Friday, September 18, 2009

Friday Finds: Sept.18th

Friday Finds is originally hosted by Should be Reading!

Well for my first Friday Finds I happened to start on a week where I found A LOT of good books so pardon the length of the post. Commensing in Chronological Order...




Whip It by Shauna Cross


Summary (from Goodreads):

Meet Bliss Cavendar, a blue haired, indie-rock loving misfit stuck in the tiny town of Bodeen, Texas.

Her pageant-addicted mother expects her to compete for the coveted Miss Blue Bonnet crown, but Bliss would rather feast on roaches than be subjected to such rhinestone tyranny.

Bliss’ escape? Take up Roller Derby.
When she discovers a league in nearby Austin, Bliss embarks on an epic journey full of hilarious tattooed girls, delicious boys in bands, and a few not-so-awesome realities even the most bad-assed derby chick has to learn.




This book looks really unique and funny. I read the synopsis, and was like Yes! this book looks so good, but strangely familiar. Then, I looked at the Whip it! cover and saw the "now a major motion picture", and realized it was the new Ellen Page/Drew Barrymore movie I've been dying to see.
The Whip It! cover is the new cover since the movie, and the Derby Girl cover is the original one. Whip It/Derby Girl are OUT NOW!








Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines


Summary (from Goodreads):
It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena

Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine.


This looks sooooo good. Gladiators? Yes! Also, I just started The Hunger Games and am in love! Did you notice the "For fans of The Hunger Games" line, and while I don't always agree with those labels, but I believe this one. Girl In the Arena comes out on October 13th, 2009!




Albatross by Josie Bloss
Summary (from Goodreads):
What's so cool about nice guys?
Everyone at Tess's new school warns her that Micah is bad news—a heartbreaker. But she can't ignore her attraction to this brooding, brilliant, friendless emo hottie who can turn on the charm—or heart-shredding scorn—at a moment's notice. Starting over in a new town after her parents' split isn't easy for Tess, and Micah feels like her first real connection. But what happens when their bond suddenly feels like shackles? And Micah starts to remind Tess of her freakishly controlling father?
With Albatross, Josie Bloss takes her storytelling in a new direction by exploring the dark side of relationships.


I loooove Bad Boys! Those tall, dark, brewing, handsome types, Count Me In! Then with all the other elements this book has going; charm, first connection, shackles, controlling, doubts....this looks like one awesome book. Albatross comes out February 1st, 2009!



Wish by Alexandra Bullen (NO COVER)


Summary (from Goodreads):

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?



Wishing is one of my favorite pasttimes, and has always enchanted me. So its a no-brainer that I would love a book about wishing. But more than that this book is about magic, sisters, death, dresses, and dealing with your problems. This book looks amazing. Wish comes out January 1st, 2009!




In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth


Summary (from Goodreads):

Story of a heart transplant told in alternating chapters between two girls: the heart transplant recipient and the heart transplant donor. When Eagan dies during a figure skating competition, Amelia receives her heart, but when she experiences new personality traits, she questions whether she's received more than just a heart.


While this summary is short and sweet, this book looks anything but. I am sure that after reading this book I will be deeply moved and have the story stay with me for awhile. I can't wait. In a Heartbeat comes out February 2nd, 2010!



Poisoned Honey: A Story Mary Magdalene by Beatrice Gormley


Summary (from Goodreads):

This story begins with Mariamne, a vulnerable girl who knows little of the ways of the world. Much as she wants to be in control of her own destiny, she soon learns she has no such power. She must do as her father and brother see fit, and when tragedy strikes, Mari must marry a man she does not love and enter a household where she is not welcome, for the good of her family.

But she finds a small way to comfort herself when she meets an Egyptian wisewoman who instructs her in the ways of the occult arts. In the spirit world, Mari finds she has power. Here, she really is in control of her fate. But is she? Or is the magic controlling her?

This gripping portrait of one of the most misunderstood and controversial Biblical figures is the story of a young girl’s path through manipulation and possession, madness and healing, to a man who will change the world forever.


Okay, you can skip basicly the whole summary and just read the last "paragraph" and it will give you enough reasons to read this book. Biblical references, manipulation, possession, madness, and a man who will change the world forever? Sounds sooo good. Poisoned Honey will come out on March 9th, 2010!




Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones


Summary (from Goodreads):

Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction—about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.

According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.

Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.

The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.


Owls? Interesting, I always have found them pretty cool. Plus this book has the whole aspect of grandma and all her old stories, administration denying old legends, secrets, and mysterious girl thing going for it. Cant wait. Owl Keeper comes out April 13th, 2010!



My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day (NO COVER)


Summary (from Goodreads):

Heidi has the perfect solution to her popularity problems - a fake boyfriend. She's even made him an Internet profile that makes him look like a motorcycle-riding, poetry reading bad boy. *swoon* Heidi's friends are so impressed they start emailing Heidi's fake boyfriend with their problems . . . including their problems with Heidi.

As if that weren't bad enough, a delicious and possibly single person called "A Real Boy" emails Heidi to say he knows the truth. Can Heidi escape from her world wide web of lies? Or will her chance at romance disappear faster than you can type gtg?


This sounds like such a funny book. I love fake-boyfriends, all the lies and deceit they create make for a very entertaining read. My Invisible Boyfriend comes out April 2010!



Forget You by Jennifer Echols


Summary (from Goodreads):

Zoey’s life in her Florida beach resort town is happy and organized. She’s the captain of her high school swim team, and she works for her dad at his popular water park. Then her dad has an affair with one of his employees, and her mother has a breakdown. But Zoey begins a committed relationship with a hot lifeguard, which makes her feel stable, even if things aren’t perfect at home. Everything is still under control. Until she has a car accident that she can’t remember. She should have been with her boyfriend that night, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about the accident—and he doesn’t seem to care. The person who does care, and knows more than he’s telling, is Doug, Zoey’s darkly handsome arch-enemy who saved her from the wreckage. As Zoey begins to piece together what happened that night, she finds her sense of control over her life was only an illusion. And she inches closer to discovering the darkest secret of all: why Doug has fallen in love with her.


Car accidents and ex-archenemies, while this might sound bad, make for really good books. Usually, these happen to be a bit deeper and stay with you for a bit. I am very excited to read this one. Forget You comes out July 2010.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Waiting On Wednesday: Sept. 16

(Waiting on Wednesday is originally hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine)


I'm trying to squeeze in a couple more 2009 Waiting on Wednesdays before I move onto 2010. So here are some highly anticipated 2009 Reads I'm Waiting On...




Fallen by Lauren Kate

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

Why do I want to read this? Well, I often do this but, lets pick some key words that will express my excitement for this book: Sword & Cross, boarding school, died, guilt, evil, Daniel, gorgeous, protective device, fallen angel, doomed, fall in love, die, reincarnated, mortal. Pretty cool words huh? They sound even better put together. Fallen comes out December 8, 2009




Magic Under Glass by Jackie Dolamore

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.



Why do I want to read this? Lets try the selective word thing again: music, dance, pennies, drunks, special, exquisite, secrets, ghosts, gang, ruthless, spirit, dashing, sorcerers, fairies, curse, fall in love, dreadful, realm, peril. Yeah, I've been pining over this one for awhile, and will be very excited when I can read it on: December 22, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Teaser Tuesday: Sep. 15th

This week I will share a teaser from the two books I am reading. Be prepared to be teased...





First up we have Willow by Julia Hoban


" She had a bad feeling they're talking about her, and shes pretty sure she knows what they're saying too.

'She's the one without parents.'

'No she's the one who killed her parents' "

-Page 2

(Okay, so technically that was 3 sentences but being on page 2, I'm bending the rules a little. Plus how captivating is that, and since it's on page two, no spoilers)




Next up we have Notorious by Cecily von Ziegesar

" But Brett hadn't heard any rumblings about her being a giant New Jersey liar, so maybe she could cut Tinsley a break.

She stepped into the Waverly Inn Lobby, headed past the dusty grand piano and straight into the bar. "

- Page 98


Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.

Rules:

1) Grab your current read

2) Open to a random page

3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4) 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!)

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

Sunday, September 13, 2009

In My Mailbox: Sept. 13th

(IMM was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie)


Yeah, my IMM books are literally in my mailbox. I didn't get that much books this week, but that is okay because roughly all my books come from the library, and I need to catch up on all my books. My library is great, they always have all the books I'm pining after, but the due-dates are really getting to me. But anywho, on to the books...
(All reviews from Goodreads)





I love short stories/ analogies, and this specific collection has soooo many good authors. I'm really excited to read all them.





Geektastic by (The Nerd Herd?) Edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castelucci


Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!





I also got Skinned but I left it in my mom's car, Oops! I am very excited about this one though, I have heard nothing but good things, and the synopsises sound really good.






Crashed by Robin Wasserman



The followup to the debut novel Scott Westerfeld called "A spell-binding story about loss, rebirth, and finding out who we really are inside...intense and moving."

Months have passed, and in that time, Lia has joined Jude and his roving gang of mechs, an eclectic collection of bored teenagers looking for trouble, and uniquely capable of finding it. It’s a carefree life at first, but as the download process becomes more common, the opposition to the process becomes more vocal - and more hostile.

Lia gets swept up in the idea of being a revolutionary and fighting for a cause, but as the plans escalate, she starts having second thoughts — especially when she figures out Jude’s real agenda. Yes, he’s loyal to his cause — fiercely, desperately, blindly loyal. But only to his cause. Not necessarily to his people. In the end, Lia must make a choice. How many people — mechanical and organic — is she willing to hurt to protect her freedom? How far is she willing to go to protect the people she loves? And, when she betrays Jude—as she eventually realizes she must—how will he take his revenge?




I am sooo excited for this next one you don't even know. I recently discovered Kate Brian's Private books in June, and while that may not be too long ago, I have been dying to read this next one.






Suspicion by Kate Brian

Forbidden fruit...

Reed, Noelle, and former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor have been living it up on St. Barths over winter break. The tropical sun has melted away all the tensions of last semester, and for the first time in months, Reed is happy. She's got her best friends by her side, she has a palatial suite with an ocean view, and she's landed Upton, the most sought-after guy on the island.

Reed is falling in love.

But dating Upton makes Reed St. Barths' highest-profile guest -- and not in a good way. Upton has a dark past, and he's broken a lot of hearts. One of his exes still wants him. And she'll do whatever it takes to get Reed out of the picture.






The inner middle-schooler in me craves Lisi Harrison. And every once in awhile I satisfy that inner crave. I am sure my inner middle schooler will thank me after reading this, as she is very excited for this one.





Alphas by Lisi Harrison

At OCD the losers are tormented.

At Alpha Academy, they're sent home.

Skye Hamilton has scored an invitation to the ultra-exclusive Alphas-only boarding school where beta is spelled LBR . What happens when the country's best, brightest, and hawtest begin clawing and scratching their way to the top?










So, thats what I got. What did you?

Thursday, September 10, 2009

USvsUK: Wicked Lovely


US vs. UK is a meme hosted over at Wondorous Reads. Basicly the title is self-explanatory, this meme is one designed to show US and UK covers of a book, and decide which one is better.



And now for today's contenders...
(Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr- US vs. UK)


On the US side..
On the UK side...

My Pick: I don't know about you, but to me the pick is obvious. The UK cover is my opinion is hideous, while the font is cool, and it probably represents the book fairly decent, I can't get over the heinous overall appeal of it. On my scale its a 2.5/5! On the hand, US cover is a very striking cover, and very alluring. On my scale it is a 4/5!

Now that you've seen my pick, Who do you think won the Battle?

Review: Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


Summary (from Goodreads):


Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.


My Review:


Wicked Lovely was an enchanting tale that will be with me for awhile. The story and plot were completely original, basking in its uniqueness, and was undeniably captivating.

Aislinn was an interesting vessel to tell the tale through. I hadn't been able to relate to her per se, due to her unique situation, but she was easy to connect to. Which leads me to my next point, Seth. Swoon! The romance between Aislinn and Seth definitely had its sparks, probably enough to start a fire! At first, I was a little disappointed because the initial sparks that lead up to their connection was not included. I then read a scene involving Aislinn and Seth and any of my disappointment had vanished. You can't help but to fall in love with Seth.

