I Got a Present From a Super Secret Santa!

Since last month, I promised myself to separate my book collection, local and international. In the beginning, I made this blog to post any review only from my English-book but then I thought that the translation book must be included on it too, because basically their story is written in English. 

This year, I also submitted this blog to join on a group of Blogger Buku Indonesia (Indonesian Book Bloggers) and I am happy that I did it. They're truly awesome. They have an amazing spirit in reading, reviewing, and discussing the books. Along with Goodreads Indonesia, BBI is my sanctuary.

BBI has an epic event every year. It's called by Secret Santa. The rule is simple. Go to Oky Septya's or Ndari blog to know it further. In brief, (1) you must be a member of BBI, (2) you have to register in joining this event in specified time, (3) the committee will chose another registered member to become your Santa, and (4) in reverse, you will be chosen as Santa for the other registered member, (5) giving/receiving your wishlist book as a gift, (6) read and review your book, and (7) post your review in specified time and don't forget to reveal who is your Secret Santa on your post. Exciting, right?

Anddddd, this is the package that I received last week.

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Just Bought These Books #4

OmyGOD! It is a terrible idea for having any social media account and then followed a book store because I'll always be tempted to buy and buy and buy books every time they share an information about their book-sale. Gosh, and this Monday I just bought these books. Well, their prices are discounted 30% or 50% but still, I have a lot of books on my shelves which is unreadable, and I keep shopping. *sigh*

Anyway, I already bought them so I only hope that I will read them anytime soon.

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Adorable Book Cover: 2013

Well, there are two months away before 2013, but I am not patient enough to enter it. I just felt that 2012 is one of the worst year of mine, like ever, so far! And, 2013 will be lighten up by these few books which have such a beautiful cover. Take a look at yourself:

1. The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist
 

Four nearly identical girls on a desert island. An unexpected new arrival. A gently warped near future where nothing is quite as it seems.

Veronika. Caroline. Isobel. Eleanor. One blond, one brunette, one redhead, one with hair black as tar. Four otherwise identical girls who spend their days in sync, tasked to learn. But when May, a very different kind of girl—the lone survivor of a recent shipwreck—suddenly and mysteriously arrives on the island, an unsettling mirror is about to be held up to the life the girls have never before questioned.

Sly and unsettling, Gordon Dahlquist’s timeless and evocative storytelling blurs the lines between contemporary and sci-fi with a story that is sure to linger in readers’ minds long after the final page has been turned.

Expected publication: February 1st 2013 by Dutton Juvenile  

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Just Bought These Books #3

Who am I, a book reader and reviewer or only a book shopper? Oh, yes, I read books which I bought but I just too lazy to write my thought about them. Hufff! And, again, today I bought another books to be piled on my shelves. I don't know where will I read them, hahaha...

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville. While growing up, Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual at every funeral: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words, "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is gone and Bek must return to the hometown—and the man—she abandoned a decade ago, only to discover that Maylene's death was not natural . . . and there was good reason for her odd traditions. In Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected—and beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. From this dark place the deceased will return if their graves are not properly minded. And only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk.

Melissa Marr is known to young adult readers as the author of the popular faery series, Wicked Lovely. This is her debut leap into adult fiction.

"A deliciously creepy tale that is as skillfully wrought as it is spellbindingly imagined."
—Kelley Armstrong, author of The Gathering

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Just Bought These Books #2

Well, it is such a disappointed moment that I didn't post any book review yet for a couple of days. Even though I already finished some of them, including Out of My Mind, Breathe, Existence, and From What I Remember..., I still don't start writing my review. I promise myself to write its review immediately. I hope I can do that on this weekend. *cross-finger*

Whilst I don't write any review yet, I keep shopping the book. Jeez. And, this evening I just bought Ruling Passion by Alyxandra Harvey. Though it looks like only one book but it consists of the first three books of The Drake Chronicles' series, that are Hearts at Stakes, Blood Feud, and Out For Blood. I bought it at Kinokuniya Bookstore, Plaza Senayan, Jakarta, only for IDR 112.000

MEET the Drakes:

A darkly romantic, irresistibly alluring family of royal vampire blood. Read Alyxandra Harvey's Ruling Passion: a haunting, humorous saga, now gathered into one juicy volume!

"A refreshing take of the familiar teenage vampire drama . . . Harvey builds an engaging world of vampire cultures balanced wit a smart mix of darknewss and humor." -Publishers Weekly

A fabulous and fast-paced read! The action is superb . . . this is the perfect escape read." -Romantic Times

Bind up contains:
Hearts at Stake
Blood Feud
Out for Blood

Previously published separately as The Drake Chronicles.

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Just Bought These Books #1

Well, due to my limited budget for buying books, I have already promised myself to buy book less than 5 books or equally IDR 500.000 for a month. Beside that, I also must buy some local books for my reading materials so I have to manage my budget carefully.

Okay, I just got back from my Eid Mubarak 2012 vacation to my village and I'll be back to my daily life here in Jakarta. I bought few books in two days.

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it” (Denver Post). 

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

I am on page 100+ now, and I really love this book. I hope it can stay like that until the end of its page. Ameen! IDR 75.000

Out of My Mind on Goodreads

I just found this book on book-sale at Kinokuniya fX Sudirman. Since I knew that a lot of fellow readers love this book, I didn't have to think twice to buy it, even though I didn't have the three previous books of this series yet. IDR 50.000

A DEMON ENSLAVED
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission. 

AN ANGEL TEMPTED
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

Ecstasy Unveiled on Goodreads

I just smiled when I saw this book. I like Hrithik Roshan, and I like Bollywood in general, and this book only IDR 20.000, so I also bought this one.

Welcome to Bollywood, the Bombay–based film capital of the Indian subcontinent. Every year the Hindi film industry pumps out twice as many pictures as Hollywood to satisfy the romantic cravings of its billion–strong audience. 

Enter Hrithik Roshan, new idol of the silver screen, seducing both the industry and the women of India in a flurry of triceps, biceps, and slick dance moves. In Bollywood Boy, Justine Hardy charts his meteoric rise through the celluloid firmament. With its heroes and villains, glitter and sleaze, the story could be straight out of a big–budget schlockbuster. But there’s a dark side to this story, the moment the hero stumbles—the moment in Bollywood when people die because they haven’t played by the rules of the underworld. And in India’s tinseltown, the underworld is king.

Bollywood Boy on Goodreads

I remember that I ever saw this book somewhere awhile ago and I want to have it. Fortunately, I bought this only for IDR 20.000.

"Don't die," Gus whispered.

He reached out and touched her hand. Were there superpowers that could bring her back? Would there be gods in Africa that could help them save her?

"I stayed alive when you ordered me to. Now you return the favor, okay? Just . . . whatever you do, don't die."

Ruthlessly stabbed by a fellow avatar, Diana suddenly finds herself hopelessly wandering through the underworlds, fighting her way past everything and anything vile, struggling to find a way back to life.

Up above, her fellow avatars--Gus, Kali, and Tigre--have set sail to Africa, hoping to find refuge and a healer to bring Diana back from death. Time is racing against the avatars, because once Diana reaches the Greek underworld, Hades, she is gone. Forever.

But that problem pales in comparison to the larger issue at hand--only one avatar can take back the power of the gods and live forever.

Beautifully weaving together myth and realism, Tui T. Sutherland delivers the breath-taking conclusion to a trilogy that places the fate of the world in the outcome of a battle between power-hungry pantheons of gods and four teen avatars.

Kingdom of Twilight on Goodreads

I have no specific reason when I decide to buy this book. I just bought it. IDR 20.000.

From New York Times bestselling author Allegra Goodman comes a post apocalyptic novel about love, loss, and the power of human choice.

Honor and her parents have been reassigned to live on Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea. Life is peaceful there, the color of the sky is regulated by Earth Mother, a corporation that controls New Weather, and it almost never rains. Everyone fits into their rightful and predictable place. . . .

Except Honor. She doesn't fit in, but then she meets Helix, a boy with a big heart and a keen sense for the world around them. Slowly, Honor and Helix begin to uncover a terrible truth about life on the Island: Sooner or later, those who are unpredictable disappear . . . and they don't ever come back.

Other Side of The Island on Goodreads

Honestly, I also want to buy From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas for the paperback version. Unfortunately, this book isn't on sale in Indonesia yet. I already read the ebook version but i am DEFINITELY want to have its paperback one because I really LOVE this book. 5 STAR!

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Review: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

Author: Jennifer Echols

Page: 288 Pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse

on Goodreads

It’s my first Jennifer Echols’s book. Actually, I want to read her books since a long time ago because of their cover. Yes, though some friends of mine called me a verbal person, but I don’t refuse that I love visual stuff too. Including, book cover. I adore cute-romantic-beautiful book cover. I often pick a book because of its cover. And, I truly believe that Jennifer’s book cover is one reason I want to read them. 

The One That I Want tells about Gemma van Cleve who has an experience to be overweight girl. She worked hard to decrease her weight and she succeed, up to 48 pound! Amazing job. From the beginning, her main goal is achieve her best performance as majorette on marching band team. Of course, she also has the courage from her best friend, Addison, though in negative way. Sadly, though she can raise her confidence level, she still doesn’t believe that there is any guy out there meant to be her boyfriend. Neither did Robert, her childhood friend who is already on her radar for so long time. Unfortunately, Robert never fell into her. He just made fun of her. Neither did Max Hirayama, a cute Asian boy who stole her heart since the first time she saw him across the field when she was on band-camp.

I had assumed I was imagining things. Boys did not look at me. They saw through me.

So, when Max comes closer, Gemma thinks that he comes to Addison. She always aware that in a battle with Addison over a boy, Addison will always win. Furthermore, the situation become more complicated when Gemma has been trapped on a few double-date series. Gemma and Carter. Addison and Max. Weird!

thecollegecrush.com

 Wew. I agree with Jocelyn (played by Helent Hunt) on The Jane Austen Book Club the movie when she said that “High School never ends”. Reading this book, my memory flew back a couple years ago when I still in the high school. Everything seemed easy and difficult at the same time. I could shine through my academic performance but failed on my love life. I never thought that there was a girl for me back in High School. Haha. Shame on me.

Whatever, I love this book. The awkward moment between Gemma and Max continously chills me out. I barely had no patience while both of them stay under the blanket. I am so tense when waiting for their confession that they are into each other. I am biting my bottom lip while they kept silent. Wake up, buddy! Shout your heart out loud! Geez!

Oops, Jennifer teased me badly. 

Beside that, this novel also bring a deep morality messages. One of them is about your motivation to change yourself. You must know what is the main goal that you want to achieve. Because if you don’t set that goal, you’ll never know the limit of your work. Because, darling, every thing has limit in this world. Don’t push yourself too hard.

My Rating:

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Review: Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane

Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Author: Katie Lane

Expected to be Published: 15 September 2012 

Pages: 384

Free Excerpt on KatieLane.com

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Cassandra “Cassie” McPherson is the one and only daughter of Big Al McPherson and Mary Ann Katharine while the other sibling of hers are men. Though, she’s the only child of McPhersons who is willingly to continue the family business, M&M Construction, while her bothers choose to stay away. Living around boys make Cassie used to control everything or everyone, including men. No wonder, she’s single until now. But, instead of sad, Cassie prefer to enjoy her single life by hiring an escort to accompany her to attend few big events, especially family events. But, don’t underestimate her, she never-ever had sex with her male escort until she meets James-she-doesn’t-even-know-his-last-name-guy. He’s hot, incredibly handsome, and charming. What happens next?

Yes, and the story begin after that. I love reading this because it reminded me of Brothers and Sisters, an american television series which is showed a complicated story of an American family. It is starred by Calista Flockhart, etc. I feel its warmth is similar to that TV series. Lovely!

Personally, I do love all characters on this novel, especially Cassie. She is a strong woman and I can relate to her independency. She grew up as the only girl amongst his brothers, but unfortunately her father still doesn’t give her full authority yet to take over the business. Honestly, I enjoy this story so much. It’s romantic yet beautiful. And, one of the most important thing, though it can be categorized as romance novel but Katie succeded in building the backround. All the construction stuff. Escort service. Family matters. Those are easily related to the whole plot. The conflicts are just enough to light up the story.

This novel is not only focus on Cassie-James relationship but also feature another relationship. One of them is Amy-Rory. Usually, I hate to be distracted by another love story on a novel, but in here, I am happy to follow the story of Amy-Rory. Their love story is kind of cute.

I giggled all the time while I reading it. So much fun! And, wowsaaa, there are one or two HOT scenes up here. You better to open your window widely or turn down your AC. Hahaha.

Overall, I love this book and I will look forward another Katie’s books. I hope she wrote as cute as this book. *chuckle*

My rating: 

 

Thankyou Netgalley for providing this novel.

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Book Cover: Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Okay, I didn't read the first book of this trilogy yet, but here's the cover for the second book of this Veronica Rossi's trilogy. Since its publication date is still at 8 January 2013, so I have a lot of time to finish the book one, Under the Never Sky, ASAP.

Harper/HarperCollins
January 8th, 2013

Unfortunately, there is no sneak peek about the story itself, so we have to wait until Veronica Rossi or the publisher reveal it.

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Adorable Book Covers: #1

Don't judge book by its cover. Yes, that is one of the most famous quote all over the world. But, for me, as an amateur reader, book's cover is one thing that help me to decide whether I want to read a book or not. 

