Soundtrack to My Story Saturday (2)

Soundtrack to My Story is something that I became inspired to do one day when I was listening to my iPod and reading simultaneously, and the perfect song came on to match the story.

STMS is basically matching up any books you've read this week, as well as any books you're in the process of reading, with a song that you know of that matched the storyline or overall theme of the book.

If you're participating, not only include info about the book, but also a some info about the band/musician.  Possibly link to their website, or add a quick bio. But absolutely include the song!



This week, I read Undone by Brooke Taylor:

When Kori Kitlzer, the “dark angel” of the 8th grade, tells Serena Moore that they are more alike than she thinks, Serena is instantly intrigued.  As their friendship solidifies and their lives entwine, Serena tries to become more like the fearless, outspoken, and ambitious Kori. Soon Serena doesn’t know where she begins and Kori ends. But when a twist of fate yanks Kori away from Serena, she will need to find a way to complete her best friend’s life left undone. 

The song that I chose to correspond with it is Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day.

Shrinking the TBR Pile #5

Over time, my TBR pile has grown to epic proportions that I can just barely contain. It has many amazing books that I would love to read, but since they’re all so great, I find it so hard to decide.

Soooo.

I have decided to number each book, then put pieces of paper with numbers on them in a bag, and every Sunday, I will pull out 3 numbers and those will be the books that I read that week. Hopefully. Of course, I won’t be confined to those 3 books, I could read more, in which case I would simply pull another number from the bag, and so on.

If you are participating, you don't need to pull 3 books. You can pull as many as you want: 1 book, 4 books. However many you like.

Last week, I pulled the books Undone by Brooke Taylor, Splendor by Anna Godbersen, and Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen. I only finished Undone, so Splendor and Confessions go back into my TBR pile and back into the drawing.

This week, the numbers I pulled were:

3, 64, and 58.

The corresponding books are:

Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

What did you guys pick to read this week? Link to your post in the Linky list below!

200 Follower Giveaway!

Woo! I've finally reached 200 followers! In honor of this achievement, I've decided to have a little giveaway.

I'll be giving away:

An ARC of Jumpstart the World

An ARC of Teenage Waistland

This giveaway will last until December 5th! It is only open to residents of the US, sorry international bloggers!


To enter this contest, simply fill out the form below:

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Author: Alyson Noel
Pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Paranormal
Buy the Book

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Evermore was simply another fish in the current of mainstream paranormal romance. Admittedly, the idea of Alchemy is not a great deal common, but there are the unavoidable stereotypes that hold true throughout all of today’s YA Paranormal Fantasy.

The unearthly beautiful boy who captivates the female protagonist with his unique looks and debonair charm that NO other man could ever equate to.
The main female character that is utterly defenseless when it comes to her love interest. (See above example.)
The mundane bitch who’s only goal in life is to see the leading lady fall flat on her love struck little ass.
The inhuman bitch who is out to kill our leading lady, for xyz reasons.

The list goes on. Really, it does.

But, Evermore was a good read. I can’t take that away from Alyson Noel. She knows how to write a captivating story that does leave you wanting more. I can see where the Twilight comparisons come in, but, really, look at Evermore for what it is: A fun read.

Ever was kind of bratty, I thought. She was too stuck in the past, not even trying to move forward with her life. She alienated everyone, even her two best friends Miles and Haven. I understand she lost her family in a car accident, but she won’t even give her aunt the gratitude she deserves for taking care of Ever. And then, of course, classic case of crush on the mysterious hot new guy… I give this novel 3 out of 5 stars.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Author: Shannon Hale

Pages: 336

Source: Purchased from Barnes and Noble

Series or Standalone?:  Standalone

Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.

Miri soon finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires to be chosen and win the heart of her childhood best friend. But when bandits seek out the academy to kidnap the future princess, Miri must rally the girls together and use a power unique to the mountain dwellers to save herself and her classmates.

* * *

So, girls, how many of you have dreamt of being a princess at least once in your life? I know I have, many, many times in my day.  Which is why I really liked this book.

I read this book while my mom was getting her mani/pedi done, and I had nothing else to do but twiddle my thumbs and stare into space. And then I remembered that I had brought a book with me and pulled it out. I finished it that day, just before my mom’s nails finished drying. That’s how much I liked it.

Admittedly, it’s more of a younger girl book, but teenage girls will love it as well. (I should know, I am one.) It was a story of survival and wit, and finding your heart’s true love. A very cute story, and very well written. Shannon Hale is absolutely one of my favorite authors.

