tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16725667465437789122024-03-12T21:03:35.879-05:00 Melanie's MusingsMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-63692717847753605112010-05-10T08:12:00.000-05:002010-05-10T08:12:00.240-05:00An Important Announcement<a href="http://melaniesmusings.net/">Melanie's Musings</a> has moved to Wordpress and a new server!<br /><br />The fab new layout and latest posts can be found at <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/">http://www.melaniesmusings.net/</a><br /><br />The only glitch is that my followers (you!) haven't followed me over, so if you'd like to continue reading my latest posts, you'll have to re-add me. I'd love it if you did so. I don't want to lose you!<br /><br />And if you'd help me spread the word about my move, I'd really appreciate it!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-46583040571020252662010-05-06T08:32:00.000-05:002010-05-06T08:32:00.550-05:00Books To TradeHey guys! My bookshelf is in major need of being cleared out, so here's a list of books I have to trade. I have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melanie/wishlist/2LFQXGMZNWOKY/ref=cm_pdp_wish_all_itms">wishlist on amazon</a>, it's not complete though, so if you see something you want feel free to simply email me with a list of what you have. My email is: melanie@melaniesmusings.net<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hardcovers:</span></strong><br />Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus<br />Impossible by Nancy Werlin<br />The Tear Collector by Patrich Jones<br />Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler<br />Fallen by Lauren Kate<br />Today I Will by Eileen and Jerry Spinelli<br />Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber<br />Role of a Lifetime by James Brown<br />Days of Little Texas by R.A. Nelson<br />Dog Spelled Backwards by Mordecai Siegal<br />Jessica's Guide to Dating on The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey<br />Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus<br />Ana's Story by Jenna Bush<br />The Host by Stephenie Meyer<br />The Pathway by Laurel Mellin<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ARCs:</span></strong><br />Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes<br />Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo<br />Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Paperbacks:</span></strong><br />Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan<br />Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan<br />The Confessions of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street<br />Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange<br />Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll<br />Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen<br />Keeping In Line by Courtney Brandt<br />Dear John by Nicholas Sparks<br />Border Crossing by Jessica Lee Anderson<br />Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris<br />Wretched (this is my sorry) by Katherine Marple<br />The Gand Hotel by Mary Davis<br />Sweet Violet by Catherine Palmer<br />Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner<br />Wild Heather by Catherine Palmer<br />Fighting For Tony by Mary Callahan<br />Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella<br />Beneath A Southern Sky by Deborah Raney<br />Home Another Way by Christa Parrish<br />Isolation by Travis Thrasher<br />Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson<br />The Gathering Dawn by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford<br />Girl In The Mirror by Denise Crittendon<br />Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter<br />Post Grad by Emily Cassel<br />Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo<br />The Fields of Glory by Gilbert Morris<br />A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick<br /><br />Once again, my email is <a href="mailto:melanie@melaniesmusings.net">melanie@melaniesmusings.net</a>. Looking forward to hearing from you! :)Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-53025845464414351492010-05-05T09:35:00.000-05:002010-05-05T09:35:00.197-05:00I did it. Again.I don't know about you, but I have some pretty bad habits. Lately, one particular habit's been getting worse. This one:<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3isySUlpXbik1ZzjKmc0vo4-md9iAXSrq8M7ukDR4Hn2eqakoTslvFHMljiolXCp7jFCSf-QoRSn9cb8-gbUbTjq34JHamjsVrnWEjsrlEMwgJ3fGJDyVG8KM2ud0b4hwzyjfzHOivE0/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464829936441460258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3isySUlpXbik1ZzjKmc0vo4-md9iAXSrq8M7ukDR4Hn2eqakoTslvFHMljiolXCp7jFCSf-QoRSn9cb8-gbUbTjq34JHamjsVrnWEjsrlEMwgJ3fGJDyVG8KM2ud0b4hwzyjfzHOivE0/s400/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplbutrfly/" rel="cc:attributionURL"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplbutrfly/</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> / </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" rel="license"><span style="font-size:85%;">CC BY 2.0</span></a><br /><br />Leaving the keys in the door. On the outside. I'm not sure when this started, or why, but I obviously need to stop.</p><p> </p><p>What about you? Any odd habits that you can't seem to kick?</p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-52607693296832494552010-05-04T08:00:00.000-05:002010-05-04T08:00:05.088-05:00The Host by Stephenie MeyerI think the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1656001.The_Host">summary from Goodreads</a> does a great job summing up this novel:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp30Wek7a3CK80x43AeekkPmWK0WkmD5EQ2YOEMkaWJ1b9AkN50JdEtr_0u-57aIfdxyJPG-sgdFUB758syeEJnnWGU-pTAbC5hmQ2GEGVjG0Ys75KYSlFfHcUZ4BktChfJ4svGQsym0/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463576803912791602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 106px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp30Wek7a3CK80x43AeekkPmWK0WkmD5EQ2YOEMkaWJ1b9AkN50JdEtr_0u-57aIfdxyJPG-sgdFUB758syeEJnnWGU-pTAbC5hmQ2GEGVjG0Ys75KYSlFfHcUZ4BktChfJ4svGQsym0/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.</em><br /><br />There's something about Stephenie Meyer's writing that makes her books incredibly hard to put down. The world she's built is this novel is fascinating, and I'd walk away from the book only to find myself walking back a few minutes later for "just another chapter." Yeah, right. I finished this book within a couple days.<br /><br />Wanderer's thoughts on the human race were probably more accurate than I'd like to admit, and I really enjoyed reading them. <br /><br />My favorite aspect of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316068055?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316068055">The Host</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316068055" width="1" border="0" /> was the romance. It was confusing and wonderful. Mostly confusing. For those of you who have read the book, who's your favorite, Ian or Jared? Ian for me, I think.<br /><br />I would have loved to have a map of the cave in the book, but I was able to make due without one.<br /><br />The ending of this book wasn't the best, in my opinion. Although I liked the way it ended, the last couple pages just didn't sit right. I've heard rumors of a sequel, and if so, that would make the ending make more sense.<br /><br />As someone who hasn't read much science fiction, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316068055?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316068055">The Host</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316068055" width="1" border="0" />. It kept me entertained and was well worth the time spent.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">This post contains amazon affiliate links.</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-79567085269300671992010-05-03T09:43:00.001-05:002010-05-03T09:43:00.747-05:00Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3GvbLyQPMqMgIzD-l1ynycEb1rMGkCo5hF0uxFHwWURY5b_YiZpAvmRwOfjgme8MLz3ZYQ2jB7-Sctxv9-jdi4KpHdV24bqCOigVkfcz3cCefQ2Tn3m0RQkFMBZtwaBytWi7uVW5Eao/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463904521800064914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3GvbLyQPMqMgIzD-l1ynycEb1rMGkCo5hF0uxFHwWURY5b_YiZpAvmRwOfjgme8MLz3ZYQ2jB7-Sctxv9-jdi4KpHdV24bqCOigVkfcz3cCefQ2Tn3m0RQkFMBZtwaBytWi7uVW5Eao/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lani and Erin are complete opposites, yet they're also best friends. Lately, Lani hasn't been hanging out with the same group so much, and she feels as if they're sort growing apart. Little does she know when Erin starts to date Jason that something will happen that could tear them apart forever. <div></div><br /><div>As someone who's been brought up to think that horoscopes, tarot cards, and palm readings are nothing but bunches of hog wash, it was really interesting to read about Lani's exploits in that area. After all, who's to say it's completely impossible?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><strong>Lani</strong>'s voice is an accurate portrayal of many teen girls I know, and the dialogue in this book is something I can imagine actually taking place. She even has an irritating way of saying "like" too much. That's a habit I'm trying to break myself of right now!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>I didn't really like <strong>Erin</strong> that much. She's very melodramatic and sometimes just plain mean. <strong>Jason</strong> was nice enough, although I wasn't completely smitten with him. Sometimes I felt he was a bit cowardly about some things. I think I would have liked him a bit more if he'd been a little braver. <strong>Conner</strong> was the boy that I ended up really liking. He was sweet and funny and did whatever he could to help Lani. <strong>Blake</strong>, Lani's friend who's gay, has a lot of strength. I would love to have a friend like him.</div><div></div><div> </div><br /><div>In the end, this book addresses the issue of just how far loyalty should go between friends. Do you keep the boy and lose the friend, or lose the boy and hope you keep the friend? Or maybe just do what you can then leave it up to fate.</div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670011460?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0670011460"><strong>Something Like Fate</strong></a><strong><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0670011460" width="1" border="0" />* releases tomorrow on May 4th, so you can find out then!</strong></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*amazon affiliate link</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-20609219498685488162010-05-01T09:15:00.000-05:002010-05-01T09:15:00.661-05:00One Year Ago TodayI've always liked the Blogoversary buttons, but a few days ago I looked at it and realized it had malfunctioned. I'm not sure what happened, but I know thiss blog's anniversary is today, not a few months from now, so the friendly widget had to go bye-bye.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f1Tyjh2Zi7O_N4bT867xVkeOohl7Hozq2H5C1QLa0bnvm3cY_MPvRZH_WD_ImA-t8oQSdgpkej4SOWsPjSyBsHKiLRWNJPxvnq9dPo5YMTaibFVCYJ60jNhbHxAtMTGCmEk3g865j9I/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463568684765886594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 54px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f1Tyjh2Zi7O_N4bT867xVkeOohl7Hozq2H5C1QLa0bnvm3cY_MPvRZH_WD_ImA-t8oQSdgpkej4SOWsPjSyBsHKiLRWNJPxvnq9dPo5YMTaibFVCYJ60jNhbHxAtMTGCmEk3g865j9I/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Alas, lamenting the loss of the widget is not the purpose of this post! </div><div> </div><div>365 days ago, I started this blog. And I'm still here! Thanks to everyone who's stopped by, and here's to another successful and, most importantly, fun year.</div><div> </div><div>Lots of love,</div><div><br />Melanie</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-8857319665280195542010-04-30T08:42:00.000-05:002010-04-30T08:42:00.177-05:00Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbKkdrcW-qhXescbvCVa_JqwTeg__XjnerfZyJxtbxAqKfDFoEmn9YegPYiWunyi72OGmaeRsMjOpx4Rv7zPv5XtuqioCGLIqMvxc59_By6b5I-BguwjT9z2Wrbl4hiBDkAqgOMkAHlw/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463204170404987922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbKkdrcW-qhXescbvCVa_JqwTeg__XjnerfZyJxtbxAqKfDFoEmn9YegPYiWunyi72OGmaeRsMjOpx4Rv7zPv5XtuqioCGLIqMvxc59_By6b5I-BguwjT9z2Wrbl4hiBDkAqgOMkAHlw/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kaitlin Malone hates the Crutchfields. For all her life, she's been told that the Crutchfields are at fault for all the Malone's problems.<br /><br /><div></div><div>She and her sister are forced to attend a public school since the Malones can no longer afford the tuition to the private school they normally attend. There Kait meets a boy. During lunch, Bram draws while she writes. She finds herself falling for him. Then she realizes that he's a Crutchfield.</div><br /><div></div><div>The title was the first thing that attracted me to this book. I wanted to know more about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152045694?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152045694">Scribbler of Dreams</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0152045694" width="1" border="0" /> immediately. As well as attracting me to the book, it also turned out to be a perfect fit.</div><br /><div></div><div>The hate between the two families is very similar to the play Romeo and Juliet. I learned this by reading the summary on Amazon, and I was anxious to see whether or not Kait and Bram would meet the same fate.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152045694?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152045694">Scribbler of Dreams</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0152045694" width="1" border="0" /> was a book I couldn't put down. I found myself trying to focus on something (namely, schoolwork), only to end up being distracted by my thoughts on the book, giving in to read just one more chapter. Of course, things didn't turn out that way, and I finished this book within a few hours. It was certainly worth the time spent.</div><div> </div><br /><div>For more info, check out <a href="http://marypearson.com/">Mary E. Pearson's website</a>!</div><div> </div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">This post contains amazon affiliate links.</span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-43936361138649075292010-04-29T10:00:00.000-05:002010-04-29T10:00:03.827-05:001st In A Series Challenge<div align="center"><a href="http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/1st-in-series-challenge.html">1st in a Series challenge</a> is hosted by <a href="http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/">Royal Reviews</a>. I've decided to join up on the "fascinated" level and hopefully read six books by the end of the year that are (You guessed it!) first in a series.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DBdm-5TGwyVRm6X12n_i4jeU4nRICnuiB1CSVAwmoDvUO3p9Wuj_busS2yMVdlGt_3SJdp7Ag0URTKxOz3jDZziRWEMbIcaYhe5-ld9SmASCtJ-dBHXs9kz7Hfr61iCTkhzJ4_aUkAA/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463548963478572738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DBdm-5TGwyVRm6X12n_i4jeU4nRICnuiB1CSVAwmoDvUO3p9Wuj_busS2yMVdlGt_3SJdp7Ag0URTKxOz3jDZziRWEMbIcaYhe5-ld9SmASCtJ-dBHXs9kz7Hfr61iCTkhzJ4_aUkAA/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a>I've already read a couple books suited for this challenge this year; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545096324?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545096324">Suite Scarlett</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545096324" width="1" border="0" /> by Maureen Johnson and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316027421?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316027421">Prophecy of the Sisters</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316027421" width="1" border="0" /> by Michelle Zink. Reviews of these titles will be coming soon!<br /><br />Some of the books I'm hoping to read for the challenge are:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs-w7wEXmdsQMIj9nfknNwtTeRex-Vzx2LlltQtVCYRJVxcCFsMzWI63E96r8h_O6b2m7H8DRQGBHyjQNfXrq82HbSlAbd0W3ZPISB5_F_jfippgETl6wUR9vZkqogf6SPvRbi6JMH50/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463555453263400018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs-w7wEXmdsQMIj9nfknNwtTeRex-Vzx2LlltQtVCYRJVxcCFsMzWI63E96r8h_O6b2m7H8DRQGBHyjQNfXrq82HbSlAbd0W3ZPISB5_F_jfippgETl6wUR9vZkqogf6SPvRbi6JMH50/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416955070?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416955070">City of Bones</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416955070" width="1" border="0" /> by Cassandra Clare<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439023483?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439023483">The Hunger Games</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439023483" width="1" border="0" /> by Suzanne Collins<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusFnZCt5YkkNRDWiJ-ChoIAphLly-h98-Q2RUgAfXmoHgLvE9fFhJiOJYznqVVmCMrIoHgps-roz-MiuV4ct1bxhXK8eUvVuBxajKCQ9p5LmCO5BfOqi56HbD8rG4hmmqpSauehQNCA/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463551946030809922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusFnZCt5YkkNRDWiJ-ChoIAphLly-h98-Q2RUgAfXmoHgLvE9fFhJiOJYznqVVmCMrIoHgps-roz-MiuV4ct1bxhXK8eUvVuBxajKCQ9p5LmCO5BfOqi56HbD8rG4hmmqpSauehQNCA/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061214671?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061214671">Wicked Lovely</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061214671" width="1" border="0" /> by Melissa Marr</p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842377506?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0842377506">A Voice in the Wind</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0842377506" width="1" border="0" /> by Francine Rivers<br /><br /></div><br />I've got room for a couple more titles on this list, and I'm always up for a recommendation. What's one of the best series you've ever read? Leave a comment, and I'll be sure to check into them!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Book titles are amazon affiliate links.</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-90296707531256336012010-04-28T09:01:00.000-05:002010-04-28T09:01:00.858-05:00Waiting on WednesdayWelcome to another day here at <a href="http://melaniesmusings.net/">Melanie's Musings</a>! Hope your week has been going fabulously. Since today is Wednesday, it's time for <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/search/label/waiting%20on%20wednesday">Waiting on Wednesday</a>, a meme hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a>, where we spotlight one book that we, well, can barely stand waiting for!<br /><br />Summary from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7719248-bright-young-things">Goodreads</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzmyhbivetEz0bJPsgo3DNZI77gcgMyUUSxPcbThwffPwp4BEhL882ik-kADZ0l2n9lP2nxW8KaDFYrCrM8ZBk4xxc7swN6F3NxKeqH4CptTkxD7lqj5G6xQvx0xuJDD6XBTpcFdl7m0/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463356406573593586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzmyhbivetEz0bJPsgo3DNZI77gcgMyUUSxPcbThwffPwp4BEhL882ik-kADZ0l2n9lP2nxW8KaDFYrCrM8ZBk4xxc7swN6F3NxKeqH4CptTkxD7lqj5G6xQvx0xuJDD6XBTpcFdl7m0/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Bright Young Things is the first in an epic four-book series about three teenage girls finding their way in the glittering metropolis of New York City and the glamorous mansions of Long Island. It’s 1929 and Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey have escaped their small Midwestern town to chase big dreams and even bigger secrets. In New York, they meet Astrid Donal, a flapper who has everything she could ever want, except for the one thing Letty and Cordelia have to offer—true friendship. Set in the dizzying summer before the market crash, against the vast lawns of the East End and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls will find romance, intrigue, and adventure.<br /><br />Just as The Luxe books brought the Gilded Age to readers of Gossip Girl, Bright Young Things will bring the Jazz Age to bestselling author Anna Godbersen’s devoted fans and to new readers alike. </em><br /><p>I'm a huge fan of <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/2009/07/luxe-by-anna-godbersen.html">The Luxe </a> and <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/2009/07/rumors-by-anna-godbersen.html">Rumors</a> (click the links to read my reviews), the first two books in The Luxe series. <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/2009/08/envy-by-anna-godbersen.html">Envy</a> was sadly disappointing for me, but I've got a copy of <em>Splendor</em> on its way to me! The way I see it, by the time I read <em>Splendor</em>, there'll be just enough time to eagerly anticipate <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006196266X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006196266X">Bright Young Things</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006196266X" width="1" border="0" />* release, which is October 26.</p><p>I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but I've never read any set in the 1920s. It sounds great!</p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">*Amazon affiliate link</span></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-40787692966434966162010-04-27T10:00:00.000-05:002010-04-27T10:00:03.433-05:00Post Grad starring Alexis Bledel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcYOFQ9IWlQS043PpONfe-Sk0emwQ5JoVFI-LAtp86alwmA0KfS8BsGnWGvZItUQtNGR07AhHYMvN9iTefFV6FHo4nhyphenhyphendhJVIhRS0hANVk70JdIvSUNKNEUE8vliWNkTyKHUAIS6AbPQ/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463345765680357250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcYOFQ9IWlQS043PpONfe-Sk0emwQ5JoVFI-LAtp86alwmA0KfS8BsGnWGvZItUQtNGR07AhHYMvN9iTefFV6FHo4nhyphenhyphendhJVIhRS0hANVk70JdIvSUNKNEUE8vliWNkTyKHUAIS6AbPQ/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ryden Malby had it all figured out. Make good grades in high school, get a great college scholarship, keep the scholarship, graduate, and then work at the best publishing company in LA. Only things don't go quite as she planned. Instead of getting the job, she ends up unemployed and living with her crazy family once again.<br /><br />Crazy is NOT an understatement.<br /><br />Add on to that, a hot Brazillian neighbor and Adam, a guy who's been her best friend since freshman year, yet wants to be more. That's the plot.<br /><br />The plot, while all over the place, works well for this movie. You're not sure what scheme one of the Malbys will come up with next. Will it be her father's plan to make a fortune online selling belt buckles or perhaps her grandmother (played by the ever amazing Carol Burnett) wanting to take a look at caskets? There's always something going on, with Ryden and her love life, or lack thereof, at the center of it all.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN8IPW?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002WN8IPW">Post Grad</a>* definitely takes you for a ride. One that I really enjoyed.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Amazon affiliate link</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-38464146398031611812010-04-24T08:01:00.001-05:002010-04-24T08:01:00.410-05:00Finally!It's Spring Break for me, my friends! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA8OmK3qslw">Happy days are here again</a>!<br /><br />The reason I'm telling you this is that I'm using some of my time to get caught up on blogging. I'm terribly behind on reviews, and it's time I get caught up.<br /><br />So, be expecting a bit more posting in the next few weeks, as well as a few contests.<br /><br />Thanks for hanging out with me! ;)<br /><br />MelanieMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-64196880424727479722010-04-22T07:28:00.001-05:002010-04-22T07:28:00.560-05:00Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon LathanIf you haven't read <em>Pride and Prejudice</em>, or watched one of the movie adaptations, this review contains spoilers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsazVwnwKyMhWOFRmKTqUDCXmFunvP2RXkmXCxcKtthNMpmJwGNiZSYPiiBgoXBwYuJ5810RC2mmCvjetVUvhdg7nXdJOxp91H-gmsh5ZRbL5pv8TQZbDyqajy9dl4cGzisLYm0PX5iEE/s1600/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462802331830407666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsazVwnwKyMhWOFRmKTqUDCXmFunvP2RXkmXCxcKtthNMpmJwGNiZSYPiiBgoXBwYuJ5810RC2mmCvjetVUvhdg7nXdJOxp91H-gmsh5ZRbL5pv8TQZbDyqajy9dl4cGzisLYm0PX5iEE/s200/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Six months into their marriage, things are going grandly for the Darcys. Elizabeth and William are just as enamored with each other as ever. Soon, Lizzy realizes something absolutely wonderful.<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402217412?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402217412">Loving Mr. Darcy</a>, readers are introduced to some new characters in the Darcy's lives. These characters definitely add some liveliness into the mix, especially Dr. George Darcy. He has just returned from India in the beginning of the book, and he's quite an eccentric!