Choco's 2 books contest

Choco is offering 2 lovely books in celebration of her 600 followers! A chance to win Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and Willow by Julie Hoban at http://inwhichagirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/600-followers-giveaway-international.html
I have been after these books for a long time and I know it's the same with many of you too. One winner wins both the books. So hurry to the above link!

Kick ass book giveaway!

Amanda is hosting a fab giveaway on her blog at http://storywings.blogspot.com/2010/03/missy-jane-contest.html
She is giving away a copy of They Call Me Dead by Missy Jane.If you like kick ass heroines,you are sure to love this book. And Amanda is giving away 3 copies of the book!! So generous...I hope I win a copy!

Undercover book lover's lovely contest!

A really great chance to win a whole box of books from different publishers-http://theundercoverbooklover.blogspot.com/2010/03/pick-your-publisher-contest.html

Up for grabs are-

Win Winter Garden

To win a copy of winter Garden by Kristin Hannah enter-http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2010/03/winter-garden-by-kristin-hannah.html

Here's the book synopsis:
Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time—and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya’s life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother’s life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

Heidi's massive giveaway

In order to celebrate the release of Sea in 9 weeks,Heidi Kling is having an awesome giveaway on her page. You have to work for it though ;)
Link-http://seaheidi.livejournal.com/175715.html

Spud: The Madness Continues by John van de Ruit

SYNOPSIS:
The record-breaking, bestselling sequel to Spud!

It’s 1991, and John “Spud” Milton’s journey to manhood is still creeping along at a snail’s pace. Nearly fifteen, Spud’s starting his second year at boarding school and—to his utter mortification—he’s still a spud!

To make things worse, his dorm mates, the legendary Crazy Eight, have an unusual new member (Roger the cat), and his house is home to a new batch of unruly first years. Spud is soon plagued with women trouble, coerced into expulsion-worthy adventures, and frustrated to find his dreams of fame in tatters after landing the part of the Dove of Peace in a disastrous production of Noah’s Ark.

Join Spud as he takes another tentative step forward while all around him the madness continues. . . .


REVIEW:
It surprises me that I haven't seen this book around the blogosphere. It is the best book I have read so far! I love love love it!!
Spud: The Madness Continues is a sequel to van de Ruit's book Spud. I have been lucky enough to get my hands on this book,but unlucky that I couldn't manage a copy of its prequel. If you read and love the Adrian Mole books,I can guarantee you will love this book a lot more. Spud is an intelligent Adrian Mole. Spud's life in a South African hostel is crazy and hilarious!! Spud and his friends who make up The Crazy Eight is now in second year. They have left behind their year as the youngest and most tormented. They are now back to bully their juniors in madly innovative ways.
The book also has its fair share of 'mad' romance. Spud's theories and ideas regarding life in general,love,romance,girls made me laugh hoarse. I wont give away any more of the book. I have said it,but will say it again-I guarantee you a fun roller coaster ride with this genius of a novel. I highly recommend it. It improves the Adrian Mole premise and leaves you with wanting more. It is a perfect tear jerker-your eyes will water because of laughing. It is a perfect page turner. I had so much fun reading this book that I could not but help posting a review and professing it's 'greatness'. John van de Ruit is an absolutely brilliant writer. He is the best!

My warning: Your stomach will ache and eyes will water with laughter!

My Rating- 5/5(needless to say..) :)

A great contest with 3 winners!

Brittlit has an awesome contest on her super nice blog.A chance to win Before I Fall,The Sky Is Everywhere and The Line at http://thelifeofateenlibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/03/contest-win-before-i-fall-and-sky-is.html

Cleopatra's Daughter up for grabs!

Check out this link for a giveaway of Cleopatra's Daughter-http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-cleopatras-daughter-by.html

Contest at The Serpentine Library!

A giveaway is going on at The Serpentine Library-http://theserpentinelibrary.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-blog-layout-and-contest.html

Great giveaways!

A mini giveaway is on at Audrey's blog-http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/moving-away-international-mini-giveaway.html

Audrey is giving away Magic Under Glass at http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-arc-of-magic-under-glass-by.html

Bird Room also up for grabs at-http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-and-giveaway-bird-room-by-chris.html

Drey's wonderful giveaway

Drey has posted an excerpt of Angleology on her blog. Check it out. You will surely fall in love with the book. She has also been enormously kind to host a lovely giveaway of the book too! Check here to enter- http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/2010/03/excerpt-and-giveaway-angleology-by.html

Win Forget Her Nots

A chance to win Forget Her Nots! I have been looking forward to reading this one for a long time. I heartily hope I win this one. If you are interested in winning a copy too,enter here-http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2010/03/win-copy-of-forget-her-nots-amy.html

March Giveaway

I love the books up for grabs! Please enter here to win 3 absolutely great books-http://tabwriter.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-book-giveaway.html

Book Review:Top Ten Uses For An Unused Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

Synopsis:
Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before the prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. Now older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems, Nic realizes the dress might hold the answers.

Sophomore year, Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. But Nic is determined to put that night behind her for good. She's a junior now-- older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems: (1) The bank's ready to foreclose on her childhood home. (2) Her father's too busy with his " replacement" daughter to care. (3) Her best friend's brother is an eternal thorn in her side. (4) Her best friend isn't exactly the rose attached to that thorn. (5) Rumors are flying around school that could get her kicked off the volleyball team, which would (6) ruin all chances of a college scholarship. (7) She still likes the boy who dumped her in the first place. (8) And what in the world do you do with an unworn prom dress, anyway? Strangely, it's getting to the bottom of this last dilemma that just might hold the answer to all Nic's problems.


REVIEW:
The cover drew me in. Though I am not a big fan of pink,I am a fan of all cute ythings and this cover,I hope all will agree with me, is extremely sweet.
As you can see from the synopsis,this is another book with the teenage protagonist in a mess with her life! I don’t think there is anything new or much to talk about this book(the summary says it all). Though I must mention that it was a great read,it was nothing extraordinary or even extremely innovative and interesting for that matter. I love to be surprised but I could from the very first page guess the guy she was going to turn up with in the end! So nothing surprising there too,though I guess Tina Ferraro tried to misguide the readers by complicating things!
However,I must mention that the characters and their dilemmas and the situations were extremely realistic and relatable. One can easily connect to Nic and the others. They are normal teens with regular problems and that is something I liked-nothing blown out of proportions. That was a major plus point of the book for me. Also,Nic's character was nice-somewhat sassy,strong but all that 'sassiness' entwined with a whole lot of other emotions. I like round characters and that is what I got here. :)
All in all I liked the book,though not loved.. The novel was not out-and-out great but quite a page turner. Also,the happy ending helped,since I am a total sucker for one!!

My Rating:4/5

Win a few books at princess bookie's blog!

http://www.princessbookie.com/2010/03/win-few-books.html

A grand giveaway!

A number of books to be won at http://juiciliciousssreviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/random-big-giveaway.html

Lauren's awesome giveaway!

Lauren is celebrating 300 followers at her blog. And she is celebrating it with a fantastic giveaway!! Winner gets to choose 3 books(!!!). Up for grabs are-
Nearly Departed by Rook Hastings
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
My So-Called Afterlife by Tamsyn Murray
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The Compound by S. A. Bodeen
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

You wouldn't want to miss this!! Link- http://iwasateenagebookgeek.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-was-teenage-book-geeks-300-follower.html

Kate's fab giveaway!

Kate is holding a giveaway at http://readthisbook.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/be-my-radiant-valentine-giveaway/

My first Bloggy Award!

from Larissa :)
This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship through the blog world.

Rule:

Nominate 5 bloggers you feel deserve the Humane Award =)
I pass on this award to these lovelies:

Elana of Elana Johnson,YA Author
Bookalicious of Bookalicious Ramblings
Kimberly of Kimberly Franklin
Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages
Christina of Confessions of A Book Addict

Sci fi giveaway!

If you like books of the sci-fi or fantasy genre,this is a perfect giveaway for you. Spellwright,a great book to be won at http://onlythebestscifi.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-spellwright-by-blake-charlton.html
Check out the link!

The queen's royal contest!

YA queen has a great contest in honour of her 300+ followers! Check it out...you wont be disappointed! She is offering great books! Some of them have been on my wishlist since the time they released...I personally want all of them! Link- http://yabookqueen.blogspot.com/2010/03/300-follower-contest.html

Giveaway: Before I Fall!

An absolutely fantastic opportunity to win Before I Fall at http://cleverlyinked.blogspot.com/2010/03/before-i-fall-contest.html
I have been dying to get my hands on this book and if so is your condition don't waste a minute! Check out the above link asap!

