In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. This week I got lots of new books! I'm very excited about them. I'm going to camp for a week, so I'm taking a week off from blogging, but first I'm going to share the new books I bought!

The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

 Relic Master: The Lost Heiress by Catherine Fisher

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

I got 5 awesome new reads this week that I can't wait to get into!! What books did you get in your mailbox this week?

Follow Friday (11)

Follow My Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. This week's question is:

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

Right now I'm actually reading a book that revolves around the fae and fairies. It's called The Dream Crystal. It's not my favorite but it's pretty good. I haven't read very many books involving the fae or fairies, but I did read Wings. (The sequel is Spells). It was a really amazing read that I quiet enjoyed. I haven't read spells yet, but it's on my TBR pile that never seems to quit growing!

What is your favorite fairy tale of story that revolves around the fae?

Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

Pages: 366

IN THE SOCIETY, THE OFFICIALS DECIDE.

WHO YOU LOVE. WHERE YOU WORK. WHEN YOU DIE.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certaintly that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow--between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and a storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

I haven't read any reviews on this book because I wanted to read the book and see how it affected me first. I waited a while after this book came out to read it also--after all the hype. At first I wasn't grabbed by this book and I thought it would take me forever to get through. The first day I read this was slow-paced and I almost forced myself into it. But after about the first 50 or so pages things started to get interesting.

The characters in this book were overall amazing. Peculiar and daring, but sweet and caring. Xander is so wonderful. But he is too gentle I thought. And Ky. Ky is new, different, wild, adventerous even. They were both matched to Cassia, but from the start I knew which boy would capture Cassia's heart. I was right and wrong.

I did think that Xander should have been more involved in the story. More official dates and outings after being Matched and everything. The book was mainly focused on Ky, which was good and bad. One thing I loved about Ky was his drawings and writing. It was his story. It reminded me so much of The Book Theif. I am in love with that book. And in the same way, Matched, or Ky, touched my heart.

The Officers or Officals, whatever name they go by, are just plain cruel. (It was a great twist to the story, but still.) Their tricks and experiements with the Matching Pool. They had to know it would only lead to trouble! In this book, what is expected is unexpected, and what you think is unexpected is expected. Confused? Start reading.

Ally Confie's writing flowed and once I got into the book it kept me reading. I easily found myself lost in the book and I looked down to be a hundred pages more through the book then I was when I started. Time just flew by. This is a great fantasy book that tells a story of whats right: technology, or your heart.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Top Ten Tuesday Book Blogging!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is:
The Top Ten Reasons You Love Book Blogging

1. I read more books now then I used to
2. I get to share my thoughts on the books I read
3. My TBR list keeps growing (although I have been tearing through it lately!)
4. I find out about books I never would have before from reading other blogs
5. I get to meet other people who love to read
6. I have gotten past my "book predjudice" and now I am open to reading any YA book (and some adult literature)
7. Not many authors send me books yet which is a downside, but the books I have recieved I'm greatful for
8. I love it when people comment about how they've read the book I reviewed or mentioned too and I can go read their review of it
9. My knowledge and vocabulary is growing from writing reviews because I don't like to use the same word over an over. Although I can't say anything about my spelling (:
10. I love to read! This is an AMAZING way to share books with other people and to just let your bookishness go wild!

What are your top ten reasons for book blogging?

The Boyfriend List

The Boyfriend List (15 guys, 11 shrink appointments, 4 ceramic frogs, and me, Ruby Oliver) by E. Lockhart

Pages:: 229

Ruby Oliver is fifteen and has a shrink. She knows it's unusual, but give her a break--she's had a rough ten days. In the past ten days she:

• lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
• lost her best friend (Kim)
• Lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
• did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
• did something advanced with a boy (#15)
• had an argument with a boy (#14)
• drank her first beer (someone handed it to her)
• got caught by her mom (ag!)
• had a panic attack (scary)
• lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie)
• failed a math test (she'll make it up)
• hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends)
• became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
• had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the boys'!?!)

But don't worry--Ruby lives to tell the tale.
And make more lists.

E. Lockhart is an amazing writer. I love her stories! I recently read Dramama, and I've also read Fly On the Wall. They were both really great stories so I was excited to read this one. I didn't like it as much as Dramarama, but it was pretty good.

