Enthralled Giveaway Winner!

First of all, we'd like to thank all of you for entering our FIRST giveaway! It was a great turn out and we wish we could give every single one of you a prize... but we can't. So here's the day you've been waiting for.. the day where we pick the winner! We used random.org to choose our lucky follower.

DUN DUN DUNNNNN.... And the winner is!

Briana Danielle!

Congrats!

She'll be winning a signed copy of Enthralled by numerous authors from the Smart Chick Kick It Tour. Keep your eyes peeled for future giveaways. We've got some great things in the works!

Elise's List of 100 YA Books

Hey y'all I know I suck, I haven't posted in forever but it's because my internet hasn't been hooked up and I finally took the initiative to Google my problem and all I had to do was reset the router...like I know stuff about routers. Any WhoozleBeez, I got super jealous of Heather's post so I needed to do my own. (Also, if you haven't noticed Heather and myself have some of the worst cases of only-child syndrome). So here is my version of the list that is on the tip of every one's blog!  This abfab list was found over on Kelsey at The Lost Book Reports.

Top 100 YA Books

Bold  = I've read it
Italic = I own it, but haven't read it

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse, Crank Series, Tricks, Identical, Burned
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) 
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – This Lullaby
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3, 4)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped




So I haven't read much on this list. I have read a bazillion books though! How is this possible? Ridiculous. I have a lot of reading to do that's for sure. 

100 YA Books

Ok. So i'm pretty sure by now just about everyone has added this list to their blog. And no one really knows where it originated from. So i figured why not! I'll participate! I love lists. This one i found over on Kelsey at The Lost Book Reports. Um. P.S. You should check her out. I am completely addicted to her YouTube channel.

Top 100 YA Books

Bold  = I've read it
Italic = I own it but haven't read it

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3) Read 1, and own the others
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) 
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3) I've only read the first 2
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped




Going through this list, marking all the books, made me realize something. I'M IN DESPERATE NEED OF SOME CATCHING UP. Must. Read. Now.

In My Mailbox (8)

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

IMM is where you can showcase all your goods. This week...

Bought:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks

Enthralled by Various Authors

Gifted:

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

*Thanks to Ashley @ www.ashleysuzanne.com*

So excited for every single one of these titles! Look at that pretty extra copy of Enthralled Anthology for one lucky winner of our Enthralled giveaway. Hurry up! You have until October 1 to enter. What's in your mailbox?

Follow Friday (4)

Happy Friday Everyone!

This weeks question is:

Q. Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep revisiting it.


A. Now this may sound a bit cliche but the one series i can never get enough of is Harry Potter. Yes, Harry Potter. I'm sure most of you can relate to me on this series and understand my need for my nose to constantly be in it's pages. Why? Because it's brilliant, that's why. No matter how many times i read the books or how many times i watch the movie adaptations i learn something completely new and EVERY TIME WITHOUT FAIL it amazes me. Those 3 wizards have been there for me since they first came to life in 1998 and they will continue to be there until my hair has grayed and i own 12 cats.

GIVEAWAY-Enthralled

Here it is folks.. LOVE LIFE AND READINGS first official giveaway!

What's up for grabs? 

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions

An Anthology 

Now you may be thinking.. I've really wanted that book. I've been waiting for it's release for ages! The cover is so pretty. Oh my gosh all those authors in one fantastical anthology?

Here's the real kicker.. the winner will get a brand spankin' new copy 

PERSONALIZED TO THEM

& signed by the following authors:

-Kelly Armstrong

-Jennifer Lynn Barnes

-Melissa Marr

-Rachel Caine

-Carrie Ryan

How is this possible? How on earth could all of these downright genius authors put all of their signatures into Enthralled? Here's the story:

Heather will be attending the Smart Chicks Kick It Tour on their stop in Lansing, MI on October 4. She'll have one lovely copy for one of you beautiful, beautiful followers in hand.

Want more info on the Smart Chicks Tour? go here! www.smartchickskickit.com

Contest Rules:

-Open to US residents only

-This contest ends October 1, 2011
-You must be a follower of LOVE LIFE AND READING to enter*

-You may gain extra entires for TWEETING or PUTTING A POST ON YOUR BLOG.
    (copy & paste this tweet: i want to win #Enthralled by authors like @KelleyArmstrong @carrieryan @melissa_marr. You can enter too! http://bit.ly/nySy6O @hmmcw)

so go on! tweet, tweet! blog, blog! & Good Luck!

to enter fill out this form HERE.

Review: FALLEN

Fallen by Lauren Kate
Pages: 452-US Hardback
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Released: December 8, 2009
My Rating: 4/5
Book Summary: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. 

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.



My Thoughts:
I'd like to start out by saying that it's about damn time i sank my teeth into this dark and stunning first installment by Lauren Kate. It seems that just about everyone on planet Earth has flipped through these pages.. so i decided to take a look-sie for myself.


