More Contest Winners

It's time once again to announce another batch of lucky contest winners. The first contest whose winners I will announce is the Love Story Giveaway. Each of the two winners of this giveaway will receive a finished copy of Love Story by Jennifer Echols. And the winners are...

Brooke

&

Jessica Miller

As for the Signed Shiver Giveaway, the winners are...

Stephanie

&

Christa

Both Stephanie and Christa have won signed paperbacks of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

Congratulations!

Books for Trade

Today I finally took the plunge and reorganized/cleaned my bookshelves.When it was all said and done, I found myself with a rather hefty pile of books that I either a) don't want or b) haven't read and most likely never will. So I'm doing something I've only done a few times before: offering to trade.

If you see something that interests you on the list below, send an email to chicklitteens@gmail.com with the title(s) that interest you and what you have for trade.

Right now I am only looking to trade with readers in the US and Canada. And please, please make sure whatever books you trade are in good shape. All of the books I'm trading are nearly brand new.

I will give preference to anyone looking to trade The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink, Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker, Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson, or an ARC of Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins  (I know, I know, but I have to put it out there!). Of course, I will consider any YA/MG outside of those listed. Those titles are just currently topping my list.

And now what you can trade for...

ARCs:

• I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
• Ruined by Paula Morris
• Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
• Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
• Time Riders by Alex Scarrow
• Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
• Virgin Territory by James Lecesne
• Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy
• Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
• My Boyfriends' Dogs by Dandi Daley Mackall
• After by Kristin Harmel
• Token of Darnkess by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
• Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone

Paperbacks:

• Ordinary Beauty by Laura Wiess
• Loser/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson
• Freefall by Mindi Scott
• Cathy's Book
• Cathy's Key
• Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downin Hahn
• Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt
• The Alpha Bet by Stephanie Hale
• A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
• Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

Hardcovers:

• Cathy's Ring
• Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown
• Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
• Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
• Friend is Not a Verb by Daniel Ehrenhaft
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
• Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling
• Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

That's all for now (though I'm sure I'll add more later)! 

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Release: August 2, 2011

Source: Publisher

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

The Near Witch is one of the prettiest books I’ve read in awhile. When the summary says the tale is “achingly familiar,” it isn’t joking. Schwab has crafted a fairy tale as beautiful and haunting as those whispered late at night over backyard campfires.

The entire time I was reading The Near Witch I felt as though I was floating along through a story I’d heard during my childhood but had long since forgotten. Each sentence and paragraph felt as light and eerie as the wind whistling through the trees, calling me forward to pages riddled with even more surprises. I was swept up into Lexi’s world and didn’t leave until I flipped the very last page. It's the kind of story I could easily see myself reading over and over again, never growing bored.

The town of Near provided the perfect backdrop to Lexi and Cole’s adventure. From the first description of the town I was automatically reminded of the opening of Hocus Pocus, a favorite of mine growing up. I could easily imagine the townspeople stuck in their ways and fighting against change and new ideas. In fact, this aversion to strangers and change helped to drive the story along and made Lexi’s character shine all the brighter. Having been raised in a town like Near, her strength and intuitive understanding of nature were all the more remarkable.

Finally, a testament to the book’s quality is that the day after I finished reading I decided to bake bread. The books I love the most are usually the ones that prompt me to bake the next day. It is because the stories come to life so clearly in my head, including even the most miniscule details, and linger with me for days. With Shiver, I awoke the next morning with the desire to make quiche, because that’s what Grace and Sam did. And now with The Near Witch, I was inspired to bake loaves of bread, as Lexi’s mother did throughout the novel.

I don’t know what more to say about this beautiful book, other than I’d highly recommend it. Schwab’s masterful writing is reason enough to pick up The Near Witch, but the wonderfully-crafted fairytale it tells is what really seals the deal.

5 stars!

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Release: July 21, 2011

Source: Purchased

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love — again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.

In Ripple, Mandy Hubbard spins a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future — and her heart.

Ripple reminded me of what I like to call “classic YA”: the books that first got me hooked on the genre and led me to blog about my reading. They were the kind of books that weren’t easy to read, per say, but seemed to flow effortlessly along – the perfect books to unwind with on a lazy summer afternoon or weekend.

That’s exactly what Ripple was.

From the get go Lexi’s character caught my attention. She had such a great heart and, despite her past mistakes, there was a certain innocence about her. It broke my heart to see how fall she’d fallen since becoming a siren and the difficult choices she’d had to make in order to protect those she loved.  

