Bean Bag Books

Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges

2009-09-23T17:18:00.003-05:00

One day. That's how long it took for fourteen year-old Faye Martin's ordinary life to take a dramatic and completely unexpected turn. First, she gets struck by lightning. Second; Benjamin Parker, the object of her obsession, witnesses her near-death experience. Finally, her parents are forcing her to leave her friends and hometown of Seattle to attend a summer camp, aptly named Camp Milestone. Only, Camp Milestone is no ordinary camp. There are no phones allowed, shabby cabins and only a handful of campers. The only good turn of events is Benji her longtime crush is among the sparsely populated camp. Before she knows it, Faye finds herself caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty, torture, calamine lotion and romance....All in the name of summer camp. But as the summer unfolds, she realizes there is much more to Camp Milestone than meets the eye. Will she be able to unravel the mystery that surrounds this unusual camp? And more importantly, will she be able to survive the madness long enough to put the pieces together?

I’ve got to admit, I started this book with low expectations. Right away, I found things to nitpick at: the writing seemed amateurish, the characters and story a bit stereotypical. But, those problems soon rectified themselves. Within a few chapters, I found myself constantly picking up the book to read. The mystery surrounding Camp Milestone was just too intriguing to pass up. The characters began to take shape as they worked together to discover what they were doing at such a strange camp. And when that mystery was revealed—BAM! I never would have guessed it in a million years. This is what made Milestones shine: its unique storyline and shocker of an ending that leaves readers desperate for the next installment of this intended trilogy. A great book for pre-teens and teens, Milestones is a fresh, interesting debut.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2009-09-21T17:02:00.002-05:00

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before…and surprising readers at every turn.

Wow!! Suzanne Collins has once again written an incredible, ground-breaking novel. Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games is just as riveting, just as action-filled, and just as utterly incredible as its predecessor. Suzanne Collins’ keeps up her intense, flawless writing, blend of action, horror, and romance, and well-developed characters. The only problem I found was that the first half of the book covered a lot of time, not allowing for deep detail found in the first book, but eventually, the narration slows down and Collins is back to her old detail-thriving self. The School Library Journal stated that “though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment”. The third and final book, to be released in 2010, cannot come soon enough!

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

2009-09-16T15:55:00.002-05:00

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.
Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

All Unquiet Things looks like a great mystery! I am very excited for it. This is Anna Jarzab's debut novel and I am sure it will be a hit. It will be published on January 12th.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

2009-09-14T16:13:00.004-05:00

Somewhere out there Ellie and her friends are hiding. They’re shocked, they’re frightened, they’re alone. Their world has changed, with the speed of a slamming door. They’ve got no weapons—except courage. They’ve got no help—except themselves. They’ve got nothing—except friendship. How strong can you be, when the world is full of people trying to kill you? Tomorrow, When the War Began is the first in an enormously popular series that became a legend.

This is my second time reading Tomorrow, When the War Began, a book about 7 friends who return from a camping trip to discover that their country has been invaded by foreigners. I loved it the first time, but it was even better the second time around. This book is filled with unique characters, great action and suspense, and flawless writing that keep you turning the pages. What I loved about the characters was that they were incredibly dynamic and all added something to the plot. Tomorrow, When the War Began is a book that should be read by all, young and old. I am greatly looking forward to reading the second in the series, The Dead of Night!

In My Mailbox (14)

2009-09-13T00:00:00.007-05:00

Here are the books I got this week:

Bought:

Catching Fire-Suzanne Collins

By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss and Peeta have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion.

Living Dead Girl-Elizabeth Scott
This is Alice. She was taken by Ray five years ago. She thought she knew how her story would end. She was wrong

BookMooch:

To Catch a Pirate-Jade Parker

Once caught, it’s harder still to let a pirate go. When Annalisa Townsend’s ship is set upon by pirates in search of her father’s treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold. When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother. He accepts a kiss in exchange for the necklace. “A fair trade, m’lady,” he tells her afterward, before disappearing. A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the wretched James Sterling and reclaiming her father’s treasure from him. But now she’s in danger of him stealing something far more vulnerable this time: her heart.

The China Garden-Liz Berry
When Clare moves with her mother from London to Ravensmere, an historic English estate, she can’t shake the feeling that the residents already know her, especially Mark, a maddeningly attractive biker. Clare also feels compelled to take midnight walks in Ravensmere’s abandoned China Garden. Then her mother reveals that their own past is tragically linked to the estate. But when Clare discovers that Ravensmere is in grave danger, will she risk her future—and Mark’s—to save it?

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

2009-09-09T07:49:00.004-05:00

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

This book looks absolutely amazing! I love dystopian fiction and am sure that this will be a great addition to my collection. The Line will be released on March 4th.

Witch Child by Celia Rees

2009-09-02T16:22:00.002-05:00

Enter the world of Mary Newbury, where being different can cost a person her life. Hidden until now in the pages of her secret diary, fourteen-year-old Mary’s story begins as she flees the English witch-hunts to settle in an American colony. How long can she hide her true nature from the Puritans? How long can she keep running?

Witch Child is an entertaining read that chronicles the witch trials that plagued the nation years ago. The first line of the novel reveals that Mary Newbury is in fact a witch, who, after her grandmother is executed for being a witch, travels to a colony near Salem, MA to avoid persecution. Mary and the other characters are well-drawn and the historical facts accurate. Although some parts lagged a bit, Celia Rees writes beautifully and with great story-telling ability. The end is very abrupt, but thankfully Witch Child’s sequel, The Sorceress was released earlier this year and follows up on Mary’s life. I will hopefully be reading it soon.

In My Mailbox (13)

2009-08-30T14:17:00.015-05:00

Here are the books I received in the past two weeks:

Tomorrow When The War Began-John Marsden

Australian teenager Ellie and six of her friends return from a winter break camping trip to find their homes burned or deserted, their families imprisoned, and their country occupied by a foreign military force in league with a band of disaffected Australians.

Witch Child-Celia Rees

Karma For Beginners-Jessica Blank

Fourteen-year-old Tessa has never had a normal life. Her mother, a frustrated hippie with awful taste in men, has seen to that. But when her mom pulls her out of school to live at an ashram in the Catskills, Tessa goes from being a freak among normal people to being an outcast among freaks. Freaks who worship an orange robe-wearing guru. And while her mom is buzzing with spiritual energy, and finding a little too much favor with the guru, all Tessa feels are weird vibes. Unless she's with Colin, the gorgeous boy who fixes trucks for the ashram. The connection they share is the most spiritual thing Tessa has ever felt. But he's older-like illegally older-and Tessa's taking dangerous risks to spend time with him. Soon her life is blooming into a psychedelic web of secrets and lies and it's clear that something's about to give way. When it does, will she have anyone to hold on to? Will she even know herself?

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

2009-08-26T18:07:00.004-05:00

Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

Junior Tola Riley doesn’t care what people say about her. She knows her ever-changing hair color and goth clothes make her an easy target. Whatever. But the latest rumor is different.... The entire school believes she had an affair with her art teacher. The rumors may be a lie, but the fallout is all too real. Will Tola finally stand up for the truth?

I am very excited for this book! I've seen the beautiful around the web for a while and just found a summary of it--it looks great! Laura Ruby's third book for teens will be released on October 6th.

Prism by Faye Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman

2009-08-20T17:06:00.001-05:00

Kaida Hutchenson isn't exactly psyched for the class trip to Carlsbad Caverns. Fourteen hours in a van with preppy jock Zeke Anderson and high school loner Joy Tallon? No, thank you. But when a tragic and explosive accident turns the journey into a nightmare, Kaida would give anything to be back on the road. Stumbling at midnight through the unforgiving desert, Kaida, Zeke, and Joy take refuge in an abandoned cave . . . until the world goes from pitch black to blinding. The next thing Kaida knows, she's back home in California and everything is just as it was. Or is it? Increasingly unnerved by the distorted world around her, Kaida starts receiving unexpected help from mysterious people. Soon she must band together with Zeke and Joy in hopes of making it back to the reality she remembers . . . and surviving the one she's fallen into.

Prism is a truly captivating read. The mother/daughter team of Faye and Aliza Kellerman take us to a “slightly alternate universe in which medicine and health care do not exist, and in which sick people are allowed to die without any care.” This aspect of the book was very imaginative and thought-provoking, leading the reader to ponder “what if?” Prism has the perfect blend of action, suspense, chills, and thrills, combined with great characterization and writing. This was a great start for first-timer Aliza Kellerman; I’m sure we’ll be seeing more from her soon.

In My Mailbox (12)

2009-08-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I only got 2 books this week, but they both look fantastic!!

Bought:

Meridian-Amber Kizer
On her sixteenth birthday, Meridian is whisked off to her great-aunt’s home in Revelation, Colorado, where she learns that she is a Fenestra, the half-human, half-angel link between the living and the dead, and must learn to help human souls to the afterlife before the dark forces reach them.

The Weight of Silence-Heather Gudenkauf
It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night. Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler. Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Feathered by Laura Kasischke

2009-08-12T15:07:00.003-05:00

First off, a huge apology to my readers!! I have had a whirlwind of events going on in my life the past few weeks, resulting in my pathetic posting as of late. I promise I am out of my funk and more reviews should be pouring in soon. :)

“Afterward, Terri will tell everyone that, from the beginning, she knew something terrible was going to happen on spring break.” So begins the story of two best friends spending spring break in Cancun, far away from home, with no parental supervision.

Filled with twists, turns, and tension from beginning to end, Feathered is the perfect quick read for a day at the beach. The book is told through alternating chapters by the two main characters, Michelle in third-person present tense, and Anne in first-person past tense. What may be seen as uneven writing blends easily to bring forth two unique voices. Michelle’s chapters show the true emotion of what is going on with her and her friends, while Anne’s chapter’s transport you into a magical realm as she discovers the Mayan world. From the very beginning to the very end, Kasischke delivers a mysterious and eerie tale that will stay with you long after you’ve put down the book.

In My Mailbox (11)

2009-08-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

I got some absolutely amazing books this week and cannot wait to read them!!!

BookMooch:

Scribbler of Dreams-Mary E. Pearson
Despite her family’s long feud with the Crutchfields, seventeen-year-old Kaitlin falls in love with Bram Crutchfield and weaves a tangled web of deception to conceal her identity from him.

Bought:
My Soul To Take- Rachel Vincent
She doesn't see dead people, but… She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Eyes Like Stars-Lisa Mantchev
Where real fairies fly on wires and pirates sail the painted seas, welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Shiver-Maggie Stiefvater
In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who, in his turn, has been watching her with increasing intensity.

Prism (autographed copy)-Faye Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman
Prism takes us to a slightly alternate universe in which medicine and health care do not exist, and in which sick people are allowed to die without any care. Set in New Mexico and California, the novel features three teens who fall through a cave at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico while on a field trip. They are plunged into a frightening parallel universe—seven weeks in the past, in which their "normal" worlds of family and high school remain the same…except for the fact that no medicine exists and when people die in the street they are picked up and disposed of.

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Waiting on Wednesday (17)

2009-07-29T13:21:00.002-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Dreaming Anastasia-Joy Preble

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

This looks really good! I used to be obsessed with the events of the Romanov family and read many books about them. This will make a great addition to the collection! Dreaming Anastasia will be released September 1st.

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

2009-07-28T15:21:00.001-05:00

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.

As most of us know, the issue of polygamist communities is big in the news right now, and this book effectively shows the dangers these cults pose to the children involved. Kyra’s story is complex and filled with emotion. Her interaction with her father, mothers, and siblings is surprisingly heartfelt and functional, with the Prophet causing all the tension. The one aspect of the book that felt forced was Kyra’s relationship with Joshua, a boy she was able to sneak off with each night and spend time with, although the fact that the community members were constantly watched was enforced throughout the book. It all just seemed a little too convenient. Otherwise, everything fell into place perfectly, with the ending leaving me thinking about the characters and hoping that everything would turn out alright.

In My Mailbox (10)

2009-07-26T09:45:00.008-05:00

Here are the three books I got this week:

BookMooch:

Watertales-Alice Hoffman
If you haven't encountered Alice Hoffman's watery fairy tales of modern magic, dive in! Aquamarine The tide brings in something unexpected that will change best friends Claire and Haley's last summer together. Indigo Martha and her friends discover that running to follow a dream is the only way they'll find the true meaning of 'home'.

School Reading:

Their Eyes Were Watching God-Zora Neale Hurst

A drama set in the 1920s, where free-spirited Janie Crawford's search for happiness leads her through several different marriages, challenging the morals of her small town.

Hardball-Chris Matthews

How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Suite Scarlett Winners

2009-07-20T12:38:00.004-05:00

The winners of a paperback copy of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson are:

Sharon
Linna
Jake
Kelli
Jess

Congratulations!! I have sent each of you an email so I can get your mailing information. Please respond ASAP so I can get your books to you! Enjoy the read!

