Sisterhood Everlasting

Once upon a time, I fell head over heels in love with a series of books called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I even went so far as to get two of my old friends and we decorated this awesome t-shirt, but we never really got around to sending it and such. What a shame.

Anyway, when I discovered that the sisterhood was making a return, I dug my Kindle out of my dresser drawer and bought it right away. Here, for you to indulge on, is my review of the fifth and final book of the sisterhood's story.

Title: Sisterhood Everlasting

Author: Ann Brashares

Summary: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.
Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.
Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

Stars: 4.5

Rate: 9

Pros: Well, for starters, it was so interesting to see where all of the girls wound up. I loved how the story twisted and turned in so many different ways. Some of the things that happened were no-brainers, but others left my jaw hanging. It was a really emotional story that had so much background and character in it.

Cons: There were parts that dragged on, but not to the point of severe annoyance. While I did like the overall story and idea, some parts of the book (like what happens in Greece, for instance) made me frustrated and agitated. This book had a happy ending, but certainly not a happy beginning.

Overall Recommendation: This book was really great. If you have these little picture-perfect views, though, about how the girls should be and how they should've wound up, stop right now. If you can't set aside all those images that blossomed in your mind, then the book will feel like the crappiest thing on Earth to you, because it won't be what you wanted.

Once you set aside your own hopes for the girls, you'll really be able to dive into this book and love every page of it.

For fans of:

The Carrier of the Mark

So, this book isn't actually released until October of 2011, but I was able to win an Advance Reader's Copy. I read this book last week while my school was doing testing, and I had a lot of free time. I decided I should review it, because I don't get many opportunities like this.

Characters: I really liked the characters, although in the beginning I did think that it was going to wind up be like Twilight. The characters were secretive and mysterious like the Cullens, but I think they were really different, and I enjoyed their individuality.

Plot/storyline: I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say much. I did love the story though. I wasn't expecting what happened, and I found myself dying to read more! It was suspenseful with romance and adventure. Great story!

Overall: While I did fear it would turn into a Twilight knock-off, I was pleasantly surprised. It had all the components of a great novel, and I don't know how I'm going to wait until it's publicly released to see what others think of it. I can't wait for the sequel either, but I think I may have to hold off until I start getting too excited for that.

This was definitely a great book. Borrow it from someone who won a copy or go and preoder your own copy right now! You'll want this book as soon as it comes out!

I am on a lucky streak :]

Happy Easter, guys! Or, happy Passover, I guess if you're Jewish. I dyed Easter eggs earlier. There's a picture of a few of the eggs with some quick use of Picnik :)

So, I won that 'Carrier of the Mark' ARC contest. By the way, I got the book in the mail and can't wait to start reading! I'm not sure if I'll do a review or not, becuase the book isn't publicly released until October, but I may drop a few hints for you guys once we get closer to the summer. :D

And then I entered the 'Die For Me' contest on inkpop.com and won again! I will be receiving . . .

Die For Me

The Last Little Blue Envelope (sequel to 'Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes')

Delirium

and Cloaked

I'm very excited. I'll make sure to do a book review on at least one of those books! I can't wait for them to come!! Because I don't have much for you today, here are some photos I took earlier today :)

I'm happy today :)

So, I'm guessing my twelve followers (spread the word, guys! I promise I'll be doing more book reviews and such as soon as I finish up my school projects and whatnot) saw my last post about Leigh Fallon's ARCs (Advance Reader's Copy) of her book, The Carrier of the Mark. When I posted that video to show you all more about publishing and how a book goes through many stages, I entered a contest on inkpop.com as well. It was a random drawing, and I won! So I'll be getting my own copy of the Carrier of The Mark before it hits stores. Maybe I'll even do a special review for all of you. ;) In other news, I had to do a book report for my reading class, and seeing as my school doesn't get spring break, it's been pretty hectic lately. I was going to review 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain (A.K.A. Samuel Clemens) but, honestly, I just couldn't get through the book. It had an intriguing storyline and I really liked the characters, but there was just too much dialect (racial terms and just the way Twain abbreviated so much with the use of an apostrephe) that I couldn't read it. All bashing aside, it did have a good storyline and I hope to return to it one day when it's not required reading, because that puts too much pressure on it, I think. If you're looking for a good book to read, I reccommend 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernet Hemingway. My friend read the book for her report, and she enjoyed it. I think I'll check it out one of these days and see why she called it 'a sad, but really touching love story'. Adios fellow bloggers! I must go and try to find some medicine to clear up this cold I've gotten :P

Hola mi amigas! :D

No, I'm not suddenly Spanish. xD But isn't it fun to talk in a different language? Like, I know how to say Hello in a few . . .

