tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42586787361405565642018-05-29T00:50:32.878-05:00Book AwayEscape to another world, it's only a book away...Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-81273381526202379812014-10-08T22:27:00.003-05:002014-10-08T22:27:46.532-05:00The End of An Era<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As many of may have guest, this blog has gone dead. With my partner in crime gone away, I lost the temp to the blog. <br /><br />But a new year has started, a new school year and a new aspiration. But I couldn't continue this blog. <br /><br />Instead I have started another. It's called The Running Words, and it's book and writing based. It's starting as a sort of English project but I hope to actually continue it after the semester ends. They say it takes about two weeks- sixty days to make something a habit, which is the perfect amount of time I have left.<br /><br />More importantly, thank you.<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who has followed us for years. From those who were with us when it stared out as Aly's Book Away, who went through and stuck around after our hiatus'. Thank you to everyone who has ever commented and to everyone who has even bothered to read one of our posts.<br /><br />Thank you and I hope to see you around!<br /><br />Karina<br /><br />P.S. The link for the Running Words can be found at the top of the page.</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-60087914319951816402013-11-20T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-20T07:00:01.429-06:00Waiting On Wednesday (7)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightyellow; border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding: 10px;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking The Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>This week's WOW is inspired by my current English course! We've been reading <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> by Jane Austen all semester. And I mean all semester. I'm pretty sure I've analyzed and reanalyzed it in a million different ways. But it's still interesting! And I'm not just saying that because my English professor reads this...<br /><br />Anyway, for those of you who haven't read <em>Pride and Prejudice</em>, Mary is the middle Bennet sister. She is portrayed as the typical middle child; she's quiet and often overlooked by her family. Her role in the book, arguably, is minimal. So it caught my eye to see that Mary got a book of her own.<br /><br /> <a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354173l/17349275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354173l/17349275.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding: 10px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349275-the-pursuit-of-mary-bennet?from_search=true">The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride & Prejudice Novel</a> by Pamela Mingle<br /><br />Expected Publishing Date: November 26, 2013<br />Publisher: William Morrow & Company<br />Format: Paperback, 240 pages<br /><br />Age Range: Young Adult/Adult <br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349275-the-pursuit-of-mary-bennet?from_search=true">Goodreads Summary</a>: <br />With warmth, wit, and infinite charm Pamela Mingle brings to the page Pride and Prejudice's reserved and awkward Mary Bennet and proves that there is always room for another Austen spin-off when it's this good For most of her life Mary Bennet has been an object of ridicule. With a notable absence of the social graces, she has been an embarrassment to her family on more than one occasion. But lately, Mary has changed. She's matured and attained a respectable, if somewhat unpolished, decorum. But her peace and contentment are shattered when her sister Lydia turns up-very pregnant and separated from Wickham. Mary and Kitty are bustled off to stay with Jane and her husband. It is there that Mary meets Henry Walsh, whose attentions confound her. Unschooled in the game of love, her heart and her future are at risk. Is she worthy of love or should she take the safer path? In her journey of self-acceptance, she discovers the answer.</blockquote><strong>So what are you waiting on this Wednesday?</strong><br /> </div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-37023700086234583822013-11-19T16:52:00.000-06:002013-11-19T16:52:56.710-06:00Review: Insurgent & Allegiant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNFsgE842Yk/TwNNZkCjhMI/AAAAAAAAA3U/5YNGMg58EqY/s1600/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNFsgE842Yk/TwNNZkCjhMI/AAAAAAAAA3U/5YNGMg58EqY/s320/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Title: Insurgent<br />Author: Veronica Roth<br /><br />Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books<br />Published: May 1st, 2012<br />Pages: 525<br />Format: Hardcover<br /><br /><a href="http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/p/books.html">Summary from Veronica Roth's blog:</a><br /><span id="freeTextContainer13274593004516372612">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.<br /><br /> 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.</span><br /><br /><strong><u>My Mini-Review:</u></strong><br /><br />My theory that the second book is never as good continues. <br /><br />Starting off where <em>Divergent </em>left of, Tris and Tobias are on the run from the Erudite traitors to Amity and other stuff happens and then they're in trouble again and yeah. Okay I can't even put a lot of effort into this because I just didn't really like the story.<br /><br />There was a lot of arguing and Tris and Tobias fighting. And Tris feeling guilty. I swear a lot of this book can come down to this:<br /><br />Tris: I'm going to do the thing. It's obviously the right thing.<br />Tobias: Don't do the thing. Don't be dauntless.<br />Tris: *promises doesn't do the thing*<br />Tris: *does the thing anyway*<br />Tobias: Why did you do the thing?<br />Tobias: We should have done the thing. But I don't trust you.<br />Tris: You have to trust me where together<br />Tobias: You're a human being and therefore do things that make me not trust you, like keep things to yourself.<br />Tris: Look. I love you. But I'm going to do this thing you don't want me to do because I feel guilty about the things, even though they were the right things, of my past. But you should trust me anyway because you keep secrets to.<br /><br />I feel like that's what the book was. I just couldn't get into it. I kept finding myself skipping sections where nothing was happening, forcing myself to go back and read them and then being like, yep nothing happened. <br /><br />And then you have the Factionless which kind of have numbers that came from nowhere and you know they're the child you keep locked in the closet during a dinner party because they're just going to cause trouble. (HMU if you got that reference)<br /><br />Also there were so many people that did not need to die in this book! Oh my gosh no Veronica Roth. You cannot be trigger happy, literally. Stop it. We get it, guns kill people.<br /><br />I was so glad to have that done with. I also changed my mind. I don't want to be Amity. I think I would choose Eurdite.<br /><br />Rating: 2/5<br /><br /><strike> </strike><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1368111284l/17383918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1368111284l/17383918.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Title: Allegiant<br />Author: Veronica Roth<br /><br />Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books/ Harper Collins<br />Published: October 22, 2013<br />Pages: 544<br />Format: Hardcover<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17383918-allegiant">Goodreads Summary</a>: <br /><span id="freeText3397496094041576426">The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. <br /><br />But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. <br /><br />Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent</span><br /><br /><strong>My Rant (w/Insurgent Spoilers):</strong><br /><br />It was so much better than the second one, yet also tiresome to read.<br /><br />Told in two perspectives, Tris and Tobias, <em>Allegiant</em> goes forward with the story by going back. Back to the roots of how their world came to be.<br /><br />So first you know that the Factionless are taking over the city and aren't letting anyone leave. And there is this group that arises called the Allegiant, and they're now the rebel group of the city. They want to leave/return to the ways of the faction. Tris and the gang join the Allegiant and make it out of the city. That's basically the last time you hear about the Allegiant until the end of the book. <br /><br />Then you find out that it's all a genetic experiment. And that the Divergent as basically the chosen ones/genetically superior. And you finally, officially, know that they're in Chicago. But that just sets up the stage for a really social problems book. There as so many connections you can make from this book to today's society, too many. I actually had to stop because it kept repeating the social issue.<br /><br />I also had to stop because I couldn't remember who was narrating the chapter. Tris and Tobias tell a similar story, because they're living the same events. So it's tiresome to have to read the same thing more than once in a different point of view. They also have semi-similar voices so that just confused the issue.<br /><br />I also had to stop because they trigger happiness continued! SHE KILLED MY FAVORITE CHARACTER! I am not going to say who it was, because I'm trying to keep this spoiler free. But I did not see the point of my character's death. I really didn't help the plot move forward. It just sent other characters into depression. Not necessary/character developing depressions either.<br /><br />I would just like to take this time and appreciate the ending of the this book. At first, I was like the rest of the fandom; so angry and confused because I didn't understand what had just happened. But then, after some relaxation exercises, I came to this conclusion: Veronica Roth is one brave woman. I've always wanted a book to end they way it did, and she fulfilled my dream! She did it because she knew it was a fitting end for the character, not what the fans were expecting. In a way, she was writing for herself, not to make money and I think that is such a brave thing. Bravo Veronica Roth. Bravo.<br /><br />Overall, I think it was a decent ending to the series. The ending of the book itself was excellent, but the rest of the book leads to a lower score. <br /><br /><strong>Rating</strong>: 3.5/5<br /><br />I'm sorry these may not be as coherent as I hoped, but I just really needed to get these done with and out there.<br /><br /></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-85960858588167099072013-11-10T00:12:00.002-06:002013-11-10T00:13:16.732-06:00Review: Divergent + Movie Trailer Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dipXdu9QryU/TIupjzY1vsI/AAAAAAAAAh8/9EC03NOMqWs/s1600/Divergent+hc+c(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dipXdu9QryU/TIupjzY1vsI/AAAAAAAAAh8/9EC03NOMqWs/s320/Divergent+hc+c(2).jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Title: Divergent<br />Author: Veronica Roth<br /><br />Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books<br />Published: April 25, 2011<br /><br />Format: Paperback<br />Pages: 487 <br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?ac=1">Goodreads Summary</a>: <br /><span id="freeText1476539543297987473">In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.<br /><br />During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.</span><br /><br /><strong>My Thoughts:</strong><br /><br />I actually put of reading this book for a very long time. It was up and coming, the new biggest hit. Then it was going to be made into a movie and I couldn't help but think by how it was going to be the next <em>The Hunger Games</em>, or worse, the next <em>Beautiful Creatures</em>. Don't get me wrong, <em>The Hunger Games</em> was an excellent novel to film adaptation that not only satisfied the movie critiques but also the loyal "tributes" (the name <em>The Hunger Games</em> fans call themselves). Whereas the same couldn't be said for <em>Beautiful Creatures</em>. The point I'm trying, and failing, to make is that I didn't want to read another popular book. I didn't want to read another book one of four in a series. <br /><br />But there are even times when a college students finds themselves with nothing to do (or avoiding actual work) and roommate's book. And then in a flash, five hours of your life are gone and you're in front of your laptop having feels moments and shipping.<br /><br />I'm not going to lie, Veronica Roth's <em>Divergent</em> wasn't totally new and exciting. I found myself being able to predict upcoming plot points. Whether I've finally fulfilled my dream of being an oracle, or I'm getting better at picking up on the clues the author leaves, the fact remains that I did find myself skimming over a section and having to force myself to go back and read it. But Roth has excellent writing skills because I did find myself viewing the plot like a movie. So much so that when I got up to do quick things, I had a moment where I would wonder what TV show I had just been watching before returning to the book. <br /><br />There is a beautiful moment in the book when the protagonist, Tris, and Four are having an intimate moment. It goes back to how I love it when writers make their characters real rather than perfect. <br /><br />Tris:<em> "Don't pretend," I say breathily. "You know I'm not. I'm not ugly, but I am certainly not pretty." </em>(page 103 of my ebook version)<br /><br />I won't spoil the rest of it for you, but I really find this one line very truthful. Everyone has this expectation to be pretty, to have pretty features. Yet, some people just don't. Their prettiness comes from the personality, their mind, not their facial structure. And Tris understands that. She's not trying to get compliments by shooting herself down. And I love it! These are the kind of female literary heroines we need to see more of.<br /><br />Long story short, I really like this book. The idea is intriguing and it captivates the reader. It's not too complicated but it's not just a simple read. Reading it closely, you can see the mirror struggles we face in society now as they face in the book. It's relatable and the characters have a slow development that will no doubt keep occurring through out the rest of the novels.<br /><br />Rating: 3.92/5<br /><br />Oh wait, there's more!<br /><br />As mentioned above, <em>Divergent</em> is being made into a movie, set to release March 21, 2014. Here's the teaser trailer if you haven't seen it yet.<br /> </div> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qXT0kcTI9Kk" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Can I just say that I don't like it? These are definitely not the characters I imagined in my head. <span style="color: #0066cc;"><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">Shailene Woodley just isn't the Tris I envision. From the short parts we did see her act, she just didn't give that Tris-esque vibe I got from reading the book. She seemed more, complacent. </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: black;"><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"></span></span><br /><span style="color: black;"><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><strong>What are your thoughts on the movie? What are your thought on the book? What fraction do you think you belong to ? (I personally see myself living as an Amity or an Erudite in a different time.)</strong></span></span></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-85139794512279592932013-11-08T10:43:00.000-06:002013-11-08T10:45:41.711-06:00Followers Friday! (1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's Friday! And I'd like to take this moment to appreciate all of our followers.<br /><br />You may remember us doing something similar before, where we posted our top visiting countries and such. <br /><br />We'll I'm about to attempt to bring that back. <br /><br />And this is our audience for the month of October!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NM60ilaL7os/Un0S8jVuUgI/AAAAAAAAAOI/G0yxXxAPtu0/s1600/October+BA+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NM60ilaL7os/Un0S8jVuUgI/AAAAAAAAAOI/G0yxXxAPtu0/s640/October+BA+stats.png" width="640" /></a></div>Who would have thought we had such an international fan base? You guys rock! And we do apologize for the lack of giveaways to international addresses. One day we'll host one, and it'll totally be worth the wait.<br /><br />But I would just like to point out that there 834 page views in the last month. And you know what else we posted in the last month? Our giveaway. And how many entries do we have so far? 13.<br /><br />That means that only 0.016 of you who view the page actually participated. And that's just a little sad. Who doesn't want to <a href="http://alysbookaway.blogspot.com/2013/10/donating-scribbled-book.html">win a free book</a>? Okay so it's only the third one. So? It's a <a href="http://alysbookaway.blogspot.com/2013/10/donating-scribbled-book.html">signed third book</a>. That's pretty cool guys. That's pretty cool.<br /><br />But thanks to everyone who has ever visited Book Away! Whether you've been here since the beginning (08) or just joined, I would love to give you all a big virtual hug and thank you! Thank you for visiting and putting up with us and our long hiatus.<br /><br />We hope to see you around!</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-70373165007443699482013-11-06T16:39:00.002-06:002013-11-06T19:06:27.363-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (6)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightyellow; border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding: 10px;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking The Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>On an irrelevant note, I'm sorry for the lack of reviews in the past couple of months. As you may have heard from our other posts, we have been very hectic. Also, April has decided to step down for now. And even though she won't be publishing anything in the near future, she's still a part of the Book Away family so her info will still be kept up. That just means that I have twice as much work no, but bear with me! Hopefully I'll be back on track soon!<br /><br />I thought we'd get back into the swing of things by doing a Waiting on Wednesday. What am I waiting for you ask? I'm waiting for <em>The Fiery Heart</em> by Richelle Mead. It's the 4th installment to the Bloodlines series.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383243238l/9833184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383243238l/9833184.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding: 10px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9833184-the-fiery-heart?ac=1">The Fiery Heart</a> (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead<br /><br />Expected Publishing Date: November 19, 2013<br />Publisher: Razorbill<br />Format: Hardcover, 438 pages<br /><br />Age Range: Young Adult<br />Series: <a href="http://www.richellemead.com/books/bloodlines.htm">Bloodlines</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fiery-Heart-Bloodlines-Novel/dp/1595143203/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383776338&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fiery+heart">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fiery-heart-richelle-mead/1114709868?ean=9781595143204">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.richellemead.com/shop/shop.htm">Richelle Mead</a><br /><br />Summary from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9833184-the-fiery-heart?ac=1">Goodreads</a>:<br /><br /><span id="freeText12742843922868662461"></span><span id="freeText12742843922868662461">In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .</span><br /><br /><span id="freeText12742843922868662461">But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.</span><br /><br /><span id="freeText12742843922868662461">Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe. <br /><br /><a href="http://richellemead.com/excerpt/excerpt26.htm">Chapter 1</a> | <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2013/08/19/the-fiery-heart-richelle-mead-exclusive/">Chapter 2</a> </span></blockquote>So I'm kind of excited for this! A part of the book will be from Adrian's POV. And I have always been Team Adrian so I am definitely excited for this book!<br /><br />I've included the excerpts available from Richelle Mead's website.<br /><br />Also, if you pre-order your copy of <em>The Fiery Heart</em> through the link above, the one that says Richelle Mead, it will take you to her page where you can read about getting a <strong>signed copy</strong>. <br /><br /><strong>So, what are you waiting on this Wednesday? Did this make your list?</strong></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-48127074047993214902013-11-03T19:30:00.000-06:002013-11-04T14:50:25.909-06:00You Know:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You know when you're blog is dead when out of your 391 followers, only 4 have entered to win a free, signed copy of Ally Carter's 3rd Gallagher Girl book, <i>Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover</i>.<br /><br />Giveaway ends November 22, 2013. Find the post, enter to win.<br /><br /><i>11/4 Edit:</i> Yeah so I realize that seems kind of whinny. What I wrote. But I would just like to say that the last time we gave away an Ally Carter book, we had 103 entries. Before that we gave away <i>Terrier</i> by Tamora Pierce and that had 151 entries.<br /><br />But now we're at 12 last time I checked! Woohoo! Except I guess now you're chances to win have been lowered. Whoops. </div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-7622292102223918632013-10-21T10:17:00.000-05:002013-11-03T01:29:26.963-06:00Donating a Scribbled Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We're trying to see how many active followers we have. If you're reading this, then you have the opportunity for us to donate to you this book: A copy of Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover by Ally Carter. There's a page where the author just scribbled her name on it so we are donating it to one lucky person.<br /><br />In an attempt to keep this for active followers, we are trying to stay away from certain words. We are not even going to label it correctly. As you may have noticed. That's why we are not asking you to share anything, but you can if you want. We like new followers too. <br /><br /><strong>The donating form opens on 10/22/2013 at 12:00 am. It won't let us change the date unless we pay. We do not want to pay.</strong><br /><br />The person we donate it to will be chosen November 15th, 2013. We will announce it on the blog November 16th, 2013. They will have 48 hours to get back to us or we will donate the book to a new person.<br /><br />We do not ship internationally. As it says in our Terms and Conditions. Sorry abroad peeps. Unless you have a US address we can ship it to, you're going to have to sit this one out.<br /><br />Have fun you guys!<br /> </div><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a3e97a4/" id="rc-a3e97a4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-39281218564178026882013-10-17T14:34:00.000-05:002013-11-06T19:05:50.099-06:00Another One of Those Updates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Okay, so I know we/I said we'd be getting back into the swing of things around here and it hasn't really happened.<br /><br />But it will! Being in college means that I don't have quick access to any newly released books and that since I live on my own, I have to pay for them. They saying that a college kid is a broke kid is true. (I don't know if this is a really saying or if I made it up...)<br /><br />But I recently got the newest Ally Carter book, the last one of the Gallagher Girl series so I'm planning on reading and reviewing that.<br /><br />And my mom bought me the newest Rick Riordan book, signed! But I can't read that until I go home for Thanksgiving. <br /><br />But see, there are things coming your way! And I brought my kindle along so I can rent books through it soon!<br /><br />So stick around, things are happening here!<br /><br />Karina</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-59364205023430208232013-03-26T17:33:00.000-05:002013-03-26T17:33:22.860-05:00Staying in Touch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hey y'all,<br /><br />So I know I said I was taking on all spammers, but honestly, we've been on a spam deleting spree since the last post went up.<br /><br />Knock it off you spammers! I don't care about your gym clothes for women or drugs and sex pages and our loyal readers don't either!<br /><br />Speaking of loyal readers, stay in touch because if things go out as I hope, there will be a surprise for you to revel in. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If you've highlighted this page, then you will now know that all contests will be mentioned without using the words drawing, contests, winning, giveaway, etc. This is too keep the contests within you loyal followers and not just people who google win free books.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span>Love you guys,<br /><br />Karina<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If i get enough money from work, we're having a giveaway for a signed copy of a book! Yeah that's right, signed books for free! And i'm giving away a whole bunch of books, maybe I'll give them away here :D Teehee ;)</span></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-45639742838922895012013-03-26T17:32:00.000-05:002013-03-26T18:00:10.079-05:00Review: Infinte Days by Rebecca Maizel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2cCFRw1oAw/UVHxUSX7rPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/htJZtRu9vGA/s1600/41epx1mFoEL__SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2cCFRw1oAw/UVHxUSX7rPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/htJZtRu9vGA/s320/41epx1mFoEL__SS500_.jpg" usa="true" width="211" /></a></div>Title: Infinite Days<br />Author: Rebecca Maizel<br />Pages: 336<br />Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, Paperback 2010<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7744064-infinite-days?ac=1">Goodreads</a> summary: <br /><br /><span id="freeText2030537561049990484">“Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you... no one.”<br /><br />Those were some of Rhode’s last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.<br /><br />It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.<br /><br />Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust. <br /><br />I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn’t Rhode.<br /><br />But Justin was... daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.<br /><br />I never expected to be sixteen again... then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...</span><br /><br /><span><u>My Summary:</u></span><br /><br /><span>Remember when this book was in my awesome stash of books that I got from Borders? (Here's the <a href="http://alysbookaway.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-my-mailbox-9.html">IMM</a> if you don't remember) Well, I finally got around to reading it!! Yayayay!</span><br /><br /><span>We should all thank Spring Break and Second Semester Senior= senioritis for this chance.</span><br /><br /><span>Anyway, I'm a bit rusty in the whole review thing, so I hope you guys take it easy on me.</span><br /><br /><span>I was tentative when I started reading it, because it was about a vampire, a genre I'm trying to shy away from (but it's really hard!) So I'm reading this book and I'm already getting excited. There's a love!! Ahhh!! I love love!!!! Rhode is so dreamy, and what he did for Lenah was so sweet! Sorry, getting of track.</span><br /><br /><span>Okay so the beginning was how I expect it to go. You know, trying to fit in, they whole culture shock kind of deal. I really liked what Rebecca Maizel did with the ritual. Intent, it's important. It was clever.</span><br /><br /><span>I was a little confused on bringing in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I liked how Lenah said she didn't like it, because I read it last year and I didn't like it either. But I'm having a hard time seeing why dedicating about a page to the book and what it means has to do with the book. In no way to do I see Lenah being an Edna Pontellier. It's a really big stretch, with the two women being trapped by the norms of their society. Yes, Lenah didn't want to be a vampire anymore; she didn't want to have vampire thought and lack of sense. Edna didn't want to be the kind of woman she was expected to be. And their ends (trying to be vague because I don't want to ruin either book for the readers) are prompted by very different feelings, and lead to different results.</span><br /><br /><span>Character shpeal: I LOVE TONY!!! ahhh he's such a cute guy. But once more my winning boy theory has been proven correct. Tony, was a great character, and it was only through Lenah's obliviousness that he wasn't able to go in for the win. His part in the end of the book made me sad, but it also made me happy. <span style="color: white;">We all know I love a tragedy.</span></span><br /><br /><span>Also, I wish the book had just ended. I was really hoping that it was a stand alone book (we need more of those these days) and I thought it ended well enough for an ending to be a stand alone. But I guess I should read my own blog (lol) because April posted a Waiting on Wednesday post with the second book! So there's a series guys! Go forth and read them!</span><br /><br /><span>Alright, this is really bad. My thoughts aren't really in order for this book, but I know that if I don't do it now, I never will.</span><br /><br /><span>Karina</span><br /><br /><span>Rating: 4/5 stars</span><br /><br /></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-60309889007450483802013-02-12T09:52:00.002-06:002013-11-06T19:06:40.541-06:00Long Time No See!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Greetings faithful Book Away followers!<br /><br />We're back!<br /><br />At least for now. At least for this single post.<br /><br />We'd would just like to formally apologize for our sudden disappearance. See, junior year consumed our lives and then senior year consumed our lives. But now we're second semester seniors so nothing is getting done! Yay!<br /><br />As we await for April to come around and hear about schools (or at least me. April is a lucky duck) I thought it would be best to update now. For two reasons:<br /><br />1) I have read! I've actually read non-Burroughs books! And they're review worthy!<br /><br />2) I am probably going to given away some of my books because I have doubles of a lot of books.<br /><br />So except those soon.<br /><br />Love y'all!<br /><br />Karina<br /><br />P.S.- For all those spammers out there. I caught your spam before it even made it to our posts. So ha! You want a spam war. Bring it.</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12405975660361146794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-6760972965224374672012-04-04T00:00:00.000-05:002012-04-04T00:00:11.059-05:00Waiting on Wednesday (5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightyellow; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking The Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>On an irrelevant note, I'm sorry for the lack of reviews this week and last week. I haven't been able to get much reading done and pretty much have nothing to review... hopefully I'll be back on track soon!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1286833604l/8590082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1286833604l/8590082.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8590082-stolen-nights" target="_blank">Stolen Nights</a> (Vampire Queen #2) by Rebecca Maizel<br />Publication: June 21st 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin<br />Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal<br />(Not available for pre-order yet)<br /><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">WARNING: SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!! AVERT YOUR EYES IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE 1ST BOOK!!!!! </span></u></b><br /><br />Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human - and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss. With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...</blockquote>I really enjoyed Infinite Days and have pretty much been waiting two years for the sequel! There have been no reviews yet but I have think that it will be as good as the first :)<br /><br /><b>What are you waiting on? Are you excited for this book as well?</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-13108909291941310092012-03-31T10:54:00.000-05:002012-03-31T10:54:26.318-05:00In My Mailbox (24)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DQJgx8rLjNQ/TQ6tuREeRTI/AAAAAAAALSw/pIE5DpXMQpI/s200/mailbox1.jpg" width="200" /></div><blockquote style="border-bottom: darkred 2px dashed; border-left: darkred 2px dashed; border-right: darkred 2px dashed; border-top: darkred 2px dashed; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi from <a href="http://thestorysiren.com/" style="color: #d52932; text-decoration: none;">The Story Siren </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">where bloggers can share what books they've received and what they're planning on reviewing.</span></span></blockquote>Won/For Review:<br />ARC of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12829446-fated" target="_blank">Fated</a> by Alyson Noel from St. Martin's Press and <a href="http://www.librarything.com/er_list.php" target="_blank">LibraryThing Early Reviewers</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320336450l/12829446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320336450l/12829446.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I've seen other people get ARCs of this one, but it doesn't come out for a while, so I haven't seen many reviews yet. It sounds good though, and this is the first time I've won something from LibraryThing so I can't wait to read it!<br /><br /><b>What did you get in your mailbox this week?</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-35431061108898207532012-03-28T00:00:00.000-05:002012-03-28T00:00:10.379-05:00Waiting on Wednesday (4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMITXLo5Fyk/TeeZryCrxVI/AAAAAAAAB1o/sYe7YdJlTfA/s200/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightyellow; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking The Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11556960-crewel" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://genniferalbin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/423499_387552267923619_385816601430519_1556690_1444287484_n.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11556960-crewel" target="_blank">Crewel (Crewel World #1) by Gennifer Albin</a></b><br /><b>Publication:</b> October 16th, 2012 by Farrar, Strauss and Giroux Books for Young<br /><b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy<br /><blockquote style="background-color: lightcyan; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">Incapable. Awkward. Artless. <br /><br />That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail. <br /><br />Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested. <br /><br />Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight. <br /><br />Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape. <br /><br />Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.</blockquote>I don't think I've seen any reviews for this one yet... but I'm in love with the cover and the synopsis! I can't wait for October :D<br /><br />What are your thoughts? Are you excited for this book as well? :)April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-84314777283370614092012-03-26T00:00:00.000-05:002012-03-26T00:00:07.580-05:00Cover Reveal: Water by Shauna Granger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSb9gGQ5OJQ/T2-uhk1wCZI/AAAAAAAAAI8/aHSfkWnifO4/s1600/WATER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSb9gGQ5OJQ/T2-uhk1wCZI/AAAAAAAAAI8/aHSfkWnifO4/s640/WATER.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover designed by <a href="http://www.stephaniemooney.net/p/design.html" target="_blank">Stephanie Mooney</a></i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13559453-water" target="_blank">Water</a> (Elemental #3) by Shauna Granger</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication: June 19th, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy</div><blockquote style="background-color: lightcyan; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.<br /><br />Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shauna Granger's <a href="http://shaunasspot.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b>Blog</b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shauna-Granger/268859386472141" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b>Shauna Granger</b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/dyingechoes" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> <b>@dyingechoes</b></a></span></div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13559453-water" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Water</i> on Goodreads</a></b></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">The Book Blog Tour will run July 23-27, 2012. Review blogs that fit the age group and genre interested in participating in the tour may</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE9rTjRLa1hYaWZtbE84X2g3eXBPSFE6MQ#gid=0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> sign-up here</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">.</span> <span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">You can participate even if you are not able to review the book. Electronic review copies will be provided to those interested in reviewing for the tour. If you have not read the other books in the series, the first one, </span><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11274597-earth" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Earth</a></i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">, can be available for you to review on this tour.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZb1A4m_RDk/T2_TQSF_2XI/AAAAAAAAAJE/WqeMy7im55c/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZb1A4m_RDk/T2_TQSF_2XI/AAAAAAAAAJE/WqeMy7im55c/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: inherit;"><b>So, what are your thoughts on the cover? :)</b></span>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-45368469159238012612012-03-24T13:16:00.000-05:002012-03-24T13:16:24.636-05:00In My Mailbox (23)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DQJgx8rLjNQ/TQ6tuREeRTI/AAAAAAAALSw/pIE5DpXMQpI/s200/mailbox1.jpg" width="200" /></div><blockquote style="border-bottom: darkred 2px dashed; border-left: darkred 2px dashed; border-right: darkred 2px dashed; border-top: darkred 2px dashed; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi from <a href="http://thestorysiren.com/" style="color: #d52932; text-decoration: none;">The Story Siren </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">where bloggers can share what books they've received and what they're planning on reviewing.</span></span></blockquote>I didn't post an IMM last week because I didn't get any books, but this week I did :)<br /><br />I won:<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9593911-pandemonium" target="_blank">Pandemonium</a> by Lauren Oliver from <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/" target="_blank">YA Books Central</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7864437-the-death-cure" target="_blank">The Death Cure</a> by James Dashner from <a href="http://amonsteratemybookreport.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Monster Ate My Book Report</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10557752-the-blood-coven-vampires-volume-1" target="_blank">The Blood Coven Vampires, Volume I</a> (#1-2) by Mari Mancusi from <a href="http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Presenting Lenore</a> and <a href="http://www.bloodcovenvampires.com/" target="_blank">Mari Mancusi</a><br />E-book of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13501083-tomorrow-land" target="_blank">Tomorrow Land</a> by Mari Mancusi from <a href="http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Presenting Lenore</a> and <a href="http://www.bloodcovenvampires.com/" target="_blank">Mari Mancusi</a><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9593911-pandemonium"><img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1310371414l/9593911.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1303997647l/7864437.jpg"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1303997647l/7864437.jpg" width="131" /></a><img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302648570l/10557752.jpg" width="133" /><img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1330264690l/13501083.jpg" width="132" /></center><br /><b> What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave a comment so I can go check it out :)</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-7166844637486509262012-03-22T10:43:00.000-05:002012-03-22T10:55:02.177-05:00Cover Reveal: Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13056511-heaven" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEJZcn25fL4/T2s2H4V1yUI/AAAAAAAABCI/IdaXWw7arMg/s640/Heaven.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13056511-heaven" target="_blank">Heaven</a> (Halo #3) by Alexandra Adornetto</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication: August 21st, 2012 by Feiwel and Friends</div><div style="text-align: center;">Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pre-Order: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Halo-Feiwel-Friends-Hardcover/dp/0312656289/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heaven-alexandra-adornetto/1106654834" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heaven-Alexandra-Adornetto/9780312656287" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">Only sixteen when she started the series, Ally Adornetto knows how teen hearts beat, and this long-awaited conclusion is certain to be her most popular book yet. <br /><br />Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.<br /><br />The only way Bethany and Xavier can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?</blockquote>Isn't the cover pretty? I actually love all the covers in this series, even though I haven't read it yet.<br /><br /><center><img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1278885735l/7778981.jpg" width="137" /><img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316639052l/9666812.jpg" width="133" /></center><br />I've also heard some mixed things about this series, but I want to give it a try sometime in the future. I think it's cool that she was only 16 when she wrote Halo though.<br /><br /><b>So, what are your thoughts on the cover? Are you a fan of this series?</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-53589794792866961342012-03-20T00:10:00.000-05:002012-03-20T00:10:00.942-05:00Review: Partials by Dan Wells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12476820-partials" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327879720l/12476820.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12476820-partials" target="_blank">Partials</a></b> (Partials #1) by <a href="http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net/" target="_blank"><b>Dan Wells</b></a><br /><b>Publication:</b> February 28th, 2012 by Balzer + Bray<br /><b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic<br /><b>Purchase:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Partials-Dan-Wells/dp/0062071041/1" target="_blank"><b>Amazon</b></a><b> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/partials-dan-wells/1104968875" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Partials-Dan-Wells/9780062071040" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></b><br /><b>Rating: 4.5 out of 5</b><br /><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid grey; padding: 10px;">Summary from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12476820-partials" target="_blank"><b>Goodreads</b></a>: <br /><br />Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out. <br /><br />When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask. <br /><br />Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.</blockquote><u>Warning:</u><br />You may or may not get heart attacks from the addictive quality of this book. Most likely you will. I also apologize for the vagueness of my review, it's hard not to give anything away.<br /><u><br /></u><u>Intro</u><br />It took me a week to read the first 150 pages. It took me 4 hours to read the rest. (This is FAST for me). The first 150 pages felt more like a prologue (that could have been greatly condensed in my opinion), but after you get through them, the story really picks up. I literally had to put the book down sometimes because I had to run around and freak out. It's been a really long time since I've spazzed this much while reading a book. It feels awesome.<br /><u><br /></u><u>Characters</u><br />So I was not a huge fan of Kira at first... she seemed like an overly sentimental and weepy character. But then, she got pretty badass. She was also very intellectual and although I felt like the science was a little too dumbed down, it was clear Kira knew her stuff. I also really loved Samm, hehe. Even though I liked how the romance between them was subtle, I hope there will be more in the next book.<br /><u><br /></u><u>Plot Twists!!!</u><br />Around the middle of the book, I was saying to myself, "This is REALLY good, so I don't mind that it's so predictable." And then I immediately had to take back my words because Partials is plot twist after plot twist! Eventually I gave up guessing what was going to happen because I was always wrong.<br /><br />I started off thinking, "Oh, the humans are so evil, this book does a great job showing the corruption and ignorance of humanity. The Partials are the victims here!" And then things weren't exactly as they seemed... my opinion of the humans and Partials kept on changing... Eventually, you just don't really know who the good guys or bad guys are, and Partials definitely kept me second guessing.<br /><u><br /></u><u>Overall</u><br />Despite the slow beginning, Partials is a really action packed book that will definitely satisfy dystopian and science fiction fans alike. And if you're looking for a twisty read full of surprises, Partials is for you! I will definitely be on the lookout for Dan Wells' other books, and I'm highly anticipating this sequel!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jl3c7fMOqZY/TUb1wWKjqbI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/wnlW-698-Og/s1600/4.5+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jl3c7fMOqZY/TUb1wWKjqbI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/wnlW-698-Og/s200/4.5+stars.png" width="200" /></a></div>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-42350748884436586022012-03-15T00:00:00.000-05:002012-03-15T15:40:51.514-05:00Cover Reveal: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10866624-unspoken" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://thebooksmugglers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Bren_Unspoken-hires-cover-e1331712049906.