I'm really bad at keeping secrets...

Well, during the past month or two I have been planning something. No, not a contest, dearies, I don't have the money for that. The books maybe but not the money. Now don't leave my site after seeing that there will be no giveaway because that highly offends me. =) Anyway, I'm just telling everyone to check in tomorrow for something special! Some may like it, but if there is a person out there with my exact tastes then they will. That's all I shall say.

Hearts&Circles (and don't forget tomorrow!),
Tay-Toe

It's Crazy Day!

I think Saturdays are always going to be dubbed crazy days. 'Cause on Saturday you are usually alone and when you're alone you start freaking. Like making sound effects and laughing hysterically about nothing. (I have one example on the phone right now.) So, um, if you're having a crazy day either take a deep breath or stay away from the public because you might scare them.

I'm having one of those days... CRAZY! But not really... I don't sniff paint, people.

Hearts&Circles,
Tay-Toe

Is anybody there? *echoes. echoes.*

Haha. Well... I am not so subtly asking for comments. Yeah, I know that I'm a newb, somewhat, but isn't part of the thrill of being a book reviewer knowing that people are reading your reviews and maybe taking what you said to heart? I sure think so. And as much as I love having my best friend following me, she is the one and only person commenting. Apparently my blog is a huge dedication to her. *Sigh. Being dramatic.* So, if you happen to be reading my stuff, tell me what you think. Even if I suck, go ahead and tell me! Show your love, people! Or hate! Whichever!

Hearts & Circles,
Tay-Toe

Destination: Elsewhere

I am truly sorry for not posting in a while. I took a trip to Procrastination Nation, and I hadn't come back since now. Well, today, that is, since I was sick and had a day off school, basically. That was a lot of commas. Whoa. Anyway, I'm done giving excuses so we can move on to....

~*~Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin~*~

Is it possible to grow up while getting younger?

-

This story is about a girl named Liz who died because she didn't look both ways while crossing the street. She wakes up the next day on the (i think) S.S. Nile with another girl her age. What she doesn't realize--and won't accept--is that she is dead and this cruise ship is taking her to the afterlife, named Elsewhere. Elsewhere is a place that is basically like Earth. You can have jobs, friends, a spouse, a house, a car, it's all the same really. Except, in Elsewhere, instead of growing up, you get younger. From the age that you die, you slowly revert back and back until you are a baby and they take you back to Earth. Liz goes to Elsewhere and meets her grandmother who died before they could ever meet. Liz also meets many others, like the lead singer of one of her favorite bands, and a dog who wants an owner. In the beginning, Liz refuses to believe that she is dead, and once she does, she doesn't want to give up her old life. She observes her family almost everyday, and doesn't care about anything else. When she remembers that her dad's birthday is coming up, she commits a crime and goes to a place called the Well. It is forbidden to go there because you can mess with Earth people's lives there and create trouble. When there, Liz tells her brother to retrieve a present Liz had bought for her father from her room, but in the end it doesn't turn out well. After this, she meets a guy named Owen (he is also the officer dude who busted Liz at the Well, but whatev). They fall in love, all howdy-doo, but then Owen's wife comes along... Well, eventually Liz and Owen get back together, but it isn't clear if they are "together" or not. My favorite part of the book was near the end when it focuses on Liz getting younger. Especially the ending page... *sigh* But, gosh, I loved this book so much. Liz really annoyed me how she wouldn't get over her Earth life, and Owen annoyed me how when his wife died and came to Elsewhere, he chose her over Liz. It was ridiculous! But otherwise, I really can't complain much, and I do love a happy ending after all. You people need to read this! Read it! The whole Elsewhere situation was cool. Like, I'd never really thought about the different possibilities of an afterlife, not like this anyway. I practically cried at the end, which is amazing, because I supposedly have a heart of stone.

Read Elsewhere! It's enough to melt a heart of stone! *_*

-

Since the whole blog and picture thing is very time consuming (insert picture, backspace, backspace, backspace, sigh...), I shall only give it a letter grade since I cannot think of something better and I'm sure that if I didn't tell you that those icons were piles of bacon, you never would have gotten it.

-

I give Elsewhere an A for it's awesome-ness. It's well deserved.

-

Hasta manana (pretend that first n has a little worm over it to sybolize en-yay. kay?),

Tay-Toe

M.I.A.? Mayyyybe. Nope, not really.

I am not missing in action. That wouldn't even make any sense. ....? No, I'm just lazy. I have Elsewhere to review, but gosh not today. Sorry, people, sorry. BUT I am happy to say that this weekend was awesome. Amanda and I went to the Twilight Borders party, and I won a keychain as a door prize. Sure, a keychain isn't much but the point is: I GOT MORE THAN SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T WIN. (unless they went shopping, then, okay) Aaaaand, at this party, I was scouring the aisles of the YA section as usual and--BAM! The second volume of my favorite series has been released! Omigosh! So, I had to get it. And I did. I'll go into detail later. And when I say later, I don't mean today as later. And finally, I show up at school and my friend Jessica bought me the Twilight Soundtrack! The only person who I'm friends with that could top my weekend is probably Amanda and her smug but awesome new books. I want your books Amanda!

But, it's cool, 'cause I already own Evernight and I've already read The Summoning. You'll have to let me borrow your books someday.

So, I need to clean my room. Then tomorrow, I hope to review Elsewhere, and believe me, you guys deserve it. It's an awesome book.
Oh, my, it's getting a tad late if I still want to clean my room.

Must run, cupcakes.
Hearts&Circles,
Tay-Toe.

Ew. Scheduling.

Okaaay. Recently I've promised to review oodles of books that I'd borrowed from the library a week or two ago, yeah? Well, that sounded okay at first. But the thing is, is that I go to the library regularly and read--well, I usually read--a book a day. If I wanna go back and review, then I would have to stop reading so I wouldn't post a lot. So that's where it gets complicated. Soooo, I've concocted a plan of some sorts. It isn't very genius but neither am I. I've just decided to hold back on these review I have in store for you, and if I forget about the book then it isn't worth reviewing. I'm just gonna keep reviewing the books I've read that day and save the others for a rainy day. Speaking of catching up, here is another two-book-er.

~*~Ghostgirl~*~

(summary frooom B&N, of course. For that is the only book site my computer can support that is recent. Gotta love outdated computers, no?)

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

And if I should die before I awake,

I pray the popular attend my wake.

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.

This book was DEFINITELY out of the ordinary for me. And the majority of my books are out of the ordinary, so that's saying something. I guess I had never gravitated towards the ghost books, but this one is a keeper. Definitely. And, as much as it hurts to say, I guess most books sold from Walmart are worth a shot. (ouch, i just died a little inside) Ghostgirl absolutely is gruesome in it's ways. I am almost tempted to leave a sarcastic message to the author--"Thank you for the detail! I definitely needed to know that there was a gaping whole in the side of Kim's head and it was scabby." Or, "I love that you tell me that there are bugs crawling out of the pores of someone's skin." Isn't that delicious. I sure thought so. But Charlotte--Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. Exasperated sigh.--definitely has some problems. Aside from being dead that is. She had problems way before she died. And she failed to realize that one of the main reasons she died is because of a guy's lack of attention toward her. Gosh, Charlotte, what do you expect? He has a girlfriend, he's popular, and what are you? A wallflower who just happens to show up one day dressed as a prep poseur? Did you really expect him to fawn over you in your not so original style and stalkerish attitude? As if. Charlotte is a stalker. A stalker in life and death. Her problem is that she won't let go of some guy who doesn't even realize--and never will--that she's alive. Or dead. Oh, and her other problem is some psycho bitch named Prue, a.k.a. Prudence, who apparently thinks she's queen of the Dead Kids. Prue is a serious headcase. She bitched throughout the whole story and causes one catastrophy after another. Almost killing people, and then in a snap she has a change of heart and everyone forgives her. I was like, WHAT? ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY? But of course they are, they're dead. Dead peoples' brains aren;t supposed to work after death, stupid. But the people I did like, however, were Scarlet and Sam. No they do not get together, but I believed they were the ones with the most personality. Although I seriously did not need to know how Sam's ass looks--somewhere along the lines of huge, hairy, and pimpy--he has a funny personality in the way that he acts like he has a mental disorder because he thinks it's an easier way to get through high school. Heh. And Scarlet, well she's the cool goth who get's the guy in the end. Nuff said. And if you don't think it's worth reading so far, go pick it up and appreciate it anyway. 'Cause this is the prettiest book I have ever seen. Seriously, go check it out just for the pictures. Well, if you are a psychopathic teenage stalker with raging hormones then go read this. And if not, if you're just some regular Jane or Joe who likes a good plot and laughs, then I recommend it to YOU, yes YOU. Enjoyyyy!!!

I give it aaaaa...... *what will she do next? dot, dot, dot... pause...* 4 outta five piles of bacon, if not for the story than for the kick-ass looking pages. Heh-heh.

~*~Princess Ben~*~

(summary 'cause of the lovely B&N. yeppers.)

Benevolence is not your typical princess and Princess Ben is certainly not your typical fairy tale. With her parents lost to unknown assassins, Princess Ben ends up under the thumb of the conniving Queen Sophia, who is intent on marrying her off to the first available "specimen of imbecilic manhood." Starved and miserable, locked in the castle's highest tower, Ben stumbles upon a mysterious enchanted room. So begins her secret education in the magical arts: mastering an obstinate flying broomstick, furtively emptying the castle pantries, setting her hair on fire... But Ben's private adventures are soon overwhelmed by a mortal threat facing the castle and indeed the entire country. Can Princess Ben save her kingdom from annihilation and herself from permanent enslavement?

Okay, all of you lovely readers will get a better take on this book than I did at first. While walking through my library and glancing at the names of the books, I abruptly said the name of this one and paused. I thought, Oh, god. Is this books about a drag queen? I couldn't help it. I usually associate the name Ben with Benjamin, so I just thought Benjamin? Princess? Whaaat? But luckily, when I opened up the cover it said Benevolence. Ohhh. Okay, then. And reading the description, I saw that it would definitely not be a boring read so I picked it up without a second thought. I just read and completed it today, and lemme tell you. As much as I think Ben is cool and all, I hate that in the end she has to conform and bend to everyone's will to be the Princess everyone wants her to be and to save her country. And the crazier thing is that it actually works. This book was mingled with a lot of fairy tales, and this book was somewhat a fairy tale of its own. Most people think of fairy tales as childrens' stories, but fairy tales actually deal with adult issues with a touch of fantasy in the mix. That's basically what this book is. And the author was excellent at capturing the essense of the old times. The grammar, the descriptions, everything was sounding right and realistic and I doubt many could pull that off. The only thing that I didn't like was her relationship with Prince Florian. (sorry for spoilers, chickies) But, the ACTUAL relationship was established much too quickly and said that they loved each other although the only time they could talk remotely heart-to-heart was when Ben was mistaken as a boy and taken into captivity as a prisoner from the Drachensbett army. It was crazy, to be honest. But they work well together, I guess. I also grew to like Sophia after a while, she may have been like a dictator but she was just doing what was right for her country. That pretty much summarizes my thoughts on the book and if you wanna know more then go check it out. I saw it at my Borders, so it should be somewhere near you where they sell books. Good luck.

It also got a 4 out of 5 piles of bacon. Books I enjoy get tons of my fav breakfast food. Yumm.

Hearts&Circles,

Tay-Toe

Ellen Schreiber Attacks!

Heh-heh. Confused by my title? I am, too. But that name, my dears, is the name of the author of Comedy Girl, Teenage Mermaid, and the popular Vampire Kisses series. She may be over the top but the books are enjoyable to say the least. I must have a point to all this rambling, right? Well... I do.

~*~Comedy Girl~*~

(summary borrowed from B&N)

Trixie Shapiro may be one of the shyest students at Mason High, but she's also the funniest. When her best friend, Jazzy, signs her up to perform stand-up at Senior Talent Night, Trixie's terrified she'll absolutely choke. And as if a seemingly disastrous debut isn't enough, Trixie's drama teacher encourages her to try again—this time at the local comedy club, Chaplin's.
To her surprise, Trixie's confidence begins to swell, and a surefire comedy act is born. Trixie finds herself on a fast track, winning contests and earning a job as the opening comic at the comedy club. It's a dream come true. Then Trixie lands a boyfriend—her longtime crush, hipster Gavin Baldwin. Now caught between the increasing demands of two worlds, Trixie faces a difficult choice between a romantic, inviting path and a risky shot at comedic stardom.

Well, as I've said before, Ellen Schreiber is very OVER THE TOP with her books. Everything seems a tad fake. Well, really fake, actually. With the so-not-so-real reactions and tons of !!! and ??? and ?!?!?!, I think that that is a tad fake, eh? Agree with me? Of course, of course. But, otherwise, I luv the plot even if it is as extremely unrealistic as the reactions. Really? This girl becomes a hit comedian? Are you sure? Because, she isn't very funny at all... Snarky maybe, but not funny. I didn't like Gavin's disguised neediness either. Dude, I thought you were supposed to be COOL, not a mind-game playing d-bag. S'cuse my slight language. Anyway, this book was cute. That is definitely how I can describe it. It is very CUTE! Really cute. And if you want a cute read, then here ya go! Enjoy Comedy Girl where shy-girl Trixie becomes outgoing with laughter. Looove it.

I give it a *ponders for a second* *ah* 2.5 out of 5 piles of bacon. Even if there aren't many piles of bacon, it is still bacon. Gotta love bacon.

~*~Teenage Mermaid~*~

(summary courtesy of B&N)

Spencer almost drowns in a surfing accident when a sparkling, golden girl saves him with a kiss of life before she suddenly disappears. Where did this dream girl come from, and will she return?
Lilly rescues a boy from nearly drowning and dangerously steps out of her own watery world. Curious to explore this forbidden land, she's gotta find her handsome Earthdude.
A silver heart locket is their only clue.

It is easy to say that I liked this book much more than Comedy Girl. Like, this is the first book I've ever read where a mermaid is the main character. I was like--"Wow, this is different." And it totally is, but in some ways, it is not. In Lilly's world there is still the same ol' high school, where status matters. If you don't fit in, then you are given a label that others think makes you an untouchable or something. I really did hate Lilly's best friend. I was completely confused by her behavior! Aren't best friends supposed to support their best friend's wants and happiness? Obviously, Lilly's friend didn't get that memo. But whatever, because the coolest part of this story was the relationship between Spencer and Lilly. Spencer is like the all around under-appreciated guy who is extremely cool at heart. Spencer stands out from the rest and so does Lilly. With that one fateful meeting, it is the beginning of something else. I love their relationship, and I cannot wait for the sequel which I hope shall be coming out soon.

I give this wonderful book 3 out of 5 piles of bacon. Bacon, bacon bacon.

Okay, then. Two reviews in one! Chyeah! That is a LOT of bacon. Mmm, now I'm hungry.

Hearts&Circles,

Tay-Toe

Before The Trojan War

Okay, I just really want to review books and after almost 24 hours, I couldn't wait any longer. So here we go.

~*~Nobody's Princess~*~

(summary thanks to B&N)

She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favorite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the gods—or her looks—to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies—such as the self-proclaimed "son of Zeus" Theseus—but it also intrigues, charms, and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the Oracle of Delphi.

