Hold on to your hats folks, I'm starting this puppy back up.

ABC Reading Challenge!

Sorry for my lack of posting! College has caught up with me (midterms and such) but now all is well.

I've decided to take up the ABC Reading Challenge! It is hosted by Gripped Into Books.

A - Anew

B - Brightest Kind of Darkness

C - Cryer's Cross

D - Delirium

E - Everneath

F - Finnikin of the Rock

G - Glow

H - Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

I - If I Stay

J - Jinx

K - The Knife of Never Letting Go

L - Lockdown

M - Marked

N - Neverwhere

O - Obsidian

P - Partials

Q - The Queen of Everything

R - Revolution

S - Scarlet

T - Tangled Tides

U - Under the Never Sky

V - Variant

W - The Way We Fall

X - XVI

Y - ??

Z - ??

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

1. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - I've heard so much good stuff about this book and I haven't gotten around to reading it! Everytime I see the title I think, why haven't I read that yet?  Playing hooky with this book might just get my butt around to doing it!
2. Fever by Lauren DeStefano - Loved the first, am anxiously trying to get my hands on the second without going broke (aka, waiting for it to come to the library)
3. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - I GOT MY HANDS ON THIS PRETTY. Searched my library and found it! I will be playing hooky (actually for me just in bed for prolonged periods of time) with this puppy as soon as I finish the next book on my list (found in the library as well.. it was a good haul)
4. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - I'm in the middle of this one and it most certainly is a drop everything you have and read right now kind of book.
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I know, I know. "Zoe, that book is so overdone right now!" And I agree. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't play hooky with the entire series. The are just too awesome to read.
6. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter - I have the entire series on my nook, yet I haven't touched them. Why? I'm waiting for the right moment to just blow through the series  with extreme enjoyment. Like, for example, a day when I play hooky!
7. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Another one I hear great things, yet haven't gotten around to finding it.
8. Divergent by Veronica Roth - Let's play hooky to be prepared for Insurgent. There is nothing wrong with being prepared!
9. Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers - The more I read about it, the more I wanna read it!
10. Anything by Tamora Pierce - And I mean ANYTHING. It is almost ridiculous how much I enjoy her writing and I have no issues with rereading them frequently! #iregretnothing

Book Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: Last Survivors #1
Pages: 337
Date Published: October 1, 2006
Source: Library
Rating: .5/5


Summary: 
Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.

Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world. (from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:
Reading this book made me more frustrated that I've been in a very long time. The first 100 pages I was so excited by the story and the possibilities. What makes me sad that I hated the book so much was that was it pretty realistic. But there was no excitement in the plot. It was all survival. Surviving? Fine. I like that. But the last 1/3 of the book is just utter torture and nothing happens. Nothing happens with her friends. Nothing happens with her boy interest. Nothing happens with her skating. NOTHING. Its a good book but there was possibilities there that just utterly let me down, and that was in favor of realism, I suppose. There also are very, very few answers. Once again: realistic, but SO frustrating! An interesting plot turned into monotonous starvation and "oh my god, things get worse" a billion times. But the "worse" isn't even interesting! ARGH!

In Short, The Good:

• The cover?
• The cat? (ah I'm stretching it here)

In Short, The Bad:

• No development of characters besides the family (and barely there)
• Boring plot
• Starvation
• UGH JUST EVERYTHING

In My Mailbox #1

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Book Review: The Death Cure by James Dashner

The Death Cure by James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Maze Runner #3
Pages: 325
Date Published: October 11, 2011
Source: Library
Rating: 3/5


Summary: Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test. 

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says. 

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

I wasn't sure where this book was going to go, and I was pleasantly surprised. This book is exciting and pretty hard to put down. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on. My one problem: I couldn't tell who was reliable and who was not. At one point I was convinced everyone was just making the entire situation up... pretty frustrating!  My other problem: I did not feel any connection with any of the characters. Part of me wants to believe that it is because I have not read the first two books in a while (6 months I think?) and while I loved the first book... the second one didn't find my appreciation quite so much. But I believe it also has to do with the little background we get on the characters (obviously, due to the mind wipe).




