Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Pages: 384

Pub Date: June 16, 2009

Synopsis: It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce--or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

I loved this book. I had been dying to read this for a few months now and when I finally got it I decided it was definitely worth the wait. At the beginning of the book I was sorta like, "uh..." but then as I read on and Eli became a big part of the book I couldnt put it down. Eli was one of those characters were no matter how he acted you just couldnt help but love him. Is that sappy? I think it does sound sappy but its true! Before I read Along For The Ride I had never picked up a single Sarah Dessen book. Great way to get hooked on a author. Dont ya think? Granted I wouldnt really recomend that twilight fanatics read this book I still think that the average teenage girl who believes in love should go out and read it.

E-Books Are Evil (Aka a post about how my rants on the evils on ebooks arent completely crazy)

Today it was announced that Amazon shall no longer sell Macmillian books over a EBOOK PRICE ARGUMENT!

I personally find this crazy. But it seriously proves my point. So about 2 weeks ago Lydia recieved a nook in the mail. She started buggering me to buy a electronic reader. I said no because they hurt other PHYSICAL BOOKS. She just brushed me off as crazy.

Well heres the proof. I have been telling and telling people that E-Books would cause the downfall for physical books. And I am correct.

Amazon is no longer selling physical Macmillian books because of E-Books.

So a note to Amazon.
Dont hurt real books. They never did anything to you.

Because really just listen. Go to any BOOKSTORE or local library and help keep physical books alive.

Because E-Books will become an IRobot thing.

Ari (or the girl who refuses to buy E-Books)

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

The Dark Divine

Pages: 384

Pub Date: December 22, 2009

Author Website/Blog: http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/

Synopsis: Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held. The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes. The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

This book was extremely complicated, but also completely heartwarming and tearjerking. While combining a love story with a mystery, Bree Despain has shown a incredible story. This book was so incredibly sad. There were horrifying moments were I was just in complete and utter awe. The whole book Grace is trying to convince herself of what Jude is telling her. Grace doesnt even notice how everything completely falls apart for her once normal life when her best friend April starts to date her brother. But that is also when she begins to become closer with Daniel. I frankly didnt like April. I felt like burying her alive because frankly I found her selfish and stupid. If she hadnt been so selfish nothing bad would have happened at the end. If she hadnt been so stupid a lot of things wouldnt have happened. Granted thats saying a lot of her selfishness and stupidy created some of the story. But still I have all rights to hate her. And then that Pete guy. Definiteley didnt like him. But then Don, he was such a sweetheart. Granted he was big and scary and what happens to him at the end is depressing but still I couldnt help but love him. And then of course Daniel. Daniel truly is a cocky guy that everyone would love. Grace is one of few heroines Ive read about in books like this that truly have a backbone. I have a little note for the characters of Twilight. Edward rip out your fangs because the vamps are going out of business and make way for Werewolves. Bella, move your pale butt to the other side of the earth because Grace is our new favorite heroine who can take care of herself. If this book becomes the next Twilight then finally people are getting things right. This book was incredible.

1/2 Day For Us Equals Double The Books For You (Paper Towns By John Green + Prophecy of The Sisters by Michelle Zink)

 1/2 Day For Us Equals Double The Books For You (Paper Towns by John Green+ Prophecy  of The Sisters by Michelle Zink)

Paper Towns by John Green

Pages: 352

Pub Date: October 16, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.sparksflyup.com/index.php
Synopsis: Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.


Fabulously funny. I loved it. I only wanted to read this book because I had people hounding me saying I had to read it. Im glad they did. Granted there were a few parts that have scarred me for life, (aka the sexual humor) but I still couldnt help but laugh. The beginning of the story is purely brilliant as it does a character research on Margo. We find out a little bit about her and how shes not really as perfect as we think she is. Although we dont get all the way to the true Margo we do discover a good amount of information. I loved this book, it really showed that although you feel strongly for someone feelings may not ever be enough. I plan on reading more by John Green because frankly hes just hilarious.

Prophecy Of The Sisters By Michelle Zink

Pages: 352
Pub Date: August 1, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://michellezinkbooks.wordpress.com/
Synopsis: Recently orphaned, 16-year-old Lia Milthorpe discovers she and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does.


I seriously loved this book. Michelle Zink is now my hero (okay along with like five bajillion other people) It was a lot better than people made it out to be. I would sit down to read it and my friends would be like, "I cant believe your filling your head with that garbage!" Well let me tell you right now. Its NOT garbage. This is a original creative storyline that will keep you turning pages every minute of every hour. Although its a shocking horror story you cant help but love it. Granted a few pages make you want to stop reading BUT YOU CANT STOP! Read it people READ IT!

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton
Pages: 272
Pub Date: December 22, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://rhondastapleton.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Felicity's no ordinary teen matchmaker...she's a cupid!Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired?and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.


When I started reading this book I was expecting sorta like, "Oh you have a blind date with..." But boy was I surprised! Turns out this book brings MAGIC! MAGIC! Into the picture. Involving wacky things like electronic arrows. It was the last thing I was expecting. Or the two week time limit. Oy. This book as by far a complicated twist of magic and contemporary fiction. The book was small. I loved the idea behind the whole book (aka I LOVED the plot line.) But when it comes to the nitty gritty I would say this book is okay. It was an easy read, that was okay for a reader who is struggling or is a Twilight fan who loved the concept hated the length. Im not to trash this book in anyway. I really did love the whole idea behind the book. I just felt that for the size of the book it could have been a bit easier for the target audience (im guessing the average teenage girl) to understand. Once again loved the book but Im seriously bending towards no buy sequels land.

Donut Days by Lara Zielen

Donut Days by Lara Zielen

Pages: 256
Pub Date: August 6, 2009
Author Blog/Web: http://www.larawrites.com/
Synopsis: Emma has a lot going on. Her best friendas not speaking to her, a boy sheas known all her life is suddenly smokina hot and in love with her, and oh yes, her evangelical minister parents may lose their church, especially if her mother keeps giving sermons saying Adam was a hermaphrodite.

But this weekend Emmas only focused on Crispy Dream, a hot new donut franchise opening in town, where Harley bikers and Frodo wannabes camp out waiting to be the first ones served. Writing the best feature story on the camp for the local paper might just win Emma a scholarship to attend a non- Christian college. But soon enough Emma finds the donut camp isnat quite the perfect escape from all her troubles at Living Word Redeemer.

Ordering this book I had no idea that it brought religion into the story line. To my relief it fit my standards perfectly. It didnt preach to me practically screaming, "CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT!" It stayed in neutral focusing on the world of donuts. (Which everyone loves) It talked about a lot of things. (I dont want to spoil it so I wont say anything) Anyway. Loved it! I loved the stories that were dug up and meant to be inspirational. I mean who doesnt like stuff like that. I loved teh ending. I loved how she finally got the guy! Granted I didnt like her mom so much until the end where we were fed a bit more info on why and what. I actually kind of wish the ending hadnt been so final, like I was wishing there would be a sequel.

Happy Birthday

Okay so todays my birthday but that doesnt mean squat. Today we are celebrating a true visionary's birthday.

Edgar Allan Poe

"Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence– whether much that is glorious– whether all that is profound– does not spring from disease of thought– from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect."

In honor of his birthday, Im going to review each of his works that I love the most :)


The Tell Tale HeartThis is a truly chilling tale about abusing trust because of hatred. I loved this story for years now and I truly find it heart quickening and exciting. I always find that some horror stories/movies bring this aspect into the story line. This is unique and adventurous showing that guilt can drive a man to insanity.

The Premature Burial

This is a disturbing story shedding light on the world of burying mortals alive. It focuses on a man who is pronounced dead. But later goes on to say that he was still alive when pronounced dead, being prepared for the burial, and the most chilling of all, knowing he was being buried.  I loved this story even though the whole time I felt like the room was shrinking around me.

The Pit And The Pendelum

Not many people enjoy this story, and I can see why. This story of a man being trapped and facing his own doom is horrifying. Classic Poe. But also it shows a dark and disturbing image that will haunt your brain. The whole time you imagine a poor man being trapped, watching as a deadly pendelum swings above him showing him his own doom. A great story but most definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Cask Of Amontillado

This story was extremely disturbing. It was repeatedly the same thing, the man knew he would get what he wanted by torturing the man slowly by saying, "I will just go to this other man." The story is suspensful having you wonder. You always wonder. Nothing leaves you knowing for sure. This story has you use your brain.

Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe

May you have another great 201 years.

Read an interesting article about a painting portraying Poe as what you wouldnt expect him to look like....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_en_ot/us_poe_portrait

Gemma by Meg Tilly

Warning: Not meant for readers under the age of 15. Read at your own risk.

Gemma by Meg Tilly

Pages: 160 Pages

Pub Date: February 16, 2010

Synopsis: After Hazen Wood kidnaps 12 year-old Gemma Sullivan, the two embark upon a cross-country journey that tests the limits of Gemma's endurance. In graphic scenes of physical and sexual violence, Hazen tries to destroy the young girl's will. It is only Gemma's childlike resilience and fertile imagination that protect her from the worst of the abuse she suffers. And in the end, the healing power of unconditional love gives Gemma the courage to speak out against her abuser at last--reclaiming her dignity as a human being.

Gemma was a horrific book that constantly left an image of every last word lingering in your brain. Nothing was what you expected. I couldnt put this book down, the shock preventing me, yet also pushing me to read more. It seemed as though the book had no ending with how many things happened at once. Although towards the end the book became more heart-warming this book was mostly focused on the life of Gemma, a girl who is forced into sleeping with her moms boyfriend and soon sold to another man. This man Hazen later kidnaps Gemma unable to take her off his mind. I found Hazen a disturbed man for falling in love with a 12 year old over sleeping with her and imagining all these horrible things you wouldnt expect to find happening. Gemma tried several times through out the book to escape Hazen but constantly fails. Her hate for him grows through the book as he does thing such as hurt her, flush her beloved turtle, and blame her for their exposure. She suffers endless torture that doesnt end even at the end of the book. However she is taken into a new loving home, after crushing realization taht her mother no longer wanted her. The new home she is taken into is that of the police officer who helped save her from Hazen. This book is truly one Ill never forget and I hope to read more novels by Meg Tilly.

Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande

Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande

 Pages:  272

Pub Date: Janruary 13, 2009

Synopsis: Your best friend hates you. The guy you liked hates you. Your entire group of friends hates you. All because you did the right thing. Welcome to life for Mena, whose year is starting off in the worst way possible. She's been kicked out of her church group and no one will talk to her—not even her own parents. No one except for Casey, her supersmart lab partner in science class, who's pretty funny for the most brilliant guy on earth. And when Ms. Shepherd begins the unit on evolution, school becomes more dramatic than Mena could ever imagine . . . and her own life is about to evolve in some amazing and unexpected ways.

I had read this book expecting something as amazing as Fat Cat. I was met with something even better. This book showed how seperation of church and state causes issues all the time in school, especially when studying evolution. So when Mena first meets her lab partner I already tell myself, "Just wait at the end of this book they will be together." Although Robin Brande brings into play that classic scenario I still loved this book. Honestly there were a few points were I jumped up screaming, "I JUST KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN!" and others were I was like, "wasnt expecting that." Or I was just purley confused and had a dumb struck look on face wondering what was going on. Although confusing and some what predictable I loved that about this book. Not something you would hear all the time. I found that there were a lot of moments I felt like hurting, or hugging one of the characters. Another great quality about this book. You actually get to connect with all the characters. Supporting, major, or even insignifigant. This book connects with people. There were a few parts I was just frustrated with how some characters were acting and I was ready to throw the book out the window. But what is to be expected, I find a lot of books do that. This one though a minute later would change my mind and have me go, "Oh scratch that, I will continue reading."


Read our review of FAT CAT

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Pages: 464
Pub Date: December 9, 2009
Synopsis: There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Honestly I only wanted to read this book at first so I could trash it brutally screaming, "Why cant anyone think of a original plot line that doesnt follow the junk known as TWILIGHT!!" But I was actually quite surprised. Although I wouldn't recomend it for romance junkies this book was considerably brilliant when it came to weaving in the biblical story of the angels and the mysterious world Lauren Kate wished to create. Romance did not occur until maybe the last sixty pages which I found quite shocking considering the synopsis built up to it sounding like it would be 10 pages in and they would be making out. Although quite similar to Twilight I found this story was extremely unique. I loved some of the dangerous, adreniline enhancing scenes. I was shocked at some of the disturbing, grotesque scenes. I honestly never wanted to put this book down. Almost every chapter dealt with Luce trying to figure out Daniel, and what was happening. The begining of the story gives a great deal of background to Luce's history as to how she ended up in Sword and Cross. I loved the prolouge although I found the epilouge to be quite confusing. Written in third person we learn of Luce and Daniel's eternal love that could never die. Until something changed. Something crucial. That may cause everything to end.

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Beautiful by Amy Reed
Pages: 240
Pub Date: 10-06-09
Synopsis: When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one--not even the one person she thought she could trust--can help her now.


Beautiful started as a book about a girl who was in a whole new atmosphere. Smart and unsure about herself Cassie is approached one day by a girl. A ninth grade girl who introduces her to a whole new world. A new, and dangerous world. I personally felt that I could really connect with Cassie through everything she was feeling. I felt as if I was in the room with her at Ethans house the music blasting in the room next door as they were interrupted several times. I felt as if I could feel her silent fear as she went to go retrieve acid before going to Ethans. Amy Reed is a magician with the words for this book was woven together beautifully. As a 13 year old girl having to move from one school where everything is set one way for so long to a new school were everything is opposite Cassie tells her story. Her story of her parents unhappy relationship. Her mothers depression. How she deals with never fitting in. How she becomes socially and emotionally numb. The story was told with shocking detail causing gasps to escape from me as I read. This story was eye opening and shocking. It showed me a silent world that had been hidden from me up until now. Everything is so different and strange as the story constantly builds. Drugs, sex, suicide, lies, and so much more weasel their way into this story at every chance they get.

2010 Debut Author Challenge!

I have decided to participate in the 2010 Debut Author Challenge being run by The Story Siren.

My list is as follows...

• Brightly Woven
• The Secret Year
• All Unquiet Things
• Dirty Little Secrets
• The Good Girls Guide To Getting Kidnapped
• The Iron King
• The Mark
• Princess For Hire
• Sea
• The Body Finder
• The Dark Divine
• Hex Hall
• Losing Faith
• The Cinderella Society

14. Exactly how old I will be this year :)
Im looking forward to a great year filled with new books, that I just cant wait to review :)
Thanks.
Ari