Winner of Explorer X- Alphas!

Winner!!!!

 

The winner of Explorer X- Alphas by L.M. Preston is...

sharon54220

Congrats! Please send me your address within 78 hrs so I can send it to the publisher! 

Reading into the new year

I am going to be reading into the new year along with Kristen and many others. Why not join in?

I read- Need by Carrie Jones!

I did it and it was really fun! What a great way to start the new year!

2010 New Year's Resolutions!

Happy New Year Everyone! For next year I have some blogging resolutions that I thought I wuld share with you!

1. Review my books in a timely manner
2. Comment more on other blogs
3. Come up with a better way to write my reviews (Any ideas?)
4. Be more diligent about scheduling posts so I have at least three a week. (Biggie!)

If you have any other ideas that I could use to make my blog better in 2010 let me know either in the comments or email me @ a_readers_adventure(at)yahoo(dot)com. I would love your input! Have a great last few hours of 2009! And let's make 2010 an even better year for blogging!

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

I am going to participate in J. Kaye's 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge! I am going to try and read 120+ YA books in 2010.

This is the post where I will be listing the books I have read.

1.  Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
2. Captivate by Carrie Jones
3. Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
4. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
5. Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
6. Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
7. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
8. Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey
9. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
10. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
11. Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
12. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman 
13. Spell Hunter by R.J. Anderson
14. All Unquiet Things
15. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
16. Anxious Hearts
17. Ascendant
18. The Beautiful Between
19. Beautiful Creatures
20. Being Jamie Baker
21. Birthmarked
22. The Body at the Tower
23. The Body Finder
24. Book of Love
25. Brightly Woven
26. Call Me Kate
27. The Candidates
28. The Cardturner
29. City of Ashes 
30. City of Bones
31. City of Glass
32. Claire de Lune
33. Clockwork Angel
34. Crescendo
35. Cryer's Cross
36. The Dark Divine
37. The Dead Tossed Waves
38. Debugging Tori Redding
39. Delirium
40. Desires of the Dead
41. The Duff 
42. Eighth Grade Superzero
43. The Emerald Talisman
44. The Eternal Ones
45. Everlasting 
46. Every Little Thing in the World
47. Ex-Mas
48. The Extraordinary Secrets of April May and June
49. Fallen 
50. The False Princess
51. Fire Will Fall
52. Firelight
53. For Keeps
54. Forbidden Sea
55. Forget-her-nots
56. Forgive My Fins
57. The Gardener
58. Gateway
59. Girl on the Other Side
60. Goddess Bootcamp
61. Gone
62. Harmonic Feedback
63. Heist Society
64. Hex Hall
65. The House of Tomorrow
66. I now pronounce you someone else
67. Ice
68. Invisible Touch
69. The Iron King
70. It's Not Summer Without You
71. The Ivy
72. Jane
73. Jane Eyre
74. Jekel Loves Hyde
75. The Julian Game
76. The Karma Club
77. The King's Rose
78. Linger 
79. The Lost Saint
80. Low Red Moon
81. Magic Hands
82. Magic Under Glass
83. Manifest
84. The Mark
85. Matched
86. Nightshade
87. Mistwood
88. Mockingbird
89. Mockingjay
90. My Double life
91. My Invisible Boyfriend
92. My Unfair Godmother
93. O'Juliet
94. Oblivion Road
95. Of all the Stupid Things
96. Once a Witch
97. Other
98. Outside In
99. the Pack 
100. Paranormalcy
101. The Princess and the Snowbird
102. Queen of Secrets
103. Raised by Wolves
104. Restoring Harmony
105. The Rise of Renegade X
106. Rules of Attraction
107. Runaway
108. Sea
109. Sea Change
110. The Season 
111. Shade 
112. Shadow
113. Sing Me to Sleep
114. Sisters red
115. Something Like Fate
116. Spell Hunter 
117. A Spy in the house
118. Still Sucks to be me
119. Summer in Paris
120. Swoon at Your Own Risk
121. Trickster's Girl
122. The Unwritten Rule
123. When Mike Kissed Emma
124. Wherever Nina Lies
125. Whisper
126. Why I let My Hair Grow Out
127. Wicked Lovely
128. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
129. Winter Longing
130. Winter's Passage
131. Zan-Gah
132. Zombies Vs Unicorns
     

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Title: Going Bovine*

Author: Libba Bray*

Publisher: Delacorte Books*

Release Date: Already Available

Received From: Library*
Cameron Smith, 16, is slumming through high school, overshadowed by a sister “pre-majoring in perfection,” while working (ineptly) at the Buddha Burger. Then something happens to make him the focus of his family's attention: he contracts mad cow disease. What takes place after he is hospitalized is either that a gorgeous angel persuades him to search for a cure that will also save the world, or that he has a vivid hallucination brought on by the disease. Either way, what readers have is an absurdist comedy in which Cameron, Gonzo (a neurotic dwarf) and Balder (a Norse god cursed to appear as a yard gnome) go on a quixotic road trip during which they learn about string theory, wormholes and true love en route to Disney World.

This new book by Libba Bray is nothing like her previous novels! First of all it is from a boy's perspective, and it is in America and in preset day. This was a very long book, while most of it was important the middle just kind of went on, and on. 

Cameron and his friends were hilarious Libba created some real characters with them. Cameron is dying of "Mad Cow Disease" and therefore sees all kinds of stuff that he should not see, so therefore his is perfect to save the world. Ok a little far fetched but I'll bite. This very interesting plot makes for a pretty good book. But it just goes on for too long. The book could have been cut in half and I would have been happy. 

The ending was the main problem for me. It made no sense. I could not tell you what happened if I re-read it right now. But besides the length and the confusing ending, the book was a good premise with great characters, a good book for boys!  I hope Libba finds a good medium for her next book, which I will definitely read!


3/5

 












*Sorry the info was wrong! I fixed it thanks!

10 in '10 Chick Lit Challenge

 I am also going to be participating in the 10 in '10 Chick Lit Challenge hosted by Kay Cassidy and Jessica from Chick Lit Teens. I hope to read more than 10. Here is the info.

1)   Grab the official 10 in ‘10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge logo above and put it on your site with a link back to this page to let people know you’re playing.
2)   Choose 10 teen chick lit books to read in 2010. Or select the ones you know you want to read and leave the rest of your list open to see what comes your way in 2010. (We’ll be talking about the great teen chick lit books we’ve read each month, so you may find some new ones that catch your eye!)
3)   Click on the Mr. Linky button below to share your list if you’ve posted it on your blog. If you don’t have a blog, simply comment below with your choice of books and let us know you’re in like Flynn.
4)   Each month, Jessica and Kay will alternate hosting the official check-in post where you can share the books you’ve read for the challenge. And be sure to let us know what you thought of them!

Check out the Challenge Post

Here is where I will keep track of the books I read

1.  Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
2. Every Little Thing in the World
3. Ex-Mas
4. The Extraordinary Secrets of April May and June
5. For Keeps
6. Forget-Her-Nots
7. Girl on the Other Side
8. Goddess Bootcamp
9. Heist Society
10. I now Pronounce you Someone Else
11. I So Dont Do Makeup
12. It's Not Summer Without You
13. The Karma Club
14. Magic Hands
15. My Double Life
16. My Fake Boyfriend is better than Yours
17. My Invisible Boyfriend
18. Princess For Hire
19. Runaway (Airhead #3)
20. Something Like Fate
21. Still Sucks To Be Me
22. Summer In Paris
23. Swoon at your own risk
24. The Unwritten Rule
25. When Mike Kissed Emma
26. Why I let my Hair Grow Out

100+ Reading Challenge

I am going to be participating in J. Kaye's 100+ reading challenge. This post will help me keep up with books read! Check the Challenge Out!

LIST OF BOOKS READ

1.  Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
2. Captivate by Carrie Jones
3. Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
4. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
5. Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
6. Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
7. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
8. Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey
9. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
10. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
11. Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
12. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman 
13. Spell Hunter by R.J. Anderson
14. All Unquiet Things
15. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
16. Anxious Hearts
17. Ascendant
18. The Beautiful Between
19. Beautiful Creatures
20. Being Jamie Baker
21. Birthmarked
22. The Body at the Tower
23. The Body Finder
24. Book of Love
25. Brightly Woven
26. Call Me Kate
27. The Candidates
28. The Cardturner
29. City of Ashes 
30. City of Bones
31. City of Glass
32. Claire de Lune
33. Clockwork Angel
34. Crescendo
35. Cryer's Cross
36. The Dark Divine
37. The Dead Tossed Waves
38. Debugging Tori Redding
39. Delirium
40. Desires of the Dead
41. The Duff 
42. Eighth Grade Superzero
43. The Emerald Talisman
44. The Eternal Ones
45. Everlasting 
46. Every Little Thing in the World
47. Ex-Mas
48. The Extraordinary Secrets of April May and June
49. Fallen 
50. The False Princess
51. Fire Will Fall
52. Firelight
53. For Keeps
54. Forbidden Sea
55. Forget-her-nots
56. Forgive My Fins
57. The Gardener
58. Gateway
59. Girl on the Other Side
60. Goddess Bootcamp
61. Gone
62. Harmonic Feedback
63. Heist Society
64. Hex Hall
65. The House of Tomorrow
66. How I made it to 18: a mostly true story
67. I can't keep my own secrets
68. I now pronounce you someone else
69. I So Don't Do Makeup
70. Ice
71. Invisible Touch
72. The Iron King
73. It's Not Summer Without You
74. The Ivy
75. Jane
76. Jane Eyre
77. Jekel Loves Hyde
78. The Julian Game
79. The Karma Club
80. The King's Rose
81. Linger 
82. The Lost Saint
83. Low Red Moon
84. Magic Hands
85. Magic Under Glass
86. Manifest
87. The Mark
88. Matched
89. Nightshade
90. Mistwood
91. Mockingbird
92. Mockingjay
93. My Double life
94. My fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours
95. My Invisible Boyfriend
96. My Unfair Godmother
97. O'Juliet
98. Oblivion Road
99. Of all the Stupid Things
100. Once a Witch
101. Other
102. Outside In
103. the Pack 
104. Paranormalcy
105. Picture of Dorian Gray
106. The Princess and the Snowbird
107. Princess for Hire
108. Queen of Secrets
109. Raised by Wolves
110. Restoring Harmony
111. The Rise of Renegade X
112. Rules of Attraction
113. Runaway
114. Sea
115. Sea Change
116. The Season 
117. Shade 
118. Shadow
119. Sing Me to Sleep
120. Sisters red
121. Something Like Fate
122. Spell Hunter 
123. A Spy in the house
124. Still Sucks to be me
125. Summer in Paris
126. Swoon at Your Own Risk
127. Trickster's Girl
128. The Unwritten Rule
129. When Mike Kissed Emma
130. Wherever Nina Lies
131. Whisper
132. Why I let My Hair Grow Out
133. Wicked Lovely
134. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
135. Winter Longing
136. Winter's Passage
137. Zan-Gah
138. Zombies Vs Unicorns

Explorer X-Alpha Contest Reminder!

Remember to Enter my Explorer X Alphas contest! Ends at 3:00 PM Central Time. Will post winner before midnight!http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/2009/12/explorer-x-alpha-by-lm-preston.html

Alphas (Alphas, #1) by Lisi Harrison

Title: Alphas

Author: Lisi Harrison

Publisher: Poppy

Release Date: Already Available

Received From: Library

At OCD the losers are tormented.

At Alpha Academy, they're sent home.

Skye Hamilton has scored an invitation to the ultra-exclusive Alphas-only boarding school where beta is spelled LBR . What happens when the country's best, brightest, and hawtest begin clawing and scratching their way to the top?

If you have read the Clique novels and want something a little tiny bit older and mare technological. Alphas is for you. All the cool different gadgets in this novel are enough to make anyone scream.

Skye and the other girls each had their own personalities and while I liked some of them more than others, they were overall really diverse. I did not really like Allie A. becasue she drove me nuts but, all of the others were pretty cool.

This was a very innovative idea. While this book is really fluffy it shows some of the problems between girls. This is basically an upgraded version of The Clique, but I definitely liked this better. I can't wait to read the next books.

This book was very shallow, and the beginning was kind of confusing as to what was happening, but overall a pretty good book.

4/5

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

Title: Dull Boy

Author: Sarah Cross

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Release Date: Already Available

Received From: Library

What do you do if you can deadlift a car, and you spend your nights flying to get away from it all? If you’re fifteen-year-old Avery Pirzwick, you keep that information to yourself. When you’re a former jock turned freak, you can’t afford to let the secret slip. But then Avery makes some friends who are as extraordinary as he is. He realizes they’re more than just freaks—together, maybe they have a chance to be heroes. First, though, they have to decide whether to trust the mysterious Cherchette, a powerful wouldbe mentor whose remarkable generosity may come at a terrible price.

This was a really cute book! Not too many superhero books deal with superheros as children. Avery comes across very well, like a normal boy dealing with a hard problem, i.e he does not want to tell his parents ect. The other kids were kind of cliche but they developed well throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the different types of abilities that were in the novel. Not just the typical ones, but really cool ones that I had never thought of before! The villain was obvious but the villain did things I never would have expected! Also this would be a really good book for boys.

The only thing that I did not like about the book was the fact that the secondary characters were cliche.  Overall a good debut! I cannot wait for more!

4/5

Win A New Blog Design!

Parajunkee from Parajunkee's View is giving away an awesome redo for your blog. It will include a new header, button and background. Her stuff is beautiful so check it out!

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Title: As You Wish

Author: Jackson Pearce

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: Already Available

Received From: Library


Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.
Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever. 

 I have been anxiously waiting this book ever since I stumbled upon Jackson's website about a year ago. Her blog is hilarious and so I knew her book had to be good. It was!

With a very interesting premise, Jackson takes us to a story filled with romance, longing, and fun. Jinn and Viola's chemistry was apparent from the beginning. All of the characters were lively and fun.

I really enjoyed Jackson's writing and her style. I cannot wait for more of her work! If you want to learn more, or just read her hilarious blog check out http://watchmebe.livejournal.com/ 

Overall this was a great book, with a storyline that is new and inventive. Definitely check it out!

5/5

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet* by Erin Dionne

Title: The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet 
Author: Erin Dionne 

Publisher: Dial  
Release Date: January 7, 2010

Received from:1 ARC Tours

To die or not to die of utter mortification . . .


Hamlet Kennedy just wants to be your average, happy, vanilla eighth grader. But with Shakespearean scholar parents who dress in Elizabethan regalia and generally go about in public as if it were the sixteenth century, that’s not terribly easy. It gets worse when they decide that Hamlet’s genius seven year-old sister will attend middle school with her— and even worse when the Shakespeare project is announced and her sister is named the new math tutor. By the time an in-class recitation reveals that our heroine is an extraordinary Shakespearean actress, Hamlet can no longer hide from the fact that she—like her family—is anything but average.

This was a really cute book by a newer author, her other book, a YA book "Models don't eat chocolate cookies" has already come out so check that out while you are waiting for this!

This is a middle grade book but it still kept me interested. While some of the "problems" seemed juvenile, but once I thought about it from a a 13 year old's view I really enjoyed it. Hamlet is really cute and the horrors of having a genius for a little sister, and crazy parents was painted well. The character interactions were really good, as was the plot and I cannot wait to see more from Erin and Hamlet!

The only problem I had was that I felt the the ending could have been a little better it was kind of drawn out, and I just kept waiting for the conclusion. But overall a good book.

4/5

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend. 

If you have not read any of Sarah Dessen's books then you need to experience them. All of them are poignant, and have real themes. All of her characters are believable and lovable. Some of my first literary crushes are from Sarah Dessen.

Along for the Ride was the same. Auden, and Eli develop such a great relationship that makes you want one like it. Auden is dealing with real problems, and she is struggling like a real girl. She is very relate able and I want her to be my best friend. And I want Eli as my boyfriend!

The plot moved very quickly and was beautifully written. If you have never read a Sarah Dessen book why not start with this gem? Overall a fabulous book just like all of her other books!


5/5

Explorer X-Alpha* by LM Preston

Happy Holidays! Today I have three things for you! A Contest, a review, and a guest post from the author. So lets get started!

REVIEW
For most kids, a trip to space camp is the trip of a lifetime for Aadi it was life altering. After receiving a camp immunization needed for travel to Mars, Aadi finds that the immunization is the catalyst of an insidious experiment. He realizes what is happening too late for a change of fate. The full experiment is set in motion when he and his co-pilot, Eirena, crash in a distant galaxy called Shrenas, where they change and realize the full extent of their power. This turn of events forces him to grow up quickly, accept his change, and to decide to save a world, or to do what he was trained to do dominate it. His power is coveted by the warring leaders of Shrenas, and he is forced to choose sides a decision that may prove just how much humanity he has left.

This was a very imaginative book, with lots of different facets that I never would have expected. 


Each of the characters were different and brought their own distinctive way to the story. The plot was exciting and very unpredictable. The originality of this book astounded me. Many scifi books are all similar but this one stands alone. All of the different species in this book were described so vividly, and they came to life on the page. 


The only real problem I had with it, was that it was kind of slow in the middle, but the ending made up for it.



I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the next one!

4.5/5

GUEST POST

LM Preston was nice enough to do a guest post for me about why she wrote Explorer X- Alpha

WHY I WROTE EXPLORER X – ALPHA 

It all started on a long car trip to Florida.  My husband, kids and I were on our way to my ‘Happy Place ’, better known as Walt Disney World. 

Anyway, while on this long drive, my husband turns to me and says, “You should write a book.  You loved to write when we were younger and you haven’t written since.” 

I thought about what he said and replied,” Well, I did try to write that one book, but it was boring and didn’t keep my interest.”

Then he told me,” You should write science fiction.  You like it, and you work in the IT field.  That way you have no boundaries, you create your own.”

That was a pivotal point in my writing career.  He told me to think up something and share it with him.  Well, let me tell you a little secret about my husband.  He is a big science fiction fanatic, and has comic books, graphic novels galore.  He watches it and breaths it.  It was the ultimate challenge, because I knew that he is a very opinionated person that would not hold back his comments to save my feelings.

I pondered over it so much that I ended up dreaming up Aadi one night.  I saw his face, his mischievous smile and thought, “What is your story?”

The next day I thought about Aadi while at a traffic light, and thought up his adventure, by asking myself, what adventure would I want to do?  Well after Aadi whispered his idea to me, I was ready to write about him.  Later that week, wouldn’t you know it, my husband asked me about my story idea.

I told him, that I had an idea about a boy who’s parents force him to go to space camp only for him to discovered that he was being experimented on so that he could go to any planet, adapt to it, then dominate it.  The best moment I can think of was when my husband’s face broke out into a grin and he said, “Write that!!  I haven’t read anything like that before.”  Little did I realize that Aadi’s discovery would become a series of adventures.

As an avid reader, I get bored fast with books that are long and drawn out.  Therefore I wrote this book for my kids to enjoy.  I depend on them greatly to critique my work, and believe me, they don’t hold back. 

Writing about teenagers is a passion I have because that was the most tumultuous part of my life.  I felt deeply, experienced a lot, and overcame enormous trails in my teenaged years.  I survived and so can my readers.  I wanted to show that strength in my characters, their adventures, and their victories.

WHAT NOW

I am working on the follow-on series to EXPLORER X – Alpha, and just completed the final edited copy of THE PACK, an edgy YA series about a girl who saves her world that comes out Fall of 2010. 

By: LM Preston, Author of EXPLORER X – Alpha, www.lmpreston.com

CONTEST

So now that you are fully intrigued you can win a copy of this book before it comes out in February! Thanks to LM Preston! In order to win you must fill out this form.

 U.S. Addresses only sorry

This contest will end on December 31 at THREE Central Time so enter!

*ARC from Publisher

The Naughty List* by Suzanne Young

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!

Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it? 

This series is a really cute idea. It is very original and different. The cover is gorgeous and really plays to the story of the novel.

Tessa starts out as being perfect but then she turns into a normal girl which I really appreciated. Aiden was a little too fake for me but overall the characters were interesting. I wish I had gotten to know the "clients" better, I think the story would have been more captivating if so. I enjoyed the little bit of sleuthing that was in the book but I found myself longing for more. Beyond that it was a cute book and very different! I cannot wait for the next one!

*ARC, Comes out February 4, 2010
3.5/5

**Part of Around the World Tours!

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I was unsure about this book when I first heard about it, I mean Angels? But after reading so many reviews that praised it I at least had to pick it up and try it. I am so glad I did.

This book was really fast paced but I did not feel rushed while I was reading it, each of the characters were endearing in their own ways! I also liked that I was unsure about the ending, and was shocked by the result. This was a very interesting and different play on bad boy, innocent girl, that I really enjoyed. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, though I don't have any clue as to where Becca is going to go with it. But I guess that is part of the allure!

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes YA books. Girls especially, if Patch does not make you swoon someone else will! Overall a wonderful debut!

5/5

Enter to win a Nook or a copy of Hush, Hush from Becca Fitzpatrick! @ The Lateiner Gang Book Review Spot!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever

I have officially decided that Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favorite authors! Every book she has written so far has made me fall more, and more in love with her writing style, and her sense of humor. 


Shiver is a wonderful non-traditional love story that is told from both of the main characters POV. The transition from each character's tale was seamless and I loved being able to see the transitions and feelings from both characters' eyes. 


I felt so wonderful after reading this book, the ending tale is so beautiful that you can't help stopping and thinking about it. I also really liked how even though it was a book about werewolves, it really wasn't, it was so much more and that was just the immediate problem.


I cannot wait until the next installment in the series comes out! Overall an awesome book!

5/5

Contest Reminder

Hi everyone this is just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day to enter my 100 followers contest! You must enter by 11:30 Central Time so please don't procrastinate! To enter click here and fill out the form! Good Luck!

Candle Man by Glenn Dakin

Murder, mystery, and adventure aren’t your typical birthday presents . . .
But for Theo, anything that breaks up his ordinary routine is the perfect gift.
A mysterious “illness” and Theo’s guardians force him into a life indoors, where gloves must be worn and daily medical treatments are the norm. When Theo discovers a suspicious package on his birthday, one person from the past will unlock the secret behind Theo’s “illness” and change his life forever.

This book was very interesting. It had a great premise that I have never really seen in middle grade, or any other literature for that matter. Theo was very endearing, his confusion felt really genuine like it was written by some one who had dealt with that kind of confusion before (lets hope not).

All of the characters were very well written and complex, I cannot wait to get to know them better throughout the series! The twists and turns in this novel surprised me, I was not able to guess where the story was going to go. Which I really enjoyed. Even though this is technically a middle grade book I think most everyone who likes action, would enjoy this fast paced novel!

The only slight problem I had was that in the middle it was kind of hard for me to follow where everything was going. Overall a good book and I can't wait for the next two installments!

4/5

*from Goodman Media

2010 Debut Author Challenge!

I am so excited! It is going to be hosted by The Story Siren and i'm sure she will do a wonderful job!
For challenge information go here and to sign up visit this post.




List of completed books!

1. Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
2. The Mark by Jen Nadol
3. Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards
4. The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
5. The Line by Teri Hall
6. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
7. A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker
8. Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
9. The Forbidden Sea
10. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
11. Restoring Harmony
12. The Beautiful Between
13. Forget-Her-Nots
14. Birthmarked
15. The House of Tomorrow
16. Harmonic Feedback
17. The Body Finder
18. Claire de Lune
19. The Dark Divine
20. Eighth Grade Superzero
21. Everlasting
22. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
23. The Karma Club
24. Manifest
25. Mistwood
26. Nightshade
27. Other
28. The Rise of Renegade X
29. Shade
30. Being Jamie Baker
31. The Canidates
32. The Duff
33. The Emerald Talisman
34. Firelight
35. Low Red Moon
36. Matched
37. Paranormalcy
38. Sea
    

I am really, really excited!

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

 (Commenting on this post will get you +1 entry in my contest!)

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning.  In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...

This is the second book in the Immortals series by Alyson Noel. I enjoyed this book significantly more than the first one which i njoyed as well. This book had many more elements that required resaerch by the Author, reaserch that I could tell she did. 

The plot was very interesting and had many different twists that I did not see coming, whih I enjoyed. I also liked getting to know more about Ever and Damian as this book went on. The only this I did not enjoy about this book was the fact that the beginning was a little slow, and then it felt rushed at the end. Overall this was a great book and I cannot wait to read the next installment!

4/5 

Make sure to check out my interview with the author.

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town
where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way
to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them
all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved
teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages
to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to
get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape
Candor, Florida before they're transformed into
cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor,
and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

This book has a great concept. It is different and really intersting. The whole idea is innovative and thought out well.

I basically don't like books with male main characters, especially ones that are based in today's society because I cannot relate to their feelings. But many books that i have been reading lately have been slowly changing my mind. This book was one of them. While some parts were slightly awkward for me, being a girl and all, they were overshadowed by the wonderfully written prose and plot. The cahracters were well written and did not seem fake.

The only criticism I would have is that I did not care for the ending. But besides that I was a really good book and a great debut!

4.5/5

This was a 1 ARC Tour

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Astrid Llewelyn has always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend in the woods — thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to prom — Astrid learns that unicorns are real and dangerous, and she has a family legacy to uphold. Her mother packs her off to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters, all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to — perhaps most dangerously of all — her growing attraction to a handsome art student... and a relationship that could jeopardize everything.

I have been so excited to read this book ever since I heard of it! I mean really "Killer Unicorns" Whats not to like? 

Rampant did not disappoint! Full of action, drama, romance, tension, and the occasional gruesome scene, this book was everything a fantasy lover could hope for! Astrid was a strong character who knew what she wanted (or did not want, as was sometimes the case) She was very relate able as a person. I really liked the tension between her and her cousin throughout the book.

Rampant was a great novel and kept me guessing throughout the night (yes I pulled an all niter to read it!) Great plot, characters, and setting. Overall a wonderful book, and I cannot wait for the next one!

5/5

YAY! Contest!

Hi everyone! So NaNoWriMo started a couple of days ago and I am so excited for my book! (hopefully I will stay that way!)(if you are doing it also friend me I'm AnidoriKiladra)

Ok moving on, when I logged on to my computer I saw that I have... 102 Followers! Thanks so much! So in honor of this occasion I'm going to have a contest!!!!

Here is what you could win:

1 person will win

an ARC of Candle Man by Glenn Dakin

an ARC of Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

 Desolation Angels #3 The Big Empty by J.B. Stephens
and 1 Give Up the Ghost Bookmark

Another Person will win a swag pack containing
1 signed My So-Called Death Magnet
1 Heritic's Queen Bookmark
1 Cleopatra's Daughter Bookmark
1 Give Up the Ghost Bookmark
1 Sucks To Be Me Bookmark
1 signed The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin Bookmark
1 The Kindling of Greenfyr Bookmark

Finally 4 other people will win 1 Give Up the Ghost Bookmark each!

The first winner will get the Books and bookmark, if you don't want the books let me know in the comments so if you win first you will get the swag and #2 will get the books!

Ok rules!

U.S. Only (or if you have someone who can send it to you)

Followers Only

Ends December 1!

To Enter Fill out this form!
all of the different ways you can earn extra entries are on there!

