In My Mailbox #7

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren!

It's about time I get "The Hunger Games"
I've heard nothing but great things about this book, and I am really excited to finally read it!!!

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

pssst.. Don't forget about my "Candor" and $15 Gift Card giveaway!!!

Contest Alerts!!!

First off, a huge anouncment! Taschima over at Bloody Bookaholic is having an AMAZING contest! She has 20 books up for grabs, and there will be 3 lucky winners!!!

The books are:

- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies
- Hardback Another Faust
- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters
- ARC Eyes Like Stars + Backstage Pass Bracelet and some Theater-Theme Swag.
- ARC The Dark Divine
- ARC Hush Hush
- ARC Give Up The Ghost
- ARC Ash
- ARC Behind Every Illusion
- ARC Shiver
- ARC The Demon's Lexicon
- ARC Betraying Season
- ARC Any Given Doomsday
- Dead Until Dark
- Gossip Girl 1st Book
- The Black Tatto + poster
- Vampire Academy
- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

Winner number One gets to pick 7 books out of the bunch.
Winner number Two gets 3 books out of the bunch.
Winner number Three gets 1 book out of the bunch.

Be sure to tell her that Kelli (OMG! Books!) Sent you! And we'll both get extra entries :)

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Other contests that I have added to the sidebar:

• Win "Hush, Hush" (Ends Aug. 28th)

• Win Dreaming Anastasia (Ends Aug. 31st)

• Win "Hush, Hush" (Ends Sept. 5th)

• Win 1 of 3 Upcoming Releases (Ends Sept. 10th)

• Win "Catching Fire" (Ends Sept. 5th)

• Win "Shiver", "The Hollow", and "Rage: A Love Story" (Ends Aug. 31st)

Some of the contests in my sidebar are ending soon, so hurry over and enter!

Plus, Don't forget about my giveaway of "Candor" and a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

Review: "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies
by Scott Westerfeld
Published: February 8th 2005
425 pages
I give it:

Description: Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that? Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book! But be warned, if you are reading this book, you must have the sequel, "Pretties", close at hand, because the ending will have you wanting more instantly! With series like this, I am always glad that I don't get into them until most or all of the books have been published, because if I end up loving them, like I did this one, it's simply torture to have to wait months or more for the next book! Especially when they end with a cliffhanger! (*Shakes fist* darn you Westerfeld!) But I guess I am the same way with tv shows. I'd rather wait till they come out on DVD so that I can sit down and have a marathon. I just know I'll be rushing to finish this series now!!! I can't wait to read more about Tally, David and the rest of the gang!

"Uglies" is one of those books that you just know is truly meant to be made into a movie. You can just imagine how amazing it will be visually as you are reading. It's a good thing that there is currently talk of an "Uglies" movie!!! YAY! But... it'll be awhile before we get to see it. And as I just mentioned, the wait is torture!!!

If you were being forced to turn supermodel gorgeous, aka "Pretty" on your 16th birthday, and your only responsibility was to be pretty and party... would you see this as a bad thing? Or would it be something you would look forward to? At first it seems obvious that this is something amazing. It's something you simply cannot wait for... but there are a few "Uglies" who would rather just be themselves, and some of them seem to fear the changes involved in becoming "pretty" so they runaway to a place called "The Smoke" where they try to live their lives as normally as possible. I actually found myself going back and forth on this one. If the pretties are truly happy with the change, then is there really any harm in that? But then again, being an unique individual is something that should be cherished. Right? There was almost something a little bit "Stepford Wives" about the pretties, but then again, they are pretty much living the dream. Maybe I will be able to make up my mind a little better once I finish the next book!

Waiting on Wednesday

Beautiful Creatures
by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Release Date: December 1st 2009

There were no surprises in Gatlin County
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

I've seen that several other bloggers have this, and I'm jealous!!!

Contest: Candor and a $15 Amazon Gift card!!!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!
Thanks to everyone who entered! I will pick a winner in the next couple of days!


As promised, I am having my first contest! I told myself I would have a contest once I reached 50 followers! Didn't expect to reach 50 this soon, but I want to extend a huge thank you to all of my original followers!

Candor
by Pam Bachorz
Release Date: September 22nd 2009

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

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There will be 1 (one) winner, who will win "Candor" AND a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

"Candor" will be released on September 22nd. I've pre-ordered two copies, one for myself, and one for the contest. The winner will receive a brand new hardcover of "Candor"... which will be mailed sometime after the 22nd. (I'll mail it, as soon as I get it!)

