In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.



Bought:
Sweep: Vol.3; The Calling/Changeling/Strife by Cate Tiernan 

Recieved From Contests:
The Borgia Betrayal by Sara Poole (First Reads Goodreads)
Across The Universe by Beth Revis (From The Story Siren blog)

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier 
Released: September 26th 1987 (January 1974)
Published by: Dell Publishing
Page Amount: 191, US Paperback edition 


"Stunned by his mother's recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker-Do I dare disturb the universe?
Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school societ-the Virgils-and master of intimidation.  Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event-a chocolate sale.  When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school.  In the inevitable showdown, Archie's skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast, to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable."
-Information from Goodreads.com .

My Thoughts:
I don't read a lot of books with a point of view from a guy. So reading The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier was an shocking and amazing change for me. I would not have wanted to go to a school like Trinity. Where there is a secret group called the Virgils, that as boys in the younger grade of the high school performing odd challenges.

Jerry Renault is chosen to not take part in the school's chocolate sale. As the sale goes on he decides not to do the sale at all. Which sends a message to the Virgils that he is defying them. They try  and make him sell the chocolate. Jerry still doesn't want to, so the group gets the whole school selling the candy.

I think the message of this novel is that in standing out and being your own person can sometimes have others trying to hold you back. And also that boys will be boys.

I really enjoyed this book and I think you all should check it out. 5/5 stars! And its a classic!!

Keep on reading, Ashley

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Released:  October 1st 1996
Published by: Warner Bros.
Page Amount:  226 (US Paperback Edition)


"At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle."




My Thoughts:
It has been a long time since I've read this novel. I fell in love with it again. The truly amazing love story between Noah and Allie just proves there isn't anything love can't conquer. Not 14 years apart nor a disease that takes away memories. I only hope to find a love like theirs someday!! 

For all you hopeless romantics out there I truly recommend you picking this up. And also checking out the rest of Nicholas novels!! He is one of my all time favorite authors!!

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley  

Review Policy

To start off with blogging isn't my job. I do spend roughly 2-4 hours a day blogging. Which doesn't include the time I spend reading and time spent with my family.

I do accept ARC's for review as well as finished copies. I only expect hardcover copies (no PDF or e-copies). I will expect hard cover or paper back copies. I also will participate in weekly meme's, and would like to participate in blog tours and author interviews.



Types Of Genres I Enjoy: YA is by far my favorite. However I also enjoy Adult fiction, historical fiction and I would even review a children's novel. (Feel free to ask about a genre if not listed)

Review Period Time: I try to review books before they are set to be released. So if you are sending me an Advanced Readers Copy the review will be post after its hit the shelves. I feel this will allow me to generate enough buzz to keep the readers interested. If you send me a finished copy it will most likely be reviewed the same month it comes out. I don't offer any guarantees.

Other review issues: A video and written review will be done for every book I receive. This means the review will be seen on the blogspot and youtube traffic. I will send whoever sends me the book for review links to my posted reviews.

Dislcourse: I do not review any money compensation for my reviews. However on occasions the book I am reviewing is offered to me as thanks for doing the review. I will be honest with my review.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Released:  February 1st 2011
Published by: HarperTeen
Series: Delirium, Book One
Page Amount: 441


"Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love."
-Information from Goodreads.com .


My Thoughts:
I truly found Delirium to be a heart breaking and heart racing novel. I hope that there is never a cure for love. Because no one should ever be told whom there to be married to and to have a part of their brain taken away. All because in the society in this novel believes love is a disease.
Lena started out as this shy quiet her who did everything she was told and believed everything she was told by the scientists and even her family members. But when she meets Alex and everything has new meanings she risks her life in order to be with him. 


The ending was very heart breaking and I cannot wait for the sequel which doesn't come out until 2012. 


I totally recommend you checking out this novel!! 5/5 stars!!

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Released: September 7th 2010
Published by: HarperTeen
Series: Firelight, Book One
Page Amount: 323

"A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki ; a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

                   Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide."
-Information from Goodreads.com  

My Thoughts:
I truly loved this novel. It is my first dragon novel that I've read. I heard great things about this novel and wasn't disappointed at all. I loved learning about Jacinda and her world. I want to become a draki. I also love the love story between Jacinda and Will. The ending was quite the cliff hanger.


I cannot wait to get my hands on Vanish!!  And the cover is just beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed my review on Firelight by Sophie Jordan, 5/5 stars.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
 Released:   October 19th 2010
Published by: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
Series:  Hush, Hush Book 2
Page Amount: 427

"Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts."-Information from Goodreads.com


My Thoughts:
This is the second installment in the Hush, Hush series. I absolutely loved Hush, Hush so I was very excited and impatient for Crescendo.

Crescendo deals with Nora and Patch trying to deal with their relationship and keep it hidden from the Archangels. I full enjoyed the story even though at times I wanted to hit both Nora and Patch.

The ending was a cliff hanger and I'm looking forward to Silence.

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley