Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad-her chance to escape everyone and their pitystares-has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb's free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It's a bleak and torjourney for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
Can I fangirl this book any more? I don't think I can. I read Leaving Paradise straight through and I couldn't stop reading it!!!
I had already been a big fan of Simone Elkeles, but this book just took it over the top. Caleb is an interesting character... he isn't exactly the "dream guy" but he he has a certain charm about him. He is a gutsy character which is a really cook trait to have.
Maggie is also an interesting character. She annoyed me a lot of the times, but other times I totally understood why she acted the way she did.
I recommend Leaving Paradise. It was an honest and intriguing book.
And, who is currently obsessed with Glee!? *raises hand*
If you haven't been watching it, you really should. It is amazing! I am totally in love with the characters!
Kurt (played by Chris Colfer) is freakin' awesome and I LOVE his character! His Single Ladies dance is awesome beyond belief, and y'all should watch it.
Finn (played by Cory Monteith) is very fangirl worthy. He is a football player, he is in Glee, and he can SING. Which totally makes for me fangirling him! xD
Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michele) is awesome. Yeah, the character is kinda stuck up and bossy. But, I mean, she is still awesome. And Lea Michele was in Spring Awakening *claps*.
So, to sum it up....
GLEE IS SUPER-FANTABULOUS-AWESOME-AMAZING. AND YOU ALL SHOULD WATCH IT.
Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.
Sara Zarr is an amazing author. Her books are calming to read, though the subjects she is writing about can be heartbreaking. I have loved all of her books, and this was no exception. Once was Lost was a deep book that many people enjoy. It explored the topics of hidden secrets, an alcoholic family member, and when someone you know goes missing. If you read this book, it will most likely be sure to touch your heart.
Hunter’s Moon marks the exciting finale to Meg Cabot’s first manga series, Avalon High: Coronation. The manga trilogy continued where Meg’s bestselling novel, Avalon High, left off, and this final installment puts the fate of the world in Ellie's and Will’s hands....
No offense to Meg Cabot, but I didn't like this book. I found that it was a bit pointless. Don't get me wrong, I love manga's. And, since I haven't read any other of her books, I cant judge her writing. But, what was this manga about? What was the lesson of the story? I don't know. That being said, I didn't completely dislike the book. It was written well enough that I kept reading. I recommend this book to Meg Cabot fans.
Chloe-Grace can't help it—she's spectacular. How could she not be with celebrity parents who have been the queen and king of Hollywood for years? And Chloe is a celebrity all unto herself as well— she's the first celebrity-adopted kid in Hollywood. But now Chloe's sixteen, and she is tired of every undesired moment of the world's attention. She wonders what it would be like to be a "normal" kid in a regular school. To really understand it, though, she would need to go undercover. So after getting a "make-under" at the hands of her mother's fabulous stylist, she enters the "real" world. But she soon finds out that there is just as much drama there as there is in Hollywood....
J.A. Yang did an amazing job writing this book. He wrote from a girl's perspective perfectly. This was a book that I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up really late to finish this. even when I had school. As I have stated before, I don't really like books that have to die with popularity and celebrities, but this was amazing. I could totally understand Chloe Grace's reason to want to be a normal kid. This was a face paced addicting novel that many will enjoy. I highly recommend it.
Meet Bliss Cavendar, a blue haired, indie-rock loving misfit stuck in the tiny town of Bodeen, Texas.Her pageant-addicted mother expects her to compete for the coveted Miss Blue Bonnet crown, but Bliss would rather feast on roaches than be subjected to such rhinestone tyranny.Bliss’ escape? Take up Roller Derby.When she discovers a league in nearby Austin, Bliss embarks on an epic journey full of hilarious tattooed girls, delicious boys in bands, and a few not-so-awesome realities even the most bad-assed derby chick has to learn.
Shauna Cross wrote a beautiful and engaging novel. I loved Bliss. She was self-determined, and was her own person. This was one of those books that made me stay up for hours reading it. I couldn't stop. I strongly recommend Derby Girl. It was addicting and totally worth buying!
So, today, Paper Towns by John Green is out in paperback. Paper Towns is an amazing book, I read it when it first came out. So, if you haven't read it, and you still need a copy. YOU SHOULD GO READ IT! hehe.
Here is the summary-
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows.
After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.
(I was supposed to post this yesterday, but blogger was being mean to me. So, here is my review)
First of all, let me just say that I love the title of this book. I don't really know why. It may be the word Dreaming. I like the word Dreaming. But, I LOVE the title. Ok, on with the review...
Sixteen year old Anne thinks her life is pretty ordinary – until she smacks into handsome, mysterious, and okay, annoying Ethan on her way to chemistry class. Now Anne has powers she doesn’t understand, a history altering mission she may not want, and a growing attraction to this blue-eyed stranger. And Ethan- who at eighteen made some choices he’s starting to regret – realizes that Anne is the girl for whom he’s been searching – for a very, very long time. Stir in doomed Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia – who is definitely not quite as dead as the history books say – and Baba Yaga, the legendary witch from Russian folklore, and you’ve got DREAMING ANASTASIA, a contemporary YA fantasy that alternates between the voices of Anne, Ethan, and Anastasia as Anne and Ethan join forces to battle the bad guys and save Anastasia. Only problem is – no one’s quite sure who’s really bad and who’s good. And everyone has some secrets.
This is the sort of book that is bad for readers. Weather they are a blogger, a student, or just someone who enjoys reading. Why is it bad, you may ask? It is bad because within the first few sentences, the story pulls you in. I admit, that it took me a few times to start reading it. But, after I actually sat down at focused, I really liked this novel. I think Joy Preble is a very good writer and I am looking forward to her future books. Dreaming Anastasia was definitely a book that I recommend.
Well, Zoe, you asked for a guest post. And I suppose that both you and that obsessively hard worker that I refer to as Publicist Paul (aka the guy who recently received my gift of a dozen cupcakes and even though he was supposed to share them with my copy edit team I have a feeling that he ate most of them himself and then lapsed into a sugar coma during which he may have possibly fed Jameson’s to his puppy Teddy even though he like totally denies this) are expecting a post about Dreaming Anastasia, I think this post may be a little different. Okay, I will be mentioning Dreaming Anastasia. (Like in this parenthetical comment where in I remind your readers that it’s now out on the shelves and it is a totally kick ass story about a normal high school girl named Anne who discovers she’s not all that normal, a fairly clueless but handsome hottie named Ethan who’s got one heck of a secret and has been looking for Anne for a very long time, and of course, Anastasia herself, the Russian Grand Duchess who’s not quite as dead as the history books say. Plus a great witch named Baba Yaga. And lots of running around and scary stuff. And as one reviewer has mentioned, lots of hot moments where Ethan shoves his hand through his really amazing thick hair) But I’m going to start somewhere else. Because as I just clicked over to your blog, I see that you are a nerdfighter. And if you’re a nerdfighter, that means you’re a John Green fan. And Zoe – I am a John Green fan! And John Green is a fan of Maureen Johnson. And I am a huge Maureen Johnson fan. And the two of them wrote Let It Snow, along with Lauren Myracle. And Zoe – I am a huge Lauren Myracle fan. In fact, Let It Snow, is like the world’s perfect laugh my self silly book. Especially because it is the one that I got John Green to sign at TLA last spring. And John’s story takes place in part in Waffle House, which is like my favorite place ever because you can have hash browns a zillion different ways, double pecan waffles, raisin toast, and you can watch them make it right in front of you and if that isn’t amazing breakfast theater I don’t know what is. Plus it’s a house. With waffles. Which finally leads me to my story. The story that lets you know that while I may not be an official nerdfighter, I am definitely a nerd. A geek. A fangirl supreme. (Let me interject here that it is entirely possibly that John Green may actually have a restraining order on me. It is of course, equally possible that he has no memory of the incident I’m about to impart and that the whole event is embarrassing only to me. Luckily the story works either way. Honestly, even if it doesn’t, if you’ve read this far, chances are you’re going to keep on going, if only to mock me mercilessly once you get to the end) And you know I’m sensing that the whole John Green story is going to be a real let down after all this build up. This is one of the things my copy edit team nagged about. That I take a joke – like the one about Anne’s sweater in Dreaming Anastasia – and then I just don’t let it go soon enough. So let me just say that here’s what happened. John Green was set to sign during the time most people on the TLA floor went to the Bluebonnet luncheon. So there he was during the last five minutes of his time – all alone! Ah, I said to myself, this is the perfect opportunity to talk to him. I will tell him hello. I will have him sign my copy of Let it Snow. (okay full disclosure, I had just gotten that copy a minute before that because it was only $3, but knowing that probably diminishes the effect of this tale so forget I said anything) I will say “Hey, I have a book coming out later this year. I am going to be one of you. A member of the tribe, so to speak. You have inspired me and your vlogs are really, really funny, especially the one where you tell a fifteen year old girl how to get boys to like her.” And then John will embrace my wisdom and friendliness and blow off the rest of the conference and we’ll find a Waffle House somewhere in the greater Houston area and he’ll call Maureen and Lauren and they’ll fly in and we’ll all eat hash browns together. In my head this is what was going to happen. In real time, I said some of this. We took a picture. I repeated how amazing he was until he had an “I am really, really scared of this chick” smile plastered on his face. And then his handler kind of made me move on. Zoe – I may not be as funny as John Green. But I am a nerd. And Ethan – my handsome hottie in Dreaming Anastasia – well, he is definitely a reflection of my nerd self. The part of me that’s constantly in need of do-overs. Ethan would have scared John Green too, you can bet on that. But as John will understand when he gets his copy – which maybe he already has and is reading with Maureen and Lauren while eating waffles somewhere – that is why readers will love Ethan. That is why Anne will let him mess with her world. So read Dreaming Anastasia. John Green would want you to.
1. Who are some of the people who inspired you to start writing?
My mother, of course, started me off writing when I was nine years old, even though I absolutely hated it at first! And when I was younger, I remember reading a book called "What's Your Story" by Marion Dane Bauer. I had found it randomly at the library, and that author became my inspiration for years. I would read that book over and over, because it was filled with advice for young writers like me!
2. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Someone once told me that people should write stories that express their feelings through their characters. Don't exactly put specific things from your life into your writing: take emotions and experiences from your own life and let those feelings flow through your characters. Chances are, nearly everyone who reads what you write has felt happiness, and loneliness, and sadness, and joy, and seeing characters who feel these same things makes the story more realistic.
3. How many books to you plan on being in the Bran Hambric series?
I am planning six books.
4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Lemony Snicket and Eoin Colfer for sure! John Green is also one of my favorite writers now.
5. Is there anything you would like to add?
If you'd like to keep up with what's going on with Bran Hambric as I write the second book, you can follow me at Twitter.com/KalebNation !
Bran Hambric was found locked in a bank vault at six years old, with no memory of his past. For years, he has lived with one of the bankers, wondering why he was left behind- until one night, when he is fourteen, he is suddenly confronted by a maddened creature, speaking of Bran’s true past and trying to kidnap him. Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created…and one that her former masters are hunting for him to complete. Haunted by the spirit of his mother’s master and living in a city where magic is illegal, Bran must undo the crimes of his past...if it's not already too late.
I really don't know what to say about this book. It was interesting. I think it resembled Harry Potter a lot. It also took me awhile to read, which is pretty rare. After I got through the first part however, it started to become more "grabbing". This book is definitely more Middle Grade than YA. I think though it a lot of it resembles Harry Potter, Kaleb Nation did a pretty good job writing it.
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard–falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High… until vicious rumors about her and her best friend’s boyfriend start going around. Now Regina’s been “frozen out” and her ex-best friends are out for revenge.
If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn’t come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend… if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don’t break them both first…
I recently had the joyful opportunity of interviewing Rachel Hawthorne, author of the Dark Guardian series. Thanks Rachel for doing this! Here is the interview-
What made you decide to write a series about werewolves?
I knew my publisher was looking for a paranormal story and I had two ideas. One involved vampires and one werewolves. I sent them the ideas for both and they were interested in the wolves. So it was a matter of timing and luck.
2. Was it hard for you to switch points-of-views in each Dark Guardian book?
Not really. I’m a “method writer” which means that I view myself as the characters while I’m writing so it makes it easier for me to get inside their heads and write from their unique perspective.
3. If you could be any mythical creature, what would you be?
Oh, I think I would have to be a unicorn. I’ve always loved unicorns.
4. How many books are there going to be in the Dark Guardian series?
Right now there are four contracted and scheduled. If the series does well, there may be more, but like everything in business it’s based on supply and demand. The publisher needs to see that readers want more books and that’s determined by how many copies sell.
5. Who is your favorite musical artist? Genera? Band?
I’m a huge country western fan. Living in Texas , the music just calls to me. My favorite artist is George Strait .
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
I hope readers will continue to enjoy my stories. They can visit my website at www.rachelhawthorne.net for the latest information on my upcoming releases.
