Friday, March 30, 2012

In My Mailbox (4)

  In My Mailbox is an internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books that bloggers have bought, won, received for review, been gifted, or borrowed.




This Week In My Mailbox...


 Bought:

Wither- Lauren DeStefano




Yay. So It's hard to find a lot of the books I want where I am from. The closest big bookstore is about half an hour to 45 minutes away and I don't have a car at the moment. I am picking this bad boy up today from a lady who was selling it on a local buy and sell & I am excited. That means I will have book #1 from The Chemical Garden series and I can grab Fever and then I can read them in Order. When I read a series, I have to have all the books before I read the other ones. Haha :)


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (5)


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



This Week On Waiting On Wednesday...



City Of Lost Souls

By Cassandra Clare
Expected Publish Date- May 8, 2012

Summary (From Goodreads)

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing- but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.




 



Friday, March 23, 2012

In My Mailbox (3)

 In My Mailbox is an internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books that bloggers have bought, won, received for review, been gifted, or borrowed.


Last week my IMM was empty =( I didn't get any books. So this week I am making up for it :)


This Week In My Mailbox...



Bought:


  
Crescendo- Becca Fitzpatrick
The Way We Fall- Megan Crewe
Fallen In Love- Lauren Kate
If I Die- Rachel Vincent
Born Wicked- Jessica Spotswood
Clockwork Prince- Cassandra Clare

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Review- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

By Suzanne Collins
Published- August 24, 2010


Summary:
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss' family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A Revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans- expect Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem, to do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebel's Mockingjay- no matter what the personal cost.

My Thoughts:
*Sigh* I'm sad. The trilogy series is over ='( I just want more. I want more Katniss and I want more Hunger Games. Katniss. I love her and her character. I wish I could be as strong, determined, and smart as her! I didn't want any of it to end! I usually can predict what happens in a book but I don't think I was prepared for this one at all! The first book was definitely my favorite. I found there was a lot of action but the third book was good also! VERY good! I found it had a bit of a slow go at it but as you got further into the book more action unfolded and I was left speechless a lot! 

In the beginning, Katniss has been rescued by District 13 (Yes, it exists) which is run by President Coin (who I DESPISE!) Katniss is just as strong and amazing as the other books if not more especially since a lot of people just want to kill her off. She finds out that even though she was rescued along with some of the other Tributes that Peeta was not saved. He was captured by the Capitol and is considered a traitor to some after calling for a cease-fire. Katniss decides to be the Mockingjay for the Rebellion. She sets out to each District and tries to over take them and try and help those in need of help or those who are sick or dying. She just ends up in trouble most of the time and in the hospital herself throughout the book. 

Okay. So. "Love Triangle." In the first 2 books, I was team Peeta all the way. But as I read this book I really liked Gale. I always loved Gale. Hard working, rugged, rough, etc. I'm not sure if he truely loved Katniss. If he did he should have told her sooner, like before the Games. Maybe things would have been different. I hated Peeta in this book. I was turned away from him. But I guess it wasn't his fault. Being tortured and hijacked. But still. Maybe it just angered me that he was such a wonderful person and I loved him so much that I hated what happened to him. But in this book I was leaning towards Gale. 

The Ending. Made me sad. A lot of things happened in the final few chapters. I was surprised by the Epilogue. It's not what I had expected and kind of hoped for the opposite but I was still happy. I wasn't disappointed but I was and am disappointed that it's the end. It left me feeling empty and wanting more. Like I lost something inside me. I don't know how to explain it. I just want more. You definitely need to read these books! Raw emotion EVERYWHERE!!

My Rating


My favorite part of the book, I loved it and I will always love this poem!

The Hanging Tree

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you 
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run so we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you 
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Waiting On Wednesday (4)


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



This Weeks Waiting On Wednesday....




By Kimberly Sabatini
Expected Publishing Date- October 30, 2012

Summary (From Goodreads)

Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives...

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she'd rather keep burried. Memories of people she's hurt, people she's betrayed...and people she's killed.




First off, the cover pulled me in to look more into this book. I'm not one to keep track of all the new books out there that are coming out. Usually I just look at the future releases and find one I like and want to get my hands on when it comes out! And Secondly, the description pulled me into it even more. I want to learn more about this "3rd time dying" thing that seems to happen in the book. So it's another book for my To-Read :) What's yours?


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (2)

 Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB as Should Be Reading


To Participate You:
-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others)
-Share the title and Author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR if they like your teasers!
 
 
 
This Weeks Teaser Tuesday
 
 
"What the hell are you still doing here? I told you to go." She walked over quickly and grabbed Parker by the wrists, forcing her backward toward the hall.
"Stop! Please."

So I just got done The Hunger Games series and haven't cracked into this one yet! But I'm eager to get into it! Watch for my review :)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday Musing (1)

 Musing Monday is a weekly event where MizB of Should Be Reading will ask a book/reading-related question, and you answer with your own thoughts on the topic.

Question.
Would you choose to review a book if its description sounded interesting but the cover was terrible?

Answer.
Well, that's a hard question. I don't like literally "Judging a Book by It's Cover" but I totally do! Some of the times if they book doesn't have a good enough cover or one that draws me in, I wont buy it. BUT I do read the description time to time on some of them, to give them a shot. (That sounds mean haha) I guess I'm a bit of a snob. I know that the books with shotty covers mean that they are going to be horrible or bad books, that's just what I'm drawn to. So I'd probably turn my head on this question and say no. =( 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Safe & Sound





So I am eagerly awaiting the release of "The Hunger Games" movie and this song is one of many on the soundtrack and I am by far SO in love with this song. I'm not a huge Taylor Swift fan but I enjoy her voice in this song. It's not her usual love song or break up song. It also includes The Civil Wars who I LOVE. 

It's so beautiful and I can just imagine it playing in the background as Katniss is in the arena, in the Game and after she sees her home, District 12 in ruins around her. At what used to be. Ack!It gives me chills. I feel kind of silly but at the same time I don't really care. It's been a good 2 or 3 years since I've read a book (in general) but one that has left me with anticipation and left me feeling raw emotion.  I'm sad that I'm reading the final book. I don't want them to be over with.

Anyway. If you haven't yet heard this song, here it is. Also, I included the other songs that will be on the soundtrack in case anyone wants to go check those out too. There's a great choice of bands on this one! :) Enjoy!


And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.



The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond


  1. Taylor Swift (feat. The Civil Wars)- "Safe and Sound"
  2. Taylor Swift- "Eyes Wide Open"
  3. Arcade Fire- "Abraham's Daughter"
  4. Kid Cudi- "The Ruler & The Killer"
  5. Miranda Lambert (feat. Pistol Annies)- "Run Daddy Run"
  6. The Civil Wars- "Kingdom Come"
  7. The Decemberists- "One Engine"
  8. Glen Hansard- "Take the Heartland"
  9. The Low Anthem- "Lover is Childlike"
  10. Punch Brothers- "Dark Days"
  11. Secret Sisters- "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder"
  12. Birdy- "Just A Game"
  13. Ella Mae Bowen- "Oh, Come & Sing"
  14. Jayme Dee- "Rules"
  15. Carolina Chocolate Drops- "Reaping Day"
  16. Neko Case- "Give Me Something I'll Remember"

Some songs are not out yet and will be released when the movie and soundtrack are available

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Review- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

By Suzanne Collins
Published- September 1, 2009
Summary:
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribubte Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and long time friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale hold her at an icy distance. Peeta turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scared her even more is she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.



My Thoughts:
Oh My.  Book number two! Suzanne Collins did it again. She left me wanting more just like the first one! Brilliant writer! Brilliant books! In words I can only explain it as intense. Again, I was left experiencing the raw emotions that Katniss felt throughout the book. In my opinion I know that It will be a great read because not many books can make me feel like that and make me feel as if I am the character or make me sad or angry. It takes a lot for me to feel emotions in books and this one did me in!

The book begins after Katniss and Peeta arrive back home to District 12 after win the Hunger Games with a series of events that leaves you biting every nail off. It follows with Victory Tour, rumors of District 13 and a rebellion on the rise in each of the Districts and the MockingJay and what it represents now to them all. Just as I'm settling into the book and trying to figure everything out that has happened- BAM, Cliffhanger! This book had many of them and left me guessing what was going to happen next and hanging on to the edge of my seat! I couldn't put it down! I didn't want to sleep. 

Now, on to this 'Love Triangle' that seems to get a bit more intense in this book. I usually get annoyed with Love Triangles very easily but this one seems to suck me in. I am leaning more towards "team Peeta" and I hate using that term- TEAM. Very passé. Anyway, Katniss finally comes to realization she has feelings for Gale but still cares for Peeta and Gale tells Katniss how he feels but backs off. And as for Peeta, he still truly loves Katniss and his love only grows stronger for her and is burning. I don't want to say too much about the book because pretty much anything I say or add would give away parts of the book! I think everyone needs to read the series and experience it for themselves! Get the books! You will love them! And if you don't, well I'm sorry but you must be MAD! ;)


 I rated this book:
 
 


Waiting On Wednesday (3)

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





This Weeks Waiting On Wednesday...

 

Defiance
 
by C.J Redwine
Expected Publish Date- August 28, 2012
 
 Summary (From Goodreads)
 
When Rachel Adam's father fails to return from a courier mission and declared dead, she is assigned a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan- the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same buy who handed her heart right back to her. With a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.
So I just recently heard about this book and I absolutely love the cover! I am intrigued by this book. To me it slightly reminds me of The Hunger Games (the description anyway) to trying to live while being held down by a higher Power and fighting along the way for the truth.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (1)





Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB as Should Be Reading

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



This Weeks Teaser Tuesday

"Whatever it is, it's terrible. I yank away from his hand and begin to push my way through the crowd. People see me, recognize my face, and then look panicked. Hands shove me back. Voices hiss. 
"Get out of here, girl."
"Only make it worse."
"What do you want to do? Get him killed?"


So I'm on page 151 of this book. I recently finished Hunger Games and couldn't put that down so I had to (obviously) read the other two and so far so good! I didn't want to put it down to sleep but I had to. I hope the book is full of more cliffhangers and emotions! So far, I really love it!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Owls & Strawberries and Pies- Oh My!



So I've been trying out a few patterns I've found and thought were super adorable! I tried out some more Food Ideas too that way it wasn't all Plush animals and hats! I made A Pumpkin Pie, a Chocolate Covered Strawberry and Some Owls! I thought I'd show you all and share!


P.S I hate arranging pictures on here. It's such a pain in the butt!!! >.< 





Some of my Peek-a-Boo Owls :3





 Yummy!! Makes me Hungry :)

Friday, March 9, 2012

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is an internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books that bloggers have bought, won, received for review, been gifted, or borrowed.



In My Mailbox This Week:



Bought:






Spellbound- Cara Lynn Shultzbefore 
Kingdom of Childhood - Rebecca Coleman
New Girl- Paige Harbison
Before I Wake- Robert J. Wiersema 
Switched- Amanda Hocking
  




WON:

I won my very first Book Hop from Taming The Bookshelf & the prize was a $20 Amazon.com OR Book Depository giftcard and I chose the book Depository for any books up to $20. Thank You so so much!!!

Here are the books I have asked to recieve:
Hey, Nostradamus!- Douglas Coupland
All Families are Psychotic- Douglas Coupland

I used to own both of these books (ALL of Douglas Coupland's books) back before all my books got ruined. I recommend you go read them! Douglas Coupland is my favorite author! You won't be disappointed!









The Smell of SPRING


Duh Duh Duuuh. Friday again? Wow the week sure flew by! I'm feeling a lot better. My voice is raspy but I will survive to see another day!


Yesterday was beautiful although I wasn't expecting the wind to be so strong. It was blasting and shook the windows at my apartment and I could see the Dusk-to-Dawn light outside swaying back in forth and the lights flickered. I don't have candles. I think I should invest in some because even though I am 23, i'm terrified of the dark!


Last night and early this morning we were attacked by a downpour of rain! There's barely any snow in sight and now I am left with the excitement that maybe it's gone for the rest of the season and that in a mere 11 days it's SPRING!!! I can smell it in the air. I love the smell of mud :)


Anyway, I thought I'd just do a little jot. Happy Friday everyone!

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


By Suzanne Collins
Published- October 1, 2008

Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weight survival against humanity and life against love.

What I thought:
Well, it's taken me almost 4 years to find this book? Why?! I think it was all the big "Kafuffle" the movie brought out and with it coming out  I had to see what all the commotion was about. I just wish I read them sooner! I couldn't put the book down! When I did, I dreamt of The Hunger Games and couldn't wait to jump back into it. I went through 200+ pages in a few hours until I had to go to sleep.

The story is told by Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl who lives in District 12 with her mother and sister, Primrose. Her father died in a mining explosion when she was 11. Katniss steps up to take her sister's place in the Games along side of Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from her District. There is one boy and one girl picked from each of the 12 Districts for a total of 24 Tributes (contenders) in the Games and all between the ages of 12-18. Basically, it's "Last Man Standing." Each teen is meant to hunt down the others and murder them, in any way possible.

I could feel what the characters felt. I love Katniss. To me, Katniss somewhat reminded me of myself. She is very strong and focused but doesn't seem to let anyone come too close to her or her getting close to others in her life, scared to let people in at one moment then watch them vanish the next. Not liking to be alone.

The end of the book made me sad for Peeta. His love for Katniss grows throughout the book and Katniss thinks it's all a show for the cameras when really it's not. She has this boy, Peeta, who admitted to loving her and then there is Gale. Her best friend back in the District who she hunts with and talks to. Throughout the book she is thinking of Gale's reaction to the kissing and flirting going on between her and Peeta which makes me wonder if she has feelings for Gale. She cares for them both and I think she doesn't want to hurt either of them but again, she doesn't know how to accept her feelings and is confused. I will have to read the other books to see if the "Love Triangle"  goes any further but as of right now I love Peeta. I grew to love his character (because at first I didn't like him much!) As for Gale, there wasn't very much of him in the book so it's hard for me to say right now.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It's an amazing read and sucks you in. You won't want to put it down! If a book leaves you feeling breathless, feeling the raw emotion that the characters feel, you know it's a good read! Good thing I bought all three! Catching Fire, Here I Come!


My Rating:



Thursday, March 8, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (2)



So yes, I am aware that it's Thursday and not Wednesday! I have been awfully sick the past few days where I could barely move or do anything and I'm sure it's pneumonia. Today I don't feel too bad so I thought I'd do my WoW today because I couldn't yesterday. Hope you all don't mind :)


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






This Week on my Waiting On Wednesday...






Ascend
By Amanda Hocking
Expected Publishing Date- April 24, 2012


Summary (From Goodreads)

With a war looming on the horizon, Wendy's fate seems sealed. But everything she sacrificed might be in vain if she can't save the ones she loves. Her whole life has been leading up to this, and it's all coming to an end.






So I own Switched & just got Torn the other day and I am excited to get the 3rd book to add to the series! I haven't yet read any of them as I am currently reading The Hunger Games but I am very excited to crack these babies open and get my hands on the 3rd book that is set to come out next month *fingers crossed* And hopefully some new upcoming reviews :)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Suffering

I'm ever so sick :( Hopefully I will feel well enough tomorrow to post a better blog update on a computer & not my phone! I want to try out "Teaser Tuesday" :)


Happy Blogging!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Ho Hum Saturday?

Usually my Sunday's are my "Ho-Hum" days but today seemed more fit for it. It was cold & rainy and I kept thinking it was Sunday, so it might as well been! I've been hanging out with my friend Meghan at her place since Thursday. I love having someone nearby where I live that I can hang out with and talk to. I love the company & who better then her :) 


She's also into books and reviews and her and her friend Jenn have a blog Owl Read It. You all should go stop by & share some love for sure!

I started a Goodreads book challenge for myself in hopes I will get back into reading. I'm just starting to pick up a book again after a good 2-3 years. (Especially after losing my 50+ back in the summer :( )Crazy, I know!!

On a sad note, I had to put "We Need To Talk About Kevin" away. I'm only about 100 pages in but I can't read it right now. I hear mixed reviews about it but I don't like judging a book before I read it because not everyone is going to like every book out there. But as of right now, I'm putting it back on my shelf and grabbing a new book until I am ready to go back to it. I'm sad & hope it will pick up but I don't like struggling through a book that I don't want to read :( I find the vocabulary very huge and not one that I can follow at all and I almost feel "stupid" reading it because I don't understand. Almost as if she is trying to impress me. BUT before I go on to say anymore, I have to finish reading it first then I will post a review on it and HOPEFULLY it will turn around :)

I'm now onto the Hunger Games! I've heard good things about these books so I am going to start with these and then catch the film coming out this year!

Maybe it will change...

Have any of you read a book or stopped reading a book because you couldn't follow or didn't like it?
Let me know!

Friday, March 2, 2012

In My Mailbox




In My Mailbox is an internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books that bloggers have bought, won, received for review, been gifted, or borrowed.




In My Mailbox This Week:

So the past 2 weeks I have gotten a few more books for my shelf! I am ever so happy to have more books for my collection and to read! Every time I go to the store I HAVE to grab a book!

Bought:


Cinder- Marissa Meyer
Torn- Amanda Hocking
Crave- Melissa Darnell
The Hunger Games (Trilogy)- Suzanne Collins



WON:
I won a copy of Bloodman by Robert Pobi off of a Goodreads giveaway from Simon & Schuster Canada
Thank You So Much!!!



Bloodman- Robert Pobi