A Girl, Books and Other Things

Book Review: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

2012-01-26T20:54:00.002-06:00

WARNING: This Review might contain Spoilers about Book 1: Waterfall.

At First Sight: Once again, Gabbi and Lia Bentarrini find themselves in 14th Century Italy, but this time they have brought their mother in tow.

After helping Siena on their perpetual war agains Florence and narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, Gabbi is back and even though she's not sure yet of what she wants to do next, she knows she wants to do it by Marcello's side. But, though Marecello's love is true, things have changed at Castello Forelli.

What for the girls felt like 10 minutes, it was close to 3 months at the Castello. Three months that saw Marcello's older brother Fortino restored to health and engaged to Marcello's erstwhile fiance Lady Romana Rossi.

And while the city of Siena is happy to have it's heroines back, not everyone is thrilled at the girls's return, and soon they are thrown into even more danger than ever before unsure who is ally and who is a foe.

Second Glance: Cascade picks up right after the end of Waterfall and it wastes no time getting into the thick of things, and the whole situation gets kicked up a notch with political intrigue and betrayals and the background the rivalry between these two cities.

I really liked to see how the characters grew and I got to know them a bit more, how Lia starts to fall for their new surroundings and Lucca even though she was very reluctant about both at the beginning, also loved how their mother took everything in, and that she believes in her daughters, even if she does get distracted by the archeologist inside of her.

The guys, Lucca and Marcello are everything a girl could want, in a very old fashioned way, and it was fun to see them struggle to understand Gabbi and Lia, and their 21st century notions.

There is even more adventure in this book than in the previous one, and I have to admit that I thought it was a bit too much of it. Danger after danger after danger, though I understand that's kind of how it worked way back in the day.

Bottom Line: Though I liked Waterfall more, Cascade is a great continuation to the River of Time series and it does take you for quite a ride of adventure and romance. And I liked the twist at the end, it made sense for it to happen.

Tune in Tuesday (23) - Bathwater by No Doubt

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

This meme is hosted by Ginger at GReads and music. Each week you can post an old or new song so that it gains more interest! So head on over and link up.

If there was a song that made me want to check out No Doubt was Bathwater. It wasn't Don't Speak, I actually kind of hate Don't Speak, to be true. But I love, Bathwater, I can't hel singing it whenever I hear it. It makes me happy and I seriously love the beat of it.

So, what song plays for you?

Book Review: Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

2012-01-23T21:17:00.000-06:00

I love this cover! Its so Rock and Roll

At First Sight: Piper Vaughan isn't kicking off Senior year in the best possible way: even though she's a star student her little brother Finn keeps getting in trouble at school, her dad lost his job and her best friend moved from Seattle to San Francisco. And she just found out that her parents raided her college fund to pay for her baby sister's cochlear implant. And that's how she ends up making a deal with Dumb - the resident rock band of her school - to become their manager and get them a paid gig within the month, and they'll share equal parts of whatever money they make.

It was a desperate act, but Piper was a bit desperate and she's determined to make Dumb a success, even if everyone thinks it's crazy she wants to be the manager of a rock band since she's deaf.

As things at home get more strained, particularly with her Mom and Dad who don't seem to understand Piper's feelings now that Grace can hear - Piper focuses on the band. First enlisting her fellow Chess Club member Ed as a drummer, and then dealing with having Kallie Sims - the hottest girl of the school - joining the band as well.

For Piper, the clock is ticking and it's time to make it work.

Second Glance: I can't believe I had Five Flavors of Dumb for a year and didn't read it. It makes me feel pretty dumb myself as I absolutely loved it. I liked Piper, she came off as very human - she's a good person but she's also capable of doing some underhanded things and acting bratty - and I really liked how she came to bond with Tash and Kallie - the girls of the band. I loved how her relationship with her younger brother Finn was handled, as well as the jealousy and love she feels toward Grace.

The band's dynamics were awesome to see because it's such a living thing, the band, with shifting loyalties and craziness. And I thought Ed was just so cute.

Plus, this is a very musical book, you can feel how every one of the characters feels about music - even Piper - and how they are brought together by this awesome thing that is bigger than they are.

Bottom Line: Five Flavors of Dumb is an absolutely amazing book, I loved it. I raced through it and I want to read it again already. It was also my first favorite book of the year!

Favorite Quote:

“Well, I guess I don’t want to believe that this is just a stage, you know? That next month I’ll wake up and say, ‘That’s not me at all.’”

Cassie leaned forward like she was about to divulge a secret. “Honestly, one day you will wake up and say that. And no matter what godforsaken mess Kallie ends up with today, she will too. And so will Tash, and everyone else who comes in here. But you’re worrying about the wrong thing. Don’t worry about wanting to change; start worrying when you don’t feel like changing anymore. And in the meantime, enjoy every version of yourself you ever meet, because not everybody who discovers their true identity likes what they find.” - Piper and Cassie (Tash's mom)

Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

2012-01-22T00:00:00.007-06:00

At First Sight: One hot, summer day sisters Gabbi and Lia Bentarrini were bored, having been dragged to yet another excavation site by their archeologist mother, even though they weren't really allowed to touch anything.

Deciding to do a little exploring on their own, Gabbi and Lia wander into one of the Etruscan caves her mother was studying... and by the time Gabbi gets out, she's no longer somewhere near 21st Century's Siena, instead Lia is gone and she walks right into a group of knights fighting each other.

That's how she meets Sir Marcello Forelli, younger son of the Lord of Castello Forelli, where she's taken as a guest. Gabbi isn't sure what to make of the situation but she knows she's in the 14th Century, and that she must find her sister.

But the 1300's Italy is anything but peaceful, as Florence and Siena battling for power, much as the Forellis are fighting their neighbors, making it that much harder for Gabbi to find her way back home.

Second Glance: Sorry for the short summary, I'm trying not to spoil things for anyone.

I went into reading Waterfall knowing only two things about it: that Small @Small Review loved it, and that it had some time travel involved. And what I learned is that whenever Small tells me to read a book, I should just go ahead and do it, because she's generally right and I seriously loved this book too.

Gabbi's adventures in Italy were that awesome to read about, how she struggles between what would be expected from a well-to-do lady in the 14th century and the things she wants to (and knows she can) do. I loved that she could think fast, and used her common sense, and how much she loved her sister.

And I loved seeing her with Marcello, his brother Fortino and his best friend Luca, how she develops different relationships with each of them and they come to respect her for different reasons.

And I know I said I wanted to walk away from Christian Fiction for a while and that these books are technically considered CF, but you really don't feel it at all, even though there is a bit of faith woven into the story.

Bottom Line: Waterfall is a delightful read, full of adventure and drama and romance. I found it impossible to put down and incredible entertaining to read. I can't wait to dig into Book Two: Cascade.

Favorite Quote: "There was only one way to play this. The superior, don’t-mess-with- me route." - Gabbi

Book Review: Beauty by Robin Mckinley

2012-01-20T20:11:00.001-06:00

The Deal: Grace, Hope and Beauty are three sisters that lead a comfortable life in a seaside city where their father has a successful shipping business.

Beauty - who's real name is Honour but was bestowed the nickname at a young age and then turned out to be the least conventionally pretty of the three sisters (or so she thinks) - is the scholar of the three and barely notices when Grace's suitor Robbie - a promising young captain - leaves on a journey that promises to bring him fortune, as she is much too occupied with her studies.

A few years later, their father's business takes a turn for the worse and Robbie is presumed dead, so the whole family leaves the city and journey to the woods, casting their luck with Hope's suitor Gervain, who is a blacksmith.

Far away from everything familiar, they start a new life, even if Beauty's father aged overnight after his fortune failed and Grace still pines away after Robbie,. Beauty and Hope keep their spirits up and soon they find themselves quite content in their new lives. Until a couple years later, when news from the city come saying that one of the ships has returned.

The girls' father makes the journey back to the city and on his way back home he gets lost in the woods and finds a castle and end sup making a bargain with the Beast that lords over the castle: come back in a month - alone or with one of his daughters to take his place - or die.

Knowing she's the only one that can be spared from the house's work and oddly believing the Beast's promise that he won't harm her, Beauty decides to take her father's place.

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for all things Beauty and the Beast, it's one of my most beloved stories and story devices. I had heard a lot about McKinley's version - particularly from Heidi from YA Bibliophile - and I finally decided to try it out.

I loved it.

Even though it's a story that I know well and that I've read in many incarnations, this one felt fresh and it had a lovely feel of "old-times" though the actual settling of the story is never mentioned. I liked Beauty and how practical she was. I really liked the Beast.

And I even liked the secondary characters, particularly Hope and Grace and Gervain. In characterization, I think the story is a winner.

I had a two problems with Beauty, though. To start with, the settling is never mentioned but certain commonplace works of art and literature are - like Jane Austen's works or Shakespeare and several greeks - and when they were mentioned, it was a bit jarring because the story has an over all fantasy feel. And secondly, the end was abrupt and I felt like I needed a little bit more, plus I would have liked a bit more explanation about how the curse worked.
1/2

Book Review: Waiting to Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch

2012-01-19T00:00:00.025-06:00

The Deal: T. J. is waiting at the hospital. Waiting on news about his little sister Angela, who was rushed in a few hours before. His new adoptive parents - Marlene and Dan - told him to wait outside.

So, he's waiting, feeling a little forgotten, and remembering how everything came to be the way it is.

It had always been T.J,'s job to look after and take care of Angela, he remembers that. He remembers life with his mother and her boyfriends and trying to protect Angela then. And he remembers the foster homes that followed, and how now they are trying to adapt to their new family.

My Thoughts: Waiting to Forget was a surprising read. I guessed going in that it wasn't going to be a walk in the park and it wasn't. I admit that I struggled a little with the narrative since it went back and forth between the present and different points of the past. In the end, this worked well but for me it was hard to get into.

T.J.'s voice is both young and jaded, having gone though so many things in his short life, and I think that's the biggest asset of the book because it was very well done, but at the same time I struggled a bit because of the way the story is told.

If you like unusual narrative styles, I think that this might be the book for your, but though I don't belong to that camp, I still found the book very engrossing.

1/2

Stop S.O.P.A - Stop P.I.P.A - An outsider's perspective

2012-01-18T10:49:00.002-06:00

When it comes to internet piracy, I try to stay out of it. All of it.

I tend to get very heated when discussing it with people, so I just don't do it as that's not the focus of my blog and I don't see the point of arguing with fanatics on either end. But S.O.P.A (Stop Online Piracy Act) and P.I.P.A (Protect the IP Act) worry me.

As you may know, I'm a blogger outside the US. A blogger in a country where English is not the mother language and where publishing is very nearly dead unless you're a crazy politician bent on world domination who decides to write a book, or a scandal prone actor... then, publishing is still alive for you. Otherwise if you're a fiction lorer like me, you suffer. I sufbered.

By the time I was 18, I was becoming quite bitter with the state of fiction in my country. I craved the written world and I had to make do with classics - that I love and still re-read but believe me when I tell you there are only so many times you can read Pride and Prejudice without going a little insane, and I don't mean read it in your life time, I mean read it in a year because that's the last book that has caught your interest in over two years since everything else is crazy politicians and scandalous actors.

Internet changed that, and it wasn't just online shopping either. It was the options, the learning what else was out there and, back in the day, the possibility to buy ebooks (sometimes straight from the publisher) without much trouble, before geographic restrictions started to drive me nuts and some sites refused to take your credit card if you didn't live in the US.*

It was, literally, the word at my fingertips.

A world that might well vanish if legislation like S.O.P.A or P.I.P.A. get passed because then people in the US - government and corporations - would have the power to close down the sites that I read, to simply block the IP address so I can't access anything. My access, the wonderful access that allowed me to make friends a world over and to share my thoughts and discover new things, would be gone.

Further more, S.O.P.A for example, is written to take control over any domain ending in ".com", ".net." and ".org", as well as I.P addresses generated by the American Registry of Internet Numbers, even though these could belong to to Canada or a bunch of other countries in the Caribbean. It would force sites that aren't in the US to conform to US law. And, because it's the US Government, they would very likely try to impose their laws on others countries with whom they hold commercial agreements - as we all know, this has happened before**.

Because I don't live in the U.S. I have little say over this - though I wouhd suffer the consequences severely - but if you do live in the US... look it up, get educated and do something.

Lotsa-Luv,

Alex.

* To be fair, with kindle and stuff, we are starting to get the same access to ebooks as we did before - outside the US - though it does come at a higher price.

** It's currently happening in Spain (link is in Spanish)

Tune in Tuesday 22 - Mercy by Duffy

2012-01-17T12:57:00.000-06:00

This meme is hosted by Ginger at GReads and music. Each week you can post an old or new song so that it gains more interest! So head on over and link up.

