Teens Actually Read

On Highschool (And how it makes it impossible to do my job)

2011-07-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

I started this blog when I was in 8th grade. It was something that I could consistently do. And I enjoyed it. Through out the course of the year I tried to stay on top of this little blog as it grew.

That summer, I read-a lot. And I struggled to keep up with all the books I read, but I did it. However, before I knew it the school year was upon me. And I discovered High School is no easy task. It is tedious, it requires so much of my attention.

Between my other hobbies (writing, orchestra etc.) and school, this blog was neglected. I have barely even had a chance to read at all this summer because of all the writing I was doing.

I feel terrible for abandoning my blog for how I did, and I have a pile of about 30 books that I read during the course of my freshman year. However now I am approaching Sophmore year, and all I can think is how I simply wont be able to keep up.

I dont want to give this up, but I simply do not know what else to do.

My plan is to attempt to schedule as many reviews as possible right now, before school starts. I hope after that I can try to get into the groove of writing reviews again.

I feel as though I have made so many promises to you guys, and that I broke all of them. So thank you so much for sticking around. If worst comes to worst I will find a dear friend to hand this blog off to who can truly take care of it.

Until then.
Ari

News

2011-05-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

So for those of you still hanging around, Im back to work this summer! I totally ignored this poor place during the school year so I will make up for it this summer. Start June 5, Ill start having reviews posted again. A few of my first reviews will consist of.....

So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev
Mystify by Artist Arthur
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

And about another 40 or so books I read during the school year!

Remember I can ALWAYS be contacted at teensactuallyread@gmail.com or you can tweet me at @sheba201

Im so sorry you guys. Ill be sure to set up posts for a while so I dont completely desert you guys again!

Ari

Blogger OF DOOM

2011-04-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

No not me. Yes this lovely set up which i use to post.

It no let me post.

I was all happy and posting. THEN BAM. Sadness. And all reviews are gone.

I had a shiny 10 reviews all set up. ANd now? They are dead *hangs head sadly*

So I have to not only deal with school, and writing, but now also the reformation of my blog.

Ill keep this one all shiny. Odds are Im going to get fed up, and branch it off onto live journal or something also.

But that will be just in case.

Lets HOPE this doesnt die on me again (because i truly do love blogger. its just not my friend at the moment)

KAY?!
Kay

Fresh Off The Boat by Melissa De La Cruz

2011-03-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Fresh Off The Boat by Melissa De La Cruz

Pages: 256
Pub Date: April 23, 2005
Author Website/Blog: http://www.melissa-delacruz.com/
Synopsis: Dear Peaches,
America is PERFECT! I love it here. I wish you could come visit -- we could go shopping on Market Street and you could meet all my new friends. . . .
Okay, so Vicenza isn't being totally honest with Peaches, her best friend back in Manila. But what fun is it being the new girl at snooty Grosvernor High? Or rooting through the Salvation Army for unholey cashmere sweaters? Or having culture-shocked, embarrassingly clueless parents? Maybe being Claude Caligari's ignored geometry partner is sort of fun, but Vicenza would rather be his girlfriend . . . or at least his date to the annual fancy-schmancy Soire d'Hiver.
But Vicenza won't be friendless, fashionless, or "fresh off the boat" for long -- it's only a matter of time before she sees what's right before her eyes and her luck begins to change.

Naw. Heart breaking :( I mean. It tried to seem uplifting but this girls life is just down the drain. And she has no idea WHY her life is down the drain. I just feel so bad for her :( I mean she went from a life of brilliance and glamor to having lawn chairs in her living room. She's desperately holding onto a scholarship at a school where it seems like she just doesnt fit in. This girl has the worst of it. Its just a sad story. I mean its AMAZING. But its SAD. It just makes you look on whats happening in our country right now and go "maybe its not that amazing that we are sending people out." this story just supports the idea that these people are coming here for better lives. This also shows poverty, but not in the way everyone imagines it. Granted this story was written before the recession but it is encompassing the situation most americans are stuck in right now. if you havent read this book yet, read it. Youll fall in love.

Sex In YA

2011-03-18T01:18:00.001-07:00

Apparently its a big issue.
So ill save all of you the trouble and say this.
Teens. Find. Sex. Hilarious
Sure fourty year old women drool over sap. However I can tell you right now, every sixteen year old girl reading that same line is snorting and making fun of it.
I know. You doubt me.
I believe all my evidence lies in a story....
Sex ed. Question box time. Teacher pulls out question.
"If you have sex under water will your baby be a mermaid?"
The rest of the week was similar to this along with things involving beastiality and skittles....
So guys, ill leave it at this. Do what you want with sex in your story. It wont encourage sex, it will simple cause a boat load of giggles and skittles. (and no your baby wont be a mermaid)

The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt

2011-03-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt

Pages: 272
Pub Date: May 3, 2011
Author Website/Blog: http://www.lindseyleavitt.com
Synopsis: Desi Bascomb's job as a princess substitute has gotten a whole lot more glamorous now that she's advanced to Level 2 within the Facade Agency. Magical make-up, roller-skating celebrities, and the chance to see Prince Karl again are just some of the major perks. Not to mention, she's landed the role of Fairy Queen in her school's production of Midsummer's Night Dream (opposite her best friend's crush. Which is a little weird, but at least he wears a donkey head during their kissing scene). Life should be perfect, but Desi can't seem to shake the feeling that there is more going on with the agency's magic than she's told. Like why is this mind-bending power exclusive to royals? Is it possible that there could be a bigger way to make an impact in both parts of her life?

SQUEE. Lindsey. I. LOVE. YOU. You write the cutest books ever! And this book is just so PERFECT compared to the last one. Hard to do considering, well PRINCESS FOR HIRE was perfect also! In my review for PRINCESS FOR HIRE I said you wrote for mostly the MG audience. You made me eat my words in this one. Desi grows up so much in this book. She seems more like she is a mature 17 instead of a Middle Schooler! Just love. It just shows how much this job changed her in the last book. OO and the sexy new boy! I love sexy boys. I mean hes just perfect. And its so obvious that he loves Desi. Lindsey, you made me so happy with this book. Im now dying for the next installment. I mean... (insert me blabbing about spoilers that I shouldn't spill)! Now Im just tempting myself to type things I shouldnt. So Ill go. Before I ruin this AMAZING BEAUTIFUL BOOK FOR EVERYONE! (leaves)

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Pages: 404
Pub Date: December 28, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.breedespain.com
Synopsis:A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns. Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with he werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger -- in more ways than one. Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her -- not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

*shakes hands desperately beginning to plead* Bree... your killing me here. Please please please. Too much background. Good storyline. But it focuses too much on the first book. I loved the first book. But honestly this was a sequel problem that constantly occurs. A hundred pages wasted on catching the rest of the newer readers up and refreshing the old ones. I loved. I repeat LOVED The Dark Divine, and I really did enjoy this book. But this is a moment of EPIC facepalm. You had a great hook. Made me hate myself for starting it in Geometry. But it took too long for us to get to know Talbot, to find out about Jude and urgh... I dont want to mention the usual "I know you hate me but lets be friends again" thing....No superhero stuff. Other than those few things (I cant help it. Best friends annoy me) I loved the book. Honestly. So amazing. Im dying for the next one. Especially after an ending like THAT. Secrets oh secrets! I love this book Bree. Just irritated the usual sequel mistakes occurred. Hoping you dont pull an Eclipse and make sequel mistakes on the third book. Great story line. Great everything. Love. Love. Love.

Aye, It Be A Sad Tale Of UNFOLLOWING

2011-02-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

So yes...

Ive come to the realization that perhaps my one true way of decluttering my life and making my (failure of a) career at Blogging more successful I need to clean things up.

This will consist of cleaning up my FB.
Configuring the Teens Actually Read page so you can go on there and find current posts.
Unfollowing the unnecessary people on twitter.
And unfollowing blogs that are irrelevant (Sorry lunch lady blog)

If you feel a desperate need for me to continue to watch your social media rise and feel you may be eliminated please tweet me or comment below.

Ari

Birthday Birthday POST!!!

2011-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

*drowns under confetti*

I SAID NO CONFETTI! *sees crowd*

Oh hello :) I just wanted to say this year I was to lazy to review Edgar Allan Poes stuff again.

So ill just say this :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR EDGAR (AND ARI)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

So may you all go out and wish EGAR A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Okay and Ill be selfish MAYBE ME)
(You dont have to!)

Guardian Of The Gate by Michelle Zink

2011-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Guardian Of The Gate by Michelle Zink

Pages: 340
Pub Date: August 1, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.theprophecyofthesisters.com
Synopsis: The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James. Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing,

A bumpy continuance of the first book. Being left on a dramatic edge with PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS readers are confused entering the sequel. We forget much of the information we are given in the first book and we waste most of GUARDIAN OF THE GATE trying to rediscover the characters. The book wastes a good chunk of it simply trying to get to this mysterious island. Very little to do with the overall plot of the series. If I had to compare this sequel to another book? Its the ECLIPSE of its series, meaningless information, character discoveries, and a pathway to the next, much more important book. I enjoyed the first book, but I truly hope that Michelle Zink puts a little more effort, and makes the book more relevant to the series overall next time.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Pages: 363
Pub Date: February 1, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.juliekagawa.com
Synopsis: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined… Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

This book is centered around fairies, and well feeling invisible in your own home. Meghan feels that ever since her real father disappeared, and her mother remarried shes no longer important. She has no idea that this is because of a secret thats been hidden from her. With her one real friend as the only person acknowledging her, her 16 birthday is nothing its cracked up to be. But then as always, there is that one mystical night. And Meghan finds out the truth about why she is no longer as important to her mother, as she was years ago. Filled with discoveries, drama, and well shakespeares fairy court its a story that no one ever really put much thought into writing. Julie Kagawa decides to take a leap and be one of the few who continue the back story to the kingdoms that shakespeare created.

One Is Not A Lonely Number CONTEST

2011-01-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

So remember I wrote a dandy little review of a book from a jewish publisher. The book was called ONE IS NOT A LONELY NUMBER.

Ya well they asked me to help promote their contest also :)

http://www.oneisnotalonelynumber.com/one-on-one-challenge.html

Go and enter! YOU CAN WIN BOOKS! AND FANCY TECHNOLOGICAL THINGS I CANT REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE! YA IM JUST THAT AWKWARD!

Enter.

Oh and it runs from NOW TO 1/11/11!!!!

What? You havent done your CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!

2010-12-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

Yeah Im looking at you. Your guilty of NOT completely your shopping for that one person. That one family member that tells you whatever you get they will love, even though you know that is a lie and that they put it in their basement. FOREVER. So here is some help :)

1.Sea by Heidi R Kling
2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
3. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
4. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
5. Return To Paradise by Simone Elkeles
6. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margharet Stohl
7.Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Shes So Dead To Us by Kieran Scott
9. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
10.Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Now go buy Aunt Gertrude a YA novel that she will NOT PUT IN HER BASEMENT! (Yes I am referring to that scarf you gave hre last year that had her initials on it. Fail.)

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

2010-12-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Pages: 336
Pub Date: March 16, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://kimberlyderting.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

I really wish I could just say this and finish the review. This is the girl Susie Salmon needed 30 years ago. Granted, it took me a while to get into the book, because Im not the worlds biggest fan of third person, but I still loved the book. It had an incredible cliff hanger, that to be honest, I had to go back and reread to help figure out a lot of the ending. This was a great story, with a hidden mystery that no one expects. No one knows it is there. Granted, tehre are several parts that had me rolling my eyes at the obviousness, yet I forgave the book. Because well teh actual story line was soooo much better. The characters feel real, like they are sitting right next to you. Again, a captivating book taht I couldnt let out of my hands. Enjoy it, dont question it, and just go with it :)

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

2010-12-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Pages: 290
Pub Date: June 1, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://sarahockler.com/blog/
Synopsis: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

I honestly think I was crying by chapter 2. Yes, it was that heart breaking. I couldnt help it. The book was just... I cant even describe it, yet I am trying to review it. Sarah Ockler basically ripped out my heart. She stuck it in a blender. And then she served it to me on a shiny white platter saying, "Just wait ten chapters, then youll feel like taking this back," with a bright smile on her face. I honestly, can not remember the last time an author did that to me. Twenty days, calculates somehow to twenty smiles, twenty tears, and twenty i told you so's. A few, extremely predictable parts, but then parts that just, drag you in and make you forget that some cliches may have occured. This book has a rocky, but beautiful start, it had me reading all night, yet, it almost had me in tears at the discovery that we do not learn all we want to learn by the end of the book. But, that is also what a great book does, leave you wondering.

