In My Mailbox #27

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

For Review:

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove - Lauren Kate (Around the World Tours)
A steamy Southern beauty makes one fatal mistakeNatalie Hargrove would kill to be her high school’s Palmetto Princess. But her boyfriend Mike King doesn’t share her dream and risks losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalie’s nemesis, Justin Balmer. So she convinces Mike to help play a prank on Justin. . . one that goes terribly wrong. They tie him to the front of the church after a party—when they arrive the next morning, Justin is dead.From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never should’ve messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth in this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

Beryl: A Pig's Tale - Jane Simmons
When Beryl decides to look for a family that will love her just the way she is, from her pig nose to her curly tail, she bravely sets off on a journey that will ultimately change her life forever.
Away from the cruel and ill-tempered pigs on the farm where she grew up, Beryl finds her preconceived notions of wild pigs-- and everything else--put to the test. And with the help of the many unlikely friends she meets, Beryl discovers, at the cost of some heartache, that there just might be a place she could call home after all. If she could only get there . . .

13 Treasures - Michelle Harrison
While visiting her grandmother's house, an old photograph leads Tanya to an unsolved mystery. Fifty years ago a girl vanished in the woods nearby - a girl Tanya's grandmother will not speak of. Fabian, the caretaker's son, is tormented by the girl's disappearance. His grandfather was the last person to see her alive, and has lived under suspicion ever since. Together, Tanya and Fabian decide to find the truth. But Tanya has her own secret: the ability to see fairies. Can it help them to unravel the mystery? Soon they are facing terrible danger. Could the manor's sinister history be about to repeat itself?

Guardian of the Dead - Karen Healey
In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope.
At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting.

Sorta Like A Rockstar - Matthew Quick

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom’s boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). But Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. Instead, she focuses on bettering the lives of her alcoholic mother and her quirky circle of friends: a glass-ceiling-breaking single mother raising a son diagnosed with autism; Father Chee and The Korean Divas for Christ (soul-singing ESL students); a nihilist octogenarian; a video-game-playing gang of outcasts; and a haiku-writing war vet. But then a fatal tragedy threatens Amber’s optimism—and her way of life. Can Amber continue to be the princess of hope?

Ship Breaker - Paolo Bacigalupi
Set initially in a future shanty town in America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being dissembled for parts by a rag tag group of workers, we meet Nailer, a teenage boy working the light crew, searching for copper wiring to make quota and live another day. The harsh realities of this life, from his abusive father, to his hand to mouth existence, echo the worst poverty in the present day third world. When an accident leads Nailer to discover an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, and the lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl, Nailer finds himself at a crossroads. Should he strip the ship and live a life of relative wealth, or rescue the girl, Nita, at great risk to himself and hope she'll lead him to a better life. This is a novel that illuminates a world where oil has been replaced by necessity, and where the gap between the haves and have-nots is now an abyss. Yet amidst the shadows of degradation, hope lies ahead.

The Prince of Mist - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A mysterious house harbors an unimaginable secret . . .
It’s wartime, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they’ve recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house there still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners’ son, who died by drowning.
With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the suspicious circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called The Prince of Mist— a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends will find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden, which will change their lives forever.

Smells Like Dog - Suzanne Selfors

Smells Like Dog is another fun, well-written, and funny middle grade novel from Suzanne Selfors. It is the story of Homer Pudding, an ordinary farm boy who dreams of going on grand adventures like his uncle, the famous explorer Drake Pudding,and the dog he inherits when his beloved uncle mysteriously vanishes.
Homer doesn't understand why Drake would call a droopy dog with no sense of smell "his most treasured possession" , until he discovers a mysterious coin hidden on Dog's collar. Soon Homer, his sister Gwendolyn, and Dog are off to The City, a dangerous metropolis where they meet the conniving Madame La Directeur, Head of the Natural History Museum.
Homer soon realizes that Madame wishes to steal the coin and take Homer's place in a secret society of adventurers known as L.O.S.T. Along the way, Dog is stolen, just as Homer learns that Dog has a hidden talent- he can smell treasure. Homer must go deep into the heart of the Museum to defeat Madame, rescue Dog, and take his uncle's place in L.O.S.T.

Sisters Red - Jackson Pearce
Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.
Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.
Twenty-five-year-old Jackson Pearce delivers a dark, taut fairy tale with heart-pounding action, fierce sisterly love, and a romance that will leave readers breathless.

Ninth Ward - Jewell Parker Rhodes
Abandoned by her peers because of her ability to see spirits, Lanesha longs for connection despite the strong love of her adopted grandmother, Mama Ya-Ya. As hurricane Katrina approaches and her neighbors flee, Lanesha must stay and brace for a storm of epic proportions. As the levees break, Lanches must find a way to survive the floods on her own...

The Thin Executioner - Darren Shan
When Jebel Rum sets out on an eight-month journey to petition the fir god for invincibility, he wants nothing more than to return and claim the post of executioner from his father. But the quest he and his slave embark on will set him off on the bloodiest fight of his life, and by the end of the journey, Tel Hesani is more than just a slave -- he is Jebel's friend. Will Jebel sacrifice Tel Hesani to appease his brutal god, or will he find the strength to reject his violent upbringing to save his friend.

So what did you all get?

(All reviews taken from Amazon, author websites or goodreads, save for the last one which is from the back cover of the ARC)

Review: The Seven Rays - Jessica Bendinger

Where I got it: My collection
Rating: 2.5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (Shiny.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 24, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page Count: 328 p.

"You are more than you think you are" is in the first gold envelope that Beth Michaels actually receives. This happens around the time she starts seeing things, pink dots at first and then much more. Beth can see peoples pasts, just by touching them. She thinks she's going crazy but she can't really explain the envelopes away with her being crazy or the mysterious things that keep attacking her. Beth just really wants to figure out what is going on.

This book was very odd. Not in a bad way though just in an odd way. I really enjoyed the tarot card chapters. Overall I feel like a lot more needed to be included in this book. I enjoyed and hated how many words in this novel were made up ones. I hated it because there were so many but I loved it because I know a lot of teenagers do make up words when they can't find just the right one to convey what they are feeling. The characters were a bit flat. I never got to know Beth enough to understand the decisions she was making. I didn't get the relationship in this either. It happened too suddenly and it was never really explained why he all of a sudden wasn't a player anymore. The story was a really great concept, however I only enjoyed bits and pieces of it. The whole book didn't work together though, and it just felt like their were things I was missing. I also wonder if this is supposed to be the first in a series, because the ending wasn't very satisfactory. The whole book leads up to finding out what Beth is destined to do and then it doesn't even get on to her fulfilling her destiny. I do have to say, best sex scene ever (no actual sex!). It was a fun read, however it just could have been better.

First Line:
"There are some things you can't unsee."

Favorite Line:
"He was smiling, and as I stretched like a cat to wake up, I realized that I was mush, my body flooded with dopamine and oxytocin from our adventures in mutual autoeroticism."

Revew: The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen

Where I got it: The Library
Rating: 5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I enjoy it, it's definitely eye-catching. It does not seem story relevant however.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 6, 2006
Publisher: Speak
Page Count: 374 p.

Macy has become "the girl whose father died" and it's not a title she enjoys. Although it's true, she wishes some people just didn't know, because they don't know how she feels. In an effort to get over her father she tries to make herself perfect. Her boyfriend, Jason, is perfect and wants her and everything else to be too. But some things you just can't predict. When Macy falls in with a catering group, Wish, she starts to notice that not everything is or has to be perfect all the time.

Wow. I really did not think I was going to love this book. I thought it would be some nice chick-lit fluff. Boy was I wrong. Sarah Dessen crafts a wonderful world with characters you wish you were friends with. She gets into her characters heads and really makes them come alive, to the point where you get emotionally attached to them. I loved the way everyone acted like a person instead of a fictional character. This book contained romance, humor, and as much excitement as you could hope for in a normal life. Sarah Dessen is a wonderful writer and I am so glad I read this novel. At the beginning of this story there was an interaction between Wes and Macy that just kind of left off. Sarah managed to bring the conclusion to that at the end. Everything she started she finished and the novel just felt complete. I suggest if you haven't read this and like realistic books with a bit of romance pick it up.

First Line:
"Jason was going to Brain Camp."

Favorite Line:
"'And yet they're not together, which is not only unjust, but really, when you think about it, tragical.'"

