Teaser Tuesday

Today's Teaser Tuesday is from Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbel.

Teaser (pg. 51)
"You don't smoke and that's okay. But if you don't learn to drink coffee, you'll never fit in."


Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Bookcases

So, I have nearly 250 books and one bookcase. They are so crammed and cluttered it isn't even funny. Fortunately I did win one a while back but even then, I'll still be in need of more space since books are constantly coming in. Plus my mom has about 150 of her own and no bookcase. So I've been looking around trying to find a book case I liked for a decent price. I found one at Office Depot that I really liked. Especially the color.There prices aren't too bad and plus, if you live near an Office Depot, you can get the bookcase shipped directly to your local store. Plus I can save even more by using Office Depot coupons. Not bad. Definitely something I'll need to think about if I happen to get some extra money.

Awesome Contest Ending Soon (Part 2)

~Bree Despain author of The Dark Divine~

Details

~Prize:

*Grand Prize: 3 Egmont books of their choice from list.

*2nd Prize: signed copies of Forest Born and Book of a Thousand Days.

*3rd Prize: a signed copy of The Prophecy of the Sisters

~Ends: TONIGHT at 11:59pm

~Extra Entries available

Click here to enter

~Strange and Random Happenstance~

Details

~Prize: The Other Boelyn Girl

~Ends: Spetember 30th

~Open to: Everyone

~Extra Entries Available

Click here to enter

~Opinionated? Me?~

Details

~Prize: Devoured by Amanda Marrone

~Ends: October 3rd

~Open to: ?

~Extra Entries Available

Click here to enter

1. What's your favourite book of the year and the most disappointing book of the year so far and why?

Well I've had two books this year that run really close to being my all time faves for 2010 so far. The first is Paranormalcy by Kiersten White which was just such a fun, refreshing story with great characters, plot...well...everything.The second is Ghost Ride by Marina Cohen. It was short but full of suspense and a spine-chilling story. The writing was very beautifully done as well.

Most disappointing book so far this year would have to be Firelight by Sophie Jordan. (I see you all out there and don't give me that look.) I was expecting something far more original and exciting than what I got. Though the writing was well done, I felt the characters were a bit mediocre, the romance fell flat, and the plot ended up being more about Jacinda adjusting to a new school and life than about her and the Draki pride. I just expected to love and adore this book and only ended up liking it a little instead of even a lot.

3. Are followers important to you? Are you always aware of how many you have and do you ever set goals for how many followers you'd like to have or are you more relaxed?

I do pay very close attention to my follower count and feel followers are important to me. Whenever I lose a follower it kinda breaks my heart because you don't really have any way of knowing why they left. Then I get over it and just tell myself that I must just be too much awesome for them to handle. lol. Just kidding. Truth is, sometimes we bloggers do nothing wrong and people just leave our blogs anyway. That being said, I also do a happy dance every time I gain a follower because I love all you guys so much and appreciate the fact that you care about what I have to say! *hugs* I also always have a goal as I feel goals are what keep you striving to do better. Since I recently hit 750, my next goal is 800.

4. Are you one of these super organised people who writes their posts ahead of time and schedule them for the week or do you just post as and when you have time to write things?

Honestly it's a combination for me. At one time a few weeks a go I had about nine posts scheduled. I used to be bad about typing posts the day before or the same day as I planned to post them. But back in August, something changed. My gran died and maybe it was the stress that sent me into a post typing overload. Now I practically always have posts typed and scheduled ahead of time except for those occasional spur of the moment things or IMM which you can't really do ahead of time.

5. What kind of covers appeal to you? Do you like subtle, unimposing covers or do you prefer them garish and glittery? What are a few of your favourite covers?

I am a total cover whore and my taste in covers is very eclectic. Some of my favorite covers are: Her and Me and You by Lauren Strasnick; A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler; Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly; Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick; Steel by Carrie Vaughn; Montacute House by Lucy Jago. You can find a list of all my favorite covers HERE.

6. What are a few of your blog aspirations for the next few months? Do you want to hit a certain amount of followers or post a certain number of reviews?

Well let's see. By the end of the year I'm hoping to have maybe around 900 followers. I know, that's really ambitious since that means I'll need 150 more but we will see. I am also hoping to maybe post about 20-25 more reviews by the end of the year but I plan on reading way more books than that, I'll just have reviews of books I read this year end up posting beginning of next year since I don't like overcrowding my posts.

