TGIF at GReads {8}

Friday, Dec. 30th - First & Last: What was the first book you read in 2011 and the last you finished in 2011? How do you feel about these books? Would you recommend them to other readers? 

So, I am very new to this blogging thing....lol....and when I first started this blog was not to do book reviews, but to write about everything I love in life.  But after sometime I decided that this is what I wanted to do with my blog.  So my first review on the blog was in April and it was for teach me By: R.A. Nelson. 

I remember reading the book and thinking to myself, "what did I get myself into?"  LOL.  I really liked the book, but my reviews sucked at this time.  So I am sorry if you read it.  I promised I got better!  This book was a nice in between book.  I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that wants a good book to get back into the swing of reading.

The last book that I read and reviewed this year is probably the best I could have read.  I am so glad that I ended this year with a bang!  I read Fever by: Lauren DeStefano.  I love these books!  Wither was my all time favorite book until Fever came into my life.  I love Lauren's writing style.  I could read these books over and over again.  I would defiantly recommend these books to anyone that wants to read a really great dystopian.

:)

Review: Fever

Fever

By: Lauren DeStefano

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 368

Source: Received from publisher for review 

Goodreads Synopsis:

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 

-Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

Where do I even begin to tell you how much I love The Chemical Garden series.  When I first read Wither, I was in love.  I could not put the book down.  It was defiantly one of the best books I read this past year.  I had to know what happens to Rhine and Gabriel.   I had to know if they made it all right.  So when I saw that the second book Fever was coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on it.  I tried entering contests and giveaways. But I was not winning.  :(  Then in November of 2011 I was able to attend NCTE in Chicago.  There I meant the wonderful people at Simon and Schuster.  I was talking to one of the girls at the booth and I asked her if they had arcs of  Fever there and if they did when are they going to give them out.  And then this wonderful person went under the table and received the one book that I was there to get.  I was on cloud nine.  My life was complete.  You can ask Lynn from Bringing the Epic.....the book did not leave the my side until we left to drive home. Well to make a long story short, I was about to embark on a great journey with Rhine and Gabriel and I could not wait!

This book starts off exactly where the first book ended.  You are with Rhine and Gabriel and they are on the boat sailing up the coast. Rhine and Gabriel are going to Manhattan to find Rhine's brother.  They come across many bumps in their journey and forks in the road.  And each challenge in my eyes makes them stronger.  They are first kidnapped to become part of a show, then they sneak on a truck and take it to West Virginia, then they make it all the way to Manhattan and that is where all the fun begins.  That is where you start to understand the title of the book and where this whole story is going.  

You really feel for Rhine and everything that she is going through.  You want everything to work out.  The whole book is a page turner.  You just can not stop once you begin.  You want to know what happens next and you need to know now.  I personally love books like this so I really enjoyed every minute of the book, and I hope you do too. 

Lauren DeStefano is a genius!  I thought Wither was good then I read Fever.  I am so happy that I was able to read this remarkable book.  Fever is everything that you want it to be.  Fever is amazing, and breathe taking.  It has suspense, sorrow, love, and hate all tied into one.  It is everything that you would want in a story and more.  I would say this might be book of the year for 2012!

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars! You have to read this book!  It is that good!

Waiting on Wednesday {12}

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme that allows you to show all your followers what you are waiting for this week.

This week I am waiting very patiently for a book that I really can not wait to get my hands on.  

 

Pure 

By: Julianna Baggott

February 8, 2012

I have heard many good things about this book.  I think once I get a hold of it I will do nothing but read it....I think I need a vacation!

:)

Glee song of the Week {27}

So I am very sad.....do you want to know why.....because Glee is not on until January.  

Yes it is going to be a good one, but it is a long ways away.  And this makes me very sad....:( <---- sad face.

Any who so today I am going to talk about my all time favorite performance of the year.  This is really hard because there are some really good songs and performances they have done this year.  But I think that I have narrowed it down to the right one.

Ladies and Gleeks....

:)

I want to personally wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year!!!

:) 

See you in 2012!

Tune in Tuesday {27}

It is time for another great Tune in Tuesday.  Tune is Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the great Ginger at GReads.  It allows you to show that music you love and the music that is your inspiration.  This past month was concert edition and I am saving the best for last.

In the past 3 years I was able to see 2 of the best concerts of my life.  I was able to go and see the lovely....

Taylor Swift!

