Book Review: Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Published January 11th, 2011
Razorbill
398 pages (Paperback)

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense.Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again. (From Goodreads)

You know you're in for a good read when all it takes is the first chapter to make you shed a few tears.

Yes, chapter one of Across The Universe is likely one of the best first chapters ever.  It sets up the whole crazy story perfectly.  And from that point on, I had serious trouble setting this book down.

I ate a Clif bar at one point.  I don't know if energy bars are meant to keep you awake because you want to read, but it worked.

I enjoyed Elder's narration more than Amy's.  I'm a huge fan of books that switch perspective like this.  It works particularly well here.  I loved watching Elder develop throughout the book, seeing beyond the world he grew up in.  Can you imagine never encountering another person your own age?  I can't either, but I'd likely want to bang them too.  Amy kind of annoyed me.  Something about her just didn't click with me.

I usually don't like Science Fiction, but I really frexing liked this book!  I will definitely be checking out the sequel, A Million Suns.

"So one man, the strongest leader, stood up and became the first Eldest.  He worked with the survivors.  They developed the lie"

Much love, Samantha
P.S.  I gave this book to my younger brother to read.  He likes Science Fiction, and has been digging this book too!

Book Review: Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day

Published November 6th, 2007
Berkley
284 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

To rescue the world from an overwhelming evil, Poseidon's warriors have risen from Atlantis. Chief among them is Ven, serving as the King's Vengeance by birthright and by battle challenge. None can conquer him-except perhaps for one human female.  (From GoodReads)

This is the 2nd book in the Warriors of Poseidon series.  I read the first book way back last summer.  I don't know why I never went on to read any more until now.

This was a good book overall.  Although I didn't quite understand the whole gem singer thing.  Does she just wear a million rings?  I don't get it.

I wasn't fond of the ending.  It took forever to build up to it, and kind of dragged on, then all of a sudden, the book is done.  It just seemed to take forever developing, and wrap up really quickly.

Atlantis Awakening had some good one liners though!  Ven and Erin were equally sarcastic and snarky.

"I'm secure enough in my manhood to drink froufrou coffee drinks."

"To use a term you warrior types might understand, I'm the one with the giant sword getting ready to try and fit in my sheath."

Hehe, yeah...

Much love, Samantha 

Road Trip Wednesday: Best Read of June

It's Road Trip Wednesday, a "Blog Carnival" hosted by the lovely ladies over at YA Highway.  They pose a weekly reading/writing question, and through the comments, you can explore and find out everyone's take on the topic.

This weeks question is...
What was the best book you read in June?

I have two winners for the month of June!

I posted my review of Born Wicked last week.  It's a beautiful book that kept giving me Little Women feels and left me a crying, inconsolable mess.

I have written a review of Before I Wake, but haven't posted it yet because it's loaded with spoilers.  While released only yesterday, my bookstore had put it on the shelf early.  I will post my official review shortly, after those who had to wait for realease day have had a chance to devour it.  But I will say, it was amazing, and my favourite Soul Screamers book thus far.

Much love, Samantha

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Who Remind Me of Me

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This week, the topic is...

Top Ten Characters Who Remind Me of Me or Someone I Know In Real Life

This was a tricky one.  I actually sat in front of my bookcase for a good hour last night thinking about it.  So I decided to split it up.

5 characters who remind me of me...

1. Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth: When I first started reading Divergent, I couldn't decide which faction I would belong in, because the qualities of all five were really important.  Four is the same, and has all five faction symbols tattooed on his back.
2. Rose from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: She is my all-time favourite fictional character, and I aspire to be like her.
3. Alec from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: I have two younger brothers, and I would do anything to protect them, like Alec would for Izzy and Max (and Jace, too).
4. Lena from Delirium by Lauren Oliver: I related to how Lena constantly felt like she was walking in the shadow of her best friend Hana.  With me, it has never been one particular person, but I've never felt like the center of attention.
5. Bridget from The List by Siobhan Vivian:  Many of the thoughts she experienced through the book have passed through my head.  I've battled with food for a long time.

And 5 who remind me of someone I know.

1. Lissa from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: Reminds me of my cousin Brittany.  Both are incredibly kind and dedicated to the ones they love.
2. Oliver from The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith: Reminds me of my friend Matt.  This is entirely in the way we met.  Except our meeting involved me spilling my cappacino all over him.
3. Hana from Delirium by Lauren Oliver: Reminds me of my  friend Keen.  They share the same wild nature and fun-loving, magnetic personality.
4. Jem from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: Reminds me of my friends Kat and Leah.  A balance of artist and innocence.
5. Simon from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: Reminds me of roommate Jenny.  She knows more about me than pretty much anyone ever, and is a self-proclaimed nerd.

Okay, that was a hard one, and I was kinda pulling at strings for some of them.  What fictional character reminds you of you?

Much love, Samantha

Coffee Talk #3: How Gravy Got Me Thinking

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You know those fry stands you see along the side of the highway?  I work in one of those.  It's a long story and I'll likely talk more about it later, but that is my summer job right now.

It's pretty chill actually.  I make food for people, and when it's not busy, I get to sit in the sunshine and read.  So at times, I'm getting paid to read.  Which I really like.

The one thing I hate about my job, other than constantly smelling like a french fry?  Gravy.

I can't get the shit to thicken!  My gravy always turns out like water.  It's not even that complicated of a process.  You heat the water, then gradually add the gravy mix, while stirring, until desired consistency is reached.  But do you think I could get it right?  Hell no.

Until yesterday, that is.

My first pot was just as crappy as all the others.  I was determined though, much to the entertainment of my coworker.  So I took a different approach on my second pot of the day, and I nailed it.  My gravy was perfect.  Third pot of the day worked too.  I have beaten the gravy.

So after I tackled that second pot of gravy, I got to thinking.  Making good gravy is such an insignificant little thing, but I took so much pride in being able to make a decent pot of it.  My customers didn't seem to care that the gravy in their poutine was watery.  I still felt bad though, every single time (and people were ordering a lot of poutine).

If only we took this much pride in all our little successes.  It's easy to congratulate the big things, but it is important to remember the little things too.  That spark of happiness can be enough to turn around a gloomy day.

I challenge each and every one of you to start the week off right, and celebrate something small today.  Who knows, those small things may begin to add up.

Much love, Samantha
P.S. Yes, I will keep you updated on my relationship with the gravy.

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Published June 12th, 2012
Razorbill
418 pages (Hardcover)

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. (From GoodReads)

 The Golden Lily was exactly what I needed The Golden Lily to be.

I had a hard time liking Bloodlines because of my complete love of all things Vampire Academy.  I'm a huge fan of Rose and crew, so the transition to Sydney didn't go as easily as I had hoped.  I literally read Bloodlines waiting for Rose or Dimitri to pop up.  The Golden Lily has quite a bit of Dimitri, and you cannot go wrong with that.

I don't know if it's because this is the second book of the series or what, but I found it far more enjoyable of a read.  I was able to invest more emotion into Sydney, and really began to like her character.  Richelle Mead did a great thing giving her an obsession with coffee (my weakness), but also with stronger expression of her issues around body image and food.  It makes her feel much more human.  I felt able to relate with her on a very personal level.  I also began to see her as being similar to Rose, a character I adore.

I'm going to avoid discussing much more about this book, because it's still new and I don't want to spoil everything.  I think I've made my point though, that this series isn't going to need constant help from Rose and Dimitri to keep me engrossed (not that I am opposed to more cameos, possibly some Christian, maybe?).

I am proud to say that I feel able to move on with my life, and that I am prepared to read The Indigo Spell (AKA book 3) without needing the original group to make book long cameos.  I'm also planning on rereading Bloodlines, and seeing if I enjoy it more now.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Published February 7th, 2012

Putnam Juvinile

330 pages (Hardcover)

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other. (From Goodreads)

This review does contain one kind of major spoiler.  Read at your own risk.  Sorry, but it was something I really wanted to discuss.

Very few books have left me in such a mess.  Born Wicked actually left me curled up in a ball on my couch whimpering while tears rolled down my face.  Literally.  And I'm generally not a fan of books about witches.

It starts off feeling very much like Little Women, except with witches.  This was likely, in part, due to the setting of the story and that it is about a group of sisters, but also Cate and Paul.  They reminded me a lot of Jo and Laurie, one of my favourite literary duos ever.  While I will never be okay with Jo and Laurie not ending up together, I am okay with Cate and Paul...

Because I love Finn.  He isn't your typical male love interest.  He wears glasses.  He has freckles.  Cate may describe him as handsome, but he is never described as flawless.  Too many love interests in YA books are seen as unbearably gorgeous (Jace.  Dimitri.  Ash.  Should I continue?), which is crazy unrealistic.  And he's everything a guy should be.  Smart and well read.  Brave.  Self-sacrificing.  I am kind of in love with him myself.

The ending was fantastic.  Just when all is looking good *BAM*, shit hits the fan.  If you are anything like me (aka hopeless romantic), be prepared for some wild emotions.

But beyond all this, there is an important messages around the power and role of women.  Society has come a long way in a short period of time.  Going to school for nursing, I've already gotten my fair share of depreciating jokes from guys that, if we had been in the same math and science classes, I probably would have out-scored and embarrassed (not to mention, I likely know more hockey stats).  Cate is such a strong and admirable female protagonist, trying to balance looking out for her sisters with looking towards her future.  If I were an ounce as brave as she is...

Sorry  for the long review.  I loved this book.  I couldn't put it down, yet it didn't fly by, and the pace was fantastic.  I definitely recommend Born Wicked.  February 2013, and the release of the sequel, Star Cursed, cannot come fast enough.

Much love, Samantha

Road Trip Wednesday: Graduation

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It's Road Trip Wednesday, a "Blog Carnival" hosted by the lovely ladies over at YA Highway.  They pose a weekly reading/writing question, and through the comments, you can explore and find out everyone's take on the topic.

This weeks question is...
How did you spend/will you spend the summer after graduation?

I spent my summer after high school working.  My life wasn't as exciting as your typical novel.  I use this excuse a lot, but I'm going to blame living in the country.  Doing anything requires driving somewhere, which can get tricky.  

I have bigger plans for my  university graduation, in two years.  After finishing school, I have at least a month before convocation, and a bit longer before I can write my licencing exams.  So I'm going to Russia.  I've always wanted to go, and I can't think of a better graduation present to myself.  I don't know where in Russia I'll go, yet, or who I'm going with, but I'll be going.

Much love, Samantha

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

I like to make lists, which is likely why I love this meme so much.  So since I love lists, I had a lovely sticky note gadget thing or my laptop with a beautiful list of books I am eager to read this summer.

And my laptop crashed this morning.

Don't worry, when my dad and I went to price a new laptop tonight, I found an amazing steal and am currently typing up this post on my new laptop.  My bank account isn't as pleased...

But this all means I lost my beautiful list.  So for my Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List, I am kind of choosing random ones I remember.

1. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith: I have been wanting to read this book for a while now, and finally got my hands on a copy!  It's likely what I'm going to read next!
2. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks:  Another book I finally got my hands on!
3. Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs:  He's like Morgan Spurlock in book format, and I've been eyeing his newest book for a while.
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han:  Another book sitting on my shelf, screaming my name.
5. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green:  Because I think I'm the only person left who hasn't read it?
6. Grave Mercy by R.L. LeFevers: Assassins.  Enough said.
7. A Million Stars by Beth Revis:  Expect a review soon confessing my intense (in a good way) feelings about Across The Universe.
8. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl: This is another series I have heard good things about but still need to read.
9. Marked by Elizabeth Naughton: To add some grown-up material to the list.
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: When one person tells me a book is amazing, and then another tells me it is awful, I'm always intrigued.  Is that weird?

Obviously this list isn't all the books on my former laptops TBR list, but some of the first that popped into my head.  What is on your summer TBR list?

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Published August 31st, 2010
HarperTeen
335 pages (Paperback)

Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shapeshifter and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She begins to suspect there is a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths, and even worse, that she is at the center of a dark prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.  (From GoodReads)

This book had me from the moment it was revealed that her taser is named Tasey!  Seriously though, I love that.  Mine would not have been pink with rhinestones though.  There is a limit.

This book is a much lighter take on all those paranormal creatures we adore (plus some hybrids).  Evie's sarcastic narration was wonderful.  I like that the book never gets overly serious in nature.  Evie is a strong heroine, and fun to read, even if she got a little annoying at time.

The ending was a little weird.  I had to read parts of it a couple times because I was like "WTF is going on here?"  I still don't completely grasp why the floating was neccessary, but whatever.  I tend to like weird.

If you're looking for a beach read, but can't seperate yourself from vampires and werewolves and faeries (oh my!), Paranormalcy may be exactly what you need.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

April 24th, 2012
HarperTeen
327 pages (Hardcover)

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. (From GoodReads)

I wasn't going to read this.  Then I did.  I can't decide whether I hate or adore this book.

The Bad
Let me start on the names, which is likely my biggest problem with this book.  America is a stupid name.  It's that simple.  Yeah, symbolism and blah, blah, blah.  If I liked symbolism, I would be an English Literature major right now.  But I'm a Nursing major.  So, I stand by the fact that America is dumb name.  Maxon, while not as bad, is still a bad name choice.  Aspen is a tolerable choice, but is this honestly the best Kiera Cass could come up with?  And, somehow, all the other girls end up with reasonable names?  I just don't get it.

Next problem: we have rebels but no action.  Seriously, we're going to get attacked by these rebels and have zero action involving ANY of the characters?  I just don't understand this.  Even if we're setting up for future books, why was the best action in this book when some chick slapped Celeste?  Again, I just don't get it.

More problems: the whole background of how this society developed is flawed, I don't get the whole princess thing and kept picturing the girls lounging in sweatpants, and America's character as a whole was kind of unrealistic and stupid.

The Good
Yet, despite all my problems with this book, I got so wrapped up in the story that I flew through it!  I legitimately wanted to know what was going to happen next.  Which is probably what confuses me most, because I have no idea why?!?!

I did like the character of Maxon.  Yes, he was also rather stupid (what future king just doesn't know that half his people are starving), but he had his moments where I was like "Hmm, I want a friend like him."

And what kind of ending was that?  I don't know what to say that won't spoil the ending but I couldn't decide if I was happy (Team Maxon) or 100% pissed.

*sigh* There is my rather long review, but I had a lot of feelings about this book.  And after writing this out, I still don't know whether I love or hate it.  Let me know what you thought of The Selection!

Much love, Samantha

Road Trip Wednesday: Writing Retreat

This is my first time participating in Road Trip Wednesday, a "Blog Carnival" hosted by the lovely ladies over at YA Highway.  They pose a weekly reading/writing question, and through the comments, you can explore and find out everyone's take on the topic.

This weeks question is...

If you could go on a writing retreat anywhere, where would you go & who would you bring?

Not my photo.
I take zero credit.

Personally, I am more of the reader than the writer within my group of friends.  I would take my friends Keen and Leah, and I would act as more of a support system.  Maybe I could pull off a couple short stories, but, like I said, writing isn't exactly my strong point.

As for where we would go, I'm picturing a log cabin with a beach on one side, and a forest on the other.  This could pretty much be anywhere from Cottage Country to Sweden, as long as there is a beach and a forest.  Both elements are required.

Much love, Samantha

Top Ten Tuesday: Good Beach Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish!  Check them out!

Living in farm country, I don't go to the beach very often.  Yes, I am sad about this too.  There are none that close to me.  So, I'm not 100% sure what exactly constitutes a "beach read".  When I went last summer, I think I was reading one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels...

So, naturally, I googled it.  This is a definition I found in About.com's Bestsellers section:

"A good beach book is engaging and a quick enough read that you can finish most of it before your sunscreen wears off. Beach reading isn't necessarily literature, but it will entertain."

Engaging.  Quick.  Entertaining.  Okay, here are my top beach reads!

1. Any of the Private Series by Kate Brian
2. Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (click here for my review!)
3. Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (note: I haven't actually read this yet, but if I were leaving for the beach right no, it is the book I would grab.)
5. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
6. Wake by Lisa McMann
7. Memoirs of a Monster Hunter by Josh Gates

As much as I love the beach, it's sort of a special occasion in my life.  Leave me a comment below with your favourite beach read, so I can be prepared for when I force myself to go more often this summer!

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: If I Die by Rachel Vincent

September 27th, 2011

Harlequin
342 pages (Paperback)

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies. 

But the next scream might be for Kaylee. 

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either. 

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life. 

Anything.

Since this book was released while I was at school, I somehow managed to forget about it.  But I have read in now, in anticipation of the next in the series.  And I'm kinda glad I waited.

Because that means I have less time to wait for the next one!

I loved this book, to the point that I just went to a job interview on 2 hours of sleep because I had to finish it. 

I found the middle got a little slow.  There was a lot of dialogue and not a lot of action or anything else.  But I honestly didn't care.  I still loved it.

Have I mentioned that I love this book series!

Much love, Samantha

Ps.  TOD!!!!  ;-)

Armchair BEA: Ask The Experts!

Armchair BEA is an opportunity for those of us that aren't fortunate enough to be at BEA to connect with one another, and have a little fun of our own, all from the comfort of our favourite chair!


I missed yesterday's post (insert sad face), but I'm back at it today (insert happy face)!

Armchair BEA has been amazing and I'm so happy about all the networking I've done this week, as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the best!

So, I'm keeping today's post sweet and simple, and posing a question to all of my fellow book bloggers out there...

If you could go back in time to when you first started blogging, and tell yourself one thing, what would you say?

Much love, Samantha

Armchair BEA: Networking

Armchair BEA is an opportunity for those of us that aren't fortunate enough to be at BEA to connect with one another, and have a little fun of our own, all from the comfort of our favourite chair!

My blog is nearly a month old!  Oh my gosh, I have no idea where that time has gone!

As a newbie to the blogging world networking is still a challenge for me, and something I continue to work on.  It's something every book blogger had to deal with early on, and a road I'm still trying to travel.

So in honour of "networking", these are some or the barriers I have faced in my blog's young life.

There are so many amazing book blogs out there, it ends up being rather intimidating for us newbies.  How do I get my name out there among this sea of already amazing, well established blogs?

I live in a crappy location.  Don't get me wrong, I love my farm town, but I have to drive 40 minutes just to get to the bookstore.  It's a bit easier when I'm not living at home, as a go to school in a fair-sized city.  On the bright side, in both cases, Toronto is about 1.5 hours away, which isn't bad.  Does anyone else deal with living in the middle of nowhere?  How do you network?

I also feel very young compared to a lot of bloggers.  I'm (almost) 20, while everyone else seems to be older with kids and lives and such.  How old were you guys when you started?

The book blogging community is much bigger, and much more diverse, than I imagined when I started.  It's amazing to see so many great people out there sharing the magic that books have brought to their lives.  I am so incredibly thankful of everyone who has welcomed me to this community.  Y'all are truly amazing!

Much love, Samantha

Armchair BEA: Best of 2012 (so far!)

Yesterday's book haul!  

Is it just me, or is anyone in disbelief that it is already June?!?!

Where has 2012 gone!

This year I've really gotten back into reading, after a horrendous fall 2011 at school.  I feel like part of that is because I wasn't reading as much as I would have liked to.

Armchair BEA is an opportunity for those of us that aren't fortunate enough to be at BEA to connect with one another, and have a little fun of our own, all from the comfort of our favourite chair!

According to GoodReads, I have read 40 books so far this year, which seems kind of crazy to me!  So I have sorted through those 40, and chosen the top five books I have read in 2012!

1. Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian: Did I say Deeper than Midnight in yesterday's post?  Okay, they're all fantastic.  But what an ending!  I'm so excited for the next instalment in this series!
2. Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward:  I love Tohr, so this book was just a beauty.  And another amazing ending!
3. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris: For a book that just kept getting weirder and weirder, it was an amazing change from everything else coming out recently.
4. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa:  Any of the Iron Fey series could have made this list. I read this whole series around the same time as my midterms.  I couldn't help myself.  They were way to good to allow anything close to studying.
5. Black Dawn by Rachel Caine: I hope Rachel Caine writes 300 more books in this series.  They never seem to get old.

Honourable mentions go out to Insurgent by Veronica Roth, City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, and If I Die by Rachel Vincent.  I have a strong feeling that Richelle Mead's The Golden Lily will likely belong on here as soon as I finish it.

Much love, Samantha

ARMCHAIR BEA !!!!!

I am so excited!  I posted on my twitter a couple days ago that next year I REALLY want to go to BEA.  So this kinda has me stoked right now!  I am so excited to connect with some other newbies to the book blogging world!


(Edit: I just realized that I forgot to link the Airchair BEA homepage!)

So here we go... INTRODUCTION TIME!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you?  How long have you been blogging?  Why did you get into blogging?

