In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, where you post the books you've recieved for review, bought, borrowed, traded, or got from the library!

What I bought this week:

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
One miscarriage too many spelled the end of Max and Zoe Baxter's marriage. Though the former couple went quite separate ways, their fates remained entangled: After veering into alcoholism, Max is saved in multiple senses by his fundamentalist conversion; Zoe, for her part, finds healing relief in music therapy and the friendship, then romantic love with Vanessa, her counselor. After Zoe and Vanessa, now married, decide to have a baby, they realize that they must join battle with Max, who objects on both religious and financial grounds.
*I love Jodi's books & this is one I've been dying to read.

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
Hunter, Autumn, and Summer—three of Kristina Snow’s five children—live in different homes, with different guardians and different last names. They share only a predisposition for addiction and a host of troubled feelings toward the mother who barely knows them, a mother who has been riding with the monster, crank, for twenty years. Hunter is nineteen, angry, getting by in college with a job at a radio station, a girlfriend he loves in the only way he knows how, and the occasional party. He's struggling to understand why his mother left him, when he unexpectedly meets his rapist father, and things get even more complicated. Autumn lives with her single aunt and alcoholic grandfather. When her aunt gets married, and the only family she’s ever known crumbles, Autumn’s compulsive habits lead her to drink. And the consequences of her decisions suggest that there’s more of Kristina in her than she’d like to believe. Summer doesn’t know about Hunter, Autumn, or their two youngest brothers, Donald and David. To her, family is only abuse at the hands of her father’s girlfriends and a slew of foster parents. Doubt and loneliness overwhelm her, and she, too, teeters on the edge of her mother’s notorious legacy. As each searches for real love and true family, they find themselves pulled toward the one person who links them together—Kristina, Bree, mother, addict. But it is in each other, and in themselves, that they find the trust, the courage, the hope to break the cycle. Told in three voices and punctuated by news articles chronicling the family’s story, FALLOUT is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy begun by CRANK and GLASS, and a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person’s problem.
*It's been awhile since I've read anything by Ellen Hopkins, but I love her books & I look forwarding to read this! And a plus it was only $6 :D


Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive.
*This cover is gorgeous! I love it. I've heard some good & bad about this book, hopefully I like it & don't regret buying it. THOUGH, it was a bargin since I got it for $6!

On My Wishlist (3)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

My Pick:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
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.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.



Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Title: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness
Page Number: 212
Genre: Middle Grade (According to Goodreads)
Synopsis:
This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.
Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.

My Review: When I first heard about this book, it imidiately caught my interest. I thought this sounded very unique and intruiging. But, it shouldn't be surprising coming from Ness, who's Chaos Walking series, is very unique.

I absolutely loved this book. It was everything I hoped with so much more! It was creepy and eerie. It was beautifully haunting. It really was. And don't get me started on this Monster. It was frightening! I'm very paranoid and spooked, especially at night and that's when I was reading this so the Monster really got to me.

A side from that, everything about it was perfect. The stories the Monster told, were beautiful and one of the best things about the book. Connor's conflict, internal and external were really heart wrenching.
I'm not going to lie, I was in tears by the end. It was really one of the best books I've read. And this was the first book I read by Ness, so I quickly picked up the Chaos Walking series afterward, because I just loved the writing and everything about A Monster Calls.

My Rating: 5/5- Perfection.

Review: The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and The Answer
Author: Patrick Ness
Page Number: 528
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Reaching the end of their flight in THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO, Todd and Viola did not find healing and hope in Haven. They found instead their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, waiting to welcome them to New Prentisstown. There they are forced into separate lives: Todd to prison, and Viola to a house of healing where her wounds are treated. Soon Viola is swept into the ruthless activities of the Answer, while Todd faces impossible choices when forced to join the mayor’s oppressive new regime. In alternating narratives the two struggle to reconcile their own dubious actions with their deepest beliefs. Torn by confusion and compromise, suspicion and betrayal, can their trust in each other possibly survive?

My Review: Starting off where the huge cliffhanger of The Knife of Never Letting Go ended, I think it was a bit slow. It took me a couple hundred pages to finally find the rhythm and flow of this one. But once it started I couldn't put it down. It was so good. I have to admit I could not stop thinking about Todd or Viola or anything when I finished reading it and that's always a sign of a good book.

  The writing once again, was very good. I liked reading the different perspectives. From Todd to Viola. It was a interesting new addition.

  I really liked it and the development in the characters. As well as the new characters introduced.
I can't wait to read the third and final book. It was be interesting to see how Ness wraps everything up.

  Definitely my favorite in the series so far though!

My Rating: 5/5 -Loved it.

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Page Number: 367
Genre: YA
Synopsis: 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.

My Review: I was eagerly awaiting  this sequel! I adored Matched. I thought it was beautifully written. So, my expectations were set a bit high for the sequel.

  I think the writing, once again, was absolutely beautiful and poetic. I love that Condie always refers back to such a strong and powerful poem. A poem that can have so many meanings and has a strong message. Although, this book was primarily about Cassia and Ky in search of each other I also think it's so much more than that, and Condie shows that with the poems and the constant reminder of Cassia's grandfather and the Rebellion. 

   The romance was also very cute. And it wasn't over done, like Stephanie Meyers. It wasn't cheesey or anything. It was just right. And subtle. Not too much, and it wasn't distracting from the everything else. Although it was a big part of the book, I feel it means more than what it really is, and that's why it's also an important part of the book.

  I really enjoyed Crossed, it's not my favorite book, but I liked it a lot. And I can't wait for the next one!

My Rating: 4/5- Enjoyed it very much!

Review: The Death Cure by James Dashner

Title: The Death Cure (Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
Author: James Dashner
Page Number: 324
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review: Now for starters, a lot of people have been saying they didn't like how The Maze Runner series ended and that there were too many questions left unanswered BUT I loved the ending and it's sad that the series ended but I think it ended well.

Like the first two, it's very fast pace. More twists and more action.
There's just so much that happens and it was just so good, I don't think words can sum it all up.

Some of the deaths in this book are really shocking. I didn't think some of the people who died would die. One particularly was just so shocking I couldn't believe it, it was heartbreaking.
The writing was once again amazing. Characters grew and it was all just so shucking good.

Yes, there were things left unanswered, but when isn't there? I feel like if EVERYTHING was answered what would be left of the story? It's those things that are left unanswered that keeps us thinking about the story, about the book, about everything. And really, I was a bit disappointed that not everything was answered but I couldn't be more happy with the way it ended. A bit corny but that's that and it ended on a fairy good note. Personally, I think it ended better than The Hunger Games. With the Hunger Games I was just kind of like "That's it?" at the end, with this one I was just like, "Wow. That's it.."

I think overall, as a whole series, it was amazing. THREE of the best books I've read. And this has to be my favorite in the series.

My Rating: 5/5- couldn't have been better ♥

Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title:  The Knife of Never Letting Go
Author: Patrick Ness
Genre: YA
Page Number: 496
Synopsis: Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.


My Review:  When I first starting reading this I wasn't too sure if I would like it or if I was even going to be able to get past the first chapter. It instantly reminded me of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which I had to read last year in English and I know it's a classic but I didn't like it. I liked listening to it, since we would read along with the audiotape, but I just couldn't get into it. Which is why I had a huge hestitation when I started it. But, since I had already started I had to finish. And it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

So, I had just read A Monster Calls by Patrick so my expections were set high for him. And I'll have to give it to him. It was actually very refreshing and original. Although I kept thinking about Huckleberry throughout the reading and still do.

That being said, I really enjoyed the book. The writing was really good. And I liked the suspense and the whole plot itself. I think it was a very original idea and it got me thinking a lot, how crazy would it be if we could hear everything someone was saying ALL THE TIME?
At one point, I didn't want to read it at night, though it took me two days to read it, because I kept picturing the Spackle and they freak me out!

But, overall it was a very good book. I'm on the 2nd one and I can't wait for the 3rd. Thank you, Max who recommended this book to me!

My Rating: 4/5- Could have been 5/5 but it reminded me too much of Huckleberry Finn and it was a bit slow at first.

Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Title: Eve
Author: Anna Carey
Genre: YA
Page Number: 336
Synopsis: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

My Review: This very much sounded like any other dystopian book out there, but it was actually a bit different.  A breathe of fresh air. I felt like I was reading contemporary. It was very fast pace and I loved that about the book. The writing was very good and I really enjoyed reading the character development.

Like most stories now a days there was some romance. And it was lighthearted, but beautiful. Not too corny or cheesey. And it fit well with the story.

I think overrall, it was a nice, short read and I really enjoyed it. It wasn't as exciting as I was hoping it would be. It wasn't mind blowing but, I still liked it.

I'll definitely add the next in the series to my TBR list!

My Rating:  4/5- Very good :)

In My Mailbox (6)

 In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, where you post the books you've recieved for review, bought, borrowed, traded, or got from the library!

Since I haven't had a computer to do IMM, here's what I've gotten in the last 2 or so weeks:

Modelland by Tyra Banks - Bought
I don't think you guys understand how
excited I am to read this! I don't care what
anyone says it sounds really good and I
can't wait to start reading it.

Noah Zarc- Mammoth Trouble by D. Robert Pease - Gift/For Review
Thank you D. Robert for sending me a copy
of your book, cannot wait to read.

Check out D. Robert at his blog!

Sleepless by Thomas Fahy - Bought
I've been wanting to read this book for
quite some time now, so when I saw this at
Books A Million for $4 I had to buy it.

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund - Bought
AHHH! If there's a book I'm more excited
about reading it's this one!I loved Diana's short story in
 Zombies VS Unicorns, so this is at the top of my TBR list.

You Against Me by Jenny Downham - WON!
Thank you Random Buzzers for sending
me a copy!As you guys should be aware of,
I'm a huge fan of Before I Die also by Jenny
Downham so I've very excited for this book.
And I got a little tearful because she used the
same font for this one as Before I Die.
I love that book so much *tear*

The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness - Library
So, this is the second in the Chaos Walking series.
And I'm currently reading it. I'll have the review for
the first one up soon.  A friend actually recommended
this series to me after he went nuts when he saw me reading
A Monster Calls, and he quickly saved me a copy

of the first at the library! How nice of him ;)
Great series so far.

Crossed by Ally Condie - Bought
I actually already finished reading it.
So, I'll have a review up soon. My book shelf looks
so cute now that I have this one next to Matched :3

Anyways, I ran to Wal-Mart so I could buy this!

If you guys aren't aware of this:
WAL-MART SELLS BOOKS ABOUT $3-10

LESS THAN ANYWAY WHERE ELSE.
This was about $3 less than the retail price.
So, if you guys want cheaper books go to Wal-Mart.
Discount Heaven!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - WON
Thank you so much Jen at I Read Banned Books!
I devoured this book, it was amazing.
I'll have a review up soon.

Eve by Anna Carey - Borrowed
This isn't up in the picture because I
borrowed it from a friend. And I've already finished
reading it so I'll have this review up soon too!

So, that's it you guys!
What's in your mailbox?

Book to Movie News!

I'm back!

But, other than that I'd like to show you guys the new movie poster for Now Is Good. Which is the movie adaptation of Jenny Downhams absolutely amazing book, Before I Die. If you have not read it, GO BUY IT NOW.

I'm a huge fan so this is so exciting and I cannot wait for the movie!

Here's some more amazing shots.

Source: Alice Marvels