Waiting On Wednesday (54) Star Cursed (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2) by Jessica Spotswood


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: June 18, 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

Synopsis From Goodreads:
With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

I really enjoyed the alternate reality in Born Wicked. Even though the first book could have been better, I am still looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Winner! Gratitude Giveaway

I'd like to send a humongous THANK YOU to everyone who entered my Gratitude Giveaway.

And the winner is: entry # 109 Amel

Winner has been contacted and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.


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Top Ten Tuesday (15)

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Review: Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

Supergirl MixtapesSupergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Page Count: 245
Format: Hardback
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Source: Library

Synopsis From Goodreads:

In Meagan Brothers's Supergirl Mixtapes, a music-obsessed girl travels to New York City to find herself. After years of boredom in her rural South Carolina town, Maria is thrilled when her father finally allows her to visit her estranged artist mother in New York City. She’s ready for adventure, and she soon finds herself immersed in a world of rock music and busy streets, where new people and ideas lie around every concrete corner. This is the freedom she’s always longed for—and she pushes for as much as she can get, skipping school to roam the streets, visit fancy museums, and flirt with the cute clerk at a downtown record store.

But just like her beloved New York City, Maria’s life has a darker side. Behind her mother’s carefree existence are shadowy secrets, and Maria must decide just where—and with whom—her loyalty lies.


Supergirl Mixtapes has been on my tbr for quite a while, and I finally had the chance to read it, only to be really disappointed. It was just sort of blah. Nothing really stands out about it. It almost makes me sad to say that, but there you go.

Though it is never said outright, Supergirl Mixtapes is set in the mid 1990's. It features a lot of different music, and tons of talk about musical artists and lyrics, but none of it was very interesting to me. It's not the sort of music I have ever listened to or cared about. But I could have gotten past that and enjoyed the book for what is was if the story and characters had been more compelling.

The protagonist, Maria, lives with her father after her mother abandoned them years earlier. Maria has a few problems (that were totally glossed over) and her father and grandmother allow her to move to New York so she can get to know her mother. I never really connected with Maria. I couldn't relate to her or her situation, and I couldn't find it in me to feel sympathetic towards her. My main problem was that Maria had no internal thoughts or dialogue, so I had absolutely no idea what she was thinking or feeling the entire book.

I didn't really like any of the secondary characters either. Maria's mother, Victoria, was very immature, and at times I wondered who was the daughter and who was the mother here. Victoria's much younger boyfriend, Travis, was intriguing at first, and I had high hopes for him. But he turned out to be just another character that I couldn't relate to. I also found it hard to believe that everyone Maria is close to is equally enthusiastic about music.

Not much happens for the first 3/4 of the book. I kept reading thinking that surely something major would be happening soon, but it never did. Maria muddles through living in New York and having a mother who is self-absorbed. All of the action takes place in the last 1/4 of the book, and Maria gets all of the pieces to the puzzle that is her mother. The ending was a bit of a letdown to me because it lacked a clear resolution.

This story really had promise, and I would have liked it better if Maria had more of a personality that came through on the pages. Even though Maria was the narrator, the author didn't give us any motivation for the things that Maria did. Without knowing what Maria was thinking and feeling, it was difficult for me to summon any sympathy for her and her situation.

This is definitely not one of my favorite reads. Even though the book is written very well, I found the characters and storyline lacking. If this book sounds like something you might enjoy, then go ahead and read it. Hopefully you will like it more than I did.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

EasyEasy by Tammara Webber

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Page Count: 304
Format: ebook
Published by: Razorbill
Source: eARC from publisher


Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Jacqueline seems to have a knack for making the wrong choices. She followed her boyfriend to his choice of university, disregarding her preference. Then he dumped her. She chose a minor she thought she could combine with her music studies, but she's falling behind. And then, leaving a party alone one night, she is attacked. If it wasn't for the timely intervention of a stranger, she would have been raped. Now she must make a choice - give up and give in, or toughen up and fight on. Only the support of the man who is tutoring her and the allure of the guy who saved her from the attack convince her that it's worth fighting on. Will Jacqueline now have to make a choice between them too? And can she make the right decision? It's not easy . . .


I really didn't expect to like this book so much, which is why I put off reading it for so long. I was so wrong, and I am happy to say that I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoy reading contemporary stories, and this was just perfect for me. It's one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading. The story is unbelievably captivating and the characters are simply fascinating. It's been a few weeks since I read it and I'm still thinking about it. I really need to read this again just to relive all the yumminess!

The protagonist, Jacqueline, has such a wonderful personality. She was smart and funny and so outgoing. I really liked her and I thought she was such a strong character. She was easy to relate to, and her fears and insecurities felt realistic. I admired her determination to make better decisions about her life.

Lucas is just... too much. Tattooed, motorcycle riding, hot and angst filled and emotional and way too young for me, but I can still dream about him. Can't I? He was really sweet and very protective. He had a quiet intensity to him that made him swoonworthy. And did I mention that he is HOT? Okay, enough already! I loved him. And I'm not afraid to admit it. He was a great character, and I think his mother would have been very proud of the man that he had become.

Lucas gave Jacqueline tons of support, and he was always there for her. But he also gave her enough room to make her own decisions. Lucas really kept to himself and was a bit closed off and mysterious. He has a few secrets in his past, and it was hard for him to open up to Jacqueline. I won't go into details because that would spoil the story. But rest assured that he is definitely worth getting to know! Lucas and Jacqueline had so much chemistry, it just poured off the pages.

There were several dark topics in this book, and some very serious situations that the characters found themselves in. I thought everything was handled realistically and with maturity. The dialogue felt realistic. I really enjoyed the scenes between Jacqueline and her BFF, Erin.

Easy grabbed my attention from the first page and held it right to the very end. It was a real page turner and I didn't want to put it down. Easy has solid, emotional writing, wonderful characters, and covers some very important issues. It has a very satisfying ending, but I still wanted more! The writing was simply amazing. This was a terrific contemporary New Adult book. Highly recommended if you are looking for a hot and sweet romance.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

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Want to read Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout?


Want to read Opal?
Jennifer L. Armentrout has a contest going on right now!
You can win a copy of Opal and some cool swag!

All you have to do is skip on over to Jennifer L. Armentrout's website to enter!
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Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! Spend time with your loved ones and celebrate all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for.



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Waiting On Wednesday (53) Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



Expected publication: May 7, 2013 by Disney Hyperion

Synopsis From Goodreads:

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.
I love reading contemporaries! This one sounds perfect for me, and I can't wait to read it. The cover is what first grabbed my attention on Goodreads. It's so soft and pretty! I can't believe I'm posting another beach read when we haven't even reached winter yet.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Sunday Updates (15)


Inspired by features from The Sunday Post from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Sunday Summary from Book Twirps.


Received For Review (Edelweiss):
I can't wait to read this. I hope it's as cute as it sounds!


Borrowed From Library:
OMG. I just realized this is 527 pages! What? That's crazy!




In case you missed any of my posts from last week:
Top Ten Tuesday: On A Deserted Island
Waiting On Wednesday Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo
Gratitude Giveaways Hop
Review: Rockoholic by C.J. Skuse
Follow Friday

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Follow Friday (21)


Follow Friday is a weekly feature hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. It's a great way to discover new blogs and make new friends.

If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book?

This is easy! My most watched movies of all time. No matter how well I know these movies, I can't get enough of them, and I always wonder what it would be like to have more to the story. Before, during, and after.


Say Anything
To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him.
And who doesn't love Lloyd Dobler? He's amazing, and loyal, and romantic!
"The world is full of guys. Be a man. Don't be a guy."
There are so many great quotes, I could be here for days.


Serendipity
Seriously, this is like watching Lloyd Dobler all grown up!
I watch this movie at least once a year, usually around Christmastime.
There's just something about the fate and destiny in this story that I really like.


Notting Hill
Oh yeah. Hugh Grant is just... oh so very. I have no words.
Yummy? That works for me.
Julia Roberts character is a complete beyotch and totally doesn't deserve him, but whatever. I can deal with it.
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Review: Rockoholic by C.J. Skuse

RockoholicRockoholic by C.J. Skuse

Publication Date: November 1, 2012
Page Count: 358
Format: ebook
Published by: Scholastic
Source: eARC from publisher

Synopsis From Goodreads:

She's got it bad, and he ain't good -- he's in her garage?

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me..."

Gonna have to face it: Jody's addicted to Jackson Gatlin, frontman of The Regulators, and after her best bud Mac scores tickets, she's front and center at his sold-out concert. But when she gets mashed in the moshpit and bodysurfs backstage, she's got more than a mild concussion to deal with. By the next morning, the strung-out rock star is coming down in her garage. Jody -- oops -- kind of kidnapped him. By accident. With a Curly Wurly candy bar. And now he doesn't want to leave.

It's a rock-star abduction worthy of an MTV reality series...but who got punk'd?!


I have been wanting to read Rockoholic since I first came across it on Goodreads. Thankfully, it is finally being released in the U.S. and I got a chance to read it. For some reason, I really thought this was going to be funnier than it was. That's not to say that it wasn't funny at times. It was just a lot heavier and darker than I anticipated it being. But I still really loved reading it!

The protagonist, Jody, was likable enough, but not my favorite character. She was very impulsive and some of her actions were a little over the top at times, and more than once she needed help to get out of certain situations that she found herself in. I really enjoyed the early parts of Rockoholic and Jody's obsession with the lead singer of a rock group. Everything in her life revolved around The Regulators and their music. I could really relate to the angst Jody felt while attending The Regulators concert and wanting the lead singer, Jackson, to notice her. I think all teen girls have been through something similar. (My teen obsession was Roger Taylor, the drummer for Duran Duran.) You just know your favorite band member or the lead singer is going to notice YOU and pick you out of the crowd. Or they make eye contact with you and you feel a connection and SWOON! I had a good laugh reading about the concert from Jody's perspective. Then things get a little out of hand, some hijinks ensue, and Jody ends up kidnapping Jackson. Things really go downhill from there.

Jackson turns out to be a hot mess and not such a great catch. He is surly and rude and is very disrespectful to everyone, but especially to Jody. I felt very sympathetic towards Jackson once I realized that he had a drug addiction that was facilitated by his manager. I could also understand how much Jackson had come to resent the fans and the pressure he was under to perform and always be 'on'. But that didn't give him the right to treat Jody the way he did. He was just so very unappreciative of the effort that Jody put out there for him. He was really an ass and very unlikable for most of the book, but by the end Jackson redeemed himself a little bit in my eyes, and I ended up sort of liking him. The dilemma Jackson found himself in after being kidnapped was very interesting. He is burned out with the business and just wants to disappear, but doesn't know how to get away from his controlling manager. After being 'kidnapped' he is presented with an opportunity, and Jackson has a choice to make. Whatever he decides, it won't be easy.

Jody's best friend, Mac, turned out to be her saving grace more than once. Mac would do anything for Jody, and she really would have been lost without him. Mac ended up being my favorite character. He and his little sister, Cree, really added a lot of personality to the story and I enjoyed their interactions with Jody and Jackson. Mac gets a little put out by Jody's obsession with Jackson, but he turns out to be a really loyal friend.

Overall, I thought Rockoholic was really unique and imaginative. The writing was a little slow during the middle part, but then it picked up again and ended on a high note. I found the ending to be very appropriate and quite touching. I highly recommend Rockoholic to fans of music - especially if you ever obsessed over a band while you were a teen. Rockoholic is the perfect guide on how NOT to kidnap a rock star.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
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Gratitude Giveaways Hop


Announcing the Gratitude Giveaways Hop
November 15th to 25th
Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

This Giveaway is my way of saying "Thank You" to all of my awesome followers!

Win a book of your choice up to $10 USD from The Book Depository.

Entering is super easy. Just follow this blog your favorite way and enter via the rafflecopter form below.

Don't forget to visit the rest of the blogs participating in this hop (Linky is below).

Giveaway Rules:
  • The giveaway begins on November 15, 2012, and ends on November 25, 2012
  • Giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.
  • Must be 13 years of age or older to participate.
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter entry below.
  • One entry per person.
  • Please do NOT leave your email address in comments.
  • Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

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Waiting On Wednesday (52) Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



Hardcover, 256 pages
Expected publication: December 11, 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Love is awkward, Amelia should know.

From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.

This has been on my tbr forever - I've been waiting for it to finally be released in the US. I can't wait to read it.

Love and Other Perishable Items is the US version of Good Oil, which was released in Australia 2 years ago.


What are you waiting on this week?
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Top Ten Tuesday (14) On A Deserted Island


Top Ten Tuesday brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books I'd Want On A Deserted Island


1. The Ultimate Survival Guide (I'm so not the outdoorsy type, I would need this just to survive the first day. How else will I live long enough to read the rest of my books?)


2. The Complete Novels of Jane Austen


3. The Complete Works of the Bronte Sisters



4. If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman
(Totally cheating and putting two books in this spot. I can't read one without the other...)


5. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta


6. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols


7. The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
(Yes, there's only 1 book so far, but I'd have endless amounts of time to imagine my own ending to this series.)


8. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller


9. The Complete Poems by John Keats


10. The Iron Fey Boxed Set by Julie Kagawa
(This would give me something new to read.)

What books would you want on a deserted island?
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