Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins 
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 427
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon

What if you had only one day to live?
What would you do?
Who would you kiss?
And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

This is a novel, I both love and hate, but wouldn't hesitate to read it again. There are many great review revolving this book, and I can totally see why. Lauren Oliver does such a great job of keeping the reader captivated. I felt as if I really was in my high school, full of all the gossip and drama. 


Now, this book doesn't follow much of the criteria for most young adult book. The main character dies in the first chapter and knowing this, we can still enjoy the greatness of this book. Sam isn't really perfect, in fact far from it. She is what we know as, part of the in-crowd. And not too surprisingly, not one of my favorite characters. I have not read many books where the main character was not one that I loved right from the start, but this is definitely one of them. I disagreed with almost all of what Sam did, and it was agitating to read all of her silly mistakes. 


The book was very long, divided into seven chapters, each describing her days as she dealt with the idea of being given a  second chance. It took me a while to get into the book, but I realized that you have to go through the process with Sam in order to really understand her path


Although I knew where the books was going right from the beginning, I couldn't help but be a little shocked when Sam died. Sam finally had an understanding of the mistakes she made and the people she missed out on knowing because she was the way she was. And all in the end, it was for nothing because she wouldn't be able to see how it all affected her.


Before I Fall was such a great novel, it's hard t believe that this Lauren Oliver's first book, I can't to read more of her work!

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop (11)

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View.  

This week's question is: DO YOU JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER?

I am sad to say, that yes I am guilty of this. What attracts me to a book right away is the cover. Most of the time if I don't like the cover, I don't even bother to read the blurb. Even though there have been many instances where I didn't read a book because of the cover, but then someone recommends it to me, I read and I fall in love with it. I can't help but judge a book by its cover.

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books and runs from Friday to Sunday.

This weekend's question/topic:...........[Will post this when the question it up]

*Leave me your links so that I can follow you back. Happy Hopping!*

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued. She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her. Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

To describe this book in one word, I would say it's dark. If you couldn't guess from the cover.
I honestly picked up the because I love this movie called Death Becomes Her with Meryl Streep, and the title is so similar to this one.

Most of this story takes place in New 2, or New Orleans after another disaster has occurred and ruined the country for good. The main character Ari, is self conscious, brave and determined to find a cure for her curse. The other character were also very interesting and I wish I knew more about them, their personalities made me more curious about the characters. Sebastian was such a nice guy, and Violet just broke my heart. They are such unusual children with good intentions.

There are many books nowadays with vampires, witches and shape-shifters and this book doesn't disappoint. It includes all three! Not only do we get mythical creatures but the story behind them is very fascinating
I really like the references to Greek mythology. It intrigued be further and I could help finishing the book in one sitting.

Now most problems were unsolved by the end of the book and I'm worried about Violet (I probably shouldn't have said that but I don't think it gives away too much) But there will be a sequel to this book which is why the story is left somewhat unfinished.

Overall, great plot and storyline. I couldn't help but finish it all in a matter of hours!

Waiting on" Wednesday (9)

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:

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Publisher: Harcourt 

Release Date: January 9th 2012

When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail. And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals. Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves? Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand.

What are you waiting on?

Friendship bracelet giveaway!!!

Earlier in the week, I posted about a possible giveaway. It seems it was unanimous and most of you thought it would be a great idea! So without ado here is my first giveaway.

I will be making a bracelet/ bookmark/ key chain based on a book for one lucky winner. If I get a large enough number of entrants (not sure how much that would be at the moment) I will choose two winners.

Official Contest information:

• to enter, please fill out the form below
• entrants must be 13 years of age or older
• Must be a Follower.
• contest deadline is April 30, 2011
• contest open Internationally*
• ONE ENTRY PER PERSON

The Girl Who Was on Fire

The Girl Who was on Fire edited by Leah Wilson

Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Smart Pop
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 224
Source: ARC
Buy the Book: Amazon

Praised by writers from Stephen King to Stephenie Meyer, Suzanne Collins’ New York Times bestselling Hunger Games trilogy is dark, captivating, and deeply thought-provoking. Part straight-up survivalist adventure, part rich allegory, and part political thriller, the series has become a new YA favorite.
The Girl Who Was On Fire offers even more to think about for teen readers already engrossed by the Hunger Games. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to reality television, fashion, and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games by other YA writers reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is.
The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

If you're a fan of the Hunger Games Trilogy, this is a must read! 

In, The Girl Who Was on Fire, 13 YA authors write essays  that take you back to Panem. They discuss Katniss, Peeta and Gale, the Games, the ending and more.

After I finished reading the trilogy, I couldn't help but want to know more, I was super exited when I got this in the mail and started reading it right away.


The essays in this book make you think deeply about the trilogy, the true symbolism behind the books with the wonderful analysis from thirteen authors. After reading each essay, I had to stop a bit and think about what I just read. There were many thing that were pointed out by the authors in this book, that I missed in the trilogy. It makes me want to go back and reread them which I think I will.


The authors who contributed to this book were:
Sarah Rees Brennan, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Mary Borsellino, Elizabeth M. Rees, Lili Wilkinson, Ned Vizzini, Carrie Ryan, Cara Lockwood, Terri Clark, Blythe Woolston, Sarah Darer Littman, Adrienne Kress, and Bree Despain.


I really enjoyed reading The Girl who was on Fire and learning about other authors' take on the books


If you haven't read the Hunger Game trilogy because you think they're silly young adult books, this book may change your mind with the beautiful analytical essays,

In My Mailbox (10)

iIn My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we all share what we got during the week! 

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-All links go to goodreads.com-

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From the Paperback book swap:

Angus Thongs and Full-Frontall Snogging by Louise Rennison

The Vampire Diaries[Volume 1] by L.J Smith

Won:

Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

A Touch Mortal Swag

What's in your mailbox?