Care to give a hand?

2010-11-12T21:03:00.000-08:00

So I have discovered, that school is making it impossible for me to stay awake long enough to read enough books. So I was wondering if theres a kind soul out there who would like to help me out?? :)

If you could pretty please email me. You know ill appreciate it to the ends of the earth and ill find some gigantic way to tahkn you!

Ari

Happy Halloween (Blogging shall return within the next week :P)

2010-10-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween from your resident Lena!

Well be back sometime this week, because well I was dumb enough to sign up for the school musical ;)

So enjoy your free candy! (wee)

See you guys soon!

Sea by Heidi R Kling

2010-10-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sea by Heidi R Kling
Pages: 336
Pub Date: June 10, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://seaheidi.livejournal.com
Synopsis: 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

First off I would just like to warn all of you, that Heidi is an evil genius, and for some reason she WANTS TO MAKE US CRY! I will not tell you when or how I will just tell you that seems to be her GOAL! Okay now onto the flattering OH MY GODS! Loved this book. Just like I knew I would :) Granted it took me *thinks* 2 months to get past the first painful ten pages (sorry Heidi!) but after that I loooved it. I think its just because Im not the worlds biggest fan of Spider. Spider is one of those friends that used to be friends that the MC thinks she has a crush on and he totally loves her but hides it, people. So yeah he made it hard to read the book. Then the book got much better when Sienna arrives in Indonesia, however, events happen to make it well, not as amazing as it should be. No. This book is NOT about mermaids. No Heidi I do NOT love Damon. But aside from those facts I love Heidi and I think she should take up my idea for a sequel ;) (I gave her an AMAZING idea. I forgot what it was but she should do it!)

One Is Not A Lonely Number by Evelyn Krieger

2010-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

One Is Not A Lonely Number by Evelyn Krieger

Pages: 456
Pub Date: June 9, 2010
Author Website/blog: http://www.oneisnotalonelynumber.com/
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Talia Shumacher is the only child of a wealthy orthodox couple, known for their hospitality. As Talia becomes a teenager, her parents' open-door policy begins to irritate her. When Gabrielle Markus, an eccentric twenty-three-year old ballet dancer shows up one day, Talia's life is turned upside down. Convinced that Gabrielle is harboring a secret, Talia and her friends set out to uncover it. Along the way, Talia must deal with the loneliness she feels as an only child living in a religious community that celebrates large families. In discovering Gabrielle's secret, Talia discovers secrets about herself and her parents. Talia's gift for math and her unusual way of thinking about numbers is woven into the story along with themes of friendship, individuality, and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this book. ALthough I think the publisher was aiming for a YA genre I think its more middle grade based on the age of the main characters. So, I myself am a reform jew so I actually really enjoyed learning about how the more conservative families live. However, if your not into jewish lit it also does an amazing job of informing the world of problems that come from death, money, and even your family beliefs. Granted you need to order teh book from teh website or amazon I still really enjoyed it. It was hard to put it down. Its great if your a jew trying to find yourself, or your religion. Or even if you enjoy a good story. I love any good story that doesnt preach and this book did that. I hope you enjoy it also :)

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2010-10-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Pages: 512
Pub Date: October 12, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.beautifulcreaturesthebook.com
Synopsis: Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending. Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Beautiful Darkness was a huge step up from the first book, Beautiful Creatures. I really felt we get to connect with so many characters even more. We even got to meet some more characters, that may have only been mentioned in passing originally. This book opens a ton of new doors, that frankly should not be opened, but we as readers cheer the authors on in opening them. This book is a no put down, you simply can not start it, then come back to it a few months later. You cant even come back to it a few minutes later. This was a thrilling, heart pounding sequel, that simply leaves you wondering and hoping. This perhaps is even better than the first book. Beautiful Creatures left us on a ledge, Beautiful Darkness is the bridge, from that ledge to another. Another ledge, that simply leaves us hoping for more from Kami and Margie.

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

2010-09-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Pages: 374
Pub Date: April 6, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://writergrl.livejournal.com
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Macy Queen is looking forward to a long, boring summer. Her boyfriend is going away. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And she'll spend all of her free time studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's recent unexpected death. But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy joins the Wish team. She loves everything about, the work and the people. But the best thing about Wish is Wes—artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes—who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way, and really start living it

I started reading this one a few months ago, but with all the other things I had going on it got lost on my bookshelf. About a week ago I dug it up again and started to start from where I stopped. The book only got better. Granted I had to reconnect with a few characters, but that wasnt hard because I started to see them as new people :) This book really connected with me. I mean I know usually we tend to waver about books. Doesnt matter which ones. And it doesnt matter whether or not it has happened to you. It just matters if you feel like the characters are real people. And that you want to be a part of their world. This book did a brilliant job of doing that. I loved it.

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (2010 Debut Book)

2010-09-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Pages: 454
Pub Date: January 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.diareeves.com/
Synopsis: Love can be a dangerous thing....
Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home. But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

Wow. This book was just incredible. A little more than halfway through I started thinking, 'You know this is kinda like a complete opposite of Beautiful Creatures' Yeah it was that good :)Instead of a town where no strange things occur, its a town where ONLY strange things occur. Instead of the girl having magical powers, its the boy. This book was WOW! Really, its a great book that you dont want to put down. I fell in love with Hanna, Rosalee, and Wyatt. Just a brilliant book. Granted there were parts were I went "eeew" but aside from ew moments the book was a winner. I am now DYING to read more by Dia Reeves!

Please Excuse The Mess.....

2010-09-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Please Excuse The Mess.... I am currently doing some construction :) So if anything looks off its me screwing up :P I promise this will bring you much more gorgeous Teens Actually Read in the near future :)

Ari

Its Here has been for a while Are You Ready?? dark music

2010-09-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Shadow hills E-Book that is :P

Granted I despise e-books, but who knows... with my new phone... and the fact I dont own the book itself.... *stares at links* *eek* *still debating.... book or EBOOK*

so um... ya... e books ARE evil. But if your one of them there people who loves them GO PURCHASE THIS!! *the kitten commands you too*

Okay?
Okay :)

Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt (2010 Debut Book)

2010-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

Pages: 240
Pub Date: March 16, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://lindsey-leavitt.livejournal.com/
Synopsis:When a flawlessly dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and wants to know, like, now if you’d like to become a substitute princess, do you
a) run
b) faint
c) say Yes!
For Desi Bascomb, who’s been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C–that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right? Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don’t know? Or when a princess’s conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off–and you know she would want you to change his mind?

So cute. In all honesty it ended way differently then I expected! But I wont tell you about that. :P Lol. It seemed a little more aimed towards the middle grade genre but you know what! There is nothing wrong with that! I actually want a sequel :P It was to amazing to NOT have a sequel. You know what I mean? I actually was pining after this for a while. I was so happy when I finally got to sit down and read it and Ill tell you right now. The 4 hours I spent locked away with this book? Sooo worth it. Lindsey did a great job of weaving a cute modern day fairy tale!

Lifted by Wendy Toliver

2010-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lifted by Wendy Toliver

Pages: 272
Pub Date: June 8, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.wendytoliver.com/
Synopsis: It's not what you steal. It's getting away with it that's so much fun. Poppy Browne is none too thrilled to be the new girl in Pleasant Acres, Texas--especially after her mother enrolls her in a private Baptist school. But to her delight, Poppy is pulled into the cool clique on her first day at Calvary High, and her new friends, Mary Jane and Whitney, are as genuinely nice as they are gorgeous and rich. The catch? Her new pals have a nasty shoplifting habit, and before long Poppy is also a theft enthusiast. But when the girls' addictions get out of hand and friendships are threatened, it's up to Poppy to set things right ....

Addiction. Wow. This sheds the light on an often ignored addiction. Shop lifting. And to be honest, it seems to do a pretty good job of being informative about it and the consequences. However, one thing I loved was how it showed the consequences of pushing your child. It shows how they crack under pressure and how it doesnt help if you try to push the square into the circle even more. Books dont like to show this unless they are picturing the parent as satan. This book managed to show how a parent who means well can cause a few life changing issues. It also has a ton of other things that change lives but I cant tell you! It will spoil the book ;) (haha made you guys curious! So go read it!)

Interview With Elizabeth Kolodziej

2010-09-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Sooo I was lucky enough to get to interview Elizabeth Kolodziej about her and her book Vampyre Kisses.
It was actually really cool because I got to sit there going
"Hmm how can I think of a creative yet fun question?"
SO! Shall we begin? I say we begin :)

This is a commonly asked question, but I need to know, a lot of authors tend to have regrets about what they could have brought up about the cover, whats your opinion on the cover?

Actually, my first idea for the cover was completely different. I wanted to have Faith’s face on the cover with two little bite marks on her wrist. But it just wouldn’t come out right. I couldn’t find an artist to do it right and I didn’t want to use a real person. I finally figured out that my image of Faith in my head was just not something I could have put out. So it took awhile but the picture of New York in black and white was great because that is where it takes place and the rose dripping blood symbolized the vampire. Everyone really seems to get a kick out of it. I ended up loving it!

Okay not really much of a question but its been poking at me, why is it Vampyre, is it something you or your publisher came up with?

Well, Vampire Kisses is the name of another book. I found that out when I wanted to publish it so it needed to be changed. But I just couldn’t think of another title that suited the story since the Vampire Kiss was such a big thing to me. So I thought it over and I decided to use the y in Vampyre as a tribute to how vampire was originally spelled for the first vampire story by John William Polidori.

You said that you were trying to write a paranormal story that hasnt been done before, but it really seemed like a medley of what has been done, is this the case, or was it just a spur of the moment?

I do not think this story is really similar to anything that has been written before. But I haven’t read every book ever written for the paranormal world. When you read this book you will find for one the rarity of the love between a witch and vampire along with the way that I blend mythology with my own ideas. This story is in my opinion original and from what the reviewers say it is very different from what people think it is going to be like.

How did you manage to maintain a good balance between so many supernatural creatures? It seems almost as if it would get confusing and difficult to write a story with more than 2 different kinds.

The way that I do this, and make it a great series, is that I try to focus on one of the supernatural beings for the book. In Vampyre Kisses, a lot of information is given about vampires and their history. Where as in the second book lots of information will be towards the werewolf history. It can get a little much for me at times with there being so many creatures in my stories but I keep lots of notes and graphs. It helps to be organized. Plus my mind is just all over the place so it really does end up working out.

And now for a true Ari question, that doesnt pertain to your book at all, just for fun ;) What is your opinion about global warming? (Do NOT be serious)

I find global warming to be a problem that might be fixed if people would just stop farting.

Where to buy the book:

Publisher’s Website: http://bit.ly/9aYtXo

Barns and Noble: http://bit.ly/dpJsLC

Amazon: http://amzn.to/byci6O

Kindle: http://amzn.to/bMzSKN

Website: www.vampyrekisses.com

Facebook.com/kweenkitten

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ejkolodziej

Giveaway Contest: http://www.vampyrekisses.com/?page_id=511

This Is INSANE

2010-09-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

So Im not going to do an insanely long post lecturing you guys. I dont have time for that.

But I will say this short message.

To everyone who enjoys banning books but has not read them: You are the Nazis of our generation. Congratulations, you have sunken so low as to burning books based on their covers. Enjoy your swastika covered clothing with your bonfire of amazing books. I hope you enjoy hell.

Love,

Ari

A Thank You To Sarah Dessen.

2010-09-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Most people call Sarah Dessen the queen of chick lit. I really feel like she is a good detox from all the supernatural/fantasy out there right now. Its refreshing. I feel like I go to my library and I see black covers with dark colors. Its all just...dark. But then I go to the bookstore and buy a Sarah Dessen and... I just... the bright covers and the uplifting story just brightens my world. Theres no angels falling from heaven, there are no 100 year old vampires falling in love with a 16 year old girl, there are no kids who discover tehy have abnormal powers, there are no werewolves. I mean granted I fell in love with those things but after a while they become old. Its almost as if those things become stale. And then I spend a day or two in the REAL world of a Sarah Dessen novel and I look at all those books freshly. I just. I love Sarah Dessen. Shes amazing. Ive always loved chick lit. She helps keep me hooked on waht I have always loved.

I guess I shall finish this fairly easily.
Thank you Sarah Dessen. Youve helped me stay who I am. Not a crazed person walking around bitign people.
Thank you so much.
Ari

Tell Me A Secret by Holly Capula (2010 Debut Book)

2010-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Tell Me A Secret by Holly Capula

Pages: 256
Pub Date: June 22, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.hollycupala.com/
Synopsis: Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one… In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own. Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

God I just loved this. It had a lot more skeletons behind closed doors then I thought it would. But really, thats what made this book incredible. I honestly, do not feel that I can put this book into physical words. It really put a great perspective on how one huge thing can affect someones whole life. Most books dont like to delve into the mind of someone who has suffered loss, and is suffering change at the same time. They usually choose one or the other. So this, was a huge thing to me. Tell Me A Secret was so much more real then most books about teen pregnancy. It had the family tension, it had the isolation, it had every little detail that we may see someone or we may experience during our teenage years. This book was just amazingly written and really touched my heart. I absolutely adored it.

9.11

2010-09-10T23:39:00.001-07:00

It is tradition for me, to post this short story I wrote a few years ago, on the anniversary of 9.11. I tend to tweak this story every year based on how my knowledge of the situation grows. Please remember, this date was important, it was the only time after Pearl Harbor that we were attacked on our own soil. This date is yet another date that shall live in infamy.

It is 9.11.

My eardrums are exploding from all the noise and screaming. I am covered in a thick coating of ash. We never thought anything like this would happen. I see mothers, wives, children, husbands, fathers, all receiving, news, good or bad. Or others anxiously awaiting news hoping it wont drastically change their lives. I grope around looking for people I can help. I try to remember what happened, something that happened so quickly, destroying so many peoples views on life. It was a plane. Nothing seemed wrong. We, as pedestrians continued to move along, in our daily routines that were part of the rush of the city. Then, before we realize it ash, fire, and debris hit us from behind. Suddenly, the rest of the world is a blur, people hear screams of pain, the crumbling of a building, and soon, we would hear the crash and burn of another plane into a building. We were simply pedestrians. Yet, a half hour after we walked out of our homes ready to start the day we are rushing around helping each other. Comforting the families in tears. Or the families hopelessly praying for their loved ones. I help the others up as we go around. We were too close to the world trade center. It sent us flying in the air as it dusted up. But we were also lucky, we werent the ones immediately killed as the plane slammed into the framework of the building. I go around, trying to help and comfort as many as possible, but for some it is simply too late. Our lives are forever changed. No one will ever be the same, and so many are killed. This is the date everyone will remember as 9.11.

A/N: I myself hold 9.11 close to my heart because every week my dad gets on a plane and flies to his job. The reality is the world is a scary place.

The even scarier and sadder reality? My dad is stopped in airports by security all the time just because of how he looks and his name.

He is isreali.

However, this does not matter to 9.11. On 9.11 he was standing in the airport. The exact same airport that the terrorists left from.

He did not board any of the hijacked flights. His flight was delayed. And while waiting he discovered what had happened in New York.

He showed up at our home in Arizona in a rental car later.

I do not cry when I see the world trade center fall, because the sad reality is I was to young to remember what happened.

But I do have a heart, and I feel for all the families who lost someone dear.

Do not think of America today.

Think of the families of someone who died because of an act of hatred.

ARI

Some Balance In My World

2010-09-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ive decided my small little world needs a little bit of balance. Ive just been so overwhelmed with school, and writing, and running this blog.

I also feel that if I find a way to balance all three worlds out, the "left in the dust" thing will slowly become less of an issue, because my life wont be centered around this blog.

Im sorry about doing this to you guys but I thought long and hard about it.

My new schedule for the week is currently as stated below (subject to change)

Monday-Review

Tuesday-Trying to promote the blog (if you want to help, PLEASE, I need all the help possible)

Wednesday- Me time.
Thursday-Review
Friday-Me Time
Saturday-Short post and promotion
Sunday-Me Time

Thank you, you guys. You have all been so understanding and amazing so just... thank you for understanding this is something I need to do. Its just healthier for me.

I just feel, I should be putting in as much effort that I am receiving from readers. If I have few readers, then I will put my best effort. If I had tons of readers, I would be putting forth a great step of excellence, such as 3 paragraph reviews (if you wanted them) or updating every other day.

Really though, thank you for being able to understand I am a human. I wish I could be superwoman. But Im not.

Ari

A Sadness That Fills My Soul....

2010-09-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

So...
Ya, back to the whole, "left in the dust" thing...

Its just... as you sit there and see all your friends going somewhere in the blogging world. And your sitting there. With your blog empty.

As they enjoy their success you paste on a plastic smile and tell them how happy you are for them.

You arent. Your filled with jealousy.

You want it to be you.

They talk with authors. They have requests for reviews thrown at them. They are asked to do everything.

And what are you doing?

Your sitting in your room alone.

Reading a book you got from the library.

Because whenever you try to reach out to a publisher.

They brush you off.

So you die a little more inside with each attempt.

Until you are writing a post like this.

For all my friends who are going somewhere with their blogs, Im sorry if this has made you feel guilty.

As for me. I guess Ill continue to be stuck reading library books.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

2010-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Pages: 320
Pub Date: April 10, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.robinbenway.com/
Synopsis: California high school student Audrey Cuttler dumps self-involved Evan, the lead singer of a little band called The Do-Gooders. Evan writes, Audrey, Wait!, a break-up song thats so good it rockets up the billboard charts. And Audrey is suddenly famous!Now rabid fans are invading her school. Peopleis running articles about her arm-warmers. The lead singer of the Lolitas wants her as his muse. (And the Internet is documenting her every move!) Audrey cant hang out with her best friend or get with her new crush without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi.Take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, has outrageous amounts of fun, confronts her ex on MTV, and gets the chance to show the world who she really is.

AAAH! It was just amazing. I mean once again, I wanted to punch her best friend by the end of the story but still amazing!! Okay so granted Robins book "The Extraordinary Secrets Of April, May and June." doesnt look AMAZING! But I did love Audrey, Wait! I originally read it because I was in a small slump with my FF writing and this MAJORLY helped. And I fell in love with it :) Really, Audrey is such a dynamic character. You just fall in love with her and her crazy world. I just fell in love with how she reacts to fame, she takes it totally differently then most girls who know someone famous :) She doesnt try to ruin it for everyone. She just wants to be left alone. Really, its an amazing book about a girl who struggles to stay down to earth as paparazzi and her ex's fame start to peel apart her life.

Flash Burnout by LK Madigan

2010-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Flash Burnout by LK Madigan

Pages: 320
Pub Date: October 19, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who’s a girl. One of them loves him; the other one needs him. When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa’s long-lost meth addicted mom. Blake’s participation in the ensuing drama opens up a world of trouble, both for him and for Marissa. He spends the next few months trying to reconcile the conflicting roles of Boyfriend and Friend. His experiences range from the comic (surviving his dad’s birth control talk) to the tragic (a harrowing after-hours visit to the morgue). In a tangle of life and death, love and loyalty, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of himself

When I first read the synopsis for the book, I honestly didnt feel like reading it. But after reading all the books in the YA section of the library I recognized this book and wondered "what the heck..." So I am actually glad I picked it up. Okay, so I WAS a bit confused at parts, but oh well. It was still really good. I guess a novel like this becomes confusing with such an odd back story for a character like Marissa. Lets face it, not all of us see these things in our daily lives, which makes a book like this one we HAVE to read to understand what its like. I know a lot of people rather read about people who actually suffer from an addiction, but this story is like A Tension Of Opposites, its a really good story about how the side lines view the situation and how they deal with it. It really is a great novel, and it really just shows us a lot about the issues addictions cause in peoples lives, even if its only through knowing someone.

My TEAM

2010-08-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

So, before I end the series *sob* on saturday I would just like to let you all know what TEAM I am for the HUNGER GAMES SERIES!!!

Hell yeah ;)

Looking For Alaska by John Green

2010-08-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Pages: 221
Pub Date: December 28, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Synopsis: Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave "the Great Perhaps" even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.

So blech, to the before chunk. I had no idea what was going on. It was just plain confusing, and to be honest, dull. I mean, the book itself was amazing. But for some reason with books the beginning always bores me. And takes me a few days to get into. I mean, I heard amazing things about this book, and I absolutely adored Paper Towns, but blech. I probably should cut him some slack, it was his first novel. But blaah its hurting me just to write this review. Yes the first chunk of this book was that painful. I think I should just end my pain here with these words. Stick with comedy.

Edited Warning

2010-08-24T06:39:00.001-07:00

So I wont get my copy till this weekend.

So, heres an extended warning.

If you post a spoiler on twitter, I will HIDE your account until I complete the book.

You post a spoiler on your blog I temporarly unfollow you until I complete the book.

Good? Good.

Spells by Aprilynne Pike

2010-08-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Pages: 359
Pub Date: May 4, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://apparentlyaprilynne.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

So um.... I dont remember what I said about Wings, I just remember I didnt think it was the GREATEST novel in the world. And this one well... Would it be appropriate to say that I had to murder far more than the first half of this novel?? Haha just like the last one the beginning wanted me to kill myself, the middle had me slitting my wrists, and the ending made me smile. Its an odd combination ;) Most of the action doesnt happen till the end. The beginning continues with the tradition of boring facts about education. Gag. Haha but of course once the trolls make an appearance everything is better :) Thank you trolls, for making the story somewhat interesting.

Warning

2010-08-21T16:52:00.001-07:00

Warning readers and other bloggers.

If you post ANY MOCKINGJAY SPOILERS BEFORE I READ TEH BOOK!!

Prepare to die *sets up Hunger Games Arena*

Yup, I will go that far. So this is your warning.

Dont do it.

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner

2010-08-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner

Pages: 291
Pub Date: May 26, 2009
Author Website/Blog: N/A
Synopsis: Did you know that in imperial China, eunuchs had their testicles, penis and scrotum removed? Olivia does. She's done the research--after walking in on her dad fooling around with one of his grad students. On her way to an arts summer camp at Yale University, she's decided to write a musial called Castration Celebration Max, on the other hand, is a big fan of the penis--intact. As an actor, he always has the right line, especially for the ladies. He's going to camp to hone his skills, both acting and otherwise. And when Olivia and Max meet...oh, the drama! Olivia and Max have their roles down pat. Before camp is over, they'll preform Olivia's musical onstage and in real life--though the ending may turn out different than either expects. Peppered with original songs like "Horny," "I'm in Love with Dick," and the titular, "Castration Celebration," Jake Wizner's a whole new level in a bawdy uproarious romp that's laugh-out-loud funny.

Oh my god this was just hilarious. It was so inappropriate, but so hilarious. Im pretty sure the day I read this I locked myself away and yelled at someone when I was interrupted. I just couldnt stop reading. I was DYING to know what punchy line, or what real life issues would infuse themselves together. I honestly dont see, how a book that is supposed to be serious, can also be funny. I guess this book is a new wonder of the world. It truly is perfect for a girl who just had a break up, for any girl that has been continuously scorned by boys, or any one with a vendetta against a man. Please though, do not do what the book does as a solution to those problems :)

What Makes A Novel A Classic (My opinion)

2010-08-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

We all have at least one "classic" sitting on our bookshelves right now, left over from high school. It could be any novel. The only real requirement, in our eyes as teenagers, is that it must be BORING. If a book is BORING then it is a classic. But adults turn around and claim, a classic is a novel that has been around for a certain set amount of time (that no one ever tells us) and creates an impact in society.

So does that mean in 100 years Twilight will be a classic?

I doubt it.

Now dictionary.com defines a classic as:
–noun
12.
an author or a literary work of the first rank, esp. one of demonstrably enduring quality.
13.
an author or literary work of ancient Greece or Rome.
14.
classics, the literature and languages of ancient Greece and Rome (often prec. by the ).
15.
an artist or artistic production considered a standard.
16.
a work that is honored as definitive in its field: His handbook on mushrooms is a classic.

Now, honestly, I feel we cant label any book as a classic. Because honestly, when Great Expectations was first sitting there waiting to be read, no one considered it a classic. They probably treated it how all novels are for the first chunk of their career.

They ignored it.

Also, I feel that in a 100 years, if Twilight is being called a classic, then the world will end.

I wouldn't want my (some number of greats) grandchildren to be sitting in a classroom their freshmen year being handed a paranormal romance that frankly, isnt all that well written.

I wouldnt want them to sit there as their teacher tells them that it is a long lived classic.

I do NOT want them watching the movies.

There are just some things in this world that we as humans try to dissect.

Defining a book as a classic is one of those.

In my opinion we should just stop calling books classics all together! We shouldnt make one book better than the other just because of one word. We should let the books live together in peace, and stop waiting on the side lines as some are put on the tables in bookstores and others sit hidden behind best selling novels on teh shelves.

That is a major FAIL on our parts as humans. And I am going to stop doing that.

I am going to stop calling novels classics, I am going to stop giving certain novels more attention, and DARN IT Im going to tell my english teacher this! Ill print this out for her if needed!

We are letting how we pick up a book and read be chosen by adults who label them for us.

If we keep the status of classic novels, then let US as TEENS decide also. We are the ones who become confused as to what is and what isnt, and WHAT makes it a classic.

Classics, BE GONE!

NOVELS, BE EQUAL! LOVE EACH OTHER!

And humanity, MAKE A CHOICE! AND ELIMINATE THE TERM "CLASSIC" BECAUSE IT DOESNT EXIST FOR NOVELS!

Ari

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

2010-08-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Pages: 310

Pub Date: April 6, 2010

Author Website/Blog: http://johngreenbooks.com/ http://www.davidlevithan.com/

Synopsis: One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

Haha I was expecting it to be some Will Grayson, Will Grayson romance! I wasnt expecting it to be Will Grayson and Will Grayson's best GAY friend :P But hey obviously that tells you how often I read books like this :P But it was good! Way better than what I was expecting from these two. They honestly went above and beyond. It really focused on Tiny's play but that really caused all the drama. Haha but at least the drama wasnt about relationships that are completely and utterly fake when it comes to gays. If a relationship ended it was becuase of real issues such as, commitment, or the ability to trust. It wasnt like "I cant be gay anymore." So that really made the book even better. I know most of you have read it already, but for those of you considering it pick it up :)

Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

2010-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

Pages: 368
Pub Date: April 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://mybignose.blogspot.com
Synopsis: It’s the summer before senior year and Polly Martin has sworn off boys. Who needs the hurt and confusion? Five recent breakups have left her with an unnatural knowledge of NASCAR, the ultimate hiker’s outfit, a student council position, the sixth highest score on the Donkey Kong machine at the mall, and a summer job at Wild Waves with ex #2 Sawyer Holmes.
Success seems a sure thing when Polly’s grandmother, the syndicated advice columnist, Miss Swoon, moves in for the summer. Polly almost doesn’t mind sharing a room with her little sister, Grace. Think of all the great advice she’ll get! Everything is going according to plan except... Miss Swoon turns out to be a man-crazy septuagenarian! And then there’s Xander Cooper. If only he wouldn’t keep showing up at Wild Waves with his adorable cousins every afternoon — and what is he writing in that little notebook? No advice column in the world can prepare Polly for the lessons she learns when she goes on a group camping trip (with three too many ex-boyfriends). Polly is forced to see people for who they are — a blend of good and bad qualities that can’t be reduced to a list or a snappy answer in a Miss Swoon column.

I loved My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters, so I HAD to check out this novel (i dont want to read Jungle Crossing, not my type) And Swoon At Your Own Risk is really, really good :P It was a cute novel, that is really a chick novel. So guys, you probably wont like it. Unless you enjoy pools, drama, and boys :P (this is not saying you wont enjoy FORGET YOU, thats a whole other story :P) It honestly, (in my opinion) was ranged for 12-15 year old girls. It had that cute fluffy drama they enjoy, it had the sweet obvious romance they all LIVE for. I mean other than those things, I enjoyed the book. :)

Split by Swati Avashti (2010 Debut Book)

2010-08-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Split by Swati Avashti

Pages: 282
Pub Date: March 9, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.swatiavasthi.com/
Synopsis: Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret. He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split — how do you begin to live again?

This novel, truly horrified. I think I read it about 2 weeks ago, its still haunting me. Every time I read about something as simple as someone getting punched, my mind flashes back to Split. It's actually scary how much this novel teaches us about a world, most of us are sheltered from. We all tend to take our lives for granted. We forget about people like the characters of Split. This book, it sends a real, solid, scary message. It makes us wonder, why is it, before such a haunting novel, would I never have truly realized such a horrible home? This book opens our eyes to the true tragedies that haunt the world. You will never see the world the same way again.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Braken (2010 Debut Novel)

2010-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Braken
Pages: 368
Pub Date: March 23, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://bracken.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him. In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers. Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry

Okay to be honest I wasn't going to read this book, but my librarian came up to me asking about it, and said "well it was written by Alex who used to go here, so Ive been trying to find it" So I decided to read it, you know be a good little mustang :) Honestly, the first time I heard about this book I smirked and went, "ew." So really quickly I would like to say ALEX! THANK YOU FOR GOING TO MY MIDDLE SCHOOL! I would NEVER have read this book if she didnt go there! And I am really glad I did! It is amazing. It really seemed like a weaving of different fairy tales we grew up on. Well at least to me. It had a great back story and it really held a great story about one of the main characters NORTH. The story doesn't really focus on him but if you look hard enough you find a whole story that revolves around him. This book was so gorgeous. It was hard NOT to fall in love with the characters, okay so I hated the people from the village, and was cheering on North but what does that matter?? I LOVED this book! It is amazing, beautifully written, and simply makes me want to hit the characters! But hey thats what makes it great :)

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

2010-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Pages: 324
Pub Date: April 27, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.simoneelkeles.net/index-web.html
Synopsis:When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

I absolutely LOVE this series, however I think I may have to stick with book number one. I couldnt really connect with these characters as well. Also the rich guy bailing Carlos out all the time started to annoy me, it wasnt like Perfect Chemistry where he had to figure everything out on his own. This one it was pointless really. It annoyed me to no end, Carlos was just a whiny little boy, and the only drama was when he gets beat up. Yup so much fun. It was a romance. And not even a good one to boot. Simone, I love you, but please dont make the third book play copy cat, and if it does at least make it do it correctly.

Dear Courtney, I love you :)

2010-08-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE COURTNEY FOR A REASON! AND THAT REASON IS THIS!!!

(shiny)

SEE!! *points* ISNT IT PRETTY!! ITS MY FIRST ONE!! AND COURTNEY GAVE IT TO ME!! *squee*

But now I must do the following *groan* *work*

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

7 Things (That I hate about you :P JK Hate Miley!)

1. I have a strong prejuidice against E-Readers. If someone tries to convince me to purchase one I hit htem.
2. I dont truly have a favorite book, I know weird, I mean theres a book I LOVE but that doesnt mean I would wnat to be buried with it.
3. I hate the Jonas Brothers.
4. I prefer YA books in a boys POV, especially if they are trying to be a comedy.
5. I actually prefer a lot of things in a boys POV.
6. Im sorta gender neutral. Not into sports and stuff but not into dancing and skirts.
7. I prefer finding new, smaller blogs, I rather help someone get started in teh blogosphere :)

And now *drumroll please* THE 15 BLOGGERS WHO I PRESENT THIS GORGEOUS AWARD TO!!!!!!!

DforDarla's Definite Reads - She is so sweet, I mean she just started out so she has one or two reviews, but her stories from meeting authors are just adorable.

Live, Laugh, Love - She is so adorable! And she reminds me of my friend Kim, they are both OBSESSED with Jane Austen :)

Lost In A Book Reviews - These girls are HILARIOUS! They are just such great partners in crime I HAD to give them this award!

IB Book Blogging - So awesome :P And her blog is gorgeous. Oh and she kinda lives in AZ. For me thats a win ;)

Fictionally Yours - EEK! So her site is mostly fun arts and crafts that are YA related. Okay so they arent reviews, but theres no rule that says it must be reviews!!!

Nyxen's Sidewalk Journey Through Life - Love her, shes so sweet, one of the nicest people you will ever meet and she does a great job :)

Sleep. Eat. Read - She is to sweet, and way to nice. Oh and her blog is gorgeous. Lets face it, another fun person ;)

A Teen Bookie - Met her through my contest, and I just love her blog. Shes been doing this since February, has a ton more posts than me, and she has like 35 followers. Something wrong there.

The Guide To Good Books - This girl is going somewhere, she has all the right ideas for a new blogger, good reviews with a sprinkle of shameless self promotion ;)

Its Just Life As I know It - Haha I love the rain background and her posts like "Can your brain really explode?" Shes unique, gotta lvoe that :)

WeFreadom - Her profile picture is a penguin. Enough said.

Beautifully Broken - Another person who randomly popped up, but will deserve it in years when she is ruling the universe ;)

Vision Quest Fail - Is it so wrong the main reason I did this was cuz hte title sounds funny?? I dont know why, it just makes me laugh :P

Loud Words & Sounds - Im beginning to run out of things to say #meltedbrain. So Ill say... Its so pretty! Oh and its one of those ones with more than one person running it ;)

I think ill just give the last one to Reading Or Breathing I mean she already got it, but shes my friend, and she writes essays for reviews :P

Okay! NOW I MUST CLEAN ROOM! ILL EMAIL THE PEOPLE AFTER THAT IS ACHIEVED!!

Ari :)

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (2010 Debut Book)

2010-08-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

Pages: 320
Pub Date: April 13, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.kaycassidy.com/blog/
Synopsis: When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother… Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of. … be careful what you wish for. Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.

What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?
It really got the message through, okay so when I had first read the synopsis I was sorta "ew" because most books about girl power are kind of dull. But this book. Totally proved me wrong. It actually made me say "There better be a sequel" And then when I got to the end and saw the sequel announcement I said "Good" This book was AMAZING. I couldnt put it down after I murdered the first few pages. As always the first few chapters were kinda eh, but once she got that silver pin in her locker, the book sped right up. Amazing idea an Im DYING to read the sequel

Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omolulu (2010 Debut Book)

2010-08-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omolulu

Pages: 212
Pub Date: February 2, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.cynjay.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

Dirty Little Secrets was one of those books where you are desperate to finish it. You just need to know how the main character fixes everything. Its a terribly story. There were moments that broke my heart, and there were moments were I couldnt help but softly smile to myself. It was just gorgeous. I fell in love with Lucy as she discovered information about her mother she wish she never knew. I kinda wish we could find out how her siblings react in the end of the story. Truth be told I was looking forward to that. But nonetheless an amazing story. Beautifully written. Read it and fall in love.

13 Predictions for MOCKINGJAY

2010-08-02T22:28:00.001-07:00

I honestly could have gone further, but I stopped at 13 for the irony of it :)

Haymitch will sacrifice himself for Katniss
Katniss will die
Her mother will die and she will feel guilt, as Prim misses her and is depressed, but she feels nothing.
GALE HOOKS UP WITH THE MAYORS DAUGHTER!
The capital falls
President Snow chokes on blood
It turns out President Snow puts all the tongues of those servant thigns in a blender and consumes them. That is why his breath smells like blood.
Katniss becomes a dictator of all humanity
she LITERALLY becomes the girl on fire
Cinna dies of gold poisoning
The red head kills President Snow as he tries to kill Katniss
It turns out its all a terrible dream, like inception
It turns out her father never died, that the capital has him locked somewhere, and they are re-united at the end.

ENJOY! :D

UPDATE: I realized that I forgot Peeta, and I thought of a few more ;)

Haha I realized I didnt mention Peeta in my predictions! So I CONTINUE!

He will be kidnapped, and kept as a slave in Kelsey Dickson's kitchen being forced to cook bread for her for the rest of time
He will marry Prim, because Katniss is to good for him so he settles for second best
His leg magically regrows and he dies because his leg explodes, because he never takes the fake one off.
He becomes the spokesman for RACE FOR A CURE
He takes over the world and makes us all live off of bread.
He takes over the world and passes a law that says, just because you burn bread, doesnt mean your mother should slap you
He turns out to be a cyborg that trolls the earth for the rest of time tryign to find Katniss, even though she i dead.
He dies
He turns out to be gay and skips off with Gale
He falls in love with teh redhead
He shoves a knife down his throat committing suicide at teh loss of Katniss.
He ends up working in the mines for all eternity and ends up blowing up, just like Katniss' father, and because they are married she will be devastated, then run off to the imaginary district 13 and marry Gale.

The others:

Katniss ditches everyone, fakes her death, and runs off to district 13 to take over the world
Haymitch takes over the world, by starting with District 13.
They all end up dead in a ditch with their blood sucked out by President Snow
President Snow turns out to really be Edward Cullen and he gives Panem to Nessie as a gift, she then presumes to kill Katniss, just because she is a jealous **** who thinks she was shooting googly eyes at Jacob
They all commit suicide.
The whole series rewinds and makes it so Katniss didnt step in for Prim
Rue comes back from the dead and saves the world. Her superhero name is BIRD CALLER

Okay I think thats it :)

ENJOY AND SPREAD THE WORD <3

Ari

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

2010-08-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Pages: 224
Pub Date: October 13, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.sarazarr.com/
Synopsis: As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy into the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reasons to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI, and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town goes missing, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

Definitely my favorite out of the two Sara Zarr novels I read. This one was kinda like a mystery. But it also had a broken soul. It was a nice combination. Most people tried to ignore the egging thought of who kidnapped the sweet little girl. Sadly growing up on Nancy Drew novels I cant say the same. I was like "I think its him... NO HIM!" In the end it was one person I considered but didnt hang onto for long ;) Just keep that in mind. Anyway this was just amazing. Your heart really goes out to all the characters, but I guess thats what Sara Zarr does :) Make you want to help every single person you read about that she writes. I loved this book. It was amazing and I hope you give it a chance :)

Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle

2010-07-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle
Pages: 272
Pub Date: March 1, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://www.laurenmyracle.com/home_pg.html
Synopsis: Jane dreams of being chosen as the freshman member a dominant school clique made up of one girl from each class. When her wish is granted, and she is offered a place in their group, Jane discovers the terrible price of their particular kind of popularity. There is a sinister secret to their power, one that will change Jane forever. Darkly humorous and dead on, this book will leave readers shivering in recognition.

Mwhahaha, fits right in with her horror novel BLISS. Another book obsessed with cats :) One of the most memorable lines in the book for me was "looky looky whose got a cookie!" Haha I loved this story. I almost wish it had a sequel.... It also really showed extreme cliques in High School. Kinda glad High School really isnt like this and that Im a floater *nervous laughter* Lets face it, all of us are scared of something like this happening in our High School. Like stealing popularity? Or going to someones house and chanting "THE SKANK LOVES DICK THE STICK IS A DICK!" To someone while shaking around a stick. Yeah no one wants High School to be that :/ This book got really messed up at some points, meanwhile it could also be really good. Im kinda torn. So you guys choose for yourself.

Vote For The Prize!!

2010-07-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

So I am going to have a 100 followers contest coming up soon and I just cant decideon a prize!! So after some recomendations from twitter I set up a poll
So VOTE so I can start my 100 followers contest!!

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Summer Intern by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

2010-07-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Intern by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

Pages: 192
Pub Date: April 19, 2007
Author Website/Blog: http://web.mac.com/jillkargman/iWeb/jillkargman.com/welcome.html
Synopsis: There's nothing run-of-the-mill about working at Skirt, the preeminent fashion magazine. I'm Kira Parker, total fashion junkie. I thought I had it made when I landed this job. Ha. I mean, don't get me wrong—working at Skirt is amazing. And spending the summer in New York City without my parents? Golden. But now I'm up against Daphne Hughes, daughter of the magazine's owner. What Daphne wants, she gets—all wrapped up in a cute Coach bag. She's already got the guy of my dreams and all the right connections. Now she thinks she'll get the plum position working for the editor in chief without even lifting a diamond-adorned pinky? This catwalk is primed for battle.

Aw.. this was so cute. It really showed that working in fashion isnt as glamorous as we wish :) It had a obvious villain, a cute crush, oh and a mean girl :) This was really a great book. I also picked up a lot of things in this book that reminded me of myself :) Like the main character worked harder at her internship so she could try to get the internship with the editor in chief. She would stay after and do work she wasnt asked to do. It helped her in the long run. Of course a bitter sweet book had a great ending :) Almost like a fairytale ;) I mean granted I doubt most internships are like this but I still loved it. It reminded me of Ugly Betty :) Only teh main character isnt ugly.

Do What You Want Cuz The Prizes Are Free, You Are A WINNER

2010-07-29T01:03:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I ENDED THE CONTEST EARLY DUE TO A VAST TIME PERIOD OF NO MORE ENTRIES. THANK YOU FOR BEING UNDERSTANDING.

Have you ever gone to google and typed in Lol limewire then pressed Im Feeling Lucky?? Well go do it and youll understand the title of this blog post.

However, the rest of it should be easy to understand....

I HAVE WINNERS!!!!

But first I would jsut like to say that I want to give everyone something but because of expenses, I chose three freshman to receive care packages :)

1ST PLACE!!!

KELSEY DICKSON

2ND PLACE!!!!

BIANCA DUARTE

3RD PLACE!!!

ERICA

Freshman care packages going to....

ANGELA Z

HARMONY BEAUFORT

LANA SCHOLTZ

If you guys do NOT email me within 24 hours I WILL be forced to select new winners!!

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

2010-07-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Pages: 256
Pub Date: March 17, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://jenniferechols.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over..

This is just... I honestly feel I cant write a review for this book without getting carried away and ruining the book for all of you. This book really connects with the readers. It has so many buried secrets that none of us know till the middle of the book. Its just. I honestly think its been a while since Ive read a novel that TRULY pulled at my heart strings and made me wonder about life. Books dont try to relate to teens that much. Or if they do they base it off of the media created enviroment we supposedly live in. This book really, truly, got to you. It made you think, and it made you tick. It is an amazing novel, that truly shows us about the difficulties of life outside of what to wear to prom.

Why I Dont.

2010-07-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

A lot of bloggers out there decorate their blog with things like countdowns, covers, memes, and follower only contests.

A lot of you may have noticed I do not do those things. Granted I tried to participate in some memes, and I may have posted a cover once or twice. But that is it.

I try to keep this blog as easy to manage as possible. I frankly dont care about my number of followers based on the number someone else has. I may get upset about the number of people READING but thats back to my whole phobia thing. I dont cause drama here. Simple as that.

I dont try to grab attention to myself, I did when I first started blogging, but that was mostly to inform people that I am here, I am posting reviews!

A lot of people state that there are certain standards a reivew must follow. Or that there are certain things a blogger should not do. Or that there are just SOME things you dont post on your blog!

I say, go die in a hole.

Granted I basically already doing every thing they said, EVEN BEFORE THEY TOLD US TO!

Aside from that (trying to prevent a rant) I just float in the blogosphere, sometimes it can be a bad thing (i feel like no one is there) or it can be a really, really good thing. And it keeps my blog from becoming only widgets, covers, and contests.

I am sorry if I want to see an actual post on your blog, not 5 posts in one day with a cover smacked on it saying "aint it purdy"

Our job is to REVIEW! Im not going to go around telling others to do that, but I will tell you right now only expect posts like these and reviews from me.

I may not be the fastest person when it comes to reviews, and I may not write the BEST reviews, but I am honest, I tell what I think, I dont drone on and on.

I simply write a review, one that will make sure you dont get bored with me.

I dont annoy you with music, or noisy widgets.

I dont make it so my page takes forever to load. I keep it as simple as possible.

And I hope you do to.

Ari

How To Be Bad by Lauren Myracle, E Lockhart, and Sarah Mylnowski

2010-07-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

How To Be Bad by Lauren Myracle, E Lockhart, and Sarah Mylnowski

Pages: 336
Pub Date: May 1, 2008
Author Website/Blog:http://www.laurenmyracle.com/home_pg.html http://www.theboyfriendlist.com/
Synopsis:Vicks is the wild child whose boyfriend has gone suspiciously quiet since he left for college; Mel is the newcomer desperate to be liked; and Jesse will do anything to avoid a life-altering secret. Each one has her own reason for wanting to get the heck out of their nowheresville town, even just for the weekend. So they climb into Jesse's mom's "borrowed" station wagon and head south. Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything.

3 friends. One Roadtrip. Complete and utter mayhem. What else should we expect from authors Lauren Myracle, E Lockhart, and Sarah Mylnowski? A sweet love story? No with them it is a requirement to write something fun, captivating, and hilarious. Told in all three characters point of views *just so you know I was sitting there trying to figure out who wrote which* Granted there was some romance, but why in the world would it be normal! It has to have an odd twist :) It really helped me decide what NOT to do (no boys) and what TO do (go to pirate hotel) when I take my cross country road trip in 4 years! Thanks for the help guys! Haha :)

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

2010-07-27T01:11:00.000-07:00

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Pages: 293
Pub Date: July 20, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://jenniferechols.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Honestly, this was even better than Going To Far (review will be up in a few days!) This book, it honestly, made me think about other things in the world like it. Maybe thats why it took me so long! Dang thinking :P Haha but really, this was probably her best novel yet. It shows the terrors of high school while throwing in the drama of home. Granted, time seemed to move a wee bit to quickly in this novel, but oh well, we ALL have a warped sense of time! (example: my clock says 1 am. I keep thinking 4 am) It was also one of those, "Oh my F***ING GOD!! GET TOGETHER ALREADY!!" novels. Im a picky person though, so the few little details that bothered me (aside from the OMFG moments) But really. Forget You is amazing. I loved Doug. He caused a lot of issues in the book but hes human, its good if he has flaws. Really, if you cant afford to purchase this book, go yell at your library, or kidnap it from your local bookseller (joking i dont want to be responsible for someone going to jail!!!)

For All Us Freshies :P

2010-07-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Okay so while running my contest at least half of you said you were entering highschool also. So Im going to share the tips I have gotten :)

""It's not as bad as you think. Don't like you own the school because that just irks the upperclassmen. Have fun and join clubs and meet new people! It's the best thing ever!"-Bianca D.

"Hmm, do your work, send things in on time, don't mouth off to upperclassmen x)"-Joanna

"Just be yourself. Don't be annoying or fake. Do your homework. Study. Keep organized. I'm sure you probably don't have a problem doing any of these things. Stay on top of things, don't procrastinate, and you should be fine."-Leslie G

""Okay, so first of all don't necessarily leave alone the upperclassmen, they aren't as mean as people make them out to be. But you also have to know your place, your younger and even if it isn't by much, they don't care.
Don't trust anyone(girls especially), they'll backstab you. Don't talk shit, if you do then watch out. because like I said, they'll backstab you. Don't be a procrastinator. lol Other than that have fun, it isn't as bad as people make it out to be, trust me. I just finished my freshman year. I didn't die. :D"-Natalie

"Don't get involved in the drama. it's never worth it."-Bethany B.

"Pay attention in class!!!! Do your homework! DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET IN THE HABIT OF PROCRASTINATING! And make sure you relax, and have some fun:)"-Dani S.

"Be yourself. Start your long term assignments when they are first assigned. Don't cram. Keep reading for fun (it will keep you sane). "-Sarah S.

"Just be yourself, you'll be fine!"-Erica

"I'm in 12th grade...I still don't have it all together. :S Anyway, enjoy your last few years of high school. After HS, you can bet that you won't see most of those you are forced to see everyday. Don't know if you'll be happy or sad about that. I'm pretty happy. :)"-Cass

"Try not to stress out about it too much and have a good time. This period in your life will pass way to fast. Stop and enjoy it. "-Linda H.

"Stay out of trouble"-Abishek D.

"Stick with your friends. If you do, you won't have any problems. =]"-Katie B.

"Make friends in all the different cliques. Have some fun and don't take life too seriously because there is plenty of time for that after you graduate."-Throughoutthehaze

"Ask teachers if you can read the text online. some have this and its great for people like me that walk home every day with pounds of books on their backs. Enjoy it!"-Amanda B.

"Don't ask for directions from anyone other than teachers. And, if you're school's a s big as mine, KEEP a map with you at all times!"-Kisha

"1. DRESS COMFY. You may want to look stylish, but if you're pants are too tight (aka showing your butt crack), or your shirt is too long (aka we can see your boobs), ZERO cool points for you.
2. You can't go wrong with a Jansport backpack, or a messenger bag, to carry you're stuff in. Yep, that's the way to go.
3. Pack a snack, because GASP...what if you got stuck with Lunch D that's at like 12:50?! Can you say HUNGRY?
4. DO NOT BE A CHEERLEADER. Run track, play golf, be on yearbook staff, or even do gymnastics! Just no cheerleading. It's stupid.
5. I've learned that teachers get mad if you read novels during their class. Haven't figured out why yet."-Kelsey D.

Thank you all so much for helping me out so far and for helping out all the new freshman!! We really appreciate your advice, because frankly we are scared out of our little freshman minds!!!

Ari

Quack Quack Jingle Jingle

2010-07-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Guess who got their ducky blanky :P Okay so its like the size for a baby doll but frankly I dont care.

It. Is. So. SOFT!

You know that scene in Despicable Me where Agnes is at the fair staring the unicorn yelling "ITS SO FLUFFY IM GONNA DIE!" That was me when I ordered this. Now Im Agnes after he blows up the booth. "ITS SO FLUFFY!"

I went outside today to get the mail and found this. Yeah pleasant surprise.
And now I have sat here for the past ten minutes STROKING it :)*stroke stroke*
OH AND IT HAS BELLS IN THE HEAD! I am such a little kid. Im sitting here going OOoo Awww and OOO IT JINGLES! OO THESE BABY SLIPPERS ARE SO SOFT! Yeah :P I mean I really want to sit here and clutch it and protect it from the EVILS of little kid snot...But thats not an option. Im sure all the little kids will love sitting there banging its poor head like its a hammer (sigh)

Love,
Ari

The Evil That Is Summer Reading

2010-07-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

I have been working on posting reviews and such, and then. IT came.

A package on my doorstep from amazon. It was non other than my summer reading books.
Life As We Knew It
A Seperate Peace
Great Expectations
The Old Man And The Sea

So dear blog followers, if I completely dissapear it is because i have killed myself reading these dull books!
Love
Ari

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

2010-07-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Pages: 217
Pub Date: February 1, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.sarazarr.com/archives/1858
Synopsis: As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other's only friend. SO when Cameron disappeared without warning, Jennifer thought she'd lost the one person who would ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating—everything "Jennifer" couldn't be. But she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend. When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have take.

Is it wrong that all I want to say for my review is love? It is? Oh... Okay then.. Well then I guess Ill write a review.... Sweethearts was adorable, I know probably the wrong word but I couldnt help myself! Aw aw aw! Those are the three words you say when reading Sweethearts. The book has a lot of background, which for once I really liked :) It really dug into the story behind abuse in a home. It showed how one person can ruin another persons life for good. You really connect with the characters, even though many of us walk around going "Well that will never be me." You dont know, it might some day. As always this book has a great lesson we all should learn, in my opinion the lesson was "Take help while you can" But hey thats just me. Maybe youll find another lesson :)

PLEASE READ! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

2010-07-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

As you know from my contest, I am entering High School this year.... HOWEVER!!! THE SCHOOL SCREWED ME OVER!!!

I tried to get into Honors English. Guess what I DIDNT GET INTO!
Yup your right. Honors English.

SO I need a HUUUGE FAVOR FROM ALL OF YOU!!!
Sign. Sign your little hearts out on here.

http://twitition.com/ndg2d

Please guys, I really need this! It would mean THE WORLD TO ME!!!! And Ive decided to bribe you guys.....

2 random signers will win some swag.

Comment below with a link to your tweet and your email. Please guys, do this for me. I have the highest comprehension level in my grade, and there are people struggling to read Junie B Jones in Honors English.

Love,
Ari

Manifest by Artist Arthur (2010 Debut Book)

2010-07-15T01:26:00.000-07:00

Manifest by Artist Arthur

Pages: 256
Pub Date: August 1, 2010
Author Website/Blog: N/A
Synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.
But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener-and everything she'd ever want-except that he was killed a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door-Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly call themselves the Misfits. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

This was the first time I was asked to review a book, and Ill be honest I was so excited I read the first line and said "Okay!" To be honest it took me oh say a month *embarrassed* to get into the first few chapters but once you kill the first 10 chapters you really, really like the story. Its just amazing, one of those books you NEED to get your sticky little fingers on! I loved it once a real plot line occurred, to be honest I didnt really like Ricky, he was sweet but he was annoying. I also didnt like another love interest in the story, Franklin, in all honesty for a good chunk of the book I was hoping she would choose Jake, another Mystyx. But alas my wish did NOT come true *sad* But aside from those road bumps I really enjoyed the over all idea :) The mean girl wasnt the usual blonde, the villain wasnt another teen, and well I let you find out everything else :)

*I receieved an ARC of this novel for review from the Online Publicist. I do not receive any form of payment for writing this book. I was not required to write a positive review.

Back To School Contest

2010-07-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

BACK TO SCHOOL CONTEST!!
In all honesty I dont want to go because its my first year of highschool *eek* Which by the way creates the PERFECT contest ;)

So heres the skinny. Im going to give away 3 swag packs. If I get to 100 followers before school starts for me *which is when Im ending this contest* Ill add a copy of Jennifer Echols new novel FORGET YOU.

Before I announce the epic contest! (and how you can enter) I would just like to thank a few special people who jumped up to help me last minute!

Lindsey Leavitt: Kindly donated some more Princess For Hire bookmarks Thank you Lindsey!!

Cyn Balog: Sent me Sleepless bookmarks

Jennifer Laurens: For sending me a bookmark everytime I bothered her with something!

Kimberly Derting: For offering me the oppurtunity to sign up for the Street Team to get the few goodies I still have left.

Adrianne Ambrose: For sending me LOADS of signed stickers!!

Kristina Springer: For sending me The Esspressologist Bookmarks

Kimberly Pauley: For sending me swag when I asked her to :)

Courtney Rae: For helping me restock on a few The Body Finder swag I needed....

So there will be THREE WINNERS!! The contest runs from now to August 9! To enter fill out the following form.

US only. Sorry international guys but Im broke *shrugs*

Enter using THIS FORM!!!

PRIZES: (YES I HAVE PICS!)

First Prize

Second Prize

Third Prize

Experiment: Dare Me Thursday

2010-07-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

Ive been having ideas run around in my head *aw my lovely little rats (aka brain)* about maybe doing one of those weekly things *im to lazy to find out the difference between a meme and a feature* So I decided to try something I *hope* no one has done before.

Dares. What do you guys say? Would you be interested in that?

You would submit the dares every Wednesday on a post and then on Thursday I would post how I did the dare! What do you think? This a test run. IF it works out Ill make a normal thing on here. But ONLY if I get a good response.

So shall we try it out? Comment with dares! They shall be picked at random!!

A True Child At Heart

2010-07-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I wanted to be the good daughter and get my parents something like this...

( Found on dining rooms direct )

But lets face it. Im a broke teenager :)

So instead Im going to get something beyond adorable that I can A. afford and B. just HAVE to HAVE!!!

(found inshoes got sole )

Yes, I know it is made for little kids. But lets face it, Im 14 and I am in LOVE with ducks!!!

So.... Thanks to the lovely people at CSN Im going to get my sticky little hands on the duck blanket.

Yeah be jealous ;)

Ill post a review of its softness later on!

Until then maybe you should cough up some cash and treat yourself to the bistro set ;)

Or send it to my parents XD

Love,

Ari

PS Who knows I may end up with some other fun goodies, and then I will review their sparkliness also!

Thank You All

2010-07-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Just to let all of you know, YES I love talking to all of you and I love seeing that occasional sweet comment on a blog post :)

HOWEVER I do get frustrated about 89% of the time running the blog.
These are just a few of the reasons
I read more then I can review
I end up talking to myself
My friends get shiny ARCs and I end up with a nasty green eyed monster saying "I must" (this one is just because Im a teenager. Cut me some slack people!)

However aside from that last reason. I DONT do this for free books, or popularity, granted being a teenager there a moments where I wish I could have that Crescendo ARC sitting in my lap like the INSANELY lucky Kelsey Dickson, but in the end I know that its one of those things that not everyone gets.

In the end I do this because I love to read, granted I feel totally out of the loop and like my blog isnt going to go ANYWHERE in life, but maybe Ill just have to get some people to help me, you know talk to people outside of my small comfort zone :)

OFF TOPIC: Really I would love some help to get out of my small circle of comfort. If anyone is willing to do this really thank you, maybe it will stop this insecurity about being alone in the blogosphere, you know like having a fear of dying alone (which is another of my many fears)

Back on topic: When I posted "Time To Call It Quits?" I was basically suffering from insecurities about my blog and my fear of dying alone (in the blogosphere!) and I was seriously considering quitting. But oh my god. Fifteen minutes into these comments you guys were leaving and I swear to god I had a river of tears streaming down my face, and I think Im going to start crying again thinking about them.

So after much talk with Kelsey Dickson and Courtney Rae and after seeing amazing comments like these.....

"I personally like it. But I'm not Ari and don't know what is going on in Ari's head. I doubt I really want to. Just kidding. Maybe. :)Point is, do it for you."-Courtney Rae

"Ari! I love you, and I love your blog. GIRL, you have more followers than I do! However, you shouldn't do it for the followers, or to see how many ARCs you can rack up, you need to do it for you."-Kelsey Dickson

"Personally, I don't think you should quit. I don't know you, but you seem like you must be awesome since you talk to yourself in the third person. And if you read for fun, you might as well put it to good use, right?"-Julie

"I actually just found your blog recently but I really like it. It's not my decision though. It's completely up to you whether or not you keep posting. If it's no longer enjoyable for you though, it probably means you should at least take a break."-Katie

"Well I do read what you post, but if you're not enjoying what you are doing anymore... you're the only one who can make the call"-Tynga

"Size of the review doesn't matter. It's how well you write them. Yeah, ours might be long, but that doesn't mean you can understand a word that is put up there.And if you feel stuck, like you're not going anywhere with it. Or you want to get in with more people. Push your way through. Talk to authors and publishing houses. I know you can talk up a storm to them. You have stayed up for HOURS talking to us about your love of books.But the big question is: Do you want to continue posting? Don't think about how many followers you have or how many people will read it. Think about how you feel about it."-Courtney Rae

(this one really made my day)"Besides, you know those blurbs on the back of books from other authors telling you how awesome they thought the book was? Yeah, one sentence TOPS"-Kelsey Dickson

"See, I now follow your blog. I would be SAD if you quit. *nod*"-Julie

"Then maybe you should keep doing it. You don't even have to post everyday, just post when you have time, or when you feel like it. And maybe you'll just keeping help that one person at a time."-Kelsey DIckson

"If you enjoy it, then keep at it, but you have to do what makes you happy."-StephTheBookworm

"OMG dont leave, I am reading!!! I love your blog, it's soo adorable, and your reviews are always so awesome, I have been WAY out of the loop lately, life has gotten kinda nuts...but I am reading..."-Book Crazy Jenn

I know thats a lot for you guys to read. Sorry. But I wanted to properly thank each and everyone of these people.

They were the ones who had me and tears and made me turn to Kelsey and Courtney and say "I dont think Im allowed to quit"

And for the record, a lot of you said things along the lines of "Do it for you."

Sadly I must tell you guys. You are wrong. I do this for YOU. And thats part of what caused my insecurities, I felt like the people I were doing it for didnt care. I felt like I was going to be reviewing books from teh 90s in 10 years.

Thank you all so much for basically giving me no choice, in all honesty you all made me feel so much better about thsi small little blog I call my baby.

Im staying.

Love,
Ari

PS I wasnt going to post till Wednesday but my twitter got a status limit like 6 hours ago and Im going insane.

Time To Call It Quits?

2010-07-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Is it time to call it quits? I seem so out of the loop lately. Am I one of few bloggers out there who reads for fun? No one reads this blog (Watch as this post doesnt even get any views) I buy all my books or get them all from the library except for a few select times. No one really CARES if I leave. Its almost been a year, and sadly I feel that it was a year wasted. So what does anyone (if anyone is even reading this) think.

Is it time to call it quits?

The Treasure Map Of Boys by E Lockhart

2010-07-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Treasure Map Of Boys by E Lockhart

Pages: 256
Pub Date: July 28, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.theboyfriendlist.com/
Synopsis: Ruby is back at Tate Prep, and it's her thirty-seventh week in the state of Noboyfriend. Her panic attacks are bad, her love life is even worse, and what's more:
Noel is writing her notes, Jackson is giving her frogs, Gideon is helping her cook, and Finn is making her brownies. Rumors are flying, and Ruby's already-sucky reputation is heading downhill.
Not only that, she's also: running a bake sale, learning the secrets of heavymetal therapy, encountering some seriously smelly feet, defending the rights of pygmy goats, and bodyguarding Noel from unwanted advances.
In this companion novel to "The Boyfriend List "and "The Boy Book, "Ruby struggles to secure some sort of mental health, to understand what constitutes a real friendship, and to find true love--if such a thing exists.

The third and final book in the series. As always just BRILLIANT. Honestly I think it was the best of all three, but its just my opinion. I especially loved the petting zoo scene :) that is one Ill always remember. Anyway, Ruby is basically losing it, nothing is working out, of course. You got to love her for it though. She just keeps trying and failing. Which might work out in her favor, if you, ya know read the book ;) This is truly a memorable way to end a series. I think Ruby will stay in my heart forever. As always a great summer read :)

One of those love/hate moments :)

2010-07-10T20:25:00.001-07:00

So um yeah.. Im totally in love with Bree Despain’s THE DARK DIVINE book trailer…

Love everything about it except for ONE THING!!

The girls voice. Far to raspy. Hate it. Get rid of it. THANK YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxMy_TE88-0

Watch to see if you agree with me :)

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

2010-07-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

Pages: 240
Pub Date: September 1, 2003
Author Website/Blog: http://halseanderson.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: Meet Kate Malone -- straight-A science and math geek, minister's daughter, ace long-distance runner, new girlfriend (to Mitchell "Early Decision Harvard" Pangborn III), unwilling family caretaker, and emotional avoidance champion. Kate manages her life by organizing it as logically as the periodic table. She can handle it all -- or so she thinks. Then, things change as suddenly as a string of chemical reactions; first, the Malones' neighbors get burned out of their own home and move in. Kate has to share her room with her nemesis, Teri Litch, and Teri's little brother. The days are ticking down and she's still waiting to hear from the only college she applied to: MIT. Kate feels that her life is spinning out of her control -- and then, something happens that truly blows it all apart.

The same setting as SPEAK, Laurie Halse Anderson truly delivers once again with a life changing lesson that is meant to teach a lesson, a lesson some of us, like Kate, dont know until its really to late. She had plans to go to MIT. It was the only school she applied to. Im pretty sure you dont need to read the book to figure out what happens ;) But its perfect. It also shows how sometimes the person you dislike you may know nothing about. Its a terribly sad book though. But its still amazing. But what else is to be expected of Laurie Halse Anderson :)

Someone who I love, but her priorities are off. Oh and shes going to do a giveaway :)

2010-07-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

EVERYONE! Pretty please go become a follower on my friend Courtney Rae's blog. Shes a sweet person, and writes wwaaaaayyy better reviews then me :)
http://courtney-reads.blogspot.com/

She also has decided that if she were to make a deal with the devil and her options were.
A. Her soul.
B. Her first born child.
C. Her copy of LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater (spelling?)

She would cough up the first born child. And yes when asked this question she clutched LINGER to her chest.

But yeah. Shes going to have a summer contest soon. She wants all of you to go participate, so go follow her so you can find out when :)

PS. She jstu told me she has TORMENT coming to her. Way to make me jealous Courtney.

What I Learned From Being A Cheerleader by Adrianne Ambrose (GIVEAWAY)

2010-07-08T04:24:00.001-07:00

What I Learned From Being A Cheerleader by Adrianne Ambrose (GIVEAWAY)

Pages: 202
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://adrianneambrose.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Elaine Rewitzer is funny, smart and wryly observant, but totally into her new fame as a cheerleader for the Cross Creek Middle School Buccaneers. Her best friend Bethany warns that Elaine will just become "part of the herd," and her best guy-pal, the loyal and gallant Tim, (who's struggling with nose ppolyps) feels forgetten. Will Elaine survive the roller coaster of pre-teen cheerleader fame? Will she win the heart of the cutest boy on the basketball team? Will she confess her "uncool" love for comic books? Will she lose Bethany and Tim's friendship for-evah? AND WHEN WILL SHE GET HER POM POMS???

Is it so wrong to say, that yes 3 years ago, when I was entering 6th grade this probably would have been what my diary looked like? What I Learned From Being A Cheerleader is a fun novel based on a 11 year old girl's diary. It shows how hard the transition from Elementary school to Middle School is and how hard it is sometimes to choose being cool, or your best friends. Being a tween is the hardest years of your life, right along side being a teenager. This really relates to all tweens out there, its a great novel if your struggling in your first year of Middle School. We are all afraid, we all have no idea what we are doing, this novel is perfect to showing how to figure out who you are before you make all the mistakes in your life. This novel was witty, brilliant, and told through a clear voice that just made you think, "This was me." or "This is me"

GIVEAWAY!!!
So I was lucky enough to get a TON of signed stickers from Adrianne to give away to you guys <3
So simple :)
1st prize winner-5 signed stickers
2nd prize winner-3 signed sitckers
3rd prize winner-2 signed stickers

Get me up to 75 followers and Ill buy a copy of WHAT I LEARNED FROM BEING A CHEERLEADER for a random entry :)

Leave a comment on this post saying I WANT TO WIN!.
Extra entry for spreading the word ANYWHERE!! Yes even on the lipsmackers lounge :) Just leave me a link for every extra entry so i can verify it!
For every follower you get to say "SO and SO got me to follow your blog!" you get 2 extra entries.
If your already a follower you get 3.
New follower you get 1.
Leave a name and a way to contact you :)

Ari
*please not I received a Galley of WHAT I LEARNED FROM BEING A CHEERLEADER for free. That was all I received for this review, no monetary payment from teh publisher.

A Letter of Apology

2010-07-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Blogosphere.....
I am terribly sorry for neglecting you :( I feel terrible about it. I love you with all my heart, but as you know Im busy with Fanfiction also. I am busy running an awards for fanfiction that is sucking every minute of my free time. But for the next 2 weeks you have my sole attention. You shall be pampered with book reviews, and my contest Im starting soon :) You will be pampered with witty posts, since you guys want more Ari also.

You will be loved. Its almost been a year together blogosphere, but I dont treat you like that. Ive been terrible to you. I promise, I will try to improve, and I WILL be better in our new year together :)

Love,
Ari

The Boy Book by E Lockhart

2010-07-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Boy Book by E Lockhart

Pages: 224
Pub Date: April 22, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.theboyfriendlist.com/
Synopsis: Join Ruby Oliver at the start of her junior year at Tate Prep as she confronts:
- the secret about Noel
- mysterious notes from Jackson
- the interpretation of boy-speak
- the horrors of the school trip
- new entries in The Boy Book
There are Fruit Roll-Ups.
There is upper-regioning.
There are so many boys to choose from!
And there are penguins.

Only Ruby can keep her readers on her side even as those around her wonder, What is she thinking?!
Book two in the Ruby Oliver series. Once again perfectly hilarious. This one dealt with something Ruby held close to her heart before Kim betrayed her. The boy book. A book filled with all the information needed on boys. How to get a guy, how to go to certain stages with a boy, EVERYTHING! I found this just perfect for any teenage girl that has issues in the world of dating, I mean we all do. Right? Well this book is just AMAZING, I really suggest it as a good way to kill some of that boredom that accumulates over summer break.

One of those OH MY GOD MOMENTS!

2010-07-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

So today I recieved two packages in the mail, both I knew were coming. In package A. I had a audiobook of Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce…..

Package B however……

Well about a month ago an author emailed me and asked if I would review her book, I told her Id love to. So I sent her my info to be sent off to her editor and waited.

The book I was asked to review was in the package….. along with a book I had no idea about, I just simply stared at it and then went YAY My first book I had no idea about!

I just sat there astounded, to me this was a HUGE milestone for blogging, right up there with being ASKED to review something.

PS. Anyone know the difference between a Bound GALLEY and a bound MANUSCRIPT?? Or are they synonymous?

Ari *still squealing*

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

2010-07-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Nick and Norahs Infinite Playlist

Pages: 192
Pub Date: August 28, 2007
Author Website/Blog: http://www.davidlevithan.com/index.html http://www.rachelcohn.com/
Synopsis: It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who's just walked in to his band's show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date.

Just brilliant. As always the book is better then the movie. The movie made me tear off my nails and eat them it (figuratively) it was so painful. I dont think Ive ever been truly bored to tears. The book made up for it. The book always makes everything so much better. This book was slow at the beginning but the end made up for it. It really showed that things arent as they seem. Granted I gaged a bit when Norah talked about Tukan Olam which is a jewish idea that the world is broken and we need to put the pieces back together again. I really enjoyed that the story showed the true feelings of the characters. It wasnt some cheesy novel where all they wanted to do is fall in love. THis was a great well written story.

Struts and Frets by Jon Skovron

2010-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Struts and Frets by Jon Skrovron

Pages: 304
Pub Date: November 1, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://jonskovron.com/#c71/tumblr
Synopsis: Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.
When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?

This book was just amazing. Loved it! One of the best books I've read in a while. Most books are the usual teen issues. No one really focuses on anything but their school life and their core family. This book showed us how much the main character respects his grandfather, because he was a working musician. It also showed, being in a band isnt all that fabulous. Especially when you have a lead man who jsut ruins everything. Oh and the benefits of having a girl for a best friend. This book really stirred some things in me because I just sat there ticking off a list of things I can relate to. Great book.

