Sorry I've Been MIA ):

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say sorry that I have been MIA for about the past week and a half. It is nearing the end of the semester which equals complete chaos. [:

I won't be updating here as often as I was, especially during finals, but do plan to catch up on reviews and reading this weekend. So I probably won't be posting six out of the seven days of the week, but I am hoping to get something posted at least three days a week.

I will have my monthly recap and tbr pile for the month up tomorrow still! My reading was a bit slower this past month but since I definitely plan to make up for it in December, I have decided to still post it! [:

Once finals are over, I will be back in full swing! I really miss interacting with you all and cannot wait for winter break to come!

<3 to all!

Waiting on Wednesday [12]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights a future release that you are eagerly waiting to come out.

'Dragonswood' by Janet Lee Carey
Length: 416 pages (hardcover)
Expected Publication: January 5th 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]
  
I cannot wait for this to come out! I absolutely love the cover and synopsis sounds very unique and interesting. Comment below with your thoughts about 'Dragonswood' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.

Teaser Tuesday [3] : Nevermore

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.. Anyone can join in, all you have to do is the following:

- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This teaser is from 'Nevermore' by Kelly Creagh, which I am currently about half way through.

"She tried to make a noise but couldn't. His face remained emotionless as he made small, careful lines with the pen. The steady impression of the ballpoint tickled, creating knots in her stomach."


So I actually had a hard time deciding with quote to use. I ended up just going with the first interaction between Varen and Isobel, just to be safe. The synopsis of this story doesn't give away much so I wanted to make sure I didn't include any spoilers, no matter how small.

Leave a comment below with a link to your teasers, so I can check them out and learn of some new books to add to my to read list.

'Unwind' by Neal Shusterman

Length: 335 pages (paperback)
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: library
Overall rating: 4 / 5 stars

'Unwind' follows the story of three teens, Connor, Risa and Lev, who are running for their lives. The story takes place in a future society where having an abortion is not an option, instead a child can be 'unwound' (think organ donor on purpose) between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. The three characters have been sent to be unwound, each for their own reasons, and we get to follow their story as they try to find a way to survive.

I am going to start my review with the characters. I really enjoyed how each of them had a different back story and emotional ride that they went on. I found Lev to be the most interesting to see develop, since he was born as a tithe and how he had been raised to see being a tithe as a blessing. His story was very emotionally and deep, that I couldn't help but forgive him for his missteps..

I also really enjoyed the world that Shusterman created because even though so much had changed in America, he still left recognizable parts that made it more realistic, as if something this drastic may be in our future. Although our society will probably never reach the point of 'unwinding' a child, he still makes it completely realistic and believeable, it didn't feel like sci-fi.

The only small issue I had with this book came with the first half pacing. At times it felt a bit slow in the beginning for a story about chaos. A big setting aspect and part of the story comes later on and I wish we got more of that storyline and the crazy back story that was pulled in.

I have heard some things about a possible sequel to this, but honestly hope there isn't. I thought the ending was perfect and although there could definitely be more to this world, I hope it stays how it is.

2012 Challenges! Library&Debut

Just wanted to do a post about the challenges that I have signed up for that take place next year. I actually did not sign up for any this year, so I cannot wait to take part in them in 2012. So here they are and click the images or links to be taken to the sign up post! [:

2012 Debut Author Challenge

Here are the objectives and guidelines that Kristi at The Story Siren has put together for the challenge:

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:

• 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.
  

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Here are the details that The Eclectic Bookshelf has posted on the sign up post:

Rules:

• Anyone can join
• You don't need a blog to participate
• Audio, ebooks, bound books are okay
• No re-reads
• Create a sign up post and post link in linky
• Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Levels:

• Level One - 12 books
• Level Two - 24 books
• Level Three - 36 books
• Level Four - 37+ books

 

For this challenge I will be doing Level 2 and aim to read at least 24 library books in 2012. 

 

So there they are! As of now this is all I plan to participate  but I will update you all if I decide to take on any others as well. [: Now it is your turn to go and sign up!

Waiting on Wednesday [11]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights a future release that you are eagerly waiting to come out.

'A Million Suns' (Across the Universe #2)
by Beth Revis
Length: 400 pages (hardcover)
Expected Publication: January 10th 2012
Publisher: Razorbill


Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]
  
I read the first book last month and really enjoyed Revis' story. And now I cannot wait for the second one to come out as well. This is a sequel that I will definitely be reading. Comment below on your thoughts about 'A Million Suns' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.

Cover Reveal: 'Once' (Eve #2) by Anna Carey

One thing that I really look forward to in the book world is cover reveals. I am definitely a sucker for a good cover on a book and can definitely say it influences where I want a book on my shelf or not. As I was wondering on Goodreads, I noticed the cover of 'Once' has been revealed. Thought I would share it with those of you that have not seen it, so here it is:

'Once' by Anna Carey

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]

Personally, I really like how the cover is similar to 'Eve,' but still different in terms of color scheme and setting. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to covers in a series is that I NEED them to match in some way, so I am very glad to see this has the same look to it.

What do you think of the cover of 'Once' by Anna Carey?

I have joined the world of Twitter!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to do a quick post and let you know that Let's Evaluate now has a twitter account! :) I actually created one a few months ago but deleted since I never used it, but now have decided to jump in again.

Mainly I plan to just update there more often, espeically on topics that I cannot do a full post on here on the blog. Below is the link to my twitter, if anyone would like to follow. :) And there is definitely a bit of a learning curve for me, so I would love any tips or advice! Thanks and hope everyone is having a good weekend.

http://twitter.com/#!/lets_evaluate

And thanks again to everyone that follows Let's Evaluate, hopefully this will be another great way to connect and interact with followers and other bloggers!

