A Giveaway and an Update!

Over on the blog I share with my mom, we are giving away $25 to spend at any of the over 200 CSN stores. Go check it out if you're interested!

Also, just a quick reminder, I will be having an 800 follower giveaway as soon as I hit 800, so tell your friends!

At least 20 books will be included as of right now, and more will be added as time goes on... I have them sitting on my desk waiting to be given away... =P

Some that are up for grabs will be ARCs of The Lost Saint, I am Number Four, Demonglass, Halo and much much more.

Much love!

Sherry<3

Giveaway: ARC of Pink by Lili Wilkinson

So having just finished reading and reviewing Pink by Lili Wilkinson, I am passing it on to one of you to enjoy!

Summary from Goodreads:

"Ava has a secret. She is tired of her ultracool attitude, ultra-radical politics, and ultrablack clothing. She's ready to try something new—she's even ready to be someone new. Someone who fits in, someone with a gorgeous boyfriend, someone who wears pink.

Transferring to Billy Hughes School for Academic Excellence is the perfect chance to try on a new identity. But just in case things don't work out, Ava is hiding her new interests from her parents, and especially from her old girlfriend.

Secrets have a way of being hard to keep, though, and Ava finds that changing herself is more complicated than changing her wardrobe. Even getting involved in the school musical raises issues she never imagined. As she faces surprising choices and unforeseen consequences, Ava wonders if she will ever figure out who she really wants to be.

Humor, heart, and the joys of drama—on- and offstage—combine in Ava's delight-fully colorful journey of self-discovery."

This giveaway is US only. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but remember, there will be a huge giveaway when the blog hits 800 followers... (hint, hint) :)

All you have to do to enter, is leave a comment telling me about something pink. It can be anything, something you own, something you've seen, an animal you made up, whatever you want really.

If you want to earn some extra entries, simply spread the word about this contest, and earn up to 3 extra entries total, +1 for each tweet, blog post, or whatever you do, but don't forget only three total!

Please leave all necessary links in with you pink comment, or the extra entries won't count.

So, 1 entry for your pink comment, and up to 3 extra entries for spreading the word. Also, please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact the winner.

This giveaway will end Feburary 2nd, and if the winner responds to my email quickly, they should have their copy before the release date.

Get entering and good luck!

Sherry<3

Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Publication Date: Feburary 8th, 2011

(First Published August 1st, 2009)

Published by HarperCollins Publishers

Hardcover, 304 Pages

Source: ARC received from publisher for honest review

Summary from Goodreads:

"Ava has a secret. She is tired of her ultracool attitude, ultra-radical politics, and ultrablack clothing. She's ready to try something new—she's even ready to be someone new. Someone who fits in, someone with a gorgeous boyfriend, someone who wears pink.

Transferring to Billy Hughes School for Academic Excellence is the perfect chance to try on a new identity. But just in case things don't work out, Ava is hiding her new interests from her parents, and especially from her old girlfriend.

Secrets have a way of being hard to keep, though, and Ava finds that changing herself is more complicated than changing her wardrobe. Even getting involved in the school musical raises issues she never imagined. As she faces surprising choices and unforeseen consequences, Ava wonders if she will ever figure out who she really wants to be.

Humor, heart, and the joys of drama—on- and offstage—combine in Ava's delight-fully colorful journey of self-discovery."

My Review: ***** = 5 Stars

When I got the email asking if I wanted to review this book, I didn't hesitate saying yes. I love the simple but interesting cover(reminds of ying-yang, which will make sense after you read the book), the summary sounded awesome, and John Green blurbed it so I thought immediately, I will definitely like this book. And I did. But I didn't just like it, I loved it.

Ava wants to be normal, and to be normal, she uproots herself from her school and what her life has become, to start over at a private school. The premise of this story is pretty neat actually. Ava is extremely motivated to be different, or at least to try and be different, and I'm pretty sure I would never(or could ever) do what she did. So mad props to her for the effort she put in to her transformation. Not only does she change schools, but she changes her entire outward appearance(clothing, makeup etc.). On top of that, she wants to try a shot at having a, what she thinks "normal" should be, relationship(boy and girl).

I really loved the main character, Ava. She did a lot of things to try and find her spot, and she made numerous mistakes, but she also went out of her way to right the wrongs she made. Along the way to finding out who she really was, she made new friends, and she learned many lessons.

I don't want to give away too much, but I adore the ending and I look forward to getting my hands on more of Lili's work(this is her US debut, but she has released other books).

Pink is a heartwarming tale, full of friendship and romance, but it also offers us a look at just how hard it might be to truly find yourself, and all the fun you can have doing it. A must read!

Stay tuned, I'll be posting a giveaway for my ARC of Pink shortly after this post goes live!

