With A Book

Interview: Melissa Jensen (The Fine Art Of Truth or Dare)

2012-02-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! This is kicking off my week of awesome, all week I will have interviews and guest posts by some amazing authors and bloggers.

Melissa Jensen is here to start off the week with an interview!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Youcan find my "official" bio here. Beyondthat... How 'bout this. What I would carry out of my house if it were on fire,in order: My family. The dog, cat, and hermit crab. My iPhone. My antique"Pride and Prejudice" and Oz books. Anything I own made by AlexanderMcQueen. My passport.

Can you explain The Fine Art of Truth or Dare in 5 words?

Girl, Guys (1 Dead), Art

What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?

Iabsolutely LOVED the Wizard of Oz books. Way too few people know there are 13more books in the original Baum series, and that they're all better than thefirst. And James Herriot's "All Things" series. Still adore both andoften revisit them. I liked mysteries and was heartbroken as an adult todiscover that the Nancy Drew books weren't quite what I remembered. (Herboyfriend gets to go to college; she gets a car and, frequently, rescued. Hmm.)Then I discovered Jane Austen. I will never, ever get tired of "Pride andPrejudice".

Since the 14^th is coming up, are you pro or antiValentines Day?

Thatquestion made me laugh. I have no idea. I have a lovely (and hunky) husband,which means I am all for Love. But my lovely husband isn't a Valentine's Daykinda guy, so... Okay. You know what I think everyone should do on Valentine'sDay? Go out with as many people you love as possible. No couples on their own.Lots of friends, maybe a family member or two. Drink a little, eat too much,celebrate how amazing it feels to love people who love you back.

The main character off your novel has an appreciation for art.Are you at all like Ella in this aspect?

Notto her degree. The Arts have certainly figured into my life. Both of my parentsare talented artists, my husband is a photographer, and all of my siblings aresingers--two have done it professionally. Me? I'm just dramatic. Or I used tobe, anyway. I love art museums; the National Portrait Gallery in London is oneof my fave places in the world. I have music playing almost all the time. Butwannabe, expert, or addict? Nope.

Do you have a favorite quote from a novel?

Actually,my all-time fave bookish quote is about a novel. Theever-clever Dorothy Parker: "This is not a novel to be tossed asidelightly. It should be thrown with great force."

Do you have any advice you aspiring writers?

Read. Readreadreadreadread.Everything you can get your hands on, in your genre and beyond. That's theall-important thing. Then, second, FINISH a book. I can't tell you how manyaspiring writers tell me that they have pieces of twenty books in their harddrives, but have never gotten to "The End". Look at it this way, ifyou write a page a day, just a page, you'll have a book plus editing timewithin a year.

Thanks somuch for the interview!

Absolutelymy pleasure.

Melissa's novel A Fine Art of Truth or Dare comes out on February 16th! This Thursday (and my birthday!)

Tomorrow: Katie from Katie's Book Blog!

In My Mailbox(69)

2012-02-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

For Review:
My Favorite Mistake by Georgina Bloomberg and Catherine Hapka
Just Flirt by Laura Bowers

Library:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Tomorrow: Interview with Melissa Jensen the author of The Fine Art of Truth or Dare

So make sure you stop by!

Link to the signed copy of For Always HERE.

What did you get in your mailbox?

BookExpo America and Age Limit Rumors

2012-02-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

I know this post is a bit early. I just wanted to let you know, I will be attending BEA again this year. There has been rumors going around that they are going to be stricter with the age limits this year however, I have called and they confirmed that as long as you have an adult blogger (or another industry professional) with you, you'll be fine!

If you are a young blogger, like me. You can still go to BEA! The rumors are VERY untrue. Just find an adult blogger to drag along with you.

Now, who else is going to BEA this year? I wasn't very good at socializing last year. I want my experience this year to be MUCH different. I have to learn not to be so shy. So if you are going to BEA this year, let me know, maybe we can meet up at the exhibit.

I was also wonder if you recommend BBC?

Hope to see you all in June!

--Danielle

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-02-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

Can't lie, the main reason I'm looking forward to this novel is how much it sounds like Downton Abby. I have only watch the first season, I've been meaning to catch up on the second one, but I live every second of it. It seems like most bloggers have been watching and loving it. There has to be some sort of parallel with YA blogging and TV... but I'll save that for another post. Maybe last this week.

Summary: The prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets…

Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.
It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been…even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.
Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one…the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.
When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long.

I believe this one comes out in May.

--Danielle

Thoughts: The Chamber of Secrets

2012-02-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
By: J.K. Rowling

Thoughts: I hoped the second book would be better then the first since the first novel only started off so-so for me. Well I felt like the writing improved so much in this novel, maybe it's just because I was getting use to the middle grade writing and getting lost in the world of Harry Potter.

Now compared to the movie their was a few things that were different and things that were cleared up while reading the book. I love them both but I have to say the book is so much better. Just like with (almost) any book to movie.

I'm enjoying this series imensly and can't believe I waited to long too start them. Off to the next one....Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

In My Mailbox (68)

2012-02-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

Good-morning guys! It's Superbowl Sunday! (not that I really care...I'm not much of a football person. don't understand it. But I will watch it today. I'm going with the Giants since there is a chance my marching band will be asked to march in their ticker tape parade on Tuesday!) Anyway, this isn't a blog about football it's about books! (which is much better then football, honestly) so here are the books I got this week!

Already finished this one. I really want to start the 4th one but I have other library books to read first!

Loooove the private series. Can't wait to read the prequel

What did you get this weekend?

--Danielle

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of For Always (a signed copy!) here. And stop back next week for a whole week of interviews and guest posts!

Breathless Reads Tour - PA stops!

2012-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

I've only been to one book signing if you don't count BEA. That was the release for For Always (which I have a giveaway for a sign copy HERE) that was so much fun. Most book tours and author signings do not come near me in New Jersey (New York is a bit out of the way). When I heard that the Breathless Reads Tour would be an hour from me, how could I pass that up? All of my favorite authors in one place!

Marie Lu, Beth Revis and Andrea Cremer. I have read and loved the first book in each of their series. I am SOOOOO excited to get to meet them. I haven't read Born Wicked but I've heard great things about it and really want it. This is the perfect time to get it!

I will be going to the stop on Saturday the 18th in PA. Anyone else going? I would love to see some bloggers there!

For the people not going, I'm going to try and get some footage on my new video camera for you! I haven't had much change to use it yet, this is the perfect opportunity.

For anyone else in the New Jersey, PA area their is also a signing for Ally Carter and Rachel Hawkins on March 14 in Fairless Hills, PA. That is only 33 minutes from me. (I'm going to work on my parents for that one...it is a school day...) but Ally Carter will be by herself on the next Friday in Philadelphia, so maybe that one.

Anyone else planning on going to one of these book signings? Let me know!

Anastasia's Secret for 2.99!

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have an e-reader? Well one of my favorite books is only 2.99 on e-book right now! Anastasia's Secret is a cute, and sad if you know how the story ends, historical fiction.

Here's my review for Anastasia's Secret if you want to check that out.

Also there is 100 cheap e-books on Amazon (I think they have a new one every month). Go Check it out! I bet you'll be able to find something.

Thoughts: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2012-02-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By: J.K. Rowling

Thoughts:
As you know, I have been reading Harry Potter. I even joined a challenge for this year. Well I have fallen in love with them! The magic, and world, the characters, really there is nothing not to love in these novels.

However, I have to admit, I didn't enjoy reading the first book for the first 50 pages or so. I'm just so use to reading novels with endless descriptions, and mostly in first point of view. I do like 3rd person, but it was a simpler writing then I was use to. Yet, once I got use to the flow of the novel I just couldn't put it down.

I also watched the move when I finished the novel. I loved how true to the book they were. Now I have seen the movies before but it's different watching it after you read the book. You have more of the background story and it's not as confusing.

It was also nice to read the novel after seeing the movie since I had a picture and a voice for each character. I also loved how the acting stayed true to the characters. Besides Dumbledore, I loved his funny and random comments, I didn't find that as much in the movie. Other then that I love the book and movie! Can't wait to read more (I'm on #3). My thoughts of #2 will be up soon!

Top Ten Tuesday

2012-01-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

1) Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- This would be great for an all girls book club but guys can read it too if they want. I won't discriminate. I think there is tons you can talk about in this series. Also you have the whole series to read, so it can last awhile.

2)Sea by Heidi R. Kling - This book was emotional and touching. That seems like a requirement for a book club, in my opinion anyway. In all seriousness this was a fantastic book and I think all ages can enjoy this one and the message behind it.

3) Harry Potter - I'm on book two right now! I would love to be in a book club right now to discuss this. There are so many things to talk about. No wonder there is conventions all out Harry Potter.

4)To Kill A Mockingbird- This is a timeless book. I fell in love with it last year. This is a book everyone should read and going that in a book club would be a great idea!

5)Divergent - I couldn't stop talking about this book when I finished it. There was so much going on and so much to discuss. I think I should start a book club, and use Divergent.

6)Little Women- This is a book that all ages can read and enjoy. Mom's and daughters. I read this one when I was 10 and enjoyed it! Maybe I didn't understand it all but I did love it. There's a ton to discuss in this novel too.

Used the movie for the cover because this is my favorite movie EVER.

7) Pride and Prejudice - or any Jane Austen novel for a girl book club. Mostly just because I love Jane Austen and could read Pride and Prejudice a MILLION times.

Only 7 today. This was a hard list to come up with.

What is you list? Leave it below!

Review: Tempest

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Tempest
By Julie Cross
Source: Publisher for Review

Summary: The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Review: Time travel, adventure, romance, and action, Tempest had everything you could want in a book. That was the best part about this novel. It can appeal to everyone. Whether you are looking for a romantic book, a science fiction one, or an action- mystery, you can find elements of it all in Tempest. Another great thing, it appeals to both guys and girls. The narrator, Jackson, is a guy and while girls are usually fine reading from either gender, it seems like guys are usually more picky. So no matter what you are looking for to read, there's a good chance you will be able to find it in Tempest.

Each character had there own personality and made the story more intresting to read. When you are able to connect with the characters it always makes a great book even better. My favorite, other then Jackson, has to be Holly. First we meet the 2009 Holly who is in collage, then after Jackson finds himself stuck in 2007 you see how Holly was in 007. You can see how she's changed, in 2007 she's a teenager in high school a big difference from the one in collage. Then there was Adam who is a super smart geek, and I LOVED him. How he would ramble nonsense about time travel trying to figure out the science. The characters are what made Tempest such a great read.

There was a few times throughout the novel that I was a bit confused. Mostly because I forgot to look at the beginning of the chapter to see what year Jackson was in. There were other times were I got confused with what other characters knew and how the time travel worked. Most of the time I would keep reading and catch on, so that wasn't such a big problem.

When I first started reading Tempest, I didn't know it was going to be a series. I thought it was going to be a stand alone book. I'm very glad I was wrong. Tempest sets up this world of time travel that I just can't get enough of and can't wait to read more!

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (67)

2012-01-29T13:58:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

I know this is a little late today but the only book I got this week, I got today. This morning I finished the first Harry Potter novel and I'm borrowing them from my cousin, and since I had to go out anyway I picked up from her...

Yay! I'm excited! Loved the first one, I'll have a kind-of review/thoughts post on it sometime this week.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Oh and make sure you check out my post below. It has information about my plans for February and I'm still looking for another guest post or two, to balance out the interviews.

Also, make sure you check out the giveaway for the signed copy of For Always! (Here)

Finals Are Over and Plans for February (A Week of Awesomeness)

2012-01-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well I just threw my away but that sounds like so much more fun. I should try that...

Anyway, my finals week is over. I survived (hopefully) and I should be back to blogging daily (or almost daily) again! My classes for next semester hopefully won't take up to much of my time. They are suppose to be the easier classes but we'll see.

Now I also wanted to let you know what I have planned for February! I'm going to let you in on a little secret, February is my favorite month. Why? Well it has Valentines Day, My Birthday (the 16th), Presidents Day (aka: a day off of school) and usually snow (crossing my fingers). When makes this February even better is, I (hopefully) get my drivers license! ~~you know, if I don't fail.~~

Anyway, I thought I should do something fun for February so I planned a week of awesomeness.

I sent out the emails in the beginning of January and almost everyone has said yes! So far the list includes:

Authors:

Danielle Sibarium (For Always)

Keria Cass (The Selection)

Cate Tiernan (The Immortal Beloved Series, The Sweep Series)

Melissa Jensen (The Fine Art of Truth or Dare)

Bloggers:

Harmony from Harmony's Radiant Reads

Alissa from The Grammarians Reviews

Katie from Katie's Book Blog

Also, if anyone is interested in doing a guest post. I could actually use one or two more of those. Just sendd me a DM on twitter (@withabook) or email me at withabook@gmail.com

Here's a button if you want to spread the word:

ALSO

In more news, I have finally started using my tumblr. so you should start following me. http://danieriley.tumblr.com/

Danielle

Finals = bad blogging

2012-01-24T18:25:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you noticed I've bee slacking on the post everyday thing I had going on. I just wanted to let you know that is because I have finals this week. Teachers like to assign a ton of work right before the semester ends. It's no fun.

Hopefully I'll be back in full swing on Friday, with posting everyday. Next semester class should be much easier and a ton less work. (hopefully) But in the meantime I'm sorry for not blogging.

I know what you thinking, I should have scheduled posts but I don't like doing that. I prefer writing them up as I go and most of the time the posts I schedule don't post anyway. (blogger does hate me, I swear!)

Anyway, until Friday....

Danielle

In My Mailbox (66)

2012-01-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

Okay I got some AMAZING books this week. I would do a vlog but I feel horrible. So this week all you get are pictures, but they are pictures of some incredible books that I can't wait to start!

love love love love love loved Across the Universe, can't wait to see what will happen next!

Cate Tiernan is one of my favorite authors and this is the sequel to Immortal Beloved. Can't wait to start this one. :)

13 Little Blue Envelopes, Girl At Sea and every other Maureen Johnson book has been incredible. This one should be no exception.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Review: Shatter Me

2012-01-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

Shatter Me
By Taherah Mafi
Source: Bought

Summary:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review: Flawless. Exceptional. Perfect. Brilliant. Outstanding. Wonderful. Breathtaking.Amazing. Incomparable. If I keep going I’m going to run out of adjectives butthis just shows how much I am in love with Shatter Me. This is the first book Iread in 2012, and I have no doubt it will be one of the best. (though it cameout in fall of 2011). I just can’t see much else topping Tahereh Mafi’s debut,other then her sequel for Shatter Me (hopefully).

First the writing is fantastic, new and different. I’venever read any story told quiet like this one. The author uses crossed outwords to express the thoughts of the main character. I loved how they showedwhat Juliette actually means opposed to what she actually says.

“Please~~don’t let go of me~~ put me down.”

Ihave to admit, in the beginning I did find this a bit confusing and annoyinghowever once I got use to it and the story sucked me in, I started to love it.It gave Shatter Me a unique feel and lets you into Juliette’s head.

Anotherpart of Taherah Mafi’s writing that I adored was the fact she could put so muchdetail in quick short sentences. It was poetic. While I’m not a huge fan ofpoetry I did enjoy this in Shatter Me.

“Whycan he touch me?

Whywould he help me?

~~Does he remember me~~?

Myskin is still steaming.”

and

“Ittakes 5 years to walk to the elevator. 15 more to ride it up. I’m a millionyears old by the time I walk into my room.”

Lines like these and so much more can be found in the pagesof Shatter Me. The writing haunts you, the plot attacks you. Once you start thisnovel you won’t think about anything else.

Now, it wasn’t just the writing and plot that I loved inShatter Me. I also loved its complicated villain in Warner. While you just can’thelp but hate him, there are also lines and actions that make you feel sorryfor him. Sometimes you just can’t help but think, ‘maybe he’s not that evil’.Complicated villains like that make the best stories. Another character Icouldn’t help but love was Juliette. At times she was a damsel in distress andother’s she was able to hold up her own. Characters that are always perfect areand fallow the book are not fun to read about.

If I have yet to persuade you to read Shatter Me,just go do it. This is one book that you do not want to go pass up.

--Danielle

P.S. This might look like one of my longest reviews ever, but in reality its actually not that long...

Waiting On Wednesday

2012-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.

Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own.

But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?

Set among the haves and have-nots of a coastal New England town, My LIFE NEXT DOOR captures the angst, the heartache, and the raw-nerve emotions of first time love—and biting loss.

Release Date: June 14th

I'm a sucker for cute romance novels like this one. I already see myself purchasing this one the day it comes out. The summary sounds fantastic, and even with the Kissing on the cover I actually like this one! (Which is really surprising, I usually hate covers with people making out on them)

Goals for the rest of the week:

Shatter Me review tomorrow

Tempest review on Friday (I had a few tests to study for and haven't finished this one yet)

Top Ten Tuesday:Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA

2012-01-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA

I thought this one would be pretty easy since I actually do this most of the time. I lend YA books to my grandma all the time and she likes most of them, and don't usually read YA. Yeet I just couldn't think of much today. My brain is acing like mush.

1) City of Bones - The writing in this series is just fantastic and I bet anyone will be able to appreciate it. Also the story is just so different that it captures you from the start.

2) Uglies by Scott Westerfield - This is a novel that I also think any one could enjoy because of its writing a different plot. This is a series I was addicted to for the longest time. I've also lend it to many people who don't usually read YA.

3) The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle - I actually have not read this one yet, however I feel the need to recommend it because my mom actually picked this one up and enjoyed it. This is weird because she hates every YA book I've asked her to read. So this must have some special quality that everyone can enjoy.

4) The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker - This series is a light heart-ed fairy tale. Yet everyone that I've given this to read has fallen in love with it. (Besides my mom, but you can please everyone)

5) Divergent by Veronica Roth - Obviously you have to know this is my favorite book of all time now. I still can't get it out of my head. The expertly crafted story, the action, mystery and romance. This book has it all and everyone should read it. Whether YA is your usual thing or not.

6) Any Sarah Dessen Novel - Now these are typical YA romance novels yet they have more in them. You have to like romance novels to enjoy these but if you're a fan of Emily Griffen or Sophie Kinsella these are book for you.

7)Daughter of Smoke and Bone - This novel doesn't really focas on the teenager aspect. Actually there's no parent issues or anything like that. That's why I believe this is a book for everyone (who likes fantasy anyway).

8) Shatter Me - This novel was so poetic and has dystopian and paranormal in it. You get the best of both words. Also it is another book that isn't a typical Teenager novel with parent, relationship and friend issues. Everyone should read Shatter Me.

That's it for my list today but leave some recommendations below, I'd love to see some more!

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (65)

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

For Review:
Tempest by Julie Cross

Bought:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Library:
The Nine Lives of Chloe King: The Chosen
Love and Other Things I'm Bad At by Catherine Clark

What did you get this week?
Oh, and while you are here, you should check out my giveaway for a signed copy of For Always here!

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

2012-01-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

Lola and the boy Next Door

By: Stephanie Perkins

Summary: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Reviews: It is official, Stephanie Perkins is one of my favorite authors. I just can't get enough of her stories. First, we had Anna and the French Kiss which was this fantastic contemporary romance novel. Now there is the companion novel Lola and the Boy Next Door. At first I had some doubts that it would not be as perfect as Anna was, well I should not have even spent a second wondering that. Lola and the Boy Next Door was even BETTER then Stephanie's first novel.

You don't have to read Anna and the French Kiss to understand Lola but I really recommend it. Seeing Anna and St. Clair again had to be one of my favorite parts of this novel. They were just so cute and happy. Yet the story is about Lola and Cricket who have to be the cutest next door couples ever. I loved how everyone in the novel had there own special talent. Lola could design anything, Cricket could invent anything. Even the secondary characters had talents, one of Lola's fathers could bake some incredible sounding pies, Cricket's sister was a Olympic bound figure skater, and even Lola's boyfriend had a band.

Now Lola as a character was head strong and didn't care what anyone else thought of her. I wish I had the guts to wear whatever I want without thinking what someone else might think. Yet, there was things about her that I just didn't really like. She did some stupid things, and I just shook my head thinking, 'Lola what are you doing?'. Yet there would not be a story with out that, and it was things that typical teenagers would do too.

Between the romance, characters and story line you just can't go wrong with Lola and the Boy Next Door. If you've read Anna, this should be the next book you pick up. I can't wait to see what Stephanie Perkins does next in her next book Isla and the Happily Ever After. Hopefully we get some more Anna, St. Clair, Lola and Cricket all in one book!

**Oh and I have to say, Stephanie Perkins comes up with the best character names ever. St. Clair, Lola, Cricket, and Isla, I wonder what she'll come up with next...

--Danielle

Waiting on Wednesday (City of Lost Souls)

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

LOOK! It's a pretty pretty pretty cover. I'm in love. Best yet in the series.

And Jace? *swoon*

Oh this should just speak for it's self. Do I really need to write anything else? Really?

Well for those who don't know, this is the 5th book in the Mortal Instruments Series, which I demand all of you read right now.

I'm not a huge fan of her prequel's to these books, so I hope this one is just as good as the first four. Who knows maybe it will be to drawn out. It is the 5th book to something that was SUPPOSE to be a trilogy. Sometimes it just goes wrong after 3, hopefully this won't happen to Cassandra Clare.

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

2012-01-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

1) Jenny Han - This is the author of The Summer I Turned Pretty. I loved this series SO MUCH yet it doesn't seem like she is publishing anything else sometime soon.

2) Amanda Howells - Her first novel (and last) was The Summer of Skinny Dipping. I have to say this is one of my favorite book EVER. I'm dying for something else by Howells. Supposedly there was suppose to be a sequel but the release date it was suppose to come out on has already passed. Not sure what is going on with that...

3)Anastasia Hopcus - This awesome author wrote Shadow Hills which I devoured. I really hope she writes some more (preferably a sequel to Shadow Hills)

4)Stephenie Meyer- Come on, Stephenie you need to finish Midnight Sun. Just suck it up! Also a sequel to the Host would be really nice.

5) Harper Lee - author of To Kill A Mocking Bird, which is such an amazing and epic novel AND her only one. I wish she would have written more.

6) Suzanne Collins- author of the Hunger Games. I know has a middle grade series too but I would love to see if she has anything else up her sleeve in the YA department.

7) Scott Westerfeld - Uglies is another one of my favorite series. I need something new from him! (That's not a Manga)

............That's all I can think of for new but I guarantee there are many more.

Giveaway: For Always (Signed!)

2012-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

*Sigh I don't know why all my Monday posts say Sunday on them. I SWEAR I've been posting every day. Blogger is just out to destroy my resolutions for this year.*

Hey guys, guess what? This is my first giveaway for 2012! Exciting right?

Well what am I giving away? Just one of my favorite books of 2011..

The author was kind enough to give me a SIGNED copy to giveaway to you, my lovely followers!

Here's the summary of For Always: You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

The contest ends on February 14th
Fill out this FORM to enter.

Also, Danielle will be stopping by on my blog that day so make sure you come and check that out too!

Good Luck!

In My Mailbox (64)

2012-01-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

Bought:

These classic's are just so pretty! I would love to have them all, so as I see them up. You'll actually never believe where I found this one, in American Eagle! Which is a clothing store for everyone that doesn't know. I've never seen anything but clothes and jewelry in there.

Borrowed:

This one is borrowed from my cousin and I've decided to finally read all the Harry Potter books (since I've had a slight obsession with the movies lately). Also I'm in the Harry Potter reading challenge. I'm really excited to finally be reading these novels!

What did you get in your mailbox?

--Danielle

Review: The Lucky One

2012-01-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Lucky One
By: Nicholas Sparks
Summary: When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet. Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives.

Review: The second I finished The Lucky One I swore I would never read another Nicholas Sparks novel again. Am I going to go through with this? Probably not. I have a ~~small~~ huge addiction to romance novels like these. Where you cry and want to hit the author in the head with his book (preferably a hard cover) for making you go through that heart ache. While this was not the saddest Sparks book, the ending did get me for a little bit. (If you read the book you know what I mean).

I've only read a few books by Nicholas Sparks and while it was not his best I did enjoy it. Once you get into the story it is hard to stop. You just want to see these character happy and together. However, The Lucky One was very predicable. I knew what was going to happen from the very beginning. The basic love story, guy meets girl and they fall in love with some twists and complications. Yet, can you really ever have to much of that story line? Maybe, but maybe not. I've only been reading them for a few years but I have yet to get sick of them.

One thing The Lucky One did have that I really enjoyed was the antagonist. He was Elizabeth's ex husband and one of the narrators to the story. He was a more complicated person and while at times you hate him so much, (and probably want to hit him over the head with a hard cover book too) you also have the times when you think he isn't so bad and you feel sorry for him. Complicated villains and antagonists like that are my favorite to read about and are always in the best stories and novels.

One of the reason I picked up The Lucky One is because it is coming out in the movies April 20th. This is part of the reason I finally picked this one up. It had been sitting on my shelf and I thought, why not? I had my ups and downs with the novel, I did enjoy it. The story makes you smile, cry and gasp in surprise. Sometimes you just need a novel like this one. IF you are going to see the movie, I suggest reading this one.

Here's the trailer (with Zac Efron *swoon*) :

Review: The Nine Lives of Chloe King 1 & 2

2012-01-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Nine Lives of Chloe King
Volume One: The Fallen
Volume Two: The Stolen
By: Celia Thomson
Pages: 256
Source: Bought from library book-sale

Summary: Chloe King was a normal sixteen-year-old girl.

She did her homework and got good grades, but she wasn't afraid to ditch class sometimes to hang out with her best friends. She slept at home, but otherwise avoided all human contact with her mom. The usual stuff.

Then she fell from San Francisco's highest tower, and her life changed. For starters, she died. And then, she woke up.

Now Chloe's life is anything but normal: Suddenly guys are prowling around her, she's growing claws, and someone's trying to kill her.

Luckily for Chloe, she still has eight lives to go.

Review: Now I've come to find that readers and bloggers tend to watch a huge amount of ABC Family. Maybe that's just the people I follow on Twitter, but it does seem like a huge amount. Anyway, on ABC Family there was this T.V. show that was called The Nine Lives of Chloe King. I became addicted to the show and while I was shopping I came across this novel. How could I pass it up?

While I loved the show, the book was only so-so. You never really get a good feel for the characters, you don't get into their heads and learn what makes them tick. I'm very big on having good characters that you get to know and can relate to. With Chloe and her friends I felt like they were lacking there. Another problem I had is with the plot, at first I just couldn't get into it. It took half the book for me to get into the story.

Now with the problems I did have, by the time I was half way done with the first book, I became addicted. It became impossible to stop reading. It did get very intense and was so different from the T.V. Show. You get to learn much more about the paranormal creature Chloe is, a decedents of cats. This is a nice different thing from the usual Vampires and were wolfs.

I will be reading the next and final book in the series. (I have it on hold at the library right now) If you are a fan of the T.V. Show I do suggest checking this novel out, it clears up some loose ends. Plus there is much more Alyec.

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hallowed
by Cynthia Hand
Source: ARC from Harperteen
Release Date: January 17th 2012

Summary: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Review: If you've been following my reviews for awhile I'm sure you remember the raving I did about Unearthly. When HarperTeen sent me the sequel, I worried at first if it will be able to compare with the debut by Cynthia Hand. Usually sequels don't really do anything for me, however there is no arguing that Hallowed was a great edition to Cynthia Hand's series. Actually, I think it might have been even better then Unearthly.

First, I have to say that Cynthia Hand's writing is still incredible. There is no denying it. The words just flow together perfectly and you can always picture what she describes. Hand also creates these in dept characters who are more then they seem. I personally love villain's that are complicated and you can never really understand them. You find that in Hallowed.

Also, the love triangle in Unearthly. Do you remember that? I do. It just got so much more complicated in Hallowed. Why? Well due to the fact that Cynthia Hand made me fall in love with Christian. Now we have these two perfect guys that you now (after reading Hallowed) see both sides too. They both have there up's and down's. I won't tell you which team I'm on you should read the book and decide for yourself.

Now I will wait till 2013 till the final book in the series. (Well unless the waiting kills me first).

Waiting On Wednesday

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Summary: Taylor's family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then Taylor's dad gets devastating news that changes everything. Her parents decide that the family will spend the summer together at their old vacation home in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them are very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

**This is one that wasn't on my list yesterday. (I made sure of it!). This is by the author of Amy and Rodger Epic Detour which is one of my favorites. I can't wait to read more by Morgan Matson.

This comes out on May 8th 2012

***Oh and I PROMISE there will be a review tomorrow. I know it's been awhile.

Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

2012-01-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

1) Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - AHHHHHH. I'm dying for this book. Delirium was FANTASTIC and with the biggest cliff hanger ever and I just NEED TO KNOW what happens next.

2)A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Across the Universe was just so good! It was different and intense. One of the few Sci-Fi books that I have read. After A Millions Sun's I'll be able to add another to that list.

3)Insurgent by Veronica Roth- This should be self explanatory since it was my favorite book of 2012. I can't think of a better book. I just hope the sequel is just as good.

4) Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - Don't judge a book by its cover? ummm well about that... This cover is just so pretty it drew me in, but I have to admit the summery sounds just as good to! Can't wait to get this one!

5) The Selection by Kiera Cass - I've been watching Kiera's youtube video for awhile now and I actually got to meet her a BEA last year. I can't wait to read her book! (And look at that beautiful cover!)

6) For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund - I adored Diana's novel about Unicorn's. I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeves.

7) City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare- Number 5 in the Mortal Instruments series and I can't believe that I"ve been following these since number one. This is one of my favorite series, and I can't wait for this one. (Can you really ever have enough Jace? Nope.)

8) The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - More Adrian? Yes, please! I need more of this series, I'm so glad Mead decided to do a spin-off series because I was not ready to let go yet.

9) The Fine Art of Truth or Dare - I have a huge soft spot for cute romance novels like this one. Ans the tagline mention's Anna and the French Kiss, one of my favorites.

10) Out of Sigh, Out of Time by Ally Carter - YAY, more Gallagher Girls! A school for spies, whats better then that? I'm sure everyone at one point has pictures going to a school like this. I love getting to live it through Cammie.

Challenges for 2012

2012-01-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

Guys, I swear I posted this on MONDAY! I have no idea why it says Sunday. *Sigh* blogger, you're making it look like I already lost my post everyday goal.

Host: www.thereadingfever.blogspot.com

Why: Like Penelope (the owner of The Reading Fever) I've never read the Harry Potter books. One of my goals for 2012 was to do this so when I saw this challenge how could I resist?

The challenge:

Read all seven books in the Harry Potter series during 2012.

~~Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone~~ post HERE

~~Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets~~

~~Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban~~

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The challenge will run from January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2012. Books read before or after this time frame do not count. You can join anytime until the challenge ends.
Books can be in any format: Print, ebook, audiobook, etc..
You do not have to review the books to participate, although you are more than welcome to. If you choose not to review, you can also do the following and still be eligible for prizes:

Answer the discussion questions each month
Create a post talking about each book after you finish (any topic)
Just update your kickoff post after each book
Those without blogs can leave a comment with their thoughts/review/review link.
Because this is open to those who have already read HP, old reviews will be accepted. Whether you have read the books within the challenge time frame is on the honor system, so please be honest!

Be sure to leave the relevant links in each linky to be entered into the drawings for prizes (more on that below).

Challenge #2

I'm going to try and read 100 books in 2012. This shouldn't be to hard, I'm just worried about keeping track of it all. Hopefully this forces me to use Goodreads, which I don't use to it's full potential.

If you look in the left side bar, I put a widget to keep track of the number.

What are your challenges for 2012?

--Danielle

In My Mailbox

2012-01-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

I forgot it was Sunday! I blame the week off from school.....

Anyway since I realized it is Sunday, I thought I would do my IMM.

Bought: (For my Kindle Fire)-

I'm reading this right now and it is so good! The style of writing is unique and I really enjoy reading it. Hopefully the full review will be up this week.

Loved the Iron King and the Iron Daughter, I really need to catch up on this series. I bought this one because it was only .99 cents the other day (and I've been wanting to read it, of course).

This was .99cents too, and it just looks so cute!

This is one I've been wanting to read for awhile and it was also on sale while I was kindle book shopping so how could I resist? (Also interesting story, my gym teacher is friends with Megan. Small world.)

This is one that I've already read and loved but it was FREE so how can I resit? Now I can read this when ever I want on my kindle. Yay!

Happy New Year: My goals for 2012

2012-01-01T08:24:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of 2012 and I thought I would start it off with my goals for next year on the blog.

1) Blog as much as possible, I'm going to shoot for everyday. Lets see how long I can keep that up.

2) Schedule my posts a head of time, instead of typing them up as I go along every day.

3) Write a review on every book I read. (new, old, and classics)

4)Change the blog layout. (I've honestly hated the orange since I started With A Book)

5)Finish all the books I got from BEA 2011 before I go to BEA 2012

6)Read all the Harry Potter books

7)Read all the unread books on my shelf

8)Keep track of the number of books I read this year (I forgot keep up with that in 2011)

9)Read over 100 book in 2012 (I probably did this in 2011 but I'm not sure...)

10)Do more interviews, authors and bloggers (And stop being scared to ask them to do interviews!)

11) Be more social with other bloggers! (I want to make more book blogging friends)

Those are some of my goals for 2012. What are yours?

--Danielle

Favorite Couples of 2011

2011-12-30T17:27:00.000-08:00

This is very different then my last videos, I used fan art for the novels and made a little slideshow video to music. I'm very proud of how it came out, I hope you like it as much as I do!

Tucker and Clara (Unearthly) (Only in Unearthly, I have a new favorite couple in Hallowed)
Four and Tris (Divergent)
Ky and Cassia (Crossed)
Adrian and Sydney (Bloodlines) *Kind of couple, but if they don't get together, I will die.
Belly and Conrad (We'll Always Have Summer)
Trella and Riley (Outside In) *The picture for this one is my favorite out of them all.
Jace and Clary (City of Fallen Angels)
Lena and Alex (Delirium)
Amy and Elder (Across the Universe)
Emerson and Micheal (Hourglass)
April and Hudson (Ten Things We Did)

**Hourglass and Ten Things didn't have an photos so I just put the cover.
***I don't own the pictures, I got them off of google and deviant art. All credit go to the owner. To find the owners just type the couple and book title into google or deviant art. (I am letting the owners know i used their photos, so if they don't want it here I will take it down)

Yes there is a ton on this list. I even narrowed it down. You should have seen it before.

Who are you're favorite couples?? And did you like the video?

Favorite Paranormal and Fantasy of 2011

2011-12-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Vanish by Sophie Jordan
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

What were your favorites of 2011??

Favorites of 2011: Contemporary

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
We'll Always have the Summer by Jenny Han
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
For Always by Danielle Sibarium
Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Sarah Mlynowski
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

What were your favorite contemporary novels this year?

--Danielle

Cheap E-books!

2011-12-27T14:19:00.001-08:00

Hey guys! I just wanted to met you know about the amazing sales in e-books today. Whether you have a Kindle or a Nook. I.already bought a bunch and you should go get some before its to late! Here's some examples ....

Such a fantastic book, if you have yet to read it now is your chance for just $.99!

This is FREE! How can you get any better then a free book? Well by that book being an AMAZING story. This is another one of my always recommended novels, so go read it for FREE!.

This one I haven't read yet but I've been wanting to for awhile so I'm taking Harperteen up on their offer of $.99 for this one! You should too!

These are just a few of the great deals you can find in e-books right now. Go and take advantage of them before they are gone till next year.

Favorites Of 2011 - Dystopian

2011-12-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Crossed by Ally Condie
Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
Legend by Marie Lu
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

IMM - After Christmas

2011-12-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday's everyone!

What did you get this week?

--Danielle

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

2011-12-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

Crossed
by Ally Condie

Summary: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Review: Crossed is the sequel to Ally Condie's debut novel, Matched. While I was not the biggest fan of Matched, I did think that it set up a new exciting dystopian world with an opportunity for a great sequel. Well, Crossed was that great sequel that Matched led up too. Since the world had been set up and explained in the first novel, Ally Condie was able to go right into the action and suspense of Crossed.

Crossed also had an extra point of view that Matched didn't have. Ky's. I love Ky, he is a great character and I loved getting to see inside his head for just a bit. It also added to the suspense. You would see were Ky was and what he was doing then in Cassia's point of view you would see how close they are, yet they just couldn't find each other. Cassia has the hardest decision to make, between the two greatest guys in the world Ky and Xander. I wouldn't be able to pick.

In my opinion, Crossed was a huge improvement to Matched, Ally Condie went above and beyond with it. Now i'm officially on board with this series. I'm -no so patiently- waiting for the next installment.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

Summary:

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own.

This one just sounds great but I'm really just excited for so many 2012 books. Yet i don't know how they will be able to stand up to the amazingness that we had this year.

This cover reminded me so much of one that I've seen before, it took me awhile to place it. I finally figured out where I remembered it from....

The same color scheme and flowers, white dress with a girl running. They don't really tell you what the book is about at all. I don't know how I feel about these covers being everywhere.

--Danielle

Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Spoiler if you have not read Jessica's Guide To dating The Darkside. Go read it first! Really, you should it is AMAZING!

Jessica Rules the Dark Side

By: Beth Fantaskey

Source: Around The World ARC Tours
Release Date: January 10th 2012

Summary: It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

Review: The first book in the series, Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side was dark, romantic, and suspenseful. The sequel was all of that and more. At first, I was a bit worried about picking it up. Most of the time, for me, sequels do not hold up to the first book. Especially with one as good as Jessica's Guide. Also with the long wait in between both books it just made me unsure of a sequel. However, I am so glad that I signed up for the ARC tour. Jessica Rules the Dark Side was a fantastic sequel to Jessica's Guide.

Jessica's Guide left so many unanswered questions about Jessica and Lucius's relationship. A girl who knew nothing of vampires throughout her whole life going to go rule them? It couldn't have been easy. This book showed Jessica's struggle and how she over came it. Throughout the novel you get to see Jessica grow as a person and learn so much.

One thing Jessica Rules the Dark Side was missing was romance between Jessica and Lucius. Sure there was a bit, but I felt there could have been more. Well while Lucius was not in jail, anyway. The novel was also missing the sarcasm from Lucius that was present in the first book. We did get romance in the form of Mindy and Raniero. They were an unexpected couple added to the series. Their story was a bit different from the typical romance. If Beth Fantaskey were to write a prequel about them, I would be first in live to buy it!

Once Lucius was thrown into jail, I was able to figure out the mystery to the murder. It was pretty obvious. That was my only problem with Jessica Rules the Dark Side. Yet, the story did throw me for an unexpected loop every once in while. Beth Fantaskey also kept the suspense and mystery with her excellent writing style and made for an over-all great story. If you enjoyed Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side you will love the sequel!

--Danielle

Also while you are waiting for Jessica Rules the Dark Side, go check out Jessica's and Lucius's wedding that is on Beth Fantaskey's website HERE.

In My Mailbox (61)

2011-12-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! This is my first IMM in over a month! That's a bit shocking, but it is due to the fact that I have not been accepting review copies because I have so many to read already. I"m very behind and now I'm finally getting back into a blogging schedule again. I've really missed this and talking to all of you.

This week I received one book from the Harlequin Teen Panel-

This looks interesting and I hope I get to it during Christmas break. I'm not crazy about the color, the girls face is just weird. Sometimes I wonder what the cover artists are thinking.

Have you read the Goddess Test before? Did you like it?

Actually I also have one more question. I haven't been keeping up to date with the blogging community for awhile, I just started to noticed to many moving to word-press. Why is that?

--Danielle

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

2011-12-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor
Source: BEA

Summary: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been very popular with bloggers this year. I can name a ton of bloggers who said it was their favorite of the year. While I wouldn't go that far, I did enjoy the novel very much.

Laini Taylor built this world of Brimstone and his shop, while it was complex and descriptive, I still had a hard time following in the beginning. The different names and descriptions sent me for a loop and I couldn't help but feel like I should have been taking notes. That might have been different if I could have read the book in one sitting. However once I got a feel for the story and remembering each character, the story sucked me in. Karou and Akiva's background stories were surprising and the plot twists shocked me. Laini Taylor made a beautiful world and characters that I can't wait to learn more about.

Waiting on Wednesday: (Kind-of)

2011-12-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

(I decided not to talk about a book this week, but a highly anticipated movie)

Last month I finished The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald in my English class and I fell in love. The book was just fantastic and if you haven't read it yet, you should. It really is an amazing classic that everyone should read. It has to be one of my favorite books, if not my favorite.

Anyway this post isn't about the book, it's about the new movie coming out NEXT Christmas. SO EXCITED. If you haven't heard it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. He's such a perfect choice for the role. I can't wait to see how he portrays Gatsby. He's not the only big star in the movie Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher can also be found in the movie.

The still to the right is the first one that has been officially released and below is the other.

Have you read Gatsby? Are you just as excited for the movie?

--Danielle

Books to Movies: City of Bones

2011-12-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hello followers who I haven't talk to in awhile. Life has just been crazy from being sick repeatedly to my huge amount of school work, not to mention that I've recently started looking at colleges. However, I've missed blogging and all of you so much. I have not even been on Twitter! Really I'm just going through book blogging community withdrawals. Anyway, when I saw this news (which I saw just a little late haha) I had to blog about it.

For those of you who haven't heard, City of Bones is being made into movie. The leads have been picked and etc, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about about.

For those of you that know the movie coming out in the near future, I'm sure you noticed the lack of filming going on. I just learned that is because of the script. Or the lack of a good one. The script that they had left out MAGNUS!

That is just not acceptable! At. All. He is my favorite character (or well one of them, who could dislike Jace?) and part of the major plot point. Honestly this just scares me, if they left out Magnus what else could they have possibly done?

The studio realizes now how wrong that was and is working on a new script. Now there's another this that worries me that I found out in the same article (on pagetopremiere.com). Marlene King is the screen writer for the movie. Most of you know the T.V. show Pretty Little Liars, while that is an amazing T.V. show ad one of my favorite it doesn't follow the books that it is based on. I know that's a bit different with the T.V. show, yet I can't stop but worry about what she'll do with one of my favorite books.

I could probably talk about this movie for hours, I didn't even get started on the actors but this post is already getting to long. Maybe next week....

What do you think about the upcoming City of Bones movie?

Review: Starcrossed

2011-12-01T13:48:00.001-08:00

I'm behind on my reviews and blogging so I thought the next few reviews would be quick and short. Straight to the point reviews. Some of you might prefer this. I've had a few people say my reviews were to long anyway. However once I catch up, I will probably go back to that. I like the long reviews and getting my whole point across.

Starcrossed

by Josephine Angelini

Summary: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Review:The swirling blues and pastel purples onthis glossy cover is what made me pick Starcrossed up, and the summary made mebuy it. Including the Greek mythology didn't hurt, that isalways interesting to read about. Yet Starcrossed sadly didnot lived up to my expectations. My first disappointment was thebeginning. There was nothing there to grab me. I was forcing myself to treadthrough the pages. The story was dry and the main character did not help. Helendidn't have any passion to her, no emotion and just no personality.

Now there was onething that I did like, the connection between Helen and Lucas. When they wereboth in the same room together is when I enjoyed the story. Lucas's family wasalso another part of the book that I enjoyed; theywere interesting to read about. Each member of the familyhad a different personality and actions. Getting to meet them all was the bestpart of the book, in my opinion.

Will I be reading the sequel? Maybe, The story did get more exciting andaddicting toward the last 50 pages (of 500) and I would like to know whathappens with Lucas and Helen next.

--Danielle

And I guess that wasn't as short as I thought it would be. When I didn't like a part of the book I have to explain why or I feel horrible. But longer is better right?

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

2011-11-29T11:50:00.001-08:00

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

1) Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver-
AHHHHHH. I'm dying for this book. Delirium was FANTASTIC and with the biggest cliff hanger ever (as I said in my last post) and this is my most anticipated book for 2012!

2) Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Don't judge a book by its cover? ummm well about that... This cover is just so pretty it drew me in, but I have to admit the summery sounds just as good to! Can't wait to get this one!

3) Tempest by Julie Cross
I've heard some great things about this debut author and can't wait till this one it released! Plus time travel? Nothings better then that.

4)Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Witches? YAY! I haven't read a book about magic and witches in awhile. This is another one that I've read some great reviews from other bloggers.

5) Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Angelfire was such a great book and I can't wait to see what happens next in Wings of the Wicked!

6)Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I've heard this is one of the best books ever from so many other bloggers and with praise like that how can I not want to read it? Hopefully over break I'll find sometime to dig into this one.

7) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss was one of my favorite books that I read over the last winter, so of course I want to read this one too!

8) A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Across the Universe was just so good! It was different and intense, A Million Suns has to be one of my most anticipated books for 2012 (Along with Pandemonium of course)

9) Wither by Lauren DeStefano
The sequel to Wither is coming out this winter so I decided I should finally read Lauren DeStafano's first book. I've actually taken Wither out of the librarry a few times I just never had time to pick it up. Hopefully during winter break I'll be able to fix that.

Cliffhangers

2011-11-26T15:54:00.001-08:00

This post is a bit random but it's a topic that popped into my head that I wanted to talk about and see if anyone shares my opinions on.

A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is hoped to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma. (Wikipedia)

Cliff Hangers. Everyone has ran into one at some point, whether in a book, movie or TV show. I have come to the conclusion that I despise them. Maybe it's because I just read a book ending with one (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and I just really want the sequel but honestly I think I'm just getting tired of cliffhangers.

For example, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Divergent by Veronica Roth are two books that I enjoyed immensely. Actually they are my two top favorite books of 2011. The story line, plot, and writing in both were just exceptional and I just couldn't get enough. Both of these novels ending in the worst cliff hangers I've ever read. When I finished the last pages of these books, I just wanted to scream. It's just torture waiting to see what's going to happen to these characters next.

Since I love both novels so much, I would go back for the sequel no matter what. The writing, characters, and story is what addicted me to these series. The cliff hanger is not the reason I'll be picking up the sequel. Okay, that's a lie the cliff hanger is a part of the reason I'm going to pick up the next book, however either way I would have bought the next installment just for my love of the book alone.

Now I do understand why authors leave books at these impossible cliff hangers. They want to keep their audiences interested, and they need a place to stop. Now that I'm thinking about it anywhere Veronica Roth stopped in Divergent would have been a cliff hanger. The whole time I was reading the novel I was flew through the pages needing to know what was going to happen. Yet it would be nice to read a series without these crazy cliff hangers at the end of them. For once I want to be happy putting a book down and actually wait patiently for the next.

Oh, if you haven't read Divergent or Delirium I highly suggest you do...just maybe wait till the sequels come out...

What do you think of cliff hangers?

--Danielle

Breaking Dawn Part 1

2011-11-22T13:19:00.001-08:00

This is a book blog and Breaking Dawn is based off the book by Stephanie Meyer so I thought it would be appropriate to write a review, and well I'm a huge fan of Twilight. Yup, I know half of you are going to roll your eyes but I'm not going to deny that I LOVED this series.

Now the movies sometimes aggravate me, they are really not that great and it made the fan base INSANE. However it is so much fun to see your favorite characters on the big screen. Characters that you've just fallen for over the years how could you not have fun seeing them being acted?

What did I think of Breaking Dawn?

It was the best one yet. The romance, action, and emotion in this installment just hooked me from the start. The director this time is typically a horror movie director so it was a bit different then the others. A bit bloodier, and a little more biting your nail in nervousness.

Now for the acting, everyone had improved. I've never been a big fan of Robert Pattinson but in Breaking Dawn I have to admit he looked better and made a bit more believable Edward. Kristen Stewart also did a much better job as Bella, I feel she got the emotion across much better, compared to the last three movies.

As a big fan of the books I could go on and on about what I did and didn't like. However, I won't do that here first because it would have tons of spoilers and also just because it would be way to long.

If you haven't read the books, theirs a big chance you won't like this movie. The story line is different and a bit cheesy, however out of all four movies this is the most excited and fun movie for someone who hadn't read the books. Theirs much more suspense because you don't know who's going to live or die.

Here's the trailer for the people that live under rocks and have not seen it yet.

If you saw the movie, what did you think?

--Danielle
(I actually loved it so much I'll be going to see it again in a few weeks. Don't laugh at me :b)

Waiting On Wednesday

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

Summary:

"Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence-how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.) As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"-but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra's reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the "ugly" stepsister is the good guy. With dark twists, hilarious turns, and unexpected endings, Bewitching is a contemporary read for fairy-tale lovers, fantasy fans, and anyone looking for more Alex Flinn."

Beastly was such a great book, and I can't wait to read more about the witch. I'm addicted to fairy-tales in any form TV, books and movies. I love every Disney princess movie and just can't get enough of them!

Have you read Beastly? Will you read Bewitching?

--Danielle

Review: Between the Sea and the Sky

2011-11-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Between the Sea and the Sky
by Jaclyn Dolamore
Released On: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Summary: For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Review: I am a big fan of Jaclyn Dolamore's previous book Magic Under Glass, so when I was approached to write a review how could I possibly say no? Then reading the summary it just intrigued me even more. Mermaids, magic and romance, plus just look at the beautiful cover! Over-all I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read Between the Sea and the Sky, it was a quick (only 240 pages) yet delightful read.

While reading, everything just flowed, from the writing to the characters and plot. I really enjoyed how Jaclyn weaved the story together it had an almost fairy-tale experience to it, which also comes from the age-less feel Between the Sea and Sky has. The magic and sweet romance only added to that feeling the novel radiated.

This creative story was more then just a mermaid falling in love with a human on shore, which is another reason that made me love it so much. The mermaid doesn't just come up to the shores of our beaches, she goes to a world where things like a 'winged race of people' exist. This added to the enchanted feel that Between the Sea and Sky had and I really, thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a book you're going to want to pick up, the enchanting magical and fairy-tale like feel of this story will have you falling in love as the characters do as you go on a journey. Anyone who enjoys fantasy or just fairy-tales, will fall in love with Between the Sea and the Sky just as I did.

In My Mailbox (60)

2011-11-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

This is my 60th IMM, only 40 away from 100. It's weird thinking that I've been doing this for so long.....Anyway on to the books from this week.

For Review: I got some exciting books this week that I can't wait to digg into.

This is one that I was not expecting, and I did a happy dance as I opened it. I LOOOOVE Unearthly, it's one of my favorites. I just can't wait to start reading and see what happens next.
*Thanks so much to Harperteen for sending this one out!

This one is "A handbook for teens who like to write." and it includes interviews with T.A. Barron, Chris Crutcher, Lauren Myracle, Stephanie Perkins and more. I've only had time to skim through this one so far but it seems really helpful. It talks about how to get a book published and just overall how to improve your writing.

Also I wanted to let you guys know that my marching band season ends next week. That means you'll be seeing much more of me.

What did you get in your mailbox?
--Danielle

Review: Notes from an Accidental Bank Geek

2011-11-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Notes for an Accidental Band Geek
by Erin Dionne

Summary: Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams, she must expand her musical horizons and join - gasp! - the marching band. There are no French horns in marching band (what the heck is a mellophone??), but there are some cute boys. And marching band is very different from orchestra: they march, they chant, they . . . cluck? Elsie is not so sure she'll survive, but the new friends she's making and the actual fun she's having will force her to question her dad's expectations and her own musical priorities.

Review: If you follow my blog, you probably know that I am in my high school marching band. When I saw this cover, I couldn't help but be ecstatic. A book about marching band? That has to be the first one I've ran into. Now don't think just because you are not, or have never been in a marching band that you will not understand this book. You will. Erin Dionne does a great job of explaining everything and not throwing every technical marching term turn into the story. I play the piccolo and flute so I did not even know all the brass and horn music terms in here but I understood everything thanks to the author.

For the story, I wish it focused more on the actions of what Elsie was doing and less about what was going through her head. Elsie is so worried about getting into a prestigious summer music camp then anything else, and that's what the book mostly focuses on. Other then that I loved Erin's descriptions on music and how it made Elsie feel. I also enjoyed that Elsie was not the best socially, it was her flaw and it made her relatable. Everyone says something at the wrong time or does the wrong thing sometimes, and we get to see how Elsie handles that.

I would have loved to see more aspects on marching band through out the book, but maybe that's just because I'm a band geek myself. Either way for someone just starting high school, or joining a marching band, this is a great book to pick up. Filled with funny marching band moments yet serious problems, it was a perfect balance.

In My Mailbox (59)

2011-10-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by the Story Siren

Bought:
For Always by Danielle Sibarium
www.daniellesibarium.com

Library:
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Wild Fire by Karsten Knight

Review: Clockwork Angel

2011-10-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile, I had my last weekend of band. That was CRAZY. I barley slept all weekend and that's probably why I've been sick with a fever for the past few days. Anyway here's a review...

Clockwork Angel
By Cassandra Clare
Summary:
Magic is dangerous--butlove is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the oceanto find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of QueenVictoria, 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, keeporder amidst the chaos.

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

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with theShadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if shewill use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and tornbetween--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret,and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in hislife at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws themdeep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy theShadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving herbrother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be themost dangerous magic of all.

Review: It took so long to get this review out because I just finished Clockwork Angel. I first started it when it first came out, actually it was the release date that I picked it up. I had reserved a copy and everything. I'm such a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's first series and thought this one would be even better because I LOVE historical fiction. Why did I take so long to finish it? Well there were a few reasons. First, I felt like I was reading the same exact story as City of Bones, just a bit down graded since I had already fallen in love with the other.

Tessa was so much like Clary, independent, innocent, stuck between two different guys and not knowing who she really is. Then the Shadow Hunters had the same problems (with the teenage ones anyway). Will was sarcastic and arrogant, does that remind you of anyone? Then there was Jem with his hidden secret, much like Alec (the secret is much different this time though). I just couldn't get over how similar the stories were, since I had read it before it never sucked me in like the Mortal Instruments.

Of course this is by Cassandra so you still get the talented writing and quick sarcasm that everyone loved from her first series. The witty dialog was my favorite part of The Mortal instruments Series and I did laugh a few times throughout Clockwork Angel. I just wished Clare's way of writing was the only similarity from her first series.

If you have yet to read City of Bones and it's sequels, you will like this book much more then I did. However, if you have read them you might want to think twice before picking this one up.

Waiting On Wednesday

2011-10-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

Hey guys, it's Wednesday so that means I get another day of drooling over pretty covers and books that I'll have to wait months to read.

This week I'm ~~patiently~~ going insane for this sequel.

I'm sure you remember me raving about Divergent over and over again since it was released. The ending was a huge cliff hanger and I'm just dying to read this one.

Isn't the cover just beautiful, so much better then the first one.

"One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

It's sounds so good! How many more days until May 2012???

--Danielle

Review: For Always

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

For Always
By: Danielle Sibarium
Release Date: October 27, 2011
Summary: You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?

Review: Vampires, werewolves, faeries, and all the paranormal creatures you can think of have been taking over the Young Adult shelves. No matter what library or bookstore you step into, you are bound to find tons of them. It's time to take a break, and curl up with an outstanding contemporary YA novel. For Always is just perfect for that. The emotion and page turning plot, will have you falling in love with story and characters.

The main character, Stephanie, doesn't feel like she's wanted or fits in. Everyone feels that at one point which makes it so easy to relate to her. For Always is Stephanie's story of how she grew and she learned who she is. It's through the relationship she has with Jordan that gets her there, yet this is more then just a romance novel.

One things that I loved about For Always is how you follow the characters over a few years. It's not one night or a school year, you get to see how the character change and their lives develop over a longer period of time. While you'll want to know more about Jordan and Stephanie, you won't be left with the feeling that your missing something like in parts of a series. You get to see the beginning, middle and the end in one book. Which I know many readers have been missing.

The relationship between Stephanie and Jordan in For Always was another high point in the novel. Throughout the plot they struggled with their emotions and wanting to be together but life always got in the way. The things these two characters have to go through will bring you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Danielle Sibarium's writing will you laughing and crying right along with them.

Whether you need a break from the haunting and scary paranormal books out there, or just love a good contemporary novel (especially fan of Sarah Dessen or Stephanie Perkins), you should get a copy of For Always when it comes out on October 27.

--Danielle

If you're in the New Jersey area on Thursday, you should go check out the launch for, For Always. It's going to take place at Booktowne (171 main street) Manasquan NJ! I don't know if I'll be able to make it but I want to go. If I do, maybe I'll see you there.

Crossed - Book Trailer

2011-10-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm reading Crossed and so far it's so much better then Match. Anyway, I just watched the book trailer for it on youtube. I can't really make up my mind if I like it or not, so I thought I would ask all of you.

Now, I really like how the poem is read in the background but I just don't like the actors. I felt like I was guessing who was who. Now, I did really like how they portrayed the society and Cassia's journey. Yet for some reason I just didn't like it much.

What did you think?

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (58)

2011-10-23T07:26:00.001-07:00

IMM is created and hosted by The Story Siren

For Review:

If for some reason you didn't know I was a huge band geek by know, well I am. Through the months of July to November my life consists of marching band. (My marching band was actually invited to the Rose-bowl parade for 2012-2013, So EXCITED but that's off topic). That's actually the reason my blogging has been so small and random lately.

I'm half way through this and I'm really enjoying it. This is actually the first book that I read that revolves around Marching Band, I personally think their should be more. My review of this one will be up within the next week. (I'm on the Around The World ARC Tours)

From The Library:

I should not be taking books out of the library, I'm way to behind on review books but I just can't help myself. This one sounds way to good. i haven't heard to much about it from bloggers but when I saw this one in my library I just couldn't leave it there. Actually, I downloaded this one from the Simon and Schuster galley grab, yet sadly it expired before I could get to it.

What did you get this week?

--Danielle

Waiting On Wednesday

2011-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

While I did like Jay Asher's book 13 Reason's Why it was not my favorite book in the world. Yet after reading the summary for this one, and knowing how great Jay Asher's writing is, I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

Summary:

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

It just sounds so GOOD! I've also heard great things from everyone who has read it.

--Danielle

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It

2011-10-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

For me this is a bit easier, almost all the books I've bought are sitting right here on the selves near my desk. Usually I have to think and remember all the books that I have read. Here are my Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It:

1) Jessica's Guide to Dating The Dark Side - The cover and title of this one brought me in. It was cheesy and I was in a stage of reading vampire books, actually I was more like devouring them. This is a book that I now, always recommend. i am so glad the title and cover drew me in.

2) City of Bones - I am not going to lie, the hot guy on the cover of this one it what made me pick it up. Just look at it, you can't blame me. I'm so glad this cover was so pretty or else I would have never ended up buying it and it wouldn't be one of my favorite books EVER.

3) I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You By Ally Carter - Not only does this book have the longest title ever, it also has to be one of the most eye catching. These are fun girls kick ass spy books that just go perfectly with the title.

4) Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini - The swirling blues, purples and just the all out shine to the cover made me pick this one up to buy. Honestly I did not enjoy it, It was slow and....well I just felt like it was WAY to slow. I never got into it. This is a book I regret judging by it's cover.

5) I Was A Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott - Honestly the only reason I picked this book up is because I'm a brunette and this title made me smile. Well plus the fact the summary was just to cute. This was just a fun series to read and was the first Kieran Scott book I read and now she's one of my favorite authors. This is a book I do not regret buying, at all. Also the cover said Slash-Free proof and I never saw that before I was got curious, of course it didn't really work.

6) Unearthly - This book has the prettiest cover EVER. Hands-down, no competition. (at least for me, anyway) I've always loved this cover, probably because purple is my favorite color and I want to steal that dress. I'm glad the cover drew me in because this is now one of my favorite books.

7) Divergent by Veronica Roth - This book I put of buying because I didn't like the cover or title. They both here just bland and did not capture my interest at all. Now after reading the book (AND IT IS THE BEST BOOK OF 2011, NO COMPETITION) I realize the cover and title are perfect and I should not have judge it by the title and cover.

F.Y.I - In case you have yet to read Divergent, go pick up a copy RIGHT NOW. <3

That's all I came up with for this week, I usually research a bit about a book before buying it, these were just some exceptions.

---Danielle

In My Mailbox (57)

2011-10-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

IMM is host and created by The Story Siren

I only got one book this week, and it is for school but I'm very excited to finally read this one.

I've heard countless people talk about it, especially during banned book week in September. Now I'll actually know what they are talking about. After years of just nodding in agreement. Also I don't know if I'll review this one, unless you're really curious about what I think. I don't really like to review classics but who knows.

What did you get this week?

-Danielle

A Few Questions For YOU!

2011-10-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I've been really wanting to change a few things around my blog and with Marching Band Season ending soon I'll have TONS of time. Before I make any changes I would love to here what you have to think!

If you want to fill out this short (really really shot, only 5 question) form, I will love you forever! Actually thats no true, I love you all for reading my blog already.

Here's the form https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEhQWW1tNnpHWHVNWDVfRUpOSmxUYVE6MQ#gid=0

Also, I think it would be really fun to do a Question and Answer video! So If you want to a\send some random questions my way, you're welcome to! You can post them on twitter @withabook or leave them below or use formspring if you want to be all secretive. My form-spring is http://www.formspring.me/withabook

Thanks so much guys!

--Danielle

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

2011-10-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

"Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish."

This week is Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time Again.

1) City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare- I've read this a few times but the first time was just enchanting. Learning about the world of Shadow Hunters and meeting Jace for the first time. The sarcasm and thinking Jace and Clary were related.

2) Romeo and Juliet - This is just a classic. I've read this a few times too. I just love the story and William Shakespeare's writing. This first time reading a story like this is always the best.

3) Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Just for the fact that this was my first Sarah Dessen book. After this I picked up every book by Mrs. Dessen and have been obsessed every since. This will always be my favorite.

4) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. It will always be one of my favorites. From Mr. Darcy to the witty lines that I can quote from memory. I would love to be able to go back and read this one all over again.

5) Old Magic by Marianne Curley - I fell in love with the time travel and magic in this book the first time I read it. Since then I've borrowed it from the library at least 10 times. I really need to get my own copy...

6) The Summer of Skinny Sipping by Amanda Howells - This book made me ball my eyes out. Seriously. The first time is always the most emotional with a book like this when you don't know whats coming. I really wish I could read this for the first time again

7) Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - For the same reason of Summer of Skinny Dipping. I devoured this book when I was in elementary school.

8) Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - Don't make fun of me. I read these books before the hype, before the movies, before anyone knew they existed. They were my first obsession. I would wait a year for each one and devour them the second they came out while I was in middle school.

9) Divergent by Veronica Roth- This is a very new book, it just came out this summer but I've already read it twice. The first time I just couldn't put it down. The suspense and action just kept me addicted. This is my favorite book of 2011.

10) Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant by Ann Brashares - These were one of the first YA books that I read. I loved the romance, traveling, and friendship all over again. I really need to get the new book that just came out....

I know there are a ton more that I just couldn't think of. Before I started blogging I use to reread books all the time. I just don't have the time anymore.

--Danielle

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

2011-10-10T05:06:00.000-07:00

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
By: Michelle Hodkin
Summary: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Review: First I have to say, I am in love this summary. It's short, to the point and captures your attention. I'm sick of summary's that give away the first half of the book. Then the cover, it's haunting and making you think. Just perfect for the plot! Anyway on to the actual contents of the book...

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is spectacular. Hands down one of the best books of 2011. Right up there with Delirium and Divergent. The suspense and mystery keeps you reading till three am. I literally could not put the book down, I was addicted. Sitting in the middle of English, I actually did that thing where you hide the book behind a text book. (That actually works!) Yet, the sarcasm in Mara Dyer made in laugh out loud (literally) quite a few times. This got me a few strange looks.

Michelle Hodkin gave Mara this unique personality. She was sarcastic, witty and a bit crazy. The writing was just haunting and real. From the setting to the characters and plot, everything in Mara Dyer made the perfect suspenseful book. I was thrown for loops so many times that I just stop trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Every page kept me on my toes, especially when Noah was involved.

Noah. At first I was a bit skeptical of him. I wasn't sure whether he was going to be good or bad for Mara. In the end, I fell in love with him as Mara did. At first he's this perfect guy, yet his flaws are what made in perfect in the end. He is now on the list of my favorite literary characters.

I'm sure you've heard about the hype surround Mara Dyer by know, and it's all 100 percent deserved. If you haven't pick up a copy of this book yet, GO NOW. Really you should. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer will not disappoint you.

In My Mailbox (56)

2011-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren

Hey guys, I feel like the worst blogger EVER. I haven't post a review in awhile, and I didn't post anything all week last week. I could give you a line of excuses and apologies, For example my English teacher assigns paper after paper and my dog died this week (which are both true, and the second is really sad). I could also say sorry a million times but I won't. I'll just tell you - I promise to be a better blogger! I already wrote up reviews and posts for the rest of the week, and half the month of October so this WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN! I lost a follower this week, and while it was only one, I just felt like a let one person down. Such a horrible feeling. I promise to do better.

Anyway guys, here is my IMM these are all e-books for review.

From Simon and Schuster Galley Grab:

This sounds SO CUTE!

(Heard some GREAT things about this one!)

From Netgalley for a Book Tour:

That's what I got this week. What did you get?

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (55)

2011-10-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by The Story Siren. (I bet you knew that already :b )

Hey guys! I forgot almost forgot it was Sunday. Meaning I almost did not do a IMM. I only got one book in the mailbox yet I couldn't be more excited for it.

For Review: (From Around The World ARC Tours)

I've heard some AMAZING things about this book and I completely forgot I signed up for this tour, I was so surprised when I opened the package. I'm going to start digging into this one right away.

Also, I received Crossed by Ally Condi (not from the ARC tour)

For me, Matched was just okay, it didn't blow me away but so far I'm enjoying Crossed. The world has already been set up in Matched so this time we are just thrown into the plot and action. Also we see things from Ky's POV this time too!

Oh, and that cover is just perfect. This series has the best covers ever because they fit the stories so well and I can't wait to see the next one.

--Danielle

Book Trailers Part 2

2011-10-02T08:43:00.001-07:00

On Thursday I had a post about Book Trailers that I recently found and loved. Yet I also stumbled upon a few book trailers that I didn't enjoy. Here they are...

While this is a book that I'm really excited to read, the trailer doesn't tell you anything about it. AT ALL. It just told me facts I already know about the titanic, and then slightly suggests werewolves but never comes out to say it. Still, this is a book I will be picking up. I loved the Evernight Series.

Warning! Spoilers if you haven't read Wings or Spells.

....I have TONS of problems with this trailer. First I have to say these books are amazing and even though I hate the trailer this has no reflection on how I feel about the first two books. Now, what if someone clicked on this trailer without reading the first two books? Well that's a HUGE spoiler. Basically the main plot points given right there. Then the people! I really don't like people like this in trailers, well just their faces. It takes the magic and fun out of creating the characters in your head. In EVE's trailer there was people but you never saw their faces.

This trailer is just cheesy and it also doesn't make me want to pick up the book. Which is sad seeing that Legend is a great dystopian novel. I've been recommending everyone to put it on there TBR pile for awhile now. I'm curious what you think of this trailer? Am I the only one that thinks it's overly cheesy?

What are some book trailers that get on your nerves?

--Danielle

Orange Layout Is Back!

2011-09-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have never been so happy to see the color orange. As I was frantically trying to fix my blog anyway I possible could, I finally remembered that I had saved the HTML code for this layout I have now. It took a good fifteen minutes of looking for the folder of all my trial templates but I finally found it.

I'm so sorry to put you guys through this insane disaster today. Hopefully everything is back to normal, and I don't think I will be changing my ugly orange background anytime soon.

Thanks for putting up with me, oh and Happy October! As I am writing this the clock just turned to October 1st. At least here in the east coast.

--Danielle

Fixing My Blog Layout

2011-09-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you all know that I am in the process of making a new layout for my blog. For the next couple of hours everything might be a little wacky.

I decided to re-due my blog because it's been like this for a year and six months. Honestly I'm just getting sick of the orange. My goal is something lighter, fresher, and just fun to look at.

Update: I RUINED MY LAYOUT. I hate the way it looks right now and the header. Everything is just wrong. Sorry guys. I can't fix it till I get back from the football game tonight. But I will stay up all night to fix it if I have to. I promise.

--Danielle

Book Trailers and Eve as a TV show?

2011-09-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

This morning I was on YouTube and I stumbled upon the HarperTeen channel and found a few really great book trailers. Personally, i usually don't like book trailers yet they seem to be getting better and better. Here are a few on my favorites that I just found.

Eve by Ana Carey

I reviewed this one over the summer and while my feelings on Eve were a little iffy I just fell in love with the trailer. It is PERFECT for the book. Also did you catch the "From the Producers of the Vampire Diaries" caption Well from what I here they are creating a TV show for Eve right now! Personally I think Eve will make a fantastic TV show. It seems many books are going in this route now. Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Chloe King are a few.

Being the sequel to Bright Young Things, already makes me super excited to read Beautiful Days by Anna Godberson. However this trailer made me sequel in anticipation to get my hands on Beautiful Days. The trailer was haunting, suspenseful, and just everything that makes me love a book trailer. Also I am writing a paper on women of the 1920's. While I can't use this for my paper, I'll have fun telling people to "Go away I'm doing research for my thesis paper."

From the HarperTeen's channel I stumbled upon Simon and Schuster's and there I found this great book trailer.

I was already looking forward to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer but after this trailer I want to go out and buy a copy right this second. This is with out a doubt the best book trailer I have EVER seen. From the music to the actors, and the suspense it builds. Really just the best book trailer ever.

Then after watching so many book trailers, I went to check out Little Brown's selection.

I'm in the middle of reading this one now and the trailer is just captivating. From the music to the colors, I wouldn't have picked anything else for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone's trailer. The noel is just as good and addicting so far as well.

I could keep talking about the trailers that I stumbled upon today but then this would be way to long. However, since this was about all trailers I loved, tomorrow I'll be doing a post on trailers that just didn't cut it for me.

Whats your favorite book trailer?

--Danielle

Banned Books Week Vlog

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

This week is Banned Books Week is from September 24th or October 1st. Find more information here http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

This video is about some banned books that I own, and why they were banned.

It's really long because I ramble...a lot...

My favorite banned book is To Kill A Mockingbird. Whats yours?

Songs in the video:

Say by John Mayer

Who Says by Selena Gomez

Dog Days Are Over - Florence and The Machine

In My Mailbox (54)

2011-09-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

This week was an intense school week for me. I had to write three papers, read a huge chunk of my history (college level) text book, take Spanish, English, and History tests plus long marching band practices. I think junior year might just kill me. However the books that I received this week make everything so much better. I even did a happy dance when I checked the mail.

Is that a strand mug? Yes it is! I was drinking a chi tea latte and thought I would include it in the pictures because I just love this mug. The owls are just too cute, right?

Anyway back to the books... For Review I received...

* Sequels * Is that the sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side? I think it is. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Jessica's Guide so much! Actaully I love all of Beth Fantaskey's books. I even entered a trailer contest for Jekel Loves Hyde and was a runner up. Anyway and am so excited (really really excited) for this book. I can always use more Jessica and Lucius. ALWAYS.

Won:

A few weeks ago I won Firelight and Vanished from www.cariblogs.blogspot.com. Cari was nice enough to get them signed for me! If you don't follow her blog, you should really go do that now. :)

They are so pretty! I've already devoured Vanished and it is so AMAZING. I am so behind on reviews but You will probably see one for Vanished this week.

I told you I received some fantastic books this week! Really, I just can't stop staring at them. It made my week of crazy-ness at school completely worth it.

Here's the my Jekel Loves Hyde trailer

Also I would not have survived this week without The Cab's new album. I kept me going at 1 in the morning while I was writing papers and studying my butt off. Here's my favorite song in the album but you should by the whole thing to support this talented band. They funded this whole album by themselves.

What did you get in your mailbox? Leave a link below so I can go check it out!

--Danielle

Review: Hades

2011-09-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Source: ARC from Around The World ARC Tour
Goodreads/Amazon

Summary: Heaven Help Her.

Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.

The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

Review: Halo was one of my favorite books of 2010, mostly because I'm a hopeless romantic but it's also due to Alexandra Adornetto descriptive way of writing. While I was happy with the ending in Halo, I wanted more of Bethany and Xavier's story. I was over-joyed to find that Halo was going to have a sequel. Sadly I have some mixed feelings about Hades.

One of my favorite aspects of Halo was the fact it was breath of fresh air from the other Angel books in YA. For example, Hush, Hush and Fallen take a dark spin on Angels. Halo, however, was different it was light and romantic. Yet Hades was the opposite, I felt it was trying to be like the other YA Angel novels. This was unnecessary because of the fact that being different was one of Halo's best features. Also, I wish there was more romance and Xavier in Hades. Both were lacking in the sequel and that's what made me fall in love with Halo in the first place.

There was one part of Hades that I did enjoy, the villain. For me, villains are one of my favorite part of a novel . They are the most complex characters and as a result they are just so much fun to try and figure out. Jake Thorn was one of those villains that make you wonder just how bad they are. You can tell he really cared about Bethany in his creepy way. While reading one question that kept going through my mind was how Jake had ended up like he is. I feel like there is an interesting back story there. If Alexandra ever wrote a prequel about him, I would be very excited to read it.

Over-all I did enjoy reading Hades even with my complaints. It was nice to see these characters that I loved again, even though it was mostly Bethany and Jake. I won't hesitate to read anything Alexandra Adorenetto writes. Her descriptive writting captures me every time and after all she is only 19, we should be seeing tons more of Alexandra in the future.

--Danielle

Books and Art (2)

2011-09-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

I want to read there, under a tree next to a castle and in that dress. This picture is just beautiful I love it.

This picture is from deviantart.com and it's by DusterAmaranth

--Danielle

The Secret Circle (TV Show)

2011-09-16T15:03:00.001-07:00

L.J. Smith's books have been getting much deserved attention in the last few years due to The Vampire Diaries. Which if you don't know is a book turned to successful TV show on the CW. While I haven't read the book I've been addicted to the show from day one.

An L.J. Smith book that I have read and loved would be the Secret Circle. This is one that I read back in middle school when I just starting my love for YA paranormal books. I have read other L.J. Smith books, yet Secret Circle has always been my favorite. I was beyond excited to here it was being made into a TV show.

Now what did I think of the TV show? If you didn't know it premiered last night after the Vampire Diaries. Both shows are produced by the same person and it shows. They are both dark, paranormal but change to a normal day light in an instant. I like how the Vampire Dairies is directed and the same goes for Secret Circle.

For the most part they have stayed true to the book, and I know this most likely won't continue (like with Vampire Diaries) but I will continue watching anyway. The show is fast paced and so far the characters are great. You have the good girl main character, the bad girl, the leader, forbidden romance, and the hot neighbor. Oh, and of course the secretive parents. So far so good.

If you didn't catch the Secret Circle on yesterday make sure you watch it on The CW 9:00 eastern time next week (well that's if you like paranormal TV shows).

--Danielle

Review: Shut Out

2011-09-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Received Copy from BEA (ARC)

Summary: Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

Inspired by Aristophanes' play Lysistrata, critically acclaimed author of The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) Kody Keplinger adds her own trademark humor in this fresh take on modern teenage romance, rivalry and sexuality.

Review: Some books just have that fun, quirky feel that put you in a good mood while reading. Shut out by Kody Keplinger is one of those books. While it was on the light and humerus side it also touched on some topics you see some (most) authors shy away from. Just like in 10 Things I Did and Probably Shouldn't Have by Sarah Mlynowski, Shut Out was not scared to get it's point out there and didn't leave any thing out. If you enjoyed 10 Things, this would be the book you want to check out next.

The characters in Shut Out were relatable which made them me favorite part of the story. They just felt like any normal in high school students, someone you could be friends with. This is probably due to Kody Keplinger's age, she has not been out of high school that long. This means she can write a book that teenage girls now can read and really relate to. There were a few things the main character did that upset me but those are character flaws and without them you wouldn't have a story.

Shut Out was the first book I read by Kody Keplinger it is also her sophomore novel. I'll be checking out her debut from last year as soon as possible. I don't know why I put off reading The Duff for so long but I really regret that now, If it's anything like Shut Out I'm sure I will love every page of it. Shut Out is a book I would recommend to any teenage girl in high school. If you are under 14 I would put off reading Shut Out for a few years since it does touch some older topics as you can see from the summary.

Books and Art (1)

2011-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I want to start doing a meme where I show books in art, mostly photography or photos. I don't know much about art, just that I like some of it and other I don't like as much. Also, I know a bunch of other bloggers do something like this but I don't remember all the names that they use for their meme title. So Books and Art is your meme title please tell me so I can change mine or give you credit. Thanks!

This week I found this photo and it's what made me want to start this meme, I thought it was just so pretty.

Books and tea? Two of my favorite things. The colors in this one work perfectly and it's just a beautiful photo to look at.

This picture was taken by http://pinkparis1233.deviantart.com/

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (53)

2011-09-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

- Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
- Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Mentioned - Around the World ARC Tours
Song in background - Arms by Christina Perri (sorry I actually just forgot to turn it off)

Now I need to get a webcam... I use my digital camera to take these videos but it would be so much easier with a webcam. Anyone know any cheap good ones?

What did you get in your mailbox?

Trailer Contest!

2011-09-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I hope your having a fantastic Friday. I know I am, Last day of school for the week andthe first home football game of the season. While I don't really understand football (gasp I know, I go to every football game you think I would get it by now) I just love cheering and playing peppy songs in the stands (like the Hey Song and Rocky theme song) with the marching band.

Anyway that's not what this post is about. I wanted to let you guys know that there is a Book Trailer Contest going on for a great book. For Always by Danielle Sibarium is a contemporary romance that I think Sarah Dessen fan will love. Here's the summary:

You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?

I've already read For Always and I loved every page. I'll have my full review up in early October but for now I just want to tell you guys about a book trailer contest the author is doing now. The prizes consist of a $100 Amazon or Itunes giftcard for first place and a $50 one for second. Great prized right? You can buy a bunch of books or songs with that.

For all the details go to http://www.daniellesibarium.com/.

--Danielle

p.s. Isn't that cover just gorgeous?!?! You should know that I have a pretty cover obsession by now.

Waiting on Wednesday (On Thursday)

2011-09-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

I could have sworn today was Wednesday...I think Labor day messed me up. Or maybe just the huge amounts of homework I've been having. It could be either of those reasons or I'm just going crazy (this is probably the right one).

Anyway here's my Waiting On Wednesday a day late...

This is the sequel to Legacy which I adored. One of my favorite books this year. I'm just so super excited for Allegiance, I NEED to know what happens next. Or my head will explode (really it will).

If you haven't read Legacy yet I'm going to put the summary right here:

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.
When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.
In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

This one comes out in February, plus by then I will have my license so I can drive myself to go pick it up at the book store. YAY!

If you haven't read Legacy yet, you have a few months to get your butt in gear before the release of Allegiance, and I highly suggest you do. (My full Legacy review HERE )

Enough of my crazy-ness for now,
--Danielle

In My Mailbox (52)

2011-09-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

I surprised I lasted a week after the release before picking this one up. I was dying to read it but had to get through my school books first. I loved the Vampire Academy and I was a little bit iffy on this one. I already finished it and my review will be up soon!

This series is a series I've been following since I was starting middle school and now I'm almost done with high school. I usually don't follow a series for that long but the Private novels are my guilty pleasure. I love every single one of them and I"m sad to see them end.

What did you get this week?

--Danielle

Contest Winner and 300 followers!

2011-09-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day of school which to me means the end of summer. What better day then that to pick the winner of my last summer giveaway of the year? This was the giveaway for Wintertown...

And the Winner is!

Miss Lauren!

I sent an email to the winner, I'm not big on deadlines but if she doesn't answer me in a week or so I'll pick a new winner.

If you didn't win this one don't fret I'll be having my 300+ follower giveaway soon. You are all inedible for putting up with my randomness that you deserve a giveaway. I know I"m always saying this but I never expected anyone to read my blog let alone a few hundred of you!

--Danielle

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

2011-09-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Legend by Marie Lu
Release Date: November 29th
Goodreads/Amazon
*Copy is an ARC I received from Imagination in Focus (giveaway for a review)

Review: Some books just have that quality that makes them addicting. You know the feeling, when you can't stop reading no matter what else you have to do. It just consumes you until you finish, then (of course) you're left thinking about it long after you closed the back cover. Legend is one of those books.

From the first page where we meet Day, a fifteen year old criminal, and not just any criminal, the most wanted criminal in the country, you are addicted to the story and characters. Now don't roll your eyes. I know a fifteen year old boy being that great of a criminal, it doesn't sounds that believable. Marie Lu's writing makes it seem very possible. Not only that, on the opposite side of the district we find June. June is a fifteen year old military prodigy and would never go against something the government told her to do. (Again, don't roll your eyes, while reading the book you won't question this.) After June's brother is found dead, who else would be the prime suspect but Day? Now June is set out on capturing him. When these two world clash you get an action packed, unstoppable book.

Legend is told in alternating point of views of June and Day. This was the one problem I had with the book. It wasn't the actually switching of point of views that bothered me, it was the switch of font colors. The book opens with Day in a gold font. Then June's was in the normal, basic black. This almost stopped me from enjoying the book but slowly I got use to it. Now I was reading an ARC, so maybe (hopefully) the hardcover version won't have this.

Other then the font issues I really enjoyed reading from both June and Day's perspectives. In the beginning they are part of two different worlds and we get to see them both. Military to criminal. June's tough, smart, personality to Day's more sensitive one. They balanced each other out. Plus without seeing both sides Legend would not have the same effect it did.

Overall this is a dysotpian that you do not want to miss. There's no shortage of them coming out in the future and Legend stands it's ground with the best of the best. Which is Delirium, Divergent, and The Hunger Games in my opinion. Or if you just want an action pack mystery check out Legend when it hits stores November 29th.

--Danielle

*gasp* I know I posted a review. It's been awhile since I've put one of these up, sorry about that. School starts tomorrow so I should be getting back into a scheduled routine. Hopefully you'll be seeing much more of me.

Waiting on Wednesday: Every Other Day

2011-08-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

Am I aloud to fan girl sequel? If so, insert that here. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is one of my favorite authors. She wrote Raised By Wolves (Remember my raving review?). She also wrote The Squad, which is a fun, girls kick ass book. Every Other Day sounds fantastic, I would still be interested if I had never read one of Barnes books before.

Who else is excited?

About Me Page

2011-08-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I made an About Me page! You can find a link to it on the right side bar and I'm also going to post it here. :)

With a Book has been up for a year and a half now. I decided it’s time to FINALLY make an About Me page.

My name is Danielle and I am a sixteen year old high school junior. I've been reading for as long as I can remember. There have been periods where I would stop reading for a year or so, but I would find a good book and jump right back in to being addicted to the written word. A reading stump like that hasn't happened since 6^th grade, when I discovered YA fiction. I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on since.

Random facts about me:

Me fencing a few years ago.

· I own 323 books

· For 2 years I took fencing lessons, and even did a few competitions.

· I’ve been playing the Flute for 6 years, and I am in my high school marching band. (We’re the second largest in NJ)

· Now I play the piccolo in the marching band.

· I have two dogs one black lab mix and a shitzu.

· My birthday is on February 16. And this year on my birthday I get my license. YAY! (Driving to the book store without needed a parent to bring me)

· I don’t really like chocolate. (I will eat a brownie or milky way bar)

Jackson in the little one, Domino is a large one.
Best dogs EVER.

If you want to know anything else about me, ask me on Formspring! (I just made one)

About With A Book

On April 11, 2010 I created With A Book. I started the blog because for as long as I had a computer (with internet) I’ve been reviewing books. Mostly on Barnes and Nobles or Amazon (I didn’t know about Goodreads then, crazy right?) and I was loosing track of all of them. Someone (online) told me about starting a blog to keep track of everything. I looked up a few book blogs after that and it just looked like so much fun. Actually being able to communicate with all these other book lovers. So I made With A Book. One of the best decisions ever.

About The Blog Title: Now I realize how confusing my header and button are. I should have written YA book blog somewhere. Anyway I decided to call my blog ‘With A Book” because with a book you can find everything from romance to mysteries.

*This was on my To Do blog list, next up, a new layout. I’m really sick of the orange.

Hunger Games Teaser Trailer!

2011-08-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Now I'm sure a bunch of you watched the VMA's last night just to see this trailer. Some were disappointed by how short it was and others were jumping out of there seat excited. If you haven't seen it yet you should check it out now, or you could always just watch it again.

Now I think the trailer was really good. While it was short it shows us that they are going a good job with the book to movie right now. You can see the good effects with the fire. The good acting by Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth's amazing voice. (I am Team Peeta though). While I wasn't the biggest fan's of the books I think they are going to make a fantastic movie.

I'm also not really bothered if they change the book around to make the movie. Movies and books are very different things, the plots sometimes has to be different to make things move faster or maybe even draw scenes out more.

How close the actors look to the descriptions in the books don't bother me either. They just have to be a good actor. I'm probably only one of the few book lovers that feel this way, but that's okay.

What did you think of the trailer??

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (51)

2011-08-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

Links:
Mundie Moms
Aprilynne Pike

Sorry for my rambling. I'm stuck in the house and needed something to do...

What did you get in your mailbox?

--Danielle

Hurricane News...

2011-08-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, so if you every looked at my 'About Me' in the top left side bar you know I live in New Jersey. Guess what? New Jersey is about to be hit by a hurricane. I don't live on the shore but close enough that I'm going to get high winds. Plus the town I live in is surrounded by trees (and trees and more trees), that will fall on power lines with high winds.

Why am I telling you this? Well if I loose power for a few days, you won't see much of me around the blogging world. I always try to schedule posts but blogger likes to gobble them up and hide them. I am going to ATTEMPT and schedule posts but I can't promise blogger won't get hungry and eat them on me. I seriously think that sometimes blogger hates me, or maybe I'm just more computer challenged then I think I am.

I'm going to post my IMM later today but after that it all depends on the weather and bloggers eating habits.

Everyone stay safe during the hurricane! If your not in the east coast, have fun in the sun for the last week of summer. Now I'm going to collect all the book lights I can find so I can still read in the dark....

--Danielle

With A Book

Interview: Melissa Jensen (The Fine Art Of Truth or Dare)

In My Mailbox(69)

BookExpo America and Age Limit Rumors

Waiting on Wednesday

Thoughts: The Chamber of Secrets

In My Mailbox (68)

Breathless Reads Tour - PA stops!

Anastasia's Secret for 2.99!

Thoughts: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Top Ten Tuesday

Review: Tempest

In My Mailbox (67)

Finals Are Over and Plans for February (A Week of Awesomeness)

Finals = bad blogging

In My Mailbox (66)

Review: Shatter Me

Waiting On Wednesday

Top Ten Tuesday:Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA

In My Mailbox (65)

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Waiting on Wednesday (City of Lost Souls)

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

Giveaway: For Always (Signed!)

In My Mailbox (64)

Review: The Lucky One

Review: The Nine Lives of Chloe King 1 & 2

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Waiting On Wednesday

Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

Challenges for 2012

In My Mailbox

Happy New Year: My goals for 2012

Favorite Couples of 2011

Favorite Paranormal and Fantasy of 2011

Favorites of 2011: Contemporary

Cheap E-books!

Favorites Of 2011 - Dystopian

IMM - After Christmas

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Waiting on Wednesday

Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side

In My Mailbox (61)

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Waiting on Wednesday: (Kind-of)

Books to Movies: City of Bones

Review: Starcrossed

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

Cliffhangers

Breaking Dawn Part 1

Waiting On Wednesday

Review: Between the Sea and the Sky

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Review: Notes from an Accidental Bank Geek

In My Mailbox (59)

Review: Clockwork Angel

Waiting On Wednesday

Top Ten Books To Read During Halloween

Review: For Always

Crossed - Book Trailer

In My Mailbox (58)

Waiting On Wednesday

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It

In My Mailbox (57)

A Few Questions For YOU!

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

In My Mailbox (56)

In My Mailbox (55)

Book Trailers Part 2

Orange Layout Is Back!

Fixing My Blog Layout

Book Trailers and Eve as a TV show?

Banned Books Week Vlog

In My Mailbox (54)

Review: Hades

Books and Art (2)

The Secret Circle (TV Show)

Review: Shut Out

Books and Art (1)