Fail

Read-a-thon fail.  Not that I haven't been reading of course.  It's just that these stupid Night Huntress novels have sucked me in. I'm on the fourth book now and am kind of savoring it because I know the fifth book in the series doesn't come out until next year. UGH I hate waiting for books in series to come out, it's such a long torturous wait, and by the time they come out I have nearly forgotten everything that happened in the previous books.

However, I am enjoying them still, oh and I love Bones.... That is all

Halfway to the Grave

I have a not so secret, secret.  If you promise to tell everyone, then I will tell you.  Stand back, I'm going to shout it at you.  I FREAKIN' LOVED HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE!
  
 ****hardly spoilers ahead***

 Sure, the heroine was a blushing, prejudiced, unable to make up her mind about simple things, extremely annoying at times, sort of heroine but what I loved the most was that she learned, and knew her flaws.
Take this quote for example, I <3 it because she sums herself up so perfectly that I wanted to rejoice!  Hey, at least she knew how unbearable she was sometimes! So without further ado...


"I'm saying I'm a moody, insecure, narrow-minded, jealous, borderline-homicidal bitch, and I want you to promise me that you're okay with that, because it's who I am and you're what I need."





After she said this, I liked her a lot more.  Oh and Bones is probably my new favorite character even though he said "blimey" waaaayy to often.  And why were his eye brows were always in/nesting in his hairline? Did they lay eggs?  I didn't know that was actually possible.


The glowing green eyes for the vampires was an interesting concept.  However I had to chuckle every time it was described because I kept imagining Cyclops from X-men shooting green lasers out of his eyes instead of red.  In fact, I was so inspired by the image that I took the liberty of photoshopping a picture for you!

(pewpew!)

Hahahahha ok so photoshop isn't my forte' but you get the picture!

So finally, after months of searching, I've come across this gem. (although technically I've probably had this book since last year and its just been sitting on the bookshelf pleading with me to be read, but that's neither here nor there) A book I couldn't put down, couldn't stop thinking about when I wasn't reading it, and woke up at 5 am to finish.  Im in lust!  I can't say love just yet because, well, you know how some series go.  First book is amazing and the second is just eh.  So off to the book store I go!  Guess I'll be staying in the F author zone a little longer than I planned, but thats alright :D

Read-A-Thon Day 2

Oh man am I tired!  Last night I read Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.  I've got a post coming up about that so you must wait patiently for my awesome  review (ha yeah right)
Last night's challenges were:  Young Adult Books Reviewed asked which character is your favorite from the current book you're reading and why. So here we go!

Book: Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Fave Character:  BONES!
Why?:  He's tough, sly, smart, strong, sweet, AND a master vampire. Not to mention he always keeps his promises *wink wink*

 Bones' character I just always pictured looking as Franklin, from True Blood.  I don't know why


Second Challenge came from Angelique from Vampires and Tofu blog asking what our favorite bed time stories were.

Mine was The Monster At the End of the Book with Sesame Streets Grover!  I remember my dad would read the book to me and do Grover's voice and pretend like the pages were really hard to turn... I know that doesn't make sense but if you read the book you would understand!   aaaah Memories!

I didn't do the other two challenges  :( whoops!

Yawn ( that has nothing to do with the book!)

 So last night I finished up If I Stay, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Although I don't know exactly why the cover says it "will appeal to fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight".  For the romance I'd assume, maybe it's just me but I automatically assume that means the book would be about vampires.

Anywho! I noticed this book was actually published some time last year and after looking on amazon I faintly remember debating if I should read this book or not.  Back then it had the old cover will the all blue background and the white tree with a flower on it.  That cover was pretty decent but the new reprint cover they are using now is what really caught my eye.  It's a beautiful cover, I absolutely love it.  I also think it represents the book a lot better don't you?  ;)

Moving on, as I said before I really enjoyed this book.  I loved Mia's point of view on everything, and the stories of her family life and her relationship with Adam all weaving together were magical.
Mia's story is heartbreaking, joyful, and entertaining all at once, and I'll admit that I shed a few tears.  Especially when Gramps talks to her in the hospital.  God that was painful, but I loved every minute of it.  I don't really know what else to say about this book except that if you haven't read it yet, well, YOU SHOULD!
I'll leave you with a quote that sums up the whole book and the choices Mia must make.  Not to mention, it's just a really good freakin quote!

                                               "I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard."

Dusk-Till-Dawn, Day Uno!

Hello kittens!   Day one for the Dusk-Till-Dawn challenge is finally here and I'm pumped!  Tonight's task is simple, take a pic of the book you're reading and post a link to your photo on Jami's blog.

I'm starting with If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Hmm...seems Beaker's taken over my reading spot for the night...ah well!  Happy reading everyone!  :)

Dusk Till Dawn Read-A-Thon!

I've decided to participate in this years Read-A-Thon!  It runs from Aug 25- 29 and I'm sure you still have lots of time to sign up too.  Here's a link to the sign up thingy!

Here are the books I'm planning to read ( still trying to go alphabetical haha) :

1. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
2. Halfway to the Grave  by Jeaniene Frost
3. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  ( I think I might be the only person who hasn't read this book yet!  yikes! )
4. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
5. Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee

I'm exciteeeed!

Book Meme!

Ok yes, I just posted, but this book meme seemed like so much fun that I couldn't pass it up!  Plus, it will give the 1 of you ( myself probably, haha!)  out there reading my blog a little more knowledge about my book habits.  Joy for you!

I got this from Lady Tink's blog. ( Yes! A successful link! ) Enjoy

1. Favorite childhood book?

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson 

The one with all the cool pictures!

2. What are you reading right now?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

None.   I don’t like waiting for the books to come in and usually end up buying the books from the store

4. Bad book habit?

Buying books and then letting them sit for months before I read them.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

Nothing

6. Do you have an e-reader?

Yes

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

One

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

I just started the blog, so no

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown  UGH!

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

The Everafter by Amy Huntly and Soulless by Gail Carriger

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

Not very often

12. What is your reading comfort zone?

Urban fantasy, paranormal romance, sci fi, fantasy, mystery, and YA

13. Can you read on the bus?

Yes!  Its how I finished most books while on the commute to classes

14. Favorite place to read?

Couch!

15. What is your policy on book lending?

Only to my best friend, and only if it’s hardcover

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

You must be joking

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?

My heart hurts at the thought!

18. Not even with text books?

Even then!  I have a problem…

19. What is your favorite language to read in?

English

20. What makes you love a book?

Characters that become so real to me that I wonder what they’re doing when I’m not reading the book.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?

See above

22. Favorite genre?

Anything paranormal or fantasy

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)

Classics, history, and biography

24. Favorite biography?

I don’t remember the last time I read a biography

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?

Negative

26. Favorite cookbook?

Don’t really have a favorite cookbook, but I did enjoy Vegan Comfort Food.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

Haven’t read one

28. Favorite reading snack?

eh

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.

Fire by Kristin Cashore.  Everyone said it was sooooo good and then I read it and strongly disliked it.  However I did enjoy Graceling.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?

I think its 50 -50

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?

Everyone can use some constructive criticism

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?

Spanish

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?

Have not read one yet

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?

Les Misrables by Victor Hugo.  That sucker is huge!

35. Favorite Poets?

Never really got into poetry but Emily Dickenson I guess.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?

If I check books out at the library I try to keep it from 1 - 3

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?

never

38. Favorite fictional characters?

Rachel Morgan, Harry Dresden, Ron Weasly, David ( weather warden series)  aaaand Mercy Thompson

39. Favorite fictional villain?

Snape!

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?

Whatever I’m already reading

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.

I don’t like to talk about the Dark Ages

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.

Nightwalker by Jocelyn Drake, and Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

Talking and TV

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

IDK Jurassic Park I guess

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?

Pretty much all of them

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?

$60

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?

Never

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?

Boring characters, endless descriptions of eyes/hair, boring settings

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?

It is a must

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?

I keep all books, unless they are ones I hated  ( warrior and witch)  then I give them away

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?

no

52. Name a book that made you angry.

Angry because it was so stupid?  Angels and Demons

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?

Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?

Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison

Hello! and a half review

Hello! and welcome to my blog. Truth be told, I don't really know what I'm doing. I've never had a blog before so this is all new to me.

I decided to start this blog to help me get through the heap of books on my bookshelf that need to be read. You see, I have this terrible habit of compulsively buying books and then setting them on the bookshelf to collect dust. Horrible, I know.

I've been going alphabetically through my books and have finally made it to F!  However, I have of course been back to the bookstore and picked up books by authors with A, B, C, and D last names   ::sigh::

Not quite sure what will go into this blog, but I suppose it will take it's own shape soon enough  :).  I've been trying to read at least 1 book a week.

To start with, I will tell you that I started reading Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan last night.  I got to page 100 and then promptly shut the book. Wow, that was really boring.  And what's with all the songs and chants?  I admit, I skipped over those. Maybe it's just me, but I did not feel any connection to the characters.  They were boring and dull. No personalities at all!  Now, I know that this book is part of a series and maybe I should have read the books that went before....but there's like what?  20?  Ugh, if I read all those I might never get through the alphabet!   I guess I'll give the author another try once my quest is complete ;)  After all, most reviewers seem to love Feehan's series.  I hope I just read the bad book out of the bunch  ::fingers crossed!::

Next up to read:  If I stay by Gayle Forman.

( Uhhh I don't know how to put pictures in here...anyone care to enlighten me I'd be much appreciated!)