Happy Halloween!

I hope you all get lots of treats tonight! My sister was going to go trick or treating and then share her candy but it's rainy and cold where I live, so no trick or treating for her.

On another note, who is ready for NaNoWriMo? This is the first year I'm going to participate! Good luck to everyone.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

The book that I'm waiting on this week is...

Title: Bleeding Violet
Author: Dia Reeves
Publication Date: January 05, 2010

Love can be a dangerous thing....

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

-Amanda

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

****Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult****

Originality- 18/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 9/10
TOTAL- 91/100
Grade- A

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

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This book was absolutely phenomenal. I've read My Sister's Keeper by this author as well. Picoult is able to bring so much depth and thought provoking ideas and situations to the table.

Each character was believable and realistic. They interact with each other in such a true way. I felt for everyone, and I couldn't stand firmly on one side of the situation or the other. I felt so overwhelmed with emotions. You want to hug each and every character.

The surprise ending was a huge twist. I didn't expect a lot of what happened throughout the entire book but the ending brought the awesome to a whole new level. The whole novel is a lesson in respect. Be nice because you don't know how you affect others.

-Amanda

The Name Game

Sometimes while reading a book I notice that the characters have names that I've read before. I thought it would be fun to point some out!

Today we have Noras. Which Noras? Well....

You know one of Ruby's friends from the Boyfriend List? That Nora. She was the only one that wasn't cruel to Ruby and later on became her friend again. Nora was one of my favorite characters from that series and I would love to have her as a friend.

Nora from Hush, Hush. For me Nora was a little too uptight. She was just very conservative. She does seem very nice though. Still, she's not one of the best Noras.

Norah from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Okay, this would have to be my favorite Norah. She was the friend to depend on but still knew how to have fun. She was just so funny and full of awesome.

These Noras have it going on. Can you think of any more?

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I received this week either by buying them from the bookstore, going to the library or from my mailbox. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!

Ninteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

In Sterling, New Hampshire, 17-year-old high school student Peter Houghton has endured years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, succumbed to peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that often instigates the harassment. One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to commit an act of violence that forever changes the lives of Sterling’s residents.

-Amanda

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

****Going Bovine by Libba Bray****

Originality- 19/20

Characters- 18/20

Remembrance- 8/10

Quote-ability- 8/10

Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 8/10

Recommend to read- 8/10

TOTAL- 88/100

Grade- B

Cameron and his twin are totally different. She is popular and pretty much the perfect teen. Cameron on the other hand gets bad grades, isn't a good student, and oh yeah, he's dying. The hallucinations he's been having are side affects of mad cow disease. Now Cameron is on a mission to save the himself and the world. Cameron, the angel Dulcie, his friend Gonzo, and a yard gnome he sets out on a journey to find the universe traveling doctor that holds the solution. With a lot of detours on the side, Cameron has a whole lot of problems.

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Going Bovine was hilarious. Cameron was pretty much the perfect main character. He was hilarious, and outspoken. This book got me hooked.

The whole crazy plot was amazingly crafted. I have to give props to Libba Bray for coming up with such an original piece of work. Even though the character were so obviously fake they felt so real! The situations that they are brought into were so funny. Sometimes I had to wonder if the characters were being serious or not.

Overall I would say that Going Bovine is unlike anything you've read before. In it you'll find the most outrageous road trip in the world.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday on Thursday

The book that I am waiting on this week is...

Title: The Lonely Hearts Club

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publication Date: January 01, 2010

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

-Amanda

Must Love Black by Kelly McClymer

****Must Love Black by Kelly McClymer****

Originality- 16/20
Characters- 17/20
Remembrance- 7/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 17/20

Ending- 6/10
Recommend to read- 7/10
TOTAL- 78/100
Grade- C

NANNY FOR 10-YR-OLD TWINS. MAINE COAST. OWN ROOM & GENEROUS SALARY. MUST LOVE BLACK. “Must love black?” Sounds like a coffee-loving, seclusion-seeking goth girl's dream job. Philippa isn’t fazed by the fog-enshrouded mansion on a cliff, the weirdest twins on the planet, or even the rumors about ghosts, ‘cause when she meets the estate’s hot gardener, Philippa’s pretty sure she’s found her dream boy, too. Too bad Geoff’s already taken…by a girl whose wardrobe is head-to-toe pink. Still, Philippa can’t get Geoff out of her head. What will it take to lure him to the dark side?

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This book was a slight disapointment. It seemed like the boy thing was a huge deal, but it only took up a small portion of the book.

Philippa was a very good character. She didn't hold anything back and did what had to be done. Whenever something in the book annoyed me, it annoyed Philippa too. She didn't just sit back and roll in the annoying, she got off her booty and did something about it.

Though the book itself was okay, the ending was rushed. We didn't get any closure or assurance.

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was meme-afied by Kristi of The Story Siren.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

****Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott****

Originality- 19/20

Characters- 19/20

Remembrance- 9/10

Quote-ability- 8/10

Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 10/10

Recommend to read- 10/10

TOTAL- 94/100

Grade- A

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends — her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

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Living Dead Girl was a truly gripping read. Your heart will ache as you read Alice's horrible story.

I really loved this book. It got down to the hardcore weirdos out there. Alice had the mind set of a young girl but her goals, dreams, and wishes were mostly of the suicidal. I literally had to hold back tears when she wished for her death.

And the ending? Amazing. One of the best last sentences I've read in a while. My only complaint would be the length. I just wanted more! I wanted to know what happens next.

I would definately recommend this book to everyone. I think that everyone needs to read at least one book in their lifetime that will rip their heart apart and get them angry.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

The book that I'm waiting on this week is...

Title: Shadowland (The Immortals Series #3)
Author: Alyson Noel
Release Date: November 17, 2009

At the start of this breathtaking novel, Damen and Ever travel to Summerland in search of an antidote to reverse a powerful poison. But instead of the cure they seek, they find something far more sinister: the truth about their existence and the fate lying in wait of an immortal’s soul.

Now, with Damen fighting to save them from the Shadowland, Ever turns to magick, hoping to break Damen’s curse. Along the way Ever encounters the mysterious Jude, finding herself drawn to him in a way that will test her love for Damen like never before . . .

-Amanda

Murder at the Lake by Bren Gaudet

****Murder at the Lake by Bren Gaudet****

Originality- 17/20
Characters- 17/20
Remembrance- 7/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 17/20

Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 7/10
TOTAL- 80/100
Grade- B

When 17-year-old Amanda Christie is invited to a cousins-only weekend retreat at her aunt's Austin, Texas, estate, she doesn't know what to expect. She soon finds though, that the weekend will be anything but boring. One of the guests is responsible for the death of Amanda's uncle and when a dangerous storm traps the teens inside the secluded mansion, Amanda becomes determined to uncover the killer. But when their cell phones go missing and guests begin to disappear, Amanda realizes that the killer isn't finished. With time running out and no way of knowing who to trust, she must either uncover the murderer or risk being the next victim.

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This was a thrilling read. I can honestly say I had no clue as to who the killer was until it was revealed. Gauget wrote the story like any other mysery author would. She threw me off track and I didn't even know it.

The setting was described amazingly. I felt creeped out just reading about it. It didn't help that I was reading at night though.

Each of the character brought different clues and suspicions to the table. I was completely wrapped up in the story.

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

Nothing again...
Hopefully this week is better!

-Amanda

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

****Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran****

Originality- 20/20

Characters- 20/20

Remembrance- 10/10

Quote-ability- 10/10

Entertainment- 20/20
Ending- 10/10

Recommend to read- 10/10

TOTAL- 100/100

Grade- A (Yes I believe this is the first 100)

The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two– the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

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This book was completely amazing. It is now one of my all time favorite books. I felt like I just couldn't get enough.

You could tell how much work went into this book. I was amazed by how spot on everything was. Every time I picked up Cleopatra's Daughter I was brought back in time.

I just loved this book so much! The characters had wit and personality that was very believable. It was a gripping read because you knew that the majority of what you were reading actually happened. At one point near the end I actually started crying. It wasn't just a little tear either, my sister could hear me from her room. You get so attached to every single character you can't help but feel the pain they do. I will be mentally carrying this book around for a very long time, and will be sure to read it again soon.

Thank you so much for writing this book Michelle Moran. I usually crept away from books like this but now I'll be seeking them out

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

The book I am waiting on this week is....

Title: Fallen

Author: Kate Lauren

Release Date: December 08, 2009

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

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

-Amanda

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

****Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick****

Originality- 19/20
Characters- 17/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 18/20

Ending- 9/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 87/100
Grade- B

Hush, Hush is the story of Nora Grey who once thought her life was normal. But everything changed when she met Patch. After Patch everything changes. Nora feels like something isn't right about him, but she just can't seem to avoid him. When things start to get out of hand and people are put in danger, Patch is her main suspect. How can Nora trust him when all he does is creep her out? Before she knows it Nora is thrusted into a battle she didn't even know she was part of, and she has to choose sides, worse yet the wrong choice will cost her life.

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This book had a way of making you paranoid. Fitzpatrick used her words to crawl under your skin and made you feel as if you're living the story. I became so caught up in the story I felt actual fear and suspicion. Though everything came together in the end, I wish that more parts would have been a bit more detailed and explained.

I only have a few character complaints, Nora was great and so was Patch for the most part. Patch gave me a bad feeling, but I guess that's just the proof of great characterization. There were a couple of people that were just pointless add ons, and not necessary at all to the story.

Overall I would say that Hush, Hush has the ability to get in your head and I would definately recommend it to anyone who likes a little suspense.

-Amanda

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

****Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink****

Originality- 19/20

Characters- 18/20

Remembrance- 8/10

Quote-ability- 8/10

Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10

Recommend to read- 8/10

TOTAL- 87/100

Grade- B

Sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe has just recently lost her father, leaving her parentless. But when a strange mark appears on her wrist, she realizes she is being branded with much more than her newfound title of orphan. Lia and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other.

Lia hides this discovery from Alice and even from her beloved James, but to escape from the burden this secret bestows she must end the prophecy-before her sister. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the mark on her wrist, the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her, and the impact the resolution of the prophecy could have.

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Let's just start with the plot. I really loved the originality that Zink brought to the table. The story was able to get under my skin without talking about blood suckers. The story went along smoothly with a couple of major plot twists along the way.

Each character was sculpted wonderfully. You couldn't help but feel sympathetic for Lia. She was the perfect protagonist. I didn't agree with all of her decisions but you could definately see why she made them. Alice was also the perfect antagonist. You could feel the evil whenever you read a part where she was included. Alice's demeanor just had a way of getting under your skin.

Prophecy of the Sisters was a thrill ride without even trying to be. It'll leave you wondering about what happens next.

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

Nothing this week guys....
But I have a whole bunch of posts lined up for you guys!
Hope your weekends were great!

-Amanda

Geektastic Winners!!

The two winners of Geektastic are....

Chelsie

and......

Kelsey

Please e-mail me at txmandaxt@yahoo.com with your mailing address and "Geektastic Winner" as your subject. If you don't e-mail within a week new winners will be chosen.

-Amanda