In My Mailbox (01)

As it was Christmas recently, (the reason for my scarcity) I received a LOT of books.  I love to read, and my Christmas list always reflects this.  I have to struggle to find presents that AREN'T books for my family to buy me (my Mom always wants to buy me something OTHER than books...don't ask me why).  Due to this plethora of gifts, I decided to do a IMM.  This won't be an every week thing, as while I love books, I don't buy them all the time.  But nonetheless, I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you've read any of them!!!

I've already read Eat, Pray, Love and The Red Pyramid, both of which were fantastic!!!  I'm working on Anna and the French Kiss, which I absolutely love love love!  Nerdfighters are such awesome authors!!!

So yeah, I got some freakin awesome books for Christmas!  Let me know what you guys got in the comments and I hope you have a Happy New Year!!!

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"I AM NUMBER FOUR"

is being turned into a movie!!!!!!

I was just flipping through trailers on Youtube, when I stumbled upon the trailer for the movie based on the book I Am Number Four by Pitticus Lore (a pseudonym for James Frey (who I despise) and Jobie Hughes (who I now nothing about)).

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, but haven't gotten a copy yet.  But now that I've seen the trailer for it, my excitement has been pushed up even more.  Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

Sounds pretty awesome.  A good mix of sci-fi and adventure, two of my favorite genres!

If you haven't read the book yet, watch the trailer below.  From what little I've read of the book and from friends of mine who own it, they think that the movie will follow the main plot pretty closly!

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Waiting On Wednesday (03)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

The Espressologist 
by Kristina Springer

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?  

With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.

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Just look at that cover!  It is gorgeous!  Being a coffee fanatic myself, I love the idea of a girl telling relationship connections based on what kind of coffee they drink.  I can't wait to get my hands on a copy; hopefully it'll be under the Christmas tree!

What are you guys looking forward to?

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Teaser Tuesday (02)

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 a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)
• Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

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Metamorphosis: Junior Year by Betsy Franco
     "Hell, even last year, Mom was taking poetry classes.  And Dad would drag out his guitar when he'd had more than a couple beers.  But then Thena beat every poetic bone out of their bodies.  They walled up that part of themselves, and it's take a lightning bolt to crack them open again."

(pg. 66)

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     I just finished Metamorphosis a couple days ago.  Look forward to a review in the next couple days!

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Top 5 (2)

Hosted by Larissa over at Larissa's Life

 

This week’s theme is Best Books {Series} of 2010!

(I picked series that I read in 2010, not that were published in 2010 necessarily)

Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme Larissa chose for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below Larissa's post)
4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the   
     Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post on Larissa's blog.

It was really hard to think of my Top 5 series, mostly because I don't read that many series books.  But I did find 5, even if it was hard! Some I just discovered this year, and some are oldies but I love them still!

Of course I've got to start with Harry Potter.  I re-read all the books in the month leading up to the premiere of Deathly Hallows Part 1.  I must re-read at least one of the books every month, and they are still as great as the first time!

 This series, The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, I just found this year.  For one of my edu. classes we had to find a contemporary companion to a classic.  My classic was Alice in Wonderland, and I found these books simply through Google.  Definitely check them out; they are an amazing re-imagining, very hip and very exciting!  (Check out the soundtrack as well!)

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare is so fudgin' good, I'm aching to read the next book, City of Fallen Angels.  Clare's writing is phenomenal, it sucks you in and you can't let go.  For me this series is on the same par as Harry Potter, and I'm so glad that there is more coming!

 

This was another discovery for me, early 2010.  I read Shiver in February, and loved it!  Luckily, I didn't have to wait very long before Linger came out.  Forever rounds out the Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater, coming out in July 2011.  This is such an interesting canon for werewolves!  I love the origin story of Sam and Grace's relationship.  Go read them!

 Lastly, The Hunger Games series blew me out of the water.  Katniss is one of my favorite heroines in literary history.  Strong, courageous, but still with fear; she tries to hide her emotions but you can see her every decision is ultimately guided by them.  Add Peeta to the mix, and you have me bouncing with anticipation.  If you haven't read this amazing series by Suzanne Collins yet, get out from under your rock and buy them!

Well those are my Sunday Top 5!  Be sure to check out everyone else's at Larissa's blog, and drop me a comment below.

As always, Don't Forget to be Awesome!

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Friday Covers

This is a new feature, where I talk about & show some of my favorite book covers.

I am definitely a sucker for awesome cover art.  This is what usually captures my attention the most.

Lately I've had a thing with silhouettes.

Each of these overs share the aspect of silhouettes, and in many, the same colors.I love how simple and how complicated they are.  Each really evokes a feeling, be adventure, wonder, danger, or intrigue. 

I want to read each of these books just because of the covers, especially The Cabinet of Wonders and Deadly.  Both just capture me.  

The Cabinet of Wonders is just that, wonder.  The mix of the purples and yellows exude magic, and the addition of the cog pieces along with the lightning bolt hint at a little danger.  And this doesn't even have a cabinet on it, which I like because I kinda hate literal book covers.

Deadly has that yellow color which reflects disease.  Then the the outlines of the bugs in yellow just reinforce this feeling of sickness.  Juxtaposed with the girl in the elaborate dress it is very intriguing.

Comment and let me know what covers are making you happy this week!

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Eyes Like Stars (Review)

Title: Eyes Like Stars
Edition: Paperback, 384 pages
Author(s): Lisa Mantchev
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: April 13, 2010
Source: NCTE
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

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All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

     Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.
Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain
(Goodreads)

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     Mantchev brings the reader into the theatre immediately; she does this in several ways: setting the book up as a play, including legendary characters from the stage, and by simply naming her protagonist after one of the greatest playwrights in history.

     The overall concept is interesting, a young girl living in a theatre.  And that theatre is alive with the very characters from the plays it performs.  Bertie is both your typical teenager and your extraordinary heroine.  The supporting cast is also great.  The four fairies provided the much needed comedy relief, but at the same time are Bertie's true champions through her whole ordeal.  Nate is the epitome of swashbuckler with some upstanding sailor thrown in, and Ariel is everyone's bad boy dream.

     However, I did have a few problems with the story.  The action starts out slow, but without clearly establishing anything.  It isn't until almost 2/3 of the way into the book that we, as readers, start getting some substantial plot.  Also the character of Bertie itself can be overly entitled.  She doesn't feel responsibility towards anything, and it gets slightly annoying during the reading.  She does end up redeeming herself, which helps to make up for the beginning.

Overall, it is a good start to the series.  I liked the overall plot, when I got into it, and I feel the supporting cast creates a great backdrop for Bertie's development.  It deserves a read through, especially if you're a fan of the theatre!  The next book, Perchance to Dream, is already in stores, so make sure to grab that too.

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Book Cover: 5/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Writing: 7/10
Ending: 8/10 
Overall: 32/50  

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Waiting On Wednesday (02)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Cover released by EW (http://bit.ly/eYfCN7)

Title: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: April 2011

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

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     “Love,  blood, betrayal and revenge — the stakes are higher than ever in City  of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his  new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best  friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter—and  spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon  doesn’t quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two  girls at once. What’s a daylight-loving vampire to do? Simon decides he  needs a break and heads out of the city—only to discover that sinister  events are following him. Realizing that the war they thought they’d won  might not yet be over, Simon has to call on his Shadowhunter friends to  save the day — if they can put their own splintering relationships on  hold long enough to rise to the challenge.” (Goodreads)

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     I love the first three books in the series.  They have such complex layers in them, are very well-written, and have engaging characters.  Each aspect of the world is rich with detail, even when the scene is only passing over a specific aspect.  I can see and feel the world, and the fact that Clare is expanding it is exciting!  That is the thing about series; they are great because you get more about your favorite characters, but then they make you cry when it's over (just like I experienced with Harry Potter).  But I'm grateful that Clare is extending it.

     I'm especially glad that Simon, one of the supporting characters in City of Bones, City of Ashes, & City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments series), is being brought into the protagonist role.  I really love his character; he is so strong and his loyalty to Clary really shined in the first three.  I always felt he kept getting the shaft a tiny bit, but it did allow the main story arc to shine in the first three.  Now I'll get to see him more.  I'm really interested in seeing how the relationships between each of the characters develops: Jace and Clary, Alec and Magnus, Simon and Maia and Isabelle (Yes like it said above, he's juggling two girls). 
 
     The story arc in this next set of three books (City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, & City of Heavenly Fire) is set to be an epic battle, one pitting Heaven and Hell against each other, and I can't be more excited!!!  I feel like this has been building since City of Bones, and there is still so many questions I'd liked answered.  In addition to this continuation, Clare's "prequel" to The Mortal Instruments, Clockwork Angels, also creates some questions which I believe will be explored.  

     Anyway, I've babbled on way too long for a WoW post.  So just do me a favor: run out and buy The Mortal Instrument series and Clockwork Angel.  You won't regret it!  

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ETA:  The cover of City of Fallen Angels has been released by EW. com (see above).  There is an accompanying video and a teaser from the book you should all check out!  Whet your appetites even more! (Link to Article)

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Teaser Tuesday (01)

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 a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)
• Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

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This teaser comes from Across the Universe by Beth Revis


      The president called it the "epitome of the American dream."
     Daddy called it the unholy alliance of buiness and government.
     But all it really was, was America giving up.  Bailing out in order to join the Financial Resource Exchange.  A multinational alliance focused on one thing: profit.  Fund global medical care to monopolize vaccines.  Back unified currency to collect planet-wide interest.
     And provide the resources needed for a select group of scientists and military personnel to embark on the first trip across the universe in a quest to find more natural resources—more profit.
     The answer to my parents' dreams. 
     And my worst nightmare.

 Page 18 (ARC)

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My Comments : 
     I got this ARC at the National Council of Teachers of English convention in November, along with 32 other books.  When I looked at the title, I immediately liked it because it evokes images of love and distance, both because of the Beatles song and the image of space.  I've only read to chapter 8 because I've had finals the past three weeks, but now since I'm break I expect to finish it.
      It is a very interesting concept, and I'm excited to see where it goes.  Look for a review later this month or early January!  In the mean time Happy Reading!

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Top 5 (it's a little late...oh well)

Hosted by Larissa over at Larissa's Life 

Books You Want for Christmas

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme Larissa chose for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it below Larissa's post)
4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the   
     Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post on Larissa's blog.

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Been wanting this for awhile!  And now I have an ARC of Where She Went
(the second book) so I really need to read the first boo

The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd box set by Heather Brewer
I met Heather Brewer at NCTE, and I was captivated by Vladimir as a character.
He seemed so genuine, and it really made me want to read these books!

Rockabye: A Young Mom's Journey From Wild to Child by Rebecca Woolf
I read Rebecca's blog Girl's Gone Child and I've been wanting to read a
more in depth story of her evolution from party girl to nurturing mother.

War by Sebastian Junger
I have been slowly reading through all the literature on the
Iraq/Afghanistan War, and this is one of the premier books on
the subject.  Want so much!!





Sorry it's late, been out buying Christmas presents.  But better late than never!

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The Poison Eaters (Review)

Hardcover Image

Title: The Poison Eaters: and Other Stories
Edition: Paperback, 224 pages
Author(s): Holly Black
Publisher: Big Mouth House (Imprint)
Publication Date: February 23, 2010
Source: NCTE (ARC)
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

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In her debut collection, New York Times best-selling author Holly Black returns to the world of Tithe in two darkly exquisite new tales. Then Black takes readers on a tour of a faerie market and introduces a girl poisonous to the touch and another who challenges the devil to a competitive eating match. These stories have been published in anthologies such as 21 Proms, The Faery Reel, and The Restless Dead, and have been reprinted in many “Best of” anthologies. The Poison Eaters is Holly Black’s much-anticipated first collection of stories, and her ability to stare into the void—and to find humanity and humor there—will speak to young adult and adult readers alike. (Goodreads)

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Holly Black has created a different world in each of her stories.  And each world oozes with darkness.  Violence waits around every corner, and the fantastical leaves you breathless.  I believe that this anthology highlights what makes Holly Black such an amazing writer: her voice.  The language is beautiful in each story, lyrical and deep, the same strength you see in her Tithe series.

The creatures of lore come to play in each of these stories: vampires, the devil, elves, werewolves, unicorns, Bacchus, faeries,  fictional characters, and poisonous girls.  Love, in all it's forms, plays a part in each; love tempered by obsession, danger, hatred, or truth.  You are immediately transferred to the reality of the story, and while I was reading I could imagine this happening, either in the present or somtime in the past, but always in this world.

I have several favorites in the book, but I'd have to say I really love two in particular: "The Coat of Stars" and "Paper Cuts Scissors".  Both have male protagonist, but neither are your "typical" male stories.  The first revolves around a young man searching for his girlfriend. You see, she's lost in a book.  The second revolves around a young man protecting the people he loves, in particular his childhood love, who was stolen by faeries when they were children.  Both are fantastic love stories that are just as much about loving yourself as they are about loving another person.

The Poison Eaters and Other Stories is a great anthology, and it is a needed addition to any bookshelf, for Holly Black fans and newcomers to her work alike.

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Book Cover*: 4/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot**: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending**: 9/10
Overall: 45/50 - A

*The book I have is the ARC paperback and my score is based on that
**This is a combination of all the stories

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Waiting On Wednesday (01)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Title: Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

Release:  February 2011

Genre: Young Adult

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A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York.
Could the city's future rest with its most unlikely scientist?

If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning's esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn't like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.

With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there's no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed "Typhoid Mary" by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn't been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?

Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she'll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.

(Simon & Schuster)
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There's so much I love about the premise of this book.  The position of women/girls within the scientific community.  Events surrounding one of the worst Typhoid breakouts in American history.  A mystery running through New York.  Each of these aspects just sounds awesome!  The cover itself is also gorgeous, and captures the tone of the book, as far as I can tell.

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Dash and Lily's Book of Dares (Review)

Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
Hardcover, 272 pages
Author(s): David Levithan & Rachel Cohn
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Source: NCTE
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble 

The Summary

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“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

 And so begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? 

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

 (Goodreads)

The Review
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I have been waiting to read this book for awhile.  I love the collaborations by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.  Their previous two books, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List,  were fantastic.  They explored love, friendship, and individuality perfectly.  I felt like a teenager again while reading them.  Dash & Lily's Book of Dares is no less fantastic.

As stated above, the story revolves around two characters, Dash and Lily.  They couldn't be more opposite of each other: Dash describes himself as "bookish" and Lily is "full of cheer".  But through Lily's Red Moleskine, these two strangers are brought together all over New York for an eye-opening Christmas.

Cohn and Levithan have a great voice, which is surprising when you find out they don't plan the chapters ahead.  Cohn writes Lily's voice and Levithan writes Dash's voice; they email the story back and forth without discussing the chapters until edit time.  Both capture the voice of teenagers questioning some big issues: divorce, love, acceptance, and discovery of self; all with a lot of humor and hope.

It is a quick read, but very satisfying; the only part I had a slight problem with was the ending, but I think it was more because I didn't want the book to be over!  A pick for the teen or YA fan in your life, perfect for the holiday season coming up.  So if you like mysteries, romance, and cool independent bookstores (Said bookstore, The Strand, is real and the first place I'm visiting in NY) then you have to pick up Dash and Lily's Book of Dares!

The Verdict

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Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Ending: 7/10
Overall: 42/50 - B

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Oh Oh ARCS Galore

As I mentioned in my last post, I attended the NCTE convention here in Orlando.  Well a fantastic part of this convention, besides everything I already mentioned, is the fact that you get free swag out the butt.

Seriously, out. the. butt.

I took away 39 books, (only 8 of which I bought, all for $3-$10) and I gave 3 to my little brother and 1 to my older sister, still leaving me with 35 books!!!!!

(Not all are pictured)

A dream come true.

So in honor of all these awesome books, and the fact that my winter break is coming up, I am going to start reviewing said books.  I can't guarantee it will be in a timely fashion, but I promise to review my favorites for sure (I still have to study for my 2 certification tests and fill out Grad School applications).

But the three reviews that are definitely coming up are going to be on:

                                                                  Eyes Like Stars           Dash & Lily's Book of Dares            The Poison Eaters (ARC)             
                                                                      By Lisa Mantchev            By David Levithan & Rachel Cohn                 By Holly Black

Be sure to check back for my thoughts.

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