Author Appreciation Week

I don't really know which author to post about. I mean,so many of them have been instrumental in molding my personality and my imagination. So I have decided to dedicate this post to all those lovely authors who have helped me through my hard times and were also a friend whom I could share my happy moments with. Special mention to all the chicklit,romance,YA authors around the globe! Some authors deserve individual space here because of their profound influence in my life-

~ENID BLYTON-She is a novelist of the superlative degree. She taught me to read and love books. I owe her big time!!
~J.K. ROWLING- She was my first brush with fantasy,she helped me imagine and she gave the world Harry Potter!!
~JANE AUSTEN-The first ever chicklit author (with a hint of contemporary societal flavor) for me! Her Pride And Prejudice is an all time favorite. Mr.Darcy...ahh..
~TRISHA ASHLEY-I picked up a copy of her Sowing Secrets at a bookstore and trust me,it was 'love at first read'!!
~JANE GREEN-For writing the wonderful novel Bookends which made me dream of owning my very own bookstore...
~JILL MANSELL and MARIAN KEYES-They are my best romantic novelists. It is always so good to indulge in their romantic worlds with me as the heroine!!
~SUZANNE COLLINS-I wasn't much into dystopian novels but she made me love love love the genre!!
~MEG CABOT-I found her a little late in life and how I regret it!! But I have been gorging on her books and gushing about her books ever since...
~SOPHIE KINSELLA-For introducing the quintessential romantic/chicklit protagonist Rebecca Bloomwood into my world.
~LOISE RENNISON-Firstly,for providing me with a whole new vocabulary! Secondly,her books have been my best friends during my most distressed times.She never ceases to provide me with a good laugh! :)
~ANGELA MORRISON-She is only two books old but has already 'stormed' her way into my list of favorite authors!!
~MAGGIE STIEFVATER and BECCA FITZPATRICK-They are my most favorite authors of the paranoramal genre till date. They made me love the genre and their engrossing tales like none other ever could..

I define my best days as ones when I get to curl up on my sofa with a bar of chocolate and a book by any of these authors with me. A big salute to all of you for making my life so much easier,passionate and cooler!

A very special mention: Bidisha Das-She is a budding YA author and a great friend. I am sure she will make it large in the writing world. Well she is the one who introduced me to the very awesome world of YA and I love her for that! :D

Larissa's Wolfie Contest

Lala is celebrating a Wolfie Weekend on her awesome blog!! Its too much fun. She also has a wonderful giveaway where she will be giving away 2 ebooks. Check it out here- http://www.larissaslife.com/2010/03/wolfie-weekend-day-1-review-of-wolf.html

Giveaway:Daughters of Fortune by Tara Hyland

A chance to win a lovely book about fashion and family ties! I am sure you are already in love with the cover as I am and so do not lose this opportunity! There are five books to be given away(I hope I win one of them..;))!!
Link- http://www.bookalicious-ramblings.net/2010/03/interview-tara-hyland-author-of.html
You can also check out this video to learn more about the book straight from the author- http://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/multimedia?video=68862068001

An opportunity to win so many awesome books

Stop by a giveaway on Steph's blog! It's lovely,it's large,it's simply splendid! I love her book choices-a great mixture of genres. Up for grabs are:

* Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
* Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
* An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
* Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
* Dreaming of Amelia by Jaclyn Moriarty
* Blue Plate Special by Michelle
* The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
* The Pact by Jodi Picoult
* World Shaker by Richard Harland
* Exposure by Mal Peet
* Sprout by Dale Peck
* Panama by Shelby Hiatt

Plus...

* Every winner will get lots of book swag - bookmarks, postcards, badges, etc...
* And if you're an aspiring YA author, you'll also get a query critique & first five pages critique of your YA manuscript from Steph! In order to enter the contest,click on the link- http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2010/03/massive-book-giveaway-win-win-win.html
And yes! There will be 6 winners if she has 1000 followers till April 30th!!

Review: CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

SYNOPSIS:
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.


REVIEW:
The highly anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games proves to be a lot more than promised! If you thought that you were done with totally knock-off twists with The Hunger Games,you couldn't be any any more wrong!
The second book of the series,Catching Fire is an even more amazing book! Katniss is sassier and more confused than ever between Gale and Peeta in this book! The districts are rising in a revolt against the Capitol and they claim Katniss to be the promoter and catalyst for it! Katniss however is totally unaware of the situation and the havoc she has caused. You might be thinking that the situations couldn't get more complicated than this...Wrong! This year being the seventy-fifth year of The Hunger Games,the games have become even more intense and rules more twisted! The tributes this year are chosen from the victors of the previous games so that the Capitol can prove that even the strongest of the denizens are weak infront of them! Katniss and Peeta are forced to enter the ring again. The games are the most brutal and situations way too complex this year! It's hell lot interesting to read what happens and how Katniss and Peeta survive the Capitol..The book ends with a rebellion in full force and the report of obliteration of District 12!!!
I loved loved loved this book! The change in the characters,liaisons,secrets,romance...fully loaded with ample twists and turns,I couldn't get enough of the book. I love the way Katniss describes each situation,each event. The situations are so realistic and so well described,I felt as if I was present there inside the arena with Katniss all along.. Unique and engrossing-a total page turner!
Suzanne Collins is an amazing writer. She surpasses herself with every new book! Can't wait for Mockingjay to see what will happen next..
Just how many times have I used comparative in this post?!

My Rating:10/5 :D

Please check out this post

Angela Morrison is the author of two YA novels - Taken By Storm (2009) and Sing Me To Sleep (2010).
Her third novel, Unbroken Connection, the sequel to Taken By Storm, was recently rejected by her publisher, Razorbill, after her editor left to start her own literary development company.

Hear it from Angela herself:
"While I was picking out outfits for my SING ME TO SLEEP launch trip up to London, Ontario, I got a phone call from my lovely editor. Lexa broke the news that she was leaving Razorbill. Yikes. She is starting her own literary development company, called Paper Lanterns, Inc. I'm excited for her. And SING ME TO SLEEP was launching in just a few days. No worries for me, right?

WRONG! Poor UNBROKEN CONNECTION had lost it's best advocate. Monday evening when I got to my hotel room after a long, long day, there was a short and not particularly sweet rejection email from Razorbill's publisher waiting in my inbox. Nice. Three days before SING's launch. That's kind of the way things go in this business. My agent and I are discussing where to go next with it. I've got a lot of fans asking for it and support from you and a host of wonderful bloggers. That helps so much--believe me! I appreciate it all tons."

Those who have read Taken By Storm and want more of Leesie and Michael, do join in and show your support for Angela's Unbroken Connection.
Those who have not read the book, check it out on Amazon, it's a fantastic read.

I don't know how far we can go with this, but your support for this group will hopefully help Angela in some way to get her book out to all her fans and all the millions of readers out there.

Join here to show your love and support- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=367878746466&ref=nf&v=info#!/group.php?v=wall&ref=nf&gid=367878746466

Please help Angela get her book published. She is an amazing author. Please join in!

Craziest Book giveaway!!

La Femme Readers and A Good Addiction have a great contest.It's like the best giveaway of the year till now! Up for grabs are:
Linger
Spirit Bound
Shadows
The Tension Of Opposites
Sea
Rules of Attraction
Now do you understand why you absolutely just have to enter the giveaway? Leave all your current work and head over to the giveaway at http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/2010/03/contest-you-dont-want-to-miss.html. Trust me,it's worth it!

Review:The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

SYNOPSIS:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.



REVIEW:
I started reading the book and was barely able to put it down for a second! I read a borrowed copy,but now I seriously consider buying it! The book deserves to be owned. Yes,it was so good!
The story has been set in the future world,in future North America. Katniss,the protagonist has to provide for her mother and sister Prim ever since her father died in a coal mine blast. However,it isn’t an easy job in District 12 and she has to risk her life daily as she hunts for food on forbidden land. But worst of all is the reaping day. Once a year,the government chooses a boy and a girl from each of the twelve districts who has to fight against each other till the one who survives is declared the Victor. 74 years before these districts had rebelled against the government and lost. As a reminder of their defeat and the power of the Capitol over the weak districts,the brutal Hunger Games are held where the districts are forced to sacrifice their children. The story as unfolds shows how Katniss,after having voluntarily replaced her sister as a participant in the Games,goes on to win it with her fellow partner,Peeta.
I loved the book,especially the way the characters have been sketched. Gale,Katniss’ best friend and sole confidant who accompanies her on her hunts. Then there is Peeta,her fellow contender from her district. Peeta has been in love with Katniss practically since forever! He sustained his mother’s beatings,went under the knife of a fellow participant in the games-all for Katniss(How romantic…*sigh*)!!
And finally there is Katniss,the sassy protagonist-a real survivor. Her profound love for her sister was very touching. She possesses a really soft heart beneath that tough exterior. I really liked how Katniss matured throughout the course of the novel. The way she understood her mentor,Haymitch when she was in the games was very intelligent! However I can simply not understand how she could miss Peeta’s sincere love for her…I mean the instances were totally staring at her face! How could she be so blind to Peeta’s genuine love? Well,I guess Ms. Collins wanted a love triangle…the confusion in Katniss’ mind,the two prspective lovers to keep the readers totally hooked! Anyways,Katniss’s confusion regarding boys is a universal concern among teenagers and thus makes her very realistic. I am sure every reader will have the same question once they finish the book-Team Peeta or Team Gale?
I have seriously fallen for the dystopian,this being my first book in the genre...or is it just the charm of the book alone? ;)

March Contest

Another fabulous contest at http://lushbudgetproduction.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-madness-book-contest.html for the month of March. Visit the site above for a real treat!!

Suzette's awesome giveaway!

Fantabulous giveaway on Suzette's blog- http://suzettesaxton.blogspot.com/2010/03/fantabulous-followers-giveaway.html

Contest at Elana's

Enter here to check out Elana's fabulous contest-http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/2010/03/fantabulous-followers-giveaway.html

Great giveaway by A Life Bound by Books!

Check out this great giveaway by A Life Bound by Books at http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/contest-to-celebrate-150-followers.html

Eclipse Trailer(full)

Check out the full movie trailer of Eclipse!! Cant wait any longer for the movie!!


Bella(Kristen Stewart) is such a lucky girl! Two super hot guys beside her...totally envy her!

Extreme reader's extreme contest!

Check out the swag and you are sure to fall in love with it! To enter a contest of pure awesomeness follow the link- http://extremereaderbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/mega-swag-and-more-giveaway.html

Do check out this awesome contest!

4 Mercy Thompson books to be won at http://lifeafterjane.blogspot.com/2010/02/mercy-thompson-giveaway.html

10 seconds in Paradise!! Eclipse Trailer!

Click here for a 10 sec trailer of Eclipse! You will love it!

2 great books to be won

A fabbity fab chance to win Dream Girl and Dream Life by Lauren Mechling. Do not miss the opportunity! Check out the giveaway at http://readintothis.blogspot.com/2010/02/win-dream-girl-dream-life-by-lauren.html

Contest at Read Into This

9 books up for grabs! There will be a total of 3 winners: first one gets choice of 3 books, second gets choice of 2 books, and third gets choice of 1 book. A fabulous contest! Make sure that you enter it at http://readintothis.blogspot.com/2010/03/250-followers-contest_07.html

Bloody Bookaholic's contest of awesomeness!

Contest with 7 winners and up to 28 books!! It is awesome, it is massive, it is fabulous!

Winner number 7 gets 1 book.
Winner number 6 gets 2 books.
Winner number 5 gets 3 books.
Winner number 4 gets 4 books.
Winner number 3 gets 5 books.
Winner number 2 gets 6 books.
Winner number 1 gets 7 book.

This one is the superb! Check out the contest at http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/2010/02/ridiculously-awesome-contest.html

Review:Angus,Thongs and full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

SYNOPSIS:
There are six things very wrong with my life:
1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.
2. It is on my nose.
3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.
4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic “teachers”.
5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home.
6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.



REVIEW:
The first book of the hilarious Georgia Nicolson diaries will make you laugh till you die of laughter .Georgia is a 14 year old girl and she believes that her nose is huge and that she is very ugly. So she is obsessed with getting a nose job done and getting a plastic surgery to make her look more beautiful. She and her Ace Gang,her group of three friends,Jas,Ellen,Jools, indulge in sleepovers,’serious’ discussions about make-up,boys and lesbians!Georgia writes about several crazy encounters that she has with guys-her cousin,James,tries to kiss her and one of the boys,Mark,living on the same street as hers comes up to her and places his hands on her ‘basoomas’! And in the middle of all this Georgia has to deal with several problems that she thinks she has,like her parents,her pet cat Angus,her large nose,her ugliness,her love and hopes to start a relationship with Robbie(or Sex God,as she calls him) who has a girlfriend,Lindsay and her wondering if she is a lesbian as well as schizophrenic! There are several funny incidents that takes place in her school that she mentions and also write about her weird teachers at school,Mrs.Hawkeye,Herr Kamyer and Miss Stamp.And there is also the mad school caretaker,Elvis.
The book is funny and there are several instances where the reader will find themselves rolling with laughter especially when Georia,alongwith her group of friends goes to a professional kisser,Peter’s house after school to practice kissing and Peter compliments her by saying that she is a natural!
The book is funny and a page-turner.I quite like the book especially the sincerity with which Georgia writes down all her insecurities and triumphs and we can all identify with the 14 year old Georgia’s haste in wanting to grow up. Hers is a very realistic character. This book,for me,is a winner.

My rating:5/5

Review:SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater

SYNOPSIS:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf–her wolf–is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human–or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.


