A Little Bit About Me & New Book Reviewers

Hello,

My name is Elise. I was born and raised in sunny California (well almost always sunny). I started this book review blog, Bookish Delights, back in May 2010 and can't believe my blogoversary is almost coming up! The time flew by so fast, but I've had such a great time blogging and visiting other book blogs and making new friends! The whole book blogging world was new to me until the beginning of last summer, when I happened to stumble upon some book blogs by chance because I was looking up book reviews online. I am glad I did because it inspired me to create my own book review blog and have book giveaways of my own.

Ever since I was little, I have always loved to read. But if you asked where my love for reading stemmed from, I wouldn't be able to tell you. My parents never read me bedtime stories when I was little and none of my family members or friends liked to read (which is why I'm so glad I can share my love for reading with you all!). I just loved the way that books transported me to another place, another world that was so much cooler than my own. I remember when I was really young, my family would drive thru this local fast food place (the name eludes me) and I would get the kids meal. The kids meal prize was surprisingly a children's book, which I thought was the greatest thing. I ended up collecting every book. So while all of my siblings opted for the toys being given away with the happy meals at McDonalds, I opted for the other place.

I wouldn't be able to name my favorite books, since I can't choose a top five, but I love to read a wide range of genres, such as historical fiction, paranormal romance, fantasy/urban fantasy, contemporary fiction, and realistic fiction. I read primarily YA books, but I read Adult Fiction from time to time. Surprisingly, I am probably one of the few people on Earth who has not yet read the Harry Potter Series, Twilight, or The Mortal Instuments Series!!! But I will make an effort to read The Mortal Instuments Series sometime this year. I've heard it's amazing. Despite loving to read, I am actually more of an ourdoorsy kind of person. I also love listening to alternative/rock music and eating anything chocolate. Yum!

Here are a few quick bookish preferences of mine:

Book vs. Movie Adaptation? Book!
Hero vs. Heroine? Heroine!
Fiction vs. Non-Fiction? Fiction!
Standalone book vs. Series? Series - way more fun!
Physical Book vs. e-book? Physical Book!
Established Author vs. Debut Author? Both! Can't choose :-)

Favorite Book To Movie Adaptation? The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy


I have also recently acquired some new book reviewers for Bookish Delights. Over the past few days, they have been introducing themselves though posts, so feel free to check those out if you want to learn more about the reviewers on this blog. The reviewers aside from myself include Brynne, Roshini, Hilary, Emily, Hope, Colleen, and Sarah. We will be reviewing primarily YA books, but will also review Adult Fiction every once in a while. There will be lots of upcoming reviews, so be sure to drop by the blog again. Thanks for visiting!!!

-Elise
I also have a goodreads account: Elise (Bookish Delights)

Aloha!

Heya I'm Sarah and I'm one of the new bloggers here on Bookish Delights! I live in a small town in the absolute middle of nowhere. Well, as close as you can get to that in Ohio. Books have been a giant part of my life ever since I was little. At home I was swamped with books and I still am! But the difference now is that I can actually read the books and have a full understanding of them. If I didn't... well lets just say that I definately wouldn't be on a book blog reviewing books and ARCs! I really love book covers even though only the insid matter. The phrase of "never judge a book by its cover" is a bit hard for me. I read alot of YA, paranormal, horror, and some contemporary. My number one favorite trilogy out there would have to be The Hunger Games!                           

I am I GIANT nerd when it comes to The Hunger Games! I could rant on and on for hours about it but I don't want to bore you all! I also love the Twilight series, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, and thousands of others!

Some of my favorite things to do are play my clarinet and my trumpet, read (duh!), ride my horses, and play volleyball.

Music wise, I love Coldplay and The Beatles! I also love my country and classical music. So really there's a little bit of everything in there really. ;)

TV... Well I love LOST even though it isn't on anymore. And I enjoy NCIS, Glee, and Modern Family. I'm obbsesive over LOST though.

So thats just about it for me! Bye!

~Sarah

Review: The Water Wars By Cameron Stracher

Book Reviewed: The Water Wars
Author of the Book: Cameron Stracher
Published January 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Type: Young Adult Fiction
Page Count: 240 Pages

Date Finished: 2/28/11

Reviewer: Roshini

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil-and worth killing for
Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befr

iends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget. (Via Goodreads)

After finishing this book the reader gets a sense of wonder and amazement. Its finish lets small, thoughts into your head that keep you wondering late at night about water.

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher has a plot with many twists and a tinge of romance between Vera and Kai. It is mainly for the group of people who love "what if this happened to the earth" books that include the characters salvaging for something that the world outside the book has taken granted.

Water is severely scarce in the sometime in the future world that Cameron Stratcher creates. The now split-up United States is in pieces, each called a republic. Vera and her brother Will live in the Republic of Illinowa, once the Midwestern states. Access to clean water is incredibly difficult to find. There is a minuscule ration for each family in Vera's city that gives them a small amount of water for each person in the family. Vera and Will's mother is ill and Vera firmly believes that it is because of thewater they receive from the government.

While walking to her school bus stop one day, Vera sees Kai, drinking what looks like pure water and then spilling what's left on the scorched ground. This is greatly forbidden and Vera confronts Kai of his wastage of something so special and valuable. Later in the book, they meet again and become friends. By then, Will also meets Kai. Vera discovers that Kai is the son of a Driller, someone that if theey find water become very rich. This explains Kai's behavior. Kai takes Vera to show her the spring that he finds that is filled with fresh, clean, and clear water. The day after there trip Kai is missing and the rest of the book goes on about Vera and Will's attempts to retrieve him from water pirates. During this journey they all learn many things about life.

The book was an intriguing novel with many qualities need for an excellent read! It contains many elements including the brimming romance between Kai and Vera. In some parts of the book, I was really frustrated by their lack of acknowledging each other. I really wanted to yell 'just kiss' in a scene.

The Water Wars' mainly concentrates on what could happen to the world if water was extremely hard to find. There is fighting between the republic for the control of any water supply leftover. After I finished the book it made me realize how really important water is. Thebook moves in a fast-paced style and changes settings rapidly. It really takes you on an amazing odyssey. The cover of the book, as you can see in the image, is a fantastic piece of artwork. It supports the feeling of the book and its theme. Some parts of the book toward the beginning were just a bit droopy for me to read but that feeling was erased later on in the book.

In total the novel, The Water Wars, was impressive and a book that was highly made with the greatest care by Cameron Stracher.

Rating:

4 Star Book. Super but not superior.

I want to thank RT Book Reviews for the giveaway in which I won this book.

-Roshini (Divya)

P.S.

My Rating System:

1 Star Book. Terrible!

2 Star Book. Won't strangle yourself if you read it....

3 Star Book. An average YA Novel...nothing new...

4 Star Book. Super but not Superior

5 Star Book. Incredible, Jaw-Dropping, and so many other words!

Don't diss the drawings...I labored hard on them in Paint.

Check this out!

Another Component to the Bookish Delights Team. ;)

Hello there! :)


I'm another reviewer on Bookish Delights. Since we're all introducing ourselves, I figured I would let you guys know a little bit more about me as well! :)


My name is Hilary, and I live in Georgia. I lived in Florida for the majority of my life, and then moved up here. It was definitely weird to see all the different seasons! Haha! I have a 6 month old son, and I work from home. I've been reading for as long as I can remember. My mom taught me to love books when I was younger and I've loved them ever since. I read the end of books before I decide if I want to read them or not. I mean who wants to read a book with a crappy ending? The only exception I make to this rule is with series. I don't read the end of the next book (although I did read the end of Harry Potter 7 when I got it at the midnight release! :P)  I have my own blog (Where You Go From Here) but I don't update it that often. :P Just something I do for fun.


Here are some fun facts about me!


1. Some of my favorite books are(not in any particular order. If you haven't heard of these, i'll have them listed at the bottom, you can go to their amazon page!):

2. Favorite movie of all time: When Harry Met Sally





3. Favorite TV show of all time: How I Met Your Mother


5. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate. Always. :D


6. Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi. I love it with pizza.


7. What are three things(not people) you can't live without?
My cell phone. My Chrome OS. My car.


8. What do you do to relax and get rid of the stress of life?
I stay up late and listen to music that gets me going. Which probably isn't the smartest thing to do... haha because then I feel horribly tired the next day, but I LOVE rocking out to music. :D


I look forward to getting to know all of your guys! What are some of your favorite book series? What are your answers to the questions I answered? I'd love to hear from you! I'm always looking for more books to read!


I hope to meet some of you!


Hilary
Twitter.
Blog.
Email.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Riding in Cars with Boys by Beverly Donofio
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling 

Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Once in a Full Moon

Author: Ellen Schreiber

Release Date: December 28, 2010

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 292

Finished Reading: 3/2/2011

Source: Library

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

In a Sentence: A simple love story.

Plot: 3

Characters: 2

Writing: 4

Review: While I enjoyed the story overall, I found some of the descriptions of Brandon to be cheesy. The other characters should have been fleshed out more as I felt that they were more props than characters. Parts of the story felt very rushed, while others seemed to drag on and could have probably been removed. I found the end to be abrupt and unsatisfying. The ending makes it seem as if a sequel is in the works, but still leaves the reader with a sense of unfinished business. This book will probably be enjoyed most by younger individuals or someone simply looking for a quick afternoon read.

RATING: 3 Stars

Cover: The cover is eye catching, but I think it should have focused on Brandon instead of Celeste.

Introduction to Emily!

Hi! I'm one of the new members of the Bookish Delights team, so I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself.

First, my name is Emily. Now, a little bit about myself. I received my Bachelor's degrees in History, Political Science and Telecommunications with a News Option from Ball State University in 2005. In 2007, I received my Master's degree from Indiana University in Bloomington in Library Science. I have been a freelance editor for over 5 years and specialize in e-books, college research papers, dissertations, theses, poetry and fiction and non-fiction books. For the past five years, I have worked as a freelance researcher and, since October of 2008, I have been employed as a professional researcher.

In my spare time, I love to read, play with my dog and spend time with my fiancee and soon-to-be stepson. I am getting married at the end of April, 2011.

I love all types of books, but my favorites are ones that involve time travel or paranormal romances.

I also post reviews on LibraryThing, Goodreads, RandomBuzzers and Amazon.

I hope that you enjoy my reviews and I look forward to getting to know our subscribers!!

Widgets! ( Some of these books have already come out!)

It makes me want to cry!




Books that have been Released:















Um...just saying...I have absolutely no idea why I decided to post this up.
I guess I've gone crazy trying to wait for The City of Fallen Angels! :)

New Team Member

Hey guys! I'm one of the new team members that Elise has chosen to help with Bookish Delights to get more awesome reviews up for our faithful followers and viewers. I just wanted to introduce myself to you all before I start posting reviews up on the blog! My name is Roshini and I hale from the south and by south I mean Georgia. I won't say what city because I'd rather not develop any cyberstalkers or real live stalkers. That's just a bit creepy! Though I live in the Peach State, I am originally from India, but I moved here when I was really young. I usually finish reading books in one to three days depending on how much I'm into the book and how much time I have in those days. Here are some of my...well...favorite anythings:
Favorite Books/Series

Evernight By Claudia Gray
Mortal Instruments Series By Cassandra Clare
Maximum Ride Series By James Patterson
Mediator Series By Meg Cabot
Evermore By Alyson Noel
The Wolves of Mercy Falls By Maggie Stiefvater
Tiger Saga By Colleen Houck
Wither By Lauren DeStefano

Favorite Movies(Just saying, some of these movies are foreign movies that include movies from India)
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na ( My number 1 favorite movie!!!)

3 Idiots (Yes, that is what it is called)
Titanic....Never can stop crying....

Favorite Ad...don't judge...

I really have no idea why I like it.....

Favorite Color
Any shade of Blue!

Favorite Food
My mom's Indian dishes in general but particularly Biryani.

You can contact me by just emailing Elise at bookishdelightsblog(at)gmail(dot)com

My Goodreads account:
my read shelf:


I really look forward to being one of the team members of this blog! I also want to thank Elise for letting me join her blog! I still think she needs more reviewers, so try to consider joining Bookish Delights!

-Divya (Roshini)

In Need Of Book Reviewers of Young Adult ARCs/Books

If you are a US Resident who would like to review books on the book review blog Bookish Delights, please contact me at bookishdelightsblog at gmail dot com. I am looking for about five - seven people to become official co-authors of Bookish Delights to help review books. You must be able to commit to at least ONE year of book reviewing, but the amount of book reviews you do in that one year is up to you. This blog will focus more on YA books, so you would be able to review any book within that genre. However if you wish to review an adult book or middle grade book from time to time, that is fine too. I will only be able to provide the first YA ARC to you for review for free (since I will pay for the shipping costs). After that you have an option of borrowing any ARC I own. However, the majority of the books you review will most likely be books you have direct access to at home. So you have the freedom to review any book you would like to read. Also you will have an opportunity to review ARCs/Books in print or ebook format that authors offer for review on Bookish Delights (which will be sent directly to you). I hope to create a YA ARC borrowing community among my book reviewers and/or YA ARC tours to share our love for books. And you will also be able to participate in other ARC tours from other sites and review the books on Bookish Delights. This is a great experience for readers to express themselves online. And once you have established yourself as a solid book reviewer over time at Bookish Delights, it will open the door for you to request your own ARCs/books from authors and publishers for review. No previous book review experience is required, but reviews (whether positive or negative) must remain respectful to the author. It is all about having fun and enjoying books and sharing your honest thoughts about them. There will also be book giveaways for my book reviewers from time to time as a way to show my appreciation for your hard work reviewing books. Thanks!