Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

So I WAS planning on writing at least two reviews today-LA Candy and finish Fall for Anything- however, I started putting together the upcoming books list and wow did that take long. I have been at it since 9:30! I even forgot to have lunch and it was worth it!

To me that is one of the most important pages on my blog because it is one of the things, that as a reader, I most appreciate. SO please check out my upcoming books in 2011 page and comment if there is anything missing!! Also, check out the accompanying book store, which also took up a lot of time! I mean if your going to buy from Amazon anyways, help a girl out and give her a (very small) referral fee for all her hard work. It is still the same price to you no matter what.

I know my blog seems a little empty, but just think... I did all this within the last couple of weeks, and I am bringing in new authors as soon as possible =)

Lastly, look out for future contests and giveaways.

Top 10 of Twenty Ten

So as mentioned before, I was inspired to do a top ten books of 2010. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to read every book that has come out in 2010, but I have read all that have gotten media attention and all the ones published by my favorite authors... see favorite authors tab.After I have posted this list, I will reread them all within the first month of 2011 and post detailed reviews by the beginning of February. Also, by the end of January I hope to have my upcoming YA books all filled out. And now drum roll please the top ten of twenty ten are:

1. Mockingjay
2. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
3. The D.u.f.f.
4. Fall for Anything
5. Some Girls Are
6. Before I Fall
7. Paranormalcy
8. Return to Paradise
9. Matched
10. ....

I am actually surprised I was not able to reach ten. Maybe it's because I find that young adult books have been lacking lately, or I really didn't read enough books published in 2010. So for your viewing pleasure, here are two links to some great bloggers and their top 2010 choices.

The Hiding Spot and Persnickety Snark

Wish I'd Read that Challenge

Another Challenge! Though I can count the books for both, since my goal is to read 100 books this year I am going to try to pick 20 out of my TBR pile from the public library. I don't utilize their generosity enough. Here is the Link for the challenge.

Join me and get those books off you to be read pile and into your shelf.

My List:

1. Anna and the French Kiss Review Here
2. Shiver    Review Here
3. Linger    Review Here
4. Fallen
5. Hush, Hush Review Here
6. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
7. Perfect Fifths
8. The Adoration of Jenna Fox
9. Hate List
10. Hex Hall Review Here
11. I am number 4 Gave up- Maybe will try again later
12. The Summer I Turned Pretty  Review Here
13. Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood Review Here
14. The Sky is everywhere Review Here
15. Nailed Review Here
16. Magic Hands
17. Sea
18. Losing Faith
19. Dirty Little Secrets
20. Clockwork Angel
21. Where the Truth Lies (jessica warman)
22. A match made in high school
23. Grace Review Here
24. Not that Kind of Girl

I know, I know, thats more than 20 but I couldn't stop myself.

Review: Heist Society

Book: Heist Society

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion Book

Pages: 304

Date Read: 1/1/2010

From Amazon: When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help. For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history--or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

Yani's Analysis:

I have been an Ally Carter fan since I first read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls). I fell in love with the kick-ass Gallagher Girls right then and there. Her books are action packed with a hint of romance. Now I must say that, for her last couple of books, the romance side of it has been staggering. Which each novel there is less and less. However, even without the physical romance, you can't help but fall in love with her male lead's simple gestures and charismatic personalities. Such as this book's male lead, Hale. SPOILER ALERT (highlight): Everything he did and said hinted his admiration/crush for Kat. Yet the only action we get is some hand holding and looks from across the room. Now this is a great build up, but it didn't leave me satisfied, so I am definitely looking forward to part 2 more for the need to see Kat and Hale together than for the action of another heist.


My issue with this book was more of the back story development. It took me a while to understand her background, who everyone was, and what was happening. Because of that, I didn't get into to book right away. However, once I started to understand, I couldn't put it down.

The main character Kat has experienced a lot in the short amount of time she has been alive. Planning the biggest heist of all time is only part of that. You can tell because of all this she is very mature. But just like any teenager, all she wants in life is to be normal and fit in. Things never seem to work out that way for her and she realizes that as long as she has family and people who love her she doesn't need anything else.

As improbable as this story is, Katarina was very real to me and I hope to read more about her in the future.


Ratings:

Plot: 3/5

Writing Style: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Uniqueness: 3/5

 

Similar Titles:

• Ally Carter
• Model Spy by Shannon Greenland

Memorable Quotes:

"Either we're a team or we aren't. Either you trust me or you don't." Hale took a step toward her. "What's it going to be, Kat?"
It is an occupational hazard that anyone who has spent her life learning how to lie eventually becomes bad at telling the truth; in that moment Kat didn't have a clue what to say. I can't do this with out you sounded trite. What they were doing was to big for a simple please.
Hale I-"
You know what? Never mind. Either way, I'm in Kat." He seemed utterly resloved as he slipped on his sunglasses. "I'm all in"

2011 YA Reader Challenge

Happy New Year!

As I was catching up on my favorite blogs, I came across this post For The Love of YA: 2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge. I decided I am going to try for the Mega YA Reader challenge. Now the challenge isn't the reading of the 50 books, but the blogging about it afterword.

2011 Reading Challenge

Yani has

read 16 books toward her goal of 100 books.

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16 of 100 (16%)

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