A Kick Ass " YA Books" Shopping Guide

Since I joined the 2010 Reading Challenge, I realized I would be on the search for some great YA books to read.   And then like magic..I saw this tweet:

@maxiekat  Shopping for a YA booklover? Here's a great list of titles my employee Michelle put together: http://tinyurl.com/ylkq4pr

I must say this list is absolutely wonderful.  As of today, I've only read 8 of the books on this list - so now I have many to choose from to get me started in 2010...which makes me so nerdily excited!!   Nerdily is a word...right?!?!

I have copied it below and all credits go to Michelle's Minions Book Blog.

For Anyone(Michelle's Picks):
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Team Jacob:
Dark Guardians Series by Rachel Hawthorne
Need by Carrie Jones
Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Team Edward:
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

Team Angel:
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Meridian by Amber Kizer

Team Faery:
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
Wings by Aprilynn Pike

Team Witch:
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Wicked Series by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Three Witches by Paula Jolin

Team Ghost:
Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe
Dead Girl Series by Linda Joy Singleton

Team Zombie:
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Generation Dead: Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters
I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by E. Van Lowe
You Are SO Undead To Me by Stacey Jay
Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Team Human:
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen

Cute, Sweet and Magical(A perfect match):
As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

For the True Original:
Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

For the Independent Spirit (Strong Female Characters):
Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E.Lockhart
Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

For the Theater Lover:
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

For When Love Never Dies:
Immortal by Gillian Shields
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Shadowland by Alyson Noel
Raven by Alison van Diepen

Books For Guys:
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz (Book 8: Crocodile Tears JUST RELEASED!)
Candor by Pam Bachorz
Chronicles of Vladimir Todd by Heather Brewer (Three books so far)
Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Petterson
Doom Machine by Mark Teague
Gone by Michael Grant
Hunger by Michael Grant
In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith
Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Maze Runner by James Dashner
Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Night Runner by Max Turner

Scary, Scary!!
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
Bonechiller by Graham Mcnamee
Devoured by Amanda Marrone
The Devouring by Simon Holt
Soulstice by Simon Holt
Sleepless by Thomas Fahy

If you Liked The Hunger Games, Read:
Candor by Pam Bachorz
Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Maze Runner by James Dashner
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Winter's End by Jean Claude Mourlevat

If you Liked City of Bones:
Devil's Kiss by Sarwatt Chadda
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

If You Liked Wicked Lovely:
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

If You Liked A Great and Terrible Beauty:
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen

If You Liked 13 Reasons Why:
**If I Stay by Gayle Forman** (One of my favorites!)
Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
Everafter by Amy Huntley
Hold Still by Nina LaCour

If You Like Fantasy:
Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Looking Glass Wars Series by Frank Beddor
Rampant by Daina Peterfreund

On Love and Loss:
Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell
September Sisters by Jillian Cantor
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Southern Gothic Stunners:
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Ruined by Paula Morris
Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Reading Challenge 2010

 

I have decided to participate in my first Reading Challenge this year!  Hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog.

There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

I like to read both Young Adult and Chick Lit...so I will be challenging myself to the Stepping it Up Level of 50 YA novels during 2010.

Contest runs January 1 through December 31, 2010!  Join in!

10 Reasons Why I Love My Kids

I just read an article titled, "Ten Reasons I Hate My Kids" and a lot of what was said was absolutely true and the way I feel quite a bit.  My furniture and carpet are completely ruined, changing pee sheets (as well as vomit) bed sheets at 3am is a disgusting task, and not only pretending, but also have to learn about, pokemon and all things boy related is not only tiresome but also difficult for a barbie girl such as myself.  Being a single mom....I can legitimately say that there are days when I despise the whole mothering role and want my old life back.

But there is always a "BUT" to any statement......and with that being said, I have spent a lot of this Thanksgiving weekend absolutely LOVING my kids. I guess its the whole "What are you Thankful For" question that has plagued me since Wednesday, but I think I have some pretty awesome little boys.  They have A-mazing personality quirks and I adore them. 

So I have made a list of ten reasons why I heart my kids...they aren't my top reasons...just ten random reasons that I love them today  :)

1. Cooper makes an amazing Umbrella Stand

2. My boys most certainly love each other and never fight.

3. They are obviously fans of Beavis and Butthead.

 

4.  They share in my reading obsession.

5.  They will pose on high horses for a picture for Mom...even when terrified.

6. They choke each other...and its fun!

7. They can have fun with something as mundane as gym lockers.

8. They share in my love of Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies, and Zombies.

9. Caleb can appreciate a good cookie.

10.  They let me act like a kid whenever I want...and it's okay. 

You Are So UNDEAD To Me by Stacey Jay

Author: Stacey Jay
Paperback: 272 pages
Published: January 22, 2009

Synopsis from Amazon: 
Q: HOW MANY ZOMBIES DOES IT TAKE TO RUIN A SOCIAL LIFE?
A: NOT MANY.
Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you're trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it's kinda hard to score a date. Let's just say Megan's love life could use some major resuscitation. Megan's convinced her life can't get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it's up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it. 

My Opinion:
When I read the title of this book I thought, "are you kidding me?".  Then I read the description and my second thought was, "this seems a bit too YA even for me"...but I still I read it because I like Zombie books, plain and simple.  And let me tell you - I'm so glad I did!  The title and description of this book do not do it any justice!


I found this book to be just plain fun reading.  I felt 15 again, which incidentally is the main character, Megan's, age. Stacey Jay does a great job of putting you the M.C.'s shoes and you simply forget that you are, in real life, 30 years old and not really worried about making the Pom Pom squad or who your date to homecoming will be.  On top of that, I found her version of zombies refreshing; I liked how she mixed witchcraft and Latin spells as ways to contain zombie attacks.  And I was truly stumped through the book on who the evil lurker was...she gave just enough hints to not make anything obvious and to leave you dying to finish the book to find out.  If you are looking for a no-nonsense, fun read, this one is a must.  4 stars out of 5.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Hardcover: 400 pages
Published: August 1, 2009 by Scholastic Press

Synopsis:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.  Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. 

My Opinion:
Rarely does a book make me quite so emotional to evoke actual tears from my eyes, but Shiver did exactly that.  I cried from heartbreak as well as happiness.  It was just that good. More specifically, the story of Sam and Grace was beautifully written from first page to the last. At first I thought it was going to be a very slow moving book, but I quickly realized that the set up of each beginning short chapter was very important in every detail.  Sam, struggling with his fate, and Grace, never feeling like she belongs - I just wanted to scoop them both up and hug them.  I love that Stiefvater didn't keep this novel "pretty" in the details and just told it as the story should be - both heart-wrenching and sexy. I have so much I want to say, but don't want to spoil any detail.  My simple advice - go buy it...now.  5 stars out of 5 stars!

Shadowland (The Immortals Series Book 3)

Author: Allyson Noel
Hardcover: 368 pages
Published: November 17, 2009 by St. Martin's Griffin
Synopsis: 
Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever.  But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything.  Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland.   Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.  Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar.  Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past.  She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true.  But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…


My Opinion: 
Alyson Noel has officially disappointed me as a reader. After Blue Moon made me so upset that I threw down the book and cursed out loud, I had hoped that Shadowland would resolve this anger of mine, not add to it, but nonetheless, that's exactly what it has done. Ever used to be a an interesting character - naive, misguided, guilt-ridden who you felt sorry for - now after Shadowland, she is just a main character that you can't like anymore...incapable of learning from her past mistakes, pathetic in her lack of intuition or common sense, frustratingly full of herself and displaying such arrogance that one cannot help but feel she's gotten exactly what she deserves and all pity rests with those unfortunate enough to be connected to her.  Damon's character has been rewritten so much like Twilight's Edward, that I just wish he would disapear completely.  I find myself cheering for the bad guy, Roman, because its the only interesting part left of this series. Jude's character insertion was just an attempt at a love triangle that could have been much better developed, but sizzled in my opinion.

I found myself sighing through most of the book wishing I could just get done with it - up until page 240 when it finally picked up. Yes, that right - 240 pages of boring for the last 100 pages of interesting - only to be pissed off when I closed the book once again.  I really wanted to like this author and her series...first thoroughly enjoying Evermore, then feeling unsure after reading the melodrama of Blue Moon, but still willing the author to redeem herself with Shadowland. Sadly, it wasn't even close.  2.5 stars out of 5 stars.

The fourth book, Dark Flame, releases Summer 2010.

Quote of the Day

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when their right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust noone but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
 Marilyn Monroe

SENT - The Missing Book 2

Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Hardcover: 320 pages
Published: August 25, 2009 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Children's Novel: Ages: 9-12

Synopsis:
Book One of The Missing is titled, FOUND.  (This will contain spoilers).  It starts off when an airplane suddenly appears at an airport and is discovered to hold about 30 infants in infant seats but no adults and no pilot. The airport scrambles to find out what happened and deboards all of the babies to the hanger.  As the last baby is de-planed and taken to the main building, the airplane disappears and is never to be seen again.  Skip 13 years later, and the story of FOUND begins, following Jonah and his friend Chip as they discover that they were adopted, their origin on the plane, and where they really came from.  It involves time travel and a lot of futuristic concepts.



STOP THERE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ FOUND YET!!

Book 2, SENT, begins where Found left off  .Thirteen-year-olds Jonah and Chip are reeling from the news that they're both missing children from history, kidnapped from their proper time period. Before they can fully absorb this revelation, a time purist named JB zaps Chip and another boy, Alex, back to the fifteenth century, where they supposedly belong. Determined not to lose their friends, Jonah and his sister, Katherine, grab Chip's arms just as he's being sent away. The result? Jonah and Katherine also end up in the fifteenth century, where they decidedly do not belong. Chip's true identity is Edward V, king of England, and Alex is his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York. But Chip is convinced that his uncle, Richard of Gloucester, plans to kill them and seize the throne for himself. JB promises that if the kids can "fix time," he will allow them to return to the present day. But how can they possibly return home safely when history claims that Chip and Alex were murdered? In a riveting tale that climaxes on the battlefield at Bosworth, master storyteller Margaret Peterson Haddix brings readers back in time to an unforgettable moment in history and plunges them into the adventure of a lifetime. 

My Opinion:
I adore this book series.  It may be written for intermediate grade level children, but Haddix is one of my favorite children's authors.  She once again has delivered a fantastic, fun read.  She also taught a bit of history and kept it as true to reality as possible.  She made history fun which can be daunting for 10 year olds.  Jonah is a typical kid in his character; he displayes the sass of a typical 13 year boy showing protectiveness over his little sister, but still clearly annoyed by her at the same time.  This book is once again a "can't put down page turner" with cliff hanger chapter endings.  Book 3 should be amazing. A great read for the young, both literal and of mind.  Definite 4 stars for this one!

2010 Movies

Now that New Moon has arrived and I've finally seen it, I'm looking forward a few more "can't wait" movies for the first few months of the year.

First up...Percy Jackson and the Olympians!  Release Date: February 12, 2010

Second....Alice in Wonderland.  Release Date: March 5, 2010

Next up: Remember Me. Release Date: March 12, 2010

Well I guess that'll get me through the cool few months!

Quote of the Day

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." — Marilyn Monroe

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Tempted (Book 6) of House of Night Series

This covers the sixth book in the House of Night (HON) series as well as the series as a whole.

In the HON books, vampyres (spelled with a "y") are marked around the age of 16 with a blue crescent moon tattoo smack-dab in the middle of their forehead.  They do not have a choice in the matter; they are "chosen" by the Goddess Nyx and it just magically appears with no warning. Once marked, they have to grow into their vampyre status and not everyone makes it - some die.  While growing into this true vampyre state, they must be surrounded by vampyres and go to finishing school and learn the history and ways of vampyres.  In Tulsa, OK, this finishing school is called the House of Night. Newly marked vampyres are called fledglings and if they complete the change, they are given the official title of vampyre and have tattoo-runes displayed on their face/body representing their special powers/affiliations with the Earth. This series follows Zoey Redbird, a newly marked fledgling and her transition into the world of vampyres. Zoey is a descendant of the Cherokee people, who supposedly had an affiliation with the Goddess Nyx and when combined with other elements described as the books progress, you discover that Zoey is special to Nyx and may be the only hope to keep the world from falling apart. Zoey has typical teenage fledgling and vampyre friends that help her on her way and as the series progresses you learn a little more about how their fate may not be great for everyone.  Kids die, vampyres die. Battles are fought and alliances are drawn.  It's a wild ride.

I read books 1-5 during the summer and since book 5 left on a major cliffhanger, I was foaming at the mouth for Book 6.  In late October, my wait was over.

Now for a specific opinion of Tempted - Book 6  (Don't read the synopsis if you haven't read the other books yet)

Tempted: A House of Night Novel
Published: October 27, 2009
Hardcover: 336 pages
Synopsis: 
So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul?

My Opinion:
Okay, so here's the thing.  The last book left in a cliffhanger and I was yearning for some closure. The first 5 books had some good action as well.  This book lacked any closure and was void of action.  It was simply an in between book where I was stuck in 300 pages of a bad episode of the Bold and the Beautiful. What did we really learn from Tempted? A new prophecy, two new dreams and more Zoey triple boyfriend drama. A tragic ending once again left us on edge. I feel like, and I believe this is the first time I have ever said this, that PC Cast is writing these books with entirely too much detail and dialogue and not getting to the point.  As a reader, I want answers, I want action, and I want closure.  How much longer can she possibly carry this series on? I'm afraid that my interest level may be worn out and I'm just not sure my wallet will be full enough for another empty installment of the HON novels.

On a plus side, I loved the new take of writing from different character's perspectives in this book and I think that really helped me connect with them.  The series as a whole is interesting in the Goddess Nyx take on things and how it all mixes with Catholicism and ancient history.  I also like how the vampyre itself is not a violent person but someone who is one with nature and history. I give the series as a whole 3 stars, but Tempted by itself only earns 2 stars for a lack of plot. The next book is called "Burned" will be released in April 2008 and something tells me that it won't come close to ending anytime soon.

Not the best news of the week

For the last few years, the doctors have been keeping a close eye on my oldest son, Caleb. He started displaying symptoms for the genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis type 1, otherwise knows as NF1.  These symptons were cafe-au-lait spots, motor skill delay, and reoccurring headaches.  Over 2 years, his spots grew quite large and multiplied, an MRI came back showing signs for NF1, and he had some suspicious/possible lisch nodules (tumors) appear on his back - but nothing was specific enough to make an official diagnosis and it was still a just a "guess" in the doctors opinions.

In September of this year, they decided to order a DNA test to look for a mutation in the NF1 gene.  This week the test results came back - he tested positive for Neurofibromatosis type 1.  So, now its official  :'(

What is NF1, you ask?
It is supposed to be hereditary but almost half of cases documented do not have a parent with NF1. It is a chronic condition and characterized by skin pigment changes and neurofibromas. Neurofibromas are tumors composed of nervous system tissue (neuro) and fibrous tissue (fibroma). They arise from nerves and may appear in or just under the skin, near the cranium (skull), the spinal cord, or other parts of the body. These tumors are usually benign, but can sometimes put pressure on surrounding structures, causing pain or loss of function.  In children, they can also appear in the eye around the iris.  Most times, these are benign tumors, but they can be malignant. If tumors are large or malignant, they will have to be removed, but they often come back.

So what does this mean for Caleb?

Caleb is not having any major issues with it right now, but it is something he will have for the rest of his life and it means that we just keep doing what we have been doing for the last few years...optometrist appointments every 6 months to check his eyes,  genetic doctor appointment yearly to check status of progression, Neurologist doctor appointment yearly and an MRI every 2 years to check for growths in the brain, and a dermatologist appointment yearly to check for lisch nodule growths.  Until a fibroma tumor becomes a problem (and hopefully it/they never will), he will continue to live just like he always has.  He currently has 3 suspicious tumor growths on his back, but they are very small so I'm keeping a close eye on them.  He currently has over 12 cafe-au-lait spots and those continue to grow in size.  But he doesn't have pain or anything like that from them - just headaches quite often.

So, I just wanted to give everyone an update on his condition.

For more info on NF1, here's a good website: 
NF1 for kids: http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions/neurofibromatosis.html

Operation T-Day

There are 10 days until Thanksgiving. There are 10 days until the day when I will gain 5 pounds in 24 hours. 

Such a statistic leads to preparation.  I will prepare by taking on the T-Day Diet, otherwise known as Thanksgiving-Day-Diet, and try to slim down BEFORE I inhale the turkey and mash potato calorie feast.

Goal is 10 pounds in 10 days.  Yes, it is a high goal, but I have high aspirations.  The final meal has been consumed and day 1 should be easy enough since I have a root canal scheduled for 9:30. 

Here's to positive thoughts that lead to positive actions and positive results.

You're the One That I Want

My favorite musical movie of all time = Grease.  Check out what these 287 French Management Graduate students accomplished! Love it almost as much as the real movie  :)

Need by Carrie Jones

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (December 23, 2008)
320 Pages
Synopsis:  
Zara's stepfather has died, her mother isn't capable of caring for her, and she has been sent to live with her grandmother in a small remote town in Maine. When her car spins out of control, she's rescued by sexy Nick, and something might be cooking with her overachieving classmate Ian. Too bad she's being followed by someone dark and dangerous—a pixie king. This pixie is no harmless sprite: when not mated with a queen for an unspecified amount of time, Zara learns, the pixie kings will demand... young human men, who they kill after using them for their blood-hungry pleasures. Will Zara sacrifice herself to this vampire stand-in or let him destroy everything she loves?

My Opinion: 
First off - the cover is gorgeous!!  Carrie Jones had me at gold glitter.  :)  Second, from the reviews I had read, I was made to assume that if I liked Twilight, that I would like Need.  They were right!  But not because Twilight is anything like Need, but because it has some of the same elements.  Yes, Zara leaves the "warmth" of South Carolina to move to "cold" Maine but because her mom thinks its best to overcome her depression of her father dieing. Yes, she meets a handsome boy or two and people in Maine act weird.  But no, there isn't a vampire in sight and no, the supernatural do not sparkle.  I felt there were some similar tactics, but did not feel this book was "just like" Twilight.  I really liked this story.  It was fun, made me feel like a kid again and taught me a LOT about phobias. My only pet peeve was Zara's character and her reaction to everything around her. She kind of took it all too easy and given her personality, I would have expected her to take it a bit more adversely.  The other characters in the book, from the cooky grandmother to the crushing triangle of Nick and Ian, were diverse and I hoping to learn more about how they all fit together with the sequel to come out in January.  I give this book 3 out of 5 stars for letting me chillax in the cold snowy days of Maine.  (this was really hard to review without revealing spoilers! - it was a good one - check it out!)

Want more NEED?  Here's a preview of the Sequel!!

Captivate, by Carrie Jones is the sequel to Need. Captivate is scheduled to be released on January 5, 2010.

Synopsis:

Zara and her friends knew they hadn’t solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king’s needs grow deeper every day he’s stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It’s made him vulnerable. And now there’s a new king in town.  A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he’s one of the good guys. Nick isn’t buying it, though Zara isn’t as sure — despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it’s a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It’s her life — and his.

FADE by Lisa McMann

(Wake Series - Book 2)
Published: February 10th 2009 by Simon Pulse
Hardcover: 248 pages
Synopsis:  
Some Nightmares Never End. For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both. Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....


My Opinion: 
I read this book immediately following WAKE and finished it in a day.  Its an easy quick read and follows the same writing style as Wake.  I found some scenes to flow better than the first book and I appreciated the details given to Janie and Cabel's characters. This book had more action than the first and once again, kept the true reality of the high school actions of teenagers.  However, I hope that the issue presented in this book was indicative of true high school problems...eeks!  This book was a bit longer than WAKE and for good reason; we were given the inside scoop on Janie's dream catching and what awaits her future.

Despite the writing style, I've come to like the series.  I give it a 3 out of 5 stars and I look forward to the next book in the sequel, GONE, which releases in February 2010.

WAKE by Lisa McMann

Published: March 4th 2008 by Simon Pulse

Hardcover: 210 pages

Synopsis:  
Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.... 

My Opinion:
I had heard a lot of great things about this book series and was really excited to delve into it.  While I enjoyed the ideas presented in the story, I was not a fan of the writing style.  Unfortunately, the short fragmented sentences and "not-detailed-enough" scenes took over my enjoyment of the story itself.  On the positive side, I've always had interest in the meanings of dreams and love how Lisa took this story to the level of someone who views others dreams but whom sees it as a curse.  This book does not disappoint in the action or love department and gives a true account of how teenagers really do live these days.  So many young adult novels teeter on the edge of fantasy verses reality, and I was pleased to see this one represent some reality even in a paranormal genre book.

This book is more appropriate for the "younger" young adult crowd than the "older" group (such as myself).  I give it 3 out of 5 stars for the story line and character development. 

Book Opinions: Why and How?

Confession: 

I'm a readaholic. I don't leave my house without a book, secretly hoping I'll hit traffic and have an excuse to read some more. I gave up my favorite TV shows, and scour Amazon for the newest releases. I have a problem. But since I have that problem, I may as well put it to good use!

My favorite books are either YA fiction, paranormal romances at the top, or 20-something "chic-lit".  I also tend to read children's fantasy literature; as a teacher, its good to keep up with the students, but I find some of it very enjoyable. 

I have found that the more I read, I more I get story plots and characters mixed up in my mind.  When a friend asks me for a book recommendation, I get flustered and forget which ones were my favorites.  So to help me sort through all my thoughts and feelings after finishing a book, I will now be posting a short, non-technical, fun only, synopsis and "opinion". I am not a professional book blogger nor do I have aspirations to be one.

As far as a final rating system, I'll just use the same one as Goodreads.com:

1 out of 5 stars: Didn't Like It
2 out of 5 stars: It was Okay
3 out of 5 stars: I Liked It
4 out of 5 stars: Really Liked It
5 out of 5 stars: It was Amazing

I can say that if I rate it 3 out of 5 stars or higher, I recommend it be put on your "To Be Read" pile and if I give it a 5 star review - it's an absolute, don't miss it, read.

Cheers...and here's to happy reading!