Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#1)


 This is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine.

Have you ever just gone on Goodreads and looked at all the upcoming books? Practically drool over some of them? I have, SO much. That's why this event is one I can really relate to. Here's the book I'm waiting for this week!

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test, #2)Kate Winters has won immortality.
But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.
Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.


As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.
g
Releases in paperback,
on March 27th, 2012.
304 pgs.
This is the second book in the Goddess Test series. I highly recommend reading the first one, The Goddess Test, it's one of my favorites! You can read my review of it here. (:

A Past Favorite

I'm sure everyone has one book, of a few, that they can read over and over again and never get sick of them. Like Harry Potter for example! I bet a lot of people could agree with me if that is the book in question. But today I'm going to show you a different book that has been a favorite of mine since it first came out. My copy is well-worn by now, but that doesn't stop me from diving into the story yet again.

It's a Mall World After All by Ja

It's a Mall World After AllIt's too bad they don't give out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, because I could graduate with honors in that subject. No really. Since I've worked there, I've become an expert on all things shopping-related. For example, I can tell you right off who to distrust at the mall:

1) Skinny people who work at Cinnabon. I mean, if they're not eating the stuff they sell, how good can it be?
2) The salesladies at department store makeup counters. No matter what they tell you, buying all that lip gloss will not make you look like the pouty models in the store posters.
3) And most importantly--my best friend's boyfriend, Bryant, who showed up at the food court with a mysterious blonde draped on his arm.

Yeah, I saw it, and yeah, I told my best friend all about it.

You would think this would mean trouble for Bryant, but you would basically be wrong. Somehow, the evil boyfriend turned everything around, and now I'm the one who has to prove myself! But I will. Even if Bryant--and more importantly his best friend, Colton--keep trying to stop me.

This is a kiddie book, as that was my age when I first read it. Don't let that stop you from reading it if you're a teen or adult! It's a simple story with a happy ending. You got some high school drama, and party-crashing all rolled together in this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a short & sweet read!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Follow Friday (#1)


This weekly event is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read, so click here for all the specifics of this week's event! (:

The activity for this week is to take a picture or describe your favorite spot to read. My favorite spot to read is my bed! I have a lot of blankets and pillows, and my bed is right against the window, so it's really nice to be able to just look out and see the woods. I also read on the ground, in the living room, outside, (when I feel like it) and really anywhere with a ground!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Review: The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

The Juliet Spell
Published in 2011 by Harlequin Teen
This book was fun and great for any Shakespeare fan. The story took place from the eyes of Miranda, a girl desperate to win the part of Juliet in her high school play. When she realizes she isn't going to get it, she does a spell from a book she bought and wishes to be Juliet. Instead of being Juliet, she gets someone from Romeo & Juliet thrust into her kitchen out of no where. And that person is Edmund Shakespeare, William's younger brother.

Warning: I had many conflicting emotions toward this book. I think my main issue with this book was how it was written. Edmund's dialogue was in old English with all 'Ye's, and it does add character, but it is extremely annoying for the reader. I feel like character wise, with all of the characters, we saw barely any development. Miranda is still blind-eyed at the end of the book, Edmund just adapted for survival. Drew and Bobby were good, but I didn't really see a need for them to even be involved in the book as much as they were. There were random science bits, that I'm not ashamed at all to admit confused me. The end of the book left me completely unsatisfied as well. It was obvious that the character was too. *sigh*

Focusing on the bright side, it was really fun to read a book written from this point of view. The reader has the ability to hear about everything in the theater world, from directing, sets, stage cues, and even cast parties. Edmund was very charming and easy to read about (if you ignore his dialogue, which I managed to.) I loved the historic notes and the mysterious Doctor Dee.

I recommend it to Shakespeare fans, theater fans, and to someone looking for a romance novel.


3/5 Stars

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Review: Pride & Popularity by Jenni James

Pride & Popularity
Published in 2011 by Inkberry Press -- 240 pg 





This book is a modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's classic, Pride & Prejudice. Seen through the eyes of a 17 yr old, Chloe Elizabeth Hart. Throughout the book her main goal is to not fall in love with the 'local hero' Taylor Anderson. I have not actually read the original. It's on my to-read list, because the only one I've read so far is Northanger Abbey. So please take note in that with my review!


It took me a long time to get into this book. Chloe was a fine enough protagonist, she was very harsh to her surroundings in the most part of the book. My main issue with that was she had no reason. There was no back story to why she distrusted Taylor, other than he was like any other popular guy. Alyssa and Madison were okay as Chloe's best friends, but they seemed like giggling worship robots to Taylor. What I'm trying to say is, there were no backgrounds to any of these characters so I had a hard time connecting. Collin was my favorite, just because he was so nerdy and awkward. The book really picked up near the end, with a climatic run to the park so Chloe could save her sister. 


The writing style of the author was different than others. There was a lot of italicized thoughts, which did get on my nerves. As well as many references to the Bible (don't get me wrong, I have nothing against that.) 'like manna from heaven' But I didn't know it was religious going in. 


I enjoyed the book otherwise. The premise of having a clean book with nothing risque was really refreshing, and definitely a great breather from some other YA books. I recommend this to fans of Jane Austen, or anyone looking for something clean and sweet.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Beach Reads


This week is my school-vacation, and I've been visiting my sister at her college. To make this story shorter, her school is located on a beach! This gave me the inspiration to read a few books just bursting with sand (in more ways than one!) 
I finished these following books less than a day ago. Not only are they both my newest favorites, they're filled with emotional depth. Check them out now!

Twenty Boy SummerAccording to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. 





Amazing. The quote on the front of this book described my ultimate feeling towards it. It cracked my heart into sand multiple times and sent me reeling towards the finish line. 

I know the title is weird to some, but it doesn't even begin to explain the depth in this book. Anna and Frankie are so grief-stricken you can't help but be sympathetic from afar but also at the same time, misty-eyed yourself at the horrors they have been through. Anna was a protagonist to remember, and the story is one I'll never forget. There are so many quotes I'd hate to forget, I need to go write them down somewhere! 

The bottom line is, it was truly a sad story. Throughout it, we were provided hope. I'm being cliché, but it had the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel feel. Matt's tragic death is the base, but it doesn't totally focus on it. We are exposed to the way people respond to such tremendous grief, which is extremely eye-opening to those who haven't been IRL exposed to it. You, the reader, feel the emotions the characters are going through and definitely experience a small fragment of their sadness. The writing is magnificent and 100% percent worth any tissues you may use.





The Summer of Skinny Dipping (Summer, #1)After she's snubbed by her snooty cousins in the Hamptons, 16-year-old Mia Gordon meets next-door-neighbor Simon. And from the very first time he encourages Mia to go skinny dipping, she's caught in a current impossible to resist.


Published in 2010 by Amanda Howells (Sourcebook Fire)





So this book is amazing. I recommend it to anyone, but you should know going in that it is not a light read. I didn't know what to expect, and it hit me pretty hard. The paperback blurb is very vague, and I didn't read any reviews before going into it. 

My main issue with the book was its lack of plot. It was a romance story, armed with two dysfunctional families. The fact it didn't come with a plot was minor in my case, but it's always a personal opinion. I really got into it around the ending. The first half of the book was enjoyable to me, but not compelling until (as I said) the end. Give it a chance, it's so worth it. 

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Spotlight on: MTV Publishing

I seriously think MTV books are underrated. The books come in an array of different authors and stories, but they all tackle real problems (especially teen problems.) I've only read a few, but each one just made me want to read more. Sure they aren't the most grand literary work out there, but they are fun to read--and what's wrong with that?! Here's a few I definitely recommend:

It's Not about the Accent
It's Not About the Accent by Caridad Ferrer

I read this a few years ago, and it's a book that has stuck with me. This book deals with a few taboo subjects (at least fairly in the ya world) and has set high expectations with me towards other books.





Life as a Poser (The 310, #1)

Life as a Poser by Beth Killian

I just finished this book today, so click to read my review! It was a fun Hollywood-based novel, and a start to a trilogy. While the above book is still my all-time favorite MTV book, this is a close second. To all readers of Secrets of my Hollywood Life, I recommend checking this book out!