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Monday, January 19, 2009

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-

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

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.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

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.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

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

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Obsessive Blogger. Obsessive Reader.