In My Mailbox

Even if I only got two things in the mail this week it was better than weeks that I've received so much more than that. Scroll and you'll find out why.


Title: The Diamonds
Author: Ted Michael
Pub. Date: April 14, 2009
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

At Long Islands’s private Bennington School, the Diamonds rule supreme. They’re the girls all the boys want to date and all the girls want to be. And fortunately for Marni, she’s right in the middle of them. Best friends with the ringleader, Clarissa, Marni enjoys all the spoils of the ultrapopular: boys, power, and respect. But then Marni gets a little too close to Clarissa’s ex-boyfriend, Anderson.

Wrong move. The Diamonds don’t touch each other’s exes.

And just like that, Marni is jettisoned from Diamond to lower than Cubic Zirconia.

But Marni isn’t about to take her ouster lying down. She has dirt on the Diamonds, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. Everyone knows, the only thing strong enough to cut a Diamond is another Diamond.

Eh, I'm not into that catty-girl books, so I wasn't too excited for this one. I'll probably end up reading it anyway because I'm a sucker for drama, just not too much.

Drum roll, please!

The Moon-Spinners!

Hayley Mills stars as Nikky Ferris who is spending time in Crete at a small inn called The Moon-Spinners with her Aunt Frances (Joan Greenwood). One day Nikky discovers a handsome young man, Mark Camford (Peter McEnery), wounded in an empty church nearby. It turns out that Mark was once a London bank messenger, but he lost his job after a major jewel robbery. Tagged as a suspect, Mark has made his way to the inn to gather evidence against the inn's owner, Stratos (Eli Wallach), who Mark thinks is the real jewel thief. Nikky and Mark fall in love and decide to capture Stratos together.

I watched this movie for the first time about seven or eight years ago, and I fell in love with it. I've seen it about five or six times since then and it is still as amazing as the first time I saw it. I squealed and screamed like a little girl when I got this and started watching it immediately. I bet everyone who reads this (excluding the older crowd, because it was made in '67*) has not even seen the movie, and sadly probably haven't heard of any of the actors in it as well, but if you saw it then you would know why I'm raving like a madwoman about it. I'm serious, you should go watch it. Now. Plus, there is some great eye candy (Mr. Camford is a yummy man!) all throughout the movie, if that helps!

For more information on In My Mailbox click here.

*Oops, my bad! It was made in '64, not '67.

Review: Swoon by Nina Malkin

Title: Swoon
Author: Nina Malkin
Pub. Date: May 19, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Summary:

Sin is Coming...Prepare to Swoon!Torn from her native New York City and dumped in the land of cookie-cutter preps, Candice is resigned to accept her posh, dull fate. Nothing ever happens in Swoon, Connecticut...until Dice's perfect, privileged cousin Penelope nearly dies in a fall from an old tree, and her spirit intertwines with that of a ghost. His name? Sinclair Youngblood Powers. His mission? Revenge. And while Pen is oblivious to the possession, Dice is all too aware of Sin. She's intensely drawn to him—but not at all crazy about the havoc he's wreaking. Determined to exorcise the demon, Dice accidentally sets Sin loose, gives him flesh, makes him formidable. Now she must destroy an even more potent—and irresistible—adversary, before the whole town succumbs to Sin's will. Only trouble is, she's in love with him.

Review:

I had such high hopes for Swoon, but it turned out to be one of the most confusing books I’ve ever read. Throughout the entire book there was so much going on that at times it was hard for me to keep up. I also could not relate to, let alone like, the characters, they were either wishy-washy or sex-crazed.

Dice was such a frustrating character! It was sickening how she would brush off all of the horrible things that Sin did (I’ll talk about that in a minute) in the name of ‘love’ (but I thought it was just lust). Their love didn’t feel right, it felt forced and terribly fake. Plus, I couldn’t understand how she could feel anything but hate for him with the way that he tricked her and hurt her again and again. She was so weak that it hurt to continue reading.

Sin was such a horrid character, and not the kind that you love to hate. I totally understood that he was upset about being hung for a crime that he didn’t commit, but I couldn’t comprehend why he was screwing with an entire town of descendents of the people who committed him. They did absolutely nothing to him and he’s bent on doing terrible things to all of them. Plus, he killed old people! How could someone even think about being with him after that?!

The entire novel was incredibly smutty as well. I mean, if I want to read a smutty novel I will go and pick one up, but that wasn’t what I wanted, or expected, to get out of this. It seemed as if most of the characters were having sex with a lot of different people (meaning Pen). I mean, there was even a mini-teen orgy scene! I’m not usually one to hate steamy sex scenes, but this was almost too much for me.

Speaking of Pen, she almost drowned a guy who was giving her oral sex, she had sex with Sin (and Dice got over it very quickly), and she tried to seduce her best friend’s father…after his wife leaves him for her boss. Do you see what I’m talking about here?

The whole book just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't know, maybe you'll see something in it that I didn't, but it just wasn't for me.

Awards Galore!

I am such a bad girl! I haven't had the chance to post any of these awards that I have received until now, so I apologize to the people who sent them to me awhile ago. I want to thank everyone for thinking of my blog when giving out the awards!

I received the I Love Your Blog award from both The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia and The Epic Rat! Thank you so much!

Here are the award rules:

1. Display logo on your blog
2. Link to the blog who nominated you
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs and link them on your blog
4. Leave a message on the nominated blogs


I nominate:


Serene Hours
Reviewer X
Reading Keeps You Sane
Reverie Media
The Book Vault
The Book Muncher
Liv's Book Reviews


I also received the Sisterhood Award from Simply Nerdy, Reverie Book Reviews, and Shalonda! That was so sweet of you guys! I can't wait to meet Shalonda and Vania at the book signings!

Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate:

And Another Book Read

Bookluver Carol

Kaylee's Bookshelf

Simply Books

The Book Obsession

I also just wanted to let you guys know that there won't be an In My Mailbox post today because I, sadly, didn't get any.

Review: Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Title: Because I Am Furniture
Author: Thalia Chaltas
Pub. Date: April 16, 2009
Publisher: Penguin

Summary:

Anke's father is abusive. But not to her. He attacks her brother and sister, but she's just an invisible witness in a house of horrors, on the brink of disappearing altogether. Until she makes the volleyball team at school. At first just being exhausted after practice feels good, but as Anke becomes part of the team, her confidence builds. When she learns to yell "Mine!" to call a ball, she finds a voice she didn't know existed. For the first time, Anke is seen and heard. Soon, she's imagining a day that her voice will be loud enough to rescue everyone at home-including herself.

Review:

I don’t usually write reviews right after I’ve finished reading a book because I like to take time and gather my thoughts, but I know I don’t need to take any time on this one because I knew how I felt about it the second I started it—Because I Am Furniture is jaw-dropping and downright amazing.

I am actually tempted to just stick to reading books in verse because I am never disappointed by them. I have not come across one that I couldn’t immediately submerge myself in and this one was no different. The whole feeling of the book was so magical it almost knocked me over.

Anke was such a heartbreaking character. I couldn’t stand it that she thought she didn’t deserve even the worst kind of attention and love. She was also one of the strongest characters that I’ve ever read; it was unbelievable what she did for herself, her friend, and her family. She was so powerful in those moments that it took my breath away.

Though her relationship with her family, especially her father, confused me; I thought that it was terrible the way that they acted towards one another. I thought that if anything their abuse would bring them together, but they always seemed so…distant. I was happy that, in the end, the started to grow together and become happy and open with one another.

I don’t want to delve too much into the abuse issue because I think that it’s something that each reader should experience with Anke themselves, but I have to say that it was heavy. There were a couple of times that I had to put the book down because there was so much raw emotion in the characters and the words that it really struck me.

Though it was such a hard book to read for me I loved it, and I think it’s something people should read because of that. I’m not trying to harp on the fluffy books, but I have to say that it is nice to pick up a book that centers on such a real and raw subject. I applaud Thalia Chaltas for writing such an amazing book.

Waiting On Wednesday (15) Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Pub. Date: September 22, 2009

A dark comedy about a 16 year old boy named Cameron who has mad cow disease and a 16 year dwarf named Gonzo who he met in the hospital. Gonzo is a video gamer who thinks that everything is trying to kill him. Cameron has visitation from a punkish angel named Dulcie who has a propensity for spray-painting her wings. They are all on a mission to get to Disneyworld.

It sounds pretty weirdy but I love Libba Bray and anything she writes I know I'll love too.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Review: Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Title: Purge
Author: Sarah Darer Littman
Pub. Date: April 1st 2009

Summary:

Janie Ryman hates throwing up. So why does she binge eat and then stick her fingers down her throat several times a day? That’s what the doctors and psychiatrists at Golden Slopes hope to help her discover.But first Janie must survive everyday conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers, attempts by the head psychiatrist to fish painful memories out of her emotional waters, and shifting friendships and alliances among the kids in the ward.

Review:

Okay, I think we all know about my small (large) obsession with the cover of Purge, so I shall skip that part and just get on to the review.

All I had to do was read the prologue and I knew that I was going to love Purge and I did; I don’t know how I could’ve not liked it. Sarah Darer Littman has written…a masterpiece. I really don’t know how to describe what she has written other than that; I know you might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not, trust me.

I haven’t connected with a character in a long time like I did with Janie; she was just like any other person—she had her ups and downs, her good days and bad days, and you got to see her go through all of it. Though she struggled a lot of the time she found a way through all of that and got better.

I, myself, have never gone through anything as terrible as Janie did, but, like most girls, I struggle with my body image. But after reading this it made me feel very grateful that I don’t feel that I have to go to such extremes as Janie did.

During the whole book Sarah had you wondering what exactly had happened to have her end up in such a horrible, though great, place. It was like this huge mystery throughout the book and I felt that you never truly got to know her until you’ve read that part. But when you do it’s like the last building block has been put in place and you finally get to see who she is, wholly.

I guess if I could describe Purge in three words they would be: insightful, realistic, and…beautiful. It was so powerful, so raw, and emotional. I can’t wait until it’s released so everyone else is able to read it and see how amazing it really is.

Review: Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson

Title: Kisses and Lies
Author: Lauren Henderson
Pub. Date: January 2009

Summary:

After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan’s emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum’s designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum’s exclusive circle, Lucy Raleigh. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.

Back at school, groundskeeper Jase is hoping to take Scarlett’s mind off her troubles with some heart-stopping kisses. Scarlett can’t help but feel guilty for indulging in romantic rendezvous when she should be hunting down Dan’s killer. However, once Scarlett finds out how Lucy is connected to Dan, she knows she must drop everything and travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland to hunt for more clues. But when she arrives, Scarlett becomes the target of a dangerous hunt herself.

Review:

I put off reading Kisses and Lies because I didn’t like Kiss Me, Kill Me enough to get really excited about the sequel, but I should have read it a lot sooner. Kisses and Lies is definitely where the story starts to pick up and where I really started to enjoy reading Scarlett’s adventures.

When I finished KMKM I had the whole murder pegged on Plum, but she wasn’t as guilty as I was led to believe. I was so confused half the time because there were so many different suspects in the sequel, and each of them had there own reasoning for killing Dan. All through those suspects I didn’t even think that the killer was who it was.

I never really understood what was going on between Scarlett and Jase! I mean, one minute they are all over each other and the next he’s ignoring her! I didn’t get why she wouldn’t make a move for Callum because it’s not like things were getting anywhere between her and Jase. Though it was all squared away in the end…I think. Did it bug anyone else when he wouldn’t take his eyes off Plum when she arrived at Wakefield Hall? It kind of left me wondering if something was going to happen between them.

Taylor was such a fun, hilarious, and kick ass sidekick for Scarlett! There were so many times when I died laughing at the things she said or did, she was good at keeping Scarlett on her toes! Plus, she was such a good spy. I don’t think this book would’ve been half as good as it was without her.

Though Lauren Henderson might not have started the books off too well she definitely ended them amazingly.

In My Mailbox

Brutal by Michael Harmon

With her martyr-doctor mother gone to save lives in some South American country, Poe Holly suddenly finds herself on the suburban doorstep of the father she never knew, who also happens to be a counselor at her new high school. She misses Los Angeles. She misses the guys in her punk band. Weirdly, she even misses the shouting matches she used to have with her mom.

But Poe manages to find a few friends: Theo, the cute guy in the anarchy Tshirt, and Velveeta, her oddly likeable neighbor—and a born victim who’s the butt of every prank at Benders High. But when the pranks turn deadly at the hands of invincible football star Colby Morris, Poe knows she’s got to fix the system and take down the hero.

Fate by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

For the past two years, Bailey Morgan has lived a double life: high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world, but as Plain Old Bailey, her life is falling apart. She’s got a tattoo that was supposed to be temporary (but isn’t), friendships that were supposed to last forever (but might not), and no idea what her future holds after high school graduation.

Then Bailey meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty, and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before Bailey knows it, she’s being drawn into an otherworldly web more complicated than anything she weaves as a mortal Fate.

Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Maggie Quinn was expecting to find plenty of trouble with Lisa over Spring Break. Give a girl a bikini, a beachfront hotel, and an absent boyfriend, and it’s as good as a road map to the dark side. But Maggie doesn’t have to go looking for trouble. Trouble has started looking for her. One dead cow and a punctured gas tank later, she and Lisa are stuck inDulcina, Texas—a town so small that it has an owner. And lately life in this small town hasn’t been all that peaceful. An eerie predator is stalking the ranchland.

Everyone in town has a theory, but not even Maggie’s psychic mojo can provide any answers. And the longer the girls are stranded, the more obvious it becomes that something is seriously wrong. Only no one—not even Maggie’s closest ally—wants to admit that they could have been forced on a detour down the highway to hell.

Surface Tension by Brent Runyon

Lucas at 13 is excited about everything—swimming, fishing, skipping rocks, and searching for lucky stones—there’s so much to do in two weeks at the lake.

Lucas at 14 is a little more jaded. And more interested in looking at the hot girl next door than in looking for rocks.

Lucas at 15 is a little more angry. The friend he brings along makes him see his summer haven with new—and less appreciative—eyes.

Lucas at 16 is in love—until he gets a break-up post card from his girlfriend, and then he wants to die.

Brent Runyon has crafted a remarkable portrait of a boy at four distinct points in his life and literally shows us his coming-of-age. It’s a story about what is ever-changing and what is timeless, and how we are shaped by both the people and places we love.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

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?

For more information on In My Mailbox click here.

Review: Willow by Julia Hoban

Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban
Pub. Date: April 02, 2009

Summary:

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow's parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy -one sensitive, soulful boy-discovers Willow's secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the "safe" world Willow has created for herself upside down.

Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl's struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy's refusal to give up on her.

Review:

Willow was yet another 'dark' novel that, thank god, did not dissapoint me, even with the super high expectations that I had. Julia has written an amazing tale filled with loss, love, and self-journeys. I really hope that I can find words to explain just how much I loved Willow.

Despite all of Willow's faults she's one of those characters that you can look up to, and even if you haven't been through what she has she still comes across as relateable. You really get to see her grow up in this book, she learms to accept and forgive, and also that hurting herself isn't the way to deal with pain. She really becomes her own person and it's so enjoyable to read that transition. The only fault that she had that really bothered me was her paranoia, it seemed as if someone was always out to do mean or hurtful things to her.

One of the things that I really focused on while reading Willow was the relationship between her and her brother, David; it was only of the subjects spotlighted in it. I was never annoyed at the way he acted around or to Willow; it seemd only too natural for his character that he would react in such a way. Though, I must say, when she blew up at him I was surpirsed by how he semi-admitted to feeling about her because I never felt that it was how he did feel about her; I was ecstatic when it turned out that it wasn't like that at all.

Of course, I couldn't write this without gushing about Guy (I couldn't stand his name though). He was the perfect love interest for Willow, but he was also much more than that, he was the perfect everything for her. Those moments that they had together always left me craving for another one between them. Though it wasn't always about steamy scenes between them, they could actually talk to each other about things--like what they were interested in, or their feelings and emotions.

When Willow lost her virginity to Guy it almost took my breath away how romantic it was and how right it felt for the two of them. It was...perfect (again, I'm using that word so much).

I hope that everybody has the common sense to read Willow when it's released.

Wintergirls Book Trailer!!!

I just found out that a book trailer for Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson was released recently! I've posted it below so everyone here can watch it.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Read my review for Wintergirls here.

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Author: Carrie Ryan
Pub. Date: March 2009

Summary:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Review:

Like I’ve said time and time again on this blog—I love zombies. So when I got The Forest of Hands and Teeth there was a ton of screaming, squealing, and jumping up and down; it was like Christmas in March. I tore through this book so quickly Flash would be jealous.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is Carrie Ryan’s debut novel and she has already mastered the art of writing. Now, in my book that makes her my hero. Yes, Carrie Ryan is my writing god. Seriously, I bow down to her. Everything about the book left my mind blown and left me speechless. It was perfect.

