My Most Enjoyed Books of 2008!

2008 was a fantastic year for books, and looking ahead I think 2009 will be great as well. I've read sooo many awesome books this year and I want to share them with you. Here are my top 10 favorite books of 2008!

10. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and and Michael Ledwidge
9. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
8. Sleepless by Terri Clark
7. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
6. Pretty Little Liars #5: Wicked by Sara Shepard
5. Pretty Little Liars #4: Unbelievable by Sara Shepard
4. Identical by Ellen Hopkins
3. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
2. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
1. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

I've started SOOO many great series this year such as The Pretty Little Liars Series, The House of Night Series, The Evernight Novels, Lily Dale series, The Ruby Oliver Series, and more..I can't even remember. I hope 2009 brings great continuations.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

YES! After waiting for what feels like forever, I got to read Lock and Key! Now I own and have read every Sarah Dessen book.

****Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen****

Originality- 18/20
Characters- 20/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 9/10

Entertainment- 20/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
TOTAL- 96
Grade- A

“Ruby, where is your mother?”
Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

OHHHH Sarah Dessen....you've done it again! Let me just say that I LOVE that Sarah includes characters and places from past books in her new ones. Such as...

- Marshall, who is Ruby's ex-boyfriend, is roommates with Rogerson, Caitlin's boyfriend in (Dreamland).
- Ruby moves to Wildflower Ridge, a neighborhood created by Macy's mother in (The Truth About Forever).
- Nate listens to Annabel (Just Listen) on the community radio.
- Owen from (Just Listen) helps Jamie put together a CD for Cora, though his name is never mentioned.
- Also seen/mentioned in Lock and Key is Kiki Sparks (Keeping the Moon), Kristy and Bert from (The Truth About Forever), Barbara Starr (This Lullaby), and Mallory and her friends from (Just Listen).
- Nate is making gift bags with chocolate houses for a client who happens to be a builder; the builder is Queen Homes, run by Macy's mother (The Truth About Forever).
- Ruby first goes to Jackson High which is Caitlin's school (Dreamland), Macy's school (The Truth About Forever), and Annabel's school (Just Listen)
- Ruby later goes to Perkin's Day, which is Rogerson, Caitlin's boyfriend's school (Dreamland)

I got that list from Wikipedia, but I never noticed Kristy and Bert being mentioned, and I didn't know that the girls from the mall were Mallory and her friends. I guess it's because it's been a while since i've read the rest of the books..

I LOVED all of the characters, well except for Nate's dad. I really don't know what else to say. Everything was great. Sarah has a way of sculpting a story that makes you feel that you're reading about your best friend. Everything is just really realistic. I wouldn't rank Lock and Key as my favorite Sarah Dessen novel, but it's near the top. Overall Lock and Key gives you insight on a not so perfect life but supportive friends and family.

Marked by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

****Marked by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast ****

Originality- 18/20

Characters- 19/20

Remembrance- 8/10

Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 19/20

Ending- 8/10

Recommend to read- 9/10

TOTAL- 90

Grade- A

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

I was a little reluctant to start The House of Night Series because my friend disliked Marked. But I liked the concept of the story so she gave me her copy. I adored it! The only characters that I didn't like were the characters that I wasn't supposed to like. It was great to like all the "good" people. Stevie Rae is just so nice, comforting, and not big on conflict. Her and Zoey's friendship came quick and naturally. Damien was great, seriously. He brings in some comedic relief and offers support even through his own personal struggles. Before I go on I need to tell you that I love stories that take place in some kind of boarding school. I loved reading Spud because of that. So combining the school AND vampires? That was a fantastic idea! Yeah yeah I know they did that in Evernight but the Casts portrayed the idea in a much lighter way without as much reader trickery. Overall I think the characters, plot, AND setting were just fantastic. I can't wait to read Betrayed, which is the next book in the series.

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.

This week I received everything from Borders except for Teen, Inc which was in my mailbox.

• When It Happens- Susane Colasanti
• Betrayed- P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Chosen- P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Untamed- P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Undone- Brooke Taylor
• Audrey, Wait!- Robin Benway (was only $4!!)
• Teen, Inc.- Stefan Petrucha
• Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac- Gabrielle Zevin

I am SUPER excited about reading more of The House of Night books! The first one was really good. A review for it will be up tomorrow. OOOOH and I finally get to read Undone! This is a great bunch of book!