Review: The Year of Secret Assignments - Jaclyn Moriarty

Where I got it:Library
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover Rating: 3 stars (It's cute, I keep thinking its a mailbox at first though. *shrugs*)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 1, 2004
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Page Count: 340 p.

Ashbury private school students Emily, Lydia and Cassie, are less than thrilled about having to write to the rival Brookfield high school. Despite this fact, all three of them accept their English assignment and write. Two of them get back normal letters, but Cassie gets a violent pen pal. She keeps writing to him and eventually it seems that he has lightened up. Meanwhile Lydia and Cass end up getting quite a bit closer with their pen pals, even breaking some rules to help them out.

This story written through letters and diary entries is a fun little read. I really enjoy it when novels are written in a different format from usual. This book was funny at some points and others made you roll your eyes. It was annoying yet realistic all of Emily misspellings and miswords (it's catching) in her letters. After reading A Secret Year I saw this book about a year of secret assignments and thought "neat". I'm glad I read this and I will be reading her other novels as soon as I can. It was a really fun read, that kept you guessing. It does have strong language but that's about as bad as it gets, although at some points I thought things were going to get graphic. I really enjoyed how clever and fun all of the characters were and how much energy they seemed to have. This is one of those oldies but goodies, I recommend picking it up for a semi-exciting laugh.


First Line:
"Quick! Before you read another word, write your FULL name in every box on this page!"

Favorite Line:
"4) It is clear that you are a person who likes Christina, and (in my professional opinion) you are ready to steal any girl from anybody."

Waiting on Wednesday #15

There is no cover for this one yet, since there are still 288 days until it's release so here's an author picture instead. I love debut authors and am quite looking forward to this one.

Summary:

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

BOOK I: NIGHTSHADE (October 14, 2010, Philomel)

Pre-order:

Amazon.com

IndieBound

Summary and preorder info copy and pasted from http://blurredhistory.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesday #15

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Dark Divine - Bree Despain

(I cheated and did three lines, two didn't make it as gripping)
Teaser (page: 189)

"Then people in that part of the city went missing. Mostly shelter guest, prostitutes and kids who were wasted, so no one seemed all that concerned. That is until mangled bodies started turning up on Markham about once a month."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Review: The Secret Year - Jennifer R. Hubbard

Where I got it: ARC from the publisher
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (It's sexy)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 7, 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Page Count: 192 p.

Everyone has their secrets, but can two people keep each other a secret. She's from Black Mountain he's from the flats. Almost your classic Romeo and Juliet except no one is trying to keep them apart because no one knows about them. But after Julia dies Colten is forced to deal with the grief by himself because he can't tell their secret now, even if she was going to break up with Austin, her boyfriend. When Julia's brother gives him her notebook, which is filled with letters to C.M., Julia's brother guesses about the relationship that was. Will her notebook hold the answers to Colten's letting go? or will it make it even worse for him to move on? Colten has to find out what happened that night, because he thinks it's all his fault.

This was an interesting and enjoyable story, though I wish it ended on a more intense, revealing note. The ending was just so-so, it made sense but I wanted something more shocking. The setting screamed typical rich kid/poor kid situation but Hubbard managed to pull a few fun tricks out of her hat. I wish we had gotten to hear more from Julia's diary/notebook. All the relationship dynamics were authentic and intense. They truly made you feel the tension between the characters. It was a quick read about moving on when "the one" isn't necessarily "the one". It was refreshing to read about how hard it was to get over Julia. I never really got to like her, but if you spend enough time with someone it will affect you when they die. I recommend picking this one up. Good realistic fiction that has just the right amount of, violence, romance, sex and laughter.

First Line:
"Julia was killed on Labor Day on her way home from a party."

Favorite Line:
"At the end, we'd both been pushing at the walls of our secret world, pushing at each other."

In My Mailbox #22

Gifts:
The Seven Rays - Jessica Bendinger
Witch and Wizard - James Patterson
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - James Patterson

Bought:
Whip It - Shauna Cross
Girl in the Arena - Lise Haines
Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City - Kristen Miller
Fourth Comings - Megan McCafferty
How I Live Now -Meg Rosoff
The Red Necklace - Sally Gardner


Library:
The Dark Divine - Bree Despain

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

And now for a cute video of my Kitten... keep watching for a surprise ending!

Review: Suite Scarlett - Maureen Johnson

Where I got it:My collection
Rating: 5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I appreciate the "H" for Hopewell in the key and that it's shaped like NY and I love the background.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 1, 2009
Publisher: Point
Page Count: 353 p.

Scarlett's family owns the Hopewell hotel in New York. This hotel was once the place to be, however over the years it has dwindled down and now it is only Scarlett and her family taking care of it. When they get a guest who's more than over-the-top and she requests the Empire Suite (which is the room Scarlett takes care of) things start to get more interesting. Scarlett ends up as the over-the-top ex-starlet's personal assistant, which isn't always a good thing despite the cash flow. When Scarlett's older brother's theater production is on the verge of being shut down, the ex-starlet, Mrs. Amberson, offers to take over funding. Through wacky revenge themes and ridiculous theater antics, love and loss, Scarlett manages to keep her chin up and comes out even better than before.

I love this book! Maureen Johnson, you are a genius. This was everything you could want realistic fiction to be. Witty and well-written. I had so much fun reading this and I don't know why I did not pick it up sooner. The only problem I had is when Scarlett's brother is getting ready to get going with the play she says "Good Luck." Since her brother has been a theater geek his whole life Scarlett would have to have known that it is bad luck to say good luck to an actor before they go on stage. She should have said "Break a leg." That is all. I really recommend this to readers of humorous realistic fiction. It is the book you are looking for, it's so well written and just awesome! So buy it for you, buy it for your friends and buy it for your neighbors. It's excellent.

First Line:
"The Hopewell has been a family-run institution on the Upper East Side for over seventy-five years."
Favorite Line:"'Every time you flirt with her,' Scarlett said, 'a puppy dies.'"

Just So You Know Holiday Gift to All

Maureen Johnson has a special Holiday gift for everyone which is... a free e-copy of her book Suite Scarlett see details here. I already have a paperback copy *see review tomorrow BUT if you don't already have a copy check it out. It's a fantastic read! I loved it.

Waiting On Wednesday #14

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

I always enjoyed Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and I feel like this is definitely along those lines. It should be a great read plus I love the cover.

Teaser Tuesday #14

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from How to Say Goodbye in Robot

Teaser (page: 54)

"We went through a ton of fake blood. Our fake blood purchases alone probably kept Motorbike Mike's costume shop in business."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Review: Paper Towns - John Green

Where I got it:Library
Rating: 4.5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I like how the "o" is from the other version of the cover. The cover is very bright and in your face and she definitely could be Margo.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 16, 2008
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Page Count: 305 p.

Quentin loved Margo Roth Spiegelman. Nobody ever really knew Margo and Quentin was no exception. They were friends as kids but as they grew up they managed to grow apart despite still being neighbors. One night Margo climbs in through his bedroom window and reenters his life. They pull an all-nighter filled with payback and cross town adventures. But too soon the morning comes and they go back to their respective homes. Quentin manages to drag himself to school and is only a little surprised Margo is not there. As the days keep coming however and there is still no sign of Margo, Quentin wonders if maybe there is some way he can find her. He thinks that for some reason she wants him to find her. With the help of his friends Quentin embarks on a discovery mission of Margo Roth Spiegelman.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. John Green knows Laugh Out Loud funny. This book kept me on edge almost throughout. I could never really predict how one clue could lead us to the next and maybe eventually to Margo. John Green pegs teen geek voices perfectly and how in a small boring town you really have to make the most out of any situation you can. It seemed weird to me how much Quentin worshiped Margo, even after years of not knowing her. I can see how that is possible though, because that person would still be the same in your mind as how you last remember them being. Paper Towns also includes the Best Insult EVER!
"She may be hot, but she is also 1. aggressively vapid, and 2. an absolute, unadulterated, raging bitch." See what I mean, classic.
This is a must read for all who enjoy this genre. It's funny, suspenseful and realistic; all things a great novel should be (unless it's fantasy). John Green has a new fan on his hands and I look forward to reading some of his older books and waiting for his newer ones to come find me. I do have one question, can you use the word accompli without anything before it, like fait?

First Line:
"The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle."

Favorite Line:
"I didn't want to leave Margo alone with the dead guy who might be an attack zombie, but I also didn't care to stand around and chat about the circumstances of his demise."

In My Mailbox #21

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Bought:
Sovay - Celia Rees
Soulless - Gail Carriger
Bad Girls Don't Die - Katie Alender
How to Say Goodbye in Robot (ARC) - Natalie Standiford

That's what I pick up in the mail this week. What did you all get?

