Hello Lovelies~

I can't believe it's time for another monthly wrap up post! It seems like March just started and I was eyeing spring/summer titles. Not April is here and I'm drooling over the fall titles! So many books, so little time..

Some of my goals for 2012 have been to read more, be more diligent about visiting other blogs and commenting. And of course, to try to make my blog better! I've worked really hard on all of these this month, and hopefully I'm doing better!

Health wise, March was a MUCH better month for me! I had to buckle down and be more strict with myself, and develop a routine, but the results have been amazing! Half way through the month I finally found my footing. Better health has also allowed me more time to read and I've read some truly incredible books this month! I've becoming even closer to my blogger friends and gotten to know many of my readers better!

I was very disappointed in myself last month, and how little I read. So as I began feeling better I did everything I could to fit in time to read. It was hard, there were a lot of things to catch up on! Cleaning, laundry ( oh.. that laundry pile!) and of course work. But I did manage to increase my reading and I am very happy about that!

For the month of March I read a total of 7 books. Just shy of my personal monthly goal of 8. I had a total of 24 posts, which included 5 reviews ( I plan on making that better next month!) a few ebook steals and deals, and a Trends in Ya post. 

Thank you to everyone who supports my blog, stops by to read my posts, and for your awesome comments which I adore! I have some fun and exciting things planned for April and I hope you'll stop by to enjoy it!

The Books

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

The Girl In The Park by Mariah Fredericks

Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

The Challenges

• I read 7 books towards my goal of 100 for the 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge. Bringing me up to a total of 21 books for the year. I am 3 books behind and I plan on catching up in April!
• I also read 2 books towards my goal for the 2012 YA Contempoary Challenge. Bringing my total to 10 books towards my goal of 15
• I read 2 books towards my 2012 TBR Pile Challenge bringing me to a total of 5 books towards my goal of 24. I definitely need to step it up on the TBR books! But these review books are sooo distracting!
• Last but not least, I read 3 books towards my 2012 Debut Author Challenge bring me to a total of 10 for the year!

Random Act's of Kindness

This month so many people were incredibly sweet to me! My friend Amber sent me an arc of Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont that I'd been dying to read!

Loretta from Between the Pages bought me kindle books of Half Blood and Obsedian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Thanks girl! You rock my socks!

Kevin Emerson sent me a letter and a signed arc of his debut novel, The Lost Code.

And I also got some really awesome books from publishers. So thank you to everyone! You helped make March an incredible month!!!

So what are your goals for April? I'd love to know, so leave me a comment and let me know!

Happy Reading!

XoXo

Prom Theme Giveaway!

Hello Lovelies!

I am so excited about this giveaway! I can hardly contain my excitement! Squee!!!

Prom season is officially upon us, so to help get teens ( and the rest of us too! ) ready for the big night, the awesome folks at HMH have a provided an awesome prize pack of books for one lucky reader! *cheers and throws confetti* It's totally amazing right?!?!?

For my giveaway HMH will be giving away copies of the following books

This will be open to US residents only, and you are not required to be a blog follower to enter this contest, although it is appreciated! Just fill out the raffle copter to enter!

Make sure you follow HMH on Twitter @HMHTeen for more awesome prom theme'd stuff! They will be giving away a package of books, a gift card for prom accessories (eeek!!!) and more! So add them as a buddy on twitter and keep your eyes peeled for more awesome giveaways coming up!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox (22)

Hello Lovelies!

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

Traded

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Storm (#1 in the Elemental Sereis) by Brigid Kemmerer

Fury by Elizabeth Miles ( signed! )

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

For Review

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie

Just Flirt by Laura Bowers

Monument 14 by Emily Laybourne

Thank you to Amanda, Kelsey and Vivienne for the great books! And a HUGE thanks to MacMillan for the review books. As well as HMH for the awesome Prom Themed Book Prize Pack giveaway. Eeek! I am so excited! You guys totally rock my socks!

I got some really awesome books this week that I can't wait to dive into. I hope you had a great week in books as well and are having a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to leave me a link to your IMM so I can come by and drool over all the awesome you got!

Happy Reading and I will see you next week!

XOXO

Trends in YA: Re-tellings

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?