In Short, The Good:

• Action! Adventure!
• Answers to Questions (well some of them)
• Zombies
• Minho (I've just always liked him =] )
• Cool Slang

In Short, The Bad:

• Characters = Blah (don't really care for them)
• Unreliability of Everyone
• Occasionally Confusing

Book Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 394
Date Published: June 14, 2011
Source: Library
Rating: 3/5

Summary: One hour to rewrite the past . . .
 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut. (from goodreads)


My Thoughts:
I really, really enjoyed this book. I am usually apprehensive about paranormal romances. If it gets too fluffy, I lose interest. Definitely not the case with this book. There were very few moments when I found myself wondering what the point of the book was or where the plot was going. Time Travel! I dig it, I really do. It is different (finally!) and quirky and just works. A bit confusing, but I sometimes like it that way. Emerson is likable. I don't find myself always agreeing with her, but it never made me dislike her as a character. I really think this series will become better following this first book. The details were definitely smoothed out as the story went along. The writing, on the other hand, occasionally reeks of drinking the Twilight/Paranormal Romance Cliche koolaid. 



In Short, The Good:

• Time Travel
• Hot Guys
• The Cover

In Short, The Bad

• Occasional Symptoms of Bad Paranormal Romance
• Not So Smooth a Read
• Everyone is Attractive Syndrome

 And a peek at the next book in the series, Timepiece, coming out in June! Another yummy cover =]

Under Renovation

It's time for change and a little more updates. I've been extremely busy but have decided to redo my book review format (to my own, original style!) and become more active. Please feel free to email me with suggestions and/or comments! I love hearing from people!

Book Report for Divergent by Veronica Roth


Cover Story: A little less Urban, a little more Decay
BFF Charm: Lean on Me
Swoonworthy Scale: 7.5
Talky Talk:  Like it is
Bonus Factors: Strong Female, You aren't a Baby, Fighting
Relationship Status: Not Going Anywhere




Cover Story:

Slightly catchy. Won't say I'm crazy about this cover but there isn't anything to hate either. I'm a word and text snob so I can't claim that I think the format of the title is the best thing I've ever seen. A little too urban for my taste. More decay please! Although in fairness, that may be saved for the next book.

The Deal:
"Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances." (from goodreads)


BFF Charm: Lean on Me
Tris is not perfect, but she certainly is likable. I would totally see myself becoming BFFs with her. And I know she would always stick up for me. The only problem I have is her loss of certain emotions (or more like repressions) after certain events. However I also understand that this is part of the deal with being Dauntless. Not an easy task, as the reader finds out.




Swoonworthy Scale: 7.5
Four! Such a cool character. Won't lie, hate his real name that you find out during the book (can't help connecting it to Arrested Development!)


Talky Talk: Like It Is
Tris seems to have the caring factor of Abnegation deep within her mind, as the reader sees it in her thoughts (in first person) and her observations. I thought the only thing lacking were her fear descriptions, which I didn't  "feel" as well.


Bonus Factors:
Strong Female

Except not like that ^^ XD. I love strong girl characters. One of the reasons why I love Hunger Games, and almost anything by Tamora Pierce. Girls kick ass and I love it when they aren't waiting around for a boy to rescue them. Something important in Young Adult fiction. Girls need to know they CAN do it themselves. That doesn't mean I don't like a good romance, but any book with the girl doing nothing and being weak (cough, Twilight, cough) makes me want to throw up. Sure those work for some girls, not me.

You Aren't A Baby

Thank you, Veronica Roth, for not treating the YA crowd as a baby. We can handle the heartbreak and the violence. You tell the story to us straight, and we can handle that. I like that in a Young Adult book.

Fighting

The Dauntless fighting is hardcore. No details spared, but you aren't about to throw up from the gore either. Me gusta! 

Relationship Status: Not Going Anywhere
I will sit right here and wait for the next book. I am not going anywhere, Veronica. You charmed me with your book and I LOVED it. Thank you for giving me the pleasure of reading it, it is going on my favorites list. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes strong female characters and/or (especially) well thought-out dystopian novels.




Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.


More to Come!
On Deck:
Matched - Ally Condie
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn - Alison Goodman


In The Pit:
Dark Parties - Sara Grant
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Random Riggs

Take 2

A return to my blog. I apologize that I have been super busy lately. I have many books in my to-read pile and plan on reviewing them fully! 

So thank you all for being patient. New content to come!

Different Can Be Good

Book Report for This Girl is Different by J.J. Johnson

Cover Story: Relevant and Unique

BFF Charm: Yes

Swoonworthy Scale: 5

Talky Talk: Sing It Sistah!

Bonus Factors: Hippie Mom, Green, Loyal Pet

Relationship Status:  One With You

Cover Story:

I love this so much. It is so unique yet actually relevant to the book! The text, the lightening, the drawing are all pleasing to my eye and mean so much after finishing the book.

The Deal:

Evie is different. Not just her upbringing-though that's certainly been unusual-but also her mindset. She's smart, independent, confident, opinionated, and ready to take on a new challenge: The Institution of School.

It doesn't take this homeschooled kid long to discover that high school is a whole new world, and not in the way she expected. It's also a social minefield, and Evie finds herself confronting new problems at every turn, failing to follow or even understand the rules, and proposing solutions that aren't welcome or accepted.

Not one to sit idly by, Evie sets out to make changes. Big changes. The movement she starts takes off, but before she realizes what's happening, her plan spirals out of control, forcing her to come to terms with a world she is only just beginning to comprehend.

JJ Johnson's powerful debut novel will enthrall readers as it challenges assumptions about friendship, rules, boundaries, and power. (from GoodReads)

BFF Charm: Yes!

Evie is most definitely best friend material. She stands up for what she believes in but also keeps her friends constantly in mind, even when they aren't happy with her. Her activism and extremely strong moral compass make her a BFF that I realized would be true to herself and her promises. Although she makes mistakes in the book, she easily can admit and attempt to fix them.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5

Oh Rajas! Adorable and Indian (definitely props for this, because that isn't something you read everyday).  He is so realistic because I can name many boys who don't like to be "defined" by relationships. Evie and Rajas have a couple swoon-y moments. He doesn't always do the right thing but he is totally right for Evie.

Talky Talk: Sing it Sistah!

Evie's different mindset is what makes her observations and judgments for the world around her so interesting to read. Her determination and wit make you root for her educational revolution. She learns from her mistakes, something I also enjoy in a character. Evie is not a character that has been written before but she is a refreshing new voice.

Bonus Factors:

Hippie Mom

Martha is Evie's mom who is a free spirit. She guides Evie to make the right choices but has her own spunk as well!

Green

Evie and Martha live a green lifestyle in a biodome house. Evie doesn't complain about her lifestyle. In fact, she takes comfort in it.

Loyal Pet

Hannah Bramble is Evie and Martha's cow. She doesn't play a large role in the novel but I enjoy her presence nonetheless.

Relationship Status: One With You

I enjoyed this book on multiple levels. Evie is a fantastic character with a unique mind. She is three-dimensional and realistic. Her educational background had me wishing she were in my colleges classes. This Girl is Different is a book for those who appreciate a person for who they are and what they bring to the table.

Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.

More to Come!

On Deck:

Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff

In The Pit:

Misfit by Jon Skovron

Deviant by Adrian McKinty

Park Parties by Sara Grant

Impossible to Relate

Book Report for Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Cover Story: Exemplary

BFF Charm: I'll Take Half of You

Swoonworthy Scale: .5

Talky Talk: Um No. Just No.

Bonus Factors: Curses, (step)Parents That Rock

Relationship Status: Bless Your Heart

Cover Story:

Now this is a cover I love. It is mysterious and somewhat simple. The colors mesh it is pleasing to the eye and stimulating to the brain. This is where the book wins, in my opinion. The rest... well you will have the read the rest of the review to see where that goes.

The Deal:

Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter.

Inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale.

Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child’s birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won’t be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents and her childhood friend Zach beside her. Do they have love and strength enough to overcome an age-old evil? (from GoodReads)

BFF Charm:  I'll Take Half of You

Lucy can be my friend, but I don't see her being a good friend. I think a good friend who could just kick her for being naive and downright stupid might be in order. On the other hand, Zach can be my friend any day. He is the meaning of true loyalty and friendship, not to mention a fantastic significant-other! His determination to help Lucy solve her curse is admirable and almost unbelievable. But that's okay, because so is a lot of the book!

Swoonworthy Scale: .5

This book attempts to be swoonworthy at times with Zach. And although his intentions are there, pregnant teenagers are not helping the swoon-y moments. Not even a RAPED pregnant teenager. Who doesn't have any normal rape victim reactions... (more about that later). While Zach himself could definitely have been high on the swoonworthy scale, Lucy and her adventures make this book hard for any heat whatsoever (at least in my opinion).

Talky Talk: Um No. Just No.

Now I can address the inappropriateness of the entire book that made me ANGRY. Rape is dealt with lightly in this book. Lucy doesn't seem to really have much of a reaction to it that I would expect. Rape is almost rewarded with a marriage. She doesn't seem to struggle, besides with her torment of the Elfan Knight and the curse. UM HELLO? Severely disliked this. 

Bonus Factors:

Curses

Curses are pretty cool. I actually like that Scarborough Fair was used as the inspiration. It created a nice sense of Magical Realism (one of my favorite things!).

(step)Parents That Rock

Don't you love google images? Lucy's awesome stepparents Leo and Soledad rock in their awesome ways that they help Lucy and encourage her to make the right decisions (although she doesn't choose abortion.. which could have been the easy way out of the curse IMO)

Relationship Status: Bless Your Heart

It was a nice try, but the little parts I liked really don't make up for the lack of true emotion that should have been portrayed by Lucy. She pouts and pities herself briefly but never really has a true emotional breakdown, which I believe was definitely called for. Teen pregnancy that is dealt with in a manner I wouldn't (not necessarily abortion but just understanding the weight of the situation) is probably my least favorite thing to read about, making this book a chore at times.

Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.

More to Come!

On Deck:

This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson

In The Pit:

Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff

Deviant by Adrian McKinty

Misfit by Jon Skovron

Bruised But Loved

Book Report for Bruiser by Neal Shusterman


Cover Story: Acceptably Mysterious
BFF Charm: If Only I Could Change You
Swoonworthy Scale: 2.5
Talky Talk: Intelligently Yours
Bonus Factors:  Mysterious Loner Cutie, Poetry That Doesn't Suck, Vocabulary, Adorable Kid
Relationship Status: My Heart Aches But I Yearn For More

Cover Story: Acceptably Mysterious

Oh my, an up-close face. Haven't seen that one before. However, for this one I think it doesn't totally tank. The text is interesting and it wouldn't totally shameful to be seen out in public with.

The Deal: 


Tennyson:
Don't get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted "Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty" by the entire school. He's the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Brontë, dating him? One of these days she's going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it's not going to end well. 

Brontë:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way—no right to threaten him. There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends—why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me. 

Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear workings of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love. (From GoodReads)


BFF Charm: If Only I Could Change You


Brewster can come into my life and be my BFF or boyfriend any day. However, his... erm.. condition which you discover is a bit scary and is so endearing yet makes you want to run away screaming. If I could somehow fix him he would be mine in an instant.

Bronte could also be my BFF. She has a thing for helping "strays", whether they are people or animals. I can relate to that. She seems to actually care for Brewster, although she seems to be a little stupid with her feelings (declaring love after what.. a week? not my style). I could totally hang with her though.

Tennyson is such a love-hate relationship with me. Once he shapes his act up, I really enjoy his loyalty and smartass (in a good way generally) behavior. That being said, his actions with Brewster and the lacrosse game really ticked me off. But at that point I was ticked off about a lot of things.

Swoonworthy Scale: 2.5

This is barely a 2.5 because Brewster is adorable and you love him. You really do. But he never gets a legitimate swoon-y moments because his story is just so heartbreaking. I wish Bronte and Brewster had more (even innocent) alone time. It would have made more sense for their romance, because that is one thing the reader never really got to see.

Talky Talk: Intelligently Yours

Shusterman has a power with words. I cried multiple times while reading this. It is impossible not to feel something. However, what struck me even more was the narration that was intelligent yet believable by multiple characters. Each character had a particular voice and he created a distinct feel through their word choice. Bruiser written so well and does not feel too short or too long.

Bonus Factors:
Mysterious Loner Cutie 

Brewster just screams mysterious loner cutie, with some serious feelings to boot! And is intelligent, especially when he takes his turn at narration.

Poetry That Doesn't Suck

Believe me, I do not generally like most poetry. Especially the stuff put in for the "artsy" factor in YA books. But Brewster narrates using poetry and it is GOOD.

Vocabulary

This is a personal bonus factor. But I like the vocabulary theme with the chapter titles, as well as the more intelligent use of language, especially from Tennyson, Bronte and Brewster. It isn't overdone but it just shows a higher intelligence within a teen. I like that. I'm also a wordie, so I appreciate this more!

Adorable Kid

Okay, I am ready to take Cody home with me! He is so innocent and trusts Brewster so much! Any adorable adoptable kid scores bonus points in my book.

Relationship Status: My Heart Aches But I Yearn For More

This is a serious book with a smart feel to it. I definitely go for more of it, but spaced out. Certain parts of the book felt somewhat helpless (because the situation within it is so serious). It isn't the type of book I read everyday because it gets you in a funk. But it is the type of book you read to consider or change your perspective on life.


Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.


More to Come!
Impossible by Nancy Welin
This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson

Here We Go Again

So another attempt at a book blog. This time I am going to hook it up with my goodreads account. 


In terms of rating books, I think I am going to go with the ForeverYoungAdult method (I hope they don't mind!) and change  it for my preferences. All credit for book report style to them, however (and I am eternally in love with their website. Go check them out)! 
In case you wanted something else to do, there is a great contest and book tour coming up in the south. Head over here to check it out!


In the works:
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman