1st in Series Challenge 2009

Saw this over at J Kaye Book Blog. So I thought I would participate. Head on over to sign up.

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

Not sure how all this works, but I suppose I'll put in a widget and start listing.

What's To Come

Okay, so I wanted to blog but...I have nothing to blog about :P. So, how about a 'what's to come' blog. In the next few weeks-

Review:
Night Rising-Hopefully soon.
Feast of Fools-Getting it on Friday.
Lord of Misrule-Also on Friday.
Strange Angels-Friday is a busy day.

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

(Blurb)

Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games… but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself.
A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault.

(Review)

So this was a nice a fast read, finishing it in one afternoon, which is a major accomplishment for me. But that is also cause this book is so very engaging. Parker is a blast, but you have to love sarcastic, bitchy, cynical, pains in the asses. If you like those kind of people then I'm sure you'll like Parker right off the bat. I like those kind of people, being one of them myself. *_* Now, Parker is also holding a secret, just like most people in novels do. And this secret is what drives us to read the story and find out why Parker is so messed up. I'm not going to ruin anything and give away the big ending, but lets go over some things.

Jake is falling for Parker, and to be honest I can't tell if she is okay with this or not. Sometimes she is and sometimes she's the meanest person. Such an annoyance. Chris is Parker's ex, but still a very close friend and in the beginning still in love with her! And the other main character; Becky, the person that basically took over for Parker after her fall from grace. and the new girlfriend of Chris.

To be honest, Parker is the bad guy of the story, sure people are rude to her but most of the time they are just trying to be nice and she throws back bitchiness. She is her own downfall, but I suppose that is usually the point in these kind of novels. If you're like me, then I'm sure you think this is about a girl that had a bad first time, or was even raped. And that is what sent her into the spiral. Happy to say, that is not the case, and it's nice to see that change. A lot of books are like that, and it's getting old to me. But this worked, and I believe that in the end you will be shocked to find out what exactly is bothering Parker.

Time for the warnings. *Sigh* Why do I do these? Regardless, as always swearing is throughout. As well as underage drinking. Sex and sensuality, drug use and suicide tendencies are all present.

What's your book personality?

Found this over at Addicted to Books.

Your Personality: All-Rounder!

Your responses showed you fitting equally into all four reading personalities:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you'd like - so you're very particular about the books you choose.
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.


I would have to agree that I am all of the above. But I'm most proud to be an Eclectic Reader. :D Wait, don't some of them contradict each other? :P Whatever LMAO.

To take the quiz yourself go HERE.

A Secret Edge by Robin Reardon

(Blurb)

In many ways, Jason Peele is like any other teenager. He hits the books, hangs with his friends, flirts with girls, and omits the full truth of his life from his Aunt Audrey and Uncle Steve, who've raised him since his parents died. But there's one way that Jason is very different: when he dreams at night, it isn't about girls; it's about David Bowie. At sixteen years old, Jason is just beginning to understand that he might be gay.
The one place Jason feels comfortable is on the track where he can run fast and hard. He loves the feel of the wind at his back, of his legs propelling him foreward, the roar of the crowd in his ears. But now, even his sanctuary feels threatening. It isn't just the jerks who call him "faggot" in the locker room. A new guy has joined the team, and everything about him will challenge the way Jason sees life. From late-night showings of "La Cage Aux Folles" to reading Gandhi, he's running a new race on an uncertain course, and only one thing's for sure — his senior year is going to be unforgettable.

(Review)

This is the second Robin Reardon book that I have read. Thinking Straight being the first. And in comparison, this one didn't live up to my expectation. Jason is coming to terms with being gay, and falling in love. Not to mention the being on the track team, and dealing with homophobia. Enter Nagaraju Burugapalli (call him Raj) he is also on the track team, in the high jump Category. Jason starts to fall for Raj, but Raj hold a secret from Jason that could destory their relationship.

Now, I'm sure most have read the review about Thinking Straight, and saw how much I enjoyed it. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one as well. It was a fast, intelligent read that got me thinking. But it seemed so unbelievable. Jason lives with his Aunt and Uncle, and he tells his Aunt Aud almost everything. I just don't see this happening. Jason come out very fast, not to many people. But still in a short time period, fist to his Aunt who he is so open with. I don't know...I just can't relate to that personally. As well to the point that there are three gay guys on the track team alone. I don't see that either. And finally, Jason is very open to his coach. It's not a weird thing, just unexpected. I think these points irked me so much is because I don't really live in that kind of environment.

Whatever, lets not let my own bitterness get in the way. All in all, nice heart-warming read of a boys first love. Of course the David Bowie thing is weird. But hey, I don't judge.

Fat, Hoochie, Prom Queen by Nico Medina

(Blurb)

What does it take to be the queen?
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their rivalry: be named prom queen and the other backs off -- for good.
Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.
Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit.

(Review)

First let me say: I FUCKING LOVE NICO MEDINA! *Ahem* Fanboy moment aside. I did truly love this book. And just like in Nico's first book 'Straight Road To Kylie' he keeps up the crazy antics and drama. But this story is told by a spicy, Puerto Rican, Bootyilicious Margarita Diaz. And is set in the same Winter Park High School one year later. Sorry Kiddies, Jonathan is gone, but he makes a surprise visit, so don't worry. Along for the ride is Madge's best friend the Flamey Lucas. Gay right down to the bone, and dealing with love and Madge's crazy ideas.

Now Madge is pissed, Bridget and Madge used to be besties, but after Bridget Betrayed her 10 years ago, and humiliated her two years ago. Now is the time to return the favor. But it's gonna be hard running against a famous, popular, most beautiful girl in school and on TV. But at least she is gonna do it in sexy as can be clothes. Not only is Madge running for Prom Queen, she is helping Lucas with his man trouble and working on getting herself her own. All while trying to dig up dirt on Bridget.

And baby, we got all of the old cast making an appearance. Jonathan is in college, along with Laura. You see, Madge is tryin to set Lucas up with Jonathan, and get Prom Queen advice from Laura. Smart girl, but Jonathan has a boyfriend, (<_< Damn) And I'm sure you all know Kenny, well he ain't in college. He failed and is know in the 12th grade again. This Druggy is trying to get to Lucas and his money. *Shakes head.* Horrible I know, but great drama.

All in all, this book is one of the funniest I've read and although not the most realistic, i can defiantly see this happening. The only thing I wanna bitch about is the ending of Nico's books. They are just so Wrapped up, all nice with a bow. Everyone is friends and no hard feelings. Sure that happens in real life, but they aren't really friends. They just act fake to each other, at least that is how it is in my school. But whatever, the book was great. Funny as fuck, and made you really love the characters, even if they party a bit to hard and drink so much that they end up passing out on a football field with doughnuts. @_@ Yeah crazy shit in Nico's world.

Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

(Blurb)

Claire Danvers's college town may be run by vampires but a truce between the living and the dead made things relatively safe. For a while. Now people are turning up dead, a psycho is stalking her, and an ancient bloodsucker has proposed private mentoring. To what end, Claire will find out. And it's giving night school a whole new meaning.

(Review)

Finally, this one didn't start straight out of the last book. Well it did, but it wasn't from a cliff hanger. Holy mofo, though. Claire is crazy, I said it deal with it. Not only has she sold her mother effing soul, but she is working with a crazy bloodsucker with a messed up brain. Fact, she doesn't have choice, but still. The Vamps are dieing off and she must work with a cracked up Vamp Myrnin, to find a cure!! Shane is being bitchy to Micheal, Eve is scared cause her brother Jason is on the loose, and oh someone is trying to kill the newest Vampire in fifty years. So Micheal is F***ed. Amelie is nice only when it suits her, and to be honest that's starting to piss people off. And to add to the drama of Morganville. Monica is being real buddy-buddy with Claire, I mean the bitch got a group of guys to try to rape her not too long ago. Bitch needs to back up. But since Claire has Amelie's protection, what is is supposed to do, gots to be civil I guess.

The warning thingy I did on the other two are the same for this one, almost to the 'T'. Psycho people are out to play in the town of Morganville, and no one is safe. And the bitch of it all is, (no not Monica) Claire's parents are moving to the lovely Vamp-ville. Just when things were looking up. Oh wait...Morganville, nothing is ever looking up.

The Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine

(Blurb)

Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose

(Review)

So this crazy novel picks up right where Glass Houses ends. When Shane's crazy-ass dad and biker friends come and-(Spoiler for anyone that hasn't read Glass Houses)-Kill Micheal!!!! Because he is half vampire!!! Yes, three exclamation points.-(Spoiler over)-So Eve and Claire are dealing, Shane is getting brain washed, and Micheal is elsewhere. ;) So after these brain washing bikers leave, thanks to the awesome-ness of cops. Things begin to get back to normal...HAHAHA yeah right.

The Vamps are back and badder then ever, Amelie. (If that is missed spelled. I apologize) Oliver, oh this is a crazy mofo. Some assy Vamp cops, and a partridge in a pear tree. The vamps is pissed that Shane's is here to kill vamps and they are taking it out of Shane, and might even kill him. Since Amelie, had given Eve, Claire, Shane and Micheal protection, she is pissed that Shane would betray her. It's all very complicated, and I'm afraid you have have to read to understand it all the way.

This review is so very scattered, but whatever. The book was great and had a lot of shizz to deliver, lots of info, and by the end someone signs their soul to the devil. Well a vamp really. Eve's crazy mofo brother is back and out for revenge after Eve put him away. And Micheal-(Spoiler again) Gets turned into a Vamp, so that he can leave the house, and save Shane.-(Spoiler over) Whoa, some deep stuff I know. But how does this all end? Well pick up the book don't be lazing.

Again, some swearing, violence, the works for a Vamp teen novel. Claire is getting those oh sooo spacial hormones and are making her go crazy for Shane, who is now her boyfriend. So a bit sexuality. And fair warning, date rape situations occurs later in the book. Enjoy!

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

(Blurb)

Just don't stay out after dark.
College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero.
When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood

(Review)

This is the first in the Morganville Vampires Series. Claire is in trouble, and not because of vampires, well not yet anyways. She's in trouble because the bitchiest girls in the school hate her, and I do believe pushing someone down a flight of stairs qualifies. So, our young Claire, goes off to find a place off campus. Which leads us to the Glass House, owned by Micheal Glass. Upon arriving at the house, she meets Eve; a goth spunky girl, with a little too much heart. And of course Shane; the slacker and house hunk, that Claire can't help but notice.

Oh did I mention Claire is only 16, (almost seventeen) and any romance with Shane, who is 18, would probably end badly. But hey, it's a town filled with vamps, its gonna end badly anyways.

Written in third person point of view, Glass Houses is a fast pace, drama filled, action filled book. The characters are vivid and realistic, as realistic as you can get in a vamp book. Witty banter and sarcasm fill most of the dialogue, which is awesome. Even in bad situations, Shane or Eve have smart-ass comment. Although our main girl Claire is rather shy, timid and to herself, doesn't stand up for herself and basically a door-mat. Now I know we all love a strong leading woman in our stories, but with Claire you get to see this shy book worm grow in to a fierce book worm. And quite a flirty one as well. The Vamps are scary as...Well Vamps, and will have you wondering who's side are they playing on. Cause in Morganville, you never know, until they bite ya.

Swearing is the same in this book as in most teen books, its real. Although the 'F-Bomb' is only used once. Underaged drinking, but who the hell really cares, it's fiction, but FYI Claire doesn't drink only 18 year old and older. Oh, and the cliffhanger of an ending...If you get this book, buy the whole series. Cause the ending picks right off in the next book. And let me tell you the ending and beginnings are killer.

Note: The belt the girl is wearing on the cover...Yeah I own one just like it.

I'm Back Baby!!

That's right, I'm back after like a month. And in that month I've done like...Nothing. Basically just living life as best a 16 year old can. I haven't read much in that month, but in that past week I've read 4 books. So 'Yay Me'. What am I waiting for? Lets get started. ^_^

Book in my Plastic Bag (5)

Post Poned

Sorry quick post. The Max week has been post poned for personal reasons, please check back next week. At that time I hope to have everything sorted out. Thank you

Review: MAX by James Patterson

On a note, I'm sorry that I didn't have this up yesterday to kick off the Maximum Ride week. But better late then never

(Blurb)

When Earth faced destruction, The Flock helped save it. But now, nowhere is safe. Millions of fish are dying off Hawaii's coast and someone–or something–is destroying hundreds of ships. The Flock has no choice but to go deep into the murky seas to uncover the truth. And to make matters worse, a deadly assassin is watching their every move. Can The Flock defend themselves from an approaching army and save the world from calamity? The battle for survival rages on.

(Review)

So this is the fifth book in the Maximum Ride series. Damn, doesn't seem like it's been that much. And I pray that this isn't the last. But although MAX was good and of course well written. But it was nothing like the other books. OKAY...That may be a stretch. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel, are still getting themselves into deep sh--, er, um, crap. But in this book, it seems the Flock was too sheltered and controlled. Sure Max is still a smart-ass. But they are surrounded by adults and annoying flirting red-heads! *Ahem* Sorry Max rubbed off on me. Angel seems to be defying Max at every turn. GAH, Nudge is growing up and growing apart from the Flock. Iggy and Gazzy are, well Iggy and Gazzy, Nuff Said. And Fang. Fang. Fang. Fang. Fang is complicated, we all know this, but he is opening up to Max.

But I wanna complain. James keeps on bringing up the fact that people are destroying the Earth. Maybe we are, maybe we aren't. I don't really know, and this blog is not the place to talk about it. For real though, I don't really care about this stuff, well maybe I do. But I don't wanna read about it my book about bird kids. That just gets on my nerves. And the ending so very BLAH. Not much happens, and although there is action in this book. Not as much as the other and not enough to satisfy.

But worth the read if your a Max fan.

Book in my Plastic Bag (4)

Let me just start off by saying. I'm pissed. No, that is an understate. But lets keep this PG. Last night I decided to do a video for this post. The first one I angled the camera wrong and you couldn't see my head. GAH! So I made another one, and that one came out perfect. I got home today after an amazing weekend. Go to up-load the video. It. Won't. Let. Me! Double GAH! So I'm just gonna do this the old fashioned way. See picture for books

City of Ashe by Cassandra Clare

Wake by Lisa McMann

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Maximum Ride: Vol-1 by by James Patterson (Author), NaRae Lee (illustrator)

I had also gotten Go-Ask-Alice by Anonymous, I'm sorry I couldn't find it to get it in the picture.

--

This week will be a themed week. It will be themed around the Maximum Ride series. I'm not sure how i'm going to be doing this, but I will be posting about the books everyday this week. So yeah, that should be fun.

Review: Thinking Straight by Robin Reardon

(Blurb)

If only Taylor Adams had kept on lying to his parents, none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t have been shipped off to Straight to God, an institution devoted to “deprogramming” troubled teenagers and ridding them of their vices—whether those vices are drugs, violence, or—in Taylor’s case—other boys.
At Straight to God, such thoughts—along with all other reminders of Taylor’s former “sinful” life—are forbidden. Every movement is monitored, privacy is impossible, and no one—from staff to residents—is quite who they first appear to be. There’s Charles, Taylor’s clean-cut roommate, desperate to leave his past behind…Nate Devlin, a handsome, inscrutable older boy who’s alternately arrogant and kind…gorgeous, secretive Sean, who returns to Straight to God each year to avoid doing prison time for drugs. Here, where piety can be a mask for cruelty and the greatest crimes go unpunished, Taylor will learn more than he ever dreamed about love, courage, rebellion, and betrayal—but the most surprising lessons will be the truths he uncovers about himself.


(Review)
Let's start by saying Thinking Straight was; witty, captivating and powerful. Taylor Adams is gay and in a relationship with gorgeous Will. And both are happy. At least until Taylor outs himself to before he wants to. You see his parents are over righteous religious zealots. And to them homosexuality is a sin. To stop him from committing anymore sin and damning his soul to hell, they send him to 'Straight to God.'

After leaving behind Will and his whole life, he meets the staff and residents of Straight to God. After meeting with the head of STG, (Straight to God) Mr. Strickland, he meets his roommate Charles. Charles is also somewhat of Taylors watcher, always tailing him and reminding him he's in Safezone.

Okay so what is SafeZone? Basically, you're not allowed to talk. Nope, nothing. You nod, or shake your head. And only under extreme emergencies do you write out what you're trying to communicate.

So we've met Charles, and just so you know he is another gay resident that seems to really want to change, he's almost desperate for it. But also Nate; a short boy that Taylor took to calling 'Shorty' in his head. Is in his third year at STG. And was originally sent there for Theft. Nate...There is a lot about him and I would love to dive more into him, but that would give to much away. And of course, Mrs. Harnett. Stern and at first she is hard to peg, but trust me you'll like her in the end. Tons of other character, not all I remember, but keep an eye on Leland, he's a great guy and the more you read the more you'll love him. And Reverend Bartle, I can't even get into that one.

So can STG help Taylor and others like him. In my opinion, the answer is no, and it has been no even before reading this book. But can it help others? People that steal or are on drugs? Sure, at least that is what Nate says. And he is right, stealing and doing drugs are wrong and even sinful. But being gay isn't. You chose to steal and get high, but you don't chose to be gay. So how is it sinful? Well in this book that's explained and it is driven into great detail. And the fact that we assume to much, or not enough. We assume. And half the time our assumption can be wrong.

This book was great, somethings to look out for. Taylor has flashbacks to his time with Will. And for the first time in my reading life, these flashbacks work and they are not confusing. Also, Taylor masturbates, quite a few times throughout the book. But hey, he's 16 and without his boyfriend. So, DUH. I wouldn't say any age for this book. But there is a lot of information and some very sour subject matter. So if you're looking for a read that is numbing and doesn't make you think. This isn't it and if you're like me, the thinking might give you a headache.

This book has made me look at religion in a new way, and while I'm reading the next book in my TBR pile. I plan on talking about this subject. Either in this blog or the soon to be blog. But no matter how you look at it, homosexuality and religion, when mixed can be very dark subjects. And guess what homosexuality is winning the argument. Whether you realize it or not.

Another Blog?

^_^ Yeah, that's my pleased face. I finished Thinking Straight by Robin Reardon. I loved it, but you will be seeing the review soon. Also I was thinking about making another blog. This other blog will be for the lighter side and mostly for only young adult literature. I figure since this was supposed to be a blog for reviewing the darkness. Maybe I should stop doing the young adult books and save them for the other blog. Just a thought.

Review: Jenny Green's Killer Jr. Year by Amy Belasen & Jacob Osborn

(Blurb)

Jenny Green's Killer Junior Year is a dark, sometimes savage comedy about a typical jappy girl who's grown totally sick of Long Island.

It's September 2007, Jenny's the newest transfer student to the prestigious Molson Academy in Montreal, Canada. Academics aside, Jenny is eager for the opportunity to start a new life in Montreal with the guy of her dreams, Josh Beck. But their first date doesn't exactly go as planned, in fact, it's a total disaster--and that's not to mention the blood...

(Review)

Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. There are so many problems I had with this book. Um, lets start with Jenny Green's attitude. It's really not the fact that she is a prep, but that she is crazy!! This girl is killing people for no reason. The just guy she killed Josh Beck, okay she really had a good reason to kill him. She really did. But the other guys, although some were assholes, didn't deserve it. And then she goes and gets an alternate personality. "Supergirl," she calls it, not only is that soooo original but complete crap. We all know that Jenny doesn't have an alternate personality. And she lives in this place called Hippy Hall, pretty self explanatory. I think it was the preppy-ness that made me not like the book, and the fact that i didn't like the main character. I like to like the main character, and having the main character be a ruthless killer is not a good thing. In my opinion anyways. Oh well, i'm not gonna rant, I was gonna keep going a explain things about the book, and i might come back later and edit more in. But for now, I'll leave you with: Take caution when reading this book, for the words 'like' and 'totally' appear on almost each on. You may find yourselve turn...PREP!!

Book in my Plastic Bag (3)

The books mentioned are:
Cracked up to be by Courtney Summers
Street Pharm by Allison Van Diepen
Raven by Allison Van Diepen
Fat, Hoochie, Prom Queen by Nico Medina
The Secret Edge by Robin Reardon
Thinking Straight by Robin Reardon
MAX by James Patterson
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

>_<

That is my sour face. And that is how I feel about the book. Jenny Green's Killer Junior Year. I'm sorry I just didn't like it. I'll go into more details later when I post a review. Also I made my first video blog or "vlog" I think that is what it's called. Anyways I'm waiting for it to download and stuff. So I will hopefully get that up later today.

It's gonna be a Movie!

Yes you heard it here on my blog. There will be a Hunger Games movie. A friend, and fellow Hunger Games fan, has told me that there will be a movie based on the book by Suzanne Collins. Oh. My. God. I can't wait.

Here is a link with everything you need to know about the movie thus far.
The Hunger Games Movie