In My Mailbox 4/1/12

 

 

This week I got two surprise ARCs from my local indie when I joined their book club, and I am very excited for both of the books!

The dark thriller, described as Dexter meets The Silence of the Lambs for teens, tells of a boy who uses his killer instinct, inherited from his serial killer father, to help solve a series of murders.

When soldiers arrive in his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock ’n’ roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, Arn's life is changed forever. He is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp; working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to become invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim.

One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn’s never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand—and steal food to keep the other kids alive. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to...

Bloggiesta Goals

I'm starting a little late, but I don't care. I have some things I would like to try and accomplish so I thought I'd join anyway. To find out how Bloggiesta works click here.

Follow my progress on Twitter- @Erikablogger

To Do List
Update Review Archive
Update Policies Page
Update About Page
Write any Unfinished Posts
Go Though my Widgets
Get Rid of Giveaway Page
Create New Rating Pictures
Go Though Challenges

Review: Dying to Know You

Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers

Publisher: Amulet books
Publication Date: April 1st 2012
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Source: For Review from Publisher
Genre: Contemporary, Relationships
Challenges: Contemporary, Standalone 
Goodreads

In Dying to Know You, award-winning author Aidan Chambers has created an indelible portrait of a young man discovering his own voice in the world, and has constructed a love story that is as much about the mind as it is the heart.
In this contemporary love story, a teenage boy named Karl enlists a famous writer to help him impress his girlfriend, Fiorella. She has asked him to write her a letter in which he reveals his true self. But Karl isn’t convinced he’s good enough with words, so he tracks down Fiorella’s favorite author and begs him to take up the task. The writer reluctantly assents, on the condition that Karl agree to a series of interviews, so that the letter will be based on an authentic portrait of Karl. The letter, though effective, has unexpected consequences for Karl, Fiorella, and the writer.

This is a very unique story that I really think shouldn't have been called Young Adult. The story in its self I found enjoyable but I don't think that this story fits in the category in which it has been placed. This is the story of a boy who, in a desperate attempt to keep his girlfriend meets with her favorite author to get help writing about himself as his girlfriend requested. Through the story Karl and the writer meet many times on a journey to help them both.

The part of this book that really set me off the most is that this story is told, not by a teenager or even a young adult, but by the 70 year old author that helps Karl. Because of the narrator being so much older than the book's recommended audience the story was almost kind of...awkward. Most, if not all young adult books I have read before have been told by characters under the age of 20, so when I realized that the whole story was being told by this older perspective I was very surprised. It was also very weird that the narrator was never given a name. When a name was needed they always called him "Author" or "Mr. Writer" and I would have much preferred a name for him. The author of this book is British and the publisher is American. Upon reading the story I discovered that it was in British English spellings and slang which was, for me, an fun extra.

The story was very simple and at times very dry. Very little happens in the story and it was really a very simple self-discovery tale that could have had a little more meat. My very favorite part of the whole story was how it was written to be as if the Author had actually met and worked with all the characters in the story even though it was a fiction story.

In all the story was plain and the narration was a little more cross-over adult-young adult than I would have liked with the older narrator.

Book Tailor Thursday 3/29/12

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

The trailer and the synopsis both share dark feeling that suggests that this is a dark, paranormal story. In the trailer the music goes very well with the picture changes which has a very interesting urgency that leaves you wondering. Though the trailer gives very little information of what the story might be about it does leave you trying to guess what might happen next.

Waiting on Wednesday 3/28/12 In Honor

In Honor by Jessi Kerby
Published May 8th 2012

Honor receives her brother's last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Here's a Thought: Books Before Movies?

As you may know, the Hunger Games movie was released on Friday March 23rd in the USA, attracting a huge audience, and a huge profit for the movie franchise. The Hunger Games movie was based off of the best selling Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins which brought many fans to gather for the midnight premiere. Large midnight gatherings for movies based on books have been very common the past few years with the final installments of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and the very popular Twilight series movies, based off of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga. With all of these very popular book series becoming movies this brings up the question: What do you read/watch first, the book or the movie?

Read The Book First
This side of the argument is most often seen by those in the avid reading community. Books are often seen as better than the movie because they are the original idea with more ideas and connections in the story than can be portrayed in a two hour movie. Books involve the reader's own imagination and the reader can personally picture the characters and setting in any way they please within the information they are given in the book.

See the Movie First
This is the side of the argument that most people who don't often read on their own take. Seeing the movie first is a lot faster than reading an entire book. People who do not enjoy reading can still hear the story, and they aren't as concerned as those who have read the book about how the characters look and the setting feels as those who have already read the entire series and have formed their own vision of the story.

Watching a movie before reading the book (or vice versa) is really dependent upon the reader. Some people may see the movie before the book because they are unaware that it was based off of a book. Others might because they are very young went the movies come out and a 500 page book is not appealing to them. Some might not read the book first because the book is not in the readers genre of book but still think they may find the movie appealing or they just plain old don't enjoy reading. Whatever the reason this topic could be argued many different ways. Which do you prefer?

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This is my 3rd Here's a Thought Post. Here's a Thought is where I introduce a book or blogging topic with two or more sides to the argument and lay them out to show both sides. I post Here's a Thought In Place of In My Mailbox if I have no mail to show, or if I have a lack of things to post over a long period of time. If you have any ideas for Here's a Thought please leave them in the comments, and they may be used.

Review: Harbinger

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
Publication Date: 2/2/12
Pages: 309
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Genres: Thriller, Romance
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge
Goodreads

Plagued by waking visions and nightmares, inexplicably drawn to the bones of dead animals, Faye thinks she's going crazy. Fast. Her parents beleive Holbrook Academy might just be the solution. Dr. Mordoch tells her it's the only answer. But Faye knows that something's not quite right about Dr. Mordoch and her creepy, prisonlike school for disturbed teenagers.

What's wrong with Holbrook goes beyond the Takers, sadistic guards who threaten the student body with Tasers and pepper spray; or Nurse, who doles out pills at bedtime and doses of solitary confinement when kids step out of line; or Rita, the strange girl who delivers ominous messages to Faye that never seem to make any sense. What's wrong with Holbrook begins and ends with Faye's red hands; she and her newfound friends--her Holbrook "family"--wake up every morning with their hands stained the terrible brown of dried blood. Faye has no idea what it means but fears she may be the cause.

Because despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place; she feels especially linked to the handsome Kel, who helps her unravel the mystery. There's just one problem: Faye's certain Kel's trying to kill her--and maybe the rest of the world, too.

A rich and tautly told psychological thriller, Harbinger heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in young adult fiction.

The story starts very mysteriously as Faye is forced to go to a school for young delinquents and trouble makers because of her strange and all together terrifying behavior. Withing the first chapter or so you see Faye go though a horrifying hallucination right in front of her father and the head of the school right before they take her and lock her in her room and force a sleeping pill down her throat. This is no ordinary school, and Faye is no ordinary girl.

The characters in this book are one of the reasons this book is so interesting. Faye is the main character in the story and she often has hallucinations of water leaking though the walls and encasing her. She has a very interesting voice and she is a very curious and unpredictable character. Kel, a boy in Faye's "family" at school is a very mysterious character who always seems to be one step ahead of Faye, and it seems pretty obvious that he is keeping some secretes. I love how all of the characters that were in the story had very distinct personalities and that no one was an open book.

The plot of the story starts out very slow and is very much an introduction to everything that is going on in the story. Once you get father in the Thriller aspect of the story seems to start very suddenly and it is a little bit confusing until you really realize what is going on in the story. The ending is very unpredictable and it does seem like a very rushed ending to the story.

Overall this is a very interesting and mysterious thriller that is a great pick as long as you take your time at the end because everything comes at you very fast.

In My Mailbox 3/25/12

I haven't gotten much the past few weeks but this week I bought several books from a library book sale.

Bought:

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

I have heard some good things about this book and I hope that I like it as well.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

I saw this book and I remembered there was some talk about it when it first came out so I thought I would give it a shot. 

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John 

I absolutly loved this book and I was so happy that I was able to get it for such a good price. 

 

The Book of Spells by Kate Brian 

This one I was unaware that it was a prequel, so I'll either look into the other books or I will pass it on. 

 

Eternal by Gillian Shields

I read the first two book in this series more than a year ago and at the time I liked them so I hope I enjoy this one as well.

Review: Catching Jordan

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: December 1st 2011
Pages: 281
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

 "When I open my eyes for a second time, I see Coach staring at us, pulling off his cap and scratching his head. He focuses on his clipboard bu looks up at us again several times before finally going back into the school. This must be the weirdest thing a football coach has ever seen: two quarterbacks making out." -Page 184 of Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

When I got a copy of this to read I dropped all things and I was able to read it in less than a day. I love contemporary romance and I absolutely love kick-butt girl main characters so this book was the best of both worlds. Jordan Woods is the quarterback of a high school (American) football team- a really good quarterback. And we aren't talking about a boy Jordan- no we're talking a girl Jordan on an all boys football team. She's one of the boys and would never date anyone on the team- unless of course a new guy joined-Ty! And then her world becomes infinitely more crazy and confusing 1-She needs to impress the collage of her dreams 2- She's totally falling for Ty 3- What the heck is going on with her best friend Henry who suddenly is all depressed?

Of all the characters I really love all of them, at least in some parts of the book. Jordan has such conflicted feelings throughout the story and it was amazing how quickly I would go from being unsure of a character to loving them and then back to unsure. Jordan's feeling were really shown strongly throughout the story and I really loved that. Other than Jordan my favorite character was Henry. Henry seems like the best best friend in the entire world, and he seems like such a funny guy that I wish he was real. Ty is a very complicated character, he seems so sweet and gorgeous but there was a point in the beginning where he just dumps his feelings and it was a little much in one place. I'm still not sure how I feel about him.

The story in general was well written and full of emotion that was well presented. I love that (American) football was present in the story even though I really don't know all that much about it. Sports stories are a new idea for me but I really like this one. My only dislike about the story was every once and a while there was a chapter that was written as a journal entry and it looked like an attempt at poetry but I didn't find it very poetic at all. I think the story could have done without.

Happy Hunger Games!

May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

Waiting on Wednesday: 3/21/12 The Masque of the Red Death

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Published: April 24th 2012

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her

Here's a Thought: Judging Books By Their Covers

I doubt any of you can honestly tell me that you don't judge books by their covers. We humans are creatures that often rely on vision as one of our most prominent senses, and before we actually get to know any other people we instantly make assumptions about them with out even trying. If we instantly make assumptions about people, it's very likely that that judging books by their covers is  not an evadable thing.

The first thing that people might look for on a cover (besides the title) would probably be whatever is being centered upon on the cover. An example is the cover to the right of Ally Carter's Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (See how I incorporated the book's title with the post, wink, wink) On the cover the main highlight is the girl in a school uniform which (assuming you didn't know what the story was about) instantly gives an impression of a school theme. Depending on what your taste in books are this might be either intriguing or an excuse to say no to the story.

Covers that are not as clear can give a very confusing idea to those who see the cover, therefore making it so some of the audience who may enjoy the story very much not read the story. The cover of the book on the left, as well as the book's title might give some the idea that this book is a young adult romance which takes place in Italy. Though that may be the case, it is my understanding that Lauren Henderson's Flirting in Italian is more focused on a mystery that takes place in Italy (with some romance on the side) I think that covers, and titles for that matter might be given a slightly misleading look to try to appeal to a broader audience.

I once asked an author weather or not they got to choose their book titles and they told me that it really depends. She was an author of many books and she had come up with the titles of about half while the other half were chosen by people such as people helping her get published. 

Covers can also drive people away from reading a book no matter how good the story may be. Covers that look homemade, Photoshopped, cheesy, bland, etc. could easily turn away audience members. These types of covers are completely a readers opinion, and those who are not as judgmental about covers would be more likely to pick up books such as these. 

And now the final question, can a judge a book by it's cover. Yeah. Sure. Why not? I encourage you to every once and a while try to take a look at a book that might not have a very appealing cover to give it a chance, but like I said before, being judgmental is part of being a human. There really is no way not to judge a book by its cover.

In My Mailbox 3/18/12

This week I didn't get any books but I did buy two bookish items from Hot Topic I got:

I am very excited for the hunger games this Friday, and I couldn't turn these down! 

What did you get in your mailbox?

150 Follower Giveaway

I can't believe I've hit 150 (146 as I'm working on this post) so I'm very excited to giveaway an ARC of the Miseducation of Cameron post plus a middle grade chapter sampler to one lucky follower.

Sorry I didn't make is obvious earlier- USA ONLY

When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief she’ll never have to tell them that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.

But that relief soon turns to heartbreak, as Cam is forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and not making waves, and Cam becomes an expert at this—especially at avoiding any questions about her sexuality.

Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. To Cam’s surprise, she and Coley become best friends—while Cam secretly dreams of something more. Just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, her secret is exposed. Ultrareligious Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to “fix” her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self—even if she’s not quite sure who that is.

Review: Goddess Interrupted

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Sequel to The Goddess Test [My Review of the First Book]

Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: March 27th 2012
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Won From Jen at YA Romatics
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Goodreads

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone

 Though the Goddess Test wasn't my favorite book, I was hopeful that it's sequel would be more developed and the story would be stronger. My favorite part of the first book was how interesting and creative plot was. I'm glad to be able to say that my hopes for a good plot where not let down. This sequel has many of the same pros and cons as the first however.

My only real issue with this book is that I really don't like the characters. Kate, the main character is a very pessimistic and sarcastic character character. Ever time someone says something she automatically seems to take it very personally and her narration is very negative. The love interest, Henry also doesn't really make it to a good place with me. Henry is very unwilling to show affection and refuses to stand up for himself and I really do not like how he treats Kate.

The reason I really continued to read this series is because of the plot. Carter seems to be very good at creating a plot that makes a reader wonder what's going to happen next. She also has a very interesting way of making the setting very enchanting and visual. I can never really guess what's going to happen next in either of the books and I really like that its unpredictable.

Overall this book is right down the middle for me. Characters are such an important piece of a story that it's really hard to overlook when they aren't well developed. For people who are fans of the first book, by all means I suggest you read it.

Waiting on Wednesday 3/14/12

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: 4/24/12

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love

Top Ten Tuesday 3/13/12

Top Dystopian Books

This week was open genre week so I chose Dystopaian. Here are my top ten in order from best to not as awesome as the first. 

 

Link below with your top tens and let me know what you think of my list.

Formspring & Give me Your Opinions!

I would greatly appreciate any feedback you could give me about my blog and your opinion of it. If you have time please fill out my form here.

I'm also on Formspring so feel free to ask me questions about books and blogging here!

Here's a Thought: Newbie Bloggers

Something that has really gotten me thinking lately is how do you define a newbie, specifically a newbie book blogger? Are there qualifications? Do have to get to as certain level to pass said newbie status? Are you a newbie based on time, or dedication, or maybe accomplishments?

The Urban Dictionary defines Newbie as:

"A person new to a game, concept, or forum....Newbies are just new.

Dude, that guy just joined the forum yesterday and is a total newbie to HTML. You should tell him how to get an avatar since he doesn't know."

But does that definition truly work for bloggers? Blogging is all about expression and dedication. If someone were to start a blog today, and post one thing per month for a year, would they still be a newbie? How how about someone who posts two to four times a week for six months? Are they still a newbie?

For me I think for someone to be no longer new they have to get past several boundaries to have the newbie title repealed. The blogger has to have consistent posts, at least one per week average. If a blogger is not active in their blog they have no way of growth and now way to prove to their readers that they are serious about blogging. I would prefer much more to read a blog that was posting consistently, no matter if they were reviewing or just giving opinions, than a blog that posted once three weeks.

The blogger also should be creative and be able to think for them self instead of copying others ideas. You don't just have to stay in the main stream memes and reviews. Bloggers who want to grow should try to let their name be known and should be able to stand out of the crowd.

Bloggers should have some sort of notable growth from when they began blogging to the present. If you go back to any bloggers first posts they are NOT going to be as good as they are after a few months. If you find someone who isn't like that than there's a pretty good chance that the blogger either fixed their earlier posts or they deleted their very first ones. When we first start blogging, we don't know what we're doing. We don't have are own personal writing style yet and we probably post something that we look back on a year later and go Wow. Why did I write that. Being able to look back and think that shows that.

And here is where the finial very important question is asked. Am I still a newbie blogger? The answer? I have no idea. Who is and who isn't a newbie is really a very difficult thing to calculate. The best way for you to find out is ask yourself, ask your blogging friends. Or the easiest way? Don't even think about it. You will find your way somehow if you're really committed to blogging.

So. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Comment below!

Review: But I Love Him

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: May 8th 2011
Pages: 245
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Genre: Relationships, Contemporary
Goodreads
Cover Picture Location

Ann was a smiling straight-A student and track star. But after she meets Connor, it all changes. She surrenders everything to be with him, and by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high-wire act. One mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything--and everyone--in its path.

This is a completely heartbreaking story of a girl who is in an abusive relationship with a boy who grew up with an abusive father. I quickly became sucked into this story by how incredibly informing and life like it seemed. Amanda Grace's writing in the story seems so utterly life like that I wanted to jump into the story and to help poor Ann and set everything right.

Before I read this story I didn't know much about abusive relationships outside of what is taught it schools and told on the new. With everything I knew before reading this story I really didn't understand why a victim would continue a relation ship with an abusive partner, but after reading this story it really makes a bystander understand and know that the victim really thinks that they should stay for many reasons, some just boiling down to thinking that the abuser can change.

This story is told backwards- from the conclusion to when Ann and Connor meet. At fist this might not seem all that appealing, but the story really wouldn't be that powerful if it wasn't written in this way. From the beginning you see the abusive side of Connor and then slowly you begin to understand why Ann was with him in the first place.

This is a must read for every reader.

Waiting on Wednesday 3/7/12

Above by Leah Bobet
Publication Date: 4/1/12

Matthew has loved Ariel from the moment he found her in the tunnels, her bee's wings falling away. They live in Safe, an underground refuge for those fleeing the city Above—like Whisper, who speaks to ghosts, and Jack Flash, who can shoot lightning from his fingers.

But one terrifying night, an old enemy invades Safe with an army of shadows, and only Matthew, Ariel, and a few friends escape Above. As Matthew unravels the mystery of Safe's history and the shadows' attack, he realizes he must find a way to remake his home—not just for himself, but for Ariel, who needs him more than ever before.

Top Ten Tuesday 3/6/12

Top Ten Favorite Covers