REVIEW:
Shiver is the poignant love story of a werewolf boy and a human girl. Grace is drawn to a particular wolf with yellow eyes who had saved her.When six years later,Grace meets the half human blood covered Sam six years later,their mutual attraction strengthens to form a strong bond of love. However,Sam lives two lives. He remains a human for the summer and changes into a werewolf for the colder parts of the year. But now,Sam must fight to keep himself human if he has to protect his love.
Shiver is a particularly attractive paranormal romance. It takes the common genre to a different level. The theme has been elevated by Maggie’s lyrical writing and the sensory perceptions she projects through it. I love the way Maggie writes-elegant and soothing even when there is such tension and so many things happening. Shiver is one of those rare works of art that you’d continue reading if your house were burning down around you. This is a wonderful book that not only captures your imagination,but also your heart!
I liked two incidents in the book in particular. One,the way Maggie describes the candies in a candy shop-she proffers scope for extreme sensations of smell…to smell is to feel and to feel is to smell(I sure will try this out the next time I visit a candy store)! Simply awesome! The second,how parents slash the wrists of a son to cure him of what they think is a disease when he switches between human and ‘monster’ form. The secondary characters are also skillfully drawn. I especially like the character of Isabel-her indulgence in style and beauty,her grief on losing her brother along with her perfect comic timing and ‘I care a damn’ attitude made her a very lovable character for me. The difference in the attitudes(besides their physical differentiation) of each werewolf also intrigued me.
I do not however understand why every parent in the book has been sketched in gray,unfit shades!
Even then,I absolutely enjoyed Shiver. This is an extremely enjoyable read and I totally recommend it! Maggie’s style of writing is the most wonderful among all the other authors in this genre. Though there are a few loose ends,these in no way spoil the fun of the book. Shiver is sure to give the other paranormal romances a run for their money!! I can’t wait to get my hands on Linger to see what happens next!

My Rating:5/5 :)

Vampire book giveaway!

Any vampire book of your choice to be won!! Wow! What can be a better offer? Enter here http://www.25hourbooks.com/2010/03/how-do-you-like-your-vampire/

Best books for giveaway!

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The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting giveaway!

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Make sure to stop by this giveaway!

Taken By Storm Giveaway at http://therockpool.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/angela-morrison-taken-by-sleep-and-a-contest/

Book under 20$ giveaway

An opportunity to win a book of your choice under 20$ at http://ijustwannasithereandread.blogspot.com/2010/03/25-followers-your-choice-giveaway.html

Amelia's Giveaway!

Check out this great contest at http://leaveyoureyesbehind.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-time-for-giveaway.html

A fantastic chance to win a book!!!

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Poison Study Giveaway

An opportunity to win the book on Cherry Mischievous' blog-http://www.cherrymischievous.com/2010/02/poison-study-giveaway.html

Book Giveaway:When I Was Joe

The Bookette's wonderful giveaway contest at http://www.thebookette.co.uk/2010/03/when-i-was-joe-contest.html

Contest at YA Addict

6 wonderful books to choose from! you wouldn't want to miss this one! Ends on 12th March. Enter here http://yaaddict.blogspot.com/2010/02/50-followers-and-pick-your-lit-contest.html

Review:It's Not Easy Being Mean by Lisi Harrison

SYNOPSIS:
Massie Block: Getting back into Octavian Country Day was a piece of sugar-free cake, compared to Massie's next goal-finding the key that unlocks an ah-mazing legendary secret room at OCD! Alpha eighth grader Skye Hamilton and her clique have stashed the key in the bedroom of one mystery Briarwood boy, but who? Whoever finds the key gets access to the secret room for an entire year and the prestige that comes along with it. But what happens when LBR Layne seems to be getting closer? This is way more than a matter of life or death, it's a matter of in or out!

Kristen Gregory: Always been a star on the soccer field, but her style gets majorly cramped when her friends are forced to join the team. They better start kicking those soccer balls or Kristen's going to start kicking some . . . !

Alicia Rivera: Uses her skills as a gossip reporter to scheme her way into the rooms of all the Briarwood hotties!

Dylan Marvil: Heard depression makes people lose weight. Is hoping for some sad news soon because she's popping donut holes the way some people pop Tic-Tacs.

Claire Lyons: Being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be! Her agent confiscates her gummies, and forces her to do some very bad things to make her more "edgy." Worst of all, her constant meetings with lawyers and movie execs are eating into her time with the P.C. and with Cam! Is being a Hollywood starlet worth the Gucci-high price tag?


REVIEW:
It's Not Easy Being Mean, by Lisi Harrison, is the seventh novel in the Clique series.The pages turn fast and I found it a pretty goodread.
In this book the Pretty Committee,headed by Massie Block returns to school after having being expelled in the previous book. They are faced by a new challenge-the 8th grade alpha,Skye Hamilton has thrown them a challenge wherein after solving the clues hidden in a verse,they could gain access to the ‘secret room’. This secret room happens to be the paradise of the elite committees of the school. Massie is convinced that she will solve the mystery and find the key. She tries everything in her power to gain the key-she manipulates and maneouvres,but all in vain! Layne,a LBR(Loser Beyond Repair) finds the key before her and now Massie has to do all that is in her power to gain the key for herself!
I quite enjoyed the book.There was a sort of thrill in the search for the key. However,I found the character of Massie extremely annoying! She thinks the hell of herself. She demeans and disparages others meaninglessly. Frankly,her show of power,seemed to me,a way to hide her inner insecurities. Her sudden change in the end was completely incomprehensible-she,who had thrown Claire out of the committee,requests Claire to stay back when Claire decides to leave the town to go to Hollywood permanently! Massie tells Claire that she will miss her!! Such a statement seems uncalled for from a person like Massie. I could only interpret her request as a way to stop Claire to go to Hollywood,lest Claire becomes famous;other than Massie’s jealousy(instances of which are scattered throughout the book),I found no other reason for her ‘feelings’ for Claire. Massie seems a character power-hungry and devoid of any feelings to me.
All-in-all the book was fun. The search for the key,the politics of the clique,the whole school ‘sucking up to’ the PC,the complicacies of high school relationships have been well highlighted by the author. I found the other girls quite lovable and very realistic. Not a bad read after all…

My Rating:4/5

A Giveaway

Undone giveaway: http://marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/author-interviewbrooke-taylor-giveaway.html

A great giveaway!

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Review:Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

SYNOPSIS::
THE TRANSFORMATION
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.



REVIEW:
This is perhaps the best YA novel I have read so far. The name ‘Sing me to Sleep’ in itself is a very catching and apt name for the book. Though the title is beautiful,it is in a way a giveaway.
The book narrates the story of Beth,a sophomore,who has to be the victim of regular derision because of her looks. Her only saving grace is her friend Scott who helps pump up her mood every time.Beth is a fabulous singer,a fact that had never been exposed because no one ever cared to look beyond her appearance. When her choir’s soloist fails to sing a piece,Beth charms everyone with her singing. She is then appointed as her choir’s soloist. What then follows is a passionate affair between Derek and Beth when both meet at the Choral Olympics. However,when Derek’s secret is revealed,their world falls apart and the book ends with Derek’s valediction.
The book is extremely appealing with the compelling emotions it arouses. It claims universality with its realistic characters and its very uniqueness in its own genre. Angela Morrison handles high school and romance with extreme honesty and herein lies her capability to deviate from the banality of the theme.Her adroit portrayal of the characters also draws attention-Beth is insecure but ‘worldly wise’,Derek ia a star but burdened with a secret that threatens to ruin the purity of his ‘lovelife’ and finally Scott,the patient,loving,caring friend and omnipresent shoulder for Beth to unburden her tears and troubles on. Her writing is lucid and indeed very thought provoking. It proffers the opportunity to cogitate and ruminate on the more serious side of life,without being preachy,but in the form of a heartwarming tale. Derek’s tremendous display of strength and ‘life’ even at the face of death,though intensifies our grief,teaches us to accept death gracefully and leave the world with a smile.Though there is a death in the end,the book rounds of with a promise of a new love story and the fulfillment of true love...I hope I am not being too philosophical!
The verses scattered throughout the book are highly commendable because of their ability to present the veracity of passions without being voluble. The book proved to be a delectable YA and a major page-turner for me. I loved the book-a high school romance with a twist!
The cover is also lovely..it mirrors all the emotions the book arouses-the dark color anticipating the dark fate,the hand-in-hand friendship,the white(snow-flakes) purity of true love.There is a certain sense of serene beauty in the cover.I am sure the book will get all the lauds it deserves! A final warning:Keep the box of Kleenex close by!

My rating:5/5

March contest

Lisa is hosting a wonderful contest for the month of March. The winner can choose one book from four awesome books,which also happen to top my wishlist! Stop by the contest on Lisa's blog: http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com/

Before I Fall giveaway!

Here's a chance to win Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. The book released just today! I have read the synopsis and the reviews on many blogs. It seems to be a wonderful book. Extremely touching...keep your box of kleenex close by ;) Seriously,I never thought a coming-of-age book could be so emotionally written. I am very excited to win a copy and read the book. If you are too then you have to enter here http://www.bookalicious-ramblings.net/2010/03/interview-lauren-oliver-win-copy-of.html
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Firespell giveaway!!

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Giveaway post

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Review-Vampire Diaries:The Awakening by L.J. Smith

Synopsis-
A deadly love triangle.
Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants.
Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past.
Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he’d kill to possess her.
The Vampire Diaries, a tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.
Review:
Vampire Diaries:The Awakening is the first of the four novels in L.J. Smith’s popular Vampire Diaries series. Though published in the 1990s,the books gained popularity after the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.
The narrative started off well for me. It begins with Elena,resuming her position as the ‘queen of the school’ at the start of a new year,after having succumbed to unknown fears.Enters mysterious Stefan with his dashing looks and posh Italian clothes.Elena plots and plans to win the heart of the elusive stranger. Stefan,finally gives in to her passion for him after having unsuccessfully resisted her affections for sometime. In the meantime,mysterious attacks disrupt the atmosphere of Fell’s Church.
Damon,Stefan’s brother and greatest rival appears and tries to win Elena away from Stefan. Stefan is badly hurt by Damon and the narrative ends with Elena rushing into the woods in search of Damon.
The Awakening bears uncanny resemblance with the Twilight series. Stephanie Meyer seems to have been highly influenced by L.J. Smith. Edward Cullen can read minds like Stefan,Elena falls for the mysterious and elusive Stefan and Stefan giving into her love after much debating. Even the incident where Stefan sheds all walls and gives himself up after saving Elena from danger is echoed in the Edward-Bella love story.
However,Elena far from being a cool,sassy protagonist becomes irritatingly proud and tends to get on the nerves with her ‘I am the best’ attitude. She is way different from the calm and composed Bella. She is in perfect contrast to complacent Bella. Elena’s attitude is a serious impediment to the enjoyment of the story. She is self centered and becomes pathetically complaining the moment she loses cynosure.
All in all,The Awakening was a moderately good read. The characters of Stefan and Damon saved the book for me. Stefan the reserved gentleman and Damon the perfect ‘bad boy’(though his character needs more exploration) took away the cake and the cherry from the protagonist!! The cliffhanger ending was another negative for me. But then..it does propel me to read the sequel! This book just did not click well with me!:(

My rating:2.5/5

Review:Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy is a story about love,friendship and power struggle.Lissa Dragomir and Rose Hathaway are best friends.Rose is reckless while Lissa is the more responsible one.But they share a deeper relationship...Lissa is a Moroi princess,a mortal vampire and Rose is her guardian Dhampir,one who carries the responsibility of protecting her against Strigois,the evil and immortal vampires.
Fear had made Lissa and Rose run away from the academy.But they get caught after two years of illicit freedom and are dragged back to the academy.Rose has to continue with the Dhampir education and Lissa has to resume her princess lessons.Rose and Lissa also shares a bond in between them...Rose can feel what Lissa is feeling and she could even occasionally slip into her head.She was shadow-kissed by which she could feel and see everything that Lissa was experiencing.Lissa's uncle Victor Dashkov was the prince and had taken Lissa under his protection after the death of her parents.
The Dragomir prince and princesses had special powers associated with the elements of wind,water,earth and fire.But Lissa had did not specialize in any of these....she was a spirit giver.She could heal the wounded or bring back the dead.But the act of curing made her stressful as well as weak because she was giving away a portion of her own soul while doing this.Whenever she used to feel distressed Lissa used to cut her hands so that her physical pain could take away her mental pain.
Rose on the other hand resumes her Moroi training with the mysterious and brooding
Dimitri.He trains her to make her a tougher guardian and a better protector for Lissa and they start loving each other.
Soon they start facing troubles with the clique girls of the school with rumours being spread about both Rose and Lissa and the situation becomes worse while the girls try to cope but only manages to make their lives worse.Lissa gets kidnapped by her uncle who wants exploit her powers so that she could heal him of his disease. The book finally ends with the revelation of the villains and peace is restored but the love story between Rose and Dimitri remains unfulfilled.
I felt that the book is too predictable and could have been more interesting.

My rating:3/5.

Before I fall button

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Review:On the bright side,I'm Now the Girlfriend of Sex God! by Louise Rennison

The second book in the Georgia Nicolson series had me totally intrigued from the very beginning,like the previous book in the series.
In this book,Georgia is still brooding over her parents' decision to shift residence to New Zealand(Kiwi-a-gogo-land as she calls it). She tries it all in her power to prevent it but in vain. At the last moment,by a stroke of fate,her 'Vati' is blown off by a steam geyser there and thus her 'Mutti' decides against the shift,considering the place to be unsafe.
Georgia's love life is in a 'poo'...as usual! SG(Sex God) dumps her for Wet Lindsay! She devises a plan which involves 'maturiosity' and 'glaciosity'(hatched with the help of the theory about boys as given in the book Men are from Mars,Women are from Venus). She thus goes around with Dave The Laugh for a while so that SG would spring back to her like an 'elastic band' out of jealousy!! But in the process,her bait Dave falls in love with her...so she had to dump him before matters aggravated and in the process gained Dave's hatred too!! Atlast there is a reconciliation between Georgia and SG and alls well that ends well!!
This book had me on the floors with Georgia's 'wisdomosity'! It almost killed me with its humor! Georgia's perspective of life is very unique and her opinions about and interpretations of situations are way cooler than any other's. She is hilarious,has an easy knack for disasters..Wit and repartee forms an integral part of Louise Rennison's writing. I laughed like a drain!
Pick up this book(or any in the series for that matter) when you are sad or heartbroken and I am sure you will be feeling better in no time! As they say...'Laughter is the best Medicine'!! I totally recommend this book!

My Rating:4.5/5 :)