March 31, 2012

What's Coming This Week #30

Paperback:

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2)Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3)Pure: The Second Covenant NovelLast Breath (Morganville Vampires Series #11)Between Shades of GrayRed Glove (Curse Workers Series #2)


Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2), by Suzanne Collins.
Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3), by Suzanne Collins.
Pure: The Second Covenant Novel, by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Last Breath (Morganville Vampires Series #11), by Rachel Caine.
Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys.
Red Glove (Curse Workers Series #2), by Holly Black.


Hardback:

Fear (Gone Series #5)The Fame GameBlack Heart (Curse Workers Series #3)Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin Trilogy Series #1)I Hunt KillersImmortal City


Fear (Gone Series #5), by Michael Grant.
The Fame Game, by Lauren Conrad.
Black Heart (Curse Workers Series #3), by Holly Black.
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin Trilogy Series #1), by Robin LaFevers.
I Hunt Killers, by Barry Lyga.
Immortal City, by Scott Speer.

March 29, 2012

Book Review #76: A Long Long Sleep

A Long, Long SleepTitle: A Long Long Sleep.
Author: Anna Sheehan.
Format: Audio Book.
Source: Library.
Publisher: Candlewick
Published Date: August 9, 2011.
Summary:

"It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone-- and her future full of peril.

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose-- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire-- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes-- or be left without any future at all."


Cover:

Audio books have really been my thing lately! I think they're the best thing ever! I mean I love reading an actual book, I love the smell, and the feeling of the pages on my finger tips. But audio books are great when you don't have your hands free. You can listen to them while you're driving, cleaning, cooking or even when you're in the shower (just make sure to turn it up louder).

The one down thing about audio books, is that you can't really get the whole feeling of the cover. Judging the cover wouldn't be fair.

Overall Thoughts:

Since reading Cinder, I've realized how much I enjoy reading re-tellings of classical fairy tales! No one should ever lose faith in losing their perfect fairy-tale, and I feel like reading books like this remind us of that(:

"A Long Long Sleep", pretty much gives away which story it's a re-telling of...(sleeping beauty...hint hint*). Instead of being in our time, the story actually takes place in the future; so no, there aren't any "princes" or "castles" in this version.

Rose is the daughter of a man who owns a business that pretty much controls the whole city they live in. No matter what it maybe, Rose's Dad's company, plays some sort of role in it. In this version of sleeping beauty, Rose isn't put to sleep, so that a handsome man can come buy her, of course on his noble stead, and rescue her. But instead she is put to sleep (for days, or even weeks at a time), for being tired, stressed, disrespectful, or just whenever her parents are going on a business trip.

Until the final time she was put in stasis (the chemical sleep she is put into), a war broke out in her time, and her parents didn't even think twice about going back to get her out. Throughout the time she spends in her stasis tube, Rose never ages, so after being in stasis for sixty-six years, then being pulled out, she is still as young as she was then.

Rose's parents, friends, and the boy she loved aren't around anymore. The government takes of her, putting her into a school, and finding adoptive parents who can take care of her until she's eighteen.

Throughout the first few months of this whole new world, Rose meets a lot of new people, and finds out a lot of old secrets. I loved A Long Long Sleep, I honestly couldn't get enough of it(:

If you haven't picked it up yet, than by golly, go now! GO!

March 28, 2012

WWW Wednesday #9

What am I reading?

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares  Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Right now I'm reading Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, and loving it so far! But I'm also still listening to Will Grayson Will Grayson, which I'm finding a hard time, to make time for it. Oh well, spring break starts this Friday, and I'll have nothing but time(:

What have I finished reading?

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy Series #1)   Audition

I just finished read Vampire Academy, which was great! I can't wait to start the second book and see how Lissa and Rose's adventure continues! Besides that I also just finished Audition not too long ago, it was in verse, which I haven't read too many books that have that, but it was also really good. It did have a bit of sexual content, but it was too bad, and it didn't go into detail.

What am I reading next?

Legend   Unearthly (Unearthly Series #1)

What I'm reading next is Legend, since it's a library book and needs to be returned and Unearthly, simply because it looks amazing and it's for a book club, that I'm a part of(:

If you have read any of the books I've mentioned, comment down below and tell me what you think of them!

Waiting On Wednesday #49

Hide and Seek (The Lying Game, #4)Title: Hide and Seek.
Author: Sara Shepard.
Summary:

"The fourth book in the Lying Game series by New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard features her trademark blend of juicy plotlines, to-die-for lifestyles, tangled webs of friendship and romance, and magnetic characters that will leave readers guessing until the very last page.

Sutton Mercer lived the high life—until someone took it all away. Now Sutton watches from beyond the grave as her long-lost twin, Emma, who assumed her identity, tries to find Sutton’s killer. Emma is crossing off suspects, but her own life is in danger as the murderer resorts to extreme measures to keep her quiet."


Release Date: July 31, 2012.

Teaser Tuesday #39: Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Audition

1. "Am I lonelier now
Than when my sad imagination
Had him disappear?"

2. "Heart torn,
Loosing tiny droplets
Of sorrow
No tape can measure
No needle can mend."

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

This week I started with a brand new book! I have a good handful of books that I need to review, so I'm actually ahead of my schedule. But anyways, the book I started this week off with, is Dash and Lily's Book of Dares! It's really short, cute, and I'm only a little bit away from being halfway done!


Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

"“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? "


I've heard rumors that there are a few other books like this, from the same author, but I haven't done any research yet. If you know about that, or if you've read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, let me know what you think of it in the comments. But PLEASE no spoilers!(:

March 25, 2012

Book Review #75: Annexed

Annexed
Title: Annexed.
Author: Sharon Dogar.
Format: Audio Book.
Source: Library.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Published Date: 10/4/2010
Summary:
"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."


Cover:

I'm still not sure about the cover yet. I've only listened to the audio book and looked at a few pictures online. So I don't think it would be fair to make a judgement on a 200x200 picture.

My Thoughts:

Last year in school we had to pick a non-fiction book, read it and write a report on it. I had no clue what I could read, until my dad suggested the Diary of Anne Frank.
I loved Anne Frank. I know it's a sad book in many ways, but it was interesting to see what people were really going through at that time. But in the back of my mind I always wondered is everything Anne Frank is saying in her diary, true? Did she really act so rude towards her mother? Did Peter have feelings for Anne?
I'm always curious to see if Peters side of the story was the same, or if Anne made it all up. when I saw Annexed in the library, I grabbed it right away, checked it out, and tossed it into the CD player on my ride home. I know Annexed isn't Peter's real story, it's all made up. But still I thought it was interesting.
I think the author, Sharon Dogar, did a great job writing Annexed and matching it not only to Anne's Diary but also real dates.
Before running off into the Annex, Peter visits his girlfriend named Lisa (who is completely made up). She represents all of the poor Jewish people sent of to concentration camps. The story starts of with Peter going to her house, wanting to say goodbye and letting her know that he is going into hiding.
When he finally gets there, he sees Lisa and her family sitting in the living room, just waiting for that loud knock on the door that signals all Jewish to evacuate the building. Not knowing what to do, Peter hides.
Finally reaching the Annexed, after seeing Lisa dragged away. Peter is haunting by memories and nightmares of his Lisa, for months to come. Peter was dreading to go to Annexed knowing he would be stuck in a tiny space with the Franks; especially Anne Frank.
The ending of the story is just like the one we all know, no big surprise! I loved Annexed and I would recommend it to anyone who liked Anne Frank's diary and just wants more(:

In My Mailbox #45

Happy Sunday!!!

Will Grayson, Will GraysonWill Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green.


"One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with . . . Will Grayson. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high school stage. Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of fans."

Legend by Marie Lu.
Legend
"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets."


AuditionAuditions, by Stasia Ward Kehoe.

"When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent."

Ship Breaker (Ship Breaker, #1)Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi.

"In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life...

In this powerful novel, award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers a thrilling, fast-paced adventure set in a vivid and raw, uncertain future."


Sweet Little Lies (L.A. Candy, #2)Sweet Little Lies, by Lauren Conrad.

"How Sweet it is?

Jane Roberts was the average girl next door until she and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, landed their own reality show, "L.A. Candy." Now the girls have an all-access pass to Hollywood's hottest "everything." But there's more to life on camera than just parties and shopping. . . .

When racy photos of Jane are leaked to the press, she finds herself at the center of a tabloid scandal. She turns to her co-star Madison Parker for help, unaware that Madison is scheming behind the scenes. She might be Jane's shoulder to cry on, but does Madison really have Jane's back?

Scarlett's working on a scandal of her own. She's fallen for someone who's strictly off-limits--which means Scarlett has a big secret to keep . . . from the "L.A. Candy" cameras, the paparazzi staking out her apartment, even from her best friend.

Of course, nothing stays secret for long for the stars of the newest hit TV series, and all this drama couldn't be better for ratings. But can Jane survive another season in the spotlight?

In television star Lauren Conrad's dishy, entertaining novel about young Hollywood, the lies are only as sweet as the people telling them."


Dash & Lily's Book of DaresDash & Lily's Book of Dares, by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.

"“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own."



This is what I got this week, what did you guys get? Link your post below, I would love to check it out!(:

What's Coming This Week #29

Paperback:

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2)Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3)Goddess InterruptedForgiven (Demon Trappers Series #3)Night Star (Alyson Noel's Immortals Series #5)EonaEntwinedThe Chaos (Numbers Series #2)Two Truths and a Lie (The Lying Game Series #3)

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2), by Suzanne Collins.
Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3), by Suzanne Collins.
Goddess Interrupted, by Aimee Carter.
Forgiven (Demon Trappers Series #3), by Jana Oliver.
Night Star (Alyson Noel's Immortals Series #5), by Alyson Noël.
Eona, by Alison Goodman.
Entwined, by Heather Dixon.
The Chaos (Numbers Series #2), by Rachel Ward.
Two Truths and a Lie (The Lying Game Series #3), by Sara Shepard.

Hardback:

Invisible SunLife Is But a DreamAfter the SnowThe Fame Game

Invisible Sun, by David Macinnis Gill.
Life Is But a Dream, by Brian James.
After the Snow, by S. D. Crockett.
The Fame Game, by Lauren Conrad.

March 21, 2012

WWW Wednesday #8

What am I reading?

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)

I see this series everywhere, and I swear it knows I haven't read it yet. I finally decided to pick up my copy last weekend and started reading! So far I'm a little more than half way through, and it's really good! I'm excited to write my review, and continue reading the series(:

What did I just finish reading?

Auditions, by Stasia Ward Kehoe.

Audition

I wasn't too sure if this book was my type or meet my fancy, simply because the whole book revolves around ballet and ballerinas. I was never into that, but I was always into cute boys. Auditions was something different and new that I haven't read before, and I enjoyed reading it!

What do I want to read next?

Legend by Marie Lu.

Legend

and Unearthly, by Cynthia Hand.

Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)

I've heard great things about these two books, and it's just about time that I read them(:

Waiting On Wednesday #48



Reached (Matched Trilogy Series #3)
Title: Reached.
Author: Ally Condie.
Summary:


Sadly, this book is coming out for a while, which means there is no summary for it yet! Ugh, only about seven months wait, right?


Release Date: November 13, 2012.

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

I've been reading a lot lately! This week I'm reading a total of two books, and an audio book on the side! About two months ago, I was having the hardest time, sitting down and getting myself to crack open a book, that I was so excited to read in the first place. But these last two or three weeks I've been doing reading like crazy! Here's what pages I'm turning:

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

"St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...


Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever."

Will Grayson, Will GraysonWill Grayson Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan.

"One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical."


AuditionAudition, by Stasia Ward Kehoe.

"When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent."