TGIF at GReads! {12}

IT IS FRIDAY!!!! YAY!! This is my favorite day of the week!  Well I can guess that it is pretty much the favorite day of the week for most! :)  And this weeks question is a pretty awesome question if you ask me...

Friday, March 30th - Book Blogger Retreat: If you could gather up a handful of book blogger friends to spend a weekend away talking books, where would you go? Tell us about it.

Where do I even begin with this question....

Well I think that a perfect retreat for bookish people would be Napa Valley!   We could sit around and drink wine and talk about books...this sounds so amazing!  We could spend a weekend there in a bed and breakfast right in one of the vineyards.  We could eat cheese and bread and drink wine all day!  Now I want to plan this trip!  If you are up for going, please email me...I want to get right on this trip....lol :)

What is your dream book retreat?

Review: The Selection and Giveaway!!

The Selection

By: Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 327

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Source: ARC given for review and giveaway!  (Thank you!)

Goodreads Synopsis: 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.  -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

 So when I heard about this book, everyone was saying it is like the Bachelor.  Well I have not watched any of that show, but if this book is anything like the show I am so watching now!  I doubt there is all of the fighting between the girls and what not.  They should really have the show more like that because I think they would get better ratings....  LOL.  

America, yes her name is America, is a musician doesn't care what people think about her and does what she wants.  In her world you marry in your caste and who help support your family financially until you marry.  America really loves her family and wants to make them proud, but she likes to do things for herself more often.  She is in love with the boy that helps out the family Aspen.  But she has to keep it a secret because he is in a lower caste then she is.  She doesn't care but she knows her mom will.  

Well not only are there castes in this world, there is a royal family.  And how the prince gets married off is there is a selection from the girls in the kingdom.  All the girls that are available apply and then after some weeks 35 are picked to come to the palace to try to win the prince's heart.  This whole time in the beginning of the book all I could think of is the royal wedding that just happened.  :)  I took the day off work so I could watch it!  I drank a cup of tea in my PJs and sat in front of my TV and watched history happen.  This is kind of happening in this story.  Every Friday night the girls are shown on TV and asked about what it happening during the week in the palace.  America really wants nothing to do with the Selection but she is there to make her family proud.  

But you know every fairy tale has to have something bad happen to break up the good right?  Well Aspen comes to work at the palace as a guard and makes America second guess why she is really here.  Is she here just to be a friend to the prince or is she really falling for him?  

This book was not what I expected at all!  The way it ended is not how it ended in my head.  IT WAS BETTER!  I loved this book so much that I literally read the book in 10 hours or so.  It was amazing!  Everyone should read it!  Kiera Cass did an amazing job making this world real and come to life.  Thank you Kiera Cass for making this book a book that made me smile the whole time I was reading it!

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars!!  This book had everything that a great story needs.  I charming love triangle, a brilliant twist, and every girls fairy tale coming true! :)

oh and don't forget to enter the giveaway!  And did I mention it was a SIGNED ARC!!!

Enter NOW!! Giveaway ends April 5, 2012!!

Review: Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters

By: Meredith Zeithin

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Pages: 288 

Source: ebook given from publisher for review

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. 

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it. 

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course… -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

I remember freshman year like it was yesterday.  I thought that it was the beginning of something big.  I had some of the greatest friends in the world and we were about embark on a pretty awesome time....well  that is what we thought.  What did we know we were freshman.  My freshman year was not as bad as Kelsey's. She had it pretty bad.  I can relate to her on somethings but not much.  And I am okay with that. 

Kelsey is starting what she thinks is going to be one of the best years of her life.  She is entering her freshman  year with her best friends.   This is going to be epic!  But it turns out to be far from it.  Everything that you can imagine that could be bad happened to her.  From being mad fun of in the school newspaper, to having a the popular girl in school make fun of her.  This could really make or break someone in high school.  But also during this time she finds out who her true friends are and also she finds out that she is not the only one having a rough year.  

During my high school years you really find out who your true friends are.  I thought that these friends are just going to be around until the friends you are going to be friends with for the rest of your life come around.  Boy was I wrong.  I am still best friends with the same girls that I have been friends with since freshman year.  They understand me and they get everything that I am about.  That is a true friendship and this is how Kelsey and her friends are.  

This book was so good that I could not put it down.  Now I am not going to lie it took me awhile to read it just because my life has been crazy lately.  But this book helped me laugh during the rough times I have been having lately in my laugh.  And that is what makes a book great!  

My Rating:

 I am giving this book 4 out 5 stars!  If you want a book that is going to make you cry because you are laughing so hard, then this book is defiantly for you!!! :)

Happy Hunger Games!!!

Well it happened!!!  The Hunger Games was AMAZING!!! I can't wait to be able to go and see it again!  I will be going very soon! :)

I know I am a couple days late, but it has been a crazy couple days!!! I moved out of my apartment and now on Monday I will be moving in to my house!!! Yes that is right I AM A HOMEOWNER!! :) 

Well in honer of the best movie in the world coming out...I am having a giveaway!! 

I am giving away a couple Hunger Games nail polishes and some swag!  

I hope you enter the giveaway, come on its free!!!

AND MAY THE ODDS EVER BE IN YOUR FAVOR!

Hunger Games Day 4!

I can not believe it!!!  We are to the day the I get to see the movie that I have been dreaming about! 

:)

That is it!!!  I can't even talk anymore about this movie!!!  Oh and watch out for tomorrow for a really awesome giveaway!!! :)

Hunger Games: Day 3

Hello fellow Hunger Gamers! Are you ready?!?!?!? The day is almost near us and I personally can not wait!  I don't know if I am going to be able to sleep tomorrow night knowing that we are so close to the day that we all have been waiting for!!! 

We shall see!

Well as many of you make know that the Hunger Games Soundtrack came out today.  I have not been able to go to the store and buy it but I read online that it is amazing!  It hit #1 on itunes in a short amount of time and I read online that a target store in another state completely sold out in just a couple hours time.  That is amazing!  I have to wait until this week to go out and get it this weekend...:(

Here is one of the awesome tracks for the soundtrack!

I want to own this soundtrack so bad!  :(  Give it time, give it time....

Well everyone I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday and may the odds ever be in your favor...

:)

Tune in Tuesday {34}

IT IS TUESDAY!! I love Tuesdays because that means we are one day closer to the weekend....and do you know what is happening this weekend????

Here I will give you a little hint...

OH MY GOD I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE!!!  IT IS GOING TO BE EPIC!!!

This week, I am dedicating every post that I do to the Hunger Games!  Including Tune in Tuesday!

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly meme that allows you to showcase the music you are listening to and the music you love at this moment.  But this past month has been BOOK PLAYLIST MONTH!  How perfect is that!

So today I am going to show you some songs that The Hunger Game books reminded me of...

:)

The Hunger Games

 

This book had a lot of heartache and action to it.  So I thought of this song....

I LOVE THIS BAND!!!! I need to go and see them again....I need to get on this.

Catching Fire

 

and the song.....

I hope they use this song for Catching Fire....I wonder who I have to talk to about that...hmmmm..

Mockingjay

 

and the song....

well that is it....that is my book playlist Hunger games edition....

What is on your playlist?

Happy Hunger Games Week!!!

Hello fellow Hunger Games lovers!!  We made it!  It is premiere week!!!  It is 5 days until the movie we all have been waiting for hits the big screen!  I personally can not wait, it is going to be beyond epic!  I am going to be sitting in the theater at 12:01 am on Thursday night seeing that I have been dreaming about for weeks!  I am going with my sisters and my niece who all have read all three books time and time again!  :)  I am not going to do anything this week but think about this movie!  

First of all I want to personally thank Jacinda at The Reading Housewives of Indiana for making me the awesome graphic!  She did such a great job!  Thanks again!:)

This week I am dedicating all my posts to the Hunger Games!  And then on Friday I am going to have one big post with one awesome giveaway, so make sure that you come back on Friday for the giveaway!!!

Today I am just going to show you some pretty awesome clips for the movie and other things that I have found online from the movie.  So sit back and relax and enjoy! :)

 

I hope that this gets you in the hunger games mood like it did me!  

Check out my review for the Hunger Games HERE!

And may the odds ever be in your favor...

:)

TGIF at GReads! {11}

Hello fellow bloggers and followers!!  I can not believe that it is Friday already...and I thought that this week was going to drag on and on!  Oh I am not complaining...not at all.  This makes me very happy because of the following....

1. I become a homeowner on Tuesday!!!:)

2. It's Saint Patrick's day this Saturday!

3. I am looking into buying/getting a dog!

4. IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!!

How can you complain about it being Friday!!

This week's question is:

Friday, March 16th - Social Networking: Do you use Twitter or Facebook to promote your blog? How has it benefited your book blogging experience? If not, how do you promote your blog? Share your twitter handle and/or Facebook link!

Wow...social networks...where do I even begin to tell you how Twitter changed my life.  At first I wasn't sure how I felt about Twitter.  I didn't know if I would like it or if  it was for me.  I am not going to lie at first I thought about deleting it and never going back.  Boy am I glad that I did not  do that.  Twitter is the best thing since sliced bread.  I have met some of the greatest people ever through Twitter!  And it happens everyday.  I am not only connecting with other bloggers, I am also connecting with authors and publishers!  I love it that Twitter is keeping me in the loop with the Young Adult Book world!  

I love Twitter! I am on it all day and everyday!  I can not get enough of it! I also have a facebook page for the blog but I am still in the mist of putting things together for the page. My Twitter is lovepassionbook. Come and follow me and I will follow you! :)

Review: Putting Boys on the Ledge

Putting Boys of the Ledge

By: Stephanie Rowe

Publisher: TKA Distribution

Pages: 170 

Release Date: October 31, 2011

Source: Netgalley.com Thank you:)

Goodreads Synopsis: 

A funny and heart warming tale about first dates, first kisses, and first loves. -Goodreads- 

My Thoughts:

I received this book from Netgalley!  Thank you so much!  And yes I judged this book by it's cover.  I mean look at it!  So when it was on Netgalley I thought I would give it a chance.  

You meet Blue.  Yes her name is Blue.  I didn't know if I would like that the main character's name is a color, but it fits her.  Blue is a fourteen year old girl that is a freshman in high school.  All she wants is the most popular guy in school to notice her and date her.  So she is going to do everything in her power to make this happen.  Well sort of....  She tries out for the school musical because he is going to be in it, she goes to a cast party so that she is closer to him.  And guess what....it is working!  He wants to hang out with her and take her out on dates.  It is every girls dream come true.  But she also has a new friend in her life.  A boy that her parents hired to help at their barn.  He is there to help her parents with the animals and he ends up helping her more than anything.  She thinks that he is going to be the boy that is just there to talk to but it turns out to be a lot more than that.  And that's when it all goes down and it's not everything that she wanted it to be, everything she hoped it would be.  What would you do if everything you wanted is not what you want now?

I thought that this was a really cute book.  It was defiantly a quick and easy read.  I liked it because it got right to the point.  Sometimes the best books are the ones that just get right to the story.  I was able to read excerpts from the next books and I can't wait to read them so I can find out what happens next.  

If you want a good, easy read you need to go and pick this book up.  :)

My Rating:

I am giving this book 3 out 5 stars.

Tune in Tuesday {33}

I can't believe that it is time for another Tune in Tuesday!  This makes me very happy not only because its Tuesday but because that means I am 7 days until I am a homeowner!!!! :)  I really cannot wait!  It is going to be amazing!

But I will talk about that another time.  Right now we need to talk about Tune in Tuesday!  This week I am going to talk about a book that I just recently read that I loved more than anything in this word!

Embrace!

This book reminded me of a song that I used to listen to a lot growing up.  If you know a little about me, you know that I didn't have the greatest childhood.  I would listen to music to try to get away from everything.  It helped. One of the songs I used to listen to constantly was ...

I know I use this song a lot but I think that it can be used for multiple occasions.  This is defiantly one of them. I instantly thought of this song at the very end of the book was she has to choose which guy she is going to trust.

Review: Embrace

Embrace

By: Jessica Shirvington

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 367

Release Date: March 6, 2012

Source: ARC given for review

Goodreads Synopsis: 

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…” 

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. 

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

I first have to tell you that my cover of this book is different then the final cover.  And I really wish they would have kept that cover!  It is beautiful.  I love it so much more then the final cover!  But I don't get to choose that detail.  :(  LOL 

Well right now there are a lot of angel books that are coming out, and some are not as good as others....not this one!  I loved this book.  I loved everything about it.  I loved all the characters and their personalities.  I feel when it is a great book the characters really grow with the story.  This is exactly what happened with this story.  I think when this happens, some of the greatest stories happen.  

You meet Violet.  Violet is learning a lot about her life and fast.  Her father is never around, her mother died when she was born, she has the greatest friend in the world, and the guy of her dreams.  But something is about to happen that she never thought would happen.  She is half human, half angel.  She has a lot that is about to happen and what is she going to do....push the guy who she thought she was in love with away to get closer to Phoenix, a strong handsome man for the bar.  

But that is not all that is going to happen.  This book is action packed from cover to cover.  It has fight scenes, love scenes, and everything in between.  I loved everything about this book and more.  I am going to recommend this book to everyone that I know!  You have to read Embrace!

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars!  Yes, to me it is that good!

:)

Review: Wanderlove

Wanderlove

By: Kirsten Hubbard

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 352

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Source: ARC given for review (Thank you!)

Goodreads Synopsis:

It all begins with a stupid question: 

Are you a Global Vagabond? 

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path. 

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward. 

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back. 

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story. -Goodreads-

My Thoughts:

First and foremost, this book makes me want to travel the world.  Just pack and bag and go.  Never look back, and never have any regrets.  This book was exactly what I needed right now.  I am not going to go in to detail of what I have been going through, but this  book the world's biggest smile on my face!  

You meet Bria!  Boy where do I even begin with Bria.... She is a 18 years old and she is going to travel to Central America to see the world.  She signs up for a group tour but ends up going off on her own with a couple backpackers.  Now that takes guts.  I never could have do that...this is why I think that Bria is one strong women.  I mean she has no idea what she is getting into.  And she just takes this adventure by the horns and goes with it.  Sometimes I wish that I was like this. Don't get me wrong, I am very strong willed, but I am nothing compared to Bria.  But Bria is running away from something/someone.  She needs to start to figure things out like where her life is going to go, or how is she going to pay for her next meal.

Well during this adventure she meets Rowan.  And Rowan is what you can call the good guy that wants nothing to do with you type.....literally...  He just wants to be friends and nothing more.  I can't stand it when guys say that!  I mean you know you want more, and you know it is going to end up being more so just give in.  :)  

This story defiantly has its ups and downs.  It has its twist and turns and everything else that a great books should need.  I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get away from all the drama that the real life deals you.  It will take you to a far away land so you can find your "Wanderlove."  

My Rating:

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars!  This book has it all and more! Go and read Wanderlove if you want to change your life!

Tune in Tuesday {32}

I have to tell you that I have been looking forward to this for I don't know how long!  I am so excited that it is here!!! :)

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly meme that allows you to showcase the music that you are in love with at this time. But this month is different...this month we are showing you songs that remind us of books or books that remind us of songs.

So I am going to one of each...

This book reminds me of this song!

I loved this book! Read my review HERE! But this book reminded me of this song.  

I really do not know why... But when I first started reading Saving June and Harper was talking about how she didn't understand why June took her life, how she didn't explain why she did it.  I automatically thought about this song.  Because sometimes you need a wish no matter what it is and what you wish upon.

And the song that reminds me of a song is....

Taylor Swift: Haunted

This song reminds me of Beautiful Darkness By: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  

When I first heard this song there was no doubt in my mind that it had to go with this book!  Let's hope that they use it in the movie!!!!

What is your book playlist???

Cover Reveal: PRETTY AMY By: Lisa Burstein

Are you ready for another great cover reveal????  Well you better be because this is it!!!!

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing. 

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

And now...

the cover!

I seriously can not wait for this book!  It sounds so good!  :)

PRETTY AMY Links: 

Goodreads: 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy

Amazon pre-order: 

 http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330534300&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble pre-order: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786?ean=9781620611197&itm=1&usri=pretty+amy

Additional links to Lisa’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/LisaBurstein

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBursteinAuthor

Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com