Keenan, on the other hand, I absolutely did not like right away. In fact I loathed him. I wanted so much to hate him due to his predicament he put Aislinn in. He then rapidly grew on me, and though he is far from my favorite character, I still have some love for Keenan. Now Doria is a completely other story. Her haunting talereached out and grabbed me right away, and soon became a friend.

I admit it, before reading this book I had never read any dominantly faery books, but Melissa Marr has completely turned me over to them. While I am not particurarly sure how the journey will continue, I'm most definitely going to see how it plays out.


Want More Melissa Marr? The series commenses with Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity! PLUS: The 4th book, Radiant Shadows, comes out April 20, 2010!


Cover Comments: The cover is striking and very eye-catching from afar, but a little awkward up close. (4/5)




Overall Rating:


(4.5/5)




Would I recommend it? Yes! The story through out the book is one that should atleast be tried out once. Also, any faery lovers out there, PICK THIS UP!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Waiting On Wednesday: Sept. 9th

(Waiting on Wednesday is originally hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine)


As this is my first Waiting on Wednesday, I thought I would display some top-priority reads of 2009 first...





Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Why I want to read this: How can you read the synopsis and not want this? :) Patch and Nora are totally uncommon names, but totally awesome ones at that. Plus, I've heard nothing but absolute raves about this book. Hush, Hush is out October 13, 2009

The Dark Devine by Bree Despain

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A prodigal son

A dangerous love

A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

Why I want to read this: Oooohh, creepy romance, preist's daughter, disappearances and reapperarances. Plus, I read the first chapter online and it was soooo good. :) The Dark Devine is out December 22, 2009

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl


Synopsis (from Goodreads):

There were no surprises in Gatlin County
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Why I want to read this: Let me pick out a few kew words that lead you to believe it's awesomeness; surprise, epicenter, wrong, curse, grave, generations, secret, forever, Ethan, drawn. Got you wanting to read it? Me too, me too. Beautiful Creatures is out December 1, 2009

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Teaser Tuesday: Sep. 8th

Sorry this is so late. Lonnng Day.


This week I will share a teaser from the two books I am reading. Be prepared to be teased...


First up we have The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith


"Thier knock on the shining oak door was answered by Mrs. Flowers. She was a wrinkled little gnome of a woman with surprisingly bright black eyes." - Page 145



Next up we have The It-Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar



"All that princely Danish breeding, plus a flicker of wildness in his eye.
And Jenny liked wildness" - Page 56






Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!





Review: Along for the Ride

As it was the first day of school, this is the promised first of atleast two reviews that I will be posting daily until I'm caught up with all the books on my Goodreads shelf. So may the reviewing commense.


Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen


Summary (from Goodreads):

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

My Review:

Just another reason to love the wonderful Sarah Dessen. Sarah Dessen has done it once again! Auden was unremarkably believable. The emotions and thoughts expressed by Auden, were totally ones that I could see my own self, or atleast imagining someone, exppressing. Part of this was due to the fact that I was totally able to relate to Auden on many different levels, but I think everyone can find a bit of themselves in Auden.

Relationships between characters were also believable. The friendship formed by Auden, Leah, Maggie, and Esther felt very real. I did have a little problem with how the 3 girls in regards to their level if dynamics, but that is easily overlooked. I am trying not to give too much away, but I will give you one reason, worth a thousand points, that you should read this book; One word- ELI!


Want More Sarah Dessen? Try The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, This Lullaby, Lock & Key (and some others...)


Cover Comments: I think this cover is adorable, the two models are positioned in a very eye-catching way. I do however think that the cover is a little misleading regarding the content of the book though. (4/5)


Overall Rating:
(5/5)






Any Sarah Dessen fan should pick this up, or anyone who wants a book with relatable characters and a good romance. Plus, as I've mentioned before, reading a Sarah Dessen novel is a right-of-passage read for any true YA avid reader.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

In My Mailbox: September 6th

(IMM was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie)




As this is my first IMM, I thought I would add my own little "touch" to it. My books are literally in my mailbox. (Totally corny, I am fully aware) Most of my book supply comes from the library, and that applies this week. This is about the amount of books I put on hold at the beginning of every month. Now, lets proceed to the books:
(All reviews from Goodreads)



I had read the first 3 books (It-Girl, Notorious, Reckless) about 3 years ago but I decided to read the whole series over agian to jog my memory. I remember really liking the series though.


The It-Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is leaving Constance Billard to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids dont let the rules get in the way of an excellent time. Jennys determined to leave her crazy Manhattan past behind and become a sophisticated goddess on campus. But first shell have to contend with her self-absorbed roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt. Hot guys, new intrigue, and more delicious gossip all add up to more trouble than ever for Jenny. But if getting caught with boys and going up against the Disciplinary Committee is what it takes, Jennys ready. Shell do all that and more to be The It Girl.


Notorious by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is making a splash at Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids don't let the rules get in the way of an excellent time.It's less than a week into school, but Jenny's already been caught with her roommate's boyfriend (in bed!), flashed the whole school at a field hockey game, and gone up against the Disciplinary Committee. She's become notorious, just like Tinsley Carmichael, Waverly's former It Girl, who was expelled last year and is rumored to be jet-setting around the world.So what happens when Tinsley arrives back on campus and moves in with Jenny? After all, there can only be one It Girl.


Reckless by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is making a splash at Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids don't let the rules get in the way of an excellent time. It's less than a semester into school, but Jenny's already become notorious, just like Tinsley Carmichael - who won't give up her Waverly "it girl" crown without a fight.


Unforgettable by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Having a roommate at elite Waverly Academy means nightly sleepovers and double the designer wardrobe. But Callie Vernon never really liked late-night girl talk or swapping cashmere sweaters with her younger, rosy-cheeked roomie, Jenny Humphrey. So when Jenny stole her longtime boyfriend, Easy Walsh, Callie didn?t feel that guilty about turning right around and kissing him behind Jenny?s back. Okay, maybe a little guilty, but it certainly didn?t stop her from enjoying it. Now, if only Easy would stop being so irritatingly indecisive and dump Jenny already!

While the two roommates are sharing a boyfriend, the rest of Dumbarton?s residents are sharing their feelings at the newly founded Women of Waverly club?aka, WOW! Everyone is totally bonding, revealing their most personal secrets, and hugging out their past rivalries. But despite the sharing-is-caring vibe, there are some things these girls aren?t spilling?like who?s making special late-night trips to the crater . . . and with whom.


Lucky by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Jenny Humphrey has attended some crazy parties at Waverly Academy, but none as hot as the bash at Miller farm, where the barn went up in flames. Literally. So when Dean Marymount announces that someone is going to be expelled, it's every owl for him- and herself.

Tensions are rising, rumors are flying, and pretty soon everyone is a suspect. Jenny is worried about her adorable, shaggy-haired new crush, Julian, whose lighter was found at the scene of the crime. Callie is afraid she and Easy will both get kicked out, because they were in the barn-together-when it caught fire. And Tinsley knows she'll take the heat for organizing the wild party in the first place.Luckily she's come up with a way to keep from getting in trouble: by blaming Jenny. Of course.

After all, Waverly's girls always fight fire with fire. But watch out, ladies-in a battle like this, someone's bound to get burned.


Tempted by Cecily Von Ziegesar

When Jenny Humphrey confessed to a crime she didn't commit-starting the rampant fire that burned down Miller Farm-she thought her life at elite Waverly Academy was over. But her last-minute escape from expulsion made her the most talked-about girl in school. What nobody knows is who saved her. Now at the annual Halloween masquerade ball, Jenny has a plan to unveil her secret admirer.

Callie Vernon knows who her Prince Charming is: Easy Walsh. But when he discovered she and Tinsley Carmichael tried to get Jenny kicked out, Easy dumped her on the spot. Now Callie is dressing up as Cinderella in hopes of winning back his heart. Can she convince him she's the one before the clock strikes midnight? Or will her glass slipper-and her heart-be permanently broken?

Everyone wants a fairytale ending. But there can only be one It Girl.

Infamous by Cecily Von Ziegesar

It's Thanksgiving break at exclusive Waverly Academy, and everybody's feeling thankful . . . for the long weekend. New BFFs Jenny Humphrey and Tinsley Carmichael are determined to snap their glum but still uberstylish roomie Callie Vernon out of her funk-it's been weeks since her boyfriend Easy Walsh was kicked out of school, and they're sick of her moping. The plan: head to NYC for some R & R! And some SS (serious shopping).


But the girls quickly discover that a quiet holiday is not in store for them. A cozy Thanksgiving dinner turns into a three-day party with a few of their classmates-and some irresistible mystery guests. Jenny meets Mr. Right but is determined not to fall in love for the fourth time this fall. Tinsley has her own holiday mission: to win back adorable freshman Julian McCafferty. And Callie is holding out for Easy . . . which is hard to do with a cute college boy following her around. Brett Messerschmidt is missing in action-forced to spend Thanksgiving in her family's tacky Jersey McMansion. But drama's on the menu at the dinner table. And maybe love too.

Forget turkey and stuffing. When you're an It Girl, a holiday is just anotherexcuse to break out the bubbly.



Adored by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Brett Messerchmidt is planning Waverly Academy's annual holiday ball and gift exchange. But when some enterprising students decide that playing Secret Satan is infinitely more fun, the entire school starts acting naughty. Now all Brett wants for Christmas is a quiet holiday-and a kiss from a certain someone under the mistletoe. Too bad Callie Vernon has the same idea. Ho ho no!

Everybody at Waverly is getting into the giving spirit. The only present Tinsley Carmichael wants to unwrap this holiday is her new boyfriend, Julian McCafferty. But what happens when she uncovers a shady secret from his past instead?



I love Kate Brian's books. Personally, I love her Private series better than her Privilege series, but they both have that same essence that I LOVE!




Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian

She's Back....


After wasting away in a mental institution for a year and a half, Ariana Osgood is finally back where she belongs. She has a new look, a new name, and a new life -- all thanks to her former friend Briana Leigh Covington.


Now enrolled as a junior at the exclusive Atherton-Pryce boarding school just outside of D.C., Ariana sleeps in Frette sheets, flirts with the captain of the crew team, and gossips with the most beautiful girls on campus. She killed to get back her life of privilege. Just how far will she go to keep it?
From the author of the bestselling Private novels comes a series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and privilege.



It was Kate Brian, so of course I had to try it. Plus my friend really liked it.



Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys
by Kate Brian

Boys. 7 of them, to be exact.
Megan is used to moving from place to place -- it's typical for an army brat. But she drew the line at South Korea. She insists on staying in the States to finish her last two years of high school. So her parents made arrangements for Megan to live with their friends, the McGowans...and the McGowans' 7 sons.

Turns out, living with 7 boys might as well be a foreign country! The boys are messy. They are cliquey (who knew?). And worst of all, two of the oldest boys are H-O-T. (A problem considering they are supposed to be Megan's "brothers.") Megan is definitely in enemy territory. She needs to win over the boys' hearts without totally crushing her own.

And when Megan starts falling for one of them, sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning....
What is a girl to do?


I can't wait to read the sequel of Wicked Lovely! I'm not quite sure how the story will continue, but I hear that the series gets better as it goes on, and it was already pretty good! Yay!


Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr


Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes; not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .



I had been wanting to read this series for awhile anyway, but with the show coming out this month I decided to read it before I see the show.



The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle
by L.J. Smith


Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants.
Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past.
Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her.
Collected here in one volume for the first time, volumes one and two of The Vampire Diaries, the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.



The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion
by L.J. Smith

Elena: transformed, the golden girl has become what she once feared and desired.
Stefan: tormented by losing Elena, he's determined to end his feud with Damon once and for all—whatever the cost. But slowly he begins to realize that his brother is not his only enemy.
Damon: at last, he possesses Elena. But will his thirst for revenge against Stefan poison his triumph? Or can they come together to face one final battle?
Collected here in one edition are the third and fourth volumes of The Vampire Diaries, a riveting conclusion to the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.



The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L.J. Smith
Elena Gilbert is alive—again.
When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.
Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.


Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .
But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.



Now the books I am most eager to read...

I've only heard extreme rave reviews of Willow. Sooo excited!


Willow by Julia Hoban

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy—one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down. Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.


I feel as if I'm the only person on the face of the planet who has yet to read The Hunger Games. But not for long...



The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.




Got this day of release from library! I love that place.


Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.





So, thats what I got. What did you?