My Fan Art Book Covers!

I've promised to post these since I started this blog, so here they are! I made these fan art book covers originally as an activity on RandomBuzzers.com, and I picked books that I liked that also could have a fan cover made easily (no fancy photomanipulations or vector graphics).

To anyone who skipped the first paragraph, this is FAN ART, not the actual covers. I'm not trying to steal anything either. I made these myself from public domain photos and the very fact that I spent hours making them means that I am a fan of the books. So go read them!

First I'll put the fan art cover, then I'll show the real cover and a link to Amazon to find out more about the book.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Fan Cover:

Real Cover:

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Adoration-Jenna-Fox-Mary-Pearson/dp/0805076689/

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Fan Cover (This one is inspired by the movie.):

Real Cover (not the movie cover):

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/City-Ember-First-Book/dp/0375822747/

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Fan Cover:

Real Cover (paperback):

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Airborn-Kenneth-Oppel/dp/0060531827/

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (I'm no big Twilight fan, but I thought I could make a good cover for it.)

Fan Cover:

Real Cover:

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/

So.... What did you think?

*Paradox*

In My Mailbox (1)

I'm finally starting In My Mailbox! Credit for this idea goes to The Story Siren (http://www.thestorysiren.com/).

I've been trying to get this first edition up for the last month, but I've been busy, have slept through the time when I should have posted it, and lost my camera for a week and was unable to take pictures of the latest books. I finally got the camera back and I will be posting the pictures of every book that's come in the mail for the past four weeks. I won't post pictures of the books I've bought myself (not counting online purchases) because that would take forever, but I will list them. But I won't even be going into the library books I've checked out...

Week 1 - 12/28-1/3:

- 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Anne Brashares - From Random Buzzers. It was a prize.

- The Eyes of a King by Catherine Banner - From Random Buzzers. This one has a story behind it. The whole reason I joined Random Buzzers was to earn enough points to get an ARC of this book. I got the last copy they had, and then I waited... for three months. And I never got it. I e-mailed them and they said that it must have gotten lost in the mail, because they sent it out. So they refunded my points. But then they sent me a hardcover copy for free!

Week 2 - 1/4-1/10:

- Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra - Contest prize.

- Top 8 by Katie Finn - From Book Divas.

- The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - Contest prize.

- Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison - Contest prize.

- The Wandering Schoolgirl by Gary L. Gallegos and Louis C. Gallegos - Contest prize.

- 100 Girls by Adam Gallardo and Todd Demong - Contest prize.

- The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling - Contest prize.

- Sucks to be Me by Kimberly Pauley - Contest prize.

Week 3 - 1/11-1/17:

- Sam's Quest for the Crimson Crystal by Ben Furman - Contest prize.

- Far from You by Lisa Scroeder - For review.

- Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Growing Up by Various Authors - Contest prize.

- Revelations (Blue Bloods) by Melissa de la Cruz - Contest prize.

- Need by Carrie Jones - Contest prize.

- Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston - Contest prize.

Week 4 - 1/18-1/24:

- I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy - Contest prize.

- Rogelia's House of Magic by Jamie Martinez Wood - From Amazon.

- Daylight Runner by Oisin McGann - From Amazon.

- Far World: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage - Contest prize.

And here are all the books I've gotten at used book sales and a few other random places over the last month:

- Mondays Are Red by Nicola Morgan

- Princess Nevermore by Dian Curtis Regan

- Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

- The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty

- The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey

- Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Anne Brashares
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

- The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- Sk8er Boy by Mari Mancusi
- The Juniper Game by Sherryl Jordan
- The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
- Lionboy by Zizou Corder

- Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo
- The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
- The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
- Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

- Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
- Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer
- Switched (Fear Street) by R. L. Stine
- The Babysitter III by R. L. Stine
- Everworld #1: Search for Senna by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #2: Land of Loss by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #3: Enter the Enchanted by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #5: Discover the Destroyer by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #6: Fear the Fantastic by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #7: Gateway to the Gods by K. A. Applegate

- Everworld #8: Brave the Betrayal by K. A. Applegate

*Paradox*

Inkheart Movie!!!

