In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by The Story Siren, held usually on Sundays that encourages bloggers to share what they bought, borrowed, or won this week.

BORROWED

Title: Paranormalcy

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: HarperTeen (August, 2010)

ISBN: 9780061985843

Source: Library

Description from GoodReads:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, 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 shape-shifter, 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 soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

Title: Bumped

Author: Megan McCafferty 

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (April, 2011) 

ISBN: 9780061962745 

Source: Library  

Description from GoodReads: 

 When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food. Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

BOUGHT

Title: Iron Queen 
Author: Julie Kagawa 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (January, 2011) 
ISBN: 9780373210183 
Source: Purchased from Borders 
Description from GoodReads: 

My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back.

What's in your Mailbox?

Do books influence relationships

I have not been able to keep this question out of my mind. Does the books we read affect our relationships?

Ideas such as soul mates, love at first sight, perfect compatibility are so common in young adult books, that it leaves some readers wondering if they are doing something wrong. Of course, it always depends on the readers maturity and understanding that after all it is a work of fiction. Yet, most of these books are targeted towards a young demographic. So, What do we think, do they affect young girls' expectations of relationships?

I am 24 and not immune, I admit that I am guilty of constantly crushing on book characters. My current crush is Ash from the Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa just in case you were wondering. There is just something about these mysterious, romantic, chivalrous young male protagonists that capture my heart. Who doesn't want to find their soul mate and live happily ever after with them for the rest of their lives. Yet, what I am wondering is does it give some girls the wrong idea of how relationships function? Does it make them believe that this romanticized view of relationships is what they should have? If so, is it a good thing or bad one?

Here is my opinion on the subject, feel free to join the discussion and if you disagree let me know. I always love to hear others opinions. :)

Let me begin by saying that I met my now husband at 16 (we didn't get married until we were 24) so I do not believe that it is impossible to find love at this age. Finding love so young is not as common in real life as it is in novels so hopefully young girls don't believe that they are turning 19 and have not found their prince charming so something must be wrong with them.

What I do have a problem is with the idea of instant love. Yes, I did believe that my husband was the most handsome guy ever at first sight but it was not love until we got to know each other. This idea of love at first sight is entertaining to read but I can see how a problem may arise if a young girl believes that the infatuation they feel at first means that they are now in love and will live a happily ever after. I am not saying that the writers have to change the stories, the idea of instant love works great with the plots. In my belief it is the parent's, or the person's responsibility to not get fooled and try to live a fictional love story.

The idea of perfect compatible couple or soul mates is also very common and may also give the wrong idea. To read a book where all they have to do is love each other and you will live a happy romantic story is entertaining but not realistic. Relationships take hard work and dedication. Yes, you can live happily ever after but I think that girls should be aware that it won't happen magically with the power of love. One may end a great relationship just because the other forgot to call and they know their soul mate would never forget such a thing and this is where this idea may be troublesome. We are humans that make mistakes not perfect fictional characters.

One aspect or idea that I do love about young adult books is the idea of romance. Growing up with this stories helped me realize that I do not have to settle. Romance does exist and it should be something we look forward to, with time you will find Mr. Right. We just have to be smart and find a balance in our expectations. Your perfect guy may not fight demons, have wings and shimmer you to a romantic dinner in the clouds but he might still wake you up with coffee and a brand new book.

What do you think? Has reading YA affected the way you approach relationships?

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by The Story Siren, held usually on Sundays that encourages bloggers to share what they bought, borrowed, or won this week.

BORROWED

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN: 9781442409057
Source: Library

Description from GoodReads:

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Publisher: Atheneum

ISBN: 9781442402003

Source: Libray

Description from GoodReads:

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

Title: Abandon
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9780545284103
Source: Library

Description from GoodReads:

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Title: Forgotten

Author: Cat Patrick

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780316094610

Source: Library

Description from GoodReads:

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

What's in your mailbox?

{Review}: Ultraviolet by R.J Anderson

Title: Ultraviolet
Author: R.J Anderson
Genre: YA Fiction, Sci-fi
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (September 1st 2011)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN: 9780761374084
Source: NetGalley*
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4/5

Description from GoodReads:

"Once upon a time there was a girl who was special. This is not her story. Unless you count the part where I killed her." 
Sixteen-year-old Alison wakes up in a mental institution. As she pieces her memory back together, she realizes she’s confessed to murdering Tori Beaugrand, the most perfect girl at school. But the case is a mystery. Tori's body has not been found, and Alison can't explain what happened. One minute she was fighting with Tori. The next moment Tori disintegrated—into nothing. 
But that's impossible. No one is capable of making someone vanish. Right? Alison must be losing her mind—like her mother always feared she would. 
For years Alison has tried to keep her weird sensory abilities a secret. No one ever understood—until a mysterious visiting scientist takes an interest in Alison's case. Suddenly, Alison discovers that the world is wrong about her—and that she’s capable of far more than anyone else would believe.

My Review:


Was it just me or the whole "This is not her story. Unless you count the part where I killed her" grab your attention.  I don't usually read Sci-fi but this one was amazing. I was not expecting the twist in the last part of this book. I should have from different clues that were dropped but no I was like "WHAT?!!" 


This story begins with a bam! Alison is in a mental hospital because it appears that she may have killed a girl from school. She doesn't remember much just Tori disintegrating before her, so she assumes that maybe she is losing her mind. Like any sane person would believe given the circumstances. The beginning of the story takes place in the mental institution were she meets other kids with problems and tries to get a grasp of reality. Then Sebastian Faraday comes into her life and appears to have the answers to all of her questions. He believes her and listens and his voice tastes like chocolate. What's not to like. Right? This is where the unexpected twist occurs. Won't say any more because I don't want to ruin the story.


I liked the character of Alison. I believe she took the whole I might have killed someone and ended up in a mental hospital pretty well. She has a very believable voice and her ability to taste and see colors when people speak  sounds incredible. I admit it was one of the things that made this book a joy to read.


I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance and Sci-fi.


*Disclosure: This e-ARC was provided by the publisher (Carolrhoda Books via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review.