Monday, August 31, 2009

Q & A with Michell Moran!

Author of the upcoming novel Cleopatra's Daughter Michelle Moran below answered a few questions. I'm already hosting a contest for two of her books HERE. Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Not surprisingly, she majored in English while she was there. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University. Without further ado below are Questions and Answers with Michelle Moran!

Q: What prompted you to write a novel about Cleopatra’s daughter?
A:  I do a great deal of traveling both for research and for fun, and most of my destinations are archaeological sites. On a trip to Alexandria in Egypt, I was afforded the amazing opportunity of participating in a dive to see the submerged remains of Cleopatra’s ancient city. More than ten thousand artifacts remain completely preserved underwater: sphinxes, amphorae, even the stones of the ancient palace. Although I'm not a fan of diving, it was an incredible experience, and it changed the way I looked at Cleopatra. I immediately wanted to know more about her life, and it was mere coincidence that my next trip took me to Italy, where her ten year-old children were brought to live after her suicide. While in Rome, I was able to retrace her daughter's steps, and upon seeing where her daughter had lived on the Palatine, I knew I had my next novel.

Q: What was it like to walk where Selene walked? In particular, what was it like to visit Octavian’s villa?
A: Unbelievable. For two thousand years, Octavian’s villa has sprawled across the top of the Palatine Hill, slowly deteriorating. At one time, its vibrantly painted dining room had hosted magnificent feasts, one of which would have been the celebration of the emperor’s triumph over Marc Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt. As the heir to Caesar, Octavian was determined to rule the western world without interference. He changed his name to Augustus, and with the help of his general Agrippa and his architect Vitruvius, he turned a city of clay into a city of marble.
I had known all of this on that day in March when the villa was opened for the first time in more than a century. What I hadn’t known, however, was just how unbelievable that trip back into the world of ancient Rome would be. After three million dollars in restoration, Italian archaeologists have been able to recreate not just the intimate library and studies Augustus used, but the mosaic floors he once walked on and the vividly painted ceilings he once walked beneath with Ovid, Seneca, Cicero, Horace, and even Julius Caesar himself. As we were quickly escorted through the frescoed rooms, we stopped in the triclinium – the dining room which had once seen so many famous faces smiling, laughing, even crying for mercy. With a little imagination, it was easy to see the tables and couches that had once adorned the chamber, and there was the undeniable feeling of standing in the presence of the ancients. It was the kind of feeling you only get in Grecian temples or Egyptian tombs.

Q: In all three of your novels, your narrators have been teenage girls. Is there are reason for this?
A:  Actually, yes. I like to begin my novels during the time of greatest transition in a person’s life. And in the ancient world, the greatest transition in a woman’s life was often the time when she was married. Because women married at much younger ages two thousand years ago (twelve years old was not uncommon), my narrators have all been very young girls. In fact, Random House will be making a concerted effort to market Cleopatra's Daughter to young adults as well as adults. However, as my novels progress through time (my next book, for example, will be about Madame Tussaud), my narrators will be older.

Q: Is the Red Eagle based on an historical person?
A:  Yes. The Red Eagle is actually based on several men who led slave rebellions (unsuccessfully, I might add) against Rome. Spartacus led the most famous revolt, but there were other men too, such as Salvius, who waged war with his army of slaves in ancient Sicily.

Q: You write in your acknowledgements page that the character of the Red Eagle is an homage to the works of several authors. What made you decide to do this?
A: Creative as well as personal reasons. First, I wanted to create a character that fans of swashbuckling adventures might love, and it wasn’t at all difficult to find historical personalities on which to base such a hero. Men like Spartacus and Salvius were heroes in the truest sense of the word. But I didn’t want there to be too much action, and certainly not so much that it would detract from the real story – that of Selene and her twin brother Alexander growing up in a foreign court. I could certainly have chosen not to include anything as obviously fictitious as the Red Eagle. But I wanted to illustrate just how threatening slave rebellions were at that time, and how ever-present the danger of becoming a slave would have been, even to captured royalty. And the creation of the Red Eagle wasn’t a huge stretch. Many rebels who came before – and after – the Red Eagle employed similar tactics: rousing the plebs, arming the slaves, and encouraging those in servitude to passive resistance.
On a more personal note, however, I wanted to include the Red Eagle because I knew it would be a character my father would have loved. He devoured anything having to do with ancient Rome, and I deeply regret not having written this while he was still alive.

Q: Was a third of Rome’s population really enslaved?
A:  Sadly, yes. And you didn’t have to be born a slave to become one. You could be kidnapped and sold into slavery, your city could be overrun and you could be turned into a slave, or you might be sold into servitude by your own parents. Slavery meant an absolute loss of every human right we now take for granted, and as a slave, your body was no longer your own. Many slaves were physically and sexually abused, regardless of age or gender.

Q: Where did these slaves come from?
A:  Many were Gallics and Greeks. The Gallics were from Gaul, a region which now encompasses France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, and Germany.

Q: When did slavery end?
A: It hasn't. In the Western World, it was slowly - very slowly - phased out with the coming of Christianity (which was one of the reasons Christianity flourished… it appealed to the disenfranchised and enslaved, making everyone equal if not on earth than in the next life). But slavery certainly hasn't ended for everyone. There are women and children who are ensalved today, even in America and Europe. Of course, this isn't legal. Many of these victims of modern-day human trafficking have been brought over from places like Albania or Algeria and have no resources to escape. That's why organizations such as STOP International exist. You can visit them here.

Q: Is it still possible to visit the places Selene visited when she was in Rome?
A: Yes. In 2008, I went on a photographic safari in search of the places Selene would have gone during the brief years she was in Rome. Many of the photos are included here!

Q: What are you working on next? Will it also be marketed to both adults and YA?
A: Actually, my next book will be firmly adult fiction. MASKS OF THE REVOLUTION is about Madame Tussaud, who joined the gilded but troubled court of Marie Antoinette, and survived the French Revolution only by creating death masks of the beheaded aristocracy. I’m very excited about this novel, since Marie (the first name of Madame Tussaud) met absolutely everyone, from Jefferson to the Empress Josephine. 

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Catcher in the Rye Review

I read Cather in the Rye for ALA's Banned Book Week. Tomorrow, I will start reading the Lovely Bones for BBW.

Title: Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: November 1, 1984
Pages: 21
4
My Edition: Paperback
Reading Level: ---
W
here I got it: This old copy is my mom's and who knows where she got it : )


Description (From Goodreads):
Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent." Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his sixteen-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists. It begins, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them." His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive) capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation.

Review:
Catcher in the Rye takes place in two days in Holden's confused life. He's expelled from multiple boarding schools and just got expelled again. He is expelled for failing several classes because he just doesn't care anymore. After he is expelled, he doesn't want to go home to face his parents, so he wanders around NYC trying to find things to do. He doesn't like the "phonies" in the world and is very pessimistic. He's also a rich boy who wastes a lot of money trying to entertain himself which results in a prostitute, a fight, argument with a girl, and lost money. In my opinion, I don't understand what was the point of the book. It was pretty decent and not as boring as I thought it would be. Holden's thoughts and dialogue was pretty funny. Every second he swears which is kind of funny but annoying. It took a long time to finish it because it didn't keep me hooked. I recommend and don't recommend reading this. Also, I can see why this book has been banned many times because of the language, alcohol and cigarette usage, and sex talk of teenage boys.

Rating:



Saturday, August 29, 2009

My First Award!

Lindsay from Just Another Book Addict just gave me my first award! Thanks Lindsay : D

The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Nominate this award to 10 blogs:


Liz at Booklover
Kelsey at the Book Scout
McKenzie at the Book Owl
Verina at at lil bit of this and that
Paradox at Paradoxical
A. and M. at BookMac
Morgan at Books and Literature for Teens
Lizzy at Cornucopia of Reviews
Sarah at Sarah's Random Musings
Jessica at Shut Up! I'm Reading.

IMMB (3)

In My Mailbox is where I post the books I bought, borrow, won, or received this week. IMMB was started by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Actually this week I didn't receive any books this week, so I'll put the books I got for my birthday a couple weeks ago before I started this blog. I went to Atlanta from Pennsylvania to visit my dad who's working on the CW's Vampire Diaries, and we went shopping for my birthday. I got 6 books from Barnes and Noble, so without further ado here are the books:

~ Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian which is the sequel to Privilege.

She's Back.... After wasting away in a mental institution for a year and a half, Ariana Osgood is finally back where she belongs. She has a new look, a new name, and a new life -- all thanks to her former friend Briana Leigh Covington.

Now enrolled as a junior at the exclusive Atherton-Pryce boarding school just outside of D.C., Ariana sleeps in Frette sheets, flirts with the captain of the crew team, and gossips with the most beautiful girls on campus. She killed to get back her life of privilege. Just how far will she go to keep it?

From the author of the bestselling Private novels comes a series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and privilege.

~ Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz which is the 3rd book in the Blue Bloods series.

Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They’re powerful, they’re famous… they’re undead.

Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy has just been called into question—is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.

When an ancient place of power is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Schuyler is torn between love and passion, duty and freedom. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

~ City of Bones by Cassandra Clare which is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series.

When 15-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother?And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

~ Evermore by Alyson Noel which is the first book in the Immortals series.

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear peoples thoughts, and know a persons life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high schoolbut everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste… Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what shes thinkingand hes the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesnt know who he really isor what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

~ Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr which is the sequel to Wicked Lovely.

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

~ This is a book I picked up because it was clearance for $2 it is If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor.

When high school sophomore Lucy Norton's father remarries, her life is turned upside down. She and her father move from their West Coast home to a suburb on Long Island. With a small bedroom in the unfinished basement, a wicked stepmother and bratty stepsisters, countless chores, a blank social calendar, and a huge crush on the dashing prince of the varsity basketball team, Lucy’s life has all the makings of a Cinderella story. So with all the characters in place, will Lucy get the prince and live happily ever after?


The Best and Worst of Covers (1)

Every Saturday, I will post one book cover I love and one I hate from books that I have read. I've seen other bloggers do cover memes, so I put a different spin on mine. For each cover, I will post information on the edition of the book, the summary, and my thoughts of the cover. Summaries are from Amazon.

The Cover that I LOVE:

Title: Wicked Lovely
Author: Meli
ssa Marr
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: June 12, 2007
Page
s: 336
Edition: Hardback
Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary:

Rule #3:
Don’t stare at invisible faeries. Aiislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention. But it’s too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this 21st century faery tale.
Thoughts of the Cover:

I love this cover because of the colors and the font/vines. The vines are so pretty, and the picture is just very unique. The blues are interesting and make the cover eerie like the story line. The cover goes very well with the book, and the book is fantastic.

The Cover that I HATE:

Title: Promise of the Wolves
Author: Dorothy Hearst
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publicati
on Date: June 3, 2008
Pages: 352
Edition: Hardback
Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary:


Promise of the Wolves begins 14,000 years ago in what is now southern Europe, and follows the adventures of Kaala, a spirited young she-wolf who is destined to bring wolf and human clans together. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and narrowly escaping the fate of her executed brother and sisters, the orphaned Kaala is allowed to join the Swift River wolf pack where she must fight to prove herself and survive against the odds. But when Kaala rescues a human child from drowning, she risks expulsion from her pack and banishment from her home in the Wide Valley. Unwittingly, she has set in train a series of events which threatens the very survival of her species.

Thoughts of the Cover:

I received this book from Simon and Schuster's old program PulseIT. When I opened up the package I instantly hated the cover and didn't want to read the book at all. The colors, the wolf, and the crows were just so ugly to me. However, I forced myself to read it and actually started to really like the book. I know the saying "Don't judge a book by the cover," but I do that all the time. When I don't like the cover, I usually don't read the book which I probably shouldn't do. I'm glad I read this book because it turned out to be quite good. The cover does describe what the book is about, but I think the cover could have been a lot better.

What are your thoughts on these two covers?


Friday, August 28, 2009

Contest at BookMac!

It seems like I'm making lots of posts for contest that aren't mine lately but they are such great contests and it gives me more chances to win : ) BookMac is having a contest for writing 100 posts. They are giving away 10 books and a $10 gift card! It ends September 18th, and if you enter please say I referred you because we both get extra entries.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Celebrate ALA's Banned Books Week!

ALA's Banned Books Week is from September 26-October 3, 2009. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one’s opinion, even if that opinion might be considered unpopular or unorthodox. The campaign stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. (Isn't the picture really cute!!)

In celebration of Banned Book Week I will be reviewing some of the books that are being banned and challenged in 08-09 in September. I found a list HERE. Right now I'm reading Catcher in the Rye which was challenged in a High School in Montana, so that will be my first banned book review as well as apart of my challenge. Next, I will read Lovely Bones which was moved to the faculty section of a Middle School in Mass. because its content was too frightening for middle school students. Isn't that just ridiculous?! On the list I have read many of the books including: Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, The Boy Book by E. Lockart, TTFN by Lauren Myracle, and several others.

Contest Reminder!

Hey, I'm just reminding everyone to enter my 1st ever contest! It ends in two weeks and it's for two books. Right now seven people have entered and there are 33 entries in the hat. Just click the link to go to the post and enter! I would love if lots of people would enter : D

The Unwritten Rule has a summary!

I love Elizabeth Scott's books, and her newest one is coming out April 6, 2010...so far away : ( Elizabeth on Goodreads just posted the jacket summary for the Unwritten Rule. It sounds fabulous! Below is the beautiful cover and the summary:


Everyone knows the unwritten rule. You don't like your best friend's boyfriend."

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for
years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday (1)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly awaiting.


The book this week I'm excited for is Crashed by Robin Wasserman, and it comes out September 8th. Crashed is the sequel to Skinned which was amazing! Here is the summary and cover from Robin's website:

CRASHED
No one to trust... everything to lose.
Before the accident, Lia Kahn was happy.
Before the accident, Lia Kahn was loved.
Before, Lia was a lot of things: Normal. Alive. Human.
Lia no longer lives in before. Six months after the crash that killed her, six months after being reborn, Lia has finally accepted her new reality. She is a machine, a mech, and she belongs with her own kind. It’s a wild, carefree life, without rules and without fear. Because there’s nothing to fear when you have nothing left to lose.

But when a voice from her past cries out for revenge, everything changes. Lia is forced to choose: between her old life and her new one. Between humans and mechs. Between sacrificing the girl she used to be and saving the boy she used to love.
Even if it means he’ll hate her forever.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Revelations: Blue Bloods book 3 Review

Title: Revelations (Blue Bloods book 3)
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: July 21, 2009
Pages: 288
My Edition: Paperback
Reading Level: 9-12
Where I got it: Barnes & Noble


Summary from Melissa's wbesite:
Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They’re powerful, they’re famous… they’re undead.
Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy has just been called into question—is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.
When an ancient place of power is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Schuyler is torn between love and passion, duty and freedom. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

Review:
Revelations was altogether very surprising. It was a little slower than the first two and in my opinion not as good. I was not expecting all the twists and turns that just kept coming and coming. A lot of things I was wondering and information I wanted to know was revealed in this 3rd book. There was lots of romance and action which I liked. If the plot was a little faster (like the first two in the series), I would have liked it much more. I really love this series and can't wait til October for Van Alen Legacy!

Rating:








Sunday, August 23, 2009

IMMB (2)

In My Mailbox is where I post the books I bought, borrow, won, or received this week. IMMB was started by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

I got a lot of books this week! I already did a post of all the
books I received in the box of books contest. I won an autographed hardback of A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov a while ago and got it this week too. Here's the summary and cover of A Sweet Disorder:

Sixteen-year-old Miranda has no idea how much her life is going to change upon hearing the news of her father's death. Left with little dowry to offer, Miranda faces a broken engagement and is sent to live with her father's cousin, Earl John Hardwood, and his wife, whose primary goal is to take her to court and marry her off to the insufferable Lord Seagrave, for their own profit.
At Queen Elizabeth's court, Miranda soon learns that a large part of her survival will depend on knowing who to trust. When Miranda distinguishes herself from the rest of the maidens with her exquisite sewing and embroidery
skills, she gets the attention of the queen, much to the anger and jealousy of courtiers, ladies-in-waiting--and even a trusted "friend."
As Miranda begins to win the Queen's favor, she is given the ultimate test-to recreate Elizabeth's mother's (Ann Boleyn) coronation gown. Miranda knows this is her opportunity to escape the shackles of convention and get out of the
marriage to Lord Seagrave, instead establishing an independent life at court as the queen's seamstress. But what of her future with Henry Raleigh, the man to whom she was once promised and has always loved?

Friday, August 21, 2009

My First Contest!!

Hey everyone, I'm holding my first contest! Author Michelle Moran and Random House have two books to give to two winners. The two books are a paperback copy of The Heretic Queen as well as a hardcover of Cleopatra's Daughter which comes out September 19, 2009. Here are the summaries from Michelle's website:

The Heretic Queen summary:

In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past, and remake history.
The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the 18th dynasty’s royal family—all with the exception of Nefertari, niece of the reviled former queen Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But all of this changes when she is taken under the wing of pharaoh’s aunt, and brought to the Temple of Hathor where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.
Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the crown prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.
Cleopatra's Daughter summary:

The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s vengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, but only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

To enter you have to answer the question: What was the most exciting thing you did this summer? Please leave your name and email address so I can contact you if you won. Also, please say which book you want to win. For extra entries:
+1 For becoming a follower
+3 For following me
+2 For linking this contest anywhere, leave link.
+1 For adding me to your blogroll
+1 Commenting on any posts, leave link.
This contest ends September 10th and open to anyone in the world!
EDIT:
If you comment on my Q & A with Michelle Moran I will give you another extra entry! : )

Win Hunger Games at Jenna Likes to Read

Jenna is having a contest to win the Hunger Games HERE! I really want to win it so if you enter please say I referred you and we both get an extra entry : ) To enter all you have to do is:

Leave a comment with your e-mail address below. You can earn extra entries by doing any of the following:

  • +1 for leaving a comment
  • +5 for promoting this contest in an entry on your blog
  • +1 for promoting this contest on your sidebar
  • +1 for referring a friend (the referee should put in their post who referred them and I’ll get you both an extra entry)
  • +2 for telling me the name of and a little bit about your favorite YA book in 2009

I’ll take entries through midnight eastern 8/25 and contact the winner on the 26th. Good luck!


Thursday, August 20, 2009

16th Birthday and Permit!

Hey everyone, today is my 16th birthday! Yay : ) I went to the DMV to take my permit test, and I passed. I'm proud of myself because I didn't get any wrong. The test was so much easier then I thought it would be. My mom made me go driving when we got home because I just didn't really want to. Plus, it is really hot outside! We went to an empty parking lot, I practiced turning and braking. I wasn't too bad for my first time. It started drizzling so we went back home. When my sister gets off work we're going to have dinner, open presents, and then eat cake...yum! My mom's birthday is the 24th which is pretty cool, so we will have another cake then too haha. I love ice cream cake!! Hope everyone's day was good too.


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Box of Books!


Hey, I just got my box of books that I won from Elizabeth Scott today!!! I was so surprised to walk outside and find a box on the steps. I opened the box and found 17 books. Yes, 17 books!! That's a lot of books, and I wasn't excepting that many at all. They all look so good, I can't wait to read them all! I'll list the books I received below and some pics of them. My 16th birthday is tomorrow, so this is a very good present. If you have read any of them, please leave me some comments : )


-Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper (HB)
-The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa (ARC)
-Exposed by Susan Vaught (HB)
-Star Crossed by Mark Schreiber (PB)
-This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous by Nina Beck (HB)
-The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum (HB)
-Homefree by Nina Wright (PB)


-Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines (ARC)
-Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier (HB)
-Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher (HB)
-Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah (HB)
-The Loser's Guide to Life and Love by A.E. Cannon (HB)
-Paisey Hanover Acts Out (2 books) by Cameron Tuttle (PB)
-The Night My Sister Went Missing by Carol Plum-Ucci (PB)
-Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart (PB)
-Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler (HB)



Sunday, August 16, 2009

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is where I post the books I bought, borrow, won, or received this week. IMMB was started by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I bought 4 books at Goodwill for 47 cents. Goodwill is a good place to get used books for a very cheap price!


The Neverending Story
by: Michael Ende
 
Small and insignificant, Bastian Balthazar Bux is nobody's idea of a hero, least of all his own. Through the pages of an old book, he discovers a mysterious world of enchantment - but a world that is falling into decay. The great task of making things well again falls on Bastian, and there follows a magically evocative story to fulfill your deepest longings.



A Walk to Remember
by: Nicolas Sparks

In 1958 Landon Carter is a shallow but well-meaning teenager who spends most of his time hanging out with his friends and trying hard to ignore the impending responsibilities of adulthood. Then Landon gets roped into acting the lead in the Christmas play opposite the most renowned goody two-shoes in town: Jamie Sullivan. Against his best intentions and the taunts of his buddies, Landon finds himself falling for Jamie and learning some central lessons in life.

Lovely Bones
by: Alice Sebold

When we first meet Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. As she looks down from that strange new place
she tells us, in the fresh and spirited voice of a fourteen-year-old, a tale that is both haunting and full of hope. Susie watches life continuing after her brutal death: her loved ones holding out hope she'll be found, her killer covering his tracks. As months pass without leads, she sees her family contorted by loss. With compassion, longing, and a growing understanding, she sees them face the worst -- then, in time, pass through grief and begin to mend.

Catch
by: Will Leitch
Everything comes easy for Tim Temples. He’s got a sweet summer job, lots of love from the ladies, and parties with his high school buddies. Why does he need to go to college? Then Tim falls hard for Helena—a worldly and mysterious twenty-two year-old. Their relationship opens his eyes to life outside the small town of Mattoon, Illinois. Now Tim has to choose: Will he settle for being a small town hero, or will he leave it all behind to follow his dreams?