In My Mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I received this week either by buying them from the bookstore, going to the library or from my mailbox. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
In My Mailbox
Posted by Amanda at 2:46 PM 11 comments
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Waiting On Wednesday
The book that I'm waiting on this week is....
Author: Amber Kizer
Half-human, half-angel, Meridian Sozu has a dark responsibility. Sixteen-year-old Meridian has been surrounded by death ever since she can remember. As a child, insects, mice, and salamanders would burrow into her bedclothes and die. At her elementary school, she was blamed for a classmate's tragic accident. And on her sixteenth birthday, a car crashes in front of her family home--and Meridian's body explodes in pain. Before she can fully recover, Meridian is told that she's a danger to her family and hustled off to her great-aunt's house in Revelation, Colorado. It's there that she learns that she is a Fenestra--the half-angel, half-human link between the living and the dead. But Meridian and her sworn protector and love, Tens, face great danger from the Aternocti, a band of dark forces who capture vulnerable souls on the brink of death and cause chaos.Posted by Amanda at 11:03 AM 4 comments
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow is my 16th birthday. I'm not planning on posting anything, but things will be back to normal on Wednesday.
Just thought I'd give everyone a heads up. I love my summer birthday...
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 12:27 PM 4 comments
Sunday, July 19, 2009
In My Mailbox
In My Mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I received this week either by buying them from the bookstore, going to the library or from my mailbox. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!
Posted by Amanda at 9:32 AM 6 comments
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Look Inside: Perfect Chemistry
"A Look Inside" Is a post where I'll have a featured author, and I'll choose a book that they wrote. I always come out after finishing a book with a favorite character, so I'll also have a featured character, and one of my favorite quotes from them.
Character: Alex
Quote: "Do you think they're doing it?" she asks.
"Either that. or Doug's a very religious guy," I say, referring to the guy screaming Oh, God! every two seconds.
Posted by Amanda at 1:44 PM 2 comments
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
****Tricks by Ellen Hopkins****
Originality- 18/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 7/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 9/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 86/100
Grade- B
Release Date- August 25, 2009
Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons. Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story -- a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel okay about myself?"
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Tricks by Ellen Hopkins has become one of my favorite of her books so far. I love her style of writing. Hopkins has a way of writing so little but saying so much. All of her books hold a special meaning to me and Tricks is no different. I was able to connect and sympathize with every character. Each one was so different, but had to deal with their problems in the same way. I teared up several times while reading because I could feel the pain and betrayal that some of the characters felt. Tricks also made me realize why a teen would even get into prostitution. I am the same age as a couple of the characters so I could relate to some of their frustrations. Hopkins has an amazing skill of writing for teens. My heart went out to each and every character.
The writing was amazing, and so were the characters and the plot. As usual I have no complaints of this Hopkins book. Overall I would say that Tricks was a book that showed a new side of prostitution and can be read by any teen who has read Hopkins or just wants to read something REAL.
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 10:14 AM 4 comments
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Gone by Michael Grant
****Gone by Michael Grant****
Originality- 20/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 9/10
Recommend to read- 9/10
TOTAL- 92/100
Grade- A
In the blink of an eye.
Everyone disappears.
Gone.
Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help.
Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.
It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.
The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.
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This book had everything that I look for in an original read. This is the kind of story that makes me think and wonder about all kinds of things. The characters were very well crafted and mysterious. I would have loved to get more of a background story on some but I could understand why I didn't. You're reading in the moment. If you aren't trying to figure out what's going on then you're at the edge of your seat quickly reading through action packed pages.
The action wasn't very gory or cringe worthy. We got enough details to worry about the characters but not so much to feel disgusted. I very much enjoyed the entire novel. At the end you are left on a happy note but still wondering what will happen next. I am so thankful that the second book in the saga titled Hunger is already released and I will buy it tomorrow.
Overall I would say that Gone was a fast paced read that keeps you guessing. Your reading about a place that is so much like your own but with so many unexpected twists. Gone is great for boys and girls alike. I encourage you to read this book if you're into out of the norm experiences.
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 3:12 PM 1 comments
Sunday, July 12, 2009
In My Mailbox
In My Mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I received this week either by buying them from the bookstore, going to the library or from my mailbox. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!
Posted by Amanda at 11:00 AM 8 comments
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner
****Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner****
Originality- 17/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 87/100
Grade- B
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner was fantastic. I read the whole book in one afternoon. It wasn't as if I was kept on my toes wondering what would happen next, or that the book was just really short. What kept me reading it was the fact that it was so funny. Almost every page had me cracking up. This is the kind of book you should read alone or else people will stare and laugh at you while you're grabbing at your sides trying to stay in control.
Not only was the book funny but I also like how it alternated from real life to the play. I was able to keep up easily with both stories. Castration Celebration was truly a refreshing read. YA books usually tip toe around the topic of sex, but this read just put it out there. It wasn't vulgar or out of the age group.
I related to a lot of the characters in different ways. Olivia was an amazing character that we got to see grow throughout the entire novel, her voice was witty and true. I agreed with most everything she said. Overall I would say that Castration Celebration was a fantastic novel that will open your eyes to the way teens really feel.
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 2:57 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Waiting On Wednesday
The book that I'm waiting on this week is...
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 9:34 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
****The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong****
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 9/10
Recommend to read- 10/10
Grade- A
Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.
Amazing. Hands down. I think that The Awakening was even better then the Summoning. The characters continued to amaze me. Chloe is still trying to figure everything out and Simon is still adorably sweet. I'm very curious about Derek, he's probably my favorite character though.The story moved very fast and was full of action. Details continued to come at me but thankfully these things were presented in a way that made me understand. I was able to easily keep up with the story. The Awakening was not only a fun read it also kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't tell you how many times my heart started to pound or when I felt fearful or worry for the characters. Armstrong sucks you into the story and makes you feel it. Overall I would say that The Awakening was an amazing sequel that will keep you interested. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the 3rd book in the Darkest Powers trilogy.
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 1:23 PM 2 comments
Sunday, July 5, 2009
In My Mailbox
Nothing...
I'm gonna blame this on the holiday....
No mail =[
Good news is that this week I'm going to actually post some reviews! Finally, right?
-Amanda
Posted by Amanda at 9:32 AM 6 comments
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Dork Diaries Winner!
The winner of the Dork Diaries book and purse giveaway is...
Congratulations! Please e-mail your mailing address to txmandaxt@yahoo.com with the subject as Dork Diaries Winner.
Posted by Amanda at 9:23 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Twenty Boy Summer Winners!
The two winners of Twenty Boy Summer are....
Posted by Amanda at 11:28 AM 1 comments















