In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox explores the contents of my mailbox on a weekly basis. It's hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

For Review:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Around the World Tours)

Getting In by Karen Stabiner (Publisher - This was a surprise package)

Not pictured: A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker (Around the World Tours - Review will be up tomorrow.)

Bought:

Graffiti Girl by Kelly Para

The Cinderella Rules by Donna Kauffman

On a side note, a few giveaways will be coming to a close soon. The giveaway where you can win 2 books of YOUR choice is still going on. Click here to check them out!

♥amber

Contest Reminders

Hey guys, I'm just doing a quick post to remind you of the giveaways going on at JYTBB right now.

Win a copy of Wherever Nina Lies (Ends 3/1)

Win a copy of Secrets of the Dragon Riders OR Demigods and Monsters (Ends 3/4)

Win 2 books of YOUR choice contest (Ends 3/21)

Also, if you haven't taken my survey, it'd be super awesome if you did and would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

The UnWritten Rule - Have You Gotten Your Copy Yet?

Elizabeth Scott is one of my all time favorite authors. Simply put: she's amazing. I love that she's always encouraging writers and providing links on her blog. Also she's all about supporting the YA genre. To add to her awesomeness she's having a little contest for The Unwritten Rule. I haven't read all of it yet, I'm in the middle of it and so far it is rocking my sock! (But did I expect any less? Um, no.)

If you want a chance to win your name in print, a phone call from Mrs. Elizabeth Scott herself, and 25 books - check this link out. If you for some reason haven't heard of The Unwritten Rule yet, here ya go:

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay

Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay


Released: November 2007
Publisher: MTV Books
Genre: Young Adult - Thriller
Pages: 304
Source: Other Shelf Tours


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Courtney Stanton thinks she's on just another ski trip with her friends -- until a horrific car accident strands them all on an isolated Colorado road during a blizzard. Frightened but alive, Courtney and her companions discover an abandoned vehicle nearby, and seek help. But the vehicle turns out to be a prison van, with the inmates missing, and the guard's dead body in the front seat.


Soon after, a stumbling figure emerges from the snow, a handcuffed refugee from the van. He says he's been in prison for selling meth, but that he once served in the army. Dare they trust him? He pleads innocence about the guard's murder, warns them about the other fugitives, and promises he will help guide them out of the wilderness. But as the group begins a nightmare trek across the frozen landscape, they start to get the feeling he hasn't told them the entire truth, and someone -- or something -- is secretly watching their every move.

---

Honestly, I have no idea how to write a review for this because everything I want to say will give it all away. What I can tell you is that Alex McAulay did a great job with keeping the plot moving so quickly that every time I thought about stopping, something would happen. Some sudden twist that I should have seen coming, but I never did.

I haven't read a thriller in a long time, and this book had me at the edge of my seat. There was so many things lingering in the back of my mind. Are Courtney and her friends going to make it out alive? Is this escaped convict the type of guy you can trust? What's going to happen to them as they try to seek help? When I read a book that is based on survival, it always makes me question what I would do in the same situation. In the book, I really liked what J.G. (the convict) said.  Now I'm sure I'm not quoting this right, but it was something on the lines that everyone wants to think they'd act like a hero until the reality is there. That line really sets the stage for this book.

Basically if you're in the mood for a read that will keep you in suspense where you're dying to know what's going to happen next - this is your book.

♥amber

Win TWO books of your choice!

As you can see, I re-did the layout again. I really like the simple white three column, but the only thing is I want a new header. Back in the summer, my niece and I had a book blog photo shoot and I really liked the pictures that we took. I just lack in the department into turning them into anything cool. So I'm opening up a contest!

Here are the details:

• Whoever makes the header I choose to display on the blog will win 2 books (under $15 each) of their choice from The Book Depository and some swag.
• As long as The Book Depository delivers books to where you live - you can enter!
• The only catch is that I would like the photos I took (see below) and my blog name to be used in the header. I don't care what you do with them, and you can also add images, re-size, re-crop, add a book quote, or whatever you'd like.
• There is unlimited entires in this. Send as many as you want!
• All entries need to be sent to me via email: justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com
• Contest will end March 21st at 11:59 pm central time. 

If I end up with a tie - additional prizes will be offered up to the winners.

Click on the pictures to make them larger.

Note: These pictures belong to me. Please do not use them anywhere else other than this contest. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email. Thank you!

♥amber

In My Mailbox

I'm covering the past two weeks in this post. All of these titles were sent for review:

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (Publisher)
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (Publisher)
Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland (Publisher)
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (Publisher)
Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay (Other Shelf Tours)
Something Like Fate by Susan Colasanti (Publisher)
Arson by Estevan Vega (Author)

That's it for me! What did you get?

♥amber

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell


Released: February 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Genre: Young Adult - Ghostly Paranormal
Pages: 192
Source: 1 Arc Tours

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells. Except this summer, Iris doesn’t have to make up a story. This summer, one falls right in her lap.


Years ago, before Iris was born, a local boy named Elijah Landry disappeared. All that remained of him were whispers and hushed gossip in the church pews. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she’s certain it’s the ghost of Elijah. What really happened to him? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris to come back to?

---

Off the bat I completely fell in love with the setting of Shadowed Summer. Saundra Mitchell did a fantastic job with writing Louisiana, the people, and not making the whole southern accent or anything seem forced. I felt like I lived in this small town with Iris.

I liked how while this book was about the ghost of Elijah Landry, it was also about one summer where Iris grows. The friendship between her and her best friend, Collete, is so realistic. Iris is still wanting to stay the same while Collete is chasing after boys and what seems like growing up way faster than Iris. I loved how it brought me back to that age where the world starts to change without you even realizing it.

The ghostly aspect of the story was done well. I loved the sudden twists of events towards the end. If this book was out when I was a younger teen, I know it would have been one of my favorites. I'm not saying you have to be a younger teen to enjoy this. I think this is the type of book all ages can read and will enjoy. When I was younger,say 11 or 12, ghost stories and messing with that sort of thing was what I loved to do. Because it brought me back to those days, I actually envisioned Iris to be around that age. My only fall back on this book was how slow paced it was. Lately I've been wanting a faster read. Besides that, it's still one I would recommend.

♥amber

Linger Giveaway!

 I know everyone and their mother has posted this giveaways, but I just couldn't help but join in on the fun! Read below for all the details:


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.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

New Giveaway!

Today I'm offering up two essay type books that cover two different series.

Secrets of the Dragon Riders:
Your Favorite Authors on Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Series

Demigods and Monsters:
Your Favorite Authors on Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series













If you're a fan of either series these might be something you'd like to win! We're giving away one copy of each book to two different winners (or the same winner if you have some great luck.) Just fill out the form below telling which book (you can enter for both) you would like to win. The giveaway will run until March 4th and is open to those with a US or Canada mailing address.

Waiting on Wednesday

Nice Recovery by Susan Juby
Release Date: March 2010


There are families, which, through a combination of genetics, culture, and inclination, produce a startling number of professional athletes, such as tennis players or hockey stars. Then there are families like the Baldwins, which produce a high percentage of actors. My family seems to specialize in people who enjoy drinking. And taking drugs. In such families, there is usually one person who stands out as particularly gifted in the field. When I was a teenager, that person was me. I was the star, the Alec Baldwin, if you will. I started drinking seriously when I was thirteen, smoking pot with a vengeance at fourteen, and getting into cocaine at sixteen. By the time I was twenty I was done. Nice Recovery is the story of how I slipped so far off course, how I got back on track, and, most importantly, what it's like to come of age as a sober young person.

---

I've never been a big memoir person, but lately I keep running into some that catch my eye. This being one of them that I would like to read sometime. 

♥amber

JYTBB Survey - I Need Your Opinions Please!

**The first time around I noticed people were having problems with how the submit button was working so I changed it.


Since JYTBB has reached over a year old, I'd really love some feedback. Do you like how things are going? Is there something I'm not posting you would like to see? Do I need to work on things? The survey is anonoymous so you can be completely honest with me. If you could take a few minutes and fill the form out below, I would really appreciate it! Thank you!

Click Here To Fill Out The Survey

Win a copy of Wherever Nina Lies

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But, one day, Nina disappeared. Two years later, everyone has given up home that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she’s got a chance—her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn’t planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.

We have 3 copies to give away! If you'd like to enter, please fill out of the form below.


Note: I do ask for personal addresses in the form so I do not have to track down winners. Because of this anyone under the age of 13 cannot be entered. You personal information will be viewed only by me and will not be shared with anyone unless of course you're the winner then it'll be forwarded to the host of this giveaway.

The giveaway will end March 1st. Shipping Guidelines: This book giveaway is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Beautiful by Amy Reed


Released:October 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 240
Genre: Young Adult 
Source: Other Shelf Tours


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars


When thirteen-year-old Cassie moves to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. She chooses some dangerous new friends and is quickly caught up in their fast-paced world of drugs, sex, secrets, and cruelty.


Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. She embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, starts sleeping with an older boy, and gets pulled into a twisted friendship triangle that is tinged with violence and abuse. Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral, and there's no turning back.

---

The first word that pops into my mind about this book is that it was bold. The writing, the characters, and all the events that happen are right there in your face. I'm not a big fan of reading about younger teens so I was surprised how easily I connected with Cassie being as she was thirteen. Still a little surprised that the author made her that young, but at the same time it is very realistic.

By the style that Amy Reed writes, I felt myself being just as foggy as Cassie's life started to be. Right from the get go you watch her start to go downhill. She's slowly destroying herself and you're just waiting for someone or anyone to jump in and stop it. The story was good - haunting even and I did enjoy it. But (yes, there is a but) I felt as if I had already read this story before. I can't really explain it besides that it didn't feel new to me. Still, I think Amy Reed has an excellent and powerful voice, and I am looking forward to seeing what she'll come out with next.

♥amber

We have winners!

Congratulations to the following for winning a copy of My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent!

Jessy from PA

Kim from FL

Emilee from TX

Waiting on Wednesday

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Release Date: July 20th, 2010


Zoey’s life in her Florida beach resort town is happy and organized. She’s the captain of her high school swim team, and she works for her dad at his popular water park. Then her dad has an affair with one of his employees, and her mother has a breakdown. But Zoey begins a committed relationship with a hot lifeguard, which makes her feel stable, even if things aren’t perfect at home. Everything is still under control.

Until she has a car accident that she can’t remember. She should have been with her boyfriend that night, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about the accident—and he doesn’t seem to care. The person who does care, and knows more than he’s telling, is Doug, Zoey’s darkly handsome arch-enemy who saved her from the wreckage. As Zoey begins to piece together what happened that night, she finds her sense of control over her life was only an illusion. And she inches closer to discovering the darkest secret of all: why Doug has fallen in love with her.

---

I've only read one book by Jennifer Echols and that was Going Too Far. (I have The Ex Games in my TBR pile). If you haven't read that book you need to ASAP! But back to this one - first that cover completely draws me in. I want to know everything about these characters and find out why Zoey cannot remember a thing. 

♥amber

In My Mailbox

For Review:

Fallen by Lauren Kate (Around the World Tours)
Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus (Around the World Tours)
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell (One Arc Tour)
Beautiful by Amy Reed (Other Shelfs Tour)
The Last Goodnights by John West

Bought:

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

Misc:

Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt books marks
Empire Records - (obviously not book related) This is my all time favorite movie, and I had lost my copy. The special re-mix fan edition just isn't the same (I actually think it kind of sucks) so I found the original on amazon and bought it. If you haven't watched it before I insist you find the original and watch it right now.

But don't just take my word for it - go ask Sab over at YA Bliss. She'll even tell you it's amazingly awesome! (Just look below at her comment, LOL!)


Damn the Man! Save the Empire! Rave on! Rave on!


That's it for me! What did you get this week?



♥amber

Waiting on Wednesday

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan


Release Date: October 2010

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach—walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves—the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman—with a silvery tail. Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove. And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life...

----

I love that cover. It was the first thing that brought my attention to this book. I haven't read a mermaid type read yet, but this one I'm definitely going to give a try. Plus it has surfing and while I don't live anywhere near a beach I've always wanted to surf so I live vicariously through movies and books that mention it. 

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young


Released: February 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Source: Around The World Tours


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!


Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!


When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?


The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

---

Going into this book I knew it would be cute and judging by the cover even a little scandelous. At first I wasn't for sure how much I would like it. Tessa is the overly perky cheerleader who I knew would at some point really get on my nerves. Plus the whole idea that these cheerleaders had all this spy equipment and all the ways they snuck into places was far fetched.

But holy cannoli! After just a few chapters I ate this book up with a spoon. It was simply delicious in so many ways. Sure Tessa is like I said before an overly perky cheerleader, but she has her eye on the prize. The prize would be making the Smitten Kittens look good. I'm use to reading about the cheerleaders that are either dumb as rocks or are complete snatches. I'm glad that this one showed a different light between a head cheerleader and friends.

I don't think there was ever a dull moment throughout this entire read. There were so many laugh out loud moments with all the crazy situations the Smitten Kittens have during their missions. I have to point out all the snappy dialogue and the unique sayings that Tessa uses instead of cursing. Even as I was trying to think of how I would describe the relationship between her and her boyfriend, Aiden, the first thing that popped into mind is how they are so strawberry smoothie. (And the moments between the two do get a little hot, but not in an overly done type of way.) I like how the most perfect couple entered trouble hood when new guy Christian (who I thought was a creep from the beginning) comes into the story.

Overall Suzanne Young delivered a fantastic debut novel that had me craving for more! The ending took me by complete surprise and after I was done I wanted to read the next one immediately. (And even made me want to go on a mission of my own to kidnap this second book.) I know this read probably isn't for everyone because it is a very perky cute read, but for those that enjoy that type - you need to get this one ASAP!

♥amber

Review - Undead Much by Stacey Jay

Undead Much by Stacey Jay 
(Book 2 in the Megan Berry series)


Release Date: January 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Zombies
Pages: 304
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Q: How many guys does it take to make your boyfriend wild with jealousy?
A: Only one, if he's UNDEAD.


Megan Berry had a perfectly average new-sundress-and-boy-obsessed life--until her power to settle the Undead returned. Oh, and then her best friend tried to kill her--and ruin homecoming--with a bunch of black magically raised zombies. At least she got a spot on the pom squad and a smokin' boyfriend (Ethan). But now Megan is in deep fertilizer all over again.


Why? Well, let's see...


· Feral new super-strong zombies? Check.
· Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening half time as they know it? Check.
· An Undead psychic hottie (Cliff) who's predicting a zombie apocalypse--and doing his best to tempt Megan away from Ethan? Yum. I mean, Check.
· Earth-shattering secrets that could land Megan in Settler prison for life? Um, IT WASN'T ME!!!


Everyone thinks Megan's at fault for the new uber-zombie uprising. Looks like she'll need the help of both Cliff and Ethan if she's going to prove her innocence before it's too late...

---

In the sequel kick butt Zombie Settler Megan is back and just as witty as ever. Stacey Jay is one of those writers the can say the simplest things but make it funny. I think that's one thing I really like about this series is Megan's voice. It fits all her actions so well.

Undead Much is a very action pack book. It also is more darker than the previous one. There are a lot of questions brewing around in Megan's life. I was very pleased to not figure out who the real bad guy was either this time. Sure I had my suspicious, but the author only gives you a little bit and them all of a sudden WHAM!

I was glad to see a different side of Monica in this one. The "friendship" Megan and her have is definitely not a BFF one, but very entertaining to read. The relationship between Ethan and Megan seems to get tested. And while I was all about Ethan in the first book, I have a new crush. I know I'm shameless, but I adored reading all the scenes with Cliff.

Now I'm still not sold on zombie books. I'm glad I chose this one to ease myself into because I really am enjoying it and have a feeling it will just keep getting better. If you haven't given this a shot, you need to!

♥amber