In My Mailbox (70)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.



People Mentioned in this Vlog:
Kristi
Khy
Zoe
Gail
Dani

For Review:
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Bought:
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Paper Towns by John Green
Saying It Out Loud by Joan Abelove
Firethorn by Sarah Micklem
Lost by Gregory Maguire

From Kristi:
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Twisted Sisters by Stephanie Hale

From Gail:
Pawn of Prophecy by David Edding

Painting Caitlyn by Kimberly Joy Peters

Painting Caitlyn

Kimberly Joy Peters

Publisher: Lobster Press
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Pages: 192
Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 stars

Like many teen girls, Caitlyn is having a tough time. She feels ignored by her mother and step-father who are obsessed with having a baby, her best friend is always blowing her off for a boyfriend, and she's struggling in art, her favorite subject. Caitlyn is completely depressed, when Tyler enters her life, and seems to make her problems disappear. Older, gorgeous, and totally into Caitlyn, he makes Caitlyn feel important, needed, and special. But just as things get serious, Caitlyn discovers Tyler's jealous side. Once she realizes her "perfect" boyfriend is as controlling as he is caring, she is faced with a choice: she can either let this relationship define her, or find the courage to break away. This emotionally-charged story about teen dating and abusive relationships touches upon first love, sexual peer pressure, family dysfunction, and the need for young women to empower themselves.

Painting Caitlyn was an intriguing read about a topic that is very serious. It was a page turner - each aspect of Caitlyn and Tyler's doomed relationship got more and more interesting and abusive as the book went on.

Peters did a magnificent job on the characters. Tyler was so easy to hate, yet at times you really felt for him. This is so similar to how Caitlyn sees him from time to time. His character really drew you into the story and didn't let you go. Caitlyn was a character that while she wasn't the smartest tool in the shed, you really liked her. You saw everything she was going through in her life and some of the emotions she was experiencing, and there is such a vast variety of them, meaning it was very easy to connect with her. Connor was the only sturdy thing in her life, and he was so sweet and nice. I absolutely loved him.

Another really great thing about Painting Caitlyn is that essence of believability. I think that goes hand in hand with how well done the characters were done. You are simply put in their world and nearly believe everything as Caitlyn does, and the times that isn't the case you are hating on Tyler and just wishing the best for her. The story was so easy to get caught up in - Caitlyn is in this horrible, horrible relationship and you just need to know what will happen and if she'll finally get out.

I really would suggest this book! It is a fast paced read that I had issues putting down. Dealing with a serious matter, it's the type of book that needs to be read. There were a few flaws, but overall I really enjoyed it.

YA Spooktacular: The Competition by Anastasia Hopcus

Welcome to the first ever YA Spooktacular event!! If you don't know how this whole event works, here's the gist. There will be two stories, of 13 parts each, running on a number of blogs. Each story has been written by an aspiring or published author. At the end of each story, you will have a chance to enter to win a prize pack (there is one for each story and a separate one that's open internationally). To be eligible to win that story's prize pack, you must comment on each part of the story. There will also be Trick or Treats along the way for more chances to win! If you haven't read the beginnings of the stories, here's the link to the beginnings of both stories here and here

Now for The Competition by the lovely Anastasia Hopcus, who wrote Shadow Hills.

The Competition

Kinsey waited, resisting the urge to wipe her damp palms against her skirt. Never show fear; never show weakness. She kept her gaze steady on Dr. Kenyon. He was drawing it out, of course. As head librarian, his chances to be the center of attention were few and far between. The Echols mansion was spooky enough, with its turrets and echoing great hall, but Kenyon had taken it a step farther by lighting the room with only two stands of candelabras. Melting wax dripped down the white candles and pooled onto the stone floor. Behind Dr. Kenyon the open mouth of the fireplace yawned, tongues of flames backlighting the librarian's tall figure.

He turned the full force of his gaze on Kinsey and she had to concentrate to keep from flinching. Dr. Kenyon's eyes, flat and gray, never failed to make her uneasy.

"Darkness and A Soul Laid Bare were intriguing stories." Dr. Kenyon’s colorless lips stretched into a thin smile. "Witches, zombies, and vampire hunters---you both have vivid imaginations."

Kinsey glanced over at Bryan. His foot was jiggling---a dead giveaway of his nerves, she thought smugly. They'd been competitors ever since she could remember---starting back in the third grade with the Spelling Bee. They'd progressed to summer reading contests, to science fairs and SAT scores. They were co-captains of the Debate Team, and their debates with other teams were never as heated as the practice sessions within their own squad.

Now they were coming up against each other in the most important contest of all---the Echols Writing Competition, given annually to the best Halloween story written by a senior. It sounded like a small honor, but any resident of Redbud, Georgia, could tell you that it was the ticket out of this tiny town. The winner was promised a full scholarship to any university in the state and, even better, a chance to finish the school year at a prestigious prep school---to get up to speed with the students from better school districts.

"It was the best competition we have had for the Echols Award." The librarian’s eyes glittered, reflecting the light of the candles beside him. As if on cue, a log popped in the fireplace, spewing a shower of sparks.

