Challenges and Trailers for 2012 ♥

As the title insinuates, I shall be participating in a couple of challenges for 2012. :)

Beautiful button, right? Plus, it fits with the theme of my blog! :)

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE:

• To read & review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.*

*The 2013 extension is so that December Debuts can be read and count toward the challenge.

RULES & GUIDELINES:

• You must have a Blog to post your reviews or be a member of Goodreads. 
• Your blog must be written in English.
• Deadline to join is May 31, 2012.

BOOK GUIDELINES:

• Must be a young adult or middle grade title.
• Must be the author’s YA or MG debut, released in 2012.
• If an author has a previous novel published for adults or children, they can still qualify for the challenge.
• If an author has a previous YA or MG title, they do not qualify for the challenge.

You can sign up here! I've yet to decide my list of books, but I'll add a page to my navigation bar about my challenges and such soon.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
2. Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

1. Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
2. CD - 10 ebooks
3. DVD - 25 ebooks
4. Memory stick - 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive - 75 ebooks
6. Server - 100 ebooks
7. Human brain - 150 ebooks

Well, I've got to put my Kindle to use more often and what better way is there than this lovely bit of a challenge? :) I plan to aim for 25 books (DVD), but perhaps if I happen to have more time for reading next year, I'll move up. You can sign up here!

Now, on to the second part of this post: TRAILERS!

You've heard about it, you've probably already watched this, but holy CRAPPERS, there is an official trailer for The Hunger Games. That's right, The Hunger Games trailer. Enough of my babbling, go ahead and watch it again (and freak out if you must)~

Epic, right? If only March was a little sooner. ;_;

Now the second trailer... I'm super excited for this book to come out in January 2012! I recently got an ARC (and it's sitting in my TBR pile as of right now) and as soon as I finish Touch of Frost series and Nevemore, I'll start on it. :)

May I present to you... Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

I just love it ♥ Add this book to your to-read list on Goodreads... NAO.

Are you participating in any challenges this year? How about them trailers, eh? -winks-

In My Mailbox [11/13/11]

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren.

I had a small, but nevertheless, awesome week of books.

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne (For Review)

Ah I cannot wait to read this! It sounds like a creepy thriller, which I have been in dire need of in midst of all these YA paranormal romances!

Kiss of Frost (Touch of Frost #2) by Jennifer Estep (For Review)

I'm reading Touch of Frost, its predecessor, right now and it's really good! I got this as a suprise package from Kensington.

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (Borrowed)

First off, look at that book! It's a whoppin' 543 pages!

Egads, I have been hearing non-stop rave reviews from this book but the cover ALWAYS stopped me from borrowing it. That guy on the cover completely turns me off! Yesterday however, I just decided, "Eh what the heck?" and borrowed it. I'm barely on page 50 but it's really good! (Never judge a book by its cover...)

What's in your mailbox?

Follow Friday [11/11/11]

Visit Parajunkee and Alison!

Q: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite soldier and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.

Fictional or real life, I don't particularly have a favorite soldier. However, the soldiers out there are amazing because they sacrifice their time and risk their lives for us and their country. ♥

Happy Veteran's Day to all!

Review: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Book: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Pages: 354
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Source: Review copy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.


Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic.

If you guys don't know, I read one of her previous books, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, and I just absolutely adored it! When I was asked to review this, I just knew I would like this from the moment I saw it. So the question is... just why the heck did I wait so long to read this?! (Well, I guess the answer is other books seduced me with their pretty covers and there's the fact that I have so much schoolwork...)

Waiting on Wednesday [11/9/11]

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Dude... Why is this cover so pretty? It's almost ridiculous how gorgeous it is. *drools* I NEED THIS. (O_O)

What are you waiting for this fine Wednesday?

For All You Julie Kagawa (IRON FEY, TEAM ASH/PUCK) Fans!

 In a future world

Vampires reign.

Humans are

Bloodcattle.

And one girl

Will search for the key

To save humanity.

You will kill. The only question is when. 

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

  

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

  

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Yes, yes, YES. For all you Team Ash/Meghan/Puck/GRIM fans, I present to you a new series from the badass author named Julie Kagawa.

In My Mailbox: The OMGWTF Edition

This is what I got:

For Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton and Incarnate by Jodi Meadows.

And this was my face:

Many thanks to the staff at HarperCollins! They even put a little Post-It saying "Enjoy!" on one of the books. Of course, after my OMGWTF face, happy dancing and squeals ensued.

Bought for FREE on the Kindle:

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

These books both sound amazing! I really can't wait to get started on these. WOO-HOO for indie authors! I planned to get started on Incarnate first, but funny thing is my dad grabbed it and is reading it as we speak. o_O

What did you guys get in your mailbox?

Review: Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Book: Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden? 


Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.

Not particularly mind-blowing, Dark Eden proved to be a somewhat entertaining book.

Follow Friday [11/4/2011]

Q: Today’s Question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

It was a quick picture before school! Don't judge me XD

Yes, everyone... In my hand, I hold a Balanchine Special Dark Chocolate. (Or, I guess you could say I'm reading All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin)

What are you guys reading this special Friday? ^_^