TBR Jar

So, I decided to break down and follow the trend of the TBR Jar. It really is a great way to figure out what your next book to read is when you have so many to choose from. This is also a fun little project that I decided to do with my daughter. I let her pick out the next book by letting her stick her hand in the jar and swirling around the many pieces of paper and picking out that one lucky book. My jar is far from pretty right now and it still actually smells like pickles at the moment (which my daughter doesn't mind ). We are going to paint it later and make it look much, much prettier. Here is what we picked out for me to read...

Also, if you haven't noticed yet, I have been participating in more and more blog tours for some pretty great books and more of those are sure to come here. I will also be participating in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. I haven't been able to participate in many giveaways this year, but I'm hoping that will change soon.

There will also be another weekly post on here coming Thursdays, possibly on Saturdays. I want to start a special weekly post about getting to know me, not only as a blogger, but me personally. I've been told in the past that I should reach out more and connect with my readers and let them get to know me. So I will take you into my weekly life and post pictures of what we (my daughter and I) did for the week. Whether it's book related or not. And since I'm having a hard time getting the children's book blog off the ground like planned, I will more than likely be posting some book reviews here in the children genre.

I am also hoping to have some guest bloggers/reviewers on here. If you would like to participate in this, please email me (under the contacts tab) and we can work on getting your reviews on here as well. I'm hoping to have another form put together for that. I also want to start up the book chain that I had talked about in the past where I send out a book for you to read and you send it to the next person and so on.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Happy reading everyone!

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To Be Read [2]

I've decided to start a weekly posting for my never-ending list of TBR books. I'm not sure if any other blogs have started a topic like this. I just thought it would be fun.

This week I'm featuring Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber. Yeah, I know, I'm so behind on reading, it's not even funny. But hopefully it will be read by the end of the year, haha.

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

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To Be Read Books

I've decided to start a weekly posting for my never-ending list of TBR books. I'm not sure if any other blogs have started a topic like this. I just thought it would be fun.

This week I'm featuring Purple by Graham J. Sharpe. It's his debut novel that was released in paperback and ebook format in September of this year. It also was a finalist in the Kindle book review's Best Indie Books of 2012.

After a purple storm sweeps around Planet Earth, stealing millions of people, four teenagers struggle to make it alone in London.

Drawn together by a series of bizarre coincidences, Ellie, Midge, Scott and Marty soon find themselves entangled with a bunch of interfering pensioners. Among the cast of players are flamboyant hairdresser Mr Rupert, Pearl the loud-mouthed tea lady, and June, a psychic, who travels the world on her motorbike.

As the tranquillizing effects of the Purple diminish, greed and the lust for power take hold. Penny Treasure, leader of the Decision Makers Council, dreams up an idea that could destroy the world forever.

In a desperate hunt to find the missing, clues are pieced together and some shocking secrets come tumbling out of the closet.

Excerpt from the beginning of Chapter One:

Ellie Arnold believes in reincarnation and thinks she may have been Marilyn Monroe in a previous life. When Ellie told her parents about this, they laughed out loud.

Twenty-three weeks later, June 22nd, one a.m. to be exact, Ellie tidied her freshly-bleached Marilyn Monroe hairstyle in the mirror. She applied a coat of red lipstick, penciled in a beauty spot and blew herself a kiss.

She'd turned the light off at ten, but insomnia must be an eight-hour virus that lurks in toothpaste. As soon as she'd cleaned her teeth and put her head on the pillow, the symptoms appeared. Too late to prevent infection, she lay alone in the dark and imagined the blood rushing AWAKE round her system: swoosh...swoosh...swoosh. It made her feet burn, her legs restless and her shoulders ache. It caused a sudden onset of wriggle-squirm-roll-flip. When it finally reached her brain, triggering an explosion of thought, she gave up and trudged downstairs to the lounge.

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Book Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Title: Epic Fail 

Author: Claire LaZebnik 

Publisher: Harper Teen 

Genre: YA Contemporary, Chick-Lit 

Release Date: August 2, 2011 

Source: ebook 

Challenge: TBR Pile 

Will Elise's love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school--not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn't exactly on everyone's must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise's beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince's best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

My Review:

I thought this was a very well written book.  I dove in and stayed with it to the very end. When I started to read this, I was like, “aw, this is going to be a really great and cute love story”, I didn’t realize that it was a Jane Austen re-telling. I absolutely LOVED Pride & Prejudice, so this was a welcome surprise when I realized that this is what it was, a modern re-telling of that for young adults.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Derek Edwards, but soon into the book I realized he wasn’t that bad. It was Webster Grant that I didn’t like right off the bat. You could tell he was a sneaky little slim-ball. The rest of the characters, they stayed true to character. Either you loved them or you hate them. To me, there really wasn’t a fine line between the two.

Final Thoughts:

This book is highly likable, however, very short. I can’t wait to read more work by Claire in the future.

Star Rating:

Purchase from: Amazon/The Book Depository

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Book Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Title: Hereafter 
Author: Tara Hudson 
Publisher: HarperCollins 
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance 
Release Date: June 7th 2011 
Source: ebook, TBR Challenge 
Series: Hereafter 

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

My Review:

I thought this book was very well written. It had me going from beginning to end. The characters were remember able, the story was amazing and the outcome was great. I just had one problem with it.

While Amelia was wondering aimlessly around the afterlife, she has a chance encounter with Joshua. She ends up saving Josh’s life. After that they are bound together by a strong urge to be with one another. While that is all great and wonderful, I still don’t understand how that is. How she is able to touch him and feel him when she can’t do that with anyone else. Maybe it is because of their connection, but maybe it’s not.

As for the ending of this book, it did leave it wide open for a second one. Which the second one, Arise, is due to hit shelves June 5th 2012. 

Final Thoughts:

I think overall, this was a great paranormal romance with some good twists in it. 

Star Rating:   

Purchase from: Amazon/The Book Depository

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Book Review: Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

Title: Fairy Bad Day

Author: Amanda Ashby

Publisher: Speak

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Release Date: June 9th 2011
Source: ebook

Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

My Review:

A very awesome book. I absolutely loved it! The characters were simply the best ever. As I love fantasy, this has to top some of my lists. 

While I loved the main characters, Curtis and Emma, I couldn’t help but love their mischievous, betting, helpful friends, Loni and Tyler more. Those two added humor and laughs to this great book.

While the plot was somewhat predictable and the ‘Pure One’ was also predictable, I still thought this story was one of a kind.

I liked this book so much that I’m afraid that if I keep on reviewing it this review will be nothing but a huge spoiler, haha. So I just suggest getting yourself a copy and read it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

Final Thoughts: 

A great book for anyone that likes fantasy or for the beginner reader into the fantasy world.

Star Rating:

  

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Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA, Mythology, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: April 19th 2011
Series: Goddess Test

Source: ebook

Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 

My Review:

I quickly dove right into this book feet first. I was so engulfed into this story that I never wanted to put it down. I have always loved Greek Mythology ever since I was in high school, but this book has made me want to learn so much more about the subject.

The characters were so likable; I had an immediate connection with Kate and felt something for Henry. The match was perfect for the story.  

Kate is very strong willed and determined to save her mother’s life, even though she is dying of cancer. They decide to move to Eden, Michigan (I, being from Michigan, decided to look this place up to see if it exists, haha) from New York City. Upon arriving in Eden, Kate almost hits a cow in the middle of the road, or so she thinks it’s a cow. And that’s just the beginning of the ‘fun’ Kate starts to have in Eden.

Soon she meets James and Ava. James is a little strange for Kate but soon finds him as a good friend. Ava on the other hand thinks that Kate is trying to steal her boyfriend, Dylan, and decides to get even with Kate. That’s when the accident happens and Kate’s world will never be the same…

When Kate meets Henry, he offers her a solution to her problem in the form of a deal. Kate reluctantly accepts his offer and starts to regret it. But as time passes, she grows fonder of Henry.

Final Thoughts:

This story was just great from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good YA romance with a twist of Greek mythology. 

Star Rating:

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Book Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die for Me

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 10th 2011
Series:  Revenants

Source: ebook
Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Review:
This was a very good book from start to finish. I immediately fell in love with the whole story. To me, it was like a newer version of Twilight. The reason I say that is because of the 'forbidden' love situation.

Kate had recently lost her parents and had to move to Paris with her sister, Georgia. They had moved in with their grandparents.  Georgia is the wild and care-free sister that loves to be the center of attention and party. As to where Kate is more down to earth and has an 'old soul' as her mother would say. Kate is more headstrong.

Kate starts going to a cafe and encounters Vincent. A very handsome and very dashing young man with a secret.

The whole story was amazing from start to finish, I had a hard time putting it down. I found myself pushing my sleep further and further back to just finish this book because I refused to put it down. I loved the characters, especially Jules. Jules holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to read more about all of them!


Final Thoughts:
A very amazing book from start to finish. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes Twilight and paranormal romance!

Star Rating:   

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2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Button made by Bree at The Magic Attic

2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance!

Objective:

It runs from January 1st, 2012 through to December 31st, 2012 and is open to bloggers only. The hard part is that these books that you read and review for this challenge must be published from 2011 or eariler - no 2012 publications or ARCs! Any genre, length, or format counts.

Levels:
1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children


Hosts:
Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions



Wrap-up POST Schedule:

January - Donna (Theme: Let It Snow + Book Cover Challenge)
February - Nicole (Theme: Un-requited Love/Love Gone Wrong + Advice Column Challenge)
March - Rie (Theme: Green or Pinched + Green Cover Challenge)
April -  Bonnie (Theme: Easter + Mini Challenge)
May - Christa (Theme: MayDay - Disaster Books! + Cover Disaster Challenge)
June - Jenna ( Theme: Camping + Sentence Challenge)
July - Rie (Theme: International Day + Cover Comparison Challenge)
August - Angel (Theme: Summer Memories + Send Your Fav Character On Vacation Challenge)
September - Nicole (Theme: Life Changing Books + Mini Challenge)
October - Caitlin (Theme: Thanksgiving Theme + Share-A-Book Challenge)
November - Vicky (Theme: Spooky Halloween + Book Puzzle Challenge)
December - Evie (Theme: Xmas Bliss + Book Bachelor Challenge)

Here's What I plan on reading for this challenge:
(I plan on staying at 1-10: A Firm Handshake for now)

Die For Me by Amy Plum
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
Epic Fail by Claire Lazebnik
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Forever by Judy Blume
Everblue by Brenda Pandos
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe
Past Perfect by Leila Sales 



Now it's your turn! Go here and sign up today! 

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