Why do I fancy books?

I was bored before I started seriously reading again in 2009, after about 10 years of not reading much of anything except manga (and by then my obsession of anime was gradually fading). My only other hobby before reading was Postcrossing, which was great but there's only so much you can do with postcards and there's not much interaction other than the postcard you send and receive. It can be a pretty lonesome hobby if no one you know cares about postcards and everyone thinks you're weird for liking that hobby. :\

Now, that's not to say that my friends and family like books. Because the majority of them honestly don't care. (Sometimes I just feel like the odd one out! :P lol) But the online book community is MUCH BIGGER than the postcard community. I've met some pretty awesome people through GoodReads and other book blogs, and I've found out about some amazing books because of them. Books I probably never would have considered to read before. Like my favorite book of all time: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.

I mean, WOW. That book... I didn't even know books could take you to a whole another level, until I read Jellicoe Road! O_O It changed my reading experience, my expectations, and made me see what I've always wanted (but didn't realize I wanted) out of books! It left me speechless. My mind was seriously blown. And because of that book I found my favorite author. I'm a hardcore fan. A major fangirl of Melina Marchetta! GO MELINA MARCHETTA! :D YOU'RE AWESOME AND AMAZING! ♥♥

So yeah, most of my family and friends still think I'm weird because I'm obsessed with books... But hey, at least I have a hobby I enjoy, right? Reading gets my mind going and keeps me inspired. Books can be life-altering and mind-blowing, and most importantly, books keep me from dying of boredom. That's why I fancy books.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

The 2011 Debut Author challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The purpose of the challenge is to read at least 12 young-adult books released this year by debut authors. The deadline to sign up is March 1, 2011. To find out more detailed information and how to sign-up (hurry! the deadline is tomorrow!), visit the main challenge post at The Story Siren.

Some of the books I have or plan to read and review for the challenge:
1. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford [review]
2. The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver [review]
3. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes [review]
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth [review]
5. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
6. Clarity by Kim Harrington
7. Die for Me by Amy Plum [review]
8. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
9. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres [review]
10. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
11. Legend by Marie Lu [review]
12. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin [mini-reivew]
13. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout [review]
14. Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren [review to come]
15. Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle [review]
16. The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder [review]
17. Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart [review]
18. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson [mini-review]
19. The Marked Son by Shea Berkley [review]
20. The Bridge by Jane Higgins
21. Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

TBR:
-The Returning by Christine Hinwood

POC Reading Challenge 2011

Art by PET.

This year I'm going to participate in the Persons of Color Reading Challenge. The POC challenge is for readers to read books with characters of color or books written by authors of color. To find out more about the challenge and to sign-up, visit the 2011 sign-up page at the POC blog.

Updated June 29
My goal is to read at least three POC books, which is Level 1. Here are the books I have read so far this year:

Legend by Marie Lu [my review]
Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra [my review]
The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder [my review]

The Bridge by Jane Higgins [★★★★]

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler [my review]

And these are books I am hoping to read next for the challenge:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Be sure to check out the POC blog, if you're interested in participating. :)

Aussie YA Book Challenge 2011

The 2011 Aussie YA Book Challenge is as follows:

Australian participants - Read at least 12 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

International participants - Read at least 6 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

They can be old or new titles, however no re-reads.

It is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a blogger but you MUST POST A REVIEW. You can post a review on Goodreads, Shelfari or you can even do a guest post on a blog like mine.

You can join anytime. The challenge runs from 1st January 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

There will be prizes throughout the year and guest posts and interviews from some awesome Aussie authors.

The 2011 Australian Young-Adult Book Challenge was created by Nic at Irresistible Reads and Nomes at Inkcrush. For more information about the challenge and to sign-up, please visit the challenge post at Nic's blog.

My favorite author (Melina Marchetta) is Australian, and her books make up more than half of the Australian novels I've read. So this challenge will be a great opportunity to get me to read books by other Australian authors. Especially since I've already read all of Melina Marchetta's books.

