Daily Dose Monday (8)

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 (13)

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.

First on an unrelated note, I wanted to apologize for not posting or commenting for the past couple of days. I just painted my room! I'm very happy about it, I love the color. I had to take everything and I mean everything out of there, including my computer. It'll probably take awhile to get everything settled back in.  

Ok on to the books. I had a pretty decent week! It was really weird, for once I didn't have any books left to read. I took a very quick trip to the library to fix my dilemma :P

Library/For review:

The Heist Society by Ally Carter
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history-or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

I've heard amazing things about this book, so I just had to get it. I was actually pretty surprised my library actually had it. 

I'd Tell You I Loved You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)


The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school teaches advanced martial arts in PE, chemistry always consists of the latest in chemical warfare, and everyone breaks CIA codes for extra credit in computer class. So in truth, while the Gallagher Academy might say it's a school for geniuses what they really mean is spies. But what happens when a Gallagher Girl falls for a boy who doesn't have a code name?

Cammie Morgan may be fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti), but the Gallagher Academy hasn't prepared her for what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without him ever being the wiser, but can she have a regular relationship with a regular boy who can never know the truth about her? Cammie may be an elite spy in training, but in her sophomore year, she's doing something riskier than ever—she's falling in love. 

I've also heard great things about this series, so I decided to try it out. I love boarding school stories, so I have a feeling I'm going to love this.  

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

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.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.


It's been seventy five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her, and she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone, and Amy doesn't want to talk about it. No one knew Julia like she did. No one gets what life is without her.

No one understands what it's like to know that it's all your fault.

Amy's shrink thinks she should keep a journal but instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. As she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past holds its own secrets--and that the present deserves a chance. 

This is one of the few Elizabeth Scott books I haven't read yet. It sounds seriously amazing. 

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.  

I've heard wonderful things about this book, but I"m kind of hesitant. It's not really my cup of tea, but I finally caved in due to all the hype. 

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family. 

I went to my Goodreads page for this book, and ALL of my friends on there, gave this book five stars! I knew I had to check it out. 

Paper Towns by John Green
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.

The only other John Green book I've read was The Abundance Of Katherines and I loved it. I'm sure this will be great :) 

What's in your mailbox?

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Book review #29
Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from the inside flap of book-the Goodreads summary gave way too much information)


From the outside, Lucy's home looks normal. Inside the front door is where the secrets begin. Towering piles of newspapers and magazines. Bags of junk flooding every inch of open space. The rotting smell permeating the air. That is what she's kept from everyone-that her mother's compulsive hoarding has reduced their lives to garbage...literally.

With just two years until graduation, Lucy finally feels like a normal life is within her grasp. Her new best friend, Kaylie, and her longtime crush, Josh, make a future seem almost possible

Then one morning Lucy comes home to find something she never expected, something that will change her life forever. And she must ask herself-how far can she go to protect her family's secrets?

That was the craziest, most disgusting, sad, twenty one hours I've ever read about. Even though it was  set over twenty one hours, it felt like several days each full with lots of events. Told through present tense and flashbacks Dirty Little Secrets was one of the most unique books I've ever read. I almost felt like I was intruding on this secret lifestyle, that I knew existed, but never experienced.

Lucy has the normal side to her life, such as  hanging out with her friend Kaylie, going to the movies, babysitting the neighbors, and meeting with her crush Josh (aka normal teenage things). On the other hand, Lucy's life comes down to counting down the days until she can escape the walls of garbage she is forced to live in. Her mother is a hoarder. Each room is crammed with magazines, trash, and garbage- things known as "collectibles" to her mother. With bathrooms that barely work, Lucy can't even take a shower at her own house. Lucy has the responsibility of keeping this secret in order to protect herself and her family. She has to live in fear of not letting anyone see the inside of her house. Now that a tragedy has happened, Lucy has to go above and beyond to try to avoid letting her secret from becoming exposed. But how far can she actually go?

The descriptions and scenes were so powerful and vivid. I easily imagined everything in my head- the disgusting trash and house, the intense scene at the party, and every encounter she had with Josh. I'm not going to lie the house was really sick. I really really wanted to just jump in and start cleaning for days (I'm sort of a clean-freak). I almost felt dirty and a bit uncomfortable myself. I think it's amazing that a book can actually do that.

Lucy tops the list for characters I feel most sorry for. Saying that-she also tops the list for characters I'm most proud of. Lucy has a horrible life-not only a terrible mother with issues, but a runaway father, an overall messed up family, and an unbelievable lifestyle she has no control over. I couldn't imagine living like that, I was very impressed with how Lucy handled everything.