Review: The Waters & the Wild - Francesca Lia Block

Where I got it: Inter-library Loan
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I like it all except for how pixelated her face is.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 113 p.


"thirteen ways to know you are a changeling

1. you have never felt as if you quite belong
2. when you love someone it is like immolation or drowning
3. you yearn for the earth, even fantasize about eating it in handfuls
4. your skin is not your own ..."
Bee is a Gemini and has seen her doppelganger, which usually means death. She befriends a couple of other odd companions and they have some good times. Until they discover a secret about her. They try to help her but it is all too late, as Bee excepts who she is and where she must be.

This was another quick little read from Francesca, but unlike Pretty Dead this one didn't seem to have left such big parts out. This was also much more magical then Pretty Dead. I can't say much without giving things away since the book is so short, (the pages are tiny boasting 19 lines) but inside you can expect double selves, a boy who thinks he's an alien, a girl who is a beautiful singer and thinks she's a slave reincarnated, an astrologist and a garden. She really captures the magic of being on the cusp of childhood and teen years. I would recommend this one to Block's fans. This book wasn't quite the same as her early ones but it was beautiful nonetheless.

First Line:
"thirteen ways to know you are a changeling"

Favorite Line:
"the strange illness that poured
itself between bodies
through the elixir of the blood"

Review: Secrets of Truth and Beauty - Megan Frazer

Where I got it: Inter-library Loan
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover Rating: 3 stars (I really like the cover but I'm not sure who these people are supposed to be.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Page Count: 347 p.

Dara was a cute little 7-year-old. Cute enough to win the title of Little Miss Maine(even though it was a talent contest. Dara's talent was and is singing. She just doesn't think she's quite so cute anymore, and definitely not little. After winning Dara started to gain a lot of weight and is now quite large. After she makes an autobiography project out of clips and voice overs of her pageant, things start to go downhill. Nobody got that the project wasn't meant to be just about her and it was more a comment on culture. When her guidance counselor and family pull her out of school and tell her she needs to go to counseling, she decides it's time to meet her sister. The sister she only found out about because one day she stumbled upon her birth certificate. Her sister lives on a goat farm and makes cheese. She lives in a house filled with many different people, who might just be who she needs to feel more like herself again.

This book wasn't bad at all. It just wasn't something I was really into. It was definitely a great book for other teens though, who may be struggling with identity issues. There were a few places in the book that didn't sound quite right; either a sentence was funny or the voices didn't seem authentic, but all in all this was an enjoyable read. If you do decide to read this you may want to brush up on your music however, as there are many older musical references such as The Mamas and the Papas, that some of you younger folk might not get. *laughs* I really liked how strange the family dynamics were with Dara, her sister and their parents. It gave you a different family setting then one you would normally read about. There were many things I wanted resolved or at least some sort of further development on, but I guess you can only really find out so much from one book and one person's point of view. The ending was your typical happy ending. Moral infused conclusion brought to you by the main character. But it ended the book well enough. It was a good empowering book that I would recommend you pick up at some point and read.

First Line:
"It started with Mr. Fitz."

Favorite Line:
"'Nein!' he yelled at the goats. 'Sprechen sie Deutsch!'"

Waiting On Wednesday #13

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

Two amazing author's combined! This is better than Captain Planet. HOW COULD YOU NOT BE WAITING FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT?!?!?!?! ANYWAYS April 6th pre-order it now.

Teaser Tuesday #13

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Peculiar Superpowers of Eleanor Armstrong: a Zombie Love Story - K.A. Schloegel

Teaser (page: 63)

"Dad left work today at quarter to three to pick me up for my driver's test. For the most part, FBI agents can do that."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.
Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

In My Mailbox #20

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Bought:

Fallen -Lauren Kate
Leviathan - Scott Westerfield

Won:
A Beautiful Creatures Prize Pack from Saundra Mitchell's blog
this included a hardbound copy of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES with a signed bookplate from Kami & Margie, a stone-carved magnolia candle, Gummi Gatlin peaches, moon tattoos, a brass moon and bell wind-chime, and a vial of Amethyst Shimmer Lip Venom from DuWop a Beautiful Creatures wristband and dog tag, a sticker, and a GORGEOUS silver metal bookmark!
(copied and pasted from the contest page)
^I was so excited I won this I love those wind chimes!

So how did you all do?

Winner of my Happy Thanksgiving contest!

The winner is...

Zombie Girrrl from Crackin' Spines & Takin' Names
Congrats!

Waiting On Wednesday #12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

I have already pre-ordered this can't wait for it to come in.

Teaser Tuesday #12

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Secrets of Truth and Beauty - Megan Frazer

Teaser (page: 125)

"Still, I imagine certain fathers and mothers telling their girls to stay away from the farm, for fear it might be catching. And teenage boys still come round hoping to see something illicit."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Kimberly Derting is having her first contest!

Grab the countdown widget and enter this contest. This is probably the contest you have been waiting for.

And there are prizes…look at all the pretty prizes…

Oooh…aahh…

That’s right, you too can have your very own signed copy of The Body Finder, along with this lovely limited edition tote bag, and an assortment of bookmarks and stickers. All that, and…a $25 gift certificate to the online bookseller of your choice! But it doesn’t end there, check out this sweet Body Finder poster (because you get that too!):

Second and third place winners will get all the swag (minus the ARC and the gift certificate)!!!

I kid you not!

In My Mailbox #19

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Just one book this week which I got through Good Reads Swap.


Gemma, 16, has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother’s death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls’ academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.

I have already loved it but wanted my own copy, and so I got it.
What did you all get?

Teaser Tuesday Book Release Style

That's right, Today is the official release day for Beautiful Creatures by: Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia also release today is What I Wore to Save the World by: MaryRose Wood. So, in honor of their release I will "Teaser Tuesday" you with a teaser from each.

From Beutiful Creatures:

"I was watching two lions circle each other, and I was standing in the middle. Ridley had played me, and I had gone along with it, like a sucker, like the red sucker she was sucking on right now."





From What I Wore to Save the World:

“Woah! I see yer point; that’s bloody hideous!”



And look at those covers, mouthwatering. So if you don't already have them go and pick them up. Make sure you read Maryrose's other two books that precede this one; Why I Let My Hair Grow Out & How I Found The Perfect Dress.
Look here for my review of Beautiful Creatures
Look here for my review of Why I Let My Hair Grow Out

Review: The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 2 stars (Interesting but wouldn't make me want to pick it up.)
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Publisher: HarperCollins
Page Count: 309 (including last illustration)

Bod, short for Nobody Owens, escaped his own death when he was just an infant. Though his attacker had not given up Bod has remained safe in the graveyard, whose inhabitants have taken him in. Bod learns what he can through the years from the different ghosts and other folk who reside in the graveyard. Now and then he ventures out into the real world but nothing good usually comes from those escapades. This is the story of him coming into his own, after being under the watchful eye of his Guardian.

This was an enjoyable book. I loved the illustrations, even though some of them looked unfinished I think they went with the text very nicely. This wasn't a flowing novel really, each chapter was like a different clip from Bod's life. The chapters progressed in order and Bod was a little older in each one until the end. It was interesting to read about Bod in the real world and how he reacted and how people reacted to him, because he was a little different than they were. The relationships that Bod made were interesting, some of them good, some of them bad, most of them weird. The writing was spot on for being a book about a graveyard filled with dead people from decades ago in England. I don't have any bad things to say about this book. It's Neil Gaiman, it was a good story and that is pretty much all. I liked it. Read it. You have the time, what are you reading right now? LAME, read this instead.

First Line:
"There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife."

Favorite Line:
"A voice by his ear said, ' Say you'll miss me, you lumpkin.'"

In My Mailbox #18

In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

From my Secret Santa through Book Blogger Holiday Swap I got Chocolates from Daffin's , City of Bones - Cassandra Clare, a postcard from Daffin's and A Mary Engelbreit card

I got an ARC of Fade to Blue - Sean Beaudoin from Goodreads swap.

and that's all this week. What did everyone else get?

2010 Author Challenge

What is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge?

• The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year.* I'm going to challenge everyone to read at least 12 debut novels! I’m hoping to read at least 30! You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year. I will also be focusing on mostly Young Adult novels.
• Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by posting a review on Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site.
• The challenge will run from January 1, 2010- December 31, 2010. You can join at anytime!

* I would like to limit the novels to those released in 2010.

You’ll have to do all the research to make sure a novel meets the criteria for the challenge. I do have a few sites that can help with your search; 2010: A Book Odyssey, AuthorsNow & The Class of 2k10 (website to be launched).
There is more information here and you can sign up by visiting this post.

So I will most certainly be participating in The Story Siren's 2010 Debut Author Challenge. So here's my list currently. Changes may be made as I see fit. I am hoping to read at least 20 books. Current status 27 read.

1. The Mark - Jen Nadol
2. Shadow Hills -Anastasia Hopcus
3. The Line - Teri Hall*
4. Dirty Little Secrets - C.J. Omulolu
5. The Secret Year - Jennifer Hubbard*
6. The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting
7. Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver
8. Bleeding Violet - Dia Reeves
9. The Naughty List - Suzanne Young
10. Sea - Heidi R. Kling
11. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin - Josh Berk
12. Plain Kate - Erin Bow
13.  Nightshade - Andrea Cremer*
14. The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped - Yxta Maya Murray*
15. All Unquiet Things - Anna Jarzab*
16. Nevermore - Kelly Creagh
17. The Mockingbirds - Daisy Whitney*
18. Numbers - Rachel Ward*
19. Magic Under the Glass - Jaclyn Dolamore
20. Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins*
21. Brightly Woven - Alexandra Bracken*
22. The Iron King - Julie Kagawa
23. Other - Karen Kincy
24. Mistwood - Leah Cypress
25. Guardian of the Dead - Karen Healey*
26. The Rise of Renegade X - Chelsea Campbell
27.  The Replacement - Brenna Yovanoff*
28. Whisper - Phoebe Kitanidis
29. Party - Tom Leveen
30. Thirteen Teasures - Michelle Harrison *
31. The Agency : A Spy in the House - Y.S. Lee
32. Paranormalcy - Kiersten White
33. Ship Breakers - Paolo Bacigalupi*
34. Girl Parts - John M. Cusick
35. No and Me - Delphine De Vigan
36. Prince of Mist - Carlos Ruiz Zafón*
37. Faithful - Janet Fox*
38. Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me - Kristen Chandler*
39. Wish - Alexandra Bullen*
40. The DUFF - Kody Keplinger
41. Glimmerglass - Jenna Black
42. Ninth Ward - Jewell Parker Rhodes*
43. The Thirteenth Chime - Emma Michaels
44.  Infinite Days - Rebecca Maizel*
45. The Best and Hardest Thing - Pat Brisson*
46. Girl Saves Boy - Steph Bowe
47. The Ivy - Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur*
48. The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball - Risa Green

*books I own
linked to review

Review: Almost Perfect- Brian Katcher

Where I got it: Bought it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (It's provocative.)
Genre: Young adult
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 357

Logan's girlfriend of three years has cheated on him. He could barely even get on base with her and she went off and did it with some guy. Logan thought she was "the one" though, so he has been moping around. But when a new student (which never happens in Boyer's small high school) breezes into biology Logan gets a new optimistic feeling. The more Logan starts to talk to the new student, Sage, he realizes that there are many things that she is keeping from him. She won't tell him why she was home schooled or why she's not allowed to date. When Sage does unload her big secret, Logan gets angry and almost hits her. Can Logan overcome something this big? Is he up to the challenge of being Sage's boyfriend or even just her friend?

At first I was really annoyed at how quickly Logan cycled through emotions, how completely unstable he seemed. Then, I realized that he's a teenage boy, he has no idea how to handle the situation he's been thrust into and all he is is raw emotion. After that I started to enjoy the book much more, thinking "Hey, he's just reacting the way he knows how.". This was the first book I have read that dealt so immediately with gender issues, and in such a real unflinching voice. Sage was who she was and Logan wanted to understand. I loved the passion that was printed on every page. Be it anger or love or lust everything was heightened emotions as I imagine it must feel to be in a situation similar to theirs. There was also a great joke in this book, let me share.

"'Well, my church is doing some major renovations. Painting the whole building.'
'Since when do you go to church?" I asked. He ignored me.
'We didn't think we were going to have enough money, so we bought some cheap paint and watered it down. Didn't look the greatest, but it got the job done.'
'What the hell are you talking about?' Jack never got up before three p.m. on Sundays.
'Well, we spent all last Saturday painting the outside. Unfortunately, right when we were finished, this rain started. Washed everything away.'
'Oh, no,' said Sage, sounding genuinely concerned.
'The funny thing is, right when we were all running inside, I could swear I heard a voice from the clouds.'
I sighed 'Saying what, Jack?'
'Repaint! Repaint and thin no more!'"

