Waiting on Wednesday!

Rampant
by Diana Peterfreund
Release Date: August 25th 2009

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns...

The sparkly, innocent creatures of lore are a myth. Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. And they can only be killed by virgin descendants of Alexander the Great.

Fortunately, unicorns have been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid Llewelyn has always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend in the woods — thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to prom — Astrid learns that unicorns are real and dangerous, and she has a family legacy to uphold. Her mother packs her off to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters, all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to — perhaps most dangerously of all — her growing attraction to a handsome art student... and a relationship that could jeopardize everything.

Sounds interesting right? Luckily we don't have to wait too long for this one!

The Perfect Bookcase!

I have a confession.
I have spent the last 6 months trying to find the perfect bookcase(s) to house all of my books, and haven't had an ounce of luck. Yet the books keep piling up on the floor, on my dresser, on my night stand, on my desk, and I don't even want to admit to how many books I have boxed up in my closet! *Looks down in shame*

I must admit. I am extremely picky. But not only that, I live in a small town, where Wal-Mart is our main shopping source, and I don't have access to quality bookcases, so I turn to the internet. From previous websites that I've visited, I had found a few bookcases worthy of my attention, but the high cost of shipping makes it hard to follow through with the purchase. I also have other issues when looking for bookcases, because I don't have a lot of space to work with. So I have very specific needs to consider.

I was extremely happy when I was contacted by CSN Office Furniture about the possibility of reviewing a bookcase of my choice. Now, like I said above, I am extremely picky, and I have limited space to work with, but was pleasantly surprised with the wide selection that they offer! With literally over 1,000 options to choose from, I found that I was easily making a long list of bookcases that would fit my very specific needs. And here's the best part... FREE SHIPPING!

I am extremely excited to share some of my favorite items with you...

For those of us with limited floor space available, hanging bookshelves can be heaven sent! I know in the immediate future I will be returning to CSN Office Furniture for a few of these! These also happen to be extremely affordable, and don't forget the best part... FREE SHIPPING! (I can't say that enough)



For those of us trying to make the most of the small amounts of floor space we do have left, there are many great options for bookcases that are tall and narrow. Taking up little space, while still holding a decent amount of books!



And for those of you who are blessed with an enormous amount of space... just look at this bad boy! *drools*

And they don't stop there. They also have everything you need for your home office, including eco-friendly office chairs! What more can you ask for?

And as for me? Which bookcase did I finally decide I would like to review? Well, I put an extreme amount of thought into this. I measured, I rearranged, and then decided that I am going to give up my last bit of floorspace in honor of my beloved books, and get something just a little bit bigger than I had originally planned on. You'll have to check back later for my review, in which I will also make sure to post pictures!

Review: Unwind

Unwind
by Neal Shusterman
Published: November 6th 2007
335 pages
I give it: (I had a great week in books!)

Description: In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

My Review: This book is disturbing and amazing at the same time! The idea that your parents can send you away to be "unwound" between the ages of 13-18 is beyond creepy. Once the unwind papers are signed, there is no turning back. Your fate is sealed. But if you can escape until you turn 18, you will then be considered an adult, and old enough to be in control of yourselves. However, it's still a crime to run from your unwind. You'll be kicking-AWOL, but many unwinds prefer the consequences to kicking-AWOL than actually being unwound.

The actual process of unwinding is a mystery throughout the book. What happens when you are unwound? What do feel? Are you actually still alive, or dead? The only thing the characters know for sure, is that when you are unwound, every part of your body is harvested, and sold to those who need/want them. Someone in need of a lung transplant can have one from an unwind, someone who loses a hand, can have an unwind's hand grafted on, and even if one simply want's to change something cosmetic about themselves, they could buy an unwind's eyes, or nose, ect. But I found that all the questions I had were answered by the end.

There are several things in this book that you've never heard of before. What exactly is an "unwind", what in the world is a "clapper" and what do they mean by "Storked"? But Neal Shusterman doesn't leave you in the dark for long!

Instead of chapters, this book consists of different POV's, which I though was a great way to keep the story moving at a fast pace, and I really felt that I could better grasp the personalities of each character, and all of their POV's came together very nicely in the end. I even found myself bawling my eyes out over a character that I hated through the entire book! And the story of Humphrey Dunfee had an "OMG" moment for me! I literally put the book down and shouted "WHAT?!" at one point in the book.

This book definitely questions the sanctity of life. It's neither pro-life nor pro-choice, it has somehow managed to be both, which makes it all the more disturbing. Neal Shusterman has a really twisted imagination, and I absolutely can not wait to read more from him! This is one of my new favorite books!

As for the big question in this book: would you rather die or be unwound? Pick up this book and decide for yourself!

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
By Carrie Ryan
Published: March 10, 2009
320 Pages
I give it:

Description: In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

My Review: READ THIS BOOK! There are certain books that I come across that I classify as "OMG books"... which are books that I find that I am not only glued to the pages, but I literally find myself shouting "OMG!" during certain parts of the book because I am so enthralled in the story!

