Inspired by TV

So I was watching America's Next Top Model with my sister today. I knew that Tyra had written a book, but I had not heard too much about this book past a few people commenting on having read it. Well having heard Tyra talk about it on ANTM it sounds crazy! I think it could be my kind of crazy, but possibly it has passed crazy into insane!!

Well on the show the all-stars were filming the trailer for the book, so here it is.

Title: Modelland
Author: Tyra Banks
Published: 13th September 2011
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

No one gets in without being asked. And with her untamable hair, large forehead, and gawky body, Tookie De La Crème isn’t expecting an invitation. Modelland—the exclusive, mysterious place on top of the mountain—never dares to make an appearance in her dreams.

But someone has plans for Tookie. Before she can blink her mismatched eyes, Tookie finds herself in the very place every girl in the world obsesses about. And three unlikely girls have joined her.

Only seven extraordinary young women become Intoxibellas each year. Famous. Worshipped. Magical. What happens to those who don’t make it? Well, no one really speaks of that. Some things are better left unsaid.

Thrown into a world where she doesn’t seem to belong, Tookie glimpses a future that could be hers—if she survives the beastly Catwalk Corridor and terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp. Or could it? Dark rumors like silken threads swirl around the question of why Tookie and her new friends were selected . . . and the shadows around Modelland hide sinister secrets.

Are you ready? Modelland is waiting for you. . . .  - From Goodreads

So what do you think? Will you read it?

In My Mailbox (16)

Welcome to this weeks in my mailbox where we discuss all the new books we acquired through the week. This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren.

Not many books this week, I bought a couple for the kindle.

Halo (Halo #1) by Alexandra Adornetto
Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

I was also at a small independent cinema in Edinburgh last night to see Hugo (it was brilliant!) and I saw some promotional postcards for books (who would have thought?!?!) so I picked them up.

And some promotional postcard sized booklets for the Hunger Games which has a sample from chapter 1 inside.

So what did you get in your mailbox this week?

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 24th August 2010
Series: The Hunger Games #3
Source: Own Kindle Copy

Warning: Synopsis and Review Contain Spoilers For Hunger Games #1 and #2.

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final instalment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding. - From Goodreads

I am constantly telling people they should read this book. The one thing I struggle with is trying to convey to them just how amazing the story is. Whenever someone asks what the story is about I either give them With the all the love I had for The Hunger Games and Catching Fire still running through me, I quickly moved on to Mockingjay.

Right away I thought there was a different feeling to this book. There was a different kind of tension running through the story. We pick up about an hour after the end of Catching Fire and the action starts right away. This book stays away from hunger games and focuses on the aftermath from the end of book 2 and how it changes the districts. By the way did I mention that I went to The Capitol and I was registered to District 1. Here's my id -

I think we saw a different side to Katniss in this book. She seemed to step up to the plate in the first book and sulk in reluctance in the second book. In this book she seemed to just want to pretend that she is not a pivotal figure and focus on her own worries, namely Peeta. Oh Peeta, his part to this story made my heart break and I wanted nothing more than for everything to be back to normal!!

This had to be my least favourite of the 3 books due to the political nature of the story and because in a strange way I love the Hunger Games and I missed them. However, for me, the ending to this book made up for no hunger games and left me weeping and heartbroken! I finished this series crying but feeling very satisfied.

I can't wait to see these films, I will be first in the queue. I say again to anyone who has not picked up any of these books yet, what are you waiting for go and get them now and start reading the minute you get home. I know I will be giving a few sets of these books to people for their Christmas, lucky them!!

2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge

So I wouldn't be me if I didn't take loads all at once, so in addition to the challenges I have already signed up for, I will also be signing up for the 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge.

With so many books I read this year being the firsts in a series I am super excited for the next in the series to come out. Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit is hosting the Sophomore Reading Challenge. As with all of my other challenges, you can check out my progress during the year on the challenges tab at the top.

The Challenge is to read at least 10 seconds during 2012. My list so far looks like this -

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Reves
Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephing Angelini
Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Timepiece (Hourglass #2) by Myra McEntire
Girl of Nightmares (Anna Dressed in Blood #2) by Kendare Blake
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter


I am sure I will be adding to this list as the year progresses.

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Published: 9th April 2009
Series: If I Stay #1
Source: Own Kindle Copy

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces - to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time. -From Goodreads

This book stunned me from the very beginning. It was nothing that I expected. This was a fresh new take on a story that I will admit made me cry quite a bit and left me speechless.

From the first chapter you are thrown into Mia's life, with her happy Family, love of classical music and amazing boyfriend. I was completely sucked in from the first page and then the crash. The way the crash was described was so heartbreaking and out of her whole family Mia is the only one who did not die on impact. However Mia is not OK.

This story is told by Mia while she is in the coma and her observations from her out-of-body experience. We hear Mia talk about her past and experience what is going on in the present. I loved the use of past and present, and often when I was wrapped up in Mia's description of her life as it was, I would forget what was actually going on.

I have been thinking about this book for months not quite sure how to express my feelings for it. I loved this book even though there was a rawness to it which made me ache inside and be grateful for everything I have. I don't want to keep gushing over how emotional a read this was for me. It made me cry, but it made me happy at the same time. To me this felt like a stand alone book as I would be completely satisfied to just leave the story as it is, but I am happy to be given the chance in Where she Went to read more!

Follow Friday (4)

Welcome to another Follow My Book Blog Friday. Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

This week's question is: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don’t like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

I have seen a lot of people saying insta-love. I dont' have a problem with this, my issue is with abrupt endings. I hate books that end only a couple of pages after the conclusion. Sometimes it is necessary, especially if the book is part of a series, and I accept this. But when a book is a stand alone we need a bit of closure to say a small goodbye to the characters we have just come to know. I don't find the abrupt ending too often, but when I do I feel so unsatisfied.

Happy Friday!

TBR Reading Challenge

I have to believe that it is not just me who has a TBR pile which is about to topple over and bury me... So the point of this reading challenge is to try and shrink this pile so that if (when) it falls on you, there will still be a chance for survival. Am I being over dramatic? OK, well if you look at my TBR tab at the top of the page you will see that I have a massive list and I would love to make a dent in it during 2012.

The sign in for this challenge is here and I will be aiming for "a sweet kiss" which is 21-30 books, although I am hoping to accomplish more!

I will be posting my list of books I aim to read on the challenges tab above, although I have a feeling this will change over the course of next year.

 Oh and did I mention the prizes? Check out the list of hosts over at Evie's site - Bookish.

A selection of the books I will be reading is -
The Darkest Power Series By Kelly Armstrong (books 1-3)
The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine (books 1-5)
The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz (books 1-5)
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera  Lynne Childs
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynne Childs
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Daughters of Fortune by Tara Hyland

I am stopping there as I feel like I am just retyping my TBR list!

This is just the pile beside my bed!

Keep checking the challenges tab above to keep track of where I'm at.