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.

In My Mailbox (2)

Ok so my IMM this week is 3 days late. I tried though, I really did! I recorded my video but it won't upload to YouTube. Something about it being too long... Yeah, I kinda like to talk. A LOT! lol So I guess I will have to do it the old fashioned way.

I'm really bummed about my video not working because that will make this week's IMM super long, which means I will probably have to cut out a lot of things I was really wanting to say. With that, I guess I better get started!

On Monday I went to the library. I go there quite often. haha I managed to restrain myself to just walking out with 3 books. So these were the 3 that I picked.

Ok so last Wednessday I went to the Blue Willow Book Shop. Which is amazing! The staff is super nice and friendly and the store is adorable! It reminded me of the book store in You've Got Mail! That night Maureen Johnson was coming to do a book signing. I have just about every Maureen Johnson book, literally! So I was so excited about this event! Blue Willow got special permission from Penguin to get The Name of the Star early, so that Maureen could sign copies of it at the signing. ( at the time the book was not out yet ) So I was able to buy a copy of the book, and Maureen signed it! Eeek! Also had her sign my copies of 13 Little Blue Envelopes, and The Last Little Blue Envelope while I was there. She also gave me a YA SAVES button! If you haven't met Maureen yet, then you seriously need to check her out on her book tour. She is crazy awesome!!! WHile I was there also picked up an autographed copy of Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter.

That same day I got a small package in the mail from Egmont. They sent me the False Princess bookmarks! Yay!!! I still haven't got the books in the mail yet, but they should be here soon!

Then Candace from http://www.candace'sbookblog.com/ sent me a copy of Eve by Anna Carey and some swag! Thank you Candace!!!

Then the books I bought from the http://www.bookclouseouts.com/ YA $1.49 book sale came in!

Then i went to the Austin Teen Book Festival which was INCREDIBLE! You can find info, see the 25 amazing authors who came, and see pictures at http://austinteenbookfestival.com/

From the Library
Karma by Cathy Ostlere - the cover is pink! Need I say more? lol It looked like it was written in verse so my head was screaming YAY!!! Although, after I got it home I realized it isn't written in verse, but isntead as a journal. I love books that are written diffrently, so still excited about it!
The Fitzosbornes In Exile by Michelle Cooper - The cover is awesome, and the story sounds really good! Looks like it'll be a good read.
The Allegra Biscotti Collection by Olivia Bennet - The cover is super cute! LOVE the color illustrations spread throughout the book, and its about FASHION! Eeek!

Blue Willow Book Shop
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson  ( she was doing a book signing there and autographed it for me!!! At the time it hadn't been released yet so we were able to get our copies early. She also autographed my copies of 13 Envelopes and the Last Envelope)
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter ( autographed)
YA SAVES ( swag from Maureen Johnson )

Bought from Book Closeouts's YA $1.49 book sale
Lady Macbeth's Daughter
Ophelia
Breathe My Name
Love, Meg
Heist Society
The Killer's Cousin
The Rules of Survival
Saving Juliet
Dramarama
Confessions of a Not IT Girl
TMI
The Expressologist
Secrets of my Hollywood Life: On Location
Tweenty Boy Summer
Secret of My Hollywood Life; Papparazi Princess
Confessions of a First Daughter
Secret Society

Austin Teen Book Festival
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs ( autographed and tato and bookmarkers)
Every You, Every Me by David Levithan ( autographed)
Lola and the Boy Next Door ( autographed plus 7 bookmarks, one is autographed)
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevlin ( autographed)

Also would like to mention that I have already lined up my book giveaway for October! It's another great one that you will be really excited about! I will probably be announcing it next week. I will tell you, for a hint go to the Austin Teen Book Festival's website and look at the list of authors who were there. One of the author's books will be my October giveaway. Yes, it will be autographed! So stay tuned!

The False Princess Giveaway Winners!!!

Ok, so I know I said I would offically announce this on Friday, but I'm too excited! And my winners have already been contacted and confirmed! So.... here we go!

The following 2 people won an autographed copy of The False Princess AND a bookmark. Congrats to

Katherine H.  and Maria G.

