Must Monday: Suicide Notes

Suicide Notes

Michael Thomas Ford

HarperCollins

Release Date: September 2010 (It may be out already!)

What?

I'm not crazy. I don't see what the big deal is about what happened. But apparently someone does think it's a big deal because here I am. I bet it was my mother. She always overreacts.

Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year's Day to find himself in the hospital. Make that the psychiatric ward. With the nutjobs. Clearly, this is all a huge mistake. Forget about the bandages on his wrists and the notes on his chart. Forget about his problems with his best friend, Allie, and her boyfriend, Burke. Jeff's perfectly fine, perfectly normal, not like the other kids in the hospital with him. Now they've got problems. But a funny thing happens as his forty-five-day sentence drags on—the crazies start to seem less crazy.

Compelling, witty, and refreshingly real, Suicide Notes is a darkly humorous novel from award-winning author Michael Thomas Ford that examines that fuzzy line between "normal" and the rest of us.

Why?

I was not a huge fan of Thirteen Reasons Why, but I am willing to try out another teen suicide book. I think the setting of this book makes it appeal to me. The fact that the story takes place in a hospital Psychiatric Ward adds for more drama. I cannot wait to take a deeper look into the lfie of Jeff see what he comes to terms with in his forty-five day stay in the Psych Ward.

The Silver Blade

Only a few more letters left to my alphabetical booklist....

The Silver Blade

Sally Gardner

Penguin Group

$17.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis:

With his beloved Sido safely in England and the Reign of Terror at its height, mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But while the two are apart, Yann's Gypsy origins prejudice Sido's guardian against their marriage, spoiling their reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil count, rescue Sido, and save all of France.

Why?

I chose to highlight this book for two reasons. Number one, I like the cover! I sound really shallow but the guy looks mysterious and I find that very attractive. Second there are not a lot of good books out there with a guy as the main character. My dad has recently gotten into young adult books and I see this as something he might read, so I want to highlight it for all the guy readers out there as well as the girls.

Florida Friday 2

I am still in Florida this week and to go with last weeks top five I am beinging you another top five this week. The main reason I journeyed to Florida this summer was to go to the Harry Potter theme park.I will make sure to post some pictures upon my return but until then I will supply you with a list of my top five favorite characters from Harry Potter. I am not including Harry, Ron, or Hermione in my list because everyone loves them and I want to highlight some other characters. I know I may receive some flack for this but know that I do love very single Harry Potter character, but some are a little more dear to my heart...

1. Luna Lovegood

Oh Luna.... she is so odd and awkward that you just have to love her. She offers that odd element that is needed in the books, not to mention she is quite useful.

2. Draco Malfoy

Veryone please calm down and don't hate me.... But yes I do love Draco. If I had to choose one villian from a book who I love Draco Malfow wins hands down. While he is a jerk and tries to ruin Harry's life whenever possible I know there is a softer side that is just waiting to get out.

3. Neville Longbottom

Oh Neville... that super awkward smart kid. While Neville may seem like a pansy at times he has a heart of gold and is willing to help Harry when he needs it.

4. Ginny Weasley

Oh Ginny, how I hate you for dating Harry, but still I like you. I love Ginny's character and the fgact that she sticks by Harry throughout the books. She is loyal and a good fighter.

5. Viktor Krum

Oh Viktor... you are so beautiful yet so dumb. Even when before I saw Viktor in the movies I loved him, you have to. He is an amazing quidditch player and I just want to hug him.

Who are your favorite Harry Potter characters?

Review: So Many Boys

So Many Boys

Suzanne Young

Penguin Group

$9.99 U.S.

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Synopsis:

After her center-court split with Aiden, Tessa put the SOS behind her. After all, cheaters never prosper! Now she's busy working on her faux-relationship with Aiden and negotiating the unfamiliar waters of “technically single and pseudo-dating.”

Life can't get any more dismal for a one-guy kind of girl until an imposter hijacks the SOS, and it's up to Tessa to save her squad from slander. But with her best boy hot and cold, what's a kitten to do?

Even worse, Tessa doesn't realize how much she's up against—because this copykitten is far more naughty than nice.

My Thoughts:

You have to love a good light novel. I love the Naughty List Books because they do not require a whole lot from me. They are light and bubbly just like their author Suzanne Young. I was surprised where she decided to take the sequel to the Naughty List, but in the end I loved it. I think So Many boys had more drama and more mystery than the previous book. With the Copy Kitten on the loose Tessa and the girls had to be more sneaky, and also had to try and cover up their true identity. I loved the addition of Joel to the book. He is a very loveable character and I would totally want to date him. The book was fun to read and I am excited for the final book in the series to come out in November.

Recommendations:

Anyone looking for a fun light read.

Grade: A

Age: Young Adult (14+)

Extra: If you have not read The Naugthy List yet keep a look out, because I will be giving a signed copy away when I reach 100 followers!!!!

Halo

Halo

Alexandra Adornetto

Feiwell and Friends

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis:

Three angels — Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human — are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angels’ mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

Why?

I am really getting into Angel books these days and this one sounds amazing! Forbidden love, strong bonds and much more... it is everything a girl could ever want in a book :)

Review: Wanted

Wanted

Sara Shepard

HerperCollins

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Synopsis:

In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .

Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store.

My Thoughts:

Wow, I am really behind on my reviews because it seems like forever since I have read this!!! In true Pretty Little Liars fashion Wanted brought more twists and turns then a swirly slide. I found myself trying to keep up with the plot. I do have to say that I am satisfied with the ending even if it was a little bit disturbing. I thought I knew how the book would end, but I was completely wrong, however, I was able to guess from the very beginning that the "new girl" was going to bring trouble. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster when I read this book. There was lots of hate and lots more violence then the first seven books. I think Sara Shepard did a good job ending the series except for that one last part. I cannot beliueve she had that extra last page, it made me so angry!!!!! All in all I really enjoyed the book, but I think to many people died in the series as a whole.

Recommendations:

Anyone dying to know the ending of the series.

Grade: A

Age: Young Adult (15+)

Sugar and Spice

It is Monday so that means it is time for my weekly must.... As an extra added bonus to today Gossip Girl Season 4 starts tonight!!!

Sugar and Spice

Lauren Conrad

HarperTeen

Release Date: October 2010

Synopsis: No Synopsis Posted Yet...

Why?

To my own horror I actually love this series... I have been so busy I have yet to read Sweet Little Lies! Since Sugar and Spice comes out this fall I will be bumping Sweet Little Lies up on my TBR pile!!!!

Review: Heist Society

Heist Society

Ally Carter

Disney Book Group

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Synopsis:

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre . . . to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria . . . to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own — scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.
Soon, Kat’s friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster’s priceless art collection has been stolen and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled off this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.
For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and, hopefully, just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history — and with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

My Thoughts:

This book was a really big deal when it came out, I remember a lot of bloggers talking about it. I, being lame and apparently not up to date, had no idea what the big deal about Heist Society was, that is until I read it. I really got into the action of Heist Society and the journey that Kat and Hale took. I loved the travel and the secrets and lies, as well as the disguises and fake names. This book was fast paced and fun and it was like I was in a James Bond movie while I read it. I don't think I had ever read a spy book up[ until I decided to read Heist Society and I will say that I am no opposed to reading more. In a way Kat reminds me of Mulan. Both are fierce and independent, they are used to doing business with the boys and are able to keep up. I think Kat was an amazing role model for young girls, minus the stealing part. I loved the high energy of the book and I found myself trying to stay one step ahead of the mystery. This book kept me on my toes and was lots of fun to read.

Recommendations:

Anyone feeling up to a little heist...

Grade: A

Age: Young Adult (14+)

The Reluctant Heiress

The Reluctant Heiress

Eva Ibbotson

Penguin Group

$9.99 U.S.

Synopsis:

Being an heiress in 1920s Austria with nothing but a broken-down castle to your name and nary a penny in your purse could be frustrating for anyone but the Princess Theresa-Maria of Pfaffenstein. "Tessa," however, is thrilled with her situation, as it allows her to concentrate on her love of the arts and no one in the Viennese opera company need know that their delightful and charming under-wardrobe mistress is really a princess. But when the dashing self-made millionaire Guy Farne arrives at the opera in search of suitable entertainment for his high society guests, Tessa realizes that there may be more to life and love than just music. But while the attraction between them in undeniable, Guy's insufferable snob of a fiancée only solidifies Tessa's determination to keep her true identity a secret. Yet, after a chance meeting with the handsome Englishman, Tessa's reserve begins to melt, and she starts to wonder if it's not too late for a fairytale ending...

Why?

I usually read a lot of paranormal romance books or just more paranormal books in general, but sometimes I do enjoy a good historical fiction book. I absoutely loved Ella Enchanted, Prada and Prejudice and The Seasons. Tessa sounds like a fun character and I do love a good secret romance....

Florida Friday

If you guys have been following my blog you will know that I am currently in Florida!!!! Today I chose to highlight my trip by providing you all with a list, a list of my five favorite Disney Characters... One of our major events while in Florida is of course Disney World so with no further ado here are my top five favorite Disney Characters.....

1. Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty has been my favorite princess forever. I think it might be the blonde hair. The funny part of this is that Sleeping Beauty is not one of my favorite Disney movies. I know, I am strange, but if I ever was able to become a Princess I would hope to be like Sleeping Beauty.

2. Eeyore

How can you not love Eeyore? I always want to pick him up and give him a hug. I have collected Eeyore since I was little, and have always loved the ho hum donkey. Even though Eeyore always seemed to have a bad day, he is still one of my all time favorite Disney characters.

3. Mulan

Mulan kicks some serious butt!!! I would totally want her as my best friend and on my side in a fight. I used to want to be like Mulan, well actually I still want to be like Mulan. I love her independence and her guts, I mean come on she was able to fight in the army with a bunch of boys. I think Mulan is one of the best female role models ever!

4. Lightning McQueen

Ka-Chow... I absolutely love Cars and I love Lightning McQueen. He is cocky and arrogant and I love it. He is such a fun character, and watching him change throughout the movie is so much fun. If I were a car I would totally date him!

5. Percy

Now I know this may surprise some of you but I absolutely love Percy. I watched Pcoahontas about a million times when I was younger and every time this dog made me laugh. Maybe it was that he grew a heart and became friends with the racoon in the end I do not know, but for some reason I love this dog. I even tried to have my grandma name her pug after him... she did not.

Who are your favorite Disney characters?

A couple runners up for me include:

Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Basil from Great Mouse Detective and

Grumpy from Snow White

Dark Life

Dark Life

Kat Falls

Scholastic Inc.

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I received this book from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Synopsis:

Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family's homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws' attacks on government supply ships and settlements...

... threaten to destroy the underwater territory, Ty finds himself in a fight to stop the outlaws and save the only home he has ever known.

Joined by a girl from the Topside who has come subsea to look for her prospector brother, Ty ventures into the frontier's rough underworld and begins to discover some dark secrets to Dark Life.

As Ty gets closer to the truth, he discovers that the outlaws may not be the bloodthirsty criminals the government has portrayed them as. And that the government abandoning the territory might be the best thing for everyone, especially for someone like Ty, someone with a Dark Gift.

My Thoughts:

This book was not really for me. I really liked the idea behind the book, but the book itself did little to wow me. This book is geared towards younger readers, and that hit me from the beginning. I felt like the plot was made up of mini climaxes and in the end I was far from satisfied. Ty and Gemma are likeable characters, and I did enjoy the way the fed off of eachother. I think my favorite part of the book was the setting. The whole idea of underwater farming is whimsical and fun, and the details that Kat Falls used were great. I wish that the story would have had one major problem instead of 20 small ones. While I was able to read through the book quickly, it was not one that I really loved.

Recommendations:

Younger readers, and anyone who has ever dreamed of living under the sea...

Grade: B-

Age: Young Adult (12+)

Glass Houses

Glass Houses

Rachel Caine

Penguin Group

$6.99 U.S.

Synopsis:

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

Why?

I really have no idea why I have yet to start this series... It looks amazing and is about a character closer to my age! I will have to start reading these soon, because after reading the synopsis again I cannot wait to start them!

My Soul To Keep

My Soul To Keep

Rachel Vincent

Harlequin

$9.99 U.S.

FTC: I purchased this book

Synopsis:

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else…

My Thoughts:

I think that this series deserves more attention! I absolutely love Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers books. Kaylee and Nash are the perfect couple and I find myself rooting for them. I love that this is a paranormal book, but it is different from a lot of the other popular books out there right now. My Soul To Keep was my favorite of the series thus far. I found the first two books to be a little more predictable, and I really had no idea what was going to happen in My Soul To Keep until the very end, and then I was completely flabergasted. Rachel Vincent strung me along and then threw in a complete shocker at the end, and now I am stuck waiting for the next book to come out! What am I supposed to do???? I am dying to know where Vincent will take Kaylee and Nash next. While I was disappointed in one major outcome of this book, the writing was fantastic and the plot fulfilling. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Soul Screamers series.

Recommendations:

Anyone looking for a good paranormal romance.

Grade: A

Age: Young Adult (14+)

Night Star

Today is the day I leave for Florida!!!!!

Night Star

Alyson Noel

St. Martin's Press

Release Date: November 2010

Synopsis: None Just Yet...

Why?

I have been up and down with this series, I loved it then hated it, and just cannot make up my mind. I still have the desire to finish the series so I cannot wait for Night Star to come out, I hope Ever will have gained some common sense by then

Florida....

So here is the scoop.... I leave for Florida tomorrow night at around 10ish. I am diligently working to make sure that I will have reviews and fun things for all of you to read while I am gone. I am still trying to reach 100 followers so I can do my major contest, so if you know of any fellow bloggers who arenot followers yet encourage them to stop by since I will be missing two blog hops and follow fridays. I wish you all the best the next couple weeks, especially if you are starting school. So happy reading, and happy blogging! When I return I hope to be tan and to have read at least a couple more books!!

Ramona and Beezus

So today I went with my mom to see Ramona and Beezus. I remember reading these books when I was a kid, and absolutely loving them. And now as a 20 something adult I loved the movie! I even cried a little...


If you have not read the books, I would completely suggest them. I would also suggest seeing the movie even if you think you are to old. It is a great mother-daughter movie, or sister-sister movie!

The Queen Geek Social Club

The Queen Geek Social Club

Laura Preble

Penguin Group

$9.99 U.S.

Synopsis:

It's chic to be geek!

If you're somebody like Shelby Chappelle, a smart, witty, pretty geek army of one, you can't just put a poster up at school and advertise for somebody to be your best friend. But now freakishly tall Becca Gallagher has moved to town, with her dragon tattoo and wild ideas. Suddenly Shelby's madscientist father and their robot, Euphoria, seem normal. They become best friends instantly. But Becca wants to shake things up at school and look for "others of our kind"...and decides to form the Queen Geek Social Club.

The thing is, this guy Fletcher Berkowitz keeps nosing around, asking lots of questions about the Club. He's cute, and interesting, and possibly likes Shelby. Therefore, she must torture him. One good thing about being a loner: no one can break your heart.

Why?

Well there are not a whole lot of books that start with the letter Q, but I think this books sounds adorable! I myself was a geek in high school, I was in band and science club president! This book seems like it would be cute and fun, and I look forward to picking it up sometime in the future!

Blog Hop and Follow Friday

How in the world is it Friday already???? Sorry for the lack of reviews last week everyone I was busy... reading! No worries, I am planning on getting everything squared away before I go on vacation so there will be reviews and other posts. For all my new followers this week, I am planning on having a week long contest when I reach 100 followers, so tell your friends and hop on over and follow my blog!


The Blog Hop is hosted by Jennifer at http://www.crazy-for-books.com/ The question for this week is...

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Don't we all? I do judge books by their covers but not in a bad way. If I am trying to decide between two books that look good, I will always pick the one with the best cover. I have also come across some great books because of their covers.



You can't have a blog hop without Follow Friday! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee by http://www.parajunkee.com/

Thank you Jennifer and Parajunkee for creating awesome ways for all of us bloggers to network!!

Well it is time for me to head to work, so Have a great long weekend everyone! Happy Blogging and most of all Happy Reading!!!