Blogger Interview

Interview with Jordan from http://insidethemindjm.blogspot.com/ today. If you want an interview here please email me at Princessashley9 (at) gmail.com and include your blog link.

1. What two authors should write a book together? What kind of book?
Hmm, that is kind of a hard one. I think it would be really cool if Kelley Armstrong and The Cast's (P.C. & Kristin) got together and wrote a really awesome supernatural book. They are probably my favortire author as of right now so I think it would be really cool to combine the two.

2. Favorite picture book? YA Book? Adult book?
Well, Im not too sure if I have a favorite picture book, but YA (as of right now) would be The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. And adult, another I'm not too sure. I have read half way through, The Host by Stephenie Meyer and that was good, though I haven't finsihed it, but I really haven't read many Adult books though I do plan to.

3. What is unique to your blog?
Hmm, again that is a kind of tough one. I think maybe the way thatI do my reviews. They aren't very formal. I just kind of write what is on my mind and what I am thinking. I know that some people may read books and then write the reviews later but I have to write the review as soon as I am done. That way my thoughts are fresh and I write just what comes along.

4. What is the goal behind your blog?
I think my goal is to help others get opinions about books and open peoples eyes to all the books that are out there. I know when I first started I had never heard of most of the books that I now love and if I hadnt have started blogging I probably still wouldn't know about them.

5. What do you like about blogging?
What I like about blogging is meeting other people and reading their reviews and having people read what I thought about books. It makes me feel kind of special to know that people are interested in what I have to think and sometimes base whether they want to read the book on what I, and other bloggers, thought about the books.

6. Do you plan on attending a book convention?
Eventually, I would love to go to a convention. Unfortunately where I live there are many author events, and I dont have a job so I cant really afford to travel for them. But one day I will be going! lol

7. Do you tell all your friends you blog and review? What do they think?
I have told some of my friends that I blog and review books. Some think its cool, others dont really say anything. My dad gets annoyed becasue he says that I have more books than I can read but what he doesnt realize is that my stack of TBR books is nothing campared to some out there. :) My brother on the other hand, loves it and is thinking about starting one himself, but for video games and books. He has actually done two for my blog.
The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima
The Alchemyst - Michael Scott

8. Opinion on banned books?
Ok, so this one I am going to try and keep short because, well I think it is just plain STUPID!!!!! I understand that some parents find things in books to be offensive, but why should everyone be punished. If they dont want their kids reading something than they should monitor them in the library or at schools, they should send home forms. I think there are more parents out there that don't care what their kids read versus parents that do care. I just think that there are other ways of going about keeping kids from reading certain books than banning them from everyone else.

Thanks for having me on your blog.

Wednesday Wishlist

Here is a random book from my wishlist today!

Prom Crashers
by Erin Downing

Summary: Barnes and Noble

Will you go to the proms with me?

It was love at first sight for Emily and Ethan. But then Em lost his number and, with it, all the hope of finding a real boyfriend before the end of senior year. All she knows about Ethan is his first name, that he has a supercute smile, and that he's going to a prom this month. Which high school? That's anyone's guess....

Em enlists the help of her three best friends, who quickly score formal wear and hail a limo. Together, Emily, Max and Sid vow to find Ethan, to find a cure for senioritis, and most important, to find true love — one hilarious prom night at a time.

My thoughts: Not only is the cover and title cool but its a book about prom's. Everyone wants to see what other people (even if they are pretend) experience on prom night :)

Must Monday... On Tuesday

Okay, okay, I suck! I forgot to set this to post Monday so here it is!

The Heart is Not a Size

Beth Kephart

Sumnmary: Barnes and Noble
Georgia convinces her parents to let her travel with a group to Juarez, Mexico, to help improve life for those living in a devastatingly poor area of the border town. Despite the poor living conditions and threats to personal safety, Georgia believes she can make a difference. Leaving behind her comfortable life in Pennsylvania, she spends her time under the hot Mexican sun building, of all things, a community toilet for the local natives. Going along for the experience is Georgia's best friend, Riley. Giving up the comforts of home are harder on Riley, who enjoys shopping and looking her best at whetever she does. Georgia knows she'll be able to handle the heat and the hard physical labor, but she has her doubts about Riley. There's been something bothering her about her best friend, but she hasn't been able to confront her. Georgia knows that Riley is constantly striving to live up to her mother's high expectations. In an effort to please her mother, Riley seems to have stopped eating. Georgia knows what is going on but doesn't know how to deal with the problem. She has hopes that the time together will give her an opportunity to rescue her friend.

Why I want it: All the feedback I have heard has been great so obviously I’m going to want to check it out!

If I Stay

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton
Price: $16.99 USD HB
Release: April 2 2009

Grade: A
Rating: 12+

FTC: I received this novel from the publisher before December 1st.

Summary: (Amazon)
The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state (Am I dead? I actually have to ask myself this), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live.

My Thoughts:
When I first heard about this novel I knew it was one I needed to read. I’m the sappy girl, chick-lit lover as many people prefer to say. The relationship aspect was enough to lure me in because come on, who doesn’t want that long lasting love in High School? I sure do. While reading this my boyfriend dumped me. I fell asleep the first night thinking about Mia and Adam. They are just perfect and I kept going, “I want him.”

The death aspect was also a huge pull me in factor. I have lost many people close to me in my life so the idea of having a choice between leaving and staying was a nice thought. I won’t give away the ending but when Mia finally made her choice my heart started palpitating. It was exactly what her choice needed to be. So all in all I think you all should read this book. It was heart-wrenching and heartwarming all in one. Get yourself a copy now.

PS. I hear rumors of a movie. Don’t pull an Ashley and see the movie first (:

Blogger Interview

Today Christina from http://www.flipthepagebookreview.blogspot.com/ is here to chat. If you would like to be interviewed please comment with your email address.

1.Do you have any must haves for blogging? Snacks? Music?
A: Well i LOVE to have my ipod on while I'm blogging! I have a habit of making playlists for everything so I'm constantly listening to music 24/7! Snacks are an absolute no no when it comes to the computer! While im on the computer i have these little flashes of me spilling juice or something all over the keyboard and the modem! I'm getting anxious just thinking about it!

2. What book did you struggle to get into but end up loving?
A: The Pace by Shelena Shorts was a little lifeless in the beginning but as i read more and more into it i started getting the feel of the characters and i ended up falling in love with it! It's a relief when the books endings are well worth the wait! Another book that was kind of like that was the first of the combined volumes of The Vampire Diaries (The Awakening and The Struggle)! At first i was really disinterested in the characters but by the end of The Struggle i was just begging for more!

3.What is your favorite book you’ve read this past month?
A: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick was BEYOND amazing! Also, How It Ends by Laura Weiss! Patch is such a hottie and the plot was crazy awesome! How It Ends seriously had me bawling crying, laughing hysterically and gasping in horror all within the same book! Both of those books are forever on my Favorites list now!

4. What does your review system look like?
A: I have a simple review system- Total Bomb, So So, Great and Incredible. Right now I'm working on breaking it down a little bit like including character, plot, cover and ending ratings, so followers should definitely be looking out for that soon. I'm a real sucker when it comes to rating books because i've never had a Total Bomb and i barely have any So So's. I try to find the good in every novel so i don't think I'll ever be like "Oh My God this book freaking sucked!" But in my reviews i always try to be as honest as possible!

5. Do you like looking at the marketing plans on the back of ARC’s? Why or why not?
A: I just started getting ARC's so everything about them fascinates me! I feel like if i open them there is gonna be like a million bucks in there or something! I'm a real business minded person so i try to suck in as much stuff about marketing, trades and publicity as possible.

6. Do you like reading or writing more?
A: That is a super hard one! My ultimate dream in life is to be a YA writer! I'm currently working on a couple of projects right now so of course i'd love to be published on day. However, being an author, a successful author at that is extremely hard to do! You have to be really artistictly gifted to dedicate all your time and effort into something that will really sell and get the public's attention and i'm really not sure if i have that or not! Reading is more of a hobby then a job to me so it really doesn't take a lot to do. With writing you have to give your all and at this point in my life i really don't have that much to give!

7. Complete this sentence: Reading is…
A: Essential to our lives. A passion, a love and an escape. You can go anywhere or do anything just with the will to read.

8. Would you prefer sappy books or gory books? Why?
A: I love books with lessons. Reading is a way for me to kind of learn not to make some kinds of mistakes without really making them myself! I guess those kinds of books are usually more sappy! Gory boks are great too but i'm into the romance and the life lessons and the heartbreak more then the mystery and suspense! Of course if you know a book that has all that please let me know because it would be a dream!

Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging

Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Author: Louise Rennison
Publisher: HarperTempest
Price: $6.99 USD PB
Release: April 2001
FTC: This is my friend purchased book. I did not receive it from an author or publisher.

Grade: B
Rating: 14+

Summary: (Amazon)
She has a precocious 3-year-old sister who tends to leave wet nappies at the foot of her bed, an insane cat who is prone to leg-shredding "Call of the Wild" episodes, and embarrassing parents who make her want to escape to Stonehenge and dance with the Druids. No wonder 14-year-old Georgia Nicolson laments, "Honestly, what is the point?" A Bridget Jones for the younger set, Georgia records the momentous events of her life--and they are all momentous--in her diary, which serves as a truly hilarious account of what it means to be a modern girl on the cusp of womanhood. No matter that her particular story takes place in England, the account of her experiences rings true across the ocean (and besides, "Georgia's Glossary" swiftly eradicates any language barriers).

My Thoughts:
To be honest I was not excited to read this book. About 3 or 4 years ago I had tried and hated it. When my friend told me to try again I had to be forced into it. I am glad I did! It was nice to escape the common American plot and experience some European. I also liked that Georgia spoke some French even though it was mostly bad words. The French teacher flipped when I asked what Merde meant!!! J The plot was super unique and the characters likeable. Georgia could be a BEY-OTCH but that made me like her even more. Oh, and come on. This book has a SEX GOD! What’s not to love! Check it out guys.

P.S. There is a movie too. Not here yet, but in Europe.

Blogger Interview

Today Kelsey from http://thebookscout.blogspot.com/ is here to chat. Want to be interviewed? Leave me a comment with your email addy.

What is your favorite fairytale? Why?
Hmmm I love so many of them but probably Snow White. I love animals as well and the dwarfs have always had a special place in my heart(:

Do you like to write as well as read? Anything you’re working on?
I love writing. I've begun so many stories, I can't even count, but for some reason I can never stick with them... I really should be working on something at the moment (cough cough English paper cough cough)

Complete this sentence: My life can be seen in the book…
Harry Potter! Not the wizard part, but in Harry Potter friendship and family are really important and that's how it is for me.

What book character would you like to hang out with? Why?
Jacky from the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer. I just love her spunk and sense of adventure.

Where do you like to read?
I read in this comfortable bean bag in my room, as well as in bed, on the couch, in stores, outside... pretty much anywhere I can sit with a book!

Why did you begin blogging?
I felt like I was reading so many books and that was great, but I wanted to do something more with these books. I wanted to tell people about the books I loved (and didn't love) and thought writing reviews would be a great way to share my love of reading. I really liked the idea of talking with other people about books and having other people read books because of something I said.

Who inspires you? Why?
My parents do, because both of them love reading. Authors everywhere inspire me as well. It's amazing how talented all of you are! Keep on writing!

What my Girlfriend Doesnt Know

Title: What my Girlfriend Doesn’t Know
Author: Sonya Sones
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Price: $7.99 USD PB
Release: December 16th 2008

Grade: B
Rating: 13+

Summary: (Amazon.com)
Robin's life at Cambridge High School is miserable. The arty outsider's last name becomes the pejorative slang of the school—as in, "Don't be such a Murphy." His lot improves, however, when popular Sophie becomes his girlfriend despite the detriment to her reputation. Better still, the freshman is invited to audit an art class at Harvard. It is his homecoming; for once, he is the comedian rather than the butt of jokes. One of the college freshmen even shows some romantic interest in him.

My Thoughts:
I will admit that I liked this book even though the characters are younger teens (something I’m not always fond of). There was an aspect of sexuality that was undeniable but it was where you least expected it.

After reading many books in verse I have begun to know what is good and what isn’t. This was above average but not fantastic as I expect from Sonya. There was just something missing that I couldn’t wrap my mind around. I felt that it took away from the plot.

I would say this is a worth while read for fans of books in verse.

FTC: This is my little sisters purchased book. I did not receive it from a publisher or author.