Well, I enjoyed it at least, quite clever.This was a great book about being yourself and knowing that it's okay if you are confused about how you feel in certain situations. A book about how we don't always make the right decisions, but they are our decisions and they all come with consequences.

First Line:
"Everyone has that one line they swear they'll never cross, the one thing they say they'll never do."

Favorite Line:
"Well, more like gouging a piece of shrapnel out of my stomach, pouring a bottle of gin into the wound, lighting it on fire, and sewing my guts up with a dirty bootlace."

Review: My Invented Life - Lauren Bjorkman

Where I got it: From Henry Holt and Company after accepting author's offer
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 5 stars (It's sexy, I love the glamour pose. However I don't like the back cover it doesn't go with the front really. It's good on its own but they don't work together.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Page Count: 229 (ARC) Including the Lexicon of Shakespearean Insults

Roz and Eva are sister and were friends. They were friends BD (before deletion), Before Eva complete cut Roz out of her life. Roz drools after Eva's boyfriend (not for the first time) and wishes she had her sisters acting talent so she could get the lead in the school play. Roz starts to suspect that there is something going on with Eva that she doesn't want to admit to, so she comes up with a plan to get Eva to spill the beans. Unfortunately the plan backfires, well sort of. It didn't go quite the way Roz had planned but maybe it helped her and her sister realize things about themselves that they weren't able to see before.

This book was hilarious, engrossing, ludicrous. So many times while doing my laundry I was laughing out loud and people were staring. It is indeed that funny, not to mention that most Shakespearean words sound funny even if they aren't meant to be. It was really nice to read a light-hearted book about sexual identity issues. It seems like they are all so serious. Not that it's not a serious issue, it's just they all seem to be so heavy where as this one was fun.I loved the dynamics between the characters and it was great having a story from a theater geek's perspective. So often the main character in the book doesn't really have a passion for one thing in particular. Characters will often be passionate but not necessarily about just one thing. It was nice to read about the geekiness and the rivalry that goes on behind stage. Lauren is a welcome fresh voice in young adult fiction. I definitely recommend you put this on your TBR list, it will make you laugh, possibly until you pee your pants. Thou spleeny prick-eared slug!

First Line:
"I raise my mini club and try to focus on the clown's chomping mouth."

Favorite Line:
"My father was no prostitute."

Happy Thanksgiving Contest

Not that this book has anything to do with Thanksgiving whatsoever. In honor of this Thankful holiday I am Thanking my readers by giving one of them a copy of The Van Alen Legacy by: Melissa de la Cruz. This is a simple contest, all you have to do is comment below with a way for me to contact you. This contest will close on December 10th. Good Luck!
Contest is international!

Waiting On Wednesday #11

Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light .com.

While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.

Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life.isn't it?

National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters shines a light on how bullying can push young people to the very edge.

summary from Fantastic Fiction

I love Julie Anne Peters books, so this is of course a must read on my list. Plus that cover is striking.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Teaser Tuesday #11

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from Paper Towns - John Green

Teaser (page: 140)

"I can hear her saying to me, 'I don't want some kids to find me swarmed with flies on Saturday morning in Jefferson Park.' Not wanting to be found by some kids in Jefferson Park isn't the same thing as not wanting to die."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

WINNER OF BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

and the winner is.....

miss cindy :) of simple life and reading...
Congrats!

For those of you who didn't win have no fear a Thanksgiving contest is soon to come.

In My Mailbox #17

Won:

How to Buy a Love of Reading postcard from Tanya Egan Gibson
and
Eyelash postcard from Jess Scott
both were won over at Electrical Book Cafe's Blogoversary contest

Bought:
Shadowland by: Alyson Noel

For Review:
The Secret Year - Jennifer Hubbard
The Line - Teri Hall

Also I got some buttons and bookmark swag from Anastasia Hopcus for her upcoming book Shadow Hills which I featured for Waiting on Wednesday here. Thanks Anastasia!

And of course, as always In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Great link I just found!

Hey guys, I just found out that for a limited time you can read The Amanda Project online for free right here so if you have been wanting to read this, make sure you check it out. Also don't forget that my contest to win a hardcover copy of Beautiful Creatures ends tomorrow at midnight.

Teaser Tuesday #10

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

Teaser (page: 97)

"Those that men call Werewolves or Lycanthropes call themselves the Hounds of God, as they claim their transformation is a gift from their creator, and they repay the gift with their tenacity, for they will pursue an evildoer to the very gates of Hell.
Bod nodded."

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should be Reading.

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Winner of the Hold Still contest

and the winner of a finished copy of Hold, Still is..... Jenny N. I have sent you an e-mail you have 48 hours to send me your address and I will forward to her publisher.

Don't forget my contest for Beautiful Creatures is open until November 22 here. I've also decided if I hit 150 followers by then(wishful thinking) I will give away two copies. So tell all your friends.

In My Mailbox #16

 

Won:
Drama, Drama and Ana Ruiz - Belinda Acosta
Amigoland - Oscar Casares
Tell Me Something True - Leila Cobo
Evenings at the Argentine Club - Julia Amante
Zumba - Beto Perez
from Libby's Library News

Bought:
The Maze Runner - James Dashner

For Review:
The Complete History of Why I Hate Her - Jennifer Richard Jacobson
my review here
received through Around the World Tours

As always In My Mailbox brought to you by The Story Siren

Beautiful Creatures website

If you haven't already click here to check out the new Little, Brown Beautiful Creatures Live website. It's pretty awesome and includes neat things like a 3d map of Gatlin.
Also I'm going to post Vania's beautiful BC trailer, because I really think she did a wonderful job on it.

Review: The Complete History of Why I Hate Her - Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Where I got it: Princess Bookie's Around the World Tours
Rating: 1.5 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (It's fitting)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 27, 2010
Publisher: Atheneum Books For Young Readers
Page Count: 181 (ARC)

Nola just wants to be on her own. She doesn't want to be defined by her sister's cancer. Nola doesn't want to stay in Boston so she heads to Maine to waitress for the summer. On the way she meets Carly, then Carly infects her life. Is Carly a true friend or something else?

I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't. The characters were flat, hardly any emotion and no development beyond what was happening right then. I could not relate or empathize with any of them because they were names on paper, not characters. Another thing I did not like was the way the story just jumped from chapter to chapter without much explanation of where people were now. They would be in the middle of something, and then all of a sudden cut scene. In chapter 3 Carly and Nola meet Nola's boss and he invites them to dinner and they all have a good time. This didn't seem realistic at all to me. Who actually acts that relaxed and easy going with people you have never met? Even if you're outgoing I think this had too much of a comfortable feel to it to actually be realistic. Another unrealistic thing is what teenage girl travels across two states to waitress for the summer? That doesn't make any sense, especially her parents letting her go when they have a sick daughter to begin with. I did like the Haiku and I liked chapters 30 (the Slam haiku session) and 31 but then the ending killed me. Many reasons for this, including the "sum up the story in a moral" part. So unfortunately I really could not appreciate this book at all. I do not recommend reading it, but if you do I hope you like it much better than I did. At least it was a fast read.

First Line:
"Song is hanging off my arm, afraid I'm going to slip onto the bus and out of her life as quickly as I made the decision to go."

Favorite Line:
"Do not define me
By anything other than
What I choose to be"

Review: Journey of Dreams by: Marge Pellegrino

Where I got it: Frances Lincoln Children's Books through The Picnic Basket
Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I appreciate the beautiful artwork and it fits the story well. I'm glad this was not just a glamour photo. Also the jacket matches the actual book itself, which is marvelous.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books

This is Tomasa's story and how she and what's left of her family must try to escape from the Guatemalan army. They must journey far, sometimes retracing their steps, when things go awry. They must hide who they are and be careful who they trust. Their father tells them stories to help them get to sleep after hard days of many miles. All they want is the quiet refuge of the United states and a reunion with the others of their family.

I really appreciated this book and am very glad I signed up to receive it. I wouldn't normally pick up a book like this because I can't really relate to it. Most of us have never had to endure genocide or border crossings, that fear mixed with the glint of hope. This was a beautiful story with rich storytelling and heartfelt moments. Everything seemed so real and the images were vivid in my mind, much like Tomasa's woven huipil blouses. I think this would be a great novel to read along with a Central American unit in school, or if you are interested in Guatemalan culture and their hardships. This is a great book about refugees and how much different people's lives are in other parts of the world. This is a novel of bravery and dreams and a passion for freedom that drives them through. If you get a chance definitely pick up this book. If you are a teacher this is a must read for you. Marge Pellegrino wove a beautiful story in this novel.

First Line:
"Thwap, thwap, thwap. The high green branches of the pine trees shiver in the wind from the dark green machine whirring above us."

Favorite Line:
"'Where did the green go?' Maria asks."