Review: The Eleventh Plague

The Eleventh Plague

By: Jeff Hirsch
Narrator: Dan Bittner
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Source: audiobookssync.com

















Goodreads Synopsis:

In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.


In the aftermath of a war, America's landscape has been
ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from
a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen
Quinn and his family were among the few that survived
and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of
material to trade for food and other items essential for
survival. But when Stephen's grandfather dies and his
father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds
his way to Settler's Landing, a community that seems too
good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues,
a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets
strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to
accept things as they are.

My Thoughts:

This was my very first audio book that I made it a hundred percent through.  I have tried many others, but I just couldn’t get into the ones.  But then about a month ago a girl that I follow on Twitter tweeted about a website that was giving away free audio books during the summer months. So I was like well why not…  And boy am I glad that I gave it a chance.  This is probably one the best books to get you into listening to audiobooks. 
You meet Stephen and he is living the life that we all thought would never happen.  The would have practically ended and they don’t know where there next meal is coming from.  I think that would be the worst thing about living in a world like this.  I know some people right now are living like this, but I could not be able to live like this. 
But then he is forced to live in a settlement that is trying to make their lives like the lives that they once knew.  They go to school, hang out with friends, and even play baseball.  You would think they had it made.  But then reality strikes and life is back where they knew it would, The Eleventh Plague.
Please do yourself a favor.  Go and get this audiobook.  It was so awesome.  The narrator did a great job with the whole story.  I truly loved every minute of it.

My Rating:


I am giving this audiobook 4 out 5 stars!

Review: Don’t you wish

 

 

Don’t you wish 

 

 

By: Roxanne St. Clarie

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Pages: 368

Source: ARC given from Publisher! (Thank you!!)

 

 

 

 

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

 

When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school.
In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilirating . . . and illegal. Here she's got a date to lose her V-card with the hottest guy she's ever seen.
But on the inside, Ayla is still Annie.

So when she's offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?

The choice isn't as simple as you think.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

When I first read the blurb for this book I thought to myself that I would really like something like this.  So I did the same thing that I normally do,  I put it on my shelf and didn’t pick it up until now.  And I am so sorry that I never read it before.  It was definitely one of the best books I have read. 

You meet Annie.  Annie  is the normal girl at school.  Other then the way she looks, she reminded me a lot of myself how my high school was when it came to how people were there.  High school can be very hard and sometimes people do not know how to deal with it.  I personally didn’t have to do deal with it because I had some of the world’s greatest friends during my four years there.  And yes, I am still friends with them today!  But that is not what you are here to read about….lol…..sorry!  Anyway Annie’s mom goes through a spill where she is kind of regretting the decisions that she has made.  So she is trying to talk her mom out of it when her father actually invents something that really works.  But that is not the only thing that happens because of this miracle machine.  Annie is sucked into a different dimension  where she is the living the life that her mom regretted letting go.  What would you do if you were able to live a life that gave you everything? 

This book was so good!  I think that everyone should HAVE to read this book.   It was a definite page turner.  And a book that I will always have on my shelf.   I think I may gift this book to anyone that thinks that the grass is greener on the other side.  Because it may not always be that way.

 

My Rating:

 

I am giving this book 5 out 5 stars! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

 

    

 

 

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

 

By: Kat Rosenfield

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Release Date: July 15, 2012

Pages: 277

Source: Borrowed the ARC from www.thereadinghousewives.com (Thank you!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

An arresting un-coming-of-age story, from a breathtaking talent,

 

Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life.
Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.

 

 

 

 My Thoughts:

 

 

When I first saw this book, I could not get enough of the cover!!!!  As many of you know, I am a sucker for covers!!!  And this one made me think about this book for weeks before I was able to get my hands on it. 

 

A good friend of mine wanted to borrow a couple books and in exchange I was able to borrow this book.  And it was everything that I thought it would be.  Now I am not going to lie, at first I didn’t know what was going on.  I thought that the first couple chapters were very confusing.  So I took a little time away from the book and then came back and finished it.  The book was more then I thought it would ever be.  The book was beyond my expectations.  I really think that everyone should read this book because it tells a story that is not normally told.  A story that makes you want more, a story that makes you  feel the sorrow that the characters are feeling. 

 

The book was an easy read once I got past the part of the book that was very confusing.  The story just came naturally.  It made you want more.  It made you want to make sure that justice was going to happen for poor Amelia Anne.

 

If you want a book that keeps you guessing, is sad, and amazing all wrapped up into one this book is definitely for you.  You will not be sorry for reading this book!!!!

 

 

 My Rating:

 

 

I am giving this book 4 out 5 stars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armchair BEA Day 4!!! Beyond the Blog!

Beyond the blog.....What is beyond the blog you ask???  Well not a whole lot much.  I do not write.  I do not have that creative spark in me.  I do help my local library with the summer reading programs and help with book recommendations.  And that is about it.  I know....so exciting!!! LOL I have met some really great people along the way. From other bloggers to publishers. I love where my life is and where it is going. But blogging is all I am going to do for the time being. 

I would love to be move involve but, I am not that type of person.  I don't know where I would even begin.  Some things come naturally and I am totally not that person!  So I will leave it to the professionals.  

So I guess if you have any information for things that I can do to go beyond the blog, please let me know in the comment section!!!!! 

:)

So I guess that I am going to host another giveaway!!!!

Armchair BEA day 3! Networking!

   Where do I even begin with networking. It is one of the single most important things that you can do for your blog. You NEED to get your blog there for people to see.  I remember the first time I started my Twitter account.  I was very hesitant about using it.  I didn't know what it was or what you did with it. I also didn't know how so many people love it, boy do I understand now.  I don't know how I lived without Twitter before.  I am on it as mush as I can through the day and I am pretty much on it all night. It is my life and I love it!!!! :) If you want to help get more traffic on your blog, your best bet is to get on Twitter and start tweeting about your blog! It really does help.  But you need to remember, that you should be just enjoying this experience.  Take it in one day at a time. :)

   I have met some of the greatest bloggers through Twitter.  They are always there if you need anything and that is why this is one of the best communities to be apart of.  They are there with opening arms and big smiles.  How awesome is that!  That makes you feel that people care.  And these people care!

   I want to personal thank every Blogger that has been there for me this past year. You are amazing and you will always hold a special piece in my heart! So thank you! :)

My Twitter is lovepassionbook! Come follow me and I will follow you!!!!!

Tune in Tuesday {42}

Hello friends!!! I can't believe that we are in June already!!!  Where has this year gone????  This year better fly by because next year is going pretty epic!  And I seriously can not wait!!!! :)

But first we have to get through June, and then July, and then the rest of 2012...we can do this! :)

This week I want to show you the band that I am planning on go to see in concert very shortly!!!             *jumps for joy!*

I <3 this song!!! :)

Armchair BEA!!! Day 2: Giveaways!!!!

It is day 2!!!  I know many of the my friends are sitting in New York City and enjoying their time at BEA.  And boy am I jealous....I am not going to lie... I wish I was there, but because I can't I am here doing Armchair BEA!!!  And today's post is all about GIVEAWAYS!!!



I love giveaways!!!  They are the best.  I remember when I was just becoming a blog and I won my first giveaway.  I won 13 reasons why by Jay Asher.  And because of this I wanted to continue to blog.  I wanted to keep going and never stop.  And now look at me. :)  I don't know if I would be where I am today if it wasn't for that very first giveaway I won.  I want to pass on that feeling to someone else.  Maybe there is a new blogger out there that is just waiting for that moral support of winning a free book to keep them going.    I want to help with that.


So I am giving away a SIGNED copy of ....


Silence By: Becca Fitzpatrick!





I had the pleasure to go to the Silence tour at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois!  And it was beyond fun!  I had one the greatest times there!  So I hope to pass along just something to one of you!!!



Good Luck!!! :)

Armchair BEA!! Day 1: Interview

Happy Monday!!!  Well I have my jealous pants on because everyone is at BEA and I am here working....ugh.  Well next year it is on!!!  :)  But because I am not going I decided to participate Armchair BEA!  So bare with me while I figure out this whole thing!!! :)

Day 1: INTERVIEW YOURSELF!

Well this should be fun!  I really do like to talk about myself and my blog!!! :) It's my baby....like my real baby Serenity!  Serenity came into my Husband and I's life in April and we love her more and more everyday!  She is definitely part of the family and is home to stay!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

My name is Laci and I am the creator and reviewer for BLOG-O-RAMA!!  I currently live in Northwestern Indiana.  I am originally from South Bend Indiana (GO IRISH)!  My husband and I just recently moved to this area! I am a preschool teacher by day and a book blogger by night!  I surround my life with books and I love it!  

I usually only blog about Young Adult books.  I read and review this type of books because these book take me back to a time when everything seemed so calm.  You didn't have to worry about bills or groceries or a budget.  The biggest worry you have when you are in high school is if you were going on a date this weekend or what color prom dress you are going to wear.  

I have been blogging for about a year and a half now. I love every minute of it!  I usually have one post a day but this week multiple posts are going to go up!  :)  I am going to be a great blogger this week!!!  

I have meant some of really great people while blogging!  I really do not know where my life would be if I hadn't started blogging.  You are really part of a family.  A family of people that understand your craziness over one character, or your craziness over a book coming out.  I don't know who I would be if I wouldn't have met these people! :)

Why did I get into blogging....Well I actually always had the blog because I had this great idea of starting a book club.  I love the idea  of sitting with friends and talking about a book.  Books are some of the best things to talk about!  But I know how some peoples lives are, they can be really crazy.  So I started a book club where we met on a forum and we talked about the book on our own time during that month.  Well to make a long story short, it feel through... LOL!  And I kind of let the blog go for awhile. 

Then a friend approached me about starting a blog to review books.  I thought about and I was like, well I already have a blog why not.... And the rest is history. :)  

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I am currently reading:

It is a great book so far.  I will probably have the review up this week!  :)

Some of the best books I have read this year....wow where do I begin??

   

Just to name a few...;)

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

One thing that people might know about me that is non-book related....

I AM A DIE HEART NOTRE DAME FAN!!!!

I went there for school and I loved every minute of it!  I had season tickets for football and it is definitely an experience that I will never forget!

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Hopefully my blog will be bigger in 5 years!  I don't see me stop blogging anytime soon.  I love every minute of it.  Some people come home have a glass of wine to calm down after a long day.  I come home and get a glass of wine and blog....lol! 

Hopefully I will have more followers and more traffic.  I know that that should not be the reason to blog. But the way that I look at it is that if that happens, that means people are reading what I am writing about these books that I love.  And that makes me happy! :)

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

My favorite thing about the book blogging community is that it is a community.  There are some people that will be there for you for everything!  If you have a question that answer it no questions asked.  And I think that is why I love it so much!  I feel like these people do not judge you.  They are there for the books and only the books.  

But there are some things that I would like to change about the community.  I would like people to just chill out.  Sometimes people think of this as life or death and guess what...its not.   Take this as an experience that you will never forget!  

Just recently a bad thing happened in the blogging world between two different blogs and I think it was ridiculous.  Some people just want their 15 minutes of fame.  And I honestly believe that is what happened here.  Some people just need to grow up....

Well that is day one!!!!  That was really fun!  I really can't wait for day 2! Perpare yourself for epic giveaways!!!! :)

 

TGIF at Greads {16}

Hey, have you heard of these awesome weekly posts called TGIF????  You haven't?!?!?!  Well go to GReadsbooks.com and find out more about them!!!

This weeks question is such an easy question for me to answer just because of a couple reasons!

~I have been thinking about rereading this book because it is that awesome!

~I think everyone should read it because it is that amazing!

Friday, June 1st - Issue Books: Which books have you found to be very rewarding when it comes to tackling tougher issues?

Where do I begin?????

First and for most the book I want to talk about today is....

 

here we go...

Pretty Amy is a coming of age story about Amy who is having one hell of a time.  She gets arrested, has to pay her lawyer bill, and has to make new friends because her friends won't talk to her.  This book was beyond words.  It took me a really long time to figure out what I was going to say in the review because it was literally one the best books I have ever read. You can read my review HERE! Plus the author is pretty awesome too!!!

I was able to meet Lisa at RT Con this past April and she was AMAZING!!! I honestly can say that I <3 her!!!  AND she gave me this....(no big deal)....

(screams on the inside!!!)

I would like to think that I may have one of the first signed copies!!! (don't rain on my parade) LOL

So to end this pretty awesome question you can get Pretty Amy on the Kindle for a very low price!!!  Like less then $5!!!  So what is holding you back???

Get it for Kindle here: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-ebook/dp/B0083OX03E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338433334&sr=8-2

Nook here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786?ean=9781620611197

So what are you waiting for???  Go buy it and read it this weekend!

:)