Bloody Bookaholic

It’s midnight. On a school night. And I’m writing a post. Amazing, right? Well, coffee isn’t the best thing to have before going to bed. My excuse: I was cold and the only warm drink within reach was coffee. A piss poor excuse? Absolutely! But that’s just me.

So, the actual purpose to this post is to spread the word about Bloody Bookaholic’s Christmas/Hanukkah/Whatever You Believe in Blowout! And what do the winners receive? Well this is my favorite part. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a contest this big. Anyway, back to the prizes.

* 3 Winners *
Winner Number 1 Gets 3 Books, A Ninja Gift Card... And a Borders gift card with 30$ or more.
Winner Number 2 Gets 3 Books Plus a Ninja Gift Card.
Winner Number 3 Gets 1 Book Plus a Ninja Gift Card.
That's not all...
Random winners will be drawn at the end. Though it's a mystery how many will be drawn and what the prizes will be.

So, yes. This is a very big contest, and if I were you, I would head on over to her website and learn how to enter for a chance to win. Click here for Bloody Bookaholic’s page.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Unfortunately, it’s over and we all go back to school/work/reality tomorrow. *sigh* I wish weekends could go on forever. I would spend my days reading, drinking Starbucks, and writing whatever came to mind. All my favorite things. :)

~Brianne

Books, Books, Books...

At the moment, there are many books on my shelf that are crying for attention. I plan to read them soon, but I really can’t help my excitement when I hear about a new book that really catches my attention. Some are or have been in bookstores for a while now, but others haven’t come out yet.

Books that I’m excited to read, though they’ve been out for a while:


Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher-

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. (Side Note - The cover alone had me curious. Then I read the synopsis and was hooked. I need to read this book.)


I know it's over by C.K. Kelly Martin-

Pure. Unplanned. Perfect. Those were Nick's summer plans before Sasha stepped into the picture. With the collateral damage from his parent's divorce still settling and Dani (his girl of the moment) up for nearly anything, complications are the last thing he needs. All that changes, though, when Nick runs into Sasha at the beach in July. Suddenly he's neck-deep in a relationship and surprised to find he doesn't mind in the least. But Nick's world shifts again when Sasha breaks up with him. Then weeks later, while Nick's still reeling from the breakup, she turns up at his doorstep and tells him she's pregnant, and with his emotions and hopes crashing in around him, Nick finds himself struggling once more to understand the girl he can't stop caring for, the girl who insists that it's still over. (Side Note - I’ve always been curious about how a guy would react in such a situation as this. Which is mainly why I’ve been wanting to read this book. But I read a couple reviews on it and heard that Nick has a powerful voice, which is a huge plus.)


Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti-

Derek is clearly the boy Marisa has been waiting for, but there's just one problem. He has a girlfriend. Nash, Marisa's neighbor and childhood friend, is totally geeked out, with zero boyfriend potential. So of course Nash wants to take his friendship with Marisa to the next level. Beyond her boy drama, Marisa is also dealing with overcoming a major problem from her past, a family that's falling apart, and a best friend who won't stop talking to sketchy guys online. Only the anonymous DJ, who has the school hooked on his underground podcasts, seems to get what Marisa's going through. But she has no idea who he is...or does she? (Side Note - I realize this sounds average, but Susane Colasanti is amazing. In her first two books, Take Me There and When is Happens, her characters amazed me. The writing, character development, and unique voice of each of her characters make her one of my favorite authors. I think I may write a review of When if Happens, though I read it a while ago. Still, I feel that it’s necessary to give such an amazing book credit for simply being amazing.)


Okay, these are some of the books that have yet to come out, but I’m definitely excited for them.

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Shroeder-

Restless souls and empty hearts Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams. Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface. As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest. (Side Note - This looks amazing. I really just can’t wait. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing.)



But really, I need to be focusing on my book shelf books. They look at me with such sad eyes. I feel guilty; like I’m cheating on them with newer books. ;)


Oh, I’ve also signed up for the 100+ Reading Challenge. If you’d like to sign up for the 100+ Reading Challenge, head over to J. Kaye’s Book Blog.

It's time to start using my Library card more, too! I'll be overlapping this challenge with the Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge. You can find more information about this challenge on J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Fun challenges over there!

~Brianne

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I do believe the last time I was one here, I promised to post more. Well, that was back in September. I am definitely disappointed in myself for not making more time for this. I always have the excuse of homework - which is true - but it sounds so lame. The problem is laziness. I am reading a lot and making mental notes in which to go over in future reviews, but that does no good if I never write them. So, - though my promises are no longer worth anything - I am going to start posting more. To start off, I have my Catching Fire review.


Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Number of Pages: 391
Rating: 5/5
Strongly Recomended


Summery: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumours of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Review: If you read The Hunger Games, then you already know what an amazing writer and story teller Suzanne Collins is. But the question isn’t whether she can write a good book. The question is whether she can satisfy her readers with a sequel. The answer is yes. She can not only satisfy her readers, but go above and beyond.
Catching Fire was better than what I was expecting. The second book in any series is generally not as good as the first. But Catching Fire is an exception. The same amount of passion, anxiety, and adventure is in this installment in the series as the very first. Similar to the first book, the twists and turns in plot are completely unexpected. Usually adding to the overall suspense.

I really don’t want to give anything away if you haven’t read it, but a comment on the ending is a must. If you’ve read The Hunger Games, then you know about the insane cliff hanger ending. Expect the same thing when reading Catching Fire. It will infuriate you. The need to know what happens next will eat away at you until insanity overtakes you. ;)

This book is recommended above everything else. If you haven’t read The Hunger Games, I would advise you read that first and then continue on to this one. Whether or not you like to read doesn’t even matter. The story, characters, writing, - everything! - is simply amazing. Everyone should read this series. Everyone.

So Long

It has been such a long time sense I’ve posted anything. Summer laziness got the best of me. I never did finish the books I started. Those include: Tweak by Nic Sheff, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, and The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I will eventually finish all three of them, but I get off task trying to read so many books at one time. So I left those three aside and read a two other books instead. When It Happens by Susane Colasanti, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I’ll be sure to write reviews on both of these fabulous books as soon as possible. Obviously, school is back in session and high school does not take pity on those who have no free time, what with all the homework that is given out. *sigh*


Oh, I’ve decided this blog won’t be just about books. I’m adding anything really that interests me and that may interest other people.Example: TRUE BLOOD.

I have to say, after watching season two, I am even more in love with it. Season one was amazing, but season two… Words do not describe. Much more blood, drama, and humor. The creativity in this season is so off the wall. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend watching it! It’s addicting, really. I can’t stop watching it.

Technically, True Blood was a book first, but you get the point. ;)
I’ll write the review for Catching Fire soon. Probably tomorrow if I have time.


~Brianne

My Reading List

It’s becoming ridiculous, really. My book list is huge. The more I check up on other book bloggers, the longer the list gets. There are just so many good books out there. I was hoping to finish my book list this summer, but I know now that it won’t be possible. There’s just not enough time. It’s safe to say that the list will spill into the school year.

Right now I’m reading Tweak by Nic Sheff. It’s a true story about a drug addict. I’m only eighty pages in and there has already been some very disturbing content. It’s to be expected, so I shouldn’t be too surprised.

The next book I’ll be reading is Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I know, I know, it’s an older book. I just got around to buying it at Changing Hands. It was deep discount, which is mainly why I bought it. I heard some goods things about it and just thought, “What the heck. Why not.”

After that, I plan on buying The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I am most looking forward to this. It looks amazing…

Audrey Niffenegger’s innovative debut, The Time Traveler’s Wife, is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself misplaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity in his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

The Time Traveler’s Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare’s marriage and their passionate love for each other as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals—steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

I’m excited to read this. It looks original and fresh.

Anyway, review of Tweak will be coming soon.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Title: Evermore
Author: Alyson Noel
Number of Pages: 301
Rating: 3.5/5

SummerySince a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

ReviewWhen I read the summery of this book, I expected it to be dark, mysterious, and maybe even a little romantic. Although my expectations were not exactly met, it was still a great book. Not as dark as I would have liked, and definitely not as romantic as I initially thought. But the mystique was a totally different story. It exceeded my expectations. Alyson Noel did an amazing job at keeping the mystery in the book until the very last page. Very well written.

Ever was a well developed character. Her thoughts and actions seemed very realistic for the situation she was in. Though towards the end, her selfishness and stubbornness got a little old. One thing that I really loved about her was that she was willing to go against Damen when she thought him to be a vampire. It reminded me of Twilight, when Bella said it didn’t matter if he was a vampire. That it didn’t matter what he ate. Well Ever seemed to be a lot more realistic than Bella and I loved that.

Okay, Damen is a different story. I’m not sure why, but I just didn’t fall for him like Ever did. I’ve been pondering why that is for a while now. Unfortunately, I have come up empty handed. My only guess was that it all seemed very ‘typical high school dating.’ If that makes sense. Of course, that’s what Ever wanted. A normal high school life. Which makes sense for a girl in her situation. But it just wasn’t the sort of thing I could easily fall for.

Other than that, the book was pretty good. The writing was amazing. The flow and speed of the book was flawless.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones - Book One of Mortal Instruments Series
Author: Cassandra Clare
Number of Pages: 485
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Strongly Recomended


SummeryWhen fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

ReviewCity of Bones was a definite thrill ride for me. From the very first page, I was addicted. Cassandra Clare did an amazing job with making the whole ‘fantasy world’ seem believable. It seemed so very real to me. It pained me whenever I was forced to put the book down. But when I wasn’t reading it, I was definitely thinking about it. My mind was unable to focus on anything else. It simply amazed me.

Clary was such a strong character. I loved that she didn’t give in, that she stayed firm on her decisions. She didn’t seem weak and I loved that about her. She did what she wanted and didn’t let anyone come in the way of that. Keeping her own secrets and not blurting out every little thing she felt or thought made her less susceptible to vulnerability. There’s nothing more frustrating than a weak, vulnerable, push over of a main character. I’m happy to say that Cassandra Clare had the sense to make Clary a fighter.

Another character that I adored was Jace. I doubt that anyone can actually read this book and not love him. Everything about this boy is breath taking. His smart ass remarks, his shield that lets no one see what he was actually feeling, and the way he softened himself for Clary. I could go on and on about all the things I love about him, but you’ll just have to take my word that he’s amazing.

Not only were the characters captivating, but the story line and natural flow to the book was flawless. Unbelievably well balanced. Everything helped to move the story along, making it impossible to find a good place to stop. Stopping is physically painful to do. I always needed to know what happened next. Always.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes to be entertained. Which is everyone. This is a magnificent piece of work that should be given a standing ovation. Cassandra Clare is a genius.