Collegiate Bookworm

Top 10 Tuesday

2011-05-31T20:40:00.000-04:00

Decided to hop on a new meme- Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and Bookish!

This Week's list is: Top 10 Books That Should Be In Your Beach Bag

What a perfect list to kick off summer!

Here are my 10 beach reads (in no particular order):

The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Seriously, if you only read this series this summer, you'll be able to say that you read three amazing books. Belly is comepletely loveable, and with We'll Always Have Summer being the last book, you won't have to wait three summers like I did to find out who she chooses!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

What's summer without a road trip? Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is the perfect mix of self discovery and adventure!

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

Okay bookworms, watch out because this book comes weighing in at 400 pages. I'll warn you now that this book starts of a little slow, but isn't summer about taking it easy? A great book if you plan on lazing on the beach all day.

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Eulberg's debut novel is absolutely amazing. A fantastic book for you and your friends to read together! Summer book club, anyone?

The entire Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Honestly, Becky Bloomwood is hands down one of the funniest characters I've ever read. Pack all 6 Shopaholic books in your beach bag and you'll be laughing until sunset!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

A fantastic book if you're looking for more of a fantasy read. Lena and Ethan are fantastic, and I'm warning you, you won't be able to put this one down.

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

A bit more of a deeper read, Ockler's Fixing Delilah is definitely one of self discovery. A great book all around, especially if you're gearing up for a fresh start in the fall.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

This was my first Sarah Dessen, and I think it'll always have a place in my heart. Dessen's books are always kind of heavy in pages, so this one is perfect for a lazy summer day.

She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Besides the amazing cover, this book has a lot going for it. Betrayl, love, and social status, it's worth picking up. Plus, with the second book, He's So Not Worth It, coming out June 7th, you could have a new series on your hands for the summer.

The Market by J.M Steele

The storyline is fantastically original and the main character, Kate, is refreshingly realistic. Great read!

So if you're looking for a beach read, these books definitely have the CB stamp of approval.

There's only one problem- I've already read these books! What should I put in my beach bag bookworms??

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (11)

2011-05-30T15:56:00.001-04:00

What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. All book links go to Goodreads :)

This Week's Reads:

I'm in the mix of quite a few books this week. They're all pretty different, so luckily I can keep them all straight :)

He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scot

Release: June 7th 2011

Unfortunately, it's a little bit harder to get into than it's predecessor, She's So Dead to Us. I've been reading this since last week...

Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell

Release: April 26th 2011

I really enjoyed The Carrie Diaries, and this one is off to a much quicker start. And, hello, the cover is GORGEOUS.

Matched by Ally Condie

Release: November 30th 2011

There was a lot of talk about this book, and with the sequel, Crossed coming out this fall, I decided to give it a try. Is it okay that I'm not in love yet?

Last Week's Reads:

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Release: May 10th 2011

I'm a huge Sarah Dessen fan, so I really enjoyed this one!

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

US release: June 28th 2011

Definitely not my typical read, but still really enjoyable!

Next Week's Reads:

Stay by Deb Caletti

Release: April 26th 2011

My first Deb Caletti book. I've heard good things about this.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Release: July 19th 2011

I'm excited for this one! I love when the setting is in college!

So those are my reads- past, present, and future. So what about you? It's Monday, what are you reading?

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

2011-05-21T17:32:00.000-04:00

Summary:

Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she's almost positive he is her soul mate. Almost. Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go even as Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it's now or never--tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good.

Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face a truth she has possibly always known: she will have to break one of their hearts.

Review:

Can I just tell you that I've had this book on my shelves for weeks? Yep, I pre-ordered it and had told myself it would be my reward after finals on May 3rd. Finals came and went and I still hadn't even cracked it open (which is one of my favorite things about reading a new hardback, by the way). Why? Because I knew once I started reading it, I wouldn't be able to stop, and once I finished... it would be the end. I can't tell you how much I loved this series and now that it's over... bittersweet.

It had been a while since I'd finished It's Not Summer Without You, but it was fairly easy to jump back into the storyline. Things have moved forward and Belly's now finishing her freshman year in college, an aspect I really appreciated since not too many young adult books have a college setting (which I personally find odd given how it's the perfect setting to put the parents out of the picture, something that occurs pretty frequently in YA. I digress, however. ) Things moved at a pretty quick pace- I think I learned more about Jeremiah's character in a few chapters than I had in an entire book. It was kind of enlightening, actually. It helped me (firmly) picked a side in the whole Conrad/Jeremiah battle. It also showed me a lot about who Belly was as well. In previous books, we were really only exposed to Belly's personality through her interactions with everyone at Cousins. Seeing her in college, as Isabel, was eye-opening.

I can't really go too far into this review without risking spoiling anything. I can, however, say that if you enjoyed the first two books, this one won't dissapoint. I literally did not put this book down. Jenny Han really pulled out all the stops, and I'm glad she did. I've honestly never felt closer to these characters, and having to say goodbye to them is kind of heartbreaking.

My Ratings:

Plot: A

I've enjoyed this series from the beginning, and this last book answered all the burning questions.

Characters: A

Fantastic. The characters have developed beautifully since The Summer I Turned Pretty. They're definitely not without their flaws, giving this wonderfully realistic quality.

Cover: A

True to the Summer series, it fits perfectly.

Length: A-

Honestly, the ending felt a little bit more rushed than I would have preferred, but other than that things moved at just the right pace.

A fun novel about an American girl in Paris (SATC, season 6, anyone??) I give Anna and the French Kiss:

Four Stars!

Anna and the French Kiss is available now:

Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-05-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she’s less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all … including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

Review:

I know this book has been out for a bit, but I’ll be honest. I really didn’t think it was going to be my cup of tea. Exactly why that was I can’t put my finger on. I know the cover seemed a bit cheesy to me at first, and not being able to see a bit more of the boy on the cover was a bit irksome to me. Regardless of whatever kept me away from this novel before, I’m glad I was able to overcome it and pick up this great read.

First off, I was pleasantly surprised at how developed the characters were- having such a unique setting in Paris could have given Perkins the write-off for having the characters be flat. However, Perkins went beyond static characters who were simply infatuated with Paris and being away from home- these characters had real backgrounds, real issues. I truly appreciated how Perkins took the time to give depth to even the smaller characters in the novel, such as Rashmi, who was suffering from being forgotten by her best friend, and having to deal with a rocky relationship.Perkins could have easily put Rashmi in the background, but her not doing so not only created a better novel, but also showed that Anna’s time in Paris was about more than a boy and the possibilities of falling in love. It made the book go beyond just being a romance.

Considering the main characters, I fell into a love/dislike (yes dislike, not hate) relationship with Anna. I loved how careful she was in developing her relationships, and how she had an independent streak, which was emphasized with her wanting to become a film critic. However there were times where she would be a little erratic in her attitudes about things- she would become a bit more emotional about things than I think she truly had warrant to. It also made her a bit childish at times, which contrasted with the sophisticated air that the book had.These things didn’t make me hate Anna’s character, but it did turn me off from her a bit.

Overall, however, this book was a great read. The storyline was progressive in a way that kept me interested and the characters felt fun and fresh without seeming over the top.

My Ratings:

Plot: B+

Unique and fun, but not too complicated

Characters: A

Even the smaller characters were dynamic and interesting

Cover: B-

It’s just a bit too corny for me. The matching shirts, the Eiffel Tower in the background, are just too much. I would have loved to have had Anna and the boy holding hands while walking down the streets of Paris at night, or something along those lines.

Length: A

It moved a little quickly at times, but slowed down at all the right places.

A fun novel about an American girl in Paris (SATC, season 6, anyone??) I give Anna and the French Kiss:

Four Stars!

Anna and the French Kiss is available now:

Book Blogger Hop (12)

2011-05-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

Hello bookworms! Happy Friday!Of course you know what that means- Book Blogger Hop!!

As always, Book Blogger Hop is hosted ever so graciously by Crazy for Books!

This week's question is "Are you going to Book Expo America (BEA) and/or the Book Blogger Convention (BBC) this year?"

Unfortunately, no. I'm starting an internship at a local magazine, so I don't really have a lot of vacation time, and the time that I do have will most likely be spent later in the summer. I really really really wish I could go though!

Also, I'd like to throw a question out there for you bookies:

It's been asked a lot, but what books did you love in spite of their cover?

Waiting on Wednesday (26)

2011-05-11T17:05:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

All You Get is Me

by Yvonne Prinz

Release Date: September 29th, 2011

Summary:
In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think.

For budding costume designer Lola Nolan, the more outrageous the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins move back into the house next door.

When the family returns and Cricket—a gifted inventor and engineer—steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Thoughts:

Since I just finished reading Anna and the French Kiss (review coming soon :) ), I've become a fan of Stephanie Perkins. Plus, I appreciate that Lola doesn't appear to be the cookie-cutter girl next door- she seems funky and fun. On that same note- Cricket doesn't appear to be the cookie-cutter guy next door either- how many guys do you know named Cricket? Plus he's an engineer- so yay for the nerdy (in the best way) boy being the love interest! I definitely can't wait for this one!
So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

I'm Back :) & Book Blogger Hop

2011-05-06T12:22:00.002-04:00

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I know it's been eons since I've posted, and during that time I've come to the unfortunate realization that I can only keep up CB during the summer. I simply don't have the time during the academic year :/

But, cheer up, it is officially summer for me and I have TONS of books on my to read list, a few blog revamps, and (fingers-crossed) giveaways! So stick with me bookworms, and we'll have a fantastic summer guaranteed :)

And as for a blogger I'd love to meet, I think I'd choose Lauren from Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf. We read and enjoy a lot of the same books, and I'm sure I could make her bookshelves a little less crammed :)

Rich & Mad by William Nicholson

2010-10-06T11:32:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

Maddy Fisher has decided to fall in love. And not just any sort of love: can't-eat can't-sleep crazy in love. Rich Ross is after the same thing. He's set his sights high, and he's going to make it happen. The problem is, in life's messy whirlwind of friends and lies and sex and porn, the real thing can be hard to fine. But there's always a first time for everything. . .

Review:

Perhaps I made too many assumptions before I picked up this book. It was a bit of a let-down for me. To start things off, my first (and in my opinion, worst) assumption was that the characters in the novel were indeed rich and mad. Wrong. Rich and Mad are short for Richard and Madeline, and that's it. For some reason I assumed that it was more than just shorthand- I was expecting a frenzy of emotions. I think this just set me off in completely the wrong direction- I was waiting for something that was never going to happen.

Adding to that, I'm not the biggest fan of third-person narration. I feel as though it puts a barrier between me and the characters. This is not to say that every book that is done in third person is an automatic let-down, I just think it personally takes a lot of emotional descriptions for me to feel like I can connect with the character. That said, Rich & Mad didn't have that for me. The characters seemed a little flat for the most part. That, added to what I feel was awkward dialogue at moments, made me feel as though I was on the outside looking in for the most part.

Overall, this book was a bit of a roller coaster, but not in a manner that was particularly appealing to me. There was this tremendously slow build up and a lightning fast drop to the bottom at the end. I'm not opposed to this method, but with me not connecting with the characters in the first place, it felt as though some things came out of nowhere.

Needless to say, this book was not one of my favorites. Again, I think it all had to do with expectations, and unfortunately mine were completely left field from where the book was actually going.

My Ratings:

Plot: C

Had a lot of small things going on, but nothing particular that draws you in

Characters: C

Unfortunately flat for me. I didn't connect with them well enough to grasp their emotions

Cover:B

I think the cover is nice, but it only encouraged my assumptions that things were much more dramatic

Length: D

This book was a bit too long for me. Perhaps this may be because I wasn't into the characters

An interesting take on love and life, I give Rich & Mad:

Two Stars!

Rich & Mad is available now:

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

2010-09-29T11:48:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

All You Get is Me

by Yvonne Prinz

Release Date: December 21st, 2010

Summary:

What happens when a city girl is transplanted onto a ramshackle organic farm in the middle of nowhere? Everything.
Sixteen-year-old Roar has been yanked from her city life and suddenly she’s a farm girl, albeit a reluctant one, selling figs at the farmers' market and developing her photographs in a rickety shed. And then she witnesses a crime that will throw the whole community into an uproar. Caught among the lure of a troublemaking friend, her love for a brooding boy, and her complicated feelings about her father’s human rights crusade, Roar is going to have to tackle it all. And with a camera around her neck, she’s capturing it all, too.

My Thoughts:

I love reading stories where the main character is out of their element. I feel like it gives me the opportunity to get to know the character much better because in most cases there is a stark contrast between them and those in the character's new setting. All in all, this sounds like it should be a good read. I'm really interested to see who Roar is (is that her real name?? Nickname?)- she seems creative and I'd love to see how she contrasts with those in her farm world, as well as how she transitions from the city life to selling figs. Also, who is this brooding boy? Interesting... As the summary says, there's a lot to tackle, and Im interested to see how Prinz takes it all on.

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

2010-09-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Starstruck

by Cyn Balog

Relase Date: 2011

Synopsis:

When Gwendolyn “Dough” Reilly’s boyfriend and best friend Wish moves away in seventh grade, the only consolation she can find is in her family bakery’s donuts. Now, it’s sophomore year, and Wish is coming back. But in only three years, they’ve both changed—drastically. She’s seriously overweight, and suddenly Wish is the most popular guy in school, and girls everywhere want him. Dough has doubts that appearances don’t matter and that Wish can love her as she is, so she launches into a plan designed to keep them together. That is, until she discovers that Wish’s gorgeous looks and charm might not be all they appear to be.

My Thoughts:

I'll be honest, the nickname "Dough" is a little off-putting to me, but I'm holding off judgements until I actually read the book. I always love to read about reconnections- it gives us the opportunity to see who they were before we step into their story. That said, I'm really looking forward to establishing a connection with them. Plus, what is it the story on Wish? Does his name have something to do with it? Questions, questions... all of which will hopefully be answered in 2011!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

2010-09-14T14:07:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Review:

For some reason, I hadn't initially been attracted to this novel. Now, if you ask me why, my best guess was that I was under a spell of temporary insanity. Thanks to the Endless Summer double book I picked up this summer, I opened my eyes to Jennifer Echols, and, in turn, Forget You.

What I loved about this novel was its rawness. Now, I do say this is with comparison to Endless Summer, which were on the lighter side. Regardless, Forget You tackles a lot of issues- sex, independence, neglectful parents, and of course love. Luckily Echols does a wonderful job of handling these issues, despite its short length.

While Zoey isn't someone I automatically connected with, Echols makes it easy to feel for her. Zoey isn't in the easiest spot in her life right now- issues with her mother and father definitely play a huge role in her actions. That said, while I wouldn't wish her situation with them on anyone, I do commend Echols for having Zooey's parents play a large role in the novel. Though neither were physically around, they have a strong impact. I found this refreshing. A lot of novels I've read recently have the parents be basically non-existant. Either they're on this ridiculously long vacation, or are mysteriously never home, and therefore play a minimal if any role in the story. This is definitely not the case in Forget You.

Moving from Zoey's relationship with her parents, I also found Zoey's relationship with Doug to be, in a word, electrifying. I could feel their energy when they were together. Even when they couldn't stand each other... energy. Needles to say, I loved this. While neither admits it, I could sense they each had a protective nature of the other, even at their angriest. Their relationship drove this book, and kept me at bay the entire way through. Plus, side note and very small spoiler, Doug is actually half asian, so thanks to Echols for adding some diversity. It is always appreciated.

While Zoey's actions are at times a little frustrating, they are understood. In one night that she barely remembers, her world that is already upside down get shaken up even more. I think for me, it was easy to keep the frustration with her actions low when I reminded myself of her situation. That said, Forget You was a fantastic read. It was refreshing to see Echols take on deeper situations, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her novels.

Ratings:

Plot: A

Incredibly easy to get into, minimal predictability

Characters:A

The characters really jumped off the page for me, beautifully dynamic

Cover Art:

LOVE IT! The connection of Zoey and Doug on the cover is just a sample of their connection that awaits inside the pages.

Length: B

A complete novel, though the ending felt a little rushed.

A novel you won't want to forget, Forget You deserves:

Four Stars!

Forget You is available now:

Confessions of The Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

2010-09-02T13:41:00.002-04:00

Synopsis:
The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless.Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.And so the confessions begin....

Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.

And so the confessions begin....

Review:
One of the things that drew me to Confessions was its unique storyline. The premise sounded really promising and I also loved that the story would be told from all three sisters' respective viewpoints. After finishing the novel, I'm delighted to say that I was not disappointed.

The story starts off with a prologue that's very cold and distant. This and

the epilogue being the only two times the novel is in third person. While at first I was a little put off by this, I can see that Standiford possibly did this to let us see the Sullivan family from the outside. You're able to feel the air of superiority that the family gives off. Once you delve into the story, luckily, things warm up quite a bit. Though the synopsis has the mysterious feel- as does the novel at moments- the Sullivan family is quite quirky and eccentric, which was a pleasant surprise. Each sister is wonderfully unique: Norrie, who has always been counted on to do the right things; Jane, who's always been counted on to do the wrong things; and Sassy who has a beautiful heart. What I enjoyed even more so was the fact that each sister held a characteristic of the woman they despised the most- Almighty. This really helped to humanize her for me. Standiford also did and excellent job of giving each sister their moment to shine, be it through their own narration of through their sister's. That said, their stories tied together beautifully. The missing pieces that one sister couldn't fulfill, another did. This led to a wonderfully tied together story altogether.

My Ratings:
Plot: B

Unique, and every easy to get into
Characters:A

Fantastically well developed and easy to understand
Cover Art: A

LOVE it. Simple, but goes wonderfully with the novel
Length: A-

Felt like there were a few fillers, but overall a complete story with a nice length.

A wonderful look into a family of equal parts secrets and quirkiness, I give Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters:

Four Stars!
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters is available now:

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

2010-09-01T08:40:00.014-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Cloaked

by Alex Flinn

Release date: February 8th, 2011

Synopsis:

Johnny works after school in a shoe repair shop in a swanky hotel in Miami. He loves shoes and is talented; he even aspires to be the next Manolo Blahnik. But the real reason that he is working so hard is because his dad left when he was a baby and he needs to help his mom pay the bills. At least he has his friend, Meg, who works at the hotel coffee shop, to keep him company.
When beautiful Princess Victoriana comes to stay at the hotel, Johnny is thrilled when Victoriana invites him to her suite. There she tells him that her brother has been turned into a frog, and that she needs his help finding him in the Florida Keys. Johnny thinks she is crazy and does not believe her,
until she gives him a magical cloak that immediately transports him to another location. Armed with the cloak and a magical earpiece that can help him talk to other transformed humans Johnny sets out to save the Prince ...

My Thoughts:

First off, loving the cover. It's so simple yet detailed at the same time. Cover love aside, I'm really interested to see what type of character Johnny is. He seems like a passionate and caring guy, but I'm very much so interested in delving into his thoughts as he works day after day in the repair shop. Plus, is there more to his friendship with Meg? Or could he be interested in the princess? I haven't even began to think about what might of happened with her brother that made him turn into a frog. Overall, there seems like there's a lot going on in this novel, and I'm excited to see how it all turns out!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

2010-08-29T10:53:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . . Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.

My Review:

When you peruse through my Review Index (which, I'm sure you do on a daily basis ;-) ), then you'd probably realize I'm not the biggest historical fiction fan. I'm more of a here and now kind of girl. However, something drew me to Wildthorn, and whatever that was, I'm thankful for it.

Wildthorn starts you off in the same confused state that Louisa, our protaganist, is in. She had no idea that she was being sent to an institution, let alone why there would be any reason for her to go there. Her story unfolds as she works to find the truth and, more importantly, a way out.While I had worried that I wouldn't be able to connect to Louisa in the beginning, Eagland lets Louisa's thoughts run passionately and full, so I'm able to feel her every emotion, wheter it was her thoughts of the institution or the thoughts she wracked her brain with as she tried to figure out what brought her to that wretched place.

The unfolding of the story leads to several twists and turns none of which I can really reveal without giving hints as to why Louisa's there or if she found her way out. However, I will say that this book was really an eye-opener on so many levels. One being that even when a novel isn't based in my time period, some things hold constant. The emotions that Louisa felt were easily understandable, which in turn made it so easy to get into the novel. Second, this novel opened my eyes completely to mental asylums of the past. Some of the women in the asylum simply didn't belong there, but their cries fell on deaf ears, which was heart-wrenching. This in turn showed me how far along women have had to come. They were misunderstood, treated like second-class citizens, who were to be seen and not heard. This sentiment was truly tough for Louisa, who wanted to be so much more than a doll sitting on the shelf. This book in essence, is a search for independence, physically and emotionally≥

My Ratings:

Plot: A

Truly unique and something completely out of the box for me.

Characters: B

Some characters could have been expanded more (particularly Louisa's mom), but this being truly Louisa's story, it's excusable.

Cover: A

The tightness/restraint of the corset (I'm assuming it's a corset) really conveys the emotion of the book- of not being able let go, to be who you really are.

Length: B

There were some moments that seemed like fillers, but overall it ended appropriately.

A truly eye-opening novel, I give Wildthorn

Four Stars!

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

2010-08-24T22:58:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Prom and Prejudice

by Elizabeth Eulberg

Release date: Janurary 1st, 2011

Synopsis:

After winter break, the girls at very prestigious, very wealthy, girls-only Longbourn Academy are suddenly obsessed with the prom, which they share with the nearby, equally elitist, all-boys Pemberly school. Lizzie Bennett, who attends Longbourn on scholarship, isn't exactly interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance, but less than impressed by Will Darcy, Charles's friend, who's as snobby and pretentious as his friend is nice. He doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. It doesn't help that Charles doesn't seem to be asking Jane to be his prom date, or that Lizzie meets George Wickham, who tells her that Will Darcy sabotaged his scholarship at Pemberly. Clearly Will Darcy is a pompous jerk who looks down on the middle class--so imagine Lizzie's surprise when he asks her to the prom!

Will Lizzie's prejudice and Will's pride keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? From Elizabeth Eulberg comes a very funny, completely stylish prom-season delight of Jane Austen proportions.

My Thoughts:

In honor of this upcoming read gaining a cover (which I'm loving, by the way), I'm highlighting Elizabeth Eulberg's sophomore effort Prom and Prejudice. As you already know, I absolutely loved The Lonely Hearts Club. Based on that alone, I knew this was going to be a must read for me. But my love of LHC isn't the only thing that has me craving this book. I'm really interested to see how Eulberg puts a modern twist on such a classic novel- how she puts her spin on the characters, how she makes it her own. On top of that, who wouldn't love to read about a modern day Mr. Darcy? With such fantastic writing in LHC, I have no doubt that this will be another hit for Elizabeth Eulberg!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

Kiss It by Erin Downing

2010-08-24T09:59:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:

A girl's gotta do who a girl's gotta do.

Chastity Bryan has never been shy about going after what she wants. And when sexy, mysterious, so-not-from-this-town Sebastian walks into Chaz's life, she knows in an instant that what she wants next is him. Chaz has no intention of playing for keeps—but she most definitely has intentions. Who needs true love when you've got true lust?

Sebastian has no idea what he's in for—but maybe neither does Chaz?

Review:

I'll admit it. When I first decided to read this book, I thought it was one of the cute and cuddly variety. I mean, can you blame me? Sure the title's got some attitude, but then there's the cute bunnies and the fun color of the cover. Not to mention the synopsis I read sounded innocent enough.

The first page changed everything I thought knew about this book.

Let me say right now that the main character, Chastity (preferably known as Chaz) has spunk. She's definitely what you'd consider outspoken, which sometimes doesn't fit well with her conservative family, not to mention her conservative town. She's also very... shall we say eager? When I read that Chaz wanted Sebastian (love the name, btw. The name automatically made me think he was a mystery) , I thought of them cuddling and kissing. Um, negative. Chaz wants Sebastian, and not in the Disney way. While her blunt, promiscuous attitude turned me off at some moments, I somewhat appreciated that. It made the situations more realistic. The awkward moment and times where I thought she probably shouldn't have said certain things made it all the more real. No one has a picture perfect conversation every time, so I appreciated that Downing realized and respected that.

What I appreciated most from this book was the fantastic investment in of what was going on outside of Chaz and Sebastian's relationship together. Some stories have a way of totally investing in the two main characters' relationship, and letting the side stories be minimal with no real need to remember them. Both Chaz and Sebastian have histories, and even more so, strong presents to deal with.

Overall, this was a pleasant, and definitely suprising, read. This book definitely reminded me that the phrase 'You can't judge a book by its cover' isn't a common phrase for no reason.

My Ratings:

Plot: B

Unique, but there were some lulls for me.

Characters: A

Fantastically deep. Great chemistry between them all.

Cover Art: B

I was never too in love with the cover to begin with, but its cuteness is a nice contrast to the plot.

Length: A

Ends realistically. No, not all questions are answered, but with the tone of the book, it's understandable.

A great read that was nothing like I expected, I give Kiss It:

Four Stars!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

2010-08-16T14:55:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Review:

I love road trips. Every year my best friends and I take a vacation and getting to the beach is half the fun. So the title of the book already pulled on my heartstrings. As soon as I delved into the book, I wasn't dissapointed. In fact I finished it in one sitting, something I rarely do. That said, I'll try my hardest not to gush in this review!

Amy and Roger were a dynamic duo. Finishing the book, it amazes me that they were practically strangers, but it was perfect that they were so. It gave both of them a practically clean slate, but also let us discover their past at the same time they did. Each state featured a character that helped us discover who Amy and Roger really were, even the playlists for the trip brought us closer to the essence of their characters, and I loved that. . It was so incredibly easy to connect with them. All in all, they are by far two of my favorite characters that I've read this summer.

Another feature in the book that I enjoyed was Amy's travel log. As they passed through each state, Amy featured the state's motto. It was a great way to foreshadow what was to come for the pair in the state. The travel log also made things feel more... real. The doodles and photos showed us the things that we weren't technically privy to. It almost made me feel like I was in the backseat!

Overall, this was a really fantastic read. It has a summer vibe in the sense that they're on a road trip and there are tons of funny moments, but this book is so much more that a quick summer read. The twists and turns, not to mention the deepness of the characters, makes this novel an unforgettable read. I couldn't recommend it more.

My ratings:

Plot:A

Truly original. I was hooked from the first few pages.

Characters: A

Smart and easy to connect with.

Cover:A

Love, love, love. Simple, but it captures the book well.

Length:A

No sagging moments, and ends complete.

A fantastic read that'll have you wanting to grab your iPod, keys, and go, I give Amy & Roger's Epic Detour:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (10)

2010-08-16T10:38:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posting this past week! I've had a lot of reading to do! However, lats of reading leads to lots of reviewing!

What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. All book links go to Goodreads :)

This Week's Reads:
The Sweetness of Salt by Cecilia Galante
Release: November 9th, 2010
I haven't read any of Galante's work, but so far so good!

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty
Didn't get to this one last week, but hopefully this week.
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Yay for my second Echols novel! I've read a lot of good reviews for this!

Privilege by Kate Brian
It'll be a toss up if I can make it to this one, but hopefully so!
Last week's reads:
I finished everything on my list but one!!

Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
Loved it! I wasn't sure before, but it turned out to be a good read!

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Also fantastic! Great characters!

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
So glad I finally got to reading this- review up soon!
Next week's reads:
Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt
This will probably be the only thing I get to read next week! With moving in to my apartment and starting classes, I probably won't get to read too much...

So those are my reads- past, present, and future. So what about you? It's Monday, what are you reading?

Book Blogger Hop (10)

2010-08-13T12:26:00.000-04:00

Hello, fellow bookworms! It' Friday, so you know what that means...

I've joined in on the Book Blogger Hop ( hosted every so graciously by Crazy for Books) again! It's such an awesome way to meet new bloggers! If you're here because of the Hop, be sure to say hi!

This week's question: How many books do you have on your 'to be read' shelf?

That's kind of a difficult question for me, haha. I think I'll take this question both physically and virtually. Physically, I have only 9 books that need to be read. I'm a big friend of the library, so I'm always one to find a book at the library before I make a purchase. I'm a college student so hauling books back to campus every year is troublesome.

Virtually, however, is a whole other story, if you check out my Goodreads (feel free to 'friend' me by the way), my to read list grows each week. Right now, though I'm at 74. I've done a pretty good job of getting this list down this summer, but with so many good books coming out, I'm sure it will escalate soon!

How about you? Do you have a mountain of books to tackle? Or do you try to keep things short and sweet?

As always, thanks for 'hopping' by! Have a great weekend and happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (21)

2010-08-11T09:58:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Mostly Good Girls

by Leila Sales

Release: October 5, 2010

Synopsis:

The higher you aim, the farther you fall….
It’s Violet’s junior year at the Westfield School. She thought she’d be focusing on getting straight As, editing the lit mag, and making Scott Walsh fall in love with her. Instead, she’s just trying to hold it together in the face of cutthroat academics, Scott Walsh’s new girlfriend, and the sense that things are going irreversibly wrong with her best friend, Katie.
When Katie starts making choices that Violet can’t even begin to fathom, Violet has no idea how to set things right between them. Westfield girls are trained for success—but how can Violet keep her junior year from being one huge epic fail?

My Thoughts:

Another debut author, woot!

First off, love the cover. I think it really backs the title well- good girl clothes, but the crossed legs and funky shoes helps to symbolize the 'mostly'. Since I also consider myself a "good girl" like Violet, I think I'll be able to relate to her. I'm also interested in what's going on with her best friend, Katie.

I think this could make a great read, and I'm always interested in finding new authors!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

2010-08-10T09:48:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:

Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper.
Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her.
Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide …

Review:

I hadn't read any Lauren Barnholdt before, so I was excited to jump into One Night. The premise sounded really fun, and reminded me a little bit of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist in the sense that if all occurred in one night. Those things alone got me in a positive mindset for the book, and after reading it, I was not disappointed.

It was really easy to get into One Night That Changes Everything with Eliza as the main character (side note- I love that she has a classic name. They're not common in YA books, so it was really refreshing). Eliza is easy to relate to, and hilarious to boot. Despite all the drama around her, her moments of sarcasm and frustration had me laughing. Eliza's definitely not perfect and has made a few bad decisions, her humor and growing confidence throughout the novel had me pulling for her the entire way.

I surprisingly enjoyed Cooper as well. A lot of reviewers felt the same, but I just couldn't see myself liking him after all he'd done to Eliza. As the book continued though, I was easily falling under his charm. He was definitely not the monster I had made him out to be, which was a pleasant surprise.

Overall, One Night was a great read. Barnholdt did a great job of blending the pleasant and not so pleasant things from Eliza's notebook together so that I was laughing for her at one moment, and cringing for her the next. While there is of course emphasis on Eliza and Cooper's relationship, Eliza's journey in learning more about herself was definitely in the forefront of this novel. I truly loved seeing Eliza grow and realize that the world won't end if she takes some chances.

My Ratings:

Plot: A

Original and fun. Super easy to get into.

Characters:A

Not how I thought they would be, and in a good way.

Cover: B

Definitely captures the fun, but it could have been a bit more dramatic.

Length: A

All done in one night- the timing was superb.

A fun novel full of dares, secrets, and fun, I give One Night That Changes Everything

Five Stars!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (9)

2010-08-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. All book links go to Goodreads :)

This Week's Reads:
Kind of ambitious, but hopefully I can make it!

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Got this one on Friday, but I'm just now getting into it! So far, so good!
Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
It's a take on Peter Pan. It was never one of my favorite kid movies, but I'm interested to see how this plays out!

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
This one came on Friday as well! Can't wait to get into it!
Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

Requested this from the library as soon as I finished Second Helpings, and it's finally here!

Last Week's Reads:

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
I've read a lot of great reviews, and after reading it myself, I can tell you the reviews are on the money!
The Treasure Map of Boys by e. Lockhart
Another series I didn't finish. Took me a second to remember all the characters, but after I did, I fell in love with Ruby all over again!

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Just finished this, and... wow. Let me just say finishing it was bittersweet. Sweet that I got an advance copy, and it was just as wonderful as I hoped. Bitter that I have to wait eons for the next one :(
Next Week's Reads:
Privilege by Kate Brian
?
Other than that, it's in the air. I'll probably be doing some last minute shopping before I go back to Emory, so it might be a light week.

So those are my reads- past, present, and future. So what about you? It's Monday, what are you reading?

Book Blogger Hop (9)

2010-08-06T11:36:00.000-04:00

Hello, fellow bookworms! It' Friday, so you know what that means...

I've joined in on the Book Blogger Hop ( hosted every so graciously by Crazy for Books) again! It's such an awesome way to meet new bloggers! If you're here because of the Hop, be sure to say hi!

This week's question: Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

It really depends. I usually read with the TV in the background, but if I know I'm going to be reading for a while (over 3 hours), then I go to Pandora on my iPod and listen to that. It's a mix, but I usually go to the Alicia Keys or John Mayer station while reading :)

What about you? Do you rock out while reading?

Happy Hopping! Have a great weekend!!

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

2010-08-05T18:08:00.002-04:00

Synopsis:

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she’s got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad’s girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar . . . and that’s just how she likes it.

Of course, that doesn’t help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah’s sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can’t stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she’s going crazy. Yet she’s determined to make things work out the way she wants – only what she wants may not be what she needs. . . .

Review:

I'm a growing fan of Elizabeth Scott novels. I haven't read everything from her (for shame, I know), but everything I have read, I've enjoyed. Something, Maybe is no exception.

While reading this, I couldn't help but admire Hannah's strength. While she may not have the best self confidence, but she handles herself well. With her mother not being the most stable, and her father never around until he needs her, Hannah has had to play the adult. While I hated that she had to play that role, she did play it well. However, you're able to tell that it's left her a little guarded.

What I appreciated about Something, Maybe was that there wasn't a major issue in the novel. It was simply a snapshot of Hannah's life. No major deadline, no huge if, then scenario. There's enough going on in Hannah's life that it carries the novel through. This was really refreshing. Sometimes it's nice just to take a peek into someone else's life without having a major situation going on. The relationships between Hannah and her parents as well as Hannah and Finn are so dynamic, they kept me completely invested in the novel.

I will say that there were moments where I wish things were stretched out a little more, moments where I felt I was missing a bit of dialogue, moments I can't talk about without spoiling things. However, this doesn't stop it from being quite an enjoyable read. I finished Something, Maybe in one sleepless night and enjoyed it tremendously.

My Ratings:

Plot: A

Very simple, but also very easy to get into.

Characters: A

Incredibly dynamic for such a short read. Easily understood.

Cover: B

Simple, but exemplifies Hannah's embarrassment over her parents.

Length: B

Ended well, but could have been longer

A fantastic snapshot of Hannah's World, Something Maybe deserves...

Four Stars!

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

2010-08-04T11:19:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Not That Kind of Girl

by Siobhan Vivian

Release: September 1st, 2010

Synopsis:

Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you want to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.

Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.

My Thoughts:

I haven't read any of Siobahn's work, but I'm really interested in this one. I can be a bit controlling myself, so I think I might be able to relate to Natalie :)

I'm also really interested in the dynamics of this high school- how important are labels to them? Is Natalie really in the limelight as much as she thinks or is it all in her head? And just who is this mystery guy?

Haven't seen a lot of reviews for this yet, but it sounds like a fab read!

Tweet Heart by Elizabeth Rudnick

2010-08-03T14:51:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:
Claire is a #hopelessromantic. Lottie is determined to set up her BFF with Mr. Perfect. Will wants his #secretcrush to finally notice him. Bennett is a man with a plan.
Claire can’t believe it when her dream guy starts following her on Twitter. She never thought he noticed her, and suddenly he seems to understand her better than almost anyone.
But the Twitterverse can be a confusing place, especially when friends act differently online than they do in person. Things get even more complicated when Claire realizes she’s falling for someone else, the last person she ever would have expected….
Told in an innovative format combining tweets, emails, and blogs, Tweet Heart is a contemporary romantic comedy that will set your heart atwitter
Review:

I love reading stories not in the traditional format. So when I found out Tweet Heart was told through tweets, emails, and blog posts, I was definitely intrigued.

Overall, I found Tweet Heart to be a really cute read. It's super light, so it'd make a fantastic beach read. While there is a lot of focus on Claire, the supporting characters played a humongous role. I would even go so far as to say that they were almost equal. Almost. I found the whole cast to be funny and genuine, making them easy to understand.

However, while I enjoyed the format, I almost wish it were traditional. There were some moment in the book where I wished I could have been there. I missed the emotions somewhat. For anyone who's ever tried to convey their emotions electronically, you understand what I mean. A heartfelt apology or excitement just doesn't come off as heartfelt when reading it on your computer screen instead of hearing it in person. So while I was able to see the emotions, I have a feeling they would have felt different if I had been there instead of reading a 140 character summary. That said, I do commend Rudnick for being able to do so.

My Ratings:

Plot: B

Super cute, original, and very relevant to our time.

Characters: B

Easy to understand, but I couldn't completely connect since there was no face to face dialogue.

Cover: C

A little too personal for a book so electronically distant.

Length:A

Super short, but that fits for this book.

A cute summer read that'll be trending in no time, I give Tweet Heart:

Four Stars!

Infinite Days Winner!!!

2010-08-02T17:40:00.000-04:00

Through the powers of Random.org, a winner has been chosen for the ARC of Infinite Days!

And the winner is....

(Imaginary drumroll, please...)

Nicole M.

Congrats Nicole! I'll be emailing you shortly!

For those who didn't win, never fear, another giveaway is just around the corner :)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (8)

2010-08-02T12:26:00.000-04:00

What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. All book links go to Goodreads :)

This Week's Reads:

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
(release October 12)
Didn't get to read as much as I thought I would last week, so I'll be finishing it up this week. I kind of like that though, devouring it slowly. That means less time to wait for the next part in the series :)
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Barely started this one last week, but I should be able to finish.

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
Just got it today, very excited to read it!!!
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Getting this from a tour site, so hopefully it'll be here soon!

Last Week's Reads:

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
Not usually into historical fiction, but this was fantastic!

Rich & Mad by William Nicholson
(Released Sep. 14)
Not what I expected at all. Review coming soon.

Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
So happy that I started this series over. It's fantastic!

Next Week's Reads:

Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

Watch Me by Lauren Barnholdt

So those are my reads- past, present, and future. So what about you? It's Monday, what are you reading?

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

2010-07-30T20:18:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy

Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually

came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s

supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same

name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they

MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is

her best friend’s boyfriend

Review:

When I got this book, I was so excited to read it. I was ready for a light read. However, I was a little disappointed with this read. I'll say now that I seem to be in the minority for this read. I'll admit it is a fun read, but it was a bit too fantastical for me.

I will say that I did appreciate Kayla. Going through all of her wishes in only a matter of days, she had to develop rather quickly. It made it really easy for me to understand her. She also had a likable spunk, which worked well in the book.

There were also surprisingly deeper elements in the book, such as Kayla's relationship with her father. With the majority of the other elements being lighter, it put me a little at odds with the deeper moments. While I appreciated them, they almost felt like interruptions. I know life's not roses and Kayla is particularly unhappy with hers, in this otherwise light novel that was a bit out there, the deeper moments didn't fit to me.

Overall the novel was funny and an easy read. For some reason I can't put my finger on, it just didn't sit well with me. Don't get me wrong, it had its moments. It just wasn't for me. Again, I'm in the minority with this.

Ratings:

Plot: B

Truly original. Very easy to get into. The elements just didn't mix well with me.

Characters: B

As there should be, there was a lot of emphasis on Kayla. However it left little time to get into the other characters.

Cover: C

Cute, but it doesn't really match the book. For one, the pony is bright pink. Also, there was a lot more emphasis on the cake rather than the cupcake.

Length:B

Though it was an easy read, I felt like there were moments where things were drawn out. I feel like a resolution could have been reached quicker.

A book where all your wishes come true at all the wrong moments, I give You Wish

Three Stars!

Book Blogger Hop! (8)

2010-07-30T10:16:00.000-04:00

Hello, fellow bookworms! It' Friday, so you know what that means...

I've joined in on the Book Blogger Hop ( hosted every so graciously by Crazy for Books) again! It's such an awesome way to meet new bloggers! If you're here because of the Hop, be sure to say hi!

This week's question: Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

This is a tough one. I've read so many good books this year. However, I think I'd have to say Jenny Han. I absolutely love the "Summer" series (The Summer I Turned Pretty and It's Not Summer Without You). The writing is excellent, and she has a way of enveloping you into the story, so it's summer no matter what time of year you read it.

So now you know my favorite new to me author this year. Who's yours??

Also...

If you hadn't noticed, I have a giveaway for Rebeca Maizel's new novel Infinite Days! Go here for details!! Giveaway ends on August 1st!

Happy Hopping! Have a great weekend!!

Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

2010-07-29T15:45:00.001-04:00

Synopsis:
Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . .
Review:

I'll admit to you now that I am not a Beatles expert by any means. Before I read this book, I don't even think I could tell you all of their names or name more than 5 songs (for shame I know)! But I'll also tell you that you don't have to be a Beatles expert to fall in love with this book.

Penny is instantly likable. I loved how honest she was with herself, as well as how dedicated she was to her friends. I could see where she was coming from throughout the whole novel, which made me really feel like I was there.

Aside from Penny, there's a fantastically dynamic membership in the Lonely Hearts Club. You find yourself being able to relate to someone, even if just the smallest thing. If it's Penny looking to live life for her, and not for boys, or Diane looking to find real friends and go for what she really wants. As the membership in the Lonely Hearts Club grows and the members join for their various reasons, you're able to relate to someone. I loved that because I saw not only myself, but my friends as well.

The guys in the novel were just as dynamic. From the player to the 'boy next door', you're able to see a versatile group of guys. I found this to be a really important element because it helped to show that not all guys are the same, nor are they all jerks.

Honestly, I really can't say enough good things about The Lonely Hearts Club. With Penny's hilarious Beatle fanatic parents and the awesome display of friendship in the Lonely Hearts Club, I absolutely loved this novel!

My Ratings:

Plot: A

Really cute. I was hooked as soon as I started.

Characters:A
Incredibly dynamic and understandable. Loved the entire cast!

Cover: A

While I may not know everything about the Beatles, I did know enough to recognize the cover's modernized play on a classic Beatles image.

Length: A

Fantastic. Gave me just enough background to get into Penny's life and ended with a sweet resolution.

A sweet novel full of friendship, independence, and Beatle mania, I give this novel:

Five Stars!!

Bonus: You can check out a deleted scene from the novel here. It shows you just how wonderfully funny Penny's parents are.

I'll be doing a Story Cast Saturday for this book this week! Stay tuned!!

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

2010-07-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

Aces Up

by Lauren Barnholdt

Release date: August 10, 2010

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old high school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley, but her dad just lost his job, and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped.
When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore.
Soon Shannon's caught up in a web of lies and deceit that makes worrying about tuition money or a high school crush seem like kid stuff. Still, when the money's this good, is the fear of getting caught reason enough to fold?

My Thoughts:

First off, this will be Lauren Barnholdt's third book release of the summer, so that alone amazes me. Being a college student myself, I can definitely relate to the money woes that Shannon has, so I think I'll be able to connect with her. The plot itself sounds really unique, especially given its female MC. I mean, when was the last time you read about a female poker star? Plus Cole sounds intriguing. Hot and powerful? Yes, please :) This sounds like a fantastic read before I head back onto campus. Hmm, maybe I'll even learn a few poker tips?

I've also made a widget for this read (right above you ;) ), so feel free to grab it and post it on your blog as well!

You don't have to wait too long for this read! Aces Up comes out August 10th!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?

The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

2010-07-27T10:45:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

"Personally, I’m tired of waiting for the universe to get off its butt and start fixing stuff. I don’t want to wait around for Mason to get what’s coming to him. Or Heather Campbell, for that matter . . . I want to be there to see it happen."
Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. It’s that mysterious, powerful force that brings harmony to the universe. You know—do good things and you will be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what’s coming to you. A sort of cosmic balancing act.
But when Mason Brooks, Maddy’s boyfriend of two years, gets caught tongue-wrestling with Miss Perfect Body Heather Campbell, and absolutely nothing happens to either of them—except that they wind up the hot new couple of Colonial High School, it seems like Karma has officially left Maddy in the lurch. That’s why Maddy and her best friends, Angie and Jade, decide to start the Karma Club—a secret, members-only organization whose sole purpose is to clean up the messes that the universe has been leaving behind. Whether they’re modifying Heather Campbell’s acne cream as part of “Operation Butterface,” or righting a few wrongs when it comes to Angie and Jade’s own slimy exes, they know they’re just doing what Karma should have done in the first place. They’re taking care of one another.
Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. Because it turns out, when you mess with Karma, Karma messes back. Now Maddy must find a way to balance her life for good, even as everything around her seems to be toppling to the ground

Review:

I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this book. It sounded original with a main character who sounded like they could take action. While I found both those things to be true, I was a little disappointed with the novel as a whole.

Maddy was a fairly likable character. However, I found her to be a little too eager to be popular. At times she seemed somewhat obsessed Heather Campbell and her popular crew. While I'll admit this eagerness was demonstrated more so in the beginning of the novel, it was still off-putting to me since after reading the synopsis I had already envisioned her stronger than that. I was hoping for her strength again in the all too soon breakup with Mason, however I think I was hoping for this because I hadn't had enough time to truly understand their relationship. Maddy's infatuation with Mason was apparent off the bat, but I hadn't seen that from Mason yet.

The club itself was a unique idea, but a part of me found some of the revenge tactics a little too vindictive. I understood that their targets had indeed done them wrong and weren't the sweetest of people, however it was a bit too much for me. Their actions had the possibility of major repercussions, and that didn't sit well with me.

My ratings:

Plot: B

Easy to get into, a little rushed towards the end

Characters: C

I little frustrating. It was hard to click with the characters.

Cover: A

Really cute. Love that the notebook is on the cover.

Length: B

Things seemed a little rushed at some points and slow at others, but unfortunately at the wrong moments for me. (Ex. Mason & Maddy's relationship

A novel where everything happens for a reason (but not by itself), I give The Karma Club:

Three Stars!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (7)

2010-07-26T16:05:00.000-04:00

What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. All book links go to Goodreads :)

This Week's Reads:

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

(release October 26)

Finally I get to delve into this! So so excited!

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

Just received this one today! I don't usually read historical fiction, so it should be interesting.

Rich & Mad by William Nicholson

(Released Sep. 14)

About halfway through this one. It's still hard to get into its third person style.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

This one is going to be for Summer Beach Reads Challenge. Excited to get into it!

Last Week's Reads:

(Kind of slow...)

Kiss It by Erin Downing

Tweet Heart by Elizabeth Rudnick

Next Week's Reads:

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

So those are my reads- past, present, and future. So what about you? It's Monday, what are you reading?

Story Cast Saturday: Shiver

2010-07-24T14:42:00.000-04:00

If you haven't noticed, a lot of YA movies are being optioned into film. While this doesn't mean it will automatically be produced, its foot is in the door.

That in mind, I thought it would be fun to create a new meme (new, to the best of my knowledge, that is) that highlights my dream cast for a particular book. The cast is thought of by me after my own thoughts, Google, StoryCasting.com, and possibly the author.

So first up to the plate is

Shiver by

Maggie Stiefvater

I just found out that Shiver had been optioned (I'm so behind, I know), plus with all the talk of Linger, I thought its predecessor would be a fitting first choice.

Grace: Eliza Bennett

Per the author herself, I'm also casting my vote for Eliza Bennet. I wasn't positive at first, but after I picked my Sam, I think she could work.

Sam: Logan Lerman

This seemed to be one of the more popular choices, and I'd have to agree. I think he could pull off Sam's apprehensive nature in the beginning, and the romance later on.
Isabel: Taylor Momsen or Sara Paxton

I wanted someone who could pull off... let's say rude, as well as be able to show moments of sweetness (even if only a sliver). Gossip Girl fan that I am, I saw Taylor Momsen. She'd be able to do the anger well, I think. I can also see Sara Paxton. Isabel's very popular and I'd imagine is able to pull off a sweet facade around teachers/adults. Sara could do that well

Shelby: Marie Avgeropoulos

Though she's not blonde, when I saw this picture, it screamed Shelby to me. I mean, look at her eyes. She looks so fierce and in control. For this pick, all acting ability is aside since I haven't seen her in too many things. I hear she was in Percy Jackson though.

Jack: Jake Abel
Am I on a Percy Jackson streak or what? I actually found Jake Abel while watching TV last night- a commercial clip for Supernatural came on. After some Googling and Youtube-ing, I knew he was my Jack. He can do cocky well. I also think he'd be able to pull off Jack's spastic behavior.

Beck: Paul Johansson

If you don't recognize him, Paul plays the dad of Lucas & Nathan from One Tree Hill. I picked him, because he can carry himself as the authoritative figure well. Though he wasn't Father of the Year on OTH, I think he could work well as an authoritative figure for Sam. I'm a little hesitant though, since I picture Beck a teeny bit younger.

So if I were in the director's chair, these actors would be on the big screen for Shiver. What are your thoughts? Agree/disagree? Who would you cast?

What other books would you like to see on Story Cast Saturday?

Book Blogger Hop! (7)

2010-07-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

Hello, fellow bookworms! It' Friday, so you know what that means...

I've joined in on the Book Blogger Hop ( hosted every so graciously by Crazy for Books) again! It's such an awesome way to meet new bloggers! If you're here because of the Hop, be sure to say hi!

This week's question: TELL US ABOUT THE BOOK YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING!

Well, I just finished Kiss It by Erin Downing all of 30 minutes ago. It was definitely different from what I was expecting. The cover seems so innocent, but the main character, Chastity, is definitely not. It took a while to get used to, but it ended up being a good read. Now that it's over, I'll be moving on to Rich & Mad by William Nicholson and Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

Also...

If you hadn't noticed, I have a giveaway for Rebeca Maizel's new novel Infinite Days! Go here for details!!

Happy Hopping! Have a great weekend!!

Infinite Days Giveaway!

2010-07-22T21:43:00.002-04:00

Hello, fellow bookworms! In honor of reaching 100 followers, I'm throwing a giveaway! You have a chance to win the book featured in my latest review: Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel!

Here are the details:
You must fill out this form to enter!!

The contest is open now until 11:00 PM EDT on August 1, 2010

The contest is only open to the US and Canada (sorry!)

Winner will be selected and announced on August 2nd. They will also be contacted via email

The winner has 3 days to respond after contact. On the fourth day, a new winner will be announced.

View my review of Infinite Days here. There are extra points for commenting!

Good Luck!

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

2010-07-22T11:23:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:

Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her new found life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?

Review:

I was so so lucky to have won this book form Goodreads. A lot of people have posted this on Waiting on Wednesday, so I was very excited to read it.

I'll start off by saying I was in a bit of a book funk when I first started this book. Rebecca Maizel got me out of this funk. So if you're reading this Rebecca (which would be all sorts of amazing), thank you. We've all been reading about vampires and werewolves, but this book stands well on its own two feet. I found it to be truly unique.

The book starts off right after Lenah has become human. I loved this because by doing so you experience with Lenah all the new things she's feeling, because for the first time she actually can feel. I'll admit I was a bit worried at first that I wouldn't know Lenah's past well enough to get into the novel, but my worries quickly faded. Maizel does a fantastic job of intertwining Lenah's past and present. By doing so, I was able to understand Lenah quickly. It also made it easy to see how much Lena was changing as time passed, as well as to see what was inherently hers, vampire or not. That made me appreciate things such as her courage and passion (be it for good or evil) even more so.

Moving on from Lenah, the rest of the characters were also well developed. I especially appreciated Tony, Lenah's first real friend at Wickham. He's undeniably sweet and I loved seeing him develop in the novel. I also appreciated that he was a minority (Japanese). Yay for diversity! His appearances were great highlights of the novel for me.

There was an overall tension in the novel. Even in happier moments, you could feel Lenah's anticipation and worry as her coven's inevitable appearance. This is what made the novel great to me. I loved the wait and the worry I felt, not knowing when they would arrive. It made me feel for Lenah even more as she became more and more settled into a normal life. The tension created a strong connection for me to the novel.

Overall, Infinite Days is a fantastic start to what is shaped to be a fabulous new series. One for which I personally cannot wait for. The cliffhanger at the end has me wanting more already.

Ratings:

Plot:A

Unique. Easy to get into, and not very predictable.

Characters:A

Well developed. Definitely understandable.

Cover art: A

Simple, but still catches your eye.

Length: A

Danger, danger! Crazy cliffhanger ahead. Ended at just the right spot- when I was wanting more. Vampire Queen #2, where are you?

Unique and breathtaking, I give Infinite Days:

Five Stars!

Infinite Days is available August 3rd, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

2010-07-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is so graciously hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week's pick is...

The Mockingbirds by

Daisy Whitney

Release Date: November 2nd, 2010

Synopsis:

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.
In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

My Thoughts:

The Mockingbirds sounds really fantastic. I'm really interested in learning the Themis Way. Plus, it's tackling a tough subject- rape. The fact that Alex thinks the Mockingbirds could help her shows just how powerful they must be. Plus, we've all read about the secret societies that are not so giving, so this is a different take. A secret society that does for the better of the people. Interesting. I've heard nothing but fantastic things about this novel, so I'm dying to read it!
I've also heard there's going to be a sequel!

So that's what I'm waiting for this week! It's Wednesday, what are you 'waiting' for?