2011 in Review

I contemplated writing a long, meaningful post about 2011, but then I decided it would be too cheesy (and I pretty much covered the cheesiness during my blogoversary). I tried to limit the cheesiness, but who knows what's gonna happen now, so if you bear with me and actually read this post, I appreciate it!

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Bye, 2011!

I started blogging in September of 2010, but 2011 was when my sorry excuse for a site actually became something great. This year my followers soared and I still can't believe that so many people actually care what I say (or pretend too...). Not only did strangers find out about this blog, but my family did too in a weird moment at the movies *cringe*.

As much as I appreciate everyone who reads this little ol' blog, I cannot thank enough a few special people. These are the people who listened to me rant, gave me tips, sent me books, and just sort of mentored me through this year.

Hafsah, oh, Hafsah. Haha - you really are awesome! Even though you feed me chocolate to get me fat and cause this half of the old married couple constant stress (inside jokes people, sorry). Thanks for co-hosting the SARC with me, I hope we know what we have coming for us!

Andye and Amy at ReadingTeen deserve mentioning as well! They probably don't even know it, but I consider them (in the least creepy way possible) the book blogging mommies. I've looked up to them (and everyone else at ReadingTeen!) since I created this site and even the little things like tweets have helped me a lot.

Keep in mind, I've never met the lovely people mentioned above! That might sound odd and stalkerish, since even I find it crazy how important a role people have played in my life over the internet (don't worry, I don't need an internet safety lesson).

Then, of course, there are the people I have met, namely Mitali and Elizabeth Eulberg. Mitali is full of awesome and totes me around at book signings (for which I am SO grateful) introducing me to everyone since she seems to know every single person in the book world. So thank you! Even though you were in Europe most of the year... And Elizabeth! As cheesy as this sounds (and I know I wanted to stay away from cheesy...) you have made books come alive for me. (You can laugh, I'm laughing at myself...) You were the first author who I really connected with and you've made me  feel so special since I've known you!

Lastly, thank you again to everyone who comments, enters giveaways and reads what I write! I would just seem sort of crazy if I was writing to no one - so thank you for making me look partly sane.

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2011 Reading Challenge Re-Cap

I have read many, many more books this year than I have any other year of my life. I am really proud of how much I've read, even if I did not meet one challenge *boo*. 

Challenges Met:

Debut Author Challenge

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

YA Reading Challenge

Goodreads Challenge (self assigned - 100, which I updated to 110)

Challenges Failed:

YA Historical Fiction Challenge

(Which is really annoying because Historical Fiction is my favorite genre... just didn't get my hands on enough of it this year). 

Click on the Goodreads link below to see what books I've read this year!

2011 Reading Challenge

Britta has completed her goal of reading 110 books in 2011!

hide

120 of 110 (109%)

view books

So bye, bye 2011! Happy New Year to All! And 2012, bring it on.

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My goodbye to 2010 Post

My cheesy Blogoversary posts: (1) (2) (3) (I realize there is no 4) (5) (6) 

Please fill out my 2011 blog survey! You will be entered to win THREE books :) 

Bittersweet Blog Tour

Today as a part of the blog tour for Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler, hosted by the Teen {Book} Scene, I am happy to host a guest post by Ms. Ockler herself. Enjoy :)

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Have your characters describe their perfect boy/girl in cupcake form, with the descriptions like your chapter titles


Hudson Avery:
Hudson’s perfect boy is sweet and snuggle-worthy, always ready to take the chill out of those icy Watonka winter nights. Oh, he’s also super hot. ;-)


Hudson’s Curl Up In a Snowstorm Hot Cocoa Cupcakes: Whole milk chocolate cupcakes iced with whipped marshmallow buttercream and topped with a dusting of cocoa powder and a miniature candy cane.




Dani Bozeman
Dani likes to keep things unpredictable. Her ideal mate is strong and masculine on the outside, but just as eager to act like a kid or go see a chick flick.


Dani’s Inner Child Cupcakes: Chocolate butterscotch cupcakes topped with whipped butterscotch icing and a chocolate chip cookie.




Josh Blackthorn
Josh’s perfect girl loves music – that’s a given! She’s energetic, driven, and a little kooky, and every once in awhile she shows him the sweet and vulnerable girl she is inside.


Josh’s Rockstar Cupcakes: Cherry vanilla cupcakes with warm dark chocolate pudding centers iced with rich milk chocolate buttercream and sprinkled with cherry Pop Rocks.




Beth Avery, Hudson’s Mom
It’s been so long since Mom’s been on a date, she’d have to start with the basics before she could figure out this perfect match thing!


Mom’s Classic Vanillas: White cupcakes iced with creamy vanilla buttercream and garnished with a Nilla Wafer.




Shelvis, Dad’s New Girlfriend
Shelvis is a female Elvis impersonator. ‘Nuff said.


Shelvis’ Blue Suede Cupcakes: A spin on the classic red velvet cupcakes, these babies are blue velvet cupcakes topped with smooth vanilla cream cheese icing and gold-and-silver glittered sugar for a hint of that Vegas bling.

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Bittersweet counts towards the SARC! If you have not signed up yet, click on the button above :) 

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
448 Pages (Hardcover)
Harper Collins Children's
January 1, 2012
Source: ARC Tour
Format: ARC

My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.


When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?

Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

    I read my first verse book this summer and I have really learned to appreciate the writing style. If you have never read a book written in verse, don't be afraid for one, and Love & Leftovers is a really great one to start with. I loved, loved, loved this book! I read it straight through in one sitting (okay... I may have gotten up for a snack).

    Okay, pretend for a second that this novel wasn't written in verse... The plot would be awesome, the characters really likable and unique and the description hilarious. Okay, now take out all of the "fluff" and get the core of the novel and that is what verse gives you. By being written this way, the reader is able to quickly get to the meat of the novel, to what you are dying to read more of. I fell in love with the cute, whiteness of the language, but also the sarcastic and darker tones as well. The verse was simply beautiful.

    I really liked this novel so much that I can't even say what I did like (and there was nothing I didn't like, so...). Really all there's left to do is say, read it!!! Get it from the bookstore, online (legally!), library, steal borrow from your friend - just get your hands on it, because it is definitely worth it.

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams
400 Pages (Hardcover)
Walker & Company
January 3, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC


Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they've always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school's foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they're meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don't return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls' relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?

    When the novel opened, I was not impressed... but that quickly changed. It took a few chapters for the speed to pick up, but once it did, I was completely hooked.

    After an extremely embarrassing incident leaves Piper in constant torment, she, with the help of her three best friends; Izzy, Mei and Cassidy, come up with the International Kissing Club (or IKC for short). They plan to each take part in their school's international exchange program; Piper to Paris (the real one), Mei to China, Izzy to Costa Rica and Cassidy to Australia. Their plan? To rack up as many kisses as possible - one point for each boy, three points if the kiss is epic. They create a Facebook page to keep track of it all and to stay in touch... Little did they know how different of an experience it would be then they'd thought, and little did they know how much their adventures would change their friendship.

    This book is definitely more towards the "cute" label, but I was surprised by how much depth the authors (Ivy Adams is a pseudonym for three co-authors) were able to weave into a seemingly light plot. The characters each come from their own versions of dysfunction, and they each are met with unexpected challenges. I was happy to see that this novel was much more than a fun plot, this book really surprised me in that way.

    My only real criticism kind of goes two ways... The novel switches POV (if that is even the correct term... it is a third person narrator) from all four characters each chapter. I was split between loving getting to know and experience each character's story and being confused and frustrated with the changes. In the chapters you get really caught up in one's story, then you are shoved into someone else's and forced to wait three more chapters to see what happens next. But maybe I only felt this way because I favored Cassidy...

    So overall, I'd say definitely read it, I really enjoyed it.

    * 12/28/11 I failed to mention this when I first posted, but I really enjoyed the language in this novel. it is, for the most part, very true to the way Juniors actually speak. I was surprised by how normal it sounded since a lot of novels I read make teenagers sound either too whiny or too adulty (also known as the stereotypical teenager, or the teenager adults wished were how teenagers acted/sounded).

Merry Christmas!

With Christmas on Sunday, things are going to be very crazy around my house starting today. So I'm saying Merry Christmas now and signing off until Wednesday. For whoever celebrates Christmas, hope you have a good one! 

My Christmas "To-Do" List

WinterTown by Stephen Emond

WinterTown by Stephen Emond
336 Pages (Hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
December 5, 2011
Source: Publisher

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

   The newest trend to hit YA seems to me illustrated novels and I've had some reservations about it; on one side it adds a new dimension, on the other it can seem too childish. It took me a little getting used to, but the illustrations in this novel proved to have a even mix of both.

   I went through mood swings with this novel. When the novel opened, I was so glad to be in a male character's head. Maybe it is because I am a female and am sometimes fed up with all of our drama, either way, I love reading from a male's point of view. However, as I got introduced to Lucy, I got mad at Evan for being so weak and liked Lucy's point of view much better...Then I got fed up with both of them. BUT this is not because I didn't like the novel, it was actually just one of those things that enhance the experience of the novel (I know I sound like an informercial, but it is true). I might not have been feeling pure love and excitement, but the novel made me feel something and that is always good.

   Now, to finish what I was saying about the illustrations... at first, I was not a fan, not going to lie. I am more of a realistic drawing person (as in I like realistic drawings... not that I can draw), so the extremely cartoonish characters didn't appeal to me. However, as I got to learn more about Evan and Lucy and how much the comics are integrated into their lives and what they mean to them, I started to appreciate them more and more. I ended up really liking how the story was told but then in a short comic strip at the end of almost every chapter the story was told again in a fictional world (twice fictional? Fictional for the fictional setting of the story...). It allowed the reader to see the story through a more satirized lens and I found it very successful.

   So it took some getting used to, or getting "in to", but I really enjoyed the story once I got to that point. This is definitely a more character based novel, rather than a plot based, so just beware of that if that type of story is not your "thing".

2011 Blog Survey - Help Me Out!

As the new year approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to put out a little end of the year survey about this here ol' blog to see what I could do better in the new year. I know no one really enjoys filling out surveys (well... not that I know of...), so as an incentive, there is a giveaway open only to people to fill out the survey! Once you send in the form, a little screen will pop up with a link to the giveaway form. Thank you so much to everyone who participates and good luck in the giveaway :)

[Giveaway ends 1/14/12]


Enter in the form embedded below, or click on the link HERE

In My Mailbox (22)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox this week...

Bought

I bought this book a while back over the phone planning on going to pick it up, but finally I gave up (because I was not getting there any time soon) and had them ship it to me. It is signed by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl! 

(Goodreads)

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl *signed* 

- see my review HERE 

Gift

I got a lovely package in the mail from Hafsah at Icey Books . She gave me a pack of red Lindor truffles (my favorite) and a cool bottle cap necklace she made! 

This is the image on my necklace. If you want to get your own, you can buy one HERE (there are many different designs!) 

Phantom Universe by by Laura Kreitzer

Phantom Universe by by Laura Kreitzer
228 Pages (paperback)
Obsidian Mountain Publishing
February 3, 2011
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback

Sold into slavery to pirates at the young age of four, Summer learns to survive the rough seas of subterfuge and thieves through silence. When the boat she's lived on most of her life is destroyed, Summer finds herself washed up on the shore of a new world, a phantom universe full of the bizarre and extraordinary. She meets Gage, the one boy who understands the girl with no speech. But when their lives are put on the line, will Summer finally call out? Or will all be lost in the fathomless depth of silence?

    It is impossible not to start off this review with my first impression of the book, so I'm just going to give in and do so.... The packaging of this book was just not good. I don't like the cover (it might have changed... mine looks like the above) for starters, and once you open the book the font is so incredibly small that it hurts your eyes to read. It is not even like I am just used to the larger font of YA books, I compared to my school books and Phantom Universe's font is still much smaller. It just made it difficult to read. Also, at the beginning the chapter pages would include "Age Sixteen" or "Age Four" this was helpful at first when time was switching, but after a couple chapters it was all "Age Sixteen", I didn't get why not just note it when it was not sixteen?

    Other than the physical technicalities of the book, the actual story was interesting. I found myself sympathizing with Summer, which it is kind of hard not to, since she is so abused and neglected. The reason I thought I would have trouble with this is because she does not speak. Like not at all. But she is not dumb, she is actually very bright (although she hasn't been exposed to many things, so she is ignorant of them) and has normal internal dialogue that helps with the absence of her spoken word.

    Speaking about the spoken word... my only other criticism is that some of the dialogue that the other characters says just seems oddly out of place. I get that it takes place in the future and the author was most likely trying to portray the change in lingo, but it just seemed, I don't know... weak? Like the characters would try to be all intimidating and mean but they say something the equivalent of a four year-old thinking "butt head" is the worst thing ever.

    Okay, so I know it seems like I have a lot of negative things to say about this book, but I really did enjoy it. I appreciated Summer's development; she is seriously messed up in the beginning, but it makes sense, and I like how she relapses into her original state a few times. It seemed like that would actually happen, she doesn't just go from messed up to perfect.

    The actual storyline kept me interested as well, even though at times it seemed a bit ridiculous. I mean seriously, Canadians basically running the world? But it seemed ridiculous to the characters from 2011 too, so it was funny. I liked how there was confusion for the reader and many questions for most of the book, I mean this is the first in a series. The biggest question regarding Summer and her situation is answered towards the end, which was enough to satisfy the reader, but enough to make the reader eager for the second novel.

2012 Reading Challenges!

I am taking on five (the 5th will be on Goodreads) challenges for 2012... yikes! Luckily (or rather, strategically) many books I plan on reading overlap in these challenges. This is the page I will be updating with the books I've read and my reviews on the year goes on.

  

This is a new challenge hosted by myself and Hafsah at Iceybooks. The challenge is to read 15 standalone novels (novels that are not part of a series) in 2012. These must be released from December 27, 2011 to December 31, 2012 and read in 2012 to count. To learn more about the challenge and to sign up, click the button above!

I will be adding to this list as the year goes on, I'm sure I'll end up reading at least 50.

* In no particular order*

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker 

2.) Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg 

3.) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

4.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg 

5.) This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

6.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

7.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen 

8.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

9.) The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour 

10.) Try Not To Breath by Jennifer R. Hubbard 

11.) Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

12.) Irises by Francisco X Stork 

13.) Bittersweet by Sara Ockler 

14.) The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Pheobe Stone 

15.) Purity by Jackson Pearce 

This is probably the most popular challenge I know of, and for good reason! The challenge is to read 12 YA novels by debut authors. This challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren 

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker 

2.)  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

3.) Everneath by Brodi Ashton 

4.) Cinder by Marissa Meyer 

5.) Above by Leah Bobet 

6.) Fracture by Megan Miranda 

7.) Slide by Jill Hathaway

8.) Struck by Jennifer Bosworth 

9.) Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler 

10.) When the Red Sea is Rising by Cat Hellison 

11.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg 

12.) Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

The Sophomore Reading Challenge is hosted by Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit. The goal is to read 10 "Sophomore" novels, or the second novel written by an YA/MG author in 2012. 

1.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

2.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

3.) Try Not To Breath by Jennifer R. Hubbard 

4.) A Million Suns by Beth Revis

5.) Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton 

6.) Hallowed by Cynthia Hand 

7.) Truth by Juila Carr 

8.) Fever by Lauren DeStefano 

9.) The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour 

10.) The Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake 

11.) Don't Breath a Word by Holly Cupala

12.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen 

The YA Contemporary Challenge is hosted by Katie at Katie's Book Blog and Angela at Reading Angel, there are different levels, I am choosing level 2: 10 + books. Books must be contemporary YA, published in 2012 and read in 2012. 

1.) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker 

2.) Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg 

3.) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

4.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg 

5.) Bittersweet by Sara Ockler 

6.) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

7.) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen 

8.) In Honor by Jessi Kirbi

9.) Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

10.) The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Pheobe Stone 

Don't let the death of GFC be the death of blogs!

As many of you have heard, GFC (Google Friend Connect) is dying, in just a few short months it will go from being available only to blogger sites to be eliminated entirely. Oh no! How the heck are you going to read your favorite blogs now?! I went through this same freak out before I discovered RSS and discovered how simple it is. (oooooh - pictures!)

Subscribe via RSS

Okay, see that pretty pink button (Made by Hafsah at Iceybooks)? That is what an RSS feed button usually looks like (I am using my site as an example, but be sure to find it on the other blogs you follow). If you click on that you should be brought to a website that looks like...

This is my RSS feed. It is exactly the same as my blog, only you have to click on the links to be actually brought to my site to comment or enter in contest, etc. What is allows you to do is be notified when I have a new post up, just like GFC readers allowed, but with RSS you can read the entirety of the post.

In the top corner, you should see...

Just click on the way you want to follow, and you're done! See, easy - and you were so worried ;) 

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Subscribe via Email

Just enter your email in this handy box under "Follow Me" in the righthand sidebar. 

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If you want to figure out how to make your blog RSS capable, visit THIS PAGE from IceyBooks (it helped me tons!). 

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep
354 Pages (Paperback)
Kensington
November 27, 2011
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback


Logan Quinn was try­ing to kill me. My Spar­tan class­mate relent­lessly pur­sued me, swing­ing his sword at me over and over again, the shin­ing sil­ver blade inch­ing closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes prac­ti­cally glowed with the thrill of battle...

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

    I definitely liked this installment in the Mythos Academy series better than the first, but I am seeing a few similarities between the two. Firstly, the book takes a while to pick up the pace, which was my major problem with the first book. However, once it picks up, I was hooked. Another thing I noticed which bothered me the first time around was the repetitive language. Logan is described as a "man-whore" about thirty (made up number, but it was definitely in excess) times in the first half of the novel. Okay, I got it the first time. Lastly, I don't like how the characters are named often by what they are not by their names. Like Logan would be called "the Spartan" not Logan. Other than those things, I saw many improvements.

    I am so happy that I actually started to like Gwen! In the first book I didn't dislike her, I just really didn't care about her. She seemed to become more courageous and have a bit more common sense in this novel. Come to think of it, I really like all the characters better - especially Logan. I can't wait to see where the characters go in the next book.

    Although the plot was a bit predictable, there was enough diversion to keep me guessing until the end. I was shocked by some of the things Gwen was put through! Also, I really liked how the book had more leeway, for lack of a better word, since now the reader -and Gwen - knew about this new world of mythical creatures and weren't still trying to figure it out. I also enjoyed at the end there is a "Beyond the Story" section where the world is explained a bit more, that was fun to read.

    So overall, if you've read the first, definitely read the second! Sure, some things got me mad, but in total I really enjoyed the book. I'm really looking forward to Dark Frost coming in June 2012!

In My Mailbox (21)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox this week...

For Review

(Goodreads)

What Boys Really Want (ARC) by Pete Hautman

(Goodreads)

The Girls of No Return (ARC) by Erin Saldin 

(Goodreads)

The Boy on Cinnamon Street (ARC) by Phoebe Stone

For Giveaway 

All of the above titles in addition to what is listed below will be given away as a part of the 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge (SARC) hosted by myself and IceyBooks. If you would like to sign up and haven't yet, click HERE. 


~ (7) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard bookmarks (signed!)
~ (4) Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard bookmarks


Thanks so much to Scholastic and Kristen Hubbard for my goodies this week!

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman 
260 Pages (Hardcover)
Dutton Juvenile 

April 5, 2011
Source: Bought 
 *Do not read if you have not read If I Stay. I read the first novel pre-blog, so I have not written a review of it. This is the sequel novel!*

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

(Goodreads)

Wow. Once again Gayle Forman has left me speechless with her beautiful imagery and incredible ability to transfer emotions from character, to page, to reader. 

Where She Went is Adam's story, Mia's previous boyfriend, in the aftermath of Mia's accident. Mia chose to stay, to live, and Adam was overjoyed. But he made a promise to her, and he has to keep it, even if she doesn't remember it - but what if she does? After three years of separation, each rising to stardom in their own spheres, what will happen with a chance encounter?  

In If I Stay, I have to say, I was not all too fond of Adam. I don't know what it is, I can't really explain it, he was just not my cup of tea, if you will. This novel completely turned it around, I really liked Adam and I was royally ticked off at Mia. Just the fact that Forman has the ability to completely change an opinion, because her portrayal of the other side was so perfect, showcases her extraordinary talent. I was really happy towards the end though, that I once again was able to love Mia. 

I also really enjoyed the switched from the present to the past, which is sometimes my biggest criticism with other novels. This method can be very choppy and confusing, Forman made it anything but. I also loved how the present chapters started off with lyrics from Adam's band, Shooting Star. Each chapter made me wish more and more that I could listen to the CD, it reads amazing, can't imagine how it would sound. 

As you can see, I really have nothing but good things to say about this novel. I would definitely recommend it. Recommend being a more accepted term for "force upon" ;) 

Life on Hold by Karen McQuestion

Life on Hold by Karen McQuestion
168 Pages (Paperback)
AmazonEncore
April 1, 2011
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback

When Rae Maddox begins yet another school in yet another town, a dangerous new friend forces her to finally take charge of her life — or risk losing everything and everyone she holds dear.

Praised as “one of the best new authors around,” bestselling Kindle author Karen McQuestion weaves her magic yet again in this contemporary coming-of-age novel that is sure to resonate with young-adult readers and parents alike.

Gina and Rae Maddox are more like best friends than mother and daughter. Of course, free-spirited Gina’s rambling ways leave her daughter with little opportunity to make any other friends, as they constantly crisscross the country in search of “a fresh start.” But when Gina brings them home to her native Wisconsin, she promises Rae that this time, they’ll stay put...at least until Rae finishes high school. And when Rae begins to make friends at Whitman High, she dares to hope her mother is telling the truth. But then Rae is paired with another new girl, Allison Daly, whose bad attitude and unsettled family life put her at odds with Rae — yet draws her to Gina. When ugly rumors begin to fly about Allison’s past, Rae must choose between distancing herself from the troubled girl or using her own experience as an outcast to help her. The path she takes will not only change Allison’s life, it will affect Rae’s relationship with her mother and her understanding of her place in the world.

    This book held my interest until the end, but I felt some parts were lacking. The mother being sometimes on top of the situation and other times really oblivious confused me. She was supposed to come off as irresponsible, and that she did, but she also just seemed inconsistent. The main character was okay, but it was really the supporting character, Allison, that made me keep reading.

    Don’t get me wrong, I did like this book, but it wasn't amazing. I really did enjoy Allison’s story unfolding, how it didn’t really make sense and the reader was slowly let on to the situation (which makes sense because the MC didn’t really know what was going on either). The ending as well made me happy, it was a nice ending and wrapped up the story well.

    Overall, some good, some blah, this book was kind of in the middle for me. If you the kinds of contemporaries with struggling, somewhat dysfunctional, lower class families (not to mush such a big category into one), give this one a try.

   

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
336 Pages (Hardcover)
Razorbill
December 8, 2011
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Format: ARC

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

    I really haven’t heard much about this novel, so I had not formed any premeditated opinions and I didn’t really know what to expect. This book has left me speechless -really, really, really (I think you get the point) good. Just… wow

    Cam is dying. She knows it and she isn’t really fighting it, she’s kind of come to terms with the inevitable. She hasn’t given up on living, but she just doesn’t has as much hope, or believe in some “miracle” that her family members are waiting for. But then her mother, convinced she’d find some answer, some magic, moves the family to Promise, Maine. A little town hardly known, difficult to find, but said to be home to miracles. As much as Cam shrugs it off, maybe this town does hold a little magic after all…

    Okay, that description really didn’t give the book any justice at all, and I have a feeling nothing I say now will. I loved Cam. She is witty and equipped with a biting, dry humor. She has issues, clearly, but every teenager does in one-way or another. I especially liked her transformation towards the end; she went from a character I adore, to a character I respect.

    Also, this isn’t one of those “cancer” books. I’ll admit, I sometimes really enjoy those, but Cam is not wallowing in her misery (okay, maybe once) or searching for a cure. She is just trying to live in the time she has left, and to leave something good behind to be remembered for. This books is a love story, a story of friendship and family, of adventure, of miracles… in which the main character just happens to be dying… It is much lighter, with a foreboding touch because of the inescapable.

    As much as I wanted to see how Cam’s story ended up, I never wanted this story to end. But end it did, and the ending really couldn’t have been better in what it was able to accomplish. A Job done well, Ms. Wunder. Wendy Wunder is a definitely debut author to watch.

   

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Bunheads by Sophie Flack
294 Pages
Poppy
October 10, 2011
Source: Publisher

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet. 

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

 (Goodreads)

One of my favorite movies growing up was "Center Stage", weird, but true. The whole aspect of the extremely difficult journey of a professional ballet dancer has been an interesting subject to me - so Bunheads immediately caught my attention. Bunheads is a quick read filled romance and scandals in addition the inside look at a rigorous ballet schedule, behind-the-scenes drama and beautiful mental images.

Hannah Ward as been dancing ballet for almost the entirety of her life. She's made it into the Manhattan Ballet Company, but the struggle is far from over.  All she's ever wasted was to become a soloist, but what if she wants more than that now? How can she balance her dance life with a social life? Does she have to choose only one?

There were many things I liked about this novel. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the time Hannah spends on stage, I was very impressed by how well those feelings transferred over to words. Being a part-time girly-girl I was fascinated by the costumes, ballet shoes, hair and makeup, even though I couldn't really see any of it. Flack, again, does a great job with description and makes the whole world come alive. Another thing, the romance seemed very realistic to me. Although sometimes nice to read, the whole perfect guy thing gets a bit discouraging... (haha). My point being, the romance in Bunheads seemed more real and probable than others that I've read before, that was an aspect I really liked.

My only real criticism is that if I hadn't taken years of ballet lessons, I would have no idea what all the French dance-moves were. (Not saying I can do them, I just can picture them in my mind). In that way I might have gotten a better experience out of this book that someone who has no idea what moves are being preformed.

Overall, I enjoyed it. If you've ever danced casually, or maybe even professionally, I would recommend this novel. But that's not to say others won't enjoy it too.

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. This meme is a place where people can learn about great books that they might not have known about, or to freak out over books they can't wait to get! Here's what I got in my mailbox this week...

For Review

~ Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg (ARC) 

(Goodreads)

~ The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker (ARC)

(Goodreads)

~ WinterTown by Stephen Edmond

(Goodreads)

~ Irises by Francisco X. Stork (ARC)

(Goodreads)

~ Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings 

Bought 

All of these books were bought at Books of Wonder at the Twitterhood of the Buttlifting Pajants event! It was so much fun, I seriously could have spent all of my money here... Three books was enormous restraint.

~ Shine by Lauren Myracle 

(Goodreads)

~ Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

(Goodreads)

~ Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski 

(Goodreads)

For Giveaway 

All of these books will be given away as a part of the 2012 Standalone Challenge hosted by Hafsah from IceyBooks and I. So if you haven't joined yet... you probably should...Take the books below as a bribe incentive. HERE is a link to make it easy for you!

~ The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg  (Signed!)

~ Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (Signed!) 

~ (2) Bookplates signed by Elizabeth Eulberg

~ (17) Take a Bow bookmarks

( The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice do not count for the challenge, but Take a Bow does!) 

~ Irises by Francisco X. Stork

~ (2) The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker (ARC) 

Thanks so much to Elizabeth Eulberg, Alecia Whitaker, Scholastic, LBBYR, and West Virginia University Press