Reading to Myself

2010-06-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

FREE DOWNLOAD until August 1st!

(click the picture)

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl ... until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

Read The Amanda Project online!

2010-05-21T10:26:00.001-07:00

Read the entire book of The Amanda Project: Invisible I online for free! It's part of HarperCollin's great Browse Inside program. To check it out click the picture below.

You can read my review for this book here. :)

The NEW BookDivas!

2010-03-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Visit the brand new BookDivas by clicking its logo below!

It's fabulous, if I do say so myself. Check out the review section and get great book recommendations from young adults like you!

Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges

2010-03-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

Review:

Faye is struck by lightning. And she lives. How many other fourteen year olds can say that? When she tells her parents of this striking event, they act like it’s nothing. They hand her a summer camp brochure and send her away. Out of the five other kids who have no idea what kind of camp they are going to, is Benji. He is Faye’s crush and happens to be the only person who saw her get struck by lightning. That can’t just be a coincidence. While the campers are given odd tasks to complete by the wicked director, Faye must put aside her feelings for Benji so she can focus on what matters more. Why are they here? How can they get away? But those eyes … that smile….

Milestones is so enjoyable and fun! It’s unpredictable and had me thinking hard. Everything is a riddle and it’s amusing to sit back and read how the characters piece together the puzzle. The characters are so different from each other that their interactions are very entertaining. The cover doesn’t show how much fun the book is and isn’t the best fit. The formatting is a bit odd, having fifty-two chapters that vary in length. It’s also full of unnecessary sixth grade curse words. Though the storyline is choppy, the book is perfectly unrealistic! It’s unlike the other books I read and it’s refreshing. It is just … fun! I can’t wait for the next ones in the series.

Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges
252 pages, published by Hungry Goat Press, ages 14+

4 out of 5 stars

Contains: profanity

RECOMMENDED

Ruined by Paula Morris

2010-03-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Review:

Since her father has a business trip to China, Rebecca is sent away to live with a family friend in New Orleans for the next six months. Spending time away from her friends and the gossip in New York doesn’t seem too appealing. Especially when she has to spend it with the odd gothic Claudia that plays with Tarot cards for a living. When Rebecca meets the arrogant snobs of Temple Mead Academy, she is instantly on their bad side. Except for the attractive Anton Grey who seems to be interested in her but is sadly unavailable. After wandering into the cemetery one night, Rebecca comes across Lisette, a ghost only she can see. And it seems Lisette has been waiting over a hundred years to get the revenge she longs for.

Ruined is perfectly paced and has a constantly intriguing storyline. I wasn’t attached to any of the characters and they lack personality. I was going back and forth “I hate this book!” “I love this book!” It repeated Rebecca’s thoughts too much when all I wanted was to dive deeper. It’s amazing how author Paula Morris kept the story going with so few settings. This book is packed with a lot of interesting historic info without being overly descriptive. It introduced me to the New Orleans I never knew. It had a huge twist I didn’t see coming that made me gasp out loud. I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending because the “feel” didn’t fit the rest of the story. You’d have to be very patient to read this book but over all I think it’s worth the read.

Ruined by Paula Morris

315 pages, published by Point division of Scholastic, AGES 13+

Contains: satanic arts, brief gruesome description

RECOMMENDED

Behind the Pages

2010-02-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

... with Susan Runholt!

Have you ever wondered what was happening behind the pages? Get to know the author of the Kari + Lucas Mysteries personally.

Q: Are any of your characters modeled after people you know?

Yes, some are. Sometimes characters start out being modeled on people I know, but as I write about them they turn into the characters I'm creating. For example, the stepfather in Rescuing Seneca Crane started out being modeled physically on a dentist I once had. My third book probably has the most characters based on real people. One was modeled on a man I knew many years ago when I lived in Amsterdam, but I wrote him as his young self, and an American rather than a Dutchman. The book is set on safari in Kenya, and the safari guide and several other African characters are based on real Africans.

Q: What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “twirl”?

Probably batons.

Q: Have you ever been to the museums or countries that Kari and Lucas visited in The Mystery of the Third Lucretia?

I only write about places I have visited. It's very important to me to be as accurate as possible. So yes, I have visited London, Paris and Amsterdam. In fact, I lived in both Paris and Amsterdam when I was young. And I have certainly gone to all the museums mentioned in the book. Many times, in fact.

Q: What’s your idea of the perfect meal?

Oh dear, that's a difficult one. I do love food. Probably something French. In fact, I recently bought a French dinner at a silent auction for the United Way, and the menu sounds awfully good to me: a leek tart followed by cassoulet followed by creme caramel. But I'm also a great fan of Greek, Lebanese, Indian and Thai cuisine, and some of my very favorite meals have featured Southern cooking. (Corn soufflé, anyone?) Basically, I like food.

Q: Which of your characters do you think is most like yourself?

Oh, definitely Gillian. Although she's a better mother than I could ever be. We have much the same sense of humor and political leanings, we've both been married once and divorced, and we're both writers. We both love the arts in many forms, and are somewhat knowledgeable about them. We love to travel. Yes, Gillian andd I have a great deal in common.

Q: You wrote in your dedication that your daughter helped you write The Mystery of the Third Lucretia. While working on the book, did you two ever disagree with something in the storyline?

Yes, we did. My daughter, was 14 and very rebellious at the time, and she did not want Kari to forgive her mom for yelling at her for the trip into the red light district. Now that she is in her late 20s, I think she might take a different view.

Q: When you look out the window, what’s the first thing that catches your eye?

The cardinal family that lives in the strip of lilac bushes out my office window. I love them year after year.

Q: What’s your story behind getting published?

Oh dear. Let's just say it was exactly 20 years after I started writing mysteries that I had my first book published. I had written The Mystery of the Third Lucretia 14 years before its publication date. What finally got me into the market was winning a British literary award given only to authors who have not yet had a work published. That got the attention of a good agent who then found a home for my book at Viking/Penguin.

Q: Being an author, you might like to play around with certain words or phrases. What’s some of your favorites?

I can only think of one word, really, and that is Uffda, and all-purpose phrase from my Norwegian ancestors which means, roughly, "Oh dear."

Q: What bands or genre of music do you enjoy listening to?

I love classical music, South American samba and tango music, jazz vocals, and rhythm and blues. In R&B I especially like the classic performers like Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, etc.

Q: Do you have a website or blog that readers can visit?

By all means! Susanrunholt.com. There's a lot of information on those pages for anyone who wants to know more about me.

Thank you for stopping by! You are a very interesting person. We wish you good luck on the Kari + Lucas series and all other future releases! :)

Susan Runholt is the author of the Kari + Lucas Mysteries that include The Mystery of the Third Lucretia (2008)and Rescuing Seneca Crane (2009). She shares her teenage heroines' love of art and travel and commitment to feminism.

For the past two decades she has lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she serves as a fundraising consultant for social service and arts organizations. She was named runner-up for the Debut Dagger Award by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.

Time for the Winners!

2010-01-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

And the winners are ...

Susan
Nancye
Marie

Hope you all enjoy reading The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg! :)

Lonely Hearts Twitter Party!

2010-01-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

Join Lonely Hearts Club author Elizabeth Eulberg and Amy of MyFriendAmy for a Twitter party Wednesday, January 20, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. EST!

Be sure to follow Elizabeth @ElizEulberg and Amy @MyFriendAmy before the party!

Join the fun! No one expects you or your tweets to be perfect; we’re just happy you made it to the party!

Anyone who tweets during this hour using #LonelyHeartsClub is entered to win a limited edition Lonely Hearts Club t-shirt!

Watch for questions from @MyFriendAmy and win awesome prizes including an iPod shuffle, $50 iTunes gift card or $25 VISA gift card!

To join the party, you can use our official party tweetgrid or just search #LonelyHeartsClub on Twitter.

Ask Elizabeth questions or chat with other partygoers about how excited you are to read LHC—just use the tag #LonelyHeartsClub in all of your party tweets! (This is added automatically in TweetGrid.)

Please don’t post any spoilers and don’t forget to pay attention to the time zones, the party starts at 8:30pm EST.

And, if you haven't yet, sign up to win one of 3 copies of The Lonely Hearts Club! Comment here to enter. :)

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper Info

2010-01-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper
ISBN: 9780747599135
Publication date: June 2010

A thrilling tale set in the Victorian era, featuring Grace, who’s held in thrall by her own dark secret that threatens to overwhelm her and her sister. From the acclaimed and very popular Mary Hooper!

Grace Parkes has just had to do a terrible thing. Having given birth to an illegitimate child, she has travelled to the famed Brookwood Cemetery to place her small infant’s body in a rich lady’s coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can think of to give something at least to the little baby who died at birth, and to avoid the ignominy of a pauper’s grave.

Distraught and weeping, Grace meets two people at the cemetery: Mrs Emmeline Unwin and Mr James Solent. These two characters will have a profound affect upon Grace’s life. But Grace doesn’t know that yet. For now, she has to suppress her grief and get on with the business of living: scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food; looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself; thwarting the manipulative and conscience-free Unwin family, who are as capable of running a lucrative funeral business as they are of defrauding a young woman of her fortune.

A stunning evocation of life in Victorian London, with vivid and accurate depictions, ranging from the deprivation that the truly poor suffered to the unthinking luxuries enjoyed by the rich: all bound up with a pacy and thrilling plot, as Grace races to unravel the fraud about to be perpetrated against her and her sister.

She's Begging for Books!

2010-01-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome the newbie, BookBegger! She's been a commenter here for sometime and recently began keeping her own blog blog, Books to Beg For. It's only been a few days since her first post and she's already getting it packed with great book information and reviews!

Check the blog out here!

Lonely Hearts Giveaway

2010-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Lonely Hearts Club
by Elizabeth Eulberg

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating, so she vows: No more. She’s had one too many bad dates, and has been hurt by one too many bad boys. It’s a personal choice…and soon everybody wants to know about it. It seems that Penny’s not the only girl who’s tired of the way girls change themselves (most of the time for the worse) in order to get their guys…or the way their guys don’t really care about them. Girls are soon thronging to The Lonely Hearts Club (named after Sgt. Pepper’s band), and Penny finds herself near legendary for her non-dating ways – which is too bad, since the leader of The Lonely Hearts Club has found a certain boy she can’t help but like…

Doesn't it sound great? Plus, the movie rights have already been sold. Even on the cover, Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight saga) says, "A funny, fantastic debut!"

So, what's this to you?

You can win a copy!

Three people will receive a copy of
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg! :)

How to Enter: To enter this contest, leave a comment below including your first name (or nickname) and your email address in code (ex: address(at)address(dot)com). If you do not provide an email address, you will not be entered. One entry per person, please! (Unless you comment with the optional second entry.)

Prizes can only be sent to U.S. mailing addresses.

Extra Entry: To receive an extra entry for the contest, post a link about the Lonely Hearts Giveaway on your blog (or Livejournal, Wordpress, etc.) then come back to leave another comment with a link to your post. Thanks!

Contest ends: Monday, January 18th

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (4): Dog Days

2009-12-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

Review:

Greg Heffley, who is now an expert in the middle school ways, is on summer vacation. While most kids are swimming at the public pool or riding their bikes, he’s in front of the television playing video games. Greg’s mom wants him to be more social, more active, and more … well, outgoing. With the cute lifeguard and trying to earn the responsibility of having a dog, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. But after the sufferings of walking through the men’s shower room at the pool and having a cold, wet dog sleep next to him all night, Greg realizes that being lazy and irresponsible is just the way he is.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has yet to disappoint me! While I can tell that Greg is getting older and his opinions are becoming more grown-up, his narration and drawings still crack me up. This book is simply entertaining and it’s very easy to read and keep reading. Greg’s experiences and feelings are so realistic that I couldn’t help but sympathize with him, laugh at him, and just want to be with him! The series appeals to both boys and girls and is the perfect gift.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (#4): Dogs Days by Jeff Kinney
pages: 217 (reads like 100), release date: November 2009, publisher: Amulet Books (of ABRAMS)
Contains: crude humor

RECOMMENDED (ages 12+)

STARS: 5 out of 5

SKNReviews

2009-12-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

SKNReviews
sorta, kinda, not really reviews

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
2.5 out of 5 stars
Ages 15+

NOT RECOMMENDED

I’d been waiting months to acquire a copy of this book and now that I finally to got to read it, I am extremely disappointed. All of the political and religious things talked about were completely opposite of my beliefs. But I found myself not wanting to put it down. Everything was so different from what I know, that it was interesting. That was the only reason I kept reading. Good stories have diverse characters, unique personalities, which If I Stay lacked. The pace of the novel was messy and the ending unsatisfying. I hope to see Gayle Forman’s writing talent put to better use in the future.

*Contains: sensuality, profanity, and homosexuality of a minor character

i am neurotic (and so are you) by Lianna Kong
3.5 out of 5 stars
Ages 15+

RECOMMENDED

This book is based on real people’s submissions to iamneurotic.com so you know you aren’t the only one with these neuroses. From lining up the tacks on bulletin boards to eating Cheetos with chopsticks (orange fingers, eww!), over 200 neuroses are explored each with a wonderful photograph and a few short sentences.

