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Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

>> Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Source: Library
Series: Yes
Pages: 387
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 3, 2012



Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.
Main Idea: HOLY SMOKES THIS BOOK IS EPIC. A fairy-tale retelling of Cinderella with a cyborg as the main character equals FANTASTIC READING.

Guys, this book was SO SO good. First of all, I think it is important to know what a cyborg actually is, because I had to look this up like 30 pages into the book. I thought a cyborg was JUST a machine... so I was so confused on how she was having feelings and thinking like a real person. Well, come to find out, a cyborg is part human AND part machine. Blew my mind.

While this book has parallels to the fairytale of Cinderella, that does not mean this book is predictable.. at ALL. I was pretty much shocked and excited the whole time I was reading it. The twists and turns are awesome. And we all know how much I love twists and turns :)

We really only get to know Cinder in this book, though. There aren't many secondary characters that really stand out. But, guess what?! This is a trilogy! So, that I'm sure we will get to know prince Kai and all of our other characters a little bit better :)

Okay, so go pick this book up now please!

Taylor 

Read more...

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

>> Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My Life Next Door
Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Series: No
Pages:395
Publication Date: June 14, 2012
Type: Contemporary


"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.
Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own.
But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?
Set among the haves and have-nots of a coastal New England town, My LIFE NEXT DOOR captures the angst, the heartache, and the raw-nerve emotions of first time love—and biting loss.

This book looks so good! Cutesy, but serious at the same time. I'm not HUGE on contemporaries, but this one is reminding me of Lola and the Boy Next Door, so I definitely NEED to read it.

-Taylor

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday

I love Tuesdays...


Our Top Ten

hosted by The Broke and Bookish


new video....guess who popped in?



Here are the books we would save.....


1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

7. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

8. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

9. A Million Suns by Beth Revis

10. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

11. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly


much love,

taylor and rebekah






Read more...

Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

>> Monday, February 20, 2012



Graffiti Moon
Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Graffiti Moon
Author: Cath Crowley
Source: Netgalley
Series: No
Pages:272
Rating: 4/5


Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.
The Main Idea: This book is a beautifully written and thought-provoking contemporary that is well worth the read. 
 
I was so excited when I was accepted for this book on Netgalley. I had heard nothing but good things. This book is a contemporary set in Australia that takes place over a 24 hour period. It is told in multiple point of views, but normally focuses on two main characters (Lucy and Ed). Lucy is a glass blower and is obsessed with finding out who "Shadow" is. All she knows is that Shadow makes great works of graffiti art all over the city with his sidekick, Poet (Leo), who writes "social commentaries" on or around Shadow's work. Ed, who is Shadow (you find this out at the very beginning of the book... no spoilers!), is trying to get over his boss dying, losing his job, and dropping out of school.

The book focuses on one night where Lucy and her two friends (Jazz and Daisy) spend the night hanging out with Ed, Leo, and Dylan (Daisy's boyfriend). The night focuses on Lucy and Ed's adventures. Lucy wants to find out who Shadow is, and Ed volunteers to help her out.

I think for me, 24 hour books are hard. I feel like I don't get to know the characters well enough. It makes it harder for me to believe whatever love story is happening. However, even with that being somewhat difficult for me- I still loved Lucy and Ed. You could tell from the beginning they were perfect for eachother.

Their antics are funny, they have good chemistry, and their mutual love of art is beautiful. I really enjoyed this quick contemporary. I thought it was a beautiful work. 

Read more...

IMM (12)

>> Sunday, February 19, 2012

STEP SING IS OVER. WE ARE BACK, BABY. For real though. Hi everybody! It has been TOO long. Now that we will not be practicing singing and dancing all hours of the day, we actually have time to (1) READ! and (2) BLOG! Look for a review of Graffiti Moon tomorrow, and lots more fun stuff coming up this week! For now,  a quick IMM and update video!


Only one (physical) book this week... Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi!

                                                                

 This one looks like an AWESOME dystopian.


Read more...

IMM (11)

>> Thursday, February 9, 2012

Helloooooooooooooooo readers!


I would just like to say how very sorry Taylor and I are for being such slackers lately....we're involved with this whole college-wide production called "Step Sing" (singing and dancing, competing, no sleeping, blah blah), which is very fun but VERY time-consuming.

As for what's in MY mailbox this week:

1). The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson.


Y'all know how obsessed I am with this trilogy! It took me way too long to finally get a hold on the third. 


2). The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain


Say what, what?  I'm trying to re-discover some of the classics I didn't appreciate when I was younger. Really excited.


and...


The Norton Anthology of English Literature..wooo....

just kidding about that last one....that's for class....

Short list this week..hopefully once things start calming down a bit I'll get to read a little more than Wordsworth's Romantic Poetry.


Might join Taylor in a video review. Maybe. Skeptical. 

Would love more than ANYTHING to hear from y'all right now. Give me some suggestions about what I should read next!

-Rebekah






Read more...

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

>> Friday, February 3, 2012


A Million Suns (Across the Universe, #2) 
Reviewer: Taylor
Author: Beth Revis
Source: Bought
Series: Yes- 2nd of 3
Pages: 386
Rating: 5/5!!!
Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

The Main Idea: HOLY CRAP THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Seriously. Starts with a bang and definitely ends on one. PLEASE at least take a stab at this one even if you were unsure about Across the Universe. This one is a million times better!

Oh. My. Goodness. I wish I could take back my rating of the first book, even though I would still call it around a 4.5 out of 5. But, this one. This one was like A MILLION SUNS better than the first! (did you see that awesome play on words I did there? Pretty proud of myself.)

The story started of with a bang. I loved that I already knew the characters and the world of Godspeed so I didn't have to sit through page upon page of world building. With that out of the way, the action started pretty much immediately. Shocking realizations, more questions, mysteries, and even murderers. The book captured my attention the ENTIRE time. Which is saying a lot, considering Across the Universe kind of lacked in that aspect (and even then, I loved it!).

However, I still remain confused on how I feel about Amy and Elder. I know everybody is like... ohh they are so precious and cute together! But I'm not sure... I feel like they both still have a LOT to work on with themselves before they should be committing to one another. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it. Hah! Another pun. Gosh, I'm good.

Really, that's all I need to say. I loved it. It was amazing. The mysteries and twists and turns are OUT OF THIS WORLD (literally. wow, i need to stop.). And, that ending will leave you wanting SO MUCH MORE. Ahh I can NOT believe I have to wait till January 2013. WHAT IS THIS BETH REVIS? WHY? WHY? WHY?

And on that note: This review (or lack thereof) is now complete.

Taylor

Read more...

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Source: Library
Series: Yes
Pages: 387
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 3, 2012



Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.
Main Idea: HOLY SMOKES THIS BOOK IS EPIC. A fairy-tale retelling of Cinderella with a cyborg as the main character equals FANTASTIC READING.

Guys, this book was SO SO good. First of all, I think it is important to know what a cyborg actually is, because I had to look this up like 30 pages into the book. I thought a cyborg was JUST a machine... so I was so confused on how she was having feelings and thinking like a real person. Well, come to find out, a cyborg is part human AND part machine. Blew my mind.

While this book has parallels to the fairytale of Cinderella, that does not mean this book is predictable.. at ALL. I was pretty much shocked and excited the whole time I was reading it. The twists and turns are awesome. And we all know how much I love twists and turns :)

We really only get to know Cinder in this book, though. There aren't many secondary characters that really stand out. But, guess what?! This is a trilogy! So, that I'm sure we will get to know prince Kai and all of our other characters a little bit better :)

Okay, so go pick this book up now please!

Taylor 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

My Life Next Door
Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Series: No
Pages:395
Publication Date: June 14, 2012
Type: Contemporary


"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.
Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own.
But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?
Set among the haves and have-nots of a coastal New England town, My LIFE NEXT DOOR captures the angst, the heartache, and the raw-nerve emotions of first time love—and biting loss.

This book looks so good! Cutesy, but serious at the same time. I'm not HUGE on contemporaries, but this one is reminding me of Lola and the Boy Next Door, so I definitely NEED to read it.

-Taylor

Top Ten Tuesday

I love Tuesdays...

Our Top Ten

hosted by The Broke and Bookish


new video....guess who popped in?



Here are the books we would save.....


1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

7. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

8. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

9. A Million Suns by Beth Revis

10. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

11. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly


much love,

taylor and rebekah






Monday, February 20, 2012

Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley



Graffiti Moon
Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Graffiti Moon
Author: Cath Crowley
Source: Netgalley
Series: No
Pages:272
Rating: 4/5


Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.
The Main Idea: This book is a beautifully written and thought-provoking contemporary that is well worth the read. 
 
I was so excited when I was accepted for this book on Netgalley. I had heard nothing but good things. This book is a contemporary set in Australia that takes place over a 24 hour period. It is told in multiple point of views, but normally focuses on two main characters (Lucy and Ed). Lucy is a glass blower and is obsessed with finding out who "Shadow" is. All she knows is that Shadow makes great works of graffiti art all over the city with his sidekick, Poet (Leo), who writes "social commentaries" on or around Shadow's work. Ed, who is Shadow (you find this out at the very beginning of the book... no spoilers!), is trying to get over his boss dying, losing his job, and dropping out of school.

The book focuses on one night where Lucy and her two friends (Jazz and Daisy) spend the night hanging out with Ed, Leo, and Dylan (Daisy's boyfriend). The night focuses on Lucy and Ed's adventures. Lucy wants to find out who Shadow is, and Ed volunteers to help her out.

I think for me, 24 hour books are hard. I feel like I don't get to know the characters well enough. It makes it harder for me to believe whatever love story is happening. However, even with that being somewhat difficult for me- I still loved Lucy and Ed. You could tell from the beginning they were perfect for eachother.

Their antics are funny, they have good chemistry, and their mutual love of art is beautiful. I really enjoyed this quick contemporary. I thought it was a beautiful work. 

Sunday, February 19, 2012

IMM (12)

STEP SING IS OVER. WE ARE BACK, BABY. For real though. Hi everybody! It has been TOO long. Now that we will not be practicing singing and dancing all hours of the day, we actually have time to (1) READ! and (2) BLOG! Look for a review of Graffiti Moon tomorrow, and lots more fun stuff coming up this week! For now,  a quick IMM and update video!


Only one (physical) book this week... Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi!

                                                                

 This one looks like an AWESOME dystopian.


Thursday, February 9, 2012

IMM (11)

Helloooooooooooooooo readers!

I would just like to say how very sorry Taylor and I are for being such slackers lately....we're involved with this whole college-wide production called "Step Sing" (singing and dancing, competing, no sleeping, blah blah), which is very fun but VERY time-consuming.

As for what's in MY mailbox this week:

1). The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson.


Y'all know how obsessed I am with this trilogy! It took me way too long to finally get a hold on the third. 


2). The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain


Say what, what?  I'm trying to re-discover some of the classics I didn't appreciate when I was younger. Really excited.


and...


The Norton Anthology of English Literature..wooo....

just kidding about that last one....that's for class....

Short list this week..hopefully once things start calming down a bit I'll get to read a little more than Wordsworth's Romantic Poetry.


Might join Taylor in a video review. Maybe. Skeptical. 

Would love more than ANYTHING to hear from y'all right now. Give me some suggestions about what I should read next!

-Rebekah






Friday, February 3, 2012

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis


A Million Suns (Across the Universe, #2) 
Reviewer: Taylor
Author: Beth Revis
Source: Bought
Series: Yes- 2nd of 3
Pages: 386
Rating: 5/5!!!
Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

The Main Idea: HOLY CRAP THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Seriously. Starts with a bang and definitely ends on one. PLEASE at least take a stab at this one even if you were unsure about Across the Universe. This one is a million times better!

Oh. My. Goodness. I wish I could take back my rating of the first book, even though I would still call it around a 4.5 out of 5. But, this one. This one was like A MILLION SUNS better than the first! (did you see that awesome play on words I did there? Pretty proud of myself.)

The story started of with a bang. I loved that I already knew the characters and the world of Godspeed so I didn't have to sit through page upon page of world building. With that out of the way, the action started pretty much immediately. Shocking realizations, more questions, mysteries, and even murderers. The book captured my attention the ENTIRE time. Which is saying a lot, considering Across the Universe kind of lacked in that aspect (and even then, I loved it!).

However, I still remain confused on how I feel about Amy and Elder. I know everybody is like... ohh they are so precious and cute together! But I'm not sure... I feel like they both still have a LOT to work on with themselves before they should be committing to one another. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it. Hah! Another pun. Gosh, I'm good.

Really, that's all I need to say. I loved it. It was amazing. The mysteries and twists and turns are OUT OF THIS WORLD (literally. wow, i need to stop.). And, that ending will leave you wanting SO MUCH MORE. Ahh I can NOT believe I have to wait till January 2013. WHAT IS THIS BETH REVIS? WHY? WHY? WHY?

And on that note: This review (or lack thereof) is now complete.

Taylor

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