Bad Kitty

Bad Kitty

Michelle Jaffe

Jas is on a family vacation is Las Vegas. Her plans are simple; convince her father she can be a model daughter, avoid her evil cousin Alyson and her friend Veronique and maybe get the cute boy by the snack huts attention. For most girls this wouldn't be a problem, well it is for Jas. While lounging by the pool at the venetian hotel she is attacked by a cat and suddenly she finds herself in the middle of a mystery.

Jas and all the other characters in this book are just so cute! I loved it. It's like Nancy Drew only a little funnier. I was literally laughing out loud. Never a good thing. Well at least it isn't if you're in public. I need to stop reading books in public. Some of the looks people send me are unbelievable. No, seriously though Michelle Jaffe's Bad Kitty is worth the time. Lots of fun for the quirky and wild teen girl! Light reading and a must read for all Nancy Drew fans, myself included.

Simply put this book was totally Mastercard! If you want to know what I mean by that pick up the book or simply leave a comment. For those of you who don't like Nancy Drew.

Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses

Ellen Schreiber

Raven is that girl. You know who I mean. That one girl that does absolutely not fit in. All her life Raven has been completely obsessed with vampires. In a small snobb town Raven has named "Dullsville" nothing truly exciting ever happens. Well that is until one day when a mysterious family moves into the old mansion. Until recently it has stood vacant and if town gossip is actually right for a change, the mansions new inhabitants are vampires. The Sterling family are unusually pale and are only seen outside at night. That isn't even the best part. As Raven soon learns they have a son, about her age. Alexander, he is tall, pale, brooding and oh did I mention Raven's perfect guy? Well he is.

I loved this book! Okay, it wasn't brilliant but it was entertaining and fun. I thought Raven's point of view was incredibly refreshing. Her unique take on the world and all the crazy things she does makes for a very funny storyline. I liked seeing life in Dullsville through the eyes of someone who wears all black and does not like Tommy Hilfiger. Characters like Raven are few and far between, at least in my experience. It's hard to explain but even though the characters were a little stereotyped and throughout most of the book you could guess what happened next I really liked this book. It's fun and energetic read that keeps you more than entertained throughout the story. Before the first chapter is over you will be rooting for Raven!

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely

Melissa Marr

When it comes to seeing invisible faeries there are only 3 and they're pretty straight forward.

Rule 3: Never stare at invisible faeries.

Rule 2: Never speak to invisible faeries.

Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.

All her life Aislinn has lived by these rules. They have been hammered into her ever since she was a child by her grandmother. In Aislinns family there is an incredible gift, the gift of Sight. She has the ability to see the invisible faeries that walk among us everyday. Aislinn is in deep trouble, she has attracted the attention of the Summer King and he is determined that she will become his Summer Queen. No matter the cost.

Wicked Lovely is the very definition of a modern day fairy tale. Melissa Marr combines wit, suspense and intrigue beautifuly in this incredible and original story. It has just the right combination of an old school faery tale, love story and most importantly it has a modern day twist. Making it the perfect holiday read. I know I've said that a lot but lately I have been reading the most incredible books. Trust me once you enter the world of Wicked Lovely you will never want to resurface. I was actually sad when the book came to an end.

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

Amir and Hassan both live in Afghanistan of the past. Their lives intertwine in the most remarkable of ways yet they lead completely different lives. Hassan and his father live in a mudd hut on Amir families property. Hassan would do anything for Amir, they're almost like brothers. Inseperable, that is until one day. Amir witnesses something that will forever change him, his life and Hassans. As a grown man he returns to Afghanistan in an attempt to make things right again.

This book is an incredibly powerful story that will tug all your heartstrings. It's a blend of sheer imagination and deep emotions. A wonderful story told by and incredible story teller. As a general rule I don't like sad stories, the kind that make you cry and your heart ache. Normally they make me feel horrible but this book had just the right mix of tragedy and hope. An incredibly story, worth reading and you will never forget it. The world of the Kite Runner is a very real one that pulls you and never completely lets go. Well at least it doesn't for a day or two. I just finished it last night and still hasn't completely realised it's hold on me. A sign of a great book!

Love is Hell

Love is Hell

Melissa Marr

Scott Westerfeld

Justine Larbalestier

Gabrielle Zevin

Laurie Faria Stolarz

Love is Hell is a compilation of five short stories from different authors. Each story has a unique twist to love in a modern world that has taken a turn for the worst, a supernatural turn. That's right, this isn't just your everyday love stories it's love with a supernatural twist. This makes the stories better, more unique and original then possible any other way. Each one of the five stories trigger different emotions within you. By the time I was finished I with sleeping with the spirit I would have been crying except I was sitting on the subway. Clearly this is the wrong place to be crying. Now when I was reading thinner than water I did actually cry, of course by now I was off the subway and sitting at home on my couch. Safe from any strange looks and/or comments from random strangers.



The stories are unusual and quirky, quite unlike everything I've ever read before except for a couple of them that reminded me of the fairy tales I used to read. They are all great stories in their own right and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. I read a lot and this was one of my favorites. For some reason I seem to have forgotten exactly why I enjoy reading so much, I remember now. Come to think of it, the last time I enjoyed a book this much it was Gone. If you don't think this one has quite what you are looking for you are obviously crazy but try Prom Nights from Hell instead. It's the same style but it was actually realised before Love is hell. Unfortunately I haven't quite gotten around to reading it yet but I will soon!

By the way, don't you just love the cover?

Grass for his Pillow

Grass for his Pillow

Lian Hearn

Grass for his Pillow picks up the story of Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede where it left off in Across the Nightingale floor. Takeo struggles to adjust to his new life without Kaede while she struggles to survive in a mans world. Who is going to take care of her now? The answer to that is simple, she will. Learning how to write like a man and other skills is going to secure her future.

I thought that after the first book there was no way this one was going to be better, I was wrong. Grass for his pillow is a compelling and magical story complete with just about every element there is. Action, romance, tension, desperation and determination to survive. An already complex story becomes even more intricate making the emotions deeper and the story better. If I wasn't already in love with this semi-fictional world I would be now. Do yourself a favor and pick it up this christmas!

The Undomestic Goddess

The Undomestic Goddess

Sophia Kinsella

This is one of my all time favourite holiday reads. If I’m on vacation I’ll probably be re-reading this book. It’s such a light and laugh filled read.
Samantha is a high powered lawyer living a hectic and stressful life. She is well on her way to becoming a neurotic basket case trying to make it to the top when one day she makes a huge mistake. Basically she freaks out and finds herself on a train out of town. There she unwittingly knocks on a random door looking for directions and before she knows it she has been hired as a housekeeper! Samantha knows nothing about cooking, cleaning or anything else that a housekeeper needs to know but with a bit help from local hunk, Nathaniel’s mom she’s bound to figure it all out sooner or later.

It’s an easy and fun read, those pages just flew by! I smiled the whole way threw except for when I was laughing. I got more than one weird look at the beach. Lots and lots of fun! I have read one of the Shopaholic books and although it was entertaining it was nowhere near as good as this one. Believe me before the book is over you’ll be rooting for Samantha and you’ll be in love with Nathaniel. So pick it up during the Christmas vacation, I promise you won’t regret it.

Across the Nightingale Floor

Across the Nightingale Floor

Lian Hearn

In across the nightingale floor Lian Hearn created a world full of secrets, lies and war. Nothing is what it seems and if Takeo is going to survive he’ll need his wits about him.
Takeo grew up in a peaceful, hidden village in the mountains. He knows nothing of the feuding clans and their ruthless warlords that was until one night when Iida and his men invade the village. Murdering its inhabitants and destroying what little was left. Takeo narrowly escapes with his life based on pure luck. Shigeru from the Otori clan saves his life and takes him in.

The story is riveting and complex. The characters are varied and likeable. You’re never quite sure what they are going to do next and although the book is a little hard to get into its forgiven because after a few chapters you won’t be able to put it down. The story is much better than I can explain and if I tried to explain exactly what its about I wouldn’t get it right so check it out for yourself.