Ashley's Bookshelf

As you can see...

2010-11-11T23:37:00.000-08:00

I have gone AWOL. My apologies to my followers. I am in my third year of college, just trying to raise my grades, and reading needs to be on the back-burner for now. After my winter quarter I will have more time on my hands and I should be back.

It is nice being on a break though. Blogging started to feel like a job, which is not a good thing. I will be back eventually though. Talk to you lata! =P

Life As We Knew It

2010-09-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

Life As We Knew It
by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda is almost done with her sophomore year of high school. Life seems pretty normal, even when hearing about an asteroid that is going to hit the moon's surface. And then it hits, knocking the moon off its axis and all hell breaks loose on the planet: earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcano eruptions.

Life used to be easy for Miranda and her family. Now they are hardly eating due to food shortages, and they cannot drive because of gas shortage. They are in survival mode, and it is tough on all of them.

Grade: A

This novel was slow at the start, but once it got started, I could hardly put it down. It was fast-paced and interesting, and I was totally fascinated by the idea of the moon being hit, causing worldwide catastrophe! It really makes me wonder if the government would be like this today if it happened!

If you're into the "end of the world" type books, this is for you. It was amazing!

The Fire Opal

2010-09-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Fire Opal
by Regina McBride

*Paraphrased from Amazon*
Maeve O'Tullagh is a teen is living in Ard Macha with her family: Mam, Da, Donal, Fingal, and Ishleen. When still very young, Ishleen suddenly dies, depressing Maeve's mother and father. Once becoming pregnant again, Mam insists that she is pregnant with Ishleen, and she won't let the idea go. A woman at the sea gives Maeve a talisman to protect her mother. But when Mam removes it on the night of the baby's birth, she seems lost and catatonic. Maeve believes something stole her mother's soul and dedicates herself to protecting her new sister.

When Ishleen is four, she suffers the same fate as her Mam. With her Da and brothers off fighting to free Ireland from English rule, nineteen year old Maeve embarks on a journey to discover who has stolen their souls and save them before it's too late, encountering an ancient evil along the way.

Grade: B-

This story was filled with magical beings and inanimate objects, and a family that thinks the mother and daughter are absolutely mad. At times, I was agreeing with the men of the family. In some parts, some very crazy stuff was happening, and I almost felt like Maeve was on an acid-trip or something. Seriously! It was nuts, but it was interesting!

The climax of the novel began in one of the last few chapters. This caused the novel to drag on for quite a long time, and it seemed to me that there were many insignificant pieces to the storyline. Also, the ending was very abrupt, which bothers me. It was left for me to wonder what happened to Francisco, a Spanish soldier, and also for Maeve's father and brothers. But really, this novel was interesting, and not really the kind of book I normally read, but it kept me interested, even if I got bored in some places. If you're into the fantasy kind of book, you might like it.

*reviewed for TeensReadToo

I have a question...

2010-09-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

I have some books, all of which are paperback ARCS, that I have read and need to get rid of because I have no room for them! Since I can't post ARCS on PaperBackSwap, I have a few more options. I can either just give them away, host a contest, or trade them. So, if you're interested in trading, or just really, really want one of these books, let's figure something out. :) So, leave me a comment with your email, or just shoot me an email (which would probably be easier!). Help me empty my bookshelves! =)

Runaway by Meg Cabot
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
The Line by Teri Hall
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
Gemma by Meg Tilly
Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall

Just let me know if you are interested! Thanks!

P.S. A review is coming soon! :)

Shadow Hills

2010-08-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Shadow Hills
by Anastasia Hopcus

Persephone "Phe" Archer feels as though she doesn't belong in LA any more since her sister's death. She leaves the city to go to Devenish Prep, a boarding school in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts. Her sister, Athena, had written of this place in her last diary entry, and Phe is determined to figure out why.

As Phe snoops around the school and the town, she continues to have dreams about the town and people within the town, both dead and alive. But the townspeople are odd. Every single one of them. And they might be after her.

Grade: C

I had many problems with this book. The synopsis made it sound amazing, and suspenseful, and romantic, and all that good stuff. I was wrong. I will start with the good. My favorite part of the book was the last couple of chapters. It picked up the pace, and I was intrigued. I can't say that for the rest of the book though.

Though the plot seemed interesting enough, it lacked...something. The characters definitely could have developed more. I realized shortly after I started reading that I was very annoyed by Phe's personality. She seemed fake-y to me, and really nosy. She liked to snoop, even if it was risking her safety, which I didn't find realistic. The conversations didn't seem incredibly realistic to me either. The wording seemed a little more proper than what I am used to in YA novels, so that might be why.

The relationship between Phe and Zach didn't hit a soft spot for me. Though when he came into the scene while reading, the parts did seem to go by faster, which was good, considering the slow pace of the book. Also, the whole "love at first sight" in books don't really phase me. I don't care for them at all. And the relationship just went from them meeting to them being so close so incredibly fast, which could be realistic, but not really relate-able to a lot of people.

Overall, I definitely think this book had potential, though it wasn't totally reached.

*reviewed for TeensReadToo

The Line

2010-08-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

The Line
by Teri Hall

Rachel and her widowed mother, Vivian, have lived on The Property since Rachel was a little girl. The Property belongs to Ms. Moore. The Property is right on The Line, an invisible border separating the Unified States from Away. Rachel spends her days at the greenhouse with Ms. Moore's orchids, wondering about The Line.

When she finds a message from an Other of Away asking for help, Rachel will stop at nothing to do just that.

Grade: B

I think this is the first futuristic kind of book I have read before, and I really liked it! It wasn't really what I was expecting. From the cover, I thought it might be something kind of spooky, because, really, look at that creepy lookin' cover! It took me a while to finish, because I always got sidetracked when I was reading this. The story really didn't pick up until the last few chapter, which made the rest of the novel to seem like it went really slow.

The ending was quite the cliffhanger, so I might just have to pick up a copy of The Away, the sequel to The Line, when in comes out next year.

Ghost Huntress: The Reason

2010-08-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Ghost Huntress: The Reason
by Marley Gibson

Two months ago Kendall Moorehead had a premonition of her own death. But life seems to be going pretty good. Her and Jason are better than ever, her and he fellow ghost huntresses are getting numerous gigs in and around Radisson.

Their most recent gig is at the Mayor's mansion. This just happens to be the most intense hunt they have been on. And this ghost is not a happy one. Kendall and her team have to make her see the light, or Kendall's premonition might become reality.

Grade: A

This book was just as great as the first ones in the series. Kendall was a little more distant in this one though. Emily, her guide, isn't answering questions, which makes Kendall suspicious. Jason is more protective of her than ever before. Jason's and Taylor's mother has an incident, which changes the courses of all their lives, and the ghost huntresses as well.

This was the shortest of the books so far, and I think it was my least favorite. (If you have read this, you probably know what I am talking about.) I still love Kendall and her friends. Their gig at the mayor's house was really intense, and it took over the whole book. The secret that Kendall finds out about herself was amazing. I didn't see it coming, and yet, it made total sense, and I didn't see how I hadn't seen it coming! I cannot wait to see what happens to Kendall in The Counseling!

*reviewed for TeensReadToo

it's that time again!

2010-06-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

I am off to be a counselor at one of my most favorite places in the world:

Camp Trollhaugen! I will be back in 2 weeks. I am bringing along a book or two, but I can't promise any reviews. But once I'm back, I will be back to my regular reading. Talk to you in 2 weeks!

Confessions

2010-06-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Confessions: A Private Novel
by Kate Brian

from Amazon:

Reed Brennan came to superposh Easton Academy to make a brand-new life for herself. At first it seemed as though her dream had come true-she was living in the ultraexclusive Billings Hall, hanging out with the all-powerful Billings Girls, and dating the very hot Thomas Pearson. But Thomas turned out to be different from what she thought...and then he turned up dead. And if that wasn't twisted enough, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis, was arrested for Thomas's murder.

Now everyone is back to worrying about the regular stuff, like how to sneak to the boys' dorms at night, whether two-ply cashmere is warm enough for fall, and whether to fly to London or Barcelona for Thanksgiving break.

Everyone except for Reed.

Reed is convinced that Josh is innocent, which means the killer is still out there. Now it's up to Reed to uncover the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths and the closer she gets to the confession that will change everything...if she's alive to hear it.

Grade: A

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
GEEZ! Drama, drama, drama! But that is such a good thing for this series! Josh is in jail, and Reed is trying to save him. How sweet! The book got so intense at the end. A few points towards the middle, I really wanted to jump into the book and punch Noelle in the face. I even got annoyed with Reed. She kept on saying that Noelle, Ariana, and Kiran, etc. were her friends. I just can't picture them being "friends" with the way they treated each other! It was pretty crazy. And the ending! Ohmygosh. On to the next!

Untouchable

2010-06-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Untouchable: A Private Novel
by Kate Brian

from Amazon:

Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson--the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with--is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth. Or are they?

Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Arianna keeps floating along as if nothing has happened.

Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.

The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.

Grade: A

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Like I previously mentioned, I am HOOKED! These books are getting better and better. I simply love Reed. And I LOVED Reed and Josh together. I could feel the chemistry between them more so than between Reed and Thomas. (Team Josh! =P ) I'm really curious to find out what happens in the next book. Taylor is gone, and she tells Reed to not believe what Noelle, Ariana, and Kiran are telling her. And Josh has been arrested! :O Exciting stuff! On to the next!

Thanks!

2010-06-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank Ruz for awarding me with "The Versatile Blogger"!

The Rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Seven Tidbits About Moi:
1. I love my niece and nephew dearly. They just happen to be dogs. Their names are Kona (miniature pinscher) and Toby (chiweenie), and they are the most adorable puppies in the world!

2. I love kids. Being a camp counselor to 9 to 12-year-olds made me realize for sure that I wanted to be a teacher.

3. I have played the flute for about 10 years. (I need to get back into it!)

4. My favorite band is Relient K. They are a Christian band, and it is silly, because I am not religious in the least.

5. I love buying things, but I hate spending money.

6. Green Machine is the name of my car.

7. My favorite number is three. I'm not even really positive why, but I have always loved the number more than all the others. :)

Some Bloggers I Award:
I haven't met any bloggers recently, so I'll go with 5 bloggers!

1. Breanna
2. Krysten
3. S.F. Robertson
4. Cara
5. Faye

Thanks again! It means a lot to me!

Invitation Only

2010-06-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

Invitation Only: A Private Novel
by Kate Brian

taken from Amazon:
Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible:

Reed is a Billings Girl now.

And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity. Not to mention the parties. Unfortunately, at the next illicit party in the Easton campus woods, her roommate snaps some pictures of Reed in more than one compromising position. She uses the photos to blackmail Reed: Dig up dirt on the most powerful and popular Billings Girls or she will have Reed expelled.

And speaking of parties, the Legacy is coming up. It's the invitation-only Halloween party in NYC and it's rumored that Thomas -- Reed's MIA boyfriend -- will be making an appearance there. Too bad Reed isn't even close to invited.

Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave.

Grade: A

I am HOOKED on this series. I read this one really fast. I couldn't put it down! There is SO much drama, which always makes life more interesting (as long as it isn't your own!). I don't really know how to review this one. So, I think I'm just going to stick with that.

Private

2010-06-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Private: A Novel
by Kate Brian

Reed Brennan just transferred to the prestigious Easton Academy. She's the "new girl", but that means she can be whomever she wants to be. No one needs to know about where she is from and no one needs to know that her mother is a druggie. But even after arriving, Reed still feels like an outsider.

And then she meets the Billings Girls. They are the most powerful, most popular, most beautiful, and most confident girls on campus. Reed wants to be like them. She will do anything to be a Billings Girl.

