A Good Addiction: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

'You Better Not Cry' Sweepstakes

I don't know about you guys, but this book looks great and the cover makes me laugh. I am certainly interested in this book and have received information on how to enter for a chance to when a copy of it. The following was taken straight off the email sent from them. For more information on the book itself, go here.

From the author of 'Dry', 'Running With Scissors', 'Wolf at the Table' and 'Magical Thinking' is the latest offering from the viciously funny Augusten Burroughs, 'You Better Not Cry' from St. Martin's Press:

Augusten Burroughs has, and in this caustically funny, nostalgic, poignant, and moving collection he recounts Christmases past and present-as only he could. With gimleteyed wit and illuminated prose, Augusten shows how the holidays bring out the worst in us and sometimes, just sometimes, the very, very best.

To celebrate the release of 'You Better Not Cry', St. Martin's Press is offering bloggers a chance to win a copy of the book in the "You Better Not Cry Book Promotion Sweepstakes". Enter here.

2010 Debut Author Reading Challenge

Kristi over at The Story Siren is hosting the 2010 Debut Author Challenge which I have decided to join. She challenges everyone to read at least 12 books- a simple one a month- but after looking at her posted list, I am going to challenge myself to read 50. I think this challenge is a fantastic one- what better way to spread word about new authors than to promote their books through a challenge devoted to them?

Full details can be found here on Kristi's blog but the basic idea is to read a set number of young adult or middle grade novels, debuted in 2010 and the challenge will run from Jan 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010.

There is a link to this post on the left hand side of my blog, corresponding to the button that will link you right to Kristi's blog so you can quickly find this post- I will update my progress on here as I go but my list thus far follows.

If you're doing this challenge too, leave me a comment and a link to your thread so we can help encourage each other and compare reviews!

The List (I will put the books in either bold or a different color as they are read).

Contest Winners!

Okay the winners have been picked.... all entrants were listed into random.org for a random list and Books Not Bombs has chosen two numbers from the list and the winners are:

First Place: Dani
Second Place: Van_pham

Congrats to the winners!!! I have emailed you both so get to me when you can with your addresses and Dani, please let me know which 2 books you would like. Although, heads up that I won't be able to get to the post office until Saturday but I will get it out then.

Check back later this week everyone -- I will be holding a very quick, 24 hour contest to pass Chasing Brooklyn on to the next winner in this ARC tour. I will race through reading it once I get it but so far, the postal service has let me down. =( Also, because my ARC of Fallen is on loan to a friend... I didn't add it in to this contest but keep an eye in December since I will be hosting a contest then and yes, that will be in it. I promise this time. *halo*

Again, congrats to the winners and thanks to everyone else!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Contests on the blogosphere

With my own contest coming to a close, I thought I would give you guys a heads up on other contests going on in the blogosphere!

Win a signed copy of any of Mari Mancusi's books (You even get to pick which book you want) over at Tynga's Reviews! This one ends December 10 so hurry over but I am definitely very interested in her vampire series and already have it on my Christmas list.

Also in honor of 300 followers, Tynga is having a huge giveaway that will end Dec 23. If you go over and sign up, mention that I referred you and we will both get extra entries! There are several great books up for grabs and 3 winners!

A Passion for Books is hosting a 200 followers giveaway with 2 winners. This one is international and in your entry, just list 3 books off your wishlist and if you win, she will choose 1 of your books and have it sent to you from the Book Depository. This one ends Dec. 31.

YA Vampire Books is holding an international give away for one person to get $16 to spend at the Book Depository. Ending Dec 31.

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away a signed copy of The Dragon Heir and an ARC of Ruined and of Immortal, ending Dec 18. 3 great books to 1 winner!

Shadowland: Alyson Noel

SUMMARY (Courtesy of amazon.com):

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

OPINION: 3 STARS

I have to be honest, I don't know why I keep reading these books but the plot is just good enough to make me want to know what happens. But Ever really irritates me and I try but it is very hard to just get past that. So what if Damen has 600 years of experience and she only has 16 years that she can currently remember- she knows what she's doing and she knows far more than him, right? So it's totally okay to ignore him in everything and do things on her own, even though we all learned in book 1 that was stupid, and the point was reiterated in book 2 and in fact, her current big problem is really her fault but, she knows what's best right? Right....

The overall plot idea is something I do like and though I still can't over how little real justification there was in book 2 for Ever to make the decision she did- and choose to trust the way she did when a 2 year old could have known which way to go- the idea is still there and I am still interested to find out what happens. Will I get the next book? Yes I will although for me, it seems like I dislike the series more with each additional installment. I really liked the first book- the writing wasn't great but the plot was good, and it had a lot of good moments. The second book wasn't as great but I still liked it even if I thought Ever was an idiot at the end- characters are allowed to be idiots because people are idiots. Its realistic even if it's annoying.

But this book really hurt it for me. It's as though Ever doesn't learn anything, she just continues to do things how she wants, when she wants and the overall plot really didn't even advance far. We learned a few new things but in 340 pages, I really think there should have been more. Many parts of this book were repetitive and I found it almost record setting that in the span of about 30 pages, Ever felt like a spoiled, immature brat about 10 times and yet... she just kept doing it, following the same pattern with Damen all 10 times.

The introduction of Jude into the story was interesting and it did lead to a surprising revelation that did up the intrigue factor of the whole plot with its own little twists and turns and Roman's continued antics do interest me. In terms of mystery and bewilderment, Roman hits it right on for me and Miles is still one of the most adorable, funny characters in this series for me. And I have to agree with Ever- the fun loving, living the high life, mysterious and daring Damen we met in the first book is far sexier and better than the going way too far in trying to make karma happy again Damen we meet in this book although there were some good moments that came with it.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars because again, the plot is just good enough and intriguing enough that I keep reading. The writing is not great and I really need more character development from Ever but I still feel like most of the overall plot is strong, it just needs better developing and movement.

In My Mailbox (5)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at the Story Siren.

This was a slow week for me but I did receive three books for review courtesy of Random House, all by Oisin McGann who is an Irish author. I learned of his books on Book Chick City and am lucky enough to have been sent a few of them from Random House since several of these are hard to find in the US (at least, my search has been fruitless....) More information on Oisin can be found at his website here.

And because my pup was being not as cooperative this time and I worked hard for the pictures, you guys get two. Plus, he ran away from me and hid in the corner behind my chair giving me a really dirty look... so I figure I may as well use what we got. For the record, that was 5 minutes ago, and he is still glaring. He can hold a grudge. I might be scared to go to sleep tonight....

And the books are:

Strangled Silence
Small-Minded Giants
Ancient Appetites

So what did everyone else get in their mailbox this week?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Contest Reminder and Happy Thanksgiving

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you all have a good one... I am certainly enjoying mine and will most likely go see New Moon later- I am banking on it not being too busy. Worked this morning on call with the radiologist, and soon its nap time then movie time... just me and my dog this year, which I am so okay with. I just wanted a break and to relax rather than travel, etc.

Also, a reminder that my first contest in honor of 50 followers ends on Sunday so get your entries in! I should be able to announce that winner Monday night so check back for those of you who have entered and thanks- I do appreciate it.

The contest going on to give away 5 copies of Fallen by Lauren Kate ends a week from Sunday, on the 6th so keep spreading the word for that one. So far, its doing great at 89 entrants. So excited about that so thanks guys!

One last thing as a heads up, I am the next stop on the ARC tour for Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder. I am hoping it comes in the mail tomorrow or Saturday so I can get it read by Monday night, then I will be hosting a very rapid 24 hour contest to find the next winner and pass this book on so keep a look out for that as well in the next week.

And again, have a great Thanksgiving and everyone be safe! Something I learned on the radio yesterday- this is the busiest time of the year for plumbers. *dramatic pause* And no, not for the reasons you think but beacause people pour too much grease down their drains and put too much through the ink sink disposers. Don't worry, I thought what you did and laughed- then laughed harder when I heard the real reason. Thank you radio show for enlightening me.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine to promote and spotlight upcoming books.

This week, I am really looking for The Less Dead by April Lurie. This book looks amazing and the cover really draws me in. The summary itself

Summary: Noah Nordstrom has been dissing the religious beliefs of his father, who hosts a popular Christian radio show and whom Noah accuses of spreading hate. When two local gay teens are murdered, Noah’s anti-evangelism intensifies—he’s convinced that the killer is a caller on his dad’s program. Then Noah meets Will Reed, a cool guy. But when he learns that Will is gay, Noah gets a little weirded out. Especially since Will seems really into him. Noah gives Will the brush-off. Meanwhile, the killer is still at large . . . and soon Noah finds the next victim. It’s Will. Racked with guilt, Noah decides to investigate. He knows the serial killer is targeting gay teens, but only those who live in foster homes, whose deaths are not that important to society; they are the less-dead. Noah, however, is determined to prove that someone cares. With the help of Will’s journal, which he pocketed at the scene of the crime and in which the killer has written clues, Noah closes in on an opponent more dangerous than he can guess.

Hardcover, 240 pages

Random House Children's Books
January 12, 2010

Monday, November 23, 2009

Betrayals: Lili St. Crow

SUMMARY (Courtesy of borders.com):

Dru Anderson's parents are gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she's just learned that she's not entirely human. Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England school for other teens like her, and she's the only girl. A school full of cute boys wouldn't be so bad, but Dru's killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead.

OPINION: 5 STARS

Throughout much of this book, Dru is playing up the pity party. She is mopey, depressed, and walking around with a constant cloud over her heard. A few times, I admit it annoyed me but in truth, in this story line it was almost nice to see it. In Strange Angels, for the most part, Dru was strong, could handle herself, and even when things were horrible she pressed forward. This was actually a refreshing switch from the usual starts out weak but gets strong development scene in numerous novels. Because how strong Dru really can be was shown so well in the first installment of this series, her weakness and vulnerability actually made sense, as it generally revolves around losing her grandmother, mother and most recently her father. The teenage girl who just needs her parents that she had to hide in the first book comes out in this book and I actually really enjoyed that aspect.

The cast of characters covers a wide range, from vampires to wolves to mixes of both, each with their own different personalities and caveats. The name of the book, obviously, hints at what kind of content the plot could hold but even at the end of this book, I am still left with a ton of questions and few answers- many relating to different characters. I have to admit, however, the names of the different wulfen are fantastic; they have a given name- Robert, Samuel- and then a pack type name from Dibs to Shanks.

The writing is on the same level as with Strange Angels- I don't feel like St. Crow improved too much in that area but she does have a unique style that appeals to me. Some of the descriptions she uses- especially with imagery- draws me in, painting things perfectly and making me feel and see what Dru does. The way she explains the skinchangers and the wulfen shifting between their forms- even the attributes of Christophe- all are unique and poignant.

I read this book in about 2 days, spending much of my free time reading or reading a few sentences in between doing other things. It kept me interested and wanting to read even though there were few huge, fast moving action points. There were a few, but they were staggered and interrupted with in story down time before picking back up but I still enjoyed the book. I got to know not just Dru better, but Graves and even some of the other wulfen too. This book has set a great stage for future books, pulling in many elements without tying them together. There are plenty of open ends and plenty of directions this series can go and I actually really like it.

This installment isn't as fast paced, but it is still gripping and intriguing. Dru is a character that many people can relate to- strong and smart but still weak and needy. She has her flaws, and wears them on her sleeve, while still trying to kick butt with a cocky sense of humor to boot. 5 stars for the great descriptions, the logical character development, and the very well done overall world and plot.

Author Interview: Rick Yancey

I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview Rick Yancey, author of The Monstrumologist. For those of you who missed my raving review of this amazing, well written, brilliant book, it can be found here along with a book summary.

Without futher ado... here is the interview. It is my first one, but I personally think it turned out great and am kind of bouncing in my seat over it... *blushes*

Where/how did you come up with the idea for THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST and how long did it take you to write/develop the story?

After finishing the Alfred Kropp adventures, I wanted to try my hand at a genre I have loved since I was a kid - the Victorian mystery/horror novel, a la DRACULA. What emerged after multiple attempts to get it just right was a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Frankenstein . . . THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST.

How far are you in your work on the next installment of this series and how long do you foresee the series to be?

There will be three books at the least. I'm working on the second book now. If anything, even scarier . . .

I certainly am awed by how you write, especially your descriptions- even the gory ones. Do you ever have to stop yourself from getting too gory or do you write it all in there, regardless of how vivid a picture it will create?

I try to faithfully record everything that Will Henry witnesses, and I don't consciouslessly hold something back. It is what he sees, and what anyone would see, should they go where a monstrumologist goes.

Do you ever scare yourself with some of the ideas you come up with or have trouble going back to the real world after a writing session?

All the time. And let me tell you, at 3:00 in the morning, monsters are REAL.

Are you interested in the horror genre outside of your own work and if so, what are some of your favorites?

I'll mention some. DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN, the works of E.A. Poe and H.G. Wells. Early Stephen King. My book is compared over and over again to Lovecraft, whom I must confess I have never read. Maybe I'm channeling his spirit or something . .

Where were you first introduced into the horror genre enough to make you want to write it?

It had to be the first time I read DRACULA. Totally freaked me.

You write books for both adults and teens- is there one kind you like to the others and are your writing styles and processes different between the two?

The styles certainly are different, because I always write in the first-person, and no narrator should sound like another. The process is the same. Sit butt down, hands on keyboard, GO. I'm lucky in that I write both for pleasure; neither kind of book is a chore, and I know I'm very, very lucky that that is the case.

What is your favorite part and the hardest part of writing?

Favorite part: when the story just seems to start writing itself (that's when I know I'm on to something). Worst part: When nothing I try seems to work. Then I feel like a complete fool for ever taking up writing to being with.

Do you have any interesting writing quirks or rituals you go through?

I like to hum theme music when I write. I also act out certain scenes. But only when nobody is watching!

Is there anything else you would like to say or tell us?

Read my book! Please! It's really, really good. Really good!

Thank you, Rick, for taking the time to answer my questions and I agree with the last thing- read the book. It is phenomenal, at least in my opinion- and since this is my blog, and my interview, and my attempt to promote his awesome book, its really the only opinion that matters. =D And with the holidays coming up, what better time to ask for this book?

Chat with Lauren Kate, Author of Fallen- and maybe win a copy of the book

For those of you that have facebook, here is some news you might be interested in:

There will be a live chat with Lauren Kate on December 3 from 5-6 pm GMT on the designated facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/fiercebook/167743501407

Also, right now you have the chance to win 1 of 50 copies of the book by becoming a group member and answering the question of why angels are better than vampires, which is a great opportunity to get your hands on the book.

If you haven't already, you still have a chance through December 6 to win 1 of 5 copies of the book from a contest I am currently holding, details here.

On a related note, I am also having a contest through Sunday, November 29 in honor of hitting 50 f0llowers- one of the prizes is The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, also by Lauren Kate and just released on November 12. If I hit enough entries in the next week, I will throw in another winner and my ARC of Fallen as a prize as well.

All three of these are great opportunies to win Lauren's books and help spread the word about the chat with Lauren Kate!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Contest Reminder!

Just a reminder- there is one week left to enter my first contest, in honor of my first 50 followers! Details can be found here but here is a rundown-

The books up for grabs are:

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Possessions by Nancy Holder
Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard

There will be 2 winners- first place will pick two of the three and second place will get the third.

If I get up to 30 total entries, I will go ahead and throw in another book to pick from which will be my ARC of Fallen by Lauren Kate.

If I get up to 40 entries, I will add another winner, with first place still picking 2 books, then second place picks, and third place gets the left over one.

I also am having a giveaway for 5 copies of Fallen by Lauren Kate, courtesy of Random House, ending December 6- details here.

In My Mailbox (4)

I am again trying to behave and not buy too too many books, so this was a slower week (but that's a good thing for my wallet). This week might end up with a few because Half Price Books is having 20% of sale the day after Thanksgiving and I just might be going to that... plus I am sure Borders will have some good coupons.

So here is what I got (and yes, I actually posed my dog some today- he was again shockingly cooperative):

Won from Princess Bookie:

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner
An Off Year by Claire Zulkey

Bought from Amazon:

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Bought from Borders:

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

So, what's in your mailbox this week? This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi over at the Story Siren.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Princess Bookie Contest

Princess Bookie is having a Thanksgiving/Christmas give away coming up and the time to earn extra entries is now. If you go to her site, you can see the details here but please comment and say you saw this from me- I get extra entries and would really appreciate it. The details for the actual prizes are coming but there will be a total of 8 books and her contests are always amazing. =)

2010 Reading Challenges

Okay... I decided to try a few of the 2010 reading challenges. Yay! =P I read like crazy anyhow, so I figured why not? Plus since you can count one book towards many challenges, I think I should be pretty set.

The two right now that I want to do are both hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog:

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge - Super Size Me Level: Read 75 YA Novels

2010 100+ Reading Challenge - Read 100 or more books in 2010, can be any genre, format, etc so long as it has an ISBN and can be bought.

I will be posting the books for both contests as I finish them rather than trying to make the list now since new books are constantly coming out and I also just read depending on my mood and what looks good at the time but you can follow my progress here and this list will link to my reviews for each as well.

The link to my post dedicated to each separate challenge is going to be on the left hand bar of my page by the corresponding picture. Right now, there is no link because I won't make the pages until 2010 when I start reading but stick around for it. =D

The Story Siren is also having a 2010 Debut Author Challenge which I might also be attempting- those details will come once she's gotten the details out too.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Hold Still: Nina LaCour

SUMMARY (Courtesy of borders.com):

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid has left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend's suicide.

OPINION: 4 STARS

This isn't an action story. It isn't an adventure, it isn't full of twists and turns. It's a story of development and a story of healing. It's a story of the aftermath of a best friend taking her own life and leaving behind thousands of questions and few answers.

As far as angst goes, I would rate this one actually relatively low. Going in, I knew the premise and I knew it would be an emotional story but there were few times where I was completely overcome with emotion which I find to be both good and bad. Good in the sense that LaCour certainly wrote a great story with plenty of emotion but bad in that I felt it could have gone deeper sometimes.

The writing is choppy- but it has to be in this story. This is written in Caitlin's perspective- and if it wasn't choppy, and didn't skip, and if scenes didn't cut off abruptly, I think the overall effect would have been diminished. This is more than a book about the stages of grief although they are in there, but in the background rather than the central focus.

Caitlin is a photographer and although there are plenty of other books where that is a common hobby, I really liked how big a part of the story it actually was- and the progression with it. It was as central a focus as Ingrid's death and there are several scenes that focused on the photography aspect that stand out in my mind.

I think what I liked even most about this book was that it showed both sides of the suicide thing- the people left behind, and the person who was so far gone that it seemed like the only way out. While the latter was not the central focus, it was still there- and I couldn't help but ache for Ingrid and understand how hard she tried until she just couldn't do it anymore. The incorporation of her journal into the story- and into Caitlin's steps towards getting better- were quite well done.

The characters, across the board, were ones I liked. Dylan was tastefully done and I like how her sexual preference also showed up many times, rather than being said once or twice and ignored. I think she was my favorite character in the book, followed by Jayson- both were more minor than major but still played important roles in the book, ones which I appreciated.

The writing was really good, considering the state of mind of the person it was being written in the perspective of. It didn't need to be wowing and poignant because Caitlin is a teenager that is broken, hurting and confused- and the writing certainly reflected that in my mind.

Overall, I give this 4 stars because while it was good, I did enjoy it- things fell into place- I still felt like it could have used a little more depth throughout the book although I did find the ending to be quite fitting and surprisingly good for closure.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CONTEST- WIN 1 OF 5 COPIES OF FALLEN

I am holding a contest to give away 5- yes, 5- copies of Fallen by Lauren Kate, to be released December 8, courtesy of Random House. This contest is international- books will be shipped directly from Random House once the winners are announced.

My review for this book is below but I loved it and am eagerly waiting for Torment.

This contest will end December 6 at midnight (CST) and winners will be announced December 7- just in time for the book release. =)

Random.org will be used to produce my winners.

To enter, leave a comment with your email (I want to be able to find my winners faster for this contest, so emails are needed- if you are not comfortable leaving it or want to avoid the spam that somtimes comes with it, feel free to email me at flamingo1325[at]gmail[dot]com) and tell me why you want this book.

For extra entries-

+2 blog follower, old or new

+2 if you spread the word by linking to twitter, sidebar, etc (max 3- must give link)

+5 for making an actual post (link it)

+3 if you add me or already have added me to your blog roll (link it)

+5 for referrals- if someone leaves your name that you referred them in their entry, you and the new follower both will get 5 extra entries (details, obviously)

Help spread the word on this one and promote the book and again thank you to Random House for providing me with this. Good luck everyone!

**Also check out my other contest going on right now, in honor of 50 follower as I am giving away The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, Lauren Kate's first book, released just a month prior to Fallen, ending Nov 29. Enter here.**

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fallen: Lauren Kate

SUMMARY (Courtesy of borders.com):

Seventeen-year-old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce's boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant--even evil--history.

For a trailer, go here.

OPINION: 5 STARS

Okay you all know I was disappointed in Hush,Hush- Nora herself really bothered me and while I try not to let the dislike of a character ruin a book for me, it did on that one. Many of reactions seemed out of sync to me, her rationalizations fell short, etc. But this book certainly did not disappoint. It was well worth the read and though it took me awhile to read it, that is more because I have been feeling pretty sick lately and haven't gotten any reading done. There was worry of appendictis but that is on the wayside for now but who knows. So, I blame that for the fact that I didn't finish this book in a day or two but rest assured, if I was feeling up to par, I would have.

Mysterious is certainly one of the first words that comes to mind- not just the mystery surrounding Daniel but also several other characters. Things seemed off but in a setting like a reform school, why wouldn't they seem weird? In that sense, the setting was perfect and was also a unique way to thrust in the high school setting so often seen (and generally needed) in this genre. While there were many things I was able to surmise while reading, there were plenty of other unexpected twists and turns that kept me interested.

Action wise, things don't really pick up until the last 150 pages or so but I wasn't bored in the 300 pages prior. There were enough little things and enough events to help build that air of mystery to keep me thinking, guessing and reading. This is a love story but it is made quite obvious towards the end of the book that it is not only a love story and there are a million unanswered questions that will guarantee me not only to read the next book, but to certainly preorder it- it comes out September 2010 and is called Torment, a title which I really like, especially after reading this first installment.

As far as first meetings for the star crossed lovers go, this one is certainly my favorite. It is unexpected and just downright hilarious. I stared at it for a few moments before I truly laughed out loud (despite being at work)- and the later reason for it made me laugh even more. As with many other fantasy type love stories, Luce was of course drawn right towards Daniel but I liked the reasoning for it- there was a solid reason for it rather than she just was. This, of course, was hinted at in the prologue although that was tastefully done to leave the reader with an idea of things but far more questions but it did help piece things together as the story progressed further. The concept behind the entire book was something I really did love- it went beyond Daniel and Luce wanting each other and had to do with more than just one fallen angel.

The reason for things to be different this time- for the events in the prologue to not reoccur, like it leads you to believe they will- is so simple yet absolutely brilliant. It is not something I would have guessed at if it had not been hinted at in one particular scene to then confirm my supsicions later. If this book ended with that explanation, I highly doubt I would have hit on the innocent reason for this time to be different and that made me enjoy the overall idea even more. It is heartbreaking, astounding and sad but also quite genius and I could see the thought that went into everything about this book, about how things will be needed to tie into later books, and about the characters and events.

Luce was a character I did like and although the book is written in 3rd person, it focuses on her- Kate didn't stray from her story to show other sides despite the freedom she had with the perspective. The reader saw and knew what Luce did, pieced things together as she did, and was shocked in the same places as she was. Her guilt over what caused her to be in reform school in the first place was prevalent in many places but her interactions with the other students helped ease that in a logical way to where she didn't simply forget it but she didn't hold onto it as much. In several ways, Luce was also witty and fun and I found her to have many different unique sides, particularly on the kind of life she lived before being forced into reform school and how such a move drastically changed so many things. In many ways, she was able to start over and change things about herself- there was plenty of character development in my eyes particularly when she brought up things about before the incident, etc.

I think what I liked even more was that although Daniel was the boy Luce wanted from the start and although many things are explained, the reader gets to know other characters far better than him. At the close of the book, there is a huge air of mystery surrounding Daniel- he was not summed up in a perfect little box with a bow on top although I imagine that was a hard thing to do to avoid the inherent writer's desire to shine a light on such a character. I applaud Kate on this facet of the story- for leaving her leading man cloaked for the time being and leaving me with more firm thoughts of Cam and even Arianne.

There was plenty of humor in the book, from many different characters rather than just one or two. I actually liked all the characters, even the ones that were 'bad'- they were well written and developed in such a way that I couldn't help hold a soft spot for them before their darker side came out.

The ending- loved the ending. It was absolutely bittersweet and beautiful and far from a fairy tale happy ending. I could picture the events of it perfectly and adored the closing lines- which also just left me with even more questions and burning curiosities. This is certainly a book I would recommend to anyone who is into the fantasy genre, regardless of age. It is an easy read although there were shining moments of perfectly serene and beautiful imagery where Kate surprises the reader with an unexpected, striking and poignant way with words that grabs you. Although the entire writing isn't filled with such instances, there were a handful and they certainly stood out for me.

I give this book 5 stars overall because the cover (I was reading an ARC which didn't have the same cover but face it, that cover is beautiful), the characters, the plot and idea as a whole, as well as those few instances of stunning writing tied together fantastically for me. I also read her first book, The Betrayal of Natalie Hartman, recently and must say, while I did enjoy that book, I loved this book. The writing is actually quite different in the two and showcases the talent Kate does have- and even if it is not the best, she does have talent, it is good and has the potential to become great.

Click on the widget on the left hand side of my blog page for access to a chapter excerpt from this book and also stay tuned, as I will soon be holding a contest for Fallen.

Monday, November 16, 2009

La Femme Readers Contest

La Femme Readers is having a preholiday/almost 500 followers giveaway!

There are two winners, and each picks any book they want (under $25) off Amazon.com and she will ship it to you. This is a VERY generous prize and a fantastic contest so if you aren't a follower, head over there and sign up to help bump her past 500!

Contest details can be found here and it ends Dec 20.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

I finally found my camera and all its parts and will start taking a picture of the books- and hope to have them centered around my dog since he is pretty much my baby and hey, he goes to the mailbox with me so its kind of in his mailbox too... and surprisingly, he stayed lying down in his chair for me today- its a lazy Sunday. No promises he will cooperate every week because he is darn stubborn but here's to hoping. So admire the books, and admire my adorable dog... he's my life. =)

For Review:
Fallen by Lauren Kate

Bought from Borders:
Pretty Little Devils by Nancy Holder
Devoured by Amanda Morrone
Hold Still by Nine LaCour
Gifted: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by Marilyn Kaye
Academy 7 by Anna Osterlund
Liar by Justine Larbalestier

So what's in your mailbox this week?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Beautiful Americans: Lucy Silag

SUMMARY (Courtesy of borders.com)

"Pretty Little Liars" meets "My So-Called Life" in this story of four American teens in Paris and the scandals that haunt each of them.

There's rich New York girl Alex; Cali-born dancer Olivia; closeted Memphis boy Zack; and finally PJ, an elusive beauty from Vermont who's hiding a dark past.

Studying abroad for their junior year of high school, they run wild in the Tuileries, hold clandestine parties in their host families' luxe apartments, take over tiny crowded cafes and generally live the glamorous life.

But in the end they all must face the lies they've told and secrets they've kept when the unthinkable happens.

OPINION: 4 STARS

The most defining feature of this book is the fact that it is American teenagers but set in Paris at the Lycee- a very nice twist on the high school setting. The four main characters all have vastly different but still strong personalities and althought some of them bothered me, I grew to love them all.

Alex is selfish, stuck up, and completely self centered but she still wants love and friendship. Even though many parts of her story were very obvious, it was in that way the reader is almost screaming at her to figure it out but knowing what lies ahead and wishing to protect her. Or maybe that was just me. Her vulnerable side came out in a great way and I certainly look forward to more from her in the next 2 books. She is the character I can see many people disliking the book because they don't like her but truthfully, for me, it made me like the book more because I could see it from her eyes.

Zack is adorable in so many ways- a completely loveable gay. His background and the family he left behind to come study in France lends more drama and angst to his sexual orientation but I really did think he was tastefully done. Not too much but it was still a defining thing about him- many things came back to it but it wasn't in a way where I felt Silag was just trying to remind readers he was gay. His orientation was a true stuggle for him and that came out well in the book.

PJ intrigued me the most and although I thought her character was kind of an idiot sometimes, her particular background grabbed at me. She very much was the girl just trying to put her past behind her, move on, and find her way in the world- and became too distracted by that to really notice much else in a way.

Olivia, finally, was the character I felt grew the most through this book. There was a noticeable difference between when she was first introduced to the girl that was at the close of this first book in the trilogy but it seemed very much like a smooth transition, not rushed and not forced. Although the story only spans the fall semester, that is still a lot of time, especially in a foreign country- and I felt like Olivia showed how big an impact that could have more than anyone.

The ending was a massive cliffhanger, setting things up perfectly for the next installment which comes out Christmas Eve and yes, I am definitely going to be getting it. I am very eager to find out what happens next and where things will go from here.

This is certainly an easy read- filled with drama but because it shifts between the different characters, the reader isn't stuck with one thing for too long and the French setting also makes it refreshing compared to typical high school drama. One thing I did really like about this story was the fact that although it shifts between 4 perspectives, only a few times did I have to stop to think of what the new chapter and new character were doing- the transitions were pretty seamless, overall, with very little backtracking within a character's story to earlier chapters. The four different story lines overlapped in a way to tell a story greater than just them- the reader could see the entire picture and not just one character's focus and view of it, helped along by how the characters interacted with each other within the chapters.

The writing was good- it didn't astound me and take my breath away, but it didn't bore me or turn me off and I actually really liked the cover. The next 2 covers are featured on the back of this one and they all follow the same overall look and fit together quite nicely.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

50 Followers Contest

First off, thank you to all my followers- I truly do appreciate it! Such a great weekend!!!

My contest is going to run for 3 weeks, at least right now, but I want at least 40 entries into it so it might be extending depending on how that goes.

The Prizes:

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate (PB)
The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard (PB)
Possessions by Nancy Holder (ARC- gently used)

If I hit 75 followers, I will be adding in another book and winner. 100 means 2 books and winners, etc. You get the point.

The Winners:

This contest, right now, will have 2 winners- the top winner picks 2 of the 3 books and then second place winner gets the left over book. If I add more books for followers, then 2nd place picks their book after the first place winner- or if I just add in books because I get in a happy mood, they get to pick. If not all books are used in this contest, they will go in future contests.

I am keeping this contest relatively small since it is my first- mostly, it will just depend on how many followers I get but I am planning 2 somewhat bigger contests (bigger prize packs and/or more winners) for 2010.

Once the contest is closed, I will put all the entries into random.org to give me a random list of the names with a corresponding number and my friend over at Books Not Bombs will be picking a number out of that list for first place, then for second, etc so ultimately, she picks the winner.

**UPDATE 11/19 -- Okay I know that I have hit almost 100 followers now but that is mostly due to the people entering my Fallen contest with only a few extra entries into this one, so I don't want to add another winner and book into this one just yet (I hadn't planned to have the other contest when I set this one =P ). If I get to 30 entries, I will and the book added will likely be my ARC of Fallen but if I don't hit 30, I will still close the contest as planned on the 29th and just pull from the people that did enter- and thank you to those who did, I really appreciate it.**

How to Enter:

Leave me a comment to tell me you want to enter- an email is not required, as long as you either come back to check for the winner at the close of the contest or if I can find your email or contact via your own blog. I understand about the spamming and junk mail you get from leaving your email on things like this so to eliminate it, I am not going to require it. At the close of the contest, the winners will have 48 hours to get in touch with me.

Extra entries (US Only- International if you are willing to pay shipping or have it shipped to a US address):

+3 for old followers- you are the reasons this contest is happening

+1 for new followers- thank you thank thank you

+2 if you follow Books Not Bombs, old or new- I know several of my followers are from the contest over at A Life Bound by Books and I am passing on the generosity to this blogger

+2 for promoting my blog- sidebar, tweet, etc- max of 2 (link required)

+4 for an actual blog post (link required)

+3 if you add me to your blog roll

+1 if you tell me what your all time favorite book is and why because face it, there are great books out there that are older that go more unnoticed now but I would still love to find out about them

That is a total of 21 entries per person so have at it! I would prefer that everything is left in one comment post just because that is easier but if you go back and add something, make sure to use the same log in and also leave a note in the comment that you are adding entries to a previous post.

That's it and thanks again guys!

This contest will end Sunday, November 29

In My Mailbox (2) and Update

I am going to kill two birds with one stone and post one big thing for my week.

First off, In My Mailbox, originally started and hosted by The Story Siren.

There was a great surprise waiting for me this week, courtesy of Razorbill. I actually ordered some books from Amazon and when I was looking at my leasing office for one of the packages, I came across another that had been sitting there for 2 weeks. WEEKS! I was ticked off that I never received a notice from FedEx on my door (either they didn't leave it, or it got taken off or blown off) and my apartment people don't monitor the packages at all so I didn't ever get a courtesy call saying I had a package. But, it was a VERY nice birthday present since I discovered it on my birthday. So, the two books I received for review (links to Amazon):
Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate (Review already up)

Now for the books I ordered on Amazon:

The Maze Runner: James Dashner
Never Cry Werewolf: Heather Davis
Ruined: Paula Morris
Going Bovine: Libba Bray
Give Up The Ghost: Megan Crewe
Leviathan: Scott Westerfeld

So, what did you get in your mailbox?

Now for my weekly update of all things, well, me I suppose. One of the two people who is reading my novel as I get it written went on a road trip with me yesterday in search of the small town I want to set my novel in. It was a success- my town is picked, complete with a cute town square and a population of about 3000. When my other editor/critiquer gets back in the states in January, we will take another road trip out there to explore it even more and scope out a few other things since we had several towns on our agenda yesterday to hit up. Although we spent almost 11 hours in the car, it was a success.

I also came up with a title for my first novel and though I don't have the exact titles of the 2nd and 3rd books, I know what they are going to come from, I just have to pick the names. I am definitely excited for that though- a million kinds of it, actually. I have finished chapter four and am working out a few things for chapter 5 in my head so in the mean time, I have been revising chapter 4 and on the road trip yesterday, we made a list of several things from earlier I need to go back and check on and revise and change for consistency of things. Although I am still pretty tired today from it, it was definitely worth it.

And finally, I have finally hit 50 followers which is amazing! I am working on the contest I am setting up for it so those details will be coming very soon- if not today, then tomorrow for sure so stay tuned and again, THANK YOU! I really do appreciate it- it was a great surprise to come home to last night from 11 hours in the car.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Win Captivate

The Undercover Book Lover is giving away a copy of Captivate by Carrie Jones- a book I am completely elated for and dying to get my hands on. I loved Need and am exhilarated there is another installment! This ends Nov 14 so hurry over- just one more week to enter for this great contest.

She also is giving away a signed copy of A Map of the Known World, again ending Nov 14.

Contest Policy

Contest Policy:

I have already finished two full contests and apologize for not getting this up sooner but I have been following these guidelines already. However I thought it was a good idea to let everyone know right away some important information including rules for my contests as I hope to have many more.

From here on out, I will try to use an online form for all contest entries- it is not only easier for me but also safer for my entrants. No one but me will see your email that way and I will only use the emails to contact winners. Once a contest is over, I will delete the form and spreadsheet- I will never keep information long term.

Each contest will always have the possibility to be a little different then the last, so be sure to read all instructions carefully to get the most out of not only how many entries you might be able to get, but also if there's more to it than just a normal contest.

Winner(s) will be emailed within a day or two of announcing the winner(s). If nothing has been provided for me to contact you... it's up to you to check the blog postings to find out you've won. If after the two day time period is up, and there’s been no contact, another winner(s) will be drawn. If you know you are going to be unavailable when the contest will be over, find a way to give me a heads up. You can always email me regarding this and anything else with my blog at flamingo1325[at]gmail[dot]com. This is also the email you will use to contact me if you are the winner but I will try to always email first.

Be sure to not only keep an eye out for contest deadlines, but follow them. ANY AND ALL entries posted after the deadline date will not count at all in the contest. I also have the right to close a contest sooner than the deadline date listed, or extend it as I see fit. This will depend on changes in my own schedule, number of entrants, and other factors.

In each contest the winner will be chosen by random draw, generally using random.org. I most likely will double randomize my list but I will make every effort to outline my specific methods with each contest but it will always be random and out of my hands with no room for bias.

Because of my work schedule, shipment for books coming directly from me will generally be done the Saturday after the contest closes. I apologize for this since most contests will likely end on Sundays, but I just cannot get to the post office during the week unless I use up my entire lunch hour. I will also try to let the winners know the tracking numbers and I will most likely always include confirmation on packages sent from me. For books coming directly from a publisher, I will let you know I have submitted your address and obviously, it is out of my hands at that point.

Some important info to keep in mind:

- I will never keep your addresses, emails, etc after the contest has closed. Please see my privacy policy for further details on this.

-Always check the deadline dates.

-Not all contests will be international, so be sure to check who it's open to.

-All rules subject to change. As I have contests I’m sure there will have to be slight changes made. I will post when any updates are made to this section of the site.

-And last but not least, please follow instructions within each contest. Any entry that doesn't follow any and all instructions or rules will not be eligible to win.

Have FUN and Good Luck!!!

Privacy Policy

Privacy is important here at A Good Addiction and because of that I take it seriously for everyone, including younger readers. Blogs and the web in general can be fun and full of new and interesting things but caution must always be used especially when sharing personal information.

For children and their parents, please scroll down for some link's to great places to find further information and do not hesitate to contact me with any and all questions at flaming1325[at]gmail[dot]com.

Information Collected and Use

Any and all personal information collected here is not collected for any type of personal use. I of course cannot control others’ use of emails left in the comments section but I personally will never do anything more than contact contest winners with it. Also to help with this, I will try to utilize online forms for contest entries in which the information is sent directly to a spreadsheet seen only by me. To help ensure your or your child’s further safety, I stress the use of a Google ID or using a Blogger to better control anything you might deem personal online. For example, not just on blogs but on other public websites, my persona is flamingo1325. Of course that is not my real name but it helps protect me while also identifying me and my work.

Should anyone enter and win a contest on this site, I will need a physical address along with your first and last name to send the prize. However, if you are under the age of 13, I have to ask that your parent provide the mailing address. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to check and confirm your age, so I am expecting everyone to be honest in this area please. Any address collected for winning prizes will NOT be shared, given out, sold, or rented. I will not be keeping anything on file and the information will be deleted or destroyed after the shipment of each prize won.

All information stored in the spreadsheet tied to my online entry forms will also be deleted/destroyed once each contest is closed. As soon as I have sent out packages, I will immediately delete any personal information apart from the contact email. Should something happen and I need the address again (post office returns the package, package gets lost, etc) I will simply ask for it again.

Again, should you have any questions, comments, concerns or other issues please feel free to email at: flaming1325[at]gmail[dot]com.

LINKS:

http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm

http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21-children.htm

http://www.privacyrights.org/index.htm

Friday, November 6, 2009

Princess Bookie Contest

Princess Bookie is having another contest- straight off her site:

I was lucky enough to score another ARC of The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott. Remember my other copy will be put on the ARC Tour , so if you want to sign up, check back there soon!

There will be 2 winners!

The first person gets 4 books total- His Eyes by Renee Carter (not pictured) and When Mike Kissed Emma by Christine Marciniak PLUS 2 arcs their choice, than the 2nd winner gets the remaining 2!

OPEN TO EVERYONE!

You Must Be A Follower To Win!
Contest will end when it ends.

I don't know about you guys but I really want the Unwritten Rule... and definitely Voices of Dragons too so here's to hoping.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove: Lauren Kate

SUMMARY (Courtesy of borders.com):

A steamy Southern beauty makes one fatal mistakeNatalie Hargrove would kill to be her high schools Palmetto Princess. But her boyfriend Mike King doesnt share her dream and risks losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalies nemesis, Justin Balmer. So she convinces Mike to help play a prank on Justin. . . one that goes terribly wrong. They tie him to the front of the church after a partywhen they arrive the next morning, Justin is dead.From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never shouldve messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.Cruel Intentionsmeets Macbethin this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

OPINION: 4 Stars

This was a nice twist on the typical unintentional death now cover it up kind of story. Set in a small southern town where there is a right and wrong side of the tracks- filthy rich verse trailer trash, this novel focuses on the rich side of things and I found it to be a somewhat refreshing take on your typical high school drama. It was in there but it wasn't too overbearing, likely because it is the rich snobby kind. What they stress over and why is different and I did enjoy it. There are several surprising events and turns, many of them coming at just the right moments to keep the reader from getting too bored or distant from the story.

The book is written from Natalie's perspective and I feel her character was developed nicely. She starts out seemingly shallow, stuck up and arrogant but her background, her motivations, and her desires are revealed in a way that, looking back, is logical but helps move the story along and pull the reader through the story's events right with Natalie. She starts out as a well to do member of the rich society- and everything that comes with it from obsessing over things like winning a crown to her appearance and who her boyfriend is- but becomes something much more by the end.

Mike and Natalie's relationship was another good aspect of this book- now seniors, they have been together for 3 years, completely happy until one event starts to tear them apart. The length of time they had been together is, of course, unique for any high school, but especially this hypersexual, rumor driven one. I really enjoyed how Mike played a big role but he was also somewhat if a minor character in terms of how he was in the story- it was a refreshing blend for me.

Although the book did start out a little slow, really, don't the majority of books? The stage for everything was set nicely, and many characters were introduced right from the start and it all lead up to what I felt to be a really great, heart felt ending. The final closing lines were perfect in my opinion- I really did enjoy how the book seemed to end but then the reader got an even deeper look into Natalie's background- something that had been hinted at the entire story and finally, there it was. I actually enjoyed the way it split off from how the book was seemingly going to end, jumping back several years for a flashback, before returning to the epilogue. It was a unique writing style that I did enjoy.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. There were some moments where it was shallow for me but of course it had to be in this story. The writing is good- not amazing and it didn't captivate and wow me, but the story as a whole did draw me in. Everything was set up very well and followed a great path.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Monstrumolgost: Rick Yancey

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com):

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.Critically acclaimed author Rick Yancey has written a gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does a man become the very thing he hunts?

OPINION: 5 stars

Gory. Bloody. Enthralling. Thrilling. Gasp worth. Brilliant.

Need any other descriptors for this book? I can offer them- they are numerous and they are all great. Yancey spares nothing in his descriptions, from the autopsy/necropsy scenes to the killing scenes to the infestation of a human by hordes of parasitic worms. This is the kind of things that make people squirm on the big screen and Yancey has poignantly turned it all into the written word. I am completely, undeniable, heart breakingly in awe of Yancey's writing- his grasp of the English language is complimented by the late 1800's time period and subsequent intellect and dialogue. I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who, at the very least, holds an appreciation for a well written book no matter the story line. Even if the gore is too much, just read a few pages- the writing is truly beautiful.

From the very start, this book intrigued me. It is a story within a story- a journal within a book. The introduction chapter sets the stage in modern times before the journal takes you back to an incredibly interesting time and the writing style gripped me from the start. I knew that even if I ended up not liking the overall story and plot, I would still hold this book in high regards because of how well it is written which says thousands for Yancey. But, even better- I loved this plot. It is completely unique and bold. The monsters in your closet are real, there are things that go bump in the night and Yancey is showing them all, without holding anything back. You get the feeling that are right there alongside Will Henry, watching everything unfold and fearing the worst but hoping for the best.

The characters are strong and there is minimal biasing by the first person point of view, even towards the not so nice people. The reader can make up their own mind- and even several of the minor characters shine through and make you remember them. You can see the thought that went into everything about this story and as with all good stories, it had plenty of twists and turns and surprises.

The ending was phenomenal- bittersweet in its own way but still left the reader with plenty of closure. This is the first in the series and although it doesn't end on a massive cliffhanger, the story line itself, the way it is written, and how much I have fallen in love with 12 year old Will Henry will guarantee me to be buying the next installation. This book deserves 5 stars- maybe even 6- and is definitely taking a very well earned place at the top of my favorites list.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Very Snazzy Birthday Contest

The Book Pixie is having a huge contest in honor of her birthday so instead of hording the books for herself, she is gifting them on. What a generous thing to do, don't ya think? Full details can be found here but there is 4 winners- a first, second and third place, plus a gift to the person who correctly guesses the exact time of her entrance into this world (or closest to it). Great titles are up for grabs so head on over- this one ends her birthday, Nov 16.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Banner

So, my banner is fighting me... I made this really cool one that wont actually show up... so I am showing it here, because I can.

Contest & Plea for a book

Shrinking Violet is a book published in May of just this year by Danielle Joseph. Summary from borders.com:

For seventeen-year-old Teresa Adams, high school is an excruciating daily ordeal. Her debilitating shyness makes every conversation and every confrontation an agonizing event. But at home, in the security of her bedroom, she daydreams of a secret life as a DJ for Miami's hottest radio station, SLAM FM, which just so happens to be owned by her stepfather. Some day, she believes, she'll get her big break. And then it happens - her stepfather allows her to sit in as an intern. Before long, she's helping out on air under the guise of Sweet T, her confident radio persona. At school, Teresa has to do a group oral presentation. It doesn't help that she has a crush on Gavin, the boy in her group. Will her secret life as a DJ help her overcome the shyness of her daily life-and possibly propel her straight into the arms of her crush?

Again, this book was just published a few months ago but already, it is close to going on back order unless more orders are placed for it. I personally find this to really be incredibly wrong- even if just one or two people order it, that is still people wanting the book.

Here is some praise for the book as well, taken straight off The Bookologist's blog:

Praise for Shrinking Violet:

"Bella, eat your heart out. Tere is the girl every young woman truly wants to be. . . . Brilliant work, Danielle Joseph." -Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of Identical

"Danielle Joseph takes readers into the glamorous world of Top 40 radio, with a character who is both funny and relatable. Readers will cheer when Tere finds her voice!" -Alex Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater and A Kiss in Time

"A funny, romantic, and truly inspirational Cinderella tale for any teen who's ever been shy, loved music, or dreamed of going to the ball. Wait, that's pretty much everybody." -Gaby Triana, author of The Temptress Four

If this book seems like on you would want to read, go order it now rather than later- soon enough, it might be too late or too hard to get one which will hurt this book even more!

Also, The Bookologist is also holding a contest to give away an ARC of Hush, Hush and a copy of The Exorsistah along with a lot of swag. This contest ends today but the promotion and push for Shrinking Violet will continue.

Details for Saving Shrinking Violet can be found here.

Contest details here.

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by The Story Siren. Check out her page for a listing of links to other blogger's IMM posts.

This week, I only got one book- Tempted by the Casts. I have been trying to hold out on buying books and have made it an entire month but went on a large online bookspree yesterday that is meant to hold me out for another month... so I will post those when I get them but I am excited (although my credit card bill will not make me excited, thus the reason for the self restraint).