MIDSUMMER'S EVE GIVEAWAY HOP

Here We Go!!



In celebration of the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop I'm giving away two books by Courtney Summers-cuz I'm clever like that!
Fall For Anything & Cracked Up To Be.
To enter Mug of Moxie Giveaway:
*You must be a follower-please leave your GFC Name and contact information in comment section.
*You must be 13 years or older.
*This giveaway is open to International followers also.
*Winner will be chosen on the 25th and will have 48 hours to contact me or new winner will be chosen.
That's it! Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy!! For more hopping giveaway good times check out my fellow bloggers below!

YA+50 Cent=Novel

Things that make you go Hmmmmmm.....
Introducing the next celebrity to jump on the YA bandwagon.

Hip-hop artist Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will write a semi-autobiographical novel called Playground. The young-adult book stars “a thirteen-year-old schoolyard bully who finds redemption as he faces what he’s done.”
Penguin Group (USA)’s Razorbill imprint will release the title in January 2012. Laura Arnold will edit the book. Agency Group agent Marc Gerald brokered the deal.
The rapper (pictured, via) had this statement: “I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully. I drew on events from my own childhood and adolescence, but was excited to see the story take on its own life. This book would have been very helpful for me growing up and now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers.”
Article taken from GalleyCat

Movie Trailer:Breaking Dawn

Here we go!
One of the most anticipated movies-coming soon to a theater near you!
Found on MTV.com
Enjoy!

Tags: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

BUMPED
By Megan McCafferty
2011
323 Pages
Summary taken from inside cover:
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized embers of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen year old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody's doorstep. Up to now the twins have followed completely different 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 to short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody 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 imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more in than just DNA in common.
My thoughts:
I wanted to LOVE this book.
I'm a fan of Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series and I was really excited to read another dystopia novel(a genre I can't get enough of) by an author I think is great. Unfortunately Bumped did not meet the expectation I set up for it.
What I loved about the book:
The cover immediately caught my attention and I think it ties in perfectly to the story line. The eggs of teenagers are precious things in the future.
I loved the character Zen-Melody's best friend and possible love interest. But I would have loved to know more about him.
What I disliked about the book:
The undeveloped characters bothered me. I know that the author is probably waiting for the sequel to reveal more about the character's past but the lack of information in this book left me feeling no connection with them in this book.
The absence of Melody's parents. They were on vacation the entire book which seemed odd because of the huge life changes happening in their daughter's life. Plus I think their POV would have added to the story line and helped us understand the dystopia world that McCafferty created.
The slang was just annoying. I feel that it distracted from the story rather than enhancing it.
The ending drove me crazy. McCafferty literally leaves us hanging, making us wait for the sequel that she obviously plans to write.
Would I recommend this book to friends:
Yes I would. But I would suggest that they save their money and borrow it from the library or a friend.
Where I got it:
I bought it at Barnes and Noble. I paid full price-damn it! Heads up! I'll be giving this book away in an upcoming 4th of July Giveaway.

Trailer: Dreadfully Ever After

Check out this trailer for Dreadfully Ever After.
The conclusion to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies trilogy.
Don't forget to read my review below!

Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
2011
287 Pages
Publisher: Quirk Classics
Summary taken from Back of Book:
When we last saw Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy-at the end of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies-they were preparing for a lifetime of wedded bliss. Yet the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the only acceptable course of action is to promptly behead her husband(and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote being developed in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love-and for everyone to live happily ever after.
My thoughts:
This book promises romance, heartbreak, martial arts, cannibalism, and armies of shambling corpses. It deliveries! I have loved these books published by Quirk Classics. The first one that hooked me was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, next I read the prequel Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Now comes the exciting conclusion to the trilogy Dreadfully Ever After. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steven Hockensmith. It's the perfect recipe of genre mash up. Take a classic story(by Jane Austen) add a cup of gore, 3 tablespoons of humor, sprinkle in ninjas and an evil aunt(by genius Steven Hockensmith) and bake to 350 degrees for a yummy yet satisfying treat. The result is a perfect, magical blend of awesome story telling.
What I loved about this story:
I found myself easily caught up in the complicated relationship between the newly married Elizabeth Bennett who dearly misses the satisfaction of a good zombie kill. Alas, it is forbidden for a married woman to participate in such unladylike activities. When her husband is bitten by a dreadful she takes matters into her own hands and save him even if it includes doing unladylike things. Hilarious!
Would I recommend this book to friends:
Yes! And I would also strongly urge them to read other Quirk classics like Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Android Karenina and The Meowmorphosis.

HUNGER GAMES PARODY

Of course there are going to be spoofs of the upcoming movie "Hunger Games"
And here's one that's pretty funny. Enjoy! Found on YouTube.

Breathtaking Book Covers

Summer+Underwater= Trending Book Covers

Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Chasing Pavements by Adele

I found this amazing video last night and had to share. Enjoy!

Review-Into The Wild Nerd Yonder

INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER

2011
272 Pages
Summary Taken from Barnes and Noble website:
It’s Jessie’s sophomore year of high school. A self-professed “mathelete,” she isn’t sure where she belongs. Her two best friends have transformed themselves into punks and one of them is going after her longtime crush. Her beloved older brother will soon leave for college (and in the meantime has shaved his mohawk and started dating . . . the prom princess!)
Things are changing fast. Jessie needs new friends. And her quest is a hilarious tour through high-school clique-dom, with a surprising stop along the way—the Dungeons and Dragons crowd, who out-nerd everyone. Will hanging out with them make her a nerd, too? And could she really be crushing on a guy with too-short pants and too-white gym shoes?
If you go into the wild nerd yonder, can you ever come back?
My Thoughts:
This was a cute, quick book with a great message.
Jess is starting her sophomore year of high school. Over the summer she developed a love for sewing and audio books. Unfortunately her long time best friends are going in a different direction. Jess finds herself at a place where she can choose to be follower and keep the friends she has always had-even if it means sacrificing her new found interests. Or she can choose to hang out with a new group of people and step out of her comfort zone.
What I loved about this book:
I could very much relate to what Jess was going through. I think anyone who survived that evil thing called High School can relate to this story. We out grow friends, find new interests and sometimes have to make some tough choices of which direction we want to go. When is it time to leave the friends that aren't traveling the same path behind?
What I disliked about this book:
I can't think of anything off the top of my head.
Would I recommend this book to friends:
Yes! Especially friends with daughters! Like I said before it's a very relate able story for teens and adults.
There are a few mature themes that include oral sex and STDs which I think would give a mom and daughter an opportunity to talk about these subjects.
I will definitely be on the look out for more books by Julie Halpern.

Review-Shattering Glass

SHATTERING GLASS
By Gail Giles
2002
224 pages
Summary taken from inside cover:
When Rob, the charismatic leader of the senior class, decides to turn the sniveling class nerd into Prince Charming, his cruel challenge leads to violence and death.
My thoughts:
This story is a fast furious ride. Make sure your seat belt is fastened because it's one hair pin turn after another.I finished it at 2am because I couldn't put it down.
What I liked about the book:
This is the first line on the first page.
"Simon Glass was easy to hate. I never knew exactly why, there was too much to pick from. I guess, really, we each hated him for a different reason, but we didn't realize it until the day we killed him".
With an opener like that you know it's going to be an intense story. And it doesn't disappoint.
Also I liked the quotes given from teachers, parents, classmates and cops at the beginning of each chapter. Their point of views offered gave added suspense and insight into an already disturbing story.
What I disliked about book:
Nothing. I thought it was amazing. Read it immediately!
Author's Insight:
Gail Giles tells the following story. "As a substitute teacher, twenty five years ago, I overheard three popular girls telling a nerd he was "coming along" but would need a "seminar". They had gotten to know him in class and had decided he was too nice and smart to continue being an outsider. "Seminar" meant a trip to the mall to get his hair styled and do some clothes shopping.
That started me thinking. What if one of the girls had a darker agenda? What if the nerd had to be sacrificed in order for someone else to get power? Why would someone need power so badly? Shattering Glass grew out of these questions."
Would I recommend this book to friends:
My son actually recommended this book to me. He read it for book report.
He couldn't put it down and upon finishing it asked me to find more books by Gail Giles. If you knew how much my son hates to read you too would believe in Christmas miracles in June!

REVIEW: Fall For Anything

FALL FOR ANYTHING
By Courtney Summers
Summary taken from Barnes and Noble:
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?
My thoughts:
Why?
That is the big question that the ones left behind are left to try to answer.
So many are touched by the tragedy of suicide.
It's a tough topic that is handled well by Courtney Summers.
What I loved about this book:
Courtney Summer had created an amazing character with Eddie. She is so easy to relate to-her anger, sadness, and confusion felt so real at times it was painful to read. The rawness of Eddie's grief goes right to the heart and stays there from beginning to end. I've read quite a few mixed reviews on this book and have come to the conclusion that either you will love it or hate it. I'm not sure there is an in between.
What I didn't care for:
I think that the summary and information about Fall For Anything sets the reader up to expect a BIG twist in the story. Based on the twists and turns of other books I have read by Courtney Summers I think I was expecting the story to take a way more darker tone when the character of Culler is introduced to the story.
Although it's a great story I found myself disappointed by the BIG finish-I won't spoil anything here for people who haven't read the book. Aside from that I thought Fall For Anything was a great story.
Would I recommend this story to friends:
Absolutely! But I would warn them that there is some harsh language. And some intense moments that deal with grief.
Probably what I loved the most about this story is that we-the readers get to see Eddie as well as her mom progress through the stages of grief. We see Eddie grow, find hope and maybe peace.
Sometimes there are no answers in suicide and all we are left with are the whys. I would recommend this story to anyone-teen or adult who has dealt with suicide on any level.
Where I got it:
I bought this book at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

48HBC FINISH LINE

YA BABY!!!!
48HBC FINISH LINE!!
We are the champions my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end.....
It was this song or the Chariot's of Fire theme song.
I'm not sure which one is more appropriate.
I definitely didn't do as well as I wanted to with the challenge but I did finish two books-
Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
Both were excellent books which I'll be writing reviews for in the next day or two.
I also started Mockingjay by Susanne Collins today and made it to almost the halfway mark.
So here is my ending tally-
Total time read: 9 Hours 30 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 5 hours
Total participation time: 14 hours 30 min
Total number of books read: 2.5
Total pages read: 723
Not too bad considering all the crazy things that have been going on here, Next year I vow to start my training earlier, have a take no prisoners approach and kick my entire family out the the house for the weekend.
Thanks to Mother Reader for hosting such a super fun event! It's fun to meet and greet fellow bloggers.

GO! GO! GO!

48 HBC UPDATE
24 HOURS and counting.....
I have started Shattering Glass by Gail Giles and it's already intense. I can't wait to devote more time to it tonight now that kids are in bed and house is clean. I'm going to read for a couple of hours tonite then read as much I can before my family arrives from Boise tomorrow. Then we'll see how the rest of the day goes.
I did get the chance to visit 30 fellow bloggers that are braving the 48HBC-bringing my networking time to 4 1/2 hours. More than my reading time at this point. But it was fun to read what other people are reading and how they are pacing themselves.
Mug of Moxie Random Facts:
*No muss/No fuss reading snacks-goldfish crackers and twizzlers
*I chose to read rather than watch Paranormal with friends tonite
* I own a piano but do not know how to play it
Well, I'm off to get lost in a book-
Total time read: 3 Hours 30 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 4 hours 3o min
Total participation time: 9 hours 30 min
Total number of books read: 1
Total pages read: 250
Peace out.

48HBC UPDATE

19 HOURS INTO THE 48 HOUR BOOK CHALLENGE......
In between washing bedding, getting rooms ready for company and grocery shopping I finally finished my first book. This challenge is definately not going as smooth as I anticipated but such is life. It's easier to roll with it-right?
So, first book down-Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers-an amazing book that I can't wait to write a review for.
And I'm ready for the next-Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
I finally finished Total time read: 3 Hours
Time blogged/read blogs: 2 hours 3o min
Total participation time: 5 hours 30 min
Total number of books read: 1
Total pages read: 230
Hoping that everyone is enjoying their day and reading lots of great books!

48 HBC UPDATE-STILL KICKING

12 HOUR UPDATE
I'm still kicking and I have the picture to prove it-yes those are my chubby little toes.
Interesting facts:
*Visited 10 more blogs participating in the 48 HBC(bringing the total to 20 blogs visited)
*Discovered that word verification annoys me
*Noticed that I'm easily distracted-what's that shiny thing over there?
*Pistachios are very hard to eat while reading a book
*I'm a slow reader
Total time read: 60 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 2 hours
Total participation time: 2 hours 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 51
I'm determined to make a dent in the book I started today-Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers. So far it's really good. I just put my daughter to bed and have a quiet house. I'm hoping tomorrow won't be quite as crazy and I can get started with next book on goal list.
Happy reading!

48 HBC UPDATE

Six hour update:
After sending son off to basketball tournament picked book to start with. Started 48 HBC at approx. 8:30am Friday morning.
I'm currently reading Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
Here's my day so far:
*Sister and neighbor popped in for coffee
*Ran errands
*Had amazing fish tacos that sister made for lunch
*Cleaned bathrooms for unexpected company coming to town on Sunday
*Watching nephew while sister runs errands
So here's where I stand-with my head down in shameful pose.
Time read since last update: 30 min
Total time read: 30 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 1 hour
Total time blogged/read blogs: 1 hour
Total participation time: 1 hour 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 39
I've spent some time cheering on other participates of the 48HBC and posting this update. I'll be checking in again tonite for another update. Hopefully I'll be a little more productive with my reading!
Until then CHEERS!

READY, SET, GO!!!

48 HBC
I'm probably getting in way over my head but i have a stack of books just screaming to be read. Husband and teen are at a basketball tourny. I'm taking a quick trip to video store for some childre's DVDs for the 8 yr. old and quick stop to Corner Store for a six pack of Coke for me. I'm doing it! I'm jumping in and joining the 48HBC hosted by Mother Reader. For more information or to join the fun visit her site. Don't forget to stop back in and check on my progress. Hopefully I'll make a dent in my TBR pile.
Goal:
To read and review 4 books
*Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
*If I Stay by Gayle Forman
*Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
*By the Time You Read This, I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Time read since last update: 0
Total time read: 0
Time blogged/read blogs: 30 min
Total time blogged/read blogs: 30 min
Total participation time: 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 0
I'll be checking in every six hours to update, blog and cheer for other participants.
Good Luck!

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN
By Susan Jane Gilman
2010
320 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Summary Taken from Barnes and Noble Website:
In 1986, Susan Jane Gilman and a classmate embarked on a bold trek around the globe starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent backpackers for roughly ten minutes. Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche and Linda Goodman's Love Signs, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads—hungry, disoriented, stripped of everything familiar, and under constant government surveillance. Soon, they began to unravel—one physically, the other psychologically. As their journey became increasingly harrowing, they found themselves facing crises that Susan didn't think they'd survive. But by summoning strengths she never knew she had—and with help from unexpected friends—the two travelers found their way out of a Chinese heart of darkness.
My Thoughts:
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is one of the best books I have read this year. I bought it used from Amazon for $1.00 about a month ago after reading a great review. It's a book you will read and then want to talk about. I immediately loaned it to a friend who was traveling to Ireland knowing she would need a good book for the flight. She also loved it.
The experiences that Susan and Claire have are amazing, horrific, and hilarious. A roller coaster of emotion. I literally couldn't put the book down, sitting it on the bathroom counter to brush my teeth or fix dinner. Yes! It's that good! If you are looking for THE summertime read I recommend that you pick this one up immediately. Don't forget to drop me a line and tell me what you thought!
I plan to get another book she wrote called Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress as soon as possible.

"JUST BECAUSE" GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Samantha35

Samantha chose Flawless by Sara Shepard and A Match Made in High School by Kirstin Walker. Perfect books for Summer! Samantha has 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. A GIANT wet one right on the cheek for participating in Mug of Moxie "Just Because" Giveaway. One of the things I love about the book blogging world is finding great contests and winning awesome books. Hopefully hosting my own giveaways is paying it forward a little bit. It also frees up room on my bookshelf for new books!
Be on the look out for upcoming giveaways later this month.
"You Suck" Vampire Pkg. Giveaway
"Awesome ARCs" Pkg. Giveaway
More information on this giveaways this weekend!

SPLASH INTO SUMMER WINNER!

AND THE WINNER IS....
DEVONY
She chose The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. This is the first book in a trilogy and the perfect book to splash into summer with.
A BIG thank you to all that participated in the giveaway especially given the technical difficulties I was experiencing with Blogger. Also a Giant Air Kiss goes out to our awesome hosts I'm A Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog.
Devony has 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Also a quick note to be on the lookout for two great giveaway coming up. Mug of Moxie's "You Suck" Vampire Package Giveaway and Awesome ARCs Giveaway. More information on that later this weekend!
Have a great week!