Bookified : Leah Cypess

Since Kim’s blog is all about books and reading, I thought I’d talk about some of my favorite books. There are several dozen of those, so I’m going to narrow it down to “books I have read at least five times.” That means there won’t be any recent publications on this list, since these days I barely have time to read all thegreat-sounding books out there even once! On the plus side, if anyone’s moved to read any of these books based on my recommendation,they’ll all probably be at your library without long hold lists attached to them.

1] The Belgariad and the Malloreon by David Eddings. Ten books encompassing a long, sprawling high fantasy epic about a humble farmboy with a hidden destiny, knights and sorcerers, feuding gods,and an epic battle between good and evil. And also lines like these:

"I like nice, simple situations and nice, easy solutions," said Belgarath.

"Good and Evil?" Durnik suggested.

"That's a difficult one, Durnik. I prefer 'them and us.' That clears away all
the excess baggage and allows you to get right down tocases."

I can recite entire scenes by heart and still laugh every time I read them. I love the sprawling high fantasy drama, of course, but what really makes these books stand out is the humor.

2] Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk. This book is a little controversial, because some critics think its central message is about women's abilities (or lack thereof); but to me, this is a book about growing up, about not being blinded by glamor, and about being careful to pick dreams that match your talents. Also, the most realistic bad-boy romance ever.

3] Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. Anne of Green Gables gets all the attention – and admittedly, she was fabulous – but in my mind, she had nothing on Emily. First of all, Emily was a writer… I guess Idon’t have to explain why that appealed to me. Second of all, Emily had the Sight, making these books borderline fantasy (and really,really spooky at times). Third of all, as best friends go, Anne’s Diana has nothing on Emily’s Ilse. (The description of their first fight is one of the most slyly humorous things I have ever read.) To me, the appeal kind of filtered out by the third book of the “Emily”trilogy, especially with the introduction of a romantic interest thatI found a little sleazy. But the first one will always be one of my most-loved books ever.

About five more books have now popped into my mind, but I’ll leave them in my mind (where they have plenty of company) before I end up writing a dissertation and making Kim regret inviting me to do a guestpost. Thanks, Kim!

Thanks for stopping by, Leah! :D I really loved your book.

To check out my review of Mistwood by Leah Cypess, please click here. To learn more about Leah Cypess, please go to her official website.

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod. But when she is needed she always comes. Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have. Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat. Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them. Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Review: This was UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING AND BRILLIANT. I am at a loss of words at how it left me. I never knew what was coming, and all the characters were so well rounded that they left me yelling at the pages when every chapter ended although I would have liked the secondary characters explored a bit more.

I just HAD to find out what would happen next. Not reading it would be like an a drug addict quitting on drugs--bad comparison, but really, I couldn't stop reading. In all the pages, it packs suspense and mystery. It was rivetting going through everything Isabel went through throughout the book as she discovered herself.

I never expected to like it this much, not to mention love it. Even though toward the end it became a teensy bit predictable, I didn't really care. The plot is indeed amazing with subtle romance and a great big hunk of mystery.

Definitely appealing. I really recommend this to everyone! On the back of the book, it says "For fans of Kristin Cashore..." I could see how it was similar with a girl protecting a prince and all, but it is surely really, really special in its own way. I have been told not to compare books by completely different authors so I'll just shut up for now. Shift-shapers are now my favorite supernatural creatures!

What I thought of...

The Beginning: I was a bit confused--like Isabel--but I think that was how it was supposed to be.

The Middle: Lots of jaw-dropping and nonstop screaming (seriously!). There were so many things I did not expect. For one, WHY THE HECK WAS I YELLING AT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS? I had to take a few seconds to calm down. I was tweeting along while I read...and had a few people ask what on earth was I doing...hehe...

The End: I think this was what I should expected. It was a bit open, and I'm willing to beg for a continuation, but it fit the book.

This is another YA debut! :) Definitely going to buy it when it releases.

FTC: received from publisher to review.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: "A serial killer on the loose. A girl with a morbid ability. And the boy who would never let anything happen to her. Violet Ambrose can find the dead. Or at least, those who have been murdered. She can sense the echoes they leave behind... and the imprints they leave on their killers. As if that weren't enough to deal with during junior year, she also has a sudden, inexplicable, and consuming crush on her best friend since childhood, Jay Heaton. Now a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town... and she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.


Review: If I could describe my experience reading this I would say:

I. Died. O_O

This book was intense, with its oozing suspense towards the end and the romance that was present throughout the book. I would have liked to see more about the serial killer though. Most of the book was about Jay and Violet's struggle about their feelings for each other, which is great, but it kind of put down the suspense a bit. But the characters were definitely created so perfectly--which is the bright side of it all! I love, love, love Jay and Violet.

Moving onto the suspense...The scary excerpts following the serial killer was creepy in the best way, sometimes even making my skin crawl. As more dead bodies are found, you can't NOT turn the page as fast as I did. I am amazed at the idea of a girl sensing dead bodies. I think that was what pulled me in. There was a whole lot of mystery, increasing my urge to just finish it already. Once you start it, you won't be able to drop the book. It's THAT good. This is another amazing YA debut.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: This was one of those rare books where a lot of background information in the beginning didn't make the book boring. I felt it NEEDED to be there.

The Middle: If you ask people I was talking to while reading this part, they'd tell you I wanted to slap a couple of people. Someone even told me I was weird for yelling at the characters. HOW CAN YOU NOT? GET ON WITH LOVING EACH OTHER ALREADY!! WOULD THEY END UP TOGETHER? Those were my thoughts...I know, I'm odd...

More dead bodies, and the parts with the killer just creeped me out so much because he didn't feel any remorse at all. O_O

The End: Never have I been so worried in my life that this could end badly. But it didn't. LOVED IT.

FTC: received from publisher for review.

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Beautiful by Amy Reed
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: When thirteen-year-old Cassie moves to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. She chooses some dangerous new friends and is quickly caught up in their fast-paced world of drugs, sex, secrets, and cruelty.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. She embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, starts sleeping with an older boy, and gets pulled into a twisted friendship triangle that is tinged with violence and abuse. Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral, and there's no turning back.

Review: Beautiful was beautiful in its raw and intensifying way. Cassie is only 13 which throws me off a bit because of how out of control she is described in the synopsis. Seventh grade isn't too far if I travel down the road because I'm really just about 2 years older, and I do know it is the time when girls try to rediscover themselves. The way Cassie did anything she could in order to be liked shocked me. This book sucked me in from page 1. It was dark and had a disturbing edge. The writing was clear which made the story easier to comprehend. Just beautiful.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: We get a nice introduction, but Alex...oh Alex...how I want to kill her right then. Just when I started a couple of pages.

The Middle: The change Cassie goes through from page 1 to now was very disturbing--and yet captivating. (Really bizarre O_O)

The End: Wow. Just wow. O_O

FTC: Received for Other Shelf Tours

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Review: Angela Morrison has a way with words. I am amazed at the beauty of this wonderful story. As I reached the middle, I kind of guessed what the secret was, but I didn't want it to be true. Even though it came to be true, I still loved this story nonetheless. Normally, I don't like depressing books, but with this one, a light shines through the end with hope. Heartwrenching--that's what it was. There is a bright and tragic side to this beautiful story, and to find out what that tragedy is, you just have to read the book.

I love the author note at the end because it tells you why this story was told.

I didn't cry (but then again, I've only cried once for a book), but I know many others that have. If you are looking for a heartwrenching and divine story, look no further. This is it.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: It was sad seeing how everyone treated Beth. I adored the whole concept of the choir. However, I found the makeover of Beth to be a bit unrealistic.