Now, I just tempted by these books because of their covers. I really want to read them and to know is their content as beautiful as their cover.

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Tune in Tuesday: My Teen Years - 1997

Book-Music-Movie is three interests that I love so much. When I get bored I'll read a book while listening music or watching a movie or music video. So, I am super excited when I found this "Tune in Tuesday" meme hosted by Ginger on her blog, GReads! 

If you are interested in joining this meme, go ahead.

1997 is my senior year at Junior High School (JHS) level. Believe it or not, because I spent my whole-childhood time at my village without knowing music but Dangdut and Local Pop (I live in Indonesia) so I just heard my first English-language-song at my JHS level. And, my first song is As Long As You Love Me by Backstreet Boys.

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Currently Reading: Sharing Hailey by Samantha Ann King

Oh, God, I have to add this book to my currently-reading-shelf because the time limit of this e-book is only up to 2nd August. It only two weeks from now so I decide to read it first. If it possible, I'll keep on reading my other currently-reading books, Hunks for the Holidays and Hallowed. 

Sharing Hailey is my second net galley's book which is approved on netgalley.com. It is provided by Carina Press. They put this book on 'erotica' genre. And, honestly, I request it because of its cover. Hahaha. Just take a look at the cover and you will know the book. It tempted me so much!

Synopsis is here:

Hailey Anderson's deep, dark secret? She's been madly in lust with her overprotective brother's two best friends for years. Gorgeous woodworking artist Mark Allen and sexy doctor Tony Adamo have no idea they star in her fantasies every night.

After a nasty breakup with her abusive boyfriend, Hailey's looking for a little distance. Headed for a two-week Hawaiian vacation with her brother and his hot friends, Hailey can't wait to feast her eyes on Mark's and Tony's rock-hard, ocean-slick bodies. Even if she can't touch.

But instead of treating her like their little sister, Mark and Tony have a surprising proposition: a monogamous ménage à trois. The three of them—and no one else. Both men want Hailey and have agreed to share her. The red-hot reality is even better than the forbidden fantasy. Until Hailey's ex threatens their newfound happiness…

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Currently Reading: Hunk for the Holidays

I am really happy when I opened my email and found that my book request has been approved by Grand Central Publishing on netgalley. This is my first netgalley's book ever! That's why I am so excited. Thank you so much netgalley and GCP!

I still learn about netgalleys' rules. I have to read them again and again to reassure how long the time that I have to finish this book, because, yeahh...my English isn't that good, but I really want to be better, of course. So, along with Hallowed, I'll read this one too. My promise!

Synopsis:

Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

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Currently Reading: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

I have already read the first book of this series by Cynthia Hand, Unearthly, and I can't wait to see what happen next to Clara, Tucker, and Christian, so let's put aside the other books and read this one.

Synopsis is here:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Click here if you want to see reviews about this book on Goodreads. As of today, the book is rated 4.26 stars, 8.742 ratings, and 1.749 of them are contained review from the readers of this book.

Okay, I hope I can finish it quickly.

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My Wishlist #1

Okay, I will write down few books that I really want to have and read. I hope that the list will help me keep reading all of my books. Now, these are my first wishlist:

1. From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

KYLIE: Mexico? What a nightmare! I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY! Wait! Is this a wedding band on my finger??

MAX: It started with Kylie’s laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics and it ended in Ensenada. It was hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we’re stranded here, with less than twenty-four hours before graduation.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border – but there’s no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: This cannot be happening. It’s like some cruel joke. Or a bad dream. I close my eyes and when I reopen them, they’re still there. Max and Kylie Flores, freak of the century. In bed together. If Kylie thinks I'm giving him up without a fight, she's dead wrong.

2. Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more. When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

3. Wrecked by Anna Davies

Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this.

Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.

But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.

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Currently Reading: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Another addition! Okay, I already have three books on my currently reading shelf. Oh, no, five books! OMG! But, when I see this book on yabookscentral.com, immediately I want to read it too. Geez! Okay, then, I'll simultaneously read all of them... *giggle*

I love the cover, I love the tittle --- it reminds me of Rihanna's and Leona Lewis song that I loved so much --- and, of course, the story itself seems fantastic about someone who lives in the spotlight with the performing arts school as its background. Lovely!

Overview:

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Free Excerpt here.

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The Author: Meg Cabot's New Books!

I knew Meg Cabot a long time ago before The Princess Diaries movie was released and became one of the blockbuster movie. I love her writing after I read All American Girl, Ready or Not, and Teen Idol. The Indonesian version, of course...:)

The Mediator series (5 of 6 books) is the latest Meg's novel that I read, and again, she gives me an awesome experience by reading them. I promise myself to read all of her works....:) And, I am happy for her as a productive writer. Bravo!

These two are her latest books that is expected to come out this year.

1. Underworld (Abandon trilogy, #2) --- expected to be released at 8 May 2012

— Book Two: Underworld —

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible
when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead. Not this time.
But she’s been taken by John Hayden, lord of the Underworld, to the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey. 

John claims it’s for her own safety, to protect her from the Furies who yearn for vengeance against him. But John may have reasons of his own for wanting to keep Pierce close… 

And soon Pierce learns that while she might be safe from the wrath of the Furies in the Underworld, the people she loves back on earth are not. Can she convince John to release her in order to save the life of someone in her family? Or will the price he asks her to pay for her freedom turn out to be too high?

Free excerpts (Chapter 1+2)

2. Size 12 and Ready to Rock (Heather Wells Mystery, #4) --- expected to be released at 10 July 2012

  

 

Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself--who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright--who just happens to be Heather's "new" fiancE. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, "this" reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

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The Author: Jennifer Echols

I never read any of her books yet, but I am definitely want to read them one day in the future. I kinda love their cover. So romantic. And, I do love the romantic things. Oh, and I already make a plan to read The One That I Want anytime soon.

About Jennifer (taken from Goodreads.com)

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written eight romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Her next two teen dramas, including SUCH A RUSH, will appear in 2012 and 2013, with her adult romance novels debuting in 2013, all published by Simon & Schuster. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son. Please visit her online at http://www.jennifer-echols.com.

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New Release on April: I Want Them!

1. Immortal City by Scott Speer

Overview:

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

Goodreads rate: 3.96 

 

2. Fissure by Nicole William

Overview:

Patrick Hayward’s never been a one woman type of guy, that’s why he never dates just one. However, still reeling the loss of the one woman he took a chance on falling in love with to his older brother, Patrick is enrolled—sequestered, if you asked him—at Stanford in hopes of breaking him out of his months long, beard growing, rootbeer chugging, hygiene impaired, funk.

Something breaks when a certain Emma Scarlett storms into his life his first week on campus as he’s suntanning and cat calling when he should be in class. Emma sees through his act and calls him out like she’s seen his kind a million times before, but Patrick knows he isn’t one of a million, he’s one in a million.

Intrigued by this fascinating creature that is ignorant to his charm, surrounded by four older brothers who look at Patrick like he’s a bug they could squish, and dating the same guy for the past six years who gives new meaning to the term territorial boyfriend, Patrick gravitates to her, knowing she’s everything he shouldn’t fall for.

So, of course, he can’t help himself.

Forcing the stars to realign and slapping fate in the face, Patrick takes matters into his own hands and finds a way to wrangle his way into Emma’s life at every chance. As Emma begins to open up to him, he’s about to discover she’s thwarted by as many secrets as he is.

But hers are the kind that make you want to keep your light on at night.

Patrick never could have imagined a more unhappy ever after for himself than the one he's about to face.

Goodreads rate: 4.64 


3. Sweet Addiction by Maya Bank

Overview:

He awakened a need within her…
Cole is successful beyond his dreams. He can have any woman he wants, but there’s only one he can’t stop thinking about. His childhood sweetheart, Renita. He’s never forgotten his first taste of innocent love and the desire that consumed them—or the pain he brought upon her…

But now she belongs to another…
Her long ago brush with submission awakened a longing in Ren that drove her to walk the darker edge of desire. She’s become a beautiful woman at ease with her sexuality and unapologetic about her need for a dominant man. When Cole finds her again, he’s gutted that she belongs to another. Ren’s current master agrees to give her to Cole for a short time, but then she must return to his keeping. And though Cole agrees to this bargain, he knows he will never be able to let Ren go again…

Goodreads rate: 4.01

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Reading English Books

To be non-English people make me really want to have an ability to speak English fluently. I learned it since I was in Junior High School without taking any courses outside from the school. Oh, I studied in public school. Though, I didn't know about the connection between the kind of school and its quality, but I just know that private school provides the better facilities for its students in gaining their competency including how to improve their capability to speak English.

But, no worries. These days, there are a lot of ways to learn English, aren't there? One of them is by reading English books. Maybe for couple years ago, I wouldn't buy some English books since the price was expensive --and again because of my lack-ability in speaking English-- but now, I can buy and start reading them. Though, till now, I am still not good enough in English, but I never plan to stop learning English by doing what I love, that is reading.

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