Top 100 YA Books

I've seen this around on The Book Cellar and YA Bliss, and decided to take part. I'm interested in how many of these books I've read...

Bold = I've read it
Italic = I own it but haven't read it

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live Now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

There are a lot on here that I am interested in reading, but haven't yet. Overall, I think I read a good portion!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Title: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Writer: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Pierre Boulle (novel)
Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis, and Freida Pinto
Grade: 88% or B+

My Thoughts::
The first time my friend and I saw the trailer for this movie, we knew we wanted to see it. Unfortunately, we had to wait a week before it was out of theaters to actually view it. Though, it was worth the wait and a near empty theater, is a quiet theater.

This movie was so many things. Of course it had it's share of action and violence, but it was also a bit romantic, funny, and inspiring. From the beginning it was hard to see where the movie was going, sure we all had ideas, mostly because we saw Planet of the Apes, and this is the Rise of them, so we new those apes were going to win in the end, just not how. It was actually pretty darn clever of that ape to do what he did. In fact, even though it turns out badly for the humans in the end, I found myself rooting for the apes the entire time. If we were being tested on, and finally gained the knowledge to learn about it and escape it, who wouldn't take action?

The acting was as good as I hoped, but it could have been better. Let me take a moment and give props to Tom Felton for pulling off that American accent. His acting was superb, but wasn't as much as a challenge since he was still a villain, though more cruel this time. James Franco was decent, but it took him forever to get across that bridge! My friend and I joked that it must be the longest bridge in the world. The ending was fantastic and emotional. Then, when everyone started to leave the theater, there was about two minutes more of the movie, which was funny. We all stood there watching it, and afterwards we were reluctant to leave in case there was more.

Overall I enjoyed watching this movie and it gave me a bit to think about. I'd recommend this movie to animal lovers, or just those who like rooting for the underdog.

Waiting on Wednesday

The books that I am waiting on this week are...

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss-- January 3rd

Phillip's sophomore year is off to a rough start. One of his best friends ditches him for a group of douchebags. His track coach singles him out for personalized, torturous training sessions. And his dad decides to clean out all of the emergency supplies from the basement, even though the world could end in disaster at any moment...and even though those supplies are all Phillip has left of his dead mom. Not that he wants to talk about that.

But then Phillip meets Rebekah. Not only is she unconventionally hot and smart, but she has seriously great boobs. And she might like him back.

As Phillip gets closer to Rebekah, he tries harder and harder to turn himself into the kind of person he thinks she wants him to be. But the question is, can he become that person? And does he really want to?

The Stalker Chronicles by Carley Moore-- March 27th

In this funny and original debut, a girl's lifelong habit of "stalking" intensifies when a new boy moves to town

Sophomore Cammie Bliss has long been labeled a stalker by her peers, but when a cute new boy named Toby arrives at her small town high school, Cammie has a chance to be "normal." Trouble is, she can't really help herself and she's up to her old tricks of "intense observation and following" pretty quick. Making things worse, her younger brother is dating one of the most popular girls in the school, her parents have separated, and her dad has begun to watch their house most nights. Cammie has simply got to figure out why she behaves the way she does, and end it once and for all.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Reread

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's top ten is...

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread. In no particular order...

1. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
2. Looking for Alaska by John Green
3. Plague by Michael Grant
4. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
5. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
6. Under the Dome by Stephen King
7. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
8. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
9. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
10. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Contest Craze Mini Challenge: Zombie Survival

Today's my day to host a mini challenge for Princess Bookie's Contest Craze! Make sure to go over and check out the rest of the contests!

My mini challenge is...

The Zombie Apocalypse Preparation Challenge::

Use anything from any book you've ever read!

1. Choose two characters to fight along side of you

2. Choose the fictional world in which you will be fighting in

3. Choose a weapon/superpower/ability to use to fight

4. Go to this site: http://creativitygames.net/random-word-generator/randomwords/8 Choose one of the 8 words to be your mode of transportation (this WILL get silly)

Put this all in a post and comment with the link on this blog!

To Enter::
~Do the challenge up above
~Link to this post and Princess Bookie's Contest Craze
~For an extra entry follow my blog and Princess Bookie
~U.S Only
~Must be 13 years or older
~Ends October 10th

PRIZE: A copy of Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Example:::

I'm participating in a mini challenge hosted by That Teen Can Blog for Princess Bookie's Contest Craze.

I'm trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, and this is what I have::

Companions: Harry Potter (from Harry Potter) + Derek (from The Darkest Powers Trilogy)
Our World: The World in which The Moral Instruments Series takes place
My weapon/superpower/ability: I can read minds
My way of transportation: Shadows

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 inspired by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she’s starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Schuyler wants to find out the secrets of the mysterious Blue Bloods. But is she putting herself in danger?

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help—her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman—a true Blue Blood affair.

But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

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 each month.

Win a copy of Calli HERE. Ends 9/25

Win a copy of Ruling Passion HERE. Ends 9/27

Win a copy of Dearly, Departed HERE. Ends 9/27

Win a copy of The Five Flavors of Dumb HERE. Ends 9/27

Win some must read vampire books HERE. Ends 9/29

Win four books HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of A Touch Mortal HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a zombie book HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of Dark Mirror HERE. Ends 10/4

Win a 2012 book of your choice HERE. Ends 10/13

Win a copy of Shrouded Secrets HERE. Ends 10/14

Win a copy of Beautifully Broken HERE. Ends 10/16

Win a copy of Wedlocked HERE. Ends 10/17

Win a copy of Graffiti Moon HERE. Ends 11/20

Sins of the Mother by Tara Hyland

Title: Sins of the Mother

Author: Tara Hyland
Publisher: Atria Books
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Adult

Grade: 82% or B-
Buy It: Amazon

From the author of Daughters of Fortune comes a sweeping family drama that follows a mother and daughter through the poverty of post-WWII Ireland and London and into the glamour of 1950s Hollywood and beyond, revealing the ways in which family ties can never be broken.

The novel opens in 1946, when Franny Healy is a beautiful and spirited teenager living in the poverty of County Cork, Ireland. Franny wants nothing more than to escape to the excitement of London. But when she discovers she is pregnant, her boyfriend abandons her. Undeterred, Franny flees to the city, where she finds work as a nightclub performer. She shines onstage and is soon propelled into a life she’s only dreamed of, filled with Hollywood stars, glamorous parties, furs and fashion, plus a new husband—who must never know of the daughter she left behind in County Cork with her mother.

My Thoughts::
It took me a few days to actually start REALLY reading this book. Sure, before I'd read a couple of pages at a time but that never gets me anywhere. I'll admit it, I thought I was going to have to sludge through this book. Since I didn't read much at a time I couldn't be pulled into the story, which made it hard to find it interesting. Fortunately, I took a day to just read all of it, and I was able to get into it.

Wow, just wow. You saw how I walked into this book with low expectations, which might have made the experience that much better for me. Just imagine that the plot is one big ball of knots, we slowly get to unravel the lives of this mother and daughter, but by then end we're left with a could of big knots still, and those we must wait until the very end to unravel. The last thing that I expected while reading this was a mystery, but that's what I got. I didn't even realize it until some of the things I thought I knew began to be questioned.

What I liked a lot about this book was the all knowing part of it. I have never read a book that let me into the mind of just about every character that I met. We knew their thoughts and their opinions about what the main characters were saying. It was also cool to see all sides to a lifetime. I would have one opinion while reading a Franny chapter, but then my opinion would change after reading a Cara chapter. How cool is it to see a character grow from childhood, and then see her daughter become an adult?

Overall this book was better than I thought it would be due to it's unexpected mystery and lovable characters. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the life bond of a mother and daughter.

