Young Adult Giveaway Hop International

Who doesn't love a good book. Now here's your chance to enter an International Giveaway and maybe just Win!

Mythical Books lets you choose your book! They just make the suggestion, you choose any YOUNG ADULT book you want up to 12 Euro (1 Euro ~ $ 1.30).

The Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL as long as The Book Depository ships to you for free.

So head over to Mythical Books to enter the giveaway and participate!

Teaser Tuesday #4

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This Week's Teaser:

" When he was finally close enough, I slipped the rope through his collar and tied the other end to a tree.

He was not happy.

"I'm sorry, Ren, but we can't have you loose. It would scare the family. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can." I turned and began walking over to the small house, but then froze in my tracks when I heard a quiet male voice behind me say, "Is this really necessary?" "

-Colleen Houck. The Tiger's Curse (chapter 7. p.140) 

Please leave a comment with a link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your teasers in a comment!

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge !

Contemporary is one of my favorite genres, right next to fantasy on my list of favorite genres. So let's get you familiarized with what the genre loosely specifies, shall we?

Contemporary literature is literature with its setting generally after World War II. Sub-genres of contemporary literature include contemporary romance. Typically the  characteristics of contemporary literature include stories based realistically with strong characters and a believable story. Settings usually keep to the current or modern era.

And here's the challenge !!

The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge was originally created and hosted by Pearl’s World of Romance, then was passed on to Romance Book Maven.


Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. 
• Sign up now on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to read at least 10 contemporary romance novels. As per Pearl’s original post:

“by contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhouette Desires, etc.).”

And what do I choose to read for challenge?

Lets hope I can get my hands on this one! In case of any changes will surely let you know.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to The Book Vixen's link above and join in ! 
And Let me know your views in the comments below :D

Feature & Follow Friday

Increase Blog Followers, gain Book Blog Followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!

This Friday's question :

What is the last book that kept you up late into the night just to finish it?

It's my latest read Legend by Marie Lu. This is a book that goes to show why dystopia is one of my favorite genres.

Check out the review here or on goodreads.

Review - Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Publication date: November 29th, 2011
Format: E-book
Cover Source: Goodreads.

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Now here's a book that lets everyone know why it is I love dystopia. Yes authoritarian government, suppressed people, tragedy and all that. But people defying the same and coming out strong? Well isn't that whats special? And here's another dystopian after my heart.

The story follows two protagonist narrators, notorious criminal Day and Republic prodigy June. Day and June live different lives, separated by the levels of society until the fateful day June's brother Metias is murdered and Day is the prime suspect.

Beginning with what I liked, which is everything..
I absolutely adored the characters! Especially Day, oh lovely lovely Day. Surviving on the streets, he lives to  take care of his family and provide them with as much as he can while keeping it a secret from his mother.
On the other hand is June, the rich kid who is raised my her older brother Metias and has everything she could ask for. I did not like her at the start, but the gradual development of the character makes her just as likable.
Oh and Metias I wish we could have gotten to know him more! I really liked all the characters really.

The writing went well too, though reigning a very typical dystopian theme. I especially loved the circumstances which brought them together, the things they had to go through and the fact that there wasn't much of a insta-love factor and that the romance was perfectly reasonable, not too much.

The one teensy tiny thing that fell short for me. We didn't get much on why the Republic is the way it is. What happened etc.

So there's why I'm taking away a star. But yea that's just be me being extremely nitpicky.

This was certainly an exceptional read, certainly one of the best dystopians there.

Oh and to part, here's a picture I found on Marie Lu's DeviantArt page.

Rating : 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review - The Almond Tree

Author: Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Publisher: Garnet Publishing

Publication date: September 1st, 2012
Format: Paperback
Cover Source: Goodreads.

Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ichmad Hamid struggles with the knowledge that he can do nothing to save his Palestinian friends and family. Ruled by the Israeli military government, the entire village operates in fear of losing homes, jobs, and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other. On Ichmad's twelfth birthday, that fear becomes a reality. With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to the dangers of war, Ichmad begins the endless struggle to use his intellect to save his poor and dying family and reclaim a love for others that was lost when the bombs first hit."The Almond Tree" capitalizes on the reader's desire to be picked up and dropped off in another part of the world. It tackles issues that many Americans only hear about on World News or read about at The Huffington Post, such as the Israeli Palestinian conflict, the scholasticide that is being imposed upon the Palestinians in Gaza and the current Gaza blockade. But even more, it offers hope.

 Won this via goodreads first-reads! Thank you Goodreads and Michelle!

Having lived in the middle-east myself, I happened to hear more about the Palestine-Israel conflict than most might have. Even then I was certainly not prepared to read about the suffering faced by the barricaded Palestinians.

Though this is a fictional account, it gives a very real picture of how the people have been affected by war. Corasanti spins a horrifyingly beautiful tale about the hardships and how Ichmad deals and faces every situation from sustaining and supporting his family at the age of twelve to trying to fulfill his father's and his own dream of acheiving something better.

 It begins with the death of twelve-year old Ichmad Hamid's baby sister Amal. The story goes on to tell about the family's dire state, nothing seems to go right for them. They lose their home, Ichmad's father ends up in prison, the sons drop out of school to work. Ichmad uses his brilliant mind to educate himself, and help his family out of the trap of desolateness. 

You go along with Ichmad through all the highs and lows from childhood to adulthood. The Almond Tree in itself plays an important providing food, shelter and representing the ever present hope of the Palestinians, that the suffering will end.

I have nothing much to say other than, Read This Book. It does much more than provide facts, it leads us through a life. Pick this one up.

Rating : 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Be Part Of... " The List "

Calling All Bloggers!

Calling all bloggers!

Calling all bloggers!

Entangled needs you!

Be part of The List.

Here's what you need to know:

One of the awesome publicists at Entangled is compiling a list of bloggers.

Here are the requirements:

Do you have a blog?
Do you love to review books?
Do you want access to books before they release?

If your answers to these questions is a resounding "YES" then you're the right blogger for the job.

We want you! Now's a great time to join The List.
If you want to be a part of The List, head over to Kate's Blog to follow the instructions and join today!

image borrowed from: eltonsaysthings

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This Week's Teaser:

" 

“Over there,” he snaps. “Wipe some of that filth off 

your face. And if you touch me again, I’ll fill you with 

bullets.” 

"

" 

No matter. They’ll forget about me in a couple of 

minutes. And it’ll take several more minutes before the 

soldier I’d grabbed realizes that his ID tag is missing. 

Once in the bathroom, I abandon my sick routine. "

-Marie Lu. Legend (p. 42) 

Please leave a comment with a link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your teasers in a comment!

Review - Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication date: October 18th, 2007

Cover Source: Goodreads

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Wow..Just wow. I was left with no words after reading this one. Wish I'd picked this up sooner! Nothing except reading this fantastic book will help you understand what I am going to try to inadequately express via this review. One thing is for sure, Jay Asher you know how to write.

It is weird to say that I loved a story line involving suicide, one of the leading causes of death among the youth. It certainly is not an easy topic to write about, you have to get the message across but keep the story-line from slipping. Jay Asher you couldn't have done better.

We find out at the beginning that Hannah is dead. But before she commits suicide she makes sure to leave behind 7 tapes in which she states the reasons for her death. We hear 13 different stories of 13 people and how their actions however minute or insignificant, it might have seemed to them, pushed her into taking this serious step.

I loved the chapters being numbered according to the cassette tapes and how the book is written in both Hannah's narrative from the tapes and Clay's reactions and thoughts. At first I was skeptical and was sure it wouldn't work out but it actually helped me to understand and relate to both of them.

The characters were all very realistic and nothing made me feel like this or that person couldn't have done this, or that reason seemed far-fetched. They all were just like real people any of might have or will meet in our life.

This is the second book to make me think about how the littlest of little things, the things we say, do, react to may have a much more significant meaning to someone else than it might have to ourselves (the first being Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver). This one even more so as it was from the view point of a person who was forced to bear with it.

Overall, a beautifully written book with lots of emotions and it really does leave you thinking about your actions and our effect on someone else. I laughed, I cried and I felt every emotion this book was meant to convey. If you haven't read this yet, pick it up right now!!! You'll find it to be just what you need.

Rating : 5 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Teaser Tuesday #2

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This Week's Teaser:

" I heard the trowel drop and turned to see the Iraqi run at Abbas. Jumping to my feet, I flew across the concrete moulds, but I was too late. The Iraqi pushed Abbas off the scaffold. He fell backwards. His arms and legs flailed. A primal scream pierced the air. Then, a horrible thud."

-Michelle Cohen Corasanti. The Almond Tree (p. 87). Paperback 

Please leave a comment with a link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your teasers in a comment!

Review - You Were My Crush!...till you said you love me!

Author: Durjoy dutta
Publisher: Grapevine India Publishers
Publication date: November 15, 2011
Cover Source: Goodreads
Original review on goodreads

“What do you do when the person you love will forever be someone else’s?”
On the face of things, Benoy’s life is perfect. He drives a Bentley, lives alone in a big house and has all the riches one can only imagine. To people around him, he is a spoilt – a rich brat, the quintessential college-stud and a heartbreaker – but is he, really?
Who is the real Benoy?
This story is about him picking up the pieces of his life as struggles to come to terms with his mother’s untimely death, and a strained relationship with his father, whom hasn’t seen much of.
A big car. A big house. Does it solve anything? Why is that despite having everything, he has nothing?

This is a story about the rich-brat Benoy (turns out to be the author's brother) who comes to terms with his mother’s untimely death, and a strained relationship with his father, whom he hasn’t seen much of. Oh and falls in L-O-V-E but the girl is confused on whether she should be with him. 

The book started off with choppy language,over-usage of the word "f***" and felt like statements in the firstst few pages. But it does get better (thankfully). Durjoy Datta mentions that Benoy was very distraught on his mother passing away, but I didn't really feel he expressed this very much other than in a few paragraphs when he mentions the mother, dint really get the feeling behind this. I felt the character's other than Shaina and maybe Eshaan were not at all described well, thereby failing in my not being able to connect with them. Thus being the reason i gave this a 2.5 instead of a 3.

I dont usually go for indian authors and had heard that Durjoy Datta's previous bookOhh Yes I Am Single sucked, made me apprehensive but i decided to go ahead. And it turned out to be not that bad. You might actually enjoy reading the book.

So want to read something to pass the time? a love story? go ahead.

Rating: 2.5 quills
was gonna give this book a 1 when i started reading it.. and then a 3.. But i think i'll settle with a 2.5 . 

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Read as part of the

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Review - Lonely Souls ( Witch Avenue #1 )

Author: Karice Bolton
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: June 24,2012
Cover Source: Goodreads
Kindle Edition

It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order... that is until her mother’s disappearance. Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.  When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance. As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness. Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

Having not read the Watcher's series, this is my first Karice Bolton book. I had ceased to read books about mostly anything to do with witches and witch-craft. Why? I have no idea whatsoever. I adore witches, and spells and magic. So after a long break from witches here I am with the Witch Avenue series.

Why did I pick this up? Just look at the synopsis and the cover! Gorgeous. The characters are well written and I took a liking to Triss. I'm glad the author did not make her seem like an overly confident know-it-all nor was she the under-dog.
Triss is a master of her own abilities but still has a lot more to learn. She also does let her crush on Logan overtake her priorities and thoughts. One things for certain, she's no Bella.

Oh lets talk about swoon-worthy Logan shall we? He is the all-round perfect guy. He's been in love with Triss ever since he's known her, but is willing to wait for her. And specializes in defensive magic. Looks, skill he's got it. I just adored the romance between these two.

I also loved the cliffhanger-less ending and the different view of witches provided in the story. Though I am not sure if the witches are generally accepted and known by all or they are a secret society.


Coming to what I didn't like:

• The extent of Plot. 

          The book though interesting at the beginning and as much as it surely picks up pace at the end, falls a little short in the middle. The book starts shifting more towards paranormal romance. While the romance definitely was good, I do wish there was more action in there than just at the end.

• Witch-lore 

          I would have loved to read more about the history of the different families and covens, anything. I wanted more insight into the world of white and dark magic.


Overall a really good read, but nothing that leaves you pondering over the end.

Rating : 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Indian Quills Reading Challenge 2013

One of the first reading challenges I'll be joining for the year! I don't usually read Indian authors, almost never really. But I had made a vow to myself that I would have to read a few, I must.....some day. I see it coming to fruition now, with just the push I needed thanks to Reshmy Pillai :)

Indian Quills Reading Challenge

The Indian Quills Reading (IQR) Challenge hosted by The Tales Pensieve is an attempt to bring the reviews of books by Indian authors scattered all over under one database. It  also serves as a collective effort to promote the literature and authors of Indian origin.

I hereby challenge myself to read 7 books. It's kinda low but it's just a start :) .

What's New in Mail..

  I'm going to try and demonstrate as un-fangirly behavior as possible. So here goes...

  So yesterday, I was just sitting there chatting with my mum about how people change and all kinds of other serious things. When there enters my cousin and plonks something on the bed. And I noticed it was a parcel for me. Me? And that's when it hit me.

   I had entered a giveaway for The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti between December 15 - December 18, 2012. Now I don't mean to sound like I'm gloating, but it is very obvious that I am now going to. From over 420 people that participated I was actually one of the winners!!!

  This is my First, that's right, my FIRST Goodreads First Reads win!!

*does the happy dance*

  Truth be told I didn't have hope. Why would I out of all those people who entered win? Like what were my chances of winning? I do pride myself on being an optimist. The only problem? I am more optimistic in situations  where  

• I am in the company of someone who is thoroughly in the dumps and doesn't believe in fate anymore.  
• When the situation calls for someone else to be a part of the 'larger plot' than I.

  Whereas when I am part of that bigger picture, well, let's just say that's when I feel I'd rather fall into a hole till the problem just goes away like a rain cloud. (The rain where I live is sporadic at best in my opinion ).

Yes, that's right people, those who know me behind the "Me" I show the world, know that I'm a dire pessimist. *sigh*

  Coming back here's me showing the book off! 

 Those who have read this book let me know how you found it to be. :)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This Week's Teaser:

" “Extinguere Flammis,” I said matter-of-factly, nodding my head once. And the flames vanished."

" “I hope I never have to use this stuff,” I muttered, sticking my wand in my pocket and pulling my ponytail tighter."


-Karice Bolton. Lonely Souls (Witch Avenue Series #1) (p. 107). Kindle Edition. 

Please leave a comment with a link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your teasers in a comment. 

A Brand New Year!!

Welcome 2013! The new year has begun as of today and with a whole new year in our sights, how do we know if something new is coming our way or if it is just going to be the same ? Well, it certainly depends on us doesn’t it? It is up to us to bring about a change, we can’t just sit still etc. Etc. Heard it all before haven’t you?  Well easier said than done is very true, but obviously the first step certainly does matter.

And on that note here’s my step to FINALLY creating a blog! My first post!

Woot! Woot!

After deliberating on and off, since God knows how long, I have at-last taken that thought further and implemented it. I love reading, I have always wanted to share my opinions, thoughts, fan girling rants *wink*  with people and not all of my friends were always so enthusiastic about continuously discussing about books and book characters (though we did do that quite a lot). And after endless thoughts of “I will write a blog one day”, that day has finally come! 

Looking forward to sharing my thoughts with all of you.. Suggestions and
constructive criticism are welcome, I'm here to learn :)