Teaser Tuesday (12)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

My Teasers

He blinked once, then slowly lifted one hand and crooked a beckoning finger at her. Isobel hesitated but then as though spellbound to obey, she found herself leaning in. “What are you staring at?” he whispered.
and
"Because," said Varen, "in the end, Death always wins."At these words, Isobel recoiled. She took her hands from the table and put them into her lap, shoulders hunching. "You know," she said, "no offence, but it's when you say stuff like that that people start to worry about you."Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

She wrapped her arms around him."I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier," he whispered, holding her tightly to him.
and
"She doesn't like you.""She will." He stepped outside and shook off the glamour. Then he said the words that'd sealed so many mortal girls' fates. "I've dreamed about her. She's the one."Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Frosy

Follow Friday(8) & Book Blogger Hop(8) & TGIF(1)

TGIF is hosted by GReads.

This week's question is:

Q. In 2011 which  new/old authors have you discovered and loved?

I love this question! Most books I have read this year are from new authors! Well to me lol.

• Gayle Forman. She captivated me with her writing in If I Stay and I'm looking forward to the sequel Where She Went where I hear is even better.
• Tina Ferraro. I loved The ABC's of kissing boys! I want to read more of her books!
• Julie James. I don't usually read adult-contemporary but I loved her books. I have read two of her books and plan to read the other two.
• Simone Elkeles. I was hesitant about reading Perfect Chemistry and I'm glad that didn't stop me. She knows how to get into a guy's mind. I have only read Perfect Chemistry but I plan to read more of her books. 
• Tess Oliver. She has a way of telling good stories. I have only read Camille and looking forward to more of her books.
• Ramona Wray. She has only written one book but it's so good. Looking forward to whatever else she writes. 
• Richelle Mead. I feel bad about this one but I just recently read one of her books and that one was Vampire Academy. 

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

This week's question is:

Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them? 

I finish one book a week when my school load is heavy. Normally I read two to three books at the same time and it really depends on what else I have on my schedule to see if I can all finish them at the same week. During the winter is really hard for me to finish three books a week. It's usual one-two books a week. Now during the summer is three books at least. I mostly read my books in their physical form or as e-books. I don't really have a pattern. It depends what format I have of the book I want to read. I've only listened once to an audiobook and didn't quit like it. 

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books.
This week's question is:

Q. What book-to-movie adaptation have you most liked? Which have you disliked?

I must say the Harry Potter movies are a very good adaptation of the books. I really like them and I was excited that the last movie would turn into two parts. This way they can be more true to the book. Recently I saw Beastly and even though the book was ok I liked the movie better. It wasn't true to the book though. They had changed a lot. 

The Twilight movies are they ones I dislike the most. They are ok but in my opinion they don't mach the books. The first movie Twilight I believe was the closest they could get to the book after that they have nothing to do with the books. 

Recent Posts:

Book Review: Fate by Amanda Hocking

Book Review: Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld

Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Book Review: Twilight, the graphic novel, volume 1

Teaser Tuesday (11)

Frosy

Book Review: Fate by Amanda Hocking

Title: Fate

Author: Amanda Hocking

Series: My Blood Approves, book 2

Publisher: Lulu-self-published 

Release Date: 2010

Format: e-book

Source: Bought it

My Rating: 3 stars

Alice Bonham thinks she's finally found a balance in her life between the supernatural and real life with her brother Milo. Jack - her sorta vampire boyfriend - keeps her at arm's length to keep her safe. As for his brother Peter... she's not sure where he's at, or what he wants with her. Worse still, she's not even sure what she wants with Peter. 

When tragedy happens, Alice finds herself struggling with a terrible choice. Her decision has consequences that reach farther than she'd ever imagined... 

                                                        Taken by Goodreads.com

Review

In the first book Alice our main character didn't really convince me and I found her most of the time annoying but it kind of sufficed in this book. She still acts reckless and doesn't use her brain what so ever but I kind of got used to her. Jack and Milo were they ones that kept me reading this. Alice and Jack's relationship doesn't get better until the very end of the book. Jack acted very childlike and it was hard for me to see how Alice could have fallen for him. Most of the time in the book Jack wasn't with her or was trying to avoid her. 

Milo now made this so worth reading it. At first he is nothing like his sister Alice and I loved how the author portrayed his character. Milo is gay and he has some serious problem admitting it to himself. The moments between him and Alice for that subject were so sweet and full of concern. (Well a few of them anyways lol)  

The story plot was really simple with nothing really over the top to make you want to turn the pages eagerly. It mostly deals with Milo turning into a vampire after an accident and Alice questioning her initial choice of becoming herself a vampire. The book mostly deals with Milo's change and Alice's conflicting emotions. The author throws in a couple of vampires that want to kill Alice and of course the never ending of Jack and Peter battle over Alice.

Unfortunately we get to see very little of Peter and I'm wondering why the author hasn't given us more of him. He still sustains that mystery he has, mostly because we don't know him. I found out by the end of the book that the reason I kept turning the pages was for him. I wanted to see him in this book so badly! Now that I think about it I'm going to read the rest of the books just to find out more about him. We do get to see him in the last few pages of the book where Alice really gets to the point where she has to finally choose. Jack that she thinks she might love or Peter where her blood sings to him and share a special bond? 

Overall I liked it. It isn't the best but somehow I got addicted to it and I'm going to continue to read the series. 

Frosy

Buy this at Amazon (Format Paperback)

or Amazon (Format e-book, Kindle)  

Book Review: Touching Darkness

Title: Touching Darkness
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Midnighters, book 2
Publisher: HarperCollins/HarperTeen
Release Date: 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 330
Source: Bought
My Rating: 3.5 stars

The Midnighters of Bixby, Oklahoma, know that their town is full of secrets. These five teenagers are the only ones who know about the mysterious hour at midnight when the world freezes, except for them and the creatures that inhabit the darkness.
But they do not know why earlier generations of Midnighters all disappeared, or why they are now the only Midnighters in town. As they learn more about the secret hour's twists and turns, they uncover terrifying mysteries woven into the very fabric of Bixby's history, and a conspiracy that touches both the midnight hour and the world of daylight.
At the same time, the Midnighters' own secrets start to emerge, including some that were never meant to come to light, changing the fragile dynamics among the five.This time Jessica Day is not the only Midnighter in mortal danger, and if the group can't find a way to come together, they could lose one of their own — forever.
A tale of betrayal, horrifying revelations, and powerful alliances, touching darkness is the second volume of the riveting Midnighters trilogy by acclaimed author Scott Westerfeld.                                     Taken by Goodreads.com 

Review

In the first book we were introduced into the blue time, the time where only Midnighters can walk through it and where the creatures, the darklings, exist. This time we find out that this secret time gets known to non-midnighters that are threating our five midnighters.   

The characters in this book have started to change as the events progress and they are constantly in danger. People, non-midnighters, are following them and they have to make hard decisions. Jessica was more confident in this book since she has the power to defend all five of them since she's the flame-bringer. Also new characters are introduced, characters that want to harm them and also old midnighters are introduced, to help them figure out the blue time. The timing isn't the best though and they find it hard to trust anyone resulting putting in great danger one of them.

The writing was fabulous again and Scott Westerfeld made me actually like a little more physics and understand that after all those math classes, they may come in hand one day. The plot was fast paced. After the initial intro in this wold the pace picks up and it is filled with action-paced scenes and the developing of this new world -the secret hour- that it seems that it doesn't stop from growing. 

Overall I enjoyed Touching Darkness so much more than the first book The Secret Hour and I can't wait for the last book called Blue Noon. If you have read the first one and wasn't so sure about it, give this one a try. It's worth it. It's so much easier to understand it now that you have already known the basics of the Secret Hour. It's one of those series that gets better as it goes. 

Frosy

Buy this book at Amazon | Book Depository (Format Paperback)

or Amazon (Format e-book, Kindle)

Book Review: If I Stay

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman 
Series: If I Stay, book 1 
Publisher: Speak 
Release Date: 2009
Format: Paperback
Pages: 234
Source: Bought
My Rating: 5 stars 


Synopsis

On a day that started like any other...
Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instand all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left-the most important decision she'll even make. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving. 

Review
What can I say about this book. I can't believe I have been putting this book aside for so long. It's one of those books that will stay with you. I don't read contemporary books that much so I was little hesitant at first.

When I first read the synopsis I had no idea what was waiting for me during those first pages. Mia has an out-of-her-body experience and watches herself as doctors try to do everything they can to save her body. She had an accident and now she gets to see everything that happens around her even if her body is in coma. Being in this position is confusing but not as confusing as it is when she faces a choice of whether to live or stay. 


Mia has a lovely family and even lovelier boyfriend Adam. Adam plays a huge role in this book. Thinking of the book and wanting to say more about it I realize that I have to be very careful not to spoil anything. It's one of those books that you'll have to read to find out what it means to you. The book deals with loss, grief, loving and letting go. Music plays a central role in this book as Mia and her family and even her boyfriend are musicians or lovers of music. 


Gayle Forman captured me with her beautiful writing. As Mia faces the new reality of her life the author gives us a glimpse at her life before the accident. We get to know how she met Adam, know her parents and of course her love for the celo. 


This book is very emotional and deals with different kinds of emotions. Did I cry? Yes. Not throughout the entire book but there were certain parts that I just couldn't not to. The whole time reading this book I felt sad about what was happening. Saying that this book is awesome feels wrong somehow due to the dept this book has and what it deals with.


It's one those books that will stay with you for a long time after you're read it. If I Stay was kept in my mind for days after I read it and couldn't read another book because I wasn't ready to let it go. 


I would tell anyone who loves books to read this. I even got my mom interested in it, when she learned what was this book about, and she doesn't even read to begin with. 

Frosy

Thoughts on Twilight, The Graphic Novel: Volume 1

Title: Twilight, the graphic novel: volume 1

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Art and Adaptation: Young Kim

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: 2010

Source: Library

My Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret...

Review

Ok, so I was at the library the other day and saw this book and decided to grab it. Since twilight came out I have only read the original 4 books in the saga before all this craziness about the movies came along. I haven't read the short novela or the guide because I don't feel it anymore. When there is a huge hipe about a book I tend not to read it even if I want to. I wait for everything to calm down and pick books that are not so popular. But I was standing there thinking of how long it has been since I last read Twilight so I picked it up.

I haven't read a graphic novel before and at first it was kind of weird reading the words and looking at the beautiful pictures but after I got used to it I loved it. It reminded why I loved Twilight so much in the first time and how the characters really are, because I had forgotten. The characters in the movie are so different from the characters in the book. I wanted so bad to pick Twilight again, remember the moments Edward made me giggle and sigh and the heart attacks Bella gave me with her decisions. 

This is only the first half of the book and it stops at the meadow scene. It didn't have everything in the book, it wouldn't be possible but they included all the important stuff in the book and it was a good welcome back into the story. If you haven't picked up Twilight in a long time and want a quick fix, read it.

Frosy

Buy the book at Amazon.

Teaser Tuesday (11)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

My Teasers

"Fifteen!" Dess's distant cry reached him. "Where the hell are you, Rex? Ten. You're-an-idiot-nine, get-back-here-eight, you-dimwit-seven..." 

and

He squeezed her hand. "Then I'll come get you, wherever you are when it happens. We'll be okay."
"But what about everybody else?"
He stared out across the river, nodding slowly. "My guess is, everybody else is in big trouble." 

Blue Noon by Scott Westerfeld

"They say Mamluk spies burnt a Cypriot ship." 

Did they now? Roderigo smiled grimly. He'd told his men to say nothing of what had happened, but this was better than expected.

and

"What makes this killing different?"

"The murderer. A boy was seen nearby. Naked, with silvergrey hair. The Watch believe he was her attacker."

The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood

Frosy

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren!

This week's IMM futures books that I got over the period of three weeks. 

I may talk about Eurovision.... did you watch it?

Books mentioned...

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Wake by Lisa McMann

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Across the Universe by Beth Revis 

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare 

Also got two e-books and one book from the library that I forgot to mention! 

From Netgalley

The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

From Library 

Twilight, the graphic novel: Volume 1

What books did you get this week?

Frosy

Textual Healing >> Book Review

Title: Textual Healing

Author: Eric Smith

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Release Date: 2010

Format: Paperback

Pages: 268

Source: Sent by the author for review purposes

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

Few people have to deal with a haiku-speaking flower-shop-owning ninja every day on their way to work. Unfortunately for Andrew Connor, he is one of those people. 

And poor Andrew, his week has been a rough one. His former bestseller, Chasing Fireflies is on clearance at Barnes & Noble for $1.37, his girlfriend lest him for a corporate America action figure, and he's been tricked into joining Textual Healing, a support group for writers who can't seem to write anymore.

Dealing with his employees at his failing used bookshop, a strange new love interest from the Midwest, and a pet sugar-glider that has somehow managed to destroy his entire apartment... when will he ever find the time to put pen to paper again? 

A quirky comedy set in present day New York and New Jersey, Textual Healing follows the story of Andrew, a self-deprecating, once famous author, his small bookstore in Hoboken, and the colourful characters that surround him. 

Review

Textual Healing is a fun read with funny and unpredictable characters. Andrew or Ace, was my favourite character after Orchid of course. You can't beat her! He is fun and easy to relate character and the chemistry between him and Hannah and mostly everyone else is great! 

The book is told by Ace's perspective and there are very few books that I've read that are from a male's perspective that were nicely done and liked. This one I loved! 

There were a lot of funny moments and I can't count the times I laughed. Between the haiku-talking flower shop owner and pirate to the sugar glider. Which by the way had no idea what it is and looked like. I had to googled it. lol The whole book made me crank up. A smile spreads across my face whenever I remember some parts of the book.

I would totally recommend this book if you like light quirky books with a lot of funny moments! 

Frosy

Buy this book at Amazon | Book Depository (Format Paperback)

or Amazon (Format e-book, kindle)

HELP! Problem with blogger!

For some reason blogger does not work the last few days. On my dashboard it says I don't follow any blogs and in order to see various posts form other blogs I have to use Google Reader which I don't like because it takes so long to go through each blog to check if there is a new post out. And to add to that I just found out that scheduling a post does not work! I even scheduled a post for 2012 to see if that works but it keeps posting it today with the date of 2012! 

Not to mention that I have a couple of comments showing up in my email but not on the blog. I don't know what to do! 

So I'm reaching out to you. Does anyone else have the same problem? Any tips on how to fix this? 

Frosy

Book Review: Hush Hush

Title: Hush Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Hush Hush, Book 1

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: 2009

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis

Patch's eyes were black orbs. Taking in everything and giving away nothing. Not that I wanted to know more about Patch. Since I hadn't liked what I'd seen on the surface, I doubted I'd like what was lurking inside. Only, this wasn't exactly true. I'd liked a lot of what I'd seen. Long, lean muscles down his arms, broad but relaxed shoulders, and a smile that was part playful, part seductive. I was in an uneasy alliance with myself, trying to ignore what had started to feel irresistible.

A SACRED OATH 

A FALLEN ANGEL

A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen-and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Review

Hush Hush is the first book about angels I've read. I picked it up after hearing people raving about how good it is and with a cover like that, why wouldn't it be? When I read it the first time I wasn't impressed. Nora wasn't a strong character and her friend Vee is just plain annoying. Reading it though a second time changed my mind. Maybe I didn't like it the first time because I had read an incredible book before that, and no matter what I read next it wouldn't comprare. That's why I don't let myself read for a while after those kind of books so I can take them out of my system. But I couldn't wait for Hush Hush thinking it was that good. It's wasn't that good but it wasn't bad either.

The story is really good and the main thing that I didn't like was the characters. I have said it before, that I enjoy books mostly because of the plot not because the characters so much. When I have a great story with stunning characters, that's when the book is amazing for me. And the plot in this book was good and I do believe it gets better in the next two books (I haven't read them). But the characters weren't good. If the characters were written differently I may have enjoyed Hush Hush more.

Patch was a little abusive and I just couldn't believe how he talked to Nora and manipulated her without Nora even realizing it. Nora's best friend was just plain annoying and not a true friend to Nora. Vee should believe Nora and support her. It felt like she wasn't a friend to Nora at all. I couldn't believe how Nora could be friends with her. Patch was dark, silent and mysterious. Way too mysterious I would say. Now that I have read the book twice I still don't know Patch. Hopefully in the next book Crescendo I'll get to know him better.

Overall, I enjoyed it but wished there was more to it and I'm definitely going to read Crescendo. Should you read it? Why not. But if you have something else right now, go for that. 

Frosy

Buy this book at Amazon | Book Depository (Format Hardcover)

or Amazon | Book Depository (Format Paperback) 

Winner of HEX, A Witch And Angel Tale by Ramona Wray

 Participating in a blog tour gave me the opporunity to host a giveaway of the book HEX, A Witch And Angel Tale by Ramona Wray. To see my post and character interview I did, you can click here. My review on the book is also here.

Now to the winner. According to random.org the winner is..... Diana from The Lovely Getaway!!! Congratulations Diana! I'll be emailing you shortly! :)

Frosy