Contest Craze!

Many people may know this already but there are some CRAZY-AWESOME contests going on at Princess Bookie's website. There are opportunities for so many people to win some of the hottest releases AND today is a special day with even more contests! So you should definitely head over and see what titles you can win!
Check it out at Princess Bookie!

The Time Machine

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

Scholastic, 1978

123 pages

Science Fiction; Classic

FITG Challenge

Summary: The classic story of a man who builds a time machine and travels into a horrifying future.

Why I Read: It was assigned for class but it also overlapped with a personal challenge.

My Thoughts: I didn't really know what to expect but the future that this man goes into is like a capitalist nightmare. The leisured class have degenerated into frolickers while the workers have become blind mole people who feast on them. It was weird. Then he goes even further into the future where pretty much everything is dead. It is certainly not the kind of future I would want to imagine and put down on paper although I am also not a brilliant writer and I'm not aspiring to that.

Overall: 4 out of 5. It's an important book; part of the founding of the genre of science fiction and very interesting in its forecasting of the future but it's not really my type of book. It is however blessedly short (and my copy had largeish font so it's actually even shorter.)

I do kind of want to see the 2002 film with Guy Pearce which is apparently quite altered but also features the very hot Guy Pearce. Has anybody seen it?

New Glee Song!!!

So I'm a big Glee fan and I saw that "Gives You Hell" from episode 14 "Hell-O" was on youtube (can't find it on itunes for some reason; there's probably something wrong with me). Anyway check it out and remember the new episode airs at 9:28 (after American Idol) on Tuesday April 13! I can't wait!

Going Too Far

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Pocket Books, 2009

245 pages

YA; Contemporary

Summary: Meg wants to get out of her crappy little town and she's so very close until a scrap with the law throws her in contact with John, a police officer who plans to never leave that town. Tension!

Why I Read: I saw good reviews of it and I enjoy Jennifer Echols' books.

My Thoughts: I wasn't too sure about this book as I usually prefer good girl/bad boy mashups (I can identify more with the good girl-yeah I'm kind of a goody two shoes) but I do love honorable men and I had a good experience with The Ex Games and I'm craving Endless Summer which doesn't come out until May (can't wait!) so I jumped in. Right off the bat I didn't like Meg or more accurately I didn't approve of her actions and attitude but she's honest and to the point so I started liking her more. She's hanging out with a pothead college dropout when she's arrested by police officer John who I also didn't like at first because she described him as looking maybe 40. He is very brusque and by the book. Then he decides to teach her a lesson by getting her assigned to shadow him to more fully understand the wrongness of her criminality. During they're conversations, there is immense growth and personal reflection (largely on her side since it's from her point of view) and I really appreciated that. There's more I want to say but they would be spoilers. It has a good ending and I recommend it.

Reader Warning: Casual attitude toward sex and some language.

Overall: 4 out of 5. I didn't love it like some bloggers have but I think it is worth reading, especially if you have enjoyed other Echols/want to read a slightly darker YA than usual. Not that this is that dark but compared to what I usually read, it is.

Cover: Not my taste-wish we could see the heroine's blue hair as that's pretty important to the story and I don't think the guy's chin is masculine enough.

The Ex Games

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols,

Simon Pulse, 2009

302 pages

YA; Contemporary

Summary: Hayden and Nick have a history. And when he challenges her to a snowboarding contest, it's her turn to get the upper hand.

Why I Read: I love the Simon Pulse books and Jennifer Echols wrote my favorite, The Boys Next Door.

My Thoughts: Echols writes the most wonderful sexual tension scenes for YA that I've ever read. And Hayden and Nick have some good ones. And they have some good friends who are important parts of the story. I also love Hayden's family. The plot is pretty skimpy but you should know that if you've read any of these books.

Unfortunately the main characters are really stupid. I mean, they are such idiots and it takes them forever to just talk to each other and work out the massive number of issues that they have. Basically Hayden is still freaked out by having broken her leg years before and Nick is the son of tremendously wealthy parents. Why don't people ever talk to each other sensibly?! And Nick's hair sounds like it is too long for my taste but that's a weird thing that I have.

Overall: 4 out of 5 for delicious squishiness.

Cover: I love these covers-they're so distinctive! I'm definitely disappointed that they're changing them because I'm not sure I'll recognize them now.

Other Jennifer Echols: Endless Summer containing The Boys Next Door and a sequel is out May 25th-keep an eye out for it! I know I'm planning to buy it!

Reminder to self of Simon Pulse books I need to read: The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren (missed that one when it came out); Drive Me Crazy; Love Off Limits; Perfect Shot; Hard to Get; At First Sight

Stupid Cupid

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

Simon Pulse, 2009

244 pages

YA; Contemporary

1st in trilogy

Summary: Felicity applies for and gets a job as a cupid. She is assigned to match up couples in her high school. This starts off well enough but when she matches her friend Maya up with three guys (a big no-no), things could turn ugly.

Why I Read: I had seen some reviews of it and I liked the concept.

My Thoughts: I don't know if I've read too much YA lately or if I'm becoming blase but I found this rather predictable and the main character very aggravating. Her attitude toward her job was infuriating-she didn't follow the most basic instructions, she didn't try to read the manual all the way through, and she was very lucky that her boss did not figure out her deceptions and that nothing was ruined through her actions.

On the bright side, I really liked Maya who is torn between three guys because each of them have a little bit in common with her and is unable to make up her heart. I liked Felicity's parents and am interested to learn more about her brother who was very loosely drawn. Then there is their other friend Andy who I think will be matched with someone in the second book. And her crush Derek sounds okay, although he reminds me of Derek from The Swan Princess (not necessarily a bad thing).

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 for an annoying heroine but fun concept and likeable supporting cast.

Cover: I think the cover is cute-simple but eye catching.

The Last Illusion

The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen

Minotaur Books, 2010.

279 pages

Series; Mystery; Historical

Summary: The ninth book in the Molly Murphy, Lady Detective series. Molly is an Irish immigrant in NYC circa 1903. She is engaged to policeman Daniel Sullivan and in this installment is investigating mysterious happenings surrounding the magician Harry Houdini.

Why I Read: I've read many of the previous Molly books and I had not even realized there was a new book so I was very excited.

My Thoughts: While it was mostly enjoyable, I had a few problems. First I'm very angry at Daniel for his "maleness." He keeps insisting that Molly will give up her detective agency when they get married; but then the series will be over! :-( I don't want that to happen. Then, and I realize this is a minor problem, there were multiple times when it was said that theater people sleep late. I don't know why that had to be repeated so much!

I also figured out some aspects of the mystery although not quite everything. I liked the way everything intertwined and the new character Wilkie (I can't explaining why without spoilers). I liked the Houdinis as portrayed by Bowen; obviously it's difficult to discern how accurate the personalities are of historical figures but I hope these are somewhat true.

Overall: 4 out of 5. I was disappointed but it was still good.

Cover: I do like the cover: the colors, getting to see Molly as flesh and blood.