13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Title: 13 Reasons WHy
Author: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Source: Library

Summary: Jay Asher's brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story that focuses on a set of audiotapes made by a girl before she committed suicide, and which explain to 13 people the reasons why she decided to end her life. Told in a highly effective duel narrative -- alternating between the girl s voice and the thoughts of a boy who is listening -- this honest, poignant story reveals how other people's actions shape, and by extension can ruin, an individual's faith in people. Intensely powerful and painfully real, Thirteen Reasons Why reveals how brutal high school can be, the consequences of spreading rumors, and the lasting effects of suicide on those left behind.

Review: I'd seen 13 Reasons Why around a lot and when it came up as a book club book (I belong to the Lit Express Book Club) on GoodReads, it finally gave me a reason, to read an amazing, deep book.

13 Reasons Why was an emotional rollercoaster. And I admitt, I'm going to have a hard time reviewing this because it covers a subject matter so deep and depressing, and that is suicide.

When this novel started, my heart went out to Clay, the boy reading Hannah's suicide tapes. He seemed like a really nice guy, and I couldn't imagine, and neither could he, why he would be on the tapes. There was a certain element of suspense in this book, you weren't sure what was going to happen, who was going to be on the tapes, and what emotions you were going to feel, and there were a lot of them.

The only thing that really annoyed me was that some of Hannah's reasons for committing suicide were a little...unrealistic. You shouldn't do something as drastic as killing yourself just because some awful people said things. You have to be strong enough to get through the terrible times. But it wasn't that big of a deal because the message is more powerful than anything else.

Overall, this was an emotional, deep look into the life of someone who committed suicide and the effects it had on the others around her. I would recommend this to anyone.

Rating:

In My Mailbox (19)

HI!
For those who were here yesterday, I've finished all my homework but I'm still working on science, I just took a little break for awhile! And I finished the Charmed Return!!

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren!!

This week I only got a 2 books!

One from the library:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. I can't wait to read this, and I should start it soon!!

And from NetGalley:

I LOVE this cover, it's amazing. Plus The Goddess Test doesn't sound too bad either, in fact it looks really good!!

That's all unfortunately, I requested a couple more books from NetGalley a week ago but they still haven't came through, I'll wait another week and then I'll request again.

Blog Happenigs (16)

HI!
Happy Weekend Everyone! How's it going? For me not so great. Do you even want to see a list of my homework, you course you do! This includes blogging homework too!

• Finish a book
• Review and post multiple things for the blog
• Write explanation about box home (You don't want to hear about it)
• Write a paper on non-violence in schools (Do I have to do this?)
• Study for an American Studies Test (easy peasy, I love the civil war!)
• Make a poster of how I use Family and Consumer Sciences (Um...what the heck?!)

I think that's it. But you get the picture, I'm busy!! At least I finished all my math homework yesterday!

Book Related:

I finished two books this week...make it four if you count the weekend.

I finished Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly...OMG! This book was amazing!
Dead is not an Option by Marlene Perez, what a good ending to the series.
A book I won't name because I can't.
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver, This book was flippin amazing! I loved every page and every second of it. You should go read it right now!

I'm still reading, yes you guessed it, The Charmed Return. I haven't picked it up all week...oppsies! I think I'll start The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han instead!

I seriously can't type anymore, and I need to get started on some homework!

Follow Friday (9)

HI!
It's Friday, thankfully. This week has been terrible, and I have so much to do this weekend. I just want to sleep, but doesn't seem like that will be happening! Anyway....

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View!!


Question of the week:

Share your current fav television show! Tell us a bit about it...

Favorite television show? WOW! What an easy question. I try not to talk about it too much on the blog, but I'm absolutely obsessed with NCIS and Hawaii 5-0!! I really don't like NCIS: LA that much, I do like Dekes though, if anyone else watches that show.

But NCIS, is pure awesome. This is the second season I've religiously watched and I've seen all the others on USA. I love Tony, Ziva and well just about every character. And I just really like Hawaii 5-0.

Can anyone tell I have a thing for crime shows!

So what shows do you like, and does anyone else like NCIS??!

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

Title: Deadly
Author: Julie Chibbaro
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: Febuaray 22, 2011
Recieved: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Summary:  A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York.

Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist?
 
If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.
 
With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?
 
Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.

Review: I was not expecting Deadly to be like it was. It focused on more of the science and the day to day life of Prudence who was working on the "Typhoid Mary" mystery. I was actually expecting more mystery and a more currentish sounding book, but that isn't what I got and for once I was very glad I read something I wasn't expecting. (That sounded terrible, sorry!)

Because Deadly was an very good book that I enjoyed a lot! I really liked reading Prudence's diary entries, this is how the story was told, even though you don't get to know everything that is happening and all the details that come with having a "regular" perspective. But I still liked them, they were a good change.

I loved how Prudence was so interested in science, because when in a time like hers the world of jobs was a very sexist place and it still is. And she had such determination and that was quite admirable. Prudence was quite the role model.

But at the same time she was just as vulnerable and as traumatized by her emotions as many girls are today.

Deadly is a entirely interesting historical fiction novel that highlights one of the world's struggles in the field of science, but also has very relatable characters that relate very positive messages

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

Hi!
WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

This weeks pick is:

Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Release Date: June 7, 2011

Summary: 
Can there truly be love after death?
 
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
 
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
 
Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

I think that it's an understatement to say that I'm freaking excited for this book. No Joke. I'm already in love with it. And it's on NetGalley. Hopefully I get permission to read it in a couple of days! Or maybe already! But seriously....I want this book right now!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Title: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publication Date: May 4, 2010
Received: Local Library

Summary: 
Review: I love this book with a passion. It was one of the most amazing road trip books I have ever read. It was one of the best contemporary books I have ever read. It was many things but most of all it was touching, heartwarming and very real.

After hearing many good things about this book, I decided to pick it up and when I had finished the first couple of chapters I immediately knew I was going to love it. I soon devoured it and found myself thinking about how great and how wonderful this book truly was, maybe I'm still thinking about and that's pretty powerful.

Amy was such a real person and easy to get and understand and love. I felt for Amy, and I felt for Roger. I don't know how many times I can repeat this but they just were so real and just so great. You knew Amy's grief was real and you knew how she felt. The characters were an extremely good part of this book for me.

And the real road trip was so much fun! I had an absolute blast reading about all the places Amy and Roger went on their detour and most of the places they went, I had already been so it meant even more to me. The play lists were so cool, and the receipts were by far my favorite scrapbook part of the book. Oh the receipts. That was what made me ultimately happy about this book! (If you don't understand it's alright!)

I could go on and on about how amazing this book was but I'll spare you that, but you have to promise you'll go read this book, right NOW!

Rating:

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: August 3, 2010
Received: Bought from Barnes and Noble

Summary: In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

Review: I haven't read much on aliens, so I really don't have anything to go by, but this was a very good book, well plot wise at least.

I really didn't like the writing, it seemed to simplistic and too toned down for YA. You know what I mean? Like the author caters to his audience thinking they aren't capable of reading more "complicated" books.

But other than that, I found myself constantly flipping the pages and wanting to know what happened next. There was plenty of suspense and mystery about the Alien race and about the characters to keep me up late at night reading.

I loved the idea of a bunch of aliens coming to earth and living among us. Spooky, right? And one of my favorite plot elements was the powers that Number Four developed during the course of the book. I also liked the idea that they had to be killed in order. I'd probably want to be the last one, for sure!

I did like the characters but they were just a little flat. But I did come to care for them and know them quite well. I even cried a little bit at the end, which is sad to admit, but I did.

I was looking forward to seeing Number Four in the next book but I guess not? It seems to be about Number 7, whoever that is! We'll see how that goes!

So overall this is a very original book with some great plot elements but did have its share of problems.
 
Rating:

In My Mailbox (18)

Hi Everybody!

IMM is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren!

Bought:

Evernight, Stargazer, and Hourglass by Claudia Gray. I'm upset. Stargazer came with a rip in the cover and a little hole in it. You really can't see it in the picture but it's obvious in real life! I'm going to send it back and hopefully get a better copy. Evernight and Hourglass are fine though. But I am very excited to read these!

From Simon and Schuster Galley Grab:

 

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

Stay by Deb Caletti

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

And I'm very excited to read all of these too!

What did you get this week? Link below in the comments!



Blog Happenings (15)

Hey everyone!
Happy Saturday!

I've been a bad reader of late, I read a lot last week but this week I haven't finished a single book! A SINGLE ONE! I know I'm ashamed and you should be too!

I'm trying to finish The Charmed Return, the last book in the Faerie Path Series, but I'm struggling through it. Hopefully I can finish it this weekend. And on the side I'm reading The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver. One Word: Amazing.

And I have tons of homework this weekend, which you don't care to hear about so I won't share it. But I'm might just start doing 2 reviews a week, again.  Because I feel the need to save up reviews for spring break. Because who wants to post on spring break? Not me! I want to take a break from blogging over spring break which automatically means that I still need to review and post other things, like this!...how am I going to do this...I really don't know!

But do not worry about it, I'll get it done. And without further ado.....

The cover for Supernaturally by Kiersten White, which I love. It is gorgeous! Thank you so much to Jessica over at a Great read for bringing this to my attention!

So what do you think about this beautiful cover??!

Follow Friday (8)

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! I'm so happy it's Friday! So let's celebrate!


 Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View! This weeks question is: 

If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

Well for awhile, but I just haven't got around to it yet, I have wanted to read Across the Universe by Beth Revis. Otherwise I would say I'm not really a science fiction fan...not too much at least!!

What do you like for science fiction??

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Title: Darkness Becomes Her
Author: Kelly Keaton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Received: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Summary: Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.
She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.
 
Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed

Review: What a twist on paranormal! I couldn't believe what I was reading and everything about Darkness becomes her was just so original and fresh!

 And when I read this book I think I scared everyone around me because I gasped so loud, and so many times! Just when I thought I had everything figured out...BAM!! Something else was thrown at me. The plot has so many twists and turns and major developments around every corner that sometimes it was hard to keep up.

I really liked Ari, she felt like a freak and she was going through some tough times. She just wanted to be loved, I guess. But her swearing and the other characters could have been toned down a little. Otherwise I have no qualms about Ari or any other character. They were all relatable and easy to understand and read about. I also really liked Sebastian, but Ari's and his relationship was a little rushed but it didn't bother me at all.

And the setting of Darkness Becomes Her? Perfect. I loved how New 2, New Orleans, played into the picture. What a great idea!

I personally think everyone, if they aren't bothered by swearing, should read this if they are looking for a great, unexpected twisty and turny sort of book!

I just can't stop thinking about how great and unexpected this book was! I will be definitely be picking up a hard cover of this!

Rating:

Today is my half birthday, by the way! I make a big deal out of it!

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

HI!
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

This weeks pick is:

Die for Me by Amy Plum
Releasing May 10, 2011

Summary: DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. She finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.

Wow, I can't wait to read this one...I'm in the mood for another paranormal romance that happens to sounds very original! And plus the cover is beautiful!

Desires of the Dead Release Day!

HI!

Today is the Desires of the Dead Release Day and Oh my Gosh I am so excited. My copy should be coming quite soon. I called Barnes and Noble and they are getting it signed for me! YAY! So I'm not sure how long it will take to get here, hopefully soon! But I guess I can wait a few more days!

You know over a year ago I would have never thought that I would ever read a book called Desires of the Dead, much less The Body Finder. Who knows where my brain was back then.

But as the day I get to read Desires of the Dead gets closer and closer...I get more and more nervous! Why? I LOVED The Body Finder and I KNOW that I will love this one too. But I'm anxious to see what happens with Violet and Jay, and Violet's ability. And I'm not at all worried I won't like it. But I'm worried about Violet and Jay! Which is really weird...but I'm still nervous!

If any of you guys have already read Desires of the Dead or The Body Finder, let me know!

Man, I love these books!

Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Guess what releases today???? Post on this later...It deserves its own special post!

Title: Deadly Little Games
Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Publication Date: December 28, 2010
Received: From Library

Summary: Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: They both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to sense things through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control and hurting people. Camelia's gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn't yet comprehend.

Before either teen has a chance to fully grasp these abilities, an unresolved family tragedy resurfaces in Camelia's life, irrevocably changing everything she cares about...


Review:This was even creepier than the other two books in the series!   And those were both pretty creepy. But this one was creepy at a whole new level!

I felt like both Camelia and Ben had matured more and grown up during this book. And I couldn't help but admire Camelia, she wants to help people so bad and solve their problems. She was very independent of Ben and she relied on her friends more than her boyfriend. Yes! And Ben just plain annoyed me. That boy is so moody, he's almost a girl. And that annoyed me. Adam was a smudge better, but for now I have no favorite pick for Camelia.

Like I said earlier, this one was creepy. Really, really creepy. I was frozen stiff to my bed, afraid. No joke. And was it just me or was this one more murdery (is that even a word?). I felt like the nearness of death and murder were quite present which added for a creepy, chilling touch.

Again this book was predictable. Just chose the person least likely and you have your culprit. But I still really like this series. I can't wait for Deadly Little Voices!

Rating:

I think I just had a Valentine's Day Heart attack!

HI!!!!!

Um...so yeah guess what I just heard or more specifically read...?

Can't guess??

Well it just happens to be super duper ultra exciting and well I think I just jumped  up and down for about half and hour. That's how excited I was. And I ran out screaming to tell my mother who probably just thinks I'm an obsessed little fangirl!

So what am I talking about.....

If you haven't already read this...I just got home from school an hour ago so I just found out.

Why haven't I told you yet? I'm going to tell you right now!

KIMBERLEY DERTING IS CONTINUING THE BODY FINDER SERIES WITH AT LEAST 2 MORE BOOKS!! AND, AND GET THIS! SHE HAS AN ALTOGETHER NEW BOOK COMING OUT CALLED...THE PLEDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can't tell that I'm super excited! And The Pledge comes out this year, in November. Two books by Kimberly Derting in one year? Is this a dream?? I sure hope not!! 

And what is The Pledge about?? A romantic fantasy set in a dystopic, war-torn world, in which a teenage girl realizes that she may be the key to saving her country.
Link for Original Post! Publishers Weekly Listing and more information

I can't wait!!

I think the world has just become a better place.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY AGAIN!

Haven by Kristi Cook

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, EVERYONE!!!

Title: Haven
Author: Kristi Cook
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Received: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Summary: 
Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.
At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical—and deadly—way.

Review:
Haven absolutely blew me away. This was a book I was eagerly anticipating but it was nothing like I expected. It was so much better than that.

To be honest, I had no clue what this book was even about. I knew there was an boarding school and some funky powers going on though. I guess when all the reviews said it was like some book (that I won't mention, because if you haven't figured it out yet, I really don't want to spoil it) I should have released what it was about, but still I remained clueless, till I actually finished the book. And I love being surprised in a book! It was really a treat.

Haven combines so many paranormal elements in it, that you might think it would get confusing, but no it wasn't confusing at all. I was so caught up in the storyline, and the characters. And I finished this book quickly.

One thing that annoying me, a little, was Aidan. He was extremely hot and cold, just like Violet says. But he could still be a total nice guy. And Violet was such a great character and so were all her friends at school. You could really relate and understand all of them.

Overall, this was a great book that would be great for any paranormal romance fan.

Rating:

In My Mailbox (17)

HI!
IMM is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

This week I got quite a few good books!

