Waiting on Wednesday (17)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.


Briana:

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Since she can remember, Katarina's relatives have been grooming her for the family business--thieving. But when Kat tries to go straight and leave the Life for a normal life, she's promptly kicked out of her new school for stealing the headmaster's car and mounting it on the school fountain. Although she could have done it without breaking a sweat, ironically, this time, she's innocent.

In fact she was framed--by another highly-skilled thief. Her friend and brother-in-trade Hale, with his mischievous smile and limitless bank account, has appeared out of nowhere to bring her back to the Life, back to the family Kat tried so hard to escape. Hale has a good reason: A powerful mobster has just been robbed of his priceless art collection and he wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have cracked this vault, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he IS the list.
Now, caught between Interpol and a far more deadly predator, Kat's dad needs her help.

For Kat, a consummate thief in her own right, the solution is simple: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and maybe just enough misguided pride to pull off the biggest heist in history - or at least in her family's (very crooked) history.

I've never read any of Ally Carter's books but this one sounds really good and I love the cover!

(Marisa and Arielle may post later.)

Wishlist Wednesday (24)

Briana:

Girl V. Boy by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

All's not fair in love, war, and high school journalism

Sixteen-year-old Luisa Perez is not looking to win any awards for school spirit. In fact, she and her friends make it a point to avoid all activities considered "extra-curricular." So when her English teacher volunteers her to be an anonymous columnist for the school paper, Luisa's first impulse is to run. But, unlike her high-school dropout sister, Luisa does want to go to college-it may be her only ticket out of a life spent working at the cowboy-themed diner where she waitresses part time-and it would be nice to something on her applications.

Her first assignment is to cover her high school's latest fundraiser, which pits the girls against the boys. Luisa will cover the events from the female POV, while another anonymous writer provides the male perspective-or, at least, that's how it begins. The two columnists soon find themselves engaged in an epic battle of the sexes-a battle that Luisa is determined to win. Just who does this guy think he is, encouraging his peers to act like Neanderthals with their girlfriends? And why can't Luisa shake the very sinking feeling that her new unidentified nemesis might also be her new boyfriend?

While I was in Barnes and Noble last week, I saw this book in the New Release section and I thought it looked so cute. As much as I love fantasy and all of that good stuff, it's fun to read something a bit more light and real.

What's on your wishlist? :)

(Marisa and Arielle may post later.)

Teaser Tuesday (14)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read

-Open to a random page

-Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

-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!)

-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Don't read if you haven't read The Hunger Games yet :)

"While I lie there, sobbing, tears trying to squeeze out of the slit of my eye, I hear Peeta whisper to Haymitch about President Snow, about the uprising in District 8. 'She wants us all to run,' he says, but if Haymitch has an opinion on this, he doesn't offer it."

Page 114

Briana: I'm not really sure what's going on here... :/. I guess I'll just have to read and find out :) Sorry that the TT is late by the way.






(Arielle and Marisa may post later.)

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.


Briana: Hey ladies and gents :) I got a few books over the time that I was absent and I'll show you some this week, then next week and so on. Plus I have a few at school that I didn't bring home either so that will leave me with a generous amount of books for each IMM post!

Bought:

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey- I've been wanting to read this book for a while but decided to wait for it to come out in paperback since I need to save my pennies.

Contest:

I won all of the wonderful books books below from the wonderful Michelle over at Michelle's Bookshelf.

TMI by Sarah Quigley (ARC) - I'm very excited to read this one, I heard it's hilarious! I need to start reading more books like that.

The Awakening (ARC)- So... I haven't read The Summoning yet though I do own it! But I'm sure I'll adore it and immediately grab The Awakening when I'm finished.

Castration Celebration (ARC)- Another hilarious book I can't wait to read. I heard it's a little out there, but that is exactly the kind of stuff I love.

The It Girl (It Girl #1) by Cecily Von Ziegesar- I actually got this book from Korianne over at Korianne Speaks. The first person to say they wanted this book got it, so I'm not sure if it's considered a contest or not. Either way, I love her for giving this to me :)

(Arielle and Marisa may post later)

PS, Arielle and Marisa... I miss you guys!!! E-mail me so we can set up an MSN date? Hehe.

In My Mailbox (27)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Marisa: I got a really good book for review this week. Oh and by the way, I will be leaving to go visit family soon for the holidays so I won't be on the blog for a little while. I'm going to wish everybody a Merry Christmas in advance. Hope you all have a great Christmas!



The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Nick and his brother, Alan, have spent their lives on the run from magic. Their father was murdered, and their mother was driven mad by magicians and the demons who give them power. The magicians are hunting the Ryves family for a charm that Nick's mother stole -- a charm that keeps her alive -- and they want it badly enough to kill again. Danger draws even closer when a brother and sister come to the Ryves family for help. The boy wears a demon's mark, a sign of death that almost nothing can erase...and when Alan also gets marked by a demon, Nick is des-perate to save him. The only way to do that is to kill one of the magicians they have been hiding from for so long. Ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nick starts to suspect that his brother is telling him lie after lie about their past. As the magicians' Circle closes in on their family, Nick uncovers the secret that could destroy them all.

This book sounds great!! I can't wait to read it :)

(Briana and Arielle may post later.)

Hush, Hush

Becca Fitzpatrick

Published October, 2009

400 Pages

Rating: A

First off, I'd like to apologize to not only the readers, but to myself for not reading/blogging for such a long time. So many people read while they go to school, so why was it such a problem for me? Who knows, but hopefully in the Spring I'll be much more able to read. But for winter break, let me just say how happy I am to be back and reading! I missed you guys!

So... Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick... I've heard nothing but amazing things about this book. Even though it took me so long to read because of school, it was so worth it. This book is incredible.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

This book had me going from liking Patch to hating him. It's so unpredictable that every other page you're changing your mind on whether or not to be on Team Patch. I felt like there wasn't a boring page and if at one time there was, it didn't last long.

The only problem for me is that I heard Becca Fitzpatrick decided to change the ending. For me, the ending was fantastic, it couldn't have ended better. I'm just worried that I won't like the new ending, what did you guys think?

-Briana

Princess Bookie Day 8 Contest!

Hey guys!

Head on over to Princess Bookie if you want to win some extremely awesome books!!!

-Arielle

Fat Cat

Robin Brande

Published: 2009

327 Pages

Rating: B+

You are what you eat. . . .

Cat smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.

As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . .

(taken from BN.com)

I read this book about a month ago, so bare with me because I don’t clearly remember it as well as I would like to, but I won’t lie… I did really enjoy this book.

Fat Cat is a very fun, cute, even compelling book. Cat is a candy eating, hides behind her weigh kind of girl. And when Cat has to come up with a science fair project that will blow away the minds of the judges, but also place above Matt McKinney, her ex-best friend, Cat is stuck between a rock and a hard place. She is given a short amount of time to come up with a science project, but once she does, it will change her life forever. Cat’s teacher gives them all pictures that they will have to use in order to come up with their projects thesis, and Cat is given an unsuspected one: a picture of naked, male and female Neanderthals fighting over a saber-toothed hyena. She is completely clueless at first but as she studies the picture more and more she realizes something about the woman in the picture: she wants to be her. And this becomes her science project: to take on a completely different lifestyle, just like the one of the woman Neanderthal.

This book is very entertaining and I found myself laughing numerous amounts of times. But there is also something about the book that makes you think all about the bad foods you are putting inside your body, it actually made me think about the kinds of things I eat (yet I am typing this while I eat peanut butter MnMs..ha). Cat takes on a totally different approach to her project and as a reader you watch her grow and finally realize the girl she truly is. You see her battle boys, school, and her ex-best friend who broke her heart.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh, and an inspiring read. Especially for all you who are on winter break, you wont be able to put it down! :)

-Arielle

PS: Wow, well that review was pretty bad… sorry for the long absence. College was kicking my butt, but it is officially Christmas Break so I am hoping to read A LOT! I missed you guys!

