Stacking the Shelves (1)

With the school year winding down (and my teachers getting all wound up about exams), I've had end of year choir concerts and fierce scrawling of last minute worksheets to get my grades up. I've had a schedule to figure out for next year and dances to go to. In the midst of all those things, I haven't had much time or energy for blogging. But the good news--I have discovered I am exempt from all of my finals; therefore, I only have to go to school today and then I am free for the summer! So, I will have more time to read and blog! :) Now, for what you really came to see. The books. I would do links to goodreads, but I really do not have time because I have to leave for school soon.

I only got one physical book this week, but it's kind of an atomic bomb of awesomeness.

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Holy hell balls. I had no idea until I bought it how ginormicus this book is. It could be used as a freaking brick wall. Don't get me wrong, that's a fabulous thing. More Cassandra Clare? I'm so down! :) 

But I did get another bookly thing in the mail. Please note my squee of joy. 

A KINDLE! 

Heck to the freaking yes!!!!!

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

Thanks NetGalley!

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buto

Thanks NetGalley!

The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Thanks NetGalley!

Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins

Thanks NetGalley! 

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Thanks NetGalley! 

One Moment by Kristina McBride

Thanks NetGalley! 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fizpatrick

I am sooooooo excited for this one. Thanks NetGalley! 

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Thanks NetGalley.

Every Day by David Levithan 

I've heard the most amazing things about this author, so I'm really siked to get to read one of his books. Thanks NetGalley! 

Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace

Thanks Angeline!

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

I'm Italian, and I love Italian stuff. I am beyond eager to read this. Thanks NetGalley!

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Thanks NetGalley!

Blog Tour: From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade (Review)

From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade

Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: April 2012
Publisher: Crush Publishing Inc. 
Format: eBook
Pages: 125
Source: Received for tour

When good-girl Maddie switches places with her famous bad-girl twin Jackie, she has some pretty high stilettos to fill.

Despite the danger of tabloid drama if their identity swap is discovered, Maddie has to save her sister's butt. When Jackie’s ex-boyfriend shows up with a rekindled spark for “Jackie,” his deep gray eyes and sweet kisses make Maddie's heart thumpety thump. But dating the guy who dumped her sister is a no-no. Too bad Dallas isn’t used to girls saying no. What will happen when he discovers Maddie’s deception? (Summary from Goodreads.com)

 From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade was a quick read with a fun premise and an adorable romance. I flew through it at lightning speed. It was a good read to just take my mind off of things.

Maddie and her twin sister do the ol' switcheroo and suddenly she's living this life of fame and glory. It has been done before, but it was still cute. I would have loved to see more fame drama. Sure, Maddie has to deal with some gross tabloids, and she has to walk the red carpet, but there's no major repercussions. Maddie's sister doesn't even get mad at her, really.

The characters were cute, but I didn't really connect to any of them. Maddie wasn't annoying, but she wasn't particularly appealing either. Dallas, on the other hand, was a total sweetie pie. AND HOTTIE. Who says chivalry is dead? Dallas will give you his coat when he's cold, and he'll cook you a scrumptious meal, and he'll do anything for his family. He may be a celebrity, but he's a seriously great guy. I also adored Stella. Even though she didn't appear a whole lot, she was still an interesting presence, helping Maddie pull off the switch and making sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. I couldn't get a very good grasp on Jackie. She's a main character, and yet she's not. She's always there, and yet she barely is. She seems nice enough, and pretty down to earth, though the way the other characters talked about her made her seem kind of bitchy and a complete party girl.

Overall, this is a quick contemporary with a light, yet steamy romancer and a satisfying ending. I wasn't a huge fan of the way the characters knew each other for about two days and were head over heels for each other, and I do wish there would have been just a bit more tension, but this is a book I would recommend to contemporary lovers.

April Recap

If you haven't been obsessively keeping tabs on my blog, I must say I'm neither surprised nor upset. So here are some posts of note from April, just in case you missed them ;D

Reviews:

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Dark Secrets 1 by Elizabeth Chandler

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook

Bookly Gabbings:

Girls on Covers

Practically Peeings: 

The Entangled Edition

The Ending Edition

Behind the Blogs: 

TV Shows I Can't Get Enough Of (with GIFs)

Nomnom Foods I Could Eat At All Hours Of The Days

Quote Impressions:

The Contemp Edition

Cover Reveals:

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs

Blog Tours: 

Guest post from Amy Lignor, author of Until Next Time
Interview with Lisa Burstein, author of Pretty Amy

Top Ten Tuesdays: 

Favorite Book Characters