Chick Lit Teens

More Hunger Games

2012-02-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

...because there really is no such thing as too much Hunger Games.

In honor of there be being less than 50 days until the release of The Hunger Games movie, Lionsgate has released a second theatrical trailer. In this new trailer, fans get a glimpse of The Capitol, as well as other new footage. My personal favorites are the scenes between Prim and Katniss (they captured them perfectly) and Gale and Katniss (because it's Gale).

The more I glimpses I see of the movie, the more excited I get for March 23. It truly looks as though Hollywood has succeeded in creating a quality adaption of a beloved book. Of course, the movie will never be able to equal the book in excellence, but I do expect it to be highly enjoyable.

What do you think? Are you as excited and optimistic as I am?

And, if you still haven't gotten your Hunger Games fill, Lionsgate has also launched a new Tumblr-based website titled "Capital Couture." This fun online "magazine" showcases the style in The Hunger Games movie, as well as GIFs and other exclusives.

How great does Effie look? It's spot-on, in my opinion.

Happy Hunger Games!

P.S. Don't forget to snag your tickets to The Hunger Games when they go on sale on Feb. 22!

Book Trailers

2012-01-31T11:18:00.000-08:00

It has been far too long since my last book trailers post. The upside to that is that tons of book trailers have come out since my last post, so I had plenty of options. These four were some of my favorite finds, and hopefully you'll enjoy them too.

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
So. Cute. When I first watched the trailer I was having trouble deciding between cute and ridiculous. Cute won out in the end. Yes, there are a lot of sparkles and drawings and cheesy music...but they are used PERFECTLY. I mean, it is a book about freshman year. Who wasn't uber energetic and dorky their freshman year? (Don't try to protest. You know it's true.) I think the book trailer perfectly captures that freshman year naivete.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The trailer for Marissa Meyer's Cinder has popped up on television multiple times since its release. And, even though I swore off of dystopians, it caught my attention. The trailer is a great example of not overdoing it. Each snippet of footage is short and simple - no CG fights or cheesy effects - and the narration captures the essence of the book without droning on and on and on. A great example of a TV-oriented book trailer.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle HodkinI am sure many people have already seen this trailer. Both the trailer and the book were released last fall. I, however, just got around to watching the trailer (though I perused the book months ago). And it is, in my opinion, a marvelous trailer. For once, the use of live-action shots is not cheesy or overkill. There is just the right dose of creepiness and steaminess. Even better, it includes one of my all-time favorite prologues/first chapters. If I had to provide an author with an example of excellent voice, writing, and creating intrigue, I would tell them to read that opening letter. I love that they incorporated it into the trailer so skillfully.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Wonder by R.J. PalacioUp until a few days ago, I had never heard of Wonder by R.J. Palacio. The probable cause is that I don't usually read MG and thus am not exposed to new titles very often. After hearing about this book and seeing its trailer, I may just have to change that. Because Wonder looks like a book I don't want to miss. The trailer alone is cute, heartwarming, and enchanting. If the trailer is any indication, Auggie is sure to be a wonderful, inspiring narrator.

Hopefully you found a few titles that interest you. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. And, of course, if you have any book trailers you would like to share that weren't featured here. Feel free to link to them in the comments. I always like to see new trailers.

It's Not You, It's Me

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Dystopia,

I know we have had a few flings. But, as fun as they were, Iam going to have to say goodbye.

When I first met you, I was enchanted. The quintessentialbad boy, you were dark and moody and mysterious and promised great thrills.Sadly, you turned out to be just that: a bad boy. And after awhile, I realizedyou were not good for me. Things never ended well with you. After giving you a second,third, even fourth chance, I have been forced to admit that you are completelyand utterly predictable. I do not doubt that you can be shocking and full oftwists, but your stories – and our relationship – ultimately end the same way:disappointment.

Such a relationship is not healthy. It is not fair to youand it is not fair to me. We need to end things once and for all. No moresharing stories, no more tempting me, no more forgetting our past and startingfresh. Believe me when I say it’s not you, it’s me. Honestly, you are wildlypopular and loved by so many people. I am just not one of them.

I think I have known this for many years. Remember when wefirst met? With Ender’s Game? If Iwere smarter, I would have ended things then and saved us all of this trouble. But,alas, I led you on and gave you shot after shot.

I can no longer go on like this, though. It is time that youand I say goodbye. I hope you find happiness and success in all of yourendeavors.

Sincerely,

Jessica

P.S. Please know I will never forget those blissful times ofThe Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Hopefully this letterdoes not make things awkward on March 23. It is my hope that we can have acheerful, if brief, reunion.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

2012-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

Release: January 3, 2012

Others in the Series: Nightshade and Wolfsbane

Source: Purchased

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy

Bloodrose is the happy median between Nightshade’s lush emotional conflict and Wolfsbane’s captivating pacing. The strengths of Bloodrose’s two predecessors combine to create an epic conclusion full of strife, love, loss, and shocking twists. Readers will be kept on their toes as they jump around the globe with the Searchers and Guardians, facing shocking surprises and terrifying barriers.

Building on the fast-paced roller coaster that was Wolfsbane, Cremer tells the final installment in Calla’s story swiftly and without rest. There is something happening every page, pushing the story – and the characters – deeper into the battle between the Keepers and the Searchers. Each development is rendered masterfully. Whether it is a tragic death or a shocking surprise, nothing feels forced or unfair, thanks to Cremer’s excellent character and plot development in the previous novels. Even the final, shocking twist feels inexplicably right.

As Bloodrose is the final book in the series, and thus the final battle, I knew that there would be many casualties. I feared for Calla and Shay and the rest of the pack, of course. What I did not expect, however, was to be fearful for the Searchers. After all, they are far newer additions to the series and had only one, very fast-paced book to develop. Surprisingly, however, they were the ones for whom I feared the most. The Searchers quickly became my favorite characters with their quirky personalities and outspoken, sarcastic natures. Cremer did a marvelous job of creating a brilliant cast of characters who will not soon be forgotten.

Calla too shines brilliantly in this final installment. Of all of Calla’s traits, complexity is her crowning glory. In Nightshade, she revealed layer after layer of emotional turmoil, loyalty, and instinct. The rapid events of Wolfsbane forced these warring traits to the background. In Bloodrose, they are finally let free. From the very first chapter, Calla’s conflicting desires are out in full force, and remain that way throughout the entirety of the novel. Bloodrose was Calla at her best, the perfect way to say goodbye to her and her journey.

A fitting ending to an epic trilogy, Bloodrose will captivate readers and leave them satisfied,if a bit teary. Cremer would be hard pressed to create a better last hurrah for Calla, Shay, Ren, and the rest of the group.

5 stars!

Coliloquy Unmasked

2012-01-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you probably remember me mentioning a little book called Sea. It was heartbreaking, and real, and romantic...and left me wanting more. I, along with a handful of other bloggers, harassed - I mean, gently reminded - author Heidi R. Kling about this. Of course, being a wonderfully evil author, she repeatedly teased us with tweets about #SexahMagicBook, her next release.

Last fall, Kling revealed that the mysterious #SexahMagicBook was actually titled Witch's Brew and would be the first in a ten book series published by the equally-mysterious publisher Coliloquy.

Well, today is finally the day when everything comes to light. After months of little more than a cheerful homepage promising information soon, the mystery that is Coliloquy (and Witch's Brew) is finally being revealed. Check out the press release below to find out about this intriguing new Kindle-centered publisher!

PALO ALTO, January 17, 2012 – Coliloquy (www.coliloquy.com), a publisher of active and interactive fiction, launches todaywith four adult and young adult romance (YAR) series from award-winning authors and screenwriters, now availableexclusively in the Amazon Kindle Store. Coliloquy represents the next generation of digital publishing, takingadvantage of new technology to reinvent the way authors and their audiencesinteract with reading and narrative. Coliloquy’s new publishing format enablesmultiple story lines, serials and episodic story-telling, personalized content,in-book engagement mechanics and the delivery of prompts and special orexclusive extras to create a more fluid and immersive story-telling experience.

Coliloquy comes out of theKindle Developer Program for Active Content and will be available immediately onKindle, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Keyboard devices. By delivering titles asactive content applications, rather than static publishing files, Coliloquyenables new kinds of engagement made possible by advances in electronic book distribution.Multiple “what if” story lines let authors and readers explore differentpermutations of character relationships. TV-likeepisodes can grow and change, based on reader choices, voting, and feedback.Fans can reread a key scene from a different character’s point-of-view orunlock new content.

Digital non-fiction,children’s books, and textbooks are being revolutionized with new forms ofdelivery and interactive multi-media features, but Coliloquy is the firstpublisher to focus on the narrative experience of adult fiction.

Coliloquy’sunderlying platform also introduces a new type of in-book feedback for authors. In combination with a serial format, thisapproach de-risks the writing process and allows authors to test and refine newideas based on insights from their readers.

Coliloquy Authors and Titles

Coliloquy’s launch authors includeaward-winning authors and screenwriters, all using the platform in different ways.They include:

Heidi R. Kling, Witch’s Brew (The Spellspinners of Melas County): a contemporary young adultseries about a modern day witch who must betray everything she knows to saveher magic and her forbidden love.

Kira Snyder, Dead Letter Office (Parish Mail): a contemporary southern gothic mystery seriesabout a teenager who discovers a cache of centuries-old letters containingclues to crimes happening in the present day.

Liz Maverick, Arcania, Trial by Fire #1 (Arcania): a young adult fantasy series about anunderachieving teen thrust into anMMO-like world of magical combat, where she must master her own genetic giftswhile investigating her twin sister’s suspicious death.

I must admit, I am rather curious to see what Coliloquy is all about. What about you?

Cover Judge

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights the covers of upcoming novels on my wishlist. This week's cover is a rare exception to my insistence that one can judge a book by its cover. At least, I hope it is. Otherwise, I will be very disappointed.

The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

Release: March 13, 2012

Synopsis:

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

Cover: As much as I hate to say it, I really do hate this cover. It saddens me because the past two covers in this series have been some of my favorites, especially The Lost Saint's cover. I had thought The Savage Grace's cover would be even better. Instead, I was disappointed.

Before I get into my complaints, I will say the color is lovely. The pink-ish red is gorgeous and goes along beautifully with the other two covers' colors. And there ends my praise.

Now that I have been nice, can I please point out how completely awkward and unnatural the model looks? I'm sorry, but no one is that long. The top and bottom halves of her body are completely out of proportion. The only allowance I will make is that maybe the sheet/fabric around her waist is the cause of this oddity. Still, that does not make it any better visually. It really is a shame, considering how pretty the other covers were. And while we're discussing other covers...why didn't they stick with leg thing? It worked so well with the other two covers and would have fixed this whole inhuman length issue.

What do you think? Was this cover a hit or a total miss? Let me know what you think in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Release: January 3, 2012

Source: Publisher

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…

I went into Bittersweet fairly blind. My brain registered “Sarah Ockler” and “cupcakes,” and then promptly exploded in happiness.

Bittersweet was a fast, fun read as sugary sweet as the cupcake creations Hudson cooks up. Though Ockler’s signature teenage angst and family dysfunction played a major role, the book was surprisingly unencumbered. This was a new, more relaxed side of Ockler. There were no huge deaths, no breakdowns, no screaming fights or major blowups – just life. It was real, it was simple, it was lovely.

The romance in Bittersweet was likewise uncharacteristic yet wonderful. The relationship was not immediate, but rather slowly developing, often veering wildly off course. It was, in other words, authentically high school. While I know many couples who are completely lovey-dovey, I also know that they did not get there in one step. The road was full of potholes and surprise curves and a whole lot of drama. I love that Ockler was able to capture this journey.

What astounds me about Ockler’s writing is that each book and its heroine are one-hundred percent unique. Take Hudson for example. Her father cheated on and left her mom, giving her more than enough reason to act out. Instead of going wild, however, Hudson takes comfort in baking, building a highly successful cupcake business. She also refocuses her life from figure skating to holding what is left of her family together, stepping in as a quasi-mother for her little brother and sharing financial responsibilities with her mom. Externally, Hudson is an incredibly strong young woman who seems to be firmly rooted in the present. Internally, however, she is a hopeless dreamer who wants more than a diner job in a forgotten town. This internal conflict between being who she is and who she wants to be provided a great impetus for the plot and made Hudson all the more relatable as a narrator.

Of course, that is not to say that Hudson was perfect. To be honest, she flummoxed me. At times, I felt we were perfectly in sync. And then she would go do or say (or, should I say, not do or say) something, and I would be thrown. More than a few times I wanted to smack her. “Come on,” I wanted to yell. “Don’t just stand there. You are allowed to react.” Had I been in control, Bittersweet would have panned out quite differently. But, as that is not the case, I will admit that the ending was quite satisfactory. I was proud of the person Hudson had become and understood her character, even if I did not fully agree with all of her choices.

Truly, Bittersweet is not a book about ice skating or hockey, divorce or cupcakes; it is a book about life and learning to appreciate it – no “what ifs,” no regrets. This alone is reason to pick up a copy. Whether one is looking for more from Ockler or simply a great contemporary read, Bittersweet will not disappoint.

4 stars!

Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

2012-01-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to be participating in Top Ten Tuesday today because this week's theme is "Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012." So not only do I get to do a Top Ten Tuesday post (which I love), I also get to research and share some great upcoming releases. Woohoo! You all know how much I love finding and sharing new books.

Without further ado, here are the Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012:

~~1. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins~~

~~Something tells me that this will be one of the books that makes me cry. Not because it is sad, but because I am going to be heartbroken to leave behind this set of books.~~ ETA: Stephanie Perkins just announced that Isla's release date has been pushed back to 2013.

2. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

On my list of 2012 releases, this title is followed by numerous exclamation points. Hello, it is Alexandra Bracken, as in the genius behind Brightly Woven. I. Cannot. Wait.

3. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
I somehow stumbled upon this book a few weeks ago. I am not sure how, but I do know I want to read it ASAP. It sounds right up my alley.

4. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

For one thing, it is written by Sarah Rees Brennan, whose Demon Lexicon series is supposed to be fabulous. I want to get in on the ground floor on this series. Oh, and it is a YA GOTHIC ROMANCE about a JOURNALIST. Hello, book heaven.

5. The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
Daniel, Grace, Jude - I just adore this series. I will be sad to say goodbye to it, but I am so excited to see how it ends.

6. Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You was one of the first YA books I ever read and loved. Yay for more Cammie!

7. Timepiece by Myra McEntire
Hourglass was such a great surprise, and I cannot wait for more of Em's adventures.

8. The Diviners by Libba Bray
Oh my gosh, this book. It makes me happy just thinking about it. Finally Libba Bray writes another historical fantasy/paranormal novel. I have been craving more novels from her since The Sweet Far Thing. I mean, Beauty Queens and Going Bovine are funny and all, but I want some more intrigue, some more dark history. And, as if I needed more to fall in love, it is set in Manhattan in the '20s: my favorite era!

9. Level 2 by Lenore Appleton
Presenting Lenore, Lenore's blog, is one of the first blogs I ever followed. I am overjoyed that she is getting her novel published. Plus, the premise is highly intriguing.

10. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
This just sounds amazing. Ever since I saw it on GoodReads last year, I have had it on my wishlist. I especially like that it is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. I have such a soft spot for anything Austen-related.

What books are you looking forward to this year?

Hitting Shelves Today

2012-01-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Those of you who frequently haunt bookstores know that Tuesdays are big days in publishing. Tuesdays are when all the shiny new books are unpacked and placed on the shelves. So, seeing as today is the first Tuesday of the new year, I thought I'd share with you a few books that hit shelves today.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook

Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Pretty Little Secrets by Sara Shepard

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams

Whew, that was a lot of books. Hopefully something caught your eye. I know I will be picking up a few books later today.

Happy reading!

Best of 2011: Best of Everything

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

There are a handful of books in the world that you finish and just say "wow." You sit there, staring at the book (maybe even wiping away a few tears), and wish you could write something that perfect. This year, I found one of those books. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me fall in love. You may have heard of it...

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater!

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.

Read the rest of the review here.

Just thinking about this books make me feel warm and content. For all of the ups and down, evil plot twists and tear-jerking moments, I still look back on this book with nothing than fond memories. The characters were perfection, the romance was delectable, the world was captivating, and the writing was beautiful. I cannot find a single flaw in this conclusion to one of my most beloved series of all time. Even the ending, as mean and open-ended as it was, felt right. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to these characters and their world. So Forever gets the award for "Best of Everything" and is my favorite novel of the year.

And that, ladies and gents, is the end of my Best of 2011 posts. I hope you saw a few of your favorites or found some titles to read in the new year. Thanks for reading!

(P.S. I want to know what book gets your "Best of Everything" award. Let me know in the comments.)

Best of 2011: Best Paranormal Sequel

2011-12-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

For me, the best paranormal sequel of 2011 was...

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer!

Often, I would finish reading a hundred pages only to realize that all of the events I’d just read about had happened in a mere matter of hours. Calla’s world was constantly changing. In fact, when I finished reading, I was shocked to realize that the entire book only spanned, at most, three days. As far as stories go, that’s not a lot of time, and yet Calla’s life at the end was completely unrecognizable from the beginning of the novel.

Read the rest of the review here.

Wolfsbane was a great sequel to one of my favorite paranormal novels of 2011, Nightshade. Oddly, the reasons why I enjoyed Wolfsbane were vastly different than Nightshade. The pacing, characters, even the overall feel of the novel had little resemblance to Nightshade. Still, I found myself highly intrigued by Calla's latest adventure. The thing that really stood out to me about Wolfsbane was the incredible amount of plot development Cremer was able to cram into such a short amount of time. It was a whirlwind read that left me wanting more. I am so happy Bloodrose is coming out in January, because I don't think I could wait much longer for a resolution to Calla's story.

Best of 2011: Best Contemporary Sequel

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

This year, the best contemporary sequel I read was...

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter!

Heist Society was one of my favorite releases of 2010, and now Uncommon Criminals is one of my favorites of 2011. There is just something about this series that is so enchanting. It could be that Ally Carter is the author or it could be that Kat is such a strong, engaging main character or it could be that I have always loved spy/heist stories. No matter, it is safe to say that this series has stolen my heart.

Uncommon Criminals was particularly fun to read because there were two heists, meaning there was twice as much scheming. And, if you know me, you know I enjoy the scheming and planning just as much as the heist itself. There was also a lot of Hale, which is always a plus. I really enjoyed getting to get to know more about his background, as well as Kat's and all of the other character's. It was just so much fun getting to be back in their world. I cannot wait for more books in this series!

Check back tomorrow for another Best of 2011 post.

Best of 2011: Best Last Hurrah

2011-12-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

This past year I have said goodbye to a lot of my favorite characters. One goodbye stood out from the rest though. And that book was...

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han!

Ever since I read The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah have been some of my favorite characters. Going into We'll Always Have Summer, I had no idea who I wanted Belly to end up with, as I loved both Conrad and Jeremiah. I decided to just go with the flow and enjoy the last installment in their story. This last hurrah was definitely not what I had expected. Not at all. The events of the novel took me completely by surprise, further confusing my feelings about Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. Still, when it was all said and done, I found myself pleased with how everything had worked out. All three characters were true to who they were and everything felt...right.

What was your favorite last hurrah of 2011? Let me know in the comments!

Best of 2011: Best-Dressed Love Interest

2011-12-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

This book could easily have won the award for Best Contemporary Romance. The couple was adorable, one of my favorites of the year for sure. Such a basic award did not fit the book though. Yes, the romance was wonderful. But the two characters were also wildly unique and the entire book was different than any other contemporary novel I'd read. The award it received needed to fit this uniqueness. So the award for Beset-Dressed Love Interest goes to....

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins!

Then, of course, there is Lola’s neighbor and romantic interest, Cricket. Perkins has a talent for writing magnificent male leads. They all have their little quirks, of course, but that’s what makes them so swoon worthy. Though Etienne will always have my heart, Cricket is a strong second with his endearing personality and tendency to ramble, as well as his glorious pants (this will make a lot more sense once you read the book).

Read more from the review here.

Illustration of Cricket by
Simini Blocker

Oh, Cricket, what a great love interest you were. He was charming and quirky and sweet - a classic Stephanie Perkins love interest. He also had some great pants, the impetus for this award.

Throughout the novel, Lola (a budding designer) comments on Cricket's fabulous style. According to her, unlike other straight boys, he knows how to dress. And though she notices other aspects of his style, his pants always stand out to Lola. They are not simply jeans, but fancy pants. Pants with pinstripes that are nicely cut and always fall (deliberately) above his socks.

As you can see in the illustration to the right (from Perkins' blog), Lola was not joking when she said Cricket was well-dressed. I am particularly fond of this illustration because it also captures Cricket's bashfulness, which is a huge part of his personality.

All in all, Cricket was a great love interest with some seriously great pants.

Best of 2011: Best Debut

2011-12-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Every new year brings with it a new group of debut authors. They are excited and sweet and their books always entice me. Naturally, every year I participate in the Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren, and make it my goal to read as many debut novels as I can. This year, my favorite debut novel was...

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab!

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.

Read the full review here.

The Near Witch was...enchanting? Haunting? Magical? I do not know how to put it into words. Schwab's writing was lyrical, giving the novel a fairy tale feel and entrancing me. The story itself was lovely, but it was Schwab's writing that makes this book my pick for the best debut of 2011. If you haven't read it yet, I would highly suggest picking up a copy as soon as you can. Once you read it, you will understand what I mean.

Tomorrow I will be giving away a very unique award to one of my favorite books of the year. Be sure to stop by to find out which book I'm talking about. And, as always, leave a comment letting me know what you think.

See you then!

Best of 2011: Best Cast of Characters

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

This award goes to a book with one of the best cast of characters I've encountered in awhile. Every single character was colorful and well-written, capturing my attention.

And that book is....

Hourglass by Myra McEntire!

From my review:

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.

Yes, it's true, I fell hard for all of these characters. McEntire has a real talent with writing realistic characters that are as complex as they are colorful. I loved a lot about this book, but the character were by far my favorite. So long as all of my favorite characters are back in Timepiece, I am sure I will love it.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another Best of 2011 winner!

Best of 2011: Best Surprise

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

There is always that book that you pick up on whim - maybe you recognize the author, like the cover, are enticed by the title - and end up absolutely adoring. This past year, I encountered one of those books. And it was...

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater!

From my review:

Much to my surprise, the Scorpio Races were not the main focus of the novel. Rather, Stiefvater focused on developing the island of Thisby and its inhabitants. The island very well may be as magical as the creatures that emerge from the seas around it. Every character, every custom, every delectable pastry was described and developed beautifully. I quickly found myself lost in Thisby, as excited to simply be there as to be following the course of the novel.

It is truly difficult to put my feelings into words. The Scorpio Races was, quite simply, a masterful creation on all levels.

Ever since I read Shiver, I have been a fan of Maggie Stiefvater. I read Lament and Ballad, both of which I enjoyed well enough. They were good, but I didn't love them, not like I loved Shiver. So when I heard Stiefvater had a new standalone coming out, I had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it was a new book by Maggie Stiefvater! On the other, it may not be able to compare to The Wolves of Mercy Falls.

But it did. Oh yes it did.

Stiefvater stole my heart in a whole new way. The Scorpio Races was unlike any other book I'd read, with its colorful setting, complex characters, and carnivorous horses. I now know never to doubt Stiefvater's ability to write books that captivate me.

Did you encounter any surprisingly wonderful novels this year? Let me know in the comments. And don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another Best of 2011 title.

The Best of 2011

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

The end is near (and I don't just mean the end of the week)!

As of yesterday, December is half over. That means Christmas is just around the corner and with it, the end of the year. So, naturally, it's time to start looking back on this past year and all of the books it brought us.

I have already seen a few blogs starting there 2011 wrap-up posts, and I figure I may as well join in. Rather than doing my tradition "Top 10 Books of the Year" post, however, I have decided to shake things up a little. Starting next week, I will be posting a new "best" book everyday. The categories will range from "Best Sequel" to "Best Dialogue."

This past year has just been too great reading-wise for me to try and boil it down to just 10 books. Each book has its own unique way of capturing my heart, and I want to honor that. I hope you'll join me in celebrating these titles. (And feel free to throw your two-cents in as well!)

Cover Judge

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights the covers of upcoming YA novels. I know some people say "you can't judge a book by its cover," but with covers as pretty as this, it's hard not to.

Summary:

Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident.

As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?

Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby's strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex...and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.

Cover: There are some covers that are so reminiscent of others that you just can't help but assume that was the publisher's intent. This is one of those covers. As soon as I saw it, my mind immediately went to The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Sandy beach, brown-haired girl, freckled face, pure white background - there was no denying the similarities. So, of course, I quickly added the book to my "To-Read" list on GoodReads. Clearly, the publisher's plan is already working. I mean, they even put a quote from Jenny Han on the cover. If that isn't a marketing plan, I don't know what is.

Now, I do feel slightly bad writing this post on the similarities of this cover and that of Han's book. This is a separate cover, for a separate book. It is not its fault that it looks like another, and it deserves its own special attention. After all, anyone can see how pretty this cover is. The light is stunning and the girl's countance - both thoughtful and proud - makes me want to learn more about her. Had I never read Han's series, I definitely would have picked this book up in the bookstore. The clean white look suggests a contemporary feel, which I love, and I especially like the fact that, though the beach is pictured, the girl is not in a bathing suit or doing something summery. It suggests that there is more going on in the book than simply summer fun. All of these things constitute a book I would enjoy, successfully piquing my interest. The fact that the cover is also reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite series is just, as they say, the icing on the cake.

Top Ten Books I Want To Give As Gifts

2011-12-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday again this week. For those of you unfamiliar with the feature, it is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, hundreds of book bloggers post a top ten list in response to a prompt chosen by The Broke and the Bookish. This week, in true holiday fashion, the topic is "Top Ten Books I Want To Give As Gifts."

I hope you enjoy my list!

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
At the end of last year my co-editor at The Gazette was looking for a good book, so, of course, I recommended Anna and the French Kiss. She LOVED it, as in, she stayed up all night reading it. For Christmas this year, I would definitely give her Lola, as I'm sure she'd love it just as much as Anna.

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My little sister will be thirteen this January, so I think she'll finally be old enough to read this book. My dad has now read (and loved it) and agrees with me. Plus, if she reads the book, I'll have another excuse to go see the movie when it comes out in March. Because, duh, I plan on seeing it multiple times in theater.

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
I'd give this book to my best friend, ShinEui. She really enjoyed Stiefvater's Shiver series (even though she is taking ages to read Forever), so I know she'll love this one too.

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
This year I am on a mission to get my little sister hooked on reading. Right now, she's...not. And since she's almost thirteen, it's about time she really plugged into a book. Considering she watches a Harry Potter movie every few weeks, I am fairly certain she will love the books. Fingers crossed!

5. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
I made my good friend, Katie, read this series a few years ago right after I read The Summer I Turned Pretty. She really enjoyed but hasn't had a chance to read this final installment. For Christmas, I'd buy it for her.

6. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
Yet another sequel I'd buy for a friend. My childhood friend, Geena, read The Body Finder over the summer after I suggested it to her. I don't think she's had a chance to read this one, so I'd give it to her for Christmas.

7. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
When my mother was in high school, she adored the movie. We watched it all the time when I was growing up, but she's never read the book. I think it's about time she did.

8. Sea by Heidi R. Kling
This is one of those books that I could give to any of my friends and know with confidence that they'd enjoy it. It is contemporary, deals with bigger issues, and has a bit of romance. In other words, there's something for everyone.

