In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share the books that we bought, received, checked out, etc. the previous week.
This week my IMM is what I got in the last three weeks.
Bought:
Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
The Deathday Letter by Shaun David Hutchinson
Traded:
Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacy Kade
Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
Won:
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
My Love Lies Bleeding by Alexandra Harvey
Thanks Lisa at a Life Bound by Books! She also sent me some awesome chocolate and stuff from the UK!
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Thanks Fallen Archangel!
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Thanks Cass at Words on Paper!
For Review:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Radiance by Alyson Noel
Thanks to Penguin, Knopf, and MacMillan!
Blogger Mentioned:
Alex at Tales of a Teenage Book Lover
Oh, and after I did this vlog I went to the library, which was totally unplanned, and got these:
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Captivate by Carrie Jones
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick
So that's it! Let me know what you got!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Published: July 2010
Source: Bought
Synopsis from Goodreads:
His love captivated her... his secrets might kill her.
Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.
After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.
But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.
This book blew me away! I'd expected it to be good, but not that good! It has all of the aspects of a paranormal book, without there actually being anything paranormal. That was awesome!
I loved Phe right from the beginning. She was a very real character, and it took me no time at all to get used to being in her head. There were times when I thought that she was a bit too rash, but that's my only complaint about her. Zach was great as a love interest too. He's sweet, but a little rebellious. It was easy to see that he really cared about Phe.
I thought that all of the supporting characters were wonderful also. They all had their own multi-dimensional personalities. Zach's sister was bitchy, but that's not all there is to her and I liked reading about her.
The mystery element of this book is completely unique. I've never read anything like it. At first I thought that it was revealed pretty early in the book, but then something happened that made me go "Oh, so this is the main storyline!" I loved Phe's whole situation with her sister and why she's at Shadow Hills. It gave the book another dimension.
One thing that I found a bit strange was that other out of towners besides Phe had to have noticed strange things with the townies, yet she's the only one who really pressed it. Her friends never noticed anything that we know of. It seems a bit unrealistic to me.
Basically: I loved it! It's a great mystery and romance and I can't wait for the sequel!
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 9/10
Originality: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 47/50 A
Cover/Title Comments: I like the title, but the cover is just okay. It's really cool, and the title font is awesome, but it has nothing to do with the story.
Friday, August 6, 2010
My Favorite Book Plots
This is part of Favorites Week here on my blog. Be sure to check out the other posts!
10 plots that I wish I'd thought of...
10. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
A genius on a roadtrip. That's really all there is to it, but it's SO MUCH MORE.
9. The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
A town ruled by vampires where everything looks fine and dandy, but underneath darkness lurks. It's a town. Ruled by vampires.
8. Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Kids who were born with 2% avian DNA, and as a result have wings. They spend their time running from and fighting the people who made them and then raised them in cages in a lab, while simultaneously learning about their supposed destiny to save the world.
7. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
Suze can see ghosts, and has a hot dead Spaniard living in her bedroom. She has to help guide ghosts to the other side, but they're not all so willing, and it's not as easy as it might seem.
6. Wake by Lisa McMann
Janie sees other peoples dreams, and can use that to help solve crimes. Awesome! Too bad about the side effects.
5. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Popular Samantha relives her last day seven times, trying to make things right. Groundhog Day for teens.
4. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Clay listens to tapes recorded by a girl who committed suicide, explaining why and who was involved. Heartbreaking.
3. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
A secret world of demon's and those who hunt them, an evil man who believes that what he's doing is right, and twists and turns in abundance. Plus romance, lots of romance.
2.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Seriously, pitting twenty-four teenagers against each other in a fight to the death is highly entertaining.
1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
A boy finds out that he's a wizard. And? And everything that has to do with the wizarding world is flipping fantastic.
10 plots that I wish I'd thought of...
A genius on a roadtrip. That's really all there is to it, but it's SO MUCH MORE.
9. The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
A town ruled by vampires where everything looks fine and dandy, but underneath darkness lurks. It's a town. Ruled by vampires.
Kids who were born with 2% avian DNA, and as a result have wings. They spend their time running from and fighting the people who made them and then raised them in cages in a lab, while simultaneously learning about their supposed destiny to save the world.
7. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
Suze can see ghosts, and has a hot dead Spaniard living in her bedroom. She has to help guide ghosts to the other side, but they're not all so willing, and it's not as easy as it might seem.
Janie sees other peoples dreams, and can use that to help solve crimes. Awesome! Too bad about the side effects.
5. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Popular Samantha relives her last day seven times, trying to make things right. Groundhog Day for teens.
Clay listens to tapes recorded by a girl who committed suicide, explaining why and who was involved. Heartbreaking.
3. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
A secret world of demon's and those who hunt them, an evil man who believes that what he's doing is right, and twists and turns in abundance. Plus romance, lots of romance.
2.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Seriously, pitting twenty-four teenagers against each other in a fight to the death is highly entertaining.
1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
A boy finds out that he's a wizard. And? And everything that has to do with the wizarding world is flipping fantastic.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My Favorite Book Settings
These are my top ten favorite places to read about!I try to keep it as spoiler free as possible.
10. Mag Mell in Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
The world of Goblins, where nothing is as it seems. It's beautiful but treacherous, and one wrong step could cause your death.
9. The United States of America in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I love the thought of the gods living above, below, in, or around our landmarks. It's just cool.
8. The Maze in The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Maze is extremely imaginative. It's ever changing, evolving, and frustrating. The monsters that come out a night are terrifying, so you better be inside the walls when they close.
7. Indonesia in Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Post Tsunami Indonesia was amazing to read about. So much loss, so much pain. Yet there's still that glimmer of hope. I felt like I was really there, experiencing the extreme heat and rough living conditions.
6. The Beach House in The Summer I Turned Pretty
If I could count how many times I wished that I had a house by the beach...well, this just makes me want one more! Living by the beach, tracking sand in the house, having a bathing suit as your only uniform. Heaven.
5. The Theatre in Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Matchev
The Theatre is unlike anything I've ever read about. The characters in the plays come to life to perform, it's truly amazing to imagine. I love thinking about the characters personalities off of the stage!
4. New York 1899 in The Luxe by Anna Godberson
Ah, the lives of the rich and famous. And the not so rich and famous. Godberson did an amazing job describing life in New York in 1899. The clothes, the society, everything screams decadence, propriety, and entitlement.
3. The Future in Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Come on, a future where everyone is pretty? With hoverboards, and a ton of other awesome futuristic stuff? Awesome! Well, except for that part that would be a spoiler if I told you.
2. The Arena in The Huger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Arenas are really, really awesome. I have no idea how Suzanne Collins imagined half of the stuff she did, but it is all amazing. The one in Catching Fire is especially awesome.
1. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The school that none of us would mind going to! Seriously, if I had classes like Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts it would be a lot easier to get up in the morning! It just sounds awesome!
So there you have it, my top ten book settings. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another list.
The world of Goblins, where nothing is as it seems. It's beautiful but treacherous, and one wrong step could cause your death.
9. The United States of America in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I love the thought of the gods living above, below, in, or around our landmarks. It's just cool.
The Maze is extremely imaginative. It's ever changing, evolving, and frustrating. The monsters that come out a night are terrifying, so you better be inside the walls when they close.
7. Indonesia in Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Post Tsunami Indonesia was amazing to read about. So much loss, so much pain. Yet there's still that glimmer of hope. I felt like I was really there, experiencing the extreme heat and rough living conditions.
6. The Beach House in The Summer I Turned Pretty
If I could count how many times I wished that I had a house by the beach...well, this just makes me want one more! Living by the beach, tracking sand in the house, having a bathing suit as your only uniform. Heaven.
The Theatre is unlike anything I've ever read about. The characters in the plays come to life to perform, it's truly amazing to imagine. I love thinking about the characters personalities off of the stage!
4. New York 1899 in The Luxe by Anna Godberson
Ah, the lives of the rich and famous. And the not so rich and famous. Godberson did an amazing job describing life in New York in 1899. The clothes, the society, everything screams decadence, propriety, and entitlement.
3. The Future in Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Come on, a future where everyone is pretty? With hoverboards, and a ton of other awesome futuristic stuff? Awesome! Well, except for that part that would be a spoiler if I told you.
The Arenas are really, really awesome. I have no idea how Suzanne Collins imagined half of the stuff she did, but it is all amazing. The one in Catching Fire is especially awesome.
1. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The school that none of us would mind going to! Seriously, if I had classes like Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts it would be a lot easier to get up in the morning! It just sounds awesome!
So there you have it, my top ten book settings. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another list.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Waiting on Wednesday (28)
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where we showcase the books that we just can't wait to be released.
This week is my Favorites themed WoW, so what's more fitting than the end to my favorite series?
This week is my Favorites themed WoW, so what's more fitting than the end to my favorite series?
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: August 24th, 2010
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
I think that this speaks for itself: I had it preordered in January.
What are you waiting on?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
My Favorite Book Covers
This post is part of Favorites Week on my blog, be sure to check out the rest of the posts!
My top ten favorite book covers!
10. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
I adore the way the sea glass is in the shape of a heart, and the one red piece is perfect for the story!
8. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
It's just completely gorgeous. Everything about it. The colors used, the light, the trees and lightning in the background, everything.
6. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Creepiest cover ever. And so intriguing. I love the fog in the backround. And the red letters all in caps.The baby carriage just adds a whole new level of creepy, and the way that it's decorated is really cool.
4. Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
Basically? It's gorgeous and oh so relevant.
2. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
The hair, the dress, the fingers on her lips, the bed of black roses. What more can you ask for?
1. Matched by Ally Condie
My top ten favorite book covers!
I adore the way the sea glass is in the shape of a heart, and the one red piece is perfect for the story!
9. The Luxe by Anna Godberson
Seriously, that dress is AMAZING! And the title font is perfect. I love the way the girl is looking over her shoulder also. The black backround really makes everything else stand out.
It's just completely gorgeous. Everything about it. The colors used, the light, the trees and lightning in the background, everything.
7. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
This fits the book so perfectly. I love how they're holding hands, and the title font rocks my socks!The road as the backround is really cool, and the rocks make it all relevant.
6. The Replacement by Brenna YovanoffCreepiest cover ever. And so intriguing. I love the fog in the backround. And the red letters all in caps.The baby carriage just adds a whole new level of creepy, and the way that it's decorated is really cool.
5. Wondrous Strange by Leslie Livingston
I'm not really sure why I love this cover so much. Maybe it's because everything has a bluish tinge which gives it a sort of otherworldly feel that just screams fae. If you couldn't already tell I'm a total cover font whore, and that font is awesome.
Basically? It's gorgeous and oh so relevant.
3. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Also gorgeous, and oh so accurate.
2. Falling Under by Gwen HayesThe hair, the dress, the fingers on her lips, the bed of black roses. What more can you ask for?
1. Matched by Ally CondieIt's so simple, yet it's beautiful. The girl in the bubble is really symbolic, and the bright green on the plain white background is eye catching. I think that it's very easy to see that this book is futuristic.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for some more favorites!
Monday, August 2, 2010
My Favorite Book Heroines
This is part of my Favorites Week here on the blog, be sure to check out the others!
These are the girls that I feel like I can look up to simply for being awesome ;)
10. Dru from Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
She lost her grandmother, and her father. Now she has to fight the evil things that go bump in the night all by herself. She kicks butt the whole time, but she still has emotions and acknowledges them.
9. Cammie from The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter
She's trained to be a SPY and she's a TEENAGER! She's super smart and excellent at sleuthing, but has guy troubles like the rest of us. Plus she's a great friend.
8. Thirrin from The Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill
So Thirrin is basically a viking, though it's sort of an alternate reality. Her father, the king, dies, and she's left to lead her country in to war, and does it wonderfully. Badass!
7. Meggie from Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
She's normal. Then she finds out her father can read characters out of books. Even then she's still a normal, book loving girl thrust into situations that she never imagined. She's strong, and clever, and yet still has an air of normalcy.
6. Tally from Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally is fun to read about, because you never know what she's going to do. She has faults, and a lot of them, but that's why it's so awesome to see her making the right choices. Especially after messing up (again).
5. Rose from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Rose kicks major ass. She is the best fighter in her class, despite the fact that she wasn't in school for two years. She truly cares about her best friend Lissa, and wants what's best for her. She does what she wants, but it's all for what she thinks is right.
4. Ella from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
She's gifted (more like cursed) with having to do whatever anyone tells her to do. The decision she's forced to make when she falls in love with a prince is heartbreaking. I'm tearing up just thinking about it!
3. Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The idol of bookish girls everywhere! Sure she's kinda shy and a little bit bossy, but she always knows what to do to get Harry and Ron out of sticky situations.
2. Suze from The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
She can see ghosts, and she OWNS it. She doesn't need anyone's help, and is sure to let them know it! She has a snarky sense of humor that always makes me laugh and doesn't rely on any guy to help her, ever.
1. Katniss from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Do I even need to explain this one? She's basically the definition of awesome!
Come back tomorrow for another list of favorites!
These are the girls that I feel like I can look up to simply for being awesome ;)
She lost her grandmother, and her father. Now she has to fight the evil things that go bump in the night all by herself. She kicks butt the whole time, but she still has emotions and acknowledges them.
9. Cammie from The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter
She's trained to be a SPY and she's a TEENAGER! She's super smart and excellent at sleuthing, but has guy troubles like the rest of us. Plus she's a great friend.
8. Thirrin from The Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill
So Thirrin is basically a viking, though it's sort of an alternate reality. Her father, the king, dies, and she's left to lead her country in to war, and does it wonderfully. Badass!
7. Meggie from Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
She's normal. Then she finds out her father can read characters out of books. Even then she's still a normal, book loving girl thrust into situations that she never imagined. She's strong, and clever, and yet still has an air of normalcy.
Tally is fun to read about, because you never know what she's going to do. She has faults, and a lot of them, but that's why it's so awesome to see her making the right choices. Especially after messing up (again).
5. Rose from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Rose kicks major ass. She is the best fighter in her class, despite the fact that she wasn't in school for two years. She truly cares about her best friend Lissa, and wants what's best for her. She does what she wants, but it's all for what she thinks is right.
4. Ella from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
She's gifted (more like cursed) with having to do whatever anyone tells her to do. The decision she's forced to make when she falls in love with a prince is heartbreaking. I'm tearing up just thinking about it!
3. Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The idol of bookish girls everywhere! Sure she's kinda shy and a little bit bossy, but she always knows what to do to get Harry and Ron out of sticky situations.
She can see ghosts, and she OWNS it. She doesn't need anyone's help, and is sure to let them know it! She has a snarky sense of humor that always makes me laugh and doesn't rely on any guy to help her, ever.
1. Katniss from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Do I even need to explain this one? She's basically the definition of awesome!
Come back tomorrow for another list of favorites!
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