In My Mailbox - 1

Yay! My first In My Mailbox post!
Below is a list of books acquired this past week. Can't wait to dip into them.

This post was inspired by The Story Siren and Pop Culture Junkie. You can find out more information on how to setup your own In My Mailbox here. Make sure and add yourself to The Story Siren's Mr. Linky to share the books you've recently received.

Bought:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

-because it is part of my Debut challenge picks
-My book review

You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay

-because it is part of my Debut challenge picks

-my review

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
-because it is part of my Debut challenge picks
-My book review

FADE by Lisa McMann
-because I fell in love with Janie and Caleb and want to know what happens next

Borrowed:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
-because she's hot right now with her latest release of City of Glass
-My book review

Celeste by V.C. Andrews
-because it is part of my VCA challenge picks
-My book review

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life v.1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley
-because I heard that this graphic novel series was a hit at this year's NY Comic Con at the USA Today's PopCandy blog
-My book review

WAKE by Lisa McMann

WAKE by Lisa McMann
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Published: 2008
Hardback: 210 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: After reading all the buzz about the upcoming sequel Fade on the YA blogs

Description from author's site:
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Dreamcatcher
The book is a real page turner. I zipped through this book pretty fast. I want to go back and re-read it. I liked how the author treats the dream world. Pretty believable. In some dream sequences I got some flashes of Freddie from the Nightmare on Elm Street films or maybe it's Wolverine from the X-men films. Scary. Interesting twists occur with Janie and her abilities and with Caleb (Janie's love interest) and his true identity. Loved how Janie starts to come into her own in the end. Dream manipulation has got me thinking.

Series reviews:
WAKE
FADE
GONE (release: February 2010)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Emotional Problems
Published: 1999
Paperback: 240 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: The 10th Anniversary hype and the reviews on Reviewer X and Presenting Lenore led me to read this gem.

Description from amazon.com:

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth.

My thoughts:

In-a-word: Him!

Whoa! I can see how this book is becoming a classic. I love how this story unfolds until the very end where the main character, Melinda, finally breaks out of her self-induced prison to save her friend.

If you haven't already, go check out Laurie Halse Anderson reading of her poem, Listen, which is based on all the fan mail she received about Speak. The poem is just as touching as the book.

Read my movie review.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Published: 2008
Hardback: 756 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: To celebrate the DVD release of Twilight, I'm going to post my thoughts on the Twilight series which I read last year.

Description from amazon.com:

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife have led her to the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or to pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fates of two tribes hangs.

Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating, and unfathomable, consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life--first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse--seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed... forever?

My thoughts:

In-a-word: Transformation

Wonderful way to end the series! Bella grows up in a non-typical way. Many things are revealed with plenty of twists and turns. Oh yeah, lots of vampire and werewolves involved.

Check out vlog brothers with Hank's song rendition of I'm Not Edward Cullen.

Twilight Series reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Midnight Sun (per author, this is on hold)

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Published: 2007
Hardback: 629 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: To celebrate the DVD release of Twilight, I'm going to post my thoughts on the Twilight series which I read last year.

Description from amazon.com:
As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

My thoughts:
In-a-couple-words: Puppy Love
More action and descriptions of the worlds of vampires and werewolves. I liked the focus on Jacob and his storyline regarding the Native Americans and Werewolf lore. This was the book that asked everyone, Team Edward? Team Jacob? or Team Switzerland?

Go Team Edward!

Twilight Series reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Midnight Sun (per author, this is on hold)

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Published: 2006
Hardback: 563 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: To celebrate the DVD release of Twilight, I'm going to post my thoughts on the Twilight series which I read last year.

Description from amazon.com:

Recovered from the vampire attack that hospitalized her in the conclusion of Twilight, Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step. Vampire fans will appreciate the subsequently dour mood that permeates the novel, and it's not until Bella befriends Jacob, a sophomore from her school with a penchant for motorcycles, that both the pace and her disposition begin to take off. Their adventures are wild, dare-devilish, and teeter on the brink of romance, but memories of Edward pervade Bella's emotions, and soon their fun quickly morphs into danger, especially when she uncovers the true identities of Jacob and his pack of friends.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Depression

Absence makes the heart grow fonder is the theme in this book. I liked watching the friendship between Bella and Jacob blossom.

Twilight Series reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Midnight Sun (per author, this is on hold)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Published: 2005

Paperback: 498 pages

Rating: 5

Inspiration: To celebrate the DVD release of Twilight, I'm going to post my thoughts on the Twilight series which I read last year.

Description from amazon.com:

Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Immortal

I enjoyed the series about a romance between a human and vampire. I also admit that Twilight was my favorite of the 4 books. I love the way Stephenie Meyer explains how her vampire world could co-exist with the human one - pretty believable. And, this was the first place I've heard of vegetarian vampires.

From this paranormal teenage romance, the question arises as to whether Bella's love for Edward is worth turning immortal for.

Series reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Midnight Sun (per author, this is on hold)

My favorite podcasts on the Twilight series:

Twilight Source: Imprint

Twilight Series Theories

Flowers in the Attic (1987) movie

Flowers in the Attic (1987)
Director: Jeffrey Bloom
Based on book: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Rating: 2
Tagline: Home Sweet Home Is Murder

Inspiration:
Out of curiousity, I picked up the 1987 movie version of Flowers in the Attic at the library to compare to the book. I don't remember watching it when it came out so that was another incentive for me.

Although it is not an Academy Award winner it was interesting to see in IMDB that this film got some recognition in the movie world.

Louise Fletcher (played Grandmother)nominated in 1988 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress

Kristy Swanson (played Cathy)won in 1989 Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Horror or Mystery Motion Picture

And, the sweetest treat of the movie is that V.C. Andrews made a cameo as a window washing maid.

My thoughts:

Per usual, the book was better than the movie. The screenplay picked up most of the elements of the book. However, it barely touched on the incest part which is what made the book so intrigueing to fans. I didn't like the casting for the Grandmother and Cathy. Both actresses are great but I envisioned the Grandmother older with waaay less makeup. And, Cathy should have been younger. Cathy was looking about the same age or even older than Chris in some scenes. The other beef I have with casting is that the Grandmother and Momma had helpers in keeping the children hidden i.e. the butler and the caretaker, so this went away from the book which emphasized the secrecy of the children.

On the flip side, the movie comes off alright for those who haven't read the book. The horror of a mother locking her children up in pursuit of money comes across well.

News flash: The Complete V.C. Andrews site (News page), states that there is deal in the works for the movie remake of Flowers in the Attic with a screenplay written by Andrew Neiderman aka VCA ghostwriter!

Fun fact: Also at The Complete V.C. Andrews site (Bio page), turns out that Flowers in the Attic was based on a true story after all!

Read my book review.

2009 Debut Authors Challenge

~~ completed ~~

I decided to join another challenge for this year which is hosted by The Story Siren. Basically the goal is to read a set number of YA or MG novels from debut authors published this year.

I've read some Young Adult novels in the past but thought this challenge would be a good way to read more from this genre. Since I'm starting late with this challenge, I'll try to go for at least 10 books. Below is a list of titles I'm interested in reading after reading reviews on the YA blogs listed on my sidebar. I'll add on more later. Now I have to go out and get some of these to start reading!

1. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

2. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

3. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

4. Dull Boy by Sara Cross

5. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

6. Never Slow Dance With A Zombie by E. Van Lowe

7. You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay

8. Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

9. Hybrid by Angie Reed

10. The Agency by Y.S. Lee

Challenges

Book Reading Challenges
AND
Mini-challenges

Reading Challenges 2011:

A Year of Feminist Classics

Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Fantasy Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Full Steampunk Ahead Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Mad Men Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Men in Uniform Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Nautical Fiction Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

The Women of Science Fiction Book Club
1/1 to 12/31/11

ZOMBIES!
Satisfy your undying hunger!
Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

Year End Wrap Up for 2010
Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/11

2010
All About the Brontes
1/1 to 6/30/10

Bottoms Up Reading Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/10

Debut Author Challenge
1/1 to 12/31/10

French Historicals - Oh-La-La!
1/1 to 12/15/10

Misty's Helluva Halloween

Hogwarts Reading Challenge
3/8 to 12/13/10

IBC
ongoing since 1998
12 per year

Everything Austen
started in 2009, but love this so much that I'll continue with Austen-ish reads

Everything Austen II
7/1 to 12/31/10

Jane Austen
1/1 to 12/31/10

Jane in June
6/1 to 6/30/10

Hello Japan! mini-challenges
10/30/09 to 12/31/10

Japanese Literature challenge 3
7/30/09 to 1/31/10

Mad Men
Mad Men challenge
11/30/09 to 11/30/10

Iron Seas series serial challenge
8/3 to end of series

Newbery Award
10/1/09 to 9/30/10

The Outlander Reading challenge
11/17/09 to 11/17/10

Scandinavian Reading Challenge
4/1 to 12/31/10

Skullvines Press
1/1 to 12/31/10

L.J. Smith challenge
9/1/09 to 8/31/10

Sookie Stackhouse
7/1/09 to 8/30/10

Thriller & Suspense challenge
1/1 to 12/31/10

Women Unbound
11/1/09 to 11/30/10

Women Writers
1/1 to 12/31/10

~~2009

Alice in Wonderland Week
10/7 to 10/14/09

Bibliofreak's Kindle II
11/1 to 12/17/09

Body Image challenge week
4/22 to 4/26/09
Winner of Jane in Bloom by Deborah Lytton

Debut Authors challenge (YA or MG)
1/1 to 12/31/09

Helluva Halloween
10/1 to 10/31/09

Jane Austen Mix Match couples mini-challenge
August 2009

November Novella challenge
11/1 to 11/30/09

Once Upon a Week
11/2 to 11/6/09

Pirate Week
9/13 to 9/19/09

Read-a-thons
April
October

R.I.P. iv reading challenge
9/1 to 10/31/09

V.C. Andrews book challenge
1/1 to 12/31/09

YA-Dystopian reading challenge
10/15 - 12/31/09

Books read by Subject

Action

Africa

Aliens

Biography

Comedy

Coming of Age

Dating

Drama

Dystopia

Emotional Problems

Espionage

Family

Fantasy

France

Friendship

Ghosts

Graphic Novel

Historical

Horror

Japanese

Memoir

Mystery

Paranormal

Pirates

Poetry

Post-apocalypse

Reincarnation

Romance

Scandinavian

Steampunk

Supernatural

Vampires

TV

Werewolves

Witches

Zombies

Misc:

Fave YA couples

LOST

Mad Men - related to TV series

PeekAbook - book trailers

Project Runway

Steampunk raw e-fiction:

Jane and Jade Escapades by vvb

Raven $age by svb

Vampire Diaries

Guest post reviews:

the hubby

Books read by Author

A
Abrahams, Peter
Adornetto, Alexandra
Aidan, Pamela
Almond, David
Anderson, Kevin D.
Anderson, Laurie Halse
Andrews, V.C.
Archer, CJ
Argyle, Michelle Davidson
Arthur, Artist
Austen, Jane

B
Balzer, Jerrod
Barry, Brunonia
Barrows, Ann
Batten, Prue
Bayarr, Samantha Jillian
Bear, Elizabeth
Bechdel, Alison
Bell, Hilari
Benz, Jon
Beckett, Bernard
Berry, Julie
Beckwith, Elizabeth
Benjamin, Melanie
Black, Holly
Blake, Kendare
Blasiar, Jean
Blue, Parker
Boring, Belinda
Bowditch, Eden Unger
Brallier, Max
Brant, Marilyn
Brighton, Lori
Brinling, John
Brody, Jessica
Bronte, Emily
Brown, Laurie
Brown, Lisa
Brown, Tonia
Bryson, Ellen
Bunn, Cullen
Burd, Lauren
Burton, David H.
Butler, Nancy

C
Cach, Lisa
Caletti, Deb
Card, Orson Scott
Carriger, Gail
Carroll, Lewis
Carter, Ally
Castor, Harriet
Chow, Cara
Clare, Cassandra
Clark, Naomi
Clugston, Chynna
Coe, David B.
Coleman, Daniel
Connor, Crystal
Cooke, Deborah
Cooney, Laura
Cready, Gwyn
Crilley, Paul
Cross, Sarah
Crusie, Jennifer

D
Dakin, Glenn
Davidson, Mary Janice
Davis, Bryan
Dee, Bonnie
Desrocher, Lisa
DeTarsio, Dee
Devoti, Lori
Dibdin, Michael
Dickerson, Melanie
Donnelly, Jennifer
Drake, Shannon
Dunwoody, David

E
Edge, Harry
Eland, Lindsay
Essex, Karen

F
Fantaskey, Beth
Faricy, Michael
Fleiss, Ocienna
Fleischman, Paul
Forest, Jennifer
Fox, Angie
Fragiale, Cristina
Fragiale, Donatella
Frater, Rhiannon
Frenier, Kurt
Freitas, Donna
Friedman, Aimee

G

Gaiman, Neil
Galenorne, Yasmine
Gardner, Kate
Gear, Kathleen O’Neal
Gear, W. Michael
Genova, Lisa
Gerber, Linda
Goodman, Alison
Goyer, Tricia
Grange, Amanda
Gray, Claudia
Gray, Nathalie
Green, John
Green, Layton
Grey, O.M.
Griffin, Adele
Gude, Paul

H
Hahn, Mary Downing
Haines, Jess
Hamilton, Laurell K.
Hanakuma, Yusaku
Handeland, Lori
Harland, Richard
Harris, Carrie
Harris, Charlaine
Hartness, John G.
Hegarty, Kate
Heller, Jason
Henry, Mark
Hepler, Heather
Hill, Bonnie Hearn
Hino, Matsuri
Hintz, S.D.
Hoban, Julia
Hockensmith, Steve
Holden, J.T.
Hollick, Helen
Holzner, Nancy
Hubbard, Mandy
Hurley, Tonya

I
Ichikawa, Takuji

J
James, Brian
Jane, Missy
Jason
Jay, Stacey
Johnson, Crystal
Jones, Ward
Jordan, Sophie

K
Keats, John
Kenemore, Scott
Koehler, K.H.
King, A.S.
Knight, Ashley

L
Lancaster, Mike A.
Larsson, Stieg
Lavene, Joyce and Jim
Lea, Keira
Lee, Janet
Lebherz, Phil
Lee, Emery
Lee, Michele
Lee, Y.S.
Leret, Xavier
Levinson, Leila
Lewis, Jon
Lichter, Ida
Lin, Jeannie
Link, Kelly
Liu, Marjorie M.
LoTempio, Toni

M
Maberry, Jonathan
MacAlister, Katie
Madigan, L.K.
Mancusi, Marianne
Marchetta, Melina
Marr, Melissa
Maxwell, Robin
Maya, Tara
Mazur, Cathy
McCann, Jim
McCarthy, Cormac
McGowan, Maureen
McHugh, Jessica
McKenna, Kathleen
Mead, Richelle
Mecum, Ryan
Metcalf, Karen
Meyer, Stephenie
Millar, Martin
Moning, Karen Marie
Moore, Marsha A.
Moran, Michelle
Murakami, Haruki

N
Nalebuff, Rachel Kauder
Nichols, Lee
Nicholson, Scott
Norrie, Christine

O
Ogden, Skye
Oliver, Tess
O'Malley, Bryan Lee
O'Neal, Eilis
Oppel, Kenneth
O'Neal, Eilis
O'Reilly, Sean

P
Paffenroth, Kim
Palmer, Dexter
Pearson, Douglas K.
Peeler, Nicole
Pennebaker, Ruth
Picoult, Jodi
Pike, Aprilynne
Porter, Sarah
Pratt, James Michael

Q

R
Rash, Andy
Reed, Angie L.
Reed, Philip
Rees, Celia
Reeve, Philip
Rigel, L.K.
Riley, Regina
Robertson, Craig
Roman, Robert C.
Rose, Camille
Rosenberg, Nancy Taylor
Rothfuss, Pat
Roux, Madeleine
Rowling, J.K.
Ryan, Carrie

S
Sacchetto, Rob
Schloegel, K.A.
Schnyder, PJ
Schulte, Liz
Schulze, Christine E.
Scott, Jess C.
Seaburn, David B.
Selzer, Adam
Shafer, Mary Ann
Shapton, Leanne
Shickman, Allan Richard
Shinn, Sharon
Sims, Jelani
Shonagan, Sei
Skeate, Sarah
Slater, David Michael
Smith, L.J.
Soares, L.L.
Somper, Justin
Soren, Sasha
Spradlin, Michael P.
Sprague, Todd
Stall, Sam
Stepakoff, Jeffrey
Stevens, E.J.
Stratton, A.Y.
Sundin, Sarah
Suzuki, Koji
Sweet, Pat

T
Taylor, Laini
Taylor, Tom
Tedman, Nicola
Toboso, Yana
Tolles, T. Lynne
Tolstoy, Leo
Thornton, Gypsy
Trombley, Susan
Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell


U

V
Valente, Catherynne M.
Valentino, Nick
Van Lowe, E.
Van Meter, Jen
Van Bokkem, Vianka
Vaughn, Carrie
Vincent, Rachel

W
Wallace, Kathi
Walter, Shells
Ward, David
Weber, Lenora Mattingly
Wertz, Julia
West, Kyle
Westerfeld, Scott
Winters, Ben H.
Whitten, Zoe E.
Whytock, Cherry
Willingham, Bill
Wilson, Enid
Woodland, Lani
Wollstonecraft, Mary
Woolf, Jenny

X
Xi, Xu

Y
Yolen, Jane
Yoshimoto, Banana

Z
Zarr, Sara
Zindel, Paul

Books Read by Title 2

N thru Z

N
Nana by Ai Yazawa (manga series) - 5
Nancy Drew Mystery: The Mystery of the Fire Dragon by Carolyn Keene - 4
Never After anthology by Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, Sharon Shinn
Never Cry Werewolf by L.A. Banks - 3
Never Slow Dance With A Zombie - E. Van Lowe - 5
New Moon (Twilight, book 2) by Stephenie Meyer - 5
Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin D. Anderson and Sam Stall - 4
Night of the Necromancer: Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse (Volume 1)by Jelani Sims and Kyle West - 4
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - 5

O
O, Juliet by Robin Maxwell - 5
Odd Jobs by Ben Lieberman - 5
Oh My Goddess by Kosuke Fujishima (manga series) - 4
On the Brightside, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex-God (book 2) by Louise Rennison - 4
Once a Pirate by Susan Grant - 5
Only Milo by Barry Smith - 4
On the Prowl by Karen MacInerney - 4
Other Side of Life by Jess C. Scott - 4
Out of Time by Pauline B. Jones

P
Paper Towns by John Green - 5
Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger, bk2) by V.C. Andrews - 4
Phantom Tollbooth, The by Norton Juster - 5
Pigman, The by Paul Zindel - 4
Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown - 5
Pirate Bride, The by Shannon Drake - 5
Pirates! by Celia Rees - 4
Pistons and Pistols by Regina Riley - 5
Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities by Alexandra Robbins - 4
Ponga Boy by Phil Lebherz and Philip Reed - na
Point Blank (Alex Rider, bk 2) by Anthony Horowitz - 5
Popularity Genie in a Bottle by Donatella & Cristina Fragiale - 4
Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard - 4
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld - 5
Pretties (Uglies, bk 2) by Scott Westerfeld - 4
Pride and Prejudice comic 2 by Nancy Butler -4
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - 4
Princess Diaries, The (Princess, book 1) by Meg Cabot - 5
Princess in the Spotlight (Princess, book 2) by Meg Cabot - 5
Princess in Love, A (Princess, book 3) by Meg Cabot - 5
Project X by Jim Shepard - 4
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson - 3

Q

R
Raising the Perfect Child Through Guilt and Manipulation by Elizabeth Beckwith - 5
Random by Craig Robertson - 4
Random Magic by Sasha Soren - 5
Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein
Raven's Kiss by Toni LoTempio - 5
Reaper by Rachel Vincent - 4
Redmoon by Mina Hwang (manga series) - 4
Return of the Dapper Men by Jim McCann and Janet Lee - 5
Revenge of the Wannabes (Clique, book 3) by Lisi Harrison - 4
Richer by Jean Blasiar - 4
Road, The by Cormac McCarthy - 5
Robin Hood by David B. Coe - 4
Romance Reader by Pearl Abraham - 5
Roswell High: The Outsider (book 1) by Melinda Metz - 4
Roswell High (book 2) by Melinda Metz - 4
Rot by Michele Lee - 5
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Russian Roulette by Mike Faricy - 5

S
Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult - 4
Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword (book 1) by Carrie Asai - 3
Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio - 4
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life v.1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scourge by David H. Burton - 4
Search for Truth, The (Left Behind, book 2) by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins - 3
Sea Witch series: Sea Witch by Helen Hollick - 5
Sea Witch series: Pirate Code by Helen Hollick - 5
Sea Witch series: Bring It Close by Helen Hollick - 5
Sea Witch Series: Ripples In The Sand by Helen Hollick
Secrets in the Attic by V.C. Andrews - 3
Secrets in the Shadows by V.C. Andrews - 3
Selling Hope by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb - 4
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 5
Septimus Heap (Septimus book 1) by Angie Sage - 4
Septimus Heap: Flyte (Septimus, book 2) by Angie Sage - 4
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly - 3
Shakespeare Undead by Lori Handeland - 5
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - 5
Silver Kiss by Naomi Clark - 3
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon - 5
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The (Sisterhood, book 1) by Ann Brashares - 5
Skeleton Key (Alex Rider, bk 3) by Anthony Horowitz - 4
Soulless by Gail Carriger - 5
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - 5
Specials (Uglies, bk 3) by Scott Westerfeld - 4
Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide, The by Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black - 4
Spray by Harry Edge - 5
Spring Tone, The by Kazumi Yumoto - 3
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami - 4
Stanley Seagull by Cathy Mazur - 4
Starlighter, The by Bryan Davis - 4
Steamed by Katie MacAlister - 4
Steel by Carrie Vaughn - 4
Stormbreaker (Alex Rider, bk 1) by Anthony Horowitz -4
Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits and other curious things by Cate Gardner - 4
Study Train by Kurt Frenier - 4
Stuff: The Life of a Cool Demented Dude by Jeremy Strong - 5
Stumpwork Robe, The by Prue Batten - 5
Survive by Todd Sprague - 4
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

T
Tears of a Vampire Prince by Christine Schulze - 4
Tenth Circle, The by Jodi Picoult - 5
Tex by S.E. Hinton - 5
The Sky: The World by Jessica McHugh - 5
The Unfinished Song series: Initiate by Tara Maya - 4
The Unfinished Song series: Taboo by Tara Maya - 4
The Unfinished Song series: Sacrifice by Tara Maya
They Call Me Death by Missy Jane - 5
Thinks and Things by Crystal Johnson - 5
Thomas Riley by Nick Valentino - 4
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - 5
To Nourish and Consume by Ryan O'Reilly - 4
Tokyo Zombie by Yusaku Hanakuma - 5
Treasure Trouble by Brian James - 5
Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce - 5
Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell - 3
Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff - 5
Twilight (Twilight, book 1) by Stephenie Meyer - 5

U
Uglies (Uglies, book 1) by Scott Westerfeld - 5

V
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean (book 1) by Justin Somper - 4
Vampire Academy (book 1) by Richelle Mead - 5
Vampire Darcy Desires by Regina Jeffers - 4
Vampire Haiku by Ryan Mecum - 5
Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith - 4
Vampire Diaries: The Struggle by L. J. Smith - 3
Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino (graphic novel series) - 4
Vanishings, The (Left Behind, book 1) by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins - 4

W
Watership Down by Richard Adams - 5
Wedding Gift, The by Kathleen McKenna - 5
Wendy by Karen Wallace - 3
Whale Rider by Witi Himaera - 5
What Not to Fear by Robert C. Roman - 4
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown - 4
Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts - 5
White Cat by Holly Black - 5
White Oleander by Janet Fitch - 5
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - 5
Wild Magic (Immortals, book 1) by Tamora Pierce - 3
Wings by Aprilynne Pike - 4
Winter Wishes by Vivi Andrews, Vivian Arend, and Moira Rogers - 4
Woman Who Rides Like a Man, The (Song of the Lioness, book 3) by Tamora Pierce - 5
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough by Ruth Pennebaker
Worldshaker by Richard Harland

X

Y
You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay - 4

Z
Zan-Gah by Allan Richard Shickman - 3
Zombie Blondes - Brian James - 4
Zombie Haiku - Ryan Mecum - 5
The Zombie Handbook: How to Identify the Living Dead and Survive the Coming Zombie Apocalypse by Rob Sacchetto - 5
Zombie Moon by Lori Devoti - 4
Zombie Punter by Zoe E. Whitten - 5
Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby - 4
Zombiewood by Rob Sacchetto - 5

Books read by Title

As I start posting my reviews, I thought this listing would be a good way to find things. I liked this setup which I first noticed at the Simply Books blog site. My rating appears after the title. All are mostly good stuff because I choose my books based on reviews and hype. Also, I've listed books (without linked reviews) that I have read in the past so that you can get a sense of my YA background as far back as my 1993 book journal. Feel free to email me if you want to know my thoughts on these.

A thru M

1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More by Bryan Cohen

A
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - 5
A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin - 5
A Fate Totally Worse Than Death by Paul Fleischman - 3
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly - 5
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning (book 1) by Lemony Snicket - 4
A Single Shard by Linda Park - 4
A Slipping-Down Life by Anne Tyler - 4
A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks - 3
A Wild Light by Marjorie M. Liu - 5
Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase (manga series) - 4
According to Jane by Marilyn Brant - 5
Adventures of Miss Upton and the Sky Pirate, The by CJ Archer - 5
After Isaactown by Ward Jones - 3
After the End by Bonnie Dee - 4
Agency, The by Y.S. Lee - 5
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin - 5
Alice in Verse by J.T. Holden - 5
Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy edited by William Irwin and Richard Brian Davis - 4
Alice's Adventures Under Ground: A Facsimile by Lewis Carroll - 5
All these Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux - 5
Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters - tba
An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan - 4
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (book 1) by Louise Rennison - 5
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, book 1) by Tamora Pierce - 5
Apothecary, The by Samantha Jillian Bayarr - 4
April and the Dragon Lady by Lensey Namioka - 3
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, book 1) by Eoin Colfer - 5
Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, book 2) by Eoin Colfer - 5
Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code (Artemis Fowl, book 3) by Eoin Colfer - 5
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl, book 4) by Eoin Colfer - 4
Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (Artemis Fowl, book 5) by Eoin Colfer - 4
Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, book 6) by Eoin Colfer - 5
Assiniboin Girl by Kathi Wallace - 3
Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, The by Barry Lyga - 5
The Atomic Weight of Secrets by Eden Unger Bowditch - 5
Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey - 4

B
Ballad of the Pirate Queens, The by Jane Yolen - 5
Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini - 5
Be With You by Ichikawa Takuji - 4
Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters - 4
Best Friends For Never (Clique, book 2) by Lisi Harrison - 5
Between Two Ends by David Ward - 5
Bite Me by Parker Blue - 4
Bitter Melon by Cara Chow - 4
Black Jack Derringer by K.H. Koehler - 5
Bleeder by LK Rigel - 4
Blood of a Werewolf by T. Lynne Tolles - 3
Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze -4
Blooming, The by Tonia Brown - 4
Book of Nonsense, The, (Vol. I) by David Michael Slater - 5
Book of Knowledge, The (Vol. II) by David Michael Slater - 5
Book of Maps, The (Vol. III) by David Michael Slater - 5
Book of All Things, The (Vol. IV) by David Michael Slater - tba
Book of Names, The (Vol. V) by David Michael Slater - tba
Book of All Books, The (Vol. VI) by David Michael Slater - tba
Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidler - 4
Boyfriend from Hell by E. Van Lowe - 5
Boyfriend List, The by E. Lockhart - 4
Breadwinner, The by Deborah Ellis - 4
Breaking Dawn (Twilight, book 4) by Stephenie Meyer - 5
Breathing by Cherl Renee Herbsman - 4
Brides of Wildcat County: Dangerous: Savannah's Story (book 1) by Jude Watson - 5
Brides of Wildcat County: Audacious: Ivy's Story (book 2) by Jude Watson - 5
Brides of Wildcat County: Scandalous: Eden's Story (book 3) by Jude Watson - 5
Brides of Wildcat County: Impetuous: Mattie's Story (book 4) by Jude Watson - 5
Brides of Wildcat County: Temptuous: Opal's Story (book 5) by Jude Watson - 5
Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne with introduction by Director Jane Campion
Brimstone Key, The by Derek Benz and Jon S. Lewis - 4
Broken by David H. Burton - 4
Buried Heart by A.Y. Stratton - 4
Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin - 5

C
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - 4
Camille by Tess Oliver - 5
Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse? By Max Braillier - 5
Candle Man by Glenn Dakin - 5
Captain Jack Sparrow Handbook, The by Jason Heller - 4
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson - 3
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - 5
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 5
CatKid: I'm No Fraidy Cat! by Brian James -5
Cathy's Book If Found Call 650.266.8233 by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman - 4
Celeste by V.C. Andrews - 3
Charlie No Face by David B. Seaburn - 5
Chloe Does Yale by Natalie Krinsky - 4
Choir Boats, The by Daniel A. Rabuzzi - 5
Cinderella - Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan - 4
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - 4
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 4
Clique, The (Clique, book 1) by Lisi Harrison - 5
Clockwork and Corsets by Regina Riley - 5
Cluck: Murder Most Fowl by Eric D. Knapp -4
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris - 4
Coraline by Neil Gaiman - 5
Crime Beat by Scott Nicholson - 5
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter - 5

D
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg - 3
Dark Corners by Liz Schulte - 5
Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love, The by Rosie Rushton - 3
Dark Moon by Lori Handeland - 4
Dawn Country, The by Kathleen O’Neal Gear & W. Michael Gear - 4
Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Jane Austen and Steve Hockensmith - 4
Dead Practices by Shells Walter - 4
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - 5
Death by Bikini by Linda Gerber - 5
Deadly Daggers by Joyce and Jim Lavene - 4
Deception by Lee Nichols - 5
Detour 2 Death by J.R. Turner - 3
Don't Call Me Katie Rose - Lenora Mattingly Weber - 5
Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham - 5
Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams - 5
Dracula in Love by Karen Essex - 5
Dream of Perpetual Motion, The by Dexter Palmer - tba
Dueling Novella Series Volume 1 by Kim Paffenroth and David Dunwoody - 5
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross - 5
Dust by Elizabeth Bear - 3
Dust by Joan Frances Turner - 5
Dust of 100 Dogs, The by A.S. King - 5

E
Eclipse (Twilight, book 3) by Stephenie Meyer - 5
Emma by Jane Austen
Egyptian, The by Layton Green - 5
Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann - 3
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card - 5
Enclave by Ann Aguirre - 5
Every Zombie Eats Somebody Sometime by Michael P. Spradlin - 3
Evernight - Claudia Gray - 4
Every Savage Can Reproduce by Enid Wilson
Extras (Uglies, bk 4) by Scott Westerfeld - 5

F
Fables series by Bill Willingham
Fae Eye for the Golem Guy by Robert C. Roman - 4
Falling Boy by Alison McGhee - 5
False Princess, The by Eilis O'Neal - 5
Feeling for Bones by Bethany Pierce - 4
Fire and Cross by Enid Wilson - 4
Firelight by Sophie Jordan - 5
First Impressions by Alexa Adams - 4
Flirting with Pride and Prejudice edited by Jennifer Crusie - 3
Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, bk1) by V.C. Andrews - 5
Forest of Hands and Teeth, The (bk1) by Carrie Ryan - 4
Fortunes of Indigo Skye, The by Deb Caletti - 4
French Milk by Lucy Knisley (graphic novel) - 4
Fridays at Nine by Marilyn Brant - tba
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel - 4
Fushigi Yugi by Yu Watase (manga series) - 4

G
Gated Grief: The Daughter of a GI Concentration Camp Liberator Discovers a Legacy of Trauma by Leila Levinson - 5
Gemini Night by Bonnie Hearn Hill - 4
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters - 4
Genesis by Bernard Beckett - 5
Ghost of a Flea, The by John Brinling - 4
Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in A Ship of Her Own Making, The by Catherynne M. Valente - 5
Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, The by Stieg Larsson -
Girl who Played with Fire, The by Stieg Larsson - 5
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The by Stieg Larsson - 5
Ghost of Crutchfield Hall, The by Mary Downing Hahn - 4
Golden Compass, The by Philip Pullman - 5
Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas - 4
Graveyard Book, The by Neil Gaiman - 5
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - 5
Ghostgirl: Rest in Popularity by Tonya Hurley - 4
Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley - 4
Graceling by Krisin Cashore
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - 5

H
Habit of a Foreign Sky by Xu Xi - 5
Half-Made World, The by Felix Gilman - 4
Half Past Dead by Zoe Archer and Bianca D'Arc - 4
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - 4
Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe - 5
Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry - 5
Hard Day's Knight by John G. Hartness - 5
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry, book 1) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry, book 2) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry, book 3) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry, book 4) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry, book 5) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Harry, book 6) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry, book 7) by J.K. Rowling - 5
Harry Potter: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling - 4
Hatchett by Gary Paulsen - 4
Healer's Apprentice, The by Melanie Dickerson - 4
Heaven Sent by Xavier Leret - 5
Heaveworld by Cullen Bunn - 4
Hobbit, The by J.R.R. Tolkien - 5
Holes by Louis Sachar - 5
Hopeless Savages v.1 by Jen Van Meter, Christine Norrie, Chynna Clugston - 5
Hot Gimmick by Miki Aihara (manga series) - 3
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - 5
Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney - 5
Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster - 5
Hunger Games, The (book 1) by Suzanne Collins - 5
Hybrid by Angie L. Reed - 4
Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines - 5

I
I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe - 4
I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier - 5
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - 4
I Saw You... Comics Inspired by Real-life Missed Connections edited by Julia Wertz - 4
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter - 5
If There Be Thorns by V.C. Andrews - 2
Immortal by Lauren Burd
Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton - 4
In Sickness by L.L. Soares and Laura Cooney - 4
In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, book 2) by Tamora Pierce - 5
In The Storm by Karen Metcalf - 4
InJane by Douglas K. Pearson - 3
Intrinsical by Lani Woodland -5
Invention of Hugo Cabret, The by Brian Selzer - 5
Invisible Order by Paul Crilley - 4
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini - 5
Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves - 4

J
Jabberwocky by Daniel Coleman - 5
Jane Austen's Sewing Box by Jennifer Forest
Jane-Emily by Patricia Clapp - 5
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - 5
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey - 5

K
Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters - 4
Kit's Wilderness by David Almond - 4
Kosher By Design Teens and 20-Somethings: cooking for the next generation by Susie Fishbein - 4

L
Lace Reader, The by Brunonia Barry - 4
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers by Michael Scott Miller - 5
Lady Susan by Jane Austen - 4
Larklight by Philip Reeve - 5
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness, book 4) by Tamora Pierce - 5
Liquid Fear by Scott Nicholson - 4
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow - 5
Little Prince, The by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - 3
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - 5
Little Women, The by Katharine Weber - 5
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris -4
Looking for Alaska by John Green - 5
Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar - 5
Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien - 5
Lost Valentine, The by James Michael Pratt -4
Love, Lies and Lizzie by Rosie Rushton - 3
Love in the Time of Zombies by Paul Gude - 4
Lovely Bones, The by Alice Sebold - 5
Lucky by Alice Sebold - 5

M
Mai the Psychic Girl Perfect Collection (manga, book 1) by Kazuya Kudo - 4
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link - 3
Manifest by Artist Arthur - 3
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - 4
Mar the Pirate Vampire by Vianka Van Bokkem - 3
Mars by Fuyumi Soryo (manga series) - 4
Masked Ball by Prue Batten - 5
Mechanical Rose by Nathalie Gray - 4
Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan - 4
Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld - 4
Mieradome by Kate Hegarty - tba
Mind Readers, The by Lori Brighton - 4
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng - 4
Mr Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange - 4
Murdermouth: Zombie Bits by Scott Nicholson - 4
Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression by Ida Lichter
My Scrumptious Scottish Dumplings: The Life of Angelica Cookson Potts by Cherry Whytock - 4
My Little Red Book edited by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff - 5
My Lost Daughter by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg - 3
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - 5
My Zombie Valentine by Katie MacAlister, Angie Fox, Marianne Mancusi, Lisa Cach - 4
Mystery of Lewis Carroll by Jenny Woolf - 5
Mystify by Artist Arthur - 3