Though Lexi’s being a siren may classify Ripple as a paranormal romance, it easily could pass as chick lit. Romance and friendship both play a large role in the story. In fact, Hubbard never really put intense focus on Lexi being a siren. Her midnight swims were very rarely described in detail. They’re alluded to, of course, but most of the time the novel stayed firmly planted in Lexi’s day-to-day life: high school, friends, dates, and dances.

I loved reading a paranormal romance that wasn’t all paranormal. So often the paranormal elements take over the story, making it feel heavy. It was a refreshing change to read a novel that was light and airy, while still including a paranormal twist.

It was also fun to read about a romance that wasn’t about immediate attraction or love at first sight. Lexi and Cole’s relationship was never overly intense.  It was full of all the confusion and awkwardness of a blooming high school romance. It was this simplicity that made it so enjoyable to read about.  

                                                               

All in all, Ripple was a treat to read. Refreshing and unique – it is the perfect poolside read.

4 stars!

Cover Judge

Cover Judge is a series devoted to spotlighting the covers of upcoming YA reads. People always say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but with a cover as pretty as this week's, it's hard not to.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Release: March 2012

Summary:

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Cover: I have long been a fan of these covers. (Even though, sadly, my copies of both Hex Hall and Demonglass are ARCs and don't feature the lovely covers.) I love the juxtaposition of the upper image with the colors and fierce pose of the model on the lover half of the cover. I think Demonglass's cover will always be my favorite, but Spell Bound's is definitely gorgeous. The green grass and swirling purple-pink water below is...well, spellbinding. I also like the change in the model's position on the top half of the cover. On the first cover, Sophie seems unsure and nervous, then powerful and confident in the second, and now, on Spell Bound's cover, she simply looks determined. The progression is definitely representative of Sophie's growth over the course of the trilogy. Finally, I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments on the cat. I have read that a) he looks way older than on the other covers and b) looks way more lazy. Either way, I think the kitty is a great addition to the covers. He definitely plays up the witch/magic aspect of the series. And...okay, fine, he does look both older and more tired.

Love Story Giveaway

I have two (2) finished copies of Love Story by Jennifer Echols for two lucky readers. Before I tell you how you can win, here is a bit about Love Story:

She’s writing about him. He’s writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions—it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

Learn more: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Love-Story/Jennifer-Echols/9781439178324

Now, does that not sound like the cutest idea for a book? I've only read a few YA novels set in college -- they are few and far between -- so I'm really looking forward to reading this one. Hopefully you are too, because below are the details on how you can get your hands on a copy of Love Story.

Rules of entry:

• To enter, fill out the form HERE
• All entries must be received by midnight EST on Thursday, July 28
• Open to US only
• No P.O. boxes
• All entrants must be followers of Chick Lit Teens
• All entrants must be 13 years of age or older
• Only one entry per person
• All entrants should read Chick Lit Teens' official contest policy before entering

Okay, now that I've gotten all of the official rules out of the way, go enter! Good luck!

A Comment on Emails

Because it is Sunday and thus a lazy day, I am finally getting around to cleaning out my inbox. There were some 40+ emails in there waiting for responses, a few dating all the way back to the end of June. (Yes, it makes me cringe too.)

I admit, I have yet to master the finer points of emailing. Even though I have had my blog for almost three and a half years and should have figured it out by now, I am constantly behind on responding to emails. Don't get me wrong, I read them all. (That is the magic of having a smart phone.) I just don't respond right when I read them. (That is the downfall of having a smart phone: an itty bitty touch keyboard.) One day I will learn to respond to emails upon reading them, but I highly doubt that will be soon. The more full my inbox gets, the more I fear and avoid it, and the worse it gets. It's a vicious cycle.

When I do finally brave my inbox, however, I find that 99% of my responses are me rejecting people's review requests or inquiries. It's not that I am insanely picky, the issue is that so many people do not read my review policy before sending their emails. After the tenth email about some new memoir or adult literary fiction release, it really starts to irk me.

That said, from now on I will be deleting emails that do not meet the guidelines laid out in my review policy. I do not think my review policy is not incredibly nitpicky. If you can't take the time to read and comply with the few rules I lay down, then I'm not going to take the time to respond to your email.

Here are a few of the things that I will not review and/or will cause me to delete your email:

• Anything non-YA (the only possible exception would be MG)
• eBooks, PDFs, etc. I do not have an eReader, nor do I intend to buy one.
• Most non-fiction, especially titles that do not relate to teens 
• CDs, bands, etc.
• New social networks or non-book-related websites
• New locker organizers, water bottles, kids' shoes, etc. (I get about four of these a week.)
• Promotions on other websites
• Articles on other websites, especially when they aren't book-related

Here are the things I will consider and/or respond to:

• Published or soon-to-be-published YA novels
• YA authors available for interviews
• YA authors or bloggers doing cool things on the internet, such as live chats
• YA book news, including TV shows or movie deals for YA titles
• New bloggers wanting advice

Now, there are probably a lot more things I will respond to/consider featuring on my blog. But the things I won't review/consider are fairly set in stone. So, pretty please, make sure your email is actually something I will consider before sending it. Otherwise you're just wasting both of our time, and there's nothing cool about that.

Thanks for working with me!

P.S. I just updated my review policy to better reflect the points made in this post, so please be sure to check it out if you're considering emailing me.

Yet Another Post About Harry Potter

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you know that the final final Harry Potter film was released today. And being that the book blogging world is a literary community, everyone is posting their own little tribute to or comment about Harry Potter.

That said, I know that there are dozens of bloggers who have written much better posts than this one, thanking Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling for the impact they had on their lives. Harry was, for many readers, the series that started they're love of reading and has spanned their entire childhood and beyond. I only just recently read Harry Potter, as in I read the series last month, so I cannot claim that Harry Potter was my childhood like these lucky readers can.

However, what I can say is thank you, J.K Rowling, for creating such a beloved and magical series. Though I may not have read the books when I was younger, I do feel as though I have grown up with them. Between the films and the books, I cannot remember a grade that went by when I didn't hear about Harry Potter or watch one of the films. I got an education in Harry Potter from countless friends and classmates and neighbors. It was everywhere growing up. So though I may not have read the books, I have always felt that Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all of the other characters were a part of my life.

When I did finally read the books, it only made me appreciate Rowling's contribution to the world of fiction all the more. They were every bit as good as I had been told. I am not surprised that they won the hearts of so many readers, for they were truly lovely.

Last night I was lucky enough to be able to attend a midnight premiere. When I walked through the doors of theater, I was astounded by the sheer number of people there five hours early. The line for my theater was already out the door and wrapping around the building. Everyone in sight was dressed in Harry Potter garb and, as I looked around at everyone, all I could think was that this was the power of the written word. For that one night the story Rowling created united hundreds of strangers, creating a sense of community.

As for the movie itself, it did a marvelous job of capturing the novel, in my opinion. I won't say anything more, as I don't want to spoil it for those who have not seen it.  Though, I would like to say bravo to the producers for giving this amazing series such a wonderful send off.

Even though there may not be anymore books or movies, I know the magic of this series will never truly end. It will continue to live on and be passed from generation to generation. Which is why I'd like to once again thank and applaud J.K. Rowling for creating this magical world that became home for so many children, teens and adults alike.

I hope you all enjoy the final film!

Signed Shiver Giveaway

Yes, this another post about The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater. I promise to stop my raving tomorrow...when I start talking about Harry Potter.

This post is a little different than the others though, because this time you have a chance to win Shiver, the first book in the trilogy! Since Forever, came out this week, I thought it was as good as time as any to giveaway the two signed Shiver paperbacks I have sitting in my giveaway pile.

Here's a bit about Shiver:

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.

Want to be one of the two lucky winners? Find out how to enter below!

Rules of entry:

• To enter fill out the form HERE
• All entries must be received by midnight EST on Wednesday, July 27
• US and Canada only
• Entrants must be followers of Chick Lit Teens
• Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
• One entry per person
• Entrants should read Chick Lit Teens' official contest policy prior to entering

Good luck!

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Release: July 12, 2011

Others in the Series: Shiver and Linger

Source: Purchased

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stiefvater

then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment - a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

Slipping back into the world of Mercy Falls and the struggles of Sam, Grace, Cole and Isabel was effortless. Just as with Shiver and Linger, Stiefvater's masterful writing and subtle humor had me hooked from the start.

Prior to reading Forever I'd seen lots of reviews ranging from "oh my gosh this was the perfect ending" to simply ":(." I really had no idea what to expect. I definitely didn't expect it to be such an emotional roller coaster. Every chapter left me with reeling with a different emotion - sorrow, joy, desperation, curiosity, extreme happiness.

For the last few weeks I'd been trying to remember what that spark that made a book a five star book felt like, and Forever reminded me of that feeling. I was completely and utterly absorbed in Stiefvater's words and the story she crafted, unable to put it down.

Unlike in the past, when I was sold on a few character's (Sam and Grace and, most of the time, Isabel) but unsure of the others (namely, Cole), I loved every single character in Forever. The series may be about Sam and Grace's love story, but Forever is Cole and Isabel's book. Right from the get go I could see the changes in them, even though it had only been a few weeks since where Linger left off. Over the course of the novel, they continued to grow in leaps and bounds both individually and as a couple. In fact - and this is a first - I often found myself wanting to hear more from Isabel, rather than another chapter of Sam or Grace. That's a complete 180 from my sentiments during Linger.


Now, that's not to say I wasn't interested in Sam and Grace's story. Believe me, I was. They were once again excellent in this book, drawing more than one teary smile from me.

Just as it wouldn't be a Wolves of Mercy Falls book without Sam and Grace, it wouldn't be right if Stiefvater didn't make me cry. Again. For about the entire last 90 pages of the book I was a blubbering mess, proving once again that this is one of the few series that is consistently able to make me cry. That alone is a testament to how deeply I care for these characters.

Though the ending was completely and totally evil, Forever was still the perfect ending to an amazing series. It kept me up late into the night, desperate to see how it would end. And as sad as I am to say goodbye to this lovely batch of characters, I couldn't have imagined parting with them any other way.

All I can say is, you do not want to miss this (literally) breathtaking finally.

5 stars!

Chick Lit Teens' New Look

As I'm sure many of you have noticed, Chick Lit Teens underwent a makeover late last night. I've been trying to find a new background for some time now, one that would capture both my personality and that of the blog. I think (and hopefully you agree) that the new look accomplishes that perfectly.

Both the background and header are from Shabby Blogs, which is an amazing website that provides free backgrounds, headers and other gorgeous goodies for bloggers. They were responsible for the previous header and background that served me well for the past year or so. Unfortunately, said background was removed from their website a few months back when they revamped it. I've been searching for a new one ever since, and am so glad I was able to find one through Shabby Blogs again.

I'm absolutely thrilled with the new look and I hope you are too! I'd love to hear what you think.

Forever has Arrived

If you're anything like me, you spent last night restlessly dreaming about today: the day Maggie Stiefvater's Forever is finally out.

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stiefvater

then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment - a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

I was at the bookstore early this morning, before they even had Forever on the shelves (I may have slipped a copy off the book cart they left sitting in the YA section). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to read it yet, due to a college essay seminar. BUT I am finally home, which means it is the beginning of the end for Sam, Grace, Cole and Isabel and their respective stories.

The wait for Forever felt like an eternity after the cliffhanger Maggie left readers on in Linger, but now that it is finally here, I wish it wasn't. Because it means one of my favorite series ever is coming to a close. And, knowing Maggie, it also means I will be spending the rest of my afternoon and evening balling.

If you're reading Forever, I hope you are enjoying it. If you aren't, what is wrong with you?!

Just kidding. (But, seriously, yous should be reading this series. Just look at my gushing reviews of Shiver and Linger.)

My review will hopefully be up later this week. But for now, I leave you with the Forever trailer (featuring Jonas and Plunkett singing Sam's "Summer Girl") to tide you over.



Happy reading!

Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style Winners

I am happy to announce that the three winners who have each won a copy of Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style are...

Rive Re,

Victoria Elligsen,

and

Meredith Miller

Congratulations, you three! I hope you enjoy the guide and find some great tips for your edgy, girly and classic styles respectively.

I'd also like to thank everyone who entered. For those who didn't win, be sure to check back soon for more great contests!

Book Trailers

I'm very excited to be posting another round of book trailers. I am of the belief that book trailers can change a person's opinion on an upcoming book and, hopefully, convince them to give it a shot. After all, it's happened often enough to me. 


The reason for this, I believe, is that book trailers bring a book and its characters to life in a way a simple summary never can. Thus, book trailers can be a great way to find new books and/or decide whether or not you want to read a book.


This week I have a batch of book trailers that caught my attention, even though I had not originally intended to read the books they feature. Hopefully they'll win you over as well!


The first book trailer I have is for Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz. Though I've never read any of her books, I have heard great things about her debut novel Break. I hadn't really thought about reading Invincible Summer, but after this trailer I think I may be picking up a copy. The concept of the book spanning four summers really intrigues me. From the book trailer alone I know those summers will be full of drama, both of the family and girl variety. Plus I love the closing line, "I don't want my story to be about her." Hello, angst! I must admit, I really want to read this book now.





This next trailer is for Katie Alender's newest book, From Bad to Cursed. This is the sequel to Bad Girls Don't Die, which I reviewed back when it first came out. I thought the book was so-so, though it definitely delivered in creepiness, and didn't really plan on reading From Bad to Cursed. And then saw the book trailer...now I'm thinking I may actually read it. This is one of the better book trailers I've seen. From the actress to the set, the eerie music to the creepy surprise at the end, the trailer does a great job of capturing the creepiness of the Sunshine Club, all while making the viewer want to find out more. 





Jessica Brody has earned a reputation for having great book trailers ever since the trailer for Karma Club premiered. My Life Undecided's trailer once again meets these expectations. It's fun and endearing  from the get go, though a little corny at the end. The one thing I didn't like is that I feel the trailer gave away a lot. I would've preferred if they'd saved some of the plot developments and back stories for the readers to find out themselves when they read the book. I also think the cover and the trailer don't match up. The trailer has a very fun, youthful (almost middle grade) feel, but the cover they show at the end seems much more like a teen book. This is a prime example of why book trailers can be beneficial. Had it not been for the fun trailer, I probably would've overlooked the lackluster cover. Issues aside, I think I'll probably still give this book a try.




That's all I have for now! What book trailers have you been watching lately?

Beauty Queens and Werewolves Galore Winners

It's time to announce some contest winners. To begin, Random.org has picked the winners for the Beauty Quuens giveaway. The two winners, who each win a copy of Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, are...

Ashley Delgado

and

Ghenet Myrthil

Random.org has also randomly drawn the winner of the Werewolves Galore giveaway. The winner of this giveaway wins signed hardcovers of The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, as well as Shiver and The Dark Divine bookmarks. And that lucky winner is...

Kaitlyn in Bookland

Congratulations Ashley, Ghenet and Kaitlyn! And for those of you who didn't win, you still have two more days to enter for a chance to win one of three copies of Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Release: May 3, 2011

Source: Publisher

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love - a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

I must admit, I was rather underwhelmed with Moonglass. When I turned the final page, I felt as though I was little changed from how I’d been at the start. And, unfortunately, I felt the main character, Anna, was similarly unaffected.

Promising a slew of family secrets crawling out of the woodwork – or in this case the waves – I was surprised to find only a few “secrets” revealed over the course of the novel, only one of which was genuinely unknown by the main character. In fact, the great, dramatic moment proved to be rather anticlimactic, as did the final revelation about her mother: she committed suicide, it was no accident. Not a big surprise, considering that Anna had told herself that a thousand times. If anything, it was a reaffirmation, not a revelation. And, as with everything else, Anna just took it in stride and accepted it.

Though I didn’t particularly dislike the main character, I found her to be much too trusting and accepting for someone who supposedly was dealing with the betrayal of her mother’s suicide. When she meets Ashley, a pushy, somewhat pretentious girl, on the beach, Anna is steamrolled right over and agrees to meet this random girl at the school she has never been to join the cross country team, something she has no experience with. And then, after one practice,she joins the team, becoming one of two star runners, with seemingly little thought. In fact, this is how she handles almost all issues that arise – whether it’s about her new home or the hot lifeguard. She adapts quickly with little to no questioning. With a personality like that, I found it hard to believe that she, after nearly ten years, still harbored such volatile emotions about her mother’s death. It just didn’t compute.

This was one of her qualities that really irked me. Anna would blow up at the smallest mention of her mother or father, only to wholly accept it a few pages later. Much of what she said and did seemed to be stemming from the suddenness of her mother’s death. I had assumed, initially, that the death had been recent. However, I later discovered that it had occurred nearly ten years ago. Though it is undeniable that there would still be residual grief and issues to be worked out, I found a lot of Anna’s behavior to be somewhat hard to believe after all that time, especially when she’s so laidback about everything else in her life.

All in all, Moonglass failed to capture my interest. Though I was never bored, per say, the linear, often transparent, storyline left much to be desired. As a result, it left little to no impression on me.

2 stars