Teaser Tuesday (13)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read.

-Open to a random page.

-Share “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

-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!)

-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



The Line by Teri Hall

"Mom!" Rachel started toward the scene, alarmed at how rough the officers were being.

"No, Rachel." Vivian's voice was low, but as hard as the grip she had on her daughter's wrist. Rachel looked back, surprised, and the expression on her mother's face frightened her.

PG. 77

Marisa: So far The Line is really good, very different and interesting. I should be finishing it soon so look out for my review.





(Arielle and Briana may post later.)

The Secret Year

Jennifer R. Hubbard

Publishing in January 2010

208 pages

Rating: B/B+

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

My review

I received this ARC in the mail awhile ago and I finally got around to reading and reviewing it! The book sounded good, so I was expecting it to be good. The book was pretty good but it definitely was not captivating enough for me.

The story is about two secret lovers, Colt and Julia, who have complete separate lives and are very different from one another. Julia is rich and lives a fabulous life with great friends, a great boyfriend, a big house, a fancy car, etc. Colt lives an okay life with good friends, no girlfriend, a small house, a broken down car, etc. The point is that they're not meant to be together, yet they can't seem to get enough of each other. When Julia suddenly dies, Colt doesn't know how to get over her without revealing their relationship to everybody. And then there's Julia's diary that holds all her feelings about their relationship. What did she write on her last day....?

I can't say that I loved this book but it was pretty good and I enjoyed reading it. It was a great love story that could definitely relate to the Romeo and Juliet story. I do think that the story captured my interest from the first page but it unfortunately took awhile for me to really get into the plot. The book was very simple and beautifully written and I liked Colt a lot because he's an average guy but he's also very deep and mysterious. I loved reading the story from his POV.

One thing that did keep me reading was Julia's diary entries. I was dying to know what she thought of their relationship and what she wrote in her last entry. I thought the diary was a very original and interesting way of keeping Julia present throughout the book. Although I do feel like the end of the book was a bit rushed and unsatisfying but it's not that big of a deal.

I think this book would be a cute summer read when you have a lot of time on your hands. For her first novel, I give Jennifer Hubbard a well deserved round of applause.

-Marisa

A Map of the Known World

Lisa Ann Sandell

Published April 2009

272 pages

Rating: B/B+

Synopsis

Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother's secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined. With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl's journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love. They say no land remains to be discovered, no continent is left unexplored. But the whole world is out there, waiting, just waiting for me. I want to do things-I want to walk the rain-soaked streets of London, and drink mint tea in Casablanca. I want to wander the wastelands of the Gobi desert and see a yak. I think my life's ambition is to see a yak. I want to bargain for trinkets in an Arab market in some distant, dusty land. There's so much. But, most of all, I want to do things that will mean something.-- From A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD.

My review

A Map of the Known World was a very short, cute and inspirational read. I loved the whole feel about the book and enjoyed every minute of reading it. The plot was very creative, rich and intricate and kept me interested in what would happen throughout the book. It's a story about moving on and dreaming big; of never giving up on what you want.

I really loved Cora. I felt that she had a very promising future and a miserable past, which makes her a very interesting and captivating character. She was very strong and inspiring while trying to get over the death of her brother and the love she feels for his best friend, Damian. AND dealing with teenage issues like best friends and strict parents. I also loved reading about Cora and Damian's relationship grow throughout the story.

There were few bad things about the book but I did feel like the whole high school "group" thing was a bit overdone. It's not usually how it actually is in high school. The book didn't exceed my expectations but I wasn't disappointed either. Recommended? Sure! Read it when you have the time. I enjoyed Lisa's other novel, Song of the Sparrow (which I also reviewed), a lot more though.

-Marisa

In My Mailbox (26)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Marisa: I got one book for review and I also bought a book this week.



The Hollow by Jessica Verday

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special. Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I'm really happy that I got this book for review! It sounds great and I love the cover.


Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires. Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

I FINALLY bought a copy of this book. I've wanted to read it for SO long.

(Arielle and Briana may post later.)

Song of the Sparrow

Lisa Ann Sandell

Published May 2007

416 pages

Rating: A-

Synopsis
Since the days of King Arthur, there have been poems and paintings created in her name. She is Elaine of Ascolat, the Lady of Shalott, and now there is a book all her own. The year is 490 A.D. and 16-year-old Elaine has a temperament to match her fiery red hair. Living on a military base with her father, brothers, and the rest of Arthur's army, Elaine pines for the handsome Lancelot, and longs for a female friend. But when the cruel, beautiful Gwynivere arrives, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. Can Elaine find the strength to survive the birth of a kingdom?

My review

I've never read a book about medieval times before because to be honest, I thought they would be quite boring. I usually read paranormal romance novels but I decided to broaden my book interest and try out a totally different book type. I read the synopsis for this book and it sounded great and I definitely was not disappointed. The book is about war, love, honor and friendship. It starts off interesting and as the story progresses, it just gets better and better. I loved going through this gripping adventure with Elaine. She's a heroic female character; one of my favorites. She's very loving, strong and courageous. That being said, I felt like the characters' relationships lacked in depth a little bit.

The story is very beautiful, touching and Lisa did an excellent job of creating a new version of an old story, The Lady of Shalott. The original story is pretty depressing and sad but this story has a light, happy feel about it. The entire story had a lot of action, suspense and twists that kept me begging for more. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that it wasn't long enough! I was sad when it ended but satisfied with the outcome.

I recommend this book to history fans, romance fans, action fans etc. This book is very imaginative and charming; a must-read. Loved it!

-Marisa

In My Mailbox (25)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Marisa: I know I haven't been contributing to the blog lately and I want to apologize for that but I'm just so darn busy! Anyway, I got a few good books this week.



The Line by Teri Hall

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line. Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help. Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

I just got this ARC in the mail for review and I'm so happy! It sounds so intriguing and mysterious! Can't wait!!!



Spell Hunter (Faery Rebels, #1) by R.J. Anderson

Forget everything you think you know about faeries. . . . Creatures full of magic and whimsy? Not in the Oakenwyld. Not anymore. Deep inside the great Oak lies a dying faery realm, bursting with secrets instead of magic. Long ago the faeries mysteriously lost their magic. Robbed of their powers, they have become selfish and dull-witted. Now their numbers are dwindling and their very survival is at stake. Only one young faery—Knife—is determined to find out where her people's magic has gone and try to get it back. Unlike her sisters, Knife is fierce and independent. She's not afraid of anything—not the vicious crows, the strict Faery Queen, or the fascinating humans living nearby. But when Knife disobeys the Faery Queen and befriends a human named Paul, her quest becomes more dangerous than she realizes. Can Knife trust Paul to help, or has she brought the faeries even closer to the brink of destruction? Talented newcomer R. J. Anderson creates an extraordinary new fantasy world and weaves a gripping tale of lost magic, high adventure, and surprising friendship in which the fate of an entire realm rests on the shoulders of one brave faery rebel.

I was pretty happy when I received this for review because it sounds great and I loooveee the cover!


Bite Me! by Melissa Francis

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

This sounds like a cute read and I can't to read/review it!

P.S I CAN'T BELIEVE NEW MOON IS FINALLY OUT!!!!! YEAAAAHHH!

(Arielle and Briana may post later.)

Reading Challenges??

Okay, so lately I haven't really been part of the book blogging world thanks to school, family, and other obligations, but I still check out the "Dashboard" from time to time to see what is happening. And lately I have been seeing 2010 Reading Challenges. I have always wanted to do a reading challenge, but for some reason..I don't do them. I think that I am kind of scared that I wont finish it, or forget about it, and etc. But for 2010 I feel like I NEED to do one. Dont ask me why, because I dont really know why, but they seem fun, and I am finally up for the challenge. lol.

So with that, I am curious to see who is planning on doing a 2010 Reading Challenge, and if so, which one are you doing?

I know there are many out there, and there will probably be more coming into the book blogging light over the next few weeks as 2009 turns into 2010 (crazy, I know!). I have just seen a good hand-full of them lately, but if you could post a comment about if you are doing one, why you are doing one, and which one..that would be greatly appreciated.

I am just wondering who is up for a Reading Challenge. I am hoping to sign up for one, but I want to find the one that is right for me..so if you guys could help me out and point me in the direction of some good ones, or the one you are doing, that would be fantastic!

Thanks :)

-Arielle

Contest

For those of you who are wanting to get your hands on a copy of Fallen by Lauren Kate, check out Kari's blog, A Good Addiction, where she is currently holding a contest where there will be 5 winners of Fallen! :)

If you do enter, please let her know that I refferred you, since we would both get 5 extra entries!

-Arielle

P.S. For all of you who think that I am being selfish by entering this contest (since I do already have my own copy of Fallen), please dont think that. I am entering for my friend, well she doesnt know about it, but if I do so happen to win, the book would go to her. Not me.

Wishlist Wednesday (23)

Arielle:

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends — her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

I have seen this in Barnes and Noble so many times, yet I never pick it up. I know it just recently came out, and I really really want it! But I am trying not to buy books :-/ since I have so many already that are just dying to be read!

What is on your wishlist!?

(Marisa and Briana may post later)

Waiting on Wednesday (16)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking The Spine!

Arielle: I did read Evermore, but I have not read Blue Moon. For the most part I liked Evermore (but I did have my problems with it). I want to read Blue Moon, except I have heard some iffy reviews about it. In time I will read it I'm sure. But I am still going to wait on the next book! :)

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

A: It sounds pretty interesting, so I am crossing my fingers that it is good!

Comes out: November 17th, oh WHOA! That was yesterday! Ha. Wow, I didnt even realize that. Oh well. Bear with me, please! Its been a long week already :)

What are you waiting on!?

(Marisa and Briana may post later)

Teaser Tuesday (12)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read.

-Open to a random page.

-Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

-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!)

-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Arielle: All right, so since I am still reading Fallen, I decided not to do a TT for it. Ha, it would be my 3rd one for it, so I will not torture you guys with another one. Instead I will do one from a book I just got in the mail a few days ago! :)

Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

" Is he kidding? I stop and peer down at him. 'Thats not be boyfriend, its my dad.'

He half laughs, half coughs. 'Sorry. You never know these days. I'm Noah.'

'Sara.'"

Page 91.

A: Ha, this made me laugh out loud. I really cannot wait to read this book! I have read some great reviews on it, and hopefully I can start it soon! Maybe over Thanksgiving break! :)

What is your Teaser Tuesday!?

(Marisa and Briana may post later)

Perfect Chemistry

Simone Elkeles

Published 2008

368 Pages

Rating: A-

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

(taken from BN.com)

Lets see, I can say this words that describe this book: Incredible! A-Must-Read! Hott!!! :)

I enjoyed this book so much, thanks to a few other book bloggers and their reviews of this book, and to my friend for owning this book, I finally read it. And I am so glad I did. This book was W-O-W! I loved every moment of reading it. Every page I turned I was wanting more. Ever line I read felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing everything they were going through - the good and the bad.

As you read this book you are reading through the minds of two individuals, Alex Fuentes and Brittany Ellis. Alex is the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, the gang banger. He is a Mexican with a past that others see as bad, but he sees as just his past, something he can never forget. He is part of the Blood gang in a suburb outside of Chicago [the South Side], where him and his fellow gang members but also long time friends deal with drugs, alcohol, and frequent deaths of other members. Alex has had a tough life, but he never wants any one to feel sorry for him. Then there is Brittany, who is on the 'right' side of the tracks, the one with everything you could ever ask for plus more, plus shes the school head cheerleader. She's got the nice house, the fantastic car, the hot bod, the beautiful hair and of course the quarterback boyfriend. Except what you see on the outside, isnt always what you get on the inside. Brittany's home life isnt what you would expect. She rarely sees her father, and her mother has outbursts of total frustration, and her sister, well, her sister has problems of her own.

Brittany and Alex get paired up in Chemistry. Much to Brittany's protests to her teacher, she cannot switch partners. These two are total opposites, or at least thats what they think at first. But then, as their relationship together grows into friendship, they see each other for who they truly are. They both learn to lean onto one another, and what they have together blossoms into something beautiful.

This book is written very well, and at times it can be a little provocative [so it may not be suitable for anyone under 13], but it is an amazing story of two teenagers finding themselves, and learning to open up to someone else and become vulnerable.

I recommend this book to basically everyone, and I plan on rereading it in the future. And I cannot wait to read more from Simone Elkeles :)

-Arielle

CONTEST WINNER!! :)

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

And the winner is...

KATIE!

from Katie's Bookshelf!

Congrats Katie.

I am emailing you shortly!

And thank you to all who entered.

I have a feeling we will be having another contest soon, once we reach 300 Followers, and it looks like that could be soon (hopefully!)! So stay posted!!

-Arielle

p.s. If Katie doesnt get back to me within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. Thank you.

p.p.s Review of Perfect Chemistry coming soon! :)

CONTEST CLOSED!

Hey you guys!!

Out 200 follower's contest is closed!

The winner will be announced either later today, or sometime tomorrow!

Thanks to all who entered!

:)

Arielle

In My Mailbox (24)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Arielle: I received three books in the mail this week, and they are all from contests. I also borrowed a book from a friend, and got a ton from the library! (You can see my STILL unread Fallen book underneath my cell phone. ha.)

All righty, lets start off with the ones from the library, since they are less fun then the winnings. Ha. :) I got a ton from the library and I am really hoping I can finish them all, but if not, I can just renew them! AH! The joys of the library! :)

(the first two books are for school papers I am writing, so I wont both with those!)

Library:

Are U 4 Real? by Sara Kadefors

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Lucas by Kevin Brooks

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur

Diary of a Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Borrowed from a friend:

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles -- Thanks to my good friend, Jordan, I can finally read this book! I have been dying to read it!

Now onto the contest winnings! :)

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott -- won from Bri at What Bri Reads! Thank you so much, Bri! I cannot wait to read it!

Intertwined by Gena Showalter -- won from Katie at Katie's Book Blog! Thank you, Katie!! I am so excited to read this book! Plus I got some wonderful bookmarks which I am always happy to get! And a cute little Halloween bag with some treats. :)

Hold still by Nina LaCour -- won from Aryanna at A Maze of Books! AH! I am so happy to have won this book, it sounds amazing! Thank you!

It turned out to be a really great week!!

So, tell us what is in your mailbox! :)

(Marisa and Briana may post later)

THE GREAT KINDLE GIVEAWAY

Guys! Who wouldnt love a Kindle?

Well there is a great chance that you could win one yourself!

This is a huge contest at Bibliofreak!

So go enter, HERE!!!!

-Arielle

Friendly Reminder

Hey guys!

This is a friendly reminder that our 200 follower's contest ends THIS FRIDAY (11.13.09) at Midnight (Central Time).

So if you haven't entered already, go enter here!

Thank you to our follower's for making the contest a success so far!!

-Arielle.