In A Bookstore Near You

Today is a huge publishing day for the YA market. Below are only a few of the many books that are hitting the shelves today, just in time for last minute shopping.

Sweet Valley High #5: All Night Long

"Jessica Wakefield has charmed many guys in her lifetime. But she’s never met a challenge like Scott Daniels. And she’s determined to prove that she may be a junior in high school, but not when it comes to love. But when Elizabeth discovers that Jessica never came home from an all-night party, she panics. There’s only one way out—for Liz to pretend to be her twin. But she has no idea what she is getting herself into. "

Sweet Valley High #6: Dangerous Love

"Elizabeth Wakefield has never had a problem with rules. But when Todd gets a new motorcycle, Liz is torn. Her parents have forbidden her from ever getting on a bike. But everyone else is ecstatic over Todd’s new ride—especially the girls. As her jealousy threatens to consume her, Liz has a big decision to make—either put her trust in Todd’s love, or break the rules and take the ride of her life."

Parties and Potions

"Perfect hair, cute clothes, healthy tans—life’s a breeze when you’re a witch! Even special witchcraft classes Rachel agrees to attend with Miri turn out to be fun. The sisters meet other teen witches just like them—who knew? Everyone’s preparing for a magical party called a Samsorta—a debutante ball for witches. And it wouldn’t be a ball without warlocks. Cute ones. Like Adam, who wants to slow dance with Rachel, and ski with her in the Rockies—on a school night! Of course, Rachel is madly in love with her boyfriend, Raf. So why can’t she bring herself to tell Adam—funny, charming Adam—that Raf exists?Rachel knows Raf likes her. Maybe even, gulp, loves her. But Raf doesn’t know her secret. Unlike Adam, Raf doesn’t know who she really is. And she can never tell him. Or can she?"

The Musician's Daughter

"Amid the glamour of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy’s court in 18th-century Vienna, murder is afoot. Or so fifteen-year-old Theresa Maria is convinced when her musician father turns up dead on Christmas Eve, his valuable violin missing, and the only clue to his death a strange gold pendant around his neck. Then her father’s mentor, the acclaimed composer Franz Joseph Haydn, helps her through a difficult time by making her his copyist and giving her insight in to her father’s secret life. It’s there that Theresa begins to uncover a trail of blackmail and extortion, even as she discovers honor—and the possibility of a first, tentative love. Thrumming with the weeping strains of violins, as well as danger and deception, this is an engrossing tale of murder, romance, and music that readers will find hard to forget."

Suite Dreams

"Hello, mate!(Practicing my Australian.* How am I doing?) I'm so glad the timing worked out for this couch exchange. I'll be crashing on yours by the time you get to mine.** If you run into any problems, just find Alyssa. She'll help you out with whatever you need.***
Your couch-swapping mate,Rick
*That's cute. Go have fun in Australia and leave ME—your girlfriend for an entire semester—to waste away on campus, alone.
**Um, think again. Your couch is already taken.
***Great. Now I've got to find a place for the (unbelievably hot, it turns out) Aussie to crash. But there's only one couch available: the one in my dorm room. . . . "

Perfect Chemistry

"When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart."

In My Mailbox

This week I was luckily enough to receive two great ARCs.

Fate by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
"For the past two years, Bailey Morgan has lived a double life: high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world, but as Plain Old Bailey, her life is falling apart. She’s got a tattoo that was supposed to be temporary (but isn’t), friendships that were supposed to last forever (but might not), and no idea what her future holds after high school graduation.Then Bailey meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty, and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before Bailey knows it, she’s being drawn into an otherworldly web more complicated than anything she weaves as a mortal Fate."

This book was a total surprise. I knew I was getting something from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, I won a contest on her blog, but I had no idea it was going to be an ARC of Fate. When I read Tattoo I was blown away by the imaginative story line. Naturally when I heard about Fate, the sequel to Tattoo, it became one of my most anticipated release of 2009.

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag
"Pretty Little Liars meets My So-Called Life in this story of four American teens in Paris and the scandals that haunt each of them.
There’s rich New York girl Alex; Cali-born dancer Olivia; closeted Memphis boy Zack; and finally PJ, an elusive beauty from Vermont who’s hiding a dark past.
Studying abroad for their junior year of high school, they run wild in the Tuileries, hold clandestine parties in their host families’ luxe apartments, take over tiny crowded cafes and generally live the glamorous life.
But in the end they all must face the lies they’ve told and secrets they’ve kept when the unthinkable happens."

This was another surprise ARC. Coincidentally it came the same day as Fate. Can you say lucky day? I'd seen Beautiful Americans on a few other blogs, but I never knew much about it. The storyline looks interesting though and I'm looking forward to reading it.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover...Or Can You

Faketastic by Alexa Young

I read the first book in the series, Frenemies, back when it first came out and found it a funny, enjoyable read. While this isn't one of my most anticipated release of 2009, I am looking forward to seeing what new schemes Halley and Avalon are planning.

