hectic

Life for me has been hectic, which is why my blog has sucked lately.

I'm working two jobs and going to school, so finding time to read and blog inbetween is getting harder and harder.

Not to mention my reading time is cut down by the fact that I have to read Ivanhoe for Reading Unlimited. It's a hard book to get into.

So I'm apologizing for the suckiness, and hopefully I'll catch up with some reviews and fun stuff soon.

<3 Chelsie

About the widget...

Obviously I had the wrong code on my contest post and I apologize.

The widget has been set up correctly, to anyone who may have been interested.

Thanks :)

<3 Chelsie

Cirque du Freak Vampire's Assistant Movie Giveaway!

THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT

Due in theaters October 23rd

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

In Celebration of this movie release...

Two (2) winners will receive:

• Cirque du Freak book Set (3 titles in one book)
• Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror

What do you have to do?

• Comment on this post with your choice for your favorite Cirque du Freak t-shirt saying (and don't forget to vote for it in the widget above!)
  

And that's it! This contest will run until October 23rd, and is open to US residents only.


The Vampire’s Assistant giveaway is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of October 1st. Prizing is only available to United States mailing address only. (International readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

Title: The President's Daughter

Author: Ellen Emerson White

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Meghan Powers likes her life just the way it is. She likes living in Massachusetts. She likes her school. And she has plenty of friends. But all that is about to change. Because Meg’s mother, one of the most prestigious senators in the country, is running for President. And she’s going to win.

Rating: 4/5

Review:

My school librarian highly recommended this book and the rest of the series, so I decided to check it out and see for myself.

I'll admit, this isn't the sort of thing I usually read. I may or may not have picked this up without the recommendation, but either way I'm glad I did get the chance to read it. There is such a great message to it.

The book, as anyone could guess, is about a girl whose mother runs for president, and wins. This is an interesting point itself, obviously for the simple fact that we haven't had a female president. One may think that if we did get a female president in the future, this book would be pretty pointless. However, I think it's pretty timeless and focuses more on relationships between characters than on the politics and presidency.

I believe that anybody could relate to this book in some way. Maybe your parent(s) aren't around as much as you'd like, or you feel like you're always in someone else's shadow and not your own person. Either way, I love the interactions between the main character, Meg, and the rest of her family. She is a teenager, who wants to be a normal teenager, but who is trapped in her life of being the president's daughter. Throughout the book, you can't help but feel for her. She is such an interesting and decent person, despite the teenager-like things she does.

That being said, I liked the book. The best part, for me, as I've mentioned several times, is the characters. Their development throughout the book and also the way they function together. This is a family book through and through, and I really enjoyed it.

Waiting on Wednesday- 9/30/09

WoW started here.

The Naughty List

by Suzanne Young
Release Date: Feb 4, 2010

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

This book sounds absolutely hilarious and I can't help but want to read it... who could resist?!

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

Title: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

Author: Ally Carter

Summary:

When Cammie "The Chameleon" Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she's in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she's there to watch Macey's father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world's best school (for spies), "exciting" and "deadly" are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers' plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.

As her junior year begins, Cammie can't shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn't feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion's corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?

Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey's private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth..

Rating: 4/5

Review:

The Gallagher Girls series has always been one of my favorite series to read. It is always so interesting and unique, and always hilarious. Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover was no exception.

In this book, the girls are faced with a kidnapping threat, and it makes everyone uneasy. Cam is her usual self, breaking rules and always trying to get things done. That's my favorite thing about this book: it's fast-paced and funny. Cam and her friends are wonderful characters; for the most part they are unique and interesting and always saying or doing things that make you want to crack up.

These books are hilarious and fun; not serious, but still dealing with enough issues that they aren't all fluff. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking for something light and easy to read.

Waiting on Wednesday- 9/23/09

WoW started here.

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood

by Eileen Cook

Release Date: January 5, 2010

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

Even though I wasn't entirely pleased with What Would Emma Do?, I want to explore more from Eileen Cook... and it looks like this is a good book to try out :)

Crashed and Chasing Fire

This week, I have been reading...

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter, which was amazing. This series is fantastic.

Now I am in the middle of The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White. It was recommended to me by my school librarian and I like it so far.

Next: Crashed by Robin Wasserman and Chasing Fire by Suzanne Collins. So excited!

