Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Title: The Secret Year

Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Publication date: January 7th 2010

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly. Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one?not even Julia?s boyfriend? knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can?t mourn Julia openly, and he?s tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia?s journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he?s desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

This book gave me really mixed feelings. The ending left me confused and depressed. Half the time I was reading it I wanted to chuck something at Colt and scream at him saying, "Dude! Julia's dead, let her go! She probably never loved you anyway!" What I didn't like about the book is that in the end he wasn't able to get over her properly and ended up losing great people. I disliked Julia. I thought that in a way she was only using Colt to have something interesting in her life. It's like she just wanted something in her life that was different. The story was very sad but I wouldn't call it tearjerking, just really sad. The ending was sad. The romance was sad. Though I'd have to say, kudos to Jennifer for her beautiful writing. Even though the story was (again) sad, her writing is great! You can really feel how Colt felt when he lost Julia. Especially since people didn't even know they were together, he wasn't able grieve for her properly and openly.

Though I prefer the cover of the paperback version more. (The hardback cover sort of got me in trouble in school. Haha.)

Rating:

Review: Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King

Title: Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Author: A. S. King

Pages: 326 pages

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published on: October 12th 2010

Source: Boought

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

Edgy and gripping, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an unforgettable novel: smart, funny, dramatic, and always surprising.

(Summary from Goodreads)

Review:

I loved, loved, loved this book. One of the bests in 2010. At first, I didn't even know such book existed but then Louisse got it and read it then started telling me how great the book was and suited my book preferences. HA! WAS SHE RIGHT?? HELL YEAH! The book was so good, I finished the whole thing in 4 hours. STRAIGHT. I couldn't stop! At one point, I was getting sleepy but loaded myself on an a growth-forbidding drink (caffeine) just so I could go on! I felt like if I stopped, (which I didn't) I wouldn't be able to get the real "essence" of the story so I just kept going on and on and ON! HAHAHAHAHA! Loved this book to bits. It even made me cry at the near end when Charlie (SPOILER ALERT!!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!) confessed his love for Vera but it was already too late because he already died and couldn't do anything anymore except, well, maybe haunt her. I feel sad for Vera because I feel like she feels she's unloved but really she is. Her dad is full of humor too. Everyone- or thing in this book if full of wit and brains. (and the lime-green background with the lighter subject doesn't hurt too!)

A.S King, you smart, funny, talented writer, you! =))

Rating:

Best of 2010

I think that 2010 has the craziest shit ever! The greatest have ever happened and also the weirdest. And I've also met so many great people this year. And I feel so sad leaving 2010 behind, but I'll always cherish the memories. Crap. I'm being sappy. Haha. So really 2010 was a wonderful year, filled with reading and meeting new people. And since 2010 is about to end I am writing my Best of 2010! :D These books were chosen because they have been crafted with masterful hands and have a vivid and realistic set of characters and settings. There were tons of amazing books that were released this year. So this post was quite hard. (Except for spot #1, I've reserved that spot for one special series.)

1. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa -

The Iron Fey series has never failed to take me to a different world. Whenever I'm down Puck has never failed to make me guffaw, yes I used guffaw not giggle and not even laugh. And Ash has never (never ever) failed to bring very, very naughty thoughts I'm my mind. (Sorry, Meghan. Peace!) I have so much memories with The Iron Fey. Quite a lot of emotional moments in my life revolved around the series. I have slept, cried and laughed with this series. I would say it was my best friend but Keila would kill me. (So.. If, I, um... Disappear. You know who to blame. *wink wink*) And Miss Kagawa is super AWESOME! I love that woman! :)

2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger -

God. The DUFF. I love this book SOOO much! It's like a book I could read all the time. I've read it like 20 times already... Or is it 34, I dunno I lost count. Haha. The DUFF is the type of book you can relate to. It relates to us in so many ways. Our insecurities, our family problems and our relationship with friends. I just genuinely love The DUFF. The romance is adorable. I could just cuddle up with Wesley Rush if I could. And Bianca is so different from most lovestruck teens. I really enjoyed The DUFF. I think Kody's hair is really COOL. Haha.

3. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare -

Do I even have to say why? It's set in London. Will is hot as hell. I feel sorry for Jem. Tessa is a very, very strong-willed and tough character. I like her, she has pizzaz! And Cassandra Clare is cool~

4. Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink -

Um... I thought the first was kinda boring but the second totally made up for it. And I totally LOVED it! Go, Dimitri, go! Screw you James. You know what Team I am? I'm Team I-Hope-James-Gets-Screwed-Over. Yeah, that's right.

5. Heist Society by Ally Carter -

I've always been a HUGE fan of Ally Carter. I loved her Gallagher Girls series. I sort of like Heist Society more than the Gallagher Girls series because I found Heist Society more mature and Hale is wayy hot! (Sorry, Zach.) I really enjoyed Heist Society. And I do hope Hale and Kat become closer in Uncommon Criminals.

6. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer -

Hot werewolf action. Haha. I liked it 'cuz it isn't a cliché kind of paranormal novel. So yeah. Go, Team Shay! I can't wait for Wolfsbane and the books have GORGEOUS covers!

7. Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr -

Because I love, love, LOVED the Wicked Lovely series! The story is so exciting and it's like a thrill ride! Half the time I read the books I want to stab Keenan with a fork and half the time I want to make love with Irial! The Wicked Lovely is a very beautiful series! I really, really want to gut Keenan.

8. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting -

I really enjoyed this one because it's haunting and suspenseful and it's really rare for a YA novel to be this mysterious and suspenseful. I also really think Jay is the coolest dude. EVER! I can't wait for Desires of the Dead! :D I want Violet to be my friend so she could find all those animals that died in my childhood. Haha. Just kidding! But I'd be cool to hang out with Violet!

9. Delirium by Lauren Oliver -

I know it isn't a 2010 book but still. I loved it to bits! Such a beautiful heartbreaking novel. It's an emotional thrill ride!

10. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King -

This is the type of novel that you actually have to read to know how to describe it. Well... Let me try. Please Ignore Vera Dietz is a quirky, hardcore, unique and enjoyable read. This book was totally realistic! I really think Vera is a cool person and I would love to hang out with her. I think Charlie was a total, forgive my French, asshole. I can't believe he left her like that. Please Ignore Vera Dietz is a book that has so much emotional distress going on that it makes you enjoy it! Such a unique read, really!

Well... That's it! Thanks for stopping by! :)

My New Year's Resolutions... Or the lack of them. + Giveaway!

So... It's almost the New Year and as the title says I will be posting my New Years Resolutions. Or the lack of them... I only have ONE. I don't know if Keila has more or Raven. :)) But me, only one. So here it is:

1. Stop being so blunt.
Why: Because according to Mavie (The Bookologist) I am too blunt for my own good. So now she's promised to be my "ward". So if I don't stop being blunt I will get an earful from Mavie. Through Twitter. :)

You guys can read her New Year's Resolutions HERE. (Which is A LOT compared to mine.)

She only lacks the button to complete the look~
So this one's for you, Mavie! (I know it looks like crap but it's the best I could do. :P)



GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

So here's the skinny. I just listed down my New Year's Resolution (no "s". Haha.) since it's only a few more days till 2011 comes! :) I want you to list down the book or books you're waiting for in 2011, shove it ALL in a comment. (Might as well add what you thought about my Resolution. :D) Just that simple. Oh, and add your e-mail addy so I can contact you if you win. :D

IMPORTANT!!!: This is an International giveaway so ANYONE can enter and it ends on Jan. 31' 2011 at the same time my other giveaway is ending so I wouldn't have to fret about the dates. I'll be posting the winners around Feb. 2-5!

EXTRA ENTRY: I'll give you ONE extra entry if you tweet.

NO NEED: You don't need to be a follower. (Because I also love those people who can't follow. :D And I'm giving them a chance to enter~)

WHAT YOU'LL WIN: This giveaway is a SWAG Giveaway~ I won't tell you what kind 'cuz it won't be as exciting if I told you. Imagine it as if it's Christmas where you're opening a gift not knowing what's inside. It's that type of thing. :) But be warned there will be Smart Chicks and some signed stuff too! :)

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Breaking the Spine.

This Wednesday I chose: The Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Title: Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5)

Author: Melissa Marr

Publication date: February 22nd 2011

Pre-order the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

(Summary from Goodreads)

Why I'm excited for this:

Why: Because I freaking LOVE the Wicked Lovely series! And Irial is there too~ *wink wink* AND GORGEOUS COVER!!!