ALSO, The Amazon Gift Card will be EMAILED to the winner as soon as the winner is announced... so you'll be able to use it instantly!!!

Contest is open to everyone, and will end on September 16th.
It's simple to enter! You must comment with your first name AND email address.

Ways to earn extra entries
+5 For being a Follower (old and new)
+1 Follow me on Twitter (I promise I'll tweet more soon!)
+2 Link to this contest (The sidebar on your blog will work)
+3 Post a blog entry about this contest (Please provide link)
+1 Tell me who referred you to this contest (Your referrer will also receive +1)
+1 Tell me what book you think you might buy next (If you win, you could use the gift card!)

In My Mailbox #6

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at the Story Siren!

Airhead
by Meg Cabot

Emerson Watts, 16 and female, loves playing video games, hanging out with her best friend, Christopher, and has made peace with her less-than-supermodel-esque looks. But when she's involved in a mysterious accident, she wakes up to find she's now in the body of...a supermodel. Who was behind this switch? What was the motive? And how can she get Christopher to realize she's still the same person inside?

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Dead Is So Last Year
by Marlene Perez
(book #3)

Something very strange starts happening in Nightshade the summer that the eldest Giordano sister, Rose, gets a job working at Dr. Franken's research laboratory. People are starting to see double. Doppelgängers of Nightshade residents are popping up all over town. Daisy, Rose and Poppy think it's a coincidence, until the rumors start that their father, who disappeared several years ago, has been spotted in town. Meanwhile, Daisy's beau, Ryan is spending all of his time training for football, and like the other guys on the team, he's grown enormous almost overnight. Samantha Devereux's boyfriend's neck has doubled in size since school ended. Could the football players be resorting to extreme measures to win? Between summer jobs, sugar rushes, and beach parties, the Giordano girls get to the bottom of these mysteries and more.

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The Family Bones
by Kimberly Raiser

Simply put, the book is about a family, The Weavers, who inherit a house in a part of Pennsylvania that appears on a map but barely any information on the internet. They have a more than just peculiar connection with this house, one that they can't even begin to fathom. The house is filled with generation-old secrets, startling and uncanny mysteries related to the family's past, a well in the backyard filled with strangled, skeletal cats. And that's just the beginning. Other more mutant-like secrets eventually unfold as The Weavers learn that a far more terrible thing await them if they continue to stay in their new abode.

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What did you get?

I know, I lacked in posts this week. I actually went out and got a part-time job. I have to be able to afford my book habit after all!!! Once I am all trained, I'll probably only be working 1-2 days a week, so things will go back to normal soon :)

I'll have my "Uglies" review up really soon!

And keep an eye out for my contest! I'll be putting up the details next week :)

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Breaking the Spine

Candor
by Pam Bachorz
Release Date: September 22nd 2009

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town
where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way
to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them
all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved
teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages
to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to
get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape
Candor, Florida before they're transformed into
cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor,
and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

I'm surprised that I haven't used this in a waiting on Wednesday yet! I am dying to read this book!!!!

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The Body Finder
by Kimberly Derting
Release Date: March 16th 2010

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world ... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Sounds really interesting!

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Will Grayson, Will Grayson
by John Green, David Levithan
Release Date: April 6th 2010

Two superstar authors join forces on a collaborative novel of awesome proportions One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

<3>

Contests, Robots, and Random Ramblings

Part 1: Blogger Hates Me

Did you know that I'm a robot? I didn't! lol. I had some problems with blogger earlier today. I received the scary "We're sorry... ... but your computer or network may be sending automated queries. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now" message today, and was unable to view any one's blog, and couldn't even access my own blog! I know someone else has had this problem before, because I remember seeing someone else blog about it... but I am not really sure what the deal is with that. Is it because I visit countless numbers of blogs everyday? And comment on about 20 different blogs a day? Or maybe because I visit nearly 100 blogs on IMM Sundays! Because before google blocked me from blogger, I did notice that I was having to enter captcha letters everywhere I turned, but I figured that should prove that I'm not a robot... I'm just addicted to blogger! Anyway, I cleared out my cookies and browsing history, and was instantly let back onto blogger. I guess if it happens again I'll have to do some further investigating.

