Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Source: Publisher
A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.
Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

I love Sci-Fi in my movies and TV, but I am not really a fan of it in my books. Except in the case of Across the Universe, which was more then just Sci-Fi. It has hints of mystery mixed within Sci-Fi. The mystery surrounds who tried to kill Amy and continues to do so to other people on Godspeed. There is also the mystery of what is really happening on the ship and the new way that society is ran. I liked Amy. Being frozen sounded painful and being pretty much suspended in time by it sounded scarier. I have been faced with the reality of my parent outliving me and it is heartbreaking and one of the hardest feelings to experience. Everyday is just hard after that point and I was surprised with Amy's strength. Elder was also a great character. Even though he faced with becoming the new leader, he questions how it is ran and if there is anyway to run it better, because honestly a lot about the ship scared me.
I think that the plot of Across the Universe has a little bit for everyone and will find it just as engaging. The concept was unique and I am really excited to see this in more like this book. Revis's writing was gorgeous and left me wanting more from her. I recommend that you pick up this book now. It won't disappoint you.

In My Mailbox (Week of January 30th)

Won from Bibliopunkk:

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

For Review:

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Haplin

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

Source: Publisher
Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex – but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?
In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter’s point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you’re being written about in Anne’s diary, day after day? What’s it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.
As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?
Anne’s diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter’s story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz – and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex’s occupants.
I have always loved the Diary of Anne Frank. My copy of the book is so battered that I am surprised that it isn't in tiny pieces or pages missing. Of course, I was excited to hear about Annexed. Parts of Annexed were amazing, while others weren't. The Peter in Annexed and The Diary of Anne Frank are two very different people. The one in Annexed is concieted and selfish, while I always pictured him as shy, sweet, and slightly a mommy's boy. It also didn't capture Anne as I though her to be. I would have enjoyed it more, if it wasn't people that I deeply cherished in my life. Even with those reservations, I enjoyed Annexed. It was a gorgeous look into what happened in those concetration camps and the amazing people that were lost.

The plot engaged me the whole time, as I discovered a possible point of view of Peter Van Pels. I will say that this is definitely original. Dogar's writing was lovely and I enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to people that are fasinated in the Holocaust and want something new to read.

Friday Five

1. E4 Skins premiered yesterday and it was amazing. I need to start resisting watching MTV Skins, because it makes me pissed up.
Also, Why did I watch Mean Girls 2? It was so horrible and cheesy. Sucky sequels just make me made. Here is the trailer...

2. No more ratings in review, tell me if you like it or not?
3. I am trying to decide what books to buy for an Amazon order. Any suggestions?
4. I got accepted into the Rheumatology Clinic at University of Washington, because my illness is interesting enough. Sort of bad, but good too.
5. I am on diet plan and it is going to work this time! I am determined. I am using myfitnessplan.com and it is working well so far. My username is sarahbear119, btw.

Interview with Marina Budhos

Marina Budhos is an author of several books, some fiction and some that isn't. She likes writing a lot about different cultures in a new way. I hope you enjoy this interview.

1. The view on immigrants has been rather negative for the past few years and your young adult books focus on that. What are some posistive changes that you would like to see for immigrants?
It’s interesting—last night President Obama mentioned the most important thing that affects some young immigrants—and that is allowing undocumented youth to have a path to American citizenship, which is called the Dream Act. They are in a twilight limbo, having grown up here, been educated, and yet they have no future, no way to contribute as Americans. I’d like to see us do something about that.
As well, I’d like us, as a country to remember and make use of the extraordinary energy and spirit that immigrants bring to our culture. We lose sight of that, especially as many of our towns and cities have experienced frictions with our changing demographics. A small example: for the past two weeks I have been interviewing women to take care of my elderly mother-in-law. Nearly all have been immigrant women and I have been so impressed with their willingness to work hard, to offer compassion and steadiness, for this most vital of jobs. What I’d like us to remember is the humanity of our immigrants—how much they have risked, how much they are willing to do to be here.
2. Tell Us We're Home Focuses on finding the American Dream. What are some things that many citizens take for granted that immigrants find?
The most basic is simply a sense of home, of place, and belonging. I think from a teenage perspective, it’s an ease in the culture, and very often a more easy-going attitude on the parts of their parents—they’re allowed to do a lot more, even simply hang out after school. They may be experiencing their own teenage angst, but they basically know what the rules are, even what their future might look like. All of this is being invented by an immigrant family, and sometimes an immigrant teenager is the one who is paving the way for their parents. So they can’t take for granted that their parents even know how to do simple things, such as deal with a government bureaucracy, or a school, or give them advice on what’s ahead or even how to get the American Dream. Sometimes, for some immigrants, it’s that they are working so hard just to survive, to get their toehold, it’s difficult to really see where the American Dream lies.
More recently there are some immigrant groups that have experienced real pain and stigmatizing. Obviously Muslims after 9/11, where they often made to feel as if they are not a part of America, are somehow outside, different, perhaps dangerous—or they are deemed to have ‘divided loyalties.’ In some parts of the country, where the demographics have tilted, Latinos have become the targets of tremendous harassment. All of this, of course, contributes to a general sense that they are not quite ‘American’ and thus not part of the American Dream.
3. On your website, it says that you have traveled a lot. Where are some of your favorite places to travel to?
I have just returned from a long trip with my family to India, where I have been many times, and also, where I have lived. It is one of my absolute favorite places, and for me, besides my personal connection, it is like watching a photograph develop in astonishing ways, since the country is going through so much fascinating change. I also love the cities of London and Paris, which I have been fortunate to visit in the past year as well. Next up, I wish to see more of Asia, especially given all the breathtaking transformations going on there.
What are some of your favorite books?
Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston; Ragtime, by E.R. Doctorow, God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy, Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy, Holes, by Louis Sachar (a perfect book, in my opinion) Varied enough?
5. Is there anything that you would like to add?
I guess what I’d like to add is that I hope all readers are willing to open their eyes to experiences and stories that may be a little different than theirs. Or that in reading about those who are ‘on the outside,’ they also learn a little bit about themselves and what they take for granted. Or even, that those characters who seem to be coming from such a wildly different perspective—in fact, perhaps they have a bit more in common than they realize.

I also have a copy of Tell Us We're Home for giveaway. Fill out the form below.

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Title: Between Here and Forever
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Date: May 24th, 2011
Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.
Until the accident.
Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.
She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.
Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...
I love Elizabeth Scott books and this one sounds fabolous. Also the cover is gorgeous.

Trailer Tuesday (27)

I got Enclave last week and looks really intense and like an epic read. I am so excited to read it!

The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Source: Bought
If high school were a fairy-tale kingdom, Connelly Sternin would be
Rapunzel, locked not in a tower by a wicked witch but in a high-rise apartment building by the SATs and college applications—and by the secrets she keeps. Connelly's few friends think that her parents are divorced—but they're not. Connelly's father died when she was two, and she doesn't know how.
If Connelly is the Rapunzel of her school, Jeremy Cole is the crown prince, son of a great and rich New York City family. So when he sits down next to her at lunch one day, Connelly couldn't be more surprised. But Jeremy has a tragic secret of his own, and Connelly is the only one he can turn to for help. Together they form a council of two, helping each other with their homework and sharing secrets. As the pair's friendship grows, Connelly learns that it's the truth, not the secrets, that one must guard and protect. And that between friends, the truth, however harsh, is also beautiful.
This lovely and memorable debut by Alyssa B. Sheinmel contains many of the hallmark themes found in young adult literature—friendship, coming of age, finding a place to belong, and overcoming the death of a loved one. Emotionally moving from start to finish, The Beautiful Between introduces a strong new voice to the genre, a voice with a long future ahead of it.
The Beautiful Between was a gorgeous debut with characters and a plot that engages you from the beginning. I loved Connelly, she was such a sweet and lovable character, a lot of her personality was similar to mine. Jeremy was dreamy and also sensitive. I loved watching these characters develop over time and the plot that pulled them in. The plot was rather sad, but it is more about truth and honesty, then the sadness that those can cause. Sheinmel is an epic writer that creates a story that swells your heart and makes you want more. I can't wait to see more from her in the future. Her new book, The Lucky Kind looks epic!

In My Mailbox (Week of January 23rd)

For Review:
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
From Chloe:
Anna and The French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

A sweet and touching modern love story, told through dictionary entries
basis, n.
There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you're in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself.
If the moment doesn't pass, that's it--you're done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it's even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover's face.
How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

While a really short book, I found this book to be very unique and enjoyable. The characters were never defined or really developed. It was short snapshot of several people's lives and while not long, it is enjoyable and amazing. The writing was gorgeous and I loved every moment of it. David Levithan is a genius. This book is unlike anything thing that I have ever read. It was truly epic. I suggest that you read it. It is short, sweet, and just lovely. I can't wait to see what Levithan brings next...

OMG...

This made me laugh so much... I love you, Harry Potter.

XVI by Julia Karr

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.
I found the premise of XVI to be very interesting and unique. Nina was such an amazing character. I don't think that I could handle losing my mom with the grace that Nina had. Dee was a really sweet little girl. Pop and Dee helped bring comedy to the story, when it was needed. The relationship between Sal and Nina wasn't as developed as I would like, but I still enjoyed Nina's other friends. The plot of XVI was full of suspense and mystery that kept me wanting more. I think that the dystopian aspect of the book was clever and original in a few ways, like the tattoos and how the government ran. Karr created a fantastic book, full of great writing. I would recommend this book to fans of 1984 and Uglies.

Waiting on Wednesday (87)

Title: Red Glove
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Date: April 5th, 2011
The cons get twistier and the stakes get higher in Red Glove, the sequel to White Cat.
OMG, I want this book so much. Darn ending of White Cat was evil...

Trailer Tuesday (26)

I have had Revoultion for a while and have heard amazing things about it. This trailer makes me want to read it more.

White Cat by Holly Black

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 19/20
Overall: 94/100 or A
Source: Publisher
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.
Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love — or death — and your dreams might be more real than your memories.
I was so excited for this book. I love Holly Black. She is such an amazing writer and brings something unique to each story. Cassel is a conman, and while some might not like that. I found him to be a likable character and I liked his point of view. I enjoyed his family, which was full of so many unique people that I loved and yet hated. I really liked the mob aspect that was behind curse working, which is well amazing. I love anything to do with mobsters. I quickly became invested in the fabulous plot that Black spun. Every twist and turn in the Black Cat, kept me guessing on what would happen next. The world of White Cat is a unique and flawlessly developed book. Black didn't disappoint me and I am anxiously waiting for Red Glove. I recommend this book to fans of Holly Black, because it won't let you down.

In My Mailbox (Week of January 16th)

Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz, from my amazing indie store, Liberty Bay Books
Desires of the Dead Posters from Kimberly Derting
For Review:
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore
Sharks and Boys by Kristen Tracy
The Watchers by Inara Scott
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin

Violence 101 by Denis Wright

Rating:
Characters: 15/20
Plot: 16/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 14/20
Recommendation: 15/20
Overall: 77/100 or C
Source: Publisher

My name is Hamish Graham and this is the journal I have to write. Doesn't worry me because I'm a good writer and I'd rather write than talk any day, although I like talking to Terry. The people who run this place don't know what to make of me. Just like the last place I was in . . .
. . . I think we should have these special schools for bad kids in hard core places like Waiouru and Central Otago where you do school subjects from 8am to 1pm and then in the afternoon you do things like compulsory mountain climbing and river crossings wearing huge packs. The kids who refuse to do it would get fed bread and water until they changed their minds. I would divide them into various teams and have mock wars. Military history would be a compulsory subject. I would also make the study of violence compulsory.
Hamish Graham is intelligent, disciplined, resourceful and fearless, and scorns all weakness. His heroes include Charles Upham, Alexander the Great and Te Rauparaha - all men of action. But he is also a fourteen-year-old with an anger problem and a disturbing past, and these have landed him in a series of boys' homes for violent and troubled young offenders.
The gripping series of events following his arrival at New Horizons culminates in a desperate rescue mission on a mountain that has already claimed the lives of two young soldiers.
This book was interesting, but where your stomach hurts from thinking about it and your mind is confused on if this is really happening. I don't understand how someone can be so violent and angry, while at the same time be really intelligent and logical. I don't believe that people are necessarily evil, but Hamish wasn't a good person most of the time. Most of his decision made me furious, but his analyzing of it, makes it strangely entertaining. Hamish is unable to relate to, which didn't make this book work well. I think that a lot of the other boys in the home would have been interesting.

The plot didn't engage me and it did at the same time, but it was like watching a psychological thriller that it sucked me in. This book was unlike anything that I have ever read before, but I don't think that this book should have been in the young adult section. A lot of it was focused on adults, trying to figure out what to Hamish, which while intriguing, was more educational then entertaining. Wright's writing was splendid, but it just didn't help the story. I would recommend this to people that are looking for an educational book and not necessarily entertaining.

Fragment Friday (5)

Fragment Friday is a meme hosted by James at Book Chic where you read an excerpt from either your current read or one of your favorite books and post it on your blog to share with others! It's a fun way to learn about new books or to hear a sample from a book you're dying to read.

Falling in Love with English Boys by Melissa Jensen

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Sixteen-year-old Catherine Vernon has been stranded in London for the summer—no friends, no ex-boyfriend Adam the Scum (good riddance!), and absolutely nothing to do but blog about her misery to her friends back home. Desperate for something—anything—to do in London while her (s)mother’s off researching boring historical things, Cat starts reading the 1815 diary of Katherine Percival her mom gives her—and finds the similarities between their lives to be oddly close. But where Katherine has the whirls of the society, the parties and the gossip over who is engaged to who, Cat’s only got some really excellent English chocolate. Then she meets William Percival—the uber-hot descendant of Katherine—and things start looking up...
I love anything that has to do with England, so I was so excited to hear about this book. I mean English boys are always full of win. The main character Cat was easy to relate to, except the whole not wanting to go to England craziness at the beginning, but I really enjoyed her sassy and witty narrative. Her love affair with chocolate was awesome and I have actually been buying the chocolate that she mentions in the book. I also liked that she met people from buying the chocolate at the new stand and that they had things in common. Will was amazing. I mean he is British and he was a really sweet and caring character. The relationship between Will and Cat was well developed and kept me interested. The flashbacks provided by Katherine's diary were really through and historically accurate. I also liked the experience of reading it as Cat was. Katherine was intelligent and overall awesome and I also cheered for a boy for Katherine too.

The plot captured my attention from the beginning and I just loved how cute it was. It was a really original story, because it brought two unique worlds together so simply. Jensen is a gifted writer and I am excited to see more from her in the future. I recommend this book to people that want a fun and cute read.

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Harperteen
Date: May 31, 2011
How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.
This book sounds really epic and the cover is also so gorgeous.

Trailer Tuesday (25)

I am so excited for Desires of the Dead to come out. I loved The Body Finder!

Winners!

I have a few winners to announce.
Out For Blood winner: Emily @ The Ninja Librarian
The winner of When the Stars go Blue is: Korianne Wey
The winner of Fall for Anything is: Chloe
Congrats to the winners!
I'll have some more contest in the new year for sure. =)

In My Mailbox (Week of January 9th)

For Review:

Flirt Club by Cathleen Daly

The Girl Who Became a Beatles by Greg Taylor

Bought:

Serafina67 by Susie Day

Misguided Angel by Melissa De La Cruz

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Winnie's War by Jenny Moss

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Three Quaters Dead by Richard Peck

Rating:
Characters: 13/20
Plot: 14/20
Originality: 15/20
Writing: 12/20
Recommendation: 14/20
Overall: 68/100 or D
Source: Publisher

Kerry is chosen by the coolest clique in school and so she thinks life has finally begun. But then it seems all over when her three friends are killed in a shocking car accident. Or are they? Only weeks after the accident, Kerry receives a text from one of the girls: We're all 3 here at my aunt's in the city. Take the 3:50 train. B there. Exhilarating, terrifying suspense is crossed with a thought-provoking examination of peer pressure in Richard Peck's return to his contemporary teen- and ghost-story roots. This is a master author's gift to the Gossip Girl/Twilight generation: his own smart, stylish, and fun take on the paranormal.
So, I wanted to like this book, but I hated the narrator. She just annoyed me like crazy. Kerry was overly niave and trusted Tanya, Natalie, and McKenize way to much. There was also the fact that this book didn't make sense. It was six month in the future and suddenly a few people are dead. It left me wondering what exactly happened in those last six months. The second part of the novel, quickly jolts forward out of nowhere. It was somewhat creepy, but not nessicarily scary. I haven't read anything else by Peck, but this book was sadly a disappointment. I would suggest this book, if you want something that is very materialistic and vain read.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Rating:
Characters: 19/20
Plot: 20/20
Originality: 20/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 20/20
Overall: 98/100 or A
Source: Bought

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.
In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.
Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

I loved Sydelle. She was such a strong character and full of so much life. Her strong voice made the story more enjoyable as does her hope. I also loved North. He was so strong and sweet at times, other times he was a complete jerk and I was never sure of his motives. The relationship between them developed really quickly and seemed unrealistic at times, but if you were traveling with someone like they were, you might do that too. The plot of Brightly Woven was epic. It captured my imagination really quickly and I just loved it. The world was developed into something that I have never seen before and was so detailed. Unlike a lot of fantasy, I understood what was going on and never felt lost. Bracken's debut leaved me wanting more from her. Brightly Woven was exquisitely written and will easily captivate you. I highly suggest that you read this book, it was exciting and a page turner.

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 19/20
Overall: 93/100 or A
Source: Publisher

Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things. But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you wants to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out. Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.
Natalie reminded me of how I was, because I tried so hard to be the model student that I really missed a lot of things like high school dances and parties. She was so determined, smart, and sweet. The main problem that I had with her, was that she was so concerned with being a feminist that she was bitchy to people that she cared about. I really liked Spencer, because while she was like strong and powerful, she was also feminine and sure of what she wanted. Can I just say that I totally love The plot of this book was epic and I was engaged the whole time. I also found it to be unique from a lot of contemporary books, because it didn't seem forced or fake. Vivian's writing was epic. Natalie was a girl that anyone can relate to and I enjoyed her. I highly recommend that you read this book as soon as possible. It was epic.

Waiting on Wednesday (85)

Title: The Lipstick Laws
Author: Amy Holder
Publisher: Graphia
Date: April 4, 2011
At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.
For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.
But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?
This book looks really cute and I am in love with the cover.

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 20/20
Overall: 93/100 or A
Source: Bought
Since the day Emerson Pressman and her mother were diagnosed as HIV positive, nothing has been the same. When her mother dies of AIDS, Emmy has to go live with the father and stepmother she barely knows, and she feels more alone than ever. Now she has to take pills by herself, and there is no one left who understands what it's like to be afraid every time she has a cold. But when her father decides to send her to Camp Positive, a camp for HIV-positive children, Emmy begins to realize that she's not alone after all, and that sometimes, opening up to other people can make all the difference in the world.
When I got sick the first thing that they tested me for was HIV, and I was so afraid that I got it somehow. I didn't have it, but my disease is caused by the immune system. Even though our diseases are very different, I could totally relate to Emmy. I know that if I have 100% lung function by the time I am forty or if my liver doesn't stop from the pills, I am lucky and Emmy is faced with that too in other ways. There are days that I want to just throw my pills out or not get shots anymore, but I know that decision is a choice between life and death. When I first got sick, I went to a camp for teens with Primary Immunodeficiency and it was similar to what Emmy experienced at Camp Positive. Some of the friends from that time are dead, but they are far from forgotten. The part about the balloons really got to me, because that it what we do every year on my sister's birthday.

The plot is real, because you are constantly reminded how hard life can be for some people. This book is really original, because it leaves you with so much hope. Shienmel is a fantastic writer. I loved that this is based by her experience from with working The Elizabeth Glaser AIDS Foundation and is really accurate and realistic. I highly suggest that you read this book, it is a story of a girl with so much strength.

Books read in December 2010

141. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
142. When the Stars go Blue by Caridad Ferrar
143. Entice by Carrie Jones
144. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
145. Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey
146. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
147. Pink by Lili Wilkinson
148. The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
149. Falling in Love With English Killers by Melissa Jenson
150. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
151. White Cat by Holly Black
152. Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
153. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
154. Posistively by Courtney Sheinmel
155. Three Quaters Dead by Richard Peck

Reviews posted from these books: 6 of these books so far, a few are planned to be posted later.
Books from Library: 0
Books for Review: 11
Books borrowed: 0
My Favorite: Not That Kind of Girl! I love Siobhan Vivian!
My Least Favorite: Three Quaters Dead, I liked it, just slow and shallow character.
Debut Authors '10: 49 read 1 books left

In My Mailbox (Week of January 2nd)

For Review:
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Swag from Leah Clifford

Yay!

Happy New Year!