Find Lili Wilkinson on Twitter: @twitofalili

or her webpage here.

Sherry<3

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

 The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Publication Date: December 28th, 2010

Published by EgmontUSA

Hardcover, 416 Pages

Source: ARC received from publisher for honest review

Summary from Goodreads:

"A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with he werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger -- in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her -- not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine."

My Review: ***** = 5 Stars

One thing I worry about when it comes to sequels of amazing first books, is that the second book won't be as good or I won't enjoy it as much. That was definately not the case with The Lost Saint. In the beginning, the reader gets reintroduced to the characters and the storyline that we left behind in The Dark Divine. The Lost Saint brings about a whole new journey, that is, in my opinion, a much more enjoyable ride than the first book, and I honestly loved TDD.

The majority of this book is quite intense. It's a combination of different adventures throughout the novel, which brings about the main conflict at the end, and my oh my is it one well written ending. There were some things I expected, and others I didn't and I couldn't read it fast enough. I was so happy, pleased, thrilled, and actually slightly disappointed with the ending (but ONLY because I have to wait for Book 3, which I have no clue when it is coming out!).

It was great fun to get to spend more time with Grace and Daniel. I honestly love this couple and while tension exsisted in this book between the two, I think it made the couple more realistic. There are ups and downs in every relationship, and to see that explored with them, I think only made their relationship that much more stronger.

With the introduction of new characters, and a great new story to tell, The Lost Saint does not dissapoint. If you're a fan of paranormal books mixed with adventure and romance, then you won't want to miss this one! Just make sure you read The Dark Divine first. :)

Have you already read this? What did you think?

Sherry<3

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Publication Date December 21st, 2010

Published by St. Martin's Press

Paperback, 230 Pages

Source: Purchased from Borders

Summary from Goodreads:

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

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

My Review: **** 1/2 = 4.5 Stars

Courtney Summers has done it again. Much like with the first book I read of hers, Cracked Up To Be, she has created realistic characters, and has put them on a path that isn't cheerful and bright, but is filled with hardships that the characters must work through and solve.

It's hard to say what it would be like to lose a loved one that close. I'm sure many of you reading this have, and I am sorry for that. I've been fortunate in my life that I haven't lost anyone very close, like a parent or sibling. I can't fathom what it must be like, but reading Courtney's writing, I can start to imagine just how unbearable it must be. The way Courtney writes, you can feel exactly what her characters are feeling, in this case, exactly how Eddie and her mother are feeling, and even those people close to them, their best friends Milo and Beth.

This book leaves you wondering how you, as a person, might react if someone close to you were to take their own life. It isn't something anyone particularly wants to imagine, but Courtney's ability to write about such a subject is quite amazing, and her ability to weave hope and love into this type of story, just goes to show what a great writer she is.

Any fan of Courtney's work will love this novel as well, and for those of you who have never read one of her books, this is a great one to start with.

Have you read this yet, what are your thoughts?


Sherry<3

Out with the old, in with the new....

2010 has come and gone. It had it's ups and downs, as did the world of reading. I'd like to ring in the new year with listing my top 1015 favorite reads from 2010 and listing the top 3 books I can't wait to read in 2011!

You have some big shoes to fill 2011...

My top 10 15 are just that, a top 10 15, they are in no particular order because I just can't pick which is the best, or the second best, I loved each of these ten fifteen books. And these didn't necessarily have to be published in 2010, I just happened to read them this past year.

Instead of telling you about why I loved each of these books, I will link my reviews so that you can see exactly how I felt about each right after I read them.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Matched by Ally Condie

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Brightly Woven by Alex Bracken

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Havent reviewed yet but this book = love)

I know 15 is a long list, and I still feel like I could add more, because honestly, 2010 was a great year for books. I am so looking forward to what 2011 has to offer.

There are a lot of books I really want in 2011, I had a list of ten, then five, but a lot are sequels that are just a given and even though two of the books in my top three most wanted 2011 are a companion book and a sequel.. oh well I can't help myself.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

-Stephanie is one amazing author, and if this companion novel is anything like Anna, I think I will have a new author moving up in the ranks of my all time favorites!

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

-Ok boarding school? Check. New unique story (I mean come on, Polynesian Volcano Goddess!!)? Double Check. And the fact that its written by a guy, doesn't necessarily make it any better (well I don't know yet because I havent read it) but if you look at the majority of your YA collection, I think you'll see that most of the authors are female, and I just love reading a good book written by a male.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

-Ever since City of Bones, Cassie has continued to catch my attention with her books. She's topped my list of favorite authors (yup shes up there with J.K.) And contuniuing on with one of my all time favorite series, I know City of Fallen Angels will not dissapoint!

Ahh yes so there it is. I look forward to a year filled with great books and friends! Happy New Year!

Sherry<3