Current Events:

I have been doing some thinking and I've come to the conclusion that I need to take a temporary break from book blogging. NOTE: Any tour stops that I've committed to will be honored. I have decided that I want to combine my love of books, blogging, knitting, movies digital photography and life in general into 1 blog so that I don't feel so overwhelmed. Right now I feel like my book blogging is a job, I already have one of those. My plan is to come back in the near future with a new blog and a new plan.

My Weight Loss Progress

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Off The Shelf Challenge

Off The Shelf!

The challenge begins on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December 2011

Note: This challenge is to read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading. If you don't have many that you own, but have a massive TBR shelf you're welcome to read those ones as long as you don't add new ones. You don't need to actually get rid of your books after you've read them, this is just to read them.

How To Participate

  1. Decide which challenge level you'll be doing (further below) - do not include books that you buy from the start of this challenge.
  2. Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren't blogging, on a social network or forum - Submission For Non Bloggers).
  3. Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you're really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..
  4. Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don't use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..
  5. Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.
  6. When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you're using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them

Challenge Levels
  1. Tempted–  Choose 5 books to read
  2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
  3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
  4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
  5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
For extra hard challenges
  1. Hoarder – Choose 76-125 books to read
  2. Buried – Choose 126-200 books to read
I am choosing (for now...I might upgrade) to do the Makeing A Dint level.

1. Virgin River
2. Shelter Mountain
3. Whispering Rock
4. A Virgin River Christmas
5. Empire of the Summer Moon
6. No Mercy

Sunday, December 19, 2010

2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge


NOTE: Thanks to The Book Vixen for letting me use this AWESOME SAUCE button!

Last year I participated in the Young Adult Challenge that J. Kaye's book blog was hosting.  But from what I can see J. Kaye isn't blogging anymore and I really wanted to do this challenge again.  So here it is...with a wonky button to start off with...but it's here.

Here are the rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.  Create a post about the challenge and link your challenge post up in the linky below.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.





MY TITLES:

The DUFF

2011 Harry Potter Challenge

Hosted by Daemon's Books. (click the link to go to the sign up page.)

So here are a few things you need to know about this Harry Potter challenge if you would like to participate:
The Books and Schedule:
1. January 1-31: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone in the UK)
2. February 1-28: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. March 1-31: Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban
4. April 1-30: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. May 1-31: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. June 1-30: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. July 1 – August 31: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Note: The last book will be read over two months in case some people (me included) would like to see the final movie before re-reading the book.
How To Participate:
Each month:
Step 1: Read the assigned book for that month (see schedule above)
Step 2: Write a review or opinion piece about the book on either your blog or any of the following places:
Step 3: Starting February 1, 2011 and at the beginning of each subsequent month we will have a post up for you to share links to your reviews, opinion pieces or to write comments (designated comment section). This will count as proof of your participation.
Note: Each proof of participation will give you one entry into our final big and exciting giveaway. There will be only one entry per book (no multiple entries even if you put multiple links). That means that if you complete the challenge from beginning to end and provide us with proof of your participation for each book you will have 7 entries.
General Information and Rules:
Who can participate? Anyone can participate. However, if you have a blog, please make sure you write up a post about the challenge linking back to Daemon’s Books, so that other people might be able to join as well.
Duration of Challenge: The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011.
Deadline to join: The deadline to join is August 1st, 2011.
Updates: A few updates will be written throughout each month keeping you updated with the challenge.
Giveaways
- Each month will begin with a four day giveaway of the entire Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7) so that if you don’t own it you might get the chance to win it. (Note: This will only be open to people in the US and Canada)
- At the end of the challenge we will be hosting one final giveaway with a BIG prize you won’t want to miss. (Note: This will only be open to people in the US and Canada.)
I think that about covers it all, so if you’re ready to take part in this challenge, all that’s left for you to do is sign up in the form below!
And if there are any questions we haven’t answered yet, you can always contact us.


Read more: Harry Potter 2011 Book Challenge | Daemon's Books http://www.daemonsbooks.com/2010/12/14/harry-potter-2011-book-challenge/#ixzz18YYowSeI

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

SO BUSY!

I am soooo busy!  So I haven't had a lot of reading time lately between work and knitting some Christmas presents I've been UBER busy.  Hopefully everyone is having a Happy and Safe Holiday season?!  We just survived our first BLIZZARD of the year here in Wisconsin.  I've been hearing on the news that all over the country there has been "interesting" weather lately. 