The Middle: Finally know how the title of the book came to be. Possibly half of this segment is filled with happiness while the other delivers some truly depressing news. Look for the little hints.

The End: I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. It was realistically portrayed.

FTC: received ARC for Around the World Tours

The Aelf Club: Unity by Stuart Brooke Richardson

The Aelf Club: Unity by Stuart Brooke Richardson
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis: Sara DeVere is special – but until her thirteenth birthday she had no earthly idea why. As she enters the eighth grade, Sara begins a mind-bending journey into the unknown – a journey that will eventually lead her to her destiny with a group of extraordinary friends, and with two unique teachers who come to share a deep secret with Sara. As the storyline progresses, our heroine is faced with some of the greatest tests one could possibly endure – not the least of which includes falling victim to the evil of a rapidly growing global threat. But in the company of good friends her will is strengthened, along with her growing knowledge of ancient Secrets – and the wisdom to use such knowledge in the fight for justice. “Unity” – the first volume in “The Aelf Club” series.

Review: This book has a lot of promise, but it didn't appeal to me due to some parts that dragged out a bit, parts that didn't seem necessary for me. The whole apsect of the book is something to watch for though. It packs a lot of great points such as how Sara is struggling with life. It is fast paced, so I suppose that is a positive point. If you love books with the element of adventures and finding yourself, you will like this book! The cover doesn't lure the reader in, but reading the book is not a regret. I might not have loved it, but it was a good book nonetheless.

FTC: Received to review from OST a few months ago :)

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.

But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

Review: If I could describe Shadow Hills in three words, I would say: refreshing, beautiful, and captivating…it will capture your attention through most of its entirety. Phe is now one of my favorite characters all time (Funny because when I took the character quiz a few months ago, I got her…)

I loved how the plot was played out. Although there are parts that are a teensy bit predictable, others will leave you shocked because you just won’t see that coming. The secret was nothing I could have thought off—and that’s why I liked it. The author gives you hints there and there, but in order to put the pieces together, you have to keep reading. Right when I started the book, I didn’t know who to trust, and I think that’s what the author intended, which is great because my false accusations of other characters make everything worth reading.

The writing is refreshing because in every scene, I could REALLY imagine what was going on. The descriptions were spot on, and the last scene in the book is where it really came to its best. The details were so fitting for every scene, especially the ones that make your eyes pop of its creepiness. As for the romance, it is almost perfect. The whole aspect of the book is fantastic with its suspense, romance, and secrecy. Secrets are nice; everyone is intrigued by a secret. As for the characters, they’re well-rounded and relatable. A California character, in this case, Phe, is awesome! I loved the interaction between Phe and Zach along with all the other characters. Adriana just made me laugh. Characters being stupid is one thing, but in this book, it really worked out well. Everything isn’t serious though; there are moments where you just can’t help but laugh. I loved this book and definitely will get myself a copy. ANASTASIA HOPCUS IS MADE OF WIN. I cannot wait for her future books to come. Incredible debut.

What I thought of…

The Beginning: I was sucked into the first page. I loved the introduction to all the secondary characters. You can see exactly how Phe’s character is through the first few chapters.

The Middle: SECRET REVEALED! Me = O_O Did not see that coming. Pages kept turning and I wasn’t very successful that day in studying for my finals. I mean, who would put this book down?!

The End: It was a great ending, leaving me happy, but also displeased. As usual, I wanted MORE. But that’s normal.

Amazing job, Anastasia Hopcus! :)

FTC: borrowed the ARC from the...lovely Lauren

I'm Sorry. You Just Aren't Special.

I am going to try something new! Whenever I'm procrostinating from school, I will rant about something bookish so I can remain true to my word about my blog being about anything bookish! Here goes...

For the past few months, I have been putting books down without even finishing them. With others, I just skip through them like I'm doing it for fun (this results in another review I cannot write because I didn't give the book a chance)I try and force myself through a book, but then I get distracted by the littlest things around me. In my head, I think of other books that have held my interest throughout the entire book, and ponder why this one didn't.

