Thursday, February 3, 2011

Time to Hop!

It's time for the weekly book blogger hops again! A great opportunity to meet new bloggers and say hi to old.

Crazy For Books' Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop

Parajunkee's Follow My Book Blog Friday.




I'm Alison. I've been blogging for eight months. I review mainly YA with a few MG books and a weekly manga feature.

This Week's Reviews

*I missed last week's hop because I was out of town, so I have extra reviews to list here.

GIVEAWAY

Win a fabulous Goddess Girls' swag pack!

Reviews

Hush by Eishes Chayil
Athena the Brain by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
White Cat by Holly Black
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Manga Mondays

Vampire Knight vol. 4 by Matsuri Hino
Fruits Basket vol. 12 by Natsuki Takaya

Discussion Post

How do you comment?

Questions of the Week:

Blog Hop: What are you reading right now and why are you reading it?

I am reading Fruits Basket vol. 17 by Natsuki Takaya. I'm reading it because I'm desperate to finish the series. I just finished Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta (wonderful!). I read it because I loved Jellicoe Road. I'm about to start Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. I want to read it, because so many bloggers have said wonderful things about it.

Follow Friday: What is the book you are currently pushing?

I will always encourage people to read the Twilight series (with an open mind). Better to read it and dislike it than to just dismiss it because it's "uncool."

I also would love for everyone to read Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. It's complex and beautiful and can be read again and again. Also, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, because it's just wonderful.

Other books I encourage people to read are those that I think haven't gotten enough blog coverage - where they hype has died down or where the books slipped under the radar entirely. Books like the Sucks To Be Me series by Kimberly Pauley, Don Calame's books Swim The Fly and Beat The Band, and Inconvenient by Margie Gelbwasser

106 comments:

  1. I've been wanting to start reading that manga series, Fruit Basket. How are you liking it? I'm reading White Cat right now, so I'll come back to read your review and I'm finished :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  2. Hopping by :)

    I've heard such wonderful things about Melina Marchetta but I haven't read her yet. Her fantasy book interests me the most, though I've heard some really intriguing things about the main guy in Saving Francesca.

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  3. I also really enjoyed Jellicoe Road, but it's the only book by Melina Marchetta that I've read. I've added Saving Francesca to my list though!

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. I've heard good things about Melina marchetta books as well. I need to get a few and read them.

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  5. I need to get back to reading Fruits Basket. I am reading four types of books. Come see what they are.

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  6. I haven't read any Manga books yet - I guess I should also try them out!

    Here's my Book Blogger Hop: 2/4-2/7 post!

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  7. I have just ordered REVOLUTION from the book depository. I've been itching to read it since its release but I've been unable to find it in stores. Hopefully I enjoy it and so do you! I also read White Cat this week! Happy Friday!

    Here's my hop and weekly round-up!

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  8. Hi There!
    Thanks for the visit! I agree with you on Anna & the French Kiss - great book!

    Barb at Sugarbeat's Books

    Valentine's Giveaway

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  9. Hmmm.. I've really fallen off with manga recently, though I plowed through the anime of Fruits Basket last year. I shall definitely stick around for manga recommendations! (in other words, New Follower)

    The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf

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  10. Hey Happy Friday! We are new followers!! Cute site! Stop by and visit us sometimes at: http://pg59bookclub.blogspot.com
    Thanks and have a great weekend!

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  11. Stopping by to say hi and Happy Friday!! I also have Revolution on my TBR pile! :)
    Kristy @ Dreaming By Day

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  12. I haven't read Jellicoe Road but I def want to now
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  13. Yes to Anna! What a great contemp. Good recommendations...thanks!

    Jen

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  14. I finished Fruits Basket a while ago, I this manga is so cute! But I like Shonen Jump mangas more! hahaha LONG LIFE TO ONE PIECE! :P
    I read Twilight and... man... I still don't get... WHY THE STUPID VAMPIRE SHINES?

    Thanks for your visit in my blog! :D I’m your newest follower!

    -petit
    http://http://abookandacupcake.blogspot.com

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  15. I've heard great things about Melina Marchetta! Definitely planning to read her books. And I LOVED Anna & the French Kiss. Great recommendation! :) Thanks for hopping by my blog! I love your blog's cherry blossom background!

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  16. HI! I've never read a manga book. Where do you buy them? They sound very interesting.

    Thanks for stopping by the blog. Happy Friday!

    ~Talina
    http://bookinitalong.blogspot.com/

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  17. I would like to start the Manga series too.

