Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

From pg. 7 of "Hades"
by Alexandra Adornetto

My sister didn't quite know how to relax in a hammock; she looked too poised and reminded me of a mythical creature who had somehow found herself unceremoniously plonked in a world that made no sense to her.

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I got rid of the numbers beside each meme. I thought it was too...quantitative. It's best to just leave it be. There may be many blog changes that are coming, but do not fear! Change is good. :)

My, my...

I know I keep apologizing....but I really am sorry for disappearing once again. To all my readers if there are still any, I'm trying to make it up. I'll be around commenting a lot during this winter break. I may or may not disappear again when school returns. I did not have an idea that I wouldn't be able to juggle both school and blogging but I'll give it another try. I'll still be returning to reading anyhow; I just haven't been able to keep track of what I've been reading (during school, I read no books for fun...only no-fun textbooks).

I truly hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and continue to spend their winter break with cheer. I know I'm going to be reading, knitting (I recently learned how to knit!!!), reading, watching movies and catching up with shows, and reading some more. Goodness, I clearly did not reach my 100 books goal for the year. I think I might have achieved less than last year, which was 88 books. Ah, there is always next time!

Have a great time and a happy new year!

Waiting on Wednesday (89)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Release Date:
January 19th, 2012

A dark and provocative novel from the author of The Secret Year.

Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

Jennifer R. Hubbard has created a riveting story about a difficult but important subject.

May Monday Be Merry: Along for the Ride

This blog meme is inspired by Free People's blog and their feature called "Free People Book Club".

This week's featured book is...

Along for the Ride

by Sarah Dessen

Morning would come before we knew it. It always did. But we still had the night, and for now, we were together, so I just closed my eyes and drank it all in.

What defines you isn't how many times you crash but the number of times you get back.

Friends are honest with each other. Even if the truth hurts.

It shouldn't be easy to be amazing. Then everything would be. It's the thing you fight for and struggle with before earning that have the greatest worth. When something difficult to come by, you'll do that much more to make sure it's even harder--or impossible-- to lose.

Friday's Finest (80)

Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.
Rules:
~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Believe it or not, that was the first time I recognized that in some ways she was just like the rest of us.

What a classic, this book! Reading quote just gives me the chills. Oh, sweet, true love.

Note:
I am soooooo sorry for disappearing from the blog all of a sudden. I haven't, however, disappeared from Twitter. It's where I talk about most things I'm doing so if you're following me on Twitter, you'd know that the past few weeks have been CRAZY in school. SO CRAZY (!) that I was going to tear my hair out. And I'm sorry for abandoning my dear blogger friends and readers! The following week will make up for it. I have no deadlines at all and I will definitely make some posts. Final exams are coming very soon though so look out for that. Oh how I enjoy studying. Oh so much.

But I am BACK!!! :D

In My Mailbox (60)

In My Mailbox is held weekly by Kristi at The Story Siren. Click here for details on how to participate.

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From Macmillan Children's Publishing Group:

Hades (Halo #2) by Alexandra Adornetto
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

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I haven't had an IMM in the longest time. And I've also been abandoning this blog. For that, I am sooooo sorry! This weekend I will be trying to catch up with commenting, preparing posts, etccc. And it's Thanksgiving this weekend! HOORAY!

I would like to thank Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for these books! Could you also believe I haven't read for fun in a month? It's crazy impossible. I promise I'm not fading away! I'm still here! :D

Have a great weekend, everyone! And to Canadians, I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend! Yay, turkey!

The Blog Hop (16)

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

I always take forever to answer these types of questions that deal with characters because it's just so hard, okay! So this will be one of my many answers:

In a television show, I'd swap places with Nikita (played by Maggie Q) from the TV show called Nikita. Anyone know the show? If so, you would know that she broke free from a secret government team (called Division) who are the baddd guysss! Now they're performing operations as well as hunting her down.  So why would I want to switch places with Nikita? Because she's kick-ass, she's fit, she's good and not evil, and she has a little thing with Michael (played by Shane West, from A Walk to Remember's Landon). :)

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Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books.

It’s time to spread some love beyond the borders of the Book Blogger Hop! This week, we aren’t answering a question. We are spotlighting our fellow bloggers. Find your favorite(s) author interview(s), guest post(s), book review(s), or bookish article(s) that ANOTHER BOOK BLOGGER featured on their site recently and tell us why you love it/them! As an additional challenge, find your favorite one of EACH of the categories above and spotlight all 4 (interview, guest post, review, article).

I love Audrey's posts over at Holes In My Brain so I chose a guest post of hers during "movies In My brain" which featured nothing but movies for a week in the summer. It's entitled "Guest Post: Movie to Book adaptations" and features Rebecca from Rebecca-Books! The guest post includes the latest adaptations from books to film. Surprisingly, I haven't watched most of them and I love movies but I have a rule and it is simply this: Read book first, watch its movie second.

The Blog Hop (15)

Sooooooooo sorry for not updating too much this week! I didn't get to prepare posts either. University has been fun so far, but you know, there's that busy aspect as well. And the month of October will be INTENSE. I might just end up scheduling posts. Unfortunately. It will be a hectic month. Nursing can be one heck of a program, I swear. But I love it so far and it's something I definitely want to do. Now, onto the book blogger hop! :)

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

This is actually a pretty good question which I really love! I would looove to see any Sophie Kinsella novels. They're fun, hilarious, and absolutely romantic with some true depth. Kate Hudson can totally ace a Sophie Kinsella's MC. From her previous movies, I totally believe in her. 

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Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books.

In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite “banned or frequently challenged book”?

Mmm., there's many, actually. My top ones would have to be: THE HUNGER GAMES, and TWENTY BOY SUMMER. And I really don't understand how these books were challenged. Especially Twenty Boy Summer. I mean, that novel was absolutely beautiful.

May Monday Be Merry: Twenty Boy Summer

This blog meme is inspired by Free People's blog and their feature called "Free People Book Club".

This week's featured book is...

Twenty Boy Summer

by Sarah Ockler

Like the beach glass you guys always brought me. Sometimes I dump it out on my desk and press my ear to the pieces, trying to hear the ocean. Trying to hear you.

Like the stars, fading with the halo of the vanishing moon. Like the ocean, falling and whispering against the shore. Nothing ever really goes away - it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.

Inside her head, Frankie had the map to my entire life, and I to hers. I hated that my feelings for Matt were uncharted and unmapped like a secret buried treasure.

Somewhere along the seashore, a strange wind blows over the ocean, and twenty oblivious boys simultaneously look up from their surfboards.

Friday's Finest (79)

Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.
Rules:
~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

It's amazing how words can do that, just shred your insides apart. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me - such bullshit.

Like I said, I will always go back to this lovely book and share those quotes that really touched me, including and especially this one.

Justine's Thoughts: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Going Bovine
By Libba Bray

Source: Library
Pages: 480
Rating: 5/5
Book Description:

All sixteen-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school -- and life in general -- with a minimum of effort. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s going to die.

Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure -- if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of Gonzo, a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf, and a yard gnome who just might be the Viking god Balder, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America . . . into the heart of what matters most.

A quote:

In a world like this one, only the random makes sense.

Any thoughts:

I did not know what to expect for this one and so I ended up on a roller coaster of wild adventures. Which I really, really loved. It was fascinating and exhilarating and uplifting. Needless to say, it was just what I needed...but I would like to experience that sense of adventure. Because you need those in your life.

The first thought that came to me when I saw the book in the library was, “What’s with the cow on the cover?” It’s strange indeed, especially since he’s carrying a yard gnome. Well, to those who are wondering the same thing, you will eventually know (as long as you read this book!). So in the beginning, Cam shows us his life before the diagnosis. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t really give a crap. He gets high, listens to music, has no hopes for the future, lives every single day just as it is. He’s existing, not living. Then comes the hallucinations and he’s diagnosed with an odd disease. From there, his body goes downhill. But Dulcie, the punk angel, gives him a chance to go on a mission to find the cure. And off he goes.

Most times, I didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t. Reality was twisted with physics and endless theories. There are worthy quotes, witty puns, metaphors and references (Disneyland!). Every page is rich with words. It’s a beauty. I didn’t know how much I laughed and cried. I enjoyed the randomness and the oddness. Some things may not make sense as you read but I must urge you to read it. Libba Bray opens your mind to a whole new universe, throwing you brilliance in one profound novel.

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Release Date:
May 18th, 2012

Taylor's family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it's stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven't actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they've ever been before. But all of them very aware that they're battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

This time it's the author of one of my favourite summer novels evvverr Amy & Roger's Epic Detour. 2012 can't come sooner enough!

May Monday Be Merry: Fortune

This blog meme is inspired by Free People's blog and their feature called "Free People Book Club".

This week's featured book is...

Fortune

by Megan Cole

...Fortune tells the story of three very different girls – Madison from New York, Simonetta from Rome and Sapphire from London – who all receive mysterious invitations to the 50th birthday of Brad Masters, billionaire record executive. But what could the girls possibly have in common? The truth shocks them all, and turns three strangers into something much closer and more dangerous – after all, family make for the deadliest enemies... ...

[Book description - Goodreads]

Winner of ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin

Once again, random.org has chosen a number...and the copy of All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin goes to.....................

Jessy

CONGRATS!

I just emailed you so please reply back as soon as possible with your address, which I will be sending over to Macmillan and they will be the ones who will provide your book.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway and most of all, thank you to Macmillan for promoting Gabrielle Zevin's book and for willing to giveaway a copy. Don't forget to check out all about All These Things I've Done and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. Links can be found below!

Macmillan page for All These Things I've Done

Like Gabrielle Zevin on Facebook and see her on tour

Gabrielle Zevin's website

Friday's Finest (78)

Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.
Rules:
~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it

The most famous line in this movie, which is one of my all time favourites.

Justine's Thoughts: Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Sundays at Tiffany’s
By James Patterson

Source: Borrowed from a friend
Pages: 320
Rating: 4/5
Book Description:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND
Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, the powerful head of a New York theater company, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever, though. On Jane's eighth birthday he leaves, promising that she'll forget him soon. He was there to help her until she was old enough to manage on her own, and now there are other children who need his help.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets Michael again--as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.

AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST
Sundays at Tiffany's is a heart-wrenching love story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestseller all over the world, Sundays at Tiffany'stakes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.

A quote:

Love means never having to be apart.

Any thoughts:

One of my biffles was reading this book when one day she said that Jane reminded her a little bit of me so she suggested I read it. With this book being my first James Patterson novel, in the end, I really liked it. Scratch that, the hopeless romantic I am, I loved it.

The writing reminded me a bit of Nicholas Sparks’ style -- lovely and simple with an excellent ability to tell a story smoothly. The characters were developed nicely and I actually did relate to Jane at many times. The storyline is original as it is, with the concept of imaginary friends bidding their time, being assigned to a kid and caring for them. It’s a fantasy story with a mix of romance. The only thing that I didn’t like was the tiny sense of pedophilia. At first I thought Michael would be the same age as Jane at a young age, but it ends up that he’s just a compassionate thirty-something-year-old guy doing his job. On the other hand, the overall plot is sweet. It will move you if you have a thing for sappy, delightful stories.

Waiting on Wednesday (87)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Release Date:
February 16th, 2012

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev’s band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she’s abandoning their plans—and Colby—to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie-Colby struggles to deal with Bev’s already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what’s next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

Author of Hold Still! Ahhh, so excited! I love the cover and the summary and basically everything about all of this! :D

May Monday Be Merry: The Undomestic Goddess

This blog meme is inspired by Free People's blog and their feature called "Free People Book Club".

This week's featured book is...

The Undomestic Goddess

by Sophie Kinsella

"We're all confused, Samantha. We all need more time to think. That's life. Get over it. "

Don't beat yourself up for not knowing the answers. You don't always have to know who you are. You don't have to have the big picture, or know where you're heading. Sometimes, it's enough just to know what you're going to do next.

If I've learned one lesson from all that's happened to me, it's that there is no such thing as the biggest mistake of your existence. There's no such thing as ruining your life. Life's a pretty resilient thing, it turns out.

Trailer & Giveaway: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Nearing Autumn we've got a fantastic promotion for ya from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. Featuring Gabrielle Zevin's first book in the Birthright series:

All These Things I've Done
Release Date: September 6, 2011

Description

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Sounds interesting, yes? I remember having this as one of my Waiting on Wednesdays! There is also a trailer that I would love to share with y'all:







What more, Macmillan is giving one lucky person a copy of All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin! Enter to win below by filling out the form. Open only to US & CANADA. Giveaway ends midnight of September 16th.

GIVEAWAYCLOSED

Below are links to give you a chance to check out deets about All These Things Ive Done and Gabrielle Zevin:

• Macmillan page for All These Things I've Done
• Like Gabrielle Zevin on Facebook and see her on tour
• Gabrielle Zevin's website

Winner of HADES by Alexandra Adornetto

Aaaaand, the winner of a copy of Hades by Alexandra Adornetto is...............*wait for it*

MARLENE BREAKFIELD!

 from Book Lover and Procrastinator

Congrats!! I love your blog name by the way. We all procrastinate most times sometimes. Haha.

Anyway, I'll be sending an email in a minute so that you can provide me with your snail mail which I can send to  Macmillan. Please reply within one to two days at the most or I will have to unfortunately choose a new winner. I'm hoping that won't happen.

Thank you everyone for participating in this giveaway, and most of all, thank you to Macmillan for information about Hades and for giving me the chance to give away a copy. Make sure you check out all about Hades and the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. Links can be found below!

Like Alexandra Adornetto on Facebook.

See her on tour this fall.

Macmillan page for Hades by Alexandra Adornetto.

Friday's Finest (77)

Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.
Rules:
~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.

Anna and the French Kissby Stephanie Perkins

The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.

Justine's Thoughts: Runaway by Meg Cabot

Runaway
[Airhead - book 3]
By Meg Cabot

Source: Library
Pages: 310
Rating: 4/5
Book Description:

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope... what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved—since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed—this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.

A quote:

“Looks fade,” Mom would go on. “But intelligence lasts forever.”

Any thoughts (Vague spoilers):

I missed Meg Cabot and the Airhead series! I missed Em’s quirky voice and wonderful sense of humour. I missed Christopher, Frida, Lulu, Brandon, and Gabriel. It’s been a very long time! But this is a great end to the series although I felt that the usual spark was missing. Still, the ending is captivating and fresh.

I enjoyed Em Watts’s snarky comments about everything. Sure she can go on forever and I still would have laughed, but when she keeps on summarizing the previous events, I tended to skim over them. Her growth as a character, however, really shone in Runaway. She’s tougher and more confident in the things that she does. I totally applaud her for making smart decisions.

In the end, all goes well. Yay, happy endings! Of course, Meg Cabot throws in a little bit of fluff and romance for everybody, which I can’t help but cheer for. The all but mysterious issue with Stark is revealed and someone...is going down. I love it when everyone works together as a team!

While it’s obvious that there are light aspects in the series, there is definitely a message about beauty, self, and love. So if you haven’t started the Airhead series, I suggest you do so very soon as you will find it very worth it!

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

The Next Door Boys
by Jolene B. Perry

Release Date:
October 8th, 2011

With her body still recovering from last year's cancer treatments, Leigh Tressman is determined to be independent. Despite the interference from her overprotective brother, the ever-expanding line of young men ready to fall in love with her--not to mention the physical frustrations and spiritual dilemmas Leigh discovers what it actually means to stand on her own and learns that love can be found in unexpected but comfortable places.