9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
I have been trying to get my friend Dorien to read this books for ages. I know for a fact that she'd love it, but she's just too lazy to buy and read it. So, I'll just have to buy it for her and annoy her until she read its.

10. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
This one would be for my older sister. For some odd reason, she decided long ago that she wouldn't read anything I read/reviewed. It's both weird and highly annoying, as I pretty much read everything because of my blog. I have a feeling she'd like Twenty Boy Summer, so I'll just have to lie and say I've never read it.

Now that you've read my list, what book would you like to give as gifts this Christmas/Hanukkah?

Cover Judge

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Cover Judge is a long-standing, semi-weekly feature here at Chick Lit Teens that spotlights the covers of upcoming YA novels. Most people claim you can't judge a book by its cover, but with a cover as stunning as this week's feature, it's hard not to.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Release: May 1, 2012

Summary:

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns?

Cover: So. Pretty. When I first saw this cover (just a tiny little icon on GoodReads), I struck by its beauty. The juxtaposition of the red against the greys and blacks of the background and the model's pale hair and complexion is eye-catching. The loveliness of the dress itself further contributes to the cover's beauty. There is just something about a flared skirt that screams drama. And when it's paired with such a foreboding background and figure, that drama is increased ten-fold. There are admittedly a few flaws with the cover (like the male figure, who, frankly, just looks awkward and out of place), but the overall affect is stunning.

Top Ten Childhood Faves

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun making this list. This just might be my favorite topic thus far. Growing up, I didn't read a lot, but when I did, I got heavily invested in the books/series. To this day, I still count these books amongst some of my all time favorites. The rush of nostalgia from making this list has me wanting to reread them all over again!

1. The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Katherine Lasky

If I had to pinpoint the moment where my love of reading began, it would be around chapter four of the very first book in this series. After that, I was hooked. Reading, before then just a part of being in elementary school, became one of my great loves. I tore through this series, buying the newest releases as soon as I could get my hands on them. My poor mother, great woman that she is, endured hours of me retelling the stories of the brave Guardians of Ga'Hoole.

2. Warriors series by Erin Hunter

The Guardians may have been my first love, but the Warriors series was my first head-over-heels romance with a book series. I don't think I have ever loved a series quite as much as this one. I read the first three story arcs - from fourth grade all the way into my freshman year of high school. I simply adore everything about this series and have nothing but fond memories of it. To this day, I will strike up a conversation with my friends Katie and Shannon about the series, and we will get all fan-girly about how awesome the books were.

3. Heartland series by Lauren Brooke

In addition to cats, I also love horses. This series appealed to my inner horse lover, feeding her glorious tales of the bond between horses and their riders. It captivated me, eventually leading me to take up horseback riding, one of my favorite childhood memories. Though the books may have ended, Heartland ranch lives on in a television series produced by CBC, which I frequently watch.

4. The Princess Tales series by Gail Carson Levine

I completely forgot about this series until just now. Ah, I loved these books so much! My sister and I were constantly swapping them, reading each one in a day or two. Though I loved Ella Enchanted, this series will always be my favorite of Levine's, simply because of the memories it holds of my sister.

5. Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

My best friend, Kenzie, turned me onto this book. I remember reading in Tahoe, completely captivated by the story. Had I not read this book, I never would have gone to the Shannon Hale and Libba Bray signing in San Francisco - the event that ultimately led to the creation of Chick Lit Teens. So not only was this book a great read, it was also instrumental in changing my life.

6. Chestnut Hill series by Lauren Brooke

Yet another horse-centered series from Lauren Brooke. This one had much less to do with helping horses and more to do with boarding school relationships and horse shows. Nonetheless, I found myself entranced by the series. I just adore horses.

7. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

I am fairly certain every child read this book at some point, at least that was the case when I was a kid. It was just so cute and heart-warming!

8. Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

Oh, how I loved this book growing up. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon it, but I certainly did enjoy it. I think it may have been the first science fiction-y book I read and actually enjoyed, probably because of its high fantasy flair. I actually enjoyed it so much that, years later, I went to the bookstore and purchased a copy for my personal library.

9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This is another one of those books that I feel almost every child has read. It was one of the first books to make me cry. Simply enchanting.

10. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

I think this was the one and only book report/Reader's Workshop book that I genuinely enjoyed. The murder mystery storyline captivated fifth-grade me and led me to pick up many similar books, such as one of my all time favorites, Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe.

Okay, now that you've seen my list, I want to know what books you adored as a child.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Release: September 29, 2011

Companion Novel: Anna and the French Kiss

Source: Purchased

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Stephanie Perkins burst onto the YA scene last year with herdebut novel Anna and the French Kiss.Her witty characters and entrancing romance quickly stole the hearts of readersand reviewers alike. Now she’s back with Lolaand the Boy Next Door, proving that she most definitely deserves her spoton my all-time favorite authors list.

I think it would be nearly impossible for me to write thisreview without filling it with comparisons between Lola and the Boy Next Door and Annaand the French Kiss. To be quite honest, it was impossible for me to read Lola and the Boy Next Door withoutconstantly comparing it to Anna’s story. Fortunately, Perkins wrote yet anotherfabulous book, ensuring that I was never disappointed by the comparison.

Lola immediately stole my heart, banishing all fears thather story would have trouble standing up to Anna’s. She was colorful and funnyand had a huge heart. One of my favorite aspects of her personality (and thenovel) was her penchant for costumes. I loved reading about her variousoutfits, which always went above and beyond my expectations.

Then, of course, there is Lola’s neighbor and romanticinterest, Cricket. Perkins has a talent for writing magnificent male leads.They all have their little quirks, of course, but that’s what makes them soswoon worthy. Though Etienne will always have my heart, Cricket is a strongsecond with his endearing personality and tendency to ramble, as well as hisglorious pants (this will make a lot more sense once you read the book).

Speaking of Etienne…I had heard talk that he and Anna would bemaking an appearance in Lola and the BoyNext Door. And while that excited me, it also made me a bit sad.“Appearance” sounded small, like the “appearances” Sarah Dessen’s pastcharacters often make in her newest releases. Those little cameos are fun, butI loved Anna and Etienne far too much to only get a glimpse of them. Fortunately,Perkins was kind enough to give readers lots and lots of Anna and St. Clair.Not only were the two characters good friends of Lola (and thus frequentlypopping up), St. Clair actually played a big role in pushing Cricket and Lolatogether.

After seeing the dynamic between St. Clair, Anna, Lola, andCricket, I’m really looking forward to Islaand the Happily Ever After. I’m especially excited to see how all thecharacters will cross paths!

Perkins has once again hit the ball out of the park. Lola and the Boy Next Door is theperfect blend of wit and romance, the ideal read for an afternoon escape. Justbe sure that when you pick it up you clear your schedule, because you won’twant to put it down until you turn the last page.

5 stars!

Debut Author Challenge 2012

2011-12-01T11:05:00.001-08:00

Happy December 1st everyone!

There is a rule in my house: we cannot start celebrating Christmas until after November 30th, my mother's birthday. Since that was yesterday, I can officially, publicly start celebrating Christmas. Wohoo! That doesn't simply mean decorating the house and playing Christmas music and drinking Christmas coffee at Starbucks. It also means I can start doing December- and New Year-related things, including, drum roll please...the 2012 Debut Author Challenge!

This annual challenge, put on by the lovely Krsiti at The Story Siren, is one of my absolute favorites every year. I have always loves discovering great new authors, so a challenge centered around doing just that is perfect for me. Plus, debut authors are always so sweet!

For those of you interested in joining, you can sign up here. To find out more about the challenge, how it will be run, and for a list of titles, you can check out this post. I've included a brief summary of the challenge below, as posted on The Story Siren, but Kristi's posts are much more detailed.

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE:To read and review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.*

*The 2013 extension is so that December Debuts can be read and count toward the challenge.

RULES AND GUIDELINES:
You must have a Blog to post your reviews or be a member of Goodreads.
Your blog must be written in English.
Deadline to join is May 31, 2012.

BOOK GUIDELINES:
Must be a young adult or middle grade title.
Must be the author’s YA or MG debut, released in 2012.
If an author has a previous novel published for adults or children, they can still qualify for the challenge.
If an author has a previous YA or MG title, they do not qualify for the challenge.

I had quite a bit of fun going through the list of novels coming in 2012 from debut authors. Maybe too much fun...I ended up with 20 books on my list, plus many more to keep tabs on. What can I say? I have a book problem! (As if you didn't already know that.) Here are the 20 that made my list, thus far:

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Level Two by Lenore Appelhans
Tempest by Julie Cross
Queen of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
The Selection by Kiera Cass
A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom
Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth
Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance
Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

That's all for now. What titles made your list?

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

After taking a break for a few weeks, I am once again participating in Top Ten Tuesday. As a part of this weekly feature, book bloggers all across the blogosphere post a list of ten books in response to a prompt selected by The Broke and the Bookish. To find out more about the meme and see a list of upcoming topics, visit The Broke and the Bookish.

This week, the topic is "Top Ten Book on my TBR List for Winter." Half of the list is winter releases I want to read and the other is books that are sitting in my TBR pile to be read over winter break.

1. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
The cover of this book is what initially caught my attention. Since then, I have heard numerous positive comments about the book. Needless to say, I am rather intrigued.

2. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
Hello, this is the final installment in the Nightshade trilogy! As soon as I can get my hands on a copy, I am reading it.

3. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Angelfire was one of my favorite surprise finds of the past year and I am very excited to read more of Ellie's story.

4. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
The summary describes this book as "Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy." Um..yes, please!

5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
It has been far too long since I last read this. When I have some free time over break, I will most definitely be picking it up.

6. Emma by Jane Austen
Outside of Pride and Prejudice, I have read very little of Jane Austen's work. I am about twenty pages into this one, but have had little time to sit down and read it. Christmas break should afford me some reading time.

7. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Yet another classic I have read about 20 pages of and then been forced to abandon due to a lack of time. Have I mentioned how excited I am for break?

8. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
I fear if I do not pick this one up soon, Erica from The Book Cellar X will stop talking to me. It has been sitting in my TBR pile for far too long.

9. There's No Place Like Home by Jen Calonita
Secrets of my Hollywood Life was one of the very first YA book I ever read. I feel terrible that this final book has been sitting, collecting dust, in my TBR pile for months.

10. Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Marie Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I am counting these books as one because they were both recommended to me by my favorite English teacher. I have read part of both books and loved them, but never got around to finishing them because of, you guessed it, school. When I have free time over break I am going to finish both.

I must say, after making this list, I am quite excited for winter to be here. I have a feeling it will be a great time for reading. What books are you looking forward to?

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Release: November 15, 2011

Source: Purchased

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

I hate togive out negative reviews, especially those that are lukewarm, but I guess I’llbe breaking that rule today. The Pledge was…blah. It wasn’t so much that there was something wrong withthe book or the writing or the characters, they were all perfectly fine. Theplot was interesting enough, the society unique. Still, I found it difficult toconnect with the novel. The main character Charlie was not incrediblymemorable. She was perfectly average with some redeeming qualities, but notenough to make me feel particularly invested in her or her life.

Moreimportantly, I felt the novel was highly lack in, well, details. Derting reliesheavily on the reader’s abilities of assumption and deduction. Facts aren’tpresented, rather implied. Often, I had no idea who was talking and foundmyself skimming ahead to figure out what exactly was going on. Had this simplybeen an issue with dialogue, I probably would not have been so perturbed.Unfortunately, there was often a lack of defined details concerning major piecesof the plot. For example, Charlie can understand all of the languages spoken in Ludania, not simply the standard Englaise and her vendor class’ language.Though this talent that plays a hugerole in the plot, it is merely touched upon briefly in the beginning and isnever outright introduced. Likewise, I found the details concerning her sisterincredibly hazy. She doesn’t talk and apparently has powers, which randomlyappear midway through the novel (mentioned only offhandedly) and then areforgotten for quite some time.

Of course,there were a few redeeming qualities. The parts concerning the queen and herreign were incredibly interesting. In fact, when it came time for the climax, Ifound myself, for once, gripped by Charlie’s story. However, an odd twist atthe end (never really explained, of course) significantly reduced my enjoymentof the dramatic moment.

In short, Iwould have preferred it if The Pledge hadbeen more heavily-centered around the queen, rather than Charlie, a ratherlackluster protagonist. All of my initial excitement was for naught; I will notbe picking up the next installment in this series.

2 stars

The Iron Knight Blog Tour

2011-11-27T10:31:00.001-08:00

Today I am very happy to be hosting a stop on the The Iron Knight blog tour. Here is a bit about the final installment in Julie Kagawa's New York Times best-selling The Iron Fey series:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

As a part of the blog tour, each stop was given a special excerpt from The Iron Knight. This "excerpt scavenger hunt" will give readers the chance to read entire passages of The Iron Knight in pieces. All you have to do is follow the stops each day. You can find the entire list of stops here.

I am rather fond of my excerpt, as it includes Grimalkin. Because, hello, he is a (sarcastic) talking cat. What is not to love?

He lifted a front paw and began washing it, scrubbing it over his ears. “There is…one…who might know the way to becoming human,” he continued, much too nonchalantly. “A seer, in the wildest regions of the Nevernever. But the way to the seer is twisted and tangled, and once you step off the path, you will never find it again.”

“Right, and you just happen to know the way, don’t you?” Puck interjected, but Grimalkin ignored him. “Come on, cat, we all know where this is going. Name your price, so we can agree and get on the road already.”

“Price?” Grimalkin looked up, and his eyes gleamed. “How well you seem to know me,” he mused in a voice I didn’t like at all. “You think this is some simple request, that I guide you to the seer and that will be all. You have no idea what you are asking, what lies ahead, for all of us.”

Be sure to stop by Bite My Books tomorrow for the next stop on the tour.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:28:00.001-08:00

In my house, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without
"A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving."

Today is Thanksgiving for us Americans, a day when families (and friends) come together to share a meal and give thanks for all of their blessing. Wherever you are today - with friends or family, at school or at home - I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

This year, I am most thankful for having my entire family at home. My father just returned home after spending seven weeks in LA and Seattle, training for a new job, and my sister is home from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for the first time in months. It's so nice having everyone home, healthy and safe.

I am also thankful for all of the wonderful books I have read this year, all of the great authors I have met, all of the opportunities I have had, and all of you, my loyal readers who never cease to amaze me. I am so, so grateful for being able to share my three loves - reading, writing, and ranting - with all of you. Thank you for reading my blog!

There are so many other things I am thankful for, but I don't want to keep you from your cooking and eating, so I'll leave it there. I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving with the people you love.

Now, as the Gilmore girls say, go eat n' eat n' eat n' eat!

Swoon/Swear Giveway

2011-11-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

In addition to the wonderful guest post from Sin and Dice, I also have signed copies of Swoon and Swear by Nina Malkin to giveaway! All of this is, of course, in celebration of the recent release of Swear, the sequel to Swoon.

A promise broken. A bond betrayed.

It’s been six months since ghost-turned golem Sinclair Youngblood Powers confessed his love, stole Dice's heart, and disappeared from Swoon, perhaps from existence. Despite the hurt, Dice has been moving steadily toward ordinary. Dreams of Sin still plague and pleasure her sleep, and the mark of Sin's love remains on her skin, still sore. But Dice has been throwing herself into music, finding solace in song and sometimes even in the arms of her band mate, Tosh. Life seems almost…normal. The last thing Dice wants is to mess with anything remotely supernatural. But when her best friend’s boyfriend goes missing, Dice has no choice but to become very much involved. She knows that his disappearance was no accident, and it somehow has everything to do with Sin. Because Dice can feel it: Sin is back. And the promises and deceptions he left in his wake have returned to haunt him.

What do you do when an oath of devotion threatens to destroy the one you love?

Intrigued? Well, I hope so, because now you have a chance to enter to win your very own signed copies of Swoon and Swear.

Rules of entry:

Fill out the form HERE
All entries must be received by midnight PST on Friday, Dec. 2
Open to US only
Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
Entrants must follow Chick Lit Teens
One entry per person
Entrants should read Chick Lit Teens' official contest rules before entering

Good luck, everyone!

Character Chat: Sin and Dice

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I have a guest post from Dice and Sin, the main characters from Swoon and Swear by Nina Malkin. In honor of the release of Swear and the contest I'm hosting, Sin and Dice decided to put together a special play list exclusively for Chick Lit Teens. Thanks for stopping by, guys!

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The Official Sin & Dice Swear Play List

Now that SWEAR, the sequel toSWOON, is officially out in book form—as opposed to us actually going throughthis stuff—we could relax and have fun assembling these personal playlists. Weretraced our story from start to finish and found tunage to convey what we werethinking and feeling at the time. The result is two distinct sonic tastingmenus to the action and emotions that unfold in SWEAR. Blues music is basic toour story but we didn’t load our lists with blues. On the flip, we avoided tonsof currently popular records you already know. Lots of this stuff is new to us,too—we googled our feelings and discovered songs that went with them. It isemotional — but for comic relief, check out the hairdos and outfits in some ofthe videos! Sin’s list is the testost-o-rama of harp-heavy rage and braggadocioyou’d expect, but it’s also fraught with confusion and, yeah, tenderness.Dice’s is definitely on the girlie side but chock full of attitude too. Plus,we’ve got to thank our friend Rony Corcos for her awesome rendition of “YouThrow the Dice.” If you like it as much as we do, get a free download for yourown personal playlist by emailing your request to nina@ninamalkin.com. Swoon on! — Candice “Dice” Moskow & Sinclair “Sin”Powers

SIN’s Personal Playlist…

“Purgatory,” Iron Maiden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNVlXEAnW50)
“Mr. Hangman,” The Stone Foxes (http://youtu.be/TuY0SKBX9Wg)
“Run for Your Life,” the Beatles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv_Y1kbZbJA)
“I Want You Back,” Hoodoo Gurus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izkd-ND-gW4)
“Here Comes Sickness,” Mudhoney (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bGI7Jol22w)
“Unchain My Heart,” Ray Charles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA_s3VbSHLA)
“Rubberband Man,” the Spinners (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jte7Jhii4e0)
“Come on in This House,” Junior Wells (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A79YZUvLy-Y)
“Reunited,” Peaches & Herb(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGQi9mz4upo)
“Blood and Roses,” Smithereens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqML7WbOun8)
“White Wedding,” Billy Idol (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFh4RHgn0A)

DICE’s Personal Playlist…

“Throw the Dice,” Rony Crocus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoln2P5fEdY)
“Ruby,” Dave Rawlings Machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbo-RNw1Nu0)
“Someone New,” Eskobar feat. Heather Nova (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rayIckOBmo)
“Spoonful” — Howlin’ Wolf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyfgb9sDT1I)
“Who’s That Girl,” Eurythmics(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5iDKWV6Chg)
“I Want You Back,” Jackson 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5hQ8cEE7Q)
“Graduation Day,” Chris Isaak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsAp6S_ND8)
“Dark Side of the Moon,” Pink Floyd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLOth-BuCNY)
“Set Your Head on Fire,” Black Box Revelation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyoJRD1nnHE)
“Poison Girl,” Chris Whitley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNtUvbtIwl0)
“Woodstock,” Joni Mitchell(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6IDoxi9QsE)

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Now that you've seen their playlists, head on over to enter for a chance to win Swoon and Swear so you can learn even more about Sin and Dice.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

2011-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Release: October 4, 2011

Others in the Series: Hush, Hush and Crescendo

Source: Purchased

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

When it comes to this series, I tend to have a pattern: I read one of the books, love it, and then lose my excitement by the time the next book comes out. It happened with Crescendo, and now it has happened with Silence. Just as with Crescendo, once I read it, I ended up enjoying it. I think all the buzz just makes me cynical.

As with most series, I forgot a lot about the events that preceded this novel. Fortunately, so had Nora. I must admit it was quite fun bumbling along with a narrator with amnesia when I too was suffering from a memory lapse. Talk about relatability!

Another bonus of Nora having her memories stolen was that she got to re-meet Patch and fall for him all over again. And this time, I did too. In Hush, Hush, I wasn't the biggest fan of Patch. Yes, he was mysterious and dark, but he was a little too much of a bad boy. This time around, Fitzpatrick found the perfect blend of bad boy danger/aloofness and genuine humanity. Paired with Nora's new confidence and strong-willed personality, the couple's new romance was wonderful. A great improvement, in my opinion.

And, of course, Fitzpatrick found a way to throw in a twist at the end - one I definitely hadn't seen coming. I just wish the moment had been a tad bit more climactic. In a sense, there were two climaxes, neither of which was incredibly heart pounding.

No matter, I though it was a great ending to an all around lovely series. Only...it wasn't the ending. A few days before Silence's release, Simon & Schuster announced that they would be publishing a fourth (and final?) book in the series. Seeing as how nicely Silence tied everything up, I am not quite sure what to think of the announcement. Most likely, I will say I'm not going to read it, but end up buying it anyway. It' s just my relationship with the series.

4 stars

A Parade of Winners

2011-11-16T16:13:00.001-08:00

Whoa there! How is November already half over? Seeing as we're so far into the month, I should probably announce some contest winners.

First up, the winners of the Audition bookmark giveaway are...

Jessi Puryear,

Amanda Tew,

and Jill of The O.W.L!

Next, the two lucky winners who will receive a finished copy of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creature are...

Donnas

and Melissa W!

And finally, the winner of the October commenter contest, who has won a copy of Deception be Lee Nichols, is...

Claire!

Congratulations to all the winners! Please email me your mailing info as soon as possible so that I can get your prizes out to you.

P.S. For those of you who didn't win, be sure to check back soon (like, oh, this Monday) for more contests.

The Hunger Games Trailer

2011-11-14T16:06:00.001-08:00

Every social network has been abuzz today with news of The Hunger Games trailer's release. I mean, come on, it's THE HUNGER GAMES!

If you haven't seen it or (like me) just want to watch it again, here is the full trailer:

Wow! I for one could not be happier with the trailer. (Well, that is not entirely true, but I doubt they are going to recast Cinna.)

Before I saw this, I had quite a few doubts about the movie. After all, Hollywood is not exactly the most trustworthy when it comes to adapting bestsellers to the big screen. Based on this trailer, The Hunger Games may just be the exception to this rule. The cast (minus Cinna) looks great. I am particularly fond of the casting of Liam Hemsworth as Gale, especially since I have long been on Team Gale. The winner of best casting, however, has to go to Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Her transformation from blonde haired beauty to poor District 12 resident is marvelous.

Still, my favorite part of the trailer would have to be the scenery. District 12, as well as the surrounding hunting area, looks just as I had pictured it. The same goes for the brief glimpses of the arena and the training area.

What a marvelous trailer - I cannot wait to see the movie in all of its glory!

Cover Judge

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights the covers of upcoming YA novels. I know some people say "you can't judge a book by its cover," but with covers as pretty as these, it's hard not to.

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Release: July 24, 2012

Synopsis:

The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.

The final chapter of Evie’s adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what’s a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?

Cover: Wow. Just wow. Kiersten White has been blessed with some gorgeous, dramatic covers for this series. Of all the covers, this one has to be my favorite.First of all, do you see the purple? I love, love, love the purple. It's moody and gorgeous and just a tad bit royal. And speaking of royal...that dress! Much like the dress on the cover of Paranormalcy, it is a pretty dress, but pretty in a unique way. Kind of like her hair. I don't know anyone with hair that blonde (or that pretty). A simply gorgeous cover all in all. I cannot wait to have this one on my shelf!

A Reminder from Miss Manners

2011-11-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Well, hello there, all you lovely blog readers. I hope you are enjoying this fine fall day - or winter day, depending on where you are located.

As a new season begins, I thought I would pop in and give a little refresher on some basic blogging etiquette.

In this crazy new world of blogging and social media, it can be hard to keep all the rules straight. One rule that everyone should know, though, is that there is a time and a place for everything. Review requests, publicizing your book, sharing your blog - all these magnificent things have their proper place, which is not on a social network.

Now, now, I have no problem with you tweeting about your book. Please do! It is a great joy to see new titles, covers and release news popping up on my Facebook and Twitter feeds. But, please, keep that on your own profile. Don't send me review requests via Twitter or Facebook. It really is not polite. Nor is it effective, as I will not respond. In fact, I will probably mentally black list you and your book.

I can hear all you authors now, lamenting that you have tried email and no one responds back. For that I apologize. Times are hectic and I cannot always respond to every review request, as I'm sure is the case for many of my fellow book bloggers. Rather than becoming petulant, though, why not view it as a good thing? Maybe not all of us responded zealously or immediately. That sucks, I know. But, in all honesty, it probably is a good thing. It would serve you much better to have someone who is genuinely excited about your book review it or host an interview or giveaway. Just like with publishing a novel, sometimes you have to incur rejections before you can find the right place for your book, the place where it can get all the love it deserves.

Once you find this right place, please do not tell me by posting about your book all over my blog's Facebook page. I get alerted when this happens, and then I will delete the posts and block you. That page is for my blog readers, readers who want to see what I have to say about books. Since I have never read your book or (most likely) heard about it, it does not fall under this category. Sorry, but that is just the way it is. If you don't like it, go make your own Facebook page where you can post to your heart's content.

Bloggers, don't think this rule is only for authors. I am talking to you too. I would not go on your Facebook page and spam you with links to my blog, so please show me the same respect. We are all in this blogging world together. The least we can do is maintain some etiquette.

I would also suggest noting that blog comments promoting your book and/or blog are not much appreciated either. They too will be deleted. If you really want me to like you, leave a thoughtful comment, not an advertisement.

Oh, advertising, such a touchy subject. As of late, it seems the newest craze is advertising anything and everything one posts on their blog on GoodReads.

Don't do it.

Just don't. I won't respond - partly because I am not interested and partly because your "invite" blurs together with the 40+ others I get every week. Sending profuse notifications will most likely result in my blocking you.

Right about now, a handful of you are probably giving me an indignant look. One that says, "it is hard to get readers. I put so much time into my blog. You don't understand. Who are you to tell me how to go about promoting my hard work?" To you I say, I do understand. It is hard getting readers and keeping an active blog. I have been a blogger for nearly four years, this is not news to me. Sometimes I wish I could get more followers, more readers, more hits. When this happens, rather than spamming other people, I go write more content. I read another book. I do something productive and hope that it pays off. And it almost always does.

So step away from that post button and go write something new for your blog, something that will make me want to come back. Or, if you're an author, go send out more requests via email, so you can find the bloggers who care about your book and can do it justice.

Thank you and have a charming day!

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-11-07T07:00:00.001-08:00

Release: October 18, 2011

Source: Purchased

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

As a child, I was enchanted by horses. Whether I waswatching them from afar or riding on one’s back, I was utterly mystified bythem. Of all the things I loved about horses, my favorite was their fiercebonds with their owners. At the barn where I rode off and on throughout my adolescence,there were a handful of long-term riders who were completely devoted to theirmounts and vice versa. When I watched these people ride, I felt as though I waswitnessing something incredibly rare and entirely magical.

Maggie Steifvater captured this relationship perfectly in The Scorpio Races, capturing my heart asa result.

Of course, the relationship I’m talking about is nottechnically between a horse and a rider. The creatures at the heart of thismagical story are not gentle ponies or powerful thoroughbreds. Rather, they arethe cappail uisce, a mythological breed of carnivorous horses that emerge fromthe sea every November. Equal parts terrifying and captivating, these ferociousbeasts gave the novel a feel unlike anything I have encountered before.

Much to my surprise, the Scorpio Races werenot the main focus of the novel. Rather, Stiefvater focused on developing theisland of Thisby and its inhabitants. The island very well may be as magical asthe creatures that emerge from the seas around it. Every character, every custom,every delectable pastry was described and developed beautifully. I quickly foundmyself lost in Thisby, as excited to simply be there as to be following thecourse of the novel.

It is truly difficult to put my feelingsinto words. The Scorpio Races was,quite simply, a masterful creation on all levels.

5 stars!

Happy NaNoWriMo!

2011-11-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Happy November, my lovely blog readers!

The start of November means a lot of things for me: my Stanford application is officially in, fall has finally arrived in California, we're one month closer to Christmas, and most importantly, National Novel Writing Month is here!

Is anyone else as excited as I am?

For those of you who are wondering what National Novel Writing Month is, it is a one-month writing challenge. The concept is simple: 30 days, 50k words. Meeting the goal, however, is not quite as simple.

This will be my fourth year participating in NaNoWriMo. Though I've never won, I've always come within 5,000-2,000 words of the 50k word goal. (Well, except for 2009, when I was forced to quit early on in the month because of school. But whatever.) Maybe this year will be the year, or maybe it won't be. All I know is I cannot wait to get started tonight.

Good luck to all my fellow NaNoWriMo participants!

P.S. My username on the site is ChickLitTeens (easy to remember, no?), so feel free to add me.

Beautiful Chaos Giveaway

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I talked a lot about Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. This week I'm giving you a chance to win your very own copy!

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Now, if you're a fan of the series like me, you are probably asking yourself, "how do I win?" Well, lucky for you, the answer is simple. All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

Before you do so, however, please note the fine print:

Contest ends at midnight PST on Friday, November 4th
US only
No P.O. Boxes
Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
Entrants must follow Chick Lit Teens
For complete rules of entry, please see Chick Lit Teens' official contest policy

Good luck!

Cover Judge

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights the gorgeous covers of upcoming YA novels. This week, I'm returning to a normal Cover Judge post as I gear up for another new twist on the feature next week.

The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell

Release: November 8, 2011

Synopsis:

Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge.

Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets.

Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance.

Cover: This is one of those books that I absolutely judged by its cover. To be honest, I'm not sure if the summary alone would have grabbed my interest. While intriguing, it is not the kind of book I regularly pick up. But the cover...oh, the cover! I am a huge fan of romantic-looking photographs. In fact, I frequently Facebook stalk a local photographer that is brilliant at taking such pictures, including my senior portraits. This cover has it all, as far as my tastes are concerned. The soft lighting and colors are already gorgeous, but what really catches my eye is the image as a whole. It feels as though the photographer has captured a single moment in time, the girl staring out of the window looking both thoughtful and lost. She seems to be self-contained, wrapped up in her own world. Accompanied with the summary and the realization of what the young girl is going through, the image becomes all the more enchanting (and a bit eerie). I'd probably buy this novel just to own such a gorgeous cover!

Audition Bookmark Giveaway

2011-10-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Contest Closed

Last week was my birthday. It was great fun, full of cake, friends, family and presents. I was reminded of how much fun it is to get gifts. Now, I'm not a person with a lot of wants, but it's still nice to get a surprise or two every once in awhile. So, with this in mind, I thought I would host an impromptu giveaway this week. Hopefully you all like getting little gifts as much as I do!

Three (3) Chick Lit Teens readers will win an Audition bookmark, featuring the cover of and an excerpt from Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe. (I will also probably throw in a few other surprise pieces of swag.) To enter, simply fill out the form below. The ever-magical Rafflecopter has all of the other details, including the rules of entry.

Good luck!

Cover Judge: The Results

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

The votes have been counted and the results are in for the first round of Who Wore It Best. First off, I'd like to thank everyone who voted. There were just under 100 votes cast, which, being that this was only the first post, astounded me. I hope you all enjoyed voting as much as I enjoyed tallying them.

Now, without further ado, I give you the results.

First up, Reaching Through Time by Laurlene McDaniels vs. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

And the winner is...

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles!

Next, North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley and Evermore by Alyson Noel go head-to-head (literally).

And the winner is...

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley!

Thanks for voting, everyone! Be sure to check back later for a new round of covers.

A Great Day for Book Releases

2011-10-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

Every once in awhile, there is that perfect day - the day when you get an A+ on your math test and asked to prom, the day that the stars seem to align and everything is in your favor, or, like today, the day when the Book Gods bless you with two highly-anticipated releases.

I can hardly contain my glee over the releases of these two titles. They both have so much promise, earning them top spots on my list of 2011 releases. It is only fitting that two such books should share a release today.

First, there is Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the third book in the Caster Chronicles.

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

And then, of course, there is The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, her super secret, super magical new book.

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Sadly, because of college applications, I will not be able to read either book until later in the week. So, naturally, you must all go out and buy them. Then you must come back here and tell me how awesome they are, thus motivating me to finish my applications. It's a win-win for everyone!

Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

2011-10-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

Release: October 13, 2011

Source: Contest

When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.

Audition is only the second ever verse novel I’veread. I am a novel person – always have been, always will be. So it took me afew pages to adjust to a new style of writing and a new format for reading.After a few mental adjustments, however, I was off and running.

And once I was, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed it. Iam so, so happy that Kehoe chose to tell Sara’s story through verse. It fitperfectly.

Like a choreographer, Kehoe created a beautiful composition. Thewords took on a lyrical quality, each line a different step in the gorgeousdance. As I wound my way through Sara’s story, I could not help but imagine agraceful ballerina pirouetting and leaping across the stage.

Writing-wise, Audition was masterful. Character-wise,however, I was far less impressed.

Sara was an interesting main character to follow. For much of thenovel, I couldn’t decide whether or not I liked her. She had a touch of naïvetéthat I found irksome and seemed to lack genuine dedication. Her drive to becomea ballerina felt hollow, inspired not by her own love of dance but by thedreams of those around her. I wanted to grab Sara and shake some sense intoher, to make her realize that she was her own person and needed to stand up forherself.

This frustration with Sara only continued as I ventured furtherinto her story. Throughout the novel I kept finding myself growing annoyed withher and her decisions. Never quite enough to make me consider putting down thenovel, but enough to exasperate me. As irksome as she was, I was intrigued bySara’s story and the world of the ballet school. I was committed to seeing Sarathrough to the end of her journey, even if she made a few unsavory stops alongthe way.

And by unsavory stops, I mean Rem. I just did not understand thatrelationship. From the get go I didn’t trust or like Rem. And once he beganhooking up with Sara, my opinion of him only worsened. I found him to bewithdrawn, moody, and rude, three things I do not value in a guy – fictional orotherwise. I spent a lot of time wishing I could just step into the novel, pullSara out of Rem’s apartment, and show her how much promise and strength she hadon her own, without his destructive influence.

Personal feelings aside, I do understand why Kehoe put Rem andSara together. Sara needed to experience that relationship in order toreach a certain point in her life. Being with him forced her to make somedecisions that, while tough, were necessary to her finding herself.

At the end of it all, I found myself sufficiently pleased with thecourse the story ran and enchanted by the lovely prose. Sara never transformedinto a character I loved. She did, however, become a character I could respectand above all, understand.

3 stars

Bloggers Talk About Beautiful Chaos

2011-10-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday marks the release of Beautiful Chaos, the third book in the Caster Chronicles series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Are you excited yet? I know I am!

To celebrate the release of Beautiful Chaos, Caster Girls & Boys is hosting a series of posts called "Bloggers Talk." Over the course of the week, they will be posting various bloggers' answers to Beautiful Creatures-related questions. I'm so excited to be a part of the celebration!

You can read the first post here, and be sure to check back throughout the week for new responses.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

2011-10-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure most of you know, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, bloggers all over the blogosphere post their list in response to a prompt set by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is Top Ten Books I Wish I could Read Again For The First Time. Here's my list:

1. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray

I opted for reading these books over going to Disneyland. Honestly, they were that enchanting. I wish I could experience that wonder and intrigue again.

2. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

I want to fall in love with North, Sydelle and their adventure all over again.

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

After reading Mockingjay, this whole series became a bit tainted for me. I wish I could go back to the very beginning and experience Katniss' fight without memories of Mockingjay souring my excitement.

4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

I didn't sleep until I turned the last page. And then I dreamed about Sam and Grace and the magic of the novel. Can I please experience it all over again?

5. The Warriors series by Erin Hunter

These books were my childhood. No Harry Potter, no Lemony Snicket, just the Warriors. The books were absolutely magic in my elementary school eyes.

6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Transport me back to Paris, please! Merci!

7. The Season by Sarah MacLean

The romance had me swooning, the mystery made my jaw drop, and the Season had me squealing - a marvelous first read!

8. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

I was blown away by this one the first time I read it. For the entire six hour car ride to LA, I just sat in the backseat and read silently. I want to do that again.

9. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Okay, I know I just read these for the first time this past summer, but I'm ready to go back again. There's a reason why so many people love them.

10. Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe

Oh my, this book is hilarious! I don't think a book has ever made me laugh this hard before. Plus, there's a great murder mystery full of twist, turns, and surprises. I want to help Jaz solve the mystery again!

Now that you know mine, what books do you wish you could read again for the first time?

Cover Judge: Who Wore It Best?

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever perused a tabloid while waiting in line at the supermarket has seen the "Who wore it best?" feature. There's always two waif-like celebrities wearing the same dress, and readers vote on who looks best in it.

Well, it's not just celebrities who are guilty of dressing alike. Often, while perusing the shelves at my local Barnes & Noble, I will find two books sporting the same cover image. Of course, each cover tweaks the image just a bit to make it unique, which leads me to ask "Who wears it best?"

I'm going to need your help to decide.

First up, Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel and Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles:

Reaching Through Time: This cover gives the image its own flair by manipulating the background rather than the actual image. The colors are bright and vibrant, with numerous opaque overlays. Swirls run up the left side of the cover, as well as the top right corner. Behind the two figures is a clock, connecting with the title Reaching Through Time. It all brings to mind a psychedelic time travel sequence, which seems well supported by the title.

Return to Paradise: As with Reaching Through Time, the image itself is not greatly altered, though the crop looks a little wider. It is the background that makes Return to Paradise's cover unique. The midnight lake and crescent moon give the cover (and the couple) a more secretive, darker feel.

Next, Evermore by Alyson Noel and North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley:

Evermore: Of the two, Evermore definitely revamped the image the most. The purple hue combined with the glowing letters evokes a paranormal feel appropriate for the series. The red tulips also help to personalize the stock image. The flowers make multiple appearances in the novel and end up being rather significant in the series.

North of Beautiful: Though less manipulated, North of Beautiful still puts its own spin on the image. The compass compass connects back with the title, as well as the story itself. The image itself is very fitting for the novel since the main character is described as having a "'flawed' face" due to a mark on her cheek.

Be sure to cast your votes and check back next week to see which covers win!

Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

2011-10-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Release: August 1, 2011

Others in the Series: Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate

Source: Purchased

With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

Having fallen in love with Guardian of the Gate two summers ago, I was incredibly excitedto end this last summer with Circle ofFire.

Sadly, I had a great deal of trouble getting back intoLia’s world. I read Prophecy ofthe Sisters so long ago that the basic details have become quite murky. Compound this with all the development in Guardian of the Gate, the specifics of which I only vaguely remember, and you have one very lost Jessica. For the firstfew chapters, I felt like that kid in math class who doesn’t quite get what’sgoing on, but refuses to admit it. Normally, things don’t end so well for thatkid. Luckily, that wasn't the case with me, and I was able to get my bearings after a bit.

Still, I felt like I lost a bit in those first few chapters.I enjoyed them, yes, but I probably could have enjoyed them a lot more if Ihadn’t been so confused. That said, I would highly suggest rereading the firsttwo (or at least the second) book prior to reading Circle of Fire. Zink does briefly review a few key events. But the review is just that: brief.

Of course, there’s one thing I didn’t forget: Dimitri and Lia.Originally, I had been pro-James. After all, he works in a library. What’s notto love? But after meeting Dimitri, my allegiances quickly changed. I was so, sohappy to see that Zink didn’t fall prey to the Curse of the Sequel. For once,my favorite couple did not break up or bicker relentlessly in the subsequent book. Ifanything, they grew closer. Hallelujah!

The pacing of Circle of Fire also afforded Lia and Dimitri time to develop their individual characters better. In Prophecy of the Sisters,the story moved slowly and the developments were very subtle. In Guardian of the Gate, there was a greatdeal of drama and development, all of it happening in rapid succession. In Circle ofFire, Zink found a nice balance between the two. I enjoyed the action justas much as I enjoyed the down time. It was during this time that Lia was able to reflect on all that hadhappened. Her life and personality have changed so much over the course of theseries, and it was nice to have a chance to get to know this new Lia. In fact,I liked getting to know all of the characters more. Zink really gave the charactersthe chance to further develop themselves, even Alice.

Though the ending wasn’t quite as epic as I would havehoped, I found it to be an overall engaging read with a satisfying ending. Much likeJohn Green’s Looking for Alaska, itwas the final chapter that really made the novel. The sentiments Lia expressed tiedthe series together wonderfully and brought everything back to the heart of the trilogy:sisterhood.

4 stars

October Commenter Contest

2011-10-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

How is it already October?! It cannot be October already. That means my birthday is in less than two weeks and my Stanford application is due in less than a month. Crazy!

October also means it's time for me to announce the winner of last month's commenter contest and begin the contest for this month. So, without further ado, the winner of an ARC of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and an Infernal Devices journal is...

Liz!

Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email in a bit so I can get all your mailing info. (Note: If you're waiting on any prizes from me, I'm making a run to the post office later this week.)

