In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week. 

I got some really good books, I can't decided which one to read first! It's kind of weird, but out of habit I always stack my pile of books in order of which ones I'm going to read. Wow, I can't believe this is already my fourth IMM, I feel like it was just yesterday that I started me blog!

Library/for review:

Alphas by Lisi Harrison

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
 At OCD the losers are tormented.

At Alpha Academy, they're sent home.

Skye Hamilton has scored an invitation to the ultra-exclusive Alphas-only boarding school where beta is spelled LBR . What happens when the country's best, brightest, and hawtest begin clawing and scratching their way to the top?


I really liked The Clique series (guility pleasure) and I heard that The Aplhas is possibly even better! I'm excited to see how it goes.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. 
Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

I finally got my hands on a copy! I absolutely love summer reads and I've hear nothing but good things about this one, so I can't wait to read it!

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Sometimes you have to get lost.
The Girl: Clio, seventeen, wants to spend the summer smooching her art-store crush, not stuck on a boat in the Mediterranean. At least she'll get a killer tan.
The Mission: Survive her father's annoying antics. Oh, also find some underwater treasure that could be the missing link to a long-lost civilization.
The Crew: Dad's absentminded best friend Martin, his scary girlfriend Julia, her voluptuous daughter Elsa . . . and then there's Aidan, Julia's incredibly attractive, incredibly arrogant research assistant.
What's going on behind Aidan's intellectual, intensely green eyes, anyway?
As Clio sails into uncharted territory she unveils secrets that have the power to change history. But her most surprising discovery is that there's something deeper and more mysterious than the sea—her own heart.

I really like Maureen Johnson, so I'm sure this will be a really good read. It looks really interesting.

Sharing Sam by Katherine Applegate

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
How can you take the guy your best friend loves . . . when your best friend’s going to die?
Alison Chapman has always believed she’d fall in love hard. And she does—with Sam Cody, a new guy with a gorgeous face and brooding eyes, a guy who’s impossible to resist. When Sam asks her to the Valentine’s Day dance, Alison is elated . . . until she finds out that her best friend, Isabella Cates-Lopez, has fallen for Sam,
too . . . until she finds out that Isabella is dying. Now Alison wants Isabella’s last days to be her happiest ever—even if she and Sam have to hide their love. Even if, by sharing Sam, Alison risks losing him forever.

Sharing Sam looks like a really good emotional romance read. I'm not sure if I'm going to need tissues for this one.

What's in your mailbox?

The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro

Book Review #16
The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from back of the book)
Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. Anyway, the coach moves everyone from JV up to varsity. It's just what happens. But that’s not what happens. This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. 
Parker has spent her life being a team player, but as soon as school starts, she's stuck with (horrors of horrors) the freshman, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. Worse? Her friends her own age are cutting her loose, and now the freshman kid across the street is the only person who'll give her the time of day.
But Parker's determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team and she has the perfect plan. The only catch? She has to trick her way into place in the kissing booth at the school's annual sports fair, then pull a stunt crazier than any she could dream up on her own. But that kiss has to look real. And Parker is less than experienced in playing that sort of field. Parker knows that practice makes perfect. Now she just has to find the right coach... 

After just reading a pretty intense read, The ABC's of Kissing is just what I needed to lighten the mood. I loved the setup of the book, the chapters were labeled in alphabetically order and had words revolving around kissing/kisses. I didn't even know some of these terms, they were really fun, like "butterfly kiss" and "caterpillar kiss". Not only did the book focus on the kissing aspect, but also the true meaning of friendships, popularity, and finding yourself. Parker losing her spot on the varsity team, resulted in losing her "friends". Parker will do just about anything to get her old life back, even if that means resorting to getting help from the freshman next door. I really enjoyed Tristan's character, he was cute, funny, and oddly mature for his age. The fact that their dads were feuding, added the perfect touch. When Parker's plan starts to unravel, she finds out who her real friends are and realizes that, maybe, possibly, it's worth it to to be seen with the freshman. In the end, Parker falls for the wrong guy, the last guy in fact she ever thought she’d like. Although the end, was a bit predictable, the romance was definitely real. The ABC's of Kissing was a very cute, sweet, even funny, and a very fluffy read, that well undoubtedly leave you smiling by the end. It was a short, fun book that was just prefect for relaxing with after a long day.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Book review #15
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Rating: Five stars(refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:(taken from Goodreads) 
Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly.

I just finished reading Liar a few minutes ago and I have to say I'm left feeling breathless, overwhelmed and almost exhausted from being on Micah's roller coaster of lies. I've never read a book like Liar, honestly it was a breath of fresh air. Before reading this book you have to understand that Micah is a liar, you can't trust anything she says, she will lie about telling the truth, and she will lie about lying. I kind of wish I kept that in mind more while I was reading the book. I'm a very gullible person and tend to believe most things, so I got a little confused.

The book is divided into different sections all revolved around Zach's death. Micah describes the times before Zach( her after hours boyfriend) died, after he died, then adds in "family history". At first, I almost questioned if Zach was even her boyfriend! Along with Micah's illness for lying, the book focuses on how Zach really died. Aside from the subchapters there are three parts to the book. Part one is titled Telling the Truth except that she doesn't tell the whole truth.The clues build up, so that in part two: Telling the True Truth, her biggest secret isn't so hard to believe.You easily find yourself torn between the truth. At times I even found myself questioning if small details, that should be true, were lies. This might sound confusing, but the more Micah lied and told us she was being truthful, the easier it was to believe her. The last part, The Actual Real Truth, is where some of your questions are answered, and the "truth" is revealed. I have to admit, while reading some of her confessions, my mouth literally dropped open! 

Micah is a fascinating, strong main character. I loved how she literally "talked" to you, as well as her "reasoning" for her lies. I have to warn you at the end of the book, it's up to the you to decide whether or not Micah's telling the truth. The only complain I could come up with about Liar, is the journey of doubting and second guessing myself the whole time, but then again that just made it that much more interesting. Liar is a suspenseful thriller that will leave you at the edge of your seat. I'm happy to say that Liar is a book that stays with you long after you read it.

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we "can't-wait-to-read". This is my very first Waiting On Wednesday! There are so many books I  can't wait to read, so it was hard to just pick one.

House Rules by Jodi Picoulut
Release date: March 2nd,2010

Summary: (taken from Amazon)

 The astonishing new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about a family torn apart by an accusation of murder.

"They tell me I'm lucky to have a son who's so verbal, who is blisteringly intelligent, who can take apart the broken microwave and have it working again an hour later. They think there is no greater hell than having a son who is locked in his own world, unaware that there's a wider one to explore. But try having a son who is locked in his own world, and still wants to make a connection. A son who tries to be like everyone else, but truly doesn't know how."

Jacob Hunt is a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome. He's hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject -- in his case, forensic analysis. He's always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do...and he's usually right. But then his town is rocked by a terrible murder and, for a change, the police come to Jacob with questions. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger's -- not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, flat affect -- can look a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel. Suddenly, Jacob and his family, who only want to fit in, feel the spotlight shining directly on them. For his mother, Emma, it's a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it's another indication of why nothing is normal because of Jacob. And over this small family the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?

Emotionally powerful from beginning to end, House Rules looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way -- and fails those who don't.

I absolutely love love Jodi Picoult, so I was very excited to hear she's coming out with a new book! I've read almost all the book she's written and they almost never disappoint. House Rules looks very interesting, I can tell it's going to be intense. The thing I like most about her books is that I usually learn about something I don't know much about, while still enjoying the book!

What are you waiting for?

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week.  

Even though I have a whole stack of unread books, I couldn't help myself. I got some really good books this week, that I'm stoked to get started on! :)

Bought/for review:
                  
Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Audrey Niffenegger's innovative debut, The Time Traveler's Wife, is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

The Time Traveler's Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Claire's marriage and their passionate love for each other, as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals - steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

This was kind of a random buy, but  I just watched the movie last night and I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. The movie was pretty amazing and I heard the book was even better. I'll be sure to keep a box of tissues nearby though.

Library/for review: 

The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
 Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.

This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach. A kissing coach.

I love the cover of this book! I'm not really expecting it too be the best book in the world, but it looks like a fun light read.


Tainted Love by Melody Mayer (book four in The Nannies series)
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Smart girls.

Things are heating up between Kiley and Jorge . . . but the fire isn't out between her and Tom either. Tom's used to hanging out with gorgeous models—how can a girl from Wisconsin compete with that? The only way to cool off is at scuba class, except Kiley keeps having panic attacks. Is it because of the ocean—or her Bermuda love triangle?

Crazy boys.

Getting drunk and hooking up with Luis was not smart. That's why Lydia's decided to pretend the whole fiasco never happened. Why ruin what she has with Billy over one stupid mistake? But Luis won't take no for an answer.

Crazier girls.

Life's pretty sweet right now for Esme. She and Jonathan are free to be together, her artist-to-the-stars tattoo biz is booming, and the Goldhagens just gave her a raise. So when Tarshea, the girl Esme vowed to help, arrives in L.A. and begins to steal her life, Esme's not about to let it happen.

I absolutely love The Nannies series, they are so fun! My library just got in the next few books in the series, so I can't wait to see what happens next. I also got the next few books in the series.


Bad to the Bone by Melody Mayer (the 5th book in The Nannies series)
   












All Night Long by Melody Mayer (the 6th book in The Nannies series)     



 

 






Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Summary: (taken from Goodreads) 

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love--and face the hardest decision of his life.

Before I read The Last Song, I haven't read much by Nicholas Sparks, so I decided to try out some of his other books. I saw a movie trailer for this book and it looked pretty amazing, especially since Channing Tatum is one of the main characters :)

What's in your mailbox?

Exclusively Chloe

For the first time, in a long time, I really couldn't get through a whole book. For some reason, I would start a book and be so disinterested I would have to put it down. Good news, I finally got through a whole book! I've just finished Exclusively Chloe and I'm already half-way through Liar! 

Book Review #14
Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
16- year old Chloe Grace, the first celebrity-adopted kid in Hollywood, has a very privileged life. When she learns from a headline on a gossip magazine, that her dad was having an affair, everything starts to go wrong. With her parents' divorce, paparazzi, and everyone watching her move, Chloe becomes sick of her life. She wonders what it would be like to be a "normal" kid in a regular school. Chloe decides to do just that, she gets a "make-under" and enters the "real world."

Honestly, what really drew me to the book was the cover. Although I thought the summary that was provided on the back of the book was somewhat inaccurate. I thought the book was going to mostly be about Chloe undercover, but Chloe didn't undergo her transformation until the late second half of the book. Despite the misconception, I thought it was an entertaining light read. I love reading books about Hollywood and Chloe was a great main character, she was nice, sweet, and not snotty at all. Unlike most Hollywood starlet books, most of the descriptions weren't about the name of brands, which was a major plus. I enjoyed most of the characters, aside from Rachelle (one of Chloe's "best friends") who wasn't a good friend at all. I really liked Luther, her mother's stylist, and her fake "dad" for whom she lives with when she goes undercover. Luther gave me quite a couple of laugh of loud moments. I have to say, the book got a lot more interesting during the second half, when Chloe renamed herself as "Lilly" and transferred schools. There is also more to the story, than Chloe just wanting to see how "normal" life it, but  I don't want to give away any spoilers. Put aside the few typical stereotypes and you have a look at some of the harsh reality of Hollywood (without being too trashy and unrealistic). In the end, Excursively Chloe was a fun/entertaining, light read.

Lucky T

Book review #13
Lucky T by Kate Brian
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
Lucky T isn't the best book the world, but it was a good light read. The plot is a bit predictable and the story line is kind of crazy- revolved around 16 year old Carrie, who has everything going for her, due to a lucky t-shirt given to her by her dad who she rarely sees. One day, her lucky T accidentally gets thrown into a give-away pile for kids in India, from that day on Carrie's luck dramatically changed. Guess where Carrie spends her summer vacation? India! Carrie travels half-way around t...more 16 year old Carrie,  has everything going for her, due to a lucky t-shirt given to her by her dad who she rarely sees. One day, her lucky T accidentally gets thrown into a give-away pile for kids in India, from that day on Carrie's luck dramatically changed. Guess where Carrie spends her summer vacation? India! Carrie travels half-way around the world to track down her lucky t-shirt, finding love, adventure, and hopefully a little luck on the way.

 Lucky T isn't the best book the world, but it was a good light read. The plot is a bit predictable and the story line is kind of crazy. Surprisingly the book doesn't only focus on the importance of a t-shirt, but touches on other aspects such as romance, believing in yourself, and friendship. It was really nice reading a book that was set in another place (India), I got to learned a lot about Indian culture and how life is like in India, which I didn't know much about before. The best part about the book was seeing Carrie's overall transformation, by the end of the trip the t-shirt isn't her main priority, she grows up a lot. Lucky T is a story about good will, forgiveness, taking chances and taking responsibilities for your mistakes. In the end, not a bad read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a funny/romantic read. 

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week. 

I haven't bought any books this week, but I'm planning on buying a load of books with my new giftcards next week. I finished the books from last weeks haul, but I still have to write reviews. I got a bunch of new books from the library that I'm really excited about! :) 

Library/for review: 

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly. 

I've been wanting to read this book forever and I finally got a hold of it! It looks like a really good read, so I'm really excited.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark. 

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl springs up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

I absolutely love the Hunger Games series and someone said that the Maze Runner was kind of similar so I decided to check it out! It looks like an awesome book. Look out for a review very soon.

How To Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Stanford

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
New to town, Beatrice is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

I thought this looked like a really interesting book, so I'm glad to finally get to read this!

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

All Unquiet Things just came out on the 12th and I was lucky enough to get a copy to read!

Rage by Julie Anne Peters

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Johanna is steadfast, patient, reliable; the go-to girl, the one everyone can count on. But always being there for others can’t give Johanna everything she needs—it can’t give her Reeve Hartt.

Reeve is fierce, beautiful, wounded, elusive; a flame that draws Johanna’s fluttering moth. Johanna is determined to get her, against all advice, and to help her, against all reason. But love isn’t always reasonable, right?

In the precarious place where attraction and need collide, a teenager experiences the dark side of a first love, and struggles to find her way into a new light.

I'm not really sure about this one, but I'm ready to give it a chance.

What's in your mailbox? 

Front and Center

Book review #12
Front and Center by Catherine Gillbert Murdock
Rating: Three starts (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
After a few crazy months, everything is finally back to normal for high school junior D.J. Schwenk. D.J. heads back to school just in time for basketball season, after taking time off to take care of  her older brother after his spinal cord injury. After being in the spotlight for so long, D.J. is looking forward to blending in both on and off the court, but she gets no such luck. D.J. is forced to make big decisions about college, boys, and about the kind of girl she wants to be. 

Front and Center is the third book in the Dairy Queen series, although it wasn't my favorite book in the series, I loved cheering for D.J. on the sidelines as good things finally happened to her. D.J. has so much going on and the pressure is really getting to her. One of her good friends (Beaner) publicly announces that he has a big interest in D.J., while Beaner is funny and fun to be around, Brian suddenly comes back into the picture. D.J. finds herself torn between to great guys. I have to admit even though Brian hurt D.J., I was glad he made an appearance. Then there's Win and almost everyone in Red Bend pressuring her about calling college coaches and whether or not to play Big Ten basketball. D.J. has a having a hard time deciding what she really want to do, tied in with her inability to talk to people, leads to D.J. in very uncomfortable situations. D.J. learns that Schwenks have never been good at talking, but that's exactly what everyone's telling her to do. One of the few things I didn't like, was the fact that D.J. was always complicating things and that the story was written in a narrative style, not really "showing" what happened, but just explaining it. 

Although there were a lot of things that I really loved. First off, I loved D.J.'s character, Catherine Murdock does a great job in creating a unique character with very common thoughts and concerns. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, I loved reading D.J.'s commentary on the world. I loved her family almost as much, although her family has obvious flaws, they're always there for each especially when it matter most. My favorite part about the whole series was the ending, it wasn't too perfect, but it was realistic, it was a perfect way to end D.J.'s story. Overall, it was a good read, for those of you who read the first two books in the series, you won't be disappointed.

In My Mailbox (1)

I've been blog browsing and I came across a really cool weekly meme called In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week. I decided to try it out it! :)

I unfortunately haven't bought any new books this week, but I checked out a LOAD of books from the library that I'm really excited to read.

Library/for review:

Splendor by Anna Godberson
The fourth book in The Luxe series!

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
New beginnings.
Shocking revelations.
Unexpected endings.

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle. 

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

I absolutely cannot wait to read Splendor! After a very very long wait I finally got my hands on it.  I would describe The Luxe series as the Gossip Girl series set back in the day (although in my opinion a lot better than the Gossip Girl series). Envy (the third book in the series) ended really dramatically, leaving me very thirsty for the next book. Splendor looks like it isn't going to disappoint. Look out for a review coming very soon.

Front and Center by Catherine Gillbert Murdock
The trilogy to Dairy Queen

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I-m always in the background . . . But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who-s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway . . . Readers first fell in love with straight-talking D. J. Schwenk in Dairy Queen; they followed her ups and downs both on and off the court in The Off Season. Now D. J.steps out from behind the free-throw line in this final installment of the Dairy Queen trilogy.

I read the first book in the series (Dairy Queen) as a summer reading book awhile back and surprisingly I really liked it. I liked being on D.J.'s journey, so I'm excited to see what happens next. I already started reading it and I like it so far, expect a review in a few days.

Pure by Terra Elan McVoy

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Promise. Betrayal. Confession. Revenge.
Tabitha and her four best friends all wear purity rings, symbols of the virginity-until-marriage pledge they made years ago. Now Tab is fifteen, and her ring has come to mean so much more. It's a symbol of who she is and what she believes—a reminder of her promises to herself, and her bond to her friends. But when Tab meets a boy whose kisses make her knees go weak, everything suddenly seems a lot more complicated. Tab's best friend, Morgan, is far from supportive, and for the first time, Tabitha is forced to keep secrets from the one person with whom she's always shared everything. When one of those secrets breaks to the surface, Tab finds herself at the center of an unthinkable betrayal that splits her friends apart. As Tab's entire world comes crashing down around her, she's forced to re-examine her friendships, her faith, and what exactly it means to be pure. 

I actually found this book at the checkout counter last minute and decided it looked interesting. I'm not sure about it, but it looks like it a could be a good read about friendships.

King of the Screwups by K.L. Going


Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Liam Geller is Mr. Popularity. Everybody loves him. He excels at sports; he knows exactly what clothes to wear; he always ends up with the most beautiful girls in school. But he's got an uncanny ability to screw up in the very ways that tick off his father the most.
When Liam finally kicked out of the house, his father's brother takes him in. What could a teenage chick magnet possibly have in common with his gay, glam rocker, DJ uncle who lives in a trailer in upstate New York? A lot more than you'd think. And when Liam attempts to make himself over as a nerd in a desperate attempt to impress his father, it's his "aunt" Pete and the guys in his band who convince Liam there's much more to him than his father will ever see.

I really like the cover of this book, in fact that's what made me pick it up. I haven't read the best things about this book, so I hope its a good read. The plot looks a little different than other books with similiar story lines.

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
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.

 I'm really excited to read this one! I've only heard good things about it so far, so I hope it's as good as everyone says it is. I loved Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson so I hope Purge is just as good, I'll be reviewing this one pretty soon.

 What's in your mailbox?

Same Difference

Book Review #11
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
Emily is sick of living her cookie cutter lifestyle in Cherry Grove, Pennsylvania. She wants a change, she's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time. From many peoples' views it would appear that Emily has a "perfect" life- money, looks, good friends, but if you look closer you see that Emily's not happy at all. She is sick of doing the same thing everyday and wasting the days of Summer.  Emily decides to enroll in an art program (three days a week)in Philadelphia to try to discover who she is. She meets people who finally understand her and share her  love of art. Emily is introduced to new experiences and meets new friends who show her the world  in a whole different way, but as the summer progresses Emily starts to get confused and caught in between two worlds.

I love the cover of Same Difference, in fact that's what made me pick it up in the first place. The thing I most enjoyed about the book was the fact that it was realistic. The characters have real emotions and their share of dysfunction. The author did a great job showing the ups and down of friendship, she perfectly captured the way you can love and hate your best friend at the same time. I think a lot of people can relate to  the struggle for finding your own identitiy.  The only thing I didn't like about the book was that even though Emily wanted to be her own person, she tried to imitate every person she met. At first she was a carbon copy of Meg, then she tried to be just like Fiona. I felt like she didn't really have her own personality. Although in the end, I loved being there with Emily as she grows up and finally realizes she can have the best of both worlds. I really enjoyed the Same Difference, I didn't fall in love with it, but it's a good read :) I would recommend this book to fans of Deb Calliti.

Touch

Book Review #10
Touch by Francine Prose
Rating: One star (refer to rating system on the right)

Summary:
For the longest time fourteen year old Maisie has had three best friends: Kevin, Chris and Shakes. Maisie lives with her dad and stepmom, who she doesn't get along with, so she decides to live with her mom and her new stepdad for her 8th grade year. By the time she comes back for her 9th grade year everything has changed, especially with Maisie’s new body. She's matured and now has large breasts. The boys don't know how to treat her anymore, things start to get awkward and confusing. One day something happens to Maisie in the back of the bus, involving her three best friends, but no one knows exactly what happened. Rumors start to spin out of control and everyone gets involved. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie's life and everyone wants to know what really went on. 

Unfortunately, Touch is the first book I've given one star to so far. I read Touch a couple of days ago and I have to say I didn't really enjoy it. I can't pinpoint exactly what I didn't like about it; maybe it was the way it was written- the story was written throughout different time periods (it alternates from the past then to the present etc.-it was all over the place);I felt like I was in stuck in some sort of time loop. Maisie tells her recount on the bus incident differently each time, which really confused me, I didn't know what to believe. The plot was good, but it wasn't well executed, it was repetitive and frankly quite boring. The characters didn't have much personality. There wasn't even a great ending, I just thought it was almost pointless. Bottom line-don't waste your time with this one. 

Suspicion

Book Review #9
Suspicion by Kate Brian
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
Suspicion starts out where Paradise Lost ended with Reed, Noelle, and former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor spending their winter break over at St.Barths. Reed is finally happy and relaxed after having a crazy last semester. She even landed Upton and might be in love, but there is definitely trouble with dating the most sought out guy on the island. (I can't really say any more without spoiling the previous book in the series)

Having read the first nine books of the private series in less than a week, I was very eager to read the tenth book, unfortunately the public library didn't have it. Yesterday, I spent my day at the book store finally reading Suspicion! Paradise Lost left off with the biggest cliffhanger ever, so Suspicion picked up where it left off. I have to say this was one of my least favorite of the books in the Private series, but that doesn't mean it was a bad book. I felt really sorry for poor Reed, so much as happened to her. I think I just prefer the Private series when based at Easton, as opposed to the islands where Reed and her friends currently where. My favorite part about the book was the ending, leaving readers with an even bigger cliffhanger than the last! I can't wait to read the next book, everyone is back at Easton, there's a new student attending, and something has happened to the Billings (which is revealed in this book). Watch out for Scandal coming out on March 9th, 2010.  Overall, I'm officially in love with the Private series! I would recommend the Private series to anyone. 

2010 Reading List

It's a new year and that means lots and lots of new books! There are a couple of books that I absolutely can not wait to read. Just to name a few:

The Hunger Games Book Three by Suzanne Collins
(Official title rumored to be The Victors)

I fell in love with Catching Fire, which made me want to read the third book so much more. Catching Fire ends with a huge cliffhanger, I'm sure the third book is going to pick right back where it left off. I've never eagerly wanted to read a book more! The book is set to be released on August 24th, 2010.

 Its Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

I really enjoyed reading The Summer I Turned Pretty (refer to previous post for book review), so I would love more of the series. When I get sucked into a good book, I never want to end. I wasn't even really expected a sequel! I'm not sure when the book is set to be released.




 
Scandal by Kate Brian

I love love the Private series! Scandal is the eleventh book in the series and I really can't wait to read it. I just finished reading the tenth book earlier (look out for a book review coming soon) and it left out on a HUGE cliffhanger. Scandal is expected to be one of the best of the Private series. It is set to be released on March 9th, 2010.


Heartless by Sara Shepard

 Heartless is the seventh book in the Pretty Little Liars series. The Pretty Little Liars series are awesome mystery books, the only bad part is waiting for the next books to come out! I've liked every one of the books in the series, so I have high expectations for this one. Heartless is set to be released very soon on January 19th!


The Secret Year by Jennifer R.Hubbard

I don't really know much about this book, but I recently stumbled upon it on a blog post (http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/01/author-interview-jennifer-hubbard.html) and thought it looked like a really good read. I'm excited to check it out! It's supposed to come out today!


There are so many more books I'm looking forward to read, but it would take me forever to list! Some more titles would include: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Kiss In the Dark by Lauren Henderson (the third book to Kiss Me Kill Me!), and Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu.

What books are on your 2010 reading list?

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Book Review #8
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
 Belly, her mother, and her older brother Steven spend every summer at the beach house with her mother's best friend Susannah and her two teenage boys (Jemimah and Conrad). Jeremiah and Conrad have been everything to Belly, they have been her brotherly figures, her crushes, and everything in between. Belly, being the only girl, was used to being left out, but during her 16th summer everything changes. Belly isn't treated like one of the boys anymore, she's pretty, and everyone is noticing. Belly isn't used to all the changes and gets confused. Belly battles growing up, love, and family issues all at the same time. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty is one of my favorite kinds of books, a literal beach/summer read.Jenny Han did a great job describing summer and childhood friendships making it a wonderful novel. I really liked this book, there were a couple of things I really enjoyed such as: the flashbacks of previous summers, realistic characters who have real problems,the let down of summer romances, hard core issues that make it something more than just a summer read, and the coming of age storyline (I could could on and on...). I absolutely can't wait for the sequel to come out (Its Not Summer Without You). I would recommend this book to everyone, especially for Sarah Dessen fans.

Kiss Me Kill Me

Book Review #7
Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
 Sixteen year old, Scarlett transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, after having a traumatizing experience six months earlier. Scarlett, a former gymnast, had two best friends and wasn't really in the popular crowd. One day, the head of the popular group invites Scarlett to an elite party. Scarlett having a huge crush on Dan, ditches her two friends, to get closer to her dream boy. While at the party, on the penthouse deck, Dan leans in and kisses Scarlett, while Scarlett gets the perfect first kiss, Dan  took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, but everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett was the main reason. Scarlett becomes the outcast at school; to a point where she transfers to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, where her grandmother is the headmaster. 

For the first half of the book, I really felt sorry for Scarlett, she had no friends whatsoever, her parents are dead, the teachers and students are even harder on her because her grandmother runs the school, and on top of that she has to keep up with the extra hard schoolwork. Although I felt bad for Scarlett, it was annoying  how much she complained and felt sorry for herself, instead of trying to make it better. The book got a lot better in the second half, when the mystery finally came into play. Scarlett finally made a new friend who helps her really discover what happened to Dan and even met a new guy. Although I was extremely disappointed with the ending of the book, the mystery wasn't fully solved, leaving you in need of the sequel. The sequel did just come out, (Kisses and Lies) and it is definitely on my books to read list. Overall, Kiss Me Kill Me wasn't the best book in the world, but it wasn't bad. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and romance books.

A Time for Dancing

Book Review #6
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

I read this book awhile ago, but I still find myself thinking about it. A Time for Dancing is one of my all time favorite books. Centered around two inseparable best friends I(Samantha and Julia) who share the love of dancing. Out of the blue one Julia become diagnosed with cancer. The moment Julia discovers she has cancer, their lives are turned upside down. Alternating between the views of the two friends, you see both sides of the story. I didn't know much about cancer, after reading the book...more Summary:  
The book focuses around two inseparable best friends (Samantha and Juliana) who share the love of dancing. Out of the blue one day, Juliana becomes diagnosed with cancer. The moment Juliana discovers she has cancer, both of their lives are turned upside down, but through tears and happiness they fight the battle together. 

I read this book awhile ago, but I still find myself thinking about it. A Time for Dancing is one of those books you'll never forget. One of my favorite things about the book is that it alternates between the views of the two friends, so you get to see both sides of the story.  I didn't know much about cancer, but after reading the book, I had a much better understanding of the disease. A Time for Dancing was so well written I could feel the pain Juliana went through. A Time for Dancing is a book that really touches the soul. It made me appreciate all the great things I have in life and to treasure my friends and family. You get to experience an example of true friendship, love, and even death. I'm warning you, have a box of tissues nearby. A Time for Dancing will be one of the best books you have read. I can't really find any bad things to say about this book; I would recommend this book to anyone. (There is also a just as good sequel called The Farther You Run.)

Catching Fire

Book Review #5
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
The book starts up right where the Hunger Games ended. Katniss and Peeta have just won the annual Hunger Games by defying the capital. In the beginning, they get to do the normal routines that all victors do- visit the districts, celebrate, host events etc., but that soon all changes. The capitol is angry and they seek revenge. Since Katniss was able to go against the capitol, the districts finally have a way to rebel. While we are reunited with some of the main characters, you are introduced to new key characters. As a warning, I have to say you are going to witness another Hunger Games.

After waiting in line for almost a month at the library I finally got a hold of Catching Fire, but it was definitely worth the wait. Catching Fire is the sequel to the Hunger Games. At first I wasn't really sure what to expect, I thought nothing could top the Hunger Games, but boy was I wrong. There are so many plot twists and surprises, by the end you are going to exhausted! I found myself gasping at parts, to the point I had to put down the book to reassess what had just happened. You are literally not going to be able to put the book down! Once again the book ends with a huge cliffhanger, leaving me hungry for the third book in the series. Overall, Catching Fire most definitely deserves five stars, I would consider one of my favorite books of this year! I would recommend Catching Fire, as well as the Hunger Games, to EVERYONE!

LoveSick

Book Review #4
LoveSick by Jake Coburn
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
The story is based on Ted, an alcoholic, who gets into a car crash, therefore ending his basketball career as well as his ride to college. Ted basically gives up, but a second chance comes knocking on his door. He gets hired to spy on a rich girl who suffers from bulimia, therefore getting a full ride to college. Ted agrees to this offer, but never expects to fall in love. 

I just finished reading Love Sick and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I finished it in one sitting! The beginning of the book is a little bit hard to get into, but other than that its great. I easily fell in love with the two main characters, Ted and Erica. The characters have real problems that people can easily relate to. One of the things I loved most about the book was the fact it was written from both Ted's and Erica's points of view. Overall, a really good read :) I would recommend this book to anyone.

Keeping the Moon

Book Review #3
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
Fifteen year old Colie has a lived a complicated life so far- from being fat and made fun of, having a bad reputation with boys, and having a mother famous for helping people lose weight. It's summer and Colie is forced to spend it with her aunt Mira in the small town of Colby, where she becomes a different people. She gets a job as a waitress, where she meets a pair of best friends, who teach her life lessons and how to believe in yourself. 

I have to say even the Keeping the Moon wasn't Sarah Dessen's best, it was a really good read. My favorite part about the book was the characters. The characters weren't generic, they were something different. There is her overweight aunt Mira who wears crazy clothes and gets teased by the whole town, but continues to hold her head up high claiming she knows she's not perfect ,but she knows she works in her own way. Then there is Morgan and Isabel, a pair of best friends, who have their share of dysfunction, but are always there for each other. Lastly, there is Norman, who is an artist who lives in the basement of Mira's house. Norman is someone the old Colie would never go after, but that might be different for the new Colie. Near the end, Colie figures out who she really is and how to believe in herself for a change. In the end, it's a book worth the read. I would recommend the book to people who like books that are realistic and relatable.

Before I Die

Book Review #2
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary:
Before I Die is centered around 16 year Tessa who is diagnosed with cancer. Before reading the book, you discover that she doesn't have much time to live, but instead of staying in bed, she makes a list of things she wants to do before she dies. Tessa gets a taste of experiences she's always longed for, while her failing body tries to keep up. For once she finally feels alive.I just finished reading this book minutes ago and I have to say that I'm left feeling like an emotional wreck- but in a good way. I read this book straight, I literally couldn't put it down. Before I Die is centered around 16 year Tessa who is diagnosed with cancer. Before reading the book, you discover that she doesn't have much time to live, but instead of staying in bed, she makes a list of things she wants to do before she dies. You instantly fall in love with the characters. The author d
    
I just finished reading this book minutes ago and I have to say that I'm left feeling like an emotional wreck- but in a good way. I read this book straight, I literally couldn't put it down. You instantly fall in love with the characters. The author did a very good job conveying Tessa's emotions. I loved being with Tessa as she lived her last few months, it was a happy, uplifting, and very sad journey. Her last few weeks of life is what hit me the hardest. Overall, the book definitely deserves five stars and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes good books.

The Last Song

Book Review #1
The Last Song by Nickolas Sparks
Rating: Three stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

I recently saw a trailer for the movie in the theaters and thought that it would be a good read. I just finished reading the book and I have to say I'm very pleased. The beginning was a little slow, but it gets a lot better. The book is centered around 17 year old Ronnie who unwillingly spends her summer with her dad in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Ronnie having her parents divorced three years earlier is still angry at her father. I'm not going to lie at first I thought Ronnie's characte...more Summary:
The book is centered around 17 year old Ronnie who unwillingly spends her summer with her dad in Wilmington, North Carolina. Ronnie having her parents divorced three years earlier is still angry at her father. Ronnie starts of the summer in Wilmington, barely speaking to her father and spending her days as far away from him as possible. Things change for Ronnie, she meets some new people who might not be the best for her, and meets someone she might just be in love with.

I recently saw a trailer for the movie in the theaters and thought that it would be a good read. I just finished reading the book and I have to say I'm very pleased. The beginning was a little slow, but it gets a lot better. I'm not going to lie at first I thought Ronnie's character was sort of annoying- I got a little frustrated at how she treated her dad, but that changed not to far into the book. I loved how Ronnie almost became a whole other person, for the better. I liked how the book alternated views between the characters, but I found some of Steven's (the dads) part boring at first. I was surprised at the ending of the book (not the very ending), I wasn't really expecting it. I have to admit I teared up and got very emotional. The last thing I absolutely loved was the epilogue of the book, I love happy endings! Overall, I enjoyed the book and I can't wait for the movie to come out! I would recommend the book to teenage girls or even adults who like a good romance/ somewhat light novel.

Welcome/Introduction

Hey there!

I'm going to start out by telling you a little bit about this blog. I love love to read and to get lost into the world of books. I've been reading like crazy since I was a little kid. I like to read almost all kind of books, but most of the books I read are going to range into young adult fiction. For each book I review, I will include what group the book will generally appeal to. I decided to share my reviews and thoughts on every book I read starting with the new year of 2010. I recently joined the site Goodreads and have been reviewing the books I've read for the past couple of weeks, so I'm going to start off the blog with the books I've already reviewed. I finish a book every few days, so I'll be posting reviews regularly. I greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions. I love discovering new books to read so feel free to recommend books you would like me to read and review. I'm very excited to get started on this journey!