I'm in Mythology at school, so it was pretty much inevitable that I would absolutely love this book. And it's true, I did fall for it. It gives me a completely new look at Helen of Sparta--soon to be Helen of Troy. I love how Helen is so independent and so unlike her sister, Clytemnestra. Where Clytemnestra loves sewing and embroidery, Helen is determined to become strong and learn how to fight. She relates more to her brothers Castor and Polydeuces more than her sister. Helen is a innocent and naive child in the beginning, and you still see that innocence as she grows up. She is a good judge of character and gives people trust, even if they do not deserve it. I liked seeing her make friends with Atalanta and the Oracle of Delphi, a.k.a. Eunike the Pythia. While this story was slightly childish, it dealt with situations such as love, death, and proving yourself. Helen is a truly nice person and she shows this when she frees the slave Milo and takes him with her just as a friend. I really do want that to turn into something but that's just because I'm used to teenage angst books and this is centuries upon centuries ago where there weren't many situations like that. But it's nice to see her be nice to Milo although it is so obvious he likes her. Anywho, the only thing I could say that I didn't like was that the story was slightly inconsistent and became a little boring at the end. Overall, even with that tiny fault, I loved this book. It was cool to see Helen in a new light before Paris, Menelaus, and Troy, and I recommend it completely to those who love a good story. Especially if you love mythology, like I do.

This book get's four out of five piles of bacon. Mmm, bacon.

I can't wait to read the sequal, Nobody's Prize, which I'll be reading right after Ghostgirl. Look forward to it!

Hearts&Circles,

Tay-Toe

New contests rolling by!

No, not from me. From this awesome site: http://www.chicklitteens.blogspot.com/ The books are great--Squad Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe, The Debs by Susan McBride--so if you pass up the chance of winning one of them then you are n.u.t.s. NUTS! So go over there and enter. Cross your fingers cause I know I am.

And...and...and...*another drumroll for the heck of it* is a very very very lovely HOLIDAY GIVEWAY. Anywho, go to this site CLICK ME and enter for a chance to win these prizes: Let It Snow: Three Holiday Stories by Lauren Myracle, Maureen Johnson, and John Green and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert. If you aren't convinced yet (though I know you are!) the contest also includes a DOUBLE-SIDED TWILIGHT POSTER!!! Which, of course, made a crazed fan-girl shriek escape my mouth. So enter it! Do all the requirements and enter your little hearts out!

Don't forget to mention me, the generous Tay-Toe, for refering you, and if I see any contests from your blogs, I shall do the same.

Hearts&Circles,
Tay-Toe

Blogger? It's confusing.

Sorry, I haven't been writing (sorry to myself, that is. no one is coming here and i don't blame em). I haven't because the template I had was complete and udder crap. No offense. So I gots me a new one and I shall start reviewing and rambling as my description says I do. Don't wanna disappoint.

So, books to review:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner

King Dork by Frank Portman

The Adoration Of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Walk Of The Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick

And so much more.... all thanks to the convenience of my friendly, neighborhood library.
That's a lot of writing. *sigh* Okay, time to get down to business.

~*~Wicked Lovely~*~

(summary borrowed from B&N)

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

I've got to say, this book is much different than one I've ever read before. Faeries. I've never read about faeries. Not directly, anyway. And these faeries? They aren't the small, kind, winged creatures we all know and love. Some are scary, and some do horrible things. The faerie world is seperated into four courts--The Summer Court, The Winter Court, The Dark Court, and The High Court. Keenan is the son of the late Summer King. His mother, Beira, who is also the Winter Queen, killed his father and had the Dark King seal away Keenan's powers until he finds his Summer Queen. I see this book as a sort of Sleeping Beauty, or some other fairy-tale. Sleeping Beauty is the first that came to mind... He finds his Summer Queen, she takes the Winter Queen's staff, and with that she passes the test and they can live happily ever after... But there is one problem with Keenan's fairy tale ending. He finds the girl he thinks is his Summer Queen. Her name is Aislinn, she's in love with someone else and she won't give up without a fight. I loved this book, and I truly recommend it to fantasy lovers, or just anyone who loves a good story that'll keep you up at night, thinking.

I give this book a rating of....*drum roll*....three-point-five outta five piles of bacon!

Hearts and Circles,

Tay-Toe