Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson...

Series: -

Published: March 19, 2009 by Speak

Pages: 278
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the National Book Award finalist Speak, best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores one girl's chilling descent into the all-consuming vortex of anorexia.

Review:

In my oppinon all the books that Laurie Halse Anderson writes are amazing and really eye-opening, and this book "Wintergirls" is no exception. I thought the character of Lia was very well written and even though I have never suffered from anorexia I still found Lia to be very relateable, I also liked the other characters in the book like her stepsister Emma and I also liked Elijah. I found that this book really did tell a realistic story-as do all her other books-about the disease of anorexia and how it doesn't just affect the person suffering from the illness but also the people around them. Over all I thought this book was amazing and it should definitley be on your To-Read list along with another of her books called "Speak" which is the book she is most known for and that is definitley for a good reason.

For All You Vampire Academy Fans...

If you're a fan of the "Vampire Academy" series like I am you would have already picked up "Last Sacrifice", read it, and have been left wanting more...

Well I have some information for you on the upcoming VA book:

-It's going to be about Sydney the Alchemist but Jill will also play a big role in the book
-It's set in the human world at a human high school
-The main male character is a love interest from VA

I know it's not much but I thought I would share it with you anyway... Any thoughts on who the main male is? Because apparently it's unexpected... I kind of think it might be Jesse... Your thoughts?

"Bloodlines" due to release August 2011

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer...

Series: Nightshade

Published: October 19, 2010 by Atom

Pages: 453

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

(Goodreads)

Review:

Like Paranormalcy this book was slow to start but when it started to pick up it was AMAZING! This book is definitley in the top 10 best books I've read this year. The thing that makes this book for me anyway is the love triangle, Ren and Shay are complete contrasts which makes this book so good. One downside I found with this book is that there were so many characters, even after reading the book i still don't really get who the adult pack characters are, but for me it didn't really matter as I was more focused on the younger packs. Throughout the book I really didn't like Ren but then at the end of the book I found myself starting to like him.... This book has really good twists and will always keep you guessing. I thought this book was amazing and it is an awsome start to what seems like a really cool series

Wolfsbane due to release July 26, 2011

My Top 5 Picks For Christmas...

1. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #6)

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall...moreSince the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute...

Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence.

3. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Her parents' divorce left 17-year-old Veronica Miller embittered and confused. Three years later, "Ronnie" still seethes with anger toward her father, a musician and teacher who has abandoned hectic New York City for the quiet beach town of Wilmington, North Carolina. Nevertheless, she reluctantly agrees to her mother's altruistic plan that for the good of all concerned, she should visit her estranged father in his new home. As the story of The Last Song unfolds, novelist Nicholas Sparks weaves his magic, threading together the intricate story of three very different people tied inextricably together.

4. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush Hush #2)

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

5. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (Paranormalcy #1)

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.






 I know this list is a little late but I hope this will help you with last minute Christmas gifts... Hope you all have a wounderful Christmas!

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White...

Series: Paranormalcy

Published: August 31, 2010 by HarperCollins

Pages: 335

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Review:

I have to admit when I started reading this book I was almost going to give up on it, for the first 100 pages or so I found the storyline to be very slow and confusing, but once you get through those first pages you will not be dissapointed. I really love the character of Lend, I thought he was really sweet and definitley a constrast to Reth, who is a faerie who definitley knows what he wants and he will stop at nothing to get it. I thought there was also a bit of action in this book which I liked, but overall I though this was a very strong start to a series and I can't wait for the next book "Supernaturally" is due to come out Autumn 2011.

Wanted by Sara Shepard...

Series: Pretty Little Liars
Published: June 8, 2010 by Harperteen
Pages: 271

Rating: 4 stars

 

Synopsis:

 

In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .

Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.
Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store.

Review:

Orginally this was going to be the last in the series but due to the popularity of the show in America there is going to be another book released called Twisted which is scheduled to be released July 5th, 2011, which I am definitley looking foward to. Anyway onto the review. I though the main storyline in the book was pretty far fetched, but it was still a good storyline. There were a lot of twists in this book and it kept you entertained the whole way through so it was definitley worth while reading. Overall i think that this was definitley a strong book and it works as the original end of the series but it also works as another edition to the series where another book is going to follow so I am definitley looking foward to reading the next book in this series.

Heartless by Sara Shepard...

Series: Pretty Little Liars
Published: January 19, 2010 by Harperteen
Pages: 288

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

The newest installment in Sara Shepard’s bestselling Pretty Little Liars series is packed with juicy drama and delicious surprises that will keep readers guessing to the very end.
Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer have been telling some outrageous tales; only, the proof always seems to go missing. The friends insist they’re telling the truth, but all of Rosewood thinks they’re just out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after them, will anyone believe the girls. . . or will they be the next to disappear?

(Goodreads)

Review:

To be honest I though this book was the worst out of the series so far I found it quite boring in parts but there were also some really good parts and also you find out BIG things in this book so it is definitley worth the read. "A" is still torturing the girls with secrets they told Ali in past. I can't really say anything about this book because so much happened in it that it would probably spoil something for someone, so all I can really say is that this book is definitley worth the read... It may take you a while to get through but if you are a fan of the PLL series this is definitley the book you want to read.

Killer by Sara Shepard...

Series: Pretty Little Liars
Published: June 30, 2009 by Harperteen
Pages: 321

Rating: 4 stars

 

Synopsis:

 

In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie— and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls.
Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her.
Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing— from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence.
The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

(Goodreads)

 

Review:

 

I've seen quite a few reviews sayig that they didn't think this book was very good, but to be honest I liked this book. This book seems to keep coming back to one flash-back to when Alison was alive and how the other girls are trying to steal her piece of a flag for something called the "Time Capsule" but it's all explained in the book. Anyway, I thought this book was really, really good I thought that reading the same storyline for six books, but Shepard has made these books so entertaining and mysterious that you can't put them down and this book is definitley no exception. The one thing I didn't like about this book was the last page, it was very unrealistic, but even though it was very unrealistic it completley changes what you think is happening in the books so it's not a bad thing. Overall I thought this book was really good and I can't wait to read the next one, and I also think if your looking for a break from the whole Vampire/Wolf craze or just want to read a fun kind of "girly" series for a change this may be the series for you.

Wicked By Sara Shepard...

Series: Pretty Little Liars
Published: November 25, 2008 by Harperteen
Pages: 310

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

In idyllic Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four very pretty girls just can't help but be bad. . . . Hanna will do anything to be Rosewood's queen bee. Spencer's digging up her family's secrets. Emily can't stop thinking about her new boyfriend. And Aria approves a little too strongly of her mom's taste in men.
Now that Ali's killer is finally behind bars, the girls think they're safe. But those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And they should know by now that I'm always watching. . . .

Review:
I loved this book... Even though it took me a while to read it, when I did get the chance I didn't want to put it down. Sara Shepard has definitley done it again with this book, it is more mysterious then ever and just an all aound amazing book. This book centres around Ian's trail, but it also has the usual of each chapter being about one of the four girls in the group. The girls are also trying to come to terms with the possibility of a new "A" which adds a whole lot more suspence to the book, which I loved. Over all I thought this was an all around amazing book.

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy

Published: December 7, 2010 by Razorbill

Pages: 598

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!
Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

Review:

This book was absolutley AMAZING! I can't express how good this book was. I am really sad that Rose's story has ended. This book was everything I hoped it to be and more, even though I had extremley high expectations. The tension between Rose and Dimitri just adds to how good the book is and all of the things that I was hoping would happen in this book but thought that it wouldn't actually happen due to what happened in the previous book. Also the situations Rose get into in the book add to making the book extremley fast paced and interesting. Another thing that Mead has mastered so well in these books is the time spent between Rose's life and seeing Lissa's life through the bond and this book is no exception. This book is completley amazing and I think everyone that likes YA fiction should read this series even if they arn't into reading vampire fiction as Mead has made a world that doesn't foucus on the fact that the whole community that they are in are Vampires.