Daily Dose Monday (5)

Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly over at Good Golly Miss Holly and features inspiring/magical images that you would like to share with your readers :)

 

In My Mailbox (10)

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 had an OK week. It was the saddest thing to return some of unread library books that had overdue fines. I decided to read all of my library books before digging into my  purchased ones.

Library/for review:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.

I couldn't believe my library actually had this book! I heard it was simply amazing, most of the reviews gave this book five stars. I can't wait :)

Willow by Julia Hoban

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
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. 

Willow looks so powerful and touching. I'm almost scared to read this because it is about such a sensitive subject.


Confessions of a Serial Kisser

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
 EVANGELINE LOGAN WANTS a kiss. A spectacular, heart-stopping, life changing kiss. Somehow The Crimson Kiss (a romance novel she’s become obsessed with) and Four Steps to Living Your Fantasy (a self-help book she’s reading) have fused in Evangeline’s mind and sent her on a quest for a kiss. But the path to perfection is paved with many bad kisses—the smash mouth, the ear licker, the “misser.” The phrase “I don’t kiss and tell” means nothing to the boys in her school. And worse: someone starts writing her name and number on bathroom walls. And worst of all: the boy she's just kissed turns out to be her best friend’s new crush. Kissing turns out to be way more complicated than the romance novels would have you believe . . .

I thought this looked like such a cute fun read!

When It Happens by Susan Colasanti

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything....Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

I haven't read any of Susan Colasanti's books before, but I heard she was awesome. This sounds great :)

What's in your mailbox?

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Book Review #24
What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

My name is Robin.

This book is about me.

It tells the story of what happens when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom, the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be a good thing, right? Only it turns out to be a lot more complicated than that.
Because I'm not gonna lie to you -- there are naked women involved. Four of them, to be exact. Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing. But the way things have been going lately, I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse than not getting what you want, is getting it.

I just devoured What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know whole and I have to say I'm more than satisfied. Although it is a sequel, you don't have to read the previous book (What My Mother Doesn't Know) to fall in love. When I discovered there was a sequel to What My Mother Doesn't Know, I never expected it to be from a whole different point of view, so I knew I was definitely in for a treat. Reading the book from Robin's point of view was so refreshing and breath taking. It was so nice spending the day inside a teenage boy's mind. Due to the way the book is written (short poems) along with the intense humorous engaging plot, I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.

Robin is a fourteen year old boy known as the "loser" of the school. When Robin begins dating Sophie, one of the most popular girls of the school, his classmates don't now exactly how to react. Eventually, Sophie's friends give her an ultimatum between them and dating Robin. Eventually, it becomes Robin and Sophie against the whole entire school. Robin starts to get picked on even more and Robin just can't stand making Sophie go through the torture with him. Robin has second thoughts about what he really wants. Sophie and Robin have a touching relationship that suffers through pressures which truly test their love for each other.

Over the course of about an hour, I laughed extremely hard, smiled, shifted uncomfortably in my seat, and came pretty close to tears while reading What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know. Robin's emotions and feelings were so real it was almost scary. He had those genuine raw feelings, worries, and anxieties that most teenage boys have, that are sometimes not shown in other books.

My favorite part of this book was Robin and Sophie's relationship. I wasn't used to reading a book with a couple that had such a strong amazingly powerful relationship. Together they faced the whole school, never giving up, when no one else approved of their relationship. It was refreshing to see two people a stronger connection emotionally than physically (although they had a pretty heated physical connection as well). Robin and Sophie were so adorably cute together.

What My Girlfriend was fast paced, funny, romantic, and touching. It was just as good as the What My Mother Doesn't Know, if not even better. I loved reading about Sophie and Robin's stories! If you like quick, light, and "feel good" books, then you most definitely need to check out What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

"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". 

The Star Shack by Lila Castle
Release Date: June 1st 2010 
Summary: (taken from Amazon)

Pete and Annabelle live for their summers together on Gingerbread Beach. They've always believed they were a perfect pair… until junior year, when Annabelle becomes obsessed with astrology. Now they can hardly stand each other. Pete thinks that Annabelle (a Leo) has become a total flake; Annabelle thinks Pete (a Scorpio) has become an uptight jerk.

When Annabelle dares Pete to open a summer business on the Boardwalk generating personalized horoscopes, their fast-paced, hilarious bickering soon rises to a fever pitch. The he-said/she-said advice of the Star Shack is wildly popular and seems able to fix any relationship problem… except their own.

But when one of Annabelle's star charts helps catch a thief, Pete might have to admit that the stars could really hold the key to the future…and to his own heart. 

I think The Star Shack looks like a really cute read. I'm in love summer reads! The Star Shack sounds like a romantic summer read with a little bit of a twist. I can't wait to read this one...to bad the release date is so far away. 

What are you waiting on?

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler

Book Review #23
Tangled by Carolyn Mackler
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all at Paradise—the resort in the Caribbean, that is—for different reasons, but in Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Over the course of four months, through four voices and four stories, what happened in Paradise will change them all.

In this extraordinary novel, the Printz Honor–winning author brings us her most accomplished work yet. Tangled is a story of the secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love.

Before reading Tangled, I had no idea a book could be so light and funny while being so intense and heartbreaking at the same time. I never thought I would actually love a book told from four different views/story, but surprisingly it was great. Each character's story was so relatable and touching. The way the stories each intersect is fascinating and will leave you smiling at the end. You become absorbed in each story, that you end up looking up at the time and realizing a couple of hours have passed.

Tangled begins with the four characters all meeting in paradise. The book takes place over the course of four months, with each character telling their story within a month's period. First we meet Jenna in April. Jenna is first introduced while vacationing with her mother, and her mother's best friend and her daughter (Skye).  Jenna is a pretty average teenager who loves to read and collect quotes. During her week in paradise, Jenna meets Dakota who at first makes her heart go crazy. Jenna's story ends rather abruptly, but don't worry you definitely find closure by the end. 

Next month, you meet Dakota- personally my favorite story. Dakota is an athlete and is the type of guy who gets pretty much what he wants. He gets in to a bit of trouble and is forced to go live with his grandparents for a week. I loved Dakota's story because he went through the biggest transformation. Dakota had issues that you would never imagine he had based on meeting him in Jenna's story. 
  
In June you get introduced to Skye. Skye is pretty, popular, an aspiring actress, and "perfect" in everyone else's eyes. The truth is Skye doesn't appear as happy as everyone seems. Skye finally becomes sick of pretending. Skye's story left me preparing for the worst as well has dying to know what was going to happen next.
  
Lastly, there is Owen- Dakota's younger brother. You first see Owen in paradise (he lives with his mother). He is a computer nerd, who has spends most of his time on his blog who is the total opposite of Dakota. The way Jenna appears in Owen's story leaves you all warm and fuzzy inside.
  
After reading each character's story you are left with a cliffhanger at the end, but things come together by the end of the book. The way the other character's appeared or were mentioned in each others stories was done beautifully. Tangled really teaches you that there is always more than meets the eye. You would think that  that the characters would be underdeveloped due to the time you get with each of them, but that definitely wasn't the case. Surprisingly, each character was very complex and well developed. Each character went through significant changes and I was able to connect with each of them. 

Don't let the the different viewpoints keep you away from this one. Tangled is definitely different than the standard book told from different views. Mackler's writing is truly amazing and will leave you so engaged in the book you won't be able to put it down. With romance, comedy, and realistic touching characters, what more could you ask for. If your looking for a enjoyable quick (not all that light though) than pick this one up.

Daily Dose Monday (4)

Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly over at Good Golly Miss Holly and features inspiring/magical images that you would like to share with your readers :) 

 

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

In My Mailbox (9)

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 think this is officially my first "badish" week. I have so so so many great books to read from the previous weeks that I'm OK with it :)

Library/for review:

Fade by Lisa McMann
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. 

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared.... 

Ahh I just finished Wake and fell in love, so I'm dying to read this one! I heard it was somehow possibly even better than the first.

Gone by Lisa McMann
Summary: (taken from Goodreads) 

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her.

She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life — and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out....

I couldn't resist getting the third installment in this series. I'm kind of hesitate though, I heard it didn't live up to the first two books-which makes me really sad. I'm ready to give it a chance. 

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

My name is Robin.

This book is about me.

It tells the story of what happens when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom, the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be a good thing, right? Only it turns out to be a lot more complicated than that.

Because I'm not gonna lie to you -- there are naked women involved. Four of them, to be exact. Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing. But the way things have been going lately, I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse than not getting what you want, is getting it.

Eeee! I'm so excited, I absolutely loved What My Mother Doesn't Know (link takes you to my review). I even get more than I expected with the point of view told from Robin.

Coffee, Love, Sugar by Rachel Cohn
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

After getting tossed from her posh boarding school, wild, willful, and coffee addicted Cyd Charisse returns to San Francisco to live with her parents. But there's no way Cyd can survive in her parents' pristine house. Lucky for Cyd she's got Gingerbread, her childhood rag doll and confidante, and her new surfer boyfriend. 

When Cyd's rebelliousness gets out of hand, her parents ship her off to New York City to spend the summer with "Frank real-dad," her biological father. Trading in her parents for New York City grunge and getting to know her bio-dad and step-sibs is what Cyd has been waiting for her whole life. But summer in the city is not what Cyd expects -- and she's far from the daughter or sister that anyone could have imagined. 

Hmm this sounds interesting! Rachel Cohn combined with a series= a good time? 

What's in your in mailbox?

Wake by Lisa McMann

Book Review #22
Wake by Lisa McMann
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from the back of the book)

For seventeen-year old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does-they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she was a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...

I"m trying to decide where I should start this review. First of all, WOW! Wake is extraordinary and unlike anything I've ever come across. Not to sound corny, but reading Wake was like having a really good dream the sucks you in leaving you never wanting to wake up. I literally could not put this book down, luckily for me it wasn't very long so I got to finish it in an hour or two. I've heard wonderful things about Wake, but I wasn't expecting myself to fall in love. Wake was intense, romantic, and full of craziness.

Janie Hannigan is a senior in high school living in Michigan. Her mother is an alcoholic which is one of the reasons Janie is known as "white trash" around town. Janie is average in the sense of being a hard worker and working to get to college, but aside from the regular teenager she has a n extraordinary "gift". Ever since she was little, she has been pulled into other people's dreams the moment they doze off. When she is in someone else’s dream it looks as if she is having a seizure.  She becomes numb and loses any feeling in her limbs. As time passed, Janie has learned to live with her "gift" and has even come to accepted it. Although one day she is pulled into a horrifying dream unlike anything she has ever experienced in the past.  Janie isn't just seeing  dreams anymore; she's become an active participant.

In the beginning of the book Janie only has one loyal friend; next door neighbor Carrie. Later on Janie meets Cabel, the only person who Janie has told about her "gift". Not only has Janie seen Cabel’s dreams, but
she finds that she appears in them as well, and that he is aware of her presence in his dreams. From what Janie has seen through his dreams added with rumors around school, she tries to avoid him. Cabel finds a way to get through to Janie and she finds out the truth behind his image (which was a twist). Cabel helps Janie and together they realize the Janie has more power and control over her abilities. 

I absolutely loved Cabel. At first I was reluctant to like him because of his "bad boy" image, but once you discover the truth behind his motives, you can't help but love him. Cabel is caring, sweet, and just right for Janie. Together their relationship kept me on edge, but in the end left me satisfied.

Wake isn't just a book about a girl falling into other people's dream, it is much more deep than that. Wake has crime-fighting, mystery, romance. The intense plot makes up for the not so amazing writing. Set in the present tense combined with being a quick read, Wake is definitely a book not to miss. Lucky for me, I don't have to wait for the sequel to come out (Fade)! If you haven't picked this one up yet, you most definitely should.

More Awards!

I've gotten three more wonderful awards! I wanted to thank everyone again, I love and appreciate all the comments and all the amazing people that visit my blog. I still can't believe it has been almost three months since I first started. 

First I received the Prolific Blogger Award from the lovely Christina over at Reading Extensively. Thank you so much Christina!

 

The rules of for this award are:

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to this post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners.

I would love to pass this award to these bloggers:

 Bere at Suenos En La Luna

 Cindy at Princess Bookie 

 Cheryl and Amber at Just Your Typical Book Blog
 Amelia  at Imagination In Focus
 Jami at YA Addict
 Jenn at Book Crazy
 Lauren at Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

The next award I received is the Beautiful Blogger Award from Beth over at Thinking of Thinking! Thanks Beth I love it and I'm so glad I found your blog :)

Here are the rules:

• Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.
• Pass this award onto 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic.
• Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won
• State 7 things about yourself

I would like to pass this award to some awesome blogs I found recently (I'm only going to list 6): 

   
Dazzling Maze at A Reading Kabocha 
A.J. at Collections
Holly at Good Golly Miss Holly
Mel at He Followed Me Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Can I Keep Him?
Medeia at Medeia Sharif
Lindsey at The Book Guru

 Seven things about me:

1. I'm totally addicted to candy-it's kind of crazy. And not chocolate more of the sour chewy kind.
2. I could talk on the phone for hours and hours and never stop.
3. I'm in love with my pink snuggie, haha I seriously wear it all the time.
4. I'm a perfectionist and sometimes it drives me crazy.
5. I usually can't work or concentrate without background noise, so I almost always have music playing or the TV on.
6. I have six lovely sisters and two brothers,without them I don't know where I would be.
7. I'm now completely and officially addicted to blogging :)

I also got the Lovely Blog Award from Christina at Confessions of a Book Addict. Thank you so much Christina!

 

The rules are:

• Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
• Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
• Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I would like to pass this award to these amazing bloggers:

Krista at Up the Tower of Books
Becky at Stories and Sweets
Cate at Sparrow Reviews
Only Sexy Books Allowed
Tania at Literary Wonders

I also received the Bliss (Happy 101) Award from Medeia at Medeia Sharif (I already received this one so I won't post again), but thank you Medeia I really appreciate it!