In My Mailbox (10)

In my mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I have received this week either by buying them myself or by getting them in the mail. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!


So This week I got some books that I absolutely can't wait to read!!!

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast







Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast








Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith, Kenneth Grahame, David G. Grahame-Smith 

Trailer Thursday (4)

Trailer Thursday's were started by me. If someone has already started Trailer Thursdays I do apologize, but please let me know so that I can credit it you. I show a book trailer that I have been looking forward to reading.

This Week's trailer comes from the book Scars by Cheryl Rainfield. I hope you enjoy it!

Twilight 1: The Graphic Novel

Title: Twilight 1: The Graphic Novel
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Art and Adaptation: Young Kim
Pages: 224 Pages


Summary: The love story between the innocent teenager Bella and the handsome vampire Edward, which prompted a worldwide phenomenon, breathes new life in a two-volume adaptation of Twilight! The first volume has been rigorously reviewed by Stephenie Meyer and reflects her personal vision of the world of The Twilight Saga. This unique art style -- a black-and-white graphic novel with color interspersed throughout -- is guaranteed to take a bite out of the graphic novel world and leave fans eagerly anticipating the exciting conclusion in Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 2 (publication date not available). (Summary provided by Borders)


Review: I am a Twilight fan, and I wanted to read the graphic novel to see the newest interpretation of it. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this. This was the first time I had ever read a graphic novel, and I thought the art was beautiful, and they kept everything that made it Twilight.
I noticed that some of the art was drawn a little like the movie, and then some was what Kim had interpreted. I liked that because it added a new feel to it. 
The story remains the same, one we all know and love, the story of how Bella and Edward fall in love. It starts off the same, but the first volume ends right when Edward drops Bella off after they go to the field. I personally can not wait for the others to come out. There really isn't much to say about the story because it's all the same. I do wish they had just made a larger graphic novel and just made the whole book on big one, rather than make us wait for them to come out with Twilight part 2.


How did you come to read this? On the release day of New Moon my Fiancee bought it for me because he thought I would enjoy it. I was so happy that he did that for me :)
Would you Recommend it? To hardcore Twilight fans yes, but to anyone just getting into the series, maybe not.  
Why? To some people it could just seem like they are dragging out the whole Twilight Phenomenon, but in my opinion I am incredibly happy that they made the book. 
Rating: 
Story - 8/10
Content - 17/20
Readability - 9/10
Cover - 5/5
Remembrance - 14/15
Quotability - 8/10
Characters - 9/10
Overall 70/80 = 88 = B+
Finished Reading or Last Read on: 3/22/10
If Read More than once, how many times? Just this once, but I'm sure I'll read it more. 


To read my Twilight book Review click here!

Impulse

Title: Impulse
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Pages: 666 Pages


Summary: Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same. Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide. Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade. Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills. And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself. In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place. (Summary by Borders.com)


Review: I'm a big fan of Ellen Hopkins, everything she writes seems to speak to me, so I was not disappointed in reading this book and falling in love with all three characters. Tony, Vanessa, and Conner all end up in a psychiatric hospital for attempting suicide. They all have different reasons for doing so, but seem to have a lot in common. We see each character at it's worst point, and we watch as they grow and develop and come to terms with their lives. 
Out of all 3 my favorite character was probably Vanessa. I felt like I could relate to a lot of things she went through  and that she was able to find love and meaning and a will to live. One thing I didn't like was the fact that it just sort of ended, I would have liked to have seen each character deal with going home, and not the way it ended (now I don't want to give away too much). 
Overall it was a good read, and has secured my love for Ellen Hopkins novels. She always tells her story beautifully and her characters are always so real. 


How did you come to read this? I got into Ellen Hopkins a few years ago, and I just happened to see Impulse in the store and thought "OOOoooOOOOooooOO"
Would you Recommend it? To anyone that is struggling with their lives or has dealt with suicide whether contemplating it themselves, known someone that did it, or for some reason just likes reading about it. I would also recommend it to other Ellen Hopkins fans. 
Why? Sometimes it just takes a good book to understand life. 
Rating: 
Story - 8/10
Content - 17/20
Readability - 7/10
Cover - 5/5
Remembrance - 13/15
Quotability - 6/10
Characters - 9/10
Overall 65/80 = 81 = B
Finished Reading or Last Read on: 3/19/10
If Read More than once, how many times? Just this once, but I'm sure I'll read it more. 

Trailer Thursday (3)

Trailer Thursday's were started by me. If someone has already started Trailer Thursdays I do apologize, but please let me know so that I can credit it you. I show a book trailer that I have been looking forward to reading.


This Week's trailer comes from the book The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. I hope you enjoy it!

I'm back

Hey everyone I'm back on! Atleast for a little while, my fiancee and I may be in the process to move in a few weeks, but for now I'm here until we move and I need to take another Hiatus for a bit.

Hiatus/apology

I'm sure you've all noticed the lack of blogging going on, so I've decided to take a bit of a hiatus. I have a lot coming up in the next few weeks, but I will continue reading so when I get back you'll have a whole bunch of new reviews to read. Nursing school is tough (yes I knew it would be) but it just means outside of classes, clinical, and homework I have no free time. So over christmas break and the start of next semester I will be back. Hope everyone is well. If you've got finals coming up good luck!!

In My Mailbox (9)

 I bought Living Dead in Dallas and the New Moon Collector's edition. I hope to post some new reviews soon, my school life has completely taken over me. That's what I get for being a nursing student! But it's worth it right? I have 3 tests coming up next week, but after that it's a little while before my next ones. So hopefully I'll be able to be a little more active.

Have a Little Faith

Title: Have a Little Faith
Author: Mitch Albom
Pages: 208 Pages


Summary: "New York Times"-bestselling author Albom goes back to his nonfiction roots with a timely, moving, and inspiring look at faith--not just who believes, but why--prompted by his search for the right words to eulogize a beloved rabbi.


Review: Mitch Albom's newest book, is sure to be a hit for anyone that has enjoyed his others. On a personal note I'm not a huge fan of this book, beacause it's a little too preachy for my taste, but I'm not really a religious person. The books was given to me through Librarything.com so of course I had to review it, so I will just review the content of it and not my take on it. 
Mitch is asked to do a eulogy for his old Rabbi, and like Tuesday's with Morrie, he visits and on each visit he learns something new. We learn about what made him become a Rabbi, and why, and other things like that. 
Mitch's writing style is unique, and I noticed it from the first book of his that I read. He doesn't put his replies in quotations. I really like that and think it adds more of a personal touch to the stories.
It's a short heartwarming story, that I'm sure his fans will love. He's a great author and really knows how to capture his ideas to tell the world his stories. 


How did you come to read this? I got it as an ARC copy through Librarything.com
Would you Recommend it? To anyone that has read his other books, and really liked them. 
Why? Only because this story isn't for everyone.
Rating: 
Story - 8/10
Content - 15/20
Readability - 6/10
Cover - 3/5
Remembrance - 13/15
Quotability - 4/10
Characters - 9/10
Overall 58/80 = 72 = C
Finished Reading or Last Read on: 9/28/09
If Read More than once, how many times? Just this once.

New Rating System

Story Rating: This is determined by how well written the story was. It will be out of 10.
Content Rating: Everything that created the story and that the book contained. It will be out of 20.
Readability: This is decided by whether or not it made me want to constantly read the book. It will be out of 10.
Cover: Did the cover draw me to the book? I know what people say don't judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes that's what makes me pick up the book usually. This is only out of 5.
Remembrance: The is about how memorable the book is. This is out of 15.
Quotability: This is how quotable the book is. This is out of 10.
Characters: This is based on how believable the characters were for the story? If I could relate to any of the characters? Were there any specifically that drew me in. This is out of 10.

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
0-59 = F

Trailer Thursday (2)

Trailer Thursday's were started last week by me. If someone has already started Trailer Thursdays I do apologize, but please let me know so that I can credit it you. I show a book trailer that I have been looking forward to reading.

This week's trailer will be Evermore by Alyson Noel, so here it is. Let me know if you like Trailer Thursdays and if you would like me to continue doing it.

In My Mailbox (8)

This week I have bought the following:

 Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

 The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Eclipse

Title: Eclipse

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Pages: 629 Pages

Summary: As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger.

In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Review: Once again Stephenie Meyer, has a hit. Eclipse, though not my favorite of the saga, was still captivating. I loved every minute of reading it and it kept me captured in the story, turning page after page, wanting to know what would happen next. Bella and Edward's love is a story unlike any other in the sense that, there love seems to just keep going no matter the obstacles being thrown at them. 

Eclipse is a great addition, however I felt a little let down by it's ending. I think I just expected so much more, I mean with how New Moon, and Twilight end, I think that Eclipse's ending is the weakest out of all of them. This one just doesn't stand out to me as much as the others, but if you like the series you'll more than likely like this one as well. Lots of Bella, Edward, and Jacob so no matter which fan-base you are, there's something for everyone!

How did you come to read this? Because it was the sequel to the other 2 I just had to read it!

Would you recommend it? Yes and like the other 2, I have to a few people who loved it as well.

Why? Again it’s a great story. It sucks me in and I could read it over and over again and not get sick of it.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars **********

Finished reading or Last read: 7/25/08

If read more than once, How many times have you read it? About 2 or 3 times

Donut Days Giveaway

The Bookologist is giving away a SIGNED hardback copy of the book Donut Days by Lara Zielin. Check it out here!

Contest ends on October 10th!

Emma has a lot going on. Her best friend's not speaking to her, a boy she's known all her life is suddenly smokin' hot and in love with her, and oh yes, her evangelical minister parents may lose their church, especially if her mother keeps giving sermons saying Adam was a hermaphrodite.

But this weekend Emma's only focused on Crispy Dream, a hot new donut franchise opening in town, where Harley bikers and Frodo wannabes camp out waiting to be the first ones served. Writing the best feature story on the camp for the local paper might just win Emma a scholarship to attend a non- Christian college. But soon enough Emma finds the donut camp isn't quite the perfect escape from all her troubles at Living Word Redeemer.

Trailer Thursday (1)

Something that I really like seeing is book trailers on peoples blogs, so I've decided to start up Trailer Thursday's. If someone has already started Trailer Thursdays I do apologize, but please let me know so that I can credit it you.

This week's trailer will be Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I thought it would be good considering it is on my TBR shelf. So here it is. Let me know if you like Trailer Thursdays and if you would like me to continue doing it.