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