Part 2: Contests!

First off, if you look to the right, I have a list of contests that are currently going on around in the Young Adult blogosphere. I keep them updated, and list them in the order that they end. I'll try to update about once a week when/if I add more to the list. But since all of them are newly listed this time around, I am going to be a little lazy and just point you in the right direction, rather than go into any details on what I've added. There are a lot of wonderful contests going on! Be sure to check them all out.

As for my contest, I am going to have one really soon! I told myself when starting this blog, that I would hold my first contest when I reached 50 followers. For some reason I thought that I would not reach that many followers until this winter, and had a December book in mind to giveaway, but shockingly enough, I am already at 49 followers! WOW! You guys are amazing. Thank you so much! I am not really sure what my first contest will be, but I am keeping my eyes out for something newly released, or soon to be released that I can give away! I have a few ideas in mind.

Part 3: Random Ramblings

I just want to thank everyone for being so welcoming! I've only been blogging for about 6 weeks... I'm still a newbie! But I've had a warm response, and lots of lovely comments over the weeks! I didn't expect to have anyone viewing my blog, or even commenting so early in the game. I figured it would take months to have anyone respond to me! I certainly didn't expect that anyone would want to send me books for review this early in my blogging "career", but I've been lucky, and a few kind authors have contacted me already. I must be doing something right! I'm glad that they have liked my blog well enough to give me a chance :) Heck, I know I am not even going to ask for review copies for months and months, if I even do! (I'm too shy to ask for anything) But a huge majority of the books that I review are books that I've purchased for myself, or have borrowed from the library or a friend, and it will probably always be like that. Even though there are a few books that haven't been released yet that I am simply dying to get my hands on! (Which can be found in my Waiting on Wednesday posts) It's a hobby for me, and I figured if I was going to read 50-100 books a year, I might as well do something to take my obsession with books to the next level! Hence the blog. Plus, I've been wanting to start a blog for awhile...

Thanks again for all of your comments! I think that I will be sticking to this blog for a very long time... and I try to comment on your blogs as much as I can! However, sometimes I read your blog, then forget to comment... but I'm getting better at it!!!

Review: Suite Scarlett

Suite Scarlett
by Maureen Johnson
Published: May 1st 2008 by Point
336 pages
I give it:

Description: Scarlett is the third of four children in the Martin family. The Martins live in and manage a shabby hotel in NYC that dates back to the 1920s. When Scarlett turns 15, she is put in charge of one of the hotel's 27 rooms- the Empire Suite. Into this room moves Mrs. Amberson, a failed 1970s starlet who has returned to New York to write her memoirs. Soon, Scarlett is taking dictation, running around town with Mrs. Amberson, and getting caught up in her Auntie Mame-meets-Bianca Jagger adventures.

In the midst of all this, Scarlett falls in love - or so she thinks - and it takes Mrs. Amberson to help her see the light.


What I thought: Loved Loved LOVED it!!! I simply adore Maureen Johnson, and I've vowed to read anything she publishes. Suite Scarlett did not disappoint! I found it easy to relate to the protagonist, Scarlett Martin, and the supporting characters are well developed. I love the entire Martin clan, and I even kind of liked Marlene in all of her spoiled glory! Scarlett's older brother, Spencer, was definitely my favorite character, and I found myself giggling throughout the entire book. There was never a dull moment!

I thought the story was very clever, and I loved how it all came together in the end. And with all of Maureen's books that I have read, I find that it is easy to lose myself in the setting she describes. I sometimes felt like I was really in NYC! (Even though I've never been there).

I wish Mrs. Amberson would drop into my life and turn it upside down like she did for the Martins. At first I thought I was going to hate her, but I loved her as well! I mentioned that I found Scarlett relatable, and by the end I couldn't help but be jealous of her!

For some reason, while reading this book, I could vividly picture Wendie Malick as Mrs. Amberson... and I don't normally connect actors with characters in books. I normally develop my own image of characters based on how they are described.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more about the Martin clan! I can't wait for the sequel, "Scarlett Fever" which is due out in early 2010.

If you haven't already, you should check out Maureen Johnson's blog, and follow her on Twitter!

In My Mailbox #5

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren

Evermore (The Immortals, #1)
by Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school— but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste. Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking— and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is— or what he is. Damen is equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.




Blue Moon (The Immortals, #2)
by Alyson Noel

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning. In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...


I know I have mentioned before that I live in a really small town, with no bookstore. I usually buy most of my books online, since the nearest bookstore is nearly two hours away! We do have a small Wal-Mart store in my town, but the book section is somewhat scarce. If I had to put percentages on the types of books at my small town wal-mart, I'd say the book section consisted 75% of trashy romances, 15% non-fiction, 5% childrens and 5% Young Adult (those are just random statistics, but you get the general idea). And usually the Young Adult selection consists of books that I already have. So once in a great while, they'll get something new in! This week I was lucky enough to spot "Evermore" and "Blue Moon" on the shelves and I threw them in my shopping cart without even a second thought! I am supposed to be "saving money", but, I just can't help myself!

A contest that is MADE OF AWESOME!

If you haven't already heard the exciting news, Princess Bookie is having a fantastical contest! Whoever wins will be one lucky little snot! (and I say that in the most loving way possible).

I am going to give you all the details, but first I want to point out that, when you enter, if you tell her Kelli Christine from OMG! Books sent you, you'll earn an extra entry in the contest! (And so will I, so spread the love :P)

You will not win 1 book... oh no... you'll win 16! (Most of which are ARCs and haven't even been released yet), and one of those books she will order for you, ANY book you want as long as it is under $15... and you will also win a wal-mart giftcard!

I've cleverly stolen the official list from her blog, just incase you need further convincing at just how amazing this contest is... I would probably sell my soul for a majority of these books.

Here's what she had to say...

"The Winner Will Get All These Books.

1. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ARC
2. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen ARC
3. Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters ARC
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater ARC
5. Troy High by Shana Norris ARC
6. Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott ARC
7. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn ARC
8. Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
9. Death by Series by Linda Gerber (3 books total)
10. a 5 dollar giftcard from Walmart (you can buy yourself half of a book with it, lol)
11. 3 Sarah Dessen books ( Just Listen, This Lullaby, Someone Like You)
12. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
13. Fire By Kristin Cashmore ARC
14. Last but not least, I have some extra amazon cards, so I will also include a preorder for CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS. It will be shipped to on or around Sept 1st (whenever they ship it)
AND a book of your choice (under $15.00 please and it can be a preorder as long as it comes out in September-so many good books get released)"

seriously, it can't get any better than that... OH WAIT... It does get better than that!
If she get's 150 followers (and she is soooo close already)... she will give a second winner their choice of 2 books... check it out here... she may even add more books to the mix if she gets more followers than that (and I think she will)

Do you think you're dreaming? Here, let me pinch you.... *pinches*... see, you're not dreaming, now get on over there!

Oh, and just for fun, if you do tell her that I sent you, leave a comment on this post, so that I can make a mental note that I owe you a virtual hug one of these days. :)

Waiting on Wednesday!

Scarlett Fever
by Maureen Johnson
Release Date: January 2010

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.

In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever...

Maureen Johnson is one of those authors, that I swear I will read anything she writes. I even follow her closely on twitter, and she makes me laugh everyday! If you don't already follow her on twitter, you should probably do so, right NOW! @MaureenJohnson

Issues with Blogger

Has anyone else been having issues with blogger?
I received an email today, from Alyssa, who informed me that she has been trying to follow my blog, but it hasn't been connecting for her. Has anyone else been having this issue? (btw- Thanks Alyssa for letting me know!)

Also, when I logged into my dashboard, it showed that I am "Not currently following any other blogs" which had me panicked for a moment, because I follow many many wonderful book blogs, that I often read, and I'm sure many of them I wouldn't be able to find again! However, the blogs that I follow are still showing up on my Blog Roll, so hopefully the problem with the dashboard will resolve itself soon! I went to visit a few of the blogs I follow via my Blog Roll, and it's still showing up on their end that I am following them, so hopefully it's a temporary problem.

I'll definitely have a "Waiting on Wednesday" for tomorrow, and I may even have a review for tomorrow as well. I am almost finished with Suite Scarlett.

And since this is a "Random Ramble" type post... I'd like to go ahead and say that I have successfully transformed my friend Erin into a book addict, like myself! She's always on the hunt for book recommendations, so if you have any for her, feel free to leave them in the comments! She's always been a fan of Harry Potter, and she loves Twilight. She loved John Green's books, and she recently read "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld and loved it! I am not really sure what other books she has enjoyed, but hopefully she can get a few recommendations (and possibly I could as well!)

In My Mailbox #4

I won this from Bean Bag Books! Thank You!

Suite Scarlett
by Maureen Johnson

Description: Scarlett is the third of four children in the Martin family. The Martins live in and manage a shabby hotel in NYC that dates back to the 1920s. When Scarlett turns 15, she is put in charge of one of the hotel's 27 rooms- the Empire Suite. Into this room moves Mrs. Amberson, a failed 1970s starlet who has returned to New York to write her memoirs. Soon, Scarlett is taking dictation, running around town with Mrs. Amberson, and getting caught up in her Auntie Mame-meets-Bianca Jagger adventures.

In the midst of all this, Scarlett falls in love - or so she thinks - and it takes Mrs. Amberson to help her see the light.


For Review:

The Cave
by Steve McGill

Description: When World War I began, Arthur Pratt did what many other Americans did, joining a foreign army to fight while the United States was still trying to avoid entering the conflict. He was reportedly killed in action, though no body was ever recovered, and his surviving family had only letters and photos from the war to remember him by. Eighty years later, Arthur?s great-great-grandson Ian is fascinated by the war he?s learned about from his family scrapbooks. He wants to be adventurous and brave just like Arthur, which for Ian means testing his mettle against the spooky Butterfield Ranch and a mysterious nearby cave. When weird things begin happening around him, Ian realizes he?s being called upon to solve a mystery?but doing so will require venturing into the cave. What he discovers there is more magical?and more dangerous?than he ever imagined, leading the boy to a revelation that will change his life forever. The Cave is a haunting, touching novel, sure to enchant young-adult readers.

•-• In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren

Review: Dead Is a State of Mind

Dead Is a State of Mind
by Marlene Perez
Published: January 1st 2009
175 Pages
I give it:

Description: A creepy, campy new mystery series

Welcome to Nightshade, California—a small town full of secrets. It's home to the psychic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom- shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case!

There's a gorgeous new guy at Nightshade High: Duke Sherrad, a fortune-teller claiming to have descended from Gypsies. Even though she's psychic herself, Daisy is skeptical of Duke's powers. But when a teacher who was the subject of one of his predictions ends up dead, she begins to wonder if Duke is the real deal after all. Maybe if Daisy can track down the teacher's killer, she can find out the truth. The only trouble is, all signs point to the murderer being of the furry persuasion. Is Daisy any match for a werewolf? Maybe she is . . . in more ways than she bargained for!

My Thoughts: I am thinking about changing my rating system, because I think the fact that I gave this book 3 stars could be a little deceiving, and perhaps seem like I didn't really like the book, when in fact that simply isn't true! It's just hard to honestly rate books like this.

I actually do like this series. I quite enjoy it actually. "Dead Is a State of Mind" is a pretty good sequel to "Dead Is the New Black". It's a quick, easy read that can be easily finished in one sitting. I find that I mostly read books for the simple fact that I want to be entertained, and this book definitely accomplished that. Although I can't exactly justify a four or five star rating, on the simple fact that the twists aren't twisted enough, and it's pretty simple to figure out the Who, What and Weres (did you see what I did there? Weres, as in, short for werewolves! hah! Yeah, don't judge me). But, it's still fun to read about Daisy and her gang, even if you find yourself wanting to shout "He's obviously the bad guy!" at her through the entire book.

If you are a younger teen, or even pre-teen, I would definitely recommend this book to you. Even though the book's main characters are mostly 16/17 years old, I do believe this book is best targeted at a younger audience. I also recommend it to those who are simply looking for something quick, cute and entertaining to read.

Review: The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Published: October 1st 2008
312 pages
I give it:

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 Thoughts: I have heard many many wonderful things about this book. Everywhere I turned people praised this book, and so I quickly pushed it to the top of my reading list. I sat down yesterday and read the first 100 pages of "The Graveyard Book" thinking to myself that my expectations for this book were set way too high. It was kind of interesting, yes, but I wasn't really into it. I was ashamed of myself, how was I going to post on my blog that I didn't really like a Neil Gaiman book?! I could see friendships breaking up, people un-following my blog, and I would be a disgrace in the YA blogosphere!

