Sisterhood Award

I am so excited, I'm literally shaking while writing this!

I've just received an award from two awesome people.

YEAY ME! (it's always like this on the first time, eh?)

Thank you, Silvia from Silvia_pi's YA Books and Iryna of A Garden of Books

The Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award


Apparently, I am new at blogging so I am just going to list out the amazing blogs that I've discovered tho I know there are thousands more out there :)

• Amy from Addicted To Books because she is just so awesome and extremely friendly
  
• Em from Em's Bookshelf because she is one of the first blogs I've read and she's amazing.
  
• Not So Closet Geeks because they just truly represent sisterhood!
  
• Lenore of Presenting Lenore because she is simply wonderful and I loove her blog!

So, I guess that's about it. Thanks again, Silvia and Iryna!

TIQA

Review ; Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

ABOUT THE BOOK/: Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, who Kate pretends she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. And when Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him even though she knows she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures the only way things will ever stop hurting is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen--but only if she lets them.

(taken from elizabethwrites.com)





THE REVIEW /:




Elements ;


1. Shocking Factor - 8/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 8.5/10
3. Funny Factor - 9/10
4. Honesty Factor - 8/10
5. Originality Factor - 9.5/10


and


Narrator's Voice - 10/10

Overall conclusion - First, I would say that I really really enjoyed reading Bloom. So, I was very excited to read this book, I even ordered it online! (it's my first time, do excuse the enthusiasm). All that waiting really paid off. Kate leads this funny albeit pathetic life. One of the most dysfunctional family I've ever read. His father *sigh*, his father's character was agony to read. I felt like strangling him. Why is he so oblivious and why is he living in denial? Perfect You is filled with witty conversations and how to cope on with life even when everything is going downhill. Will is my favourite character, no surprises. He is really someone I'd love to know better. Someone who's more than meets the eye. Elizabeth Scott takes a fresh voice in friendship and shows that one can not always run from their past. I really enjoyed reading the conversations between Todd and Kate. They share this really unique bond. Despite the fact that they barely confide in each other, they somehow help each other makes a choice. Todd seems immature but he ain't that oblivious. Scott's extremely good on writing about family, love and life. You will fall helplessly head over heels with this book.

TIQA

Spotlight on : The Alice series

Alice series is written by the one and only, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Ok, so this might not be YA but hey, don't we all love a lil kids books sometimes? Well, this is my favourite series. The series begins with Alice Mckinley just moving in to Silver Spring and starting the sixth grade.



I admit, I haven't read all of the books in the series. And I don't read it in order either. But hey, you can't really blame me especially when the first book was published 8 years before I was even born. From what I've read, I like. This series is mainly about Alice dealing with her life. What I really like about it is how Naylor takes us on a ride with Alice. While Alice grow, we grow too. She matures with every book. Everytime I read this series, it feels like catching up with a long-lost friend. Alice's narrative voice is funny too. You can see how she ages from book to book. As the main character grows up, the topic broadens. Alice is your typical teenager who deals with real issues as any other teenagers. The content of the books made it topped ALA's list of most challenged books on 2003.


I've never been a fan of series, to tell you the truth. And Alice is no exception. This is such a long series. Naylor plans to write 28 books in all. So I might have skipped most of it. What I really enjoyed was that you can start from any book and still be able to go along with the book as Naylor always explains the important details from the previous books. It might put some of you off, having to read what you've already known but I love the conveniency of it.

SUMMARY :
The Alice series follows the main character, Alice McKinley, known as "Al" to her father and older brother as she grows up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her mother died of leukemia when Alice was four or five. Alice has a hard time at first growing up in an all-male household, but her father and her brother, Lester, prove to be honest and open about almost everything Alice talks about. Alice has very little memory of her mother, often confusing her with her aunt, and seems to bear a striking physical resemblance to her, especially her strawberry-blond hair. Other characters include Alice's two best friends, Pamela and Elizabeth, her first serious boyfriend, Patrick, her next boyfriend, Sam, her prudish Aunt Sally (who frequently provides a little comic relief), Lester's many girlfriends, and of course her seventh grade Language Arts teacher, Miss Summers, whom she tries to get her father to marry (with eventual success). The Alice series broaches many topics, including relationships, dating, sex, friendship, life problems, families, God, and understanding.

Here is the full list of Alice series in order :


1. The Agony of Alice

2. Alice in Rapture, Sort of

3. Reluctantly Alice

4. All but Alice

5. Alice in April

6. Alice In-Between

7. Alice the Brave

8.Alice in Lace

9. Outrageously Alice

10. Achingly Alice

11. Alice on the Outside

12. The Grooming of Alice

13. Alice Alone

14. Simply Alice

15. Patiently Alice

16. Including Alice

17. Alice On Her Way

18. Alice in the Know

19. Dangerously Alice

20. Almost Alice




and three prequels :

1. Starting with Alice

2. Alice in Blunderland

3. Lovingly Alice


(I know, such a long list)



I cant wait for the latest one out on June 2nd (a day after my birthday! *grins*) which is Intensely Alice. This book would be based on the summer before Alice starts 12th Grade. I can barely put myself together to find out what Alice is up to now.

To find out more on this fabulous series, click here

TIQA

Review ; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

ABOUT THE BOOK/: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

(taken from suzannecollinsbooks.com)

THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;


1. Shocking Factor - 8/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 8.5/10
3. Funny Factor - 5/10
4. Honesty Factor - 6/10
5. Originality Factor - 10/10


and


Narrator's Voice - 10/10

Overall conclusion - I've read so many great reviews that I was eager to pick this one up. The great reviews made me buy the book, but I still wasn't convinced. So I just sat there, and stare at the book. Wondering if reading it would change my life. In the back of my mind, I remembered this review from this boy who hated The Hunger Games. (he's the only one who hated it, as far as my google searching skills could stretch) I started to believe that maybe he's right. Maybe I won't be impressed. But deep inside, I know that I need to read it to find out. The first few pages went in but I was still hesitant. I kept closing the book, not sure if I want to continue. I finally gave in, and by the time I reached page 30, I was already gripped. I couldn't put the book down. 6 hours later, I finally put the book down. I stayed awake the whole night just to finish it up. And yet, I wasnt tired at all. That was what The Hunger Games did to me.

I absolutely loved how the words are easy flowed. Katniss voice is so calming to read, even during suspense moments. Suzanne Collins really knows how to get the story going. I adore the determination Katnis had at the arena. The love triangle and Katniss doubt over her feelings, priceless! Collins made everyone seems vulnerable. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the ending. I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward for the next on, Catching Fire!

This is a winner, indeed.


TIQA

I AM HEARTBROKEN, REALLY

I've been reading reviews on Jennifer Echol's Going Too Far for weeks now, and I waited for this day to come. I guess I should have checked with my local bookstore earlier but I figured that, you know it would be available!! Gosh, wayyyyyyyy to break the news.





Even the cover is interesting.

about :

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn’t make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won’t soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won’t be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge—and over...

(taken from jennifer-echols.com)


I suddenly feel like the world has turned against me.


TIQA

Fantasy : In or Out? Yes or No?

So you might call me a noob when it comes to fantasy books. My first take on fantasy (a.k.a vampires and all) was Twilight. Oh wait, I read Ever before that. I think? Or was it after? ---- Shit. I sound like someone who has amnesia.

Well, either way. I wasn't that big fan of fantasy books. There is just something ridiculous about it. I couldn't take in reading about flying monkeys and flesh eating monsters. Gross, I used to say. The only close thing I've come to read fantasy books are fairytale. Which was how I fell in love with Gail Carson Levine. She writes the most magical-- anyway, back to the point. The first book I read of this genre was Twilight. At least, I think. The book ended my prejudice over fantasy books. I didn't really jumped on reading all the books but I wasn't as cynical as I used to be. I will read the book jacket instead of just passing it by like I used to.


My friend actually laughed her arse out when I told her of my sudden interest in this book genre. I know, she's mean. Anyway, I was simply minding my own business on the web a.k.a searching about books when really, I feel like these fantasy books are really interesting and I felt like Oh GOD! I need to buy all of it.

Some of the books that I want to know more about are :

Evermore by Alyson Noel
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Jessica's Guide to Dating The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Swoon by Nina Malkin


TIQA

Comparing Covers ; Sarah Dessen.

It is no shocking relevation that Sarah Dessen writes the best books. I've only had the chance to read 4 of her books out of all 8. And she never dissapoint me with her words. She takes readers to a journey with her character where we get to see what's inside their heart. She explores the true meaning of life. She makes us see what life really is all about. She is exceptionally an enchanting author.

But we are not here to talk about her amazing work. Instead, we are to talk about her covers. Undeniably, her covers are just as beautiful as her work. Unlike most books,it does put the book to justice. Some, I know only buys her book because of her eye-catching covers but they won't be dissapointed with the inside.

The UK cover of Lock and Key is out at her blog so I had this idea to compare her covers. UK's covers are more cartoonish while the US's version is more realistic.


Which one do you prefer better?

(hard cover)




( paperback cover out on May '09 )



LOCK AND KEY

THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER

JUST LISTEN

TIQA

Review ; Gettin' Lucky by Micol Ostow

ABOUT THE BOOK/: Cass Parker is a big believer in luck, fate, and all things cosmic. So she's devastated when she walks in on her supposed best friend macking with Jesse, the guy she's in total "like" with. Talk about bad karma. Vegas is just full of cheaters, Cass concludes -- even the locals.
Cass refuses to sulk. She finds new friends and even gets invited to their weekly poker night -- totally casual and not-for-profit, of course. They seem pretty chill, and Cass definitely needs to get out more. So after consulting her horoscope, she gets in the game.
But when Jesse turns up for a final showdown, it turns out that Cass isn't so good at bluffing -- not when it comes to matters of the heart . . .

(taken from micolostow.com)





THE REVIEW /:



Elements ;


1. Shocking Factor - 6/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 7/10
3. Funny Factor - 6/10
4. Honesty Factor - 4/10
5. Originality Factor - 5/10


and


Narrator's Voice - 8/10

Overall conclusion - This is the first book I've read by Micol Ostow. To be frank, it didnt really impressed me. The storyline is just the typical storyline, and halfway through the book, you can already predict the ending. By the time you reach the ending, you'd find out that you were right. No surprises. The cosmic part of it, however was fun to read. The way Cassandra remembers everything about horoscopes shows that she ain't a fool when it comes to it. The love story didn't actually gave me a thrill. Elliott does remind me of Matt in Smart Boys and Fast Girls, though. I guess its the way that both of them are nerds who has beautiful eyes. Alana (supposedly to be the wicked witch from the West) doesn't really sound like one. Maybe because Micol Ostow has put too much teenager vibe in it. You know, girl gets the jock, girl's bestfiend is the head cheerleader. The jock cheats on the girl with the cheerleader. Girl's out for revenge. Yeah, like I said. Predictable.Despite that, the narrator's voice shows some originality. Cassandra's voice was fun to read. In conclusion, this book is a good read if 'just for passing by time but if you're looking for an adrenaline rush read, this book isn't great.



TIQA

Review ; FADE by Lisa McMann

ABOUT THE BOOK /: For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open--but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability. And it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a Dream Catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd even feared...

(taken from LisaMcmann.com)





THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;

1. Shocking Factor - 7/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 8.5/10
3. Funny Factor - 6/10
4. Honesty Factor - 5/10
5. Originality Factor - 10/10

and

Narrator's Voice - as this book was written in present tense, there isnt a narrator but I would say that the words are all straight forward making it easier for readers to understand the situation.

Overall conclusion - Lisa Mcmann writes in a manner that she captivates readers with the revelation of mysteries. You grow more and more curious by each page. She is truly good messing with our feelings. Cabel Strumheller's character is the one that got to me. He is dark and shady but turns out to be funny at times, you can't help but wish you had a boyfriend like him. In Fade, I love how Janie is independent and although she does relies on Cabel some of the time, she makes her own decision and stands by on it. I had to admire that strength and courage she had. She is totally inspirational. As I am a softie at heart, yes I admit. I was pretty glad of how Cabel/Janie's relationship worked out. (is that considered a spoiler?) The ending of the book, truly is haunting. It shows that you can be happy even in a sorrowful situation. You might have an idea how Gone would start with but Lisa Mcmann is always surprising you. If you haven't read this book yet, I suggest you do. (start with WAKE, though) It tells you that life isnt always a trip to the amusement park.

So, grit your teeth while you wait for the much anticipated book out next year!


TIQA

MY RATING SYSTEM

To review a book, you must give it a rating, right? Without the rates, you will only read long paragraphs of what I think about the book, but in the end, you wouldn't know the conclusion. Is it travel across the world for it -worthy or just another book that you won't regret not reading?

For that, I've cracked my brain and
came up with a new rating system :

Elements ;

1. Shocking Factor - /10 *This shows how surprising the storyline goes. Does it shock the readers or is it predictable?
2. Thrilling Factor - /10 *This includes how exciting the words are. Would readers be eager to read more?
3. Funny Factor - /10 *This mostly consist of the conversation and how they cope up on life without forgetting the phrase, laughter is the best medicine.
4. Honesty Factor - /10 *This requires a true voice. How the characters goes on with life and seeing it the way it is leaving out all the superficiality.
5. Originality Factor - /10 *How original the storyline is. The whole elements of it. The plot.

and

Narrator's Voice - /10 *Depends on the uniqueness of the narrator and how they carry the story.

Overall conclusion - *well, the title says it all huh?



TIQA

Oh No, Stop Teasing Me Tuesday!

Hello! Oh, yes. Its Teaser Tuesday!

Going to school means more homework! Oh, how agonizing. Can you feel the pain? Okay. So I know that I'm neglecting this blog but that should all stop because I am back and better than ever!

(Exclamation marks are so interesting! Aren't they?! )

Teaser Tuesday means I have to :

(drum rolls please)


1. Grab your current read
2. Let the book fall open to a random page
3. Share 2 "teaser" sentences from the page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book


Since I have no current read (I need to visit the bookstore sometime soon) I'll go with my previous read which is

FADE by LISA MCMANN

teaser ; "Call me when you get a chance. If anything happens." "I will." "Love you, Janie. Be safe." "I will. Talk to you soon." Fifteen minutes later they are back on the road. Nobody sleeps. (Cabel and Janie, page 142)

If the teaser doesnt interest you. You know what they say, don't judge a book by its teaser.

Ha ha.

Review on FADE coming SOON!

TIQA