The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

The Sky is Everywhere is one of the only books that has caused my to yell at a book in front of family. I was reading it while sitting next to my mom and every time I got to a part I disliked, I would get mad at the book and talk to it *I’m not crazy, I promise*. Jandy Nelson wrote a well crafted novel that is addicting! I read it in a night. Though a few of the characters are annoying and frustrate me, I really enjoyed reading. What I really liked about this story is that it was a good ole’ fashioned love story. Jandy Nelson really knows how to write, and I’m looking forward to reading her books in the future.

FTC- I received this book from another blogger.

Meeting Andrea Cremer

So on Tuesday I had the opportunity to meet Andrea Cremer, author of Nightshade (October, 2010). It was awesome! People who follow both me and Andrea on twitter know that we have a long-going conversation about how we look alike, so we call each other Soul Sistah's.

The person in charge of the young adult section at a Copperfields *indie bookshop* near me, Amanda, was invited to go to the pre publication tour for Andrea. She knew that I had talked to Andrea online and asked the person and Penguin if I could also attend the event. So... thanks!

The event was at a very fancy restaurant, that had really good food. There were 13 people there in total, and the whole thing was really relaxed.
We talked about Nightshade, Joss Whedon, the Penguin 5, and many other things. And now! It's PICTURE TIME!This is Amanda, Andrea, and I. Notice the wine in the back? I told you the dinner was ~fancy~.

Why I Love Joss Whedon (and you should too)

The title of this post, is really self- explanatory.
Joss Whedon is the writer of amazing shows such as-
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Firefly *I'm in the middle of watching it*
Doctor Horribles Sing-Along Blog


All of the shows listed above are some of my favorite shows. I watched the first 2 seasons of Buffy in less than a week. I have compiled a list of reasons why Joss Whedon is awesome *why yes, I have started to possibly fangirl*

--One word. Buffy. The best show that I have seen that has to due with vampires or killing things *with the exception of Dexter, because that show is killer-rific!* Buffy has really witty dialogue that is hilarious and makes the show fun to watch.

--Lovely guy characters. Angel and Spike from Buffy. Can I say ~swoon~? I am a sucker for guy vampires that admit that they aren't perfect and sparkly.

--He is awesome at writing musicals. Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is one of the most awesome musicals I have seen, ever. Evil Scientist? Check. Earthy girl trying to save the world? Check. Catchy songs? Check. Neil Patrick Harris? CHECK.

--His fans have names *I just found this out* they are called Whedonites.

Edit-
-- He also directed a Glee episode that is one of my favorites, it is amazing and brought the show a bit back to earth. *thanks for suggesting this, I forgot!*


Are you a Joss Whedon fan? Discuss!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

How did I not read this book before? It was amazing! When reading The Hunger Games, I literally sat in the corner of my room for 3 hours and barely spoke to anyone. I was so sucked in! The action was impeccable, and the characters were lovely. Last year, I tried to read this book and I couldn't bring myself to. I think it may be the type of book where you need to read it at a certain time. At the end, I wanted to read the second one a.s.a.p. So, if you're planning to read this (which you should be), I recommend that you have the second one close by because you will want to start it as soon as you read the first one.
Suzanne Collins wrote a one of a kind book, that has been read by many people and should be read by many more. It is a brilliant work of art that will keep you reading until the very end. The Hunger Games, is a hard book not to love. I strongly recommend it. It is probably going to be one of the best books I read this year.

FTC- library

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Torn between two destinies? Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf. As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

Claire de Lune started off a little slow for me, so I didn't know if I would like it. As I read, I ended up growing to enjoy it a lot! Christine Johnson wrote a magically addicting Werewolf book. The character's are developed nicely and after a while, the plot tends to pick up.
Claire de Lune was slow at times and parts of it I didn't like much, but over all I really enjoyed it.
I generally have a thing for werewolf books, and so it's hard for me to like them because I'm picky. But, I liked it. Claire de Lune was fairly original and had really good writing. I recommend it to werewolf fans.

FTC- I received this book from the publisher

After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy

This moment changes everything. Becca has been head-over-heels for Alec from the instant they met. He's a brainy jock with a poet's heart—in other words, perfect for her. Camille is careful with her words and protective of her heart, especially since Chicago. Then a new boy in her new town catches her off guard with a surprise kiss. Too bad that new boy is Becca's boyfriend, Alec. Camille and Becca have never met, but their lives will unravel and intertwine in surprising ways as they deal with what happens after the kiss.


This book is written in verse really well. Books that are written in form aren't usually on my mythological list of good books. I find them hard to read and quite confusing. Terra Elan McVoy proved me wrong. I couldn't stop reading After the Kiss, I read it into the wee hours of the night. The alternating points of view added a lot of depth to the story, which I enjoyed. I liked After the Kiss a lot and I hope you will too. It was simply amazing!