Gringolandia

Today is my tour stop for Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Though haunted by memories of his father’s arrest in Pinochet’s Chile, Daniel Aguilar has made a new life for himself in the United States–far from politics. But when his father is released, Daniel sees what years of prison and torture have done. Trying to reach his father, Daniel, along with his “gringa” girlfriend, finds himself in the democracy struggle of the country he thought he left behind.

This books was very different, it dealt with aspects of life that are not usually brought up in Young Adult literature. I believe that it is very important that we are educated about different aspects of life, because you never know, maybe a book like this will bring freedom to a kid who has had a similar experience or it could help prevent this from happening to someone else. 

Gringolandia

Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Curbstone Press 2009

ISBN: 978-1-931896-49-8

Author Bio: Lyn Miller-Lachmann is the Editor-in-Chief of MultiCultural Review, the author of the award-winning reference book Our Family, Our Friends, Our World: An Annotated Guide to Significant Multicultural Books for Children and Teenagers (1992), the editor of Once Upon a Cuento (2003), a collection of short stories for young readers by Latino authors, and the author of the novel Dirt Cheap (2006), an eco-thriller for adult readers. For Gringolandia, she received a Work-in-Progress Grant from the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrator.

I had the pleasure of having the author do a guest post about her book!

Why I Write Young Adult Fiction

     I was taping a map of the New York City subway system to my classroom door, in preparation for the American history field trip in a few weeks, when one of my eleventh graders came to apologize for missing class that day. He gazed at the map and then pointed to a station in the West Village.
     “That's where I'm going,” he said. “I'm running away.”
     Questioning him further, I found out that he planned to move in with his sister. “Does she know you're coming?” I asked.
     “No.”
     I don't know if my student ever did run away and, if he did, whether his sister took him in. I ended up leaving this private school in Connecticut at the end of the school year and the next fall began teaching high school in the New York City Public Schools. But I couldn't get my former student's story out of my head. Soon after, I combined it with my own experiences of leaving Connecticut for New York City to write my first young adult novel, Hiding Places, a “riches to rags” story of a 17-year-old runaway in New York. Its main character surprises a family member when he shows up at her door, and when she can't take care of him, he ends up in a shelter and then on his own, trying to put his life back together.
     Even when I stopped writing young adult fiction to write other kinds of book-reference books, textbooks, and a novel for adult readers-I kept coming back to it. Of all the areas in which I write, it is definitely my favorite!
     I've taught full-time or part-time at the middle and high school levels for nearly 30 years. I enjoy teaching and being with young people. It's such an exciting time of life. You're trying things for the first time, trying to figure out who you are and where you fit into the world. And it's a time of rebellion against what your parents and society want you to be, as you get to decide what you want to do with your life.
     People have always considered me a troublemaker, and rebellion lies at the heart of my writing. That is certainly true of my new young adult novel, Gringolandia. The main character, Daniel Aguilar, has a father who's a rebel. Daniel and his family life in a country that's under a military dictatorship (Chile in the 1980s), and Daniel's father, Marcelo, drives a taxi by day but at night writes, prints, and distributes an illegal newspaper that describes the crimes of the military government. For that, he's arrested in front of Daniel and sent to prison, where he's tortured. The rest of the family flees to the United States. There, Daniel rebels against his parents by wanting to become a U.S. citizen and to have nothing to do with the country where he was born. So when Daniel's father is released and rejoins his family, there's a huge problem between father and son. And how Daniel solves the problem will determine the person he will become and the life he will have.

     Papá coughs and turns toward my mother in the back seat. “Has the other one adjusted this well?”
     She hesitates as if she too is surprised by the way he's asked the question. I think he should be proud of how we've done. Except for poor Tina.
     “It's been hard,” Mamá says. “Daniel's helped a lot, especially with his sister. I thought he'd have the worst time, being older.”
     “It wasn't that bad,” I mumble. I don't like to think about the first few months, when I couldn't understand what anyone was saying. I had no friends and sat alone in my bedroom playing the guitar my favorite uncle, Tío Claudio, had given me before I left Chile. My first soccer team changed all that. After a year or so, I learned enough English to avoid being a complete social and academic zero, and now I speak it with an accent that makes girls go wild.
     “Well, don't get too comfortable,” Papá says. “We're going back to our country.”
     My mouth drops open. “Marcelo,” my mother says in a low voice, almost a growl.
     “As soon as I convince the rest of you to come with me.”
     You're crazy, I want to say. After all they did to you, you want to go back? And what about our lives here? But I wait for Mamá to answer first, the way I've been raised to do.
     “They gave you three days to leave. I assume you're banned from returning.”
     Papá takes a final puff of his cigarette, drops it on the floor of Willie's van, and grinds it out with his good foot. “I have my ways.”
     “Forget it. It's too dangerous.”
     Papá glares at her, like she's not supposed to backtalk him either. I press my lips together as tight as I can and ease the van onto the interstate. I can't go back to Chile. Not even Mamá knows this, but I've written for the papers to get my U.S. citizenship, and when I turn eighteen, it's going to be official. I glance at Mamá through the rear view mirror. She looks helpless, confused, and small.
     I turn the radio on low while Mamá and Papá talk about the situation in their faraway country. On the sports station they're still rehashing the Bulls game that finished a couple of hours ago. I listen until the station begins to crackle and fade. (from Gringolandia, pp. 27-28)

That post really inspired me. It is really nice when an author has a great reason for writing a book. 

Contest!

Ok I know you really want to get your hands on this book! Am I right? Well at each of the tour stops the Author is giving away a signed copy of the book! Each contest only lasts a day so get your entries in! To enter mine just leave a comment with your email (No email no entry)


Remember to check out all of the other posts in the tour for more chances to win!

Oct 29 Kelsey The Book Scout http://thebookscout.blogspot.com/
Oct 30 Lilibeth ChicaReader http://lilibethramos.blogspot.com
Nov 1 Reggie The Undercover Book Lover (Not Really) book http://theundercoverbooklover.blogspot.com/
Nov 2 Melaine Melaine’s Musings book reviewNov 3 Mariah A Reader’s Adventure! http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/
Nov 4 Erica The Book Cellar http://thebookcellarx.blogspot.com
Nov 6 Sarah Sarah’s Random Musings http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/
Nov 9 Faye Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm http://fayeflamereviews.blogspot.com
Nov 10 Melaine Melaine’s Musings http://melanies–musings.blogspot.com
Nov 11 Hope Hope’s Book Shelf http://www.princess2293.blogspot.com

Read this book it is very influential!!!!!

Book Tour Info

This tour was hosted by the wonderful!!!! Jo Ann Hernandez at BronzeWord Latino Authors http://authorslatino.com/wordpress organizes YA Book Tours for authors. If you are interested in having a tour or being a blog host contact her at BronzeWord1 AT yahoo com

Random Magic Posts

So that is it for my Random Magic Posts until I get the review up! Here they all are!

Quiz and Trivia
Significance of Blue
Book Trailer

Enjoy and make sure to check out all of the other stops in the tour!
Link in Sidebar!

Random Magic 3

For my last Random Magic Post of the day I have a fun quiz and some trivia relating to the book!

Which Random Magic character are you? »

Inside Random Magic: Reader Notes - Triva

* The name of the artist, Rasa Oddvilla, is an anagram for Salvador Dalí.

* The Floating City can be considered to be allegorical.

* Only 2000 copies of the first edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland were printed, then discarded as waste paper.

* “Two fathoms” refers to Mark Twain.

* Anagrammatic homage to Douglas Adams in -- Ch. 42, of course.

* Ergot-tainted rye can cause hallucinations. Historians suggest that ergot-tainted rye was the spur for the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.

* Guédé is a voodoo entity; he guards the gates of the cemetery, and is privy to all the secrets of the dead. He's also known as Baron Samedi. Although he is a much-feared entity, he has a wicked sense of humor. He is fond of children, and will sometimes intervene to spare the life of a dying child.

* The invention of the word game of "doublets" is attributed to Lewis Carroll.

* Hypatia of Alexandria was a mathematician and the victim of a political assassination -- she was torn to pieces by a mob in 415A.D.

* Professor Literati's eyes are the color of absinthe, a drink which was popular with artists, writers and poets in the 19th century. Absinthe is also referred to by the moniker "The Green Fairy."

* Gone is the feline retort to the paradox of Schrödinger's Cat. He's rumored to be related to the Cheshire Cat, but we can find no definitive proof.

* The nickname "Wiggy" refers both to Beethoven and to Ludwig II of Bavaria, a/k/a the Swan King, the Dream King, and, natch, the Mad King of Bavaria.

* Mort = la mort (death, Fr.)

* Nyx is the goddess of night.

* Charon is the ferryman of the dead. The ancient Greeks buried loved ones with a silver coin under their tongues for Charon, to ensure safe passage.

* Moirtha the cook (one of the Wyrd sisters, related to the Norns) is one of the Moirai.

* Nevermore is named for the well-known poem, "The Raven," by Edgar Allen Poe.

* The book Winnie and Henry read in the library is Der Struwwelpeter, a ghastly/funny children's book of cautionary tales published in 1845. Mark Twain translated the book into English in 1891.

* The woman in the Garden of the Nine Muses is actually a tarot card representing hidden knowledge.


 If you take the quiz let me know who you got!