End of the Year Survey

This Survey is hosted by Jamie @ The Perpentual Page Turner

1. Best Book You Read In 2011? 
Blood Red Road by Moira Young. That book literally changed my life. Not in a physical way, but I think it did emotionally. I loved that book so much!


2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

Abandon by Meg Cabot. Don't get me wrong, I did like it. But I had so much higher expectations for it. 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. I read that book in a day! I thought it'd be different, but I had to remember that it wasn't Rose's story anymore. And when that fact finally settled into my brain, I realized that Sydney's story was amazing!

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes. Read that book at the beginning of the year and I have yet to stop recommending it!

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

I discovered The Mortal Instruments, and that was a huge life changing. Oh well if I've only read the first book, it's still made a giant impact on me!
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Moira Young, Michelle Hodkin (I haven't read her debut but she is super nice), Andrea Cremer, Cassandra Clare, Lia Habel, and a load more others! 


7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. Not a usually thing for me, but I did like it very much!

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

 Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead! Ever since the last book in the series ended, I was impatiently waiting for the spinoff series to start!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

11. Most memorable character in 2011? 

 There were so many. Probably one in ever single book I read this year. I think I'm going to go with Bram from Dearly Departed(:

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

Ever book is written in a unique way, so there is no one beautifully written book.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011? 

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. It made me tear up, actually. It was so heartbreaking.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read? 

 That would probably be My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011? 

Bloodlines - "Thanks for looking out for her, Sage. You're okay, For a human."  I almost laughed. "Thanks."  "You can say it too, you know." I walked over to Latte [car] and paused. "Say what?" "That I'm okay . . . for a vampire," he [Adrian] explained. I shook my head, still smiling. "You'll have a hard time getting any Alchemist to admit that. But I can say you're okay for an irreverent party boy with occasional moments of brilliance." "Brillant? You think I'm brillant?" He threw his hands skyward. "You hear that, world?" Sage says I'm brillant!" 
Nightshade - "You're like a dead man walking." I pointed an accusing finger at him. "Don't ever, ever try to pet a wolf. It's just insulting." && "And you look beautiful," she added. "I look like a cake." "But a beautiful cake." 


16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012? 

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers! 

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Looking Ahead... 


1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davis, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, Deliruim by Lauren Oliver,The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, Halo & Hades by Alexandra Adornetto, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
I do realize that says ONE book, but I can't(x



2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

 The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead.


3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?

 Have specific days/times to read. I dislike falling behind on my reading.

For Always by Danielle Sibarium {21st] & Interview

Title: For Always
Author: Danielle Sibarium
Pages: 249
Format: Paperback
Publish Date: October 27th, 2011 ; KFR Comunications, LLC
Source: Author
Synopsis:

You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?

From the very beginning, I knew that I was going to like this book. The synopsis kind of won me over, it was so interesting and made me hyped for the book. It definitely didn't fail my expectations. Plus, I thought there'd wind up being a twist and some supernatural thing got thrown into the story. I'm kind of happy that that didn't happen. I'm tired of cliched stories, so For Always was definitely a relief for me.

Not only was the plot of this book good, the writing was well-done. Sometimes, the things that took place made me burst out laughing, or made me crack a smile. It was like an emotional roller coaster (I know, a phrase used a lot but it's true). I really enjoy when authors are able to portray those emotions. The chemistry between Stephanie and Jordan is something people can relate too, so that's another perk. You can tell how much Stephanie really felt for Jordan, it showed well in this novel.

Definitely recommend you guys check this book out. I know I have now become a fan of Ms. Sibarium and her future work.


                                                                                                                               

Interview(:

-What made you write For Always?

I dealt with a lot of death growing up and I wanted to write about someone like that, a protagonist that must overcome obstacles of chance and her own self-doubt. A girl who doesn’t see her true potential, but uses the experiences she has gone through to find a reserve of perseverance and strength. 

-What is your most rewarding experience since being published?

When readers contact me to tell me they loved the book and could really relate to Stephanie.

-Do you do anything besides writing? Like job-wise?

 I stay home and take care of all the household chores along with my three children 10 and under.

-One sentence summary of your book?

A freshman in high school, Stephanie’s misfit status could easily lead her on a path of self-destruction, instead she allows herself to be inspired by Jordan, a hot in demand senior, who helps her discover what it means to believe in herself, as well as true love. 

-What was your favorite book to read while growing up?

Growing up I had favorite authors, Dr Seuss, Judy Blume, and Beverly Clearly. My all-time favorite book was one I read while in college. I didn’t expect to like it at all, but I couldn’t put it down. Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

-Was English your favorite subject in school?

Yes. Not the grammatical part, but reading, interpreting literature, plays, and of course writing.

-What’s your favorite quote?

Live, love, dream!

-What book are currently reading at the moment? Are you liking it?

I am reading Stolen by Lucy Christopher. I found it in the “tough stuff” section, and I am hooked!

-Does writing help you through stressful times in life? In my opinion, I write to vent about things. I just change names around and places, but the situations are the same as in real life.

I do use my writing as a tool for release. When I was a teenager, if I was upset about something, I’d write about the situation and change the outcome to a more desirable one. That way I made sure I got my say. Now I just escape into another world when I write.

-What is your favorite movie?

I love Ever After, and the Twilight movies. 

-What something you love but feel embarrassed by it?

My beliefs about love. I am a hopeless romantic, I believe in love at first sight and soul mates!

-What do you do in your free-time?

Free time? What’s that? That would be when I write.

-A piece of advice to give to aspiring authors?

Read incessantly, write daily, and revise, revise, revise. Write what you are passionate about, not what you think the market is currently dictating, markets change. Be open to the ever fluid times. The publishing industry has and will continue to transform. We have not seen the finished product, so don’t get hung up on the traditional ideals.

-How much of your book is realistic?

While there are shadows of truth in everything I write, they don’t necessarily happen with one particular person, or have the same meaning as they do in my books. For example, I really did start a fire with a candle when I was six years old, but luckily no animals or people died, or were physically maimed as a result. And the smoky bus incident did happen on the way to school, but the person who jumped out the window was a very close friend of mine, and he didn’t even go to my high school. So everything relating to that incident after the bus ride was completely fictional.

-Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I am very excited about the new voices out there. Over the last six months I have read first books by a few authors that I have really enjoyed, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Hate List by Jennifer Brown, Wither by Lauren Destefano and Hourglass by Myra McEntyre. I think each of these books were riveting. They were all different, but the writer’s voices were powerful in the images and messages coming through.

-Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Don’t put off saying or doing anything you would regret if tomorrow never came. Tomorrow is a hope, a prayer, not a promise. If someone is important to you, tell them. If you have a dream, go after it! Too many times we let opportunities pass us by and then look back with regret. Regret is a sad lonely road to nowhere.

-If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about your book? Or keep it the same?

Every time I read it, I always find something I would add or say differently, but in the end I am very proud of the finished product. 

-Why do you continue to write?

I write because if I didn’t, my soul would shrivel up and die.

-Who designs your book covers?

Andrew Gioulis from KFR Communications.

-What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Originally I wrote this in the perspective as an adult retelling it, kind of like A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, I used the neighborhood I grew up in as the backdrop, but once I changed it to YA I could no longer use Canarsie Brooklyn because many of my references no longer existed or are still there but are not quite the same. 

-Do you have any special things you do while writing? As in listening to music, eating something, etc?

I usually listen to music when I write. I have specific playlists depending on what I am working on. While writing For Always I listened to a lot of songs about love that’s been there all along, A lot of old songs, like I Can’t Fight This Feeling Reo Speedwagon, The Search is Over Foreigner, Crazy For You Madonna. And of course most importantly the soundtrack to Phantom of the Opera.

-What are three things not very many people know about you?

1. As a teenager I attended an Anthony Robbins seminar and did the Firewalk- what an amazing experience!

2. In high school I was an extra on the Cosby Show.

3. I met Derek Jeter.

Tonight, Tonight!!!!!!

Do you guys know what tonight is?
Midnight?
If you really don't know, you don't check up on the news.
If you do, are you excited like me?!

Breaking Dawn Part 1 is coming out!

Can you believe it?! It's been . . . a year and 5 months since Eclipse came out. We Twi-Hards have been dying in anticipation, waiting for this movie! How can you not? It's the part where Edward and Bella finally get married! Rumor has it that it was a legal wedding, meaning they actually really got married! Isn't that adorable?

I'm going to a thing called Twilight Experience tonight! My movie theater is offering to play Eclipse and then Breaking Dawn at midnight! Ahhhhh! Super duper excited! :D

So, what team are you? Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Me, personally, I am on Team Switzerland. I was Team Edward in the book and I'm a huge vampire fan, but then Taylor Lautner had to go shirtless in the movies and I was turned. So, I'm on both sides(:

Waiting on Wednesday - {14th] Destined

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's where we share the upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting for and can't wait to get our hands on!

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined. Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.

Published Date: November 17th, 2011

The cover of this book is gorgeous! I just love the font and the blend of purple. It's adorable. The blurb is intriguing. A Cupid and Psyche retelling? That's something not common nowadays! Definitely interested! See, I'm not just being my normal stuff and judging a book for it's cover. I'm actually wanting the book because it sounds like something I'd like. 

In My Mailbox {7th]

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Icon made by ME! :D

This In My Mailbox is a month's worth. I love everything I got this week, and I can't wait to read each and everything! They are all so beautiful and mine. I'm too lazy to take pictures of the books, so I'll just use the online pictures. 

Bought:

                            A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davis

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Library:

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Won:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Eyes in the Mirror by Julia Mayer

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Great haul of books, huh? I just purchased Crave and Perfect Chemistry today. Did you know my local Barnes and Noble has a lot of not-yet-published books! I was amazed and overjoyed! :D That was my second time being there, because I had no idea there was one close to me! Looks like I'll be going there more often(:

Wintertown by Stephen Emond - DNF Review #1

Title: Wintertown
Author: Stephen Emond
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Publish Date: December 5th, 2011 ; Little, Brown Books
Synopsis:

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.
Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

To be honest, this book has huge potential to be a good book. It just wasn't for me. I didn't like the pictures and sketches that were on the pages. They were great drawings, so I'll give Stephen Emond that! But I just didn't like to read the book with them. Plus, I felt like I was being forced to read it. When really, I couldn't get into it. The prologue, or first few pages, made me think the book would be different. It led me to disappointment when it wasn't what I expected.

Just because this book doesn't fit me, it may be different for you. It wasn't horrible to the extent that I'd warn everybody to stay away. But enough for me to slowing remove my bookmark and place the book right back on my shelf, as if I never started it.

TBR Update

Saw this on another blog and it made me want to talk about mines as well. Original post at No Page Left Behind.

I have so many books that I am trying to read and review! I'm stacked up to my head in books! If it's not just books I got because I wanted to read them, but review books too. This felt like a way for me to get more organize and see all the books I need to read. Plus, I have started reviews but having been lacking finishing them. I hate that I'm doing that. Mainly, this is a way for me to see everything I need to finish.

Library Book

                                                        -You Against Me by Jenny Downham

                   Review Book Requests   

    

-Between Worlds: Nekkel Ace by Yianna Yiannacou

-Suspense by Jason Letts

-The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

-For Always by Danielle Sibarium

Books I'm reading for my own benefit

               -Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

-Starcrossed by Jospehine Angelini {if some people have been around since the summertime and now that I have been trying to finish this book for about .. 5 months now!}

-The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin { :( I really want to finish this book, but other things come before that}

Reviews that have been started, not finished

                                 -Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) - Started writing on September 5th

-Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - Started writing on October 16th

-Blood Red Road by Moira Young {LOVED THIS BOOK!} - Started writing on October 16th

-As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott - Started writing on October 16th

Seriously? I'm swamped in books. I'm going to Barnes and Noble on Friday to sit and study with a cup of Starbucks. And guess what's going to happen? Sierra is going to buy herself at least one more book. Which equals another book that is just sitting on my bookshelf all alone. :( And plus, I want to join book club. And that means starting another book! Is it really that necessary? I don't think so.

Waiting on Wednesday - {13th] The Unquiet

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's where we share the upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting for and can't wait to get our hands on!

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists. 

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of? 

Annaliese? Or herself?

Published Date: 2012

OMG! Look at that book! I'm judging it by it's cover and saying that it's going to be a scary good book. I have a feeling that we are going to have to wait awhile for it to come out. I just hope that it keeps this cover because I am in love. Aren't you?! :D

P.S. November = Back-To-Blogging-Month. Expect reviews soon. Happy First Day of November! 

Sound like something you'd like? Your opinions? What are you waiting on? 

Leave links to your W.o.W. (:

In My Mailbox {6th]

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Icon made by ME! :D

Hi everybody! (All 92 of you!) Super sorry for the lack of activity. I made a deal with myself that October would be my reading month and November would be the catching up and review month. Sound good? I've already finished about 5 books! :D I took group pictures so they aren't going to be divided by where I got what. This is a long IMM, just telling you ahead of time(:

F.Y.I. The links lead to the description and everything on Goodreads.

*Not Pictured* - Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 
-The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
-Shade by Jeri-Smith Ready

How To Save A Life [ARC] by Sara Zarr
The Scorpio Races [ARC] by Maggie Stiefvater

 DJ Rising [ARC] by Love Maia
Bunheads [ARC] by Sophie Flack

 Dark Parties [ARC] by Sara Grant
Legend [ARC] by Marie Lu {I'm liking this book!}

 Wintertown [ARC] by Stephen Emond
The Shattering [ARC] by Karen Healey

Shut Out [ARC] by Kody Keplinger

 Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergen
Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergen
Torrent by Lisa Tawn Bergen

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott {Finished!}

Hades by Alexandria Adoretto

Wintergirls by Laurie Anderson

I seriously can't wait to read all these books! 

What did you get in your mailbox?