Friday, January 28, 2011

Book Blogger Hop (12) and Follow Friday (7)

Book Blogger Hop:
Book Blogger Hop
Hosted by Jennifer @Crazy for books.

  This week's question comes from Aliyah who blogs at Des Absurdités:
 
 "What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011?  Why are you anticipating that book?"


My Answer: There are so many books I am looking forward to! It's hard to pick one... The first that pops straight into my head is Wither by Lauren DeStepano. So, I guess since it was the first to pop in my head its pretty major! Umm why I am..well I heard so many good reviews and I loved the plot. Different, unique and the cover was beautiful :)

Follow Friday:

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee @Parajunkee's View. The question this week is:
    
 What is/was your favorite subject in school?

My answer:  Most likely P.E. (but I guess that's not really a subject), I'll have to say Art :) I love being able to express my creativity! When I reach the next grade I'll be able to do take a photography class and I'm sure that will become my favourite!

  Well, those were my answers, what were yours this week? Drop me a comment, look around, follow -> if you do be sure to leave your link and I'll follow back :D I love reading new blogs!

Thanks for reading and happy blogging!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Review for Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride"Along for the Ride"
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Public Library
Challenge: 350 page Challenge, Library Challenge
383 pages


    Riding a bike is only one of the many things Auden's missed out on. Even before her parent's divorce, she was cast in the role of little adult, never making waves, focusing on academics to please her demanding mother.

   Now she's spending the summer before college in the tiny beach town of Colby with her father and his new wife and baby. A job in a trendy boutique introduces her to the world of girls, their friendships, conversations, romances. And then there's Eli, an intriguing loner. A fellow insomniac, Eli introduces Auden to the nocturnal world of Colby. Together they embark on a quest: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to put a tragic episode behind him. Combine two lonely people with a charming beach town and an endless supply of long summer nights, and just about anything can happen.

  Auden is what we today call a 'smarty pants' BUT her life, unlike her awesome grades, is upheaveled and lonely. Auden is still struggling with her parents divorce, insomniac nights, and of course her lack of childhood. Then, she decides instead of spending all this lonely time studying for college during the summer, she'll go visit her dad. That's when the story starts rolling. But things are not as she expected them to be.

    Let me say, I really liked this book. Why did I not give it five stars? I hate and I mean hate, to have to take a star away from a beautifully done book but it just was really slooww. The plot at times was really slow and nothing interesting happened (I know that something interested can't happen every page but still).

  The characters in this book were AMAZING! Basically all the characters grew throughout the story and they were well developed, real and unique. From Auden, Robert, Heidi, Hollis, Eli to even Auden's mom! The plot was very good! How Sarah tied in friendship, marriage, romance, tragedy, remembrance, fun and made the reader in the end feel uplifted still amazes me. Eli and Auden's relationship was kind of in the background until the middle and end of the book... I really liked how they connected. Also I just loved how she made the baby a big part of this story! Even though I didn't give it five stars does not mean that I didn't love it, I just didn't feel right not rating it four because the story is a bit slow starting and throughout the book which I'd feel wrong not mentioning. I do recommend it, I love Sarah Dessen and if your like me be sure to check it out!

Excerpt:     
   
  The e-mails always began the same way. 
   Hi Auden!!
It was the extra exclamation point that got me. My mother would call it extraneous, overblown, exuberant. To me, it was simply annoying, just like everything else about my stepmother, Heidi.
I hope you’re having a great last few weeks of classes.
We are all good here! Just getting the last few things done before your sister-to-be arrives. She’s been kicking like crazy lately. It’s like she’s doing the karate moves in there! I’ve been busy minding the store (so to speak) and putting a few final touches on the nursery. I’ve done it all in pink and brown; it’s gorgeous. I’ll attach a picture so you can see it. Your dad is busy as always, working on his book. I figure I’ll see more of him burning the midnight oil when I’m up with the baby! I really hope you’ll consider coming to visit us once you’re done with school. It would be so much fun, and make this summer that much more special for all of us. Just come anytime. We’d love to see you!  
Love,
Heidi (and your dad, and the baby to be!)
    Just reading these missives exhausted me. Partially it was the excited grammar—which was like someone yelling in your ear—but also just Heidi herself. She was just so…extraneous, overblown, exuberant. And annoying. All the things she’d been to me, and more, since she and my dad got involved, pregnant, and married in the last year.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

In My Mailbox (2)



In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

Hey everyone! So NEWS--- I MADE IT TO THE LIBRARY! Yay! Cause for celebration! Well, I just spent the whole day in town, it is now 11:30pm; we left in the morning and I am exhausted. So lets just cut to the chase and see what I got...before I drop off my chair shall we?...

What did I get?
Along for the Ride  Fifteen Minute Bob A Not-So-Simple Life (Diary of a Teenage Girl: Maya, Book 1) Final Touch (The Rayne Tour, #3)  Watch Me

For Review:
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (I couldn't find a good description on goodreads so heres a summary from someones blog!)
Fifteen Minute Bob by Catherine Forde
A Not-So-Simple Life, Diary of a Teenage girl by Melody Carlson
Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins and Amberly Collins
Watch Me by Lauren Barnholdt

I know I'm late but what was in your mailbox this week? :)

Thanks for reading & happy blogging!
 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Daily Dose (1)

 
 Daily Dose is a meme hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly. It's just a fun meme that lets the artist inside us select photos that we think are unique, inspirational, weird or just plain cool and display them on our blog! I thought since I don't have any book reviews to do, this would be different and fun..lets see how it goes!




          This first one I thought was just.. amazing!
   

                       How true!
  

    Beautiful :)
 

      Awww...
  

    Who wants to be an ice princess?
 

          Up, up and away!
 

So here were a few pictures I picked for this week. Did you like them..hate them? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear :)

Thanks for reading & happy blogging!
 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Books! Books! Books!

Here's the deal. My readers know that I go to the library to get my books...and...sadly my library sucks for new releases and they don't have my 'I am going to die if I don't read' books. (Even my whole district doesn't have them!) So big surprise people, I ordered books online! Yes, I'm broke, sad fate I know. BUT I begged and pleaded my case to my parents and bam! I sealed the deal. :) Here was my case: The library doesn't have the books I want, (I ordered from The Book Depository so) the shipping is free, and, heres the deal breaker... they were on sale! Ha, it worked. So enough blabbering what did I get? Well, I'll tell you... THESE BOOKS :D (Click on the picture to get the goodreads description/storyline)

Across the Universe Girl, Stolen Matched (Matched #1) Dash & Lily's Book of Dares Prom and Prejudice Lock and Key Revolution

I would have bought a lot more but these were the ones on sale! There is soo many books I want and sadly I had choose a handful (seriously what is harder than that!) But I am really excited to get these!! Now I just have to wait a few weeks (by the way---I hate waiting!!) I wish I had them already alas I'm just happy I could buy them. Otherwise I would never be able to read them :( Anyways......

What do you think? What books are you dying to have?

Thanks for reading and happy blogging!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (3)


*Image above* is from Words and Whispers...I hope it's alright that I used it! I really like it :)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we all feature upcoming books we're eagerly anticipating. 

So what's my pick?


Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 1, 2011
440 pages

Summare taken from Goodreads:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


 Yes, I know everyone knows this book and it's all over YA blogs but I JUST COULDN"T HELP MYSELF! :) It sounds so good and the cover is simple but very effective (at least for me). Sorry, I couldn't come up with anything you guys haven't heard of before...but seriously who doesn't want to read this? (Except for those who don't like this type of book :p)

What is your WoW pick for this week?

Thanks for reading &  happy blogging!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop Ending!

Have you checked this Giveaway out yet? No, yes? If not YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT! It is an amazing hop: taking place through January 14-17th...So that means it's ending at midnight tonight! I personally have entered almost all of the ones that apply to Canada (which are surprisingly a lot!) I just wanted to give a heads up that it is ending tonight so that if you haven't checked it out,you can... and hopefully win something. There are tons of great books!

Sadly, no I am not giving anything away (hopefully soon though!) but to the amazing people that are THANK YOU! Bloggers get followers, and followers get books...its a win-win! Also a thank you to Martha's Bookshelf and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this hop :) Take care everyone!

Thanks for reading & happy blogging!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Author Quotes!

Hi readers and fellow bloggers! I hope you had a relaxing weekend :) Today, I'm going to do Author quotes again! This is any form of quote that is either given by an author or has regards to books...

Here are my picks for this weekend:

"Every man's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers." --Hans Christian Anderson

"Always speak the truth, think before you speak, and write it down afterwards." --Lewis Carroll

"Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school." --Beverly Cleary

I hope you enjoyed them! What are your favourite author quotes? I'd love to hear :) If you don't have any, did you ever hear the ones above before?

Thanks for reading & happy blogging!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Book Blogger Hop (11) and Follow Friday (6)

Book Blogger Hop:
Book Blogger Hop

This week's question comes from Barb who blogs at Sugarbeat's Books:
 
 "Why do you read the genre that you do?  What draws you to it?"
My answer:

  The genre that I mostly enjoy is YA romance. I guess what draws me in is that, since I am a teen, and in YA romances they deal with teens, I can put myself in it. I can relate. Same with all the genres of YA, I can relate to the characters better than to adult literature. I really enjoy reading YA, especially romance and dystopian! Great question :)

Follow Friday:


The question for this week is:
What makes up your non-human family??
My answer:

  I LOVE this question :) I'm a huge animal lover!

Here is my border collie, named Amos:

 My pride and joy :) [He was my first pet ever!]

My cat, Coco:


 Had him since he was a kitten, (adopted him from the SPCA).

My two dwarf rabbits, (they're brother and sister :p):

Spotty :)


 Bella :D

And I also have a fish named Mushu but I don't have a picture of him :( He's a Simese fighting fish, so I only have one :D

Well, those are my answers to this week's quesitons! What are your answers? I'd love to hear :)
 Thanks for reading & happy blogging!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Review for Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

Caleb + Kate
"Caleb + Kate"
Author: Cindy Martinusen-Coloma
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Public Library
276 pages

View lulu-5sta...jpg in slide show
As the popular darling of the junior class and heiress to the five-star Monrovi Inn empire, Kate has both everything and nothing. She's bored with school and life... until she locks eyes with Caleb at a school dance.
  Caleb is new to Kate's exclusive prep school, and it's clear he doesn't fit in. In fact, he and his dad work in maintenance for Kate's father. And while Caleb knows better than to spend time with the boss's daughter, it seems that every time he tries to back away, something pulls him right back in.
 When their parents demand that they are to stay away from each other, they learn of a fight between their families that occured more that fifty years ago. It's a mystery Kate doesn't understand...but a legacy Caleb has endured his entire life.


   This story is told in alternate voices, between Kate and Caleb, which I really liked. This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it. Sure, at times it was cheezy but then other parts were really deep--like what is real love? Along with some laughs, all equaling a five star rating! The characters were so likeable! Kate, sure she is rich and has friends that are prissy, but she wants more to her life...that is a major part of the story. Caleb is well; charming, funny, smartish shall I go on? Oh and yah, he's Hawaiian! Gasp, yes I said that! The total package and together they are a force of nature! On the back of the book there is a little comment from an author which sums this book up nicely, "Romeo + Juliet gets an update in this story of forbidden love. Shakespeare's never been so hip." Overall, the characters (even the side characters) were well developed, the storyline awesome, and it had just a little extra to put it over the top! Five stars all around, definitely check it out if your into teen romance!

Excerpt:

"Love had died, like God and Romeo, and not even the birds can find a song to sing."

A text from Katherine pops onto my phone: 'Need advice about prom.'

"Why believe in love, O Women? Oh, why do we want to believe in what cannot be believed in? Love divorced itself from mankind. Move on, hearts."



Elaine finishes her poem and makes a bow, remaining at the front of the class as we offer awkward, halting applause.


Monica leans toward me. "Wow, cheerful. That sounds like something you would say."


"Thanks a lot," I whisper.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Stylish Blogger Award and Teaser Tuesday (3)

Wow, I am so honoured to have recieved The Stylish Blogger Award from two people! Thank you so much Bea @Bea's Book Blog and Caroline @Words & Whispers. It means alot you two :)


There are some rules when accepting the award and here they are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they have won!
Seven random things about me:

1. I am totally a dog person (sorry cat lovers, I love cats too but dogs are just a bit higher on my list)
2. I can do the splits (yes, I did say the splits)
3. One thing I like about winter is being able to walk through deep snow (I know it sounds weird but I do)
4. I am crazy about watching movies
5. I have only been to a movie theater twice in my whole lifetime
6. I am crazy about baking (muffins, cupcakes---yes there is a difference between the two! cakes, brownies, cookies etc.)
7. I often 'pull' on push doors (ending up bouncing off and making a total idiot of myself because it clearly says "push") and then I 'push' on pull doors which makes me look ridiculous.

I pass this award to the following 15 bloggers (even though I think every blogger deserves it--it is a lot of work keeping a blog up!):

1. Aylee @Recovering Potter Addict
2. A Canadian Girl @Musings of a YA Reader
3. Small Review
4. Amanda @Amanda's Writings
5.  Lena @Addicted 2 Novels
6. Diana @The Lovely Getaway
7. Kare and her brother @Epic Book Nerd
8. Bree @Bree's Books
9. Jen @I Read Banned Books
10. Dana @DanaDoesRead
11. Alison @Alison Can Read
12. Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
13. Alissa @The Grammarian's Reviews
14. Books Complete Me
15.Library Gal @Lost in the Library
 I want to send out a thank you again to Bea and Caroline! Now to Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Here are the rules:
•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Caleb + Kate

 Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

1st Teaser:  "There is just time shared-and for me, a connection that is terrifying."
2nd Teaser:  "He doesn't raise his eyes toward me even once."
-both taken from page 137

So, what were your teasers for this Tuesday?
Thanks for reading & happy blogging!
 

Monday, January 10, 2011

First Ever Challenges!

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, now its back to the ol'grind. Well, I have decided to enter a few challenges. My FIRST one's ever! So exciting! Here they are:


2011 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. Click the link to read more about the rules etc.
As you guys know, all of my books come from the library so this is a pretty straight-forward challenge for me. There is levels and I will be doing "Jumbo Size"-read 50 books.

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2011 Wish I'd Read That Challenge hosted by My Love Affair With Books. Click the link to read more about the rules etc.
This is a pretty easy challenge, there is level's and I will be doing "Addicted"-read 12 books.


2011 YA Reading Challenge hosted by For The Love of YA. Click the link for more info and rules.
I only read a odd non-young adult book, so this challenge with include mostly every book I review here. So, I will be doing "The Jumbo Size"-read 40 books.


350 Page Books Challenge hosted by What's Your Story?. Click the link for more info and rules.
There are no levels but I will be going for at least 10 books.

So, are you doing any challenges this year? Drop me a comment, I would love to know :)

Thank you for reading and happy blogging!