The Luxe

The Luxe
by Anna Godbersen

The year is 1899 in Manhattan.

Elizabeth and Diana Holland are the rulers of the social scene. Or are they? When the girls' widowed mother tells them they are not stable financially, it is Elizabeth's job to marry a rich man so she can take care of her mother and sister. But can she marry a man she doesn't love and leave Will, an employee of the house, the man she truly loves?

There is Penelope Hayes, Elizabeth's "friend," who is trying to get Henry Schoonmaker to propose. And she is willing to just about anything to get her way with him. But Henry's father, William, will disinherit him if he marries Penelope.

Elizabeth's carriage is found, overturned, near the East River. And the most celebrated girl in the city has disappeared.

What are these girls to do?

Grade: B-

First off, this book took me FOREVER to read. Really, I've been working on it for months. I was totally excited to read it at the time I got it, because I heard it was like Gossip Girl in 1899. Only it wasn't. Only towards the end of the book it seemed to be so, since there was a lot of drama going on. It wasn't until about the last quarter of the book that I got into it and was actually enjoying it. I gave this a B- because I basically only enjoyed the last bit of the book. But I adore the cover; it's a stunning dress! Overall, I know a lot of people have enjoyed this, but I'm not really one of them. But I do intend on reading the next books.

Waiting on Wednesday 6

Tempo Change
by Barbara Hall

Pub. Date: July 9, 2009

From amazon.com:

It’s tough enough defining your identity—imagine if your father was a rock legend.

Blanche Kelly's dad is a famous indie rock icon, but not many people at the private school she attends on scholarship know this. Her father left when she was in the first grade, and she can’t quite forgive her mom for not understanding that an artist like her dad needs the time and space to connect to his muse.

When Blanche creates an all-girl rock band, their sound captures a wide audience and the band is invited to compete at the Coachella Music Festival. Blanche feels this could be the perfect time for a reunion with her father. Won’t he be proud to hear her band? Won’t he be happy to get to know his only daughter?

I think...
This book sounds totally great. I love music, and I love books about musicians. And the cover is amazing. It is absolutely gorgeous. I will for sure be reading this when it comes out!

To Be Mona

To Be Mona
by Kelly Easton

Sage just wants to be a normal seventeen year old girl. But that's kind of difficult when she has an eccentric mother who can't keep a job. This means they have hardly enough money to get by, and she has clothes from the Salvation Army.

Then she decides to change. She wants to be more like Mona, the popular girl. She wants popularity. She wants Roger Willis to notice her. She wants her mother to normal.

Can she get what she wants? Or will she lose her friends in the process? And in the end, will she know what it's like "to be Mona"?

Grade: A

This book was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. And I do! I was hooked from the very beginning. Sage was funny and I really liked her. I loved how by the end of the story, Sage knew she couldn't pretend to be something, or someone, she wasn't. So, the story has a good lesson in it. I recommend this book. It was a fast and fun read, and you'll really enjoy it!

*Reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

The Lit Report

The Lit Report
by Sarah N. Harvey

Julia and Ruth have been friends since they met in Sunday school at the age of four. They have been inseparable ever since. They attend a Christian school. Julia's mother is all about God. Her father, a neonatal nurse, was remarried to Miki, a pediatrician. Ruth's father is "Pastor Pete."

One day Ruth doesn't show up at school, making Julia somewhat unhappy about it. After school, Julia calls Ruth after getting a a bunch of "CALL ME NOW" text messages. Ruth confesses that she had sex at a party and is now pregnant.

Julia comes up with a plan that will help conceal the pregnancy from everyone. And they will leave the baby on the steps of Ruth's father's church after it is born. Will the plan work out, or will Ruth decide she wants to keep the child?

Grade: A

This was a really good book. I loved the way Julia and Ruth conversated; it was like my friends and I. I really liked the story line as well. I've never read a book where the girl is hiding her pregnancy from everyone but her best friend. Julia was a strong and smart character. I disliked Ruth for the way she treated her best friend; Julia was helping her and she didn't appreciate it. I think anyone could enjoy this book.

*Also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

The Rule of Won

The Rule of Won
by Stefan Petrucha

Caleb Dunne is a slacker. When his girlfriend, Vicky, an over-achiever, asks him to join a club about some book, he agrees. Now, not only does he have to join this club, but he has to read the book too!

At first, Caleb doesn't really believe in The Rule. The club is growing, and it is out of control with the weekly Craves. Caleb must decide whether or not he believes that he can get what he wants just by thinking he will, or if it is just a coincidence.

Grade: A

I was lucky enough to get this book directly from the author himself, signed and all! This was a really good book. It was kind of slow at first, but once Caleb joined the club, it picked up its pace. I really enjoyed Caleb's character. He was really funny, and seemed like one of my friends! The story flowed really well, and I was sad the story came to an end. I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending, because I wanted to know more about Ethan, but it was still really good.

Bleed

Bleed
by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Bleed is a story of 10 teenagers, woven together, over the course of a single day.

Nicole's decision to betray her best friend is a shock, mostly to herself. Maria, who believes her only true friends will cut her and make her bleed. Kelly deciides to meet the felon she's been writing since he was convicted. Derik, who can get any girl, except the one he actually wants, until now. Sadie's family is out for the day, leaving her alone in the house, making the snack cabinet a must, seeing how her mother is obsessed with weight. Robby just wants a girl to love him back; a girl to hold him and kiss him and whisper in his ear. Mearl (that's Pearl with an M) wants to actually be from some place. Ginger needs to find one thing to bring that girl down from her high post. Joy is sick and tired of boys messing with her; now it's her turn. Sean needs to decide which girl he likes more.

Grade: A

WOW! This book was pretty amazing! I recommend it to anyone, but just a warning, it is pretty sexual. It was a fast and easy read, and I couldn't stop reading it. It pulled me in from the first sentence. The only thing I disliked was that it was only 1 day in their lives, which makes me really curious to find out what happens the next day with everyone. It leaves me hangin'! Anyway, go read this. It was great.

Waiting on Wednesday 5

Just Another Girl: A Novel
by Melody Carlson

Pub. Date: January 1, 2009

From amazon.com:

Aster Flynn is stuck. She has to spend all of her "free" time with her younger sister, Lily, who, though fifteen, is mentally handicapped. At age seventeen, Aster should be hanging out with friends, dating boys, and working at a fun job. But her dad's MIA, her mom is always at work, and her older sister Rose is too self-centered to give her any help. It's not that Aster doesn't love Lily--it's just that for once she'd like to be able to be a normal teenager.

So when a cute popular guy seems to take an interest in her, Aster hatches a plan. Somehow she has to get her workaholic mom and deadbeat dad to be the parents Lily needs so that Aster can have a life of her own. But can she ever get her parents to start acting like adults? Is this new guy worth the trouble? And, most importantly, will Lily get hurt in the process?

I think...
This book sounds so good! I can't wait for it! It's just about a girl who wants a normal life, which is like most girls. And also there is a boy involved, so it is potentially a love story as well. And Aster is such an interesting name. I looked it up and it means Star. Well, that's it. It just seems really interesting to me, and I'm for sure readin' it when it comes out.

The Nature of Jade

The Nature of Jade
by Deb Caletti

Jade DeLuna has Panic Disorder. But she tries her very best to stay calm all the time. The thoughts, loss of breath, and dizziness is scary for her! She starts to go to the zoo in Seattle to watch the elephants, which soothes her. Since she obviously can't always be at the zoo, she has the live webcam up on her computer screen daily. Which is where she first saw the boy in the red jacket, with a baby.

They meet. His name is Sebastian, and he and his grandmother are raising Bo, his son. She believes this truly was love at first sight. She spends all the time she can with either Sebastian, Tess (his activist grandmother), or Bo. And then she finds out about his past, and it is surprising. Sebastian's past forces Jade into deciding on what is right, and what feels right.

