Stacking The Shelves ( Christmas Haul :D)

Hi there guys\gals,
I have been wondering and searching for a replacement for IMM and I finally decided to do Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Tygna's Reviews.So I am back with a new edition :) Hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave comments to your StS.

1. The Cavenish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

2. The Giver by Louis Lowry 

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky

4.An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

5. Days of Grace by Catherine Hall

6.Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Bannash

7. Torn by Amanda Hockings

8.The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

9. A Million Suns by Beth Ravis

10. The Marked by Inara Scott
11.Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
12.Ten by Gretchen McNeil
13. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
14. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
15. Fated by Alyson Noel

What did you get this week? Have you read any of the books I got this week? Leave me a comment :)

Feature and Follow Friday( The ambivalent edition)

Hi Guys or Gals,

 This is my feature and Follow Friday and this is Hosted By Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

This weeks question is...

Q: What book do you think everyone should read? If you could gift the entire population with one book?

A:  Is this a trick question. Seriously! I would ask the entire population to just READ honestly. 

 I have a few answers for this honestly.

 The life changing book I would gift the world would be Night by Elie Wiesel because in this story it shows you how different the world was and how we are very privileged in today's modern society to not have these things because they've already happened. Also, I think that it's a coming of age story that shows us how family bonds are the strongest.

The Dystopian book I would gift the world would be The Maze Runner by James Dashner since it is my favorite Dystopian book and in this book we are shown excitement and are able to leave our lifes behind for a litte while and enjoy the story. Which,I think that everyone should be able to experience. It also shows us the value of friendship.

The Children's book that everyone has to read is of course Harry Potter and no kid should have a childhood without that because Harry Potter really taught me to use my imagination and brought me to this infinite world of books. So that's why the last books I would give would be Harry Potter.

As you can see there are 3 books I would give to the world and all for different reasons. I know I am cheating a little since the question was if you could pick 1, but I am a book lover and am ambivalent teen who will always pick more then one book when presented with a question like this. 

What was your book choice? Please leave me comments down below linking to your blog so I can see you answers :) 

Also if anyone could help to the code for the short version of writing your blog name and having the link there instead of having the long string address. I know this probably makes no sense,but if you understand can you please help me :) 

Merry Christmas :)

I just wanted to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas, A Merry Christmas. May your christmas be full of books. I personally can't wait to see my family and eat some good homemade food and joke and laugh.
I also can't wait for the new year and to read many new books and post new reviews :)

Feature & Follow Friday (What i've learned)

Hi Guys or Gals,

 This is my feature and Follow Friday and this is Hosted By Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. This weeks question is...

Q: What have you learned from book blogging that you didn't know before about the publishing industry?

A:  I've learned a lot about the publishing industry from blogging. One thing, being ARC's I'd never heard of such a thing until I found the book world and started hearing about them. I'd never really payed much attention to the publishers, but more the books that were good before book blogging. I also learned of imprints and many other things and I'm actually kinda shocked at the amazing marking these publishers do and authors as well to promote their book. While, I don't know everything I feel a sense of accomplishment that I know something and maybe some day soon I will learn even more.

Discussion: J'aime Francais :)

Bonjour, So I have choosen to take French as my foreign language class instead of spanish. I am loving it and honestly I chose it because 1.)Amy Plum 2.) I am obssesed with paris if you can't tell and 3.) me and my bestfriend always said we would take it.lol yes, one of my reasons is because of Die for Me(my favorite book ever!) So, I just took my mid-term for French today and afterwards my teacher put on some french music and when I came home I listened to the same radio station and found some really awesome songs that I really took to and they are quite frankly stuck in my head. I know this is totally un book related, but every now and then I like to do a fun little discussion post so here they are!... Please feel free to check out these songs they are amazing!

1.) Summer Paradise -Simple Plan ft. Sean Paul

2.) Phare de la lune by Mia Martina

 

Honestly, I never knew there was french music before this. Well, let me rephrase that I knew that there was french music, but didn't have intrest in it and didn't know how to find it. So I know this is only 2 songs, but there are many other amazing french songs. 

Discussion Time:

What do you think of Amy Plum's series?

What foreign language did you take in High school?

Do you want to visit France?

How do you feel about foreign scenes in YA novels?

 

Switched by Amanda Hockings

Switched

Author:Amanda Hockings
Series: Trylle Trilogy
Pages: 318
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: January 3rd,2012

Summary:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

My Review:

I have heard about Amanda Hocking for quite some time and this book looked really interesting. Unfortunately, it sat on my bookshelf for quite some time though now I feel so bad because I’ve missed out such an amazing series this long!First, Wow has anyone noticed how amazing the cover is. I really liked it, it was different, but yet amazing.

 This story really starts on a dark note with Wendy’s “mom,” who is really crazy in my opinion, but really not at the same time. I was so confused and like oh my gosh! What the heck is going on!?

Then appears Finn, *Sigh.  Yes we have another hot guy, I find in YA you never can get enough hot guys in stories and oh my gosh this story works perfect with Finn in it.

Wendy, is really clueless as to what is happening and so was I. Amanda Hocking let’s nothing slip out too early and I love that. Every time Wendy would ask certain question it would be ignored and peak your curiosity just enough to want to scream from anticipation of what is going on and why won’t they answer her. This book does not lack intensity and curiosity I give Ms. Hocking’s and A+ for that.

In this new world there are many things to be learned and like I said before this takes you to places where you don’t know what’s going to happen next. It was just that unpredictable.   Also, along Wendy’s journey in this new world she makes new bonds with new people and I love to see her opening up to these people little by little because she knows she can trust them.

I have never read a story quite like Switched. I found it interesting and touched on a subject that Ms. Hocking’s did an amazing job on. The ending was a killer and I absolutely cannot wait to get the second book because who knows what will happen. Hopefully in my case, there will be more Finn ;)

I know I say this a lot, but this time I am serious, READ THIS BOOK! The subject was amazing and the characters as well. Oh and girls if you are looking for another boy character to fan-girl over I promise Finn will melt your heart the second he enters the story.

 My Rating:

Night by Elie Wiesel

Night

Author: Elie Wiesel
Series: Standalone
Pages: 120
Publisher: Hill and Wang
Release Date: 1958

Summary:
Night A terrifying account of the Nazi death camp horror that turns a young Jewish boy into an agonized witness to the death of his family...the death of his innocence...and the death of his God. Penetrating and powerful, as personal as The Diary Of Anne Frank, Night awakens the shocking memory of evil at its absolute and carries with it the unforgettable message that this horror must never be allowed to happen again.

Review:

This book was a class assignment and I normally tend to really like Holocaust books, which made me even the more excited to read this. I think what I love the most about Holocaust books is that this actually happened and learning what these people went through really breaks my heart. Night was another one of those stories that touched my heart.

Elie is only fourteen years old when he enters the concentration camps. Wow! I am not much older than him I could not imagine doing the things he did. Elie was a powerful, brave boy, but not to brave because he knew what he couldn’t and could do. Elie was a scared boy in this point and time and reading this is so powerful it makes me scared. Honestly, if I was him I don’t know how I would have reacted. When I read Holocaust it seems so crazy and unreal and when the realization always comes back to me that this is real life it hits hard.

Elie not only is a brave and powerful boy, he really touched my heart by the simple things he did. He cared so much for his father that he was unwilling to let him go because without him, he decided he had nothing to live for. When, Elie’s dad is beaten I really feel the pain he feels; He would do anything for his father. Even, towards the end Elie did everything he could to help his father.

What Elie went through is truly amazing! He did everything he could to survive, along with taking care of his dad. In the end, I was so happy for him, but also sad at what had happened in the end because he had hardly any family left and he just didn’t know what to feel after that.

How Elie ends this story is very hollow and effective, I had to sit there a while and ask myself what the heck he meant. This is not just another Holocaust story. It is a breath taking, heartbreaking and heartwarming story about surviving and sticking together don’t matter what is to happen. This book is truly amazing; if you haven’t read it please do. This is a story that is worth reading and knowing about.

My Rating:

What's Next?

What's Next is a meme hosted by Iceybooks to helps us(bloggers) Ask our followers what we should read next because let's face it, we all have trouble choosing which books to read next. If you want to find out more about this meme click here.  This week I have a few that have been sitting on myself a while, but I haven't had time to read them and now that I have time I am not sure which one to read first. Please leave comments on your thoughts on these books and which one I should read next.




                                                    

                                          Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Summary:

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Perception by Kim Harrington
             (Clarity#2)

Summary:

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

                                                           

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Summary:

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

Have you read any of these books? Which one should I read next? Please leave me a comment on your opinions to these books and cast your vote :) 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys

Author: Maggie Stiefavter
Series: Raven Cycle
Pages: 408
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date:September 18th,2012

Summary:
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Review:

You guys I am so caught on how to start this review. While I did like some aspects there where some parts I just didn’t. While I loved Maggie’s Mercy fall series so I really wanted to like this one really disappointed.

In this book it was just so confusing. I know some people are going to read this review and disagree, but honestly, just at some points I had no clue what was going on. When the Chapters switched back in forth sometimes with no dialogue just description of what they were thinking, it got confusing and then when I realized who it was I had to re-read that part. So it got to be really annoying. Also, blue’s mom and aunt really confused me and I kept getting mixed up when they were talking sometimes.

I really hate having to write this review because of how much I loved Maggie’s writing before. :(

Now while that was what I didn’t really like about it, what I did like was the boys—Adam, Ronan, and Gansey. The only one who really annoyed me sometimes was Adam. I know that I felt really bad for him with the whole dad situation he became really aggravating wanting to get out, but not wanting to accept the help his friend wanted to give him. However, I did like Ronan. Hehe. Ronan is the typical bad boy disguised in a BMW. He and his brother often have conflicts and I like how he grows and really finds some independency to himself in the end.

Overall, I did really like the story. There were some twist and turns and I didn’t really expect them, but the characters and point of view just didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped.

      While I am disappointed, I still want to try and give this series another try. Seeing as how I did like the story line, hopefully in the next book the characters will get better and I can follow along better next time. So I can’t wait, I’ll be looking forward to the Raven Cycle #2.