Contest for Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

In celebration of Sarah Dessen's #1 New York Times debut for Along For The Ride, Penguin is donating a copy of it to be given away here on Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf!

First off, here's the summary:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

Dosen't that sound great?

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 commenting on my review for this.
+3 for posting a link to this contest somewhere on the Internet ( blog, Myspace, Twitter, ex.)
+1 for adding me to your blogroll

Ends:

July 15 at midnight Eastern time!

Good Luck!! Also, this is US only, sorry international readers.

Sidenote: If you would like to double your chances of winning, go over to Sarah Land ( the community for Sarah Dessen fans) where you can not only win a copy for yourself, but for a friend too!

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Summary:

From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

Review:

Coffeehouse Angel was one sweet and heavenly read that I absolutely adored!

Katrina is a character that all can truly relate to because of her money issues to how she can't figure out what she wants to do in life. This provides the reader to like her from the start. Malcolm was another top notch character, one that you could definitely swoon for. I loved how he always would use the phrase " wee bit" to how he never gave up on Katrina. Another thing I adored about this novel was how Suzanne created the supporting characters ( Katina's Grandma, townspeople, Vincent, Elizabeth) in a way that you could fully understand who they were and what they wanted along with their funny quirks.

The plot flowed smoothly and always provided for a surprise or two throughout making this a quick read.

Overall, Coffeehouse Angel is a fantastic book to end your summer with. I look forward to reading Suzanne's past books along with her future ones!

Grade: A+

Coffeehouse Angel will be released July 21st, 2009!

Update: It come out July 21st not August! Sorry.

* Much thanks goes to AD for sending me this!

In My Mailbox ( 6/22 to 6/27)

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:

Devoured by Amanda Marrone (ARC/ September 2009/ Simon Pulse)

Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.

Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who?

This looks so good! I absoulty love the cover.

Hollywood Is like High School with Money by Zoey Dean ( Paperback/ July 23rd 2009/ Grand Central Publishing)

Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. But when her catty coworkers trick her into almost getting fired, she realizes that the old saying "Hollywood is like school with money" just may be true. The thing is, Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school-how is she supposed to do any better the second time around?

That's when she meets her boss's popular sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn, and has an epiphany: maybe this teenager can teach her how to use her queen bee tactics to succeed in the Hollywood popularity contest. Quinn comes up with a plan to teach Taylor one lesson a week-everything from "Fake it 'til you make it" to "It's *never* your fault"--and soon Taylor finds herself winning the war against rival assistant Kylie. Until, that is, she's directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, and something happens that's not in the game plan: Taylor falls for the guy. Now she must do the impossible-- harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself.

I enjoyed Privileged by her, so I can't wait to read this one!

The Bought:

Giving Up The V by Serena Robar ( Paperback/ June 2009/ Simon Pulse)

Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought.

Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy?

My sister and I convinced my parents to take us to a mall an hour and a half away while on vacation just because it had a Barnes and Noble. lol. Anyway, I ended up with a copy of this and I can't wait to read it. Plus, I wanted to add, that the B and N I went to was one of the nicest ones I've been too. It even signed books by a couple of popular YA authors which I thought was sooo cool.

From The Library:

Girl Stays in the Picture (The Jet Set Chronicles) by Melissa de la Cruz ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Simon Pulse)

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.

I've heard some great things about this.

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Harper Teen)

The bestselling authors of The Nanny Diaries introduce a new heroine to root for: Jesse O'Rourke, coffee barista, high school senior, and unwitting reality TV star.

Imagine there was never a Laguna Beach, a Newport Harbor, the shimmering Hills. Imagine that your hometown—your school—is the first place XTV descends to set up cameras.

Now imagine they've trained them on you.

When Jesse O'Rourke gets picked for a "documentary" being filmed at her school in the Hamptons she's tempted to turn down the offer. But there's a tuition check attached to being on the show, and Jesse needs the cash so she can be the first in her family to attend college. All she has to do is trade her best friend for the glam clique she's studiously avoided, her privacy for a 24/7 mike, and her sense of right and wrong for "what sells on camera." . . . At least there's one bright spot in the train wreck that is her suddenly public senior year: Jesse's crush has also made the cast.

As the producers manipulate the lives of their "characters" to heighten the drama, and Us Weekly covers become a regular occurrence for Jesse, she must struggle to remember one thing: the difference between real and the real real.

This looks great!

Touch by Francine Prose ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Harper Teen)

What really happened at the back of the bus?

Did they, or didn't they?

Did she, or didn't she?

Something happened to fourteen-year-old Maisie Willard—something involving her three friends, all boys. But their stories don't match, and the rumors spin out of control. Then other people get involved . . . the school, the parents, the lawyers. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie's life and the talk of the school, and, horribly, it becomes news. With just a few words and a touch, the kids and their community are changed forever.

From nationally acclaimed author Francine Prose comes an unforgettable story about the difficulties of telling the truth, the consequences of lying, and the most dangerous twist of all—the possibility that you yourself will come to believe something that you know isn't true.

This looks so good!

Well, that's it for this lovely week! Oh, and just so you all know, I'm officaly back from vacation! So, yay!! lol

Some Great Summer Reads!

Are you looking for some fantastic reads to occupy your summer? Well, look no further than Penguins new Darken Your Days website which features books from You Are So Undead To Me to Strange Angles to the Vampire Academy series.

Also, here are some cool videos I was sent this past week:

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Tenth Grade Bleeds Trailer:



Darken Your Summer Days Trailer:

Inspired Friday with Suzanne Crowley

Suzanne Crowley is the author of The Stolen One which will be released on June 30.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I grew up with fascinating stories of my ancestors. There was the bishop on my father’s side who came over to America from England three times in the seventeenth century, outlived several wives, and lived to be a ripe old age of 97! On my mother’s side we can boast of a relative who came over on the Mayflower, an American revolutionary war hero, James Gray, who fought along with his father and uncle for America’s Independence, and a great grandfather who was a rough rider with Teddy Roosevelt.

But it was James Gray’s ancestor, Lady Jane Grey, the tragic queen of nine days, who intrigued me the most as a girl. What little girl wouldn’t be fascinated with a young queen, a teenager, forced to take the throne and marry a boy she did not love? As a teenager myself, I toured the Tower of London and saw the spot where she was beheaded. This was something I didn’t soon forget.

It began a lifelong obsession with the Tudors. I read as many books as I could on the era including anything by Lady Antonia Fraser and Allison Weir. Henry the VIII and his poor wives and later Queen Elizabeth provided endless hours of entertainment. I loved the intrigue, the romance, the riches, the jewels, the heatrtbreak, and in some cases, the horror. It all made my heart go pitter-patter. Somewhere along the way I came across a little bit of mystery that never received more than a sentence or two. But it was enough to plant a seed.

When I received the contract for my first novel, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous, my agent got me a two-book deal. “Do you have an idea for a second book?” she asked me on the phone when she called with the news. I was groggy from bone graft surgery on my gum. “Ummm, yea I thinks so,” I mumbled. But as soon as I got off the phone, I quickly forgot about the pain I was in and ran to the computer. I typed up a one paragraph synopsis of the mystery I had read about so many years ago. I sent it off to my agent to forward to my new editor.

A year and a half later when my first book came out, I finally sat down to write the story that had been simmering in my head for many years, inspired by a very distant relative who lived centuries ago. It became “The Stolen One.” Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks so much, Suzanne! :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 32

My pick this week is:

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Brooklyn can’t sleep.

Her boyfriend, Lucca died a year ago, and now their friend Gabe has died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there, waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca chasing her through her dreams.

Nico can’t stop. He’s always running, trying so hard not to feel the pain of missing Lucca. But when he begins receiving messages from his dead brother, telling him to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Brooklyn and Nico will discover just how deeply they need each other and what it truly means to move on.

Why I Want This/ My Thoughts:

• It's has stunning cover.
• I loved Lisa previous book, I Heart You, You Haunt Me, and Ava from that book makes a appearance. YAY!!
• It sounds really interesting, too.

Chasing Brooklyn comes out January 5, 2010.

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

Summary:

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips…conks her head…and wakes up in the year 1815!

There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?

More Cabot than Ibbotson, Prada and Prejudice is a high-concept romantic comedy about finding friendship and love in the past in order to have happiness in the present.

Review:

When I won Prada and Prejudice in a contest a couple of months ago I was ecstatic. Since, it was a combination of three of my favs: Prada, Time Travel, and Regency England Times. Luckily, it was a sweet book that I adored.

Callie was someone I could relate to because I'm a geek in Science and Math, too, a girl who says what on my mind at any time, and a complete klutz. This all made me like Callie from the start which lead me to constantly cheer for her throughout the story. Getting to the topic of Alex, I absolutely loved him. He was funny and mysterious which made me fall for him throughout the story, though he could be bit of a jerk at times. The other main characters like Emily and Victoria were also great additions to the story.

Mandy's writing and plot development was decent. Though, there was one thing she was lacking on big time: buildup. It seemed like once you got used to the modern time Callie you were sent back in time and when you got comfortable with that you were sent back to modern times for the ending in a quick 214 pages. I would have loved to see more foreshadowing and build up, because it would have allowed Prada and Prejudice to bloom into an even better book.

Overall, Prada and Prejudice is a great read for a sunny day of lying around. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mandy has up next because she is yet another fabulous 2009 debutante.

Grade: B

Prada and Prejudice is now out in paperback.

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell and Contest!!

