A Few Good Books

It's Monday...What are you reading?

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

The first week of the year was a great one for me reading wise. I finished three books and I'm halfway finished with two others. Here's what I read this week (click covers for reviews):

I'm looking to finish Wither and Dark Lover here in the next day or two. Here's what I have lined up for this coming week:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door (goodreads.com)

Megan Berry - Zombie Settler extraordinaire - just wants Pom Squad to trounce Cheer Team in this freakishly funny follow-up to You Are So Undead to Me. But someone's turning coma victims into settler-resistant ber-zombies - and everyone thinks it's Megan's fault! Well, except for super-creepy male cheerleader Aaron. (Ew!)

Meg's also being stalked by a hot - albeit undead - seer named Cliff. Can Cliff's premonitions help Megan stop a zombies-on-ice deathscapade and discover who's really behind the coma-killer crusade before an entire army of undead rise up? And when Megan's boyfriend Ethan grows jealous of Cliff, will it end their intra-settler romance?

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether.

That's my list for the week. What are you reading this week?

Review: You Are So Undead to Me

2012-01-07T14:48:00.001-01:00

Title: You Are So Undead to Me
Author: Stacey Jay
Pages: 263
Rating: 4/5

Fifteen-year-old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a bunch of dead people with a whole lot of issues.

All Megan wants is to be normal and go to homecoming, of course. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult when your dates keep getting interrupted by a bunch of slobbering Undead.

Things are about to get even more complicated for Megan. Someone in school is using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, and it's looking like homecoming will turn out to be a very different kind of party the bloody kind.

Megan must stop the Zombie apocalypse descending on Carol, Arkansas. Her life and more importantly, homecoming depends on it (goodreads.com).

You Are So Undead to Me is Stacey Jay's debut novel and I loved it!! The main character Megan Berry was so much fun and I couldn't wait to see what happened to her next. She was a zombie fighter with heart!

Jay's novel follows the life of Megan as she settles back into her life as a Zombie Settler, a group of people who act as shrinks for the dead. Megan had all but lost her powers at a young age due to a horrific attack and she's not too happy to have them back. Now Zombies are ruining her dates, and someone is summoning the evil undead to kill Megan.

Jay's writing was spot on. Never once did I feel that the book was lagging, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The plot was well written and developed and I enjoyed every minute of it. The character development was spot on and I truly connected with Megan and Ethan. I really felt that I was part of the story and that's when I know that I truly love a book. I was sad when I turned the last page and I'm so happy to know that there is a sequel!

I certainly won't be waiting long to read Undead Much? I'm already upset I waited as long as I did to read You Are So Undead to Me. I'm also going to be checking to see what other books Stacey Jay has out there and can't wait to get my hands on them too!!

Review: The Hollowland

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-01:00

Title: Hollowland
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 312
Rating: 2/5

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies (goodreads.com).

I found Hollowland late one night when I was cruising around Amazon trying to find things to download onto my new Kindle Fire. I always check out the free books because free is free right? Hollowland was listed among them, and after reading the blurb about the plot I promptly hit the download button. Then a few days later when looking for challenges in 2012 I came across the Zombie Reading Challenge. "Score" I thought! "I can use Hollowland to help complete this challenge." And that is how I came to read this particular book...

I'm not really sure what was worse on this one. The character development and plot, or the writing itself. The writing was so choppy at times, I found myself re-reading sentences three times before if finally dawned on me what the author was trying to say. And the typos! I hate typos. I know everyone makes them including myself, and this book was self published...and free, but still a little extra proofreading probably wouldn't hurt.

Hollowland was like one bad rollercoaster ride. This book is non-stop. It seemed like something was happening around every turn. This would have been amazing had there been some character development to back it up but the book was completely void of this detail. There was absolutely no real emotion in this book. Our main character Remy is like a robot. She's killing zombies with the kind of attitude I take towards cooking dinner...yeah it sucks but it's got to be done. I wanted to feel some real fear. I do think some of the plot devices that were used were there to serve a purpose. Remy must leave a friend behind in the desert because she may have been infected with the zombie virus. I think this was there to show that Remy was a strong, focused leader...but actually just made her look like she really didn't give a crap about anyone. And then there was the lion...I mean really...a lion. I'm not sure what the author was trying to establish with a lion unless she thought it would be really cool, but to me it was just weird.

From the lion, things went downhill fast. Remy and her small group of followers ended up spending the night with a cult leader named Koresh and his band of merry followers. Koresh hopes to cleanse Remy's friend Lazlo, a rockstar before the zombies came and took over the world, so they try to escape but are held up when Remy, of course because this makes sense, tries to find her lion...do I really need to say more?

The sad thing about this book is it started off really good. Zombies had envaded a secure government facility. We see that the zombies are beginning to develop a higher since of intelligence. They're working together to destroy the world rather than running amuck. We get a glimpse at the life that Remy was leading...secure but no where near perfect. It was a great setup. Had the author not choosen to go down the road of a B grade horror film, I probably would have given this book a lot higher rating. But instead I was left exhausted and drained and not in a good way.

Save your self the trouble of reading this book. Go out and rent Shaun of the Dead instead...

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-04T00:00:00.003-01:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

(Click on picture to go to Goodreads description)

I loved Rampant by Diana Peterfreund and have Ascendant downloaded on my Kindle to read. I can't wait to read this dystopian retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen!!

Top Ten Tuesday

2012-01-03T00:00:00.019-01:00

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday is a new topic. Head on over and check it out!!

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books That I Can't Wait to Read in 2012

I have so many books that I'm planning on reading in 2012 that have been sitting on my shelf for way too long. Here's the rundown:

1. The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins - I'm pretty sure I am the last person on earth who hasn't yet read this book or the two follow ups. If I don't read anything else this year, I AM READING THIS BOOK!!

2. The Book Thief: Marcus Zusak - Again, I'm pretty sure I'm the last person on earth to have not read this one too. I've heard amazing things about it and I'm really looking forward to it!

3. The Help: Kathryn Stockett - My best friend finished this one in two days and she isn't even a reader...I can't wait to sit down with this one and lose myself for a few hours.

4. My Life Next Door: Huntley Fitzpatrick - One, I love the cover of this one. Two, the premise sounds amazing. And three, I don't read enough YA contemporary so this one definitely fits the bill!

5. Sweet Evil: Wendy Higgins - Amazing Cover...good description too..lol

6. The Girl in the Park: Mariah Fredericks - I love the premise of this one. Mystery and intrigue. Plus it takes place in New York which is one place I someday hope to visit.

7. Outlander: Diane Gabaldon - I have wanted to read this one for years and years, but the size is intimidating. I am making it my personal goal to read this in 2012!

8. Shine: Lauren Myracle - I have a signed copy of this one that I received at a book signing last year that I have never gotten around to reading. I really, really want to read this one too so I'm hoping to get it accomplished in 2012.

9. Sapphire Blue: Kerstin Geir - I have been waiting on pins and needles for this one to get translated and released in the US. According to Amazon, it should be here in October of 2012. I cannot wait!! Ruby Red was amazing!!

10. Bewitching: Alex Flinn - I love, love, love Flinn's books and this is a spin off of my all time favorite Beastly. Really looking forward to this one!

Review: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler

2012-01-02T20:43:00.000-01:00

Title: From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Pages: 162
Rating: 5/5

When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.

Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it?

Claudia is determined to find out. Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself

I joined the challenge to read Newbery Medal and Honor winners this year. From the Mixed Up Files was my first read from the lists this year. I believe I may have read this book back in elementary school but definitely did not remember much about it. I am so glad I chose to revisit it.

Claudia is tired of being Claudia. She wants to be different. She wants to feel important. Because of this, she devises a plan to runaway. Claudia doesn't want to runaway to any old place. She wants to go someplace important, so she chooses The Metropolitan Museum of Art. And it is there, with her younger brother Jamie she hides for a week.

I can definitely see why this book won the Newbery Award and how it has sustained its popularity since its original publication in 1972. From the Mixed Up Files is quirky and entertaining. The main characters are great. Claudia and her brother Jamie make a wonderful team. Claudia is smart and inquisitive and comes up with a great plan. Jamie is good with the money and helps to keep Claudia from putting them directly in the poorhouse.

Konigsberg is a fabulous author. Even at thirty years old, I adored the story she wove between the covers of this book. I wanted to visit the museum, sleep in a 400 year old bed, and hide in the bathroom stall until the guards had gone home for the night. This is definitely one I will be keeping on my shelves for years to come and will hopefully share one day with my own son.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

2012-01-02T02:02:00.001-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

It has been forever since I've done a It's Monday, What Are You Reading Post? Life really got in the way towards the end of 2011, and I had a hard time getting back on track. But its a new year, and I'm starting fresh!

This past week I only read and reviewed one book, but it was a good one:

(Clicking above photo will take you to review)

This coming week I have quite a few good ones lined up that I'm really looking forward too:

Hollowland - Amanda Hocking

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door." Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

Dark Lover - J.R. Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams

You Are So Undead to Me - Stacey Jay

Fifteen-year-old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a bunch of dead people with a whole lot of issues.

All Megan wants is to be normal and go to homecoming, of course. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult when your dates keep getting interrupted by a bunch of slobbering Undead.

Things are about to get even more complicated for Megan. Someone in school is using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, and it's looking like homecoming will turn out to be a very different kind of party the bloody kind.

Megan must stop the Zombie apocalypse descending on Carol, Arkansas. Her life and more importantly, homecoming depends on it

Wither - Lauren Destefano

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler - E. L. Kongisburg

When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.

Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it?

Claudia is determined to find out. Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself

Review: Catching Jordan

2012-01-01T23:00:00.000-01:00

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Pages: 288
Rating: 5/5

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though- she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line (cover blurb)?

I always like to start the New Year off with either a book I've been wanting to read for a long time, or one that I've been hearing a lot of chatter about in the blogosphere. In the past few months, I have read tons and tons of positive reviews for Catching Jordan, but still I was hesitant. One of my favorite books (and series) is Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I was nervous that Catching Jordan would fall short, and I would spend the entire time comparing Jordan to DJ Schwenk. Once I started reading I quickly learned two things: Catching Jordan was addictive in its own way, and two - Jordan Woods could definitely hold her own (DJ who???).

I started this book last night, as the ball was dropping, and finished it early this afternoon. I only put it down to eat, go to the bathroom, and play with Anthony for a bit. Sometimes I'm so thankful that he's a great napper...lol!!

So what made this book so good? Well for one, the characters were fabulous. Jordan is quarterback and captain of her football team. She's a girl swimming in a male world, and that's perfectly fine with her. She shuts down a lot of her feelings to be a leader, and doesn't want to show weakness among her teammates. Kenneally developed Jordan in such a way, I'm pretty sure for a few short hours I was a high school quarterback, surrounded by a team that loved and respected me. I agonized over every misstep and decision. I felt the hurt and the pain. I felt the joy and the happiness. I wish there were always characters like Jordan around. I'd never read a bad book.

And let's not forget about Jordan's teammates and love interests. Of course, my favorite, was Sam Henry. He has to be one of my new favorite male leads today in YA literature. He was so darn cute and sweet...and also very, very frustrating. There were times that I really wished I could crawl in among the pages and smack him right up alongside his head. Along with Sam, we had Ty, who was just smokin' hot...lol. I loved how he felt about Jordan and how their relationship grew and changed.

Over all, this was an amazing read, and a great addition to current YA Contemporary Lit. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Here's to my first book of 2012!!!

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-01T18:34:00.000-01:00

It's hard to believe that it is already 2012. Anthony will turn a year old in two weeks. Hubby will be at his new job almost a year. Time certainly has flown.

2011 was a year of changes and adjustments for me. I had to adjust to a new baby, new responsibilities and a lot less time. In 2010, I read 59 books. With all the changes, I only read 29 books in 2011 and didn't review five of them.

That being said I read some amazing books in 2011 including: The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian, The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

I also had signed up for several challenges and completed four. Not horribly shabby.

For 2012, I want to make things different! I want to read more, review more, do different blog posts. I want to involve what I'm reading to Anthony, keep up on weekly meme's, branch out to other bloggers. I feel I make these same goals every year and fail miserably after the first month or two, but this year, I'm ready!!

That being said, I've already completed my first book of 2012 and I can't wait to get the review posted for you soon!!

2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

2011-12-24T02:50:00.000-01:00

I participated in this challenge in 2011 and failed so I'm hoping to give it another try. I have some different YA historical fiction books to pick from, so I'm hoping that may inspire me to do better.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'll be signing up for level ONE (5 BOOKS).

2012 Krazy Kleypas Challenge

2011-12-24T02:43:00.000-01:00

I've read a few of Kleypas historical romance, but I'd like to dapple in her contemporary books. I happen to own all three of the books in the Travis series, so I'm going to give them a try.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'll be participating in Level one and reading three books.

2012 Just YA Contemporary Challenge

2011-12-24T02:36:00.000-01:00

I'll be the first to admit, I don't read a lot of contemporary YA. It's not that I don't like it. I rather enjoy it when I do read it. I just don't tend to buy a lot of it, so I don't read a lot of it. However, I'd like to remedy that for 2012 and this is just the challenge to do it.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'm going to sign up to read 5 books, but I can probably (and hopefully will) read more.

2012 Morganville Vampires Reading Challenge

2011-12-24T02:29:00.000-01:00

I've had part of this series sitting on my shelf for a long, long, long time and I figure now is as good as a time as ever to get reading.

You can find out more about this challenge here.

I will be participating in Level Two (Oliver) Books 1-6.

2012 YA Mythology Challenge

2011-12-24T02:17:00.000-01:00

I'm really excited about this challenge and have some awesome books picked out!

You can learn more about the challenge here.

I love YA so this one shouldn't be a tough one for me to finish up!!

2012 TV Addict Challenge

2011-12-19T02:26:00.000-01:00

I love TV. I'm not going to lie. There's many nights I find myself sitting in front of the TV for too long watching too many different shows. Because of that, I thought this challenge was perfect.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I will be participating in level two and read books that correspond to two shows.

2012 Award Winning Reads

2011-12-19T02:14:00.001-01:00

This is probably the challenge I am most excited about this year. There's so many of these books that I read years and years and years ago when I was in elementary school that I'd love to revisit. There's also books that I remember from childhood that I never did read and would love to say that I have.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

For this challenge I'll be reading 21 books.

2012 Blackdagger Brotherhood Read A Long

2011-12-19T02:08:00.000-01:00

Here's another series that I've had forever and just haven't taken the chance to read. I'm excited to do this read along as I've heard rave reviews for this series, and when I went to get the last one at BAM, the checkout girl almost had a heart attack talking about how much she loved these books.

You can find out more about the read a long here.

2012 Memorable Memoirs

2011-12-19T02:04:00.000-01:00

I've always enjoyed a good memoir and have plenty on my shelves that have remained unread. Because of this, I thought it would be a great time to try this challenge (plus I signed up for it last year and didn't read any...)

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'm signing up for level one (4 BOOKS).

2012 Gossip Girl Challenge

2011-12-19T01:58:00.002-01:00

I also own this entire series and have never gotten around to reading any of it. I'd love to watch the series on TV but didn't want to spoil the books. I guess this is a good a time as ever to give them a try.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

2012 Chunksters Challenge

2011-12-19T01:55:00.000-01:00

There is nothing I like more than a chubby book on a cold winter night. Sometimes, they can hold the best stories. I already had a few chubby books on my lists for next year, so I thought I'd give this challenge a try!

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I will be signing up for the Chubby Chunkster (4 BOOKS).

2012 Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

2011-12-19T01:50:00.000-01:00

I've been meaning to start this challenge for a long, long, long time. I own seven of the books so I thought this would be the perfect challenge for me.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I will be participating in level 2 and will be reading 7 Books.

2012 Zombie Challenge

2011-12-18T19:08:00.000-01:00

I've never read a zombie book. I own some, but never read them. I figured this was good opportunity to take the plunge.

You can find out more about the challenge by clicking the link in my sidebar.

I am going to participate in level one and read 6 books.

2012 Immortals Reading Challenge

2011-12-18T18:52:00.000-01:00

I read a lot of paranormal books throughout the year, so this challenge should be an easy one for me to complete. Plus, it will help me to get a few of those books that have been collecting dust on the shelves read before another year passes.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'm choosing to participate in all four groups (Vampires, Shifts, Fae, and Angels/Demons).

2012 Dean Koontz Reading Challenge

2011-12-18T18:38:00.000-01:00

As I was checking out my bookcase, I discovered that I owned the first four books in the Odd Thomas series and I've never read them. I figured what a better way to check them out than by joining this challenge.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

I'm joining under Level One: Odd Thomas' Mailman

2012 Dystopia Challenge

2011-12-18T18:31:00.000-01:00

This is actually something new for me. I haven't read any dsytopian literature (either adult or young adult) so I thought this challenge would be a great place to start. It will let me dip my toes into the water of the dystopian world.

You can find out more about this challenge here.

For this challenge I will be working on Level One: Asocial (5 BOOKS).

2012 Southern Literature Challenge

2011-12-18T18:19:00.000-01:00

I love Southern Literature. I don't read a lot of it, but when I do I normally fly through it with vigor. Because of this, I'm excited about the Southern Lit Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

For this challenge I'm participating in Level 4 Y'all come back now (4 BOOKS).

2012 European Reading Challenge

2011-12-17T03:01:00.000-01:00

I'm excited about this challenge, because I think it's going to make me read some of the books that I've let sit around on the shelf for just too long. Also, what's more fun than reading about how other people live!!

You can find out more about the challenge here.

For this challenge I'll be participating in the Honeymooner level (4 BOOKS).

2012 Outlander Challenge

2011-12-17T02:29:00.000-01:00

I have literally been waiting years to read these books. I always get the newest one, stare at the beautiful cover, and sit it on the shelf with the others. This year I'm changing that, and I'm going to read this set of books...even if its the only thing I end up reading all year!!

This challenge is hosted by The Lit Bitch and more information can be found here.

2012 Harry Potter Challenge

2011-12-16T02:55:00.000-01:00

This really is the perfect challenge for me, because (and I hate even admitting this) I've never read all the books. I read the first three, and then stopped. I've seen all the movies and loved them. This is an awesome opportunity to resolve this horrible Harry Potter issue!!

You can sign up and find out more about the challenge here.

Narnia Reading Project 2012

2011-12-16T02:43:00.001-01:00

Sadly, I have only ever read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and none of the other books in the Narnia series. My mom got me the illustrated reader editions a few years ago and I think this is a perfect chance to start in on these.

I will be reading these books in publication order, because I think if C.S. Lewis wrote them in that order, he intended them to be read in that order.

This challenge is being hosted by Rikki's Teleidoscope and more information can be found here.

What's in a Name 2012

2011-12-16T02:36:00.000-01:00

I loved this challenge in 2011, and was so excited to see that it's back for 2012. It's so much fun to look for books that fit the different categories and go outside your box for something new.

You can find out more about this challenge here.

2012 Sci Fi Challenge

2011-12-16T02:14:00.000-01:00

This challenge is going to make me go out of my comfort zone a bit. I haven't read a lot of "sci-fi" and I'm looking forward to trying something new.

You can learn more about this challenge here.

I will be reading six books for this challenge

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2012

2011-12-16T01:59:00.000-01:00

This was another challenge I failed miserably at this year. However, I'm combining this one with a few other challenges this year so I'm hoping to get through it!

You can find out more about this challenge here.

I will be participating in Level 2 Investigator (7-12 Books)

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2011-12-16T01:48:00.000-01:00

This challenge was super easy for me to complete this past year and I'm excited to give it another try. This year I'm going to push myself a bit harder and try a higher level. The 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge is hosted by the Electic Bookshelf.

More information about the challenge can be found here.

I will be participating in the Jumbo Challenge (40 Books).

2012 Twilight Challenge

2011-12-12T02:49:00.000-01:00

Pages of Forbidden Love is hosting this challenge of 2012. The rules are simple. Read/re-read all four of the Twilight Books. Since this is my all time favorite series, I'm really looking forward to this one.

You can find out more about the challenge here.

2012 South Asian Challenge

2011-12-12T02:40:00.001-01:00

S. Krishna's Books is hosting this challenge again this year. I failed miserably at this challenge last year, so I'm giving myself a chance to do a bit of redeeming. This year I'm definitely going to try to complete it!!

You can find out more about the challenge here.

For this challenge there are no levels so I'm choosing to read TWO books.

2012 Classic Double Challenge

2011-12-12T02:30:00.001-01:00

I'm really excited about this challenge. It seems like a lot of fun. This challenge is hosted by One Librarian's Book Reviews.

Information about this challenge can be found here.

For this challenge I will be participating in the SMALL Level (1 pairing/2 books).

2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

2011-12-12T02:14:00.001-01:00

Yay!! My first challenge of 2012. This challenge is being hosted by Reading with Tequila. The purpose behind this challenge is to check out reads recommended by other bloggers.

You can find out all about the challenge here.

For this challenge I will be joining under LEVEL ONE (5 Books).

It's Book Challenge Time...

2011-12-12T02:07:00.002-01:00

I'm so excited for 2012. It seems to be the year of the book challenge. i have so many challenges I can't wait to sign up for! I also have a ton of reviews to get caught up on! I can't wait to get back into blogging now that life is starting to slow down. I have so much to say!!

eARC Review: The Shadowing - Hunted

2011-10-03T00:00:00.001Z

Title: The Shadowing - Hunted
Author: Adam Slater
Pages: 208
Rating: 5/5

Once every century, the barrier between the human world and the demon realm begins to break down. Creatures gather, anxiously waiting to cross the divide, to bring death and destruction from their world to ours. This time is called The Shadowing.

Callum Scott has always known that there is a supernatural world out there—he’s seen ghosts for as long as he can remember. Lately, he’s had visions of children being brutally murdered by a terrifying creature. Then the visions start coming true, and Callum realizes that he’s being hunted, too.

Driven by a dark destiny, he must stand against the demons that threaten our world.

And The Shadowing is almost here. . . . (amazon.com)

I hadn't heard anything about The Shadowing: Hunted until I received the galley from Net Galley. I was instantly intrigued by the cover shot, and looked forward to digging into the book. With it being fall, I was looking for something just a bit scary to celebrate the season. I wasn't disappointed.

Set in rural London, The Shadowing: Hunted, follows the life of young Callum. Callum has always been able to see ghosts, and has a special bit of "luck" that helps him to avoid trouble. Because of this Callum is a loner, making himself almost invisible to those around him. He tries to avoid trouble, spending his evenings hanging out with his grandmother at their tiny cottage in the woods.

However, things take a turn for the worst when Callum notices that the ghost have fled the cemetery grounds and all that remains is a lone boy and a massive dog like animal. It is here that things begin to take a turn for the worse.

I don't have a enough good things to say about this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, had me checking to make sure my doors and windows were locked, and made me look twice at every cemetery I drove by. The writing was very good, and the story flowed from one scene to another. I found myself reading deep into the night, trying to figure out what was happening. I also thought this story was something fresh, and touches on other creatures of lure that have not been so overdone. I like learning about different creatures, and found that to be one of the biggest attractions to this book.

I'm looking forward to continuing on with this series.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF SHINE BY LAUREN MYRACLE!!!!

2011-10-02T00:00:00.002Z

Win a signed copy of Shine by Lauren Myracle!!

In conjunction with Banned Books Week I am giving away a signed copy of Shine by Lauren Myracle. A number of Myracle's books have been challenged and banned, and Shine is alreay beginning to be questioned. You can find a listing of the most banned books in the most ten years at the ALA website.

Here's how to enter:

To enter please fill out the form below. You can receive multiple chances to win by commenting on this post as to what your favorite banned book is, following this blog, and filling out the form completely!
Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
Contest deadline is October 2, 2011
Contest open to US only
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON

Banned Book Review: Audio of Are You There God, It's Me Margaret

2011-09-28T01:20:00.000Z

Title: Are You There God, It's Me Margaret
Author: Judy Blume
Pages: 160
Rating: 5/5

"Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. I can't wait until two o'clock God. That's when our dance starts. Do you think I'll get Philip Leroy for a partner? It's not so much that I like him as a person God, but as a boy he's very handsome. And I'd love to dance with him... just once or twice. Thank you God."

A move from the city to the suburbs, sixth grade in a different school, a new group of friends. But Margaret handles it...in her own funny, endearing way (judyblume.com).

Growing up, I read...A LOT. I went to the library every Tuesday and took out stacks and stacks of books. I started with Ramona, moved on to The Baby-Sitters Club, and finally landed at Judy Blume. And I fell in love. I couldn't read these books fast enough. I sailed through Just as Long as We're Together, Blubber, and Starring Sally J Freeman as Herself; but none touched me as much as Are You There God, It's Me Margaret. I read this book over and over and over again, wearing at the library's dog eared and much loved copy. It was my go to read through later elementary and middle school. Imagine my shock, as when I was researching banned books that I saw it's name high on the list. And why was it banned? What was so wrong with Judy Blume?

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret has been criticized by certain groups for being controversial in dealing with puberty and religious indecision. According to Blume, a woman called her in the early 1980s, and after confirming she was the writer of the book, called her a Communist, and hung up the phone. To this day, no connection between communism and the topics in the book has ever been made, but it was the start of her unfortunate battle with censors.

Having listened to this again, I still see no reason why every girl shouldn't have to read this book. It's a coming of age story. What girl doesn't agonize over her first period, her first boy girl party, and buying that first bra. To me Judy Blume's books are a comfort, like a warm blanket on a rainy day! I absolutely adored listening to this book again! I cracked up laughing at work, getting odd stares from my co-workers, as I imagined the PTS's practicing their bust enhancing exercises..."I MUST...I MUST...I MUST INCREASE MY BUST." I felt like I was 10 years old again, making the discovery of Judy Blume all over again.

Blume currently has five titles on the ALA list of most frequently banned books: Forever, Blubber, Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, Deenie, and Tiger Eyes. You can see Judy Talking about her books and censorship here:

What are you reading (32)?

2011-09-26T02:15:00.000Z

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

I can't believe another Monday is here already. And it's BANNED BOOKS WEEK!! Make sure you check out my awesome giveaway HERE for a signed copy of Shine by Lauren Myracle in honor of Banned Books!!

Here was my week:

I got to see Lauren Myracle speak about banned books and censorship at the local high school. She was absolutely amazing and I loved her!!

I also reviewed:

Pretty Little Liars - Sara Shepard
The Juliet Spell - Douglas Rees
1st to Die - James Patterson

Read:

The Juliet Spell - Douglas Rees
1st to Die - James Patterson
The Shadowing: Hunted - Adam Slater

This week I'm only reading books that have banned or challenged. Here's my list to pick from:

Harriet the Spy: Louise Fitzhugh
Deenie: Judy Blume
The Outsiders: SE Hinton
Summer of My German Soldier: Bette Greene
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: Mildred D Taylor
The Giver: Lois Lowry
Charlotte's Web: EB White

These are almost all books that I read when I was in school, so I'm looking forward to going back and re-reading them and sharing them with you!!

I got to meet Lauren Myracle...Fan Girl Squeal!!!

2011-09-24T15:18:00.000Z

Back on Monday, I was scanning the library's website, looking to see if there was anything new around when I saw this:

I almost fan girl screamed in my seat at work. Lauren Myracle was going to be in my town!! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself as a filled out my time off request. Here's the thing...not many authors come to my town. In fact, since I've been blogging, there haven't been any YA authors that have come to my town. It's very sad. So I was thrilled to see that Lauren was coming...and to kick off Banned Books week to boot!! Lauren has had 7 of her 13 books challenged or banned and her TTYL series made the list of Top Ten Banned Books in 2009.

Needless to say, Lauren was absolutely amazing today. She shared with us a number of emails that she has received regarding the subject matter of her books and how they want to remove them from library shelves everywhere. She talked about how it made her feel as an author, and why she wrote the things that she wrote. Why she said the things that she did. I sat in the crowd, eagerly nodding my head at each point, growing frustrated at the close mindedness of some of the parents that were contacting her. It was the perfect way to kick off Banned Books Week.

Lauren also showed us the trailer for her latest release Shine, and read a few passages for us. I haven't had a chance to read Shine yet, but will be doing so in the next week, as it is already causing ripples throughout the young adult community for its content and subject matter. Afterwards, she signed copies of Shine and I bought two: One for myself and ONE FOR ONE LUCKY READER (I'll be posting more details in a seperate give away post).

So all in all, it was an awesome start to Banned Books Week!!

Audio Review: 1st to Die

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000Z

Title: 1st to Die
Author: James Patterson
Listening Time: 9 hours and 1 min
Rating: 3/5

Imagine a killer who thinks, "What is the worst thing anyone has ever done?"--and then goes far beyond it. Now imagine four women --a police detective, an assistant DA, a reporter, and a medical examiner --who join forces as they sidestep their bosses to track down criminals. Known as the Women's Murder Club, they are pursuing a murderer whose twisted imagination has stunned an entire city. Their chief suspect is a socially prominent writer, but the men in charge won't touch him. On the trail of the most terrifying and unexpected killer ever, they discover a shocking surprise that turns everything about the case upside down (goodreads.com).

1st to Die was my first Patterson audio, and I have to say that it absolutely freaked me out!! I completely forgot how violent Patterson's novels can be, and 1st to Die was no exception. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened. There were a few times I had to shut off my MP3 player and give myself a break. It was that intense. I'll definitely be checking out more of his books on audio because I think they bring a whole new feeling to his books.

However, the story itself seemed to be a bit lacking. This was the first in the Women's Murder Club series. Before this time, all the books I've read of Patterson's were from the Alex Cross series. I'm actually looking forward to going back and re-reading these in order because I know I've missed some. But anyways, back to the book at hand. 1st to Die introduces us to Lindsay Boxer, a tough, hard as nails detective, who is trying to solve a serial murder case involving newlyweds. As the case moves along, Lindsay finds herself problem solving with her three friends: Cindy, Jill and Claire. Hence, the women's murder club is born.

I loved the girls in the murder club, it was just the whole "mystery" aspect of the book that I found to be a bit absurd. First off, I had the killer figured out by the time the book was half way over. It kind of took a lot of wind out of the books sails, but I stuck on to figure out how Lindsay discovered everything. Secondly, the epilogue threw me for a complete loop and left me feeling a bit sad and upset...not the type of feeling I like to have when finishing a book.

So, basically, I loved the audio aspect, didn't really like the book itself. I'm going to try 2nd Chance and see if I like that one any better. I'll let you know :)

Audio Review: Pretty Little Liars

2011-09-22T02:25:00.000Z

Title: Pretty Little Liars
Author: Sara Shepard
Listening Time: 7hrs and 5mins
Rating: 3.5/5

In the exclusive Philadelphia suburb of Rosewood, Alison is the Queen Bee of her elite seventh grade hive. BFs Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily vie for her attention, even as each of them hides a hideous secret only Alison knows. So when Alison goes missing after a slumber party, never to be seen again, each girl is heartbroken, but also a little relieved. Now it is three years later, and though the four girls have grown apart, they are each still hiding something. Artsy Aria is carrying on an affair with one of her teachers, fashionista Hanna shoplifts to accessorize her trendy outfits, blue-blood Spencer is sleeping with her older sister’s boyfriend, while straight-A Emily is trying to ignore her attraction to a new female classmate. When the girls begin receiving threatening text messages and emails that from someone known only as "A," they must confront the fact that against all odds, it appears Alison is back. Could Alison still be alive? And if so, why is she so determined to uncover all their dirty little secrets? (goodreads.com)

I'm pretty sure I bought Pretty Little Liars when it first was published, and it has sat on my shelf ever since. I think I own up through book seven. I've always wanted to read it but something else would come up and it would get pushed farther back on the TBR pile. So, when I saw this available as an audio book on the library website, I snatched it up and started it the next day at work.

I loved the audio, and thought it was really well done. I also enjoyed the story...even though at times it had my jaw hanging to the floor. These girls are BAD!! I don't know if I would recommend this for really early YA readers. It's definitely for the older crowd.

Now, on to the girls. Pretty Little Liars centers around five friends - Alison who disappears in the first few pages; Emily the sporty, quiet, obiedient one; Aria the funky, insecure one that really pushes the boundaries; Spencer who tries to be a little miss perfect and finally Hannah who is basically the queen B*tch. Each of these girls has a secret...a big secret. No one knows what it is outside of the circle...or so they think. This is where the book gets good, and a bit creepy. Someone does know, and someone is spying on all the girls, bringing up the past. Someone with the first initial A...

All in all, Pretty Little Liars was fast paced, attention grabbing, and full of what ifs. I already pulled the second one off the shelf because I just have to find out what happens!!

eARC Review: The Juliet Spell

2011-09-21T02:43:00.000Z

Title: The Juliet Spell
Author: Douglas Rees
Pages: 304
Rating: 4/5

Expected Publication Date: 9/27/2011

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....(goodreads.com)

I was thrilled to receive The Juliet Spell through Net Galley, as it was a title that I had wanted to read for quite a while. I like the Harlequin Teen line of books, and enjoy a wide variety of there titles. The Juliet Spell was no expection.

Miri is a girl with a dream. She is hoping beyond hope to be cast as Juliet in the community performance of Romeo and Juliet by the great William Shakespeare. She puts her wishes into a spell, and magically Edmund Shakeshaft appears in the middle of her kitchen. Edmund is the brother of Shakespeare, and my favorite character in the book. He's quitty, and charming, and pretty much had my heart as quickly as he captures Miri's. I loved how his character was protrayed. He was scared and quizzical, and some of his scenes had me laughing out loud, especially the first time he ever drove in a car. That being said, there were also times when I was so angry and disappointed in Edmund's decisions that I wanted to shake him. But I thought that this love hate relationship made the book that much more real.

I also enjoyed Miri's characters. I did find her to be a bit dense at times, and I wanted to shout through the pages everything that she was missing. But she had a charm about her that made her too likeable to stay annoyed with her. Her love for Edmund was young and fresh, and took me back to that first "real love" I experienced.

There were things about the book that bothered me, but I don't think they took away from the reading. I thought it was awfully strange how everyone, especially Miri's mother, just accepted that Edmund had come from the past and was now residing in her guestroom. I'm pretty sure if that was my mother, she would have riden me the riot act and then kicked Edmund to the curb. I don't think she would have dressed and fed him and helped him to find a new identity.

All in all, I thought The Juliet Spell was a cute, quick read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading YA lit.

Top Ten Tuesday (3)

2011-09-20T00:00:00.001Z

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday is a new topic. Head on over and check it out!!

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books That I Feel Everyone Has Read But Me

This shouldn't been too hard of a list for me to write. There are so many books out there that I'm pretty sure I'm the last person to read. Here we go:

1. The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins - I'm not really sure what is taking me so long to read this one. I've had it on my shelf since when it came out, but I just have never found the time to pick it up. I'm sure I'm missing out, and with the moving coming out I should get cracking.

2. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: Stieg Larsson - I have this one in mass market paperback and I think it's the size I find intimidating. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself...

3. City of Bones: Cassandra Clare - Every time a new one comes out in this series, I say to myself, "I should really read this now," but alas I never do.

4. The Book Thief: Markus Zusak - This one is another one that has been sitting around on my shelf forever. With this one, I'm just so scared I won't like it, that I keep not reading it.

5. The Help: Kathryn Stockett - I don't even know with this one. I've let five people borrow my copy of this and they have all raved about it, but yet I still don't read it. Something may be wrong with me...lol :)

6. The Kite Runner: Khaled Hosseini - I'm going to be completely honest here. Sometimes I worry I'll be too dumb to enjoy this book. I think I read so much YA fiction now, I often feel like I can't understand adult literature now.

7. The Giver: Lois Lowry - I'm definitely reading this one for banned books week. I feel like I'm missing out on so much in the dsytopian genre by not reading this one.

8. Shiver: Maggie Stiefvater - I own this one, but for some reason, the concept doesn't grab me so I just haven't given it much of a try.

9. Uglies: Scott Westerfeld - I don't really know why I haven't read this one. I buy all these books with the greatest intentions to read them right away, and then years later they're still hanging out on the shelves waiting for me to get to them. I should use this list for motivation!!

10. The Last Four Harry Potter Books: JK Rowling - I've seen the movies though!!

What are you reading (31)?

2011-09-19T02:01:00.000Z

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

Well this is a week I hope not to repeat any time soon. Work was extremely busy. We're going through "Lean Training," which is based on the Toyota work model. It's extremely interesting, and I can see it really helping us, but being on the committee for it is exhausting. I had training for three days, plus had to stay to take care of some other tasks. I practically fell into bed each night. Then on Wednesday night, I noticed that Anthony had a bit of a runny nose. I didn't think much of it, until Thursday morning when he woke up and couldn't breath through his nose. My mom and I figured it was either allergies and a head cold. I spoke with my Dr. and he recommended children's Vicks and a cold air humidifier.

Well, on Saturday it moved into his chest. He was ok for most of the day, but by 8 that night, he had really eaten much and I felt that his breathing was more labored. We packed him up and took him to the Children's Hospital ER. They gave him two breathing treatments to help with the wheezing, and afterwords, they were able to tell that he had Croup. He took an oral steroid and is doing almost 100% better today. He's like a different baby. We didn't get home though until 2 AM so I was pretty tired today. Couple that with several nights of little to no sleep and I haven't been a happy camper!!

So that was my week. Not a ton of reading time. Here's the rundown.

Reviewed (links attached):

Chain Reaction: Simone Elkeles
Welcome to the Great Mysterious: Lorna Landvik

Read this past week:

Pretty Little Liars: Sara Shepard (REVIEW TO COME...this was my audio for the week, but I ended up finishing up with the book because I couldn't wait for Monday to keep going with the audio...I was too intrigued)

I'm going to continue reading the books I laid out last week. I've gotten pretty far in two of them and should have them finished up here in the next day or two, barring that nothing else happens.

I also think I'm going to start looking into books to read and review for BANNED BOOKS WEEK (this is such a powerful week in the reading world!). I also want to get started on the Word Shakers current review book which you can sign up for at Sheila's blog.

Also, I have some new audio to start. I finally decided to try some James Patterson (1st to Die ) and Heist Society by Ally Carter. These are subject to change though depending on my mood...lol

So that's my week...How bout yours?

Review: Welcome to the Great Mysterious

2011-09-18T23:39:00.000Z

Title: Welcome to the Great Mysterious
Author: Lorna Landvik
Pages: 352
Rating: 2.5/5

Megastar of stage, screen, and television, Geneva Jordan now has a command performance in Minnesota, where she agrees to look after her thirteen-year-old nephew, a boy with Down’s syndrome, while his parents take a long-overdue vacation. Though Geneva and her sister, Ann, are as different as night and day (“I being night, of course, dark and dramatic”), Geneva remembers she had a family before she had a star on her door. But so accustomed is she to playing the lead, finding herself a supporting actress in someone else’s life is strange and unexplored territory. Then the discovery of an old scrapbook that she and her sister created long ago starts her thinking of things beyond fame. For The Great Mysterious is a collection of thoughts and feelings dedicated to answering life’s big questions—far outside the spotlight’s glow. . . (goodreads.com)

This is the second Landvik book that I've read and I had really high hopes for it. I thought that Welcome to the Great Mysterious started out slow (very slow), got to be really good in the middle, and then kind of left with like a limp noodle at the end. I'm pretty sure I've never had a book touch on so many emotions at once, and I'm just not sure how that blend worked for me.

The other thing that I think made this one drag for me was the fact that I absolutely hated the main character for about the first half of the book. I couldn't get over how selfish she was, and I had a super hard time making any kind of connection with her. She just wasn't my cup of tea. I disagreed with so much that she did, that it made it hard for me to feel any type of bond with her. In fact, I really didn't care what happened to her.

I think the other reason why my disappointment was a bit on the huge side, was because I absolutely adored "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons." I couldn't read it fast enough. I thought this book was missing all of the charm that, AHEBB had.

I'm not going to give up on Landvik yet though. I still have quite a few of her other books to read and I'm going to give them a chance. I'm just going to wait a bit before trying again...

100 YA Books

2011-09-17T22:50:00.000Z

I've seen this on several blogs today, and just for curiosity's sake I thought I would try it out. Basically, it showed me that I suck as a YA reader...lol. I must get reading!!

Bold - READ
Italics - OWN BUT HAVE NOT READ

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live Now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road (favorite book ever!)
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

Review: Chain Reaction

2011-09-14T00:00:00.008Z

Title: Chain Reaction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Pages: 308
Rating: 5/5

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge (goodreads.com)?

I've been obsessed with this series since reading Perfect Chemistry two years ago. I couldn't get enough of these bad boys. Despite being a book that I should absolutely hate, the Perfect Chemistry books are three books that I absolutely ADORE. Elkeles is an awesome writer and something about these books is addicting.

The Fuentes brothers are back, and Chain Reaction focuses on Luis Fuentes, the youngest of the three boys. In both Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction, Luis was the all around good boy. His brothers always said he wouldn't live the life they had, he wouldn't be involved in the gangs and so on. So when I found out he had a book coming out, I wasn't sure how Elkeles was going to develop his character. Despite my hesitation, Luis is my favorite of the three boys!

One of the things I love most about these books is the insane attraction between both the male and female protagonists and how they fight it almost the entire time. I can't turn the pages fast enough to see what is going to happen next and who is going to end up with who and what kind of trouble everyone is getting in. I think these are definitely one of those books where you live vicariously through the characters.

I bought this one for my Kindle because I had to have it RIGHT NOW, and we no longer have a bookstore (so crappy...). I will, however, be getting it to match the other two in the series. This is a set of books I think I will read over and over!!

Here's the trailer for a little bit more enticement...:)

Top Ten Tuesday (2)

2011-09-13T00:00:00.001Z

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday is a new topic. Head on over and check it out!!

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books That I Read Because of Another Blogger

1. Dairy Queen - Catherine Gilbert Murdock: I looked at this one at the library for months and months and kept putting it back, until I saw a review on The Story Siren that raved about this trilogy. I ended up reading all three books back to back in 2010.

2. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee: I had never read this classic before, and when I read Sheila's review at One Person's Journey, I had to give it a try. I am so glad that I did because its probably one of my all time favorite reads!

3. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson: This one came from a number of different blogs. It was around the time of Banned Books Week last year, when an article surfaced that pretty much said this was the "worst book ever written." The blogging world was on fire regarding this, and I had to see for myself what this book was about. It was so good, I'm reading it again this year during Banned Books Week!

4. Twisted - Laurie Halse Anderson: It wasn't really a recommendation for this particular book that came from a blog, but recommendations to try audio books. I can still remember what it felt like when I realized that I could listen to books and work at the same time. I was like an empowered women. I still feel like I'm getting away with a huge secret at work every time I put my headphones on...

5. Never Tell a Lie - Haille Ephron: I found this one when J. Kaye's blog was still active. I read the review and then ran to the library the next day to get my hands on this book. There was just something about how she described it that made me have to read it.

6. Wake - Lisa Mcmann: This was another one that I looked at 500 times before I actually read it. I finally read a review by my friend Katie (who sadly doesn't blog much anymore...but she gave it up to be a mommy which is the best job in the world!!). Once I read the review, I couldn't get this book fast enough and ended up devouring it in less than a day, and followed it up with the sequel Fade.

7. Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles: I can't remember what blog I saw this one on, I just know it made me HAVE TO HAVE IT. Even though, at the time, I thought it sounded like the cheesiest book I've ever laid eyes on. Ummm yeah, totally wrong about that.

8. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa: This one came from The Story Siren. It still took me forever to read it...but every time she mentioned it, I was like "I really should read that book." Yeah I really should have read it a lot sooner!

9. Twilight - Stephanie Myer: Sadly, this is how I found out about Twilight. I kept seeing this book with a weird apple on it around the blogs. This was way before I even had a blog...I just blog stalked. Finally my curiousity one the better of me and I broke down and read it. Am I glad I did...well yes...am I sometimes embarrassed by how much I enjoyed it...you bet ya...lol

10. Crank - Ellen Hopkins: I'm not sure which blog recommended this book, but it raved about Hopkins and her awesome books...awesome is right. Crank was an amazing book.

What are you reading (30)?

2011-09-12T01:30:00.000Z

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

I can't believe the end has come to another weekend! I'm sitting here listening to old Britney Spears on Pandora and enjoying my first Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte of the season. The baby is in bed, hubby's watching an old movie on TV and life is good :).

Fall weather is starting to hit here in Ohio. We've had a couple of warm days, but by Thursday, we're only supposed to be in the high 50s. We've had a scorcher of a summer, so I'm looking forward to the cooler days. I can't wait to open my windows, air out the house, and enjoy the smell of Fall in the air. We've been hitting up the county fairs, enjoying the fair food, and hanging out as a family. Life just seems to slow down once fall comes. It's still too early to think about the holidays, and too late in the year too worry too much about the lawn and weeding and all that outside stuff!

As for books, I had a pretty good past two weeks for me. I'm back to enjoying audios at work, which helps to double the amount of reading I can get done in a week. I've got some pretty good ones (at least I think so...lol) lined up!

Reviewed (links attached):

Cloaked - Alex Flinn
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
The Iron King - Julie Kagawa
Firespell - Chloe Neill

Read this past week:

Welcome to the Great Mysterious - Lorna Landvik (review to come)
Chain Reaction - Simone Elkeles (review to come - AMAZING!)
Cloaked - Alex Flinn

I'm almost finished with Look Again by Lisa Scottoline that was on my list last week, and The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman and Roses by Leila Meacham are both still on my nightstand. I just seem to keep finding other books I'd like to read first. Plus I've gotten some really good review books lately, and I'd like to get those done!

Here's my list for the week:

The Juliet Spell

Douglas Rees

This book is set to release at the end of month from Harlequin Teen. It sounds absolutely adorable and I can't wait to get started on it!!

Blood

K.J. Wignall

I've already started this one. It also comes out at the end of the month from Egmont and so far I'm really enjoying it!!

The Shadowing: Hunted

Adam Slater

The cover of this one completely creeps me out!!

The Mephisto Covenant

Trinity Faegen

This one is getting amazing reviews, and it's been compared to having the magic of Twilight (not really sure about that comparision but now I can't wait to find out...lol)

I'm not sure yet what my audio book will be. I was thinking about starting One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury which deals with a firefighter during 9/11, but I also have Night Road by Kristin Hannah that I'd really like to listen to so I'm not sure. Have any of you read either one and care to help me out???

Audio Review: Cloaked

2011-09-12T00:48:00.003Z

Title: Cloaked
Author: Alex Flinn
Listening Time: 6 hrs and 45 mins
Rating: 4/5

I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all. It all started with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.

There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades.

Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got cloaked (harpercollins.com).

I've been listening to my MP3 player again at work, so I find myself again turning to audio books to keep me company during a long day. This week I listened to Cloak by Alex Flinn. Last year, I read Beastly by the same author and absolutely adored it. I enjoyed Cloak just as much.

To me the best thing about Cloak was the male protagonist. I don't read a lot of books featuring a male narrator, and I don't know why because I really like them. Johnny was an easy to like character, and I found myself rooting for him throughout all of his struggles and challenges. I really wanted to see him prevail. I think I always have a thing for the underdog.

The other thing that I really loved about Cloak was the use of fairy tales that weren't nearly as common as the fairy tales used in Beastly. I absolutely had that story figured out before I even started it. Cloaked on the other hand, while still predictable, held a bit more mystery.

Flinn is a very strong writer, and I find myself being sucked into her stories. They make we want to find a comfy chair, a warm blanket, and an amazing cup of coffee and settle in for a long and enjoyable ride.

As far as the audio itself, the reader was phenomenal. I absolutely loved him!! He truly made the story come alive. This is probably one of the best audios that I have ever listened to, and it is all because of the reader!

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Chilren

2011-09-02T00:00:00.013Z

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Pages: 352
Rating: 5/5

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows (goodreads.com).

This is probably the best book I have read in 2011. I was completely hooked from the very first page. I was enthralled by the story, and even more so by the pictures that litter the pages of this book. The old photographs were equally creepy and fascinating, and I found myself looking at them again and again. I couldn't get enough of them.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is an extremely character driven story. Told through the eyes of 16 year old Jacob, we learn of a fantasy world that his grandfather told him about. I fantasy world that his grandfather swears is real. But Jacob doesn't believe him...at first.

I love Jacob. I love Miss Peregrine. And I love the Peculiar Children. This entire story is just spellbinding. The writing, for one, is magnificent. It's smooth and flowing. It's detailed without being boring. It's perfect. I think everyone should give this book a try. And as an added incentive, I'm posting the book trailer which I really love!!

Review: Firespell

2011-09-01T00:00:00.004Z

Title: Firespell
Author: Chloe Neill
Pages: 246
Rating: 3/5

Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...(goodreads.com)

This was a cute, quick read that I enjoyed. It wasn't ground breaking, but it did keep me interested and turning the pages.

I found Lily to be a bit annoying at first. I thought it was almost like the "poor Lily" show, and found the book to remind me of almost every other story I've ever read about a girl that has to go to a boarding school. Things got to be a bit better once Lily followed Scout into the basement. From there, the story really picked up the past and had me turning the pages faster and faster.

I loved the idea of magicians and dark magic users. The entire concept was pretty interesting, and I thought the two sides were pretty well developed. I'm curious to see what happens with Lily and the dark side and how Neill will handle that relationship.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Hexbound, but I won't be breaking down any doors to get to it.

Review: The Iron King

2011-08-31T00:00:00.009Z

Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pages: 363
Rating: 5/5

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart (goodreads.com).

I don't even know what to say about this book. It was just pure awesomeness!! I'm so angry at myself for waiting for so long to read this because I was scared of the "fantasy" aspect. If that is what is holding you back too, DO NOT BE AFRAID. Kagawa does an amazing job, and her writing just flows. This book read super fast and was addicting.

I absolutely adored Meghan, and was rooting for her the whole time. I understand that she was a bit naive, and didn't know her way around, but she was brave and strong. She's probably one of my favorite heroines I've read about in a long time. I'm excited to see how she continues to grow throughout the series. I think there's a lot that she still needs to discover about herself, and I can't wait to find these things out with her!

This was also my first introduction to the world of "Fae" and can I just say that I absolutely loved it. I loved reading about my favorite characters from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" especially Puck who I think I have a wee bit of a book crush on. However, my heart truly belongs to Ash. I can't wait to see where Kagawa takes his story in the next few books. Regarding the "Fae", I think that this has opened up a whole new world for me. There's so many other books out there that circle around this theme that I've been too scared to read because I was scared I wouldn't enjoy them because of the subject matter. I don't know why I'm so hestitant to try new things. It can be so eye opening!!

All in all, this was an excellent, well written adventure that had me hooked from page one. I don't think that 363 pages have ever gone by so quickly in my entire life! This series is definitely addicting and I cannot wait to read the next book and then the next book and then the next book...lol!!

Top Ten Tuesday

2011-08-30T00:00:00.004Z

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday is a new topic. Head on over and check it out!!

This is the first time I've ever done this meme and I thought it would be something fun to try for a change! This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love curling up by the fire on chilly October weekends, heading out to watch the leaves change, and enjoying those last days of sunshine before Winter fully hits. Reading wise, I tend to dive into the more Gothic novels, and sometimes something just a little spooky. Here's what I hope to read this fall:

1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: I don't know why I haven't read this book yet. It's been out for ages, and made its way through the blogosphere a few years ago. I think it'll be the perfect read for the chilly October evening.

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: This has always been one of my most favorite books. I re-read this every fall. And last year, I saw the Masterpiece Theatre version that I will again be watching this fall.

3. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: This book has been sitting on my shelf for ages, and the synopsis sounds so enthralling. I think Fall would be the perfect time to check it out.

4. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender: This book has been on my TBR shelf for ages, and the cover scares the crap out of me. What's a better time to read it then, then Fall!!

5. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton: I have heard such rave reviews for this author and I can't wait to finally see what all the talk is about!!

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling: My goal this winter is to re-read this entire series, so I'm looking forward to starting back at the beginning :)

7. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin: This is another one that has been sitting on my shelves for a long long time. I love the cover of this one, and it's also gotten rave reviews!

8. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink: Sisters, an ancient curse, a weird marking...what could be better in Fall!!

9. Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews: I'm almost embarrassed to list this one, but I do love me some VC Andrews. I can still remember the first time I read Flowers in the Attic. I was enthralled and disturbed all at the same time. I found my copy this past weekend and want to read it all again

10. No Angel by Penny Vincenzi: Another family saga, spread out over three books. This could keep me busy through all of fall and winter!

So that's what I'm hoping to read this coming fall. How bout you?

What are you reading (29)?

2011-08-29T00:00:00.001Z

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

It's been about a month since I posted. Not much has changed since then. Still just chugging along with life, getting in a little reading here and there. I did take an extra two days off this week, and scrubbed down the whole house, boxed up some odds and ends that were just taking up space and cleaned cleaned cleaned! With all the rearranging and condensing, I no longer feel like my house is closing in on me with the additional baby stuff. So much nicer!!

During the past month I did read some pretty good books. I'm hoping to have the reviews up this week:

1. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa
2. Firespell - Chloe Neil
3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

I also had one DNF and that was Hereafter by Tara Hudson. I got within a hundred pages of finishing it, but was so completely bored with the story that I finally stopped wasting what little bit of time I did have. It just wasn't worth it in the end.

This week I'm hoping to relax, and we don't have much going on for the holiday weekend so hopefully I'll be able to get some reading in. I cleaned off my shelves (again) and found some real treasures that have been hidden on the shelves for quite some time.

Here's my week:

Welcome to the Great Mysterious

Lorna Landvik

I read Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by this author a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I'm hoping that this one is just as good.

The Ghost Orchid

Carol Goodman

I listened to Arcadia Falls late last year by this author and thought the gothic setting, and the story told within a story to be really fun and interesting. I've read good things about this one so I'm excited to read something else by Goodman!

Roses

Leila Meacham

I love big, chunky, drama filled sagas and I'm pretty sure that this one fits the bill. I might have to break out a bottle of wine to enjoy with this one.

Look Again

Lisa Scottoline

I've never read anything by this author, but the premise of this book looks really good. As a mother myself now, I think this one will hit even closer to home.

So that's what's on my reading plate this week. How bout yours?

What are you reading (28)?

2011-07-25T03:02:00.000Z

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

So its been a long, long time since I've done this meme. Having a baby is busy work!! I did get back on the blog this week and posted ten reviews for books that I've read since my last posting so I do feel caught up there.

A lot's happened since the last time I posted. Hubby got a new job which is about 45 minutes from home but he loves it. My baby turned six months old last week and he's working on his first tooth. It has not been a fun time in this house. I feel horrible for him, and nothing seems to be helping him so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears!!

I haven't gotten a ton of reading done. Normally by the time I get home, get dinner, give Jr his bath and dinner, do a few loads of laundry and then get him to bed, I'm exhausted and can't even concentrate on the pages of the book. But I haven't done horrible - I mean I have read ten books since March. In the past few weeks I've been reading more and averaged about six books in the last three or four weeks.

Oh, I forgot to mention I also got a Kindle. I named her Geraldine and I love her a lot! I'll be even more in love with her once the library gets up and running to make their ebooks compatiable.

Ok now to the books...lol.

This past week I read Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs - that review can be found HERE.

This week I'd like to read:

The Iron King

Julie Kagawa

I'm already about half way thru this one and can't hardly put it down. I've waited way to long to finally read these books!!

Firespell

Cholie Neill

This one is due back to the library soon so I'd like to read it before its time to return it. Should be a quick read.

Hereafter

Tara Hudson

I'm really taken in by the cover on this one and think the story sounds phenomenal!

So that's my reading week. I'm looking forward to it. And of course I had to post a pic of my little munchkin. Here he is after some yummy sweet potatoes...

Review: Forgive My Fins

2011-07-22T02:18:00.001Z

Title: Forgive My Fins
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Pages: 293
Rating: 4/5

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned (goodreads.com).

Forgive My Fins is not deep literature, but its a really cute fun summer read that I fell in love with!!

This is the first book I've read by Childs and it won't be my last. I just loved it. Lily is such a cute character and Childs writing just kept me coming back for more. I can't believe I haven't picked this one up before now!

My favorite character of the whole book though was definitely Quince. I just knew when he threw that first spitball that I was going to like him. He was so endearing and no matter what Lily did he never really got angry with her. He was just adorable!

As for Brody, I thought he was an a**...nuff said.

The one thing that did drive me crazy about this book and the reason why I only gave it four stars was the ad nauseaum mention of "the bond." At times I felt like I was getting hit over the head with it and by the time I got to the last 30 pages, I didn't really like "the bond" anymore...lol. Other than that I thought it was such a fun read.

I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel "Fins are Forever." I can't wait to see what Childs has in store for Lily next!!

Review: Ruby Red

2011-07-20T16:33:00.000Z

Title: Ruby Red

Author: Kerstin Gier

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Gwyneth Shepard has spent the majority of her life listening to her grandmother and aunt boast about her cousin Charlotte, who inherited the family's time travel gene. Now that she is sixteen, she will make her first journey into the past any day, and the entire family is on edge. Even Gwen is a little curious about the specifics of time traveling, a subject her grandmother rarely goes into detail about. But everyone is in for a shock when it's Gwen who slides through time, not Charlotte. Suddenly the entire family is in an uproar, and Gwen is thrust into a world of a centuries-old secret society, mysterious devices, prophecies, and the mystery of a cousin who has disappeared back into time. With the aloof (and devastatingly handsome) Gideon, Gwyneth will have to decipher the mysteries and figure out where she stands as two powers struggle for control throughout time (cover blurb).

I honestly had no clue what Ruby Red was about until I started reading. I simply picked it up because I had seen the cover on a few blogs and thought it looked pretty. I also had no idea it was a translation, and couldn’t believe how well it had been done. I’ve read other translations (or tried to read them) and didn’t feel that they were able to convey the emotions when the translated them from their original text. Ruby Red surprised me.

Ruby Red is a story about time travel. Gwyneth’s family has carried the time traveling gene for generations. The time and date of a person’s birth determines if the will, in fact, inherit that gene. For Gwyneth, she has never worried about because her cousin Charlotte was born with the gene. Charlotte has spent her life in secret meetings, obtaining training about correct dress and speak and how to use a sword. However, when the time comes, Gwyneth is the one that time travels, not Charlotte.

Not only is Gwyneth ill prepared for time travel, she certainly is ready to meet Gideon her time traveling partner from another prominent family. Gideon appears to be stuck up and snobby, but by the end of Ruby Red, I think both Gwyneth and myself had developed quite a little crush on him!!

All in all, I absolutely adored Ruby Red and cannot wait for the second book in the trilogy to be translated and released in the US. It was just so good!!

Review: Fearscape

2011-07-20T02:55:00.000Z

Title: Fearscape
Author: Simon Holt
Pages: 314
Rating: 5/5

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS TO THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THE SERIES THE DEVOURING AND THE SOLSTICE.

The Vours: evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the Winter Solstice.

It's been a year since Reggie first discovered the Vours, and the Winter Solstice is approaching once again. It will be another night of unspeakable horror for those unlucky enough to be taken by the Vours, because this time, she won't be able to stop them. The Vours have imprisoned Reggie in a psychiatric hospital, where she is subjected to a daily routine of unfathomably sadistic experiments. Her life is a living Hell, but she won't give up. They attacked her brother. They killed her friend. And Reggie will never stop fighting back (goodreads.com).

At the end of The Solstice, Reggie is hauled away to the psychiatric hospital where the evil Dr. Unger lurks. Here Reggie is subjected to hundreds of experiments, visiting fearscape after fearscape. One of the darkest and scariest scenes, for myself, happened while Reggie was still in the hospital and it involved Dr. Unger. That being said, I think that Holton's writing is truly terrifying. The descriptions of the different fearscapesin this book are even more frightening than those in the two previous books. Holton has gone above and beyond in Fearscape to bring the reading to the truly terrifying. I was completely sucked into the story and found myself avoiding dark rooms and for a week straight I went to bed whenever hubby went to bed - never after.

My favorite character in this book has to be Quinn. I think he overcame so much after Reggie freed him from the vour in The Solstice, and it was nice to watch him grow in Fearscape. I also think I might have a tiny little crush on good Quinn...lol.

One of the things that really made this book for me were the surprise twists and turns. Holt took this book in a direction that I never saw coming and I was completely shocked by the end. I thought this was a perfect wrap up to a really good trilogy and one I'll enjoy reading again.

If you like a good scare, pick up this trilogy and enjoy...just don't read it with the lights out!!

Review: Hearts at Stake

2011-07-19T03:07:00.000Z

Title: Hearts at Stake
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Pages: 248
Rating: 4/5

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.

Even fans of the genre who’ve seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters—vampire or otherwise (goodreads.com).

I avoided Hearts at Stake for a long time, simply because of the cover. I thought it was ugly, and dare I say it, made the book look stupid. However, after reading a few reviews on Goodreads, I felt the need to at least give it a try. I'm awfully glad I did.

Hearts at Stake is the first book in the Drake Chronicles and tells the story of Solange Drake, the first female vampire to be born not made. The story is told from two perspectives - Solange and Lucy her best friend who is very much a human. I absolutely adored the character of Lucy. I thought she was spunky and fresh and not scared to hold her ground amoung a group of vampires. Plus, I found her relationship with Solange's brother Nicholas to be adorable.

Hearts at Stake is a fast paced, fun read that at times can be a bit predictable. The writing is good and I loved the characters. I look forward to reading more about the Drake family. Plus, the other covers in the series are so much better!!

Review: But I Love Him

2011-07-19T02:54:00.002Z

Title: But I Love Him
Author: Amanda Grace
Pages: 245
Rating: 5/5

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong (goodreads.com).

But I Love Him is a quick read, but there is so much power behind its 245 pages that it left me simply breathless. I don't think words can even describe how I felt as I flew threw its pages, feeling Ann's emotions, seeing how she surrendered everything to Connor. I was wrapped up in Connor and how he was a broken, emotionally distraught young man, who didn't understand his emotions, let alone what he was doing to someone else. By the time I turned the last page I was breathless and exhausted. This book was that good.

But I Love Him is told from the end of Ann and Connor's relationship to the beginning. We don't know how or when things start happening. We can't judge Ann and say "Why would she do that??" because as the reader, you don't have any background to understand what happened before hand. It made me look at an abusive relationship in a whole new light. I think so many times, people think "Well I would have left the first time he raised his fist to me." However, But I Love Him plays with your mind, let's you see exactly how Ann is thinking and what finally changes for her so that she can see the light.

Despite the fact that Connor is the abuser in this relationship, I felt sorry for him. I could see how his life had made him the way he was. I understood how confused he was, how the circle of his life as caused him to be the way he is. Rather than hating him, I wanted to help him. Make him see the errors of his way. Help him to get better and lead a different life.

Amanda Grace left me feeling so many different emotions, and I can't say enough good things about her writing. I look forward to reading more of her works, and But I Love Him will definitely be one of my top reads for 2011.

Review: I Heart You, You Haunt Me

2011-07-19T02:34:00.000Z

Title: I Heart You, You Haunt Me
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Pages: 227
Rating: 1/5

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back...

...sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.

Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds (goodreads.com).

I've read a few different books told in verse, and I'd heard good things about Lisa Schroeder so I wanted to give her a try. I Heart You, You Haunt Me is a short, fast read that I was able to complete in one sitting. However, unlike the other books in verse that I've read, I didn't love it. In fact, I didn't even really like it.

For one thing, I absolutely detested the main character Ava. I'm not really sure what it was about her I didn't like, but she constantly grinded on my nerves. I just found her to be a bit whiney and depressing. Not exactly great character traits for the main person in the story. Secondly, I thought the book was much too short to fully flush out the story. Many of the other books I've read in verse have been around 400 to 600 pages. At a little over 200, I thought this book seemed to be a bit rushed.

I'd looked forward to reading this one for quite a while, so I was disappointed in my feelings about it. However, I'd like to give Schroeder another chance and see if it was just this particular book I didn't like or any of her books. Wish me luck!!

Review: Fall Out

2011-07-19T02:16:00.002Z

Title: Fallout
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Pages: 672
Rating: 3.5/5

Hunter, Autumn, and Summer—three of Kristina Snow’s five children—live in different homes, with different guardians and different last names. They share only a predisposition for addiction and a host of troubled feelings toward the mother who barely knows them, a mother who has been riding with the monster, crank, for twenty years.

Hunter is nineteen, angry, getting by in college with a job at a radio station, a girlfriend he loves in the only way he knows how, and the occasional party. He's struggling to understand why his mother left him, when he unexpectedly meets his rapist father, and things get even more complicated. Autumn lives with her single aunt and alcoholic grandfather. When her aunt gets married, and the only family she’s ever known crumbles, Autumn’s compulsive habits lead her to drink. And the consequences of her decisions suggest that there’s more of Kristina in her than she’d like to believe. Summer doesn’t know about Hunter, Autumn, or their two youngest brothers, Donald and David. To her, family is only abuse at the hands of her father’s girlfriends and a slew of foster parents. Doubt and loneliness overwhelm her, and she, too, teeters on the edge of her mother’s notorious legacy. As each searches for real love and true family, they find themselves pulled toward the one person who links them together—Kristina, Bree, mother, addict. But it is in each other, and in themselves, that they find the trust, the courage, the hope to break the cycle.

Told in three voices and punctuated by news articles chronicling the family’s story, FALLOUT is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy begun by CRANK and GLASS, and a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person’s problem (goodreads.com).

The first book I ever read by Ellen Hopkins was Crank, and while depressing, I was extremely moved by the story itself. I was excited to read Glass when it was released, and couldn't wait to get my hands on Fallout. However, despite my initial enthiusiam, Fallout fell flat for me. I'm not sure if it was the fact that it was told from Kristina's children's view, or if it was the fact that I was burnt out on the entire story line, but I felt that this particular story seemed to drag a lot more than either of the two prior novels.

One thing I did enjoy about Fallout was the way that Hopkins allowed us to see what happened to minor characters we had seen in the first two books through short news clippings and articles scattered throughout the pages of the texts. It did help to wrap up a lot of loose ends that remained at the end of Glass. I also enjoyed Hopkins writing style. Her poems are always delivered in neat designs and often you'll find that there's almost two poems in one. However, I did read this on the Kindle, and I felt that a lot of the power of the set up of the book was lost in e book format. I think from now on I'll be reading Hopkins books the old fashioned way!

My favorite character in this book was Hunter. I think its because I felt the closest connection to him since he was Kristina's first child and we learned so much about him in both Crank and Glass. I had a hard time connecting with both Autumn and Summer. I had a hard time feeling anything towards them. In fact, they both almost got on my nerves, especially towards the end of the story.

This was definitely my least favorite of the trilogy and I'm glad it's the last book in Kristina's story. I'm not really sure how much more of it I can take before I threw a book across the wall, she just makes me that angry!! If you read Crank and Glass, I would definitely say to read Fallout because it gives a lot of closure to the story, but I certianly wasn't awed by it like I have been previously by Hopkins.

Review: Bitter End

2011-07-19T00:01:00.001Z

Title: Bitter End
Author: Jennifer Brown
Pages: 359
Rating: 4/5

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.

At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself (goodreads.com).

Last year, Jennifer Brown's debut novel, Hate List was one of my top reads. I was extremely moved by that novel, and was thrilled to see she had another book coming out. I downloaded Bitter End onto my Kindle the day of its release and finished it by the next morning. While I didn't love it like I did Hate List, I was still quite moved by the story and Brown's writing.

Bitter End is a raw, moving teen contemporary. I thought Brown did a good job of tackling the tough topic of domestic abuse, and at times I felt as though I could feel every bit of Alex's emotions. One of my favorite things about Brown's books is her character development, and Bitter End was no different. By the end of the story, I felt like I knew Alex as well as I knew myself. And I understood why she felt the way she did about Cole. Cole was a product of his environment. His father was abusive and degrading to women. Cole didn't know of any other way to be. I'm not saying that that is an excuse, I'm just seeing how a person can get to be that way.

All in all, I really enjoyed Bitter End. The only issue I had was the ending. I felt there was some issues that were left hanging, but I'll let you see that for yourself!

Review: Jellicoe Road

2011-07-18T00:18:00.001Z

Title: Jellicoe Road
Author: Melina Marchetta
Pages: 432
Rating: 5/5

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future (goodreads.com)

For my first Mother's Day, Hubby bought me a Kindle which I have named Geraldine. I love her!! The first book I downloaded and quickly read was Jellicoe Road. And can I just say, it was simply amazing. I don't understand why I haven't heard more about this book on the blogs. Maybe I'm just behind, but I couldn't put this down.

First of all, Marchetta's writing is absolutely exquisite. I can't think of a better word to even describe it. The book simply flows, with this gorgeous writing that had me enveloped in layers upon layers of emotions. I loved every minute of it. I immediately fell in love with the characters, and was brought to tears by the last page. It was one of those books in which I immediately wanted to start reading it again.

I know a lot of people have started this book and given up on it because it was confusing. DON'T DO IT!! Stick with it, keep notes, do whatever you have to do. Once the story is right in your mind, you'll be so happy you stuck with it. Each of the characters just crawls into your head, and pretty soon you'll feel as though you are hanging out with them. Their story will become your story. Trust me on this one.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Marchetta's writings, but Jellicoe Road will be a book that read again and again and again. It touched me so profoundly, that I just can't say enough! It's a story about forgiviness and moving on, friendship and love, life and death.

Review: $#*! My Dad Says

2011-07-17T23:52:00.001Z

Title: $#*! My Dad Says
Author: Justin Halpern
Pages: 158
Rating: 3/5

After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is "like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair," has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him:

"That woman was sexy. . . . Out of your league? Son, let women figure out why they won't screw you. Don't do it for them."

"The worst thing you can be is a liar. . . . Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but then number two is liar. Nazi one, liar two."

More than a million people now follow Mr. Halpern's philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the best of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Denny's, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the Halperns' kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts, Sh*t My Dad Says is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice (goodreads.com).

This past winter, hubby and I found ourselves rolling on the floor laughing at the new comedy starring William Shatner, called "$#*! My Dad Says." At the time, I had no clue it was actually based on a book and that there was a man as funny and too the point as William Shatner's character. However, after a little research, I discovered that it was based on a true story and had to get the book.

At times, $#*! My Dad Says had me rolling on the floor laughing. I one point I had tears falling from my eyes. However, at other times, I found myself being quite put off by the language used, and found it to be a bit offensive. I certainly wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone.

Halpern's father is too the point, crude and also, in a strange way, extremely loving. While at times, I was extremely taken aback by what he had to say, I totally understood the point he was trying to make. Despite his tough exterior, Halpern's father truly cares about his son and it shows through on the pages of this book. All in all, $#*! My Dad Says was a decent read, but now one I'll be returning to any time soon.

Review: What I Saw and How I Lied

2011-03-12T23:30:00.000-01:00

Title: What I Saw and How I Lied
Author: Judy Blundell
Pages: 281
Rating: 5/5

When Evie's father returned home from World War II, the family fell back into its normal life pretty quickly. But Joe Spooner brought more back with him than just good war stories. When movie-star handsome Peter Coleridge, a young ex-GI who served in Joe's company in postwar Austria, shows up, Evie is suddenly caught in a complicated web of lies that she only slowly recognizes. She finds herself falling for Peter, ignoring the secrets that surround him . . . until a tragedy occurs that shatters her family and breaks her life in two.

As she begins to realize that almost everything she believed to be a truth was really a lie, Evie must get to the heart of the deceptions and choose between her loyalty to her parents and her feelings for the man she loves. Someone will have to be betrayed. The question is . . . who (powells.com)?

I bought this book for one reason...the cover. Something about the 1940s Hollywood look hooked me and I had to have a copy. Once I sat down with the book, I read it in one setting (with a newborn so this is an awesome feat). I also gave this book five stars. I was thoroughly taken with this book and can't say enough about it.

What I Saw and How I Lied is a mix between a really good mystery and a coming of age novel. The book hooks you within the first few pages, foreshadowing of events to come:

We never went to the hotel dining room now. They knew who we were; they'd seen our pictures in the paper. We knew they'd be saying, Look at them eating toast - how can they be so heartless (pg 2)?

From there, the story is told through flashbacks. Evie's family is together again after the war, but one night after a mysterious phone call, Evie's stepfather packs the entire family up and takes them to Palm Beach, Florida. Immediately, I thought something fishy was up - otherwise, why the made rush, and why the mystery. What was Evie's stepfather hiding.

Once the family arrives in Florida, Evie meets a young war veteran named Peter. She almost immediately falls in love with (as did I...Blundell created one of the most enticing male characters in young adult literature). Peter fought in the war with Joe, Evie's stepfather, however, Joe wants absolutely nothing to do Peter.

From this point forward, the reader is caught in a rollercoast of lies and mistrust. One thing after another begins to fall apart, and we as the reader, get to experience it first hand. I personally couldn't turn the pages fast enough. And once at the end, I wanted to start over again from the beginning. That is how much this book hooked me.

Blundell has a new book out called Strings Attached about a young girl in 1950s New York. I can't wait to get my hand on it and read it. I'm hoping it is just as good, if not even better than What I Saw and How I Lied:

Review: If I Stay

2011-03-12T18:52:00.000-01:00

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: 234
Rating: 4.5/5

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 (ifistay.com).

Please explain to me why I wait so long to read books. I've had this one on my shelf for a little over a year. Back when I had all the time in the world to read, and still it took me until now to pick it up. But I must say, I am glad I finally did.

In a single word, this book is beautiful. It's beautifully written in a way that will catch your attention and will stick with you. I found myself completely engulfed in the pages, staying up way past my bed time to finish. I couldn't get enough of it. The words just seemed to flow off the pages, creating this amazing story that I sunk into.

I don't want to say much about the actual story because I don't want to ruin it for those readers who have yet to pick it up. The twists and turns of this book hit you right in the face, like a head on collision. I don't want to rob anyone of that. This book is so powerful and intense, it left me shaking. As I closed the last page, I just sat, thinking of all that I had read wondering what I would have done had I had to make such a huge choice. Would I have made the right one?

This book is a rollercoaster. I suggest a comfy chair, a long afternoon, and a box of tissues when reading!!

What are you reading (28)?

2011-02-28T01:00:00.002-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

I can't believe its been a week already. Time is flying by for me. I have two more weeks before I head back to work, and I'm certainly not looking forward to it. On one hand, I miss the girls I work with and the pace of it all, but on the other hand, the thought of leaving Anthony for eight hours a day makes me a bit sick to my stomach. However, I'm sure I'll be fine. I know he'll be fine...he'll be with Grandma all day.

I'm excited to say that I actually got to read a book this week. I finally have it down where I can sit and relax a bit each night after Anthony takes his final bottle and goes to bed. He's sleeping almost six hours at a time now, so it makes it much easier to stay up a bit longer after he's asleep. When he was only sleeping about 2.5 hours, you better know that I was in bed as soon as he was so I could get a bit of sleep before he was up again!!

This week I finished and reviewed Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. It was an absolutely beautiful and amazing read. You can find my review for it HERE.

For this coming week, I have two books picked out that I'd like to read. I'm being ambitious this week and setting my goals a bit higher.

This week I'd like to read:

If I Stay - Gayle Forman (link to goodreads)

I've heard wonderful things about this book, plus the sequel comes out in April and I'd like to be ready to read it once it's released. It'd be nice to be a bit caught up with something!!

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell (link to goodreads)

This one has been on my shelf for a while, and the cover intrigues me. I'm curious to see what the secrets are that lie between the pages.

And of course this post wouldn't be complete without a new pic of my little bug :)

Review: Breath, Eyes, Memory

2011-02-27T14:07:00.001-01:00

Title: Breath, Eyes, Memory
Author: Edwidge Danticat
Pages: 236
Rating: 4/5

At an astonishingly young age, Edwidge Danticat has become a writer who evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti—and the enduring strength of Haiti's women—with a vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people's suffering and courage.

Set in the island's impoverished villages and in New York's Haitian community, this is the story of Sophie Caco, who was conceived in an act of violence, abandoned by her mother and then summoned to America. In New York, Sophie discovers that Haiti imposes harsh rules on its own.

At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti—to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people (oprah.com).

I picked up this book for two reasons. One, it was shorter and I needed something to get me back on my feet after having the baby that wouldn't overwhelm me, and two I thought the cover was intriguing. However, I'm not sure why I thought this book was a memoir. It wasn't until I opened the book and started reading that I realized this was actually a novel (I guess that the fact it said "A Novel" under the title didn't click with my overworked brain). Despite my surprise, I still very much enjoyed this book.

I'll be honest in saying I don't know much about Haiti or its culture. I'm aware that they are an impoverished country and many travel through the perils of the sea to arrive on our shores in Miami. I was not aware of the violence throughout the country. But, this is why I read. To expand my mind and learn new things so I am not dumb to what is going on in the world around me. It is for this reason that reading is important to me.

Breath, Eyes, Memory tells the story of Sophie Caco starting at the age of twelve when she is sent to New York to live with her mother. Once in New York, Sophie begins to find out the secrets of her birth, including the reason why her mother screams out in agony every night as she sleeps. The story itself is haunting. It gets in your mind and weaves itself throughout your body so that you feel every bit of Sophie's pain and memories. It is an unforgettable journey to Haiti, a trip that is both troubling and healing. It is because of these feelings that I recommend this book to all readers.

On top of all this, Danticat's writing is exquisite. Her storytelling is moving and poetic, and creates a multitude of feelings for the reader. Each line sticks with you, telling and re-telling the stories of Haitian women everywhere:

"I come from a place where breath, eyes and memory are one, a place from which you carry your past like the hair on your head. Where women return to their children as butterflies or as tears in the eyes of the statues that their daughters pray to (pg. 234)."

This is a beautiful journey, and one I am very glad I decided to take it.

What are you reading (27)?

2011-02-21T01:00:00.037-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

It's been a few weeks now since I last did a "What are you reading" Monday. Even this post is much later than I would have like it. But alas, things certainly have changed in the household of this reader. My life now consists of bottles, dirty diapers, and baby snuggles. While I certainly wouldn't change it for the world, I do often wonder - when will I read again?

Anthony came home on January 25th and he's been a real joy. He's doing extremely well, and eating like a little piggy. We put him on soy formula to help with his tummy and he's gaining weight like a champ. He was up to 8 lbs 3 oz when I took him to the doctor a week ago. He had lost almost a pound and a half while he was in the NICU so its great to see him grow!! He's a pretty good sleeper too. He normally falls asleep between 10 and 11 and sleeps until 2 or 3. After a quick bottle, he's normally asleep again until 6 or 7. I certainly can't complain about that!! However, even with his decent sleeping I'm still exhausted. It's taken me every bit of the four weeks that he's been home to find a balance between home and baby. And it's a very fine line...I have a very strict routine that I stick to now with housework and bottle washing and bedtime. It helps with the stress knowing that everything is being taken care of, but it doesn't leave me with a lot of "me" time. That's what I'm going to work on next...even if its just a half hour each evening that I take to blog or read. Plus hubby loves spending time with the little one so I don't think he'll mind :)

Reading wise, I have so many great books that I'd love to read. I'm going to start light this week and say I'd love to start and possibly finish one book:

This book has been on my shelf for ages and I've wanted to read it for a while. Also, it doesn't seem to be too long so I won't be overwhelmed with reading it while taking care of the munchkin :) Here's the link at Good Reads (summary).

So that's what has been going on in my life. Many, many changes but I love my little man so I wouldn't go back! I can't believe he'll be six weeks old on Thursday! What kind of mom would I be if I didn't share a picture:

Isn't he just the cutest!!

What are you reading (26)?

2011-01-24T02:21:00.000-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

So, I've obviously been missing in action for a few weeks now and I haven't gotten any reading done at all. But it's been for a good reason. At 12:30 am, January 13, 2011 my water unexpectantly broke three weeks early. It was like the 3 Stooges trying to get out of the house and to the hospital. And I was even organized about everything!! 19 hours later at 7:12 pm, I gave birth to a baby boy weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz, 21.5 in long. We named him Anthony Donald, after my brother and hubby's dad.

However, quickly after his birth, the Drs felt that there was something wrong with his breathing. Anthony was taken to the NICU where he was diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Basically, his lungs were about 6 weeks under developed. They put him on a ventilator and gave him drugs to help with his breathing. Hubby and I were bedside with him my entire hospital stay. I went home on Sunday, and Anthony stayed up the hospital in the NICU. Hubby and I went every day to see him, and things started looking up. But, because my son has a stubborn streak, he decided he just wasn't ready to come home yet. On Friday, they transported him the nearest children's hospital because he was having heart rates over 300 beats p/minute. He was diagnosed with supraventricular tachyacardia. It's actually a common problem in infants and can be treated with a daily medicine that he has to take the first year of his life. He's still in the NICU, but is moving from his incubator to an open crib in the next day or so (as long as he can regulate his body temp) and is taking bottles really well. Once he's eating consistently and everything he gets to come home. We're hoping for Tuesday or Wednesday!!

Here's a picture of my precious baby boy:

Isn't he cute???

