In My Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by the Story Siren. It showcases all the books you have recieved, purchased, or come in any form of contact within this week!

This week, I'm going to show you the books I got at the library. I'm not going to be buying any books (well, I'll attempt to not) in the month of April. Not that there is anything wrong with library books, and I happened to check out some new books when I went today! Here they are, and forgive my inability to frame a picture. . .

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Cordially UNInvited by Jennifer Roy

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

Feel free to comment about which you would like me to review here! (:

Review: Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl

This book followed Veronica, a teenage girl working at a consignment store. She loves any vintage clothes, and is keen on wearing prom dresses to work. This book is about her summer, and her realization that it's not just about the clothes.

As you can see, I gave this a two star rating. I thought the synposis looked really interesting, but I just wasn't impressed at all with the story line. In my opinion, Veronica was a lousy protagonist. She constantly describes herself as fat and doesn't understand why anyone would want her. Even to the last few chapters she was doing this, and I really just wanted her to buck up and be happy with herself. I don't see her as a good role-model type protagonist.

I think I dislike nearly every character in this book too, which is a big issue. Len was okay, but uhhhm he seemed horny to me. . Bill was the only character I fully liked. And Violet, but does she even count as a character—or pet?

Also, on the horny note, this is book definitely has some racy scenes, which include anything but. I was not expecting that going in, so fair warning to anyone else.

I guess I'd recommend this to some people, but not everyone.

Minimum age: 11 or 12ish

Publishing house: Random House

Publish date: October 11th, 2011

Spring Cleaning Giveaway!

Welcome to my Spring Cleaning giveaway! This hop is being hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

This is an opportunity to give away some old books that you've read and are just gathering dust on your shelves!

I'll be giving away Want To Go Private? By Sarah Darer Littman. It's a book I read this past year and enjoyed. Watch my review here. This copy will also be hardcover. This book is about the reality of online predators. Here's the summary!
(I am shipping to USA only.)

Abby and Luke chat online. They've never met. But they are going to. Soon. Abby is starting high school--it should be exciting, so why doesn't she care? Everyone tells her to "make an effort," but why can't she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she's losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke--he is her secret, and she's his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn't who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don't, they'll never see Abby again.

Follow Friday (#2)

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

This week's question:

What is the best and worst book you've read this month?

The best was Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) ~

And the most disappointed (I still enjoyed this book, don't get me wrong!) was The Juliet Spell ~

Read my review for the first and the second!

Review: Torn by Stephanie Guerra

This book followed Stella, a normal girl who lived in Illinois. She befriends the new girl, Ruby, who is wild and a complete polar opposite of Stella who is a good-girl with good grades. She quickly finds herself in a tough situation when Ruby begins dating a older guy. Stella is unsure what to do (you may say she's torn, haha..) and finds herself struggling about whether to ignore it or try to take action.

This book was very real. It had great description and very developed characters. I could get into Stella's head, and see the realistic reasons for every  action she took. I may have not totally seen understood why she skipped school so often, but that was the only thing I puzzled over. Stella was a perfect protagonist for the role she played in this book. Ruby was so wild and out-of-control, her presence flowed nicely in contrast to Stella. And it coincided with the drama of the guy she was dating, Kenneth. Don't even get me started on Kenneth! He's so creepy, and sketchy, and the writing portrayed that so perfectly it was really easy to get into the storyline with him there.

The only con about this book was probably that it lacked a climax. There are more dramatic scenes than others, but there was no real turning-point. I do love how the book ended though, solving everything nicely but still leaving a few question marks in my head.
I recommend this for book fans of realistic-fiction ya, friendship, and finding yourself in a bad relationship.

Hardcover (263 pages) published April 1st, 2012 by Marshall Cavendish.

Review: Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan

Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan

Published: March 27th 2012 by Open Road Media

This YA ebook revolves around a sophomore named Daisy. She's the new girl in town, and a strange one at that. She has a powerful secret ability, that only her best friend, Danielle, and her mother know about. That doesn't stop a senior, Kevin from liking her. But after a fellow classmate named Vivi attempts suicide and Daisy is the one to stop her, she starts getting some creepy dreams and feelings from a not-so-friendly ghost.

This book was charming and a fun read. Daisy was really down to earth, and led the story as a good protagonist should. I especially thought her power was very interesting and unique. The aspects of the story such as her home, and how she was not the average teen and lived without the latest technology--really set this book apart from others. The author's writing was smooth and flowed from each chapter to the next.

Andrea Buchanan was a
classical pianist before
becoming a writer.

My only difficulty when it came to this book was my inability to get totally invested in it. I read it and really enjoyed it, but I did not care about every single character. For example, I never was and never will be a fan of Danielle. She was very harsh and extremely unlikeable. During this whole book and after, I can't tell if she approved of Kevin! Total mixed singles. Disregarding Danielle though, all of the characters were unique and developed in the course of this book. I really could get into Vivi's shoes as she bumbled along and didn't know what to think.

This book had the right amount of reality and paranormal mixed together. I'd recommend it to fans of Hex Hall, good-vs-evil, and paranormal fans (especially ghost fans!)

Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Bumped by Megan McCafferty
This book was set in a dystopian future, where adults are not able to conceive children. So instead, they pay teenagers to 'pregg' for them and then give them the child. This book follows Melody and Harmony, two identical twins as they are taken on a journey that teaches them right from wrong.

I was really excited for this book, and I very much had high expectations. While those expectations were met, they were not exceeded. This book was very average if you take away the very creative and different world they lived in.

My main issue with this whole book was Harmony. Harmony was so naive, and I guess I just hate naivety. But it wasn't just that. It was the fact that I had to listen to her. The chapters alternated POV between the twins, and when it got to Harmony's chapters, I could barely stand it. Before you even get to know Harmony she's getting in trouble that greatly betrays other characters, and that set me off on a sour note with her. I was also not aware going in that it would be so religious. Let me just warn anyone going in now, it is very, very religious. Harmony is a strong Church-girl, and that's all she ever talks about. I am not against religion at ALL, but I don't read YA books to hear about it. I guess I just really wasn't expecting it and it hit me in the face hard.

Although, on the other hand, I loved Melody. I thought she was a great protagonist and one that could be admired. Although in the beginning she is slightly naive as well, she really discovers herself by the end and develops a whole lot. I also loved Zen! Him and Melody make a great duo.

As for the writing, it wasn't amazing. The plot had good intentions, but the ending wasn't very strong and left me slightly unsatisfied. There is a sequel that I will read, just for the sake of Melody and Zen. It's funny how much you can't stand a character but how much you can love some other ones! I recommend this book to fans of dystopian, (you won't be disappointed) romance and coming-of-realization.

3/5 Stars