Kate does an exceptional job at grabbing it's readers by the throats and thrusting them into an eerie and mysterious romantic story. I haven't read a book with such vivid and beautiful details in quite some time and boy did i eat it up.


Luce Price and Daniel Grigori's love story is quite a unique one at that. Reincarnation. A boarding school for troubled youth. A creepy storyline with out of this world characters and surprising twists. Yum. And although there were some parts that frankly i could of done without, i'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for these two 'starcrossed lovers' in Torment- the second addition to the Fallen series. 

REVIEW: Hourglass

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Pages: 397-US Hardback
Publisher: Egmont USA
Released: June 14, 2011
My Rating: 4.5/5
Book Summary: One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?-goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
BRAVO! Myra McEntire you have come out with something incredibly special here. Seriously, could this plot be any more intriguing and any more brilliant? I didn't think so. Addicting to say the least and blows your mind with every chapter. 


Emerson has recently dealt with the loss of her mum and dad and her biggest task in life? Just trying to figure out how to function. Between mental hospitals and boarding school Em still can't seem to get her life back on track.. that is until the handsome and oh so seductive Michael comes into the equation. DUN DUN DUNNNNN. 


That's when this story hits epic proportions of OMG moments and I CANT BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED. I had to start using my toes to count the amount of times i gasped out loud(during lecture thank you very much.) Oh, yes and did i mention there is TIME TRAVEL...?! holy s!@#.  I'll keep this short and sweet. Don't want to spill too many beans. 


Hourglass is a beautifully told story that weaves together the perfect amount of science, mystery and forbidden love.  I can't wait for installment number 2. 

Fall '11 Dark Days of Supernatural

Cover Reveal-INSURGENT!

A meme to cure your craving for those covers you've been dying to see.

INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 2012

I seriously believe that this cover deserves a bigger picture. One that takes up the entire screen because it's just so ridiculously brilliant. I'm a sucker for anything with a tree on it... so you could say that i'm a wee bit excited to add this my shelf. EEK! So in the need of some more Tris and Four in my life. 

*Want to check out an awesome Q&A between writer Veronica Roth and Entertainment Weekly? Head on over by clicking HERE.


You can also get some more of your Veronica Roth fix by checking our her blog HERE.

Teaser Tuesday- Stash

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Here's a sneak peak at what i'm reading currently:

Stash

By David Klein

pg. 15

"She lit the joint and took a few hits and lay back on the plank top of the picnic table and let the sun warm her face. She closed her eyes. Hummed deep in her throat. Wet her lips. Four days at the lake house, just her and Brian and the kids. Hiking, swimming, canoe rides, fires at night. That's how she imagined it would be: their family nested and spending every minute together. "

The End of an Era.... R.I.P Borders Books and Music

As you all know I was a Borders employee for 2 years and I am sad to say that the store we all knew and loved is officially closed. My store was one of the first in my district to close and the rest should be closed by weeks end. We all will miss the amazing discounts, fantastic and broad selection, and most of all the fabulous customer service. There aren't many book stores left and each region of the United States will suffer. Sure, there is Barnes and Noble but lets be  honest, their reward program sucks and the people who work there always walk around like there is a stench in the air. So if you are like moi, and every time you shop at B&N you run into a rude, grumpy associate then I have the answers to your prayers ;) I have done the dirty work and traveled all across the enchanted land of Metro Detroit to find you those great shops that got the goods and truly care about their customers! 

Local Shops:

Off the Beaten Path

23023 Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington, MI 48336

(Not only a bookstore but a cafe! The owner is this awesome woman named Sal, and her selection consists mainly of horror,science fiction, Ya, mystery, and some kids. She also hosts a wide variety of events for all types of interests. Try her Vanilla Rooiboos tea with cream, its to die for! Also check out her blog for all the happenings going on Sal's Blog)

Paperback Trade Inn

145 East Fourteen Mile Rd Clawson Mi 48017

(This is a actually a re-sale shop. There is a sticker on each book with two prices, if you bring in old books you get the cheaper price! They do have all genres but mainly it is a Romance store. They have a decent fiction, horror, and mystery section. You never know what you could find so its definitely worth going in and checking it out a couple times a month.)

John K. King Used & Rare Books

901 W.Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, Mi 48226

(A huge, awesome warehouse in Detroit that has such a ginormous selection its kind of hard to explain. So just go there!!! Its worth the trip :) Side note, he has two other locations one on 9 and Woodward in Ferndale and another one on Cass in Detroit!)

And for those of you who aren't from Michigan, I've scoured the internet for some awesome websites.

Amazon!

Thrift Books!

Half!

Abe Books!

Powells!

Bigger Books!

REVIEW: Supernaturally (Paranormalcy # 2)

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Pages: 336-US Hardback

Publisher: HarperTeen

Released: July 26, 2011

My Rating: 4/5

Book Summary:  

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.- goodreads.com

My Thoughts:

I adored the first book in this series! I definitely judged it by the description on the jacket and almost didn't buy it because there was Faeries in it, well I was so wrong!!! So when the second one came out I was all but screaming when I picked it up. It was an excellent second book! Normally the second book in a series tends to be not as great but this one was just as good as the first! Evie's ever present sass and strong-will shine brightly through every page, making her an exciting heroine. I must admit I could have done with a lot more Lend, I totally forgot he was going to college in this book! I just love how he is basically the perfect guy, (yep i've got a book crush!)

There wasn't that much action in this installment, which can be good for some readers but I need that chaos! I definitely didn't think she could top the crazy story line from the last book but the plot was surprisingly original. The twists were just as shocking and I'm happy to say its obvious there will be a third book. I was a little surprised to see that there was really only one new character, an author can go overboard and bring in a whole new crew, which isn't always a good thing. 

This book I feel was based more off of Evie's adjustment and her feelings about her major transition from kick-ass detainment officer to normal high school student. Her boredom and yearning for the action of her old job was very realistic and made me understand her reasoning much better. I love when I get the character of a book because it makes me feel like i'm in the story! Overall, fantastic second book to the fabulous Paranormalcy. If ya loved the first one, and you don't get the second one, we can't be friends anymore. PICK IT UP ASAP! 

Waiting on Wednesday-The Carrier of the Mark

Weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Showcase which books you're going crazy over to be released!

The Carrier of the Mark

by Leigh Fallon

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago-and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction. -goodreads.com

I have one huge reason why this i'm anticipating this book more than any other for the year of 2011... it takes place in IRELAND. I mean, hellllllo. Plus, the girl on the cover has red hair... and i have red hair. That alone is enough for me to pick the book up. The premise of this story is pretty friggin' interesting to say the least. I am so utterly curious to see how this story turns out. OCTOBER 4 PLEASE HURRY UP. Someone inform me if there are any shooting stars coming, maybe my wish will come true. 

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Teaser Tuesday-Hourglass

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Here's a sneak peak at what i'm reading currently:

Hourglass (Hourglass #1) 

by Myra McEntire

                                       pg. 113

"Just beyond the register sat a table of teenagers in poodle skirts and letter sweaters. I knew they had to be ripples, because Murphy's Law had slick, modern furniture instead of the leather booth with the Formica table where the couples were seated. They joked with a waitress in a pink nylon dress, a gingham-checked apron tied around her waist."

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. 

Here's where you share what you've recently read, are currently reading, and what you're about to read.

Recently Read:

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Currently Reading:

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Going to Read:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I also went and recently saw FRIGHT NIGHT 3D. Listen here folks! This is a movie i ABSOLUTELY recommend. Downright hilarious and Colin Ferrell is a vampire. What's not to like? What have you been up to lately?

In My Mailbox(7)

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

IMM is where you can showcase all your goods. This week...

Bought:

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Want To Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

   

  

For Review:

The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

What's in your mailbox this week?

REVIEW: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Megan Matson

Pages: 344-US Hardback

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Released: May 4, 2010

My Rating: 4/5

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

My Thoughts:

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour was an incredibly fun read. Probably more so for myself considering i picked this story up a mere 2 weeks before i headed on a cross-country road trip from Texas to Michigan. 

Amy was such a strong female character who's dealing with the loss of a parent, an issue that none of us want to experience. Between the heartache and guilt Amy faces, she is able to finally see the fun in life again. All thanks to her partner in adventure, Roger. You could also say that Amy finds a little bit of love along the way. OOPS! I've said too much already!

Morgan Matson did an exquisite job of adding tons of fun features to this novel, or should i say it's more along the lines of a travel journal/scrapbook. Although there were a few dull, slow moving chapters she kept you wondering what the end had to hold for the entire cast of characters. 

Waiting on Wednesday(4)

Weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Showcase which books you're going crazy over to be released!

The Name of The Star by Maureen Johnson

Release Date: September 29, 2011

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities

Talk about a fresh new idea in the YA book scene. Jack the Ripper? How cool will this story be. I really can't wait for this new horror from Maureen Johnson!

REVIEW: Starcrossed

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 
Pages: 514-US Hardback
Publisher: HarperTeen
Released: May 31, 2011
My Rating: 5/5
Book Summary: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart. -goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
Ladies and gents, i have for you Heather's favorite book of 2011. Starcrossed has left me literally breathless.


Josephine Angelini packed this story full of action, mystery, and a completely riveting and fresh take on a greek gods love story. Main characters Helen and Lucas have been through quite a lot together- and it's only the first book! I will zip my mouth on any other further details for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of picking it up and diving in yet. 

There was never a dull moment of reading. Chapter by chapter tugged at my heart strings and played me like a puppet. I will divulge one piece of information though... hold on to your seats during the last few chapters. Choose to read it and you've signed up for quite a ride.