Contest for Geektastic

Thanks to Little Brown, I now have two copies of Geektastic to giveaway!

Before, I get to the the contest details. Here's the summary:

Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

Doesn't that sound brilliant?

Now, here's how to enter:

How To Enter:

Leave a comment on this post. Also, if you don't have a blogger profile be sure to leave an email address, too

For Extra Entries:

+4 for following/ subscribing to my blog
+2 for becoming a follower/ subscriber to my blog

+2 for being a follower/ becoming a follower of mine on twitter.
+3 for posting a link to this contest somewhere on the Internet ( blog, Myspace, Twitter, ex.)
+1 for adding me to your blogroll

Open To:

US and Canada residents only- but no P.O. boxes please! Sorry, international readers, though if you have someone you can send it too in the US or Canada that can send it off to you eventually. You can supply me with their address if you win.

Ends:

August 14th at midnight Eastern time.

Good Luck! :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 37

My pick this week is:

The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

"Personally, I’m tired of waiting for the universe to get off its butt and start fixing stuff. I don’t want to wait around for Mason to get what’s coming to him. Or Heather Campbell, for that matter . . . I want to be there to see it happen."

Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. It’s that mysterious, powerful force that brings harmony to the universe. You know—do good things and you will be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what’s coming to you. A sort of cosmic balancing act.

But when Mason Brooks, Maddy’s boyfriend of two years, gets caught tongue-wrestling with Miss Perfect Body Heather Campbell, and absolutely nothing happens to either of them—except that they wind up the hot new couple of Colonial High School, it seems like Karma has officially left Maddy in the lurch. That’s why Maddy and her best friends, Angie and Jade, decide to start the Karma Club—a secret, members-only organization whose sole purpose is to clean up the messes that the universe has been leaving behind. Whether they’re modifying Heather Campbell’s acne cream as part of “Operation Butterface,” or righting a few wrongs when it comes to Angie and Jade’s own slimy exes, they know they’re just doing what Karma should have done in the first place. They’re taking care of one another.

Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. Because it turns out, when you mess with Karma, Karma messes back. Now Maddy must find a way to balance her life for good, even as everything around her seems to be toppling to the ground.

My Thoughts or Let's Count The Reasons On Why I Should Have This:

1) It sounds really interesting. I love the idea of a "Karma Club". My school definitely needs one of those. :)
2) The cover is cute.
3) I read a excerpt from the first chapter and it sounds quite funny so far.
4) I've heard nothing but great things about Jessica's adult books which I've been meaning to read for a while now.

Sadly, The Karma Club will not be released until 2010, though I know I'll defiantly be picking it up when it finally comes out.

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure by Larry Smith

Summary:

True tales of love, loss, good friends, and bad hair days filled Not Quite What I Was Planning, the New York Times bestselling first book in the Six-Word Memoir series—an international phenomenon. Some of the very best were by teens, so the editors decided to create a book written entirely by those bold, brash truth-tellers. From cancer to creativity, prom dates to promiscuity, and breaking hearts to breaking laws, the memoirs in this collection reveal that often the youngest writers have the most fascinating stories to tell.

Review:

With the popularity of such sites like Fmylife and Post Secret, you just had to know that something like I Can't Keep My Own Secrets was going to come out eventually. Though, unlike those websites, I Can't Keep My Own Secrets is told in six word memoirs making an interesting difference in the post card format for Post Secret and the mini paragraph for Fmylife.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel would be how it was a short and could easily be read in one sitting. Which, therefor, makes this a perfect start for those reluctant teen readers out there who will be awed by the interesting tales these teens tell. Plus, most of the memoirs are stories that teens can relate to in one way or another.

Overall, I Can't Keep My Secrets is a great fast read, that I definitely suggest to teens everywhere. Since, it's a great way to pass time and an interesting book!

Grade: B

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure will be realeased on September 1st.

* Much thanks goest to the people at Harper Teen for seding me this great book! :)

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne- Jones

Mimi Shapiro is running. Running away from a disturbing first year at NYU to a small and creepy town in Nowhere, Canada. She hopes that while there for the summer, she can get her first screen play written, while coming to turns with what happened to her in the previous year.

Though nothing can stay perfect for long. When arriving at her father’s deserted old summer house she finds that someone else is living there too. Her long lost half brother, a half brother that has been having his own problems, as of lately. Problems that involve a mysterious stalker who has been leaving him “presents” of dead birds and snake skin.

Can the two of them make it through the summer? Will they get to know each other the way only siblings can? Will they catch the stalker before their lives come to a crashing halt? Well, I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself, in The Uninvited by Tim Wayne- Jones.

Only one adjective comes to mind after reading this page turning thriller: Wow! The Uninvited is a book that mixes mystery and getting to know long lost siblings in a fresh and fantastic new way. I was constantly trying to figure out how everything tied together. The characters were my favorite part of this story. They were well developed, likable, and funny. Plus, Tim Wynne-Jones’ writing was pretty darn good. I loved how he slowly told the past of the characters and the stalker by reveling their secrets one at a time. Overall, The Uninvited is a definite must read for all teens and adults.

Grade: A+

* Reviewed For Flamingnet

In My Mailbox ( 7/20 to 7/25)

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis ( ARC/ September 2009/ Harper Teen)

Shelby’s summer plans go totally awry when her horrible stepmother sends her off to “brat camp” as punishment for one too many broken curfews. Camp is full of spoiled rich kids, obnoxious counselors wanting Shelby to talk about her feelings, and a totally inhumane “no cell phones” policy.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that bad boys get her into trouble…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one?

