Give Thanks for Books Giveaway!!

Since I've only just started blogging a few months ago, I've been thinking about hosting my first giveaway. And what better holiday than Thanksgiving to give away what I'm most thankful for... Beautiful autumn days spent with BOOKS!


Here's the entry form below:

Review #5: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Title: The Duff(Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
Author: Kody Keplinger
Published: 2010 Little Brown/Poppy
My Rating: 4/5 stars


Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

******

I was very interested in The Duff earlier in the year after it was mentioned by A.J., but after seeing some of my influential bloggers that didn't have a lot of promising reviews, I was a little scared and disappointed. I'm happy I read this novel anyway.

Keplinger communicated a lot in here and I felt everything she was trying to say and more. Bianca was a realistic character and her choices were as well. I don't want to give the story away completely but I want to touch on some of the things that I found profound.

First of all you could see the minor self-hatred Bianca and Wesley both held for themselves as the story progressed and they way the both tried with these issues by running away and engaging in sexual situations. Keplinger also included the token homosexual friend although he wasn't a main character and barely a supporting character, but she gets points for not ignoring that homosexuality exist in life and especially in high school. I had a love hate relationship with Bianca's friends Casey and Jessica(and family). They didnt seem to care so much in the beginning of the story, but thats a serious and real part of everyday friendships; and they only really started to pay enough attention to her after she started distancing herself from them in my opinion.

Over all the story was amazing and ended up emotional invested in the novel and Bianca. I'll be sure to pick up Kody Keplinger's future works.

Review #4: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: 2011 by Razorbill
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars


GoodReads Summary:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

*****

My mind is still whirling about this one. I know I've said many times that I'm sick and tired of vampires, but this... This was totally different and I loved it! I haven't read the Vampire Academy series, but I think I will be reading it soon. These vampires are way different from anything I've read before and the twist of human alchemist has me really excited.

I loved the characters of Sydney and Adrian. Their interactions had me laughing out loud in the breakroom at work and drawing the attention of my coworkers who thought I was losing it. The storyline was absolutely enthralling for me. Excitement plus being unable to put the book down for long enough that I barely slept and completed the novel in less than twenty-four hours is proof enough to myself of the awesomeness of the storyline.

I can't wait for the next installment of the Bloodlines series. I know I'll be telling my friends and family that are readers to pick up Bloodlines.

Review #3: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore
Author: Kelly Creagh
Published: 2010 by Atheneum
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars


GoodReads Summary:


Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

*****

OH! MY! GAWD! Do you know how angry I was with this 'ending'?! With how thick this book is I would have sworn that there would actually be an ending and not a sequel.

I sat on the edge of my seat throughout this novel. I loved watching Isobel and Varen grow as characters and their interest in each other develop and change. The Edgar Allan Poe references and the mystery of it all was very exciting in and of itself. I had always been an avid Poe fan and I loved the history (as well as a minor lesson about not judging books by their covers) that was incorporated in the story.

I'm still upset that I didn't know this would be a series of books, but seeing as how greatly impressed I was and the many tears I shed throughout the last fourth quarter of the novel; it's safe to say that I will be waiting for the second novel in this set.

Review #2: Will by Maria Boyd

Title: Will
Author:Maria Boyd
Published: 2006 by Knopf
My Rating: 5/5 star



GoodRead's Summary:

THE CRIME
It all started when Will mooned the girls' school bus. It wasn't his finest moment. And it's the last time William Armstrong will sully the St. Andrew's community, says Principal Waddlehead-er, Waverton.

THE PUNISHMENT
That's when a teacher worried about Will's home situation comes up with an idea. Why not let Will, a talented guitarist, give back to the school in a progressive manner? Why not have him play in . . . THE SCHOOL MUSICAL?

THE MUSICAL
Now Will is stuck in the school production of The Boy Friend. He's a laughingstock, and he has to give up his weekends for a show set at a girls' finishing school.

THE PLAYERS
There's the trombone-playing seventh grader who proclaims himself Will's best friend and refuses to leave his side. Then there's the undeniably attractive leading lady. Although she might be in love with her costar, the new football hero (and dazzling singer!).
Sharp-witted, funny, and poignant all at once, this is the story of a boy going through a difficult time who, in a most unlikely way, discovers the person he truly wants to be.

****************************

I rate books by how well I related to the characters, writing style, and the emotional investments I have such as anger, humor, and the infamous 'cry factor'...

And I must say that WILL exceeded all my expectations and I'm in love! And it should have seeing as it has a blurb written by Aussie author Melina Marchetta;

"Will's voice is so authentic and strong that you feel as if you either knew him, want to know him, or hope that one day you'll come across him."

who, forgive me A. J., I have yet to read a single novel from.

It took me forever to wrap my head around the story and the characters that I fell in love with, to put my feelings into words...

Maria Boyd touched on a few real life subjects that effect teens and young adults regularly. I don't want to give the story away, but if you haven't read WILL then you need to acquire a copy and get to it.

Review #1: Four Seasons by Jane Breskin Zalben

Title: Four Seasons

Author: Jane Breskin Zalben

My Rating: 4/5 stars

*Spoiler Alert?
GoodRead's Summary:

Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren't just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not.

Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her parents—a professional violinist and a singer—would kill her if they knew she was thinking about quitting piano, especially her mother.

So she keeps on going, but as the months go by, she begins to ask herself, does she even love the piano? Why does she play? And how much longer can she stand the pressure before she breaks?


************************

I really don't have much to say. I loved Ally and her confusion about life. She reminded me of myself at that age. I like the fact that the romance wasn't rushed into and it remained young and fresh. I cried a few times in the end, because I completely understood her emotions and indecision.

4 stars because the settings could have used more description and other minor things, but I loved the story(maybe because I was a flutist and was pushed like Ally) and the characters for the most part.

Getting to know the blogger #1

Hi friends and fellow bloggers! I'm very new at this and wanted to introduce myself as Brie; short for Brittany. I'm a young 23 year old housewife and aspiring editor. I have many passions in life and spend my days gaming, reading, writing or editing for fanfiction authors, and just looking after my small family and friends.

Because my life is 'action packed' I don't devour books like I use to and getting one 400 to 600 page novel in a month is good for me. My goal for the is set a mere twelve books, so that's one a month and shouldn't be all that hard but I'm behind. After moving things should settle down and I can pick up two new books and complete the one I currently have on hold, Amen, L. A.

Im in coming month I shall be posting reviews of Exposed by Kimberly Marcus and The Other Side of Dark by Joan Lowery Nixon.