Handmade Bookmarks!

Over the Christmas break I decided to get productive!  I love bookmarks and the "thong" style stays in your book perfectly!  I wanted your opinions about them.  If you guys like them and want one for yourself ($8), then I will set up a post with individual pictures of each bookmark.  Right now, I just want to see if you guys like them! 

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

The Dark Divine is the breathtaking debut novel from author Bree Despain.  I was SO excited when I received this book from Santa!  I have been lusting for it since I first caught sight of its spectacular cover!

Summary from Goodreads:
"Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul."


My Thoughts:
My favorite kind of book is one that forces you to ignore your beckoning pillow and makes you refuse to look at your clock- a book that compels you to read into the night, because if you don't find out what happens next you won't be able to sleep anyway!  The Dark Divine is that kind of book!  I was completely hooked by the end of the first chapter.  This story is a battle of Good vs. Evil - full of suspense, danger, forbidden love, and deadly secrets.  The story has a strong Christian influence that the author infused with legend and lore.  The combination of these elements worked perfectly in the plot, and it made the story seem like it could really happen!

The book maintained a quick pace throughout.  I truly had a hard time putting it down!  The characters were well developed and believable.  They felt "real" to me as I read the book.  The story is told through Grace Divine.  I really liked her character.  She is strong and smart, but she feels compelled to live up to the expectations of being Pastor Divine's daughter.  She is in a tug-a-war between her love and connection to Daniel and her deep commitment to her family.  Does she follow her heart or do what is expected of her?  Daniel's character is pretty complex.  He is the dark and mysterious guy, sure - but he also possesses a deep vulnerability and need for Grace that will make you melt!  He carries a dangerous secret that could destroy everything he has ever cared about.  Jude is Grace's brother and the "perfect guy".  He is committed to the church, helps the needy, and loves his family.  But when Daniel returns to town, Jude begins to change.  The secrets that have been kept from Grace "for her own good" since Daniel disappeared are revealed and Grace, Daniel, and Jude are plunged into a battle for their very souls!

This book has definitely made my list of favorite reads! The ending was spectacular!  There was an unexpected twist that I did not see coming and it was awesome!  I hope there is a sequel planned to this book!  There is so much more I want to know about this story!!!  Congratulations to Bree Despain for writing a phenomenal debut novel!!

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Generation Dead is the debut novel by author Daniel Waters.  This is the first zombie book I've read and I wasn't really sure if I would enjoy it.  I love the supernatural/paranormal romance genre and I have read books featuring almost every supernatural topic out there... except zombies!  My skepticism stems from images of old zombie movies with the dead lumbering around with rotting flesh! Yuck!  So I was pleasantly surprised that the zombies featured in this book did not fit the above description!!
Summary from Amazon:
"Phoebe is just your typical goth girl with a crush.  He's strong and silent.and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is happening.  Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead.  They are coming back to life, but they are no longer the same-they stutter, and their reactions to everything are slower.   Termed "living impaired" or "differently biotic," they are doing their best to fit into a society that doesn't want them. 

Fitting in is hard enough when you don't have the look or attitude, but when almost everyone else is alive and you're not, it's close to impossible.   The kids at Oakvale High don't want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn't breathing.  And there are no laws that exist to protect the differently biotic from the people who want them to disappear-for good. 

With her pale skin and Goth wardrobe, Phoebe has never run with the popular crowd.  But no one can believe it when she falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids.  Not her best friend, Margi, whose fear of the differently biotic is deeply rooted in guilt over the past.  And especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team.  Adam has just realized his feelings for Phoebe run much deeper than just friendship.   He would do anything for her, but what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?"

My Thoughts:
I am happy to say that there were no horror movie zombies in this book!  The zombies, or differently biotic, were like typical teenagers in many ways. They all had differing levels of abilities, individual personalities, some were beautiful, some were not and they all struggled to fit into the world around them. Unfortunately... they struggle to fit in because they are DEAD!  

I felt that the major theme throughout the book was how society deals with differences.  In the story, the differently biotic are fighting for their rights as citizens (these were lost upon their actual death).  There are two sides in this fight - those that do not feel that the differently biotic should have any rights or even exist and those that are sympathetic to their cause.  Is this an accurate representation of how society would react to the sudden rising of dead teenagers?  I seriously doubt it, but I believe that it does shine a light on how our society deals with the differences among us and the prejudices that result from these differences. 

The characters in the story fit into the "social mold" prevalent in high school.  There are the jocks, the goths, the kids that feel invisible, the snobby cheerleaders, the bullies, and of course, the outcasts (zombies).  The main characters in the story are interesting.  Phoebe (goth chick) is in conflict throughout the book.  She is dealing with her conflicting emotions over her attraction to Tommy (zombie).  She is a very likable character, who is smart, open-minded, and fair.  She doesn't really care about what others think of her and she doesn't even see her own beauty.  Adam is the popular star football player at school.  However, he goes through a transformation in the book.  He is Phoebe's neighbor and secret best friend (imagine what the other popular kids at school would think!).  He begins to realize that he isn't like the rest of his "so-called" friends.  He harbors strong feelings for Phoebe that extend beyond friendship, but she is oblivious to this.  He is fiercely protective of her and her feelings for Tommy do not make things easy for him!  Since zombies are typically not able to display much emotion,  it is hard to really get a grasp on Tommy's (leader of the zombies) real feelings/motives.  Does he want to be with Phoebe because he likes her or does he want to be with her because she is alive?  The villains in the book (Pete, TC, and Stavis) are pure hatred!  To me, they are the representation of the close-minded prejudice and violence found in any rights movement.  They were completely blinded by their differences and lashed out with violence and hate.  All of these dynamics make the story interesting and give it depth.


The story unfolded at a good pace.  The middle of the story was a little slow, but the ending more than made up for it!  The turn of events at the end took me by surprise!  I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil it, but  I will say that it made me want to run out and get the second book in this series,  Kiss of Life, that released earlier this year.  Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to supernatural genre lovers (8th grade and up)!

My Favorite Reads of 2009!

 
It is hard to believe that 2009 is coming to an end!  So many wonderful things happened this year!  I started my blog on August 31st of this year and I have enjoyed being a part of this community so much!  Thank you to all that take time out of their busy day to read what I have to say!  As far as books go, I have been contemplating this post for the past couple days.  I read so many incredible books this year, and picking favorites is just hard!  But after much deliberation.... Here are my favorites in no particular order:

1. Beautiful Creatures by Cami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
4. Wonderous Strange by Leslie Livingston
5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
7. Need by Carrie Jones
8. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
9. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
10. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
11. Ballad by Maggie Steifvater
12. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
13. The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
14. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
15. Meridian by Amber Kizer

There are so many other books that I enjoyed reading this year, but I tried to narrow the list!  My TBR stack contains so many books from 2009 that I haven't gotten to.  Here are SOME of them- which one should I read next? (Darklight, Fallen, Perfect Chemistry, The Demon's Lexicon, Going Bovine, Leviathan, Prophecy of The Sisters, Intertwined, Rampant, My Soul To Take, Fire, Hearts At Stake, Magic Under The Glass, Ruined, If I Stay, Eternal, The Awakening, and Swoon).  It is so hard to decide!!

In My Mailbox (10)

*Don't forget to enter my Looking Glass Wars Contest for your chance to win hardcovers of "The Looking Glass Wars" and "Seeing Red" by Frank Beddor.  Click HERE to enter!


**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM!**

Wow!!  I can't believe that Christmas has already come and gone!  I am sorry about my lack of posts recently, but Christmas is always crazy at my house.  Santa was VERY good to me this year!  I received so many books that I have been swooning for!  I also won a couple good ones!  So here goes:

From Santa:

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Everwild by Neal Shusterman

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Magic Under The Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Intertwined by Gena Showalter

The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness

Darklight by Leslie Livingston

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

The Devouring by Simon Holt

The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Boys That Bite by Mari Mancusi

Stake That by Mari Mancusi

Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi

Bought:

Dangerous Angels by Francesca Lia Block

Won:

The Princess Present by Meg Cabot

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Now you know what I got! What did you get?

New Award!!!

I am honored to say that I received a new award from the Fabulous Milka @ Read.Read.Read!  She has been so kind to nominate me for:

     Heartfelt Award!!

 

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.

Rules:
Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

Nominees:

Yan @ Books By Their Cover

Morgan @ Books And Literature For Teens 

Sophie @ So Many Books, So Little Time 

Faye @ Ramblings of A Teenage Bookworm  

 

Looking Glass Wars Contest!

First off, I must say that the dog in this picture looks identical to my dog Olive.. So I couldn't resist!

I am still brimming with holiday spirit and I love giving presents!  What better present to give than two brand spanking new hardcover books!!  That's right... up for grabs this time is the first two books in The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy!!! (The Looking Glass Wars and Seeing Red by Frank Beddor)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor:

Summary from Goodreads:

"You know the myth... A little girl named Alice tumbled down a rabbit hole and proceeded to have a charming adventure in the delightful, made-up world of Wonderland...Now discover the truth... Wonderland Exists!  Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, was forced to flee through the Pool of Tears after a bloody palace coup staged by the murderous Redd. Lost and alone in Victorian London, Alyss is befriended by an aspiring author to whom she tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life only to see it published as the nonsensical Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alyss had trusted Lewis Carroll to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere would find her and bring her home. But Carroll had gotten it all wrong. He even misspelled her name! If not for royal bodyguard Hatter Madigan's nonstop search to locate the lost princess, Alyss may have become just another society woman sipping tea in a too-tight corset instead of returning to Wonderland to fight Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.  Meet the heroic, passionate, monstrous, vengeful denizens of this parallel world as they battle each other with AD-52's and orb generators, navigate the Crystal Continuum, bet on jabberwock fights and travel across the Chessboard Desert.  The Looking Glass Wars unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions of mad tea parties, sleepy dormice, and a curious little blonde girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for Imagination."

Summary from Goodreads:

"Wonderland finally seems as if it’s getting back to normal. Queen Alyss is back on the throne, and reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Dodge. But the fight for Wonderland is far from over. King Arch, in nearby Boarderland, is conniving to overthrow everything for which Alyss and her friends have fought so hard. Even worse, King Arch has found an ally in the recently returned Redd, who has been biding her time and gathering new and evil assassins in the Catacombs of Paris. With enemies circling and danger looming, someone close to Alyss lets her down —and threatens the future of Wonderland forever."

The rules of this contest are easy!  You have to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post (that will be your entry).  Please leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win!  If you are not comfortable leaving it in the comment, then email it to me at jenniferclodfelter@yahoo.com .  Here are the ways to earn extra entries:

• (+1) tweet about this contest (leave link)
• (+2) new follower 
• (+3) old follower- you know I love you!
• (+2) post on your sidebar (leave me your blog link)
• (+5) actual blog post about the contest (link please)
• (+1) if a new follower says that you referred them to my site!
• (+2) Grab my button! (If you already have it on your site let me know and I will give you the 2 points!)

That's 16 extra entries!!!  This contest is open internationally and will run until midnight January 24th.  Thanks and Happy Holidays!!!