January in Review

I read 9 books this month (you can check them all out in the sidebar)

I reviewed 7:
The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney
Fallen by Lauren Kate
This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

I watched 12 movies/seasons of tv shows this month (also in the side bar)

I reviewed 4:
Inception
Tangled
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Frozen

Challenges:

I listened to 2/6 audio books for the 2011 audio book challenge
I read 9/100 books towards my personal goal

Blog Changes:

Added the new design/color scheme
New features: To the Cinema, Contest Saturday, and Movie Reviews
Added a top commentors widget

Contests:

I only hosted/held one contest this month, which is still going on HERE

Overall I had a great January. I posted everyday and was able to keep up pretty easily. Here's to a great February!

-Amanda

You Killed Wesley Payne + Contest

If you read my review for You Killed Wesley Payne, you know that I enjoyed it. In fact, I plan on buying my older sister a copy when it comed out on February 1st. If you're still not convinced that you're interested, check out the book trailer:



See, I told you it's good. If you go on the book's site http://www.youkilledwesleypayne.com/ you can print out bookmarks, and read some starred reviews. I'm not the only one who thought it was great.

Now for the contest. (sorry this wasn't posted yesterday for contest Saturday):

Here is a little about the book: Stan Smith has the world's dullest name, and the world's dullest life to go with it. At 17, the former junior chess champion turned "Town's Laziest Register Monkey at the Town's Only Video Store" has no car, no college, and, of course, no girl. If that weren't pathetic enough, he's got an organic-food-freak vegan mother, an eccentric inventor father, a dead-end job, a dog with a flatulence problem, and a former classmate threatening to kill him. With a 165 IQ, Stan was expected to Be Something and Go Somewhere. But when all he has is a beat-up old bike that keeps getting vandalized, he's going nowhere, faster.

• 1 (one) winner will receive a copy of Sean Beaudoin's first book Going Nowwhere Faster


• Please allow about 3 weeks to receive your prize.


• I will e-mail the winner and also post the winner on the blog. If the winner does not reply within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.
• U.S Only


• Ends February 25th

Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

-Amanda

Contest Saturday

Here are some contests that are currently going on right now. Click the links to enter them. I will hold my own contest on the last Contest Saturday of each month. That means my first contest IS TODAY. A post will follow this one with the info.

Win one of two prize packs HERE Ends 1/31

Win a copy of Flash Burnout HERE Ends 1/30

Win a copy of Prom and Prejudice HERE Ends 1/31

Another chance to win Prom and Prejudice HERE Ends 1/31

One more chance to win Prom and Pejudice HERE Ends 1/31

Win a copy of Tell Us We're Home HERE Ends 2/4

Win a copy of The Secret Year HERE Ends 2/7

Win a copy of Wereling HERE Ends 2/1

Win a $65 gift card to spend at any CSN Store HERE Ends 2/7

Win an ARC of Trapped HERE Ends 2/8

Win 2 books to remind you of summer HERE Ends 2/16

Win the first 3 books in the Iron Fey Series HERE Ends 2/11

My Review Policy

My Reviews:

I don't necessarily pick apart a book and analyze each part. I will mostly discuss how I enjoyed the plot, characters, and setting, along with other tid bits that I enjoyed/disliked. I am very honest and don't hold back any praise or critique.

Sending me a book:

If you are interested in having me review a book/hold a contest/post a guest blog/conduct an author interview, don't be hesitant to send me an e-mail at txmandaxt@yahoo.com Just PLEASE take the following into consideration: I can deny any request. If I accept your request that does not mean I will review your book. Though, I accept most requests and review 9/10 books that I receive.

NOTE: I will only accept e-books if they are compatable with iBooks for the ipod touch. I accept physical books and audio books.

Genres I enjoy (Remember, I am primarily a Young Adult Book Blogger):

• Fantasy
• Paranormal
• Science Fiction
• Dystopian
• Contemporary Fiction
• Romance
• Thrillers
• Mysteries
• Series (Only if I have read, or am also offered previous titles in that particular series)

Genres I will most likely decline:

• Primarily religious
• Biography/autobiography/memoir (Though I have accepted a few that appealed to me)
• Historical Fictions (This too, I have been known to accept on occasions)

Visitor Details As of January 2011:

I have been blogging since August 2008. I have posted over 400 posts with over 1,100 comments. I also get around 250 visitors a week. I currently have 200+ followers.

Once I have your book:

I read books for review before I read books I buy. BUT I review books that I request before I read books that were offered. Either way, you can expect a review in about a months time depending on the amount of books that I read ahead of it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

-Amanda

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

Title: You Killed Wesley Payne

Author: Sean Beaudoin

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Grade: B

He's come to do a job.
A job that involves a body.
A body wrapped in duct tape found hanging from the goal posts at the end of the football field.

You Killed Wesley Payne is a truly original and darkly hilarious update of classic pulp-noir, in which hard-boiled seventeen year-old Dalton Rev transfers to the mean hallways of Salt River High to take on the toughest case of his life. The question isn't whether Dalton's going to get paid. He always gets paid. Or whether he's gonna get the girl. He always (sometimes) gets the girl. The real question is whether Dalton Rev can outwit crooked cops and killer cliques in time to solve the mystery of "The Body" before it solves him.
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This book was so crazy. It left me feeling exactly as Fade to Blue did. Bewildered. All I can think is "What did I just read?" Fortunately that doesn't mean that the book was bad or that I didn't like it. I've recently discovered that this new type of language, dialogue, and setting for books is becoming a genre of its own.

So far I've read mixed reviews for this book and I'm not sure why they are mixed. Really, I enjoyed it. The most common negative I see basically revolves around people having trouble grasping that this is supposed to be a reality. This IS how people act in this world. Teachers turning a blind eye to violence for fifty bucks? Nothing new. Principal harassing students? Happens everyday. Knowing you're coming in a book that's going to be so strange is important. Now knowing will leave you confused.

The popularity chart was very confusing and overwhelming initially but once I was actually introduced to the cliques, their leaders and what "rackets" even were, the chart was very helpful in piecing everything together.

I really loved Dalton. That's an understatement. I wanted to eternally snuggle with him. He was that "good guy" character that we all hate to love but love anyway. The best part was that he acknowledged that and made fun of it on several occasions.

You Killed Wesley Payne was full of so many twists and turns it was like a roller coaster. Props to Beaudoin for dishing it out in a way that answered all my questions and didn't leave me confused. Anytime this book got anywhere near dull, something would happen to sky rocket it all the way back up on the interesting meter.

Overall I really enjoyed You Killed Wesley Payne even if my mind is still yelling "BUT IT'S SO DARN UNREALISTIC!"

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson--March

Madeline is sent away to Spring Meadows to help with a drinking and rage problem she has. It's a pretty intense place, but there is the weekly movie night in town--where Madeline meets Stewart, who's at another rehab place nearby. They fall for each other during a really crazy time in their lives. Madeline gets out and tries to get back on her feet, waiting for Stewart to join her. When he does, though, it's not the ideal recovery world Madeline dreamed of. Both of them still have serious problems. And Stewart's are only getting worse....

The Trust by Tom Dolby--February 1st

Who can you trust when everything is secrets and lies?

It's a new semester at the Chadwick School, and even with the ankh tattoos that brand them, Phoebe, Nick, Lauren, and Patch are hoping for a fresh start. Each day, however, they are reminded of their membership as new Conscripts in the Society. The secret group that promised to help them achieve their every dream has instead turned their lives into a nightmare.
Exclusive membership lost its luster as the Society revealed its agenda to them and two of their classmates were found dead. Now they can't help but wonder: Who's next? While they search for the elusive truth about the Society, the Conscripts are forced to face their darkest fear—that they truly can't get out.

Will Nick and Phoebe's new relationship endure this strain? Can Patch and Nick's longtime friendship survive the truth that will come to light? The deceptions of the group's leaders, once trusted friends, and family will test these four as they fight to leave the Society behind.

-Amanda

Frozen

Title: Frozen

Director: Adam Green

Writer: Adam Green

Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell and Kevin Zegers
Grade: C+

Three skiers are stranded on a chairlift and forced to make life-or-death choices that prove more perilous than staying put and freezing to death.
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I don't know how they did it. But they took a movie where 3/4 of the time they were stuck on a ski lift and made it unbelievably exciting. I was trying to watch something a little more...mature, and when I saw the description, I knew I had to watch it.

The most basic problem that the characters have is the cold. They won't be getting any help for several days and this is a mountain people, it's really freaking cold. To be able to continue I must mention the relationship status of the three people. The two boys are best friends since forever and the girl and been going out with the one boy for less than a year. Best friend is okay with girl but thinks she gets in the way sometimes.

The movie was good, and I really appreciated how Best Friend and Girlfriend got really close after Boyfriend..sacrificed himself. That part was pretty darn sad. I had to look away because it was also disgusting.

The girl though? She annoyed me. She was always crying or peeing her pants (literally), while everyone else put themselves in danger, getting KILLED, until the coast was clear for her. She was pretty useless and was only there so there would be a survivor. The other characters I found admirable, cute, and funny.

Overall I would say this was an exciting movie for what it had on the table to deal with. I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves suspense without the horror or action.

-Amanda

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Author: David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: A

Dash and Lily, 16, find themselves on their own in Manhattan at Christmas. Dash is alone by choice–he's told each of his divorced parents that he's spending the holiday with the other, leaving them both to take vacations out of town. Lily's parents are taking the honeymoon they couldn't afford when they got married. They think that Lily is in the capable hands of her older brother, but he's less interested in her than in his new boyfriend, and then he gets sick and spends most of the holiday in bed. He does, however, start in motion the activity that is central to the story. It involves a red Moleskine notebook with a list of literary clues that Lily leaves in the stacks at the Strand bookstore. Bookish and erudite Dash finds it and is intrigued enough to follow Lily's lead and leave some clues of his own. The dares in the book's title refer to innocent things such as going to various crowded places like Macy's and FAO Schwartz to pick up messages. As the dares go on, the teens reveal more and more about themselves in the pages of the notebook, until they finally meet under the worst possible circumstances.
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This book was so great, I want to take a bath in it's awesomeness. I am seriously becoming very attached to all things David Levithan. I used to think of him as the weaker part of duos but I was way wrong.

The book jumps right into the action instead of lingering on background details. Eventually their pasts get brought in but it was nice not to have to live several boring days in a character's life while I wait for the action to start.

Dash and Lily were so fantastic. Personally I liked Dash more, mostly because I was jealous of Lily for having him. I wanted the whole story to happen to me so badly. Dash was very likable. Some people might have been annoyed with his lack of holiday spirit but I kind of found it refreshing after a long and stressful holiday season. Lily was also awesome but I couldn't get into her chapters as easily. I link this to the fact that I related more easily with Dash.

I've drove through New York with my family a couple of times but never got to see anything. The whole book was basically them going around New York to accomplish the dares and it really felt like I was there. The descriptions that were used were phenomenal.

Overall I adored this book. The characters were funny and relate able, and the plot and setting were very well written. I want you all to read this book, like now.

-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.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa

It's one week before Christmas Eve, and Haruhi and the S.O.S. Brigade (a club for her high school's strangest and most extraordinary students) are gearing up for holiday festivities. But just before the fun kicks off, Kyon, the only "normal" member, wakes up in a weird alternate dimension, one where Haruhi attends another school entirely, Nagato the time traveling robot is just an ordinary human, and Mikuru (the cute girl of Kyon's dreams) doesn't even recognize him-in other words, S.O.S. Brigade never existed.

The only clue Kyon can find is a bookmark left by the robot version of Nagato, which leads him on a quest back in time, where he interacts with the storyline from "Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody", a short story from the previous Haruhi book, The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Fearscape by Simon Holt

It's been a year since Reggie first discovered the Vours, and the Winter Solstice is approaching once again. It will be another night of unspeakable horror for those unlucky enough to be taken by the Vours, because this time, she won't be able to stop them. The Vours have imprisoned Reggie in a psychiatric hospital, where she is subjected to a daily routine of unfathomably sadistic experiments. Her life is a living Hell, but she won't give up. They attacked her brother. They killed her friend. And Reggie will never stop fighting back.

-Amanda

Contest Saturday

Here are some contests that are currently going on right now. Click the links to enter them. I will hold my own contest on the last Contest Saturday of each month. That means my first contest will be on January 29th. Details will be on that post.

Win a pre-order of Delirium by Lauren Oliver HERE Ends 1/29

Win a copy of The Locket by Stacey Jay HERE Ends 1/26

Win one of two prize packs HERE Ends 1/31

Win an Alice in Wonderland necklace with book charms HERE Ends 1/25

Win a copy of A Touch of Mortal by Leah Clifford HERE Ends 1/23

Win a copy of Loser/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson HERE Ends 1/27

Choose any two books from a list of four HERE Ends 1/28

Win an ARC of Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart HERE Ends 1/24

Win a copy of Wishful Thinking HERE Ends 1/23

Win a copy of Flash Burnout HERE Ends 1/30

Win a copy of Prom and Prejudice HERE Ends 1/31

Another chance to win Prom and Prejudice HERE Ends 1/31

One more chance to win Prom and Pejudice HERE Ends 1/31

-Amanda

To the Cinema!!

This post is similar to a Waiting on Wednesday post, but will only feature MOVIES that I am excited about releasing. I will include trailers for your viewing pleasure. I'll probably only do this monthly so it doesn't push out reviews that I need to post.

Hanna



Limitless



Vanishing on 7th Street



-Amanda

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Director: Michael Apted
Writer: Christopher Markus (screenplay) & Stephen McFeely (screenplay) and Michael Petroni
(screenplay) C.S. Lewis (novel)
Starring: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley

Grade: A-

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.
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I suppose this will start a trend of me only reviewing "wholesome family movies", we'll see, but is it my fault that I like them?

I never got around to reading the book. I definitely had the opportunity but didn't take it. I hope to read is someday but not soon. I went to see this movie with my friend in 3D. Annnnd I could have done without the 3D. The only things it contributed were making the ocean look closer and more in the foreground I guess, and a headache. I wear glasses and adding ANOTHER pair of glasses on top of that is never enjoyable. Unfortunately we didn't have the option to see it without the 3D.

The movie itself though was amazing. I still can get over how they can make these movies look so wonderful. While I'm watching I feel like I can be a little kid again and really believe that Narnia exists. After the movie was finished I felt sad inside, mostly because I was excited to see the movie but also because this was the last time Edmund and Lucy would be able to see them all.

The acting was great. My friend said the actor that portrayed Eustace wasn't right and hopes that they change him for the next movie. To me, he seemed pretty good. It was nice to see him evolve from an annoyance to someone who that we can all love. All of the actors did a great job and I had no complaints on that front.

Overall I have to say that the movie lived up to my expectations. The graphics were great and the actors were wonderful. Some of the subplot could have used some work. Lucy is awesome, did you have to make her seem shallow? I really want you to see this movie. Really. The movie is pretty darn touching and you won't regret it.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong--April

Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya's home—and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy—her paw-print birthmark.

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting--February 15

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

-Amanda

This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson

Title: This Girl is Different

Author: JJ Johnson

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
Age Group: Young Adult
Grade: B-

This girl is different… That’s what Evie has always told herself—and it’s true. Home-schooled by her counter culture mom, she’s decided to see what high school is like for the first time—for her senior year. And what a year it is.

As it turns out, it’s not just Evie who’s Different. Lots of people are. Many of her assumptions about others are turned on their heads as she makes friends with kids her own age for the first time, discovers what’s good and what’s bad about high school, and learns lessons about power and its abuse—both by the administration and by Evie herself.
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I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was interested after reading the description because I used to be home schooled and I remember how weird it was being in an actual school. I wanted to read about someone else with the same experience.

I was worried that Evie would be that stereotypical nature "freak" shoving their beliefs in people's faces. Thankfully she wasn't. Since Evie was brought up in a certain way she actually believed in a lot of things and held politcal standpoints that I don't even think about.

I was sad that the book had to involve so much drama. I found it hard to believe that so many people wouldn't accept her. I actually GO to high school and a lot of what went on just didn't seem right. I also had a problem with how Evie automatically forgave them. The whole novel seemed to build up on how strong and independent Evie was but I don't think this reflected on her in these moments at all. How could she forgive people who turned on her so fast?

I really did like the novel though. For people who grew up surrounded by other people and living the "normal" school life, it's a real eye opener to see how other people live. We always here about home schooled kids but we never realize how different it is. Don't be silly thought and think they are all like Evie. She was exceptionally different and I really liked her character. She was just so honest and outspoken even when she knew that people might think differently of her for it.

Overall I enjoyed the novel most of the time and would recommend it to anyone who would like to see a different kind of lifestyle.

-Amanda

TV

This is a new feature that I would like to try out. I don't have cable so all of the shows that I watch, will BE watched a day after they premiere on TV, so that I can watch them online. Here are the shows that I will discuss every couple of weeks (I understand that some of these shows haven't started their next season yet):

Glee
Secret Life of the American Teenager
Make It or Break It
Huge
The Walking Dead
Real World/Road Rules Challenges
True Blood
Vampire Diaries

If you have any other shows that you would like me to mention PLEASE tell me. Just make sure that the episodes can also to found online.

I'll officially start talking about these shows and others in a week or so. The sooner you tell me what shows you want me to watch, the more time I have to catch up on past seasons/watch that episode. This will mostly be a rundown of the episodes since the last post, how I felt about them, good moments, etc. I will also mention movies that I watched during that time as well. Think of this as an entertainment roundup sans books.

Thank you!

-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.

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

You Killed Wesley Payne is a truly original and darkly hilarious update of classic pulp-noir, in which hard-boiled seventeen year-old Dalton Rev transfers to the mean hallways of Salt River High to take on the toughest case of his life. The question isn't whether Dalton's going to get paid. He always gets paid. Or whether he's gonna get the girl. He always (sometimes) gets the girl. The real question is whether Dalton Rev can outwit crooked cops and killer cliques in time to solve the mystery of "The Body" before it solves him.

The Cadence of Gypsies by Barbara Casey

On her 18th birthday Carolina Lovel learned that she was adopted and was given a letter written by her birth mother in an unknown language. After years of research she travels to Italy on a mission to find the truth about her past. Carolina is accompanied by three extremely gifted but mischievous students the FIGs from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. In an effort to help their favorite teacher, the FIGs will have to use their special abilities to decipher the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, and the one thing that is strangely similar to what Carolina was given. Their search will take them into the mystical world of gypsy tradition and magic, more exciting and dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

E-Books::

Shine by Lauren Myracle

The Keening by A. LaFaye

-Amanda

Contest Saturday

Here are some contests that are currently going on right now. Click the links to enter them. I will hold my own contest on the last Contest Saturday of each month. That means my first contest will be on January 29th. Details will be on that post.

Win a pre-order of Delirium by Lauren Oliver HERE Ends 1/29

Win a copy of The Locket by Stacey Jay HERE Ends 1/26

Win one of two prize packs HERE Ends 1/31

Win an Alice in Wonderland necklace with book charms HERE Ends 1/25

Win a copy of A Touch of Mortal by Leah Clifford HERE Ends 1/23

Win a copy of Loser/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson HERE Ends 1/27

Win a $55 gift code to use at any CSN store HERE Ends 1/17

Choose any two books from a list of four HERE Ends 1/28

Win the entire Maximum Ride series HERE Ends 1/17

Win an ARC of Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart HERE Ends 1/24

Win $25 worth of books HERE Ends 1/17

-Amanda

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Title: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: B-

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—and goes out of his way to make that very clear—she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
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This book was surprisingly good. When I read the synopsis I was unimpressed. It reminded me a lot of the Immortals series. You know, reincarnation. Thankfully that was where the similarities stopped.

Usually in books like these you can immediately figure out who the bad guys are and who the good guys are. It wasn't obvious here at all. It took me until the very last moment to figure things out.

The book moved along smoothly and kept me trying to figure it all out. I was surprised that so many things were able to be kept in the dark for so long. It made the book much more exciting to read.

Luce was a pretty good female lead. As usual there were times when I wanted to smack her in the face but most of the time I was as confused as she was. It was really fun trying to figure everything out alongside of her.

There was more to this book then just romance. It actually involves some history which makes the book more interesting. What I really liked about Fallen was Luce's whole back story. It wasn't JUST reincarnation, there was explanations and even some looking back at past Luce's.

Overall I would say that the book got a little dull at times but I had a lot more to back it up than books similar. It was good enough to make me want to read the sequel.

-Amanda

Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney

Title: Bloodthirsty

Author: Flynn Meaney

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: B+

We get it. The message is coming through loud and clear: You think vampires are hot. your little sister thinks vampires are hot. Your mom thinks vampires are hot. Every single female on the face of the earth thinks vampires are hot. Girls LOVE vampires, and i love girls. Unfortunately, girls dont seem to love me.

So I'm making a change. For all the guys reading this, say a little prayer to the high school dating gods for me. Here's hoping that girls think FAKE VAMPIRES are hot, too.
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This book was highly entertaining. Nowadays I try to shy away from vampire novels because they lack individuality, but when I read the synopsis for Bloodthirsty I knew I had to read it.

My favorite thing about the book was that it played off of the trend of obsession with vampires. It was able to poke fun at them and use that obsession to drive the plot forward. I could just imagine how girls would be quick to believe that someone is a vampire. It's sad but true. Us girls are just that hopeful I suppose.

Fortunately this book didn't just rely on the hilarious obsession with vampires. It threw in some other funny things such as the rivalry of Team Edward and Team Jacob, which was one of the funniest scenes in the book.

I feel the need to point out that this book wasn't just a big laugh that was super light. Bloodthirsty addressed a couple of other concepts as well. The biggest one is trying to fit in. That's what sparks the whole idea in the first place. Trying to be liked and popular.

All of the characters were very fun and were more filled out then I expected them to be. The brother relationship is always fun to read about especially when the tables turn on who goes to whom for advice and help.

Overall I would have to say that Bloodthirsty was a very enjoyable read that brought more to the table than what you initially assume. This book is great for anyone who is getting a bit tired of the vampire trend and needs some humor with a side of teen school problems.

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

Waiting on Wednesday

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare--April

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver--February

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

-Amanda

2011 Audio Book Challenge

This is my first official challenge and I am very excited to be participating! In the past year I've listened to a few audio books and I enjoyed them a lot more than I thought I would, so when I found this challenge I knew it was the one for me. Now I have an excuse to buy some audio books!This year the challenge is being hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner. It started on January 1st and will run all the way until December 31st. You can choose from the following levels of participation:

Curious: 3 Audio Books
Fascinated: 6 Audio Books
Addicted: 12 Audio Books
Obsessed: 20 Audio Books

I think I'm going to take it easy and shoot for Fascinated. I'll add the books here as I listen to them.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. I Am the Messenger- Markus Zusak

3. 1984- George Orwell

4.

5.

6.

Click HERE if you would like to sign up!

-Amanda

Tangled

Title: Tangled

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard

Writer: Dan Fogelman (Screenplay), Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm (Fairy Tale)

Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi and Donna Murphy

Grade: B+

The long-haired Princess Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but when she falls in love with a bandit who was passing by she must venture into the outside world for the first time to find him.

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This movie was fantastic. It's one of those movies that is called a "children's movie," but you find yourself enjoying it much more than your younger family members. I feel like this movie is bringing some of the old disney back that we know and love. Not completely of course. There was a lot of comedy that we never saw back in the day, but kids are more demanding now with entertainment so they need more than just a heartfelt story.

It didn't match the book page for page but what book to movie does nowadays? It was fun and completely adorable. I am in no way territorial with the original Rapunzel. This was fine with me.

The animation was fantastic. When my friends and I left the theater we all wanted wigs made out of her hair. There were so many awwwwwwh moments, I can't even keep track. One of the best was when they show Rapunzel as a baby with her hair. She's just so darn cute!

The story was very smooth and the pace was great. There wasn't too much down time where it might get a little boring and there wasn't too much action where it might make it too hard to follow.

The characters were also wonderful. I think they made great choices when they decided for Mandy Moore to voice Rapunzel. The evil characters were perfectly evil and the nice characters weren't annoying. What more can you ask for?

I am in love with this movie. If I had the cash I would definitely see it again. It's one movie you don't want to miss out on. The songs were even great. Usually I find a problem with cartoon musicals but not this one. I almost contemplated putting them on my ipod.

Overall I would say that Tangled is a great movie for all ages. It's fun, and cute, and hilarious. It's the perfect movie to start a new generation of Disney lovers with!

-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.

Paper Books::

Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine's Soul by H.A. Goodman

What would you do if the love of your life was murdered by a deranged killer? Would you become a vigilante and seek retribution? And would this revenge affect those you care for in the afterlife? LOGIC OF DEMONS The Quest for Nadine's Soul takes you on a journey inside the psyches of men and women forced to deal with the spiritual consequences of their decisions. Through the lives of a demon, two Angels, and a mysterious teenage girl, a plethora of politically and socially relevant issues ranging from the roots of genocide and sex trafficking to child conscription and religious fundamentalism are addressed in this fantasy thriller. Life as well as the afterlife converge in this novel to explain certain peculiarities of the human condition. Whether you are God fearing individual or an atheist, LOGIC OF DEMONS The Quest for Nadine's Soul addresses moral and theological issues of interest for people of all backgrounds.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Dash and Lily, 16, find themselves on their own in Manhattan at Christmas. Dash is alone by choice–he's told each of his divorced parents that he's spending the holiday with the other, leaving them both to take vacations out of town. Lily's parents are taking the honeymoon they couldn't afford when they got married. They think that Lily is in the capable hands of her older brother, but he's less interested in her than in his new boyfriend, and then he gets sick and spends most of the holiday in bed. He does, however, start in motion the activity that is central to the story. It involves a red Moleskine notebook with a list of literary clues that Lily leaves in the stacks at the Strand bookstore. Bookish and erudite Dash finds it and is intrigued enough to follow Lily's lead and leave some clues of his own. The dares in the book's title refer to innocent things such as going to various crowded places like Macy's and FAO Schwartz to pick up messages. As the dares go on, the teens reveal more and more about themselves in the pages of the notebook, until they finally meet under the worst possible circumstances.

Audio Books::

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1984 by George Orwell
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

E-Books::

This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

-Amanda

Contest Saturday

Here are some contests that are currently going on right now. Click the links to enter them. I will hold my own contest on the last Contest Saturday of each month. That means my first contest will be on January 29th. Details will be on that post.

Win a pre-order of Delirium by Lauren Oliver HERE Ends 1/29

Win a Holiday Prize Pack HERE Ends 1/10

Win a copy of Lose/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson HERE Ends 1/12

Win a copy of Clockwork Angel AND I Will Save You HERE Ends 1/15

Win some Born at Midnight book swag HERE Ends 1/13

Win some Unearthly book swag HERE Ends 1/12

Win a copy of The Locket by Stacey Jay HERE Ends 1/26

Win THREE books of your choice from a list of many HERE Ends 1/9

Win one of two prize packs HERE Ends 1/31

Win an Alice in Wonderland necklace with book charms HERE Ends 1/25

Win a copy of A Touch of Mortal by Leah Clifford HERE Ends 1/23

Win a copy of Loser/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson HERE Ends 1/27

Win a $55 gift code to use at any CSN store HERE Ends 1/17

Win $25 for a shopping spree at The Book Depository HERE Ends 1/9

Win a $100 gift card to a variety of book stores HERE Ends 1/9

Win a prize pack of books HERE Ends 1/9

Teen Issue: Organization

Note: These are my personal, unprofessional opinions from my own experience.

Organization: Being in high school is pretty demanding and stressful as it is. One of the hardest things for me is staying on task and getting everything done before the last minute. Unfortunately, several times I have left projects, papers, and homework in general until the last minute. This doesn't only apply to school. I'll wait too long to do my laundry and am then left with nothing to wear. Or I'm planning to have friends over and end up waiting too long to clean up, and in turn being embarrassed. Here are some methods that I use to keep my life a little more organized and on track.

• Make a "to do" list. This can get as obsessive as you want. It can be a simple list of things such as "clean room, take shower, finish algebra," or you can get more technical with "Vacuum floor, pick up clothes, put away books." That way you can remember exactly what you want to do.
• Make a schedule. This is very similar to a to do list but has a little more structure. An example would be: 12:00- Do math homework, 1:30- Put laundry in washer..etc.
• Put reminders on your phone for big projects or even short term goals. That way you can get a little update on what you need to do. For example, "Science project due next Wednesday."
• Instead of getting really stressed out about a project or a paper that you have to write, turn it into a lot of little homework assignments instead. Decide to write a 100 words a day, or buy of all the supplies you need by the weekend. That way you can think of it one piece at a time instead of trying to take everything on at once.
• Get friends to bug you. It helps when your friends know what you need to do. Then they can randomly as you how a project is going or how far you are. Also, you want to please and impress your friends. You want them to be proud of you, not disappointed, this will push you to get things done faster and better.

Simple things like these will make your life a little less hectic. I am the stressful friend in my group because I often take a lot on at once, but these things help me out and keep me more relaxed. Here are some supplies that can help organize your life:

• A cork board. After you make a list of things that you want to do, just tack it up.
• A dry erase board. Write your to do list or schedule here.
• A planner/agenda. Helps you keep track of things you want to do.
• A calendar. Makes it easy to plan out long term plans and goals.

I hope these ideas help you out. If you have a teen issue that you would like me to discuss don't hesitate to e-mail me. txmandaxt@yahoo.com

-Amanda

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Author: Kody Keplinger

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: C

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.
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This book made me think about some things. I'm still in high school so the things that were talked about could be applied to me and my group of friends. I've never really thought about being the DUFF or anything of that sort, but I have thought about being the least liked friend or getting left out, etc. After I finished the book I talked to my friends and they felt the same way. We thought it was funny that each of us felt like the DUFF.

The whole concept of the book is a little cliched. You know, the whole "I HATE him. Wellll he isn't so bad...actually I like him. I HATE him again." It was predictable. Also, a lot of Bianca's actions didn't align with the personality that she put forth. There was often no reasoning and Bianca, as a character, was mostly boring and desperate for attention. At first I liked her strong will and confident attitude. I could also appreciate that she was the "mature" friend. Later though, after she gives in to the DUFF concept and lets it tear her apart it was hard to like her. Why would she be with a guy that made her feel that bad? It just annoyed me.

The best part of the book was probably Bianca's relationship with her parents. Most of the time it took a back seat to Wesley, but when it came out, it sucked me right back into the book. Most teens can relate to parent issues including divorce which made the book a lot more readable. It was great to see their relationship evolve.

Another thing that I really liked was Bianca's sarcastic and witty comments to Wesley. Those random moments where she would grow a back bone and stick up for herself. And made me proud.

Overall Bianca wasn't a completely horrible character and the plot was a bit interesting and fun. The characters on the side lines also got their time to shine.

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

Waiting on Wednesday

Across the Universe by Beth Revis--January 11th

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next. Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Drought By Pam Bachorz--January 25th

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation. Escape from slaver Darwin West and his cruel Overseers. Escape from struggling to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive--and Darwin rich. Escape from her certain, dreary existence, living as if it's still the early 1800s, when the Congregation was first enslaved. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient to the Water: her blood. So she stays, and prays to their savior Otto, who first gave Water to the Congregants... and fathered Ruby before he vanished.When the Congregants discover Ruby's forbidden romance with an Overseer, they beat Ford to stop her from running away with him. Ruby steals their store of Water to save Ford's life and is banished. Ruby has everything she's dreamed of: a modern life with Ford. But the modern world isn't what she thought it would be, and Ruby can't forsake the Congregation. Love and loyalty push Ruby to return and fight for her family's freedom...at a terrible price.

-Amanda

Inception

Title: Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page

Grade: A

In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.
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This movie impressed me completely. The first time I saw the trailer I knew that I had to see it. Not only did it have some delicious DiCaprio and other..attractive co-stars, it also had Ellen Page. I have seen about 4 movies starring Ellen Page and I loved every single one. Right off the bat I went into the theater with high hopes.

The movie starts out by jumping right into the action with some of the main cast performing "Deception," which is where they trick someone into letting them know their secrets. After that it's pretty much action scene after action scene which made the movie very exciting and never boring.

I recognized that Ellen Page, who played Ariadne, was just a plot tool. Without this newbie in their group there would barely be a logical reason to explain what they are doing since they are all seasoned experts on the topic. Ariadne gave them a reason to explain the how and the why.

I only had one complaint really. I understood how they would construct dreams and whatnot, but they never explained how they ALL got in the same dream together knowing exactly what they were doing and only having the intended dreamer dream. Besides that I was completely pleased.

The movie gives you so much to think about that when we left the theater our brains felt overworked. I've never thought about and analyzed a movie so much before in my life. I usually don't buy movies but I really want this one. I think that it is very re-watchable.

Overall "Inception" was a great movie that relied mostly on plot and storyline rather than vampires and romance. All of the actors were amazing and the action and dream scenes are breathtaking. I would recommend this movie to anyone who actually likes to think through some complex ideas.

-Amanda

The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa

Title: The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya

Author: Nagaru Tanigawa

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: C

This third volume in the Haruhi Suzumiya series is a collection of four exciting short stories that chronologically take place before The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya.

The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya: In her latest attempt to give the S.O.S. Brigade more public exposure, Haruhi signs the group up for the city-wide baseball tournament.

Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody: It's like Back To the Future! In order to prevent an impending disaster, Mikuru takes Kyon back in time, where he meets Haruhi as a seventh grader.

Mysterique Sign: The computer club president at school mysteriously disappears, and it's up to the S.O.S. Brigade to get to the bottom of it!

Remote Island Syndrome: It's vacation time when a relative of Itsuki's invites the S.O.S. Brigade to stay at his island villa. But then a dead body turns up, and Haruhi and the gang get mixed up in a thrilling murder mystery.
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As always these books pleased me immensely. I really enjoyed how Boredom was more than just one story, unlike the other books Boredom included several short stories that made the book more interesting and fun to read.

It's funny to read Kyo's off the wall observations and everyone else's wild reactions to the plans that Haruhi devises.

All of the characters can be pretty annoying at times though as well. No one would do the things they are doing, or say the things they are saying but you just have to remember that it is a work of fiction. Of COURSE it's made up. Do you really think espers and time travelers are real? It's hard to get angry about how unrealistic the characters are when you're dealing with a fantasy novel.

I really enjoy looking at the random art. My mind can stray from books often but seeing pictures gives me the ability to get it together. They also give me a clearer idea of what was going on. They seem to be strategically places where a confusing scene is going on.

To put it simply, I liked the book. It was funny, and creative just like the ones before it. Keep it up Tanigawa. I look forward to reading whatever comes next.

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

Prize List

Most of my contests will direct you to this page, from which you will select a pre-determined number of books to receive!!

Girl Goddess #9 by Francesca Lia Block
Hottie by Jonathan Bernstein
Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
The Glass Cafe by Gary Paulsen
Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras
Murder at the Lake by Bren Gaudet
Posh and Prejudice by Grace Dent
Don’t Get It Twisted by Paula Chase
Ordinary Me by June Sproat
Harder by Sha
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell
Access Denied by Denise Vega
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra
Thwonk by Joan Bauer

The apology of all apologies

I feel so bad guys. I completely abandoned the blog months ago. I just couldn't keep up with all of the reviews that I had to write. I've been thinking things over and decided to re-vamp the blog. Instead of just a book review site, I will also be posting movie reviews as well as other teen related news and issues. I am going to keep some of my weekly features including Waiting on Wednesday, In My Mailbox, and Contest Saturday. Speaking of contests, I'm going to start holding monthly contests. Which is why I will soon be posting a prize list.

I considered opting for a partnership but I wouldn't want to depend on someone for so long or disappoint someone who was as invested in the blog as much as I am.

I am really excited about this. My goal is to post everyday throughout 2011. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any ideas or something specific that you would like to see from me in the future.