Waiting on Wednesday (09 March 2011)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Synopsis provided by Goodreads.com. Released 29 March 2011!

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her...beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing...it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understand. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it's too late.

1. Look at that gorgeous cover.

2. I love that the word dashing is used in the synopsis.

3. It comes out this month!!!!

Review- Hourglass by Claudia Gray

***Warning: May contain SPOILERS***

Title: Hourglass

Author: Claudia Gray

Pages: 339 (Hardcover)

Published: 09 March 2010

My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis provided by Goodreads.com

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, the elite group of vampire hunters led by Lucas's stepfather. When Bianca's close friend-the vampire Balthazar-is capture by Black Cross, Bianca knows she has to do whatever it takes to save him. But at what cost?

Hourglass, the third book in this gripping vampire series by the author of the New York Times bestseller Stargazer, has all the romance, suspense and page-turning drama that has made Claudia Gray's books runaway successes.

Ever since reading Stargazer, this series has left me with a bitter sweet taste. Although the plot thickens throughout each book, they all start off pretty slow and Hourglass is no exception.

Let me start off with the things I don't like about the book. Now that the series is in the third installment, I am still having a hard time feeling any kind of connection to the characters. They are all well rounded and I've got to know them but it wouldn't really bother me if any of them lived or died. I don't normally have this problem with books but this is part of the reason why this book was a little bit tough to get through. I also feel like the story line has been dragged out. Well, that is until the end. The plot moved slowly until Gray caught me at the end, again anticipating the next book. I also did not like that Bianca's character is not that smart. I caught on that if she did not become a full vampire then she would get sick, die and become wraith. I kind of figured that out in the second book, but Bianca did not until she already died.

Then there are the good parts of the book that kept me reading until the end and will probably keep me reading until the series ends. I like the open, honest and almost child like relationship between Bianca and Lucas. They love each other so much they're willing to look past what they've been taught to hate. There is also an innocence to them unlike the characters in most YA novels. Neither of them have any ulterior motives.

Overall, this book kept my attention (mostly) til the end. It was not the best Evernight book I've read but I liked it.

It's Monday! What are you reading? (07 March 2011)

Before I get to this Monday meme, I just have to mention the Amazon.com Student Program. It. Is. Awesome! The thing is, is that I can't even remember whose blog I saw it mentioned on. I had no idea what it was so I thought I would check it out. As luck would have it, the Amazon.com Student Program pretty much rocks my face off. I pulled some old text books off my shelf that were just sitting there and I was able to trade them in and Amazon gave me a $70 gift card! They also offer 2 day free shipping on all orders and I'm pretty sure that if you buy the first 3 books in a series they will give you the 4th book for free! This special offer is available for the Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger which I will definitely be taking advantage of. A working student email address ending in .edu is required to qualify for the student program.

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by Book Journey!

Last week I read:

Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead
Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Currently Reading:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Also reading this week:

Watcher in the Woods by Robert Liparuo
Gone (Dream Catcher #3) by Lisa McMann
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Random Acts of Kindness!

I came across this event while I was watching an In My Mailbox vlog over at Pure Imagination and I thought this idea was genius and just a wonderful way to show our support for each other in the YA blogging community! If you wish to sign up and I encourage you do to so, hop on over to BookSoulmates and check it out!

The March Sign up is finally here!! Yayy!!!

Isalys and I are THRILLED at the spectacular turn out we had for our February launch of the Random Act of Kindness feature. We are proud to be a part of the amazing literary blogging community and feel overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and generosity towards each other. It's incredible to see how happy people are to start making wishes happen! You all ROCK!!

Reminder: The sign up posts will be up the first Thursday of each month and are open throughout the entire month so it's never too late to sign up!

Rules:
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Lets's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peasy!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Vanessa at
Twerd413 [at] gmail DOT com
or through twitter: @booksoulmates

I'm Back!!!!

After just over a year of taking a break from not only my blog but books (gasp!) as well to concentrate on finishing my Master’s Degree, I turned in my last assignment and planned my triumphant return. Not only did I want to focus on classes and my grades, but I started to become really frustrated by the whole bogging thing and all the confusing computer language. But I’m not going to let that stop me. Not only have I bought some blogging help books but if any of my reader or blogger friends out there have any tips, they will be much appreciate.

The day before my last assignment was due I ordered a bundle of books from the library so that I can make a dent in the amazing stories that I’m going to have to catch up on. I just finished Hourglass by Claudia Gray, I must finish the Vampire Academy series and I am still right on target with the Blue Bloods series. I have revamped my page (well a little bit but I'm still working on that) and hopefully in the future I will be hosting some contests and giveaways. I hope someday to upgrade to author interviews and participate in ARC tours but I’m satisfied with where I am right now. Since I did take a year off from blogging and reading YA books, I have ssssooooo many to catch up and it will probably take me a while J. I am also looking forward to buying a new laptop and hopefully posting vlogs (my poor ancient laptop won’t be able to handle a webcam installation lol).

Until my blog really gets up and going again, I will be doing mostly book reviews, around 2 a week (depending on how fast I can read them) normally posted on Tuesday and Thursday. Not only do I love to read, but I also love to follow celebrity gossip and I am starting a weekly wrap up of entertainment news called Saturday Sleaze. I will also be participating in In My Mailbox, It’s Monday: What are you reading? And possibly Waiting on Wednesday. Although it’s only 3 months into the year, I most likely will not be involved in any of the reading challenges that started in January. I will be spending from now and probably until the end of the summer catching up on books that you guys have probably already read which is definitely cool with me because I was excited to read them before and I’m still excited to read them now!

I’m super excited and so happy to be back. I’m practically trembling in anticipation at the mere thought of all the books I’m going to get to read!

It Monday! What are you reading? (15 Feb. 2010)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. It's a weekly meme where we can share with our readers and followers which books we finished reading last week, what we're currently reading and what is to come for the rest of the week.

What I read last week:

Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

Currently Reading:

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

Up this week:

How I found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Reviewing this week:

Wake by Lisa McMann
Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz
Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

It's Monday! What are you reading? (08 Feb. 2010)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. It's a weekly meme where we can share with our readers and followers which books we finished reading last week, what we're currently reading and what is to come for the rest of the week.

Last week I read:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Currently Reading:

Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler
---Mara Valentine is in control. She's a straight-A senior, a vegan, and her parent's pride and joy. She's neck-and-neck with her womanizing ex-boyfriend for number-one class ranking and plan to kick his salutatorian butt on her way out the door to Yale. Mara has her remaining months in Brockport all planned out.

The plan does not involve having V, her slutty, pot-smoking, sixteen-year-old niece-yes, niece-come to live with her family. Nor does it involve lusting after her boss at the local cafe or dreaming about grilled cheese sandwiches every night. Before Mara knows it, things are spinning wildly out of control...

Hopefully this week I will read:

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Night World Vol. 2 by L.J. Smith

**Yesterday I was informed through email that my blog was featured on a Home and Office website. If you wish to check it out, follow the link: Home Office Furniture . Have a great week reading and happy Monday!!