Grade: A

(I reviewed this quite some time ago, when I had first started blogging. But, I figured, since I think my reviewing has definitely gotten better of the months, then I would review it again since I read it again.)

I love stories about boarding schools, mainly because I always wanted to go to one. It would be so amazing be get away from normal life, to a place where no one knows you, and you can be whoever you want to be. This is exactly what Reed wanted. Reed was so insecure with herself, and I couldn't believe that she was so desperate to change. When she calls her father, it is mentioned that she has a lot of anger because of her mother. That is a huge impact that I never caught the first time I read this. I'm excited to start reading the rest of the series. Bring it on!

Ghost Huntress: The Guidance

2010-05-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ghost Huntress: The Guidance
by Marley Gibson

It's been a few months since Kendall and her family moved to Radisson, Georgia. Things are going great: she's made some great friends, has a boyfriend, a ghost-hunting team, and she's psychic! The only person that isn't so happy about her being the talk of the town is Courtney Langdon, who just happens to be Jason's ex.

Courtney starts meddling with the paranormal, which gets her into some trouble. She wants to get the attention away from Kendall, but she has no idea what she is getting herself into.

Grade: A

Just like in The Awakening, Kendall is a snarky chica who is completely amusing. Some parts of the book kind of even freaked me out, because of the creepy soldier ghost who enjoyed toying with Courtney. I'm disappointed with the relationship of Kendall and Jason, but only because I want there to be more of it. I love them together, and like Jason told her in the book, ghost hunting has taken over her life, and she doesn't have that much time to spend with just him. Sad! But, I don't want to ruin what happens if you decide to read the series, so I will just leave it at that!

I'm pretty sure I liked the first book better, but I still enjoyed reading about Kendall and her friends! I definitely recommend this series if you're into the paranormal.

The Hourglass Door

2010-05-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Hourglass Door
by Lisa Mangum

Abby Edmunds is starting her senior year. She's busy sending out college applications, spending time with her boyfriend, Jason, and managing the play at school, Much Ado About Nothing. Life is going smoothly. Nothing has changed. Same Abby, same lackluster life.

Enter Dante Alexander, the gorgeous Italian foreign-exchange student. Upon his arrival, Abby's world is turned upside down. The mystery, the spontaneity, the surprises, all of which Abby desires, are now in within reach.

But with Dante, there are secrets. He is always disappearing, or gone for days at a time, and he avoids all physical contact with people. But the time they spend together seems different from their time apart--it seems slow, or too fast, or even as though time has stopped altogether.

Grade: A+

I'm not even sure where I should begin. To put it simply, I adored this book. I loved Abby's character. Even though at the beginning she was somewhat annoying (because she did what she was told, and she made sure others were happy over herself), by the end, I felt a shift in her. She was a strong character, and you could tell by the last couple chapters how strong she really was.

A great book makes me feel emotional. An amazing book makes me cry, which is exactly what The Hourglass Door did to me. By the middle of the novel, I never wanted to put it down. I was so involved; I almost felt like I was Abby, which is really cool! I could go on and on about how much I loved reading this. I have the next book in the series, and I can't wait to get started on it! I definitely recommend this one.

Mistwood

2010-05-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

Mistwood
by Leah Cypess

Isabel is the Shifter. She is bound to protect the kings of Samorna at all costs. When she is not needed, she resides in her forest, Mistwood. When she is needed, she goes to the castle.

When Prince Rokan comes for her in Mistwood, she does not remember why she had left Samorna many years ago. She doesn't remember how to change forms. Isabel knows her prince needs her to be the Shifter. But she also knows that he is lying to her. The truth can change everything though and Isabel must make a choice.

Grade: A

Mistwood is a beautifully written debut novel. Isabel is a confused character who in the end figures everything out. I'm not that big on reading fantasy, but I loved this storyline. I thought the idea of a Shifter was really cool, and the twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing on what was going to happen in the end. I didn't see the *almost* end coming, which always makes a good book even better.

My only problem with the novel was the actual ending. I didn't care for it because it was very abrupt, and it left a cliffhanger. I really wanted to know what was going to happen, but the story just ends. But other than that, as I said, this was a wonderful book, and I look forward to read more by Leah!

*reviewed for TeensReadToo
**Mistwood is on shelves now

Ghost Huntress: The Awakening

2010-04-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Ghost Huntress: The Awakening
by Marley Gibson

Kendall and her family just moved to Radisson, Georgia, which is completely different from Chicago. There are ghost stories all around town. This brings out a psychic awakening in Kendall.

She confides in Celia, her neighbor and only friend, and also Loreen, a woman who runs a New Age store in town. Together with Celia, who is interested in the Radisson ghosts, they put together an unlikely crew to begin ghost hunting. There is psychic Kendall, brainy Celia, popular photographer Taylor, and punky audio-whiz Becca.

But becoming ghost huntresses isn't as easy as Kendall thought it would be.

Grade: A

I am a HUGE Ghost Hunters fan, so I was ecstatic to read a book about hunting from a teen's point of view. And one of the character's idols were Jay and Grant from Ghost Hunters! And I was not disappointed. Once I started, I never wanted to stop. The plot flowed so nicely, and I loved Kendall's snarky attitude and her one-liners. She was so fun and spunky!

I already have the next book, The Guidance, and I can't wait to start it. I totally recommend this book if you're into the paranormal reads, or if you want something that is just fun and amusing!

Geek Charming

2010-04-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Geek Charming
by Robin Palmer

Dylan Schoenfield is the most popular girl at Castle Heights, her swanky high school. She has the coolest boyfriend, the most popular friends, and an "it" bag that every girl wants and needs. When she accidentally tosses the bag into a fountain, Josh Rosen, super-geek, comes to her rescue.

In return for his kindness, Josh convinces Dylan('s father) to let him film documentary about popularity. But when Dylan falls from her throne, can Josh be the friend she's never had?

Grade: C

I thought I had this book figured out after reading the synopsis, which is why I wanted to read it in the first place. But I actually ended up being disappointed that it wasn't the predictable ending, which I find weird. I don't want to give it away, so I'll leave it at that.

It was a cute book, overall, and Dylan grew as a character. I liked the alternating chapters from Dylan's and Josh's points of view. There were some really good lines in the book too, mostly said by Josh, who was my favorite character. This took me a long time to read, so it just wasn't really my thing.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2010-04-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a Shopaholic
by Sophie Kinsella

Rebecca Bloomwood shops. Too bad she can't afford it, even with her numerous credit cards. Her job at Successful Savings is a complete bore, and who is she, a woman in debt, to give out financial advice?

She keeps ignoring those important bank envelopes that are overloading her mailbox, tries cutting back, and even tries making more money, but all things don't turn out. But then a story Becky is interested in comes along. This could be her chance to make it in journalism! And her chance to turn her life around!

Grade: A

First off, I simply ADORE the movie. Although, I find it strange how different it was from the book; mostly the setting, which somewhat changes the vernacular of the characters--Manhattan Becky is very different from British Becky. Just sayin'!

But, I am actually thinking, and I NEVER say this, that I prefer the movie over the book. I liked Manhattan Becky better than British Becky! Though the book was really fun to read, and it was the same quirky Becky, just with an accent and different words, I just didn't picture it the way I normally do with a book. Does that make sense? But the book was wonderful, don't get me wrong. Just if I have to choose between the book and movie, I would for sure be picking the movie on this one.

So, I suppose this isn't really much of a review. But, it's all I can come up with right now.

Runaway

2010-04-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

Runaway: An Airhead Novel
by Meg Cabot

Emerson Watts is on the run.

Everyone she loves is mad at her because of something she can't explain, and doesn't totally understand herself. All she has to look forward to is the Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve.

Christopher has discovered something bad. Project Phoenix. And even though he isn't positive on what it is about, he has a feeling it has everything to do with Em.

Grade: A

I have enjoyed the Airhead series sooo very much. I'm sad to see it come to an end, but this ending was great. I hated to put the book down while reading because I really wanted to know what was going to happen! I have enjoyed every character through the series, and I loved "watching" the relationships blossom. I also loved how the changes in the girls, Em and Nikki, were so powerful. Amazing!

The only problem I had with book is the ending. It all happened so fast; almost too fast! But, overall, the book was a wonderful ending to the Airhead series, and if you haven't read both Airhead and Being Nikki, you definitely should check them out!

*released April 20, 2010
**reviewed for TeensReadToo

Beautiful Blogger Award :)

2010-04-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much, Wendy, for passing this on to me!

Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.

Pass this award to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic.

Contact the blogs and let them know they've won.

State 7 things about yourself.

1. My first concert is going to be Lady Gaga! :)
2. I will be graduating in June with my Associates in Elementary Education.
3. One of my favorite movies is The Fifth Element.
4. Almost no one says my last name right.
5. I'm a pretty shy person, but I'm working on it.
6. I spend way too much time on Facebook.
7. I just turned 20 on March 27th.

I hate trying to nominate people for awards! I never know who I should give an award to! Everyone deserves to be awarded, I think. So, if you look at this post, I award YOU! :) Thanks again, Wendy!

Oblivion Road

2010-03-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Oblivion Road
by Alex McAulay

A car accident on an isolated Colorado road strands four friends in the middle of a frigid blizzard. Two friends search for help and instead find a vehicle up the road--an abandoned prison van, and a dead driver. As the four friends hide out in their immovable SUV, one of the prisoners stumbles out of the woods.

Can he be trusted? He admits to be a meth dealer, though he was once in the army. As he leads them on a trek to a nearby town, the four friends get somewhat suspicious, and they also get the feeling they are being watched along the way.

Grade: C

I'm not sure where to start with this. It wasn't a very good book for me. I wasn't a big fan. I thought the plot was really interesting and original, but to me it didn't really flow very well. The main character, Courtney, was odd, and I just got annoyed whenever reading something she was thinking. So, I didn't really enjoy the book itself, or the characters, but I really liked the storyline.

Laguna Cove

2010-03-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Laguna Cove
by Alyson Noël

Anne is certainly not happy when she moves to Laguna Beach, California to live with her dad after her parents' divorce. It is completely different from Connecticut. All the people do is surf or hang out on the beach!

Once she meets Lola at a movie premiere, she decides to give Cali a chance. She then befriends Lola's other friends: gorgeous Chris, down-to-earth Jade, and competitive Ellie. She hits it off with Lola and Jade, and Chris has even said he will teach Anne how to surf, but Ellie gives her the death glare every chance she gets.

The closer she gets to Chris, and better she gets at surfing, the more Ellie seems to hate her guts. But Anne has worked hard to fit in, so she isn't giving in to Ellie's death glares, and she might even enter Surf Fest to give her a run for her money.

Grade: B+

I've been an Alyson Noël fan since I read Art Geeks and Prom Queens a few years ago. When I read the first chapter, I was thinking this was going to be about a bitchy high school girl, but I continued reading, and found that it wasn't completely true!

Anne was the character I enjoyed the most. And Chris, because he seems like a total cutie. :) I didn't really care all that much about Jade, but she wasn't very involved. I was confused by Lola, because of the way she was sneaking around with a guy, I figured it was a married man, or someone a lot older, but it ended up being neither of those. Ellie was totally rude, and I definitely think she overdid it, and I am also confused by her decision she made at Surf Fest.

One thing I didn't really like was that the book had chapters in the views of Anne, Ellie, Lola, and Jade. I think that's too many characters to keep up with, personally. I was mostly interested in Anne, since she was the new girl, though, I suppose it's good to know the people she was meeting, right? Also, the ending was disappointing. The last chapter was about Ellie, when I think it really should have been about Anne. I'm confused by what happens with Anne and Chris at the end, along with Lola and Dean.

Shutter Island

2010-03-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Shutter Island
by Dennis Lehane

The year is 1954, and U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is on his way on a ferry to Shutter Island, where Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane resides. He has a new partner, Chuck Aule, and together they must figure out how Rachel Solando, a murderess, has mysteriously escaped from her room.

Upon arrival, Ashecliffe is certainly suspicious. They are denied access to looking at patient and employee files. Teddy could be at the hospital for multiple reasons: the escape, the radical approach on psychiatry, or even potential experimentation. With a hurricane in the forecast, and communication cut off from the mainland, Teddy and Chuck begin to think that they might never get off Shutter Island...

Grade: A+

Not really a book I normally review, right? :)

Normally I prefer to read the book before seeing the movie, but in this case, I saw the movie first. I am so intrigued by anything related to mental illness and institutions. (Am I weird?!) I figured the book would be so incredibly different from the movie, like they usually are. But I was wrong!

I started off reading, and there is a prologue that is some years later, and it's Chuck talking, and that got me thinking, "oh great, this is going to be so different." But I continued reading, and I could hardly stop. I was so into the book (which is great since I have been in a reading slump!). And, I'm not sure which I liked better: the book or the movie. They were both fantastic! If you like thrillers and mystery, give this a try!

Tagged

2010-02-23T17:44:00.000-08:00

Tagged
by Mara Purnhagen

Kate Morgan arrives at Cleary High like any regular day, but this day turns out different. The school has been tagged; a mural of six gorillas resides on the side of the school building

Being the police chief's daughter, Kate tries to stay out of it. Many people are saying that the gorillas, which are also turning up on other buildings in town, and out of state, are vandalism. Are they? Or are they art?

Grade: A

This book was totally enjoyable from the very beginning. I was drawn in at the start. The plot was lifelike, and I liked the characters. When first meeting Eli, I couldn't even tell that Kate was interested in him romantically, but perhaps she was in denial, since he was in a relationship, and she even told her best friend and parents that "he is just a friend I work with."

I loved the relationship between Kate and Lan, her best friend. I could tell they were really close, and yet she wasn't even around all that much. That's a good kind of friendship to have; it's like the finish-each other's-sentences kind of friendship. I would have liked Kate's photography to be a larger part of the novel, because we don't learn how much she enjoys it until the last chapter.

If you're up for a fast and fun read, find this one when it comes out.

*released March 1, 2010
*reviewed for TeensReadToo

My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions

2010-02-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions
by Becca Wilhite

Sarah Howard is starting her first year at university. She is ready to blend in like she always has. She expects things to be the same as usual. What she doesn't expect is Ben, a hottie in her Art History class to become interested in her.

Sarah believes herself to be average, except her crazy Medusa hair. So, when Ben starts hanging around more, she just plays along, knowing that it is too good to be true, and he will realize his mistake soon. They always do, right?

Grade: A+

I hadn't heard anything about this book before receiving it. Once I got started, it was hard to stop. The story was incredibly believable, from the cheesy lines, to the nerves of an unexpected relationship. During the whole novel, I felt as though Sarah just didn't get it, and she didn't. The way she thought got a little old, because it was obvious that Ben was interested, and he wasn't giving up easily.

As the reader, I got angry at Sarah because she couldn't get it out of her head that there are guys out there that won't burn you! And Ben was that guy! Together, they were great. The character I wanted to learn more about was Chel, Sarah's best friend. They didn't seem so much like best friends to me. Chel was there for Sarah, but it seemed as though she was just straight to the point, this is what I think and know, good-bye, which is very different from my relationship between my best friends. Overall, this was a totally enjoyable, cute and fast read.

*released March 2, 2010
**reviewed for TeensReadToo

Some Girls Are

2010-02-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

Some Girls Are: A Novel
by Courtney Summers

Regina Afton was part of the Fearsome Fivesome, the clique at school that everyone was afraid of. Not any more, because of a false rumor going around that involves her, and her best friend's boyfriend.

Now Regina is at the bottom of the food-chain of Hallowell High. Her ex-best friends are bullying her more and more daily. Regina finds solace in Michael Hayden, a boy who she herself used to bully. While around him, Regina feels better, until she may have to give it up so Michael doesn't get hurt too.

Grade: A+

Wow. What else can I say? Amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. The only bad thing about this novel was the ending, because it ended to fast for me. I want more on what happens after the fact, but I guess this will have to do.

Some Girls Are takes Mean Girls to a WHOLE new level. No kidding. I couldn't even fathom how girls can be so vicious. And to someone who was your friend before.

I really liked Regina's character. I really felt for her. How could I not? I mean, sure, she was a total biotch, but she was thrown out on a lie that was the farthest thing from the truth. I loved her and Michael. I just wanted them to be together from her first lunch at the Garbage Table.

Courtney Summers is a genius. I don't know how she does it, but I sure hope she does it again soon.

Fat Cat

2010-02-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

Fat Cat
by Robin Brande

Catherine "Cat" Locke has no idea what to do for her science fair project. But then it hits her. She is going to be her project. For the next 7 months, Cat is going to become a hominin. That means no more junk food, television, computer (except for school use), or cars and phones (except for emergencies). This is going to be hard of the chocolate eating, Diet Coke drinking Kit Cat.

She knows her project is going to blow Matt McKinney's out of the water, and that is just what she wants. They haven't been friends since he betrayed her...even if it was four years ago. As her pounds start dropping, her confidence rises, and boys start to notice her, she is still too busy hating Matt.

Grade: A+

(First off, I would like to thank Steph at Steph Su Reads. If not for her Blog Blitz post {The Best YA Books You Haven't Read}, I would have never heard of this book. Thanks Steph!)

Once I picked up this novel, I could hardly put it down. All of the characters were interesting. The plot was totally original. I have never read anything like it before, and I loved every minute of it. I found no dull moment whatsoever, either. I really liked all of the scientific references, since Cat is the "science geek". The novel really puts you into perspective of how a teenage girl can be so insecure in her own body. Cat changes so much throughout the book. And her changes are for the better. She wants to be healthier, she wants to beat Matt, but then she realizes it was a change that she wanted, and needed. I recommend this book for anyone, really. It was really enjoyable, and I'm so glad I got a copy.

Fallen

2010-01-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Fallen
by Lauren Kate

Luce Price doesn't know what happened that day. And now her own parents are afraid of her. They sent her to a reform school, Sword & Cross. Upon her arrival she is drawn to Daniel Grigori, a boy who seems incredibly familiar for some reason.

Luce wants to get to know Daniel, but he isn't having it. He makes it clear that he doesn't want a thing to do with her. But Luce can't help it. She needs to find out more about him, whatever the cost.

Grade: A+

To start off, just let me say how beautiful the cover of this book is. I just love it! I was so excited when I started to read this because I have heard wonderful things about it. And the wonderful reviews were right on the ticket. This book was amazing. I loved everything about it. And I am so happy it is a going to be a series, that way not all this info is packed into one book. The book left me questioning Luce and the shadows, but I know I will find out more in the coming books. I look forward to reading them, for sure! If you like romance, especially, this book is one for you.

Winter's End

2010-01-16T21:52:00.000-08:00

Winter's End
by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
(translated by Anthea Bell)

Four students, Helen, Milena, Milos, and Bart, have run away from their respective prison-like boarding schools. Each of the four have something in common--their parents were all murdered fifteen years ago, which is why they are in these schools.

But only three make it to Jahn's restaurant, the headquarters of the Phalange resistance movement. The fourth is captured and forced into playing a barbaric game. If he doesn't play, he'll die. Can one voice stir a change of the brutal ways of the government?

Grade: A+

Before reading this novel, I had no idea what to expect. Honestly I thought I wouldn't enjoy it all that much. But I was oh so wrong. This novel was brilliant. I loved every moment of it. There was never a dull moment. This book was fast-paced and kept me wanting more until there was no more left to read. My only disappointment was the Epilogue, but only because it didn't explain much about Helen, so I was somewhat confused after reading it. Various parts of the novel seemed awful. Not bad awful, just awful. I couldn't believe how adults could be so rude to teens, just because of their parents! All in all, I enjoyed this book a lot. It wasn't a type of book I normally read, but I was pleasantly surprised by it.

*Winter's End is on shelves now!
**reviewed for TeensReadToo

Gemma: A Novel

2010-01-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

Gemma: A Novel
by Meg Tilly

Twelve-year-old Gemma is enjoying her young life on the outside, but she has a secret. She is being sexually abused by Buddy, her mother's boyfriend. He sells her out to Hazen Woods, who pays $100 to have sex with Gemma.

Hazen, later on, kidnaps Gemma, and they drive all over the country. She tries to get away, but he always found her. She gave up. Nobody would listen if she asked for help, no one would help her. She can't tell anyone anything, because Buddy embedded that Gemma would go to jail if anyone found out. She stays strong with her imagination, and thinks that eventually, she will be home again.

Grade: A

This is a difficult book for me to review. And it was a difficult book to read. I had no idea what to expect when I began reading this novel, because I knew it was about child abuse, which is a really tough subject for anyone. And as a disclaimer, this book is definitely not for younger readers.

The novel started off somewhat slow. But it wasn't long before I couldn't stop reading. I felt so much pain, Gemma's pain, from the start. I had trouble understanding how anyone could treat a child in that way. I think that the story was made better since it goes back and forth between Gemma's point of view and Hazen's. After reading Hazen's point of view for the first time, I could not FATHOM how a grown man could be so disgusting.

So, this novel was tough to read. But in reality, it was amazing. Really. By the end of the novel, I was so happy for Gemma, yet so sad for her. Books don't often give off this much emotion, which made the book even better for me.

To find out more about this novel, and Meg's others, you can check out her site, here.

*released February 16, 2010
**reviewed for TeensReadToo

housekeeping

2010-01-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

So, I have gotten a few awards. The first is from quite a while back.

This is the Honest Scrap Award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. (Thanks Alexa!)

1) I am studying to be an elementary school teacher.
2) I'm currently at a community college, and hope to transfer to Pacific Lutheran University. I hope I get in, because I don't have a back-up plan.
3) Major Norwegian geek!
4) Music is a big deal. Relient K and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus are my faves.
5) I love writing, and I hope to be published someday.
6) I love Ghost Hunters (TANGO!).
7) I believe in the paranormal. It's fascinating!
8) Books=life
9) I have a long-haired chihuahua named ChiChi.
10) I love pizza. And spaghetti.

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. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. (Thanks Kath!)

Gosh. I have no idea who to award. Anyone, who reads this, take it or both of them! We all deserve it! :)

So, if you are wondering, I started back up with school today. Which means less time for my reading. But don't fret (I doubt you are though), because I plan on reading daily. I'm reading a few different books at the moment, but I will be pretty busy this quarter.

Generation Dead

2009-12-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

Generation Dead
by Daniel Waters

Something strange is going on all over America, and only America. Some teenagers die, but are not staying dead. They come back to life. Kind of. They are feared and most of all, they are hated by most of their peers.

Oakvale High is different though. The administration welcomes those who are "differently biotic" or "living impaired". The students have a problem with this though. They don't want these zombies around at all. They should be dead and under ground.

Phoebe can't help but be interested in Tommy Williams. Her peers don't understand it, and won't stand for it. Her best friends don't get it either.

Grade: A

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this book, and was excited when I finally got to borrow this from a friend. So, I started reading the book, and it was all good and everything, but it was kind of slow. But I kept on reading, because I have heard so many good things about this book. I continued on, and then I could not stop. It was amazing. And so interesting. I could have never thought up a story about zombie teenagers. I recommend this to ya, and I look forward to reading Kiss of Life!

The Lonely Hearts Club

2009-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Lonely Hearts Club
by Elizabeth Eulberg

Penny Lane Bloom is sick of dating boys. All they do is cause her trouble and heartbreak. She vows to date no more for the next two years, until she graduates from high school. Penny decides to start a club: The Lonely Hearts Club (yep, like the Beatles).

The club soon has multiple girls joining. These girls have also realized that they are changing themselves to get the guy, only to get hurt in return. Things change after an article in the school paper though, and Penny doesn't like how she is now known for having the "lonely heart". Besides, there is this one boy...

Grade: A

This was an amazingly written debut novel. I loved every minute of reading, and I could not stop until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. The characters were fun and unique. The plot was totally original which made the story even better. I was a little worried at first, seeing how the cover was changed to be more Beatle-ish, that there would be a ton of musical references to the Beatles. But it wasn't over done, for sure. And personally, I prefer the more girly and swirly cover. It seemed like there were a lot of main characters, but that was okay, because the plot flowed well, and I got to know each character pretty well. Overall, this was very enjoyable, and extremely cute. A great debut!

*released on December 29, 2009
**reviewed for TeensReadToo

The School for Dangerous Girls

2009-12-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

The School for Dangerous Girls
by Eliot Schrefer

Angela Cardenas is sent to Hidden Oak by her parents after they think there is nothing left that they can do to help her. This is her parents' last hope, a reform school for girls..."dangerous" girls. But this is not the normal kind of school.

Angela soon finds out that the school does not have her best interest at heart. She and her new friends, including Juin and Carmen, decide that they need to do something about the school, even if that means getting the school shut down for good.

Grade: D-

I was very interested after reading a few reviews for this novel. It sounded really cool and unique. And it was. But sadly, not until pretty much the very end of the book. There didn't seem to be anything really amazing about it. The end had me turning pages quickly, but other than the interesting ending, I was disappointed. The characters weren't fully explained. I was expecting more than what I got. So, all in all, I agree with the past reviews I have read. Don't bother with this one, unless you want to wait 300 pages for it to get really good. (This is the worst grade I have ever given a book!)

Deadly Little Lies

2009-12-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

Deadly Little Lies
by Laurie Faria Stolarz

It has been four months since Ben left Camelia. Since then, Camelia has been researching psychometry, the mysterious gift that Ben has. Camelia is sure that somehow she has this power as well, like it rubbed off on her somehow.

Then Ben comes back to school. He keeps his distance, but then breaks it, confusing Camelia. He wanted space, so Camelia decides to finally give up and move on. She meets Adam at Knead. He seems to care about her, but he isn't Ben. Camelia is also starting to get more weird photos and letters. She is even hearing things; warnings. Someone is lying to her. But who?

Grade: A+

This book was just as amazing as the first, if not better. BRILLIANT! I have yet to find a book by Laurie that I don't like. I love the way she writes, and I love the characters. I found myself during this novel rooting for Ben the whole time, but I even got suspicious of him, just like Camelia did. There is so much suspense in this series. And I just think...Wow, Camelia is one unlucky girl, seeing how there are all these weirdos in her town! Anyone and everyone needs to read this series if you haven't already. Amazing. I cannot wait for Deadly Little Games!

The Waking: Dreams of the Dead

2009-11-29T19:17:00.000-08:00

The Waking: Dreams of the Dead
by Thomas Randall

Kara Foster and her father just moved to Japan to follow their dreams after the death of Kara's mother. She is the American girl, an outsider. Then she meets Sakura, another outsider at the private school.

Sakura is haunted by her sister's death that happened during the previous school year. Then, Kara starts having nightmares. Other students turn up dead. But who is killing them?

Grade: B-

I'm a big fan of the supernatural. From the start of the story, I didn't really know what was going on. I kept reading and reading, and was like, where is the supernatural part? That didn't hit until way towards the end of the book, sadly. So, really, the book kind of dragged for me. It kept me interested though, because I really wanted to know what in the world was going on. It was an interesting read, because the author included Japanese words. This book will be a part of a series, but I don't think I will be checking out the next books.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

Forest Born

2009-11-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

Forest Born
by Shannon Hale

Something is wrong with her, Rin is just sure of it. She doesn't feel at home in the Forest, where she has lived her whole life. Razo, her favorite brother, has gone off to the city. She is left as Ma's shadow. Rin has no idea who she is. But when Razo comes home for a visit, Rin goes back to the city with him. To be one of the Queen's ladies in waiting.

Soon after her arrival, war has come to Bayern. Rin accompanies Isi, the Queen, and her closet friends, in search of those who want to hurt Bayern. Rin thinks of them as the Fire Sisters. Together, they go into the Forest towards the land of Kel.

Grade: A

I haven't read any of the other Books of Bayern, but reading this made me want to. Having not read the previous Books, I had no idea what to expect of this one. I was impressed. I have only read one other book by Shannon Hale (which is by far one of my favorite books ever). Her writing is irresistible to me. I love it. I just feel for the characters in the story. I am pulled in and need to know what is going to happen. That is exactly what happened to me again in this book. I felt Rin's raw emotions, whether it was pain or happiness. This book, I think, is more of a younger book, but really, anyone will enjoy it.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

Killing Britney

2009-11-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

Killing Britney
by Sean Olin

Britney Johnson is the girl you love to hate. She was the "ugly-duckling", then reinvented herself. Now she is blond, popular, and beautiful. She is dating Ricky, the captain of the ice hockey team.

Then, someone starts killing all the people around Britney. Ricky is the first of many deaths. Britney is scared out of her mind, thinking someone is trying to get to her, just by starting out with the people around her.

Grade: C+

Um, I'm not too sure where to go with this story. It was pretty average. It was exciting, and hard to put down. I was really shocked at the ending, it was SO weird, and I'm not sure I fully understand it. When I started reading it, I figured it was going to be a very predictable book, but it actually wasn't, because of that crazy ending. Really, I don't think I recommend this book, but hey, your choice.

Old Magic

2009-11-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

Old Magic
by Marianne Curley

Kate Warren just knows that there is something different about Jarrod Thornton as soon as he walks into the classroom. She thinks he is supernatural...like her. And not much later, a thunderstorm occurs, in the classroom.

But, Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. He doesn't believe Kate, but goes along with it, because he finds her fascinating. But he has a problem. Anything bad that happens always will happen to him. Kate thinks it is a curse, conjured up from Jarrod's ancestors, which age back to medieval Europe.

Together, to save him and his family, Kate and Jarrod embark on an adventure to try to help him, and maybe learn a little too.

Grade: A+

This was my first book from PaperBackSwap, and I was totally impressed. I hadn't heard of this book before, nor the author, but I am sooo glad I got it. It was amazing. There is history, romance, and it was just a fun story. And look at that guy on the cover. He is SMOKIN. :] Medieval Europe is one of the most interesting time periods to me, and this book included it, which made it even better. I loved the relationship between Kate and Jarrod; I just wanted to be her so I could be around that guy! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a little magic.

Deadly Little Secret

2009-10-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Deadly Little Secret
by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Three months ago Camelia's life changed. She almost got hit by a car, but someone, a guy, saved her. That same guy starts school with her. His name is Ben. And the rumors are flying.

He supposedly killed his ex-girlfriend. Camelia doesn't believe the rumors, and is drawn to him. She wants to know the truth. Soon after school starts, she receives a picture in the mail. A picture of her, with a heart around it. She gets weird phone calls. Ben tells her she is in danger. She wants to trust him, but doesn't know if she can.

Grade: A+

:O Wow. That is what my face looked like towards the end of this novel. It was absolutely AMAZING. I've been way interested in reading all of Laurie's work (I have her series, but have yet to start it) after reading Project 17. I loved that novel, and I loved this one as well. I had to keep reading to figure out the mystery, and I didn't see it coming! It was so great, and I am so excited for the next book, Deadly Little Lies! You should definitely grab this novel for suspense, romance, and friendship.

The King's Rose

2009-10-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

The King's Rose
by Alisa M. Libby

Yet another young female has caught the eye of the aging King Henry Tudor. This time it is fifteen year old Catherine Howard, cousin to Anne Boleyn. Less than a year has she passed since her arrival at court, and she is now the Queen of England. Catherine's new life of luxury and being the king's "rose without a thorn" is different.

But Catherine's past haunts her, so she must be careful. She dreams of that kiss she shared with her (distant) cousin, Thomas Culpeper. A perfect kiss. Her relations with other men. But all must stay a secret, or death caused by treason could come her way.

Grade: A+

I am a HUGE historical fiction fan, and I am especially interested in reading about Henry Tudor and his numerous wives. Once I heard about this book, I had to have it, but it took me a while to get it, sadly. This was one of those novels that is hard to put down, because you really want to know what happens next. There isn't much for me to say, really. I loved this book. It was amazing, and if you're a fan of historical fiction, you should pick this up for sure.

*also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

well...

2009-09-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am a college sophomore, as of Monday.

I haven't even been back to school for even a full week, and I am already exhausted. I think life is about to be quite busy for me. I have three classes, all of which have very high amounts of dry reading. And I am still working a few days a week, and as soon as I get my clearance, I will be back to my elementary school as a volunteer. (Get this: I need 40 hours of volunteer work in the classroom BEFORE I can take ONE class. Nuts!)

So, this means, basically, my only reading time is before bed, or on my break before biology, if I'm not doing history work. Therefore, I am pretty sure I will not be making my goal of reading 100 books this year. Maybe 2010!

Grist

2009-09-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Grist: A Novel
by Heather Waldorf

This summer will be Charlena's first away from home, away from Mike, her father. He invited her to go with him and his girlfriend to Toronto, but she would rather not be the third wheel, let along spend time with Barb. She is going to Lake Ringrose to spend her summer with Grams.

Grams warns Charlie to stay away from Kerry...she can befriend him, but nothing more. Charlie doesn't understand why, but she finds herself falling for him, and he is falling for her too. But then she learns something. Something terrible, and something that makes their relationship more than complicated.

Grade: B

I'm not sure where to begin. So, I will say that I love the creepy looking cover. But, I have NO idea what "grist" means. I've looked it up, but the definitions don't match the way it is used in the book. That is quite frustrating. I think the best part of this novel was the part where Kerry's secret was revealed. I didn't see it coming, and I was freaking out about it! I was really rooting for the relationship between Kerry and Charlie, but after that secret, I was as confused as Charlie. I liked her character a lot, because she was sarcastic, and we talked the same way. I haven't heard anything about this author, or if she has any other novels. I enjoyed this one, but I think it is a one-time read.

The Lost Summer

2009-09-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Lost Summer
by Kathryn Williams

Helena Waite is finally a counselor at Southpoint, a summer camp for girls. She's been going to camp for years, and it is all she looks forward to. The bad part is, Katie Bell, her best friend, missed the counselor age requirement by a few months, and is therefore is stuck as a camper for another year.

Katie Bell and Helena swear camp will be the same. But Helena thinks it will be different. And it is. Helena leaves Katie Bell behind for her counselor friends, and Ransome, her long time crush that has become a reality.

Grade: B

As I've mentioned before, I love camp, therefore, camp books are a must read for me. And look at that cover. I love it. It reminds me of one of the camps I attend, because of the lake. I was a little disappointed in the read. The ending was a complete surprise that I didn't see coming, which is always a good thing. A lot of the time I found myself quite annoyed with Helena, what with her treating her best friend the way she did. With me knowing so much about camp, it made me curious, because most of the time it seemed as though there was nobody watching the children. I really thought this book was going to be different. It was quite average.

Ashley's ABC's

2009-09-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by The Ladybug Reads...

Available or single? Neither. I am currently in a relationship. :]

Best Friend? I have two. Krysten and Rachel.

Cake or Pie? I'm thinkin' cake. I loooove frosting, which is probably bad.

Drink of choice? Water or milk.

Essential item for every day use? It's not really an "item", but oxygen is pretty darn essential.

Favorite color? TURQUOISE!

Google? I use it daily.

Hometown? Tacoma. Same house my whole life.

Indulgences? Do I need to answer this? Books.

January or February? Um. That's tough. I'll go with February.

Kids and their names? No kids.

Life is incomplete without…? Love. :)

Marriage date? I'm not thinking about marriage. I'm only 19!

Number of siblings? Two: one of each.

Oranges or apples? Apples all the way.

Phobias and fears? Death.

Quote for the day? I don't really have one. :/

Reason to smile? I'm happy. That is reason enough. :)

Season? Summer!

Tag 3 people: I'm not going to. There's too many people to choose from!

Unknown fact about me? I was on the bowling team in high school. We won state 3 years in a row.

Vegetable you hate? Pretty much all of them. haha

Worst habit? Well, I used to bite my nails. But now I pick/bite the skin around my nails. I dunno why, but I hate that I do it!

X-rays you’ve had? Arm, fingers (hand, I guess), and teeth.

Your fave food? Pizza, spaghetti, or nachos!

Zodiac sign? Aries.

Winners!

2009-09-05T16:46:00.001-07:00

I was a little disappointed in the turn out of the contest, but maybe no one liked the books up for grabs. Next time will be something good, I hope. :)

The winner of Meet Me at the Boardwalk is:
Jordan!

The winnter of It's All About Us is:
Alexa!

The winnter of Shrinking Violet is:
Lilibeth!

The winner of What Would Emma Do? is:
Paradox!

I have emailed you all, so get back to me and in a few days I will end up at the post office to get the books sent out!

And as for reviews, I am reading as much as I can in my free time. I'm back in my groove, so there should be more reviews!

Wintergirls

2009-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson

from cover flap:
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 on going this way--thin, thinner, thinnest--maybe she'll disappear altogether.

Grade: A+

First off, I think the cover is amazing. Secondly, this is probably one of the most disturbing books I have ever read.

Spiders hatch and crawl out of my belly button, hariy little tar beads with ballerina feet. They swarm, spinning a silk veil, one hundred thousand spider thoughts woven together until they wrap me up in a cozy shroud...Page 43

I mean, that is weird. But it is written sooo well. It almost made me feel like I was her, counting calories, etc. I can't imagine being as sick as that.I hate to admit it, but I was really interested in reading this book because...I have my own background in anorexia. Overall, another amazing novel that deals with the hardship of anorexia and cutting.

**REMEMBER TO ENTER MY CONTEST! IT ENDS ON SATURDAY!**

Something, Maybe

2009-08-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Something, Maybe
by Elizabeth Scott

Hannah Jackson James knows how to be invisible. She wants it that way. Her father made it big on his reality show Cowboy Dad. He is like Hugh Hefner. He has "his girls" and they live in a castle. Hannah's mother, Candy Madison, was once one of his girls.

Hannah doesn't want to be noticed by anyone. Except Josh, her crush. They work together, go to school together. She is sure that he is her soulmate. But then there is also Finn. Annoying, but sweet Finn. She hopes to get what she wants, but is what she wants what she needs?

Grade: A

I adore Elizabeth Scott. I'm never disappointed. I wasn't too sure about this one, because there were mixed reviews about it. But I really enjoyed it, and I read it super fast! :) Hannah was somewhat annoying, only because she couldn't see that Finn liked her! It was only obvious! I loved Finn. He was funny and sweet. I hated Josh. He seemed nice, but I thought he was a jerk from the start. Once again, Elizabeth Scott has written a wonderful story. I can't wait for her next one.

After the Moment

2009-08-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

After the Moment
by Garret Freymann-Weyr

from cover flap:
Maia Morland is pretty, only not pretty-pretty. She's smart. She's brave. She's also a self-proclaimed train wreck.

Leigh Hunter is smart, popular, and extremely polite. He's also completely and forever in love with Maia Morland.

Their young love starts off like a romance novel--full of hope, strength, and passion. But life is not a romance novel and theirs will never become a true romance. For when Maia needs him the most, Leigh betrays both her trust and her love.

Grade: A-

This one was just too hard to make a synopsis by myself. After reading the synopsis, I really wanted to read this book. After starting it, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I really loved it though. It is always way more different for me reading from the male perspective. I really liked Leigh's character. And I thought Leigh and Maia were perfect for each other. It was really surprised by the ending, so that was really good. Overall, this novel was really enjoyable.

REMEMBER TO ENTER MY CONTEST! :)

A Contest! :)

2009-08-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

It is my second. I was looking at my overstuffed shelves and thought "hey, I can give a few of these away!" So, that is exactly what I am going to do.

Here is what is up for grabs:

Meet Me at the Boardwalk by Erin Haft

It's All About Us by Shelley Adina

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook

To enter:

+1 A comment!
+1 Tell me what book you're reading
+2 Follow my blog
+3 If you already follow my blog

U.S. only. (Postage gets expensive!) And please leave your email address, so I can notify the winners. There will be 4 winners. The contest will end on the 5th, next Saturday.

What Would Emma Do?

2009-08-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

What Would Emma Do?
by Eileen Cook

Emma has sinned. She kissed her best friend's boyfriend. And she knows she's messed up. It doesn't help that she lives in a small, religious town where everybody knows everything. Emma is somewhat of an outsider anyway, since she is basically the only person in Wheaton that wants to leave. She's counting down the days until she gets to Chicago for college.

Now the girls in the school's popular crowd are mysteriously fainting. Emma is one of few that knows something that proves they are lying, but by fessing up, she would lose her track scholarship, and her ticket out of town.

Grade: B

This was a really interesting story. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a slow beginning, which I don't enjoy, but then it picked up the pace. I think I loved Emma the most. She seemed like me in many ways, by the things she said. When I started reading the book, I really had no idea where it was going. The ending was good, but it left me hanging. I like the title, but the cover doesn't make any sense to me. Overall, I found this to be enjoyable, but a one-time read.

Fairy Tale

2009-08-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Fairy Tale
by Cyn Balog

Morgan Sparks and her boyfriend Cam have been together forever, basically. She knows they are perfect for each other, and nothing can break them apart. Then Pip, Cam's "cousin" comes to stay with him, and Cam is suddenly different.

When Cam finally fesses up, he reveals to Morgan that he is a fairy. He and Pip were switched at birth, and Cam's biological brother died. Now Cam is the rightful heir as Fairy King.

Morgan wants nothing more than to be with Cam forever. But he is physically changing, and Morgan can't help but think maybe he should leave.

Grade: A+

I loved this book soooo much. I had no idea what to expect from it, since it is about a male fairy. I mean, how strange is that? The story was amazing. I loved every minute of reading it. I didn't want it to end, that's for sure. I really liked Morgan, but sometimes I just wanted to smack her to see that she couldn't decide what was best for Cam. I decided I like Pip better, mostly because of the way he spoke, and when I pictured him, he was just beautiful. :) I recommend this to everyone. It will not disappoint.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

I'm Gone. Again.

2009-07-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

To another Norwegian camp. And, on my last post about camp, some of you thought I was going to Norway. Sadly, no. The first camp was in the Snoqualmie Pass, and this camp is in Arlington. Both are here in Washington. It would be amazing to go to camp in Norway, but alas, I cannot. This time around, here is where I'll be:

This is the BEAUTIFUL Lake Riley. Amazingly gorgeous. This is what it looks like in the morning.

So, I will be back in 2 weeks. When I'm back I will have WAY more time for reading, though I will be going back to work as well, sadly. :( But still, more free time. I'm bringing a book to read at camp, I'm not sure which though.

The Everafter

2009-07-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Everafter
by Amy Huntley

Madison Stanton doesn't know anything anymore, aside from being dead. Where she is, how she got there. It just Is. All that is around her is darkness and space. Here and there she comes across objects from her life that she lost. These objects let her relive each moment where she lost them. And sometimes she can even change these moments from her life. By reliving, Maddy learns the truths about her life and death.

Grade: A

You know something funny? My copy of The Everafter is an ARC, and it says The After, with a sticker that says the title has been changed. Moving on.

I was very impressed by this book. At first I wasn't too sure about it, and it was kind of hard to get into. But once I got a little ways in, it was hard to stop reading. It was like no other book I've read. Very original. I had no idea how Maddy died, and when I found out, I was completely shocked; I didn't see it coming at all. It really kept me guessing. So, overall, you should pick this up when it comes out in September. I was not disappointed.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com
**released September 29, 2009

Princess Academy

2009-07-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Princess Academy
by Shannon Hale

High on Mount Eskel, there is a village where Miri lives with all the other villagers. All her life, Miri has dreamed of working with the others in the quarry, pounding away at the linder of the mountain. Miri's Pa will never let her work though, and she thinks it is because she is so small.

From the valley, news comes from king's priests that the next princess will come from Mount Eskel, and the prince will choose her himself. But before a girl is chosen, all the girls eligible must attend an academy to prepare.

Grade: A

Me and my "co-counselor" read this each night to the 6 girls in our room at camp. I loved every minute of it. It leans more towards the younger crowd, but that didn't matter. The story was so fun, and I really enjoyed it. The ending could have lasted longer, but am I happy with it. What really hooked me were the names. They were Norwegian, and we were at Norwegian camp, so I loved it. :)

Cast the First Stone

2009-07-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Cast the First Stone
by Gwendolyn Glover

Denise Stone, aka Denny, and Haley Fisher have been best friends ever since Denny moved in across the street. They couldn't be more different. Denny is sharp-tongued, prefers her independence, and enjoys cigarettes and alcohol. Haley is quiet, reserved, and begins to give herself to God. Along with that, Haley's family, poverty-stricken, is always having trouble, and she is the one taking care of her younger siblings.

The girls keep changing through the years. And Denny wants nothing more than to get the hell out of the small Oklahoma town, and run off to California.

Grade: B

Where to start? I'll thank Gwendolyn for asking me to review her books. :) This debut was very original. I haven't read anything like it before. I enjoyed Denny's character for her sharp tongue, but sometimes I got so mad at the way she treated the people that love her. I didn't understand why she did that. I wasn't very happy with the ending of the story, only because I feel like more should have happened. I didn't really want it to end either. I am really curious as to what happens with all of the main characters. Overall, this was an interesting read, and if you come across it, give it a go.

For more information on her novel, visit Gwendolyn's website, here.

I'm Gone.

2009-06-26T23:22:00.000-07:00

That's right. Tomorrow I will be heading to Norwegian camp! As a counselor, of course. I can't wait. It's 2 weeks of dancing, singing, games, heat, and all things Norsk...that means Norwegian. :) Here is what it's like up where I will be. It's gorgeous up there. We stay in this lodge called Trollhaugen, which means Troll Hill in Norwegian. It's so comfy and it just feels like home. I tried to find a picture of the place, but I couldn't find a good one.

The day after I get back, I'm off to Ocean Shores with three of my good friends. It'll be a great time. And we might be stopping in at Forks on the way home. So, I doubt I will be getting any reading done while I'm at camp. But I'll probably bring my Harry Potter book to recap before seeing the movie. So, have a good 2 weeks, and I'll catch up with ya when I get back!

Sea Change

2009-06-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Sea Change
by Aimee Friedman

Sixteen-year-old Melanie Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After some drama with her boyfriend and (ex) best friend, she is happy to get away from New York City for the summer. She is going to Selkie Island, where she will help her mother sort out her late mother's home.

While on Selkie, she meets a few girly girls, handsome T.J., and mysterious Leo. While everyone thinks she belongs with T.J., she finds herself drawn to Leo. But it seems like he is hiding something.

Grade: A

I wanted this book so badly. I was kind of iffy on whether or not to buy the book, because not many reviewers around the blogosphere were that impressed by it. But, I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed it. I loved Leo the most. He seemed like my type of guy. ;) Miranda was a good character, but kind of weird, which was good. I got really confused by Miranda's mother. But, I really enjoyed reading this. It was romantic, mysterious, and fun.

Along for the Ride

2009-06-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Along for the Ride
by Sarah Dessen

Auden missed out on so much during her childhood and teenage life, including riding a bike and even just encountering girl talk. She was never considered a child. Born to her demanding professor mother, and writer father, she always was focused on her academics.

Now is the summer for her to get away from her mother before starting college in the fall. She travels to Colby, a small beach town, to visit her father, his new wife, Heidi, and their newborn, Thisbe. Auden gets a job at Clementine's, Heidi's girly shop, where she finally encounters that girl talk. She also meets Eli, a fellow insomniac. He takes Auden on her quest, each night checking something off the list of things she never got to do.

Grade: A

Boy, oh boy. I could not wait any longer to get my own copy of this. I woke up on the 16th and hurried on my way to B&N to get one, paying way too much for a book, but oh well. First off, the cover is gorgeous. Love it. And now, moving on to the review.

Sarah Dessen has been one of my favorite authors since I read This Lullaby, the first book of her's that I read. This book I was looking forward to so much, and it did not disappoint. I loved the characters, and all of the changes that Auden went through. At that one point of the book where she didn't join the game, though, I got so disappointed in her. But all was good in the end. I loved Eli as well. He seemed like such a perfect match for Auden, and he really helped her. Overall, you should definitely pick this up, along with any other Dessen book you can get your hands on.

Waiting on Wednesday 17

2009-06-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

The Dead-Tossed Waves
by Carrie Ryan

Spring 2010

Need I say more? I found no synopsis anywhere. But there is a sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth. YES!!!!! I have no idea what it will be about, or if it is even about Mary, since this girl has blonde hair. Anyway, I can't wait a year! But I shall.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth movie?

2009-06-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of ReelzChannel.

Carrie Ryan's young adult zombie novel The Forest of Hands and Teeth has just been sold to Seven Star Pictures, the studio behind Kristen Stewart's upcoming movie K-11.

The novel, which was published in March by Delacorte Books for Young Readers, has been an instant hit with critics and book bloggers. It tells the story of Mary, a girl living in a small village bordered by a fence to keep out the Unconsecrated -- savage zombies intent on destroying the town and everyone in it. Add a little bit of romance and a gutsy female heroin, and you've got a teen thriller to rival Twilight.

Rumor has it that an A-list actress is tipped to star in the movie (could it be Kristen Stewart?), and a first draft of the screenplay is being written as soon as possible.

My Thoughts...
I absolutely loved this book, and after reading it, I thought it would make a great movie. Now, I love Kristen Stewart. In Twilight. But if she ends up being cast as Mary, I feel as though I wouldn't enjoy it very much. But that doesn't mean I won't see it. Besides, it sounds like it is not set in stone quite yet. But I would sure love to see this on the big screen. It would be so creepy!

TA DA!

2009-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I would love to thank the lovely Laina for making me this wonderful new layout.

But I did help with the header. :)

Thank you!!!!

Twenty Boy Summer

2009-06-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Twenty Boy Summer
by Sarah Ockler

It has been a year since the tragic death of Matt, Frankie's brother, and Anna's best friend. Everyone is still mourning. Frankie's parents think they are ready to go to their annual vacation spot in Zanzibar Bay, California. And this summer they are bringing Anna along with them.

Here comes the Absolute Best Summer Ever, code name A.B.S.E., for Anna and Frankie. Frankie has come up with the plan for she and Anna to meet twenty boys while in California for the "perfect" summer romance.

Little does Frankie know, Anna has already had her perfect summer romance. It was last summer, with Matt. Before Frankie knew, Matt had died. He was to tell her on their vacation, and Anna had promised not to say anything. And she has still kept that promise.

Grade: A+

First off, this cover is so cute. I love sea glass! Now, onto the review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute, and I just could not put it down to go to sleep. So, I finished it way late last night! I loved Anna, and by the end of the novel, I could really tell how much she had changed over the weeks she was in California. It was hard to picture her and Frankie being best friends, only because they seemed so incredibly different. The idea of the novel was totally original. And I could totally see it happening to two best friends. Overall, it was a super cute book, and a great start to my summer reading! You should all check it out if you haven't all ready.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

Ahhh, summer.

2009-06-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today I finished up my first year of college. And I am so proud of myself. Mostly because in my public speaking class my group won our debate, and I totally rocked the conclusion...shut the other team DOWN! :D

Anyways...There will be a few updates this summer. I will be gone for a month, with (most likely) no internet access. I will be at camp, as a counselor. I can't wait! The first camp starts at the end of the month. And if you're interested, I will post some pictures after I get back.

This summer I will be pretty busy. I will be doing 2 summer camps, each 2 weeks. And there is 2 weeks in between the camps. During that time I will be going to Ocean Shores with a few friends for a couple days. After that, there is the next camp for 2 weeks. Then I will be spending all my time hanging around, reading, and working. I really need to catch up on that reading!

Slept Away

2009-06-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

Slept Away
by Julie Kraut

Laney Parker is big time city girl. She just finished up another year of high school, and is looking forward to summer. Her plans? She doesn't really have any, aside from lounging and tanning on rooftop swimming pools with Kennedy, her best friend, and parties with her classmates. And then her mother drops the bomb: Laney is going to Camp Timber Trails!

Laney is away from everything and everyone she knows, until she finds Ryan, the guy in New York that everyone dislikes because of something that happens many years ago. She is forced into wearing hideous clothes that her weird mother packed for her. There is no A/C, no phones, no internet, and she sleeps in a cabin that reminds her of Lincoln Logs. Plus, she doesn't have a choice in the activities, which is hell.

Will Laney leave camp miserable, or will she have changed for the better?

Grade: A

Whoa! I loooooove camp. And I loved this book. It was so cute, and it was totally realistic. Though I'm not sure about the separation between the girls and boys. That would be crazy. Anyway, I really enjoyed this. But I got kind of annoyed by Laney. She never stopped complaining. But I loved her personality, along with Sylvie, the bestie she made at camp. Overall, you should pick this up for a fun, fast read to start off the summer.

Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel

2009-05-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel
by Meg Cabot

Emerson Watts' life has sure changed since she became the face of Stark Enterprises: Nikki Howard. As if life wasn't hard enough already! Christopher, the boy of her dreams, hardly notices her existence. It seems as though her real family will never get used to her new body.

Now, her mother has gone mysteriously missing. Her brother, Steven, has shown up at her apartment wanting to know where she is. As if Em knows! Her (ex) best friend is planning on ruining Stark. A pop star wrote a song about loving her, too!

But what is it with Stark? They know a little too much about Em. Where did those holes in the loft ceiling come from? How did they know she was at Christopher's? What are they hiding...?

Grade: A

Another amazing Meg Cabot novel. Will I ever be disappointed by her? I think not. I totally love the idea of the Airhead novels. I mean, just imagine that really happening...a brain transplant, and all this shady stuff behind the scenes with a company bigger than Walmart! Phew! Anyways! Well, I adore Em's character. She is a lot of fun, and I love the way she thinks. And I love Christopher! He seems so cute. :) I look forward to Runaway, whenever it will be realeased. I'm interested to see what happens to Em, especially after that crazy ending to this book!

I Know It's Over

2009-05-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

I Know It's Over
by C.K. Kelly Martin

from cover flap:

Pure. Unplanned. Perfect.

Those were Nick's summer plans before Sasha stepped into the picture. With the collateral damage from his parents' divorce still settling and Dani (his girl of the moment) up for nearly anything, complications are the last thing he needs.

All that changes, though, when Nick runs into Sasha at the beach in July. Suddenly he's neck-deep in a relationship and surprised to find he doesn't mind in the least. But Nick's world shifts again when Sasha breaks up with him. Then weeks later, while Nick's still reeling from the breakup, she turns up at his doorstep and tells him she's pregnant, and with his emotions and hopes crashing around him, Nick finds himself struggling once more to understand the girl he can't stop caring for, the girl who insists that it's still over.

Grade: B+

So, I had no idea how to write my own synopsis, so I just copied the flap one. I have wanted to read this one for a long time, but I just waited until it was available at the library. I'm not quite sure how to describe how I feel about this novel...It was nice to read from a guy's point of view on the topic of pregnancy. I've heard only great things about this one, but I can't say I was completely impressed--probably because of the ending. But, it was a good storyline, and I look forward to reading One Lonely Degree when it comes out.

Waiting on Wednesday 17

2009-05-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

L.A. Candy: A Novel
by Lauren Conrad

June 16, 2009
from bn.com

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun.

When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!

Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara -- free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres -- and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight.

In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

I think...
Whoa! When I first heard LC was writing novels, I was shocked! And I couldn't wait. I loved Laguna Beach, and I love The Hills...yeah, I'm one of those girls. :) It sounds really good too. I'm wondering how much of it is in connection to her own experiences in reality television. I guess I will find out in June!

Waiting on Wednesday 16

2009-05-13T10:07:00.001-07:00

The Lost Summer
by Kathryn Williams

July 14, 2009
from amazon.com

"I died one summer, or I almost did. Part of me did. I don't say that to be dramatic, only because it's true."

For the past nine years, Helena Waite has been returning to summer camp at Southpoint. Every year the camp and its familiar routines, landmarks, and people have welcomed her back like a long-lost family member. But this year she is returning not as a camper, but as a counselor, while her best friend, Katie Bell remains behind. All too quickly, Helena discovers that the innocent world of campfires, singalongs, and field days have been pushed aside for late night pranks on the boys' camp, skinny dipping in the lake, and stolen kisses in the hayloft. As she struggles to define herself in this new world, Helena begins to lose sight of what made camp special and the friendships that have sustained her for so many years. And when Ransome, her longtime crush, becomes a romantic reality, life gets even more confusing.

Told with honesty and heart, Kathryn Williams' second novel tackles the timeless theme of growing up, set at a camp where innocence is created and lost.

I think...
Here is yet another camp book. It sounds really good too! And look at that cover! It is so cute! And I have experience too: going to camp and then coming back as a counselor. It sounds really interesting, so I will definitely be looking out for this one.

In Your Room

2009-05-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

In Your Room
by Jordanna Fraiberg

LA-native Molly gets to go on a trip to Boulder, Colorado. The catch? Her mother just married Ron, and she gets to go on the honeymoon with them. Surprise!

Boulder-native Charlie gets to join his two moms and twin sisters on a trip to LA. Too bad he has to leave all his beloved mountain tails behind. Darn!

These families are doing a house-swap. Molly and Charlie are staying in each others room. They begin talking through Facebook and IM, really getting to know each other, aside from sleeping in each others bed.

All the reasons to fall in love are right there...

Grade: B+

I was excited when this book finally came to my library! I've been wanting to read it for a really long time. I was only slightly disappointed. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Charlie. Molly got on my nerves a lot, like when she found out something she didn't like about Charlie, and she would just not talk to him for a few days. That's kinda immature, but hey, we all are sometimes. It was a quick, fun read, with drama and romance.

oh em gee

2009-05-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Man. I am on a roll or something. I absolutely cannot believe all these awards people are giving me! Thank you so much!

I received the Lemonade Stand Award from Robyn.

1)Post the Logo on my blog.
2)Nominate 10 blogs with gratitude/attitude.
3)List and link my nominees.
4)Alert them of their nomination on their blog.

And next is The Lovely Blog Award from Fantastic Book Review.

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

And lastly is the Your Blog Rocks Award from Amelia.

1) Rockin' bloggers who are awarded should pass it on to up to 5 blogs that rock your world either for content, writing, layout, or whatever!
2) Be sure to display the badge on your blog and leave a link to the person who gave it to you.
3) Write a post about it, and don't forget to thank the one who gave you the gig!
4) Oh yeah, and be sure to inform your nominees about their award by leaving them a comment. It's just good manners.

Thanks again, girls! Now...I have no idea who to nominate. So, I think I will accept these awards. Every blogger I have "met" is amazing in their own way, and I don't want to leave anyone out!

Living Dead Girl

2009-05-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Living Dead Girl
by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time...

"Alice" was taken by Ray when she was 10 years old. She was on a field trip at the zoo. He took her from all she knew: friends, family, life.

She is now 15, still with Ray, living at Shady Pines Apartments. People think she is Ray's daughter. She has learned to endure the pain, but all she really wants is to die. To be away from Ray and the pain. But she can't run away.

Grade: A

Fantastic. I read this in just a few hours. I've heard only good thoughts on this book, and I cannot think of anything I disliked about it. Though, I was a little disappointed with the abrupt ending. The story was so...raw. I really enjoyed it, even if it was hard to read in some ways. I just...can't imagine that being me. It is so terrible. :( But, of course, Elizabeth Scott has amazed me yet again.

The Stolen One

2009-05-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

The Stolen One
by Suzanne Crowley

Katherine Bab takes her one chance to get out of her country village to go to London when her adoptive mother passes away. She wants, no, needs, to find out who she really is. Soon, Kat becomes a favorite of Queen Elizabeth herself. Rumors are everywhere, since they have matching hair--could she be the Virgin Queen's secret daughter?

She stitches for hours, creating a masterpiece of a dress for the Queen. Two men at court, Rafael and Nicholas, are trying to win her heart, but Kat can't help but think of Christian, her childhood best friend, and the man at her village that wants to marry her. Who will she choose? And will she find out who her mother is?

Grade: A

It is kind of hard to describe how much I loved this book. I didn't really know what to expect from it, and I was not disappointed. It was pretty amazing. I loved Kat's character. And I really loved Christian. I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this was just the kind I love the most, since it was during Elizabeth's ruling time. It was mysterious, and kept me guessing who Kat's mother was. I really had no idea until the end. I didn't dislike any part of this book, aside from the way Kat treated Christian, and the end, only because I didn't want the story to be over! When this book hits bookshelves, you should pick it up, especially if you enjoy historical fiction!

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com
**released July 6, 2009

Waiting for You

2009-04-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Waiting for You
by Susane Colasanti

Marisa would love to have a fresh start her freshman year. A boyfriend is at the top of her list.

The people in her life? Derek, the boy she wants, already has a girlfriend. Her best friend, Sterling, is always falling for guys that are too old for her, has turned to online dating. Her whole family is acting weird, especially her parents. Then there is Nash, her childhood friend/neighbor. They share the dock down at the river.

And then there is the DJ of an underground podcast that the whole school is listening to. The guy is named "Dirty Dirk," and Marisa feels like he really knows what she is going through in all of her relationships. If only she could find out who he really is.

Grade: A

I was soooo stoked to get a copy of this, since I fell in love with When it Happens. Thanks Susane! :) I'm not sure where to begin...But I shall try! :) I absolutely loved the plot. A lot of teens can relate to it--you realllllly like this one guy, but the guy you should like is right there in front of you. I really enjoyed all of the characters, especially Nash...I loved him! I think there should have been more to the relationship disruption between Marisa's parents though; that is the only thing I would like to know more about before the...something. So, to sum it all up, this book was pretty much amazing. And you should for sure go pick it up once it comes out!

*released May 14, 2009

Update Me.

2009-04-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

So, I got another award. This one is from Michelle. Thanks!

The Rules:
1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom your received your Splash award.
6) Have F~U~N

Alrighty...I need to nominate some people. I haven't really seen this one around, but I'm only going to nominate three. And they will be:

-Katie
-Stephanie
-Bookworm

As for an update...Not much is going on over here. I've been way busy with school and work. My first big speech is on wednesday, so I will be busy with that. I'm nervous! And I have an essay due monday. I'm currently reading three books: Nights in Rodanthe (won't post a review, most likely), Waiting for You, and The Stolen One. I will probably finish up Waiting for You first, so expect that soon...hopefully! And as for that one boy I texted? Nothing there. We were going to hang out, but he never texted me, the jerk. haha Oh well!

That Summer

2009-04-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

That Summer
by Sarah Dessen

Fifteen year old Haven has way too much going on in her life. Her parents got a divorce; her father left her mother for Lorna Queen, the Weather Pet, his coworker. Her sister, Ashley, is getting married to skinny-tie wearing Lewis Warsher. Haven doesn't know why though, since he is boring. And lastly, Haven is a giant. She is almost six-feet tall and still growing.

Haven is having trouble figuring out who she is and where she belongs. The world revolves around Ashley and her wedding. It's what she is used to. Then Sumner, Ashley's first love returns to town. Haven is reminded of the summer where everything was perfect. Her parents were happy, Ashley was nice to her. Sumner brought them together. Or was it perfect?

Grade: B

This was the only Dessen novel I hadn't read, and I of course had to jump at the chance to borrow it from Krysten! I would have to say this was my least favorite of her novels. I'm still not sure what I think of Haven's character. I knew I didn't like her best friend, Casey, or her sister, Ashley. I enjoyed Sumner's character a lot. So, like I said, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did all her others, but it was satisfactory. I wish there was more to the ending though.

Waiting on Wednesday 15

2009-04-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ghost Huntress: The Awakening [Book 1]
by Marley Gibson

Pub. Date: May 4, 2009

from amazon.com

The first in a trilogy. Get out your tape recorders, crystals, and extra batteries— you’re about to go where our world meets the spirit world.

Psychic Kids, Paranormal State, Haunting Evidence—these and countless other television shows are making believers out of millions of people: Ghosts exist, and they’re living right beside us. For centuries, individuals have been trying to prove the existence of ghosts. But without hard evidence, it’s been difficult to make the case. But now as science and technology have progressed, ghost hunters have been able to use scientific means, along with more traditional psychic tools, to make their case. Photographs, video recordings, and sound recordings are all producing some amazing results.

In this new series, Ghost Huntress, meet Kendall Moorehead, a seemingly typical teen. When her family moves from Chicago to the small historical town of Radisson, Georgia, her psychic abilities awaken. She’s hearing, feeling, and seeing things that seem unbelievable at first, but with the help of the town psychic, Kendall is able to come to terms with her newly emerging gift. So, together with her new BFF, Celia, Kendall forms a ghost hunting team. They’ve got all the latest technology. They’ve got Kendall for their psychic. Now they’re going to clean up Radisson of its less savory spirits.The story is fiction. The science is real. Welcome to a new reality.

I think...
I loooove any and all things realted to the paranormal. I find it soooo fascinating! It sounds so great, and I can't wait for it! :)

The Amaranth Enchantment

2009-04-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Amaranth Enchantment
by Julie Berry

*It is realllly hard for me to write a synopsis for this book without giving too much away, and not enough. So, here's my best attempt!*

Lucinda Chapdelaine has been an orphan ever since her parents left for a ball and never returned. She was taken in by her uncle at his jewelry shop, and must endure her wicked step-aunt. And then a woman named Beryl came into the shop. Since then, Lucinda's life has changed forever.

All in the same day she saw Beryl, the Prince comes to the shop, and a thief boy sneaks into Lucinda's room and stays the night. Peter, the thief, steals something from Lucinda, and she must find him to get it back to Beryl, the rightful owner. But she isn't the only one looking for it.

When she finally finds him, he has sold it--to the Prince for his betrothed. What will Lucinda do to get it back to Beryl? What other twists and turns will she get herself into along the way?

Grade: B+

This book was very interesting. It is kind of hard to explain. It was hard to put down, that's for sure. I think this was Julie Berry's first YA novel, and she did very well. I liked all the characters. For some reason, I loved it whenever Peter came around Lucinda. He was really fun and sarcastic. The only thing I didn't like about the story was the ending. It was abrupt, which I hate. I have no idea what happens to all the characters. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, with some very intriguing characters.

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

A Season of Eden

2009-04-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

A Season of Eden
by J.M. Warwick

Eighteen-year old Eden is awaiting the end of her senior year so she can get the heck outta her house. Her father ignores her, and even worse, he remarried TWO MONTHS after the death of Eden's mother. Stacey is a gold-digger, but he just doesn't see it.

Eden decides to take Concert Choir--an easy A, of course. But she doesn't expect to enjoy the class. Or the teacher, Mr. Christian. He is a god on the piano, thoroughly gorgeous, and totally oblivious to his mega-hotness. Eden is drawn to him instantly.

She knows it's wrong to like her teacher. But he is nothing like the boys she has had in her life--he is a man. A relationship between a student and a teacher is more than complicated. But Eden always gets what she wants.

Grade: A

I had no idea what to expect when I got this book. I wasn't even fully aware of what the story was about. But once I started, I couldn't stop. It was AMAZING. I have never read about a teacher-student relationship before, so I was really intrigued. The writing was great. I could feel the passion between Eden and James (Mr. Christian). I could feel how much Eden wanted to be with him. I loved James. He seemed perfect, and extremely cute. :) The only thing I didn't like was the ending, because it left me unsatisfied. I have no idea what will happen with Eden and James, and I want to know! To sum it up, this book was amazing, and I am going to keep my eyes peeled for more books by the author. You should read this.

*thanks Devyn for the contest! If you didn't have this contest, I don't think I would have ever found this great book!

"In My Mailbox" 7 and another update

2009-03-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

In the Mail:

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick

Bought:
Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

And, here's the latest scoop on Ashley:

I just started Spring quarter today, and I'm not very happy. First off, I'm taking English 102, Public Speaking, and History 148. Secondly, my English class starts at 7:30 in the frickin' morning. I wanted the same teacher I had last quarter and her only class was that early. I'm totally crazy. And therefore, totally exhausted right now. And, you know, I am very shy. So, I am pretty much scared to death for taking Public Speaking, but I need to take it. Crapola. And even better, I get to go to work in a few hours! Ugh. Bad day back to school. The only good thing is that I'm done with school before noon. So, for the lack of posts I feel coming, I blame it all on my schoolwork. Ugh!

Oh, and some of you were curious to what I got for my birthday! It wasn't much, and I knew all but one thing that I was getting. I got a B&N giftcard, big cd case, Big on dvd, and an Edward Cullen poster. I found that funny, since my mom hates me having stuff on my walls. Maybe I will post some pictures of my room/bookshelves to show you, if you're interested! :]

In other news, I texted this boy I met a little while ago last night and said we should hang out, and he said he's down! I can't believe I actually did it, and it is just amazing. hehe :)

it's my birthday :)

2009-03-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

That is right. It is my birthday! I am now 19 years old. Can you believe it?! I can't! I feel soooo much older than you young ones around the blogosphere! I guess I will just tell you all about myself.

My name is Ashley, but I'm prettttty sure you all know that by now. I live in Tacoma, Washington. Right now I attend Tacoma Community College where I intend on getting my Associates in Elementary Education. From there I will transfer to a university!

I loooove to read. Duh! Young adult fiction has always been a favorite. My mom is always telling me to broaden my mind in reading, by branching out. Sometimes I do, but I just love YA so incredibly much because I can relate.

I really enjoy writing. I actually have been working on a few "books" of my own, though none are any where near being finished. It is a goal of my to become a published author. When that happens, I will hold a contest. ;)

I loooove music. Soooo much. I listen to everthing--though I'm not big on country. I was a band geek, since 5th grade. I played the flute and piccolo. I play some guitar, but I'm not that good at it. I need to keep practicing!

My room is never clean. I always start it, but it never gets finished. I get distracted easily, and tend to find lost things.

I am a total Norwegian geek. It is now 10 years ago that I started attending Norwegian camp as a kid. I went for 7 years, and just this past summer I came back as a counselor. I loved it, and it helped me decide to be an elementary school teacher. I love all things Norwegian!

Lately I have been trying all sorts of energy drinks. It is quite interesting. Most of them taste the same. Haha

Well, if you want to know anything about me, I'd be happy to share! Just email me!

Thanks!

2009-03-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

I got some awards. Again! I'm sooo happy you guys love my blog enough to award me. I feel sooo special! :)

I have received I <3 Your Blog Award from Polo.Pony

Annnnnnd

The Zombie Chicken Award from Jill

I really have no idea who to nominate. I hope no one minds if I don't award anyone yet. I need to think of people! :) Thanks again for the awards!

Waiting on Wednesday 14

2009-03-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Slept Away
by Julie Kraut

Pub. Date: May 26, 2009

from amazon.com

Laney Parker is a city girl through and through. For her, summertime means stepping out of her itchy gray school uniform and into a season of tanning at rooftop swimming pools, brunching at sidewalk cafes, and—as soon as the parents leave for the Hamptons—partying at her classmates’ apartments.But this summer Laney’s mother has other plans for Laney.

It’s called Camp Timber Trails and rustic doesn’t even begin to describe the un-air-conditioned log cabin nightmare. Laney is way out of her element—the in-crowd is anything but cool, popularity seems to be determined by swimming skills, and the activities seem more like boot camp than summer camp. Splattered with tie dye fall out, stripped of her cell, and going through Diet Coke withdrawal, Laney is barely hanging on. Being declared the biggest loser of the bunk is one thing, but when she realizes her summer crush is untouchably uncrushable in the real world, she starts to wonder, can camp cool possibly translate to cool cool? Summer camp might just turn this city girl’s world upside down!

I think...
Another camp book! I think the one I did last week sounds a little better, but I will be picking this one up when it comes out. I love camp and I love books. What could be better than a camp book?! :)

Shrinking Violet

2009-03-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Shrinking Violet (ARC)
by Danielle Joseph

Teresa Adams, aka, Tere is painfully shy. Just the thought of speaking to people feels like a glob of peanut butter is stuck in her throat. The only time she is totally comfortable is in the privacy of her own room, her iPod pumping in her ears, and doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station--SLAM--which also just happens to be owned by her stepfather.

Tere surprises herself when a slot opens up at the station and tells Rob, her stepfather, that she could help out. Suddenly she is the new intern. Her confident on-air persona is Sweet T. Everyone loves her. Even Gavin, her crush that she can actually talk to, raves about how great the show is.

To get more listeners on the station, the station decides to hold a contest to win a date to prom with Sweet T. Tere is less than thrilled. But maybe she will meet her knight in shining armor, and in the process, find her voice.

Grade: A

This book was a fun and cute read. I'm pretty shy myself; not nearly as shy as Tere, but it was fun to read about a girl that is super shy. At the beginning it was hard to get into. But, after a few chapters, it was hard to put down! I know how she felt in class when she got called on--it's scary for me too! There were made up band names too, which were interesting. In fact, Shrinking Violet was one of the names. I didn't understand the title until I read the band name, and there is a cute meaning behind it, actually. I really liked Gavin's character. He seems so cute! The only bad thing about this ARC was the fact that I got a plain lime and purple cover, instead of the cover I have on here. Oh well. I'm glad I read this, and you should pick it up once it comes out!

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com
released on May 5, 2009

Across the Pond

2009-03-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Across the Pond
by Storyheart

Fred's parents won a trip to Australia--too bad it didn't come with three tickets. Fred gets the choice to go stay with his grandparents in Scotland, or to visit his parents' friend Phil in the United States. He chose the latter, not knowing what to expect of Phil, his wife Julie, and their daughter Brittney.

As he and Brit's relationship blossoms into something more, he learns about her secret involving Steve Harris. Fred decides he will give him what he deserves before he leaves the states and goes back to England.

Fred's trip the the states is one he will never forget. He catches Chipper Evan's 500th homerun ball at his first baseball game, and Fred learns that some people will do whatever it takes to get that ball. He and Harris have multiple run-ins. The relationship between Fred and Brit may have a sad ending, since Fred will soon be heading back across the pond to England.

Grade: B+

It was nice of Storyheart to email me and ask for me to review his book. I had a great time reading it. For his first YA novel, it was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed Fred as a character. He was caring, strong, and sometimes very confused by the language difference. I liked how Brit says "cool beans"...I say it too. :) The only thing I'm not too sure about is the relationship between Fred and Brit. Maybe it was love at first sight, but to me, it seemed somewhat unrealistic. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I learned some British terms. :)

Update!

2009-03-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Welllllllll. I just finished up my last final (math 99, yuck!) and it is now
SPRING BREAK!!!
I won't be doing much of anything, so I have plenty of time to read!

I wish I was there! --------->
I live in Washington, if you didn't know. So, it is all rain over here. And I'm sick of it! I can't wait for summer!!!!

I will let you in on my TBR pile as well. I'm currently finishing up Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph. Next on the list is:

Across the Pond by Storyheart
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
Waiting for You by Susanne Colasanti
The Private Series by Kate Brian
The A-List by Zoey Dean
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
Troll Blood by Katherine Langrish

And these are just the recent ones. I still have a bunch that I've bought and not read yet! Some of these aren't YA novels, so there probably won't be a review for them, unless you want me to. :)

Oh, P.S.! I went to Borders after my final, because I had a coupon. Little did I know that all these AMAZING books came out today and I didn't see any of them!!! :( So I got Troll Blood, which I've been wanting for a while--yeah, I'm a Scandinavian fool! :)

Waiting on Wednesday 13

2009-03-18T12:21:00.001-07:00

Sleepaway Girls
by Jen Calonita

Pub. Date: May 1, 2009

from amazon.com

When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, she's not ready to spend the summer listening to the two of them call each other "pookie."

Sick of being a third wheel, Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. But what she doesn't realize is that it's not going to be all Kumbaya sing-alongs and gooey s'mores. If Ashley, the alpha queen of Whispering Pines, doesn't ruin Sam's summer, then her raging crush on the surfer-blond and flirtatious Hunter just might. At least she has playful Cole, who's always teasing her, but is oh-so-comfortable to hang out with, and the singular gang of girls that become fast friends with Sam-they call themselves the Sleepaway Girls.

I think...
First off, the cover is super cute. :) I love covers! I was a camp counselor last summer, and it was a blast! So, I would love to read about camp. I love camp! :)

The Season

2009-03-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Season
by Sarah MacLean

Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford is being introduced into Regency London this season. Too bad she doesn't fit in with her sharp tongue and her hating dress fittings. The last thing Alex wants is to marry, which is why her mother, the Duchess, is so thrilled it is finally her season.

While Alex attends lavish balls and extravagant dinner parties with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, she also manages to uncover an important secret involving Gavin Blackmoor, a family friend. His father, the Earl, was killed, and Alex wants to help Gavin find the murderer. In the process of growing closer to Gavin, she finds her feelings changing, and realizes that maybe marriage and love aren't as bad as she thought them to be.

Grade: A

I was so excited when I got this book. And I was not disappointed. Sarah MacLean wrote an amazing debut novel that was hard to put down. I loooove historical fiction, and this is one of my new favorites in that genre. I loved Alex's character. She was witty and fun. She definitely seemed like someone I would be friends with. Blackmoor just seemed so handsome when I read about his features. I want to meet him! :) Anyways! This novel was amazing, and I look forward to more of Sarah's writing! You should all read it!

*reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

Waiting on Wednesday 12

2009-03-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's Not You, It's Me
by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann

Pub. Date: June 9, 2009

from amazon.com
Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back—at any cost.

Zoe’s two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants.

The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann’s humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back—herself.

I think...
This sounds super good. And look at that cute cover! It's plain and simple and yet adorable! I love stories about love! :)

Wow. Another?!

2009-03-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Oh. Em. Gee. I cannot believe I got another I <3 Your Blog Award!
Thank you soooo much Katie at KD's Library!

The Rules:
1) Add the logo of the 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.

It's so hard to pick my nominees. I try to pick new ones every time. There are so many great ones out there!

1. Steph Su
2. Amanda
3. Stephanie
4. Laina
5. Lauren
6. Kelsey
7. Bookworm

I'm currently reading The Season, just to let you all know. I expect to be done within a few days. But I can't promise you anything, because it is the end of the quarter, and I have essays to write, quizzes/finals to prepare for, and I am just exhausted by mid-day! Enough ranting. Now I have to get to work on this essay. Wish me luck! :)

Contest Winners!

2009-03-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

I would say my very first contest was a success! I was surprised by all the entries!

There's my hat with all your names in it. :)

The Luxe winner is:
Paradox!

How to be Popular winner is:
Janssen!

And the Perfect You winner is:
Mandy!

I have just emailed you all. If you don't reply with your address within 2 days, I will have to pick another winner. Congrats!

"In My Mail Box" 6

2009-03-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

I got two books this past week!:

Across the Pond by Storyheart (signed!)
Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti

Okay, so my contest ended at midnight. When I get home from school tomorrow, before noon, I will start counting entries and put names in a hat. :) So, I'll have that up tomorrow for you!

Meet Me at the Boardwalk

2009-03-06T18:08:00.000-08:00

Meet Me at the Boardwalk

by Erin Haft

Seashell Point is the home of three best friends: Jade, Megan, and Miles. It is a resort town, and almost the start of the season. The three friends are not looking forward to being surrounded by tourists.

This summer Jade gets the house to herself, but her sister is coming to stay with her. Miles has his eye on a tourist that Megan befriended. Megan tries to hide her secret crush on Miles.

When the threesome finds out about the plan to tear down the boardwalk, they are completely against it. And they come up with a plan to stop it.

Grade: C

This book was pretty average. I admit that I was drawn to it by the cover and title. I mean, that cover is just gorgeous, and I love all things beachy. There wasn't really anything special I noticed while reading this. I liked the relationship between the three friends. So, I wouldn't really suggest this for you, but hey, you may enjoy it more than I did.

Check her out!

2009-03-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

Soooo, one of my very best friends, Krysten, decided to start her own review blog. You should check it out, and welcome her! :]

There we are last year at school when it decided to snow! :]

Krysten's Library: I LOVE to ReaD

"In My Mailbox" 5

2009-03-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

I just got these books in the mail today!:

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
The Season by Sarah MacLean
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

I'm excited to read all of these! So, look out for the reviews! I'm about to jump into one of them!

Cracked Up to Be

2009-03-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Cracked Up to Be
by Courtney Summers

Parker Fadley isn't so perfect anymore. She starts drinking at school and fails all her classes. No one knows why the cheerleading captain quit or why she broke up with the most popular guy in school.

Parker just wants to be left alone. But everyone keeps bugging her. Her ex is still in love with her, her parents eventually make her see a shrink, and she's forced to see the school counselor weekly. The New Kid, Jake, wants to date her, and she's starting to feel things she doesn't want to feel.

Nobody knows what happened. And she won't tell. She can't. It was too horrible. And it was all her fault.

Grade: A

I was sooo incredibly excited to read this one. After seeing all the amazing reviews for it, I just needed my own copy. I had to drive over half an hour to go to a B&N that had copies. But it was so worth it. I had high hopes for this novel, and I was not disappointed. I loved Parker's sarcasm. She was super fun, but it bothered me the way she treated the people that cared about her. The only thing wrong with the book was the ending, for me. I want to know more! I want to know what happens! Like all the other reviewers last comment, you should FOR SURE pick up a copy of this. It was sooo great, and you won't be disappointed. I hope Courtney writes more novels for me to devour! :]

The ABC's of Kissing Boys

2009-02-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-26T09:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

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!***