Heather Davis’s debut novel mixes together irresistible characters, a pesky full moon, and a delicious taste of the supernatural.

This came in a totally unexpected package form Harper Collins and I think I squealed for about 2 minutes tops when I saw this was in it.

Duplikate by Cherry Cheva ( ARC/ September 2009/ Harper Teen)

Getting into Yale has been Kate Larson’s dream for years—and being overworked and under-rested is the price of admission. But when she opens her eyes after falling asleep on her keyboard one night, she comes face-to-face with, well, herself.

Meet Kate’s computer-generated twin. Kate doesn’t know why she’s here or how to put her back where she belongs, but she’s real. And she’s the last thing Kate has time to deal with right now. Unless. . .could having a double be the answer to Kate’s prayers?

In this hilarious second novel, Cherry Cheva introduces a character who has been granted the wish of every overscheduled teen everywhere—for there to be two of her. But as everyone knows, you should be careful what you wish for...it just might come true and wear all your clothes and steal your boyfriend.

Another book from that package. I already read this and it's great!

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure by Larry Smith ( ARC/ September 2009/ Harper Teen)

True tales of love, loss, good friends, and bad hair days filled Not Quite What I Was Planning, the New York Times bestselling first book in the Six-Word Memoir series—an international phenomenon. Some of the very best were by teens, so the editors decided to create a book written entirely by those bold, brash truth-tellers. From cancer to creativity, prom dates to promiscuity, and breaking hearts to breaking laws, the memoirs in this collection reveal that often the youngest writers have the most fascinating stories to tell.

Last book from said package. I've already read this and the review should be coming shortly.

Never Slow Dance With A Zombie by E. Van Lowe ( ARC/ August 2009/ Tor Teen)

Romy and Michelle's Hight School Reunion meets Night of the Living Dead in this laugh-out-loud debut YA novel by Emmy Award-nominated TV writer E. Van Lowe

Principal Taft's 3 Simple Rules for Surviving a Zombie Uprising:

Rule #1: While in the halls, walk slowly and wear a vacant expression on your face. Zombies won't attack other zombies.

Rule #2: Never travel alone. Move in packs. Follow the crowd. Zombies detest blatant displays of individuality.

Rule #3: If a zombie should attack, do not run. Instead, throw raw steak at to him. Zombies love raw meat. This display of kindness will go a long way.

On the night of her middle school graduation, Margot Jean Johnson wrote a high school manifesto detailing her goals for what she was sure would be a most excellent high school career. She and her best friend, Sybil, would be popular and, most important, have boyfriends. Three years later, they haven't accomplished a thing!

Then Margot and Sybil arrive at school one day to find that most of the student body has been turned into flesh-eating zombies. When kooky Principal Taft asks the girls to coexist with the zombies until the end of the semester, they realize that this is the perfect opportunity to live out their high school dreams. All they have to do is stay alive....

This comes out the day after my birthday which is on the 17th of August, is that or is that not cool? :)

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler ( ARC/ December 2009/ Harper Teen)

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all at Paradise—the resort in the Caribbean, that is—for different reasons, but in Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Over the course of four months, through four voices and four stories, what happened in Paradise will change them all.

In this extraordinary novel, the Printz Honor–winning author brings us her most accomplished work yet. Tangled is a story of the secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love.

Is it or is it not funny that I got this the same day I posted a WOW post about it? :)

Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation ( ARC/ September 2009/ Source Books)

In a bustling metropolis where magic is outlawed, a six-year-old child is found inside a locked bank vault. A scrap of paper reveals his name: Bran Hambric. The child remembers nothing of his life before the vault. Only magic could have done this. But why would any mage risk breaking the law to place a child in a bank vault?

Eight years later the City of Dunce has forgotten about Bran. Even his foster parents don't seem to know he exists. But there are those who have been watching, biding their time, waiting to strike, people who know where Bran came from and why he was sent away. And they will do anything to get Bran back, dead or alive…

Books I Won in an Awesome Contest on Read This Book:

The Debs by Susan McBride

LAURA DELACROIX BELL—this dazzling trust fund girl’s size 14 figure doesn’t stop her from attracting the sexiest scoundrel in town, or the admiring eye of the Glass Slipper Club. However, a salacious secret could take her out of the running.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie—brainy, cynical, and maybe a tad judgmental, Mac would rather bury her nose in a good book than embrace her deb destiny. But being a debutante was her late mother’s dream.

Ginger Fore—this adorable tree-hugger wants to wear her grandmother’s vintage ball gown instead of splurging on an expensive dress. Yet when she gets tangled up with an older guy, Ginger will have plenty more to think about.

Jo-Lynn Bidwill—a former child beauty queen, Jo-Lynn is a bitchy vamp who makes it her mission in life to take out the debu-trash. And Jo-Lynn’s sights are set on Laura Bell.

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips by Susan McBride

The Debs are back!

Now that her dream of becoming a deb is finally coming true, Laura’s confidence is at an all-time high. But when she dares to mess with Jo Lynn’s football star boyfriend, Dillon, Laura finds herself at the center of some heinous gossip.

As predicted, becoming a deb is a shallow undertaking that Mac can barely muddle through. Still, things go from bad to worse when the new girl at school starts working her charms on Mac’s best friend, Alex. When Ginger’s grandmother asks her to sit for a formal portrait with the son of a local legend, she discovers that she already knows him—and what she knows isn’t good.

The stakes are raised for Jo Lynn when she finds Laura’s digits in Dillon’s cell phone. Is her boyfriend cheating on her with a debu-tank? She will soon find out.

The Bought:

The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire by Trisha Telep (Editor)( Paperback/ July 2009/ Running Press Kids)

There’s an allure to vampire tales that have seduced readers for generations. From Bram Stoker to Stephanie Meyer and beyond, vampire stories are here to stay. For those fresh-blooded fans of paranormal romance or for those whose hunt and hunger never dies, these stories have what readers want! This collection of original tales comes from some of the hottest, most popular, and best-selling YA writers. They will make everyone a sucker for eternal kisses.

This looks amazing, I can't wait to start it.

Overall, I had a fantastic week!

Quick Q and A's with Kathryn Williams

Kathrym Williams is the author of several books including her newest release, The Lost Summer. She currently resides somewhere between Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; and Richmond, Virginia according to her website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) Your newest release is The Lost Summer. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

I'd be happy to:) The Lost Summer is a book about summer camp and about growing up. It's the main character, Helena's, first summer as a counselor, but her best friend, Katie Bell, is still a camper. Through some dramatic (and some not-so-dramatic) events over the summer, Helena realizes that being a counselor--and growing up in general--brings a lot of freedom but also sacrifice. Growing up is exciting, but it's scary, and even surrounded by friends, it can be lonely. By the end of the story, Helena comes to realize what she's lost and what she's gained that summer.

2) What inspired you to write The Lost Summer?

I wanted to write a book about camp because I had such an amazing experience at summer camp growing up (see below). So I actually started with the setting and wanting to explore that, almost like the setting was a character. And then I came to Helena's character. I had friends who were older and younger at camp, and I remembered what those transitions were like. It's interesting the different paces at which people grow up. As friends, we push and pull each other along. I didn't set out to write a more serious book than my last one (The Debutante), but it kind of worked out that way. Sometimes that happens in the writing process. You look back, and you're like, "Wait, how did I get here?" Haha.

3)Helena is a big fan of summer camps, her favorite being Southpoint. I read in the back that you had been to several summer camps in your teen years, too. Do you have a favorite memory from that experience that you would like to share?

I went to the same small camp in western Virginia for ten years, six as a camper and four as a counselor. I loved every single second of those summers. They shaped who I am. There are so many memories, it's hard to pick just one! I just remember laughing so hard every single day, at stupid stuff, too -- "you had to be there" stuff. But I think lying in bed every night after Taps, with my cabinmates around me and our counselor reading to us and the frogs and crickets chirping, might be my favorite memory. I just felt like, "I'm home."

But I'd like to point out that Southpoint is definitely not my camp! It's similar in many ways. I drew on my camp a lot for the physical descriptions of Southpoint. But my camp was all girls (except a half dozen guy counselors -- that was the inspiration for the Brownies) and didn't have boating. We didn't even have a real lake -- we had a glorified pond that we called a lake!

4)If you could pick a theme song for The Lost Summer what would it be? Why?

Funny you ask, because I was running the other day and this song came on my ipod: "Least Complicated" by the Indigo Girls. I'd listened to it a thousand times before. We used to listen to the Indigo Girls a lot at camp, but listening to it this time, I thought, "That's it! That's The Lost Summer!" It's not that the words fit perfectly, but the sentiment just seems to fit. The refrain goes, "The hardest to learn was the least complicated."

5) You’ve written two teen books, The Lost Summer and The Debutante leaving me to wonder which protagonist you identified with most: Annie or Helena?

Hmmm. Good question:) There are pieces of me in both girls, but I am neither character. I would probably say I identify more with Annie, though. Helena's more introverted than I am. I'm also pretty sarcastic, like Annie.

6)I see that you’ve written for several different age groups. Do you have a specific group that you like writing for best?

I've written for middle grade, teen, and younger adult (18-30). And I can honestly say (scout's honor) that I like writing for all of them. It's less the age of the audience and more the story and the characters that I get invested in. The middle grade stuff I do is mostly novelization (of a movie, like Camp Rock, for example) or based on characters that already exist (again, like my original junior novels for Camp Rock). I write those under a pen name, Lucy Ruggles. That's really fun and I get to come up with fun, new plot lines, but I like creating my own characters.

7) What other jobs have you had besides being a writer?

A waitress twice, a cashier girl, a babysitter, a temp at Circuit City corporate offices (it was like living The Office), an intern about five thousand times (ok, maybe four, but it felt like five thousand), a journalist, an editorial assistant, an editor, and a photo researcher. I think that's it... so far. I kind of want to go to culinary school.

8) What is your favorite part of being an author? Least?

Least favorite part would be a tie between editing (such a huge part of the process but sometimes it's just plain hard) and being alone and in my head so much. I like to get out and write in coffee shops so I don't feel like a hermit. Favorite part? The flip side of that coin: the freedom -- I mean both creatively and being able to work in my pajamas. And also hearing from readers. That makes the least favorite parts totally worth it.

9) What’s next for you? Another YA perhaps?

I hope! I have two YA projects I'm working on right now. I really like both of them. They're currently looking for good homes.

sidenote: Very Cool! I can't wait to read them

10) Any last thoughts? A question you wished I asked but didn’t?