I am so excited to see the Inkheart movie! It comes out today! Guess how long I've been waiting for it... 4 months? 6? A year? No, I've been waiting (im)patiently for the movie since September 2007 (about). The movie was originally supposed to come out in March 2008, so I was so disappointed when I found out I had to wait until January 2009 to see it. I'll probably go to it tomorrow with my best friend. I just hope the movie version of the story isn't completely messed up... Ella Enchanted movie? FAIL.

I read the book about five years ago, so I don't remember everything, but I remember that it was GOOD.

I'm too lazy to write out a blurb for the book, but I have provided the trailer (an early one which I like better than the new one, which is trying too hard to appeal to young children), which will give you the general idea:

If you are interested in the new trailer, go to the official movie website: http://inkheartmovie.com/

Here's the IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0494238/
And the Amazon page (not for the movie tie-in, I hate those): http://www.amazon.com/Inkheart-Cornelia-Funke/dp/0439709105/

Is anyone else going to see it?


*Paradox*

Happy Birthday Alexa Young!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Yes, it's Alexa Young's birthday! If you didn't know, she is the author of Frenemies and the recently released Faketastic.

Her blog is here: http://alexayoung.blogspot.com/

You must go out and read them:

Frenemies (http://www.amazon.com/Frenemies-Alexa-Young/dp/0061175617/):

Description from Amazon:

What happens when two besties become full-blown worsties?

Avalon Greene rules the fashion scene at her sunny SoCal middle school with a diamond-clad fist, calling out classmates for their fashion-do's and most unfortunate clothes-pas. She's determined to host the social event of the season—a soiree in honor of her forever-friendship with Halley! Unfortunately, Halley's new look is one thing Avalon just can't celebrate. . . .

Halley Brandon is just back from art camp and can't wait to share her funky new style with her best friend, Avalon. But when Avalon cries fashion foul, Halley realizes her best friend's true colors may clash with her own. Has their ultra-fabulous friendship finally gone out of style?

From sharing custody of their puppy, Pucci, to drawing up a list of who gets which friends, Avalon and Halley discover what happens when you battle the person who knows everything about you—and isn't afraid to use your secrets to get what she wants.

Best friends. Worst enemies. Frenemies.

Faketastic (http://www.amazon.com/Frenemies-2-Faketastic-Alexa-Young/dp/0061175706/):

Description from Amazon:

From besties to worsties and back again . . .

Team Avalon:

For Avalon, staying on top of trends has never been a problem—until her fellow cheerleaders decide that her BFF Halley is definitely out this season. Now Avalon must choose between the frenemy who embarrassed her in front of everyone or the new friends who stood by her.

vs.

Team Halley:

Halley thinks she's got it all: her forever-friend Avalon, her new bestie Sofee, and the hottest fall wardrobe at Seaview Middle School. Her life is a total YES. But when Sofee spies Avalon flirting with Halley's crush, will it be World War Halvalon all over again?

*Paradox*

What is to Come

I have been neglecting my blog... with the exception of the contest list. Well, I've been very busy with non-blog stuff, and getting ready to start a lot of new things here. I've been reading a lot, and I still have a lot of reviews to write. And before I even post a review there are a few things that have to be done first:

- I have to have a post explaining my rating system.
- I have to have a post explaining the mystery add-on I will have on some of my reviews (I'll explain later).
- I'll post those fan-made book covers and my cover idea for the book I'm writing, which I have been putting off doing.
- I will join some reading challenges.
- I will make changes to my blog, like adding links on the sidebar.
- I have to update my countdown widgets.
- I would like 3 columns, but I have no idea how to do this...
- I am going to start doing In My Mailbox and possibly Waiting on Wednesday!
- I'm starting my own feature where I compare book covers from the USA and foreign countries. Anyone have an idea what I should name this, besides my lame "Cover vs. Cover"?
- I have to have a post about awards I've been given, which I've been putting off.

Reviews Coming Soon:

- Skinned by Robin Wasserman
- The Devouring by Simon Holt
- The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- Welcome to the Ark by Stephanie S. Tolan
- Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra
- Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- Gone by Michael Grant (read this a long time ago, but it was so awesome I must review it)
- Unwind by Neal Schusterman (ditto)
- Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (ditto)
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (ditto)

Oh, and I hit a milestone yesterday, 1-11-09! For the first time, an author (Jonathan Bernstein) contacted me with an offer of a book to review (Hottie)! It just so happens that I have been wanting to read that book!

*Paradox*