Review: Anatomy of a Boyfriend

Title: Anatomy of a Boyfriend
Author: Daria Snadowsky

Published: January 9, 2007
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Age: 17+

Goodreads Summary:

Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body.

Then I met Wes, a track star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn't believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing—and touching—parts of the body I'd only read about in my Gray's Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was scary. It was fun. It was love.

And then came the fall.

My Review:

It turns my face red when I read this book.

Actually it was mostly because I was hanging upside down while I read this. But honestly, people who are sensitive to certain...subjects are forewarned.

The story itself was alright. I felt like the relationship may have been a little rushed, but it is also realistic to the times.

My favorite character was Amy! I loved her personality and how she changed. Dom was annoying. Sometimes I wonder if reading the main character's thoughts annoy me because they turn out to be too close to my own and I read to escape, not to relate. Actually sometimes I read to relate, but that's a totally diffrent subject.

Overall all, it was a good, quick, summer read.

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Published by EgmontUSA on June 14th
Hardcover, 397 pages

(Summary from Goodreads):

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

On an irrelevant sidenote, OMG! I got the color for my blockquote, and it looks so cool! It's almost like I'm a real blogger.  Thanks so much to Brielle and Penelope for the help!  If you're interested in learning more, check out Penelope's post.

My Review:
I think what I loved about this book was more of the characters and romance rather than the actual plot and concepts, even though Hourglass definitely has a unique story line in YA.  I don't think I've ever read a book about time travel before either, but it was a little difficult for me to get into the time travelling. Maybe I just didn't read those sections thoroughly, but I kinda wished it could have been explained a little more.  There are also a couple of really great plot twists that I think a lot of people will enjoy, but (this is a first) I kinda saw them coming, so I guess it didn't impact me as much as it could have.  Hopefully this means me and Myra think alike... except I'm nowhere near as cool as her.

I think what really stood out to me in this book was the characters.  I loved Emerson as a main character, I felt that she was easy to relate to and her sarcasm was pretty amusing.  She had a very unique voice which I give Myra props for.  I liked Michael as well, he was super sweet (and hot) and I was totally in love with him until I met Kaleb.

Oh Kaleb.  I've officially added him to my fictional boyfriend list (I really do have a list because I have a tendency to forget them since I have so many).  Even though Kaleb has his sweet moments, he's kind of the opposite of Michael.  Whereas Michael is overall a gentleman, Kaleb is flirtatious and a total player, which makes him so much more entertaining for me.  And oh yeah, he's pretty hot too.  (You see where my priorities are by now lol).  I also really liked the minor characters like Lily, Cat, Ava, Liam, Thomas, Jack etc. and I hope we get to see more of them in the next book, which I definitely will be reading!  I think Myra is a fantastic writer and I'll be sure to pick up anything she writes in the future :)

Overall:
4.5 out of 5 stars!  With it's infectious characters and compelling romance, Hourglass is a must-read!  I'd recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of mystery, hot boys, and snarky, strong heroines.

Ally Carter Signing and Surprise!

Okay, so for all you who remember, April and I went to Ally Carter's book signing today!

I recorded the Q&A session for you! But it's sideways, most because I forgot the thing didn't change when I flipped it. And well movie maker isn't allowing me to cut the segement into seperate movies and upload them on youtube. So until that is figured out you'll have to wait for that.

Here's a picture from the St. Louis County Library Flickr page.  We're sitting in the 2nd-ish row.  Karina is sitting behind the girl with the pink ribbon in her hair, and I'm on her left :)



Also, here's the surprise:

WE'RE GIVING AWAY A SIGNED COPY OF UNCOMMON CRIMINALS! Get excited! Just fill out the form below for a chance to win! Giveaway until July 15th at Midnight!

US only, sorry international peeps :'( We'll try to have an international giveaway soon!

*We're adding in an Uncommon Criminals key chain, and a pin/sticker we got from the event*

Guys, you're awesome if you're following Ally Carter on twitter.  But the Follower box is for if you're an email subscriber to our blog or a Google Friend Connect follower.  Just wanted to clarify, sorry for any confusion!

In My Mailbox (3)

Hey guys! It's Karina with my first ever IMM. In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi from The Story Siren where bloggers can share what books they've received and what they're planning on reviewing.

So basically I didn't want to be left out of this whole vlog-ing we apparently have going on and well for other reasons I made a video! I tend to ramble when I'm nervous, so sorry for the longness of it.



Here are the books, incase you didn't want to hear me talk or couldn't.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Pure by Julianna Baggott

Crossed by Ally Condie

-Karina

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi from The Story Siren  where bloggers can share what books they've received and what they're planning on reviewing.

This week I got 3 books, so it qualifies for another IMM :)

Let's play "Count how many times April says really, cool, or awesome".



LAST MINUTE ADDITION!
I won Solstice by P.J. Hoover trading cards, which are really cool!  :D I didn't actually know that much about the book before reading these cards, but now I'm really interested! The author also sent me a really cute card, which made me happy :)  I think you can click on the picture to zoom in.  Of course, I put the hot guy on top.

On the big card, it says "Where mythology and dystopia meet.." so that sounds pretty good to me :)






Won:
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (from Kat @No Page Left Behind)
Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast and the Curse Worker bracelets(!) (from Patrica @Two Chicks on Books)
Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready (giveaway hosted by Book Soulmates from Big Honcho Media and Simon and Schuster)
Solstice by P.J. Hoover swag (giveaway hosted by Joy Preble from P.J. Hoover)

Mortal Instrument Jewlery Giveaway!

Alright guys, I bring you the latest and greatest of news. The chance to win great MI gear AND see a really good book blog.

Head over to:



For complete details and ways to enter. I'm entering and I wish everyone who enters good luck!