2011 Challenge: YA Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Jamie at For the Love of Ya is hosting the 2011 YA Reading Challenge. She writes:

Last year I participated in the Young Adult Challenge that J. Kaye's book blog was hosting. But from what I can see J. Kaye isn't blogging anymore and I really wanted to do this challenge again. So here it is...with a wonky button to start off with...but it's here.

The Rules:

• Anyone can join.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
• Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
• No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

1. The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
2. The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
3. The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
4. The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

For more information and to sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

I'm joining at the Mega Size level since I read well over 75 YA books last year.  With the wealth of new authors and old favorites out there, there is definitely plenty to choose from and I look forward to participating in this one this year.  I'll list my books as I finish them and link to the reviews as well.  Good luck everyone - let's read some great YA books!

1. Choker by Elizabeth Woods
2. Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson
3. Haven by Kristi Cook
4. Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast
5. The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
6. Mystify by Artist Arthur
7. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
9. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
10. Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez
11. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsay
12. The Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young
13. Strings Attached by Judy Blundell
14. Tighter by Adele Griffin
15. Popular by Alissa Grosso
16. Behind the Gates by Eva Gray
17. Bloodspell by Amalie Howard
18. CYA2: The Sext Crime by Jason Ancona
19. Shattered by Melody Carlson
20. The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie
21. A Season of Eden by Jennifer Laurens
22. Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern
23. The Girlz of Galstanberry by Garen S. Wolff
24. Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
25. How Huge the Night by Lydia and Heather Munn
26. Double Take by Melody Carlson
27. Aurora Undefined by Kate Hinderer
28. Mayhem by Artist Arthur
29. A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by Matt Blackstone
30. The Detention Club by David Yoo
31. Dead Rules by Randy Russell
32. Songbird by Angela Fristoe
33. Effie at the Wedding by Tracy Marchini
34. Inconvenient by Maggie Gelbwasser
35. Perfectly Invisible by Kristen Billerbeck
36. Populazzi by Elise Allen
37. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
38. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halladay
39. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
40. Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi
41. The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan Le Fey by Alex Epstein
42. Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
43. Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
44. Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
45. Calli by Jessica Anderson Lee
46. Vanish by Sophie Jordan
47. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
48. The Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood
49. Delcroix Academy: The Marked by Inara Scott
50. The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell
51. Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me (Caitlin) by Melody Carlson
52. The Vision by Jen Nadol
53. Ashfall by Mike Mullin
54. In Too Deep by Amanda Grace
55. Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
56. This Brave Balance by Reh Rusalka
57. Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John
58. Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle
59. Finding Somewhere by Joseph Monninger
60. Farsighted by Emlyn Chand
61. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
62. Cracked by K.M. Walton
63. Fracture by Megan Miranda
64. The Christmas Village by Melissa Ann Goodwin
65. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
66. Watched by Sharde Richardson
67. The Black Shard by Victoria Simcox
68. Destined by P.C. & Kristen Cast
69. Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep
    

2011 Challenge: Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Jamie at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf is hosting the 2011 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge. She writes:

I participated in this challenge last year when it was hosted by J. Kayes book blog. But it seems that J. Kaye is no longer blogging and I really wanted to do this challenge again so I thought that I would try my hand at hosting it.

The Rules:

• Anyone can join.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
• Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts just as long as it is checked out from the library. Books MUST be checked out like with a library card, books purchased at a library DO NOT count.
• No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
• Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your poison:

1. The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books.
2. "Fun" Size – Check out and read 40 library books.
3. Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
4. Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.

Learn more and sign up by visiting the post about the challenge.

I read over 50 books from the library in 2010 (and still have a few to finish) so I think I'm going to join at Mega Size :)  I love my library and my librarians know me when I walk in the door.  They even know they don't have to call me when my reserves are in (I check online constantly).  I love my library and love doing this challenge.  I'll add my books read and links to reviews as I finish books.

1. The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3) by Jeff Kinney, read 1/3/2011
2. Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz, read 1/9/2011
3. Cross Fire by James Patterson, read 1/10/2011
4. Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast, read 1/20/2011
5. Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag, read 1/21/2011
6. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich, read 2/8/2011
7. Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich, read 2/18/2011
8. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich, read 2/28/2011
9. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich, read 3/17/2011
10. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, read 4/7/2011
11. Toys by James Patterson, read 4/23/2011
12. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, read 4/29/2011
13. Save Me by Lisa Scottoline, read 5/15/2011
14. 10th Anniversary by James Patterson, read 5/21/2011
15. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts, read 5/25/2011
16. High Noon by Nora Roberts, read 7/18/2011
17. Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky, read 8/15/2011
18. Now You See Her by Joy Fielding, read 8/16/2011
19. The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly, read 8/22/2011
20. The Raising by Laure Kasischke, read 9/9/2011
21. Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag, read 9/22/2011
22. Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark, read 10/6/2011
23. Dawn of the Red Dragon by Mary Pope Osborne, read 10/19/2011
24. Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson, read 10/22/2011
25. Winter of the Ice Wizard by Mary Pope Osborne, read 11/2/2011
26. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult, read 12/1/2011
27. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent, read 12/3/2011
28. Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast, read 12/7/2011
    

Out With A Bang Readathon: What I'm reading

I'm very excited to join in on my last Readathon of 2010, the Out With a Bang Readathon hosted by The Bookish Type. Check out her blog to sign up for the readathon and see what challenges and giveaways are going on.

The main purpose it to finish 2010 with a bang and get those last few books read. Since I'm working today but off tomorrow and Friday, I plan on reading a few books, but I'm not sure how many. On my list are the following:



Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
finishing the year with one of my all-time favorite writers

A new collection of four never-before-published stories from Stephen King.

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell
this comes out next week and I have it up for review

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

 

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but  human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

 

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

 

Eggs in Purgatory by Laura Childs

I read the latest in this series a few weeks ago and I got this one from the library so I could start from the beginning.

Suzanne, Toni, and Petra lose their husbands but find independence when they open the Cackleberry Club. Then their cozy cafe becomes the scene of a crime when a lawyer dies with a secret on his lips and egg on his face. What this all has to do with a religious cult and Suzanne’s past could put her own life on the line. 

 

 

I'm not sure what else, but that is a preview and it's subject to change in accordance with my whims :)

Happy readathon all!

Book Review: Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release:December 21, 2010

Paperback, 224 pages
Young Adult, Contemporary

My Review:

Why I read this: I am going to confess  now that I have not read anything by Courtney Summers, yet I have heard wonderful things about her.  She put up a notice on her blog that you could submit your blog stats if you were interested in reviewing Fall For Anything and the publisher would choose who could get the ARCs.  I signed up and received a copy of this wonderful book.

How is the novel driven:  Character, this is about Eddie's journey for answers and through her grief after her father's suicide.

My Thoughts:  If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be emotional.  I mean that in a good way.  I felt like I was right there with Eddie the entire book, feeling all of her emotions,  her grief, her curiosity,  her confusion, all of it.  I  haven't read Courtney  Summers before so I can' t compare this to her other books, but as a book taken on it's own, I think Fall for Anything is pretty amazing.

At the beginning Eddie seems pretty unlikeable, but as the book continues and the reader sees why Eddie is this way and what is causing her to pursue answers, she becomes more likeable.  She is very confused, full of teen angst (though not in a predictable way) and I think this would be true of any teen trying to deal with a parent's suicide. As the story continues Eddie changes, she learns things, she deals with Culler and Milo, trying to figure out where they fit in her life.  I also thought it was interesting that Eddie is not a complete outcast and to set this during the summer where school is of less importance.  Eddie does fit in with people, she has friends, but Milo is her best friend and they are dependent on each other when the book begins.

I like also that Milo becomes more developed in the book.  He's not just her sidekick, he has feelings as well that he has to work through.  And Culler made an interesting foil to Milo and the twists and turns he offers the book really make it interesting.

The suspense thread that runs through the book of trying to find out why Eddie's dad committed suicide was also interesting.  It had me on the edge of  my seat and turning page after page to see if Eddie would find the answer.  I think Ms. Summers does an excellent job of balancing a suspense plot along with character development to make this a very well-rounded and interesting novel.

So with all of that said, if you enjoy emotional books, this is one for you.  It's not your typical happy-go-lucky YA book obviously.  I think Ms. Summers deals very well with the variety of emotions and a tough subject in this book.  I think through Eddie she has made a very memorable character.  I know she will stay with me for awhile. 

My Rating:  5.0/5.0

About the Book:

From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father.

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

About the author:

Courtney Summers can't wait for the zombie apocalypse. Also she is the author of CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE (available now) and FALL FOR ANYTHING (out December 21st, 2010), three edgy young adult novels published by St. Martin's Press.

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FTC Information: I received this book through from the publisher at the request of the author (thank you so much Courtney!).  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I apologize for not being around this week - I have several reviews to catch up on, but it's been a week full of work,baking, cleaning and preparing my house for family to come on Christmas.  I will be back next week with reviews of Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers (excellent book), The Cure by Tony Cowger, The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber and Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas (OK so I was reading along with all the cleaning).

To all who celebrate, have a very Merry Christmas!  I'll see you next week with reviews and giveaways.

To those who don't celebrate Christmas - I hope you have a very happy holiday season for the holiday you celebrate!

- Crystal

Teaser Tuesday - December 21

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! 

It's hard to sleep.  It eventually happens and when I wake up again it's late, close to evening late.  An entire day passes me by and I'm tired.  I am still so tired.

From Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers (it came out today!)

2011Challenge: 100+ Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf is hosting the 100+ Reading Challenge. She writes:

I am challenging you to beat your 2010 record this year! Can you read over 100 books this year?

Learn more and sign up by visiting the post about the challenge.

My goal in this one is to beat the number of books I read in 2010.  Since the year is unfinished I am unsure how  many that will be, but I have already beat 2009 in 2010.  I'm guessing my ultimate goal will be in the neighborhood of 225.

I'll put the books up on this post as I finish them and link to reviews.

1.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney - read 1/3/2011
2. Choker by Elizabeth Woods - read 1/3/2011
3. Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz - read 1/7/2011
4. Cross Fire by James Patterson - read 1/10/2011
5. Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson - read 1/11/2011
6. Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon - read 1/14/2011
7. Haven by Kristi Cook - read 1/19/2011
8. Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast - read 1/20/2011
9. Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag - read 1/21/2011
10.