Synopsis:

"From besties to worsties and back again . . .
Team Avalon:
For Avalon, staying on top of trends has never been a problem—until her fellow cheerleaders decide that her BFF Halley is definitely out this season. Now Avalon must choose between the frenemy who embarrassed her in front of everyone or the new friends who stood by her.
vs.
Team Halley:
Halley thinks she's got it all: her forever-friend Avalon, her new bestie Sofee, and the hottest fall wardrobe at Seaview Middle School. Her life is a total YES. But when Sofee spies Avalon flirting with Halley's crush, will it be World War Halvalon all over again?"

Cover:
In my opinion the cover for Faketastic is great, my favorite of the two books. The yellow is eye catching and the blue accents on Avalon's dress contrast it perfectly. The color scheme gives the book a fun flair.

When I was looking up the synopsis I came across a earlier draft of the cover for Faketastic. The new, official cover is definitely an improvement. The first cover was nice, but I don't think it catches the spirit of the book the same way that the new cover does. Getting rid of the cut outs doesn't hurt either, I found the flimsy cut out cover tiresome with Frenemies.

The Hunger Games

"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survived."

The Hunger Games is a thrilling novel full of adventure, wit and danger. The futuristic civilization of Panem, divided into twelve districts and ruled by the strict Capitol, is both intriguing and disturbing. It is the cruelty of the Hunger Games though that is most chilling.

While the beginning of the story is well written and interesting it is when the contestants enter the arena that the story becomes great. Katniss’ blend of strength, instinct, wit and cleverness lends a unique view to the story that keeps the pages turning when the plot slows. Most interesting off all though, is Katniss’ ability to survive in the unknown terrain of the arena. Her character truly shows through as she works to stay alive and interpret the signs from Haymitch and the Gamemakers.

It is the combination of all of these elements that makes The Hunger Games one of the best reads of 2008. If you’re looking for a book that will have you reading late into the night and jumping with suspense, then The Hunger Games is the book for you.
5 Stars!

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover...Or Can You?

This week I'm changing things up a bit. Rather than giving my reaction to two covers I'm going to compare and contrast the covers.

Evermore

Release Date: February 3, 2009
Synopsis:
"Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…
Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies."

North of Beautiful

Release Date: February 2009
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Notice any similarities?

Welcome to the world of stock photos! Stock photos are pictures that publishers have on file and frequently use for covers. They make small changes to the photos to make it less obvious (i.e. change colors, direction of photo, superimpose other images with it, etc.) It's rare, but not unlikely, to come across two covers with the same photo on the front. I've only come across one pair in my years of reading. It just so happened that both of these books were on my TBR list and with their shared February release they ended up side by side.

Book Trailers II

It's back! Due to the response I got from the last post I decided to make this a monthly post.

Parties and Potions

The first three books in the series (Bras and Broomsticks, Frogs and French Kisses, and Spells and Sleeping Bags) were all fantastic. I can't wait to see what kind of surprises Mlynowski has cooked up for Rachel in this fourth book.

Aurelia

I read this book when it first came out earlier this year and enjoyed it. The plot is a fresh twist to the standard fairytale. Aurelia is the perfect light read.

Airhead

One word, wow! I was completely blown away by this book. It is the exact opposite of anything I could've ever imagined, and so much better. If you're looking for a great book to read that's not to heavy, pick up Airhead, you'll be glad you did.

Awards

Molly from Random 101 has nominated me for the I Love Your Blog award. My nominees are:

-The Story Siren

-Review a Book 123

-Presenting Lenore

-Hope's Bookshelf

-Bookluver Carol

-Harmony Book Reviews

-Stupid Blog Name

Nominees:

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.

Amanda from Review a Book 123 awarded me for my blog. The rules for this award are the same as the one above, but the recipients are different.

-The Fox Reads

-The Page Flipper

-Book Make Great Lovers

-Paradoxical

-The Book Muncher

-The Book Vault

-In Bed With Books

Lucky Canadians

The Heartland series by Lauren Brooke is one of my all time favorite series. They're the kind of books you can pick up at any time and fall in love with them all over again. I began reading them in fifth or sixth grade and have loved them ever since.

A few months ago when I was looking up the cover for the latest book, A Summer to Remember, for the blog I came across a picture of an actress riding a horse. The caption said the picture was of Amber Marshall who plays Amy on "Heartland". I was flabbergasted, how had I not known the books had been turned into a TV show? The answer? Canada! The show only runs in Canada!

I knew the episodes were probably on YouTube but I never got around to watching them. That is until over Thanksgiving break. I expected the show to kill the books, which most adaptions sadly do. But it didn't. In fact the changes only made the storyline better. It is one of my favorite shows of all time, right up there with "Gilmore Girls" and "Everwood." Which is where the title comes in. Canadians are so lucky to get to watch "Heartland"!