Some Bad News and Some Good News

Let's begin with the bad news because, in my opinion, it's always better to get the sad news over with first. That way the happy news is not tainted by it.

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the death of Chick Lit Teens' official bookstore. Due to a new California law from Governor Brown, Amazon Associates is terminating all contracts with California residents. The new law, as stated in the email from Amazon Associates, "specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers...even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state." Because of this new law and subsequent the termination of my contract with Amazon Associates, I will no longer be able to maintain the bookstore or collect the (meager) advertising fees from the Amazon.com links and banners included on the site.

I am not going to turn this into a political tirade about California's politics or Governor Brown, but what I will say is that I was incredibly saddened to hear this news yesterday evening. I have never run the bookstore with the intent to make a profit. Even if I wanted to, it would not have been feasible. At most, I made a dollar or less every month or so, which was quickly spent on shipping for giveaway prizes. The store was created solely out of my desire to enhance my blog readers' experience with Chick Lit Teens by providing an online bookstore full of the titles I've reviewed. I was looking forward to revamping the store over this summer and filling it with many more of my favorite titles. And I am very sad (and a little angry) that Governor Brown took that away from me and is denying my readers what I hoped to be a great extension of Chick Lit Teens.

Now onto some happier news...

Today I discovered that one of my reviews was quoted in another book: Legacy by Cayla Kluver!!!

Before this my I had only been quoted in one other book (Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag). I have always flipped through the "Praise for (insert book title here)" page(s) in books, so I find it amazingly cool when I see my reviews quoted there. When I discovered that I was quoted in Legacy, I actually screamed. And hugged the book. And danced around the teen section of Borders. And then got a very weird look from the man who was reshelving some books.

My little sister snapped this picture right after I finished my happy dance. (Note the ecstatic face.) I was really rather excited. This impromptu picture also surprised ReShelving Man, as I will now affectionately call him. Although, I must admit that his concerned face was nowhere near as fun as the reaction I got last time I discovered my quote in a book (Beautiful Americans); Rachael from Book Love: Teen yelled at me for taking a picture with the book.

Here's what the review quote says:

"Legacy is a breathtakingly beautiful story about one girl's struggle to overcome the expectations of a kingdom and find her own happiness...Full of political struggle, duty, legends, brilliant character, and beautiful prose, Legacy will leave readers wanting more."

You can read the rest of the review here.

This particular quote is especially exciting for me because I originally reviewed Legacy two years ago when it was published by Amazon Encore. I really enjoyed it back then and even did an interview with author Cayla Kluver, who is super sweet. So when I heard Harlequin Teen was publishing a new paperback edition, I was super excited for Cayla. I feel so blessed that the publisher included my old review in the new edition!

And now that I'm done gushing, here is some info on Legacy:

The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon of the nighttime sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, on the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

Across the land of Hytanica, under the shadow of the crimson moon, infant boys continued to vanish. Not until the blood had faded from the sky did the disappearances stop and the bodies of the murdered infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. For the next sixteen years, peace reigned, but one mystery remained unsolved. The Cokyrians had abducted forty-nine newborns, but returned only forty-eight bodies.

Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian's shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth.

I hope you'll all go check out this epic story!

Cover Judge

A semi-weekly feature, Cover Judge puts the spotlight on some of the most recent and, in my opinion, most beautiful covers of upcoming YA novels. Enjoy!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Release: September 27, 2011

Summary:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Cover: Um..wow. I'm not really sure where to begin with this book. The summary alone already has me captivated. It's mysterious and eerie and just a tad bit sinister. In just a few sentences, Hodkin has me hooked. And as if that was not enough, the cover is equally marvelous. Didn't I mention something about eerie earlier? Well, hello, eerie! The underwater shot is fabulous. I know a lot of covers have recently begun to feature underwater photos, but I don't much care. I am sucker for the effect the water has, making everything appear graceful and beautiful. What I really love, though, is how the male figure is wrapped around the female figure (Mara). Is he pulling her up, saving her? Or is he dragging her under? Either way, she doesn't much seem to care. She just floats there in serene elegance. The contrast of the two figures definitely adds to the mysterious tone of the summary, along with the inky black water. With a cover like this, I'm sure The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer will be impossible to resist.

Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style Giveaway

No brand is more trusted among teens and young women than Seventeen. The monthly magazine's more than 13 million devoted readers know it is the place to learn about what matters most to a girl—and fashion is at the top of the list! Packed with amazing clothes and indispensable style advice, Seventeen's Ultimate Guide to Style is the book readers will turn to again and again for fashion inspiration.

Seventeen's Ultimate Guide to Style is all about teaching young women to cultivate their own unique style. The book draws advice from the magazine's editors, real-girl style experts, Hollywood stylists, and celebrity fashion icons. Its chapters explore seven timeless fashion vibes: Classic, Edgy, Girly, Glam, Sporty, Artsy, and Boho. Each section breaks down all a girl needs to know about mastering the look and giving it her personal twist. Throughout its beautifully illustrated pages, the book also provides young women with endless ideas to maximize their wardrobe, stretch their dollar, and make everyday basics work in hundreds of ways. Seventeen's Ultimate Guide to Style is an indispensable resource for young fashionistas everywhere.

I have three (3) copies of this super stylish fashion guide for three lucky Chick Lit Teens readers!

Rules of entry:

• Fill out the entrance form HERE
• All entries must be received by midnight EST on July 9 
• US only
• No P.O. boxes
• Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
• Entrants must be followers of ChickLitTeens.com
• Only one entry per person
• Be sure to read Chick Lit Teens' official contest policy before entering

The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt

Release: May 3, 2011

Series: Princess for Hire (book #1)

Source: Purchased

Desi Bascomb's job as a princess substitute has gotten a whole lot more glamorous now that she's advanced to Level 2 within the Facade Agency. Magical make-up, roller-skating celebrities, and the chance to see Prince Karl again are just some of the major perks. Not to mention, she's landed the role of Fairy Queen in her school's production of Midsummer's Night Dream (opposite her best friend's crush. Which is a little weird, but at least he wears a donkey head during their kissing scene). Life should be perfect, but Desi can't seem to shake the feeling that there is more going on with the agency's magic than she's told. Like why is this mind-bending power exclusive to royals? Is it possible that there could be a bigger way to make an impact in both parts of her life?

Desi Bascomb returns in The Royal Treatment and Lindsey Leavitt continues to deliver glamour, glitz, and, of course, surprises in large quantities!

I was so excited to return to Desi’s world, especially her job at Façade. And just like in Princess for Hire, Leavitt makes any girl jealous of Desi’s job. If I thought it was fabulous before, the new perks for Desi as a Level Two sub made all the more envious. I mean, who wouldn’t be? She has access to millions of dollars worth of clothes and makeup and frequently gets to hang out with royals (including yummy princes)!

With a job like that it would be easy for Façade to be all rainbows and bubbles – the pink and magical kind, of course – but Leavitt avoided this by adding more mystery to Façade’s work and purpose. This not only made the agency more complex, but also gave more depth to characters whose lives it touches, namely Meredith and Desi.

Another small (but important) change Leavitt made was taking some of the focus off of Desi’s subbing duties and putting it onto her real life in Sproutsville, Idaho. As I said before, between Façade’s home base and the jobs Desi is given, it would be easy to get lost in all of the splendor of royalty and magic. Leavitt instead divides the novel’s focus equally between Desi’s everyday life and her subbing duties. I was able to connect with Desi a lot more as a result. Rather than pretending to be someone else, during her normal life she was just Desi – a great young woman even without the double life. This also gave the novel a more contemporary feel, which Leavitt, of course, pulls of wonderfully.

Even though I liked getting to know Desi as Desi and not as someone’s sub, it did raise a few concerns for me. She is, after all, living two entirely separate lives and I was curious to see how Leavitt would, if ever, merge the two worlds together. In the end, I discovered that my doubts were completely unnecessary. Leavitt not only found a way to merge the two worlds, but did it in a way that made my jaw drop. As someone who prides themselves on being able to see twists from miles away and uncover secrets long before they are ever revealed, it’s a testament to Leavitt’s skill when I say I never saw that final twist coming!

Despite my initial concerns, I ended up loving this book as much as I loved Princess for Hire. I cannot wait for the third (and final) book to come out! And once you read The Royal Treatment, I’m sure you will be just as eager.

4.5 stars! 

Chick Chat: Alexandra Monir

Today I have a guest post from Alexandra Monir, author of Timeless. Between the cover and the great synopsis, I have long been wanting to read this novel. And, hopefully, after reading this guest post, you will too.

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

The Love Story of Timeless

In writing my debut novel, Timeless, I was able to combine some of my favorite themes: time-travel, New York history, coming-of-age, music, and of course- love. While my protagonist is kept busy with her adventures in Time and a multi-generational family mystery to crack, the heart of the story is her relationship with Philip, the boy she meets in the past. Theirs is a romance that defies the constraints of time, that goes beyond one life, and is born of a concept that I find fascinating: destiny.

For as long as I can remember, I've been a believer in the idea of fate and destiny bringing two people together. Watching West Side Story numerous times growing up, I was always struck by that moment where Tony and Maria meet, the way the earth stops spinning for a moment, and nothing in this world exists for these two except each other. I've always wanted to write about that- the slightly crazy, out-of-this world experience of love at first sight. While I definitely think most of the best, healthiest relationships are built gradually and don't fall into the instant-love category, I also feel strongly that when two people are so destined for each other that it gives them the power to break the boundaries of Time and logic- that is a couple that would recognize each other right away in a true love at first sight.

Writing Michele and Philip's relationship was both exhilarating and heartbreaking, because even in a coupling that is so intrinsically right, living in two different centuries is clearly a big problem. I call it the ultimate long-distance relationship! I consider Time to be both a hero and a villain of my story- the uncontrollable element that brings these two lovers together and also keeps them apart. But in a romance that calls on the paranormal, there are always unexpected twists and turns that come into play- and this is what I am excited to be exploring as I currently write the sequel!

I would love to hear your thoughts on love at first sight, paranormal love, and Timeless. :) Follow me @TimelessAlex!

Werewolves Galore!

In recent years, werewolves have boomed in paranormal YA novels, TV, movies, and more. To celebrate these (sometimes) four-legged friends, I've decided to host a little giveaway. You can think of the prize as an introduction to werewolf YA or simply a way to feed your werewolf love. Either way, these three novels offer unique approaches to werewolf lore and are sure to please!

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

A Deadly Secret

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

One lucky grand prize winner will win:

• Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (hardcover) (SIGNED)
• The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (hardcover) (SIGNED)
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (hardcover) (SIGNED)
• The Dark Divine bookmark
• Shiver/Linger bookmark

Rules of entry (including extra entries) are as follows:

• Fill out the form HERE
• All entries must be received by midnight EST on July 6
• Open only to US and Canada
• +1 for tweeting about the contest
• +1 for posting about the contest on Facebook
• +2 for "liking" Chick Lit Teens on Facebook
• Entrants must be 13 or older
• Entrants must be followers of ChickLitTeens.com
• Entrants should read Chick Lit Teens' official contest policy

Best of luck, readers!

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Release: June 14, 2011

Series: Raised by Wolves (book #1)

Source: Publisher (Egmont USA)

There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were. With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

Let me being by applauding Jennifer Lynn Barnes on writing a sequel that did not a) break up the main couple or b) ruin the main character’s friendships and other relationships. This has been something I’ve long been struggling with when it comes to sequels, especially in the paranormal genre. If Barnes hadn’t been able to pull this off, I would’ve been rather upset. Though I’m not crazily in love with the main couple like I am with other books, I do love each of the characters individually. From weapon-loving, pool-hustling Lake to show tune-singing, dramatic Dylan, the characters in this series are incredibly endearing.

My initial concerns with Trial by Fire were something along the lines of, “what is Barnes going to do?” Though Raised by Wolves ended with a monumental change for both Bryn and the werewolf world, there was only the possibility of more books, not any direct storyline to pick up. Barnes, in my opinion, pretty much could’ve taken the story anywhere. In the end, I really enjoyed the path she chose.

The new were, Lucas, presents a challenge to Bryn, both within her pack and with her relations with the other North American packs. Bryn is, after all, a very unique pack leader. She is not a were, but rather an extraordinary human placed in extraordinary circumstances. Throughout the entirety of the novel, Bryn struggles with this, as well as her dilemma with what to do with Lucas: return him to his pack and certain death or risk everything to save him? These internal battles, while captivating on their own, are just details of the larger battle she’s facing: how to reconcile her individual identity and her new identity as the leader of the Cedar Ridge Pack.

Barnes definitely gave Bryn the breadth to fully explore this battle. Though she still developed the characters surrounding Bryn, Barnes really focused on Bryn’s internal struggle. This was by far my favorite aspect of Trial by Fire. I have always found Bryn to be a fascinating, complex character and enjoyed watching her develop even more, both as an individual and as an alpha.

I was not completely enamored with the novel, though. The other supernatural elements Barnes added into the story made me a bit weary. The subplot was interesting and was undeniably helpful in further developing Ali’s character, but I was never entirely sold on it.

Even with my less than stellar opinion on the supernatural additions, I really did enjoy Trial by Fire. It was an absorbing storyline that could easily hold its own as a standalone novel, while still fitting in perfectly as a sequel. I especially liked that Barnes once again defied the norm by giving readers a bittersweet, satisfying ending that leaves just enough open for another chapter of Bryn’s story, should Barnes choose to tell it.

4 stars!

Cover Judge

Every week Cover Judge features and discusses the beauty of a new cover for an upcoming YA book. This week, the featured cover is the epitome of elegance with the perfect touch of magic. Enjoy!

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Release: November 1, 2011

Summary:

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

Cover: I am completely enchanted with this cover. From the gilded gold frame to the model's dark make up, everything about this cover is elegant. The juxtaposition of the purples, deep blues, and golds gives the entire cover a regal air. I especially like how they tied the colors of the background and frame together in the dress. And speaking of the dress...is it not gorgeous?! The gold details give it a magical feel, which is heightened by the shimmering lights around the waist. Looking at it, you can practically feel the magic in the air as the model enters the painting, becoming a part of it. It's magnificent! The final touch that ties everything together is the dress' cascading skirt that, as it falls, slowly fades almost to black behind the words "Darker Still." The effect is absolutely spellbinding. 

Chick Lit Teens on TV!

A few months ago in one of my sorry-I-haven't-been-blogging-and-here-is-why posts, I mentioned that I had traveled to LA to film a segment about my blog for a television program called Young Icons. Unfortunately, because the show is syndicated, I wasn't able to provide much information on when the episode would air, other than the proposed date. Because of that I know many of you were not able to see the segment. Luckily, Young Icons recently uploaded the segment to YouTube. So, I present to you my Young Icons segment!

(Now, before you hit play, I must give you my one rule about watching the segment: no laughing at me!)

Ta-da! Hopefully you enjoyed the segment. I think it turned out rather nicely. I especially like the inclusion of all of the photos of me with my favorite authors (like Jennifer Lynn Barnes) and some of my favorite books (The Dark Divine by Bree Despain). Although, I probably could have done without the photos of Little Jessica, especially on national television. My mother sent those without my knowledge. But overall I am very happy with how it turned out, and I hope you are too.

Please, comment and let me know what you think of the segment. I love feedback! And, if you feel like sharing, did reading help you overcome any barriers emotionally or otherwise?

Thanks for watching!

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Release: June 14, 2011

Source: Publisher (Egmont USA)

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Hourglass was far from what I expected and every bit as phenomenal as its cover!

From the synopsis, I expected a novel heavily saturated with paranormal elements and a southern gothic feel. Boy, oh boy, was I wrong! The story felt as light and airy as the ghosts – or “rips” – Em encountered.

Emerson’s sarcasm immediately had me hooked. It not only made for a highly entertaining narrative, but it also added to her character. She was both lovable and strong, all the while masking some deeper issues, which were revealed throughout the novel. After everything she went through, this combination made her all the more admirable.

The romance between Em and Michael was, as with everything else, expertly written. It had all the passion and spark (literally) of an epic YA romance, but never went too far overboard. It toed the line perfectly, never failing to keep me intrigued but still keeping the focus on the plot.

Even the supporting characters were wonderful. From Em’s best friend, Lily, to Michael’s best friend, Kaleb, every character had multiple layers to them, making them as interesting as Em herself. Each one could easily hold his or her own in a spinoff novel. In fact, though I don’t normally say this often, I am as excited to find out more about the supporting characters as I am about reading more about Em and Michael in the next book. It was all around one of the best cast of characters I’ve encountered this year, if not ever.

The first half of the novel is largely focused on the romance between Em and Michael, as well as the mystery of Michael himself. I ate up all the development, furiously flipping pages to find out more. However, I began to grow fearful when the larger plot began to be introduced. As with many paranormals preceding it, I feared Em would severely overreact to one of the revelations or the plot would become something dark and fantastical that would bog down the rest of the novel. But, once again, McEntire completely defied my expectations. Em took all the developments in stride – proving her strength of character once again. Even better, the storyline that McEntire introduced was fascinating and far from anything I ever could’ve guessed. Without giving anything away, this new plot was just intricate and unique enough that I was intrigued, but not too complicated that I got lost, which easily could have been the case.

In a sea of paranormal, Hourglass stands out from the crowd. McEntire has a true talent for novel writing, making Hourglass an absolute must-read!

5 stars!

Beauty Queens Giveaway

I am very excited to be hosting a giveaway for Libba Bray's Beauty Queens as a part of Scholastic's This Is Teen campaign.

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and complete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eye liner.

What’s a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program – or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan – or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

I have two copies of Beauty Queens to give away to two (2) lucky readers.

Rules of entry:

• To enter, fill out the form HERE
• Open to US only
• No P.O. boxes
• Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
• Deadline is midnight EST on June 23
• Please read Chick Lit Teens' contest policy before entering

This Is Teen is giving readers even more chances to win with the Beauty Queens contest. Details about the contest and how to enter are below. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we want to know WHAT MAKES YOU A BEAUTY QUEEN? Being a Beauty Queen like the ones in Libba Bray's new novel means being true to yourself and who you want to be. Tell us in 500 words or less what makes you a Beauty Queen, and you could win a $250 Amex Gift Card to use toward whatever makes you feel most awesome. Or you could opt for a $250 gift card to Sephora. Whatever you choose, we will also send you a signed copy of the book and your very own tiara!

To enter go to http://www.thisisteen.com/Contest.htm

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal US residents ages 13 to 18. Deadline to enter 5pm EST on July 1, 2011. Void where prohibited. For complete details and official rules go to www.ThisIsTeen.com




Good luck, everyone!

This Is Teen Live Event

On Monday I was very lucky to be able to attend a fabulous signing featuring three amazing authors: Meg Cabot, Libba Bray and Maggie Stiefvater.

The event was part of a live tour for Scholastic's This Is Teen campaign. As Libba discussed, the aim of This Is Teen is to break the "teen" mold. So many adults have the idea in their head that all teens are the same, like the same things, act the same, etc. But This Is Teen wants to defy that stereotype. They are doing this through a Facebook page, giveaways, a massive scavenger hunt, the live tour and so much more.

Thus far, I think Scholastic has done a great job with the campaign. I especially like that they are giving teens the chance to connect with their favorite authors face to face via the tour.

I attended the San Francisco tour stop, which was hosted by the ever-wonderful Not Your Mother's Book Club at Books Inc. Like me, everyone seemed to be uber excited to be there. The place was packed. Even though my friends and I bought tickets in advance (we were signing group A) and showed up a half hour early, we almost didn't get a seat. It was crazy! 

To tide us over before the event started, there were giant replicas of the author's most recent book covers. The heads were cut out of the figures and everyone got to take pictures as if they were a part of the covers. 

Can I have Sam now?

Me showing off my beauty queen hair.

As fun as that was, the authors' talks were even better. Each author got a chance to give their own individual talk about writing and their novels.

Meeting Maggie Stiefvater for the second time!

Maggie Stiefvater kicked off the event by discussing her love of making people cry. She then went on to tell all of us about how she decided to throw out her original draft of Forever, the final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, a week or two before her deadline. At this point I was beginning to worry..and as she continued to talk, I grew even more concerned. Turns out she had come across a website for a group of wolf trackers that included a page about how different wolves had died. One of wolves, she told us, had fallen into pit or a sinkhole (I can't remember her exact words) and drowned in the mud at the bottom, unable to escape. 

We all sat there in stunned silence.

Maggie then laughed and said she knew that would make readers sob.

I am now very, very scared to read Forever. I have a feeling I will be needing lots of tissues.

Rocking the glasses with Meg Cabot (new for both of us).

Following that worrisome (yet hilarious) talk by Maggie, Meg Cabot's talk took a more cheerful turn. She revealed that The Princess Diaries was not, in fact, written about a high school girl discovering she was a princess. It is actually about a girl whose mom is dating her teacher, an unfortunate experience Meg went through. The princess part was only thrown in to make people read it.

She also talked about how Abandon, her newest YA novel, is one she has been wanting to write since high school, when she was in love with the myth of Persephone. Ever since her days of doodling the myth in her math notebook, she has wanted to revamp it and make it more contemporary. And she finally got the chance to do so in Abandon. I hadn't really considered reading Abandon before the signing, as it sounded too paranormal for my liking, but I am now very intrigued.

Meeting Libba again, this time as a blogger.

Meg and Maggie - Megaggie, to Libba - both gave great talks, but Libba's was by far the funniest. Probably because it included some audience participation. Because Libba has difficulty describing her books, she decided to let us help. To do so, we played a game of Beauty Queens Mad Libs. The result was hilarious! 

NYMBC's wonderful leader, Maggie, recorded the game so that those who weren't able to attend the event could share int he hilarity. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

NYMBC once again put on a wonderful event. Everything about the event was perfectly planned, including the signing, which, with so many people, easily could've become chaotic. I would highly suggest taking a look at the This Is Teen Facebook page to see if the tour is coming to a city near you. It's definitely worth it.

I finally dragged my friends to a signing with me. From right to left: Kendall, ShinEui, Shannon, Katie, and me.