Saturday, December 19, 2009

December Specials.... week 3

This week I posted a few "Looking to Read" lists and that's what the December Special for week 3 is! If you're looking to read from a genre I didn't post, make a comment on this post and I'll get right to it!

Enjoy- hope your holiday season is going nicely :)

~Rachel

Looking to read... Fantasy?

Looking to read a nice fantasy novel? Check out the following...:


*Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

*Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

*The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

*Ever by Gail Carson Levine

*The Fairy's Return and other Princess Tales (amazing fairy tales in that one) by Gail Carson Levine

*The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

*Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

*Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

*The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Looking to read... Vampire books/series

Check out these titles if you're interested in a nice vamp read


*Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

*Night World series by L.J. Smith

*The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

*House of Night series by P.C. Cast

*Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber

*Dracula by Bram Stoker

*Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

*Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

*Vampire Academy by Rachel Mead

*Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris

*Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

*Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine

*Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Looking to read... Teen Fiction

Take a look at these titles if you're interested in some fiction:

*The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

*Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

*The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

*The Giver by Lois Lowry

*Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

*Paper Towns by John Green

*Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Jumping off Swings by Jo Knowles

Title: Jumping off Swings

Author: Jo Knowles

Rating: 4 stars

Ages Recommended: 13 and up!


Ellie and Josh were a one time thing...
And then Ellie finds out she's pregnant. In the midst of all this confusion and growing up, Caleb and Corrine, Ellie's best friend and Josh's best friend fall in love.
Ellie's baby is given up for adoption.

And that's pretty much it.
It was a very strangely laid out book. I did enjoy it- it was also really really sad, but over all pretty good.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Touch by Francine Prose

Title: Touch

Author: Francine Prose

Rating: 4 stars

Ages Recommended for: 14 and up

All in all, this book was pretty good. It was a very very quick read for me.
When Maisie Willard moves back home with her dad and stepmother after a year living with her birth mother and new step father, Maisie comes home looking a lot different. Her three best friends, all guys, Chris, Kevin and Shakes notice her changes the minute she walks in the door.
When Chris and Kevin touched Maisie inappropriatly in the back seat of the school bus, Maisie's life goes up in flames, Joan, her stepmother has a counselor and lawyer for the case come in. But can Maisie remember what really happened that morning in the back of the bus, or be burried in endless lies mixed with truths.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December Specials: Week 2

Bonjour, peoples!


It's December Specials, week 2!



First off, what is Rachel reading this week?


*Sleepless by Thomas Fahy

*Shadowland by Alyson Noel
*Touch by Francine Prose

*Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles

Rachel's Chick-Lit YA Books list:


1) Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen


2) The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot


3) The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares


4) The Clique series by Lisi Harrison



5) Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard


Series of the week:

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard!!

When Alison disappears on the last day of 7th grade, Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna are all upset... or- relieved?
Alison knew every dirty little secret the girls held.
But... when the girls, years later after Ali's disappearence get texts signed by the mysterious "A", threatening to uproot their lives by telling the secrets that only Ali herself knew...
What will happen?
Filled with scares, uplifting hairs, mystery, death, a bit of romance and so much more, the Pretty Little Liars series is a MUST READ!
Book 1: Pretty Little Liars
Book 2: Flawless
Book 3: Perfect
Book 4: Unbelieveable
Book 5: Wicked
Book 6: Killer
Book 7: Heartless, available in January 2010


Sara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She is now living in Tucson, Arizona.



Enjoy, fellow readers!
A shorter weekly special that usual, but alas a good one! :)

Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles

Title: Lessons from a Dead Girl

Author: Jo Knowles

Rating: 5 stars!!

Ages Reccomended for: 14 and up


Lainey and Leah have been best friends since 5th grade. But Laine hates Leah with all her heart. Leah was abused and takes it out on Laine- Lainey has no real friends and lives life trailing along with Leah, being tormented the whole time with her chants and 'lessons'. The book goes through 5th-10th grade, telling all of Leah and Laine's tales, good and bad until Leah's last moments.
When Leah gets into trouble and starts cutting, she switches schools and Laine thinks she's finally been freed. But no.
Years later, finally with her first two real friends ever in Sophmore year, Lainey thinks she finally fits in. But at a party Laine finds Leah at, Leah gets drunk. She tells everyone her and Laine's secrets, all about their little lessons in the closet.
And now Leah Greene is dead.
A quick read and very much enjoyed- hard to put down!!


"This book fearlessly tells a story I haven't heard told before in the pages of YA fiction. Knowles nails the dynamics of abuse and guilt, power and shame, that permeate some childhood friendships- more, I fear, than we care to realize." -Sara Zarr, author of "Story of a Girl"

"A haunting story of a girl's journey to understanding." -Booklist

"A razor-sharp examination of friendship, abuse and secrets." - Kirkus Reviews




Tuesday, December 8, 2009

How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro

Title: How to Hook a Hottie

Author: Tina Ferraro

Rating: 5 stars Very, very good and highly reccomended for any one in need of a smile with a bit of romance kicked in!

Age reccomended for: 12 and up!

Kate Delvecchio has one goal: to become a millionaire by the time she's 20. Bad news: Her parents obviously don't agree with this, and want Kate to go to college. But here's the catch: If she can raise five thousand dollars by graduation day, her parents will hand over her college savings and let her invest it as she pleases.
The Junior class is impressed as Kate gets a date with the hottest guy in school..... and there's Kate's million dollar hookup: One by one, she gets requests from classmates trying to hook their own hotties. Now how can this plan backfire?



Monday, December 7, 2009

Rachel's YA Romance books list

Rachel's Young Adult Romance Books List:

1) The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

2) Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

3) The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, #3) by Phillip Pullman

4) Ever by Gail Carson Levine

5) My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

6) Shug by Jenny Han

7) The Immortals series by Alyson Noel

8) Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

9) Need by Carrie Jones

10) House of Night series by P.C. and Kristen Cast

Enjoy- let me know if anyone has read these!

♥Rachel

Friday, December 4, 2009

READY??? It's the first ever Rachelsreviews blog special!! Yay!! You're probably wondering why the heck am I so excited about this- but I really truly am! So I hope everyone enjoys.

What is Rachel reading this week, you ask...

Check out:

*The Immortals series #3, Shadowland by Alyson Noel

*House of Night series, Tempted by P.C. Cast

*Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles





The Immortals Series by Alyson Noel

This series is absolutely amazing. Beautifully written by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Alyson Noel and currently consists of three books: Evermore, Blue Moon and the newest, just released: Shadowland.
I'd call the Immortals books a mix of fantasy and romance.
There's enough romance to suit my needs and get past my dislike of pure fantasy. It's actually not too bad, though, and not exactly fantasy... Hmmm.

The fantasy is the part about the immortal creatures living, the romance is between the two main characters, Ever and Damon and the rest is probably considered to be teen fiction.
Anyways- it's about Ever Bloom. Her entire family- mom, dad, sister and even dog have been killed in a tragic car accident. Ever died too-- but she didn't. She came back Immortal, an entirely confused and scared, aura seeing immortal now living with her aunt.
Damon, who has been chasing Ever's many reincarnations for the last hundred years or so finally has his chance and gets his Ever for once and for all...

Maybe.

Throughout the series, Damon and Ever go through their pasts and presents and futures and learn about ways to save their bond and in the newest novel something even more life threatening.
The series is fabulous and words can not express how much I love it!!



"Beautiful main characters, tense budding romance, a dark secret, mysterious immortals- what more could you ask from this modern gothic romance?" says Justine Magazine.

"Readers who enjoy the works of P.C. Cast and Stephenie Meyer will love this outstanding paranormal teen lit thriller." says Midwest Book Review

"Evermore's suspence, eerie myestery, and strange magic were interestingly entertaining... I found Ever to be a character I could really respect.... Recommended." says The Bookworm

"Evermore is a fresh and original work that... branches out and explores new ground. Definitely recommended." say Cool Moms Rule!

"The writing here is clear, the story well-defined, and narrarator Ever has an engaging voice that teens should enjoy." from January Magazine

How much better could this series get- top reviews and a best selling author? Definitely recommended... by me!




Now here's the surprise author bio: SARAH DESSEN!

Sarah Dessen is personally my all-time favorite author! I love her books and have read each one multiple times. I highly recommend her books to girls who are 13-14 years of age or older.

Sarah Dessen is a #1 New York Times Best Selling Author and has written the following books:
*Just Listen
*The Truth About Forever
*This Lullaby
*Someone Like You
*Dreamland
*Lock and Key
*Keeping the Moon
*That Summer
and newest release: Along For the Ride
Sarah was born in 1070 in Illinois, but spent her life growing up in North Carolina. Sarah says she has been writing ever since she can remember and has always been a big reader. As for her life apart from writing, she has a husband, daughter and 2 dogs. Follow her blog at http://writergrl.livejournal.com/, see her on www.goodreads.com or www.sarahdessen.com!



Books to look out for coming in 2010:::::

1. Hearless, Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard
2. These Boots Are Made for Stalking, The Clique series by Lisi Harrison
3. The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
4. Eleventh Grade Burns, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer
5. Hourglass, Evernight series by Claudia Gray


OK, now you know what to expect from this months specials (yay!). I hope everyone will take the time to read through this- I know it's long, but I definitely spent time to post it. Well, all I can say is enjoy and hoped you liked it!

Luvs,
Rachel<3

December Specials!

Check back all this month to see weekly specials of the books I know you'll love!
Learn about new Romances you've got to check out, a few chick lits you'll love and even a fantasy or horror thrown in to tie it together! To finish the round I'll give the titles of my absolute favorite Christmas/Holiday best-book-ever list!

Next up:

*What's Rachel reading this week? special
*The Immortals series by Alyson Noel
*Surprise Author bio
*Upcoming releases I'm so excited to read!

So check back in a few days to get a glimpse of the specials you'll be seeing all month long! Hope you all enjoy.

Love and warm (cuz it's cold!) hugs,
Rachel

Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

Title: Stolen Children

Author: Peg Kehret

Rating: 4 stars

Ages Recomended: 11 and up!

Amy Nordlund is a highly recommended, responsible and suitible for any job babysitter (and dog walker). On short notice, she is asked to sit for Kendra Edgerton, daughter of a wealthy family. Three year old Kendra and her unattatchable toy cat, Tubby and Amy get along great. Everything goes smoothly... until about an hour after Kendra has gone down for her afternoon nap when two thugs kidnap Kendra for ransom money, and have no choice but to take Amy with them. Staying in a hunting cabin miles from home, forced to make videos daily to send to Amy and Kendra's parents, the girls live on a diet of chocolate and marshemellows. But smart Amy remembers in a story she and her friend Jorja had once written a signal to say you're about to show a clue. Amy and Kendra come up with ways to show the police where they are and how to get to them and spot the criminals who kidnapped them. With an itch of the ear, police investigators get closer and closer to finding the girls every day... But will Smokey and Hugh, the kidnappers have enough of the two children and pull something drastic...?





Twilight Fan or Faux?

By now, I expect that everyone on planet earth and Mars has heard about the fame-finding "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer.
I admit it. I read books about vampires. I love vampires- they're my favorite Paranormal type creature. Their bloodly cravings and romance in all the vamp novels just pull me in.

I read Twilight when it was just starting to find it's way into popularity- about 4 months before the movie came out. I sped through the saga, recommending the series to everyone of my peers and even adults I knew. Pretty much all of my friends have read the books and seen the movie.
Twilight's spread in popularity has made the book surprisingly really unpopular. People hate Twilight just to hate it! I think that if Twilight wasn't as popular as it is today, I would love it even more. Don't get me wrong- I'm a heeeuge fan of the series. They're wonderful and I've read them all multiple times. I'm excited to see New Moon and Edward is (*looks up*) definitely on my bedroom walls.
Series like House of Night (P. C. and Kristen Cast), Vampire Kisses (Ellen Schreiber), Morganville Vampires (Rachel Caine) and many more I really do adore and won't stop loving. But with Twilight, seeing and hearing it absolutely everywhere (!!!) has made my adoration for it not grow, but shrink.
Sorry Stephenie :(

I hope everyone read this and it's made them think!!


UPDATE: New Moon was absolutely amazing- yeah, I saw it with one of my best friends about a week or so ago! I was very very happy with it- follows the book VERY well and much better than Twilight did! So go help Kristen and Rob and Taylor and Summit earn money and see the movie!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Title and Author: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Rating: 4.8 stars!!

Ages: 12 and up

Bella Swan has just moved to Forks, Washington. New house, new car, new school- new... family of vampires?? Meeting Edward Cullen and finding out about his mysterious ways and life as a vampire was definitely NOT something Bella anticipated on stumbling upon in the teeny tiny, boring town of Forks. But will this gorgeous, sun sparkling vampire lead up to Bella's death?



The Perfect Cut by Julie Burtinshaw

Title: The Perfect Cut

Author: Julie Burtinshaw

Rating: 5 stars!

Ages recommended for: 14 and up!

Bryan's older sister, Michelle died nearly two years ago. While Bryan should be filled with grief or anger, or anything- he feels nothing. Numbness. Nothing matters anymore. Not his parents, (ex) girlfriend Jessie, school and definitely not himself. The only good Bryan feels is the relief when he cuts himself. But when Bryan is hospitalized from drug and alchohol overdose, can his parents survive the grief of possily loosing another child? And can Bryan overcome his fear of feeling and learn to be real again?



Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel.
My website is www.rachelsreviews.webs.com and pretty much all the posts on my new blog are posted directly from the website.
Join to be a member online on the website, or follow the blog- or both! On the website you can post reviews YOU wrote and if you're lucky, I'll post them for everyone to see! You can chat in forums, IM with other members, post pictures and gab about great books!