Review of: Marked (House of Night, Book 1)

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Books to Read Before I Die Challenge 2010

Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea is hosting this challenge.
Here are the guidelines - copy/pasted from Diane's blog.

1. Between now and December 31, 2009, make a list of between 10 and 20 Books to Read Before You Die. (depending on interest, this may be an annual event challenge).
2. The books on your list can come from your stacks or the library, and be in print or audio format.
   
3. Once you've created your post with tentative titles, THEN sign up using Mr. Linky, by pasting the link to your post, along with your name/blog name. This is how you will be registered. Finalize your list by 12/31/09 (no changes to the list after 12/31/09).
4. NOTE: If you don't have a blog, you can still sign up and join in the fun.
5. All bloggers who complete the challenge will be entered in giveaway to win an Amazon Gift Card.
   
6. Questions/comments, please feel free to comment or email me.

For my list, I went through my To Read/own list on GoodReads. I sorted it oldest to newest (as far as the date that I added them to my account) and picked the first 10 that jumped out at me.

1. Atonement by Ian McEwan
2. Bag of Bones by Stephen King
3. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
4. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
5. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
6. Marked by PC Cast and Kristen Cast -- read March 2010
7. Terminator Salvation by Timothy Zahn -- read February 2010
8. 50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber
9. 6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber
10. 74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber

Finalized: December 30, 2009