Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Book Review: C.Y.A.: Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love

Title:  C.Y.A.: Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love (Volume 1)

Author:  Jason Ancona

ISBN:  145372463X

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Genre:  Young Adult/Mystery 

Pages: P-258

I received this book as a pdf from the author.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  An elite group of nerds fight injustices by running a clandestine operation in high school. The C.Y.A., a.k.a. Covert Youth Agency, hacked into the digital school sign and posted their message: - - - If ever you're in need of help and you have nowhere else to go, seek out the C.Y.A. We're always watching and we're here for you - - - Peter "Pi" Samuels, a fourteen-year-old sophomore, runs the shadow operation. Pi's obsessed with the high school band's lead violinist, who's as beautiful as the music she plays. When she contacts the C.Y.A. to find out if her boyfriend cheated on her at a party, Pi's objective becomes clear. Prove that her beau was unfaithful. Then maybe Pi will be the perfect shoulder to cry on. Pi schemes to destroy his love's boy-toy, all while avoiding a deranged coach bent on exposing an untraceable geek squad for hire. The Covert Youth Agency.

My Reveries and Ramblings:  Covert Youth Agency is a young adult novel about a group of young high school students who use their intelligence and individual talents to fight “crime” in school.  Peter or “Pi” is the leader of the C.Y.A. (Cover Youth Agency).  Tollhouse is the chubby yet hilarious field agent.  Lightman is the computer genius.  All three make up the C.Y.A.  In this particular case, Vera, Pi’s crush, doesn’t know whether or not her boyfriend cheated on her at a party.  She hires the C.Y.A. to find out. 

      This book reminded me so much of when I was younger.  I loved the pop culture references.  I really liked the songs mentioned throughout such as “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift-there is a whole scene kind of like the music video, which I consider one of my favorite scenes in the book.  Tollhouse reminded me of Chunk from The Goonies.  I could relate to each CYA member in a different way. For example, I felt for Pi because of his unrequited love and since he looked young for his age.  There were only two things I had a problem with: -1-a lot of clichés and -2- I really don’t think high school boys/guys would where Heely’s to school.  I wasn’t sure what to think of the clichés only because I thought in clichés when I was 13, 14, and 15.  The Heely’s shoes seemed more like elementary to middle school fashion-not so much high school.       

      Overall I really enjoyed this book.  It was an easy and fun read.  It brought me back to when I thought the world would end if the guy I liked didn’t like me back.  This book was like Agent Cody Banks meets Recess meets Codename Kids Next Door.  I hope you all enjoy this book.  The next book comes out on March 1, 2011.  I will definitely continue reading the series.  I give it 3 kisses.

Jason Ancona's Giveaway!!!!:  Jason Ancona, the author, is doing an ebook giveaway.  To enter you must:
1-Google Friend Connect him
2-Follow him on Twitter
3-Email him
Before Dec. 31, 2010.  For more information go to his website

Book Trailer:

Playlist

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Book Review: My Antonia by Willa Cather

Title: My Antonia

Author: Willa Cather

ISBN:  1583485090

Publisher: New Millennium Library

Genre:  Classics, Historical Fiction, Realism

Pages:  P-232

Synopsis (from Goodreads): It seems almost sacrilege to infringe upon a book as soulful and rich as Willa Cather's My Antonia by offering comment. First, published in 1918, and set in Nebraska in the late 19th c., this tale of the spirited daughter of a Bohemian immigrant family planning to farm on the untamed land ("not a country at all but the material out of which countries are made") comes to us through the romantic eyes of Jim Burden. He is , at the time of their meeting, newly orphaned and arriving at his grandparents' neighboring farm on the same night her family strikes out to make good in their new country. jim chooses the opening words of his recollections deliberately: "I first heard of Antonia on what seemed to be an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America," and it seems almost certain that readers of Cather's masterpiece will just as easily pinpoint the first time they heard of Antonia and her world. It seems equally certain that they, too, will remember that moment as one of great light in an otherwise unremarkable trip through the world.

     Ántonia, who, even as a grown woman somewhat downtrodden by circumstance and hard work, "had not lost the fire of life," lies at the center of almost every human condition that Cather's novel effortlessly untangles. She represents immigrant struggles with a foreign land and tongue, the restraints on women of the time (with which Cather was very much concerned), the more general desires for love, family, and companionship, and the great capacity for forbearance that marked the earliest settlers on the frontier.

As if all this humanity weren't enough, Cather paints her descriptions of the vastness of nature--the high, red grass, the road that "ran about like a wild thing," the endless wind on the plains--with strokes so vivid as to make us feel in our bones that we've just come in from a walk on that very terrain ourselves. As the story progresses, Jim goes off to the University in Lincoln to study Latin (later moving on to Harvard and eventually staying put on the East Coast in another neat encompassing of a stage in America's development) and learns Virgil's phrase "Optima dies ... prima fugit" that Cather uses as the novel's epigraph. "The best days are the first to flee"--this could be said equally of childhood and the earliest hours of this country in which the open land, much like My Ántonia, was nothing short of a rhapsody in prairie sky blue. --Melanie Rehak

My Reveries and Ramblings:  My Antonia by Willa Cather is about the friendship between a boy, Jim, and an immigrant girl, Antonia.  Willa Cather’s novel deals with issues such as immigration, suicide, prejudice, and unrequited love.  My Antonia is a charming coming-of-age story set in the late 19^th c.  The characters are realistically written.  The story is narrated by Jim and is a compilation of memories from his childhood and young adult life-mostly revolving around Antonia. 

     To be honest, I did not want to read this book-mostly because it is a realist work.  I’m not a huge fan of realism-I find it quite depressing.  I still wonder why I decided to take a class on American Literature that concentrated on Realist works. Since I had to read and write a paper on a realist work, I was dreading it.  But it truly surprised me.  I did not expect to like it at all.  I recommend you read this if you like classic American Literature.  Even if you don’t, it’s still a good read; and by far my favorite of all the books/short stories I had to read for that class.  I give it 3 Kisses.

The following is a clip from the movie (and yes, that is Neil Patrick Harris as Jim)

My Antonia Playlist

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

TGIF!

TGIF!!!! So with Friday comes The Book Blogger Hop.  It's hosted over at Crazy-for-Books.  I love participating each week.  I've discovered a ton of amazing blogs through the Hop.  Happy Hopping :)

Question of the Week:  What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?

My Answer:  Well, in every book I read, I want to care about the characters.  If the book doesn't force me to feel something about any of the characters-hate, anger, love, etc.-then I will usually put the book down.  The characters either make the story or ruin it.  

Follow Friday is also a great way to find awesome blogs.  It's hosted by Parajunkee's View.  This week Parajunkee is featuring Carmel @ Rabid Reads .  
This week's Question:  What did you study in college, or are currently studying and did it lead to your current 9 to 5 or are you doing something totally different?  
My Answer:  Last year I majored in Musical Theater then changed over the summer to Communications with a concentration in Entertainment Studies.  But I've found my calling in Advertising, SO I'm actually changing my concentration again to Advertising.  At the moment I don't have a job....but that's going to change next year.  My recent increase in spending (books and music) has taken a toll on my savings account.  I have to either get a job, or stop buying books (Ha! like that's ever going to happen)-look likes it's "get a job!" haha   What did you major in college?  Thinking about majoring in? or currently majoring in?
If you are new to Bon Bons and Reveries, enter the Happy Holly Jolly Holidays Giveaway for your chance to win one of the books reviewed on my blog (complete list on the left sidebar).

From Book to Movie: I Am Number Four

     I won't be posting that much this week because it's finals week.  However, I get to go home on Saturday (YAY!). So starting Sunday-ish, I'll be reading like crazy!  I can't wait for my sister to read the Fever series (all I've been talking about lately, apparently)-I'm bringing the books back for her.
     So I haven't read this book, but it's one my TBR list.  I saw this trailer the other day and thought "I have to read this!"  It looks awesome. I Am Number Four comes out Feb. 18, 2011 Have you read the book?  What did you think?

A Post for Barrons

    

     I finished Dreamfever the other night (review will probably be posted this week)-WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK! I can’t get Jericho Barrons out of my head for a minute (and I wouldn’t want to)So OF COURSE I went online and googled him (the stalker of fictional characters that I am) and I found this which made my night SOOOO much better. On Karen Marie Moning’s website she has an interview with the actor/character that was the inspiration for JZB– Eric Etebari from TNT’s Witchblade.  This interview is sooo good and there is even an uncensored interview with him (which is EVEN better) Click here to read the interview OR click here for the unscensored interview. 

And then of course, there’s this:

And this:

Friday!

Hello Everyone!  So it's friday once again :)  And you know what that means?  Follow Friday and Blog Hop!!!!!!  

Follow Friday!!!

Follow Friday is a weekly event/feature hosted by Parajunkee that helps book bloggers meet other book bloggers.  This week's Follow Feature is Amanda from Another Book Junkie   Check out her awesome blog.  
This week's question: Do you have an under-noticed author that you think we should all know about?My Answer:  This is a tough one because most of the books I've seen on blogs have been the books I've read or am going to read.  Since I'm new to the blogging world, I'm not sure if Ken Follett ever got any blogs hyped up and excited.  I've only read his Pillars of the Earth-which was amazing by the way. I have the second book which I will probably read next year.  He is an amazing writer-if you haven't read the book, read it.  In terms of all my friends (and family),  Most of them don't read paranormal books (unless it was a movie and/or Edward Cullen related) at all and I feel that they are missing out on a great genre-most of the books I read have some paranormal aspect to them.  For them I would suggest Karen Marie Moning or Gail Carriger.
The Blog Hop!!!

The Blog hop is another great way to find amazing blogs and create awareness of your own blog.  It is hosted by Crazy-for-Books.

This week's question:  What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs?  Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?

My Answer:  I really like reading the reviews.  I really like when the blog's post inspires me to read the book.  

Also, don't forget to check out my holiday giveaway, Happy Holly Jolly Holidays Giveaway

Book Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade

Author:  Andrea Cremer

Series: Nightshade #1

ISBN: 039925482X

Publisher:  Philomel

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: H-454

Synopsis (From Goodreads):  Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Reveries and Ramblings: Calla, an alpha werewolf, is set to be mated (or married) to Ren, another alpha werewolf.  When patrolling the woods, Calla comes across Shay in the woods injured and threatened.  By saving his life, she could be sentenced to death.  She doesn’t think she will ever see him again.  When he shows up at school, Calla is asked by her future master to watch over him.  Their newfound friendship turns into love and Calla must not only choose between Ren and Shay but also between playing it safe or learn the truth. 

       Okay, so for starters-I love Ren.  He is attractive, an alpha, hot, nice, caring, hot, confident, hot, and oh, did I mention-hot?  As you can tell-I’m completely team Ren.  Now that I got that out of my system, I can continue.  Calla, the protagonist, is strong, both physically and mentally.  She’s not a push over.  She and her “pack” all attend Mountain High School with Ren and his “pack.”  Andrea Cremer puts an interesting spin on werewolves and the paranormal.  This isn’t your normal werewolf story (you know, all that full-moon-tortured-soul stuff).  This is a love story that forces the reader to feel torn and conflicted.  The characters are very realistic (besides the paranormal element) and layered.  Each one has realities that they are forced to face.  Because they serve their masters they do not have a choice in who they marry (although, they can make requests) or where they live.  Disobedience usually involves death.  The other option, though, is to suffer at the hands of a dark shade-like creature that reminded me a lot of the dementors from the Harry Potter series.  There were several suspenseful scenes; and of course there is a bit of a cliff hanger.        

       I read this book in one day (at the airport and on my flights).  When I finished it, I wasn’t really sure what to think.  I liked it and I didn’t like it.  I thought it was interesting and definitely creative.  I liked the world Cremer built.  However, I really didn’t like Shay.  I wouldn’t mind him being like the “best friend” but I just don’t like him.  Also, I didn’t trust him.  He kept pressuring Calla to do things that if discovered she could be punished/killed.   I decided about a day after I finished it that I liked it and that Shay was the reason why I felt odd about it. I give it 3 kisses.  I can’t wait until the sequel Wolfsbane comes out. 

*If you read the book, highlight the area below, if not then I’m warning you that there are spoilers:

That last scene when Calla asked Ren to give her and Shay some time to get away really showed how much he loved her.  Then she just ripped his heart out (not literally).  That made me so mad.  Poor Ren.  

Book Trailer:

The Playlist:

*note- I included some of the songs from Andrea Cremer's playlist for Nightshade.  Click here for a complete list of all the songs that she used.

From Book to Movie: Like Dandelion Dust

After watching the trailer for the movie Like Dandelion Dust, I had to put the book on my TBR list.  It looks really good.  Here's the synopsis of the book from Goodreads:


Jack and Molly Campbell can imagine no greater happiness than sharing their lives with their adopted son, Joey. Then, suddenly one day, their joy is dispersed like dandelion dust in the wind: A judge rules that four-year-old Joey must be returned to his biological father. As the Campbells desperately search for a solution, they begin to grapple with the moral core of life's problems. A heart-wrenching, ultimately uplifting novel.


And here is the trailer for the movie which came out in September.  I will definitely be looking for this when it comes out on DVD.  Better stock up on my tissue boxes:

Book Review: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Title:  Faefever

Author:  Karen Marie Moning

Series:  Fever #3

ISBN:  0385341636

Publisher:  Delacorte Press

Genre:  Paranormal/Romance/Mystery/Dark Fantasy

Pages:  H-327

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): He calls me his Queen of the Night. I’d die for him. I’d kill for him, too. 

When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister’s killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it. Mac’s quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V’lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and Jericho Barrons, a man of primal desires and untold secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul.

My Ramblings and Reveries: After Mac’s encounter with the Lord Master, she decides to learn how to defend herself against Voice (what the Lord Master uses to control people).  Barrons, in all his mysteriousness, agrees to help her.  Although his help is more like bullying but I guess “pot-A-to, pot-Ah-to.”  On top of that, Mac also has to deal with the other sidhe-seers attacking her, the rivalry between Vlane and Barrons, and the murders caused by the Sinsar Dubh. 

Grrrr! I want to know what Barrons is- the mystery deepens in this installment.  Mac learns more about Barrons and his past, but it only raises more questions that he is unwilling to answer.  Mac also starts spending more time with Vlane, much to Barrons dismay.  During one of their meetings, Vlane tells Mac about the Lord Master (his history).  Almost every time Mac is with Vlane, Barrons appears with no warning whatsoever.  Then he storms off upset about something (hmm, I wonder). 

       This book was soooooo good.  And the end- what a cliffhanger! But I guess I should have seen it coming since the previous Fever books have had cliffhangers.  This one, though, was especially brutal.  What I disliked: I found some of the scenes with the other sidhe-seers annoying.  Personally, they seem to be completely unhelpful to Mac and her quest.  I don’t trust them.  This isn't my favorite of the Fever books but I still love it.  I give it 4 Kisses :)

AND now for those of you who read the book, highlight the area below (Warning: spoilers): 

AHHH! I don’t know what to think anymore.  I thought I was completely team Barrons but then he practically abuses Mac during the Voice lessons.  What’s with that?  Every time he did that I became sooooo angry with him and was shocked!  I thought he liked her (not showing it but deep down in side).  And then Vlane comes in and is helpful, sexy, and patient with Mac and doesn’t force her to do anything.  It’s just so frustrating.  (at least I own Dreamfever now so as soon as break starts-2 weeks, I can read it!)  That ending!!!!!!!!  This is what was running through my head at the very very end:  “WHAT?!?!?!? NOOOOO!  NO NO NO NO NO !! Where’s Barrons? Where’s Vlane?”

It was almost too much- in terms cliffhanger endings.  

A really good music video (Barrons in this video is how I pictured him):

Now the playlist:

Updates

So as you have probably noticed, I changed my layout.  Let me know what you think :)


Welcome to Bon Bons and Reveries 2.0.


And now a couple of things:
1-I'm going to try to post my review for Faefever today (Sunday).
2-I went to B&N today and I was over in the teen section for a while just looking at all the book covers and thinking "I want that"...I left the store with a copy of Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning :)
3- I watched Eclipse tonight and so here is a little Team Jacob vs. Team Edward:

Life Is Good Award

Life is good.  It really is! I'm so happy I won this award.  It's my second award ever!  I would like to thank Dog-Eared & Bookmarked for giving me this award and all my readers/followers/subscribers who are so amazing and encouraging :)


Life is Good Award Rules:


1.  Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.
2.  Answer the 10 survey questions below.
3.  Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4.  Contact the bloggers you've picked to let them know about the award.


The Questions:


1.  If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this; if you are not anonymous, do you wish that you had started out anonymously so that you could be anonymous now?


My Answer:  The whole reason to blog is to share what you love with others via the internet. I thought about blogging anonymously, but decided against it.  I'm glad I did.


2.  Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.


My Answer:  I can't think of one.


3.  What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?


My Answer:  Besides the frizzy strawberry blonde rats nest on top of my head?  I see someone who tries to be (and usually is) hopeful and optimistic, but sometimes fails to see the silver lining.


4.  What is your favorite summer cold drink?


My Answer:  Nonfat Iced Carmel Macchiato from Starbucks :)


5.  When you take time for yourself, what do you do?


My Answer:  Put music on and drift off into my own world, read, or watch TV


6.  Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?


My Answer:  Yes, there are many things.  I want to work in Advertising.  But what I most want to accomplish in life is happiness.  I want to meet "the one," get married, have kids, and basically live a full and happy life.


7.  When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?


My Answer: I was the shy girl that sat in the corner at the back of the room.


8.  If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?


My Answer:  The day I decided to switch my major from Musical Theater to Communications.  I spent the majority of my life consumed by theater and I loved it.  I still do!  But my shy personality and the fact that I didn't want to constantly be looking for a job caused me to change.  I'm less stressed and a lot happier since I changed to Comm.  Although, it's a lot harder to stay in shape when I'm not dancing 8 hours a week.


9.  Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?


My Answer:  A little of both.  I only share the good stuff.  There is too much negativity in the world-I don't want to bring it into my blog.


10.  If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone which would you do and why?


My Answer:  I would read a book.

I award the following bloggers with the Life is Good Award for being great bloggers with amazing blogs: 

Alison Can Read

Beneath Shining Stars, I Read
Book Kritik
Bright Wishes
GReads!

Hobbitsies
Romance Book Junkies

Recovering Potter Addict

Small Review

Supernatural Snark

The Novel Affair

ComaCalm's Corner

The Slowest Bookworm

Bookaholic Does Blogging

Mystifying Paranormal Reviews

Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf

Soon Remembered Tales

Busting the Newbie Blues!

This is such a great idea!!  Busting the Newbie Blues is hosted by Small Review.  It was created to help new book bloggers (like me!) by giving us a way to interact with more established book bloggers.  

SO here are my answers to the questionnaire:

1.  When did you start your blog?

A:  About a month ago.

2.  Why did you start your blog?

A:  I was reading book blogs for a few months before starting my own.  I was reading a lot and wanted to be able to discuss the books I read.  Sadly, my family doesn't read as much as I do (nor do they read the same types of books as I do), and my friends don't read as much either.  So I pulled an all-nighter and created Bon Bons and Reveries.  

3.  What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

A:  Hmm, well, I guess that would either be (1) trying to write reviews on books I read a while ago or (2) trying to figure out a way to improve the look of my blog (layout, etc.) with my limited to nonexistent knowledge of CSS.

4.  What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

A:  I don't really find anything that discouraging.  Sometimes I feel like my blog will never be as good as the blogs I read but I know it will come with time.

5.  What do you find most encouraging?

A:  When people comment on my blog saying they love/like it.  Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :) 

6.  What do you like best about the blogs you read?  Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

A:  Yes, before I made my blog I visited all the blogs I read and I made a list of everything I liked about each blog.  I used that list when I created mine.  I still do that, even now, as I try to improve my blog.  My favorite things about the blogs I read are: easy to navigate, colors, nice blogger, organized, and content.  My top favorite thing about the blogs I read is their passion-if I can see how much effort and hard work they put into their blog then I know they are dedicated and I can count on them.

7.  What do you dislike about blogs you've read?  Do you try to avoid this?  

A: I don't like blogs that are completely blank (white background, etc.) with no header, and messy sidebars that post about once a month and don't seem to care.  

8.  Any advice for other new bloggers?

A:  Blog about what you like/love.  Let your passion and love for reading, writing, or anything you blog about shine through because that is the real reason for blogging-to share what you love with others.

9.  Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?

A:  I've probably said this a million times already but-  I love the blogging community.  Everyone is so nice and supportive of each other.  I don't feel that competitive pressure to beat anyone-because there is no one to beat.  We all share the same interests and want to share that with the world.  

10.  Is there anything you'd like to tell us about your blog?

A:  Books + Food + Music= Bon Bons and Reveries

Also, those of you who don't know- I'm hosting a holiday giveaway called Happy Holly Jolly Holidays Giveaway, click here for more info.