The Demons Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan Beating Heart by A.M. Jenkins No Right Turn by Terry Trueman The Waking: Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall Pastworld by Ian Beck Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein
A few months ago, I reviewed Wake and Fade by Lisa McMann. I also interviewed Lisa McMann, which you can find here. I thought I would interview Lisa again, since it has been a few months. So, here it goes:
1. So, the WAKE and FADE books have become really well known. What are your thoughts on that and is there any crazy stories relating to the fans of your books?
It still surprises me when people show up to my events, and I'm absolutely touched when I find out some of them have driven for hours to get to a signing. There are fans who stand out, but the ones who cry when they get up to the table are especially memorable. It's very humbling to mean so much to someone. I love my fans. Haven't had too many bad-crazy episodes at all. Only good-crazy. :)
2. After the release of the third book in the series, GONE. Do you plan on starting to write another book right away? Or will you be taking some time off writing?
I am already working on the next book. It's called CRYER'S CROSS and it is slated to be in bookstores in Spring 2011. It's a stand-alone teen paranormal thriller with a love story. No dreams this time.
3. When you went on tour earlier this year for WAKE and FADE, what were some highlights of the tour?
School visits are usually fun, especially if I get a chance to talk to students one-on-one. Also on this recent trip I took a photo that would eventually "become" the cover shot for GONE. I put "become" in quotes because the photo was altered by the S&S art department, but that chair in the spotlights -- I took that picture. It's from the Clift hotel lobby in San Francisco, which incidentally was the place where Miss Spoobin came from. (If you don't know who Miss Spoobin is, read my blog here: http://lisamcmann.blogspot.com/2009/04/wow-im-late-with-tour-updates.html )
4. Do you watch musicals? If so, whats your favorite one?
I LOVE MUSICALS! I don't have a favorite. I have never seen a musical I didn't like. My daughter was recently in Thoroughly Modern Millie and it was awesome.
5. Is there anything you would like to add?
Yes! If you are just wondering about my books but haven't read them, or if you can't wait for GONE -- either way -- check out my free short story from Cabel's point of view. Just click on "Cabel's Side of the Story" on the widget on my website! http://lisamcmann.com
ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS!
MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
Read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series. On sale in paperback 09/01/09! Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction?
Two Winners will get a Prize Pack containing the following James Patterson books:
Maximum Ride: Max
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports
Maximum Ride: The Final Warning
Maximum Ride: Manga
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
Daniel X: Watch the Skies
This promotion ends on September 17, 2009
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The Fine Print: The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 2009. There will be two prizes for each Promotion. Each prize consists of the following eight (8) books: Maximum Ride: Max (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (paperback); Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever (paperback); Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (paperback); Maximum Ride: Manga (paperback); The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (paperback); and Daniel X: Watch the Skies (hardcover). The approximate retail value of each prize is $72.00. Winners will be confirmed on or about September 28, 2009 by email. Prizes will only be shipped to confirmed winners with addresses in the US. Prizes will be shipped within 30 days after a selected entrant is confirmed as a winner.
brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she's been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn't experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian's transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she's kept that a secret, too. But she knows she'll never truly have Connor's love if she's not a Shifter like him.
At the first full moon after her birthday, her greatest fear is realized: She doesn't transform. Brittany is so desperate to become a wolf that she'll go to extremes she never thought possible . . . and put all the Dark Guardians in incredible danger.
Out of the 3 books in this series, I liked this one the best. I stayed up up until 4 of the morning to finish it.
I think that it could've been written better. But, it was still really good.
1. Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner 2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater 3. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 4. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting 5. How Beautiful the Ordinary 6. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White 7. Beautiful by Amy Reed 8. Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton 9. Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne 10. Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne 11. Full Moon by Rachel Hawthorne 12. Avalon High Volume 3 (manga) by Meg Cabot
I may be promised to another . . . but thoughts of Rafe consume me. I don't know how much longer I can resist.
Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel—maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey's betrothal to Connor long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Connor will be final—no turning back. She should be happy . . . so why can't she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?
When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Connor and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death?
Full Moon is un-describable. I liked it, but I didn't. It was addicting at some points but not at others.
Overall, it was a really good novel. It was well written and Rachel Hawthorne told the story really nicely.
There were sections of this book that I breezed through. But, there was also parts where I wanted to skip the pages to a more interesting part of the book.
Full Moon isn't a must read and it isn't a bad read. I would recommend it if you are looking for something quick/werewolf related/fantasy.
Here is a guest post done by the authors of Another Faust, Daniel Nayeri and Dina Nayeri Viergutz. Enjoy!
