The ABC's of Kissing Boys

The ABC's of Kissing Boys
by Tina Ferraro

Parker Stanhope is now a high school junior. She's bound for a spot on the varsity soccer team. But she doesn't get it. In fact, Coach (Heartless) Hartley moved up everyone but Parker and one other girl. Now she's stuck with lowerclass/newbies on the field.

Parker is ready to do anything to get her spot on varsity, where she belongs. So she comes up with a plan involving the kissing booth at the school's annual sports fair. The catch? The varsity players run the booth, while she's stuck elsewhere.

Parker's brother and his friend Luke come in on the plan. She gets to kiss him in front of everyone, and she will buy her way onto the team. The kiss has to look real though, and Parker hasn't had the most practice. Who can coach her how to kiss?

Grade: A+

Oh em gee my fellow readers. :) This book was sooooo amazing. I loved every little thing about it! I am so happy I got this book (thanks Kelsey, since I won it from your contest!) I loved Parker. And I loved Tristian even more. Just reading this book makes me want to kiss a cute boy. :) The plot was fun and it's nothing like any other book I've read. If you come across this, you better pick it up. You won't be disappointed!

***REMEMBER TO ENTER MY CONTEST!***

Season of Ice

Season of Ice
by Diane Les Becquets

Seventeen year old Genesis Sommer is living her normal life. It's late fall in northern Maine. She goes to school and she has a part time job as a waitress at the Lazy Moose, a resaurant. She has a stepmother and twins as half-brothers. Her father worked at a logging camp, where he stayed for long periods of time. One day her father left for work, dropping her off with her uncle Perry to work on her car. That was the last time Genesis saw him.

When the police started looking for Mike Sommers right away. They found his boat on the lake. Then the lake froze over. There is no body as evidence that Mike is dead. Genesis won't believe it until there is proof. Her life is changed now.

The winter is neverending. Genesis hears rumors about her father. She begins to search for herself for the truth about the man she thought she knew everything about.

Grade: B+

From the start of this book, I was hooked. Though it is not normally the type of book I would read, I loved it none the less. Genesis was a great, strong character, who was easy to relate to. After hearing the rumors Genesis was told about her father, even I had no idea what happened to him. I was happy with the ending, though I would like to know more about what happens later on. Other than that, this was a really good story. If you ever come across it, you should pick it up.

*also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

***REMEMBER TO ENTER MY CONTEST!***

Waiting on Wednesday 12

One Lonely Degree
by C. K. Kelly Martin

Pub. Date: May 26, 2009

from amazon.com

Anything is possible. . . .

Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly.

So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey? With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?

I think...
This one sounds sooo amazing. And look at that cover! Sooo cute! Yellow polka-dot bikini! I never had the chance to read It's Not Over, but hopefully I will by the time this one comes out so I know how she writes. So, yeah. It sounds good! Can't wait!

***Remember to enter my contest! It ends March 7th!***

Kiss Me Kill Me

Kiss Me Kill Me
by Lauren Henderson

Scarlett Wakefield made two (well, technically three) wishes on New Year's Day. She wished for bigger boobs, and to kiss Dan McAndrew.

One day after gymnastics practice, Plum, the queen of St. Tabby's "Smart Set" invited her to a party. And Dan would be there! She and Dan are alone on the terrace at the party, and he leans in and her wish came true. But then, Dan suffocated in her arms.

Now Scarlett transfered to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, where her grandmother is headmistress. Luckily, nobody knows who she is, or the secret she has, which is perfect, since she just wants to forget it. But she can't. Then she receives a note that can help her clear her name and find out what really happened to Dan.

Grade: B+

I really wanted to read this after seeing a bunch of positive reviews for it. And I wasn't disappointed. I was hooked from the start, and I never wanted to put it down. I liked Scarlett a lot, but I disliked how she betrayed her friends once the "posh" girls finally asked to sit on "their"fountain, and eventually come to a party. But, she learned her lesson, which was good. I really can't wait to read Kisses and Lies to find out what happens!

Award!

I received yet another award!. The:

Thanks to Amelia at Book Junkie!

Rules are: Write 5 things you’re addicted to and then nominate 5 other blogs to pass this award on to!

1) Books, books, books. I don't think I would have a review blog if I wasn't addicted. :)

2) Norway. I know it sounds geeky, but I'm Norwegian and I love my heritage. I love anything and everything Norwegian! :) <3

3) Music. I'm a huge fan. I must listen to music. It's pretty calming!

4) Movies. I love them. I loooove having OnDemand. :P

5) Myspace/Facebook. I know, it's terrible, but I'm always online.

The 5 Blogs I'm Nominating are:
Carol
Mandy
Katie
Hope
Lizzie

*Remember to enter my contest! :)*

A Contest!

That's right. I am having my first contest. I have a 3 books to give away that I just don't want anymore, so I figured I could give them away. :)

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (hardback)
How to be Popular by Meg Cabot (paperback)
Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott (paperback)

Ways to enter, you ask?
- +1 comment this post
- +2 follow my blog
- +3 if you already follow my blog

Just tell me in your comment, along with your email, the books in order you would like them, most to least. There will be three winners.

Contest ends on March 7th at midnight (PST). :)
(Sorry! U.S. only, please.)

Just Like That

Just Like That
by Marsha Qualey

Hanna just broke up with her boyfriend of almost a year. She's not sad, she's not happy. She's just...the same. It's winter, and it seems as though nothing will happen.

After one night, it changes everything. She now holds a secret. She can't tell anyone. Then she meets Will, who she has seen around town. She doesn't hold back. Then she learns about him, and it will affect her much more than what she thought it would.

Grade: C

I saw this a looong time ago at B&N and I really wanted to read it. I finally got it from the library, and I'm glad I didn't buy it. It wasn't what I expected, at all. I thought it was going to be this mysterious kind of story, but it wasn't, really. And it was another disappointing ending. I really liked Hanna and Will, but I didn't really like anyone else in the story. I don't really suggest this for you to read, but it's a quicky, and kind of interesting.

Waiting on Wednesday 11

A Map of the Known World
by Lisa Ann Sandell

Pub. Date: April 15, 2009

from amazon.com

Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother's secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined.

With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl's journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love.

I think...
This sounds really good. I like the cover too; it's plain but it looks cool to me. I dunno what to really say...I just think it sounds really good! :)

Sandpiper

Sandpiper
by Ellen Wittlinger

Sandpiper Hollow Ragsdale has a reputation. A bad one. Ever since the eighth grade, she's wanted a boyfriend. But she's had many now, and she keeps getting bored and annoyed by them.

But, then, one of her exes, Derek, starts to harass her. A boy the town calls "The Walker" helps her. He is called the Walker because all he does is wander. He's always walking. Sandy starts to walk with him. But he won't answer any of her questions. She doesn't even know his real name, so she calls him Walker, and he calls her Piper.

Derek is going crazy, and it is starting to scare Piper. She wants Walker's help. Will he help her? Or will he disappear from her life?

Grade: B-

I saw this book at Borders some time ago, and I really wanted to read it. I was kind of disappointed though. The writing and story was really great. But, the ending was terrible. I don't know why it just ended, when something big was going down with Piper and Walker and Derek. So, that was it: the ending kinda ruined it for me. I like the story though. It shows that there really are some crazy ex-boyfriends out there.

Stealing Heaven

Stealing Heaven
by Elizabeth Scott

Eighteen year old Dani is a thief. She learned from her mother. They move all around, getting their hands on the silver they can and move again. They don't stay at any place long. Dani has never known anything but the life of a thief.

She and her mother arrive in a beach town called Heaven. Dani loves it there, and it feels like home for once. She's met Allison, who actually wants to be her friend. And there's a boy, Greg--a cop. No one can know the real Dani, so she is forced to lie. But with Greg, she wants to tell the truth.

Will she change her life and drift away from the stealing life, or will she and her mother leave again?

Grade: B+

Another great Elizabeth Scott novel. The only thing I didn't like about this novel was the end. It just made me want to know what happens, because it is just left open for wonder. I really liked Dani, but not the way she treated Greg. I knew she liked him from the start, but she didn't realize it. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll leave it at that. You should read this one. It's really good!

Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moon
by Sarah Dessen

Colie is expecting the worst summer of her life in Colby, North Carolina with her crazy aunt Mira, when her mother tours Europe. She doesn't expect to find friends, especially since she doesn't have any at home. Ever since she and her mother moved (and stayed) at Charlotte, she was always the girl everyone made fun of--for being fat, and then after she lost weight, for being "easy."

Colie gets a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill where she befriends her fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel. They take in Colie and make her realize that who she really is has been inside her all along. As she gets over her past, she learns what is it like to have friends who care.