This is a nice, quick sit-down read that’s really fun to look through. I didn’t expect the neuroses to be so different from each other. I found it boring at times yet the pictures kept me interested enough to keep reading. The pictures were terrific! The models did an excellent job with posing for them. If you pick up i am neurotic (and so are you), don’t expect a book. Expect a photography portfolio (which can sometimes be even better than a book).

*contains a sexual reference & a picture of partial nudity

My Self (a guide to me)
by Marlene Wallach and Grace Norwich
3 out of 5 stars
AGES 11+

*recommended to check-out at the library*

I adore the format of the book and the fun facts Marlene includes. It’s so bubbly and inviting! Marlene is like the babysitter who understands everything you’re going through. Towards the beginning are the tips on body language and not whining or complaining. It was fun reading about those topics because they aren‘t brought up that much. After awhile, though, the books goes into things like looking in the mirror and telling your reflection three things you love about yourself. This book is meant to give confidence to tween and teen girls but by most of the advice, it has more possibility of giving too much confidence that it becomes arrogance.

I don’t admire the pictures at all, mostly because the way the models posed. There is some good advice in here, though, so pick up a copy and flip through it for awhile.

*Contains nothing inappropriate

Like Christian novels?

2009-11-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

TitleTrakk is having a huge contest in celebration of Christmas! They are giving away 10 Christian novels, 5 Christian music CDs, & 2 comedy DVDs.

(<--) That's 17 prizes all to the same person!

Enjoy them with your family or wrap it up and give it as a Christmas gift. Check it out and sign up for the contest here! All you have to do is answer the question, "What's your favorite Christmas carol?"

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

2009-11-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Review:

Jordan Christy uses her experience of the music and media business to create a guide for girls that want to resemble Audrey Hepburn and acquire her class and charm. Jordan explains that kindness is a necessity for finding and keeping real friends, taking care of your responsibilities will get you that job promotion, and that by keeping your virginity until marriage, your boyfriend will respect you even more. These things may be hard to understand at first glance, but Jordan teaches them in a simple way and you will soon catch on. So open this book! And see how to be and act like a real woman.

In How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World, it was sometimes hard to be respectful of the author and what she was trying to teach when she talked nastily about “stupid girls”. She could have went about writing the first part of the book in a different way that included all the girls that wanted to become classy, even ones with a not-so-pleasant past, but after the first 15 pages, she started to ease off a bit. I enjoyed a lot of things from this book, ones that I had to share with everyone that crossed my path, and I thank the author for using such an easily understood yet classy vocabulary. My favorite thing to read was the true short stories of how couples became married couples. It was really cute! The tips on how to dress made me feel a lot better about shopping, about how I’m not the only one with the problem of fitting into the right pair of jeans. This book really taught me how to become more of a graceful and respected, classy young adult. I recommend every teenage girl to read it before that first date or first job interview!

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy
196 pages, released 2009, published by the Center Street division of Hachette
Contains: mentions of sex, sluts, and the female anatomy AGES 15+

4 out of 5 stars

RECOMMENDED

The Amanda Project Street Team

2009-10-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone! You may remember a while back when I posted the review of The Amanda Project: Invisible I (from HarperCollins), rated at 5 stars. Now, it's time for you to get acquainted with the site! An overview:

What Happened to Amanda?

AMANDA VALENTINO came to our high school on Halloween. She disappeared on the Ides of March. She left us some clues, but we’re not sure what they mean. The only thing we know for sure is that she utterly, completely changed our lives.

If you contribute, your idea of what happened to Amanda may get into a future book in the series!

So make account now, to help us find Amanda!

Why is this post titled the way it is, you ask? I'm one of The Amanda Project's Street Team members, trying to help spread the word of this amazing website and book series. If you have the time after making an account, send me your Amanda Project username and your zipcode so it can be counted as part of the Street Team's recruits. It would help a lot! So send your information here:

ReadingToMyself @ yahoo . com
(remember to remove the spaces when copied into your email or I won't receive it)

Review:

The way Emma Healy thought of her childhood and family changes. At the age of sixteen, she finds a birth certificate in the attic of her supposed twin brother. And with it, his death certificate dated two days after. Emma never felt like she belonged with her scholarly family and now she can imagine that there had been someone else like her, someone ordinary. Though she doesn’t own a car, she wants to visit her brother’s grave, states away in North Carolina. Her neighbor, Peter, offers to drive her there so she accepts. What she didn’t expect, though, was to find someone who understands her way better than she does herself that it’s almost scary. And he’d been next door for all these years.

You Are Here is now my All-Time Favorite book. Enough said. But since you want to know, here is a list of everything I loved about it: Each sentence, paragraph, and chapter ended on the perfect note. The characters and their lives were so fully described that I felt connected to them and wanted to never, not ever, stop reading. At 2am I finished it and I could feel a cry coming up my throat just because it ended. There is a whole world inside this book that explores every corner of awkwardness, kindness, love, failure, imagination, death, hope, anger, and all the other kinds of emotion. And I experienced every one myself while reading. It’s amazing! I have nothing bad to say about it. Author Jennifer E. Smith has an unbelievable talent that I can’t even dream of having. She weaves together great writing, a wonderful storyline, an amazing plot, completely likable characters, and emotions that make the reader feel like they are just discovering them for the first time. All while keeping her unique voice.

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith (author of The Comeback Season)
pages: 251, release date: May 2009, publisher: Simon & Schuster
Contains: rebellion against parents (but resolved) AGES 12+

5 out of 5 brightly shining stars
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

*To see what others said about this book, click on the cover.

Another Another Faust Contest

2009-10-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

Daniel Nayeri, one of the two authors of Another Faust, guest blogs:

Hi everyone. Dina and I are about to kick off a month-long tour for our book, Another Faust, and we want to do it by announcing a contest! We are looking for the most promising writers out there (that’s YOU). And then we want to showcase their work, so that all of the Internet can bask in their awesome writing might (and, you know, give them prizes).

HERE’S HOW IT GOES.

We want you to write your own short story, re-imagining of the Faustian Bargain. (For inspiration, check out Bedazzled, Simpsons “Tree House of Horrors IV,” and The Little Mermaid). It can be about anything you like (but let’s keep it PG-13, and under 3,000 words), and it’s open to everyone.

All you have to do is send your entry to dviergutz(at)gmail(dot)com before January 31.
Rules and details can be found here.

Make sure to read them so you don’t get disqualified.

And the winner gets all kinds of sweetness:

A signed copy of Another Faust
A handwritten deleted scene
A featured article & interview on our site
An author’s galley of the sequel Another Pan

Though we’ll feature the top five on our site for comments, the judging WON’T happen by popular vote (so basically, we don't care which contestant has the most friends). Dina and I will personally read them.

So, spread the word! Tweet, retweet, forward, thread, spread, embed this post.
Good luck!
D&D

To learn what Daniel & Dina's book is about, click here. :)

Once Was Lost

2009-10-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Review:

When her mother is checked into rehab, Samara wants her father to say the right words like he does to everyone else in their small town. His charm is undeniable and the Pineview Community Church is lucky to have him as a pastor. But Sam isn’t so sure that her dad has it altogether. Then again, what does she really know about him if he’s never home? Heat waves suck. And they make everything feel ten times worse. So Sam’s thoughts are all the more depressing. A 13-year-old girl from their congregation goes missing and Sam finds herself falling in love with the girl’s grieving older brother. But paranoia doesn’t leave without a question: Is there really a God?

Once Was Lost was predictable. The writing was pretty and flowed well but I was never fully into the story. It was too easy to set the book down. There seemed to be two sides of the main character: one was self-conscience and vulnerable and the other just wanted to scream of frustration. So I could never sympathize with Sam. The book also needed a bigger variety in character personalities. Everyone’s dialogue was basically the same things being said over and over. I really liked the ending even though I knew what was coming. Both the cover and the story are minty fresh but they’re forgettable.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
217 pages, release in Oct. ‘09, published by Little Brown
Contains: a kidnapping, an alcoholic, and suspense

STARS: 3 out of 5

Fairies of Writing

2009-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Does everyone know Princess Neve from Princess Neve Book Reviews? If not, then you are out of the loop. She's a reviewer, of course, and an aspiring writer. Neve is the Fairy of Writing on her writing blog. I started posting to Fairies of Writing in June and recently wondered why I never announced it here.

So ... here is the announcement! Check out Fairies of Writing and answer the latest question:

What is your definition of the quote "Writing like a reader, reading like a writer"?

The ABC's of Kissing Boys

2009-10-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Review:

Parker has everything: popularity, friends, style, and now she’s a junior in high school. Sixteen is the age when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life but how humiliating would it be if you found out you’re stuck on the freshman soccer team? Parker hatches a plan to get on the varsity team where her friends are but it’s complicated and she needs a boy … to teach her how to kiss. When her so-called “best friend” discovers Parker kissing a freshman, rumors start to spread. Parker finally gets to see her friends from the outside, the way others do, and it’s not pretty. Now she has to decide where she truly belongs: with the popular crowd or in the arms of the loveable freshman boy across the street.

The ABC’s of Kissing Boys was sweet and enjoyable. Though the moral of the story is a little messy and not the easiest to understand at first, the author never strayed from the plot. The romance seemed so real and I couldn’t help but smile at the predictability of the ending. This book has the potential to be a great film! Author Tina Ferraro’s writing isn’t the best I’ve read but it was new and different. Have you ever read a book where the girl falls for a younger boy? The narration actually felt like it was coming from a teenage girl. I rated it a 4 was because I couldn’t feel any sympathy toward the main character for the situation she was in. Overall, I learned a lot from The ABC’s of Kissing Boys. *wink, wink*

The ABC’s of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
pages: 215, release date: January 2009, publisher: Delacorte Press
Contains: sensuality, AGES 13+

4 out of 5 stars
RECOMMENDED

Poll Winner

2009-10-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

I only read novels that ...

You probably have already found my grammar mistake but what can I say? I was in a hurry? No. I just made a dumb mistake.

Anyway, the winner was ... books that have an appealing cover!

I'm sorry for anyone who only comes to this blog each week to vote on the polls because they are now down again. I've been really busy and haven't been able to post much. So please understand!

Calling all tween/teen girls! :D

2009-10-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Attention all tween girls in the NYC area!

The Amanda Project is the first series that invites tween girls to become a part of the mystery and contribute their own stories and ideas! Come celebrate the publication of the first in the 8-book series - Invisible I - and launch of The Amanda Project!

Hear author Melissa Kantor read from the book and talk about writing collaborative fiction.

AND, in the spirit of Amanda, we're also taking submissions from tween girls who aspire to be writers! Send your latest piece of fiction (up to 500 words) to events@theamandaproject.com, and we'll pick a select group of writers to read at the event!

For more information:
www.theamandaproject.com/tappresents-10-11
events@theamandaproject.com
www.myspace.com/the-amanda-project

Author Samira Hodges guest blogs!

2009-09-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Dreams vs. Reality

Expect the unexpected. That’s been my motto in life. Well, at least in my adult life. When I was younger, I used to dream of what I would be when I would grow up. I had many ambitions, some were big and others were small, day-to-day type goals. My first ambition came to me at four years of age; I wanted to become a Pediatrician. As a consequence, I dedicated my life to the pursuit of this goal, specifically to the pursuit of getting into a Canadian medical school.

I didn’t. Get in, I mean. In fact, I tried for two consecutive years and was never even offered an interview. Ouch. So what’s a girl with a college degree in Biology to do? Well, I did what every other person in my situation would do: I did some soul searching. I had no choice but to explore other possibilities. I began working in the corporate world and climbing my way up the infamous ladder. I played in tennis tournaments (more on that later). I began writing more seriously and exploring the possibility of writing for others (instead of only for myself). And just when I had let my guard down and forgotten entirely about medicine, an opportunity presented itself. I could still be a doctor! It wasn’t over. It could still be done. Who’d a thunk it? There were actually schools in the Caribbean that would consider a dreamer like me. So I gave it a go. Four years later, I’m a doctor, specializing in Pediatrics. And oh, by the way, I met my husband in medical school. Fate’s a funny thing, ain’t it?

Next big ambition: become a professional tennis player. This was a big dream for me because I absolutely love tennis. Always have, always will. In my opinion, it’s the best. The bomb. The shizzle (am I dating myself?). So naturally, I wanted badly to play tennis in college. As the theme of my life goes, I didn’t get on the team after try-outs. Disheartened, I trained harder and tried again the following year. Guess what? I still didn’t make the cut. Thankfully, that didn’t stop me from playing. When you love something, the lack of opportunities can never take away the passion. They just stifle it for a while. Later, when I was playing a friendly game of tennis with a friend, the University tennis coach saw me playing. Again, just when I’d let my guard down, just when I wasn’t expecting it, I got what I’d wanted. That’s right, I made the team. I didn’t get to play the full season but I still made it. Later, after University, I played in provincial tennis tournaments and though I never went “pro”, I would gladly say that I accomplished my goal of making something of myself in the tennis world.