Kinsey managed not to jump, but Bryan gave a startled jerk at the sound. She had him; she could sense it. Bryan had fallen for her trick, just as she'd known he would. Kinsey had warned him that Mr. Echols didn't like stories with zombies. And while Dr. Kenyon chose the two finalists each fall, the final decision was made by Mr. Echols himself. Reclusive and wealthy, Echols had made his fortune in zombie films. Most students thought this meant he would favor a story in which the dead walked, but in fact he despised zombie tales. Kinsey had simply told Bryan was the truth---her own mother had lost the competition that way twenty years ago. However, Kinsey had known that Bryan would be certain she was trying to trick him. He would reason that if Kinsey tried to warn him away from something, he should write about just that. And Bryan had followed her plan like a lamb to the slaughter.

"Bryan, your tale of Jeremy and his Anna was most effective," Dr. Kenyon went on. "But in the end, it was Kinsey's story of Tonya Seller, the vampire hunter, that Mr. Echols found the most intriguing. Congratulations, Kinsey, you are the 2010 winner of the Daniel C. Echols Award for Excellence in Writing."

Triumph shot through Kinsey. She had bested Bryan for the final and most important time! She rose to her feet and stepped forward to shake Mr. Kenyon's outstretched hand before turning toward Bryan, gracious in her win.

"Your story was great, Bry. I can't believe I won."

"We both know you deserve it. Congratulations." He shook her hand. Then, with a tight smile, he walked out of the room.

Watching the door swing shut behind Bryan, Kinsey savored her victory for a moment.

"Congratulations," Dr. Kenyon said again. "I know you're eager to meet Mr. Echols and receive your award."

He swept his hand toward the far end of the room in a silent invitation. Kinsey strode toward the doors there, her head high. She could just imagine the pride on her mother's face, the envy on everyone else's. She was finally getting out of this backwater town.

Two burly guards blocked the entrance, but they stepped aside and opened the doors as she approached. Flanking Kinsey, they accompanied her inside. Dr. Kenyon stepped out in front, saying in a slightly raised voice, "Mr. Echols…"

The man stood up from his leather armchair, smiling. "Kinsey! I'm so pleased to meet you!"

He was round and jolly, a veritable cupcake of a man, and Kinsey couldn’t help smiling back. "Mr. Echols, sir, it’s an honor."

"No need to be formal, my child…" He looked toward Dr. Kenyon. "You always find me the nicest treats."

Kinsey was puzzled by his words, but she continued to smile gamely...even as the two guards came up beside her, their hands clamping around her arms. She tried to pull away, casting a panicked look over at Dr. Kenyon. He was walking toward her, needle in hand.

"No!" She began to struggle. "What are you doing? I won!"

The librarian jabbed the needle into her arm as the guards held her still. "And now you will attain the highest honor---to replenish the genius of Daniel C. Echols."

"What? No! What are you talking about?" She tried to struggle, but almost instantly the drug swept over her, her muscles going limp, her speech turning to gibberish. What was happening? She had won!

Dr. Kenyon picked up a small circular saw. Kinsey registered that it was the sort of instrument she had seen doctors use in TV shows, but she could no longer move. The guards laid her out on a nearby table, clamping metal bands around her arms and legs. A metal band came up on either side of her head, snapping across her forehead, holding her utterly immobile.

"There’s no cause for alarm." Dr. Kenyon said, turning the saw on. It emitted a shrill whirring sound. "You cannot ask for a higher use for your brain than to feed genius."

She cut her eyes over to Mr. Echols, who was standing behind her, his face lit with boyish glee. His expression was more menacing than any scowl. He held a long-handled spoon in one hand. "Only the best and the brightest!"

He winked at Kinsey, and the saw came down.

Bryan trotted down the steps of the mansion. He’d always doubted that it was just good fortune that kept the winners from returning to Redbud after college, so when his older brother competed a year ago, Bryan had convinced him to lose on purpose---then he had stayed to spy on the 'winner' of the Echols award. His suspicions confirmed, Bryan had set out to lose by putting in his story the one thing Echols hated---zombies. It had been almost too easy. All he had to do was let Kinsey think she had it all figured out.

And, for the last time, Bryan had beaten Kinsey Grant.

Hands in his pockets, he strolled off down the driveway, whistling.

So, commenting on this post will get you entered in the prize pack of your choice, you just need to indicate which story. You ALSO can enter to get an ARC of The Daughters Break the Rules by Joanna Philbin here

Blog Tour: Under My Skin by Judith Graves

Under My Skin

Judith Graves
Publisher: Leap Books
Release Date: March 27, 2010
Pages: 328
Source: Bought

Rating: 3.5 stars

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life...

Redgrave had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Redgrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.

But she can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding--human Alec. And then her world falls apart.

A normal life? Now that's the real fairytale.

I had been hearing about Under My Skin for quite some time, but for some reason I had not read it yet. Under My Skin was a refreshing read with a new spin on paranormal creatures and they function.

Under My Skin was a very enticing read, but at times I found myself slightly confused. There was a very clear overall plot arc, but I felt at times the plot strayed too far from this, never really explaining or giving answers to the questions readers have. This also caused me to be slightly confused as to what was happening in the story at times. This didn't keep me from reading at an insane speed though.

Another great thing about Under My Skin was the writing, which was exceptionally good. I felt instantly transported into Eryn's world, which was a place I really enjoyed being in. At times, there were times I felt attention was take away from the exceptional writing because of pictures randomly placed in the middle of pages.

I really loved the characters in Under My Skin. They were definitely my favorite aspect of the novel. Brit was a quirky, fun character who always provided a bit of fun to the scene. Alec was a big cutie. I really liked him. Eryn was a smart main character, which I really liked.

The ending didn't fully provide answers, but it definitely intrigued me for the promise of book 2. I will be sure to pick up Second Skin, to hear more of these wonderful characters' story. Under My Skin had a few flaws, but overall was a book I enjoyed greatly.

Waiting On Wednesday (72) - Rosebush by Michele Jaffe

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Rosebush
Michele Jaffe
Release Date: December 14, 2010

See Jane run. See Jane die.

Instead of celebrating Memorial Day weekend on the Jersey shore, Jane is in the hospital surrounded by teddy bears, trying to piece together what happened last night. One minute she was at a party, wearing fairy wings and cuddling with her boyfriend. The next, she was lying near-dead in a rosebush after a hit and run.

Everyone thinks it was an accident, despite the phone threats Jane swears were real. But the truth is a thorny thing. As Jane's boyfriend, friends, and admirers come to visit, more memories surface--not just from the party, but from deeper in her past...including the night her best friend Bonnie died.

With nearly everyone in her life a suspect now, Jane must unravel the mystery before her killer attacks again. Along the way, she is forced to examine the consequences of her life choices in this compulsively readable thriller.

In My Mailbox (69)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.



For Review:
Dream Life by Lauren Mechling
The Beginner's Guide to Living by Lia Hills

Random Buzzers:
Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Won:
Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow
Altered Beginnings by Destiny Booze

Bought:
Slayed by Amanda Marrone

Half Price:
Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad
Cut by Patricia McCormick
Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
Watch for Me by Moonlight by Lacqulyn Mitchard

Library:
Deenie by Judy Blume

What did you guys get this week?

Author Halloween Love - Laura Preble & Hilary Wagner

Today, as a part of a Book Spooks feature, Author Halloween Love, I am excited to have Laura Preble and Hilary Wagner at The Book Cellar! Laura Preble is the author of The Queen Geek Social Club, Queen Geeks in Love, Prom Queen Geeks, and Lica's Angel. Hilary Wagner is the author of the newly released MG fantasy, Nightshade City.

Laura's quote:

For most of the year, geeks dress up in Vulcan ears, furry tails, Renaissance fair costumes, vampire gear, or odd goth makeup. Halloween is the great equalizer. It’s the one day of the year when geeks can blend in with everyone else. But that usually makes them unhappy. I personally love busting out my fake Klingon head and wearing it when I teach English at my high school.

Hilary's quote:

I love gray days and cold October nights. I love leaves gathering at my feet and crisp wind on my face. I love creepy black bats, rats and goulish fanged Jack-O-lantern grins. I love Halloween.

Waiting On Wednesday (71) - Stay by Deb Caletti

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Stay
Deb Caletti
Release Date: April 5, 2011

Clara's relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she's ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it's almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is--and what he's willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won't let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

I simply cannot wait until this one is out! It sounds flippin' fantabulous! And the cover is gorgeous!

Book Spooks Treasure Hunt: Clue #2

Hi! I'm hosting Clue #2 of the epic Book Spooks treasure hunt! This starts RIGHT NOW (Tuesday, October 19) and ends in ONE WEEK (Tuesday, October 26) at six p.m. EST. There is a super amazing prize pack to the winners who get the most correct, which you can see over here at our lovely host WORD for Teens.
Are you ready for Clue #2?

Only one color, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?

Click here to fill out the form or see the other clues.

Ready? Set? SPOOK.

Sheboygan Children's Book Festival + Giveaway

So on Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival. Not only was this super cool, but I was excited to see this in Wisconsin. Not much seems to go on YA related, so it was super awesome that it was.

Saturday started off a bit rushed for me. Due to getting off work super late, I didn't get to sleep Friday night until much later than I had planned. So naturally I overslept. After much rushing about, I left in enough time to only be 15 minutes late. Construction decided to love me, and by the time I actually got there I was nearly 40 minutes late.

I tried to sneak into the back of Gerald Morris's signing. I succeeded. He was in the middle of reciting part of his story with much theatrics, which was pretty cool. I hadn't heard of his books before the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival, but I was happy I went. He writes books about Authurian legends, which sound awesome. I bought the first two in the series.

Later that afternoon was JAMES DASHNER's event. I got there super early and claimed the seat right in front. I did feel a bit odd, as I knew absolutely no one there. But regardless, the event was awesome.

