Friday Finds

I did a lot of blog reading this week, well, more so than usual, and I found some great things to put on my TBR list (that I already put on hold at my library), an awesome challenge, and the COOLEST .99 ebook ever!

Here are some books I found that have been out that I missed which got some great reviews (whoa, run-on sentence much?):





Kiki Strike by Kristen Miller- White-haired, leprechaun-size Kiki Strike is a new student at Atalanta School in New York City when she meets 12-year-old Ananka Fishbein, the narrator of Miller's debut novel. Together they begin a detailed exploration of the Shadow City, the subterranean rooms and streets under New York's subway system.


Old Magic by Marianne Curley- When Jarrod Thornton walks into the classroom, Kate Warren instantly senses that he is as different as she is...magic and romance...JUST my cup of tea! :)

Eight Grade Bites (The Vladmir Todd Chronocles) by Heather Brewer- Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod really hates junior high. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. Why not try a vampire book for boys?




And over at the O.W.L. there's a contest being held "In The Middle Reading Challenge" For Middle Grade books. And as I'm reading The Lightning Thief right now (and loving it!) I think I'll try for eighth grade status (10 books!) You can enter the challenge here.




Finally, I got an IPOD Touch for Christmas from my amazing boyfriend and I stumbled upon a .99 ebook of Cathy's Book. It contains links, art, voice recordings, and even phone calls to make it super interactive...did I mention it's a dollar?! AND AWESOME!

So those were my Friday finds, what did you guys discover this week?


Happy Reading!

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

I thought it was impossible. I was wrong. I loved Scarlett Fever even more than Suite Scarlett. I am now quite obsessed with the Martin family. I might even start pretending I'm one of them. For real, I love them THAT much. And now I'm mad that I have to wait for the next one to come out! I should have waited to read this one...but I'm a weak, weak human...one that couldn't control how fast she devoured this amazing book!

But it's just so funny...

"I'm serious," Scarlett said. "Help me. I'm under a table."
"Is that a Shakespeare expression? Like, 'Gadzooks! I am under a table, milord! Prithee, handeth me the pointy stick for to stab the cad!' Is that what you mean?
"I mean I'm under a table."

With a recipe that includes Scarlett's dry humor, mixed with Spencer's outlandish antics...

"What the hell are you doing?" he yelled at their attacker. "You just hit my sister with a doughnut!"

A crazy boss, a rat/dog that's literally afraid of everything...

"Where did he come from?"
"Moo," Scarlett said.
"The moon?"
"No, Moo."
"What the hell is Moo?" he asked.

And a family who's just trying to figure out, well, how to be a family you get a dessert that it absolutely irresistible. I wish I could summarize the book more for you, but really you just have to pick it up. There is something so familiar, so comfortable about the Martins. Something that brings you into their world and keeps you wanting to stay there.

With a whole cast of new characters who are equally as funny, mysterious, and branded with their own "issues", plus the beloved Martins, Mrs. Amberson, and Eric, this novel is a rip-roaring, gut-wrenching roller coaster ride that leaves you wanting more at its end! You'll feel like a stunt person yourself!

Rating: 5.0

Oh...and did I mention that I have a HUGE crush on Spencer? Well, I do. So maybe I don't want to be a Martin by blood. But definitely by marriage!!!

Happy Reading!

If you were curious as to what I do in my free time...

here's a sneak peak into the life of me. This is a video of my color guard last year (in March, our season ends in May so we weren't perfect!). If you're curious, in the beginning I'm the second one in and around 1:56 I'm that girl who jumps on the guy after he threw his rifle...then he catches it with me on him!!!



Enjoy!

In My Mailbox

For Review:Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey- This one's about waking up at 16 a vampire and also dealing with seven older brothers, a human best friend, being the only daughter in an ancient vampire dynasty (ouch!), and an anti-vampire league. This seems like an awesome read!

From the Library (my favorite place ever!):



Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn-Very LeFreak is a college freshman who loves to party and is absolutely addicted to technology. Rachel Cohn is a hilarious writer so I'm excited to read this!

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund-Killer Unicorns. Why wouldn't you pick this up?!

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher-Another dystopian fiction book that has been getting amazing reviews. From what I've started so far this book is pretty dark and really interesting. I'm definitely liking it.

Bought:



Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johson-I love love LOVED Suite Suite Scarlett. This is the sequel. If you haven't read Suite Scarlett yet I suggest you drop everything you're doing and go pick it up!

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

What did you get in your mailbox?

The Right Not to Finish a Book

This begs the question, why do we read? Personally, I read because it's enjoyable. When I read it's a time where I can relax and get lost in a world that isn't my own. Therefore, I don't think it's wrong to abandon a book if it isn't giving you the pleasure you intended. However, whenever I put a book down I'm left feeling guilty and empty. I feel guilty because I started a journey that I'm not going to finish and so I feel like a quitter. But I know I shouldn't feel like that because there are so many books out there, there's no way one person is going to enjoy all of them! There shouldn't be any crime in trying to find a book that you will enjoy and it isn't probable that every book you pick up will be one you enjoy.

There's something so exciting about reading an author you love or waiting for the next book in a series you love. When you open that cover there are tingles and flutters and it's oftentimes hard to sit still to actually begin reading because you're so excited! And as a reader, I'm constantly looking for that "rush". Of course, if I made a commitment to review a book that I started and didn't like I'll finish it because that's different. But if I pick up a book at a library and I'm having trouble getting through it, I'll stop reading.

Because I don't want there to come a time when reading isn't enjoyable. And this brings me to another issue- a lot of kids reach that time so early! Before they even get halfway through high school they shove off reading and I think part of the reason why is that they've never found anything enjoyable to read! So the reason they stop reading a book is more blinding then say, when you or I stop. Because we know there are other books out there that we'll love, kids don't necessarily know that. That's why I think it needs to start in the classroom, when reading is required. Teachers need to start feeding kids things they will find enjoyable and give them lots of choices! It will be easier for them later to read Romeo and Juliet and ensure that if they put a book down it's because they're going to find another one.

Here are some of my book turn on/offs:

Book Turn Offs: bad writing, too many characters with names I can't pronounce, fantasy that creates worlds so unlike the one we're in that it's hard to relate, heavy-hitting issues (like Touching Snow-I couldn't finish it because it made me so, so sad I couldn't bear it any longer), stereotypical characters, predictable plots.

Book Turn Ons: Original ideas, writing that takes me through a book not knowing I'm actually reading, realistic romance, relatable characters, humor interspersed throughout a novel, surprises, well-developed characters.

So what do you guys think about not finishing a book? What are some of your book turn on/offs? I'd love to see your on blog post on this idea!

Happy Reading!

Edited Book Trade List

Hey Guys-so I still have a bunch of books that I'd like to trade. If you're interested in any of these just leave a comment or send me an email at lost_inabook88(at)yahoo(dot)com. My TBR is surprisingly slim so don't worry if you don't think you'd have anything to trade, just let me know if you're interested in any of the titles and we can work something out!

Devoured by Amanda Marrone (ARC)
Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman (HC)
Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner (HC)
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford (ARC)
Night Runner by Max Turner (ARC)
Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe (ARC)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison (PB)
Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu (HC)
Generation Dead by Daniel Walters (HC)
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (PB)
The Mediator Series (1, 2, 4, 5) by Meg Cabot (PB)
Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme (ARC)
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (PB)
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary Pearson (PB)

Hope we get to trade :)

Spreading the word about The Unwritten Rule!

Elizabeth Scott is holding this awesome contest over at her blog to win 25 books!!! 15 are ARCS and 10 are hardcovers! And you also get a copy of The Unwritten Rule! Here's a look at her new book...which, I'm SO FREAKIN' EXCITED FOR!


Summary:

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

Doesn't that sound so good!? Look for The Unwritten Rule out on March 16th! Eek!

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

From Borders.com:
Ever can bring her family back from the dead-but only if she's willing to sacrifice the guy she loves more than life itself. Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's are fading-stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life. Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen's past-the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden-but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them-or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...

This sequel to Evermore proved to be even more fun and action packed. Noel has created such an intricate world that is as addicting as Summerland itself. As Damen and Ever's love grows and is about to take an important step forward, the mysterious Roman arrives in Laguna and seems to have a strange pull on all of the students there-especially Damen. As Damen begins to ignore Ever and treating her just like Ever's least favorite person Stacia does, Ever realizes something's gone terribly wrong and she has to help Damen before it's too late.
"
I loved the introduction of Roman. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for the "bad boy" but I thoroughly enjoyed his character. Ever and Damen make me more envious of their relationship and Miles and Haven are as comical as ever. I was so happy that I got to learn more about Summerland and all of it's possibilities. Noel goes over and beyond this time around-a lot of times I caught myself holding my breath, anxiously awaiting Damen and Ever's fate. I love Noel's writing. The novel was fast-paced and I actually had to force myself to stop reading at times. This novel was like a rollercoaster ride that doesn't end until the last page and even then leaves you suspended in the air waiting for more.

Rating: 4.0