I'm actually a big fan of Duffy, I love her songs and her voice has such a nice, old-fashioned quality to it. I always have at least one song of hers in my playlist and this morning, as I was going to work after I had to go to the hospital so they could draw blood and run some tests - and my arm was hurting, and yes I'm a big baby but they took THREE tubes. Of the big ones - this song totally lifted my mood.

So, what song plays for you?

In My Mailbox #4 - Over a Month in Books

2012-01-16T20:41:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone!!
I'm coming to you again with a ton of books I've been getting, mostly thanks to NetGalley and some awesome peeps int he internet.

I really wanted to do a Vlog but when I realized the amount of books I decided to just hit you with a list. So here they are, most of them courtesy of NetGalley unless stated otherwise.

The Accidental Bride Denise Hunter
Head Over Heels by Jill Shavis
The Wedding Gift by Kathleen McKenna
Welcome Caller This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
One More Summer by Liz Flaherty
All I Want is You by Sherrill Bodine
A Tale of Two Proms by Cara Lockwood - Which I already REVIEWED and loved.
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Lady Awakened by Celia Grant - Thanks to Jane L from Dear Author, she and Sarah from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books were holding a giveaway of it in Twitter and I won.
Holiday Kisses - A lovely gift from Christine from The Happily Ever After
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby - Gift from Kylie of The Talking Teacup
The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler - Gift from Kylie of The Talking Teacup
How to Dance With a Duke Manda Collins
Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters
First Date by Krista McGee
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergen
Cascade by Lisa T. Bergen
Torrent by Lisa T. Bergen (I need to read the whole trilogy in 10 days or less!)
Card Captor Sakura Vol 1 by CLAMP (I bought it in November and it finally came!)
Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman
Fracture by Megan Miranda

As you see I got tons to read, so I better get to it!

As Seen on TV: Fall 2011/Spring 2012

2012-01-14T14:21:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! it has been a while since I posted anything TV related but with the new fall season well on it's way, I decided it was time to talk about the stuff currently on air.

Still Favorite: Bones

I've been so happy with the way the season is going, I think the show runners were very brave in bringing Brennan and Booth together and they were smart in still keeping the tension going between them, because, to be honest, that's more than half the fun of the show. I am sad that we are going to be saddled with a long hiatus following this week's episode - and a a shorter season due to Emily Deschanel's maternity leave - but we shall endure!

New Favorite: Revenge

It's deliciously soap-opera-y and so much fun to watch. It is a spin on the Count of Montecristo, which is one of my favorite stories ever. And I also love that it's such a female-centric show, I love seeing Emily VanCamp and Madeline Stowe battle each other out every week. And I admit I got a soft spot for Nolan who is so smart, evilish and kind of pathetic but likable, all at once.

In the Bubble: Supernatural.

Last season was a bust and this season was looking like it was finally picking up but in the end it has turned out to be quite irregular. There have been some truly amazing episodes - like the winter finale! - but others have just felt flat (so much that I can't even remember what they were about) and the one with the wedding was quite disappointing and even a little offensive to the fandom. I still believe Dean and Sam are great and I love them as the Winchester Boys, but the show's writers need to cut back the campy gimmicks ASAP and actually focus on a story to tell.

Still a Favorite: The Good Wife

I think this show continues to improve with each season, there are some episodes I enjoy more than others but I'm still loving the direction the show is taking. I like seeing how Alicia is changing and how the show is handling the stuff. I'm old enough to remember the hey-day of the Practice and even Ally McBeal (before it went pathetic on it's last couple of seasons) and I missed seeing a good lawyer-y show on TV until the Good Wife came along.

New Favorite: Once Upon a Time

I love fairy tales and I love the concept of this series, and the dual narrative between Fairy Tale Land and the present day. Again, some episodes have more punch than others but I love the characters (both when I like them and when I love to hate them), and the winter finale last December left me squealing and gutted and it was awesome. My only problem is that from a story-telling point of view, I wonder how they are going to stretch the taffy to make it last.

On the Bubble: Glee

I hated last season, I think I liked 1 or maybe 2 episodes and the number of musical numbers I liked was down, like 80% regarding season one. Season 3 seems to be picking up though I'm frankly growing tired of hearing Lea Michel sing, I'm ready for something fresh and new, and I like that they have been showcasing some of the other voices, but sometimes Glee feels like the show that goes nowhere.

Gave Up On: Pretty Little Liars.

I don't know what is it but I gave up around the same time I gave up on the books. I always thought the original premise of the first four books was awesome and it made sense, then it went up to eight books and it was stretching the taffy but ok, it still worked... and then it went up to, I believe, 10 books and I just lost interest. Something like that happened with the show too. They just had to keep stretching the taffy, which is understandable since they covered most of book one in the first chapter, but, still. The only think I miss is Emily's Major Hot Dad.

Still a Favorite: Big Bang Theory

It makes me laugh, that's the bottom line that's the most important thing. Plus, is a show that keeps moving forward even though it's premise is fairly simple, but it keeps evolving and I've actually loved the inclusion of more female characters - Bernadette and Amy - who help balance the numbers. I loved the dynamics when it was just Penny and the four guys, and I love them all the same now.

New Favorite!3A 2 Broke Girls

Sometimes I think it's too raunchy and a bit lewd, but it's funny and I like seeing Max and Caroline interacting together and trying to sort of find their way. The show can be a little heavy on cultural cliches and stereotyping and yeah, that can be a little too much, but I usually get a couple of good laughs out of it, so I'm willing to give the show some time to evolve.

On the Bubble: New Girl

I started watching this with high hopes, and for the most part liked it, but sometimes it was too quirky and cutesy for my liking (and I'm a person who loves the cutesy stuff!), so I found myself not watching the episodes as they came out and watching them a few weeks later. I've been hearing exciting casting news though, so I hope my interest goes up again.

Still a Favorite: Modern Family

I love it. It's funny, you can watching with your whole family and everyone finds something to laugh about and there have been times when my stomach has actually been aching because I've laughed so much. It's family comedy at it's best.

New Favorite: Switched at Birth

I thought the first couple of episodes were a bit slow, but the show grew on me. It started as a summer series but due to popular demand it turned into an over-sized first season and I find that I like it more the more I watch it. And I like how they are portraying the struggles these two families are going through to blend together.

On the Bubble: Suburgatory

I watch a few episodes here and there, and while sometimes I enjoy it a lot, other times I just don't find it funny. They recently started airing it on cable in my country so I'm giving it another try as I see that the later episodes were funnier, plus, I do like the tone of the show.