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10866624-unspoken" target="_blank">Unspoken</a> (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan<br />Publication: September 11th, 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers<br />Genre: Young Adult, Gothic, Mystery<br />Pre-Order: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unspoken-Lynburn-Sarah-Rees-Brennan/dp/0375870415/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unspoken-sarah-rees-brennan/1108117865" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Unspoken-Sarah-Rees-Brennan/9780375870415" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a></div><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">Summary from <a href="http://sarahtales.livejournal.com/195290.html" target="_blank">Official Cover Copy</a>:<br /><br />Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head. <br /><br />But all that changes when the Lynburns return. <br /><br />The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the- Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him? <br /><br />Sarah Rees Brennan brings Gothic romance kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century with a funny, modern heroine who can take care of herself, an angry, beautiful boy who needs to be saved, and the mysterious forces that bring them together and tear them apart.</blockquote>In case you didn't know, I go cray-cray over Sarah Rees Brennan. I pretty much love everything she's ever written, from her books to her tweets. So imagine how excited I was to learn she was writing a new series. Then imagine how excited I was when I learned the release date got bumped up to September 11th. And then imagine how excited I was when I saw this PRETTY PINK COVER. I think it goes great with the Gothic theme and I think it's quite unique. <br /><br />You can check out the legit cover reveal at the <a href="http://thebooksmugglers.com/2012/03/a-smugglerific-cover-unspoken-by-sarah-rees-brennan-arc-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Book Smugglers' blog</a>, where they also have a GIVEAWAY for an ARC of Unspoken!<br /><br /><b>Are you as excited for this book as I am? What do you think of the cover? We'd love to know your thoughts!</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-38799923346773173262012-03-13T08:00:00.000-05:002012-03-13T15:23:31.763-05:00Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1295102.Lock_and_Key" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308971305l/5973910.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1295102.Lock_and_Key" target="_blank"><b>Lock and Key</b></a> by <a href="http://sarahdessen.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Dessen</a><br /><b>Publication:</b> April 22nd, 2008 by Viking Juvenile<br /><b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Key-Sarah-Dessen/dp/0142414727/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lock-and-key-sarah-dessen/1100359356" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Lock-Key-Sarah-Dessen/9780670010882" target="_blank">Book Depository</a><br /><b>Rating:</b> <b>4 out of 5</b><br /><blockquote style="background-color: lightcyan; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;"><i>Ruby, where is your mother?</i><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?<br /><br />Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.</blockquote><u>Introduction</u><br />I devoured this in one day. Which is normal for all you speedy readers, but it takes me forever to read a book. So that's really saying how much I loved this book. I will admit that Lock and Key does have it's cheesy, predictable moments. And that it's not the most action packed book in the world. But I think the characters is what makes it a memorable and inspiring read.<br /><br /><u>The Characters</u><br />I enjoyed Ruby's complexity in this story. I could really relate to her and her trust issues, and I really enjoyed the reading experience from her point of view and her thought process as she grew to trust others. I also really liked Nate and Ruby's relationship, and wish that there was more of it... especially towards the end... but I'll get to that later. I adored Jamie and Cora, and subconsciously I know they're the cheesy, quirky, happy-go-lucky characters that Dessen inserts into her books, but I loved them anyway.<br /><br /><u>The Ending (AKA What Killed Me)</u><br />It kills me inside that I couldn't give this a 5+ out of 5, because up until the last 75 pages or so, I was in love with the story and the characters. Around the last 75 pages, there is a very noticeable lack of Nate (the romance), and you feel like Ruby's issues have been dealt with and resolved. The book also shifts from focusing on Ruby's development to Ruby trying to help Nate... which, in my opinion, could have been done better.<br /><br />Oh geez, I'm gonna write another paragraph on the ending. The ending, although realistic, just wasn't enough for me. I'm not gonna spoil it, but I really wanted the happily ever after, with everything tied in a neat little bow... and in my opinion, we got a messy, scrambled, and slow ending that lacked a lot of resolution. I think if the book ended maybe 100 pages earlier, I would have gotten the happy ending I wanted, but *shrugs*, as usual, just my opinion.<br /><br /><u>Overall</u><br />Lock and Key is another fantastic and heart felt story by Sarah Dessen. Even though the ending was a bit of a let down, these characters will stay with me forever. Now that I have a greater appreciation for contemporary books, I'll definitely be on the lookout for the rest of her books.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM8aR7WT0VU/TdYGl-ySvqI/AAAAAAAAAYg/dX5NauwUVT4/s200/4stars.png" width="200" /></center><div>P.S. This is the first time I categorized the paragraphs with headers... any thoughts on that? Personally I think it's easier to read/skim through. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's not really a fixed set of paragraph headers I was planning on using, just whatever I talked about in the review. So for this review, I didn't talk much about plot because it wasn't a huge part of the book for me. For another book, I may not talk about characters and just talk about plot. </div><div><br /></div><div>What do you guys think? Feedback would be great! ;)</div>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-48475903979051920252012-03-10T16:24:00.000-06:002012-03-10T16:24:36.700-06:00In My Mailbox (22)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DQJgx8rLjNQ/TQ6tuREeRTI/AAAAAAAALSw/pIE5DpXMQpI/s200/mailbox1.jpg" width="200" /></div><blockquote style="border-bottom: darkred 2px dashed; border-left: darkred 2px dashed; border-right: darkred 2px dashed; border-top: darkred 2px dashed; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi from <a href="http://thestorysiren.com/" style="color: #d52932; text-decoration: none;">The Story Siren </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">where bloggers can share what books they've received and what they're planning on reviewing.</span></span></blockquote><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12027415-fearless" target="_blank">Fearless (#1-3)</a> by Francine Pascal from Simon & Schuster and possible mysterious benefactor...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328133295l/282210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328133295l/282210.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'm really sorry but I cannot figure out if I won this from a giveaway and just forgot about it, or Simon & Schuster sent it to the wrong person, but thank you to whoever got this book into my hands :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Won an audiobook of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder" target="_blank">Cinder</a> by Marissa Meyer from Heidi @<a href="http://www.yabibliophile.com/" target="_blank">YA Bibliophile</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bookharbinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/41xy2GMooiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkxTO8ZqSwoONhFrSch9QhOjOJAHN_bFQXugL-u26l8jT8yNQ5fpdA-1JEsg" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">Really excited to listen to this one, it's been a while since I've listened to an audiobook, and I've heard really good things about Cinder!</span><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>What did you get in your mailbox this week? Feel free to leave a link to your IMM in the comments and I'll go check it out :)</b></span>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-19928897207213254612012-03-09T20:58:00.001-06:002012-03-10T21:29:37.874-06:00Summer Fever Read-A-Thon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wordslikesilver.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/summer-fever-read-a-thon.jpg?w=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wordslikesilver.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/summer-fever-read-a-thon.jpg?w=600" /></a></div><br />So, I decided to join the Summer Fever Read-a-thon, hosted by Grace at <a href="http://wordslikesilver.com/" target="_blank">Words Like Silver</a>. Depending on where you live, now is a good time to celebrate summer/spring with summer/beach read books! It technically starts tomorrow, March 10th... but I believe there is still time to <a href="http://wordslikesilver.com/2012/03/03/summer-fever-read-a-thon-sign-up-and-giveaway/" target="_blank">sign up</a> :)<br /><br /><b>Currently Reading:</b><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9464733-beauty-queens" target="_blank">Beauty Queens</a> by Libba Bray (Gonna try to finish this one too!)<br /><br /><b>Read:</b><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1295102.Lock_and_Key" target="_blank">Lock and Key</a> by Sarah Dessen (so I've realized this is not a summer themed book... but it's really good anyways lol)<br /><br />So, I am the slowest reader in the world... and most likely will only be able to read one of these. But I'll be updating my progress on this post!April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-54873710571867953762012-03-08T08:30:00.000-06:002012-03-08T08:30:00.857-06:00Cover Reveal: Venom by Fiona Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9999795-venom" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMkXkIbJb4I/T1f-mQ0Yi-I/AAAAAAAAAWU/Q42hEJ8Goro/s1600/Venom_cover.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9999795-venom" target="_blank"><b>Venom</b></a> (Dark Waters #1) by <a href="http://fionapaulbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fiona Paul</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication: October 30th, 2012 by Philomel</div><div style="text-align: center;">Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pre-Order: | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Secrets-Eternal-Rose-Fiona/dp/039925725X/" target="_blank"><b>Amazon</b></a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Venom-Fiona-Paul/9780399257254" target="_blank"><b>Book Depository</b></a> |</div><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: 2px solid #666; padding: 10px;">Summary from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9999795-venom" target="_blank"><b>Goodreads</b></a>:<br /><br />Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, access to the best balls, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape. <br /><br />But when Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans, and killers. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin. . .and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco? <br /><br />Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.</blockquote>Check out the original and legit cover reveal at Lindsay Cummings' blog <a href="http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/exclusive-cover-reveal-venom-by-fiona.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>!<br /><br />This book was one of the debuts I was hoping on getting to read this year, and I'm glad it has a pretty cover to go with it now! I really like the purple and gold colors together with the mask and the fonts, very fancy masquerade-ball-y stuff. That's a technical term, by the way.<br /><br /><b>So, what do you make of the cover? We'd love to know your thoughts!</b>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4258678736140556564.post-78356553832006982962012-03-07T21:30:00.000-06:002012-03-09T05:35:01.092-06:00Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10150258-13-little-blue-envelopes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301476120l/10150258.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10150258-13-little-blue-envelopes" target="_blank">13 Little Blue Envelopes</a> (Little Blue Envelope #1) by <a href="http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/" target="_blank">Maureen Johnson</a></b><br /><b>Format:</b> Paperback, REPRINT, 317 pages<br /><b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary<br /><b>Publication:</b> August 23rd, 2005 by HarperCollins (originally) <br /><b>Purchase:</b> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Blue-Envelopes-Maureen-Johnson/dp/0060541431/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/13-little-blue-envelopes-maureen-johnson/1101990665" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/13-Little-Blue-Envelopes-Maureen-Johnson/9780060541439" target="_blank">Book Depository</a><br /><b style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 out of 5 </b><br /><blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid grey; padding: 10px;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Summary from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10150258-13-little-blue-envelopes" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">So, after reading <a href="http://alysbookaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-name-of-star-by-maureen-johnson.html" target="_blank">The Name of the Star</a>, I wasn't sure how I would feel about 13 Little Blue Envelopes. But a couple pages in, I was in love with Ginny's voice and her adventures. Ginny was really funny and random, and I think everyone can relate to her occasional awkwardness.<br /><br />Admittedly, the story is a bit fantastical... you get almost no back story on Ginny's parents allowing their 17 year old daughter go on this crazy journey. The book starts off with her taking a plane to London, without giving much back story. But once you ignore the impracticality of everything, the book really sucks you in. <br /><br />On a nit-picky note, I wish that Ginny's relationships with the people she met were more substantial. Sometimes it felt like the people she interacted with throughout the journey didn't leave an impact on her. Even Keith, the love interest, seems to be on the sidelines for most of the book. And while I understand this book is meant to focus on Ginny's growth and independence, I've also noticed this in The Name of the Star, so it may just be a result of Johnson's writing style as well.<br /><br />At the beginning of the book, I was sure I was going to give this book a 4.5 or 5 out of 5. But as the story progresses, especially with the last couple of envelopes, the story really drags. Some of Ginny's travels seem pointless, some of the people she meets seem random and insignificant, and you're just lost. I feel like there were some subtle things that Johnson was trying to put in, but I... just didn't see them. Even though I enjoyed Ginny's growth, I was unsatisfied with the ending.<br /><br />Overall, 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a fun and quirky contemporary read that will keep you hooked as you follow Ginny's adventures through Europe. A charming read sprinkled with romance, adventure, and humor, I'd recommend this one to fans of contemp. I'll definitely be reading the sequel! </span></span></span></span></span></span>April Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856680745483238756noreply@blogger.com3