The story itself was a little slow and lagging, but the overall premise was enjoyable. A good read to pass the time. : )

Other books by this author:

Goose Girl

Plot: 3/5

Cover: 4/5

Writing: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Overall: 

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Author: Andrea Cremer

Pages: 528

Source: Purchased from Barnes and Noble online

Series or Standalone?: 1^st in Trilogy

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

* * *

Whoa.

I’ll say it again.

Whoa.

I was completely blown away by Nightshade. I had read so many great reviews about it, so I had some pretty hefty hopes for it. But Nightshade reached above and beyond, splintering any preconceived notions I had and shattering the standards I set for novels. I haven’t read a book that well written, well paced, perfectly plotted, and wonderfully executed since Harry Potter. And you know I mean business if I’m comparing it to Harry Potter.

At first, I had no idea what was going on. I just knew there was a girl named Calla that was a werewolf, and a boy who got mauled by a bear. But the more I read, the more things fell into place, and the world was spun together around me, thread by thread, until I was lost in it. I would constantly be hiding the book under my text books in class, or whipping it out any time I could get my hands on it.

Calla was a great female protagonist. Being a female alpha, she was forced to remain completely chaste until her union with the male alpha of the other wolf pack, Ren. (*swoons*) She’s seventeen and she’s never been kissed… Until now. The great thing about her was that she was so tough and badass, but inside she was a normal teenage girl that just wanted to be kissed and held and loved. She was loyal to her pack, but she envied her packmates their freedom to love who they wanted, while her mating with Ren was determined at their birth. And then she falls for Shay, and her world is turned upside down. Reading about the process of them getting to know each other was definitely a highlight of the book.

And then, of course, Ren. He was without a doubt my favorite character. Ever since he was first mentioned, I was in love with him. He’s the bad boy who gets all the girls (I’m a major sucker for bad boys.) But underneath that bravado and testosterone, he’s just as insecure as the next guy, especially when it comes to the girl he loves. The ending really just broke my heart. Cremer is much too good of an author. : )

Which brings me to Shay. I actually didn’t like Shay when he was first introduced. In comparison to Ren, Shay was a little… weak, I guess. But throughout the novel he gained strength and a little thing we Hispanics like to call cojones. I fell in love with Shay as quickly as Calla did, but not more than Ren.

{For the record, I totally ship Ren and Calla.}

The history of the Guardians and Keepers was intriguing, and I applaud Cremer for creating a new world in one that’s been written about to death. The best thing about this book, and the entire premise of the Guardians and Keepers, is that you may believe one thing, and then all of the sudden BAM, you’re entire opinion changes with one revelation, or one thing that a character said. Andrea Cremer certainly knew how to keep the reader holding their breath.

I did have a few issues with the book, but they certainly did not outweigh me enjoying it as much as I did. Firstly, how the novel stressed Calla’s unwillingness to be feminine. As a girl, I feel that it’s sort of second nature to want to look pretty and wear cute things. I know very few unfeminine girls, and even they love to go shopping and play dress up once in a while. I think that it was slightly unrealistic how Calla was refusing to wear cute clothes, or makeup.

Secondly, the special connection Calla and Shay felt ever since the moment they met. I’m not one who buys into those things. I actually really dislike when authors describe their characters feeling that way towards each other when the characters don’t know each other. I mean, it’s cliché. I understand the connection once they started talking, and they got to know each other more. But before that? Not a good idea.

This was quote possibly my favorite book of the year. It’s going to be very difficult to top this one. And that cover is to die for.

(This was a loooong review.) *ahem*TeamRen!*ahem*

Other books in this series:

Wolfsbane (UNRELEASED)

Bloodrose (UNRELEASED)

Plot: 5/5

Cover: 6/5!

Writing: 5/5

Uniqueness: 4.5/5

Characters: 5/5

Overall: 

Shrinking the TBR Pile #4

Over time, my TBR pile has grown to epic proportions that I can just barely contain. It has many amazing books that I would love to read, but since they’re all so great, I find it so hard to decide.

Soooo.

I have decided to number each book, then put pieces of paper with numbers on them in a bag, and every Sunday, I will pull out 3 numbers and those will be the books that I read that week. Hopefully. Of course, I won’t be confined to those 3 books, I could read more, in which case I would simply pull another number from the bag, and so on.

If you are participating, you don't need to pull 3 books. You can pull as many as you want: 1 book, 4 books. However many you like.

Last week I pulled the numbers for Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld, and The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read at all this week, so these three will go back into my TBR pile.

This week, I pulled the numbers:
80
38
22

The corresponding books are:

Undone by Brooke Taylor

Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

What books will you read this week?? Link to your post below!

In My Mailbox #8

IMM was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

This week was quite possibly the greatest week of my life. Here's why:

The first three books are signed copies sent to me by the author, Anthony Wedgeworth.

AAANNNNDDD! 

MY VERY FIRST PUBLISHER ARC!!!! 

You don't understand. You don't understand. When I opened the package and saw Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston in there, I had a heart attack. I started screaming for joy and jumping up and down.

I requested this book from Harpercollins a few weeks ago, and it just showed up on Thursday. It's the very first ARC that a publisher has sent me! I'm so excited! And I think it's the work of fate, because I just posted my review of Wondrous Strange on Wednesday. Expect a review of Darklight very soon, and the review of Tempestuous on December 21st, the release date.

As I inhale deeply to calm down...What did you guys get?

Soundtrack to My Story Saturday

Soundtrack to My Story is something that I became inspired to do one day when I was listening to my iPod and reading simultaneously, and the perfect song came on to match the story.

STMS is basically matching up any books you've read this week, as well as any books you're in the process of reading, with a song that you know of that matched the storyline or overall theme of the book.

If you're participating, not only include info about the book, but also a some info about the band/musician.  Possibly link to their website, or add a quick bio. But absolutely include the song!

For this week, I'm currently reading Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I'm really in love with this book!

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

The song that I choose to correspond with it is:

"Howl"- Kai Altair

Kai Altair's Official Website

This song is one of my favorites, and I feel it complements Nightshade PERFECTLY. (Just in case anyone is interested, there are free downloads available for Kai's entire EP on last.fm.)

If you want to participate, just enter the Mr.Linky below!

Books I Want SO Badly I Could Pee #2

While lurking Amazon, I've come across so many amazing books that I want SO badly I could just pee looking at them. I know, I'm weird, but it's true! So here is my list of pee-inducing books. Seriously, all these authors owe me a NEW PAIR OF PANTS! 

Timeless by Alexandra Monir
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

Entice by Carrie Jones
Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't turned into just any pixie. . . She's Astley's queen.

Defiance by Lili St. Crow
Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.
That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day . . . 

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

3rd book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, and also final book.

All these books are extremely amazing, and I really can't wait to get my hands on them and review them! 

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Author: Janni Lee Simner
Pages: 247
Publisher: Random House
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

This story was one of adventure, bravery, survival and courage. Bones of Faerie was original and unique, and brought something to the table that not many faerie stories do. It was very interesting how nature itself is what threatened humanity. If one walked into the forests, there was a good possibility that one would never walk back out. But Liza braved it anyway, which is why I loved her. She suffered so much loss and abuse, but she didn’t allow that to get in her way. She was determined and caring, as well as very unselfish.

The plot was great, although it lagged in some parts. But the lags could be very easily overlooked. The writing also at times grated on my nerves due to the repetition, but the descriptions of the scenery were wonderful.

I definitely recommend this novel for any fans of faerie novels, and even non-fans. Also, I love the simplicity of the cover. It conveys a certain… peacefulness. I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Author: Lesley Livingston

Pages: 352

Source: Purchased from Barnes and Noble

Series or Standalone?: 1^st in series

17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

* * *

Yet another dual perspective novel, Wondrous Strange is told from the points of views of Kelley, a struggling actress, and Sonny, a changeling human who was kidnapped by fey when he was a child and now guards the Samhain Gate in Central Park. The story is told in third-person, but the alternation between voices was done amazingly. The words flowed so seamlessly, and Livingston's descriptions were so vivid. 

Have I ever mentioned that I’m a major theatre geek? (*Ahem*) Well, I am. So of course each time any of the characters so much as stepped into a theater, I did an internal squeeeeee! But that aside, the concept of this novel was so well thought out, as well as the characters. I love a novel that will have me gasping when a startling revelation happens, or wanting to throw it against the wall when unfortunate events befall our heroes. And this book did just that. The writing is so vivid that, as a reader, you really feel what’s going on. I especially loved the more tender moments between Kelley and Sonny.


The relationship between Sonny and Kelley was my favorite aspect of the whole novel. Sonny was absolutely my favorite character. He was such a gentleman. The enitre novel, he was trying to protect her, trying to keep her away from harm, and all the while being charming. I definitely fell for him. That's why the ending almost broke my heart.

Bravo to the art department, because that cover is mesmerizing. The entire book as a whole is stunning.

I'm so anxious to read Darklight! I have to get on that soon.

Other books in this series:

Darklight (2^nd)

Tempestuous (3^rd) {UNRELEASED}

Plot: 5/5

Cover: 6/5!

Writing: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Overall: 

Shrinking the TBR Pile #3

Sorry that it's a little late in the day. *blushes*

Over time, my TBR pile has grown to epic proportions that I can just barely contain. It has many amazing books that I would love to read, but since they’re all so great, I find it so hard to decide.

Soooo.

I have decided to number each book, then put pieces of paper with numbers on them in a bag, and every Sunday, I will pull out 3 numbers and those will be the books that I read that week. Hopefully. Of course, I won’t be confined to those 3 books, I could read more, in which case I would simply pull another number from the bag, and so on.

If you are participating, you don't need to pull 3 books. You can pull as many as you want: 1 book, 4 books. However many you like.

Last week I pulled the books Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, Gamer Girl by Mari Mancussi, and The Eternal Kiss by various authors. I'm still in the process of reading Nightshade, but Gamer Girl and The Eternal Kiss go back into my TBR pile and back into the drawing.

This week, the numbers I pulled are:

19, 55, and 76

The corresponding books are:

The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

What books did you guys pick? Link to them in the Linky!

Nook, or Kindle?

So, I've been contemplating for a LOOONG while as to whether I should just finally jump on the bandwagon and join the growing legion of e-readers out there. I've decided that, what the heck, it's worth a shot. BUT, I really have no idea which reader I should get. So my question to you IS:

Should I buy the Nook? Or the Kindle?

If you could, please try to be specific in why/why not you like these e-readers. I would like to know exactly what I'm getting into.

Switch by Carol Snow

Author: Carol Snow

Pages: 224

Source: Purchased from Barnes and Noble

Series or Standalone?: Standalone

When lightning strikes and electric currents are in the air, Claire Martin temporarily switches into the body of any nearby girl born under the same moon as her. She knows she’s not normal ... but she’s dealing with it. Besides, it usually only lasts for a few hours and then she wakes up in her own body. So when she finds herself trapped in the body of the beautiful new girl in town, her whole world is turned upside down. This emotional story with a sense of humor explores the bonds between friends, crushes and family and the meaning of identity as Claire struggles to hold on to her own.

* * *

This book was different than how I thought it would be, but not in a bad way. Instead of being so focused on the fact that Claire was a body switcher, it was more focused on her relationship with her mother, and her feelings on not knowing who her father was. The whole story was more geared towards making Claire thankful for what she had- - because some people did have it worse than her, even if it didn’t seem like it.

It also sort of surprised me how her “relationship” (does it count as a relationship when it’s not your body?) between Claire and Nate never developed into anything. This story was more suited for a younger grade audience, I think. Teens from 12-14 would be the ideal audience, maybe some 15 year olds.

Overall, the concept of the book was extremely interesting. I just wish the idea of body switchers had been delved into further. It could have been a much more exhilarating story, even though it was  a great story already.

As for the cover, I feel like it completely misrepresents the book. Claire is a swimmer, and as she describes it herself, she is not girly at all. She has a swimmer’s body, which is, again, not girly. The whole point is that she traded places with Larissa who is the uber-beauty. They missed the whole meaning of the book with the cover.

Other books by this author:

Getting Warmer

Been There, Done That

Just Like Me, Only Better

Snap

Here Today, Gone To Maui

Plot: 2.5/5

Cover: 1/5

Writing: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4.5/5

Characters: 4/5

Overall: 

**GIVEAWAY UPDATE!

Hey guys!

Well, someone emailed me and kindly pointed out that since I titled my giveaway "Holiday", it was a broad term which encompassed all of the gift-giving holidays around that time. And they also brought to my attention that Three Kings' Day is on January 6th, and that the giveaway is in fact international. Three Kings' Day is only celebrated in certain countries. So, since it is international, it would only be fair to include all of the holidays. SO. In honor of that, I am extending the end date of the giveaway to January 6th. At 11:59 PM, the giveaway will end, and I will then pick a winner and announce it on January 7th.

Okay?

Goblins, I hope no one hates me for this, but I felt that I needed to be fair, and this person made a very valid point.

Anyway, good luck to everyone! I'm just as eager to pick a winner as you are to win!

P.S. keep checking back for an update on the giveaway, because there might be a change in the line-up of the books being given. I'm going to make them better!

Nanowrimo.

Today marks the beginning of Nanowrimo. For those of you who don't what that is, it's National Novel Writing Month. Yes, my dear reader, I will be writing a novel in a month.

I'm letting you guys know this because I already don't have enough time as it is, imagine throwing a NOVEL into the equation. So there may be some days (or several days) that I don't post any new content, but know that I am absolutely still committed to this blog. This blog is my baby, (well, aside from my hamster Lulu) and I will still be on here regularly.

Well, I'm off to start my novel! Good luck to anyone else who is joining in!