New blog

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
It's been a while but I've decided to start fresh, along with my new YT name. It'd mean a lot to me if you'd follow me! :)

http://thebookishbelle.blogspot.com

Thanks so much!

Blog book sale

Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Hey ladies, I recently purchased a Kindle and no longer need these books anymore. I bought most of these new, though some are second hand but in excellent condition. All hardcovers are $5 and paperbacks are $3 unless noted. Shipping will be 2.50 per book. PP fees are not included. I take Paypal only. Thanks!

Hardcovers - $5
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (book 1)
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (no dust jacket) - $4 (book 2)
The Hollow by Jessica Verday
Jekel Loves Hyde - Beth Fantaskey
Deadly Little Lies - Laurie Faria Storlarz (book #2)
Deadly Little Games - Laurie Faria Stolarz (book 3)
Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
Linger - Maggie Stiefvater (will sell the set for $7)
What I Saw and How I Lied - Judy Blundell
Fallen - Lauren Kate
The Dark Devine - Bree Despain
The Maze Runner - James Dashner
Just Listen - Sarah Dessen
The Lying Game - Sara Shepard

Paperback $3
Haunted by Joy Preble
Willow - Julia Hoban
Posessions - Nancy Holder
This Lullaby - Sarah Dessen $2 - has slight water damage
Fall for Anything - Courney Summers (Advanced Reader's Copy)
Looking for Alaska - John Green
Night Runner - Max Turner
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
A Northern Light - Jennifer Donnelly
The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks (movie cover)

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Monday, April 4, 2011
Click here to go to this novel's Goodreads page!

This book was absolutely stunning! I adored every minute of it and I thought it was perfect. Sarah Ockler is such a talented author that really knows how to take the reader to another place. I felt everything Delilah felt, and I fell in love with Patrick right along with her.

The plot was great and I didn't see what she had planned coming at all. This is a wonderful novel of self discovery and growth, how relationships change and the true meaning of love, family, and forgiveness. If you've ever had a problem or fight with someone you love, I encourage you to read this book.

Gorgeous, gorgeous. A favorite ever, for sure.

5/5

The Sky is Everywhere - Jandy Nelson

Thursday, March 24, 2011
Click here to go to this novel's Goodreads page!

How can something so heartbreaking be told so beautifully? I thought this novel was gorgeous in it's imagery and the way the writer projects this story onto paper was really stunning. I absolutely loved Lennie's character, I completely got her. Everything she did or said I understood the premise behind it, even if she didn't.

The writing was effortless and smooth, it didn't even feel like reading. I felt like I was being told a story and I devoured it. There were so many times when I didn't want to put this book down. I can't believe this is Jandy's first novel...it's just amazing. I can't wait for many more of her books to come!

5/5

Where the Truth Lies - Jessica Warman

Monday, March 21, 2011
On the surface, Emily Meckler leads the perfect life. She has three best friends, two loving parents, and the ideal setup at the Connecticut prep school where her father is the headmaster. But Emily also suffers from devastating nightmares about fire and water, and nobody knows why. Then the enigmatic Del Sugar enters her life, and Emily is immediately swept away—but her passionate relationship with Del is just the first of many things that aren't quite what they seem in Emily's life. As the lies she's been told start to unravel, Emily must set out to discover the truth regarding her nightmare; on a journey that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about love, family, and her own idyllic past.
 
All I can say is yikes. This book was all kinds of bad for me. I thought it was great at first, but then things just got worse. I'm really into character development and this didn't have that at all. Things escalated very quickly and I didn't feel connected to the characters like I wanted to.

The writing was good, I just felt like the plot left something to be desired. The summary was amazing but it didn't turn out the way I thought it should've. I really felt like there was something missing and there were many loose ends. Maybe there's a second novel in the works? I don't know. I do know though that this book left a lot to be desired from the middle on and I was pretty disappointed.

