In my Mailbox #19

Hi there my lovely petals! I have been somewhat absent from the virtual world this week so please forgive, exams are next next week and study takes first prio but I love you guys anyway!!! So I didn't do a IMM last week due to unfortuante events, I had a hard time finding my camera extension cord today so I I didn't think I could do but I found it!!! Anyway IMM is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

This week's Badass mailbox....



For Review -

Sister Red by Jackson Pearce

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Herley

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

( Thank-you to Allen & Urwin, Pan Macmillian and Hachette for this weeks review goodies)

I Won -

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Genesis by Lara Morgan

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley ( + some bookmarks, a lovely card, postcard, lipgloss( !!!!) and a pen)

( Thank-you to Angela @ Reading Angel , Alise @ Read My Mind , Manda @ Manda's Movement and Steph @ My Girl Friday)

So that's what I got this week, bi thank-you to everyone who sent me book this week, you totally made my week! Also extra shout out to Steph because she wrote a totally awesome card to me and even wrapped everything up ( it was like my birthday but better because I only ever get money and gift cards for my birthday!!! I'm wearing the totally awesome ribbon in my hair!).

Quick notes -

Currently reading - Personal Demon, You Wish and Halo

Up next - Sister Red, The Julian Game and and and ?????

Finished- Dead Until Dark, Almost to Die for this week

Happy Halloween!

Badass Bookie xx

Almost to Die For

Review Time! Sooooo I finished Almost to Die for by Tate Hallaway the other day. I have been wanting to read this one since I saw it in Kristi @ The Story Siren's mailbox a while back. I'm delighted that I got a copy for review so thanks Penguin!

The Short Story? - Short read only about 240 pages, just the way I like it. Interesting plot but contained almost every cliche I talked about yesterday ( the love triangle, the good look guy, the loser chick) but since I don't mind cliches THAT much it was bearable. Overall, I would say it was a good read.

The Long Story? - I expected this book to be alot like Vampire Academy since it was all vampire princess stuff but um, it wasn't. No boarding schools ( WHICH is another cliche but I love this one so I left it off the list :P) or kick ass heroines so a disappointment but I got over it. The guys in this book were pretty hot ( in my mind anyway) but the romance was a disappointment. Like it's a love triangle but at the end of the book she is still stuck in between so didn't really anywhere. Originality was pretty high, you don't get a lot of witches and vampires so that was new. The writing style took some getting used to but it was worth it. Overall it was pretty good. Characters were interesting, short read ( bonus), love the creepy eye cover and I can't wait to seee where the romance gets to in the next book! Rating 3.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

Cliches that have been used too many times....

Hey Guys!!! I decided to do a post about some cliches that have been used just one too many times in one too many books. Ever read a book that was just way too predictable that you feel as if it wasn't worth reading at all? Or read a book that was pretty much the same some book you read three weeks before that?
Lets take a moment and brainstorm some cliches that have been used too many times.

The Loser Chick and the Popular, good- looking Guy - Um, I pretty sure 90% of heroines are portrayed as the loser chick with next to no friend and then BAM! next thing you know there is the making of a happily ever after with the popular good- looking quarterback. I don't mind this cliche but seriously? Used wayyyy too many times.

The Typical Love -Triangle - The two good-looking guys both trying to win the heart of one girl. Guy #1 gets the girl and they live happily every after, while guy #2 is broken hearted and pushed some other chick who is introduced at the last moment. No offense but love triangles make my head hurt, I, for one, want the girl to end up with Guy #2 99% of the time ( excluding Jace and Clary) but being the typical love triangle it never happens.

The Supernatural and the Human - The vampire and human, the werewolf and human etc. etc. Sounds familiar? What I don't get is why the supernatural is always destined to be with the human!I mean that's so cliche! Why don't we get any vampire lovers or were lovers? It's always the Supernatural and the Human.

The Best Friend and the Boyfriend - Main chick has a beautiful best friend who is dating the boy of her dreams. As the book progresses, main chick and boyfriend fall in love. Rings any bells? In reality the chance of that happening is minimal but I guess that's why we call it fiction...

The Good - looking Guy - Ha! I have nothing against this one! BUT EVERY BOOK I HAVE EVER READ OR HEARD OF HAS A GOOD-LOOKING MAIN DUDE!  The ugly truth ladies is that in the reality only about 30% of the men in the world can really be classified as good-looking ( I know I'm devastated too). However, if you escape into the world of literature you are guaranteed a hottie!

That's probably some the most used cliches out there, I have to say I never get sick of cliches, I actually really like them but sometimes we just need some fresh meat on the block....

Twenty Boy Summer

Hello Lovelies! Review time! Unfortunately due The Indy/Indie ( Race Cars thing, I don't know how to spell it ) There is bad bad bad traffic and I couldn't not make it to the mailbox this week, although I tried, made dad drive me there but they closed already....so no IMM this week! However I have more reviews for you guys! Oh and TAYLOR SWIFT'S  SPEAK NOW IS AWESOME!!!!

The Short Story? - I finshed Twenty Boy Summer last week, I picked up the book before it became banned so ha! Anyway, I don't know why it's banned because it was an absolutely beautifully written book that I think every teen should read. BTW does anyone know why it's banned because I can't find anything wrong with it.....

The Long Story? - So the book is about a girl ( Anna) who had a 'thing' with her best friend's brother ( Matt) Sadly, Matt died of a heart defect and Anna is left with so many questions unanswered and a broken heart that refuses to be mended. One summer Frankie ( Best Friend) and Anna go to California for a holiday, there they made a pact for a twenty boy summer... but along comes Sam....

I loved Twenty Boy Summer, it was a beautifully written book about loss, pain, heart break and hope. It's a powerful book that really makes an imprint. I found myself thinking about it even after I finished it. Sarah Ockler, really is a fantastic writer. The thing I liked about this book was that the story started almost immediately, a great pace to read at. Fantastic characters, realistic but cute plot and beautifully written. I thought the ending was rather abrupt though, I would have lised to know what happened with Sam and maybe an epilogue would have been nice. The cover was beautful as well, it also has a secret meaning to it so you have to read the book to understand! In general it was a beautiful book that leaves an imprint, Rating 4/5

Badass Boookie xx

A Lush Budget ProductionTales of a Ravenous Reader: FALLEN ANGEL(s) CONTEST

A Lush Budget ProductionTales of a Ravenous Reader: FALLEN ANGEL(s) CONTEST: "It's contest time again. This time In honor of my love for Fallen Angels I am hosting a special contest in which ONE lucky contestant will..."

Mockingjay

Hey Guys! Sorry for the lack of posts this week!!! I have been very busy and you know... sometimes your blogging just has to take the backseat, exams are coming up and I have this piano exam next week so stress stress stress!!! Anyway, I won't be doing an IMM this week either so you guys just have to wait to next week! Anyhow, Mockingjay review! I have been waiting to read this book for a lonnnng time since December when I finished Catching Fire! The thing with long awaited sequels is that, you love the book so much that you kinda don't want to pick up the next one in case it ruins the fantastic book feel!

The Short Story? - It actually took me a long time to even open the book, I was scared it was going to have a really bad ending! I think the ending of this book suits the dystopian genre but to my personal radar I have say I wanted a happier ending!

The UK cover ( right) is the one avaliable in Australia so that's the one I got but I like the blue one too! What about you?

The Long Story? - The book was spilt into three parts and to be honest I didn't really thing it was necessary, I could follow the book anyway without having to be be told where it's important etc. The first part was very slow, it was more about emotional development than anything else, the second part was better but still the action was a bit slow and the third part was your jet ski! I had to reread it about three times ( once because I was trying to read it fast, once because I cried so much it blurred my vision * yes I cried*) Um, I wasn't that happy with the way this book turned NOT because it wasn't good because it totally was but because they didn't turn out to be all happily ever afters ( it is a happy ending sorta though). In conclusion I find the Mockingjay was one of those fantastic books that you love but can't bare to pick up again because you just can't cope with how things turned out. Rating 4/5 ( although I probably never going to pick it up again because for me it was just toooooo depressing)

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #18

Good Morning Poppets! I have been woken up on this lovely day by my mother because she broke the door and needed help to fix it! So I did and now I can not go back to sleep so I decided to do my In My Mailbox post now! You may release that I didn't post one last week and there are reasons for that 1) I was feeling lazy 2) I coudn't find my camera and 3) .... I don't have a three but anyway two weeks worth of books today!

Hosted Weekly by the The Story Siren

Here's what I got in my mailbox....



For Review -

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

Torment by Lauren Kate

( Thank-you to Random House Australia and Penguin Australia)

Won-

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Swerve by Phillip Gwynne

Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams

Mice by Gordon Reece

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

( Thank-you to Penguin Aus, Allen & Urwin and Jen @ Literature for Lunch )

So guys that's what I got in my mailbox. I absolutely delighted that I received Torment and a HUGE thank-you to Jen who sent me two HARDCOVERS ( and a lovely book clip and note) all the way from America! She is such a sweetie! Please check out her blog because she is new to blogging and already her blog looks fantastic!

Quick notes -

- I participating in the Halloween Read-a-thon !

- I have finished Mockingjay and Blameless this week

- I currently reading Twenty Boy Summer, The Space Between the Trees and Nightworld #2

- Up next - Almost to die for, Torment, Good Oil and ???

That's it Guys!

Badass Bookie xx

Halloween Mini Challenge #1

Hey Guys, as you know already if you read my introductory post I am participating in Lesley @ YA Book Reviewed's Halloween Read-A-Thon which is this weekend! There are a bunch of mini challenges and one of them is to name a book that gave you the creeps. So here is my entry!

I have read a series called The Devouring by Simon Holt which I think would probably be the scariest series I have ever read ( I'm a bit of a wimp so you probably like pffft not scary) Anyway here's a little about the first book....

The Devouring

When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.


Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for?


Badass Bookie xx

Halloween Read-a-thon

Hey Guys! Just wanted to let you know that I am participating in Halloween Read-a-thon hosted by Lesley @ YA Book Reviewed! Fantastic mini challenges and big giveaway at the end, fantastic for anyone with a big TBR pile!!! I thought I might let you guys know what I have lined up-

1) Mockingjay bu Susanne Collins ( Halfway Through Right Now)
2) Goodnight Mr Tom( School)
3) Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
4) Claire de Lune bu Christine Johnson
5) I know it's over by ?
6) Beastly by Alex Finn

Sorry I don't have the books next to me so Iprobably spelt names wrong etc. but that's my pile!
Badass Bookie xx

The Splendor Falls

Review Time! Ladies and Gent, I think I deserve a clap...after putting this book off for at least a month and abit I have finally maned up and finished it!!! Yes, I put my big girl panties on and finished what could have been the longest book I have ever read! * throws confetti, dance around the fire, celebrate Christmas early*

The Short Story? - What could have been the longest and most boring book I have ever read. Girls like me don't put off a book for that long unless there is a reason. However, the ending was pretty good to that softens the blow.

The Long Story? - FACT : For the first time ever, I feel asleep reading a book IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, OPINION : Possibly the longest and most boring book I have read. Now, get this The Splendor Falls is about 510 pages long and NOTHING happened for about 350 pages, I read and read and read some more and than abit more before putting down the book. It was just that bo-ring. You know, this reminds of those 1800's novels where they will spend four pages describing how the sun rose. The difference between 19th and 21st century is that those people had PLENTY of time to read on and on and on, while now I have to squeeze reading between school, having a life and extra curriculum so in my opinion it was just tooooo long. However, the ending was pretty good, I actually liked the last 150 pages so don't judge it too harshly guys even if I do. I just think that good book should only be around 260-300 pages :P Short and to the point! The writing style was comfortable to read but because it was so long I couldn't really enjoy it. Overall, too long but good ending so Rating - 2.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

My View on Asking for Review Copies Do's and Don'ts

Good Morning Teacups! It's midnight and I am probably asleep by now so yes you're right! This is a scheduled post ;) Anyway a few weeks ago I posted a blogging do's and don'ts post about blogging etiquette. Being polite is just as important as being a good blogger!!! You can find that post HERE. Anyway I'm posting about asking for review copies do's and don'ts, I talked about it briefly in the last one but this on goes into it deeper, again it's my view only and most of it is common sense but you never know....

Do's
- Address publisher/authors with politeness ( Be friendly but keep it professional, don't go on talking like you have been best friends forever)
- Give a brief background about your blog ( Include abit about your blog, when it was established, what you blog about, why you blog etc.)
- Include a Mailing address ( Publisher and Authors are very very busy people, so the easier you make their life them more likely they are going to send you a copy!)
- Include Statistics ( Publisher and authors don't send you review copies just for the sake of it, that's giveaway, make sure you include statistics, everything is to do with marketing!)
- Be Specific with your request ( Give them titles and authors name's, don't beat around around the bush and go on about this genre or that genre, straight to the point!)
- Post reviews according to Publisher/Authors request ( If they ask you to post it three weeks before the release, do it, always listen to their requests!)
- Donate your book to a ARC tour or a giveaway ( Publisher's love it when you pass a book around the blogosphere, it saves money and everyone can enjoy it! Plus, ARC's are very expensive so think economy)
- Report it when you see someone sell an ARC ( This is bad bad bad, so don't do it, respect that Publisher/Author have given you an ARC. Making money from their good will is just low so don't do it)

Don'ts- Be Demanding ( Publishers and Author hold the upper hand when you are asking them for review copies, don't demand anything, they are doing you a favour not the other way around)
- Ask for more review copies than you can review ( We all get abit greedy when it comes to books I mean, we are book blogger! It's in our genes but only ask for as many as you can review at a time. Don't ask for ten when you can only read three.)
- Linger around with your reviews ( If you finished a review copy post it up straightaway, unless of course Publisher/ Authors have special requests)
- Not read the book and review it ( DO NOT DO THIS, if you can not finish a book on time or you are overflowing with review copies, talk to the publisher/author and explain, they are people after all so they will understand, do go around writing reviews when you haven't read the book!!!)
- Hesitate to post a bad review ( It's better to write a honest review than sugar coat a book, after all Publisher/ Author's want to know what you really think about the book, not everyone likes everything)
- Post a two sentence review ( A review is like an essay it has a intro, a body and a conclusion so don;t write a paragraph, that's a opinion not a review, you're ripping the publisher/author off)
- SELL YOUR ARC ( Let face it, if you're really that desperate for money get a job, don't go selling you ARCs, it only shows your bad blogging spirit and it's really low for a person so guys, please don't do it, your actions affect all bloggers, if this keeps happening someday there will be no ARCs)

That's it! What are you views?
Badass Bookie xx

The Summer I turned Pretty

Review Time! I so excited to review this one because I have been wanting to read this book for a long, long time and well I won't tell you what I think about it unless you scroll down a little! I was going to wait until summer to read this but I couldn't wait so oh well!

Which cover do you like better? I got the second cover but the first cover is nice too!

The Short Story? - I had high expectations for this one since I have have been looking forward toward and any book that has made me wait better be good or else... * cracks knuckles* nah jokes, it was good anyway. Bravo! Fantastic! Great! Very cute :P

The Long Story? - I haven't read Jenny Han's first book Shug but this one was reallllllly good. I love reading paranormal and fantasy novels but sometimes it's just a relief and a nice change to read something different ( like breathing in fresh air). So either it's because I needed a change of genre or it's really is a great book, I enjoyed it immensely ( I going with the latter). Anyway, great characters, Belly portrays an excellent image of a lovesick teenager. I loved the plot which was really cute, great use of romance and brought out emotions in readers too! The ending is so mysterious and abrupt that I want to read the second book already! The book started of really well, ended with a cliff hanger and very comfortable reading style. Enough said, fantastic read and I'm rating it - 4/5  ( even if it really good I can't go around giving 5/5 everytime right? those are reserved for godly writing)

Badass Bookie xx

Princess for Hire

Review Time! I finished this book last Monday but because I wanted a full week of post I put of the review until today :P and since I'm technically asleep right now it's scheduled. You will find alot of my posts this week scheduled because I'm in school all week so deal with me please :P

The Short Story ? - 2010 Debut, very 'pink' and cute novel in a different way to The Summer I Turned Pretty, this one is cute because it's actually written for a younger age group I think, like romance in it is like a sixth grade romance ( Kiss, giggle, omg do you like me? I dump you after two days...yer that kind)

See what I mean bu really pink? I got the first cover! Which makes it even more kidlike!

The Long Story? - Like I said, this one was just a tad too childish for me BUT I liked it! It's been a long time since I have read a book that always ends with a happy ending and it so predictable!I remember when I was younger I use to read princess novels or fairy novels that always, ALWAYS end with a happily ever after. Oh, and the baddies are really bad! This is one of those novels and I enjoyed but I think I would have enjoyed more if I read it a few years ago maybe? Just a tad too young for me :) Great plot, cute characters ( not cute as in cute cute but as in kid like cute), the start was abit long, great ending and comfortable writing style once you get used to it. Even if it is a bit young I think I'm going to pick up the second book just because I want to relive the good old days! I recommend this to anyone who hasn't hit puberty yet I mean anyone who likes cute reads and who are in between the tween and teen stage or if you are forever right or something! Oh! and if you loveeeee pink!  Rating - 3/5

Badass Bookie xx

YA Blogger's Book Shelf #1 - The Story Siren (!!!)

Hey Guys, I haven't posted in a while with all the rush of first week back from holidays but I back! AND I'm introducing a new feature! Ladies & Gents I present you with ... The YA Blogger's Book Shelf. You may have noticed a few of these roaming around ( All About {N}, Book Chick City etc.) but I have decided to start that focuses JUST on YA blogger's because well we are just as important!



YA Blogger's Book Shelf is basically a virtual tour of a YA Blogggers Book Shelf so simple. Inspired by Carolyn @ Book Chick City and credits go to all the other bloggers that have done this feature with different names and featuring different people!

This is a POTENTIAL NEW FEATURE so this is just a trial run, judging on the amounts of comments THIS WEEK, I will think about continuing it or not. Now, this week I'm featuring .... Kristi @ The Story Siren ( Um, unless you live with limited internet access I think you would know who she is...the Mother of all YA Blogging???) Anyway, this is EXTRA cool because Kristi has just revamped her office and reorganised her shelves so you get the newly improved tour!!! Anyway I will get to the point....

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If I Stay

Review Time! I pretty sure everyone has read this one right? I wasn't so sure about it since I not that into contemporary teen fiction or anything that is even slightly depressing so that's why I left it off for so long but the thing I hate more than depressing novels is not reading a book that everyone else has read or a book that has been talked about. Yes, I go with the flow, so I had to pick it up. :P

Short Story? - It wasn't too depressing and I actually liked it. Gayle has a beautiful writing style, very easy to read and comfortable. I think it's pretty amazing how she can write 200 pages about something that happened in one day, I salute you!

Which cover do you like the best? I kinda like the one on the bottom left. My copy had the first cover!

Long Story? - I liked it! Partly because it was so much shorter than everything else I have read lately and partly because it was a great story that wasn't too depressing. Apart from the start, which was wayyyyy to descriptive for my likings ( all that blood and gore made me sick, I will never be a doctor, even thinking about it now is making me queasy) the rest of the book was really great. Short, to the point and easy to read. Another reason why I don't read contemporary is because the stories don't go anywhere, the books are all about characters finding themselves so doesn't go anywhere, unlike paranormal or dystopian etc. BUT I liked this one evem if it didn't go anywhere. It wasn't a book for me but I still liked it so that says something right?Rating - 3.5/5

Badass Bookie xx

In My Mailbox #17

Hello my lovely poppets! It's in my mailbox time! I didn't do one last week since nothing came in the mailbox BUT I had an fantabulous week this week so it all adds up! In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren and inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie. Here's what I got this week....



For Review -

ARC Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway

( Thanks to Penguin Australia for this weeks's review books! I love you guys <3)

Won-

Last Vampire ( Book One) by Christopher Pike

Pimpernelles : The Pale Assassin by Partricia Elliott

The Sliver Blade by Sally Gardner

Della say OMG by Keris Stainton

Ash by Malinda Lo

( Thanks to Holly @ Good Golly Miss Hollu and Hacette Australia for these books!)

So guys what do you think? Pretty good week? I very excited for You Wish and Almost to Die For. I haven't finished Beautiful Creatures so I can't read Beautiful Darkness yet but the thing with the caster series is that they are SO long! I coould read two book in the same amount of time that it will take me to read one of them!!! I won the winter flings prize so that's why I got a prize pack from Hacette but very excited for Ash and Pimpernelles! I can't decided what to read next!!!

A few points -

- Currently reading - If I stay, Splendour Falls, Nightworld #2 and Princess for Hire

- Up next - Blameless, Beastly, Space between the trees

- Also up next but can not decide yet - Almost to die for, Beautful Creature, Bright Young Things, You Wish, Impossible

So guys that's it! What did you get this week?

Badass Bookie xx

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday ( October 1st)

Hey Guys! I so so so tired right now. Went to a themepark with my friends today, school holidays = HUGE line up!!! My feet are killing, killing me and than Dad got pizza and I feel so fat now >_< Oh well, school starting on Monday (eep!) so I going to blog blog blog this weekend! Anyway, blogger hop is hosted weekly by Jen @ Crazy for Books and Parajunkee @ Parajunkee's View. Please leave comment and a link if you're hopping by so I can return the favour. This week I'm trying to reach 400 (!!!!) followers SO for every follower I get this week they shall get one in return!

Blogger Q this week -
"How do you spread the word about your blog?(e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog Directories, comments on other blogs...)"
I promote and spread the word through blog directories, twitter and goodreads. Blogger Hop is another great way to promote but make sure you also hop to other people's blogs or else that's not the right spirit. I against people doing self- promotion through comments on other people's blogs, I think that's just wrong. You're there to visit not to do self -marketing! Unless it's in a guest post etc.

Happy Hoppping!

Badass Bookie xx