Likewise, publishing a book seemed like an impossible and daunting task. I’ll be honest: I never seriously considered making a career out of writing. I always wrote for myself but later, I discovered the satisfaction that comes with writing for others. I won a few insignificant little contests, got a few compliments and suddenly, the wind was blowing strongly in my sails. Then I came up with a story: the story for the Milestones trilogy. This story, I knew, was one I just had to share with the world. So I wrote it. And then I was stumped. How does one even get a book published? So ironically, or comically, or appropriately, I bought a book. It may as well have been called “publishing for dummies”, I’ll just put it that way. First recommendation in the book: Find an agent. Okay! I can do that! So once again, I put all my hopes and dreams into this endeavour and sent envelope after envelope after envelope. As you can guess (this is my life after all!), all I received was rejection after rejection after rejection. So I gave up. Several times actually. Luckily, my husband kept pushing me to keep going. So I did. But the expectations just weren’t there. They were totally gone. And just when I’d given up on publishing altogether, I landed an agent. As a consequence, my pesky expectations rose right back up! Yay! An agent! Next stop: a publisher! Right? Wrong. Not so. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now. Seven rejections later, I was once again deflated. This wasn’t going to happen for me. I was literally putting away my manuscript (and my expectations, once again), when I got a call, one day cold Christmas day. A small publishing house was interested. They wanted to sign a contract. With me. I was so shocked that I didn’t dare celebrate. I didn’t want to jinx it. But it happened. It was real. And now I’m here.

And that’s why my motto in life is to expect the unexpected. I’ve never gotten what I wanted WHEN I wanted it or even HOW I wanted it. Life always happened on its own terms with me. And the more I resisted it, the longer things took. But whenever I just let things happen and let the universe take the course it wanted to take, things always seemed to work out…and usually better than I had ever envisioned. Case in point: I love my medical school. I got to snorkel on school days and travel the beautiful Caribbean, rescue a Caribbean dog, meet and marry my husband (yes, in the Caribbean) and even travel to South America (something I don’t think I would have ever done otherwise). And I still got the residency I wanted. Who else can say that? I love the path I took in life. Although unconventional and always deviating from the “formula” I had in mind, it was always so much better. Similarly, I love my publishing company. I only wish everyone could have the positive experience I’ve had with my house. I talk to my publisher every day. She knows my schedule and life better than I do. She accommodates her schedule to mine and then, not only smiles about it but encourages me to go on and keep trucking. She’s always there when I need her and doesn’t expect the same courtesy in return (though I try, I really do). I wouldn’t trade my experience with my publishing company for the world. There is no substitute for personal attention, dedication, continuous encouragement and support and building lifelong relationships. None.

So can you pick up on the formula that my life has followed? Here’s how I see it:

Plan A: Go to medical school in Canada .

Plan B: It didn’t work out. Give up on medical school altogether.

Plan C: Go to medical school….but not in Canada !

Plan A: Get on the college tennis team.

Plan B: Oh snap. They don’t want me. Give up and just play tennis for fun.

Plan C: Get on the team, just not the way I wanted to!

Plan A: Get published. The end.

Plan B: Publishing is tough! Forget it. Count me out. I’ll just keep my words to myself.

Plan C: Get published by a small house….and love every minute of it!

These are only a few examples of the consistent theme that has gone on in my life…and actually, the life of many other people. Of this, I’m certain. So I challenge you: Take a hard look at YOUR life. Is Plan C just around the corner? Have you considered the possibility of doing something you’ve always wanted, but perhaps not in the manner you’ve always dreamed of? Is it something you could possible try out?

My advice: give it a go.

You’ll be surprised at the results….and at how happy you may end up. Because in the end, you have nothing to lose. Just remember to always expect the unexpected.

Thanks for visiting, Ms. Hodges! :)

To read what everyone's saying about Samira's debut novel, Milestones, check out the other stops on the blog tour:

9/13: theundercoverbooklover.blogspot.com
9/14: wantmyya.blogspot.com
9/18: flipthepagebookreview.blogspot.com
9/20: addicted-to-literature.blogspot.com
9/21: booksobsession.blogspot.com
9/22: mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com
9/25: readingrocks4me.blogspot.com
9/27: darlingreviews.blogspot.com

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia

2009-09-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Review:

Have you ever been to an art museum and seen aspiring artists trying to copy their favorite paintings? That’s exactly what best friends Kari and Lucas (she’s a girl, yes) witness on their trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts except this guy is really good at it. He’s suspicious too, shooing people away from his secluded spot in the corner where he paints. A year later when the girls visit an art museum in London, the same mysterious man is working on the same painting … but while wearing a disguise. What is he trying to hide? Though Kari and Lucas are both ready to start the adventure, they aren‘t completely sure of what to do. When things become life-threatening, neither of them know if it’s worth the trouble.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia was realistic while still being unbelievable. I felt my excitement rise with the characters’ as everything was starting to come together. There were times when I could just picture the girls and them saying “Omigosh, omigosh” as the mystery began to unfold. Though I didn’t realize it when reading, I learned a lot about art history and traveling. And it was amusing! In the beginning, the timeline was somewhat confusing so I can’t place all the Before events in order in my mind. That’s why I think this book would be great as a movie, so I can see all the scenes sorted out. The emotions the characters experience throughout the book is completely convincing and I applaud the author for her character-making skills. I look forward to the next books in this series!

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
278 pages, published by Sleuth Puffin division of Penguin in 2008
Contains: mention of murders (not graphic), feminism, and made-up profanity

RECOMMENDED (for ages 12+)

STARS: 5 out of 5

Poll Winner

2009-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I would describe myself as:

a mature young adult.
a sarcastic overachiever.
one along for the ride.
um ... maybe self-conscience?

And the winner is ... the mature young adults!

(I'm glad I have all of these mature young people reading this blog! But remember, I appreciate you too, sarcastic overachievers!)

Thank you to all who voted and make sure to do the same on the next poll. :)

Across the Pond

2009-09-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Review:

Going to Australia for vacation is more than just a dream. If you get to go for free, it's just plain lucky! Unfortunately, the prize was only two tickets so while Fred Squire's parents are living it up, he is stuck to visit old friends in the States. While a British accent and using the word ‘love’ in normal conversation isn’t unusual where he lives, the girls in the United States can’t get enough of it! Falling in love with the American sport of baseball and the daughter of his dad’s friend at the same time can be tiring, but Fred doesn’t want to leave. How could two fourteen-year-olds stay in love if one of them has to go back across the pond?

This book was very predictable: boy falls for girl, boy must save girl from bully, and all put into a drama that just didn’t fit. The author sped through the scenes and left a bunch of space empty. The romance grew too quickly for me to imagine them actually being in love. In fact, it seemed like it was still in it’s first revision. I understand there would be a confusion over the slang words (being from different countries) but having Fred realize that on every page was too much. Fred was one-dimensional and couldn’t see past what was right in front of him. It was all inside-the-box. I wanted a more complete ending and wished I could enjoy at least one of the characters. But I wasn’t able to. They didn’t have any depth and the dialogue was the only part I truly liked about this book.

Across the Pond by Storyheart
pages: 114, release date: 2008, publisher: (self published)
Contains: profanity, inappropriate comments, and sensuality
NOT RECOMMENDED

STARS: 2 out of 5

The Belated Poll Winner

2009-09-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

Everyone probably knows the winner of the poll since it's been sitting there for a few weeks. But I might as well post it anyway! :)

The poll was ...

I vote for:

Dumbledore. He's so honest!
ballerinas. They have to work so hard.
Barbies. They do a great job of keeping up with the lastest trends.
me.

And the winner is ... me! (Well, technically, you. But you get it. And you won! :D)

Thanks to all who voted and make sure to vote again for the new one.

The Amanda Project: Invisible I

2009-09-08T08:37:00.001-07:00

Review:

Amanda Valentino is a freak. Everyone in the ninth grade knows it and her clothes, wigs, temporary tattoos, and even her school grades prove it. Amanda is the new girl at Endeavor High, who just happened to arrive on Halloween. No one wants to be seen with her, especially Callie, one of the popular I-girls. She doesn’t want to admit that she has a friendship with Amanda but when Amanda disappears and leaves clues behind for her, that’s a hard thing to keep secret. When Callie finds out two other students are (or was) friends with Amanda, they have to put their differences aside and help save her … But who exactly is Amanda Valentino?

Each page of The Amanda Project: Invisible I was mysterious, yet in a way I was satisfied with the knowledge I had acquired by the end of the book. Though never having a complete ending (being the first installment of a six-book series) and none of the big secrets revealed, I was still enthralled when yet another secret of unknown origins was added to the mix. I never really felt close to any of the characters but instead I thought I was invading their privacy. The main character, Amanda, doesn’t seem like she would be a friend of mine. The storyline was, not considering the unfortunate circumstance of disappearance, fun. It was filled with back-and-forth emotions but while still keeping the essence of the story. This was just a great book. Bravo!

The Amanda Project (bk 1): Invisible I by Melissa Kantor
pages: 338, release date: September 22nd ‘09, publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: based on the book’s exciting premise, great writing, and fun story altogether
Contains: a hit-and-run accident that gave me shivers

STARS: 5 out of 5

There’s more to the story …. Check out TheAmandaProject.com

Heads Up!

2009-08-25T15:37:00.001-07:00

Just a quick heads up to say that I'm taking a break from posting. I want to catch up on some reading without the pressure of writing reviews (which I will do eventually). But to keep up with the latest book reviews, check out the blogs I recommend here. :)

Coffeehouse Angel

2009-08-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Review:

Anna’s Old World Scandinavian Coffeehouse used to be the hang out place. It used to have the best prices, the most tourists, and used to have all the customers. But ever since Java Heaven, the modern coffeehouse next door, started as a business two years ago, Anna’s only has a matter of time before the bills can’t be paid. The orphaned granddaughter, Katrina, of the owner has been working there since middle school and knows that they won’t be able to survive if they don’t get their customers back. When Malcolm, an angel on duty, offers Katrina one wish and explains that it has to be her biggest desire, she can’t figure out what she wants. Caught between teenage romances and medical bills, Katrina needs to get her head in the game before time runs out and she is thrown onto the street.

Coffeehouse Angel is best described as the feeling of staying inside on a rainy day, watching the water slide down the window and wondering what the generations before you did on such an occasion. It’s like cutting out paper hearts for no reason or picking a flower just because it’s pretty. There’s something on the inside of this book waiting to yell “Surprise!” but it never reveals itself. There are well-written, descriptive paragraphs that explain so much and contain the sweetness of the moment. I love the old-fashion touch the story has and the cute dialogue. Small comments put a smile on my face but they left as soon as they came.

The “adorableness” of it all changed when the main character’s attitude changed and sometimes I didn’t like her at all. It was a roller coaster! Jealousy, anger, sadness, drama. The anxiety of being a teenager was captured well, along with what it’s like to have a responsibility. The romance grew too fast to be realistic yet I found the cuteness of it enjoyable. The author’s talent is unmistakable! Overall, it was a fun story with unique settings and characters and great writing.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors
pages: 276 (reads like 180), release date: August 2009, publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers Ages: 11+, Rating: based on content and predictability
Contains: a wrong lesson, kissing, normal adults portrayed as stupid and selfish

STARS: 3.5 out of 5

Before I Fall

2009-08-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

Though I haven't been writing as many book reviews as I should (a fews book sitting on my dresser, waiting to be reviewed), I can still share with you what's coming up in the young adult book world. And coming out in March of 2010, is:

Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver

synopsis- "Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the parking lot to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 2, 2010)

I know most of you are going to agree with me when I say, this cover is beautiful! And catches the eye. :)

How, may you ask, did I find out about this book? A useful website called AuthorsNow! To speak directly to the author, click on the book cover and comment on the post. Look out for more books from this author in the years to come because her website URL just happens to say "Lauren Oliver Books".

Poll Winner

2009-08-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

This week's poll was ...

A pair of shoes you wish you had.

Converse Chucks. They look so cool!
A comfortable pair of sneakers. They are really hard to find.
Black, strapped heels. Aren't they classy?
Some shoes that look exactly like my feet so that when I wear them, it looks like I'm barefoot. *snickers*

And the winner is ...

lookin' like you're barefoot! How fun! :)

Make sure to check out the new poll and thanks to those you voted on this one!

Book 2 Movie: Ever Read It?

2009-08-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Possibility of Fireflies

by Dominque Paul

Synopsis: "I am sitting on my front stoop. I think it's about midnight. I was busy reading up until an hour ago, but my eyes started to hurt from squinting. Now it's just me and the waiting.

It's 1987 and fourteen-year-old Ellie Roma doesn't have much of a family. She lives with her mother, who has taken a break from parenting; and her older sister, Gwen, who is on her way to becoming a juvenile delinquent. Her father left them to start a new life.

So Ellie spends a lot of time alone, especially at night, when all she has to keep her company are the fireflies that flicker in the summer air. Then one day a mysterious stranger enters her dark world. He is Leo, twenty-one, who is on his way to Hollywood to become a rock star. Ellie and Leo connect instantly, and Ellie hopes Leo will be the one to rescue her from her unhappy life. But instead, Leo teaches Ellie that no one can save you. You have to go after what you want. So one night — one terrible, frightening, thrilling night — that's exactly what Ellie decides to do.