Ruby Oliver is a peculiar character. She is very opinionated and I don't find many characters that are. She is learning to deal with her friends, feelings, and most importantly her family. Her family life is quite strange! I don't know if I would be able to survive in a house with her parents. They never let her say a word!

The way this book is written, sometimes it was hard to figure out what was going on. The past, present, and future were all over this book in no particular order. It didn't really seem to have a beginning, middle, and end. It was just all there.

There were lots of characters in this book as well. I knew there would be, but I wasn't prepared for this. It was hard at times to remember which boy did what and when they did it. It's hard to realize everything happened in ten days. It could've been ten months!

Overall I wasn't impressed with the organization of this book, but it was a really cute story. I enjoyed reading it and I want to read the other books in the series. This is a great summer read and perfect for sitting out on the beach (which I did!!) and soaking up the sun.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Island Dreamer

Christy Miller Collection Book five: Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 172
Christy Miller is spending her sixteenth birthday on Maui with her family, Todd, and Paula, her best friend from Wisconsin! What could be better? But Christy soon finds that she an Paula don't  have as much in common anymore. Paula's obssessed with having a boyfriend...even if it means stealing Todd from Christy! WIll he choose Paula over her? Or will the islands send Christy dreaming in new directions?

This is one of my favorites, and one of my least favorite Christy Miller books. And there are good reasons for that. Robin Jones Gunn never stops surprising me with these books! Through ever twist in the story and every irksome character, the more I read, the more I loe these books.

This book was really good because it takes place in Maui, only one of my dreams! I want to go there soo bad! And, I mean, Christy is turning sixteen and she is spending it in Maui with Todd! Nothing could be better...

Except Paula. She is my least favorite character in the whole series. Honestly. I hate her guts. She goes to Maui, all expenses paid for Christy's birthday knowing very well how much Christy likes Todd, yet the whole time she is there she has glued herself to Todd's side! She flirts with him, touches his hair, and clings to his arm. She never leaves him alone! Poor Christy! I have to give her credit. If I were her I would've set Paula straight. And if that meant I had to slap her a few times to get the point across, then so be it. All I know is that if I were Christy, after that trip Paula would not be my friend anymore!

I love that despite complications with Paula, Todd and Christy's relationship grows. They clearly love each other and I can't get over there relationship. It is one that I can only hope to find someday. They stick together through thick and thin. It's amazing how much they care for each other and how much they understand each other.

Overall this is a book that will dig deep inside of you and relase lots of emotions. Jealousy, outrage, love, humor,  and nervousness all at the same time! This is a great book and I think everyone shoud read the series. I know I say that a lot.... I can't help it! Thank you Sydney for loaning me those books!

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Surprise Endings

Christy Miller Collection Book 4: Surprise Endings by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 153
Cheerleading tryouts are coming up, and Christy MIller is giving it all she's got. The competition is tough and some of the girls are just rude, but Christy thinks she has a good chance to make the squad. Meanwhile prom is just around the corner, and Christy hopes her parents will make an exception to their "no dating until sixteen" rule. She'd love to go with Todd to his prom! But nothing turns out as Christy has planned. As the surprises keep coming, can Christy respond with Grace...and maybe even spring a surprise of her own?

I just can't express how much I love these books! Honestly, whether you have a close relationship with God, or you've never thought about Him before, everyone should read these books. They are such amazing stories and Robin Jones Gunn wrote them amazingly well. Her stories flow and they captivate me so I can't put it down until it's over.

One reason I really loved this book was Christy. In this book, as she becomes a cheerleader, she learns to stand up for herself and to say what she feels is right. Whether she is standing up to a particular girl on the squad, or telling Rick how she feels, I think Christy has grown up a lot in this book.

At points in this book I became frustrated with just about every character. Rick, because he is a jerk and only likes a certain type of girl: a "rah-rah." Todd, for a surprise about prom. Although I quickly got over that when I realized the circumstances and I was acctually very proud of Todd. And finally Christy because of the way she handled the prom situation. Oh yeah, and Katie for telling her to ditch Todd and go for Rick.

But, it all works out and so far this has been my favorite book in the series.

