Sunday, July 24, 2011

Review: Withering Tights

Withering Tights
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published: June 2011 
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0061799319
Description from goodreads:
 
Wow. This is it. This is me growing up. On my own, going to Performing Arts College. This is good-bye, Tallulah, you long, gangly thing, and hellooooo, Lullah, star of stage.

Tallulah Casey is ready to find her inner artist. And some new mates. And maybe a boy or two or three.

The ticket to achieving these lofty goals? Enrolling in a summer performing arts program, of course. She's bound for the wilds of Yorkshire Dales—eerily similar to the windswept moors of Wuthering Heights. Tallulah expects new friends, less parental interference, and lots of drama. Acting? Tights? Moors? Check, check, check.

What she doesn't expect is feeling like a tiny bat's barging around in her mouth when she has her first snog.

Bestselling author Louise Rennison returns with her trademark wit, a hilarious new cast, and a brand-new cheeky heroine who is poised to discover plenty of opportunities for (mis)adventure!
 
REVIEW:
 
Tallulah is not as crazy as Georgia (One of my favorite characters ever), I think as I get to read about her more I will see the more crazy side.
 
I was not disappointed in this book. It had the perfect combination of laughs, boys, and good friends. I always enjoy trying to figure out how to pronounce the weird words and find the meanings, it is hilarious!
 
I can't wait to see what adventures Tallulah and her friends will experience next! 4/5

Friday, July 22, 2011

Review: Whip it

Whip It
Paperback
Published: June 23rd 2009  (first published September 4th 2007)
Publisher: Square Fish
ISBN: 0312535996
Original Title: Derby Girl
Description from goodreads:
Skirts, Skates, & Scrapes
All the old school skills with a new punk rock attitude
Come see The Lone Star Derby Girls
Austin's All-Girl Roller Derby League
The Holy Rollers vs. The Fight Crew
Halftime Concert by the Chimney Sweeps
This ain't no cheerleading clinic, y'all
Meet Bliss Cavendar, an indie-rock-loving misfit stuck in the tiny town of Bodeen, Texas. Her pageant-addicted mother expects her to compete for the coveted Miss Bluebonnet crown, but Bliss would rather feast on roaches than be subjected to such rhinestone tyranny.
Bliss's escape? Roller Derby.
When she discovers a league in nearby Austin, Bliss embarks on an epic journey full of hilarious tattooed girls, delicious boys in bands, and a few not-so-awesome realities even the most hard-core derby chick has to learn.

REVIEW:
I was really wanting to read this book after I saw the movie. I love Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, so it was awesome.

Bliss is not the pageant girl that her mother wants her to be, she is an outcast, and likes being different (WHICH IS AWESOME).

I have never seen roller derby match, or whatever, but it looks and sounds pretty bad-ass, and the nick names the girls get are hilarious. This was a really entertaining read.4/5

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Ghosts of Coronado Bay by JG Faherty

Ghosts of Coronado Bay (A Maya Blair Mystery #1)
Paperback, 160 pages
Published: June 2011
Publisher: JournalStone
Description from goodresds:
By all accounts, 16-year-old Maya Blair is a typical teen-age high school student. She hangs out with her best friend Lucy, has a turbulent relationship with her ex-boyfriend Stuart, and works at her family's diner - the main restaurant on the island of Coronado Bay.
But Maya has an extraordinary secret - she can see, hear, and talk to ghosts. And when spirits are near her they revert back to solid form. She is what her deceased grandmother Elsa calls a Seer. For years, Elsa was the only ghost Maya knew. But that changes when the century-old wreckage of the Black Lady, a ship that capsized in Coronado Bay's waters, is raised from the ocean floor and placed on display in the local museum. During a school tour of the Black Lady exhibit, Maya meets Blake Hennessy, a young, fair-skinned boy to whom she is instantly attracted. Shortly thereafter, a sensual, gothic young man named Gavin Hamlin crosses her path, and she is equally smitten. Her feelings bloom before she realizes they are both ghosts - Blake, the kind-hearted spirit who cares for Maya's well being, and Gavin, the dark wizard who thirsts to finish the evil task he longed to complete 100 years before.
To accomplish his nefarious plan, Gavin has to be human again. And for that, he needs the blood of a virgin witch. In his mind, Maya is the perfect candidate. Now it's up to Maya, Lucy, and Blake to save Coronado Bay and the world from destruction. But time is running out, people are dying, and Gavin's powers are growing.
Things were so much simpler when all she had to worry about was a date for the dance.

REVIEW:

No sure what I want to say about this book.

This was a short and easy read. I felt like I should yell at Maya half the time. She lets her ex abuse her and I ask myself, why? she also starts seeing two ghosts and clearly one is bad news, but continues to see him and then push the good one away. But in the end Maya figured it all out. An ok read. 3/5



(I recieved this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program, that doesn't affect my review)

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Here Lies Bridget
Paperback, 219 pages
Published: January  2011
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 0373210280
Description from goodreads:
Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore. When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.
And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough….

REVIEW:

I am not a fan of bitchy-ness, I will avoid it all costs. So when I encounter such a horrible person in a book, I usually don't like them. She was horrible in the beginning, but in the end ended up better, which I thought would happen.

I have never heard of this concept of practically dying then getting a second chance to apologize, so that was new. But predictable in the end.

Overall an easy and a good read. 3/5

IMM (7)

In My Mailbox (IMM)
 
In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly feature hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren 
 
 
Look at that still shot of me, it's amazing! (Not Really)
 
 
What did you get!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)
Hardcover
Published: August 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Description from goodreads:
Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.
 
REVIEW:
 
Katniss is set on bringing down The Capital and knows she must kill Snow.
 
The whole book was working to save lives and bring down The Capital, the parts where they were just sitting in 13 were not the best parts, but the fighting made up for it. The book shocked me and I didn't know who she was going to choose until the very last pages. Mockingjay was a good resolution to the amazing series. 5/5

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Once Upon a read-a-thon Wrap Up


I FAILED!

I planned on reading 4 books, and didn't even finish one. I had drivers ed everyday this week and I had doctors appointments, family, it was super busy! I am completely disappointed and next read-a-thon I will clear my schedule and read! I hope to do better next time.


I read 150 Pages of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I participated in the mini challenges:

 mini challenge @ Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing
 mini challenge @ YA Bliss
 mini challenge @ Wicked Awesome Books
 mini challenge @ The Bookish Type
mini challenge @ iB Book Blogging
mini challenge @ The Musings of Almybner

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Once Upon a read-a-thon update #3

I didn't read at all today! I know, epic fail! I had drivers training, doctors appointments, and family stuff! I should have planned my reading strategy better!

I am still on page 150 of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, I have not had time to read.


Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

I did horrible on this challenge, I am ashamed!

Once Upon a Read-a-thon mini challenge @ Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon



The challenge was to recommend two books, one being a book of my choice and the other being my favorite Read-a-thon read!


First is Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louse Rennison. This is my any book of my choice pick.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Geor..., Louise Rennison, Mass Market Paperback

This is one of my favorite books of all time. With hot guys, british accents, tons of unforgettable events, and crazy Georgia Nicolson, this is clearly the funniest book ever... in my opinion. If I am sad, I can read this and start laughing and just feel better. I cannot tell you how much the characters from the series mean to me, I care for them. This is definately one of my favorite series of all time!


My favorite read- a- thon pick is Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins, Hardcover

The thrilling and amazing ending to The Hunger Games was both excting and very sad, saying goodbye to the characters I have grown to love. The Hunger Games trilogy is one of the most origianl things I have ever read, imagining the things that seem so impossible, and the death. Amazing Read!

Once Upon a read-a-thon mini challenge @ Wicked Awesome Books

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

The challenge is to play matchmaker and pick to people from different book series and match them up with eachother.

I had to scan my bookshelf, but I know who I want to match!

So I chose Dimitri from Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead + Alex from Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Both are strong people and fight for what they want and would be great together!

Go check it out Wicked Awesome Books Here

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Once upon a read-a-thon mini challenge @ The Bookish Type

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

The challenge was to kae a book cover and write a fake synopsis!

I am taking the cover to The Duff by Kody Keplinger

The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)

My synopsis:

Hannah was always quiet, and when she gets the chance to be something more, she takes it. She becomes the queen of "Fat Camp", which she is actully liking. She is also sneaking gum and other types of candy into the camp, which is against her diet and everyone elses. She is also crushing on the cute boys on the other side of the lake. Hannah is now convinced it is going to be a great summer!

Once Upon a read-a-thon mini challenge @ YA Bliss

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

The challenge is to pick my top3 love triangles!

heres mine:

1. Katniss, Gale, and Peeta from The Hunger Games trilogy
2. Simon, Jace and Clary
3. Shay, Ren and Clla from Nightshade


Go HERE

Once Upon a Read-a-thon update # 2

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

UPDATE!

I have not read much, I had drivers ed and my cousins were here, so I read for 15 minutes and am on page 150 oh Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Monday, July 11, 2011

Once Upon a Read-a-thon update # 1

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

I had drivers ed today and didn't get much reading done so far.

I started Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, I am on page 130. I read for almost an hour and a half. I am going to go read again!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Mini Challenge @ iB Book Blogging

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon
Mini Challenge Question 1::What is your favorite type of myth (Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?
Answer:Greek Myth

Mini Challenge Question 2:What is your favorite book with some type of mythology in it?
Answer:I have never actully read a book to do with Greek myths, I am getting one soon though!
Go check out her blog, I just found it and it's awesome!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon


Hey everyone, my TBR pile is huge, I thought this would be a good way to get some books read!


Here are the books I plan to read:
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy
Whip it by Shauna Cross
The Duff by Kody Keplinger


Are you participating?

Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)
Hardcover, 391 pages
Published: September 2009 
Publisher: Scholastic Press  
ISBN: 0439023491
Description from goodreads:
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.
 
REVIEW:
 
What can I say about this book? That it was amazing? It is different than anything I have ever read? I could say all these things and they would be true, but they have already been said many times.
 
I am shocked at what happens, how the people are treated. It is strange and scary, peoples lives being treated like nothing, meaning nothing, its entertainment, watching people die. That's horrible.
 
I am TEAM PEETA, all the way.
 
AMAZING READ! 5/5

Review: Twenty By Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer
ISBN: 0316051594
Published: June 2009 
Publisher: Little Brown
Description from goodreads:
 
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in ZanzibarBay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie—-she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

REVIEW:

I was excited to read this becasue I wanted a cute summer read and this really delivered. At first it was so sad and then Anna starts liking this guy and it was cute.

I cried a LOT while reading this, I don't do well with people being sad, it ruins it for me almost.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have if it wasn't so sad, it was like this cloud of sadness over the book the whole time, it was depressing and that's why it gets a 4/5.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Review: Are You Going To Kiss Me Now? by Sloane Tanen

Are You Going to Kiss Me Now?
Publication date: April 2011
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Paperback
ISBN: 140225461X
Description from goodreads:
High school junior Francesca Manning is an outsider, an aspiring writer and secret devourer of celebrity gossip mags. A fake essay to Seventeen wins her the celeb-schmoozing opportunity of a lifetime, but after the plane crashes, she's stranded on a desert island with five of the most clueless, self-involved headcases to escape Hollywood. Happily skewering their foibles in witty observations on her iPhone proves surprisingly educational for Francesca. The group must work together to survive-if they don't insult each other to death first.
REVIEW:
The books idea really interested me. I thought, this will be a really romantic and sweet read.
The book was a bit of a disappointment. The author portrayed the stereotypical celebrity, and that wasn't something I wanted to read about.
I liked the boy celebs at first, but they were disappointing in the end, and hurt her, and maybe that is real life.
The book did make me laugh and that was a definite plus. The things that happened to them and the confession scene were great. The book was a good read. 3/5

Review: Huge by Sasha Paley

Huge
Publication: May 2007
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1416957952
Description from goodreads:
TWO ROOMMATES.
ONE GOAL.
BIG PROBLEM.


April's been saving all year to afford Wellness Canyon (aka Fat Camp) and she can't wait to start losing weight. Wil's wealthy health-nut parents are forcing her to go to the camp, but Wil is determined to get revenge by gaining weight. They're supposed to work together to meet their weight-loss goals. But Wil's leading April on "hikes" to 7-Eleven, April's relentless pep is driving Wil to hit her secret stash of Godiva, and soon they're both crushing on the same guy. With April as committed to the cause as Wil is determined to undermine the system, this summer's going to be about more than just counting calories....

REVIEW:

I first wanted to read this book because of the ABC Family show that premiered last summer and thought I would give the book a go. The book is almost nothing like the show, so don't read this if that's what you want.

Amber and Will are both pretty selfish in my opinion, they only care about personal gains. So I wasn't sure who I was rooting for. They both had qualities I really hate.

The guy they like is a total doosh, I wanted him to get a stick in the gut or something, I don't know. I was glad he got what was coming.

Overall this was an easy read but the characters were not my favorite. 3/5

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Challenges I am currently participating in!

Hey Guys, I decided to participate in these challenges to have fun and meet some great bloggers and tackle my to be read pile (it is a wild beast)! I hope you can participate too!



Really Excited to start them all, just a tiny bit late, oh well!