Alex Van Helsing by Jason Henderson

A descendant of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, fourteen-year-old Alex is stuck at boarding school near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, when he finds himself drawn into a web of paranormal intrigue. It turns out that Lake Geneva is also home to a secret school for vampires called the Scholomance—and now to a dangerous vampire clan lord known only as Icemaker, who’s using the Scholomance for his own dangerous endgame. With the help of his friends and of special agent Sangster, it’s up to Alex to fulfill his family destiny and stop Icemaker’s frightening plans once and for all.

Alex Van Helsing was had a pretty slow start, which made me want to put it down. Luckily, it sped up and got better… much better. Alex Van Helsing moves pretty quickly throughout the book and it action packed. That being said, to me it felt a little over-done. Not because it’s a “Van Helsing” type book, but because of vampires. I love paranormal books, it’s not my YA genera of choice, but I love them. I normally don’t mind most Vampire books, but for some reason this one kind of bugged me. I don’t really know why, it is probably a perfectly good book. Another reason I didn’t like this, is that it vaguely reminded me of the TV show “Demons”. “Demons” is about a descendent of Van Helsing, and him learning to kill demons and such. I think you would like this book if you are looking for something fast paced and paranormal.

FTC- I got this from the publisher

Shade Giveaway

Summary-

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

You can enter to win 1 of 5 copies of Shade by Jeri Smith Ready below. I personally loved this book.

+2 entries if you follow Zoe's Book Reviews

+3 entries if you link this giveaway somewhere

Winner of Rules of Attraction and Perfect Chemistry!

I'm here to announce the winner of Rules of Attraction and Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. The winner is...


ALANNAH J.

Congrats Alannah!

Shade by Jeri Smith Ready

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Shade is an awesome book! It had two really lovely guys. One of which is in a band, and the other which has an accent. It already sounds like a good book, doesn’t it? Well, feel free to add in a kick-butt plot that involves a really interesting transformation (thing) that happens after you die. I loved Shade, it was emotional, interesting, and addicting. I didn’t read it straight through, but I wanted to. Jeri Smith Ready wrote a novel that many will enjoy. The characters are quirky and shall I say that some of them are even *cute*.
I don’t know if you would classify Shade as “paranormal”, but if you do. I would say that Shade is one of the most original paranormal books that I’ve read in a long time. I loved reading this book and I hope that you will too.


FTC- I received this book from the publisher.


The Book Trailer is really awesome-

Survey

Hey Everyone!
I wanted to post a survey that you can fill out *if you want* to let me know what you all think of Zoe's Book Reviews. Any suggestions and comments you have, you can tell me. Everything is completely confidential! I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think.

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship. To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

This book was… wow. I thought I wouldn’t like it *there have been a lot of books like this lately*. I also thought I wouldn’t really understand it because I haven’t read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When I started reading, I was immediately drawn into the story. It was interesting and dark and I loved it. It was a nice spin/ spin-off of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Awhile back, I tried to read Beth’s other book Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and I couldn’t really get into it. After reading this, I really want to find a copy of Jessica’s Guide and try to read it again.
All in all, I loved Jekel Loves Hyde. The characters were amazing, as was the story. I totally recommend it.

FTC- Publisher

An Interview with Beth Fantaskey

1. Why did you decide to write a book that has to do with Jekyll and Hyde?

I think most of us have a “bad” side that comes out now and then, to varying degrees. In the original n
ovel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll loses complete control of his evil alter ego when he drinks a chemical formula. I thought it would be interesting to move the story into the present day and show what happens when a very shy, good girl consumes a concoction that similarly unleashes her wicked side. Will she stay good? Or be tempted to be completely evil, like the doctor in the original story? And I thought having a teenage heroine was especially appropriate, because that’s when most of us try to figure out our real identities.

2. If your life could be loosely based on a book, what book would it be?

What a fun question! I am going to choose The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens, because it’s all about just going from adventure to adventure with your best friends by your side – and if you’re lucky, falling in love while you travel around. That’s a pretty good life!

3. The cover of Jekel loves Hyde is lovely! Did you have any say in it? What is your opinion of the cover? Is there anything you would change about it?

Thanks so much! All the credit goes to amazing artist Cliff Nielsen, who also designed the cover of Jessica’s Guide. I had very little say in the design, which was fine, because I loved it at first sight. The only think I asked to change were Jill’s eyeglasses. She wasn’t wearing any at first, and I wanted her to have the plastic glasses she wears in the book. The compromise was some wire rims that don’t obscure her features too much.

4. What is next in your writing career?

I’m working on a possible sequel to Jessica’s Guide. I should have news on my website, bethfantaskey.com, in about a month, if anybody’s interested in checking in.

5. Is there anything you would like to add?

When I get an opportunity like this, I always like to thank all of the readers who’ve been so supportive of my books. I never expected to have the chance to actually get to know readers so well. That’s been a great surprise, and I’m grateful to everybody who contacts me. Stay in touch!