Sunday, September 19, 2010

In My Mailbox (31)

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.

Whoa I haven't done one of these in FOREVER! I've got quite a few books so I'll be playing catch up :) And I promise to post this week with updates and everything.

Received/for review: 
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

I was SO excited to get this one! I love love Sarah Ockler. I already started this one and it's super good so far :)

Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

If you can possibly thirst for more mysterious metaphysical accounts of love, Trisha Telep has organized some of the greatest and most thrilling tales of paranormal paramours since The Eternal Kiss. She presents the acclaimed literary talent of thirteen unique authors, creating a collection of stories that will undoubtedly capture the imagination of every soul who dares to read them. Werewolves, ghosts, zombies, vampires, and fallen angels drive the plot of these riveting romances.Kiss Me Deadly includes the exceptional writings of several authors, including: - Sarah Rees Brennan (faeries) - Becca Fitzpatrick (angels) - Caitlin Kittredge (witches) - Karen Mahoney (vampires: sequel to story from The Eternal Kiss) - Daniel Marks (ghost kids) - Justine Musk (sorcerers) - Diana Peterfreund (unicorns) - Michelle Rowen (demons) - Carrie Ryan (zombies) - Maggie Stiefvater (werewolves) - Rachel Vincent (banshees) - Daniel Waters (zombies) - Michelle Zink (gothic ghosts)

All these authors are awesome so I'm sure this is a wonderful book! A big thanks goes to Running Press publishers for sending this one in.


The Jumbee by Pamela Keys
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Esti Legard spent her childhood in the Shakespearean world of her famous father, and when he died, she knew she could never give up acting. After she and her mother move to a Caribbean island for her senior year, she realizes that nothing at her new school's theater department is quite as it seems. Stunned by the death of a fellow student on her first day of class, Esti is soon surrounded by legends of the wicked jumbees that haunt the West Indies. She finds herself snubbed by the school’s star actress and relegated to a minor part in Romeo and Juliet.

Only her intriguing new friend, the elusive Alan, shares her passion for Shakespeare. Hiding in the dark recesses of the theater, he leads Esti deep into her own soul to explore the limits of her talent. When Esti's childhood best friend moves to the island and back into her life, however, Alan disappears. Rocked by growing accusations of befriending a jumbee, Esti realizes she must find out who – or what – Alan really is. She is soon forced to defy everyone and everything she’s ever believed in, as she plunges into the mysteries of Shakespeare and the legends of the West Indians, discovering shocking truths about her own past that will forever shape her future.


This sounds simply wonderful. And I'm a big fan of the cover. Thanks to Dial Books for sending this one. :)

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickson
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny. 

I've always wanted to read more books like these. I can't wait to give this one a go. A huge thanks goes to Melanie herself for mailing this one in! :D

Library/for review:
 

So my school library is literally heaven! It's ten times better than the public libraries. It has all the new release which means I don't have to buy as many books anymore. I was tempted to check out a million books, but I controlled myself ;D

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Capala 
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)


Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one…

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.


I already started this one I'm already attached! I can't wait to finish it.

Take Me There by Carolee Dean
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Sometimes sexy, sometimes sad, and always intense, Take Me There is a dark and surprising novel about a boy on the run who's headed nowhere fast.

Dylan has a bad-boy past and a criminal record. He knows that rich, beautiful Jess is way too good for him—but she has always been the one person who sees through his tough exterior and straight to his heart, and he has been hopelessly in love with her from the first time they met. He would change his life for a chance with her.

But trouble follows Dylan wherever he goes, and a deadly mistake soon forces him to hit the road and leave his dreams behind. He’s on the run and in search of answers—answers to questions he wishes he’d never asked.


I've been wanting to read this one since forever! I'm so happy I got my hands on a copy.

The View From the Top by Hillary Frank
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Eighteen-year-old Anabelle’s last few months in her coastal hometown are bittersweet. Instead of the quiet precollege summer she expects, Anabelle makes some surprising discoveries about herself as she navigates romantic entanglements and changing friendships. Through shifting points of view in seven interconnected stories, we glimpse the limits of how well her friends really know Anabelle . . . and how little she grasps about the way they see her.

With wry observations and quirky humor, critically acclaimed novelist Hillary Frank gives voice and depth to six unique characters whose stories intertwine to form a complete picture of one shared summer. 


This DEFINITELY sounds like my type of book. It almost sounds like a Sarah Dessen novel. 

What's in your mailbox?

Monday, September 6, 2010

Daily Dose Monday (21)

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 :)







Friday, September 3, 2010

What's Your Status? Prize Pack Giveaway!

Enter to win a paperback copy of Top 8 and What's Your Status? by Katie Finn! 

Summary: 
Madison MacDonald is seriously freaking out
Madison MacDonald
16
Putnam, CT

Status: Single?

About Me:
Everything in my life was working out. I had my three best friends, a brand-new boyfriend, and the lead in the school play. Aside from that history paper I hadn't started, things felt perfect.
Then I returned from spring break to find my Friendverse profile hacked. Someone clearly out to ruin me had spilled the most damaging secrets - AND posted the worst photos of me ever taken - online.
Now my boyfriend and I are broken up, half the school hates me, and I'm in deep trouble.
Goals:
Get my boyfriend back, figure out who could have done this, and clear my name!
Also, pass history.

Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Madison still loves logging on to Friendverse to see what her BFFs and her cute new boyfriend Nate are up to. But the latest social networking craze is Status Q, which is all about rapid-fire status updates. When one of Mad’s friends has to pull off a high-pressure heist, the gang relies on Status Q to send code messages to each other…all in the middle of a school dance! Will up-to-the-minute social networking save the day…or lead to good old-fashioned disaster?



