In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.
Dead to You by Lisa McMann
I'm listening to an audiobook of Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann right now. It's riveting. I love her writing! I can't wait to read this soon!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Book Review: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent, #1) by Barry Lyga
Author: Barry Lyga
Pages: 368
Publication: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Summary taken from goodreads:
What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?
Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could--from the criminal's point of view.And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows?
4 STARS - I REALLY LIKED IT
MY REVIEW:
I was completely surprised at how much I liked this book. It started off with a bang and continued to suck me in with its enthralling characters and unique plot.
Jazz is an amazing protagonist. His dad is a famous serial killer who taught him everything as he grew up. Then Dear Old Dad got caught and was arrested four years ago. Even though he's not around anymore, Jazz is still plagued by his dad mentally; he's constantly struggling with doing what's right and what's wrong, and using his acting skills--skills that he learned from his dad--to fool everyone into thinking that he's normal, that he's fine.
Then bodies start turning up in town and Jazz is trying to prove his innocence, that he isn't like his dad. With the help of his hilarious best friend and girlfriend, Jazz is racing to find the serial killer.
The book is intense and suspenseful, not only because of the pattern of the murders, but because of Jazz's constant battle with his inner demons. Plus, you're constantly trying to figure out who the Impressionist is, which turned out to be kind of surprising.
The ending was also surprising, but that was because I thought that this was a standalone book. It didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, but it was quite obvious that the story wasn't over, which I was happy to find out, because I can't wait to see where this series will go.
On another note, I found out from the author's site that this book is being made into a TV series. With the way that the story is told and its suspenseful plot, I think it'll be awesome to watch as a TV series, even if the storyline's most likely going to change a bit. When it comes out, I will definitely be watching it.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Dusty Reads: Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls #4) by Ally Carter
Dusty Reads is a weekly post featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time.
Title: Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls #4)
Author: Ally Carter
Pages: 265
Publication: June 29, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Summary taken from goodreads:
History of espionage takes on an entirely new meaning as Cammie and her friends go looking for answers, in this highly anticipated fourth book in the "New York Times"-bestselling series.
The reason why I haven't read this book yet was the fact that I didn't want to wait another year or two for the next book to come out after finishing this book, so I decided to wait until a closer time for the next book to come out. However, as time passed, I forgot about it, and what do ya know, the next book and last book of the series, Out of Sight, Out of Time came out a few weeks ago!
If I wasn't on a book ban--and I know that I kind of broke it buying Spell Bound and two other books, but I'm really trying hard to stick to my ban!--I would have already bought Out of Sight, Out of Time already just so that I wouldn't have to wait to read it once I'm done with this book.
My Spring Break officially started as of an hour ago, so... I'll read this book eventually. :)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tumblr Pics 23
Just one more day of school left! Then the beginning of Spring Break! Woo!
I can't wait! My friends and I are planning on having a picnic on Friday and then going to the mall to go prom dress shopping since Shanice still hasn't gotten one yet. So while everyone else goes to Wild Adventures for Senior Skip Day, we'll be chillaxing and going shopping and probably doing something crazy afterwards. :)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Play Hooky With
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke and Bookish.
I find this topic ironically fitting since Spring Break starts next week, and one of the traditions at my school is having Senior Skip Day on the Friday before Spring Break starts. I'm pretty sure that my parents will let me skip school on Friday, so my friends and I have already made plans.We just have to finalize a few more things and get permission, and we're good!
If I weren't busy hanging out with my friends, I would want to grab some of these books and read them outside in the shade during Senior Skip Day instead of going to school. :)
Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With:
This book was fantastic. I would love to find some time to reread it, or better yet, listen to the audiobook instead, because the narrator's voice is pitch-perfect on how I imagined Adam's voice to sound like.
Loved this book when first read it a year or two ago. I have the sequel, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet since I wanted to reread this book first, because I most definitely have to fall in love with Zachary and Logan again. XD
This was such a beautiful book. I remember staying up late finishing it since I couldn't put the book down for a second. I would definitely skip homework and essays to reread this book again, lol.
I haven't read this book yet, but I've only heard great things about it. I'm pretty sure I would not be able to do anything until I finished reading the book once I start it, which is why I haven't read it yet, lol. Good thing I only have a few more days until Spring Break!
This book was so cute! I would totally take the time out to reread this book again because of the characters alone. Anna was hilarious and Etienne was swoon-worthy, and their other friends were equally awesome.
I've been meaning to reread this book for a while. It's so mind-blowing amazing, and I know that I would not be able to put it down once I start reading it again like I did the first time I read it.
I so want to know how this trilogy ends! I've been holding myself back from reading it because I've been super busy and wanted to be able to read and savor this book at my own pace and not just in-between classes and homework assignments.
Another book that I have been dying to read and have high expectations of. I've been following the author's blog for a while, so I was super excited to read her book when it was first released, but between the piles of books that I bought between then and the piles of essays and Calc. homework I've had until then has pushed the book out of my mind for a while...
If the book was anything like both the Swedish and English movies, then I am pretty sure I won't be able to put this book down once I start reading it.
I know, why haven't I read it yet?! I still haven't heard any bad reviews of this book, so my expectations are extremely high. Plus, I don't think I would be able to focus on anything else until I finished reading it once I start, so wouldn't that be a great day to play hooky? :P
Monday, March 26, 2012
Awesome Book Titles
I was randomly looking around goodreads the other day and saw this super awesome title:
Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls
How can you not be intrigued?
And then I read the summary and was even more intrigued.
Title: Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls
Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Pages: 328
Publication: April 17, 2012
Summary taken from goodreads:
Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether.Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer,Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core.
And I like the cover; it's so simple and authentic.
I also found this amazing cover. I just love it! I'm probably going to buy this book just for the cover alone. There isn't a summary yet, but I've already put it on my to-read list, lol.
Doesn't it look like it come straight from some contemporary anime? I absolutely love the setting, and the title is also quite awesome. The cover doesn't really convey the darkness that the title says, but it definitely has the lovely part down pat. XD
But yeah, I've got to go... soooo... I'll see ya later!
pointy.star
Saturday, March 24, 2012
In My Mailbox (54)
In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.
Bought:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer
I'm excited to start reading these! :)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Graphic Novel Review: Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre & Rafael Rosado
Name: Giants Beware!
Author: Jorge Aguirre & Rafael Rosado
Pages: 208
Expected publication: April 10, 2012
Publisher: First Second
Summary taken from goodreads:
Make way for Claudette the giant slayer in this delightful, fantastical adventure!
Claudette’s fondest wish is to slay a giant. But her village is so safe and quiet! What’s a future giant slayer to do?
With her best friend Marie (an aspiring princess), and her brother Gaston (a pastry-chef-to-be), Claudette embarks on a super-secret quest to find a giant—without parental permission. Can they find and defeat the giant before their parents find them and drag them back home? Giants Beware! offers up a wondrous, self-contained world in the tradition of the very best of Pixar. Claudette and her friends will have you laughing out loud from page one.
2.5 STARS - I LIKED IT ENOUGH
MY REVIEW:
My thoughts while reading this:
- Before Claudette's name was revealed, I thought that she was a boy, what with her short hair and rude, brash behavior.
- Gaston is one cool kid; he's basically a chef and wants to also make swords!
- Marie would make an awesome princess; she's got a brain.
- For little kids, their vocabulary is amazing.
- The character developement was nice even though I really was annoyed by Claudette in the beginning.
- I like the art in here.
- I wish they talked more about Claudette and Gaston's mom.
All in all, a cute story that I'm sure many kids will enjoy.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Cool Stuff: 3D Sidewalk Art
The amount of creativity these people have are amazing. :c
On another note, THE HUNGER GAMES MOVIE TOMORROW NIGHT!!! I AM SO READY FOR IT! XD
And now I must go write my poetry response and do Calc homework, because I'm pretty sure I won't be able to do them tomorrow, what with the premiere and all that jazz.
Ta!
pointy.star
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Spring TBR List
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke and Bookish.
Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read List:
Waiting for my copy to finally arrive. My friend has already read her own copy and really liked it, so I'm very excited to see where the plot left off. Super sad to know that the trilogy is finally over though. D:
I won this book a couple of months ago, and I've been wanting to read it for a while since the plot seems more than what the summary makes it. Plus, I haven't read many indie authors for a while.
This book has been in my TBR pile for a while. I don't know about you, but life has been passing by rather quickly, and on those rare moments when I stop and think about everything that's happened and are planning on happening, I've realized that I would like for things to stay still for just a little while, because everything's happening so fast. The title got to me. I want to read it purely because of the title alone. But I've heard great things about Nina LaCour, so I don't think I'll be disappointed, lol.
Won this book last week. I can't wait for it arrive! The summary was very interesting, and I like how most of Lisa McMann's books tend to be short but packed with a punch.
It's already 80 degree weather over here in Georgia. I'm hoping that the book's cold setting will help me cool down as the weather increases, lol.
The book's bright cover always catch my attention and I have yet to read a bad review for this book. Plus, I'm sort of looking for a miracle right now myself, trying to survive the last few months of school with all A's and whatnot, so hopefully this book will help motivate me to fight my senioritis. XD
I haven't read a book about fairies for a while. Since I already own the sequel, too, I don't have to agonize over not being able to buy the next book as much!
Bought this book near the beginning of last year and have kept on telling myself that I would read it. Yeah... that never happened; it was buried under a pile of other TBR books, so I kept on forgetting about it. I will finally attempt to read this over Spring Break or something.
I won this book sometime last year and have only recently remembered that I owned it. This list already consists of diverse genres, I figured I'd include magic and time traveling into the mix. :)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Dusty Reads: Chime by Franny Billingsley
Dusty Reads is a weekly post featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time.
Author: Franny Billingsley
Pages: 361
Publication: March 17, 2011
Publisher: Dial
Summary taken from goodreads:
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.
I have the ARC of this for a year or two now, and the summary has everything that I like, so I'm still not sure why I haven't read this book yet... Plus, I've heard nothing but rave reviews for this book... So why haven't I read it yet? -__-"
As of right now, I have to read a book for my AP Lit class, so I think I'll try to squeeze this book in afterwards or in between some review books. :)
Friday, March 16, 2012
Book Review: Seizure (Virals #2) by Kathy Reichs
Author: Kathy Reichs
Pages: 491
Publication: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Summary taken from goodreads:
The second novel in the Virals trilogy from #1 bestselling author and inspiration for the TV series Bones - Kathy Reichs!
Ever since Tory Brennan and her friends rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus, they've turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack! But now the very place that brought them together - the Loggerhead Island Research Institute - is out of funding and will have to shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it!
So when Tory learns of an old Charleston legend about a famous she-pirate, Anne Bonney, whose fortune was never found, she can't believe her luck - buried treasure is exactly what she needs to save the Institute on Loggerhead! Trouble is, she and her friends aren't the only ones looking for it. And this time, the Virals' special powers may not be enough to dig them out of trouble . . .
3.5 STARS - I LIKED IT
MY REVIEW:
Seizure was a great sequel to Virals. If anything, I liked this book even more just because it was funnier than Virals; there were so many times when I laughed out loud at Hi's witty remarks.
For a pretty big book, you didn't think about its size because the writing was so compelling, you were easily drawn into story. In addition, for the majority of the time, there were plenty of twists to keep you on your toes, and the action and suspense had you on the edge of your seats.
The characters were smart and resourceful and generally awesome. But they're teenagers, and they did make some mistakes, which just goes to show that not even the smartest kids are infallable.
In Seizure, Tori really did show that she's a good leader (I wish Calla could learn from her :P). She's smart and charismatic enough to know how to persuade her friends into going with her plans, and she does listen to them and get their opinions. And the others obviously trust her enough to go along with her crazy schemes.
I had an issue with the fact that Tori and her friends broke a lot of laws and didn't get into that much trouble for them in the end, but most of the guys did get punished, and really, could any of their parents be so mad once they realized what their kids did for them and the island?
I listened to the audiobook of this book, and I really enjoyed it. The narrator conveyed all of the emotions so well and emphatically, that it didn't take much for me to be sucked along into the story. And I think hearing Hi's jokes and remarks out loud just made them funnier because the narrator really nailed his voice. Although it took a while to get used to Ben and Hi's voices since Ben's was supposed to sound low and Hi's voice was just completely unexpected, once you got used to it, the story just flowed and you forgot about little things like that.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Meet Cujo and Krystal
Actually, we might change their names to Simba and Nala, lol. We'll see.
Yesterday, my bro and I got to go with our dad to pick up two puppies that a family friend was giving us! We got to choose two out of eight! And I picked Cujo, because he was fluffy and somewhat lazy, which reminded me of a certain person (me!), lol. My bro had originally chosen him, but then he changed his mind, and since our mom wanted us to get a girl if we could (there were only two girls in the litter), my bro picked Krystal since the owner said that she was smart and stubborn.
 |
| Look at this adorableness! |
Before we had even gotten the puppies, Brian had already decided to name one of them Cujo after the movie, so that meant that I could come up with the girl's name. It was really hard. I was trying to find inspiration from all of my favorite books, but all of the girl names didn't fit with the puppy's personality! That, or I could only think of male names, lol.
In the end, I decided on Krystal, Amber, and from my brother's suggestion, Ambree. My mom liked Krystal, so we decided to name her that.
 |
| The cuteness continues! |
On the ride home, my dad wanted to name the two puppies Simba and Nala or Lady and the Tramp, lol. I told Shelle that, and she wanted to name them after the lions, so... we'll see where it all goes. I mean, right now, I think they'd be even more adorable to be named Simba and Nala since they're so tiny and fluffy and cute, but once they're grown up, I'm not sure I can call the boy Simba without thinking about a giant fluffy lion, and adult German Shepherds look nothing like that.
Anyway, I took a bunch of pics of them last night since I knew that I wouldn't see them for long since my dad took them to the farm today, which makes me extremely sad. The puppies like me the best, lol and are so friggin adorable that I just want to bite them. XD
Anyway, yeah, it was late by the time we got back home with them, so all of the pictures were taken in the dark, which is why their eyes are so... blue, lol.
So yeah, that's all for now, folks!
See ya!
pointy.star