Top Ten Tuesday (13)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books On Our Spring TBR List

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I am currently a little over half way through with this book and I really love it!!

2. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

The cover of this book is absolutely breathtaking and plus I heard that it was a high-fantasy, which I love, so I cannot wait to read it!!

3. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I have heard great things about this book and I think that I am going to enjoy it a lot, so pretty excited.

4. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

I loved the Heir Chronicles by her so I want to start this series ASAP.

5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My friend let me borrow this book and said that I would enjoy it so I am definitely looking forward to reading it soon.

6. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

I loved the Mortal Instruments Series as well as Clockwork Angel so I really want to read this book in the very near future.

7. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

This is a part of my Top 100 Classic Book Reading Resolution and I have read it before and loved it; so I can't wait to read it again!

8. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

I got this book for Christmas but I haven't gotten around to reading it because I want to reread the series because I haven't read any of them since Brisingr came out so I just want to refresh my memory first.

9. Shine by Lauren Myracle

I've heard some great things about this so I really cannot wait to read this book.

10. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

I have heard some awesome things about this book as well and plus it's a high-fantasy as well, so I really want to read it soon!

<3 Shannon

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades.

Books Bought:

-But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

-Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

-Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

-Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

-The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

-Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Book Recieved:

-Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler (from The DAC ARC Tour) 

<3 Shannon

March TBR 2012

Books Read in February 2012:
-Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
-But I Love Him by Amanda Grace
-Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Books Going to be Read in March 2012:
-Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
-Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
-The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
-Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
-The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
-To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

<3 Shannon

Top 100 Classic Books Reading Resolution

One of resolutions for 2012 was to read more classic books, so I have compiled a list of the Top 100 Classic Books. The way that I have come up with this list is that I looked at multiple lists and picked the books that showed up the most. The books are in no particular order, I just wrote them down as I determined that they should be on my list. 

I don't plan to be able to read all of these books in one year but I hope to be able to start on it and continue it. I will either review them here on my blog or make a video about it on my YouTube channel, which ever I feel like at the moment!

 If you would like to participate along with me that would be great!! In the month of  March I am planning to read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Let me know in the comments and if I get enough interest I might put up a discussion post at the end of the month/when the books are finished.

To see the full list and where I will be keeping track of my progress click here.

<3 Shannon

Top Ten Tuesday (12) + Tune In Tuesday (8)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books I Would Save From A Natural Disaster

1. Harry Potter Series by J.k. Rowling

I would never be able to part with these books! I've had them since 3rd/4th grade (and you can tell it too). These would probably be one of the first things that I would grab.

2. All My Ellen Hopkins Books

I love her books and I have a few of them signed so I would be able to part with these either.

3. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

This was one of the first books that really got me back into reading in high school; because in middle school I didn't have a good selection so I kind of slacked off but this book brought me back in. Also Wes is in the number one spot on my fictional character crush list!!

4. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

I read this book in high school and I loved it! It quickly became one of my favorite books and now all I need to do is read Lord of the Rings 1-3.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book is probably my favorite "classic" book! I absolutely adore it and I would not be able to leave this book behind.

6. The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques

This is one of my favorite book series from when I was in middle school and I have read them over and over so many times!

7. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

This book was a recent purchase and I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but now I could not possibly bear to leave it behind. Plus it's signed!!!

8. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

This series is one of my favorites and I absolutely love it.

9. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

This book quickly became one of my favorites in a very short amount of time, so I wouldn't be able to leave it behind either. Plus, need I say anything other than: Cricket!! <3

10. Any Other Signed Book on My Book Shelf

I have a couple of other signed books on my book shelf that I definitely would not be able to part with, so I would be grabbing those as well.

A weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads! that showcases music!!

Tighten Up by The Black Keys

Boston by Augustana

Ain't No Reason by Brett Dennen

Happy Tuesday! Oh and I have 50 Followers!! Yay!

<3 Shannon

February TBR 2012

Books Read in January 2012:
- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
-Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
-Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
-The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

Books Going to be Read in February 2012:
-Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
-The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
-Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
-The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein

<3 Shannon

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

• Reading Level: Young Adult 
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 
• ISBN-10: 052542381 
• ISBN-13: 978-0525423487
• Received From: I bought it.

From Goodreads:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

My Thoughts:

This books seems to be so great because, to me, the characters are phenomenal! They all really come together and make this book truly wonderful.

Lola is a really flawed/human character. She makes mistakes, is a little bit of a compulsive liar, and is a little selfish as well but she doesn't do it with any malicious intent. I really LOVE Cricket! He is one of the most unique love interests that I have read in YA, this far. His character is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the male love interests. It seems that in most books that you pick up, you will probably find a loner/mysterious/moody/brooding love interest and I'm getting kind of tired of it. Cricket is sweet, the boy next door, and realistic. He wins you over with his charm and how genuinely nice his character is. I cannot say enough good things things about his character!

I wish Calliope's character would have been in the book a little more. I found her character to be very fascinating. I also found Calliope and Cricket's relationship very interesting as well. I would have loved to have been able to learn a little more about their dynamic and how they interacted with each other. However, I didn't really get Calliope and Max as the "villains/antagonist" at all. I didn't hate or wish harm to either of them and their reactions seemed very normal to me.

Usually in books there seems to be a lack of good best friends and parents who are actually aware of what their children are doing but, not in this book. Lola's best friend is great and very loyal to her as well. Lola's parents are also very aware of what she is doing most of the time. When they didn't approve of her boyfriend, Max, they made her bring him over for brunch every Sunday and she had to check-in whenever she was out with him. So you cannot say that Lola's parent's weren't a part of her life because they grounded her quite a lot for disobeying the rules.

I absolutely LOVE this book! It is amazing and I recommend it to just about anyone! It has moved up to my second favorite Contemporary book on my list. Cricked is, also, definitely on my fictional character crush list as well! SA-WOON! ;) Oh, Anna and St. Clair are also characters in this book, so that is definitely a plus! I have nothing but praise for this book and I'm giving it 5 Quills! So go out to your nearest book store and buy it!!

<3 Shannon

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

From Goodreads:

Gabby lived under the radar until her makeover. Way under. but when she started her senior year as a blonder, better-dressed version of herself, she struck gold: Billy Nash believed she was a the flawless girl she was pretending to be. The next eight months with Billy were bliss...Until the night Gabby woke up on the ground next to the remains of his BMW without a single memory of how she got there. 

And Billy's nowhere to be found. 

All Gabby wants is to make everything perfect again. But getting her life back isn't difficult, it's impossible. Because nothing is the same, and Gabby's beginning to realize she's missed more than a few danger signs along the way. 

It's time for Gabby to face the truth, even if it means everything changes. 

Especially if it means everything changes.

This book is going to be published in March and I cannot wait to read it! I'm lucky enough to be receiving it as a part of the Debut Author Challenge ARC tour, and I am so very excited. This sounds like it is going to be an interesting read; so I would keep my eye out for it!

<3 Shannon

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

From Goodreads:

After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend Ilven kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege.

 She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. 

Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.

One of the main reasons that I want to read this book is because it it a high fantasy, and I love love love high fantasy books!! It sounds like it's going to be a pretty good read and I'm really glad that I am also getting this book as a part of the Debut Author Challenge ARC tour! I can't wait to read it. This book comes out on February 28th, 2012!  

<3 Shannon

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

• Reading Level: Young Adult 
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Poppy 
• ISBN-10:   0316122386
• ISBN-13:   978-0316122382
• Received From: I bought it.

From Goodreads:
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.


My Thoughts:
If I saw this book in a book store and just read the title I probably wouldn't have picked it up because I hate "love at first sight". The only reason why I gave this book a chance is because I heard a lot of great things about it, and decided to give it a chance.  This book takes place over the course of 24 hours, but the love story does not feel like insta-love. It feels real and genuine, and there's no doubting that Oliver and Hadley are great together!


I read this book in two days and I enjoyed it very much but it's not all cute, light material; there is some heavy stuff in this book. Oliver and Hadley each have something they have to come to terms with; some of it you know, some of it you find out during the story. 


This book gives you a little bit of everything: love, heartache, sadness, joy, anger, and acceptance. I would recommend it to everyone because it is so much more than a contemporary love story. The growth that Hadley and Oliver go through is what makes this book great. This book has quickly jumped into my favorite contemporary books. So I give this book 5 Quills and I highly suggest that you pick it up and read it.

<3 Shannon

In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades.

Book Bought:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Books Borrowed:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker (from The DAC ARC Tour)

Book Won:

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (from Lauren at 365 Days of Reading)

<3 Shannon

Review: The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

 The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

• Reading Level: Young Adult 
• Paperback:  384 pages
• Publisher: Poppy 
• ISBN-10:   0316125067  
• ISBN-13:   978-0316125062
• Received From: The DAC ARC Tour.

   From Goodreads:
Fourteen-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who would prefer to be called Ericka, thank you very much, is eager to shed her farmer's daughter roots and become part of the popular crowd at her small town high school. She trades her Bible for Seventeen magazine, buys new "sophisticated" clothes and somehow manages to secure a tenuous spot at the cool kids table. She's on top of the world, even though her best friend and the boy next door Luke says he misses "plain old Ricki Jo."

Caught between being a country girl and wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is: someone who doesn't care what people think and who wouldn't let a good-looking guy walk all over her. It takes a serious incident out on Luke's farm for Ricki Jo to realize that being a true friend is more important than being popular.


My Thoughts:
This book was a very fast and easy read. It was also very adorable and very realistic as well. The main character is fourteen years old so she is a tad annoying but who isn't when they are that age. So when I was reading this book I had to remind myself, a few times, that she was only fourteen and therefore allowed to be a little annoying. Because when you are that young nobody has who they are figured out. 


I enjoyed reading this book and I would probably reread it again sometime in the future. I don't really have any critiques about this book because I think the author did a very good job at realistically portraying a fourteen year old girl trying to fit in at a new school. So overall I give this book 4 Quills.

<3 Shannon

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades.

Books Borrowed:

-Looking For Alaska by John Green

Books From Christmas:

-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

-Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

-The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

-Shine by Lauren Myracle

-Graceling by Kristen Cashore

-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

That is what I go in my mailbox :) what did you get in yours?

<3 Shannon

January TBR 2012

Books Read in December 2011:
-Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
-Across the Universe by Beth Revis
-Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
-Looking For Alaska by John Green

Books Going to be Read in January 2012:
-Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
-The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
-The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
-Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
-Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
-The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein

<3 Shannon

The Wrapping Up 2011 Read-a-Thon Updates

Summary:

Total Pages: 300
Updated at: 12/29/11 1:40 am

Currently Reading: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Finished Reading: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Looking For Alaska by John Green

The Books I'm Going To Read:

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Perfect by Ellen Hopkins

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

I've had a bit of a late start with Christmas and stuff but I hoping to read about 4 or 5 books from the list.
<3 Shannon

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating

From Goodreads:

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills --- only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little bit. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse ---much worse--- before they get better.

This book comes out Januaray 3, 2012; and I miraculously got on the Debut Author Challenge ARC tour for it!! I am so excited to read this book! I love books from this genre so I'm expecting to enjoy this book a lot!!

<3 Shannon

Top Ten and Teaser Tuesday (11) + Tune In Tuesday (7)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Childhood Favorites

1. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingles Wilder

My great grandmother gave me a box set of these books when I was really young but I didn't read them until I was in the fourth grade and my friend Stephanie and I decided to have a competition to see you could read them all first (I won!).  But they quickly became one of my favorite series and I reread them the following summer.

2. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

This was the other series that I had a competition with Stephanie (she won) and thankfully I did or it would have taken me much longer to discover the wonders of Harry. This is my favorite series!! When I need a reading pick-me-up these are the books that I go to! <3

3. The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques

The library in my middle school was sucky to say the least and I miraculously found five of these books which I read at least five times before I made my parents buy me the series . Which I have read multiple times and I am due for a reread as soon as I find the time.

4. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

I had to do a project on this book in the third grade and I really enjoyed reading it and I ended up rereading  after I was done with the project.

5. Heartland by Lauren Brooke

I have no idea how I stumbled over this series but I loved it!

6. The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B Cooney

I found this book at a book fair at my middle school and instantly fell in love with it before I was even halfway through with it. I still love it so much that it is still on my bookshelf and not packed up with the rest of my childhood books.

7. Dear America: Voyage on the Great Titanic by Ellen Emerson White 

This is another book I found at a book fair and I am really glad that I bought it because I really did like it. 

8. The Berenstain Bears by Stan Berenstain

This was one of the series that I absolutely loved when I was in elementary school.

9. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I really love this book! It is so sad and sweet; it never fails, every time I read this book I always get teary eyed. 

10. Piggie Pie! by Margie Palatini

When I was real little I would make my dad read this to me almost every night because he did "a good witch voice"!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

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

My Teaser:

"I want to scream, but I can't.
Because none of this is real.
It's just another nightmare."

-pg. 49 "Across the Universe" by Beth Revis

A weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads! that showcases music!!

This week kicks off a month of long tribute to bands (or singers) you've seen in concert -- or have always wanted to!

I almost had the opportunity to go to the SPACEtour but sadly I couldn't come up with the money in time, so here are my favorite songs from the Starkid plays!

Not Alone - A Very Potter Musical

To Have A Home - A Very Potter Sequel

Kick It Up A Notch - Starship

Get Back To Hogwarts - A Very Potter Musical

Voldemort Is Going Down - A Very Potter Musical

Harry Freakin' Potter - A Very Potter Sequel

Happy Tuesday!

<3 Shannon