The first concert I was able to go with some of bridesmaids.  It was awesome!

I totally understand why she is entertainer of the year!

But then this year happened and I was able to go to the Speak Now Tour with one of my best friends in the world!!!

It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen in my life.  I am so glad that I was able to see it!

:)

HANDS DOWN BEST CONCERT EVER!!!!!

Review: Delirium

Delirium

By: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 448

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Source: borrowed the book from the library

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't. -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

So about 6 months ago a good friend of mine, Lynn at Bringing the Epic, told me about this "great book that I had to read!"  Well I would always tell her that if I had the time I would read it. I would tell her I just had so much to read at this time so I don't know.  Every time I would be at the library or at the store I would look at it and pick it up and walk around.  Then at one point in time, I would put it back and leave.  Well for Christmas this year, my wonderful husband bought me a Kindle!  It was the best gift ever!  So now I decided to give Delirium a chance and borrowed from my library through my Kindle. I think this is one of the best things ever invented.  But with this I was able to read one of the best books ever!

When I first started this book, it took me awhile to really get into it.  After about 60 pages I could not put it down.  This was defiantly one of the best books of the year!  I could not get enough of it.  And I am so happy that Harper Collins gave me Pandemonium to read!  I can not wait to dig into that! 

You meet Lena. Lena lives in a world that doesn't believe in love.  They believe that love is a disease.  That love causes many problems.  So they come up with a cure to help prevent love from happening.  My favorite part about the whole book is that they use the feelings you get when you first fall in love with someone as the symptoms of the disease.  I literally thought that that was ingenious.  I mean come on, how great is that.  

  Lena is your typical high school girl.  She has a best friend that she does everything with.  She is nervous about her procedure that is going to cure her from ever feeling love.  But in the mist of all of this, she meets Alex.  Alex is trying to be a friend.  He is just looking for someone to talk to.  He meets Lena and they become friends.  But Lena thinks that there is something about Alex that doesn't meet the eye.  But Alex is cured.  So he can't have feelings for Lena can he?  

This book is written beautifully.  It really has this flow to it.  It is defiantly a page turner.  The whole story just keeps you going and wanting more.  I need my Alex!!!  I have to find my Alex!  Lauren Oliver, you are one great writer.   I love everything about your story!  Thank you for one great experience!!! You are the best! This was truly one fantastically brilliant story!

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars!  It takes a lot for me to give 5 out 5 stars so this means that this book is truly amazing!!!

Tune in Tuesday {26}

Hello fellow music lovers!  It is time for another awesome Tune in Tuesday hosted by the awesome Ginger at GReads!

This week I want to talk about a concert that was pretty awesome and I would not normally go to.  About 2 years ago I got married to one of the best guys in the world.  

He is my rock.  My knight in shining armor. He is my everything.  Well after the wedding I thought that I needed to do something special for my husband.  So I bought him tickets to.....

STAR WARS IN CONCERT.  

Now I know what you are thinking....oh my you are one awesome wife.  Well yes, yes I am.  It actually was really cool.  They had some of the props there and costumes.  

I thought that it was really cool.  And I am really happy that I was able to do this for my husband.  I would defiantly go and see this again!!!!!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!!!

:)

Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

By: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: 2008

Source: Ebookfling.com

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love. -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

I know what you are thinking....."You are just now reading The Hunger Games!?!?!?!?!"  Yes, I am.  When I first picked up the book and I thought to myself....I really don't like the cover, I might not get into this.



I read the first few pages and I just couldn't get into it.  I am sorry to say, I read to page 20 and put the book down because I didn't like it.  Usually I give a book up to page 50 but I couldn't do it.  So I went on with my book reading.  Then the unthinkable happened.....The trailer came out!

And I was in love.  But I thought to myself, I really should read the books before I see the movie.  So I was browsing the internet the other night and I came across this website called ebookfling.com.  The website allows you to lend, and borrow ebooks online with other members.  And I decided to borrow this book.  And was I glad I did.

I instantly fell in love with Katniss.  She is strong willed but yet deep down is very unsure of herself and her surroundings.  She has so much love for her sister that she would do anything for her including sacrifice her life in the Hunger Games so that her sister doesn't have to go.  When that happened in the book I couldn't believe it.  No one would do that for their family during this time.  I mean that is practically committing  suicide.  The game is that 24 go into the area and only 1 comes out.  Not the best odds in the world....not even the best odds period!  

Katniss was sent to the Capital, along with Peeta; the boy tribute from District 12, to get ready for the Hunger Games.  They need to attract sponsors and make the people love them.  During this time you find out that there is more than meets the eye with Peeta and Katniss.  Peeta loves Katniss and she doesn't know it.  How amazing is that!  A love story in the mist of death.  This is why I love dystopians so much.  Some love the swoon that other books bring to the table, but these books do the same thing but just with something a little extra!  

After some kissing and major twist at the end of the book it really sucks you in.  You just can't get enough of the Hunger Games.  You want more, and you will get it.  :)

The whole book and story between Katniss and Peeta was amazing!  You truly fell in love with both characters.  And you seriously fall madly in love with their heroism.  You wanted them to survive for each other.  You wanted both of them to make it. You want them to be together.  I can not wait to read Catching Fire.  I have to know what happens next.  Do they stay together? Do they make it work?  DON'T TELL ME!!!  I will read it. 

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars!  Yes it is that good!  Everyone should read this book! Should be required reading in school!  Maybe it is.....

In My Mailbox {13}

Hello fellow blogger and followers!  It is time for another In My Mailbox.  In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that allows you to show the books that you have received this week.  This week has been a crazy week.  My family had some ups and downs but we will get through it....we always do! :)

Any way I received some great books this week and I am so excited to get started with them.

In November I had the pleasure to go to NCTE in Chicago.  While there I came out with some awesome loot.  So I have decided that I was going to show some of the great books I got while I was there during my In My Mailbox posts.

This month I participated in the secret Santa exchange hosted my The Broke and Bookish.  I got some great  things from my secret Santa.

I received a copy of the Hunger Games and a  copy of Catching Fire! 

I was able to read the Hunger Games and I am in love.  I can not wait to read the next book.  My review for the Hunger Games will be up tomorrow so check back! :)

I also received some pretty awesome socks for my secret Santa and....a Kit Kat!!!!! Which did not make it into my apartment!  I <3 Kit Kats!  

Thank you so much Eileen!  You are the best! 

I also received Across the Universe and MockingJay from my work secret Santa!!!! I was so excited! My TBR pile is growing and growing.

While I was at NCTE I got some pretty awesome books!

The alchemy of forever 

By: Avery Williams

The international kissing club

By: Ivy Adams

Lovetorn

By: Kavita Daswani

Cinder

By: Marissa Meyer

Everneath

By: Brodi Ashton

Pandemonium

By: Lauren Oliver

All in all I had a pretty amazing week!  

Well thanks for stopping by, and what did you have in your mailbox?????

Review: Deviant

Deviant

By: Adrian McKinty

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release Date: October 1st, 2011

Pages: 368

Source: Netgalley from publisher, Thanks :)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Danny Lopez is new in town. He made a mistake back home in Las Vegas, and now he has landed at an experimental school in Colorado for “tough cases.” At the Cobalt Charter School, everything is scripted—what the teachers say, what the students reply—and no other speaking is allowed. This supercontrolled environment gives kids a second chance to make something of themselves. But with few freedoms, the students become sitting ducks for a killer determined to “clean up” Colorado Springs. -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

First I have to tell you how big of a sucker I am for books like this one.  I love everything about these types of books.  I love the mystery to them, the hardship between the characters, and the suspense in the story!  Your classic page turner.   

Danny Lopez is the kid in town.  But he is not moving to New York City, Seattle, or L.A.  He is moving to a very little town just outside Denver, Colorado.  And what is in this small town....nothing.  Well not nothing, because he is moving there with his mom and step-dad because they are building a new casino and his mom is going to be the manager there.  Some think that this is wrong but really don't do anything about it.  Well while Danny is here he should make the best of it.  He becomes friends with the girl next door and a couple guys down the road.  They all go to the same school.  This school is not like other schools though.  This school has a very strict policy.  There rules are:  they can not talk while school is in session, they have to where white gloves so they know if you have been doing something that you are not supposed to do, and they learn from scripts providing from the state.  But during this time a series of events start to happen.  Cats start coming up missing and then come up murdered.  What is happening in this small town?

At first when if first started to read this book I thought to myself what is going on? The book started off with a really neat story.  The main character goes to a school that is very strict and meets a group of friends that become some of his best friends.  Hey it could happen.  It does in most books. While at the school Danny befriends the principle by accident.  I think he just felt somewhat comfortable with the principle. But things change and this is going to be one of them. Later on in the book the real twist happens....the start killing off cats.  Now come on, what did the cats ever do to you.  They are cute and cuddly and are great snuggle partners.  It was really disturbing to read about a serial cat killer.  Yes there were more then one.  In the book they talk about the cats being a offering to the demon so that evil can enter the world.  This book was going every which way.  But the sad part is that the book was very well written and really good.  

I know what you are saying....that I just went on and on about things I complained about in the book and you are still saying that they book was good?!?!?!?!?  Yes.  I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a read the keeps you on your toes.  I think that this this book was a really awesome read.   It was intriguing and kept you going inside the story.  In my opinion that is what every book should have.

My Rating:

I am giving this book a 4 out 5 stars!  It is defiantly a book that I was glad I was able to read.  :)

Waiting on Wednesday {11}

So this week I am waiting for book that I can't  wait to get my hands on....

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable... -Goodreads-

:)

What are you waiting for????

Glee Song of the Week {26}

Did you see last weeks episode?????  Oh my God was it amazing!  When I still think about it, I get goosebumps.  I could not believe that Sam came back!  I think that was one of the best things that they could have done for the whole show.  I love me some Sam! My favorite song of the episode was New directions whole performance at sectionals!

I think that they did an amazing job this season with sectionals!  I was very impressed with everything in this episode!  Please do your self a favor and watch this episode if you have not....you will not be sorry...:)

I hope you all love tonight's episode!!!

P.S.  Remember to watch out for Chewbacca!!!!

:)

Tune in Tuesday {25}

Hello friends!!!  It is Tuesday again and we are here for Tune in Tuesday.  This month is concert edition!  So I am going to tell you about a concert that I went to and that I loved!!!!

When I was in college I went to a rather small school that was the brother school to a very big school.  The big school is Notre Dame!  I love Notre Dame with all my heart.  I bleed blue and gold all year every day!  There are a lot of traditions at Notre Dame.  And one of them is the restaurant on campus called Legends.  Legends is a restaurant that caters to the public and also to the students.  On the weekend  the restaurant becomes a club.  Not only is it a club it also becomes a concert hall!!

I have seen some of the best concerts here because it fits maybe 300 people and they perform concerts!  One of the greatest concerts I have seen here was Dierks Bentley!

Now I grew up on a farm so you can take the girl out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl.

I wish I still had the pictures from that night, but I can't find them....I think they ran away...:(

 

Review: Kiss Crush Collide

Kiss Crush Collide

By: Christina Meredith

Publisher: Greenwillow books/HarperCollins

Release Date: December 27th, 2011

Pages: 336

Source: Given for review

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn't her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.  -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

I received this book among many others from NCTE.  I saw that they had put them out and I read the back and I liked the synopsis.  I thought that the book had a good plot line and if could be a very easy read.  I mean come on....I girl in high school who has it all....  I need her life. 

This book was such an easy read that when I would sit down to read it,  I would read like 100 pages in 45 minutes.  I don't normally read that fast but the book helped me through it.  The main character Leah has it all.  The parents with a lot of money, the awesome sisters that are there for everything, and the best boyfriend in the world.  I actually when I first started reading this book, I couldn't get past the fact that Leah was a spoiled little brat.  I mean she got everything.  On her 16th birthday she got a brand new car!  But guess what, she never drives it!  She has her awesome boyfriend that drives her around.  Shoot sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get my husband to drive from our house to the store....lol  Any who, after sometime the character got better because she started to act like a normal teenager.  She started to have normal teenager problems.  I like books that have this.  I feel that the readers really connect with the characters better.  They feel like what they are reading could be true in their life.  

But her world is starting to turn upside down.  Her sister is moving to Paris for a year, her other sister is getting married, and her parents are still picky as ever.  But it is just not her family that is changing, her relationship with her boyfriend is too.  She is starting to fall for another guy and she doesn't know why.  Should she give the new fling a chance or should she stay with the boyfriend that the family loves?

For me the hardest part in reading this book was that it was kind of a dull story.  They was nothing to it.  I mean there was a cute story but that was about it.  I need a little action in my stories.  I need to be on the edge of my seat.  This story just didn't do that for me.  Some might think that this book was a really good swoon, but I would have to disagree.  

But the story kept me going.  I had to know what she decided to do.  Was she going to pick Shane -the boyfriend the family likes, or Duffy -the kid on the block?  I just needed to know.  So that did keep me going.  

My Rating: 

I am giving this book 3 out 5 stars.  I liked it but it wasn't amazing.

:)

TGIF at GReads! {7}

It is Friday!  And today is a really busy day for me.  I work until 5 and then we have our company Christmas party!  I can not wait.  We are going to a local restaurant and then out for a night on the town.  It is going to be so much fun!  

But first we need to talk about TGIF!  TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome Ginger at GReads!  She asks a question and you answer.  It is that easy!

This weeks question is:

Book to Movie: Which book turn movie do you feel did the best adaptation? What about the worst?

Wow where do I even begin....

Okay here we go...

I have read a lot of books in my time.  I read mostly YA now but before I read pretty much anything.  I read a lot fiction and non fiction books.  I love most of them (notice I say most of the :)) and they hold a special place in my heart.  I would think one of the best book to movie adaptations was:

This movie was one the best movies I have seen in a really long time.  I think that they did a great job with it and stayed right on with the book.  I know what you are thinking....um we were asking about YA books....hold your horses, I will get there.

They worst book to movie adaptation was:

This movie did not do justice for the book.  I read the book in high school and instantly fell in love with the characters, the world, and the story itself.  I remember seeing the trailer and thinking to myself...."I hope they don't ruin it."  And they did.  I am sorry if any of you liked the movie....I did not.

Now to YA titles...

The best book to movie adaptation is:

The Narnia Movies!

I love these books.  I read them all the time when I was a child and when they made the first three into movies I had to go and see them.  I thought that they did a great job bringing C.S. Lewis's world to life.  It was everything that I was thinking in my head.

P.S.  I would have picked the Harry Potter movies because they are effing amazing but....I have never read them. :( Please don't hate me.

And the worst book to movie adaptation is:

Twilight:(

I was very disappointed with the way the movie turned out.  I understand that it was a low budget film and they didn't know that it was going to blow up like it did, but come on the movie was awful.  Now when you look at Breaking Dawn, that movie was AMAZING!!  They redeemed themselves with the way the made Breaking Dawn.   And yes I do own the movies. :)

I love the Twilight books.  They are the books that got me back into reading.  They will always hold a special place in my heart.  But the original movie was just plain bad.

Well that is it.  I hope you have a great Friday!

:)

 

Review: Fracture

Fracture

By: Megan Miranda

Publisher: Walker and Company

Released Date: January 3, 2012

Pages: 272

Source: ARC received for review

Goodreads Synopsis:

By the time Delaney Maxwell was pulled from a Maine lake’s icy waters by her best friend, Decker Phillips, her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. 

But somehow Delaney survived—despite the brain scans that show irreparable damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be fine, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney now finds herself drawn to the dying, and when she meets Troy Varga, a boy who recently emerged from a coma with the same abilities, she is relieved to share this strange new existence. Unsure if her altered brain is predicting death or causing it, Delaney must figure out if their gift is a miracle, a freak of nature—or something else much more frightening….-Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

A lot can happen in 11 minutes....I personally can put on my makeup and brush my teeth and hair in 11 minutes.  I can make coffee and breakfast in 11 minutes.  And I can pump gas in 11 minutes.  But in Delaney Maxwell's world she was stuck under a frozen lake for 11 minutes.  She should have been dead.   But her is she alive and well....well somewhat well.  

 Delaney and her neighbor Decker were playing on the lake in their town one day and Delaney fell on the ice and made it break.  Once you are underwater and you can't get out after 4 minutes you lose oxygen to the brain and you start to become brain dead.  She should be dead, but here she is alive and going to school, going to parties, and going to plays.  So after they pull her out of the freezing she is in a coma for quite sometime.  But then out of nowhere she wakes up.  And she is alive and appears to have nothing wrong.  But not everything is what it seems to be.  She gets these feelings but she really doesn't know what they are or what they mean.  But then she meets Troy and Troy helps her figure out what is going on her life and how to deal with it.  But maybe it is not everything that she hopes for.

This book was a great page turner.  The whole book kept you at the edge of your seat.  It was suspenseful with some swoon.  And for me that is perfect! Just a little swoon, not much.  I would have to say the books that are coming out in 2012 are pretty amazing.  I love it! :)

My Rating:

I am giving this book a 4 out 5 stars!  Yes it is that good and you should read it!