That's it for me this week! What did you get in your cart?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
In My Cart (1)
That's it for me this week! What did you get in your cart?
Friday, April 27, 2012
Author Interview: April Henry author of The Night She Disappeared
April Henry grew up in a small Oregon town. When she was 12, she sent Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a short story about a frog named Herman who loved peanut butter. Dahl later helped it get published. She now writes mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults. Her 2012 books are The Night She Disappeared and Eyes of Justice (with Lis Wiehl).
Q: Describe Girl Stolen in 3 words.
A: Scary, reality-based
Q: If you could retitle Girl Stolen, what would you name it and why?
A: It was originally called Shadows Walking Backward.When you read it, you'll see why.
Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date?
A: Publishing 13 books and having my daughter.
Q: What are your 3 biggest fears?
A: 1. Heights
2. Deep ocean waters
3. Death
Q: Do you plan on writing more novels for readers to enjoy?
A: Finish Her Off comes out in 2013
Q: What authors have inspired you?
A: Suzanne Collins, Susan Beth Pfeffer, and Ilsa Black.
Thanks so much for stopping by April!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian
Publication Date: April 1, 2012
Publisher: Push (Scholastic)
Format: ARC
Pages: 332
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.
It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.
This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.
My review: I had heard alot of people calling this teeny bopperish so I was kind of nervous because I don't read a lot of really really girly stuff. This wasn't teeny bopperish to me and I am here to explain my point.
First, the characters. I loved every girl that was in this novel. I also really liked how they all had their own personalities throughout the entire novel. I really liked that they didn't all blend together like I figured they would do. I can't go into each and every girl so that's what I'm giving you to work with.
Next, the plot. So, this takes place at your average high school. But, there's a twist. Every year a list is published by a student or students (noone knows the truth). This list lists the ugliest girl and the prettiest girl from each grade 9 through 12. We follow the 8 girls struggle and how they deal with this. 8 girls mean a lot of POV'S. That was the major downfall in this book for me. I had to keep checking to make sure I was associating the right girl with the right year and ugly or pretty.
Overall, this was a great read. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a light, quick, fun read. It's a very very very quick read. The List was a compelling debut and I am happy to review it here on Tay's Book Corner.
4/5
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday (6)
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!
What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Expected Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Harper
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…Why I can't wait: I have heard alot of people saying that this was like Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. I started that book a while ago but couldn't get into it so I put it down and now I'm kind of nervous about this. This sounds really cool with the whole 2 souls deal and I love the simple yet really pretty cover.
For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.
What book are you waiting on?
Monday, April 23, 2012
Review: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Amulet (Abrams)
Format: ARC
Pages: 299
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.My Review: Ok, well I don't think this will be a review but more than likely a rant! When I would pick up this book to read it, I would get all excited and I was thinking "What's gonna happen now!?" This is definitely an awesome read.
First, the characters. Chloe Camden is our main protagonist. She's always been the talkative best friend who could cheer you up no matter what situation. She's always cheery and making you laugh. So basically, she's just a positive person. Duncan is the guy that Chloe meets when her JISP project has to be changed and she starts working at the school's radio station, KDRS 88.8 The Edge. He was that loyal guy friend that knew how to fix things. He grew up with a mom that was never there for him.
Next, the plot. We follow 16 or 17 year old Chloe Camden. While working at a local restaurant, Dos Hermanas, Chloe's best friend, Brie, totally disses her. Then, A. Lungren, her new counselor, tells her she has to change her JISP project to something else. She then plants herself at the school's radio station. She goes through quite alot during this time period.
Overall, Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe was a very amazing read! It was probably the best debut I've read so far this year. I can't wait to Shelley to write more. P.S. The writing style just sucks you in as soon as you start so be warned.
5/5
Saturday, April 21, 2012
IMM (11)
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.
For Review:
My Friends are Dead People by Tony Ortiz (Thanks Tony)
That's it for me this week! What'd you get in your mailbox?
Leave me a link!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Review: Girl Stolen by April Henry
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Publisher: Macmillan
Format: Paperback
Source: Author
Pages: 213
Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.My Review: Girl Stolen is definitely a quick read being only about 200 pages. Trust me, when you start this you had better devote your time to reading this and not have anything else planned. It was a gripping read and I could not stop myself from devouring it.
Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her.
How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?
First, the characters. Cheyenne is our main protagonist. She was obviously, blind. I was expecting her to be whiny and wanting pity but no, she wanted pity for her advantage. Cheyenne was a very unique character not just because she was blind but because of her attitude and personality. She didn't let being blind keep her from doing what she wanted. Griffin was also a very good character. He was sweet but wanted to help, I don't want to give away too many details about Griffin as I could basically give away the whole book.
Next, the plot. So, we follow Cheyenne Wilder, 16 year old girl, not an average girl, a blind girl. When she develops pneumonia, her step mom takes her to the pharmacy to get the medicine she needs. Cheyenne begs to stay in the car but little did she know, getting to stay in the car would result in an accidental kidnapping.
Overall I thought this book was definitely a page turning mystery! I loved everything about it and I can't wait to read Henry's other novel that was just released, The Night She Disappeared.
5/5
Waiting on Wednesday (5)
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!
Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Expected Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.Do I need to say anything else other than OMG!? This cover is beautiful and I have heard Kathleen's writing style is also beautiful. I will probably pick this up as soon as it comes out and devote my weekend to it. Even if I don't like it, well I think I will haha.
Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.
Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.
Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Review: Fair Coin by E.C. Myers
Publication: March 6, 2012
Publisher: PYR (Prometheus)
Format: Finished Copy
Pages: 250
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.My Review: Going into this novel, well let's just say I expected something totally different than what I got. Fair Coin was a gripping sci-fi novel and I am very glad I was able to experience it.
Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.
The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.
First, the characters. Ephraim was an interesting protagonist. He was still in high school. I loved his personality and how he was a kind of relaxed kick butt character. Did that make any sense? Ok, well anyway, I liked how he tried to protect his friends but sometimes it could get annoying. I felt like he repeated something like his every two pages, "I couldn't let anyone else die." Do you see how that could get annoying? Nathan was an okay sidekick/friend. I thought that later in the book, he was kind of messed up. I got confused with the whole "analog" thing alot.
Next, the plot. We follow Ephraim Scott. He gets home from school one day and finds his alcoholic mother on the brink of death. We then follow him through his adventures with a coin he finds. It wasn't your average quarter. It was a quarter but the head was backwards on it. Ephraim would make a wish flip the coin and his wish would either come true in a good way or come through in a bad way.
Overall Fair Coin was a compelling novel. I didn't want to put it down. For a debut, it was pretty good and I can't wait to get to read more of Myers's novels.
3.5/5
Saturday, April 14, 2012
IMM (9)
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! I had a pretty good week in books this week. I didn't buy any which is really good. Haha. Even though I only got 3 books this week, they all look SO amazing! P.S. Blogger is all jacked up when I am typing up posts. Is it the same way for yall?
FOR REVIEW:
Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher (Thanks Rachel!)
The List by Siobhan Vivian (Thanks Scholastic)
That's it for me this week!
WHAT DID YOU GET IN YOUR MAILBOX?
Leave me a link and I'll check it out!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Publication Date: November 21, 2011
Publisher: RazorBill
Format: Hardback
Source: borrowed from friend
Pages: 358
It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.My Review: It took me no time at all to finish this book. It's almost 400 pages but I started it on a Sunday night and finished it Tuesday morning. This probably won't happen again for awhile until I get out of school. I wanted to push everything else to the side so I could finish this book. Usually when I put a book down I stop thinking about it until I pick it up later, not with this one, I'm still thinking about it.
By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.
First, the characters. First, I want to talk about Emma. She was your average high school girl. She ran track, loved to hang out with her best friend Kellan and loved to just relax at home. Josh was an okay character. I thought he was just too.....typical. He had a crush on his neighbor, Emma. I thought okay he has a crush on her. No, it constantly reminds you of that throughout the whole dang book and I found that just a little bit annoying.
Next, the plot. We follow Josh and Emma. Josh gives Emma an old CD-ROM that his family got in the mail but couldn't use since they didn't have a computer. When Emma logs onto AOL, she clicks her favorite places and discovers 'Facebook'. Neither, Josh nor Emma know what it is. Josh thinks it's just a prank being pulled and not to worry. Emma on the other hand, thinks it's real. They soon realize that even the tiniest event or choice now, can change their future, in a good or bad way.
Overall this book was amazing. The writing was breathtaking in my opinion. If it wasn't for the whole Josh loves Emma thing it would've been a heck of a lot better but in my book, it was still a five star read. I hope you guys check this book out if you haven't already. If you have, leave me your thoughts on it in the comments or a link to your review of it.
5/5
Sunday, April 8, 2012
IMM (8)
FOR REVIEW:
The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry (Thanks Abrams)
Girl Out Loud by Emily Gale (Thank you Scholastic)
WON:
P.S sorry for the bad quality pictures, they will be better next week.
That's it for me this week.
What did you get in your mailbox?
Leave me a link!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
In a Flash: Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Publication Date: February 2, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Paperback
Source: purchased
Pages: 272
No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.My Review: This novel is written in poetry so this will be a pretty quick review. This is heart warming story of a young girl who moves from Saigon to Alabama.
For all the ten years of her life, HÀ has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.
But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HÀ and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, HÀ discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family.
HA is not your typical heroine. She comes from a war filled background. This is her journey to America on a crowded ship with her mother, and 3 brothers. If I was on a ship moving someplace I knew nothing about, I would not be very happy. Ha doesn't mind though because she knows she is going someplace better where she can be free.
When she starts going to her new school in Alabama, things seem fine until kids start making fun of her for her hair and clothes. She doesn't understand why so she tells one of her older brothers. Her brother starts to teach her some moves so they'll be scared but she won't hurt them.
So, that was a really bad review but I read it about 2 or 3 weeks ago I think and I am just getting around to typing up a review. Just go check this out and see how awesome it is for yourself!
*P.S. Things have been crazy here on the blog lately but everything will resume back to normal on Sunday for In My Mailbox.
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