He started off talking about him and how he writes. We learned that he used to be an accountant. He hated it. He now writes fulltime, which while he's much busier, he loves it.He talked about how he's a huge movie person. And how if he gets writers block he goes and sees a movie. The movies he can watch over and over are The Lord of the Rings movies, and then he talked about how The Hobbit movie is finally happening. I had not heard this and was about FREAKING out, as I am one of the biggest fan ever of those movies and books. I was in the play The Hobbit, and have read and watched the movie took many times to count.

After his talk he signed our books. The festival was a 3 day thing, kicking off with some events Friday night. I had hoped to go Friday night, but I had to work so that was not a possibility. I was super bummed as I wanted to meet Ilsa J Bick. Little did I know, she was IN the signing line for James Dashner! The owner of Next Chapter Bookshop introduced me to her, and I was talking with her for awhile. So that was super cool.

I have a SIGNED ARC of The Scorch Trials by James Dashner and a SIGNED paperback of The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris for 2 lucky winners. This will be open until November 3, and open to US and Canada only. If you are looking for more snazzy ways to win James Dashner's super fabulous books, Gail is giving away a SIGNED hardcover of The Scorch Trials and a SIGNED paperback of The Maze Runner here

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Pages: 374

Rating: 5 stars

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl arrives in the lift—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

I loved this book. There is no other way to put it. I had been looking forward to it since before its release, but for some reason I never read it. I had heard people such as Gail preach of its awesomeness, yet I just kept reading other things. What a dumb thing to do, as this book is one of the most amazing things you will ever read. It is by far the best dystopian.

I will now put things into even further perspective. I had a blogger friend who hadn't read The Maze Runner yet to rate The Maze Runner on a scale of House of Night to Brightly Woven. If you didn't know, I find Brightly Woven to be about the world’s greatest book. The Maze Runner lands a solid 9 on this scale, maybe even higher. It is pure geniusness. In case you haven't realized this, I love this book a lot.

The Maze Runner is a book that you will not be able to put down. Right away on page one, you get caught up in the story. Thomas, the main character, lands down in the Glade and has no idea where he is or what is going on. You are kind of in the same boat, and you experience that same sense of discovery that Thomas does. As you discover what is going on and WHAT the Glade is, you just get more involved trying to figure out all the other little details of the plot.

I really enjoy a good dystopian. Lately, dystopians haven't been living up to my expectations, but I found The Maze Runner to go beyond every expectation I have for it. I can't really put my finger on it, but lately every dystopian I read, there's something just a bit off about it, or some aspect that just lets me down. The Maze Runner did this is no way, shape, or form.

Something I really liked about The Maze Runner was the lack of romance. Lately, it seems every book pushes romance, and particularly in dystopians, I find these to fall flat and usually end up with me not liking the book. The Maze Runner instead has a very strong essence of friendship, which felt so real, and I was really happy the Dashner did not try to go the other way and try to push a love story.

The Maze Runner is definitely a thrilling read, to keep you on the edge of your seat. There are several scenes where the tension and suspense are so intense, and you were basically falling out of your chair to find out what happened next. The evil beings in The Maze Runner are these half machine and half creepy creature called Grievers. They are so creepy and the name makes them even scarier.

The characters were a lot of fun. All the characters were so vastly different. The qualities in each weren't really repeated, and it was really unique. These characters are in this world where they have to live their own lives, and their strongest qualities seem to be brought out most. In some, their strongest quality is evidently what leads to their downfall. Teresa was my favorite character of the book, hands down. I liked the strength she brought with her.

The plot will keep you guessing until the very last page. James Dashner doesn't let you figure out everything, and as soon as you figure out one small detail, you're left with about 5 more to figure out. I also feel the urge to mention my love for the cover and how I think it captures the essence of the Glade perfectly.

I have found a new favorite author. Please now excuse me, as I am leaving and going to reading more of The Scorch Trials, which is just as good as The Maze Runner so far, and I may be slightly addicted. And by slightly, you should realize I mean extremely addicted ;)
-----
Other people who have reviewed this book:

Ticket To Anywhere
Good Books and Wine
The Crooked Shelf

In My Mailbox (68)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.



For Review:
Gemini Night by
Dick and Jane and Vampires

From Gail:
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block
Afterlife by Claudia Gray
Entice by Carrie Jones

Won:
Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupula
2 Other by Karen Kincy bookmarks

Snapped by Pamela Klaffke
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn

Bought:
The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady by Gerald Morris
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
The Hunt For Dark Infinity by James Dashner
The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
The Blade of Shattered HOpe by James Dashner
Draw the Dark by Ilsa J Bick

Giveaway Winners!

The winner of Crescendo and Hush Hush is...

#6 BROOKE who's favorite bad boy is Draco Malfoy (Yay for HP fans!)

I was curious who the favorite bad boy is and that was

JACE from The Mortal Intrusments with 19 votes.

PATCH from Hush Hush was
close behind with 15 votes.

I'm not going to list ALL the others, but
some were:

Damon from Vampire Dairies - 8 votes
Daniel from The Dark
Divine - 3 votes
Adrian from Vampire Academy - 3 Votes
Ash from The Iron
King - 3 votes
Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter - 3 votes
Luc from
Personal Demons - 3 votes
Daniel from Fallen - 2 votes
Dimitri from
Vampire Academy - 2 votes
Cole from Linger - 2 votes
Irial from the
Wicked Lovely Series - 2 votes
Caleb from Leaving Paradise - 2 votes
Alex from Perfect Chemistry - 2 votes
Marcus Flutie - 2 votes
Adrian
from Ballads of Suburbia - 1 vote
Shane from the Morganville Vampires - 1
vote
Seth from the Wicked Lovely Series - 1 vote

There were tons more, but that's some. Feel free to chime in with your OWN favorite bad boys, whether they made the list or not.

The winner of the ARC 6 Pack is...

LEA!

The second place winner is ...

Stacey

Congrats! I will be emailing you 3 :)

I'm Guest Blogging Over at Brightly Woven Fan!

Hey everyone, remember a few days ago when I talked about Brightly Woven Fan? Well, I am guest blogging there today on why Brightly Woven is so awesome! Here's the link! Feel free to check it out :)

Blog Tour: Freefall by Mindi Scott [Book Excerpt] + Giveaway

I have been looking forward to Freefall since I heard about it months ago, and I have a treat for you today! I have an excerpt from Freefall!

As I walked down our front steps, Kendall followed closely behind. “Would you believe I sometimes wish I still lived here?” she asked.

“Not for a minute.”

Riverside Trailer Park was the roughest part of Kenburn, and the cops were constantly busting our neighbors for drug deals and drunken brawls. The mobile homes were all rusty and at least thirty years old, and the carports were crooked and loaded up with old tires, soggy cardboard, and long-abandoned sinks. I wish I could’ve said our place looked better, but we had our own mess of broken TVs and other crap that no one ever dealt with. The longer it sat, the more it blended in, to the point where I hardly noticed.

“It’s true. Most of my best times were here,” Kendall said. “And anyway, I feel like an imposter on the Hill.”

“I wish I had your problems.” I scooted past the out-of-control rosebush. Naturally, that’s when a breeze kicked in and gave a thorny branch the push it needed to hook itself into my skin. I pulled free. Blood ran down my arm. “Goddamnit,” I said.

I yanked open the driver’s-side door and tossed my bag in the backseat. But before I could get in, Kendall was standing next to me, making a face that looked like real concern. “I know how painful this is for you,” she said.

“It barely stings.”

“I’m talking about Isaac. About you finding him.”

I tensed up. Anytime I thought about the morning two months earlier when I’d found Isaac’s body, I wanted to puke. Which is exactly why I tried to never think about it.

Kendall touched the mini Magic 8 Ball dangling from the key ring on my belt loop. She knew it was Isaac’s. Everyone knew. It had been his good-luck charm for years and he never went anywhere without it—until the night he’d given it to me, saying I needed its advice more than he did. It was all a joke, really, and I would have given the stupid thing back to him the next day. If only he’d woken up.

Kendall went on. “I’m dealing with stuff too, but I’m really worried about you. I know you’re not okay. Everyone says you’ve been hiding and drinking all summer. I’ve wanted to talk to you since it happened, but during the few times that I’ve even seen you, I haven’t been able to figure out how.”

It was surprising how quickly she’d gone from obnoxious to caring. My annoyance melted a little. “I probably wouldn’t have wanted to talk, anyway.”

“Believe me, I know how you are.” She started rubbing my arm—the one that wasn’t bleeding—like it was a cat. “I just don’t want to see you blaming yourself forever. You need to remember that Isaac made his own choices. It isn’t your fault he died.”

“I know,” I said.

But I was lying.

Doesn't that excerpt make you want to go get Freefall like right now???

Freefall is Mindi Scott's first novel. She currently lives in Washington. She is a vegetarian and has completed two 5k races! You can find Mindi all over the web, be it her website, twitter, her youtube channel, or The Contemps!

One winner will get a signed copy of Freefall! How cool is that? Fill out the form below to enter.



Copyright: Mindi Scott

Waiting On Wednesday (70) - Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!


Falling Under
Gwen Hayes
Release Date: March 1, 2011

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Doesn't this one just sound awesome? The cover is simply gorgeous! I can't wait for it to be out :)

Cover Reveal: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

So, I am SO excited for Victoria Schwab's The Near Witch. It is one of the books I am most looking forward to in 2011! I have been super psyched about it since I heard about it. AND the cover was just revealed in this snazzy video! I am in love with the cover. YAY for pretty covers :)

Watch the video below or go to the direct link here!



Here's more about The Near Witch:

"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
There are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget."

Doesn't THAT sound even lovelier? I think it sounds absolutely enchanting. It is now up for pre-order as well, so if you want you can pre-order on Amazon. I know I'll be pre-ordering soon!

Do YOU love Alexandra Bracken's Brightly Woven?

I am really excited to announce that sekrit project that several bloggers have been working on, started by Harmony, has bes been released! The product is this lovely site http://brightlywovenfan.com/ It's an all new fan site dedicated to Brightly Woven and Alexandra Bracken!! There's a forum and all sorts of other really snazzy things on there!

I just love this site. I think it's such a great thing. Every time I see it, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Anyone who's read my blog, knows I'm absolutely in love with Brightly Woven - so basically I'm prone to love it. Another great thing I love about it is how Brightly Woven Fan will help spread the words to other people. I've had a harder time finding it in stores, only once have I seen it in a store that I didn't personally asked for the book to be stocked, and the idea that the word can be spread about this fabulous book makes me smile. It's kind of hard for a book to gain popularity when it can't be found anywhere, ya know?

Basically what I'm trying to say is if you like Brightly Woven, check out Brightly Woven Fan! Even if you haven't heard about it, or haven't read it yet, be sure to stop buy! There is a petition running trying to get a sequel, which I am absolutely dying to have. Another tip, which isn't on the site, but post your review of Brightly Woven everywhere you can. Postive reviews help, so cross posting it will help Brightly Woven. Plus it has links to all sorts of different sites where you can buy Brightly Woven, which is the simplest way to get a sequel. I already know lots of people are getting Brightly Woven for Christmas, and the ones that aren't are getting other books!

If you want to link to Brightly Woven Fan and help spread the word, feel free to grab one of these super fab buttons:

You could toss it in your side bar, put it on a profile, or like 324327 others things :)

YAY Brightly Woven!

In My Mailbox (67)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got some really great books I'm super excited about!

Review:
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
We Are Not Eaten by Yaks by C. Alexander Londer

RandomBuzzers:
Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Bought:
Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman - I got an ARC of this one and loved it so so much!
Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

I also got some BRIGHTLY WOVEN BOOKMARKS that I won. Which are the coolest thing ever. AND SUPER PRETTY. And I love them. Can you tell? :)

What did you guys get?!?

Blog Tour: Guest Post with Kersten Hamilton - Book Recommendations

I'm delighted to have Kersten Hamilton here at The Book Cellar today! Kersten Hamilton is the auhor of Tyger, Tyger. You can visit her on the web at http://www.kerstenhamilton.com/.

Here's a bit about Tyger, Tyger if you hadn't already heard.

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right.

The goblins are coming.

I’m an omnivorous bibliophile. I never even think about genre—I just ask myself, “Is it good? Is it truthy?”

So, instead of recommending current YA books, which are getting a lot of blogger buzz anyway, I thought I’d throw genre to the wind and give your readers a list of good and truthy books that they may never have heard of:

The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw
Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman
Down the Long Hills by Louis L’Amour
Podkayne of Mars by Robert Heinlein (with the original ending, as Heinlein intended)
Ingathering: The Complete People Stories of Zenna Henderson
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Read the play. Read it!)
Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (Tristan. Let me just say, Tristan.)
The Anansi Boys by Neal Gaiman (Listen to this one on audio. Brilliant!)
The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Go wild! Read EVERYTHING!

Thank you for hosting a stop on my blog tour, Erica!

•Each stop on the blog tour will be posting a letter that, when unscrambled, will form a word related to Kersten Hamilton and at the end of the tour please visit THIS link and enter your name, email address, and the unscrambled word for a chance to win a KINDLE!

The letter for the Kindle giveaway for this stop is K


You can also check out the full tour schedule for the Tyger, Tyger blog tour here and make sure to stop at tomorrow's stop at Flipping the Pages For All Ages!

I have a pre-ordered copy of Tyger, Tyger to give away - open internationally - and will end October 29th! Fill out the form below to enter.

Blog Tour: Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger, Tyger
Kersten Hamilton
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: November 15, 2010
Pages: 322
Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 5 stars

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right.

The goblins are coming.

I absolutely loved this book! The mythology present in it was freakin' fantastic and I just loved everything about it!

The plot was fascinating. It really keeps you hooked. When I was reading Tyger, Tyger I found myself carrying it with me everywhere, trying to sneak in another few pages. I loved how the real world was entwined with Mag Mell. Both worlds were great, and everytime I learned more about Mag Mell I was absolutely in love. Hamilton's distinct descriptions do a really great job of transporting you straight to Teagan's world, and doesn't let you leave.

Teagan has a job at the zoo, and not only am I extremely jealous of that job, but I thought that was so fascinating. I loved all those scenes - they were my absolute favorite.

The characters were very vivid. They all stuck clearly out in my mind, no two characters, no matter how small a part they played, blended together. The characters added so much to this already fabulous story. I really liked Teagan, she was just an all around great character. Finn was a character who I really adored as well. Some of his Irish sayings did get a bit irksomoe at times, but he still was quite awesome.

I really suggest reading this one! It is wicked brilliant! I can't wait to here more of Teagan and Finn's story in book 2 (I hope at least!)

Fragment Friday (9) - Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

It's FRIDAY. Which means it's time for Fragment Friday! Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic. Fragment Friday is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. This week I choose a spectacular and original debut, Paranormalcy.

Blog Tour: Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Secondhand Charm
Julie Berry
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Pages: 352
Source: ARC for review

Rating: 4.5 stars

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

This book was so cute! I will admit I was expecting something completely different. Then the book took a turn from what I was expecting, and it was instant love. Secondhand Charm addresses a very interesting part of fantasy, and I absolutely loved it.

This book is a very quick read. I found myself reading it in one sitting. It has a very light, magical air about it, making it a very fun read. The plot was just so fun! It had a very almost quest-ish feel to it, which is how some of my favorite books are.

I really liked the characters. Evie was a very smart main character, with a great voice. Aiden was a character who I really just loved, he was so sincere. The minor characters in the book really stayed in your mind. The two actor brothers, Alfonso and Rudolpho, were absolutely hilarious and made you laugh every time they walked onto the page.

Another really great thing about Secondhand Charm is how I think it would appeal to a wide range of readers. Middle grade readers would enjoy it, as would those who like Young Adult. I haven't read Julie Berry's other book, The Amaranth Enchantment, but after Secondhand Charm I know it will be one of the books I read soon!

Waiting on Wednesday (69) - The Locket by Stacey Jay

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

The Locket
Stacey Jay
Release Date: February 3, 2011

On her seventeenth birthday, Katie discovers a locket and decides to wear it for good luck. But when her boyfriend Isaac finds out she cheated on himÑ with their mutual best friend Mitch, no lessÑhe dumps her, leaving her devastated.

And then a miracle happens. The locket burns on KatieÕs chest and she feels herself going back two weeks in time, to the night she cheated with Mitch. At first, Kate is delighted to be a better girlfriend to Isaac this time around. But as other aspects of her life become inexplicably altered, she realizes that changing the past may have had a dangerous effect on her present.

Can she make things right before the locket destroys everything and everyone she loves?

Traveling To Teens: Hunger by Jackie Kessler

Hunger
Jackie Kessler
Publisher: Harcourt Graphia
Release Date: October 18, 2010
Pages: 180
Source: ARC received for review

Rating: 2 stars

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Hunger is a story that deals with modern issues in a very unique and memorable way. While it was memorable, the contents were not what I expected. While I was interested and kept reading, I found the story to be confusing and finished without really knowing what had happened.

The story was very confusing. I don't know the myth very well, and the story didn't really explain any of it. It threw the four horsemen out and what they stood for, and that was pretty much the explanation you got. Hunger was also very short. I felt that the story didn't have the opportunity to develop to its full extent, because there were only 180 pages in total. The majority of the book is spent with Lisabeth discovering Famine, and the last 50 were where she really began to understand. I felt this ending was rushed, as you had this long drawn out discovery. Then it felt like the actually action of the story was over in a flash, followed by a very rushed ending.

The characters in Hunger fell flat for me. The only character I really liked was Death. He was funny and charming and brought the most enjoyable parts of the book. I found Lisabeth to be a very annoying narrator, I just didn't like her thoughts. Tammy, Suzanne, and James were underdeveloped. You never really got to know them. Tammy was a character I just couldn't stand. Characters are probably the biggest factor of a book, and if I don't like the characters, usually that's how I feel about the book.

I think Hunger had a very strong premise, it just wasn't the book for me. I kept reading, trying to see if it got better, but sadly it didn't. As I write this, I still am confused as to what happened. While the book ended, I feel like the story was not tied up at all.

You can find Jackie on the web at her Website, as well as her twitter.

Don't forget to check out the next stop on the tour tomorrow at In Bed With Books! You can also find the complete Hunger Tour schedule at the Traveling to Teens Website.

The #SpeakLoudly Donation Challenge!

In honor of Banned Books Week, and in response to the whole Wesley Scroggins issue on the webs, Julie Kagawa, myself, and several other bloggers are hosting the #SpeakLoudly Donation Challenge!

Here's how the challenge works: Pick a book, any book - challenged, banned, or non-banned, it doesn't matter-, and donate it to your local library. You could even donate several books! Make sure to write SpeakLoudly somewhere in the book, to keep the message going. After you do, make a blog post about it and spread the word.

I am not 100% certain what I will be doanting, but I'm thinking of donating a copy of Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce and several others early this week!

In My Mailbox (66)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.



For Review:
Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Trade:
Winter Longing by Tricia Mills
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Bookmooch:
The Off Season by Katherine Gilbert Murdock

Bought:
Freefall by Mindi Scott

What did you guys get this week??

Article: Peter van Pels by Sharon Dogar (Author of Annexed)

Peter van Pels
By Sharon Dogar

What we know of Peter van Pels is almost entirely limited to Anne Frank's diary, and her own personal view of him. He was, it seems, a shy boy, helpful and good with his hands. Reading between the lines of Anne's diary I've tried to imagine what Peter was "really" like. How do I do that? Here's an example: on Peter's arrival in the Annex, Anne describes him as a "hypochondriac" who "won't amount to much." She's fed up and dismissive of his histrionics, as most clever, early adolescent girls would probably be.

Anne describes a boy who sleeps all the time, lacks any type of motivation, has strange physical symptoms and believes he might be dying. If a child in my counseling room felt this way, I'd suspect depression. In fact, from an occupational point of view Peter's depression makes sense; it's a reasonable response to real events. Having to go into hiding to save your life isn't merely depressing, it's terrifying. Peter's "symptoms" and his fear that he's "dying" reflect the reality of both his own situation and of those in the attic. It's possible that this is partly what makes Anne so angry and dismissive of Peter, she doesn't want to be reminded of how dire a situation she is in (not at this stage). She wants to believe that she's safe. Peter's constant 'whinging' (as she calls it) keeps on reminding her that she's in danger.

We all have our own ways of managing fear and difficulty. Anne creates a safe fantasy world for herself (as many writers do) whilst Peter turns his distress into physical symptoms. Looked at in this way, Peter's character takes on a potentially different meaning from the one presented by Anne.

By carefully considering Anne's brilliantly vivid descriptions of Peter, and analyzing what they might mean, I slowly created a picture of how I thought Peter might be, and he came to feel very real to me. Most writers have that feeling of "hearing" their characters voices. Peter's voice (as I heard it) was quiet, thoughtful, questioning, full of feeling and in the end, quite stubborn and determined to be his own person. I can't, of course, know what the "real" Peter van Pels was like, but then again, how well do any of us know each other? How well did Anne know him, and how much was her view coloured by her own needs and desires?

I miss thinking and writing about Peter. I will always feel heart-broken and horrified at the waste of his young, promising life, and the lives of millions of others that the Nazis judged worthless. When it came to researching, imagining and writing about Peter's life in the camps I already felt very close to the character I'd created. I no longer really wanted to take the novel (and Peter) on into Auschwitz. I put off writing every day. I read survivor's testimonies. I went for long walks. I had very bad dreams. I decided that if I was going to go on, and imagine a life in the camps for Peter, then I had to make sure that every part of the "story" of what happened was rooted in reality. I studied the mechanics of life as a Jewish inmate of Auschwitz. I also realized that in imagining an ending for one person -- Peter van Pels -- I could try to describe the horror and systematic destruction of human life that was a Nazi concentration camp. And so I began to write the final section of the novel. It was written very quickly, almost in one go, and the words came surprisingly easily. Nonetheless, it's not something I would want to do again.

It may sound odd, but for me a part of the horror of human mass destruction is the total disregard those who kill fellow human beings show for the story that each and everyone of us holds within us; the story of our life. So in the end I gave Peter a story. It's probably not the story he would have told himself, but it tries to acknowledge that his story did not end with his arrest on August 1st, 1944, and that there is a story to be told. It may be horrific, it may not be something we want to think about, but Peter, and millions like him had no choice, they had to live it, and unlike the survivors who can give testimony, they died. In their millions. That doesn't mean that they can't be thought about, or that we don't have the right to imagine their story; for me it was the opposite, I felt compelled to create a story.

© 2010 Sharon Dogar, author of Annexed

About the author:
Sharon Dogar, author of Annexed, is a children's psychotherapist who lives in Oxford, England, with her family. She discovered Anne Frank's diary as a child and then again recently when her daughter started reading it. While writing and researching this book, she spent many hours soaking up the atmosphere of the Annex. This is her third novel for young adults.

Annexed will be in stores October 4, 2010.

For more information please visit www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.

Rae by Chelsea Rae Swiggett

Rae
Chelsea Rae Swiggett
Pulisher: HCI Teens
Release Date: August 2, 2010
Pages: 168

Rating: 5 stars

When you're fourteen and trying to deal with the highs, lows, traumas, and humiliations that go along with being a high school freshman, having severe anxiety can become all consuming. Chelsea Rae Swiggett's anxiety has affected every area of her life—school, family, friendships, and romance—ultimately pushing her to lose her voice, withdrawal from everyday life and school, and develop an eating disorder.

The sounds of planes flying overhead could spark a panic attack and something as simple as being called on in class could push her over the edge, convinced that everyone was judging her, mocking her. Faking sickness so she could stay home became her only solution, since she'd rather do anything than face the reality of what happened behind the school's double doors. Rae tells a story all-too-many teens today relate to—what it feels like to see the world through a lens of constant debilitating fear, anxiety, and stress.

I loved this book. I truely did. Parts made me so angry and others made me want to cry. I really could connect with, and on a deeper level than just connecting with the book, as I suffer from anxiety and I could see aspects of myself throughout the entire book. It really makes you realize you are not alone in the world. Chelsea is so brave to share her story with the world.

Rae is so beautifully written. I really hope that Ms. Swiggett writes more books in the future, as she has a voice that was so enticing. Reading her story, so many emotions came to pass. When she'd talk about certain events, I'd get so angry at some of the people and just want to yell at them, where others I just downright started crying at the fact people could be so horrible.

Thank you Chelsea for sharing your story. I think this is the kind of book you could hand to a girl who suffers from anxiety to read, and empower her and realize that she isn't alone. People can be mean, and that's the truth, but if we all band together, we can fight back. Rae is that book.