Tuesday, May 31, 2011

June to-read list

Here are the books I'm planning on reading and reviewing in the month of June.
Books may change and I'm hoping more will be added to the bunch.

       





These two will probably make it to the list, since I won't be able to keep my paws off as soon as they arrive in the mail...


   


Eek!  So excited.  Sounds like a good reading month to me!

By the way, I want to give a big thanks to the 20 followers and 650 pageviews I managed to get in the month of May!  I hope this blog continues to blossom as well as it has in its first month.  :)


Teaser Tuesdays: Wicked


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


Today I am finishing up Wicked by Sarah Shepard.  This is the fifth book in the Pretty Little Liars series and so far, all of the ones I've read have been great.  They keep you on your toes and never seem to leave me disappointed.  I've really fallen in love with the characters, as well.

Both teasers are taken from page 199

1) "You could beam me back to Iceland," Aria said wistfully.  "Because unlike you and my brother, I loved it there.  Puny horses and all."

2) It took Aria a few stunned seconds to realize what was going on. Her eyes bulged.  Xavier held her shoulders, his hands digging into her skin.  


Thanks for stopping by!  If you'd like to tease me,
leave a comment with the link to your post.  ;)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Review: Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Title: Keeping the Moon
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Puffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Chick Lit
Pages: 228 (paperback)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Bought









Goodreads summary: 

Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.

My thoughts:
Although I've read Sarah Dessen books before (That Summer and Someone Like You) I wasn't seeing what everyone loved so much about them.  That is, until I read this book.  Keeping the Moon begins at the train station, where Nicole Sparks is being shipped off to her eccentric aunt Mira's for the summer while her mom tours Europe, promoting her tips for weight loss.  Colie, as she likes to be called, wasn't what you would have expected from the famous Kiki Sparks' daughter.  As it turns out, both Colie and Kiki used to be overweight.

As soon as she gets to Colby, where her aunt resides, she's picked up by an interesting boy named Norman that listens to hippie music and collects odds and ends to create art in his free time.    As they pull up to the house, Colie meets her aunt as she's frantically looking for Cat Norman, her overweight feline companion.  Everything in Mira's house is marked with a note, such as "
WINDOWS PAINTED SHUT" or "ONE LEG SHORTER THAN THE OTHERS".  Just about everything in the house is secondhand and broken.  

What I loved most about this book was that I see a lot of myself in Colie.  She always takes it personally when someone insults her and I'm exactly the same.  Aunt Mira, on the other hand, is the complete opposite.  She will wear a bright yellow dress with purple high-top Converse and ride her red bike through town, buying old broken toasters and have no care what anyone says although just about everyone snickers as she passes by.  Since I've been made fun of my entire life for being fat, I understand why Colie has such low self-esteem.  It's hard not to listen to the things that other people say.  

With the help of some new-found friends and Norman's art, Colie begins to see the person she really is.  The ending is beautiful and it just makes you feel like everything is right where it's supposed to be.  I couldn't stop smiling after I put the book down.  It even made me feel better about myself. 



Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tips on Blogging?

I think I need all the tips I can get on running this book blog.  
Can anyone throw some my way?  Very much appreciated.  

By the way, Crookshanks says hello :)



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

VS: the covers of Possessions










VS 

Call me picky but when I got Possessions by Nancy Holder in the mail today, I thought "aw man".  Covers are important to everyone to a certain extent, but I'm not going to get into that right now.  In my mailbox sat the second copy of this book.  Is this stupid or would you be a little disappointed too?  I just think the first cover is beautiful and it makes the book look a little ominous...and the second cover just looks cheesy.

Oh well.  We'll see how I end up liking the inside when get around to reading it.


*edit: I opened the book and read the first page and I actually really like the way Nancy Holder writes so far. I haven't read any of her other books, so this should be interesting.*

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Passion (Fallen #3)


This will just be a quick post to say that I woke up today to find that I won an ARC of Passion by Lauren Kate (thanks to Random Buzzers!).  This is book #3 in the Fallen series and I haven't read the others that came before it.

What do you think of the series?
Which book is your favorite (Fallen, Torment, or Passion)?
Have I been missing out?


Thanks guys, I'm excited!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lauren DeStefano Giveaway!

Author of Wither, Lauren DeStefano, is holding a giveaway to celebrate 3,000 followers on Twitter.
She's giving away two ARCs- one of Wither (personalized) and one of her new book, Fever.  There will be one winner and the contest ends on May 31st.  I don't usually say this, but...  I HOPE I WIN...but if I don't, it's alright.  I'm not (usually) a sore loser.  Good luck to everyone.
So come on!  What are you waiting for?  Enter!

While we're at it, I'll go ahead and tell you about another giveaway as well.
A Myriad of Books is kicking the vampire habit and giving away 7 vampire books.
Giveaway closes on June 18th (her birthday and two days after my birthday) so go ahead and enter right here.

Review: Haven by Kristi Cook

Title: Haven
Author: Kristi Cook
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Paranormal Fiction
Pages: 416
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Source: Pulse It









Goodreads summary:
One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.


My thoughts:
I was looking forward to reading this book because it had to do with psychic abilities.  Little did I know that I was diving face first into yet another vampire romance.  I can cross Haven off of my wishlist because, truthfully, I didn't like it enough to buy a copy of my own.  

The story begins in Winterhaven, a boarding school that drew Violet in after her dad's death.  She gets settled in, makes friends almost immediately, and catches the eye of the hunky mysterious Aidan Gray.  Though she seems to have everything under control, she holds one huge secret from everyone.  Ever since she was little she's had visions- usually of bad things happening to people she cares for.  With a little help from her friends, Violet comes to realize that everyone at that school has a "gift", whether it's telekinesis, shape shifting, astral projection, mind reading or precognition.   

Though Aidan has never taken interest in any of the other girls at the school, he and Violet grow closer once their professors ask him to help her catch up on her studies.  From that point, there's a spark and a romance ignites.  They're drawn to each other for reasons they can't explain and throughout the story, there's plenty of tension between them.  

My favorite part of the book didn't even take place in Winterhaven.  It was when she took the weekend to visit her step-mom in Manhattan.  She got lost in the city, her body intentionally moving the opposite direction of where she was supposed to go, her first vision of Aidan coming true.  This is one of the parts where you realize how much Aidan cares for Violet despite knowing her for such a small amount of time.  He teaches her about his past and reveals his true form to her.  For some reason, these parts were incredibly romantic to me.

Though the rest of the story was predictable, it was entertaining from the middle to the end.  I feel like I've read something very similar to this book before, though.  It was published in 2005.  Twi...something.  Oh right.  Twilight.  I couldn't help but groan when I started seeing the resemblance.  I've already read Twilight.  I own it.  I don't need to read another version of it over and over.  I understand that's what is/ was popular with the YA readers after 2008, but please think of something more original.  All the similarities were there.  Girl goes to new school, mysterious boy takes interest, mysterious boy misses classes constantly, mysterious boy saves girl from thug in alley, mysterious boy and girl fall in love, mysterious boy and girl fight over their differences, mysterious boy and girl battle evil man.  *sigh*

Overall, there were some things I loved and some things I really didn't care for.  I loved the references to Buffy and Neil Gaiman's "Stardust".  I loved that Violet's friends had dirty minds and talk like most teenagers do with each other.  I also loved- as cheesy as it is- the bond between Aidan Gray and Violet.  So maybe it wasn't a refreshing new book that swept me off my feet and made me fall in love.  I still thought it was good, so I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.    





What are you reading? (#1)

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading is hosted by the lovely Sheila at Book Journey.  If you didn't know, it's a weekly meme to show what you've read, are currently reading, and plan to read soon.


Finished this past week...

                Haven by Kristi Cook


One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

It took me a while to actually get into this book and although it is a bit predictable, it definitely had its good moments for me.






Starting this week...


Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along  







I need to finish...


Wicked by Sara Shepard


I'm going to read next...
[help me choose!]

XVI by Julia Karr



                 Before I Fall by
                Lauren Oliver-





Pretty Dead by
Francesca Lia Block
                                                                                    Delirium by                                    Lauren Oliver




   



Thanks for stopping by.  So tell me...what are you reading?

                                        

Saturday, May 21, 2011

IMM #3

In My Mailbox is hosted by the beautiful Story Siren.

I couldn't resist.  I told myself that I would stop buying books...just until I've gotten through about half of my TBR pile.  v___v  Fail, Chey.  You.  Fail.  I went into a different Goodwill (the one closer to my house) expecting to find no more than 3 books like last time.  Boy was I wrong.  About 5 minutes and a stack of books killing my arms later, there was an announcement that they were closing for the night so I made my way to the cashier.  Half of these were brand new.  I'm still so excited.  Guess how many I got?  Come on, just guess.

Yeah...13.  I hate buying books at an uneven number but if I kept adding more I was afraid I'd never be able to stop.  Now I kind of regret putting one of them back (It was Beautiful by Amy Reed, if you were wondering) but I hadn't seen any reviews on it and it wasn't on my list like the others.  Sooo...yeah.  But maybe it'll be there when I go back.  *crosses fingers*  Okay, come on already- tell us the books you got!  Okay, okay, hold your horses.  >___> ...What?  Oh like you don't talk to yourself...

Let's get this show on the road.

















-The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
-The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
-Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
-The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
-Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle Series #2) by Libba Bray
-The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
-Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
-The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
-The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
-The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
-The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
-Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
-Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty


I don't currently own (nor have I read) Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr or A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, but until I do, I'll have to put Rebel Angels and Ink Exchange at the end of my TBR pile.


Oh!  Before I forget, I have a review coming this week for Haven by Kristi Cook.  Woohoo, first review!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

I'm sorry, but- photography rant-

So, this barely has anything to do with books, but I hate it- HATE it- when people lie about a picture that's not theirs.  Taking someone else's photography and using it as your own is wrong.  I dealt with this for the first time when I was about 14- someone was using my work for the cover of their book without my permission.  When you take a photograph, it is under your copyright.  Sure, it's flattering, but it really gets under my skin- especially when I see all the comments such as, "Wow!  This looks incredible, what did you do to create this?".  From now on I plan to call out anyone who does not list a source or credit someone else.

The main thing that irked me was that I recently entered a photography contest to win two signed books.  It would be wonderful to actually win this contest (that way I could keep one and use the other for a giveaway), but I know I'm not going to.  You know why?  There have been some entries that appear to be too good to be true for your regular amateur photographer.  Once Googling the description of some of the pictures, it turns out some are- in fact- too good to be true.  Stolen, once again.  I'm extremely disappointed, especially for those who bother to try to prove me wrong when I know I'm right.  The real creators deserve to win that contest- not those who try to be them.

If you were wondering what my picture looked like, here it is.
Ooh, it seems to go with my background quite nicely!
Is it good enough to win?
I thought so at first, but now I'm really afraid that the right person- if not me, any other person that posted their OWN photography- will be overlooked and the wrong person will be awarded for their dishonesty.


If any of you lovelies actually read this post, I thank you so much.  This is something that seems to hit me hard every time I see it, especially being a photography student.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Books I'm Expecting in the Mail

Recently I've joined Random Buzzers, which is an online community created by Random House Inc.  With every 15,000 to 20,000 points you rack up, you receive a free book of your choice from their store.  There are also ways to win ARCs and signed copies of books by entering contests.  So I joined...well, probably less than a week ago and I've already gathered over 20,000 points and chose my first book to get.  Check it outttt.

                                 Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan


"The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.

Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.

David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever."

I love David Levithan.  I've loved all of the books I've read, so of course I was going to choose this one...plus there was only one left in stock.  The story just sounds completely touching and since I was only in 4th grade when 9/11 took place, it still sounds like something everyone ought to read, especially being from the United States.  I'm so excited to receive this and it's great to know that Random Buzzers isn't too good to be true.

And last but not least, last Saturday I found out that I won my very first giveaway.
Since I have no luck AT ALL, I was completely surprised.  A big thanks to June at Writing is a Blessing!


Exposure by Therese Fowler
"
Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns eighteen and is legally an adult. Anthony’s mother, Kim, who teaches at their school, knows—and keeps—their secret. But the couple’s passion is exposed sooner than planned: Amelia’s father, Harlan, is shocked and infuriated to find naked pictures of Anthony on his daughter’s computer. Just hours later, Anthony is arrested.

Despite Amelia’s frantic protests, Harlan uses his wealth and influence with local law enforcement and the media to label Anthony a deviant who preyed on his innocent daughter. Spearheaded by a zealous prosecutor anxious to turn the case into a public crusade against “sexting,” the investigation soon takes an even more disturbing and destructive turn.
As events spiral wildly out of control and the scandalous story makes national news, Amelia and Anthony risk everything in a bold and dangerous attempt to clear their names and end the madness once and for all."  

Okay, so everything about this book sounds incredible and I'm so thankful to be receiving it soon.  As soon as I do, you can be sure that I'll read and review it.  


Quick complaint: sticky books

Don't you absolutely hate when you receive a beautiful new book but there's a pesky little sticker that refuses to come off?  Sure, sometimes those stickers are cooperative, but half the time they leave a sticky residue on the back- or worse- the front!  I couldn't even focus on my book because I could feel the stickiness each time my fingers ran over it, so I took a paper towel, ran it under a little water and put a dab of Herbal Essences on it.  Hey, it was the only thing I had close to me and I wasn't going to run to the store for some Goo Gone.  With a little scrubbing, the icky stuff is gone and the back of my book smells like lavender.  Woot woot!

Theres another lovely giveaway

This time there's one being hosted at The Reader Room.  Congrats on 250 followers!

She's got three books there to pick from- you may choose one- but if she reaches 400 followers by the 22nd of June, she'll give all three away!  Come on, go and ENTER.  :)

The other is hosted by My Bookish Fairy Tale.  Very excited for this, and although I probably won't win, I wish everyone luck!  Just go right here to enter.  I hope you all have a lovely day!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

500 follower giveaway via Mia from Gripped into Books

Boy, so many great blogs are making their way up to 500 followers recently!  I'm here to give a big congratulations and share the giveaway with all (and by all I mean all three.  I'm so grateful!) of my awesome followers and whoever else happens to stumble upon my page.  The lovely Mia and her wonderful friends who keep Gripped into Books going have another big contest.  You have to be a follower, since...well, it's a 500 follower giveaway.  Trust me, you won't regret it.  There are four prize packs to choose from, the first being the Fallen series, second being The Wolves of Mercy Falls, third being the City of Bones, and the fourth one is able to choose any three out of the 9 books she has listed.  Just look at it all here, you'll see how great the giveaway is.  I honestly can't wait to host my own giveaways.

Time for a tea party?

Enter for a chance to win The Time-Traveling Fashionista!
Giveaway ends May 31st.

Divergent giveaway

There will be a Divergent giveaway hosted right here.  This lovely lady named Carolina posted a review of the book and a giveaway to win a signed hardcover copy.  How generous!  Be sure to enter.  It ends soon!

500 follower giveaway via Evie from Bookish!

Yes, that title says it all!  There will be three winners to this giveaway.  It all ends on June 15th and emails will be sent to the winners on June 16th (my birthday!!!)  You can choose from titles like The Iron King, White Cat, Hex Hall, and many many more!

Please visit her blog here and be sure to follow
to enter her incredible contest, enter it right here.
Happy reading and I hope you're one of the lucky winners!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

IMM #2 - Goodwill!

I've been planning on going to Goodwill since I rarely ever get there (more like I don't particularly care for going there since it smells like old people).  I never look at the books when I go, so why not start now, right?  I don't look at finding only three books as a bad thing.  I'm quite happy I got them!  I also stopped at Target to get a three-shelf bookcase on the way home.

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren



Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
From what I gather, the book has to do with an English couple who start to fall out of love- or were never really in love.  The male character has an affair, can't offer Annie what she wants in the relationship, and considers other things- such as a musician named Tucker Crowe- to be at the top of his priorities.  Eventually, Annie begins to talk to Tucker after she breaks her relationship off with Duncan and they start to become fairly close until the end of the story.

The reason I got this was because I really wanted to read two of Hornby's other books, About a Boy and A Long Way Down.  The other reason I got it was because it looks like new and original price tag was left on- $26!  I got it for less than $2.  Score!
We'll see how I like it...whenever I get around to reading it.





Ttyl by Lauren Myracle


This book came out in 2005 and follows a teenage friendship through Instant Messages.  I remember my friends reading this series when I was in 8th grade, but I never really cared to pick it up before.

I think the only thing that will more than likely get on my nerves is the use of "u" instead of you or "y" instead of why and whatever else they have in there... I've never been someone to use chat lingo.

But for some reason, my mom still thinks it's so cool to text/ update her facebook status like that.


          1984 by George Orwell

I think most people were assigned this book in school, but since I didn't take AP Lit at my school, I never read it.  I'm a little late so I have some catching up to do.  For those of you who don't know (shame on you!) the book creates "a world of perpetual war, pervasive government surveillance, and incessant public mind control".

Plus my copy smells sooo old (duh, Chey!  Your copy is older than your mom!).  I like it.
         

Spring Cleaning!

There's just a little less than two weeks for those who want to enter BloodyBookaholic's Spring Cleaning Giveaway.  There will be four winners, so try your luck!

CLICK HERE!

Giveaway ends on May 27th.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Congrats!

Congratulations to The Bookish Brunette!  She just reached 500 followers and is hosting a giveaway to celebrate.  Be one of two people who will win a prize pack of your choice.  Good luck to everyone that enters!

Click here to enter!!!

Chey's First IMM!



In My Mailbox is something that this awesome possum, The Story Siren, came up with about a bajillion years ago (Or maybe in 2008.  Same thing).  I'm finally hopping onto the book blog bandwagon, so I'd love to be able to share what books I buy as well.  Here are some of the books I'll be getting around to reading shortly.  Excited pants!




 Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver                                                             
"What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would  you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."  



I just have to say...I love it already and I haven't read anything more than the summary.  Yes, I know it came out a while ago.  I've been wanting it and I just decided to get it now because Lauren Oliver's other book, Delirium just came out this past February and I wanted that one too.  Normally I don't care for hardcover books, but something tells me that these books are worth it.




 Delirium by Lauren Oliver


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

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


Sounds AMAZING, right?  Dystopian novels are really popular now and this particular summary really struck me.  Of course, you should have seen Delirium coming as soon as I posted about Before I Fall.  I honestly don't know which one I want to read first.  The story just sounds insane...in a good way.  Think about it- what if life was actually like this?  Yet again, I'm sure hardcover = worth it.                                            


 Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

"For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.  With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between immortal and those that have fallen- and when it comes to choosing the sides, the wrong choice will cost her life."



I have to admit, I barely knew anything about this book other than seeing it in other IMM posts.  The main reason I got it was because it was on sale.  And what's not to love about a cheap book?  Okay, okay...I have gotten cheap books that I wish I hadn't *cough*NewMoan*cough*, but that doesn't seem like the case here.  At least it has an interesting plot.  Fantasy is always good, as well....plus, look at that half naked dude on the cover!  Wowie.



(This cover was such a pain in the butt to put up, so I'm sorry it doesn't look perfect like the others.  I just gave up.  Haha)







 If I Stay by Gayle Forman
"In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands."

Isn't that description all you need to make you want to buy the book?  Again, this was another sale book I just bought because I saw that other bloggers had read it and I'm really glad I got a chance to pick it up.  It definitely sounds like the kind of thing I'd be into.








 It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

"
Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life -- getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job -- Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy.

At his new school, Craig realizes that he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping -- until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a moving tale about depression, that's definitely a funny story."

What can I say?  I like it already.  I'm a big sucker for books and movies involving mental institutions.  (I hope I'm not the only one!)  I promised myself that I'd definitely read the book before the movie.  It was like discipline.  "Cheyenne, if you do not read that book before you see the movie, go to your room and don't come out!"  Ahhh, well, I didn't end up finding it at Half Price Books (Maybe you should know.  I'm usually broke, making me a cheapskate....or frugal, if that's what you want to call it) and I put it off.  And put it off longer.  And finally, I ended up seeing the movie before I was actually able to get the book, but I finally got it on sale (yes!) and I'm really looking forward to reading this book as well.


Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen


"Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along"
Alright, so the entire reason I was interested in this is because the main character is a former fat girl who still thinks of herself as fat.  Being a bigger girl, myself, I understand how much harm it can do when people talk about you for years.  Sarah Dessen books are great for female teen readers because she always tip-toes across subjects most teenagers can relate to.  




  Wanted by Sara Shepard

 "In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .
Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store."


Seriously, what's not to love about Pretty Little Liars?  The show got me hooked from the moment I watched the first commercial.  Never having missed an episode, I decided that it was time to check out these books.  I flew through each one within a day or two a piece, not because they're short, but because they're just too hard to put down.  Unexpectedly, the tv show and the books are barely comparable.  I really like it that way because it's like you're following two completely different stories.  Highly recommended series.  I can't wait to crack the case everyone's been buzzing over.  Who is A?  

 XVI by Julia Karr                                    

"Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer."


Out of all the books I've listed, this is the one I'm most excited about.  I don't think I have much more to say than that.  It's just very sad to think of sixteen year old girls being forced into doing something, especially if they don't want to.

                                 And last but not least...

                     The House of Night Boxed Set                    
                     by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast



"The House of Night is a thrilling, New York Times bestselling book series that follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird as she is “Marked” by a vampyre tracker and begins to undergo the “Change” into an actual vampyre. She has to leave her family in Broken Arrow, OK, and move into the House of Night, a boarding school for other fledgling vampyres like her.


 It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. Although Zoey has awesome new powers, it’s hard to fit in when everyone knows you’re “special.” As Zoey tries to make new friends and maybe find a hot boyfriend (or two), she comes up against all kinds of evil, from the perfect-looking, super-popular girl with not-so-faultless plans, to the mysterious deaths happening at the House of Night and all over Tulsa. Things at the House of Night are not always what they seem. Can Zoey find the courage deep within herself to find the truth and embrace her destiny?"  

Alright, so yes- I am a vampire fan.  I'm not crazy about them like some individuals, but I like a good vampire series from time to time.  I know that in a way, this series and the Vampire Academy books are similar and that many people have said that they prefer that one over this, I decided to give the first four books a try.  I am afraid of the story dragging on, which is why I didn't get the next...four?  How many are there to this series, anyways?  Haha.  But come on!  It totally sounds like Hogwarts for vampires. 



Alright, so there was my first In My Mailbox.  How did I do?  Completely and utterly horrible?  Yes, I thought so!  Thanks for being so honest.  ^_^  Anyways, have a lovely rest of the week and I hope to make some more posts very soon!

New and Re-organized

I've added three little baby shelves and reorganized my book nook (haha, get it?  I keep my books in the corner of my room...oh, nevermind.)

Anyways, I like it a lot.  It looks like I'll have to buy a small 3-shelf bookcase to keep more books in soon!



Maintenance Issues

This Wednesday I spent about 3 hours typing up my book wishlist and another 2 hours (hey, I'm just learning to blog, don't judge) typing up my first In My Mailbox.  Unfortunately because of issues with blogspot, everything that was posted on Wednesday and Thursday has disappeared.  I'm going to try to get my book wishlist up again tonight and I'll wait until Sunday to do my IMM in case I happen to get more books.

Uhhhh okay, well somehow my IMM mysteriously appeared on my blog again, but my book list is still missing for now.