Friday, March 26, 2010

Unbelievable!

I seriously thought I had flunked my Add Maths test, but when the results came out, I actually scored 25/30! It's a miracle! I didn't know how to do the 3(b) question and last question, which altogether consist of 10 marks. I thought I'm doomed, but THANK GOD! I guessed one of the answers correctly, and earned 2 marks for that section. Some of my workings were also given marks even though they were wrong. Therefore, I can conclude that I got good results because of sheer luck, so I have to be more hardworking when it comes to Add Maths in the future! :)

Also, I just got an award from YA Vampire Books a few days ago. I'll blog about it when I have time. Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Updates : Sing Me To Sleep

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zZd-Ay2r0tE/SwJtNPZkXUI/AAAAAAAABCo/IhpTOkFyZME/s1600/download.htm

Do you remember Sing Me To Sleep, the book I absolutely love? Well, Angela has just posted the epilogue on her blog here. It got cut in the editing process, but I assure you that it's really beautiful and worth the read. However, if you haven't read the story, please don't read it first. You can buy Sing Me to Sleep (Hardcover) on Amazon / Barnes and Noble as a start.

Next, the good news! Beth's Song is now on iTunes! You can purchase it for $0.99

Read my interview with Angela Morrison here:
Sing Me To Sleep Blog Tour

Read my review here:
Book Review : Sing Me To Sleep

Watch the trailer here:
Sing Me To Sleep Trailer

Lovely links:
Angela's Website :: Angela's Facebook Page

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Awesome Giveway on I Heart Monster!

31 Days of Giveaways at I Heart Monster
On I Heart Monster:

March 1st: Win a signed copy of SCARRED by Julia Hoban (UK Version of WILLOW)
March 2nd: Win a signed hardcover of GONE by Lisa McMann
March 3rd: Win a new hardcover of BLEEDING VIOLET by Dia Reeves
March 5th: Win a signed copy of HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick
March 6th: Win a copy of MERLIN'S HARP by Anne Eliot Crompton* US Only
March 7th: Win a copy of BEAUTIFUL DEAD: JONAS by Eden Maguire* US Only
March 8th: Win a signed copy of THE LIFE OF GLASS by Jillian Cantor
March 9th: Win a signed copy of ACROSS THE POND by Storyheart
March 10th: Win a signed copy of SILVER PHOENIX by Cindy Pon
March 11th: Win a signed copy of THE BETRAYAL OF NATALIE HARGROVE by Lauren Kate
March 12: Win a pre-order of SISTERS RED by Jackson Pearce
March 15: Win a hardcover copy of INCARCERON by Catherine Fisher
March 16: Win a signed hardcover or signed audiobook of PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS by Michelle Zink + a preorder of GUARDIAN OF THE GATE
March 17: Win a piece of your choice from LuSHAE JEWELRY
March 18: Win one of five copies of HOW TO NEVER LOOK FAT AGAIN by Charla Krupp *US & CANADA only
March 19: Win the FIRST IN A SERIES SIX PACK
March 20: Win one of three ABBEY'S HOLLOW SAMPLER PACKS
March 21: Win one of 12 prizes in our THEY SAY IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY SWAGGERIFIC GIVEAWAY
March 22: Win a copy of THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting and some awesome swag to go with it.
March 23: Win one of three copies of the graphic novel LENORE: WEDGIES by Roman Dirge
March 24: Win a copy of LOCKED INSIDE by Nancy Werlin
March 25: Win a signed copy of HOT AND IRRESISTIBLE by Dianne Castell
March 26: Win a copy of BEASTLY by Alex Flinn

All giveaways end 4/15. Open worldwide unless stated. Remember to mention Aik if you enter via this post!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Book Review : Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Claire de Lune, by Christine Johnson

Product Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 18, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416991824
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416991823
Summary:

Torn between two destinies...

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all the sense of normalcy: She's a werewolf. As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love. Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart. she will make a choice that will change her forever...


Review:

When I first saw the cover and the title of this book, I knew that I had to read it. It was about a girl, Claire, whose life was about to change when she reached her sixteenth birthday. She found out that she was actually a werewolf. At first, she resented the idea of being a werewolf. She even tried to shave her fur. But eventually, she accepted her identity and fate and found out the benefits of being a werewolf.

The romance that blossomed between Claire and Matthew started at the beginning of the novel. It felt true and nice, but not overboard. I think that's what teenagers like to read about. I liked Matthew's character; he was such a good guy. I mean, really good guy. He's handsome, nice, kind, supportive and is good in sports. He opposed his dad's idea that all werewolves were evil.

This novel was mainly about Claire's huge transformation: from a normal girl to a werewolf and her attitude concerning the fact. Christine included a bad werewolf who hunted humans to add the suspense element in the story. Actually, I already figured out who the bad wolf is in the first half of the story. But it didn't make the story seemed dull. The story got more and more exciting towards the end of the novel.

Claire de Lune altered our previous concept of werewolves. In this novel, werewolves are all females, and humans are well-aware of their presence. In a nutshell, it is fast-paced, exciting and fun to read. I really enjoyed it. As a debut novel, Claire de Lune is quite promising. I hope to read more books by Christine in the future!

Rating : 8.5/10

I'd like to thank Christine Johnson and the representative of Simon Schuster for sending me a signed ARC for this review. Thank you!

.: Get you own copy of Claire de Lune on Amazon :.

http://www.christinejohnsonbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/christine-johnson-headshot.jpg

About The Author:
Christine Johnson grew up in, moved away from, and finally came home to, Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives there with her husband and two children in a creaky old house with a creaky old dog. Claire de Lune is her first novel.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Bookmark Day on The Bibliophilic Book Blog (15th March)

The Bibliophilic Book Blog is having an awesome BOOKMARK DAY on 15 March! Be sure to attend to the event! There will be showcases of bookmark creators, different kinds of bookmarks and offer sales on bookmarks in addition to an amazing assortment of bookmarks which you can win. There will also be some book giveaways as well...and maybe a nice signed set of books.



If you make a blog post about BOOKMARK day and email the link at mojo09226(AT)yahoo.com in addition to RSVPing to the event YOU WILL get a great little goodie from Monica.

Book Review : Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

Bad Apple

Product Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061243302
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061243301
Synopsis:

"If I really wanted to open up, I'd confess that I really am the liar everyone believes I am."

High-school junior Tola Riley has green hair, a nose ring, an attitude problem, and a fondness for fairy tales, which are a great escape from real life. Everyone thinks she's crazy; everyone says so. Everyone except Mr. Mymer, her art teacher. He gets her paintings and lets her hang out in the art room during lonely lunch periods.

But then rumors start flying and Tola is suddenly the center of a scandal. The whole town is judging her—even her family. When Mr. Mymer is suspended for what everyone thinks is an affair, she has no choice but to break her silence. Fairy tales won't help her this time . . . so how can she tell the truth? And, more importantly, will anyone believe her?


Synopsis:

A bad apple is often used to describe a troublesome person, coming from the quotation "one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel". It seems, to everyone, that Tola Riley is a bad apple. She has green hair, a great love for fairy tales and art, and is involved in a scandal with her art teacher, Mr. Mymer. Her whole world is turning upside down. Vicious rumors are spreading like wildfire through the school, and an anonymously-created website called thetruthabouttolariley.com is telling lies about her. As anyone could have predicted, no one believes what Tola claimed to be: that Mr. Mymer is innocent and she is not involved in an affair with him.

Tola is weird, but special in a different way - she is quirky and funny. I like the romance that is budding between Seven and her, and I wish that Laura had written more about this. Aside from her grandfather, her best friend June is the only one who is supporting her and keeping her sane throughout the whole "affair" thing. The bad girl in this story - Chelsea Patrick has an inclination towards hurting her ex-friend. She is crazily wicked, but that makes her character more realistic because there really are people like her.

I love the humour this book has offered. It made me laugh and kept me interested. In my opinion, Laura has done a good job on portraying every character in the story, mainly the artistic Tola, her supportive grandfather, and her always-depressed sister. She also included comments by Tola's classmates, school administrators, and family members at the end of each chapter to let us know about their different point of views on her unpleasant situation. However, the ending was a tad bit disappointing. I had wanted something more climatic, something more impressive.

In a nutshell, Bad Apple was a bizarre, humourous and enjoyable read. It is a story about truth, family, friendship and love. If you like reading about fairy tales with good endings, do pick this book up!. :)

Rating: 8/10

Many thanks to Laura Ruby for sending me a signed copy of Bad Apple for this review! And thank you so much for your patience!

A little about Laura:
Laura Ruby writes fiction for adults, teens and children. Titles include the Edgar-nominated children's mystery LILY'S GHOSTS (2003), the ALA Quick Pick for teens GOOD GIRLS (2006), and a collection of interconnected short stories about blended families for adults, I'M NOT JULIA ROBERTS (2007). She makes her home in Chicago.


Get your own copy of Bad Apple:

Visit Laura's Website:
www.lauraruby.com

Other books by Laura Ruby:
Play Me :: Good Girls

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Turn Over A New Leaf, Girl!

I'm in a really bad mood right now. I just participated in the 5000m walkathon and 3000m marathon in the last 2 days and my legs are aching like hell. I was supposed to practise in the Bomba marching team, but my legs can't stand the pressure. My muscles and tendons feel like ripping into half. I asked the president whether I can take a day or two off to rest. I promised her that I will participate on Sports Day on this Saturday. She didn't want me off the team and gave me pressure by saying, "You're the secretary, how can you not come? You should have set a good example for your peers. Do you still want to stay in the Bomba group? You didn't even come on the first meeting." God, I feel like punching her in the face, but eventually, I cried 3 times. I have told her about a hundred times that my legs are aching, but she ignored me. Come on, man! If you walked the school field 26.5 rounds, would you be able to march? Or, just make it simple, can you even stand? I even told her a thousand times that I had to attend my cousin's wedding in KL, so I couldn't come for the first meeting.

P/S: If you're reading this, please, try to be nice! You should know that a lot of people dislike you. If you keep on treating everyone like your slaves or house-keeping dogs, you will NEVER get a true friend who will always stand by you. It's not that I want to badmouth about you, but you really should get a look at yourself in the mirror. Treating others kindly when there is advantage will only give them a chance to despise you. Only truthfulness remains until the end.