IMM (28)

     "In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by the super fabulous, Kristi at The Story Siren. "IMM" is a way to share thoughts on the books you've received throughout the week with readers. To read more about "In My Malbox," click here.

1. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen: I haven't read any Sarah Dessen, and I have heard such amazing things about her books so I know I am in for a treat!

2. Every You, Every Me by David Levithan: I heard David Levithan talk about this book and it sounds very interesting. David Levithan's friend took a series of photos and gave them to him, and he based the novel of the photos. I am very excited to read this one!

3. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead: I got this book last week, and I have already finished it. It was a quick, yet powerful and entertaining read! Look for a review sometime this week! 

Have a spooky, safe, and fabulous Halloween!

TGIF (18) Spooktacular Reads!

      TGIF is a feature hosted by the ever fab Ginger over at GReads! Ginger asks a fun question every week and bloggers post their answers. And honestly, this is one of my favorite features because it's just so fun! And I love reading everyone's answers! Plus, the picture is pretty cute too. This week's question is...

Spooktacular Reads: Which books do you consider festive Halloween reads? Which stories have chilled you to the bone?

      First of all, I think Spooktacular is a pretty amazing word. And yes, even though I'm probably maybe a little tad bit too old for Halloween according to some people (cough, cough, you know who you are, cough) I'm still super excited for Halloween! I really enjoy Halloween because it means that the hot weather is (or in Texas, SHOULD BE) out the door. And I like reading in the cool weather. Speaking of reading, um, yeah, let's talk books.

Festive Halloween Reads

1. Hereafter by Tara Hudson- I don't really read a lot of dark death-y books but I think if you're looking for a book to read around Halloween time, this is a great one! Definitely creeeepy.

 2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin- I think most people wouldn't initially think of this book as Halloween-like book, but it really does have some spooky parts. Another fabulous one!

3. The Teeny Tiny Ghost by Kay Winters- Alright, not exactly YA, but nonetheless, still an awesome Halloween Read about a little ghost that gets frightened. I really think you should go read it. Right now.

4. Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs- I haven't exactly read this one yet... but it's sitting on my bookshelf and it seems like a GREAT halloween read! Filled with monsters! Also, if that isn't enough, I  completely love Tera Lynn Childs' books. They're always these sweet sort of fantasy books that no other author is capable of achieving. 

 5. Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson- I'm reading this one now and it's taking me a while to read because I refuse to read it at night. (due to the spookiness level). It's a Jack the Ripper tale and is very scary but also awesome. 

6. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie- I still haven't completely recovered from reading this one in 5th grade. Yeah... I'm not usually one for horror books or horror movies, so this completely freaked me out. No more Agatha Christie for me. 

An Abundance Of Katherines

Title: An Abundance Of Katherines
Author: John Green
Release Date: September 26, 2006
Publisher: Dutton









Goodreads Synopsis:
When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl.

Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself by Printz medalist John Green, acclaimed author of Looking for Alaska.

My Review:

Holy mackerel! An Abundance Of Katherines has so many passages that you will laugh your guts out over, and then want the whole world to read, because they would laugh so hard, so you go around reading the passage to everyone you know, but they don't quite get the true humor out of it because they haven't read the book ( I apologize for that incredibly long sentence, and that crude statement about guts coming out.) Not only was this book hee-larious (yes, I found it so funny it is necessary to use improper spelling), but it was incredibly well-written. The words that John Green used made the book flow extremely well, and the characters were also developed perfectly.

The plot of this book is so unique, creative, and witty. I loved each character's different personality. You had Colin, with his uber-smart brain, yet he was longing for someone to love. You had Hassan, a guy who was always telling jokes, and spending his time one the couch watching Judge Judy (but may end up putting his life to some use). And you had Lindsey, who has many fake identities, but one real (yet hidden) one. Although these characters are quite different, they are all trying to figure out who they are, and what really matters in life (don't worry, not in a soap opera type of way).

You deserve a chocolate chip cookie if you actually decided to read my entire review of this book! Since you took the time out of your day to read this review, you may have some time on your hands... possibly.... so you should go buy the book! I guarantee an abundance of joy if you read An Abundance of Katherines (pun intended).

If you enjoyed this Mint Tea And A Good Book review, and you want to check out other reviews written by us visit our review archive or click here.

In My Mailboxy (27)

   "In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by the super fabulous, Kristi at The Story Siren. "IMM" is a way to share thoughts on the books you've received throughout the week with readers. To read more about "In My Malbox," click here. 

     Yesterday, I attended the Texas Book Festival and limited myself to one book! (recap post soon!) And then Willa from Willa's Ramblings also gave me a very special little book.

Huzzah!

 1. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (SIGNED!!)- So, yeah, yesterday I met Sarah Dessen. No big deal or anything, it was just SARAH DESSEN(!!) after all. And she was really sweet and she said that This Lullaby was her favorite book to write, so I bought This Lullaby. There will be a recap post of the event soon! :)

 2. Emerge: Youth Voices in Ink by Various Authors- So my dear blogger friend, Willa, who I mentioned above, has 2 pieces of published writing in this book. So she sent me a signed copy and I am super excited to get reading! I also saw it being sold yesterday at the Texas Book Festival, so if you're attending that today, you can pick up a copy there.






     That's all for this week's In My Mailbox! Feel free to leave a link to your IMM post in the comments!

TGIF (17) Favorite Book Blogs!

      TGIF is a feature hosted by the ever fab Ginger over at GReads! Ginger asks a fun question every week and bloggers post their answers. And honestly, this is one of my favorite features because it's just so fun! And I love reading everyone's answers! Plus, the picture is pretty cute too. This week's question is...

Book Blogs That Make You Smile: 

Pick 5 book blogs you visit often & think others should too.

     This is a hard question, and I'm going to approach it more as book blogs that I really enjoy and I think that people who read this blog will enjoy as well. Here we go!

 1. I Eat Words- This book blog to me, just hits the nail on the head with their reviews. Their reviews are spot on and are often in vlog format which I love! The reviews are fun and with a clear voice. So yes! Definitely check this blog out! :)

 2. GReads!- Yep, I could not forget GReads. GReads is a fun blog that has everything you could ask for in a blog. Great reviews, funny posts, clear voice, awesome books (!), and really just makes me smile, which is the point of this TGIF. 

 3. Katie's Book Blog- This blog has great reviews and TONS of fun features! What's not to love! Also, Katie does awesome In My Mailbox vlogs pretty much every weekend which I really appreciate and love! So check out this blog too!

 4. Books, Sweets, and other Treats- A combination of books, sweets, AND other treats! Um, yes! That's a win, win situation. Lindsi talks about books, gives awesome recipes, and has other really fun features! If you haven't checked out this blog before, I require you to do so now. :)

 5. The Story Siren- Ahh... The Story Siren. I consider The Story Siren to be the "Mama Bear" book blog, I don't know why, I just do. Anyway, Kristi's posts are always super entertaining and fun to read, plus she has TONS of blog help if you ever need any help with anything. She also hosts In My Mailbox, which makes The Story Siren even better. 








     That's all for this week's TGIF! Please remember to stop by all the blogs listed above if you haven't already. ;) The links are in the titles.

Books Everyone has Read but Me!

     So this was a a Tune in Tuesday topic the other week and I REALLY like the idea, but didn't have time for the Tune in Tuesday post. So today I'm doing my own little version. The Topic...

Books Everyone has Read but Me... or so it seems

 1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater- Don't murder me, but I've never read this book/ the series. I would like to read them and I was this close *shows tiny amount with fingers* to picking it up at the library the other day but I decided to get The DUFF by Kody Keplinger instead. Sorry!

2. Any Alsyon Noel books- Yeah, never read any of these either although I do have a few of her books on my bookshelf. I've even met the woman, twice! And she was awesome! But I just haven't had time to read her books.

3. Sloppy Firsts Series by Megan McCafferty- Yeeaaah, about that. Well, I really have wanted to read these books, but the thing is, it's part of a series, and if I read the first book I have to commit to the entire series! And that might take a while. Maybe next summer...

 4. The Iron King Series by Julia Kagawa- Yeah, I almost got this one the other day too. But instead I got something else that I can't remember. Honestly, the series doesn't really interest me. But I do WANT to read the series based on all the good things I've heard about them.

5. Anything by Simone Elkeles- Yesssss, I know. Some of you may be tempted to hurt me because of this, but I've never read any Simone Elkeles. And I've actually met Simone Elkeles too! I just haven't read her books. Wah wah.

6. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare- Yeah, some of you are going to be mad at me for this, but I've never read these and I don't plan on doing so. I started the first one, The City of Bones and I found it really weird. (demons and angels!?) But hey, I may try it again... eventually.

7. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield- I know that I HAVE read a Scott Westerfield book and really enjoyed it, but I just haven't read The Uglies.

 8. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green- YES! I really, really, really want to read this book, but I just have never picked it up. And I kind of feel like I'm the only person in the world who hasn't read it.

9. Looking for Alaska by John Green- Yes, yes, I know, I know! I NEED to read this book! And I have almost bought it numerous times, but then, some other book caught my eye. I really enjoyed Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines, John Green's other books (aside from Will Grayson!) and so I know, I really need to read this one.

10. Anything by Lauren Oliver- Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. That's bad. I really need to read some Lauren Oliver, I know. And I want to read some of her books, I just keep pushing her books down the list on my TBR pile. Sorry!

Lola And The Boy Next Door (Belated September Book Of The Month)

Title: Lola and The Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Dutton






Goodreads Synopsis:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.


Note from Erin: 
Hello tea drinkers. I (Erin) have been in "blog hibernation" and so Meredith has been doing all of the blogging over the last month. I am back, and for a good reason! I need to review Lola and The Boy Next Door!

My Review:
Lola has a great life. She has two (mostly) understanding and wonderful parents. She is an aspiring famous fashion designer. She has a (in Lola's opinion) wonderful rocker boyfriend, Max, and she has a cute dog. Her life is mostly great until... HE returns. HE is Cricket Bell. Cricket Bell = Lola's first crush, and first kiss. When Cricket moves back in next door, feelings that were locked in a secret compartment in Lola's mind (and heart) start to stir...

I thoroughly enjoyed Lola and the Boy Next Door!  Stephanie Perkins  has a way of developing characters that makes you feel like you have known them your whole life. I could totally understand Lola's feelings (although I couldn't understand her love of  Max), and she seemed like such a real character. Ah, and Cricket... If you think there is no such thing as falling in love with a book character, your thoughts may just change over the course of this book.

Even if you haven't read Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (which you should also read) you should definitely read Lola And The Boy Next Door. Be ready for a heart thumping-jaw dropping-crush worthy book! After you finish Lola you WILL be aching for another story by Stephanie Perkins so do not fret, Isla and The Happily Ever After, (the last companion novel to Anna and The French Kiss and Lola and The Boy Next Door) is scheduled to come out in the fall of 2012.

If you enjoyed this review by Mint Tea and A Good Book, and you would like to view some more reviews, please visit our review archive or click here. Thanks!

In My Mailbooks (26)

    "In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by the super fabulous, Kristi at The Story Siren. "IMM" is a way to share thoughts on the books you've received throughout the week with readers. To read more about "In My Malbox," click here. 

     I went to the library this week and apparently the library just got a new haul of new YA books, so it was a good trip! Plus, this week I actually got my act together to take some pictures! Ok, a lot of pictures. Here they are. 

The normal one

the horizontal one

the crazy normal one

the artsy one

the light is shining one

the it's too bright outside & I can't see the books one

     Ok, so those are all the six of the photos. *sigh of relief* Moving on now to the word part...

1. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- Banks by E. Lockhart- I have been meaning to read this one for a long time and I know a bunch of people who have absolutely adored this book, so I checked it out from the library yesterday! I can't wait!

2. I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler- I've heard good things about this book and I've also heard it's very sad. I also know that the new one, If I Tell is coming out soon or just came out. I'm excited to read this one!

3. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger- I meant to get this one the other day at the bookstore but I ended up getting another book instead. So I got The DUFF yesterday at the library. I started it last night and so far I'm really enjoying it!! And I can't believe that Kody Keplinger published The DUFF when she was only 18! That's insanely young! But awesome. :)

4. The Ivy by Lauren Kunze- I would have never picked this book up based on it's cover. I thought it was some sort of paranormal book until I read the back of the second book in this series. The second one sounded interesting but then I realized it was the second one. So then I found the first one, The Ivy and checked it out from the library. I've heard mixed things about this one, so we'll see how it goes.

     That's all for this week's IMM! Stop by next week for another awesome fun-filled In My Mailbox!!

Guest Post: The Writers Voice Tour!

The Writers Voice 

Where you get to know the people behind the pages
Please stop by and follow:

(http://ourbooksourvoice.blogspot.com) 

This is Emma Michaels, the author of 'The Thirteenth Chime’ and 'Anasazi' and I am taking over! Don’t worry, it is only for one post. To introduce you to the team of amazing authors who are a part of a new blog called, ‘The Writers Voice’. A blog run by 11 authors and dedicated to letting you get to know each of us and the authors we feature! Here is a glimpse at a few of our perspectives by seeing our answers to:

Who is one person in the past or present who you felt was truly visionary?

“I’m totally waving my dork flag here, but I think a huge visionary when it comes to writing is Gene Roddenberry.”

-Megg Jensen

“My youngest brother, Nate is an amazing visionary. Out of college in 2002, he formed an Indie band called Sherwood. How he convinced five guys to pack up in a white van and tour across the country, literally singing each night for gas and food is beyond me. They slept where they could, showered when available, and starved sometimes for their dream. They did this for years before eventually getting signed with a smaller label, then landed a contract with My Space Records where they toured the world. His vision for the band kept things going when it would have been so much easier to quit. Though they’ve never made it “big, big”, they’ve fulfilled the dream of most middle aged men in a cubicles wish they did when they had the chance. And still, my brother doesn’t have a “job” job and earns a living utilizing his talents shooting music video’s for other bands, building his fanraiser website, and Sherwood.”

-Brenda Pandos

“I would have to say Jane Austen, who I am actually learning about right now in my Women's Literature Class.”

-Jessica Sorensen

“Um, I’m going to have to think on that one… lol”

-Keary Taylor

“JK Rowling. Hands down.”

-Kim Richardson

 

“JRR Tolkien – he didn’t care whether his books got published or not. For years, he just kept at it, building intricate worlds and creating characters that will be forever remembered. I think he knew his characters would be famous one day and that his work would become world literature that would shape high fantasy and make room for authors such as the immensely talented Terry Brooks.”

-Jayde Scott

 

Oh yeah, did I mention we have amazing guest authors? 

Here is a sneak peak of a few of the interviews we have planned for the future:

“I’ll have to say JK Rowling.”

-Devyn Dawson

“Literature-wise, I would say Arthur C Clarke... his sci-fi books, written far ahead of their time, were simply amazing, truly inspiring. One of my favourite books as a child was Islands In The Sky - it was fantastic. 

I'd also go off the subject of literature and say Richard Branson. I recently read that phase one of the world's first commercial spaceport is nearly finished. He has such an amazing vision and he is seeing it through. Incredible.”

-Suzy Turner

“J.K. Rowling.  In my opinion, she is unparalleled.  Before her, I’d have to say Edgar Allan Poe.”

-M. Leighton

I hope you will join us at The Writers Voice and hear more from our team and other writers from around the web! 

http://OurBooksOurVoice.blogspot.com

“The Writers Voice: Where you get to know the people behind the pages”

TGIF (16) Reading Spots!

     TGIF is a feature hosted by the ever fab Ginger over at GReads! Ginger asks a fun question every week and bloggers post their answers. And honestly, this is one of my favorite features because it's just so fun! And I love reading everyone's answers! Plus, the picture is pretty cute too. This week's question is...

Show & Tell: Where do you grab a book and get lost in it? Show us your favorite spot you like to read at.

     My favorite spots to read at are...

Beach on Vancouver Island BC

 1. At the Beach- Who doesn't love to read on the beach! I especially love to read on the beaches in South Western Canada!

Old Picture of my desk

 2. In My Bedroom- This is where I normally read. On my bed or at my desk. It's nice and cozy and comfy there. :)

That's actually a picture of

my local library. :)

 3. In the Library- I actually really enjoy reading in the library. It's quiet, cool, and smells like books, which I absolutely love!

      I do have tons of other places I enjoy to read, but those are probably my top three favorite. Where do YOU like to read?