Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser this week:

I wait. They keep us in the dark for so long that we lose sense of our eyelids. We sleep huddled together like rats, staring out, and dream of our bodies swaying.

Wither - Lauren DeStefano pg. 1 (should note this is from an Egalley. It is due to be release March 22, 2011)

Mailbox Monday & What Are You Reading

This is a weekly meme hosted by Knitting and Sundries. Join the fun and post what you got in your mailbox last week!

It's been a few weeks since I've done this meme and I haven't amassed much either.







1) Blackbringer - Laini Taylor (bought)
2) Kick - Walter Dean Myers & Ross Workman (publisher)
3) The Replacement - Brenna Yovanoff (bought)
4) Three Seconds - Roslund & Hellstrom (B&N First Look)


















It's Monday What are you reading this week? Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. This is a meme to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week.

Books I finished last week:

Hunger - Jackie Morse Kessler
Vixen - Jillian Larkin
Time of the Witches - Anna Myers
Unearthly - Cynthia Hand

Books I am reading this week:

Wither - Lauren DeStefano
The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball - Risa Green
Three Seconds - Roslund and Hellstrom

Books to finish this week:

Wither - Lauren DeStefano

Unearthly - A Review

Unearthly - Cynthia Hand (Netgalley)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: January 2011
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Hardcover , 448pp
• Sales Rank: 196,527
• Age Range: 12

• ISBN-13: 9780061996160
• ISBN: 0061996165

Product Description

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My Thoughts:

Wow! I have to say I loved this book! Clara is a quarter angel who has a purpose she has to fulfil . They start out in California but because of Clara's vision, they move to Wyoming. I think this was my favorite part of the book. I loved the area where the story takes place. The rugged mountains, the lakes, the rivers, the cabin in the woods, All of it. I wanted to go there the whole time I was reading.

The characters are great as well. Clara is conflicted and every much the teenager you would expect. Her mom is guarded and protective and I'm still not sure what I think about her. Angela is an intriguing character, who I'm on the fence about. I guess I'll find out in the next book. Christian is also a bit of a mystery and well I fell in love with Tucker from the get go.

Cynthia has a way of making the book come to life. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. So many questions left unanswered but that's okay, just means I have something to look forward too.

Author's Blog: Cynthia Hand

Time of the Witches - A Review

Time of the Witches - Anna Myers (own)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Walker & Company
• Format: Hardcover , 208pp
• Sales Rank: 220,367
• Age Range: Young Adult

• ISBN-13: 9780802798206
• ISBN: 0802798209

Synopsis

An orphan named Drucilla has finally has a place to call home with the Putnam family in Salem. Although her adopted mother is strange—haunted by a troubled past—Dru feels drawn to her as the mother she never had. When a new reverend and his family move into town with their servant Tituba, life takes a strange turn as young girls begin to fall ill and accusations of witchcraft begin to swirl. Reluctant to turn her back on the Putnams or her peers and overwhelmed by the power of groupthink among the other girls in town, Dru becomes one of the accusers herself. But when her best friend Gabe is accused, she must find a way to end the hysteria, or risk losing him forever.

My Thoughts:

This was a short book. A story woven around the Salem Witch Trials. Something that has always intrigued me. I find that things I can't wrap my brain around, attract me and I tend to enjoy books, movies, etc on the subject.

This book was a good read. I will say it took me a bit to get into and it was a slower read for me but I did enjoy it. It had a bit of a different take on the story. Seeing a little more behind the scenes of the accusations. More from the girls perspective or how the author chose to show their perspective. It's what I enjoyed about the book.

Author's Website: Anna Myers

Weekend Roundup

It has been a long time since I've done one of these posts but I just had to write up what I did this weekend.

Friday we spent over at friends house just hanging and visiting, always a great time but what really made the weekend awesome, was seeing Hal Sparks perform at the Helium Comedy Club in Portland, Oregon!

I've been such a fan of his for years so getting to see him perform was amazing! We had fantastic seats too, just a few meager feet away from the stage. There were two great opening comedians who got all the laughs started. But Hal stole the stage with his act. He is one hell of a funny man and if you ever get the chance to see him perform, you should! For those of you not aware of who he is, he is an actor/comedian from the showtime show Queer as Folk, Talk soup and various other stuff. He is super funny and all around nice guy.

Then to make it even better I got to meet him after the show and managed to take a good picture for once lol. My friend Di, is the other lovely lady in the picture (on the right). We took her and her hubby up for an early birthday present.

Sunday we headed back up to Portland to visit one of my favorite store's Powell's Books. Bet you can't guess why it's a favorite store of mine? =) I am very proud of myself and only bought one book even if I am on a self imposed book buying ban.

Afterwards we walked down to Voodoo Doughnuts to pick up some of their very yummy doughnuts. They are a very popular shop in Portland and there was a line outside of the building. I just had to try their bacon maple bar doughnut and oddly enough it's pretty dang tasty. I would've never guessed lol.


Anyways it's been a hell of a great weekend and I'm sorry it's over and that it's back to work tomorrow.

Vixen - A Review

Vixen - Jillian Larkin (B&N First Look Book Club)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: December 2010
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books
• Format: Hardcover , 432pp
• Sales Rank: 106,663
• Age Range: Young Adult

• Series: Flappers Series
• ISBN-13: 9780385740340
• ISBN: 0385740344

Synopsis

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.

Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes.

My Thoughts:

This book was a little difficult getting into at first. I don't often read much historical type fiction. Once it got going however, I found myself getting involved with all of the characters and their stories.

I enjoyed most of the characters and there were a few I absolutely despised. I liked Clara the best. At first I wasn't sure if I would but as the story played out, I decided her character was solid. Gloria came next. I loved her passion and her need to break free of what society deemed was appropriate for her. I can totally relate to what she was feeling throughout the book.

I can say i enjoyed the book enough that I will be checking out the next book in the series to see what happens next.

Hunger - A Review

Hunger - Jackie Morse Kessler (Netgalley)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: October 2010
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Format: Paperback , 177pp
• Sales Rank: 58,258
• Age Range: 12

• Series:
• ISBN-13: 9780547341248
• ISBN: 0547341245

Synopsis

"Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world."

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home—her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power—and the courage to fight her own inner demons?

A wildly original approach to the issue of eating disorders, Hunger is about the struggle to find balance in a world of extremes, and uses fantastic tropes to explore a difficult topic that touches the lives of many teens.

My Thoughts:

This was a short, quick read about a subject I think is an incredibly important one. I think at one point or another everyone experiences feelings like the main character does, especially girls. I think Jackie did a good job on the story. Letting us see Lisa's struggles with food, family, friends, her inner voice. To top it off she did it in a way that was new and interesting. I liked seeing how Lisa developed from near death to wanting to live, to wanting to fight to live, to reach for that strength we all posses inside, no matter how hidden you might think it is.

Author's website: Jackie Morse Kessler

Nightshade - A Review

Nightshade - Andrea Cremer (Library Thing Early Reviewer)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: October 2010
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
• Format: Hardcover , 528pp
• Sales Rank: 914
• Age Range: Young Adult

• Series:
• ISBN-13: 9780399254826
• ISBN: 039925482X

Synopsis

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Thoughts:

I had been reading just how good this book was but was cautious, I didn't want to be let down. Needless to say that was not the case. I loved this book! The story was refreshing.

I loved the characters and the hierarchy of their lives. There is so much story surrounding the characters and I can't wait to learn more of it. Calla and Ren are both strong Alphas and their packs remind me of mischievous children. Full of spark, and life. I will say Shay is one of my favorites as is Calla's brother.

I look forward to reading the next in the series. I should note, if you are not a fan of cliffhangers, you might want to wait til book 2 is almost out to read this one. But if you don't care about that, go read it, you'll love it.

Author's website: Andrea Cremer

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser this week:

We were born at the exact same time, Gabe and I. It was that hour just before dawn when the cock first crows to the world that the day is coming. Was it of a certain then? Did the timing of our births mean our spirits came into the world united? Who can say?

Time of the Witches - Anna Myers page. 1 ( I know more than two sentences but they were such strong ones, I had to use them)

What Are You Reading

It's Monday What are you reading this week? Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. This is a meme to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week.

Books I finished last week:

Nightshade - Andrea Cremer

Books I am reading this week:

Hunger - Jackie Morse Kessler
Vixen - Jillian Larkin (B&N First Look Book Club)




Books to finish this week:

Hunger - Jackie Morse Kessler
Vixen - Jillian Larkin (B&N First Look Book Club)

Teaeser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser this week:

I slid down the locker and tucked my legs beneath me.

Why is this happening? Isn't becoming the pack's new alpha supposed to make me stronger?

Nightshade - Andrea Cremer pg 167

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much Winners!!!!

Doh it has been so crazy in my life lately, I forgot to draw the winners....So sorry!

Without further ado the winners are:

amandawk said...

I would want to own a signed first edition of Harry Potter or To Kill a Mockingbird.

And

sablelexi said... if I could have any rare book I'd chose a Gutenberg Bible, since there is so much history and significance there.

Congratulations winners! I will be sending out emails shortly and once I receive your mailing addresses, I will forward them onto the publishers.

Mailbox Monday & What Are You Reading

This is a weekly meme hosted by Knitting and Sundries. Join the fun and post what you got in your mailbox last week!

I had an empty mailbox this week. I'm on a self imposed book buying ban and unless it comes to me via mailbox, I won't be buying any books for a bit. I need to try and make a dent in my humongous TBR pile.








It's Monday What are you reading this week? Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. This is a meme to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week.

Books I finished last week:

Once in a Full Moon - Ellen Schreiber

Books I am reading this week:

Rise Again - Ben Tripp (I've put this one on hold for now)
Vixen - Jillian Larkin (B&N First Look Book Club)
Nightshade - Andrea Cremer (read along with J.Kaye)



Books to finish this week:

Nightshade - Andrea Cremer

Once in a Full Moon - A review

Once in a Full Moon - Ellen Schreiber (NetGalley)

Synopsis:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

The bestselling Vampire Kisses author, Ellen Schreiber, weaves together psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf—the perfect formula for what happens...once in a full moon.

My Thoughts:

This book reminded me a bit of The West Side Story or The Goonies. You've got two opposing social groups going on. In this book, you get the Westsiders and Eastsiders. Both looking down there noses at each other. Then you have Celeste and Brandon. One from each side of the tracks, who find themselves hopelessly attracted to each other.

I will say this was an interesting take on werewolf lore than I've ever read before. Ellen' s werewolves don't really lose human form as so much as they grow extra hair everywhere and lose memories while in werewolf form.

In today YA standards, I would say this is a pretty tame book and I would think the younger YA crowd would enjoy it much more than the older YA crowd. This was a simple, easy read. It kept me entertained. It wasn't some great fiction piece writing wise but sometimes you just want something to be kept simple.

Author's Website:

Ellen Schreiber

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser this week:

Outside the zombies were moaning. There was a faint thudding sound as they collided with the glass wall of the station.

Rise Again - Ben Tripp pg. 108