There are definitely trends in the Young Adult world. Whether it be the paranormal, vampires, zombies or dystopians. This year I think the biggest trend has to be Re-telling's. I am beyond thrilled about this one because I LOVE re-telling's!

One of the reasons why I love them so much, is that they can open up a whole new generation of kids to the classics. If done in the right way, re-telling's get you excited all over again! They have you telling everyone about them, running to the library to check out the original. Before you know it your even checking out other classics and falling in love all over again. Books are timeless! Re-telling's reknew our love for the oldies, but goodies. And that's why I love them so much!

So much to my delight, I have noticed quite a steady increase in re-telling's. I believe re-telling's will be the IT trend for 2012 and one that I am beyond ecstatic about! So I thought I would share some of my favorite re-telling's as well as upcoming re-telling's that I am really excited about.

If you'd like to find out more about a particular book, just click on the title and it will take you right to the goodreads page. So let's get started!

 Beastly by Alex Flinn
I read this one and fell head over heels in love with it! It's a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Who doesn't love that classic fairy tale? Yes, it is also a movie. But the book is sooo much better! So if you haven't read it, you should do it! Like..NOW!








Jane by April Lindner
I am a HUGE fan of Jane Eyre. I read the book every year, and have watched
every Jane Eyre movie ever made. In fact, once a year my friend and I watch
all the Jane Eyre versions back to back. I think this may just be my favorite
re-telling EVER! It is amazing! I lent it out to all of my friends who fell in love
with it as well! If you haven't read this one, you really need to! I think the author
perfectly brought Jane into the modern world!



   


Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I think every girl loves the classic Cinderella fairy tale. This was a unique and fresh take on Cinderella. Written as a dystopian and set in New Beijing, this one was definitely an epic read for 2012! I love that it's a series and the author is going to tackle more classics in the other books. I can't wait!





New Girl by Paige Harbison
I am a big fan of Rebecca. I love the book, the movie. I just love the story itself! I was beyond ecstatic when I heard that New Girl was a re-telling of Rebecca. I absolutely adored it and it is right up there in my top 3 favorite re-telling's EVER! I couldn't stop gushing about this one, and I still can't!






Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
I've always really enjoyed the story of Robin Hood. The whole, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Maybe because I'd always secretly wished someone would be there to deliver mysterious items to my family if we were ever in need. But that's besides the point. I loved that this is a modern take with a female as the heroine. It's just a really fun read and I love that it's a series!






Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
I didn't know until I picked it up and started reading it, that Illuminate is a re-telling of The Picture of Dorian Gray by  Oscar Wilde. I have to say, I am really enjoying this book. I am in the middle of reading it right now, and it's quite intriguing. Plus, the author used to write for US Weekly. My favorite gossip mag. How awesome is that!







This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
This is a pre-frankenstein story and I have to say, it's amazing! Also in my top 3 favorite re-tellings. I was so excited when I found out this book has been optioned for film. I think I am more excited to see this on the big screen than I am Hunger Games. It's gonna be epic! And I am dying to read the sequel Such Wicked Intent.






Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
You guessed it! This one is a re-take on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I have not read this one, but I plan on correcting this problem very soon!








Scarlet by A.C Gaughen
As I stated earlier, I've always been intrigued by the story of Robin Hood. I have yet to read this one but I promise to make time to read it very soon. I've heard so much praise for this book! I plan on getting my hands on a copy of this as soon as possible! Although, I promise not to steal it from a high and mighty book store!






Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler
Obviously, this is a re-telling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. I have yet to read this one but I really want to. I love the cute cover and the story sounds adorable. Summer read maybe?





A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
This one isn't exactly a re-telling. But it's pretty close! This is sort of a re-telling backwards! In this book the main character is catapulted from the modern world, into Jane Eyre's body and her life at Thornfield. Eeek! I need to read my copy like right this second! Plus, I love this cover!





When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
This is a re-telling of the most tragic love story ever told! Romeo and Juliet. Squeee! Be still my beating heart! I've always had a hard time getting through Shakespeare's work. It's a foreign language to me! But I totally plan on embracing this modern take on it. What about you?





Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
I've always enjoyed the story of Peter Pan and feel like it's one of the more understate classic tales. I am beyond ecstatic about this one! I think this is gonna be an epic read of 2012 and I am personally dying to get a copy of it!






For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
I was super excited for this one when I found it's a sci-fi  take on Jane Austen's Persuasion. My first thoughts, were incredible. And then I quickly began to think that this could be amazing or really, really, bad. I read my copy as soon as I got it, and it is for sure one of my fave 2012 reads! It is absolutely amazing! So look for my review closer to the release date.  And you may as well pre-order this one, your gonna love it!




Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Masque is a re-telling of Edgar Allen Poe's novel of the same title. Again, I am really excited about this one and have heard really great things about everyone who has read it. I look forward to checking this one out!







Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
This is a re-telling of The Princess and the Frog, which is probably one of my favorite tales! I love frogs! Weird, right? I collect all things frog, and am so excited about this one! Plus I love the cover. I mean, I would totally wear that dress! And possibley kiss a frog too! If I knew it would turn into a handsome prince that is!



There were so many re-telling's that I wasn't able to list them all. I had no idea until I started re-searching, how many there really were. I will be posting a part 2 to this, so if you know of any I  missed, feel free to let me know in the comments!

Have you had a chance to read any of these re-telling's? Which classic tales are your favorites? And which of these are you most looking forward to reading? I'd love to know so make sure you leave me a comment!

Happy Reading!

200 Follower Giveaway Winner and More!

Hey Everyone!

Well my 200 follower giveaway is over, and the winner of a box of arcs is Amanda. Yay!!! *cheers and throws confetti* The box is currently on it's way to it's new home with Amanda where I'm sure she will cherish them as much as I do! Right? haha

So I know lately it doesn't quite "appear" as if I've been doing a lot of reading. But trust me, I have! I've just been so distracted by all the amazing books coming out later this year, and I can't seem to stop myself from reading them right away! So I have lots of reviews scheduled for the next 2 or 3 months and another large stack of books that seems to keep growing.

As you can see, these are getting a little out of hand! I was hoping to save them to do another giveaway when I hit the 300 follower mark. But...that is still a ways off, and I'm sure by then I'll have a whole other pile to giveaway! 

So I've decided to follow in my good blogger friend, Jen's, footsteps. Starting this week, I will be implementing a Comment Giveaway. The way this will work is, every time you comment on a blog post, you will gain one entry into the contest. You don't need to fill out a raffle copter or any forms. I'll take care of it for you. At the end of the week, or two weeks ( it will all depend on how big my stack is ) I will enter all the names into the randomizer and it will select a winner. The winner will then get to chose an arc from the list I email them, and I will send it on it's way! Simple right?

Unforunately, this will have to be US residents only, because I can't afford international shipping. Sorry guys! I will occasionaly throw in an ebook giveaway for my international friends, to be chosen from my ebook steals and deals posts. So don't worry, you guys aren't left out!

So, pretty simple, right? If you didn't win the box of arc's, don't despair! I will draw a winner for the comment's contest on Sunday! So you still have a chance at earning an entry.

Happy Reading!

The List

The List by Siobhan Vivian
Release Date: April 1st 2012
Publisher: Push
Age Group: YA
Pages: 332
Format: ARC
Source: Souther Book Blogger ARC Tours
Interest:  YA
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

 An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

The List is a book I was eager to get my hands on from the moment I first heard about it. I was super excited to read it. Sometimes when I read a book I am so excited about, I get really nervous. Does anyone else ever do that? I get nervous that it won't hold up, not to everyone else's hype, but to my own expectations of awesomeness. The List totally exceeded my expectations. Above and beyond!

The List is the story of 8 teenage girls who attend Mount Washington High. It has been a long standing tradition at Mount Washington that on the last Monday in September, The List is posted all over school. The "LIST" is sort of a who's who, with a total mean girl twist! It's a list of the prettiest and ugliest students in each grade. Whether or not you make the list, seals your fate for the rest of the year! Whether your on the good side, or the bad side of the list, it affects everyone's life for better or worse. Will the school principal get to the bottom of it and find the culprit of the List before any further damage is done? And if she does, will it rock the school and countless friendships to their very core? Trust me when I say, you WILL want to read it to find out!

The List somehow reminded me of that movie, Mean Girls, which I totally love! Although, I have to say The List was so much better! The List wasn't just entertaining, it touched on so many social issues present among teenage girls, family troubles, growing up, and life in general. My heart strings pulled for so many of the girls, and others just made them snap right in half! At times I wanted to curl up on the couch with Breakfast at Tiffany's and a pint of Ben and Jerry's and hug the girls, or some of them anyways. At other times I just wanted to scream and just totally let them have it, which some of they totally deserved. There were times when I laughed, and cried, when my heart ached for the girls and when I was shocked to my core.

The List was an incredible read that I adored! It was a super fast read and the story flowed from the first page to the very last with some shocking twists along the way. The author did such an amazing job and nailed this one perfectly! I can't wait to check out some of her other books!

Waiting On Wednesday (16)

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

My Life In Black and White by Natasha Friend

Lexi has always been beautiful, but her beauty is taken from her when she goes face-first through a car windshield. Now Lexi has to dig deep to figure out how to define herself. Help on her journey of self-discovery comes from unexpected sources: Ruth, Lexi’s sister, “the smart one” to Lexi’s “the pretty one,” with whom Lexi has never been close; and Theo, a classmate who is still recovering from his sister’s recent death from anorexia.

I am a HUGE fan of black and white. So it's no surprise that I adore the cover of this one. This sounds like an amazing coming of age story tackling many deep issues. I'll have one please!


Look for this in bookstores near you on June 28th


What books are you waiting for? 

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

Be careful not to include spoilers!Share the title and author so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like the teaser!

I actually had intended for my teaser this week to be from Slide, and I had a really great teaser all picked out! I had no idea that I'd finish the book as quickly as I did. So this teaser is from my current read Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris which will be released on April 24th. Here's a little sneak peak at it

 

But somehow I manage to miss the faded blue Toyota pickup until it's so close I can feel the warmth of the engine and smell the smoke of locking brakes. Until the only thing I have time to do is haphazardly throw an arm in front of my face. Because apparently I'm vain like that.

That's okay Janelle, I'd be vain like that too! So what book are you currently reading? I'd love to know! So leave me a comment or leave a link to your Teaser.

Happy Reading!

Slide

Slide by Jill Hathaway
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Format: ARC
Source: Own
Challenges: 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge, 2012 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

 Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I LOVE a good old fashioned murder mystery! So of course, I was really psyched to pick up Slide by Jill Hathaway. I really loved the main character, Sylivia, aka Vee. She was unique, and different from any other YA character I've read about. She is a pink haired narcoleptic, which in case your wondering what that is, is someone who falls asleep randomly. I loved that quirkiness of Vee's character, it was unique and intruiging. I also really loved her strength and her commitment to her family. She never uses her narcolepsy as an excuse to get out of anything!

While I liked Slide and enjoyed reading it, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that didn't impress me. I didn't dislike it, I just didn't fall in love with it. It was a quick read, which I always enjoy. It wasn't as suspenseful as I'd have hoped. I'd classify this one as more of a mystery/sleuth type of book. I would have liked for things to move along quicker, but by the last 50 pages I finally got the suspense that I was looking for.

I thought it was intriguing that Vee would slide into other people's lives. I definitely didn't have the killer pegged. Which is always a plus for me. I like to be surprised! Although personally, the killer wasn't really justified in what they were doing. Their motive for everything they did just seemed...far fetched to me, or reaching if you will.

All in all it was a quick read. It was enjoyable, just not my favorite. If you like mysteries and sleuth books there's a good chance you will enjoy reading Slide!

eBook Steals and Deals

Hello Everyone!

I was bored yesterday and not feeling so hot. So I decided to do some browsing on Amazon ( like I need more books! ) and found some really great deals that I wanted to share with you guys. Eeek! So let's start with the ebooks.

Remember, although I will typically be showing you kindle books, you can also find them on sale for your nook or iPad! So don't forget to search for them on your ereader device! 

First up is Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker on sale for $2.99

 

$4.99 Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally 

 

$2.99 The Book Thief by Shana Norris

 

$2.99 Destined by Jessie Harrell

 

$2.99 Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu - I have checked this out from the library several times but have never managed to read it before it's due. So now I will have a chance to! 

 

$0.99 Rememberance by Michelle Madow

 

$3.99 The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

 

$0.99 The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

$2.99 Gone by Michael Grant

 

$0.99 On The Fringe by Courtney King Walker

 

$3.49 A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

 

$2.99 Because of Low by Abbi Glines

 

$2.99 Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

 

$3.95 Unlovable ( The Port Fare Series) by Sherry Gammon

 

p.s. If you have a kindle you can get your kindle copy autographed by the author! How cool is that!!!

$0.99 Oppression by Jessica Therrien

 

$1.99  Mad Love by Suzanne Selfours!!!

 

$2.99 Ophelia by  Lisa Klein

 

$2.99 Sugar and Spice: An L.A. Candy Novel by Lauren Conrad- Squuuueeeee!!!!

 

$0.99 The Girl In the Arena by Lise Haines

 

$2.99 Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

 

That's it for ebook Steals and Deals this week. There are some really great ones though, so make sure you take advantage of them before they are gone! If you know of any other YA ebook deals that I missed, let me know in the comments so I can add them.

Which ebooks will you be buying this week?

In My Mailbox (21)

Hello Lovelies!

I haven't forgotten about In My Mailbox this week. And I do have lots to show you! But... I am being rather lazy and enjoying my Sunday! teehee It's gorgeous outside today and I plan on taking advantage of it, and spending much of my day outside, catching up on my reading and hopefully tanning my ghostly pale legs! A girl can wish can't she?

I hope you all had a fantastical weekend! I'm sure like me,and probably every one else in the world, you were waiting in line at the theater to watch The Hunger Games!

Next week's IMM will be full of awesome books and even more awesome Hunger Games stuff. I hope your enjoying your weekend!

Happy Reading and I will see you next week!

XOXO

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: October 31, 208
Publisher: Scholastic
Age Group: YA
Pages: 374
Format: Paperback
Source: Own it baby!
Interest: Dystopian, YA
Challenge: 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games...*sighs* What can I say about this book that hasn't been said a hundred times? I know nothing I can say will do this book justice. But I sure am gonna try!

I have put off reading this book for so long. Typically books that have a lot of hype behind them, always fall flat for me. I guess maybe the book just doesn't live up to all the hype and then I'm left totally disappointed. I was terrified that would be the case with Hunger Games. But after my sister couldn't stop talking about it, I decicded to conquer my fears and give this book a try. All I can say is...WOW!

This book is totally amazing! I just finished it and am left utterly speechless. This book will forever go down in history as one of my favorite books of all time! If your like me, and have been putting this one off, do yourself a favor and go buy it right NOW! I promise you, you will not regret it!

The story itself is so unique, and totally engrossing. I literally could not put this book down. I had to tear myself away from it at 3 am because I had to get sleep before work. Suzanne Collins did such an incredible job in crafting this story. It was unique, heart breaking, full of twists and turns, action, romance, and everything you find in a perfect book.

The main character Katniss was a wonderful blend of a strong and fierce female with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She's strong and determined and she won't let anyone, or anything get in her way! She protects those she loves fiercely and will not apolgize to anyone for it! Gale was a wonderful best friend and Peeta, ohhhh Peeta. What can I say? I swoon at the sound of his name. He's so strong yet sweet and gentle at the same time. He has a heart of gold and loves with everything he has. I'm definitely team Peeta all the way baby!

I loved every second of this book. It was incredible and moving. I laughed, I cried, it warmed my heart and touched my soul. I can't wait to devour the rest of the series as soon as possible!

Waiting On Wednesday (15)

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

Lies Beneath (Lies Beneath #1) by Anne Greenwood Brown

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

Although I haven't read any yet, I absolutely adore everything about Mermaid books. They have the most gorgeous covers and intriguing plots! I am really looking forward to this one, and can't wait to add it to my bookshelves!

Dive in on June 12th

What books are you waiting for?

Teaser Tuesday (3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

Be careful not to include spoilers!Share the title and author so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like the teaser!

This week my teaser comes from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, I am just now reading it. But better late than never, right? My sister adores these books and I decided to dive into them before we head to the theater on Friday to see the movie premire. I have to say, I am super excited for Friday!

 

A boy, I think from District 9, reaches the pack at the same time I do and for a brief time we grapple for it and then he coughs, splattering my face with blood. I stagger back, repulsed by the warm, sticky spray. Then the boy slips to the ground. That's when I see the knife in his back. 

So what book are you reading this week?