Then there was today, when I picked up the book again, and decided to read "a little bit more".... BAM! I'm hooked! I don't know why it took me so long to get lost in the story, perhaps I can blame the flu for clouding my judgment at first, (even though my flu has been reduced to the common cold)... I'm not really sure what my initial problem was, but I quickly fell in love with the book and it's many characters!

In short, the book is about a boy who loses his biological family to a brutal murder when he was only a baby. He wanders into a nearby graveyard before the killer can find him, and is protected by the permanent inhabitants of the graveyard, and is "adopted" and raised as one of their own... literally. They name him Nobody Owens, Bod for short. He is not allowed to leave the graveyard gates, as he can not be protected among the living. Although the boy yearns to leave the graveyard, and makes a few stupid, but understandable, mistakes along the way. He knows everything there is to know about the dead, and well, the undead, but he really doesn't know anything about living...

Once I got into the book, I REALLY got into it. I absolutely loved it! However, there were a few things that I found a little frustrating towards the end. I wish the villains could have been better explained... their connection to Bod was a little unclear. A little more explanation would have made this a 5 star book for me. A few other things too, that I cannot further explain, considering that it will probably give too much away!

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book! If you are like me, high expectations can sometimes ruin a good thing. So forget everything you heard about this book, and go in it with only your own thoughts. Perhaps I learned to love the book, only after first disliking it! I had low expectations on the second day I picked it up, and so I was able to discover how truly wonderful this book is! Does that even make sense?

I would like to see Tim Burton get his hands on this one too!

Waiting on Wednesday!

Fallen
by Lauren Kate
Release Date: December 8th, 2009

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

Sounds very interesting! Can't wait for this one!

Review: A Circle of Souls

A Circle of Souls
by Preetham Grandhi
Published: June 15th 2009
352 pages
I give it:

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 Thoughts: Even though I had the flu, and didn't really feel like, well, doing anything at all, I really enjoyed this book, and simply couldn't put it down! Well, I could, but only after the thermaflu PM caused me to pass out... let's just say, I would have finished this one much much quicker if I hadn't been sick. But enough about me being a big sick baby... onto the good stuff!

This book was a very pleasant surprise for me! I don't normally trail away from my beloved YA novels, which is probably why I hadn't heard of this book before being asked to review it. But I am known to occasionally pick up adult novels, if it sounds interesting enough, and this one certainly did, so I couldn't pass up reading it!

I love Preetham Grandhi's style of writing. Even though it's a murder mystery novel with a paranormal twist, that is mainly from 4 points of views: The killer, The FBI agent, a 7 year old with vivid dreams, and the psychiatrist that is treating her, the story was surprisingly clean, without unnecessary amounts of gore to get the point across. I can't even recall a single "choice" word being actually used, except for the author implying that one had been used. Which means, if you normally get a little queasy at the thought of a book like this, please don't hesitate with this one. I promise you won't regret it! Also, this book had a really easy flow to it, and is definitely a page turner!

I am usually pretty good at guessing who the killer is, but in this book, I failed. This book also contained a twist that I never saw coming! But it contributed nicely to the plot! I also enjoyed the culture that this book contains.

I really enjoyed this novel, and I am really thankful that I stepped out of my comfort zone to read "A Circle of Souls!"

Just an Update

I've been sick all week, so I haven't read as much as I would like to, I've mainly been sleeping it off. The Flu, during the Summer? It's simply ridiculous!

Normally I read at least 100 pages a day, but I've only been able to manage about 25-50 pages at a time, before passing out. I like to sleep a lot when I am sick, because it's the only way I can escape feeling uncomfortable.

The book I am currently reading "A Circle of Souls" is really good! I am almost finished! I'll be posting a review soon... probably in the next couple of days! And hopefully I'll be back to reading at least 100 pages a day very soon!

I also plan on reviewing a few books that I have read before starting this blog. Several books that I've read this year still stick in my mind.

I am thinking about having a contest soon. More on that later.

"Shiver" came out today, and I had originally planned on going to buy it this afternoon, but was too sick to leave the house. My nearest bookstore is almost 2 hours away, so I wasn't feeling to up to the trip. (Did I mention that I live in the middle of nowhere?) So, I won't have an "In My Mailbox" post this week, but I am expecting a few review copies to arrive soon! Hopefully next week!

Sorry if this post is complete nonsense. I probably shouldn't be allowed near my blog when I am on cold meds... but it felt wrong not to update!