04:00

I know its been a slow week, but I did manage a visit to the library...

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Audiobook)

Impossible (Werlin)

The Great Call of China (Sass)

A Crooked Kind of Perfect (Urban)

I Heart you, You Haunt me (Schroeder)

Should put pictures up, but... I'm too lazy :)

And yes, I already finished HP3Audio.

Yes, I'm addicted.

Review: 13 Reasons Why (Jay Asher)

2009-05-14T16:57:00.005-04:00

Clay Jensen receives a box of tapes days after Hannah Baker was found dead, having committed suicide. But Hannah committed suicide for a reason--13 reasons, to be exact. 13 reasons, 13 people.

And Clay is one of them.

But why has Clay received the tapes. He didn't do anything but make out with her once. That isn't enough to warrant a suicide, is it?

13 Reasons Why is a stunning portrayal of a girl's journey leading to suicide, and the affect that has on a boy invovled. It's heartbreaking and intense, but also deep and true to the fact that little things can all add up. Hannah was very real for me, and she will be for other readers too, because I think most people go through that 'stage' in life where little things just seem to pile up and go wrong.

But as the pages flip, it leaves us aching for Hannah to come back, because we know there are people that would have listened, and there are people that love her.

Wow, it's just--good. Sad.

And even though we kind of know the ending, there's still the mystery around Clay that keeps up the intrigue, and even when his tape comes around, the intesity doesn't drop until after the very last page.

I liked the style... with the alternating Hannah's voice, and Clay's actions. Very affective, and not at all annoying.

So... Plot? check. Characters? check. Cover? ehh... fine, check. Affecting? CHECK. Style? Check :)

Stars: 5

Rating: PG for some language, sexuality

Length: 320 pages

Released? Yes.

Need to talk?

1-800-SUICIDE

www.hopeline.com

Update

2009-05-12T20:31:00.002-04:00

Hello all :)

Just thought I'd let you know why there haven't been any reviews for like... a while. I've been really busy. No, really.

I got behind on school a little bit, then got a job (yay!) that will last 8 weeks but takes up a good amount of time, then had to prepare for a recognized horseshow that I went to friday, saturday, and sunday all day long. (but I got high point in my division, so it was worth it! YAY!)

So there's my excuses, and now I just want to let you know that I do have a review coming (13 Reasons Why... was fantastic, but more to come with the review). I'm in the middle of two other books too, but I'm not sure when I'll finish those. *whistles*

I'm going to the library tomorrow to get the 3rd HP audiobook, and I'm really excited. I've become, yes, addicted to them. They're fantastic.

So that's about it! Oh, another excuse... I won't be reviewing as much this month, because I really have to finish editing my NaNoWriMo story before I send out for my free proof copy :)

Anyway, I'm sorry about all this, but I will be back reviewing fast as I can when I'm all caught up with school and stuff. Maybe I'll do another contest when I finish with school...

OH! I got my license! *cheers*

Now I'm really done.

Thoughts: Harry Potter 2 Audiobook

2009-05-08T07:31:00.004-04:00

Click to see my review of HP Sorcerer's Stone Audiobook.

Making my way through the HP series on audiobook :) Here's my thoughts on the second:

-either someone complained, or they just realized Hermione's voice was creepy in the first book, because I noticed a marked change in her voice that was far better and much less annoying. Bravo!

-AMAZING. BRILLIANT. FANTASTIC STORY.

-I gasped quite a few times out of shock, and was white-knuckled during the climax, so no excitement lost. (it's unabridged if you were wondering... so its basically just like reading it)

-I kept thinking throughout how perfect the voices of the characters were. Jim Dale is excellent. Once I finish HP, I'm going to see what else he has narrated.

-again, it's not like someone reading you a story, it's like someone telling you a story, but far more exciting than when your friends do it ;) haha jk.... but really.

That's about it. I'm falling in love with the HP audiobooks, because I don't really have time to read the big fat things as well as other book I want to, and I've found the audiobooks to be quite brilliant and amazing. Really.

I know some of you don't believe me.

*gives up*

Review: Fade, by Lisa McMann

2009-05-07T16:22:00.003-04:00

Click to see my review of the first book, Wake.

Summary:

Janie's been hard at work since the drug bust she assisted in. Of course the Captain likes having Janie on the team, because of her ability to "dreamwalk" and catch the criminals.

And things with Cabel are going great.

When the anonymous Crimebusters hotline gets a call that doesn't make much sense, Janie is asked to investigate (a.k.a. look through people's dreams/nightmares for clues). Janie thinks she might just have to get a little closer in on the action.

Is it safe? No.

Does she still do it? Of course.

Review:

I stand by my thoughts of the first book, but whereas that one had an exciting and original plot, this plot just disgusted me. Yes, it's a quick read (like 3 hours) and there is action that keeps the pages flipping, but the plot just didn't... appeal to me. I didn't really want to read about all that.

If creepy teacher/student relationships don't bother you, go ahead, but it's my opinion that McMann should have stuck with Wake and left it at that. Or follow it with a story that doesn't make me want to barf.

Oh, and let me copy this little bit from my review of Wake.

I didn't really like the style. There's a lot of very simple sentences [i.e. "Janie is happy" and the like] and a billion sentences without nouns, which annoys the living daylights out of me.

Fade is like that too. Which is good, I guess, and not really suprising. I just thought I'd mention it again.

So in all, I didn't really like the book. But it was quick and high-paced, so you might if you don't have a strong gag reflex like me ;) Just kidding. It wasn't all that terrible. There were redeeming qualities, like the wit (though most of it was full of cussing, which got annoying too) and Janie and Cabel's sweet relationship (though they just couldn't keep those pants on, could they? bleh. I change my mind. I didn't like the book at all.)

Rating: 1.5 Stars (for the wit and excitement)

Clean?: Inappropriate student/teacher relationships, some sexuality, lots of language

Length: 256 Pages (reads like 150 imo)

Oh right, I was going to add that I was a little surprised at the ending. Yay.

If I Was to Buy One Book...

2009-05-01T11:24:00.003-04:00

Which book should I buy?

(p.s. isn't that book/staircase cool?!)

Poetry Friday

2009-05-01T09:56:00.003-04:00

Haven't done Poetry Friday in a while, but I'm doing it now :) The roundup is at Allegro.

(Photo: Wash Day by Grandma Moses. 1945. Oil on masonite.)

On a Windy Wash Day Morn by Brenda Seabrooke

Soaked and scrubbed in a round tin tub

with homemade soap

up and down the ribs of a wooden washboard by hands rubbed red & raw

on a windy wash day morn.

Stiffened with starch, squeezed

and wrung to a twisted laundry rop

then hung on lines to flap

back and forth and snap dry

on a windy wash day morn.

Laid on the lawn like paper cutouts

clean shirts and sheets, towels and skirts

smelling of sun and clouds and wind

wait to be ironed and worn and dirtied again for another wash day morn.

Doesn't that just make you want to do laundry like they used to?

Thoughts on Harry Potter 1 Audiobook

2009-05-01T07:35:00.002-04:00

A little while ago I was thinking how awful it was that I hadn't read the Harry Potter books. Before you murder me, here's my reason: normally, if I read the book first then see the movie, it ruins the movie for me. So I decided to wait until all the movies came out.

Who knew it would take a hundred billion years?

So I decided that, yes, I'll go ahead and read them, why not? But as I looked at that biiiig book sitting on the shelf, and then thought about all the other books I needed to read, I shied away.

And then I thought: ...audiobook.

I had been wanting to listen to an audiobook, so there was my opportunity. I got the HP1 audiobook, downloaded the CD's, and listened to Harry Potter.

Thoughts:

-The reader was fantastic. It wasn't like someone reading you a story, it was like someone was telling you a story.

-The voices were perfect, and actually very similar to the movie (I've been meaning to look at which came first...)

-Oh, voices were good with the exclusion of Hermoine--she always sounded very quiet and whiny and slow. (i.e. my favorite was: "Oooooooooh, Haaaaaarrrrrryyyyyy"

And no kidding. Sound that out, and that's what she sounded like)

-But I have to forgive the reader, because Hermoine is a girl, and our reader is a guy.

-It didn't lose any emotion that I would have gotten from reading the book.

-As a story, it was fantastic XD just thought I'd add that

-Everything was still very exciting

-I didn't tire of the voice of the storyteller, and am now listening to HP2, told by the same guy.

So if you haven't tried an audiobook, I really suggest anything by Jim Dale--this was wonderful!

Review: Wings by Aprilynn Pike

2009-04-30T08:07:00.003-04:00

Laurel isn’t comfortable in her new school—she’s been homeschooled all her life, why would she? Well, there is one saving grace, a guy named David who doesn’t mind talking to the new girl. When Laurel starts learning things about herself that seem impossible, he’s the only one she feel comfortable telling. And that’s fine for a while, but how long can she hide?

No matter how many times I tell myself that there are too many books about girls who get itchy spots on their back and suddenly turn into a faerie (but it’s impossible! Why me? No way am I a faerie! … that’s the general gist of them all), I can’t get over them. Somewhere the little girl inside of me cries: “MORE FAERIE STORIES!”

But I didn’t get irritated with Wings the way other faerie books sometimes annoy me. It was more realistic; Laurel acted how I would have imagined myself acting. She didn’t keep it to herself. She didn’t take a billion years to accept the fact. She was logical and level-headed.

And the explanation is ingenious. Stephenie Meyer described Wings as a “remarkable debut”

and I agree with my whole heart. Wings is (with the exclusion of Shakespeare), my favorite faerie story. It’s different from the others, and not in a bad way.

Constantly surprising, brilliantly explained, and with just enough romance to give me happy warm fuzzy feelings without the mushy detail of Twilight,Wings will no doubt top the charts in the days to come.

It’s only a matter of time.

p.s. I’m hoping for a sequel, as the end was left open, but I don’t know… it seems more realistic the way it is. You who have read it, what do you think.

ETA: I’ve decided that a sequel would ruin it in my opinion. Series tend to ruin really good books usually.

Rating: 5 Stars

Clean?: Clean

Released: May 5, 2009

Length: 304 Pages

Most Like: The Faerie Path (Frewin Jones)

Waiting on Wednesday: Once Was Lost

2009-04-29T11:01:00.002-04:00

What: Once Was Lost, by Sara Zarr

When: October 1, 2009

Why: I've been waiting for a really good Christian book (that wasn't cheesy).. I've only read a couple, and Once Was Lost sounds like it will fit the bill :) Oh, and have you seen the cover? Gorgeous.

Summary from Amazon:

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

What are you waiting on?

Review: The Deep (Helen Dunmore)

2009-04-28T08:06:00.004-04:00

Sapphire’s mixed human and Mer blood lets her do many things—unnatural things. Like breathe underwater, swim really fast, and survive The Deep. Even as Sapphire struggles to cope with issues on land, like her mom’s boyfriend, the Mer of Ingo ask something very important of her.

An evil is awakening in The Deep, and the Mer aren’t able to go down there to stop it.

It’s up to Sapphire to find a way to save a world that some people don’t even know exists.

Mermaids! It’s almost—yes, it may almost be—better than faeries! How long it has been since I’ve read a book about mermaids! Now that I’m done gushing, let me review. :) The Deep is a children’s novel, the third in a series about the world of Ingo. Having not read the first two, I can say the The Deep stands alone well, but would be much more enjoyable after reading the first two books.

Dunmore’s descriptions are tantalizing and well-woven in to the story. The plot is tense (I read the book straight-through) and surprising. I think Dunmore’s readers will all end the book with an ‘I want to be a mermaid!’
I highly recommend this for the younger fantasy readers (but then, I enjoyed it quite a bit, so older fantasy readers might like it too), both boys and girls.

Rating: 4 Stars (YA)/5 Stars (Children)

Length: 336 Pages

Ages: 10 and up

Recommended for: younger fantasy readers; mermaid lovers :)

On another note, if you were a mermaid, what color would your tail be? Mine would be blueish teal, I think :) Maybe with some silver on it.

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-04-27T15:30:00.009-04:00

Wow, so I haven't done this in a while, ey?

Just got back from South Carolina today, so I figure I might as well do some catching up... starting with THIS :)

Sleepaway Girls

The Mealworm Diaries

Heroes of the Valley

Graceling (Thank you, Traci!)

Wings (Thank you, DeAnna!)

The Deep*

Umbrella Summer

The Magic Cottage (Velvet Bag Memoirs 1)

Lighthouse Summer (Velvet Bag Memoirs 2)

Library:

Harry Potter 1 Audio*

The Sorcerer King (Faerie Path 3)

Thirteen Reasons Why

Fade

*review coming soon

I'd love to hear what exciting new books you got!

Review: Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

2009-04-23T14:24:00.002-04:00

Ever since her brother died in a freak accident, all Annie Richards thinks about is preventing herself from getting hurt. But when her agliophobic life keeps her from being a kid and having fun, people start to notice. Annie doesn’t really mind, though—if they want to get hurt, that’s their problem. She’d much rather wrap up her ankles (to prevent sprains), wear a helmet in the car (in case of a crash), and wear elbow and knee pads and go extra slow on her bike (so she doesn’t fall and get hurt).

She does mind the change in her family and misses how close they used to be, though.

But putting down your umbrella and letting the sun shine can be difficult, especially when you’re afraid it might just rain.

Umbrella Summer gives a touching and sweet look at the challenges one girl faces when her brother dies. It’s the book you’ll finish and go:

"Awwwww..."

