In My Mailbox (7)

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

Briana: This week wasn't too great for me. There were no DVDs that I wanted to rent, so I skipped that.

(Bought)


The Luxe (Luxe Series #1)

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

I saw this book at Walmart for a cheap price and just gave in! I think I may be the only teenage/YA reader to not read this book yet. It sounds pretty thrilling and girly, which is what I love. Have you guys read this? If so, what did you think?

(Arielle & Marisa may post later)

First Chapter of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I hope all of you Hunger Games fans enjoy this! Click here to read the first chapter and click here to see a great fansite for The Hunger Games. I know I'll be checking that site quite frequently to check for updates!

-Briana

Marked (House of Night Series #1)

P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Published 2007
320 pages
Rating: B/B+

Synopsis

Enter the dark, magical world of The House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change--and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers: When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Our review

Another great series about vampires! But this series is more like the real world. It's a whole different take on vampires and we love it. Teenagers will get Marked as fledgling vampires and will be brought to a House of Night school. A school for vampires. Zoey Redbird gets Marked and is brought to the House of Night in Tulsa.

At her new vampire school, Zoey tries to fit in but she learns that she has special powers that no other fledgling has ever had. Soon though, she makes new friends... and new enemies. When Zoey discovers awful things going on at the House of Night, she and her new friends, Stevie Rae, Damien, Erin, Shaunee and Erik know that they must do something about it. But how can Zoey conquer the beautiful, snobby and hateful Aphrodite when she has bloodlust, amazing new powers, a new school, changes in her body and boyfriends (yes plural!) to worry about?

Marisa:

Sorry about my bad review guys! Anyway, so the first House of Night book was not the best out of all five of them but it was still pretty good. I really like how even though these teenagers are vampires, they still act like normal teenagers. And I would love to go to the House of Night. It seems like so much fun and way better than normal school. Except that it's dangerous. Anyway I love how there is a lot of drama in this book and some romance too. A lot of cute boys :) We all know that's important. I say give this series a try because it's awesome. Marked wasn't really amazing but trust me the next book, Betrayed, is definitely amazing. And the rest of the books after Betrayed are all fantastic too.

Briana:

Marisa, at least you've been doing reviews! I really, really enjoyed this book when I first read it. I bought the sequel right after I read Marked, but it took me a while to get to it. I agree with Marisa, this is definitely not the best out of all five books ... in fact it's probably my least favorite, but it's still amazing! There are some things that bother me though. As much as I like Zoey, she can get kind of annoying and I feel like she always gets her way. Oh, another thingt that bugs me is how P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast constantly feel the need to remind people of things. Like the whole "Shaunee & Erin are twins but not technically" thing. After repeating that over and over, it really gets aggrivating. Anyways, I really recommend this book to anyone who likes vampires or even just YA Thrillers. I know you might be thinking, "Once again another vampire book", but this book is pure entertainment.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Ann Brashares
Published 2004
352 pages
Rating: B+

Synopsis

Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn't look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they're great. She''d love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they're fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants - and the most memorable summer of their lives - begins.

My review

This book is about four best friends, Tibby, Lena, Carmen and Bridget who all fit in the same pair of jeans. This should be impossible since they're all different size. The girls take this as a sign that they're obviously meant to be best friends and that the jeans will help them stay together over the summer while they all go their separate ways.

First, the pants go to Lena who is spending the summer in Greece with her grandparents. Lena loves Greece and thinks it's beautiful. She's especially happy that she gets to sketch a lot. Then Lena meets Kostos, a cute Greek boy who is totally interested in her. But Lena is shy and quiet and usually never talks to boys. As the summer goes on, the two go through lots of ups and downs and eventually fall in love with each other. But what will happen when Kostos has to leave for college and Lena has to go back to America?

The pants go to Tibby next. Tibby is spending the summer at home working at Wallman's and babysitting for her mother. While working at Wallman's Tibby encounters a 12 year old girl, Bailey, who has leukemia. At first Bailey is just really annoying to Tibby but soon the two become good friends. When Bailey learns she will die, Tibby tries to draw strength from the pants to let her friend go.

After Tibby, the pants go to Carmen. Carmen is visiting her father in South Carolina. She rarely sees her father and expects the two of them to have a great time together. When she gets there, her father surprises her saying he's getting re-married. Carmen is annoyed that she has to spend her summer with an annoying new soon to be step-mother and step-sister but she doesn't mind her step-brother. Soon Carmen's father, step-mother and step-sister make her feel totally left out of the family. Carmen feels hurt and betrayed by her father and she wants to tell him how she really feels.

Bridget is the last to get the pants. She is spending her summer at soccer camp in Baja California. At soccer camp, Bridget develops a big crush on of the coaches at camp, Eric. She knows that the coaches are off-limits but she doesn't care. She's never wanted anything more than she wants Eric. After a while Bridget finally gets Eric, but not in the way she wanted. Soon everything starts to feel wrong to Bridget and she needs her friends more than ever.

I really like this book/series. It's definitely a great read. Obviously not full of action but the romance and drama is good. It's mostly about friendship, love and
growing. Getting over past relationships, family drama and much more. For those who saw the movie, the book is pretty much the same thing except for a few things that are different. And there are also more details in the book obviously. I saw the movie before I read the book and I still enjoyed the book very much even if I already knew what happened. I definitely recommend watching the movie too. It's very cute and will make you both laugh and cry. Maybe at the same time. I know I cried and laughed several times during the movie AND while reading the book. If any of you like cute, simple books with a good story line and great characters, then read this book/series. Oh and here is a picture of the four of them from the movie.

-Marisa

New 'New Moon' Photo

To everyone who thought Kristen Stewart was a bad actress in Twilight, I hope this picture makes you a little more satisfied! Doesn't she genuinely look like a depressed zombie? I think she does. I hope you guys enjoy :)

-Briana

Wishlist Wednesday (7)

Marisa:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

I've read a few reviews about this book and a lot of people are saying that's its really good. There's apparently zombies in the book and I've never read about zombies so it sounds interesting to me.

Arielle:

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

A love beyond life...a danger beyond doubt.

In a romantic and suspenseful collection of the New York Times bestselling trilogy, love's unbreakable bonds are put to the test.

When her boyfriend, Tristan, died, Ivy thought she'd lost everything, even her faith in angels. But now she's discovered that he's her guardian angel — his presence so strong that she can feel the touch of his hand, the beat of his heart. Ivy needs Tristan now more than ever because he knows she's in terrible danger. Only Ivy's guardian angel can save her now that his killer is after her.

But if Tristan rescues Ivy, his mission on earth will be finished, and he must leave her behind forever. Will saving Ivy mean losing her just when he's finally reached her again?

My friend told me this book was really good and its a series and I love series, so I really want this book/series. It sounds great and something that I would really enjoy reading!

Briana:

The first time Annabel sees him he is playing soccer and the second time he is singing for tips at Jungle Pete's. He is Esteban—one of the immigrants her contractor father hires, part of an ever-growing community of Latinos in the Hamptons. Esteban's sister calls Annabel "flour face" and Annabel's father forbids her to see him. But despite family disapproval there are meetings on dark beaches, notes left in library books, and a romance that's as hot as summer.

This book looks so sweet. It's been on my wish list for a while but I never see it in book stores. Maybe I'll just get it from online.

Books Turned Into Film News: Wings by Aprilynee Pike

Look out Tinkerbell, you've got some competition: Miley Cyrus.

The Disney teen queen is set to star in "Wings," a new film based on the best-selling Aprilynne Pike novel by the same name, reports Variety.

Fresh off her first foray onto the big screen in "Hannah Montana," Cyrus will play the leading role of Laurel, a 15-year-old girl who grows up sheltered and home-schooled in a small town.
When Laurel is forced to adjust to a big high school, her suspicions that she's not like everyone else are soon confirmed: Laurel sprouts wings and finds out she's a fairy.

Pike's novel, the first in a planned four-book series, was published in May. Temple Hill, the same group behind the film "Twilight," is said to be producing this film, with Cryus' mother, Tish, as the executive producer.

Currently, Cyrus is in the process of filming her next movie, "The Last Song," which is based on a novel that romance author Nicholas Sparks ("The Notebook") wrote as a vehicle for Cyrus.
"Wings" will continue Disney's stronghold on the star beyond the "Hannah Montana" franchise.

Source

New Movie Monday (6&7)

First, I have to apologize for last week's New Movie Monday. I honestly didn't feel like watching the movies for some reason. I've made a decision that may upset you or won't matter to you at all (depending if you like New Movie Monday or not). Basically, I've been wasting money on movies that I really don't care about seeing. So, I'm going to just wait until good movies to come out to rent them.

Director: Andrew Stanton

Starring (voices): Ben Burtt; Elissa Knight; Jeff Garlin

Genre: Animation

MPAA: G

Rating: C

I have to be honest ... I didn't finish this movie. The whole robot/cartoon thing didn't really interest me. So this will be a short review (if you want to call it a review).

After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, Wall-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. Eve comes to realize that Wall-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, Wall-E chases Eve across the galaxy.

The movie started off boring, so I got on my laptop. That probably ruined the movie. I should have put my laptop down and just watched the movie. I might have liked it ... but the whole concept just didn't interest me that much. Sorry guys :/.

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Robert Downey Jr.; Terrence Howard; Jeff Bridges


Genre: Action


MPAA: PG-13 (for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content)


Rating: A


I was afraid that I wouldn't enjoy this movie. I really like Spiderman, and The Dark Knight was pretty good too. But I've never heard anything about Iron Man when I was a kid (or at least from what I remember), so I was kind of afraid to try it.

Tony Stark is a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.

I'm so happy that I got this movie! I really, truly loved it. Some parts were a bit confusing for me... but maybe that's just my brain since quite a few movies have been confusing to me lately. I loved the action at the end and the movie really kept me interested the whole time. I definitely recommend this movie, even if you don't like superhero movies. My mom isn't the type of person to watch these kinds of movies, but she really liked it!

Director: Alex Proyas

Starring: Nicholas Cage; Chandler Canterbury; Rose Byrne

Genre: Action

MPAA: PG-13 (for disaster sequences, disturbing images and brief strong language)

Rating: B+

Yay! A movie that I actually wanted to see and actually liked! This makes me so happy :). I saw the trailer for this movie when I went to go see Twilight in theaters and knew that I would like it.

In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule's contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up in the hands of young Caleb Koestler. But it is Caleb's father, professor John Koestler, who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As John further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events -- the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve John and his son. When John's attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from taking place. With the reluctant help of Diana Wayland and Abby Wayland, the daughter and granddaughter of the now-deceased author of the prophecies, John's increasingly desperate efforts take him on a heart-pounding race against time until he finds himself facing the ultimate disaster -- and the ultimate sacrifice.

Wow. Sorry for the super long description. Anyway, this movie was really great. It actually scared me sometimes and I was worried that it was going to be a horror movie. It's not, so don't worry. This movie wasn't just a world disaster movie. It had some kind of sci-fi fantasy (angel or alien) feel to it. It kind of confused me, but I still recommend it.

Director: Paul McGuigan

Starring: Chris Evans; Dakota Fanning; Camilla Belle

Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller

MPAA: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking.)

Rating: B+

I'm so happy I got this movie! I was waiting for it come out because (1) Chris Evans is a great piece of eye candy; (2) Dakota Fanning is one of my favorite actresses; (3) It just looks like a GOOD movie!

The Division, a shadowy government agency, is genetically transforming citizens into an army of psychic warriors--and brutally disposing of those unwilling to participate. Nick Gant, a second-generation telekinetic or "mover," has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier. He has found sanctuary in densely populated Hong Kong--the last safe place on earth for fugitive psychics like him--but only if he can keep his gift a secret. Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old clairvoyant or "watcher," seeks his help in finding Kira, an escaped "pusher" who may hold the key to ending the Division's program. Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic powers: the ability to influence others' actions by implanting thoughts in their minds. But Cassie's presence soon attracts the attention of the Division's human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for their lives. With the help of a team of rogue psychics, the unlikely duo traverses the seedy underbelly of the city, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities as they search for Kira. But they find themselves square in the crosshairs of Division Agent Henry Carver, a pusher who will stop at nothing to keep them from achieving their goal.

Sorry for another long description. I really enjoyed this movie. It confused me quite a bit, but it was still pretty thrilling. I don't know why, but I really love Camilla Belle's voice. It's just so soft and pretty, and she's not trying to sound like that either. You know how Paris Hilton has that high pitch voice that she uses when she tries to sound cute? That just bugs me. Off topic ... anyways, if you don't like supernatural/paranormal movies, then this movie probably isn't for you. But since I enjoy that type of stuff, I really liked it.

-Briana