She has rised from the dead.

Hey. Yeah, I know. I suck. So much has been going on lately that I simply don't have time to blog. (and I totally notice how lame I sound but that's the truth) You remember before when I had all the time in the world, I wasn't reading much books? Well, now I've been reading a lot and 24 hours a day is so not enough. Total irony is what it is.

Since I have some free time, I decided to do a post. Ensuring you that I wasn't kidnapped or whatsoever you think has happened to me.

Here's a heads up on what's going to be features in the next couple of weeks.

Review ;


Cracked Up To Be,


North Of Beautiful


Secret Life of Prince Charming


Lock and Key


City Of Bones


Willow

Challenge :

Em created a really cool challenge, the Sarah Dessen Challenge. Since I'm a total Dessen fan, I think I'm going to join. You guys should too!

Also, I'm thinking of doing an author week for every month. Its still early days but I think I have something here.

Oh and thanks to those who gave me awards, I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you but I really really appreciate it. You guys are amazing.

Review ; Across The Pond by Storyheart

ABOUT THE BOOK/: Finding himself packed off to friends in the USA, fifteen-year-old English born Fred Squire is not happy. Then he meets Brittany.

Struggling with his feelings for Brit and the language, Fred is further confused when he meets Brit's flirtatious friend, Angel.

Escaping from a confrontation with Steve Harris, the neighborhood bully, Brit tells Fred her dark secret about Harris, and Fred's world is turned upside down.

Life continues to throw Fred a curveball when he catches a baseball worth a small fortune. Further run-ins with Harris, a crazy family BBQ, and a chase through a mall all add to Fred's American adventure.

"Brit and her Brit", know that their young love will be followed by heartache when Fred has to return to England. But not before some final twists in the tale.

(taken from across-t-pond.com)


THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;

1. Shocking Factor - 8/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 8/.510
3. Funny Factor - 9.3/10
4. Honesty Factor - 9.5/10
5. Originality Factor - 9.5/10

and

Narrator's Voice - 10/10

Overall conclusion - For as long as I've been reading YA, I've only read 3 books from a male perspective. I also wasn't a big fan of the 'exploring a new country' type so I didn't know what to expect from Across The Pond. The only hope I had was that it will change my thoughts on the type. Boy, it sure did.

The first thing I noticed about the book is how easy the word flows out, allowing you to embark on the journey itself and finding yourself discovering new stuffs as well. Fred Squire is a great character. I adored his shyness and I had a great time reading about his experience in USA. Across The Pond is an original twist from your typical YA book.

What I enjoyed the most was discovering the differences of Britain and USA. I live in Malaysia (where we use British English) so in a way, Fred and I are just discovering new things. The dialog and jokes are exceptionally funny. The romance in this novel is a lovely, sweet one. Brit is a great character and the emotions in Across The Pond is mostly genuine. I love how Fred was brave enough and how his character builds up from just one journey. This is one of the books that you will see yourself picking up in the next 10 years. Particularly, I find this novel a fun, easy, out going book and I definitely recommend it to everyone whose looking for a fun good read.

p/s; thanks Barry for the copy.
TIQA