Orange Layout Is Back!

I have never been so happy to see the color orange. As I was frantically trying to fix my blog anyway I possible could, I finally remembered that I had saved the HTML code for this layout I have now. It took a good fifteen minutes of looking for the folder of all my trial templates but I finally found it.

I'm so sorry to put you guys through this insane disaster today. Hopefully everything is back to normal, and I don't think I will be changing my ugly orange background anytime soon.

Thanks for putting up with me, oh and Happy October! As I am writing this the clock just turned to October 1st. At least here in the east coast.

--Danielle 

Fixing My Blog Layout

I just wanted to let you all know that I am in the process of making a new layout for my blog. For the next couple of hours everything might be a little wacky.

I decided to re-due my blog because it's been like this for a year and six months. Honestly I'm just getting sick of the orange. My goal is something lighter, fresher, and just fun to look at.

Update: I RUINED MY LAYOUT. I hate the way it looks right now and the header. Everything is just wrong. Sorry guys. I can't fix it till I get back from the football game tonight. But I will stay up all night to fix it if I have to. I promise.

--Danielle 

Book Trailers and Eve as a TV show?

This morning I was on YouTube and I stumbled upon the HarperTeen channel and found a few really great book trailers. Personally, i usually don't like book trailers yet they seem to be getting better and better. Here are a few on my favorites that I just found.

Eve by Ana Carey 

I reviewed this one over the summer and while my feelings on Eve were a little iffy I just fell in love with the trailer. It is PERFECT for the book. Also did you catch the "From the Producers of the Vampire Diaries" caption  Well from what I here they are creating a TV show for Eve right now! Personally I think Eve will make a fantastic TV show. It seems many books are going in this route now. Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Chloe King are a few.

Being the sequel to Bright Young Things, already makes me super excited to read Beautiful Days by Anna Godberson. However this trailer made me sequel in anticipation to get my hands on Beautiful Days.  The trailer was haunting, suspenseful, and just everything that makes me love a book trailer. Also I am writing a paper on women of the 1920's. While I can't use this for my paper, I'll have fun telling people to "Go away I'm doing research for my thesis paper." 

From the HarperTeen's channel I stumbled upon Simon and Schuster's and there I found this great book trailer. 

I was already looking forward to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer but after this trailer I want to go out and buy a copy right this second. This is with out a doubt the best book trailer I have EVER seen. From the music to the actors, and the suspense it builds. Really just the best book trailer ever. 

Then after watching so many book trailers, I went to check out Little Brown's selection. 

I'm in the middle of reading this one now and the trailer is just captivating. From the music to the colors, I wouldn't have picked anything else for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone's trailer. The noel is just as good and addicting so far as well.

I could keep talking about the trailers that I stumbled upon today but then this would be way to long. However, since this was about all trailers I loved, tomorrow I'll be doing a post on trailers that just didn't cut it for me. 

Whats your favorite book trailer? 

--Danielle

Banned Books Week Vlog

This week is Banned Books Week is from September 24th or October 1st. Find more information here http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

This video is about some banned books that I own, and why they were banned. 

It's really long because I ramble...a lot...

My favorite banned book is To Kill A Mockingbird. Whats yours? 

Songs in the video: 

Say by John Mayer

Who Says by Selena Gomez 

Dog Days Are Over - Florence and The Machine

In My Mailbox (54)

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren. 

This week was an intense school week for me. I had to write three papers, read a huge chunk of my history (college level) text book, take Spanish, English, and History tests plus long marching band practices. I think junior year might just kill me. However the books that I received this week make everything so much better. I even did a happy dance when I checked the mail.

Is that a strand mug? Yes it is! I was drinking a chi tea latte and thought I would include it in the pictures because I just love this mug. The owls are just too cute, right? 

Anyway back to the books... For Review I received...

* Sequels * Is that the sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side? I think it is. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Jessica's Guide so much! Actaully I love all of Beth Fantaskey's books. I even entered a trailer contest for Jekel Loves Hyde and was a runner up.  Anyway and am so excited (really really excited) for this book. I can always use more Jessica and Lucius. ALWAYS.

Won:

A few weeks ago I won Firelight and Vanished from www.cariblogs.blogspot.com. Cari was nice enough to get them signed for me! If you don't follow her blog, you should really go do that now. :)

They are so pretty! I've already devoured Vanished and it is so AMAZING. I am so behind on reviews but You will probably see one for Vanished this week. 

I told you I received some fantastic books this week! Really, I just can't stop staring at them. It made my week of crazy-ness at school completely worth it. 

Here's the my Jekel Loves Hyde trailer



Also I would not have survived this week without The Cab's new album. I kept me going at 1 in the morning while I was writing papers and studying my butt off. Here's my favorite song in the album but you should by the whole thing to support this talented band. They funded this whole album by themselves.



What did you get in your mailbox? Leave a link below so I can go check it out!

--Danielle

Review: Hades

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Source: ARC from Around The World ARC Tour
Goodreads/Amazon


Summary: Heaven Help Her.

Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.

The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

Review: Halo was one of my favorite books of 2010, mostly because I'm a hopeless romantic but it's also due to Alexandra Adornetto descriptive way of writing. While I was happy with the ending in Halo, I wanted more of Bethany and Xavier's story. I was over-joyed to find that Halo was going to have a sequel. Sadly I have some mixed feelings about Hades. 

One of my favorite aspects of Halo was the fact it was breath of fresh air from the other Angel books in YA. For example, Hush, Hush and Fallen take a dark spin on Angels. Halo, however, was different it was light and romantic. Yet Hades was the opposite, I felt it was trying to be like the other YA Angel novels. This was unnecessary because of the fact that being different was one of Halo's best features. Also, I wish there was more romance and Xavier in Hades. Both were lacking in the sequel and that's what made me fall in love with Halo in the first place.

There was one part of Hades that I did enjoy, the villain. For me, villains are one of my favorite part of a novel . They are the most complex characters and as a result they are just so much fun to try and figure out. Jake Thorn was one of those villains that make you wonder just how bad they are. You can tell he really cared about Bethany in his creepy way. While reading one question that kept going through my mind was how Jake had ended up like he is. I feel like there is an interesting back story there. If Alexandra ever wrote a prequel about him, I would be very excited to read it.

Over-all I did enjoy reading Hades even with my complaints. It was nice to see these characters that I loved again, even though it was mostly Bethany and Jake. I won't hesitate to read anything Alexandra Adorenetto writes. Her descriptive writting captures me every time and after all she is only 19, we should be seeing tons more of Alexandra in the future.






--Danielle

Books and Art (2)

I want to read there, under a tree next to a castle and in that dress. This picture is just beautiful I love it. 

 This picture is from deviantart.com and it's by  DusterAmaranth

--Danielle

The Secret Circle (TV Show)

L.J. Smith's books have been getting much deserved attention in the last few years due to The Vampire Diaries. Which if you don't know is a book turned to successful TV show on the CW. While I haven't read the book I've been addicted to the show from day one.

An L.J. Smith book that I have read and loved would be the Secret Circle. This is one that I read back in middle school when I just starting my love for YA paranormal books. I have read other L.J. Smith books, yet Secret Circle has always been my favorite. I was beyond excited to here it was being made into a TV show.

Now what did I think of the TV show? If you didn't know it premiered last night after the Vampire Diaries. Both shows are produced by the same person and it shows. They are both dark, paranormal but change to a normal day light in an instant. I like how the Vampire Dairies is directed and the same goes for Secret Circle.

For the most part they have stayed true to the book, and I know this most likely won't continue (like with Vampire Diaries) but I will continue watching anyway. The show is fast paced and so far the characters are great. You have the good girl main character, the bad girl, the leader, forbidden romance, and the hot neighbor. Oh, and of course the secretive parents. So far so good.

If you didn't catch the Secret Circle on yesterday make sure you watch it on The CW 9:00 eastern time next week (well that's if you like paranormal TV shows).

--Danielle

Review: Shut Out

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Received Copy from BEA (ARC)

Summary: Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention. 

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

Inspired by Aristophanes' play Lysistrata, critically acclaimed author of The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) Kody Keplinger adds her own trademark humor in this fresh take on modern teenage romance, rivalry and sexuality.

Review: Some books just have that fun, quirky feel that put you in a good mood while reading. Shut out by Kody Keplinger is one of those books. While it was on the light and humerus side it also touched on some topics you see some (most) authors shy away from. Just like in 10 Things I Did and Probably Shouldn't Have by Sarah Mlynowski, Shut Out was not  scared to get it's point out there and didn't leave any thing out. If you enjoyed 10 Things, this would be the book you want to check out next. 


The characters in Shut Out were  relatable which made them me favorite part of the story. They just felt like any normal in high school students, someone you could be friends with. This is probably due to Kody Keplinger's age, she has not been out of high school that long. This means she can write a book that teenage girls now can read and really relate to. There were a few things the main character did that upset me but those are character flaws and without them you wouldn't have a story. 


Shut Out was the first book I read by Kody Keplinger it is also her sophomore novel. I'll be checking out her debut from last year as soon as possible. I don't know why I put off reading The Duff for so long but I really regret that now, If it's anything like Shut Out I'm sure I will love every page of it. Shut Out is a book I would recommend to any teenage girl in high school. If you are under 14 I would put off reading Shut Out for a few years since it does touch some older topics as you can see from the summary. 

Books and Art (1)

I want to start doing a meme where I show books in art, mostly photography or photos. I don't know much about art, just that I like some of it and other I don't like as much. Also, I know a bunch of other bloggers do something like this but I don't remember all the names that they use for their meme title. So Books and Art is your meme title please tell me so I can change mine or give you credit. Thanks!

This week I found this photo and it's what made me want to start this meme, I thought it was just so pretty.


Books and tea? Two of my favorite things. The colors in this one work perfectly and it's just a beautiful photo to look at.

This picture was taken by http://pinkparis1233.deviantart.com/

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (53)

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren. 



- Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
- Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Mentioned - Around the World ARC Tours 
Song in background - Arms by Christina Perri (sorry I actually just forgot to turn it off)

Now I need to get a webcam... I use my digital camera to take these videos but it would be so much easier with a webcam. Anyone know any cheap good ones?

What did you get in your mailbox?

Trailer Contest!

Hey everyone! I hope your having a fantastic Friday. I know I am, Last day of school for the week andthe first home football game of the season. While I don't really understand football (gasp I know, I go to every football game you think I would get it by now) I just love cheering and playing peppy songs in the stands (like the Hey Song and Rocky theme song) with the marching band.

Anyway that's not what this post is about. I wanted to let you guys know that there is a Book Trailer Contest going on for a great book. For Always by Danielle Sibarium is a contemporary romance that I think Sarah Dessen fan will love. Here's the summary: 

 

You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?

I've already read For Always and I loved every page. I'll have my full review up in early October but for now I just want to tell you guys about a book trailer contest the author is doing now. The prizes consist of a $100 Amazon or Itunes giftcard for first place and a $50 one for second.  Great prized right? You can buy a bunch of books or songs with that. 

For all the details go to http://www.daniellesibarium.com/. 

--Danielle

p.s. Isn't that cover just gorgeous?!?! You should know that I have a pretty cover obsession by now. 

Waiting on Wednesday (On Thursday)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out 

I could have sworn today was Wednesday...I think Labor day messed me up. Or maybe just the huge amounts of homework I've been having. It could be either of those reasons or I'm just going crazy (this is probably the right one).

Anyway here's my Waiting On Wednesday a day late...

 This is the sequel to Legacy which I adored. One of my favorite books this year. I'm just so super excited for Allegiance, I NEED to know what happens next. Or my head will explode (really it will).

If you haven't read Legacy yet I'm going to put the summary right here:

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.
When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.
In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

This one comes out in February, plus by then I will have my license so I can drive myself to go pick it up at the book store. YAY!

If you haven't read Legacy yet, you have a few months to get your butt in gear before the release of Allegiance, and I highly suggest you do. (My full Legacy review HERE  )

Enough of my crazy-ness for now,
  --Danielle

In My Mailbox (52)

In My Mailbox is hosted and created by The Story Siren. 



I surprised I lasted a week after the release before picking this one up. I was dying to read it but had to get through my school books first. I loved the Vampire Academy and I was a little bit iffy on this one. I already finished it and my review will be up soon!


This series is a series I've been following since I was starting middle school and now I'm almost done with high school. I usually don't follow a series for that long but the Private novels are my guilty pleasure. I love every single one of them and I"m sad to see them end.


What did you get this week?

--Danielle

Contest Winner and 300 followers!

Today was my first day of school which to me means the end of summer. What better day then that to pick the winner of my last summer giveaway of the year? This was the giveaway for Wintertown...

And the Winner is!

Miss Lauren!

I sent an email to the winner, I'm not big on deadlines but if she doesn't answer me in a week or so I'll pick a new winner.

If you didn't win this one don't fret I'll be having my 300+ follower giveaway soon. You are all inedible for putting up with my randomness that you deserve a giveaway.  I know I"m always saying this but I never expected anyone to read my blog let alone a few hundred of you!

--Danielle

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu
Release Date: November 29th
Goodreads/Amazon
*Copy is an ARC I received from Imagination in Focus (giveaway for a review)

Review: Some books just have that quality that makes them addicting. You know the feeling, when you can't stop reading no matter what else you have to do. It just consumes you until you finish, then (of course) you're left thinking about it long after you closed the back cover. Legend is one of those books.

From the first page where we meet Day, a fifteen year old criminal, and not just any criminal, the most wanted criminal in the country, you are addicted to the story and characters. Now don't roll your eyes. I know a fifteen year old boy being that great of a criminal, it doesn't sounds that believable. Marie Lu's writing makes it seem very possible. Not only that, on the opposite side of the district we find June. June is a fifteen year old military prodigy and would never go against something the government told her to do. (Again, don't roll your eyes, while reading the book you won't question this.) After June's brother is found dead, who else would be the prime suspect but Day? Now June is set out on capturing him. When these two world clash you get an action packed, unstoppable book.

Legend is told in alternating point of views of June and Day. This was the one problem I had with the book. It wasn't the actually switching of point of views that bothered me, it was the switch of font colors. The book opens with Day in a gold font. Then June's was in the normal, basic black. This almost stopped me from enjoying the book  but slowly I got use to it. Now I was reading an ARC, so maybe (hopefully) the hardcover version won't have this.

Other then the font issues I really enjoyed reading from both June and Day's perspectives. In the beginning they are part of two different worlds and we get to see them both. Military to criminal. June's tough, smart, personality to Day's more sensitive one. They balanced each other out. Plus without seeing both sides Legend would not have the same effect it did.

Overall this is a dysotpian that you do not want to miss. There's no shortage of them coming out in the future and Legend stands it's ground with the best of the best. Which is Delirium, Divergent, and The Hunger Games in my opinion. Or if you just want an action pack mystery check out Legend when it hits stores November 29th.

--Danielle

 *gasp* I know I posted a review. It's been awhile since I've put one of these up, sorry about that. School starts tomorrow so I should be getting back into a scheduled routine. Hopefully you'll be seeing much more of me.