Books From The Month!

This is a new meme that I'm going to start doing this at the end of the month.
I'll keep track of all the books I read in the month and I'll make a video of all the ones I like and didn't. Either a vlog or just a regular video.

I decided to do this because I don't get a chance to review every book that I read. Then sometimes I don't post reviews for a few months. (so it's on the release date if it's an ARC). I also think this will just end up being something fun to do!

Next month will be the first official one. I just put a bunch of books that I like and have read recently in a video. Since I didn't keep track of all the books that i read this month.

If anyone wants to do this on they're blog let me know! I think this could be a fun meme to do every month. I'll try and make a banner for it soon. :)

--Danielle

Blog Hop!

Blog Hop Question: "What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

Well like Jennifer (from crazy-for-books) I would love to have a library. It would be amazing to have enough books to make a library.

If your here on the Blog Hop leave a comment so I can hop back.

ALSO don't forget to check out my giveaway for an ARC of the Replacement here!

YA Novel Discovery Contest

(This information is copied from an emial sent to me,)

No query? No pitch? No problem!

Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its second Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents!

If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel using the form below.

GREAT PRIZES

The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop.

The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at Candlewick, Scholastic, Harlequin, MacMillan, Viking, Roaring Brook Press, and Sourcebooks and receive a one-year subscription to The Writer magazine.

The First 100 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. (Shipped only to addresses in US and Canada.)

JUDGING

YA literary agent Regina Brooks and a select group of readers will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by Nancy Mercado, Executive Editor at Roaring Brooks Press (MacMillan); Nicole Raymond, Editor at Candlewick; Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Arthur Levine Books (Scholastic); Leila Sales, Editor at Viking (Penguin); Evette Porter, Editor at Harlequin; and Leah Hultenschmidt, Executive Editor at Sourcebooks. These judges will whittle the top 20 down to five, and each of the five winners will be provided commentary on their submissions.

NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo

In honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org)—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1 until 11:59pm (ET), November 30, 2010.

IT IS EASY TO ENTER!

The contest is open to writers 18 years of age or older. Entrants will be judged solely on the title and the first 250 words of their YA novel—no additional material will be accepted. For an inside look at what the judges will be looking for, participants can refer to Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. There is no minimum word count for the submission. Only online entries will be accepted. And only one submission per person.

I thought some of you might be intrested in this contest! Here's the link to the website page http://www.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/YAPitch.php

--Danielle

Halloween Giveaway!

I didn't get any books this week but I'm giving someone a book!

In the spirit of Halloween I'm going to give away a spooky ARC.....

All you have to do to enter is fill out this form! 

*It has been used before so it cover is worn out, it is only an ARC. That don't last forever and I decided to give it away so someone else can have the chance to read it too.

*The contest closes on November 1st

--Danielle

Halo (Review)

**Just relized that this review was messed up! (the beginning was at the end...) Sorry, I would have fixed it earlier but my computer was getting fixed.
Halo

By: Alexandra Adornetto

Publisher/Publication Date: Feiwel & Friends (August 31, 2010)

First in Series

Summary: Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Review: Halo is so different from most of the angel series that are out now, like Hush Hush and Fallen. They both take more of a dark side to angels. Halo changed up this pattern drastically with its guardian angels and love story. And that’s what Halo was a love story, a stunning and incredible love story.

One my favorite kind of books to read, (maybe my overall favorite) are love stories. The romance between Bethany and Xavier was perfect, and that’s the only way I can think to describe it. You have the instant attraction and maybe even love at first sight. As the book progressed Bethany tried to fight her feelings, because Angels can’t fall in love with humans. It’s not part of the plan to keep the town safe.

If you don’t like romance stories you probably won’t like most of Halo. I hate to say this, but it’s true. As much I would love to tell everyone to go read Halo NOW. I know not everyone is going to fall in love with it like I did. The first three fourths is the romance and foreshadowing (lots and lots of small foreshadowing). It focuses on Bethany and Xavier creating a relationship. It doesn’t just pop out of nowhere which is one of the reasons I loved it so much. It makes the story so much more believable. If you looking for an intense paranormal book with romance thrown in you might want to look somewhere else.

BUT if you do love a great romance story (Ex. Sarah Dessen), read this. You won’t regret it. Alexandra Adornetto has created the cutest couple in history. I would really like my own Xavier (he is so sweet and amazing). I’m going to stop my gushing here, and let you start reading Halo.

--Danielle

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is host by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

I'm a HUGE fan of Maria V. Snyder. Inside Out was one of my favorites by her. I can't wait to read this one, it comes out March 2011, so far away!
If you haven't read Indise Out yet you really should! Click here to see my review.
 
Here's the summary (for Outside In): ****Spoiler for Outside In****
 
Me?? A Leader??



Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion-between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again-while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

Isn't the cover really pretty too?

--Danielle

Halloween Header!

I LOVE Halloween! It's so much fun to dress up as someone else. PLUS free candy! I have the biggest sweet tooth EVER. (I just don't like chocolate to much...)

To celebrate this amazing holiday I thought I would change my header and background. The header worked out, and I actually like how it turned out. All I did was take my original header and edit it on picnik.com LOOOVE that site. If you haven't tried it out yet, you should! I edit all my photos over there. I also made my original header there.

I was going to change my background too, but then I remembered that my blog isn't centered. So I can't use the regular background. That's what happens when I try and make my own blog. (Well I took a bunch of different things from different places) *All their links are somewhere on this page, I didn't steal them**

Anyway Happy Halloween, maybe I'll have a giveaway with a *spooky* book. (Hint: Maybe an ARC of The Replacement...) So make sure to check back for that in a few days!

Anyone getting dressed up for Halloween? If so what are you being? I need some ideas!

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (22)

Sorry I've been missing the past few days I've been really sick BUT I'm back and feeling so much better!



I'm really excited that I get to review this. I love to cook, I use to watch the Food Network ALL the time. I can't wait to make some of these recipes they look so good. I'm not 100 percent sure how to review a cook book but I'll figure it out.


Here's the goodreads summary: This seventh volume in Susie Fishbein's bestselling Kosher by Design cookbook series brings cooking wisdom and party planning guidance to a new generation of at-home entertainers. Featuring recipes that are fun, diverse, healthful, requiring no special equipment and easy to make, this is the perfect cookbook for even the simplest kitchen.Susie says, "This is a cookbook that's been years in the making as I've considered how to make home cooked meals an exciting alternative to the fast food culture. Now anyone from teens and up can savor the delicious rewards of foods you'll make that'll have your family and friends clamoring for more! "100 delectable brand new recipesOver 100 full color photosOver 240 pagesHealthy ingredients for delicious dining inComprehensive cross-reference indexInspiring youth-oriented entertaining ideas: The Big Game Baseball Theme Party, Board Game Night, Arts and Crafts Party, Backyard Bash

This isn't a book, but on Friday I got the DVD of How To Train Your Dragon. 

This is one of my favorite movie. I got to see it in Imax 3D and it was EPIC. I'm mentioning this because it's based on the book How To Train Your Dragon, which I really want to read now.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, I would HIGHLY suggest getting it.



Thats all I got this week. What did you get?

--Danielle

Sarah Dessen's NEW book!

I didn't do a WoW again yesterday....BUT I'm here to show you a new book by an AMAZING author. If your a fan of Sarah Dessen you probably already know this but I'm going to tell you again anyway.

Sarah Dessen's new book has been announced WHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! (can't you tell)

Cool cover right? I love it, but I love all her books and covers. Here's the short summary on Goodreads:

What Happened to Goodbye is about a high school senior who, after her parents’ divorce, has taken up the practice of assuming a new identity in each of the four towns she’s lived in.

It's really short but sounds incredible! Can't wait till May 10th to read it.

Are you a Sarah Dessen fan? (if not you should be!) If you are whats your favorite Sarah Dessen book?

I have three (because I can't choose which one I like the best) This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever and Just Listen (This was the first Sarah Dessen book that I read).  

--Danielle

Amazing E-book

Something I’ve always secretly wanted? (An e-reader.) Shhhh don’t tell anyone! I don’t want the pro-paper books people to come after me. They just look so pretty and I can’t drive yet so I would be able to buy books with out waiting for them in the mail.

I recently found an amazing e-reader while on youtube. You have to see this!



It looks amazing. I love that you can write on the book pages, because that might be something that I do on my books….sometimes… I know it’s not a good thing to do.

I also love that there’s a dictionary on it. Sadly it’s 300 dollars, so I probably won’t be getting that anytime soon. Plus it’s not even out in the US yet and has no release date yet. It is out in France and some other counties. Hopefully it will be coming to the US soon.

Now I have a question for you! (if you have an ebook) Which one do you think would be the best to get?

In My Mailbox (21)

Heyy everyone! How has your week been? I got some awesome books this week that I can't wait to read! Lets start with the review book....

For Review:

I haven't read Before I Fall yet but I borrowed it from my cousin. Delirium sounds REALLY good. I can't wait to read it! I'll probably try and resit for awhile since it doesn't come out till February.



Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.



From the Library:



Freshman year at Harvard--glamorous parties, blossoming friendships, steamy romances, and scandalous secrets. Skip the campus tour and get right to the good stuff: classes are for scoping guys (and their Facebook profiles), not taking notes. The library is for study dates (the medieval history stacks get a lot of action), not studying. And success is a 4.0 GPA... plus getting into the most exclusive parties. How will Callie--a California girl with brains, beauty, and big dreams--and her three roommates survive?
Get admitted to The Ivy, the first book in a provocative new series about the world of the Ivy League.



I've been wanting to read Shadow Hills for so long I'm so glad I finally picked it up!



Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.


After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.


But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

Won:





Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…
Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

What did you get this week?

 

--Danielle

P.S. IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren. Today is her 100th IMM, she is amazing and the best book blogger ever! :)

Being Jamie Baker by: Kelly Oram

I didn't get to do a WoW this week so I thought I would post about a book that I'm looking forward to reading. (that's already being sold, so it wouldn't have worked as a WoW anyway)

The cover is really interesting and different. I like it. I'm also in love with the trailer and you should watch it!

I usually don't like book trailers but this one is different and captured my attention.

You should also know that the author is giving about 4 signed copies! Just go here for more information!

--Danielle

Private Series by Kate Brain

Private Series

By: Kate Brain
Summary: (To the first book in the series) Tradition, Honor, Excellence...and secrets so dark they're almost invisible


Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan wins a scholarship to Easton Academy -- the golden ticket away from her pill-popping mother and run-of-the-mill suburban life. But when she arrives on the beautiful, tradition-steeped campus of Easton, everyone is just a bit more sophisticated, a bit more gorgeous, and a lot wealthier than she ever thought possible. Reed realizes that even though she has been accepted to Easton, Easton has not accepted her. She feels like she's on the outside, looking in.


Until she meets the Billings Girls.


They are the most beautiful, intelligent, and intensely confident girls on campus. And they know it. They hold all the power in a world where power is fleeting but means everything. Reed vows to do whatever it takes to be accepted into their inner circle.


Reed uses every part of herself -- the good, the bad, the beautiful -- to get closer to the Billings Girls. She quickly discovers that inside their secret parties and mountains of attitude, hanging in their designer clothing-packed closets the Billings Girls have skeletons. And they'll do anything to keep their secrets private.

Thoughts: I was about to start writing a review on the newest book in the Private series, Vanished. Then I realized it would be impossible to do because it would give away way to many spoilers, so I decided to write a review on the whole series. It starts out with book one, Private that came out in July 2006. Since then a new book has came out every few months, the newest one being Vanished which just came out in August.

The books are filled with romance, drama, and mystery. Each book is kept me hanging on every word, and every book also left be hanging at the end. It’s a never-ending cycle. Pick up the book, don’t put it down until it’s finished and then wait not-so –patiently for the next in the series. I love seeing Reed grow throughout the series, it’s also really nice to get to be with these characters for so long. I’ve grown to love them and I hope Kate Brain is nowhere near ending it.

If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, boarding schools, and romance. This series is for you. It’s a mix of Gossip Girl and …well I’m not sure. Private is in it’s own category, and I think it’s starting to take a fantasy twist. The newst prequel is called “Book of Spells” and it’s about witches. I can’t wait to see where that leads.
In conclusion of my rambling, GO READ Private! You won’t regret it, I promise.
--Danielle

p.s. I didn’t have time to proof read this cause I really wanted to post something, I just got back from my homecoming game and I have a band competition tomorrow. It's going to be a loooong weekend. I hope there isn’t to many mistakes. If there is I’ll fix them later. Sorry.

Teaser Tuesday: and news

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm currently reading: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Here's my teaser:

"Now, can we please start planning this trip, preferably sometime before it ends?"

Frankie tosses me a purple gel pen and lined paper from her desk. As I work on our packing lists, she paces the room shouting potential items, sweeping back and forth with her video camera. One of her aunts gave it to her after Matt died to "take her mind off things" and she hasn't put it down since. i think she's afraid of missing something important - or not being able to remember it later when it matters.
pg.26

I haven't actually started this book yet but I've heard great things and cant wait to read it. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have up a review of Wondrous Strange, or Halo. I've recently finished both.

ALSO
I just want to remind you to enter some questions for Julie Kagawa (more information in the post below) I got a few in emails, and they also asked if they were going to get credit for there questions. OF COURSE! I"m planning on posting the questions like this...

"How did you come up with the idea for the Iron Fey series?" -(Question by Marissa from Through the Radio)

Go submit a question!

--Danielle

Submit Interview Questions for Julie Kagawa!

Remember when I told you guys I would try and do something awesome to celebrate my 6 months of blogging? Well I didn’t forget and I’m really excited for what I have planned!

Do you like the Iron Fae Series by Julie Kagawa? Do you have questions you would like to ask her?

I emailed Julie Kagawa a little while ago asking if she would like to do an interview and she agreed! You may have noticed that I’ve never had an author interview before, and that’s because I don’t know what to ask. So instead of me coming up with questions I thought I would let my readers submit them.

All you have to do is leave a comment below with the question(s) you would like to ask. It’s that simple! At the moment there is no time limit, I’ll just close it when I get enough responses. (If I get to many I won't be able to use them all)

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

--Danielle

P.S. If for some reason you don’t want to put your question in the comments you can email me at withabook@gmail.com.

Clockwork Angel - Review

Clockwork Angel

By Cassandra Clare
Amazon
My Copy: Hardcover (bought)
Summary: When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.


Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review: When I found out there was going to be a prequel to Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, I couldn’t wait. I marked it down on the calendar and went to the bookstore the day it came out. Clockwork Angel didn’t disappoint, it was full of everything we know and love from Cassandra Clare. Well developed characters, amazing writing, and a great setting and of course an addicting plot.

Tessa came to London to live with her brother. She wasn’t expecting to get aught up in the mysterious world of Shadowhunters. Where she meets Will and Jem, Will reminded me of Jace from the Mortal Instruments Series. Both of them are confident and sarcastic. Jem is Will’s best friend and both of them have feelings for Tessa. I can’t help but think of the love triangle between Clary, Jace and Simon. Only this time I love both guys.

The plot of Clockwork Angel kept me on my toes, I just flew through the pages and not able to put the book down. Whether you’ve read the Mortal Instruments or not, you should pick up Clockwork Angel. (and if you haven’t read Mortal Instruments Series, you SHOULD!)