Dewey's Read-a-Thon...

It's that time of year again. And I'm super excited to participate in this one. It will be my second Dewey Read-a-Thon and I think I'll be able to participate more. It begins on April 10th. So if you want to and have not signed up...make sure to do so. There will be cool challenges and prizes. Hope to see you around on the read-a-thon!!!

Oh, and I signed up to be a cheerleader...so maybe I'll be cheering you on ; )

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Saturday's 6 Degrees of Blogging Separation

This is a new thing that I want to try out. I saw this on Simply Stacie's blog. Basically you click on one of the blog buttons on your blog and continue until you get to your sixth place and have your 6 degrees of blogging. However, my small feature will include a little interview with that particular blogger.
Here we go...

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The sixth blog I visited was Eleni's and she has such a beautiful blog. I love visiting it because she has such great reviews, interviews, and other fun stuff. Make sure to check Eleni's blog out, but in the mean time, learn a little bit about her here with the Q&A she did with me...

Why don't you tell us about yourself???

My name is Eleni, I'm 24 years old and I live in New York. I graduated with a BA in English last year and am currently trying to break into the publishing industry. My goal is to one day be a publicist for awesome authors :) I love to read, watch movies and hang out with my friends and fiance.

Tell us about your blog. When did you start it and why? Anything interesting for readers to expect or special features?

I started blogging in May 2009. I love blogging because I love reviewing books and exchanging opinions with other people who share my passion. Also, I made some really cool blogging friends and I enjoy promoting authors. My book review blog La Femme Readers mainly focuses on Young Adult Fiction. I also have author interviews, fun giveaways and try my best to keep my followers updated on all the amazing up and coming YA book releases.

What books do you read? Do you favor any YA sub genres?

I LOVE YA fiction, especially supernatural and urban fantasy. I never get tired of werewolves, vampires, faeries, etc.

If you were stuck on an island and can only have 3 of your favorite books, what would they be and why?

Oh man tough question since I love so many. But, if I had to choose just three, it would be Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I love all these books because the storyline is memorable and I enjoy getting lost in there worlds.

If you had to leave our world, but can live in any book, which one would it be? And why?

I'd love to live in Cassandra's world in the Mortal Instrument series. There definitely wouldn't be a dull moment and being a shadowhunter would be wicked cool. And plus, Jace is super hot so I wouldn't mind hooking up with him ;P

I find that many readers develop crushes while they read books. Do you have a crush on any book characters???

I have so many crushes! Um, Edward, yes I am proud to say that vampire made me dream of him at night lol. A couple of others, Jace like I said, Patch from Hush, Hush and Alex in Perfect Chemistry.

Lots of YA books are being adapted into movies. Do you watch them and if you do, what’s your favorite adaptation? And which ones are you looking forward to watch?

Yes, I do watch them, however I haven't read most of the books though. I honestly don't have a favorite adaptation because they never fully capture the essence of the book. But, if I think about it, probably Harry Potter. I am definitely looking forward to Beastly and literally any other movie that's adapted from a YA book :)

You have an MP3 playlist on your sidebar. So if you can have one Playlist with only 6 songs, what are they?

Ahh, this is hard! In no random order, 1) Lady Gaga - Poker Face 2) G Dragon - Heartbreaker 3) Britney Spears - Gimme More 4) Craig David - Seven Days 5) Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance 6) Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Any last thoughts to share with us???

Thank you so much for asking me to this Q&A, it was a lot of fun!

Oh, and before I forget...You go to a Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or any coffee/tea serving place)…what do you order???

I actually hate coffee and tea, so I'd order a nice steamy cup of Hot Chocolate.

Thank you so much to Eleni for doing this Q&A...I had tons of fun learning about a fellow blogger. It seems as if we have some similar book crushes. Oh Edward and Patch...hehehehe. Anyways, everyone go and follow her and read all she has to write. And be on the lookout, I may stumble upon your blog in the future for this 6 Degrees of Blogging Separation.

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Time For Some Awards...

Beautiful Blogger Award
(Thanks to Nikola at Nikola's Book Blog)

So here are the rules: list 7 things you might not know about me and then pass it onto 15 other bloggers and notify them of it.

I'm never ever good at these type of posts...so bear with me and here they come...

1. Because I went to the mall today and eyed a beautiful purse, I need to share with my book friends that I love my books, but I also lurrrve me some purses. Specifically Kate Spade and Michael Kors and they have to be big enough to hold at least two books.

2. I keep a quotes journal on my desk. I mostly add quotes from the books I read. But if I see or hear a lovely line, I'll add that too. I actually have a few of these now and I'll give one to my niece for her high school graduation present (yikes that's in 4 years...10 years after I graduated h.s. *sigh*), and then hopefully one day I'll have my own kids to pass on the other journals.

3. I'm a huge, huge, huge fan of One Tree Hill. I used to have my work schedule revolve around the nights they're on. When it moved to Tuesday nights, all of a sudden I was verrry busy and needed time off...LOL. Oh, and I also add a lot of quotes from this show to my journal.

4. I am double majoring in Social Sciences with a concentration in Education and the other major is English.

5. My brother and sister both got engaged on the same night. Weirdly enough, I was driving to UCLA from San Diego for a basketball game and saw my brother and his buddies on the freeway in LA so he can buy an engagement ring for his now wife. He called me that night when I was heading home and then my sister was on the other line waiting to tell me that her high school sweetheart went down on one knee to finally ask her. I always feel left out...darn being the baby sister.

6. I am a huge baseball fan...I would say go Padres, but I'm kind of mad at them for getting rid of Jake Peavy. And for two years I had season tickets, left field 1st row...great seats, behind the Wells Fargo sign. For the past couple of years, I've really been cheering for the Phillies...I had the biggest crush on Cole Hamels growing up. We went to the same elementary, middle, and high school. And yes girls...he was ALWAYS soooo cute.

7. Oddly enough, I never played baseball/softball. However, I did play tons of basketball...travel ball, youth leagues, school teams. I also played field hockey, but basketball was my favorite sport to play. Now, I golf and read books....hehehehe.

Now, the award will go to...
The First Novels Club
La Femme Readers
The Bookologist
Teens Read and Write
Reading Nook
Book Rat
Pure Imagination
Fantastic Book Review
Read Into This!
The Undercover Bookcover (Not Really)
YA Book Queen
Ramblings Of A Teenage Bookworm
Reading with Tequila
The Bookette
Steph Su Reads

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Review: Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
ISBN/Publisher: 978-0-439-023481/Scholastic Press
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult

This book puts our familiar reality-type television into a pretty terrifying future. And this future is kind of scary because the Hunger Games are a way for the controlling government of the twelve districts to entertain and scare its people. Each district picks one boy and one girl to represent them in the games. And these representatives need to survive...literally the one left alive is the winner.

Katniss Everdeen is a sixteen-year old and decides to take the place as representative for her district instead of letting her little sister (the one originally chosen) do it. Now, Katniss and Peeta ( a boy she has always felt a need to pay back because of a nice deed he did when they were children) are representing District 12.

Wow, what a book. I wasn't so sure about this one from the start because of all the hype around it. But, the book really did live up to it all. The Hunger Games provides so much action and emotional aspects for the reader that it really can be for all types of readers.

It is filled with action, but the characters are so wonderful and well written. We get Katniss, a wonderful heroine, who is willing to die for her family. She loves her sister so much and it really is beautiful to read a story about such a strong family bond. And then there is Peeta (it took me awhile, but I eventually got the whole Peeta name...pita bread and his dad's a baker...was that on purpose?) He is a sweet kid and thought provoking, that it makes you wonder how he'll survive in the "games." Lastly, there is Gale...the sweet friend that has always been there for Katniss and promised to help look out for her mother and sister. From the get-go, he was my guy. Now I wonder what will happen throughout the series...who does she choose? Does she choose anyone?

I absolutely loved this book and totally recommend it to everyone. This book is getting so much praise and YES it really does deserve all of the wonderful praise! Go get it and be prepared to be surprised a the end of almost every chapter...you won't be able to put it down!!!

A few favorite parts...

I loved the gestures in this book...
At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out tom me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love. page 24

There is a song in the book that was sooo sweet...here is a bit of it...
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true. Here is the place where I love you. page 235

My Rating

(This was won from a contest on Teens Read and Write)

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Friday Finds (04/02/10)

Friday Finds at the Store is a meme hosted by Jennay at My Tea Time is Book Time. It is totally easy and everyone can join. Basically just post the books you found at the bookstore or library. Now others can see the great finds you had and maybe they will pick it up on their next bookstore/library run. HAPPY readings!!!

From the description on Goodreads for Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

From the back cover of Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire is more attractive, Fire is mesmerising.

Fire's exceptional beauty gives her influence and power. People who are susceptible to it will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. If she wished, they would abuse their power, crush nations and even destroy their own kingdoms to please her.

But beauty is only skin deep, and beneath it Fire has a human appreciation of right and wrong. Aware of her ability to influence others, and afraid of it, she lives in a corner of the world away from people - not only to protect them but also to protect herself from their attention, their distrust, and even their hatred.

Yet Fire is not the only danger to the Dells. If she wants to protect her home, is she wants a chance to undo the wrongs of the past, she must face her fears, her abilities, and a royal court full of powerful people with reason to distrust her.

Beauty is a weapon - and Fire is going to use it.

From the back cover of North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her small, stifling town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

What did you find???

(These books were bought from a store called FullyBooked).

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Thursday Cover Throwdown (04/01/10)

Hey friends...

Here's a new thing I want to do. And I'm sure that I've seen it on other blogs (so if you can direct me to the one that is hosting it, I would be really happy). But anyways Thursdays will be the day that I compare book covers for one book and we decide which ones we like best. So here we go...

Because it is April and Maureen Johnson's month on my blog, I thought I can start off with her books....

The Key to the Golden Firebird

vs.

I actually prefer the one on the right. I think it looks more YAish and contemporary. So it pulls me towards it more. The one on the left looks older and something my big sis would have had on her bookshelves back in the day (when she read in middle school...she's not much of a reader anymore).

So what do you think???

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's month, grab her fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***

Author Spotlight: Maureen Johnson

(This picture was taken from her twitter)

Awww man...I'm super stoked about this month's author spotlight. April will be dedicated to Maureen Johnson. I have only read one book by her and it was written with John Green and Lauren Myracle. And I really really enjoyed it. So I'm way excited to read her books. She is such a funny person (you'll know if you read her tweets). Anyways, I hope you guys also pick up some of her books and enjoy them too. By the way...keep checking my blog because I will be giving away one of her books : )

Just a little bio...

Maureen Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is an only child, so she mentions that she knows how to play Candyland by herself. She went to an all-girls Catholic high school (although, she's not Catholic) and met many of her closest friends there. Maureen went off and graduated from the University of Delaware with a writing major. After this, she had a few jobs, but eventually moved to New York to study theatrical dramaturgy at the Columbia University School of the Arts. She had other jobs during and after school. But now she is a writer, with many books out. ***want more info...check out her website***

M.J.'s Books...

The Key to the Golden Firebird (2004)

The Bermudez Triangle (2005)

13 Little Blue Envelopes (2005)

Devilish (2006) Girl at Sea (2007)

Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances (2008) (written with John Green & Lauren Myracle)

Suite Scarlett (2008)

Vacations From Hell (2009) (short stories with other authors)

Scarlett Fever (2010)

Zombies vs. Unicorns (2010) (short stories with other authors)

The Last Little Blue Envelope (2011)

***and a new series is set to come out in 2011***

Where to find Maureen Johnson...

Website

Twitter

Blog

Ning

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea or because it's Maureen Johnson's fave: iced tea...or anything with ginger...or mint (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***