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Melanie's Musings has moved to Wordpress and a new server!
The fab new layout and latest posts can be found at http://www.melaniesmusings.net/
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!
And if you'd help me spread the word about my move, I'd really appreciate it!
Hey 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 wishlist on amazon, 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
Hardcovers:
Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
The Tear Collector by Patrich Jones
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Today I Will by Eileen and Jerry Spinelli
Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber
Role of a Lifetime by James Brown
Days of Little Texas by R.A. Nelson
Dog Spelled Backwards by Mordecai Siegal
Jessica's Guide to Dating on The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Ana's Story by Jenna Bush
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Pathway by Laurel Mellin
ARCs:
Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Paperbacks:
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan
Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan
The Confessions of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street
Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Keeping In Line by Courtney Brandt
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Border Crossing by Jessica Lee Anderson
Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris
Wretched (this is my sorry) by Katherine Marple
The Gand Hotel by Mary Davis
Sweet Violet by Catherine Palmer
Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner
Wild Heather by Catherine Palmer
Fighting For Tony by Mary Callahan
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella
Beneath A Southern Sky by Deborah Raney
Home Another Way by Christa Parrish
Isolation by Travis Thrasher
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson
The Gathering Dawn by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford
Girl In The Mirror by Denise Crittendon
Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter
Post Grad by Emily Cassel
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
The Fields of Glory by Gilbert Morris
A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick
Once again, my email is melanie@melaniesmusings.net. Looking forward to hearing from you! :)
I don't know about you, but I have some pretty bad habits. Lately, one particular habit's been getting worse. This one:
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplbutrfly/ / CC BY 2.0
Leaving the keys in the door. On the outside. I'm not sure when this started, or why, but I obviously need to stop.
What about you? Any odd habits that you can't seem to kick?
I think the summary from Goodreads does a great job summing up this novel:
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.
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.
Wanderer's thoughts on the human race were probably more accurate than I'd like to admit, and I really enjoyed reading them.
My favorite aspect of The Host
I would have loved to have a map of the cave in the book, but I was able to make due without one.
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.
As someone who hasn't read much science fiction, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Host
This post contains amazon affiliate links.
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.
I'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.
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.
immediately. As well as attracting me to the book, it also turned out to be a perfect fit. 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.
I've already read a couple books suited for this challenge this year; Suite Scarlett
Some of the books I'm hoping to read for the challenge are:
City of Bones
The Hunger Games
Wicked Lovely
Welcome to another day here at Melanie's Musings! Hope your week has been going fabulously. Since today is Wednesday, it's time for Waiting on Wednesday, a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight one book that we, well, can barely stand waiting for!
Summary from Goodreads:
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.
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.
I'm a huge fan of The Luxe and Rumors (click the links to read my reviews), the first two books in The Luxe series. Envy was sadly disappointing for me, but I've got a copy of Splendor on its way to me! The way I see it, by the time I read Splendor, there'll be just enough time to eagerly anticipate Bright Young Things
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but I've never read any set in the 1920s. It sounds great!
*Amazon affiliate link
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.
Crazy is NOT an understatement.
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.
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.
Post Grad* definitely takes you for a ride. One that I really enjoyed.
*Amazon affiliate link
It's Spring Break for me, my friends! Happy days are here again!
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.
So, be expecting a bit more posting in the next few weeks, as well as a few contests.
Thanks for hanging out with me! ;)
Melanie
If you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, or watched one of the movie adaptations, this review contains spoilers.
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.
In Loving Mr. Darcy, 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!
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.
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 FAQ on Sharon Lathan's website. Still, it was a little hard, at times, to stay into the novel, but those times were far between.
Readers should be aware that this book, like its predecessor Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, 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.
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.
Loving Mr. Darcy
If you'd like more info on The Darcy Saga, be sure to check out Sharon Lathan's website:
http://www.sharonlathan.net/
Hi guys and gals! Today, I have an interview with Estevan Vega, author of Arson. Hope you enjoy!
From Goodreads: 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.
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.
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.
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.
As Jenna grows as a character, the writing becomes more lyrical. Through the final chapters of the book, it was amazing. Sweethearts 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.
Although Once Was Lost is my favorite of the two books I've read by Sara Zarr thus far (I have a copy of Story of A Girl on its way!), Sweethearts was a worthwhile read with one of the most gorgeous endings I've ever read.
Here's a couple books I'm waiting on this week! WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. Summaries from Goodreads. :)
by April Lindner
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.
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.
----
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.
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.
Some Girls Are* 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 
This book was reviewed as part of an Other Shelf Tour.
*Amazon affiliate links
In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Great week of books for me!
From Yan at Books By Their Cover:
Fireworks Over Toccoa
In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth -The chapters in this book seem to all be a bit on the shorter side: 3-10 pages.
by Abby McDonald -Such a long title.
by Julia Hoban -I've heard so many great things about this one!
by Emily Horner - Contains a musical called Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad. Need I say more?
My business cards! Designed by Anna at Book Nerds. They are so awesome, and they match my upcoming site design! I love 'em.
So... What do you think?
Why hello there, lovely person.
Last weekend, my parents and I took a weekend trip to Natchez, MS. It was awesome! A few of my favorite pictures (click to enlarge):
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.
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.
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. Dedication* is one book I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel to.
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.
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.
*Amazon affiliate link
* releases tomorrow on May 4th, so you can find out then!
by Francine Rivers
by Kody Keplinger
by C.J. Omololu -From what I've heard, it's intense.
