The Obsessive Reader

Walking Dead. Tonight!!!!

2010-11-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

Can't wait until tonight. The new series on AMC called the Walking Dead is coming on! Its a post-zombie series. The main character, a sheriff, wakes up from a coma in the hospital and releases that the walking dead are about! Good series so far!

Dead In the Family by Charlaine Harris

2010-05-08T15:19:00.001-07:00

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a bit disappointing. I thought it was going to be more Eric but it wasn't really. She has a million gazillion people with problems that she has to deal with and I didn't like how she fixed Bills problem with the Fairy poisoning.
What was good about the book? Hmm... not very much. I liked that she finally introduced Tanner her little nephew and fellow mind reader. I like that she made Jason start to get his act together. This wasn't so much answering questions as setting up to answer questions for another book.

View all my reviews >>

Jammin All Night Long

2010-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

I was feeling for some classic music. Hopefully you'll like.

A Hot Romp in the Bed

2010-01-31T21:04:00.000-08:00

I've been having a gorge read for the last week of the Anita Blake series. For some reason I get in these crazy cram sessions if I'm starting a series and there's a ton of books out already. I'll have read the first six and then there is something I want to get to whether its a relationship, some action or a good romp that I'm just dying to know about and I just can't read fast enough for my impatience. That was the case whenever I finally started reading the Anita Blake series this last week. I got all the way to Obsidian Butterfly and then I started jumping ahead. Whether it was to see if Edward got into his little family fantasy or to see if Nathaniel ever got to get to have "intercourse". I will definitely going back and rereading over all the books. I'll just say that the words off the pages were so great that my eyes wouldn't work fast enough for me to read accurately.

Get Up and Dance!

2010-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

Its time for some music. I, personally cannot function all day if I don't have my ipod plugged into my ears. If you pass a house one day and see a girl dancing all over the house then that is probably me. All of my most valued moments in life are connected with a song. So here is some good stuff to listen to.

Starting a New

2010-01-24T18:13:00.000-08:00

As I have posted on the side, I'm starting a new. Its been months since I have been on here. Since I thought that I wasn't going to do it anymore but it seems the publishing companies didn't get the memo. I have a ton of books I need to review at some point and I kind of miss it on here. Plus its the new year, well at least it was 24 days ago. So its time for new resolutions and goals.
Since I'm starting this back I'm going to do it totally differently. I'm just going to post whatever I fell like posting. Whether it be books, weight-loss, music or just my mind blowing unwanted opinions. So, everyone cross your fingers and hopefully we will get it right this time.

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

2009-10-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Encompassing three worlds. The Broken where technology rules and magic is unknown. The Weird where Bluebloods rule and magic is everything and then their is the Edge. A little of both worlds. Where life is hard, people have magic, and you work in the broken to earn a living. Rose is raising her two little brothers one a necromancer and the other a changeling. Ever since Rose was eighteen and flashed white, the most powerful magic flash see in two hundred years, at the town carnival shes been fending off attacks of men wanting to make her a brood mare. Her father ran off to find treasure; grandfather Cletus eats dog brains; her grandmother is a stubborn goat; and Rose is just trying to scrounge their pennies to buy Jack some nice shoes for the first day of school.
All that changes when she almost runs over a man on her way to Walmart. A couple days later the man reappears on her lawn. His names Declan, a noble Blueblood and he informs her he will have her. Rose knows that she can't run him off so she issues three challenges that he must complete and then he can have her in every sense of the word. All the while something strange is happening in the Weird. Something none of the edgers have ever seen before and the only person who can help is Declan.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait till the next. Ilona creates another wonderful series. All who like her Kate Daniels books will like these. Although Rose isn't the daughter of an unknown evil magical dictator she is tough in her own sense with her shotguns and flash that can cut through someone like butter. I will definitely be following this kick-ass heroine.

View all my reviews >>

Release Party, Chat and SONY eReader Contest with Author Ilona Andrews

2009-09-29T15:25:00.001-07:00

Release Party, Chat and SONY eReader Contest with Author Ilona Andrews

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Meagan's Way by Melissa Foster

2009-09-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Megan's Way by Melissa Foster
290 Pages

Description:When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist living on Cape Cod, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she's faced with the most difficult decision she's ever had to make. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends will be stretched and frayed.

Megan’s illness reawakens the torment of her best friend, Holly Townsend, whose long-held secrets and years of betrayal come back to haunt her. How does one choose between a daughter and a life-long best friend? Can the secret she has been keeping be revealed after years of lying without destroying everyone in its wake?

Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia's world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there's nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, even the paranormal connection she shares with her mother might not be enough to save her - her life will hang in the balance.

Megan’s Way is a journey of self discovery and heartfelt emotions, exploring the depth of the mother-daughter bond, and the intricacies of friendship.

My Thoughts: What to say about this book? Its about self and life evaluation.How life is complicated and the decisions in our lives effect our lives for better or for worse. I'll tell you the truth. I felt like the beginning didn't fit with the rest of the book. It felt repetitive and very uninteresting. Olivia the daughter was very annoying at times and rude to her dieing mom that I wanted to jump inside and throttle her. I hope kids aren't like that. I'm not trying to bag on your work because I know you put a lot of your hard earned time into it.

Now for the good stuff. Whenever I started getting into the middle it got better and it felt more real. I will give away that if you don't want to cry then don't pick up this book. The past reflections on her hard decisions left you wondering if they were the right ones. Just like in life. Everything is complicated and you just do the best you can. This does have a afterlife type of dealing so if you are prudish about such things than just be warned. My favorite character would have to be Meagan's best friend Holly. She's loving, dependent, strong, and wants a child so badly. The fact that she knew was thoughtful of others and how crying in front of her best friend wasn't an option. That she had to stay strong because it wasn't about her. Not everyone will enjoy this book but some will love it for its ability to make you burst into tears.

Ilona Andrews at Bitten By Books

2009-09-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

Come check out Ilona Andrews release contest for their book On the Edge from 09/28-10/04 at Bitten by Books. Ilona Andrews is the author of the bestselling Kate Daniel series.

Conest Winner!

2009-09-09T14:09:00.001-07:00

Winner of my Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson is....

Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

I'll be sending you an email Leslie and I'm sorry that everyone wasn't able to win.

Cool Text: Logo and Graphics Generator

Teaser Tuesday

2009-09-08T15:08:00.001-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, 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!

Mine:

"You're beautiful", he says.
"Shut up," I tell him.
"Why does that embarrass you?" he asks.
"Because I'm not, okay?" I say quietly, snapping out of the moment for a second. "And I'm actually kind of okay with that. So do me a favor and just don't lie to me." Page 111 from Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl.

In My Mailbox

2009-09-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

I was house-sitting while my brother went out of town and he lives way out in Boofoo so I wasn't able to use the internet for the last three days. So this is coming in late. In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

Amazon:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Description:
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.

Contest Wins:

Geektatsic by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Description:
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, John Green, 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!

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises
Description:
A warmhearted, delectable novel about what it means to love and be loved.

When Stella Madison's food-loving parents help her land a summer job at the local newspaper, there’s only one catch: she’s expected to write about food. Luckily, Stella has Jeremy, the hot new intern at her mom’s restaurant, who’s more than happy to help. But where does that leave Stella’s boyfriend, Max, who recently dropped the L-word? And could her separated parents be cooking up romances of their own?

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
Description:
Kara hasn't been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad-boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park....

Amid the music, the booze, the drugs, and the drama, her friends filled a notebook with heartbreakingly honest confessions of the moments that defined and shattered their young lives. Now, finally, Kara is ready to write her own.

Review:

Vintage Veronica by Eric S. Perl
Description:
Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman
Description:
Andromeda Klein has a few problems.

Her hair is kind of horrible.

Her partner-in-occultism, Daisy, is dead.

Her secret, estranged, much older and forbidden boyfriend-in-theory, has gone AWOL.

And her mother has learned how to text.

In short, things couldn't get much worse. Until they do. Daisy seems to be attempting to make contact from beyond, books are starting to disappear from the library, and then, strangely and suddenly, Andromeda's tarot readings are beginning to predict events with bizarrely literal accuracy.

Omens are everywhere. Dreams; swords; fires; hidden cards; lost, broken, and dead cell phones . . . and what is Daisy trying to tell her?

In the ensuing struggle of neutral versus evil, it's Andromeda Klein against the world, modern society, demonic forces, and the "friends" of the library.

From Frank Portman, author of King Dork, comes another unique literary experience. Andromeda Klein is dark, funny, smart, and entirely unforgettable.

