Friday, November 27, 2009

The No Kill Book Shelter


Just because one person didn't appreciate a book doesn't mean that someone else won't absolutely love it. The books you'll find here in the shelter have been badly neglected and unloved. In some instances they've even been verbally abused. Book violence is a very serious issue, one that we should all do our part to remedy. Support your local No Kill Book Shelter and give a bad book a second chance.

Two responsible, caring, screened families will be chosen and eligible to adopt the unloved book of their choice. First winner picks first....duh...and so on. Deadline for application is December 8th and I will announce winners on the 9th so not much time!

Go visit Life After Jane for more information and to enter!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Debut Author Challenge '10

I'm going to be participating in the 2010 Debut Author Challenge. My goal is to read at least 12 debuts but hopefully I'll get to many more.

What is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge?
The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year.* I’m going to challenge everyone to read at least 12 debut novels! I’m hoping to read at least 30! You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year. I will also be focusing on mostly Young Adult novels.
Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by posting a review on Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site.
The challenge will run from January 1, 2010- December 31, 2010. You can join at anytime! 

For more info visit The Story Siren.

Here are just a few of the ones I hope to read for the challenge:
-I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer
-The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
-The Duff by Kody Keplinger
-Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
-Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

I only have one of these at the moment so I'll have to buy or get from the library the others as they're released.

I'll list the ones I've finished for this challenge on this post.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen


Synopsis from bn.com:

As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her gowing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?
------

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine was interesting and original. It managed to be cute but still serious. There was even a dash of romance and cute boys thrown in to the story to add just the right about of spiciness.

The plot was went at a medium pace. The whole book took place over a span of just a few days. So a lot goes on in just a short amount of time even though it doesn't seem like it.

The characters were quite well-developed. You see more than one side to every character. For instance, you are shown Nikki's evil aunt's vulnerable side. This gives you more insight into the motivation for her actions. Characters that start out as friends become enemies and vice versa. Some relationships end up in ways you wouldn't expect.

When Nikki's dad randomly sends a messenger for her, she doesn't know what to think. All her life she thought he was dead. The fact that she doesn't immediately believe what she's being told and just go along with it makes the story more realistic and believable.

There are even some action-filled scenes so things never get too boring. Nikki isn't a damsel in distress in these situations, either. She can definitely handle the bad guys on her own. Of course, a little help from adorable Michael never hurts.

Overall, this was a fun novel. I'd love to read the next books in the series.

4 out fo 5 stars

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Contest: Darlene Ryan Prize Pack

To Enter: Fill out this form.


Open to:
US or Canada only.

You win: Rules for Life, Saving Grace, Responsible and Five Minutes More -all by Darlene Ryan, plus a chocolate surprise

For Extra Entries:
+1 Follow this blog
+1 Follow me on Twitter (@katiesbookshelf)
+2 Link to this contest (sidebars are fine)

Ends: December 1, 2009

Please fill out the above form to be entered. Any entries left in the comments will not be counted!

A special thanks goes to Darlene Ryan for donating the prizes!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Guest Blog: LM Preston

TRUSTING IN YOURSELF

Trusting your own gut feelings is one of the best gifts we possess.  We all get that little ‘twinge’ when something just isn’t right.  When that happens…LISTEN TO IT!  Trust yourself or your ‘gut’ some call it.  Trust it at all times, it will never steer you wrong.

When I was young I lived in the inner-city.  The neighborhood I called home, had gangs, drugs, muggers, killers, and lots of kids and family nearby.  However, with all of these things present, I didn’t realize that my gut instincts were strengthening with each day I played outside, walked to school, to the bus, or traveled the city alone.

I never understood why my grandmother, affectionately named NaNa, didn’t want me to leave my block to go to the store alone.  Or why, I wasn’t allowed to cut through the alleys to get to my cousin’s house, and the numerous lists of things I was told to watch out for.

My main character in EXPLORER X – Alpha realizes that something isn’t quite right with the immunization he is given.  Aadi takes the initiative as asks the Doctor why it is being given to him.  In addition to this finding, Aadi confirms his concerns with others. 

Here are some steps to take in trusting yourself in all things;

LISTEN TO THAT ‘TWINGE’ IN YOUR GUT

When you are in a situation with a friend or an adult, and you get that feeling that something isn’t quite right, then you are most likely correct.  Learn yourself, and test this ability. 

Take this example for instance.  Your friend tells you that you should sneak out to go to that great party that so-and-so is going to, but you feel this tickle in your tummy before you hesitate.  This is your gut talking to you.  It’s telling you … hold on … don’t jump into this.

Listen to it.  Find out how your gut talks to you.  Think of all those times you got into major trouble, and ponder over what you felt just before you did the deed that got you into that mess.  That’s how you learn how your psyche talks to you.

TAKE A STEP BACK, AND ASK QUESTIONS

Never, ever, feel like you don’t have the right to ask a question.  Asking a question only gets you in trouble when it hasn’t been asked, or the person of whom you are asking the question doesn’t want to give you an answer.

Don’t think I’m right on this?  Test it, and think back to times when the person of whom you asked a question reacted negatively.  In most cases, it is because they don’t want to give you an answer.

Asking the question is never, ever wrong.  You have the right.  So use it when you are in those situations where your gut is telling you that something is just not adding up.

IF IT DOESN’T ADD UP THEN IT DOESN’T ADD UP

When something doesn’t make sense, or the story just sounds down right disjointed, and your gut is telling you that something is off.  Then trust your gut, something is off.

This is a saying my Nana used to tell me when I would give her a scenario of what a friend told me, or did to me.

“Honey, if it doesn’t add up, it won’t add up.  Something is definitely not right with that story.”

Do you know in each instance she said this, she was absolutely correct. 

TAKE ACTION

If you get that feeling something isn’t right take action. 

In EXPLORER X – Alpha Aadi and Eirena, his co-pilot investigated their gut feeling that something is off about their camp with their team.  They find that terrible things have been done to them.

There are several ways to take action.  Here are some;
-         Just tuck the knowledge away, and wait for the truth to reveal itself.  Believe it or not this happens a lot in life.  The truth has a way of coming out.  Sometimes it happens quickly, and sometimes it takes a long, long time. 
-         Ask questions.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions in order to get the answers you want.  You can ask anyone questions, and that may solve the mystery.
-         Run away or stay away.  If you are in a situation where an adult or a peer appears to be leading you in a direction that you feel is not safe.  Run.  There is no harm in running away from or staying away from someone.


TAKE ACTION

Realize that you have control of your destiny.  No matter what happens to you in your life, you can learn from it all and become a better person.  Making the same mistakes will become harder the more you learn to trust your gut instincts, and yourself.
by: LM Preston, www.lmpreston.com author of EXPLORER X - Alpha

Also, check out her book trailer for Explorer X -Alpha: