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.

Heartless by Sara Shepard

In picturesque Rosewood, Pennsylvania, neighbors gossip over picket fences, and gleaming SUVs sit in every crushed-granite driveway. But recently, friendly smiles have been replaced with suspicious glares and accusatory whispers—and it's all because Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer just can't keep their mouths shut. . . .

First they claimed they found a dead body in the woods behind Spencer's house, only to have it vanish without a trace. Then when the same woods went up in flames, they swore they saw someone who's supposed to be dead rise from the ashes. And even after all that, the pretty little liars are still playing with fire.

Hanna's trading in her Dior trench for a straitjacket. Aria's trying to contact the dead. Emily's dumped her boyfriend and is skipping town . . . again. And Spencer thinks someone in her family has gotten away with murder.

The friends insist they're telling the truth about what they saw, but all of Rosewood thinks they're simply out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after the girls, will anyone believe them . . . or will they be the next to disappear?

Sisters in Sanity by Gayle Forman

FOR SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Brit Hemphill, it's hard to know who she can trust. Convinved she's out of control, her father has sentenced her to Red Rock: a center for supposedly rebellious teens, where the therapy consists of name-calling and the girls who get privileges are the ones who rat out their peers.

But then Brit meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie—four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together, they'll hold on to their sanity and their sisterhood despite the bleak Red Rock reality.

-Amanda

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin

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

The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk

Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can't hear what's going on, but he's a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will's interested in more than just murder . . .) Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut.

-Amanda

Along for the Ride UK Cover

I'm pretty sure we all loved Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride Cover. Well, a different cover is being released in the UK on February 4th. I think it looks really cute. It goes along with the other UK Sarah Dessen covers. I still prefer the other cover more. But that's just my opinion. What do you think?

-Amanda

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Originality- 20/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
TOTAL- 96/100
Grade- A

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when an asteroid knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove. In her journal, Miranda records the events of each desperate day, while she and her family struggle to hold on to their most priceless resource--hope.
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This book was extraordinary. You all know how much I love dystopian books, right? Well this one is about to go to the top of my favorites. There was so many different things going on it was just amazing.

First let's talk about what's going on. The moon is closer to earth and that's making things go all out of wack. Luckily Miranda's mom got them to go buy a whole bunch of food. This saved their lives. Her mom reminded me a lot like my own. She would be preparing just in case something were to happen. Food plays a big part in the book. I could feel my stomach growling even though I just ate. The feeling was so real and scary I had to put the book down for a minute.

It seemed like every time you were about to run out of hope something would happen that would keep you rooting for Miranda and her family. The whole family was amazing. They all had their moments when I wanted to smack them but I could see why they were acting that way.

The ending was a real tear jerker. It was very unexpected when the worst was thought to come.

The creativity and urgency of they entire novel was phenomenal. I laid awake at night thinking about this book. Overall I would say that Life As We Knew It was a very original and exciting read that had me believing this could really happen.

-Amanda