7. Do you do your own graphics for your blog? If not, where do you get your backgrounds, etc from? Are you good at HTML or do you find the whole thing to be a bit of a pain?

My blog is kind of a mixed bag of my own stuff and stuff from websites. My background came from a website called Pyzam and is the same one I've always had. My official blog button was created with a picture from photobucket and I just added The Book Pixie. Now, my header, page buttons, and post signature were all created by me using one of my own photographs. HTML can be a bit of a pain but I'm good with the easier stuff and some of the moderate as well. Some of my HTML I've done on my own and some I've had help with from other bloggers.

8. Do you normally request books you want to review or do you wait to be approached? How long had you been blogging before you requested a book/were approached about reviewing a book?

Ok so about 95% of the time I just wait to be approached because I have too many review books and would feel guilty for requesting them. The only book I've requested lately has been from Holt InGroup. The story of how I got my first review book is a tad embarressing. When I started blogging, I was very anxious and overly eager to start reviewing for people and had already gotten quite a few old reviews posted with most everything situated. A week or two into blogging, there was one book in particular that I was dying to read and I was so bold, and stupid, as to email the author. The book was Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle. She was very nice and polite and told me that once I'd been blogging atleast a month and/or had 50 followers, to email her again. It took me about a month exactly to get 50 followers and I emailed her back. She was impressed with my progress and thus, my first review book.

9. How do you organise your books? Alphabetically or by genre/TBR list? Or do you just throw them onto the shelves and hope for the best?

My books are first organized by format. My hardcovers are together, then my paperbacks, then my massmarkets. Then each format section is arranged alphabetically by authors' last names. Then books by the same author are organized by publication year, oldest to newest. I'm thinking of reintegrating my hardcovers with my regular paperbacks but still plan to keep the massmarkets seperate. XD

10. What are your other passions besides books?

I have one other very significant passion, one that just might overide my passion for books. I am an amateur photographer. I first became interested in photography a little over four years ago but only became really serious about it around three years ago. I have both a Facebook page and website, Briana McNair Photography, for my work if anyone would like to check it out.

11. What's your opinion of Twitter and what changes do you think it's made to blogging?

I absolutely love twitter and feel it is one of the ultimate tools to getting the word out about your blog, posts, and contests. I know a lot of my followers I've probably got from twitter from where either I tweeted about my blog or someone else did and I've found several new blogs to follow thanks to twitter. Plus, it makes it easy for me to chat with some of my blog buddies, author friends, and readers because while we may not share an IM messaging program, we practically all have a twitter. And it's a great way of staying up to date on bookish news. My twitter name is @thebookpixie

12. What exciting things do you have coming up on your blog that we can look out for?

Well I don't know about exciting really. I'll be turning 18 in November so I'll probably do something pretty big in celebration of that. Also, I got some great 2011 titles that I plan on reviewing soon and there will definitely be other contests.

In My Mailbox (16)

In My Mailbox

I only got four books this week but atleast that is better than none.

For Review

~ARC of Lockdown: Escape from Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith

~Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox

Bought

~The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

~Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Was super excited to get this. Plus I only payed a total of $8.49 for it :D)

Awesome Contests Ending Soon (Part 1)

~Lori at Pure Imagination~

Details

~Prize: A signed copy of Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

~Ends: Spetember 25th

~Open to: US and Canada only

~Extra Entries Available

Note:

If she gets 100 followers before the end of the giveaway she will pick a second winner and you get to choose a book from this list:

Meridian - Amber Kizer

Wings - Aprilynne Pike

The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson

Revealers - Amanda Marrone

Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr

Distant Waves - Suzanne Weyn

The Looking Glass Wars - Frank Beddor

Click here to enter

~Bookin' With Bingo~

Details

--BOOKIN' WITH BINGO is having an EXTRAVAGANT BINGO BOOKCASE GIVEAWAY sponsored by CSN STORES who sell everything from fireplaces to office furniture. Stop by and enter by 6 PM, EST, on September 26th.

Click here to enter

~Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century~

Details

~Prize: Signed copy of Willow by Julia Hoban

~Ends: September 26th at 8pm CST

~Open to: US and Canada only

~Extra Entries Available

Click here to enter

~Jen Nadol author of The Mark~

Details

~Prize: ARC of The Mark

~Ends: September 27th

~Open to: International!

~Must be 13 years of age or older

~Extra entries available

Click here to enter

~B.A.M. Book Reviews~

Details

~Prize: A Maximum Ride Prize Pack of 8 books. 2 winners

~Ends: September 28th

~Open to: Legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24th, 2009.

~Extra Entries available

Click here to enter

Review: Running on the Cracks

Running on the Cracks by Julia Donaldson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub. Date: September 15th
Pages: 224
Age Level: YA

Synopsis
Leo’s running from her past. Finlay’s running into trouble. Together, they stumble into a crazy new world of secrets, lies, and Chinese food.

But someone is on Leo’s trail . . .

Eccentric, unforgettable characters and genuine, heart-pounding suspense make for a stunning combination as celebrated author Julia Donaldson expands her talents in her first novel for young adults.

Review
I must say that this book really surprised me. When I got the email from Holt InGroup, I recognized the book, from where I can't remember, and it sounded good so I requested it. However, I didn't really have any expectataions for it. Especially considering Julia Donaldson wrote only children's books before this. So I was, of course, astonished by the immediate attachment I developed with this book.

Running on the Cracks was quirky and suspenseful but also heartfelt and touching. I definitely have to agree with the back of the book when it refers to the characters as eccentric and unforgettable. I just absolutely loved them. Leo was an intelligent and realistic character who was easy to relate to. Finlay was funny in a sweet innocent kind of way and a terrific friend to Leo. Then there is Mary, whom you can't help but have a soft spot for.

This book was very well written and I felt pulled in from the very first page. I loved the alternating perspectives and found it interesting how Julia wrote Leo in first person and Finlay in third person. The funny thing is that I didn't even notice this until I was well into the book.

The ending was excellent. I had an idea of how things would probably end but Julia still had one more surprise for me.

Running on the Cracks is a very unique and memorable book. A gripping plot, intriguing characters, and well crafted writing make this book a stunning debut YA novel from Julia Donaldson. This is definitely a favorite and I hope to see more YA books from her in the future. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. So if you haven't read it, I highly suggest that you do.

Grade
Characters: A+
Writing: A-
Plot: A
Ending: A
Cover: A-
Recommendable: A+

Overall: A


Buy this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Borders
Overstock
The Book Depository

P.S. To save a little money, don't forget to use an Overstock coupon.

Review: Give Up the Ghost

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub. Date: September 15th, 2009
Pages: 256
Age Level: 14+

Synopsis
Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts to 'breathers.' Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody . . . and Cass loves dirt.

She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of all of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her help to contact his recently deceased mother, but Cass is less than enthusiastic.

Kicking and screaming, Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life. And she's more surprised than anyone when she realizes that maybe some living people aren't so bad if she'd only give them a chance.

Review
My first thought when I began reading this book was,"Oh my gosh, Cass sounds just like me!" This isn't exactly a good thing, the whole I don't give a darn attitude. Though it worked for her as a character. I also later discovered we actually had a lot in common. I know all to well what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you thought was your friend. In the end, Cass was a witty, realistic, and relateable character whom I really enjoyed. Her relationship with her mom and how it changed was a touching element addition to this book.

As for Tim, well I just liked him okay. I know his mother died, but he seemed too whiny and a little selfish. I don't know, I just didn't really care for him. He didn't seem to develop much through out the story either. However I really liked the ghosts. They may have only been minor characters but they were funny and entertaining. And Danielle, well she just didn't make since to me.

In general, I thought Give Up the Ghost had an original plot that grabbed my attention, though I sometimes felt that there was something missing. Though the book had a paranormal aspect to it, the book wasn't centered around it. I found it was more character driven and I liked that. It was fast paced without being rushed and the ending fit well. Though I was disappointed to see that, unlike Cass, Tim hadn't really changed much since the beginning.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read. I probably will eventually re-read it and I would definitely like to get my ARC replaced with a finished copy. :P

Grade
Characters: B
Writing: B-
Plot: B
Ending: B-
Cover: B-
Recommendable: B

Overall: B-

Waiting on Wednesday

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Publisher: MTV Books

Release Date: July 2010

Age Level: YA

Synopsis

Zoey’s life in her Florida beach resort town is happy and organized. She’s the captain of her high school swim team, and she works for her dad at his popular water park. Then her dad has an affair with one of his employees, and her mother has a breakdown. But Zoey begins a committed relationship with a hot lifeguard, which makes her feel stable, even if things aren’t perfect at home. Everything is still under control.

Until she has a car accident that she can’t remember. She should have been with her boyfriend that night, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about the accident—and he doesn’t seem to care. The person who does care, and knows more than he’s telling, is Doug, Zoey’s darkly handsome arch-enemy who saved her from the wreckage. As Zoey begins to piece together what happened that night, she finds her sense of control over her life was only an illusion. And she inches closer to discovering the darkest secret of all: why Doug has fallen in love with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book sounds absolutely amazing! I have heard some amazing things about Going Too Far which I own but haven't read. I know shame on me. XD If this is too be the background image for the actual cover then it is gorgeous.

Check out Jennifer Echols website and blog.

Teaser Tuesday

Today's teaser is from Running on the Cracks by Julia Donaldson

Teaser (pg.141):

"Well, it's your fault, Mum. You shouldn't be so good at English!"

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

So far, I'm quite enjoying this book, to my surprise really. I may even buy myself a finished copy.

Buy:
Amazon
Borders (Don't forget your Borders coupon codes)
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
Overstock

Author website:
Julia Donaldson

Blog Tour: Dreaming Anastasia Review

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Pub. Date: Spetember 1, 2009
Pages: 320
Age Level: YA

Synopsis
What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

Review
Dreaming Anastasia was a captivating novel that kept me on the edge, wondering what was going to happen next. The story was a perfect combination of fantasy/folklore and history. At times, some of the motives for things seemed a little unclear or confusing but it all seemed to work itself out. The Romanov family is a great interest of mine so I was very glad to be able to read this book. (I found myself putting down the book to go look up Russian laquer boxes on my computer so I could see what they looked like. I think I'm going to start collecting them.)

I enjoyed the characters and loved getting to read the different point of views. I felt that this element made the book even better. I thought the relationship and level of trust between Anne and Ethan was practical and well developed. It wasn't something that was just, BAM, there.

As far as the ending is concerned, I can't help but wonder what is going to happen with Ethan and Anne. Other than that I thought it was a suitable and well rounded ending.

All in all, I think Dreaming Anastasia is an engrossing, thrilling read that anyone could enjoy. If you haven't read it yet, I strongly suggest that you do.

Grade
Characters: B+
Writing: B
Plot: B+
Ending: B
Cover: A
Recommendable: B+

Overall: B+

I would now like to take a brief moment to apologize to Joy and everyone else for being late posting this review. As most of you know, there was a death in my family. I fell behind and things just got out of hand there for a while. Plus I was busy with other stuff as well. Still, I'm sorry and hope you will all forgive me.

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox

This includes books from this week and last since I was unable to do my IMM last Saturday.

Last Week

For Review

~ARC of Running on the Cracks by Julia Donaldson (For Review)

~Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble (For Review)

BookMooch

~Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel

~Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

Contests

~Rampant Bookmark (Won at Cornucopia of Reviews)

~Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron (Won at Book Giveaways)

This Week

Bought
~Impossible by Nancy Werlin

BookMooch

~Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall

From Melanie at Melanie's Musings

~Going too Far by Jennifer Echols

~Never Slow Dance with a Zombie Bookmark

~Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Contests

~The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson (Won at Mrs. Magoo Reads)

~Signed! The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (Won at Brodi Ashton)
~ Signed! The Family Bones by Kimberly Raiser and a couple bookmarks (Won at Bookworming in the 21st Century)

From Michelle Moran

~Bookmarks and two signed bookplates

Winner!!!

The winner of my 100 followers Giveaway for a copy of Ballads of Suburbia has been chosen.

I know you are probably all dying to know who it is so I won't draw this out like last time :P

*drumroll*

And the winner is........

Sandy from Pirate Penguin's Reads

Sandy, you should be receiving an email very soon. You will have 48 hours to reply or I will have to choose another winner. Again, Congrats! :D

A Great Find

I have noticed that when most people buy books online, they always shop at the really big well known websites. For example: Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc. Truth be told, on the rare ocassion that I purchase books online, those are the places I get mine. However, I got to looking around on the internet and stumbled across something I thought ya'll might be interested in.

It is called Overstock.com and they have tons of YA books for lower prices. I was browsing around on there and found The Hunger Games and Catching Fire for only $9.99 and City of Glass for only $9.79. Then there is 13 Reasons Why for only $8.79. That is a hardcover people!This website is a lot cheaper than other places and it is not like there is anything wrong with the books. There were just too many. Hence the name Overstock. There shipping prices are also cheaper, only $2.95 no matter what or how much you order.

Here is the link to a bunch of their YA books between $5 and $10 http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/Young-Adult/(5,10),/price,/6252/subcat.html

You can also save even more by using Overstock coupons

You really can't beat those prices people. You can be sure that I'm going to start using Overstock.com to get books from.

200 Followers Contest (CLOSED!!!)

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
What really happened to Anastasia Romanov? Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead. In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college - until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contest details:

~One lucky winner will win a copy of Dreaming Anastasia and a SIGNED Poster!

How to Enter(required):
~Leave a comment with a valid e-mail address. No e-mail address, no entry. (If you are uncomfortable leaving your e-mail in a comment, then e-mail it to me.)
~This contest is for followers only. If you don't follow my blog and want to enter, then look to your left and click that cute little button that says 'Follow'. :P
~Please leave all entries in ONE comment.

Extra entries:
+1 New followers
+2 Old followers (if you were following before this post)
+1 Follow my photography blog, From Briana's Point of View
+1 Linking to my contest on your blog, twitter, etc. MUST INCLUDE LINKS (up to 5)
+3 For posting about my contest on your blog. (Must be actual post)
+4 Add my blog button on your blog.

This contest is open only to the US and Canada! It will end October 2nd at 11:59 pm Eastern time. Winner will be annoucnced October 3rd. The winner's information will be forwarded to the publisher. Good luck and happy entering!

An Apology And A Couple Updates

I would just like to say I'm sorry for my inactivity as of late. I became very busy last week and then my great aunt passed away on Friday so the majority of my time has been spent away from home and a computer. I hope to have two new reviews up this week and I'll be posting a contest in honor of my 200 followers later today. With any luck, things will return to normal very soon.

I'm sad to say I won't have the opportunity to participate much in BBAW. However I will list my favorite 5 bloggers/blogs. I'd list ten but I'm afraid I'm trying to get ready to go somewhere while typing this. It isn't much but it is better than nothing.

1. Taschima/Bloody Bookaholic

2. Laina/Laina Has Too Much Spare Time

3. Briana/ B.A.M. Book Reviews

4. Sandy/ Pirate Penguin's Reads

5. Sarbear/ My Life is an Effin' Fairy Tale

Also, R.I.P. Patrick Swayze. You were a very talented man and you will be greatly missed.

"Nobody puts baby in a corner."

8th Anniversary of 9-11

(Please turn off your music players and listen to what is on my blog just this once.)

Today is the 8th Anniversary of 9-11. The day when terrorists attacked the USA by flying passanger planes into the twin towers, killing thousands of people. I am posting this picture (though it is far from great) in memory of those who were taken and in honor of their friends and family. 9-11 was a nightmare come true and will never be forgotten.

I can remember the day it happened like it was yesterday. I was in 3rd grade when Mr. Cowart came into music class and told us the news. I was the only one who cried and sometimes I wonder if any of the others truly understood just what the attack meant. I can remember the number countdown from 10 to 1 on the news when they annoucnced that we were at war. The chill of fear that went down my spine when I saw and heard that is something I'll never forget.

In 7th grade, I got to visit Ground Zero when my Discovery class went to NY. It is impossible to explain how it felt to stand there, knowing what had happened. The piece of metal in my picture was found in the shape of a cross among the rubble after the attack. Some people believe God wasn't there, but I believe this cross is proof He was. Many survivors remember feeling like they were being led out of the burning towers by people who weren't really there or by an unseen presence. My papa (grandfather) died the year before on September 15th, four days before my mom's birthday. He was a war veteran and we all knew that if hadn't have died from RA, 9-11 would have killed him for sure. I like to believe, and maybe this is childish, that God brought my papa to heaven so he could help lead people out of the towers.

I know some of you aren't exactly the religious sort, but for those of you who are I would like to ask you to take a couple of minutes to say a prayer. Everyone else, I only ask that you take a brief, or long, moment of silence to remember those who were lost and all others affected by this attack. Whether you are American or not, it doesn't matter. I would like to thank you all for stopping by and taking the time to read this. God bless America.

God bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Book News: Cover alerts!

As some of you may know, the cover for Jen Nadol's The Mark has changed. I must say that I'm kind of glad for this change. I wasn't overly crazy about the old cover and it was the exact same, only with different colors, as The Girl with the Mermaid Hair. Plus I think the new on is even better. Great colors, image, font. Have a look for yourself.

The Mark (Old Cover)

The Girl with the Mermaid Hair

The Mark (New Cover)

Also, the cover for Some Girls Are has been revealed.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Synopsis
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.
Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.
Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Personally, I love this cover. I like the simple font and the picture fits very well with the premise of the book.

To Preorder The Mark or Some Girls Are click one of the links below:

Amazon (TM) - Amazon (SGA)

Barnes & Noble (SGA)

Borders (TM) - Borders (SGA) (Get your Borders coupon codes to save)

For trade: Dreaming Anastasia ARC and Paperback of Suite Scarlett

I now have a finished copy of Dreaming Anastasia so I'm willing to trade my ARC! I'll even throw in some swag. Email me if interested. Here are some books I'd really love to get. I may consider others but these I really want. I also have a spare paperback of Suite Scarlett.

Hardcover:
The Stolen One
The Princess and the Hound
Radiant Darkness
Nobody's Princess
Jumping Off Swings
A Sweet Disorder
The Red Queen's Daughter
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Graceling
The Swan Kingdom
I am Rembrandt's Daughter
Ophelia
Magic Study
Guitar Girl
Sisters in Sanity

Paperback:

Strange Angels

Going Too Far

Impossible
Cracked Up to Be
My Soul to Take

To Catch a Pirate

The Dust of 100 Dogs

Waiting on Wednesday

The Returners by Gemma Malley
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Release Date: Feburary 1, 2010
Pages: 320
Age Level: YA

Synopsis
Will Hodge's life is a mess! His mother is dead, he has no friends and he thinks he is being followed by a strange group of people who tell him they know him. But Will can't remember them ...at first. And when he does he doesn't like what he can remember. While Will is struggling with unsettling memories, he learns that his past is a lot deeper than many people's, and he has to find out if he is strong enough to break links with the powerful hold that history has on him. This compelling novel, set in alternate future, challenges readers to consider the role we all have to play in making our society, and asks how much we are prepared to stand up for what's right.

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This sounds like a thrilling read and I can't wait to have a chance to read it.

Review: Bewitching Season

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub. Date: April 29, 2008
Pages: 352
Age Level: YA

Synopsis
In 1837 London, young daughters of viscounts pined for handsome, titled husbands, not careers. And certainly not careers in magic. At least, most of them didn't.

Shy, studious Persephone Leland would far rather devote herself to her secret magic studies than enter society and look for a suitable husband. But right as the inevitable season for "coming out" is about to begin, Persy and her twin sister discover that their governess in magic has been kidnapped as part of a plot to gain control of the soon-to-be Queen Victoria. Racing through Mayfair ballrooms and royal palaces, the sisters overcome bad millinery, shady royal spinsters, and a mysterious Irish wizard. And along the way, Persy learns that husband hunting isn't such an odious task after all, if you can find the right quarry.

Review
A combination of historical fiction, fantasy and a touch of romance, Bewitching Season is the enchanting and magical debut novel of a very promising author. Marissa Doyle expertly intertwined various elements and side stories into one great and wonderful read. I was hooked on this book from the very first sentence, which, by the way, must be one of the best opening lines into a book that I’ve ever happened across.

“My God, Persy, you killed him!” (pg.1)

I must say, I absolutely adored the characters. I really don’t think I could have asked or expected any more from them. The twins were very likeable, realistic heroines. That is, as realistic as you can be when you know and practice magic. Even though I loved the sisters, I feel it was their little brother Charles who really added that extra something to the book. The other characters were believable and well developed.

As some of you may know, having heard me mention this in past reviews, I’m not a fan of third person narration. However, Doyle wrote Bewitching Season so beautifully and in such a way, allowing me to acquire and maintain a close connection with the characters, that I wasn’t in the least bit bothered by it. Magic aside, this story and its setting had a very authentic feel to it, making it obvious that Marissa Doyle definitely did her research on the time period. One thing I would have liked to have seen, however, would have been a better glimpse into what was happening with Ally, the governess, during the story. I was teased with a couple of scenes from her perspective and was left wanting more.

The ending was so nicely tied up that Bewitching Season could have easily been a stand-alone title. However, I still would have always wondered what went on to happen to the characters so I’m very pleased the author wrote a second book.

Bewitching Season is a great, entertaining novel and I am so glad to have had the pleasure of reading it. Saying that I can’t wait to read Betraying Season would be a bit of an understatement as I have already started it. I will definitely be reading this book again in the future. So if you happen to be a fan of historical fiction or fantasy, run, don‘t walk, to your nearest bookstore or library and get this book.

Grade
Characters: A-
Writing: B+
Plot: A-
Ending: B+
Cover: A-
Recommendable: A-
Series: A

Overall: A-

Teaser Tuesday

This week's teaser tuesday is from Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle.

Teaser (pg. 47):

"Do you want me to poke it?" Pen took the fork and examined it dubiously.


Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

R U Kidding Me?!!! (Twilight fanatics, avert your eyes. This could get ugly.)

Defining Twilight: Vocabulary Workbook for Unlocking the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT
Can you resist the allure of Edward’s myriad charms—his ochre eyes and tousled hair, the cadence of his speech, his chiseled alabaster skin, and his gratuitous charm? Will you hunt surreptitiously and tolerate the ceaseless deluge in Forks to evade the sun and uphold the facade? Join Edward and Bella as you learn more than 600 vocabulary words to improve your score on the *SAT, ACT®, GED®, and SSAT® exams!

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Um, am I the only one who finds this just a tad bit ridiculous. I mean come on people. I admit I somewhat enjoyed these books. Kind of a love/hate releationship really, with a touch more hate. I seem to recall thinking these books were poorly written and over used the more complicated words like 'chagrin'. I mean, what teenager uses that word, especially as much as Bella did. The vocabulary usage was done poorly and very impractically.

What is the world coming to when the only way you can get a college bound student to study vocabulary is to tie it in with Twilight? If a student is truly serious about studying for the SAT, or other exams, then why not just get a study book from College Board or something? Or better yet, ask your counseler if they have a list of vocabulary words that they can give you. And please don't give me the excuse that this 'Defining Twilight' book would be more 'fun'.

Another thing, this whole Twilight thing has seriously just gone too far. They are even re-doing the covers of bestselling classics just so Twilight fanatics will pick them up to read. Books such as Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights and Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet have been in print for centuries. I can't seem to grasp why they need Bella and Edward's name on them to make people pick them up.

Couldn't remember where I saw the Romeo and Juliet one so I couldn't post it.

The world has totally and completely lost it. Sorry but I had to get this out. I realize I'll probably get some nasty little comments for this post but hey, it is a free country and it is my blog. I'll post what I want. I don't expect you all to share my views no more then you should expect that of me.

Have a happy Labor Day! :D

In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox

Well I must say, I had quite a good week this week. As far as books are concerned anyway. I've had terrible trouble with my migraines off and on lately, especially the night before last. I'm afraid I've gotten behind in my reading and reviews and I hope you can all forgive me.

For Review

~Sliding on the Edge by C. Lee McKenzie (Signed!)

~Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbel

~I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert

~Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay

From Contests

~ARC of Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (Won from Hope at Hope's Bookshelf)

~Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (Won from Amelia at Books Love Us)

~ARC of The Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (Won from Donna at Bites)

From Katie

~Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

~Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

From BookMooch

~Bass Ackwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain

~Forever by Judy Blume

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Release Date: May 2010

Pages: 320

Age Level: YA

Synopsis

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush. Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life. When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

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I saw this posted on Tera Lynn Child's blog page and fell in love with the cover and premise. I got a feeling this will be a great book.

A Winner Has Been Chosen

My contest for an ARC of Snap has come to a close and a winner has been chosen..........

So, how are ya'll doin' tonight? Read any good books lately? I hope ya'll have a wonderful September and in case you didn't know Donna over at Bites has declared this month Banned Book Month. Shoot her an email if you plan to participate. :D

Now I know there was something else I was supposed to mention. Hmmmm.....let me see. Ah, now I remember.

I just saved 15% on car insurance by switching to Geico!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, by the way, the winner of the ARC of Snap is .............

Reggie

Reggie, you have 48 hrs to contact me with your mailing address. If I don't hear from you soon, then I'll send you an email.