Creative Bookshelves

Dedalo Bookcase is designed by Marconato & Zappa

Lovely Rita

Storyline Shelf is designed by Frederik Roijé

The Equation Bookshelf is designed by Marcos Breder

Shelves With a Bench - by Stanislav Katz

Source: Google Images

In My Mailbox {5}

For Review:


The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen


Tagged by Mara Purnhagen


Won:

Converting Kate by Beckie Weinheimer

Book Review : Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble by Nancy Rue

Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble by Nancy Rue Bryn’s life has been falling apart for a long time, and when it’s discovered her boyfriend has been abusing her, the final threads come undone. Th ...more

Product Details:

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310714850
• ISBN-13: 978-0310714859

Bryn’s life has been falling apart for a long time, and when it’s discovered her boyfriend has been abusing her, the final threads come undone. Through the help of her surfing teacher grandma, a few new friends, and a beat-up book she finds in the airport, Bryn begins to piece her life back together.

Bryn is an amazing character! I really love her psychological development as she transforms from her old cowardly-self into a courageous and valiant person. At first, she is intimidated by her boyfriend's constant physical abuse and chooses to keep it a secret. When everything comes to light in an accident, she wants to hide from everything and everyone, and most of all, the fact that she is a "battered" teenager.

As she keeps on receiving threats from her [now] ex-boyfriend and his friends to drop her charges against him, her life is like a living hell. She tries to stay in her own protective cocoon, believing that hear fears will eventually disappear. At last, with the help of her outgoing grandmother, her growing love for the sea and a special someone, her life takes a change for good. With the guidance of a mysterious book called RL, she manages to summon her hidden courage and testifies against her abusive ex-boyfriend.

With an super-interesting plot and storyline, readers will surely be charmed by this remarkable book. The author's descriptions of the scenes, especially in the hospital and courtroom are amazingly written, and the characters are distinctive and realistic. I feel particularly connected to Bryn, who has an authentic voice and gripping character.

Without any doubt, Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble will be embraced by teenagers, especially those who love a good, quirky and entertaining novel.

Rating:

Many thanks to Julie Johnson from My Own Little Corner of the World for sending me this book, which I previously won on her blog!

WIN a signed copy of Sleepless by Cyn Balog @ Good Choice Reading!

Giveaway link:
WIN a signed copy of Sleepless by Cyn Balog!

Open to US & International

Contest Ends August 27th 11:59 PM

Eron De Marchelle isn't supposed to feel a connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce human charges to sleep. While ...more Eron De Marchelle isn't supposed to feel a connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce human charges to sleep. While he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to--after all, getting too involved in one human's life would prevent him helping his other charges get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia. Julia, with her fiery red hair and her sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. Eron has always felt protective of Julia . . . but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't seem to reach her . . .

Sandmen are forbidden from communicating with humans outside their dreams. But will Eron be willing to risk everything for a chance to be with the person he loves?

Book Review : Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, April 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847387225
• ISBN-13: 978-1847387226
• List Price: £6.99

In the wake of a love spell gone horribly wrong, Sophie Mercer, a sixteen-year-old witch, is shipped off to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for witches, shapeshifters and faeries. The traumas of mortal high school are nothing compared to the goings on at "Freak High." It's bad enough that she has to deal with a trio of mean girls led by the glamorous Elodie, but it's even worse when she begins to fall for Elodie's gorgeous boyfriend, Archer Cross, and frankly terrifying that the trio are an extremely powerful coven of dark witches. But when Sophie begins to learn the disturbing truth about her father, she is forced to face demons both metaphorical and real, and come to terms with her own growing power as a witch.

First Impression:
I liked the opening because the writing is humourous and witty. However, it did not have the 'wow' factor that makes me deeply captivated. I knew from the prologue that Sophie is a kind-hearted person, but she's a little too helpful. Maybe that's the thing that distinguishes her from other people who are too busy to care for others.

Plot:
The story is mostly set in Hecate 'Hex' Hall, where Sophie is sent to after her love spell goes very wrong. The plot is kind of plain, but in a nice way. It goes on smoothly, just as I had expected. Sophie eventually falls in love for the boy, Archer Cross, who saved her earlier when a werewolf tried to attack her. I'm very impressed with the ending, though. It really took me by surprise and I'll gladly say that's my favourite part of the story. I never questioned Sophie's real identity.

Characters:
Sophie Mercer is a lovable character. She is the sort of friend you'd want to have. She is caring, kind and supportive towards Jenna, her roommate even though Jenna is a vampire and an outcast. She believes in Jenna's innocence when a series of mysterious attacks occur. Archer Cross is the most popular boy in Hex Hall. He is in a relationship with the ever-so-annoying Elodie, a powerful black witch who is both gorgeous and famous. He is quite intriguing, from the way he avoids mentioning his family while doing cellar duty with Sophie. He is also quite charming, even though he might be sarcastic at times. I don't like Elodie. That's because she is just nasty and unbelievably irritating. I like Jenna the vampire's character, because she is so different from what we have in mind about a vampire's liking. Almost everything in her territory is pink. Hot pink, in fact. What a cool girl!

Favourite quote:
"Sophia Mercer," Elodie intoned, "we have come to induct you into our sisterhood. Say the five words to begin the ritual."
I blinked at her. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
Anna gave an exasperated sigh. "No, the five words are 'I accept you offer, sisters."
— Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall)

Overall:
Hex Hall is a quick read, and it sure is interesting, funny and addicting. Sophie is a great character, but as all humans (she's half-human), she also has flaws and I sometimes laugh at her mistakes. I look forward to reading the sequel and keep following Sophie on her next journey!

Rating:

Rachel Hawkins is a 28-year-old former teacher who left teaching to take a chance and get serious about finishing that book she'd always wanted to write. Her first book, HEX HALL, was the result of that leap of faith. She's a graduate of Auburn University in Alabama and lives with her husband and three-year-old son. She's currently working on the sequel to DEMONGLASS.

Buy Hex Hall (paperback) at:

Simon and Schuster UK / The Book Depository

Book Review : Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Product Details:

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, April 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847388051
• ISBN-13: 9781847388056
• List Price: £6.99

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface. {Read more about Perfect Chemistry.}

Falling in love has never been so beautiful...Simone Elkeles has created a romantic love story between two teenagers who are so different, yet so similar in Perfect Chemistry.

Brittany Ellis has it all - she's beautiful, rich, and has a gorgeous boyfriend. But appearances can be deceiving. Underneath her glorious, perfect facade, she is burdened by the strict demands of her mother and she has to prevent her parents from sending her disabled sister, Shelley away.

Alejandro (Alex) Fuentes is a gangster from the Latino Blood. His sole aim of joining the gang is to protect his family. But deep down, he wants to get out from the gang and be successful in life.

Two people who are at opposite sides of the world are brought together in a Chemistry class. At first, there is only hatred for each other. But as they start to understand each other deeper, a mutual bond forms between them. Will Alex follow the steps of his late father on a journey with no return? Is Brittany willing to reveal her deepest secrets to Alex? Will they be together at last? You'll have to read this book to find out!

I love this book! It's so good that I can't stop reading it! In my opinion, the relationship between Alex and Brittany is very well-written. It's very plausible, and the teenage angst instilled is in a suitable amount. Each chapter is told from alternating point of views - Alex's and Brittany's. This enables readers to judge the characters' situations based on both their perspectives and get a more exact idea of their different ways of thinking and lifestyles. Both narrators are quite good, but sometimes it's hard for me to understand what Alex is speaking because I don't understand Spanish.

Although this book is mainly about the romance between Alex and Brittany, it actually tells us that we cannot judge a book by its cover, nor a person by his or her appearance. It also reflects the various social issues that exist in our society, such as drug abuse and gangsterism.

One good thing I noticed about this book is that Simone never try to impress readers with flowery writing. She uses her words as a medium to express her ideas in a clever and honest way --- and look, she has done it so brilliantly in Perfect Chemistry! The epilogue of this story will leave readers smiling in delight. I never expected that to happen!

As a conclusion, I'm in love with this book and the characters. I'd definitely give it 5 stars! The mere thought of Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2) fills me with excitement and anticipation!

*Please note that there are adult contents, gangsterism and profanity in this book. I suggest parental guidance for teenagers under 18 years of age.

Rating:

I want to thank Kathryn from Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a paperback copy of Perfect Chemistry for this review! Thank you so much, Kathryn!

Meet Simone Elkeles

Simone was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and then Loyola University-Chicago where she earned a Master’s of Science in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees. In her spare time she’s a hockey mom and an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors.

Buy Perfect Chemistry (paperback) at:

Simon and Schuster UK / The Book Depository

Links:
Simone Elkeles' Website
Perfect Chemistry Website

Entry for Summer Crush Giveaway

I'm posting this as an entry for the Summer Crush Giveaway. To enter, I have to post a picture of my summer crush and say a little bit about that piece of eye candy!


I pick...Lee Min Ho, who stars as Goo Jun Pyo in Boys Over Flowers!


Silly arrogance.

Green with envy.

"What? It's not my fault!"

I'm In The 2010 Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge

I'm participating in the 2010 Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge hosted by A Fanatics Book Blog! If you want to participate as well, you can click the link/button above!

My list of books read starting from 1st July:

1. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
2. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
3. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
4. Specials by Scott Westerfeld
5. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
6. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
7. The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
   
8. Arson by Estevan Vega
9. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
10. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
11. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

I plan to reach the Dolphin [12 books] or Shark [16 books] level!

Book Review : The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312555113
• ISBN-13: 978-0312555115

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters. That is, without questioning them much - if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle - who already has six wives - Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.

This book is simply amazing! I've not read a book with such a plausible, realistic storyline and gripping characters for quite some time. The Chosen One tells the story of a 13-year-old girl who lives in an isolated place where the community practices polygamy. Kyra's love for books other than the Bible makes her feel sinful as the Prophet Childs says that those are the words of the devil.

When the prophet proclaims that he has a vision from God, Kyra's life is about to change drastically, and her fate is sealed once and for all, because she has been "chosen" to marry her 60-year-old uncle, and to become his seventh wife in less than a month.

Being a strong-willed and determined young girl, Kyra resists this marriage and thinks about the possibilities of getting a taste of freedom by trying to escape. Will she succeed in escaping the religious cult that has been controlling her ever since she was born?

Kyra is a wonderful character and I really admire her courage and willpower. She is the perfect protagonist for The Chosen One. She has to make a difficult choice : to stay with her family and wed her abusive uncle, or pursue freedom with the possibility of facing a death sentence.

This book brings up a few social issues which are worthy to be discussed about. First of all, there is this personal freedom issue. Doesn't everyone deserves the freedom of choosing whom to marry and how they should live their lives? It is extremely unfair for the girls in Kyra's community to be coerced to marry old men and become "baby-making machines". Any girl who tries to defy a marriage instructed by the Prophet will be mercilessly beaten up or killed with a rifle gun.

Each of us know that religions are meant to teach us to be good and virtuous. However, in this story, Prophet Childs uses his authority and social rank to rule over The Chosen Ones. He feeds himself with power by making others' lives hard in God's name. He always ends every word of his own by saying, " This is God's will."

Another thing is, the people in the community has little knowledge of what is happening around them as Prophet Childs has already banned all kinds of reading materials except the Bible. I believe this enables the prophet to remain in control of the whole society effortlessly and maintain his holiness. How can one who seeks power, money and fame by exploiting God's name be a prophet?

Kyra's heartbreaking account made me sad, angry and sympathetic at the same time. I cried for her tragic experiences and personal loss. My heart was literary in my throat when Kyra is hunted down by the God Squad. I'm in awe by her extraordinary valor and inner strength.

In a few words, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is a remarkable, thought-provoking and gripping novel. No one should ever miss this book.

Rating:

My deepest gratitude to Kathryn from Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a paperback copy of The Chosen One for this review! Thank you, Kathryn!

Carol Lynch Williams grew up in Florida but now lives in Utah with her husband and seven children. She has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and helped develop the conference on Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers at Brigham Young University.

Buy The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (paperback) at:
Simon & Schuster UK :: The Book Depository

Book Review : Arson by Estevan Vega

Arson by Estevan Vega

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tate Publishing (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615666036
• ISBN-13: 978-1615666034

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.


When I first saw the cover of Arson, I was intrigued. When I read the synopsis and found out that it was about a kid who could create fire, I was very excited. When I started the first page, I thought that it went well, and I anticipated for a huge event - or something of that sort - to happen. After more than 100 pages, I started to wonder if there would be any at all. I couldn't see where the story was going, but I kept reading anyway.

Towards the end of the novel, finally, something huge happened. I loved how the author wrote it - so frightening, powerful and exciting. However, that was the only part that I loved reading. I admire Estevan's writing style, and he's really talented, but I can't see the point of the whole story except for a boy called Arson Gable who could create fire but hated his ability and had a grandmother with multiple personality disorder (I think so), a girl named Emery who hid behind a mask the whole time, and Emery's parents who were always at at each other's throats.

The part where Arson was attracted to Emery was kind of nice. He loved her even though he knew that the face behind the mask was not a perfect one. The way Arson saved his girl was awesome. He embraced his talent (or curse, whatever he thought about it) and used it to fight against the evil, vindictive people.

In a nutshell, this book is moderately enjoyable, and I think there is still room for improvements regarding the plot and storyline. I wanted to give this book 2.5 stars at first, but considering that I really liked the "huge event" and the cover is awesome, I finally decided to give it 3 stars. I will consider reading another book by Estevan Vega if there's chance.

Rating:

Vega was born in 1989 in Connecticut, where he currently resides. Growing up, he fell in love with sketching comic book superheroes, watching movies, and listening to rock music. While his passion for art still remains, he now focuses his time on creating rather than copying someone else’s work through a picture. When he was 12, he knew he wanted to be a writer, so he began Servant of the Realm, what would become his first published book. Though the book wasn’t a national best-seller, it became the catalyst for everything that was to come. The Sacred Sin, a dark, psychological thriller about a soul-stealing madman, was released three years later to considerable acclaim.

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