About the author:
Katie Finn is the author of Top 8 and What’s Your St@tus?. She lives and writes in Los Angeles. Friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @katiefinnwrites and visit her online at www.katiefinn.com.

You can visit HERE and HERE for more information.

Contest details:
-One winner will receive a paperback copy of Top 8 and What's Your Status?
- You must live in the U.S.
-You have until September 17th to enter.
-All you have to do is fill out the form (:

Good luck to everyone! And thanks again to Point for providing me with the giveaway copies! 

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Guess who's on Facebook now?


Hey all! :)
So I finally made a facebook. I would love to be facebook friends with you! Here's my link- add me (if you want to of course). Or leave me your link in the comments :)

Oh and you know how I said I was back a couple of days ago? Well I've still been really busy, but I'm now officially back. I have reviews for Mockingjay and Delirium all ready to go :D

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

"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".

Exposed by Kimberley Marcus
Release date: February 22nd 2011 
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

In the dim light of the darkroom, I'm alone, but not for long.
As white turns to gray, Kate is with me.
The background of the dance studio blurred, so the focus is all on her
legs extended in a perfect soaring split.
The straight line to my squiggle,
my forever-best friend.


Sixteen-year-old Liz Grayson is photogirl—sharp, focused and ready to take the world by storm with her camera. But Liz's entire life is called into question when her brother is accused of a crime—and the accuser is Liz's own best friend. As the aftershocks from that accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself, shifts out of focus. And for the first time in her life, Liz finds herself unable to trust her own point of view. Told in stunning, searingly raw free verse,  Exposed is Kimberly Marcus's gut-wrenching, riveting debut and will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Halse Anderson and Virginia Euwer Wolff. 

Three things: I'm definitely intrigued by the summary! It's written in verse, which I've been a big fan of lately. And I'm definitely a fan of Laurie Halse Anderson. I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy this one :D

Sunday, August 22, 2010

In My Mailbox (30)

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.

Since I've been so busy lately I've barely gotten any new books, but I have a lot that are supposed to come in this week! :)
Received/for review:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Oh.my.goodness. I'm already finished with this book and it is definitely one of a kind. Look out for the review coming soon. 

Library/for review:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Summary:(taken from Goodreads)

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight — she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme, and in her case horrifying, skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace — or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

This isn't really my cup of tea, but I got many high recommendation so I decided to try it :) 

What's in your mailbox?

Friday, August 20, 2010

I'm back!

Hey!

It's been way too long. I have definitely missed the blogging community. A lot has been going on lately. This week I started a brand new school which has taken up a lot of my time. I've never had so much work to do in my life. This month is also a special month called Ramadan. Ramadan is a month where you fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. You don't only fast from food, but also from bad words, rudeness, and basically anything inappropriate. So with a new school and Ramadan happening I haven't really been blogging. But I'm definitely back! I have plenty of book reviews and even a giveaway scheduled for next week :)

On a side note: Who's excited for Tuesday??! I absolutely can't wait to read Mockingjay. I joined the newspaper at school and I'm really excited to be doing a feature/book review on Mockingjay. Does anyone have any title ideas for the article?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Daily Dose Monday (20)

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 :)










Sunday, August 8, 2010

In My Mailbox (29)

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 didn't have the best week, but it's OK since now I have time to catch up on all my other reads! :) 

Received/for review:

Top 8 by Katie Finn
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Madison MacDonald
16
Putnam, CT
Status: Single? 

About Me:
Everything in my life was working out. I had my three best friends, a brand-new boyfriend, and the lead in the school play. Aside from that history paper I hadn't started, things felt perfect. 

Then I returned from spring break to find my Friendverse profile hacked. Someone clearly out to ruin me had spilled the most damaging secrets - AND posted the worst photos of me ever taken - online.
Now my boyfriend and I are broken up, half the school hates me, and I'm in deep trouble.
Goals: 

Get my boyfriend back, figure out who could have done this, and clear my name! 

Also, pass history.

This sounds like a really cool read! :) 

What's Your Status? by Katie Finn
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Madison MacDonald thinks things are finally working out!

Followers: 300

Status Updates:

mad_mac   Nate and I have been together for two months, and it’s wonderful!  Life is good!

mad_mac  Well, except for the fact that I still might be failing history.

mad_mac         And I no longer have a BFF.

mad_mac         But aside from those things!

mad_mac         Okay.  So, um, apparently I’ve just been put in charge of the school’s priceless heirloom.

mad_mac         And the assistant headmaster has a vendetta against me.

mad_mac         And it seems I’m being blackmailed.

mad_mac         Gathering together a crew. I’m going to try and pull off a heist.  Without getting caught. Or expelled. Or arrested.

mad_mac         Also, I think I may have just accidentally wrecked my relationship. . . .

Madison MacDonald is trying not to panic.
 
I think I'm going to love the format of this one. This is the sequel for Top 8, but I'm pretty sure you can read it without reading Top 8 first. Thanks so much to Chelsey Hall and Big Honcho Media for sending in these two books. Look out for a giveaway of both coming very soon :)

*I didn't get any books from the library since unfortunately it's closed for repairs for another week or so :( Also you've probably noticed that I haven't had many new posts lately. I've been going through a lot of personal issues I need to fix and I'm going to be transitioning from homeschooling back to public school in the next couple of days so I"ll be taking a mini blogging break. I'll write up an official post soon :)

What's in your mailbox?