There is a reason why my TBR pile is so awfully short. I pick a book up, read half into it, and then just get tired of it. (And I am just talking about books in general, and not the ones I get for review because I do finish those! XD)Here is my conclusion: they're just not special.

What does special mean? I know it's common sense (hehe!) but here it is below:

[adj.] distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual

Yes, the books just weren't special. Now I don't mean that they lack super powers, but they are missing something important: Characters, THE voice, the pacing, or originality.

1. Characters: I see a lot of books where the characters aren't really popping out. They're flat;I feel no sense of connection with them--who wants to read a story centered around characters you don't even feel are real? I mean, I know they're fictional, but they still have to fly off the page--right? The whole point of reading a book is to go into another world, and enjoy every page of it.

Let's put it this way: Good characters are your peers or people that can be around you in reality. You can see their back, touch them, and talk to them. You can hate them or love them. Flat characters, which are also two-dimensional, are nothing but cut-out boards standing in the middle of the street. Can you really see them? No. They are ignored. You can throw away a cut-out board, but you can't throw away a real person.

2. THE Voice: No way! Like, she did this and I did that---come on! really? I don't remember that I talk like that. In fact, this makes me feel dumb. Insert sad emoticon. I put books down because the voices irritated me so much. I didn't like the writing. Sometimes, there was too many big words! Yes, now I feel even more stupid. Some books have their sentences too short and choppy, causing me to have no idea what was going on. Every book has a voice, and if it doesn't stick out from everything else, I cannot love that voice. I need THE Voice. The voice that makes sense, is captivating, and loveable. Basically, I need the words from the story to sing to me! Yes, sing. I don't care if it's off-key--I want to hear some music.

3. The Pacing: Oh, the pacing. Some books drag out too slow and bore you to tears while others are just way too fast. How does the author expect me to believe these two are in love when I haven't even seen it DEVELOP?! I love you, girl says to boy. In my head: O_O WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?! Put a sock in it, girl. Especially with paranormal reads, I just don't see where the love comes from and why.

Something that always seems to tick me off is when the book starts off right in the middle of action. I want to know why this action is happening! Let me get comfortable first, please!

4. Originality: "Hmm....why does this seem so familiar?" = I am sick of these types of books. You know which kind I mean; the ones where the girl has her eyes set for a guy who is out of her league. Little does she know he likes her too. They get together, and by the end of the book, the one she really loves and should be with has been by her all this time. ---Not all books that type are boring though. It just depends on how the author carries out that type of story. Some of the best books use that storyline BUT they have something special in them to hook the readers in. In other words, I need something special. There are a ton of vampire books out right now, and while some are simliar to others, there are the ones that really stand out in the midst of it all. BOOKS NEED ORIGINALITY! Same concept books are nice, but if they're too predictable, there's no doubt you'd get bored.

So with that...I am sorry book 1, 4, 5, 31, 12, and 32, but you didn't call to me. I don't love you. This relationship needs to develop well, but you aren't giving your all. Bye. By the way, I want my money back!

This has been a short (ha!) ranting brought to you by me...

btw...I am procrostinating from studying.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Review: This is a wonderful YA debut. While there were times when I wanted to slap Lennie for her stupid decisions, I couldn't help but grow to love her by the end of the book. I mean her sister's dead, but she's fooling around with her sister's boyfriend. As bad as that sounds, there was a reason to it. I was completely a Lennie-Joe shipper throughout this book because I liked where this relationship was going. Forget the blurb on the back of this book because it is so much more than Lennie just juggling with two boys. It talks about her mother who has gone missing for a reason she doesn't know why. Loss, grief, love, and hope--they are all present in this wonderful novel along with many surprises, wove together in a beautiful, poetic, and heartbreaking way.

One aspect I really enjoyed from this book were the short poems Lennie wrote. Each time I saw them, I saw more of Lennie's world and life with her sister. If you have have a warmer heart than me, they might even be sad enough to make you shed some tears.

The title for this novel and the pacing fit the book perfectly. Jandy Nelson is a wonderful author, and if her debut is this amazing, I can't wait for what she has in stores for us next. This book comes out March 2010. Definitely going to think about buying it.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: Didn't really get into it until about twenty pages in. The introduction to the characters was really captivating.

The Middle: At this point, I wanted to knock some real sense into Lennie. Why, Lennie? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!!

The End: I have never seen ---or loved-- such a short and adorable epilogue before.

FTC: Received this ARC from a trade with Kelsey from The Book Scout

Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma

Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Zoom in on thirteen-year-old Dani Callanzano. The summer before eighth grade, Dani is stuck in her nothing-ever-happens town with only her favorite noir mysteries at the Little Art movie theatre to keep her company. But one day a real-life mystery begins to unravel—at the Little Art! And it all has something to do with a girl in polka-dot tights... Armed with a vivid imagination, a flair for the dramatic, and a knowledge of all things Rita Hayworth, Dani sets out to solve the mystery and learns more about herself than she ever thought she would.

Review: This book was simply amazing. Dani is such a wonderful female protagonist--possibly one of my favorites out of MG novels. She flew right off the page and I loved every page. The author's writing is fabulous and will keep your interest throughout the novel. Dani struggles with a lot of issues, but the author conveys her story so well, and it was a debut which makes me even more surprised and happy. Everyone should give this book a try regardless of your age! :)

What I thought of...

The Beginning: Didn't really know how I would feel, and was surprised.

The Middle: At this point, I kept on reading because of how awesome Dani is. It is hiliarious, and puts you in a happy mood.

The End: Loved how Dani grew :)

[FTC: Received this book from Other Shelf Tours]

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Rating: 4.5/5

Source: Publisher

Synopsis: When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Review: To say Clarity is a fistful of surprises, brilliance, and angst is such an understatement. Clarity has killer suspense, depth, and crazy awesome characters. The plot of the book is so realistically portrayed; it is so real that I believe it could have happened in real life. (And that is amazing because I've never really believed psychics could exist!) This book makes me realize that it is supposed to be this way. And because not every book I've read has done this, I can honestly say Kim Harrington is genius.

Clare...*happy sigh*...where can I get such a snarky best friend like that? Clarity had that luminous quality to it. I believe that shining light was Clare. And her mother? Best YA mother evahhh.~

(If review gets too long for your taste, SORRY, BUT SCROLL DOWN TO THE END!)

While it was amazing, there were some things I thought could be delved into more (like the two boys for instance; the romantic aspect of the story is still growing on me). I just feel like if they were, the story would click together even more. However, that isn't to say the romance of the story was a turnoff--it is so much different from all the other paranormal love triangles. Both of the boys are so similar, but they're also strikingly different! I really do not know who is the better choice, but I have a feeling the sequel will let the readers know more about them. I am really looking forward to the sequel, particularly after what a certain Madam said in the end.

Whenever I read murder mystery books, I always end up guessing the wrong person! (And yeah...it happens here too...I don't think I'm ever going to have such luck) Just when I gathered up my proof that this certain character is responsible for the death of the girl, Harrington pulls a fast one on me. And what happens then? Well, I am left in the dust. I can't even go back to square one because square one doesn't even make sense anymore! (And the real murder was -gasp- someone I did not expect! I guess Clare's personal feelings weren't the only ones blinding her from the real murder...) Gah, this process was almost perpetual. Before I knew it, I became addicted. Usually when a character's personal life is thrown in a murder novel, you will wonder what the heck the author was thinking. But with this gem, Harrington weaves Clare's "normal" life so naturally that it became a necessity.

My stomach dropped loads of time reading this book. No, dropped is such a weak word. IT LURCHED. Yes, lots of stomach lurching. (Gross-sounding, but it gets the point across :P) Mini heart attacks were called for. Maybe a little screaming...

THIS BOOK WAS NOT PUT-DOWNABLE. The only thing I had left to say at the end was: BUT WHY? WHY IS IT SO SHORT!! And I absolutely love the ending! It's tied up nicely enough and yet it leaves so many questions to be answered! O_O

This book gives a whole new meaning to the word Clarity.

In my head:

clarity: noun. astounding debut with impeccable pacing

~A Reviewer's Journey GIF Style~

The Beginning: Oh yeah~ Got the book. WOOHOO! The beginning is WHOA. AND it's amazing! *happy dance*

The Middle: OHMYGOD, I THINK I KNOW WHO THE MURDERER IS NOW!!! O_O

Wait. It WASN'T him? What? GAH. *sob* It's okay, let's try this again.

WAHAHAHHAHA. IT IS YOU, AIN'T IT, LITTLE "SELFLESS" CHARACTER? I AM NOT STUPID AFTER ALL. WAHAHAHA. OH YEAAA.

Wait. What?!!!!!! GAHLFKJSDLFJSDFJ.

YES. GET WITH GABE. GABE IS YOUR LOVER!!!! *ten minutes later* WAIT, FORGIVE JUSTIN. HE DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU. *twenty minutes later* You know what, Clare? Haz the BOTH of them. Yes. And ohmygosh, Stephen is kind of sweet. LESS THAN THREE. ♥

The End: Oh no, I can't believe I still don't have a CLUE who the murder is!! GAHH. *rips hair out* Okay, I think it's her. *defends my position inside my head* Yeah, I realize talking to myself means only one thing. THIS BOOK IS DRIVING ME INSANE O_O

WHAT THE HECKY? THAT PERSONAL IS THE MURDERER? It all makes sense now. *mind blown* O__O

-------------

And because I want all of you to be doing this happy dance right here,

I am giving away my ARC of Clarity!!

The contest will be open until next Tuesday, January 11. Open to US only. Just fill out this form here and answer the question. Winners will be randomly selected on the 12th.

Still do not know if you should enter? Or read? Watch the trailer.

New Year Readathon Final Update :D

(Sorry, I meant final update for the day xD)

Okay so I failed miserably. :( Wasn't able to read for 24 hours, hehe. But thank you to whoever commented me on my last post! :D I read rougly 5 hours today too so 10 hours total! :D (Have got to stop abusing the use of emoticons)


So in total I only read about 5 books in the past two , which is good anyway :)



Have read:
Cracked Up to Be
By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead
Wondrous Strange
Evernight

Started:
1/3 of Bleeding Violet


Either way, I had a lot of fun doing this so thanks Kristen!! :) I'm looking forward to continuing tomorrow. How did the rest of you guys do? HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

New Year Readathon Update #1

(Click button for info) Thanks to the lovely Kristen, I am reading on New Years! :D

I started a bit earlier (3:45) and managed to finish 2 1/2 books by midnight yesterday. I read for about 5 hours on the last day of 2009. I just woke up and have been reading for half an hour. Still finishing up Wondrous Strange! :D

Have read:

Cracked Up to Be

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead

Have started:

Wondrous Strange

Evernight

Book I'm thinking of reading next:

Evernight

Back to reading ;)

Reading Into The New Year Thoughts

Reading Into The New Year was very fun. I was bored out of my mind at home yesterday afternoon, so I picked up a couple of books and started reading. My goal was to read at least 3 books. I only read 2 1/2. :( Either way, it was really fun to do this. I haven't gotten much reading done in a while so yay! I started at around 3:45 pm and ended at midnight. The books I read included Cracked Up to Be, By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, and Wondrous Strange (didn't finish this one). I am continuing to read because of the New Year Readathon currently being hosted by Kristen (YAY!!).