I picked Umbrella Summer for the cover (which is brilliant and adorable and perfect, might I add!), but the story inside is just as sweet. It is a children’s book, and you can tell because of the spacing and writing, but I think this is a book some YAs might enjoy as well, especially considering it won’t take that long to read anyway.

Annie is a lovable and sweet protagonist that doesn’t want you to feel sorry for her. The storyline is very real and common, but the whole ‘umbrella’ idea gives Umbrella Summer that extra little ‘umph’… imho :)

Rating: 4 (YA)/5 (Children)

Clean: Yes.

Length: 239 Pages

Released: June 2009

Waiting on Wednesday: Eyes Like Stars

2009-04-22T08:50:00.004-04:00

I know a lot of people have already reviewed it, but I'm still waiting for...

What:

Eyes Like Stars (Lisa Mantchev)

Why:

I've heard amazing things, and it's about faeries. And drama. And faeries. And Shakespeare.

When:

July 18, 2009

Summary from Amazon:

All her world's a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She's not an orphan, but she has no parents

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Welcome to the Theatre Illumnata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts and are bound to the Theatre by The Book- an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family- and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Awards!

2009-04-21T10:07:00.006-04:00

Thank you SO much! It makes me very happy when I get awards :)

The Premio Dardos Award

"This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.

Thank you to Mish from Mis(h)takes!

The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award on to other bloggers worthy of this acknowledgement Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I nominate:

1) Miss Erin

2) Nocturnal Reviews

3) Pop Culture Junkie

Let's Be Friends:

The Let's be Friends Awards stands for this: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers:

Thank you again, Mish! I especially feel honored to accept this award :)

I nominate:

1) Miss Erin

2) Nocturnal Reviews

3) Pop Culture Junkie

4) Au Courant

5) Book Reviews by Jess

6) Reading to Myself

8) DeAnna Diaries

Review: Surface Tension (Brent Runyon)

2009-04-21T10:00:00.006-04:00

Luke’s family visits the lake house every summer. And every summer, things are different—at age thirteen he’s searching for luckystones and trying to perfect his rock-skipping, at fourteen his parents start to become curiously annoying, at fifteen sexuality strangles his perspectives, and at sixteen Luke suffers from his relationship with a girlfriend. Through the years, few things are constant. But the lake, the waterfall, and the rush of water on skin are constant. And in this, Luke finds his comfort.

Surface Tension is definitely unlike any other book. It offers a very real and sudden perspective on the journey through the teenage years. It takes a while to get used to the writing, because there’s really no drive in the plot, no tangible antagonist, but it does awaken feeling and memories with realistic lyricism. Readers will find themselves remembering times in their life when they felt similar to Luke. The fourth and final section (the only part with actual excitement) is left untied, which though irritating, is true to real life. In all, Surface Tension isn’t to be anticipated as an ‘adventure’ or a story. It’s a remembrance, a glimpse of life.

And it's from a guys perspective, which can be rather annoying to us greater females ;)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Clean?: Language, Sexuality

Length: 208 Pages

Released: March 10, 2009

Reccommended to: Those who don't mind a lack of excitement and like literary novels; guys

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2009-04-18T09:05:00.008-04:00

I'm going to take this summary from the front flap. It's just too good.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Stay true to her first love--music--even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Anyway... You probably noticed I starred the title of this post. I did that because If I Stay deserves an extra something special. It's a book that everyone can take something from.

The dialogue, narration, flashbacks, plot, everything. It all just fits together like magic. Finally we have a protagonist with a functional family! (This always bothered me.. it's like everyone has something wrong with their family. "Wicked stepmother disease".)

So believable, so real.

I can imagine all of this happening in real life, because it does! Almost 40,000 people are killed in car-wrecks each year in America alone. That could be your sister, your cousin, your favorite teacher, your friend, a parent... All gone. It could be you, gone.

I loved the mystery. I didn't know what Mia's choice would be, though I think Forman could have pulled off either ending well. But that's all I'll say.. don't want to give anything away!

It is the perfect length.. any longer and it would have gotten annoying .

If I Stay has left me thinking about my life, and wondering, if I had the choice and was in Mia's position, would I stay? That's what Gayle Forman was trying to accomplish, I believe, and she succeeded. With flying colors.

Rating: 5 Star*

Clean?: Language and brief sensuality

Length: 196 Pages

Most Like: Speak (maybe? kinda close)

Taco Bell Helps Teens Graduate!

2009-04-16T20:45:00.002-04:00

So I got an email (an email I would normally delete right away, but I'm bored and feel like I should post about this just because I can. HA.) from the Taco Bell Foundation.

Apparently they are trying to raise money to help kids graduate high school, which I think is really neat. It's not a donation or anything, all you have to do is eat at Taco Bell on Thursday, April 23. 15% of all proceeds will go to help teens graduate!

Which isn't too bad, so long as you like Taco Bell, right?

Just so long as you like Taco Bell.

And it's only one day... so what can those calories really hurt, right?

Review: The Book of Jude by Kimberley Heuston

2009-04-15T06:48:00.004-04:00

When Jude's mother wins a Fulbright, their family has to leave behind America and all its joys for a new life in Prague. But the trip is harder than it should be on Jude, and it tempers with her sanity. As Jude struggles to control herself and her feelings, the world around her breaks into fights as well. Only Jude's sisters and a kind lady seem to be able to help at all. But will it be enough?

So the premise sounds amazing, doesn't it? But the action didn't really start until like 3/4 through. It's nice that I get a background on Jude's story, but I was hoping for a little more excitement. It seemed like all the sudden Jude went crazy, and then all the sudden there's the climax. But it definitely held my attention when Jude's mind did start to go.

The characters were solid and I loved the relationship with Jude and her fraternal twin, Merry. It seemed very real, as they weren't always "you're my favoritest person in the whole world" but you could tell they still loved each other very much.

As I said, it takes a while to really get into the story, but if you can make it all the way through, I think you'll enjoy The Book of Jude quite a bit, for its originality and depth.

Rating: 3.25 Stars

Clean?: Clean

Length: 217 Pages

Publisher: Front Street

Released: April 2008

WINNER!

2009-04-14T22:09:00.002-04:00

I've returned from Florida safely! And now that I'm back in rainy ol' North Carolina, I have returned to the Winter Chills Contest and selected a winner.

I wrote down all the names, and cut all the pieces up (yes, ALL 76 odd names), then I had my mom pick a piece of paper out of my lucky Naples, Florida hat :)

And the winner is...

BUSY BEE

Congratulations! I'll be mailing out your prize (Bonechiller and Ice) as soon as I get a confirmation email :)

To the rest of you, thank you SO much for all the wonderful entries in my first contest. I've found a good many book blogs I'm now following.

Especially thank you to those who posted about my contest and are following me. I hope to have more giveaways in the future for you all!

Last Day to Enter Contest!

2009-04-13T09:16:00.002-04:00

Hey hey hey :) It's been a long wait, and several entries later, it's the last day to enter!
Winners will be posted as soon as I can get them up tomorrow, but it may be late, because I'm flying home from florida in the afternoon.
Sorry to all I haven't been on much to read your fabulous posts, I'll try my best to catch up when I get back!

Thanks you all :)

Good luck!

Review: Savvy by Ingrid Law

2009-04-11T18:24:00.003-04:00

(I'll put a picture in later.. Sorry! I'm in florida, away from my computer)

The Beaumonts have always been special--it's in their blood. It's like this: whenever a member of the family turns 13, that person get's their "savvy". The savvy can be humane (i.e. perfection) or terribly dangerous (i.e. moving mountains).
Now it is Mib's 13th birthday, and she knows her savvy is going to be great. Especially since one of her brothers creates hurricanes and the other controls electricity. But Mibs wakes up to find her father in a coma, no savvy in sight, and no ride to the hospital. Well, no ride until the bus comes along.
And then the bus heads in the wrong direction--away from the hospital.

A delicious mixture of innocence, fun, and creativity, Savvy was to me a book like no other. I adored all the characters and development (such incredible development for a children's book!). And I can I talk about the creativity again? WOW. It had me from the first page.
Savvy is a book teens and children will enjoy, if you like the genre.
Obviously, there were some things I could think of that wouldn't make sense if it was real, but I thought it was wonderful how Law brought together the whole idea that everyone has a kind of 'savvy', everyone has something they do especially well- be it kindness, humility, cooking a wonderful cherry pie, etc. etc.
If you're looking for a book to make you feel better and cheer you up, THIS IS IT. I'm positive I'll reread it one day. If I remember. In any case,

Rating: 5 stars.
Clean?: Yes. It should be. It's a children's book.
Length: 342 (reads like 250 in my opinion)
You'll like it if you like: creativity, "feel-good" books, some magic (not alot)
You probably won't like it if you like: chick flicks and the like

Review: Envy by Anna Godbersen

2009-04-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

You haven't seen scandal and secrets until you've glimped Manhattan, early 1900's. At the very heart of it are Holland sisters Elizabeth and Diane, their previous servant Carolina Broad, and the newly married Mrs. Penelope Schoonmaker. Since Elizabeth's devastating return home, and Penelope's marriage to heart-throb Henry Schoonmaker, the scandal has only worsened.

Because we all know Henry only married Penelope for one reason, and that his heart lies elsewhere.

And of course, there's Carolina's tentative resources.

But another socialite has a secret she doesn't even know about yet...

Three cheers for the Godbersen's third book in the scintillating Luxe series. But before you get too excited, can I share about my headache? Because all the secrets and misconceptions and everything get a LITTLE annoying. And honestly, if people could just keep their pants on things would be a whole lot easier.

But then there wouldn't be a series now would there? *guffaw*

These books are only for a certain group of people that will love them. I don't love Godbersen's writing, and the constant descriptions of all the beautiful people get a little old (I GET IT. ELIZABETH and DIANA and PENELOPE and CAROLINA are pwetty! I get it. I really, really get it.). But I think if you skip past that, there's a pretty well developed plot behind it all.

My favorite part? The ending.

It's just as spectacular as the ending for Rumors, which wasn't heartwarming, but DEFINITELY unexpected. The same for Envy.

So I liked it, and I'll read the next book (called Splendor incase you haven't heard), but.. eh. It's only for those who like historical scandal. Unfortunately, I happen to be one of those.

Rating: 4 Stars

Clean?: Sexuality, some language

Length: 405 Pages

Most like: Bewitching Season (except this is fantasy...)

(and no, I'm not entirely sure what my *guffaw* sounds like...)

Waiting on Wednesday:

2009-04-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

In honor of my review yesterday, I give you my waiting on Wednesday for today:

What:

The Immortal Realm (FAERIE PATH book #4)

Why:

The first two were cute, and I have just enough time to read the third book before it comes out! (hopefully...). Oh, and of course the whole faerie aspect of it.

When:

May 5, 2009

Summary (From Amazon):

In an instant, a time of joy and celebration turns to one of heartbreak and fear. Tania has finally found a way to bring her two worlds together, and while enjoying a long-awaited meeting of her Mortal and Faerie families, with her beloved Edric by her side, all seems right for the princess. But when a Faerie baby suddenly falls ill, followed by more and more Faeries—including her own sister Cordelia—Tania knows that something is terribly wrong. With no time to lose, Tania joins forces with her sisters to find a cure before this dark plague kills everyone she loves. Yet as the illness spirals out of control, Tania realizes that what they really need is help from the Mortal World. But will bringing another stranger to Faerie only make things worse? With countless lives hanging in the balance and a fast-growing Faerie suspicion of all things Mortal—including Tania herself—Tania makes a desperate move that will either save the land and people she has come to hold dear . . . or destroy their only chance for survival.

Twitter Anyone?

2009-04-07T15:02:00.004-04:00

How many of you out there have twitter?

If you do, feel free to share and I'll follow you.

And feel free to follow me; I update with links to my reviews and other random ramblings too :)

My Twitter.

Review: The Lost Queen by Frewin Jones

2009-04-07T10:55:00.004-04:00

Click here to see my review of Book One: The Faerie Path.

Anita Palmer/Princess Tania is struggling to determine who she really is: faerie or human? The only thing she's sure of is Edric, the brown-eyed boy she loves. But all at once, things fall apart in the Mortal and Faerie Worlds.

Though Gabriel Drake has been banished, he still has a dangerous hold over Tania.

Tania has been catching glimpses of the past lives of her faerie spirit, and it isn't too pleasant.

Tania's parents have banned her from seeing Edric.

And how is she supposed to find the lost Queen Titania?

Quirky and fun, The Lost Queen is book two of the FAERIE PATH series. The plot is interesting and well-formed. The ending cliffhanger is a wonderful teaser for the next book.

But don't expect too much other than a fun story. The FAERIE PATH books are a good summer read if you like faeries. It's a little cheesy, but I still loved the sweet relationship between Tania and her sisters, and the tense relationship between her and her mortal parents.

Frewin Jones shows Tania's internal conflict well. I find myself wondering what I would choose if I were her, and I can't wait to see which realm Tania will choose.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Clean?: Completely

Length: 335 Pages

Most Like: The Unicorn Chronicles

In My Mailbox Monday (and a heads-up/update)

2009-04-06T20:11:00.007-04:00

Hey guys :) What's up?

I'm going to FLORIDA for a week, that's what's up with me.

Which means, I won't be posting for a while (I know, I haven't been posting much anyway, but it's been busy). In any case, I should be able to get a lot of reading done while I'm down there, so there should be some more reviews coming your way!

And now, for In My Mailbox:

Bought:

Wintergirls.

(Signed!! EEKKK!!)

From the Library:

The Graveyard Book

Graceling

If I Stay

Yay! So I didn't really get anything in the *mail*, per se. But I did get some pretty awesome books, no less :)

How about you?

LHA Book Signing Pictures!

2009-04-04T15:23:00.008-04:00

Some of you might know that DeAnna, Traci, and two of my other friends and I went to the Laurie Halse Anderson book signing here in Raleigh, NC.

It. Was. Awesome.

She talked for a long time, and I loved every minute of it. Aaaand I got a pretty signed copy of Wintergirls, and I got my copy of Speak signed that I won from Lenore (thank you!).

LHA talked for a time about Wintergirls, its name, annorexia, and life in general. Then she opened up to questions like: What advice would you give an aspiring author? and gave wonderful answers that I wish I had written down. I still remember bits and pieces, and I think Traci has a video that she'll put up soon :)

So here's a picture of me and Laurie Halse Anderson... she's signing my BOOKS. XD

And here's a random video my friend and I made.. nothing interesting really, just us rambling...

*blush*

Here is a post DeAnna did about the signing :)

Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball

2009-04-02T07:13:00.003-04:00

When twelve princesses turn up every three mornings with worn-out dancing slippers, and no evidence they left their rooms, what's a king to do? No matter how much he pleads and searches for an answer, he can't find one. So he invites other men--princes--to do it for him, in return for the hand of a princess in marriage.

And then Galen comes back from the war to find his mother's sister, the only family he has left. On the way home he gives food to an old lady, who in return gives him some rather surprising gifts.

She says he'll need them, but what for?

A chance encounter with Princess Rose in the garden in which Galen works sets things in motion. But there's still the face that he is now a gardening boy. Kings don't let gardening boys find out princesses secrets.

Delightful! The Twelve Princesses was always one of my favorite fairy tales, and Princess of the Midnight Ball, by Jessica Day George, didn't come even near to ruining it. This fairytale retelling is true to the bone, and a wonderful adaption. I loved the insight into Galen's life. Though Jessica Day George only really dug deep into Princess Rose, I didn't really mind because it kept the whole "The Twelve Princesses" feel.

I couldn't put it down, it was so exciting. Even though everyone knows the ending, I wanted to know how Galen solved it all! If you haven't read The Twelve Princesses, you will still find the book well-plotted.

I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a while. I have no more to say. Read it.

Rating: 5 Stars

Clean?: Completely.

Length: 272 Pages

Most like: Spindle's End (which I loved)

Teaser Tuesdays

2009-03-31T10:42:00.002-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser from Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, page 16:

"Lost, soldier?" A stout woman in an apron had come out of a pastry shop nearby. She gave him a warm smile. "Care for a sticky bun?"

I couldn't resist ;) And now I want a sticky bun...

Review: Need, by Carrie Jones

2009-03-29T08:53:00.003-04:00

If you can name your fear, then you can overcome it. At least that's what Zara tells herself. But when her dad dies, her mother sends her up to no-man's-land in Maine to recuperate with her grandmother, and a creepy guy starts stalking her... She's not sure that tactic is going to work.

School in Maine turns out to be not so bad, though, excluding the snowy drive. Issie is sweet, and then there's Nick and Ian, both equally gorgeous.

Just as things get a little better, stalker-guy steps it up.

Which is probably normal for a stalker... but what's with the gold dust?

I've wanted to read Need ever since I saw the reviews of the arc's. So, here's my train of thought as I read:

-Beginning. Is this a knock-off of Twilight? Beautiful girl, who doesn't think she's beautiful, moves to cold lonely city. Is sad. Finds charming boy.

-Middle. It's different enough now from Twilight that it's not annoying at all. And the humor makes up for it all.

-Middle-end/End. *flips pages furiously to ending*

So yes, Need is a itty bit like Twilight. But it wasn't so close as to be annoying, as I said. There are stark differences and it's a different writing style that I honestly forgot I had compared it to Twilight until the end. In fact, it actually is more realistic than twilight because: Zara has a reason for being unhappy. Her dad, who was really close, died. That kind of bugged me about Bella in Twilight, she seemed too depressed for her circumstances. Also, Zara is coordinated, and a good runner. I'm glad Carrie Jones had the spunk to give her depressed protagonist a talent--it makes her more real. But enough about twilight.

Need was actually one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. The humor was sarcastic, but I actually laughed out loud. You know how normally when you read something funny you're like... 'ha-ha. That was clever'. This is more like a your-stomach-contracts-and-you-almost-can't-keep-the-laugh-from-coming-up laugh. And there were so many good lines, and Betty was so realistic. Honestly, I mean Need had a "horror" labeling sticker on the spine (library copy), but... no. It's not horror. It's fantasy, and it's really funny. But all the descriptions of the beautiful boys get almost sickening.

(But at least we aren't hearing about their "marble chests" over and over and over.)

The plot arc was perfect. It is highly climactic, from almost 150 pages from the end.

So, I highly reccommend Need to Twilight lovers and non-Twilight lovers. I think it's a book everyone can enjoy.

Rating: 4 Stars
Clean?: Brief language, mention of sex

Length: 306 pages

Most Like: Twilight

Review: The Magic Theif: Lost, by Sarah Prineas

2009-03-29T07:00:00.003-04:00

Because Connwaer sacrificed his locus magicalicus to defend his city, he is no longer a sorcerer. How could he be, without anything to channel the magic through? But when Conn experiments with pyrotechnics (blowing things up... not the best pastime), he thinks he can hear the magic speaking to him. It's urgent, and its scared. Conn knows it has something to do with the shadowmen that are threatening his city of Wellmet, but how could he do anything?

A pyrotechnic experiment gone wrong guides him in the right direction: he's banished.

Based on the cover, I would say The Magic Theif: Lost is a cheesy kids book lacking orginiality and full of cheesy lines and and a cheesy plot. But my thoughts after actually reading the book are quite different.

Yes, TMTL is a kids' book, so don't expect deep writing. But despite that, the plotline really is interesting. I'm almost rather embarrassed to say I couldn't put it down. (I actually tried to hide the cover and the big font when I took it places, so I could read it without people knowing I was intensely interested in a kids' book about a magic theif.... haha). It's the classic story about the classic gutterboy who is more than he seems, but what I liked was that Conn didn't lose his gutterboy nature and become "super magician" and civilized. He's spunky and sucks at swordcraft. But, he's excellent at picking locks and pockets, which are talents a gutterboy would have. He doesn't change. He's still the gutterboy, but a sorcerer gutterboy. I rather like that.

The dialogue is easy and witty.

There's a strong sense of good and bad.

The prose doesn't run off in different directions, but keeps track.

It's in first person, but there isn't gushy details of Conn's feelings.

In all, if I had read The Magic Theif: Lost when I was younger, I'm sure it would have been one of my favorite books. Now, I like it for a good story, but I can only see it as a children's book:it doesn't have the deep nature of the good YA books. It's for children.

So I'll have to rate this two ways:

Rating: 5 for children, 3 for YA

Clean?: Clean

Length: 389 Pages (large font, hugely spaced)

Most Like: I don't know many childrens' books, but how 'bout a YA... The Lighthouse Land?

Released: May 2009

BookShelf Meme

2009-03-27T08:59:00.010-04:00

Tell me about the book that has been on your shelf the longest:

Tamora Pierce brought me to fantasy with this book. I read a good

bit as a child, but this started my fantasy frenzy :) It's a great series!

Tell me about a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (person, place, time, etc...)

Book of a Thousand Days was recommended to me by traci (she actually let me borrow her copy) but I liked it so much I bought it. And then I let my mom read it, and she really liked it so we talked about it for a while :) just one of those sweet moments you remember.

Tell me about a book you acquired in some interesting

way (gift, serendipity in a used book store, prize, etc.)

Basically an ancient copy of Black Beauty. It's so pretty and worn and old, with creaky pages and a decorated binding. The

title isn't even on the front or the back, and it smells all old and nice :) I got it at an antique bookstore. (I uploaded a picture just for you, too)

Tell me about the most recent addition to your shelves:

Ah, Storyteller. I'm looking forward to this one. It's by Edward Myers, author of Ice (The book in my Winter Chills Contest). The publisher just sent it to me, and I can't wait to read it. I love storytellers, I really do. We'll see how a book about one is :)

Tell me about a book that has been with you the most places:

Too easy. :) For those who don't know, I love the Pellinor Series like Harry Potter fans love Harry Potter. It's a series with a very unique flavor, so not everyone will like it, but if you do like it, you'll love it. To me, its the example of a perfect epic high fantasy book. I got it from the library a couple times before finally getting it for Christmas. I've taken it on road trips and stuff, so it's been the most places.

Tell me about a book that doesn't fit any of the above questions:

This book is very, very special to me. I found it at an antique store as well. Songs of Life is a collection of poetry from all the greats--Henry W. Longfellow, Elizabeth Browning, etc. But what's neat about this book, is that several pages have poems written by the authors. Like with ink. On the page. At first I wasn't sure if it was real, but after looking up all these authors handwritings, I think its real. Still could be wrong, and if I am, then its still a great collection! But I pretty much fainted when I saw the one by Robert Browning. Here are some pictures for you to judge for yourself:

The Rules:

1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!

2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.

3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.

4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water...

5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc.

I was tagged by Traci at Fields of Gold

I'm tagging.....

1. Maya Ganesan

2. Priya Ganesan

3. Reading to Myself

4. Melange's Book Reviews

Waiting on Wednesday: Immortal by Gillian Shields

2009-03-25T09:19:00.006-04:00

What: Immortal, by Gillian Shields

Why: Ghosts, secret pasts, astounding fates, the list goes on...

When: August 21, 2009

Summary (from Amazon): Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.

My First Award: Zombie Chicken Award

2009-03-24T09:37:00.003-04:00

First off, can I saw how entirely strange it is that my first award is the...

Zombie. Chicken. Award.

Well, it's not so strange as it sounds, in fact this award, given me by Katie of Katie's Book Blog, means this:

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their words.

Oh yes.

As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all...

I pass this on to:

1. Miss Erin

2. DeAnna Diaries

3. Traci/Fields of Gold

4. Beth Kephart (Yes I know you've already gotten it... But you deserve it again!)

5. Priya and Maya (I had to fit you both in here, so I'll just lump you together :D )

Though I must say, if there was a zombie apocalypse, I would be running away. But of course I would take my laptop with me, so you could hear of all of my adventures :)

Enjoy, my lovelies!

Review: Niner, by Theresa Golding

2009-03-24T09:13:00.003-04:00

Macey has nine fingers, a deformity which earned her the nickname "Niner". But despite that, and the fact that her birth, foster, and adoptive mother all left her, life isn't so bad with her sister Deena and her father. But Macey can't help but blame herself for the absence of their mother. After all, Macey is the imperfect one. Macey isn't good at school. Macey is the one having evil thoughts.

One hot summer day, life brings unexpected excitement involving a locket, a fat kid, and a creepy man with yellow eyes.

Niner was interesting. I was a little skeptical of a girl who feels awful because she's missing a thumb, but when everything about her mother surfaced, it all made a bit more sense. The characters were realistic, especially Eugene (the fat kid). This is the first story I read who actually depicted an overweight person realistically. Even though the story was in first person (Macey's perspective), Eugene was very well developed. I could feel his insecurity and relate in ways, as I expect other readers will.

If you are reading for an highly developed plot, I wouldn't suggest Niner. But if you like books that deal more with emotions, I would suggest it. The arc is half internal and half external. Readers watch Macey's struggles as well as the physical trials surrounding the locket. I must admit, I got a little freaked out with the creepy guy. Maybe it was because I read it at night...

One thing that annoyed me was how Golding would, in all the mini story arcs, build things up and then it would turn out to be something that wasn't as... big... as I imagined it would be. You'll have to read it to know what I mean.

I'm glad I read Niner. It's different, definitely different from most of the books I've been reading lately. Oh, and the cover is really neat. So that's a plus :)

Rating: 3.75 Stars (I don't normally give 1/4 stars, but I just had to...)

Clean?: Clean

Length: 207 pages

Most like: A Swift, Pure Cry

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-03-23T09:24:00.004-04:00

From Publishers:

A Recipe For Robbery

From BookDivas@collectiveX

Surface Tension

From BookMooch:

Madapple

(Already reviewed, I just wanted my own copy... hehe)

From the Library:

Envy (Godbersen)

North of Beautiful (Headley)

Thoughts: Brisingr, by Paolini

2009-03-22T08:17:00.003-04:00

1. Okay, so no one told me that they change the Inheritance Trilogy into a Cycle of 4 books! And I was waiting for Saphira and Eragon to defeat Galbatorix throughout the whole book... sigh.

2. I liked the chapters from Saphira's POV a lot. Very funny, very clever, Paolini.

3. If you liked Eragon and Eldest, you will no doubt like Brisingr.

4. If you didn't like Eragon and Eldest, you will no doubt dislike Brisingr.

5. I'm still trying to figure out what the point of Brisingr was. Did anything that important really happen? I mean, besides two objects Eragon gains, nothing else really happens... nothing important anyway.

6. Overall, it was alright. If you read the first two book, just read Brisingr. I have a feeling it will somehow be important for the last book, though I have no idea how. If you didn't read the first two, don't read Brisingr. Out of order is the worst thing that could happen to this cycle. Still, Eragon was probably the best book out of this series.

7. And when is there going to be a new Eragon movie?

Happy 40th Very Hungry Caterpillar!

2009-03-20T16:08:00.005-04:00

I felt the need to wish a happy 40th to one of the best children's books ever, my favorite book as a child:

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR!

Happy Birthday!

Check out the Google logo today in celebration.

Review: Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary Pearson

2009-03-20T08:59:00.005-04:00

Who is Jenna Fox?

It's the question Jenna asks herself every day, since waking from the coma. She doesn't remember anything about her life before the accident, but she sure isn't the same perfect Jenna on the home videos. As the memories slowly come back, more is revealed about who she is. But Jenna isn't sure she can stand living how she is--what she is.

I loved The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Absolutely adored it. Everyone that has read it has put up a good review, but I didn't expect it to be this good. Jenna's story is unique. While the prose doesn't have the flair of Beth Kephart or Alison Croggon's writing, it still capture's Jenna's spirit and delivers effective and moving dialogue.

The main thing that hooked me was how real it all seemed. Like it could happen in real life. Like there could be a Jenna. And I guess there are, maybe not exactly like her, but many have woken up from coma's without recollection of anything. Pearson lets readers look at what that might feel like, and she does it excellently.

Here is a "roundtable" discussion for Adoration of Jenna Fox.

Rating: 5 Stars

Clean?: Clean

Length: 265 pages

Most Like: (can't think of anything... can you?)

Review: Madapple, by Christina Meldrum

2009-03-17T07:20:00.004-04:00

Aslaug has lived alone with her mother almost all her life. So when

something happens to her mother, and Aslaug is accused, she runs away to find her aunt. But things are different than Aslaug expected. New problems arise, new temptations, and Aslaug must figure out how to deal with them all, and ultimately, how to separate the truth and the lies.

Madapple, Christina Meldrum's debut novel, was in a word, weird. It was so weird. But that doesn't mean I didn't like it. Meldrum's style is brilliant, and I found the different point of views to bring a certain mysterious quality that wouldn't otherwise be there. Madapple has its own feeling to it, unlike any other book I've read.

I would have expected this book to be written in first person, because of all the focus on the feelings of Aslaug, but I must applaud Meldrum's ability to keep it in third person and still bring in vast emotions. Aslaug is always a mystery, always making you think. In truth, the readers don't figure out what is true and what is false until the last, like 50 pages!

Which brings me to this-moments of Madapple will bore you. The perspective of the interviews/whatever they're called for Aslaug's case will be annoying with all the "objection"s. It's neat at first, but then it does get a little annoying, but if you suffer through that little dip in the middle and make it to the end, you won't be sorry.

There were moments in Madapple when my jaw dropped and a "wow" came out. It's stunning how Meldrum can surprise her readers, yet keep the storyline so intact. It's strange. It's beautiful.

Rating: 4 Stars

Clean?: Some language, some sexuality

Length: 407 pages

Most Like: Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-03-16T17:38:00.004-04:00

From Publishers:

Magic Theif: Lost

Storyteller (Edward Meyers)

From Library:

The Lost Queen (Frewin Jones)

The Host (Stephenie Meyer)

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Jessica George)

Need (Carrie Jones)

The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Mary Pearson)

Review: The Singing, by Alison Croggon

2009-03-15T09:40:00.004-04:00

(I think it deserves a nice big picture)

As Sharma's forces grow stronger, Maerad and Hem desperately seek to find each other. Hem's travels with Saliman land him with a group of players, while Maerad and Cadvan toil through Innail and confrontations will evil, including the Landrost, and Elidhu. But even if they find each other, will Maerad's growing powers prove to be too much for her to handle?

That is an awful summary if I've ever seen one, but the truth is The Singing is almost 500 pages and very complicated and impossible to decently summarize without giving too much away. In any case, like the first three Pellinor books, The Singing is quite truly perfect. As the last installment, it presents a deeper side to all of the characters, a wild and fantastic journey, and a bittersweet conclusion to the series. It's pointless to say anything but this: if you like fantasy (most like Tolkein or Tamora Pierce), you will love The Pellinor Series. It has been my favorite for years and I believe it will always be my favorite.

You have no idea how depressed I am that its over, that there will be no more bickering between Maerad and Cadvan, no more Arkan, no more of the sweet Silvia, no more of the brilliant Saliman. It's very depressing, but the ending is quite perfect. The Pellinor Series will most definitely be passed on to my kids one day as an epic tale of light, darkness, love, and an incredible depiction of true fantasy :)

Rating: 5 stars

Clean?: Clean

Length: 470 pages (including appendix)

Most like: Tamora Pierce books

(p.s. don't forget to enter my Winter Chills Giveaway!)

Winter Chills Contest: My First Giveaway!

2009-03-13T15:26:00.008-04:00

I think it's high time for my first giveaway, and considering the wintry weather we've been having in North Carolina, I thought I'd giveaway two wintry books: BonechillerARC (McNamee) and Ice (Myers). Whoever wins gets both books! (Click to see my review of each). I really enjoyed them and I think you will as well!

Both are paperbacks, but still sleek and shiny :)

To Enter:

1. Comment below with your email for one entry.

2. Follow my blog for another entry. (+1)

3. Post about the contest or put a link in your sidebar for another entry (+1).

And that's it! Get those entries in!

Contest Ends 4/13/09

Review: A Swift, Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd

2009-03-13T06:36:00.004-04:00

Ever since Shell's mom died, her dad has been a completely different person. Their family is struggling to get by since he dropped his day job and started taking up collections for the church. But when a new young priest, Father Rose, comes to their town, Shelly can't help but wonder if he is meant to make everything better. And then Shelly's relationship with Declan Ronan gets out of control, and soon she has a new secret to deal with.

A Swift, Pure Cry was a good story, but only that. It read quick and kept my interest throughout, its arc was well done, and the characters were mostly developed (though I found myself questioning some of them). But I felt like there was something missing, because by the end of the book, not much had changed from the beginning. I wanted more on Father Rose, who's character just kind of drops off. I wanted more mystery. I wanted more of a struggle.

So, though the book is nice and the cover is okay, A Swift, Pure Cry is interesting and a heart-wrenching story, but I wouldn't re-read it. I think, however, you'll have to read it to decide, because I could see some people loving it (and some hating it). I just got stuck in the middle :)

Rating: 3 Stars.

Clean?: Sexual banter and allusions, nothing explicit (Dowd just skips right over it, thankfully)

Review: Undercover, by Beth Kephart

2009-03-12T08:42:00.000-04:00

Elisa is a poet, and uses her talent to ghost-write little messages for guys to give their girlfriends. And its not so bad at first, because poetry is fun and the notes are like practice. But when Theo requests notes for Lila, the beautiful everything-Elisa-is-not, it gets harder. And Theo isn't much of a help-meeting Elisa by the ice-skating pond and talking to her like the friend she's never had.

On top of all, Elisa's Dad isn't home to help her through life. He's been in San Francisco for too long. As Elisa's mother falls apart and Elisa herself falls for Theo, her writing suffers. Or maybe its her heart that is suffering.

I selected Undercover off of the Readergirlz blog, where it was reccommended, and because Beth Kephart herself is just a dear, amazing woman (by the way, check out her blog if you get a chance. She regularly updates, full of wisdom and in that smooth, kind voice that makes you smile). I read a review/book discussion yesterday that loved Kephart's writing, but didn't enjoy the story so much. I, however, greatly enjoyed the story.

I found Elisa to be very relatable, and the whole idea of ghost-writing loves notes made me chuckle. And then there is the poetry, so purely Kephart-esque with its dancing imagery and flowy writing that its impossible to criticize even a bit. Elisa is very down-to-earth and her depression isn't annoying. Kephart doesn't do much pity-partying, but rather tells it as it is.

The story arcs well, though here is where we find criticism from others. There isn't much excitement until the ending. This didn't really bother me because I was completely caught up in the writing and poetry, and trying to unravel what it is about Kephart's writing that's so... pure. But it might bother others who are just looking for a story. In any case, it reads very fast, so if you're bored you won't have to sit through 500 pages of boredom. :)

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Clean: Clean

Length: 278 pages (reads more like 200 in my opinion)

Waiting on Wednesday: Bad Girls Don't Die

2009-03-11T08:13:00.003-04:00

What: Bad Girls Don't Die, by Katie Alender

Why: Something about ghost stories just thrills me :) What about you?

When: April 21, 2009

Summary (from Amazon) : Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.

When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.

Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Review: Wake by Lisa McMann

2009-03-10T07:35:00.006-04:00

Since eight years of age, Janie has been pulled into other peoples dreams. It's pretty easy to cover up at first, but when the dreams start including murderers and secrets, Janie wonders why its impossible for her to help. And then there's Cabel, and some of his dreams aren't so bad to be pulled into, but is he hiding things from her?

Again, Wake is one of those books almost everyone has said they loved. And don't get me wrong, the story was inventive and brilliant, but I didn't really like the style. There's a lot of very simple sentences [i.e. "Janie is happy" and the like] and a billion sentences without nouns, which annoys the living daylights out of me.

However, this doesn't mean you won't like the story. I finished Wake in one night (but it is pretty short) because it flows nicely and is interesting. The premise is the whole reason I picked it up, and I think this society can tell that excellent writing isn't the reason books do well (i.e. Twilight). Ours is a time of good stories, and Wake is much more than a good story, it's a brilliant story (as I've said before).

Characters. Janie was well developed for a book of this length, but I felt there was something missing. I would have liked to see more of what it felt like to be pulled into dreams, and how exactly she starts to control it, but perhaps we will see more of that in the next book, Fade. The whole issue with Cabel kind of threw me at the end, but I guess it makes sense. I was hoping for something a little more... exciting, but it was a nice resolution.

In all, Wake is a book I would get at the library first to see if you like it. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, but I can see how many people (especially guys... I'm curious how they see it, but I imagine its that type of book) might love it. I enjoyed reading Wake, but I regret to say its not going on my favorites.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Clean?: Some harsh language. Some sexuality (not explicit).

In My Mailbox Monday

2009-03-09T10:43:00.011-04:00

From Publishers:

The Book of Jude

Niner

The Shield Ring

From the beloved library:

Paper Towns

Patron Saint of Butterflies

Undercover (reading now)

A Swift Pure Cry

Savvy

Uglies

Wake

Madapple

Lavinia

From DeAn na (thank you!) :

Gone

Aaaand... From AMAZON!

The Singing.

yay. yay. yay. yay. yay. YAY. hehehehehh...

AyeCaptain Reviews

And This Is What It Comes To...

Sleepaway Girls WINNER!

Review: Offworld

Review: Once Was Lost

Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth

Tuber Tuesdays [8]

Review: Willow

Review: Bones of Faerie

Tuber Tuesdays [7]

Sleepaway Girls GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Not-Review: Sleepaway Girls

Review: Liar

Tuber Tuesdays [7]

Review: The Musician's Daughter

Thoughtful Thursdays [3] -Harry Potter Fave-

Review: The Sorcerer King (Faerie Path #3)

Tuber Tuesdays [6]

In My Mailbox Monday

Interview with Hannah Greer

Reviews: Velvet Bag Memoirs [Books 1 and 2]

Harry Potter: Audiobook or Not?

Waiting on Wednesday: Splendor

Review: Wintergirls

Review: Watersmeet

Tuber Tuesdays [5]

Harry Potter Giveaway [Link]

Happy 4th of July!

Thoughtful Thursdays [2] -Twitter-

Interview with Kevin Krohn

Review: Severed Ties (Vol. 1)

Tuber Tuesdays [4]

Spotlight: Illustrated Guide to Religions

Review: Betraying Season (Leland Sisters, Book 2)

Thoughtful Thursdays (a.k.a. when I have nothing better to post on)

Tuber Tuesdays [3]

In My Mailbox Monday

Update

Thoughts: Harry Potter 5 Audiobook and Movie

Tuber Tuesdays [2]

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters

GoodReads is Gooder

Review: North of Beautiful

Review: Skeleton Creek

Review: Shadowed Summer

Tuber Tuesdays (Would You Like to Join In?)

In My Mailbox Monday

What do you think: Teaser/Tuber?

Review: A Crooked Kind of Perfect (Linda Urban)

In My Mailbox Monday

Review: Storyteller by Edward Myers

Thoughts: Harry Potter 3 Audiobook

In My Mailbox Monday

Review: 13 Reasons Why (Jay Asher)

Update

Thoughts: Harry Potter 2 Audiobook

Review: Fade, by Lisa McMann

If I Was to Buy One Book...

Poetry Friday

Thoughts on Harry Potter 1 Audiobook

Review: Wings by Aprilynn Pike

Waiting on Wednesday: Once Was Lost

Review: The Deep (Helen Dunmore)

In My Mailbox Monday

Review: Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Waiting on Wednesday: Eyes Like Stars

Awards!

Review: Surface Tension (Brent Runyon)

*Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman*

Taco Bell Helps Teens Graduate!

Review: The Book of Jude by Kimberley Heuston

WINNER!

Last Day to Enter Contest!

Review: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Review: Envy by Anna Godbersen

Waiting on Wednesday:

Twitter Anyone?

Review: The Lost Queen by Frewin Jones

In My Mailbox Monday (and a heads-up/update)

LHA Book Signing Pictures!

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman