location: home

mood:  undecided

watching: It's A Wonderful Life

music: none

The Probability Of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Release Date:  December 8, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

Format: ARC
Source: Swapped
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge, 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon 

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page..

I have had this book on my TBR list for quite some time. I mean, just look at that gorgeous cover! It looked so optimistic, and full of life, that when I finally got a copy I was a little concerned given the premise of the book.

The Probability of Miracles is about a girl named Cam who has spent years fighting the odds. Her parents divorced, her father died, and she was diagnosed with cancer, all at a very young age! It's of no wonder that Cam is a bit of a pesamist! Okay maybe a bit of a pesamist is an understatement here.

Cam soon learns from her doctor, that the cancer has become so wide spread throughout her body, there is nothing more he, or anyone else can do for her. Not even a medical trial can help her now. Fighting tooth and nail for her daughter, Cam's mother Alicia, packs Cam and her younger sister Perry up and heads off in search of Promise, Maine. A place known for miraculous things, if anything can cure Cam, a summer spent in Promise can! But will a summer spent in Promise be just what the doctor ordered?

Given the premise of this book, I was concerned that it would be a dark and depressing read. You would think given the fact that the main character dying of cancer, and is sarcastic to boot on top of that, that it would be. But I found The Probability of Miracles to be far from it! See, miracles do happen! I actually found myself laughing, and chuckling to myself throughout the entire story. Wendy's style of writing and the way she wrote the character, Cam, reminded me so much of the movie Juno. One of my favorite movies! So if your a fan of Juno, the movie and the character, like me, then you'll love this book.

One major complaint about this book that I heard was the ever present  reference by the characters in the book, to Cam's cancer. Well, as someone who has lived in a family where someone is seriously ill, let me tell you, yes it does consume your life and change it in every way possible! A normal life, just is not possible, and whether you want it to or not, everything changes. How you live your life, where you go, what you do, even what you eat! So while some people may think they mention Cambell's being sick with cancer a lot, well, sorry to say that is true to life! You can't run and escape from something like that, it is a part of who you are! Ever present, always there staring you in the face.

I also loved how this book showcased what life is like for the entire family when one person in the family  is ill. Many times, other family members tend to take a back seat because they don't seem as important, even though they are as important as ever!

Wendy Wunder ( yes, that is her real name) delivered an incredible debut novel, tackling some serious issues with the grace and ease of a seasoned vetarin! This book had me laughing and crying ( in a good way, I promise!) all at the same time! Full of life, laughter, first love, adventure and the love of family. I fell in love with  The Probability of Miracles and can't wait to read more from the very  talented Wendy Wunder!

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

We Apologize for Your Service Interruption ( or some such nonesense)

You know how when your watching a really awesome movie, and it gets to that really EPIC part, and your biting your nails waiting for the next scene. And then BAM! The most irritating sounds come from your TV, with the most nauseating colors, followed by something along the lines of "we apologize for your service interruption...."

Ughh!!! That KILLS me! Although here it's usually because of a bad thunderstorm or hurricane weather. Anyhoo...I feel like my blog needs one of those lately! lol

So I would just like to say to everyone, I apologize for my lack of posting lately. I promise, I am still reading! I always and forever will be. Pinky promise!

Some of you may already know, but for those of you that don't, I work in retail. Enough said, right? So life right about now, gets pretty crazy! I know many bloggers out there, like me, struggle to find the time to read and review. While readers out there struggle to find time to visit our blogs! We totally understand this!

I wanted to take this time to let all of you know how much I appreciate you following/reading my blog. I love reading the wonderful comments ya'll leave. It really warms my heart and brightens my day!

So please don't loose faith in me, or change the channel! Pretty soon things will be back to normal, I promise!

On that note, I can't believe I have reached almost 100 followers! WOW! I honestly never thought anyone would ever read this blog, except for my mother. Don't think you go un-noticed! To show my appreciation, I will be having a special giveaway when I hit that mark, so stay tuned!

Now back to your usual programming...

The Future of Us

location: home

mood:  undecided

watching: You've Got Mail

music: none

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Release Date:  November 21, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 356

Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon 

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

I have been eagerly anticipating the release of this book for quite some time. So you can imagine when it released Thanksgiving week, I quickly snatched it up at a local book store on Black Friday.  Many of you may know that I work in retail, so after a crazy day, I was looking forward to coming home and escaping into The Future of Us, and escape is just what I did!

The Future of Us is told from two different perspectives, Josh and Emma. While this sort of story telling typically irritates me (generally because, for me anyways, mass confusion usually ensues) however that was not at all an issue here! The story flowed seamlessly without any confusion or hesitation.

This book was so entertaining to read. Growing up in the 90's I remember when the internet was new, caller ID had just come out, and the days of the first cell phones! Remember those HUGE ones that had an entire battery pack attached by a long chord? Do you even remember what people used before cell phones? Pagers, and a quarter to use the nearest pay phone. Ahhh those were the days!

Aside from the laugh out loud funny moments, and the fun entertainment, The Future of Us brought up some interesting questions. If you could find out what your life would be like 15 years in the future, would you? If you did, would you deliberately do things NOW to change what will happen later?

I'm not quite sure what I would do myself. But you can pick up a copy of The Future of Us and find out exactly what Josh and Emma would do!

The Future of Us is a hillariously amazing, 90's flashback with a twist! I loved this book so much that I didn't want it to end! I loved every minute of it right down to that very last page, and was sad when it ended!

Jay Asher and Caroly Mackler, two stunning authors on their own, worked well together and created one of my absolute favorite reads of the year! So make sure you pick up a copy, you won't regret it!

In My Mailbox (9) The One Where I Fall Asleep...

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!

Some people *coughs* Loretta *coughs* were asking me where my IMM was. Well...YouTube ate the first one! THe second one I looked like a silent but enthusiastic fan girl. I'm hoping third time is the charm! I'm honestly so exhausted, that if it's not, thats as good as it's gonna get! So without further ado...

Borrowed from the Library

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Peble

Dirty Little Secret by C.J. Omololu

For Review

Winter Town by Stephen Emond

DJ Rising by Love Maia

Bought

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Caroly Mackler

Gifted

Kindle Fire! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Thanks Dad :)

And last but not least, an IMM by The Princess of Storyland ( oh yeah! Thats me!) wouldn't be an IMM without a few stills! 

Seriously YouTube??? You ATE my video??? Yeah, thanks for that! *sighs*

Totally fell asleep waiting on video 3 to upload. Third time's the charm! Right?

I totally <3 the Library!

I TOTALLY Squeed when this came in the mail! Wouldn't you???

Practicing my French! Oui?

Too tired to even hold my head up at this point!

Good Night folks!

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Leave me a comment and let me know what you got in your mailbox this week or leave me a link to yours! I LOVE IMM's! Don't forget to enter my November giveaway for a finished copy of The Pledge by Kimberly Derting!

Wintergirls

location: home

mood:  sleepy

watching: Scarecrow and Mrs. King Season 1 ( mom has me hooked now!)

music: none

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Release Date:  March 19,2009

Publisher: Penguin

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 288

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

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.

“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.I am that girl.I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

Many years ago I was watching a movie on lifetime ( yes, I am a lifetime movie addict!) called Speak with a very young Kristen Stewart. For some reason that movie haunted me, but in an incredible way! I quickly picked up the book and devoured it just as quickly and ferociously as I did the movie. I was completely mesmerized by Laurie Halse Anderson's writtng and have been ever since then!

Wintergirls has been on my TBR list for quite some time and I am so glad I finally made the time to read it. In a writing style all Laurie's she totally captivates you with the story and takes you into the struggles of teen girls with eating disorders.

Growing up I knew so many young girls with this horrible self image problem. In a society so hung up on image, I think this is an issue that has only gotten worse with time! Unfortunately with very serious and deadly consequences.

I loved how Laurie tackled this very serious issue, in a way that no one else can! She really gets inside the heads of any young girl with a body image issue in such a way that is bone chilling! With so many girls and women suffering from these problems, I am so glad someone wrote a very honest and gritty look into eating disorders, and their deadly consequences! A definate must read!

Yet another amazing book by Laurie Halse Anderson! In my book she can do no wrong. This is a definately must read, especially if you know anyone who is battling with an eating disorder. You won't regret picking this book up!

November Giveaway

Hey Everyone!

I hope November has been an incredible month for everyone. It's about to get even better! Thanks to the awesome folks at Simon and Schuster for providing a finished copy of Kimberly Derting's amazing new book The Pledge. Trust me when I say, this is one book you don't want to miss!

I honestly didn't think I was going to have a giveaway this month, so a big thank you to the Simon and Schuster team for making this giveaway possible! I'm so excited about this one, because its such an awesome book!

Please enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win a copy of The Pledge. There will only be one winner, so make sure you take advantage of the extra ways to enter and goodluck!

How To Rock Braces and Glasses

location: home

mood: SHOPPING!!!

watching: Keeping Up Appearances

music: none

How To Rock Braces and Glasses

Release Date:  October 24, 2011

Publisher: Poppy

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

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

Super-stylish and uber-harsh, Kacey Simon is the social dictator of Marquette Middle School. She's BFFs with the prettiest girls, and she even hosts her own TV segment dispensing advice and the cold, hard truth to her classmates -- whether they want to hear it or not.

But then an eye-infection and a visit to the dentist leave her with coke-bottle glasses, a mouth full of metal, and... a littthp. Dismissed by her popular friends, she falls so far down the social ladder she can barely see the top, even with her magnifying specs.

With nowhere else to turn, Kacey has to hang with her nerdy neighbor and a boy who walks to beat of his own drum -- or rather, to the beat of the drummer in his band. Zander wants Kacey to be their lead singer, but she's determined to reclaim her throne. Will she climb back to the top? Or will she discover that hitting rock bottom kind of... rocks?

As usual I picked this book based off of the adorable cover and was excited to read something by an author that was new to me, Meg Haston. This book proved to be just as cute as the cover, and I found myself liking it so much more than I thought I would!

This is the story of Kacey Simon, the teen queen of her school! Kacey is pretty, popular, super talented, and the go to girl for advice on anything from wardrobe, boyfriends, to what to eat for lunch. Kacey prides herself on giving her honest opinion, but it often comes off more harsh than helpful. Surrounded by the most popular girls in school as her bff's,  with the lead in the school play tucked securely under her belt, and the cutest boy in school, Kacey is on top of the world. Then tragedy strikes! An innocent accident leaves Kasey with hideous braces and her very own pair of geek glasses. Is Kacey popular enough to withstand this social suicide? Or is this Mean Girl in for a taste of her own medacine?

At first I really hated Kacey's character. I mean, does she honestly think she's being helpful and not hurtful? If I ever talked like that my mother would wash my mouth out with soap! But for some reason, everyone just seems to take what Kacey says in stride. Is it because they are scared of her or desperately trying to impress her? Maybe its a little of both!

Needless to say I definately couldn't help but chuckle when Kacey gets a taste of her very own medacine, from none other than her bff Molly! You'd think after the humiliation she suffers (come on was the YouTube video not embarassing enough?) she would have a new outlook on life! Instead Kacey with a little help starts plotting her claim to fame. This Mean Girl is desperate and will do just about anything to get back on top! 

How To Rock Braces and Glasses reminds me of those all too familiar highschool days! Full of crushes, late nights, best friends, sleep overs and Mean Girls! 

Meg did a great job writting a realistic tale of highschool drama, with a dash of humor and a slice of humble pie! I can't wait to read more by this incredible author!