Summary:

Dork Diaries follows eighth grader Nikki Maxwell as she chronicles through text and sketches her move to a snooty new school; her epic battle wither her mom for an iPhone; her enthusiasm for drawing and art; and a love/hate fascination with the new school's queen bee, a girl named Mackenzie, who becomes Nikki's rival a school wide art competition. Nikki writes about friendships, crushes, popularity, and family with a unique and fresh voice that still conveys a universal authenticity. Nikki's sketches throughout her diary and add humor and spunk to the book, a surefire hit with tween girls.

Review:

Dork Diaries is one of the cutest and most hilarious middle grade novels I have read in a while.

Nikki Maxwell was an extremely funny protagonist. Her takes on life always provided for laugh or two. Plus, Dork Diaries is told completely in diary entries and sketch drawings making me think that she could be the next Princess Mia, well with out being a princess. The other characters were nice additions, also. Though, they seemed a bit like cookie cuter cutouts because there was the typical mean girl, the two dweeby best friends, and the cool but nerdy guy that Nikki wanted to be with.

The plot was basic and a bit predictable, but with Nikki's humor it quickly became a fast read that I adored. I truly hope there is going to be a second book because it was sad to let Nikki and her posse go at the end.

Overall, Dork Diaries is the perfect read any girl looking for Meg Cabot like writer and a new series to become addicted to. I look forward to reading more by Rachel.

Grade: B+

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell is now out!

Also, check out the cute Dork Diaries artwork Rachel sent me!

Ha ha, I love it! :)

Okay, so now on to the supper awesome giveaway.

Do you want to win your own copy of Dork Diaries along with some very cool swag, well look no further because what is pictured above is what you shall win.

How To Enter:

Leave a comment on this post along with a email address if you don't have a blogger profile.

Extra Entries:

+4 for following/ subscribing to my blog
+2 for becoming a follower/ subscriber to my blog
+3 for posting a link to this contest somewhere on the Internet ( blog, Myspace, Twitter, ex.)
+1 for adding me to your blogroll

Ends:

June 30th at midnight Eastern time.

In My Mailbox ( 6/ 15 to 6/ 20)

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:

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard ( ARC/ January 2010/ Viking)

Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept

Ooh, my first review copy for 2010. Isn't that exciting? Anyway, this book looks fabulous.

Cast The First Stone by Gwendolyn DeRosa ( Paperback)

"Dear Dad, I’m 12 years old today. I try but I can’t remember what you look like anymore. I asked Donna for a picture of you but she said that Gramma burned them all…”

And so begins the compelling and brutally honest tale of Denny Stone and her best friend, Haley Fisher. Cast the First Stone is a first novel that is as humorous as it is bittersweet. This unique "coming-of-age" tale set in dreary, small-town Oklahoma, stars Denny Stone, a feisty girl with a sharp tongue and a taste for rum & Coke. Fiercely independent, she typifies the rebel in all of us – constantly redefining herself within the confines of her Podunk existence. By contrast, her best friend Haley is soft-spoken and timid – inexplicably trapped in the role of matriarch with her ever-growing, poverty-stricken family. They struggle with their emerging sexuality, social status, spirituality and family. As Denny plans her escape to California, Haley draws further inward, seeking out God and testing the limits of friendship and loyalty, leaving one burning question: who will cast the first stone?

Not a huge fan of the cover, though it sounds interesting.

From Contest:

Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson ( ARC/ Jaunary 2009/ Random House)

After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan’s emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum’s designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum’s exclusive circle, Lucy Raleigh. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.

Back at school, groundskeeper Jase is hoping to take Scarlett’s mind off her troubles with some heart-stopping kisses. Scarlett can’t help but feel guilty for indulging in romantic rendezvous when she should be hunting down Dan’s killer. However, once Scarlett finds out how Lucy is connected to Dan, she knows she must drop everything and travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland to hunt for more clues. But when she arrives, Scarlett becomes the target of a dangerous hunt herself.

I liked the first one, Kiss Me Kill Me, a ton. So, I can't wait to read this one. Plus, I heart the cover.

Overall, I pretty decent week that will allow me to catch up my huge TBR Pile which seems to only be getting bigger not smaller. :)

Winners and an Announcement!!

First off the winners are as listed below:

A Sweet Disorder: Emily ( That One Girl Emily)

One Lonely Degree: Steph Su ( Steph Su Reads)

After The Moment: Megan ( The Book Geek)

Congrats you three!! :) For those of you who didn't win, I've have a very awesome contest coming up, so be sure to look out for it!

Now for the announcement.

I'm going to be in North Carolina all of next week ( Sunday to Saturday). So, you'll be seeing little of me around blogging world. Also, for the winners I won't be mailing your books out till after I get back. Sorry! I will still be able to check my email on my cell ( providing that I have service), so I'll sure to reply if the email requires an immediate reply, if not it's waiting until I get home. Though, if there is some type of computer at the hotel I'm staying at I will be checking up on my blog and those emails I didn't reply too. Anyway, I do have a few posts planned ( and a surprise!) next week, though nothing too big.

So, goodbye for now! I'll shall see you all next week! :)

* Why yes that is Chimney Rock, which I will be walking up when in NC. What don't look so surprised. :) lol

Ash by Malinda Lo

Summary:

In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, re-reading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love—and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief. (from Author's website)

Review:

Wow, Ash is one of the most impressive debuts I've ever read.

Ash is one of those characters that you can't help but love from the start. Since, you are over taken by her sad childhood to her love for all things fairies. Throughout, I was cheering for her to leave her overbearing stepmother, so that she could find a life to call her own. Kaisa, the King's Huntress, was also a unique and well developed character. I loved watching Kaisa and Ash's relationship bloom from the middle to end. Since, they were both so cute with each other. Plus, I admired that their love for one another was true and would never be anything but.

The plot was anther favorite of mine. I loved how it was based of Cinderella because I absolutely adored that book and movie when I was little. Also, I liked how Malinda added the whole fairy aspect into it. Since, it was interesting seeing how the fairy tales and magic stories had been passed down from generation to generation. Lastly, even though, I kind of knew what was going to happen form the start, I was still surprised when different things happened, making me think that Malinda Lo has true and unique talent.

One last thing I want to add, is how I admired Ash. Ash could have been a weak duckling, a girl that did everything her stepmother asked and did nothing to stop it. Though, Ash was everything but that. She went above the limit to get the life she wanted, including the prince, or princess in her cause. She never cared what people thought, since all she wanted was a life and love that would make her happy, which is that really maters in the end. It doesn't matter what you have or if your rich as long as you are happy being who you are. So, therefor, I give Malinda Lo props for the amazing main character that we have in Ash. I couldn't have asked for a better or stronger protagonist.

Overall, Ash is definitely a must read for the 2009 fall season. Malinda is fresh new talent and I look forward to reading more by her in the near future, hopefully.

I suggest this to fans of Fairy Tales or anyone just looking for yet anther amazing 2009 debutante book!

Grade: A+

Ash will be released September 1, 2009.

* Much thanks to AM for sending me this! :)

Waiting on Wednesday: Week 31

My pick this week is:

Beautiful by Amy Reed

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.
Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

My thoughts/ Why I Want This:

This looks so good! I love these type of good girl gone bad types of novel.

Beautiful by Amy Reed comes out in October 2009.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Summary:

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her? (from Amazon)


Review:

Strange Angels was a thrilling start to a new urban fantasy series by Lili St. Crow.

At first, I wasn't a big fan of Dru and I'm not completely sure why. Maybe because of her contestant moaning over her dad not coming home or how she was so mean to Graves in the beginning. Though, as the novel progressed I came in awe of her humor and witty comebacks to how she would do anything to keep Graves and Christophe safe. My favorite character though was probably the sweet and sensitive Graves, as I'm sure yours will be too.

The plot was something new and one that I was glad to see. It was interesting finding out about the wolfen, suckers, and zombies to how the night world worked. I look forward to seeing how Lili will progress with this world in upcoming books. Also, I loved the fighting/ kicking butt part of this novel because it brought suspense to Strange Angels.

My only problem? Well at times Strange Angels got a little too wordy leaving me to become disinterested every once in a while. Also, I felt that with this fault, it left for the novel to become a bit confusing.

Overall, Strange Angels is definitely a novel that I suggest to fans of the Vampire Academy series who are looking for a great new read. I look forward to reading the second novel, Betrayals, which comes out November 2009.

Grade: B

Strange Angels is now out everywhere.

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

Traveling to Teens Tour for It's Not You, It's Me

Traveling To Teens Tours are a way for us bloggers to get the word out about fantastic upcoming novels, that may be a great add to what you are currently reading.

It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann!

Author Bio:

Kerry Cohen Hoffmann received an MFA in creative writing from the University of Oregon and an MA in counseling psychology from Pacific University. A practicing psychotherapist and the author of the young adult novel Easy, she lives with her husband and two sons in Portland, Oregon.

Review:

Summary:

Funny and touching—this is a heartfelt breakup story.

Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back—at any cost.

Zoe’s two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants. The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann’s humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back—herself.

Review:

Raise of hands, how many of you have ever been told "It's not you, it's me" during a break up? I bet lots, because this seems to be a popular break up line. One that's used at the end of Zoe and Henry's budding relationship, a relationship that Zoe thought was going to last forever.

It's Not You, It's Me starts out just when things between Zoe and Henry are going bad. Soon, they are broken up leaving Zoe to go into a serious stage of depression. Zoe is a believable character since she has all the feelings a girl who's been dumped has; sadness, worry, doubt, and wonder. Leaving her to come out in a way that you feel sorry for her. Though, unfortunately, this sorrow turns into semi hatred when Zoe comes up with a plan to get Henry back. I'm sorry but I personally felt that Zoe was WAY too codependent on Henry. It was like that without him she couldn't live because her grades dropped, her friendships suffered, and she went a bit crazy ( correction: Majorly Crazy) . Making it hard to get through this light read. Though, the other main characters made it somewhat better.

The plot kind of went around it one big circle. Since, for most of the book, Zoe was coming up with a way to get Henry back, does plan, plan doesn't work, and then she starts over. Leaving this to lather, rinse, and repeat a bit too much for my liking. Though, don't get me wrong, it was a semi decent book, but it wasn't for me.

Overall, I really don't suggest It's Not You, It's Me to anyone. Though, if you think you'll like it, then go ahead and read it.

Grade: D

It's Not You, It's Me is now out.

* Much thanks goes to the people at Random House for this book! :)

In My Mailbox: Week 30

For Review:

Secret Society by Tom Dolby ( ARC/ Harper Collins/ September 2009)

Do you ever wonder how some people have it so easy? The best schools, the hottest parties, the priciest clothes, the easiest jobs?

Maybe it’s not because they work hard or get a lucky break every once in a while.

Maybe it’s because they’re part of a secret club. A secret society.

Phoebe and Nick and Lauren didn’t ask to be society members. They already had it pretty good at New York’s exclusive Chadwick Prep. But after they heard—were assured—of success and ease beyond belief, they say yes to everything. Even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown. And the ankh-shaped tattoo they’re forced to get on the nape of their necks.

The instant they become members, everything falls into place. Nick gets a club gig. Lauren’s jewelry designs are a hit. Phoebe has her own gallery show. It’s all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park. With no distinguishing marks...except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

You can read my review of this here.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter ( ARC/ Harlequin Teen/ September 2009)

There’s something about the new guy at Crossroads High . . .

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can tell the future.
And one can possess another human.

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now, they’re causing him all kinds of trouble.

Like, he’ll blink and suddenly he’s a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he’ll change the future. Or, he’ll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she’s going to die.

He’s so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, for as long as he’s with her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He’s a loner; she has friends. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it’s too late. . .

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist. Two romances, both forbidden. . . doomed. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger. . . but not everyone will come out alive. . .

This looks fantastic. Plus, the guy on the cover is kind of cute. lol


Troy High by Shana Norris ( ARC/Amulet Books/ August 2009)

Homer's Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High.

Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena- who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders- transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie's brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.

The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans' wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans' offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and the loyalty to her family and school.

I can't wait to read this!

If You Live Like Me by Lori Webber ( Paperback/ Lobster Press/ April 2009)

A city girl’s concept of “home” is turned upside down when her father’s anthropology research relocates them to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Before her plane even touches down in Newfoundland, Cheryl is already plotting her escape. She knows life on “the rock” will be no better than it was in the other places she’s been forced to live ever since her parents launched their cross-Canada tour. The unwilling spectator of her father’s morbid fascination with “dying cultures,” Cheryl has seen more than her fair share of towns so depressing they could haunt your dreams. His need to study the defunct fishing industry in St. John’s is Cheryl’s breaking point – this city girl is more determined than ever to get back to the concrete, the buzz, and the bright lights of Montreal.

Will Cheryl’s cold, goth exterior and her refusal to embrace a new life cut her off from those who love her? Lori Weber once again proves herself to be a masterful storyteller, this time challenging the idea of home, and what holds families and communities together. If You Live Like Me explores the bonds that form in strange and unexpected ways, and shows how letting go can lead to the strongest connections of all.

This looks like it's going to be good!

Contest:

Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti

Derek
Friendly and popular
Style: Cali surfer boy
Awesome at flirting
Future career: landscape architect
Boyfriend potential: high

Nash
Shy but sweet
Style: totally geeked out
Only talks to girls when absolutely necessary
Future career: robotics engineer
Boyfriend potential: none

Derek is clearly the boy Marisa's been waiting for, but there's just one problem. He has a girlfriend. Nash is wrong for Marisa, but he wants to take care of her. As if life wasn't complicated enough, Marisa's also dealing with overcoming a major problem from her past, a family that's falling apart, and a best friend who won't stop talking to sketchy guys online. Only the anonymous DJ, who has the school's ear with his underground podcasts, seems to get what Marisa's going through. But she has no idea who he is - or does she?

Oooh, I LOVED this novel!! Plus, this copy of it is signed by Susane which is so cool.

I think I shall say I had a pretty good week. Agreed? lol

Geek Girls Guide to Cheerleading Blog Tour

Today I'm hosting Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance authors of The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading.

The Writer's Journey

In the days since Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading was launched I’ve had the opportunity to talk to groups of people about one of my favorite subjects – writing. Each of these sessions ends with a question and answer period. One question always comes up: Was this your first novel? The answer to that is not just no, but Heck No!

My first novel was a middle grade fantasy based on an old Italian folktale that I “disney-fied” by turning the human characters into animals. I wrote it out longhand, mostly while my kids played in a skeezy ball pit at a local fast food restaurant. I didn’t know much about writing novels then. (I didn’t know how germy ball pits were either.) And I definitely didn’t know anything about the publishing world.

Those were the days before easy Internet access, the days before most folks even had access to computers. I was lucky; there was a PC in my office. When I’d finished writing the first (and only) draft of my story, I stayed late a few nights to type the whole thing into an ancient word processing program, print out a copy, and save it onto a floppy disc (anyone still remember those?). I was stymied over what to do next -- but a trip to my library told me I should look inside of books that I liked, choose a publisher, and send a copy of my story to Dear Editor there.

Miraculously, that worked. Kind of. A few months later I received a very nice letter from an editor who said she was not looking for stories of that type and length, but who invited me to shorten it and resubmit. I did not know I should be encouraged by this. And besides, how would I find time to rewrite a whole novel -- the Health Department had shut down the fast food restaurant with the skeezy ball pit.

I set the book aside and, although I continued to write short stories and essays, I didn’t start another novel for eleven years.

I loved my second novel. I still do. It was loosely based on the summer my daughter (who had since graduated from ball pits to boys) learned a few lessons about friendship and about love. It had its good points and I learned a lot by writing it. I learned even more by rewriting it (three times).

Recently, I blew the dust off of it, crossed my fingers and showed it to my agent. It didn’t hold the same charm for her. In fact, she (way more diplomatically than it sounds) suggested my characters acted like Bonobo Monkeys (you know, the ones who never form permanent relationships with individual partners and who use physical affection as a greeting, a form of conflict resolution and the preferred method of celebrating when a new food source is found). Oh well.

The less said about my third novel the better. I shall tell you only that it was invaded by gypsies. Yes, gypsies. I still don’t regret writing it though. There are lessons to be learned by writing a hideously bad novel that you cannot gain any other way.

I had just started working on a fourth novel when my co-author, Charity Tahmaseb offered me the opportunity to collaborate with her on the revision of Geek Girls. Finally, all those lessons fell into place – though there were new ones to be learned while writing that novel too. I’m using them now as I work through the middle of my fifth novel.

Maybe some writers get it right the first time but, for me (and most authors I know), novel writing is something that takes more than one trial to perfect. It’s a journey, not a destination. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

~~~~
Thanks so much!! Anway, doesn't Geek Girls Guide To Cheerleading sound fantastic?

Here's the summary:

When Bethany -- self-proclaimed geek girl -- makes the varsity cheerleading squad, she realizes that there's one thing worse than blending in with the lockers: getting noticed. She always felt comfortable as part of the nerd herd, but being a member of the most scrutinized group in her school is weighing her down like a ton of textbooks. Even her Varsity Cheerleading Guide can't answer the really tough questions, like: How do you maintain some semblance of dignity while wearing an insanely short skirt? What do you do when the head cheerleader spills her beer on you at your first in-crowd party? And how do you know if your crush likes you for your mind...or your pom-poms?

One thing's for sure: It's going to take more than brains for this girl genius to cheer her way to the top of the pyramid.

Now, as a bonus for every comment you leave on each blog tour, you get entered to win your very own copy of Geek Girls Guide To Cheerleading. So, make sure to leave one. You can check the other stops, as well as previous ones, on the tour here.

Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Summary:

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York’s wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn’t ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything. Even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown, and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they’re forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they’re part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It’s all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.( from Harper Collins Catalogs)

Review:

Secret Society was a mysterious and alluring novel set in the confusing world of secret societies in New York City.

The plot was addicting and well done. Since, you constantly had curve balls thrown at you that you didn't see coming ( missing people, dead people, ex.). Tom Dolby really went above the limit in writing a fantastic mystery.

Patch, Lauren, Phoebe, and Nick were a set of three dimensional characters that fears to ambitions were all in arms reach to you. Though, with the writing style used ( third person) you sometimes didn't really get to know them, because the point of views were constantly changing.

One of my favorite parts of this Secret Society was the focus on the main Secret Society that the teens belonged too. I was constantly stunned at the way the group, or cult as it seemed at times, worked. Also, I loved reading the back story behind the society, making it an overall fast read. My only problem? I felt that even though you found out a lot about how it worked to how it began you still didn't really get all the info about it. Though, hopefully, some of my burning questions will be answered in a possible sequel.

Overall, I think we may possibly have a future bestseller in Secret Society. If not because of the mystery, but because of romance and likable characters. I look forward to reading more by Dolby, especially a sequel to this spectacular book!

I suggest this to fans of the Pretty Little Liars and Private series who looking for another quick and fast read.

Grade: A-

Secret Society will be released September 29, 2009.

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

Side Note: Yes, another early review. Though, I'm sure there will be a ton of reviews out when this drops, so I thought I should get the buzz going. :) Plus, you guys shouldn't hate me to much for this one, since it comes out in less than four months.

A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

Summary:

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Review:

A Match Made In High School was one of the most wickedly hilarious books of the year!

From page one, you are thrown into Fiona's grueling senior year. Fiona is a character that you are going to love, because of her tell it as it comes attitude to her comical side which has you forever laughing. Tod and Johnny are the exact same way, making the characters in this book a key part to it's greatness.

The plot was unique, because really have you ever read a teen book dealing with mandatory Marriage Education program? Yeah, I didn't think so. I loved different jokes and pranks Kristin added in this, ones that you wouldn't normally have seen if the Marriage Education program wasn't present. Also, there were constantly different revelations thrown at you, making this a fast and fun read.

Overall, Kristin is a yet another great add to the YA market, I look forward to reading more by her in the future.

I suggest A Match Made In High School to fans of Meg Cabot and Susane Colasanti or teens just looking for a cute and funny romance comedy.

Grade: A+

A Match Made In High School will be released February 4 , 2010 by Razerbill, a Penguin imprint.

Side Note: Yes, I know this review is way freakishly early. Though, I just absolutely loved this book and actually brought me out of my reading slump. So, why not post it. :) Anyway, it will definitely posted again in February of 2010 to remind you of its release.

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 30

My pick this week is:

Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.

Does this or does this not look good? I think it's the first. Personally, I adore, and I mean adore, the cover. Plus the summary makes it sounds cute and fresh. Lastly, it's by yet another Tenner, so that means we have till 2010 to get our hands on a copy. :(

Sea will be released August 2010 by Penguin.

Sidenote: Today is my last day of school!!! So, that's means I finally have time to catch up on my TBR pile. :)

Review Policy and Other Info About Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

In order to somewhat clean up my sidebars I've decided to make a page detailing my review policy ( it's even going a bit more in depth and some things are changing), stats, and other info.

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

Authors/Publishers:

I'm all for accepting books for review, so if you have a book coming out soon that you have written or are trying to get buzz about, please feel free to contact me.

I accept books that have the following criteria:

~ Must be published through a publishing house, big or small doesn't matter.
~ Must be YA ( Young Adult) or have a YA crossover appeal
~ Can be a E-Book though only if you are being published by a major publisher ( Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, Penguin, Random House, Hyperion, Houghton Mifflin, Egmont, ex.) Sorry!

Also, as of January 2, 2010, I do not guarantee a review for each book received. Though, it is very high chance I will still review your book no matter what.

Other than that, feel free to send an email to LaurensCrammedBookshelf@gmail.com with info about your book(s). I look forward to hearing from you.

Stats:

I have had over 74,900 views from December 2008 to March 21, 2010 with about 120-180 per day, which average to be about 1,000 per week according to my Google Analytics Account,when updated. *

I currently have 973 followers and 1,020 subscribers from google reader. *

I have been posting since June 2008 with about 5-11 posts per week.

Interviews/ Guest Blogs:

I’m okay with doing either. So, if you would like to do one just email me at the address above and I’ll set it up. You can provide the guest topic if you would like.

Link Exchanges:

If you have a blog of your own and would like to do a link exchange, you can leave a comment in my chat box, on a post, or email me and I will add you pronto.

If you have questions or just want to talk:
You can email me at the above email address, leave a message in my chat box, send a message through myspace, ex.

Contact info:

Email: LaurensCrammedBookshelf@gmail.com

FTC Disclosure:

Most of the books reviewed here on Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf have been sent to me by publishers or authors in exchange for an HONEST review. I would also like to state by saying this that not at any time have I received money for posting my thoughts on a book. Lastly, when a book has been received for review it will always say under the 'source' portion of my review that it has.

Oh, and one last thing, when posting links to author website, youtube, amazon, goodreads, exc. I am not receiving at any time money by doing so.

* All facts with * are from July 29, 2010 and have probably changed since then.

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Summary:

It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce - or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

Review:

My love for Sarah Dessen books started innocently enough. It was my second or third time in the young adult section in my local library and I was in sixth grade. After looking around for a while I came upon a book called, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, it looked interesting enough and I simply loved the cover, so I decided to check it out. The next day I was nearly done with it and had found out who my new favorite author was. Now, switch back to current times, when I got the amazing chance to read an early copy of Along for the Ride. You could only guess how happy I was!

Along for the Ride is truly another Sarah Dessen classic. Since, in this she creates another set of memorable characters and a story that you hung on it's every word, cherishing it until it was over.

Auden was someone that I could relate to in her insomniac and overarching ways, though both are not nearly as bad, to her the feeling that her parents divorce was partly her fault. While she is not the strongest main character in a Dessen novel, she is still one that many girls will come to adore. Then, there was Eli, who was incredible. Defiantly one of my top three faves in top male leads in a Deseen book. I loved Auden and his journeys in the night since they always brought for a laugh or two.

The plot in this is basic and predictable, though with Sarah's writing she added a charm to it that not many others would be able to do. One of my favorite parts of this novel was about the different relationships you make in life: between friends, parents, siblings, ex. It was interesting to see how Auden dealt with them and let them grow.

One issue I want to address in this review is how some have said that this is basically a collaboration of some of her previous novels, though with new characters. Yes, some of the scenes and issues in Along for the Ride were a bit similar to previous novels such as This Lullabay and The Truth About Forever, but that happens with any type of novel. Since, most novels are mainly based on the same basics: relationships, first loves, friendships, ex.

Overall, Along for the Ride is one of my favorite Sarah Dessen novels so far! I deeply suggest you go pick this book up form your local book store come June 16!

Grade: A+

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen will be released June 16, 2009.

*Much thanks goes to JL once again for this fantastic novel! :)

In My Mailbox: Week 29

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.

It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

Funny and touching—this is a heartfelt breakup story.

Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back—at any cost.

Zoe’s two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants. The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann’s humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back—herself.

This looks interesting. Plus, I really like the cover. Though, I was suprised when I saw how short it was ( only 187? 188, possibly?)

A Kiss In Time by Alex Finn ( Hardoover/ May 2009/ Harper Teen)

Talia fell under a spell . . . . Jack broke the curse.

I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .

I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.

I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.

I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.

Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!

Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . . The good news: My parents will freak!

Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

This looks really cute!!

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon ( ARC/ July 2009/ Penguin)

It’s not easy for Danny Dragonbreath to be the sole mythical creature in a school for reptiles and amphibians—especially because he can’t breathe fire like other dragons (as the school bully loves to remind him). But having a unique family comes in handy sometimes, like when his sea-serpent cousin takes Danny and his best iguana friend on a mindboggling underwater tour, complete with vomiting sea cucumbers and giant squid. It sure beats reading the encyclopedia to research his ocean report . . .

Using a hybrid of comic-book panels and text, Ursula Vernon introduces an irresistible set of characters with a penchant for getting themselves into sticky situations. It’s perfect for both the classroom and the Wimpy Kid set.

Um, not too sure how I got this. Review possibly? Contest? I have no clue. I think I may end up giving this to my cousin whose age group it's directed to.

Days of Little Texas by R.A. Nelson ( Hardcover/ July 2009/ Knopf)

A ghostly love story from the author of Teach Me.

Welcome, all ye faithful—and otherwise—to a ghost story, a romance, and a reckoning unlike anything you’ve read before. Acclaimed YA author R. A. Nelson delivers a tantalizing tale set in the environs of the evangelical revival circuit and centered around Ronald Earl, who at ten became the electrifying “boy wonder” preacher known as Little Texas. Now sixteen, though the faithful still come and roar with praise and devotion, Ronald Earl is beginning to have doubts that he is worthy of and can continue his calling. Doubts that only intensify when his faith and life are tested by a mysterious girl who he was supposed to have healed, but who is now showing up at the fringe of every stop on the circuit. Is she merely devoted, or is she haunting him? Fascinating and original, this is an unusual story whose reverb will be deeply felt and which will inspire lively book discussion.

I loved Nelson's Breathe My Name, so I can't wait to see how this story turns out.

I also got a couple of library books, though I'm too lazy to list them. So, overall, I had a pretty good week, agreed? :)

Contests for Catching Fire All Around Blogging World

Steph (Reviewer X) is giving away a copy!!

Also, to double your chances at winning, you can enter at Linus's Blanket for another chance to win!

Here's the summary, if you don't already know what it's about ( or if you're living in a hole)

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman

Summary:

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. (from Goodreads)

Review:

And Then Everything Unraveled is a great mix of mystery and suspense. From the beginning you are drawn into Delia's life, feeling that you are there with her every step she takes to find out what really happened to her mother. One of my favorite qualities of Delia's was her ability to never give up, no matter what got thrown at her. Since, without that this novel could have been pretty boring. Delia's aunts, Charley and Patience, were hilarious supporting characters who always had you laughing when they were featured.

The plot in this always provided you to keep flipping the pages and had you guessing at what would occur next. Even,though the mystery aspect is not that original it still made And Then Everything Unraveled a quick read.

My only problem with this was the ending. Since, Jennifer Sturman let a lot to be unanswered. So hopefully, that means a sequel is in the works. :)

Overall, And Then Everything Unraveled is a funny and charming read for a sunny day in summer. I am looking forward to reading more by Jennifer in the future.

Grade: A-

And Then Everything Unraveled will be released July 1, 2009.

*Much thanks to Jennifer and the people at Point for sending me a copy of this novel! :)