In honor of Halloween, this month's prize is a haunting paranormal read:

Deception by Lee Nichols

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian—her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern—and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore—except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

Entering to win is simple: just comment! Any thoughtful comment on a post from October will count as one entry. (Note the word thoughtful. This means comments like "Nice review. I'll have to add it to my TBR pile," "I like this cover," "New follower," or "Great review. I just started my own blog. Please check it out!" will not count.)

As with my previous commenter contest, this one will be open internationally. I know I have a lot of readers abroad, and I want to make sure you know I appreciate you too. Also, make sure that when you comment you are either logged in to your Google account or leave your email. Otherwise I'll have no way of getting in contact with you should you win.

Phew. That's all of the fine print. Good luck!

P.S. I'd like to give credit to Emily's Reading Room, where I first saw this idea.

A New Look for Cover Judge

2011-10-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a wee little first grader, I have judge books by their covers. I know a lot of people say such a habit isn't right, but I cannot help it. I love book covers and, no matter what anyone says, I do think a book's cover says a lot about it. Thus, shortly after starting my blog I created "You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover...Or Can You?" (later shortened to Cover Judge). The posts quickly became a staple of my blog, with me posting a new cover analysis nearly every week.

Recently, however, I've found myself a little less enamored with my Cover Judge posts. I'm itching to do something new, something different. So I've decided to change up Cover Judge for a bit. I have two cover-related ideas that I'm going to be trying out over the next few weeks. If well received, my plan is to mix these new posts in with my normal Cover Judge posts, that way there's a bit more variety.

The first change up post will be up later in the week, so keep an eye out for it. I hope you like it!

Cover Judge

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature (I'm human, I forget, sue me) that spotlights the covers of upcoming YA novels. I know the people say "you can't judge a book by its cover," but with covers as pretty as these, it's hard not to.

The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell

Release: April 17, 2012

Summary:

It’s a long way from Baltimore to Oklahoma Territory. But Zora Stewart will go any distance to put the tragic events of her sixteenth summer behind her. So this city girl heads to the tiny frontier town of West Glory to help her young widowed aunt keep her homestead going.

When another Baltimorean shows up in West Glory, Zora couldn’t be more surprised. Theo de la Croix made the long trip out west hoping to court Zora, whom he has long admired from afar.

But Zora has developed an attraction to a rather less respectable fellow: Emerson Birch, a rough-mannered young “sooner” whose fertile land is coveted.

As Zora begins to suspect that there may be more than luck behind Emerson’s good land, she discovers an extraordinary, astonishing power of her own: the ability to sense water under the parched earth. When her aunt hires her out as a “springsweet” to advise other settlers where to dig their wells, Zora feels the burden of holding the key to something so essential to survival in this unforgiving land.

Even more, she finds herself longing for love the way the prairie thirsts for water. Maybe, in the wildness of the territories, Zora can finally move beyond simply surviving and start living.

Cover: I liked the cover for The Vespertine well enough. Pretty dress, nice sepia tone, an all around nice cover. If I saw it in a bookstore, I'd probably pick it up and leaf through it. The Springsweet's cover, on the other hand, I adore. For some reason, I have a deep love of pretty dresses in grassy fields. (You should see my senior portraits.) Thus, the cover for The Springsweet is right down my alley. The contrast between luxury and nature is stunning, in my opinion. Speaking of contrast...I love how different the two covers are in this series. In The Vespertine's cover, Zora is running and fearful. In this cover, she looks strong, peaceful, and free. The wide open blue sky contributes to this sense of freedom and possibility. Though I've never read The Vespertine, I assume that this change in attitude fits the direction of the story in this new book.

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

2011-09-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Booksish. Every week, bloggers around the blogosphere post their top ten list in response to a prompt. This week, the the theme is Top Ten Books I Want To Reread (which, I'd like to add, is perfect for me!).

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I think I've gushed over this book enough. I love it, the end.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen is my favorite author of all time, and Pride and Prejudice is by far my favorite of her novels. Everything about it is simply lovely. It makes me sad that I haven't found time to reread it in over a year and a half. Next school break, I will most definitely be curling up with this one.

3. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Oh, Forever, how I love you so. Over the course of the series, I slowly grew to love all of the characters. In Shiver, I was unsure of Isabel. In Linger, I started liking her more, but wasn't a big fan of Cole. In Forever, I loved all of them, and it made me love this book all the more. I want to reread Forever simply to spend more time with these wonderful characters. I miss them!

4. The entire Summer series by Jenny Han

Another book with lovely characters! Not to mention one of the best atmospheres in YA! I adore these books. The writing is so beautiful and poignant, I just get lost in it.

5. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The plot in this book is fabulous. The interludes from the murderer/pedophile's point of view were completely chilling. Plus there's the romance. Jay is so swoon-worthy.

6. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

It's been a few years since I first read Fixing Delilah. I'm sad to admit that I don't remember a great deal of the plot's specifics. I just remember falling in love with everything about it. This is another book I'm going to have to reread next time I get some free time.

7. Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Ah, Sea! I am head-over-heels in love with this book. Anytime I see orange Converse, sea turtles, hear of a natural disaster - anything really - I immediately want to reread Sea.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

With the upcoming movie adaption, The Hunger Games is everywhere. Magazine covers, the MTV music awards, local libraries, Twitter - the series is hot, hot, hot. Having not read the book in at least three years, all the hype has made me want to pick up the book again and refresh my memory.

9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

For one reason or another, this book came up in my AP Language class today. As soon as I heard "Gatsby," my intense love for The Great Gatsby came flooding back. I know a lot of people aren't a fan of it (I blame junior English), but I simply adore it.

10. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

I read this one in sixth grade for Readers Workshop. Seeing as that was nearly six years ago, I definitely think it's time for a little refresher. All I remember is the adorable little girl and a great deal of mystery. Oh, and how I carried the book around with me for days, reading whenever I got a chance because I had to find out what happened.

What books do you want to reread?

Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday, book bloggers all over the blogosphere post a top ten list in response to a topic chosen by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is " Top Ten Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me."

Let me just say that this is the perfect topic for me. Last year was insane school-wise and I fell way behind on my reading. I'm still playing catch up to read all of the books "everyone has read." Here are my top ten (in no particular order):

1. The Iron King by Julia Kagawa
I have had this book on my shelf since its release when Erica from The Book Cellar basically told me I had to read it. I think I got about twenty pages in before school took over. Ever since, Erica and other bloggers have been needling me to finish it. This is one of those books that I truly feel as though everyone has read it but me.

2. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
So many people (my sister included) have raved about this book to me. Yet, for some reason or another, I still haven't read it. Maybe someday...

3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My sister and best friend read this years ago. They both loved it and told me to read it, but I just never got around to it. Recently I've been hearing more and more talk about it in the blogosphere and from other teens at my school. I used to think it was just a book my sister and friend liked, but now I'm starting to feel like everyone has read it. I really need to dig Jenna's copy out of our garage!

4. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
People always look at me wide-eyed when I say I haven't read this one. Probably because I am now a high school senior and Cather in the Rye is usually required reading for juniors. My teacher, however, can't stand Holden and decided not to teach it. Everyone I know who's read it, however, loves him. As soon as I have some free time again, I'm definitely picking up this one.

5. Anything by Cassie Claire
No, I haven't read any of her book. No, I don't plan on it. There just not my thing, sorry.

6. Anything by Scott Westerfield
Again, this is one of those wildly popular authors whose books most YA fans have read and loved. When I was in middle school, I had a number of people pitch Uglies to me. I'm fairly sure all of my friends read it. The books just never really appealed to me though. Sorry.

7. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
This is another one of those books that was wildly popular in middle school. I kind of did my own thing in middle school as far as reading goes, hence my starting my blog. Maybe one day I'll go back and read this series, but it don't see that happening anytime soon. They're huge and my free time is little.

8. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Like I said, I didn't really read the standard childhood books growing up. I just read Harry Potter this past summer.

9. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
I've never read anything by Pearce, but I really want to! I've heard so many rave reviews about this one.

10. Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
I met Lisa a few summers ago at Heidi R Kling's release party for Sea where she told me about her upcoming release. A few weeks later it exploded in the blogosphere. The amount of buzz was insane. People loved it. I have copy in my room right now, but I just haven't gotten around to reading it.

Now it's your turn. What books do you feel like everyone has read but you?

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Release: February 1, 2011

Source: Purchased

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Two summers ago I read Lauren Oliver’s debut, Before I Fall, on the recommendation of,oh, about a hundred bloggers. You’ll notice that I never reviewed the book.That’s because I really just didn’t like it and didn’t know why. Then a fewweeks later my sister read the book and loved it, so I figured maybe I justdidn’t click with the main character. After all, she was far more like mysister than me. Yes, that was probably it.

When Delirium cameout, it was once again met with a great deal of praise from other bloggers.People just love Oliver’s books. Obviously I was missing something, so I pickedup Delirium and decided to give it ashot.

Sadly, I once again was not a big fan. Despite how great ofa person Oliver is (I met her at TAC and BEA in 2010), I just cannot seem toget into her books. Once again, I’m not really sure why.

This time I could relate more to the main character. Lenawas shy and studious and respectful, much like me. I also loved the concept of Delirium: love being viewed as adisease. Plus, unlike other dystopians, there was much more semblance betweenLena’s world and our own. All signs pointed to a great read that was right downmy ally.

Yet, I couldn’t get into the story. From the get go I couldsee where the book was headed. I had a general idea of how it would end (alldystopians are similar in that regard) and as the book progressed I could seethe various plot points coming. Only, it took forever for the story to get there. The pages dragged on and on andon, approaching a twist I already was expecting. It made me antsy and a littlefrustrated with Lena. If I could see this coming, surely she should too.

Now, I would like to say that there was a lot of good inthis book: good characters, good scenes, good writing. On more than oneoccasion I found myself while reading a particularly lovely scene or stoppingto reread a particularly beautiful line. Oliver is a talented writer; that isundeniable. The real issue was that these good parts were often separated byten or twenty pages of long, descriptive prose that made my eyes cross.

So, once again, it seems that Oliver’s book and I are not compatible.Still, I know I’ll probably end up reading Pandemoniumwhen it comes out. Like I said, Oliver has a lot of talent and there’s greatpotential in Lena’s story. I don’t think I’m quite ready to give up on eitherof them.

Hopefully, if you give Deliriuma chance, you end up liking it more than me.

3 stars

All These Things I've Done Winner

2011-09-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there readers!

I'm happy to announce that my first attempt at using Rafflecopter went swimmingly. I think I am in love. Not only did it take care of all of the entries and make creating the form uber easy, it also picked the winner for me. So much love!

That said, the winner of the All These Things I've Done giveaway is...

#22 - Sayomay!

I've sent you an email notifying you that you won and need a response ASAP so I can get the book out to you. (The one issue with Rafflecopter is that it does not collect mailing addresses.)

Congratulations!

All These Things I've Done Giveaway

2011-09-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

To me, there are very few things scarier than a world without coffee. I'm not addicted, per say, but the thought of no coffee whatsoever is a scary one. A very scary one, indeed.

Well, that's just the kind of world in which Gabrielle Zevin's new book, All These Things I've Done, is set.

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Intrigued? I hope so!

I've got a copy of All These Things I've Done to giveaway to one lucky blog reader.

For this giveaway, I'm going to be giving Rafflecopter a try. In case you don't know what Rafflecopter is, it's a cool new website for hosting giveaways. Seeing as this is my first time using it, I don't know too much about it, but it does seem to be pretty handy. Hopefully all goes well! (If not, bear with me.)Good luck, everyone!

Taylor Swift Speak Now Tour

2011-09-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

I know this is a book blog. And I know I usually don't post about personal stuff unless it's book-related.

Well, today is going to be an exception to that norm, because last night was one of the greatest nights of my life. I went to Taylor Swift's Speak Now concert.

It. Was. Enchanting.

I've never seen or experienced anything quite like it. I'm not really even sure how to describe the concert. (Magical, maybe?) So, rather than gushing to about it, I'm going to show you.

Enjoy, fellow Swift fans!

(Click images to enlarge)

I am in love with this stage. Is it not gorgeous?!

Taylor Swift. In person. So. Cool.

"The Story of Us" sung while Taylor stands next to a beautiful gazebo.

She sang "Our Song" - my first and favorite song by her.

The costumes for "Mean" were lovely.

"Speak Now" was one of her most theatrical performances of the night. What a lovely set.

Um, ya, Taylor came out into the crowd. And I was ten feet away. I just about died!

She played "Untouchable," one of my absolute favorite songs. It was magical.

Did I mention that I adore her guitar? (Photo courtesy of Gabby Cho)

Not the best picture...but it was her sparkly guitar from the "Our Song" video. I love it so much!

She ended the show with "Love Story"...while in a flying balcony above the crowd!

And so ended one of the greatest nights of my life. I was wonderstruck.

Best. Concert. Ever.

Photos courtesy of my sister, Jenna (a.k.a. the best sister ever).

Abandon by Meg Cabot

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Release: April 26, 2011

Source: Purchased

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Abandon snuck upon me, and I was surprised how much I ended up liking it. I say this because,initially, I had no intention of reading it. It’s not that I don’t like MegCabot or her writing – I’m a big fan of her Airhead series – I just wasn’t sureI wanted to read yet another paranormal love story that didn’t seem to havemuch of a hook.

In the end, it was Cabot who convinced me to give Abandon a shot. At the This Is Teen event in San Francisco, she capturedmy attention while talking about how, ever since high school, she'd wanted to“update” the myth of Persephone. When she later revealed that this was thepremise behind Abandon, I knew I had toread it.

After reading the first two pages, which serve as a prologueof sorts, I knew I was going to enjoy Abandon.Cabot is a master at weaving words together, producing a novel that iscaptivating to read. Pierce had a sincere voice with just the right touch ofwit and irony; I simply could not getenough of it.

What really made Pierce such an interesting main character,though, was her troubled past. When the novel starts, she is just beginning her newlife in Isla Huesos and the story of how she ended up there is only alluded to.Cabot builds this twisted back story through anecdotes, flashbacks, and slyreferences, allowing the reader to put the pieces together.