The writing was so spectacular, the whole time I felt as if I actually lived in this secluded, secretive world that Carrie so beautifully crafted. In my mind I could see every tiny detail she so eloquently described, reading it was like seeing a film. It was suspenseful, romantic, nail-biting, hopeful, and frightening all wrapped up in one gorgeously covered package.

Carrie Ryan made it feel as if it was second nature to relate to Mary in every way possible. I felt torn by every loss, hopeful by victory (no matter how small it was), and crushed by every battle lost. Every character was loveable in their own way, it was impossible not to have some sort of connection with each one.

I know this maybe a morbid but I loved Gabrielle; now she was a power character. She fought off these zombies (or unconsecrated as they call them) and was the only survivor left of her ‘tribe’ only to find solace in Mary’s world. When the sisters turned the Unconsecrated on her it almost made me scream with unfairness! She did get her revenge though and it was a revenge that will forever be remembered. I bow down to Carrie for writing such an amazing and loveable enemy.

The ending was left with so many unanswered questions, which I hope will be answered in the sequel that is supposed to be released in the spring of 2010. The Forest of Hands and Teeth was released yesterday so I would advise you to go and pick up a copy ASAP!

Book trailer for The Forest of Hands and Teeth:

Waiting On Wednesday (14) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

All I know about this book is that it's about five teens who fall into prostitution, but since it is Ellen Hopkins it's bound to be amazing.

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins is set to be released on August 25th.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Victory!

I am finally done fixin' up the site and I'm pretty impressed with myself! As you can see the reason for the strange posts was the navigation bar! You would not believe how long it took me to get it looking that good. Hours, I swear.

I'm so happy with the outcome, but I would appreciate some feedback from you guys! What do you like or dislike about makeover?

Author's Blogs

Cynthia Leitich Smith
Elizabeth Scott
Jennifer Banash
Kelly Parra
Kimberly Derting
Laura Wiess
Lisa McMann
Meg Cabot
Melissa Walker
Penelope Przekop
Sarah Dessen
Stephanie Kuehnert

If you would like to be added onto this list then email me with the link, and I'll make sure you get put on here!

Caution: Road Work Ahead!

Okay guys, this is a warning that you are going to be seeing a ton of strange posts on here very soon, but just know that it's because I'm in the process of cleaning up my site and making it look a lot nicer and easier to use.

I hope it all works out in the end because I have this strange vision of what it supposed to look like and it's utterly amazing!

In My Mailbox

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith


It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton-and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers-and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read.

I squealed like a huge loser when I got this in the mail! I'm so excited to finally get to read it!

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Sin is Coming...Prepare to Swoon!

Torn from her native New York City and dumped in the land of cookie-cutter preps, Candice is resigned to accept her posh, dull fate. Nothing ever happens in Swoon, Connecticut...until Dice's perfect, privileged cousin Penelope nearly dies in a fall from an old tree, and her spirit intertwines with that of a ghost. His name? Sinclair Youngblood Powers. His mission? Revenge. And while Pen is oblivious to the possession, Dice is all too aware of Sin. She's intensely drawn to him—but not at all crazy about the havoc he's wreaking. Determined to exorcise the demon, Dice accidentally sets Sin loose, gives him flesh, makes him formidable. Now she must destroy an even more potent—and irresistible—adversary, before the whole town succumbs to Sin's will. Only trouble is, she's in love with him.

For more information on In My Mailbox click here.

Review: Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Title: Breathing

Author: Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Pub. Date: April 16, 2009

Summary:

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town working at the library and lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she's convinced he's the one-her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama's strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he's called away to help his family-and seems uncertain about returning-Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

Review:

For Cheryl Renee’s Herbsman debut novel she captured the essence of a teen’s first love almost spot-on. She made the relationship between Savannah and Jackson so real, like most other couples they had their arguments and problems they had to overcome, but even through all of those things you could see their raw love for each other; there was no sugar on top or anything like that, it was real, straight forward, and honest.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the book was the way they talked, which at first was like fingernails on a chalkboard. I mean, I know they are Southern but did she have to make them sound so illiterate? I was so confused by the way they talked! I thought that they lived in the South during the 50’s with the strange and out-dated words they used, but when Savannah talked about miniskirts I did a double take. After awhile I saw their style of words for what it was--Southern charm. That’s when I really started to enjoyed the book.

In the summary it doesn’t seem as if Savannah’s asthma plays a big part in the story, but it does. It was almost as if she was always in and out of the hospital because of it and it caused some very tense and scary scenes in the book. It was very scary for her to not have Jackson around because it seemed as if her asthma was always better with him around, which makes it so awful for her when he has to go back home; which is kind of why she has to “learn to breathe on her own”.

When Jackson does have to go back home it is so heartbreaking for Savannah because, even though she knows their love can make it long-distance, it’s hard for her to not have him around. He does start to change when they are apart, and it almost made me think that it was the end of their relationship, and it hurts her so badly that he’s so short with her and never has the time to talk with her.

Though I have to say that it does end happily, which was a huge relief for me because, like I said before, I wasn’t sure if they were going to make it.

I was so happy that I had the chance to read this wonderful story and I can’t wait to see what Cheryl Renee Herbsman has in store for us next!

Waiting On Wednesday (On a Thursday...Again)

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Doesn't it sound so awesome? I can't wait for the release!

The Body Finder is scheduled to be released September 2nd, 2009 by HarperCollins.

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Title: Wondrous Strange
Author: Lesley Livingston
Pub. Date: December 2008

Summary:

Since the dawn of time, the Faerie have taken. . . .

For seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, faeries are just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.

Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie's enchanted, dangerous Otherworld. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.

This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nightmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening . . . something wondrous and strange. And Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.

Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery—and her growing feelings for Sonny—in this dazzling page-turner filled with luminous romance.

Review:

I’ve heard over and over again that Faeries are the new vampires, which I thought was completely preposterous, and if I decided to join this new craze that I should pick up a copy of Wondrous Strange because it was the perfect book to start out with.

When I first started the book I had the hardest time trying to understand this new world that Kelley was introduced to because there was so much information just thrown at you all at once. I felt as if I was wading through puddles of information waiting for Lesley Livingston to explain it all. Thankfully, she did.

After I got past all that I started to see the story forming and the characters really come alive. The feeling of the book became so magical and beautiful that I couldn’t stop reading it.

I love the romance that formed between Kelley and Sonny because it started out slowly, though it may not seem that way because the book takes place over a period of nine days, and you got to know both of them as separate people. I hated that Livingston left the relationship between them so…unfinished, like there was supposed to be more that was going to happen but didn’t. I know the ending was supposed to make you happy because it left Kelley fighting for Sonny, but I can’t seem to get the ‘what if’s’ out of my head!

I hope that this book is part of a series because I’m dying to read more about this world that Lesley so beautifully created!

House of Night: Hunted Book Trailer!

Anyone else excited for the release of Hunted?! Only a week to go! To celebrate I'm posting the exclusive book trailer, which was released today! I've only read Marked but I can't wait to devour the rest of the books in the series!

Summary:

What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you? At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?



To read the first chapter of HUNTED, visit the House of Night website by clicking here.

Click below to listen to the second chapter:

“ ”

I think I'm going to pass out from excitement!

A couple of minutes ago I was checking the scheduled events for the Barnes and Noble that was supposed to be rescheduling Anne Brashares book signing and I found out something that made me scream with happiness.

Laurie. Halse. Anderson. Is. Coming.

Yes, you read that right! She's coming here and I'm going to see her! Less than a month away (April 1st, to be exact) I will be standing face-to-face with one of the best authors out there and getting my copies of her books signed!

To make things even more exciting for me, which you might think is impossible, Anne Brashares book signing was rescheduled...for the day after Laurie Halse Anderson's! I think I might start crying because I'm so freaking happy! I'm serious, I don't think I've ever been this excited in my entire life!

You can bet on your life that pictures will be taken!

Gigantic Willow Giveaway

Huge Giveaway for the Release of Willow by Julia Hoban!!!

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy —one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.

Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Willow-Julia-Hoban/dp/0803733569
Starts: March 1 (Pre-orders count of course!)
Ends: April 30 (The book is released April 2)

To enter: One must buy the book (ARCs do not count of course) and send proof (receipt, picture of book, etc.) to Lauren at: Lauren51990 AT aol DOT com.

Who?: Everyone! This is an international contest!

Winner: There is one winner, and they will recieve the following if their name is drawn (Oh, and if you donated a prize...remember, you can enter. )

Prizes:

I'm giving away a 10 dollar Barnes and Noble gift card in a cute felt penguin “bag” and some bookmarks

Khy is giving away Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?http://www.freneticreader.blogspot.com/

Carrie will give Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby http://carriesyabookshelf.blogspot.com/

Kelsey is giving an ARC version of Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway http://www.readingkeepsyousane.blogspot.com/

Alea is giving away Sherlock Holmes Volume 1. http://www.aleapopculture.blogspot.com/

Kristi is giving a 10 dollar Amazon gift card. http://www.blogger.com/www.thestorysiren.com

Harmony is making a soundtrack with songs she feels fit the book. http://www.harmonybookreviews.wordpress.com/

Lenore is giving 10 dollars to Amazon http://www.presentinglenore.blogspot.com/

Gabbi is giving Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips http://www.fivestarreading.blogspot.com/

I will give the winner a book of their choice (has to be paperback!)Chelsea is giving a $10 card to Amazon http://www.thepageflipper.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Author is giving Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson http://www.myfavoriteauthor.blogspot.com/

Vanessa is giving Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin http://www.whatvanessreads.wordpress.com/

Shalonda is giving away Sherlock Holmes Volume 2. http://www.shalondasblog.blogspot.com/

Carol is giving an ARC of Because I Am Furniture. http://www.bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/

Tirzah is giving Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier http://www.thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/

Lauren is giving a 15 dollar gift card to B&N http://www.laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Laura is giving a 10 dollar Borders gift card and the book Flygirls. http://www.laurasreviewbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Sarah is giving The Adoration of Jenna Fox http://www.sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/

Alyssa is giving Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston. http://www.theshadyglade.blogspot.com/

Good luck everyone!

In My Mailbox

Breathing by Cheryl Renne Herbsman

Pub. Date: April 16, 2009

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town working at the library and lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she's convinced he's the one-her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama's strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he's called away to help his family-and seems uncertain about returning-Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace

Pub. Date: February 2009

Randy is a chubby ninth grader with a Cub Scout hair cut who guesses M&M colors with his eyes closed and makes up words. He’s also a chess whiz who has defeated his older brother Zeke in nine of their last ten matches. Zeke is a high school senior, a soccer champ, and a chess natural who can beat just about anyone if he decides to really concentrate. So why is his loser little brother the better athlete, the better chess player, and the first to have a girlfriend?

The competition heightens when both Randy and Zeke qualify for the Northeast Regional of the Pennsylvania High School Chess Championships (Randy is seeded, Zeke is not)—and play their way right into a brother-tobrother final round. Told in alternating points of view between brothers, Rich Wallace’s new novel brings to life one of America’s favorite pastimes in a suspenseful story about competition and family loyalty.

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchel

Pub. Date: February 2009

Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells. Except this summer, Iris doesn’t have to make up a story. This summer, one falls right in her lap.

Years ago, before Iris was born, a local boy named Elijah Landry disappeared. All that remained of him were whispers and hushed gossip in the church pews. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she’s certain it’s the ghost of Elijah. What really happened to him? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris to come back to?

Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli

Pub. Date: March 10, 2009

Calogero, his uncles, and cousins are six Sicilian men living in the small town of Tallulah, Louisiana. They work hard, growing vegetables and selling them at their stand and in their grocery store.

To 14-year-old Calogero, newly arrived from Sicily, Tallulah is a lush world full of contradictions, hidden rules, and tension between the Negro and white communities. He’s startled and thrilled by the danger of a ’gator hunt in the midnight bayou, and by his powerful feelings for Patricia, a sharpwitted, sweet-natured Negro girl. Some people welcome the Sicilians. Most do not. Calogero’s family is caught in the middle: the whites don’t see them as equal, but befriending Negroes is dangerous. Every day brings Calogero and his family closer to a a terrifying, violent confrontation.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Pub. Date: March 10, 2009

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

I got this one again (!) but this time it's a hardcover copy and not an ARC.

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Pub. Date: May 26, 2009

You know, I always thought I told you everything, but there are some things I should have said but never did. I should have told you about the time I lost your new sunglasses. I know you really liked them. I should have apologized the time I ruined your brand-new skirt, the one with the beading. I should have apologized for a lot of stuff.

For more information on In My Mailbox click here.