Review: Stay - Deb Caletti

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (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....

This book was way outside my normal genres, and I've heard a few people say they have a love/hate relationship with Deb Caletti's Book.  So as nervous as I was about starting this one I did it anyway, and I'm glad I did.  This book could have been a work of non-fiction.  The struggles we watch Clara go through to at first manage a troubled relationship with Christian, then her struggles to end things and get away.  I really connected with Clara and this story.  I felt her guild, grief, and anxiety, but I also felt her happiness, shyness and hopefulness when Finn came into the picture.  I really believe the author nailed this one as far as conveying the emotions of the story.  And I was so thankful for Finn he seemed so genuine and just what Clara needed to see that how things were with Christian wasn't how it was suppose to be.  There was a far amount of cussing in this book but I really feel this is a must read for girls 15-16 and up.  A cautionary tale or the story that might open someones eyes and help them get there way out of a bad situation.  I give this one a solid 4 stars.

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week mt teaser is from...

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

"I think she was trying to say, Forgive me.  I think she was trying to say, Someday, even this pain will be taken away.You See? No matter what everyone says, and despite everything, I know she wasn't all bad."

Review: Bumped - Megan McCafferty

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (April 26, 2011)

Then a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

Well I have to admit I was desperate to get my hands on this book, but I wasn't totally sure why.  Yeah its got a cool yet plain cover and I've seen it pop up all over the blogosphere but I wasn't sure it was something I would really like.  I am a huge paranormal fan who is only recently dipping my toes into the dystopian pool, and this book is kinda written about a touchy subject.  To my pleasant surprise though I really enjoyed it.   Separated at birth identical twins come face to face and while they appear to be total opposites they share more than just a face.  I liked how the whole idea of teen pregnancy was handled.  While some girls choose to use there body's for profits, others the "Churchys" believe that marriage and raising children is the right way.  I also think the glimpses of Melody's friends shows yet another aspect of the life style some of these girls have chosen.  I liked watching the change in both Melody and Harmony as the story progressed and I am anxiously awaiting the second book.  This book really sends both girls lives and the lives of quite a few people into upheaval.  I found myself hoping Zen would get what he wants and that Johndoe was being honest at the end.  I also couldn't help but hope that somehow Ram gets his HEA.  The only thing about this book that I had trouble with was the slang, but once I got about halfway through it didn't seem to effect me any more.  I really believe that Megan has something very special on her hands with this series she took one of today's hottest and most controversial topics and spun it into a story that will really make you stop and think about the issues at hand. I give this one 4.5 stars!

Cover Crazy (4)

Cover Crazy is a weekly mem hosted by Tawni over at The Book Worms

My pick this week is...

Entwined by Heather Dixon

I love this cover...it is just so completely and utterly beautiful! I can't wait to read this one.

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

I had a GREAT book week this week!!

all links go to goodreads =o)

Review:

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

Bite Me, Try Me, Fang Me by Parker Blue

Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi

Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

Those that Wake by Jesse Karp

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Bought:

Clarity by Kim Harrington

The Dark and Hallow Places by Carrie Ryan

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder

Outside In by Maria V Snyder

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Delerium by Lauren Oliver

Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder

Sea Glass by Maria V Snyder

Spy Glass by Maria V Snyder

Can't wait to see what was in your mailbox!!

Review: Shade - Jeri Smith Ready

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (April 5, 2011)

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.
Well, sort of.
Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.
It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.
As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

I have had Shade sitting on my TBR pile for a long time now and while I always look at it when I am looking for my next read I never grabbed it.  When I got Shift for review that was the push I needed and I'm so glad.  Shade was a terrific book with a great take on ghosts.  I think this is a series that will stand out amongst all the vampire and werewolf books we are surrounded by.  I really enjoyed Aura I felt that she was a very well developed character, and that she was very easy to connect with.   Now our love triangle wasn't your every day triangle  sexy rock star ghost or sexy Scotsmen...tough choices here.  I like that we don't have any more information on the shift than our charters, learning with them while frustrating because I just want to know is also a lot of fun, I feel like I am in on the adventure.  The only plus I see to waiting this long to read Shade was the ending wasn't so bad since there is a bit of a cliffhanger ending.  I look forward to reading Shift and hope that if you haven't picked up Shade yet that you will! I give this one 5 stars!

Friday Blog Hop (4) Follow Friday (3)

Friday Blog Hop is hosted by Jenn at Crazy-For-Books.   It is a weekend long Book Party giving bloggers a chance to get to know each other and access to new blogs that we all might enjoy! If you haven't stopped by to give the hop a look I highly suggest that you do! Also every week there is a new question posted for us at answer this weeks question is...

"Since today is April Fool's Day in the USA, what is the best prank you have ever played on someone OR that someone has played on you?"

I don't remember every really being pranked or pranking anyone all that well.  The only thing I've ever heard of was that no one showed up to the hospital when my Uncle called to say my cousin was being born (on April 1st).  Everyone thought he was trying to pull a really good prank...When actually he wasn't. 

Although my 4yr old got me yesterday...she knows I'm a freak about bugs I hate them...and one of my biggest fears is for there to be a bug in my hair (I have long thick hair so its hard to get a bug out of they get in my hair *bleh*) So she runs up to me and goes Mommy....Mommy!! There is a bug in your hair...now as I'm freaking out running for the mirror she bends over laughing going April Fools!! I almost fell over with relief then tickled her for all she was worth lol.

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee, every week we all get together to answer a question and find new blogs that we enjoy. This weeks question is

Q. WHAT IS THE BOOK THAT YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT TO LOVING??

Oh boy...this one has to be Lord of the Flies by William Golding...It was one of those books they make you read in school.  It was junior year and it wasn't "cool" to read cause you liked it.  So I had to pretend it didn't finish the book the day I got it, and I had to pretend that I didn't enjoy it when we did discussions and projects on it.  But in truth I LOVED it and I think the only person that really knew was my English teacher.

Can't wait to see everyone else's answers!!