Sunday, October 24, 2010
In My Mailbox #17
In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren once a week which explores the weekly contents of your mailbox and books bought.
Bought:
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Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/October 19, 2010)
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
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Torment (Fallen #2) by Lauren Kate (Delacorte Books for Young Readers/September 28, 2010)
How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?
Won:
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (Allen & Unwin/May 1, 2010)
'Truth or dare?' She asks.
I hesitate. 'Truth,' I say finally. 'I can imagine one of your dares, and I don't fancy running downOxford Street
'Truth,'Alice
'I think so. Tryme.
'Okay.' And then she looks at me curiously. 'So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?'
Katherine has moved away from her shattered family to start afresh inSydney Alice Alice
An intense and addictive psychological thriller.
I hesitate. 'Truth,' I say finally. 'I can imagine one of your dares, and I don't fancy running down
'Truth,'
'I think so. Try
'Okay.' And then she looks at me curiously. 'So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?'
Katherine has moved away from her shattered family to start afresh in
An intense and addictive psychological thriller.
I’ve heard a lot about Beautiful Malice, apparently there was a bidding war for the publishing rights to the book, so it will be good to finally read it. Plus Rebecca is an Aussie author, I’ve been trying to read more books by Aussie authors. Huge thanks to Strange Candy Reviews for holding the giveaway!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Book Blogger Hop #16 & Follow Friday #10
Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books whilst Follow Friday is hosted by ParaJunkee’s View. ‘The Hop’ and ‘Follow Friday’ are a great way to find other people who love to blog about books just like me! So if you’re interested in participating why not check out both Crazy for Books and ParaJunkee’s View for more information.
Jennifer also asks us hopper’s to answer a new question each week, so today’s question for the Hop is (*drum roll please*):
Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?
It depends on my mood I guess or what it’s like outside. Sometimes I like to read on the couch other times I like to spread out on my bed laying my head on my giant pillow my mum bought me just so I could read in bed. If it’s a nice sunny day outside I am quite partial to reading on a blanket outside just like I wanted to do today, it was such a beautiful day (my fellow Melburnians will understand).
ParaJunkee also asks us follower’s to answer a question each week, so today’s question for the Follow is:
What are you currently reading? Basically, what book is that?
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Currently I am reading Embrace by Jessica Shirvington which is about Angels. I only started reading it last night, I was supposed to read a couple of chapters but the next thing you know I was almost halfway through.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Waiting on Wednesday: The Weight of Bones by Janet Gurtler
Before I get to my “Waiting on Wednesday” pick I’ll just mention that my posting may decrease the next few weeks as I’ve nearly finished uni for the year which means lots of assignments due and exams so I’m going to be pretty busy concentrating on that stuff. I’ll do my best to write a review a week though. I’ve nearly finished Beautiful Darkness so hopefully I will have my review posted by the end of this week. Now with that finished I’ll get back to the good stuff!
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" is:
The Weight of Bones by Janet Gurtler
Release Date: 1st April 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Age Group: Young Adult
“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.
Love the sound of this book, I really enjoy reading about sibling dynamics, I mean change the beautiful, athletic sister into a boy and you have my brother (and yes I’m just like Tess, the smart one, does that sound like I’m a bit up myself?). So basically I’ll be picking myself up a copy of this when it’s released.
Well that’s my “waiting on” pick, what's yours this week?
In My Mailbox #16
In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren once a week which explores the weekly contents of your mailbox and books bought.
For Review:
Anastasia’s Secret by Susanne Dunlap (Penguin Australia/October 25, 2010)
The Romanov family have been ousted from the imperial palace by the Bolsheviks and exiled to Siberia . Life as a privileged member of the Russian Royalty has come to a shattering end.
As the debate about their future rages within the ranks of the newly empowered, Anastasia, youngest daughter of the Tsar Nicholas, discovers love – and with it all the secrets and danger this brings into her strange new life.
Will the strength of that love be enough to save Anastasia from her tragic fate? What happened in the last days of the Romanov family? And did Russia
Thanks to Penguin Australia
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington (Hachette Australia
Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is thatLincoln
After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her forLincoln
Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings forLincoln Phoenix
As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...
I slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day...
Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that
After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for
Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for
As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...
Thanks to Hachette Australia
Won:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (Little, Brown Books For Young Readers/June 1, 2009)
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days inZanzibar Bay
Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in
Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
Huge thanks to the 2009 Debs who held this giveaway after the fracas that was caused when a man by the name of Wesley Scroggins wrote an article declaring Twenty Boy Summer, Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5 and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak to be ‘soft-pornography’ and wanted them banned (personally I find this an absolutely absurd notion, banning books, ridiculous!). This caused an amazing response in the YA book blogosphere and in support of Sarah Ocker, a 2009 Deb herself, the Debs decided to hold a giveaway to celebrate the freedom to read where 100 copies of Twenty Boy Summer were to be given away. I was fortunate enough to win a copy, I can’t wait to read this, it sounds like an amazing novel.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Book Blogger Hop #15 & Follow Friday #9
Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books whilst Follow Friday is hosted by ParaJunkee’s View. ‘The Hop’ and ‘Follow Friday’ are a great way to find other people who love to blog about books just like me! So if you’re interested in participating why not check out both Crazy for Books and ParaJunkee’s View for more information.
Jennifer also asks us hopper’s to answer a new question each week, so today’s question for the Hop is (*drum roll please*):
When you read a book that you just can't get into, do you stick it out and keep reading or move to your next title?
Once I start a book I usually stick it out and keep reading, I’ll only stop reading a book I haven’t finished if I find the book really terrible or very boring and that doesn’t happen that much. Thankfully I haven’t had to stop midway through one of my review books as of yet (touch wood) but I don’t think I’d keep reading a review book if I really didn’t like it, I mean I’d give it another try because it’s a review book, but if it’s still not happening for me I’d stop. For me the whole point in reading something is because you enjoy it, you won’t if you force yourself to read it and your review will reflect this, focusing mostly on the negatives.
ParaJunkee also asks us follower’s to answer a question each week, so today’s question for the Follow is:
What is your reading suggestion this week?
Because this is me and I can never stick to just suggesting one book, I'm going to suggest two books to read which I think is pretty good of me as I could list many more, there are so many good ones!
So the two books that I'm going to recommend are:
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
This is one of my favourite reads of 2010, it's about a girl, Violet, who can sense the dead. The whole concept is so unique and Kimberly is such a masterful storyteller, I was hooked from the first page. Throughout the book we follow Violet as she grapples with her 'gift' whilst also trying to understand her blossoming romantic feelings towards her best friend Jay (who I'm absolutely in love with) and dealing with the fact that a serial killer is on the loose targeting teenage girls and Violet could be next.... I've only just finished reading and reviewing the sequel to The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead, which I loved just as much as the first so if you haven't gotten on The Body Finder band wagon now is the time to start especially before the sequel is released next year.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This classic tale set in the 1800s of a young girl used and abused is a must read. Whilst it is a very emotional read it has some very important themes in it, especially the treatment of women. This book probably isn't for everybody but those of you who are remotely interested I highly recommend reading it, it will stay with you even after you've finished reading it.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
To Buy a Kindle, Or Not To Buy a Kindle: That is the Question
Okay so today is my birthday *squeals of excitement*, and I get to pick my present from my parents, I know great surprise! Anyway I was thinking I should ask for a little thing known as a kindle from Amazon as the Aussie dollar is so high against the US plus they just look so cool but I’m just not sure at the moment, I don’t know if I’d actually use it plus I do like the feel of an actual book, then again I’m running out of room to store my books also I wont have to carry a big book around in my bag whenever I go anywhere.
Basically long story short I’m just not sure if I should get one, so I really need some help from you guys, what do you think, do any of you have an e-reader, if yes do you like it? Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated, I really need your help, thanks!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Waiting on Wednesday: My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" is:
My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher
Release Date: May 10th 2011
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Vanessa is wise beyond her years. She's never really fit in at school, where all the kids act and dress the same. She's an artist who expresses her talent in the wacky colors she dyes her hair, her makeup and clothes. She's working on her biggest art project, and counting the days until she's grown up and can really start living. That adult world seems closer when Vanessa gets her dream job at the art supply store, Palette, where she worships the couple who runs it, Oscar and Maye. And she's drawn to a mysterious guy named James, who leads her into new, sometimes risky situations. Is she ready for this world, or not?
Firstly I have to thank Kristi at The Story Siren for bringing this book to my attention in her latest Books to Pine For post.
What first got me interested in this book was not the fascinating blurb but the cover, can you say gorgeous, love it! But of course the blurb does make the book sound like it will be a really interesting read, I especially love it when the protagonist in a book is a little quirky and Vanessa sounds like she definitely is.
Well that’s my “waiting on” pick, what's yours this week?
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