Before I Die

Before I Die: A Novel
by Jenny Downham

Tessa is sick. Very sick. She has no idea how long she has left to live. So she makes a list of things she wants to do before she dies.

She starts going through her list, making it longer as she thinks of more things, and doesn't think she will get them done. Afterall, she doesn't know how long she has.

Grade: B-

(My synopsis is so short because I didn't want to give too much away if you haven't read this.) This book was sad. I really disliked Tessa's friend Zoey. The story just jumps right in, and by the end, I was really upset by it. :( The story was really good, and well-written. I liked how towards the end, the spacing between paragraphs got larger, because Tessa was always asleep.

Waiting on Wednesday 9

Taken by Storm
by Angela Morrison

Pub. Date: March 5, 2009

from amazon.com
Leesie Hunt has many rules: No kissing. No sex. No dating outside the Mormon faith.

When Michael Walden—a deep-sea diver who lost his parents in a violent hurricane—arrives in town, Leesie sees someone who needs her. They fall for one another, even though his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above.

Will their intense chemistry be too strong to resist?
Leesie and Michael must make the hardest choice of their lives: whether to follow their beliefs or their hearts.

Readers will be swept away by this tale of forbidden romance told in online chats, Leesie’s chapbook poems, and Michael’s dive log. It’s as steamy as Twilight and just as clean.

I think...
This one sounds really great! And look at that cover! It's so gorgeous. I have Mormon friends who have the same "rules", so I think it would be interesting to read a book about it. Anyways, I just think it sounds really good, and I will be reading this one for sure when it comes out!

Forever Princess

Forever Princess
by Meg Cabot

Mia Thermopolis is about to graduate. For her senior project, she wrote a romance novel (Ransom My Heart), but told every one that it was a book about Genovian olive oil pressing circa 1254-1650. She got into every college she applied to, though she didn't tell anyone. Her birthday gala, Prom, and graduation is coming up too.

But, this Princess still has her issues. No one wants to publish her novel. Her father is running for Prime Minister of Genovia and is behind in the polls. J.P. wrote a play about him and Mia, but is he really her One? And last, but certainly not least, Michael, Mia's first love, is back from Japan, and back in her life.

Mia needs to make some decisions. What college will she go to? Is J.P. the One? Why are all these feelings for Michael coming back to her? All of the decisions will impact her life forever!

Grade: A

Wow. Meg Cabot is my all time fav. And she has yet to disappoint me. I'm really sad that this is the last of the Princess Diaries series. But I am soooo happy by the way it ended! I don't want to give anything away though, so I think I will just end it with that. If you haven't read the series, you really should. And if you have, and have yet to read the final book, do so ASAP! It's so good!!

Tag!

I've been tagged by Katie of KD's Library!

Here are the rules:

Link to the person who has tagged you.
Write down six things that make you happy.
Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it.
Then tell the person when your entry is complete.

1) Reading a good book
2) Spending time with my friends
3) Learning all things Norwegian
4) Norwegian Camp <3
5) Listening to music
6) Being around children

Gosh, I don't know who in the world to tag. So, if you wanna, do this! I tag anyone who wants to do it! :]

"In My Mail Box" 3

This week I got...

Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godberson
Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson
Forever Princess by Meg Cabot
Season of Ice by Diane Les Becquets

The last book is the only one I received in the mail. The rest are from the library. So, expect these to come. Right now, I'm almost finished with Forever Princess. Then I will work on last week's library books and move on to these.

EDIT: Today I received The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Terraro from a contest in the mail!

Inkheart

Inkheart
by Cornelia Funke

Meggie's father, Mo, has a secret. When he reads aloud from a book, it comes into real life. Years ago he read from Inkheart and the villian Capricorn emerged, and his wife went in. Mo cannot read Capricorn back into the story either, meaning he can't get his wife back.

Meggie lay awake one night, and looks out the window to see a man standing outside. He is Dustfinger, and he calls Mo "Silvertongue". From that day on, Meggie's life will change forever.

Grade: C

This book was pretty average. I admit that I read it because I think the movie looks good, and I like to read books before seeing the movie. Whenever I see the movie, I will compare them in a post. It was an interesting story, I just couldn't get into it. I had trouble reading for a long period of time, which isn't fun, but I just had to finish it. I don't really recommend this book, but hey, you may enjoy it more than I did.

Waiting on Wednesday 8

Heartbreak River
by Tricia Mills

Pub. Date: April 16, 2009

from amazon.com

Alex thought she’d be spending the summer focused on her family’s rafting business, burying the memories of her father’s death last year, and leaving behind all the messes she made in its wake.

But when Sean returns to town, she is forced to reckon with her mixed-up crushy feelings for him—more powerful than ever before. It takes another tragedy to make Alex realize Sean has loved her, and forgiven her, all along.

I think...

This book sounds really great. Kind of reminds me of the novel "Sweethearts." And look at that cover. It's very...nice. :) Anyways. It looks great, and I will for sure be reading this!

"In My Mail Box" 2

Here's what I have coming soon!:

Meet Me at the Boardwalk by Erin Haft
What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
The Magician by Michael Scott

I admit, these aren't from my mailbox, but I am expecting one. The first two I bought at Borders and the others are from the library.

And, I am currently reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Expect a review soon!

Another Award?!? :)

I've been awarded again! :]

Thanks Amanda!

My turn! I'm awarding 3 blogs this time:

Allie of Just Listen
Katie of KD's Library
Lauren of Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf


1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

How Not to be Popular

How Not to be Popular
by Jennifer Ziegler

Sugar Magnolia Dempsey, aka Maggie, has never stayed in one town for more than 8 months. And now she is tired of it, all the moving with her hippie parents, Les and Rosie.

Now she is moving from Portland to Austin. She is leaving behind a best friend and a boyfriend. This time around, she is determined to not make friends. She won't seek out the popular girls and befriend them. No, she will be weird, and make sure no one wants her as a friend.

She dresses in outrageous outfits, does water aerobics, and joins the Happy Hands club. There's a problem though--she starts to care about the people around her: Penny, the girl that sat with her on her first day of school, and Jack, the clean-cut wannabe lawyer. So, Maggie comes up with something that is sure to push them all away. The worst part is...it works.

Grade: A

I loved this book. Maggie was such a great character, but it annoyed me how she just pushed away the people she met. Especially Jack! I liked him from the start, and I know she did too, but I wish she would have forgot about Trevor. The story had a great message as well: don't be afraid of who you are and where you come from. I wish it had ended different though. It was a good ending, but it makes me want to know more about the future of Maggie. I recommend this book. It was great!

Waiting on Wednesday 7

The Amaranth Enchantment
by Julie Berry

Pub. Date: March 3, 2009

From amazon.com

A delightful fairytale by a lyrical new voice.

When Lucinda Chapdelaine was a small child, her parents left for the royal ball and never returned. Ever since, Lucinda has been stuck in perpetual servitude at her evil aunt’s jewelry store. Then, on the very same day, a mysterious visitor and an even more bizarre piece of jewelry both enter the shop, setting in motion a string of twists and turns that will forever alter Lucinda’s path. In this magical story filled with delightful surprises, Lucinda will dance at the royal ball, fall under the Amaranth Witch’s spell, avenge her parents’ death, and maybe—just maybe—capture the heart of a prince.

I think...
This book sounds really good! I believe this is Julie's first novel, and I look forward to reading it! It just sounds really interesting to me. The cover is pretty too! It seems like it would be a fairy tale, but with more twists in the story.

Accidentally Dead

Accidentally Dead
by Dakota Cassidy

Nina Blackman just got her job as a dental assistant. There is this patient, who gets the anesthesia, making him loopy. But then he bites her! He was cute though...The next morning, Nina wakes up, realizing she has missed a whole day of work. AND she has fangs. Along with the fangs, there is super vision, hearing, and her guinea pig, Larry, is starting to look appetizing.

Nina and her friends, Marty (a werewolf) and Wanda go to the dentist office in search of the file. They find it. Gregori Statleon is the name. The go to his Long Island castle...yes, a castle. Nina is furious. All she wants is mortality back, and she will do whatever she has to to get it.

Grade: A+

In one word, this book was amazing. I got this book for Christmas, and hadn't heard of the book or author, and I was a little iffy on the cover, since it's kind of cheesy. But I jumped right in and was hooked from the start. Nina was the funniest character ever. And Greg seems to be very good looking. :P I recommend everyone to read this book, especially if you enjoy the paranormal. But a warning, Nina has a potty-mouth, so don't read this if you don't like to read cuss words in every sentence. And another warning, there are a few sex scenes as well, so beware if you read this. Overall, I loved this book, and you all should go to B&N and read it.

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know
by Sonya Sones

Robin Murphy is the guy everyone makes fun of. He's a 14 year old freshman, and all of a sudden, he gets the girl of his dreams, Sophie Stein. The whole school is shocked by them being a couple.

And then Robin isn't the only one being made fun of. Usually it is people saying "Don't be such a Murphy," by him being a loser. Now he has heard someone say "Don't be such a Stein!"

When Robin's art teacher tells him a college art teacher wants him to sit in on his class, he is shocked at totally excited. And then he ends up drawing nude models. He meets some college students, but doesn't tell them he's a freshman in high school. There is Tess, who he notices is very attractive.

Robin and Sophie get in a huge fight when she reunites with one of her friends that ditched her after being with Robin. What will come of their relationship?

Grade: B+

This book was pretty good. I read it in one night, but then again, the pages weren't full. So, it was a very quick read. I liked the story and I liked Robin's character. I didn't really like Sophie though. The title was kind of misleading to me though. It doesn't really make much sense, because Sophie does know...So, I liked the story, not the title. I don't really recommend it, but if you want a quick read, go for it!

The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It

The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It
by Lisa Shanahan

Gemma Stone is living a pretty normal life. And then her sister gets engaged to a guy she's known for only a month. The family is obsessed with war and basically loony. Nick, the gorgeous popular boy, actually speaks to her and convinces her to try out for the school play. She knows she shouldn't, since she is a terrible public speaker, with a tendency to vomit. Then the bad-boy, Raven De Head, is very interested in her.

How will it all work out for Gemma? Or will she just end up chucking a birkett?

Grade: C+

This story was very interesting. At first it was pretty slow, but once I got farther, it was hard to stop reading. Gemma was kind of annoying and I didn't like how she treated Raven at all. It was kind of hard to read some parts, because the book takes place in Australia. So, really, "to chuck a birkett" is Gemma's family's way of saying go crazy, in a way. Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this book, it was average.