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Title: Ashfall

Author: Mike Mullin
Publisher: Tanglewood Press IN
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 94% or A
Buy It: Amazon

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth.

My Thoughts::
In true Amanda fashion, once I saw this book on netgalley I HAD to request it. Just the idea of it all is something that I love. That makes me sound a bit...cruel..Anyways, you all know that my favorite books are dystopian, but my very close second is apocalyptic/natural disaster, and that's what this book was about. It seems that authors are flocking to the dystopian genre, so I'm glad that the disaster books aren't being forgotten.

The book is being told in past tense, which tells me that he'll live through all of the events that he talks about, but it's very easy to forget that when you're reading, which I did. The situation seemed so real and plausible, you know, if it did happen. I'd like to think my small town would react nicely and work together, but in reality they would probably become scared and greedy out of preservation for themselves and their families, just like most places in the book were.

As usual with these kinds of books, I loved the characters. Alex was so sweet and clever...but almost too clever. He found a solution to everything and came up with ideas that I wouldn't even begin to think of. The karate background really came in handy. I give the author props for putting that in there. It would have been way too hard to believe Alex could get out of those situations without them, or not come across those situations in the first place. Between all of these dangerous areas and people and struggles, we get to meet some really great people. It really touched my heart to see how some people were willing to help Alex. I hope that I would be one of those people.

Overall I found Ashfall to be a very gripping read with an intriguing setting and characters, even if they sometimes got a bit too lucky. I would recommend this book to fans of disaster survival novels.

Waiting on Wednesday

The books that I am waiting on this week are...

Life is But a Dream by Brian James-- March 27th

Alec and Sabrina are crazy in love. Problem is: Sabrina’s really crazy.

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's crazy, not the two of them. They are meant to be together; they are special. But when Alec starts to convince Sabrina that her treatment will wipe out everything that makes her creative, she worries that she'll lose hold of her dreams and herself. Should she listen to her doctor? Her decision may have fatal consequences.

The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin-- February 28th

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area stretches across two million acres in northern Idaho. In its heart sits the Alice Marshall School, where fifty teenage girls come to escape their histories and themselves.

Lida Wallace has tried to negate herself in every way possible. At Alice Marshall, she meets Elsa Boone, a fierce native Idahoan; Jules, who seems too healthy to belong at the school; and Gia Longchamps, whose glamour entrances the entire camp. As the girls prepare for a wilderness trek, Lida is both thrilled and terrified to be chosen as Gia's friend. But everyone has their secrets--their "Things" they try to protect; and when those come out, the knives do as well.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books You've Read, and I Haven't

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's top ten is....

Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me. In no particular order...

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
3. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
4. Matched by Ally Condie
5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
6. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
7. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
8. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
9. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
10. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Life as We Know It

Title: Life as We Knot It

Director: Greg Berlanti

Writer: Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, and Josh Lucas
Grade: 83% or B-

My Thoughts::
Taking a turn from my usual choice of adorable children's movies, or more common occurrence, science fiction or otherwise darker movies, I chose a romantic comedy with a cute little baby at it's center.

Let's just say I was surprised to learn that triplets were playing little Sophie! Though, I guess it's hard to depend on just one baby that is in almost every scene. Since, we're already talking about her, let's continue to. I already mentioned that Sophie was cute, and she is the reason for the movie. I felt so sad for her, being orphaned right at the beginning of the movie. Even though I only got a glimpse of the kind of people her parent's were, my emotions were going crazy and I couldn't help but cry when it happened.

It's nice to enjoy a movie that doesn't rely on a crazy plot, or wild special effects, but just utilizes great actors and fantastic character building. I felt connected to the characters right away, and that connection grew stronger as the movie progressed. I do have to admit that they were each stereotyped as a kind of person, so their actions and feelings weren't a surprise. The plot flow was pretty predictable, which was a bit disappointing, but since I read tons, most people probably wouldn't feel the same way. I would foresee each up and down. Even the cute things and troubles that went along with taking care of Sophie were things that we all saw in baby movies before.

Overall the movie was unbelievably cute and put me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. The characters were great and made up for the predictable plot. I'd recommend this movie to baby lovers, or someone who likes more than a typical romance.

Winner: All These Things I've Done

And the winner of All These Things I've Done is....

Sylvia

Congrats Sylvia! I have already e-mailed you. If you don't reply within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

I'll be hosting a Mini Challenge for Contest Craze which is currently going on at Princess Bookie! Go check out the current contests, and make sure to check back on the 26th, which is when my contest will be posted!

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 inspired by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

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 each month.

Win a copy of Witch Eyes HERE. Ends TODAY,

Win a copy of Where You Left Me HERE. Ends 9/18

Win a copy of A Rather Remarkable Homecoming HERE. Ends 9/23

Win a copy of Dreamland HERE. Ends 9/23

Win a copy of Firelight HERE. Ends 9/23

Win a copy of Calli HERE. Ends 9/25

Win some must read vampire books HERE. Ends 9/29

Win four books HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of A Touch Mortal HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of Dark Mirror HERE. Ends 10/4

Win a copy of Shrouded Secrets HERE. Ends 10/14

Win a copy of Hunting Lila HERE. Ends UNKNOWN

Personal Read&Review-a-thon!

I've learned that participating in read-a-thons helps me get a lot more reading done and makes me more accountable for the amount of books that I read. I know of at least one read-a-thon that is going on right now, and I was so tempted to join it! But then I thought, It's YOU GUYS that make me feel accountable, not just signing up for something. So I thought this would be easier and I'll have more freedom. Also, I'll be accountable for reviews as well.

SO, starting at 5:30 today (Friday) until 10:00 Sunday night, I'm going to read and review my butt off! This is what I plan on getting done:::

Books to Read:
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury (Finish)
Sins of the Mother- Tara Hyland
Circle of Fire- Michelle Zink
Winter Town- Stephen Emond

Books/Movies to Review and Schedule:
Life as We Know it (Movie)
Ashfall- Mike Mullin
Sins of the Mother- Tara Hyland
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Movie)
+Schedule posts until 9/29

You're welcome to do this as well. I've just been getting a bit behind, and I need this push. So if you feel like you just need to crack down and get some things done as well, go on ahead, even if it isn't book related. Maybe you need to organize your closet, or study for a history test.

To the Cinema!! #6

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.

Texas Killing Fields


Melancholia


We Need to Talk About Keven

Waiting on Wednesday

The books that I am waiting on this week are...

Double by Jenny Valentine-- February 27th

When the sixteen-year-old runaway Chap is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel, his life changes dramatically. Chap takes on Cassiel’s identity, gaining the family and friends he’s always dreamed of having. But becoming someone else isn’t as easy as he hoped—and Chap isn’t the only one hiding a secret. As he teeters on the brink of discovery and begins to unravel the mystery behind Cassiel’s disappearance, Chap realizes that he’s in much deeper danger than he could have imagined.

After all, you can’t just steal a life and expect to get away with it.

Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers an explosive mystery where dark secrets, betrayal, and loss pave the way for one teen’s chance at redemption.

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers-- February 14th

Jocelyn's twin brother Jack was the only family she had growing up in a world of foster homes-and now he's dead, and she has nothing. Then she gets a cryptic letter from "Jason December"-the code name her brother used to use when they were children at Seale House, a terrifying foster home that they believed had dark powers. Only one other person knows about Jason December: Noah, Jocelyn's childhood crush and their only real friend among the troubled children at Seale House.

But when Jocelyn returns to Seale House and the city where she last saw Noah, she gets more than she bargained for. Turns out the house's powers weren't just a figment of a childish imagination. And someone is following Jocelyn. Is Jack still alive? And if he is, what kind of trouble is he in? The answer is revealed in a shocking twist that turns this story on its head and will send readers straight back to page 1 to read the book in a whole new light.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read Thanks to Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's top ten is....

Top Ten Books I Read Because of Another Blogger. Now, let me tell you something, I have no idea which bloggers got me to read these books, but it was someone. Haha. In no particular order they are...

1. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
2. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
3. Going Bovine by Libba Bray
4. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
6. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
7. Hate List by Jennifer Brown
8. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
9. Need by Carrie Jones
10. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Title: Dark Parties

Author: Sara Grant
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 92% or A-
Buy It: Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

My Thoughts::
This book, this book, this book! I always read books in the order in which I receive them, so there was no way that I could have read this book any sooner without cheating. But I do wish I would have read the books before it faster so I could have gotten to this one earlier!

Frequent readers of my blog now that I fall in love with almost every dystopian book that I read, this one included. There is just something about reading of a world that I live in, changed. And seeing how and why it got that way. It appeals to me much more than fantasy and romance books do. I just can not get enough of them, so whenever when comes my way, I gobble it up with few complaints.

As per usual, we got thrown right in the middle of everything. This doesn't bother me. I would much rather start out a but confused and wait a little for an explanation, then go on for 50 pages of introduction and dullness.

The premise of the book wasn't exactly new, but brought in a sense of freshness once we see some of the back story and conspiracy going on. I do not think I could have predicted it, if given another chance. The characters were probably my favorite in a long time. I hated all of them at one time or another except for Neva, but all were redeemed by the end of the book. Many of the characters had surprises up their sleeves and it helps us realize how closely the government controls they way people act, even toward their family. But also we see the wanting of a revolt from everyone.

Overall this book pleased me as much as I hoped. It seems that a sequel is possible, and I hope that there will be! I would recommend this book to dystopian lovers, or who loves a good conspiracy and government secrets book.

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 inspired by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives bearing four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on a quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s terrifying new order. But everything is shrouded in secrets. Where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then one day, the bombs begin to explode. . . .

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

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 each month.

Win a copy of Hades HERE. Ends TODAY

Win a copy of Dark Souls HERE. Ends 9/13

Win a copy of Bloodlines HERE. Ends 9/15

Win a copy of Shut Out HERE. Ends 9/16

Win a copy of Where You Left Me HERE. Ends 9/18

Win a copy of A Rather Remarkable Homecoming HERE. Ends 9/23

Win a copy of Calli HERE. Ends 9/25

Win some must read vampire books HERE. Ends 9/29

Win four books HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of A Touch Mortal HERE. Ends 9/30

Win a copy of Dark Mirror HERE. Ends 10/4

Win a copy of Hunting Lila HERE. Ends UNKNOWN

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Title: Guardian of the Dead

Author: Karen Healey
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 84% or B
Buy It: Amazon

This is an intriguing YA urban fantasy in the tradition of Holly Black and Wicked Lovely. Set in New Zealand, Ellie's main concerns at her boarding school are hanging out with her best friend Kevin, her crush on the mysterious Mark, and her paper deadline. That is, until a mysterious older woman seems to set her sights on Kevin, who is Maori, and has more than just romantic plans for him. In an effort to save him, Ellie is thrown into the world of Maori lore, and eventually finds herself in an all-out war with mist dwelling Maori fairy people called the patupaiarehe who need human lives to gain immortality.

The strong, fresh voice of the narrator will pull readers in, along with all the deliciously scary details: the serial killer who removes victim's eyes; the mysterious crazy bum who forces a Bible on Ellie telling her she needs it; handsome, mysterious Mark who steals the Bible from her and then casts a forgetting charm on her. All of this culminates in a unique, incredible adventure steeped with mythology, Maori fairies, monsters, betrayal, and an epic battle.

My Thoughts::
This was one of those books that I read the summary of a while ago, and by the time I got around to reading it, I had a whole other idea of what the book was going to be about. I always resist the temptation to read the back of a book right before reading the actual book, which leads the this situation more than I would like.

For people who buy books based only off of titles and covers, you were horrible mislead. Oh, you thought this book was of the paranormal variety? Wrong. This was the misconception that I had. Fortunately, this worked out for the better because the Maori lore is much more interesting. I've read books about fairies before, but this takes it up to another level, because you find out that these things that seem so strange, are actual tales that people talk about, and sometimes believe in. So for Ellie to find out that these stories are true is incredible.

Ellie and Mark are just the best. Ellie has some faults, and often gets down on herself about them, but not to the point where she's annoying or complains too much. She is very relatable and likeable. She changed throughout the novel, but not to some drastic point, just in the way of confidence and self worth mostly. Mark didn't make me swoon, but he was pretty adorable. He wasn't incredibly clever, but he was sweet and did his best to care for Ellie.

The entire novel was like a history lesson of the Maori people. So even when there wasn't any action going on, I was still entertained. Throughout the book the enemy of us readers changes as the story goes on. I found this really clever and exhilarating.

Overall I thought Guardian of the Dead was a really interesting and one of a kind read. I would recommend it to those in love with any kind of lore, or someone who wants to read a book based out of New Zealand.

Winner: Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

And the winner of The Back to the Books Giveaway Hop (Alphas and Summer in Paris) is....

Melissa Bee

Congrats Melissa! I have already e-mailed you. If you don't reply within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

Make sure to enter my All These Things I've Done giveaway HERE.

Giveaway: All These Things I've Done + Book Trailer

I was given the opportunity to give away a copy of All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin! Here is the summary, and below that, the giveaway info!::

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight—at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

If you're still not interested, check out the book trailer!

To Enter::

• 1 (one) person will win and receive a copy of All These Things I've Done.
• Giveaway ends September 17th at midnight. Winner will be announced on the 18th. I will email the winner, and if within 48 hours they don't reply with their address, a new winner will be chosen.
• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• US and Canada only

ENTER HERE

Waiting on Wednesday

The books that I am waiting on this week are...

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows-- January 31st

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Slide by Jill Hathaway-- March 27th

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's top ten is....

Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying To Read. Here are mine, in no particular order.

1. Perfect by Ellen Hopkins (Companion to Impulse)
2. The Trust by Tom Dolby (Sequel to Secret Society)
3. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (Sequel to The Body Finder)
4. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Sequel to Shiver)
5. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go)
6. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Sequel to Hush, Hush)
7. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong (Sequel to The Gathering)
8. Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Sequel to Divergent)
9. Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier (Sequel to Ruby Red)
10. Torment by Lauren Kate (Sequel to Fallen)

Josefina's Sin by Claudia H. Long

Title: Josefina's Sin

Author: Claudia H. Long
Publisher: Atria Books
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Adult

Grade: 88% or B+
Buy It: Amazon

A thrilling and passionate debut about a sheltered landowner’s wife whose life is turned upside down when she visits the royal court in seventeenth-century Mexico.

When Josefina accepts an invitation from the Marquessa to come stay and socialize with the intellectual and cultural elite in her royal court, she is overwhelmed by the Court’s complicated world. She finds herself having to fight off aggressive advances from the Marquessa’s husband, but is ultimately unable to stay true to her marriage vows when she becomes involved in a secret affair with the local bishop that leaves her pregnant.

Amidst this drama, Josefina finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the intellectual nuns who study and write poetry at the risk of persecution by the Spanish Inquisition that is overtaking Mexico. One nun in particular, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, teaches Josefina about poetry, writing, critical thinking, the nature and consequences of love, and the threats of the Holy Office. She is Josefina’s mentor and lynchpin for her tumultuous passage from grounded wife and mother to woman of this treacherous, confusing, and ultimately physically and intellectually fulfilling world.

My Thoughts::
I guess I am forced to admit it now. I tried to deny it for as long as I could, but it's no use anymore. I like historical fiction. Maybe even more when it is an adult novel opposed to young adult. I used to think I only liked very specific books in this genre, but I was wrong. Every one that I have read, I've greatly enjoyed.

I know not everything in these books are accurate, but I do think it paints an accurate portrayal of life in that particular time period. It's fascinating for me to read about a lifestyle so different, in good and bad ways, that was the norm for these people. I learn so much more from these books than I did in any history class.

Josefina's story was amazing. I read the entire time for some reason believing that things were going to end horribly for her. I haven't studied much about the Spanish Inquisition, but it horrified me in this book. Josefina is probably a better person than most people are today, and yet her downfall was her eagerness for adventure and her desire to learn. I don't even want to imagine living in a world that puts women on the bottom of the social ladder, and denies them rights that everyone should have. I was extremely frustrated when I learned that a man is almost expected to cheat on his wife ESPECIALLY when she is pregnant, but a woman can not even be looked at wrongly by another man or it is her fault. Even a women who is raped is the person to blame.

Josefina rose up against all of those things and was able to work her way through each horrible thing that was thrown at her, and in the end came out as a much stronger person. The other characters that we meet are interesting as well, some with murky pasts, and others with a murky present.

Overall I enjoyed this book very much. It took me a little while to get into, but once I was in it, the adventure was great. I would recommend this book to lovers of strong female protagonists, and historical fiction.

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 inspired by Alea and turned into a meme by Kristi.

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight—at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

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 each month.

Win a copy of Under the Never Sky HERE. Ends TODAY.

Win an audiobook of The Fox Inheritance HERE. Ends 9/4

Win a copy of Anna Dressed in Blood HERE. Ends 9/6

Win a copy of Lockdown HERE. Ends 9/7

Win a copy of Dark Souls HERE. Ends 9/13

Win a copy of Bloodlines HERE. Ends 9/15

August In Review

I read 10 books this month (you can check them all out in read in 2011 page)

I reviewed 7:
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan
Happyface by Stephen Emond
Centuries of June by Keith Donohue
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan
Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan

I reviewed 2 movies this month:
I's Kind of a Funny Story
Source Code

Challenges so far:

I listened to 3/6 audio books for the 2011 audio book challenge

I read 50/100 books towards my personal goal

Blog Changes:
I added some buttons of blogs that I frequently visit to show my appreciation. I am also now a Goddess Fish Blog Tour Partner.

Overall:
I was able to get my reading back on track. Unfortunately, the audio book that I planned to listen to wouldn't work, so I couldn't work on the audio book challenge. I am proud of myself for blogging all summer and hope to continue going strong. I am learning to better schedule blogging into my everyday life.

This month I hope to get passed 62 books read. I also really need to listen to an audio book!

A Look Inside

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

This week's book is Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

"An ending was an ending. No matter how many pages of sentences and paragraphs of great stories led up to it, it would always have the last word."

"So maybe it wasn't the fairy tale. But those stories weren't real anyway. Mine were."

"He was the closest thing I'd ever had to something, or someone, that mattered. But in the end, close didn't count. You were either in, or you weren't."

"Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer."

"Morning would come before we knew it. It always did. But we still had the night, and for now, we were together, so I just closed my eyes and drank it all in."

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my small part of the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop! I signed up on I Am A Reader, Not a Writer.

The Hop is going to last from September 1st, to September 7th. Check out the bottom of this post for the list of all of the other blogs participating!

My Giveaway::

I am giving away a copy of Alphas by Lisi Harrison and a SIGNED copy of Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell.

To Enter::

• 1 (one) person will win and receive a copy of Alphas and Summer in Paris.
• Giveaway ends September 7th at midnight. Winner will be announced on the 8th. I will email the winner, and if within 48 hours they don't reply with their address, a new winner will be chosen.
• Allow about 3 weeks to receive your prize.
• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• US only

ENTER HERE