I won't be back to blogging regularly until after the New Year....So early Happy New Year everyone!

Jamie

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Teaser Tuesday ~ Matched by Ally Condie

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Synopsis: 
 
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.





Teaser:

"The inside of the dining hall looks nicer than a regular meal hall, too. 'Look,' Xander says. Flickering lights in the center of each table simulate an old romantic system of lighting, candles." p. 192

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Matched ARC giveaway!

Stephanie over at Stephanie Reads is giving away an ARC of Matched on her blog.  She's a new blogger and this is her first contest.  This contest is open to US and Canadian bloggers and ends on December 15.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Busting The Newbie Blues


Hosted by Small Review.

Busting the Newbie Blues event, which will run from December 3rd through December 31st.


This event is designed to:
  •  Put new YA book bloggers on the map
  • Increase blogger interaction
  • Start a discussion by sharing our experiences as a new bloggers
  • Learn about what it was like for all those impressive established bloggers when they were newbies

So how does this work? Simple:
  • Select the questionnaire that best applies to you (there's no "wrong" choice, so just pick whichever one you feel most comfortable answering)
  • Create a post on your blog with the questions and your answers
  • Grab the banner above or the button below to include in your post or sidebar
  • Link back to my post here
  • Sign the Mr. Linky below so we can all come and visit your post!
  • Spread the word!

If you don't want to make a post on your blog, but you do want to participate, then just email me your answers and I'll post them up on my blog! Be sure to include your name and blog address. Here's where you can email me:
Imagesandwords at optonline dot net

Try to visit as many blogs as you can. Take a look at their answers, but also check out a bunch of their other posts (try for 5?) and leave comments. If you like their blog, follow them! If someone follows you, then take a look at their blog and follow back if you like what you see.

This event will run from today all the way through December 31st, so bookmark this post and check back to ensure you'll be included in all the fun as new bloggers add their posts to the list. I can't wait to see all your answers and blogs! I hope everyone has fun. :)

New Bloggers: 

Pick this questionnaire if you if you feel you're still getting your "blogging legs" and could use some advice and awareness brought to your blog, whether you're a brand new blogger or even if you've been blogging for over a year. 


  1. When did you start your blog?
I started For The Love of YA in October.  This is actually NOT my first blog...I actually have two others (which you can find by looking at my blogger profile).  But I'm still pretty new to the YA book blogging community and I'm always looking for some constructive criticism about the blog.

    2. Why did you start your blog?

I started For The Love of YA as a place specifically for my YA reviews.  On my other blog I thought that those reviews were getting "lost" amongst all the other reviews....I have pretty eclectic taste in reading materials.

    3. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

Mainly I have trouble giving books ratings.  I think I've gotten a little bit better recently though.  I also sometimes have trouble putting into words what I was feeling about the book I happen to be reviewing at the time.  I've taken to actually writing stuff down in a notebook to keep my thoughts organized.  Blog wise....I'm finding it difficult to get out and comment on every body's blogs.  I follow a LOT of blogs and I try not to blog on the days that I work.

     4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

Being new to this particular part of the blogging community.  With my original blog I was able to make friends with a broad spectrum of bloggers with this blog it seems to be a little bit tougher.  There seems to be a LOT of YA bloggers out there!

     5. What do you find most encouraging?

I find it very encouraging that the book blogging community itself is VERY encouraging.  There are a lot of ways (like blog hops at Parajunkee's View and Crazy-for-Books.com) to get your blog noticed.  I also like when bloggers host events like this to "recognize" the newer members of the community.

     6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

Honestly, I really like Parajunkee's blog.  It's got many elements that I am trying to replicate on my blog as well.  She also hosts Book Blogging 101 on Thursdays which has been VERY helpful.

     7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

Mainly when bloggers use crazy font colors that don't show up in my google reader. Other than that I try to live by the "every blogger has there own way of doing things" adage and try not to knock it...MOST of the time.

    8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  No question is a dumb question....well unless you don't ask it....then the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask. 

    9.  Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?

Random Fun Fact....when I get to going through my google reader on Fridays when I get home from work I have 1000+ posts in my reader.  It gives me LOTS of material to comment/try to comment on!

Friday Blog Hops

GIVEAWAYS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM!
Book Blogger Hop

"What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I was really lukewarm on Radiance.  It just didn't live up to all the good reviews I had read on it through out the book blog community.




What do you do besides reading / reviewing as a hobby??

For me I like to watch movies, cook, travel (I REALLY want to go to Ireland!) and use my digital camera.  I also like to snuggle in my nice warm bed with my two dogs Augusta ("Gus) and Laci.

I have a couple of giveaways going on too!

Matched

The Mockingbirds

2011 E-Book Challenge

Hosted by The Lady Bug Reads.

Challenge Guidelines:1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:


-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6
e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12
e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read
20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post about the E-Book Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can join in and read your reviews and post.


I am doing the OBSESSED level...How about you?!

1. Virgin River
2. Shelter Mountain
3. Falke's Peak
4. Whispering Rock
5. A Virgin River Christmas
6. I Beat The Odds
7. Blood Knot
8. Empire of the Summer Moon

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday #1

Hosted by Breaking The Spine.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?


Available January 25, 2011

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Title: Angelfire
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Series: Angelfire #1
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Angels
Publisher: HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: 2011, February 15
Format: Hardcover, 464 pages
Source: Netgalley 
Rating: 3.75/5
Synopsis:
This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.
Review:
Ellie Monroe thinks she's just your normal everyday high school senior.  The truth is she's not.  She's not your normal everyday high school senior.
Ellis has been having nightmares for a LONG time.  VIOLENT nightmares.  She has everyone, with the exception of her best friend Kate, convinced that the nightmares have stopped.  But really Ellie's just used to them because they are pretty much a nightly thing.
Then she meets Will.  To Ellie Will is vaguely familiar but she's not really able to place where she's seen him before.
Then Ellie's economics teacher is brutally murdered and that's when things start getting REALLY weird.  One night while on a walk she hears a growl and then Will shows up not long after.  After giving Will crap she's headed for home when the growl happens again.  This time Will grabs her and puts, for a lack of a better word, a "spell" on Ellie.  Now she's able to see into the Grim.  Now the nightmares are starting to make sense.
Ellie is a Preliator.  The ONLY mortal in the world with the power to fight the reapers.  And Will?  Will is Ellie's Guardian, sworn to protect Ellie.
I had NO problem getting into this book.  Once I started it I just had to keep reading...I had to know what was going to happen next.  But that's where things start to go a little bit south for me.
I had a hard time relating to Ellie.  Ellie comes from a rich family (I don't know about you but I did NOT get a $30K car for my 17th B-Day) and up until recently really didn't have very many worries.  I felt she was a little bit on the spoiled side and really almost had to be forced to rise to the occasion when trouble starting happening (with both the reapers and her dad.)  I thought that the process that Ellie was going through to remember her past took to long and was a little bit too drawn out.
I did really enjoy the flashbacks and memories from Ellie's past.  They painted a very vibrant picture of Ellie's past as the Preliator.
I also really enjoyed the action and fight scenes.  Very well crafted, though at times I felt that they were a tab bit repetitive.
Overall, I did enjoy this debut and I will be checking out the next book in the series as well.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Title: Hunger
Author: Jackie Morse Kessler
Series: Horsemen of the Apocalypse #1
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Publisher: Harcourt Graphia
Release Date: 2010, October 18
Format: Paperback, 180 pages
Source: Purchased with my own money
Rating: 4.75/5
Synopsis:
“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?
Review:
I saw the cover of this book while checking out different YA titles on Goodreads one morning and thought that it sounded like something really interesting.  Something I needed to read NOW...So I got a copy.
I really liked the premise of the story - Horsemen of the Apocalypse and a 17 year old anorexic teenage girl as the new famine.  I thought the story overall was shockingly "real" almost to the point of being scary and uncomfortable for someone who has never dealt with the issues brought up in the book.  The research (the learning about famine) and the "the research" (from the author's personal experience) were very accurate and painted a lot of "not so pretty" pictures about eating disorders and world hunger.
Lisa is the new famine because of her eating disorder.  The "Thin Voice" keeps telling her that she's fat.  Then Death come along and throws famine in her lap.  At first she's scared to death (pun intended) of being famine.  But as the story progresses she becomes more comfortable with her new power.  She even conquers the blasted "Thin Voice".  Even kicks a little ass too!
The character that I liked the most was Death.  He wasn't real prominent character but when he was around it was memorable.  He was good looking too.  Sort of Kurt Cobainish only better and undead.
The character that I liked the least?...Hands down was the "Thin Voice."  I could NOT stand the "Thin Voice."

