Neurotic Thoughts - Masque Of The Red Death

Masque Of The Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: YA Gothic Horror
Published by: Greenwillow Books an imprint of Harper Collins
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Summary from Goodreads:
Everything is in ruins. 


A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them. 


So what does Araby Worth have to live for? 


Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all. 


But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does. 


And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

My Thoughts:
 The description I found on Goodreads didn't have me completely sold on Masque of The Red Death but, the cover is so gorgeous (yeah I know) that I had to give it a try when I saw that it was going to be touring. I am SO SO glad that I was feeling tour happy that day because this book was frickin' wonderful! While this novel has some of the elements common to YA novels the plot was completely unique to me.


I'm having a difficult time figuring out just what it was that had me so completely engrossed in MotRD. I think I've finally decided that it was everything. The characters, the emotions,  the writing, the plot, the love triangle, the evil prince, Araby's parents, the city, the clubs, truly it was everything! This book was written so perfectly that I felt like I was there in the book.  I loved Bethany Griffin's writing style. I usually like a lot of dialog and not so much description but in the case of MotRD you had to have all of the description to get a feel for the utter despair and ruin of the city. Sometimes with that much description I find my mind wandering, that definitely wasn't happening while reading this one.

I don't want to talk about the story line to much because I want you to be as thrown as I was and I'm afraid I might give to much away if I talk to much about Araby and "the boys" so I will just leave you to discover and fall in love with them on your own. 


This book was a super fast read for me that I never wanted to put down and when it ended I wasn't ready.  Especially not with that ending. The next book will be one that I will be eagerly awaiting. Really eagerly is much to tame of a word to describe how much I am looking forward to the next book! 
Full of mystery, conspiracy and intrigue this is a book in 2012 that you will not want to miss!

Neurotic Thoughts on Don't Stop Now

Don't Stop Now
Author: Julie Halpern
Released: June 7, 2011
Pages: 224
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN: 0312643462
Target Age: Young Adult
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Summary from Goodreads:


On the first day of Lillian’s summer-before-college, she gets a message on her cell from her sort-of friend, Penny. Not only has Penny faked her own kidnapping, but Lil is the only one who figures it out. She knows that Penny’s home life has been rough, and that her boyfriend may be abusive. Soon, Penny’s family, the local police, and even the FBI are grilling Lil, and she decides to head out to Oregon, where Penny has mentioned an acquaintance. And who better to road-trip across the country with than Lil’s BFF, Josh. But here’s the thing: Lil loves Josh. And Josh doesn’t want to “ruin” their amazing friendship.
Josh has a car and his dad’s credit card. Lil has her cellphone and a hunch about where Penny is hiding. There’s something else she needs to find: Are she and Josh meant to be together?

                                                I really loved this book!

A truly delicious and entertaining read. I absolutely adored the characters Lillian and Josh! They are very possibly two of the most authentic characters I have ever read about. We've all known someone like Lillian and Josh. They are quirky, funny and just so likable. I was constantly laughing out loud and reading passages to my daughter because they were just too funny not to share. Also because Lillian reminded me a lot of my daughter. I do have to add really quickly that Penny is a complete and total idiot.  
I loved all of the settings in this book. From Powell's book store (I want to go there so bad) in Oregon, to the offbeat corn palace and the cheese castle, or was that the cheese palace and the corn castle? Either way they were so much fun. Julie Halpern's writing is humorous, lively and easy to read. If you are looking for a fun way to spend a hot summer day you won't go wrong choosing Don't Stop Now.