And a big thanks to everyone who entered! It was my first contest and was a lot of fun. I hope to be hosting more in the future. :)

In My Mailbox (9)

2009-07-19T11:59:00.005-05:00

Here are the books I received this week:

BookMooch:
Saving Francesca-Melina Marchetta
Francesca is at the beginning of her second term in Year Eleven at an all boys’ school that has just started accepting girls. She still misses her old friends, and, to make things worse, her mother has had a breakdown and can barely move from her bed. But Francesca had not counted on the fierce loyalty of her new friends, or falling in love, or finding that it’s within her power to bring her family back together.

Bought:
Iodine-Haven Kimmel
Trace Pennington is a senior at the University of the Midwest in Indiana. Living with her dog, Weeds, in an abandoned farmhouse that lacks such basic comforts as heat and a shower, Trace is in her final semester. But once she enters Professor Jacob Matthias’ Archetypal Interpretation of Literature class, she turns her intense focus solely on him, dropping her classes and even abandoning her dog to move in to his place. But as she digs into Jacob’s past to discover why his first marriage ended and what became of his wife, her own past bubbles to the surface, forcing her to face painful memories and truths.

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

P.S. I also want to remind everyone that this is the last day to enter to win a copy of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson.

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris

2009-07-17T13:08:00.002-05:00

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination-Death Valley California-they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back.

Crash Into Me is a heart wrenching look into the minds of four suicidal teens and the road trip that changes their lives. I was never quite sure if the characters would go all the way or not, and didn’t know until the very last page. The novel is told through the eyes of Owen, but the reader gets to know all four characters through series of online chats, top ten lists, and flashbacks, creating a deep connection between reader and character. Albert Borris delivered an excellent debut novel and I am looking forward to more of his great writing.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

2009-07-14T13:58:00.001-05:00

Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude. When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?
This book had everything I love: well-developed, interesting characters, a cute, but not overpowering romance, and most importantly, a suspenseful, mysterious plot. I was also pleased to note that this debut novel swiftly avoided YA book stereotypes and stood easily on its own. I was pleased to discover that readers will be able to learn more about Alexis, as Bad Girls Don’t Die is to be a series. So, pick up this book if you are in need of a good ghost story, it will definitely deliver!

In My Mailbox (8)

2009-07-12T09:57:00.010-05:00

Here's what I got in the last two weeks:

Bookmooch:

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape-Peter Hedges
Gilbert Grape hates his life. At 24, he's still living at home in the boring small town of Endora, Iowa, working a part time job as a clerk in a failing family owned grocery store. His long suffering older sister is always on his case, his young sister likes to pretend he doesn't exist, and his mother hasn't left the house in years. And then there's Arnie, Gilbert's retarded 17 year old brother, whom he loves and yet resents. But things are changing in Endora. As Arnie's milestone 18th birthday approaches, and with it all of the Grapes and a mysterious, unassuming girl who has Gilbert as confused as ever, he might just begin to see his family in a whole new light.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood-Rebecca Wells
The Ya-Yas are the wild circle of girls who swirl around the narrator Siddalee's mama, Vivi, whose vivid voice is "part Scarlett, part Katharine Hepburn, part Tallulah." The Ya-Yas broke the no-booze rule at the cotillion, skinny-dipped their way to jail in the town water tower, disrupted the Shirley Temple look-alike contest, and bonded for life because, as one says, "It's so much fun being a bad girl!" Siddalee must repair her busted relationship with Vivi by reading a half-century's worth of letters and clippings contained in the Ya-Ya Sisterhood's packet of "Divine Secrets." It's a contrived premise, but the secrets are really fun to learn.

Bought:

Bad Girls Don’t Die-Katie Alender
There’s something wrong with anti-social Alexis’ younger sister, Kasey. Not only is she a doll-crazed 13 year old, but sometimes her blue eyes go green, she uses odd, old-fashioned language, and even loses track of chunks of time. Is it just in Alexis’ head, or is her sister possessed?

Crash into Me-Albert Borris
Four suicidal teenagers go on a “celebrity suicide road trip”, visiting the graves of famous people who have killed themselves, with the intention of ending their lives in Death Valley, California.

Killer-Sara Shepard
Rosewood’s four prettiest girls keep a million deadly secrets…and they’ll do anything to make sure they stay buried.

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Waiting on Wednesday (16)

2009-07-08T13:24:00.003-05:00

Break by Hannah Moskowitz

Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. And Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart. Breaking, and then healing, is Jonah's only way to cope with the stresses of home, girls, and the world on his shoulders.

When Jonah's self-destructive spiral accelerates and he hits rock bottom, will he find true strength or surrender to his breaking point?

Hmmm, this sounds like a really depressing, yet interesting book on a touchy subject. I'd like to hear more about it. Break will be released on August 25th.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow (and 100th post!)

2009-07-06T18:07:00.003-05:00

Once again, sorry for the lack of posts and the missing IMM post yesterday; I was out of town and didn't have internet access. Since I only got 2 books last week, I'll just add them onto this week's IMM.

I am proud to say that this is my 100th post! My blog's anniversary is actually coming up soon and I have already decided that my goal for next year is to double the amount of posts. 100 in a year is really not enough. hopefully I'll be able to accomplish that goal.

Now here's my review:

Dru Anderson has been “strange” for as long as she can remember, traveling from town to town with her father to hunt the things that go bump in the night. It’s a weird life, but a good one–until it all explodes in an icy, broken down Dakota town, when a hungry zombie busts through her kitchen door. Alone, terrified, and trapped, Dru’s going to need every inch of her wit and training to stay alive. The monsters have decided to hunt back–and now Dru has to figure out who to trust, who to fight, and when to run. And not incidentally, she has to figure out how she’s going to get out of this alive. And she has to do it by sundown, or it’s all over…

This book was a total supernatural nail biter! It had a little bit of everything: werewolves, zombies, vampires (called suckers), and many others, plus a total b.a. heroine, Dru. Even though Dru was a good protagonist, the book would not have been the same without the character Graves, Dru’s werwulf-bitten friend. His sarcastic and witty personality kept some lightness in an otherwise dark and depressing storyline. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Betrayals and discovering more about the interesting supernatural world that Lili St. Crow has created.

Waiting on Wednesday (Thursday) (15)

2009-07-02T17:19:00.005-05:00

Sorry this is a day late, I guess I just spazzed and forgot! Well, better late then never!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

This looks so freaking good!!! I love weird dystopian sort of books like this. I will definitely pick this book right up when it is released October 6th!

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

2009-07-01T12:17:00.003-05:00

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.

First off, let me say that this book has gotten me out of my non-reading funk. The past few books I’ve read were really basic and predictable, but Suite Scarlett was an extremely unique and character-driven novel. This book had so many things going for it: a fascinating New York hotel setting, complex sibling interactions, a cute but not overwhelming romance, quirky characters, and witty dialogue. I loved the entire Martin family, especially Scarlett and her hilarious aspiring actor brother, Spencer. I am greatly looking forward to spending more time with these characters in the next book in the series, Scarlett Fever, set to be released in February of 2010. So check into the Hopewell now-I know you’ll enjoy your stay!

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith

2009-06-26T12:12:00.001-05:00

Emma Healy has never fit in with the rest of her family. She's grown used to being the only ordinary one among her rather extraordinary parents and siblings. But when she finds a birth certificate for a twin brother she never knew she had, along with a death certificate dated just two days later, she feels like a part of her has been justified in never feeling quite whole. Suddenly it seems important to visit his grave, to set off in search of her missing half. When her next-door neighbor Peter Finnegan -- who has a quiet affinity for maps and a desperate wish to escape their small town -- ends up coming along for the ride, Emma thinks they can't possibly have anything in common. But as they head from upstate New York toward North Carolina, driving a beat-up and technically stolen car and picking up a stray dog along the way, they find themselves learning more and more about each other. Neither is exactly sure what they're looking for, but with each passing mile, each new day of this journey, they seem to be getting much closer to finding it.

You Are Here was a compelling, adventurous read filled with interesting characters that spear-headed an otherwise basic storyline. If it weren’t for Peter and Emma’s unique personalities and the interactions between them, the road trip storyline would have fallen flat. Thanks to that, I was intrigued to keep reading and experience the development of Emma and Peter. Jennifer E. Smith also filled her book with interesting facts, most often brought to light by the map-loving protagonist Peter. All in all, You Are Here is a nice summer read that leaves you with the desire to hop in a car and hit the road.

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

2009-06-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Sixteen-year old Cassie Renfield has seen the mark since forever: a glow around certain people as if a candle were held behind their back. The one time she pointed it out taught her not to do it again, so Cassie has kept quiet, considering its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until the day she watches a man die. Mining her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today. Cassie searches her past, her philosophy lessons, even her new boyfriend for answers, always careful to hide her secret. How does the mark work? Why her? Most importantly, if you know today is someone's last, should you tell?

Aaaahhh! This looks absolutely amazing! This is exactly my kind of book, and I love the simplicity of the cover. The Mark does not yet have a definitive publishing date, but the author's website says early 2010. Can't wait!

Suite Scarlett Giveaway!

2009-06-22T14:51:00.009-05:00

Hello everyone! I was recently asked to host a Suite Scarlett giveaway. I've got five paperback copies of Maureen Johnson's book that the ALA Booklist praised as "an utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue."

INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELEASE:

When Scarlett Martin turns fifteen she is put in charge of the Empire Suite, one of the rooms in her family’s hotel. Enter Mrs. Amberson, an aging C-list starlet who decides to employ Scarlett. Soon, she is taking dictation, running around New York City , and getting caught up in Mrs. Amberson’s crazy adventures. In the midst of it all, Scarlett falls in love–or so she thinks–and it takes Mrs. Amberson to help her see the light.

**CHECK OUT A VIDEO FEATURING THE AUTHOR, Maureen Johnson**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQIQhmpiww

VISIT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.thisispoint.com/

All you've got to do is leave a comment on my blog to enter! The contest will run from today until July 20th. Good luck!

In My Mailbox (7)

2009-06-21T17:54:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone, sorry I didn't have this post in earlier, I was at the Cubs Game (which they won, 6-2 against the Indians. Go Cubbies!!). Anyway, here's what I got this week:

BookMooch:

Rape: A Love Story-Joyce Carol Oates

Teena Maguire should not have tried to shortcut her way home that Fourth of July. Not after midnight, not through Rocky Point Park. Not the way she was dressed in a tank top, denim cutoffs, and high-heeled sandals. Not with her twelve-year-old daughter Bethie. Not with packs of local guys running loose on hormones, rage, and alcohol. A victim of gang rape, left for dead in the park boathouse, the once vivacious Teena can now only regret that she has survived.

Heart-shaped Box-Joe Hill

Middle-aged rock star Judas Coyne collects morbid curios for fun, so doesn't think twice about buying a suit advertised at an online auction site as haunted by its dead owner's ghost. Only after it arrives does Judas discover that the suit belonged to Craddock McDermott, the stepfather of one of Coyne's discarded groupies, and that the old man's ghost is a malignant spirit determined to kill Judas in revenge for his stepdaughter's suicide.

Bought:
Bloodline-Kate Cary

In this story told through journal entries, letters, and other primary sources, a British soldier during WWI makes the horrifying discovery that his regiment commander is descended from Count Dracula.

Gift:
You Are Here-Jennifer E. Smith

Sixteen-year old Emma Healy has never fit in with the rest of her family, so when she discovers that she had a twin brother who died shortly after they were born, she takes off on an impulsive road trip to discover who she really is.

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

2009-06-19T13:16:00.001-05:00

Left on her own when her family is lost in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by loss and by the past. Struggling to survive physically and emotionally in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also begins to destroy herself, erasing the girl she’d once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story.

From the moment I laid eyes on the cover of this book, I knew I would love it. I read and loved another of Hoffman’s books, The Foretelling, a few years ago and Green Angel was just as good. I have always been a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction and this book was filled with just the right amount of haunting and stark images of loss and beautiful glimpses of hope. I love books that can hold their own with little to no dialogue; Green Angel is a perfect example of a book like that. Short and achingly sweet, Alice Hoffman’s little 116 page book is extremely fulfilling and a joy to read.

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

2009-06-17T12:17:00.003-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn’s shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by a tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler. Petra Gregory is Calli’s best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra or Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered.
Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.

Oohhh this looks extremely good! I am so excited for this book! I will definitely pick it up the moment it is released on July 28th.

In My Mailbox (6)

2009-06-14T10:39:00.008-05:00

First off, I want to apologize for my lack of posts. I have had a very event-filled, time-consuming, distracting (in a good way) week! But I did get a bunch of great books.

Won from The Story Siren's contest:

20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

BookMooch:
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Left on her own when her family is lost in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by her present and her past. Struggling to survive in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. When she destroys her feelings, she also destroys herself, erasing the girl she’d once been as she inks ravens and bats onto her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters with a white dog and a mute boy that Green relearns the lessons of love and begins to heal as she tells her story.

Bought:

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate. There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality. Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

2009-06-10T11:33:00.003-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

Charlotte Emerson seems to have the perfect existence. She is enviably beautiful and lives alone in a mansion full of reasures and beautiful clothes, perched atop the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades. But Charlotte has been lonely and dead for almost a century. Now she might get a second chance at life.

I am so excited for this book! Francesca Lia Block always delivers intriguing, incredibly descriptive books. Yay! Pretty Dead will be released on September 22nd.

In My Mailbox (5)

2009-06-07T10:21:00.006-05:00

The past two weeks have been really slow for me. I do have a lot of BookMooch books on the way, but none from this week. I am also currently low on cash and trying not to spend it all at Borders! So, here are the two books I got this week:

From the Author:

The Dark Planet (Atherton, book 3)-Patrick Carman

In the dazzling conclusion to the epic story of Atherton, Patrick Carman takes readers on the most rewarding journey of all, to the perilous realm of The Dark Planet: Earth.When Edgar discovers a way to leave the mysterious satellite world of Atherton, he couldn't have imagined the gloom that awaited him on the dark planet, where the oceans are toxic, the forests are full of mutant monsters, and children toil in darkness, controlled by ruthless maniacs. Max Harding, an orphan of the Silo, the maker of Atherton, and the last hope of a dying world, left this place behind, and now Edgar is determined to complete the mad scientist's spectacular plan, revealing Atherton's true purpose.Edgar's quest to discover Earth's dark secret leads to an out of this world adventure in the final book of the Atherton trilogy.

Pre-ordered, signed copy from author's website:

Behind Every Illusion-Christina Harner

"All creatures born of human parents must be human and therefore must be ordinary." Even the soft-spoken eighteen-year-old Tatiana Lewis wholeheartedly accepts this logic. So when she begins to experience unusual changes, she has no clue where to turn and instead keeps her new abilities a secret. But her best friend and brother, Isaac, sees past her illusions and together they explore the significance of her differences and search out the meaning behind them. Amidst tragedy, unimaginable transformations and an unexpected friendship, Tatiana has to learn to reveal the girl hidden behind her illusions and what it means to face the world in order to preserve not only the forest but her very existence. Behind Every Illusion is the first book in an exciting series about the extraordinary ways the earth has evolved in a desperate attempt to save itself from the destruction caused by humankind.

Hit and Run Lurlene McDaniel

2009-06-05T12:21:00.001-05:00

It was an accident. But when the people involved don’t come forward, doesn’t it become a crime? Four young people whose lives intersect, who never dreamed of hurting each other. Each makes choices that cannot be changed. Each needs to take the consequences of those choices, to find love, to face reality, and to go on.

Lurlene McDaniel’s hard-hitting, heart-wrenching novel tells the story of the events surrounding the hit and run accident of high school student Analise, including how her boyfriend Jeremy copes as well as Laurie and Quin who wonder if what they hit was a deer…or a person. Hit and Run was extremely well-written and engaging, propelling the reader to keep turning the pages and see if the truth is discovered. My favorite parts where when Analise was narrating as she was caught between life and death. This was a moving, beautiful novel that has compelled me to seek out more of McDaniel’s work.

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

2009-06-03T14:14:00.003-05:00

mY Generation: A Real Journey of Change and Hope by Josh Riebock

Y is the generation of tattoos, cell phones, social networking, and iPods. It is the generation of authenticity, social justice, racial diversity, and community. But it is also the generation of broken homes, school shootings, immense performance pressure, loneliness, self-indulgence, and insecurity. Christians have largely failed to bring restoration to this 70 million member group of young people. What are we missing? And what are the consequences if it doesn't change? Foregoing formulas, models, and snappy acronyms (which don't work), Josh James Riebock offers readers a journey deep into the soul of a generation that is slowly being transformed from within. Whether pastors, volunteers, church leaders, friends, or members of generation Y themselves, readers will value this honest and hopeful look at restoring a broken generation with the life-changing power of the Gospel.

I am so excited for this book-Josh Riebock is absolutely amazing! He is an alum of my High School whose mother was the amazing woman who used to run the Bible Department. His sister is a dance instructor at school and his brother-in-law is my History teacher! He has given many sermons at chapel and is always my favorite speaker. He relates to teenagers so well with his very raw and often hilarious stories. Everyone should read this book! It comes out on October 1st.

Here's the link to his website where you can see a book trailer: http://joshriebock.com/

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

2009-06-02T14:29:00.002-05:00

Aprilynne Pike's best-selling debut, Wings, is the first of four books about a seemingly ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

I had really high hopes for this book, as I love all things fairy-like, but was left with mixed feelings. Pike’s take on faerie mythology is interesting, but sadly the reader only gets a peek of the world she has created as the majority of the book is filled with bland character interactions, a stereotypical love triangle, and a very slow pace. Thankfully, halfway through the book, things started to get more interesting: the characters developed more, the action picked up, and my favorite character, Tamani, entered the scene. I was disappointed when the end came just as Laurel started to get some answers regarding her life as a faerie. I the reason I didn’t fall in love with this book was because it was a little young for me. I’ve recently discovered that I need a more mature read to keep my attention. However, since the second half was good, I’ll probably read the next book in the series. Give it a try, it might be up your alley.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2009-05-28T19:25:00.002-05:00

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen. Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

When I posted this book on In My Mailbox, I got tons of comments telling me how amazing Evermore was. Know I understand why. Evermore is filled with fantasy, suspense, and a group of well-rounded characters who properly represent High Schoolers of today. The reader gets to discover the power that Ever possesses and the world she lives in right along with her. The budding romance between Ever and Damen was adorable and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book in the series, called Blue Moon, which comes out July 7th. Fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr will not be disappointed by this enchanting novel.

Waiting On Wednesday (10)

2009-05-27T16:25:00.002-05:00

I'm in a paranormal mood, so my pick this week is...

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH KAYLEE CAVANAUGH
She doesn't see dead people, but...
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...

I can already tell this is going to be a great new series, with the sequel already planned, called My Soul to Save. And isn't the cover gorgeous! August 1st could not come sooner!

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

2009-05-26T16:39:00.001-05:00

Science, spiritualism, history, and romance intertwine in Suzanne Weyn's newest novel. Five sisters and their mother make their way from a spiritualist town in New York to London, becoming acquainted with journalist W. T. Stead, scientist Nikola Tesla, and industrialist John Jacob Astor. When they all find themselves on the Titanic, one of Tesla's inventions dooms them...and one could save them.

Wow, what an interesting, unique book. I loved the majority of the characters, especially the sisters, which is quite unusual. The spiritualism element was interesting, and ended up playing a large role throughout the entire book. I also loved the element of history that was weaved throughout. The reader is introduced to so many historical figures including Nikola Tesla, John Jacob Astor, W.T. Stead, Harry Houdini, the Fox sisters, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as many people associated with the Titanic, like the Unsinkable Molly Brown. What was a little annoying was that the book was labeled as a novel of the Titanic, when really the Titanic doesn’t play a role until about two thirds of the way through the book. The ending has a bit of a love it or hate it vibe, but I overall I was pleased with the read. Give it a try-you’ll have fun and learn something.

One Lovely Blog Award!

2009-05-25T13:26:00.005-05:00

I received the One Lovely Blog Award by the amazing Velvet of vvb32 reads! The rules regarding this award are as follows:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.

3) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I am going to nominate:

1. Dahlia of Dahlia's Eclectic Mind

2. Norah of My Bubbles of Nothing

3. Race of Creare

4. Books Make Great Lovers

5. Lauren of Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

6. Nicole of WORD for Teens

7. Amanda of That Teen Can Blog

8. RR 1 and 2 of Reader Rabbit

9. Steph of Reviewer X

10. Kelsey of Reading Keeps You Sane

11. Laina of Laina Has Too Much Spare Time

12. The Book Muncher

13. Steven of Pop Culture Junkie

14. Crackin' Spines and Takin' Names

15. Chelsea of The Page Flipper

Thanks again Velvet and congrats to the other blogs!

P.S. Watch for my review of Distant Waves coming up tomorrow!

In My Mailbox (4)

2009-05-24T17:23:00.008-05:00

Hello all! Here are the books I received this week:

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Bought:
Evermore by Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste… Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen is equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

BookMooch:

The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker

Leeann's older sister Mary Beth has a gift. She is a "song reader." She doesn't read palms or tarot cards; she reads people's secrets and desires from the songs they can't get out of their minds. But as Leeann soon learns, every gift has its price.

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

It wasn't that she didn't love her children. She did. But there was a fortune at stake--a fortune that would assure their later happiness if she could keep the children a secret from her dying father. So she and her mother hid her darlings away in an unused attic. Just for a little while.
But the brutal days swelled into agonizing years. Now Cathy, Chris, and the twins wait in their cramped and helpless world, stirred by adult dreams, adult desires, served a meager sustenance by an angry, superstitious grandmother who knows that the Devil works in dark and devious ways. Sometimes he sends children to do his work--children who--one by one--must be destroyed....

I have a feeling Flowers in the Attic is going to be right up my alley!

Being Dead by Jim Crace

2009-05-23T15:55:00.002-05:00

As I am currently in the middle of a mental breakdown revolving my Junior English speech (9 minute long final worth 20% of our grade!) I am going to use Otto Penzler's great review of Jim Crace's remarkable novel.

It begins with a murder. Celice and Joseph, in their mid-50s and married for more than 30 years, are returning to the seacoast where they met as students. They are reliving their first amorous encounter in the sand dunes when they are set upon by the murderer who beats them to death with a rock and steals their watches, their jewelry, and even their meager lunch. From that moment forward, this remarkably written book by Jim Crace becomes less about murder and more about death. Alternating chapters move back in time from the murder in hourly and two-hourly increments. As the narrative moves backward, we see Celice and Joseph make the small decisions about their day that will lead them inexorably towards their own deaths. Eventually we learn about their first meeting, and that this is not the first time tragedy has struck them in this idyllic setting.
In other chapters the narrative moves forward. Celice and Joseph are on vacation and nobody misses them until they do not return. Thus, it is six days before their bodies are found. Crace describes in minute detail their gradual return to the land with the help of crabs, birds, and the numerous insects that attack the body and gently and not so gently prepare it for the dust-to-dust phase of death. Celice and Joseph would have been delighted with the description: she was a zoologist and he was an oceanographer, and they spent their lives with their eyes to the microscope, observing the phenomena of life and death. Some readers might find this gruesome, but the facts of death are told in such glorious prose that these descriptions in no way detract from the enjoyment of the book.
After her parents do not return home, their daughter, Syl, must search the morgues and follow up John and Jane Doe reports until she is finally asked to make an identification of the remains in the dunes. We then discover that the reader has had a more intimate relationship with them in death than Syl ever had with them in life. This small gem of a book, not really a mystery in the usual sense, will stay with you long after you finish.

The Poison Apples by Lily Archer

2009-05-20T16:21:00.002-05:00

We all know the stories of Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. But have you ever heard of Alice Bingley-Beckerman, Reena Paruchuri, or Molly Miller? Of course you haven’t. Not yet. What these girls have in common with their fairy tale sisters is this: they are the stepdaughters of three very evil stepmothers. And they’re not happy about it. They think they are alone in their unhappiness until they arrive at Putnam Mount McKinsey, a posh boarding school located in lovely rural Massachusetts. Here is where they will plot their revenge. But first they have to meet.

I’ve got some mixed feelings about this book. The cover and summary of this book sounded intriguing, but I was disappointed to find it a mediocre read in my opinion. The first few chapters were great, when the characters and their evil stepmothers were introduced-character development was one of the successes of this novel. But once the girls arrived at their boarding school, things started to go sour. First off, it took them a while to find each other and actually form “The Poison Apples”. They spent too much time crushing over boys (and falling in love way too quickly) and teachers (I am so sick of the student-crushes-on-teacher scenario!). What was most annoying was that when the girls finally hunkered down to “cast their spell” on their stepmothers, the book was almost over, and their “spells” were extremely half-hearted. Those women were horrible and needed to be taught a lesson! The Poison Apples ended with barely any resolution, and it was difficult to tell if a sequel is in the making. If there is, hopefully it will bring some of the “oomph” that was missing from the first book.

P.S. I do want to give props to the cover artist. That cover is sweet!

In My Mailbox (3)

2009-05-18T15:48:00.010-05:00

Wow, the week went so fast! But I was able to get a few new books to share with all of you:

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie)

Bought from B&N:

Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

When the character actors at Disney World go on strike, the teens hired as replacements learn that it isnt exactly the Happiest Place on Earth. Ella gets to be Cinderella, simply because the shoe fits. It should be a dream come true, but Ella no longer believes in dreams. Luke is a fur character, Dale the chipmunk. Chip is played by his girlfriend, Cassie, who is perfect in every way. Why, then, does Luke find himself more drawn to imperfect things like the theme parks Phantom? A team-building scavenger hunt brings Luke and Ella together. As they uncover the Magic Kingdoms treasures, they discover an undeniable magic between them.

A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell

Cora is dealing with the death of her older brother, Nate. Surviving in a small town while trying to unravel who her brother really was, she dreams of distant places she might one day visit. Her passion is to draw beautiful enhanced maps. When Cora begins to relate to Damian, the boy who survived her brother's car crash, she finds truth, friendship, and her own way through her world.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.

BookMooch:

The Last Plague by Glen E. Page

A young girl is brought into Dr. Douglas Hunter's ER one night with her abdomen ripped open. One of her ovaries has been stolen; the other is as hard and black as coal. When the bodies of more young girls are discovered, their ovaries also missing, Dr. Hunter and his family of adopted misfits find themselves unwittingly drawn into a dark plot of government intrigue and biblical prophecy. As more secrets come to light, Dr. Hunter realizes his family may be facing the last plague, the beginnings of the Apocalypse.

Being Dead-Jim Crace

A haunting novel about a couple caught and killed in flagrante delicto -- how they got there, and what happens before they're found.

Wide variety, huh? Should be interesting!

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

2009-05-16T17:02:00.002-05:00

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.
One word: Spectacular! Even better than its prequel, The Awakening is filled with action, drama, supernatural twists, and characters you absolutely love! I also loved the aspect of the characters being on the run, hopping from place to place, trying to avoid the bad guys while continuing to discover more about themselves and their powers. What I had looked forward to most in this book was the development of Chloe and Derek’s relationship-and I wasn’t disappointed! Although they are not exactly where I want them to be, hopefully they’ll get there in the next book—yes, there will be another! Not sure of the specifics yet, but I will be keeping my eyes and ears open for info on the next installment of Kelley Armstrong’s amazing series, Darkest Powers. As for right now, go out and buy The Summoning and The Awakening and get caught up in the adventures of Chloe Saunders.

P.S. I did some research and the Darkest Powers series will be a trilogy, ending with The Reckoning, scheduled for a May 1, 2010 release, though it is subject to change. Good news!

Waiting on Wednesday (well...Thursday)

2009-05-14T16:12:00.003-05:00

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the Subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

This looks sooooooo good! My friends and I are obsessed with Subliminal Messaging-it's so weird! And the cover is hot-especially the guy...Candor will be released on September 22nd 2009.

P.S. Ignore the post below, I accidently posted it on the wrong blog, silly me!

Fledgling Photography (3)

2009-05-13T20:27:00.009-05:00

These are some pictures that I used a few months ago for my Great Gatsby project at school. Unless you've read the book, and even if you have, the photos might not make sense, and I'm not gonna repeat my two page paper explaining them to you. Create your own interpretation!

This is my brother, and okay, I'll just say it--the leaves represent the American Dream slowly slipping out of his (Gatsby's) hands.

This is my brother and his friend running rather queerly, but I like it, and the effect from Photoshop.

I love this one of my brother jumping off a swing-sweet, huh?

Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien

2009-05-12T16:55:00.002-05:00

Ann Burden is sixteen and, as far as she knows, the only person left in the world. The nuclear radiation that destroyed the rest of the world has not touched the valley where she lives, and so she has remained, surviving the best she knows how, for the past year. The smoke from a distant campfire shatters Ann’s solitude. Someone else is still alive, and making his way toward the valley: John Loomis, a scientist, protected from the radiation by a “safe-suit”. He asserts his will almost immediately. And as his behavior becomes more and more extreme—finally culminating in violent confrontation—Ann must choose how she will live, in a world unlike any she has known.

This book has been on my “To Read” list for over a year and I was finally able to find a copy on BookMooch. It was definitely worth the points! Robert C. O’Brien’s legendary novel did not disappoint. It was well-written, page-turning, and narrated by a great heroine. I was a bit surprised that the action didn’t start until about ¾ of the way through, but surprisingly the descriptions of how a girl lives all alone in a valley were really interesting and added greatly to the story. The moment John Loomis arrives and ventures into Ann’s house, you know something is up-the hints toward his peculiar intentions propelled me to turn the pages and see if the man could be trusted.

In My Mailbox (2)

2009-05-11T16:33:00.008-05:00

I've gotten a lot of books in the past few days mostly products of birthday money and BookMooch. Here they are:

BookMooch:

The Black Sheep-Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

Fifteen-year-old Kendra, an only child, has grown up in a sterile and highly controlled Manhattan household. As she sees it, her distant parents, both bankers, are simply grooming her to assume their overprogrammed urban lifestyle. Frustrated, she enters and wins an essay contest that qualifies her to be a costar on a reality show, The Black Sheep, in which she changes places with a West Coast girl from a completely different type of family. The Mulligan household consists of a pair of aging hippies and their six children, one of whom is an attractive boy with a passion for saving threatened sea otters—a cause that Kendra quickly adopts. She discovers that it is difficult to be an amorous activist—and nearly impossible to find your true self—when you're being tailed 24/7 by a camera crew and a pushy producer.

Never Let Me Go-Kazuo Ishiguro

Kathy, Tommy and Ruth are students at Hailsham, a very exclusive, very strange English private school. They are treated well in every respect, but as they grow older they come to realize that there is a secret that haunts their lives: Their teachers regard them with fear and pity, and they don't know why. Once they learn the secret it is already far, far too late for them to save themselves.

Bought:

The Poison Apples-Lily Archer

Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic-Suzanne Weyn

Science, spiritualism, history, and romance intertwine in Suzanne Weyn's newest novel. Four sisters and their mother make their way from a spiritualist town in New York to London, becoming acquainted with journalist W. T. Stead, scientist Nikola Tesla, and industrialist John Jacob Astor. When they all find themselves on the Titanic, one of Tesla's inventions dooms them...and one could save them.

They all look so good! I don't know how I'm going to decide which to read first!

Sisters in Sanity by Gale Forman

2009-05-08T17:15:00.003-05:00

For sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, it's hard to know who she can trust. Convinced she's out of control, her father has sentenced her to Red Rock: a center for supposedly rebellious teens, where the therapy consists of name-calling and the girls who get privileges are the ones who rat out their peers. But then Brit meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie—four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together, they'll hold on to their sanity and their sisterhood despite the bleak Red Rock reality.
I think a good word to describe this book is refreshing…I hadn’t read a book in quite a while that is filled with so much girl power! Gayle Forman’s characters are fresh and interesting, each with their own obstacles to overcome. The upbeat writing and snappy dialogue keep the pages turning, as well as the adorable romance mixed in. At first I noticed similarities to School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer, but it quickly became a novel all its own—much milder and more uplifting, though it does show some of the atrocities of facilities like Red Rock. If you’re looking for a quick read with an interesting setting, kick-a$$ characters, and lots of girl power, then Sisters in Sanity is the book for you!

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-05-06T15:35:00.004-05:00

Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev

All her world's a stage. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. She is not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but has no lines of her own. Until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

I have been patiently awaiting the arrival of this book--it looks absolutely mesmerizing! This is going to be a great summer read for those nice, windy days. Lisa Mantchev's debut novel will be released July 7th.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-05-03T10:02:00.002-05:00

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia’s mother is busy saving other people’s lives. Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia’s head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she’ll disappear altogether.

Absolutely everything about this book is chilling-the setting, the characters, the cover, and Laurie Halse Anderson’s bitter descriptions of a young girl’s descent into the world of anorexia. Daniel Kraus from Amazon stated in his review, “Anderson illuminates a dark but utterly realistic world where every piece of food is just a caloric number, inner voices scream “NO!” with each swallow, and self-worth is too easily gauged: “I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.” Struck-through sentences, incessant repetition, and even blank pages make Lia’s inner turmoil tactile, and gruesome details of her decomposition will test sensitive readers.” His words couldn’t be more true. You could easily make the argument that Wintergirls is a horror story, filled with death, ghosts, and startling prose that will leave you curled up in a blanket feeling the chill radiating off the pages. This book isn’t necessarily one you enjoy, but one that changes the way you look at the people around you, and one that you give to everyone you know.

In My Mailbox

2009-05-02T13:41:00.010-05:00

Yes, I have decided to jump on the IMM train. I had refrained from it before because of how sporadically I received new books, but since I have recently joined BookMooch (absolutely amazing concept, I love it) I find that I am getting more and more books each week. Mind you, my IMM posts will most likely not be on an exact day every week, but more like whenever I have a good bunch I want to show off. I mostly receive books from BookMooch, the library, and bookstores when I have the cash. So, there you have it...

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie)

BookMooch:

Red Sea by Diane Tullson

Libby, 14, is on a yearlong sailing adventure with her mother and stepfather, Duncan. Stuck in Djibouti awaiting favorable seas, she makes her discontent known to everyone, at every turn. She deliberately dilly-dallies on the day of departure, which causes her boat to miss traveling with the flotilla as planned. Sailing through dangerous waters, Libby's family is alone when pirates attack. Duncan is killed, and her mother is badly wounded. The teen is left to her own devices to survive, nurse her mother, and find the right course to safety.

The Creek by Jennifer L. Holm

Caleb Devlin is a legend on Mockingbird Lane, the boy who terrorized an entire town before he got sent away. They say he hurt other kids, tortured animals, set fires, and did things grown-ups speak of only in whispers. But that was all before Penny and her little brother moved here.
Now Caleb's back, older and more dangerous than ever, and terrible things have started happening again. The whole town knows he's responsible, but the police can't do anything without proof. So Penny and her friends have no choice but to try to stop him themselves.
Except now he's after them.

Early Birthday Presents from Norah:

Hit and Run by Lurlene McDaniel

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love— music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind? Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it’s the only one that matters.

I'm uber excited for all of these books! And be expecting a large IMM post to come-my birthdays tomorrow and I'm anticipating quite few small rectangular packages, if you know what I mean! (sorry If I Stay is off to the side, I've tried and can't seem to fix it)

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-29T15:36:00.002-05:00

Lips Touch-Laini Taylor

Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:

Goblin Fruit: In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?

Spicy Little Curses: A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.

Hatchling: Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons?

This books looks fascinating! The cover alone is intriguing, but I also love that its three stories in one, all by the same author. The dark fairytale-esque quality about it is nice as well. Lips Touch will be released on October 1st. Looking forward to it!

The Ruins by Scott Smith

2009-04-22T17:32:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted a review in a while. I've been so caught up in reading the Pretty Little Liars series and just haven't had time to put them down and write! I will probably just do a review of the whole series when I'm done, so I decided to review one of my favorite books for you.

"Do not pick up a copy ... if you have anything else you need to do in the next eight hours or so". Four American tourists vacationing in Cancun make friends with a German traveler and join the hunt for his brother, who has mysteriously vanished after following a new flame to an archeological site. As they venture into the jungle, their day of adventure turns into horror, where both the natives and the jungle are aligned against them, and their own relationships unravel under the strain.
Dark and sinister, The Ruins is a horror must-read, and not just once, but again and again! The third time around I am still enraptured by Scott Smith’s amazing story-telling and word-weaving talent. One of only a few books I have read that places you right in the middle of the setting amongst the characters. The writing is so vivid and real you can feel the tension and panic building, feel the ache of thirst in your throat, the slither of the vine as it moves across your skin, probing its way under your flesh. Keep in mind this book is not for the faint of heart or weak-stomached; the gory descriptions are so lifelike it is as if they are happening in real time. Not only does Smith deliver a thrilling adventure novel, but also delves into the human psyche, uncovering aspects of human nature that we would rather not think about. An instant horror classic, The Ruins (and its accompanying movie) is a story that sticks with you long after reading it.

Supernatural Summer

2009-04-19T18:37:00.002-05:00

Finally! Over at Harperteen.com, they are promoting what is called the Supernatural Summer. There you will be able to connect with 5 authors: Claudia Gray, Melissa Marr, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, and Aprilynne Pike. At the site they've got podcasts, blogs, and as free eBook sampler filled with sneak previews from their books. Not only that, but there will be a five-city author tour the first week of June, and guess what! Melissa Marr, Kim Harrison, and Kelley Armstrong will be at Anderson's bookstore in Naperville, just 20 minutes away! I have never met an author before, not to mention one who has written one of my favorite books (Wicked Lovely). I seriously have never been this excited in my life! If you want to join in my happiness, click on the link and see if there is an author visit near you!

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-15T15:16:00.004-05:00

A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn

Talia fell under a spell . . . . Jack broke the curse.
-I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .
-I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
-I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.
-I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.
-Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
-Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . . The good news: My parents will freak!
-Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

This book looks like a humorous and original modernization of the fairytale Sleeping Beauty. It's nice to see a book characterize the princess as a snob, instead of a "princess". And Jack doesn't seem like your ordinary prince either. A Kiss In Time will be released on April 28th.

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

2009-04-13T17:05:00.001-05:00

The Bell Jar chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: a brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time. Step by step Sylvia Plath takes us with Esther through a painful month in New York as a contest-winning junior editor on a magazine, her increasingly strained relationships with her mother and the boy she dated in college and eventually, devastatingly, into the madness itself. The reader is drawn into her breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies.
Never before have I read a novel quite like this. The Bell Jar is a largely autobiographical work about Sylvia Plath’s own summer of 1953, when she worked as an editor at Mademoiselle magazine and suffered a breakdown. This book was the first of its kind to delve so deeply into the human psyche that it grew to become a harrowing American classic. I found Plath’s writing to be absolutely flawless, filled with gorgeous descriptions of everyday life through Esther’s eyes. Plath’s background as a poet served her well, with the prose flowing effortlessly across the page. The subtle, yet powerful references to the bell jar (which is a piece of laboratory glassware that can be connected to a pump that sucks out the air, creating a vacuum) helped create the image of sanity slowly draining out of Esther’s life. Plath brings together many complex subjects such as social pressures, coming of age, sexuality, and the mentally ill without losing an essence of humanity. The reader isn’t just reading about a woman’s breakdown, but experiencing it as you would watching a bug try and escape from a steep bowl. The character of Esther Greenwood is so well-developed that the reader can easily identify and sympathize with her. I believe that at some point or another, everyone goes through something similar to what happened to Esther/Sylvia in varying degrees. The Bell Jar is a very approachable novel, with its eloquent writing style, short length, and intriguing storyline. This novel and its author deserve the highest praise in regards to a work whose storyline will stand the test of times.

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-04-08T15:25:00.002-05:00

Killer by Sara Shepard

Gossip thrives amid the Mercedes-Benzes, mega mansions, and perfectly manicure hedges in the exclusive town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania. Everyone has something to hide, especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

I tried but couldn't find a synopsis for Killer, so this will have to do. I am currently reading Perfect, the third in the series and am completely in love (I started the series two days ago!) The intriguing mystery mixed in with the chick-lit atmosphere produces a compelling guilty pleasure series. Killer will be released on June 30, 2009. (I've heard there will be 8 books in the series...yay!)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

The Devouring by Simon Holt

2009-04-06T16:54:00.002-05:00

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice. When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

This book gave me chills down to the bone! What I thought would be a tame paranormal novel quickly escalated into a truly horrifying, wonderfully written, instant favorite. I adored the characters, especially Reggie and Alex, who were very deep and connected well with the reader. I literally devoured (yes, pun intended) this book-I couldn’t get enough and if Simon Holt doesn’t write a sequel, I am sending some hate mail ;). Something I actually didn’t notice until the third time I picked up the book was that the word “vour” was in the title of the book, deVOURing-sad, huh! Anyway, if you’re a fan of true horror, you will love this book.

Days after reading it, I still find myself chanting the little Vours rhyme—it’s just so catchy and creepy!
"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

2009-04-03T12:05:00.003-05:00

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever. Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way. As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.
This is my first Rachel Hawthorne read, and unfortunately, probably my last. It seems to me that lots of first-time paranormal authors are having trouble breaking away from the Twilight clichés. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t help comparing. To me, Lucas was like the ugly, dumb-downed version of Edward, and Kayla didn’t have much of a personality. Plus, they fell in love way too fast, even if they were “soul-mates”. The only interesting and original part of the story was that there were humans after the shape-shifters. But all-in-all, unless you have a fetish for werewolves, skip over Moonlight and pick up something a little more redeeming.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-03-26T17:25:00.001-05:00

From her first moment at Merryweather High, Melinda Sordino knows she’s an outcast. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops—a major infraction in high school society—so her old friends won’t talk to her and people she doesn’t know glare at her. She retreats into her head, where the lies and hypocrisies of high school stand in stark relief to her own silence, making her all the more mute. But it’s not so comfortable in her head, either—there’s something banging around in there that she doesn’t want to think about. Try as she might to avoid it, it won’t go away, until there is a painful confrontation. Once that happens, she can’t be silent—she must speak the truth.
One word: GORGEOUS! I can’t believe I have never read this before! Of course I knew the story, who doesn’t? But I wasn’t expecting Speak to well speak to me as much as it did. The heroine Melinda Sordino is a believable, bitter, teenage outcast who represents a little piece of everyone. This novel illustrates the importance of speaking up without sounding preachy, but with Anderson’s flowing, yet gritty writing, the message is received with cheers and tears. It is no wonder that Speak has become an instant classic and been turned into an equally moving movie with a wonderful performance by Kristen Stewart as Melinda. My advice: Read it and then See it. You will not be disappointed.

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

2009-03-21T19:22:00.002-05:00

First off, I just want to say sorry not having updated sooner. Life has been so hectic lately! Now that Spring Break is just a week away, I should be able to get back on track.

Liga lives modestly in her own personal heaven, given to her by natural magic in exchange for her earthly life. Her two daughters, gentle Branza and curious Urdda, grow up in this sof world, protected from the violence, predation, and village prejudice that once harmed their mother. But the real world cannot be denied forever--magicked men and wild bears break down the borders of Liga's refuge. Now, having known heaven, how will these three women survive in a world where beauty and brutality lie side by side?

Lanagan's darkly enchanting first novel is a tale of "journeys and transformations. From girl to witch to woman. From boy to beast to man. From hell to heaven to...reality." I usually read through books farely quickly, but Tender Morsels took me over a week. A slow, steady pace is needed to truly absorb this hardy novel. The story has many plotlines and covers many years, but Lanagan's thick and descriptive prose leaves the reader plodding forward, seeping up the knowledge of the good and bad that is a part of our world. The original diction that is Lanagan's specialty radiates a fairytale-esque quality. With it's mature, and sometimes crude subject matter, Tender Morsels is a book that demands maturity and time enough to fully comprehend it's complexity.

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-03-04T18:19:00.003-06:00

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.
There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality. Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

I can tell that this is going to be a great summer read! And the cover is gorgeous. Is it just me, or does the dude look kind of like Robert Pattinson? Sea Change will be released on June 1, 2009.

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

2009-03-02T15:46:00.002-06:00

I decided to read this book after hearing all the hooplah about the movie-which looked starred one of my favorite actresses Kate Winslet. I am so glad I did! The day after finishing my library copy, I went out and bought a copy of my own. The Reader easily wormed its way into my favorite books list. Since I'm having trouble finding the right words to express just how amazing this book is, I'm going to share R. Ellis's review from Amazon:

"Originally published in Switzerland, and gracefully translated into English by Carol Brown Janeway, The Reader is a brief tale about sex, love, reading, and shame in postwar Germany. Michael Berg is 15 when he begins a long, obsessive affair with Hanna, an enigmatic older woman. He never learns very much about her, and when she disappears one day, he expects never to see her again. But, to his horror, he does. Hanna is a defendant in a trial related to Germany's Nazi past, and it soon becomes clear that she is guilty of an unspeakable crime. As Michael follows the trial, he struggles with an overwhelming question: What should his generation do with its knowledge of the Holocaust? "We should not believe we can comprehend the incomprehensible, we may not compare the incomparable.... Should we only fall silent in revulsion, shame, and guilt? To what purpose?"
The Reader, which won the Boston Book Review's Fisk Fiction Prize, wrestles with many more demons in its few, remarkably lucid pages. What does it mean to love those people--parents, grandparents, even lovers--who committed the worst atrocities the world has ever known? And is any atonement possible through literature? Schlink's prose is clean and pared down, stripped of unnecessary imagery, dialogue, and excess in any form. What remains is an austerely beautiful narrative of the attempt to breach the gap between Germany's pre- and postwar generations, between the guilty and the innocent, and between words and silence."

Woman in the Wall by Patrice Kindl

2009-02-26T20:54:00.002-06:00

Anna is more than shy. She is nearly invisible. Most of the time her mother and sisters don’t see, hear, or pay attention to her. At seven, terrified of the prospect of school, Anna retreats within their enormous Victorian house, and builds a house of her own: passageways and hidden rooms become her world. As the years go by, her family forgets she ever existed. Then a mysterious note is thrust into a crack in the wall, and Anna must decide whether or not to come out of hiding. Her life may seem like a fantasy—but there is nothing more real.
Very rarely have I come across a book that leaves me with such mixed feelings. The premise of Woman in the Wall intrigued me the moment I read about it. How Anna felt and acted in the first half of the book was me at that age. If I had had a house like Anna’s, a family like hers, and her mad carpentry skills, I would have become the Woman in the Wall. I loved the first half of the book-the not-quite-reality of it, as Anna became one with the house and her existence became a myth to her family. But the second half felt like a completely different book. Anna’s immersion back into the real world was unsatisfying, too quick, and unrealistic. I have had social and anxiety problems my whole life and they are not something that goes away with the blink of an eye. Personally, I would have preferred if Anna had stayed in the walls of the house, fading away with the house itself, her existence becoming more and more of a mystery. It would have been a much more fitting end in my opinion. I would still recommend reading the whole book just to experience the beginning and Kindl’s beautiful writing.

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

2009-02-24T13:12:00.003-06:00

What happens in Paris... Secrets--PJ's deep blue eyes and angelic long blond hair conceal a truth that's anything but. Will her dark past stay where it belongs in the backwoods of Vermont, or haunt her in the city of light? Passion--Always the good girl, Olivia plans to twirl her way to the top of the Parisian ballet scene. But that's not supposed to include dancing on a table all night...or stumbling into the arms of the wrong boy. Lies--With his emo-trendy bedhead, hilarious comebacks and Southern drawl, Zack could win over anyone. Too bad he's after the only one who's forbidden... Scandal--All Alex wants from Paris is to nab that berry-red Dior coat and seduce the perfect penny-loafer-wearing boy - and Alex always gets what she wants. But will her scheming pay off? Or is she risking more than she knows...? Alex, Olivia, Zack and PJ are spending a year at the prestigious Lycée de Monceau in the sparkling city of Paris. This is their chance to sip cafe au lait in Le Marais, throw secret parties in their host families' Versailles-size apartments, and have the time of their lives. But when the secrets they thought they left behind come out, everything could be ruined...
Never has Paris sounded so alluring! Lucy Silag does an amazing job bringing the city of lights to life—incorporating the language and culture into her descriptive writing. By adding the tang of mystery to each character, Silag allows her book to move beyond chick-lit, into a broader audience. I found that the characters were either you love them or you hate them. I loved the layers PJ and the snarkiness Zack, but found Olivia extremely whiny and Alex just a spoiled brat. What really kept me reading was the need to discover the characters’ secrets, which for some cases weren’t revealed until the very end, leaving an open invitation for a series. Beautiful Americans ends at Christmastime, with still half the year left, and I’m sure plenty of drama still left to unravel.

P.S. I'm at school, so I can't add my signature...:(

Angel Blood by John Singleton

2009-02-20T10:38:00.003-06:00

There are only four of us left, Chicken Angel, Lights Out, Cough Cough, and me. I’m X-Ray. The nurses call this place the Bin. We have to get out. We have to run away before they hurt us for good. But there's no escaping Dr Dearly and his brutality - is there? Four extraordinary children face a terrifying ordeal. Their only hope is local hard-case Nail - but has he got what it takes to save them?

Wow…totally at a loss for words right now. This book has such a simple premise-four children in a sanitarium who each have some sort of abnormality (growths on their back, no eyes, photosensitive skin), but is so innovative and stunning. The reader is slowly introduced to the horrors of the children’s surroundings and cheers them on as they escape. Because the kids have grown up in this environment, they don’t understand the real world, and have developed their own sort of language. At first the lingo was hard to comprehend, but it soon added so much originality to the story that I loved reading it. Singleton managed to write a scary, thrilling, heart-wrenching, and at times humorous tale that leaves the reader breathless and moved. Angel Blood is a hauntingly beautiful tale worth every penny.

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

2009-02-15T12:37:00.003-06:00

Scarlett Wakefield has two wishes: one, to grow breasts, and the other to kiss Dan McAndrew. It's not too long before both her wishes come true, but the second wish leads to something completely unexpected: Dan McAndrew suffocates to death in her arms. To escape the gossip at her posh private school, St. Tabby’s, Scarlett transfers to Wakefield, the school her grandmother founded in the English countryside, where she can start over. But then an anonymous note appears on her desk that will set her on a path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.
The premise of Kiss Me Kill Me drew me in the moment I saw the cover. The mystery surrounding Dan’s death was intriguing and original. Although the beginning and end were fast-paced and interesting, the middle dragged a bit, but the original plot and descriptive writing kept the flow going. I kept waiting for Scarlett to discover how Dan died and who was at fault. The conclusion tied up a few loose ends, but not all. Thankfully, the sequel, Kisses and Lies is available now in hardcover. I will hopefully be reading it soon.

Waiting On Wednesday

2009-02-11T19:14:00.002-06:00

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris

This book looks so freaking good! And the cover is sweet! Basically any book with a road trip involved is going to be great. Albert Borris' novel will be released on July 21, 2009. Much too long to wait in my opinion.

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

My Bookshelves

2009-02-09T15:51:00.013-06:00

I was very interested by Hope's post that showed her bookshelves (which originated at Taren's blog). I love seeing the books other people own--basically I love snooping! I've got 5 bookshelves in my room and am almost out of space. To make this a little more interesting, I'm going to state my favorite book from each shelf.

First pic is of my oldest bookshelf with my books from when I was younger. My favorite book on the top shelf is Fever 1793, I've read it probably 10 times. Favorite on bottom is...don't laugh...The Doll People. I used to be completely obsessed with dolls, so a book about dolls coming to life was amazing to me.

Here's my next shelf--probably my favorite of all. Top shelf favorite is Wicked Lovely, bottome is Desert Crossing. This next bookcase has books on only the bottom shelf, but I'm thinking I might have to clear out the others. Favorite book there is a toss up between Project 17 and A Certain Slant of Light.

Here is the fourth shelf. Favorites here are Garden Spells on top and The Missing Girl on the bottom. Last but not least, my final one and a half shelves. Top shelf fav is Hunger Games, bottom is Shelter Me.

My next two pics are books I have yet to read, so instead of my favorites, I'll tell you the ones I'm most excited to read: Bones of Faerie and I Capture the Castle.

Well, that was surprisingly fun! I hope you enjoyed my bookshelves--I definitely enjoyed revisiting all my books. Happy Reading!

My New Blog!

2009-02-02T18:08:00.002-06:00

Bonjour! I just wanted to let you all know that I have started another blog called Musing of a Fledgling Writer--basically a blog of my random thoughts, insights, comments on today's culture, movies, books, etc. I plan to have a lot of fun with this one. So please head on over, check it out, and leave a comment! I'll update as often as I can. Thanks guys, and I promise to have a review of all 3 Gemma Doyle books by Libba Bray coming up in the next few days.

Waiting On Wednesday

2009-01-28T17:22:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone! I hope you all have had a great week. Mine has been pretty hectic and I've been in a bit of a reading slump, sadly. To lift my spirits, I've looked to the future at what great books await me. Here's my pick for this week:

Pure by Terra Elan McVoy

Tabitha and her four best friends all wear Purity Rings, symbols of the virginity-until-marriage pledge they made as tweens. Now the girls are fifteen, and their rings have come to symbolize not only their purity, but also the friendships and identities they've built based on their shared faith. Simmering tensions rise to the surface and the group is split apart when one of Tab's friends admits that she and her long-term boyfriend have broken the pledge. In the midst of the confrontations, betrayals, confessions, and revenge that follow, each girl is forced to reexamine her friendships, her faith, and what exactly it means to be pure.

Saving yourself for marriage is something I feel very strongly about, so I am excited to read this book and see how the girls work through it, seeing as it is an issue lots of girls find hard to deal with. Pure is to be released on April 7th 2009.

School For Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer

2009-01-23T15:56:00.002-06:00

Angela's parents think she's on the road to ruin because she's dating a "bad boy." After her behavior gets too much for them, they ship her off to Hidden Oak. Isolated and isolating, Hidden Oak promises to rehabilitate "dangerous girls." But as Angela gets drawn in further and further, she discovers that recovery is only on the agenda for the "better" girls. The other girls -- designated as "the purple thread" -- will instead be manipulated to become more and more dangerous . . . and more and more reliant on Hidden Oak's care.
Since I am of few words right now and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my friends for our Heath Ledger Movie Marathon, I’m gonna make this short and sweet. Eliot Shrefer creates a dark, disturbing, and guiltily fascinating atmosphere in School For Dangerous Girls. This is not a wimpy, reform school--this is hardcore torturous rehab. Well-written and intriguing, this book is a must-read for lovers of a dark and Gothic read and an action-packed plot.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

2009-01-18T10:16:00.002-06:00

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
Leaving Paradise is a book filled with raw emotion, great dialogue, and a high-school atmosphere that hits the spot. Told in alternating chapters, the author reveals how the characters of Caleb and Maggie struggle through the aftermath of the accident, and the consequences for each. Unfortunately, a wonderful book is cut short by a disappointing ending that leaves readers yearning for more. But I guess that’s reality—not all love stories have a happy ending.

Waiting On Wednesday

2009-01-14T15:02:00.004-06:00

I've seen this feature on some of my favorite blogs, so I've decided to add it to mine. So here we go: My pick this week is

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

With a past too terrible to speak of, and a bleak, lonely future ahead of her, Aerin Renning is shocked to find she has earned a place at the most exclusive school in the universe. Aerin excels at Academy 7 in all but debate, where Dane Madousin—son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance— consistently outtalks her. Fortunately Aerin consistently outwits him at sparring. They are at the top of their class until Dane jeopardizes everything and Aerin is unintentionally dragged down with him. When the pair is given a joint punishment, an unexpected friendship—and romance—begins to form. But Dane and Aerin both harbor dangerous secrets, and the two are linked in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. . . .

This looks like just my type of book: an exclusive boarding school, dangerous secrets, and a sizzling romance! Can't wait for its release on May 14th 2009

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Getting in Tune by Roger Trott

2009-01-09T16:21:00.003-06:00

It’s the fall of 1976, and 20-year-old guitarist Daniel Travers’s life is a mess. His band, the Killjoys, is essentially going nowhere; the pills he’s popping are making him crazy; and the voices banging around his head have him convinced that he’s a bleedin’ quadropheniac. On top of everything, what he calls the Real Me, his true self, has disappeared—and he’s lost without it. Then the phone rings, a new agent offering a weeklong gig at the exotic Mai Tai Hotel, in Puente Harbor, Washington. Told by the agent that Jimi Hendrix and Heart started out at the Mai Tai, Daniel sees the gig as his best chance to get the Killjoys on the road to success—and also to ditch his own troubles. Getting in Tune is a novel that captures the fire of the rock ‘n’ roll dream as well as the dream that music can transcend chaos, that it can bring perfection to our daily mess. And for Daniel, it’s about finding—as his unlikely guru, the Who’s Pete Townshend, whispers to him—the Universal Chord, the perfect set of notes that blesses life with essential harmony. A book full of the low grit of small-club rock ‘n’ roll and the high spirit that the music soars upon, Getting in Tune captures the fire of the rock ’n’ roll dream as well as the tantalizing notion that music can transcend chaos, that it can bring perfection to our messy lives.
Meghan Harvey says that Getting in Tune “is one of those music books that are about as necessary to any book collection as Houses of The Holy is to any album collection”. This book definitely is a music lover’s must read. Although I must admit I’m definitely not a guru when it comes to rock and roll, Roger Trott’s insight into the subject was fascinating to read. I, along with the main character, Daniel, have a great love of music and use it to get us through hard times. Trott’s writing was simple and concise, showing what it’s really like to be in a band, clearly written from personal experience. If you love rock and roll and a great read, then Getting in Tune is the book for you.

P.S. I know you all love my awesome new signature! To get your own, go to http://mylivesignature.com/

Shelter Me by Alex McAulay

2009-01-07T16:30:00.003-06:00

Maggie Leigh just wants to be a normal teenager, but when German bombs tear apart London during World War II, her ultra-religious mother sees the destruction as divine punishment. She sends Maggie to a remote boarding school in coastal Wales, supposedly to keep her safe, but also to keep her in line. The school is creepy, the headmistress is a lunatic, and the students range from spoiled rich girls to speechless trauma victims. But when a tragic accident happens on the beach, Maggie and three friends are forced to flee the school, plunging into the nightmarish world of Europe during wartime. Now every decision Maggie makes is fraught with danger, and living to see another day depends on how quickly she can think and act...and how far she's willing to go.
So far, Shelter Me is the best of Alex McAulay’s work. This dark, thrilling story is set in one of the most nightmarish times in history: World War II. The character of Maggie is a fierce, complex heroine-who happens to have the best name in the world ;). The novels breakneck-paced propelled me through the pages and the twist at the end nearly knocked me off my chair. I’m out of words at the moment, but believe me when I say that it’s awesome and that you should go and read it…that means now!

The Dead Walk Diaries: Night by Joe Young

2009-01-04T16:44:00.001-06:00

The world changed forever in the course of one night, the first night of the zombie epidemic. A countless number of people were killed only to rise again as the walking dead. This collection of diaries are the first-hand accounts from people that witnessed what happened and describe in their own words what they experienced. Gathered from handwritten journals, reports, notes, audio and video recordings, the Dead Walk Diaries paints a vivid picture of the horror, atrocities, and chaos that occurred the first night the dead walked and attacked the living.
This is the first zombie book I’ve ever read—and it was definitely interesting. I loved Joe Young’s concept of using different methods of writing to portray a variety of very realistic characters’ events over the course of the night. Although each diary offers a unique perspective, describing each characters specific ordeal, the stories overlap and interlace to bring forth a cohesive reading experience. As a warning to readers, The Dead Night Diaries is full of blood and gore, as is expected in a zombie epic. It is not for the weak-stomached or faint-hearted. My only complaint is that the novel is very short, really just a tasting of the zombie genre. I would have enjoyed learning even more about the epidemic. I am not sure if this is to be a series, but I will be on the lookout for more by Joe Young.

Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

2008-12-30T11:49:00.002-06:00

Lost and alone...down the rabbit hole. Years have passed since Alice lost her mother to cancer, but time hasn't quite healed the wound. Alice copes the best she can by writing her music, losing herself in her love for her boyfriend, and distancing herself from her father and his new wife. But when a deadly snowstorm traps Alice with her stepmother and newborn half sister, she'll face issues she's been avoiding for too long. As Alice looks to the heavens for guidance, she discovers something wonderful. Perhaps she's not so alone after all....
Loved it! I read this book in one sitting, unable to pry away from Lisa Schroeder’s simple, yet elegant writing. It’s amazing how much emotion can be displayed with so little words and with absolutely no “fluff” added. The pages seemed to turn themselves as I got lost in Alice’s struggle and the mounting tension between her and her family. The beautiful language of the tale will stick with you long after it is done. I am very much looking forward to reading Schroeder’s previous work, I Heart You, You Haunt Me. From what I’ve heard, it will be just as refreshing.

Bonechiller by Graham Mcnamee

2008-12-29T12:02:00.001-06:00

Danny’s dad takes a job as caretaker at a marina on the shore of a vast, frozen lake in Harvest Cove, a tiny town tucked away in Canada’s Big Empty. If you’re looking for somewhere to hide, this is it. It’s the worst winter in years. One night, running in the dark, Danny is attacked by a creature so strange and terrifying he tries to convince himself he was hallucinating. Then he learns about Native American legends of a monster that’s haunted the lake for a thousand years. And that every generation, in the coldest winters, kids have disappeared into the night. People think they ran away. Danny knows better. Because now the beast is after him.
I had high prospects for Bonechiller, but sadly, it left me out in the cold for the first half. Although I loved the characters and their development was great, the action sequences were riddled with too much description and not enough “oomph”. But I decided to keep going and thankfully, the second half of the book was fast-paced and chilling. So, if you’re willing to drudge through pages upon pages of icy, sludgy, chilly descriptions of Canada, then you’re in for a treat when you reach halfway! Give it a try, maybe it’ll rub you a better way.

Grief Girl by Erin Vincent

2008-12-27T13:07:00.002-06:00

It’s just another October day until Erin Vincent’s parents are hit by a speeding tow truck. Mom dies instantly. Dad dies one month later after doctors assure Erin that he’s going to make it. Erin and her teenaged sister, Tracy, are left to raise their baby brother, Trent—and each other. Their beloved uncles blow what little money they had, family “friends” disappoint, kids at school are jealous, and their grandparents threaten to take Trent away from them. This is Erin’s story.
“This is a gripping memoir of the aftermath of their deaths. Although her loss took place more than 20 years ago in Australia, her use of the present tense and a wholly authentic adolescent voice lend her retelling palpable immediacy. Gritty language, a swift pace, and glimpses of humor amid tragedy make this a page-turner. The author captivatingly portrays her journey through the stages of grief, which she aptly points out take place in no discernible order. Perhaps most poignant is the heartbreaking post-funeral abandonment of her and her siblings by adult friends and relatives. Teens will sympathize with her 18-year-old sister's anger at the crushing responsibility of parenting her younger siblings. At the same time, the author's own feelings of rejection, abandonment, and self-blame will resonate with many readers. Recommend this book to those who have experienced loss, or want to understand what a friend might be going through, as well as to teens looking for an absorbing read” (review by Rebecca M. Jones). A quick, powerful read, Grief Girl should not be missed.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T12:34:00.008-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are all having a great day celebrating the birth of our Savior. I just got back from my grandma's and she got me the best present ever: a stack of BOOKS!
These books are:

Bog Child-Siobhan Dowd
Set in Stone-Linda Newbery
The Knife of Never Letting Go-Patrick Ness
The Explosionist-Jenny Davidson
Creepers-Joanne Dahme
Vidalia in Paris-Sasha Watson
Bonechiller-Graham Mcnamee
Tender Morsels-Margo Lanagan
Grief Girl-Erin Vincent
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden-Joanne Greenberg

I'm so excited to read and review these-now I just need to decide which one to start with!

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

2008-12-21T14:08:00.001-06:00

Someone was looking at me, a disturbing sensation if you’re dead. In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen—terrified but intrigued—is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.
Once again, an encore reading of one of my favorite books in the world. This book should get an award for best first sentence of a novel. The moment I read it, I was hooked. Laura Whitcomb’s tale of ghosts is unlike any I’ve ever read-and is by far the best. Richie Partington stated it perfectly when he said, “Alternating between sensual, gritty, dark, delightful, and frightening; between atmospheric fantasy and down-and dirty contemporary YA realism, A Certain Slant of Light is absolutely awash in literary quality and an award winner waiting to happen.” The characters of the ghosts James and Helen, and the teenagers they possess, Billy and Jenny, are ripe and overflowing with merit. I cannot wait for Whitcomb’s next novel, The Fetch, arriving February 2nd 2009. I am certain it will be just as amazing as her debut, A Certain Slant of Light.

Oblivion Road by Alex MacAulay

2008-12-17T13:09:00.002-06:00

This is actually the second time I’ve read this book, but I decided to pull it off the shelves again because the weather here in good old Chicago land is pretty similar to the setting of Alex MacAulay’s third book.
Courtney Stanton thinks she's on just another ski trip with her friends -- until a horrific car accident strands them all on an isolated Colorado road during a blizzard. Frightened but alive, Courtney and her companions discover an abandoned vehicle nearby, and seek help. But the vehicle turns out to be a prison van, with the inmates missing, and the guard's dead body in the front seat. Soon after, a stumbling figure emerges from the snow, a handcuffed refugee from the van. He says he's been in prison for selling meth, but that he once served in the army. Dare they trust him? He pleads innocence about the guard's murder, warns them about the other fugitives, and promises he will help guide them out of the wilderness. But as the group begins a nightmare trek across the frozen landscape, they start to get the feeling he hasn't told them the entire truth, and someone -- or something -- is secretly watching their every move.

Survival stories have always been a favorite of mine, so I was so glad when I discovered MacAulay’s writing and his specialty of being stranded and having to survive. The suspense and non-stop action keep you on the edge of your seat. Although the writing can seem a bit amateurish at times, the ingenious plot and suspense make up for it. I could feel the characters pain as they battled dehydration, hypothermia, hungry wolves, and convicted killers. Overall, Oblivion Road is another hit from MacAulay, and a great read for those cold winter days. So grab a warm blanket and some hot chocolate and be thankful you’re safe and sound in your house while reading this book!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2008-12-13T14:57:00.003-06:00

Since I've got some major Christmas wrapping to do, I'm going to turn the review of this marvelous book over to Judy Lind, whose review of Amazon exemplifies everything I would want to say.
"The Road is a work of stunning, savage, heartbreaking beauty. Set in the post-apocalyptic hell of an unending nuclear winter, Cormac McCarthy writes about a nameless man and his young son, wandering through a world gone crazy; bleak, cold, dark, where the snow falls down gray; moving south toward the coast, looking somewhere, anywhere, for life and warmth. Nothing grows in this blasted world; people turn into cannibals to survive. We don't know if we're looking at the aftermath of a nuclear war, or maybe an extinction level event -- an asteroid or a comet; McCarthy deliberately doesn't tell us, and we come to realize it doesn't matter anyway. Whether man or nature threw a wild pitch, the world is just as dead. The man and his son are "each the other's world entire"; they have only each other, they live for each other, and their intense love for each other will help them survive. At least for a while. But survival in this brave new world is a dicey prospect at best; the boy and the man are subjected to sights no one should ever have to see. Every day is a scavenger hunt for food and shelter and safety from the "bad guys", the marauding gangs who enslave the weak and resort to cannibalism for lack of any other food. We are the good guys, the man assures his son. Yet in their rare encounters with other living human beings, the man resorts to primitive survivalism, refusing help to a lost child and a starving man, living only for himself and his son, who is trying to hold onto whatever humanity he has left. It's in these chance encounters with other people, even more than their interaction with each other, that we see them for who they really are. The boy is a radiantly sweet child, caring, unselfish, wanting and needing to reach out to others, even though this bleak, blasted world is the only environment he's ever known; the father, more cautious, more bitter, has let the devastation enwrap him until all he cares about is himself and his son. And to hell with everybody else. Their journey to the coast is an unending nightmare through the depths of hell and the only thing that holds them together is their love for each other. When one is ready to give up, the other refuses to let him. I won't let you go into the darkness alone, the man reassures his son. But ultimately, as the boy finds out, everyone is on his own, and all you can do is keep on keeping on. McCarthy has proven himself a master of minimalism; with a style as bleak as the stripped terrain the man and the boy travel through, but each sentence polished as a gem, he takes us into the harsh reality of a dying world. The past is gone, dead as the landscape all around them, and the present is the only reality. There is no later, McCarthy says. This is later. Deep down the man knows there is nothing better to hope for down the road, even though he keeps them both slogging down it, only to keep his son alive. And we keep slogging down that road with them, hoping against hope that around the next corner or five miles down the line, maybe there is something, anything, to make survival worth while. Living in such a hell, why would anyone want to survive? The mother made her decision; she checked out long ago. We come to the end of this book totally drained, enervated, devastated, but curiously uplifted. Because as long as there is love, McCarthy tells us, maybe there is something to live for, and as the book shows us at the end, maybe there is a even little bit of hope."

Change of Pace

2008-12-10T17:29:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone, just wanted to say that although my Currently Reading pic has been Peeps for the last few days, I am actually moving on to something else. I rarely stop reading a book halfway through and not finish it, but sadly, Peeps is just not delivering for me at the moment. The concept of vampirism as a result of an STD was interesting, but the evolution tie-in didn't bode well with me and the plot didn't have enough action. So, for the past few days I've been reading some of Stephen Kings short stories including The Mist (read now, it's awesome!) and The Raft (disturbing and strange, but good). Now, I have decided to read The Road by Cormac McCarthy in time for the 2009 movie starring Viggo Mortenson. That's it, happy reading!
P.S. I probably won't be posting for a while since I've got finals next week and will be crazily cramming!

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

2008-12-03T16:36:00.001-06:00

Do twins begin in the womb? Or in a better place? Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin. For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex. Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?
This is the first book I’ve read that was written in verse, and it definitely won’t be my last! Identical was a stunning, gorgeously executed piece of art. An Amazon reviewer stated, “The way she creates her little character paradigms - the writing that says more that it first seems to say, the way words arrange to make a maze of meanings, her displays that land somewhere other than the other side of rainbows - are fabulous” and I couldn’t agree more. This disturbing tale is woven with heart-wrenching images of sexual abuse, drug abuse, and eating disorders. This book opened my eyes to what can be happening behind closed doors. I sincerely recommend it to all. Brava, Ellen Hopkins!

I Love Your Blog Award!

2008-12-02T17:34:00.006-06:00

This is so cool! I just received the I Love Your Blog Award from Amanda at That Teen Can Blog! (http://thatteencanblog.blogspot.com/). I am so grateful to Amanda for getting this award and am glad that my reviews are a hit!

I am going to nominate:
-WORD for Teens
-The Book Muncher
-And Another Book Read
-Hope's Bookshelf
-The Story Siren
-Reader Rabbit
-Reading Keeps You Sane
*you'll find the links to these blogs under Favorite Book Blogs and Websites on the right

Now, all you gotta do is follow these instructions:
After receiving the award you are supposed to pay it forward:
1) Add the logo of your award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Thanks All! This makes my day :)

Necessary Hearbreak by M.J. Sullivan

2008-11-22T13:28:00.001-06:00

Does Time Heal All Wounds? Michael Stewart doesn’t think so. Thirteen years later, he’s still struggling with the demands of being a single father. His life revolves around his daughter Elizabeth – a precocious girl who’s growing up much too fast. Michael is all too aware of time – time lost, and time still slipping away. But fate, or perhaps something more divine, has other plans for Michael. When he and Lizzie stumble upon a root-cellar door in the floor of an old church, they discover that it‘s actually a tunnel leading back in time to first century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Christ’s life. With the help of Leah, a newfound friend, they try desperately to escape, avoiding menacing soldiers at every turn, including one determined to make Elizabeth his own. Trapped in the past -- both literally and figuratively -- Michael comes face to face with some of his most limiting beliefs, and realizes he must open himself up to the possibility of a deeper faith in God, people, himself, and love before he can find his way home.
First off, great title! The storyline intrigued me the moment I read about it; books set during the time of Christ’s death are always very interesting to me. Although Elizabeth’s character was whiny and immature (I guess I’m just not used to thirteen year olds anymore) the characters of Leah and Michael made up for it. I loved the flashbacks into Michael’s past where you learned more about his life before losing his wife. I wish that Jesus could have been a more central character, or at least had a bit of dialogue-or done something momentous-like in Ben-Hur. I can see how Necessary Heartbreak could be seen as a middle-school read as well as an Adult read, but it doesn’t hit the Young Adult market very well in my opinion. I am hoping that the next two books deliver in the ways that this one did not.

The Year We Disappeared by Cylin Busby and John Busby

2008-11-19T16:32:00.002-06:00

The extraordinary true story of a family, a brutal shooting, and the year that would change their lives forever. When Cylin Busby was nine years old, she was obsessed with Izod clothing, the Muppets, and her pet box turtle. Then, in the space of a night, everything changed. Her police officer father, John, was driving to work when someone leveled a shotgun at his window. The blasts that followed left John’s jaw on the passenger seat of his car—literally. Overnight, the Busbys went from being the "family next door" to one under 24-hour armed guard, with police escorts to school, and no contact with friends. Worse, the shooter was still on the loose, and it seemed only a matter of time before he’d come after John—or someone else in the family—again. With their lives unraveling around them, and few choices remaining for a future that could ever be secure, the Busby family left everything and everyone they had ever known…and simply disappeared. As told by both father and daughter, this is a harrowing, and at times heartbreaking account of a shooting and its aftermath, even as it shows a young girl trying to make sense of the unthinkable, and the triumph of a family’s bravery in the face of crisis.
This book is an amazing contribution to the world of true crime writing. Cylin and her father John’s perspectives seamlessly tie together, illustrating their story of survival and triumph. I was appalled at the neglect from Law Enforcement towards Officer Busby and his family. To think that there are people out who we believe are out to protect us, but in fact our willing to cover up a serious crime. John Busby has now become an advocate for extending the statute of limitations on crimes against police officers. How the Busby family stuck together through everything shows great courage and love. I am so glad that everything turned out the way it did and that justice was served in the end. The Year We Disappeared is a riveting, true tale that should be read by all. (I am hoping it will be turned into a movie at some point!)

Necessary Heartbreak Giveaway!

2008-11-15T15:10:00.002-06:00

I was recently approached by an author by the name of M.J. Sullivan. He asked if I would like to read his book, Necessary Heartbreak, the first book in his When Time Forgets trilogy. He is currently writing the second and third books, and would like some feedback. He was gracious enough to send me a hardcover copy and three paperbacks to share with others. I have not begun reading the novel yet, but am greatly looking forward to it. After giving two of the paperbacks to my English teacher and to a friend, I have one left that is up for grabs! Here’s a preview of the book:

Does Time Heal All Wounds?
Michael Stewart doesn’t think so. Thirteen years later, he’s still struggling with the demands of being a single father. His life revolves around his daughter Elizabeth – a precocious girl who’s growing up much too fast. Michael is all too aware of time – time lost, and time still slipping away. But fate, or perhaps something more divine, has other plans for Michael. When he and Lizzie stumble upon a root-cellar door in the floor of an old church, they discover that it‘s actually a tunnel leading back in time to first century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Christ’s life. With the help of Leah, a newfound friend, they try desperately to escape, avoiding menacing soldiers at every turn, including one determined to make Elizabeth his own. Trapped in the past -- both literally and figuratively -- Michael comes face to face with some of his most limiting beliefs, and realizes he must open himself up to the possibility of a deeper faith in God, people, himself, and love before he can find his way home.
“Necessary Heartbreak is the product of a big talent and a mighty heart, and this entrancing tale of mysteries both temporal and spiritual is sure to take up residence under your skin.” - Sam Hamm, Screenwriter (Batman Movies and TV Series M.A.N.T.I.S)

If you would like my last copy of Necessary Heartbreak, please email me at mel0591@sbcglobal.net and I will send it to you ASAP!

Read My Lips by Teri Brown

2008-11-12T17:19:00.001-06:00

Popularity is as easy as a good secret. Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there's no turning back. From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena's identity has done a 180...almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she's not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school's most exclusive clique. With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop...
This book is a good example of a stereotypical Young Adult book for teenage girls-which I am not a fan of. First of all, way too many uses of what I pen as “middle school talk” like “gawd” and “whateva”. Unfortunately the characters were flat and stereotypical and the romance cheesy. I had been excited to read this book, the storyline seemed promising, but sadly it did not deliver. Serena was an annoying, judgmental character who happened to have an interesting talent. The lip-reading storyline was the best part of the book. While the other involving the “top secret sorority” was unoriginal. Now, if you’re a first time YA reader, don’t think there all like this. Keep reading and you’ll discover just how universal the YA genre can be. Now, if you really want a snippy, high-school girl experience, go watch Mean Girls.

Tenderness by Robert Cormier

2008-11-10T16:27:00.001-06:00

Eric Poole has just been released from juvenile detention for killing his mother and stepfather. Now he’s looking for some tenderness-tenderness he finds in caressing and killing innocent girls. Lori has run away from home again. She is also looking for tenderness-tenderness that is about more than just sex, tenderness she finds in Eric. Together, they begin a harrowing journey that will either save or destroy them.
Marilyn Payne Phillips states it perfectly when she says, “the ugliness of the story contrasts with the beauty of the language”. Robert Cormier writes a tale filled with suspense and intrigue. Neither Eric nor Lori is a very likeable character, but by the end of the novel, the reader comes to sympathize with them. Cormier is able to write a disturbing horror novel without the blood and gore that is usually associated with the genre. Much like my previous review, this book sends you straight into the mind of a psychopath. What really makes this a thrilling piece of writing is how everything that takes place could happen in real life. It shows you what our society is capable of, and that’s a terrifying thing!

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

2008-11-06T21:09:00.001-06:00

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were dragged from their beds in the early hours of the morning and tied up. All four were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. Author Truman Capote, on assignment from the New Yorker, traveled to Holcomb in late 1959, along with his assistant and close friend, Nell Harper Lee, to investigate the killings for an article he was to write. After completing his assignment, Capote was still intrigued by the murders and continued with his investigation. He organized interviews with everyone in town; he scoured through police records and statements. The killers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock were eventually arrested and sentenced to death, with Capote interviewing them during their stay on Death Row. The Clutter killings became an obsession for Capote, leading him to write a book that would not only introduce a new genre to the literary world, non-fiction novel, but become a literary classic in it of itself. What is great about Capote’s In Cold Blood is that it can be seen as a novel, a creative work, and a piece of journalism.
I had been looking forward to reading this book for a long time, having seen it lying on my sister’s bedroom floor for years and the title alone had given me shivers. Independent Reading at school gave me the perfect opportunity to read it. Having been written in 1965, I was surprised to find that this book hasn’t dated at all. It interested me that this book delved into not only the social factors that shape a psychopath, but also the points-of-view, however horrific they may be, of the perpetrators of the crime. Capote explored the killers’ upbringing, relationships, and actions. I enjoyed the fact that, from the beginning, the reader knows exactly who was to be killed and who the killers were, instead of it being a guessing game. Something that has stuck with me long after finishing the book was the realization that there are people like Perry Smith and Dick Hickock out there in the world, willing to kill in cold blood with no motive. “There’s got to be something wrong with somebody who’d do a thing like that.” Ironically, one of the killers, Perry Smith, said this about himself, while the other killer, Dick Hickock said about himself, “Deal me out, baby…I’m a normal.” A harrowing look into the minds of a killer, In Cold Blood is a chilling account of one of America’s most famous murders. And although certain parts dragged at times, overall, Truman Capote’s nonfiction novel is a literary masterpiece.

Bliss by Lauren Myracle

2008-11-05T16:58:00.001-06:00

When Bliss’s hippie parents leave the commune and dump her at the home of her aloof grandmother in a tony Atlanta neighborhood, it’s like being set down on an alien planet. The only guide naive Bliss has to her new environment is what she’s seen on The Andy Griffith Show. But Mayberry is poor preparation for Crestview Academy, an elite school where the tensions of the present and the dark secrets of the past threaten to simmer into violence. Openhearted Bliss desperately wants new friends, making her the perfect prey of a troubled girl whose obsession with a long-ago death puts Bliss, and anyone she’s kind to, in mortal danger.
I was shocked when I heard that Lauren Myracle was coming out with a “spine-tingling chiller”. I am very proud of her for taking the turn from easy-going chick lit to horror, and doing it well! Bliss was a full of suspense and the supernatural, targeting a new sort of audience for her. I loved the character of Bliss, while her friend Sandy scared the crap out of me. The backdrop of the story was beautiful, filled with historical references from the sixties including segregation, the Nixon era, the Charles Manson murders, and the popular TV show, Andy Griffith. I found myself eagerly reading ahead to get to the quotes that were scattered throughout the novel, setting the scene. The one rather large fault I found was the blunt, abrupt, and strange ending that left far too many questions unanswered. I was very confused when I turned the page and found that the book was over. Although there was no huge cliffhanger at the end that suggested a sequel, I’m hoping there is one that will help redeem the ending of an otherwise flawless book.

The Accomplice by Kathryn Heyman

2008-11-04T15:06:00.002-06:00

I'm incredibly lazy today, so I'll let a reviewer cleverly named, "A Customer" from Amazon UK do the work!
Combining narrative with historical detail, this is the story of one of the most shocking events of the 17th century - the wreck of the Batavia. It describes the wreck of the Dutch ship off the coast of Western Australia and the extraordinary events that befell its stranded survivors.
"This superb novel explores the uneasy guilt felt by the victim of a great crime - a mutiny and massacre on an island off the coast of Western Australia in the early Seventeenth Century. The Dutch flagship, the Batavia, ran aground, and when her captain left in an open boat to fetch help, the ship's under-merchant, Cornelitz, led a regime of barbarism that had Holland stunned for a generation.Heyman retells the story from the perspective of Judith Bastiansz, a naive but spirited eighteen year old, whose venial father is employed as the ship's chaplain. The ship and then the island are the claustrophobic setting for her increasing exposure to the unbearable harshness of deception, treachery and finally an uncontrolable lust for death. Her adulation of Lucretia, her love for Conraat, and her disapproval of Wiebbe Hayes all serve to highlight her intense but misguided allegiences. From the outset we know that Judith will survive the horrors of her ordeal, but how and at what cost? What kind of life can she build from the ruins of hope? From an already amazing true story, Heyman has crafted a subtle and riveting novel. Though set in the Dutch Golden Age, there are clear parallels with the genocides of the much more recent past. Heyman's unflinching, intensely moving prose seems to require us to answer for ourselves: faced with such evil, what would you have done?"

The Hunger Games-Suzanne Collins

2008-10-12T13:26:00.001-05:00

In the ruins of a place known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounding by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
“Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.” WOW!!! From this moment on, The Hunger Games will be on my list of favorite books. I can honestly say that I have only good things to write about in this review, (which I’m sure you readers know, does not happen often). Katniss Everdeen is by far, one of the best fictional heroines out there. Her spunk and determination keep her going in the fight to save what is most important to her: her family. These qualities are ones that, after reading this, ever girl will strive for. Every single character was well-developed and you couldn’t help but get attached to them all. For example, even though the characters of Katniss’ mother, sister Prim, and best friend Gale, are only present at the beginning of the book, the reader learns so much about them in the following pages, that it is as if they right there next to Katniss. The story itself is a frightening one, with a horrifying premise. I couldn’t help comparing The Hunger Games to The Olympics; how they conduct opening ceremonies, trying to outdo each other’s costumes, and interviews, helping the viewers get to know the contestants. It’s a terrifying though that this is what our country could turn into. When thinking about how much money is spent on the entertainment of movies such as Saw or The Hills Have Eyes, it’s possible to imagine that we could stoop so low as to find watching the live sacrifices of human beings entertaining. The book had just the right amount of gore and violence, with a touch of romance to even things out. When I reached the last page, and saw the words “End of Book One” I felt both elated and frustrated. I am so glad that the world of The Hunger Games will continue, but I don’t think I will be able to wait until the next chapter! I would pay a million dollars to have the next book in my hands right now! But, I guess I’ll have to wait like everyone else…*sigh*

Banned Books Week

2008-10-07T17:24:00.005-05:00

To celebrate Banned Books Week, I've found this list of the top banned books of 2000-2007. I gotta say I was pretty surprised at some of the books on here. I highlighted the ones I've read-feel free to highlight/bold the titles you’ve read and post it on your blog!
1. Harry Potter J.K. Rowling
2. Alice series Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3. The Chocolate War Robert Cormier
4. Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck
5. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou
6. Scary Stories Alvin Schwartz
7. Fallen Angels Walter Dean Myers
8. It’s Perfectly Normal Robie Harris
9. And Tango Makes Three Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
10. Captain Underpants Dav Pilkey (my brother loved them...)
11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain
12. The Bluest Eye Toni Morrison
13. Forever Judy Blume
14. The Color Purple Alice Walker
15. The Perks of Being A Wallflower Stephen Chbosky
16. Killing Mr. Griffin Lois Duncan
17. Go Ask Alice Anonymous
18. King and King Linda de Haan
19. Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
20. Bridge to Terabithia Katherine Paterson
21. The Giver Lois Lowry
22. We All Fall Down Robert Cormier
23. To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee`
24. Beloved Toni Morrison
25. The Face on the Milk Carton Caroline Cooney
26. Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson
27. My Brother Sam Is Dead James Lincoln Collier
28. In the Night Kitchen Maurice Sendak
29. His Dark Materials series Philip Pullman
30. Gossip Girl series Cecily von Ziegesar
31. What My Mother Doesn’t Know Sonya Sones
32. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging Louise Rennison
33. It’s So Amazing Robie Harris
34. Arming America Michael Bellasiles
35. Kaffir Boy Mark Mathabane
36. Blubber Judy Blume
37. Brave New World Aldous Huxley
38. Athletic Shorts Chris Crutcher
39. Bless Me, Ultima Rudolfo Anaya
40. Life is Funny E.R. Frank
41. Daughters of Eve Lois Duncan
42. Crazy Lady Jane Leslie Conly
43. The Great Gilly Hopkins Katherine Paterson
44. You Hear Me Betsy Franco
45. Slaughterhouse Five Kurt Vonnegut
46. Whale Talk Chris Crutcher
47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby Dav Pilkey
48. The Facts Speak for Themselves Brock Cole
49. The Terrorist Caroline Cooney
50. Mick Harte Was Here Barbara Park
51. Summer of My German Soldier Bette Green
52. The Upstairs Room Johanna Reiss
53. When Dad Killed Mom Julius Lester
54. Blood and Chocolate Annette Curtis Klause
55. The Fighting Ground Avi
56. The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien
57. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Mildred Taylor
58. Fat Kid Rules the World K.L. Going
59. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things Carolyn Mackler
60. A Time To Kill John Grisham
61. Rainbow Boys Alex Sanchez
62. Olive’s Ocean Kevin Henkes
63. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Ken Kesey
64. A Day No Pigs Would Die Robert Newton Peck
65. Speak Laurie Halse Anderson
66. Always Running Luis Rodriguez
67. Black Boy Richard Wright
68. Julie of the Wolves Jean Craighead George
69. Deal With It! Esther Drill
70. Detour for Emmy Marilyn Reynolds
71. Draw Me A Star Eric Carle
72. Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
73. Harris and Me Gary Paulsen
74. Junie B. Jones series Barbara Park
75. So Far From the Bamboo Grove Yoko Watkins
76. Song of Solomon Toni Morrison
77. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes Chris Crutcher
78. What’s Happening to My Body Book Lynda Madaras
79. The Boy Who Lost His Face Louis Sachar
80. The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold
81. Anastasia Again! Lois Lowry
82. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Judy Blume
83. Bumps In the Night Harry Allard
84. Goosebumps series R.L. Stine
85. Shade’s Children Garth Nix
86. Cut Patricia McCormick
87. Grendel John Gardner
88. The House of Spirits Isabel Allende
89. I Saw Esau Iona Opte
90. Ironman Chris Crutcher
91. The Stupids series Harry Allard
92. Taming the Star Runner S.E. Hinton
93. Then Again, Maybe I Won’t Judy Blume
94. Tiger Eyes Judy Blume
95. Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquivel
96. Nathan’s Run John Gilstrap
97. Pinkerton, Behave! Steven Kellog
98. Freaky Friday Mary Rodgers
99. Halloween ABC Eve Merriam
100. Heather Has Two Mommies Leslea Newman