With a fresh perspective, first-time novelist Dominique Paul deftly weaves a family drama about chaos and dysfunction, with a young girl's journey of triumph. Full of humor and sorrow, heartbreak and hope, The Possibility of Fireflies is really a story that we all have to tell: the story of the summer we grew up."

From the post title, you probably guessed it. This book is going to be a movie! (Check out some of the details here.)

This book currently awaits to be read in my stack of books. It's really not that long so it's kind of a shame I haven't read it yet. But that doesn't mean you can't read it! (That is what this post is for.) If you have read it, please leave a link to your review. I'd love to see what you thought of it! :)

I See You Everywhere

2009-08-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

"A Christian Science Monitor Best Book of the Year

Julia Glass, the bestselling, National Book Award-winning author of Three Junes, returns with a tender, riveting book of two sisters and their complicated relationship.

Louisa Jardine is the older one, the conscientious student, precise and careful: the one who yearns for a good marriage, an artistic career, a family. Clem, the archetypal youngest, is the rebel: committed to her work saving animals, but not to the men who fall for her. In this vivid, heartrending story of what we can and cannot do for those we love, the sisters grow closer as they move further apart. All told with sensual detail and deft characterization, I See You Everywhere is a candid story of life and death, companionship and sorrow, and the nature of sisterhood itself." -RandomHouse

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass

Format: Trade Paperback, 304 pages
On Sale: July 14, 2009
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7577-5 (1-4000-7577-7)

Links to Visit

2009-08-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

TeensReadToo: A place to learn about great, new reads quickly and easily.

St. Martin's Reading Group Gold: Though not updated regularly, this is a good site for reading groups and a place where you can get free books. (Everyone wants free books, right?)

Readit Forward: The easiest place to get free books! Each month, they have three options of Advanced Reading Copies that you can choose to be sent to you (first come, first serve). They don't expect any review or comments (though it would be the polite thing to do ;).

RandomBuzz: Teenagers can earn points by participating in online activities and after acquiring so many points, they can spend them in the RandomStore (includes books, a gift card, etc.).

LibraryThing: You can post reviews, add books to your wishlist, ask to review books, and more! This site is mostly used to keep track of your books.

BookDivas: Doesn't matter if your a boy or girl, this is a place where you can share your enthusiasm about all the young adult books out there! There are contests posted regularly and interviews with some of the most well-known middle grade/young adult authors.

AuthorsNow!: Contests, posts about books coming out months from now, and a place where you can talk with authors one-on-one. How could you pass that up?

Poll Winner

2009-08-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

The first thing I do in the morning is:

eat! Gotta have those Pops! (For some of you who didn't understand that, it's a catch phrase for the Corn Pops cereal.)
finish the chapter I was reading the night before.
do my homework.
use the restroom! It's been seven hours!

And from the total votes of 15, the winner is ...

you have to use the restroom! How convenient!

Thanks to all fifteen people who participated and make sure to do the same on the next one. :)

Free E-Book

2009-08-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Though I'm not a fortunate owner of an E-book reader, I was notified about a new, free e-book.

The free book I'm talking about is:

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent, the prequel of the new young adult series Screamers.

To go to the page where you can download it, click on the cover.

Weight Loss Books: What's Your Opinion?

2009-08-05T08:04:00.001-07:00

“Two women are complete opposites: one’s round, short, and sometimes even called ‘fat’ The other’s tall, slim, and girls want to be just like her. But both are wearing the same pair of jeans, even in the same size.”

Does this make sense to you? Can two women look totally different and still be exactly the same? Sometimes, it offends me. For an example, The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12. Look at the cover:

Does she look fat to you? In the book, everyone around Delilah (the girl on the cover) thinks her weight is an issue but Delilah herself doesn’t think much of it unless someone across the room is staring at her body. I don’t think the girl on the cover is fat. In fact, I think she is the perfect size (a perfect size 12). Even in her biography, Robin Gold the author states that she was only one size smaller than her protagonist.

In the first chapter of Giving Up the ‘V’, it was written that the main character was ashamed of her size: 13 junior. The author even shared her exact weight: 162 lbs. Now that’s a way to bring in readers, right? To make the reader feel bad about themselves?

I think author Justina Chen Headley was very thoughtful when writing North of Beautiful. She didn’t point out the mother’s weight in the book, though it was portrayed as an issue. That is the perfect example of how not to turn readers away while having a weight issue in a book. Thanks for that, Justina!

Now that I think of it, there are a lot of weight loss books out there (a topic that I think is a little overused nowadays). What do you think of this topic? Do you think the books should be selling? I understand that people need to have a book in their own terms so they can relate but do you think sometimes it may be a little specific?

There have been a lot of weight loss books written. In your opinion, is that good or bad?

ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

2009-08-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

Popularity, the handsome Damen, and a friend is all Charlotte wanted. The new school year would bring all these things closer to Charlotte, she knew it, if only she changed herself a tad bit. But the first day of junior year, things don’t go as planned. After a deadly incident involving a gummy bear, Charlotte finds herself on the Other Side of the school. She is able to be on the outside looking in, without the Living Kids seeing her staring with eager eyes: something she always felt but finally came true. It isn’t exactly a dream though because now Damen can’t fall in love with her! Then Charlotte finds out she is still in high school but having to learn from a dead teacher about Deadiquette, though her hope to become popular is still shining. But when Charlotte discovers that one of the Living Kids can see her, her hope only shines brighter …

ghostgirl was enjoyable after the first 30 pages. The beginning was dull but when I met the Dead Kids, everything was becoming ‘fun’. Though the dialogue was predictable, I couldn’t get enough of it! I’m not a fan of the narration (third person but completely descriptive) and the death references took up a lot of space. Things like “dying to be popular” and “he doesn’t even know I’m alive” were funny the first time, but they soon became overused.

Charlotte was selfish and only cared about herself (she even admitted to it) but this is the story of how hard she tried to overcome that. Her logic was interesting and her decisions made the storyline twist and turn with every chapter. The Dead Kids added so much to the story that I can’t imagine it without them. They each explained their Life and their Death which was utterly fascinating. Author Tonya Hurley’s voice is fun and distinctive but I’d like to see how she would use it in a different book.

pages: 328 (but reads like 250), ages: 14 +, release date: August 2008, publisher: Little, Brown
Contains: profanity, sensuality, and a few inappropriate comments
(4 starred reviews) “Goofy, ghastly, intelligent, electrifying.” -Kirkus

Stars: 4 out of 5

The Undercover Book Lover (well, not really)

2009-08-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

The fairly-new book blogger, The Undercover Book Lover, has organized a blog that's ... well ... organized. She has jumped right into author interviews already! Her sister has also just started a blog, YA Book Reviews (check out her review of Shrinking Voilet here. Blurb: "...this is a great book, a positive lesson to learn.")

So go check out these two great new bloggers! Your encouraging comments would be most appreciated. :)

Blogs to Check Out

2009-08-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some blogs you should visit!

There are few bloggers out there I like reading posts from and these just happen to be it:

EmilyRuth from Aye Captain

The things I like about her blog: Her insightful reviews describe everything I need to know about the book (mostly the small details other reviewers don't add). She is polite and updates regularly with interesting posts (never too long or short).

TheBookworm from Au Courant

The things I like about her blog: Now this is a blogger who is not afraid to share her opinions! I envy her thoroughly-explained reviews and I understand how part of her Evermore review got published at the beginning of it's sequel. (Look in the front of Blue Moon by Alyson Noel.)

Priya from Book Crumbs

The things I like about her blog: Her reviews are short and sweet. And there is always some interesting fact I learn from visiting her blog. It may be hard to remember the URL so put Book Crumbs on your favorites or subscribe to her on GoogleReader.

Ms. Mazzola from State of Denmark

The things I like about her blog: This may, in fact, be the coolest school teacher I know. Her opinions on young adult and adult books are something you don't hear every day. Her voice is original and reading about what she has to say about the topics in our day is something you can't miss out on.

The Children's Book Reporter from The Book Report

The things I like about the blog: She has a great selection of books and a great opinion to go with them. Though her background is white, the page always seems to pop when you visit. And I love the widgets she picks out! :)

Morgan from Books and Literature for Teens

The things I like about her blog: The reviews are filled with helpful information! I love the layout of them and of her other posts. She tries her hardest to share the news of all the book young adult books out there and she definitely succeeds!

Arya from Sea of Pages

Things I like about her blog: It's simple! She's straight-to-the-point with all her posts. I respect her opinion and, someday, she will be a published author. She is ready to introduce to you a bundle of great middle grade reads so stop by and visit.

Poll Winner

2009-07-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

It seems the Poll Winner posts have been coming later and later. Sorry for that! Last week's poll was ...

I want to be a/an:

author. The sooner I get a book published, the better!

editor for RandomHouse. It would be the greatest. *sigh*

teacher. I can't really explain it but I want to share my knowledge with others.

a turtle!

And the winner is ... wanting to become an editor!

I know plenty of readers who would be great editors (iDogRocker and EmilyRuth to name a few). But I also would have thought someone would want to be a turtle. -_-

Thanks to all the participants and please vote for the new poll. :)

Chasing Boys

2009-07-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

Chasing Boys
by Karen Tayleur
5 out of 5 stars

“Remember your manners, listen to your teacher, and don’t chase boys.” A piece of advice Ariel (El, for short) had been told her first day of school. But she doesn’t know if she can keep that promise anymore now that she is going to a crammed-full public high school filled with handsome jocks. El’s family (which consists of herself, her older sister, and mother) has been down-sizing since her father left a year ago and she can’t seem to forgive him. While keeping a mental list of questions to ask her therapist one day when she does finally want to talk to him, Ariel finds out that she might be wrong with the conclusions she was so quick to come up with.

Author Karen Tayleur’s writing style is brilliant. The mixture of all the right moods are placed into this heart-pounding read. Some scenes are adorable, some are romantic, and others are somewhat depressing but captures the essence of the story. Most teens can relate to El’s struggles but only a few understand it the way she does. I love this book and my jaw literally dropped at the end.

The characters were different, likeable, and realistic. If they were actual people, I’d definitely want them as my friends! There is also a wide variety of settings that I thank the author for coming up with. It was outside-the-box! Creative doesn’t even begin to describe the storyline.

I enjoyed the book so much, I had to share more than half of it with my mother. And she loved it too! I got tears in my eyes and she was breathless. The emotion from this story will stay with you long after you have finish the final page, I guarantee. As my mom says, Chasing Boys is just plain “great”.

Contains: *brief profanity

Poll Winner

2009-07-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I can't help it. I hate ____!

country music
you, GirlwiththeBraids
unclear book endings
mechanical pencils

And the winner is ... I can't help it. I hate you, GirlwiththeBraids!

What?! No way!!

Just kidding. The real winner was ....

unclear book endings!

Thanks to all you participated! Make sure to vote again for the new poll. :)

Winners!

2009-07-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

The winners of Harry Potter and the Marvelous Giveaway have already been contacted. They were:

EmilyRuth
Sarah
Kate
Vroengirl (iDogRocker)
and ... Christy!

Congrats, guys! And thanks to everyone who entered. It was really fun to read everyone's comments. I hope all of you get a chance to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince soon! :)

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

2009-07-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
5 out of 5 stars

In this small town in Kentucky, the folks have learned to despise the high class people a few towns over. They have new cars that run smoothly, constant job listings, and showers. When a new exchange program is introduced to the seventh grade classes of each town, only a few are willing to participate. The hardworking, good little Christian girl is chosen to visit a shy, perhaps spoiled, daughter of a rich newspaper editor and vise versa. Each of the girls make a new friend but how can they stay friends when their towns are unspoken enemies? Both are hesitant to learn about the other and Ivy June, the small town girl, may just have a reason for keeping quiet. While going through horrific events and keeping their accounts in journals, both girls are surprised about what they learn of faith, hope, and friendship.

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June is hard to put a label on. It’s not ‘coming of age’ or ‘first love’ or anything like that. It’s new and the story is completely unique and heart-wrenching. Finishing the whole book in a few sit-downs may be the easiest thing I’ve ever done because I was absorbed into these girls’ lives. I am a big fan of the narration and I’ve never read a book quite like that. Author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written the next big thing in middle grade fiction! The settings were imaginable and the characters were not ‘cheesy’, as some may call it. By looking at the cover, it may resemble the feel of a Lifetime movie but after reading it, you will find out that it doesn’t. (Take that as you will. ;) This book is not only about friendship, but about the strength a town can bring forth in a time of crisis.

*From what I can remember, this book contains nothing inappropriate.

Poll Winner

2009-07-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last week's poll was ...

I want a:

golden key! I never know what it could unlock.
map to a time capsule made by one of my ancestors.
million dollars, duh.
boyfriend/girlfriend. :)

And the winner is ...

a million dollars, duh!

Thanks to everyone who voted for this poll and make sure to vote for the new one also! It's all for fun. :)

North of Beautiful

2009-07-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

North of Beautiful
by Justina Chen Headley
5 out of 5 stars

AGES 13+

Terra Cooper: the girl who was laughed at in the first grade, the girl constantly shielding her dad’s snarky comments and the stares from not only children but adults alike. In the last year of high school, after countless laser treatments and doctor visits that failed to remove her birthmark, Terra is convinced that nothing will ever change her face. Whenever there is a new product that comes along and fails, her hopes always dwindle to even less. But it’s not all bad! She’s tall, has a stunning body, and has natural platinum blond hair. Plus, she’s got the hottest boy at school as a boyfriend. When she befriends a Goth Chinese boy, she figures out that he may know her even better than she does herself. And that this boy just may be her compass pointing to the True North of Beautiful.

Author Justina Chen Headley’s writing was exhilarating but was also soft and delicate. The whole picture was seen in her direct prose but the smallest details weren’t left out. I think this book has the least Is ever used which is something the author should be proud of. Though, at the beginning, the scenes were sometimes a little confusing, it introduced the characters realistically. The second half of the book is what put me on the edge of my comfy blue recliner because that’s where the characters start growing and changing their ways. Many people have said this but this book was beautiful. And sweet. And educational, in more ways than one.

Contains:

*sensuality

In My Mailbox

2009-07-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is where I share with you the books I've gotten in the mail or the library. Maybe you'll find a book you want to read along the way!*

(idea by TheStorySiren)

Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur

An insightful coming-of-age novel for girls with no interest in being “Pretty in Pink”.

El Marini just isn’t fitting into the new life she’s been forced to create without her dad. Her mom and sister have accepted his absence and moved on, but El is convinced things will get back to normal if she just keeps her feelings of loss to herself and waits it out.

Life at her new public school would have been unbearable if weren’t for Eric Callahan. As her crush grows to epic proportions, she’ll do anything to be more like the popular girls he notices, even buying the first pink top she’s ever owned. But then she meets Dylan, a quiet artistic-type who is both unnerving and annoying as he shines a light on El’s misguided attempts to attract Eric. El’s need for acceptance will hit home with teens as she finally sees that chasing boys has distracted her from making peace with the past and finding herself.

(This cover is super cute and I can't wait to read it! I really want to prove that it will 'hit home with teens' and flipping through the pages, I really like I'm going like this one! *received from the publishing company)

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be.

(Saving Juliet sounded like a cute book so when the publishing company offered me to review this book, I gladly accepted! This author, I'm thinking, might be a keeper. *received an ARC from the publishing company)

In What If. . . You Broke All the Rules (by Liz Ruckdeschel), Haley will turn 16 on Valentine's Day. But there won't be any big parties or celebrations to mark the occasion—her parents are so distracted by their own lives that they forget her birthday. Haley's dad is absorbed in finishing his documentary, and Haley's mom is spending waaaay too much time with a former coworker from San Francisco. With Perry and Joan preoccupied, Haley will suddenly find herself in a world without rules. Will Haley turn into a wild child or do the responsible thing? And how will Haley choose to spend her spring break—with a trip to Paris with Sasha, to Sebastian's hometown of Seville, making a movie in New Jersey with Irene, or in the Hamptons with Coco, Whitney, and their crew? It's up to you to choose Haley's destiny!

(I've read two previous What If? books and completely enjoyed them. I hope this one doesn't let me down! *traded on PaperbackSwap)

Across the Pond by Storyheart

This doesn't have an official synopsis on the Barnes and Noble website but all the customers have rated it 5 stars. So that's a plus! :) *received from the author to review

I feel a little bad that I haven't read much lately and haven't written many reviews (I'm aiming for at least one a week.) and my to-read stack of books keeps ... on ... bringing ... in ... more. But I'm not complaining! I like books! I just need to find the time to read all of them. :)

That concludes what I've gotten in my mailbox this week! If you've read any of the books above, please leave a link to your review in the comments. I'd love to see what you thought of them! In return, I will definitely leave a comment on the review.

Poll Winner

2009-07-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry this is a few days late but this was last week's poll:

I think ___ are cute.

puppies
mini hamburgers
three-year-old kids
boys

And the winner is ...

puppies!

Thanks to all you participated and make sure to vote for this week's poll! :)

It's Independence Day!

2009-07-04T06:35:00.001-07:00

So be happy like this dude. :)

Harry Potter and the Marvelous Giveaway

2009-07-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the upcoming Harry Potter movie, a giveaway is being hosted right here on ReadingToMyself!

What is the giveaway for? you ask. To win 1 out of 5 new paperback editions of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! After watching the new movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on July 17th, you have to see how it ends, right?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (by J.K. Rowling)

"It all comes down to this - a final face off between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do you listen to your instincts, or your friends?

Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end?

Find out in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." -synopsis

To visit the official (and might I add, lovely looking) Harry Potter site, click the book cover.

On July 17th, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be in theaters across the country. So don't think you will be able to get out of it! (You know you want to see it.) And if you haven't heard of this movie, check out the trailer below! :)

To top things off, the five winners will also receive a collector's Harry Potter pin (3'' wide, 1'' tall).

How to Enter: To enter this contest, leave a comment below including your first name (or nickname) and your email address in code (ex: example(at)example(dot)com). If you do not provide an email address, you will not be entered. One entry per person, please! (Unless you comment with the optional second entry.)

I need your physical address. No P.O. Boxes.

Extra Entry: To receive an extra entry for the contest, post a link about Harry Potter and the Marvelous Giveaway on your blog (or Livejournal, Wordpress, etc.) and come back here to leave another comment with a link to your post.

Contest ends: Saturday, July 18th

(so you can read the book after watching the movie)

In My Mailbox

2009-06-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is where I share with you the books I've gotten in the mail or the library. Maybe you'll find a book you want to read along the way!*

(idea by TheStorySiren)

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

(I just love this cover. I think it's so pretty how the title almost matches the cover of the girl's lips perfectly. And now, while I'm reading her story, I picture this girl as Terra. It's a really good book so far! I really want to cry for her. *received old ARC from my sister.)

The Anatomy of Wings by Karen Foxlee

Ten-year-old Jennifer Day lives in a small mining town full of secrets. Trying to make sense of the sudden death of her teenage sister, Beth, she looks to the adult world around her for answers.

As she recounts the final months of Beth’s life, Jennifer sifts through the lies and the truth, but what she finds are mysteries, miracles, and more questions. Was Beth’s death an accident? Why couldn’t Jennifer—or anyone else—save her?

Through Jennifer’s eyes, we see one girl’s failure to cross the threshold into adulthood as her family slowly falls apart.

(I've been waiting awhile to read this book so you can imagine my excitement when this showed up. *received from RandomBuzz)

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools. The girls will stay at each other’s homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with plenty of space. Since Ivy June’s house is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. Her Pappaw works in the coal mines supporting four generations of kinfolk. Ivy June can’t wait until he leaves that mine forever and retires. As the girls get closer, they discover they’re more alike than different, especially when they face the terror of not knowing what’s happening to those they love most.

(This book I got from BookDivas to review. I love this author's previous writing so this book has to be good.)

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

(This one wasn't supposed to be sent to be from RandomBuzz but ... it was. I was supposed to get The Book Thief instead of this one, but it never came. Oh, well! This one sounds like a good book, too.)

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt

If it hadn't been for Lucas's photographic memory, they might not have remembered the man. It had been almost a year since she and Kari noticed him copying a famous Rembrandt painting in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. But now in the National Gallery in London, they spot the same guy, copying another Rembrandt. Then, when a never-before-seen Rembrandt painting is discovered in Amsterdam, the girls begin to suspect the truth. Convinced that no one will believe them without hard and fast evidence, the teenage sleuths embark on a madcap adventure to find the forger and bring him to justice.

(I received this book from the publishing company to review. I think it sounds like a nice short read and it's one of the top books on my pile. :)

That concludes what I got in the mail this week. If you've read any of these books, please leave a link of your review in the comments. I'd love to know what you thought of them! In return, I'll be sure to leave a comment. :)

*book summaries taken from the Barnes and Noble website

The Treasure Map of Boys

2009-06-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

The Treasure Map of Boys
by E. Lockhart
4 out of 5 stars

Getting smothered with kind words and confusing signals, Ruby Oliver doesn’t know what to think of these boys. One’s her ex-boyfriend, one’s her secret crush, another is her best friend’s brother, and the other is a sweet and gentle soccer player. It should be entertaining to watch as different guys try to catch her attention and own her heart, but for Ruby, it just gives her panic attacks and ex-best friends. I guess that’s what you get for being yourself! Caught in the middle of love triangles and exploding science projects, Ruby has had enough. So her therapist tells her to make a treasure map of the relationships that you would like to have. There starts the other half of Ruby’s journey through Junior year in high school.

The Treasure Map of Boys is a book that won’t get out. of. my. head. It’s … unforgettable! Ruby’s story is one that has happened many times in real life, I’m sure, but is the first to be put down on paper. That’s one of the reasons it’s so unique. Author E. Lockhart’s writing isn’t the most original but it still has it’s charm.

Most of the characters were enjoyable to the highest level and I liked reading how Ruby tried to choose between them: which ones she wants as friends and which ones she wants to be more than friends with. It’s all realistic but at the same time, a little predictable.

I felt bad that Ruby had so many so-called friends that stood by her, but were never actually true friends. I found them selfish and … just plain mean! I didn’t like them at all. But there were a few things that bothered me about Ruby herself. She jumps to unproven conclusions and she never exactly finds out the truth to her thoughts. Other than Ruby being a little feministic, I enjoyed the book enough to recommend it.

Release date: July 2009

Contains:

*inappropriate touching and talk of nudity
*sexual references
*Christians portrayed as ‘annoying’
*brief strong language

Poll Winner

2009-06-27T06:39:00.001-07:00

Long time, no see! Well, I'm sorry 'bout that guys. I've been busy. Without further ado, this week's poll was:

When I'm bored and there's no book in sight, I like to ...

play Sudoku
listen to my CDs
mess around with my siblings
log on to Facebook/Twitter

And the winner is ... it's a tie between listening to my CDs and logging onto social networks!

Thanks to all participants and vote on the new poll! (I'll try to remember to post the winner next time. ;)

If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

2009-06-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late
by Pseudonymous Bosch
4.5 of 5 stars

A month after being inducted into a secret society, twelve-year-olds Cassandra and Max-Ernest (which are their cover identities, of course, because the author is not allowed to give us their real names) are eagerly awaiting instructions to start a mission. Maybe to fight off the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais once again? Maybe to find a man made in a bottle five hundred years ago? After they are given a message to decode, their first mission as secret agents begin. Having several odd adventures, Cassandra discovers that maybe she wasn’t who she thought she was. Or maybe, she was exactly who she thought she was.

Though just as fast-paced as the first book, The Name of This Book is Secret, Cass and Max-Ernest’s stories are more mysterious and entertaining than ever. Clue by clue, Author Pseudonymous Bosch keeps his distinctive voice and creativity. Surprising events occur with every chapter which will bring in a large audience of younger readers (mostly boys). The format of this book is appealing so when there was a slow-moving part (which there were few of), that’s the main thing that kept me reading on.

If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late had the perfect ending but if there is going to be another book in this series, I’ll be the first lined up to buy a copy. : )

Contains: *some mild crude humor

Wednesday on Friday

2009-06-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday (Wednesday on Friday for now) is where I share with you a book that I am looking forward to reading when it is released. (Except today, where I'm sharing a movie that is going to be released and a book already published.)

(idea by Jill from Breaking the Spine)*

My Sister's Keeper
by Jodi Picoult

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

(GirlwiththeBraids: "Enough said.")

Poll Winner

2009-06-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I wouldn't survive without ...

soap
my kids
Bear Grylls
my daddy

And the winner is ...

soap!
(With fathers close behind.)

Thanks to everyone who participated and make sure to vote on the new one today! :)

Prophecy of the Sisters

2009-06-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Prophecy of the Sisters
By Michelle Zink
5 out of 5 stars

AGES 13+

Lia Milthorpe’s birth had to be a mistake. Her mother had complications so Lia was born first instead of her twin sister, Alice. If only Lia hadn’t been the eldest, she wouldn’t have the strange mark on her wrist that appeared after her sixteenth birthday, or have a circle around her bed for protection, and she certainly wouldn’t have her younger sister fighting to let the Souls into our world. Finding a strange book in her dead father’s library starts the battle of Good and Evil … and the battle against each other. Maybe Lia was born first for a reason. Filled with chance, romance, and the fight to keep loved ones safe, this book dominates.

Prophecy of the Sisters is songlike, compelling, and enchanting with each step further into the book. It was just a tad bit unrealistic which is the perfect amount for a captivating and greatly intelligent story.

Each chapter gets more intense and each character is continuously revealing more of their true selves within the pages. The book started out with the best possible scene, where all the emotions begin to change. I appreciate that the author did such a thing. The first words of a story are a big part of how I judge the book altogether. I’m confident enough to say that it didn’t let me down.

Author Michelle Zink twists the words used in daily language and makes it her own. It shows the world she is explaining and the lives she is telling about. I’ve used the phrase ‘the best writing’ in only one of my other reviews but now I take it back. I must say: this is the best writing I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading (and I’m not exaggerating).

Contains:

*intense and scary moments that wouldn’t be handled well with kids under 13
*fictional evil spirits and talk of Satan (portrayed as bad)

Poll Winner

2009-06-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I like a good ...
mystery
dessert
romantic comedy
hairbrush (they're hard to come by)

And the winner is ...
mystery!

(Though it's not really a mystery. I loved watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.)

Thanks to everyone who voted and be sure to go it again on the new poll!

Quick Peek Inside My Mailbox

2009-06-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick peek of the books I've received this week:

The Amanda Project: Invisible I by Stella Lennon and Melissa Kantor
Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley (I think this cool: I received a hardcover final copy of this book when it doesn't come out until July. Can't wait to read these two! :)

If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch (Couldn't wait to read this one! I spent months trying to locate a copy of it -couldn't stand to spend my money at Barnes and Noble- and finally it came up from my wishlist on PaperbackSwap!)

Book I'm borrowing from one of my friends:

Prophesy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (My current read. Excellent writing!)

Poll Winner

2009-06-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

Which actor do you like better?

Johnny Dep
Reese Witherspoon
Selena Gomez
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)

And the winner is ...

Johnny Dep!

(At least I know that there is one other person that likes Tom Felton. He. Is. Awesome.)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

2009-06-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

SKNNReview

(sorta, kinda, not really)

I couldn't finish this book. It was gory and gruesome. Horrid pictures and scenes came into my head with every sentence. The writing was too realistic, which I couldn't handle. My mother was the one who convinced me to stop reading it. She said, "If it will give you nightmares, don't read it. You don't want a book that does that to you, do you?" No, I don't. That why at page 30, I set it down.

Truth be told, I may read it someday when I'm not as easily frightened. But for now, it will sit on the shelf, mocking me for my cowardice.

If you think you can handle Carrie Ryan's Forest of Hands and Teeth, find out more about it by clicking the cover.

Prada and Prejudice

2009-06-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

Prada and Prejudice
by Mandy Hubbard
5 out of 5 stars

Who said a school trip to London was going to be easy? And more importantly, why did Callie trip and fall in London? Maybe it was because getting used to five inch Prada heels can be difficult. Or maybe it was fate. Ever since her best friend moved, Callie has become a wannabe and waking up in 19th century England wasn’t planned on her to-do list to catch the eyes of the cool crowd. When a girl in a corset and long dress comes along and insists that Callie is Rebecca, her friend from America, Callie can’t help but take the opportunity. Falling in love with a duke, breaking a planned marriage, and going courting can be troublesome, especially when everyone thinks you are someone you’re not.

I could say, that I know several authors that could take Prada and Prejudice to the next level. I could also say that the writing was too childish. But I won’t. That would lying. Author Mandy Hubbard has a unique sense of dry humor and an eye for outstanding storylines that made this book phenomenal. The writing was charming and repeated thoughts that needed to be echoed. The metaphors are fun to think about, along with everything else. This book is great to read out-loud, especially to a group of middle school girls. The sentences are smooth and slide off the tongue so naturally, it’s easier to understand and listen to. I will be looking out for future releases by this author!

Release date: June 11th

Contains:
*an illegitimate child that was spoken of

In My Mailbox

2009-06-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is where I share with you the books I've gotten in the mail or the library. Maybe you'll find a book you want to read along the way!*

(idea by TheStorySiren)

The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield

Margaret Lea works in her father's antiquarian bookshop where her fascination for the biographies of the long-dead has led her to write them herself. She gets a letter from one of the most famous authors of the day, the mysterious Vida Winter, whose popularity as a writer has been in no way diminished by her reclusiveness. Until now, Vida has toyed with journalists who interview her, creating outlandish life histories for herself - all of them invention. Now she is old and ailing, and at last she wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. Her letter to Margaret is a summons.

(This is the first time I've heard of this book, though I think I should have heard of it a lot earlier because it was published in 2007. Oh, well! At least I have it in my hands now.)

Jack with a Twist
by Brenda Janowitz

Planning a wedding can be a trying experience…

A little prewedding anxiety is normal for every bride, and Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller isn't worried. She's got the loving support of the world's greatest guy, so planning her nuptials should be a piece of cake.

But that was yesterday.

Today, Brooke's landed her fi rst big case and has just discovered that the opposing attorney is none other than her fiancé, Jack. But that's okay. These two professionals aren't going to let a little courtroom sparring get their legal briefs in a bunch.… Right? Wrong! Now Jack's pulling every dirty trick in the law books, and Brooke's starting to suspect that maybe he isn't the man she thought he was. Warring with her fi ancé at work and at home, Brooke realizes that she'll have to choose between the case of her life, or actually having a life.

(Just looking at this book's cover makes me think of the commercials of a Lifetime movie called Maneater starring Sarah Chalke. -I never to watch that movie, btw.- But this book looks cute and flipping through the pages just makes me want to read it more.)

Scot on the Rocks
by Brenda Janowitz

When her ex-boyfriend, Trip, gets engaged to Hollywood's latest It Girl, Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller plans to attend the wedding. Who says a modern girl can't stay friends with her ex? Besides, Brooke's got her sexy Scottish fiancé, Douglas, to take as her date. Okay, so maybe he's not exactly her fiancé, but they're living together in his apartment, so she'll be getting the ring any minute, right? Wrong.

After a fight leaves her without a boyfriend (much less a fiancé) just days before the wedding, Brooke faces the ultimate humiliation of attending her ex-boyfriend's nuptials alone. Desperate to find a replacement to fill Douglas's kilt, Brooke concocts an outrageous plan to survive the wedding and win the man of her dreams, all with her dignity ever-so-slightly intact.

(I had to buy this one because it's by the same author of the above ^ one. I hope I'm not going to be disappointed!)

For the Love of Pete
by Julia Harper

Dante Torelli is an undercover FBI agent assigned to protect a mob informant and his family. But when the informant's hiding place is blown, a baby girl is snatched by a ruthless hitman. Now, Dante must save the toddler, uncover the traitor in his department, evade various bad guys, and deal with the toddler's sexy aunt, all before the biggest mob trial in Chicago history, set to begin in just three days.

When Zoe Adler's stepsister went into the witness protection program because of her sleazeball boyfriend, she wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Except the two sisters have always been close, and Zoe has been babysitting her niece, Pete, since her birth. What harm could it be to secretly get Zoe an apartment in the same building where the FBI is keeping the family under protection? So when someone inside the FBI turns and a hitman snatches Pete, Zoe is right there. During the shootout, she jumps into a sexy, uptight FBI agent's car and hangs on as he pursues the hitman. No matter what it takes, Zoe is going to bring her niece back.

(Flipping through this book -after I bought it at a rummage sale-, I found that it has some parts that I don't want to read. So, so far this book is a disappointment.)

Pretties
by Scott Westerfeld

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

(All this time, I thought the guy's name was Westerfield! Well, anyway, I have never read any of these books before so I hope that after I read this one, I will want to read the others. I know. I have crazy expectations!)

If you've read any of the books listed, I would appreciate if you left a link to your review in the comments. I'd look to see what you thought of them! In return, I'd be happy to leave a comment on the post. :)

*summaries borrowed from BarnesandNoble's website

Ahoy! New book blogger!

2009-05-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

A Sea of Pages (Y.A. Literature Book Reviews and More) is a new blog that has been created by Arya, a new explorer of the book blogging ways. So far, I am impressed by her opinions and somehow, the blog has an EmilyRuth-feel to it (Don't worry, Arya! That's a good thing. ;)

Being a newcomer, Arya is very enthusiastic about meeting other bloggers so stop by and introduce yourself! :)

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-05-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is where I share with you a book that I am looking forward to reading when it is released.

(idea by Jill from Breaking the Spine)*

The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott

Shadows fall across the beautiful, lush kingdom after the queen is attacked by an unnatural beast, and the healing skills of her daughter, Alexandra, cannot save her. Too soon the widowed king is spellbound by a frightening stranger, a woman whose eyes reflect no light. In a terrifying moment, all Alexandra knows disappears, including her beloved brothers, leaving her banished to a barren land. But Alexandra has more gifts than she realizes as she confronts magic, murder, and the strongest of evil forces, and is unflinchingly brave as she struggles to reclaim what is rightfully hers. Fantasy lovers will be held in thrall by this tale full of visual detail, peppered with a formidable destructive force and sweetened with familial and romantic love.

(I found out that this was a reprint but I just discovered it today so it's new to me. I don't know why I've never heard of it before! It sounds like a great story and I love the cover. :)

Poll Winner

2009-05-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I would never eat:

broccoli
myself or my friend
jelly beans
a bug

And the winner is ...

myself or my friend!

(Somehow, I think I know who voted for broccoli. TheBookworm? *L*)

Highway to Hell (Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil)

2009-05-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

Highway to Hell
By Rosemary Clement-Moore
5 out of 5 stars

After casting a demon out of her best friend Maggie Quinn is ready for a break. Stuffing her first-aid kit and safety pack into her jeep, Maggie starts off to South Padre Island with her witch-crafted friend, Lisa. But as you may have guessed, Maggie isn’t a normal college freshman. She’s a psychic and her vibes are going on overload when they drive through a small Texas county, on the way to their destination. They soon find out that something unusual is going on there. Livestock are being found dead with deep gashes on their necks. It’s unnatural, they say. But how can Maggie and Lisa help when there is a handsome cowboy, religious grandma, and mysterious chupacabra getting in the way?

Highway to Hell was a guilty pleasure. The main topic of demons isn’t exactly up my alley. In fact, it’s far away from it. But when I started reading, I found that the characters were all-around likeable. It had a quick-moving storyline and unexpected turns that kept my attention the entire time. This book put other famous works to shame.

Author Rosemary Clement-Moore has a brilliant talent that I have never seen demonstrated by any other writer this way before. I was fascinated at how much the scenes are described though I wished, at times, it would be more straightforward. The cover, sadly, I think may not bring the book justice because it doesn’t appeal to most audiences. But, like many people say, don’t judge a book by its cover, right?

Contains:
*brief strong language
*sensuality
*creepy little demons

Poll Winner

2009-05-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

The 'text language' word you use the most is:

LOL

ROTFL

TTFN or TTYL

IDK or JK

And the winner is ...

LOL!

(Literally, LOL! :D)

A Reverie (from a castle)

2009-05-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a new word for my daily vocabulary 'reverie'. I had to look it up because another book blogger had the word in her username. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that is means daydream! All this time, I never knew there was a different word for (as my mom says) being in La La Land.

I decided that, to stretch my vocabulary, I would share one of the reveries I have had while reading the book currently in my grasp.

This week, I had a reverie while I was in a castle:

I was reading The Princess and The Pea by Hans Christian Anderson from one of my all-time favorite books, a collection of fairy tales. This story is only three pages long and I love looking closely at the pictures. The reverie I had playing in my head was this:

I was the princess.

If anyone has read this story, you can imagine that it was fun to picture: a girl says that she's a princess and (having the trusting nature they did) the royal family let her sleep on a whole bunch of their expensive mattresses. Though I wouldn't have explained that I slept horribly (They let me sleep in a CASTLE!), I still liked the princess.

This story was fun to read and fun to think about. And everyone has to admit ... you've imagined you were royalty once, right?

Has anyone else had a reverie while reading a book this week?

Death of a Fictional Loved One

2009-05-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Doesn't reading make you happy?

Sometimes it depends on the book. Is the book a happy one with a happy ending? That usually does it for me. I am a sucker for happy endings. :)

Sometimes mystery books make me happy. I become curious and want to find out what happens (or happened I guess). It's like watching an episode of Monk on USA Network!

I was reading something that RandomBuzz had posted on it's main page here. The main question was: Do you choose to read tearjerkers? Or do they make you too sad? When I read good books that make me shed a tear or two, it's usually because someone died. (When Sirious Black died- Oh, don't get me started on that!) But if one of the characters you like dies, did reading that book make you happy? It's a hard question.

Can you deal with one of your favorite characters dying?

Poll Winner

2009-05-12T06:22:00.001-07:00

This week's poll was ...

You accidentally drop 2 crayons on the floor: blue & pink. Which one are you going 2 pick up first?

the pink one
the blue one
whichever one's closer
Neither. They're just crayons! No need to waste my energy.

And the winner is ...

whichever one's closer!

The reasonable answer won. :( I voted for pink! Doesn't anyone like the color pink? :D Jeez.

Thanks to all who participated and please vote for the new poll!

Absolutely Maybe

2009-05-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

Absolutely Maybe
by Lisa Yee
3 out of 5 stars

Mabelline had a father once, she knows that much. Her mother never explained anything except when she was under the influence, even then it was only one or two things. Maybe’s mother, Chessy, had a ‘fling’ with a talent searcher years back and now she lives with Maybe in the apartment above her charm school. Charming, isn’t it? After living with six different stepfathers, Maybe wants to meet her biological father. With only a picture and a first name as clues, Maybe sets off for Los Angeles with her two buds to find her dad. While both of her friends are off having the time of their lives, all Maybe has is a bag of clothes, a street corner, and one mischievous homeless woman who is convinced she’s Audrey Hepburn.

While an unrealistic storyline can be refreshing, it made Absolutely Maybe dull and forgettable. I did not enjoy any of the characters. Some parts of the book were sweet, I’d have to give it that, but it was usually ruined by Maybe’s inane thoughts or fast actions. Maybe was a shallow main character that was trying to get portrayed as an unaware, innocent teenager. The writing was a little random and stayed inside the lines. I loved how the chapters were short for a quick run through but they ended abruptly and lacked depth. I still don’t know who Maybe was as a person. There was no moral or lesson and Maybe hadn’t grown at all throughout the book. I believe this read is a waste of time.

Contains:
*homosexuality
*sexual references
*attempted rape

*book copy provided by a trade with my sister (Man, it was so not worth it!)

Calling teenage writers, readers, and artists!

2009-05-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

About them:

"We offer teenagers the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on the issues that affect their lives - everything from love and family to teen smoking and community service. Hundreds of thousands of students have submitted their work to us and we have published more than 25,000 teens since 1989.

The Young Authors Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that supports all Teen Ink publications. The foundation is devoted to helping teens share their own voices, while developing reading, writing, creative and critical-thinking skills. All proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to further our goal."

A little fact: Teen Ink is the nation's largest print magazine written entirely by teens for teens.

What is it to me? If your art work, poems or stories, or book reviews are published in the TeenInk magazine, you will receive a small reward: a wooden pencil, a TeenInk notepad, and a certicate of achievement. But teens read your work all over the country!

A cool fact: If you submit your work online, you'll be able to see how many people have viewed your work, rated it and commented on it. You'll also be able to create an online profile of yourself and share work with friends.

How do I know if this is legitimate? My local library subscribes to this magazine and I love looking at other teenagers' writing and art. If you could take my word for it, it is a great magazine and completely legitimate. If you can't take my word for it, just sign up to receive a free sample of an issue here!

What if I don't get published in the magazine? If you don't get published in the magazine, you might still get published in TeenInk Raw, the unedited part of the website where you can read, rate, and comment on other people's work while they can do the same for yours.

There is no limit on how much you can submit. So go write, read, and draw! TeenInk will be there.

Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages)

2009-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages)
By Denise Vega

5 out of 5 stars

Erin Swift starts the eighth grade with more confidence and friends than last year. But there are other things that she needs to worry about now. When will she get her period? What if her former crush, Mark, has a crush on her this time? Trying to move on to bigger and better things, she meets a high school boy and soon they are going out. Leaving her old life of unpopularity, Erin decides to go to a high school party with the new girl, Reede, where she finds out that maybe being a middle school late bloomer is better than being a high school early bloomer. Tempted by short skirts and sneaking out, can Erin keep her old friends and maybe receive forgiveness along the way?

Access Denied was simple to understand and complicated at all the right times (“Who will she choose?” “Will she do the right thing?”). This book is a great coming of age story that takes all the usual ones to the next level. It teaches forgiveness, trust, and how to deal with loss. It even teaches how to have a good time with your friends while still being under control! In the simplest form: Erin’s story is unforgettable. The writing is great, the scenes are great, the characters are great, and the storyline is terrific! The cover is inviting and completely sums up the story without saying a word (except the title :). I read it in two sit-downs and still wanted more! I hope that in the future, there will be a third book of Erin Swift’s life of trying to survive public school.

Contains:

some kissing or 'making out'
the reference 'get a room' used
underage drinking

Poll Winner

2009-05-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Last week's poll was ...

If you tried out for a play, which one would it be?

Cinderella (playing Cinderella)
The Little Mermaid (playing Flounder)
Sleeping Beauty (playing a fairy godmother)
The Sound of Music

And the winner is ...

The Little Mermaid (playing Flounder)! Each answer got a fair amount of votes this time. I'm glad it finally evened out! Thanks to all who participated and vote on this week's poll today.

Discoveries!

2009-04-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

Some books I have recently discovered (this morning) that I really want the pleasure to read:

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Meredith and Mallory Brynn are mirror twins born on either side of midnight one snowy New Year's Eve. They have always been inseparable. But after they are nearly killed in a mysterious fire on their thirteenth birthday, the bond that has always joined them unravels. They begin to have visions and dreams that reveal the deep secrets kept by the people around them. Meredith and Mallory realize they have each been given a gift: Mallory can see deep into the past; Meredith can see the future. But when they discover that one boy is not what they imagined, their lives will be changed forever. If they can survive . . .

Look Both Ways by Jacquelyn Mitchard

In the second book of the Midnight Twins trilogy, Meredith and Mallory Brynn are finally coming to terms with their special gifts: Meredith to see into the past, Mallory to see into the future. But they never expect that their powers will reveal danger so close to home.

Mallory must help her best friend, Eden, find the strength to defy her destiny as a shape-shifter, before Eden gets hurt-or hurts somebody else. And Merry has her own friends to worry about when her visions reveal trouble brewing on the cheerleading squad in the form of Kim Jellico.

Both Mallory and Meredith must join together to rescue their friends before it's too late.

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

From the moment their lips meet, Talia thinks Jack is her prince charming. He's not so sure. The girl he found sleeping in a moldy old castle is a hottie, but she's also pushy, demanding, selfish and one big pain! Jack wishes he had never taken that lame detour past the thorn thickets during his vacation. Now he's stuck smuggling Talia out of Europe. She has no papers, no clothes and no money (if you don't count a chest of eye-popping jewels). And how is he going to explain a 316-year-old princess when he gets home to Miami?

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is where I share with you a book that I am looking forward to reading when it is released.

(idea by Jill from Breaking the Spine)*

Grimpow: The Invisible Road

Who: by Rafael Abalos
Where: RandomHouse Children's Books
How: read 512 pages
When: August 11, 2009

Why (synopis):
Grimpow had no idea who the dead man was, but hidden in his leather bag was a treasure that would change his life forever. Clutched in the man’s firm grip was a stone. A stone that will shape Grimpow’s destiny. For when he holds it in his hand odd things begin to happen. Visions of places he’s never been fill his mind and he’s able to read the strange language in a message meant for someone else.

So begins his journey with the stone. A centuries-long journey that has driven sane men crazy, turned peaceful men to violence, and made strong men powerless. No man has ever unlocked its secrets. But no boy has ever tried.

What (thoughts): I have never heard of this book before but I'm glad I saw it on Barnes and Noble's website! It says that this is the first young adult book by this author and this book is going to be published in 27 different countries. It's all set! I have to read it!

Click Here (to find out how I survived seventh grade)

2009-04-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Click Here (to find out how I survived seventh grade)
By Denise Vega
5 out of 5 stars

Erin Swift isn’t exactly an ‘early bloomer’. In fact, she’s quite the opposite. Still in the process of becoming shapely, she starts the seventh grade. Then she learns that her best friend isn’t on the same track (Class A) as her. Talk about hyperventilation! How could Erin survive the halls of middle school without her fabulously dressed, head-turning leader at her side? Erin creates her own personal website where she can write about her feelings and events that she has been going through. When her website accidentally is shared on the school’s Intranet*, Erin has to keep her head held high so that she can find the strength to survive middle school.

Written with enthusiasm and creativity, Click Here is superb! Author Denise Vega did the most wonderful job of sharing the thoughts of the regular seventh grade girl. It was filled with humor and genuine characters that put a smile on my face. Everything made so much sense that it blew my mind. I am very fond of the excellent writing though at some points, it didn’t seem like a 12-year-old wrote it. This book expresses friendship the way most girls see it. If you’re either ten or twenty, you will be able to relate.

Contains: some crude humor

I am very glad that this book is so clean! Thank you for that, Mrs. Vega. : )

*definition: a computer network with restricted access

Poll Winner

2009-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

I'll never ...
eat cabbage
sing karaoke
stick my finger in a toaster
dress up as a cowboy (or girl)

And the winner is ...

stick my finger in a toaster!

(This week's poll may have been a little disturbing but don't think any less of me. I was in a 'mood', if you know what I mean. ;l

In My Mailbox

2009-04-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is where I share with you the books I've gotten in the mail or the library. Maybe you'll find a book you want to read along the way!*

(idea by TheStorySiren)

Click Here (to find out how i survived seventh grade)
by Denise Vega

Erin, an aspiring webmaster, chronicles her humiliations and her increasing autonomy in her "personal, private, no one-will-see-but-me web page"-which becomes public. PW called this "a heartfelt book about a girl becoming her own person."

(My sister found this at our local library for me and I absolutely love it so far! It's so realistic and I can relate to it so well.)

Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages)
by Denise Vega

Computer whiz Erin Swift is ready to start eighth grade. The Year of Humiliating Events (aka, seventh grade) is behind her and she's ready to rule the school. But eight grade comes with its own set of problems for Erin to navigate, including her first boyfriend, her first break-up, and the fact that her mom has been treating her more like an eight year old than an eighth grader. Even worse, there's a new girl at Molly Brown Middle School who is determined to remake Erin in her bad-girl image, and former crush Mark "Cute Boy" Sacks has been acting strange lately.

But as Erin's school year once against hurdles toward disaster, a personal tragedy forces her to realize that things, and people, aren't always as bad as they seem. Can she save what's left of eighth grade before it's too late?

(Coincidentally, I received the sequel to the top book from a new reviewing program called HipScouts. I just can't wait to read this one! It's kind of funny how these things work out. :)

If you have read and reviewed either of these books, please post a link in the comments. I'd love to read what you have to say about them! I'll definitely leave a comment on the review in turn. :)

Umbrella Summer

2009-04-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Umbrella Summer
By Lisa Graff
5 out of 5 stars

AGES 8+

The summer after her brother died from a rare accident, Annie Richards is overprotective and far too careful in everything she does. She wears a helmet when she is walking down the street, uses all of her allowance on Band-Aids, and isn’t herself anymore. What if she got a scratch and it became infected? What if she got gangrene? Anything and everything can bring a sickness, deformity, or future medical problem. When an old lady moves into the house across the street, Annie realizes that maybe, metaphorically, she could shut her umbrella just a smidgen.

Told with sincerity and clever similes, Umbrella Summer is the best book I’ve read that shows the aftermath of the death of a loved one in the most truthful way. One of the reasons this book was brought to my attention was the cover. It’s vibrant and, I have to say, fits with the book well. The storyline was fast-paced and only told through two weeks. Annie is a spunky, refreshing character and all of them are so realistic. The writing was unmistakable and the author’s talent was put to good use. I thoroughly enjoyed all this book has to offer! It’s adorable, memorable, and teaches more than one great lesson.

Contains:

Things that might scare younger readers

*different diseases

*mention of maybe-amputations

To read another review of Umbrella Summer, click here to visit AyeCaptain Reviews.

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

2009-04-24T06:44:00.001-07:00

Fat Cat
By Robin Brande
4 out of 5 stars

At the tender age of 8, Catherine Locke realizes that she is overweight. But her best friend, Matt, has always been there for her. When seventh grade arrives and Cat overhears a conversation between Matt and a different classmate, she’s changed forever. How could she be friends with someone who thinks of her that way? Four years later, Catherine is still trying to get over Matt. She has a different best friend now! Cat doesn’t need Matt anymore. Being a Science ‘geek‘, Catherine decides that her Science experiment will be life-changing. Maybe she can lose a few pounds along the way. After losing a drastic amount of weight, all she needs is a boyfriend. But what if the person she is in love is the one she has been avoiding for four years?

Fat Cat is another weight loss book, the theme that is a little over used nowadays. It’s hard for a book like that to seem unique, but with the eye-catching cover and the writing of perfection, I have a feeling this one will make it far in the Reader’s World. Catherine is a likable main character (something every book needs) and the challenges she faces aren’t all due to being overweight, which I find is a nice twist. To make it more interesting, Cat’s logic is completely the opposite of mine so whatever she does or says is surprising for me. I think the author could have done a better job with adding Cat’s relationship with her younger brother into the chapters she’s with her friends and such but, overall, I enjoyed this book. I am sure others will too!

Publication date: October 13th, 2009

Contains:

*sensuality
*inappropriate touching (which is portrayed as wrong)
*some crude humor

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is where I share with you a book that I am looking forward to reading when it is released.

(idea by Jill from Breaking the Spine)*

What: Lucky
Who: by Rachel Vail
When: April 28th, 2009

Where: HarperCollins Publishers

Why (synopsis):

It's all good . . . and lucky Phoebe Avery plans to celebrate by throwing an end-of-the-year bash with her four closest friends. Everything will be perfect—from the guest list to the fashion photographer to the engraved invitations. The only thing left to do is find the perfect dress . . . until Phoebe goes from having it all to hiding all she's lost.

Phoebe's older sisters warn her to keep the family's crisis totally secret. Unfortunately, her alpha-girl best friend looks increasingly suspicious, and Phoebe's crush starts sending seriously mixed signals. Phoebe tries hard to keep smiling, but when her mother is humiliated in Neiman Marcus while buying Phoebe that perfect dress and her father decides to cancel her party, she panics. How far will she go to keep up her image as a lucky girl?

With lucky, Rachel Vail begins a powerful sisterhood trilogy, comprised of one book for each of the three fascinating Avery sisters, with all their secrets laid bare during the year that completely changes their lives. Phoebe is the youngest; her story combines first love and flip-flops, friendship and sisterhood, humor and tears. Breezy, witty, and poignant, lucky is Rachel Vail at her breathtaking best.

(This book is listed as a reprint but I have never heard of it. I'm really excited! The first thing that caught my eye about this book is the cover. I absolutely love the dress! I wish I had one just like it. It's the perfect cut. :)

Poll Winner

2009-04-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last week's poll was ...

Someday (hopefully) I'm going to:

write a novel
make a demo cd
teach a cooking class
learn about a different culture

And the winner is ...

write a novel!

(You have to admit, though, teaching a cooking class won't be that bad. ;)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

2009-04-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite series and books of all time!

Dairy of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
By Jeff Kinney
5 out of 5 stars

ALL AGES

Greg Heffley isn’t self-centered. Really. He just likes thinking of himself in a positive way, though it seems he always gets the bad end of the deal. Middle school is challenging enough. Adding a hippy-skippy mother, a baby of a brother, and reasonably attractive girls just makes the stress lever higher. Greg is trying his hardest to concentrate on the important things, like making his father happy and proud. But being the way he is, Greg is easily distracted, especially by wanting to blow dandelions, playing last minute jokes, and finding who the snack thief is. Told through his own journal and own drawings, Greg shares what it is like to be a wimpy kid.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is too much like real life to not have laugh-out-loud moments. Not only was I giggling at every page, I was full-out belly laughing at Greg’s decisions and situations, which made my stomach feel a little weak but my eyes wanting to read more. This book is so realistic in every way: not wanting to get up for the remote because you’re in a comfortable position, resisting the urge to blow dandelions (which Greg isn’t too good at). It all made so much sense! I shared most every part to my parents and siblings and hearing my mother’s laugh, you would know for sure that this book is worth checking out at your library. : )

*Contains nothing inappropriate at all.

Free Pizza!

2009-04-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Or not.

Anyway, I thought I'd explain why I haven't been posting. Really, I have no good excuse. I'm just ("Just say it, GirlwiththeBraids!") ... lazy. Yes, I am. I can even give you an example:

I finished reading Girl at Sea on Monday. (It's Friday.) As you can see below, I just posted the review. Do you kow why? I just wrote the review! That's how lazy I am.

It's just one of those days, I guess. It is so nice outside (almost like summer), I had to go play in the forest and field (I live in the country) with my younger sibling. I wish I could use this excuse for all of those five days but, really, I only went to play outside yesterday.

So, think what you want! And, for free pizza, infront of Cici restaruants across the country, they are placing little penny-like things in their lawns and on their sidewalks that say, "Free Buffet". So, go get free pizza! :)

Girl at Sea

2009-04-17T05:45:00.001-07:00

Girl at Sea
By Maureen Johnson
4 out of 5 stars

Taken away from her chances of winning over a handsome Southern, Clio is pulled into the world of seasickness and tiny spaces. Her father, ambitious and hopeful (and should I say cute), bought a yacht. The yacht isn’t huge but it would get them from here to there, right? What about from Sorrento, Italy to the middle of the sea? Stuck on a yacht (which should be exciting) but with five other people, can be tiring. Especially if there is a statuesque archeologist’s daughter who Clio envies, a cute research assistant who just might be taken, her father’s best friend who suffers from heart problems, her father’s new girlfriend, and, of course her father. Clio is annoyed already but the real reason is … what are they doing in the middle of the sea?

The first half of this book (pages 166 and earlier) where slow at getting to the point. It was boring to read about the same scenes, setting, characters, and problems. It was really a teenage drama. But when page 167 arrived, I was sucked in. The story behind the main secret (the reason they are on a yacht in the middle of the sea) began to intertwine with Clio’s personal life. That, itself, is exciting! Author Maureen Johnson is clever in so many ways. She took unoriginal characters (ex. snobbish, hot, etc.) and made their small qualities seem important through humorous dialogue and vivid descriptions of the whole ordeal. If you are patient enough, which means if you can deal with reading the first half of the book, this is a great story to have on your bookshelf.

Contains:

*underage drinking
*certain parts of the body brought to attention (don't worry it's PG)

I am also not a fan of the cover. Clio's personality would never hint that way (she wouldn't position herself that way, wear those clothes, and certainly not leave her mouth slightly open for a dramatic effect -or trying-to-be-attractive effect-). So mind the cover! As in, don't judge this book before you read it. :)

I'm on Twitter!

2009-04-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

I recently received an invitation from TheBookworm of Au Courant to join Twitter and decided to take up the offer. You can find me here!

(http://twitter.com/ReadingToMyself)

If you become a follower, you will be able to see what books I'm currently reading and what things I have on my mind. If you also decide to become part of Twitter, I'd thought I'd report that quite a lot of authors contact readers through that website. So check it out!

Poll Winner

2009-04-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

This week's poll was ...

What book do you wish you could inhabit?

one of the Harry Potter books
the Holy Bible
a Sci-fi one (but be the one who lives)
one from the Pellinor series

And the winner is ... it's a tie between:

the Holy Bible and one of the Harry Potter books!

In My Mailbox

2009-04-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is where I share with you the books I've gotten in the mail or the library. Maybe you'll find a book you want to read along the way! *

(idea by TheStorySiren)

Because it was Holy Week at my church, I was a little busy to fit reading into my schedule. Fortunately, I will get a review up within the next few days. :)

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

(Re)Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin

I also received a book called Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner but I am not planning on reading it. I just flipped through it a bit and ... oh, gosh. I wouldn't even dare. :(

If anyone has read these books, please leave a link to your review. I'd love to see what you thought of them and I would definitely leave a comment in return.

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch
and me, Ruby Oliver

Who: by E. Lockhart

When: July 28th, 2009

Where: Random House Children's Books

Why (synopsis): Ruby is back at Tate Prep, and it’s her thirty-seventh week in the state of Noboyfriend. Her panic attacks are bad, her love life is even worse, and what’s more:

Noel is writing her notes, Jackson is giving her frogs, Gideon is helping her cook, and Finn is making her brownies. Rumors are flying, and Ruby’s already-sucky reputation is heading downhill.

Not only that, she’s also: running a bake sale, learning the secrets of heavymetal therapy, encountering some seriously smelly feet, defending the rights of pygmy goats, and bodyguarding Noel from unwanted advances.

In this companion novel to The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book, Ruby struggles to secure some sort of mental health, to understand what constitutes a real friendship, and to find true love—if such a thing exists.

Thoughts: I received this book in the mail with a package of 0thers but I wanted to share this one because it's one I've actually been wanting to read. I have never read the two before this but I hope that the author fills me in about what happened, in this book.

Surprise! (Not really.)

2009-04-04T15:56:00.001-07:00

I have decided that my latest layout was not the one I wanted. It wasn't clean and I've heard it's hard on the eyes. Being pink with hearts, it only attracts girls when, in fact, I also want male readers. While still being a creative layout, I think this one is more appropriate.

And, as you can see, I like changing this blog's setting so don't be surprised if you come tomorrow and it is yet a different layout. ;)

P.S. If you can't see the hand reaching out to the ladybug, it's okay. The layout doesn't fit everyone's screen but at least you can see the teen-weeny ladybug that is the main object in the background.

Poll Winner

2009-04-04T15:53:00.001-07:00

This week's poll was ...

What would you rather find?

a dragon egg
a diamond ring
an ancient manuscript
the right words to say

And the winner is ...

the right words to say!

(I think this poll had the most votes this blog has ever gotten. That's great!)

Thanks to everyone how participated!

Sundays at Tiffany's

2009-04-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sundays at Tiffany’s
By James Patterson
3 out of 5 stars

Jane was eight years old when her imaginary friend, Michael, had to leave her. Michael promised that she wouldn’t remember him, sparing any hurt whatsoever. But she did remember and so did Michael, so clearly. Twenty three years later, Jane works not only 9-5 but 9-9 at her possessive mother’s production company where she is producing a play and movie based on the adventures that Michael and Jane had when she was little. In the middle of it all, Jane meets Michael again … and they are both surprised that neither of them forgot each other. In the mist of love, memories, wounded hearts, and a painful future, Jane and Michael must to do everything to stay together.

Sundays at Tiffany’s started sweet and until the last 1/6 of the book, I loved it. It was imaginable while being impossible and the love that Jane and Michael shared with unbelievable and touching. James Patterson twisted the idea of imaginary friends and made them reality. Then there was the last 1/6 of the book, the forty pages before the ending. It is clearly seen that an innocent relationship was not enough for them and they had to take it a step farther. It ruined everything the book had stood for: innocence, pure love, and the perfect relationship that had the perfect boundaries. I was highly disappointed with that subject but the ending had been lovely, though that still doesn‘t make up for the things that I didn’t appreciate.

Contains:

*sexual references
*sex scenes
*brief paragraph that contains homosexuality

(received book from a blog giveaway)

30 Days to Finding and Keeping Sassy Sidekicks and BFFs

2009-04-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

30 Days to Finding and Keep Sassy Sidekicks and BFFs
By Clea Hantman
5 out of 5 stars

ALL AGES

Friendship is a relationship too and it needs work just like any other, author Clea Hantman teaches in this must-read, 30 Days to Finding and Keeping Sassy Sidekicks and BFFS. Some girls have “frenemies”, some have clingy wannabes, and others have friends that they want to keep forever. Do you want your friendships to grow stronger? Or to start a new one and meet new people? This books takes you day by day, to finding and keeping friends that with last a lifetime. In a world filled with dreary days, regretful breakups, and messy family lives, everyone needs a good friend and this book will help you achieve just that.

Even if you are not interested in the main topic, this book is still a must-read! It teaches genuine kindness and in a polite way, none the less. To make it even more interesting, a song is provided at the end of each chapter, summing up what was written about that day. It really was fun! Activities and creative ideas are shared and books, movies, and other things are listed as things you can do with your friends. It is hands-on and there are parts in the book where the author actually asks you to provide sentences that you are to write down in the spaces. Three cheers for the celebration of friends!

(Contains nothing inappropriate at all.)

*received from and reviewed for RandomHouse

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is where I share with you a book that I am looking forward to reading when it is released.

(idea by Jill from Breaking the Spine)*

What: All We Know of Heaven

Who: by Jacquelyn Mitchard

When: May 5th, 2009
Where: published by HarperCollins
How: 336 pages

Why: Bridget Flannery and Maureen O'Malley have been BFFs since forever. Then a brief moment of inattention on an icy road leaves one girl dead and the other in a coma, battered beyond recognition. Family and friends mourn one friend's loss and pray for the other's recovery. Then the doctors discover they have made a terrible mistake. The girl who lived is the one who everyone thought had died.

Based on a true case of mistaken identity, All We Know of Heaven is a universal story that no one can read unmoved: a drama of ordinary people caught up in an unimaginable tragedy and of the healing power of hope and love.

(This book sounds ... wonderful.)

*synopsis taken from the Barnes and Noble website

100 Posts and a New Layout!

2009-03-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just for the fun of it, I just thought I'd say ... this is the 100th post! Yay!

And to celebrate, in five days (when the poll is closed) I will be using a new blog layout! So stay tuned.

To preview this new layout click here.

Reading to Myself

Read The Amanda Project online!

The NEW BookDivas!

Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges

Ruined by Paula Morris

Behind the Pages

Time for the Winners!

Lonely Hearts Twitter Party!

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper Info

She's Begging for Books!

Lonely Hearts Giveaway

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (4): Dog Days

SKNReviews

Like Christian novels?

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

The Amanda Project Street Team

You Are Here

*Another* Another Faust Contest

Once Was Lost

Fairies of Writing

The ABC's of Kissing Boys

Poll Winner

I only read novels that ...

Calling all tween/teen girls! :D

Author Samira Hodges guest blogs!

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia

Poll Winner

Across the Pond

The Belated Poll Winner

The Amanda Project: Invisible I

Heads Up!

Coffeehouse Angel

Before I Fall

Poll Winner

Book 2 Movie: Ever Read It?

I See You Everywhere

Links to Visit

Poll Winner

Free E-Book

Weight Loss Books: What's Your Opinion?

ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

The Undercover Book Lover (well, not really)

Blogs to Check Out

Poll Winner

Chasing Boys

Poll Winner

Winners!

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

Poll Winner

North of Beautiful

In My Mailbox

Poll Winner

It's Independence Day!

Harry Potter and the Marvelous Giveaway

In My Mailbox

The Treasure Map of Boys

Poll Winner

If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

Wednesday on Friday

Poll Winner

Prophecy of the Sisters

Poll Winner

Quick Peek Inside My Mailbox

Poll Winner

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Prada and Prejudice

In My Mailbox

Ahoy! New book blogger!

Waiting on Wednesday

Poll Winner

Highway to Hell (Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil)

Poll Winner

A Reverie (from a castle)

Death of a Fictional Loved One

Poll Winner

Absolutely Maybe

Calling teenage writers, readers, and artists!

Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages)

Poll Winner

Discoveries!

Another Another Faust Contest