Caffeine and Books

So I've been MIA....

2012-09-13T06:51:00.001-07:00

Yeah, as you can probably guess it's been a while since I've updated anything on this site. Ever since I've been getting ready for school I've just has ABSOLUTELY no time to read! It's horrible :( College is just sucking away at all of my free time and I'm very sorry to all my followers!

I'm going to try as hard as I can to make free time to read, not only for you guys, but also for myself because I miss it so much! I just wanted to update all of you in case you were wondering!

keep reading, everybody!

xoxox Megan

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2012-07-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

my rating: 5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Review: OMG STEPHANIE PERKINS, YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. In all seriousness, can I marry you? No, really! We can just lie out in the sun all day, sipping fruity drinks with those little umbrellas in them while you tell me wonderfully magical love stories that make my heart burst BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST SO DARN TOOTING' CUTE. It will be wonderful :) But really, this story was incredible. If you haven't read either one of Stephanie's novels yet, I am so sorry! You have no idea what you're missing out on, other than major swoonage and heart-bursting-from-too-much-cuteness dysfunction. I have read many romance stories, but none of them can really compare to Ms. Perkins wonderfullness :)

I was really worried I wasn't going to enjoy Lola as much as Anna. After reading so many "it's not as good as Anna!" reviews, I figured even if the story wasn't as good, I'm sure I would still enjoy it. Turns out, I loved it just as much :) Cricket and Lola are a lot different from E'tienne and Anna, which I loved! Lola was so quirky and such an individual with her costumes and home life, while Cricket was a big, adorable (very cute!) nerd. Everything between them was so believable and real, I felt like I was living their story with them! I wish I had a boy like Cricket in my life, because he knew just how to hit my flutter buttons :) I also really enjoyed how Anna and E'tienne were entertwined in the story. They played just the right part in this novel, and I enjoyed seeing them and revisiting their story. Everything about this novel was so wonderfully perfect! :)

Ugh, why is when I love a book to peices, I can't seem to find the find the words to describe how I feel?! That is totally what is happening to me now! All I have left to say is get this book. Read it. LOVE IT. Then wait another sad, impatient year while Ms. Perkins writes another one, because really, life revolves around her stories :)

Cover Reveal: Violet Fox by Clare C. Marshall + Giveaway!

2012-07-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I have a special cover reveal to feast your eyes on :)

Book Name: The Violet Fox
Author: Clare C. Marshall
Publisher: Faery Ink Press (http://www.faeryinkpress.com)
Release date: October 13, 2012
Genre: YA Fantasy
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Violet Fox Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14743283-the-violet-fox

Teaser Blurb:

There are two kinds of people in the land of Marlenia.
The Marlenians, who live on the surface,
and the Freetors, who are forced to live underground.
The war between them ended two hundred years ago, but the Freetors still fight for the right to live under the sun. Fifteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll embodies the Freetors' hopes as the Violet Fox. In a violet cape and mask, she sneaks around Marlenia City stealing food and freeing her people from slavery.
Then the Elders task her with a secret mission: retrieve a stolen tome that contains the secrets of Freetor magic, something the Marlenians both fear and covet. Kiera must disguise herself as a noblewoman and infiltrate the Marlenian castle.
Before the Freetor-hating Advisor finds out her real identity.
Before her brother is imprisoned because of the secrets he hides.
And before she falls any more in love with the prince she's supposed to hate.
More is happening in the castle than she realizes, and Kiera is faced with a difficult choice. Will she be loyal to her people and their fight for freedom, or will she be loyal to her heart?

Now for the giveaway I've been promising :)

I will be giving away 2 e-ARCs of THE VIOLET FOX to 2 lucky winners. The following code is a shared rafflecopter code, so your readers can enter easily, and it will be compiled all into one place. You don’t have to paste this on your site if you don’t want to. If you’d like me to add something to the giveaway options in exchange for posting it on your website, just let me know! I’d be more than happy to oblige.

Starts: July 3, 2012 EST

Ends: July 31, 2012 EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

2012-06-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

my rating: 4/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Review: It's been a while since I've read a good werewolf book, or really since I've read a werewolf book, period! Nightshade was such an enticing read! It was thrilling, sexy, And unputdownable. What I loved is that it had the perfect mix of everything: good characters, a steamy ( well done) love triangle and a well thought out underlying story that builds up to the second book. I have almost not complaints! Almost...

Alright, I'm just going to get this out of the way here....so....Shay and Calla's relationship annoyed me at some parts. THERE, I said it. Shay fans, don't hate me! It's just, he was always putting her into dangerous situations and asking her to do stuff with him, that if Calla got caught she would DIE. And he's all like "Nahh, you're not going to get caught! It's all good!" And I was sitting there like, dude, you're being really stupid now and I don't like it. If you really cared about the girl, you wouldn't want to put her in so much danger! And then there was the whole insta-love thing, which, some will argue that their relationship progressed enough through the whole story to where it wasn't really insta-love, but I beg to differ. Ever since they met each other it was all, "I really want to kiss you and stuff, but I can't." and to be honest, I don't know why Calla really liked Shay in the first place. I mean, he's a nice guy and all, but there was just something about him that really bugged me. I think it was the stupidity thing I was talking about earlier. Calla kept referring to him as brave, but in my book there is a fine line between braveness and stupidity, and Shay definitely leans more towards stupidity. Well, he seemed pretty book smart, but definitely not street smart. Real talk, who goes up to a mothafreaking pack of wolves and asks to sit down with them, when youre a human, and ALSO, who is stupid enough to dance and flirt with Calla (multiple times) right in front of Ren, the guy who can rip your face off with his pinky finger, and would very much so enjoy doing it!? Dumb people, that's who...

Speaking of Ren, I really liked him! Yes, he was a bit possessive. Yes, he lost his temper some times, but there is nothing sweeter than a bad boy who really shows his feelings about someone! He had a couple of really cute moments in this book where I wanted to just jump in the book and hug the boy :) I also like the fact that he had a backbone to him, yet he wasnt an overbearing leader. I'm totally in love with Ren! I swear to god, I must have some bad boy complex because I always go for them!

Wow, my "one little complaint" turned into kinda a huge rant. Whoopsies. Anyway, the rest of the story was VERY enjoyable for me! Ms. Cremer had so much chemistry between each and every character, and the plot was so addictive. Thank goodness I just ordered Wolfsbane becuase I need the second book NOW!

in My Mailbox (4)

2012-06-26T14:49:00.002-07:00

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2012-06-25T11:12:00.001-07:00

my rating: 5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Review: THIS BOOK. Oh, sweet Jesus. Brb, going to go weep uncontrollably while I wait for the second book to come out!!! Gahhh!!

*controls sudden burst of emotion* WHEW. Alright, where do I even begin? This book for me was unlike anything I've read before! Between the magical, splendorus world Lani Taylor created, to the exquisite writing, I was awed from page one. Some authors have this amazing ability to wrap their readers into the story and make them believe they are a part of it, and boy does Ms. Taylor have a talent for that! I can't even put into words how magical this story was. it's just....I was so....this story....gahh!

I will have you know though, I almost gave up on it. Yeah. Cray, right? It was about right in the middle of the book. The fist 160 pages were amazing! I was reading, it was all good, and then BANG. The romantic interest appears. Enter, Akiva. He's tall, incredibly handsome, and oh yeah--he's an angel. As soon as he and Karou met, it was like, sudden insta-love. If there was ever a person to represent all hate for insta-love in literature, it would be this girl. I can't stand it! So naturally, I muttered profane words of dislike at my book and didn't pick it up until a couple days later. After I simmered down a bit, I decided the first half of the book was just too good to give up on. Thank goodness I did because after a few more moments of gag-me romance, the story got exceedingly better! We figure out the missing pieces of the story and the whole insta-love thing is explained and the masqueade ball happens and ohmigod its just all too good! Oh, I wish I could say more, but I can't spoil this book. No siree! Fellow reader, you MUST read this. That is an order.

Now excuse me while I go bow down to Laini Taylor because SHE IS A FREAKING GOD.

The "In My Pants Tag"

2012-06-24T17:52:00.002-07:00

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

2012-06-21T08:10:00.001-07:00

my rating: 5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Review: WOW. Holy scheisse.... No words.
Insurgent was a much anticipated sequel to the beloved and adored Divergent, so I had very high expectations for this book! I read this very spaced out (due to the fact that I left my copy at my cottage!) so it was a bit awkward for me to jump right back into the story once I got my copy back. I also felt that the beginning half of this book was not that exciting :/. I didn't have that strong desire to keep reading and find out what was going to happen next. That being said though, the second half was SO GOOD. The moment I picked the book up again I just. could. not. put. it. down. Tris gets herself into some pretty crazy situations and all I was thinking was "how is she going to get herself out of this!?" I wouldn't say I loved this as much as Divergent, but it was still amazing and left me wanting more!