I just can't wait to get him home. The NICUs at both hospitals have been wonderful but it's extremely hard to leave my little boy each night.

So as for my reading this week, I don't have anything planned. Between the hospital, pumping, and just everyday life (like cleaning and paying bills) I barely have time to sleep!! I'm hoping things will settle just a bit once we get him home and establish some type of routine :)

Hope you all have a happy reading week!!

What are you reading (25)?

2011-01-10T01:00:00.003-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

This was a busy week again for me. We had year end close at work, which is already a stressful time. Add to the fact that I feel ready to pop, and it was ten times as worse. Everything worked out well though and we finished on time and correctly!!

Saturday, hubby and I had our birthing class. It started at 9am and went to 3:30pm. It wasn't as bad as we thought though and I did learn a lot of useful information. Plus we got a tour of the hospital, which was nice. We took both sets of parents up on Sunday and showed them where they will need to park and where they can enter the hospital and check in with security. It was a lot of walking!! I also had a doctors appointment this past week, which I wrote about in my "When do you think this baby is coming?" post.

Reading wise, I had a slower week. I did finish Darkly Dreaming Dexter, which I rather enjoyed. That review is here. It was a good start to a series that I'd like to read more of. I have the next two in the series and would enjoy getting to them this year.

I'm also about half way through Inkheart. I'm really enjoying the book, but it is not reading nearly as fast as I thought it would. It's much darker too. I'm hoping to finish it up early this week. I don't have a lot of plans - I just want to keep the house clean incase we have to leave for the hospital, and I'd like to clean my car!

Here's what else I plan to read this week:

Murder on the Menu is a repeat from last week. I just ran out of time and didn't get to it this time around. These are normally really quick reads though, and I enjoyed the first in the series.

I've had The Kitchen Boy on my TBR pile for a long time now. It's a short book, but a very powerful story. This is also a time period that I don't know a lot about so I'm really looking forward to this one!

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is one that I've hear wonderful things about. I'm reading this one for the Memorable Memoirs challenge and I'm looking forward to it.
That's my reading for the week. What's on your plate?

When do you think this baby's coming???

2011-01-07T00:02:00.000-01:00

I had my 36 week appointment today. I ended up having to see the one doctor in the group that I just don't care for. Her bedside manner is horrible and for some reason she can never seem to find the baby's heartbeat. She made me go have a quick ultrasound today because she couldn't locate it. And, lo and behold, right there it was beating away at 136 beats p/minute. This is the third time I've seen her, and the third time she can't locate the heartbeat. None of the other doctors ever have that issue.

Anyway, I got all checked out and I am 1 cm dialated. She said the baby is still high but didn't let me know if I was effaced or anything. I've been having quite a bit of cramping and sporadic contractions. Like my mom said, "You could stay like that for another four weeks, or have the baby in the next few days."

So in all fun, I'm asking you my faithful readers, "When do you think I'm going to have this baby?"

EDD: 2/3/2011

Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter

2011-01-04T02:45:00.001-01:00

Title: Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Author: Jeff Lindsay
Pages: 288
Rating: 4/5

Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened–of himself or some other fiend (Cover Blurb).

When the television show Dexter first came out in 2007, hubby and I watched the first couple of episodes together. I somehow managed to quickly lose interest, while he has continued to watch through the four seasons. I did however, buy the first few books, and absolutely was going to read them right there and then. Now four years later, I can say I read the first one!
Needless to say, Darkly Dreaming Dexter is totally different than almost all other books that I have read. A mix between a dark comedy and a slasher horror film, Dexter leaves the reader with a lot of confused emotions. On one hand, I feel a bit sorry for our vigilante serial killer. On the other hand, I'm extremely disturbed by his whole story. After reading this book, I almost want to go back and try re-watching the first season. The book, of course, has opened up a whole series of questions for me now that I didn't realize even existed when I watched the show.

Despite the subject matter of the book, I really enjoyed Lindsay's writing style. He took a subject that was extremely dark and created something extremely fresh and rather enjoyable. I definitely had a hard time putting this book down and finished it in two days. The character of Dexter is entertaining, and it's definitely interesting to see the different places that his mind takes him. I like really knowing the inter workings of a main character. However, I wouldn't want to read these books one right after the other either. The subject matter is still quite heavy and can be thoroughly chilling at times.

There are five books total, so far, in the Dexter series. I'd like to continue reading them, but I'll need to space them out over time. I own the next two in the series: Dearly Devoted Dexter and Dexter in the Dark and hope to get to them sometime later this year.

This book counted towards the 1st in a Series Challenge and the Mystery and Suspense Challenge of 2011.

Tuesday Teaser (9)

2011-01-04T01:00:00.008-01:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 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!

My teaser for the week:

I woke up covered with sweat, not sure where I was, and absolutely certain that another murder was about to happen. Somewhere not so far away he was searching for his next victim, sliding through the city like a shark around the reef.

~Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay (pg 82)

What are you reading (24)?

2011-01-03T01:00:00.003-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

It's the first Monday of the new year and I'm looking forward to a happy and wonderful 2011. This was a busy week for me in blogland. I signed up to participate in way to many challenges that I'm super excited about. I have all my books picked out and I've spent the last two days organizing my stacks and reading. I've already finished two books here in 2011 and I'm half way through the third. I also wrote my 2010 wrap up post, where I also listed my top five reads of the year.

I do have a horrible head cold that is keeping me down some. It doesn't help that I still can't take any medicine so I'm just having to wait it out until it goes away. I'm going to try and not let that get me down though :)

As for reading and reviews, I reviewed Meg Cabots Size 12 Is Not Fat here. It was my final read in 2010.

This week I finished both Sarah, Plain and Tall and Number the Stars. These reviews can be found here and here.

As for this week, I'm looking forward to finishing Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I'm a little more than a 100 pages into this and very much enjoy it. Hubby watches this TV show religiously but I've always found it to be a bit too disturbing for me. I seem to be enjoying the books much more.

I would also like to read and finish Murder on the Menu by Miranda Bliss. This is the second book in the Cooking Class Mystery series. I really enjoyed the first in the series and hope that this one is equally entertaining.

Finally, I'd like to read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I've had this one sitting on the shelves for a quite a while and I've heard really good things about it. Plus, I've been waiting to see the movie until after I finish the book.

So that's my week. I'm keeping it small because I have year end close at work until Wednesday which will probably leave me pretty exhausted.

So what are your reading plans for the week?

Review: Number the Stars

2011-01-02T02:33:00.001-01:00

Title: Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Pages: 137
Rating: 4.5/5

Ten year old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town.

The Nazis won't stop. The Jew of Denmark are being "relocated", so Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family.

Then Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission. Somehow she must find the strength and courage to save her best friend's life. There's no turning back now (Cover Blurb).

I can't remember when I first read Number the Stars, but I think it was sometime around the fifth grade. This was one of the first books I read about World War II and the Resistance movement. This book helped cement my admiration for the heroes of this time that helped save their fellow man. It also opened up an entire new world for me, one in which I have always found myself being drawn too.

Number the Stars tells the story of the young Annemarie, a young Danish girl who is best friends with Ellen, a Jewish citizen. At the start of the Jewish New Year, the Nazis begin to gather up the Jews of Denmark to relocate them. It is at this time, that Annemarie's parents take Ellen in as part of their family and help her to escape to freedom.

Annemarie is a brave young girl, who not only has to face losing her best friend, but also takes her own life into her hands when she must deliver an important package to her Uncle. It is not until the end of the story that we learn just how important that package really was.

I enjoyed this book just as much now as I did when I read it so many years ago. It will always be one that I keep one my shelves to return to again and again.

This book counts toward by 2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge.

Review: Sarah Plain and Tall

2011-01-01T23:32:00.000-01:00

Title: Sarah Plain and Tall
Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Pages: 67
Rating: 4/5

Their mother died the day after Caleb was born. Their house on the prairie is quiet now, and Papa doesn't sing anymore. Then Papa puts an ad in the paper, asking for a wife, and he receives a letter from one Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, of Maine. Papa, Anna, and Caleb write back. Caleb asks if she sings.

Sarah decides to come for a month. She writes Papa: I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall, and Tell them I sing. Anna and Caleb will wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she like them? Will she stay? (cover blurb)

Picking the first book of a new year is always hard. You want it to be a book with some meaning. You want to start the year off right. What if you hate the book? What if you don't want to finish it? It could ruin the rest of the reading year for you. In picking Sarah Plain and Tall, I knew I wouldn't hate it. I read this book years and years ago when I was in elementary school and adored it then. I still find this book to be touching and was the perfect quick start to 2011.

Anna and Caleb lost their mother the day after Caleb was born. Since then, they have been raised on the prairie with their Papa. Both children horribly miss having a mother, and often talk about her singing and the fact that now that she is gone, Papa no longer sings. When the day comes that Papa tells them about Sarah, their whole world changes. They have a chance to have a mother, something they want so badly they can practically taste it.

I think this book pulls at the heart strings because it introduces us to two children who just want to be loved. Plus, Sarah is a great character - strong at heart, a good worker, and a wonderful mother to both Anna and Caleb.

I'm glad I took the time to sit down and re-read this book in the new year. It's definitely one that I will someday share with my own children.

This book counts toward by 2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge.

2010 In Review

2011-01-01T19:51:00.000-01:00

2010 was a pretty good year for me reading wise. I read and reviewed 59 books, which is 14 more than I completed in 2009. I also posted 132 blog posts, up from 68 in 2009. Not too shabby considering the fact that I was MIA for a few months when I was having such problems with my pregnancy.

Personally, 2010 was a big year for me and hubby. We found out we'd be expecting our first child, lived through the scariness of several hemmorhages that first trimester, and have grown together as a couple through it all. This winter we helped sell and pack up my grandfather's home, while at the same time placing him in a nursing home. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it was wonderful to be able to be there to support my mom through this struggle. I'm excited and looking forward to 2011. In the next few weeks we should be meeting our little boy and nothing could be more exciting than that!!

Now back to the books. I had several favorites this year, but the following five were my top reads for 2010:

Hate List - Jennifer Brown: This was the first book I finished in 2010 it was amazing. Still a year later I find myself thinking of this book.
Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane: I'm not sure if any book has ever kept me on my toes as much as this one. I still can't get over the ending!
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee: I still don't understand why I waited as long as I did to read this wonderfully written American classic.
Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson: An amazing book that everyone should be required to read!
The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough: Another unforgettable read that I waited way too long to read. One of the most amazing sagas ever written.

All in all, not a shabby year for me. I hope to read at least the same amount of books if not more in 2011, and continue to blog and post and meet new people!!

2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

2011-01-01T04:20:00.005-01:00

This will probably be the last challenge I'll enter to 2011 (except for the Chunkster Challenge which will be crossovers). This challenge is hosted by Yabliss and has the following rules:

You are not required to review the books unless you wish to enter one of the exclusive giveaways for participants that will be offered during 2011 for which the entries will be reviews.
Books do NOT have to be 2011 releases nor do they have to be debuts.
All books must be YA or MG to count.
You do NOT have to run a blog to participate, although there must be a public website where I can find you (Goodreads, LibraryThing, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, etc)
Your blog does NOT have to be a book blog.
If you enter with your blog link, you MUST post about the challenge so I may link.
Books that are paranormal or urban fantasy set in a historical setting (Clockwork Angel) are still technically Historical Fiction. They DO count towards your total. I dont have them in any of the lists because the idea was to promote realistic historical books that are less popular.

Level 1: 5 YA HF books in 2011

Level 2: 10 YA HF books in 2011

Level 3: 15 YA HF books in 2011

I'm choosing to partipate at Level 2. Here's my list:

A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray
Rebel Angels - Libba Bray
The Sweet Far Thing - Libba Bray
~~Number the Stars - Lois Lowry~~
The Luxe - Anna Godbersen
Rumors - Anna Godbersen
Envy - Anna Godbersen
Splendor - Anna Godbersen
~~What I Saw and How I Lied - Judy Blundell~~
~~Sarah Plain and Tall - Patricia Maclachlan~~

2011 South Asian Author Challenge

2011-01-01T04:09:00.001-01:00

S. Krishna's Books is hosting this challenge this year. Below are the rules. This challenge is completely out of my comfort zone so I'm looking forward to the challenge!!

What books are eligible for the 2011 South Asian Challenge?

There are two ways for a book to qualify for the South Asian Challenge

1.A book must be by a South Asian author. For these purposes, South Asia includes the following countries: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. There are no limitations on what the book can be about.

2.A book must be about South Asia. In this case, it can be set in a South Asian country or be about South Asians living abroad. It can also be a biography or memoir of a South Asian, or of a non-South Asian traveling or working in South Asia. In this case, the author does not need to be South Asian, as long as the subject matter focuses on the region, peoples, or cultures in some way.

Any type book qualifies, as long as it meets one of the two guidelines above - a cookbook, short story or essay collection, travel guide, etc...AND if only part of a book is about South Asia it still qualifies.

Other guidelines:

•Everyone is encouraged to participate.

There are several levels of participation:

•South Asian Encounter - 1 book
•South Asian Wanderer - 3 books
•South Asian Explorer - 5 books
•South Asian Adventurer - 7 books
•South Asian Hero/Heroine - 10 books
•South Asian Guru - Over 10 books (you can set your own goal)

I'm looking to read 7 books for this challenge:

Brick Lane - Monical Ali
The 20th Wife - Indu Sundaresan
The Feast of Roses - Indu Sundaresan
The Splendor of Silence - Indu Sundaresan
Gifted - Nikita Lalwani
The Space Between Us - Thrifty M Umrigar
The Dowry Bride - Shobhan Bantwal

2011 War Through the Generations Challenge

2011-01-01T04:01:00.000-01:00

I'm joining this challenge because it is so different from anything I've ever participated in before. This is forcing me to read a few books I probably would never have picked up before. I'm choosing to read three books about the Civil War era. All three books are fiction:

Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
Enemy Women - Paulette Jiles
Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier

2011 YA Reading Challenge

2011-01-01T03:36:00.005-01:00

This challenge should be super easy for me. The majority of books that I currently read are YA. This challenge is hosted by Jamie loves YA and looks fun! The rules are below:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Create a post about the challenge and link your challenge post up in the linky below.
--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.
2. There are four levels:
--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.
3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.

I'm looking to read at least 20 YA books, but could and most likely will read more:

~~1. Sarah, Plain and Tall - Patricia MacLachlan~~
~~2. Number the Stars - Lois Lowry~~
~~3. If I Stay - Gayle Forman~~
~~4. What I Saw and How I Lied - Judy Blundell~~
~~5. Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta~~
~~6. Bitter End - Jennifer Brown~~
~~7. Fallout - Ellen Hopkins~~
~~8. I Heart You, You Haunt Me - Lisa Schroeder~~
~~9. But I Love Him - Amanda Grace~~
~~10. Hearts at Stake - Alyxandra Harvey~~
~~11. Fearscape - Simon Holt~~
~~12. Ruby Red - Krysten Gier~~
~~13. Forgive My Fins - Tera Lynn Childs~~
~~14. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa~~
~~15. Firespell - Chloe Neill~~
~~16. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs~~
~~17. Cloaked - Alex Flinn~~
~~18. Chain Reaction - Simone Elkeles~~
~~19. The Juliet Spell - Douglas Rees~~
~~20. Pretty Little Liars - Sara Shepard~~

ALL READ AND CHALLENGE COMPLETED!!

Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T03:34:00.000-01:00

The ladies at Historical Tapestry are hosting the 2011 Historical Fiction challenge. Historical Fiction is actually what brought me back to reading after many years away and I'd like to read a bit more of this year then I've read in the past. The rules are simple:

•Any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

•You can overlap this challenge with others kind of challenges

•During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

1.Severe Bookaholism: 20 books

2.Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books

3.Struggling the Addiction: 10 books

4.Daring & Curious: 5 books

5.Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books
The challenge will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

I'll be joining at Level 3. Here is my tentative list for 2011

Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
Memoris of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Boyleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory
Pope Joan - Donna Woolfolk Cross
The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly
Forever Amber - Kathleen Winsor
The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B - Sandra Gulland
Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
The Kitchen Boy - Robert Alexander
The Bronze Horseman - Paullina Simons

Review: Size 12 Is Not Fat

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-01:00

Title: Size 12 Is Not Fat
Author: Meg Cabot
Pages: 345
Rating: 4/5

HEATHER WELLS ROCKS!

Or, at least, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two—and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past, Heather's perfectly happy with her new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New York's top colleges. That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knows teenage girls . . . and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen—not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives—even when more students start turning up dead in equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!

But her new job comes with few benefits, no cheering crowds, and lots of liabilities, some of them potentially fatal. And nothing ticks off a killer more than a portly ex-pop star who's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong . . . (megcabot.com)

I finished this one a few weeks ago and am just now getting around to writing the review. This was actually my last read of 2010. This is the second Meg Cabot book that I've read and I really really enjoyed it. She is a wonderful author with a fun way with words.

Size 12 is Not Fat introduces readers to Heather Wells, a quirky ex pop star turned assistant dorm director. Heather is full of energy, funny, and just plain suspicious of everyone around her. Especially when several of the dorm residents are found dead in the elevator shafts. I loved reading about Heather, and how she went about solving the mystery. Plus, her relationship with her boss and landlord Cooper is a nice (looking) extra edition to the story. I love how Heather swoons over him and he seems almost clueless. It will be exciting to see where Cabot takes this relationship in the coming books.

There are two more books written so far in this series: Size 14 is Not Fat Either and Big Boned. I have both of these and dabbled with Size 14 but ended up getting distracted by other things and haven't gotten back to it.

All in all, I recommend these to readers who are looking for a light, fun read with a bit of mystery tossed in!

Memorable Memoirs Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-31T23:10:00.002-01:00

Melissa @ The Betty and Boo Chronicles is hosting this challenge for the second year in a row. Melissa states:

About the Challenge: If you enjoy reading memoirs or really haven't explored them as much as you'd like to, then this is the challenge for you. Anything that in your mind qualifies as a memoir will meet the challenge requirements. Letters, diaries, autobiographies, books on writing memoirs ... in my book, they all count as Memorable Memoirs. Books, e-books, audiobooks are all fine.

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2011. You can sign up anytime from now and throughout 2011, but don't start reading until January 1, 2011.

Requirements: It's up to you! I want this to be a fun and low-key challenge, yet one that will be worthwhile of your valuable reading time. If that means reading one memoir, that's great. If that means reading three dozen, even better. You decide what works for you. Overlaps with other challenges are more than fine ... even encouraged. :)

Write a post (or include your intention to participate in this along with other challenges) on your blog (if you don't have a blog, you can just leave a comment). Tell us how many Memorable Memoirs you're planning on reading. You don't need to list your books in advance, but if you want to, we'd love to see which ones you're thinking about. You can always change them later. (I'll create a list of possibilities based on some of my own memoir reading and that which participants did last year.)

For this challenge I would like to read ten memoirs. I'm not sure if I'll get through all of them, but I have so many ones that sound amazing on my shelves that I couldn't pass them up. Here's the list:

The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
A Girl Names Zippy - Havien Kimmel
The Color of Water - James McBride
Dewey - Vicki Myron
The Tender Bar - JR Moehringer
Falling Leaves - Adeline Yen Mah
Stolen Lives - Malika Oufkir
~~Breath, Eyes, Memory - Edwidge Danticat~~

Romance Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-31T23:00:00.001-01:00

Romance has never been a genre that I've really been tempted with but this is the year I'm expanding my horizons. Therefore, I'm giving the romance challenge a try. This challenge is hosted at The Bookworm.

1. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

2. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.
3. Read them at your own pace in 2011 then post the link to your review(s).

My book choices for 2011 include:

~~Forgive My Fins: Tera Lynn Childs~~
~~Chain Reaction: Simone Elkeles~~
~~Welcome to the Great Mysterious - Lorna Landvik~~
~~The Juliet Spell - Douglas Rees~~
~~But I Love Him - Amanda Grace~~

ALL READ AND CHALLENGE COMPLETED

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Challenge 2011

2010-12-29T02:52:00.000-01:00

I love cozie mysteries but never take the time to read them. This challenge gives me a good excuse to pick them up! The rules are simple:

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read 1-6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Reading 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.

3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.

This challenge is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews and can be found here.

I'm excited to tell about the books I have picked out for this challenge. I'm going to do level number 3 for Super Sleuth and read 13 or more books! I'll start by picking 13:

The Poyson Garden - Karen Harper (crossover)
Jane and the Unpleasantness of Scargrave Manor - Stephanie Barron (crossover)
Last Writes - Laura Levine (crossover)
Murder on the Menu - Miranda Bliss (crossover)
Candy Apple Dead - Sammi Carter
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death - M.C. Beaton
Killer Hair - Ellen Byerrum
Mistletoe Murder - Leslie Meier
Shop till You Drop - Elaine Viets
Death by Darjeeling - Laura Childs
Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye - Victoria Laurie
How to Murder a Millionaire - Nancy Martin
Sit, Stay, Slay - Linda O Johnston

What's in a Name Challenge 2011

2010-12-28T03:06:00.004-01:00

This challenge is pretty exciting and I'm looking forward to using it to help clear the TBR in a creative way. Hosted by Beth @ Beth Fish Reads, the What's in a Name Challenge challenges readers to read six books each in a different category:

A book with a number in the title
A book with jewelry or a gem in the title
A book with a size in the title
A book with travel or movement in the title
A book with evil in the title
A book with a life stage in the title

This challenge was super hard to find books for (at least for me it was!) but I managed to find them all on my TBR shelves:

~~Number - 1st to Die: James Patterson~~
~~Gem - Ruby Red: Krysten Gier~~
~~Size - Sarah, Plain and Tall: Patricia Maclachlan~~
~~Travel/Movement - If I Stay: Gail Forman~~
~~Evil - Fearscape: Simon Holt~~
~~Life Stage - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: Ransom Riggs~~

ALL BOOKS READ AND CHALLENGE FINISHED

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-28T01:52:00.003-01:00

I'm really looking forward to this challenge in 2011. Mystery and suspense is a genre that I used to read exclusively. I think I burned myself out on it, but I'm looking forward to digging into it again. This challenge is hosted by Book Chick City (you can sign up there!). The goal is to read 12 mystery or suspense books over the course of 2011. You can read more if you want to, and you don't have to list your books ahead of time. Of course, I'm going to make a tentative list, but it is definitely subject to change. I have a few crossovers from other challenges too which makes this even better!!

~~Darkly Dream Dexter: Jeff Lindsay~~
~~Pretty Little Liars: Sara Shepard~~
~~1st to Die: James Patterson~~

I just can't wait until Saturday to start all these great sounding books!!

2nds Challenge 2011

2010-12-27T03:08:00.001-01:00

This is another challenge that I'm excited about. I have a horrible habit of reading one book in a series and then stopping, failing to pick up the second book. I have so many series where I've read the first book and never went any farther. This should push me to do so (however, I'm pretty sure I'll have to re-read the first one as a refresher!!). This challenge is hosted by Katy @ A Few More Pages.
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels to choose from in this challenge:

Just a spoonful - Read 3 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A few more bites - Read 6 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A full plate - Read 12 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
All you can eat - Read 20 books (or more) that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011. Don't start reading until January.

I'll be reading 6 books for this challenge also, all the 2nd in a series:

The Darkest Kiss - Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld)
Murder on the Menu - Miranda Bliss (A Cooking Class Mystery)
Night Pleasures - Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter Series)
Last Writes - Laura Levine (Jaine Austen Mystery)
California Demon - Julie Kenner (Demon Hunting Soccer Mom)
Frost Bite - Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy)

1st in a Series Challenge 2011

2010-12-27T02:47:00.008-01:00

I'm super excited about this challenge and have so many series I'd love to start in the coming year (I also have a few hundred I'd like to finish but that's an entire different story in itself!). This blog is hosted by Katy @ A Few More Pages.

The rules for this challenge are simple:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels for this challenge:

Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in any series.
Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in any series.
Series Expert: Read 12 books that are the first in any series.
Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in any series.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011.

I'm going to join at Level 2 and attempt to read the first book in SIX different series. I like to plan ahead so I already have my list but it is definitely subject to changes:

1. ~~Darkly Dreaming Dexter~~ ~~- Jeff Lindsay~~
2. ~~Hearts at Stake~~ ~~- Alyxandra Harvey~~
3. ~~Ruby Red~~ ~~- Krysten Gier~~
4. ~~Forgive My Fins~~ ~~- Tera Lynn Childs~~
~~5. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa~~
~~6. Firespell - Chloe Neill~~

ALL BOOKS READ AND COMPLETED!!!

What are you reading (23)?

2010-12-27T02:19:00.000-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

It's been a few weeks since a last posted. Life has been busy busy busy!! The holidays were wonderful but draining. I'm now 34 weeks pregnant with less than 6 weeks to go...I'm miserable. I know longer remember what it feels like to sleep for eight hours straight without getting up to go to the bathroom four times a night. Plus, I've watched so much late night TV because I can't sleep I'm pretty sure I'm going to turn into an infomerical.

As for baby, I'm giving birth to a large ham :). We went for another ultrasound on Wednesday and baby was measuring at 36 weeks and 6 days...3 weeks ahead of schedule. He's 6 lbs 9 oz according to the ultrasound and growing rapidly. The doctors are thinking C-Section if he continues to grow because they worry about crushing his shoulders as he travels through the birth canal. I've been having Braxton Hicks on and off all weekend, and some cramping. I'm not sure if I'll make it long enough for a C Section...lol :) I also passed my 3 hour glucose test so no gestational diabetes for me...yay!!!

I'm ready to have this baby and looking forward to the new year. I'm looking at different challenges, none of which I'll probably complete with a newborn but its still exciting. There's so many motivational ones out there, and I have so many books I can't wait to read!

As for these past few weeks, I read one book in between the Christmas shopping and family visiting. I finished Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot which I loved, and I've been working on Size 14 is Not Fat Either. I haven't read a lot of Meg Cabot and I'm really enjoying her!

I'm not making any reading goals for the next week, because I don't know what the week holds! Happy reading everyone and enjoy your new year!!

What are you reading (22)?

2010-12-06T01:06:00.002-01:00

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books. It's helpful way to take a look at what you have read and what you want to read!

I'm sorry to say, I have yet to read or finish anything since my last "what are you reading post." We've been super busy at work and by the time I get home, I barely have the energy to make dinner and clean up. I spent most of this weekend hanging out on the couch watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate.

I feel HUGE right now, and I know it's only going to get worse. The baby is big, weighing in around 4.5 lbs already, and I still have a little less than nine weeks to go. I have a three hour glucose test tomorrow to confirm if I do or do not have gestational diabetes and then I go back to the OB/GYN on Monday the 13th. I'm curious to see if they change my due date seeing as how big he is.

I'm a bit behind on reviews, and I have several books started, I just don't seem to have the energy to finish them. Good news is though, the nursery is completely finished, the baby's clothes are all washed, and my shower is done. I've been working on thank you cards, and should hopefully finish up my Christmas shopping this week. Maybe once all that is done, I can find the time and energy to read again!

This week, if the mood strikes, I'd like to finish up Lamb by Christopher Moore and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I'm not going to make a lot of plans for anything else!

How is your reading week going?