Bout of Books 2.0 -Starting Line-

Hey everyone! As a co-host of this read-a-thon, I just wanted to post some last minute information and points to note before the read-a-thon officially begins on Monday, the 24th.

Here are some reminders:

• Sign up! They will be open through Friday 10/28.
• You must be signed up and on the Master List to qualify for challenge prizes.  Co-hosts will check the list to verify.
• Check out the Bout of Books schedule
• Say hi to other Bout of Books readers.
• Find Bout of Books participants on Twitter
• See what everyone is tweeting.  Use #boutofbooks in your tweets.
• If you choose to have a starting line post with goals, please PLEASE include how much you intend to read. Not everyone can read the entire week, so it is helpful to know when (or how much) you can read.

Make sure to head over to On a Book Bender, where Amanda has a spreadsheet set up for starting line links. Make sure you input your information there so everyone's starting line can be in the same place. You can find her post here.

Time Devoted to Reading:
I personally plan to read all days of the read-a-thon, but most of my reading will come from later in the week when my school week unwinds.

My Goals:

• Read a minimum of 3 books but aiming for 5! [:
• Catch up on reviews during reading breaks
• Read at least 1 review book (options marked with *)
• Have fun and interact with participants!

Books to Read:

• 'Unwind' by Neal Shusterman
• 'Unlovable' by Sherry Gammon*
• 'Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List' by Cohn, Levithan
• 'Cracked up to be' by Courtney Summers
• 'Scars' by Cheryl Rainfield
• 'Saving June' by Hannah Harrington*
• 'Far from you' by Lisa Schroeder

So I am going to have another post go up on October 24th that will be my updates throughout the read-a-thon. So I don't overcrowd anyone's feed, I am just going to continuously update that post throughout the week. But, definitely feel free to include it with your starting line, if that is most convenient for you! Make sure to keep an eye out on Monday for my update progress post. [:

And remember, if you are just finding out about the read-a-thon now, it is not to late to sign-up. Just stop over at Amanda's sign-up post, by clicking here, so we have one list of everyone participating.

Last note, I am the co-host for Thursday, so make sure to keep an eye out for my challenge and giveaway on that day. I will also have a place for everyone to link to their updates so we can all check out how everyone is doing! [:

'Elixir' by Hilary Duff

Length: 327 pages (hardcover)
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: bought own copy
Overall rating: 3 / 5 stars

'Elixir' follows the story of Clea, a girl that has been in the spotlight her whole life but also recently lost her father. Things start to get strange when an unknown man continues to appear in photos she has taken. Realizing he is never really right in front of her, Clea starts a huge adventure to find this man and see who he is.

So I had a copy of this on my shelf for quite awhile but for some reason wasn't ever what I wanted to read. I had heard some pretty good things about it and finally decided I needed to get it off my to be read pile. I went in not expecting much because I am always a little hesitant to read an actor's first book. I could be wrong, but most probably don't grow up wanting to be an author and work on their book for years. But, since I have always been a fan of Hilary Duff, I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Luckily I was pleasantly surprised. I was a bit worried it would be a flat story with not much in terms of plot twists and surprises, but it didn't disappoint in that area. I liked the main character Clea, she was relatable but I feel she could have been developed more. Usually I feel for characters and can get in their mind set, but for Clea it was more of a one dimensional view.

I enjoyed the overall storyline, it wasn't similar to most of the novels in YA. I thought one aspect was a bit cheesy, but won't say what since it would be a spoiler to the development of the story and characters. I apprepreciated how the book left me often on edge about Sage, I didn't always know if he was a good or bad character in relation to Clea. I did like the pacing of the story, mainly since it did give some back story that helped strength why and what was going on.

I did feel as though the end was quite rushed and kind of just hit a brick wall. It was left definitely room for sequels but instead of a cliffhanger it felt more like there wasn't enough pages or something. As I read it, I didn't know it was a series and that did affect my opinions in negative way. But now that more will come, I am going to give this book an average rating.

Last Days to Sign-Up for Read-a-thon!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to create a quick post about the Bout of Books Read-a-thon. So the read-a-thon will last from October 24th to October 30th, so there are only a few days left to sign-up!

You are going to be reading already, so why not sign-up and network with some great people and blogs! No pressure to read a certain amount, so why not? So if you haven't already, stop on over to the sign-up list and enter your info!

Click on the image above to be taken to the sign-up! And I am a co-host one of the days, so I will definitely be seeing you all then. [:

Waiting on Wednesday [8]

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.

'Illuminate' by Aimee Agresti
Length: 544 pages (hardcover)
Expected Publication: March 6th 2012
Publisher: Harcourt


Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

     As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

[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. Comment below on your thoughts about 'Illuminate' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.

In My Mailbox [13]

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.

'Cracked up to be' by Courtney Summers

'The Monstrumologist' by Rick Yancey
'Awaken' by Katie Kacvinsky
'Scars' by Cheryl Rainfield
'Matched' by Ally Condie
'Nevermore' by Kelly Creagh

Bout of Books Read-a-thon -> Sign up here!
Enter my 200 follower giveaway -> here!

Make sure to link below your IMM so I can check out what you got this week! And let me know your thoughts on any of the books I picked up. [:

It's Time for my 200 Follower Giveaway!! [:

Hey everyone! So the other day I hit 200 followers here on my blog! Just wanted to give a big hug and say thanks to everyone. You guys are amazing! [: And in honor of reaching 200, I have decided to host a giveaway!

For this giveaway there is going to be one winner and they get their choice of one of the four books below! Please note that two of these are ARC copies, so they have been read by me.

ARC of 'Cold Kiss' by Amy Garvey

ARC of 'The Mephisto Covenant' by Trinity Faegen

'After Obsession' by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

'Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions' by Marr, Armstrong...

Here are the rules for this giveaway:

• open US only
• must be 13 or older (13-17 must have parent/guardian permission)
• must be a follower of Let's Evaluate
• ends October 31st, 2011
  
  > I am not responsible for lost or damage to item
  > winner picked using random.org
  > posting announcing winner up within week of ending
  
  
  
  

And all you have to do to enter is fill out the form below! [:Thanks again to everyone and good luck!

'Chasing Brooklyn' by Lisa Schroeder

Length: 412 pages (paperback)
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: bought own copy
Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 stars

'Chasing Brooklyn' follows the story of two teenagers, Brooklyn and Nico. A year ago, Lucca, Brooklyn's boyfriend and Nico's brother, passed away. The story starts with Brooklyn being haunted in her sleep, but not by Lucca, instead by a friend of her's that recently died from an overdose. The book follows the growing friendship of Brooklyn and Nico and the trust that they both want to confide in the other.

So I had never read a book by Lisa Schroeder but always knew that I wanted to pick one up since she writes her novels in verse. Lately I have been loving the poetic nature of verse novels and this was no exception.

The first thing that I loved were the two main characters. Lisa wrote them so raw and real that I couldn't help but feel every up and down with them. They both struggled with how to communicate with each other what was really going on and I loved how realistic she formed their relationship to be. They didn't just trust each other right off the bat, but instead became closer over time.

The writing style was also beautiful, very simple and to the point but still strong and meaningful. She wrote it in both perspectives which really helps the reader see both sides of the story and feel a stronger pull to the characters.

Overall, Lisa greatly succeeded in pulling at my heart strings and making me invested in the characters. I would highly recommend checking this book out if you are a fan of contemporary novels and enjoy ones that are written in verse.

Waiting on Wednesday [7]

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.

'Touch of Power' by Maria V. Snyder
Length: 400 pages (paperback)
Expected Publication: December 20th 2011
Publisher: Mira


Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

[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. Comment below on your thoughts about 'Touch of Power' and link your WoW, if you participated this week.