Sunday, November 28, 2010

2011 YA Historical Challenge

Hosted by Yabliss.com

I've been searching around the web for a YA historical fiction challenge and I think there is none. So, I'm thinking of hosting it, hoping readers will embrace this awesome genre within YA that is full of outstanding books and many upcoming releases. If people really start to sign up, I will have exclusive giveaways for participants during the year. Lets see how it goes and I will post again with updates. Share the word! (feel free to grab the image as button)

Historical fiction: tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional. Writers of stories in this genre, while penning fiction, attempt to capture the spirit, manners, and social conditions of the persons or time(s) presented in the story, with due attention paid to period detail and fidelity. (Wikipedia)

UPDATE! Some Lists:
- New YA Historical Fiction 2011
- Teen Historical Fiction 
- My Goodreads Historical Fiction shelf here!

Choose your level:

Level 1: 5 YA HF books in 2011
Level 2: 10 YA HF books in 2011
Level 3: 15 YA HF books in 2011
 Rules:
  • All Historical Fiction books must be YA or MG
  • Books don't have to be 2011 releases.
  • Anyone can join. Please link to a public (web) place I can find you.
  • You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
Click here to go to the sign up page.

My Level - Level 3
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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8.
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10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

In My Mailbox #2

Welcome to In My Mailbox! You can find out how to participate and the "official" details on the IMM page.

IMM is a meme I started here at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.
**NetGalley**

What happens to the girls nobody sees—the ones who are ignored, mistreated, hidden away? The girls nobody hears when they cry for help?
Fourteen-year-old Luce is one of those lost girls. After her father vanishes in a storm at sea, she is stuck in a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village with her alcoholic uncle. When her uncle crosses an unspeakable line, Luce reaches the depths of despair. Abandoned on the cliffs near her home, she expects to die when she tumbles to the icy, churning waves below. Instead, she undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid.
A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. The mermaids are beautiful, free, and ageless, and Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: they feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks.
Luce’s own talent at singing captures the attention of the tribe’s queen, the fierce and elegant Catarina, and Luce soon finds herself pressured to join in committing mass murder. Luce’s struggle to retain her inner humanity puts her at odds with her friends; even worse, Catarina seems to regard Luce as a potential rival. But the appearance of a devious new mermaid brings a real threat to Catarina’s leadership and endangers the very existence of the tribe. Can Luce find the courage to challenge the newcomer, even at the risk of becoming rejected and alone once again?
Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

**Library**

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.

Fifteen- year- old Milo J. Wright and his best friend, Eden, are crazy to even consider participating in the election for President of the United States of America, aren't they? Never mind that Milo is twenty years too young. Never mind the fact that he'll have to balance the election with school, his lawn- mowing job, soccer practice, and trying to understand girls. There are times in life when you just have to go for something, no matter how impossible. Readers will discover that everyone, no matter what age, has something valuable to say.

Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You're in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids -- the Runners -- venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.

Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he's unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?

In The Maze Runner, Dashner has crafted a creative and engaging novel that's both mysterious and thought provoking.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Adversary by Kate Kaynak

Title: Adversary
Author: Kate Kaynak
Series: Ganzfield  #2
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: 2010, August 20
Format: Paperback, 238 pages
Source: Sent by author for honest review
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes?
See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.

Review:
I apologize for taking so long to get this review posted.  I had written in a notebook and then put the notebook in a "safe place."  But now the notebook is found again so I can get this review posted! :)

I'll be honest....I usually get a little nervous with second books.  There just have been a few in the past that just did NOT appeal to me at all.  That was NOT the case with this book. This book, just like Minder, sucked me in and I had to keep going. The action is almost non-stop from the very beginning...which I really liked.  The first few chapters ALONE are in my opinion beyond belief!  AMAZING!

I'm still a little lukewarm on Maddie and Trevor's relationship.  But I think that it's starting to develop into a more "realistic" relationship.  Yeah for relationship growth!

What I'm really liking about this series is that even the minor characters play a MAJOR role in the telling of the story.  I also enjoyed the new character Zack.  I LOVED how he shook things up between Maddie and Trevor.

I also love how the author throws TONS of curve balls at you.  I LOVE an exciting story.  It kind of irks me when I read a story where the story builds and builds and then just levels off.  That did NOT happen with this story at all!

What I didn't care for was that it took me entirely way to long to read it.  I'm going to place the blame for that on my brother's wedding preparations....I REALLY got into that.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Blog Hops

Book Blogger Hop

What is your favorite Cover?

It doesn't get released until May but so far the cover for Chain Reaction is really floating my boat.





No question this week.  Yeah to the Saints for beating the Cowboys!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Teaser Tuesday ~ Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:

The Red and bolded text is the teaser.
"Bastian wants me to kill you before you stop us from getting the Enshi," the reaper hissed, blasting me with his hot, rancid breath.  "With you out of the way for a few years, we won't have to worry about you spoiling our plans.  And when you come back, Preliator, the Enshi will be here waiting for you and you'll no longer be a threat.  You won't even be a concern.  Your destruction will be your homecoming gift."

Sunday, November 21, 2010

The Mockingbirds giveaway

I am giving away a copy of The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney, which will be ordered from Book Depository.  I'll make the rules for this giveaway SUPER EASY.  Here they are:

1. Since I'm ordering this book from Book Depository I am making this INTERNATIONAL (to any country that book depository ships to).

2. The contest will end December 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST.

3. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with an email address in it.

Matched Giveaway

I am giving away a copy of Matched by Ally Condie, which will be ordered from Book Depository.  I'll make the rules for this giveaway SUPER EASY.  Here they are:

1. Since I'm ordering this book from Book Depository I am making this INTERNATIONAL (to any country that book depository ships to.

2. The contest will end December 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST.

3. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with an email address in it.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Hosted By: The Story Siren

2011 Debut Author Challenge participant information:
  • The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
  • Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
  • You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate. 
  • You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. 

Qualifying books:
  • Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
  • This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011
  • If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut. 

I've tried to compose a list of 2011 Debut Authors, you can find a spreadsheet below. If you now of a debut title that I've missed, please fill out this form so that I can submit it to my spreadsheet. Please note this is a list of US debuts only. I am in the process of getting a list of UK debuts and hoping to possibly get an AUS debut list as well.
More challenge guidelines:
  • Novels must be read between January 1, 2011- December 31, 2011. That means, those of you that have read arc forms of the titles early will not be able to count those toward your challenge totals. 
  • You can use debuts from other countries, but the novel cannot be previously released in your county. (I explain this a little bit more in the FAQ section, if you want to check that out!)
MY PROPOSED LIST (so far, more to come):

Unearthly - Cynthia Hand
The False Princess - Eilis O'Neal
Across The Universe - Beth Revis
The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
Timeless - Alexandra Monir
Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley
The Iron Thorn - Caitlin Kittredge
Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton
The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver
XVI - Julia Karr
Griffin Rising - Darby Karchut

In My Mailbox

Welcome to In My Mailbox! You can find out how to participate and the "official" details on the IMM page.

IMM is a meme I started here at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.
Here is what came in my mailbox this week!

**Netgalley**

Synopsis:


Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.
Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

Synopsis:

My name is Meaghan Chase.

I thought it was over.That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stay by my side. Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.


Synopsis:

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Synopsis:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees. . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what it is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place--and out of place, at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make--between honesty and deciet, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?


Synopsis:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click HERE.


Synopsis:


The Infernal Devices is a series of prequels to The Mortal Instruments series, set in 19’th century London. The story concerns 16-year-old orphan Tessa Gray, whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when her older brother Nathaniel suddenly vanishes, leaving her alone. Her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London’s dangerous supernatural underworld, where warlocks throw masked balls for half-demon Downworlders. When Tessa discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must come to trust her natural enemies, the demon-killing Shadowhunters, if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother. Torn between the beautiful Will, a Shadowhunter who isn’t what he seems, and the devoted Jem, whose own deadly secret is slowly destroying him, Tessa must draw on all her strength to save her brother and keep herself alive in this deadly new world.


Available September 2011


Synopsis:


Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Available November 30, 2010

Synopsis:

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.


Available February 8, 2011

Synopsis:

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.


Available February 15, 2011

Synposis:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


Available February 1, 2011

Synopsis:

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love—again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.

In Ripple, Mandy Hubbard spins a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future—and her heart.


Available July 21, 2011

Synopsis: