It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

I think I had time on my hands this past week lol.  I finished 4 books, plus finished an audio.

I actually finished Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri before my last Monday post. But, I didn't feel like going back and changing the post late at night.  It was an ok read.  It was a little confusing.

I read The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan next.  It was a great book.  It was really hard to put down just like the first one (even though I had problems with the first one).  I can not wait until next year for the conclusion to this story.

I finished up my audio book The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry.  It's ok as an audio book, but I loved the story and the characters. 

I then started Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey.  It wasn't as good as the first in the series, but I still liked it.  I will be continuing the series.

I rounded out the week with Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw.  This book and a very poetic feel and was a very fast read.  I just found myself not very connected to the characters. 

I'm currently reading Siren by Tricia Rayburn.  It's interesting so far.  I'm trying to figure out what is going on!  I plan on reading Revenge Served Cold by Jackie Fullerton, Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast, and The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting.

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

For Review:

• Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey (Around The World Tours)
• Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw (Around The World Tours)
• Siren by Tricia Rayburn (Around The World Tours)

Drums of Autumn (Outlander, #4) by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Drums of Autumn

Series: Outlander #4 

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Published: November 1997 by Seal Books

Pages: 1070

ISBN: 9780770427757

Source: Personal Copy 

Description: It began at an ancient Scottish stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past--or the grave. Dr. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once but twice. Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became a legend--a tale of tragic passion that ended with her return to the present to bear his child. Her second journey, two decades later, brought them together again in the American colonies. But Claire had left someone behind in the twentieth century. Their daughter, Brianna...

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the circle of stones and terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and father she has never met, she is risking her own future to try to change history...and to save their lives. But as Brianna plunges into an uncharted wilderness, a heartbreaking encounter may strand her forever in the past...or root her in the place she should be, where her heart and soul belong...

I Give This ...

I was hoping the author could continue the magic that has surrounded this series since I began it.  While this is the first in the series that did not get a 5 rating from me, I still wasn't disappointed.  I've got a couple things I think make the story a little different that the first 3.  My first thing is that Jaime and Claire have almost settled down it seems.  Besides the Indians and living in the complete wild, there doesn't seem to be as much danger or intrigue as before.  It's not really a bad thing, it's just a change of pace that you aren't really ready for.  And funny, I never thought myself as the harlequin romance type, I kind of missed that all out passion that Jaime and Claire have.  It's kind of absent in this book (not so much the feeling but that act).  And last, I didn't like Brianna in the past.  She's a modern young women  who refuses to acknowledge that her ideals do not really have place in the 1700's.  Claire seemed to step right into that past and find her place.  I think Brianna will be ok, but only because she will be surrounded by those who know or come from the future as well.

Now, all that being said, I still really liked the book.  I love the history that is woven in.  I think it's admirable how Jamie and Claire carve a niche out for themselves in the colonies.  All this while trying to keep themselves in the background to avoid any political ties because they know they aren't far from the Revolution.  I liked the dealings with the Indians.  I learned a few things I didn't know and shed some light on things I really wouldn't have understood.  It still beautifully written even if it can seem a bit long.  I will be looking forward to the next in the series!

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Title: The Devils Wears Prada

Author: Lauren Weisberger

Published: May 2006 by Broadway

Pages: 368

ISBN: 9780767925952

Source: Library

Description: Andrea Sachs, a small-town girl fresh out of college, lands the job “a million girls would die for.” Hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the high-profile, fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine, Andrea finds herself in an office that shouts Prada! Armani! Versace! at every turn, a world populated by impossibly thin, heart-wrenchingly stylish women and beautiful men clad in fine-ribbed turtlenecks and tight leather pants that show off their lifelong dedication to the gym. With breathtaking ease, Miranda can turn each and every one of these hip sophisticates into a scared, whimpering child.  Andrea is sorely tested each and every day—and often late into the night with orders barked over the phone. She puts up with it all by keeping her eyes on the prize: a recommendation from Miranda that will get Andrea a top job at any magazine of her choosing. As things escalate from the merely unacceptable to the downright outrageous, however, Andrea begins to realize that the job a million girls would die for may just kill her. And even if she survives, she has to decide whether or not the job is worth the price of her soul. 

I Give This ...

I have to admit that if I had read this before I had seen the movie I probably would have liked it a lot more.  The book doesn't seem as outrageous once you've seen it.  Miranda doesn't come to life as much in the book and Andrea doesn't have the same qualities on paper.  That being said, I did enjoy reading the differences.  There is some added substance to the book that they had to cut out of the movie for whatever reason.  Although after awhile the book started to feel repetitive.  I almost felt like Andrea in thinking what ungodly thing would Miranda ask for next because even I knew it was coming.  I knew the inevitable conclusion, but I founds myself hoping the book would get there sooner.  I would recommend it to those who haven't already seen the movie.

Read, Remember, Recommend For Teens by Rachelle Rogers Knight

Title: Read, Remember, Recommend For Teens

Author: Rachelle Rogers Knight

Published: April 2010 by Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 352

ISBN: 9781402237195

Source: Sent by Publisher for review

Description: Perfect for teens who love to read and those who need a companion for school assignments or summer reading programs, Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens offers more than 2400 award-winning and notable reading suggestions in many genres, cross-referenced to help parents and teens chose the right books for them.  This unique journal sold out its first print run, attracting readers with recommended lists for fiction, manga, historical fiction, romance, westerns, crime novels, and poetry, as well as nonfiction sections focusing on biography/ autobiography.  College-bound readers will find a section to help guide their reading selections. The journal also provides room to record books read, jot down thoughts and ideas, and keep track of recommendations, books to read next, and works by favorite authors. 

I Give This ...

I find it hard to rate and review a journal, but I'll give it my best shot.  This journal is an interesting idea, which is why I said yes when the publisher offered it to me.  At first flip through, I thought wow this is pretty awesome.  A good portion of the book is dedicated to awards and lists.  These include The National Book Award, Aesop Award, Urban Lit, Harry Potter read-alikes, and Fairy Tale retellings.  I feel this section is a tad overwhelming.  There doesn't seem to be a particular oder to it.  There's also just too much information here with no real way to weed through it.  There are no descriptions, or even cover photo's.  So basically, the title has to catch my interest and then go look the book up to see if I might be interested.  I have been going through it slowly and adding books to my to-read list.

The next sections are the journal pages.  As a teen, I might have used this more.  There is a to read section to mark down all the books you discover.  I can't imagine doing this by hand anymore.  I love goodreads way to much.  There are also journal pages which I've decided to give a shot.  I've never journaled about what I read before.  But, even these seem a little strange.  There are short forms that I tried to use, but there isn't enough space really.  Every few pages there are more detailed forms that I do like.  Although, I do use the words to define section for recording thoughts.  I do really like the passages to remember section.  I'm constantly finding quotes in books and think to myself, I should write that down.  But, I find myself think there might be a better way to do this.  I would use the loaner lists.  I can't tell you how many times I've lent out books only to forget who has them.

Overall, an interesting journal.  I will use it and I think it would make an excellent gift for teens or even adults who love to read.  I just think it could be trimmed down a little and maybe the journal pages could be reformatted somehow.

Underkingdom: Disco Goblins vs The Machine (Volume 1) by Jonathan Culverhouse

Title: Underkingdom

Author: Jonathan Culverhouse

Series: stated as volume 1, but not sure

Published: November 2009

Publisher: CreateSpace

Pages: 206

ISBN: 9781449586737

Source: Author sent me copy for review

Description: An unexpected school trip leads Angelica into the strange and dangerous Underkingdom, where she meets a timid goblin whose passion for all things human includes 1970's disco music and Earl Grey tea. How will this unlikely hero help her to defeat a ruthless king, rescue Angelica's schoolmates before they become the filling in a giant pie, and stop a monstrous war machine, which rises from the earth taking the heart of central London with it? The answers lay somewhere inside Underkingdom: Disco Goblins vs The Machine. A light-hearted novel which should appeal to young adults and grown-ups who enjoy reading children's fiction. 

I Give This ...

I'm not sure if I'm the right audience for this book.  The author contacted me because he had seen my reviews of the Fablehaven series and thought I might enjoy it.  I admit, I didn't follow the rule of don't judge a book by it's cover.  The cover didn't grab me and the title was a little bit of a mouthful.  I've been shortening it to just Underkingdom when I probably shouldn't.  All that aside, the book was interesting.  Angelica seems to be a typical teenager.  She hates school, doesn't get a long with her parents real well, and has the perfect younger brother.  She was actually more likable the more she set her mind to get out of the situation they were in.  My favorite character was Ploppy, the disco dancing Goblin.  He was such a different addition to the story and I never pictured him as a goblin at all.  Overall, I think the story might have been to sci-fi for my taste (it didn't have the same magic feel that say Fablehaven or even Harry Potter have).  I'm sure there are plenty of kids out there who would enjoy this given the chance!

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Title: Forget You

Author: Jennifer Echols

Published: July 20, 2010 by MTV

Pages: 256

ISBN: 9781439178232

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 

I Give This ...

I'm probably one of the few so far who didn't think this book was a 5 butterfly effort.  The idea was interesting and the writing kept me going.  It was the characters I had problems with.  Zoey was okay as the lead narrative.  I understood her problems and why she did the things she did.  I would even go as far as to understand how she managed to convince herself that it was all okay.  I had a hard time believing she was that naive about Brandon.  Every time she had to reiterate that she was his girlfriend, I cringed. Maybe that was the point though.  The events had left her that far gone.  I was really annoyed with her friends Keke and Lila.  She didn't seem like the type of person to be friends with people that self-centered to be angry with her when they discovered the truth instead of realizing all along what was truly going on.  I did like Doug.  He seemed to be the only one concerned for her, although I did feel he took advantage of the situation prior to the accident.  And he eventually knew that Zoey couldn't remember a thing for the entire night of the accident, and still he said nothing.  It was powerfully written though.  I will read something else by Jennifer Echols to see what else she has to offer!

Infinity (Chronicles of Nick, #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Launch!

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.


As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?



Here is the book trailer:


To Download the song from the trailer visit Here:


To read an excerpt from the book and an author interview visit HERE :

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

I finished 3 books this week, and none of them were real stand outs.  Not that any of them were bad, just average reads I guess.  First I read Need by Carrie Jones.  I think I was expecting to much from this book.  I liked the take on pixies, but found the dialogue annoying.

I read Forget You by Jennifer Echols next.  I was really excited to read this one, but was a little disappointed.  I liked the story line, but think the characters were off.  I want to read something else by here before I write her off though.

I read We Hear The Dead by Dianne Salerni next.  I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book.  By the title, I thought I could get more of the life behind the spiritualism movement.  Instead it became more of a romance.  I did feel extremely sorry for Maggie in the end.

I'm currently reading Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri.  It's another book that falls into the average category.  I'm hoping for something awesome this week!  I plan to read Dead-Tossed Waves  by Carrie Ryan, Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey, and Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

 For Review:

• Saving Max by Antionette van Heugten

Swapped:

• Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
• The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

Library:

• Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast
• The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Title: Claire de Lune

Author: Christine Johnson

Published: May 18, 2010 by Simon Pulse

Pages: 256

ISBN: 9781416991823

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: Torn between two destinies? Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf. As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever? 

I Give This ...

I was a little torn on what to give this book.  There were a lot of things I liked and a few that I didn't.  For the longest time, I was not sure what I thought of Claire.  And, I think this had a lot to do with her mom, who I did not like.  I didn't like that (Marcy?) didn't explain and thing to Claire.  I didn't see a reason for it at all.  She tells her she's a werewolf and never answers any of her questions except for the vague response of I will tell you when it's time.  I think this made Claire act a little rash which is why I think I had a hard time with her.  I did like her relationship with Matthew.  It felt natural and not forced.  It also felt more real than some paranormal relationship do.  Claire's best friends annoyed me but I took this to be because Claire wasn't telling her anything.  I loved the twist on werewolves.  It was something totally different from the usual.  The ending took me by surprise.  If the author turns this into a series, I will be looking forward to see were she takes it.

Book Blogger Hop!

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky at Crazy For Books!

I haven't participated in the blog hop for a few weeks.  I thought I would again because I love finding new blogs, and I would love to reach 50 followers before my blogoversary!

Faithful by Janet Fox

 
Title: Faithful

Author: Janet Fox

Published: May 13, 2010 by Speak

Pages: 319

ISBN:  9780142414132

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be. 

I Give This...

 I live in Idaho and even though Yellowstone is not far, I've only actually been to the park once.  But, that once was enough to immediately draw me to this title.  I was also able to understand Maggie's draw towards the great outdoors and to the park itself.  I can't imagine what the Yellowstone must have been like in the early 1900's, especially when I know how wild parts of it still are.  I like Maggie.  She was struggling to maintain her proper decorum while wrestling with who she could see herself becoming.  There are a lot of truths that Maggie discovers along the way (about herself, her family, her mother, and even her status in society).  It's amazing that she absolutely didn't crack under all she learned.  I did find it a tad repetitive, but since I read an ARC it's possible the book underwent further editing before publication.  It was also very predictable for me.  I had almost everything pinned down before it happened (only one event truly surpised me).  I still really enjoyed the story though.  I was enchantment by location and circumstance.  I will be looking forward to the author's future works!

Boys, Girls, and other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

Title: Boys, Girls, & Other Hazardous Materials

Author: Rosalind Wiseman

Published: January 2010 by Putnam

Pages: 288

ISBN: 9780399247965

Source: ARC provided by Around The World Tours

Description:  Looking for a new beginning after a terrible mean girl past, Charlie Healey realizes there’s no escaping high school drama.  Charlie Healey thinks Harmony Falls is the beginning of a whole new life. Middle school was brutal. But high school is Charlie’s big chance to start over and stay out of drama, except that on her first day she runs into Will, her ex–best friend, who had moved away. Now a varsity athlete and hotter than Charlie remembered, Will hangs with the crowd running the school. But Charlie doesn’t understand their power until an innocent delivery guy falls victim to a near-deadly hazing prank. Torn between doing what’s right and her secret feelings for Will, Charlie must decide whether to turn in her very best friend or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.



I Give This ...

I liked this book, it just felt like the intended audience was a little younger than I was expecting.  The main character is a freshman in high school so I'm not sure why I was expecting a little bit more mature YA.  I liked Charlie though.  She's just learning who she is and how not to let people walk over her.  I thought she was very brave for going to a brand new school to try and overcome what happened in the past.  She handled herself extremely well for the situations she was put in.  She didn't compromise herself to fit in with the "it" crowd.  I liked her group of friends.  They provided the comic and occasionally the voice of reason.  I also felt like they acted their age.  I was happy to see her make friends with someone she unintentionally hurt in the past.  I did feel it was a little predictable, but not enough to make me feel like putting the book down.  It had just enough drama and surprises to keep the story going.  I'm intrigued to read the author's book that is the basis for the movie Mean Girls.

 

Waiting On Wednesday! Captive Queen by Alison Weir

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

 

Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine

by Alison Weir

It is the year 1152 and a beautiful woman of thirty, attended by only a small armed escort, is riding like the wind southwards through what is now France, leaving behind her crown, her two young daughters and a shattered marriage to Louis of France, who had been more like a monk than a king, and certainly not much of a lover. This woman is Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, and her sole purpose now is to return to her vast duchy and marry the man she loves, Henry Plantagenet, a man destined for greatness as King of England. Theirs is a union founded on lust which will create a great empire stretching from the wilds of Scotland to the Pyrenees. It will also create the devil's brood of Plantagenets - including Richard C ur de Lion and King John - and the most notoriously vicious marriage in history. "The Eagle and the Lion" is a novel on the grand scale, an epic subject for Alison Weir. It tells of the making of nations, and of passionate conflicts: between Henry II and Thomas Becket, his closest friend who is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral on his orders; between Eleanor and Henry's formidable mother Matilda; between father and sons, as Henry's children take up arms against him; and finally between Henry and Eleanor herself.

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

 
Title: Everlasting

Author: Angie Frazier

Published: June 1, 2010 by Scholastic

Pages: 336

ISBN: 9780545114738

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: Sailing aboard her father's ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a lady in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn't love in order to preseve her social standing. On her last voyage before the wedding, Camille learns the mother she has always believed dead is in fact alive and in Australia. When their Sydney-bound ship goes down in a gale, and her father dies, Camille sets out to find her mother and a map in her possession - a map believed to lead to a stone that once belonged to the legendary civilization of the immortals. The stone can do exactly what Camille wants most: bring someone back from the dead. Unfortunately, her father's adversary is also on the hunt for the stone, and she must race him to it. The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar - a handsome young sailor and her father's first mate - who is in love with Camille and whom she is inexplicably drawn to despite his low social standing and her pending wedding vows.  With an Australian card shark acting as their guide, Camille eludes murderous bushrangers, traverses dangerous highlands, evades a curse placed on the stone, and unravels the mystery behind her mother's disappearance sixteen years earlier. But when another death shakes her conviction to resurrect her father, Camille must choose what - and who - matters most. 

I Give This ...
 

I have conflicting thoughts about this book.  The settings and locations were awesome.  I liked that the book was set in the mid 1800s.  I think it did a good job of depicting what life might have be like for a upper society young women.  I liked the fact the book takes place in America, the ocean, and Australia.  It gives the book an different sort of feel because of the varying locations.  I especially enjoyed that part of the story were the are aboard the ship sailing to Australia.  The author is great with the descriptions.  The entire part of the book dedicated to the sinking of the ship really made me feel like part of the story.  My problem was the searching for the stone.  I didn't feel the magic of the lore behind the stones.  It never felt believable, let alone plausible.  I also was a little indifferent to the characters.  I never felt attached to them.  Nor did I feel I understood their emotions or their actions.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

I have to admit I was really nervous about receiving 3 tour books this week.  My daughter had 2 dance recitals plus rehearsal, so I was afraid of that one week time limit.  Either I enjoyed all 3 books and/or they were easy reads, because I finished all 3 and managed to finally finish Drums of Autumn!

I finished Boys, Girls, & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman first.  I really enjoyed this story, but did think it felt a little younger than most YA books do.

I read Faithful by Janet Fox next.  I was really excited about this one.  It was a predictable, but I really enjoyed that characters and the story!

I finished Claire de Lune be Christine Johnson next.  I really enjoyed the fresh new look on werewolves.  I had a hard time with the main character at first though.

And, I still managed to have the rest of the weekend to finish Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon!  I still liked this one, but it's the first in the series to not get 5 stars from me.  I'm not sure what the story lacked.  I think it might have been the introduction of new story elements that dragged it down a little.

I'm currently reading Need by Carrie Ryan (although it's possible I might finish it before this posts lol).  I also plan on reading Forget You by Jennifer Echols, We Hear The Dead  by Dianne Salerni, and if there is time Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri.


I also wanted to mention that I will be using a new rating system.  This is listed in the right side column but I wanted to post it as well.  Here it is

Do everything within your power to read this book!

This is a book worth reading!

A good book but has a few faults!

Read At Your Own Risk!

I consider 3 - 5 butterflies a good rating.  Most of what I read would be 3 or 4 butterflies, and I rarely give out 5 (I think I've had 4 maybe 5 this year).  I didn't use a 1 butterfly rating because I've never had one.  If I come across a book that belong it that category, I will add it.

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

It's been an insane week in books for me!  I think my mail lady thinks I'm crazy lol!

For Review:

• The Word on the Yard by Janet Rising
• Boys, Girls, & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosaling Wiseman (Around The World Tours)
• Faithful by Janet Fox (Around The World Tours)
• Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson (Around The World Tours)
• Forget You by Jennifer Echols (Around The World Tours)

Purchased/Swapped/Borrowed/Won:

•  The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
• Immortal by Gillian Shields
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
• Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Library:

• The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
• The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry (e-audiobook)

Cover Similarities

I've begun to notice an interesting phenomenon in the publishing world.  It's become more noticeable since I started blogging and more and more books that I would never know about come to to my attention.  It's not really bothersome like say the whitewashing of covers, more along the lines of annoying.  What am I talking about?  The use of the same cover over and over, only changed in small little ways.  I'm curious as to how this process works.  Do publishing companies think that because books are different genre's or different publication years, that we won't notice?  Is there a collection of stock photo's that all publishers have access too?  Take the following for example...

 Now, Tantalize and Ivy are bother young adult.  But, different publication companies and different years.   Goodreads has a few different covers for Ivy (but I wonder if its still the same model).  The Homeplace was the first of these novels to come out.

How about these two:

  

What I thought was amusing about these two was that the title are so similar.  Both of these will be (or have been) released in 2010, but once again different publishing companies.

 Now, I know this is just the tip of the iceburg.  I've seen lots of others that look similar and even some that are hard to tell if it's the same cover.  These were ones that have been sticking out in my mind lately.  So what do you think about this?  Does it bother you or do you not really care?