The Private Series by Kate Brian

Recently I finished Paradise Lost, and I have to say that it's really difficult to review books like this; that is, ones that are part of a very long series. The books are hard to think of as one. They all connect together and create one story.

That being said, I have to say that I love the Private series. I wish I could review each book separately, but it would be impossible. Each book has it's own perks and happenings that make them so interesting and special that I couldn't take the time to write a thoughtful and in-depth review. Also, they just aren't those kinds of books.

I'd like to say that the reason I won't review them all separate is because they are all "the same" but that would come out the wrong way. They aren't the same, but the way they are set up and written are entirely similar, and chances are that if you like the first one you will enjoy the rest of the series. At least, that's how it was in my case.

That being said, the Private series is definitely a wonderful series, especially if you're looking for something that will keep you on your seat and constantly interested.

And the Winners Are...

The winners of the huge Maximum Ride promotion are....

Amy and Paradox!

Email me at bookluverreviews@hotmail.com with your address and the books will be sent out asap!

<3 Chelsie

reminder and my awesome reading week.

Reminder: Max Promotion ends TONIGHT at 8:00 Central Time! Enter Enter Enter!

Also, I've had an amazing reading week: click here to learn more about what I've sunk my teeth into!

<3 Chelsie

Waiting on Wednesday- 9/9/09

It started here.

Release date: October 27, 2009

The cover to this book is divine, like the rest of them. This series is one of my favorites, and I am very excited to see where Splendor takes us!

Waiting on Wednesday- 9/02/09

It all started here.

Release Date: October 19, 2009

As a lover of the first two books in this series, Dairy Queen and The Off Season, I am extremely excited to read Front and Center. It looks fantastic!

MAX Promotional Prize Pack!!!

If you've been to Carol's blog (or, actually, a lot of blogs right now) I'm sure you've seen this already... but you can consider this a double opportunity to win, as well as something too good to pass up (I know I couldn't pass up the opportunity to host this awesome promotional giveaway... these books are amazing!)

ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS!

MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

Read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series.
On sale in paperback 09/01/09!

Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction?

Two (2) winners will receive a James Patterson Prize Pack:

• Maximum Ride: Max (paperback)
• Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (paperback)
• Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever (paperback)
• Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (paperback)
• Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (paperback)
• Maximum Ride: Manga (paperback)
• The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (paperback)
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies (hardcover)
  
  

To win:

- comment on this post with your email address OR email me with Max Promotion in the subject

For an additional entry:
- follow my blog
- post a link to this post on your blog/facebook/etc.

This contest will end at eight o' clock PM (my time) on September 15th.

Good luck! Even if you don't win, go out and read some James Patterson books, now!

The Fine Print:

The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 2009. There will be two prizes for each Promotion. Each prize consists of the following eight (8) books: Maximum Ride: Max (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (paperback); Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever (paperback); Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (paperback); Maximum Ride: Manga (paperback); The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (paperback); and Daniel X: Watch the Skies (hardcover). The approximate retail value of each prize is $72.00. Winners will be confirmed on or about September 28, 2009 by email. Prizes will only be shipped to confirmed winners with addresses in the US. Prizes will be shipped within 30 days after a selected entrant is confirmed as a winner.

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris

Title: Crash Into Me

Author: Albert Borris

Summary:

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back.

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Since I read the summary, this book has been high on my list. When I bought it, I couldn't wait to start reading it.

It started off well. I really liked how no important information was just given out, and you had to read more to learn what you wanted to know. It built suspense perfectly from the first page, and with a book like this it's very important to want to know more. And I did; the characters all intrigued me, simply because it was such an unlikely group with the exception of one common trait: they all wanted to die.

Not only did I love the suicide aspect of the book, I loved the road trip. Road trips in general fascinate me. However, that part was sort of disappointing. When a group of people are traveling across the country, I expect details. I want to know what's going on, and this road trip went way too smoothly for my taste. Everything was too convenient; none of their parents were suspicious at all? The credit card always had enough money no matter what they bought? It seemed unrealistic.

Even through the lack of details and the unrealistic factor, I still found this book extremely enjoyable. It was interesting and kept me guessing until the end, which I really liked. Also, it was filled with hilarious lists, which I think always make a book better. They threw in a touch of humor into what would under normal circumstances be an all-out depressing book.

Overall, a good read, and recommended.

just joined...

I just joined Book Mooch, which makes me wish I had discovered it a long time ago.

Anyone else on there that feels like friending me?