I had zero ounce of love for Luce's mother. I know she does have issues, but I really just couldn't understand her no matter how hard I tried. I mean imagine begging your mom to let you clean up the house.  Kaylie, Luce's one friend, on the other hand, I loved. She was true friend that anyone would be lucky to have. She brought the normal to Lucy's life- which you do get a glimpse of. I did feel like Kaylie really could have helped Lucy, if she opened up about her problems, but I understand why she couldn't do that. Lastly, there was Josh. Josh was unbelievable,perfectly adding a sprinkle of romance to the story.

The only thing I didn't love so much about this book was the ending. It just wasn't my favorite, I mean it was in theory a good ending, but it felt really rushed. I was still very hungry for more. I wanted to see how Lucy's life ended up after making her final decision.

Overall Dirty Little Secrets was really an extraordinary novel! I've never read a book about this subject before, and I'm definitely glad I finally did. This was so unique, powerful, and fast-paced that is not to be missed. It is really impossible to put down, I would recommend this to anyone and everyone :)

Waiting on Wednesday (8)

"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".

Somebody Everybody Listens To by Suzanne Supplee
Release date: May 13th 2010
Summary: (taken from Amazon)

Retta Lee Jones is blessed with a beautiful voice and has big dreams of leaving her tiny Tennessee hometown. With a beaten down car, a pocketful of hard-earned waitressing money, and stars in her eyes, Retta sets out to make it big in Nashville. But the road to success isn’t a smooth one in a town filled with dreamers, and Retta begins to have doubts: can she make her mark while staying true to herself?

From the breakout author of Artichoke’s Heart, this bighearted novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever chased a dream (or hummed along with Taylor Swift). 

I absolutely love reading books that deal with music, and I haven't read many of them, so I can't wait. This just looks like such a great entertaining read. I've already read a couple of raving reviews claiming that this is a unique story. I'm very excited! :)

Teaser Tuesday (5)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

-Grab your current read.
- Open to a random page.
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

 -BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 Teaser:

"I didn't cry or get upset like I usually did-I just felt a numbness that started in my chest and flowed outward with a strange kind of peace. Slowly and carefully, I picked up our plates and carried them both to the sink. At least now I knew what was possible, and I'd never ask her again."

pg. 93, Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu


Wow-what a crazy crazy book! I don't know how I'm feeling so far, kind of disgusting in a way, but totally engaged.

*This was scheduled to be posted last week, but it never did. So I went ahead and finished the book. I really enjoyed it! Expect the review to be posted on Thursday :)

Daily Dose Monday (7)

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 (12)

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 a not too bad week. I finally got to read most of the books in my TBR pile, so it's definitely time to stock up again!

Library/For review:

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault. 

Whoa, this sounds great! I just finished Some Girls Are and loved it, so I went out and picked this one up. I hope it's just as good. :) 

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
Summary:(taken from Goodreads) 

Maybe it was wrong, or maybe impossible, but I wanted the truth to be one thing. One solid thing.

Quinn is surrounded by women who have had their hearts broken. Between her mother, her aunt, and her grandmother, Quinn hears nothing but cautionary tales. She tries to be an optimist -- after all, she's the dependable one, the girl who never makes foolish choices. But when she is abruptly and unceremoniously dumped, Quinn starts to think maybe there really are no good men.

It doesn't help that she's gingerly handling a renewed relationship with her formerly absent father. He's a little bit of a lot of things: charming, selfish, eccentric, lazy...but he's her dad, and Quinn's just happy to have him around again. Until she realizes how horribly he's treated the many women in his life, how he's stolen more than just their hearts. Determined to, for once, take action in her life, Quinn joins forces with the half sister she's never met and the little sister she'll do anything to protect. Together, they set out to right her father's wrongs...and in doing so, begin to uncover what they're really looking for: the truth.

Once again, Deb Caletti has created a motley crew of lovably flawed characters who bond over the shared experiences of fear, love, pain, and joy -- in other words, real life.

I absolutely love Deb Caletti, and this is one of the few books of hers I haven't read yet. This looks like just my type of read, I can't wait to get started on it. 

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
Summary: (taken from Goodreads) 

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back. 

Hmm I've heard mixed reviews about this one. I think I'll try it out.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

I finally got a hold of this. I've heard so many good things about this! It sounds pretty amazing, so I can't wait! 

What's in your mailbox?

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Book review #28
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

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.

After reading millions of reviews comparing The Maze Runner to The Hunger Games series, I knew I just had to read it. Now that I have read it I"m not really sure how I'm feeling. Out of breath, heart racing, and definitely very emotional is just the beginning. To say this book is amazing is an understatement. Without a dull moment in the book, there were so many things thrown at you, twists here, turns there, you won't really know what to do.

At first, you are just as clueless as Thomas. You can't expect to receive all the answers to your questions.Although you do know the basic information: no one knows anything about who they really are and their past, they all live an "area" called The Glade, a new member arrives every month,  and absolutely nobody knows why they are there. Don't worry though eventually some of those burning questions racing through your mind are answered.

The descriptions of the book were pretty awesome. I don't think I've even read a book so detailed before. The Maze Runner was easily a movie playing inside my head. I felt like I was participant in the maze. By the end of the book, I easily knew my way around The Glade. I will have to warn you though, you will make lots of noises/gasps, as well has facial expressions. I had to watch my older sister Sophia read the book before me and based on her reactions, I knew I would fall in love with it.

Although you don't get to know lots of background information on each of the characters, I still loved them all. Thomas met a couple of boys, who became his family. In fact everyone who lived in The Glade made up one huge-dysfunctional at times- family. Everyone had their own role- the leaders, trainers, cook, and so on. Adding Tessa, a girl, to the mix was just icing on the cake. Not only was she a girl in the sea of boys, she was a very important part to the story.

While some people might not like the new words used in this book- I sure liked them. It was almost like another language was created. Words were used like shanks, baggers, shuck-face, keepers etc. I almost became fluent myself.

Thrilling, action-packed, and just plain brilliant is what The Maze Runner is made up of. It is impossible to put down, and will leave you at the edge of your seat at all times. The ending will definitely leave you thinking for awhile. As for the comparison to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner was primarily made up of the action parts of The Hunger Games-aka the actual Hunger Games/time in the arena.  I do guarantee that The Hunger Games fans will love it. I'm more than pleased with this book and very anxious for the sequel to come out. What are you waiting for?

I'm Back!

Hey!


Wow it sure does feel good to be back. I have to say I did just get back from one of the most amazing trips-no one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my life. I ended up going to four different places: Medina, Mecca, Jordan, and New York. While most of the trip was vacation, part of was religious and spiritual. We spent one of the days doing something called Umrah and it was awesome. I almost feel like a different person.

I ended up going with half of my family-my parents, two of my sisters, and my younger brother. I had no idea my older sister was coming, she actually surprised me at the New York airport. I've only been gone for about eleven days, but it feels like it's been a month or two. It kind of feels weird to be back in America. Everything is so different overseas, it almost feels like a different world. For example, in Mecca and Medina, there were only Muslims, so it was a big big change from America. Although even though there were only Muslims, they were from all over the world, so it was still very diverse. Also it was different not driving, you literally walk everywhere which is really nice. 

I went on a total of seven plane rides: four there and three on the way back with the longest one being 11 hours. I read six books in all and they were all great! I can't wait to post those reviews. I definitely missed blogging and the blogging community. My scheduled posts unfortunately didn't post, but it's OK I'll just post them next week.  I haven't even touched the internet for eleven whole days. I took lots and lots of pictures. Here are just a few:

Here's all of our suitcases ready to leave for the airport.

I think we're the only family that takes a whole carry on just for snacks hahaha :)

This is a very historical/religious place in Mecca. Millions of people come from around the world just to visit this one place. I felt very blessed and lucky to get to visit this place. 

Yes, this is a picture of a bug. There is a little incident that goes along with this picture. First off you have to understand that I'm terrified of bugs. Ok so in Mecca you are required to wear the traditional dress called an abba. You either put it over your head or tie it on the side (I'm sure I'll be wearing one in the next few pictures) So I was walking into the hotel lobby. I felt something crinkly on my shoulder, like maybe the tag or something. I reach in and try to rip it off, turns out it's not a tag at all. It's one of those huge huge (bigger in person) bugs! I throw it out and it starts running. I freak out! I start yelling and screaming and running as well. I embarrassingly enough rip off my abba and shake it. I was only wearing a tank top underneath. You have to remember this is in a place were everyone is very modest and covered. Luckily there wasn't that many people around. That's not it though as I frantically search my body, I see some black legs. It's another one! That's when I immediately run to the bathroom. My mom is freaking out on the side, my sisters are laughing to death, and everyone else it just staring. And I'm there...still traumatized to death. For the rest of the trip I spot checked myself every couple of minutes and somehow I kept on "feeling" things. Haha don't worry, I'm not always like that, bugs just freak me out big time!

This is the view from the very top of Jordan. I love it there.

You can't really see us, but I'm the one in the middle. We're exploring some ruins in Jordan. I literally could of spent all day there it was so beautiful. 

This is me on the eleven hour airplane ride. I was so tired, but The Maze Runner kept me up all night. It was amazing! :)

I just thought this was kind of funny. For a snack over there they just grab a cup of corn! They sell them everywhere. Haha I tasted some before I left and it was pretty good.

This is another historical/religious place in Medina. It was so beautiful at night.

You literally can't step within a block without passing people selling things everywhere! It was sorta crazy. People loudly repeat the price over and over. 

Camel ride anyone? These were everywhere! I was too scared to get on one though haha.

I'm only uploading the first batch of pictures tonight, so I'll be adding some more later. I'll be happily spending my first night with my bed tonight! I'm happy to be back! :)