2010 Book Survey

I've seen this so many times today that I decided I would use it to kick off getting back into blogging! This survey is brought to you by The Perpetual Page-Turner. I am going to go by books I READ this year, not just books that were published this year.

1. Best book of 2010?

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong. The series was absolutely fantastic and this one was no exception. It all played out perfectly.

2. Worst book of 2010?

I can't even find ONE that was "bad" let alone choose from several to pick out the worst.

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010?

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles. I was really excited to read it because I mostly enjoyed Perfect Chemistry. But then the plot was eerily similar and I couldn't get past all of the romantic cliches.

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010?

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. I was halfway forced into reading it by a friend with very low expectations and man was I impressed!

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010?

Probably the books in the Pretty Little Liars Series. The more I got wrapped up in it, the more people I needed to talk about it with.

6. Best series you discovered in 2010?

The Last Survivors Series by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I've re-read them so many times this year as well. They were the final brick in my end of the world obsession.

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010?

Lauren Kate, Maggie Stiefvater, and especially Jodi Picoult.

8. Most hilarious read of 2010?

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. This book was so fantastic on so many levels, being hilarious was only a small part of why I loved it so much.

9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010?

Lies by Michael Grant. There was so much action and mystery packed into this book I'm surprised it didn't explode while I was reading it.

10. Book you most anticipated in 2010?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I've been stalking the release of this book right after I finished Catching Fire. With a trilogy like this, you can't help but anticipate whatever comes next.

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010?

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan AND Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. The covers can just bring you right into the books.

12. Most memorable character in 2010?

Finnick from Mockingjay. Just wow. He started out as a sort of anti hero but turned into so much more. Completely hilarious and adorable, who doesn't love Finnick?

13. Most beautifully written book in 2010?
Wanted by Sara Shepard. I may be interpreting beautiful differently than everyone else, but I have my reasons. This whole series had to be sculpted so perfectly so that it would all play out right in the end.

14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010?
This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It was just so..so..heartwrenching. To have everything you love torn away from you and have to go on with what's left..it's so sad.

15. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read?

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. I've heard of it, and saw parts of the movie but never got around to reading it until it was chosen for book club. And I LOVED it.

-Amanda

Books Read in 2010

January
1. Tempted- P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast
2. The Lovely Bones- Alice Sebold
3. Shadowland- Alyson Noel
4. The Knife of Never Letting Go- Patrick Ness
5. Life As We Knew It- Susan Beth Pfeffer
6. The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion- L. J. Smith
7. The Dead and The Gone- Susan Beth Pfeffer
8. Heartless- Sara Shepard
9. Sisters in Sanity- Gayle Forman

February
10. Fight Club- Chuck Palahniuk
11. Leviathan- Scott Westerfeld
12. Sloppy Firsts- Megan McCafferty
13. Captivate- Carrie Jones
14. Handle with Care- Jodi Picoult

March
15. Ghostgirl: Lovesick- Tonya Hurley
16. Prep- Curtis Sittenfeld
17. Guardian of the Gate- Michelle Zink
18. Med Head- James Patterson
19. The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky
20. Reality Check- Jen Calonita
21. Burn- Suzanne Phillips
22. Rules of Attraction- Simone Elkeles

April
23. Scars- Cheryl Rainfield
24. Me and Emma- Elizabeth Flock
25. Split- Stefan Petrucha
26. This World We Live In- Susan Beth Pfeffer
27. The Maze Runner- James Dashner
28. The Miles Between- Mary E. Pearson
29. The Reckoning- Kelley Armstrong
30. Perfect on Paper: The (Mis)Adventures of Waverly Bryson- Maria Murnane

May
31. Second Helpings- Megan McCafferty
32. Plain Truth- Jodi Picoult
33. Lies- Michael Grant
34. The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya- Nagaru Tanigawa
35. Dead Until Dark- Charlaine Harris
36. Sorta Like a Rock Star- Matthew Quick
37. Sisters Red- Jackson Pearce
38. Charmed Thirds- Megan McCafferty

June
39. Poison Study- Maria V. Snyder
40. Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second- Drew Ferguson
41. The Secret Circle Vol.1- L.J. Smith
42. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- J.K. Rowling
43. Shiver- Maggie Stiefvater
44. Wanted- Sara Shepard

July
45. Life As We Knew It- Susan Beth Pfeffer
46. Gone- Michael Grant
47. Hunger- Michael Grant
48. The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins
49. Catching Fire- Suzanne Collins

August
50. Burned- P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
51. Mockingjay- Suzanne Collins
52. Will Grayson, Will Grayson- John Green and David Levithan
53. The Virgin Suicides- Jeffrey Eugenides

September
54. The Pack- L.M Preston
55. Summer in Paris- Michele Ashman Bell
56. The Limit- Kristen Landon
57. Posh- Lucy Jackson

Rest of the Year
58. Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze- Alan Silberberg
59. Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation- Matt Myklusch
60. Wicked- Gregory Maguire
61. Fallen- Lauren Kate
62. The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya- Nagaru Tanigawa
63. The DUFF- Kody Keplinger
64. Bloodthirsty- Flynn Meaney
65. Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer

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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation by Matt Myklusch

All Jack Blank knows is his bleak, dreary life at St. Barnaby’s Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost, an orphanage that sinks further into the swampland of New Jersey with each passing year. His aptitude tests predict that he will spend a long, unhappy career as a toilet brush cleaner. His only chance at escape comes through the comic books donated years ago to the orphanage that he secretly reads in the dark corners of the library. Everything changes one icy gray morning when Jack receives two visitors that alter his life forever. The first is a deadly robot straight out of one of his comic books that tries its best to blow him up. The second is an emissary from a secret country called the Imagine Nation, an astonishing place where all the fantastic and unbelievable things in our world originate - including Jack. Jack soon discovers that he has an amazing ability--one that could make him the savior of the Imagine Nation and the world beyond, or the biggest threat they've ever faced.

-Amanda

Contest Saturday

Here are some current contests going on in the blogosphere!

Princess Bookie is holding a comment contest. Click HERE to enter. Ends October 2nd.

Book Rat is holding a Zombies Vs. Unicorns contest. Click HERE to enter. Ends when September does.

Ellz Readz is giving away an ARC of The Duff. Click HERE to enter. Ends September 17th.

Book-love Carol is having a Blogfest giveaway. Click HERE to enter. Ends TOMORROW, so get those entries in.

The Compulsive Reader is giving away a signed copy of Mockingjay. Click HERE to enter. Ends September 24th.

-Amanda

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Originality- 17/20

Characters- 20/20

Remembrance- 9/10

Quote-ability- 9/10

Entertainment- 19/20

Ending- 9/10

Recommend to read- 10/10

TOTAL- 93/100

Grade- A

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

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This book, this book, THIS BOOOOK. I absolutely love John Green, and definitely enjoy David Levithan. The two of them together though? Magic.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson had the perfect mix of humor and seriousness mixed together. I don't know how they do it, but even though this book wasn't terribly exciting, I couldn't put it down. It usually takes an action packed, or super original book for me to be so enthralled.

Both Will Graysons were completely amazing. I want to be best friends with both of them, it's crazy. I've always wanted to meet someone with the same name as me, so this book had me living my dream.

This book had so much. It had betrayal, love, friendship, and a musical. You can't help but love it. Each character was filled with so much awesomeness. Even though Tiny wasn't a main character, you feel like he his. Everyone adds something to the story.

I don't say this often, but I would recommend this book to everyone. It will have you laughing so much, there is no way you'll regret reading it.

-Amanda

The Limit by Kristen Landon

Originality- 19/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 88/100
Grade- B

An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .

With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt’s family over their limit—and to change his reality forever.
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This book was so amazing. You all know how much I love dystopian novels, and this one fit in perfectly with my collection.

We start off hearing about how a girl was taken because her parent's went over the limit. Right away we are introduced to this strict society that gives each family a spending limit. If the family goes over the limit, even just a few cents, their child can be taken away to a workhouse.

Matt was a fantastic protagonists. He didn't make all of the right decisions, and sometimes he annoyed me, but that's what made him perfect to me. I get annoyed when the main character gets everyone done without a problem, and Matt had a whole lot of problems. The other characters were good too, but none could compare to Matt.

You notice almost instantly that things are not right, and that something is going on. You spend the majority of the book with that paranoid feeling that something bad is going to happen. The ending is both happy and sad. It's a little give and take that made me like the book even more.

Overall I would have to say that The Limit was a completely engrossing read. If you have a thing for controlling governments, or any dystopian book, you should definitely read this.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Release date: October 2010

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

The Limit by Kristen Landon

An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .

With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt’s family over their limit—and to change his reality forever.

-Amanda

The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya

Originality- 19/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 17/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 7/10
TOTAL- 84/100
Grade- B

It's the end of the world as we know it- or is it?

Gorgeous, confident, and demanding, Haruhi Suzumiya is the leader of the SOS Brigade, a club comprised of her high school's most extraordinary students. So when Haruhi is bored, It's up to the SOS Brigade to do something about it. In this sequel to the clever and uniquely witty The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the SOS Brigade goes along with Haruhi's scheme to make a movie for the school's upcoming cultural festival. But when filming begins, strange things start to happen, and Haruhi- who has no idea she's a goddess with the ability to destroy the world- starts show to her devastating powers.

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This book, just like the last one, completely weirded me out. There are just so many interesting elements, and is a bit complicated to keep up with. The book makes sense though when you take some time to think.

The characters are completely enthralling. It was always an exciting moment when Haruhi would say something that made you think she knew about their secrets, but it would always just be Haruhi acting like Haruhi. The other characters were still very fun as well. They are just so out there and weird. I loved it. Just knowing that if Haruhi doesn't get her way, or if she gets her way too much, the world could just go crazy.

I really love reading books that take place in Japan, because then you can get a feel about how life is like there. This book was different though. It concentrated more on the brigade's actions than about where they were. It was fun reading about how their school works though.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Japanese, fantasy, or paranormal

-Amanda

Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Novel "It's Kind of a Funny Story" Coming to the Silver Screen

Some of you may remember the book "It's Kind of a Funny Story" that came out back in 2006 about a depressed teenager checked into a psychiatric hospital. Well, in an unseen turn of events (for those of us not watching the progress of the book, of course) it has been bought and filmed by Focus Features, and it's set to come out on the 8th of October.

I, for one, am pleased with this turn of events. It's kind of hard to go wrong with book-to-film adaptations (though there are exceptions, I know), and it's just adds more for the Young Adult community.

The film premieres at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival on the 9th for anyone who's interested.

Want to check out the book? Already got it covered for you.

This has been Taylor, filling in for Amanda (her internet is down at the moment). If all goes well, you'll see her back shortly.

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Originality- 15/20

Characters- 17/20

Remembrance- 7/10

Quote-ability- 7/10

Entertainment- 17/20

Ending- 8/10

Recommend to read- 7/10

TOTAL- 78/100

Grade- C

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope? With an oddball cast of characters, and a heartwarming, inspiring story, this novel unveils a beautifully beaten-up world of laughs, loyalty, and hard-earned hope.

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This book made me so happy. Not only was Amber a truly inspiring and upbeat person, she also cared tons about others. She wasn't stupid, she knew things weren't going great for her and her mom, but she made the best out of it.

The plot is pretty basic, nothing super original, but still I found myself absorbed in Amber's story. Just the way that she talks gives her so much life. The rest of the characters were great as well. For once it wasn't a whole bunch of gorgeous people, or geeky boys who are really gorgeous too. They were real. They had real issues that the whole book kind of circulates around.

It was hard at times to watch Amber's rise and fall throughout the book. She is such a great person, but horrible things keep happening to her, bringing her down. The end of the book was so great, I'm pretty sure that I teared up. It shows that people can really be good and help others, and Quick did a great job at demonstrating that without all the frills.

At times the book progress slowly, but I would recommend this book to anyone who needs help seeing hope in humanity.

-Amanda

Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Plague by Michael Grant

After eight months after everyone over the age of fourteen disaapeared from the town of Perdidio Beach, California, the stakes are still rising. The kids in Perdido Beach are still starving. Yet despite the simmering unrest left behind by so many battles, power struggles, and angry divides, there is a momentary calm in Perdido Beach.

But enemies in the FAYZ don’t just fade away, and in the quiet, deadly things are stirring, mutating, and finding their way free. The Darkness has found its way into the mind of its Nemesis at last and is controlling it through a haze of delirium and confusion. A highly contagious, fatal illness spreads at an alarming rate as sinister, predatory insects terrorize Perdido Beach. And Sam, Astrid, Diana, and Caine are plagued by a growing doubt that they’ll escape—or even survive—life in the FAYZ. With so much turmoil surrounding them, what desperate choices will they make when it comes to saving themselves and those they love?

-Amanda

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

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

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

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Wow. Just wow. I can't even begin to explain how wonderful this book was. I'm going to keep this review mostly spoiler free. Which pretty much means I'm not going to tell you who dies.

Mockingjay was a really sad book. It left me crying at the end and I had cried several other times throughout the book. Collins didn't take the easy way out, that's for certain. This book could of just came out like pie, but she didn't let that happen. Just like the first two books were tragic, Mockingjay is at least twice as much.

The characters were completely amazing and heartbreaking just like always. Everyone had to struggle so much through the book, you couldn't help but feel so strongly about them. Every time you think things are getting better, or everyone is safe, think again because there is never a dull moment in this book.

The ending blew me away. Collins could have made everyone squeal with delight by making the ending super awesome for Katniss and the rest of the protagonists, but instead she makes it real. After all they had been through, how could it end happy?

Overall I have to say Collins did a wonderful job wrapping up the trilogy. I envy her skill. I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.

-Amanda

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Originality- 18/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 17/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 6/10
TOTAL- 82/100
Grade- B

Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?
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This book was much better than I expected it to be. It's not like I expected it to be bad, I've just learned from experience to have low expectations from fantasy books.

Rosie and Scarlet as characters are very realistic. I honestly felt everything they were feeling. A lot of books tend to get the feeling across, but it doesn't make me completely understand why they were feeling that way.

At some points it was hard to read about how much Rosie loves Silas, and vice versa, because keeping it from Scarlet was both impossible but necessary. I really loved reading these scenes though because it's all forbidden love. Rosie feels like she owes Scarlet her life, so how could she betray her? But again, how could she betray her heart?

The story had layers, which is rare. It's not just an adventure, it serves a purpose, and the purpose serves a purpose. Nothing was just done on a whim, real thoughts were put into play.

Overall I would say the characters were amazing, and the plot was pretty darn original. I was pleasantly pleased with how the story was laid out. I would recommend this book to fantasy and romance lovers. It's a book you won't soon forget.

-Amanda
Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

The Bent Sword by Stephen Gashler

When a daydreaming peasant named Steffin decides to take control of his own destiny, an adventure begins that has serious consequences. Though his adventures are reckless, Steffin's passion is contagious, and he eventually recruits men to fight against his nemesis, the Lord of Boredom. Yet, the journey is difficult, and problems constantly block the path these comrades are taking. Will the Lord of Boredom succeed in quelling what could be the greatest of all adventures? The Bent Sword is as an inspiration for anyone who ever wondered why life isn't more like a storybook.

A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion

Skyla Plinka has all she could ask for - at least that’s what her mother-in-law Audrey thinks. On most days, Skyla agrees, yet there’s a part of her that longs for her free-spirited days before husband, child, and the humdrum life of rural Wisconsin. Close friend Roxanne (and the five sons she can’t seem to keep tabs on), offers a reprieve, but it isn’t until Skyla takes a part time job at her local bookstore that she starts to feel at home in her own skin. Her growing independence causes conflicts with her husband, her in-laws, and even her best friend, but in the end, Skyla learns what it means to love and be loved in this unsure journey called life. . .

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg

MILO is the funny and poignant story, told through text and cartoons, of a 13-year-old boy’s struggle to come to terms with the loss that hit the reset button on his life. Loveable geek Milo Cruikshank finds reasons for frustration at every turn, like people who carve Halloween pumpkins way too soon (the pumpkins just rot and get lopsided) or the fact that the girl of his dreams, Summer, barely acknowledges his existence while next-door neighbor Hilary won't leave him alone. The truth is – ever since Milo's mother died nothing has gone right. Now, instead of the kitchen being full of music, his whole house has been filled with Fog. Nothing’s the same. Not his Dad. Not his sister. And definitely not him. In love with the girl he sneezed on the first day of school and best pals with Marshall, the “One Eyed Jack” of friends, Milo copes with being the new kid (again) as he struggles to survive a school year that is filled with reminders of what his life “used to be."

Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho! Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

First published in 1993, The Virgin Suicides announced the arrival of a major new American novelist. In a quiet suburb of Detroit, the five Lisbon sisters--beautiful, eccentric, and obsessively watched by the neighborhood boys--commit suicide one by one over the course of a single year. As the boys observe them from afar, transfixed, they piece together the mystery of the family's fatal melancholy, in this hypnotic and unforgettable novel of adolescent love, disquiet, and death. Jeffrey Eugenides evokes the emotions of youth with haunting sensitivity and dark humor and creates a coming-of-age story unlike any of our time.

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

-Amanda

I Need Help!

My blogoversary is a little more than a month away, and I want to start planning now. I've been staying with this blog (for the most part) for 2 years now. I've held contests and giveaways before but they were all publisher/author sponsored. For this big event it's all up to me and I need some advice.

What kind of giveaway should I have? For example, a summer theme, or romance.

I'm only in high school so I don't have much cash. How many winners? How many books do I give away?

Should I just have people leave comments for entries, or should I make them work a little?

These questions are directed at everyone, but especially those to book bloggers that have experience.

Any advice?

-Amanda

Lies by Michael Grant

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

It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness—or so they thought.

As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

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This series is getting better and better. In each book Grant adds a new dimension to everything, including the plot and characters. Once you think you have it all figured out, something new is thrown at you.

Without the drastic need to find food anymore, we get to see the interworkings of more problems. This books focuses a lot on the "poof" which happens when you turn 15. There is now a possibility that once you poof, you leave the FAYZ and appear directly on the other side where there are reporter and parents waiting. This could be true, or it could be the workings of the darkness.

I really liked this book because we get to go deeper into the minds of some characters, and even more characters come into play. These books really show you what people, even kids, will do to survive. This is really one of those series that even though each book is long, it never seems like enough.

Overall I think Grant is doing a fantastic job. Lies is basically about just what the title says. I can not wait until the next book is released. Let's put a rush on it, yes?

-Amanda

Wanted by Sara Shepard

I know it's been a while, but I decided to jump right back in with a review.

Originality- 18/20

Characters- 18/20

Remembrance- 9/10

Quote-ability- 8/10

Entertainment- 19/20

Ending- 10/10

Recommend to read- 9/10

TOTAL- 91/100

Grade- A

In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .

Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store.

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Reading the last book in a series is always hard. You get so used to waiting for the next book to come out, and not really knowing all of the details. The Pretty Little Liars series was no different. I'm going to try to keep this review spoiler free, for those of you still reading.

I was really excited for this book. I gathered up so many questions while reading these books and they were all answered. All of the plot points ended very neatly. Shepard was able to keep this last book very exciting but still pull it all together in the end without leaving us confused.

Now onto the important things. There is a plot twist, one that some people have guessed and in return were called crazy. Now it makes perfect sense. We find out who new "A" is and Ali's killer. I have to say that Shepard did a wonderful job on the whole series. Usually when I read a series there are a few books that just dragged or I just could have skipped without missing anything important. This can not be applied to The Pretty Little Liars series. Every book had me at the edge of my seat.

Overall I have to say that Wanted was a great end to a great series. I am defintely considering reading her new upcoming series.

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Lies by Michael Grant

It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness—or so they thought.

As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She’s quiet, keeps to herself and doesn’t get out much. Not because she’s not pretty. She is. It’s just that, well Sookie has this sort of “disability”. She can read minds. And that doesn’t make her too dateable. And then comes along Bill. He’s tall, dark, handsome — and Sookie can’t hear a word he’s thinking. He’s exactly the type of guy she’s been waiting for all her life….

But Bill has a disability of his own: He’s a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of -big surprise- murder. And when one of Sookie’s coworkers is killed, she fears she’s next….

-Amanda

A Look Inside: Life As We Knew It

A Look Inside is a post where I give you a couple of quotes from a book that I've read and enjoyed!

"I wonder if I'll ever have to decide which is worse, life as we're living or no life at all."

"I feel myself shriveling along with my world, getting smaller and harder. I'm turning into a rock, and in some ways that's good, because rocks last forever.
But if this is how I'm going to last forever, then I don't want to."

"We may not have a future, but you can't deny we have a past."

"Here's the funny thing about the world coming to an end. Once it gets going, it doesn't seem to stop."

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
Release Date: June 22, 2010

Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat - exposing their secret world to the outside. As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy - Roman and his evil companions

At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman's power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who's hell-bent on her destruction. Now there's a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can't stop thinking about Roman - and longing for his touch. As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state?and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender.

Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself - and her future with Damen. . .

-Amanda

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Originality- 20/20
Characters- 20/20
Remembrance- 10/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 20/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
TOTAL- 98/100
Grade- A

It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. Miranda and her two brothers spend their days scavenging for food and household items, while their mother stays at home and desperately tries to hold on to the ordinary activities of their previous life. But they all know that nothing is truly normal in this surreal new world they live in.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.
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I really don't want to believe that this is the end of these books. I want her to write another book so bad! It's crazy how much I'm obsessed with these typed of books.

A lot of really good things happen in this book. I don't mean good like rainbows and tons of good food to eat. I mean good like interesting. There is never a dull moment which makes the book impossible to put down.

Miranda is one of my all time favorite female characters. It was really realistic and heartbreaking how she changed throughout the books. She went from seeming a little spoiled and over dramatic to realizing how much every little thing matters, especially family. I also couldn't help but love Miranda's older brother Matt. He always found a way to comfort me. In the first book he was reasonable and responsible but in this one he is more impulsive.

Just like the two books before it, everything about it was original. Just thinking that something like this could possibly happen makes you take all they are going through more seriously. I cried several times while reading this book. Pfeffer just makes everything seem so real.

