Top Ten Tuesday-- books I want Santa to bring

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks top ten is ten books I want Santa to bring me! Seeing as how my want list is now *goes and coutns*  43 books long, Santa has lots of choices to pick from.

These are in no order.

1. Illuminated by Erica Orloff:
This sounds like a really cute love story. Can't go wrong with finding out about an old diary...unless it's Tom Riddles.

2. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsly:
Ohhh reincarnation. Love those kinds of books. Plus this has a 4.30 rating on goodreads. Only amazing books get that kind of rating.

3.The Pledge by Kimberly Derting:
I love love love Kimberly's books and she is super awesome in person as well. I'm sure I'll just adore  this book. For some odd reason I just haven't got a copy of this yet.

4. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel:
Isn't the cover for this book just lovely?

5. Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff:
Kinda reminds me of a messed up vampire version of Hunger Games.

6. You Against Me by Jenny Downham:
This just sounds really good.

7.The Marked Son by Shea Berkley:
A few months ago I requested that my library order this book and they never did :(
I really want to read it though.

8. The vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen:
Oh goodness, what girl doesn't dream about the boy she loves from a book coming out of the book and being real and then getting to meet him? I know I sure want that to happen.

9. Cinderella: ninja Warrior by maureen McGowan:
I put this on my saturday wish list once. I love the cover for this book and the title. Cinderella is a ninja? Awesome!!!

10. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson:
Lol I love how if you read the synopsis of this book on Goodreads, it's sort of all over the place. She can move things with her mind, in love with her brother's bbf, mugging in London somehow has something to due with a girl in Cali, and so on. It seems so random, yet sounds good and has a great rating on goodreads, so I'm really curious.

Santa baby, will you please bring me these books? I've been good and not bought many books lately and my TBR bookcase isn't over flowing anymore, that needs to change.

Review: Enclave

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

                   Published by Feiwel & Friends                     

Genre: YA

$16.99 (US hardcover)

259 pages

What it's about:

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

My thoughts:

I loved it! I knew I was in the mood for a dystopian book and when I went through my tbr list and saw this one, I knew I had to read it. Glad I did.

Let me start of by saying that this book reminded me a lot of Divergent by Veronica Roth. If you put together Divergent with Ashes, Ashes, and Forest of Hands and Teeth, you have Enclave. I found this a wonderful mix. You have the wonderful characters and clan life like in Divergent, with the weird mixed up world of New York like in Ashes, Ashes, and lastly you have the weird zombie human things eating people like in FoHaT. If you are thinking this is a zombie book, you are half right. I wouldn't say the "freaks" are zombies exactly, they remind me of plague victims who mated with zombies and came out with the freaks. Definitely intriguing and I'm very curious as to what and how the freaks are becoming smarter and adapting.

What I really loved about this book was Deuce and Fade. Both of them are wonderful characters that I couldn't help but be reminded of Tris and Four. Deuce is a very strong willed girl who all she wants is to be a huntress. To protect and serve while protecting the people she loves. Then there is Fade who is the mysterious hunter who doesn't quite fit in. I loved how he was actually incredibly sweet and loving and not at all cold hearted like the rumors have it.

The world Aguirre created absolutely horrified me but I can't lie, I was very drawn to it. I couldn't believe how cold hearted the people of College Enclave were. How children are known as "brats" and are a liability and not cherished like children should be.

Overall, I loved this book. It was exciting and horrifying all rolled into one. I adored the main characters and can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.

My rating: 9/10

Question about reading goal

This year I set my reading goal for 125 books. I just finished #112. Anyone else frantically reading in order to make their year goal?

What is everyone elses goals?

Review: Ghost Town

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Series: Morganville Vampires #9

Published by NAL Hardcover

Genre:  YA

$9.99 (US paperback)

338 pages

What it's about:

While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses, student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment- before she forgets how to save Morganville...

My thoughts:
I love love love love love this series!

At first, I was sort of upset that Rachel Caine kept going with this series after book 6, because you can tell that is where it originally should have ended. The on going plot was solved and everything was finished off nicely. Now each book after that is it's own little story plot and is finished by the end of the book. I didn't think I would like that, but I actually love it. It allows me to pick up the next book whenever and not have to remember a whole lot of details about what happened in the previous ones. I can enjoy the awesome foursome whenever I feel like it just like with a stand alone book.