Hello
Hola
Bon jour
Ciao
Aloha
Nei Hao
Konichiwa (spell check?)

See? I know some different languages! Anyway, this post is to inform all you that I am taking a break from inkpop. It may be for a day, or maybe a full month. I'm not really sure. At the moment, I've been going on every so often to check up on my ranks and all, but I think that'll lessen in the coming days.
Also, I'm working on finishing up Flashbacks of Juliet, querying for Behind These Amber Eyes and starting Cupid's Curse. I've got a lot going on right now, so I'm not sure how often I'll post. Hopefully, it'll be at least once a week.
There isn't much else to say except that I finished reading Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Titan's Curse!! Expect a book review in the coming days, guys! :]

What Happened to Goodbye?

So, I'm guessing all the major Sarah Dessen fans, like myself, have already heard about her upcoming novel. For those of you who don't stalk the internet, waiting and waiting for a new book, I'll let you know now.

The title is 'What Happened to Goodbye' which goes with the overall theme of the book. Sarah Dessen has announced that the book should be out on May 10, 2011. We've still got some waiting to do, apparently. Below is the summary for the novel, which seems interesting and unique.

Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move - four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself - whoever that is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out. Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

I'm hoping for Dessen's common realistic, humourous writing, but I do love the romance she throws into the mix. The book will most likely be in hardcover, like the last two were. If you can't wait for the new book, then why not check out Sarah Dessen's short story, Infinity?

Go here to learn more about it:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/sarah-dessen/infinity.htm

Music, Quotes and Books

So, I added some widgets from a great site called goodreads. You'll see a list of books I want to read, my countdown for the year (I'm trying to read at least 50!) and a new widget that displays a quote from my favorite quotes on the goodreads site. On my list to read this year are some Kate Brian books (Private and Privelege series) and I'm also hoping to read the whole Percy Jackson series. One of my all time favorite authors, Sarah Dessen, has a new book coming out soon, which I will definitely be reading. I'll post a new summary and cover post for that book soon.

There's many other books I'm looking forward to reading, but you can see them in that list with the book covers shown. In the world of music, I have started listening to Ingrid Michaelson, who is just fantastic. Below are two of her videos with really great songs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsBBv6JhxPc&feature=autoplay&list=QL&index=6&playnext=38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gza-E4k_1OE&feature=BF&list=QL&index=1

Anyone else reading lots of great books this year? Any to recommend? Do you have a favorite singer/band? Comment and let me know!!

The Lost Hero: Book Review

I recently finished reading the new book, The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan. The book is the first book in the series, The Heroes of Olympus. The series is a Percy Jackson spin-off, so if you didn't read the original series, some things are a little confusing. I hadn't read the Percy Jackson books, so I was asking my friend who did a lot of questions. Still, The Lost Hero is a great book!

The book focused on Jason Grace, Piper McLean and Leo Valdez who all their own problems that are introduced in the beginning of the book. Jason can't remember who he is or where he came from. Piper's movie star dad is being held captive by a giant. Leo lost his mother to his own power.

Characters: The characters were strong, and really well developed. I don't want to give away their godly parents, but I felt this book was a really good read because the characters all had such strong emotions.

Plot/Storyline: As usual, Rick Riordan crafted a magical world of Greek, and even a little Roman, mythology. There was action, adventure, romance and humor in this book. I even learned more about the Greek gods!

Overall: I loved loved loved this book! It had everything a great book should. It did end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but I'm hopeful the second book will be just as good. If you're a fan of Greek or Roman mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians or anything that grabs your heart, you have got to read The Lost Hero!

New Pretty Little Liars?

Almost every teenager, girls and guys, have either heard of the book series, Pretty Little Liars, or seen the hit TV show on ABC Family. With the show starting its second season tonight, the fame of the series is evident. Author Sara Sheperd announced there will be four more books in the series, the next one coming out in early July.

She hasn't dropped many hints about the new books except a recent post in her Twitter feed:

"Clues . . . well, the girls are in HUGE trouble. They're not speaking anymore."

So, apparently there's trouble in paradise. I don't know much, but I think these new books will be an interesting addition. Anyone excited for the additions? Predictions? Anyone think Sara Sheperd's dragging the series on a little? I have a few friends who think that.

I'm off to watch the new episode. Comment with thoughts about the show, series and anything else Pretty Little Liars!