• Warped by Maurissa Guibord. I finished this book in less than a day and it was spectacular
• Mad Love by Susanne Selfors. I loved Coffeehouse Angel and Saving Juliet so why not try this one!?
• The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver. This book looks so amazing, I should start reading it soon!
• The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal. I've read many great reviews and it looks like a great fantasy
• Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. I haven't read much about this book, but it looks interesting, so why not? Plus it involves time travel!!

SWAG!!!!

• A beautiful Midnight Tunnel Postcard! I got this in the mail and was thrilled! The Midnight Tunnel, A Susanna Snow mystery release March 1 by Angie Frazier!
• A Clarity by Kim Harrington bookmark, sticker and signed bookplate to put in my copy! I would be lying if I said I wasn't extremely excited for this book to finally release!!

What did you get??

Blog Happenings (14)

HI!

I feel like I haven't done one of these in a long, long, long time.

So first off I'm insanely tired right now. I don't know why, just am.

And some good news!! I read a lot this week. Seriously!

I finished: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson!!! LOVE THIS BOOK! ROGER!! AMY!!!
I Am Number Four by Pitticus Lore! Great book too! Can't wait to see the movie.

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton! LOVE!

And then you are like, Katie that is only three books! But seriously I usually only finish 1 book during the week and then some of one on the weekend but for some reason I've just become a reading machine and I'm close to finishing two other books!

Have I mentioned how tired I am?

I can't wait to do an IMM tomorrow....it will be epic! You shall see, you shall see.

That is all I can bear for now...I could go write a review...

Follow Friday (7)

Hi!
First of all my name is Katie and thanks for coming to my blog!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View!



 This weeks question is: 

What is your favorite romance hero-type? Stereotype wise. Do you like the strong silent type or the brute macho man?

I have to say I like nice guys but with a bit of a bad boy streak in them. And then with blue eyes. I've always been obsessed with blue eyes. Maybe because I do have blue eyes but still they are hot  on guys. I could go on and on about how I like guys to be but you don't want to listen to all that!

Just give me a Tucker from Unearthly or an Oscar from Everlasting and I'll be set!

What about you??

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Title: The Sky is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Publisher: Dial
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Received: Local Library


Summary: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Review: This book was crazy. Crazy good, in fact.

I was immediately captivated by this book, it touches your heart and you feel along with Lennie and her struggle and her grief. It was a truly heart warming experience.

I've never lost anyone close to me, and to feel what Lennie felt made me want to burst out sobbing and give her a hug. And I admit crying a few times during the book. And I don't cry that much in books.

This book was a romance, but the romance didn't overshadow Lennie and her family coping with the death of Lennie's sister, Bailey.

I loved all the characters in this book, all of them. And I could feel what they were feeling and you were able to experience it yourself. Everything about this book was so real.

It was crazy, it was messed up but that's how it has to be sometimes.

One of my favorite parts of the books were reading scraps of Lennie's poems and conversations with Bailey. It was great and it gave you another insight onto Lennie's grief.

I admit I can't write a very good review for this book, but it was great and I would definitely recommend this.

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

HI!
WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

This weeks pick is:

Title: Uncommon Criminals
Author: Ally Carter
Release Date: June 21, 2011

Summary: Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

I can't wait for this book! I LOVED Heist Society and this one looks so good. Plus the cover that was recently unveiled is awesome. So awesome! Hurry up June I want more Kat and HALE!

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

HI  Everyone!
Happy Tuesday

Title: Cryer's Cross
Author: Lisa McMann
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: Febuaray 8
Received from: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Summary:

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Review:
This book was awesome, it was amazing, it was just plain great. I could probably go on, but no one needs to hear all my adjectives for this books!

I was immediately drawn into this book. Why? The mystery surrounding Kendall's classmate and Kendall herself. Kendall was a great character and I love hearing her thoughts and it gave me insight about what is was like to be OCD. It doesn't play a huge role in the book, but you know it's there. Plus Kendall was  relatable and she was real. And lovable.

I'm really loving Lisa McMann's writing style. I didn't really love it before but now I'm a huge fan. Of her and all her books.

Anyway, there was so much suspense, and I was seriously creeped out by everything about The Desk. I don't get scared that easily (OK.. I scare easily) but this literally had me looking everywhere seeing if some desk was creeping up behind me and trying to...OK never mind but you get my point. But being creepy was absolutely awesome.

I loved the supporting characters, like Jacian, Jacian and Jacian. What a great guy! Now that's all I'm going to say about that lovely addition to the novel.

And I was kept guessing to the very end, I had no clue what was going to happen!

This is my new favorite book, so I definitely think you should go read it because it comes out today!

Rating:

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulten

HI!
I'm going to start a new format for my reviews, and we will see where that takes us! I'm also going to stop writing my own summaries.

Title: Angelfire
Author: Courtney Allison Moulten
Publisher: HarperCollins/ Katherine Teagen Books
Publication Date: Febuaray 15
Recieved from: NetGalley

Summary:
When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Review:

I was expecting so much more from Angelfire than what was delivered. And sadly by the end of this book I found myself really disappointed.

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I expected a really good plot, that would make me want to read to the very end and keep those pages flipping. And I didn't get that. I found myself bored for most of the book and wishing I could read something else. The only reason I even finished it was because I had already invested so much of my time in it.

There was action, and I consider myself an action fan but I just felt so disconnected and out of it when Ellie and Will were fighting. It just felt weird or maybe even awkward.

And Will drove me nuts. I don't want to spoil anything but he just did.

I really liked Ellie. She was relatable and a sweet girl. Who had some crazy powers but still relatable.

And was this book anticlimactic...? I was expecting something big and then they just do something that I don't want to tell you about....so I won't spoil the book. But it was pretty lame.

I'm going to end it here but I feel really, really bad about giving a bad review. There were some high points but there was also some low points. It was a decent debut.

Rating:

In Mailbox (16)

Hi!
IMM is hosted by The Story Siren. I know it is a little late but I wanted to post this. And just for the fun of it...Go PACK GO!

From the library:

The Charmed Return by Frewin Jones. I can't wait to read this. It is the last book in the Faerie Path Series and I want to see how everything works out!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. I've heard great things about this!

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Book Club Book!

Bought:

The Traitor's Smile by Patricia Elliott. This is the UK verison because I'm not sure if it is even coming out in the US.

Again, a UK versionbecause I didn't want to wait for it to come to the US.

From Simon and Schusters Galley Grab: Thanks soo much Cicely!

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro! I've wanted to read this for a long time!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano. I can't wait to finally start reading this!

Darkness become her by Kelly Keaton. Really Good, I'm only about 50 pages in and I'm loving it!

Finished. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann=LOVE!

Haven by Kristi Cook. Love this book too! Really awesome!

That was a lot. Well I haven't done this in awhile so I guess I had a lot to catch up on.

What did you get?!

Mini Review: Aurelia

Hi!
Happy Saturday and no I don't think I'm back yet!

Summary:

Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king’s former royal spy and one of Aurelia’s oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line—her life, her kingdom, her heart—Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

Review:

When I read Aurelia I absolutely fell in love with this book and with everything about it!

The only negative things I can drudge up about this book is that, at first I was a little confused and everything was a little slow. But then things sped up and was wonderful from there.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Aurelia is going to be assassinated. And she and Robert, who I will talk about later, have to figure out whodunit. And I was surprised with the resolve of the mystery. I really did not see the ending coming.

The characters were nicely developed and I really liked Aurelia. She isn't some sissy figure who can't do anything without help. And Robert is just great. Such a sweet heart! I just wish there had been a little more romance between the two. But there was enough to satisfy me thankfully.

I'm very anxious to see what happens next with Aurelia and Robert in the upcoming sequel, Exile which releases April 28, I believe.

And I'm so happy April is almost here. I read this book about a year ago!

Rating: