Your Dreams Are Not Your Own

...says the tag-line on Lisa McMann's Wake.

I finished this book today, and it was absolutely amazing. I'm a bigger fan of YA fiction because of this book. McMann truly has a wonderful story on her hands, and I'm so glad my friend recommended this for me. I can't wait to read the second book ((I'm pretty sure this is a series))!

Her writing style took some getting used to. I didn't hate it, but it seemed kind of bland at first. The more I read, though, the more I got sucked into the story. The character was just so engaging. The plot -- to me -- refreshing. And the voice was so real. I loved it.

For those of you unfamiliar with this book, it follows Janie Hannagan. From the time she was eight-years-old, she's been helplessly sucked into the dreams of those in close proximity to her. The more nightmarish the dream, the more difficult it is to pull herself out. It reveals the frustrations and tribulations she faces for being so different.

Cabel, a supporting character, is a total win. I love him. I think you will, too.

I still have many questions, which I hope Lisa answers for me in Fade. I'm going to order my hardcover copy off of Amazon right now. Wake, too, though I can't find the hardcover version. *grumbles* Anyway, I just can't wait to have them in my bookshelf.

The Sign for Drowning is a little slower going, as it's harder to read. Wake was a breeze, and just so engaging -- and again -- on my iPod which I can hide easier than a book while at work. But I feel like I'm finally coming along quite nicely.

In random, other news, I found out today I was named Honorable Mention in the 78th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Genre was Short Story. *smile* Pretty stoked.

Happy reading, everyone!

Winner!

On behalf of Buttercup and myself, we'd like to announce the winner of the October Giveaway.

*ahem*

Congratulations April of Good Books & Good Wine!!!! You'll receive Finger Lickin' Fifteen and Love Overboard by Ms. Evanovich.

And thank you all so much for entering! The book recommendations were fabulous! Be sure to check back on November 1st for the next one!



Life is hectic, so I don't have much to update on. I'm reading The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman & Wake by Lisa McMann. Both are pretty fabulous right now.

Right. So, I have homework waiting for me. I gotta get that accomplished.

Happy reading everyone!

Congrats again, April!

Awards and Such

First, allow me to plug myself: my second giveaway ends tonight at 11:59PM (EST). Thanks to all of you who have already entered! You're fabulous.

Next, I need to show off/pass along some awards I've been holding. So thanks a ton to Misty for her supreme awesomeness. Check out her blog, will you?

This award is simply to be passed

along to those who have given me awards.

With that said, here ya go!

Jessica @ Desparado Penguin

Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookshelf

Rachy @ Parajunkee's View

The following awards, much to my chagrin, are commenting awards;

since I haven't commented on blogs in a while

I feel like a turd, especially since I'm

only now putting them up on my blog.

Yes, I am a loser.

So, anyway, the following will receive both blogs.

Snatch away!

Jessica @ Desparado Penguin
Rosie @ Books and Bakes
Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookshelf
Erica @ Soon Remembered Tales

Enjoy the awards!

Moving along: midterms are over. I'm almost through with the semester. Yay! I can't wait for winter break; I plan to sit around, drink hot chocolate, and read endlessly. When I'm not at work, that is.

I'm almost finished with The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan, which is really good so far. It was written in the 70s, but aside from a few minor details, I can't really tell the time-frame. Which is really nice, in my opinion.

Next I'm going to read The Sign for Drowning. I'm super excited for that one. Anything pertaining to the deaf or deaf culture, I'm hooked.

After the semester, I'll get around to reading the other books I've started. Jessica gave me a really good idea: focus on the smaller books during the semester. I feel much less like a loser that way. *wink* I'm a bit of a slow reader anyway, so juggling papers, homework, and 200 page (at the most) books is a lot easier.

...and now it's time for me to do homework. Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy reading!

Nothing Much Here

Thanks so much for the support regarding my last post, everyone. The comments and emails were discouraging.

School is still crazy busy; midterm is this week, so I have tons to do, but I'm managing.

Desipte the beaucoups of homework assignments, I've been able to cross The Chocolate War and soon The Twisted Window off my reading list. *smile* So, I have been quasi productive.

...this was just a little nothing post since I haven't been able to post lately.

**Thanks to those who have entered in my 2nd Giveaway.

Happy reading, everyone!

Hello, I am Fail

I'm absurdly positive I'm not going to have 50 novels read by January. My course load is ridiculous. *sigh*

I'm currently trying to read three books: Jane Eyre, Echoes and The Butterfly Tattoo. The first is too difficult to read in public, so I try to read it before bed -- if I manage not to pass out. The second is to kill time in between classes, but said time has mostly been used on homework. The third is on my iPod Kindle Application that I read while at work, 'cause I ain't allowed to have books at work. iPods are probably bad, too, but it's easier to hide. *wink*

Now, I'm getting information on three Lois Duncan stories for my online Young Adult class: The Twisted Window, The Third Eye, and I Know What You Did Last Summer ((yes, which the movie is based on; interesting, no?)). All of which I want to read! But I don't have time!! *defeated sigh*

How long does it take some of you to read a book? Families and work and other duties thrown in. I feel like such an epic fail.

Higher education is overrated.

I need to get back to homework. I promise to return soon with the lovely awards Misty left me; she's so nice. (:

Happy reading everyone, and I hope you have better luck than I!

PS:
Sorry I haven't visited blogs lately. I'm such a bad neighbor, but I promise to make time to do so soon!

Giveaway:: Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Kicking off October's Giveaway, my singing Valentine Gorilla ((affectionately named Buttercup)) would like to present you Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich:


Now, I came across this book through the Literary Guild. You know, if you don't check your email often they send you these little notices saying "please reply to your main selections!" and if you do not, well, then they send it to you anyway. I've been guilty of this countless times, but this time I thought I'd be clever and give this as a Happy Birthday gift to a friend, as I know she reads this series. This was some weeks ago, and I got a text from her after I've contrived my awesome plan that said::

I'm so excited to read my new Stephanie Plum novel!!!!!!! *smileyfacesallovertheplace*

For a moment I was confused as to how she knew I was intending to give her the novel...and then I realized...Oh.

So my awesome plan failed -- lucky for you.

I hear this is a great author and a great series. I'd keep it, but I can't just dive into a middle of a series like that. I have to start all the way back at number one. So, here's the October Giveaway!!

It's hardcover. And as you can hopefully see by Buttercup channeling his inner Vana White, it's in excellent condition. Never read. I've only recently removed it from the box. I promise to dust it off before I send it out. ;) Oh! *Also! You'll be receiving another novel by Ms. Evanovich ((just for being soo awesome!!)). I do believe this one's older but was reprinted. Love Overboard. The cover says it was originally titled as Ivan Takes a Wife. This additional novel ((in soft cover)) has been gently used, so there are slight creases around the spine but in otherwise awesome condition.

This time around, I will keep this contest open until Thursday, October 15th. It's open to U.S. Residents only, I'm sorry.

Borrowing from other bloggers as they conduct their contests, things will be different this time around. There will be more chances for your name to be entered into the drawing, which is always a good idea!

+1 Please comment here with a book you'd like to recommend me read; I love getting recommendations! ((Be sure to consult my booklist for any repeats)). Don't forget to leave an email address so I can contact the winner.

+2 If you follow me, I'll love you. (:

+3 If you give me a plug, I'll love you even more! ((Mention me in a blog post, or put it on a side bar. Be sure to give me a link!))

That's six chances to win. ;)


Well, with that said...Good luck to everyone! Enjoy!