Top Ten Tuesday - October 30, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Before I get into my top ten this week, I just wanted to let you know that I have a giveaway going on right now! You can enter to win a free book of your choice (I'm going to pick 3 different winners, and then let them choose in in order of the draw). You can enter here!

Now onto the fun!

This week`s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, has the topis:

Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines

1) Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


2) Wanderer from The Host


3) Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy


4) Elena from Women of the Otherworld


5) Hermione Granger from Harry Potter


6) Tris Prior from Divergent

(I have to say that I don`t know if I like this casting choice...)

That`s all I can really think of, and even most of these choices feel a little forced. I have been reading the same two books for what feels like forever (A Game of Thrones and Under The Dome) and they are both so long. I`m liking them both, but I`m craving a new read. I`m making myself finish at least one of them before starting something new though! I want to read all the books now!! 

Looking forward to everyone else`s lists!

100 Followers Giveaway!!!

First, let me say that I can't actually believe that I have more than 100 followers. I have been writing this blog for the better part of a year and a half, and as much as I has always hoped people would follow it, I do it because I like doing it, and if people follow, that's just a bonus!

However, since I have started getting more followers, and my stats have shown me that people might actually be READING what I'm writing, I can honestly say that it increases my enjoyment of putting this stuff out there even more. Not one of my followers do I know in real life (at least I don't think I do!) and that makes me feel even better about having you choose to read my blog! In an effort to say thank you, I'm going to be putting together a small giveaway.

I don't have a whole lot to offer right now, as we are moving this week, we are stretched pretty tight financially as far as cash flow goes. (Lawyers, and closing costs, and movers, and alllll that other great stuff that goes along with moving costs A LOT of money!!) But, I do have some older books that could definitely use a great new home.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So if you like, enter, and if you know someone else who might like these books, pass the link along! Or enter to see if you can win and then give a book as a Christmas gift! Books are the sexiest gift, new or used!

Thanks for entering and being a fan of my blog. I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart appreciate it.

Also, I wanted to say a special thanks to Parajunkee, Alison Can Read, and the girls at The Broke and The Bookish for hosting their weekly memes, as without those I never would have reached my first blogging milestone.

Feature & Follow Friday October 26/12

This weeks features are:

and

This week's question is:

Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.

A: This week I'm in a huge hurry, but I wanted to participate anyway (I'll hop around later) but, I have two big pet peeves when it comes to reading. One is when characters immediately fall in love. It's not because it's not necessarily possible it's just that in most books its not written that well. Veronica Roth actually has a great post on her site about it here.

Two, Missing parents syndrome. I'm sorry, but some of the things 15 and 16 year olds are up to in some books, almost any parent would be like "hold the hell up". A book thats bad for that that comes to mind is '13 Little Blue Envelopes'.

That's all I have time for right now! Sorry for the rush, have a great weekend!

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Goodreads Summary: Who is the real McLean? 

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out. 

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.
Why I Read This Book: Sarah Dessen is an author who I kept meaning to read, but she always got pushed to the bottom of my list. Someone lent this book to me, so it managed to make its way to the top of the pile, and I read it.

Review: I thought this was a great book. Dessen writes about relationships (both romantic, friendship, and parental) with a genuine feel. This book had mostly likable characters, but they had some moments where they had to make some tough decisions which showed all sides of their personalities. Great character development. As for the story itself, it was pretty enjoyable, although I have herad from huge Dessen fans that this wasn't here best story. Overall, I really enjoyed it, and in the future, I won't put off picking up her books like I have been.

The one thing I didn't like about the book is near the end there is some much "metaphorical wisedom". McLean "realizes" so much, and strings all the events from the story into one neat little "life lessons" package, which I thought was a little annoying. As the reader, all the conclusions that Dessen wrote down were things I had already connected, so reading it was kind of redundant.

Rating:

Because I Have a Short Dog Too

Top Ten Tuesday - October 23rd 2012

Hello Everyone!

Another Tuesday is here, therefore another Top Ten Tuesday post is too! This week's list is:

Top Ten Books To Get In The Halloween Spirit

I'm not sure I'll actually be able to get a full 10 on this list using only books I have read, so I might pick some books that I think seem like they would get one in the Halloween spirit! So, here goes:

Books I have Actually Read

1) The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

These books have all kinds of creatures that go bump in the night, so they are perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit!

2) The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

The town of Fell's Church seems like it is in permanent Halloween status!

3) Sweet Valley Halloween Books

These books were everything to me growing up, and since I thought the genie costume on the front of the 'Kids' edition was THE BEST costume ever, it would feel wrong not to include these.

That's about all I can think of for books I have read. I'm not going to include paranormal books just because they are paranormal. I only picked ones that really have that Halloween feel. So, some from my TBR list that seem like they also might are:

4) The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Creepiest sounding title anyway! 

5) Feed by Mira Grant

Nothing else from paranormal feels as Halloween to me as zombies!

6) Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendra Blake

Again, just sounds creepy!

7) Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

The cover for me is pretty Halloween

8) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michell Hodkin

This books sounds pretty stange and creepy

9) Hannibal Lecter Series by Thomas Harris

If these books are not the most frightening thing ever (I saw glimpses of the movie) I don't know what is!

10) Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Seems creepy on a relatively endearing level

The Host - Stephenie Meyer

Goodreads Summary: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
Why I Read This Book: I don't remember when or where I first heard of this book, but I thought it sounded interesting, so I got it from the library.

Review: I really liked this book. It was exciting, and captivating, and overall a great book. The story is unlike anything I have ever read so far (not to claim there isn't others like it, I just haven't read them) so it was great to read something different to me and really enjoy it. I loved the relationships in the book, and found myself having a lot of the same feelings as many characters. I was conflicted when they were, stressed when they were, and happy/scared/worried/etc when they were to. It was well written, and I thought it was fantastic. I have read the Twilight books as well by Meyer, and although I enjoyed them, this book is so much better. I know that they are filming a movie about this, and I can't wait to see it. I have heard rumors about there being a sequel to this book too, which I'm not sure about my opinion on. I think this book could easily stand on its own, but it is always nice to know what the author decides to do with the characters. Either way, this book is great, I recommend you go read it!

Rating: