Book Blogger Hop (16) Followe Friday (15)

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jen at Crazy for Books.

This weeks question is...

How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?

I don't actually know. I think maybe 50. So it's manageable. I could get 50 books read by the end of the year. However, like most TBR piles it is ever growing. But that's ooooook.

Follow Friday is Hosted over at Parajunkee's View.

This weeks question is...

Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

I have two favourite genres. Romance of any kind, and Young adult. My favourite romance novel is Dirty by Megan Hart, that story breaks my heart every time I read it. But then it puts it back together. I love it. Hunter's Moon by OR Melling had been my favourite YA as a kid, and it is still dear to my heart. But I have also read some really great YA books in the last few months. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is up there, The Summer I Turned Pretty  By Jenny Han is also a possibility. There are many.

Happy Reading Everyone! 

My Thoughts: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.  
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

Believe it or not but I have never read anything by Megan McCafferty. Yes, I am totally admitting to having not read the Jessica Darling series, and after reading McCafferty's first official YA novel, Bumped, I am not sure that I will read the Jessica Darling series. It's hard to explain my exact feelings on this book. I liked it, sort of, there were some things that I did not like, and that could have possibly made me not like the book at all, almost to the point of thinking it wasn't a very good story.  I should mention that I have not read very many dystopian novels, as I am not a huge fan of the genre. But I have read a couple that I have enjoyed, and seeing as dystopian novels are growing in popularity in YA fiction, I will keep giving them a try.

The issues that I had with this novel stemmed mainly from the language. I did not like how complicated some of the language was, using words like reproaesthetical, I was sometimes confused with what the characters were talking about. This really irritated me. The language that McCafferty created for Bumped came across as very immature and trite to me. The vocabulary that was used by the characters did not add to the novel in any way, it actually cut into how I read the book. I would get stuck on a word and have to try and figure out what it meant. Which was hassle.

I thought the characters were ok. Not great. I liked Harmony (even though many thought she was annoying), I thought she was kind of funny, and endearing, regardless of her being incredibly naive. She was earnest and I enjoyed that about her. I was not fond of Melody, I found her to be very spoiled, which did not sit well with me. The guys in the story left me wanting. Although Zen was kind of funny. But again he was nothing special. Mediocre characters is what Bumped was filled with.

I did appreciate McCafferty's attempt to show that teenagers are not mature enough to be having babies. With all the television shows out there these days glamorizing teen pregnancy, this book showcases that having kids is a big responsibility, and that it's not something teenagers should have to take on. I also liked the idea of once a baby is there that you can't take care of, give him/her a couple who wants it SO badly but can' conceive themselves (although Bumped said this a little differently I think it was the general idea). I felt like this book was pro-adoption in it's own way.  I also liked how McCafferty brought to light how some faith groups can be so fanatical that they forget their grass roots, and what some people will do in the name of God-and how off they can be.

There were small things in this book that I appreciated however I don't think the execution was very smooth.  I am curious about what happens next in this series which is the only reason why I am considering the next book. But I don't know that I will read it. We'll see.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Book Blogger Hop (15) Follow Friday (14)

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jen at Crazy for Books.

This weeks question is...

“Who is the ONE author that you are DYING to meet?

I would love to meet Megan Hart. I think she would be really fun to have a conversation with. We could talk Supernatural and music. That would be cool.

Follow Friday is Hosted over at Parajunkee's View.

This weeks question is...

The magic book fairy pops out of your cereal box and says "you and your favorite character (from a book of course) can switch places!" Who are you going to switch with?

Isabelle Culpepper (The Wolves of Mercy Falls series)--I think she is one great character. She's got a hot attitude, but  at the same time she is also fiercely loyal. I love that about her. She's got wonderful friends, and a love interest (eh|?), that is pretty freaking hot (I am totally a Cole girl, and I can't wait till Forever to find out more about him).  I think it would be great to be here for a day.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Cover Love-All Fall Down by Megan Hart

In the midst of a chaotic midnight assembly, Sunshine is forced out into the darkness. Holding a scrap of paper scrawled with a stranger’s name and address, Sunny grasps the hands of her three small children and begins her escape.

Liesel Albright has dreamed of starting a family. She never bargained on inheriting one already in progress…or one so deeply damaged. When nineteen-year-old Sunshine appears on the Albright’s doorstep claiming Liesel’s husband Chris is her father, all they can think to offer is temporary shelter. The next day, they’re stunned by the news that the Family of Superior Bliss, led by a charismatic zealot, has committed mass suicide. Sunny and her children haven’t just left the compound–they’ve been left behind. Now, instead of a baby of her own, Liesel must play mother to the four survivors while Chris retreats into guilt and denial. For Sunny, however, a lifetime of teachings is not easily unlearned. No matter how hard she tries to forget, an ominous catechism echoes in her mind, urging her to finish what the Family started.

How incredibly gorgeous is that cover?

It is no secret that I love Megan Hart's writing. That Dirty is one of my most favourite books. She writes mostly romance/erotic fiction, however, it is tastefully done, and it doesn't feel raunchy. I love her style of writing and her character and plot build up. Her books make me happy. 

This year Hart ventured into what she termed "mainstream contemporary fiction" with her novel Precious and Fragile Things. I received the opportunity to read PAFT before release day and I loved it. Everything that I appreciate in Megan's writing could be found in PAFT. The plot, the characters, the dialogue. It was great. To read my thoughts go here. 

So I am very excited to see that Megan is again coming out with another contemporary novel-All Fall Down- and this one sounds even more intriguing then PAFT.  All Fall Down is set to be released in early 2010 (exact date has yet to be determined). I know I'll be first in line to buy it.


Happy Reading Everyone!

Book Blogger Hop (14) Follow Friday (13)

Follow Friday is hosted by Jen at Crazy for Books.

This weeks question is...

“Share your favorite post from the last month and tell us why it’s close to your heart!”

Last weekend I read Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. It was a pretty intense novel and I reviewed it this past week. I don't know if it's my favourite post, but it was a hard book for me to review. If you would like to read my thoughts on it please feel free. Or look it up on goodreads. This is a novel that everyone is going to be talking about for a long long time.  I would really encourage you to check the posts out.

 

Follow Friday is Hosted over at Parajunkee's View.

This weeks question is...

What are you doing to prepare for an upcoming zombie apocalypse and/or the return of Mel Gibson to the silver screen? (Both of which could be terrifying.)

Absolutely nothing. When the zombies come. I plan to join them. I like to be on the winning team.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Many Books in a Year: May

Wahoooo, I had an amazing month of reading. Once school was let out (I am taking a spring course but that's only one class) I was all about spending my extra time reading. I am working full time now, but all my friends have left the city/country this summer so I have LOADS of time to get lost in some far away land. I read eight books this months (YES!) and it feels good.  There were no audio books this month. I have a big paper due in June so I don't know that I'll have as good a month, but we'll see.  This puts me at 38 books this year. Not to shabby.

1) Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (My Thoughts)
2) Across the Universe by Beth Revis (My Thoughts)
3) Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
4) Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
5) Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (My Thoughts)
6) Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
7) Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (My Thoughts)
8) Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

Happy Reading Everyone!

Random Acts of Kindness.

 

WOW, what a month. This was the second time I participated in RAK hosted by Book Soulmates and boy was I spoiled! I sent out six books and received six. Compared to last month it was insanity.

I received:

From Bella at Cheezyfeet Books

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.

Thank you SO much Bella I can't wait ti read this one! Sierra also sent me an eBook of Paranormalcy.

From Sierra I also received

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

I am so stoked about this one. Thank you!

From Stephanie at Once Upon a Chapter

Desire Unchained by Larissa Unchained

I've read this and enjoyed it. Thanks Stephanie.

From Ruby at Ruby's Reads I received

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Whoop Whoop!

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

I've been coveting this book for a while now! 



I would to thank every single one of you for sending me these amazing gifts, I am speechless. And so totally excited! I can't wait to get these read.

I sent out:

To Bella at Cheezyfeet Books

• Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
• Darkness Becomes her by Kelly Keaton

To Ruby at Ruby's Reads

• Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

To Cindy at Princess Bookie

• Three to Tango (an anthologie) Feat-Emma Holly, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, and Bethany Kane 

To Ashley at Book Labyrinth

• Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
• Wither by Lauren DeStefano

I loved sending these books out and I am excited to keep going. I am planning on participating in June's RAK. You can find my wish list here or in the navigation bar above. I am eager to take a look at everyone's wish list to post a link below and I'll take a look.

Happy Reading Everyone!