And I do really love the awesome foursome. Claire is one of the coolest leading ladies ever. Seriously. She is so smart and strong willed, yet she is very young and very small. I love how she has such a great presence that even the founding vampires listen to her. It's great. Then there is Eve, who reminds me of Abby from the show NCIS. The cute goth girl who is always happy. Two things that don't normally go together when it comes to goths, and then there is Michael, the rock star vampire (always needed in a good vampire series ;) ) and who could forget Shane? *sigh* Shane. He puts a smile to my face. The ultimate cute boyfriend who will always be by your side and will kick anyones ass if they even think about hurting you. I just adore him (expect him to show up in a My Book Boyfriend post sometime soon).

Ghost Town definitely is on my list of favorites for the Morganville series. This one had me thinking how in the world is Claire going to solve this problem? I didn't really know what to expect besides some epicness from Claire.

My rating: 10/10

As a side note, I have a hard time thinking of Oliver as a bad ass vampire because he is described as 40ish, greying hair that's in a long pony tail, and tye dyed shirts. This automatically makes me think of Larry (played by Alan Rachins) from the show Dharma and Greg, and he was a complete stoner and insanely funny.

Oliver, is that you? haha.

Review: Rules of Attraction

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Series: Perfect Chemistry #2

Published by Walker and Company

Genre: YA

$9.99 (US paperback)

324 pages

What it's about:

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

My rating: 10/10!
This is the second Simone Elkeles book I've read, and I can now say she is going on my favorite authors list.

Simone is following a pattern here with this series. I'm not complaining about that at all because I loved Perfect Chemistry, but it really is a pattern, just change the names and it's practically the same thing. I would have to say that ROA is my favorite of the PC series. I really enjoyed Kiara and her family. I liked how they really were the perfect American family. Kiara was a great character who cracked me up and I love how she wasn't perfect. How she has a stutter and isn't the typical beautiful girl. Then there is Carlos who is an utter ass, yet for some reason you can't help but like him. Maybe because he is a cocky ass hole who doesn't try to hide who he is. There is something about that honesty that makes you like him.

Over all, this book is so much like Perfect Chemistry that it isn't even funny. Everything that I said in my review for PC can be said for this book as well. The Spanish  was minimal, so mostly everyone should be able to figure out what is being said.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book (and the cover. cause wowzers). If you love forbidden love books, then you should definitely read this series.

A little something extra:
Here is a song that I think fits this book perfectly! I was listening to this right after I finished reading the book and thought "damn, that is so Carlos and Kiara." Enjoy :)

John Green is on tour

I got some exciting news today. My friend told me John Green is going on tour and is coming near me! I didn't think he ever did tours near me.

This tour is charging money and there is a limited amount of tickets, so if you want to go, make sure to get your tickets now. At first I was like "poo" I didn't like the fact that I had to pay, but then I found out that they will be giving a $10 (same as the ticket price) discount on the book while there. Also, you get a poster. Right there I'd pay to get the poster. Haha

Here is a video explaining it:

Here is the info from the dubledo: Ah John Green!

Review: Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Series: Infernal Devices #2

Published by Margaret K McElderry Books

Genre: YA

$17.99 (US hardback)

502 pages

What it's about:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.


My thoughts:
This is going to be a super short review.

If you haven't picked up your copy of this book yet, what in the world are you waiting for???? Go get it! And read it! It's full of suspense, danger, action, love, heartbreak, and everything else that is good in a book.

It's phenomenal, you won't be disappointed.

My rating: 11/10
Yup, it's that good.

Cassandra Clare = Genius?

Can I just say, I've known this for a while, but after finishing Clockwork Prince tonight, that Cassandra Clare is a genius.

This used to be the face of genius

But now it looks a little more like this,

Who else is now counting down till the release of Clockwork Princess?

Top Ten Tuesday-- Childhood favorites

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks top ten is my favorite childhood books! Oh this is exciting. Sadly I can't remember some of the names or the author of one of my favorite childhood books. :(

These are in no order:

1) Anything written by Shel Silverstien:
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first--it wet the bed. 

How can you not love poems like that?

2. The Bailey School Kids by Debbie Dadey:
These were just so much fun. I used to own almost all of them. Then I sold them so I could go to a Britney Spears and Nsync concert. Haha.

3. Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech:
I read this one at least three times when I was younger.

4. Amy, Number Seven by Marilyn Kaye:
I remember thinking this series was the coolest thing ever. It's about clones! How weird would it be knowing that there are 11 other girls EXACTLY like you out there in the world? Crazy.

5. Just Ella by Margaret Petterson Haddix:
I think I only read this one once, but I loved it. I've always been a sucker for retold fairy tale stories.

6. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls:
The reason this is on my list is because it is one of the most memorable reads for me. My mom read this to me and my sister and by the end we were all crying so hard that we had to stop reading so we could bawl. That is a moment I don't think I'll ever forget.

7. Mrs. Pigglewiggle by Betty MacDonald:
I think my favorite story in all of these is the girl who won't bathe, so her parents let her get so dirty she has an inch of dirt covering her skin. They then plant radishes in her skin. Crazy!

8. Harry Potter by JK Rowling:
Harry Potter isn't a good read, it's a lifestyle.

There are two other books that I really want on this list but I can't think of the name or the author. It's driving me crazy. One is called something like Melony's Song about a girl and her mom who move back to her mom's childhood home and the girl meets this little boy and they spend the summer together, then she finds out he's dying of cancer. If you know this book, please comment and tell me the name! I'd love to reread this book! The other one I think has something to do with the name Henry, and it is about 4 short stories. One is of the MC's sister's wedding, one about mothers day, one about april fools day, and I don't remember the last one. It was really funny.

Review: Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Published by Walker Books

Genre: YA

$9.99 (US paperback)

357 pages

What it's about:

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.  In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.(

My thoughts:
I've had this book siting on my TBR shelf for over a year and just never felt like reading it even though I heard it was all kinds of fantastic. I finally picked it up and gobbled it down in one sitting. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book.

IT WAS FANTASTIC! It's like Romeo and Juliet, meets West Side Story, meets awesome. I loved every minute of it. I have to admit, at one point, I had to read the last page to make sure that I liked the ending. I was worried for a minute about the characters and had to know. I immediately bonded with both Brittany and Alex. I wanted to know everything about both of them. I had to know how Alex was going to deal with being in the LB and how Brittany was going to help her sister. I was sucked in.

Because every other chapter is from Alex's  POV and he is Mexican, there is some Spanish in this book. Now, I don't speak Spanish, never taken any classes in it, but I was able to pick up on what was being said. Most of it is easy to understand in the context. That was not really a problem in this.

All in all, this book (series, actually) is amazing. I fell madly in love with all the characters and became wrapped up in this world. I couldn't put the book down.

My rating: 10/10

Review: Something Deadly This Way Comes

Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison

Series: Madison Avery #3

Published by Harper Teen

Genre: YA

$16.99 (US hardback)

245 pages

What it's about:

When madison died the night of her prom, she knew her life would never be the same. Now she has a powerful amlet, a team of rogue angels by her side, and the ability to flash forward into the future to see the shape of destiny. And of course, now she's finally with Josh-a perfect boyfriend who doesn't even mind that she's dead.

But being dead has its disadvantages, too. Madison feels caught between the light and the dark, and between her real life and her timekeeper status. When Madison has the opportunity to get her body back-to be alive again-she faces her most difficult decision yet. If she claims it, she could return to being a normal girl-and have a chance at a real relationship with Josh. But would having the one thing she wants most in the world also mean giving up everything she's worked so hard for?

My thoughts:
This series has the most beautiful views on life and souls. The whole idea behind this series is nothing like anything I have ever read before. It's beautiful, it's thought provoking, and really well done.

There is a reason Kim Harrison is perhaps my all time favorite author. She is right there next to JK Rowling for me because just like with Rowling's books, you can't go wrong with a Kim Harrison book. It's just not possible. There are a few things you can always expect from Harrison's books: 1) there are going to be at least three amazing characters that are so well done you will feel like you know them personally 2) the world the characters live in and their abilities will be vivid and exciting and 3) the end of each book will be wrapped up nicely and always end on a happy note.

Something Deadly is the 3rd and final book in the Madison series and is by far my favorite of the three books. Madison is such a great leading lady. I love how motivated and determined she is and what a wonderful person she is. Then of course there is Barnabus and Nakita as well who are fantastic. I love watching those two characters grow and learn.  I love how this series shows both sides of a situation and doesn't have clear "bad guys" and "good guys." Harrison shows and explains both sides equally. Light does not equal good and dark does not equal bad. Both are good and bad for their own reasons.

I don't think I could ever sing enough praises for this series. I could keep going on and on about why I love these books so much but that would take all the fun out of reading them.

My rating: 10/10