My Favorite Books of '08 and Happy New Year!

2008 has been an amazing year for young adult fiction. Every book I read was really good or excellent. I really don't think I read a truly terrible book this year. ( Isn't that amazing?) So, I've decided to list some of my favorite books from this year in no particular order.

1. The Host by Stephanie Meyer


2. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr


3. Shelter Me by Alex Mcaulay ( this is officially a '09 release, but I read it this year and it was great.)


4. Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers


5. Impossible by Nancy Werlin


6. Identical by Ellen Hopkins


7. Black Box by Julie Schumacher


8. Sleepless by Terri Clark


9. Evernight by Claudia Gray


10. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong


11. Undone by Brooke Taylor


12. Kitty Kitty by Michele Jaffe


13. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson


14. All of the books Elizabeth Scott released this year


15. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

And a ton of other books that I can't think of right now.

I hope '09 is another great year for YA like '08 was!!

What were some of your faves from this year? Where any of them ones I listed?

By the way, Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wating on Wednesday(7)

My pick this week is:

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti

How long can you wait for true love?

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend.So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happinessis over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?

In this third romantic novel from Susane Colasanti, Marisa learns how to “be in the Now” and realizes that the love she’s been waiting for has been right in front of her all along.

My Thoughts:

I loved When it Happens by Susane, but I haven't read Take Me There yet. Though, I do own it. Waiting for You seems like it's going to be awesome. I can't wait until it's released on July 9.

By the way, doesn't it seem like something Sarah Dessen would write? To, me it sounds kind of like Just Listen in the way how the girl has a fallout with her best friend and how she kind of likes a guy who is a DJ and thinks this guy seems to understand her ( like Owen and Annabel!)

How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro

Summary:

Kate DelVecchio is a business woman. When it comes to matters of the heart, she has no time. Look at her own parents. Total dysfunction.

At seventeen, Kate has one goal in her life: to become a millionaire before the age of twenty. ( Okay, twenty-five if hits some bumps in the road.) And as far as she is concerned, college will only slow her down. Unfortunately for Kate, the one thing her parents do agree on is that they totally disagree with here strategy. And so the deal is born. If Kate can raise five thousand big ones by graduation day, her parents will hand over the balance of her college account to invest as she pleases. No college, no degree, and no way she’ll ever be able to pull it off.

Surprisingly, it where her heart isn’t that precisely what might solve her dilemma. Since when has love ever helped anyone?

Since now.

When Kate reluctantly agrees to go to the sports banquet with the hottest guy at school, she stumble upon a possible cash cow. The rest of the senior class is amazed that no-nonsense Kate could hook such a hottie, and one by one they approach her for help hooking their own. She doesn’t know anything about getting guys, but for a hundred dollars a pop, she’s more than willing to invent a Six-Pont Plan. And how could that possibly backfire. (from back of book)

Review:

How to Hook a Hottie was one word: cute. It wasn’t anything really amazing or anything truly awful, just a cute fun read. The whole story line was interesting in the way that she helped all those people get the person of their dreams. I liked seeing Kate’s no nonsense character grow into a person who actually put others before herself and seeing her relationships with her mom get better as the book went on. Also her relationship with, Dal, her best friend and the guy she starts to get feelings for, was a cute addition to the story, as well as Kate’s sister, Suzannah and Lexie the funny little seventh grader Kate drove to and form ice skating practice for money. Tina’s writing was funny and to the point which left it to never get extremely boring. I finished the 196 pages in less than an hour as a result of this. Also, the ending was predictable, but I can’t see it being any different.

Overall, How to Hook a Hottie is the perfect book for a snowy day. I can’t wait to read Tina’s next book, The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, which I except any day now in my mail box. Also, if you haven’t read her first book, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, I suggest you give it a try if you read and liked this book.

Grade: B+

In My Mailbox

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course.

After a not-quite-peachy year apart, three Georgia peaches come home to Darlington Orchard

When Murphy chose New York City, she left her first love behind. Now, a summer in Bridgewater means trading subway trains for pickup trucks and facing the boy she turned her back on.

Leeda expects her trip home to be over faster than her new Manhattan boyfriend can hail a cab—until a surprising inheritance saddles her with a huge responsibility.

Birdie's heart led her all the way to Mexico, and heartbreak brings her back to the orchard. But when the Darlington family decides to leave peach trees for palm trees, Birdie gets a crash course in letting go—and learning when to hold on.

Together for another juicy summer, carefree Murphy, perfect Leeda, and big-hearted Birdie return to the place that allowed them to bloom. Brimming with all the charm, humor, and heart of Peaches and The Secrets of Peaches, this satisfying conclusion to the series reunites three unlikely best friends for a final sweet farewell. (from Amazon.com)

This was one of my Christmas gifts from my Mom. I loved the first two. So, I hope this one will be no different.

It was only a few weeks ago that Aphra Connolly’s life changed completely. She had been living a quiet existence on her father’s secluded island resort, until Seth Mulo turned up and stole her heart . . . and provided information that led her to find her mom in Seattle. But the reunion isn’t quite what she expected. Aphra’s mom, Natalie, doesn’t seem happy to see Aphra, and Natalie’s boyfriend, Joe, insists that Aphra go home. Even worse, Seth shows up, only to ask her to return the ring he gave her the previous summer. At least Natalie’s hunky neighbor is sympathetic. But when Joe is found dead at a nearby coffee shop, Aphra discovers her whole trip to Seattle has been based on a lie. And now someone just might be trying to kill her. . . . (from Amazon.com)

This was another one of my Christmas gifts.

Maggie Leigh just wants to be a normal teenager, but when German bombs tear apart London during World War II, her ultra-religious mother sees the destruction as divine punishment. She sends Maggie to a remote boarding school in coastal Wales, supposedly to keep her safe, but also to keep her in line. The school is creepy, the headmistress is a lunatic, and the students range from spoiled rich girls to speechless trauma victims. But when a tragic accident happens on the beach, Maggie and three friends are forced to flee the school, plunging into the nightmarish world of Europe during wartime. Now every decision Maggie makes is fraught with danger, and living to see another day depends on how quickly she can think and act...and how far she's willing to go. (from Amazon.com)

I actually got this form Alex. How cool is that? Plus, it has a note in it to me!! I can't wait to read this.

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

Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her. (from Publisheres website)

I having been dying to read this book. Since, I saw it a couple of months ago somewhere. When I first saw it, I connected Courtney and asked if she had any ARCs left. She had, unfortunately, just sent out her last one a couple of days ago. Than, a couple of weeks ago they had a copy available on Flamingnet. Though, my review that I had submitted a couple of days ago hadn't been approved yet. Therefor, I couldn't get it, again! So, now that I finally have a copy, I'm supper excited.

While juggling friendship issues (her best friend isn’t speaking to her), a love triangle-turned-square (okay, maybe she shouldn’t have kissed her best friend’s boyfriend…but it was totally an accident!…sort of), and escalating mayhem in her small religious town (uh-oh…what would Jesus do?), Emma realizes she has to stop trying to please everyone around her and figure out what she wants for herself. It’s time to start asking, “What would Emma do?” (from Amazon.com)

I saw this a couple of months ago on Amazon and wasn't too sure about it. Though, after reading on Meg Cabot's blog that she loved it. I decided to give it a try because if Meg endorses it, it must be excellent or very close to it.

Welcome to Morganville, Texas.

Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero.

When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. (from Amazon.com)

I've been hearing great things about this series. So, I decided to give it a try. Plus, it didn't hurt that it was only $5.99

I've had a pretty good week. All of these books look excellent and I can't wait to start them!

You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay

Summary:

" Fifteen year old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a bunch of dead people to a bunch of dead people with a whole lot issues."
All Meghan wants to do is go to homecoming. Unfortunately, every time she leaves the house she gets trailed by a bunch of slobbering undead, making it a little hard to score a date. Not that it matters. Her crush, fellow settler ( and total hottie) Ethan, treats her like an annoying kid sister anyway.
When someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, it's up to Megan to spot the Zombie apocalypse. Her life- and more importantly, homecoming- depends on it. ( From back cover of ARC)

Review:

Your So Undead To Me was a mix of romance, friendships, and zombie settling. In this book all of the zombie settlers have their own secret society and rules they follow. I thought this was a really unique turn to the whole zombie world. Meghan was a funny and honest character most of the time which made me come to enjoy reading about her life. The only problem I had was her belief that her whole world was going to be ruined if she didn't go to homecoming with a hot date and her obsession over Ethan. So, when it was kind of dropped and replaced with the other side of her, I was hooked. Another part I enjoyed was the mystery behind who was doing all the black magic. I thought I had it figured out from the beginning who it was. Though, as the story progressed the person behind it all became much clearer. I was truly surprised. Lastly, I enjoyed the whole kicking zombie butt part of the story and hope there is plenty more of it to come in the sequel. Though, I wish there was more of Meghan being a "therapist" to the zombies, because it could have been an interesting part of the story. So, I hope Stacey will include more of that, too.

Overall, Your So Undead to Me was a pleasant surprise. I had never read a book about zombies or zombie settling before. Though, I had seen countless movies about both. So, when I first began reading this I was a little bit weary, but in the end I loved this book a ton. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Undead Much, and whatever else Stacey comes up with.

Grade: B+

Your So Undead To Me will be released on January 22, 2009. You can preorder it here.

* Much thanks to Jillian for sending me a copy!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!
Happy Kwanzaa!!!!!
Happy Hanukkah!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!!!!

I hope everyone got a ton of awesome gifts and had a wonderful day. I certainly did.

Some of the gifts I received were:
Death by Latte by Linda Gerber
Love and Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson
A new I Pod
(5!!!) Barnes and Noble Gift Cards
Amazon Gift Cards
Cash!!!
DVDs
CDs

You don't realize how hard it is to have a big wad of gift cards and cash in your pocket until Christmas, I am seriously dying to go shopping. Some of the things I'm planning to get this Saturday are Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers, Privilege by Kate Brian and more. Plus, some shirts from American Eagle and Aero. I can't wait.

Did you guys get anything get exciting for Christmas? I would love to know! :)

Waiting On Wednesday(6)

My pick this week is:

Are U 4 Real? by Sarah Kadefors

Kyla is exactly the kind of girl Alex could never talk to in real life. She’s a gorgeous, outspoken L.A. girl who parties to forget about her absent father and depressed mother. He’s a shy ballet dancer from outside San Francisco who’s never been kissed. Luckily, when these sixteen-year-olds meet for the first time it’s not in real life—it’s in a chat room, where they can share their feelings of isolation and frustration away from the conformity-obsessed high school scene. Alex and Kyla quickly forge a friendship that’s far from virtual—maybe they’re even falling in love. But what happens when the soul mate you've never met moves from online to in person?

Sara Kadefors’s wildly romantic, award-winning Swedish bestseller perfectly captures the universal angst of being a teenager, and the perhaps even more universal struggle to negotiate identity in a multi-platform world.

My Thoughts:

Are U 4 Real? looks like it's going to be a cute read. Plus, I absolutely love the cover. This will be released May 14, 2009.

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

Summary:

PJ: Penelope Jane's fluent French come from being raised near the Canadian border, yet now this trouble, stunning waif will used it to escape her past forever.

Olivia: She may be a born dancer, destined for success. But that doesn't mean scholarship-worthy grade and long distance boyfriends are easy. What's that saying about best-laid plans?

Alex: With a tough-love New Yorker mom and absentee dad, this snarky Fashionista is anyhting but innocent. While seducing the guy of the moment, she could be in for the worst fall of her life.

Zack: Now that he's away from his conservative Southern upbringing, lovable, handsome Zack can have almost anything he wants in Paris. But what if what he wants most is.... Another boy? (from back of ARC)

Review:

Beautiful Americans had a mix of romance, friendship, and secrets. Lucy's writing in this book was extremely well done in the way the book just pulled you right in at the first chapter. Also, Lucy slowly told the secrets of Zack, PJ, Alex, and Olivia instead of just telling everything in the very first chapter. So, I was constantly wondering what was going to happen and guessing everyone's dirty little secrets.

Beautiful Americans characters where three-dimensional in the way that you could feel what they were going through. Also, all of the characters stories are told in alternating first person chapters which I liked and didn't like. I liked it in the way you never got bored with the characters and how you got to see that they weren't as shallow as you would think, but didn't in the way that someones story would be interesting. Though, then it was the next character's turn leaving me wondering what happened in the end.

Overall, I thought this book was excellent. The ending left a bit to wanted, though all the problems will probably be resolved in the next book which comes out in September. ( Isn't that a long way away?)

Grade: A-

Beautiful Americans comes out January 8, 2009. You can preorder it here.

* Much thanks to Jillian for sending me a copy!

I Love Your Blog: Take 2

I have been nominated again by Another Page Is Used ( Reading is My Life) and Bookworm Readers. Thanks so much guys!! I love your blogs, too. Edit: Ashley from Books Make Great Lovers has also nominated me. Thanks so much!!

Since, I've already nominated people the first time around and I think most people have been nominated, I 'm not going to nominate people again. Though, if you haven't yet been nominated consider yourself nominated. :) Anyway, to see my previous nominations click here.

In My Mailbox

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course.

Fashion isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.

Halloween comes to Winston Prep and the newly named teen fashion label POSEUR introduces this season’s must-have accessory: a red-hot handbag called the Trick-or-Treater. But whose design is sweetest? Janie, Petra, Melissa, and Charlotte all insist: Mine. You see the problem?

Good thing, then, for the sweetness of revenge. Time to dust off that costume and put your best mask forward. ‘Tis the season for candy, conflict, and couture.

So, I got this on Friday from Book Divas. Though, I kind of have a problem because I haven't read the first one. I requested this because I thought I did. So, my question is do you have to read the first one to understand what's happening in the second??

Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today's bestselling teen authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

I can't wait to get started on this one. Since, it's by some of my favorite authors.

Lia Kahn was perfect: rich, beautiful, popular -- until the accident that nearly killed her. Now she has been downloaded into a new body that only looks human. Lia will never feel pain again, she will never age, and she can't ever truly die. But she is also rejected by her friends, betrayed by her boyfriend, and alienated from her old life.

Forced to the fringes of society, Lia joins others like her. But they are looked at as freaks. They are hated...and feared. They are everything but human, and according to most people, this is the ultimate crime -- for which they must pay the ultimate price.

I've never read any of Robin's titles before. So, I kind of took a chance on this when I bought it, but it looks like it going to amazing. Though, it seems kind of similar to The Adoration of Jeanna Fox which is a good thing/ bad thing.

Twenty-year-old Ruth Berger is desperate. The daughter of a Jewish-Austrian professor, she was supposed to have escaped Vienna before the Nazis marched into the city. Yet the plan went completely wrong, and while her family and fiancé are waiting for her in safety, Ruth is stuck in Vienna with no way to escape. Then she encounters her father’s younger college professor, the dashing British paleontologist Quin Sommerville. Together, they strike a bargain: a marriage of convenience, to be annulled as soon as they return to safety. But dissolving the marriage proves to be more difficult than either of them thought—not the least because of the undeniable attraction Quin and Ruth share. To make matters worse, Ruth is enrolled in Quin’s university, in his very classes. Can their secret survive, or will circumstances destroy their love?

In a fragile world on the brink of World War II, lovely young Englishwoman Ellen Carr takes a job as a housemother at an unorthodox boarding school in Vienna that specializes in music, drama, and dance. Ellen simply wants to cook beautiful food in the homeland of her surrogate grandmother, who had enchanted her with stories of growing up in the countryside of Austria. What she finds when she reaches the Hallendorf School in Vienna is a world that is magically unconventional - and completely out of control. The children are delightful, but wild; the teachers are beleaguered and at their wits' end; and the buildings are a shambles. In short, the whole place is in desperate need of Ellen's attention. Ellen seems to have been born to nurture all of Hallendorf; soon everyone from Leon the lonely young musical prodigy to harassed headmaster Mr. Bennet to Marek the mysterious groundsman depends on Ellen for - well, everything. And in providing all of them with whatever they need, especially Marek, for whom she develops a special attachment, Ellen is happier than she's ever been...

When I was younger I read Eva's Middle Grade titles like Island For Aunts. So, when I saw these at the library I thought I should check out at least one because they sound great. Plus, the covers are really pretty.

So, that is what I got this week. I think I'm going to start Let It Snow today because where I live where getting a snow storm and I have nohting else to do. Plus, what's better than to read a book that has snow in the title when it's actually snowing???

Waiting on Wednesday(5)

My pick this week is:

Sea Change by Aimme Friedman

16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.

Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

My Thoughts:

I've never read a Aimme Friedman book before. Though, I do have The Year My Sister Got Lucky somewhere in my room. Sea Change looks like an awesome book. I want to see what mysteries are behind this island and what Leo is hiding. Though, I will just have to wait until it's released to on June 1st.

To find out more about Waitng On Wednesday go here.

For previous Waiting On Wednesdays go here.

Contests Links

Lisa Schroeder is having a release party for her new novel Far From You. To find out more check out the info below:
Lisa Schroeder, author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, is celebrating the release of her upcoming YA novel, FAR FROM YOU, and hosting a contest with LOTS of great prizes!
For three days leading up to the book’s release date of December 23rd, you can watch VLOGs and hear some excerpts read from the book. The VLOG schedule is as follows:

Sunday, December 21st – Liv’s Book Reviews -
http://livsbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 22nd – What Vanessa Reads - http://whatvanessareads.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, December 23rd – Lisa Schroeder, author - http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/ and http://myspace.com/writerlisa
Help spread the word, and you might win a fabulous prize!

Copy and paste THIS entire blog entry into your blog between now and December 21st, then come back to Lisa’s blog at either Livejournal OR Myspace and leave a comment with the link to your blog and you will get TWO entries to win a number of prizes.
Wondering what you might win? Here is the list (there will be multiple winners):

~ An Advanced Review Copy of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan

~ An Advanced Review Copy of SOMETHING, MAYBE, by Elizabeth Scott

~ Young adult novel GIRL, HERO by Carrie Jones

~ Young adult novel, THE POSSIBILITIES OF SAINTHOOD by Donna Freitas

~ Young adult novel, UGLIES by Scott Westerfield

~ Pair of YA fairy tale retellings by Cameron Dokey (BELLE and BEFORE MIDNIGHT)

~ TWILIGHT movie soundtrack

~ $15.00 Barnes and Noble gift card along with some Harry & David’s chocolate moose munch

~ And of course, a signed copy of FAR FROM YOU

For more chances to win, watch one or all of the VLOGs and leave a comment on that vlogger’s page, and you get another entry. That means if you post the schedule on your blog AND comment on all three VLOGs, you can have FIVE entries for the contest!
A live drawing with winners announced will be done by Lisa Thursday morning, December 24th, in a special holiday VLOG.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reviewer X is having Girl Week at her blog. Fabulous authors are stopping by and there is going to a ton of cool prizes!

Prizes you can win so far are:

Lip Gloss
Artichoke's Heart ( This Looks Great!)
I Know It's Over ( I'm dying to read this)
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone ( and it's signed! Isn't that cool?)
Lock and Key ( I loved this book!)
Braless in Wonderland ( Also, signed)
Ten Cents a Dance (Signed!)
Willow( I just started this book the other night and it's so good!!)
Triple Shot Bettys in Love ( This one looks great, too)
The Gemma Doyle Trilogy ( This is one of the best trilogy's around. Plus, it's signed by the awesome Libba Bray. I am so hopping that I win this. :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harmony Book Reviews is giving away a copy of Far From you by Lisa Schroeder.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Story Siren is having a contest where you can win a ton of different books.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bookworm Readears is having a contest where you can win one out of ten books.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Laura's Review Bookshelf is giving away copies of:

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag (ARC)
Hottie by Jonathan Bernstein (ARC)
Before, After, and Somebody in Between (signed)
Popular Vote
and a $10 dollar gift card.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Summary:

"Lucy has only nine months in which to break an ancient curse."

Lacy Scarborough is seventeen when she iscoversw that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child's birth. How can Lucy succed when all of her ancestors have tried and failed? But lucy is the first girl who won't be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents beside her. And she has, Zach, whose stregth amazes her mosre each day. Do they have enough love and resolve to overcome and age-old evil?

Inspired by the ballad" Scarborough Fair,' this spellbinding novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intesely pagetruning and masterfully orginal take.

Review:

Impossible was a very addicting read that had a mix of romance, curses, and a fairy tale gone wrong. I loved the whole curse aspect behind the story and the three tasks that had to be completed in order to keep Lucy sane unlike the rest of her ancestors. Lucy was a very strong character that was believable most of the time. She never backed down once even when she lost all hope in completing the tasks. Which I thought was very brave of her. Also, I liked Zach's hero type of personality. I wish all guys were like him because of the way he stayed by Lucy's side throughout the story. Nancy Werlin's writing was not incredible but very close to it.

I only had a couple of small problems with the story. For one, I wished there was more of a back story to Lucy's ancestors. I would have liked to seen how their lives turned out after the curse struck them with insanity. Second, I wished their was more to the ending. I felt that it was just quickly summed up without many details of what Lucy's life was like after the outcome of what happened.

Overall, Impossible was a excellent story that I suggest to all kinds of readers. You will not be disappointed with this.

Grade: A+ as in you have to go get it now!!

In My Mailbox

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course.

Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter.

Inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale.

Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child’s birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won’t be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents and her childhood friend Zach beside her. Do they have love and strength enough to overcome an age-old evil?

I got this book the other day at the library, because I loved Nancy Werlin's other book The Rules of Survival and I've heard great things about this book. Plus, the description is intriguing.

The secret of The Rule of Won is simple, yet its power has been suppressed for generations. The universe is one of infinite abundance—ask, and you shall receive.

Umm, yeah right. Meet Caleb Dunne, slacker extraordinaire. Caleb prefers to glide through life with the minimal amount of effort, so he isn’t too jazzed when his overachieving girlfriend, Vicky, convinces him to join a new school club based on a controversial book, The Rule of Won. Slackers don’t join school clubs, do they? As The Rule gains popularity, though, the club members start to gain power within the school. From dark posts on the club’s online message board to all-out threats in the hallways, it becomes apparent that the group is getting out of control. For slacker Caleb, though, the only thing worse than doing something is not doing something.

Stefan Petrucha was nice enough to send me a signed copy of this. I've never heard of him before, but I'm looking forward to reading this.

Only two books this week. Though, I fine with that because of all the books I got last week and both of these books look great.

What did you guys get this week?

Wating on Wednesday (4)

My choice this week is:

One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin

Summary:

Fifteen-year-old Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It all started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn's best friend, her witness to everything and the only person (under thirty) Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn's childhood friend Jersy moves back into town—reckless, beautiful boy Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you'd want to dip your fingers into it if you weren't careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. After all, how could she possibly say no to Audrey?

With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time since September, for the first time in her life maybe, something feels right—absolutely, stunningly right. But Finn can't be the girl who does this to her best friend...can she?

Thoughts:

I actually haven't read I Know It's Over yet, but I've heard it's awesome. So, I hope this book will be no different. Since, the summary sounds great and the cover is so pretty. I can't wait until March 26 to get my hands on a copy.

Previous Waiting On Wednesdays

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

Summary:

My Most Excellent Year tells the story of three students- now seniors- most excellent year (their freshman year) and how their lives all changed for the better. First, there’s T.C.( Anthony), who’s obsessed with all things related to baseball, his best friend Augie, and Alejeandra, the girl he’s in love with, but who doesn’t return his feelings. Augie loves all things that have to do with Broadway and his best friend T.C. Also, everyone knows Augie‘s gay, but he just hasn‘t realized his true feelings yet. Lastly, there is Alejeandra. Alejeandra grew up in a very political and fundamental family. Her father is a rich diplomat. Though, Alejeandra is expected to grow up to be just like her parents and her brother her true love is dancing and singing which is unacceptable to her family. As, she pursues this passion in life she begins to become friends with Augie and T.C. and just may fall in love with the T.C.

Review:

My Most Excellent Year was a truly hysterical and cute read that had me turning the pages nonstop. Steve Kluger told this story in diary entrees, instant message conversations, and letters. I’ve read this type of writing before, but have never enjoyed it as much as in this novel. It let me get to know the characters, probably better than it being told in first or third person, and it kept the story interesting most of the time. At the beginning his writing could feel a bit so- so , but as the story continued, and as the characters began to get more developed, it picked up and started to get pretty funny. Especially during Augie’s parts. Also, I enjoyed seeing how each character began to grow in one way or another throughout the novel. At the end, I was sad to see it come to a close, but knew that it was just the right time to conclude it. Overall, this story was a cute coming of age novel that I recommend to all age groups. Be aware, though, that the beginning was a tad boring.

Grade: A-

* Reviewed for Flamingnet

In My Mailbox

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore and in the mail, of course.

Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle

Peeled by Joan Bauer

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

Your So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

Willow by Julia Hoban

The Kings Rose by Alisa Libby

WinterGirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Secret Rites of Social Butterflies by Lizabeth Zindel

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Because I Am Furniture by Thaila Chaltas

If I Stay by Gayle Froman

Flygirl by Sheri L. Smith

Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson

Undone by Brooke Taylor

Love Is Hell by Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield,

Justine Larbalester, Gabrielle Zevin, Laurie Faria Stolarz

I also got a copy of Plus by Veronica Chambers but there is no cover available.

As you can see, It was an very exciting week for mail. I was so surprised when I looked out on my doorstep and saw a big box of books. I was in heaven. Anyway, suspect a contest soon since I already own a copy of The Secret Rites of Social Butterflies by Lizabeth Zindel and a contest for Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle (couple of weeks before it's release day) because I got an extra copy. Also, for the books that come out in '09, I'll probably post a review a couple of weeks before the release date.

I love your blog award!!!

I was not just nominated once, not jus twice but THREE times!!! The people who nominated me were Amanda from Reading Is A Drug, Nadine-Stella from Stary Night, and Amanda from That Teen Can Blog. I've been blogging for almost half of a year which compared to other reviewers isn't that long. So, to be awarded with this award three times is huge honor. So thanks, you guys, for caring about my opinion and me!!

Anyway as the rules say I have to nominate 7 other people. So, here are my nominees:

Reading Keeps You Sane

Ashely's Bookshelf

The Story Siren

Hope's Bookshelf

Liv's Book Reviews

Em's Bookshelf

The Page Flipper

Those people now have to:

1. Add the logo of your award to your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Thanks so much to the people who nominated me and to the people who read Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf!!!!

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 3

My pick this week is:

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Summary:

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

Thoughts:

When I finished reading Melissa Marr's first book Wicked Lovely I came to two conclusions: I loved just about everything about it and if Melissa didn't write a sequel to it she would have to be crazy. So, when I saw the beautiful cover one day on one The Story Siren's Books to Pine lists and realized it was the sequel to Wicked Lovely, I was so excited. I'm definitely going to do everything I can to get an ARC, because I don't think I can wait until April to read this.

Previous Waiting on Wednesday's:

Week One

Week Two

Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noel

Summary:

Being the new girl is tough—just ask sixteen-year-old Rio Jones. A New York transplant, Rio has no clue how she's going to fit in at her fancy new private school in Southern California. Plus, being late, overdressed, and named after a Duran Duran song doesn't make the first day any easier.

Then, Rio meets Kristi. Beautiful, rich, and a cheerleader, Kristi is the queen bee of Newport Beach, and she isn't friends with just anyone, so Rio is thrilled when she's invited to be part of the most exclusive, popular clique. Of course, like any club, Kristi and her friends have rules: Always smile (even if you don't mean it), always dress cute (and never repeat outfits), and always flirt (but only with jocks, preps, and rich college guys).

At first, Rio is having a great time, but, as she becomes more immersed in this jet set crowd, she discovers there is one last rule that her new friends forgot to mention: don't cross Kristi...
(from Back)

Review:

Art Geeks and Prom Queens a was cute and light read that I finished in less than a day. I enjoyed reading about Rio's up and downs as she began to rise to be the most popular girl in her class and than going crashing to the bottom when the Kristi, the former queen bee, turns out to be well... mean. I thought Rio's character was very believable by how she handled the situation, because I could see why she would get lost in the moment of popularity which would quickly lead her to want to be the Prom Queen instead of the Art Geek. In the end, Rio handled the situation in a very adult manor which made me like her even more. Alyson Noel's writing truly sounded how a teenager would talk and act which made the novel fly by for me.

Though, I enjoyed Art Geeks and Prom Queens I had one problem with it which was how much it sounded like the movie Mean Girls. For example, when Rio moved to Orange County she quickly became friends with the some people who were interested in art and films, similar to Lindsay Lohan's character, and than when given the chance to be popular she ditches the people in her new school who are starting to like her. Also, Kristi's character was very similar to Rachel McAdams' character Reginae, in the way that she had two sidekicks that she controlled completely, had a set of rules that each girl had to follow, and was the queen of her high school even though she was a junior. Lastly, Rio, like Lindsay's character had a boy who that she was interested in and who was interested back, but she ended up making him distant when she began to follow all of Kristi's rules.

Even though it contained some of those key aspects of Mean Girls, it did stand on it own in many ways. For one, it had substance. Especially in the message that Alyson Noel was trying to get across which was find your true friends not the ones who will turn their backs on you in a moment, and don't just focus on things you don't have, but instead be happy for the ones that you have.

Over all, Art Geeks and Prom Queens is probably one of my favorite Alyson Noel books even with the faults it had.

Grade: B+

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

(summary from back cover)

Review:

When The Hunger Games first came out I wasn't to sure if I was going to read it or not, because it didn't seem like my type of book. Also, I had never heard of Suzanne Collins before. Though, after reading a ton of reviews online about how it was an awesome book, I decided to give it a try. In the end, I was glad I did because I loved it!

The Hunger Games is told in a mix of vivid detail and dialogue that made the book come alive. The whole idea of the country of Panem and the thirteen districts was a very creative one that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, because I was always wondering about what would happen next. The characters and their relationships were well developed, especially the unbreakable one between Katniss and Prim. I thought it was extremely thoughtful of Katniss to step up for her in her little sisters place even if it put her life in danger. Also, I enjoyed reading about the love triangle that began to unfold between Katniss, Peta who was the boy pick from District 12, and Katniss's best friend and semi love interest Gale. It was predicable, but still a fun addition to the story. The Hunger Games was a all around wow. It was brutal and heartbreaking, which made me come to love everything about it. Except for that the huge cliff hanger Suzanne Collins left us with. Though, I guess it will be continued on with, when the sequel comes out in September of '09.

I suggest The Hunger Games to all age groups, because it was truly an amazing story. Though, be aware that it could be a little violent at times.

Grade: A+

Grace by Richard Paul Evans

Summary:

Eric didn’t want to move from his perfectly nice house in the suburbs of Los Angles to the crummy and ancient house in Salt Lake City . He didn’t have a choice, though. Since, his family lost their house and most of their cash flow when his father contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome - a serious disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks parts of the nervous system. This syndrome eventually led Eric’s father to not be able to walk and if you can’t walk you can’t certainly work, especially if your in construction. So, this left his mother, father, his brother Joel, and him to move to his mothers old house in Salt Lake City. In Eric’s new school he has trouble making friends and is tormented daily by the school bullies. Though, this all changes when he meets Grace. A girl who has runaway from her house to get away from her gullible mother and cruel stepfather. Eric fells sorry for her so he invites her to come live in his old clubhouse in his backyard. Grace says yes and from that moment on Grace and Eric began to start a friendship that will leave Eric for the better and worse.

Review:

Grace was a truly memorizing story about a runaway who could never seem to have the perfect life. I never had given much thought to runaways lives before reading this novel, but after reading this I could feel their pain and sorrow. In Grace, Richard Paul Evans created characters in a way that you could relate to even if you never once had their problems. Also, this book takes place in the 1950s or 1960s, but Richard always kind of gave of the allusion that it took place in the current time ,except for a few small things the book mentioned about what was happening in history. Grace was an extraordinary novel that I suggest that all age groups read, because Grace’s character makes you grateful for all that you have in life.

Grade: B+

* reviewed for Book Divas