The mystery of that alone was enough to keep me flippingpages, though John definitely helped. His surly, pessimistic character was the perfectbalance to Pierce’s sincerity. The scenes in which the two confronted each other were some of my favorites. Their chemistry, combined with the mystery of Pierce’spast, made Abandon a captivatingread.

I’d love to leave my review here, to say that I wasenthralled by this book and loved it to bits. But, sadly, I rarely get what Iwant. There was one little thing that really hurt my opinion of the overall book. Actually,it’s kind of a big thing: the climax.

After a startling realization, Peirce is whisked off tosafety before anything truly exciting can happen. The whole novel seemed to bebuilding towards a great, exciting climax, a worthy end to Pierce and John’s twisted love story. I was incrediblydisappointed to find that this was not the case.

Since Abandon isthe first in a series (as I discovered later on), I guess I’ll get my dramatic ending eventually. I just wish I didn’t have to waitfor a whole other book (or two or three) to see it happen.

Slightly disappointing ending aside, I found Abandon to be a pleasant surprise. It’sgot romance, mystery, Greek mythology – a little bit of everything, all mixedtogether perfectly.

4 stars!

September Commenter Contest

2011-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recently I've noticed more and more bloggers hosting "Monthly Commenter Contests." The idea is, in my opinion, a fabulous one. Bloggers put lots of time and energy into updating their blogs, and comments are a lovely way to get feedback on our work and keep us motivated. The contests are also a way to thank all of our readers for, well, reading our blogs.

That in mind, I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and being hosting monthly commenter contests, starting with September.

Just as on other blogs, only thoughtful comments left on posts from the month of September will be counted. (By thoughtful comments I mean something other than "Great review," "I'll have to check this one out," or "Great blog! I recently started a book blog and you can find it here.")

Because of the number of international readers I have, this contest will be open internationally.

Before I get to the prize, I have one last rule. When you leave a comment, please make sure you're either logged in on a Google account or leave your name and email. Anonymous comments and those left without any contact info will not be counted.

Okay, onto the prize. This month, one lucky commenter will win...

...an ARC of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and an Infernal Devices notebook!

Special thanks to Emily's Reading Room, the blog where I first saw this idea.

Cover Judge

2011-08-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights the covers of upcoming YA novels. Some may say that you can't judge a book by its cover, but with covers as gorgeous as these, it's hard not to.

This week there are two featured covers, both for upcoming novels by Kimberly Derting. What can I say? I just love her books!

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Release: November 15, 2011

Summary:

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Cover: Um, ya, this cover definitely has the creep factor down pat. It's mesmirizing in the sense that it both worries and intrigues me - a perfect combination for a dystopian cover!

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Release: April 17, 2012

Summary:

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye...

Cover: Ever since I first saw the cover for Desires of the Dead, I've been a fan of this series' covers. The flowers go along perfectly with the "echoes" Violet sees - a huge part of the series. The past two covers have done a great job of juxtaposing a bright, semi-creepy flower against a jet black background. This most recent cover is not different. The purple and black color combination never fails to enchant me. I think it's especially fitting for this series considering the main character's name is Violet. Okay, that was bad. Still, the cover is a lovely addition to the series.

(Note: Despite it's title being The Last Echo, this book will not be the final installment in the series. That means more Violet, more Jay, and more gorgeous covers!)

Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week bloggers all over the book blogosphere post their Top Ten lists in response to a predetermined prompt. This week, the theme is "Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall."

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (September 29, 2011)
It's Stephanie Perkins. It's the companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss. It's set in San Francisco. It's rumored that Anna and Etienne make an appearance. What's not to love?!

2. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (October 4, 2011)

Hush, Hush intrigued me initially and then Crescendo came along and won me over. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Fitzpatrick ends this series, especially with the curve ball she threw in at the end of the Crescendo.

3. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (October 18, 2011)

I absolutely loved Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness did a great job of further capturing my attention and developing Ethan's character. The only downside to Beautiful Darkness is that I snagged in ARC while at BEA two years ago. My point? I've been waiting a loooong time for Beautiful Chaos. How much longer until October?

4. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (October 18, 2011)

A) It's Maggie Stiefvater, so it will be awesome. B) Maggie has described the book as "Deadliest Catch meets My Little Pony," so it will be awesome. C) Maggie says it's the book that's the most "her." Since she is pretty awesome, this book will be too. So, in conclusion, this book will be awesome!

5. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (November 15, 2011)

I love Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder series and am very curious to see how she fares in dystopian. I'm sure it will be just as heart-pounding and addictive as her other novels.

6. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (September 27, 2011)

This is a book I've heard mixed reviews on. People either love it or are very underwhelmed. I'm looking forward to making my own judgement. Right now, I just know it has a fabulous cover and equally fabulous synopsis. That's enough to get me reading.

7. Between Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore (October 25, 2011)

It is no secret that I have a soft spot for mermaid books. Sadly, I have yet to find one that sweeps me off my feet and has me completely enchanted. I'm hoping this will be that book.

8. Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (November 1, 2011)

The cover for this book is what initially caught my attention. Of course, then I saw "The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Um, yes please!

9. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (September 20, 2011)

I've heard a lot about this book around the blogoshpere and it's really piqued my interest.

10. Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs (September 6, 2011)

Tera Lynn Childs was talking about this book during the 10 in '10 chat Kay Cassidy and I co-hosted, and I must admit it caught my attention. Since then, I've read a few more of Childs' books and found them to be fun and charming. Of her two series, my favorite would have to be Oh. My. Gods. Since Sweet Venom will be a return to the world of Greek mythology, I'm really looking forward to it.

What releases are on your list?

Sweet Venom 2 Title Hunt

2011-08-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

The book formerly known as Sweet Venom 2 finally has a title! Of course, what fun would it be for Tera Lynn Childs to just tell us? Thus, she has put together a scavenger hunt of sorts to reveal the title.

And if discovering the title of Sweet Venom 2 isn't enough of an incentive for you, there are also prizes. Childs is giving away five signed copies of Sweet Venom, as well as a grand prize $50 bookstore gift card.

To find out more about the hunt and how you can participate, run on over to Tera Lynn Childs' blog.

As for me, I have the honor of presenting you with one of the letters for the hunt. My letter is... drum roll, please...

Got that written down? Good! Now head off to find the next clue. Good luck, everyone!

The Hunger Games Sneak Peek

2011-08-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

Are you a Hunger Games fan?

(Note: The answer to this question should always be yes. If you answer no, then you had best go buy a copy of the book ASAP. It’s for your own good.)

Well, tonight was a big night for The Hunger Games and its fans. Why, you ask? Because the first footage from the upcoming movie was released!

Here you go for your viewing (and reviewing) pleasure:

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music

Ta-da! What did you think of it?

My opinion is…well…yes, it was a good teaser trailer. It was not, however, worth sitting through a cross-dressing, very drunk Lady Gaga and the entire VMA award show.

I probably looked bipolar. One second I was shaking like an over-excited puppy, and the next I was staring at the screen in a mix of shock and hurt. Really? That was it? After suffering through VMas, that was all I got?

Still, I have to admit that Jennifer Lawerence made an awesome, kick-butt Katniss. Seeing her in all of her Katniss garb, stalking through the woods, gave me goose bumps. After years of picturing Katniss, the arena, and the rest of her world in my head, it was thrilling to see it brought to life.

March 2012 cannot come fast enough!

Top Ten Books I Loved But Never Wrote A Review For

2011-08-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun participating in Top Ten Tuesday last time, that I've decided to give it another go. For those of you who are curious, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week bloggers all over the blogosphere create a top ten list based on that week's theme. This week's theme, for example, is "Top Ten Books You Loved But Never Wrote A Review For."

Personally, this is going to be a tough list to make. I have so many favorite books from before I started blogging, as well as a few titles I just loved too much to put into words. Here goes nothing...

1. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray
I don't even know where to start with this series. My mom, in a rush to get home, pulled A Great Terrible Beauty off a shelf at Borders, noted the corset on the cover (I was a historical fiction addict), and told me to give it a shot. I ended up starting it the next morning on our drive to Disneyland...I didn't say anything the whole way. It was fabulous! Honestly, all three books are. I love this series to bits. Two words: read it. Don't look at the summary, don't read reviews, don't even think about it - just go read it!

2. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
My best fried suggested this book to me many years ago. She was reading it and thought that I, being a huge reader, would probably enjoy it. Oh boy, did I enjoy it. The writing was lovely, the story was expertly written, and the characters were enchanting. It entirely swept me away, as did its companion novel, Enna Burning. In fact, all four of the Books of Bayern are lovely. With a world as richly woven as Bayern and a writer like Shannon Hale, you really can't go wrong.

3. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
I'm not quite sure if "love" is the proper way to describe my opinion of this book. Honestly, I don't know what I think of it. I read Angelfire amidst all the craziness of the end of the school year. Even with all that was going on and all of the things I had to do, when I was reading Angelfire, I was completely and utterly enthralled. To me, that says something. So while I wasn't completely in love with the book - some elements of the story and characters really irked me - I would still recommend it, because, clearly, there's something captivating in there.

4. Austenland by Shannon Hale
Yes, more Shannon Hale. I went on a major Shannon Hale reading binge before I started my blog. (Spurred by my love of The Goose Girl, of course.) The result of this reading binge was the realization that Hale is truly a brilliant writer. The other result was the discovery of Austenland. This is one of Hale's adult novels, which normally would've kept me from reading it (I was only in seventh grade). But with a name like Austenland, I knew I had to read it. It was absolutely lovely. Which is precisely why I was so excited to find out that there's going to be a movie!

5. White Cat by Holly Black
Prior to this I'd never read anything by Holly Black. I'd heard good things about her books, but never really had the urge to read any of them. In fact, I wasn't even planning on reading White Cat until I saw VLC's book trailer for it. It ended up being a pleasant surprise. Cassel was a great protagonist and I was fascinated by the world Black created. Being a fan of spy books and mysteries, I found the idea of the con-artist curse workers incredibly intriguing.

6. Anything written by Sarah Dessen
Hello, it's Sarah Dessen. She's just all-around awesome. It would be pointless for me to write reviews because every one would read "Another great novel from Sarah Dessen. (Insert boy's name here) was incredibly dreamy and I loved his romance with (insert troubled but sweet protagonist's name here). More please!"

7. Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
I read this book a looooong time ago. Like, I can barely remember when I read it. I know it was back before I even knew who Stephanie Meyer was. She was just some author who'd blurbed this book that I'd found on the bottom of a bookshelf at Borders. There was just something about the teeny tiny picture of the girl in a red dress jumping in the air with a Jane Austen-eque image behind her that called to me. I picked it up, bought it, raced through it one afternoon, and now every time I see the spine on my bookshelf I smile to myself. The funny thing is, over the years, I've started to forget why I smile. I just remember loving it. Hmm, I think I'll have to reread it soon.

8. The Queen's Soprano by Carol Dines
This is another book that always makes me smile, even though I read it so long ago that I can barely remember it. It also happens to be another book picked out by my mom because of the historical-looking gown on the cover. The book was fabulous with a bittersweet ending that, even though a lot of the story has faded, I still remember vividly. It is one of the better historical fiction novels I've read, and I'm really looking forward to rereading it now that my knowledge of history has increased tremendously (thank you, AP classes).

9. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter
I know I've reviewed a few of the more recent novels in this series, but I never got around to reviewing the first two novels. This is mostly due to the fact that I read the first two books in my pre-blogging days. Still, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't include this book on my list. I LOVE this book. It was simply marvelous in all aspects. I have long been a fan of novels set at private/boarding schools, as well as those including spies or mysteries or subterfuge. Needless to say, I fell absolutely and completely in love with this book and the series as a whole. To this day, if Ally Carter releases a new book, I drop everything and run to the bookstore. Such a great series!

10. Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

So, um, I cannot believe I never reviewed this book. Same goes for Hex Hall. I don't really know why I never reviewed either book because I greatly enjoyed both. I just never seemed to be able to actually write a review, so I just...didn't. Anyways, I guess I'll just pimp Demon Glass now. Because, really, it deserves to get some attention. I enjoyed Hex Hall, I loved Demon Glass. There was the perfect mix of romance and danger, plus lots of intrigue from new characters and story lines. The final book, Spellbound, is sure to be just as awesome. I would definitely recommend reading this series.

Now that you've seen my list, what's on yours?

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

2011-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Release: August 31, 2010

Source: Purchased

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

Oh, Evie, what wit you have.

From the very first chapter Evie’s character practically leapt off the page. Her voice was magnificent and the writing was fast-paced and saturated in wit – I was completely enchanted.

I especially loved the fresh, fun take on paranormals. This is the second paranormal book I’ve read this summer that has a strong chick lit feel (the first being Ripple by Mandy Hubbard). I love it! It’s definitely a trend I want to see more of, especially if the characters are like Evie.

Speaking of Evie, more than once I found myself smiling at her antics and smart remarks. At times she did seem a little childish, but it only made her all the more endearing. She honestly reminded me of my best friend, which made me love her character all the more.

As for Lend (yeah, it’s weird name. There are a lot of them in Paranormalcy.), I wasn’t as taken with him as Evie was. Truthfully, I liked the mystery surrounding his character a lot more than I liked him. Still, his relationship with Evie was a great addition to the story. I think I’ll end up liking him more in Supernaturally, when he has more time to grow on me.

One of my absolute favorite aspects of Paranormalcy was the fey poem/prophecy that was at the heart of the plot. I’ve always been a fan of cryptic prophecies and enjoy trying to figure them out before the characters do. Sadly, the prophecy/poem in Paranormalcy was never fully explained, though its overall meaning was alluded to. I’m hoping that White will further explore it in Supernaturally.

Overall this series has a lot of promise, as does White as an author. I would definitely suggest giving Paranormalcy a read.

4 stars

Boys and YA

2011-08-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Last night my school held its annual Decades Dance. My friends and I, being seniors, were decked out in 80's garb - hideous electric blue eyes shadow and all - and danced the entire night. We had a blast. Of course, all that dancing left me completely wiped out. So when I woke up this morning and saw this article on The New York Times' website, I knew there was no way I could write a proper, impassioned response - at least not without lots and lots of coffee.

Instead, I am going to direct you to Saundra Mitchell's blog, where she posted fabulous response to Lipsyte's article. Go, Saundra!

What I Read This Summer

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

At the start of every school year, I get asked the same question over and over again: What did you do this summer? Well, for me, the more appropriate question is "What did you read this summer?"

Well, here is what I read this summer (I must warn you, it is a long list):

1. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
This book was a great way to kick off my summer of reading. If I had to rate it, it would be somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading Carter's unique take on Greek mythology and the myth of Persephone.

2. The Royal Treatment by Linsdey Leavitt
I posted my review of Leavitt's latest installment in the Princess for Hire series earlier in the summer. Just like the first novel, this was a delightful read. Unlike the first novel, it ended on a wicked cliff hanger. More please!

3. Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt
I really just did not like this book. The main character and I did not click from the get go. For a supposedly smart girl, she made a lot of stupid decisions. After loving Barnholdt's One Night that Changes Everything last summer, I was incredibly disappointed by Aces Up.

4-10. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Yeah, there's a reason these books are so popular. I really don't think I need to say anymore.

11. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
My review for this one is coming soon. Keep an eye out for it!

12. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Despite the multiple recommendations I've gotten for this book, I didn't like it all that much. The problem wasn't that I didn't enjoy the concept - I did - I just never really connected with Ginny. The book fulfilled its purpose as a good poolside read, but that's about it. A bit of a let down after all the hype it had gotten.

13. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Beautiful, creepy, awesome - I loved it. You can read the rest of my thoughts in my review, though they're just as gushing.

14. Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe
My review for this one will be up closer to its release.

15. Abandon by Meg Cabot
This is another book I'm planning on reviewing. I'll give you a little teaser, though: it was a highly entertaining (and intriguing) read.

16. A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
I spent half of this book mentally kicking myself because I kept imaging the characters/setting from The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. I saw so much of Violet in Charlotte! The other half of the book was spent genuinely interested in the plot and who the Forgotten really were. The book laid a solid foundation for a great series. I see so much potential in this story.

17. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
This was a re-read to get myself in the right frame of mind for Forever (and I really wanted to read more about Sam *sigh*).

18. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
I already reviewed this one, but I'll say it again: So. Good. I love every one of these characters so much.

19. Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
I've heard so many great things about J.D. Salinger's writing and have always wanted to read his works. As shocking as it is, I have yet to read Catcher in the Rye. It's on my list for sure, but Franny and Zooey has always intrigued me, so I chose it as my first foray into Salinger instead. I really love Franny and liked Zooey as well. It was a great read, and really piqued my interest about Catcher.

20. Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Another title I've already reviewed. I was so happy it was my twentieth book of the summer because it a) is by Mandy Hubbard (on of the first author's I ever worked with), b) is about a teenage siren, c) has a gorgeous cover and d) is a refreshing take on a paranormal romance.

21. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Another reread in anticipation of one of my most looked forward to releases of the summer: Wolfsbane. I loved this book the first time I read it, and was reminded of that when I read it again. Such a fabulous paranormal!

22. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
My review for this one went up earlier in the week. I really enjoyed it, but not quite as much as Nightshade. Even so, I cannot wait for Bloodrose.

23. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Yup, another reread. I always let myself reread my favorite books during the summer. And let me tell you, it was difficult to restrain myself all year long in the case of Anna. I wanted to reread it as soon as I finished my ARC last fall. I adore this book. It is perfection.

24. Red Glove by Holly Black
I read White Cat at the beginning of last summer and was surprised by how much I liked it. (I only picked it up because of VLC's book trailer.) I was really happy to be able to read Red Glove this summer. It was a great continuation of the story. I could see myself reading many more books about Cassel, Lila, and the rest of the gang.

25. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
My review for this title should be up within the next week or so. It was great with such a fabulous voice and main character. I am already trying to find time to read Supernaturally this school year.

26. Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink
I have about 40 pages of this one left and am typing as fast as I can so that I can get back to it. I was relatively intrigued by the first book in the series, Prophecy of the Sisters, and hadn't expected to love Guardian of the Gate as much as I did. And, boy, did I love it. I think the addition of Dimitri is what really won my over. So far, I've loved Circle of Fire. Zink has a talent for writing this time period, as well as complicated, epic storylines. The combination of the two is enchanting. Speaking of which...I'm going to go back to reading.

Well, that's what I read this summer. What about you?

Cover Judge

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature devoted to spotlighting (and fawning over) the covers of upcoming YA novels. No matter how many times I'm told never to judge a book by it's cover, I cannot help doing so. And with a cover as beautiful and awe worthy as this week's featured cover, it's hard not to take the book at face value.

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Release: March 20, 2012

Summary:

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world’s past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Cover: Simply excellent. I don't really know what to say, other than to applaud the publisher. The cover is intriguing, gorgeous, mysterious, angelic, and just a bit dark. I was completely sold without ever reading anything about the book. Absolutely enchanting.

Top Ten Underrated Books

2011-08-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday, a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Like the creators, I too love lists, especially when the themes are as fun and book-ish as these. This week's theme is Top Ten Underrated Books - aka books that you feel should be more popular and widely read.

1. Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe
This book is literally laugh out loud funny. It's also the reason I fell in love with YA in the first place. Jaffe is not only a plotting genius, but she has a knack for writing comedy. The main character, Jasmine, is one of my all time favorite protagonists and has one of the best voices I've ever read. The same goes for her hilarious friends and family. I honestly don't know how Jaffe came up with half of their high jinks. All I know is that I spent the majority of the book laughing. Oh, and did I mention it's a murder mystery? Because it is. And an excellent one at that. Bad Kitty is just all around awesome. I don't know why more people haven't read it.

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

I stared at this book for months before I finally bought it. You see, I hadn't seen many (if any) reviews on it. Normally this means that a book isn't all that great. Boy, oh boy, am I glad I decided to take a chance on The Summer I Turned Pretty! This series has become one of my favorites. Han is an incredibly talented writer. She brought Belly's world to life. I could practically taste the salty beach air and feel the sun shining on my face. I like to say reading The Summer I Turned Pretty is like stepping into summer, because the long, sun-drenched days come to life on the pages. As if that isn't reason enough to read it, the main character, Belly, was expertly written. Han perfectly captured the confusion of growing up and struggling to find yourself. I fell in love with everything about Belly's story. I cannot recommend this book enough.

3. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
You've read Brightly Woven, right? If not, what are you doing with your life?! Seriously, this is one of those books you don't want to miss. I loved it so much when I was on its ARC tour that I drove across town to get a finished copy when it came out. It's a fabulous fantasy adventure, reminiscent of Shannon Hale. Plus, it has North. I honestly love everything about this book.

4. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Ockler's first book, Twenty Boy Summer, has gotten a lot of buzz - both negative and positive - but I feel like Fixing Delilah has been more or less overlooked. Which is really tragic, because it is a wonderful novel. Unlike in a lot of YA, the family aspect is played up, rather than dismissed. Between all of the family secrets being revealed and the friends-turned-more romance, I fell head over heels for this book.

5. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan matson

I only found this book because I was a part of the blog tour and hadn't expected much from it. So, of course, I ended up really liking it. As the title implies, Amy and Roger's detour really is epic. From Yosemite to Graceland - the two had so many enchanting adventures. By the time it was all said and done, I was smiling happily and so glad I'd read the book. Definitely check it out the next time you're looking for a great chick lit read.

6. The Season by Sarah MacLean

Oh my, where do I begin? This book literally made me swoon. Regency society, mystery, and romance - I was in heaven! Seriously, just read it. You won't be sorry.

7. Mermaid Park by Beth Mayall
I read this book back when it first came out, waaaaaaaay before I started blogging. Now that I've read a lot more, I recognize how very Sarah Dessen-esque Mermaid Park is. It's probably one of the reasons why I ended up loving chick lit so much. There were family secrets (love), a mermaid-themed water show (love), romance (love!), and the beach (love). In fact, I think I may need to read it again...

8. In or Out by Claudia Gabel
There are four books in this series, all of which revolve around ex-best friends Nola and Marnie and their very different freshman years. I started reading these books the year before I started high school and really clicked with the characters. Nola reminded me of me and Marnie reminded me of my best friend. Even though they didn't stay close once they started high school, I still felt a real connection with both characters and their stories. It warms my heart just to think about this series.

9. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

At first I was little wary of this one. I mean, it's about superheroes and villains. Very comic book, very not me. And yet I ended up falling in love with Damien. His wit definitely had something to do with it, as I am a sucker for banter. I think that, like me, a lot of people haven't picked up the book because of how comic book it seems. Just trust me and read it, though. If you loved Sky High, you'll love The Rise of Renegade X.

10. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

As far as I'm concerned, this book is underrated...because it should be huge! Honestly, I was completely swept off my feet. When I picked it up, I'd heard a few good things about it, but I never expected it to be so enthralling I read it in one sitting! Derting's writing was captivating to read. The scenes written from the predator's point of view...so scary. They gave me chills. That's how good her writing was. I want to hug this book every time I think about it.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-08-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

Release: July 26, 2011

Others in the Series: Nightshade

Source: Purchased

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

I was very surprised at how fast I read Wolfsbane. I kept thinking I’d only read a few pages, only to discover that I’d really read twenty. So much happened so fast, and I ended up tearing right through the book.

Often, I would finish reading a hundred pages only to realize that all of the events I’d just read about had happened in a mere matter of hours. Calla’s world was constantly changing. In fact, when I finished reading, I was shocked to realize that the entire book only spanned, at most, three days. As far as stories go, that’s not a lot of time, and yet Calla’s life at the end was completely unrecognizable from the beginning of the novel.

The short time period was both a good and bad thing. The first book, Nightshade, spanned nearly three months, giving Calla, the other characters, and the story the breadth to grow incredibly complex. With Wolfsbane, everything came fast, in rapid succession, giving me – and the characters – little time to digest what had just happened before the next revelation came. Yes, I couldn’t put it down, but at the same time I felt like I lost a lot of the depth and raw emotion that made me fall in love with Calla’s story in the first place.

In essence, Wolfsbane is a transition: lots of quick development and the introduction of the new characters and plots that will be instrumental in Bloodrose. And while the new characters may not have had as much time to develop as the originals, I think I may actually love them more. With everything moving so fast, the new characters had to have strong personalities to keep them from getting lost in the flurry of events. The Searchers were funny, witty, and utterly enchanting. They truly made Wolfsbane shine.

Even with its swift pace, I felt Wolfsbane was a great continuation of the fabulous story Cremer began in Nightshade. I cannot wait to see how Calla’s story ends in Bloodrose!

4.5 Stars!

Cover Judge

2011-08-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that spotlights and discusses the covers of upcoming YA novels. Because, even though they say not to, it's hard not to judge a book by its cover.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Release: February 21, 2012

Summary:

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

Cover: While I love this series and am looking forward to Bloodrose, I am not a fan of this cover. At all. Honestly, I am not all that pleased with any of the series' new covers. I will admit that Nightshade and Wolfsbane's new covers both look a lot nicer in person than they did online. I've actually grown to like them, though I still prefer the original covers. I really hope the same rule will apply to Bloodrose because, as of right now, I am rather concerned. I mean, really, is that model not creepy? The angle of the picture is just so awkward. It makes her look like she doesn't have any pupils or irises. Yes, I know she's supposed to be looking over her shoulder, but unless I really focus, she just looks possessed. And the red background doesn't do much to help the demonic look...

The Joy of the Unsatisfying Ending

2011-08-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Why yes, I did just use joy and unsatisfying to describe the same thing.

It may sound odd. I mean, by definition something that is unsatisfying shouldn't bring you joy. And yet, there really is something special about an ending that is tainted ever so slightly with dissatisfaction.

Maybe one of my favorite characters died, maybe the ending was left open to interpretation, or maybe there was a last minute twist that was never resolved – whatever it was, I find these unsatisfying endings often end up being some of my favorites.

One reason is that, when an author writes such an ending, knowing full well that it is evil, she runs the risk of pissing off more than a few fans. But she does it anyway. Because, ultimately, it’s what the author feels is the right ending for the story. As a result, the ending is gutsy and genuine, and I have a great deal of respect for the author.

Even better, an open or unsatisfying ending often causes the story to linger in my mind. Because it wasn’t happy or ideal, my brain just gets stuck on it. I remember what led up to that ending and mull over the many possibilities that could come after the point where the book left off. It is because of this that I fall in love with books whose endings leave me wanting more. The Sweet Far Thing, Shiver, Nightshade – they are all novels that left me either shell-shocked or desperate for more at the end. They all also happen to be some of my absolute favorite books.

The real reason for my love of unsatisfying endings, though, is that I love the realism. I am not a cynic, nor am I a hopeless romantic. I am somewhere in between. And while a nice bow-wrap ending does make me smile, more often than not I find myself a little let down. Life isn’t perfect and true happy endings are few and far between. Even when they do happen, they don’t last forever in an eternal state of bliss. I love literature that acknowledges that not-so-sweet truth.

There are some series I simply love too much to see them end happily. I would much rather be left tearing up or wanting to know more than have everything end happily in puppies and rainbows. Frankly, it would feel wrong. It’s one of the reasons that, to this day, I cannot stand Mockingjay or Breaking Dawn.

So, while I don’t want every novel I read to end sadly or without resolution, there is undeniably a joy in a well-written unsatisfying ending.

More Contest Winners

2011-07-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

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!

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