2/5

What's in my Mailbox? (3/20/11)

Sunday, March 20, 2011
 In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren!


Just went to the library this week - broke as a joke from last book haul! ;)
Fixing Delilah - Sarah Ockler
Annexed - Sharon Dogar
Sky is Everywhere, The - Jandy Nelson
Slice of Cherry - Dia Reeves
Where the Truth Lies - Jessica Warman
Take Me There - Carolee Dean

Slice of Cherry - Dia Reeves

 
Happiness is a bloody knife.

It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities….

I was pleasantly surprised with this novel and I'm glad I decided to pick it up! The writing was amazing (as always) and I thought Kit and Fancy were two of the most interesting characters I've ever read about. I was so addicted to getting more insight about them that I was finished with the book in a few sittings!

Bleeding Violet was the first book by Dia and I loved the idea behind it. I think I liked this one more though! I liked Kit and Fancy's relationship (however toxic and odd it may have been) and their interactions were delicious. ;) I love how non-nonchalant they were about their killings and who they killed.

Go get this book, it's addictive.

4/5

What's in my Mailbox? (3/6/11)

Sunday, March 6, 2011
It's been quite a while, I know!


 In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren
 
 
 
Elixir by Hilary Duff
Afterlife by Claudia Gray
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Haunted by Joy Preble*
Ruined bindup by Simone Elkeles
The Back Door of Midnight by Elizabeth Chandler
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

*I was contacted by Joy Preble through Goodreads. She had seen my review of Dreaming Anastasia on Youtube and her publishers took my suggestion that the diary text was hard to read and changed it in the reprinting of the book. Joy was sweet enough to send me a signed copy of Haunted as a thank you. How awesome is that?!
 

Afterlife by Claudia Gray


I've been a fan of the Evernight series from day one. Claudia Gray is a great author and really knows how to throw a reader around, in a good way! The writing was really good and kept me wanting to keep reading. One thing I did find annoying, was she continued to say 'this would've been funny if it wasn't so serious' and wording it in about a dozen different ways. I found that a little tiresome to read, but other than that it was very enjoyable.

I really loved the twists in the plot and I appreciated it very much. The ending wasn't very good for me, as an ending to a four book series it felt a little weak. It fixed things a little too much. I know that there are still going to be complications, but I still felt everything worked out too perfectly.

I will always be team Balthazar. <3 I can't wait to hear about his story coming in 2012 (way too long!)

4/5

Long time no see...

Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hey guys! So sorry it's been so long since I've made a post, been really busy and also haven't been much into reading. My love and obsession however, is back and bigger than ever. Hopefully I'll be caught up with video reviews this weekend!

[not posting summary to avoid spoiling others]

I have really enjoyed the Touch series and this novel is no exception. There were some things I didn't care for, but overall, this book is a must read if you like paranormal romances.

The writing was great, as it always has been. I feel like the characters got a little more depth with them as they mature in the series. I have to say though, Wes and Kimmie totally stole the show away from Camelia and Ben in my opinion. They are SO funny and so imperfectly perfect that I want to put them in my pocket.

The suspense was really good as well. Though I did have an inkling as to whodunit, I thought the audio transcriptions and crosswords were very clever and a good way to keep the reader going.

The ending was a little cheesy for me, and predictable, but I still am looking forward to Deadly Little Voices, due to come in November of 2011.

4/5

The Ghost and the Goth - Stacey Kade

Thursday, February 3, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! It was a very fast and fun read, a nice break after something as serious and action-packed as Nightshade. I was a little worried about how I'd like Alona, but she didn't bother me too much. As the novel progressed, I began to like her more. Will was another story - I loved him from the beginning and want him to be mine. ;]

The end was great and not what I was expecting at all, which was a very pleasant surprise. I thought the writing was great and the characters all added something. I didn't know how I felt about Joonie though, I'm still working my feelings out on her.

Great book overall, I also didn't know Stacey was an 'older' author. She knows the whole teen speak and what's going on in latest times very well. I'm impressed! I'm looking forward to reading Queen of the Dead, which is supposed to come out June 7th, 2011!

4/5

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

I thought this novel was great! I was a little disappointed in the ending, but that didn't deter me from giving it a solid 5 stars! I loved the characters in this story, and I loved the solid plot. As I read, I could truly tell that the author knew everything but was only telling me what she wanted me to know.

The writing style was great and I thought all the characters were strong and very independent personalities. Nothing is worse when the characters blend in with each other and make for just background. I didn't love Ren's character but I complete understood him and appreciated him at the end. I think my favorites were Nev, Mason, Bryn, and Ansel...they were so sweet and amazing. Calla was a great character too, but I wasn't a fan of how she really played up on the emotions of the two boys.

Overall, the plot was great, fast-paced, and I sped through the book because I couldn't put it down! Grab this one as fast as you can!

5/5

Jane by April Linder

Saturday, January 29, 2011
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.

From the second I saw the cover of this book and that the author was inspired by Jane Eyre, I HAD to read this one. When I picked it up, I immediately was drawn to it. The idea of this novel was brilliant, and I liked how the author modernized it from the original. I liked Jane in the beginning, I felt like she was honest and had a firm hold on what her beliefs were.

With that being said, the book started to go a little downhill for me in the middle. The simplest way I can explain it is I wanted more. I wanted more interaction and discussions between Jane and Maddy, I wanted more of the 'forbidden romance' between Nico and Jane, it just seemed to be lacking.

I sort of liked Nico, but I felt like the author took away everything about Mr. Rochester and changed it except the jerkish qualities. I felt Nico was a whiny brat who always wanted his way, He used women to make Jane jealous, and was pretty possessive over her in a scary way. Mr. Rochester is one of the most romantic characters in literature and I don't think he was given justice.

Overall, I still really did like the book. I think someone who hasn't read Jane Eyre first would probably enjoy it more, I found myself constantly comparing to the classic and I wish I hadn't of done that.

4/5!

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sorry I've been MIA guys! I was really sick with pneumonia and couldn't even think much less read ;)


I was so stoked to read this book - I'd been waiting since Hush Hush flew into my heart. This novel however, wasn't what I was expecting. It started off okay, and then things got bad when  Nora and Patch decided to split. How in the world did Nora turn into this hypocritical, manic depressive, stalker?! I understand the pain she was feeling but she brought it onto herself.

I felt like Nora was deserting all her friends and goes into her own little cove of depression and jealousy. She was a lousy friend and I felt Vee and Patch didn't deserve her. I loved Nora in Hush Hush, but in this book she seemed more desperate and contradictory. She wanted Patch to go away and not be her guardian angel, but then she does dangerous things to test him? Eh?!

I thought the writing was good, I think my biggest problem was with Nora and the ending. I (above most, even) appreciate a good cliffhanger. I think this author went a little overboard. The cliffhanger was so abrupt that I thought too many loose ends weren't tied and she wanted to finish just to meet a dead line. I'm still looking forward to Tempest, and hope Nora is better.

3/5

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Saturday, January 1, 2011
I still can't believe it's 2011 already! Where has this year gone?! We're moving on and now we're in another year of books. Speaking of which, I'm proud to announce The Bookie Bunch's first review of 2011!

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. 

I'm thrilled this was my first read of the 2011 Book Challenge! It was a great read with intelligent writing and clever wit. I enjoyed Varen and Isobel as characters, I felt like they weren't what they seemed and they had some substance to them. Varen especially was a character I really wanted to get to know and felt like I'd learn more as I peeled the layers.

I loved how the author mixed in poems of Edgar Allen Poe, along with some of Varen's original writings. That was one of the main reasons I wanted this novel, I was intrigued how she would pull it off. The plot was really good and I thought the ending was wonderful.

4.5/5!