Smitten on Saturday

No one has a meme that I participate in on Saturdays, and today I have no reviews to post, so I decided to start a meme of my own. Though for now it'll just be a feature, and whether or not anyone else participates will decide whether or not it can ever be called a "meme". So....

Smitten on Saturday.

Each Saturday, I'll post pictures and details on a random book-to-television/movie hottie. Or maybe not even a "hottie", but anyone that I am "smitten" with, for whatever reason.

This week (and every other week for the past year) I am smitten with:

Eric Northman

For those who don't know (does anyone not know?), Eric Northman is  the Sherriff of Louisiana Area 5, in the ever so popular Sookie Stackhouse novels, known on the screen as True Blood. He is over a thousand years old, and was a Viking in his time as a human. I loved Eric in the books, but the on screen portrayal makes me melt. With nearly every episode I feel like I'm reading Dead to the World all over again. If they leave that book out next season, I will die.

Oh, Eric. You arrogant, self-absorbed, callous thing you. Charlaine Harris has blessed you with the ability to be everything every woman wants in man, but is so much better off without.

Of course, we all know deep down there's a sweet, lovable, trustworthy, gentleman. Well, if you're Sookie, anyway.

So who are you smitten with these days? If you do your own Smitten on Saturday post, leave the link in the comments so I can go read it!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Blog Hop & Follow Friday.

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers -http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

This week's question:

Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

It'd have to be Jennifer Laurens. She isn't new this year, but I hadn't discovered her work until this year. It started with A Season of Eden, which I absolutely loved. Then I read Heavenly, loved it. I didn't much care for An Open Vein, but I'm not quite sure why. And then Penitence, loved it. Falling for Romeo, loved it. So yeah.....I just really like her books. :D Can't wait for Absolution!

(Click the pictures to go participate in the blog hops)

Review: Such a Pretty Girl, Laura Wiess

Such a Pretty Girl, by Laura Wiess
Published: January 2, 2007
Publisher: MTV
Pages: 212
Overall Rating: 3/5

They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. 

Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison. 

Today her time has run out.

This book definitely isn't for the faint hearted. You are not going to read Such a Pretty Girl, and walk away feeling warm and fuzzy. (If you do, seek help immediately, thanks.)

Meredith's father was supposed to be in prison for nine years for sexual abuse, but he paroles in three. He isn't home long before he proceeds to pick up where he left off.  I'd really like to find myself with more faith in our justice system than to believe it was possible for a father to get out of prison so quickly in a case such as this, but I don't have it. I've seen people walk away with nothing more than probation for molestation.

Meredith is damaged. It's clear from the beginning. Her obsession with numbers seems insane, but I think it's really the only thing that keeps her sane. She's a product of severe sexual abuse, and everyone around her seems to look the other way.

Putting her sexual abuse aside, she's damaged because has a demented mother. One of those moms who look the other way when they know something horrible is happening to their child right under their nose. One of those mothers who actually blames the child for destroying what she would like to believe was a perfect family. One of those mothers that I would slap, if given the chance.

These people exist in the real world. It's fiction but it isn't fantasy. There are rapists and child molesters everywhere, and many of them pray on their own children. There are many mothers in the picture doing nothing to stop it. I'm not sure who's worse, the scum fathers, or the conceding mothers.

I'm a bit disgusted right now. I have been since I finished the book. It was haunting, gripping, enthralling, disgusting. And unfortunately, far too real.


I do think the ending came a little too quickly, and it's a bit unbelievable. At the same time, I don't think I would've wanted to see much more.

I'd recommend it to anyone who believes they can handle it, but expect to be repulsed.

Cover

3/5

Plot

4/5

Characters

4/5

Pace

3/5

Ending

2/5

Writing Style

4/5

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday

Which fictional character (or group of characters) would you like to spend a day at the beach with? Why would he/she/they make good beach buddies?

All I have to say, is I am super grateful for Goodreads right now. I had to consult my "read" list to even begin to choose someone. When I tried to think of literary characters I loved...I kept thinking the Cullens. The only Cullen's I'd want to spend a day on the beach with are Alice and Emmett. In fact, they're the only ones who ever stand out in my mind at all.

I have never been to the beach. I hear that's a sad thing, but like I said, I've never been so I don't know what I'm  missing out on. I don't like people(in large groups), especially when it's outside in the heat. But I'm going to assume there wouldn't be many other people on the beach that day, and pick someone.

I'm going to go with Max and the rest of the adorable little winged children from When the Wind Blows (and The Lake House, and many others) by James Patterson. Could you imagine spending a day at the beach watching kids play....and fly? Maybe it's just me, but I think it sounds fantastic!

So who you would spend a day at the beach with?

CSN Winner!

The winner of my CSN $40 giveaway is:

Domestic Diva

You should be receiving an email regarding your prize shortly. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Waiting on Wednesday (03)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


My pick for the Week:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley. 

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I'm anxious for this one for many reasons. For starters, I like the cover. I've read great reviews of the book in various places, and the book sounds fantastic. And also, I'll be honest, I'm excited to read a YA novel written by such a young author. She probably cringes when she reads things like that. I'm sure she doesn't want people reading her book just because she's young, and that isn't the only reason I want to read it, but I won't lie and say that isn't a factor that draws me to the book.

Giveaway ends tonight!

Just wanted to post a final reminder, that my CSN giveaway ends tonight at midnight. If you'd like to enter, CLICK HERE.

Tune Tuesday

Tune Tuesday is hosted by Shanise at Camisado Mind, and create a playlist for a theme each week.

This weeks theme is: Escape. So here's my playlist when I need to escape the world! The playlist is supposed to be ten songs long, but for this theme, I couldn't just choose ten. So yeah, I broke the rules.

1. Angel's Son--Sevendust.
2. Feeling Sorry--Paramore.
3. We are Broken--Paramore.
4. I Don't Believe You--Pink.
5. Flat on the Floor--Carrie Underwood.
6. Never Enough--Five Finger Death Punch.
7. Smiling Faces--Kutt Calhoun.
8. Wait and Bleed--Slipknot.
9. Vermillion Pt. 2--Slipknot.
10. Happy Ending--Tech N9ne.
11. One Good Time--Tech N9ne.
12. Hope for a Higher Power--Tech N9ne.
13. Blackened the Sun--Tech N9ne.
14. Scream With Me--Mudvayne.
15. Down--Motograter.
16. You Lost Me--Christina Aguilera (the newest addition to the playlist!)

As you can see, there really is no rhyme or reason to what kind of music lifts me up when I'm in a mood. It just....does. And I listen to a wide variety.

Review: Falling for Romeo, by Jennifer Laurens

Falling for Romeo, by Jennifer Laurens
Published: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing
Pages: 216
Overall Rating: 5/5

John can have any girl he wants. Jennifer's never been kissed. Everybody thinks he's perfect. She's got issues with pride and jealousy. They were best friends-once. Now, they're playing Romeo and Juliet. Virgin lips Jennifer must have her first kiss on stage with John, the guy every girl in school wants. The pressure and tension build along with each staged kiss. Both are shocked when feelings bloom. Can either tell which kisses are real and which are for show?

Jennifer Laurens' is working her way up my favorite authors list, for sure!

I waited for the library to have this book for what seemed like....forever. I hadn't been able to find it, and the library's only copy had been missing for months. I don't know if they ordered another copy, or if the person eventually returned it, but you can imagine my reaction to find that it was suddenly "In Transit" to my library!
(Actually, if you follow my twitter, you witnessed my reaction.)

I just love the way Jennifer Laurens' writing flows in this book. The writing reminded me a lot of A Season of Eden. (And not because it's the same author, because the writing in the Heavenly series is completely different, and yet great as well!)

Wow, I can not keep my thoughts straight tonight. See what happens when you write reviews at midnight, when you know your kids will have you up in six hours?! Sigh.

I don't really know what to say about this one. Maybe it's lack of sleep, or maybe it's just that I loved everything about it. The way it flowed, the characters, the plot...everything. It was a quick, fantastic read! I'd recommend it to all Laurens' fans, and young adult fans!

(Ohhh, I don't care for the cover. That is my only gripe. The girl just isn't what I imagined. She seems too old.)

Cover

3/5

Plot

5/5

Characters

5/5

Pace

5/5

Ending

4/5

Writing Style

5/5

Review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else, Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else, by Erin McCahan
Published: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Pages: 272
Overall Rating: 4/5

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely. 

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks. 

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time.

I think that synopsis is a bit much. They may as well have told you the entire story, because in all honesty, that pretty much sums it up.

I thought this was a cute, fun read. Jared was adorable, but I think he was too mature for Bronwen. She realized that too, just long after the reader does. Which is one issue I had with this book. I can not stand realizing something chapters before the protagonist. It drives me insane.

It's kind of sad, really. Seeing her lose herself to their relationship, when she never really understood who she was to begin with. When she finally realized how badly her life was spinning out of her control, I had mixed feelings. On one had I thought, "Finally!" and on the other hand I felt bad for Jared. Though only eighteen, I still felt she could have handled the situation differently. I tried to remind myself--she's only eighteen, but I remember being eighteen, and I don't think I was that naive. But it goes without saying, Jared being the mature one, he should have realized that she was not on his level, and he should have slowed things down.

Their budding love was just adorable. I didn't really feel as though the book's conflict packed enough punch, but it did keep me interested. I really liked the ending, but I won't say anything more because I can't figure out how to review this book without including spoilers!

Cover

3/5

Plot

3/5

Characters

4/5

Pace

3/5

Ending

5/5

Writing Style

4/5

Meet Me on Monday

Meet me on Monday is hosted over at Never Growing Old, and is a fantabulous way to get to know your fellow bloggers! Head on over there to participate.

1. What one food could you eat every single day?

Jalapeno bean and cheese burritos. LOVE them. They taste good, they're quick, and they're cheap.

2. Do you wear glasses or contacts?

No.

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

Blackberry Curve 8530. Love this little thing!

4. What did you have for dinner last night?

5. What is your favorite candy?

Sadly, there aren't many places around here to find these anymore. :/

Summer Break Reading Challenged

I've decided to participate in a challenge. In this challenge, we use a random generator to come up with a verb, and by searching that verb, we come up with our picture. We use a random name generator for the name, put all three things together, and create a book cover! Then we write a synopsis.

It was harder than I'd thought. I spent a while working on the original plan, and it turned out horrible. It didn't take me long to feel like.......a;ekfjas;ldfkjask;lfja;slfjasdlk;jfdsa;lkfjasdf--that.

So I decided to just throw it together, make something up, and enter it! I'm officially frustrated! I hope it was a least somewhat worth it. :/


Chris has spent his life in his basement. He did this by choice, his head in books and the world shut out. It has always been his technique for survival. Let no one in, try your hardest to get out, and get away--far away.

When Chris hears Chloe's violin singing next door, he's both enthralled and in shock. He'd seen Chloe in school, and she's quiet, reserved. She never spoke unless spoken to, and never spent more time in school than necessary.

Chloe's life is slipping out of her grasp. Suicide seems like a cowardly way out, but sinking into the depths of depression, taking her own life seems imminent. Music was the only thing Chloe had to cling to, but it isn't enough any more.

Chris and Chloe's worlds collide unexpectedly. Their lives are tangled, and they find themselves fighting feelings they shouldn't have. But Chris knows Chloe is special, and he longs for the day the rest of the world will hear her play. Little does he know, that may never happen.

Will Chris's presence be enough to pull Chloe from the edge?

Will Chloe finally teach Chris the meaning of needing to break away?

Review: Tangled, by Carolyn Mackler

Tangled, by Carolyn Mackler
Published: December 29, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages:308
Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all at Paradise—the resort in the Caribbean, that is—for different reasons, but in Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Over the course of four months, through four voices and four stories, what happened in Paradise will change them all. 

In this extraordinary novel, the Printz Honor–winning author brings us her most accomplished work yet. Tangled is a story of the secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love.

Carolyn Mackler's novels usually go one of two ways for me. Either I like it, or I don't. So far, there has never been one that was in between, until now.

I enjoyed three out of the four parts in the novel. I felt sorry for Jena, and devoured her portion of the book pretty quickly. By the time we got to Dakota, I had pretty much had my mind set on him being a douche, so I enjoyed getting inside his head and seeing what made him tick. He does cuss, a lot.  If you're turned off by that sort of thing, his portion of the book probably won't be very enjoyable for you. I personally don't mind swearing, because let's be honest here, there aren't many teens who don't. It's realistic.

Then came Skye's portion, which I couldn't have been more happy to finally finish. I found her dull, and catty. There was really no reason for her to do what she did in Jena's portion of the book, and she never really gives a reason as to why. Other than, "I'm a spoiled brat, so I do what I want." Okay, so I'm paraphrasing, forgive me.

I was pulled back in when I got to Owen's section. I loved how they included his actual blog posts(go figure), and the fact that the other three characters were pulled back into the story in varying degrees, which tied everything up nicely.

One thing I love about Carolyn Mackler is, she isn't afraid of exploring the things that occupy every teenager's mind. I know we'd like to think our teens are focused on schoolwork and their future, but if that were the case, would the YA genre be so increasingly popular? I don't think so. She isn't afraid to throw in the cursing, the sex, and *gasp* masturbation. While it turns many people off of her novels, I applaud her for it.

Cover

4/5

Plot

3/5

Characters

4/5

Pace

3/5

Ending

4/5

Writing Style

3/5

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


My pick for the Week:

Zoe’s secret is out. And the powers of Hell are ravenous to claim her soul. Her brother, Luke, knows her secret: that she sees both good and evil spirits. Her boyfriend knows. At least Matthias is her guardian angel again. But now Hell’s most ruthless leader will stop at nothing to have her soul. 

Albert, Matthias’ father, is relentless in his hunger for Zoe. He wants to destroy Matthias and will use Zoe to do so. 

The battle between Heaven and Hell tests everything Zoe has. As she witnesses everyone important in her life suffering, she’s brought to the ultimate choice: will she sacrifice her soul to save the ones she loves?

In Stores October 11, 2010



I can't wait for this! I've read both Heavenly and Penitence, and I'm quite anxious to find out how Zoey's story ends.

So, what are you waiting for?

GREAT Giveaway at....

Babbling Flow! Seriously, Clockwork Angel, Firelight, The Replacements, and more must-reads! Head on over!

Another reminder for giveaway!

I've obtained a few new followers over the last few days, so I wanted to do another post and remind every one to enter my $40 CSN giveaway. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ORIGINAL POST.

Meet Me on Monday

Meet me on Monday is hosted over at Never Growing Old, and is a fantabulous way to get to know your fellow bloggers! Head on over there to participate.







1. What is your favorite sandwich?

I'm not much of a sandwich person, but my go-to is usually peanut butter and jelly. We only eat honey wheat bread around here, too. It's kind of ridiculous to be so picky about it, but I just find no flavor in white bread. Funny, as a child I hated wheat bread!

2. What is stashed under your bed/mattress?
This may come as a surprise, but absolutely nothing. I could think of a hundred things that would fit perfectly, and it would see more useful to have them there than say, in a closet. However, my boyfriend has a mild case of OCD, and that's one of those things that drives him crazy. But it's the perfect storage space, right?!

3. What is your favorite flower?
Oh geez. Another surprise, I'm a girl who doesn't like flowers. Shock, right? I love floral designs, but I don't care for flowers themselves. However, I'll go ahead and pick one I find fascinating.

Known as the Four O'clock (and also some other names). Growing up, my grandma had an entire bush of these in the front of her house. I loved going out to look at them, but not because they're flowers. I found it fascinating that they all opened and closed at nearly the exact same time every single day. I guess I've always been  detail oriented, eh? Not to mention, the same bush seemed to produce an abundance of different colored flowers. And sometimes the same exact flower would have two different colors on it. I always thought it was awesome!

Okay....so maybe I do like a flower.

4. What is your favorite magazine?

I'm not much of  magazine reader either. I did when I was younger, when I had to get my fill of the celebrity gossip. Not to mention the posters that were included. These days, however, I pretty much just look at tattoo magazines. I like tattoos, but I guess that goes without saying.

5. How often do you weigh yourself?
After I had my son, I refused to weigh myself. It was over a year before I actually broke down and bought a scale. When I did, I was actually pleasently surprised. I thought I weighed a lot more than I did. But now, I weigh myself about once a week. I don't focus too much on the number, but rather, how I look. And whether or not my pants fit. :/

Jennifer Laurens giveaway!

There's an amazing giveaway going on over at Jennifer Lauren's blog. Head on over for details!!

Review: The Lonely Hearts Club, by Elizabeth Eulberg

The Lonely Hearts Club, by Elizabeth Eulberg
Published: December 29th, 2009
Publisher: Point
Pages: 285
Overall Rating: 4/5

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

This book was recommended by Stephenie Meyer. Many people are upset about it not living up to their expectations of what they thought Meyer would be recommending. Lucky for me, I didn't know she had even recommended it until after I had read it. So none of those high expectations got in the way of me enjoying it.

I thought it was a cute book. Nothing about it blew me away, but I enjoyed it. Eulberg kept me entertained, and I liked Ryan a lot. Overall, it was just--fun.

I personally didn't care much for the dialogue.  I don't believe that's really how teens are talking these days, but very few authors really get that right. Then again, maybe that just varies in different parts of the world/country.

Putting the not-so-believable dialogue aside, I think she hit home with what's going on in the lives of teens. Most teenagers are slaves to their hormones. This shows in every single one of their actions.

Anywho, I enjoyed the book. Not blown away, but not disappointed. Like I said, it was a fun read!

Cover

4/5

Plot

4/5

Characters

4/5

Pace

4/5

Ending

4/5

Writing Style

3/5

Jennifer Laurens Interview @Good Choice Reading!

Lisa over at Good Choice Reading recently did an interview with the wonderful Jennifer Laurens! It's definitely a recommended read from me, because I just love her. Aside from writing books, she just seems like a great person. She is the most approachable author I've encountered thus far. I love reading her interviews! There's also a giveaway of both Heavenly and Penitence going on over there, and if you haven't read them, now's your chance. (I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed! I'm...let's just say non-religious, but I still loved them! Can not wait for Absolution!)

Follow Friday

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - www.onceuponachapter.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. 
   

Giveaway--Reminder!

Just wanted to post and remind everyone who's interested to enter my CSN $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway! Details HERE.

New blog of interest! To you? Possibly!

My best friend Shanise (@Camisado Mind) and I have teamed up to create another blog! (Not to be confused with the new look here at Another Book Junkie.) This is a separate blog, run by the both of us. 

I have all but written it stone; dedicating this blog to the YA genre. While young adult is the genre I read most, it is by no means all I read. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to review more than just YA novels, as well as movies and tv shows based on books. So that's what we'll be doing. As well as giveaways! We have a giveaway planned when we hit 50 followers, so head on over there to follow now!

Shanise and I have been best friends for years, but we rarely enjoy the same things. Aside from our love of reading, of course. We often read the same books, but we rarely agree on them. I think it'll be quite interesting to see our contrasting views on these things!

And now to unveil the name of our blog.....*drum roll please*......

Bury the Castle

Yup, you read right....Bury the Castle is the name of the new blog in town. We were listening to some of our favorite Paramore songs & and I had a feeling "Brick by Boring Brick" would be where we'd find our gem! "Bury the castle" is a lyric straight out of that [amazing] song.
*To watch the music video for "Brick by Boring Brick" by the epicness that is Paramore click here! You may have an ad before the youtube video.

To follow the new blog make sure to click here & tell your friends.

We'll add a button and everything up by the end of next week for sure. Including a few reviews. 

(And maybe a giveaway if we have at least 50 followers by then.)

Giveaway Scout

This website recently brought themselves to my attention, and I believe they deserve yours! All the giveaway in one place! (and not just book giveaways!)

Go ahead and visit Giveaway Scout!

Happy readings!

Blog Under Construction

I'm in need of a new look, so don't be alarmed if everything's all jumbled and out of place for a little while, while I get everything the way I want it! :D

Giveaway--CSN Stores!

