Layout change

Though I really liked my previous layout, I've decided to change it back again. I've received a couple of emails that people weren't able to comment on my posts with the layout, and I don't know why that is. So for now, it's back to the plain old Minima layout. Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but I'm just glad that it's working again! (Well, should be, at least.)

Review: Wherever Nina Lies

Title: Wherever Nina Lies
Author: Lynn Weingarten
Publication date: February 1st, 2009

Summary:
Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But, one day, Nina disappeared. Two years later, everyone has given up home that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she’s got a chance—her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn’t planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.

Review:
This book was awesome. It managed to be really fun with all of the different characters and things going on, but still kind of serious since Ellie's main goal was looking for Nina. I really admired her determination to keep looking, even though almost everyone else thought she should be over it. The book kind of reminded me of a treasure hunt, in some ways. Full of clues and mysteries that made one thing lead to another, and always kept you guessing. There's also a twist near the end that I wasn't really expecting, and at that point I could NOT put the book down until I was finished. I love the sisterly bond that Nina and Ellie seem to share, as well as all of the other interesting people in Ellie's life. I will definitely read this book again; I think it's quickly become one of my favorites.

Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Overall grade: A

*Want to have your own copy? Enter my giveaway!*

Giveaway: Wherever Nina Lies

I have three copies of Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten to give away!

"Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But, one day, Nina disappeared. Two years later, everyone has given up home that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she’s got a chance—her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn’t planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth."

Open to:
USA (international readers can enter if you have a friend in the States to ship it to!)

To enter:
Leave a comment below with your email address, and tell me why you want to read this book.

Last day to enter:
March 12th

Trailer Tuesdays

Trailer Tuesdays is a feature I started in July of last year, meant to be somewhat like Waiting on Wednesday but in book trailer format. Every week I'll feature a book trailer of an upcoming or recently released book that I want to read. I stopped doing this because I got somewhat bored with it, but I've decided to bring it back because I miss doing it.

This week's featured book is Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder, which was just released in January.

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

The cover is so simple, but beautiful. And I think the plot sounds so intriguing! It's written in verse, which I'm usually not a huge fan of (with the exception of Ellen Hopkins), but I really want to give this book a try.

Review: My Soul To Take/My Soul To Save

This will be kind of a double review of both My Soul To Take and My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent, since I read them back to back and see no point in making two posts.

The plot and concept of these books is something I've not seen in any other book, and I really like that. The idea of "Soul Screamers" is pretty original, and definitely held my interest. In My Soul To Take, I found it a bit hard to get into at first and fit some pieces together. But by the end of the book when I understood the ideas a bit more, I was totally intrigued by them and left wanting more. I did enjoy the first book slightly more than the second, but that's not to say that the second wasn't entertaining. I just liked the feel of MSTT better, getting to know Kaylee's family and all of the mystery that encompassed the whole book. MSTS had a bit of a different feel to it, and was more focused on one goal. Kaylee and Nash's relationship was fun to read about as well, and I can't wait to see what happens with them. Overall, I really like this series and the elements in it, and can't wait to read the third book.

Characters: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Overall grade: B

Want to win Linger by Maggie Stiefvater?

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

My Soul To Save winners

Congrats to the winners of the My Soul To Save contest!

Alicia
Denise Madness
Catie S

I've sent each of you an email, please reply within 48 hours or I'll pick another winner.

If you didn't win, don't worry! More contests will be announced soon :)

Review: Shrinking Violet

Title: Shrinking Violet
Author: Danielle Joseph
Publication date: May 5th, 2009

Summary:
High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out -- doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T -- and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest -- and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize -- Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare....

Review:
I loved almost everything about this book. I could definitely relate to Tere's shyness because I'm a lot like her. The title didn't make much sense to me until about halfway through the book, but after reading it I think it's a perfect title. Each character was unique and fun to read about. I especially liked the characters and setting at the radio station. That seems like such a fun job, and being a huge music lover, I really enjoyed getting to read about "Sweet T"'s goal of becoming a DJ and her time spent at the radio station. The relationship between her and Gavin was somewhat predictable, but it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling nonetheless. Everything was so interesting and well written; I would have never guessed that this was the author's first book. It was much better than the expectations I had for it; this is a book I will definitely read again.

Characters: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Overall grade: A-