Waiting on Wednesday

It all started here. :)

Release Date: April 6, 2010

No official summary, but from Elizabeth's blog:

The Unwritten Rule is a story about a girl, Sarah, who falls for her best friend's boyfriend. As you can probably guess, things get really complicated really fast and The Unwritten Rule is about friendship and family and love and the agony of breaking that unwritten rule about falling for your friends' boyfriends (especially you best friend's boyfriend!) (and of course, now you know how I got the title too!)

It's still so far away, but I absolutely adore Elizabeth Scott and I am extremely excited!

<3 Chelsie

Teen Tuesday

We have some new recruits to Teen Tuesday, and personally I am trying to get back into it. I posted this week, as well as a few others, and you can view them all on the blog.

It would be so great if some older members wanted to post, or at least peek around a little. And as always new members are welcome as well.

<3 Chelsie

Grayrider by Bruce Skye

Title: Grayrider

Author: Bruce Skye

Summary:

Fantasy meets medieval magic in Grayrider. This novel spans the gamut—think Tolkienesque with a suspense-filled punch of chivalry! This is story-telling at its best where kings, sorceresses, and memorable heroes create an impression that you’ll remember long after you’ve finished reading. Step into the land of Boadhagh, where an exiled king, Gabriel brings word to King Airell of an impending attack from the Ansgarian army—the same army that murdered his family. King Airell has no men to stave off the attack, so Gabriel takes matters into his own hands. The beautiful sorceress and daughter of King Airell, Deidre, learns that her mentor created the violent Ansgarians and leaves her kingdom to warn her father. They join forces to defeat their mutual foe—and as they fight together, Gabriel and Deidre fall in love. Tragedy, love, revenge, defeat, and grief are played out with insightful precision through Skye’s characters. The story builds to a crescendo and the ending’s dramatic climax will stay in your memory long after the final page is turned.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

I’ve never been the hugest fan of fantasy novels like this one; they tend to drag on and on for me. However, this one I liked.

First of all, the novel was short. There wasn’t any spreading things out to create 500 pages of nothing but fluff. It was short, sweet, and to the point. The focus was on the two main characters, and the battle that occurs throughout much of the book. I liked how it didn’t stray and talk about this thing, or that thing, or anything else. Simplicity is something that I think works well with this kind of book.

That being said, I liked the book a lot more than I thought I would. I was slightly wary about starting it, worried that I wouldn’t like it, and it would take me forever to get into. I shouldn’t have worried. Now, I’m not saying that I loved the book so much that I sped through it as fast as possible. I did get bored at some points, and I was capable of putting the book aside in favor of other activities. But I was still interested in the story, and interested in what would happen, enough for me to come back for more.

As a not-so-fantasy-fan (or at least, not fantasy of this sort), I can’t really say that this is a great book. But I can say that I enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it someone who is perhaps more of a fantasy type person than I am.

Ruby's Imagine by Kim Antieau

Title: Ruby's Imagine

Author: Kim Antieau

Summary:

A storm is coming. Big Oak told Ruby Butterfly and Ruby Butterfly told Ruby the girl. But how does Ruby the girl tell everyone else? Her grandmother, Mammaloose, will say it’s Ruby’s imagination—not real. Like Ruby’s memories of her mama and daddy—just make-believe. But this storm isn’t make-believe. It’s coming hard and strong, set to destroy everything in its path. And if the storm is real, maybe Ruby’s memories are, too.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

I knew as soon as I finished the first page that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary story. Ruby, the main character, is someone who sort of lives in her own world a lot of the time. She has her own way of speaking, with different names for ordinary things, like birds and trees. This was obvious from the very first page; as was the fact that something big was going to happen.

I liked this book. It goes through the events of Hurricane Katrina through a new perspective: Ruby’s. She knows the storm is coming, but she also knows that nobody will believe her. She continues on with her life, thinking about her friends and her family that she’s never known. Her life is really something interesting, and I almost wish that I could have gotten to see a bigger picture. There were a lot of things that weren’t described in too much detail, and Ruby is such an interesting character that I wanted to know more.

With such a big event occurring in this book, I thought it fell slightly short of expectations. A lot of the novel was about Ruby, and the rest of it was about the hurricane, I had a hard time figuring out what the main purpose was. Was it to describe Ruby and her family situation, or to talk about the hurricane? I am left slightly confused, and so I can’t say that this book will really stick with me for very long.

browsing the web (oh how I love this subject...)

