In My Mailbox (005)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and it explores the contents of my mailbox or shopping bag on a weekly basis. Here's what I acquired over the past two weeks:

From the library:

1. Before I Fall by: Lauren Oliver
2. The Body Finder by: Kimberly Derting

I just got these books from the library today and I've had them on hold for awhile. Before I Fall and The Body Finder both came out this year, both in March in fact. I posted a W.o.W about The Body Finder...so you could say I'm kind of excited to read them. I'm unsure which I want to read first. I'm thinking I may go with the one that has the least positive reviews so I can finish with a better book. (Does this make sense?)

I'll be writing a "Rapid Review" about these books and any others I finish within the next two weeks.

From Big Lots:

1. Waiting to Disappear by: April Young Fritz
2. Bad Advice by: Karin Goodwin
3. If I have a Wicked Stepmother Where's My Prince? by: Melissa Kantor
4. Between Mom and Jo by: Julie Anne Peters
5. Far From Xanadu by: Julie Anne Peters
6. Abiding Darkness (book one in the Black or White Chronicles) by: John Aubrey Anderson
7. Wedgewood Grey (book two in the Black or White Chronicles) by: John Aubrey Anderson

I have never heard of most of these books, but when you have a bin full of books only $2 and $3 in front of you, you don't question it. You rummage! This is from two separate visits to two separate Big Lots stores. On the first visit/store I picked up: Abiding Darkness, Far From Xanadu, and Between Mom and Jo. On the second visit/store I picked up: Wedgewood Grey, Bad Advice, If I have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince and Waiting to Disappear.

I have another book by Julie Anne Peters called Luna that I won in school and I read it in probably a day & a half. I really enjoyed the book. Found it different, unique and depicted the struggle of someone wrestling with who they are, to be very real. I actually had Between Mom and Jo and Far From Xanadu on my "to-read" list. So, I'm excited to read them.

The "Black or White Chronicles" is something I've never heard of. But these books are set in southern Mississippi in 1945 to about the early 70s. I love the covers. I'm still unsure what the books are about, but hey...more in my growing :) collection.

The other three books were ones that seemed interesting enough to pick up and I can't wait to read them!

Waiting on Wednesday (002)

(I know you're supposed this on Wednesday, hence the title...but I decided today's better than never.)

This week I'm waiting on Penitence by: Jennifer Laurens!! 

I have yet to read Heavenly but it's on hold at the library. So I'm excited. Jennifer Laurens is also known as J.M. Warwick who wrote A Season of Eden, one of the best written books I've read in a long time.  (Read and re-read that sentence, poorly worded...but the best way to explain.) 

Penitence is the second book in the Heavenly series about--obviously, Angels. Though I am an Atheist I find this as interesting as vampires. It's all fiction to me. But that's not what drew me to the book, though the author had a lot to do with it, the summary made it sound amazing. Plus the ratings on Goodreads.com say that Heavenly is worthy of five stars. (Except for a few sour pusses.)

Summary:
I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoë's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoë lost in her broken life. Zoë escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoë's autistic sister. After Zoë is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.




















Here is the book trailer for Penitence:

Rapid Review (2)

This is a post containing two or more books that I've read in the past week or two and I'll be giving a short review for all of them in one blog. I'll rate them and tell you if I recommend them.

Need by: Carrie Jones
3 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
From the cover to the summary to the cryptic one-word name, everything about this book seems so very interesting. But then we get to the innards...
There's only one word I can say about this book: Twilight. Yes, Twilight, the wildly popular book by Stephenie Meyer. The comparisons between the book are so similar that I found myself beginning to say "Bella" instead of "Zara" and Nick was almost a perfect mix of Edward and Jacob.
There are differences like this book is about pixies, human size/looking, blood hungry, pixies...okay so not that different.
After witnessing her step dad die of a heart attack, Zara's mother sends her to Maine; a cold, grey, dreary place; to live with her grandmother--an EMT. From the minute Zara moves to Maine she realizes there is something off about the small town. And there may be things lurking in the forest...she knows because they call her name.
I found myself reading this book wishing it'd pick up and move along but there were some parts I was really into. Like when Zara would quote phobias when she was nervous or scared. I never really got a feel for any of the characters, not even Zara, the narrator. I didn't feel this book had enough depth.
There is a second book to this series, Captivate, that I will be reading only to see where the story will go. Though Jones wrapped this one nicely that you don't feel anxious for the next one.
I wouldn't not recommend this to people who enjoy supernatural stories...but if you're looking for an original, this isn't really it.

Forever... by: Judy Blume
3.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
I have always wanted to read a Judy Blume book and I'm quite into YA's so I figured I'd merge the two and read Forever. Though the book flowed nicely and never really lagged I began to know exactly where the book was heading about half-way through and I didn't like it.
Kath and Michael's relationship through out the book moves along rather quickly. And because there is no defining day as to when it started and continued, you weren't sure exactly how fast it was moving.
I did feel that the style of writing was very YA but the actual wording and context were maybe more for adult. But since I'm 21, I have no problem with that.
I have to say that I wasn't happy with the ending...I wanted more. At least two or three pages. I'd have like to know a little more about Kath, Michael, and Erica's futures.
The book is a very quick read. And I did enjoy it...until the last five page.

Rapid Review (1)

This is a post containing two or more books that I've read in the past week or two and I'll be giving a short review for all of them in one blog. I'll rate them and tell you if I recommend them.

A Season of Eden by: J.M. Warwick
4.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
The flow of this book is phenomenal along with how eloquently it's written. I haven't read a book that kept a steady pace in a long time. However because this book is so short -about 248 pages - we really didn't get to know the characters all that well or get to know their relationships. Especially outside of the relationship between Eden and Mr. Christian.
Upon first reading the summary and glancing at the cover I expected the book to be dark, moody and very depressing. I mean, a teen falling in love with a teacher--not all that light hearted. But it was just that. I feel there really wasn't a real climax in the story, but it is short so I could do without.
One thing I absolutely hated was that J.M. Warwick kept using the word "Retard" in a derogatory and negative way. Authors are obviously very talented and sharp tongued that I think there are many other words that could have been used. I hope in future books of hers that I will be reading she leaves out this atrocity of a word.
I truly recommend this book for a quick book about sacrifice, love, and how far you'll go for the one you love.

How to Hook a Hottie by: Tina Ferraro
4.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
This was almost exactly what I was expecting by the title and summary. A light simple book that may be a little younger than YA. But that isn't a bad thing. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Like A Season of Eden it's a short book and goes by really quickly. The characters don't have much time to develop but it seems even though there wasn't much time I still related to and understood Kate.
Though there were things I expected to happen and didn't I wasn't surprised that they didn't. I wasn't completely taken aback by anything that happened. But it kept a smile on my face the entire time
Kate's plans for her future are completely unrealistic, but she doesn't go on and on about them, so when she realizes they're unrealistic you're not wanted to slap her saying, "I told you so." You just nod your head and keep reading.
I recommend this book for an afternoon  at the beach or lounging at home. You'll probably get a few tips to hook your own hottie. :)

The Lucky One by: Nicholas Sparks
4 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
I am quite the Nicholas Sparks fan, though his earlier books cannot be out done.
I've picked up this book before on a whim that I'd automatically like it. I started reading it and for whatever reason put it down and never picked it back up. I don't think it was because I didn't like it because well I enjoyed it this time around. Though it took a few pep talks to get through the part I'd already read I started to get into it once Thibault finally met up with Elizabeth. The relationship between them developed quickly which helped to keep the book flowing.
The chapters I absolutely hated reading were those of Clayon...Elizabeth's ex-husband. Sparks did a great job making him out to be the jerk that he is. Sometimes I want to stay outside of the mind of a sadist. There was a couple times I had to force myself to get through his chapters. Thankfully his were the shortest.
As most Sparks fans know someone always dies in one of his books, and I was quite surprised at who did in this book. And like most of his books he wraps it up nicely with a happy ending (except Dear John--ugh).
I recommend this for a weekend staying home, on the beach, on a long car trip. Somewhere that it's okay to have a few distractions but won't take you away from the overall story.

In My Mailbox (004)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and it explores the contents of my mailbox or shopping bag on a weekly basis. Here's what I acquired this week:

From the library:

1. Forever by: Judy Blume
2. Need by: Carrie Jones

I've always wanted to read a Judy Blume book and I believe I read the summary for this book on Goodreads.com and decided this would be a good book to start with. She doesn't have many YA books, but if I enjoy this one I will definitely read them all and probably a few of her Adult books too. Wifey sounds pretty interesting!

There are many covers for this book, I've found and I couldn't find a picture for the cover that I have, so I picked my favorite of the choice. A lock and key. Simple and looks modern. This book was published in 1975 so I have no idea what the original cover is. I may look in Borders or Barnes & Noble.
Judy Blume has this cover on her website, simple as well. 
If you end up going to your book store and don't find any of these book covers, I promise you it's the same book.
I like that there was so much controversy about this book, but it'd be any other teen book now! Quite ready to read this book!

I read about this book on someone else's blog (I really can't remember the specific blog & now almost everyone has posted about it) and the book cover was the first thing that captivated me. I love gold. Not the jewelry kind. The shimmery, glittery kind. And the cover is just that! I don't know if based on the title, I'd give it a second thought, but by reading the summary it seems pretty interesting. 
I hope that didn't work up the book to end in disappointment. I'm really into series right now and there is already a second book out called Captivate with an equally beautiful cover.
And how many books do you know that have to do with Pixies?!

I love that on the Need website it says: "If you ask Stephen King and Stephenie Meyer to co-author a book, they would come up with Need." -Justine Magazine.

*Click the title of the book for the amazon link and the author for their official site.  Any other teal wording is also a link.

Books to Pine For (1)

(Hosted by: The Story Siren) Books to Pine For are books that have yet to be realeased that you're most excited get your hands on. I've never done a BtPF post, and never really read anyone else's. But yesterday I happen to read Kristi's post and found that over half of them interested me.
I created a Goodreads.com profile to help organize the books I've read, would like to read and are currently reading all in one space. I love this site! I'll have all links to the post. (Add/Follow me on goodreads: click here.) My goal is to get up to 200 books (read, to-read, currently reading combined) by the end of the month.
I will link in the end of this blog all of the books that The Story Siren interested me with. (Here is her post. I love how she grouped the colors and themes of the book. I however am just adding them!)

 

The Duff by: Kody Keplinger (Sept. 7th, 2010)

I'm actually not completely interested in this cover, however I was interested in the title and what the book is about. This could very well be a fluff book, but I enjoy the predictable books about the outsider falls for another outsider...et cetera. Yes, I don't mind the predictable books.

Torment (A Fallen Novel) by: Lauren Kate (September 28th, 2010)

I've read Fallen and though I wasn't completely blown away with the book I enjoyed it and I'm ready to see what happens in the next book(s). And I happen to love the cover of both Torment and Fallen.

 

Sea by: Heidi R. Kling (June 10th, 2010)

First of all, if I saw this cover in a store or library I'd pass it over without giving it a second thought. I see a mermaid and the human boy she falls for, or vice versa....but this book has nothing to do with mermaids or much of the ocean for that matter. This book is ahead of it's time even though it won't be published for a few months, it was written about a year ago.

Arson by: Estevan Vega (May 4th, 2010)

I love creepy covers. And this is quite the creepy cover. I honestly don't think I'd think about getting it, but I'd pick it up, admire the cover, and read the book jacket, but I know that I limit myself in the book department. So I'm hoping that this book doesn't let me down.

 

Flash by: Michael Cadnum (April 22nd, 2010)

Again with the creepy cover. I know, I know....but it's intriguing and the guy himself is quite creepy. Reading the summary for this book was a little confusing, but that's why you have to actually read the book. Which I will soon. Hopefully. I could have easily grouped this with Arson. I think next time I'll lay this out more!

Dead in the Family(#10) by: Charlaine Harris (May 4th, 2010)

I currently am in book #8 in Sookie Stackhouse series. I and I'll be buying the ninth soon. I buy these books instead of getting them at the library because they're, (1) so cheap in paperback at Borders(especially with there generous plethora of coupons) and (2) they're quick reads that I'd like to read again and again. But I am loving this cover for it's simple beauty and the fact that it has Sookie and Eric on it...and the book is about family so hopefully we'll finally get to delve into both of their pasts!

Books I'd like to read on The Story Siren's BtPF post:

• Paranormalcy by: Kiersten White (Sept. 21st, 2010)
• Hunger by: Jackie Morse Kessler (Oct. 18th, 2010)
• Please Ignore Vera Dietz by: A.S. King (Oct. 12th, 2010)
• Like Mandarin by: Kirsten Hubbard (March 2011)
• Teenage Waistland by: Lynn Biedermann and Lisa Pazer (Nov. 9th, 2010)

Hopefully you enjoyed this post and in a couple weeks or so I'll do another. And more organized!


*If any of the links are broken you can check them all out on my goodreads profile. The link is in the sidebar under "Follow Me Around"!!

New Blogs coming!!

I've read about "Books to Pine For" on The Story Siren's blog and feel in love with the idea. So I'll be posting one of these blogs soon! I'll have to look for a few upcoming books that really interest me and might just steal a few interesting ones from her. Shhh...
Another blog I'd like to write is one I kind of thought of last night, not too original, but I haven't found a blog that has done it yet. So I'll dare say I'll be hosting this...called "Mass Review". I'll take up to five books (no less than two books) I've read in the last week to month and write a mass blog with a short review on all of the books. :)
If I have more than five, I'll only post the ones that really need a review and simply list the others with a 1-5 star rating.

Excited to start these along with the others:

• In My Mailbox
• Waiting on Wednesday
• In the Theater
• Music Monday
• Etc...

Of course I won't be posting every Monday, Wednesday...etc...but I'll try to write more blogs!!