The following 5 people won The False Princess Bookmarkers. Congrats to

Carmen G.

Pamela T.

S.M.  O.

Christine F.

Erin L.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered my very first ever giveaway! I am hoping to host one every month! So I am going to see what I can come up with for you guys for October! So keep your eyes posted!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

location: home

mood: thirsty

music: watching Cashmere Mafia

Hi Everyone!

Happy Sunday!!! I hope your all enjoying the last day of your weekend, and the beautiful weather outside!

I feel like a bad blogger for not updating in 4 days. Bad Crissy! Yes, I am scolding myself! lol It's been a very long, busy, yet amazing week! I was able to attend a book signing for Maureen Johnson at Blue Willow Book Shop. I adore the book store, and all its staff, and Maureen is amazing!!! I had a blast! I also attended the Austin Teen Book Festival on Saturday. Words cannot describe! I think I will have to do an entire post dedicated just to this. So with that being said, time for my review!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Release Date: June 07, 2011
Publisher:  Quirk Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

As with most books I purchase, this one I picked up initially because I thought the cover looked great! When I began to read the dust cover, I immediately knew I had to have it! The story sounded incredibly haunting! A tale unlike any I had ever read before! And that is exactly what this book was!

I don't want to give away too much about the story. I will say it is definately one of my all time favorite books. If you haven't read it yet, you MUST! I have been telling absolutely everyone about this book! It's incredible! It has an amazing story, and I love the way the author Ransom Riggs, tells the story not just through words but also through the use of Vintage Photography. He places the photos throughout the book, in a way that they not only fit in with the book, but also bring the characters to life in such a way that they captivate you!

I wouldn't describe this book as supernatural, paranormal, or anything of that nature. It's really just, incredible story telling! It is about a 17 yr old boy named Jacob, who has grown up to stories his grandfather told him full of monsters and peculiar children. As a child Jacob believed these stories, but the older he got he just thought they were merely that, stories, told by an old man. With the mysterious and quite brutal death of his grandfather, Abe, Jacob soon realizes that there may be something to the tales his grandfather has been telling all these years. Jacob travels to Miss Peregrine's Home for answers. As he digs for answers to his unanswered questions, Jacob becomes entangled in a fascinating world that just may be more than he had bargained for. Full of vintage photography, a love triangle, family troubles, monsters, and peculiar children this is one tale you won't want to miss! If you don't believe me just watch the trailer. You'll be hooked!

Cover Whore (2)

location: home

mood: sleepy

music: The Jane Dear Girls

This is the second week of my Meme Cover Whore. And I have to say this week I'm really excited about these books! Not only are the covers gorgeous, but the storylines sound amazing!!!

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.

Eve by Anna Carey
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Why I want to read this book? The cover is beautiful and breathtaking! And the story sounds unique!

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Release Date: TOMORROW!!!!
Why I want to read this book? The cover looks amazing. The story sounds incredible! And I love anything with a Jack the Ripper tie in!

"I don’t want him to love me because of a potion,” she said.

Izzie loves Mark, and why shouldn’t she? As the captain of the basketball team, he is kind and loving and he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend. Her BFF loves . . . somebody, but she won’t say who. So when a hot new guy, Tristan, shows up at school, who better for Izzie to fix up her friend[LL1] with? And what better way to do it than with a love philtre?

But even the best of magic has a way of going awry—and Izzie finds she’s accidentally fallen in love with Tristan herself. And that’s a problem. First of all, there’s Mark. Second, Tristan comes with baggage—like the supernatural creatures that keep attacking whenever he’s with Izzie, and the fact that he comes from the place where Izzie’s father was killed, years ago, by an enormous, evil serpent that’s still around—and it knows Izzie is out there.

Like Mettie Ivie Harrison’s The Princess and the Hound, praised by Orson Scott Card as “powerful, surprising, moving, and deep—a classic,” Tris and Izzie rings the changes on a timeless legend, this time in a contemporary high school setting.

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Why I want to read this book? The cover is breathtaking and the story sounds amazing! Can't wait to read it when it comes out!

After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce just wants to live peacefully on her own. But her tranquility doesn’t last long: she receives news that the tribe is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs her leadership. Anais, the tribe’s cruel queen, wants Luce dead. Dorian, the boy Luce broke mermaid law to save, is determined to make her pay for her part in the murder of his family. And while the mermaids cling to the idea that humans never suspect their existence, there are suddenly ominous signs to the contrary.

But when Luce and Dorian meet, they start to wonder if love can overpower the hatred they know they should feel for each other. Luce’s new friendship with an ancient renegade mermaid gives her hope that her kind might someday change its murderous ways. But how can Luce fulfill her rightful role as queen of the mermaids without sacrificing her forbidden romance with Dorian?


Full of miraculous reunions and heart-pounding rescues, this haunting second installment in the Lost Voices trilogy finds Luce eager to attempt reconciliation with humans—as long as war doesn’t break out first.

Waking Storms by Sarah Porter
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Why I want to read this book? Ok so technically this book is a sequel, and I haven't read the first one yet. But the cover of this one is sooo much better than the first books! Plus I've never read a book about mermaid's and I've always wanted to! Good thing it isn't coming out until 2012, gives me time to catch up on the first one!



Well that's it for this week's Cover Whore! Hope you enjoyed it this week! I will be posting a review for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children hopefully tomorrow. I am going to a book signing for Maureen Johnson tonight. Eeek! I can't wait to meet her and get an autographed copy of her new book The Name of the Star that comes out tomorrow! I've heard its an incredible story! So check it out at your local book stores tomorrow!

Withering Tights

location: home

mood: hyper

music: Rizzoli and Isles on TV :)

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope you all had an awesome weekend!!! I know mine was a blast! :) Although I am so glad its over, and back to the quietness of the week!

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher:  Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Wow. This is it. This is me growing up. On my own, going to Performing Arts College. This is good-bye, Tallulah, you long, gangly thing, and hellooooo, Lullah, star of stage.

Tallulah Casey is ready to find her inner artist. And some new mates. And maybe a boy or two or three.

The ticket to achieving these lofty goals? Enrolling in a summer performing arts program, of course. She's bound for the wilds of Yorkshire Dales—eerily similar to the windswept moors of Wuthering Heights. Tallulah expects new friends, less parental interference, and lots of drama. Acting? Tights? Moors? Check, check, check.

What she doesn't expect is feeling like a tiny bat's barging around in her mouth when she has her first snog.

Bestselling author Louise Rennison returns with her trademark wit, a hilarious new cast, and a brand-new cheeky heroine who is poised to discover plenty of opportunities for (mis)adventure!

Louise Rennison is the author of the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series. I must confess, I have never read a single book from this series! I've always wanted to, but for some reason have just never done it. So fans of the series will be happy to know that this new series is a spin off of Confessions of Georgia Nicholson, starring none other than Georgia's cousin Tallulah Cassey!

I picked this book up at the library, attracted by the pink cover, and of course the adorable title of the book. It has been a while since I've read a fun, frivolous, goofy book. And boy did this book deliver!

Tullulah Cassey sets off for the english countryside to attend a performing arts college for the summer called Dother Hall. Due to a slight mix up, Tallulah finds herself boarding with a very eccentric family instead of in the dorms with her mates. At Dother Hall, Tallulah studies singing, acting, and dance! Try as she might, Tallulah just can't seem to find her place at the prestigous school. Everything Tallulah attempts seems to go horribly awry from her acting right down to her bicycle ballet!

This book was laugh out loud funny! I absolutely adored Tallulah! This is a silly, frivolous, goofy read about friends, performing arts, puberty, and boys! It is full of embarassing accidents, disappointments, and triumphs as she tries to make her way through life at Dother Hall whie finding her place among the crazy teachers and misfit students! It's a great light read, that will have you laughing until you cry!

If your a fan of the Bridget Jones Diaries series, Confessions of Georgia Nicholson or the Princess Diaries series you will LOVE this book!

Favorite Quote from Withering Tights: " Watching you is like watching someone whose pants are on fire. Strangely fascinating."

And don't forget to enter my giveaway for an autographed copy of The False Princess! Winners will be drawn on Friday!