Domain Name!

Hey everyone!

I finally got a domain name, I have been meaning to for awhile. So, my new blog url is http://www.zoesbookreviews.com/ I am really excited about this! Yay!

My review of GONE by Lisa McMann is hopefully going to be posted tomorrow, and then I am having a week devoted to Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White!

Honest Scrap Award

I got this award from Carol, who is awesome.

The rules are:

1. List 10 honest things about yourself

2. Pass it on to 10 bloggers

1. I learned to ride a bike when I was in 6th grade and I am still afraid of falling on my face.
2. At any giving moment you can walk into my room and see my rocking out in my chair and singing the Spring Awakening or RENT soundtrack. I am, actually.... doing that right now.
3. I am very sentimental, why? I don't know. It just ended up that way.
4. I love the smell of books.
5. When I was little, I wanted to be a fashion designer. But now, I am sure I want to write or at least be apart of the publishing business.
6. I still have my movie stub from seeing Harry Potter 6.
7. After I met David Levithan, I almost cried. *true story. I didn't cry. But it felt like I was about to*
8. I love surrounding myself with things I love. I have quotes on the wall near my bed. I have a wall full of books that is across from my bed. I watch Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or 10 Things I Hate About You (the movie) at least once a week, but normally every night.
9. Once I graduate high school, I want to move out of state for college.
10. My friend and I are currently in the process of trying to make my teacher make my class read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak for class, since we are learning about the Holocaust.

I tag....

Sarah
Lea
Daisy Whitney
Heidi R. Kling
Mitali
Harmony
Tirzah

I think everyone else has been tagged? If not, I tag you!

How They Met... A Post About Short Stories

A few days ago, I finally bought How They met and Other Stories by David Levithan *I know, I actually don’t own all of his books. Which is odd. I think I still need to get a few more* I have already posted my review of How They Met, a long time ago. But, I wanted to spend this post on short stories.

A lot of people don’t like short stories because, well…. They are short and some people just don’t prefer short books or stories. Frankly, some people can’t write good short stories. The characters are lacking and there is barely anything going on.

I love how David Levithan writes his short stories in How They Met. I also love the stories of how most of the short stories he has written were created. A lot of the short stories in How They Met and a few of his novels, were written for David’s friends for Valentine’s Day. I love the idea of that; to just write something for your friends, and have it turn out as pure amazing.

My favorite short story in How They Met is “Starbucks Boy” ever since the first time I read How They met, I have loved that short story. I love how it is so simple, yet, really cute.
The main point of this post was to show those who don’t like short stories that, some people can write them really well. A great short story book that I’ve read besides How They Met is called 21 Proms. It is written by various YA Authors, and it is amazing.

A Signing! *a bit of it, at least*

So, tonight I went to a book signing for Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. It was hosted at Copperfields which is hands down, possibly my favorite indie bookshop.

I had the amazing opportunity of introducing Kami and Margie to the audience. Daisy Whitney (upcoming author of The Mockingbirds, out Fall 2010) has video evidence of this. I got half way through what I was saying, and remembered I hadn't actually... told them who I was.

Kami and Margie went on to reading the book, and asking each other questions. Which we both hilarious and amazing. Kami and Margie are two of the sweetest YA Authors I have met.


I have more to write on the signing a bit later, including pictures. But, for now, I need to write some reviews. Adios!

The Dark Divine Nail Polish Giveaway!

Hey everyone!
I'm back with another giveaway. This time you all have the chance to be 1 of 4 winners of a bottle of nail polish designed for The Dark Divine by Bree Despain.
The Dark Divine is a phenomenal book, I have loved it and all my friends who have read it, have loved it!
The nail polish is a really pretty purple color.
This giveaway ends March 14th.

Please fill out the form below to be entered.

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.

In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever...

Scarlett Fever was impeccable. It was hilarious, witty, and entertaining, which is what every YA book should be. Over summer, I would go through phases where I would just re-read a bunch of books by the same author over and over again. This phase applied to books written by Maureen Johnson. After reading Scarlett Fever, all I wanted to do was lock myself in my room and get lost in her books.
Scarlett Fever follows Scarlett Martin for the 2nd time, around her New York life as the daughter of a poor hotel owner. Scarletts life is average, while still being exciting. I was seriously sitting there reading with my mouth wide open thinking to myself “What will happen NEXT?” Maureen Johnson should never stop writing. Everything she writes turns to addicting gold*.


* Don’t take this the wrong way, kiddies.

A Vampire Diaries Guest Post by Sarah.

Hey Bloggers! Sarah here from Ambrosia Salad Book Reviews to give you my take on the whole “Stefan v. Damon” debate.

I hate to hop on the Damon bandwagon, but like the other Guest Posters I am Team Damon all the way. Not only is Damon way more mysterious, hunky, and all that good stuff that you immediately pick up on while watching the show, but I think Damon is also waaaay deeper than he appears. He may have some tricks up his sleeve (but come on, it only makes things more interesting!), but deep down I know he is a good guy. Yeah Stefan may be conflicted with his whole vamp situation and disgusted by what he must do to get food, but Damon I believe, is more conflicted with himself (as in, not what he’s become, but who he is). Yes, Damon is pretty secure with himself as a vampire and feels no remorse killing, but I also think (as evidenced by this past Thursday’s episode), that Damon does have a caring side. He really seems to want to help protect Elena, for the sake of her well-being and not for the sake of his own personal interests (at least some of the time).

In this way, I think Damon has the potential to change – a lot. Now, I’m not saying he’s going to become all “Saint Damon,” but I think he could become part of “the group.” But getting back to my argument, it’s simple: Stefan is boring, dorky, and pretty much a “solid” guy while Damon is charming, funny, and most of all, the brother with the most range (I guess is the right word?) What I mean is that Stefan as a character is kind of stuck. He’s kind of this straight arrow type and it’d have to be some sort of mega-disaster before Stefan “switched to the dark side.” Damon on the other hand, has a lot of room to develop. Combine that with what the other Team Damon guest posters have said, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of supporting our side of the argument!

I’ve read the first part of the Vampire Diaries series (reviewed on my blog), so I’m curious to see how the CW will run with the storyline set by the books! I want to thank Zoe for letting me speak my piece on her site and I hope you all with check out Ambrosia Salad Book Reviews sometime!

Waiting on Wednesday

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
By David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
October 12, 2010

No current description


IT IS A NEW DAVID/RACHEL BOOK!!!!! I don't know if this is the final cover, but it is what was on Amazon. I need this book now. It looks gorgeous. Just by the title, it sounds gorgeous. I cannot wait until October! That is too long!

I'll be away.

Hey Everyone!

I'm posting this to let you all know that I'm gonna be away until Friday afternoon. So, if you send me any emails after tomorrow very-early morning, I won't be able to respond until Friday. Im gonna try and pre-post some stuff before I go, so there may be reviews and such being posted.


Have an awesome week!

Zoe

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend. Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful. Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...


The Unwritten Rule was addicting! It was engaging from the very first page. Elizabeth Scott is one of those writers* who surely know how to write the perfect YA romance novel. The types that remain in your head for days after your done reading.
The Unwritten Rule was beautifully crafted. The cover was gorgeous, the characters are phenomenal, and the plot was to die for. Every book I have read by Elizabeth Scott has been enchanting so far. She finds the perfect balance to having her books be romantic, realistic, serious, and fun.
You should totally read this book. It’s fun, flirty, and addicting.


This book will be released March 16th, 2010

*Other writers like Elizabeth Scott are Sarah Dessen, Susane Colasanti, etc.

Winner of V-Day Giveaway!

Hey everyone!

I'm here with the winner of my Valentine's Day Giveaway!


The Winner of 5 fabulous Simon and Schuster books is....


Alicia! *daisy whitney did win, but she asked me to pick a new winner.*

Congrats Alicia! Hope you enjoy your books!

In My Mailbox

I kinda got a good amount of books in the mail this week. So, there won't be pictures or summaries. Sorry! But, if you click on the title, it will send you to a goodreads page with the cover/summary. I have read 3 of the books, so I'll put my thoughts about them under the title.


Bought-


Gone by Lisa McMann *bought off Amazon*
Not my most favorite in the trilogy, but Lisa McMann knows how to write!


Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson *bought off Amazon*
YAY! I am such a Spencer fangirl. I loved this book. I want more from Maureen!


Likely Story by David Van Etten *bought off Amazon*
For those of you who don't know, David Levithan wrote 1/3 of this book. Need I say more? It was fantabulous!



For Review-


Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready *received from Simon and Schuster*


Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson *received from Simon and Schuster*


Received from Indie Bookshop(s)*-


Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony*


Paisley Hanover: kisses and tells by Cameron Tuttle*


Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder**


Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey**
I'm reading this now and it is really cute!



Borrowed-


Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins



* There is an indie bookshop here who lets me borrow ARCs every once in a while.
** I went to a book signing and they allowed us to take 2 ARCs out of a box.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

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. Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.





Some Girls Are was magnificent. It was so good! The “clique‘s” resembled those from Mean Girls, which I LOVED. This is the first book I have read by Courtney Summers, and it surely won’t be the last. Courtney did an amazing job writing this. All the emotions seemed like they were real, I loved it.
Regina was, undoubtedly a really really mean person*. Yet, I felt sorry for her. Good writing can make you do some things like that; feel sorry for a bitchy character. This just proves that Courtney Summers is a wonderful writer.
Throughout most of the book, I was waiting for Regina and Michael to finally kiss. I think a lot of people felt this way. My thought process was mainly like “yay yay yay yay. Now… ummm, y’all need to kiss already” Michael hated her so much, but… you could just feel the connection.
This was another one of those books where I went into it only meaning to read the first few pages, but by the time I was done reading, I had finished the book. Courtney Summers is such an amazing writer. You MUST pick up this book.



*aka… a bitch.

Let the Screaming Begin.

So, If you have been reading my blog for awhile. You know that I am a John Green and David Levithan fangirl. They are my two favorite authors, and have been for about 3 years. In early December I had the opportunity to meet David Levithan which was beyond amazing. I haven't, however had the opportunity to meet John Green.

So, the other day, I was on twitter and I see a tweet by a bookshop in San Francisco. Here is what the tweet read...


"UPCOMING EVENT ... Monday 4/26, 7pm, Books Inc. Opera Plaza: John Green & David Levithan (WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON)."

I then started screaming. *and trying to breathe*

Basically what this means is that I will most likely get to meet John Green and see David Levithan again. My two favorite authors. In the same place. At the same time. OMG.

I will try my hardest to keep calm in these next few months until April, but it may be hard.

In other news: I get to meet Carrie Jones and Alyxandra Harvey this week. YAY.

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .




The Lonely Hearts Club was so addicting! I finished it in about a day, and then I gave it to my friend who finished it in a day. Elizabeth Eulberg is a debut author, and a wonderful one at that. I love that she chose The Beatles to write about. They are a really safe subject, that most people seem to love. Penny Lane was a wonderful character. The transformation she makes throughout the book is amazing.
After reading this, all I wanted to do was listen to The Beatles. I found it hilarious that the main character and all her sisters had names relating to The Beatles, yet, her parents names are totally average.
Elizabeth Eulberg did an amazing job writing this, I liked it more than I expected to and it is definitely a book I will remember.

Quotes!

1st, you should read this post. Mmkay. If you have read that post, then you know that Khy and I have been putting quotes on our walls. Like Khy, I'm going to put some quotes I like in this post. *these quotes are from Goodreads*

"Here’s what I know about the realm of possibility— it is always expanding, it is never what you think it is. Everything around us was once deemed impossible. From the airplane overhead to the phones in our pockets to the choir girl putting her arm around the metalhead. As hard as it is for us to see sometimes, we all exist within the realm of possibility. Most of the limits are of our own world’s devising. And yet, every day we each do so many things that were once impossible to us. "
— David Levithan (The Realm of Possibility)

"I think one of the highest compliments you can give a person is that when you are talking to him, you are not thinking about the fact that you are talking to him. That is, your thoughts and words all exist on a single, engaged level. You are being yourself because you aren't bothering to think about who you should be. It is like when you talk in a dream."
— David Levithan (How They Met, and Other Stories)

"The human heart is a strange vessel. Love and hatred can exist side by side."
— Scott Westerfeld

"What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful."
— Scott Westerfeld

"Sometimes the facts in my head get bored and decide to take a walk in my mouth. Frequently this is a bad thing."
— Scott Westerfeld (So Yesterday)

"When adults say, "Teenagers think they are invincible" with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don't know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are. We cannot be born, and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations. They forget that when they get old. They get scared of losing and failing. But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail."
— John Green (Looking for Alaska)

“Her library filled her bookshelves and then overflowed into waist-high stacks of books everywhere, piled haphazardly against the walls.”

Pudge to Alaska- “Have you really read all those books in your room?”

Alaska laughing- “Oh God no. I’ve maybe read a third of ‘em. But I’m going to read them all. I call it my Life’s Library. Every summer since I was little, I’ve gone to garage sales and bought all the books that looked interesting. So I always have something to read. But there is so much to do: cigarettes to smoke, sex to have, swings to swing on. I’ll have more time for reading when I’m old and boring.'"
— John Green (Looking for Alaska)

And The Winners Are....

Of the Dirty Little Secrets with SWAG-


SARAH *it was Kelsey of The Book Scout, but she respectfully declined because she already has a copy*


The winners of the other copies of Dirty Little Secrets are-


ELOISE
LUCY
HEIDI R. KLING


Congrats! I'll be emailing you all to tell you that you've won.

An Interview with Dirty Little Secrets, Kaylie

1. Did you every suspect anything weird having to do with Lucy?
A little, especially after a while. I mostly thought that her mom was sick – I never suspected that the house was the way it was. I wish she would have told me though – it wasn’t her fault. She lives with us now, so that was one good thing to come out of it.

2. What is your favorite thing about your friends?
That they’ve known me for a long time and I don’t have to explain everything to them.

3. What is your opinion on the whole Josh/Lucy situation?
I think they were destined for each other.

4. If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?
That I could get a boyfriend as good as Josh.

An Interview with Dirty Little Secrets, Josh

1. When did you first notice/become interested in Lucy?
I noticed her right when she came to our school. It just took a long time to do anything about it.

2. Before you two started dating, had you known she had a crush on you?
No. Maybe.

3. How is Lucy?
Awesome. Can’t say more ;)

4. So, since this book is now out… what do you think of it?
It’s weird knowing what Lucy was thinking that whole time. Makes me feel bad that I couldn’t help her more, but she wouldn’t have let me. I think she’s really brave.

An Interview with Dirty Little Secrets, Lucy

1. What was it like having a mom as a hoarder?
For a long time, I didn’t think about it too much. When I started spending the night at friend’s houses, I got that things weren’t normal at home. I always felt that I couldn’t have good friends
because they might find out about Mom. As hard as things got, I still loved her. She was my mom.

2. If you could tell your mother one more thing, what would it be?
That as bad as things got, I know that she didn’t do it on purpose. She couldn’t help it.

3. Has your relationship with your siblings changed?
They’re not around much because they’re so much older. I still see Phil, but not so much Sara. I always get the feeling that she has some suspicions about what happened, but I don’t think she’ll ever ask me about it.

4. How is Josh?
Awesome. Can’t say more ;)

5. What is it like having your story out there in the world?
It’s good and hard at the same time. It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be – most people are really supportive. It’s funny, but since I “came out” about the hoarding, there are SO many other people who have similar stories.

An Interview with C.J. Omololu

So, I recently had the opportunity to interview C.J. Omololu, author of Dirty Little Secrets.


1. Who is your favorite character in the book?
Tough one. I think I have to say Lucy, mostly because it is in first person so I really got into her head. In a strange way, I began to understand how her mom’s mind worked, although I can’t say I liked her in the end.

2. Do you watch the show Hoarders? Do you think there is a difference between the hoarding Lucy’s mother does and the hoarding in the show?
I TIVO every episode, and I’ve gotten most of my extended family into it too. The show didn’t exist until well after we were done with the book, so the timing is really interesting. Some of the episodes show animal hoarding, which we consciously didn’t include in the book – most experts consider that a subset of true compulsive hoarding. The hoarders who have severe psychological disorders where they cannot part with anything, even garbage, are universally similar in what they keep and how they act. Almost every episode I see something that is in the book. In one episode, the hoarding mom actually says that the house is her “dirty little secret”. I almost fell off my chair.

3. Which age group do you prefer writing for?
I love love love writing for teens. I have a picture book that is published and I may do a few more, but for sheer enjoyment on all levels it’s YA.

4. Was it hard writing a book about hoarding?
It was very emotional. I had to really understand both Lucy and her mom, and to do that I did a lot of research. Three women who had grown up in hoarded homes helped me with all of the details so that I could get every little thing right. I’ve had a few people involved with hoarding read it and had very positive responses from them.

5. Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite book?
I hate answering that because it changes so often depending on my mood. For adult writers, I love Muriel Spark, especially her short stories. There are so many YA writers who are amazing that I love – John Green, Justine Larbalastier, e. lockhart, Sarah Dessen, Ingrid Law, Jen Nadol (a fellow Tenner – I love The Mark!). I can’t begin to name them all.

Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omololu

Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others. For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?



This book was incredibly interesting to read. CJ Omololu wrote an emotional and stunning book. Some things I liked about Dirty Little Secrets were that you could really feel what Lucy was going through while at the same time, you couldn't know what she was going through.
I didn't really agree with some of the choices Lucy made, but I think those choices helped the plot develop. Dirty Little Secrets is the type of book that will interest people of all ages. I strongly recommend this book to everyone, it is really amazing.

Dirty Little Secrets Contest!

This week I am hosting the much awaited for Dirty Little Secrets Week! Starting off, I'm having a contest where I have 4 copies of Dirty Little Secrets to give away! 1 of those copies will include SWAG! *yes, I know... swag is amazing!*
In order to be entered to win one of the four copies, you must fill out the form below. *This contest is for US Residents only, sorry international readers!*


Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.

For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal.

When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue.

With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

I love this video. That is all.

What's Around You When You Write?

So, as I came home and sat at my desk an idea of something to write about popped into my head. When you write, what is around you?

I personally like to be surrounded my things I love. So, around my desk are these permanent things.....


1. A picture my great grandparents took in England 20-30 years ago. It's of a guard, I believe. One of those guys with the poofy black hats who show no expression.

2. My 2 Glee Magnets. I love Glee!

3. I have a cell phone holder that is a hard plastic green guy. He is lovely.

4. My movie ticket stub from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

5. My rainbow post it note cube.


A few things I keep on my desk that change about once a week....

1. I always have a stack of books on my desk. Either ones I am reading or ones that inspire me to write. Right now, I have Anne Frank *reading it for class* and 4 books that I love that inspire me. *13 Little Blue Envelopes, Sea, Boy Meets Boy, Looking for Alaska*

2. Camera *sometimes there, sometimes not*




So thats it for me. Whats where you write?

Books Read in January

1. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
2. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
3. The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
4. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5. Sea by Heidi R. Kling
6. Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti


Total Books- 6 *I know... that is pretty fail for the amount of books I have read in a month*
Favorite Book- Sea by Heidi R. Kling, it comes out in June. I was really fortunate to borrow a copy from someone. When this book comes out you need to get it ASAP. It is amazing.
Least Favorite Book- None.