Grade: A-

I have yet to be disappointed in a Sarah Dessen novel. She is one of my absolute favorites. I really liked this one, but I wouldn't call it a favorite (which is still This Lullaby!). I liked the ending the most, because of all that Colie went through, she realized who she really was. If you haven't read any Dessen novels, you really should. You won't be disappointed! :)

Waiting on Wednesday 10

Fairest of Them All
by Jan Blazanin

Pub. Date: April 21, 2009

from amazon.com

If life were a fairy tale, Oribella Bettencourt would have a "happily ever after" kind of future ahead of her. A Hollywood producer has come to Des Moines in search of a perfectly modern Princess Rapunzel, and Ori -- a model, dancer, and star of the beauty pageant circuit -- lands the part. And why shouldn't she? With her hardworking, self-sacrificing mother guiding her career, Ori is stunning, dedicated, poised...and then there's her hair. Breathtakingly lustrous blond hair that sets her apart from all the other girls at school. So what if she doesn't have any friends her age, or anyone to talk to other than her mother? She's on the verge of having everything she's ever dreamed of.

But in this fairy tale, the beautiful princess wakes up to her worst nightmare -- when almost overnight, Ori begins to lose her hair...

I think...
Whoa! I just found this one, and I think it sounds really good. And the girl on the cover is just beautiful. This sounds really good. I really want to know what happens when she loses her hair! Can't wait until April! So many good books are coming!

Rumors: A Luxe Novel

Rumors: A Luxe Novel
by Anna Godbersen

I'm not sure how to write my own synopsis for this one, so this is from the book flap.

After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.

All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoonmake, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind--including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency.

As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. Nothing is more dangerous than scandal...or more precious than a secret.

Grade: B

I enjoyed this book so much more than I did The Luxe. I was hooked from the start. I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't read the books, but this one was so surprising. I didn't see the ending coming at all, which made the book even better. Though I didn't enjoy The Luxe, I recommend the series, all because of this book. I look forward to read Envy, but probably won't get around to it for a while.

My GINORMOUS TBR pile

My pile is soooo big, I figured I would share it with you via photos! :)

Library:

YA:

Non YA:














I'd say I'm going to be busy. I am staying away from all places with books. And I'm busy studying psychology and writing English essays in school which takes up a ton of time, hence the slow posts. So, currently I'm reading Rumors, and I expect to be done in a few days.

Scribbler of Dreams

Scribbler of Dreams
by Mary E. Pearson

Kaitlin Malone was born to hate the Crutchfields. That's just the way it has been for generations. That was always the one stable in her life, especially after her father was sent to prison for manslaughter of Robert Crutchfield.

Her senior year starts at a new school, under the name Kaitlin Hampton. At this school she meets Bram Crutchfield, the son of Robert. He wins her heart, and she can't tell him who she is. One lie turns into many lies.

How long can she hold her lies together? Kait thinks Bram will understand whenever she does tell him. Is she right?

Grade: A

I read this book a few years ago, and just like with my last post, I had to read it again and share it with you! This book is amazing. It is written so well, and you just root for Kait and Bram from the start. I really suggest you read this book. It is like Romeo and Juliet--two rival families who hate each other, but the two kids fall in love. Really, it is so good. Go get this from your library right now! :)

Speak

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino has a secret. She can't tell anyone. Last August at an end-of-summer party, she had to call the cops. No one knows why, but they still hate her.

She stays quiet. Her parents don't know. All her old friends won't speak to her. Even the new girl decides she doesn't want to be her friend because she's heard about Mel. She's all alone. And it is hard to not think about that night when the cause of her pain is always right there.

Grade: A

I read this book before, way back when I was in middle school. I watched the movie a week or two ago on the Lifetime channel, and I just had to read the book again to be reminded of how great it is. I recommend this book to everyone. It is written so well. And I feel so much towards Melinda. She is such a great character and you can really connect to her pain. If you haven't read this, you really should. You won't be disappointed.

"In My Mail Box" 4

Grist by Heather Waldorf (I'm jealous of her last name!)
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
Evermore by Alyson Noël
Ransom my Heart by Princess Mia Thermopolis (aka Meg Cabot)

I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday in search of Cracked Up to Be. I had to drive half an hour away to get it, but now I have it, and I cannot wait to read it. Too bad I have a stack of library books still! There are loads of books I wanted to buy, but I need to save money! EEK. Grist sounded really good, and I hadn't heard of it or the author before, so I figured I'd give it a try! And look at that cover. It is amazing. I'm excited to dig into these...but after I finish those dang library books.