(Update Mar. 2011- I'm surprised how different the actual list is from the tentative list I had!)

Here are the books I've read for the challenge:
1. A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley [Loved it! Read it! ★★★★★]
2. Good Oil by Laura Buzo [review]
3. Saltwater Moons by Julie Gittus [review]
4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar [review to come]
5. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres [review]
6. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley [review]
7. The Gorgon in the Gully by Melina Marchetta [review] (children's book)
8. Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle [review]
9. Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe [review]
10. Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood [Cute & funny. ★★★★]
11. Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart [review]
12. The Bridge by Jane Higgins [Great story. ★★★★]
13. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta [review]
14. This is Shyness by Leanne Hall [Bizarre! ★★★★]

Others I plan to read for the challenge:
-Bloodflower by Christine Hinwood

Might read:
-Pink by Lili Wilkinson
-John Belushi Is Dead by Kathy Charles
-The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

If you're interested in joining the challenge, be sure to check out the Aussie YA Book Challenge 2011 post! :)

Heavenly - Book Trailer

Here is the book trailer and summary for Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens:

I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoë's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoë lost in her broken life. Zoë escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoë's autistic sister. After Zoë is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

Check out Jennifer Laurens's blog.

Date - Mini Challenge #2

Princess Bookie is holding another mini-challenge. This time I have to name a celebrity I would want to go on a date with. Hmm... It would have to be...

Chord Overstreet! Honestly, I don't know much about him. I never even heard about him, until two weeks during the season premiere of Glee. He was one of the new characters. His character is Sam Evans. Sam is a football player. He likes comic books (that's the only thing I remember from when he was introducing himself), and of course, he can sing! Heck, I think I know more about Sam than I do Chord.

But anyway, when I first saw him, I was like, "Oh. Who's that?" Why was I immediately intrigued by him? Well, he kind of looks like how I imagined...Peeta! Yes, Peeta from The Hunger Games. Seriously, throughout the whole episode, I got so excited whenever Chord was in a scene. I kept thinking, 'PEETA!!' haha So yeah, I admit my reason for wanting to go on date with Chord Overstreet is only because he makes me think of Peeta.

Now, what would we do on this date? Well... I don't know. Force him to read The Hunger Games? Maybe I'll tell him to bake me bread or a cake. Paint me a picture. Give me a dandelion. Something Peeta-like! Nah, I'm joking. Staring at him would be enough. Or he could sing me a song, since he seems to be good at that. ;)

Oh yes that's a fanart of Peeta. LOL

Forever Cover

The cover of Forever, the final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, was revealed today, and you can pre-order an autographed copy at the Fountain Bookstore, Inc.

Also, Maggie Stiefvater is holding a contest on her blog. Prizes include signed copies of the Linger audiobook, hardcover of Linger, paperback of Shiver, bookmarks, bookplates, and more! Contest ends October 19. To find out more information about the contest, visit her blog.

Top 2011 Books - Mini Challenge #1

Princess Bookie is holding a mini-challenge. Basically I have to name my top 5 most anticipated books of 2011. This was a bit hard, but I finally decided on my top 5.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

My #1 book has got to be The Piper's Son, the companion novel to Saving Francesca. Melina Marchetta is my favorite author, so anything by her is something I want and need to read. This book already came out this past March in Australia, and I've been patiently waiting for the US release. :3

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have to say that I'm extremely intrigued with this book. All I know about it is what I've read from the summary and some comments I've seen that mention it's Hunger Games-ish. And you know I love The Hunger Games. I heard it's also going to be a series. Seriously cannot wait to read this one! >:)

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay, but this time it's in Adam's point of view. If I Stay was one of my favorite books last year, and I loved Mia and Adam. When I found out there was going to be a sequel, it made me very happy. Can't wait! Oh, and isn't the cover just pretty? :)

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

This is the sequel to The Body Finder. I loved The Body Finder; it's one of my favorite paranormal YA books. I thought Violet and Jay were great characters, and I loved their relationship. Really excited to read more about them in this sequel! :D

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

I loved Lisa McMann's WAKE trilogy. She has a total of three books she plans on releasing in the next two years, and Cryer's Cross is definitely the one I'm most interested in reading. Especially after Lisa said that if you loved Cabel from WAKE (which I did), then you'll love the guy in this book. ;)

2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
(Click the here for more details on signing up.)

1. Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi (Jan. 1)
2. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (Jan. 2)
3. Candor by Pam Bachorz (Jan. 9)
4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (Jan. 11)
5. Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block (Jan. 12)
6. The Comeback Season by Jennifer E. Smith (Jan. 16)
7. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (Jan. 17)
8. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (Jan. 21)
9. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (Jan. 22)
10. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (Jan. 25)
11. Willow by Julia Hoban (Jan. 27)
12. The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz (Jan. 28)
13. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Jan. 31)
14. Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick (Feb. 2)
15. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum (Feb. 4)
16. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Feb. 5)
17. Gone by Lisa McMann (Feb. 5)
18. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta (Feb. 6)
19. Captivate by Carrie Jones (Feb. 9)
20. The Mark by Jen Nadol (Feb. 10)
21. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta (Feb. 12)
22. The Pace by Shelena Shorts (Feb. 13)
23. Fallen by Lauren Kate (Feb. 18)
24. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Feb. 19)
25. Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey (Feb. 22)
26. Fat Cat by Robin Brande (Feb. 22)
27. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder (Feb. 23)
28. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Feb. 25)
29. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles (Feb. 28)
30. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Mar. 1)
31. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (Mar. 3)
32. Darklight by Lesley Livingston (Mar. 6)
33. After by Kristin Harmel (Mar. 7)
34. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta (Mar. 9)
35. Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (Mar. 11)
36. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk (Mar. 12)
37. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (Mar. 13)
38. How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles (Mar. 15)
39. How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles (Mar. 16)
40. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Mar. 20)
41. Hourglass by Claudia Gray (Mar. 20)
42. Fire by Kristin Cashore (Mar. 25)
43. Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu (Mar. 25)
44. Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick (Mar. 28)
45. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Mar. 30)
46. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White (Apr. 1)
47. If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson (Apr. 1)
48. Far from You by Lisa Schroeder (Apr. 2)
49. Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott (Apr. 4)
50. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Apr. 9)
51. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (Apr. 12)
52. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Apr. 13)
53. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman (Apr. 14)
54. Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma (Apr. 19)
55. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Apr. 22)
56. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (Apr. 26)
57. Rising Shadow by Jacquelyn Wheeler (Apr. 27)
58. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (Apr. 28)
59. Panthan's Crucible by Meredith Wood (Apr. 30)
60. Knight Angels: Book of Love by Abra Ebner (May 3)
61. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (May 12)
62. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen (May 15)
63. Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman (May 16)
64. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (May 17)
65. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (May 19)
66. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (May 20)
67. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong (May 21)
68. Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia (June 13)
69. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (June 16)
70. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson (June 23)
71. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (June 26)
72. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles (June 27)
73. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer (June 27)
74. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong (June 29)
75. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols (June 30)
76. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (July 9)
77. Lowboy by John Wray (Jan. 5)
78. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Mar. 13)
79. Happy Happy Clover, Vol. 4 by Sayuri Tatsuyama (June 1)
80. Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen (July 5)
81. Demonkeepers by Jessica Andersen (July 7)
82. Twilight, Vol. 1 by Stephenie Meyer & Young Kim (June 9)
83. Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly (July 11)
84. Soul to Seoul, Vol. 4 by Kim Jea Eun (July 12)
85. Soul to Seoul, Vol. 5 by Kim Jea Eun (July 12)
86. Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler (July 16)
87. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner (July 17)
88. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (July 19)
89. The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (July 22)
90. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (July 25)
91. Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick (July 28)
92. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Aug. 2)
93. Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Aug. 3)
94. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (Aug. 5)
95. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Aug. 21)
96. Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley (Aug. 21)
97. Remember by Benjamin (ZHANG Bin 本杰明) (Feb. 5)
98. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (Aug. 22)
99. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Aug. 24)
100. Heavy Liquid by Paul Pope (Jan. 5)
101. 100% by Paul Pope (Jan. 5)
102. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Sept. 7)
103.

Linger Trailer

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
(Click the here for more details on signing up.)

Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

1. Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi (Jan. 1)
2. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (Jan. 2)
3. Candor by Pam Bachorz (Jan. 9)
4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (Jan. 11)
5. Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block (Jan. 12)
6. The Comeback Season by Jennifer E. Smith (Jan. 16)
7. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (Jan. 17)
8. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (Jan. 21)
9. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (Jan. 22)
10. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (Jan. 25)
11. Willow by Julia Hoban (Jan. 27)
12. The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz (Jan. 28)
13. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Jan. 31)
14. Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick (Feb. 2)
15. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum (Feb. 4)
16. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Feb. 5)
17. Gone by Lisa McMann (Feb. 5)
18. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta (Feb. 6)
19. Captivate by Carrie Jones (Feb. 9)
20. The Mark by Jen Nadol (Feb. 10)
21. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta (Feb. 12)
22. The Pace by Shelena Shorts (Feb. 13)
23. Fallen by Lauren Kate (Feb. 18)
24. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Feb. 19)
25. Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey (Feb. 22)
26. Fat Cat by Robin Brande (Feb. 22)
27. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder (Feb. 23)
28. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Feb. 25)
29. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles (Feb. 28)
30. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Mar. 1)
31. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (Mar. 3)
32. Darklight by Lesley Livingston (Mar. 6)
33. After by Kristin Harmel (Mar. 7)
34. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta (Mar. 9)
35. Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (Mar. 11)
36. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk (Mar. 12)
37. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (Mar. 13)
38. How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles (Mar. 15)
39. How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles (Mar. 16)
40. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Mar. 20)
41. Hourglass by Claudia Gray (Mar. 20)
42. Fire by Kristin Cashore (Mar. 25)
43. Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu (Mar. 25)
44. Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick (Mar. 28)
45. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Mar. 30)
46. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White (Apr. 1)
47. If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson (Apr. 1)
48. Far from You by Lisa Schroeder (Apr. 2)
49. Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott (Apr. 4)
50. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Apr. 9)
51. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (Apr. 12)
52. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Apr. 13)
53. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman (Apr. 14)
54. Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma (Apr. 19)
55. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Apr. 22)
56. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (Apr. 26)
57. Rising Shadow by Jacquelyn Wheeler (Apr. 27)
58. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (Apr. 28)
59. Panthan's Crucible by Meredith Wood (Apr. 30)
60. Knight Angels: Book of Love by Abra Ebner (May 3)
61. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (May 12)
62. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen (May 15)
63. Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman (May 16)
64. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (May 17)
65. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (May 19)
66. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (May 20)
67. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong (May 21)
68. Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia (June 13)
69. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (June 16)
70. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson (June 23)
71. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (June 26)
72. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles (June 27)
73. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer (June 27)
74. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong (June 29)
75. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols (June 30)
76. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (July 9)
77. Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly (July 11)
78. Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler (July 16)
79. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner (July 17)
80. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (July 19)
81. The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (July 22)
82. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (July 25)
83. Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick (July 28)
84. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Aug. 2)
85. Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Aug. 3)
86. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (Aug. 5)
87. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Aug. 21)
89. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (Aug. 22)
90. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Aug. 24)
91. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Sept. 7)
92.