In My Mailbox (17)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren, inspired by Alea and explores the contents of our mailbox on a weekly basis.

For review:

• The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (1 ARC)
  
• The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (2 copies-one for giveaway)
  
• Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (2 copies- one for giveaway)
  
• The Peculiar Superpowers of Eleanor Armstrong by K.A. Schloegel (Signed & Personalized!)
  

Won:

• Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen (Signed & Personalized!)
  

Swapped:

• The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (ARC)
  

Bought/gift (Today's my B-day so I'll probably get more :D)

• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
  

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Young Adult
Pages: 400
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1, 2009

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

I'm still in shock about this book. Seriously, one of the best books I've ever read. She has this amazing way to end each chapter so socking that you are literally unable to put it down. I mean, as a big reader I already have practice in the dreadful art of putting down books that are consuming, but this was something else entirely. After the first few chapters my body reacted on its own: when I saw the chapter was about to end, my heart would start racing for no reason yet. So this is my recommendation for the few who haven't read this yet, when you're planning to stop reading soon, close it in the middle of the chapter it's the only way you will manage to stop.

The plot was excellent, the character beyond excellent and the writing was... excellent! I have no complains at all except the fact that, why would she end it like that? Why would she leave her faithful readers so so so desperate? I need the third book right now! (Rumored title is The Victors) This is my Absolute favorite series now, and I recommend it to everyone! - NOTE: It contains a lot of violence.

Goodreads/Amazon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all my readers! =)

2010 Debut Author Challenge

This Challenge is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. Anyone can join! Read her entire post here
The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year.

My List:

1. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

2. Restoring Harmony by Joëlle Anthony
   
3. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
4. The Line by Teri Hall
5. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
   
6. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
7. Princess For Hire Lindsey Leavitt
   
8. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
   
9. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
10. Rise of the Renegadeby Chelsea Campbell
    
11. Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedeke
    
12. Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
13. Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly
14. Sea by Heidi R. Kling
15. The Mark by Jen Nadol
16. Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omololu
17. Scones & Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
    
18. The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
19. The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
    

Giveaway: The Nanny Returns

Drawing on their own harrowing experience as nannies to NYC's pampered and powerful, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus penned the breakout No. 1 New York Times bestseller The Nanny Diaries.

More than four million readers fell in love with Nan, the smart, spirited, and sympathetic heroine of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Nanny Diaries.

As part of the promotion for Nanny Returns, I'm hosting a giveaway for one (1) hardcover copy of the book. Contest ends December 15, the release date for the book.

**UPDATE: The Winner will also get a copy of The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, a YA novel by the same authors of the Nanny Diaries and Nanny Returns!!

Nanny Returns (from Goodreads):

Ten years after her original misadventures in babysitting, Nan returns to NYC in this saucy sequel to the phenomenal bestseller The Nanny Diaries. Now married and pondering motherhood herself, the recovering caregiver is about to get a whole new perspective on childrearing. Her trouble former charge bursts back into her life and her new consulting business introduces her to nannying's sophisticated older sister: private school. With the same biting wit and tender heart that marked the original, this long-awaited follow-up skewers the elite culture of "outsourced parenting" on the razor-sharp tip of a 21st-century Mary Poppins umbrella. It's as funny as it is affecting: call it chicklit with a conscience.

How to enter? each comment = 1 entry. So comment as much as you want. Tell me what you're reading, what good books you've read lately, favorite books this year, books you've hated, if you've read The Nanny Diaries, if you saw the movie, anything (as long as it is interesting) and of course, you MUST leave your email address, or a twitter account or a way to contact you in one of the comments.

Bonus: +5 spread the word (in a separate comment) Facebook, twitter, sidebar...

**This is not a YA title. Contest open to US and Canada ONLY. Winner will be randomly picked with random.com and will have two days to answer my email or I'll pick another winner.

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Lost For Words by Alice Kuipers

Ever since Sophie Baxter’s sister was killed in the London terrorist bombings, she has retreated into herself. But there’s only so long she can keep everything bottled up inside before she explodes, and Sophie comes to realize that she must confront the horror of her past before she can face the future.
Up-and-coming talent Alice Kuipers lets her teen sensibility, humor, and fresh perspective shine in this remarkable story of family, hope, and perseverance in the face of tragedy.

Release Date: May 1, 2010

Goodreads / Amazon

Audio-Books

I have no idea how many of you listen to books, but I'm a big fan. If you love to read, try them! I was asking for some recommendations in my last IMM and Casey sujested I should share the ones I know of. I just started listening to them a few months ago and these are the ones I've listened and loved:

09 Titles:

• The Forrest of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan
  
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• Willow by Julia Hoban

Other Titles:

• Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
• Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
• The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
• The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau
• Elsewhere by Gabrille Zevin

In my TBL (listened)- currently available in audio-book:

• 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher (currently listening)
  
• Fat Cat by Robin Brande (09 title)
• Tantialize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith (09 title)
  
• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

I also picked up the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield, but I think the reader was awful, I couldn't stand to listen. I recommend you rather read those.
Please if you like audio-books and know of recent titles available leave recommendations in the comments or email me!