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  18. Hopping by. Love your pretty blog. I'm interested in reading REVOLUTION too.

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  19. I'm your newest follower! Hopping by to check in; visit in turn if you can.

    The book I'm pushing is Fatty Legs, a terrific story of a girl's unbroken spirit in the face of hostility and alienation.

    You can read my review of it here:
    http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/fatty-legs-true-story.html

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  20. Happy Friday Alison! I can't wait to see what you think of Saving Francesca, it seems like you like it so far and I've heard it's amazing. Looking forward to your full review of that one!

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  21. I've seen so many great reviews for Anna and the French Kiss, I guess I have to read it sometime. Jellicoe Road looks good too. The movies have turned me off Twilight. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  22. Thank you for dropping by my blog! Have a great weekend!

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  23. Oooh! I have Revolution from the library so I'm going to start reading that soon too ^.^

    Sniffly Kitty
    Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
    Loving the Reviews Challenge

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  24. here's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-book-blog-follow-friday.html

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  25. Great books. We're reading Anna, and it is good. I enjoyed Revolution! Have a great weekend!

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  26. I love your reasonings for "pushing" people to read Twilight. I love telling people to read Twilight. I also love telling them that the books are so much better than the movies so don't judge a book by its movie.

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  27. I haven't read Jellicoe Road, but I've heard good things - I'll have to add it to my tbr list! I haven't heard of some of the other books you listed, but I'll definitely look into them!

    Thanks for stopping by Between the Covers! Hope you have a good weekend :-)

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  28. Loved Anna and the French Kiss. Twilight was ok... But yeah I agree that you can't judge a book without trying it. I did that with Harry Potter. Boy, was I wrong.

    Happy Friday!
    Lucia
    iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books

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  29. I am currently trying to get people to read Demons are a girls best friend.. come check out my blog

    Outhouse Reviews
    have a great weekend

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  30. Marchetta is one of my FAVOURITE authors! she is just brilliant!!!

    - Kylie
    http://kylie1403.blogspot.com

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  31. Hi! Just stopping by on the blog hop. I love Fruits Basket! Well, I've never read the manga but I've seen the tv show-on Netflix. It was sooooooo good.
    Have a great weekend :)

    Caroline @ Bon Bons and Reveries

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  32. Revolution is so near the top of my to-buy list! I can't wait to see what you think of it, as everyone seems to love it! Enjoy your reading week!

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  33. Good answer! The answer on my book blog is a little embarassing; it’s a book that’s been sitting on my TBR pile for a year.

    To my shame, I only opened the book because I remember it contained an Amazon gift card.

    All the sordid details on my book blog – http://www.howardsherman.net

    Hop on over!

    Howard Sherman
    http://www.howardsherman.net

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  34. Hi, old follower stopping by :) Ooh! I love Fruits Basket! It's one of my favorite anime. EVER! :)

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  35. Hi, I'm from the blog hop. I am following you now. I think I need to try reading a manga book. It sure sounds interesting.

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  36. Hiya! Hopping by and thanks for stopping by chez moi :-) I'm reading The Kensei as you know ;-)

    D

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  37. I'm a new followers. Neat to see some manga reviews. We have a few on our blog too.

    Tevya @ Reading Lark

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  38. I love Fruits Basket opening theme song... It's so cute!^^

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  39. Just hopping by on the blog! Thanks for stopping by my site.

    I'm a new follower! I also have never read a manga book, I will need to get out of my comfort zone and try one!

    Happy Reading!
    Sherri at Urban Girl Reader

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  40. You've listed some pretty interesting titles that I haven't read. I'll be sure to keep my eye out for them.

    Visiting you back from the Hop.

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  41. Thanks for hopping by my blog!

    Already following :)

    Lu
    http://quickquotesquills.blogspot.com/

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  42. Hey Alison! You hopped on over to my blog My Bookish Fairy Tale and you wanted to know how Adult The succubus series is well I haven't finished succubus blues yet but as far as I can tell there has only been a mild amount of sexual reference. It is not that graphic compared some other paranormal romance that I read. So I think it would be find for you!

    Thanks for stopping by
    Kristen

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  43. I tried Twilight because a friend wanted me to and didn't really care for it but at least I tried it..LOL

    Not read any of those other books but I have heard a lot about most of them.

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  44. I haven't read any of the books you're currently reading, but I've been noticing Revolution around the blogosphere.

    Thanks for hopping by my blog.

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  45. Thanks for hopping by my blog. Yours is really great! I really like that you have a manga review feature, and I'll definitely be following you. :)

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  46. wow, look at all the comments on this post!! have a great weekend, alison!

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  47. About the twilight series! I am one of those who will not read it because of the "uncool" factor. lol. But I am not a huge fan of romantic vampires. I have said that I would give vampires a try though...

    Also thanks for the follow and Happy blog Hop to you!

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  48. Thanks for hopping by my blog! And now I'm visiting yours --- very pretty! You have a cool selection of books that you're reading right now. :)

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  49. Thank for coming by. I am a follower. Check out my March blogroll challenge! http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspot.com/p/bird-in-hand-march-blog-roll-challenge.html

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  50. Hand of Fate is by that April Henry! Finished it last night -- really good

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  51. It's a shame many people pass judgment on Twilight based on the movies, too. Have a great weekend!

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  52. I've read and loved the Twilight series! I enjoy a variety of books from mystery to some fantasy, to YA, to biographies. I've heard of Jellicoe Road but haven't come across it yet. I may have to keep my eye out for that title! Thanks for popping by my blog, My Bookshelf.

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  53. I have avoided the Twilight series, I'm often put off things that get a lot of hype, but yeah, you're right, so maybe I should get round to reading them. I haven't seen the films either.

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  54. I have now added Jellicoe Road to my TBR pile! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm a new follower.

    Somer @ A Bird's Eye Review

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  55. I love that you can read multiple titles at the same time. I don't feel so alone anymore. LOL.

    Happy Hop!


    My Blog Hop

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  56. Hi,

    Thanx for dropping by my blog and the follow.
    I am following you back!
    And I will surely check out the books you recommend. besides twilight, Already read thiseo;)

    Have a nice weekend!
    Kyanara

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  57. Hey Alison thanks for stopping by on the hop! Right back at you! I'm an old follower. Have a great weekend!

    Carmel
    Giveaway: Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delaney

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  58. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    I love the anime of Fruits Basket but have never read it, heard great things and if its as good as the tv series i know i'll love it. :D

    Have a great weekend

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  59. Anna and the French Kiss is next on my TBR list!

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  60. Thanks for stopping by! You asked if I'd thought about what book to read for the A-Z challenge. Already got that one taken care of: X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives.

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  61. Hi, Alison!

    First, thanks for stopping by the blog! Second, your vote was SUPER helpful. I'll be choosing today. And you love Fruits Basket! I've only watched the series in Japanese, of course. Loved it, but was ticked off because they didn't continue it. Tell me, are the mangas pretty good? If so, I'll probably check them out. And Revolution started off pretty well when I started reading it, I'm just trying to finish my library reading pile before I go back and finish it.

    Anyway, lovely selections! Have a great weekend, be safe, and happy reading!

    Asher K. (Paranormal Indulgence)

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  62. Hi thanks for stopping by following back

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  63. Oh everyone must read On the Jellicoe Rd! I push that book right along with you!

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  64. Hi thanks for stopping by my blog, Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  65. Wow! Hi Alison, you stopped by my blog and I am amazed! I have never seen a blog with this many comments and yet you came by mine! I am honored to say the least!
    I grabbed your badge and added myself as a follower. I'm going to try my best to be here every week but my 6th book is about to come out and I am trying to finish my 7th.
    Again, thanks so much for stopping by
    BY

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  66. Thanks for following me and I love your bloogy background. Have a good weekend!

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  67. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I definitely am enjoying the voice in Revolution as well.

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  68. I just picked Jellicoe Road from the Library. I am so excited to start it. Happy Reading!

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  69. I loved Revolution. I hope you do too.
    I've heard good things about French Kiss and your review of Jellicoe Road makes me really want to read it.

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  70. Hopping back to say hey! Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  71. Just hopping by to say hello and thank you for stopping by!

    Aislynn
    Knit Purl Stitch Read & Cook

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  72. Thanks for hopping by my blog. I thought I'd repay the favor. :D I've never read any of the Fruits of the Basket books. I haven't heard that much about them either.

    To answer your question, I haven't read Dewey yet, but I do have a copy on one of my five To-Read Piles. Looks good. :D

    New Follower

    Ella Bella

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  73. Heyy! Thanks for stopping by my blog!!! I appreciate it!

    And, I agree with you on the pushing of the Twilight Series. That's the reason that I read it.. I felt like as an avid book reader, I HAD to read it, to really appreciate, or not the books instead of just saying they're "uncool". And now, I am in love with them! Haha.

    Stephany @ stephanysbookreview.blogspot.com

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  74. Just saying Hi and thanks for hopping by my blog!

    I'm an old follower

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  75. Thanks for stopping by Alison!
    To get your domain do it through blogspot.
    Settings > Publishing > Buy Domain
    Does everything for you! =)

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  76. Fruit Basket is one I need to get around to reading.

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  77. I've read a lot of great reviews of Anna and the French Kiss, it definitely sounds cute!

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  78. I've heard a lot of good things about Anna and the French Kiss- can't wait to read it myself!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog =)
    ~Aliyah from Des Absurdités
    http://desabsurdites.blogspot.com/

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  79. I read your review of Jellicoe Road and it definitely sounds like a worthy read.

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  80. Hopping by to say hello! You have some great sounding books! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend and thanks so much for stopping by Cafe of Dreams!

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  81. I've never read manga, but I've thought about it. Would Fruit Baskets be a good series to start with, or would you recommend something else?

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  82. Oh, I love Fruits Basket! I won't spoil anything, but I loved the last half of the series!

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  83. Thanks for stopping by!
    I'm really going to have to read Jellicoe Road! I've heard so much about it and it sounds great.
    Well, if you were able to change your mind about Pride and Prejudice, maybe I'll change mine about The Great Gatsby. As it is now, I can't see how I will ever be able to enjoy it.
    Have a fabulous weekend!

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  84. Hi there! Thanks for stopping by at my hop post. :)

    Oh, Fruits Basket. I've been trying to collect the rest of them for a while now. I'm on a kick where I finish reading manga series that I've fallen behind on. I've only acquired up to 16 of Fruits Basket right now, so I've still got a few to go before I can do my start to finish read through. Meanwhile, I've got Angel Sanctuary. I just have to find a copy of volume 16....

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  85. Thanks for the visit! I am now following you too! :)

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  86. I love the Twilight series, although I think I like The Host more.

    I used to read manga, but I don't spend money on it anymore, and I don't like reading it off websites, so no more manga for me right now.

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  87. Thanks for stopping by! I really want to read Jellicoe Road!

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  88. Thanks for hppibg by Alison! Revolution was in my top ten books of last year, it reall yis brilliant. I hope you enjoy it :)

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  89. Hi! just stopping by via the hop. Thought I'd say hello :)

    I think I remember reading 'Looking for Alibrandi' when I was a teen. I hear 'Saving Francesca' is good too!

    Rachel
    And the plot thickens...

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  90. Glad to see you're pushing Twilight. Its annoying when people bash it without even having read it!

    Thanks for hopping by :)

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  91. Thanks for stopping by my blog! In answer to your question, yes, Another Pan is the sequel to Another Faust. In fact, the only reason I picked up Another Faust was so I could read Another Pan =)

    Have a nice weekend =)

    ~Anne

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  92. I've heard great things about Anna and the French Kiss and Jellicoe Road. They are both on my tbr list. Thanks for stopping by!

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  93. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! I've never tested the Manga waters, but maybe 2011 is the year!

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  94. Thank you for visiting and for following, Alison, and I hope you're enjoying Fruits Basket. :) It's one of my favorite manga series, and at least you don't have far to go since there are 23 volumes. Following right back!

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  95. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I loved Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly as you can see from my blog. I keep hearing great things about Anna and the French Kiss, but every time I pick it up at the store I work at and read the back, it just doesn't grab me.

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  96. Thanks for stopping by! I personally like Anne Rice more than Twilight, simply because she writes for an older audience. Her vampires are my favorites, so I highly recommend jumping into the Vampire Chronicles if you want a vampire series. I want to read Anna and the French Kiss since I've heard so much good about it; guess it needs to go on the list :)

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  97. Hi,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! Twilight is cool LOL and so is Melina Marchetta.

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd out

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  98. Thanks for Hopping by my blog! I've heard good things about Jellicoe Road, I should pick it up at some point-- so many interesting books out there!

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  100. Hopping by ... a little late.
    I'm also pushing Anna, because I just finished it :D
    I want to read Revolution as well!

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  101. Thanks for hoppping by and following. Nice blog. I tried the Twilight series, but it just didn't take.

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  102. Thanks for stopping at my blog.. New Follower.. I love your blog look and feel.

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  103. Wow 105 comments! Thanks for stopping by.

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I love comments. I appreciate every one! Thank you in advance.

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