<br /><br />My favorite aspect of this book is the historical detail. Much was included about England's state at the time, and as a history buff, I enjoyed it. Those sections were delightful.<br /><br />This book is atypical in the fact that there's really not an overall conflict that spans the book. I knew this, as well as the fact that this saga is a happily-ever-after type tale, going in from reading the <a href="http://www.sharonlathan.net/frequently-asked-questions/">FAQ</a> on Sharon Lathan's website. Still, it was a little hard, at times, to stay into the novel, but those times were far between.<br /><br />Readers should be aware that this book, like its predecessor <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/2009/09/mr-and-mrs-fitzwilliam-darcy-by-sharon.html">Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy</a>, has several sex scenes in it. I personally felt that nothing would have been lost if a couple of those scenes had been cut from the novel, since at times it seems to overwhelm the book.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of the book is when Mary Bennet catches Joshua Daniel's eye. I've always liked her, and that chapter was thrilling, in a shy, sweet sort of way.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402217412?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402217412">Loving Mr. Darcy</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1402217412" width="1" border="0" />, and this saga overall, is a great read for <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> lovers, especially those who loved the 2005 movie adaptation.<br /><br />If you'd like more info on The Darcy Saga, be sure to check out Sharon Lathan's website:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sharonlathan.net/">http://www.sharonlathan.net/</a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">This post contains amazon affiliate links.</span> </div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-76983029626958188642010-04-20T08:28:00.000-05:002010-04-20T08:28:00.804-05:00Interview with Estevan Vega<em>Hi guys and gals! Today, I have an interview with Estevan Vega, author of Arson. Hope you enjoy! </em><em><br /></em><div><br /><div><em></em></div><em>Can you start a fire with only sticks?</em> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmnjFCcUCG4HPztipKvGeammR-Mp3PjuqCAazf0QHA07E1yBqX-_RIXIfSkIBbL8RrlRdKGDVyLsRn2Jaeh-Nmh6XisJUW85D8AHjv5Np-iKvNQy7hzRvvtHVeRoJpqhalQqSt37eMqQ/s1600/b3.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462053037313950850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 84px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmnjFCcUCG4HPztipKvGeammR-Mp3PjuqCAazf0QHA07E1yBqX-_RIXIfSkIBbL8RrlRdKGDVyLsRn2Jaeh-Nmh6XisJUW85D8AHjv5Np-iKvNQy7hzRvvtHVeRoJpqhalQqSt37eMqQ/s400/b3.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><br /><br />Haha. I am probably the most campfire challenged person you'd know. I'm not crazy into the whole idea of sleeping under the stars with spiders and various rodents skulking about. But I usually stick with matches or the occasional Zippo. Or, you know, I just get Arson to do it.<br /><br /><em>If you had the ability to create either fire or ice with your mind, which would you choose?</em><br /><br />Man, that's a hard one. I mean I saw X-Men and Ice Man won the fight against Pyro, so maybe ice would be a cool power. I mean, you wouldn't ever get pneumonia probably, and if, by the rare and ridiculous chance I had a craving to climb mount Everest, I'd be set for sure. I could hang around with any sub-zero temperature female and it wouldn't bother me. And I wonder if ice-starters get colds or sore throats or whatever. Hmmm...All in all...I'd probably still go with fire.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLbpxyz-wW6POYbh_aZvNLydg2pxW5nAcHathbfUeZ-cuLPhddJe-4veQRukuhWEDtPxuXzJp8mjFdjQ3TonjMsLCamLqyZhZOft1dc-SGbIdr6XS7HnHhBcf9Q7CTFIMIVh2TGJxI1w/s1600/b3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462045220570186034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLbpxyz-wW6POYbh_aZvNLydg2pxW5nAcHathbfUeZ-cuLPhddJe-4veQRukuhWEDtPxuXzJp8mjFdjQ3TonjMsLCamLqyZhZOft1dc-SGbIdr6XS7HnHhBcf9Q7CTFIMIVh2TGJxI1w/s400/b3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>If a fire were to start where you live, what would you grab on your way out of the building? </em><br /><br />My computer, because it probably has a bunch of stuff on it that I would need, like future books or ideas for books, short stories, lyrics or poetry, and a crapload of music and movies. My wallet, because I wouldn't want the hassle of going to the DMV or getting new credit cards. Man, I wish I had more valuable stuff. This makes me seem lame.<br /><br /><em>Would you rather be inside with a fire going in the fireplace or outside with a fire going?<br /></em><br />It all depends on the night. I mean, on a cold, wintry night, I love sitting by the fire, very author-ly, of course, with my legs crossed and a seriously cool countenance. But I also love sitting around a fire outside on a summer or fall night. S'mores definitely rock. I love the way the fire feels on my face when I'm a few feet away, or having conversations that in the middle of you start to tear for no other reason than the heat. It's crazy. But also kinda cool. I think as long as people are around I'm down for either. But if I had to choose which is better, probably the outside fire...so long as no brawls ensue.<br /><br /><em>Where do you see yourself as an author in five years?<br /></em><br />Oh, man, this question is dangerous. It's one of those things you fear to answer wondering if anything you plan will actually happen. In five years I'll be 26, and close to checking into the old-folks home. I mean, I would've already been given my first cane, for heaven's sake. I'll only have a few decent years left before senility. Honestly, I hope to make the best-seller list, any of them will do. I think I'd like to be married and just loving my wife, not worrying about stupid bills like my family. It would rock to get a movie deal too. But I think more than these things, I'd like to see my family go back to how it used to be...before the massive amounts of dysfunction. Well, sorta. </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><em>Thanks, Estevan. <br /><br />Be sure to check out his </em><a href="http://estevanvega.com/"><em>website</em></a><em>, follow him on </em><a href="http://twitter.com/estevanvega"><em>Twitter</em></a><em>, and follow the </em><a href="http://arsonistsanonymous.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html"><em>blog tour</em></a><em>!</em></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-52243031680730877762010-04-16T08:45:00.000-05:002010-04-16T08:45:00.317-05:00Sweethearts by Sara Zarr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGytuA4zjy-GP60DnLiEZl1MiOjF18R0COFBkOck1plsy1FzEDTjWeIy2qt0IIqid_yRmgbU9LWjjOvbUOEValSZYg16SU9wLCuj1G3q0IZWRAg7mxILtf5dDVXhcxg4Dx3zX-D0XBrM/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460555461627791186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 85px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGytuA4zjy-GP60DnLiEZl1MiOjF18R0COFBkOck1plsy1FzEDTjWeIy2qt0IIqid_yRmgbU9LWjjOvbUOEValSZYg16SU9wLCuj1G3q0IZWRAg7mxILtf5dDVXhcxg4Dx3zX-D0XBrM/s400/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a>From <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2020935.Sweethearts">Goodreads</a>: <em>After losing her soul mate, Cameron, when they were nine, Jennifer, now seventeen, transformed herself from the unpopular fat girl into the beautiful and popular Jenna, but Cameron's unexpected return dredges up memories that cause both social and emotional turmoil. </em><br /><br /> I went into this book with all the wrong expectations. I was thinking that it would be fairly predictable with Jenna and Cameron falling in love and living happily ever after, or they would find out that they were too different and go on seperate paths, never to meet again. Sweet, fun, and predictable. Shows how much I know.<br /><br />Since I went into this book expecting a different type of book, it took me a few chapters to get into Sweethearts. There were parts of this book that felt slow to me. I'm not sure why, since events in this book happen fairly quickly. However, the farther along I got in this book, the more engrossed I became. <br /><br />Jenna and Cameron's bond runs deep. It's hard to explain to others. In fact, Jenna has a hard time understanding it herself. It's intriguing to watch their relationship. As Jenna thinks of bits of their past, it becomes easier to realize what holds them together so strongly.<br /><br />As Jenna grows as a character, the writing becomes more lyrical. Through the final chapters of the book, it was amazing. <em>Sweethearts</em> houses one of my all time favorite quotes now. The kind that sort of makes you want to laugh and sort of makes you want to cry.<br /><br />Although <em>Once Was Lost</em> is my favorite of the two books I've read by Sara Zarr thus far (I have a copy of <em>Story of A Girl</em> on its way!), <em>Sweethearts</em> was a worthwhile read with one of the most gorgeous endings I've ever read.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-69091375487350902372010-04-13T22:18:00.004-05:002010-04-13T23:49:21.329-05:00Waiting On WednesdayHere's a couple books I'm waiting on this week! WoW is hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking The Spine</a>. Summaries from Goodreads. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316084204?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316084204"><strong>Jane</strong></a><strong><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316084204" width="1" border="0" /> by April Lindner</strong><br /><br /><em>Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, an iconic rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer, and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is tested by a torturous secret from his past.<br /><br />Part irresistible romance and part darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.</em><br /><br />I wasn't able to find a cover for this one, but I was absolutely hooked when I saw that it was a retelling of Jane Eyre! I read that book a couple years ago and really enjoyed it, although I'm sketchy on some of the details. </div><div> <br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316084239?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316084239"><strong>The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)</strong></a><strong><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316084239" width="1" border="0" /> by Kody Keplinger</strong><br /><br /></div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459841952971315570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKuYrblKQtm0hPRS4AjzX1JtUOCN7_ymIi2p2jEj0xTMWE0Pvh73M2m6nQDXMaz_zr0t2_ilPqvdS-DOCvrByosirN0-4uejKFQE3xbM_xsnboi_e7fyMwD8ZW5kUDzuEHGm2Y_hsNhQ/s400/blog.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.<br /><br />But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.<br /><br />Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.</em><br /><br />Doesn't Bianca sound feirce? The whole concept of this book grabbed my attention.<br /><br />Both of these books are coming out from Little Brown, and the author's are both debut authors!<br /><br />They're gonna be great.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-62646543764152665392010-04-12T10:07:00.000-05:002010-04-12T10:07:00.838-05:00Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9r5B8Q7ILsQ6LhbYL8OomsHQja6QuRt8VvIYuumzGao-Vd89ZGroUjTDyneH4mvkGu44SKTeezrdLID15YHA88rWfdegZpvH32hCoBfiKe_Hv_YEHRndwDq4KryXTZfrayn88IRiRRSs/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456674518340307522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9r5B8Q7ILsQ6LhbYL8OomsHQja6QuRt8VvIYuumzGao-Vd89ZGroUjTDyneH4mvkGu44SKTeezrdLID15YHA88rWfdegZpvH32hCoBfiKe_Hv_YEHRndwDq4KryXTZfrayn88IRiRRSs/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a> Regina is part of the high school elite. You know the type. When you see them in the hallway, you either avert your eyes, hoping they don't see you, or look at them with envy and admiration. Or at least she was.<br /><br />There's been a freeze-out, and now she's all alone on the outside. Her former "friends" are bent on making her life miserable. They're succeeding.<br />----<br /><br />I'm still not sure how I feel about Regina. On the one hand, nobody deserves the hell she puts up with. On the other, you know that she's been guilty of doing the same exact things to people.<br /><br />I knew exactly how I felt about her friends, though. They were absolutely horrible! Yet they're portrayed in such a way that sort of makes you feel sorry for them. Only sort of.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312573804?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312573804">Some Girls Are</a>* went by really, really quickly for me. It's one of those books I felt sad about finishing because it was that good. Thankfully, I have <img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312573804" width="1" border="0" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031238369X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=031238369X">Cracked Up to Be</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=031238369X" width="1" border="0" />* on my TBR pile, and I'm looking forward to delving into more of Summer's writing.<br /><br />This book was reviewed as part of an <a href="http://othershelftours.blogspot.com/">Other Shelf Tour</a>.<br /><br />*Amazon affiliate linksMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-15482346794830870872010-04-10T23:21:00.004-05:002010-04-11T01:18:02.794-05:00In My MailboxIn My Mailbox is hosted by <a href="http://thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>. Great week of books for me!<br /><br />From Yan at <a href="http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/">Books By Their Cover</a>:<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XYQY-Apid6lnFThiuGjEhaxmtAQwFwvFReHHPIx8IzQIoLL40_ItMy-m-n7IMxPt7f3FH51L6D0GsLT13X04kf7JQ8pYNgAugHwkTlcoUGnaKVFSm81v2u2f7SK90SElEk5xC2lhZnY/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458755595774210898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XYQY-Apid6lnFThiuGjEhaxmtAQwFwvFReHHPIx8IzQIoLL40_ItMy-m-n7IMxPt7f3FH51L6D0GsLT13X04kf7JQ8pYNgAugHwkTlcoUGnaKVFSm81v2u2f7SK90SElEk5xC2lhZnY/s400/IMG_2827.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312581580?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312581580">Fireworks Over Toccoa</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312581580" width="1" border="0" /> by Jeffrey Stepakoff -Such a romantic looking cover!</p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802720684?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802720684">In a Heartbeat</a> by Loretta Ellsworth -The chapters in this book seem to all be a bit on the shorter side: 3-10 pages.</p><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080278660X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=080278660X">Dirty Little Secrets</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=080278660X" width="1" border="0" /> by C.J. Omololu -From what I've heard, it's intense.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763643823?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763643823">Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0763643823" width="1" border="0" /> by Abby McDonald -Such a long title.<br /><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0802720684" width="1" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316011290?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316011290">Girl Overboard</a> by Justina Chen Headley -Another book by this author made my top ten list of '09!</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142416665?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142416665">Willow</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142416665" width="1" border="0" /> by Julia Hoban -I've heard so many great things about this one!</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803734204?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803734204">A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0803734204" width="1" border="0" /> by Emily Horner - Contains a musical called Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad. Need I say more?</div><div></div><div><br />I'm very excited to read all of these books!</div><div></div><div><br />And finally, last but certainly not least:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458754738384687282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCNZa1OgAbR244YTe34opEdJKFR-WZKvTQRg7H3LBzsR25_AYWFMZa31EAbsG6JO5KCcvGy2q5LyGf1UkroB64s3a2q0pIYfzVAzOnCXIoW3aRgJr0hqawKl8twqmDNHmr7S8pSnmLV8/s400/IMG_2819.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>My business cards! Designed by Anna at <a href="http://booknerds.net/">Book Nerds</a>. They are so awesome, and they match my upcoming site design! I love 'em.</p><p></p><p>So... What do you think?</p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-47843732011986862562010-04-09T08:46:00.000-05:002010-04-09T08:46:00.156-05:00First Rate FridayWhy hello there, lovely person.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CjBW3263WnZ30r11UwwpHaVQt94yLTsP1K658WC1_-9Wgrvahg_xNIMrWAB02o3CaxhfZQQh-U6hpy-1gcOHHVdxzVYbMNNULzg_b-MOL55uUVyWuC9eLGZWQMUHDD9YV9jwZkbeGcE/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457631991348349426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CjBW3263WnZ30r11UwwpHaVQt94yLTsP1K658WC1_-9Wgrvahg_xNIMrWAB02o3CaxhfZQQh-U6hpy-1gcOHHVdxzVYbMNNULzg_b-MOL55uUVyWuC9eLGZWQMUHDD9YV9jwZkbeGcE/s400/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>First Rate Fridays is a meme hosted by <a href="http://hefollowedmehome.blogspot.com/">He Followed Me Home</a>. The purpose is to showcase some of the coolest book posts you've come across in the past week. Here are a few of my faves:<br /><br />I was googling for historical fiction, and I found a great list on <a href="http://rebeccasbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-2010-historical-fiction-feature.html">Rebecca's Book Blog</a> that's full of books set in the Tudor era. My wishlist is longer.<br /><br />There's this awesome post entitled "<a href="http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-young-love-all-that-jazz.html">Young Love & All That Jazz</a>" on Maggie Stiefvater's blog that had a contented sigh slipping out of my mouth.<br /><br />And Forever Young Adult has a post showcasing <a href="http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/04/07/the-most-swoonworthy-ya-couples-of-all-time/">The Most Swoonworthy YA Couples of All Time</a>. Carrots. </div><br /><div>A couple <em>non-book related</em> things:<br /><br /><a href="http://lindseyskitchen85.blogspot.com/2009/07/happy-birthday-ben.html">HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CAKE?</a><br /><br /></div><div>Also, I have <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxQVwTCC6Vo">this song</a> stuck in my head.</div><div></div><div><br /><strong>Check 'em out & tell me what you think!</strong></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-20994128590764198012010-04-08T10:19:00.001-05:002010-04-08T10:19:00.356-05:00NatchezLast weekend, my parents and I took a weekend trip to Natchez, MS. It was awesome! A few of my favorite pictures (click to enlarge):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRarDQx82OkT6bxpGV5S_QAMaLpKJDKqwktPxRUjzlEApXB3kYMiIMwstoQ9JIzqvcpM-etFrUc8tuQw-RmjuX5NE3Bg8nZ0ArD8szSBguhTl9IrSWSlfylPiZ49OvkpEF4MeNlYyR6zk/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457435393074003266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRarDQx82OkT6bxpGV5S_QAMaLpKJDKqwktPxRUjzlEApXB3kYMiIMwstoQ9JIzqvcpM-etFrUc8tuQw-RmjuX5NE3Bg8nZ0ArD8szSBguhTl9IrSWSlfylPiZ49OvkpEF4MeNlYyR6zk/s400/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-7201826659793841792010-04-07T09:00:00.000-05:002010-04-07T09:00:04.880-05:00Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvi0FTWrhfu1OMIOVftkQbcz6MBN0FGMxaXljMVb5KK1MRDtxiT7cJweU_-St0ipT8yyxH-Jze5gVqzWxWWWkBt4DHuc1pmM5AdBuQIbvVauaWdZsgW-HpaTzwLz2bTR_NnExEN8lI_U/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455388987359759378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvi0FTWrhfu1OMIOVftkQbcz6MBN0FGMxaXljMVb5KK1MRDtxiT7cJweU_-St0ipT8yyxH-Jze5gVqzWxWWWkBt4DHuc1pmM5AdBuQIbvVauaWdZsgW-HpaTzwLz2bTR_NnExEN8lI_U/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a> Over a decade ago, Jake broke Katie's heart. He left and didn't say goodbye. Now, he's a huge recording star, and his most famous songs have been about her. She vows that when she gets the chance, she'll make him pay. That time has come, if she has the nerve to follow through. But things are never that simple.<br /><br />What kind of guy does that? Right away I was sure I was going to have issues with this guy, but it didn't turn out that way. Each chapter alternates between what's currently going on in Katie's life, then going back to sometime in her past. Those chapters about her past made me really, really like Jake. He seemed so awesome. Then I'd remember what he had done and be angry at him all over again. I definitely had a love-hate relationship going on.<br /><br />I wasn't sure how I wanted it to end, but once I finished it, I think it was the best ending, under the circumstances. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416540148?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416540148">Dedication</a>* is one book I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel to.<br /><br />And if I've heard correctly, the authors of the book are working on a screenplay! That's something I'd definitely like to see.<br /><br />This book only took a few hours, and they were well spent. It's an entertaining read that keeps you guessing, in a good way.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Amazon affiliate link</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-29615384829269317572010-04-05T08:22:00.001-05:002010-04-05T08:22:00.364-05:00Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder<span style="color:#ff0000;">If you haven't read <em>Poison Study</em>, this review contains spoilers. Instead, why don't you check out my review of </span><a href="http://melaniesmusings.net/2010/03/poison-study-by-maria-v-snyder.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Poison Study</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV96ItjMswveHzhvtmgZ5vvQhFMmc6C5Wuraeky4kdeJUeRX18f4DOTVJOZ76v5icoak4pmVFyiX5ac6qB6VIoG8qi8UTXOnctAm1fULHx5rw1WILTJDg0qQk0F2nX4DX_fX_f3qbVVM/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454604554671275906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV96ItjMswveHzhvtmgZ5vvQhFMmc6C5Wuraeky4kdeJUeRX18f4DOTVJOZ76v5icoak4pmVFyiX5ac6qB6VIoG8qi8UTXOnctAm1fULHx5rw1WILTJDg0qQk0F2nX4DX_fX_f3qbVVM/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yelena has gone to Sitia in order to flee from the execution order against her in Ixia , meet her family, and learn about her abilities as a magician<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV96ItjMswveHzhvtmgZ5vvQhFMmc6C5Wuraeky4kdeJUeRX18f4DOTVJOZ76v5icoak4pmVFyiX5ac6qB6VIoG8qi8UTXOnctAm1fULHx5rw1WILTJDg0qQk0F2nX4DX_fX_f3qbVVM/s1600/blog.jpg"></a><br />But once she gets to Sitia she learns that she can't control her power as much as she should, her brother seems to hate her, and finds herself missing her northern friends.<br /><br />Danger finds her once again, and Yelena must once again fight to survive, only this time, the stakes are even higher.<br />----<br /><br />First off, I would like to take a moment to swoon over Valek. I couldn't figure out how to in my <em>Poison Study</em> review without spoiling that part of that story. Feel free to join me. 1,2,3...<br /><br /><em>Sa-woon.<br /></em><br />I'm so glad to be able to get that out of my system.<br /><br />Oftentimes while reading this book, I didn't know whether to praise Yelena for her bravery or be mad at her for her brash actions. She's impulsive, often doing things without fully weighing the consquences of her deeds. Sometimes I wanted her to slow down and just <strong>think</strong> for a few minutes, but if she had, this book wouldn't have been nearly as interesting.<br /><br />With an entirely new environment comes a lot of new characters, many of whom I really enjoyed, especially the horses. Yelena, using her magic, is able to speak to horses, and I <strong>absolutely loved</strong> reading her conversations with them.<br /><br />The pace in this book moves along well, and it had my interest the entire time. I certainly didn't see all of the twists and turns coming. I really liked 'em.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778327124?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0778327124">Magic Study</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778327124" width="1" border="0" /> was a <strong>fantastic read</strong>. Maybe not <em>quite</em> as enthralling for me as Poison Study but pretty darn close. I can't wait to dive into <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778325342?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0778325342">Fire Study</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778325342" width="1" border="0" />!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-3035752108306564512010-03-31T08:36:00.001-05:002010-03-31T08:36:00.103-05:00Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuV2kZCtmzoe4Fgu6tsUZq5gwC0aYne8gRKPbuP7H8WrqupSKuuEO8leR4eALrEkZR0JED8bLQKq6z1oVIdeJ8pqygJCguCuT4clahjczUrKEqRL9-Jft4vVpoC0_Qzs9RBF-HB9fHLU/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453171360515694050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuV2kZCtmzoe4Fgu6tsUZq5gwC0aYne8gRKPbuP7H8WrqupSKuuEO8leR4eALrEkZR0JED8bLQKq6z1oVIdeJ8pqygJCguCuT4clahjczUrKEqRL9-Jft4vVpoC0_Qzs9RBF-HB9fHLU/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Murder, mayhem and magic... </em><br /><br /><em>Locked in a coffin-like darkness, there is nothing to distract me from my memories of killing Reyad. He deserved to die—but according to the law, so do I. Here in Ixia, the punishment for murder is death. And now I wait for the hangman's noose.<br /><br />But the same law that condemns me may also save me. Ixia's food taster—chosen to ensure that the Commander's food is not poisoned—has died. And by law, the next prisoner who is scheduled to be executed—me—must be offered the position.</em><br /><br />Yelena is an amazing main character. As she talked about her past, she showed me that she was willing to do whatever it took to save others and herself, a trait which I greatly admire. She has guts, for lack of a better word, and she'll only take so much ill treatment before she takes action herself.<br /><br />The characters that surround Yelena were awesome as well. I couldn't get enough of Ari and Janco. Talk about perfect older brother material! In the beginning, I really liked Rand as well. A guy who can cook is total win! Valek was another intriguing character. I wasn't quite sure what to think of him at first, but I warmed up to him after a bit. My attitude towards him mirrored Yelena's almost exactly.<br /><br />The plot in this book is always jumping. Poison Study is one of those books that I absolutely could not put down. It kept me riveted the entire time.<br /><br />The ending! The ending of this book resolved enough to leave me satisfied, but it also had me rushing out to the bookstore at the very next available opportunity to get a copy of the next book in the series, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778327124?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0778327124">Magic Study</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778327124" width="1" border="0" />*. A review of it will be coming soon.<br /><br />Borrow <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778327116?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0778327116">Poison Study</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778327116" width="1" border="0" />* from a friend, from the library, grab your own copy from a bookstore. Read it and then tell me what you think. I think it's absolutely amazing.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Amazon affiliate link</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-76207870317473466022010-03-29T08:00:00.000-05:002010-03-29T08:00:05.036-05:00The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLhR2JLt_WsDPxRHQAq2gyEHlxUWsheVdGgINRJEMnYXbT9jHis6AnZ2IKGPegDeOBKvwGjAIB44o2R1JHd2BkbYkItzFRIvsWc_vNEJ6GWhpFEK-3Wg-hlUC4peObygydyc7W4TQO7A/s1600-h/BookCover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450569539460559330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLhR2JLt_WsDPxRHQAq2gyEHlxUWsheVdGgINRJEMnYXbT9jHis6AnZ2IKGPegDeOBKvwGjAIB44o2R1JHd2BkbYkItzFRIvsWc_vNEJ6GWhpFEK-3Wg-hlUC4peObygydyc7W4TQO7A/s320/BookCover.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bailey was the star. She dazzled everyone, but now she's dead. Lennie, Bailey's sister and best friend, suddenly finds herself smack in the middle of a drama that rivals even the most dramatic stories Bailey shared with her.<br /><br />Two boys. One who makes Lennie forget of her grief, the other who seems to be the only one who understands.<br /><br />I found myself rooting for Lennie again and again, even when she did some pretty stupid things. The poetry she wrote was absolutely fabulous and probably my favorite part of the novel. She's so talented. A great poet and an incredibly gifted clarinetest, although she doesn't see herself that way.<br /><br />And Joe. Joe was so awesome. I love one of Lennie's observations of him when she first meets him.<br /><br /><em>The guy looks unabashedly jack-o'-lantern happy which couldn't be more foreign to the sullen demeanor most of us strove to perfect. </em><span style="font-size:78%;">(From an ARC. May differ from final version.)</span><br /><br />To me, that's very easy to picture in my mind. It's like a moth to a light. You can't help but be attracted.<br /><br />Not to say that Toby and Lennie together wasn't absolutely intriguing. While Joe and Lennie's relationship makes Lennie seemingly forget about the grief that haunts her, allowing her to be happy, at least for a little while, Toby really does understand, and their relationship often comes across as darker and more seductive. Still, I definitely knew who I was rooting for!<br /><br />The supporting cast of characters were great, as well. I think Uncle Big was my favorite character, after the three mentioned above. So odd and different. Sarah, "the most enthusiastic cynical person on the planet," was a pretty great friend to Lennie, and I loved her.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803734956?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803734956">The Sky Is Everywhere</a>*<img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0803734956" width="1" border="0" /> is a great debut novel, and I can't wait for more books by Jandy Nelson!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*amazon affiliate link</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-32061184762215475932010-03-27T08:00:00.000-05:002010-03-27T08:00:01.644-05:002010 Debut Author ChallengeHere's a challenge that I've seen quite a few of you join, and I thought it would be fun to jump in as well: <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/2009/11/sign-up-for-2010-debut-author-challenge.html" target="_blank"><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 148px" height="125" alt="The Story Siren" src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/sunkrist01/blog%20stuff/2.jpg" width="125" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></p></a>Hosted by <a href="http://thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>, the purpose of this challenge is to read YA and MG books released in 2010 written by, you guessed it, debut authors!<br /><br />Here's a few books I'm planning on reading for the challenge:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_ms7fJqcoojxnuIzJvdH0HufFYPF7Nacvb1F3Ggu0KSW3jJsA_ZRm5JEvVFimpM70RhqDGhLD0kAuKjDz-GztuzaVdyRC3THBtXyDMnSc_BjfLjRMX9sur4Q4A9WRU3DecaEGdMBpEk/s1600-h/BookCover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450506398765365026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_ms7fJqcoojxnuIzJvdH0HufFYPF7Nacvb1F3Ggu0KSW3jJsA_ZRm5JEvVFimpM70RhqDGhLD0kAuKjDz-GztuzaVdyRC3THBtXyDMnSc_BjfLjRMX9sur4Q4A9WRU3DecaEGdMBpEk/s320/BookCover.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080509010X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=080509010X">Harmonic Feedback</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=080509010X" width="1" border="0" /> by Tara Kelly<br />I've been excited for this book since I first found out about it! In fact, it was my very first <a href="http://www.melaniesmusings.net/2009/09/waiting-on-wednesday-1.html">WoW post</a>. It comes out on May 25th.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934813362?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1934813362">Change of Heart</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1934813362" width="1" border="0" /> by Shari Maurer<br />I just recently came upon this novel while browsing goodreads, and it sounds like a great story! What would you do if you were not sure if you would get a heart you desperately needed to survive? It comes out in April.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuVZXUvtQq2JjQ2rZoHaKnfeYboPyBIdvpBF5GgVLWPaXlYylPi2OPDiEI4YwZnzdoN-gPt9O2e-jfRx3z83b0_9UPF2cxavZnDPDMOKoFYvT-NHjMmFZ2pvLJUZ_KM4caaAiC8kxG_Q/s1600-h/BookCover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450501399998485570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuVZXUvtQq2JjQ2rZoHaKnfeYboPyBIdvpBF5GgVLWPaXlYylPi2OPDiEI4YwZnzdoN-gPt9O2e-jfRx3z83b0_9UPF2cxavZnDPDMOKoFYvT-NHjMmFZ2pvLJUZ_KM4caaAiC8kxG_Q/s320/BookCover.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525423273?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0525423273">Anna and the French Kiss</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0525423273" width="1" border="0" /> by Stephanie Perkins<br />You should all go check out this author's blog: <a href="http://naturalartifical.blogspot.com/">Natural/Artificial</a>. I think it's great. <a href="http://piratepenguinreads.blogspot.com/">Sandy</a> introduced me to it. Here's what the book's about: </div><div><br /><em>It's about a girl. It's about a boy. It's about Parisian boarding school, almond-scented macaroons, famous cemeteries, and cinemaphiles. It's about heartache. And it's about true love.</em><br /><br />How am I supposed to wait until December? December??<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/054511473X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=054511473X">Everlasting</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=054511473X" width="1" border="0" /> by Angie Frazier</div><div>I think this is one of the prettiest covers I've seen to date. And it's a historical! Love it. Comes out on June 1st. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iIePrSmzlRb8u_NzqiccgL2QKI83EMT_R_hf7Q3g1ht9eXiyBm84ZRgxpSTmOK1WbyYrD4p1nvgMD-2nzB0LiQMbLptfeKzdyWQO1qtLwduLwipSPqbr7Sndlwld9f0KGerZHaDsnC8/s1600-h/BookCover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450500278982497746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iIePrSmzlRb8u_NzqiccgL2QKI83EMT_R_hf7Q3g1ht9eXiyBm84ZRgxpSTmOK1WbyYrD4p1nvgMD-2nzB0LiQMbLptfeKzdyWQO1qtLwduLwipSPqbr7Sndlwld9f0KGerZHaDsnC8/s320/BookCover.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416996095?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416996095">Losing Faith</a> by Denise Jaden</div><div>The premise behind this book is very intriguing to me. Death. And cults. Sounds compelling! It's out on September 7th.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416996095" width="1" border="0" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399251634?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399251634">Sea</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399251634" width="1" border="0" /> by Heidi R. Kling</div><div>The setting of this book, post-tsunami Indonesia, is definitely one of the first things that drew me to this book. I found out about Sea after following the author on twitter, @<a href="http://twitter.com/heidirkling">HeidiRKling</a>. You should go follow her too! Bunches of fun. Coming in June!<br />---</div><div></div><div>I've also had the opportunity to read the following debut books. Reviews coming soon!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1606840177?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1606840177">The Cinderella Society</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1606840177" width="1" border="0" /> by Kay Cassidy<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160684038X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=160684038X">Brightly Woven</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=160684038X" width="1" border="0" /> by Alexandra Bracken<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061755710?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061755710">The Snowball Effect</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061755710" width="1" border="0" /> by Holly Nicole Hoxter<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599904314?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1599904314">The Mark</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1599904314" width="1" border="0" /> by Jen Nadol<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006167298X?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006167298X">Forget-Her-Nots</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006167298X" width="1" border="0" /> by Amy Brecount White<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803734956?ie=UTF8&tag=melasmusi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803734956">The Sky Is Everywhere</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=melasmusi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0803734956" width="1" border="0" /> by Jandy Nelson<br /><br />This challenge is going to be a lot of fun!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Post contains Amazon affililate links.</span> </div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672566746543778912.post-32811892040023954602010-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:002010-03-26T10:11:09.577-05:00The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGdHA-dwx3JChEo7lzYyYtgO7ipVSSItrREP9wS33-EiRdDGITfXbJ91YPVoQXT8KQSwRSlaXeRSND7dXCebTBetuA9pdNbqHYn7jVAHY9E-IDAyCo1kAJN_EtHkB5JJQYwt74uj8P6c/s1600/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452785929504501714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGdHA-dwx3JChEo7lzYyYtgO7ipVSSItrREP9wS33-EiRdDGITfXbJ91YPVoQXT8KQSwRSlaXeRSND7dXCebTBetuA9pdNbqHYn7jVAHY9E-IDAyCo1kAJN_EtHkB5JJQYwt74uj8P6c/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a> At the young age of 15, Catherine Howard has become engaged to the king. She will marry him. That is what she's been told by her family. That's what she does.<br /><br />But it's not quite that simple. In her marriage to King Henry, she must appear pure and virginal, which means she must leave behind her past, which isn't pure. She must also produce a male heir, quickly.<br /><br />As time passes and Catherine is still not with child, she takes desperate measures, at the insistence of her family and in fear for her own life. But soon danger heightens, and producing an heir becomes the least of Catherine's worries.<br />~~~<br /><br />A long time ago in fifth grade (which was actually not <em>that</em> long ago) I came across a book called <em>Elizabeth I: Red Rose of The House Of Tudor, England 1544</em> which was a part of <em>The Royal Diaries</em> series by Kathryn Lasky. In the back of that book, there were a couple pages showing all of King Henry's wives. I was fascinated. He had six wives! Six! I remember wanting to know more about his wives, but I never looked into it. Within a couple months I had forgotten.<br /><br />Then, a few months ago, I heard about <em>The King's Rose</em>, a historical fiction account about his fourth wive, Catherine Howard. I knew that I definitely wanted to read it, and when the chance came to review it as part of a <a href="http://travelingtoteenstours.weebly.com/">Traveling to Teens </a>tour, I was very excited.<br /><br />At first, I had a bit of trouble getting into this novel. There are a lot of characters introduced quite quickly, and it took me a couple chapters before I could get everyone straight in my head.<br /><br />Once I had that figured out, I absolutely loved it!<br /><br />Catherine is aquite captivating. She has the classic case of wanting that one thing that you can't have, despite the fact you have everything else. Yet I couldn't quite fault her for it. What she wanted was such a common thing for a girl her age to want, an all consuming love.<br /><br />Which brings me to another fact that intrigued me about Catherine; her age. She was only fifteen when she married the king. I'M fifteen, and I can't even imagine getting married, let alone to a king. I know that in that time period, it wasn't such an odd thing to get married young, but it still amazed me. To be put in such a position at such a young age, that had to be such a heady experience.<br /><br />All the other characters in this book were intriguing to read about as well, especially Catherine's family. By the end of the book, I really wanted to have at the duchess.<br /><br />The ending of this book was fabulous. Although I obviously wasn't a fan of what happened, the writing was amazing. It's one of those endings that you spend the next few days thinking about. I loved it.<br /><br /><em>The King's Rose</em> is a book I heartily recommend for historical fiction lovers.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229459722455431468noreply@blogger.com