Grade: A-

This book was really good. It took a while for the plot to get started though. One thing I really enjoyed about this was that it took place in Seattle, which is like, half an hour away from where I live! And she mentioned Point Defiance, which is a park I absolutely love to go to! :) There were 2 things that I didn't really like. First, I got kind of bored hearing about the elephants, but that was a part of Jade's character, so I know why it had to be in the story. And then the ending. I liked what happened, but I wanted to know more! Overall, this was a really good story.

Waiting on Wednesday 4

Same Difference
by Siobhan Vivian

Pub. Date: March 1, 2009

From amazon.com:

Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. But there are some things Emily is going to have to find out for herself -- like what the balance is between life and art, and which is more important when push comes to shove.

I think...
I really enjoyed A Little Friendly Advice, and I think this book will be a good one. It sounds really interesting, though the description wasn't a long one. The girl on the cover looks exactly like Ellen Page from Juno also! :)

Harmless

Harmless
by Dana Reinhardt

For years it has only been Anna and Emma. And then Emma has a school project to do with Mariah. Since then, it has been AnnaEmmaMariah. Three best friends.

The girls go to a party with senior boys one friday night. They tell their parents they're going to a movie at the college. At the party, one of their cell phones ring. A mom. Wondering why they're not at the movie.

They know they are in big trouble. So they come up with a story. A lie, so they won't get into trouble by their parents. Before they know it, everything is falling apart because of this one lie.

Grade: B

This story was very good. It was really interesting. The story flowed well. But the girls were kind of annoying. I liked how it was told from each view every chapter. It was a quick read. The ending was really surprising to me. I didn't see it coming at all. Part of it confused me though, and part of it I didn't like. But overall, it was a good story. It's a good story about friends, though by the end, the girls really don't have anything to do with each other.

Secrets of My Suburban Life

Secrets of My Suburban Life
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Lauren, "Ren", is stuck in the suburbs after her mother dies from a freak accident. (J.K. Rowling killed her...kind of...) Her father is grieving, and moves them to a small town in Connecticut.

Ren is having trouble fitting in at her new school. She is, after all, from New York City! Farrin, the popular girl, seems to enjoy making fun of Ren. When Farrin accidentally takes Ren's notebook, instead of her own, Ren discovers a secret Farrin is keeping: she is chatting with an older man on a website named "Sex World" and is planning on meeting him.

Ren devises a plan to catch the perv but pretending to be Farrin on the website, her user name "SexGurl1." She starts to put the pieces together, and thinks she knows who he is...

Grade: B

This was a very interesting book. I thought it was hilarious how Ren blamed J.K. Rowling for the death of her mother. Ren's character got kind of annoying in some spots; she seemed to babble! I thought it was strange how she was trying to help Farrin, after she was always rude to her, but she was doing it to help other girls also, since the man could move on if he wasn't caught...So that is a good message to readers. I read the story pretty fast, and it was an easy read. I don't really recommend it, but go for it if it sounds interesting to you.

Waiting on Wednesday 3

Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel
by Meg Cabot

Pub. Date: May 1, 2009

From amazon.com:

Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.

But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.

How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheer leading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

I think...
I read Airhead and loved it. I can't wait for this sequel. It is Meg Cabot after all, thus I will not be disappointed. She is my favorite. This book sounds great. Can't wait! :)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (ARC)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (ARC)
by Carrie Ryan

Mary lives in a village surrounded by the Forest of Hands and Teeth. The Unconsecrated fill the forest, moaning, trying to get into her village, to devour and make more of their own by a single bite that will spread the infection. They don’t give up. They want to feed.

The Sisterhood holds the secrets of the village, from before the Return. No one knows the truth, except them. The Guardians protect the village, and make sure the fence holds back the Unconsecrated. The fence is the only barrier between the village and the Forest.

But then, once Mary is forced into the Sisterhood, she learns things that she wishes didn’t. There is the one section of the fence, which is forbidden, but, it leads somewhere…Mary knows it. But where does it lead? Mary must chose between her village and what may or may not exist beyond that one gate.

Grade: A

I was lucky enough to receive The Forest of Hands and Teeth as an ARC. And I was not disappointed at all. I was hooked once I started. It kind of reminded me of the movie The Village, though not really at the same time. The Sisterhood and Guardians were secretive, just like the leaders in the movie. And they didn't want the village to know what was outside the fence. But Mary, like the blind girl, had to leave, and had to know. Mary was a great character. She was strong, and always wanted more than what she had. She kind of reminded me of myself, only a little though. The only thing I didn't like in the story was the ending, only because I want to know more! It left me hanging only a little, so I don't really know what will happen to Mary. When this book comes out, I recommend it to anyone. You'll enjoy it. :)

*Also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com
Comes out March 10, 2009

In My Mail Box

I've seen this around the blogs, so I'm giving it a try...though all my books are from the library this week! :)

Deep Down Popular - Phoebe Stone
Secrets of My Suburban Life - Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Nature of Jade - Deb Caletti

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart - Deb Caletti
Sloppy Firsts - Megan McCafferty

I Love Your Blog Award!

Wow! I was sooo excited to be nominated TWICE for this award. It makes me so glad too, since I've only been blogging for just over half a year, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks to Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
and Just Listen

I'm really happy about this...I'm glad to know that people actually enjoy my reviews enough to nominate me. :)

My turn!

After receiving the award you are supposed to pay it forward:

1) Add the logo of your award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

And my nominees are:

Em of Em's Bookshelf
Liv of Liv's Book Reviews
Renee of The Book Girl
Hillary of The Book Reader
Dominique of The Book Vault
Kelsey of Reading Keeps You Sane
Chelsie of Read, Read, Read

Waiting on Wednesday 2

Evermore
by Alyson Noël

Pub. Date: February 3, 2009

From amazon.com:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

I think...
I love Alyson Noël's novels. And I cannot wait for this one. These kind of books fascinate me. Paranormal and stuff like that. And it looks like this is going to be a series as well, which makes it even better! The cover is amazing, and I really like the title. I'm really looking forward to it! :)

Fragments

Fragments
by: Jeffry W. Johnston

Chase was the only survivor of that fatal car accident. No one treats him the same. He blames himself. He just wants his life to go back to normal. But then he starts getting flashes of memory from the accident.

Chase starts getting flashes of another memory as well. A secret he has been keeping for years. A secret he wants to forget. He wants to remember the accident. But will he have to remember his secret before he can recall the accident?

This book was okay. I thought it sounded pretty interesting, so I picked it up at the library. I wasn't disappointed in it, I just didn't find it as interesting as I thought it was going to be. The ending wasn't very good. I want to know more from it. And the secret...I didn't expect it at all. So that was a good part. I wouldn't really recommend this book, but hey, if you want, pick it up.

C+

(Changing my grading system. Letter grades are easier than numbers!)

Waiting on Wednesday 1

I've decided to copy other bloggers and start up with "Waiting on Wednesday." Here's my first. :)

After the Moment

by Garret Freymann-Weyr

Pub. Date: May 18, 2009

From amazon.com:

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.

Told with compassion and true understanding, After the Moment is about what happens when a young man discovers that sometimes love fails us, and that, quite often, we fail love.

I think...

This book sounds really great. I'm part of teensreadtoo.com and I wanted to get it as an ARC, but I didn't. But, still. I want it to hurry up and come out so I can read it! I love love stories! I don't read many books by male authors, but this is one that I will for sure be reading in May!

Bounce

Bounce
by: Natasha Friend

3.5/5

Evyn's mother died when she was young. It has been her, Birdie (her scruffy father), and her brother Mackey for a very long time. This life is all she knows, and all she wants. And then her father meets Eleni, and they all suddenly engaged to be married.

Birdie moves his kids to Boston to move in with Eleni and her kids. There is Ajax (like the soap!), the sweater twins, Thalia, Phoebe, and Linus, who lives in a dorm at college. Evyn doesn't want to get used to this life. She hates everything about it. Her father changes; he isn't scruffy anymore. Is she able to bounce, or is she not able to handle this new life?

This book was pretty good. It wasn't the best story ever, and it wasn't a real page-turner. But it was interesting. Evyn was a strong character, but I don't like how she handled the moving/step-mother situation. It was really kind of childish, though she was only a thirteen year old girl. I wouldn't really recommend this book. It's more for the younger crowd too. Overall, the book was okay.

Me, Penelope

Me, Penelope

by Lisa Jahn-Clough

3.5/5

Penelope, Lopi for short, is sixteen years old. She and her mother live alone, and she can't stand the way her mother acts. She's getting older, so she shouldn't flirt with everyone she meets, or have a new boyfriend every week.

Lopi has a list of things she wants: her license, her mom to leave her alone, and to get out of high school early. The thing Lopi really wants is to find someone to not only love, but one who she can have sex with. She thinks about who it can be and goes through three guys and she is still a virgin. Will she find what she is looking for? Will her mom change?

This book was okay. It was very different, actually. I liked how it was written, but I found Penelope to be an annoying character. She just blamed herself for what happened in the past, and she is totally obsessed with sex. If you don't like sexual books, don't read this. Otherwise, you may or may not enjoy it.

Project 17

Project 17
by Laurie Faria Stolarz

5/5

Derik needs a way to get out of flipping burgers at his family's diner. He finds a film making contest for a reality channel, and decides to go for it. It is the eve of Danver State's demolition, a supposedly haunted mental institution.

Derik and five of his peers break into the asylum, so Derik can film his documentary. All seems well at first, but then the place starts messing with them. As the teens explore the asylum, they find things, and unravel mysteries of the patients that once lived there. And perhaps some of them are still there somehow.

Wow. I saw a review for this book and I just HAD to get it. And I was not disappointed. It helps that the paranormal fascinates me as well. I just love hauntings, and abandoned insane asylums are creepy cool. Love it. :) But, really. This book was great. It was hard to put down, and it wasn't the longest book either. If you're interested in that kind of thing, like me, I suggest this book for you. You'll for sure enjoy it!

*Also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com

(My new signature :] )

The Summoning

The Summoning

by Kelley Armstrong

5/5

It's just a normal day for Chloe Saunders at A. R. Gurney High, her art school. When she picks up her things that fell on the floor after someone bumped into her, she suddenly got her period. Finally! She goes to the bathroom. When she leaves, she sees a janitor down the hallway. He yells at her to come over to him, but she runs the other way. But he appears. And it looks as if his face was melted. She heads to an empty classroom, but the principal and a teacher follow, and she is taken out of school on a stretcher.

Chloe has to go to Lyle House, with other teens that have problems similar to her own. She arrives, and meets the group: Liz, Rae, Tori, Simon, and Derek. The doctors try to convince Chloe that she has schizophrenia. But really, she knows that is not it. She sees ghosts. Derek knows what she is: a necromancer. One who speaks to the dead. Will she and her friends ever get out? And if they do, what will happen to them?

Um, WOW. This book was so totally amazing! I would've read it so much faster if I didn't have schoolwork to do. It was so surprising, and I didn't expect the other teens to be what they are. There isn't really anything else to say about this book. It was just totally amazing. I cannot wait until the second book in the Darkest Powers series comes out. Go read this book if you haven't already. You won't be disappointed! :)

Saving Zoë

Saving Zoë
by Alyson Noël

4.5/5

Zoë was murdered just one year ago. Echo, her 15 year-old sister, is still dealing with it. Her freshman year is just starting and she is feeling awkward. One day, Zoë's "ex" boyfriend, Marc, calls her, and says he has a birthday present for her. She meets him at the lake, a place where he and Zoë went all the time. He gave her Zoë's diary.

When she first gets the diary, she doesn't want to read it. She thinks that she knows all about her, and she won't learn anything from the diary. But she gets curious, and starts reading. And once she starts, she can't stop. Zoë had her own secret world.

She wants to be like her sister, leave her boring life behind. She hangs out with Teresa, a girl who is on the bad side. Marc is around more, and Echo thinks she can only trust him with this. He read the diary too. He knows what she's going through. He knows all about Zoë as well. So, when Echo and Teresa hang out with Jason, Marc is not happy.

As Echo gets to know her sister through her diary, she learns what she has to do to move on herself.

This book was really good. It was a quick read, and really emotional. It was very intriguing too. I couldn't stop reading it. I didn't expect a lot of it either, so it kept me surprised. I love how Alyson writes; this is the second novel I've read of her's. I recommend this book and Art Geeks and Prom Queens, which I read a long time before I started this blog. You won't be disappointed with this book. I promise. :)

When It Happens

When It Happens
by Susane Colasanti

5/5

Sara and Tobey are finally seniors in high school. She is a brain, he is a musician. He's wanted her for a long time. And now he finally going to do something about it. Until Dave, the popular guy, asks her out. But this doesn't stop Tobey from trying to get the girl of his dreams.

Tobey and his best friend Mike try to come up with plans for him to get Sara to notice him. Tobey comes up with an excellent idea, and talks to Laila, Sara's best friend. He gets her to trade partners in Music Theory so he can be with Sara. Laila of course tells Sara this. After hearing that Tobey likes her, Sara can't keep her eyes off of Tobey.

Sara dates Dave for a few weeks, trying to get into it. He's basically begging her to have sex with him. He's not who Sara thought he was. Sure, he's gorgeous, but there is no connection. No connection is like the one she and Tobey share. She gets butterflies, she loves the way he looks at her with his bright blue eyes.

Tobey is trying to win Battle of the Bands, but it totally blows. Sara is nervous for her possible acceptance to NYU. Tobey changes himself for Sara too. Instead of pulling his normal C average, he uses him smarts, and pulls an A average so he can get into a music school. He never wanted to go to college, but he knew that Sara wanted him to go, so he never told her that he didn't want to go.

Sara and Tobey have the connection everyone is looking for. From the moment they knock heads in the cafeteria, you will be rooting for their relationship to blossom.

This book was AMAZING. I read it in just a few days; it was hard to put down, even when I was exhausted and wanted to go to sleep at one in the morning! I fell in love with the idea of Sara and Tobey right when they bumped heads in the lunch line. They were just so perfect, even if Sara didn't know it yet. I recommend this book to anyone. It was so good. Go read it! You won't be disappointed! And Susane's writing is so great. It is totally "real". It is how my friends and I talk, and how so many other people talk and get along. It's great. Read it!

Lucky and Tempted: An It Girl Novel

Spoilers, if you haven’t read the series.

Lucky: An It Girl Novel
by Cecily Von Ziegesar

5/5

Jenny Humphrey has been to a few crazy parties at Waverly Academy in the few weeks she’s been there. But none have been as hot as the one at the Miller Farm, where the barn caught on fire. Dean Marymount announces that the arsonist behind the fire will be expelled.

Rumors are everywhere. Julian’s lighter, with his initials on it, was found on the scene. He had given this to Tinsley before…Hmmm! Callie is scared that either her or Easy will be kicked out, since they were both in the barn, smoking. It was Tinsley who came up with the idea in the first place, though. But, to save her own butt, she and Callie plan to get Jenny expelled. But, will it work?!

Of course, another fabulous book. I just can’t put these down. The ending was so good! I didn’t see it coming at all. Tinsley and Callie are so evil! I cannot stand them one bit. Annoying! But, anyways, go read this series. Seriously. :)

Tempted: An It Girl Novel

by Cecily Von Ziegesar

5/5

Jenny Humphrey confessed to the crime of burning down the Miller Farm, though she didn't do it. She thought her life at Waverly was over, until Dean Marymount told her Mrs. Miller, of the farm, told him that her cows started the fire...weirdo! Nobody knows who saved her, but they do know that someone paid off Mrs. Miller. But who could it be?! She is ready to unveil her secret admirer at the Halloween masquerade ball.

Callie and Easy broke up again, and now she is ready to win him back at the Halloween ball, wearing her Cinderella costume. But will he be there, willing to be her Prince Charming? Tinsley has been noticing her popularity is shrinking. Especially when little Jenny wins best costume at the ball, when that has ALWAYS been her. Does she try to make Jenny miserable again though? Or be nicer?

This is the most recent book in the series and it was great. The best one yet, I think. Tinsley really surprised me at the end with Jenny. It was kind of weird too. Jenny went through a lot. Another boy who was a jerk to her as well, which sucks. She'll find someone soon, I hope! :)

Unforgettable: An It Girl Novel

Some spoilers, if you haven't read the series.

Unforgettable: An It Girl Novel

by Cecily Von Ziegesar

5/5

Jenny Humphrey has been at Waverly Academy for a few weeks. She's been through a lot, from kissing boys, to parties, to stealing her roommate's boyfriend, Easy Walsh. Callie, her roomie, just goes and makes out with him in a closet behind Jenny's back. As Easy tries to decide which girl he wants, Callie and Jenny make a pact to leave Easy in the past. But, Callie goes back on that promise. What a friend. NOT!

Jenny starts to like Julian, the tall, shaggy-haired freshman who has been hanging around her dorm randomly. Little does she know, its not for her, but for the bitchy Tinsley. The girls of Dumbarton start bonding by starting WoW--Women of Waverly. Kara and Brett get a wee bit closer...Interesting.

Then there is a party at the Miller Farm. Many things happen. Everyone learns about the Kara and Brett relationship...Jenny sees Callie and Easy smoking in the barn, not fully clothed...Jenny hooks up with Julian...Tinsley gets pissed. And how does this end? The barn catches on fire.

Another great book in the series. Callie and Easy really made me mad in this one. I liked Easy, but once he hurt Jenny like that, I disliked him very much! Jerk. And Tinsley, of course, is a mega bitch! If I knew someone like this in person, I wouldn't believe it. I don't know how someone could be that mean. The whole Kara/Brett situation was weird. And interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA novels. Lots of drama!

The Ghost's Child

The Ghost's Child
by Sonya Hartnett

4/5

Matilda comes home one day to find a young boy sitting on her sofa. They have tea, and she tells him about her past. At that time, she went by Maddy, and she longed for a fairy tale life.

When Maddy finished school, she came home to her family’s house by the sea. Her father asked her what she thought the most beautiful thing in the world was. She answered, “sea eagles.” Her father decided that the two of them together would travel the world in search of the world’s most beautiful thing, since he was not satisfied with her answer. After their travels, she was asked the question again. And she realized that she was the answer her father was looking for.

One day when she was back home, she went to the beach. She saw a young man and found herself walking towards him, scaring away the pelican that he was holding. She went to see him every day after that. She called him Feather. She married Feather, and they moved into a cottage in the forest.

He left one day, to be at his one place where he could be happy. Maddy could not come though, he told her. Weeks after, she wondered why he went to this one place and if he was happy. She decided that she needed to know the answer, so she had a sailboat made, and she set to sea. She saw many things, and spoke to sea life. She found Feather, and got her answer.

When she got back to her home, she left the cottage, unable to life there any longer. She decided she wanted to work in the war. She nursed hurt soldiers, and from there decided that she wanted to be a doctor. From then on she was Matilda. She helped people and then began to age. She was getting older, and lived in a house by herself. She ended her days in that house.

This was a very intriguing book. I was confused with the boy, but by the last chapter, I knew exactly who he was and why he was there. The life that Maddy lived was amazing. She went through so much, and many of those things weren’t so good, which is relatable. Her parents were odd. Her father wanted Maddy to be who she wanted to be, whereas her mother just wanted her daughter to marry a rich man and not care about being happy, which bothered me. Feather was also confusing. He appeared out of nowhere. I was happy they married, but unhappy when he left her. Overall, this was a very interesting book, and was hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much.

*Also reviewed for teensreadtoo.com
Comes out October 14, 2008