In My Mailbox....

This is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives us a chance to showcase the books we got during the week.

My mailbox was pretty awesome this week...ok so pretty awesome is an understatement. SO many amazing books.

These are books I was gifted or received for review

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (goodreads)
A Million Suns by Beth Revis (goodreads)

The amazing Kristina from LadyBug Storytime got me a copy of Masque. I literally squealed when it came in the mail. It's been really high on my wish list and I can't wait to finish it (already started and LOVING it). The cover is so stunning, even in ARC form.

The amazing and lovely Christy from The Reader Bee sent me a belated Christmas gift and it was A Million Suns. I have heard nothing but amazing things about it.

Thank you so much to both Christy and Kristina. You ladies are amazing!

I helped Marissa Meyer celebrate the release of her fantastic novel Cinder. She was sweet and offered swag to people who helped her and it is awesome! Thank you so much Marissa.

Here are some books I purchased this week

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (goodreads)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (goodreads)
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (goodreads)

I also have two copies of Entertainment Weekly with the cast of the Vampire Diaries on them. I have the Paul Wesley/Nina Dobrev cover as well, but my friend has it as she had to pick it up for me (none of the stores near me had it). They are even hotter than this picture shows. Scorching!!

Happy reading everyone!

Movie Magic

I am sure everyone has experienced this - you’re reading a book and you can picture the characters and the world so vividly that you’re dying to see it made into a movie.

I thought with all the excitement about the Hunger Games and Mortal Instruments movies I would highlight some books that have yet to hit the big screen… but I sure hope they do.

Some of these have already been optioned for a movie (and hopefully one will be made) others I have heard nothing about. I am going to try not to give any spoilers for the books that are on my list, while still giving you an example of why I want to see it on the big screen.

1. Shatter Me

This novel is amazing and filled with moments I want to see on the big screen. The ending is so epic, and made me so excited for the next book. There is a scene in the book that involves a young child that would make my physically ill to see on screen, but that shows the power of that scene. The hot romance would play out wonderfully if the cast had great chemistry.

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The accident would be intense to see on the big screen. The paranormal element would provide some great movie moments, and the sexy chemistry between Noah and Mara would ignite the screen.

3. Starcrossed

The fight scenes, the “dream sequences” and the beautiful island scenery are just some of the highlights I would be looking forward to. The scene where Helen and Lucas are fighting and they dent the earth would be the most insane movie moment.

4. Vampire Academy

The action alone in this book would make an fantastic movie. Getting to see the school would also be a huge movie moment for fans. I have only read one book, but already I can see the appeal of a movie. The training scenes, the ball when the Princess visits, and heart pounding end would be my “must sees”.

5. Delirium

The landscape and seeing this whole area fenced in to keep out the infection would be interesting. The first time Lena sees Alex (the scene with the cows) sticks out in my head for some reason as a great moment. If it could be shown properly seeing how everyone acts once they have the procedure would give me chills.

6. Wither

The house that Rhine lives in after becoming a Bride and the all futuristic gadgets and illusions would be on the top of my wish list for this movie. That house is so detailed that it would be fun to see it realized in a movie.

7. Die For Me -

The setting of Paris would make it visually pleasing. The sword fight scenes, and that romantic end scene would leave everyone dying to go to Paris and find their own Vincent.

8 Divergent

The whole world Veronica Roth has created begs to be made into a movie. The scene where Tris jumps off the building not knowing what awaits her at the bottom would be my most wanted scene. I would love the complicated, intense relationship between her and Four as well. Getting to see where the Dauntless live as that area was so detailed.

9. The Iron Fey Series

Getting to see the NeverNever and the Summer and Winter Courts would be amazing. I can already visualize the Winter Court and it would be stunning on screen. The magic, romance, and epic fight scenes would make this one visually captivating movie.

I am sure there are tons of books I am not thinking of right now. What is the book you hope they make into a movie?

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Release Date – May 31, 2010
Publisher – HarperTeen
Pages - 496
My Rating- 9/10
ARC from HarperTeen and Net galley (thank you to both of them)


Here is the synopsis from GoodReads

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

This is a YA debut author and the first in a 3 book series. Josephine Angelini’s writing style is easy to get used to, descriptive and refreshing. I am floored by the amount of planning that must have went into the background and mythology of this series.

When we first meet Helen she is so fully unaware of how special she is. The girl we first met was awkward, shy, and really sweet. Her father and her have a great relationship. They take care of each other and are there for each other. The Delos family moves to Nantucket and they are immediately big news as the island is basically a small town. Helen also changes. She becomes the type of heroine I adore. Strong, capable and someone who embraces what is in her. She is no damsel in distress.

Helen’s best friend Claire may have been my favourite part of the novel. She’s tiny, spunky, feisty and hilarious. I felt myself relating to her as I am 5 fee 0 inches myself. Claire just seemed to jump off the page and really was a delight to read. I hope to see more of her in the next books.

Lucas is the perfect hero - handsome, sweet, strong and caring. His connection with his family was also very sweet. They are so close. It was hard for me at times to not think of them as being all brothers and sisters. The chemistry between him and Helen is electric. It doesn’t matter if they are wanting to kill each other, or wanting to make out the reader can feel the passion and connection between these two. I am curious to see what the consequences of some of their actions will be.

Lucas’s extended family were great as well. I really liked Hector and am looking forward to seeing the rest of his story unfold as I was quite invested in him by the end of the book. Jason was also a highlight as was Ariadne. We are introduced to a lot of characters rather quickly but Josephine gives each one a distinct personality.

I felt like we were just getting to meet the villains in this novel. I however, think that this novel was more about building the world, Helen and Lucas’s connection and Helen coming into her own. There is tons of potential for the next two books to deliver in the villain department and I can’t wait to see where the story goes.

I would recommend this if you are a fan of any YA series out there right now. The world Josephine has created, the mythology and the characters will draw you in. I am going to be counting down the days until I can get my hands on Dreamless.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My selection this Wednesday is Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.

Here is the GoodReads synopsis

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history. As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

This is a Greek mythology based novel. It’s based on the Helen of Troy tale. The cover is simply beautiful. Very striking. The premise is what hooked me though. I love great tragic romances and the Helen of Troy/Paris romance fits that. I am looking forward to seeing what the author has done with the tale.

Expected release date is May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen.