Are You A Winner?

Well of course you are and never let anyone tell you otherwise! But that's probably not what you wanted me to say. You probably want to know if you are one of the lucky winners of my 6 month/350 (almost 450 now :D) followers giveaway! Well if you're one of these three people (yep, I added a third winner) then yes, you are.

Brodie from Australia

Small Review from the US

Elodie from France

 I've already emailed the winners and they now have 48 hours to respond. If they don't, then I will have to choose new winners. Thanks so much to everyone that entered, I had over 200 entries, and also to all my new followers. :)  If you didn't win this time, don't be to bummed out, I'm sure I'll do another giveaway soonish. Thanks again everyone!

In My Mailbox #21

 All books shown are ones I received or borrowed between May 16th-28th. I didn't buy any over the last 2 weeks because I'm trying to be good and catch up on my TBR pile.

In My Mailbox is a meme created by Kristi@ The Story Siren, its purpose is to encourage blogger interaction, as well as highlight books for our readers. IMM is not only for books you have received through the mail, but also library, borrowed, and bought books.

 For Review:

~The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

~Forgotten by Cat Patrick

~Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

~Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

(Thanks so much to Random House for sending me The Lucky Kind & to Little Brown for Forgotten. Also thank you to Holly for allowing me to read Moonglass & to Ginger for loaning me Epic Fail.

From the Library:

~Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

That's it for me! What did you get in your mailbox?

2011 Aussie YA Book Challenge

Just this morning I decided to sign up for the 2011 Aussie YA Book Challenge which is being hosted by Nic from Irresistible Reads. Now someone might ask, why sign up for another challenges when its practically June and the year is half over? Well its a valid questions and one I can answer very easily, there are just too many amazing Aussie books (old & upcoming) that I really want to read ASAP. 

The challenge for US residents is to read at least 6 Aussie titles. I'll choose my 6 from the books listed below.

1. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
2. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
3. The Comet Box by Adrian Stirling
4. Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood
5. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager
6. Saltwater Vampire by Kirsty Eager
7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
8. Once by Morris Gleitzman
9. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres
10. Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
11. Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden
12. Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

Titles in bold are ones I either own or can get from my local library. To find out more or sign up for the Aussie YA Challenge go HERE. Also if you live in the US, Missie over at The Unread Reader is hosting a Go Aussie Book Tour which allows US participants of the AYBC easier access to some newer Aussie titles. I believe you can still sign up for the tour, but I would contact Missie before signing up, just to make sure.

I hope you all will consider signing up too but if book challenges aren't your thing then maybe you can still discover some great Aussie authors!

Follow Friday: Books Read A Week

Follow Friday is hosted by Rachel of Parajunkee's View

Follow Friday Question of the week:

Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?

 I usually can read about two books a week, but it just depends. I'm not really a fan of audio books and I don't have an e-reader yet (I'm hoping to get one soon), so all the books I read are physical copies I've either bought or borrowed from the library.

"Waiting On" Wednesday #22

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

What I'm "Waiting On" this week...Times Two!

RAW BLUE by Kirsty Eager
Release Date: June 29, 2009 from Penguin Austrailia

Synopsis from Goodreads
Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing ... and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago. Then she meets Ryan and Carly has to decide ... Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?

So why am I "Waiting On" a book that's already out? Well because it hasn't been published in the US yet and it seems pretty impossible to find a copy of Raw Blue unless you live in Australia or have an e-reader. In both cases that's a no-go for me, but as soon as its available through either the book depository or a US publisher, you can bet that I'll be buying myself a copy. I've heard nothing but high praise for the novel and can't wait to read it for myself.

THE PREDICTEDS by Christine Seifert
Release Date: September 1, 2011 from Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis from Goodreads
Daphne is the new girl in town and is having trouble fitting in. At least she has Jesse... sort of. He wants to be more than "just friends," but there's something he's not telling her about his past. Something dangerous. When a female student is brutally attacked, police turn to PROFILE, a new program that can predict a student's capacity for drug use, pregnancy, and violent behavior, to solve the case. As the witch hunt ensues, Daphne is forced to question her feelings for Jesse–and what she will do if her first love turns out to be a killer.

I am probably one of the only people on the planet that liked the movie Minority Report and since the premise of The Predicteds reminds me of it, you can bet I will be picking this one up the day it comes out!


What are you "Waiting On"?

Teaser Tuesday - Epic Fail

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page 
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
• Share the Title & Author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 My Teaser:

 "The first time I met you I didn't even know who your parents were, but everyone seemed to assume I did. And then ever time anyone even mentions your parents, you act like they're invading your privacy or being rude or something. It's impossible to be normal around you."
 Derek took a step back. "Is that your opinion or Webster Grant's?"
 "It's the truth," I said. "Ask anyone--only no one will tell you because they all want to be friends with you."
 "What makes you the noble exception? No interest in being friends?"
 Was he angry? His voice was quiet but heavy with sarcasm and something else--disappointment, maybe?
 "I am interested in being friends, but not because of who your parents are. And not as much as I was before I saw you acting like a jerk to a guy who hasn't done you any harm."
 "You don't know anything about it."
 "Yes, I do. He told me you guys used to be friends, and then there was this thing with your sister..."
 He shook his head. "He didn't tell you everything."

~pgs. 101-102, Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Adapt Me: The Future of Us/Thirteen Reasons Why

It doesn't come out until November but Warner Bros. just bought the screen rights to Jay Asher's newest novel The Future of Us, which he co-wrote with Carolyn Mackler. The novel takes place during 1996, when a young girl gets the Internet at home for the first time. After she logs on, a strange website pops up. It's her Facebook profile from 15 years in the future, and she and her best friend try to change themselves to fit into or reject their future lives. Subtle decisions drastically influence who they become.

Jay Asher's first novel, Thirteen Reasons Why is already being adapted for the big screen by Universal, with Selena Gomez attached to star as Hannah Baker. The novel follows Clay Jensen, a shy high school student who returns from school to find a box on his doorstep. In the box are seven cassette tapes recorded by Hanna Baker, a classmate he had a crush on. Before she committed suicide, Hannah sent the tapes to one classmate with instructions to pass them on to a list of students like a chain letter. The tapes explain to 13 people how they played a role in her death. The script is being written by Jennifer O'Kieffe, but other then that no other filming news is currently available.

I'm really looking forward to reading The Future of Us since I absolutely loved Thirteen Reasons Why but its to early to say how I feel about a film version since the book isn't even out yet. I will say I'm not really crazy about the idea of TRW being made into a movie. I think much of the impact of the story may get lost on screen, plus I'm not crazy about Selena playing Hannah. Though to me, Clay is the most important role and a film version would have to rely heavily on how likable and vulnerable the actor who plays him is on screen.

What do you think? Are you excited by the idea of seeing these books as movies? Feel free to share your thought below and as always I will keep you in the KNOW on all the development/filming news.

Review: Imaginary Girls

Need To Know Info:

Title: Imaginary Girls
Author: Nova Ren Suma
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Rating: 4 out of 5 HEARTS

Received ARC from Penguin through LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program

Synopsis from Goodreads
Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby. But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

My Always Spoiler-Free* Review (*unless otherwise noted) 
Imaginary Girls is like nothing I've ever read before and I mean that quite literally. Its a beautifully written yet deeply unsettling novel about the bonds of sisterhood. How does one even begin to review a novel, which in my opinion, is so skillfully written that its in an entire league of its own as far as the storytelling goes? Also its really hard to talk to much about the novel without giving something away but I will try and do my best to review it.

Chloe is a smart, capable and daring young woman but is much like any younger sister in the way that she idolizes Ruby. She wants nothing more then to always be loved, protected and accepted by her older sister. Ruby has a dominating personality, bordering on cruel and vain but never directs it at Chloe, as both are the rock the other depends on after having had a rough childhood. Their bond is so strong many things can be said between them without saying anything at all. They shadow each other, share clothes, stories and secrets until a wedge is shoved between them.

Their are a handful of supporting characters that help deepen the plot, the most important being London and while most of them warrant at least some kind of sympathy, I still wasn't a huge fan of any of them. Normally not liking characters is a huge deal breaker for me. I mean if you can't like the characters, how can you possibly like the book? Well, I was proven wrong because I absolutely couldn't put the book down. Part of that I'm sure, has to do with its marathon like pace which grabs you from the start and doesn't let you go.

The setting and backstory of the New York reservoir gives the novel its on strange feeling of timelessness. It makes everything feel not only creepy but utterly unique and dark as well. Even when its seen during the day, the reservoir seems to cast its shadows over everything.

Nova Ren Suma did more then just write a story, she engulfed me in her world and made me part of it. While not being all that it seems and certainly not for everyone, Imaginary Girls is a chilling novel that stands in a class of its own.

Cover Me Up - International Covers Round 3

Its time for Round 3 of my International Cover comparison. As always I'm comparing the US cover to different international versions and all are 2011 releases. 

~Forgotten by Cat Patrick

US cover-top left, Australian cover-top right

French cover-bottom left, UK cover-bottom right

~Wildefire by Karsten Knight

US cover on the left, German cover on the right

German cover translates to ~Wildefire Volcano Goddess

~Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

US cover on the left, German cover on the right

~Blood Red Road by Moira Young

US cover on the left, UK cover on the right

So what do you think of all the different covers?

 Although I can't wait to read Forgotten, I'm not a huge fan of any of its covers. I really hate how huge the title is on the US cover, though the font is rather cool. I love the concept of the UK one, but I'm not really a fan of the way it was done or the coloring. The French cover is lovely in purple but I don't like the generic close up of the girl's face. So that leaves just the Australian cover, which is by far the best one. I like the tag line, the partially blurred picture and the way it fits the premise but I do feel it lacks that something extra to make it pop.

Both Wildefire covers are very pretty but I love the coloring and design of the US one better. Also for some reason I get a bit of an Egyptian vibe from the German cover, which is cool but perhaps a bit misleading. Ashes, Ashes basically has the same cover but I prefer the German one over its US counterpart. I think it fits the dystopian genre better and although I'm not a fan of the large title, the black & white coloring is really well done. The US cover of Blood Red Road pounds the UK cover into the ground. I'm not sure if the raven has any significance in the story but every time I see the UK cover I think it must be for some literary classic because it doesn't shout modern.

All of these titles, plus some others, are currently up for grabs in my giveaway. To find out more or to enter, go HERE.

6 Month Blogoversary & 350 Followers Giveaway!

Today is May 18th which means its been exactly 6 month since I started blogging. I've learn a lot of things since then; like how to schedule posts, make polls and put pictures on my blog. I created a twitter account from the advice of other bloggers to help me market myself and my blog. I've gotten to know some wonderful people through blogging. People who've helped me make my blog better, who've commented on my posts, included me in book tours and generally been the most amazing people. I love been a part of the blogging community and hope to continue moving forward on this crazy, fun adventure. I'm also lucky enough to have over 350 blog followers, which feels quite surreal but absolutely amazing.

To celebrate all of these wonderful thing I am holding a giveaway. So what's up for grabs? Oh you know, just some of the most highly anticipated YA novels releasing this summer!

There will be 2 winners. Each winner will get to choice one book from the titles shown below.

Covers all link to goodreads in case you'd like more info on each book

RULES:

Must be 13 years or older to enter
Following is NOT required to enter but is greatly appreciated.
Open Internationally (*book depository must ship to your country)
Contest runs from 05/18-5/30
Winners will be announced on May 31st and will have 48 hours to respond before I pick new winners!

To Enter please leave a comment on this post with your name, email, country of residence and which title you would like if you win. (No extra entries, just nice and simple)

Hopefully there's at least one title everyone is interested in.  Big thanks to all my lovely followers!!! Good luck everyone!

"Waiting On" Wednesday #21

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

What I'm "Waiting On" this week...

BETWEEN by Jessica Warman
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011 from Walker & Company

Synopsis from Goodreads
Elizabeth Valchar--pretty, popular, and rich--wakes up the morning after her eighteenth birthday on the yacht where she'd been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead.

She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death. She's also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them. 

I only have one thing to say about Between, it sounds amazing and I want to read it NOW!  Okay, so that was two thing but you get my point!

What are you "Waiting On"?

Adapt Me: The Secret Circle

A couple months ago, I posted some casting news about The Secret Circle pilot that was being filmed for the CW. Well today the network officially picked up the pilot to series.  

The Secret Circle is of course based on the novels of the same name, written by L.J. Smith. The show will star Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected, Avalon High) as Cassie and Thomas Dekker (Heroes, Terminator: TSCC) as Adam and is scheduled to air sometime this fall on the CW.

The pilot was written by Kevin Williamson & Andrew Miller and both will serve as executive producers. Its not currently clear how or if this will effect Kevin's work on The Vampire Diaries, but I'll let you know whenever I do.

Also whenever a trailer for the show is available, I will post it . For those of you who've read the books, are you excited to see a TV series based on them? Do you like the casting of Britt and Thomas? Share you thoughts below and as always I promise to keep you all updated on the project.

Adapt Me - Warm Bodies

British actor Nicholas Hoult (UK Skins, A Single Man) has been cast as R in the film version of Warm Bodies, which is being developed by Summit Entertainment.

Warm Bodies written by Issac Marion, tells the story of R, a zombie who begins an unlikely friendship with the girlfriend of one of his victims. Australian actress Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) is in negotiations to play the girlfriend.

Since the novel just came out and I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre, I haven't read the book. I've read quite a few glowing reviews about the novel though, so I'm definitely curious about it.

Have any of you read the novel yet? If so what did you think? Excited to see another zombie flick? Let me know what you think and as always I will keep you updated on the project as I get more info.

In My Mailbox #20

 All books shown are ones I bought or received between May 7th-15th.

In My Mailbox is a meme created by Kristi@ The Story Siren, its purpose is to encourage blogger interaction, as well as highlight books for our readers. IMM is not only for books you have received through the mail, but also library, borrowed, and bought books.

Bought:

~The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

~The Mediator: Vol 1 by Meg Cabot

~I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

 ~The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Won for Review:

 ~Fins Are Forever by Teri Lynn Childs

Thanks to Teri Lynn for hosting the ARC giveaway and including the Bookmarks!

So tell me fellow readers, What did you get in your mailbox?

Follow Friday: Most Emotional Scene

Follow Friday is hosted by Rachel of Parajunkee's View

Follow Friday Question of the week: 

Q. The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional. What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?

It wasn't really a specific scene, so much as the whole book but Between Shades of Gray made me very emotional. I'm not the type of person who easily gets upset or cries while reading either. 

My review of BSOG can be found here.

Revew: Along for the Ride

Need To Know Info:

Title: Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Format: Hardcover, 383 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: June 11th, 2009
Rating: 3 out of 5 HEARTS

Borrowed from the library for Sarah Dessen Week

Synopsis from Goodreads
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

My Always Spoiler-Free* Review (*unless otherwise noted)
Along for the Ride was the first Sarah Dessen novel I've ever read and although I did enjoyed it, perhaps my expectations were to high, since I also felt slightly disappointed too!

I really love the way Sarah crafts the story, as there's something very familiar and comforting about it, like catching up with an old friend you haven't seen in awhile. The novel flows very effortlessly as well and it was easy to lose myself in the story while I was reading it.

Unfortunately I didn't find Auden the easiest character to identify with as she comes across a bit uptight and judgmental. It could be because my own personality is so different from hers, but honestly I don't think I've ever meet a single person like Auden. Her personality didn't seem overly consistent either, I realize she's still trying to figure out who she is, but one day she'd act one way, like wanting to help out with her baby sister and then the next day want nothing to do with her. Although Auden did start to grow on me at the end, I would have appreciated if she'd been a bit more outgoing.

I found both of Auden's parents to be quite demanding and self-centered. They only really seemed to think about themselves and barely took the time to notice when Auden was around. Only Auden's stepmom Heidi seemed to take her feeling into account which was nice because Heidi turned out to be one of my favorite characters.

I loved the character of Eli though and honestly if the novel had been told from his point-of-view instead of Auden's, I probably would have liked it better. Eli is the kind of mysterious loner, we all pine for but he was also really sweet and thoughtful. I enjoyed the nice build up to his relationship with Auden, as it was never rushed or unrealistic.

I did enjoy the beach setting as it created the perfect place for a summer story. I was also very glad to learn that all of Sarah Dessen's books take place in the same place with different characters overlapping into her other novels.

Although I have mixed feeling about my first Sarah Dessen experience, I really did enjoy her writing style and how the relationship between Auden & Eli developed. I'm looking forward to reading another one of her titles so I can compare it to this one and I'd recommend it to fans of contemporary coming of age or romance stories.

"Waiting On" Wednesday #20

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

What I'm "Waiting On" this week...

LIE by Caroline Bock
Release Date: August 30th, 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Synopsis from Goodreads
Seventeen year-old Skylar Thompson is being questioned by the police.  Her boyfriend Jimmy stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she's the prime witness.  Skylar is keeping quiet about what she's seen, but how long can she keep it up?  Jimmy was her savior.  When her mother died, he was the only person who made her feel safe, protected from the world.  But when she begins to appreciate the enormity of what has happened, especially when Carlos Cortez, the victim's brother, steps up to demand justice, she starts to have second thoughts about protecting him.  Jimmy's accomplice, Sean, is facing his own moral quandary. He's out on bail and has been offered a plea in exchange for testifying against Jimmy.  Sean must decide whether or not to turn on his friend in order to save himself.  But most importantly, both must figure out why they followed someone like Jimmy—someone who bullied people and advocated violence against others—in the first place. 

I can't wait to read LIE it sounds like its going to be an unforgettable novel. I really enjoy reading contemporary books that have strong characters and a powerful messages, so I'm hoping this one doesn't disappoint since it seems to have both. 

What are you "Waiting On"?