Saturday Situation- Link up your Giveaways and Reviews

Happy New Years!  Are you sitting at home bored?  Well, here's your chance to find reviews of books you may want to read, and giveaways to enter!

 Saturday Situation is hosted by both Lori at Pure Imagination and myself.  It's a linky for Giveaways and Reviews (and whatever neglected posts you may have).  You'll find the same linky's at Pure Imagination, so don't enter them twice!

Keep in mind that you can add your links through the entire week.  

You can find this post again by clicking the button on the top right of my blog.  I'll try to keep it up to date to go to the newest Saturday Situation post.

PLEASE make sure you use the correct linky! Giveaways go in the BOTTOM one!

BOOK REVIEWS AND OTHER NEGLECTED POSTS

Example:
Name: Fallout Review
URL: http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/review-fallout-by-ellen-hopkins.html

BOOK RELATED GIVEAWAYS

Example:
Name: Middle Grade Giveaway- It's Raining Cupcakes and others Ends Sept 30th US Only
URL:http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/middle-grade-giveaway.html

Out With a Bang Readathon~Wrap up

Well, the Readathon is over, I'm sure I won't get any more read tonight.  But I'm fairly happy with what I got read. 
Day One I read Sleepless by Cyn Balog and It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder.
Day Two I read If I Stay by Gayle Forman
And Day Three I read Empty by Suzanne Wyen
All are shorter books, but I managed to do lots of things besides reading so it's still good!

I'm looking forward to reading Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog tomorrow which was on my original list. 
The Readathon was great fun and thank you at The Bookish Type and Book Savvy for hosting it! 

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Details: Hardcover, 215 pgs.
Published: July 13, 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
isbn: 038573848X (ISBN13: 9780385738484)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Won in contest

Description:
Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story.  It was unique and I liked the characters a lot.  I thought the story was wrote quite well and it moved along very quickly.  

The main character, Julia was very like-able and there were mysteries she hinted at but we didn't get the full story until later.  That kept me anxious, wanting to hear what had really happened.   And Eron was fantastic and so easy to picture.  I loved his personality and I thought the two of them were perfect for each other.   But I never knew where things were going to go.  Griffin, her boyfriend who passed away in the beginning was so unpredictable and at times I wanted to strangle him!  

I really loved that this entire story was completely unique and unlike anything I had ever read before.  It was very refreshing! 

I give this one 4/5 moons!

You can find the author on her website.

You can purchase at your favorite bookstore or through any of my affiliate links.  All commission made is used to fund contests.

Out With a Bang Readathon~ End of Day 2

So day 2 is nearly over and I didn't have the best reading day ever.  I did, however, get some new bookshelves!  So I spent a good bit of the day shopping for them and then once my hubby got the one set up, organizing it.  The other shelf is still sitting in the box. 
Anyway, I got If I Stay by Gayle Forman read.  Almost read anyway.  I'll definitely have it finished tonight.  So one book read!    That is three books total so far for the readathon. 
I'm not for sure what I'll read next but Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog is what I put on my original list.  My hubby is home today and tomorrow and that drastically cuts down my reading time but I hope to read at least 1 1/2 more books before the readathon is over. 

It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder

Details: Hardcover, 256 pgs (this is also available through Scholastic via the school system in paperback)
Published: March 9, 2010 by Aladdin

isbn: 1416990844 (ISBN13: 9781416990840)

Reading Level: Middle Grade

Source: Purchased 

Description:

Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of Oregon. She spends her free time in the library, reading and dreaming about faraway places. When her mom decides to open a cupcake shop in their little town of Willow, Isabel feels just like buttercream frosting to a cupcake-stuck. It seems as if it will be another disappointing summer, until Isabel learns of a baking contest. If she can come up with a winning recipe, she might have a chance of competing in the bake-off in New York City! But Isabel's best friend, Sophie, is also entering the contest, and things always seem to go Sophie's way. To make matters worse, Isabel and her mom don't exactly see eye-to-eye on the type of recipe Isabel should enter. In this sweet treat by popular teen author Lisa Schroeder, Isabel discovers that maybe it's not about where you go in life as much as it is about enjoying the view from wherever you are.

My Thoughts:

Woo hoo!  Lisa has done it again!  This book was very cute, with fantastic characterization, and an unbelievable story line.  And it wasn't fluff.  This was about a very realistic girl that has to deal with family issues.  No one dies or anything too drastic like that, but it's just normal family issues.  I think every 12 year old girl can relate in so many ways to  Isabel and the situations she's put in.  I really felt a connection to Isabel and her life even though I'm 29 years old and was never in any sort of situation like her.  I just really felt like she was easy to get.  And her whole family was!  Things weren't always easy for them and at times I wanted to scream at her mother, but the way Isabel handled things was realistic and showed what a great person she was.  

This book had cute cupcake names for each chapter, like Strawberry lemonade cupcakes (I've been craving strawberry lemonade since I read that chapter).  It also has fantastic recipe's that we can't wait to try out!  

I think this is a fantastic book for middle grade girls, but my daughter (who's 5) also enjoyed it a lot.  I only read her bits and pieces because I was so anxious to get through it, but this will definitely be a reread for us.  I think this would be a fantastic book for a reluctant reader.  It's easy to read and relate-able and it has life issues mixed in with a lot fun!

I've yet to be disappointed in Lisa's books (I've read every one!) and I can't wait to read more about Isabel.  In September, 2011 we get more and it's from Sophie's point of view and it's called Sprinkles and Secrets, YAY!

I definitely give it 5/5 moons!

You can find Lisa on her website.

You can purchase the book at your favorite bookstore or using any of my affiliate links.  All commission made is used to fund contests.

 

Buffalo on the Ridge by Deanna Meyer

Details: Paperback, 32 pgs.
Published: Aug. 27th, 2010 by Infinity Publishing 
isbn: 074146103X (ISBN13: 9780741461032)

Reading Level: Children

Source: Received from author for review

 

Description:

Buffalo on the Ridge, a fun and educational adventure book for young readers, will help parents teach their children about animals and the environment. A full color book!


Our Thoughts:

This book takes place in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I'm from the Black Hills so when I heard of this book I was really excited.  I don't live there any longer and I was thinking this might be the perfect book to remind my kids that that's where their Nana lives!  
I really thought it was a cute story and taught some good lessons.  One was to listen to your mother cause she really does know best!  It also teaches about animals and the environment.  There was a glossary in the back that tells all about the animals in the story and even the flowers and trees portrayed in the illustrations.  The story wasn't too long and was pretty fun to read aloud.  It wasn't rhyming or anything, but I didn't find reading it to be tedious.  
The pages are full color and very cute!  I really enjoyed pointing things out to the kids in the pictures and it actually did bring back memories of camping because I think she did quite well with the illustrations and in portraying the country side.  

I give this book 4/5 moons!

You can find Deanna Meyer at

Verso Graphics Blog Spot

Join Bo and Pete on Facebook

Buffalo on the Ridge official website

Buffalo on the Ridge Television Broadcast

You can purchase at Amazon, Infinity Publishing, and a few other online vendors.  It should be more readily available in the future.  

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge in return for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Out With a Bang Readathon~ End of Day 1

I did great for the first day!  I read Sleepless by Cyn Balog and It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder.  They are both fairly short books, but it was kind of a busy day here so it's definitely an accomplishment in my book!  I also managed to get out the emails to everyone participating in the New Years Reading Resolutions Giveaway Hop and that took a few hours.  I could have read a book in just the time I was doing that!  So, yes, happy.

I also started If I Stay by Gayle Forman and hope to get a little ways into it tonight.  After this I may read Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog.

 

Out With a Bang Readathon!

 I'm a bit late but I've decided to sign up for the Out With a Bang Readathon!  I've been cruising through books the past couple days so I feel like I'm on a roll.  Maybe joining in the Readathon will give me one more little push. This Readathon is hosted by The Bookish Type and Book-Savvy.  Just click the button above to read more about it!So my tentative reading list is:Sleepless by Cyn Balog Fairytale by Cyn Balog If I Stay by Gayle Forman After that I'm not sure... I'll keep you all up to date though!

Favorites read in 2010

2010 is nearly over and it's time to look through and see how many amazing books I've read this year.  This is the year I've read the most books and the most 5 star books by far!  I read SO many amazing ones that it was hard to pick my top 15, but I tried my best.  

Top 15 books read in 2010 (in no particular order):

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
This book was AMAZING and I couldn't put it down.  I thought it portrayed teenagers quite well and had an amazingly unique paranormal aspect.  It also had one of my hottest characters I think I've read about, Varen.  If you haven't read this one, pick it up now!
 

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
I put this one off forever.  I thought I would never enjoy a science fiction book about aliens.  But this book was unbelievable!  Yes, it had aliens, but really it was about humanity.  I highly recommend!
 

The Iron series by Julie Kagawa
Now I can't really just say one of the series, as I've read three and they were all great!  If you love faerie books, or even if you normally don't~ give this series a try!
 

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
OMG!  Talk about one of those love stories that has you on the edge of your seat!  This book makes you really think and really appreciate what you have.

Matched by Ally Condie
Another book that really makes you think.  I thought it was brilliantly wrote and has an amazing love story.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
It was the cover that drew me to this one but the story caught my attention right away!  I thought it was a unique take on werewolves and I can't wait for the remainder of this series!

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopkus
I won a signed copy from the author and although I was already excited to read it, that doubled the excitement.  Fortunately the story was amazing.  I thought the characters really stood out in this one.

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
I wanted this one to be my holiday read and I wasn't disappointed.  But what really was the best aspect was the characters.  They were AMAZING!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Hands down best romance of the year!  This was a realistic romance that grew from friendship into more.  And best of all~ it took place in Paris!

Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey
This is my favorite author and I find myself putting off reading her books because I'm terrified I'll run out of her books to read.  I tend to keep myself one year behind on her new releases so I don't stress out.  These are definitely adult books, but the world she creates is completely unbelievably amazing.

The Native Star by M.K. Hobson
This was a random buy.  I met the author at scifi authorfest and we hit it off quite well.  The cover was amazing so I got it.  Well, WOW!  This book was great!  It felt like a mixture of adult and young adult even though it was adult.  The romance completely blew me away!  (It's pretty appropriate for young adults too!)

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
I was lucky enough to get this one for Steampunk month and it was definitely one that stood out!  I loved the crazy and strange world that Cherie Priest created!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
This was a fantastic summer read.  I love to travel and loved the notes inside.  Brought back lots of road trip memories!

The Duff by Kody Keplinger
The characters in this book really stood out.  I thought Kody did an amazing job creating them and they definitely kept everything interesting!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Hands down my favorite angel book so far!  I loved the characters, the setting, the plot... everything went together perfect!

All the YA Books I gave 5 stars to:

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Wake, Fade and Gone by Lisa McMann

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Willow by Julia Hoban

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopkus

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Other by Karen Kincy

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Matched by Ally Condie

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

All the Adult Books I gave 5 stars to:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison

Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey

Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

The Native Star by M.K. Hobson

White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison