-Friday Finds (#2)

...is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

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Monday:

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What Happened To Cass McBride?-Gail Giles

Found @ amazon.com

 

Kyle Kirby has planned a cruel and unusual revenge on Cass McBride, the most popular girl in school, for the death of his brother David. He digs a hole. Drugs Cass. Kidnaps her. Puts her in a box-underground. He buries her alive. But Kyle makes a fatal error: Cass knows the power of words. She uses fear as her weapon to keep her nemesis talking - and to keep herself breathing during the most harrowing 48 hours of her life. -barnesandnoble.com

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Tuesday:

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Heaven Looks A Lot Like The Mall-Wendy Mass

Found at Tales Of Whimsy

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When 16-year-old Tessa suffers a shocking accident in gym class, she finds herself in heaven (or what she thinks is heaven), which happens to bear a striking resemblance to her hometown mall. In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life and The Christmas Carol, Tessa starts reliving her life up until that moment. She sees some things she'd rather forget, learns some things about herself she'd rather not know, and ultimately must find the answer to one burning question--if only she knew what the question was.

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Written in sharp, witty verse, Wendy Mass crafts an extraordinary tale of a spunky heroine who hasn't always made the right choices, but needs to discover what makes life worth living.-amazon.com

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Wednesday:

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Bleed-Laurie Faria Stolarz

Found @ amazon.com 

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Over the course of a single summer day, ten teenagers in Salem, Massachusetts, will discover important truths about themselves and each other.

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There is Nicole, whose decision to betray her best friend will shock everyone, most of all herself; Kelly, who meets the convicted felon she has been writing to for years; Maria, whose definition of a true friend is someone who will cut her. Then there is Sadie, a chubby eleven-year-old whose mother forces her to wear a "please don't feed me" sign stapled to her shirt; while Joy, a fifteen-year-old waitress hoping for true intimacy narrowly escapes a very dark fate. Derik discovers that his usual good looks and charm won't help him hold onto the girl he wants, while nineteen-year-old drifter, Mearl, is desperately looking for a place to call home. Sean is torn between his loyalty to his girlfriend and the possibility of finding something more with her friend, while Ginger's single-minded pursuit to bring down her nemesis only proves that they may be more alike than she thought.

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Seamlessly woven together, this incredibly powerful and compelling collection of stories chronicles the very real trials of today's teen experience.-amazon.com

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Thursday:

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Fairest Of All: Tale Of The Wicked Queen-Serena Valentino

Found @ JuJu's Shelfari

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For anyone who's seen Walt Disney's Snow White, you'll know that the Wicked Queen is one evil woman! After all, it's not everyone who wants to cut out their teenage step-daughter's heart and have it delivered back in a locked keepsake box. (And even if this sort of thing is a common urge, we don't know many people who have acted upon it.)

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Now, for the first time, we'll examine the life of the Wicked Queen and find out just what it is that makes her so nasty. Here's a hint: the creepy-looking man in the magic mirror is not just some random spooky visage-and he just might have something to do with the Queen's wicked ways! 

-Waiting On Wednesday (#3): Perfect Mistake, Bleeding Violet, & The Mark

Waiting On Wednesday originated from Jill (Breaking The Spine.)

This week I'm waiting on...

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Perfect Mistake (Privilege novel #3) by Kate Brian

Release date: October 27, 2009

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Kate Brian's Beautiful Disaster brings Ariana Osgood back into the life she is accustomed to, the only questions is, what will she do to hold onto it? -barnesandnoble.com

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Unfortunately that was the only kind of summary I was able to find on the internet. I started the Privilege series without realizing it was connected to the Private series, so now I'm trying to read Private and catch up. I loved Privilege and Beautiful Disaster & I'm enjoying Private so far...I absolutely cannot wait for this book. I couldn't put the first two down.

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Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Release date: January 5, 2010

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Love can be a dangerous thing...

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Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

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But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe. -amazon.com

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The Mark by Jen Nadol

Release date: January 19, 2010

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Sixteen-year old Cassie Renfield has seen the mark since forever: a glow around certain people as if a candle were held behind their back.

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The one time she pointed it out taught her she shouldn't do it again, so Cassie has kept quiet, considering its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until she watches a man die. Mining her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Now how or where, only when: today.

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Cassie searches her past, her philosophy lessons, even her new boyfriend for answers, always careful to keep her secret. How does the mark work? Why her? Most importantly, if you know today is someone's last, should you tell? -goodreads.com

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This one looks really good.
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So what are yall waiting on today?

 

 

-Countdown 2010 Challenge!

So this is the first challenge I've ever participated in! I found out about it through Falling Of The Shelf & I'm super excited ;] I'll keep updating the list as needed.

Here are the rules :

1. The goal of this challenge is to read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000's----10 books from 2010, 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. The total number of books required, therefore, is 55.

2. This challenge lasts from 09/09/2009 through 10/10/2010.

3. Crossovers from other challenges are allowed, and your lists may change at any time.

4. Sign up Here, using the Mr. Linky form. Link to your Challenge post.

5. Have fun reading!

2010

1.
2.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

2009

1. Soulstice-Simon Holt
2. The Chosen One-Carol Lynch Williams
3. Perfect Mistake (Privilege book 3)-Kate Brian
4. The Pencil Test-James Guilford
5. The Real Real-Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
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7.
8.
9.

2008

1. The Summoning-Kelley Armstrong
2. The Devouring-Simon Holt
3. Beastly-Alex Flinn
4. Confessions of a Serial Kisser-Wendelin Van Draanen
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6.
7.
8.

2007

1. Confessions-Kate Brian
2. Remembering Raquel-Vivian Vande Velde
3. Snitch-Allison Van Diepen
4. Thirteen Reasons Why-Jay Asher
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6.
7.

2006

1. Private-Kate Brian
2. Invitation Only-Kate Brian
3. Untoachable-Kate Brian
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5.
6.

2005

1. Killing Britney-Sean Olin
2. Uglies-Scott Westerfeld
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4.
5.

2004

1.
2.
3.
4.

2003

1.
2.
3.

2002

1.
2.

2001

1.

-Summer Boys contest: WINNER CHOSEN!

So my first contest is over, with a total of 20 participants and 83 entries.

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Using the random.org generator, the winner is.............

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Michelle!
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Congrats girl! I've sent you an email and will need a reply within 72 hours (9/18) so I can send you your prize ASAP!
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 Thank you SO much to everyone who entered and made my first contest possible. Be looking out for another contest within the next week or so!

-Review: The Devouring by Simon Holt

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The Devouring by Simon Holt

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When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.

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Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her?

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Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for?

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So I was really intrigued when I first read about this book. I'd started seeing reviews around and I'd heard it was really creepy. I read blogs by some that said it actually scared them and I decided I would have to read it.

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My first impression once I started reading was that I immediately related to and felt connected with Reggie, our main character in the book. When the scene in her high school took place, the author describes her status in school as not on the a-list, but not complete loser either. She was in the comfortable middle of the popularity food chain, and just blended in, which was totally me in high school. I truly felt for her family for the situation they were going through with their mother abandoning them. As I got farther along in the book she grew on me even more. She has got to be one of the bravest characters I've ever come across. I also especially loved Eben, Reggie's elderly boss at her job.

 Reggie and the rest of the characters in the book (Henry, their father, Aaron, and Eben) weren't entirely developed but it worked with this book--the Vours were described best of all and that's what mattered most.

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As for the book being creepy, I'll definitely second that opinion. Simon Holt's ability to describe the spooky scenes had me actually picturing them vividly in my head, like watching a movie. I, too, was scared at points.

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This is the first book I've read by Simon Holt and I really enjoyed his writing. I've heard him compared to both Stephen King and R.L. Stine and I now see why, but at the same time he also has his own writing style. Overall it felt really good to read such a good book after being so disappointed with the last book I read. I will definitely be reading the sequel!


Some quotes I enoyed:


"Reggie considered it unethical, immoral, and illegal. Aaron agreed and looked at it as valuable preparation for the real world." pg. 15


"Fear, like death's icy grip, froze her in place. One of the demons smiled and brushed her bloody cheek with a long, grotesque finger."  pg. 59
 

Another cover for The Devouring:

 

-Friday Finds (#1) -Good stuff!

...is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

So this is my first time doing a Friday Finds, & I already know it's going to be my favorite meme to do.


I find SO many new books everyday, & I'm constantly adding to my TBR (link on sidebar --->) & since I couldn't possibly fit all of them into one post, I decided I would narrow it down to 5 each Friday (one for each day, Mon-Fri).


Here goes!


Monday:


Killing Britney by Sean Olin
I found this @ Book Nerds, one of my very favorite blogs :]

Britney is the girl everyone loves to hate.

Ever since Britney transformed herself from freak-and-geek to the most popular girl at school, her life has been touched by tragedy. First it was her mom, who drowned on a family rafting trip. Then her hockey-star boyfriend, Ricky, was killed in a hit-and-run.

When the deaths continue to pile up, everyone fears for Britney. Sure she's popular, blond, and fabulous.


But is that enough reason for someone to want to...kill her?
 
 
Tuesday:


Playing House by Fredrica Wagman
Found at He Followed Me Home

When Playing House appeared in 1973, Publishers Weekly hailed it, 'A probing descent into madness that will fascinate the same audience that appreciated I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.' This nationally bestselling story of one woman's struggle with the lasting effects of a childhood sexual relationship with her brother shocked American readers; it remains a literary work of enduring quality and value. In his foreword Philip Roth writes, 'The traumatized child; the institutionalized wife; the haunting desire; the ghastly business of getting through the day - what is striking about Wagman's treatment of these contemporary motifs is the voice of longing in which the heroine shamelessly confesses to the incestuous need that is at once her undoing and her only hope.'

Wednesday:


Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
I actually saw this at two different blogs on Wednesday, but forgot both of them :\ Sorry!

Eighteen-year-old Danielle—aka Sydney, Rebecca, or whatever alias her mother chooses—has been stealing since she can remember. She and her theft-savvy mother move from town to town, mining the successful men whom her mother attracts for information that allows them to find and rob the toniest homes. Dani has no school, no friends, and no home until she and her mother land in Heaven, a small, wealthy beachfront town where Dani realizes what it is like to have a best friend and also a boyfriend, who just happens to be a cop.

Scott tells a surprising story that features a mature teen who longs for the straight and narrow, even as the adults around her profit from crime and corruption. Dani’s first-person narrative includes a few winking references to the lucrative life theft can garner, which feel like odd, misguided shifts from the story’s strongest message that Dani is a brave teen who can and does shape a strong future for herself.

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Thursday:

Blame by Michelle Huneven

Found at She Is Too Fond Of Books

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Patsy MacLemoore, a history professor in her late twenties with a brand-new Ph.D. from Berkeley and a wild streak, wakes up in jail—yet again—after another epic alcoholic blackout. “Okay, what’d I do?” she asks her lawyer and jailers. “I really don’t remember.” She adds, jokingly: “Did I kill someone?”

In fact, two Jehovah’s Witnesses, a mother and daughter, are dead, run over in Patsy’s driveway. Patsy, who was driving with a revoked license, will spend the rest of her life—in prison, getting sober, finding a new community (and a husband) in AA—trying to atone for this unpardonable act.

Friday:

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In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg

Found at Must And Lust For Books

Molly and Charlie have fallen head over heels in love—even though they’ve never met Molly is a fashion-conscious city girl in L.A. Charlie is an earthy, mountain-biking dude from Boulder, Colorado. Each of them has big plans with their respective friends for the summer—until they discover that their parents decided to swap houses!


Luckily there’s no amount of homesickness that a bit of snooping can’t cure. Charlie and Molly begin crawling under beds and poking around in closets to find out a little more about each other—and they like what they find.


Can Charlie and Molly’s long-distance romance survive jealousy, misunderstandings—and the thousand miles between them?




What did you all find?!

-Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

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The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

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All Chloe Saunders wants is a life like any normal teenager – the chance to get through school, make friends, and maybe meet a boy. But when she starts seeing ghosts, she knows that like will never be the same again.

Soon the ghosts are everywhere, demanding her attention. When Chloe finally breaks down, she’s admitted to a group home for disturbed kids.

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At first Lyle House seems okay, but as she gets to know the other patients – charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek; obnoxious Tori; and Rae, who has a ‘thing’ for fire – Chloe begins to realise that something strange and sinister binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual ‘problem kid’ behaviour.

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And they’re about to discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home, either… -summary from the book jacket

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I can't believe I finally finished this! It seriously took me forever, partly because I've been so busy with the baby, & partly because I just couldn't get into it.

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I had mixed feelings about this book from the moment I picked it up at the library. I was expecting a typical "I see dead people" cliche ghost book. After the first chapter, I thought surely that my assumptions were correct, but as I read on, I saw that there was more to the story than just ghosts.

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This book moved way too slowly for me. I really could not make myself get into it, and there were a couple times I thought about just putting it down, but I kept hoping the pace would pick up & I would get hooked. Unfortunately that didn't happen until the last 100 pages of the book. I finally got into the story as there was more suspense towards the end.

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I liked the characters in the book probably more than anything else, and that's not saying much because they weren't the cream of the crop for me either. I began to enjoy them more too towards the end of the book, mainly Derek's character. The first 300 pages, all minor characters (everyone but Chloe) seemed kind of bland to me. I began to understand them more as the plot picked up.

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Overall, if the whole book had been as intense and fast-paced as the last 100 pages, I would have enjoyed it much more.

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Still undecided about whether or not I will read the second, The Awakening. The ending leaves me wanting more, but only if it picks up at the speed this book left off. Then it may be possible I could enjoy the sequel more than the first, but if not.......I just don't think I could sit through that whole thing again! Just a slow, slow process for me, reading this book. :\

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Another cover for this book:

-Waiting On Wednesday (#2): Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Waiting On Wednesday originated from Jill (Breaking The Spine.)

This week I'm Waiting on...

 

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Release date: September 22, 2009

Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a s ummer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.

Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who? -goodreads.com

 

Never read any of Amanda Marrone's stuff before, but I think I'll start with Devoured. Anyone else looking forward to this one?!

 

-'True Blood' Season Finale Trailer + 'Dead Until Dark'

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I don't know about you all, but I love everything about both True Blood the show and the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I've only read the first two (Dead Until Dark & Living Dead In Dallas, the former being my favorite of the two) but I plan to read the rest of them.

Sooo.. I saw this trailer on HBO for the first time tonight & I absolutely LOVE the way it was put together, so I had to post it to see what ya'll thought:





Really draws you in doesn't it?! I was hypnotized in front of my TV, lol. I especially love the close-ups of Eric, with the blood dripping down, him smiling...I'm way too excited for this finale..

Ok! I'm done w/ the fangirl nonsense.

HBO's 'True Blood' is based on the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, which begins with Dead Until Dark.

From wikipedia: Dead Until Dark is the first book in Charlaine Harris's series The Southern Vampire Mysteries / Sookie Stackhouse novels. In this first installment, the author introduces the character of Sookie Stackhouse, a young telepathic waitress from the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, and her world, an alternate history where vampires, shapeshifters and other supernatual beings coexist with humans. In Dead Until Dark Sookie begins a romantic entanglement with her vampire neighbor and is faced with a series of murders in town.

I personally recommend it for those who haven't already read this book!

Other covers for Dead Until Dark:

-'Summer Boys' contest ending soon!

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Originally I didn't know how long I was going to run this for--Now I've decided that the contest will end:

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Tuesday       September 15    @    5pm central time

For those who haven't entered the contest, you may do so here.

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Just letting you all know about the update since I kind of left it up in the air at first.

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As most of you already know, this is the first contest I have ever ran, so I'd really love to see more entries--anyone who wants to spread the word would be much appreciated!

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And be looking for more (even better!) contests from me in the future! :]

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-Library Loot! [9/4/09] + baby pictures!

'Library Loot' is hosted by A Striped Armchair.

Just tell what you brought home from the library!

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Well unfortunately I didn't physically get to make it to the library, I've been at home w/ baby, but my dad was nice enough to stop by there & pick up a few of my holds for me & this is the result:

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The Devouring- Simon Holt

The Vours are evil, demonic figures that inhabit human bodies during the darkest hours of the winter solstice. After Reggie reads about them in an old journal, she assumes they are figments of a madwoman's imagination. But after her little brother begins acting strangely, Reggie soon finds out what happens when fear comes to life. summary from flipkart.com

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I've heard amazing things about this one!

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Wings- Aprilynne Pike

Wings is a fairy tale. Truly, a fairy tale. It is about a young girl called Laurel, who suddenly sprouts wings on her back. It is very much a fantasy story, but one that is set in a recognizable setting; contemporary California. Here, Laurel quickly comes to find out her true heritage, and why she is different from those around her. summary from ezinearticles.com

I've read both good reviews & so-so reviews about Wings, so I'm curious to see whose side I'll be on!

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Invitation Only- Kate Brian

Reed, from a working class family, is attending the wealthy Easton Academy on a scholarship, where she finds out that rich girls have some very dark secrets.  summary from worldcart.org

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^^ Didn't want to post too much summary, since it's a sequel--didn't want to spoil anything.

I still have yet to re-read Private--it's been so long since the first time I read it, I don't even remember it. I'm still waiting for someone to return it to the library.. grr.. lol. I accidently read the Privilege series first (I knew they were both by Kate Brian, but I thought they were two completely different series, but they're connected). I'm gonna try to read these (or at least most of them...isn't there like, 10?) before Perfect Mistake comes out next month.

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Bliss- Lauren Myracle

When Bliss’s hippie parents leave the commune and dump her at the home of her aloof grandmother in a tony Atlanta neighborhood, it’s like being set down on an alien planet. The only guide naive Bliss has to her new environment is what she’s seen on The Andy Griffith Show. But Mayberry is poor preparation for Crestview Academy, an elite school where the tensions of the present and the dark secrets of the past threaten to simmer into violence. Openhearted Bliss desperately wants new friends, making her the perfect prey of a troubled girl whose obsession with a long-ago death puts Bliss, and anyone she’s kind to, in mortal danger. summary from barnesandnoble.com

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The cover of this book made me pick it up. I love how the font contrasts w/ the expression of the girl behind it. I glanced at the inside summary, but didn't read too deep into it so I don't really know what to expect. Anyone whose read it, have any opinions?

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I'm excited about this little bunch! Hmm..now just gotta figure out which to read first..

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My reading has been moving soo slowly lately--whenever I'm not busy with Marshawn I'm trying to catch up on sleep! Yesterday I made a little more progress on 'The Summoning' & I'm hoping to keep it moving today too.

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& also as promised, pictures of my baby boy:

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He's such an angel! View the rest of the pictures here.

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Hope everyone had a good week! :]