I am Number Four Giveaway

To celebrate the release of the movie adaption of I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, I have a copy of the book up for grabs.

Here's what the book's about:

John Smith is not what meets the eye.
He looks like your average teenager, but what you don't know is that he is actually an alien from another planet called Lorien. 
Invaded by Mogadorians, the people of the planet Lorien are forced to flee to Earth. 
There Were Nine. The Mogadorians have killed three.
John Smith is Number Four.
Can he save his life and those of Paradise, Ohio, before it's too late?

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STARTS Friday February 25th 

ENDS  SATURDAY March 12th
ANNOUNCED Sunday 13th March

READ THE REVIEW HERE

watch the trailer below

I'm excited about...

I am really excited about the up-coming release of Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely hearts Club. It is based on the classic Pride and Prejudice, so I am really excited about this!

After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom.

Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

What are YOU looking forward to??

REVIEW: Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen

After her mom vanished in a stench of drugs and alcohol, Ruby continued to live in the family house alone. Finally found out, the introspective teenager is sent to the luxurious home of her older sister, Cora, whom she hadn't seen in ten years. Everything there seems unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and supremely weird: her fancy new room; her lavish new wardrobe; the exclusive private school where she never quite fits in. Most mysterious of all is Nate, the friendly boy next door who seems to have a deep secret of his own. Another subtle character-driven teen novel by Sarah Dessen, the author of Just Listen and That Summer.


In my honest opinion, I felt that the characters lacked depth. I thought that they were all surface - depth characters, they didn't have any motivations for the decisions they made. 
The characters did not develop or change emotionally throughout the novel, they were not changed for the better or the worse by the end of the novel. 


I also thought that the plot was lacking in occurrence. I mean this in the fact that the plot just kept driving along, there was no interesting twists or turns. It was more of an every day story that made it - to put it simply - boring and monotonus.  The reason that people read fiction novels is simple; to escape everyday life. This novel did not achieve that goal. It left me bored and having not finished it.


I chose this book because it was visually appealing and the plot hinted to a storyline but I was disappointed. 
If i would recommend the age bracket it would be for girls aged 13 - 17.




***  NOTE:   ***
As all my reviews are a matter of opinion, don't feel put off an author or book entirely if I didn't like it. It is my honest opinion and somebody else might like the book. It is all a matter of opinion.

REVIEW: Dash & Lily's book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

A refreshing new novel by the authors of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, Dash & Lily's book of dares is an original story that will keep you absorbed in it until the last page turns.

 When Dash finds a red notebook in the aisle of his favourite bookstore, he's curious. Opening the notebook, he finds a list of dares, along with a message:

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” 

As Dash takes up Lily's book of challenges, he finds himself  slowly learning about the Lily who left the book. Will Lily & Dash finally meet, or will they always wonder what each other are like?

Dash & Lily's was a refreshing novel, the plot unlike any other, the characters witty and the twists and turns original. 

I found myself laughing out loud at the characters, the situations that they got in and the overall hilarity that ensues when  David Levithan and Rachel Cohn write a book together.

If you are looking for a great book to read in  a weekend, then this movie-like book is perfect for you. 

I recommend it for girls 13 - 17.

Interview with Luisa Plaja

Meet fabulous author Luisa Plaja, author of The Kiss Series; Split By a Kiss, Swapped By a Kiss & A Stand Alone Novel - Extreme Kissing and she also has a new novel coming out this year: Kiss, Date, Love, Hate...

Read the review for The Kiss Series here

Read the INTERVIEW BELOW

1. Where did you get the idea for The Kiss series; Have you always wanted to write a novel about people switching bodies, or did you see something that inspired you?

I didn't set out to 'split' the character of Jo when I first started writing Split by a Kiss - it happened while I was writing. When I reached Jo and Jake's cupboard scene, I couldn't decide whether or not Jo's new experiences had changed her, and I decided to follow both possibilities in parallel stories. Initially, I was just figuring things out, but I soon noticed that both versions of Jo had a voice and a story to tell, so I stuck with them. After that, the body swap idea for the sequel came naturally. Rachel was always jealous of Jo and uncomfortable in her own skin, and Jo mentioned the various versions of Freaky Friday in Split by a Kiss, so swapping the friends seemed like a perfect way to tell Rachel's story. As for what inspired me to write a body-swap story... Well, I'm not sure, but I can tell you that the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers was one of my favourite books when I was growing up. I re-read it recently and loved it just as much. I highly recommend it!

2. Are any of your characters based on real people?

No, they're all made up! Sometimes I might base parts of characters on my impressions of people, though not necessarily on anyone I've ever met.

3. Do you have any favourite books or authors?

Yes, lots, and I add to my list all the time! I love books that explore relationships, especially those that do so with a light and humorous touch. I have too many favourite authors to list but I do name some of them and review their books on Chicklish (a book blog - http://www.chicklish.co.uk ).

4. Do you have a favourite character or a moment in one of your books?

This is a hard one to answer. I spend such a long time with characters when I write a novel that I can't help forming a relationship with each one, and it feels wrong to pick favourites! I think I'm particularly fond of Rachel, though - I loved getting into her head and writing from her intense, troubled but well-meaning viewpoint. Lex is another character I have a massive soft spot for - you'll meet her in Kiss, Date, Love, Hate!
I do get fond of certain scenes as I'm writing, too, though I often change my mind about this over time. Right now I'd choose: the ice rink scenes in Split by a Kiss, Bets and Zac at the arcade in Extreme Kissing, the finale of Swapped by a Kiss... and the film-making scenes in Kiss, Date, Love, Hate.

5. When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

I don't remember a time when I didn't want to be a writer! I think it must have happened around the time that I first learnt to read and I fell in love with books. As I got older, though, I became convinced that writing novels for publication was an impossible dream. I'm so glad I was wrong!

6. Have you ever written any other works under a pseudonym if not, what would you want your pseudonym to be?

Yes, I have written a series of novels for teenagers under a pseudonym. I'll now insert a secretive smiley of mystery: :-x

7. Do you have a designated writing time or routine, or is it just spontaneous?

I write whenever I can, and when I'm in the full flow of a novel, I'll even try to write when I can't! My best writing time is usually late evening and into the night. I'm a real night person. If only that didn't make mornings such a struggle...

8. Was there a book or an event that inspired you to be a writer?

Hmm, I've probably been inspired to some extent by everything I've ever read! There are a few lovely friends who inspire me to keep writing, and to write the kinds of books I do, and their help and support is invaluable to me. You'll see the names of some of them on the acknowledgment pages of my books!

9. Which character in your books are you most like?

I'm probably most like Jo from Split by a Kiss, in that I have nerdish tendencies, a love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and hair with a mind of its own.

10. If you were to write another novel, what do you think it would be about? 

It would almost certainly have something to do with friendships and relationships in teenage years - there are so many fascinating issues I still want to explore!

11. If YOU could switch bodies with anybody, who would it be?

Well, I get to do this every day, really, and call it 'writing'! I'm not sure whether I'd want to switch places with anyone in real life, though. (If you'd asked me this when I was a teenager, I think my answer might have been different...)

Thank you very much for interviewing me Isme!

Valentines Day Reads

As today is Valentines Day, enjoy reading some romance novels (or not), here is a recap of some great romantic / possibly comedy books that have been reviewed and some that have reviews coming soon...

Already Reviewed Awesome Books 

Kisses for Lula by Samantha Mckintosh
 
Matched by Ally Condie

The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

The Kiss series by Luisa Plaja

Lament by Maggie Stievfater

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Mediator series by Meg Cabot

Tremendous reviews coming soon!

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Dash & Lily's book of Dares Rachel Cohn & David Leviathian

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

 

Day before Valentines Day - Read-a-Palooza

Leading up to Valentines day, I will review or remind you of one book each day that you can read to get in the mood for Valentines Day.

Today, there are many reads for you to enjoy for the day before the Big Day!

Kisses for Lula by Samantha Mckintosh
Can Lula defeat the curse and finally get her first kiss?
 
Matched by Ally Condie
In a time where everything is decided for you, can Cassia overcome the dictatorship of her society and fall in love?

The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan
Libby Madrigal and her best friend promised that they would each get one serious kiss before they turn fifteen; when Libby is just starting to make progress, her parents move the whole family. To a retirement home no less! Can Libby survive the madcap drama and still get her serious kiss?

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Keenan, the king of the Summer faeries needs a queen. Aislinn isn't to let the faeries know that she sees them. But Keenan is trying to save summer before it ends, but can he persuade Aislinn in time?

The Kiss series by Luisa Plaja
When nerd Jo moves to the US, she automatically feels unaccepted; isolated from her friends, with no one to talk to. When the door to popularity opens, will she follow it, even though she might not want to? The choice is hers, To Kiss or Not To Kiss.

Have fun reading; your fellow book nerd,

Isme
The Book Slooth

3 Days to Valentine's Day - Book 3 - Lament

Leading up to Valentines day, I will review or remind you of one book each day that you can read to get in the mood for Valentines Day.

New novel by best-selling author Maggie Stievfater (Shiver, Linger) comes a dreamlike love story that you will love.
 
Click here to read the review...

Lament by Maggie Stievfater

New novel by best-selling author Maggie Stievfater (Shiver, Linger) comes a dreamlike love story that you will love.


Deidre Monahaghn is just a reserved, harp-playing prodigy. But when a mystifying guy named Luke befriends her, Dee can't help but fall for him. But something is off about him, something's strange, out of the ordinary. Dee's becoming a Cloverhand, someone who can see fairies & Luke is somehow tied into the equation in a deadly way. Can Dee figure out what it is before it is too late?


I really enjoyed reading Lament, the writing was detailed, yet easy to understand and not convoluted. 
I thought the  idea of learning to see fairies instead of being born with a 'magical gift' was an interesting and enjoyable alternative from the usual 'gifted at birth'.

Filled with sassy, hillarious one-liners, Lament has comedic characters as well as serious characters that provide a good balance between comedy, romance, fantasy and real life.
 I highly reccomend Lament for fans of Maggie Stievfater, or girls aged 13-16.

If you liked this, you might also like:

• Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
• The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
• Ghostgirl: Lovesick by Tonya Hurley
• Meridian by Amber Kizer
• The Kiss series by Luisa Plaja

4 Days to Valentines Day - book 2: The Other Countess

Leading up to Valentines day, I will review or remind you of one book each day that you can read to get in the mood for Valentines Day.

A Love story in Tudor England is just the right setting for a romance that will  keep you up at night.

 click here to read the review

5 Days to Valentines Day - book 1: Halo

Leading up to Valentines day, I will review or remind you of one book each day that you can read to get in the mood for Valentines Day.


Halo has just the right balance of supernatural, mystery, romance and suspense to keep you yearning for more.

Read the review here

A Wicked Giveaway Winner - Dreaminthedreamland !

As the Competition is NOW CLOSED, I will announce the lucky winner of a copy of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr!

And the winner is:

REVIEW: The serious kiss by Mary Hogan

 Another hysterical novel by author Mary Hogan, The Serious Kiss is a sparkling gem of a story that lets you escape for a while into the madcap world of fourteen year old Libby Madrigal.

Libby Madrigal's life is falling into place. The guy she crushes on actually knows she exists, and she is getting closer to that long awaited Serious Kiss. 
But then, out of the blue, her parents tell her and her brothers to pack up their things, in two days, the whole family is moving to the middle of the dessert. 
Libby is crushed, all hopes of a Serious Kiss go out the window, she doesn't even get to say goodbye to her friends. 
Can Libby deal with her embarrasing mother, alcoholic father and the sweltering heat of the dessert and still get her a Serious Kiss?

The first novel by Mary Hogan that I have read, I was drawn in by the cover. I love the look of it -- I think that the theme works well with the nature of the novel.
I enjoyed the plot of the novel, it kept you reading throughout all the cringe-worthy moments, and kept you hungry for more. Hogan uses an easily understandable vocabulary, yet makes it interesting. This novel is sure worth the title of "Summer Read."

Pure and simple, The Serious Kiss is escapism fun that I would recommend for teenage girls aged 13 - 15, possibly 16.