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Review: Forever
Title: Forever
Author: Judy Blume
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Pages: 192
Rating: 4 owls
Goodreads Description:
Katherine and Michael meet at a New Year's Eve party. They're attracted to each other, they grow to love each other. And once they've decided their love is forever, they make love.
It's the beginning of an intense and exclusive relationship, with a future all planned. Until Katherine's parents insist that she and Michael put their love to the test with a summer apart...
"Forever" is written for an older age group than Judy Blume's other novels for children. It caused a storm of controversy when it was first published because of its explicit sexual content.
It was a book ahead of its time - and remains, after thirty years in print, a teenage best-seller. America's No. 1 children's author has written some of the best books of our time about real-life issues - family stress and pressures, what happens when your parents divorce, the problems of growing up and sexual awakening, bereavement - with insight, sensitivity and honesty.
My Thoughts:
Who did not love Judy Blume growing up? I sure did. When I saw this store in the bookstore I was so curious how I did not know that Judy Blume had a YA book out. I knew it was something I had to read.
Wow at the story line. I started this book and finished reading it the same night. I could not put it down. Don't you just love books like that?
If you cannot handle the sexual content I strongly suggest not reading it. It was not what I had expected, but it was a great read to say the least.
The story focuses on two 17 year olds, Katherine and Michael, who meet at a New Year's Eve party at her friend Sybil's house. They start dating and fall in love. Katherine is scared of what comes with loosing her virginity and when the right time will be. Michael is very persistent and constantly reassures her that he loves her and that's what people who love each other do. When the couple is separated at the start of the summer, because of their jobs...their love is really put to the test.
Judy Blume writes about the fears, emotions, and everything in between that comes with your first love. I was truly blown away by this book. If you have not read it, definitely make time for it. I am sure there are plenty of close-minded people about the book and its maturity level, but it is as close to real life as you can get. It is a very informative view of growing up mixed with sexuality.
Review: Meant To Be
Title: Meant To Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Pages: 304
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Rating: 3 owls
Goodreads Description:
Scott Tracey Book Blast!
With one month to go until MOONEST hits the shelves, we want to make sure you are all ready for it. Be sure to add MOONSET to your TBR piles, and don’t forget to check out the giveaway below for $25.00 gift cards to iTunes and B&N!
Moonset
Legacy of Moonset #1
Author: Scott Tracey
Release Date: April 8th 2013
Publisher: Flux
Justin Daggett, his trouble-making sister, and their three orphan-witch friends have gotten themselves kicked out of high school. Again. Now they’ve ended up in Carrow Mills, New York, the town where their parents—members of the terrorist witch organization known as Moonset—began their evil experiments with the dark arts one generation ago.
When the siblings are accused of unleashing black magic on the town, Justin fights to prove their innocence. But tracking down the true culprit leads him to a terrifying discovery about Moonset’s past . . . and its deadly future
PRE-ORDER NOW FOR ONLY $5.55
AMAZON | B&N
THE GIVEAWAY
The Prizes!
1- $25.00 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
1- $25.00 iTunes Gift Card
Open Internationally
Gift Card to be delivered Electronically
THE AUTHOR
Scott Tracey is a YA author who lived on a Greyhound for a month, wrote his illustrated autobiography at the age of six, and barely survived Catholic school (and definitely not for the reasons you might think).
He is the author of WITCH EYES, chosen as one of Amazon’s Best LGBT Books of 2011, as well as an ALA Popular Paperback in the Forbidden Romance category. The final book in the WITCH EYES trilogy, PHANTOM EYES, will be released in the fall of 2013.
He is also the author of MOONSET, a new series which will be released April 8, 2013, as well as a contributor to the SHADOWHUNTERS & DOWNWORLDERS anthology, edited by Cassandra Clare.
His career highlights include: accidentally tripping a panic alarm which led to nearly being shot by the police; attacked in a drive-thru window by a woman wielding a baked potato, and once moving cross country for a job only to quit on the second day.
His gifts can be used for good or evil, but rather than picking a side, he strives for BOTH (in alternating capacity) for his own amusement.
STALK SCOTT
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | TUMBLR
Know Me Better (5)
How much time do you spend reading each week?
What is the last thing you Googled?
Favorite places to travel?
What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Top 5 songs on your playlist?
Who Are You - Carrie Underwood
I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
Wedding Day - Casting Crowns
Nothing Left To Lose - Mat Kearney
If I Didn't Have You - Thompson Square
How much time do you spend reading each week?
Not as much as I would like! When I am in school I spend most of my time completing school work and textbook readings. I TRY to read at least 3-4 times a week even though it doesn't always go like that.
What is the last thing you Googled?
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs...something school related
Favorite places to travel?
I love the mountains and disney world. Really anywhere I can consider it a vacation :)
What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Curled up with a blanket, book and my Lola girl.
What are your favorite places to travel? Favorite songs? Join in on the fun, and like always comment away :)
This, That, or Thought Thursdays
Know Me Better (4)
Are you a fast or slow reader? (you can test your reading speed here)
Fanfition - Love it or Hate it? Have your ever read/written it?
Summer or Winter?
Truth or Dare?
Where is your favorite spot to read?
On the couch curled up with a blanket!
Are you a fast or slow reader?
I am a fast reader as long as I have no other school work or studying to do. If I have other homework or tests I tend to really slowly because I feel I should be studying!
Fanfition - Love it or Hate it? Have you ever read/written it?
No thanks. I have too many books on my TBR pile!
Summer or Winter?
Summer because I love to tan and lay out in the pool. Winter because I love to drink hot chocolate and wear cute winter clothes. If I had to choose I would say winter!
Truth or Dare?
Dare!
Feel free to comment on my answers, please follow when you visit :)
Alice In Zombieland Giveaway
Hey everyone! Sorry if it seems I have fell off of the planet lately, but keep in mind I am also in college. Spring semester also started this past week so I have been busy trying to get settled back in the swing of school! I take five classes online and do field experience at a local school. I also sub from time to time so bare with me.
I was lucky enough to get a short interview with Gena Showalter who also provided me with a book and a ton of bookmarks to use for a giveaway. This giveaway will be open to the U.S. only. I will have another giveaway soon that will be open internationally as well so keep calm :)
So a little about Gena...first off let me say Alice in Zombieland was the first book of hers that I read and I loved it! I cannot wait to check out more of her books! You really should read it if you have not already :)
"Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of the White Rabbit Chronicles, Otherworld Assassins, Angels of the Dark, Lords of the Underworld, and several of other series. She has written over thirty novels and novellas. Her books have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages."
Gena's website
Gena's twitter
Gena's facebook
Now on to the interview and giveaway!
1. What led you to writing?
I had a passion for books, and enjoyed rewriting scenes to fit my desires. When characters and plots of my own began to take shape, I couldn’t not sit down and write.
2. If writing would not have worked out what would be your other job choice?
Ryan Gossling’s towel girl. No, actually, I’m not sure. I dropped out of college three times, for three different majors, and never kept a job for long. Writing was the first and only job I poured myself into.
3. Who is your favorite author?
Jill Monroe, Roxanne St. Claire, Kresley Cole, Kristen Painter, Louisa Edwards, and so many more! Such talented ladies. Beautiful. Smart. Witty. Fun.
4. What advice can you give to others in search of becoming a writer?
The bad news is, people are going to tell you how much they hate your work. It’s going to hurt. Just remember opinions are subjective. What someone hates, someone else will love. Keep at it, and don’t give up!
5. What is your favorite hobby?
I love to bake. It’s one of my new favorite things to do. I listen to my iPod while I mix ingredients, and tune out the rest of the world.
For this giveaway ONE winner will receive a hardcopy cover of Alice in Zombieland along with two bookmarks. FIVE other winners will receive two bookmarks. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Waiting On Wednesday (4)
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is where we feature upcoming books that we cannot wait to read! Go on over to join in the fun!! :)
My pick for this week is..
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Title: Going Vintage
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Expected Publication: March 16, 2013
Goodreads Description:
When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow. Lindsey Leavitt perfectly pairs heartfelt family moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and a little bit of romance in this delightful contemporary novel.
What is your WoW post? Thoughts on this book?
Know Me Better (3)
What is your favorite word?
Love.
What words or expression do you overuse?
Duh.
If you were on Death Row what would your last meal be?
Cube steak, rice and gravy, macaroni and cheese with my daddy's homemade biscuits!
Pets?
Without a doubt! I love dogs. All dogs. Especially my two :)
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter!!!
What words do you overuse? Facebook or Twitter? Thoughts?
Review: Alice in Zombieland
Title: Alice in Zombieland
Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Pages: 404
Rating: 4 Owls
Goodreads Description:
Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.
Her father was right. The monsters are real….
To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….
I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.
My Thoughts:
First off, if you are thinking this book has anything to do with Alice in Wonderland, it does not. The story is about a young girl learning to deal with her new life after the loss of her father, mother, and little sister. Alice (known as Ali) is the "tough girl" type after she looses her family and is afraid to open up to anyone. She is starting to see the zombies, but is too afraid to tell anyone else in fear they will think she is crazy. Things change when Alice meets Kat, who does everything she can to get Alice to open up to her and be her new friend. Kat and Alice do become best friends and start to do everything together. Kat helps Alice adjust to her new life, including her new school. Then comes Cole, the total bad boy who Alice immediately has a connection with. For some reason the two cannot get enough of each other and even though they probably should, they cannot escape each other. Alice eventually learns that she is not the only one who can see zombies, but Cole and his friends can as well. They also know how to fight them and Alice is eager to learn how to fight them too.
I loved everything about Alice, Cole and Kat's characters. Alice was very hard to understand at first, but only because she was learning to cope with the loss of her family members. She eventually became very kind, friendly and funny! Her witty personality is what makes her easy to love. Cole is the bad boy, mysterious type. He does not have a lot of girls chasing after him, and the guys outside of his group cannot stand him. He is protective of Alice, but in a good way. Watching the relationship of him and Alice grow was one of my favorite things about the book. As for Kat, she is very humorous and has a strong, likable personality. She is a great friend to Alice from the start and stays by her side until the end of the book.
Overall, I loved this book. I loved the way the story played out and the way it ended (although it really surprised me)!! I won't give too much information because I do not want to have reviews that contain spoilers! I loved that the book did not leave you with a huge cliffhanger, but I am already ready to read the second book of the series. Once I reached the middle of the book I could not put it down. I love the way Showalter made the zombie story. It is different from the typical everyone sees the zombies and they are easy to get rid of. Not everyone can see these zombies, but the zombies can see and kill everyone. They are definitely harder to get rid of than typical zombies. I gave this book a four.
This, That, or Thought Thursdays
Waiting On Wednesday (3)
Author: Megan Shepherd
Title: The Madman's Daughter
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Expected Release Date: January 29, 2013
Goodreads Description:
What is your WoW post?