I have just discovered something very important to me :)

This book will be released on April 13, 2010.

That is way too far away for me, but it's okay because for a long time I wasn't even sure if there was going to be a third book at all.
You can read my not-so-stellar review of Kiss Me, Kill Me here

and wait for my oh-so-stellar review of it's sequel, Kisses and Lies, coming soon :)

<3 Chelsie

PS. The third cover is the best yet :)

How to be Bad by Lauren Myracle, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Mlynowski

Title: How to be Bad

Author(s): Lauren Myracle, Sarah Mlynowski, and E. Lockhart

Summary:

From the authors of ttyl, Bras & Broomsticks, and The Boyfriend List come three unforgettable characters—and one exhilarating novel

Vicks is the wild child whose boyfriend has gone suspiciously quiet since he left for college; Mel is the newcomer desperate to be liked; and Jesse will do anything to avoid a life-altering secret. Each one has her own reason for wanting to get the heck out of their nowheresville town, even just for the weekend. So they climb into Jesse's mom's "borrowed" station wagon and head south.

Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

I have read at least one of each of these author’s books; in Mlynowski and Lockhart’s case, I’ve read more than one. So when I picked up this book and started reading, I knew ahead of time the type of story I could expect to read. I knew the authors’ style, and I knew that they were (are) all good authors. Not my absolute favorite ever, but good.

Knowing this, you’d think that I would have read this book right when I got it. Last May. Or was it April? I don’t remember. All I know is that it took me way too long to actually get in the right mood to read it.

When I did, though, I was hooked. The three girls were so interesting, and I fell in love with, of all things, the conflicts. Three girls with different personalities, going on a road trip? Ah, the possibilities!

Early in the novel, I had the general direction of the book mapped out in my head. I knew exactly where it should have gone, and I would have been extremely disappointed if it went astray. Looking back, I don’t remember exactly what I thought would happen. All I know is that it didn’t happen; but the direction taken was one that I was happy with regardless.

To be honest, I don’t have too much to say about the book. There were parts where I got bored, there were parts where I bawled my eyes out, and there were parts that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. And at the end of the day, I got what I expected out of it; nothing too amazing, but enough to satisfy.

I'm back!

After a long, long, long, long, long absence (or so it seemed) I now have internet back in my home.

Due to this, there will be regular updates. And reviews. And maybe I'll get creative and do something fun and different for a change. But for now I'll just start with catching up on some stuff I've missed.

Thank you to my loyal readers... I know I probably don't have (m)any but I hope that will change soon.

TTFN,
Chelsie

My Summer (Bookish) Projects

Summer Projects (In No Particular Order)

1. Finish reading Gone With the Wind

2. Read The Chronicles of Narnia

3. Try again with the Blue Bloods series

4. Read half of the books in my current TBR pile

5. Reread some old favorites

Sounds okay to me ;-) However, I will probably accomplish... one or two. Because I have no self-discipline when it comes to my books.

Chelsie

What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook

Title: What Would Emma Do?

Author: Eileen Cook

Summary:

While juggling friendship issues (her best friend isn't speaking to her), a love triangle-turned-square (okay, maybe she shouldn't have kissed her best friend's boyfriend...but it was totally an accident!...sort of), and escalating mayhem in her small religious town (uh-oh...what would Jesus do?), Emma realizes she has to stop trying to please everyone around her and figure out what she wants for herself. It's time to start asking, "What would Emma do?"

Rating: 4/5

Review:

This book was very easy for me to get into, and even more easy for me to enjoy. It was funny-- hilarious, even. Emma was one of those characters who was just fun to listen to. She wrote lists practically every two seconds (and I LOVE lists, especially sarcastic ones) and the way she narrated her story was just so entertaining, I couldn't help but be drawn to it from the very beginning.

Emma also made it very easy for me to empathize for her. I can very easily imagine myself in her situation-- she and I both have dreams too big for the small towns we live in. Also, both of our towns our very religion based (although hers is probably more so than mine, although I'll get to that.)

That is all fine and well, and things go great for the beginning, but then things started to get a little iffy for me. A lot of the story seems too far exaggerated, like the EXTREME emphasis on religion. Maybe that happens in real life, but I wouldn't know about it... I have never been to or heard of a modern-day place that is so religion-focused. I also wish that the story were more original, more of it's own. I had high hopes, but I just can't help but want to scream SALEM WITCH TRIALS! Obviously it's not a coincidence; it was written entirely intentionally to be like a modern-day Salem. So it's like a retelling, which would be alright if not for the fact that in my honest opinion, the book had so much more potential than what it turned out to be.

The Van Alen Legacy

The cover for the newest Blue Bloods novel is amazing.

This coming from someone who didn't really like the first book.

The cover is almost enough to get me to try the series again. I may end up doing that over the summer; along with all of my other book projects :)

<3 Chelsie

Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill

Title: Love, Meg

Author: C. Leigh Purtill

Summary:

Fans of Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen will fall in love with this gorgeously written story of one girl’s search for her family and herself.

Sixteen-year-old Meg Shanley has to start life over again in Los Angeles because her thirtyyear- old sister Lucie can’t get it together. Lucie is always chasing a new man, quitting her job, and packing up their lives. Meg wishes she didn’t have to count on Lucie, but she’s the only family Meg has ever known.

Then a man arrives on their doorstep and reveals a shocking truth: Back in New York Meg has an uncle, a grandmother, and a father who might not even know she exists. Meg sees an opportunity to have the family she’s always dreamed about. She summons all her will, defies Lucie, and travels to New York.

But happiness, she discovers, doesn’t lie in a new family. Instead it rests in the true source of her inner strength; in a secret that has been buried deep inside her heart.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

This book can be described in one word: cute. It's one of those books that you start reading and you just wanna say, "Aw, how adorable!" It has a fair amount of cheese and predictability, but at least it has something going for it... it's cute as hell.

There really isn't much to say about Love, Meg to be honest. It wasn't bad, and it wasn't fantastic... probably somewhere in the middle (although it's a bit closer to the "fantastic" than it is to the "bad") The story was great; it had all the good elements to make Meg into a real person with real hardships. The writing, as I see it, is a bit harder to describe. The book sounded like it could have been written by Meg, which is great, but that might have taken away from the quality of the story (if that makes any sense at all.) At some parts I felt like there were some private jokes I wasn't a part of, and it was during these moments where I found myself detached from the book. I know that I am an outsider from every book I read, but I don't like it being as obvious as it was during this novel.

Overall, though, I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading C. Leigh Purtill's second novel, All About Vee.

poking out of my dark hole to say...

That there is an awesome contest that you have to be part of.

It started with this review of an amazing book. (or two, I suppose, is the correct thing to say!)

Then this publication story, that was really interesting.

And now this contest. Which will get you all of Elizabeth Scott's books, signed.

Um... you'd better be excited. This is probably the greatest contest in the history of contests. All thanks to Steph over at Reviewer X, and obviously Elizabeth Scott, for making it happen. Wooohooo!

<3 Chelsie

the school's internet...

Talk about sporadic :) (that's my word of the day)

Earlier I was checking my hotmail and looking at things that are usually filtered (like the chat boxes in the sidebar of many blogs)

Now, I logged on again... and everything is filtered. What is up with that? It's both frustrating and amusing. :)

On a different note, I have changed my background... I was getting tired of plain white, and I realize it's not really different. However, I got rid of the double sidebars. I needed some change, but not too much.

Anyways, that's all for now :) Expect a review (or two) next week!

<3 Chelsie

Linky Links (or I have no reviews to post right now and I need to do something bloggish before I go insane)

Carol has an interesting poll that I found myself filling out.

Kelsey reviewed a book that I have that I am now extremely excited to read.

Elizabeth Scott is having an interesting contest to win an ARC of Love You Hate You Miss You.

Steph is having a contest also... although this one is, as the blog title suggests, EPIC!

Steph (who is amazing, btw) posted about some upcoming books that I am now dying to read.

Shooting Stars Mag is giving away some neat-sounding books :)

Shooting Stars Mag is also having this contest (has anyone seen the pattern about how excited I am to read this?)

That's all for now :) Hopefully I'll do something creative with my time sometime this week... tomorrow maybe?

<3 Chelsie

interesting links I've found

Once again, in my lack of relevant posts, I'm going to link to a couple interesting things I've found on Google Reader.

This news about Rachel Cohn, David Levithan, and John Green.

Another good review on this book I want to read.

This contest that I am sure to enter, because it is amazing!

That's all for now :) Expect more sometime later... if I have time.

<3 Chelsie

my poor google reader

It was at 712 when I logged on, and while I've skimmed through a little over 300 of them, I find I still have too many to go.

Part of me is tempted to just click the button that will mark all of them as read, but I don't have the heart to do that... there are too many interesting things that I can find. Such as...

This contest.

This wonderful news. (not the point of the post, as she clearly mentions, but the main thing that caught my eye)

And this review that makes me want to read the book that much more (mostly due to the last sentence.)

So that's what I have found worthy of posting about, just for the sake of posting. Now the bell is about to ring, so it is sadly time to go. *sigh*

*crossing fingers that I get the internet back soon*

<3 Chelsie

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

Title: Shine, Coconut Moon





Author: Neesha Meminger





Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Samar -- a.k.a. Sam -- has never known much about her Indian heritage. Her mom has deliberately kept Sam away from her old-fashioned family. It's never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a really cute but demanding boyfriend.

But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam's house, and he turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam isn't sure what to do, until a girl at school calls her a coconut -- brown on the outside, white on the inside. That decides it: Why shouldn't Sam get to know her family? What is her mom so afraid of? Then some boys attack her uncle, shouting, "Go back home, Osama!" and Sam realizes she could be in danger -- and also discovers how dangerous ignorance can be. Sam will need all her smarts and savvy to try to bridge two worlds and make them both her own.




Rating: 3/5





Review:


This book was sent to me to review by Pulse IT, and to be honest I wasn't extremely excited about it. I've never heard anything about it (which isn't surprising lately seeing as how I haven't been on the computer much) and by what little info I had, it didn't seem like a book that I would enjoy.





Now, I can't say that it was amazing because it wasn't. However, I can say that it wasn't hard at all to get through. The story is about a girl on a mission to get to know her family better, and in doing so she will learn more about herself. Interesting enough, although I can say one thing that bugged me. This book is set in 2001, right after the attacks on the Twin Towers. Shine, Coconut Moon is a book that probably should have been released about seven years ago, when the attacks were recent and fresh on everyone's mind. It could have been a much more powerful and moving story then.





As far as the writing, it was nothing special. During some parts, it was slightly amateur-ish, which bothered me, but not that much.





Other than that, the book was enjoyable enough. *shrug* Not much else to say.

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Something, Maybe

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Summary:

I wonder what it would be like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one.

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it.

Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants -- only what she wants may not be what she needs....

Once again, Elizabeth Scott has created a world so painfully funny and a cast of characters so heartbreakingly real that you'll love being a part of it from unexpected start to triumphant finish.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

As a huge fan of Elizabeth Scott, this novel exceeded my expectations in most ways, but in one way I was really disappointed.

First, the good. All of Elizabeth Scott's books are fantastic. Of course this was no exception. Once again I enjoyed her funny and relatable characters, and her true-to-life situations that are more than easy to get sucked into.

Judging by that alone, I loved it.

Here's the real downfall: apart from Living Dead Girl, all of her books are exactly the same. Obviously they all have different characters, plot, etc. But as far as writing style and depth, they're all the same. Fantastic? Yes! But strikingly similar? Yep. The good thing is that when I start reading Elizabeth Scott I always know I will get a book I love and enjoy. But that is also the downfall. When will she start showing growth and variety? Living Dead Girl was good, if not downright amazing. That was a good first step, but now I'm looking for more range.

However, that didn't stop me from completely devouring Something, Maybe... and absolutely loving every second of it.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Author: Mary E. Pearson

Summary:

Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson's vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

Futuristic fiction is slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite genres, especially in ya literature. And while I can say that The Adoration of Jenna Fox didn't come close to the spectacular wonderful-ness of other books in this genre (Skinned, Uglies, The Hunger Games... just to name a few of my favorites) it still had it's good qualities.

One thing I loved about it was the characters. They were all entirely believable, and the best part- they each where their own. Everyone had different thoughts, beliefs, attitudes... it was such a wide range and the different characters really moved the story along nicely.

Another thing I'd like to address is the setting. I don't know what year this takes place in; it could be ten years or fifty. I love that this book is so obviously set in the future, but it is still so very close to present-day. It gives the story more of a sense of urgency, which makes it easier to take this book seriously. In the not so distant future, this could be a huge issue-- which is why there's more substance, and it's not just a book to entertain.

Now, onto my problem, and the reason this book didn't have as big an impact on me as it should have-- the language. I think the author wrote this book beautifully, but the problem is that it seems so overdone. Things were too far expanded when I believe the reader could have formed their own conclusions. At times it felt much too wordy and confusing, and that's what I believe made this novel somewhat less of what it could be.

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristen Cashore

Summary:
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight--she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug.
When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po's friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace--or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

Rating: 3.5

Review:
I didn't really have any specific expectations when I started reading this book, but I had heard that it was good.

I'm really glad that I took the time to read it. While it's not the greatest fantasy I've ever read, it still had a magical quality about it that made it impossible to put down.

The book had it's problems, though, in my opinion. I wasn't a huge fan of how the plot progressed; in the beginning it seems that the story will go in one direction, but it ended up going in another direction completely. And while I loved the relationship between Po and Katsa, I didn't feel that the relationship was portrayed in a wholly believeable manner... something about it just felt forced.

Overall, however, I would definitely recommend it. It's fast-paced and I really enjoyed reading about such an interesting and unique character and story.

I think I've figured it out

I am determined to post some new reviews. It bugs me that I have none, because there are thoughts I want to share and I have no way to share them.

What I've been doing lately is keeping a review binder, where I hand-write my reviews. This is so much easier for me because it means that I can take my binder to a place that has internet access (the library, my friend's house, etc) and just type up my reviews. I don't have to worry about getting a flash drive to save them on, or anything like that.

So sometime in the near future (tomorrow? possibly) I will have a review posted. Or two. It depends on how much time I have.

It's not much... but it's something!

<3 Chelsie

*sigh*

I miss my computer.

I had a dream last night where we had internet back, but I still kept on neglecting everything.

I won't let that happen... I realize that even when I did have internet I wasn't always on top of things, but at least I posted...

*sigh*

I think I'm going to put all of my reviews on a flash drive and go to my friend Justinne's house and just do a massive review post... schedule them like a week apart and then at least I'll have something publishing, even if it's not the most exciting thing...

Either way, I'm still reading and writing reviews... so don't give up on me yet!!

<3 Chelsie

you know you're addicted to Twilight when...

I interrupt my regularly scheduled absence to bring you breaking news from my Applied Publications class, AKA the yearbook class.

This is my friend Zach's senior picture... the one he wants in the yearbook. Forever.

See, guys can be obsessed with Twilight.

Dear Readers,

A math problem:

no internet + no satellite + bad movie collection + no gas money + two free days off of school =

Reading.

And reading.

And did I mention reading?

If you'd like to know what I am reading, I am posting updates to my 100+ Reading Challenge post. I won't be posting reviews until I get my internet back at home (I just can't write reviews unless I'm at my own computer... so I have them written on MS Word and ready to post, when I can) but if you'd like to chat about one of the books on my list, then feel free to email my. I still check my email at the library, so I will email you back =D

Anyways, back to my english report overflowing google reader.

-Chelsie-

Temporary Break

My internet at my house is down, so I won't be doing as much with my blog.

I'll still be around the blogosphere, hopefully... but it won't be nearly as frequent.

Hopefully I get the internet back soon!

Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Bloom

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Summary:

There's a difference between falling and letting go.

Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy?

It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She's been holding back. She's been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the "right" thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?

But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can't see herself in -- and as Lauren's craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce -- Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice...before one is made for her.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

This is my very first Elizabeth Scott book. I have heard fantastic things about all of her novels, and I was definitely not let down by her debut novel.

There was something about Bloom that just hooked me. Part of it, I think, was the fact that it reminded me strongly of Sweethearts by Sara Zarr, which I am a huge huge huge huge fan of. While Evan was no Cameron, I still felt that same air of mystery about him, which was enough to make me fall in love. And while I can't relate to the character of Lauren (I have never been in a situation where I was dating somebody TOO perfect) I still could sympathize for her. She was a decent heroine, and while she did things I didn't agree with, she always presented a good argument for doing what she did.

As far as the writing, it was amazing. The writing flowed easily, and it was a very very easy book to read because of that. One chapter flowed into another, and I never felt that the writing was choppy or unorganized. It was very well written.

So overall, it was a good first novel. It wasn't something to die over, simply because I couldn't throw my whole heart into it and really FEEL for anything that was happening, but I am still glad that I bought it, and I am also really looking forward to reading Perfect You, which I have on my shelf as well.

100+ Reading Challenge

Why, yes, I'm going to attempt another reading challenge this year...

Except it's going to be the 100+ Reading Challenge. Which I am so going to be able to do... I hope. Haha.

Anyways, I'm going to keep the list of books here =D

1. Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
2. How to be Bad by Lauren Myracle, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Mlynowski (review upcoming!)
3. Ruby's Imagine by Kim Antieau (review upcoming!)
4. Grayrider by Bruce Skye
5. Dateable by Justin Lookadoo and Hayley DiMarco
6. Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
7. In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash
8. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
9. Leftovers by Laura Wiess
10. Ambition by Kate Brian
11. Revelation by Kate Brian
12. I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone (reread) by Stephanie Kuehnert
13. Looking for Alaska (reread) by John Green
14. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
15. Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess
16. Right Behind You by Gail Giles
17. Privilige by Kate Brian
18. Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
19. Love and Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson
20. Last Christmas by Kate Brian
21. Envy by Anna Godberson
22. Private (reread) by Kate Brian
23. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
24. Invitation Only (reread) by Kate Brian
25. Untouchable (reread) by Kate Brian
26. Confessions (reread) by Kate Brian
27. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
28. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
29. What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles
30. Graceling by Kristen Cashore
31. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
32. Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
33. Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger
34. Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill
35. What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
36. Hairstyles of the Damned by Joe Meno
37. Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles
38. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
39. Exit Here by Jason Myers
40. Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
41. Bull Catcher by Alden Carter
42. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
43. Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
44. Getting in Tune by Roger L. Trott
45. Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
46. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
47. Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
48. Willow by Julia Hoban
49. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Shroeder
50. Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Banash
51. Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
52. At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
53. Paradise Lost by Kate Brian
54. Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
55. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White
56. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (reread)
57. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
58. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
59.

Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Title: Jars of Glass

Author: Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Summary:

Teenage sisters Chloe and Shana recall fondly the days when their mother wove stories about kingdoms under the sea. Now that Mom is “away,” Chloe does not allow herself to believe in fairy tales. She is too busy caring for her adopted brother, Micah, because Dad has become withdrawn. Shana copes by escaping every night under the cover of Goth garb. The day the family visits Mom for the first time is the day Chloe learns why Shana will never allow their mother to return. It is up to the sisters to pull together and form a new definition of family.

Rating: 3/5

Review:

I have read the previous books by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler, and I have really enjoyed them. However, I have to say that Jars of Glass was a bit of a let down.

I can't really say there was anything wrong with it; it wasn't a bad book. But it just wasn't that great, either. I read it last month, and the reason I didn't write a review sooner is because I completely forgot that I read it. It was a book to read, to get me from one book to another, but it didn't grab me or pull me in. I read it fine enough, but there are no distinguishing characteristics that I remember about it...

It had everything a good book should have: good, interesting characters; a plot line that moves and keeps the reader interested; character development; a beginning, middle and end; etc. And while I read it there was nothing wrong with it. All I can say, though, is that it wasn't memorable, although there definitely were some memorable images (which are basically my whole memory of the book). Would I recommend it? Not particularly. Would I tell you not to read it? No. Go right ahead and read it... just don't expect me to be able to remember it well enough to discuss it with you when you're done.

the winner is...

After correct guesses from everyone who entered (I guess I made it too easy =P) I have randomly picked a name out of my cute little Rudolph tin... and the winner of Lord of Misrule is:

Sarah!

I've emailed you, and I hope you enjoy the book!

And by the way...

HAPPY 2009!

Happy New Year! [+end of countdown, the best book is revealed...]

End of 2008 Countdown, book 1
The Host
by Stephenie Meyer
Release Date: May 6, 2008

Read. This. Book.

If I thought I was a fangirl when I was talking about Sweethearts, it's nothing compared to my feelings about The Host.

And in my defense, I did not love this book just because I am a fan of Twilight. I loved this book because it was absolutely amazing. I would recommend it to anyone... even though it's technically not YA, I would still recommend it to teenagers and adults alike. The conflict in the story is such an interesting insight on life and the future, and the characters are diverse and real (although Cameron Quick still wins out as far as characters go). I love this book, and it helped prove to me that Stephenie Meyer is not a one hit wonder (er... I guess it's more than one, since Twilight is a series, but oh well) and that there is still greatness to come now that the Twilight series has ended.

And speaking of ending...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope everyone has a fantastic year in 2009!

Also, my contest is now ended, so I will be figuring out the winner and letting them know as soon as possible... However, I may or may not be on vacation when this posts (most likely I'll be in Illinois, a couple hundred miles away from my computer) but you can still expect a winner to be posted within the week!

Chelsie