Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life. 


 Summary taken from Goodreads

Anna Dressed in Blood was exactly the spooky ghost story I was looking for! I was so excited about this book and was not let down one bit! It was gruesome, bone chilling, and action packed.

Cas' story had a little bit of a Supernatural feel to it and, since I love that show, I though it was awesome. He learned all his tricks about fighting ghosts from his deceased father. And he's been fighting ghosts ever since he died in hopes of being ready when the time came to face his father's killer. See, a little Supernaturaly. But it was still done well enough that I didn't mind.

All the ghosts that Cas has faced have been different, but none so different as Anna. When we meet her, she is literally tearing a guy in half! How sick is that! And her dress still dripping blood... she was just so incredibly creepy!

I loved figuring out Anna's story with Cas. The mystery was really well done and it ended up being really sad. I felt so bad for this badass killer ghost girl. Not an easy thing to make a reader do. The relationship between Anna and Cas was really well done and I enjoyed watching it develop.

Seeing Cas develop friends for the first time was really interesting to. Carmel was actually my favorite character. I loved watching her accpect the whole scary situation and refuses to be left out of the action, She wanted to help, even if it scared her. She was awesome!

I loved, loved this one. Cannot wait to read the next one! Have you seen this amazing cover??

Ah! So pretty! Cannot wait!

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.

My review of Anna is actually set to go up tomorrow, but I completely loved it. I wasn't let down in the slightest and I was so excited when a second one was announced. And will you just look at this cover! How frigging gorgeous is that!  


So what are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesdays: Top Ten Childhood Faves

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

1. The entire Harry Potter series.
This is probably the obvious one that will be on a lot of people's list, but I don't care. Harry Potter was my childhood and I will never stop loving this series.

2. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch  
I loved when my mom would read this to me when I was a little good. Always going to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to read it to my kids when I have them.

3. Matilda by Roald Dahl
Probably another book that's going to be on everyone's list, or at least an author that will be. I loved all of his books. In fact, I think I need to reread them soon. It's been years.

4. The Pendragon series by D.J. Mac Hale
I loved this series as in middle school, and I still do. They're pretty awesome.

5. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Another middle school read for me but I just loved this book. It was so cool to read about a girl who loved books as much as I do. And could bring the characters to life! How cool is that! It was great =]


6. Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan
My best friend and I started reading these together in sixth grade. We both loved them so much. I still haven't finished them since I lost interest in high school but I've been going back and reading them again. They're still pretty great.

7. Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
Goosebumps!!! I loved Goosebumps! Especially the choose your own adventures ones! I had to read them in secret though because my family thought they were too scary for me. I was always such a rebel.

8. The Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo

These were so great! This is making me wanna reread all the books I loved as a kid. Might have to think about that...

9. Holes by Louis Sachar
What a fabulous book. I must have read it four or five times when I was in elementary and middle school. The first time we read it for class I had already read it once or twice. Needless to say I aced that book report!

10. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Saddest and best book I have ever read. This book will always stay with me. I remember when we read this one in fifth grade and I started bawling uncontrollably. Seriously. I had to leave the room. Another book I really wanna read again but I don't know if my heart can take it.


So what's on your list? Leave me a link!

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons.

Summary taken from Goodreads





Something in Hunger was missing for me. It's hard to pick my finger on what it was though. 


I think it might have just been that I couldn't connect to the story or the characters. Lisabeth was clearly dealing with a very serious disease. I don't know why but I couldn't connect with her at all. 


Death was probably my favorite character. He was the only interesting character in my opinion. He was the only thing that kept me reading even though he was barely in it.


I'm going to read Rage at some point, but if it falls short for me again I think that will be it for me. 


Sadly this is was only a two star read for me.

In My Mailbox No. 7

As always, hosted by The Story Siren

I'm back! I know, I know. I suck. But hopefully everything in the real world has slowed back down and I can get back to reading and writing (my two favorite things!!). Alright well enjoy my IMM this week. Can't wait to see what you guys got!

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 
The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones 
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins 
Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Summary taken from Goodreads 


Tyger Tyger was a really interesting read. I had been in serious need of a good high fantasy novel and Tyger Tyger hit the spot. I've never read or heard much about Irish folklore so this was a completely new and refreshing take on goblins and faeries and the like. And it did a wonderful job.

Overall, this was a book about a girl trying to save her family. Yes there was romance in it, but it in no way overwhelmed the story. Teagan's main focus was always about saving her father and keeping her adorable little brother safe, not how hot Finn was. It was great to read an YA fantasy where romance was not the main theme. It had been awhile for me.

But don't get me wrong. I loved Finn. I kept wanting to shake these two and yell JUST KISS ALREADY. But like I said, I'm glad they kept the romance to a minimum. The adventure was much more exciting than their romance.

I had only one problem with this book. The names! I found myself flipping back and forth in the book, trying to keep all of them straight in my head. They were very Irish and a lot of them had a similar look about them. I'm sure Hamilton was just using accurate folk lore, but I still wish some of the names would have been different.

This was a great fantasy adventure novel and I cannot wait to read book two!

No IMM for me this week...

Hey guys! Miss me? Sorry I've been a terrible blogger these last couple weeks. I work two jobs and both have been incredibly crazy lately. Every moment I'm not working, I'm sleeping. Leaves no time for reading!

But we are getting a new manager at one of my jobs tomorrow so things should start to slow down again. I hope to get things back on schedule asap.

I didn't receive any books this week, but still wanna know what you got! Leave me a link and I'll check it out.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

In My Mailbox No. 6

Sorry about not posting last week, but I didn't receive any books! Also I talked about something other than books real quick in this vlog so please watch!

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto 
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
Shadowland by Alyson Noel 

Bloggers mentioned
The Book Cellar
Addicted to Heroines

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series

Summary taken from Goodreads.

Richelle Mead has left me speechless once again. I have no idea where to begin.


Well I guess I'll start with my growing love for Adrian. He just keeps getting better and better. I was glad that Rose kept her promise and started a relationship with him. He is great to her and cares about her so much.


But.... they just felt wrong! Simply put, he's not Dimitri. Rose and Dimitri are meant to be. They fought so hard for their relationship and they deserve to be together. 


I'm really afraid to say anything else. If I do, I'll probably end up spoiling the book. I need to find someone else who's read it to discuss to with me! 


I will say this. Mead keeps the laughs, tears, action, and mayhem coming in this one. And the ending! What a (excuse my language) fucking twist! I just stared at the book for so long, completely unable to form a coherent thought. Another wonderful book from Mead! 


I don't have any idea how I'm going to stick with my Rewards Challenge and not go buy Last Sacrifice. Like right now. Please lend me all the willpower you can spare to stop me from buying until I read three more of my own books!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Summary taken from Goodreads. 

Right from the beginning, I knew this book was going to be different than any I'd read. Sure there was the whole girl who knows she's not normal but not why. But other than that, completely original. You know that insta-love thing that was been happening more and more lately in YA books? Starcrossed has the exact opposite. Helen and Lucas (semi spoiler!) tried to kill each other on their first meeting!

From there on, I was hooked. The mythology was amazing. The Furies, the Greek gods, and a very popular Greek legend that I'm not going mention. Too spoilerish. They were all so well done! You can tell how much time and research went into this book. I was completely captivated.

I loved all the side characters in this novel. Helen's dad so was caring without being over protected. Their relationship was a treat to read. Helen's best friend, Claire, was hilarious! I loved every scene with her. So snarky, funny, and above all, loyal. The two fought, but when it really mattered Claire was there for Helen without a second thought.

Lucas' cousin, Hector, was my favorite. He came off cold and harsh, but you could tell everything he did was out of fear for his family's safety. To me, he was completely forgivable. He did what he thought was right but admitted when he was wrong. I loved him.

I had gotten this from the library, but I will be buying my own copy. This needs to be on my bookshelf so I can just gaze at it and reread it whenever I want. This book is definitely going to be in my Top Ten for the year. READ IT NOW! Anxiously await book two with me!

Month in Review: September!

Sorry this is coming a little late. I just decided I'd go ahead and start doing this every month. So here are the books I read this last month. All links will lead you to reviews I've posted!

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

2. Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

3. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

4. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
5. Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

6. The Line by Teri Hall

7. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Chasing AllieCat by Rebecca Fjelland Davis
9. Abandon by Meg Cabot
10. Strife by Cate Tiernan
11. Changeling by Cate Tiernan
12.  Coraline by Neil Gaiman

13. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini review to come
14. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead review to come 

Favorite of the month:

 It was hard to choose between this one and Spirit Bound, but it was nice to visit a new world completely. You'll see why I loved this book soon!

 What books did you read in September?
 

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Oh my god. I cannot wait for this book. Clare's books are so amazing. Thankfully I only have to wait till December. I must reread Clockwork Angel before then. I love these books!

What are you anxiously awaiting?

 

 

Reward Challenge. Stage Two

 

Read on Sep 6

Read on Sept 30

Bought Oct 1

Top Ten Tuesdays! Top Ten Books I Wanna Reread (2)

Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This is more gonna be top ten series I wanna reread. I don't have many stand alones books that need rereading but I have plenty of series.


1. Harry Potter series!
I don't think I could ever tire of these. I hope to make them an every year reread, but with all the great new stuff it's been hard this year.

2. Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamliton.
There is 20 books in this series so I highly doubt I'll get a chance to any time soon, but she is my favorite adult author and I love both her series.

3. Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister
It seems most of these are gonna be adult books. Haha. But I love Katie's book. Aisling is such a hilarious main character

4. Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.
I actually did reread City of Bones and have the audio of City of Ashes. I need a Jace fix!

5. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This book is wonderful. Like I don't even have the words to describe it. I would never even attempt to review it because I wouldn't be able to do it justice. I'll have to do a reread before the movie comes out!

6.  Modern Faerie Tale series by Holly Black
Holly Black's are just so good. I loved this series so much. I picked the first one up without knowing anything about it and flew through the series in no time.

7. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I just finished reading Coraline by him and it made me remember how much I love him. I need to read quite a few of his other ones but this is my favorite so far. I'd love to relive this world all over again.

8. Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
I fell head over heels for this book. I think rereading this is going to be the only way I make it until next year when her new book, Second Chance Summer, comes out.

9. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Do I even need to explain this one?
Peeta. 'Nuff said.

10. The Hollows series by Kim Harrison
I love Kim Harrison's adult series. Her Young Adult is good as well. But I fell in love with Rachel, Ivy, Jinks, and, most of all, Kisten. I need to reread these! 




What's on your Top Ten this Week?

In My Mailbox No. 5

In My Mailbox is hosted Kristy over at the Story Siren.

Winner of Dearly, Departed!

And the winner is:


A Journey in Reading!

Congrats! An email is on it's way!

Abandon By Meg Cabot

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Summary taken from Goodreads


One of the main benefits so far of writing this blog for me has been just sitting down and really thinking about why I liked or didn't like a book. It's really helped me figured out my taste in books in even greater detail.

For instance, Abandon taught me that I'm not a big fan of books that spend the majority of the time telling stories through flashbacks, like this one did. A few well placed flashbacks? Love it. Most of the story being past tense? Not so much. I have a harder time connecting to the story if most of it already happened. As soon as Abandon came back and stayed in the present, I devoured it. But most of the book lagged for me. 


My only other complaint is I'm a little worried about how the romance between John and Pierce is going to play out. So far, John is just a little too controlling, 'it's for your own good' type for me. 

This book made me wanna go and find my old copy of Greek myths I know I've got around my apartment somewhere. Cabot did a great job of making the story her own, but still kept enough of the originally mythology to make you interested in that as well. I loved the author's note at the end that told us even more about the other myths and real life facts she included in the book. 

The ending saved Abandon for me. I won't say much, but that was definitely a twist I did not see coming.

Abandon ended up being a three star read for me. I will be on the look out for book two, Underworld, which should come out sometime next year.

Oh and I have a question for you guys:
What's your favorite Meg Cabot book? I wanna try another by her and wanna hear your suggestions!  

The Line by Terri Hall

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the United States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It's said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel's dad died in the last war. It's a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Summary from Goodreads


I've been struggling with this review for awhile now and I've finally figured out why. While I did like The Line, not much really happened. It felt like one long back story. Like we were in one of Rachel's history lessons learning all about the world this was set in and how the Line came to be. It was interesting, but I felt it needed more action. It seemed to me that the author probably could have combined The Line and Away into one book and it would have worked better (though I haven't read Away yet so I don't know for sure).

The Line got me interested enough to read Away but that's it really. Nothing really stuck with me or made me love it. It was just okay. 


Only 2.5 stars to this one. I really hope Away carries a bit more kick to it. 

 Let me know if you felt the same way if you've read this. I'm really curious to see if it was just me...

In My Mailbox (4)

Hosted by The Story Siren

So I'm sick and tired and really don't wanna link up the books this time. Sorry guys! I'll be back on my game next week I promise.

100 YA Books List.

This is an unofficial list that has been circling around the blogosphere lately that I thought I'd take part in. I stole this from The Book Cellar.

Bold  = I've read it
Italic = I own it but haven't read it

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) I read these book when I was like 8 or 9 and they lost my interest as I started to get older. I probably will never finish this series.
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3) Finishing up book three right now
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4) -.
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3) I've only read the first 2
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped 

Wow this list just made me realize how many series I've started to read but haven't finished....

So what have you read on the list?

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town. Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

Summary taken from Goodreads




I've never been to the badlands in Wyoming, but after reading this, it sure feels like I have. The setting in this book was rich and gave you more than a clear picture. It was like you could feel the wildwinds blowing on you. It was by far my favorite part.

Hubbard's writing was also beautifully done. She definitely knows how to turn a phrase, that's for sure. I found myself rereading quite a few different passages just because of how well they were written.


But even with the gorgeous, real as life setting and wonderful turns of phrase, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I've admired people before, but it doesn't come close to how badly Grace wanted to be exactly like Mandarin. Not even like her really, she just wanted to be Mandarin. And I couldn't even figure out why! Sure Mandarin was beautiful, but she was clearly damaged right from the start. I couldn't relate to the story or the characters.

I will be picking up Wanderlove by Hubbard for sure though. Her writing was enough for me to want to read more by her. Plus the premise of this one sounds more my style.

Sadly, this book only ended up being a two star read for me.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again

Summary from Goodreads 

Beauty Queens was completely and totally different from anything I've ever read before. And I loved every minute of it. Bray has a way of coming up with this crazy ideas and making every word believable.

This cliff notes about outrages products and the commercial breaks were my favorite! Some of them had me busting out laughing. My favorite by far was the Maxi-Pad Pets. Pads. In the shapes of animals. Bahahaha.

There was some pretty obvious social commentary in this book. But it was done in a fun and non-preaching way. And it was pretty spot on. This whole book was all about the GIRL POWER. And I ate it up!

Adina was definitely my favorite of the girls. She was the one from the get go who thought beauty pageants were outdated and degrading, which I agreed with. But it was so fun watching these girl's figure out who they really were. Honestly, I just loved this entire book.

I cannot wait for the next book by Bray. I will pick up anything she's written. Anything. 

The Reward Challenge Stage 1

The Reward Challenge is a consecutive reading challenge where your goal is to read one, two, three, etc. books from your reading pile and then rewarding yourself at every stage.












This is an awesome idea! It will really help me cut back on my TBR without adding more! And my first one is this:

Read The Summer I Turned Pretty on Sept. 2. Bought Heist Society on Sept 11.

ARC Givaway! Dearly, Departed.

Love can never die.Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

I was lucky enough to win this ARC from Goodreads. And I loved it so much that I decided I'd do the right thing and share the love! This is my first giveaway so I thought what better way then with a book I absolutely adored.

In order to enter, you must be a follower of this blog. Just leave a comment on this post with an email address for me to get in touch with you. For money reasons, this giveaway is only to US residents.

This giveaway ends Saturday, Sept 24.

And if you don't win, be sure to pick up Dearly, Departed October 18!

In My Mailbox (3)

As always, hosted by the Story Siren

Intoxicated by Books

Books Mentioned:

Changeling
Strife
Hunger
Shadow Hills
Dash And Lily's Book of Dares
Texas Gothic
The Vespertine
Clarity
Beautiful Darkness

Also, don't forget to check out my first giveaway!

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Summary taken from Goodreads


The DUFF was a very cute and quick read. Though I wouldn't call it a fluff book. It dealt with a few hard issues and did it beautifully. I don't want to say too much about it cause it's a big part of the story. Just don't pick it up if you're looking for a fluff piece.

The DUFF also had a lot of language and sex, which I loved! Sometimes I think too many young adult books shy away from those, like they doesn't happen every day in high school. Which they totally do.

I really loved Bianca. I can see how some people could have a hard time connecting with her  but I just had so much in common with her so I had no problem falling in love with her story. I loved her snarky humor and pessimistic attitude.

The reason this story worked so well was Bianca's friends. The trio rounded each other out perfectly, which I think is the basis of all great friendships. Finding the qualities you lack in someone else.

And Wesley! He was such a lovable jerk. I could see exactly why Bianca chose him as her escape. By the end, I completely fell in love with him. Learning more about him and watching him grow was my favorite part of the story for sure. Plus... the dirty bits were hot!!

The only problem I had with this book was the ending. Things were a little too happily-ever-after for me. I thought a few things worked themselves out too easily. But it wasn't so bad that it ruined the book for me or anything like that.

I really enjoy Keplinger's debut. Can't wait to pick up Shut Out soon!

Top Ten Tuesdays: Sequels.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish

Again this meme isn't something I know if I'll do all the time. But this time the top ten was the sequels you're excited for. And that is a super easy one for me! So here ya go, in no particular order:

1. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

I loved, loved the first two in the series. I think I liked Demonglass even more than Hex Hall so I cannot wait to see what she does for her third one!


2. Endlessly by Kiersten White

Okay, okay. I know Supernaturally just came out and I have a long time to wait for this one, but I can't help it! I love her books so much!

3. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Both of her series are fabulous. So obviously, my next pick is:

4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Okay this just making me realize how long I have to wait for some of these books...


5. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Thank God I only have to wait till the end of the month for this one. Anna and the French Kiss blew me away. I wasn't expecting to like it half as much as I did. Cannot wait!!

6. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

While I completely loved Graceling, I was a little on the fence with Fire. But the good far outweighed the bad. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Bitterblue.

7. Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Ah! Gallagher Girls 5!! Yes! My life has seriously been lacking some Zach. 

8. Black Heart by Holly Black 

I love everything I've ever read by her. This books are no exception.

9. In Charm's Way by Madelyn Alt

This one is an adult* novel I cannot wait to get my hands on. I devoured this series like you wouldn't believe! So great.

and finally

10. Much Ado About Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Another adult novel. I love all her books. So so much. Though I miss Aisiling Grey novels aallloooottt, I do really enjoy her Dark Ones novels as well.

So lovelies, what sequels are you excited for?

* I always feel slightly dirty when I type that. Know what I'm saying?
 

The Summer I Turned Pretty By Jenny Han

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.


Summary taken from Goodreads




This book was fabulous. Few books ever take me back to being sixteen, and it be a good thing. Usually you just remember the crapiness that went along with that age. This made me remember all the good times. Being surround by friends, family, and all the things that went along with summer. Especially summer love. I loved every minute of it, which is probably why I stayed up till three am reading it. 


We find out pretty early that the boy's mother used to have breast cancer and I knew from that moment on this book was going to be harder for me to read than I originally thought, seeing as how my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last Christmas and had just finished undergoing radiation. This book just hit so close to home in so many ways. 


Belly was exactly like I remember being when I was sixteen. A little whiney, but just wanting to be included. Seeing her crushing on a boy she knew her whole life... Well let's just say I've been there too. 


All in all, I related so well to this book. It was the perfect end of summer read. And you can bet your butt I'll be continuing this series.

In My Mailbox No. Two

Here is my second IMM. This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.

Books mentioned:
Misguided Angel
Like Mandarin
Abandon
Starcrossed
Beauty Queens
Chasing Alliecat
Extraordinary
The Line

Audiobooks mentioned:
Forever
City of Ashes
Wintergirls
The Book Thief
Coraline
Looking For Alaska

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal. 

Summary taken from Goodreads


The first thing that comes to mind about this series is: hilarious. Sure there's a lot of other things going on, but my favorite part is the humor. There was one part that stuck in my mind pretty well. Evie was thinking about something that was actually pretty serious. She related it to her love for cupcakes. The next line was just, "Mmm. Cupcakes." I busted out laughing.

Evie is such a great main character. Like I said, hilarious. But she's also headstrong, tough, makes mistakes, and a little broken. Which makes me love her even more. Watching her try to discover some of her past was so heartbreaking. This book is all about Evie trying to find a place to really call home, and I think that's something we can all relate to. I think Evie is one of the most real main characters I've read in awhile. The most human, even if she isn't, you know, technically human.

I wish that this book had more Lend. He starts college at the beginning so we don't see him as much as I would have liked. But if it was up to me, it would be all Lend, all the time.

Plot wise, I really like the direction this one took. Watching Evie battle with herself was really interesting. Being an Empty One sure isn't easy...

However, I wasn't as surprised but the ending in this one as I was with Paranormalcy. I figured a few things out ahead of times. But don't worry, White left me with plenty of questions for the next (and final *sad face*) book.

This was a four star read for me. Cannot wait for the next one!

TBR Tuesday. Bad Girls Don't Die.

To make up for the lack of reviews, I'm going to take part in another meme. This one is hosted by The Book Rat.

This meme is about, in her words, "Most of us have books we've bought with all intentions of reading (or maybe just because it was cheap!), only to have them fade away on a shelf or disappear into a stack of books, never to be seen or thought of again.
TBR Tuesday is a way to talk about the books we own but haven't read, see what other people think about them, and help us decide whether to bump it up our list or knock it off completely."

So my first TBR Tuesday is:
When Alexis’s little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks nothing of it. Kasey is a weird kid. Period. Alexis is considered weird, too, by the kids in her high school, by her parents, even by her own Goth friends. Things get weirder, though, when the old house they live in starts changing. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Kasey is changing, too. Her blue eyes go green and she speaks in old-fashioned language, then forgets chunks of time.

Most disturbing of all is the dangerous new chip on Kasey’s shoulder. The formerly gentle, doll-loving child is gone, and the new Kasey is angry. Alexis is the only one who can stop her sister — but what if that green-eyed girl isn’t even Kasey anymore?

I bought this at HPB awhile back and was itching to read it right away. But here we are, months later and it's still sitting on my shelf. So what did you guys think? Worth moving up the pile?

Also, don't forget to tell me about your TBRs!

In My Mailbox (1)

IMM is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

Welcome to my first IMM. Please excuse the roughness of this video (and how many times I say I'm excited to read something).



For Review:
The Ruin

Bought:
Spirit Bound
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Supernaturally
The Duff
The Iron Witch

EDIT: So sorry the video wasn't working!!! Someone be a dear and tell me if it's good now?

Just a warning...

I probably won't post a review this next week because I'm trying to get some adult books read that I've been meaning to get to for forever. Hang in there though! I'm just gonna knock out one or two than it's back to some great YA novels!


this has been a public service announcement from Amanda.

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?



I'm not even sure where to start. I finished this last night and I'm still kinda speechless.

Well if you've read the early books, you know that Rose and Dimitri are perfect for each other, tried to stay apart cause of the age thing, finally got together, then he was turned into a Strigoi. Really Richelle Mead? Ouch! That one hurt a little. But if you thought the last book made you sad, wait until you actually see Dimitri as a Strigoi. At various points in this book I was crying and practically yelling things like "HE'S NOT REALLY DIMITRI! KILL HIM ROSE!!" This entire book I was either incredibly sad and insanely angry.

When you read this book, there is going to be a long part where you are absolutely and completely pissed off at Rose. She loses herself for awhile and it was painful to read. I practically cheered when the old Rose came back.

While my heart does belong to Dimitri, I am starting to really, really like Adrian. He has his issues but he is really starting to grow on me. I hope Rose does give him a real shot like she promised. And on the other hand, I am starting to like Lissa less and less. I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe it's because she is in constant need of saving. I like a girl who can take care of herself.

I enjoy this series so much. As in, going to go buy the next one tomorrow. Cannot wait. And then there's Bloodlines soon! Yes!

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Dearly, Departed was the first steampunk I've ever read, and I loved it! I cannot wait to pick up another one.

Habel did an amazing job of blending Victorian England with new technology. I'm always skeptical about multiple point of view books but Habel did it so well. You never forgot whose head you were in because they were so unique and had a very clear voice of their own.

This whole story was unique and new to me. The zombies in this were something I've never heard of. Good zombies? Fighting for the army? I was hooked right away! And then there were the characters. Nora and Bram were amazing together. Usually I fall for the male interest, but I fell for them as a couple. They made each other better.

And while I did love them, the character who completely swept me off my feet was Pamela, Nora's best friend. Soon I was scrambling for the chapters from her point of view. Watching her grow into her own woman was my favorite part of the story.

Dearly, Departed comes out October 18 (the day before my 21st birthday. Woo!). Pick it up. Seriously!