Post Grad Movie Review

**Leave a comment,

Get +5 in the contest**

Title: Post Grad

Director: Vicky Jenson

Writer: Kelly Fremon

Main Actress: Alexis Bledel

Recommend to: Book worms, College students, High School Students.

Rating:.4

"Now What?"

Ryden Malby had a plan. Do well in high school, thereby receiving a great college scholarship. Now that she's finally graduated, it's time for her to find a gorgeous loft apartment and land her dream job at the city's best publishing house. But when Jessica Bard, Ryden's college nemesis steals her perfect job, Ryden is forced to move back to her childhood home.

Stuck with her eccentric family - a stubborn do-it-yourself dad, an overly thrifty mom, a politically incorrect grandma, a very odd little brother - and a growing stack of rejected job applications, Ryden starts to feel like she's going nowhere. The only upside is spending time with her best friend, Adam - and running into her hot next-door neighbor, David. But if Ryden's going to survive life as a post grad, it may be time to come up with a new plan...

Taschima:

I liked it, I liked it, I liked it.

I always do a bit of a summary in my own words, but I believe the summary up there says it all. If I were to say more I would spoil it.

Alexis Bledel. Ive love this girl since Gilmore Girls. She is super pretty, sometimes too pretty. Which made her perfect for this part. She is a good actress though at times I could detect a Rory Gilmore flare to her part. Maybe the two parts were too closely related. She is suppose to play the part of a super achiever girl who sticks by the plan. Sound familiar? Yeah, well I still liked her. Her acting made it seem real, and through the movie I felt as if she were telling me my future (I hope so, without the unemployment of course, but life ain't perfect) xD

Another thing I loved about the movie was the job territory it was talking about. Many times Ive wanted to know things from the inside of the book industry, and I feel that I'm in a total blank about what the job really requires. This movie shows you it's hard, it's competitive, and that if you really want it you have to fight tooth and nail for it. Something we might all know but forget at times. The movie doesn't go much into the whole book part of the story but into the girl's life and feelings of desperation. It tells you a main idea but doesn't give you the inside scoop.

The end of the movie left me a little undecided. One one hand I understand the girl and the reasons she does whatever she did in the end, but on the other I don't find it completely believable and real. Then again I could just be a total cynic.

Fun, light, and I felt connected to the movie, this is a strong 4.4 in my book.

**Ridiculously Awesome Contest**

You REALLY want to read this, if you don't, well, your inner book lover will never forgive you.

Ive been thinking about this... a lot.

At the beginning of February I reached 700 followers and had my Blogaversary. And both things went kind of unnoticed because I wasn't in conditions to celebrate (no money or energy). It sucked. But now I am ready, and it's going to be better than ever.

As of now there are going to be 7 winners and up to 28 books. It is big, it is weird, it is awesome!

Winner number 7 gets 1 book.

Winner number 6 gets 2 books.

Winner number 5 gets 3 books.

Winner number 4 gets 4 books.

Winner number 3 gets 5 books.

Winner number 2 gets 6 books.

Winner number 1 gets 7 book.

This one is the biggie. When we get all the way to 7 YOU get to choose your books and not from the list, but from either The Book Depository or Amazon. (There's a limit of 10 dollars per book).

And there's more! If I get to 800 followers I will add books (the amount will depend). Same as if I get to 850 or 900.

Also I will be emailing the winners and they get to choose the books. I will email winner number 2 give him/her the list and then with whatever is left I will give that list to winner number 3 and so on. You must answer within 48 hours or your name gets scratched and I go for another person.

So you guessed it, it's the mother of the giveaways!!

You might have seen that there are only 20 books in this list. Well, the last book you get to choose in the comment you will leave on this post.

**Edit: The last book is whatever book you want. Say whatever book you have been wanting for a while. There are no restrictions like theme, genre, books Ive reviewed, nothing like that. Just pick a book.

In order to enter:

1. You must be a follower. Please make sure that the Show Sites I Follow is checked on your Blogger Profile so I know that you are following.

2. You must fill out *The Form.*

3. You must love books.

4. Give your opinion as to which book should be the last one to be added. Aka leave a comment on this post.

5. You have till April 18 May 14 at 11:59 to sign up and win.

-Extra Ways to Win Points-

1. Follow my Affiliates!! You get +2 points for each one =]

Mindful Musings

Lost In Ink

The Pirate Penguin

Teens Read and Write

The Book Wars

La Femme Readers

2. Follow me at Twitter (@TaschimaCullen), at Shelfari (www.shelfari.com/taschimacullen) or subscribe to my blog! If there are any other ways that I forgot mention it =] (+2 for each)

3. Tweet about the contest +2

4. Contest Link on Sidebar +3

5. Put the awesome Bloody Bookaholic Button on your sidebar! +5

6. Community Service = Make a post and let others know =] +15

7. Comment on posts from February 27 onward! (+5 for each comment)

I do not accept SPAM.

This extra entries are available when you fill out the form.

*You will also get points for commenting* This little idea was first at my fellow affiliate's blog Teens Read and Write. Since I really enjoy reading what you guys gotta say I decided to do this too. It gives you more chances to win so why not? You will get 5 points for each comment, and I do not appreciate SPAM. The comments must be from February 27 onward.

And I am so very sorry to say that this contest is not international =[ It's open to US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

***EDIT!!!!!!!!!!!! It is international!!! Only that those who are out of the US, Canada or Puerto Rico will only be competing for the first place. So you can enter and hope you win first place!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fill Out The Form Now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**ADD**

**Double Add**

**CLOSED**

**Cerrado**

Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Title: Secret Society

Series: Secret Society?

Author: Tom Dolby

Pages: 352

Publisher: HarperTeen

Reading Level: Young Adult

Spotlight: Plot

Rating:

"Secrets, secrets are no fun.

Secrets, secrets hurt someone..."

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York’s wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn’t ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything. Even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown, and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they’re forced to get on the nape of their necks.

Once they’re part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It’s all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

Tom Dolby makes his teen fiction debut with this riveting novel about a dangerous Society so secret that once you get in, you can never get out.

Taschima:

This book caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting much, but I was expecting some sort of entertainment. This book delivered.

Phoebe, Nick, Lauren and Patch are special kids. And not because they go to Chadwick High School, one of the most prestigious high schools of New York, and not even because they have amazing talent, but because they have caught the eye of The Society. Which by now you should know it's secret (insert duh here).

A little background-

Phoebe is an artist, Lauren makes jewelry, Patch is an amateur filmmaker, and Nick... He makes good parties and is hella smart. Nick and Patch are best friends, and Phoebe is the new kid in town. Lauren is the socialite, I would say she is our Blare from Gossip Girl.

One night at a party (hosted by Nick) they receive this weird text message that says to meet in an address they don't even know, but only 3 of them get the txt. They go to the address while being completely unaware that their lives are just about to change drastically... Question is, is the change for the better?

One of the things I loved about this book was how much it entertained me. I was looking for something light and fun, and I so got it! Sure it isn't the kind of book you can take lightly, it's backbone is good and I expect the sequel to be even better.

Half of the book is secret society stuff, parties, ceremonies, secrets, you know the usual New York Scene. But the other half is about art. Which you could expect of Mr. Dolby because he has a BA in History of Art. So it wasn't such a shocker, but it was interesting to see the struggle of the artist.

The characters were interesting. Though I couldn't completely connect with them (I believe Phoebe is the one I could connect to the most). They are what you would expect for rich kids but at the same time they weren't. They want to work hard and earn what they get. Which is really good you know, I don't want to read about spoiled kids.

I think Ive rambled enough. The main point is read this book because it's worth it. The story could have been more than it was, BUT for that we have the sequel.

Thanks Tom Dolby for taking me out of my reading rut.

PS; What an amazing cover!

For an excerpt click here.

For more information about the author or the book click here.

New Cover Among Us

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

(Click for my review)

So they did it. Hurray! There you go fellas, a new cover. Personally, I don't see much change in skin color (don't kill me), BUT the second girl has more exotic features (I think it's the eyes and maybe the pose). I like both covers, but what I specially like about the second cover is the key. If you have read the book you know the part the key plays in the story, and I think it's nice they put it in the spotlight. I also like the curls of the new girl, they are very defined and pretty.

Now I hope Jaclyn starts getting more positive feed back, after all the cover issue wasn't her fault, and her story does hold a certain charm that is hard to escape from.

Give this book a try, you won't regret the magic that comes out.

**New House of Night Cover Out and About!**

UGH! Why can't I help but love the House of Night covers? The story makes me gag most of the time (though the last book was a bit better and left you with your mouth open by the end, in fact, a tear may have escaped my eye) but the covers always make me swoon. I believe that is Aphrodite is in the front, am I correct? I think I am.

** Edit: Damn, I forgot about Stevie Rae and her red marks... Ugh Fine it's Stevie Rae lol

Summary:

"Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left…

Enter BFF Stevie Rae. She wants to help Z but she has massive problems of her own. The rogue Red Fledglings are acting up, and this time not even Stevie Rae can protect them from the consequences. Her kinda boyfriend, Dallas, is sweet but too nosy for his own good. The truth is, Stevie Rae’s hiding a secret that might be the key to getting Zoey home but also threatens to explode her whole world.

In the middle of the whole mess is Aphrodite: ex-Fledgling, trust-fund baby, total hag from Hell (and proud of it). She’s always been blessed (if you could call it that) with visions that can reveal the future, but now it seems Nyx has decided to speak through her with the goddess’s own voice, whether she wants it or not. Aphrodite’s loyalty can swing a lot of different ways, but right now Zoey’s fate hangs in the balance.

Three girls… playing with fire… if they don’t watch out, everyone will get Burned."

Okay, the last line is a tad cheesy but it does sound interesting and I want to know what happens to the 3 girls. Specially Aphrodite which has, since book 2, held a special place with me. Ugh I still remember how sad the last book ended, I can't believe the authors did what they did! But I guess it had to be done.

* I guess this is also my Waiting on Wednesday book Lol

New Goodies

Books Received for Review:

Numbers by Rachel Ward

"Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!"

Scones & Sensibility by Rachel Ward

"Seek tirelessly and you shall not find a contemporary heroine of middle-grade literature as refined and romantic as Miss Polly Madassa. Still swooning over the romantic conclusions of Pride & Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables, twelve-year-old Polly decides her purpose in life: helping along lonely hearts in search of love. Polly's only task this summer is to make deliveries for her parents' bakery, leaving ample time for this young cupid to find hearts to mend--beginning with the kite-store owner, Mr. Nightquist, who will pair perfectly with Miss Wiskerton (the unfairly labeled town curmudgeon). Polly's best friend Fran Fisk is in desperate need of a mother ever since hers ran off with a man she met on the Internet; Polly must find a match for Mr. Fisk. And while she's at it, it wouldn't hurt to find Clementine, Polly's teenaged sister, a beau worthy of her (so she can shed that brute, Clint). Polly's plans are in full swing, so she definitely cannot be bothered by the advances of classmate Brad Barker.

But maybe Polly should have turned her attention to Miss Austen's Emma next, because she quickly learns the pitfalls of playing matchmaker. How will Polly patch up her own relationships, while ensuring that destined love can take its course?"

First Drops of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost (Signed!)

"The night is not safe for mortals.

Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows – her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield – and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family’s dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness – and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human – even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together…

Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost."

To read a teaser of First Drops of Crimson please click here.

From Me to Me:

The Overnight Socialite by Brindie Clark

"In this beguiling retelling of the classic Pygmalion, we meet Lucy Ellis, a Manhattan transplant who dreams of making it as a fashion designer but instead toils away on a Garment District assembly line.

Road-blocked each time she tries to score a break, Lucy is beginning to think the unthinkable: maybe it's time to pack it in and move home to Minnesota. Then, during a torrential downpour, at her most bedraggled and disheartened, Lucy meets Wyatt Hayes IV.

Wyatt--man-about-town and bored Ph.D. anthropologist--has just been publicly dissed by New York's reigning socialite, Cornelia Rockman, whom he'd been dating. When he meets Lucy, he boasts to his best friend Trip that he can transform any woman, even a trailer-born nobody like Lucy into this year's "It" girl. "Give me a few months," he tells Trip, and I could turn her into a social luminary.

She'll make the rest of the pack look like dim little tea lights. If Wyatt can fool the East Coast aristocracy into thinking Lucy's the real deal, he can reveal the farce behind of Cornelia's social superiority complex and score a career-boosting book deal."

Sneak a Peek

Sadly the book City of Fallen Angels still doesn't have a cover =[

But Cassandra did something to calm our minds, she made little teasers notes of each chapter of City of Fallen Angels. Like she did for City of Glass back in September of '08.

This was originally posted over at Mundie Moms as a present for their first anniversary.

Chapter One-A Proposition

In which Simon, who has been trying hard to live as normal a life as he can, finds out that's not going to be possible any more.

Chapter Two-Fear of Falling

This is the chapter that will be included in the paperback copy of City of Glass, so I won't say much about it, except it's Clary's POV.

Chapter Three-Sevenfold

And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Well, that whole Mark of Cain business wasn't just going to go away.

Chapter Four-The Art of Eight Limbs

This one contains a training sequence that involves Muay Thai, a martial art that's called "The Art of Eight Limbs" because it involves using hands, elbows, knees and feet as strike points. This is also the chapter that contains the quote from the Seelie Queen I Tweeted — the one about "he's bound to you, but does he love you?"

Chapter Five-Hell Calls Hell

This is Latin, from one of the Psalms, abyssus abyssum invocat. Also translated as "deep calls unto deep." In which Clary tries on a bridesmaid's dress.

Chapter Six-Wake The Dead

Pretty literal, actually.

Chapter Seven-Praetor Lupus

Those inclined toward Latin can have a whack at this one. This chapter has werewolves in it. :)

Chapter Eight-Walk in Darkness

"But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." And in the meantime, Simon's band gets a gig.

Chapter Nine-From Fire Unto Fire

This is from Oscar Wilde: "Nay, let us walk from fire unto fire,From passionate pain to deadlier delight,—I am too young to live without desire."I am sure everyone will be happy to know this chapter is mostly Clary and Jace.

Chapter Ten-232 Riverside Drive

Quite literally the address of something important (I can't help but wonder if someone actually lives at this address — I have friends who live on Riverside Drive, though not this number...)

Chapter Eleven-Our Kind

In this case, "Our Kind" is vampires.

Chapter Twelve-Sanctuary

In which a character we know from Clockwork Angel makes a strange demand of the Nephilim.

Chapter Thirteen-Girl Found Dead

What it says on the tin!

Chapter Fourteen-What Dreams May Come*

“Max,” Jace said. “Max, I’m so sorry.”

Chapter Fifteen-Beati Bellicosi

The actual phrase in Latin is Beati Pacifici — blessed are the peacemakers. In this case, I altered it (hopefully accurately) to Blessed are the Warriors.

Chapter Sixteen-New York City Angels

Those who know the Thriving Ivory song Angels on the Moon will recognize this phrase.

Chapter Seventeen-Cain Rose Up

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. All of this stuff is from Genesis 4, the Cain and Abel story — it's thematically called up throughout the book since it's a story about family, murder, sin, forgiveness and blood.

Chapter Eighteen-Scars of Fire

This is actually from a Carl Sandburg poem:"Wandering oversea singer,Singing of ashes and blood,Child of the scars of fire,Make us one new dream, us who forget.Out of the storm let us have one star."

Epilogue —

As of now, the epilogue is just titled "epilogue." It's pretty short but, I think, packs a punch. I hope so!

*Everyone knows this one! But in that sleep of death, what dreams may come. Hamlet.

This book makes me nervous cause I don't know if it's gonna be good good or if its gonna screw up the story. Hope it does the first one. Enjoy!

US VS UK, Round Nine...

There are always two version's to a cover, but in this post we are putting the US and the UK head to head to see who comes with the best cover. Our contestants are...

This round is solely for the Wicked Lovely series.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

US-UK

I honestly don't know which to choose. On one hand I like how in the US one they are focusing on the flower (flower, right?) that is in her hands. I like the ice and the color. I also like the font ans design. But on the UK one they also have amazing design with the font. Not only that but they have this faerie mood to their cover. When I look at it the word Illusion comes to mind. Agggh it's very close for me, but I think I'm going to give this one to the US. Because if I am going through the YA section at borders the US one looks more YA and professionally made... But I sure love that UK one too... A tie perhaps?

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

This one for me was fairly easy to choose. I choose US. After you read the book you realize how the cover goes perfectly with the story, in fact, even before you read the story the cover is setting the mood, which is dark and kind of dreamy. Love the font and designs on both of them though, but not I don't quite understand the wolf on the UK one, then again it may be that Ive read this book so long ago that I don't even remember the connection.

Well I tried, but I couldn't find anything on Fragile Eternity or Radiant Shadow. Too bad really.

Your choice, I want to hear. Comment, you shall.