Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Favorites

Favorite 2011 Reads

Contemporary 

Past Perfect Shut OutBetween Here and Forever
And Then Things Fall ApartLola and the Boy Next DoorThe Probability of Miracles


Paranormal 

The Near WitchShattered SoulsHourglass (Hourglass, #1)

Angelfire (Angelfire, #1)The Scorpio RacesBetween the Sea and Sky

Dystopian 

XVI (XVI, #1)Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1)

Historical Fiction 

Kat, Incorrigible (Kat, Incorrigible, #1)The Mark of the Golden Dragon: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Jewel of the East, Vexation of the West, and Pearl of the South China Sea (Bloody Jack, #9)


What were some of the best books you read this year? 


Friday, December 30, 2011

Review: Ditched by Robin Mellom

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom 
High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.
Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.
Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.
Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.
And then ditched her.
Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...
But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.
Filled with humor, charm, and romance, Ditched: A Love Story by debut novelist Robin Mellom will have readers dreaming of love on their own prom nights.
Review: 

I have heard mixed reviews about Ditched, but I had high hopes for this debut! While it wasn't as fantastic as I would have hoped, I did enjoy Ditched quite a bit and was able to finish it in just a few hours. The way the book was told was my favorite part. I loved how it alternated between the past and the present and how Justina was telling the story. Some people have complained about this aspect of the novel, but I think it worked perfectly and made me enjoy it that much more. Ditched is an utterly sweet and romantic read that is perfect for any teenager, male or female.

Justina's prom does not go the way she expected. Actually, it probably doesn't go the way anyone expected. After her best friend Ian asks her, Justina decides this is going to be the night she tells him how she really feels. Until she wakes up in a ditch and finds herself recounting her story to a pair of ladies in a local 7-Eleven and piecing everything together while she talks. One thing is for sure, anyone who reads this will never look at prom the same way again!

This was certainly a love story, and I especially adored that aspect of the book. I only wish we could have gotten more of Ian! He was such a sweet and truly nice guy, which made him an absolute winner in my book! I felt for Justina as she tried to figure out what was really going on between the two of them. I also couldn't believe how insane her prom was, although at times unbelievable, I enjoyed the ride nonetheless! 

Justina is an intriguing character. She doesn't seem like someone I would befriend in real life, yet I somehow connected with her over the course of the story. Her personality was infectious and I really liked her sarcasm and independence. The other characters, especially the Mikes and Serenity, were great. Justina met a variety of people over the course of a few hours and each of them impacted her in some way.

Robin Mellom has written an entertaining and fun story that is the perfect read for a rainy afternoon. The unique way Ditched was told made me like it even more and it was an adventure watching Justina piece together her night and to see how everything came together in the end. Some parts were a tad predictable, but I still found myself smiling at the end. If you're a fan of contemporary YA, this is certainly not one to miss. I'm looking forward to seeing what Robin writes next!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

January 10, 2012/Disney-Hyperion/288 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Thursday, December 29, 2011

2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge



1/10 books
I adore historical fiction and this is a great excuse to read more of it! I'm going to go for Level Two (10 books).

Books Read:

Faithful by Janet Fox

2012 Debut Author Challenge



3/12 books


The objective of this challenge is to read and review a minimum of 12 YA or MG debuts which I think will be fairly easy to accomplish! I love debuts! 

Books Read:

Fracture by Megan Miranda 
Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig 
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows 

2012 Contemporary YA Challenge








10/15 books

I am a huge fan of contemporary young adult, so this is the perfect challenge for me! I'm going to go for Level Three (15+ books). 

Books Read: 

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

Fracture by Megan Miranda
The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George 
Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig 
In Honor by Jessi Kirby 
Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby 
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
The Rivals by Daisy Whitney
The List by Siobhan Vivian 
Purity by Jackson Pearce 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (62)


Enchanted by Alethea Kontis 
It isn’t easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.
When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.
The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?
Release date: May 8, 2012 (Harcourt Children's Books)

The cover of Enchanted is what originally, well, enchanted me! Now that I have read the summary, I am even more excited!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Monday, December 26, 2011

Review: And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky

And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky 

Keek’s life was totally perfect.
Keek and her boyfriend just had their Worst Fight Ever, her best friend heinously betrayed her, her parents are divorcing, and her mom’s across the country caring for her newborn cousin, who may or may not make it home from the hospital. To top it all off, Keek’s got the plague. (Well, the chicken pox.) Now she’s holed up at her grandmother’s technologically-barren house until further notice. Not quite the summer vacation Keek had in mind.
With only an old typewriter and Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar for solace and guidance, Keek’s alone with her swirling thoughts. But one thing’s clear through her feverish haze—she’s got to figure out why things went wrong so she can put them right.

Review: 

And Then Things Fall Apart was a fantastic contemporary novel that reminded me why it was one of my favorite genres of YA. I went to Arlaina's signing a few months back and was very intrigued by the passages she read. It took me awhile to dive in myself but, once I did, it was hard to stop reading! There was something so original and unique about Arlaina's debut. The fact that Keek was writing her story from bed while suffering from chicken pox put an interesting spin on everything. I was worried this would make the story less enjoyable, but it only added to how much I liked it. Keek (short for Karina) was an excellent narrator and although she was younger than me, I still felt a connection with her. 

Keek was a very realistic character and I felt for her, but I also rooted for her to overcome her different struggles. Although Keek was only 15, she was very mature and I connected with her love for film and literature. One thing I know I have to do ASAP is read The Bell Jar! This novel played a large role in the story and in Keek's life. 

The style of this story was a very unique way to tell it, but it worked perfectly. Keek's voice danced from the pages and I loved how sarcastic and real she was. Everything Keek dealt with was believable and happened for a reason. She had to deal with a lot over the course of the novel and every page allowed me to better understand her and what she was going through. 

There were quite a few secondary characters, but none as solid as Keek. Nic and Keek's grandmother were two of my favorites and I only wish we could have seen more of them. 

Some people are put off by the set up of And Then Things Fall Apart, but I loved it. Keek is just writing from her sick bed, but we get to see so much more. She talks about past experiences and what happened leading up to this moment. Everything came together extremely well and Keek learned a lot about herself and her friends/family by the end of the book. 

If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read, with a unique twist and fantastic narrator, this is the book for you! I loved the way it was told and Keek is one of the most memorable narrators I have ever read about. I'm looking forward to seeing what Arlaina releases next, I'm hoping it's something else contemporary! 

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

S&S Children's Publishing/July 26, 2011/254 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

In My Mailbox (105)

All of the books I got this week were purchased, either from Amazon or The Strand. I've already two of them and wanted my own copies, but the others all look fantastic! I wonder which ones I should read first? Happy Christmas Eve everyone!


Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala 
Frost by Marianna Baer
Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen
Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa M. Klein (read already; wanted my own copy)
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
The Girl is Murder by Katherine Miller Haines
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin (read already; wanted my own copy)
This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas 

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (61)

Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley 
Go behind enemy lines during World War II in this tale of romance and espionage...

Betty, an American teenager living in Britain, is determined to contribute to the cause when the Germans begin bombing London in World War II. Instead of collecting scrap metal or running air raid drills like most girls her age, Betty lies about her age and trains to become a spy and member of the Special Operations Executive. Now known by her secret agent persona, Adele Blanchard, she soon finds herself parachuting over German-occupied France in the dark of night to join the secret Resistance movement.

Adele's missions in Paris and throughout the French countryside delivering top-secret messages, lead to several close calls with the Gestapo, but it's when she crosses paths with a young American pilot that Adele fully realizes the brutality of this war and the seriousness of her circumstances. Plus her changing feelings for this pilot are as uncertain as their future. Can Adele elude the Gestapo long enough to enjoy the future they are trying to protect?

Release date: June 19, 2012 (Walker Childrens) 

I love, love, love historical fiction! Especially ones filled with romance and adventure! Violins of Autumn certainly sounds like a fantastic read and the author is amazing! I can't wait until June to get my hands on this one. 
What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings 


1. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

I have had my eye on this one for months. I love the sound of the plot and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I've seen this on the shelf at Barnes and Noble and it's quite long, perfect for curling up by the fire over Christmas break! 

2. Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

The first book was fantastic and I've been eager to read this one ever since! 

3. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

I adore Stacey's books and Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespearean works. I can't wait to see how Stacey interprets the story! 

4. Ruthless by Sara Shepard 

Ahhh I need to know what happens next! Usually I rush right out and by these books the minute they're released, but since it's Holiday time I don't have as much extra cash. Hopefully this one is under the tree!

5. Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Saving June has gotten so much praise lately and it sounds right up my alley! I can't wait to see if it's as good as everyone says!

6. Surrender by Lee Nichols

The first two books were fantastic and I can't wait to see what happens in the last Haunting Emma book! 

7. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

I had an e-galley of this, but it, unfortunately, expired. I've heard mixed thoughts about The Pledge, but am optimistic since I adore her Body Finder series! 

8. Faking Faith by Josie Bloss

For some reason this has really caught my eye. I love a good "issues" contemporary and this certainly fits the bill. Plus, I have Josie's previous release on my TBR and this will give me a good sense of her work!

9. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

I can't believe I haven't read this one yet! It's been on my radar for what feels like years!

10. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset sounds like a fabulous book and I'm disappointed I missed the chance to snag one at BEA last year. I also think it's the start of a new series which is always fun! 

Monday, December 19, 2011

Review: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder 

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.
A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

Review:


The Probability of Miracles was a bittersweet and inspiring debut novel that had me experiencing a range of emotions from page one. Cam Cooper is one hell of a protagonist and her character was wonderfully developed. I loved her sassy and independent spirit and she is certainly a memorable character. The plot was original and unique; it was a contemporary novel with a twist. Wendy Wunder is certainly an author to watch and I'm anxious to see what's next for her.

Campbell Cooper was a spitfire protagonist, that I adored. Everything about her was unique and real. She was such a believable narrator and I connected with her from the start. Her sarcasm was great and added a lot to her character. Cam wouldn't take crap from anyone and I loved how independent and strong she was. All of the characters in The Probability of Miracles were well done and although there were very few of them, each of them stood out to me.

Everything that happened in The Probability of Miracles either made me smile, cry, gasp, or laugh. Each page, paragraph, line, and word was perfectly crafted and proved how great of a writer Wendy Wunder really is. There were quite a few twists in the plot and I became so invested in Cam's story, I had a hard time putting this book down after I'd finished. And this truly was Cam's story. Watching her struggle with cancer was heartbreaking and it was just as hard to see how it impacted her family and friends.

If you are expecting a teary, Nicholas Sparks-esque read with The Probability of Miracles, think again. This book was romantic, yes, emotional, yes, but it also had so much more to it. 

To elaborate, the romance was there, but it wasn't everything. Asher was a great character and he had a real connection with Cam. Watching them spend time together was one of my favorite parts of the book and I'm so glad Cam met Asher in Promise.

Promise was a character in itself and everything that happened there was a miracle. Amazing, unexpected things happened and I can only hope you will give this book a chance to experience them for yourself. 

It is hard to put into words my feelings for this book because I loved it. I have found myself wondering about it time and time again after finishing, and remembering that powerful last line. I highly recommend picking this up one day soon, it is an emotional and romantic read, with a sarcastic and strong protagonist that will steal your heart. There were so many small things occurring in The Probability of Miracles and, tied together, it made a masterpiece. I will definitely be purchasing this for a ton of people for Christmas!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

December 8, 2011/Razorbill/336 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC) 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

In My Mailbox (104)

I got lots of exciting reads this week! I can't wait to dive into them. What did you get this week?


In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey(thanks Melina!)
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (thanks Melina!)
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Swear by Nina Malkin
Swoon by Nina Malkin
Cinder by Marissa Meyer 
Fracture by Megan Miranda 

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (60)


The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?

Release date: July 17, 2012 (Bloomsbury) 

This sounds like an intense and spooky read- plus I love the cover. I can't wait to give this a shot and see what happens!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (and Giveaway!)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.


Review:

I have yet to read anything by Maggie before The Scorpio Races, but I was completely blown away by this heartbreaking and intense story of the deadly water horses. The world building was fantastic and I felt like I was transported to Thisby on the very first page. Sean and Puck were also wonderfully developed characters and I felt I really got to know them through the dual points of view. This is one read that is going to stay with me for a long time and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone I can.

The most fantastic part of this book is the mythology. The Scorpio Races are such a fantastic idea and Maggie went above and beyond in making sure the reader felt like they were part of everything that was going on. The concept of the races was pure genius and while I found myself alternatively cringing and gasping whenever the water horses entered a scene, I am so glad I had the chance to read this. Everything about this book proved how in depth Maggie went in her research and it also showed her own imagination and creativity. This was such an original read that captivated me from the start!

Kate Connolly (aka Puck) did not anticipate participating in the races and this event will change her life forever. I don't want to spoil anything, but from the moment Puck decides she wants to join the Scorpio Races nothing will ever be the same. Puck was such a well done protagonist. Her sharp wit, sarcasm, and bravery shown from the pages and I know I would want to have her on my side.

Sean Kendrick, the four time champion of the races, was another great character. He was mysterious and allusive at first, but the more I read the more I felt I truly understood him. I am so glad The Scorpio Races was told from both Puck and Sean's perspectives because it allowed me to get to know both of them equally.

While the races and capaill uisce were the main focus of the book, there was also a slow-growing and sweet romance. I liked watching Puck and Sean get to know each other and learn the motivation behind each of their participation in the races.

The build up to the races was heart pounding and each page presented a new twist or danger. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and I found myself thinking about this book frequently even after I finished reading it.

Maggie Stiefvater is definitely an author to watch and she has proven herself to me with just one book. I know I definitely need to check out her Shiver series now! The Scorpio Races is a fascinating and enthralling read that I highly recommend to anyone!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

October 18, 2011/Scholastic Press/404 Pages/Young Adult

Source: BEA and Publicist (ARC)
--
GIVEAWAY

I have two copies of The Scorpio Races to giveaway to two lucky winners! This is a fantastic book that you don't want to miss!

Fill out THIS FORM to enter. 

US Only. Two Winners. Ends December 20. 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

In My Mailbox (103)

I got some very exciting books this week, I am especially excited to read Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler since I adore her books. Let me know what you got! 


Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (trade)
Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes (review)
Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (ARC has old title and cover)
Irises by Francisco X. Stork (review) 

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally


Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.


Review:

Catching Jordan was a spunky and entertaining debut novel from Miranda Kenneally. The main character was sarcastic and real, I loved Jordan and would definitely like to befriend her in real life. Sports books have never been my favorite, except for Keri Mikulski's Pretty Tough series. Catching Jordan once again proved me wrong and I ended up learning a lot about football. What I liked best about Catching Jordan was that it was much more than a book about football. It dealt with many more issues and there were several sub-plots going on. I'm so glad I took the jump and read Catching Jordan because it was a great contemporary read filled with girl power that will appeal to both male and female readers. 


Jordan Woods is not your average high school quarterback. Why? Because she's a girl. I loved the premise of Catching Jordan. It's not very often that you see a female football player and I liked seeing how strong and determined Jordan was. She didn't take crap from anyone and would do anything to make sure she could reach her goals. Jordan was a force to be reckoned with and all she wanted to do was play ball in college. I liked Jordan a lot because she was so brave and snarky. Her personality was great and I was rooting for her from the start.

There were quite a few key characters in Catching Jordan and I only wish we got to see more of them. All of the guys on the football team had Jordan's back and I enjoyed getting to know them. Although I wish Carter, JJ, and the rest were more developed. Henry, Jordan's best friend, was one of my favorite characters in the book. He was such a unique guy and always had Jordan's back. Jordan was lucky she had her friends because she often had a lot of drama at home. I felt for her because her father, an NFL player, didn't always support her dreams, and that was tough. Luckily, her mother was always there for her.

There was romance as well and I was very happy with how things turned out! I don't want to spoil anything, so you'll just have to read the book to find out! ;)

Catching Jordan had a highly original plot that kept me hooked from the first page. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next, and even though some parts stalled, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut. Kenneally truly knows how to get inside the head of a teenager and this made Catching Jordan much more realistic.

I can't wait to read Miranda's next release, Playing Parker, and to start recommending Catching Jordan to my friends. This was a fun and original contemporary read and, while at times predictable, I enjoyed it overall. Go Jordan!


Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

December 1, 2011/Sourcebooks Fire/288 Pages/Young Adult


Source: Author (ARC)