Gave Up On: I Hate My Teenage Daughter

One episode was enough. For me the problem wasn't that it was offensive - I'm OK with that, I mean I like 2 Broke Girls - but that it wasn't even funny, just a bit pathetic all around.

Well that's me, what I've been watching.What about you guys? Any shows I'm missing on?

Book Review: There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

2012-01-12T00:22:00.000-06:00

At First Sight: Hotel heiress Finley is heading to Ireland as an exchange student, hoping it will be the jolt she needs to get back on track. Years before, he older brother Will went on the same program to the same town, and whatever he found in Ireland changed his life.

It has been two years since Will died - in a terrorist bombing in Afghanistan, where he was building schools - and Finley hasn't really coped with it, she still misses her brother, has had a long streak of bad choices that she's trying to put behind her and doesn't know how to let go of her grief.

But, armed with Will's travel journal from his time in Ireland, Finley is set to change that by going to all the places her brother loved, the places that made him see God. Because Finley really needs to see God again.

And, when on the plane she meets the hottest teenage actor, Beckett Rush, things get a little more complicated - as he's staying at the same place she is while he's filming a movie, and has taken an interest in Finley since she's the one person in his life who never tries to kiss up to him.

Soon, Finley is consumed with her quest to find Will's Ireland, and with the life of Mrs. Sweeney- the grandma she has had to adopt as part of one of her classes' requirements. And Beckett becomes her biggest ally in her quests, even though Finley is quite reluctant to accept his help.

Second Glance: I'm very conflicted about how to start my review of There You'll Find Me because over all it was a good read and I definitely enjoyed it when I was reading it, but at the same time I had a ton of problems with Finley and I never really grew fond of her.

Finley shuts down a lot and doesn't want to reach out to other people and I understand that's part of her grief process and everyone lives it differently, and all that, but she wasn't very likable, and she has a very annoying way of parroting calorie counts and saying things that imply that one single cookie is going to give you flabby arms - and eventually you understand she has an eating disorder, but until you do it just comes off as annoying and offensive.

Now, onto the good stuff. The settling is beautiful, I love all things Ireland and I loved how the town and people are described. I really liked the scenes with Mrs. Sweeney, she was a bit mean but her story was interesting. And I actually found Beckett Rush kind of swoony - though he did frustrate me sometimes, his dog loved him and that gave him, like, 100 instant brownie points.

I also liked Erin and her family - they are the ones hosting Finley -and the little bits of information they drop about running a B and B. And the school drama -though a bit predictable - lightened the mood of the book because Finley sure got moody sometimes.

Bottom Line: Don't be fooled by the cute cover, this book isn't exactly fluffy. But it is an enjoyable read and other than my issues with Finley, I liked the characters and settings. Also, it is Christian fiction and it reads like Christian fiction, if you know what I mean, and not only because the romance is pretty tame.
1/3

Waiting to Forget Blog Tour

2012-01-11T00:00:00.001-06:00

As Part of the Waiting to Forget Book Tour, I'm happy to welcome author Sheila Kelly Welch, as she helps us get to know the narrator of Waiting to Forget, T.J. with this game of This or That!

Dogs or Cats? Although T.J. likes animals in general, he would prefer a cat over a dog since they are quieter and less outgoing, like T.J. himself.

Fruits or Vegetables? Fruits like apples and bananas because they are easier to eat than most veggies and don’t require much preparation.

Romeo or Juliet? Okay, is this a trick question? T.J. likes Iza and would like Juliet if she were real.

Left or Right? Right because he’s glad he is right about something.

Pie or Cake? Cake because it reminds him of the party cake Momma bought to celebrate when he and Angela came home after they’d been in foster care.

Comedy or Drama? T.J. needs to laugh more, so he’ll gravitate to comedy.

Hugs or Kisses? Hugs but definitely not kisses. But in a few years . . .

Sunrise or Sunset? Sunrise. There is always hope for a better new day.

Coffee or Tea? Coffee. The scent reminds him of his birth mother’s coffee.

Blue or Red? T.J. wanted a “piece of quiet,” and it would be blue and green.

Strawberry or Blueberry? Strawberry.

Up or Down? Both up and down like the “crazy steps” game that T.J. made up.

Halloween or Christmas? Christmas

Scream or Cry? Neither, although T.J. does cry sometimes he’d rather not show any emotions.

Sun or Moon? Moon because it reminds him of a “piece of quiet.”

Drums or Guitar? Guitar – he’ll learn to play when he’s fourteen.

Salt or Pepper? Salt

------

Thanks so much to Sheila Kelly Welch for stopping by with her insights on T.J.

For more information about the Waiting to Forget Book Tour - future and past stops - please check out The {Teen} Book Scene.

Tune In Tuesday (21) - I Want You by Savage Garden

2012-01-10T09:25:00.000-06:00

This meme is hosted by Ginger at GReads and music. Each week you can post an old or new song so that it gains more interest! So head on over and link up.

Once upon a time, I was completely obsessed with this song -and this band - and I actually love, love this song- It was my song, all the way back in 1996. And it is a very 90's song, and it always brings me back to middle school, you know? I was listening to it the other day and I was amazed I still knew all of the words.

The video is not my favorite but I do love the song. .

So, what song plays for you?

Book Review: The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson

2012-01-09T10:20:00.001-06:00

WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX

At First Sight: For a long time, Locke lived inside an unfathomable darkness where there is no time or space or anything other than his own dark thoughts and the voice of his best friend Kara. Sometime before, there was also the voice of Jenna but then it vanished and neither Kara nor Locke have a clue of where she went.

All Locke knows is that there was a terrible accident, and that now he and Kara are awake and everyone they once new is dead - as over 200 years have passed since- and that their minds were uploaded into replicas of their old bodies thanks to a technology Jenna's father created long ago in order to save his daughter.

Because that's the other thing Locke and Kara eventually learn, that Jenna 'survived' the accident, that her father saved her by creating her a new body and uploading her mind into it... while their own minds were abandoned, kept spinning in an "environment" neither death nor alive.

They are told they owe their lives to Dr. Gatsbro, who found them and brought them back to life, but what they don't know is why Gatsbro did it, and when they find out, that'll send them running. Running to the only person that's remotely familiar to them: Jenna Fox.

Second Glance: I was very excited to read The Fox Inheritance - and so happy when I won it! (thanks to Ashley of Book Labyrinth) - but I don't know why I couldn't love it as much as I loved The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

I think part of it was because I loved the mystery of what happened to Jenna, finding it all out as she did, but when I started this book, I knew plenty already so I didn't have that drive to keep on reading - or listening as the case might be - and then I had a really hard time matching Locke and Kara to the memory I had of them from Jenna, and they weren't entirely likable in their new incarnations, specially Kara - which was understandable but still, it wasn't what I was expecting.

Another problem I had was that, while the voice of the narrator was very nice, he didn't do a great job creating distinct voices for all the characters so I had a hard time keeping track of who was speaking, even when it was a girl talking.

The story itself was okay, but it didn't resonate as much with me as the first book did.

Bottom Line: The Fox Inheritance is an interesting read and I liked that it kept exploring the world that was presented during Jenna Fox, because I found it frighteningly plausible, which was scary and awesome. Though I didn't connect to the people in the story as much as I hoped, it was an okay read.

Busting the Big Blogger Blues

2012-01-08T01:32:00.001-06:00

Busting the Big Blogger Blues (hosted by Ruby's Reads) is a sister event to Busting the Newbie Blues (hosted by Small Review), but this time targeted to readers who have been around the block for a while.

Ruby posted a few questions in her blog and now I'm going to attempt to answer them:

1.- How in the heck do people find time to comment? Commenting is a constant struggle for me. Does anyone have any techniques to share?

Finding time to comment is probably one of the hardest things to do when it comes to blogging, it's not only about leaving meaningful, relevant comments but also about just finding the time to do it. What I've found works for me it's having the blogroll or feed of the blogs I follow in my homepage, that way I can easily see when they update - I also have them on google-reader but I never really check that.

I also check it twice a day, in the morning during the lulls in the office and at night before I go to bed, I take about an hour in the morning and half an hour at night to go through my blogroll and read the reviews and the memes and everything. I do it all at once, if I can, so I can sort of check that off my daily list of things to do.

Another thing is honestly following the blogs you love. It helps nobody if you fill your feed-reader with stuff you never check out, it will be a lot easier to comment if you check out sites that you like for their content and where you can share your thoughts.

What are the best ways of networking with other bloggers, authors and publishers? Twitter? Facebook? Please don't tell me it's Facebook.

Aside from commenting on their blogs when possible, I have to say that Twitter is my own personal favorite. I like how fast it is and how direct the interaction is, plus it kind of forces you to go to the point, but you can also be a bit random at the same time (I hope that made sense).

The few times I have mailed other bloggers or authors, I've been lucky enough to get response but I have to admit I have felt very awkward doing it, so I mostly stick to twitter.

How do you snap out of "reading feels like work" ennui?

This one is tough, and I think it's always going to be tough. I've done a lot of things but these are the ones that usually work:

a) Do something else you enjoy and takes your mind off reading. For me that generally means movies or knitting but whatever rocks your world. Sometimes you just need to walk away.

b) Pick up a comfort read, something you already love. The tried and true - for me this includes Harry Potter (any book, but if it's really bad I re-read the whole series), Lisa Kleypas' Dreaming of You and the Hathaway and Wallflower books, Meg Cabot's Mediator and 1-800 series ( usually I just read the last books of the series, Twilight and Missing You respectively but if it's bad, I'll read the whole thing) and so on. I find it incredibly relaxing an it usually reminds me of why I love reading.

c) Try something different: it might be something out of your comfort zone or reading an historical after reading a bunch of contemporaries, it doesn't matter, sometimes all you need is a change of pace.

d) Take time off - I've only done this once or twice but if I'm really behind and really busy, I rather just say "I'll be back next week" and take time to re-group rather than letting reading become just One More Thing I got to do.

Tell me more about this thing you call "scheduling."

I'm only so-so with scheduling, I kind of like it and I kind of love having stuff ready but at the same time I can't schedule weeks ahead because, I just can't. I'm trying to keep a better track of guest posts and committed reviews and all of that, just so I can have a better balance of things in my blog, but it's not easy.

I do keep track of some of the stuff in my scheduler and icalendar, but it's very hard.

Well, that's me! How about you?

In any case, be sure to check out Ruby's Blog for more info about this event.

Busting the Newbie Blues

2012-01-05T00:43:00.000-06:00

Last year I had the chance to participate in Busting the Newbie Blues - an event hosted by the ever awesome Small of Small Review, whom I have had the pleasure to get to know ever since. The aim of this event is to help and encourage new bloggers sharing their experience and doubts with bloggers that have been doing this for a bit more time.

The event is happening again and if you want to check out more details i definitely recomend you CLICK HERE and go visit Small Review.

Anyway, these are my answers to the Busting the Newbie Blues!

When did you start your blog?

In 2008!! I'm going for my fourth year!

Do you ever still feel like a newbie?

Yes! Mostly when blogger is trying to mess with me and plotting my demise. LOL!

More seriously, yeah, of course I do. There still are certain in an outs of the blogging world that I'm a bit clueless about. Some Do's and Don'ts of ARC's, for example, still elude me.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

I guess my biggest challenge right now is my TBR pile, I've gotten a little over my head with the e-galleys I request from NetGalley and it has generated me a lot of guilt! A lot of time I feel like I should be reading a head or at least keeping up with the most recent releases, but it's very hard.

Plus, blogging is very time consuming, and sometimes I let it take away reading time, which puts me even more behind!!

Did you make any mistakes new bloggers can learn from?

Aside from the techie part of it all, and the fact that SEO still baffles me? I think the most recurrent mistake is that sometimes I let blogging become such a big thing that it makes reading a bit of a chore, which makes me so so sad because reading is truly one of those things I do to feel alive.

And it has been very hard to balance the blogging and reading times, particularly after I got a job -at a library, of all places! - and that's another big time drainage! But I'm learning to let go of the 'shoulds' and just do what I can.

What did you find most discouraging about being a new blogger? How did you deal with this?

The lack of company, really. At the beginning I didn't know much about stuff like directories or networking and I'm a very shy person by nature so I was afraid to reach out. I remember the first time I asked to be included in a directory I wrote like five drafts of the email and put off sending it for three days!

Blogging can be very lonely and honestly, I still get a little sad when I post a review and it gets no comments -which still happens and probably always will - but, again, I'm learning to let it go and to find a balance between running the blog I'm proud of and networking.

What do you find most encouraging?

How sweet other bloggers are. Honestly,the book blogging community is made of some of the kindest, nicest people you'll ever met. And just how pleasurable it is to talk books with others, and how it spills into other aspects of your life.

I've loved getting to know other bloggers and learning that we like the same TV shows and movies and just talk about life and books and everything.

If you could go back in time and speak with your newbie self, what five bits of wisdom would you tell yourself?

1. Comment on the blogs you like! Do it now!

2. Find a review format that is you and that it works for you, It'll help you to make your reviews more consistent in style and form.

3. Don't be afraid to ask and learn.

4. Make sure to proof read! Even when you're tired.

5. Scheduling is your friend!

What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

I love the unique point of views and the humor. Humor is so important in life and in blogging! I'm always up for reading something funny. And I also admire bloggers that have a way with worlds - I love cleaver ways of describing stuff, playful turns of phrase, and if anything at all I try to, maybe not replicate but to incorporate in my blog is a word play, definitely.

What do you dislike about blogs you've seen? Do you try to avoid this?

Totally personal preference but I don't like blogs that are too busy or too dark, I find them hard to read, that's all. So I do try to keep the blog's layout streamlined and not to go too crazy with buttons and images.

Also... too many memes! it puts me off sometimes. Though i do like them, I just sometimes feel like there are a lot of them out there.

How did you bring your blog to the attention of so many people?

Part of it was blog hopping, though I have since stopped doing it, mostly because it was very time consuming, but it was mostly commenting on other blogs I think and just actively trying to interact with other people. And, trust me, a good comment goes a long way.

When and how did you get your first ARC (or first few ARCs)?

First ARC ever was ghostgirl by Tony Hurley - lovely book and with such original artwork! Then it was a bit of a dry spell until NetGalley came along. Now I've become a NetGalley addict! I think the last physical ARC I got was Meg Cabot's Insatiable - which is awesome - and it does have a place of honor on my shelf.

Well, those are my answers!

Thanks for dropping by!

Book Review: Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

2012-01-04T12:53:00.000-06:00

At First Sight: D.J. Schwenk is, for once in her life, happy to be going back to school after a few months filled with craziness. Even though she had to leave her football days behind, D. J. is happy to be able to play basketball again. Not only because it's her best and probably only chance to get out of Red Bend, Wisconsin and go to college but because she actually loves the game.

But what once was her refuge from the world's craziness and family drama, quickly becomes another source of stress when her oldest brother Win - who is recovering from a spinal chord injury that cut short his promising college football career - starts to put pressure on D.J. to be start looking at schools and scholarships, even though she's still a high school junior.

And to add to the personal drama, D.J. suddenly finds herself in a relationship with her long-time friend Beaner - who is funny and sweet and has a lovely boyfriend smile, though there aren't that many sparks between them. And Brian Nelson, the rival school's QB, and D.J. somewhat-secret ex boyfriend is coming around again, seemingly ready to leave both the ex and the secret behind him.

This time D.J. is, for once, Front and Center in her family and the pressure is on.

Second Glance: Front and Center is the third and last book of the Dairy Queen series and though it wasn't my favorite of the lot, it was a nice conclusion to D.J.'s story.

In this book, D.J. faces quite the struggle to find her own voice and talk to her own family, mostly about how afraid she is of being really good and how much pressure that would represent, and I loved how she eventually realizes that Win is on her case so much because he wants her to have what she deserves and what he knows she's capable of.

I really liked Brian in this story - I was always a bit hot and cold when it came to him, but I think he finally grew up a little int his one and was ready to treat D.J. the way she deserved to be treated. Oh and Curtis, D.J. youngest brother, he probably has the least lines in the whole book but I adore him.

Bottom Line: Though not my favorite in the series, Front and Center was a great conclusion to a really good series. I've loved seeing D.J. grow up and find her own voice and how realistic it was that she still struggles with with, but in the end she always grows up a little more.

Tune in Tuesday (20) - Foreign Edition

2012-01-03T00:31:00.000-06:00

This meme is hosted by Ginger at GReads and music. Each week you can post an old or new song so that it gains more interest! So head on over and link up.

Hey guys! Happy 2012!!

I've sort of been neglected my Foreign Edition these last couple of weeks/months, so I decided that now I'm going to do it the first Tuesday of every month and to kick off I bring you this song that I was listening on the radio earlier on and it just made me want to sing!

So, what song plays for you?

It's my Birthday / Happy New Year! / Books Read in December

2011-12-31T19:51:00.000-06:00

Hello EVERYBODY!!! GUESS WHAT?

It's MY BIRTHDAY!!! YAY!!

Actually, this is a pretty bad day for a birthday and I'm kind of sick but so far my day is going pretty good!

Now, it's also New Year and I hope you gals and guys are having tons of fun!!!

Now! To the recap!!

Sadly, Blogger decided to mess with me a couple of weeks ago and I loves my list of books read in 2011. That made me very sad so this is a rough approximation about the books I read based on the reviews written and the re-reads I remember.

I already finished the Aussie YA Reading Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge and the Contemporary Challenge, the Historical Challenge and YA Reading Challenge!

Books read this month: 19

Books read so far: 194 (apox)

No clue on the final tally of Contemp, Historical or YA but as far as I remember my proportions were divided: 1/4 Historicals, 1/4 Contemps and 1/2 of YA.

And that's my month in books! I really wanted to reach the 200 mark this year but I don't think I did it. Sadly, I'll never know.

What say you?

My Life According to the Books I Read in 2011

2011-12-30T18:09:00.000-06:00

Hi guys! Over at The happily ever after, Christine put together this fun meme. Basically, you have to answer the following questions using titles of the book you've read this year - trying not to repeat yourself!

For more info, check out Christine's blog.

Now, here are my answers:

Describe yourself:
Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson

How do you feel:
Head in the Clouds by Karen Whitemeyer

Describe where you currently live:
Supernaturally by Kiesten White

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Your favorite form of transportation:
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Your best friend is:
Artemis the Brave by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

You and your friends are:
Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

What's the weather like:
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

What is life to you:
What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

Favorite time of day:
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crawley

Your fear:
Abandon by Meg Cabot

What is the best advice you have to give:
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Thought for the day:
Wish Upon a Star by Sarah Morgan

How I would like to die:
-----

My soul's present condition:
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

=)

Book Review: Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley

2011-12-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

At First Sight: For the last ten years, Andi has made a point of not returning to her home town of Emerald Lake. She left as an eighteen year old bound for college and then decided to pursue her city dreams.

Until a work project brings her back to Emerald Lake, to the yarn store her mother and grandmother run together and to the boy she left behind when he needed her the most.

In the last ten years, Nathan went from being a heartbroken boy having to take care of his baby sister Madison in the aftermath of his mother's death and his father's suicide, to becoming the Major of Emerald Lake.

Over all, Nathan has a great life and he doesn't spend his every waking moment thinking about his last meeting with Andi... until he sees her again and all the feelings that never really went away come back to the surface.

Second Glance: Home Sweet Home was a sweet read but, sadly, it was rather unremarkable. The characters were nice, I definitely liked Nathan and his sister a lot, but Andi took some warming up to - and I'm not sure I ever stopped feeling like she walked away when Nathan needed her the most and I couldn't understand how someone who was loved by her family kept herself so apart.

I liked the small-town folk, but I found them a bit standard, nothing more or less than I would expect from a book set in a small town, and none were really all that memorable.

The whole subplot about Andi's grandmother also made the story drag.

Bottom Line: I think that Home Sweet Home is a good enough "Small Town Romance" but doesn't really bring anything new or even fresh to the game. It's an okay read but I don't see myself going back to visit these characters again.

Book Review: Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond

2011-12-28T00:00:00.005-06:00

At First Sight: Out of options, Susannah Underhill agreed to marry he reverend's brother Jesse Mason and move to his farm in the Dakota Territory. She isn't sure it will work out, if he will like her or if she will like him, she only knows she has no choice other than to go and start a new life.

Jesse does take a liking to Susannah, and quickly sets about wooing her, so they can make a home for themselves, slowly drawing Susannah out of her shyness and her bad memories, as she learns to free herself from the strict and sad notions of her former life.

But life in Dakota is pretty isolated and they often see their closest neighbors and friends but once a week - and not at all during winter - making it a little hard for Susannah, a city girl, to adapt.

Still, Jesse is relentless in his pursuit of her, and soon they find themselves failing in love, wanting to build a dream together.

Second Glance: I had heard many good things about Spring for Suannah and I'm sad to say that, though I thought it was a good book, it wasn't all I expected. The story starts very well, with a very shy, shell-shocked Susannah arriving to her new home. I instantly took a liking to Jesse and once Susannah's past was revealed little by little I grew to like her too.

There are quite a bit secondary characters and they very nice and mostly well rounded. And I really limed that Susannah was a rather capable veterinarian - her father was one and she learned from him, though she's not 'certified' she knows her stuff - that was a really nice twist.

But I had two issues with the story: one, that this is one of those Christian Romances that lean heavily on the Christian - it's not prudish or anything but the Lord's name gets called pretty often, and to a point is understandable as a big part of the story is not only about them falling in love but about their trails of faith, but it did feel heavy handed at times.

And secondly, the second half of the book: I was ready for the story to start wrapping up but then more stuff kept happening, and happening and happening, and the story started to drag. And then the ending felt rather rushed.

Bottom Line: If you're looking specifically for a Christian Romance, I think this one is pretty good, though it drags a little toward the end. If you're leaning toward something more secular, then probably this one isn't for you.

2/3

Book Review: Existence by Abbi Glines

2011-12-27T00:00:00.049-06:00

At First Sight: Pagan Moore has been able to see the souls of the dead since she can remember and, knowing that there is little she can do for them, she usually ignores them until they go away and otherwise leads a fairly normal life in her small coastal town with her best friends.

That is until the day one of the "souls" speaks to her for the very first time. and then begins to somewhat stalk her, showing up at the least expected times to shake her a little. Not to mention that she has started to tutor Harbor High's resident hottie Lief.

And when an argument with Lief ends up with Pagan leaving school upset and ultimately getting into an accident -something the "soul" tried to sort-of-warn her away from, Pagan realizes that there is a lot more to that soul than what she first thought.

Suspicion that only grows when the "soul" shows up at her school in the guise of Dank Walker - lead singer of a famous band Pagan has never heard of - just as she has agreed to be Leif's girlfriend.

Second Glance: Since it says it on the blurb of Existence, I won't feel bad for saying that it turns out Dank is actually Death itself and I have to say that he was the most interesting character of this story. More than Pagan, he's what kept me reading the story and I wished his character would have been explored since earlier on.

Pagan herself, well, I had a small problem with how she's portrayed because it just seems like EVERYONE wants her, you know? and I was never sure why - well, you get a bit of an idea why toward the end of the story, but it's just an assumption. Lief was not a favorite of mine either, and that was another problem since he's the other end of this love triangle.

And I also felt like the reveal of things was way too slow for the length of this book - it should have flown by but it didn't. Plus, from the ending it seems like the story isn't over yet, something that I wasn't expecting at all and confused me.

I did like Pagan's two best friends who are easily the funniest thing about the book - the are an off-again/on-again couple who argue and tease each other often.

Bottom Line: Existence is a decent read that sometimes reads a little like a fanfiction. But otherwise is fun and has a good pace. Dank is a great character that I can see a lot of people liking, I'm just not sure about Pagan.

Book Review: A Tale of Two Proms by Cara Lockwood

2011-12-26T00:02:00.000-06:00

Warning: this review might contain spoilers about the first three books of the Bard Academy Series

At First Sight: It's Miranda Tate's senior year and with prom looming at the horizon, she has to face the fact that her time at Bard Academy is coming to an end...which means her time with Heathcliff is also coming to an end as he's supposed to return to the pages of Wuthering Heights were he belongs.

Only that he's not quite ready to go quietly, and soon Miranda is torn between the boy she loves and her future away from Shipwreck Island. And things get even more complicated when Heathcliff's first love - Cathy from Wuthering Heights - shows up, determined to take the choices away from them.

Second Glance: I realize that my summary of A Tale of Two Proms is shockingly short, but I really don't want to spoil things for anyone. But let me just say that I ADORED this book. Granted, I come from a place of love for this series and this author, but still, this is the book I have been waiting for, for years and years, and it answered all the lingering questions I had about this series.

Do I still wish there was more? Sure, but at least now I've gotten some closure.

The story itself is full of adventures and as I was reading it I kept developing theories about what was going on and it turned out I was always a little right but not entirely, which I loved because things still took me by surprise - though I gotta said I did see one of the final twists coming but I didn't care.

Everything I've always loved about Bard Academy was still there: the literary references, the funny dialog and slightly over-the-top situations. I loved reading about Samir and Blade and Hanna and Ryan and even Miranda's sister Lyndsay (I even liked her a little).

Bottom Line: A Tale of Two Proms is possibly the last book of the Bard Academy Series and I think that it did it justice, over all. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to part with this series but as things stand, I love it. And I'm so happy I got to read this book.

Favorite Quote: "This was Bard, where the impossible wasn't just possible, it was probable."

Best of 2011

2011-12-23T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hey guys! Over at Inkcrush, Nomes has been running a survey all week about the best books of 2011. Since her survey is massive and I was sort of booked for the week, I decided to do a condensed version of it all and picked five questions of each category.

And her we go:

Favorite book of 2011
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta - because I loved seeing the Finch-Mackee family rebuild itself after having imploded. And I loved finally getting to know Tom Mackee a bit better.
Good Oil by Laura Buzo - This is such an honest book about how hard is to grow up whether you're 15 or 21. Amelia is such a lovely girl, and Chris is a bit of a jerk but so unflinchingly honest about himself that I couldn't help liking him.
Where She Went by Gayle Foreman - I usually don't read books with a male narrator, maybe because I don't think I'll relate, but I felt Adam's loss and his pain and his love.

Best Ache-y, Heart-Breaking, Tear-jerking read
If I Stay/Where She Went - The story of Adam and Mia touched me in many ways, and it also felt very real. The bad things that happened weren't The Obvious for Obvious Reasons, so it made it all the more painful.

Delicious Rainy Day Comfort Read
Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer - It's a story that it's fun and cute, and a sweet old fashioned romance in the very best sense of the world. It makes me happy to read this book.

Series I'm Loving.
Paranormlacy by Kiesten White - Because Evie is made of Awesome
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - Because Sophie is kick butt, Archer is hot and I LOVE Cal.
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade - Because Will and Alona are such a opposites-attract but it works couple. And Alona is such snarkily fun.
Princess for Hire by Lindsay Leavitt - Because I love Desi, and her adventures and how she finds herself when she pretends to be others.

Had No Idea I Would Love This So
The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan - More chick-lit than romance, I loved seeing these people read their normal lives and their every day problems and the way they solved them.
The Ghost and the Goth - when I saw the cover I thought it was cute but nothing else. Well, it turns out there is a lot more to the story than that.
The False Princess by Eillis O'Neal - I'm not a Fantasy girl, but I loved Sinda who has to go through rough adjustments but still goes out there on an epic adventure, saves the day and gets the guy.

Best Couple
Adam and Mia from If I Stay/Where She Went - because their love story rang so true, and their happiness was such hard-won.
Tom and Tara from The Piper's Son - A large part of the book is about Tom finding his way back home, and Tara is in many ways a symbol of that. They aren't together for most of the book, but in my mind there is no doubt they are a couple.

Who I So Want To Be Friends with
Libby and Deb (boy) from Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink - They are Best Friends themselves and they so made me want to get in with them. Deb loves all things fashion, and Libby all things history, romance and BBC. Match made in heaven.

Best YA parents
Kat and Denny in If I Stay/Where She Went - Cool, quirky parents that loved their children, loved each other and were rock and roll even after they grew up.

Favorite Sibling Relationship
Anabel and Tom from The Piper's Son - These two are mad about each other, they love and tease each other and Anabel is the one thing that never sucks in Tom's life, even at his worse, Anabel is his ray of goodness. See what he thinks of his sister:

"She's beautiful and, God, he loves the fact that she still wears a ponytail and looks like a kid her age. She's running to him and there is nothing graceful about Anabel because the Finch women aren't really that graceful. They're just beautiful and smart and fierce and ridiculously uncool."

Who I fell completely In love with
Marcus from Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn - Most people see him as this aloof, arrogant guy but the truth is he doesn't know how to flirt, he's shy, has secret love for all things dessert and is fiercely loyal to those he loves.
Cal from Demonglass - I have a tendency to root for the guy who never gets the girl but Cal is honest and good and hot. Yeah, I totally go for that.

Best First Chapter
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn - Not so much the first chapter as the Prologue of the book, is so lovely, about how Marcus gets introduced to the infamous Smythe-Smith clan. Loved it.
The Reluctant Heiress - The prologue and the first chapter are AWESOME there is Vienna and it's lovely. Then the heroine shows up and the book goes to hell. But the beginning is lovely.

Best Plot Twist/Revelation
The Royal Treatment by Lindsay Leavitt - I had a serious OMG moment during this book, actually a couple of them.
Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta - I'm so not spoiling of course but I can't wait for the next book! It just left me hanging int he most awesomely awful way.

Heart-breaking-tear-jerking moment
Froi of the Exiles, there is this part where I CRIED and CRIED and then CRIED SOME MORE. Like majorly.
Where She Went, when Adam sort of gives up: "This whole night was has been a mistake. It's not going to let me rewind. Or unmake the mistakes I've made. Or the promises I've made. Or have her back. Or have me back."

Best Swoon Worthy Moment
Adam when he tells to Mia (in Where She Went): "You dumbass. You don't share me. You own me."
Tom and Tara in The Piper's Son:

“I spilt my guts out all over the arrival lounge at Sydney’s domestic airport, Tara. It’s as bloody romantic as you’ll ever get from me. Where are you?”

“At a public phone in arrivals. I’ve run out of credit. I used my reprimanding voice and told my parents and Frankie and Justine that they couldn’t come near me for the next five minutes. I can see the four of them from here. They’re talking about me. They have a look of fear on their face. Even my parents, who created me, are afraid. I see that look on a lot of people’s faces when they see me, Tom. Never yours.”

“I keep it hidden, but it’s there. Believe me, you frighten me to death, but for different reasons.”

Favorite Meet Cute
Libby and Garret in Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink - he fishes her out of a barrel. :P

Fave Book Title
What Can(t) Wait - I loved the touch with the ( ) because it's both mathematical and technically correct.
Good Oil - Because it doesn't hint at what the story is about but it surprisingly has to do with it.
Dreams of Significant Girls - Book was not for me but I really liked this title.

Fave Reading Experience
The Piper's Son -reading a book by Melina is always an experience and I loved this. It broke my heart and little by little put it back together. It made me laugh seconds after I had been crying.

Lived Up to the Hype
The Piper's Son, it's so good it hurts.

Killer Cliffhanger
Froi of the Exiles - I screamed about three different times when I was reading the epilogue.
The Royal Treatment - I know that, for sure, I screamed two times during the last leg of this book.

Can't Believe I waited This Long to Read
Friday's Child - such a classic, and I put it it off until this year.
If I Stay - I had owned the book for almost a year before I read it. I'm bad. I know
North of Beautiful - See above.

Favorite Covers of Books Read in 2011

Lonely Hearts Club: A Twist on a classic // Dreams: There is such a sense of possibility about this cover.

Supernaturally: Evie in an awesome dress! // Good Oil: I've always loved this cover

Kat: Had to put it in full

Special Mention to the Ghost and the Goth covers! Love them.

Sorry there are not active links, but blogger has been messing with me lately and I don't wanna risk it!