In My Mailbox [16]

In my mailbox is a weekly meme created and hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren and consists of a post about books you have either bought, received, or borrowed during the previous week.

This week I have three books to report, two that I bought and one I received in the mail from a giveaway I won. [: So here they are:

BOUGHT

'Prophecy of the Sisters' by Michelle Zink

'Impossible' by Nancy Werlin

WON

'The Dead-Tossed Waves' by Carrie Ryan

from Sarah at Inklings Read. Thanks again!

And that is it for me this week! Make sure to link your IMM below, if you participated this week, so I can stop by and see what you got. [: Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Waiting on Wednesday [10]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights a future release that you are eagerly waiting to come out.

'Cinder' by Marissa Meyer
Length: 400 pages (hardcover)
Expected Publication: January 3rd 2012
Publisher: Feiwei & Friends


Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]
  
I cannot wait for this to come out, it is definitely another series that I plan to start when it comes out. I know a lot of bloggers have gotten their hands on an ARC of this so make sure comment below on your thoughts about 'Cinder' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.

'Across the Universe' by Beth Revis

Length: 398 pages (hardcover)
Publication Date: January 11, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: library
Overall rating: 4 / 5 stars

Lately I have been hearing a lot of people excited about the second book in this series and they kept making it sound good that I gave in and picked up the first, 'Across the Universe.' This story goes back and forth between the perspectives of the two main characters, Amy and Elder, who could not be more different. They are both on a space ship known as Godspeed, but Amy is actually frozen 'cargo' that is to be unfrozen when they arrive at a new planet. The story picks up with Amy is unfrozen early and the craziness that follows as they try to understand the world upon Godspeed.

As of late, I have been really into science fiction for some reason, so I knew this would be something that caught my attention. And it definitely didn't let me down. Revis' world building is amazing in this book, something I really need in a science fiction novel since it usually isn't the typical world setting many books are in. She vividly and realistically describes this world and I felt as though I was on Godspeed.

Another aspect I really enjoyed were the characters, with my favorite being Harley. He was such a fresh character in a world of chaos that I quickly fell in love with his imagination and spunk. I also really liked the alternating views that every chapter had, since it gives the reader insight into more that one character and what their thought processes were.

I loved how even though the characters are just meant to be a few generations past us, Revis still made them so different and unique. The whole concept of The Season was definitely pretty creepy and gross, but I really appreciated how she pulled in societal changes that could possibly happen in this situation.

One of the only complaints I have has to do with the ending. Overall I am okay with it since it is only the first in the series, but did feel as though it was a bit rushed, especially for a pretty lengthy book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to pick up the next one when it comes out! [: And I would definitely recommend giving this a go if you have been thinking about or were on edge about it. It is definitely a great contemporary sci-fi that still manages to touch on social and societal problems.

It's Monday! What are you reading? [11]

'It's Monday! What are you reading?' is a meme hosted by Book Journey and consists of sharing what you have read this past week, what you hope to read this week, and whatever else fits in too. So here are my books for this week:

JUST FINISHED: 'Unlovable' by Sherry Gammon

READING NOW: 'Nevermore' by Kelly Creagh

TO READ NEXT: 'Saving June' by Hannah Harrington

So there they are! Comment below if you have read any of these and let me know your thoughts on them. And also make sure to link your 'It's Monday! What are you Reading?' if you are participating this week. Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Winners of my two giveaways!!

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't had a chance to post and email the winners of my giveaways yet, I have been crazy busy with school. Sadly it isn't really letting up but wanted to make sure I got this out there as soon as I could.

So I had two giveaways that ended last week, so here are the winners!! [:

The winner of my Bout of Books giveaway and copy of 'Return to Paradise' is:

Laura Ashlee

And the winner of my 200 follower giveaway and a copy of 'After Obsession' is:

Tammy111

Congrats! I have emailed both of you, please get back to me ASAP. [: And for those you that didn't win, no worries, I have another giveaway in the making!

Waiting on Wednesday [9]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights a future release that you are eagerly waiting to come out.

'The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight'
by Jennifer E. Smith
Length: 256 pages (hardcover)
Expected Publication: January 2nd 2012
Publisher: Poppy


Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]
  
I cannot wait for this to come out, I love cover and the synopsis sounds really good. Comment below on your thoughts about 'The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.

2011: October Recap & November TBR

Two months ago I started a monthly post with a monthly recap and tbr pile for the next month. I have decided to do that again this month to help keep me on track and let you guys know what reviews will be coming soon from me. Of course, what I read in November is subject to change. [:

For the monthly recap, I will be listing the books I read that month and linking to a review if one has been posting on my blog. And the tbr and current reads will be linked to its Goodreads page, in case you want for info on that book. So here it goes:

OCTOBER RECAP
'Ashfall' by Mike Mullin
'The Demon Trapper's Daughter' by Jana Oliver
'Across the Universe' by Beth Revis
'Unwind' by Neal Shusterman

CURRENTLY READING
'Unlovable' by Sherry Gammon
'Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List' by Cohn, Levithan

NOVEMBER TBR PILE
'Blood Promise' by Richelle Mead

'Awaken' by Katie Kacvinsky

'Nevermore' by Kelly Creagh
'Fade Out' by Rachel Caine
'Saving June' by Hannah Harrington

'One for the Money' by Janet Evanovich

Chances are I won't get to all the books on my tbr pile, but I like to aim high. [: Comment below if you have read any of the books on my tbr pile and which ones I should start with. Hope everyone had a good October and has an even better November. [: