2011 A to Z Challenge-- Competed!

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F. Franklin, Emily & Halpin, Brendan "Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance"
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.   Ivy Adams, "The International Kissing Club" (I am counting that the first name starts with since I don't have a single author whose last name starts with I.)
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N. Nadol, Jen "The Mark"
O. O'Brien, Caragh "Prized"
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q. Quick, Matthew "Sorta Like a Rock Star"
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U. Uviller, Daphne "Super in the City"
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X. de Saint-Exupery, Antoine "The Little Prince" (since I don't have any authors with first or last names that begin with X, I chose an author with X in his last name)
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z. Zarr, Sara "How to Save a Life"

Book Review- How to Save a Life

I just finished reading How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about the many roads that can lead us home.
 
This was such a sad, yet heartwarming story.  I don't always care for books told from 2 points of view, but I really liked how this was done.
 
Mandy broke my heart.  I felt so bad for her.  To grow up with a mom like she did and be told things she was told--how horrible.  And to have her mom's boyfriend behave the way he did!  She was so naive and innocent about so many things.  I just wanted to hug her.
 
And then I felt so bad for Jill.  Reading this story about how the main character lost her dad was a little hard since one of my close friends just lost her mom suddenly this week.  But I really liked Jill too.  And I wanted her to get a little bit of closure and be happy.
 
I felt like there was going to be some huge sad twist that would be piss me off, but (hopefully I'm not giving too much away), but there wasn't.  Only a little twist but a happy one.  If all of Sara Zarr's books are like this, I can't wait to read more!
 
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: Z
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 122
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 98
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 98
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 22
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Super in the City

I just finished reading Super in the City by Daphne Uviller.

From Goodreads:

In this off-the-beaten-sidewalk debut, native New Yorker Daphne Uviller reveals the secrets of a sexy, story-filled Big Apple, where a mystery lurks behind every apartment door—and a savvy but slightly lost young woman unexpectedly finds herself holding the keys.

In a city brimming with opportunities for heroism, twenty-seven-year-old Zephyr Zuckerman has often fantasized about committing acts of bravery that would make front-page news. Now she may get her big break—though it may require plunging a few toilets. When the superintendent of her parents’ Greenwich Village brownstone is led away in handcuffs, unemployed Zephyr takes over his post and unleashes her inner sleuth: discovering titillating secrets about her tenants—from a smoky-voiced Frenchwoman who entertains throngs of unsavory visitors to a moody musician who just has to be hiding something—and realizing that her new reality is far more intriguing than her imagination.

Soon Zephyr has sussed out wrongs that stretch from losers on the Internet to art fraud and an international crime ring. The mob thinks she’s in the FBI, and the FBI thinks she’s in the mob—a predicament she needs to clear up fast. But perhaps not before the cute, surly exterminator helps her solve the mystery of what to do with the rest of her life….

So, I've had this book on my bookshelf for almost two and a half years and I have to admit that I only picked it up because I needed it for a reading challenge.  And I'm so glad that I did...its just what I needed right now--something light hearted and funny--nothing deep or sad.

I really liked Zephyr.  And I have to say that we have a lot in common.  Both of us took quite a while to get un-obsessed with our loser ex who just strung us along.   Both of us have a huge imagination and are very curious.  And hey, both of us want to sit on a jury!  I loved her Sterling girls.  What a fun group!  But I couldn't decide on Gregory.  I couldn't decide if he was truly a nice guy or not.  Oh well.

There was a nice little mystery in the story and I definitely didn't figure it out ahead of time, although maybe I should have.  But this book was a nice light chick-lit story that I definitely enjoyed reading!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: U
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 121

*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

Book Review- The Little Prince

I just finished reading The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

From Amazon:

THE LITTLE PRINCE is French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's most famous novella. It has been translated into more than 190 languages and sold more than 200 million copies, making it one of the bestselling books ever.

The story, first published in 1943, is about a pilot who must make an emergency landing in the desert because of engine problems. This is ironic, since the author himself took off in a plane over the Mediterranean just a year later and was never seen or heard from again.

This timeless story has been adapted to various media over the decades, including stage, screen and operatic works.

I have heard so many great things about this book, but I never read it as a child.  So I finally decided to give it a try.  And unfortunately, I think I am too grown up for this book!  Which is sad to me.  And therefore, I can't really give a proper review!  I can see, though, where children would find this book enchanting!

I gave this book a rating of 3/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: X (since I don't have any authors with first or last names that begin with X, I chose an author with X in his last name)
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 120
What's in a Name? 4 Challenge: Little

*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

Book Review- Sorta Like a Rock Star

Last night I finished reading Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick.

From Goodreads:

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope? With an oddball cast of characters, and a heartwarming, inspiring story, this novel unveils a beautifully beaten-up world of laughs, loyalty, and hard-earned hope.

So, I was struggling with my feelings of this book and the rating for this book.  It was between what I felt like is SHOULD be versus how I REALLY felt about the book.  I finally went with my real feelings.  It's not going to be popular, but so be it.

Yes, this book has so many important themes: homelessness, death, alcoholism, autism, diseases, poverty, bullying, outcasts, veterans, senior citizen, religion...  So I felt like I should have liked it.  But I just couldn't get over the writing.  Every other line had "word" after it or "sucka" or "true? true."  Kinda gangster-like.  Which the character wasn't at all.  And it just bugged me so much. 

Yes, the book was about hope.  And parts of it were heartbreaking towards the end.  But it was all just too much, too over the top.

I gave this book a rating of 3/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: Q
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 119
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 97
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 97
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 21

*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by the publisher for a honest review.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- December Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F. Franklin, Emily & Halpin, Brendan "Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance"
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N. Nadol, Jen "The Mark"
O. O'Brien, Caragh "Prized"
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- November Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F. Franklin, Emily & Halpin, Brendan "Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance"
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N. Nadol, Jen "The Mark"
O. O'Brien, Caragh "Prized"
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

Book Review- Prized

I just finished Prized by Caragh O'Brien for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?


It is very rare that I like the sequel more than I like the first book.  But that's what happened with this book.  I liked it so much more than the first book, Birthmarked.  I didn't want to put it down!
 
Prized made me really think.  About what was right and what was wrong and about the society that we live in today.  The society that Gaia stumbled into is so different.  And while I could see how it worked, it just wasn't RIGHT.  And I loved how Gaia stood up for what was right.
 
I really like Gaia.  I loved how she (mostly) stood up for what she believed in, or at least tried to.  I loved how she was so independent but not in an off-putting way.  The only thing I didn't get was her attraction to Leon.  I don't remember much about their relationship from the first book, so maybe that's why.  But he was just so horrible to her in this one. 
 
It's hard for me to write a review.  I don't want to give anything away so I can't write about just what was so wrong with the society or how Leon was horrible.  Just know that you won't want to stop reading!
 
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
 
Prized will be released on November 8, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: O
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 99
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 79
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 79
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- October Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F. Franklin, Emily & Halpin, Brendan "Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance"
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N. Nadol, Jen "The Mark"
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- September Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F.
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N.
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- August Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E. Emond, Stephen "Winter Town"
F.
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N.
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V. Vincent, Rachel "My Soul to Steal"
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

Book Review- WinterTown

Early this morning I finished reading Winter Town by Stephen Emond for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.
 
This book was just ehhh for me.  I usually find myself feeling this way about books either written about guys or by guys.  I don't know why.  And that was the case for this book.  I certainly didn't hate the book.  But I didn't really care about it either.  It was just...there.
 
Of the two characters, I definitely liked Evan more than Lucy.  Evan seemed like a sweet, slightly-nerdy guy who had a big heart and wanted to do the right thing.  While Lucy, she was just so negative.  About EVERYTHING!  I get that she's had some rough times.  But I knew kids with a lot harder lives than hers and they weren't nearly so negative.  And when we got to see things from Lucy's side and see how she kinda had a crush on Evan the whole time, I was kinda shocked.  I mean, she certainly didn't act like it at all. 
 
The graphics and drawings were a nice tough.  I usually stay away from graphic novels, but since this only had a few, it wasn't bad and broke up the story nicely.
 
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
 
Winter Town will be released on December 5, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: E
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 58
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 48
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 45
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 9

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- My Soul to Steal

I finished up My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent while I was on my honeymoon this week.

From Goodreads:

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.


See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.


And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

It’s been a while since I read the previous book in the series, so I don’t remember how I left off feeling about Nash. But in this book, I felt so bad for him. He wanted Kaylee to forgive him and for them to be back together. And then throw in his ex showing up, who is still fighting for him and who he has to defend—both against her actions and against himself.

And I really didn’t like Sabine, the ex-girlfriend. What a *itch to show up again fighting for Nash back. It’s not her place. I get that she loves him and thinks that only she can be good for him, but I’m not one of those people who buy that whole “Alls fair in love and war” thing so I didn’t like her character at all.

I really want to know what’s going to happen between Kaylee and Nash. Tod gave some very good advice, although I’m not sure I liked it and I want to know if Kaylee is going to follow it or not.

Thank goodness I have If I Die in my hands to start right now!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: V
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 50
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 42
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 37

*FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers for an honest review.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- July Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E.
F.
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N.
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R. Richie, Nicole "Priceless"
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V.
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

Book Review- Priceless

I just finished reading Priceless by Nicole Richie.

From Goodreads:

Meet Charlotte Williams… Rich, gorgeous, blonde and a talented singer, she has everything going for her. Spoiled and indulged, her life has always revolved around fashion, gossip, partying and men. When Charlotte’s father – her only family since her mother’s tragic death years ago – is arrested on fraud charges, her glittering world shatters around her. Alone and penniless, she must make her own way for the very first time. Harassed by paparazzi and the outraged victims of her father’s crimes, Charlotte flees to New Orleans to escape the scandal. But what happens when a Park Avenue Princess is forced to fend for herself? How will she adapt to the Big Easy’s bohemian lifestyle? And in the face of anonymous death threats, can she keep herself out of danger? From the stylish avenues of Manhattan and dark clubs of the French Quarter to the bright lights of Los Angeles, Nicole Richie’s scintillating tale shows that the very life you run from is the one that won’t let you hide.

When I was offered the chance to read Priceless, I accepted, but my expectations weren't really all that high.  This is the first novel I've read from a celebrity (that's fiction anyways) and I thought that it wouldn't be good.  But I was surprisingly, and pleasantly, wrong!  Now, there's nothing extraordinary about the book.  But it definitely kept my interest and I enjoyed it!
Reading the summary of the book, I just knew that I would hate Charlotte.  And just the first couple of pages proved me right!  But then things turned around.  And I felt myself feeling sorry for her and I actually started to like her.  I found that she wasn't such a spoiled brat and actually had a real personality and heart.  And I really liked Kat, a girl who Charlotte meets in New Orleans.  In fact, I think a whole book could be written about her, and I would definitely pick it up.

The thing I didn't like about the book was how people treated Charlotte after her father was in jail.  I can't imagine people being that violent towards her and saying what they did, just because of what crime her father committed.  Sure, I get that the people would be angry, but I think how it was portrayed in the story was a little over the top.

Overall, a light, easy read and a nice surprise of a novel!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: R
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 43


*FTC Disclosure: I recieved this book from Cristina of Simon & Schuster and Atria Publicity for free for an honest review.

Book Review- A Need So Beautiful

I just finished reading A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young for a Teen Book Scene review.

From Goodreads:

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

There have been others before who’ve felt the Need, but they’re gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can’t. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she’ll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.

This was an interesting story.  I liked the idea of having a superpower where you felt compelled to help someone.  And the identity of a Forgotten is interesting too.

I liked Charlotte.  She was a sweetheart but had a funny sarcastic side too.  And I liked her relationship with Harlin.  I think this might be the first time that I've like the "Bad boy."  I usually like the good guys, but with Harlin, its just his exterior that is "bad boy"ish.  Their relationship seemed pretty intense for being so young, but it made sense when you find out something at the end (which I saw coming). 

I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel to this book, but if there is one, I definitely want to pick it up.  I want to find out what happens to Charlotte next!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

A Need So Beautiful will be released on June 21, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: Y
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 17
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 15
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 14

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the The Teen Book Scene.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- June Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E.
F.
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K. Kacvinsky, Katie "Awaken"
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N.
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R.
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V.
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

Book Review- Awaken

I just finished reading Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky for an Around the World Tour.

From Goodreads:

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

First off, the premise of this book is creepy, eerie.  Most dystopian novels that I've read, you know that the world isn't really going to become like that.  But in Awaken, I can see the world becoming just like Katie Kacvinsky wrote it.  Our world is becoming so digital that I can easily see technology taking over and there being no face-to-face contact anymore.  Such a scary thought!

I really liked both Maddie and Justin.  Besides being super-smart, Maddie seemed like a normal girl.  She went through a rebellious stage and is now figuring out just what her life is going to be like.  But enter Justin, and everything changes.  I liked that Justin brought out a different side to Maddie and I liked what he was doing to try to change what he thought was a ideology that he felt was wrong. 

The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking about how real it could be and that kept me engrossed in it.  And surprising enough, I loved reading about the technology of the future (or ideas for what it could be, anyways). The only thing I didn't really like was the ending.  It wrapped up nicely and neatly, and too quickly, for my taste.  But this was fun dystopian novel that wasn't too, too dark, and I enjoyed it!

I gave Awaken a rating of 3.5/5.

Awaken will be released on May 23, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: K
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 35
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 30
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 12
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 27

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

2011 A to Z Challenge-- May Update

2011 A to Z Challenge

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

*Since I didn't finish the authors one last year, I am going to try for it again this year.

A. Armstrong, Kelley "The Gathering"
B. Balog, Cyn "Starstruck"
C. Cach, Lisa "Wake Unto Me"
D. Desrochers, Lisa "Original Sin"
E.
F.
G. Gudenkauf, Heather "These Things Hidden"
H. Holder, Amy "The Lipstick Laws"
I.
J. Jones, Carrie "Entice"
K.
L. Lim, Rebecca "Mercy"
M. Mahaffey, Shana "Sounds Like Crazy"
N.
O.
P. Picoult, Jodi "Sing You Home"
Q.
R.
S. Shepard, Sara "The Lying Game"
T. Terrell, Heather "Fallen Angel"
U.
V.
W. Ward, Rachel "The Chaos"
X.
Y. Young, Suzanne "A Need So Beautiful"
Z.

Book Review- Original Sin

I just finished reading Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Original Sin is the second book in the series, with Personal Demons being the first one.  And I'm a little conflicted with my feelings about the book.  Like in the first book, I got tired of the whole love triangle.  I usually like love triangles, I do.  But this one took it too far.  It's almost like Frannie is in a relationship with two guys and that just bothers me.  You can't keep running back and forth from one guy to another, with both guys being okay with it for the most part.

But I did like the plot.  It was fast paced with lots of action and story.  And I really like the characters (by themselves, not in the love triangle :)  )  Frannie is such a kick-butt girl.  I love that she can stand up for herself!  And the two guys are pretty great too.  I would choose Luc though.  There's something a little off about Gabe to me.  He's a little too cold and kinda controlling in a way.  I dunno.

Anyways, the book leaves off on a definite cliffhanger and it will be interesting to see what happens next!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Original Sin will be released on July 5, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: D
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 28
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 25
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 23

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.