location: home

mood:  sleepy

music: watching Castle! Eeeep!

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel

Release Date:  August 23, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304

Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

 This book was rock my socks incredible!!! Seriously! I read the entire book in one sitting! Where ever I went, this book came with me! Mostly because I was so captivated by the story I could not put it down. lol

I thought the synopsis sounded incredible and I was really excited about reading it! I was worried though, that because I had never read Frankenstein and didn't know much about it other than, crazed scientist gathers body parts and creates a monster! Honestly, that's pretty much all you need to know, if anything!

This is a pre-Frankenstein story, and I thought the author did an incredible job with it! I don't want to say too much about the story itself, because I don't want to spoil a single bit of it for you! The story is about the Frankenstein family, twin brothers Victor and Konrad in particular! The brothers have a lot of sibling rivalry going on, and they are constantly trying to best one another! Despite their competativness they have a strong bond which teeters on a thread when Victor discovers that his brother has been keeping a secret from him that could push the brothers apart forever! Konrad becomes extremely ill, and despite the best doctors money can buy, his condition seems to be decreasing. When the traditional practice of bleeding doesn't do anything to improve Konrad's worsening condition, Victor turns to science and alchemy to cure his dying brother! Victor sets about with the help of his friend Henry and his sort of cousin Elizabeth to seek out the nearly impossible to find ingredients to create, the Elixir of Life! Which will save Konrad's life, or so they hope! These 3 friends are sent on an incredible adventure where their own lives will be put at risk to save the life of their beloved Konrad, and their friendship, love and loyalty will be tested. Jam packed with action, adventure, deceit, and a love triangle!

This book was completely amazing! II can't wait to read more from the extremely talented Kenneth Oppel! 

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi the storysiren. This is where us bloggers get a chance to show you what we got this wk! Bookish related of course!

Borrowed from the Library
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin
Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'Brien
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Never Have I Ever - A Lying Game Novel  by Sara Shephard
Putting Makeup On Dead People by Jen Violi
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
You Against Me by Jenny Downham
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

Bought
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Pandigital Planet- Android Tablet ( yes yes I know! It is not a book! But it's bookish related, and I totally showed you a book on it! So it counts! Right? *looks around*)

Won
Bone Dressing by Michelle I Brooks

Review
Dark Territory by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel

P.S. The shower is STILL broken! Just in case you were wondering! *hides from Farah*

Thanks for stopping by to check out what I got this week! Leave me a comment and/or a link below and let me know what you got in your mailbox! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Sneak Peak: This Dark Endeavor

location: home

mood:  hyper ( because in a little over 2 wks I will have my very own Kindle Fire! Squeeeeeeeee!!! )

music: The Closer season 6 on TV :) ( yes thats right! Thank yeeeeew!)

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope your all having a fantastical week! Mine has been amazing so far! I turned 26, which wasn't as bad as I thought. It turns out I didn't need the pint of Ben and Jerry's I had on standby. I got my free flu shot and pre-ordered a Kindle Fire! Eeeek! Thanks Pops! :)

I have to say I am loving the cooler weather, the dark and dreary days, changing of the leaves, etc. Bring on the boots, sweaters, and all things fall flavored!

I feel like a bit of a glutten today I had a Peppermint Hot Chocolate and a Sweet Potatoe baked pie from McDonalds! The only words needed are Yumm, and you have to try it! And then there was the Blue Bell Spiced Pumpkin Pecan ice cream ( insert look of pure content here) umm...pure heaven in a pint!

Ok so anyways, the purpose of this post was that I had intended to spend a bit of time talking about this awesome book This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel, on my IMM vlog. ( Which is uploading to YouTube right now btw) But...I sorta just rushed through it. And I really, really, REALLY want to tell you guys about it! It is the perfect read for this month! So make sure you check it out!

Here's a little bit about the book....

The purest intentions can stir up the darkest obsessions...

In this prequel to Mary Shelly's gothic classic, Frankenstein, sixteen year old Victor Frankenstein begins a dark journey that will change his life forever. Victor's twin, Konrad, has fallen ill, and no doctor can cure him. Unwilling to give up on his brother, Victor enlists his beautiful cousin Elizabeth and his best firiend, Henry, on a treacherous search for the ingregients to create the forbidden Elixir of Life. Impossible odds, dangerous alchemy, and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn.

Victor knows he must not fail. But his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, sceince, and love- and how much he is willing to sacrafice!

There is a passion in you that scares me

I started reading this book today and it is awesome! So go check it out! It's a perfect read for this time of year! And don't forget to look for a review of it here on my blog very soon!

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Relase Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Harper Colllins
Age Group: YA
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback - ARC
Source: Own
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge, Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

"You can't touch me," I whisper.
I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.
He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.
But things happen when people touch me.
Strange things.
Bad things.
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.
But Juliette has plans of her own.

When I started reading Shatter Me it had very high standards to live up to! I had read so many glowing reviews on this book, from fellow blogging friends to my own mother! Unfortunately for me, this book didn't live up to all the hype!

Shatter Me is a dystopian, although its unclear when it takes place or where for that matter.  It is about a girl named Juliette, who has what some people think is an ability, but she feels is a curse. Anyone she touches, winds up dead, or seriously injured! ( all depending on how long they are touched) Also, she can break through concrete walls with her firsts, which I thought was pretty awesome! Anyways, the book starts off with Juliette in an asylum of sorts. She's been locked away there to protect people from her. One day she is given a cellmate, name Adam who she is instantly attracted to. She teaches Adam the ropes and how to survive. One day armed men come to her cell and whisk her and Adam away to the Restablishment. There she finds out that Adam is not at all who she thought he was. And that the Reestablishment have other plans for her! They are planning to use her as a weapon of sorts ( think, weapons of mass destruction!) but little do they know that not everyone is affected by Juliette's touch! Soon Juliette and Adam are fighting for their lives! Unsure of who to trust, where to run, what is the truth and what is a conspiracy, and are there more people out there like Juliette? Can that even be possible? Well...you'll have to read the book if you want to find out! I don't want to give too much away!

Before I tell you what I did and didn't like about this book I will say that I recieved my ARC back in April, at that time it had a plain white cover as no cover had been chosen yet. Most of the ARCs of Shatter Me I've seen have the cover that you will see when the book is released. So that being said, my copy was such an early release of the book, quite a few things may have changed.

So starting with the cover, I LOVE the cover of the book! It looks exactly like what I would imagine Juliette to look like, long flowing brown hair, fierce looks that could kill without even her touch! What did bother me about this cover is what she is wearing, Juliette never wore anything like that in the book! She is always either in beat up clothes, mens clothes, fancy purple dresses, or purple jumpsuits. I know I know! Minor detail! I didn't care for the style of writing ( it annoyed me at times) , but again this  could change by the finished copy. I'm not sure why but I didn't particularly connect with Juliette's character, or Adam's either for that matter. I did find the plot intresting, and I liked that you jump right into the story from the first page!

For me this book didn't live up to all of the hype behind it. But since I had a very early copy, a lot of things could have changed by the finished copy. So I encourage you check this one out for yourself!

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This is my first week participating in WOW, and I'm really excited to show you what I'm eagerly awaiting!

Parties, bad boys, speakeasies—life in Manhattan has become a woozy blur for Clara Knowles. If Marcus Eastman truly loved her, how could he have fallen for another girl so quickly? Their romance mustn't have been as magical as Clara thought. And if she has to be unhappy, she's going to drag everyone else down to the depths of despair right along with her. 

Being a Barnard girl is the stuff of Lorraine Dyer's dreams. Finding out that Marcus is marrying a gold digger who may or may not be named Anastasia? A nightmare. The old Lorraine would have sat by and let the chips fall where they may, but she's grown up a lot these past few months. She can't bear to see Marcus lose a chance for true love. But will anyone listen to her? 

Now that the charges against her have been dropped, Gloria Carmody is spending the last dizzying days of summer on Long Island, yachting on the sound and palling around with socialites at Forrest Hamilton's swanky villa. Beneath her smile, though, Gloria's keeping a secret. One that could have deadly consequences . . .

I read the first book in Jillian's series, Vixen, and I fell in love with it! I was so excited that it was going to be a series, and I have the second book, Ingenue sitting on my shelf right now waiting to be read!

You can check out my review for Vixen, HERE

The cover Dia is by far the best cover of the 3 books in the series! It is so gorgeous!!! I can't wait until this one comes out!

Don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know what your WOW pick is this week!

Bout of Books Read-a-thon

Hey Everyone!

Over the weekend I participated in my first read-a-thon and LOVED it! Unfortunatley I had forgotten about it and didn't get to participate much reading wise. So while visiting blogs, and commenting this morning I stumbled across another Read-a-thon! * cheers and throws confetti*

I LOVE Read-a-thons! I've been in a slump lately. I used to read 4 books a week, and now I've slowed down to 1. It's not because I don't want to read, I've just gotten lazy and easily distracted. I blame it on all the good tv shows that came out! I loved participating in the Dewey Read-a-thon because it totally made me consciouce of how much I was, or in my case, wasn't reading!

The thing that I LOVE about the Bout of Books Read-a-thon is that even though it is over the course of a week, you are in no way comitted to reading all day long, for an entire week! Which is perfect for people who have jobs, families, etc and can't devote entire days to reading. Read what you can when you can, its that simple! And along the way you can network and meet other bloggers, participate in challenges and enter to win some awesome stuff!

So if your like me, and your going to be reading this week anyways, why not sign up! Click on the button below to sign up and get more info about the Bout of Books Read-a-thon!

So technically the Read-a-thon started yesterday. I just found out about it today so I'm getting a bit of a late start with my starting post. ( does that sound a little bit familiar? What is it with me and being late for Read-a-thons???)  So here goes!

Time Devoted to Reading

I will be committing myself to reading the entire week. Not all in one sitting of course! I think my eyes may fall out if I did. But I will be reading throghout the week with a conscouce effort as to how much I am reading! Hence the following goals!

My Goals

• 3 books minimum. But I'm shooting for 7 .My ultimate goal is 9 books!  Can she do it? Can she??? Haha I guess we will have to wait and see!
• Comment on at least 2 participants blogs a day! 
• Make a dent in my TBR pile
• Have fun!

Books To Read

• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
• Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
• Willow by Julia Hoban
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
• Shine by Lauren Myracle
• Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour
• Shatter Me 
• Wither
• Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
• Every You, Every Me by David Levathin
• Liesel and Po by Lauren Oliver
• Dark Parties
• The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Updates

I haven't decided yet if all of my updates will be done on this original post, or seperately. So stay tuned!

10/24

thank goodness I read yesterday! Granted I didn't read the book all in one day, but I DID finish it! So it totally counts!!!
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Today #insixwords: Carrier of the Mark was breathtaking!
Books: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

10/25

So I spent pretty much my entire day at the dentist office getting 4 cavaties filled. They were so bad I was there for 6 hours. Once all the decay was removed I virtually had no tooth left. So they had to construct a form out of a steel plate, brackets and other items, and then fill it in and go back and fine tune it. So basically I had 4 teeth gutted and then totally reconstructed. After 6 hours of that, I got home exhausted and slept for 15 hours. So...needless to say I got very very little reading done :(  
Number of books I’ve read today:  only about 15 pages. I didn't get to power through an entire book like I was hoping to do
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Today #insixwords: I'll take care of my teeth!
Books: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Carrier of the Mark

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Relase Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: YA
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Source: Own
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge, Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon    Barnes and Noble    Book Depository    

  

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Writting this review is probably one of the hardest things I've done! This book was so amazing, I knew there was no way anything I could say about it, would do it justice!

I was really excited about this book because there was such amazing buzz about it. I finally, after searching many places, managed to snag the last copy at my bookstore. I am so glad that I did!

This book was incredible! But honestly, I'm not suprised! This book had me hooked at the cover, and just sucked me in further the more I read. It left me breathless and wanting more. I honestly, am speechless, which is rare for me!

I would have read the entire thing in one sitting, except that I got a late start in the day, and desperately needed sleep. But yes, it is THAT good! So get an early start, because it will be very hard to put this one down!

Carrier of the Mark is the story of Megan who has just moved to Ireland with her father. She adjusts really quickly to her life in Ireland, and a  close knit group of friends. She finds herself strongly drawn to the mysterious and incredibly handsome Adam De'Ris. But there is a cloud of mystery and gossip surrounding Adam and his family. Soon Megan and Adam find themselves drawn to each other, in a way that neither of them can explain. As Megan finds out more about the mystery surrounding Adam and the rest of the De'Ris family, she also begins to uncover things about herself that she never knew before! Can Megan and Adam unlock the key to the mystery that haunts them before it consumes them? Well, you'll have to read it to find out!

Leigh Fallon did an incredible job with the storytelling. I love how she got right into the story, and kept the pace going. In the begining I had a hard time keeping up with the Order, Marked Ones, Carriers, Royal Bloods, etc. But after about 30 pages I had it down and I was wondering why I was so confused to begin with! The characters were lovable, and the love story between Adam and Megan was incredible! Adam was totally swoonworthy! I think he and Megan have got to be one of my favorite couples of all time!

Carrier of the Mark is an incredible debut novel full of mystery, intrigue, a sizzling love story, action and so much more! Seriously, do yourself a favor and go buy this book right now! You will not regret it!

So click on one of the links at the top, and order your copy NOW! Are you doing it? Well...you should! 

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi the storysiren. This is where us bloggers get a chance to show you what we got this wk! Bookish related of course!

So, as some of you know (if you read the previous post/posts) my shower broke last night! :(  If you didn't read the previous post, and didn't know it, MY SHOWER BROKE! lol So, now you know!

Your probably wondering why that even matters? Am I right? Well, no shower = no bath! Which ='s no IMM Vlog this week! Which is sad because I really look forward to my weekly Vlog's! Even if no one else does! So I suppose this also includes no videos of me...playing with books this week either! I know, darn! lol

I would also like to insert here that the whole shower breaking (literally)/epic tragedy moment is all Farah's fault!!! Yep, that's right Farah, YOU! The Farah of Maji Bookshelf !!! (which is a totally cute blog btw and you should go check it out, even if Farah did totally break my shower! ) She decided to put a jinx on me via twitter last night! lol Lo and behold, half an hour later and the shower handle broke off with the water going full blast, and I was running around screeching HELP!!!! lol

Yep, there's the proof! The handle is gone. *insert sad face here* Unfortunately not only did the whole handle thingy break off, but the piece that turns the water off did too! So...that was why I was sceeching HELP!!! I was nearly about to flood the bathroom! Thankfully Dad came to the rescue! Unfortunately, because the little part that turns off the water broke off too, not even a wrench could turn the floodgates off. Yep, it was that broken! So...the holes had to be plugged, which seems to be holding temporarily. Hopefully, *fingers crossed* we can find the same exact shower part, and just replace it. If not, there was some talk of...having to rip out a hole in my sister's closet to get to the shower and rip it out and replace it. =/ So...the moral of this long story is, my shower is broken!!! Also, whatever you do, do NOT let Farah jinx you!!!

Ok now on to what I got In My Mailbox this week!

My good friend Krystal send me a copy of Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad! Yay!!!! I have the first one, so now I just need the second one to complete my collection!!!

Won

I also entered a contest and won a copy of The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson. Thank you to Jen at JenryLand  I saw Mary at the ATBF and sat in on her panel. I was dying to buy this book and get it signed, but I couldn't afford it. So yay!! Thakn you Jen! Now I just need to get my hands on the first bk and I'll be good to go!

Library

Shine by Lauren Myrcle ok first of all, Lauren is like, one of my favorite authors of all time! Seriously!!! ANd this book looks incredible!!! I wish I could do a Vlog this wk to show you all its awesomeness! But...I can't. So hopefully I can sneak it in next week!
Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Bought

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

So last week I bought If I Stay at Target. Unfortunately when I went to show it on my IMM I noticed the pages were coming apart and I hadn't even read it yet. I took it back to exchange it, and...the store was out! So I got my money back and went next door to Hastings, and go the LAST copy of Carrier of the Mark, which was the book I REALLLY wanted anyways, but Target didn't have! So SCORE! Altho, now I need to acquire If I Stay again! lol

Ok so thats it for me this week! I can't wait to hear what you got in your mailbox this week! So make sure you leave a comment with the link to your IMM!

Happy Reading everyone and have a fantastic weekend!!!!

Read-A-Thon Hour 16 Mini-Challenge: Rereading

At this point in the Read-A-Thon Challenge, I am debating on whether or not to give up! Why you ask? Well...its not because I'm tired. Just because its one of those days/weeks/months where everything that can go wrong, DID!

I totally forgot I had signed up to participate in the Read-A-Thon so...I got a super late start! Like...13 hrs in. lol I had a blast starting it tho and was excited! At hour 15 I decided to go to my favorite reading spot. The bathtub! I turned the water on, filled the tub with my favorite bubble bath from bath and body works, turned on same candles and hopped in. I was getting really into my book, Carried of the Mark. My tub got to that perfectly full spot, and I reached over the bubbles to turn the water off, and the handle broke off in my hand. Yep! Thats right!

I jumped out, threw on clothes and ran for my dad before the entire bathroom flooded. Sad to say, I really broke it. As in, beyond repair and we had to shut the water off. I not only broke the handle off, I broke the little part inside the pipe that shuts the water off. So we literally had to shut the water off to get it to stop pouring out of the spout. *sigh*

So...I have in 3 hours read 102 of the 342 pages in my book. At this point, I'd be lucky to finish reading ONE book. So...I'm really debating calling the Read-A-Thon quits. I really don't want to, but...seriously? This girl just broke a shower!!! I'm thinking its time to grab a pint of ben and jerry's, pop in You've Got Mail and cry. Anyone else agree with me here???

Well...I'm still undecided. So I will say while participating in the 14th, 15th, and 16th hour of the Read-A-Thon I have LOVED it!! I learned how to do the starfish dance! I watched music videos of DollY Parton singing 9 to 5 while dancing with various Disney characters. And learned how to make an awesome oragami heart bookmarker!

So now onto the 16 hour Mini Challenge! Re-reading!

I doubt I will be able to make it through one book tonight, much less reread any books. SO here is my list of books that I could read over and over and over again!

First up, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. This has seriously got to be the most awesome book in existance! If you haven't read it yet, shame on you! You must do so, NOW! Yes, put down the bowl of popcorn, and run to the store right now and buy a copy!

Second on my list is, Impossible by Nancy Werlin. I honestly don't even have words for how incredible this book is! I read it a while back, but I really need to reread this one and do a blog post about it. This book deserves it! If you've never read it, while your out there, buying Miss Peregrine's, pick this one up too! If for no other reason than the cover is gorgeous! And...I said so!

My third pick is Jane by April Linder. This is another book I read before I started my blog, and its so good I need to go back and reread it and dedicate an entire blog entry to! This is a modern take on Jane. This book left me utterly speechles! I stayed up all night long and finished the book in one sitting! It was that GOOD! I talked about it so much, my friends all wanted to read it. So they would borrow it, and we'd text constantly going OMG Mr. Rochester just did this! OMG I know!!! His wife was totally locked upstairs the whole time!! This book got passed from friend, to friend to friend! And everyone LOVEd it! So again, BUY IT!! P.S. I have this habit, when I read books I sort of play the whole thing out in my head like a movie. Which is probably why I'm such a slow reader, anyhow..Johnny Depp totally got the part of the rockstar Mr. Rochester in my book! Soooo dreamy!!! So if you've read this book, who would you pick to play Mr. Rochester the rockstar?

Ok so, I could probably go on and on. But I will stop here. These are probably my 3 favorite books of all time! So if you havne't read them  yet, DO IT!

Dewey's October 2011 Readathon!

Ok, so quite some time back I signed up to participate in a Read-a-thon! Sounded fun at the time. And I am actually super excited about it! For personal reasons, my entire month has been, insane to say the least. And sadly I forgot all about the readathon that started...ummm 13 hrs ago. lol So I am just NOW checking my emails and realizing that it was TODAY! So...I am starting NOW! Better late than never right? You can read info about the awesome read-a-thon, rules, prizes (yes I said prizes!!!) , etc. HERE

So to start my Read-A-Thon my first book I am reading is Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. I've heard so many great things about it and have been dying to read it! It has a totally gorgeous cover!!! I am currently on page 79 and loving it so far! If you are participating in the read-a-thon leave me a comment and let me know what books you've read, and what your reading now!

Happy Reading!


Mid- Event Survery!

1. What are you reading right now?
Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

2. How many books have you read so far?
Still working on my first one! =/ I am ashasmed to admit that! I signed up for this quite a while back and totally forgot about it :(

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
hmm...If I can finish the first one *fingers crossed* I think I will be reading....Shatter Me! It needs to be read! lol

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
The sad thing is I actually had the entire day off! I  totally forgot about this, and didn't get the email until just now! :(  I have been reading throughout the day, just...not as dedicated as I would have been if I had realized it was the day of the READATHON!!! Ahhh!! I'm so behind!!!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
hahahaha Yes!! I have had many! I didn't realize it was the readathon today. So this morning I went out in my ministry work. Then ran errands with my mom. And then cooked and went to a picnic at a friend's house, full of food, volley ball, and pictionary . lol I did read in between everything, which is good since I forgot I signed up to participate! lol

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Umm...that it was today! lol SUPRISE! And that so many ppl are participating! And the prizes!! Oh my goodness!!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
YES!!! Can you pleeeease remind us more than just ONE time that its coming up! Pleeeease! I only got the ONE reminder, and don't check my email everyday so I didn't get it until today, when it was half way over. :( Otherwise I would've had my stack of books and a big pile of snacks all ready!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Well hopefully there will be more shout outs, or reminds about it. And I will have a game plan! I'm hoping to get together with some other book lovin friends, or bloggers for the next one. All camp out at my house at 7 am! With goodies, sleeping bags, etc! Sounds awesome to me!

9. Are you getting tired yet?
I'm tired, but only because I've had a full day. Not from reading lol

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?Umm...don't forget to check your email! LOL

The Strawberry Picker

The Strawberry Picker by Monika Feth
Relase Date: September 16, 2008
Publisher: Transworld Publishers
Age Group: YA
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Intrest: Muder Mystery
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Eighteen-year-old Jenna is sharing an apartment in Bröhl, Germany, with her friends Caro and Merle when a girl is killed nearby. The murder seems to have parallels with two other frightening crimes. Then one day Caro is found murdered—stabbed seven times and with her necklace missing, just like the other girls. At the funeral Jenna swears revenge in front of everybody, and in turn attracts the attention of Nat, a handsome and mysterious strawberry picker. With Jenna sidetracked by love, Merle sets about solving Caro’s murder herself. But as the answer dawns on her, another horrifying reality emerges.

I've had my eye on this book for quite a while. I always love a good murdery mystery! Monika Feth is a German author who has actually written quite a few novels. However, this is the only one that was printed in english. Which is sad, because now after reading this one I want to read more from her! I guess I will have to start learning German in my spare time!

The Strawberry Picker is about 3 best friends who share a flat in Germany. Jenna, Caro, and Merle. Merle is the fiesty one, Caro is the silent one with the mysterious boyfriend, and Jenna has a famous author for a mother!

The girls become concerned when they notice their best friend Caro starting to self harm again. She's been pulling away from her best friends, and is extremely secrative about her new boyfriend. Jenna and Merle become even more alarmed when Caro doesn't come home one night. Caro, has become the latest victum of a seriel killer!

The police investigating the murders seem to be getting nowhere with the case. At Caro's funeral Jenna vows to go after the killer herself! Merle and Jenna begin their own investigation into Caro's murder! Durring their investigation they learn a lot of things about their best friend that they didn't know! Who was this guy she was dating, and why did she keep so many secrets from them?

Jenna become the next target of the seriel killer, but will the police figure it out before its too late?

I thought the author did an amazing job setting up the story and the characters! Every character had its own distinct voice, which made it helpful because the story is told from each of their perspectives, including the killer! When it switched from one narrator to the next, there were no questions as to who was talking. It was scary how charismatic the killer was, you could almost see yourself or your own best friend falling for his charm and good looks. The story really flowed and kept progressing. Towards the end of the book I was literally biting my nails! I was on edge the entire time!

Next time your in the mood for a good murder mystery pick this one up! You won't be sorry!

Does Anyone Else Play With Their Books???

Ok so I felt like this video deserved its very own post! And after you watch it , you will probably understand! I sort of have this habbit of, playing with my books from time to time. lol See video below!

It got worse. lol I also began to act out characters in diffrent voices, etc. So...I choose not to upload those videos as someone may come to cart me off for a little vacation involving an all white room and special little jackets.

I wonder though, does anyone else play with their books too? Or is it just me? I mean, this is totally normal! Right???

I am thinking of making this a weekly MEME on my blog. Like, Cristina Plays With Her Books or something. What do you think? Creepy or entertaining? If you'd like to see these every week, leave a comment and let me know!

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is where we share the books we got through the week.

I was pretty lazy and didn't do one last week. So I had to make sure I did one this week! Its done in 2 parts. With a third video of me....gooofing off...and playing with my books! lol What can I say? You'll have to see it for yourself! lol

IMM -Part ONE!

Halfway through my IMM post I had to pause it. While it was paused, I had a bit of an accident. lol I fell, in a very embarassing manner.  And this was the result...

So boys and girls, the moral of the story is...don't EVER wear high heels when your dizzy! So...after cleaning myself up, a bag of frozen peas and a few advil, the vlog continues!

And after this it all basically goes downhill...lol This will be a seperate post, because...well, you'll understand why when you see the video!

Bought
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Willow by Julia Hoban
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Elixir by Hillary Duff

Gifted ( thank you Mommy!!!)
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespear
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Need by Carrie Jones
Flawless by Sara Shephard
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Piercy Jackson and the Olympians The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan
Matched by Ally Condie

For Giveaway
Anna and the French Kiss- Signed by Stephanie Perkins!!!!

Won
Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Special thanks to Stephanie Perkins! You made this an awesome giveaway! Wendy from A Cupcake and a Latte blog. Thank you so much for the giveaway! It was my first time entering, and I won! Eeek! And also a special thanks to my Mommy ( I <3 her ) for all of the books she got me!!!

Well folks, thats all I got in my mailbox this week! I'd love to hear what you got in your mailbox this week! Leave me a comment or a link to your blog! Hope your all having a fantastic week ! And beware of highheels!

TBR Intervention Challenge (1)

When I saw this challenge I was really excited about it! I have over 200 books in my TBR list! I am ashamed to admit that! lol So yes, I am in need of an intervention! Don't worry though, I don't own all the books on my TBR list! They are just books I've been wanting to read! So this is the perfect challenge!

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge
hosted by Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray, and April@Books4Juliet


The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List

When Clay Jenson plays the casette tapes he received in a mysterious package, he's surprised to hear the voice of dead classmate Hannah Baker. He's one of 13 people who receive Hannah's story, which details the circumstances that led to her suicide. Clay spends the rest of the day and long into the night listening to Hannah's voice and going to the locations she wants him to visit. The text alternates, sometimes quickly, between Hannah's voice (italicized) and Clay's thoughts as he listens to her words, which illuminate betrayals and secrets that demonstrate the consequences of even small actions. Hannah, herself, is not free from guilt, her own inaction having played a part in an accidental auto death and a rape. The message about how we treat one another, although sometimes heavy, makes for compelling reading. Give this to fans of Gail Giles psychological thrillers. Dobrez, Cindy

Why I picked this book? I picked Thirteen Reasons Why because I have had it sitting on my shelf for more than 6 months! I've heard so many good things about it and everytime I read the synopsis it sounds like a haunting story! I always wonder, why do I never get around to reading that one! So this week it is going to the top of my TBR list!

Have YOU read it yet? If so I'd love to know what you think! And don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you've bumped up to the top of your TBR list this week!

October Giveaway!

Hey Everyone!

I had a really hard time thinking of what my giveaway would be for this month. It just didn't seem like there would be anyway to top last months. But, I think I came up with a pretty awesome giveaway that I'm really excited about! And I hope you will be too!

It's been really hard to keep it a secret and not spill the beans. lol But I have dropped a few hints here and there!

I am also trying out a new way of entering. It should be MUCH easier to use! So I'm hoping it will! If so it will make doing many more giveaways possible!

So for the October Giveaway, I will be giving away ONE autographed copy of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, plus a matching bookmark! Eeek!!! Are you excired??? You should be!

Anna Oliphant has big plans for her senior year in Atlanta: hang out with her best friend, Bridgette, and flirt with her coworker at the Royal Midtown 14 multiplex. So she is none too happy when her father sends her off to boarding school in Paris. However, things begin to look up when she meets Étienne St. Clair, a gorgeous guy–with a girlfriend. As he and Anna become closer friends, things get infinitely more complicated. Will Anna get her French kiss? Or are some things just not meant to be?



"Magical. Anna and the French Kiss really captures the feeling of being in love." - Cassandra Clare, author of The Mortal Instruments series

"From the magical streets of Paris to its charming narrator, Anna and the French Kiss has it all. A wonderfully winning book!" --Robin Benway, author of Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June

"No one captures the exhilarating and exhausting `but-does-he-like-me?!' question better than Stephanie Perkins. A scrumptious read." --Justina Chen, author of North of Beautiful

"Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." --Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Scarlett Fever

"Smart and sensual, Anna and the French Kiss is everything your heart is longing for. You'll want to live inside this story forever. More, s'il vous pla”t!" --Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Wake Trilogy

"Imagine a mug of rich, thick hot chocolate. Now add a swirl of sweet whipped cream. Yummy? Oui. Well, Anna and the French Kiss is richer, sweeter, and--yes--even hotter. You're in for a very special treat." --Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Peace, Love and Baby Ducks and Let It Snow

"Perkins's debut surpasses the usual chick-lit fare with smart dialogue, fresh characters and plenty of tingly interactions . . . Sarah Dessen fans will welcome another author who gracefully combines love and realism." --Kirkus, starred review

There will only be ONE winner this time! So make sure you take advantage of the extra ways to enter and goodluck!

All These Things I've Done

All These Things I've Done ( Birthright ) by Gabrielle Zevin
Relase Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Age Group: YA
Format: Hardcover
Source: Own
Intrest: Dystopian
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

 

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Typically I am attracted to books because of the cover art. With this book, I heard so many great things about it. So when I was getting ready to go to Austin Teen Book Festival 2011 I was excited to find out that among the great authors that were going, was Gabrielle Zevin! It was hard for me to pick just 4 books to buy there and get autographed. Trust me, I was biting my nails, trying to figure out which one to buy. I was intrigued by the description of the book, and all the good things I'd heard about it. I am so glad that I chose this one! It is incredible!

All These Things I've Done is a story about Anya, or "Annie". Set in the future at a time when chocolate and coffee are illegal! ( Ok I would just like to insert here, that I would DIE without chocolate. Ok maybe thats a little on the dramatic side, but still! No chocolate??? Who would WANT to live is the better question! ) They are only available in the black market, through the mafia! Eeek!

This is where Annie and her family come in! Annie's family the Balanchine's, family business has always been making chocoalte! This creates a bit of a problem, when chocolate is illegal! The Balanchine family become the head of the chocolate mafia! No joke! Annie's parents both die, due to a mob hit. Annie is left to take care of her brother Leo, her sister Natty, and her ailing grandmother. All she has to do is stay under the radar until she turns 18 and can get legal gaurdianship of her brother and sister.

Little does Annie know that her world is about to be turned upside down when she unknowingly gives her boyfriend a candy bar, or two, laced with a potent and fatal drug! She becomes the primse suspect of his attempted murder, and is thrown into a juvenille detention center. So much for staying under the radar now! Annie falls in love with Winn the District Attourney's son, which only complicates things. As much as she tries, Annie can't escape her families "buisness" for long!

I absolutely adore this book and highly recommend it! I couldn't put it down! It was fast paced book that was a joy to read. I loved Annie's character, as well as the others in the book. Gabrielle did an incredible job with All These Things I've Done. She painted a very vivid picture of the future, and the characters! I can totally see some of these things happening in the future! Water, food and clothing being rationed!

All These Things I've Done is an original story full of love, loss, tragedy, family loyalty, and illegal substances! ( We mean chocoalte and coffee! ) It's a fast paced read that will keep you entertained from start to finish!

I am so glad that this is going to be a trilogy! I enjoyed this book so much and I can't wait to read what happens next to Annie and her misfit friends!

Eve

Eve by Anna Carey
Release Date: October 04, 2011
Publisher: Harper Collins
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: borrowed
Intrest: Cover Whore
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge and 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

I was really excited about reading this book. The cover is beautiful and the story sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, I have a sort of bittersweet love/hate relationship with Eve.

Typically I usually love the main charachter of any book. I wish I could say that with Eve, but I can't. I didn't hate her, but there was just nothing there that drew me to her and made her more personable and endearing. There were several charachters in this book that I did love, but for me Eve wasn't one of them. Which is sad, because this story is mostly about her!

This book is set in the future, which I love! And I have to admit, I can totally see the things that happen in this book, happening at some point in the future. But I did have a problem with the time period. The book is set about 5 to 8 years into the future, although they never really state when, you just have to do the math and figure it out yourself! While I can definately see something like that happening in the future, I honestly don't feel like it would be happening so near in the future. I think it would've been more believeable if it was set a little further into the future. At least for me, anyways.

It's a really fast paced read, which I enjoyed. It's definately the type of book that you can read and finish in one day! Anna Carey did not waste time keeping the story moving, or on long needless descriptions. It's refrshing  to pick up a book that you can read quickly, without having to spend a lot of time trying to keep the story straight or figure out what's going on.

I have to say, the ending was a huge disappointment for me, and really knocked this book from a must have it, to an I can live without owning it. Eve spent probably 200 pages trying to reach a safe place where she and Caleb, the boy she loves can live and be safe, together. Unfortunately, there is not happy ending for these two, and it made the 200 pages before it a bit pointless for me. This is the first in the triology, and I will for sure be reading the next one when it comes out. I would like to see what happens with Eve, but mostly with some of the other charachters in the book.

This was not at all a bad book, just not quite the epic read it promised to be.