I have a whole Coffee Talk dedicated to this, but I'll summarize it again.  I'm Samantha, and I will be 20 this coming Saturday.  I started this blog only about 3 weeks ago, but I have had other blogs in the past.  I have been an avid reader my entire life (thanks Mom) and thought this would be a good way to connect and rant and share opinions, without driving my friends completely insane.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favourite book you have read so far in 2012?

Currently, I am (almost finished) reading Paranormalcy by Keirsten White, but I also have a couple other books on the go.  My favourite read so far in 2012 would likely be Deeper than Midnight by Lara Adrian.  That being said, I've read a bunch of awesome books already this year!

Tell us one non-book related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

I am a sports freak.  I love sports.  It's likely the one trait I didn't get from my Mom.  Hockey and Baseball are my favourites (Leafs and Jays, baby!), but I will literally watch any sport that TSN or SportsNet is showing.

What is your favourite feature on you blog?

As I said, I'm still getting started.  I've been looking out for fun memes to participate in and ways to get my blog going.  Right now, I participate in Top Ten Tuesday, as well as Coffee Talk, which is basically where I just talk about something non-book related within my life.  Personally, I love getting to know the person behind the blog!

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Hopefully still going strong!  It's not like I'm going to stop reading within the next five years (or ever!), so why not blog along the way?

Which is your favourite post you have written that you want everyone to read?

This review (I loved this book!) or this coffee talk (which is an important part of who I am).

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy.  Seriously, she is just 100% amazing.  Or Cassandra Clare.  I follow her Tumblr and she seems like one of the most interesting people ever.

What literary location would you most like to visit?

The London Institute.  Or just St. Petersburg, Russia.  Yes, I'm cheating on that one, but I have just always wanted to go to Russia.

What is your favourite book blogging community?  Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming year?

The people!  You are all so amazing and wonderful and downright spectacular!  As for the second question, ask me again a year from now, when I'm not such a newbie.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging?  How?

Not yet, but I read a wide variety of books anyways.  I read mostly YA books, but I've also been into adult paranormal romance for about a year now.  I'm even trying to tackle some classics (A Tale of Two Cities is my current challenge).  I am truly open to reading anything!

I LOVE AIRCHAIR BEA ALREADY!

Leave me a comment below so that I can check out your blog!  I have to go run some errands, but when I return, I am going to do some blog browsing myself!  :-)

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

December 23rd, 2008
Walker Books for Young Readers
360 pages (Paperback)

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart. (From GoodReads)

My senior chemistry teacher made us sit in alphabetical order too, but this never happened to me.  And I almost went to University for chemistry.  And I almost changed majors to chemistry this past semester.  I was very wrong in thinking nursing involve chemistry...

This book was fabulous and adorable and all-things wonderful.  I sat in the sunshine and read the whole thing and enjoyed every page.  The pace was good.  The relationship had just enough tension to keep me intrigued, without annoying me too badly.  I'm a sucker for a good starcrossed lovers tale.  And there was violence.  My cup of tea.

My only complaint would be the Spanish.  Yes, it's essential to the book, and I'm not saying it shouldn't be there.  But I don't know any Spanish.  Some days I can barely handle English (don't even get me started on French...).  The Spanish was getting on my nerves, because I had no idea what it meant and wasn't about to look it up each time.  Random question: Are there any eReaders with Translators in them?  My Kobo has a dictionary, but no translator.  Just curious.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Crave by J.R. Ward

Published October 5th, 2010 by Signet
454 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds- barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose. 

Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble-and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil. (From GoodReads)

This is the sequel to Covet, which you can see my review of here.  I trusted my Mom, and took a chance on the second book.  Let's not tell her, but she was right.

Crave is much more like the J.R. Ward I adore.  I think that, since the storyline was set up from Covet, it was much easier to get into and enjoy.  The book remains focused on Jim, making the actual romance almost secondary.  And Isaac and Grier were so much more interesting of a pair.  This may or may not have to do with Isaac being involved with an elite secret military group (I have a weakness...).

That being said, the middle of the book got really friggin' slow and I got a little bored.  The ending had a couple of good twists, but it felt like forever getting there.  

I have a copy of the next book in the series sitting beside me, but I'd be lying if I said I was in a rush to pick it up.  Sorry.

Much love, Samantha