Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

I go this book at a bookstore that I have been volunteering at, and boy am I glad I got this. This story was filled with love, thought, and you could really tell what the characters were feeling at times. Here is a summary of the book (taken from Sarah Dessen's website):

Halley and Scarlett have been best friends for years, sharing secrets, clothes, and crushes. People know Scarlett as the popular, flamboyant one; Halley's just her quiet sidekick. Then, at the beginning of their junior year, the balance shifts. First, Scarlett's boyfriend Michael is killed in a freak accident; soon afterward, she learns that she is carrying his baby. For the first time, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever.

Like all of the books I have read by Sarah Dessen, I loved this. Of course, the young-teenage pregnancy is used a lot in story lines, Sarah Dessen makes this story individual. I recommend this to more older readers, because of some of the things it deals with, but if you are young, and are a "mature" reader, or a Sarah Dessen fan, I heavily recommend it.


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I know I have been saying this a lot, but I would again like to say sorry for not posting that often. I have no excuse because I am on break from school and I will try to post more often. I still have to post the review of Cross My Heart and Hope yo Spy, and a few other books I have finished since then.


Silence is silver, but Books are golden...

Happy Holidays!

I would like to say Happy Holidays to all of you! Whichever holiday you celebrate, may it be merry and filled with people who care about you. If you don't celebrate any holidays around this time, well, I hope you have a nice day.

I's Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

I read this book at the beginning of the year, but I recently read the sequel so here is a review of the first book in the series!


The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school teaches advanced martial arts in PE, chemistry always consists of the latest in chemical warfare, and everyone breaks CIA codes for extra credit in computer class. So in truth, Gallagher Academy might posit itself as a school for geniuses but what they really mean is spies. But what happens when a Gallagher Girl falls for a boy who doesn't have a code name? Cammie Morgan may be fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti), but the Gallagher Academy hasn’t prepared her for what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she’s an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without him ever being the wiser, but can she have a regular relationship with a regular boy who can never know the truth about her? Cammie may be an elite spy in training, but in her sophomore year, she's doing something riskier than ever --she's falling in love.



So, like I said, I read this books earlier this year. I don't normally like books that are about this type of stuff, but I really enjoyed this book. Ally Carter had me wanting more, and I am almost positive I read this all in one sitting. And, if I remember correctly I was sitting on a freezing cold uncomfortable leather couch, the WHOLE time. So, if you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it, it will have you wanting more!


It is currently 10:00 pm and I am really tired because of Christmas, so there will probably be a review of the second book in this series tomorrow. I may also review Devilish by Maureen Johnson and The Melting of Maggie Bean by Tricia Rayburn (if I finish it).



Silence is silver, but Books are golden...

Just a Few Rants...

So, the title explains it all. Its time for some good ole' fashioned ranting of literary sorts! You can read, or you can not read (if you choose), but I WILL take my thoughts and put them onto theoretical paper!!! SO, let rant #1 begin:

RANT #1 - Book Banning

This is a topic I "love" to discuss, because I am very opinionated when it comes to book banning of any sorts. My first opinion is that anybody who tries to ban books are evil people who are against "freedom of speech" which is wrong. My second opinion is that parents who decide what their kids can or cannot read are not doing their children good, they are harming them. But on the other hand, I do believe that five year olds shouldn't read certain books. Like I personally don't think certain age groups shouldn't go around reading "risky" books. But, once you reach I certain age and maturity I believe that people have the right and the knowledge to choose which books they read or don't read. For example, almost all of the books I read are aimed for an older audience. One of my friends and I both have "mature" reading senses and are slightly more "mature" than other people we know and we can choose what books we can or cannot handle. Many people probably think we shouldn't be reading Looking for Alaska or many of the other YA Books out there. But, we both have, and we lived. We both worship John's books and many other authors books. It doesn't matter what age you are or what grade your in; it matters weather you can handle it.

Okay, finishing these rants when you wake up on the day before Christmas isn't working so...Happy Holidays! And, after I clean my room and be lazy for a bit I will probably post some reviews! BYE!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

An Interview with Aimee Friedman

So, I recently "interviewed" the author of A Novel Idea, Aimee Friedman. You can see my review of A Novel Idea here.

Here is the "interview", and I would like to say Thank You to Aimee Friedman for agreeing to do this.


1. What gave you the idea to do a novel that involves book so much?


I am, and always have been, completely passionate about books. I was born into a home filled floor to ceiling with books--both my parents value literature highly, so it was no surprise that I became a writer and editor. I would have loved to have started a book club in high school, but book clubs have only become wildly popular in more recent years. With A NOVEL IDEA, I wanted to show how books and a book club could be fun and exciting--a way to cause trouble and mischief or even fall in love!



2. Do you plan on writing more Romantic Comedies for Simon Pulse?

I would love to! I think it's a great line with fantastic writers and smart, sassy storylines. Many of my other novels--such as SOUTH BEACH, FRENCH KISS, and HOLLYWOOD HILLS--read as if they could be a part of the Romantic Comedy line, even though they are separate. I am swamped with other projects now, but I often daydream about writing a sequel to A NOVEL IDEA.


3. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read, read, read. Read whatever inspires you, what excites you, what hooks you--it doesn't have to be the classics, or even what's hot right now. It can be Shakespeare or it can be a graphic novel. Read what gets your heart pumping. I don't think I could have become a writer if I didn't first have a true appreciation for books, and other novelists. If there is a writer you admire, think about what they do on the page that works. Then, through that, you will find your own voice.


4. Do you have a special place where you do your writing? If so, where?

I love to write in a coffee shop across the street from my apartment. It's a cozy place that smells like pastries and has outlets for laptops and great music playing at all times--not unlike The Book Nook in A NOVEL IDEA (only it's not a bookstore, and there's no Griffin working there!) I'll come in and order a tall iced vanilla latte and muffin, sit down in one of the comfy booths, plug in my laptop, and get to work. If the coffee shop is sometimes too noisy or crowded, I'll go to the main branch of the New York City Public Library--a beautiful building with a hushed, reverential feel--it's almost like a temple to books.


5. When did you first know you wanted to become an author?

I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't want to write. I am ultimately a big daydreamer, and writing is a form of dreaming--it's putting your dream thoughts down on paper. As soon as I could really write--I must have been around five or six-- I wrote my first story, and I've been off and running from there. I wrote all through my childhood and teen years and college, and I have been very, very fortunate to turn what I love into a career.


6. When did you first decide to write for Young Adults?

When I was right out of college, I began working at a children's publishing house. It was around the time that teen fiction was exploding--Meg Cabot, Gossip Girl, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants were hitting the shelves and getting people excited about young adult fiction. The energy of YA fiction spoke to me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it, which is how my first novel, SOUTH BEACH, came to be!


7. Which character in "A Novel Idea" can you most relate to?Why?

Definitely Norah. Like Norah, I grew up in New York City, and I am a real city girl at heart. Plus I was--as I've already mentioned!--a voracious reader, devouring everything from Jane Austen to paperback romances. And, also like Norah, I was a bit shy and tongue-tied around boys that I liked... especially smart, bookish boys like James!


8. Did you or do you spend as much time hanging out in bookstore/cafe's as Norah does?

Definitely. In fact, I wish there were more bookstore/cafes in New York City. Though I love Barnes & Noble and Borders, there is something very special about hanging out in a local independent bookstore.


9. Who are some of your favorite authors?

This is a tough question! It changes very often, but right now I'd have to say, in no particular order: Charlotte Bronte, Sophie Kinsella, Kate Brian (I am addicted to the PRIVATE series), Emily Giffin, Michael Chabon, Ian McEwan, Hailey Abbott, Meg Cabot...the list goes on and on!


10. Is there anything that you would like to add/say?

Please check out my website: www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com for a comprehensive list of all my books! And feel free to drop me a line to let me know which of my books you have read, and what sorts of feedback you have.
And finally--happy holidays, and have a wonderful 2009!


So, Thank You to Aimee Friedman for answering my questions!

An Interview with Lisa McMann

So, I recently did a Q&A with Lisa McMann author of WAKE and soon-to-be-out novel FADE. To see the review I did of WAKE click here. So, here is the "interview"

1. How did you get the idea for WAKE?

I had a dream that I was in my husband's dream, watching what he was dreaming. So I wrote down the idea on my bedside notepad and in the morning the idea still sounded cool -- I couldn't stop thinking about it.

2. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes -- focus on being a better writer, not on getting published. It takes a lot of practice to become a good writer, just like it takes a lot of practice to become a good athlete or painter or actor. Try writing short stories or flash fiction, which is very short, and submitting to online literary magazines like Flashquake, Smokelong Quarterly, or Vestal Review (be sure to read a bunch of the stories first so you know what they like to publish).

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love reading Chris Crutcher, Sara Zarr, Melissa Walker, Robin Brande, Ally Carter...and my high school buddy H. M. Bouwman whose new middle grade historical fantasy, The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap, made me laugh and cry. Also, watch for A.S. King's debut YA novel in February, The Dust of 100 Dogs. It's excellent.

4. When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

In fourth grade. I wrote a picture book called Baby May's Birthday for an assignment and my teacher picked me and my book to go to a Young Authors' Conference at a local college. I remember thinking then that someday I would be a writer.
5. Why did you choose to write YA Fiction?

I don't know. I just started writing and my characters all happened to be teens. I think YA has the most interesting audience and it's fun to cut through the crap and get to the juicy stuff that teen life is made of. There is so much that happens to teens -- all the joy and angst and embarrassment that teens go through daily. Dorks, nerds, geeks, unite.

6. What was it like finding out your first book was going to be published?

It was the second best thing that has ever happened to me. It was scary and exciting and overwhelming. I couldn't believe it.

7. Do you have a special place where you do all of your writing?

I write on a laptop from a green chair with ottoman in my living room. I hope to have an office one day (I keep threatening my 15-year-old son that I'm sending him to college early so I can have his room) but for the moment this is my office.

8. Which character in WAKE can you most relate to? Why?

I relate to both Janie and Cabel a lot. Just trying to get by as a fairly poor kid in a fairly ritzy high school was a daily struggle. I was ridiculed for the hand-me-downs I wore. I had times where I had no friends. But everybody can relate to feeling ostracized at least once or twice in high school, right?

9. What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?

I told you question 6 was my second best thing. The very best thing was when WAKE hit the New York Times bestseller list. It was totally unexpected and so incredible. Euphoric -- there's a word.

10. Is there anything you would like to say/add?

Yes -- I'd love to invite all your readers and fellow nerdfighters to check out an essay contest that my publisher and I are putting on. It starts December 23 and on that day, all the details and the rules will be on my website, http://lisamcmann.com . It is for U.S. teens ages 14-18, and there is a pretty amazing prize for the winner.

WAKE is out in paperback now! And don't miss FADE, coming this February 10, and the third book in the trilogy, GONE, coming spring 2010. Find me on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc.

Thank you for a great interview, Zoe!




I would like to say Thank You to Lisa McMann for answering my questions. And, thank you to everyone who convinced me to read this book.

A Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman

I normally don't really like the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies, but I enjoyed this book very much. When I went to Borders yesterday I kept changing the book I wanted to buy, it was either between I Am The Messenger (which I have read), a book about nerds (which of course, I found interesting), and this. I originally skipped over it, because it was a RoCom and that didn't really suit my mood. But after reading the back, I though it was worth the money. Here is what it is about (taken from the back of the book):

Once upon a time there was a Brooklyn hipster named Norah. Unlucky in love, and short on extracurriculars for her college apps, Norah decided to start a book group. She knew the perfect locale -- a local indie bookstore with a crush-worthy cutie manning the soy latte counter.

When the first meeting arrives, Norah gets a page-turning surprise. The attendees may be bookish, but there are also a few hotties! Most noteworthy: sweet, literary James. He's like a modern Jane Austen hero.... Only, how to snag him?

Ever the romantic heroine, Norah devises a secret plan. And if it works, Norah may just find her "Happily Ever After" love story.


The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover and the title. And after reading the back, I enjoyed the fact that it had to do with books. Though I get car-sick while reading, I started reading this anyways. I read it straight through, only pausing when my mom called me. I enjoyed the surprise twist during the end, and all of the sweet little notions throughout the book. I recommend this to people who like Romantic Comedies, sweet stories, or books.


Silence is silver, but Books are golden...

I was tagged!

I was tagged by Linda Gerber, author of Death by Bikini. She tagged me to do a 25 Things About Me post. So, here it is:(some will be obvious and some won't be)

1. I love to read.
2. Up until I got "into" reading books as much as I do now, I wanted to be a fashion designer.
3. Though it doesn't seem like it, I enjoy school.
4. I think Wizard Rock is possibly one of the best genera of music.
5. I can't keep my room clean for a month, or a week.
6. I develop crushes on guys in books, fairly fast. What can I say? A lot of fictitious guys are pretty frickin' hot.
7. I am obsessed with Harry Potter, but alas, I am missing two of the books.
8. My great-grandma was a fashion designer in LA and met a few of the "old" stars.
9. I have tried and failed countless amounts of times to start a blog, and failed. This is the longest I have ever had one.
10. I am also obsessed with the Vlogbrothers, both John and Hank.
11. I once cried when I received tickets to a Hilary Duff concert for my birthday.
12. I would like to become a YA Author.
13. The desk that I spend half or more of my life sitting at, is infront of a window, and is covered in notebooks, and school work.
14. I have an older brother.
15. I have had the entire Golden Compass trilogy sitting on my bookshelf for a year and I haven't read it.
16. When John Green (who I fangirl) came to sign books an hour away from where I live, I couldn't go...and I cried about it, because him and his brother have impacted my life that much.
17. I am afraid of heights, needles, and a bunch of other things.
18. I am currently working on about six novels.
19. I have two poetry books that were published in the 1880's and 1890's. And I got them both for one dollar.
20. I just recently lost my title as the youngest in my extended family! ( I am now a second cousin)
21. I have been to Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. (I was in Canada for about 2 and a half hours)
22. I also missed the chance to see Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbalastier when they were about 30 minutes away from me (I had an over night field trip the next day)
23. I am half-jewish.
24. I have red hair and freckles.
25. I procrastinate!

Thank you Linda, for tagging me. And I will tag whoever hasn't been tagged! Because I can't think of anybody right now...

WAKE by Lisa McMann

First of all, sorry for not reviewing books a lot recently. Second of all, most of the books I will be reviewing are books I have read a few months ago and loved them so much I wanted them to be reviewed. So, lets get this show on the road, shall we. Okay.


For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....



I originally was going to return this book to the library before reading it, because I wasn't really interested in reading this "type" of YA book at the time. But some very wonderful reviewers convinced me otherwise. And boy am I glad they did. Lisa McMann wrote a wonderful book. After reading it, I actually didn't want to put it in my "To be Reviewed" pile, because I was afraid I might want to re-read it in the middle of the night. But, here I am reviewing this book, for the sake of my book blog. So...yea... back to reviewing. I loved this book and most of its characters, and let me just say, what you find out towards the end is truly "golden". Like many others, I recommend this book heavily and I am looking forward to the release of FADE.

Happy Birthday Jane!

I just wanted to take the time to say...Happy Birthday Jane Austen! I am still in the middle of reading Pride and Prejudice which is going to be the first book of hers that I've read. Even though I haven't "officially" read any of her books, her life fascinates me. I have seen numerous movie's having to do with either her or her books, and they have all ended up being in my top 10 movie choices. SO, here's to Jane Austen, one of the best writers of her time! Happy Birthday!

A Few Things...

So, while I was cleaning my room, I decided I would look through my books. First, I think I will tell you why. After looking at my school "progress report", my parents got a bit mad because I didn't have all A's and B's. So, they said that I won't be
able to go the library or bookstore until the next report card comes home. The next report card is coming home January 31, I believe. I decided to go through my books to see what books still have to be read and reviewed. I have one pile of books that still have to be reviewed, and two piles of books that still have to be read. Here
are the book that need to be reviewed.

















The book that need to be both, read and reviewed are here:





















I will post a list of the books a little later.

New Books (4)

So, I have gotten books from the library, and I have bought books for people for Christmas, I will tell you both.

Books that I got from the library:


On Writing by Stephen King
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Northanger Abby by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen

A Book that I got from my Math/Science teacher:

A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean


The Books I bought someone in my family for Christmas/Hanukkah

Blaze by Stephen King (who wrote the book under the pen name Richard Bachman)
Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King
The Dead Zone by Stephen King

Question...

Okay, so I have a question for you all. Would you like me to only review YA books, or would you like to also read reviews of adult and children's books. I have recently acquired a children's book and a few adult books, and I don't know if I should review them on here or not. Thanks, and Happy Reading!

I Love You Blog Award!

So, Sarah from Sarah's Random Musings gave me the I Love Your Blog Award. Thanks Sarah, this makes me very happy! If you get this award you are supposed to:
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.

It was really hard for me to choose people to nominate but here it goes:

1. Becky's Book Reviews
2. Alea at Pop Culture Junkie
3. Em's Bookshelf
4. Steph at Reviewer X
5. Kristi at The Story Siren
6. Valentina's Room
7. Hope's Bookshelf

I chose the people, not only because I love their blogs, but also because they were some of the first blogs I have read. And they are some of the blogs that inspired me to start book blogging.

Marvin K. Mooney WIll You Please Go Now by Dr. Suess

I decided, spur of the moment, to review a children's book. I don't know why I am reviewing a children's book, and it probably won't be very review-esque, and I beg you to forgive me.
So, this is one of my favorite children's books, and I got it from when my older brother was younger. Lets just start off by saying, yes, Dr.Suess wasn't the best and most thoughtful poet ever, but he was a good poet. And you have to admit that getting children to like poetry is really hard for most people, but Dr.Suess did that. By rhyming bike and like (for example), he makes it so the child or whoever is reading the book doesn't have to think about the amazing depths of the poem. The just have to remember the objective; getting Marvin K. Mooney to go NOW! This, along with other Dr. Suess books changed my life as a little kid. They were probably some of the first books I liked.
So, sorry if this wasn't a "worth-while" review,and it was horrible, but I just wanted to get this out there. Thanks for reading.


Silence is silver, but Books are golden...

New Books (3)

Okay, so within the past few weeks I have gotten a good amount of books to read. But, I am probably going to take most of the books back to the library, because I don't want to read them at this "moment". The books that I will probably be returning are:

Echo by Kate Mordenroth ( I am returning this, because its too depressing to read during Christmas and when you are stressed about school)
See You Down the Road by Kim Ablon Whitney (Again, I don't feel like reading it)
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince by Melissa Kantor

The books that I am going to (or at least try) to read are:

Wake by Lisa McMann
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (I have started it, and it is AWESOME!)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (I am reading it in English class, it is okay)
The Tales of the Beetle the Bard by JK Rowling ( I don't own it, but I borrowed it from a friend)

Sorry...

Once again, I'm probably not going to have time to post stuff this week. I'm really sorry but, since Christmas bread is coming up in a week and a half my schedule's been really crazy. I have three projects all do before break, and I was absent on Friday so I have work to catch up on. The good news is that I have tons of books to read and review during Christmas time, so be expecting that! Thanks for reading this, and once again sorry for not posting a lot.

Bookish Ruth is giving away a copy of Tales of the Beetle the Bard, so go check it out here

the book is written by J.K. Rowling and it appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I encourage you all to enter this contest or go pick up the book!

Waiting on Wednesday (on Friday)

Book Release Date: April 2, 2009

Book Description:

It’s not often you see an elf in the middle of Brooklyn, let alone a tall, blonde, gorgeous elf in the middle of one of the most prestigious performing arts high schools in the country. And yet, that’s just where Zephyr Addler finds herself: smack dab in the middle of bustling New York City, worlds away from the woodland community she knows so well. But Zephyr knows that if she’s going to make the most of her talent, she has to figure out how to live in the world. And dress in the world. Thanks to a little friendly fashion advice from her new friend Mercedes, Zephyr starts to get the hang of Brooklyn. That is, until Zephyr raises the ire of the most popular girl in school, Bella Dartagnan. Now with Bella and her friends out to get her, can Zephyr out-maneuver the mean girls (and catch the eye of a certain cute boy) without losing herself?

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

This was an amazing book, I loved it. Here is a summary :


Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he’s hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That’s when the first Ace arrives. That’s when Ed becomes the messenger. . . .

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?



I loved this book so much. All of Markus Zusak's books are very well written. When I finished reading this, I didn't want the book to end. The way Markus portrays a message of getting to know and love people is very moving. Like I have already said twice, I loved this book. Next time I can get money this will be the first book I will buy. I recommend this book to anyone who likes or loves to read. I learned some really awesome things from this book and I hope other readers will notice some special things about this book too.