Ad

Friday, September 30, 2011

Booking Through Thursday #17

Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme where we discuss a bookish question.
This Weeks Question:
1. What do you think about reading aloud/being read to? Does it bring back memories of your childhood? Your children's childhood?
2. Does this affect the way you feel about audio books?
3. Do you now have times when you read aloud or are read to?

1. I cannot be read to by a person. I will definitely fall asleep to them reading, and i often find it difficult to read out loud, because i read much slower that way and i often stumble over words or get tongue tied.
2. This doesn't affect the way i feel about audio books, though. I thought that it would, but then when i finally tried audio books i realized that i loved them, and for some reason i can be read to that way without falling asleep.
3. I dont have times when im read to, other than audio books, and i dont read to others, but sometimes i read out loud to myself when im really tired, but want to read, because then it makes me focus and not fall asleep.

To see what other people said and to post your link go here

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BBReview: "Tempest Rising" By Nicole Peeler

From Goodreads.com
Genre: Young Adult -Paranormal/Fantasy
Publishing Date: October 27th, 2009
Page Count: 359
Source: Borrowed from my local library
Format: Paperback

Description from Goodreads.com:
Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.
Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.
It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp.
If you love Sookie Stackhouse, then you'll want to dive into Nicole Peeler's enchanting debut novel.

Review:
Looking at that cover alone i wanted to read this novel. I honestly didn't even know it was an adult novel until while reading it i read a few steamy details. Nicole Peeler's novel is very unique and very intriguing. I was hooked from the beginning wanting to know what was going to happen. I thought the entire time that she was a mermaid, but these type's of paranormals are very different. I love that even though this is technically an adult novel that it is very easy to read and get into for someone who loves young adult novels, i always appreciate that when i actually do read something that is adult.

I also really loved the characters in this novel. I think Jane is amazing and the things she gets herself into are pretty funny at times. I love, love, LOVE Ryu. As soon as he walked into Jane's store i knew i was going to like his character and he just proved me right through the entire story. I really like how Nicole Peeler decided to set up the story. I think the way Jane figures out about her heritage was very interesting and definitely a breathe of fresh air from the normal way of how paranormals find out.

This novel makes you feel sympathy, lust, and makes you scared and/or nervous at times. I love that this book actually got to me, emotion wise, and that i loved it so much. I heard it was a great book, but i honestly had no idea. As far as the description comparing it to the Sookie Stackhouse novels, i've never read them so im not exactly a reliable source, but from what i've heard this novel is much more tame than those novels. I do watch true blood so thats my only other source besides the one person i know who has read them to clue me in that these novel might be more tame, but who knows what the future novels have in store.

Overall:
I loved this book. It had a very new idea to other types of paranormals as well as many different situations that they can get themselves into. I loved all the characters, but my favorite it definitely Ryu. Tempest Rising makes you feel emotions through out the novel, which is always a plus, and it is a very easy read. This novel will have you hooked from the beginning. I cannot wait to get my hands on book two. I recommend this to anyone into the paranormal and fantasy genre and anyone who likes things like true blood, the sookie stackhouse novels, and steamy-ness.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Question of the Moment 45

If two people that you've never seen before came and told you that you were a paranormal or supernatural being would you believe them?

I think that i would definitely be skeptical at first, but then once they kept reassuring me and proved to me that it was true then i would believe them in a heartbeat, because i think that would be totally awesome. Who wouldnt want to be a different creature? Who wants to be a boring old human?

So would you believe them or just dismiss it? Let me know in the comments below =]

Friday, September 23, 2011

Booking Through Thursday #16


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme where we discuss a bookish question.


This Weeks Question:
Do you carry books with you when youre out and about in the world?
And, do you ever try to hide the covers?

Sometimes i do, especially if im reading something thats on my kindle, but usually only if i know im going to have a lot of time to read. And, yea i do sometimes try to hide the covers, especially if its something that my friends would make fun of me for.

To see what other people said and to post your link go here

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BBReview: "The Lying Game" By Sara Shepard and Question of the Moment 44

From Goodreads.com
*Question of the Moment is at the bottom*

Genre: Young Adult -Mystery/Thriller
Publishing Date: December 7th, 2010
Page Count: 307
Source: Borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover

Description from Goodreads:
I had a life anyone would kill for.
Then someone did.
The worst part of being dead is that there's nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It's enough to kill a girl all over again. But I'm about to get something no one else does-an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister i never even got to meet.
Now Emma's desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me-to slip into my old life and piece it all together. but can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she's the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting new series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.
Let the lying game begin.

Review:
To be honest, i was a little disappointed in this novel. It didn't start to get really good until about three fourths of the way in, but after that i was hooked and want to read the next one. If you watch the TV show of this series on ABC Family it is completely different. In the show Sutten isn't dead, but in this book it starts off with her being dead. I don't really know if i can say i like one better than the other, because so far they don't have a lot in common.

I really like the plot line and i like how its a lot scarier than the show. In the show no one is dead yet, just a lot of mystery, but in the book its spooky and your scared, so its a lot more like Pretty Little Liars. I have a good feeling that the second book is going to be better since i have now confirmed it to myself that it is going to be nothing like the show and also i think that now that were past the initial background information and have realized what path the story is on now it will just take off and get a lot better. That last one fourth of the book that i said was really good did hook you and made up for the slowness in the beginning. I really like Emma's character, but not so much the real Sutten and also her friends aren't too likeable either. It seems its almost like a "were friends, but we really all hate each other and are trying to be more popular than the other". It's a very dark story so far, much darker than pretty little liars.

Overall:
The beginning of the book is really slow. It's interesting, but it doesn't hook you into the story until about three fourths in. If you watched the show then don't worry about getting bored due to repetition, because the book and the show are completely different story lines, i don't know how they got that TV show from this novel. I like that the book is more like Pretty Little Liars, because it is a much darker vibe than the show gives off. Emma's character i love, but Sutten and her friends i don't care for at all. The dead Sutten, however, i like a lot more than who they claim she was when she was alive. Even though i wasn't hooked till the end im excited to read the second novel, because i feel like it's going to be where the story really kicks off and starts to get good. I recommend this to anyone who is into the darker side of YA and to those who are big Pretty Little Liars fans.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5

----------------------------------------------

Question of the Moment 44

When a book is made into a TV show or a movie, do you like it better when they are closely related or when they are totally different?

If i watch the show or movie first i like when the book is closely related, because then its easier for me to follow the book better, but if i read the book first i like the show to have somethings be the same in the beginning, like the initial plot and characters, and then deviates off the path and creates its own story later on. I find when i read the book first that I'm yelling at the TV saying "that didn't happen!!" but then after awhile i usually like the path the show is taking, but if i read after watching I'm just confused the entire time.

So which do you like better? Closely related or different? Let me know in the comments below =]

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

BBReview: "Babe in Boyland" By Jody Gehrman and Question of the Moment 43

From Goodreads.com
*Question of the Moment is at the bottom*

Genre: Young Adult -Contempoary
Publishing Date: February 17th, 2011
Page Count: 292
Source: Borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover


Description from Goodreads:
When high school junior Natalie - or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper - is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected - especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Review:
I am kind of wishy washy on this novel, because there were somethings about this novel that i really loved or enjoyed and others that were just unrealistic and didn't make sense. I really liked the story as a whole and the only thing about the ending that i didn't like was that it ended, i wanted to know more about what was going to happen now. I also really, really loved the beginning and was very drawn in by it, because it was humorous and made you wonder how everything was going to turn out. As far as the characters i really liked them and liked that they weren't all cookie cutter characters and actually had some depth and some different sides to them, like normal human beings. I also really liked the idea of everything, but felt that the beginning of Natalie's plan was rushed. For example, she cut her hair before she even found out if she was going to be able to pull off the plan. I though that was nuts.

I think that some of the things that Natalie did were a little unrealistic, but made a good story and sometimes i found myself wanting to hit her upside the head and say "Why would you do that!". I think she should have just told Emilio who she really was. I don't think she should have done it in the beginning, because it made some really interesting things happen and i especially wouldn't want the swimming scene to be re-written haha, but i think she should have told him before the school play or at least after.

Overall:
I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the beginning middle and end, but found some of the events or details to be a little unrealistic or maybe just too crazy. I think they did make a good story, though, so i understand why Jody would write it that way. I loved that the characters each had different sides to them, like what Natalie was trying to prove through this crazy plan, and enjoyed reading the things they got themselves into. I recommend this to those who want a good laugh, but also a really good story.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 31/2 /5

------------------------------------------------------

Question of the Moment 43

Would you ever go undercover or pretend to be someone else to find something out?

Nope. I don't think i would or even could, because i would be too worried the entire time. I would end up giving up and quitting due to fear. I am a pessimist so i only think of the bad outcomes and that would be all that would run through my head.  I would be too worried about blowing my cover, what these people would think of me afterward, and random other things that would pop in my head and scare the crap out of me. i would have to tell at least one of the people in the group that i was undercover in what was going on, because i would need to have some kind of security blanket in case anything happened.

So could you be a "Babe in Boyland"? Let me know in the comments below =]

BBReview: "Oriana's Eyes: Book One of the Great Oak Trilogy" By Celeste Simone

From Goodreads.com
Genre: Young Adult -Fantasy/Dystopian
Publishing Date: February 24th, 2010
Page Count: 268
Source: Sent to me by the author
Format: Paperback


Description from Goodreads:
As a pure-blood Winglet, Oriana isn't supposed to look at a half-blood much less speak to one. Half-bloods are the lowest of all races at Odon's University, because they are half Winglet and half Finlet. But when a half-blood, Dorian, locks eyes with her in the hallway, Oriana can't help but be intrigued by his daring nature. After sneaking out to the garden in the middle of the night to talk to him, Oriana knows she can't let her feelings go. She fears not following Odon's rules, but the more she sees Dorian the more she wants to break them all. When Oriana's idea of perfection crumbles she seeks a way out of the imprisoning University that threatens not only her happiness, but her very life. Dorian promises he has a plan to take her far away, but Oriana doubts they can escape Odon's all-seeing eye. Oriana isn't sure what she fears more, being stuck in the University or finding out what lies beyond its walls.

Review:
As many of my avid followers know this isn't my typical genre to review, but it did sound very interesting so i decided to try it out. In the beginning of the book all i could think was "What did i get myself into", because i was very confused and didn't really understand what was happening in the book and since the author is such a nice person i felt guilty for not liking it, but thankfully it picked up. I think i was confused, because this novel isn't like most books. Since it's fantasy it's not your typical story where you can kind of assume where the story is taking you, its all brand new imagination, and it's not like most books where there is the first chapter explaining who the main character is and what their background is like, instead you just jump into the story which in the end i think worked really well.

After getting past the confusion and understanding what was going on the story picked up and picked up fast. i was very intrigued to find out the truth about Odon and find out where Oriana and Dorian's relationship was going to go. I love the Great Oak and i love, love, love the characters that Celeste created. I think they each had their own spunk and really brought something to the story instead of just being space fillers. I also really liked that i had emotion with this book. I found myself not just confused (but only in the beginning), but also scared, angry, sad, happy, and ecstatic. I also found myself full of adrenaline whenever they were in the caves, yelling at the book when Oriana decides to do something really dumb, in my opinion, and also crying when some really sad parts take place. This novel leaves you feeling it all.

Overall:
I really liked this novel. I was confused in the beginning, because i didn't understand what was happening and what the history was of everything, but it explains all that through out the book so i understand why Celeste started the book out that way and agree that it was the best way to start the novel. After the confusion it gets really, really good and i found myself having tons of emotions towards this novel, which is what in my opinion makes a great novel, when the reader feels something. All the characters were amazing and i am definitely interested in reading book two. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for something new, those who love fantasy and dystopians and also those who love a good book to make their hearts race.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5

Monday, September 19, 2011

Question of the Moment 42

Do you think you could ever rebel against something that has been drilled into your head your whole life as being the truth? Has this ever happened before?

I don't really know if i could unless there was a lot of evidence to support that what ever has been taught to me is a lie. For instance, Pluto being a planet. That was taught to me my whole life and then now all of a sudden its an escaped moon? For awhile there i refused to believe that was true and still called it a planet, but now I've come to terms with believing that it is not a planet anymore. I guess that means i can't, because when i was first told it was a lie i didn't believe it until time went on and more and more people believed it, which is just the sheep effect, not rebelling.

Are you a rebel? Let me know in the comments below =]

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Booking Through Thursday #15


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme where we discuss a bookish question.


This Weeks Question:
Have you ever finished a book and loved it so much you went right back and started re-reading it again? (And obviously, if so, we want titles!!)


Unfortunately, no, because usually i have tons of books to read so if i finish a book i have another one waiting to be read that i have been dying to get to. Also, even though i have quite a few books that I'm in love with i don't think I've ever had the urge to re-read them that quickly. Am i odd? Or is it odd to re-read them that quickly? Or great now I'm worried somethings wrong with me haha.

To see what other people said and to post your link go here

WINNER!! "All These Things I've Done" By Gabrielle Zevins

The winner for the copy of "All These Things I've Done" By Gabrielle Zevins has been chosen and announced. To see if its you click the link at the bottom of this post. The announcement will be located on the rafflecopter form at the bottom of that page.


The winner has notified me back wanting the copy so there will not be another winner picked. To those of you who did not win this time, don't be discouraged i have many giveaways planned for the future so watch out for those and enter, because the next winner could be you!! 


"All These Things I've Done" WINNER!!

Apology

Hello everyone,

As many of you guys know the school year has just started back up and seeing how im in college my past week has been CRAZY busy, thus the reason i haven't posted much this week, but that is all about to change, because i am going to be back on track this week and from now on...hopefully. I have been reading so i have tons of reviews to post and those will be happening all next week so expect to have two reviews everyday next week, plus any meme's that i do.

Right now i am going to write all those reviews and schedule their posting times and then do two of the meme's i missed last week which is Booking Through Thursday and Random Friday. I didn't get any new books before last wednesday so there isn't an IMM this week, but there will definitely be one next week and also im not gonna do Follow Friday this week, because i feel too behind for that haha.

Anyways i hope you guys all understand why i was so absent and believe me when i say im sorry and that im getting back on track =D

Hope to read some comments from you guys soon!
Becky @ Book Bite Reviews

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

BBReview: "Bad Girls Dont Die" By Katie Alender


Genre: Young Adult -Horror
Publishing Date: April 21st, 2009
Page Count: 346
Source: borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover


Description from Amazon:
Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.
When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.
Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Review:
I swear, i think i am psychic or something, because i have been only reading amazing books. This book is definitely categorized as amazing, because it knocked the socks off of me. Books are amazing when they make you feel some kind of real emotion and not only did i get the pants scared off of me, but i also had little sentimental moments. This novel is not only packed with events and details that make you want to keep the light on while sleeping, but also had some cute moments with Alexis's new love interest.

The one thing that i really enjoyed about this novel was that it really was scary and i didn't feel like the author held back too much. Sometimes you get that feeling when reading YA like, "Oh great, the author thinks they're writing to children", because sometimes you can tell when the author is too scared to put too much real emotion or mature content. I didn't feel that way with this novel and i also didn't feel like it was over the top either. It was creepy and scary to the perfect degree. I kept finding myself skipping ahead a few pages to make sure nothing was going to jump out at me when it started to get creepy. All i have to say is basement scene... SCARY!!

I think that this story was very creative and written really well. I really enjoyed all of the characters and liked that not only did they feel like real people, but they also grew and showed the reader their true colors after awhile. I love it when the characters make you feel like they could be real, everyday people you know instead of just people you wish you knew.

Overall:
I really enjoyed this novel. It was super creepy and scary, and i do not recommend reading this alone or late at night, because you will get scared. The scare factor was perfect, it wasn't too mature or too immature, it was just the right amount. I also really loved the characters and loved how they grew and better understood not only themselves, but also the people around them better and that you could tell that the characters could be real, everyday people, and not just the type of friends you find in books.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5

Monday, September 12, 2011

Question of the Moment 41

How do you feel about dolls? Are you afraid of them? Do you collect them? If they play a part in a scary story do they intensify your fear or does it not do anything?

I think i may be a tad crazy, because i am scared of dolls. Chucky, TERRIFIED of him, dolls in a scary movie, SCARED, dolls mentioned in a scary book, CREEPY, etc. So, yes i am afraid of them and they do intensify my fear in a scary situation, BUT... i also collect them. See, i must be crazy!! I only have a few, and none of mine scare me. Like i collect real, expensive, porcelain dolls. Yea, those super creepy ones. But, yea mine don't bother me. Someone elses dolls creep me out, but not my own. Very odd. I think it's because i got them all when i was little so i've grown up around mine and am still alive to tell about it so i guess we're cool =]

So how do you feel about them? And am i crazy? Let me know in the comments below =]

Sunday, September 11, 2011

WINNER!! "Hades" By Alexandra Adornetto

The winner for the copy of "Hades" By Alexandra Adornetto has been chosen and announced. To see if its you click the link at the bottom of this post. The announcement will be located on the rafflecopter form at the bottom of that page.

The winner has been notified and has until Tuesday morning, September 13th to respond before another winner is picked. Congrats to the winner, and to those who didn't, don't be discouraged.  Check out my other giveaway for "All These Things I've Done" By Gabrielle Zevins and enter for a chance to win that one, because you never know, you could be the winner for that one =]

"Hades" WINNER!!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Random Friday!! 1 & 2


What's Random Friday, you ask? You've never heard of it? Well that's because its a new meme created and hosted by the wonderful girls at, Ezine of a Random Girl! The thing about Random Friday, is that there's no "format" or exact way you should write it (unless otherwise specified). But most importantly, the whole point of Random Friday is that they give us the topic and whatever pops into your head right after you read the topic for the week, is what you write down.

Sounds easy and fun right? And now you want to participate! Just click the photo or the link attached to their name in the above paragraph and you can get started =D

--------------------------------------------------------------

Last week i forgot to post in time so this week i am combining last week and this weeks answers into one post, so bare with me =D

Last Weeks Question:
What five books have motivated you to read more and made you interested in reading?

1. "Twilight" By Stephanie Meyer (made me start reading YA Paranormal)
2."An Apple For Zoe" By Thomas Amo (made me get more into horror and also give Adult novels a second chance)
3. "Forgive my Fins" By Tera Lynn Childs (Introduced me to/made me fall in love with mermaids)
4. "Hush. Hush" (Now anything with fallen angels, im down =])
5. Anything by Dr. Seuss (Seriously, who hasn't read and loved Dr. Seuss?)

--------------------------------------------------------------

This Weeks Question:
What book has the most tragic/saddest or bravest scene you've ever read?

I think it would have to be "My Soul to Lose" By Rachel Vincent, because when Kaylee is sent to the psych ward and her aunt and uncle don't come for her and she feels alone and abandoned i lost it. I cried my eyes out like a baby, because all i could think about is what if that happened to me? And also i had a friend named Kaylee and her parents used to threaten to send her to a psych ward, because she really was suicidal and she did end up committing suicide so all those coincidences together made me lose it again. 

BBReview: "Witches of East End" By Melissa De La Cruz and Question of the Moment 40

*Question of the Moment is at the bottom*

Genre: Adult -Paranormal/Fantasy
Publishing Date: June 21st, 2011
Page Count: 272
Source: Borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover


Description from Amazon:
From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.
The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.
For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.
With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

Review:
Wow, just like all of the Blue Bloods novels, Melissa De La Cruz has outdone herself and made an amazing novel. I have always thought that Adult novels were not for me, because they are boring and lack excitement, but clearly it is all about the author. There are definite reasons why this novel is in the Adult section and not YA, but her writing style stays true to all her YA novels, which i really appreciated.

The story line is amazing and i love that there isn't one main character, but three. I think it was a genius idea to make each chapter be only about one of the Beauchamp ladies at a time, instead of intermingling the three different sides into one chapter, but separate them by page breaks. I also really liked that each of the Beauchamp women are very unique and different so that everyone can kind of match their personality with one of them. I think that each of their stories was well thought through and very imaginative. I love this novel and i cannot wait to read more from Melissa De La Cruz's brand new, AMAZING, adult series.

Overall:
Melissa De La Cruz out did herself once again with her brand new adult fantasy series. I was so happy when i saw that her writing style was the same as her YA novels and even more ecstatic when i realized that adult novels are boring if the author isn't boring, and Melissa De La Cruz is anything but a boring author. The characters were amazingly thought through and the overall story kept you reading and wanting to know what was going to happen with the Beauchamp ladies.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5

-------------------------------------------------

Question of the Moment 40

If you were a witch and was told by the council that you had to stop practicing magic, do you think you would be able to?

I think i would do the same thing that the ladies of Witches of East End do. They have stopped practicing for years, but then they eventually start doing small spells. I would definitely stop when told, because no matter how much i think i am, i am not a rebel and would just listen to them, but then after so long i would want to try a small spell and then i would and if nothing happened i would probably do some more small things, but wouldn't do anything big.

Would you be able to stop? Let me know in the comments below =]

Follow Friday #15




 
This Weeks Follow Friday Question:
Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one??
 
I don't think so. I have always been the type of person to side with the good guys, i've always loved the villains character afterwards, but i've never wanted them to win. Like in the disney movies, i love the villains, but i would never want them to win. I think it is going to be interesting to see what you guys say for your answers to this question this follow friday. 
 
For the list to add your name and follow others go to Parajunkee's Follow Friday post =]

Booking Through Thursday #14


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme where we discuss a bookish question.


This Weeks Question:
What are you reading now? Would you recommend it? And what's next?

Right now i am reading "Oriana's Eyes" By Celeste Simone. I havent gotten too far into yet so i don't if i would recommend it, but so far so good. The next book i am going to read is "Babe in Boyland" by Jody Gehrman. I am really looking forward to reading that book. The description of it sounds really good, but the cover is AMAZING so i hope the story is just as good =D

To see what other people said and to post your link go here

Thursday, September 8, 2011

BBReview: "Anna and the French Kiss" By Stephanie Perkins and Question of the Moment 39

*Question of the Moment is at the bottom*

Genre: Young Adult -Contemporary
Publishing Date: December 2nd, 2010
Page Count: 372
Source: Borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover


Description from Amazon:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?


Review:
Although my love for YA Paranormal is HUGE and overwhelming, my love for YA Contemporary is right behind it. I love these classic tales of love. Anna and the French Kiss is such a cute love story. I love this novel so much, i couldn't stop reading and i had to know what was going to happen next. One of the things that i love the most about this story is that Anna isn't a homewrecker. She understands that St. Clair has a girlfriend and that they love each other and instead of trying to interfere with that or try and tell him how she feels she pushes down her feelings and respects their relationship. I love that aspect so much, so kudos to Stephanie for making this a very repectful tale.

Another thing that i really appreciated was that the entire novel didn't revolve around her crush on St. Claire. It has a lot of depth to the story. She not only talks about the new crush, but the old crush, Anna's best friend from home, her family, the new school, the classes and also touches base with whats going on in each of Anna's new friends lives. Stephanie made Anna a normal girl who focuses on more than just the current crush. I'll admit, im corny and easy to please so those novels that only focus on that teenage girls angst to be with her crush still make me like them, but it was so refreshing to read about a girl who actually has a life.

I think that Anna is an amazing character and if Stephanie is anything like her, she must be amazing as well. Anna is the perfect main character to have in your novel, because she has morals, etiquette, real feelings/emotions, other things going on in her life, drama, personal quirks, and manners. The more i read about Anna's life the more i feel in love with her character and wish i had her as a friend. I especially love that when she makes a mistake she admits it and goes an apologizes.

Overall:
This novel is amazing. The story line is so clean and easy to follow and is full of things that happen in a real teenage girls life. I love how moral Anna is and that she respects St. Claire's current relationship instead of jusst throwing herself at him and hoping he will leave his girlfriend. I love all of the characters and especially love all the drama that happened. The ending couldn't have been more perfect and i just wish it was longer, because i couldn't get enough of this book. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves those feel good stories and anyone who loves YA.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5

---------------------------------------------------

Question of the Moment 39

Have you ever travelled abroad or gone to a boarding school in another country? How was it? And if not, then if you got the chance where would you go?

Unfortunately, i have not traveled abroad. The only country i have been to is canada. I have been to the bahamas on a cruise, but thats the farthest i have ever gone and i think those are technically US territories if im not mistaken, but i could be wrong so dont quote me =]. If i did get the chance to travel abroad i would want to go to Europe. I would either want to go to England, which has been my moms dream to go there FOREVER, or Paris, France. I dont have any real reasons for my wanting to go there, besides the fact that they just seem like amazing places.

How was your travel experience or where would you go? Let me know in the comments below =]

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

IMM #11


"In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren that showcases what you have bought, received, won, and borrowed through out the week









Borrowed (Library):
For Review:
Death Speaks: Death Series, Book 2 (Volume 2)My Mother, the Lycanthrope (The Lykoi Chronicles)

Won:

Thanks for checking out what i got. Now what did you get?

"All These Things I've Done" By Gabrielle Zevins GIVEAWAY!!


Yes, that is right it is another "Book Bite Reviews Presents..." giveaway with the MacMillan company. This time they are offering a paperback copy of "All These Things I've Done" By Gabrielle Zevins. Again, like with all the other giveaways sponsored by MacMillan, it is only open to US and Canadian residents. To enter just read over the details, watch the trailer and fill out the rafflecopter. 

Good Luck Everyone!!



Guidelines:
  • Be a follower of Book Bite Reviews
  • Please be at least 13 years old
  • Open only to US and Canada
  • Since it is a paperback you will need to give me your home address for me to send to the publisher so that they can send you your book, but i will only ask for your address if you win
  • Ends on September 17th at 12:01am
  • One entry per person
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

BBReview: "Remembrance" by Michelle Madow


Genre: Young Adult - Romance
Publishing Date: August 5th, 2011
Page Count: 314
Source: Sent to me by the author
Format: E-Book


Description from Amazon:
New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.
Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?
Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy.



Review:
First of all, how can you look at that cover and not be intrigued? Its beautiful! Not only is the cover beautiful, but so is the story. The story starts off with a typical teenage girl who has everything; popular status, cool friends, and dating the school soccer star. Then the new guy shows up and for some reason Lizzie feels like she has known this guy her entire life and everywhere she goes, there he is, but he has no interest in her. There are times when you want to punch her boyfriend, Jeremy, punch the new guy, drew, cry with Lizzie, and jump for joy with lizzie. This novel really does keep you guessing to find out the truth until the very end. I love that when Lizzie finally remembers everything from the past that there is a beautiful/terrible thunderstorm. It really does set up the scene very nicely, and plays up the readers emotions.


I think the characters were done really well, and you wouldn't expect them to do the things they do until it happens. I also love that Lizzie does have a conscious and she doesn't want to hurt anyone by going for Drew, she keeps her friends in mind the entire time instead of being selfish and just going for it. One thing i did like, was that i got a vibe from this book that reminded me of Becca Fitzpatricks "Hush, Hush", so if you like those novels then you will probably like this, but if you don't like "Hush, Hush" i would still tell you to give this a try, because they aren't that similar, its just a vibe i get.


Overall:
I really liked this novel. I think it was written really well and was very clean. There wasn't too many spelling errors or grammar typos which i really liked, because that really grinds my gears sometimes =] I liked that weather played a factor in the scenes and that it really built them up, instead of just it being a coincidence that the weather was crappy that day. I loved the way Michelle made the characters, because you were just as surprised as Lizzie was when they acted unexpectedly. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves love stories and to those who liked "Hush, Hush" By Becca Fitzpatrick. The two aren't related at all, but it does remind me of that novel for some reason.


Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5

Monday, September 5, 2011

Question of the Moment 38

Have you ever felt like you had a past life? If so, what era do you think it was in?

I have never felt like i had a past life. Like i've never known something and had no idea how i knew it, or had any flash backs. Maybe i do have a past life, but haven't realized yet. If i did, though, i think it would be cool if my past life was from europe in the renaissance era. It would be so cool if i got to wear those big, dresses and go to balls. *sigh* if only... haha

Do you think you were reincarnated? Let me know in the comments below =]

*This weeks Question of the Moment came from Michelle Madow, the talented author of "Remembrance"*

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Month Long Read-A-Thon Week 1 Update


So far i have been doing pretty good, not as well as i want to, but i hope to make that up the next couple weeks. Here are my totals for this week...

Hours Read: 17
Pages Read: 880
Books Read: 2 1/4

WINNER!! "Lockdown" by Alexander Gordon Smith

The winner has been announced for my giveaway of one paperback copy of "Lockdown" By Alexander Gordon Smith, please click on the link below and the winner will be announced on the rafflecopter form. 

The winner has already been emailed and has until the morning of Monday, September 5th to respond back or another winner will be picked.

Friday, September 2, 2011

BBReview: "The D.U.F.F." By Kody Keplinger and Question of the Moment 37

*Question of the Moment at the bottom*


Genre: Young Adult -Contemporary
Publishing Date: June 7th, 2011
Page Count: 280
Source: Borrowed from local library
Format: Hardcover


Description from Amazon:
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. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.



Review:
Wow, Kody, just Wow. Kody Keplinger definitely has some amazing writing skills. When i first read the description for The D.U.F.F. i was very skeptical about if i would like it or not. I feel like i say that about everybook that i end up loving, so maybe i should read every book i get a bad feeling about =]. Anyways, i had a bad feeling, because i thought that it was going to end up being a very depressing, self loathing, no happy ending, type of book when actually it was just the opposite.

One of the things that i really, really loved was the Kody never described what Bianca looks like, so there is no way of knowing if she is the stereotype DUFF or if she is an everyday, average girl which makes it so easy for everyone to connect with her. If you don't know all about her physical appearance, then you can imagine her how you want, and nine out of ten times you are going to picture someone closely related to looking like youself, because you are reading it in first person. If you are anything like me you end up feeling all the emotions of the main character and end up empathing them, because you are too involved in the book, which usually isn't a bad thing, unless the boyfriend in the book cheats, then that spells trouble for the real boyfriend =]

Another thing that i really loved that others might not like or would find weird that i like so much was the language and sexual incounters. I have never read a book that had so many cuss words, especially the f-word and had so many steamy sex scenes. Now, the sex scenes never got too far or went into too much detail, but it was enough to make me giggle and get all giddy, because FINALLY i have found a book where it actually talks and acts how teenagers really do. I think its only, because Kody Keplinger is a teenager and so she isn't too old to remember how her and her friends talked and how people that age act with boys. YA Authors need to remember that even though it seems like they are too young to talk like that or act like that now, but when you were that age it was how it was. So A+ for the language and sexscapades.

I am really happy with how the story line went. I dont think i would have changed a thing, and i really loved the ending. I think this is such a good story that everyone should have on their shelves and that everyone needs to read it. It really is one of those "your born this way", "nothings wrong with you", "feel good" novels. It teaches you something and leaves you feeling good about yourself by the end of the novel.


Overall:
I really, really loved this novel. I loved that Kody didn't describe Bianca's physical appearance so there was so stereotype image in your head while reading it or the "typical DUFF" and you could just relate to her as if you were her. I also really loved that the teens in the novel actually talked and acted how teenagers do and not the good little kids that adults see them as. I was so happy when i saw how much cursing and how many sexscapades were described, because ive never read a novel so real, but i also appreciate that the sexual events didn't go into too much detail and just stayed on the border or too much and enough. I wouldn't change a thing about this novel and recommend that everyone reads this.


Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5


------------------------------------------------------


Question of the Moment 37


Have you ever felt like "The D.U.F.F." (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of your group of friends?


I have always had a very low self esteem, thanks to an old boyfriend, so yes, i have felt like the DUFF. I think everyone does at some point, hopefully, but i think when you feel it at that moment the grass is always greener on the other side and you just feel like everyone's life is better than yours and that everyone see's you as the designated ugly fat friend. It's hard to remember that everyone feels this way at one point when you're currently that person. I think, though, as long as you have a great set of friends that you can count on and talk to you that you can get through it and realize you're not the only DUFF.


So have you ever felt like The D.U.F.F.? Let me know in the comments below =]

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Follow Friday #14





 
This Weeks Follow Friday Question:
If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

 
First off, i am very scared to read anyone elses, because i dont want any spoilers. I think i am going to have to proceed with caution when reading your guyses, and just find the book title, then if i have read it then ill continue on HAHA. 

Anyways i think the book ending i would change would be the ending of Forgive My Fins by Tera lynn Childs. I wouldn't change it too much, but i would change the fact that now they aren't bonded and that now he can't be a merman. I would change it so that her father never really severed the bond and just told her that so she would realize what she is losing and then when she realizes what she's done he tells her nothing has happened yet and they stay bonded or that she goes after him, before he breaks the water's surface. I just think he liked it so much down there and that he would have been just as happy being a merman. 
 
For the list to add your name and follow others go to Parajunkee's Follow Friday post =]

Booking Through Thursday #13


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme where we discuss a bookish question.


This Weeks Question:
While my town dries out of record-setting, epic flooding from Hurricane Irene, let me ask you: What's your book with weather events? Hurricanes? Tornadoes? Blizzards? Real? Fiction? Doesn't matter... weather comes up a lot in books, so there's got to be a favorite somewhere, huh?

Well, i dont have a certain book that has a favorite weather in it, but i do have a favorite weather. I love when books have a thunderstorm. I, personally, love a good thunderstorm and so i love when there is something dramatic or scary going on in a book and they add a thunderstorm. It just sets the mood. I also like it when its fiction, no non-fiction for me please =]

To see what other people said and to post your link go here

September Extravaganza - My first update/goal list


YAY!! ITS TIME FOR THE MONTH LONG READ-A-THON!! i have been so excited for this to finally start! Since its a month long, i don't know how often i have to update or if i have to at all, but i will probably do an update once a week at least and most likely tweet like crazy =D

So far i have finished "Remembrance" By Michelle Madow and started "Anna and The French Kiss" By Stephanie Perkins. I plan to read more of it tonight and hopefully either finish or come close to finishing. 

As far as my goal list, here is all the books i plan/hope to read in September:
  • "Bad Girls Dont Die" By Katie Alender
  • "Viola in the Spotlight" By Adriana Trigiani
  • "Witches of East End" By Melissa De La Cruz
  • "Bad Taste in Boys" By Carrie Harris
  • "Forever" By Maggie Stiefvater
  • "The Lying Game" By Sara Shepard
  • "Never Have I Ever" By Sara Shepard
  • "Babe in Boyland" By Jody Gehrman
  • "The Replacement" By Brenna Yovanoff
  • "The Nine Lives of Chloe King: The Fallen" By Celia Thomson
  • "Tempest Rising" By Nicole Peeler
  • "Harry Potter and the Socerers Stone" By J.K. Rowling
  • "Blood Magic" By Tessa Gratton
  • "Blood Calling" By Joshua Grover-David Patterson
  • "Death Speaks" By Tamara Rose Blodgett
  • "Lost in Time" By Melissa De La Cruz
  • "The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer" By Michelle Hodkin 
  • "Silence" By Becca Fitzpatrick
  • "Dark Beauty" By Taryn Browning
  • "Released" By Megan Duncan
  • "The Space Between" By Alexandra Sokoloff
  • "Oriana's Eyes" By Celeste Simone
  • "Lorelei and the Sirens" By Aaronni Miller
  • "Tris and Izzie" By Mette Ivie Harrison
  • "The Sleepwalkers" By J. Gabriel Gates
  • "The Girl in the Park" By Mariah Fredericks
  • "Cinder and Ella" By Melissa Lemon
  • "Misfit" By Jon Skovron
  • "The Juliet Spell" by Douglas Rees
  • "Blood" By K.J. Wignall
It seems like a lot, but im pretty sure i can get through em =]

If you want to be a part of this Month Long Read-A-Thon just click on the picture up top and it will take you to the site hosting it where you can sign up. Hope to see you there! 

BBReview: "Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors: Stone Arch Fairy Tales Vol. 2" By Stephanie True Peters and Question of the Moment 36

*Question of the Moment is at the bottom*

Genre: Fairy Tale/Graphic Novel
Publishing Date: August 1st, 2011
Page Count: 176
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book


Description from Goodreads.com:
Five of the world's greatest fairy tales are retold in the popular and attractive graphic novel format. Beautiful, bold illustrations give these timeless tales a modern edge. The stories include Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, Princess and the Pea, Snow White, and Thumbelina.


Review:
I usually don't review graphic novels, but i decided to make an acceptation. I really love fairy tales and the thought of classics becoming a graphic novel style book reeled me in, because i LOVE pictures. The cover alone is what made me check this out. I love her hair and i think the title is very clever instead of just saying "fairy tales" or  "classics to modern" or some other unoriginal name. The title draws you in to wonder what its about. Instead of just doing overall review i think im going to review each story individually and then do an overall at the end, like usual.

Rapunzel: This was my favorite story out of the five. I loved the graphics and i loved that it had a darker side to it, it actually shocked me with the graphics of the prince at the end. I think the illustrator did an amazing job and it definitely showcased my favorite type of design. I found myself looking all over the screen to make sure i took in everything the pictures had to offer and i was sucked into the story, because i don't remember too much about it, besides the key facts that the princess is locked up by a witch and has long hair that the prince uses to save her.
Thumbelina: As far as the graphics for Thumbelina i liked that they felt very playful. It seemed like the graphics were targeted towards kids, but i feel like the story line, although i liked it, could have taken a darker twist which scared me at times. I especially liked how they drew Thumbelina, i thought she was adorable and perfect for a tiny girl. I didn't like the ending though, because i felt like it was rushed since all that had to happen was her being happy and going home.

Snow White: Out of the five stories i feel like Snow White's was the closest to an actual comic and was targeted more towards those who love graphic novels, rather than those who love fairy tales. I liked the drawings of the prince of the queen, and for some reason i liked that the queen's hairstyle was different each time. However, i didn't like the drawing of Snow White or the seven dwarfs. With Snow White i felt like i was looking at Michael Jackson every time they showed her and she was just far too pale with too long of a neck and too big of eyes. The Dwarfs were drawn almost like trolls or like they belonged in Zelda or something, and they didn't make really any contribution to the story. Their names weren't even introduced and i didn't like the fact that there was one HUGE buff dwarf. They just didn't make sense.

Beauty and the Beast: The graphics for Beauty and the Beast were by far the cleanest. I think they did a really nice job with making the story and the graphics very clean cut. I enjoyed the story a lot, but because its my favorite fairy tale i found myself making a lot of judgements for things that didn't match up to other retellings, but i have to remind myself it IS a retelling. Out of all the endings i really liked this one's the best.
Princess and the Pea: This one's graphics was the second closest to a usual comic book, but was still playful, which i liked. Since i haven't read this story in a long time i was very unfamiliar to the story line, but i enjoyed being reminded. I really liked the comical side to it, i found myself laughing at the expressions on the prince's face and the way that the unruly princesses acted. The only part of the story i didn't like was when the princess shows up to the prince's house. I felt that she was going to turn out to be a phony and i didn't like how fast paced the marriage was, i mean they only knew each other a day, and there wasn't any true romance to justify it.

Overall:
I really enjoyed the graphics and that was the entire reason i check it out in the first place. I really wanted to see the graphics and fall in love with them, which for some stories that happened, but for others i just didn't care for them. Also the stories weren't very different from what usually happens in them, so the only thing that was different about these stories are the pictures that go along with them, but even then there were still stories i didn't care for and graphic's i didn't care for either. One thing i really loved about this graphic novel is that at the end of each of the fairy tales it told you the history behind the stories, which i really, really enjoyed. I think that was one of this graphic novels high points, because i was being told things i had no clue about. I think i would recommend this to people who, in general, love fairy tales and love pictures. Other than that, i don't think there is a direct target audience where only those types of people would like this, it could be liked by all.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5

---------------------------------------------------

Question of the Moment 36

Which one of your favorite fairy tales would you like to see made into a really nice graphic novel?

Mine would be Beauty and the Beast. I feel like i was criticizing the version that is in this graphic novel too much, because its one of my favorite stories and so of course i am going to find things to nit pick. I think if the entire graphic novel was designated to the one story, Beauty and the Beast, then it would have been much better and i would have liked it a lot more.

So which fairy tale do you want to see made into a comic? Let me know in the comments below =]

"Hades" By Alexandra Adornetto GIVEAWAY!!

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of "Book Bite Reviews Presents..." McMillan publishing contacted me again to do another giveaway and this time it is for none other than "Hades" by Alexandra Adornetto. I haven't read the first novel of this series, Halo, but i do plan on reading it in the future, because this cover is beautiful.

Again this contest is only open to US and Canadian residents, and again International followers please dont be discouraged.

If you are elligible for this contest then please read all the guidelines listed below, check out the awesome book trailer and sign up using the rafflecopter located at the bottom!!

Good Luck!!

Guidelines:
  • Be a follower of Book Bite Reviews
  • Please be at least 13 years old
  • Open only to US and Canada
  • Since it is a paperback you will need to give me your home address for me to send to the publisher so that they can send you your book, but i will only ask for your address if you win
  • Ends on September 11th at 12:01am
  • One entry per person
  • Fill out the Rafflecopte