In this book, Tris and Tobias's relationship is wavering, and is tested multiple times in this novel. The one thing that bugged me about this book is
but the rest of the story made up for that minor problem :) My love for Uriah and Christina grew because of this novel, but also a couple of other surprising character who I won't say because I don't want to give anything away :)

Anywho, I simply CANNOT wait until the third book come out. It's honestly torture, especially after that ending! Good lord, I near passed out from all the excitement because of it! 2013 cant come any sooner!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2012-06-13T09:15:00.002-07:00

my rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

My Review: I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this book. Going into it, I was expecting something amazing (I need to stop doing that!) and by the end of the book...I was left feeling not as amazed as I wanted to. The plot and the dystopian world Ms. Oliver created was original and intriguing and the writing was fantastic, but the beginning of this book was so slow for me! It honestly took me about 180 pages into the book before I finally was into it. Not good!

Unfortunately, the love interest was also a bit dull for me as well. I love me some swooning, adorable boy (who doesn't?) but Alex was so blah! He had his cute moments here and there but they were nothing spectacular, and for some reason I had trouble believing Lena and Alex really loved each other. Lena on the other hand was a hoot! I really enjoyed getting in her head and watching how she developed as a character. The pacing between being a good, law-abiding citizen to becoming and Invalid for her was spot on. I hate it when authors don't allow enough time for their characters to develop and change, but Oliver did a fantastic job of that. Hana was another great character, and I am really interested in reading her story in Hana (Delirium 1.5). No matter what, she always had Lena's back, and she was such an admirable individual.

The reason why I decided to give this book a 4 star rating instead of a 3 or 3.5 was because by the second half of the book, the story got really good! Especially the ending, oh the ending! I won't give away any details, but sweet Jesus, that was an ending! I have heard from many people that Pandemonium is quite the sequel, so I'll have to dig into that one soon. This being the first Lauren Oliver book I have read, I am very impressed. This book didn't blow me away by any means, but it was definitely worth reading.

What Should I Read and Review Next?

2012-06-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Alright, I feel really bad about not updating this blog for over a month now, so I'll make it up to you all! You (yes, you!) my oh so loyal and wonderful follower of this blog can help decide what book I will read and review next on this site! OMG I know. The excitement! Below is a list of books that are currently collecting dust on my shelf just waiting to be read, and all you have to do is leave a comment telling which one you want me to complete. If I get a lot of positive feedback, I may just do this again :)

THE EPIC LIST

If you can't possibly decide which book, vote for two! hehe. :)

In My Mailbox #3

2012-05-05T07:08:00.002-07:00

The Evolution of Mara Dyer Cover Release!

2012-04-25T17:32:00.003-07:00

So if you haven't read my review on The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, do it. Now. Seriously, it's pretty much one of my favorite books ever. That being said, I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE SECOND BOOKS COMES OUT. I JUST CAN'T. So, today I was just perusing about on goodreads, when the words "oh mah lawd! The Evolution of Mara Dyer has a cover now!" might have passed through my lips at some point in time. Let's just say I have been waiting for this day for a while now. Afterall, TUMD's cover is epic, so I expected nothing less from TEMD (you like those acronyms I used there?) Ok, I'm done with boring you with my babbly post so here is the amazingly wonderful spiffy new cover!:

Cray, right? Now, if only I had a shiny new ARC from Simon & Schuster of this baby *wink wink* :)

If you would like to read more up on this book, check out its Goodreads page!: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12950372-the-evolution-of-mara-dyer

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-04-15T20:09:00.001-07:00

my rating: 2.5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

My Review: Alright, Lets get this straight. I REALLY wanted to love this book. I mean, REALLY. I wanted this to be right up there with my favorite novels read ever. I know...high expectations, much? Well, after reading so many fantastical reviews raving about how amazing this debut dystopian was, I couldn't get a copy of it quick enough! Unfortunately, a lot of this about this book left me questioning and overall, unimpressed.

From the very start of this book, the reader is blindly thrown into this strange, futuristic world Rossi has created. It honestly took me about a third of the way through the book to finally understand this world, and even at the end is still had some unresolved questions. Why do Aether storms happen? Why are their Outsiders? Why can't they just live in the Pods with the rest of the population? I also still don't really understand the realms or what Perry means when he says he's "rendered" to Aria or Tallon. Maybe these questions will be answered in future sequels, but I really don't like to be left hangin' like this. One of my biggest pet peeves when it come to books is when an author doesn't develop the characters, the plot, or the story world enough, and Rossi, I'm sorry but you've managed to do just that. As for the characters...they were OK, but I Aria and Perry were a bit dull for me. Their romance was just...meh. Roar and Liv's romance on the other hand? LOVE :) Honestly, Rossi should just abandon Perry and Aria and continue the story with Roar and Liv because THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FRIGGIN' CUTER! Oh, and also, Talon was such a little cutie pie. Having a much younger brother myself, I have a soft spot for little boy characters such as Talon, hence why I loved his adorableness so much.

The only thing I have left to say about the story is that I never was reading this book going "OMG, I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!" which frankly, sucks. I mean really, that like the best part about reading books! .....*sigh*

Overall, This book wasn't at all what I was hoping it was going to be unfortunately. I don't know....maybe it's just me. Like I said before, lots of people have enjoyed this book, so I do believe I'm the odd one out when I say I don't think I will continue to read this series. You, fellow book lover, on the other hand may enjoy this story immensely, so don't let this review get your hopes down if you plan on loving this story! If you don't love it thought, you can't say I didn't warn you...

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

2012-04-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

my rating: 5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

My Review: 5 STARS 5 STARS 5 STARS! What a wonderful piece of artwork this book is! I loved it from the very beginning and could NOT put it down. (always a good sign!) Green earnestly delved into the touchy issues-- sickness, death, and whether or not we will be loved and remembered in this world--with such compassion and understanding, and brought them to life with lovable charters that are so trademark John Green. Like most Green books, I found myself continuously re-reading a sentence or passage over and over again to absorb its beauty and/or its meaning. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but Green has this wonderful uncanny ability to write about extremely tough issues and turn his writings into hilariously beautiful stories. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever laughed out loud so hard while reading a book, and I think that's part of the beauty of this novel; I laughed, I cried, and I was in awe of its beauty : )

I adore John Green for delving into his inner 16 years old female caner patient self, because Hazel Grace was such an amazing protagonist. She was so real, and everything she did and said made it feel like I was listening to the thoughts of a 16 year old girl who is actually going through cancer. She was a character with a lot of depth, and also a lot of humor; half of the reason I laughed so much while reading this book. The other half? Augustus Waters. Oh, Augustus Waters, I just love you. I also just love saying you full name. Plain and simple, Augustus charmed the hell out of me, and basically just set my standards of how all men should act in life. Again, only John Green could come up with such wonderful characters!

This story is a classic in my mind, and one that I will be revisiting often. I'm just so glad I was able to snag a signed copy of this guy before they all ran out! All that I have left to say, really, is John Green, I....I love you.

Giveaway Time!

2012-03-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

The lovely Lea from LC's Adventure in Libraryland is hosting a wondrous giveaway for all of us! How awesome is that? And becuase I love all of you so much, I thought I would let you all know ;) So, without further ado, here is the giveaway details and rules!

WOOHOO, OK onto the good stuff! In celebration of my bloggy birthday, I'm hosting a fabulous giveaway to say "thank you" to all my wonderful followers! I will be giving away TWO (2) BOOKSto a first place winner, and ONE (1) BOOK to a second and third place winner!! Winners get THEIR CHOICE of any books they want from The Book Depository-- Up to a $24 value for first place and up to a $12 value for second and third place!

~Enter to Win!~

1.) Be a follower of LC's Adventures in Wonderland-- or become a new follower :)
2.) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below-- it's that easy!
3.) There are TONS of chances to win because there are TONS of ways to get extra entries, so go wild lol! :P

Click the banner to enter!

In My Mailbox (2)

2012-03-26T14:25:00.001-07:00

Spring Break Reads ☼

2012-03-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

With spring break here (or on its way for most of us), deciding what to read is a VERY important part of this wonderful vacation. Just talk to any bookworm! So, being the dork that I am, I decided to compile a list of books (along with a short synopsis) that might suit your fancy while chilling at the beach or just relaxing at home. Just as a disclaimer, most of these books are light, contemporary reads, as I find most people like to read these types of books over spring break. If you have any other wonderful book suggestions you would like to share, feel free to comment below!

Along for the Ride by Sara Dessen

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark ...(more)

Heist Society by Ally Carter

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard... (more)

Beach Blondes by Kathrine Applegate

Three months. Three guys. One amazing summer.

Summer Smith is in for the best summer of her life. Between the cold weather and her boyfriendless existence in Minnesota, Summer is ready for sun, sand, and boys in the Florida Keys. And by the end of the first day, she has more than enough to keep her busy: Adam, the senator's son, has looks, power, and all the money in the world. Diver, the mystery man, is mellow, intriguing, and definitely unique. And Seth, the perfect guy...only he has a girlfriend. But with new friends, cute guys, and miles of hot white sand, Summer's in for more trouble than she thinks....(more)

Lock and Key by Sara Dessen

"Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she

hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And...(more)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic...(more)

When it Happens by Susan Colasanti

At the start of her senior year in high school, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love.Tobey also wants two things for his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. However, a popular jock named Dave moves in on Sara first. But Tobey’s quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her. Can a slacker rock-star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara? Hilariously and movingly told through Tobey and Sara’s authentic voices, Susane Colasanti’s debut novel sizzles in its portrayal of two young people searching for The One....(more)

Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson

In a Ya-Ya Sisterhood for teens, Peaches combines three unforgettable heroines who have nothing in common but the troubles that have gotten them sentenced to a summer of peach picking at a Georgia orchard.

Leeda is a debutante dating wrong-side-of-the-tracks Rex.

Murphy, the wildest girl in Bridgewater, likes whichever side Rex is on.

Birdie is a dreamer whose passion ...(more)

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks...(more)

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks ...(more)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along...(more)

And if you have any of you're own suggestions for spring break reads, leave a comment below!

Legend by Marie Lu

2012-03-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

my rating: 4.5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

My Review: Oh my, Marie Lu! You have definitely caught my attention with this debut novel of yours! Legend was a blood pumping dystopian that I had trouble putting down. There is so much action packed into one little book! I found myself on the edge of my seat constantly while reading it. It's a short novel, being only 305 pages with fairly large print, so I worried there wasn't going to be enough story for me to enjoy. This, however, proved to be the only minor problem with this novel. Everything else I LOVED.

The characters, oh! the characters! Can I just say how much I love June? She is such a Katniss! That being said; shes BADASS. And not in that tyrant kind of way, but in the "hey don't mess with me, or I will mess you up" kind of way. I don't know how many times I have said this already, but these kind of female characters are my absolute favorite! Oh, and then there's Day :) He's pretty much everything you would want a guy to be, and more. Charming, Loving, Brave, Handsome, and of course, a bit of a bad boy :) These two characters really stole the show for me! Their romance was enticing and I found myself wanting to see more and more of it, so hopefully in the sequel we will :)

Because this book was told from alternating perspectives between June and Day, it made the story all the more entertaining. I just love books that are told this way, because seeing a relationship develop between two perspectives is so much fun! If you are someone looking for a good action packed, romantic dystopian, look no further, because Legend is sure to please :)

In My Mailbox #1

2012-03-09T17:37:00.001-08:00

Simone Elkeles Announces New Book Series!

2012-03-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

Get pumped Simone Elkeles fans because boy, have I got news for you! Recently Mrs. Elkeles has announced she will be writing a new series entitled Fullriders about: "high school football players from diverse backgrounds who seem to have gotten a "full ride" in life but whose lives are more complex than they seem, finding love where they least expect it and managing personal challenges on and off the field." (excerpt from goodreads)

Despite the synopsis making the book seem like it centers around football, I don't think we'll have to worry about that. This series, as Elkeles stated, is about ‘brotherhood and loyalty and commitment to the other players on the team‘ and, lets not forget, love :)

Here is and interview in which Simone gives some more information on her new series:

Q: You’ve just announced that you’ll be writing about a diverse team of high school football players who seem to have it all, but that’s just on the surface. So we’ve got to ask, what inspired the idea?

A: I’m from Chicago and football is in my blood. My grandfather was a 40-year season ticket holder for the Chicago Bears and took me to games when I was a kid. I love the game so much that I wanted to try out for my high school team, but none of my friends would do it with me and I didn’t want to be the only girl trying out so I didn’t do it. I always wanted to write a book about football players, because I think people have a perception of who these guys are and I want to break the stereotype and show a side of football players that people might not know ... in addition to showing what it’s like when my characters fall in love!

Q: These guys come from diverse backgrounds; can you share a sneak peek at some of the guys (or the backgrounds) that you’re thinking of?

A: For the Fullriders series, some of the characters are boys and girls of different backgrounds and races — but not all. You’ll see teens who are of mixed-races, because that is something I haven’t written before and have always wanted to write since a lot of my fans can relate.

Q: What are three adjectives you’d use to describe the first Fullriders heroine? And are these the same adjectives you’d choose to describe yourself?

A: 1) Competent
2) Independent
3) Oops (I know “oops” isn’t an adjective, but my heroine seems to always be in a constant state of “oops, I shouldn’t have said/done that,” which is definitely entertaining. I guess you can substitute “oops” for “entertaining”.)

I would say I’m all of these at different times. I’m competent at certain things, I’m intensely independent, and everyone who knows me would probably agree that I’m entertaining and super funny. I love making people laugh, so I pretty much do and say crazy stuff in order to get a reaction.

Q: Can you share a scene or a moment that made you grin while you were writing?

A: I always love the first moment the hero and heroine meet each other. It’s so fun for me, because I know where they are is definitely not where they’re going to end up! I hate giving up scenes because so much will change from the draft I’m working on to the final book. All I can say is that the first meeting right now is at a hardware store, where the heroine works. The heroine is not pleasant to the hero because she thinks he’s someone from a rival high school buying spray paint in order to vandalize her school.

you can find the full review on RT Book Reviews

Anna and the French Kiss Giveaway!! (ENDED)

2012-03-05T18:55:00.003-08:00

Ok, because I love you all so much I decided to share with you a wonderful giveaway being hosted by the amazing Sarah from sarahcatchingbooks.blogspot.com! If you haven't read this book already, you really should. I mean really. It's friggin' amazing. Even better, you can get the book for free if you just click a few buttons and enter the contest, so what are you waiting for!?

click here to enter the giveaway!

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

2012-02-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

my rating: 5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

My Review: oh my STARS! What a FREXING good book! (don't mind the godspeed humor) Uhh! why oh WHY do I have to wait another year to read Shades of Earth?!?! I can't. It's not possible! But alas, I must. And while I wait I'm just going to keep thinking about this book and how amazing it was; from the blossoming romance between Amy and Elder, to all the twists and turns that left me speechless and throwing my book across the room in astonishment.

A Millions suns was even better than the first! Now that the ship is off phydus, things are getting very heated on Godspeed, and boy did we see a lot of that in this book! Elder's leadership skills were really tested in this book and I was so glad to see him as a much stronger and brave person. Not only that, but Amy and Elder's relationship continued to develop throughout the story which I loved, of course because I can't get enough of these two. Their romance is so enticing! There is just something about it that other YA romances can't compare to. Oh, this book makes me wish there were more YA dystopian sci-fi's out there!

Mrs. Revis, thank you oh-so much for that enthralling entertainment. oh, and one more thing: DON'T STOP WRITING. EVER.

Why Do You Read?

2012-02-22T19:56:00.000-08:00

Here is a little video made by the amazing and lovely thebookmonster on youtube. I stumbled across this video and just had to share it with all of you! It's such a well done and fun little clip, so I hope you enjoy :)

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

2012-02-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

my rating: 4.5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS: A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.

My Review: Oh, how I loved this book! Ms. Bray really helped set my standards for a good fantasy novel! I love anything to do with the Victorian era, so I couldn't pass this book up. After a friend has told me the series is in the process of becoming a movie I had to read it straight away. Thankfully, I was far from disappointed.

Gemma Doyle was such a fun and refreshing character. She wasn't one of those whiny teenage girls who can't make a decision if their life depended on it. She was quite the opposite. A main theme throughout this book was oppression and poor treatment of women in the olden days, and Gemma fought her way through these ideas the entire book. Libba Bray really knows how to write wonderful, strong and empowered female characters. I love it! Another character I fell in love with was Kartik, the mysterious Indian boy from the Rashaka. The only reason why I rated this novel 4.5 stars was because there wasn't enough of him in this book! We got little snippets of him here and there, but every time he appeared in the story he was gone in a flash. I kept asking him, "No, Wait Kartik, come back!" I was totally fan-girling over him and is devilishly good looks :) (I would also like to mention I loved the little fantasies Gemma had about Kartik. Very scandalous!)

All I have to say is I cant wait to read the sequel. So many things about this book make me want more! The characters, the storyline, everything this book was nearly perfect, and I thank Libba Bray for writing such a wonderful story.

Reading Personality Quiz!

2012-02-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

Yay! Quiz time! I recently stumbled across this quiz on bookbrowse.com and just had to share it with all you lovely people. It's all about what type of reader you are. Here are all the different types of reading personalities you could be:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.

Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you'd like - so you're very particular about the books you choose.

Serial Reader: You're a publisher's dream, because once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin and eagerly await the next in the series; but even you need to discover some new blood from time to time!

Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

If you want to find out what combination of results you will get, go take the quiz now!

http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/