First off, I am really into Zombie movies! So when I first read the plot of this book, I knew that I must get my hands on it immediately! This is the first Zombie book (or The Unconsecrated as they are referred to in this particular book) that I have read where I was truly terrified while reading it. Which isn't easy to do, I am the type of person who has been watching scary movies since I was 5, and about 99% of horror movies don't manage to strike fear in me, but this book definitely accomplished that! Sometimes in scary movies, a color, usually red, will show up at certain suspenseful moments to stimulate an adrenaline rush in it's viewers, and Carrie Ryan has managed to accomplish this adrenaline rush in her book. Every time she mentioned the color red, I could almost feel the same fear the characters were experiencing.

I found this book very heartbreaking. Not an ounce of happiness in this book, but what do you expect when you are in the middle of a zombie apocalypse? There aren't many happy endings in the world of zombies. And the ending was very bittersweet.

Carrie Ryan is one of my new favorite authors because of this book! Her writing is captivating, and I can not wait to read more from her! I absolutely can not wait for her next novel "The Dead-Tossed Waves" which sounds like a sequel, but with a different POV.

Also, I must say that this book NEEDS to be a movie. ASAP.

Waiting on Wednesday!

I just finished "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" (review coming later today)... which has brought this book to my attention. This book is soaring to the top of my wishlist, and 2010 is way too far away!

The Dead-Tossed Waves
By Carrie Ryan
Release Date: March 9th 2010

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

In My Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox was inspired by The Story Siren

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman

Description: Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place-he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their timely ghostly teachings-like the ability to Fade.

Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are things like ghouls that aren't really one thing or the other.

This chilling tale is Neil Gaiman's first full-length novel for middle-grade readers since the internationally bestselling and universally acclaimed Coraline. Like Coraline, this book is sure to enchant and surprise young readers as well as Neil Gaiman's legion of adult fans.

My last purchase for a while, since my to-read pile is starting to overflow. Let's see if I can manage to not buy any books for the next 2-3 months. I seriously have an addiction, so I don't know if this is possible.


A Circle of Souls
by Preetham Grandhi

Description: The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identy. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

My first review copy! So exciting! I usually only read Young Adult books, but I thought that this book sounded like it's right up my alley, and I can't wait to read it!

• I also received some really nice promotional goodies from Jessica Verday for her upcoming novel "The Hollow" which you can get HERE (if you haven't already)

Review: Sea Change

Sea Change
by: Aimee Friedman
Published: June 1st 2009
292 pages
I give it:

Description: 16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.

Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

My Review: This is another one of those books that drew me in instantly even before I read the description. The cover is gorgeous, and I will never deny that sometimes I will pick up a book for the simple reason that I love the cover! (Hey, I've discovered some great books that way!)

Not only does this book have forbidden romance, but the boy that Miranda falls for is very mysterious and full of secrets. Even though it's pretty easy to figure out, I still found that I simply could not put this one down until Miranda finally finds out the truth.

I found Miranda to be a very easy character to relate to. Not only is she discovering the secrets about her new found love, but she is also discovering secrets about herself, learning how to forget about a painful past, and learning how to forgive.

I loved this book, and I read it in one day! I couldn't put it down! The only thing that kept it from getting 5 stars, was the fact that I felt there were some questions that were left unanswered, but perhaps Friedman left the story open for a sequel? I sure hope so!

Waiting on Wednesday!

Upcoming books that I am looking forward to...

Sleepless
by: Thomas Fahy
Release Date: August 11th 2009

Emma Montgomery has been experiencing nightmares of gruesome murders. In fact, all of the students in Dr. Beecher's secret society have been having terrible dreams and sleepwalking. Now, as their classmates start turning up dead, Emma and her friends race against the clock to find out what's causing them to kill in their sleep.

The cover for this book is hauntingly beautiful!

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The Hollow
by: Jessica Verday
Release Date: September 1st 2009

When Abbey’s best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead…and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey has never felt so desperately alone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen’s funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey’s life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he’s the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen’s betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

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Sea
by: Heidi R. Kling
Release Date: June 10, 2010 (very long wait)

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.

Book vs. Movie: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Happy Harry Potter Day!
Or at least, that is what I refer to this day!

SPOILER ALERT!
Don't read this post if you haven't seen the movie yet!

It's been a very long wait for all of us potter fanatics! I think it was about this time last year when they had announced that they were not going to be releasing the movie in November 2008. Making it an entire year after seeing the first teaser trailer before we could actually see the movie! (Wasn't that so frustrating?!)

I was lucky enough, that even though I live in an extremely tiny town, my local theatre had a midnight premier of the movie!!! For a couple of the other movies we didn't even get it opening week! But it seems that my local theatre is getting better at getting their hands on hot new releases!

We did have some thunderstorms last night, and the electricity went out during the movie, and when it came back on we didn't have sound for 3 minutes... so I missed the dialogue during the entire hospital scene with Ron :( But that just means I am going to have to go see it again very soon!

My thoughts on the Movie: Overall, I LOVED the movie, but it's my least favorite movie so far... I really need to learn NOT to re-read the books right before I see the movie because then I notice every little thing that is different. But in this case, there were a few HUGE things that were different, and it disappointed me to a certain extent.

I loved the very beginning, when it shows the death eaters causing mayhem in the muggle world. But what was the deal with Harry hitting on the muggle waitress in the train station? That was completely pointless in my opinion.

I loved, loved, loved that they showed Fred and George's joke shop! I can't get enough of the twins, and I was a little bit afraid that they would be cut from this movie, since they aren't in the book that much.

It didn't bother me that instead of Tonks finding Harry on the train, that they had Luna find him instead. I love Luna, and I loved that they made sure to include her quite a bit. Even if they were really small scenes of her in a lion hat, and Harry taking her to the party!

Ron was brilliant. Draco was brilliant. Harry was brilliant. Hermione was brilliant. Even Lavender Brown was brilliant! The acting for pretty much everyone gets an A+... all of the different emotions were portrayed brilliantly. And I must say... I am kind of crushing on Tom Felton now. yikes! He was amazing!

One issue I had was the scene over Christmas break at the Burrow. WHY DID IT BURN DOWN? What does this mean for certain parts of the next movie? I don't know! It doesn't actually bother me that the death eaters showed up during Christmas break, when they didn't in the book... it's just the fact that the house burned down. It did provide more action and darkness, which was needed in the movie, but it just seems like that part might cause some issues for the next movie... but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Another issue I had was that they didn't emphasize enough on the mystery behind the Half Blood prince. It was very vague actually. I took someone to the movie with me, who has never read the books, and has only ever seen the movies, and I felt that I had to explain some parts to them during the movie so that they would understand it more, where as with the other movies I didn't have to explain anything at all.

I loved the cave scene, and then when Draco came face to face with Dumbledore! OMG! I cried a little, I thought it was beautiful how everyone lifted their wands in his memory. So touching! I think it would have been even more effective if they would have ended the movie with the funeral though.

Overall, Half Blood Prince is a very detailed book, so I can see why so many things were left out, and why certain things were changed to help the movie flow better. It was well worth the wait, and I can't wait to see it again! (and again, and again)

I am so glad that Deathly Hallows will be split into two movies! So much happens in that book, and I think it's very wise to make it into two movies!

In My Mailbox #2

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren

I splurged on a few book series that I absolutely can not wait to read!

First up, I bought the "House of Night" series by PC Cast and Kristin Cast. I am extremely excited that this series takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I had lived for several years. Oddly enough, I feel like I am going to have a little bit of an advantage by knowing the setting first hand. YAY!



Then I also splurged on the "Uglies" Series by Scott Westerfeld



And I wonder why I am always broke...
WILL WORK FOR BOOKS! :)

Review: A Certain Slant of Light

A Certain Slant of Light
By Laura Whitcomb
Published: September 21st, 2005
282 Pages
I give it:

Description: In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: for the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen, terrified but intrigued, is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

My Review: I originally picked this book up in April, and didn't have any real expectations for it. The only thing I knew about this book prior to reading it, was from the front and back cover... and yes, I am guilty of picking up books simply because I love the cover. (Don't we all sometimes?)

This book grabbed my attention instantly, and took me for a ride! I had originally planned on only reading the first few chapters one night, as I had to wake up early the next morning, but I found the book so captivating that I read the entire book in one sitting.

Whitcomb has absolutely taken forbidden love to whole new levels in this haunting yet beautifully written and completely original novel. While reading this book I felt as though I could feel the pain and could empathize with the characters. I felt that this book could have easily been much longer, and wish it would have been!

I think this book could easily be a "Love It or Hate It" book, but I truly love it, and I can not wait to read this one again! I recommend everyone to pick it up, and decide for yourself! However, there are some mildly graphic sexual scenes, and even though this book can be found in the Young Adult section, I would only recommend it for older teens and adults.

I wish I could say more about this book, but I don't want to spoil even a single moment for those who have not yet read it. Be sure to pick this one up!

Waiting on Wednesday!

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe
Release Date: September 15th 2009

"Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees. As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance..."

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: August 1st 2009

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

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Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Release Date: October 13th, 2009

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

In My Mailbox #1

Just bought these, and I can not wait to read them! I'll review each of them here on my blog as soon as I'm finished :)

Introduction

Welcome to OMG BOOKS!
This is my new book review blog, so please excuse the mess until I have a chance to settle in.

My name is Kelli, I live in the middle of Nowhere Iowa, and I am completely obsessed with books! I read anywhere from 1-3 books per week, and have decided to take my love for books to a new level!

Where the name came from: I don't know about you, but once in awhile, I come across a book that literally makes me say outloud: "OMG!" ... These books are so good that I can't get them out of my head, I daydream about the characters, laugh and cry with the characters, and yes, you can even use the term "fangirl" to describe me in some cases.