I had initially planned on doing a giveaway once I hit 100 followers, but CSN Stores has offered to sponsor a giveaway on my blog! How could I resist?! So one of my lucky readers will win a $40 gift certificate towards anything CSN offers. They offer everything from office supplies, to dining room furniture, to an abundance of accessories for the kiddos! I've been guilty of browsing their many websites numerous times, because there is just so much to look at, with shockingly great prices! The winner could look for something under $40 dollars, or put it towards a larger purchase. Here are few examples of what you can get for forty dollars (or less)!

(I was so very close to getting this for my daughter's room, I think it's lovely!)

Visit CSN Stores to see what all they have to offer!

Contest Information:

• Contest Deadline: July 28th
• Contest open to US and Canada residents only
• Please note; there may be shipping charges, or international fees for Canadian residents when redeeming the gift certificate. (Only if the total exceeds $40)

Fill out this form to enter!

Comment problems!

Just letting everyone who has commented know, I am approving them but apparently Blogger is having issues. They aren't showing up. :/ Maybe I should change my comment form?

Anyone else having these issues?

Review: Lock and Key, by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key, by Sarah Dessen
Published: April 22, 2008
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 422
Overall Rating:

"Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Overall, I liked Lock and Key. I won't say it's amazing, and I definitely wouldn't say it's one of Dessen's best.
I'm getting a little tired of abusive parents, to be honest. Maybe it's just the book choices I've made recently, but I would be fine without an abusive parent in a book for a long long time.

I liked the characters. I felt they were all well developed, and found Nate to be absolutely adorable!

There were a few things I didn't like about the novel. For starters, I don't really feel Dessen knows what it's like to be poor. Maybe she does, but the way it's portrayed in this novel just isn't believable.

My other complaint would be, I felt Ruby changing far too soon. It wasn't really a gradual process, it began happening within days of living with Cora and Jamie. After Ruby's overnight transformation, the novel becomes centered on helping Nate, though Nate refuses help. While I liked Nate, I don't believe he should've become the focal point.

I don't really have much else to say about it. It was decent, and held my interest until the end. I'm just not blown away by it.

Cover

Plot

Characters

Pace

Ending

Writing Style

Meet me on Monday

Meet me on Monday is hosted over at Never Growing Old, and is a fantabulous way to get to know your fellow bloggers! Head on over there to participate.

1. What do your normally eat for breakfast?

I very rarely eat breakfast. I know how everyone says that it's most important meal of the day, and it provides your body the fuel needed to get through the day. It seems to have the opposite effect on me, however. I feel disgusting all day, not to mention ridiculously exhausted. I'm much better off giving it a few hours, and waiting for lunch.

2.  What kind of car do you drive?

I drive a Dodge Caravan, and the boyfriend drives a Lincoln Navigator. When I first went car shopping, a van seemed ideal. I mean, I have two kids, and it was nice having all the extra seating aside from their car seats. However, as time went on, I realized I don't want to drive a van. So I'm trying to get the boyfriend to get him a new car, and let me take over his Navigator. It drives like a dream....my van, does not.

3.  Have you ever met a famous person(s)?

Yes. I've met Tech N9ne on numerous occasions. (A few of which were before he was really famous. Obviously he had a bit of fame, or I wouldn't have met him at all, but not like now.) I've also met Krizz Kaliko, and Kutt Calhoun, both from Strange Music (Tech's label). Most of you are probably thinking, "Who the hell is Tech N9ne?", but I assure you, he is famous. A lot more famous than people realize. But anyways, he's an underground rapper (though "underground" is used loosely), and I absolutely love him. Have for nearly ten years now, so I don't that changing! He's the only rap I can tolerate, which is ironic seeing as how he's my absolute favorite musician.

4.  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake. I'm not much of an ice cream person but I could eat that stuff every day!

5.  Which TV Channel do you watch the most?

I have a handful of shows I watch, and each are on a different channel. I've mentioned my Roseanne addiction before, and I really do watch it every night. So I'd have to say TV Land.

(All images, via Google)