To Be Mona by Kelly Easton
Description:
Sage Priestly is seventeen, and she longs to reinvent herself -- to strip away the fat, the past, the crazy mom, the unpaid bills. She longs to be her own version of the gorgeous and popular Mona Simms.

Sage starts dieting and exercising. She gets blond highlights and throws away all of her black clothes. Bit by bit she transforms herself. This is deeply troubling to her best friend, Vern, who is secretly in love with Sage just the way she is. But the boyfriend Sage wants -- the popular jock Roger -- suddenly notices her. And when they start dating, Sage thinks her life is turning around.

So why isn't Sage happier? Yes, Roger is a little too controlling and pushy, but isn't that what boys are like when you date them? What is it about the image Sage has created that just doesn't fit?

Smart, honest, and tough, Sage is a teen with more going for her than she thinks, but she still has a lot to learn.

That's what I got this week. I have a lot of books I have to catch up on reviewing so look out for a lot of stuff being posted this week.

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs; Vamps, Weres, and the Fae

2009-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hunting Ground; An Alpha and Omega novel by Patricia Briggs
Publisher: The Penguin Group; Ace
Published: August 25th 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 286

Summary: Anna Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son-and enforcer-of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn't know how dangerous it could be, either...

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan-and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all-or risk losing forever...

My Thoughts: Another wonderful book from the amazing Patricia Briggs. While the first book, Cry Wolf, is mainly about Anna overcoming her issues from the past this is more of the Charles and Anna kicking butt. I love how Anna is all soft, sweet, and vulnerable but ends up saving everyone's butts all the time. I liked this quote because it describes exactly what I'm talking about.

"You should have seen her kill the witch a couple of weeks ago," Bran said affably. "Asil had been fleeing from this one for two hundred years, and my son's little 'rabbit' killed her while in human form and armed with nothing more than a knife."
"Asil?" asked Angus, suitably taken aback. "Asil the Moor?"
"That's the one" said Charles.
"Suddenly I don't feel so bad at being rescued by a rabbit," Angus said cheerfully.

You see a lot of Anna's powers being explored. This is my all time favorite part of the book but I will only put a quote.

"Omega," said Charles formally, "it is the privilege of the dominants to protect our submissive ones, the heart of our packs. Alphas are called upon to protect even more strongly. An Omega calls us strongest of all."
Anna gave a puzzled nod. She already knew that, Charles thought. She just couldn't see what it had to do with the situation. She was too used to looking at dominant wolves as threats.
"Sweetie," said the witch, "while you were up here getting the cold shakes from all those nasty wolves staring at you--they were trying to figure out why you were upset and who they needed to kill for you."

I could just imagine this scene with the wolves in their human forms snapping looks at each other debating who they should kill first and Anna has no idea she's doing to this to them. I also love how Patricia always has a mix of multiple supernatural creatures; fae, werewolves, and vampires. And, not just one or the other its all of them. I enjoy all of Patricia Briggs books and I would recommend them to anyone.

I'm also so excited for Silver Borne, the fifth Mercy Thompson book. It comes out March 30, 2010. I give Hunting Ground 4 out of 5 penguins.

WoW: Suicide

2009-09-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wenseday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine to help upcoming releases get their spotlight.

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Ann Peters
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: January 5th 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Summary: Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light .com.

While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.

Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life. Isn't it?

National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters shines a light on how bullying can push young people to the very edge.

"23 Days and Counting

Dear
___mother
___father
___other

There was nothing you could do to stop me because:

___I’d already made up my mind
___I have been suffering my whole life
___ you were too slow to notice

I offed myself because:

___my life sucks
___the world sucks
___ you suck

Good-bye,
Daelyn"

This sounds really good. I can't wait to read it. What is your WoW?

The Naughty List: Cheerleaders, Cheating Boyfriends, and Secret Detectives

2009-08-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

Release Date: February 4th, 2010
Description:
Tessa Crimson: Cheerleader By Day, Spy By Night
As the leader of the SOS(Society of Smitten Kittens), Tessa's mission is twofold: prep preservation and relationship salvation. That's right, Tessa is head cheerleader whose night job is catching cheating boyfriends in the act! Thank goodness her own relationship with Aiden is strawberry-smoothie purrfect- except for the fact that she's been concealing her nocturnal habits for, oh, two years.
Aiden suspects something's up, and his patience is wearing thin. But in the meantime, Tessa's far too busy to deal with her own romantic roadblocks. The Naughty List is at maximum capacity: because so far, every single suspect on it is 100% guilty.
When sultry Chloe Ferril transfers to Washington High, things only become more catastrophic. Tessa knows this predatory vixen won't stop hunting Aiden until her claws are planted firmly in his backside...
But Tessa's in for an even bigger shock when Aiden's name shows up on The Naughty List, and she's finally forced to confront the unthinkable: is her own boyfriend just as naughty as all the rest?

My thoughts:
This was a wonderfully cute read. Nancy Drew turned cheerleader. Since her former cheer captain was cheated on the cheerleaders where turned secret investigators. Following suspected cheaters and providing proof of whether or not they can be trusted. Going on two years Tessa is the happy cheerleader dating the basketball captain by day and being secret detective by night. Only thing is every case the SOS takes on is proven correct and its making Tessa doubt Aiden. Can her boyfriend really not be cheating on her? Seeing the new girl Chloe hang all over her sweet only makes Tessa worry more. Then everything comes crashing down when SOS gets a tip that Aiden is cheating on her.
This was a very cute quick read. Cheerleaders, cheating boyfriends, and undercover detectives. If you like any of these things you will love this book. I can't wait to read the next book So Many Boys. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 penguins. Sorry but I can't figure out how to do a half a penguin.

We are privileged to have with us the Suzanne Young.

She was kind enough to take the time out of her day and answer a few questions:
The Naughty List deals with a lot of cheating boyfriends. Was there are reason why you wrote about this? Maybe a personal or a friends experience?

When I thought about what SOS would investigate, I considered several options. But I decided to focus on cheating boyfriends because it’s somewhat universal. And like a lot of girls, I was burned in some of my past relationships. So I can relate to a lot of the character’s feelings.

The main character is the captain of the cheer leading team. Were you ever a cheerleader?

I was a cheerleader for half a season in eighth grade. Unfortunately, I was pretty awful.

Is there any advice you would give your readers or even yourself that you wish you would have had when you were younger?

There are so many things I’d tell myself! But my mistakes have made me who I am. If there’s only one thing I’d do differently, it’s to spend more time with my grandmother. So I’d tell teens to not sweat the small stuff and try to remember what’s important.

You are a writer right now but did you ever aspire to be something else? I personally wanted to be a vet whenever I was younger but that was before I realized that I am deathly frightened of being attacked by cats. I know strange.

HAH! That’s pretty funny! Um, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Although, I was really into theatre and eventually became a teacher for a while.

Tessa is always nice to everyone, viewing it as the Smitten Kitten way. Are also always a perky person?

If you asked other people, they’d probably say yes. I don’t feel like I am, especially at home, but I guess for the most part I’m pretty dang friendly and smiley.

I personally love to listen to authors play lists. Is there anything you listened to while you wrote The Naughty List?

For the first book I really liked songs like Just a Girl by No Doubt and This Year’s Love by David Gray. But for So Many Boys (book 2) I’m more into songs like Boys with Girlfriends.

Is there anything else you would like to say to your current and future readers?

Just that I hope you enjoy the series. It’s been a blast to write and I hope it’s as fun to read!

Look out for Suzanne's next book in the series;
So Many Boys coming out in summer 2010.

In My Mailbox 9/30

2009-08-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

So like always In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Its sort of funny how it seems I get the same number of books every week. The ARCs I received in the mail are:

Tessa Crimson: Cheerleader By Day, Spy By Night
As the leader of the SOS(Society of Smitten Kittens), Tessa's mission is twofold: prep preservation and relationship salvation. That's right, Tessa is head cheerleader whose night job is catching cheating boyfriends in the act! Thank goodness her own relationship with Aiden is strawberry-smoothie purrfect- except for the fact that she's been concealing her nocturnal habits for, oh, two years.
Aiden suspects something's up, and his patience is wearing thin. But in the meantime, Tessa's far too busy to deal with her own romantic roadblocks. The Naughty List is at maximum capacity: because so far, every single suspect on it is 100% guilty.
When sultry Chloe Ferril transfers to Washington High, things only become more catastrophic. Tessa knows this predatory vixen won't stop hunting Aiden until her claws are planted firmly in his backside...
But Tessa's in for an even bigger shock when Aiden's name shows up on The Naughty List, and she's finally forced to confront the unthinkable: is her own boyfriend just as naughty as all the rest?

Suzanne Young is super nice and I love the cover so I can't wait to read this.

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

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems 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 she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen -- and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

I got this from the B&N First Look club and I was so excited when I opened the box and it was right there. I was worried I wasn't going to get it since I signed up so late. Everyone has been saying how good this is so I can't wait to read it.

I'm marooned.

Abandoned.

Left to rot in boarding school . . .

Viola doesn't want to go to boarding school, but somehow she ends up at an all-girls school in South Bend, Indiana, far, far away from her home in Brooklyn, New York. Now Viola is stuck for a whole year in the sherbet-colored sweater capital of the world.

Ick.

There's no way Viola's going to survive the year—especially since she has to replace her best friend Andrew with three new roommates who, disturbingly, actually seem to like it there. She resorts to viewing the world (and hiding) behind the lens of her video camera.

Boarding school, though, and her roommates and even the Midwest are nothing like she thought they would be, and soon Viola realizes she may be in for the most incredible year of her life.

But first she has to put the camera down and let the world in.

I love the cover on this. Its nice and shiny and its one of the best that I have seen lately.

Discovering Pig Magic follows the exploits of Mattie (or Miss M, or just M) and her friends Ariel and Nicki as they attempt to overcome the problems that plague their thirteen-year-old lives. After discovering a book of spells, the three girls perform a ritual that will grant each the object of her desire. But as the magic takes effect, their achievements are accompanied by unanticipated consequences and the girls must figure out how to break the spell before something very bad happens.

Maybe I shouldn't call this an ARC because the Hardcover has already been out but this the paperback that is coming out in a couple months.

Emerson Price cannot remember a time when life was ordinary. She was four-years-old when she and her mom were diagnosed as HIV-positive – infected with the virus that causes AIDS, and eight when her parents divorced. Now she is thirteen and her mother is dead. Emmy moves in with her father and stepmother, but she feels completely alone. Even though everyone has always accepted her, no one – not her father, or stepmother, or even her best friend – understands what it’s like to have to take medicine every single day, to be so afraid of getting sick, and to miss her mom more than she ever thought she would.

When Emmy’s dad and stepmother send her to Camp Positive, a camp for HIV-positive girls, Emmy is certain she is going to hate it. But soon she realizes that she is not so alone after all – and that sometimes letting other people in can make all the difference in the world.

The author is donating a portion of her proceeds from this book to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Another great cover and the book is helping an important cause.

I got this book from YA Central:

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words--and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

Its been unfortunate that I haven't been able to read any of John Green's books thought I've heard wonderful things about all of them. I don't know if I wait till Banned Books Week to read this or not. I'm just be too tempted to resist.

I bought these a few months ago waiting on their releases:

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

I can't wait to read this fourth installment in the Vampire Academy series.

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son—and enforcer—of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf who opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles’s reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer—or Charles will take the fall.

I can not get enough of Patricia Brigg's sexy werewolf series, Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega. This definitely on my top list of books to read very soon.

That is all I got this week. What did you get? Leave some love!

WoW: So Many I Want!

2009-08-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Its a weekly event for people to help upcoming releases. It was so hard to pick one so I'm going to do a couple.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver:

What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder:

Restless souls and empty hearts

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

I'm only going to do those two though I have quite a few I want to put but I'll wait until next week. I've been seeing a few people with Before I Fall in their mailboxes and I absolutely love the cover and the description sounds really good. Plus it seems like sad coming to terms with your death books are usually really good.
I also put Chasing Brooklyn because I want to read some more ghost stories. It seems like all I have been reading of the supernatural genre is with vampires and werewolves. So this will be a nice change.

I'm sorry if you guys haven't seen me around lately. I've been really busy with school and stuff so please don't feel neglected. I wish there was more hours in the day since it seems like I never have enough time to do all things I want and need to do. I love you all and I give hugs and kisses to anyone who leaves a comment.
Talk To Yeah Laterz,
Rachel

In My Mailbox

2009-08-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by the Story Siren. I'm a little late doing this because I've been so busy so please forgive me.

The Monstrumoligist by Rick Yancey

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.

But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.

The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

Critically acclaimed author Rick Yancey has written a gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does a man become the very thing he hunts?

Hollywood Is Like High School With Money by Zoey Dean

Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. But when her catty coworkers trick her into almost getting fired, she realizes that the old saying "Hollywood is like school with money" just may be true. The thing is, Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school-how is she supposed to do any better the second time around?

That's when she meets her boss's popular sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn, and has an epiphany: maybe this teenager can teach her how to use her queen bee tactics to succeed in the Hollywood popularity contest. Quinn comes up with a plan to teach Taylor one lesson a week-everything from "Fake it 'til you make it" to "It's *never* your fault"--and soon Taylor finds herself winning the war against rival assistant Kylie. Until, that is, she's directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, and something happens that's not in the game plan: Taylor falls for the guy. Now she must do the impossible-- harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself.

The Anatomy of Wings by Karen Foxlee

Ten-year-old Jennifer Day lives in a small mining town full of secrets. Trying to make sense of the sudden death of her teenage sister, Beth, she looks to the adult world around her for answers.

As she recounts the final months of Beth’s life, Jennifer sifts through the lies and the truth, but what she finds are mysteries, miracles, and more questions. Was Beth’s death an accident? Why couldn’t Jennifer—or anyone else—save her?

Through Jennifer’s eyes, we see one girl’s failure to cross the threshold into adulthood as her family slowly falls apart.

How Shall I Tell The Dog? by Miles Kington which I won from Bites

When some people are told they have only a few months to live, they might travel around the world or write their memoirs or put their affairs in order. When it happened at the age of 66 to Miles Kington-one of England's best-loved humorists-he did what he did best, offering sharp, wry, laugh-out-loud observations and ideas about his situation. Following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Kington proposes crazier and crazier ideas for his next book (what he calls "cashing in on cancer") in a series of letters to his
literary agent, Gill.

And what sort of things capture Kington's attention in his waning months? The sudden grimness of those 1,000 Places to See Before You Die books, for example. (What about 100 Things to Do Before You Die, Without Leaving Home?, he suggests. Instead of bungee jumping and whitewater rafting, learn to whistle with two fingers in your mouth, yodel, or steam open envelopes.) The irony that his dog, Berry, will probably outlive him, or the semi-outrageous idea of creating a funeral video:

The answer is quite simple.

Make a video in advance of my farewell speech, to be shown on a monitor, from the pulpit, or on a screen behind the stage, or wherever the best place would be.

I have already visualised the opening shot.

It is of me, smiling ruefully, and saying to camera: "Hello. I'm sorry I couldn't be here in person with you today."

Mischievous and utterly original, MilesKington's words in the face of death are memorable and surprisingly uplifting.

Dragon House by John Shors

Set in modern-day Vietnam, Dragon House tells the tale of Iris and Noah—two Americans who, as a way of healing their own painful pasts, open a center to house and educate Vietnamese street children.

Iris and Noah find themselves reborn in an exotic land filled with corruption and chaos, sacrifice and beauty. Inspired by the street children she meets, Iris walks in the footsteps of her father, a man whom Vietnam both shattered and saved. Meanwhile, Noah slowly rediscovers himself through the eyes of an unexpected companion.

Resounding with powerful themes of suffering, sacrifice, friendship, and love, Dragon House brings together East and West, war and peace; and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town’s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings’s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya’s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya’s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.

In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

That's everything I got this week, what about you?

Jenna Fox, Who is That?

2009-08-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
265 pages
Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?
Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions-questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?
In this fascinating novel, acclaimed author Mary E. Pearson presents an unforgettable look at one human life and a glimpse into a possible future that may be closer than we think.
This book started out slow. If I didn't force myself to read through the first couple of chapters I probably would have put it down to never pick it back up again. Once it starts getting good you can't put the book down. Wanting to read the next page and then the next. Her name is Jenna; she has been in a coma for a year and a half; at least that's what her parents tell her. Jenna can't remember anything. Sitting in here room watching movies of supposedly herself; she starts to remember. But, she can't remember the important things. Like if she has friends? What happened that she was in a coma? And, is it that it seems they are in hiding?
What was really the turning point with the book was when she starts going to this charter school that isn't far from where they live. There she meets Dane, Allys, Gabriel, and Ethan. Dane is gorgeous with wavy surfer hair and the jackass personality to go with but watching him Jenna can only describe him with one word, empty. Allys is opinionated with her illegal under 49% biodigital enhancement opinions and her fake prosthetic limbs. Quite Ethan who lives in the church and must have something wrong with him since he's with the rest of the freaks. Gabriel isn't even mentioned accept for maybe three sentences out of the entire book. One boy make her feel like she never thought she could and another will show her believe she could be the empty thing that the laws are trying to not happen.
This is a book about the big questions: How much can you be prosthetic till you aren't human? If your 90% bio-gel do you still have a soul? Are you the same girl before the accident or one entirely different?
This was a good book though a little slow at the beginning. The ending was a little abrupt. She could have done another book if she wanted. I give this book a 7 out of 10.

Come One, Come All! Awards 4 All!!!

2009-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am horrible at giving out awards. So sorry I'm so late about doing this. The Book Blab and My Life is an Effing Fairy Tale nominated me for this. Thanks so much you guys. Your the sweetest!
The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.
Here are my ten nominees:
A Book A Day
A Flight of Minds
A Passion for Books
Angieville
B.A.M. Book Reviews
Bibliophile By the Sea
Books Obsession
Debbie's World of Books
Feed Your Imagination
Frenetic Reader

Thanks again you guys for nominating me. I love you all. So please don't hate me if you aren't above.

I haven't done a book review in a couple days because I've been rereading all the Sookie Stackhouse books. All nine books but I wouldn't say read them more like read through them. Like I only read the good parts and then flip through the lulls. That pretty much means reading everything where Eric or Bill was mentioned. And, I have to say I am forever more

Team Eric!

WoW: To Be Mona

2009-08-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. For my WoW this week I chose To Be Mona by Kelley Easton. I first saw this was coming out in I think October of 2010 but it was actually a reprint. I like the cover a lot better than the first one.

Sage Priestly is seventeen, and she longs to reinvent herself -- to strip away the fat, the past, the crazy mom, the unpaid bills. She longs to be her own version of the gorgeous and popular Mona Simms.

Sage starts dieting and exercising. She gets blond highlights and throws away all of her black clothes. Bit by bit she transforms herself. This is deeply troubling to her best friend, Vern, who is secretly in love with Sage just the way she is. But the boyfriend Sage wants -- the popular jock Roger -- suddenly notices her. And when they start dating, Sage thinks her life is turning around.

So why isn't Sage happier? Yes, Roger is a little too controlling and pushy, but isn't that what boys are like when you date them? What is it about the image Sage has created that just doesn't fit?

Smart, honest, and tough, Sage is a teen with more going for her than she thinks, but she still has a lot to learn.

What is your WoW for this week?

Jennifer Sturman Q&A

2009-08-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Sturman author of And Then Everything Unraveled took the time out of her day to answer some questions. Here they are:

T.K., Delia's mother is a cause activist. Does that reflect you at all?
Mostly it reflects the sort of person T.K. is – she’s all about identifying a problem and solving it, in a very committed, won’t-take-no-for-an-answer way. I could learn a lot from her – I care about a number of issues, but I tend to take less of a hands-on approach, instead donating to related organizations or volunteering when I can.

What is something that you like to read in a book review other than your book being great that is?
I try to avoid reading reviews altogether. Even if it’s 99% positive, I focus on the 1% negative and obsess!

Delia's first kiss is mentioned in the book. Do you remember your first kiss?
Answering this question online might come back to haunt me, so I’m going to plead the fifth…

What is a book that you are looking forward to reading right now?
This is going to sound crazy, but I’ve been saving the last Harry Potter for two years! Part of me just didn’t want the series to end, and part of me wanted to wait until I was in the right frame of mind. But I’m taking a long trip in September, and I think the time has finally arrived.

I very much love to hear author's play lists for their books. Was their anything that you listened to while you wrote?
Delia’s aunt Charley is a huge fan of teen movies from the 80s, and I found myself listening to a lot of 80s music while I wrote. I even created a radio station on Pandora with artists like Flock of Seagulls, Modern English, New Order, OMD, the Plimsouls, Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, the Smiths, and a bunch of other bands. Some of my friends would mock me if they knew, but I see no reason to tell them.

There were a few things in the book that involved the economy, oil, and gas prices. Did you have to conduct any research during the writing of your book?
I probably should have dedicated this book to Wikipedia! I have a business background, and I’m a bit of a news junkie, so I could draw somewhat on my knowledge of current events, but I did a lot of research online to fill in the holes.

I hope I don't sound like a broken record and I'm sure many people have asked you this dreaded question that seems to always be asked. Is there any advice you would give your teenage self that you know now?
This is a tough one, because though it sounds soppy, there’s something to how all of your experiences, both the good and the bad, make you what you eventually become, and if you go back and change something who knows how things might have turned out instead? I will say this, however: I sort of regret getting my ears pierced.

What was your favorite quote out of the book?
I’ve been taught to get rid of my favorite parts, as they tend to be the ones that are forced or overwritten. That said, I do think Charley gets a lot of the best lines, like in Chapter 4 when she’s talking about studying zoology and says: “Giraffes and elephants are one thing, but who can get excited about mollusks, except maybe the French. And they’ll eat anything.”

Is there anything else you would like to say to your readers?
Apparently there’s been some confusion about whether UNRAVELED has a sequel, but it does! AND THEN I FOUND OUT THE TRUTH will be published in 2010 – I hope you and your readers will check it out!

Thanks so much Jennifer for taking the time to do this and I can't wait till And Then I Found Out The Truth comes out next year.

Rowling vs Meyer

2009-08-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness I watched this and I just had to post it. Hope you guys like it.

I'm made of money *fart* see I just farted money. Hahaha! Oh my goodness I'm still laughing just ignore me.

Talk To Me Trees!

2009-08-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Description:
Rin is sure that something is wrong with her…something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she’s lived all her life. Something that is keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all. When her brother Razo returns from the city for a visit, she accompanies him to the palace, hoping that she can find peace away from home. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies—magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters—as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead. Many beloved Bayern characters reappear in this story, but it is Rin’s own journey of discovering how to balance the good and the bad in herself that drives this compelling adventure.

My thoughts: Sorry if its a little jumbled but their is just so many things going on in this book. I couldn't put this down while I was reading it. Ever since Rin was little she has had a connection with the forest but after an incident with a neighborhood boy they have drawn away from her. Now when she touches them she can fill this worm of evil inside of her. Razo, her brother comes to visit and he suggests she come to the city with him. At the city she becomes a lady in waiting for the Queen of Bayern. Listening to the other ladies babble and watching over Tusken, the little prince. Cecile another lady in waiting comes back and Rin can tell she means Tusken harm. An attack is made on a village so the king and his guards including Razo go out to help. Once there they are attacked by Fire-speakers. Rin listens while the Queen talks with her friends but something is strange in the way they are talking. Saying that her, Enna, and Dasha are riding out alone. What is so strange about these girls and why does Rin feel so compelled to be with them.

I haven't read any of the other Books of Bayern and this is the fourth one but I still loved it. The only time it was confusing is that all the characters from the other books are in it and it would have made the book even better if I had read their stories also. Forest Born is more on the adventurous-finding-yourself theme while I can tell that romance played a major part in the other books. Rin is so self conscious of herself. Always wanting to be a good person that it makes you really admire and relate to her. The book is very descriptive and I felt like I was standing right beside the characters the whole time. If you like books like Graceling then you'll love this series.

The only complaint I have is at times days would pass in a sentence and I wish at those times that she would have kept the story going. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own because I don't like the cover very much. Other than that this book is a must read and I'm going to read the rest of Shannon Hale's books as soon as I can. I can just image Enna's tale is going to be great because she is such a descriptive character. You can visit Shannon Hale's site here. I give this book an 8 out of 10.

Lost Mothers, Stowaway Boys, and Proper English Girls

2009-08-15T12:50:00.001-07:00

I decided to make better review titles from now on instead of just putting the book titles.

Title: Unclaimed Heart
Author: Kim Wilkins
Pages: 305
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one sitting. Constance Blackchurch has lived with her Aunt Violet her whole life. Growing up without a mother and a barely there merchant father. On one of her Father's visits she ease drops on a conversation and learns there's been news of her mother. The mother she hasn't seen since she was a baby. The mother she doesn't have any memory of. Her father sails immediately. Unknowing that Constance has stowed away on the ship. Somewhere along the way they pick up Alexandre, a boy with the dark eyes and the French accent. You don't need me tell you were that goes.

Were to start with this book? I loved it. At first I couldn't get into it at the beginning but as I read I grew to love everything about the story. A girl trying to find her mother. Whether she'll learn that her mother has been held captive all these years or the unthinkable that she left of her own free will she just can't keep live with the unknown. They end up picking up Alexandre along the way who helps Constance with her search for her mother and along the way they both grow to have hidden feelings for each other. Constance is all the while trying to be the best person she can and that means doing things proper girls aren't suppose to which disappoints the father she's always trying to please. And, all the while they're on ships or exotic islands. Their is something in it for everyone; romance, adventure, sadness.

There was quite a few times that I wanted to jump in the book and shout at people. Like Constance's father who is always thinking shes a silly girl or English people treating others badly because of their social standing. I just felt like there could be a second book continuing the story. It felt like it ended a little abruptly. Giving you a line that could go either way if the story continued. The book was originally published in Australia it looks like. So details are some what hard to understand. You can visit Kim Wilkins site here. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, romance, or just a sad story. I give this book a 9 out of 10 rating.

Award Giveout

2009-08-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Eleni from LA FEMME READERS who nominated me for this award. Go check out her wonderful blog.
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award:

•Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
•Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
•Link your nominees within your post.
•Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
•Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.
The blogs I nominate for this award are:
A Circle of Books
Cornucopia of Reviews
Em's Bookshelf
Feed Your Imagination
Frenetic Reader
I Was A Teenage Book Geek
Just Blinded Book Reviews
Katie's Bookshelf
Laina Has Too Much Spare Time
Sharon Loves Books and Cats

Sorry if you aren't on here and thanks again to Eleni.

Friday Finds

2009-08-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

What great books did you hear about this week? Friday Finds is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading. I'm kind of late doing this today but here are my finds:

Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block
Pub. Date: September 22, 2009:
Charlotte Emerson seems to have the perfect existence. She is enviably beautiful and lives alone in a mansion full of reasures and beautiful clothes, perched atop the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades. But Charlotte has been lonely and dead for almost a century. Now she might get a second chance at life.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Pub. Date: October 6, 2009:
Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

The Monstrumologist by Rick and Richard Yancey
Pub. Date: September 22, 2009:

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.

But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.

The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

This is all the books I'm going to post since I'm so lazy. Hope you find something you would like to read.

And Then Everything Unraveled review

2009-08-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Title: And Then Everything Unraveled
Author: Jennifer Sturman
YA Ficition

Inside flap description:
Delia Truesdale has no idea her life's about to change forever. She's too busy enjoying the California summer. Her internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing.
That is, until everything unravels.
Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead- except Delia, who knows T.K.'s way to organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen. And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snotty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.
As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy ... and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled.

This books about Delia, a Californian girl who loves to surf, who's internet tycoon mother goes missing. Shes forced to live with her aunt in New York and go to a school were the cool group gives a new meaning to the word inexpressive. Everyone but Delia thinks her mothers dead. Not going to give up on her mother she investigates. With some help from a psychic, a girl who only thinks about how shes going to get into Stanford, and a guy who might or might not have given her her first kiss.

Delia is smart, sweet, and your modern day Nancy Drew. If you like books with mystery, a snobby school, and a dash of the cute popular guy then you'll love this book. One minute she's talking to an undercover detective and the next kissing the boy of her dreams. It'll take your breath away and at the same time have you anticipating for the next clue.

I couldn't connect with some of the background characters. You don't hear very much about T.K., Delia's mother. I felt like the aunt Charley was really her mom for some reason the entire book. Their was so many similarities between the two I just felt like she was some how actually her daughter. It wasn't the most deep book I've ever read but its a cute fun read.

This is a wonderful first book for Jennifer Sturman's series and I can't wait for the next, And Then I Found Out The Truth. I give this book an 7.5 out of 10.

Giving Out Awards

2009-08-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've been very bad. I haven't sent awards like I'm suppose to so please don't shank me. I've gotten two awards:

The Lemonade Award from The Book Scout
Rules:
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award: -Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post. -Nominate at least 3 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude. -Link your nominees within your post. -Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog. -Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award. Here is my list of nominees:

The Story Siren- With the whole mean blogger thing going on I thought she handled it wonderfully. Its a wonderful blog with great YA reviews, author interviews, and contests.

The Neverending Shelf- Another YA blog with great and often reviews. This is a must visit site.

LA FEMME READERS- Another must visit blog. She hosts reviews, giveaways, author interviews, upcoming movies, ect. She's one of the people who really helped me whenever I first started my blog. Big thank you to you Eleni.

One Lovely Blog Award from TBQ's Personal Book Palace

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here's the great blogs I've found:

Bloody Bookaholic- I love this blog. Shes got great reviews and updates on great things like movies. She also plays music on her blog so that's a big plus.

Hope's Bookshelf- If you want daily book reviews and author interviews then this is the place to go. All the books you can't wait to get your hands on shes reviewed. I stalk this site on a regular basis because there's so many goodies.

J. Kaye's Book Blog- Another great blog that gives great reviews all the time. This isn't a new blog but its still a great blog so I had to put it on here. You can just about reload the page and she'll have something new on there.

Thanks again to those who gave me this award and I'm sorry to all who I didn't put on here. It was so hard to choose.

Waiting on Wensday

2009-08-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. WoW helps spread the word on upcoming new release books. This weeks WoW is:

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel which comes out September 15.

Emerson Price cannot remember a time when life was ordinary. She was four-years-old when she and her mom were diagnosed as HIV-positive – infected with the virus that causes AIDS, and eight when her parents divorced. Now she is thirteen and her mother is dead. Emmy moves in with her father and stepmother, but she feels completely alone. Even though everyone has always accepted her, no one – not her father, or stepmother, or even her best friend – understands what it’s like to have to take medicine every single day, to be so afraid of getting sick, and to miss her mom more than she ever thought she would.

When Emmy’s dad and stepmother send her to Camp Positive, a camp for HIV-positive girls, Emmy is certain she is going to hate it. But soon she realizes that she is not so alone after all – and that sometimes letting other people in can make all the difference in the world.

The author is donating a portion of her proceeds from this book to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Which makes it even better. This sounds intriguing and deep and I can't wait to read it. I love the cover with her letting go of the red balloon.

Teaser Tuesday

2009-08-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

I'm looking around at everyone's blog today and I see Teaser Tuesday every where. Not one to be out of the loop, I decided to participate. Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. All you have to do is the following:
a) Grab your current read
b) Open to a random page
c) Share two (2) teaser sentences from somewhere on the page.
d) Make sure not to include spoilers!
e) Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add it to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This weeks Teaser:

""You get to go to an office and interact with other people all day and then come home to a dinner already prepared and a child bathed and in bed, but I'm the one who knows where to find the scissors around here, ha!" And then on some nights, like tonight, I look at Maya drawing at the kitchen table with her crayons, her tongue poking out from between her lips in concentration as she draws, and I realize I'm not the only one in our house who's missing out."

- pg.46, "The Possibility of Everything" by Hope Edelman

Alice In Wonderland Trailer

2009-08-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

I saw this Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland trailer and I had to post it. Here's the URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7880qvyrzk

Hehe I got one off some spanish site.
The graphics look so good. I can't wait to watch this.

Look Forward To:

2009-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman.
Here's the description:
n the autumn of 2000, Hope Edelman was a woman adrift, questioning her place in her marriage, her profession, and the larger world. Feeling vulnerable and isolated, she was primed for change. Into her stagnant routine dropped Dodo, her three-year-old daughter Maya's curiously disruptive imaginary friend. Confused and worried about how to handle Maya and Dodo's apparent hold on her, Edelman and her husband made the unlikely choice to bring her to Mayan healers in Belize, hoping that a shaman might help them banish Dodo-and, as they came to understand, all he represented-from their lives.

Examining how an otherwise mainstream mother and wife finds herself making this unorthodox choice, The Possibility of Everything chronicles the magical week in Central America that transformed Edelman from a person whose past had led her to believe only in the visible and the "proven" to someone open to the idea of larger, unseen forces. A deeply affecting and beautifully written memoir of a family's emotional journey, it explores what Edelman and her husband went looking for in the jungle-and what they ultimately discovered-as parents, as spouses, and as ordinary people-about the things that possess and destroy, or that can heal us all.

It comes out in September and Hope has agreed to an author interview so keep a look out for it posted on here in a couple days.

Review: The Black Tattoo

2009-08-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Back description:
Jack Farrell never thought he would end up in Hell. Certainly not when he was still alive. And definitely not by choice. But that's exactly where he does end up-in one of Hell's prisons cells, no less, with only a giant two-headed tapeworm for conversation.
But what else can he do? Jack's best friend, Charlie, is in serious trouble. An ancient demon called the Scourge is using Charlie to bring about its evil ends-which unfortunately, involve the destruction of the entire universe.
Now Jack and the butt-kicking, sword-wielding Esme must contend with floating sharks, moving jelly, over sized centipedes, gladiator pits, and vomiting bats, all for the sake of saving Charlie from the Scourge. And, hopefully, saving the universe from total and utter annihilation.

The whole book is about trying to capture this demon called the Scourge who has been imprisoned on earth for centuries and is now inhabiting Charlie one of the main characters of the book. There are three main characters: Charlie, Jack, and Esme. Charlie is so swept up with his hatred and self centeredness of finding out his fathers a jerk that it just might cause the destruction of everything. Jack is just along for the ride witnessing everything, dieing and being made part demon, and dealing with the fact that no one pays attention to him. And, Esme has been training her whole life and her only purpose is to capture and bind the demon who killed her mother and father.

I liked the imagination in this book. How there was so many different creatures of hell like a two-headed tapeworm. a giant blue swords women, a jelly substance that covers hell, a giant centipede slash hedgehog, and a flying shark. Oh and how could forget a Chinj or a talking bat like furry creature that who's main purpose is to puke into a bowl to give you food.

I didn't like the self centeredness of both Charlie and Jack. Charlie only thinks about how his father wronged him the whole time and only takes in consideration how he will be effected by his decisions. There is only one word to call Jack, annoying. The whole book he talks about how no one listens to him and how its always typical for him to end up in the bad situations. In a part of the book he is in the jaws of a flying shark about to meet his death and all he can say is how typical it is that he is the one in the situation. Throughout the book a physical tension between Jack and Esme is mentioned and that's all, no kiss not even a feelings talk. It would have made the book better if they would have explored that relationship in some way.

Other than that this is a good fantasy read for its fight scenes and the descriptiveness of its creatures. I give it a 7 out of ten.

In My Mailbox

2009-08-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone has been making these and I thought it would be a good idea to show what books I got this week.
Randomhouse ARC:

In the autumn of 2000, Hope Edelman was a woman adrift, questioning her place in her marriage, her profession, and the larger world. Feeling vulnerable and isolated, she was primed for change. Into her stagnant routine dropped Dodo, her three-year-old daughter Maya's curiously disruptive imaginary friend. Confused and worried about how to handle Maya and Dodo's apparent hold on her, Edelman and her husband made the unlikely choice to bring her to Mayan healers in Belize, hoping that a shaman might help them banish Dodo-and, as they came to understand, all he represented-from their lives.
Examining how an otherwise mainstream mother and wife finds herself making this unorthodox choice, The Possibility of Everything chronicles the magical week in Central America that transformed Edelman from a person whose past had led her to believe only in the visible and the "proven" to someone open to the idea of larger, unseen forces. A deeply affecting and beautifully written memoir of a family's emotional journey, it explores what Edelman and her husband went looking for in the jungle-and what they ultimately discovered-as parents, as spouses, and as ordinary people-about the things that possess and destroy, or that can heal us all.

Booksamillion:

The rules for a young English woman in 1799 are simple: Do what you’re told; stay out of the way; and don’t, under any circumstances, ask questions.

But Constance Blackchurch is insatiable, headstrong, and complex; and the quest to find her missing mother is too much to resist…

…as is Alexandre Sans-Nom, the pearl diver who steals her heart, uproots all of her social expectations, and can either ruin or save the family she loves.

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

I also got these at the flea market today for four dollars, that's right you didn't hear wrong four dollars together.

Ana's life is a collection of bits and pieces of her past. Infected with HIV at birth, she's unaware of many details of her early childhood and barely remembers her mother. Living with her strict grandmother, she learns how to keep secrets – secrets about her infection and about the abuse she endures at home. But after Ana falls in love and becomes pregnant at seventeen, she begins a journey of hope – a journey of protecting herself and others. She is living with HIV, not dying from it.

Jenna Bush tells of Ana's struggle to break free from the cycle of abuse, silence, and illness with passion and eloquence. But this is not just Ana's story. It is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized, neglected, and mistreated.

Miles Ryan's life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. Missy had been his first love, and Miles fervently believes she will be his last. As a deputy in the North Carolina town of New Bern, Miles Ryan not only grieves for Missy, but also longs to bring the unknown driver to justice.

Then Miles meets Sarah Andrews. The second grade teacher of his son, Jonah, Sarah had left Baltimore after a difficult divorce to start over in the gentler surroundings of New Bern. Perhaps its her own emotional wounds that make her sensitive to the hurt she first sees in Jonah's eyes, and then his father's. Tentatively, Sarah and Miles reach out to each other. Soon they are both laughing for the first time in years. . . and falling in love.

Neither will be able to guess how closely linked they are to a shocking secret -- one that will force them to question everything they ever believed in. . . and make a heartbreaking choice that will change their lives forever.

I'm looking forward to reading The Possibility of Everything, The Prophecy of the Sisters, and Ana's Story the most but I hope their all good.
I'm going to be posting a review tomorrow so keep your eye out for that. That's everything I got this week. What did you get?

Music Mania

2009-08-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start a Music Mania on here. Where whenever I want to tell you guys something about music it'll be called Music Mania. So for this first time I'm going to suggest to bands that you have to listen to.

Mayday Parade:

Derek Sanders- Lead Singer
Jeremy Lenzo- Bass Guitar, Vocals
Alex Garcia- Lead Guitar
Brooks Betts- Guitar
Jake Bundrick- Drums, Backing Vocals
They are from Tallahassee, Florida and they became a group in 2005. This band is one of my favorite rock bands. Their album A Lesson In Romantics is top notch. I can listen to it over and over again.

Their next album is coming out on October 6th.

Carolina Liar:

They were based out of Los Angeles but the Lead vocalist is from Charleston, South Carolina and the most of the other members come from Sweden. From what I can see they started in 2005. Their album Coming To Terms is sort of a revelation C.D. where when you listen to it you should in a movie and it's some type of substantial moment. All the songs are great on this album which is hard to come by.

Open Your Peepers

2009-08-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

I went on to Catherine Murdock's site because I knew that her third Dairy Queen book was coming out and I just wanted to post some things.
Here's the cover and the description:

In this hilarious and moving conclusion to the Dairy Queen trilogy, D.J. Schwenk returns to her small-town high school – only to find that herself the focus of far too much attention. From a old friend now hot for romance, to college recruiters and rabid local hoops fans, to Brian Nelson . . . How will shy, quiet D.J. handle things now that she’s front and center?

I've read both of the previous books and I was hooked to them. I used to get on her site all the time wondering if she was ever going to publish her third book because I had seen it somewhere that she was making another one so I stalked her site for a while and every time I thought about it I would go here and now it is finally here. Yay! It's being published on October 19th so go check it out. Here's her site. She also posted a Beaner play list:

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

She also said some things on her site. Like how there will not be a DJ and Aaron, her older brother's professional football playing room mate. I will confess to having visions of this relationship so arrgh but she also says that Beaner plays a major role so that sounds interesting. I can't wait to read this. Also, I love this play list. It's actual songs I've heard and listen to often so give it a listen.

Maximum Ride Contest

2009-08-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson:

Welcome To My Nightmare.
Do not put this book down. I'm dead serious- your life could depend on it. I'm risking everything by telling you-but you need to know.-Max

Max's Missions:
Protect the rest of her gang-Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel-from a pack of half-wolf, half-humans with a taste for flying humans.
Rescue Angel from a crew of complete wack-jobs.
Infiltrate a secret facility to track down their missing parents.
Figure out what she really thinks about Fang.
Get revenge on the one person she thought she could trust.
Discover the best chocolate-chip cookie in New York City.
Save the world, for crying out loud.

Not necessarily in that order, of course.

Anyone can enter the contest so come one, come all. The contest will be held until 9/6. To enter answer this question:
What is the most outrageous first day of school you have ever had.

+2 becoming a follower
+3 already a follower
+2 Linking to my contest (as many places as you want)
+3 making a post about my contest
Make sure to put your name and email address.

So hurry and comment before it ends.

The Vampires Assistant

2009-08-05T21:24:00.000-07:00

I saw this Cirque De Freak: The Vampire's Assistant trailer and I had to post it.

It's supposed to be out October 23.

Terrier by Tamora Pierce

2009-08-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Beka Cooper:Terrier by Tamora Pierce:
In 246 H.E., the Provost's Dogs guard Tortall's capital city. Beka Cooper is one of their newest trainees-a Puppy wet behind the ears but eager to learn. But Beka will have to learn faster than she bargained for because she's assigned to the Lower City, Corus's toughest district. It's filled with pickpockets who are fast as lightning, rogues who will knock your teeth out with a smile, and murderers with hidden plans. In the constant battle for the Lower City's streets, Beka will have to use her smarts and her own eerie brand of magic if she hopes to survive.
This is the beginning of Beka's story, her legend, and her legacy...

All Beka Cooper wants to do is be Dog ever since she met her Lord when she caught and beat up the man who was abusing her mother. Her mother died later and her and siblings were moved into her Lord's house. Now its her first year as a puppy. Thinking she will be the first to become a Dog their first year but she encounters problems on the way. She's paired with the best Dogs; Goodwin and Tunstall, but they aren't to keen on having her. She's horribly shy and her purple eyed cat named Pounce keeps following her even if she locks him up. Everyone's counting on her failing but Beka has a few powers to help her along the way. She can listen to spinners or dust storms that have collected all the horrible stuff they've heard. She can also hear pigeons who carry dead spirits.
I am horrible addicted to Tamora Pierce's books. With her strong female main characters set in a world back in the middle ages. This is just as good as all her others. I can't wait to see what happens between Beka and Rosto in her next installment Blond Hound. At the end of the book you'll find a new view on what cats and pigeons could really be. I give this book a 8 out of 10.

Jeaniene Frost Questions

2009-08-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

I was also looking over on Jeaniene Frost's blog and saw this frequently asked questions that she posted:
Q: I see your next two books are spin-offs of the Night Huntress series. Is DFAEG the last of the Cat and Bones books?

A: No. There will be at least seven Cat and Bones books. Right now I'm planning to end their storyline at seven books, unless Cat and Bones need another novel to wrap things up in (they aren't cooperative all the time, you know ;).

Q: Will Cat and Bones show up in the spin-off books?

A: Yes, Cat and Bones both appear as side characters in the Night Huntress World books.

Q: What are the Night Huntress World books, anyway?

A: They're novels that showcase certain side characters from the Cat and Bones books as main characters. For example, FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON features Spade as the hero, and it comes out Feb 2010. The next novel, untitled as of now, is Mencheres's book, which comes out October 2010.

Q: Are the spin-offs the start of a new series for each character?

A: No, they are stand-alone, one-and-done novels.

Q: Will you only do two "side character" books? Because I want you to do a book on [Vlad, Tate, Ian, etc].

A: I'd love to do more spin-off books on other characters. We'll see how it goes. Cross your fingers for me!

Q: When's the next Cat and Bones book coming out?

A: One For the Money, a Cat and Bones short story in the DEATH'S EXCELLENT VACATION anthology, comes out August 2010. The short story is set after the events of DFAEG. Cat and Bones's next full-length novel will come out sometime in late 2010/early 2011 (exact date to be determined).

If you've never read Jeaniene Frost's night huntress series. Go check it out. I highly recommend it. Its a Urban Fantasy/Paranormal.

Open Your Peepers

2009-08-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

I was looking on Elizabeth Scott's blog and I saw some things about her upcoming novel The Unwritten Rule. Here is the cover:

This was the little tidbit about the book:
The Unwritten Rule is a story about a girl, Sarah, who falls for her best friend's boyfriend. As you can probably guess, things get really complicated really fast and The Unwritten Rule is about friendship and family and love and the agony of breaking that unwritten rule about falling for your friends' boyfriends (especially you best friend's boyfriend!) (and of course, now you know how I got the title too!)
It's supposed to be coming out April of next year. So keep a look out for that.

The Iron King

2009-08-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Book: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Its coming out in February of 2010 and published by Harlequin Teen.
Here is the back book description:

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.

Sounds great can't wait to read it. She also posted a play list on her website:

Everyone knows how much I love authors who put play lists for their books. You can look at Julie Kagawa's blog here or her website here. So keep your eye out.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

2009-07-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

Anna, Frank, and Matt are best friends. That share and do everything together except everything changes on Anna's birthday when Matt kisses Anna. They carry on their secret relationship with Matt promising her he'll tell his sister while they're on vacation but he never gets the chance. A year later and on a vacation in Cali Frankie declares a twenty boy contest by the end of the summer. Will everything change? Will Anna finally tell her and Matt's secret or will her memories of Matt be erased forever?
A heart breaking novel of death, friendship, and secrets. I loved this book. I pretty much cried throughout the entire thing. If you've ever read Before I Die by Jenny Downham it's like that. It kind of killed me throughout the book how since no one knew about her and Matt she wasn't viewed as being able to grieve like all the rest of his family and I really wanted to punch out miss prissy pants at times. If you like books were you cry no let me rephrase body shaking sobs than you'll love this book. I give this book a 3.8 out of 5 stars.

YA Reads contest

2009-07-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

Go check out YA READS to enter their house of night contest and much more.

Contest

2009-07-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Go check out Traveling To Teens to enter to win Ballads of Suburbia, Eyes like stars, It's Not You, It's Me, and The Demon's Lexicon.

2009-07-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is two previews of New Moon people keep telling me to watch that I'm guessing was at some Comi Con.

That was stinking hilarious that people were screaming and you can so tell Edward's ans are painted on HEHE!

Geektastic

2009-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Electrical Book Cafe is holding a contest for 5 copies of Geektastic that have a ton of great authors involved including Holly Black, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Scott Westfield, and a ton of more spankin' authors. So go scoot over to her blog if you want to check it out.

Teach Me by R.A. Nelson

2009-07-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Teach Me by R.A. Nelson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Nine is another species unto herself. Unlike her classmates shes obsessed with space and her goofy best friend Schuyler. But all that changes when she meets Mr.Mann her new AM Lit teacher. This story is about a forbidden relationship between teacher and student and the obsession of a girl that follows.
I liked this book okay but it wasn't one of my all time favorites. At times I had to put down the book and step away because of some of the things Carolina did.

View all my reviews >>

E. Lockhart's Dramarama Playlist

2009-07-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is E. Lockhart's playlist for her book Dramarama. I couldn't find one of the songs called All About Rupretch. You can check out E's site here it has some cool little things and you can read about her books or you can go to her blog here and read about whatever is on Lockhart's mind.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart

2009-07-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch--and me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ruby Oliver is back again. Now she's lost her job at the zoo. She keeps wanting Noel even though she's trying to be a better person and let Nora have him. Jackson's broken up with Kim and he's left a froggy laden with meaning in her cubby. Finn is making nija brownies for her ChuBS bake sale and blushing whenever she talks to him. All the while she's talking to Dr.Z about her leaperdom and trying to control her escalating panic attacks.
I think any girl with a sense of humor and has had major friend problems in the past will love this book. Don't skip the footnotes because those are some of the funniest parts. I was quoting the book at the end saying: spankin', mocha latte, and rabbit fever; and I was dying for it not to stop at the end.

View all my reviews >>

Catching Fire Contest

2009-07-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

Reviewer X is hosting a contest for Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins you can check it out here.

Jeaniene Frost Playlist

2009-07-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Jeaniene Frost only has one song for each of her books that I can find and hasn't posted one for her new book just published Destined For An Early Grave so in order these are for the first three books.

Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

2009-07-27T12:00:00.001-07:00

Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Here is the book trailer:

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cat and Bones are on a much deserved vacation headed to Paris when Cat starts having dreams of a man trying to catch her in her sleep. Brushing it off to nothing Bones grand sire Mencheres meets at the dock with guards. They find out that Cats dreams are much more serious the man chasing her in her dreams is Gregor a much stronger vampire also called the Dreamsnatcher who can take people from their dreams to were he is. Even worse he's claiming that Cat's his wife and the only reason she isn't with him is because her memory was erased.

I am positively addicted to this series. If you like urban paranormal fantasy you'll love these books. Many developments happen in the book and another emotitional rollacoaster that is just as good as the first three. It will leave you begging for more. I can't wait until the next book.

View all my reviews >>

You can visit Jeaniene's site here or her blog here to catch new of her upcoming releases or other tidbits.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

2009-07-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

ALERT- if you have not read the Summoning Kelley Armstrong’s first book in this YA series then be prepared for *SPOILERS*.

The Awakening starts off were the Summoning left off. At the end of the Awakening Chloe gets separated from Derek and Simon and goes to her Aunts with Rae to get help since she was injured. Only thing is that her Aunt is actually apart of the Edison group and she gives her to them. Starting at the beginning of the Awakening, Chloe is trying to bust out with some help from the ghost Liz and a Demi-demon goddess who wants Chloe to release her from the Edison building. She gets some unexpected help from someone I'm not going to mention who and they run away and meet back up with the boys. The story continues with them trying to get to Derek and Simon's father’s friend Andrew's house.

This is another good book in this series. In this one Chloe seems to be trying to put off her damsel in distress role for the strong independent woman. You get to see more different supernaturals in the book as it goes on and like the first more love triangle tension going on between Chloe, Derek, and Simon. So you won't go wanting there. You also get to learn more about how the supernatural teens came to be as they are and some of Chloe's family history.

Here is the book trailer for the Awakening also:

You can check out Kelley Armstrong's site here were you can read experts, link to buying, or just read about Kelley and her other books. The Reckoning the third and final installment in the series comes out May 1, 2010.

Spoilers********

I wanted to discuss a part of the book that has been killing me from analyzing it all the time. It's when Derek and Chloe run into the murdering werewolves.

"Liam put his hand out toward me. When Derek tensed, he pulled back, then did it again, testing his reaction, laughing when he got one, until even Ramon started to laugh.
"Check this out," Liam said. "I think the pups got himself a mate. Isn't that the cutest thing?"

What!? I hope that actually has some meaning and will be more explained in the next book.

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

2009-07-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Kitty is a late nite radio host who is starting to take over the midnight hour because shes a lupi or a werewolf. One night she gets bored and starts a discussion about supernatural crimes you hear about and what exactly they are either some type of coverup or all just flop. The show gets such out standing ovations that it gets syndicated in other states. The only problem is her pack leader says she has to quit because the local vampire coven leader says that its attracting to much attention. Kitty lures him over her side with the prospect of half her earnings but she still has to deal with the vampires and they're bringing in the big guns.

Kitty will capture you with her quick wit and her sharp tongue. She's always getting in to trouble and its very entertaining to watch her get out of it. If you like werewolve books with mystery, action, and romance mixed in you'll love Carrie Vaughn's Kitty series. This book is the first one but she currently has 6 books released in this series and have heard rave reviews from others about all of them. You can visit Carrie Vaughn's site here where you can link over to buying, reading an expert, or just seeing what Carrie is all about.

This is Carrie's playlist for Kitty and the Midnight Hour:

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Fragile Eternity Playlist

2009-07-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

This is Melissa Marr's playlist for her book Fragile Eternity:

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Create a playlist at MixPod.com

I also just read that its going to be another two years before her next book comes out.

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

2009-07-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

The third book in Melissa Marr's fairy world, Fragile Eternity is finally here. Seth can see he's losing Aislinn to Keenan the closer Summer gets. Donia loves Keenan but if given the chance puts all his devotion into getting Aislinn to fall in love with him. Seth knows the only way to stay in the world of faeries and Aislinn's is to become a faerie. Will she choose the mortal or her Summer King to live with for Eternity?

There's also a book trailer:

Spoilers*****

I almost enjoyed this as much as I liked the first book Wicked Lovely. Keenan is a total slime ball and manipulator. I was jumping for joy whenever Niall punched him in the face and knocked him out. I think and hope that their is going to be another book to explore Seths powers. I see the potential to see alot more action in the next book with Seth kicking Wars but. This book has a lot of imagination and your always wondering how the characters will react. Meliss just resently sighned on for her first adult ficition book so I'll be looking out for more details on that also.

Beautiful Creatures Playlist

2009-07-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to Ethan's Playlist from Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl fan site and its great so I'm posting it. Hope you like.

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2009-07-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is coming out in December of 2009. The back cover description:
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.

There is also a book trailer:

You can visit this site to read the first chapter of the book.

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

2009-07-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Auden has always been the academic girl that her divorced parents hadn't had to worry about. Unlike her Europe back packing brother. Sick of following her professor mother talk about womens roles in Renaissance literature she decides to go stay with her father, his wife, and their new born baby at their beach front home. She expects to spend time with her father discussing her plans for college and times of their past but what she gets is a constant wailing from her step sister Thisbe and her selfish father writing his ten year upcoming novel. She ends up working at her step mothers horribly girly boutique where she makes friends and meets Eli an ex-professional biker who helps her experiance all the things she missed in her childhood but has a secret past that makes no one look at him the same.

Another wonderful novel from the bestselling author Sarah Dessen. If you have read any of her other books such as: The Truth About Forever, That Summer, Someone Like You, Just Listen, and Keeping the Moon; than you will adore this book. I especially could relate to the main character Auden. I've always been more academic than social. Eli is another to die for male charcter with his tortured past so you won't go wanting in this book. Sarah Dessen is a wonderful YA author who can put intelligance and relatiability into her chic teen books and I am highly anticipating her next upcoming novel.

Promoting Your Book

2009-07-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

The Obsessive Reader would be happy to promote your book whether you are an author, publisher, publicist, whichever, for the simple cost of a copy of your book. I reside on many book reviewing sites including: Amazon, Booksamillion, Goodreads, Pulseit, and Google Books. The review will be posted as soon as read or will not be posted until publication date of book unless requested. We will also advertise a banner or JPEG image of your book if asked. The Obsessive Reader will also hold contests for a free giveaway of a copy of your book to even more help promote it if asked. If you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries you can email the Obsessive Reader at rconnell94@yahoo.com and we will email you as soon as possible.

Contest for Destined For An Early Grave, Blood Promise, and The Other Tudors

2009-07-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Eclectic Reader is posting a contest for Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost; Blood Promise by Richelle Mead; and The Other Tudors by Phillipa Jones. All you have to do is long on to her site here and become a follower. I personally would love Jeaniene's new book thats about to come out. So everyone go check it out.

The Witch of Portabello

2009-06-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho is about a lover who tries to understand the life and decisions of his deceased companion. Sherine Khalil or Athena's story is told by those who knew her. An orphaned gypsy adopted by adoring Lebanese parents. Athena sees and struggles with her magical abilities at a young age. Following her passions through life and journeying around Europe and the Middle East. Trying to better understand herself, life, and its truer meanings. Dancing, learning calligraphy, meeting the women who abandoned her, and teaching others are just some of the things she encounters.
Paulo Coelho, most known for his novel the Alchemist writes this wonderful debut. One of a few novels that can make you take a look at something that has always had a misconstrued meaning. This book makes you take a look at yourself to see if you truly understand yourself and the meaning behind it. Anyone on the road to enlightenment would enjoy this astonishing story.

Carpe Corpus

2009-06-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine is the 6th book in her YA series. Some would call Claire a teenage brainiac. Her parents decide it would better for her to spend her first college years at University of Texas, the community college instead of MIT. Living is the dorms Claire starts to see how strange people act in the town: never smiling at strangers, no ones out at night, and to top it off these werid bracelets that all of the natives wear. Deciding not to put up with the bullies in the dorms or face death Claire sets off to find an off campus dorm. She finds the Glass House. Were she is taken in and becomes friends with all her roomates who she shares all of her adventures with. She discovers that the town is owned by vampires. Oh and those bracelets show who has protection. The ones without let everyone know they're free range.

So in this book it takes over were Lord of Misrule the 4th book left off. Bishop owns the town and he controls everyone that isn't in hiding including Claire. Forcing them to do his bidding. Amelie is no were to be found and Michael has turned into Bishop's henchmen and to top it off Shane and his dad are in prison awaiting their execution. Claire thinks Myrnin is in Bishops clutches but turns out he has his own tricks up his sleeves. He shows her that he's working with Amelie to bring Bishop down and turn everything back the way it was. Claire also has to make the antidote soon or all the rescuers might die before they get the chance to help.

This was a very good book. Claire is finally devirginized what we have all been waiting for. You really get to think about what might happen next and when you do it wasn't even what you expected which makes this book wonderful as well as all her series. I was sad to see some charaters go and I wished I could have read a little more Claire and Myrnin strange attraction in the book but that may happen in her next book Fade Out coming out November 3rd.

The Beginning

2009-06-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

So this is my first time blogging. In the future I want to got into the book field. Either writing, promoting, selling, or reviewing. Reading is one of my passions and everytime I read a book I think I wished I could tell someone about it. I also am a big fan of music and funny videos or other little tidbits. So this why I started this. Stick around and I hope you like what you see.