Future Giveaways!

Hey guys!  Here's where I need your help.  I have 6 extra copies of books just sitting here in need of new homes.  I've decided that once I reach 100 lovely followers, I'm going to hold my very first giveaway.  Would any of you be interested in them?  If you'd like, you can spread the word or you can just wait for me to gain the followers I need, which may take a little longer.

I do need your help with choosing which one to giveaway first, though.  Please leave a comment telling me which one you'd want most!

In My Mailbox #12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Kristi @ The Story Siren!

The days have gone by sooo slowly.  Almost two more weeks until I meet my boyfriend of one year for the first time.  Sounds weird, right?  Well, I'm excited.  :)
Here are the books I've received in the mail this week!

From Amazon

-Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
-The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book by E. Lockhart
-Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein
-The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
-Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

From Random Buzzers

Look familiar?  Yes, they were on last week's IMM!  I woke up one day to find another package with them inside...Accidents happen, I suppose.  If you're a follower, you're in luck!  I'll be posting about the upcoming giveaways shortly!  :D

-The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
-Banished by Sophie Littlefield
-Teen Angst?  Naaah... by Ned Vizzini

Won



From Julie at Manga Maniac Cafe

-Rasetsu
-Mugen Spiral
-The Story of Saiunkoku
-Blackbird

From Sonny @ Literary Junkie (A fellow Wisconsinite!)

-Matched by Ally Condie

A big thanks to everyone that has sent me books so far!  Also, a huge thanks to those of you that stop by the blog.  I know there's not much going on right now but I have some plans for the future!  :)

Quick question: Do you read manga?  What would you recommend?  I used to read it a lot when I was in middle school but I grew out of it a little.  I'd like to dive back in.  My favorites were always Chobits and Love Hina.  What about Anime?

Thanks again!  Leave the link to your IMM in the comments so I can check it out.

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher

Publisher:  RazorBill

Age Group: Young Adult

Category: Realistic Fiction

Release date: October 18th, 2007
Pages:  304 (Paperback)

Rating: 5 of 5

Source: Won

Goodreads Summary:
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. 

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list. 

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. 

My Thoughts:
This book has managed to jump to the top of my favorites list (...you know, next to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, of course).  Not only does it include the point of view of a boy who has lost someone special to him, it includes the girl's point of view as well.  If an author is strong enough to write from various POVs, I have an instant respect for them.  Jay Asher, here's to you.  

After having read this book, it makes me realize how much we're capable of.  By "we", I mean everyone.  We may not necessarily see what we do or don't do that make a huge impact on the lives of others.  That being said, we can easily become the Clay in this story.  Some people don't necessarily think that their words or actions can harm others, but many people know- from experience- that they do.  When I think about all the lives that have ended over something that everyone thought was minuscule, it breaks my heart.  Just 4 years ago, I was heading down the same path as Hannah.  Thankfully, I found the strength to carry on.  Unfortunately, thousands of teenagers don't have the strength or they don't have someone to show them they care.  High school is a really tough time.  It was for me and I know it is for many others.  After a while, it seemed that everything was getting worse.  It took 6 deaths, a breakup, and the loss of many friends before it even began to get better.  I promise, though, it does get better.

The book is essentially about a snowball effect.  It can start anywhere.  At first it's nothing, but eventually it gains speed and strength until it breaks you to pieces.  This is exactly what happened to Hannah.  In the story, the thirteen reasons actually relate to different people.  The tapes are then sent to each person so they will know and finally understand the destruction they're capable of.  It's interesting because when someone passes away, many people are usually left with many unanswered questions.  At the start of this story, Clay doesn't know anything about her death.  I feel that he also believes that she didn't really have a reason to put an end to her life.  By the end, everything- even the things that had nothing to do with him- seemed to be overwhelming.  He wished that he'd never been included in these tapes.

I will recommend this story to everyone- male or female, young or old.  You never know, the message may just save a life.  Please spread the word.
Go to www.13rwproject.com for more information.

In My Mailbox #11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Kristi from The Story Siren.

I'm back for another IMM!  I know I haven't been posting on the blog much other than IMMs but that's because I'm lazy.  I'm just going to be honest here.  Hahaha.  Plus I've been doing a lot more housework in order to get it ready for my boyfriend's 3-month-long visit.  Three more weeks!  It's official and I still can't believe it!  

Alright, I know you all don't stop by to hear my jabber, so I'll show you the books I got (and three books I forgot to show you from two weeks back.  Oops!)

From Random Buzzers

-Banished by Sophie Littlefield
This was on my list but for some reason, I can never remember what it's about.  If I'm honest, I'm going to say that the only reason I wanted it was because Lara Jade, a photographer that originally inspired me to take pictures, did the cover for this book and several others you may be familiar with.  Here is a link to her facebook page.  By the way, that's her on the cover!  :D

-The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Cement-Moore

-Teen Angst?  Naaah... by Ned Vizzini
 

Won / Gifted

-Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
(Won from Britta @ I Like These Books
I also won a poster, but I didn't post a picture of it because it's just a giant version of the cover)

-My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody
(Won from Jillian @ Heise Reads & Recommends)

-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
(RAK from Jennifer)

The funny thing is that she chose this book out of the hundreds I have on my wishlist and I just bought a copy a few days before she sent it as a surprise!  That'll teach me to update my wishlist faster!  :P  Maybe I'll do a giveaway?  Save it in case one copy gets ruined?  What do you guys think?

From Amazon

-Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

-Derby Girl by Shauna Cross
I'm a little odd and I kinda love the idea of being a part of slightly unusual hobbies, such as roller derby and burlesque dancing.  Unfortunately, I don't have the confidence to dance and the last time I tried to skate, I broke my ankle.  Trust me, I'm never putting them on again.  Are there any fiction books on burlesque?  That would be neat.

-The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
I haven't seen many good reviews on this book but I'm really excited.  I just got into Sex and the City a few months back and watched all the seasons and movies at once so I'm curious to see what this will be like.

-Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

-The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper

From Two Weeks Ago...

-Hate List by Jennifer Brown
I have a weird obsession with movies about school shootings because I feel that they hold such a powerful message, so I am extremely excited to read this book.  I have a feeling it'll shoot (excuse me) right up to my list of favorites.  What other tragic reads like this would you recommend? 

-The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

-Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Alright, phew!  That is all for this week.  I've posted some questions in bold, so if you would kindly answer them in the comment section, I would appreciate it.  Also, go ahead and vote on the poll located on the right side of the blog.  It'll only be open for a few more days but it looks like I'll be reading The Hunger Games next.

Leave the links to your IMM so I can check out what great reads you've been able to get your paws on!

Teaser Tuesdays: Killer

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

Man, have I been slacking on reading.  The last book I've finished was Thirteen Reasons Why and I LOVED it.  There should be a review of it soon.  It's definitely a new favorite.
Now, this week I had a rather difficult time choosing what book to read next.  I posted a poll on the side of my blog (which didn't help because no one voted) and decided that I was feeling in a Pretty Little Liars mood.  Some serious business happened in the last one so I was eager to see what things we'll dig up in the 6th book, Killer by Sara Shepard.

It's been a while since I've posted a Teaser Tuesday, so let me refresh your memory.  I post not one, but two teasers.  I'm a rule-breaker.  A bad girl.  Okay, okay, I'm not...but I think two teasers are more fun.


Teaser one is from page 196
"Hanna ran up to the Ali shrine, which was still assembled at the curb.  A few of the candles had been replaced, and one was lit, dancing in the wind.  There are a few hand-lettered sings on poster board that said things like 'WE'LL FIND HIM, ALI'."

and teaser two comes from page 309
"Spencer's vision narrowed.  She thought about the figure in the woods last night, scrambling for
something in the dirt.  Maybe there was something out there, some kind of proof."

I really recommend this series if you like being kept on your toes.  Most people are afraid that because they like the show they may not like the books, but honestly, the books are like a completely different- but captivating- story.

Thanks for stopping by!  Leave the links to your Teaser Tuesdays in the comments so I can swing by.  If you want, please go vote on the poll on the right side of my blog in order to help me choose what to read next.