I am a Taurus and my favorite flavor of ice cream is rainbow sherbet. Yup, I think that covers it:)

Sidenote: Ooh, I like rainbow sherbet, too. Though, I haven't had any in a while. :(

~~~~~~~

Thanks so much Kathryn and congrats on the realease of The Lost Summer!! :)

Girl Stays In The Picture: A Girl Novel by Melissa De La Cruz

Summary:

If you can’t be a mega-selling teen pop star, maybe you can join her entourage…

Devon—one name only, please—is the latest and jail-bait-est pop star to hit #1 on the Billboard chart and she’s making her big screen debut in Juicy. But after a stint in rehab, the studio isn’t so sure she’s their girl anymore. If they cut any more of her lines, she’ll be a silent film actress! Can Devon regain her star status? She needs to watch her back and make sure that flash doesn’t catch her causing a scene, and we don’t mean the kind you can yell "Cut!" after.

Livia has lost the weight and gained a reputation for attitude in the Hollywood party scene. Her dad’s an Oscar-winning producer, and with a hot Beverly Hills boyfriend on her arm as well as her photos all over the pages of Gossizzle.com, Livia looks like she has a perfect life. But looks can be perfectly deceiving…

And there’s fresh-faced Casey, who left a job bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly to play personal assistant to her best friend...and Devon’s biggest rival. She’s got the biggest crush on the biggest star of the film—a hot Brit known for loving and leaving them. Will Casey stay true to herself while trying to find a place in his universe?

Stars. They’re just like us. But what does that mean for the rest of us? Stay tuned, people.

Review:

At first glance, Girl Stays In The Picture looked like a classic "rich girl" novel. You know what I'm talking about, right? The type of novel that is like a Gossip Girl or The A- List copy cat since it mainly focus on fashion, money, and boys. Though, don't get me wrong I love those type of novels, but unfortunately they seem to lack in two things: reality and substance. Luckily, Girl In The Picture had those type of drama issues but with substance and girls that you could relate to in one way or another.

The characters were one of my favorite parts of this novel. I loved how they all came from different backgrounds and had different problems they had to face each and every day. For example, Devon is the it girl pop star turned almost movie star turned rehab star turned movie star once again. Throughout this novel you got to see her fight to be recognized as a girl who can do anything and succeed, not a trashy star who went to rehab. Another one of the girls' was Cassey whose plan was to act like "assistant" to her best friend, Summer, while Summer worked on her new movie. I really liked how Melissa added the typical girl next door in Cassey because I loved how Cassey would do anything for anyone no matter what they did to her. Lastly, there was Livia who is the daughter of the world famous producer Sol Romero. Though, unlike her famous family, Livia was never one for the stoplight. Well, until she got surgery to make her skinny and as she thinks more "likable." Because of this, I was constantly rooting for Cassey to realize that she had something special going for her, her love of writing, and wasn't just anther former over weight girl who would fade into the background.

The plot was another high point. Since, it constantly had twists and turns that dragged you into Girl Stays In The Picture from the start and kept you there. Melissa De La Cruz's writing was also pretty darn good. Plus, I loved how fast it moved even though it had 400+ pages.

The only thing that got me a wee bit angry at this book was the cliffhanger ending because it leaves you on a note that you really didn't expect would happen. Sadly enough, by the looks of Ms. De La Cruz's website, it looks like she hasn't even began work on the next Girl Novel because there is no mention of it at all. Though, no matter how long it takes to get the next one out, I know one thing for sure: I'll definitely be racing out to get it.

Grade: A+

Girl Stays In The Picture: A Girl Novel is now out!

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Summary:

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.

Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobody expected Cam to live, and nobody expected his biological brother, heir to the fairy throne, to die. But both things happened, and now the fairies want Cam back to take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Even as Cam physically changes, becoming more miserable each day, he and Morgan pledge to fool the fairies and stay together forever. But by the time Cam has to decide once and for all what to do, Morgan’s no longer sure what’s best for everyone, or whether her and Cam’s love can weather an uncertain future.

Review:

I seriously had no doubt that I would love this book with all my heart. Though, even with knowing that, I was still surprised at how much I adored this book at the end.

Morgan was a character that was easy to like. She was nice, funny, and thoughtful. Plus, it was fun to see the different problems her psychic abilities brought her. Cam was the same way. I loved his relationship with Morgan and how he would risk being a toadish looking fairy to stay with her till the end. Though, my most favorite was Pip, no doubt about it. I just loved how naive he was about different things to how he had risked his life to protect the people who he was close to.

The plot was actually not that predictable. Throughout, I thought I had it all figured out, but I was pleasantly surprised at the end to see my predictions were off. Since, it brought this whole "wow" reaction to the bittersweet ending that totally worked with the feeling of the book.

Overall, Cyn Balog is one amazing writer that I hope that every teen girl ( and boy, possibly) will have the chance to read her books some day. I look forward to reading her next novel, Sleepless, which will be out in 2010.

Grade: A+

Fairy Tale is now out!

Sidenote: I'm a bit disapointed that they changed the title to Fairy Tale from Fairy Lust in the end. FL would have worked way better with the book even though there is no actions that result from "lust" in the novel. Though, with saying that, I still love the book the same as I would if it was titled Fairy Lust.

Winner of Along For The Ride and a Link to a Cool Contest

The winner is:

Tina from Fantastic Book Review!!

Congrats! I've already sent out an email to you, so be sure to respond in the next 72 hours or I'll have to pick a new winner.

Didn't win? Well, you can always order it from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, Megan Frazer, author of Secrets of Truth and Beauty is have a contest to win two books- Secrets of Truth and Beauty and the winner's choice of one of the following novels:

Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz
Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters
Deadly Little Secret by Lauri Faria Stolarz
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart

You can check out all the details HERE!

Waiting on Wednesday: Week 36

My pick this week is:


Tangled by Carolyn Mackler

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all at Paradise—the resort in the Caribbean, that is—for different reasons, but in Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Over the course of four months, through four voices and four stories, what happened in Paradise will change them all.

In this extraordinary novel, the Printz Honor–winning author brings us her most accomplished work yet. Tangled is a story of the secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love.



My Thoughts or Let's Count The Reasons On Why I Should Have This:

• It's by Carolyn Mackler, do I need a better reason. I really don't think she has had a book published since '07.
• The cover is so pretty.
• The premise sounds interesting. I definitly want to read about the characters secrets, the things they do for love, and the risks they take.
• Daniel Handler ( Lemony Snicket) has nothing but praise for this novel : " Well, there goes your weekend. You’ve just picked up Carolyn Mackler’s Tangled and now you’ll spend the next two days doing nothing but racing through her multilayered novel, following the coincidences and collisions between young people who are thrilled and sad, brave and scared, cracking up and cracking each other up, as they try to figure out who they are and where they’re going. Cancel your plans. You’re not going to want to be anywhere else.”

Tangled will be realeased December 29, 2009.

Some Cool Videos and a Link to an Awesome Contest

Yesterday, I was sent a couple of videos, that I thought you all would love to see to.

The first one is for Impossible by Nancy Werlin which come out in paperback on August 11th. I reviewed this book awhile back and I have to say that if you haven't read this book yet, you're missing out big time. :)



Next. I have one with author Loren Long talking about his upcoming book Otis. Otis is for young children, but this is still an interesting video no less.



Lastly, I have a video about a series I love.



I really can't wait to read Blood Promise. It just looks so good.

Also, there's a great pre-order contest going on for Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse which comes out September 9th.

Here's all the details about it:

BUY BEFORE 9/9/09 and WIN!-- (US ONLY) Any person who pre-orders Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse, and sends their e-receipt or scanned receipt to sbpublicity@sourcebooks.com will be entered into a drawing to win one of the following prizes:

- Personalized first-edition copy of The Farfield Curse (give your copy to a friend!)
- Personalized early reader copy of Book 2
- Personalized Bran Hambric poster
- Half Moon Necklace
- Signed CD of soundtrack
- $25 gift certificate to local bookstore
- Kaleb Nation event at local bookstore (fall 2010)

One entry per book ordered (so as many entries as books ordered). Receipts must be dated prior to pub date – September 9, 2009 and bear the subject heading “Bran Hambric Pre-Order Competition.” Winners to be announced September 30, 2009!

For more info on this book, check out www.BranHambric.com.

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle

Summary:

Growing up in a world of wealth and pastel-tinted entitlement, fifteen-year-old Carly has always relied on the constancy—and authenticity—of her sister, Anna. But when fourteen-year-old Anna turns plastic-perfect-pretty over the course of a single summer, everything starts to change. And there are boys involved, complicating things as boys always do. With warmth, insight, and an unparalleled gift for finding humor even in stormy situations, beloved author Lauren Myracle dives into the tumultuous waters of sisterhood and shows that even very different sisters can learn to help each other stay afloat.

Review:

First off, I have to say how much I adore the cover for this. I love the showing of pictures instead of the actual words, it just draws you in before even noticing who wrote it or what it's about. Second, I heart Lauren Myracle's books, so I was super excited when I saw she had a new one coming out. Anyway, with these two factors, I knew I was going to be reading a fantastic book and I was right.

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks is a mix of romance and the importance of relationships between sisters and friends. Carly and Anna were the typical siblings. Since, while they fought about different things, they still would stand up for the other one no matter what. I loved reading about the little fights they had because they were funny and the sister ship between them was so real. Also, I enjoyed seeing what kind of trouble they would get in with the other main characters such as Vonzelle and Roger.

While this novel had great characters that you could relate to, it was lacking in it's main plot. Since, it was a wee bit predictable most of the time which could make Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks lag on at times. Though, I still loved this novel, nerveless.

Overall, Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks is ducky fantastic! I highly suggest you go pick up this book immediately.

Grade: B+

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks is now out!

*Much thanks to JL for sending me this book! :)

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Summary:

"When all choice is taken from you, life becomes a game of survival."

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons.

Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story -- a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel okay about myself?"

A brilliant achievement from New York Times best-selling author Ellen Hopkins -- who has been called "the bestselling living poet in the country" by mediabistro.com


Review:

Tricks is yet another fast paced and heartbreaking read from Ellen Hopkins that will leave you saying "Wow, what if that happened to me?" at the end.

From the start, you become engrossed in the teens tragic lives with Hopkins prose. At first, I thought it may be a bit hard to follow all five teens lives, though with great character development, each character becomes imprinted in your head by the end. You feel their fears, sadness, hate for the life they have been given, and the happiness they crave for. Throughout Tricks, I was constantly cheering for them to overcome teen prostitution and their demons. So that they could get they desired most: a stable life filled with love.

The plot was intense and well crafted. I was always at the edge of my seat because of the drama and plot twists, I didn't see coming. Plus, I love how Ellen Hopkins isn't one to shy away from scary situations. Since, she always give you the real look at a hard hitting issues with out making it a overdone or a fairy tale that always has a happy ending.

Overall, Tricks is a fantastic and thrilling read that I suggest to older teens who are looking for a great end of summer read. I truly look forward to seeing what issue Hopkins chooses to deal with next.

Grade: A

Tricks will be released August 25, 2009.

* Much thanks to AK at S & S.

In My Mailbox ( 7/13 to 7/ 18)

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

Boyology by Sarah O' Leary Burningham (Paperback/ Apirl 2009/ Chronicle Books)

A crash course in understanding boys Boyology delves into the many mysteries of teen guys dissecting flirting tactics offering dating suggestions and providing tips on forming solid friendships. It's an up-close-and-personal look at boys in their natural habitats with analyses by teen girls and insight from the boys.

Not my usually type of book, but I'll give it a try.


From Contest:

David Inside Out by Lee Bantle

David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he’s a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has “inappropriate” urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems.

In this thoughtful yet searing coming-of-age novel, Lee Bantle offers a raw, honest, and incredibly compelling account of a teenager who learns to accept himself for who he is.

I won this in a contest at Stop, Drop, and Read. It looks really good and Lee Bantle acutally signed it with a little message and everything. :)

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They’ve been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they’re totally hot for each other.

But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam’s awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.

When Morgan demands answers, she’s shocked to discover the source of Cam’s distance isn’t another girl- it’s another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.

I won this in a contest on Fanastic Book Review ( which is a fabolous site, I must say). I already have the ARC verison of this, so maybe I'll be donating it to the library or haivng a contest, I don't know. By the way, did you know this is already in it's THRID printing?!?! Congrats, Cyn.

Bought:

Vacations From Hell by Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Mlynowski

Life's a beach . . . and then you're undead?

in this must-have collection, five of today's hottest writers—Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty), Cassandra Clare (City of Bones), Claudia Gray (Evernight), Maureen Johnson (13 Little Blue Envelopes), and Sarah Mlynowski (Bras & Broomsticks)—tell supernatural tales of vacations gone awry. Lost luggage is only mildly unpleasant compared to bunking with a witch who holds a grudge. And a sunburn might be embarrassing and painful, but it doesn't last as long as a curse. Of course, even in the most hellish of situations, love can thrive. . . .

From light and funny to dark and creepy, these stories have something for everyone. You definitely won't want to leave this collection at home!

I'm so excited about this! I read Love is Hell last Christmas and it was soo good. I adore the "hell" series.

Dark Guardian #2: Full Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

I may be promised to another . . . but thoughts of Rafe consume me. I don't know how much longer I can resist.

Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel—maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey's betrothal to Connor long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Connor will be final—no turning back. She should be happy . . . so why can't she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?

When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Connor and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death?

This looks really good and I love the cover.

Unclaimed Heart by Kim Wilkins

The rules for a young English woman in 1799 are simple: Do what you’re told; stay out of the way; and don’t, under any circumstances, ask questions.

But Constance Blackchurch is insatiable, headstrong, and complex; and the quest to find her missing mother is too much to resist…

…as is Alexandre Sans-Nom, the pearl diver who steals her heart, uproots all of her social expectations, and can either ruin or save the family she loves.

Ooh, I can't wait to read this, it looks fantastic. Plus, I love historical fiction romances.

Overall: I had a great week bookwise!

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

Summary:

Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginning…

When Emily Carson’s parents die in a plane crash, she’s left with nothing but her mother’s last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: “Emily, please forgive me.”

Now it’s fall and Emily moves to New York City— where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.

Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, Lipstick Apology is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness.

Review:

Before even seeing the summary for this book, I just knew from the cover that I was going to be in for quite the amazing of rides.

Lipstick Apology ( Awesome title, right?) was heartbreaking while still being a heartwarming read. I just loved the story Jennifer created in this book. The plot contained a new and fresh idea. I seriously don't think I've ever see a book that dealt with a mysterious message left in lipstick, have you? Another rewarding quality of the story was that it was fast paced and filled with twists that you didn't see coming. Plus, most of the situations Emily, Trent, and Jolie got in brought out several LOL moments.

Emily was a fabulous main character, I thought. Yes, she did have her breakdowns and freakish moments, though what can you say when her parents just died. I loved how she was always looking out for the underdogs in her posh private school. Lastly, I really liked the two love interests Jennifer gave Emily. Owen was the typical spoiled but hot rich boy and Anthony was the sweet guy from Brooklyn with a heart of gold. I was always jumping from team Anthony to Owen to Anthony again. Though in the end, I loved Anthony the best because there was just something so sweet and innocent about him.

Overall, Lipstick Apology was a fantastic debut by Mrs. Jabaley. I serioulsy can't wait to read more by her.

Grade: A+

Lipstick Apology is now out! 

Project Sweet Life by Brent Hartinger

Summary:

For most kids, fifteen is the year of the optional summer job: Sure, you can get a job if you really want one, but it isn't required or anything. Too bad Dave's dad doesn't agree! Instead of enjoying long days of biking, swimming, and sitting around, Dave and his two best friends are being forced by their fathers into a summer of hard labor.

The friends have something else in mind, though: Not only will they not work over the summer, but they're determined to trick everyone into believing they really do have jobs. So what if the lifeguard doesn't have a tan or the fast-food worker isn't bringing home buckets of free chicken? There's only one problem: Dave's dad wants evidence that his son is actually bringing in money. And that means Dave, Curtis, and Victor will have to get some . . . without breaking the law and without doing any work!

Project Sweet Life is designed for the funny and lazy bone in all of us—a true comedy of errors (without any effort!) from seasoned storyteller Brent Hartinger.

Review:

I have to admit that I was a bit weary when I began Project Sweet Life mostly because it was being narrated by a boy named Dave. As you may have noticed already, most of the books I tend to read are narrated by girls, so in reading this I was expecting a big change of tone. Though, by the end, I came to enjoy reading about Dave and his friends, and more importantly I came to love Project Sweet Life which was just as sweet as the title.

The characters were probably my favorite part. I loved how Brent created three very different guys in Victor, Dave, and Curtis. You see Victor was the typical goody two shoes who did what he was told and didn't think otherwise while Curtis was a type of boy who told lies or as he called it " avoided the truth." And Dave? Well, he was in between, since he was kind of a mix of the two. Anyway, I loved the dialogue and friendship between them. Plus, they got into plenty of funny situations. My only problems was that they seemed to be a bit immature at times, though now that I think about it most boys mature differently then girls.

The plot and writing were also well done. Project Sweet Life was filled with twists and turns and you were constantly rooting for them to find a way to get the 7,000 dollars they needed to trick their parents.

While Project Sweet Life was my first time reading a Brent Hartinger, it certainly won't be my last. This is definitely recommend.

Grade: A-

Project Sweet Life is now out. Also, if this seems interesting to you, you can browse the first three chapters here.

* Much thanks goes to Brent for sharing his fantastic novel with me! :)

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Summary:

Some bonds can never be broken...

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

Review:

It's as simple as this: I adored this book!

Ms. Weiner definitely knows how to pack a plot full of surprises and turns that you didn't see coming. As I read Best Friends Forever, there was constantly several questions in my head. Such as "What happened in high school that hurt Addie and Val's friendship?" or " Would Val and Addie overcome their struggles and become friends again?" All these questions lead to me to race through this sweet and addicting read in less then one day!

Addie was a character that I loved and was rooting for the whole time. Since, she was a sweet an funny girl who just need to find where she wanted to be in life. Also, I loved how she took care of her brother, Jon, and didn't just run away from him after the accident. Val, on the other hand was a bit hard to like. Because, as you continued to read Best Friends Forever, you began to find out some things that didn't make her look like that great of a person. Though, as the story went on and I began to like her a bit more, I started to understand her actions. Leaving me to come to a good place with her by the end. Last but not least, I adored Jordan. He was a loyal and great guy who had a heart of gold in hiding. Throughout, I was hoping that he would come to his senses and admit his feelings for Addie.

Overall, Best Friends Forever is a book that I can say nothing but fantastic things about. I look forward to reading Jennifer's previous books as well as her future ones.

Grade: A+

Side Note: While this novel is aimed towards adults, it still has a crossover appeal because of the flashbacks of Addie and Val's teen years.

Best Friends Forever is now out in a hardcover and I definitely suggest you give it a try!

Quick Q and A's with Jennifer Sturman

Jennifer Sturman is author of several mysterious for Adults as well as And Then Everything Unraveled which is now available everywhere!

~~~~~~~~~~~

1) And Then Everything Unraveled is your latest book. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

UNRAVELED is part mystery, part romance, and part what-do-you-do-when-your-entire-life-comes-apart-at-the-seams. Here’s the official description from the book jacket:

Delia Truesdale has no idea her life’s about to change forever. She’s too busy enjoying the California summer. Her Internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing.

That is, until everything unravels. Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she’s dead — except Delia, who knows T.K.’s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia’s still sent to New York to live with her two aunts — a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen. And in case that’s not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.

As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.’s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy ... and that some secrets — especially the dangerous ones — were never meant to be unraveled.


2) What inspired you to write And Then Everything Unraveled? Did something similar happen to you?

Sadly, my life is pretty dull compared to Delia’s! The inspiration for UNRAVELED was one of my favorite books, Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis. It’s about a boy who’s orphaned and sent to live with his madcap aunt in New York in the 1920s, and it’s a fabulous read – incredibly comic but also moving without being cloying. So thinking about how a situation like that would play out today was my starting point, but from there I began throwing in other bits and pieces drawn from what’s going on in the world today (i.e., global warming, energy crises) and from people I know (i.e., my mother, who loves her label maker even more than Delia’s mother loves hers, my friend who dresses a lot like Delia’s aunt Charley). And I kept adding and mixing and eventually I ended up with a story...

3) All of your previous novels have been aimed at the Adult market, so why switch to Young Adult for And Then Everything Unraveled? Also, did you notice any big differences in writing for Young Adults then Adults?

I love reading YA books, and a surprising number of the readers of my adult books were teens, so writing a YA seemed like a natural next step. The most significant differences in the writing were the age of the heroine and how that ended up shaping character and plot. The fundamentals that drive people — things like love, family, ambition — aren’t that different across age groups — but a teenager has constraints that an adult doesn’t, in terms of the ability to make and act on her own decisions and the lack of experience she has to inform those decisions. So there’s a different set of obstacles for her to navigate, but so much is new and fresh, too, which makes it especially fun to write.

4) If you could pick a theme song for And Then Everything Unraveled, what would be? Why?

If I had to pick just one, it would be “This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads. It’s about looking for home and finding it in a person rather than a place — sort of poignant and joyful at the same time.


5) What is one of your favorite things about being an author? Least favorite?

Writing is one of the few things I’ve done that can truly take me out of myself. You get caught up in the characters and what they’re thinking and feeling and how that moves them to act, and the next thing you know a lot of time has passed but in a very absorbing and satisfying way. As for least favorite — I think Edna St. Vincent Millay put it best: “A person who publishes a book appears willfully in public with his pants down.”


6) I’m always looking for new books to read. So, what are some of your favorite authors and books?

This is always a tough one — I’m not good at choices! However, to name a few by genre:

Classics: pretty much anything by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edith Wharton
Charm/humor: Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle; Auntie Mame and The Joyous Season by Patrick Dennis
YA: Bad Kitty and Kitty Kitty by Michele Jaffe
Mystery: Elizabeth George’s Linley series, Dennis Lehane’s Patrick Kenzie series, Lawrence Block’s Scudder series
Historical romance: Philippa Gregory, Anya Seton

7) Since, summer is around the corner. Can you share with us one of your favorite summer memories?

Spending an entire day outside (ideally floating on a raft in a pool) doing nothing but reading. It still is my favorite way to spend a summer day, though now I’m much more conscientious about sunscreen.


8) What’s next for you? A sequel to And Then Everything Unraveled perhaps? ( *crosses fingers*)

Yes, there will be a sequel! And Then I Found Out the Truth takes up where Unraveled left off, so please stay tuned!

Ooh, I'm soooo excited!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much Jennifer!

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 35

My pick this week is:

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.

My Thoughts or Let's Count The Reasons On Why I Should Have This:

1) I love the new cover a ton.
2) Kristina's a 2009 Debutante!!
3) The premise sounds quite interesting.
4) Ooh, and that small pumpkin spice latte in the summary sounds really good. I wonder if I could get one of those at my local coffee shop. :)

The Esspressologist shall be released on October 27th 2009 by Farrar Straus Giroux.

Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Summary:

After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I’m always in the background . . .

But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who’s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway . . .

Review:

The D.J Schwenk series has been one that I've been following since Dairy Queen came out in '06. After finishing each one, I eagerly waited for the next one to come out. So, when I got the chance to read an early copy of the finale to the trilogy, I was so excited.

Front and Center was probably my favorite yet. Each character, no matter how big or small, grew in someway by the end. Also, this book was always packed with drama, surprises that you didn't see coming, and suspense.

DJ is one of my favorite YA female protagonists, if not my favorite. I love how she never lets anything bring her down and doesn't stop till she reaches the top. Plus, even with all the confidence she has, and she has plenty, she still feels scared at times which made her come out in a very realistic way. Brian is the character that actions in the previous books made you wonder if you should love or hate him. Since even though DJ and him are made for each other he always manages to break her heart in one way or anther. Luckily in Front and Center he ends up growing up majorly which could possibly mean a second chance of love with DJ? Well, I'm not going to tell you the answer, your just going to have to read and find out for yourself.

Another thing I loved about this book was how the secondary characters were very prominent even though the main focus wasn't on them. Since, each brought a laugh or simile to my face at least once in the story.

Lastly, it seems like Catherine's writing grows greatly with each book she writes making Front and Center her best yet. I truly can't wait to see where her talent leads her next.

Overall, Front and Center was a fantastic end to a terrific series. I'm certainly going to miss reading about DJ, Win, Brian, Bill, Curtis, and the rest of the gang.

I highly suggest you pick this up when it's released. Plus, if you haven't yet started this series, what are you waiting for?? :)

Grade: A+

Front and Center will be released October 19, 2009.

* Much thanks KW for sending me an e-galley of this! :)

The Lost Summer by Kathryn Williams

Summary:

"I died one summer, or I almost did. Part of me did. I don't say that to be dramatic, only because it's true."

For the past nine years, Helena Waite has been returning to summer camp at Southpoint. Every year the camp and its familiar routines, landmarks, and people have welcomed her back like a long-lost family member. But this year she is returning not as a camper, but as a counselor, while her best friend, Katie Bell remains behind. All too quickly, Helena discovers that the innocent world of campfires, singalongs, and field days have been pushed aside for late night pranks on the boys' camp, skinny dipping in the lake, and stolen kisses in the hayloft. As she struggles to define herself in this new world, Helena begins to lose sight of what made camp special and the friendships that have sustained her for so many years. And when Ransome, her longtime crush, becomes a romantic reality, life gets even more confusing.

Told with honesty and heart, Kathryn Williams' second novel tackles the timeless theme of growing up, set at a camp where innocence is created and lost.

Review:

I don't know about you, but I adore camp themed books. Maybe it's because I've never really gone to a true sleep away camp ( I'm not too found of nature, so I have no clue what I would do if I did go to camp every summer like Helena does) or beacuse I love summer.

The Lost Summer was a pretty decent book that I enjoyed a ton. I loved the descriptions of the camp actives all of them partake in to how we see what different things the counselors do "after hours".

The characters were for the most part well developed. Helena was probably one of my favorites. Though, Katie Bell was one that I wished would disappear for most of the book. Since at times most of her actions and decisions seemed a bit... childish. Luckily, towards the end of the book, I began to like her because I saw what a great friend she was to Helena. Another thing I disliked about this book was Roger. I really didn't see what Helena saw attractive about him. He smoked tobacco, for goodness sake, leaving him to spit out random sprints of black goo at times. I mean seriously what is so hot about that?? I really just don't understand.

The Lost Summer was mostly a coming of age book that dealt with finding out who your true friends are while experiencing romantic relationships and making good chooses in the end. This left the plot to be interesting and overall keep you engaged in the book.

Overall, The Lost Summer was my first Kathryn Williams book, but it certainly won't be my last. :)

I suggest this to fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti.

Grade: B-

The Lost Summer will be released July 14!

* Much thanks to Kathryn as well as her team at Disney Publishing Worldwide for hooking me up with a copy of this.

Teenreads.com 2009 Reader Survey

Do want to win one book out 775? Well, Teenreads is hosting there annual Reader Survey on their website, where if you participate you get entered to win a book out of a 27 available titles. This includes Catching Fire (!!!!), Shiver (!!!), and plenty of other drool worthy books.

In the survey teens will be asked some of the following questions:

-How often they buy books and where they shop
-How often they visit the library and/or take out books
-What kinds of books they are interested in reading
-Who and what influence their reading selections
-How they feel about required summer reading
-What they think about eBooks and digital reading devices
-What their other media habits are

The survey can be found here. It will take an estimated 15 minutes. Also, this survey will be closed on August 31 and is open to the world. Though, only participants from the US or Canada can win the chance of getting a new book.