In My Mailbox 32

This meme is by TheStorySiren

Except for the first two books, I got all of these from a book sale at the library and a thrift store. I can't believe I got these many books for so cheap!!!

Blog update: For those who want to enter my 5 copies of Torment Contest, go here

In My Mailbox 31

I'm so excited about all of these! I had such a hard time deciding which one to read first! I would have started with The Secret of Ka but it's at the house while I'm a couple states over, so I'm reading Spells.

So Hard to Say Goodbye... to these Series

Although I am excited to read any book from these three sets of series, I’m also sad because it’ll be the end of most of my favorite books. Besides 1 or 2 other series that still have a few books left in them, these three are my favorite *tear*.

Hunger Games Trilogy:
I’m going to miss the excellent plotting, and strong characters that seemed to stand for something bigger than themselves.

Wicked Lovely:
Melissa seemed to know just how to make every single character enjoyable in their own right, especially Niall and Seth (excuse me as I shudder). Her writing made it that everything happened for a reason. Everything was intricately tied together.

Vampire Academy:

Aww. I’m going to miss Rose the most. The relationships were the best part of this series.

Mortal Instruments: OK. I don’t know for sure if this next one will be the last one but the first 3 felt like a series by itself, so I’m mourning for the end of the story in the first 3 books. I love Shadowhunters, I love Jace, and I love these books!

Seven Figure Book

A debut YA trilogy by Josephine Angeline was supposedly sold for a seven figure deal. The first book is called Starcrossed – this was said to be “a Percy Jackson for teenage girls”. Foreign rights are being handled as well as the film right.

Description: In Starcrossed, which brings Greek tragedy to high school, a shy Nantucket teenager named Helen Hamilton attempts to kill the most attractive boy on the island, Lucas Delos, in front of her entire class. The incident proves more than a bit inconvenient for Helen, who's already concerned that she's going insane--whenever she's sees Lucas (or any of his family members) the image of three crying women appear to her.

The murder attempt does have an upside though, as it ultimately leads to Helen's revelation that she and the local heartthrob are, in fact, playing out some version of a weighty ancient love affair. (Said female apparitions are, in fact, the Three Fates.) So Helen, like her namesake, Helen of Troy isn't going crazy, she's destined to start a Trojan War-like battle by being with Lucas. This then begs the unfortunate question: should she be with the boy she loves even if it means endangering the rest of the world?
The second book in the trilogy, Persephone's Garden, follows Helen's journey to the Underworld, and the third book, Ilium, chronicles the final battle between mortals and the gods. Harper Teen is planning to publish Starcrossed in summer 2011.

My Thoughts: I hope it’s really good, because that’s a lot of money to be spending for three books. Especially since this deal is nothing like what authors usually get. That’s got to be a lot of pressure for the DEBUT author, as well as the publishing company. I really do hope it comes out the way they intended it to.

Black Dagger Brotherhood News

This site has done a great job in using clues to determine what will happen in the next Black Dagger Brotherhood book, as well as what will happen later in the series. Until the next novella or novel comes out, I'll be dealing with my John Matthew addiction.

What are you reading on Mondays?

This meme is by J. Kaye

Read Last Week:

The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty

Currently Reading:

The Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Possible Upcoming Read(s):

Candor by Pam Bachorz

The Ghosts of Ashbury High Review

Description: This is the story of Amelia and Riley, bad kids from bad Brookfield High who have transferred to Ashbury High for their final year. They've been in love since they were fourteen, they go out dancing every night, and sleep through school all day. And Ashbury can't get enough of them.
Everyone is trying to get their attention; even teachers are dressing differently, trying to make their classes more interesting. Everyone wants to be cooler, tougher, funnier, hoping to be invited into their cool, self-contained world.

But they don't know that all Amelia can think about is her past -- an idyllic time before she ran away from home. Riley thinks he's losing her to the past, maybe even to a place further back in time. He turns to the students of Ashbury for help, and things get much, much worse.

In the tradition of the gothic novel, this is a story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femmes fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when you realise that the future's come to get you.



My Thoughts: Okay, I admit it. That at the beginning of the book when nothing seemed to be connecting, I was concerned that I wouldn't like this 480 pg book. When I love a book, I welcome 400 and 500 pages, but since it started slow for me, I started to dread the pages of Ashbury High.

I'm so glad I stuck to it! If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to tell you how wonderful this story was. I've never read anything like it. It was so creative, I'm even subconsciously (partly) writing this review the way some of her characters wrote their story. You'll understand what I mean if you get this book (when you get this book). Most of the characters were enjoyable in there own way. With a book this big I feel like I personally know them. People like Em gave me humor and thoughts of the future, while Riley and others gave me poetic words to help me imagine their world. One of my favorite characters beside the two mentioned above was Toby, with his history of Australia (hilarious) and Ireland, as well as his discussion of shadows and black holes. His parts about Tom? Ummm, not so much!

Sometimes the characters were sarcastic, while at other times they were unknowingly laugh out loud funny. And the Gothic tale, not what I expected at all! It felt like a book version of clue, but with ghost! I accused many people before the end of the book! I got it totally wrong, since I gave up near the end and claimed to myself that the butler did it (which is weird because there was no butler, and they weren't trying to solve a murder case!). The relationships in this book discussed and dealt with multiple topics like love, fear of the future, and being afraid to face yourself (or being afraid to face your problems). This book was unique and enjoyable! Now that I've finished this book, the 1st thing I'm going to do is -- well not the first thing cause it's four in the morning, but maybe the 5th or 6th thing I'll do today is go online and purchase a copy of The Year of Secret Assignments!

Books I'm excited for!

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

My Thoughts: The last book made me anxious to find out what happened with all the characters, especially Cam (for some reason).

Bblog update: My contest for 5 copies of Torment is here

In this thrilling follow up to Night Runner, Zack Thomson is back with his friend Charlie, searching for answers all the while being hunted by a creature most deadly...

While Charlie struggles with his vampirism, he, Zack, and their friends are pulled into a conflict with the mysterious Mr. Hyde, a creature who hunts vampires. As the story unfolds, and the ties between Zach and his girlfriend Luna intensify, the network of support around them collapses, forcing them to redefine their notions of good and evil and find a way forward.

My Thoughts: I thought the 1st book was really fast paced. I hope I get to know more about the characters and the problem they're facing.

Eclipse Review

Overall
Loved it! I was so excited about this one (and nervous) because Eclipse is my favorite book in the whole series! There are plenty of great things that happen in this part of the story, from the history of the Cullens and the Wolves, as well as the intensity of the love triangle.

Some Highlights
Riley – I was impressed by how Xavier Samuel made Riley look like a mysterious bad boy (and cutey).

Special Effects –I appreciate the realistic effects, especially during the human-wolf interaction (Bella & Jacob, Emmet & Paul).

Fight Training – I was happy to see the Cullens kicking each other’s butts (training wise). My favorite duel in the book and the movie is the fight between Alice and Jasper.

Campfire – The story of “The Third Wife” helped play a role in a decision made later down the road. I couldn’t wait to match the scene in my head with the portrayal on film.

Visiting Mom - This visit made Bella’s decision much harder to make.

Charlie – Aww Charlie! He added some good fatherly awkwardness and humor to the movie.

Graduation Speech – My senior high school experience was a lot different from most. Since there was no valedictorian speech for me to be inspired by last May, I imagined this one to be the speech I should have heard.

Quotes - I always love direct quotes from the book, or even good quotes from the movie that weren’t actually in the book.

Tent Scene – It was definitely one of my favorite parts, so much chemistry! It was the scene that showed the world that Jacob is hotter than Edward (lol).

Imprinting - Love the part were Jake’s eyeing Bella down while explaining what happens when someone imprints.

The Battle - As a cinema major, after thinking about how cool everything looked, all I could think about was wondering how much went into choreographing these intricate scenes and figuring out how to edit everything so beautifully.

Virtuous Teenagers - A story with a hot guy who cares about his women’s virtue? Nuff said. If only it was common and currently realistic (hmm, it could be *slowly looks around the room searching for upstanding guys*).



What I wish they’d included?
Most (most) of these are things I wished could have been in the movie but didn’t have to be.

Tight black shirt Jacob & the kidnapping of Bella (sounds like the weird title of a book):
I’m glad they left the part where Jacob (and his bike) comes to the school! I just wish it had been done in the scene it was originally in from the book, along with Alice “kidnapping “Bella.

Jacob & Bella scenes:
With hearing everybody say that they were satisfied with the love triangle, I found it difficult to express how I felt about it. I did like the complicated romance (very much), I just felt like Jacob and Bella’s part wasn’t as strong as it could have been. It wasn’t really about any scenes that were taken out; it was about small (but important) parts that were taken out of the scenes. There was no part with Bella murmuring “my Jacob”, or parts clearly showing the difference between the old Jacob and the new Jacob. The second kissing scene was really good, but I wish they could have kept the dialogue from the book. I think it would have made the scene way more intense. I also wished Bella would have fought back at first, the way it was in the book. I was also really looking forward to the “flashes of the future” Bella had when she was kissing Jacob (which never came).

I also wish they had kept the scene where Bella visits Jacob after the battle closer to the book’s version, as well as after she leaves him (with the sadness and weeping). I think if they had made their connection even stronger then it was on film, it would have made Bella’s decision seem even more grounded and definite.

Fast paced?
Like I said before, I loved the movie a lot! It just seemed like the movie was going so fast, like there were no simple scenes, no time to breath.
With everything they were able to get in the movie, I had few complaints, only wishes that there was even more to love.

What are you reading on Mondays?

This meme is by J. Kaye

Read last week:
None, but I'm finishing up The Ghosts of Ashbury High and The Iron Daughter right now.

Currently Reading:
After I finish those two, I'll start The Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Upcoming Read:
Candor by Pam Bachorz

In My Mailbox 30

This meme is by TheStorySiren

1. I've always wanted to learn more about Alexander so I'm very exicted about this one.

2. I'll be donating The Not So Great Depression to the local library (or something).

3. I hope to start Heart of a Samurai this Monday!

4. The Wager sounds interesting but it was sent to my house, so I won't actually get to it until I come back home.

5. I already have a copy of Perchance To Dream so I'll be giving this copy away some time very soon.

6. I've wanted to read Wereling for a while but it's also at my house so I'll have to wait a little while longer.

If you don't know already, I'm giving away 5 copies of Torment. Click here to check out the contest!

Guest Post:Lauren Kate + Giveaway

Guest Post: Lauren Kate Q&A

I’d like to thank Lauren Kate for taking the time to answer my questions.

In honor of Young adults, I wanted to have a themed Q&A. There are three (kind of four) categories – Books, Movies/TV shows, and Music.

Books

What books were influential to you or popular in your teen years?
When I was in middle school, all my friends and I were reading The Babysitters Club books, The Sweet Valley High books, anything by Louis Sachar or Roald Dahl. I also secretly devoured all the Clan of the Cave Bear books, which were really very smutty. In high school, I loved The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Do you recommend any of those books now?
All of them! Particularly Dahl, Dickens, and Fitzgerald.

Movies/TV shows
What were your favourite movies?
Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club (in high school, people always told me that I looked like Molly Ringwald). My friends and I loved Dazed and Confused, So I Married an Ax Murderer, and The Princess Bride. I also used to watch Gone With the Wind with my mom every year on Thanksgiving.

What were your favourite TV shows, and do you miss any of them?
I miss My So Called Life so much—and I know I’m not alone in this! Jordan Catalano was the biggest stud of all time. I also watched a lot of MTV and I long for the days of awesome music videos.

Which do you like better, movies and TV then or now?
I’m not sure I could pick. I’d definitely pick My So Called Life over any reality show today, or really any show ever. But I love The Office (UK version only!) and Gossip Girl and The Colbert Report nowadays. As for movies, new releases like Hot Tub Time Machine and Inglorious Bastards can definitely hang with all my favourites from childhood.

Music
What were some songs you liked or were popular?
I was in high school during a grunge and punk era, so we loved Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Green Day. I was also big into Madonna and Gwen Stefani. To this day, my go-to karaoke song is Spiderweb by Gwen Stefani.

Which do you like better, music now or then?
With music (more so than with movies, books, or TV), I have a very strong sense of nostalgia related to the songs of my youth. A Pearl Jam song will remind me of the first car ride I took with a boy, Time of Your Life by Green Day reminds me of my high school graduation. Even though there’s some amazing music coming out these days, it can’t compete with the memories I have tied to all those songs from the 80’s and 90’s!

Additional Question
Is there anything else that really influenced you growing up?
My older brother. Robby is two years older than me and I worshipped him growing up. (I still do, really, but in a different way now.) For so much of my childhood, I thought everyone in the whole world thought of me as Robby’s little sister. I was always trying to keep up, to do as well as he did in school, play the same sports, and all of that. I definitely have younger child syndrome! But, even though he did leave very big shoes to fill, Robby was always, always kind to me. He always included me, always let me hang out with him and his friends, and I never realized how special that was until I got older.

Contest:

Contest Update: I've changed the rules of the contest, as well as the deadline(again... for the very last time). For those who have already entered, I will add 1 extra point to each entry. I also garantee that I will select atleast one winner from the set of people that have already entered.

Thanks to the people at Random House (aka Lauren), aside from being able to interview the awesome author of Fallen and Torment (out September 28, 2010), I also get to throw a contest! 5 winners will get a copy of Torment (amazing right?)!! 3 winners will be from the UK, and 2 International (aka everywhere else).

To enter, you must go somewhere on the internet, such as a blog (must be your own), Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and tell me why you liked Fallen, or why you're excited for Torment. You MUST also be a follower of my blog.

Extra entries include:

+1 - Commenting on Lauren Kate's Guest post here

+3 - Blog post on contest

+1 - Linking giveaway on sidebar or tweeting

To enter fill out this form

http://fallebooks.co.uk/

Book teaser: The Ghosts of Ashbury High

You see, we all wanted Riley and Amelia to think we were interesting. We wanted them to see us as languid people who simmered with interesting thoughts. We wanted them to want us as their friends! (A lot of boys just wanted to have sex with Amelia).
- pg. 97


Blog update: Guest post with Lauren Kate / (&) book contest with 5 winners will start tomorrow

What are you reading on Mondays?

Read last week:
Nada. :( I'm still reading the same book because it took me a while to get into it.

Currently Reading:
The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Upcoming Read:
Candor by Pam Bachorz


Also, on Wednesday I'm having a guest post - Lauren Kate, and a contest (5 winners). Stay tuned.