Waiting on Wednesday #18

When Logan McRae discovers a magical book called Fearless Astrology, all she wants is to change her sucky life. In order to get into the summer writing camp of her dreams, she needs the recommendation of her stubborn and irritable English teacher Mr. Franklin. Logan also has her eye on Nathan, the hottest guy in class. Unfortunately, so does popular, beyond-gorgeous Geneva, editor of the high school paper. Logan's two best friends, Chili and Paige, are always there to give her the advice she needs. But now that she has Fearless Astrology, Logan discovers a whole new way to overcome her dilemmas-while helping the three of them land the guys they're crushing on.

When the Gears, a group of boys, starts causing trouble in school and out, she decides to identify them using astrology. Her goal: to impress Mr. Franklin, Nathan, and the kids who believe she is faking her new found knowledge. The answers are in the stars, all right, but can Logan decipher them before it is too late?

This sounds very interesting and is due out in March. So what are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

Teaser Tuesday #19

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Seven Rays - Jessica Bendinger

Teaser (page: 7)

"He puts his hand on my shoulder and turns me around roughly, and I'm afraid. I've never been afraid of Donnie Henderson before."


Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Review: Girl on the Other Side - Deborah Kerbol

Where I got it: The Library
Rating: 3 stars
Cover Rating: 3 stars (I like how they are flip-flopped and wearing the appropriate shoes.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 30, 2009
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Page Count: 147 p.

Tabby is the girl who has it all; the clothes, the house, the popularity; everything money can buy. Lora doesn't have much, a sick mom, an unfortunate last name and too much to do at home. At one point, their lives cross in a dramatic way. This is a story about how two people who have two seemingly different lives can still face struggles that leave them hurt and tired; and how sometimes the person you relate to the most isn't someone vying for your attention.

This was an enjoyable little read. I liked the contrast between Tabby and Lora's lives, from an outside view, but how when you get down to it they were very alike. Even though it looks like Tabby has it all she doesn't have that family feel and she is instead very drawn to her nanny. Though this seems stereotypical I feel that it is more than likely quite accurate and unfortunate. I would recommend this if you enjoy realistic fiction because this was a nice little story and I am sure you would enjoy it. This is perfectly acceptable for the younger age range that this genre appeals to.

First Line:
"The toilet flushes beside me."

Favorite Line:
"The girls' bathroom is a disgusting place to hang out."

In My Mailbox #26

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Bought:

Some Girls Are - Courtney Summers
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

All Unquiet Things - Anna Jarzab
Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.
Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.
Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.
As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

So what did everyone else get?

Review: The Espressologist - Kristina Springer

Where I got it: The Library
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (Very nice.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Page Count: 184 p.

Jane has this theory about people who buy coffee. She thinks that people buy drinks based on their personality types. By using these observations she hooks up a couple of friends. When word of this gets around to her boss he thinks it's a great idea and might just be the idea to get their stores numbers up. He sets her up as The Espressoloigist for everyone to come in, order their drink and then (hopefully) find their dream date. When more and more people get excited about this event and Jane starts to feel like she needs someone too, things start to go awry. It is one thing after another in this quirky twist to the regular teen tale.


This was a very original and exciting idea for a story that has been told many times. The classic boy likes girl, boys liking goes over girls head, girl wants other boy, girl realizes what just happened; now with the Espressologist fun. I really agree that people can be defined by what they really like to eat and drink, like if a couple buys sandwiches and one always gets hots and one never does... it probably isn't going to work out too well. I enjoyed how real everyone seemed even though they only graced a few pages. This was a fantastic read and I think everyone should pick it up. Kristina had the right blend of romance, heartbreak, sugar and spice. Definitely a delightful read.

First Line:
"Large Nonfat Four-shot Caffe Latte Cocky
sex-deprived butthead guy drink."

Favorite Line:
"He was a middle child, second string on his h.s. football team -- the Peter Brady of the coffee world."

Review: Breathing - Cheryl Renée Herbsman

Where I got it: One ARC Tours
Rating: 3 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (It's a'ight. *laughs*)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 16, 2009
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Page Count: 262 p.

Savannah (named after a "tornada") loves to lie around during the summer and read romance novels. This gives her a break from her hard working school year. This summer becomes different, after she meets Jackson. She senses that something about him might just be different than the way other boys are. He follows her mama's rules and when she has an asthma attack he even stays with her in the hospital. Eventually however, his mom decides she needs help earning money and taking care of her other sons, so she beckons him back. Savannah is heartbroken and feels that now her breathing will get bad again. With him hours away Savannah has to learn that she doesn't need a man in her life to help her breathe, maybe just maybe she can learn to breathe all by herself.

Alright so I feel bad about not liking this book, but it was really hard for me because it was so heavy with Southern Speak. Savannah's brother, Dog, is the only one who sounded right for his age. Savannah sounded like an old biddy, not like a young teenage girl and sometimes Jackson was just as bad. I appreciated the fact that Savannah worked in a library as a page, as I myself work in a library. Another thing that bugged me was the scene where on some train tracks (which for fifteen years no train has come through) Savannah has to save Jackson from being hit by a train. At first I was going to forgive it, because I thought maybe she had drifted off in the weeds and this was a dream. It wasn't, it was so sappy and unrealistic. Also, Jackson doesn't seem to really like Savannah all that much. Maybe it's just me but he seemed to always make offhand remarks to her inside of speaking to her properly. It was a quick read and fairly light and fun. The characters just weren't believable for me and I don't really feel like Savannah and Jackson's relationship was really that special.

First Line:
"Strange feelings come over me sometimes, kind of like déjà vu, only before it happens."

Favorite Line:
"I give up the goat, quit fighting to plow forward through what feels like molasses, and let myself drop to the ground."

Help keep Borders from throwing away thousands of books

It has come to my attention that Borders is in the process of throwing away TENS of THOUSANDS of unsold books once their over 200 stores close at the end of January. As a former Borders employee, I know that some of their practices are not always in their customers, or even employees, best interest. However, this new practice disgusts me to a new level.

With the economy the way it is and with the way some libraries suffering, you might think that one of the largest bookstores in the country would take the high road and do something better with a large amount of books besides this:


The picture shows possibly hundreds of discarded books in a Waldenbooks dumpster. It is being said that the company believes that it is cheaper to rip of the covers and trash them instead of donating to local schools, libraries, etc.


Visit The Neverending Shelf for the rest of this post!

The Body Finder -Kimberly Derting Trailer + Contest

Below you will find the amazing trailer made by Vania for Kimberly Derting's book The Body Finder.




Ain't she a beaut. So if you weren't excited about this book, I bet you are now. You have a chance to win an ARC over at Kimberly's blog here; I'd head on over since this book doesn't come out until March 16th.

Waiting on Wednesday #17

Mary Richards is a normal 16-year-old girl living in Manhattan. Well, almost normal. I mean, she goes to private school and lives on the Upper East Side with her adoptive family. And she’s also slowly transforming into a cat.
So, maybe she’s not so normal… Not only is she maturing into a woman, but she also has to try and hide her physical metamorphosis. Thankfully, Mary discovers that she isn’t alone. A whole race of cat people prowls the streets of Manhattan at night, including Mary’s long-time crush, Nick.

Aside from her heightened feline senses, hanging out with Nick is the best thing about discovering her inner kitty. However, Mary is shocked to realize that not only is she a member of this special race, but she could decide the outcome of a city-wide turf war that has been raging for generations. Will Mary embrace her powerful feline side and become a pack leader? Or will she decide to go back to being a normal teenage girl. Can she land on her feet or will curiosity be her downfall?


This book is part of the newly launched label Sourcebooks Fire. It is due out May 1, 2010.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

Teaser Tuesday #18

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Seven Rays - Jessica Bendinger

Teaser (page: 25)

"'If you can decipher that mess, Beth, you should join the CIA.'
'The CIA are notorious for making messes, Mom, not cleaning them up.'"


Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

In My Mailbox #25

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Bought:
Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
Sold - Patricia McCormick

I have read these both and enjoyed them. I got them cheap so that I could reread them if I ever get a chance. So, what did everyone else get?

Review: How to Say Goodbye in Robot - Natalie Standiford

Where I got it: ARC
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 3 stars (I love the pink very eye-catching but overall... meh.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Page Count: 276 p.

Bea has moved to yet another new town, and thanks to alphabetical seating she gets stuck by a weird kid and a perky girl. At first she becomes friends with the girl, but after getting a note from her "future self" with a radio station on it (actually from Jonah, the weird kid) she starts to relate more with Jonah. When her and Jonah start spending more time together, he seems more alive and less like the ghost boy everyone remembers. Bea's feelings even start to emerge and make her feel less like a robot girl. But when Jonah finds out a secret that his dad has been keeping from him, his priorities change and Bea is left not knowing where she stands. So buckle up for a magic carpet ride of radio waves and lots of secret agent stuff(not really).

This was a great book that was sometimes laugh out loud funny. There were sad parts, but it was overall so enjoyable that you could just keep on moving through. I loved that this was based around them listening to some AM late night radio show. It's just so quirky and fun. I love all the crazy characters they get to meet and how real they all seem. You hear about one of the radio people and you think "I know someone like that". The only thing that didn't really make sense to me was how Bea and Jonah started hanging out. Jonah didn't talk to anyone for like a bajillion years and then all of a sudden he decides to be friends with Bea. Granted it was a chance for him to start over since she didn't already know him, but it still seemed to happen very fast. Other than that, this book was excellent and I definitely give it the go ahead for you to pick up your own copy and read it. All of the characters are like-able in some way. So Happy Reading!

First Line:
"Goebbels materialized on the back patio, right before we moved to Baltimore, and started chewing through the wicker love seat."

Favorite Line:
"I imagined a neighborhood Legend of the Unicorn Child, about a one-horned little boy who'd died tragically, hit by a car or shot by a mugger or maybe poisoned by lawn pesticides."

Waiting on Wednesday #16

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

This week I'm wainting on Maryrose Wood's new book The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: the Mysterious Howling. I'm pretty sure this is a MG novel but it sounds fantastically like The Willoughbys and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Also, I love Maryrose Wood books. It's due out on Febuary 23rd and I am very excited to get my hands on a copy. Without further ado...

Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

Teaser Tuesday #17

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from Before I fall - Lauren Oliver

Teaser (page: 119)

"Which just goes to show you should never pay attention in health class. The line for both bathrooms is four-deep and all the rooms are packed."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Review: The Dark Divine - Bree Despain

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 5 stars (It' a little creepy how photo-shopped pale she is though.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 7, 2010
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Page Count: 372 p.

Grace Divine is the daughter of a pastor. Until Daniel, a boy from her past returned to town, her life seemed to be as normal as one could hope . He had disappeared without a word but now he is back. While Grace battles her feelings for him she notices that her brother is not as keen on Daniel as he used to be. Now Grace has to find out what tore Daniel and her brother apart and why Daniel ran away in the first place, before he runs again.

This was a great book, but not what I was expecting at all. Better. I love how well Bree captures the relationships that a pastor's daughter has with other people. It reminds me when I was friends with a pastor's son, except we were not so adventurous. The voices seem pretty accurate depicting the true struggle that each of the characters are undergoing. There is so much tension in this book! However the ending was ridiculously mushy and didn't really fit with the rest. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the second one. I appreciate how Bree, like others, has sort of formed her own myths and theories about a well written about topic. I suggest you read this if you enjoy paranormal romance and a struggle between good and evil, right and wrong.

First Line:
"Blood fills my mouth."

Favorite Line:
"Was there a sign on my back that said, BITE ME, I'M AVAILABLE!?"

In My Mailbox #24

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

For Princess Bookie's Around the World Tours
Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Bought:
The Stupidest Angel - Christopher Moore

Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe. Twas the night (okay, more like the week) before Christmas, and all through the tiny community of Pine Cove, California, people are busy buying, wrapping, packing, and generally getting into the holiday spirit. It is the hap-hap-happiest time of the year, after all. But not everybody is feeling the joy. Little Joshua Barker is in desperate need of a holiday miracle. No, hes not on his deathbed; no, his dog hasnt run away from home. But Josh is sure that he saw Santa take a shovel to the head, and now the seven-year-old has only one prayer: Please, Santa, come back from the dead. But hold on! Theres an angel waiting in the wings. (Wings, get it?) Its none other than the Archangel Raziel come to Earth seeking a small child with a wish that needs granting. Unfortunately, our angels not sporting the brightest halo in the bunch, and before you can say "Kris Kringle," hes botched his sacred mission and sent the residents of Pine Cove headlong into Christmas chaos, culminating in the most hilarious and horrifying holiday party the town has ever seen.

The Portable Obituary - Michael Largo

A luridly compelling and hilariously macabre look at how the famous took their final bows—from Socrates to Anna Nicole.

The Secret Life Of Sparrow Delaney - Suzanne Harper

In high school the last thing you want people to think is that you talk to ghosts — especially when you do! That’s why 15-year-old Sparrow Delaney is delighted to go to a new school, where no one knows that she lives in Lily Dale, New York, a town that tourists visit to contact the dead. Or that everyone in her family is psychic. Or that she talks to ghosts on a regular basis. She thinks that she’s well on her way to a normal life until a teenage boy -- a dead one -- begins haunting her, demanding that he help her Move On.

Vampire Academy and Frostbite - Richelle Mead

Two races of vampires walk our world. The Moroi are alive and wield elemental magical, while the Strigoi are undead and evil--feeding on the innocent to survive. Rose Hathaway--a half-vampire with poor impulse control--is training to be a bodyguard for a Moroi princess. Learning to decapitate and stake is hard enough, but Rose's real danger may lie in an illicit romance with one of her instructors...

Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater

James Morgan has an almost unearthly gift for music. And it has attracted Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and then feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. James has plenty of reasons to fear the faeries, but as he and Nuala collaborate on an achingly beautiful musical composition, James finds his feelings towards Nuala deepening. But the rest of the fairies are not as harmless. As Halloween—the day of the dead—draws near, James will have to battle the Faerie Queen and the horned king of the dead to save Nuala's life and his soul.

So that's my bin... what did you all get?

Teaser Tuesday #16

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from Breathing - Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Teaser (page: 115)

"'It wouldn't hurt so durn bad if you weren't such a hopeless romantic. You set your expectations too high, shug.'"

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

In My Mailbox #23

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

From One Arc Tours I got Breathing - Cheryl Renee Herbsman
In Herbsman's debut novel, 15-year-old Savannah Brown is contending with a strict but loving mother as well as frequent, serious asthma attacks, something she inherited from her long-absent father, Trip ("he tripped right on out of our lives when I was barely out of diapers"). Savannah, who needs constant medical care and attention, begins a relationship with an older boy from out of town, and her mother is more than a little protective. Only after Jackson proves that he is a responsible and caring boyfriend does Savannah's mother begin to let go. Told in the first person and thick with Southern vernacular, the novel offers a snapshot of Savannah's quickly-changing life. Displaying maturity and independence, as well as faith in the strength of her new relationship with Jackson, Savannah decides to attend a prestigious college program for promising high school seniors. While some of the story remains underdeveloped, such as the clairvoyance that Savannah occasionally alludes to possessing, the cast of characters holds the story together, and the people in Savannah's life are warm and real.

Bought:
Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
I am the Wallpaper - Mark Peter Hughes
Looking Glass Wars - Frank Beddor
The Name of This Book is Secret - Pseudonymous Bosch
Prom Dates From Hell - Rosemary Clement-Moore
Dreaming Anastasia - Jot Preble
Charmed Thirds - Megan McCafferty
Dirty Little Secret - Laurie Faria Stolarz

Review: The Trouble with Liberty - Kristin Butcher

Where I got it: Inter-library Loan
Rating: 3 stars
Cover Rating: 2 stars (It's creepy.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 1, 2003
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Page Count: 88 p.

Val McQueen meets a girl named Liberty Hayes at a rodeo. They become the best of friends and Liberty even ends up dating Cody, Val's brother. When school starts up and Val tries to introduce her old friend Ryan to Liberty both of them act quite standoffish. A few days later Liberty stays after in band to get an instrument fixed. She ends up accusing their teacher of trying to rape her. Val has to decide whose side she's on when Ryan tells her something startling about Liberty. Did Liberty make it all up to win her fathers affection? Is Liberty even who she says she is?

This was a very quick read, with necessarily developed characters. I'm sure we all know people like Liberty who just want to make sure they are the center of whatever universe they inhabit. I recommend picking this up if your library has it. It may not be quite good enough to buy however, especially since it's so short. It was a good read, with good writing and a good quick storyline. That's all I have to say on the matter.

First Line:
"Forget the grizzly bear."

Favorite Line:
"But - except for some strategically placed embroidered flowers - it was totally sheer."

A New Year filled with new books=Contest

So clearly since it's the start of a new year it is time for me to hold a contest wishing us a great year to come and saying farewell to a year past. For this contest The 1st place winner gets to pick any 2010 release. The 2nd place winner gets to pick any book released in 2009. I'm going to make this pretty easy, simply leave a comment with your e-mail address with one resolution you have for this new year. Simple right?

Extra entries:

+1 for new followers

+2 for the old followers

Contest ends February 1st
INTERNATIONAL HORRAY!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!