TBR Intervention Challenge (12)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday. 

Here are the rules:

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one). 

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers. 

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

First Date
Author: Krista McGee

I finally finished this book (just yesterday) and it was good. I will post my review soon (I hope).

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

New Girl

Author: Paige Harbison

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

Summary from Goodreads:
They call me 'New Girl'...
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.
Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.
Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.
And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Hey, How's your Christmas? I hope you all had a wonderful time. 

By the way, I noticed that only four or five of us were able to post our TBR Intervention last week. I guess we were all very busy during the Christmas season, and now that the new year is coming, I bet we'll all be too occupied again. I wish everyone to have a great weekend and a great holiday. Good luck with all our books and Happy and Joyous New Year to all!

Lovelots!

Grab the linky code here: InLinkz code

TBR Intervention Challenge (11)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday. 

Here are the rules:

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one). 

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers. 

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

First Date
By: Krista McGee

I finished Dark Seeker but I will write my review next year (yes, yes, next year!). I'm still reading FIRST DATE. I haven't finish it, but I hope to find time while on vacation. It's a wonderful book and I'm trying to squeeze it between shopping and packing for the holiday. I'm half-way through the book and I'm loving it.

This coming week would be a little different. I won't commit another book until I finish FIRST DATE. I think it's the only book I can manage to read since I'll be on vacation for the rest of the week. As of now, I am probably in Hong Kong already with my family. I'll be back in time for our TBRIC next Saturday =)

I hope you all have a Joyous and Blessed Christmas Season! Merry Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. God bless us all!

Grab Linky Code Here

Thursday Revisits: Along For The Ride

Thursday Revisits is a new meme hosted by Sam of Books For All Seasons.

It's a weekly feature of book discussions about the characters, scenes, and plot of the book we read. It’s featured every Thursday.

This is the first time I participate in this awesome feature. I am thankful for Sam (yes! the host himself) for joining me in my first Thursday Revisits post. Today, we talk about my first Sarah Dessen book: Along for the Ride. I learned that Sam have read this book 13 times (or more) in one year! (Really Sam? Wow!) Well anyway, here's our mini, short, crazy, fun fun fun conversation:

Summary on Goodreads

Read my Review Here

What's one thing you like about Along For The Ride?

Sam: Sarah Dessen is my favorite author. I like reading her books a lot!

April: This book made me feel young again (Sam, I know what you're thinking! I'm not old!). Let me rephrase it: This book made me feel A LOT YOUNGER.

Sam: Of course you're not old. You have a long way to go, unlike me. I'm old! I need a....oh wait, can someone get me some water for the old man here...a walker I mean. *cough*

Who is your favorite female character?

Sam: Maggie! (Surprise!!)

April: Auden! I like Maggie's personality too... the color pink and the fashion sense. But I like Auden more.

Sam: That's what I thought. Auden...I like the name!!

April: It should have been April, not Auden. Eli & April... April & Eli. That sounds better, don't you think?

Sam: Okok. I can have Maggie then!! Maggie, wait...

Who is your male character?

Sam: Eli!

April: Eli! And here I thought you'll pick Adam. Now, I'm surprised!

Sam: No no, Eli all the way!!

April: Eli is mine. You can take Abe. Oops... he's dead :<

Sam: It's sad, right? I wish he's here...

April: Yeah... There could have been a love triangle. Eli, April err... I mean Auden, and Abe =)

What is your favorite scene in Along For The Ride?

Sam: When Maggie, Ester, Leah, and Auden left Belissa's party and went to the lake, talking about Eli and his best friend. The best moment ever!! ^_^

April: Mine was when Auden rode her bike and met Eli on her way to the prom party. The time when she did this awesome jump and kissed Eli. Now, that's the best moment ever! haha.

Sam: Aww...That was sweet!!

April: I just hope they kissed a lot though...

Sam: April!! 

April: What? I'm a romantic!

Which character do you want to hang out with?

Sam: Hmm...Maggie. Love her style!!

April: Hmm...Eli. Love love love him!!

Sam: Eli, huh? Good choice. April!

April: I know, right? lol. Thank you Sam.

Sam: You're welcome! I've just heard you like Eli a lot!!

If you were going to buy a Christmas present for one character, who will you buy for?

Sam: Maggie! Everything fashionicious (it is not a word, isn't it??)

April: Fashionicious?! I like it! Oh, and I choose Isby! She's so cute and adorable! I so want to have a baby girl and dress her up--everything fashionicious and babylicious!

Sam: I agree! Isby sure is cute!! Caroline....love that name on Isby!!

Did Along For The Ride end the way you wanted?

Sam: Yea. I am glad Auden and Maggie got to be roommates! But I also wanted to find out what's going on with Ester and Leah.

April: Yes. Eli and Auden together, plus Eli going back to school. And I agree with Sam, I am glad that Auden and Maggie became roommates, and Adam finally gets Maggie... I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Sam: I knew it! Hehe.

Will you read Along For The Ride again?

Sam: Yup! I love the book!! Agree, April?

April: Yes, definitely! I miss Eli already! Love the book & love you too Sam! Thank you for being here in my blog =)

Sam: You're welcome. Aww...You're so sweet!! We should totally do this together more often!!

April: I would love to!!!

Waiting On Wednesdays (15)

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

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)

Author: R.L. LaFevers

Publication Date: April 3rd 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Historical

Summary on Goodreads:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? 

 
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
 
Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? Add to your TBR

I'm not much into Historical Fiction, but when blended with Paranormal or Fantasy, and even Romance, how can I resist? 

Teaser Tuesdays (19)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along. You just have to:
Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhereon that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!). Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

First Date

Author: Krista McGee

Published Date: January 10th 2012

Published By: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Religious/Inspirational

Summary from Goodreads:

Addy Davidson discovers God's unexpected plans for her life when a reality TV show turns her quiet existence on its head. The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight. The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this." Add to TBR

And here's my teaser:

"You're going to be on television, Addy," Mr. Lawrence said, as if it were a good thing. As if all seventeen year-old girls dreamed of being told that and Addy should jump up from her seat, squeal, and thank him for the opportunity.
-Addy, 1% on Kindle, First Date by Krista McGee

I received the eBook from Thomas Nelson Pub. and I'm excited to see how the story will unfold for Addy. What's your teaser today?

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Ms. Kristi of The Story Siren. 

Everyone is welcome to participate.

If you want to know how you can join, you may visit IMM Page at The Story Siren's website.

Happy IMM time everyone! What's inside your mailbox today? My mailbox includes a couple of books I received from authors and publisher, and one was something I bought during my last visit at our local bookstore. Here they are:

FIRST DATE by Krista McGee

Summary | Add to your TBR

(Review Request from Thomas Nelson Publishing, Thank You so much!)

SHATTER ME by Tehereh Mafi 

Summary | Add to your TBR

(Bought)

 

BLUE SKY DAYS by Marie Landry

Summary | Add to your TBR

(Received from the Author as part of the Book Tour, Yay! Thank you!)

RAVEN by Nuayma Jeggels

Summary | Add to your TBR

(Won/Received from the Author, Thank you so much!)

 

By the way, you can win a copy of RAVEN here at Books4Juliet. The Guest Post and Giveaway for three (3) eBook copies is still ongoing and you can enter here: 

Raven: Guest Post and Giveaway by Nuayma Jeggels

One week to go and it's Christmas already! Have a blessed holiday season everyone! 

Xoxo!

TBR Intervention Challenge (10)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

 and April@Books4Juliet 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday. 

Here are the rules:

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one). 

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers. 

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

Dark Seeker
By: Taryn Browning

I'm about to finish this book, probably tonight. I'm really liking it. Janie Grey is a such a kick-ass heroine, funny, snarky, smart and stubborn. Kai is adorable. He is swoon-worthy and very charming. The characters are likable and the pacing of the story is fast and not boring. I'm glad that I picked this book out of my TBR pile last week =) 

By the way, I finished and reviewed one of the most enjoyable book I've read this year: ALONG FOR THE RIDE by SARAH DESSEN. I now understand why readers love her and her writing. I'm a new fan now!

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC: This week, I'm considering the following books to read:

Shadow Kiss has been on my shelf along with the rest of my Vampire Academy books since August 21, 2011. I finished the first two in the series so I might as well continue with the rest. 

First Date was from NetGalley, a book request from Thomas Nelson Publishing. This was going to be released on January 10th 2012, so I'm thinking of squeezing it in my to-read books this week. Christmas is just around the corner, and  the coming weeks will be super busy. I'm sure that I won't have enough time to finish all my books for review, so I'd better start reading them before their due date. 

In between these books, I'll try to read some of the other titles that I am craving for. I think we all deserve a nice break from all our hard work these past few weeks. It's Christmas season, and I consider it a little treat for myself. I have the following books in my shelf right now, and I want want want to read them asap! Too many books, too little time. 

By the way, I'll be on vacation on December 24 - 27. I will still be posting my TBRIC for the next week but I'm not sure if I can check and visit other posts. I'll be out of the country this Christmas with my family, so I might not be able to check on my blog. I will visit your posts as soon as I get back =) I hope everyone will have an awesome holiday season and I wish everyone a blessed Christmas! Cheers to us! Love lots. Xoxo.

Grab the linky code here.

Waiting On Wednesdays (14)

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

Touching the Surface
Author: Kimberly Sabatini
Publication Date: September 4th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Summary on Goodreads:
Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever. (Add this on your TBR)

Isn't the cover gorgeous? 

Book Review: ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published Date: June 11th 2009
Published By: Speak
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Chick-Lit

Summary on Goodreads:
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect. (Add this on your TBR)

My Thoughts:

Maybe the truth was it shouldn’t be easy to be amazing. Then everything would be. It’s the things that you fight for and struggle with before earning that have the greatest worth. When something’s difficult to come by, you’ll do that much more to make sure it’s even harder—if not possible—to lose.

Auden's life has always been about school--grades, weighted GPAs, admission to college... But she and her life changed when she stepped at the beautiful beach town where her father and his new family lives. There she met three girls whom she never thought would be her friends, and a couple of boys that made her summer even more interesting. And then theres Eli, the intriguing boy who doesn't talk to anybody but her. They end up spending time together during the night, store-going, drinking coffee, and eating pies. Suddenly, insomnia looks like a good thing! Not that I want one, but if I'm going to spend the night just like Auden and Eli, then I might consider it too. Together, they took on a journey where each of them realized how important second chances are... that no matter how many times you failed in life, the important thing is how many times you are willing to try again.

“I told you. I’m very good at being bad at things.”
I glanced over at him again as we come to another stop sign. “So you never get discouraged?”
“Of course I do,” he said. “Failing sucks. But it’s better than the alternative.”
“Which is?”
“Not even trying.” Now he did look at me, straight on. “Life’s short, you know?”

It's hard to start a review when I'm too excited and yet out of words to describe exactly what I think about a book. It was a mixed emotions and it was indescribable. It's the kind of feeling that I want to experience over and over again, as if I couldn't get enough of it. Now I understand why most readers knows and  loves Sarah Dessen. Read one of her stories and you might end up wanting more. Surely she knows how to write a perfect love story. And maybe there's no such thing as perfect though, but this one is close!

If you love summer, you'll love it even more! Along for the Ride gave me just enough of everything I want. The setting is beautiful, the characters are  likable. The story is emotional with lots of drama and it deals with the issues about family, friendship, love and even death. They will keep you turning the pages and reading more... wanting more... Who wouldn't want a summer on the beach, with new found friendships and a blossoming romance with a cute boy? I love Eli and I love Auden. I still think about them often and I feel happy every time.

This is the first book I read written by Sarah Dessen, and it won't definitely be the last one. Though there are parts where I find them far too detailed, it was still beautiful and enjoying. I love Sarah Dessen's writing and I became her new fan after reading this book. I recommend it to everyone who needs a dose of drama,  who loves realistic fiction and who wants to read the blooming of a delicious romance. Pick a Sarah Dessen's book, pick this one!

“It all counts. If you’re not getting hurt, you’re not riding hard enough…
And the bottom line is, what defines you isn’t how many times you crash, but the number of times you get back on the bike. As long as it’s one more, you’re all good.”

Lesson: Get back on the bike and ride again. 

My Rating:

Teaser Tuesdays (18)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along. You just have to:
Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhereon that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!). Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published Date: June 11th 2009
Published By: SPEAK (First published by Viking Juvenile)
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

And here's my teaser:

"I wondered if emotions were like menstrual cycles, if you got enough women together. Give it time, and everyone was crying."

-Auden, p.49 ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen

I'm really liking this book and I'm so excited to see how Auden and her relationship with her dad and stepmom will turn out. Most especially her relationship with brothers Eli and Jake.

Do you have a teaser today? =)