Names Cassandra, nice to be aquainted;

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I am 20 years old. I am currently going to University of Cincinnati to major in English. I have been an avid reader since I began reading at a very young age. I have decided to take up reviewing as a hobby and to never sell out! My biggest dream as of right now would be to become a very well-known published author. Keeping my fingers crossed. Do not be afraid to email me @ CassandraRichards25@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you would like for me to review your book! :D

Sunday, August 21, 2011

In My Mailbox!!!!!

In My Mailbox, or IMM, is hosted by Kristi from the Story Siren! I will be doing this weekly on every Sunday! YAY! :)

Since I am very new to this I am going to tell you about all the new books I had recieved this past month. You will be surprised of how much books I can buy within such a few short weeks! I have a serious problem. Really. I do. I need help.

Last month on the twenty-fifth, it was my boyfriend, Sam and I's two year anniversary, I bought him a car stereo and he bought me two hundred dollars worth of amazing books! :D He is the one<3

Books I already read on Kindle but liked so much I bought for my bookshelf:


 
Volition and Severance by Shawn Maravel
Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand


Books for review:

 

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
Ten Thing We Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Sarah Mlynowski
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakely

Giveaways:



Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini



Ebooks:
The Wanderer by Shawn Maravel
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Friday, August 19, 2011

NAME CHANGE! NEW NAME! OHMIGOD :)

If you have noticed I finally changed my URL name to my new blog name. I decided to get a new name a while ago when I was listening to old Panic! At The Disco I heard Brendan sing "gunslinger extraordinaire" and a little tiny light bulb went off in my head. I SHOULD TOTALLY CALL MY BLOG YA READER EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!! And so I did. I changed my name and went on. I love it and am so proud of myself for thinking of a witty name for my blog. I look at others blogs and I am like "That is such a good idea for a book blog name! Darnnit!" So, pat on the back for me and for my lovely Panic! At The Disco for giving me such a grand idea! :)

Well, then I noticed my URL name was still "We loved with a love that was more than Love." It is a line from Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe. (Which is tattooed on my left wrist. Just a little fun fact! :)) So, I went through hours of searching trying to come up with how to change your URL, and after a billion failed attempts on my part, I finally figured it out and changed it! So, if you were freaking out because you couldn't find my blog, my bad. It was my fault, I went and changed the name on ya. tehehehe. ^.^

Well, I am happy you found your way back to me, and my blog! Who am I kidding, nobody lives or stalks my page. Its called wishful thinking! :) Tell me what you think about my new name change! Do you like it? Is it lame?

Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis:

For eighteen year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she's around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma's life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn't be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death.

*********

Gemma could not feel emotions for years, and nor did she mind until one day she began to feel again. She would get a tiny prickle on the back of her neck whenever an emotion that was unknown would come to her. She is confused and overwhelmed by all these emotions she has never felt and really doesn't know what to do with herself anymore. Sadly of all, she is lonely now. Her grandparents raised her when her Mom died when she was just one years old. Well, she calls them her grandparents, but they really don't act like they actually enjoy her company. They are mean, hateful and never want to be around her. Her only real escape is school and she barely even enjoys that! Until the day Alex shows up at her school and she is instantly drawn to him. Never mind the wierd electric static that makes Gemma come alive, he is, of course, dangerously handsome and mysterious! Oh, and not to mention, he hates her guts for no good reason at all! Gemma begins having nightmares that seem to be stalking her in real life as well, and when Alex tells her who she really is, is when the real fun begins.

Overall this was a fun, mysterious, and frustrating read. I enjoyed, but of course there were some minor flaws. The originality of the story was so new and no one has ever done before. It was a break from all the other paranormal books I have been reading as of late. The Fallen Star was its own kind of story. The characters were raw and real, just unrealistic at times. I also felt that Gemma were asking the wrong questions at times, because she would be with Alex and they have a moment and she kind of ruins it by asking him dumb questions that have nothing to do with anything!
Me: "Gemma, are you telling me Alex kissed you! What did you do?"
Gemma: "Oh, I asked him why it was raining and lightening out."
Me: "Why didn't you ask him why the hell he kissed you!?"
Gemma: "He hates me! He is just trying to get answers from me!"
Me: "HE IS NOT ASKING YOU ANY QUESTIONS!" *facepalm
Gemma did get on my nerves from time to time with her niavity, but Alex was just god awful. I really wanted to hurt him the most. He just seems like an arrogant spoiled idiot who has no idea what he wants out of life, or from Gemma. One minute he is all about her, next he could care less. I just wish Sorensen would have just made it a romantic relationship, or just cut it off. It got really annoying. My favorite character was Laylen. He was sweet, charming, and I think has a thing for Gemma, but I can't really say where Sorensen is taking that relationship. If she does the whole love triangle thing, then this series has either gotten better, or way worse. The writing style of Ms. Sorensen was really good. I could Gemma's emotions and at times it was very sad. I could also feel Gemma's confusion. The only problem with me was the storyline was very confusing and I could not seem to keep track of all the questions I was asking, or the slim answers that were barely even answered. The ending was a huge cliff hanger and I had to hurry to buy the second book, The Underworld.

Overall, I did like this book, just a few things I did not agree with. I would recommend this book. Its a very good mystery! It kept me entertained and focused and I just could not put it down!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Reviews Coming VERY soon!

I have been a busy bee these past weeks. I have been bombarded with nothing but books (not that I am complaining in the least bit!) as of late, and with everything going on in my life it has been very hard for me to sit down and write these reviews.

I am going to explain to you the reading/reviewing process that I go through, just so you can get a picture as to why I can write a review I haven't read in about a week or so. When I read a book, I will always have a note pad by my side. Literally, no matter where I am at reading there is a tiny note pad right there beside me. If something catches my eye, or makes me come out with some sort of reaction that is not normal I will write it down and make sure to include that small non-spoilling detail in my review. So, this makes it pretty easy with reviewing.

I am also very bad with be distracted and I have a slight taking to procrastinating at the most appropriate times. (sarcasm)

Now enough about how I suck at being able to procrastinate at the most convenient time, let me tell you what reviews are coming up and what I am reading now! :)

Reviews To Come:
The Fallen Star and The Underworld by Jessica Sorensen


On Dark Shores: The Lady by J.A. Clement

Blood Like Poison Series by M. Leighton


Crossroads by Mary Ting


What I am Reading Right Now:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I swear, I am still alive!

I know what you are thinking. What in the world happened to Cassandra? Why hasn't she posted stuff in a while? Is she still reading? All very good questions, though no one had the heart to ask. :( I am alright and still breathing, so let's all settle down with the questions! (SARCASM. I am so in the mood to use sarcasm all day long hehe :))

First off, I have been in the most inspiring moods lately reading all these great books by M. Leighton, Jessica Sorensen, Shawn Maravel, and Nicole Williams to name a few. (Read their books, they are the divas of YA. :))  So, what you ask? What do I do with all the inspiration just piling in me? Well, I write my heart out of course. I have been working on this story for three years. Literally. Three years today I started this story. I have changed so much in it, that I feel comfortable to move on with it. Such as publish it very soon maybe. :)) Hehehe!

Second off, my boyfriend got a new tattoo and I got a new piercing! I know, I know. I didn't get anything too dramatic, and i like to think of it as an accomplishment. I am terrified of needles and anything associated with pain. Just not my cup of tea! Anyway, I have been taking care of him as he is with me. (We like to baby eachother. :)) He got "Dias Vail" on his arms, and I got my Monroe pierced. Now, for those who have no idea what this is, think of Marylin Monroe. She had a "beauty mark" just above her lip. That is basically a Monroe piercing. :)) I am loving it, even though it is kind of sore right now and I cannot eat anything! BEST DIET EVER! Just kidding. I am very hungry. Feed me!? :)

So, I have been quite busy last week to this week and I promise on catching up my reviews VERY soon. :)) I won't overload on the reviews so I will probably put about one or two for the next week or so! :))
Thank you for being patient with me and following my blog! You guys have no idea how lucky I am to have you guys actually interested in what the stupid things come out of my mouth are! :)) You guys are the best!

What have you been up to while I was out!? Any cool books you're reading now???? :))