As the title is called, Surprise Endings, there certainly is one that I never saw coming. It was amazing and I can only hope that someday I have the strength, brains, and relationship with God like Christy has to do what is right and help others.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Best Friend, Worst Enemy

Holly's Heart Collection 1: Best Friend, Worst Enemy by Beverly Lewis

Pages: 129

Holly Meredith loves her family, her friends, and her cuddly cat, Goofey. She has a fabulous birthday--Valentine's Day--and her mom affectionately calls her "Holly Heart." But Holly has a lot to learn about dealing with life--her crazy family, school pressures, and unpredictable relationships. Thankfully, with the help of her closest friends and her strong faith in God, Holly can survive anything!

Holly and her best friend, Andie, face the biggest challenge yet to their longtime loyalty. Who'd think first crushes could be so complicated?



Beverly Lewis is such a great author and I really enjoyed this most recent collection of books. In the first book, Holly is twelve years old and in seventh grade, which is the same age I was when I first read this book. So when I was browsing through the library and I found this, I knew I wanted to read it again. I'm really glad I did.

Holly's Heart is a cute collection of stories and in the first one, Holly and her best friend Andie both like the same guy. It was a very interesting way to open up the series because by the way that Andie acted, it didn't seem like she and Holly were very good friends at all. In fact, I thought that Andie was a little brat.

The only person in the book who I disliked more than Andie was Jared. He's the boy that both Holly and Andie like. If it weren't for him and his rude ways, they wouldn't have gotten in such a big fight.

It was great to read a book with a character as young as twelve because it made me think back to when I was that age and how funny it is to see the way that young teenagers act. First love and growing up can be difficult and Best Friend, Worst Enemy is a great way to see that.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. It's not Sunday, but I'm leaving for vacation so I don't know how much time I will have on the internet. I just recieved one book this week: The Lake, which I won in the Banana Blog Hop. I'm very excited to read this book, and everyone should know that a portion of the money made from selling this book will go to relief funds in Japan. They still need help and this book is just one way to help them! Plus, it sounds like an amazing story!

The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Yours Forever

Christy Miller Collection Book Three: Yours Forever by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 157
Christy is back at Aunt Marti and Uncle Bob's house on the beach for the entire week between Christmas and New Year's . . . and Todd is in town, too! The cute surfer completely captured Christy's heart last summer, and sh'es eager to spend every possible minute with him. But soon Christy and her aunt are barely speaking, and it seems like all her friends are mad at her, too--including Todd! Is he hers or isn't he? And why would God let things get so tangled?

Christy, Christy, Christy. Christy has to be one of the best characters ever. She is so real. Her feelings and emotion just fly off the page and as she gets closer to God and her friends, she becomes so real. She also makes mistakes, jumps to conclusions, speaks before thinking, and doesn't always watch her temper. But, with God's help, Christy realizes she can get through anything and that He will be there for her forever.

That's why this book was so amazing.

Out of the first Volume, Yours Forever was my favorite book. Struggling relationships between Todd, friends, her family, and God is what Christy faces here and even though she doesn't always get it right, she persues and with God's help she makes everything right.

This book tells an amazing story about the differences of liking somebody and being in love, and what it means to really be someone's friend forever. I don't think anyone can walk away after reading this book unchanged. The Christy Miller Collection is such a wonderful set of books, and I think everybody should read them.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

A Whisper and a Wish

The Christy Miller Collection Book Two: A Whisper and a Wish by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 157
Christy's family has moved to Califonia just in time for her sophomore year of high school. But they're not in Newport Beach, where she spent the summer. Instead they're an hour and a half away and Christy has to start all over making friends. Despite an embarrassing escapade at a slumber party, things are going pretty well... until some midnight fun leads to a trip to the police station. Does God really hear every whisper? Does He really know our every wish? Then why is it so hard to know who your friends really are?

This book teaches an amazing lesson about being true to yourself and figuring out what it means to have a real friend. Like the first book, A Whisper and a Wish captured my heart and left me even closer to God then I was before.

The characters from the last book are only in this book for like one chapter, unfortunately that's including Todd, but some new characters are introduced: Katie who is fun-loving and close to God; Janelle who tries to support and help her friends; and Brittany who has a hard past, a difficult present life, and what could be a deadly future becaues of her habbits. They quickly become Christy's new best friends in Escondido, but sometimes they aren't whom they seem to be. Although I was very frustrated with some of the behavior from one of the girls, it made for an amazing story and it really made me think about how a real friend should be.

There isn't really anything that I didn't like about the book, other than the fact that it made me realize how terrible teenage girls can be to one another. I did get very frustrated with Brittany's actions, but overall it made for a good story. Robin Jones Gunn did a fabulous job crafting this story and I really enjoyed reading it again!

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Pages: 293

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass the seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and  a goddess.
If she fails . . .

I love Greek mythology, or history as referred to in this book, and it's always very interesting. I was intrigued by the cover and summary of this book so I thought I would give it a shot. I wasn't knocked out of my socks, but I wasn't too dissapointed with it either.

The characters were pretty well developed, and I loved Kate's emotions. You can tell she loves her mother dearly and that she would do anything for her. Kate has strong emotions and opinions throught the book that really brought the book together.

The one character relationship that I found strange was Kate and Ava. Ava was a total brat and tried to ditch Kate, and after Ava's accident, they were best friends and Kate said she would do anything to help her. They instantly clicked as if nothing had happened. I like to think I'm a nice person, but I don't know if I'm that nice.

When starting this book one thing I thought happened was that when the girls failed a test they died. The summary makes it seem that way. It was a whole new twist to the story when I started to realize what was really going on. So in one way I was dissapointed, but in another I was intrigued to figure everything out.

I found that the book dragged a little. I expected tests based off of skills of physical work and intelligence. Not knowing what the tests were was a little boring. Kate just adjusted to the lifestyle without really being "tested" in the way I thought she was.

I guess overall the book wasn't what I was expecting. It dragged a little and didn't seem to have a whole lot going on for much of the book, but it was such an interesting topic that it kept me wanting to finish the book. It's not one of my favorites, but I did like the ending and I will read upcoming books in the series.

Overal Rating: 3 Stars

Musing Monday (7)

Musing Monday is hosted by Should Be Reading. This week's musing asks...

What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn’t put it down?

Well this is ironic! Last night I stayed up until after 2 am reading Anna and the French Kiss because it was so good! I finished it too! Usually sleep takes over me around midnight and I tell myself that the book can wait, but last night I was so entranced in the book I didn't even realize the time until I was done with the book. I absolutely loved the book, as you can read in my review below, and I highly recomend it!


What's the last book you stayed up to read?

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Pages: 372
Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, whegre she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Etienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Etienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited Grench kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction hih in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

I finally read it, I did! And I cannot believe this book sat on my bookshelf for so long before I read it! I had heard that the books was pretty good, but I have no idea why I didn't open it until now!

The book was pretty fast-paced because I couldn't put it down. The scenery, the characters, and the emotions drew me into the book and I couldn't leave. When Stephanie Perkins writes, the words just flow. I love her writing style and the way she wrote this book.

She did an amazing job on the characters. I'm just going to start with Etienne. He is my favorite character that I've ever read about! He is so hilarious and such a jokster, he is always there for Anna, and he's English. Accent and everything! The whole time throuhout the book I just pictured Alex Pettyfer the whole time. It was a nice picture. And, on to Anna, she was a very sweet girl. She had so  many emotions and Perkins did a magnificent job of potraying them. Anna was homesick, falling in love, and trying to stay loyal to her friends. She questioned how Etienne felt about her, there were awkward moments, I mean the whole thing was so real. This love story could happen in real life.

The only thing I didn't care for where the fights. Towards the end of the book Anna and Etienne, along with her friends, got in so many fights. It was just one after another and I didn't think it would end! The one fight that I loved though was with Anna and Amanda. I cheered. (:

Overall this is an amazing read that no one should pass up. I don' think there is anyone who would not enjoy this book. It's a perfect romance novel that will capture hearts forever.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Dark City

Relic Master: The Dark City by Catherine Fisher

Pages: 372
Anara is a world mysteriously crumbling to devastation.Nothing is what it seems: Ancient relics emit technologically advanced powers, members of the old Order ar hunted by the governing Watch yet revered by the people, and the great energy that connects all seems to also be destroying all.

The only hope rests on Galen, a master of the Order, and his sixteen-year-old apprentice, Raffi, who have heard rumors of a secret relic that could help save Anara. The Watch have heard the rumors too, and want the relic for themselves. Raffi and Galen hunt for it in the dark city of Tasceron.

BUT THE WATCH ARE HUNTING THEM.

I am a huge Catherine Fisher fan. I just love the fantasy worlds that she creates and the characters that live in them. I was very please with the first book in her new series Relic Master.

Anara is a very interesting world. It is falling apart. I love the animals and peculiar plants that grow, along with the seeds that those plants produce. From an underwater forest to a city encased in darkness, I never know what to expect with Fisher.

I tore through the book and I couldn't put it down. The characters are amazing. I love how hard Raffi tries to please his master and how much he wants to learn. Galen's secret is a constant struggle throughout the book and an amazing external and internal conflict. My favorite character was Carys. She is a very interesting and cunning girl. She is very good at hiding her emotions and decieving people.

Overall this is a fast-paced book that will leave you wishing for more. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat and flipping pages faster and faster as the book continues. I was not diassapointed with this new book. I absolutely loved the last paragraph of the book and I can't wait to get the second installment in the series.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

In My Mailbox (8)

This week for In My Mailbox, I am very excited because I bought two new books that I can't wait to read! (Well, I read one already, but I can't wait to read the other!)
The books I bought are:

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Relic Master: The Dark City by Catherine Fisher

I've hear amazing things about The Goddess Test, and when I fly down to South Carolina on Friday I'm going to dig into it! As for The Dark City, I've been dying to read it! Catherine Fisher is one of my all-time favorite authors because of her previous set of books: Incarceron & Sapphique. The Dark City is the first book in her new quartet: Relic Master. The second, third, and fourth books are coming out this summer: June 14, July 12, and August 9.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Extaordinary

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Pages: 390

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new girl at school. Soon the two become as close as sister . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, appears. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe--but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself.

Soon she'll discover the shocking, fantastical truth about Ryland and Mallory, and about an age-old debt they expect Phoebe to pay. Will she be strong enough to resist? Will she be special enough to save herself?

The cover on this book is just gorgeous in my opinion. I love the dark green grass, the coloful trees, and the outfit the girl is wearing. It's colorful and inviting . . . until you read the text. I have to say that I was very, very dissapointed with this book.

At the begining of this book I wasn't hooked, but I figured I would give it some time, maybe a hundred pages, and then I thought I would be tearing through it just dying to find out what the big secret is and how the relationships turn out.

Half way through the book, Phoebe still didn't know that Mallory and Jason are some sort of faeries, and she didn't know her destiny or anything. It was a very, very slow pace.

One thing in particular I didn't like was the character Ryland. At first I thought, wow: a secret relationship with a dreamy guy from "Austrailia." But, he was six years older than her, he told her to loose weight, told her she wasn't beautiful, and was just overall very rude to Phoebe. Just in little, everyday things. I hated his personality, like he thought he owned her. The whole time he was just putting her down and trying to seduce her. I have no idea whatsoever why she was attracted to him and why she stayed with him.

Overall the book just didn't keep me interested and it took me four days to get half way finished with it! You can give the book a shot, but I won't be recomending this book to my friends.

Overall Rating: 1 Star

Follow Friday (11)

Follow My Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. This week's follow asks:

Q. The magic book fairy pops out of your cereal box and says "you and your favorite character (from a book of course) can switch places!" Who are you going to switch with?

Hmm, let's see. I think I am going to trade places with Jade from The Nature of Jade because:
1. She has a job at the zoo working with elephants
2. She lives in Washington which is amazing! (& going to college in New Mexico!)
3. She is dating Sebastian who is super cute
4. Sebastian's family: His son Bo is sooo adorable & I just want to eat him up! Plus, his grandmother who is strong and hilarious, and just an over-all good person.
I love this book; it is my favorite book by Deb Caletti and I would just love, love, love, to spend a day in Jade's place. Who would you switch with?

Summer Promise

Christy Miller Collection Book One: Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages:178

Fourteen-year-old Christy Miller has the dream summer ahead of her in the sun-kissed California, staying with her aunt and uncle at their beachfront home. Aunt Marti loves to shop, and those surfers are cute--especially Todd. Christy promised her parents she wouldn't do anything she'd regret later, and some of her beach friends are a little wild. But Todd and his "God-Lover" friends are giving Christy a new image of all things eternal. Can this summer live up to its promise?


This is the second time I am reading this series, and I only liked it more! I love the characters: from nervous, self-concious & insecure Christy to bold, in love with God & laid-back Todd. And of course, Doug's famous hugs!

I really love the main character of this book, Christy. She is just becoming a teenager and she is uncomfortable with herself. Many books that I read either don't have this type of character, or the character's thoughts and feelings aren't portrayed very well. Robin Jones Gunn did a magnificent job of creating Christy.

My favorite part of the book was the ending. I won't go into details, but it's an amazing ending that I never saw coming. You cannot be dissapointed with the ending of this book!

This book really introduces what it means to really be a Christian and what it means to give yourself to God. I just loved it! Most books are not so up-front and personal about God, especially teen books. So, whether you are a follower of God or not, this book will teach you something new. It will open up a whole new life. It sure changed mine!

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

If You Come Softly

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

Pages: 181

Jeremiah feels good inside his own skin. That is, when he's in his own Brooklyn neighborhood. But now he's going to be attending a fanc prep school in Manhattan, and black teenage boys don't exactly fit in there. So it's a surprise when he meets Ellie the frist week of school. In one frozen moment their eyes lock, and after that they know they fit together--even though she's Jewish and he's black. Their worlds are so different, but to them that's not what matters. They have something private and apart from the rest of the world. But the rest of the world doesn't neccessarily see it like that.

After reading The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson, I knew I wanted to read more of her books. Though short, they are heart-capturing stories that haven't left me dissapointed yet.

This book was interesting because lately I've been dealing with a similar issue as Ellie and Miah. I loved their story: how they met, how they fell in love, and ultimately, how they were seperated. First love can be difficult, and this one certainly was. Though short, and not many written feelings, you could just feel and understand how Ellie was feeling at the end of the book. It was just beautiful.

Race is a big part of this book and it makes you realize that even though we are all supposed to be treated eqaul, sometimes we aren't. And the ending to this book is just one of many reasons of why we need to change.

There isn't too much to say about this book other than I loved it. If you haven't read it and you are looking for a quick but touching and inspiring read, then pick up If You Come Softly. One paragraph in the book (which I used for my Teaser Tuesday this week) was so inspiring. It is one of THE BEST lines in a book that I have ever read. I'm white, and I wonder, how can I use that to change the world?

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading. Just grab a few sentences from your book to share. Just don't post any spoilers!

"You don't think there's one white person in this world, Daddy," Miah said now, "soomewhere--who's different? Who gets up in the morning, looks in the mirror and says, 'I'm white so what am I gonna do with this--how am I going to use it to change the world?"

~Page 136 from If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson


What is your Teaser Tuesday??

Musing Monday (6)

Musing Monday is hosted by Should Be Reading. This week's musing asks...

Where is your favorite place to read?

My favorite place to read beside my room is either the tree in my from yard, way up high in the leaves and sunshine, or the loft in my basement. It is nice and cool in my loft and I can pile up on a mound of blankets and pillows. It is so cozy! I love to snuggle up and read a good book there.

Where is your favorite place to read?

In My Mailbox (7)

I haven't done an In My Mailbox in a couple of weeks because, sadly, I haven't been buying any books. ): All my money has to be saved for vacation (unless I go shopping with a friend and not a parent!).  So, I've been checking out many books from the library.

I did recieve a book for review:

The Dream Crystal by Mark O'Bannon

What books did you get in your mailboxes this week?

Dramarama

Dramarama by E. Lockhart

Pages: 308

Two theater-mad, self-invented, fabulositon Ohio teenagers.

One boy, one girl.

One gay, one straight.
One black, one white.
And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP.
It's a season of
gold lame,
hissy fits,
jazz hands,
song and dance,
true love,
and unitards
that will determine their future -- and test their friendship.

Okay, who doesn't love E. Lockhart?? She is honestly one of my favorite authors. Her books are so funny and beautifully written. They are a perfect, light, summer-time read. And this book was no different.


The main character Sayde was a very unique character. Her personality changes over the summer and she discovers her true talents, makes real friends, learns the meaning of love, and stands up for what she thinks is right--even if other people think she is complaining and being hypocritical and a negative influence. I really connected with Sayde, could feel her pain. The emotion was just leaping off the pages.

I really didn't like the ending of this book. I loved the epilogue, but the last chapters were very depressing. I didn't like the way it turned out. I know that Sayde was doing the right thing, but I wanted to see so much more of her! I wanted to see some lovin from a certain boy and some preformances of a lifetime!

Overall the book is a great read for anyone. There isn't any cursing or sexual talk besides peoples' buns. Lockhart kept me laughing throughout the entire book with characters like Demi and Sadye. I don't think there is a person who would not enjoy this book.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

Two * Way Street

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Pages: 288
There are to sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely highschool couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney--for a girl he met on the internet.
It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la--this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.
Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Coutrney. ANd it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

This book sounded very interesting, and I was pretty excited about reading it. The plot sounded new and interesting and I knew there was giong to be some unexpected love. I really wasn't all that pleased with the book though.

The first thing that turned me off from this book was the cursing. I doubt there was a single chapter in the book that didn'r drop the F-bomb, or another curse word. I really don't enjoy reading books where every other line has a bad word in it. It really takes away from the story.

There was also a lot of sex talk. Sex was another one of the main words in the book and so was, getting turned on. A little bit is fine, but I felt like whenever Jordan was explaining his feelings, everything led back to sex. Even if he was explaining that he didn't want to have sex with Courtney, it was still there.

Courtney's behavior bothered me too. She acted very childish and she couldn't handle situations very well. There are thousands of ways she could have handled things differently.

I feel like I'm really trashing this book, which I don't like to do. Overall I did enjoy the story line and plot. It was unique and interesting, I just wish it was so... awkward.  I wouldn't recomend this book to young adult readers, there was waaayy to much partying. It's not the book for me.

Overall Rating: 1.5 Stars

Follow Friday (10)

Follow My Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. This week's Follow question is:

Q. What are you doing to prepare for an upcoming zombie apocalypse and/or the return of Mel Gibson to the silver screen? (Both of which could be terrifying.)

Well, I've been "researching" the topic and racking up my brain with ideas of how to survive by reading books lie The Enemy, Rot & Ruin (Soon to read), and the Life As We Knew It trilogy even though that's not about zombies. I have also seen the movie Zombieland. I like across the street from an elementary school, two blocks from an intermediate school, about five blocks from out middle school, and like 15 from our highschool. So, if there is a zombie  apocalypse, I can be like the kids in The Enemy and we can become a large group survivng together at the school with lots of food saved up, plenty of baseball bats, guns, twinkies (go zombieland.) and a few other weapons of choice. I will also make sure there are some manly men to help gaurd us. (:

What would you do in a zombie apocalypse?

Something Like Fate

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Pages: 268

What if your sould mate is . . . your best friend's boyfriend?
Lani and Erin are lifelong best friends -- and total opposites. Lani's a down-to-earth Taurus; Erin's a fiery Leo. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. They've always had wildly different tastes, from pizza toppings to guys.
That is, until Erin starts dating Jason.
From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the amazing connection she feels with him. It's like they've known each other their whole lives. She's not sure if he feels it, too--but even if he does, he's off-limits. Lani's determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than hurt her best friend.
Then Erin goes away for the summer--and Jason seems to appear everywhere Lani turns. How long can she keep running from the guy who just might be the love of her life?

I've just been dying to read one of Susan Colasanti's books, and I'm really glad I did! This is the first book I've read by her and I loved it. I love her writing style, smooth and just how teens would talk. I couldn't put this book down.

I thought this book sounded very interesting, what with fate being such a big part of the book. I'm a strong believer in fate and I've been waiting for fate to send someone like Jason into my life: Tall, cute, romantic, in touch with his feelings, and has many of the same interests with me.
 
The only negative thing I can really say about this book is that sometimes the dialogue became long without breaks saying who said what. A few times I had to really concentrate while reading a conversation, but it wasn't too bad.

This book shows how mean girls can be sometimes. My jaw litterally dropped to the floor and my heart swelled with love for Lani and Jason. Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a secret relationship with some twists to the story. If you enjoy Sarah Dessen's books (who doesn't?!) or Deb Caletti's books, then I think you would enjoy Susan Colasanti's writing.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Breathing Underwater

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Pages: 263

To his friends, popular and handsome sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas has led a charmed life. But the guys in Nick's anger management class know differently. So does his ex-girlfriend Caitlin. Now it looks like the only person who doesn't realize just how far from perfect Nick's life has become is Nick himself.

June second, book 2! My friend Andrew has been nagging me to read this for months now and I'm sooo happy that I did. I wasn't sure if this would be any good or not, but honestly, it is one of my favorite books.

Some of the scenes in the book are from Nick's journal entries on what happened with his relaionship with Caitlin, and sometimes the scenes were so startling true I had to pause and close my eyes for a minute, just imagining if that could ever happen to me. It made me think of how I would handle being in an abusive relationship and if I would be able to get out of it.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it was from the abuser's point of view. Most books I've read have been from the victim's point of view and how the boyfriend/girlfriend has hurt them mentally and physically. It was very interesting to experience how Nick was feeling. Some of his emotions were just surreal.

Overall I think everyone should read this book. It is a quick read and Alex writes so smoothly. The book just flows. It's full of emotions and actions and it's amazing to see the steps Nick takes to try and turn his life around and a swell of emotion filled my heart when he realized how he had treated Caitlin.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Clarity

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Pages: 242
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother, who has supernatural gifts of his own, becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

It's the first of June and I am one day and one book into my challenge! When I first heard about Clarity, it looked interesting. But when I saw the cover, it really turned me off. And I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I did... and I've been proved wrong! I'm really excited I finally read this book.

Clarity is a pretty cool main character. She has pshycometry (I don't know if that is spelled right) where she can touch and object and see from someone else's point of view of something that happened in the past. I think that is the coolest gift ever! Except for maybe her mom who is a mind-reader. I don't think I would want her brother's gift -- talking to spirits.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that it was a mystery, but it wasn't a horrifying mystery. There were many parts that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages, but it wasn't heart-pounding, blood-pumping scary. It was intriguing. I was constantly guessing who the murderer was, and I was right! Well, half-right...

One thing I didn't like about this was the romance. There wasn't enough for me! She was all for Gabriel, then hated him. Then she was getting feelings for Justin. But, in the end, this may be a spoiler: caution!, I wish she had ended up with one of them! I really wanted her to get swept off her feet with sexy Gabriel, and if that didn't happen I at least wanted her to fogive Justin and go back to him!

I also wish Tiffany had been more involved in the story. She was mentioned in Clare's thoughts a lot, but she was really only in two of the scenes. I think a little conflict with that little brat would have been a nice change-up to the story.

Overall though I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and intriguing and I'm really happy I got past the cover and read it! If any of you are not reading this because of the cover, just ignore it! If you can, take off the jacket flap, or just don't look at it.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

30 Books in the 30 Days of June

It's June first and do you know what that means?
It's the 30 Books in the 30 Days of June challenge! This challenge is hosted  by the Cait Files. The rules are simple:

1. Post about joining the challenge
2. Read a book every day
3. Blog about them!

The hard part will be completing a book every day.. But I'm determined to try! I will be reviewing all of the books I read and every Thursday I will post an update about how well I did each week. Are you up for the challenge?  Push your limits!

Sign up here!

I'm not 100% sure which books I am going to read throughout the month, but a few that I want to read are:

• What Happened to Goodbye
• Starcrossed
• Bumped
• Breathing Underwater
• Something Like Fate
• Two Way Street
• The Girl in the Steel Corset
• You Know Where to Find Me
• Anna and the French Kiss
• Old Magic
• The Dream Crystal

What books will you be reading this month whether you are taking the challenge or not??

Teaser Tuesday (5)

I know it's Wednesday, but I've been busy! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. My teaser today is:

"A couple of weeks ago, I would've said the same thing. But you should know more than anyone how people surprise you. People can do things you never imagined they would. You think you know someone and then . . ."

~Page 234 of Clarity by Kim Harrington

What is your Teaser Tuesday?