What's in a Name? 6 Challenge--Completed

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Party or Celebration: Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

What's in a Name? 6-- Challenge Completed!

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It Works
Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Party or Celebration: Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Book Review- Ralph's Party

I just finished reading Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell.

From Goodreads:

Meet the residents of the London brownstone on 31 Almanac Road who together weave a tangled
web of romance. Ralph, a ne'er-do-well artist, suddenly realizes he's head over heels in love with his new flatmate Jem, the most fun and sensible girl he's ever encountered. Unfortunately, Ralph's best friend, Smith, has already won Jem's affections, although Smith has not entirely given up his passion for the femme fatale, Cheri, who lives upstairs. Across the hall, Karl and Siobhan have been happily unmarried for years, until Karl gets a smashing job as a London rush-hour DJ and momentarily gets tempted into Cheri's cozy lair. These six star-crossed tenants become more enamored, and more confused, as the story progresses-until their true destinies are revealed on one crucial night-the evening of the extravaganza that is . . . Ralph's party. This wonderfully hip new novel was an instant popular success when it was first published in England, and American readers are sure to be captivated by the debut of a talented new writer.

I was expecting this to be a cute British chick-lit story.  Instead there were times that I was grossed out and felt that there was over-sharing involved. 

I just couldn't really get into the story.  I didn't care much about the characters or what was happening.  At first, I got confused about which was with which character but at the end you could see the connection of all of them.

I have a couple of other books by this author on my bookshelves.  Hopefully I'll like them better.

I gave this book a rating of 2/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 41
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Party or Celebration
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 5
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 19

*FTC Disclosure: I bought this book

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge-- August Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Book Review- Throne of Glass

I just finished reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

From Goodreads:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old

assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Throne of Glass had it all.  A kick-butt heroine, lots of action, and a little bit of a romantic triangle. 

Celaena (any idea how to pronounce that?) was an awesome heroine.  She was completely confident and fierce, yet girly and bookwormy.  I loved her!  So true to herself in every sense.

There was tons of action in the book.  A competition and fight to be the King's Champion.  Competitors being mysteriously killed. A little bit of magic.

And the romance.  Who will win her heart?  The Crown Prince or the Captain of the Guard?  It was a sweet love triangle--the guys weren't fighting over her.  They let her choose, in a sense. 

Throne of Glass kept me turning the pages until the end.  I did get a little confused with some of the names of kings and places.  But I got the hang of it.  I can't wait to dive into Crown of Midnight next.

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 36
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 29

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge-- July Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge-- June Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge--May Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Book Review- The Rules for Disappearing

I just finished reading The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia

in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

This book really had me hanging on.  For some reason, the idea of being in the Witness Protection Program really intrigued me.  And I've never read another book about it.  I can't imagine having to up and move your life around so quickly and so often.  I know if it were me, I would mess up and mention my old life in my new life.

I liked "Meg".  She was strong and determined to find out why her family was in the program. Yet she was still vulnerable.  And I liked Ethan.  A good ole boy.  I loved how protective he was of her so quickly (without being stalkerish) and his humor. 

One part of the mystery I kind of knew from the beginning.  But I didn't know how or why.  And the ending.   I was suspicious of him, but the note left me questioning things.  Yes, I'm not about to give everything away!

I had to check and it looks like there's an untitled second book.  Yay!  I can't wait to see just what's going to happen!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

The Rules for Disappearing will be released on May 14, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 22
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 15
2013 Debut Author Challenge: 7
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Lost or Found
 2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 18

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

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge-- April Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found:

Book Review-Nantucket Blue

I just finished reading Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

I sometimes have a hard time with YA contemporary novels.  For some reason, I often find the main characters to be immature.  Thank goodness this wasn't the case in this book.  I tought Cricket was pretty mature for her age.

Slight spoiler--the tragedy that happens is that Jule's mom has a brain aneurysm.  This hit a little close to home because the Christmas before last I got a text that one of my good friend's mom had passed away due to the same thing.  How heartbreaking.  And Cricket so wanted to be a good friend.  Yes, Jules was cruel to her but honestly, losing your mom would change you.

The boy who was off limits I didn't really see coming.  I mean, looking back I can see the signs but I didn't see it until pretty close when it happened.  As I said above, I liked Cricket.  I thought she had a good head on her shoulders.  She was smart and strong and true to herself. 

Overall, a good YA contemporary story.  Good character and good storyline always help!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Nantucket Blue will be released on May 7, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 14
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 9
2013 Debut Author Challenge: 5
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Emotion
 2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 11
2013 Standalone Reading Challenge: 2
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 5

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

Book Review- Shut Up

I just finished reading Shut up by Anne Tibbets.

From Goodreads:

Mary's older sister, Gwen, has royally screwed up her life. Not only is Gwen pregnant at seventeen, but she's also decided to marry The Creep who knocked her up.

Now Mary is powerless to stop her family from imploding. Her parents are freaking out, and to top it off The Creep has a gross fascination with Mary while Gwen enjoys teasing her to tears for sport.

Despite her brother's advice to shut up, Mary can't keep her trap closed and manages to piss off Mom so much it comes to blows.

Mary doesn't know what to do, and all her attempts to get help are rejected. When she finally plans her escape, she fails to consider how it could destroy them all.

I received this book from the author to review.  Its a small book but I only read a little at a time.  The author notes in the back state that a few events are based on parts of her life but the book is fiction.  It read like an autobiography though.  It was dry to me and I never really got into it.  I feel bad for Mary but that was about it. 

I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 13
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Shut Up
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 4

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author for a review.

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge-- March Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down:
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion:
Lost or Found:

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge--February Update

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down:
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen:
Party or Celebration:
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion:
Lost or Found:

Book Review- Fever

I just finished Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #3) by Lauren DeStefano.

From Goodreads:

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

I enjoyed the first book in the trilogy, Wither, that I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book.  Unfortunately, I feel like there was a completely different tone in this book.  It was much darker (I know Wither wasn't a "light" book by any means but this one was just so dark).  And so many scenes like the carnvial and the basement were creepy and disturbing.  There was no hope in the book.

And the characters didn't really do it for me either.  Rhine didn't seem as likeable to me as she was in the first book.  Maybe it was because of the setting and the plot but I saw her as weaker.  And Gabriel still doesn't do it for me.  He's no better in this book.  I did like Maddie however.  I really liked how special she was.  I just wish I knew how old she was supposed to be (I don't know if I missed that part or what but it would help the image in my head).  I liked the orphanage scene though.  So many times, orphanages are portrayed as lacking and neglecting.  But in this story it was loving and warm. 

There was definitely another cliffhanger at the end and it did leave me wondering what was going to happen.  I have the next book, Sever, sitting right here for me to read.  But I'm a bit weary of it.  If the tone is like the first book, then I think I'll like it.  But if its the same tone as Fever then I'm dreading it.

I gave this book a rating of 3/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 6
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 5
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Fire

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

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Party or Celebration: Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston