Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #10


(So, what do you think of the new button? I changed it because I thought this went better with my theme, but I will use the other one from time to time.)

 
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're can't wait to get our hands on.
 
Okay, here is mine.
 
 
The Hunt
By Andrew Fukuda
Due Date: May 8, 2012
 
Goodreads:
Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?
 
Why?
1: Sounds kinda like the hunger games. And I LOVE the Hunger Games!

2: I like how the main character is a guy. You don’t really get many guy narrators in YA. Usually it’s a girl.

3: Look at that cover! It’s beautiful!
Here are the rest of them


Personally, I like the bottom cover better. The one with day and night. I don't really like the new gray-yellow one, and the one with the guy on it is okay. Gene's hot, but I don't like the font.



So, what are you waiting on?


Keep On Reading!




Sunday, February 26, 2012

In My Mailbox #13



Hosted by the Story Siren to show people new books coming out soon or already have so people can look them up and add them to their ever growing list of 'to-read'

Here's my box.


 
Traded

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Thank you Asheley from Into the Hall of Books



Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Thank you Angela


Bought


Thank you Amazon!



So, what did you get?


Keep On Reading!



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Contemporary February #7: Perfectly Invisible


 
*MAY CONTAIN SPOLIERS

 
Amazon (didn't like Goodreads's summary): 

 It's Daisy Crispin's final trimester of high school, and she plans to make it count. Her long-awaited freedom is mere months away, and her big plans for college loom in the future. Everything is under control. Or is it? Her boyfriend is treating her like she's invisible, and her best friend is selling bad costume jewelry in the school quad--and hanging out with her boyfriend. Top it off, Daisy's major humiliation for the year will be remembered in the yearbook for all eternity. It's enough to make her wonder if maybe being invisible isn't so bad after all.
With more of the funny-but-too-true writing readers have come to expect from Kristin Billerbeck, Perfectly Invisible shows teen girls that everyone is special--no matter what they're going through.
Notice:
I will NOT be making my goal of getting all of my contemporay books done this month. Too much going on and too many contemporary novels. March is contemporary #2!
 
Review: Okay, first of all, this book and it's predecessor are my journal. My life. Now, I may not be super smart in math, but I am really good in school in general. Like Daisy, no guy has asked me out. No, I haven't gone to prom yet (it hasn't happened yet anyway) and I plan on going to some big college eventually. Now, unlike Daisy, I don't have an extremely close best friend (unless you count all my books). I lost her when I found out she was talking behind my back.
 
Anyway, in the first book, I really really connected with Daisy. Prom was coming up and no one in her Christian school really knew her or even liked her liked her. Same with me. Except I don't go to a Christian school. People are just on a friendly basis with me. I wouldn't, though, through a party and then accidently burn down my friend's house. No. That's just stupid.
 
Daisy is one of those girls that wants to please her parents but still get what she wants. She discovers this in this book after talking with her boss Gil. He said that when she doesn't get what she wants, she just settles. I'm kinda like that. Usually with dresses. Like last year for Homecoming. I couldn't really find a dress so I picked one (that I ended up liking then finding another one and liking that one better) and dealt with it. In her case, it's college. The school she wants to go to is expensive. And when I mean expensive, I mean, more than Stanford. Pepperdine. (Never heard of it.) Well, since her family isn't the wealthiest family (since her dad doesn't really have a good paying job as an actor and telegram messanger) they can't afford it. And she gets sad, and then gives up her dreams of going to Pepperdine and settles for a community college nearby.
 
Now, you may be thinking "Why is she so above community college? I went to community college and look at how I turned out! or something like that. Well, it's the principle of the thing. Her school is a private school. Rich snobby kids (plenty of them) with daddies that pay a lot of money to the school so their kids don't flunk. Well, those rich daddies are paying a lot of money for their kids to go to some fancy college in the fall and Daisy doesn't want to feel like the underdog sent to community college. In a way, you have to feel sorry for her. Everyone one going to a big university while she gets stuck in community college? Not fair. (On my side, I just don't want to go to Highland CC in Freeport because that's where everone goes and I want to meet new people. But who knows?)
 
Now Max, Daisy's love interest. At first, I was confused and angry. In the last book, he was head over heals. Now, in this book, he's in the school play (which was horrible) and kissing her best friend, who really doesn't consider Daisy's feelings about Max and her kissing. Plus, Claire (BFF of Daisy) decides to try out these things called trings and have her best friends sell them while she hangs out with the popular crowd and practices for the play. I think they're both stupid. But Max sticks with his feelings till the very end, which makes him not a total jerk. No, those are Daisy's parents, mostly Mom.
 
Okay, her parents are old fashioned. And I mean, old fashioned. Old as in, they wouldn't let her go to Prom, and they won't let Max date her because they feel courting is better. Mostly Mom because apparently, she made some mistakes in high school she doesn't want Daisy to make. But dad, he's just overprotective. And when it comes to her old boss; sure, they don't trust him, but it's another thing to think he's doing something with your daughter every time he brings her home in his Porche. Get real! And the fact he was paying for a cell phone that they couldn't afford and when she really needs it she doesn't have it because Mom wanted to be a pain and take it away? Not cool. (Long sentence, I know.)

For the ending, I was a bit confused, and then mad, and then happy. Why? Well, first, it said our heroine wasn't going to get the guy even though he said he was going to date her. Got confused. Why are you leaving her! I asked. Then I got made because he was. Then I got happy because some things turned around and made everything bettter. Not the best happy ending, but it's more realistic than others.

Future: I believe this is the end of the series for Daisy, unless that next book will be about her in college. :D One can only hope.

Overall, this book is like an unknown girl's diary, filled with drama and boy troubles. A cute contemporay novel for any girl in their teens. :D


Rating:

Cover:
I like how in the pics you first see Daisy a bit with Max and they look happy. Then her holding her head in a frustrated position and him leaning away. Then the last pic he looks awkard and she's not in the pic at all but save her arm, but you can see her standing up to leave.

Ending:


*Bought this book



Keep On Reading!



Up Next:

Actually, I started both. Not far in Lola because I got distracted by Blood Feud, which I have already read. I only started rereading it because I got Hearts at Stake free from BN and wanted to reread it again. :D


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #9


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're can't wait to get our hands on.

Ta-da!


Due Date: Sept. 11, 2012

Goodreads: Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.
The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....
Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.


Why?
1: The conclusion of the trilogy. Duh!
2: Sophie Jordan wrote it.
3: TEAM WILL!
4: Dragons.
5: Love it.

The cover, now that's a bit of an issue. On the previous book covers, it features Jacinda and her sister, Tamra, in close-up shots. I liked that. The awesome dragon eyes and wicked cool skin. Now, this cover is a far away shot. Now, as much as I like seeing all of the hair in all, I kinda wish it was Miram instead, the third girl dragon we know of in the series that is a major character. But that's just my opinion.

So, what are you waiting on?



Keep On Reading!




Monday, February 20, 2012

Contemporary February #6: Ditched: A Love Story


*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Goodreads: High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her. Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. And then ditched her.


Okay, first, before the review. 1: Sorry I'm getting this up late. I finished the book last Sunday and never got time to review because my English teacher is evil and assigns 5 chapters a night or so to read. 2: I honestly don't think I'm going to finish all my contemporary novels in February unless some miracle happens. So, I'll probably go into March and make March: Contemporary/Dystopian March. :D
 
 
Review: In the book, Justina (which, I'm sorry, I'm not a fan of the name. Justina? Really?) suddenly realizes she has feelings for her best friend, Ian, and when he asks her to prom, she accepts. Lucky her huh? Well, a few things go wrong, and somehow, she ends up in the ditch not far from a 7 Eleven. Once there, she spills what happened to her to two nice women, Gilda and Donna. I would never talk to strangers about my personal problems, but in this case, since it was two women, in a convincent store, with cameras, and these women have experience with boys, then I find that acceptable.
In the book, each chapter flashes back and forth from Justina's night before she started telling her story to the present when she actually is. One thing about this book I found somewhat annoying was how long the chapters telling her prom night were. I'm not a fan of extremely long chapters. Anyway, I really did like it though for each chapter, there would be a picture and a stain. Now, each stain represents a part of Justina's night. For example, the first stain, yellow curry, happened when Ian came to pick her up in her all, MATCHING BLUE outfit (which I think was stupid on the mom's part).  I thought this was awesome. Each one with a story of its own. many were very funny.

Characters: Main
Now, Justina herself was an interesting character. At first, when I read she wore only black, I was thinking "What? Then why is she going to prom? And what up with the daisies in her room? She's NOT Emo?!" Okay, I know I'm stereotyping here, but seriously, how many people do you know in high school that wear all black without some indication of goth or anything like that? Not many. But, in Justina's case, she wears it because some of the bitchy girls in her school got their clothes donated to one of the discount stores where Justina buys clothes, and she showed up one day to school in a totally cute outfit that some girl asked why she was wearing 'her' top. I hate girls like that. Gag me fake. But they daisies, who knows.
Justina's a personality all in herself. She and her best friend, Hailey, went around and had a kissing game to see who kiss the most boys. That reputation followed her and her friend. Now, on the day she met Ian (no, they weren't best friends since 8th grade. more like junior year), she stopped because some jerk.......let's just leave it at that. Anyway, she comes off as a person who doesn't care but does, and one that you wouldn't expect to go to prom and have a secret crush on her best friend all because of a green shirt. :D I know right?
Ian is boyfriend material. Even says so in the boo----pg 62. He's sweet and kind and handsome and all those good things girls wish in their boyfriends. Well, after getting a call from a friend (aka, Justina's mom) about her dog getting swapped with someone else's (because of some stupid tradition the boys of her school have), he leaves prom (NOT LYING!) and gets more calls and Justina ends up thinking he ditched her. I mean, who wouldn't. Plus, he called her 'enemy', Allyson rather than her. Yeah, looks bad huh? Right. Well, don't let that fool ya. Despite all the craziness and rather unfortunate events, Ian turns out to be a good guy in the end.
Other characters? Well, most were strange and somewhat wise, some bitchy, and some that were complete idiots, like Dan, who's an ass. (Pardon my french).

Future:
I think it's just a stand alone, but I think there could be spin-offs from this story. It's going to be interesting to see what Mellom (At first, I thought it was Mellam) does.

No quotes this time.

This is a cute contemporary novel about crushes and prom; two things perfect for each other. If you like cute contemporary novels, this is the book for you.


Rating:

Cover:
Okay, despite the God awful dress, I do like the cover. The rose Ian gave her matches her all blue outfit. If you look closely, you can see the stains from each event that happened that night. And the sleeves! Now they just make the dress complete and horrible to fit the description of a second-hand store dress. (Yes, that is where she and her mom bought the dress.)

Ending:
Despite everything, end was awesome.


*I traded a book for this book. No review necessary.



Keep On Reading!



Up Next (and actually reading right now):
This book and it's predecessor are like the story of my life, except without the totally hot Latin boy and an extremely close rich friend with a mansion to burn down.  :D

Sunday, February 19, 2012

In My Mailbox #12


Hosted by the Story Siren to show people new books coming out soon or already have so people can look them up and add them to their ever growing list of 'to-read'

Here's what I got this week.


(Ignore Dragonwood and Dragon's Keep. I thought I got those this week. Sorry!)

 

Won:
(Physical Copies)
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Thank you Kari from A Good Addiction and Miranda herself.
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Thank you Alice of Alice Marvels
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Thank you Shana from Sizzling Reads
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Thank you Amber from PageTurners
Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe
Thank you Debbie from I Heart YA Books

Ebook
Destined by Jessical Harrell
Thank you Memrie from Dark Angel Reader

My new copy of Catahing Jordan was signed and marked-up.

 
Swag:
Awesome swag! Magnet is the best part.


 
To Be Traded (Maybe):
Okay, so got a regular copy and a marked-up copy of Catching Jordan. Because this is the first time I've ever wanted to keep both books, it's going to to take a pretty wanted books to trade with me. Go to my contacts page and you'll find my goodreads and on it is a wishlist. :D Thanks!


So, what did you get in the mail?



Keep On Reading!


 



Monday, February 13, 2012

Valentine's Day Special


Aw, yes, Valentine's Day. The day of celebrating love. The day couples, married or not, celebrate their love and for families to celebrate the love within each other. The day where gifts backed by love are exchanged, romantic dates are created, and that special kiss at the end of the day is shared. Aw, Valentine's Day.

History:
According to most sites (and the History Channel) Saint Valentine married couples in secret because of the emperor's harsh law, which dictated that marriage is against the law. Later on, the emperor found out and had Saint Valentine arrested.
In jail, couples visited and gave him letters and flowers. Then, one day, Valentine and his jailer's daughter fell in love. On the day of his execution, he gave his love a note, with this famous phrase on it:

From Your Valentine.

From there, the tradition took off.

Now, why, may you ask, am I posting this? I am because I like Valentine's Day, and I wanted to share a few things with you.

The things I'm going to post are entirely my opinion, but I hope you come to like some of them.

Food
While randomly searching We Heart It, I came across some pictures of food I thought would be perfect on Valentine's Day. Sure, some might go out for dinner, but if you are going homemade, try making theses. Now note, these are only pictures, but they look simple to make. :D I can't wait to try them myself.

Rice Crippies

Cupcakes

Cookie Frosting Sandwiches

Strawberry Milk with cupcakes with heart imprints

Songs

I think these songs are perfect for Valentine's Day.

All About Us by He Is We ft. Owl City

I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute

Our Kind of Love by Lady Antebellum

Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum

 

Cute Idea


 
Cute Pictures


 
And My Favorite



HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Tayte



Saturday, February 11, 2012

Contemporary February #5: Where She Went


 
*CONTAINS SPOILERS

Goodreads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Review: Okay, this has to be the best contemporary novel I've ever read. I never suspected a sequel to If I Stay. I mean, I was peeved that If I Stay ended the way it did, just leaving off with Mia waking up and after Adam pleaded with her to stay. I mean, who does that! Leaving off with nothing afterwards! Then I heard about a sequel, I was like: OMG! I HAVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK!

No, seriously, this was my face. Fortunately, other bloggers got the same feeling. Contest here and there. Did I win? No. It sucked. Then, when BN had their 50% off sale, I put that one in my cart, and a few weeks later, it was in my hands.
I wasn't disappointed. This book, though I did wish it was in Mia's view point, was perfect. I was a bit sad that it was in Adam's view, but after reading it, I thought he was the one to say it all. In the book, it switches back and forth between the aftermath of the accident and present day. Flashback books are always the best. :D
For three years, Adam drowned himself in his depressed self. Basically, Mia dumped him by not calling or contacting him after the accident and she went off to Julliard. It sucked reading about that. I wanted to punch Mia. Really! And because of it, a few things came out of it.
  1. Adam wrote several hits and he and the band got back together and became rock stars.
  2. Adam soon became the center of the band since he wrote the songs and tension between everyone grew, leaving Adam to stay in a different hotel than the band.
  3. Adam gets very stressed out and has anxiety and has to take pills.
  4. He smokes. Ew.
  5. Mia became a success.
  6. Both are going on tour.
  7. Adam's dating some cougar that wants kids and he's not ready. Only 21!
  8. They find each other again later on and get everything out.
Now, as much as I hate that Adam not only smokes and cusses and is with a woman he shouldn't be, I really felt for him. The girl he loved dumped him without telling him, and then one of his band mates doesn't like him, and the girl he's dating feels he still loves Mia, which he does. And then his fans, who he feels pressure from because of his anxiety. It's horrible.
Now, the book takes place over 24 hours, and in that time he meets up with Mia again by accident and they spend the night touring around New York talking about things and what happened before they both go on tour the next day.
One thing though that may make people veer from this book is the language. In the first book and the second, there is cussing. Adam loves using the f-bomb. In the first book, it was used in scenes like when Mia's mom was giving birth to Ted. I mean, giving birth is a pain. I have not seen one woman cry out in pain because of it yet. In the second book, he uses it to express his anger, and he has a lot of it. Some may say that it's not appropriate, but I think the cussing was appropriate in this case. I would cuss too if I kept all that anger in for three years.
One thing I did really love about this book was that when Adam was with Mia, he would have these moments when he wanted to give up and love Mia again. But then he remembers what happened and BOOM!--moment over. But then when Mia lets out why she broke up with him, I was shocked and at the same time not. If someone did that to me, I would be peeved too and relieved that I was away. Note: I am not going to mention what that thing is. :D
Future: This I believe is the end of the story for Mia and Adam. In the end, I was happy. If a sequel is in the works for this book, then it would probably about Mia and Adam grown up with a family telling them about what happened, accident, aftermath, and then the aftermath of the aftermath. I think it would be interesting.
Favorite Quote:

"We fall asleep, waking in teh middle of the night, ravenous. We order takeout. Eat it upstairs in ther bed. It's all like a dream, only the most incredible part is waking up a dawn. With Mia. I see her sleeping form there and feel as happy as I've ever been. I pull her to me and fall back asleep." Adam, pg. 243

This is a must read for any of you contemporary lovers out there. Heartache and repressed feelings of the past collide with passion and chaos of life. You have to love it.


 
Rating:
The Big Kahuna
Yes, this book was THAT good. I loved it!
Rereadable.

Cover:
I hate cover changes. I have the hardback of If I Stay and I love it, but when this one came out and the covers were totally different, I was peeved.

Ending:


 
*Bought this from BN

 

Keep On Reading!


 

Up Next:
Actually, I'm almost done with it. It just took me forever to get this review up. :D

The Fallen Series Cover Love redo

Now that I've reviewed Passion, tell me something. Which cover is your favorite? And this includes the two newest ones.



My line up
Torment
Fallen
Rapture
Fallen In Love
Passion

I like Torment the best. I can see the dress clearly, the hair is beautiful, and i love the tattoos.
Passion isn't my fav because, well, read my review and you can find out why. :D


Keep On Reading!