2010 November

Twilight is Everywhere—Team Honesty?

November 30, 2010 By Lori 22 Comments

When I am not reading and blogging I work at JC Penney’s, in the salon. A couple of weeks ago I was minding my own business just getting a snickers out of the vending machine in the break-room, when I turned around I was shocked–SHOCKED–to see this display on the wall:

I giggled relentlessly while taking this picture. I’m happy there was no one else in the breakroom. My fellow employees didn’t think it was as funny as I did, but I knew my fellow bloggers would understand.

If you are wondering its about not letting friends and family steal from the store…..Twilight truly is everywhere!

Here’s a closer view, and yes they are wearing JC Penney’s name tags!

Filed Under: Twilight

Review: Zombies vs. Unicorns

November 29, 2010 By Lori 12 Comments

Release Date: September 21, 2010
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Amazon & Publisher
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
IBSN: 9781416989530
Blurb:
It’s a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths–for good and evil–of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

I have never reviewed an anthology, so I really don’t know where to begin. I guess I will start off by saying that I usually do not like short stories, or reading a book of short stories all at one time. I usually grow bored with them. I like to have lots of character development and plot building and you just can’t do that in short stories, but I am happy to say that I did not grown bored with this book.

Every single author in the book is fantastic and their stories were fantastic as well. I was planning on naming my favorite zombie story and my favorite unicorns story, but as I look back through them, I just can’t pick! I’ll try to touch on a few of my favorites.

I think my favorite was definitely Cold Hands by Cassandra Clare. This story was amazing! I want it to be the start of a new series! Forget about the Mortal Instruments, this was more awesome than those. (Yes I did just say that!) The world she creates in this story has endless possibilities and I wish we could explore them all. The characters were fantastic and Cassandra really made you feel their love for each other even though it was short. If you read one story in this anthology make it this one!

Inoculata by Scott Weterfeld was also fantastic. It’s another one that I wish was the beginning of a new series or book. I loved the idea of his ‘cure’ and the ending left you wanting more.

I have never read anything by Meg Cabot so I didn’t know what to expect when it came time to read Princess Prettypants. The name alone is terrifying, but the story was great! How can you go wrong with a unicorn that farts rainbows?

I also love The Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson. It was funny and eerie at the same time. It was a lot of fun.

I, of course, loved The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn by Diana Peterfreund. I’m a huge fan of the Killer Unicorn series, so I was excited to read this one, and I was happy to see that it was about the back story of the new character that shows up in Ascendant. I can’t wait to learn more about her!

Those are only my favorites. All the stories were good. Another thing that made the book awesome were the introductions (a.k.a. arguments) between Holly and Justine! They made me laugh many times. And have you saw this book in person? Its amazing! The artwork and design are so detailed!

I highly suggest that you read this book! Especially if you are a fan of any of these authors. But what you really want to know is which team, right? Going into this book I was team unicorn, but now I’m not so sure. Do I have to pick?

Filed Under: Short stories

In My Mailbox!!

November 27, 2010 By Lori 16 Comments

In My Mailbox was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie and created by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I had a really awesome week this week!!

Hexbound by Chloe Neill (I’m quoted in this!!!! Picture Below)

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman (Reading this now and its great!!)

Elixir by Hilary Duff (Signed!)

My blurb in Hexbound!!

Hilary Duff’s autograph!!

Simon & Schuster also sent this awesome Zombies vs Unicorns Prize pack with two poster and four buttons, and the book of course! Be on the look out for the giveaway next month!

Nothing this week! Saving my book buying for all the awesome books coming out in December!!

Big big thanks to Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and Signet!

I hope your week was as exciting as mine!!

Filed Under: In my Mailbox

Saturday Situation (11) Link Up Your Reviews & Giveaways!

November 27, 2010 By Lori 2 Comments

Happy Saturday everyone! It’s time for a new Saturday Situation, hosted by Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and myself. So, here’s the scoop: I’m going to set up two Mister Linky’s. One for Giveaways that you want to promote and one for Posts that you want to promote. The posts can be reviews, discussions, rants, events you are planning, anything that you want people to read! I know there’s so many great posts out there that often go unread. Here’s your chance to tell the world! Feel free to link up to other bloggers posts as well! Let’s spread the love!

Reviews/Posts Linky!

In this Linky please link directly to any posts you want to share with the world! Example: Name: Fallout Review URL: http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/review-fallout-by-ellen-hopkins.html

Please do not post giveaways in this Linky! They go in the bottom one!

Giveaways Linky!

In this Linky please link directly to any book related giveaways you have! Example: Name: Middle Grade Giveaway-It’s Raining Cupcakes and other Ends 9/30 URL:http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/middle-grade-giveaway.html

Filed Under: Saturday Situation

Review: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dare by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

November 26, 2010 By Lori 6 Comments

Release Date: October 26, 2010
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Kindle Store
My Rating: 4 Stars
IBSN: 9780375866593
Blurb:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

I read Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist a couple of weeks ago and I fell in love. I really did. I was already in love with David and his way with words, but now I am fully in love with both he and Rachel. They make a magnificent team. Since they write back and forth they really create the feel of a story unfolding before your eyes.

Dash and Lily were both so intriguing. Lily was kooky and quirky. While Dash was a bit more laid back and quiet. To be honest I did enjoy Dash’s (*Dashes’?) chapters better. That’s probably because I have an undying love for David and his writing…..Anyway, both characters were fantastic in their own way and the secondary characters were hilarious!

This book has all the things you would expect from David and Rachel. Humor, wit and incredible dialogue. I definitely laughed out loud more than once. The notebook made for a great plot. You never knew where it was going to end up next! The book is also set during the Christmas season, so it would make a great read for this time of year!

All in all, I really enjoyed the book. It did fall a little flat for me toward the end, but it was nothing major. The notebook as a plot device ran out of steam a little, but the author’s made up for it in the end. It didn’t live up to my love for Nick & Norah, but I don’t know if anything can. If you haven’t read anything by these two authors, I suggest you fix that! Soon!

*If you read the book….you will see..

Filed Under: David Levithan, Rachel Cohn, Young Adult

Happy Thanksgiving!!

November 25, 2010 By Lori 9 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you eat a lot and find some great deals tomorrow!

Filed Under: Happy Thanksgiving

Waiting on Wednesday (62)

November 24, 2010 By Lori 6 Comments

June 14, 2011 Simon Pulse

Dru and Gina are young, in love, and can’t wait to get out of Marshall, Nebraska, a town where bloodline means everything and whoever has the money makes the rules. But all their dreams are shattered when Gina has a monstrous run-in with the son of the richest man in Marshall—an incident that leaves her broken, battered, and violated. Driven by rage, Dru and Gina take matters into their own hands, and quickly find themselves in over their heads. Without any other options, Dru and Gina are on the run. But there’s more chasing them than they think, and love might not be enough to save them.

This sounds so great, and different from anything else out there!! I can’t wait to read it!

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Head over there to see