Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books That Should Be In A Beach Bag (your perfect beach reads!)
1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.  I haven't read this book but I just bought it.  Every keeps telling me how much this series rocks and since it has summer right in the title I thought this would be a perfect beach read.

2. Sisterhood Everlasting (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants #5) by Ann Brashares.  This book comes out soon and I can't wait to read it.  I loved this series so much and I can't wait to see what happened to these wonderful ladies.  The other novels were fun and fresh, but  I've heard this one has some sad moments so I'm not sure if I'll be reading this at the beach or not.    

3. The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring.  I loved Winnalee; she was a fun, spunky character who I would have loved to know growing up. 

4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  This was a great novel.  It was fun, light and completely loveable.  If you haven't read this yet I suggest adding it to your summer reading list and moving it to position one.  You won't regret it. 

5. Juliet by Anne Fortier.  A modern day retelling of the 'real' Romeo and Juliet.  I loved this book and couldn't put it down.  Everyone loves a little romance on the beach.  

6. The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampires Series by Charlaine Harris.  The scenes between Eric and Sookie will leave you so hot you'll have to jump in the water just to cool off.     

7.  One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.  This is the first book in the Stephanie Plum series.  It is laugh-out-loud funny and will be a nice mix in with all the romance.  

8.  Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  This has everything you need for a great beach read.  It's got a kick butt herione, some killer action, a hot guy and some steamy love scenes. 

9.  Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell.  Image Sex in the City only in a novel.  Plentely a hot scenes that will leave you blushing.  Good thing everyone will just think you got a little sun burnt. 

10.  Any 'bodice ripping' romance novel.  This is a must have in every beach bag.  It's just not the beach without your Harlequin.

Review of Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Title:  Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Author: Richelle Mead

Published by: Razorbill

Pages: 503

Source: Bought

Rating: 4/5

From Goodreads: The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri. He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

So the first thing I have to talk about is how gutsy Richelle Mead is to do what she did at the end of Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3).  I'm in awe and very proud that she'd not go along the line that the fans wanted her to and instead add a twist so huge to the story that it left everyone (well at least me) breathless.

That being said Rose tries to right that wrong for us.  Oh fearless and brave Rose always running into battle to save the day or in this case, Dimitri's integrity.  Along her mission she meets some of Dimitri's family, which I must say that I completely adore them and want to adopt them as my family (even the crazy grandmother). 

While this novel was jammed packed with action, adventure and lust I didn't feel like I connected to the characters as much as I usually do.  Don't get me wrong my eyes were glued to the pages and it was hard to stop reading to take breaks and eat, but I just craved a little more out of the novel. 

Overall I fascinating novel and a great addition to an amazing series.     

Follow My Blog Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

           My answer to this week's Follow Friday question:

 

Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?

It all depends on the week for me.  I guess a typical week would be 2 hard copies, 1 audiobook, and 1 digital book.  In the summer or if I'm on vacation it tends to be more, but otherwise that's pretty normal.

What about you? 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here.

Giveaway!

It's time for another giveaway.  This time there will be 2 winners...I bet you are wondering what you will win.  The first place winner will get a copy of She Smells The Dead (Spirit Guide #1) by E.J. Stevens and some swag that was donated by the author and the second prize winner will get a some sway from She Smells Dead and Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide #2) also donated by the author. 

Rules:
This is open to both U.S. and International readers 
You must be 13 years of age or older to enter
This Form must be filled ou
The contest ends on June 5th at 11:59 CST
The winners will have 3 days to return my email or new winnesr will be choosen

**I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items.  (I haven't had any lost or damaged and I really hope that none will be)

Review of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Title: Maniac Magee Author: Jerry Spinelli
Published by: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 184
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5

From Goodreads: Maniac Magee is a folk story about a boy, a very excitable boy. One that can outrun dogs, hit a home run off the best pitcher in the neighborhood, tie a knot no one can undo. "Kid's gotta be a maniac," is what the folks in Two Mills say. It's also the story of how this boy, Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee, confronts racism in a small town, tries to find a home where there is none and attempts to soothe tensions between rival factions on the tough side of town. Presented as a folk tale, it's the stuff of storytelling. "The history of a kid," says Jerry Spinelli, "is one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball." And for this kid, four parts of fun.

I picked this novel up for $1 at our local thrift store and decided I should read it since it won the Newbery Medal. 

At first I was really confused as to what this story was about.  There was just this kid who ran away and was trying to find where he belonged.  But as this story progressed you really got to know Jeffrey (Maniac Magee).  He was a wonderful person and cared about others.  He was lost in life and just trying to fit in, but to not conform to other peoples ideas. 

The writing was simple and flowed nicely.  It was a very fast read, but very meaningful as well.  This novel was not only about what a family means, but also about different types of families and how each family is unique, but share some of the same traits. 

Overall, this was a good read that I think most people would enjoy.   

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books You Lied About (lied about reading, lied about NOT reading, lied about liking/disliking, etc....dish your dirty secrets!!)

1.  The Odyssey and The Iliad by Homer.  We had to read both of these novels in high school.  I admit that I got the cliff notes version and just told my teacher I read them.  After the discussions we had in class though I did actually go out and read the actual version of The Odyssey, but I haven't read The Illiad yet.

2.  Midnight Champagne by A. Manette Ansay.  I didn't really lie about not liking this book I just never stated my opinion.  This is one of the books I discussed for my Adult Literature Book Club and most people seemed to like it.  I didn't, so instead of an inquistivate attack (these ladies can by quite pushy) I just didn't say anything about it.  

Wow, this is a really hard topic this week.  I can't think of any more; I guess I pretty outspoken about what I read.   What about you...what books have you lied about?  

Review of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 424
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5

From Goodreads:  City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

So if you already didn't know I'm as huge fan of The Mortal Instruments Series and an even bigger fan of Jace.  Besides Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampires series, Jace sounds like my ideal guy.  Therefore, I must admit I'm a bit protective of him. 

That all being said I'm very confused and upset about what happens to Jace throughout this novel.  Do you ever feel like authors just won't leave the characters alone and let them be happy?  I completely understand if they did this it would be an incredible boring book and wouldn't sell any copies, but my love of Jace wants him to be happy.  

Ok enough about that, on with the rest of the review.  I love how Cassandra Clare transitioned from the conflict with Valentine to this new direction.  It isn't often an author can extend their series and do it flawlessly.  

We get to see a lot more of Simon in this nove;, in fact, he plays a very important and significant part.  I love that he's geeky and sweet, yet he's the most terrifying vampire let alone downworlder there is.  

Be ready for a rollercoaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading way past your bedtime.  

Overall it's a great installment to an excellent series and if you haven't read City of Bones yet...go do it, seriously you won't regret it.    

Follow My Blog Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

           My answer to this week's Follow Friday question: 

Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1.  All the clothes in my closet are divided into sections and organized according the the visible spectrum (i.e. the rainbow).

2.  I brush my teeth twice in the morning...once when I first get up and then again after I've eaten breakfast.

3.  I have to read to fall asleep at night, even if it's just a page.

4.  I sit at the same seat at the dinner table, sleep on the same side of the bed, and take the same way to work everyday.

5.  I have so many clothes that I ended up taking over a closet in another room besides my closet in my room and my dressers just to fit all my clothes and shoes. 

After reading over this list people will start to think I'm neurotic...oh well, it's all part of my charm. 

Review of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Uglies

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Published by: Simon Pulse

Pages: 425

Source: Bought

Rating: 4 stars

From Goodreads:  Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

I've heard about this novel for a long time and I finally decided it was time to read it.  The premise behind this book is so interesting.  Once a person turns sixteen they get this operation that makes them pretty, and of course everyone can't wait. 

But there is this mysterious group of people, who realize that by becoming pretty you essentially lose everything that's special about you.  Since they are opposing the natural order of things they live in hiding and Tally's friend runs off to join them.  Now Tally's stuck between betraying her friend, and telling the authorities where her friend went, to become pretty or keeping her promise and staying ugly forever.

At first I was really sad when I was reading this novel because this future scared me.  I almost felt offended and like I was being called an Ugly because I didn't have plastic surgery to correct all the things that made me unique.  I got that the point of the book was to over exploit these thoughts of beauty but the mindset of the people in this novel is just plan scary.

I really enjoyed this novel and came to love these characters.  They are people I care about and I didn't want to see their individuality taken away.  Tally was a strong individual who had to make a difficult choice.  I loved how she grew throughout the novel and came into her own confidence.  

As much as I liked the novel, I'm still a bit shaken by it.  People are obsessed with beauty and it is easy to imagine this world someday becoming ours.  Sometimes these dystopian novels hit a little too close to home.   

What about you?  Would you risk all your individuality to become "pretty?" 

Review of Plan B by Charnan Simon

Title: Plan B 
Author: Charnan Simon
Published by: Lerner Classroom
Pages: 104
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Rating: 2.5/5

From Goodreads:  Is this happily ever after? Lucy has her life planned out: she'll graduate and then join her boyfriend, Luke, at college in Austin. She'll become a Spanish teacher and of course they'll get married. So there's no reason to wait, right? They try to be careful. But then Lucy gets pregnant. Now, none of Lucy's options are part of her picture-perfect plan. Together, she and Luke will have to make the most difficult decision of their lives.

This is a very short novel that I read in one setting.  This novel deals with the topic of teen pregnancy.  While this is a heavy issue, I thought the author did a good job at keeping it realistic.  It went over Lucy's feelings and how both her boyfriend, Luke, and her mother reacted when she told them the news.  It covered all of Lucy options in a way that discussed them and the difficulty in making the decision without being preachy.

I had some issue with the novel when I first started reading it.  The writing was very simple and often felt like it left out details or that the chapters would just end.  I also felt like there wasn't much charater development.

I decided to look into the novel a little more and found out it was part of a series of books called Surviving Southside.  This series features urban fiction novels dealing with teen issues, both good and bad.  They are written at a fouth-grade reading level and meant for readers who read below grade level or are ESL/ELL. 

I think it's awesome that their are novels out their dealing with serious issues and written in a way that all students can understand.  I'm glad that students who have trouble reading get to read about people their age instead of practicing reading on picture books.   

That being said I think it was a great novel for it's purpose.  Now that I understand what the purpose of the series was about I think I would have enjoyed the novel more when I originally read it.

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Favorite Minor Characters ( you know... all those great supporting character or a VERY minor character that might have been only in there a page or two but had an effect on you)

1 and 2.  Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood from The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.  I loved both of these characters from the begining and think they make the best supporting characters ever. 

3 and 4.  Jasper Hale and Emmett Cullen from The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers.  These two were the best comic relief and had that awesome big brother vibe going on. 

5.  Harley from Across the Universe by Beth Revis.  There is something about Harley that captured my heart. 

6 and 7.  Lennie's grandmother and uncle in The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.  I think both of these people were important people in Lennie's life that helped her move past her grief in her own way.

8.  Calla's brother in Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.  I loved how he wanted to choose his own destiny and that he fully supported his sister.  Gotta love that in a little brother.

9.  Sarah's son in Little Bee by Chris Cleave.  I'm forgetting the little boy's name right now, but he added a little sunshine to an otherwise wonderful, but very emotionally difficult read.

That's all I got for this week. . . . what about you?

Review of The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Title: The Vespertine
Author: Saundra Mitchell
Published by: Harcourt Children's Books
Pages: 293
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Rating:  4/5

From Goodreads: It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.



This book was amazing.  The mix of historical fiction and paranormal was addictive and thrilling.  I didn't quite understand the paranormal aspects at first but as the story continued it became more evident and interlaced itself seamlessly into the story.

Amelia was a character that I instantly formed a connection to.  She was sent to Baltimore to find herself a husband and of course the person she falls for is far below her class.  Amelia and Nathaniel's relationship is forbidden and looked down upon which only made me crave it that much more.  Every scene they were together was thrilling and racy and left you wanting and wondering when they would meet again.

Amelia's visions at first seemed like fun parlor games, but soon it was evident that there was great danger in these visions that held not only happiness but pain.  The ending of this book left me heart broken and hopeful.  It's hard to describe the emotions I felt without giving too much away.  So with that being said if you want to know more...read it yourself, you won't be disappointed.  

Overall this was a fantastic novel that I would recommend to anyone.   

Follow My Blog Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

           My answer to this week's Follow Friday question:

 

 

Q. The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional. What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?

 

The last time I cried uncontrollably was when I read Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead.  I think I actually had to put down the book and wait for a minute so I could see through the tears again. 

Mid-week mess up

Oh jeez...apparently I was a little tired last night as I was writing a review of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  I try to write my reviews the night before and then schedule the review to post in the morning.  I guess I typed in the date wrong and the review that I meant to post today actually retro-posted for Monday.  That will teach me to write my reviews before 11:30 at night.

What have been some of your blog mess-ups? 

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten: Jerks In Literature 

1. Pradraig from Impossible by Nancy Werlin.  This guy was a horrible person.  I mean truly horrible.    

2. Raziel from Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly.  Just when you think angels are the good guys, this one comes around.  

3. Draco Malfoy from The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.  Even though he was just trying to be like his daddy, he still was a jerk.

4. Brain Nelson from Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.  This boy needed a serious talking to or maybe just a slap across the face would work too.     

5. Snape from The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.  Did he really have to be so mean to Harry in the first 6 books.  Really?

6. Bill from The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampires Series by Charlaine Harris.  He definitely deserves a stake...well maybe not a stake but possibly some garlic.  

7.  Eric from The House of the Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast.  For the first couple of books I really liked him, then I was ready punch him.  

8.  Henry VIII from The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory.  Sisters...seriously???

9.  Brad from Jemima J by Jane Green.  He was one self-absorbed, first-class, prick.

10.  Wesley from The DUFF by Kody Keplinger.  Anyone who would call another person the DUFF, much less nick-name her that needs to be smacked...and hard.   

 

Review of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Published by: Razorbill
Pages: 288
Source: Audiobook from Library
Rating: 4.5/5

From Goodreads: Jay Asher's brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story that focuses on a set of audiotapes made by a girl before she committed suicide, and which explain to 13 people the reasons why she decided to end her life. Told in a highly effective duel narrative -- alternating between the girl s voice and the thoughts of a boy who is listening -- this honest, poignant story reveals how other people's actions shape, and by extension can ruin, an individual's faith in people. Intensely powerful and painfully real, Thirteen Reasons Why reveals how brutal high school can be, the consequences of spreading rumors, and the lasting effects of suicide on those left behind.

The idea of this novel haunted me even before I picked it up.  I mean how freaky would that be to receive tapes from a deceased girl talking about how each person affected her life and in turn her death.  Yikes!!! 

The first thing I noticed when listening to this novel is how much I like Clay.  I felt he was the kind-hearted, good guy and I was really confused why he was receiving these tapes.  It felt almost like he was being punished.  He seemed to care so much for Hannah and these tapes were just hurting him.  I think he was the perfect narrator for this story.  He helped us the most to understand Hannah and all of her situations than anyone else would have.   

Hannah was an interesting character.  At first I was really upset with her.  I felt she was blaming people for her suicide and I didn't really understand, but then I really listened and I was heart-broken.  I don't think people realize how much teasing, bullying and rumors hurt people.  I very much believe that a person can be hurt so much more emotionally (especially in high school) then they usually are physically.  I think some high-schoolers (and people in general) are a bit selfish and tend to think only of themselves and not about how their actions effect others. 

I highly recommend this novel mostly as a way to understand Hannah's story and others who may be like her.   

Review of What Happened To Goodbye

Title: What Happened To Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published by: Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 416
Source: ARC
Rating 4/5
Available: May 10th, 2011

From Goodreads:  Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?

Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite young adult authors.  Her novels always deal with tough issues that teenagers are dealing with.  She is a wonderful writer who creates characters that speak to you. 

In this novel Mclean is still troubled about her parents divorce.  She blames her mom and can't seem to move past that and into a relationship with her.  Mclean is falling apart by creating different versions of herself with each move she makes, but what happens when she doesn't really know who she is anymore? 

I really liked Mclean's character.  She was broken and raw and trying to discover who she really was.  One of the many things that Sarah Dessen does really well is her characters.  All of the characters in this novel are real.  They are fun, spunky, and genuine.  This novel is worth reading just to meet these characters.  

Another things you'll fall in love with in this novel is the relationship between Mclean and Dave.  They are sweet, innocent and fun.  Dave is a genious, prodigy child and just trying to fit in.  He brings out the real Mclean and soon you'll be falling for him too.   

I'm not a huge basketball fan, so some of the novel got lost on me.  It is not much and everything that was occurring around the basketball was really interesting, but that's just me.  If it was any sport besides basketball I'd have been glued to every word.   

If you are looking for a great read, this novel will not disappoint.

Review of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

Author: Ally Carter

Published by: Hyperion

Pages: Hyperion

Source: Audiobook borrow from Library

Rating: 3.5/5

From Goodreads: The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women lives up to its name. Not only does this exclusive boarding school teach advanced language skills and correct deportment; its students also master the arts of tapping phones, hacking into computers, and spying in public places. At school, second-generation Gallagher Girl Cammie Morgan has impeccable credentials: She is fluent in 14 languages and able to kill an assailant in seven different ways. But recently life has dealt Cammie a card that she never anticipated: She has fallen in love with an ordinary boy who knows nothing about her exotic double life. A truly covert romance.

Welcome to spy school, and not any spy school but the Gallagher Academy a prestigious all girls spy school.  These girls may know how to deactivate a bomb and kill you with a straw, but they don't have much experience with boys.

This is a light and fun read.  It followed the adventures of Cammie and her friends as Cammie tries to blend in and be normal with a boy in town.  She mets Josh when she's on a covert operation and develops a crush on him.  As their relationship progesses, Cammie's true identity gets harder and harder to hide.

I really liked Cammie and her friends.  They were great girls and people I would love to have in my life.  They really stuck up for each other and were there when things got tough. 

This one thing that I wasn't too fond of was the reader of the audiobook.  I understand she was portraying a teenage girl, but I felt her voice was a bit over the top.  Soon though, I got into the story and her voice didn't bother me as much. 

Overall if you are looking for a quick and chick-lit read, this is your book!

Follow My Blog Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

           My answer to this week's Follow Friday question:

 

Q. Circle time! Time to share. What character in a book would you most like to be, what character in a book would you most like to date?

 

Wow...this is a hard question.  Every character I originally thought of had something horrible happen to them or led a difficult life.  I was looking for a character who was completely normal and didn't have bad things in their life.  Well, I guess that character doesn't exist or if they did it would probablly be a very boring book. 

 

So I ended up picking Sookie Stackhouse for the character I'd most like to be.  (I know that she has had horrible things happen to her and leads a difficult life, but I still had to pick someone.)  I think Sookie is very different from me in some ways, and in others I think we are very similar.  She's pretty, tough, brave, smart-mouthed and sassy.  Plus she is surrounded by smokin' hot guys!   

 

As for what character I'd like to date, I'd have to stick with the Sookie theme and go with Eric Northman.  If you've been following my blog you'll notice I have a slight obsessions with him.  He is my perfect man (minus the blood sucking...though I probably wouldn't mind a little nip from him).  

Review of Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Title: Wings
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Published by: HarperTeen
Pages: 294
Source:  Bought
Rating: 3.5/5

From Goodreads:  Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words. Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
 
I loved how original the faeries were in this novel.  The author gives an unexpected, but incredibly amazing twist on a mythical creature that has been so common in the YA world.  I don't want to give away anything but let me tell you that you are going to be blown away by how different the faeries are and their history.  

As for the characters, I liked how free spirited Laurel was.  At first I thought she was a new-age, non-smelly, shower-every-day hippy, but as it turns out she is more connected to the earth than I ever realized.  

There is a love triangle in this novel between Laurel, David (her human best friend) and Tamani (another faerie).  As much as I love a good love triangle this one didn't do it for me.  I liked Laurel and David's relationship, but Laurel and Tamani just felt forced to me.  

Overall this is a refreshingly original novel to add to your YA faeries reading list.   

Review of Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Title:  Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Published by: Hyperion

Pages: 320

Source:  Bought

Rating:  4/5

From Goodreads: Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help—her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman—a true Blue Blood affair. But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

There is something about this series that pulls you right in. I love the author's unique spin on vampires. It is something that I've never read or heard of before, and it captures you.  It's a new-age twist on vampire mythology that will have you begging for more. 

Masquerade picks up a couple of weeks after Blue Bloods ended.  The storyline is fast pace, exciting, and dangerous.  Masquerade is a great title for this novel as there are many things hiding behind a mask (man, I sound like an english teacher...soon I'm going to start using the words forshadowing and symbolism).  

The characters really came to life for me in this novel.  Schuyler started to come into her own and stood up for what she believed in.  Oliver was great.  In the first novel I like Oliver, but in this novel he developed into a character that I really cared about.   As much as I love Jack, there might be some competition for my favorite male if Oliver keeps being such a great friend and all around good guy. 

Mimi is one character that I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever like.  She is just a horrible person.  In this novel she crossed a serious line and showed her true colors. 

Overall this was a great read and I really enjoyed it. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten:  Books I'm So Happy Were Recommended To Me (all those books you probably wouldn't have picked up without a good recommendation)

1.  Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.   This is one of my favorite young adult books (if not, my absolute favorite) and I never would have read it without my young adult book club.

2.  The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson.  Another great book introduced to me through my young adult book club.

3.  The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling.  One of the kids I used to babysit (who by the way hated reading and I had to bribe him to read for the summer library program every day) gave me the first Harry Potter book to read because he loved it so much and wanted to share them with me.  Let just say I will be eternally greatful that I gave in and read this series. 

4.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  I have to thank all my blogging friends for this recommendation.  I saw it pop up all over the blogosphere and heard such rave reviews that I had to pick it up.

5.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  This was recommended to me by my best friend.  This is a fantastic book...it made me laugh-out-loud on one page and cry uncontrollably on the next. 

6.  The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampires Series by Charlaine Harris.  Again my best friend comes to the rescue with one of my all time favorite vampires.  How could you not fall in love with Eric?

7.  Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen.  This was recommended to me by an employee of my local independent bookstore.  It's set in my town and the author lives right down the street.  I've met her a couple of times and she is the greatest lady.  I can't wait for the sequel due out this fall.

8.  Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson.  This book was so amazing and lead me to her other novels.  I met her at an author event and as my best friends and I say that she is crazy and quirky enough to be one of us.  

9.  Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.  We read this book last spring for my adult book club.  I had a hard time at the begining but by the end I was up all night just to finish it.  

10.  Juliet by Anne Fortier.  My best friend (again) recommended this book and who can turn down a retelling of Romeo and Juliet.  I loved this book...it was a great mix of mystery, adventure and of course Romance.