Monday, May 31, 2010

A Journey To The Past (3)

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend, and don’t forget to enter my giveaway for The Summer of Skinny Dipping which I’ll be posting my review for tomorrow or Wednesday.




Don’t Die, My Love

By: Lurlene McDaniel

Released in 1995

Summary: Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhower have always been school sweethearts. Now both are in high school and deeply in love. Luke, a talented football player, is almost certain to receive an athletic scholarship to a top college. And no matter what her parents say, wherever Luke goes, Julie intends to follow. When Luke can't shake what he thinks is a virus, Julie persuades him to see a doctor. Luke's test results are alarming, but Julie believes their love is stronger than anything. Can love survive, now and forever?

I found this book at my local library’s book sale, where I fell in love with the summary. It looked, and sounded like a great romance to read while relaxing on the beach. And it was, but it was also so much more. I don’t want to give too much away but if you ever read any of Lurlene McDaniel’s other books you know you’ll need tissues, lots of them.

While you read ‘Don’t Die, My Love’ you’ll fall in love with Julie and Luke’s relationship, and their story. If I say anything else it will ruin the book, it's so much better to live this story through the characters and to find out the complications to their relationship as they do. This is truly really a must read and that’s all you need to know. (Just don’t forget those tissues)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Blog Hop

I had so much fun Blog hopping last Friday! Thanks to everyone from the blog hop that commented last week, you're all so sweet!

The Blog Hop is hosted by Jen at  http://www.crazy-for-books.com/.
Now I'm going to start hopping.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Iron King

The Iron King
By: Julie Kagawa
Summary: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.
 
First I want to say how much I liked the cover. I think they got Meghan just right with the straight blonde hair and blue eyes. On most book covers the characters don’t look like there described in the book. Plus it also gives a great feel for the fantasy you’ll find throughout the book.

To go along with an amazing cover is a truly great book. Julie Kagawa’s writing is fantastic. She describes everything with so much detail. It’s like your watching a movie in your head. She never puts anything in that’s not important to the story, everything is there for a reason. Like in the beginning her step-dad forgets about her birthday, and basically all about her. Later you find out it’s because of her heritage. So such a small thing in the story has a bigger meaning.There are so many stories that focus off of Midsummer Nights Dream, but the new twist on this fairy mythology with the Iron Fey was mesmerizing.

 I loved the characters in The Iron King, from Meghan to Grimalkin (the cat). Meghan is a strong female protagonist, who will do anything to save her brother. Sounds a bit like Katniss from Hunger Games right? Which is one of the last books I’ve reviewed. It’s nice to read about such determined main characters. If you don’t like the main characters how are you suppose to endure reading about them?


Then there’s Ash, the winter prince. From the beginning he reminded me of the fairy prince from Thumbellina. Who was one of my favorite fictional characters growing up. So I got attached to Ash very early in the book. Actually from the first scene he was in. While he’s cold and mysterious, he also proves to be gentle and romantic.


Then straight from Midsummer Night’s Dream you have Puck who Meghan’s only real friend in the human world. He’s also who brought her over to nevernever (the fairyland) to save her brother. He has a humorous and fun personality. Which makes the bickering and fighting between Ash and Puck fun to read.
I loved everything about this book, from the adventure, to the romance, and the fun character of Grimalkin. If you haven’t read this book yet I suggest you hurry up before the sequel comes out in August.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Vampire Academy

I thought this was pretty cool. If you follow me on Twitter (@withabok) you know I’m obsessed with this series. I also have a widget in the right sidebar. (Yea I'm team Adrian)

This is a T.V. Spot for Spirit Bound that played during the Vampire Dairies finale.



Wouldn't these books make a great TV series?

Saturday, May 22, 2010

A Journey To The Past (2)



Sweep Series

Author: Cate Tiernan
Publication Date: 2001-2003
Books in the series: 15

Summary of the first book: Book of Shadows-  Something is happening to me that I don't understand.

I see things, feel things in a new way. I can do things normal people can't do. Powerful things. Magickal things. It scares me.
I never chose to learn witchcraft. But I'm starting to wonder if witchcraft is choosing me.

I read these books for the first time two years ago, and I finished all fifteen books in one month. The books follow Morgan Rowlands and her journey to finding out she’s a witch. But in the Sweep series it’s not just hocus pocus and turning people into frogs. The witches in Sweep follow the Wiccan religion, which was extremely interesting to read about.

Even though the books are fantasy they felt so real, like everything that was happening could also happen to you. Maybe this is because the main characters still had everyday problems like best friends fighting over a guy, or maybe it’s just the authors AMAZING writing.

I promise Sweep will be different from anything you have ever read, and you will love it! Just make sure while you read you always have the next book close by, because they end in huge cliffhangers!

--Danielle

If you’ve all ready read Sweep I’d love to here what you thought!

Blog Hop!

I just found The Blog Hop (hosted by Jen at crazy For Books) and I've been having so much fun hopping around to new blogs!

If your here from the Hop leave a comment I'd love to check out your blog too!

--Danielle

Friday, May 21, 2010

Buying or Borrowing?

There’s so many different ways to read books. You could go to a bookstore like Barnes and Noble’s, or Borders, you can borrow books from a library, browse through a used bookstore, or even buy e-books.

How do you get your books? Personally I like to go to the library, why buy something when you don’t know if you’ll like it? In the library you can also find books that bookstores no longer have in stock. Sure you can find them on-line, but then you can’t flip through the pages, which is my favorite part of looking for books. I love reading little passages, or just smelling the pages.

If I find a great book in the library that I know I’ll read again, sometimes I’ll go to a bookstore or find a used copy on-line. Then if I come across an amazing first book to a series from in the library, I’ll buy the rest as they come out. Which is why most books in my bookshelves are only parts of a series. I really only own two complete ones Twilight and Uglies. Of course when people look through my bookshelves for books to borrow it makes them so frustrated. Maybe I should start actually buying the first book in a series?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

First Contest!

I’m very excited to announce my first giveaway! It’s for the AMAZING book ...



The Summer Of Skinny Dipping!


By: Amanda Howells!


Summary: Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life.


My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.

I recently finished this book and it was amazing, I’ll be posting my review the first week of June. But before you enter I want you to know it really is a great book and it has made my list of all time favorite books!


So here are rules:

1) You have to be a follower here on my blog.
2) You have to live in the US (sorry any international readers)
3) You have to fill out this form to enter
That’s it!


This contest will end on June 16th, so hurry and enter!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Hunger Games

By: Suzanne Collins
Summary: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.


Review:
I can definitely say this book is different from anything else I have ever read. I don’t read many books that take place in the future. Not because I don’t like them, I just don’t come across very many. Right now Uglies by Scott Westerfeld is the only one I can think of, and I actually thought about it a bit while reading Hunger Games. In both books the government has changed the way people live, drastically and not in good ways. Also when Katniss described the people from the Capitol I couldn’t help but think about the ‘Pretties’ in Scott Westerfeld’s world and how they changed their appearances constantly. Did anyone else catch these similarities?

Of course these are two completely books and both are extremely original. Hunger Games is very refreshing to read, so many Young Adult books are center around immortals and vampires. Suzanne Collins has a great imagination. I also love her characters, Katniss is great strong-willed main female character. She doesn’t hesitate to take her little sisters place in the games, risking her life. Peeta is loveable, and charming. He's so in love with Katniss that he would do anything to keep her safe.

Hunger Games is an amazing book with loads of adventure, and romance. No matter what you prefer to read Suzanne Collins’ writing will capture you till that last page and leave you wanting more.

Now I have one question for you? Who do you like Peeta or Gale?

--Danielle

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Questions and Answers!

I filled this out while I waited for my In My Mail Box video to load. I’m not sure who this was started by but I found in over at Always With a Book

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack:
Yup, all the time! My favorite would have to be Chex Mix.

What is your favorite drink while reading?

Iced Tea, or Hot Tea. (I don’t like coffee)

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

You should have seen my first edition of Twilight! It was highlighted in all different colors, and pages were folded down. I would take some pictures but my aunt and cousin ripped it up when they read it. So I’m definitely okay with marking a book! I just HATE when people bend it backwards and ruin the spine.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?

I use dog-ears. I don’t think I have EVER kept a bookmark for more then a week. I don’t loose them, they’re stolen by elves. The same ones that steal all my pens and pencils.

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?

FICTION!

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?

It depends on the book. Sometimes I can’t but it down untill I’m completely finished with it.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?

Well……..I might have thrown a few books…..but I don’t realize it till after I do it. Some examples are New Moon (when Edward left), Eclipse (when Bella kissed Jacob), and in City of Ashes. Actually that’s a funny story. When Clair broke up with Simon I was doing a happy dance and humming thinking she be with Jace. And then she says no to Jace, I threw the book like it was a hot potato.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?

If I can’t figure it out by the context clues I will.

What are you currently reading?

Actually I just finished The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells. (So Good). Next I’m going to read the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy, I just have to get it from the library first. So nothing at the moment

What is the last book you bought?

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine, but on Tuesday I’m going out to buy Spirit Bound. Is any one else as excited as I am?

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?

I’ll read a bunch at one time. When I have a few books lying around and I’m excited to read them all, I just can’t pick which one to read first. I know this is bad, but I can’t stop.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?

I like to read on the stairs. I don’t know why, I’m just strange. My favorite time to read is when I first wake up in the morning. On the weekends I usually wake up early but I’ll stay in bed for hours reading.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?

Series, because I’ll get to hang on to the characters for a little while longer.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?

There’s so many, but I think the number one book I recommend is City of Glass. For authors I always recommend Sarah Dessen.

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)

Oh course not. Since so many people borrow my books, most of the time it’s hard to keep different series’ together.


If you did this too put the link in the comments I would love to read it!

--Danielle

In My Mail Box (3)

I love to make videos so I made one for my In My Mail Box!
P.S. There's a typo in there. I wrote In My Mail Box (2) it should be (3) oops.
Anyway Enjoy!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

A Journey To The Past (1)


So once a week, either on Friday or Saturday I’m going to be posting A Journey To The Past! What is this? Well when most people go to the bookstore or library they look at the new releases, but what about all those other books. They deserve some love too. So once a week I’m going to write about a book that came out at least three years ago.

I’m so excited to be doing this and I’ve already have a list of books that should last me about four months.

If you have any suggestions I’d be happy to check them out! Just email me at withabook@gmail.com or just comment below.

And the first Journey To the Past -drum roll please-

Old Magic

By Marianne Curley
Publication Date- March 2002
Summary- Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing,
but Kate Warren doesn't know why.
The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm inside their classroom.

Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey — one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.

Review- THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! Period. That’s all there is too it.

I don’t own Old Magic (I wished I did), but I still check it out from the library ALL the time. I’m addicted to the characters and the story line. This book has everything I love. There’s magic, which I’ve been obsessed with for as long as I can remember. I love time period and present day books, and since the characters time travel into the past it has the best of both worlds. Then, obviously, romance but sadly there wasn’t too much of. Yet you know Jarrod and Kate are meant for each other.

So if you haven’t read this book yet, hurry and get it. They also have just republished it in December so it should be easy to find in most book stores. Then there's always your local library.

--Danielle
Has anyone read this book yet and did you love it as much as I did?

Friday, May 14, 2010

Heist Society (Quick Review)

By Ally Cater
Summary-When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre . . . to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria . . . to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own — scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.


Soon, Kat’s friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster’s priceless art collection has been stolen and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled off this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and, hopefully, just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history — and with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

Rating-3 Stars

Review-Being such a big fan of her other novels, the Gallager Girl Series. I was very excited about this one. Heist Society was filled with adventure and suspense but it lacked emotion and you never get completely sucked into the story because of it. You know so much about Kat’s life but you never really know her and what she feeling through out the book.

With that aside it definitely was a fun read, since it was about a teenage girl planning robberies, flying around the world, living in mansions, and getting waited on by butlers. Which are all things that wouldn’t happen to an average teenager (cough like me cough) in real life. I’m hoping that now that all the characters are introduced and back-story has been told, the next book in this series will be much better.

-Danielle

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Kiss of Death (Morganville Vampire Series #8)

By Rachel Caine
Summary: A new chapter in the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires saga. Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

I found this series about two years ago, and I’m so glad I did. Glass Houses, the first book in the series introduces the characters that you become extremely attached to by Kiss of Death. The main character Claire is a seventeen year old genius, who through out the series becomes so strong and brave you just can’t help wanting to be her. Plus she gets an amazing guy.

This series stands out from all the many other YA vampire novels, and series’ that are out there. In the town of Morganville, vampires rule over the humans, and it’s very hard to tell the good from the bad. So the characters always keep you guessing.

I was a bit worried about Kiss of Death. In the last book there was a happy ending and most problems were resolved. So I wasn’t sure how another plot would be thrown in. Of course I was wrong, Rachel Caine made a fantastic new plot that flowed right into the series. Kiss of Death, just like the last 7 books, kept me on the edge and in anticipation of what would happen next.

Another thing I loved about this book was it didn’t have a huge cliff hanger like most in this series had. It makes waiting for the next book bearable, and of course I’ll still buy it when it comes out. I’m so addicted to the characters it would be hard not to. I’d seriously steal Shane from Claire if I had the chance. I’m in love with him. (Sorry Claire)

If you haven’t read this series yet, you are crazy. I don’t care if you say you’re tired of all the vampire novels, these books will blow your mind!

-Danielle

P.S. Is any one else in love with any fictional characters? If you are leave a comment about it below!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

In My Mailbox (2)

These are all in E-Book form so I couldn’t take any pictures, but here are all the books I received and bought this week.
The First one is The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen
Summary:
For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:

* How to flirt

* If that cute guy you're crushing on likes you, too

* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period

* And much more

What she won't tell you? Who she is.

No one at Kayla's school knows she's the famous Oracle of Dating— the anonymous queen of dating advice. She doesn't even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make Kayla focus on everyone else's love life.

But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating—and she knows just where to find one….

*I’m actually halfway through this book and so far its pretty good, my review will be up soon.



The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Summary: 
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

*So I have not read the first book in this series yet (The Iron King) but I’ve heard so much about it and I’m excited to read this series. I’m going to go get Iron King so I can read and write a review on that one first. Then I’ll read The Iron Daughter, so I acctually know whats going on in the book.
I also received Manifest by Artist Arthur
Summary:

Krystal Bentley is an outsider at her new high school, having just moved to a small Connecticut town. Lately she's been hearing the voice of a teenage boy in her head, and he has become her friend and confidant. The only problem is, he's dead...
Ricky Watson was killed a year ago in the alley behind Krystal's new school. The rumor mill is filled with stories of Ricky and his untimely death. Unfortunately, as a ghost, Ricky is unable to investigate his own murder, so Ricky needs Krystal to find the truth and she needs someone to listen. When Krystal befriends Sasha and Jake, both outcasts at her high school, the threesome soon discover that they have more in common than their outsider status. Each has a unique paranormal ability and an unusual birthmark in the shape of an "M." Jake announces that the M must stand for misfits, and so the three form an unusual clique. They soon realize that solving Ricky's murder can help them understand the mystery behind their powers and may reveal whether there are others like them.

*This book also looks very good, and I’m excited to read it.

Also this week I bought The Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Summary:

A new chapter in the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires saga. Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

*I love this series and I’ve already finished this book, my review will be up this week.


And


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Hourglass (Evernight Series #3)

First off I’m so sorry that I haven’t posted anything in a week. I’ve wrote this review a little while ago in my notebook but I wasn’t feeling well so couldn’t get onto the computer to type it up. After this week, I’m going to start posting reviews on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’ll also do “In My Mail Box” on Saturday’s.

So now that you know my plans, here’s today’s review!

Hourglass
By: Claudia Grey


I’ve been in love with this series since Evernight came out in 2008. Claudia Grey has made a fantastic world to get lost in while you read her books.

“After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, an elite group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend--the vampire Balthazar--all her secrets threaten to come out.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas have orchestrated Balthazar's escape and are on the run, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they run, Bianca can't escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything--but can it survive what's to come?” (Summary from Houorglass)

First off, I think this cover is outstanding compared to Evernight and Startgazer. They were dull and simple. The bright pink title against the grey background looks amazing. The better the cover the more you want to read the book. So it’s important for a novel, especially a young adult novel to have a cover that draws you in. Hourglass was the first in the Evernight series to do that.


Through out the whole series I’ve found Claudia Grey’s writing to be addicting from the very start of each book. So as when I began Hourglass I thought I would get sucked right into the story, but I wasn’t. I found that beginning dragged on. It wasn’t until 3/4 through the book that I started to get hooked on the plot. Other then that the book was a good edition to the series is has everything action, Romance, mystery, adventure, and a plot twist that will keep you guessing until the next book comes out. I don’t even have a guess to what will happen with Bianca and Lucus in the next book! So I’ll be waiting eagerly for Afterlife (Evernight #4), which comes out March 2011.

Follow With A Book on Tumblr!

http://www.with-a-book.tumblr.com/

and now on instagram!
@with_a_book