All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: All These Things I've Done

Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 88% or B+
Buy It: Amazon

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.

My Thoughts::
I'll let you know right now why I didn't jump on this book the first chance that I got, and that is that I wanted to listen to the audio book..and that's a bit daunting. It takes a lot for me to just concentrate on sound, so I had to be ONLY listening to the audio book to actually comprehend it.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. I know that I like it...but I feel a bit mislead as well. Sometimes I forget what the book it about, and am surprised or confused when certain things in the book don't or do happen. That wasn't the case here. I read the summary before read, and even during because of the confusion. So much emphasis is put on Anya being torn between the illegal lifestyle her family lives, and the safe route, but this barely came up at all until the end. During the entire book Anya was actually dead set against that lifestyle. Thankfully for me, I'm used to forgetting what a book is supposed to be about, so this didn't bother me much.

Zevin did a great job of creating this new world for us to learn about. Though, that is the key word: learn. We didn't get to learn about this future, we only got to be told about it, barely any explanations were given. I do have hope though, this IS only book one. In the next book the problems from above will probably be corrected. I just get so excited about future societies, that I expected a whole bunch out of this book.

One thing Zevin did perfectly? Our lovely characters and their development. Somehow, we get to meet at least 5 characters that grow and develop throughout the story, and we love them all! Characters are always my biggest complaint in books, but I have none here.

I both read and listened to the audio of this book. I absolutely loved the speaker. She perfectly captured Anya's voice in my opinion. The transistions and conversations between characters were easy to follow and just plain excellent. Her voive was clear and very understandable which is exactly what I look for in an audio book.

Overall I think that there were a couple of weak points that will be addressed in the next book, but it was a very enjoyable reader nevertheless. I would recommend this book to fans of books set in the future and chocolate lovers of course!

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.

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life.…

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Gone by Lisa McMann

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her.

She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves—she has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life—and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out....

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.
the loss.

Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of a human.

the linger.

For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces--wolf and human--with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?

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 The Near Witch HERE. Ends 10/30

Win a copy of Article 5 HERE. Ends 10/31

Win a copy of Fury HERE. Ends 10/31

Win a copy of Silence HERE. Ends 10/31

Win a copy of Crossroads HERE. Ends 11/2

Win a copy of Beautiful Chaos HERE. Ends 11/4

Win a copy of Anna Dressed in Blood HERE. Ends 11/5

Win a copy of Next Door Boys HERE. Ends 11/7

Win a copy of Damage HERE. Ends 11/8

Win a copy of Dark Inside HERE. Ends 11/8

Win a copy of Frost HERE. Ends 11/8

Win a copy of Everything We Ever Wanted HERE. Ends 11/9

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

Book Trailer+Giveaway: Destined

In case you're stuck in the dark ages, and haven't been keeping up with the House of Night Series, here's a book trailer for the newest book titled, Destined.

Did you like it? If so, today's your lucky day! I was given the opportunity from Zeitghost Media to hold a giveaway for a copy! Check below for how to enter!

 

To Enter::

• 1 (one) person will win and receive a copy of Destined sent from Zeitghost Media.
• Giveaway ends November 5th at midnight. Winner will be announced on the 6th. 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/Canada only

 ENTER HERE