Trick-or-Treat!

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone has a fun evening planned!  I love this holiday.  I don't think I will ever be too old to dress up in a costume and pretend to be someone different for the night. Love it. 

As a special Halloween treat everyone who comments on this post in the next 24 hours with Trick-or-Treat will be entered to win a surprise mini-swag pack! Make sure to leave an email address so I have a way of contacting you if you win.

Pas de chat your way to the Book Blogger Hop!

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Crazy For Books!

"This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!"

This week's question is:

"What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

An in-house library!! I would love to have a home with my own little (or large!!) library/reading room.  Wouldn't that be fabulous?  Also, ever since my days of watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast I have wanted a library with a ladder that slides across the shelves. *sigh* Perfection!

 How about you?

 

On a side note: If you are just hopping by check out my current giveaway...

Take Me There by Carolee Dean Author Interview & Giveaway! International!

Waiting On Wednesday (13)

Time for the"Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Pegasus

by Robin McKinley

To be Published: November 2, 2010

Description (via Goodreads): A gorgeously-written fantasy about the friendship between a princess and her pegasus

Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pegasi, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own pegasus, on her twelfth birthday. The two species coexist peacefully, despite the language barriers separating them. Humans and pegasi both rely on specially-trained Speaker magicians as the only means of real communication.

But it’s different for Sylvi and Ebon. They can understand each other. They quickly grow close—so close that their bond becomes a threat to the status quo—and possibly to the future safety of their two nations.

---------------

 

I have not read anything by Robin McKinley before but I hear nothing but great things about her work.  This book comes out next week and the synopsis sounds intriguing.  Additionally, I just read a great interview about this book by Sarah Rees Brennan (author of The Demon's Lexicon) and Robyn McKinley. Go check it out here if you are interested!

What book are YOU waiting on?

2010 '1st In a Series' Challenge: Overachiever!

Due to basically being obsessed with reading (and discovering A TON of new series to read after starting this blog a few months ago) I chose to participate on the Obsessed (Read 20 novels that are first in a series) level in the 2010 1st in a Series Challenge! 

Needless to say I hit the mark.

And then some.

Since starting the blog I have (to present date) read 26 "1st in a Series" books!  Yay!! I think that just about wraps it up for this challenge, don't ya think?

Girl, Stolen (ARC)

Author: April Henry
Genre: Young Adult – Fiction/Suspense
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages:  224
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Softcover ARC

Scoot's Rating: 5- It was ok.

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?

Scoot’s Review:

This book was kind of a let down.  I think with the cover and the synopsis I had much higher hopes for the story to be great.  I mean, a blind and sick teenage girl accidentally kidnapped by a teenage boy’s impulse action to steal a car... what is not intriguing about that?  However, I found the story to be a little too unrealistic and short. Maybe it’s just me, but if I was kidnapped I don’t think I would be so chatty and dumping my entire life story out on a random guy who may or may not kill me.  Despite the story feeling too fake, I did like Cheyenne and Griffin.  I thought Cheyenne was brave and willing to take risks despite her hardships, and Griffin was doing his best when being dealt a rough hand in life. And, lets be honest, the true romantic in me wanted them to be friends – or maybe more.  The writing style flowed well and I liked the alternating perspectives between Cheyenne and Griffin.  Overall I was happy with the conclusion of the main plotline, but not happy with how the book ended. If that makes any sense?  This story was a great idea, but I really feel like it could have been so much more. 

Delirium (ARC)

Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Young-Adult - Dystopian/Romance
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages:  440
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Galley from Harper Teen via netGalley

Scoot's Rating: 10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Scoot’s Review:
I loved this story.  It was an intense emotional ride from start to finish.  The story follows Lena, a seventeen year old girl who has grown up in a world where love and affection are a disease and highly illegal.  In her world at the age of 18 each person is ‘cured’ of the disease and set in motion on their predetermined life plan. Lena, who despite years of being conditioned otherwise finds Romeo & Juliet and sunsets beautiful, begins the story counting down the days to her cure in happy anticipation.  However, Lena’s secure reality is shattered after meeting Alex.  Slowly Lena comes to realize the truth behind amor deliria nervosa, and her countdown goes from happy anticipation to fear.  I literally could not put this book down.  I was totally wrapped up into the story and didn’t want to stop reading, and then when it was over I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  Lauren Oliver has a way of writing that is clearly descriptive without being overly superfluous.  I loved it.  I enjoyed the writing style and how slowly as Lena’s point of view would adjust she would remember elements of her past where the reader can easily see the cruelty and suppression of those who rule the world she lives in. This story had me alternating between smiling with giddiness, wringing my fingers in worry, and crying with heartbreak.  Delirium is a beautiful and tragic story and I can’t wait to read more.  I highly recommend grabbing up a copy when it comes out in February!

100 Followers Giveaway: Winners!

We have Winners!

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway! 

 

Out of 90 entries Random.org chose two winners...

The Winner of one of the following new releases is:

Mika!

 The Winner of one of the following 'oldies but goodies' is:

 

 Hafsah @ Icey Books!

 

 Mika & Hafsah I will be emailing you shortly.  

You have 48 hours to respond before I choose an alternate winner. 

Congratulations!

In My Mailbox (11)

Time for the weekly 'IMM' meme hosted by The Story Siren.

This week In My Mailbox I a ton of books! They consist of contest wins, books for review, or borrowed books from the library or a friend. How I am going to find time to read all of these? 

Up From the Blue by Susan Henderson

Source: Contest Win

The Fallen by Thomas E. Sniegoski

Source: Public Library

 

Juggler in the Wind by Wim Coleman, Pat Perrin

Source: Library Thing Early Reviewers

The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle

Source:Contest Win

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Source: Borrowed

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Source: Public Library

Minder by Kate Kaynak

Source: Contest Win

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Source:Contest Win

 

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Source: International Book Tours

 

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Source: Public Library

 

What's in your mailbox?

Two-Step on over for the Book Blogger Hop!

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Crazy For Books!

"This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!"

This week's question is:

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

My favorite place to read is curled up on the couch or in my over-stuffed leather chair in the living room.  I could sit there curled up for hours wrapped in a blanket and reading a book. Lovely!

How about you?

 

On a side note: If you are just hopping by check out my current giveaways...

100 Followers Giveaway! Two Winners! International! Only one more day to enter!
Take Me There by Carolee Dean Author Interview & Giveaway! International!

Annexed (ARC)

Author: Sharon Dogar
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: October 4, 2010
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages:  320
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Galley from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley

Scoot's Rating: 8- Really good!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex – but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?

In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter’s point of view.  What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her?   Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together.   To know you’re being written about in Anne’s diary, day after day?   What’s it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution?  Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.

As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?

Anne’s diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter’s story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps.  He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz – and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex’s occupants.

Scoot’s Review:
From the start of the story to its heartrending conclusion Annexed is a good blend of fiction and history. I love reading historical stories from alternate points of view, and I enjoyed reading about the tragic life of the van Pels and the Franks from Peter’s perspective as he reflected back on the last three years of his life. Peter who says so little, but has a mind full of racing thoughts.  Peter is the sole teenage boy hiding in an annex with five adults, two being his parents, and two teenage girls.  Entering the annex almost against his will Peter struggles with heartbreak and feelings of shame for not fighting back against their tormentors.  I feel the story depicted accurately what it would be like for a young teenage boy to come of age in a tightly cramped space while hiding from a war literally on his doorstep.  The writing style felt very journal like, each chapter marking another day or event as time passed in the Annex and beyond.  As the time drew nearer to their eventual discovery you are caught up in their fear and on the edge of your seat.  This story has moments that are uplifting and moments that are heartbreaking.  Annexed is a haunting tale of love, loss and the horror of the Holocaust. 

ROOM

Author: Emma Donoghue
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date: September 13, 2010
Age Range: Adult
Pages:  321
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Hardcover

Scoot's Rating: 9-  Great read! Couldn’t put it down.

Synopsis (via Goodreads): To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

Scoot’s Review:
From an extremely unique perspective, ROOM is a story told entirely from a five-year old boy’s point of view.  Jack has only ever known ROOM, where he was literally born on the floor two years after his mother was kidnapped as a teenager.  I found this book intensely interesting.  It was captivating trying to first solve the mystery of what in the world was going on with the limited perspective, and second trying to find a solution to the obvious problem of Ma and Jack being trapped in ROOM.  Jack is very intelligent, but has such a limited understanding of the world because his entire life revolves around an 11x11 space.  Fast-paced sequences from Jack’s perspective were intriguing to follow as you attempt to interpret what he was witnessing.  I have never read story quite like this, and highly recommend it.  ROOM is all at once heartbreaking, and full of hope.

Beautiful Creatures: Caster Chronicles 1

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Genre: Young Adult – Fiction/Paranormal/Fantasy
Publication Date: December 1, 2009
Age Range:  Young Adult
Pages:  563
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Audiobook

Scoot's Rating:  6- Good read with small flaws.

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Scoot’s Review:

Ethan is a teen from a small town and when a new girl arrives straight out of his dreams (literally), he ends up involved in things he never even knew existed.  Beautiful Creatures is story told using a blend of history, paranormal ability, and romance.  Overall I enjoyed this story; I felt the plot was interesting and unique... if at times a little slow.    I liked the setting of the old Southern town where history plays a big role in present day.  I also liked the supernatural elements, especially the mental connection between Ethan and Lena.  I really liked Ethan and felt he was a solid character.  Ethan felt like an all-American boy with a pretty positive outlook on life, despite its hardships.  I loved how he respected and cared for those he considered his family.  In contrast, I was often annoyed with Lena; her constant wining and moping got on my last nerve.  Due to this I wasn’t wholly caught up in their romance, but thought it flowed well with the story line and kept me interested in continuing when the plot was dragging.  The side characters were great, if a bit over-done at times.  I also enjoyed how portions of the story involved flash-backs from history.  All around it was a good story, but nothing to knock your socks off.