Overall I would say that This World We Live In was a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy (even though I wish there was more). I think everyone should read this books. They are definitely some of my favorites.

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope? With an oddball cast of characters, and a heartwarming, inspiring story, this novel unveils a beautifully beaten-up world of laughs, loyalty, and hard-earned hope.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa

Gorgeous, confident, and demanding, Haruhi Suzumiya is the leader of the SOS Brigade, a club comprised of her high school's most extraordinary students. So when Haruhi is bored, It's up to the SOS Brigade to do something about it. In this sequel to the clever and uniquely witty The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the SOS Brigade goes along with Haruhi's scheme to make a movie for the school's upcoming cultural festival. But when filming begins, strange things start to happen, and Haruhi- who has no idea she's a goddess with the ability to destroy the world- starts show to her devastating powers.

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets.

The Pack by L.M Preston

Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that she is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens, her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. But in order to save her brother's life, she is willing to risk it all.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

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

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Release Date: October 2010

I can't find a summary for the book but it will basically just pick up where The Maze Runner left off.

-Amanda

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Originality- 20/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 20/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
TOTAL- 97/100
Grade- A

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.
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This book was freaking fantastic. It just might be my favorite book read so far this year.

Books like this always get me so hyped up. It's book like these that make me think about them for days. Starting from the beginning I knew I would love the book. We are thrown into a strange new situation just like Thomas. We learn everything when he learns it. There is just a certain level of suspense in here that is hard to come by.

I loved all of the characters. Even the ones that I was supposed to hate I loved. Thomas said what he needed to and did what was right for him. Each character held a certain purpose in the story and weren't just filler.

Something was always happening which was awesome. If there wasn't some huge action scene we were discovering something new about the Glade. The Maze Runner has the ability to take you on a wild ride which you never want to end. I couldn't even begin to guess what would happen next.

Overall I would say The Maze Runner was a fantastic dystopian read that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something new and exciting. I can not wait for the next book. At least I don't have to wait too long.

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

Nothing new this weeek. I am catching up on my reading though.

Super Exciting Kelley Armstrong News

I have yet to read the The Reckoning but I was already sad thinking that this whole world that I learned to love would be over. Lucky me Kelley Armstrong announced that The Reckoning would be the end of the trilogy, but the series will continue with new characters. Here is part of her announcement.

"The Reckoning is the last book in the trilogy, not the last in the series. It only wraps up the major plotline introduced in The Summoning. It is not intended to tie off every minor plot thread and retire the characters.

The next book is The Gathering.Same world. New characters. New Edison Group experiment. The Gathering starts trilogy #2, Darkness Rising. While my plot line shows Chloe and the others being introduced late in that trilogy, that is NOT a guarantee until the whole thing is written."

Isn't this exciting!?

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

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


The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer
Publication Date: June 05, 2010

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

-Amanda

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Originality- 16/20
Characters- 17/20
Remembrance- 7/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 17/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 80/100
Grade- B

Carlos Fuentes doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Boulder, Colorado. He wants to keep living on the edge, and carve his own path. Just like Alex did. Unfortunately, his ties to a Mexican gang aren't easy to break, and he soon finds himself being set up by a drug lord.

When Alex arranges for Carlos to live with his former professor and his family to keep him from being sent to jail, Carlos feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.

As the danger grows for Carlos, he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him. But is he willing to endanger their safety for a chance at the kind of life he's never even dreamed possible?
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I couldn't help but laugh at first when I heard that Perfect Chemistry was going to have a sequel, and that Alex's brother Carlos was going to be one of the narrators. It also bugged me a bit that it was the same storyline as before. But of course I remembered how much I liked Perfect Chemistry and cliched romances.

Our good girl Kiara is way more likeable and relateable than Brittany. I thought she was funny and well, average. She reminds me of several of my friends. Carlos was the typical bad boy. Nothing much to say about that.

I did enjoy the story though. It was cute and romantic in a way that didn't make you want to role your eyes. You could easily tell how connected the characters were right from the beginning.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Perfect Chemistry or loves a good cutesy romance.

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson

Destiny Faraday makes a point of keeping a distance from her classmates at Hedgebrook Academy. Routine and predictability help her stick to her number-one rule: Don’t get attached. But one day, with the crumpling of a calendar page and an odd encounter with a mysterious stranger, routine and predictability are turned on end.

Unexpectedly finding a car at their disposal, Destiny and three of her classmates embark on an unauthorized road trip, searching for one fair day – a day where the good guy wins and everything adds up to something just and right. The Miles Between explores the absurdities of life, friendship, and fate – and also the moments of grace and wonder. You never know where a road trip might take you.

Perfect on Paper: The (Mis)Adventures of Waverly Bryson by Maria Murnane

Waverly Bryson is a late-20s successful businesswoman who almost has it all: dream job in Sports PR, two best friends, and a bar where everybody knows her name. What she doesn't have is a ring on her finger, and after being left at the altar, she's in no hurry. Besides, she has plenty of other issues to tackle, including her wayward father, a new rival at work, and an ever-shrinking amount of personal time. To keep sane, Waverly makes a habit of jotting down "Honey Notes," her own brand of self-deprecating wisdom and pipe-dream for a line of greeting cards.

As Waverly stumbles back into the dating scene (no stalkers or jean shorts, please), her personal and professional lives threaten to collide. Perfect on Paper reminds readers that everyone has a bad date (or twelve), and that everyone needs a best friend to tell them, “Honey, you are not alone."

-Amanda

Burn by Suzanne Phillips

Originality- 17/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 7/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 84/100
Grade- B

"Are our schools safe?"

It's hard to turn on the news without hearing this question, and the answer is typically "no." This novel explores what happens when bullying escalates to violence, and it challenges our definition of victimization.

With thought-provoking prose, Suzanne Phillips explores the psyche of Cameron, a bullied freshman who ultimately does the unthinkable: he kills another student. As she did with Chloe Doe, Suzanne has found a way to make this seemingly dark story ultimately redemptive. But she also dares readers to look at the behavior that provokes violence as having the potential to be as dangerous as the violence itself.
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This is one of my favorite kinds of books. It's nice to read about romance and vampires but I find it more fulfilling and character developing to read something like this.

It breaks my heart to read about characters that are being tormented and bullied at school. I always want to be their best friend, but since it is just a book I can't. Instead I feel the emotional journey of kids like Cameron struggle.

As a character Cameron was pretty amazing until he decides to get revenge on someone who was just as weak as him. You could tell that he was tortured so much that he had no other choice, which just makes the whole story even more sad.

I think it takes a brave author to write about real issues that can make you question your everyday actions that may affect others. It's a big deal to me when I like a book that doesn't rely on being witty or cute. When I can real feel something for a character and take something out of the book and into real life it's just awesome.

Overall I think Burn was a touching read that I would recommend to every single teen so they can see that their actions can have life altering consequences.

-Amanda
Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Reality Check by Jen Calonita

Originality- 18/20
Characters- 17/20
Remembrance- 7/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 17/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 7/10
TOTAL- 81/100
Grade- B

Sixteen-year-olds Charlie, Keiran, Brooke, and Hallie have just been signed up for their own reality television show. They can't even believe it. "You'll be The Hills meets The Secret Life of the American Teenager," the Armani-suited executive tells them, "and the hottest thing on our network." How could they say no?

But soon enough, cameras following them everywhere and interfering producers surreptitiously scripting their lives start to affect the four best friends' relationship. Brooke seems to want all the screen time. Keiran is abruptly written out of the show-and consequently the group's friendship-when she doesn't rate well. As soon as Charlie realizes what's going on, she figures out the perfect way to give the studio and her home audience a much-needed reality check.
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This book was very...different. It didn't have that totally creative wow factor but it was still very original. I'm a teenager so of course I watch a lot of reality TV. Reading a book that focused on this with people my age was pretty cool.

The characters were okay. I liked several of them and of course there were some that I hated. What I really liked though was that hate had a purpose. It totally sucks when there is a character that I'm supposed to think is great but I end I hating. In Reality Check you end up disliking someone that you have a good reason to dislike. In the end this makes the good characters look even better.

I really liked the unique and dynamic relationship between the group of friends. I couldn't help but want them as friends too. They were witty and fun. Since they were already friends I could sense their closeness and that made their fights and problems more real. At points it was hard to read but I could understand why they got angry.

Overall I think Reality Check brought something new to the YA table and gives you something to think about while you watch "reality" TV. I would recommend this book to anyone who recently had a dispute with a friend so they can see that it could be worse.

-Amanda
Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

A Look Inside: Nineteen Minutes

A Look Inside is a post where I give you a couple of quotes from a book that I've read and enjoyed!

Today's book is Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.

"You don't need water to feel like you're drowning, do you?"

"In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn; color your hair; watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five. In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world; or you can just jump off it."

"To be truly popular, it has to look like something you are, when in reality, it's what you make yourself."

"A mathematical formula for happiness:Reality divided by Expectations.There were two ways to be happy:improve your reality or lower your expectations."

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

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

For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Publication Date: April 06, 2010

Josie's never met her dad, and that's fine with her. To Josie, Paul Tucci is just a guy who got her mom pregnant and then moved away. It all happened sixteen years ago, when Josie's mom was still a teenager herself. But now Paul Tucci is back in town, and Josie has to deal with not one but two men in her life—her father and her first boyfriend, who Josie fears will hurt her just like Paul hurt her mother.

-Amanda

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Originality- 20/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 87/100
Grade- B

In this highly-anticipated sequel to Prophecy of the Sisters, sixteen year-old orphan Lia Milthorpe continues her quest to end an age-old prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. Having now accepted the responsibilities tied to her role as the Gate, Lia journeys to the uncharted isle of Altus to continue her search for the missing pages of the Book of Chaos--the pages that could tell her how to end the prophecy. Along the way, her courage, strength, and soul are tested in ways she never could have imagined. What's also tested is her loyalty to James.

Meanwhile, twin sister Alice continues to hone her spellcasting abilities, completely ignoring the rules that govern the Otherworlds. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim Lia's role of Gate, and that's not the only thing she wants. There's also Lia's true love, James.

The outcome of this battle between sisters could have consequences of Biblical proportion. And in the end, only one sister will be left standing.
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This series is becoming really addicting. When I read the first book I didn't even realize that there would be two more books until I was finished. I am so glad that there is more.

This second book in the trilogy did just what it was supposed to do. It moved us forward in the prophecy, and the characters developed amazingly. Lia is growing up and making hard choices.

Just like any good series, this book included a twist. I can't tell you much about it, but it was very unexpected, realistic, and believable. It made you think about each decision Lia made in a whole new way.

While on their journey we meet some fantastic new people who keep the story interesting and fresh. We also get to go to new places that won't cease to amaze you.

Overall I would say that Guardian of the Gate was a great continuation of the trilogy and I absolutely can not wait until the next, and last, book. I would recommend this book to anyone who even slightly enjoyed the first book. You will not be disapointed.

-Amanda
Book received free from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

BEA

Starting last year when I saw all of my favorite authors and bloggers talking about BEA I got really interested. There was absolutely no way I could go last year but I thought this year I would have a chance.

Now that BEA is getting closer I realize that it was always just a dream. Transportation wouldn't have been hard since we drive up to Pennsylvania every year and I know my mom would be willing to make the extra trip, but it's the timing. When BEA fun is going on I have school. My only chance would be to leave Friday and come back Sunday, but that's a total waste of a ticket.

It's times like this when I wish I had some close book blogger buddies who are going who could pick me up some swag, but alas, I have none. I have blogger friends but none close enough who are going to BEA.

Is there anyone else in the same predicament?

-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. In My Mailbox was created by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

Jessica Darling is up in arms again in this much-anticipated, hilarious sequel to Sloppy Firsts. This time, the hyperobservant, angst-ridden teenager is going through the social and emotional ordeal of her senior year at Pineville High. Not only does the mysterious and oh-so-compelling Marcus Flutie continue to distract Jessica, but her best friend, Hope, still lives in another state, and she can’t seem to escape the clutches of the Clueless Crew, her annoying so-called friends. To top it off, Jessica’s parents won’t get off her butt about choosing a college, and her sister Bethany’s pregnancy is causing a big stir in the Darling household.

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

It's been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Carlos Fuentes doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Boulder, Colorado. He wants to keep living on the edge, and carve his own path?just like Alex did. Unfortunately, his ties to a Mexican gang aren't easy to break, and he soon finds himself being set up by a drug lord.

When Alex arranges for Carlos to live with his former professor and his family to keep him from being sent to jail, Carlos feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.

As the danger grows for Carlos, he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him. But is he willing to endanger their safety for a chance at the kind of life he's never even dreamed possible?

Split by Stefan Petrucha

Wade Jackson has always felt split, his love for playing and writing music competing with his ambition to do well in school. But when his mother dies, this need for order competes with his desire to leave it all behind. What follows is a split in his consciousness that takes him to two very different worlds.

Told in alternating chapters that together form one cohesive story, Split follows both Wades as they pursue what they think is the correct path. One Wade continues working hard in school, pulling all-nighters to write a computer code he believes will save the world. The other Wade pursues the dream of being a dive-bar singer, pulling all-nighters to party, gamble, and live on the edge. But when these two worlds begin to collide, each Wade will need to find a balance between control and abandon, order and chaos, life missed and life lost, in order to save himself.

-Amanda