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

2010-07-02T03:31:00.000-07:00

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Pages: 432
Pub Date: January 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://lisa-schroeder.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Restless souls and empty hearts Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just 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 visiting her dreams. Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface. As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

Chasing Brooklyn is an absolutely gorgeous. Granted Im not a fan for the poetry style novels, but at least this one still sounded like a book. It hardly sounded like poetry. This was just beautiful. Granted I also didnt really like the whole, "Ghosts trying to help them thing." But still the idea was nice. Okay so I did get a bit annoyed since her name was Brooklyn. And I only skimmed the summary so I just assumed Nico was a girl until he did things that distinguished him as a boy. And 200 pages in they said he was a boy. But that annoyed. The book could have used a little more detail. But it was still a nice story.

You Are SO Not Invited To My Batmitvah by Fiona Rosenbloom

2010-06-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

You Are SO Not Invited To My Batmitvah by Fiona Rosenbloom

Pages: 208
Pub Date: August 29, 2005
Author Website/Blog: N/A
Synopsis: Stacy Friedman is getting ready for one of the biggest events of her young life--her bat mitzvah! All she wants is the perfect BCBG dress to wear, her friends by her side, and her biggest crush ever, Andy Goldfarb, to dance with her (and maybe give Stacy her first French kiss .). But of course, things never work out quite the way you'd like them to.. Her stressed-out mother forces her to buy a hideous beaded sequined dress that she wouldn't be caught dead in. Her mitzvahs are not going at all well. And then the worst thing in the entire world happens--Stacy catches her best friend, Lydia, making out with Andy! And thus she utters the words that will wreak complete havoc on her social life ...You are so not invited to my bat mitzvah!

This book was just perfect. It reminded me of everything MY Batmitvah wasnt. I absolutely loved that. My Batmitvah was a small affair and no one really cared. Meanwhile with this oh its a Batmitvah so its like a stinkin wedding! And also only a few of my friends had one. In this book there was every single person she knew having one, EVEN if they werent jewish! In real life, sadly its not cool to have a Batmitvah. But in this book there were people throwing faux batmitvahs. Ridiculous! Right? This book also showed that you shouldnt freak about right or wrong with a batmtivah. Just enjoy it!

Bad Ari

2010-06-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

IVE BEEN NEGLECTING HEIDI! (SORRY HEIDI!)

I probably should have told you guys about htis MONTHS ago! Now I feel bad (okay not months. more like WEEKS)

http://seaheidi.livejournal.com/180407.html

SEA! (pun)

And more shiny! *points* WATCH IT!

Please? THANK YOU!

HELP!!

2010-06-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: I contacted Lindsey Leavitt and she offered to send me some bookmarks!!

Does anyone have a few PRINCESS FOR HIRE BOOKMARKS! Like 3 or 4?! If you do could you please EMAIL ME AT teensactuallyread @ gmail . com

Also it would be appreciated if you had any book stickers or book marks or posters or totebags. Any book goodies you dont want! If you have any of those please email me at teensactuallyread @ gmail . com

Hopefully you guys will find out next week why I ask this of you. But seriously I NEED these things. Mostly the Princess For Hire bookmarks. My friends came over and took them all. I didnt want them to, so please. Ill make it worth your while. Ill trade with you for PRINCESS FOR HIRE BOOKMARKS! I need +3 . Ill send you two bookmarks for every PRINCESS FOR HIRE BOOKMARK or one sticker for every bookmark. And then if you want to donate something ill send you one sticker for every donation. THANK YOU! Please I really need these things.

Desperately thankful,

Ari

Break for Ari

2010-06-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

So Im taking a mental health week. Sorry I NEED it. Ever since Ive gotten out of school all I have done is read books and review them. Saturday you will be DROWNING in reviews I have waiting. But until then, Im taking advanted of the sun and the pool. Ill still answer emails and read books. But reviews, well just wait a bit. In the past two weeks I really made up for the school year. So cut me some slack okay :) This is just for a few days. You know Ill be back with my annoying reviews!

Thanks! (I need SOME of my summer vacation for me!)

Ari

An Off Year by Claire Zulkey

2010-06-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

An Off Year by Claire Zulkey

Pages: 304
Pub Date: September 3, 2009
Author Website/Blog: www.zulkey.com
Synopsis:Cecily has always done everything as she was supposed to: taken the right classes, gotten the right grades, applied to the right colleges. But after a lifetime of following the rules, she surprises everyone by arriving for her freshman year of college . . . and turning around. There are infinite possibilities for Cecilys unexpected gap year. She could volunteer, or travel around the worldbut, for now, Cecily is content to do absolutely nothing. What follows is a year of snarkily observed self-doubt and selfdiscovery during which Cecily must ask herself, for the first time, what does she really want to do with her life?

I can honestly say this book has taken any thoughts of skipping a year out of my mind. Its like... I dont want to spend my year off in a therapist office and watching as my friends move on with their lives, but I stay stuck where I am. Im sorry but that would just make me feel pathetic. Everyone else is rediscovering themselves and I would be stuck in the dust wondering what they were doing. Not to mention they would all basically desert me. Basically it would just plain right suck. I cant see why anyone would want to just sit at home for a whole year. And watch life pass you by. Heck in the book she even went without a haircut since she was supposed to leave for school! That has to tell you something. This book was good, funny, but god its made me realize, "NO OFF YEAR"

Likely Story by David Van Etten

2010-06-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

Likely Story by David Van Etten
Pages: 240
Pub Date: May 13, 2008
Author Website/Blog: N/A
Synopsis: Mallory is a teenage girl living in L.A. and her mother is the oftnominated, never-winning star of a daytime soap; she is, in fact, the ultimate drama queen. After yet another blow-out about her mother's awful plotlines and overacting, Mallory starts blogging about how she wishes soap operas were more like real kids' lives instead of the ridiculous storylines the shows usually feature. When her mother's agent reads the blog, Mallory ends up in her own whirlwind drama, both at school and on the lot, as she works to protect the integrity of her original idea, cope with her mother's jealousy, and get her best friend a lead role on the show. Factor in her boyfriend with the girlfriend, the cute but bad brother to said-best-friend, and the super-cute male lead on her show, and Mallory's got plenty of her own melodrama to cope with.

I think I have a obsession with books that tell the truth about the world of celebrities. Once again a story that shows us that all that glitters is not gold. And what we see as fabulous fame is just a new stick up your.... I wont finish that. But its true. More and more of the books I read like this really peel back what we see as the fabulous prefect life of fame and show us what is really there. Pain, misery, stress. No one wants that. Yet people throw themselves at it. This book was another one who did a great job of showing us this. I cant wait to read the sequel All That Glitters.

After by Kristin Harmel

2010-06-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

After by Kristin Harmel
Pages: 240
Pub Date: February 9, 2010
Author Website/Blog: www.kristinharmel.com
Synopsis: Lacey's world shatters when her dad is killed in a car accident. And secretly? She feels like it's her fault. If she hadn't taken her own sweet time getting ready that morning . . . well, it never would have happened. Her mom wouldn't be a basket case. Her brother Logan wouldn't drink. And her little brother would still have two parents. But life goes on even if you don't want it to. And when Lacey gets the chance to make a difference in the lives of some people at school, she jumps at it. Making lemonade out of lemons is her specialty. Except she didn't count on meeting a guy like Sam. Or that sometimes? Lemonade can be a pretty bitter drink to swallow.

After is a heart breaking story. Once again a story where you want to laugh and say you are untouchable. This wont happen to you. But once again. You are easily wrong. It only takes a few minutes to shatter a picture perfect world. I read this book and I sat there thinking to myself wondering, "what if this was me." God I was just crying. This book really touches your heart. It pokes you and tells you, "try to understand how these people feel." And you do, you really do. This story is just perfect. Its a love story, but also a drama. This story has two love stories in one. Her love for her father, the man she never got a chance to say goodbye to before he was out of her life forever, and another, a new boy, who may or may not be lying to her. I absolutely loved this story. I hope you give it a chance.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

2010-06-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Heist Society by Ally Carter
Pages: 304
Pub Date: February 9, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.allycarter.com/diary
Synopsis:When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

Heist Society was just wow. I had heard some amazing things on it and around December I already had plans to buy it. This book was just amazing. I love the Ghallager Girl books so I wasnt expecting a plain boring story. But this was beyond my expectations. I was just beyond impressed. Ally Carter really outdid herself writing this book. She really put her heart and sole into Heist Society. I was thoroughly impressed. This story had great characters to fall in love with and a great villain to enjoy hating. It was the perfect adventure novel. Most people would think that she wouldnt be able to make a good book about something other than spies. She did. she really showed all of us that her comfort zone isnt good enough for her, and shes willing to go outside of it.

The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

2010-06-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

Pages: 256
Pub Date: September 26, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://www.theboyfriendlist.com/
Synopsis:Ruby Oliver is 15 and has a shrink. She knows it's unusual, but give her a break -- she's had a rough 10 days. In the past 10 days she:
lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list),lost her best friend (Kim),lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket),did something suspicious with a boy (#10),did something advanced with a boy (#15),had an argument with a boy (#14),drank her first beer (someone handed it to her),got caught by her mom (ag!),had a panic attack (scary),lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie),failed a math test (she'll make it up), hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends),became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch) and had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the boys'!?!).But don't worry -- Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.

The Boyfriend List is the first novel in the Ruby Oliver series. This was hilarious. You just had to laugh, and cry as Ruby suffered through her worst year in highschool. She had practically everything. And then she ruined it. Time put into a reptuation taht was ruined with one single kiss. Oh and her best friend took her boyfriend. Just lovely. Right? The Boyfriend List is the type of book where you just sit there and laugh thinking, "This wont ever happen to me!" But hey you never know! This could easily be you next week. The girl with no friends, no boyfriend, labeled as a slut, oh and seeing a shrink because of panic attacks. No one wants to be in that situation. But lets face it, all teenagers put themselves there. Great book, great message. Completely loved it.

Things That Are by Andrew Clements

2010-06-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Things That Are by Andrew Clements
Pages: 176
Pub Date: September 18, 2008
Author Website/Blog; N/A
Synopsis: Alicia's total blindness is a harsh fact. But she still sees what's going on. She sees how her parents want her to be independent, but can't quite let go. She sees Bobby edging closer, sees their relationship approaching new territory. And she sees William, at first just another invisible form, a voice. Except William is invisible to everyone, not just Alicia. And his demands are a threat to her, to Bobby, to both their families. Perhaps even a threat to global security. That's what the FBI thinks. But is he? And is Alicia's instinct to trust this man wrong-dangerously, disastrously wrong?

In all honesty he should have left it with Things Not Seen. In my opinion that was the only book in this series that I enjoyed. These past two books were annoying. Things Hoped For, because it was all about a girl that will be mentioned only in passing in this book. This one annoyed me because it was pointless. No one cares about another invisible person. We already know the secret to invisibility and how to reverse. So why are two more books necessary? This book was just annoying. It wasnt amazing or anything. It just sat there, blankly telling a story that would have been a lot more exciting from Bobbys point of view. Im glad this series is over and I regret movie on to the sequels.

Read Our Review of Things Hoped For
Read Our Review Of Things Not Seen

Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

2010-06-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook
Pages: 272
Pub Date: January 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.eileencook.com/blog/
Synopsis: Popularity is the best revenge.In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren--starting with her boyfriend.Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

I loved this book. It was just perfect. I can really relate to being back stabbed by someone close to me, and then they use it to their advantage. I just wish I had the guts to do what this book did. Really. It captured the thought of revenge that all teenagers dream about. But it also did one extra. It showed us how it easy it is to be the better person. This was a great story. It teaches a great lesson-maybe revenge isnt all its cracked up to be- and that being the better person will be the best thing to do in the end. It also shows that no matter how much you hate someone you cant help but pity them just a little bit. And that you used to still have the same relationship with them. Great book.

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

2010-06-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Pages: 320
Pub Date: June 1, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com/whats_new/
Synopsis: When Miranda Merchant, sixteen and levelheaded, escapes her lonely, hot summer in New York City, little does she know what awaits her. She steps off the ferry onto an island rife with legend, lore, and a past her logical mind can't make any sense of. She isn't expecting to feel a connection to this unusual place, so filled with languorous charm and strange history. And when she meets Leo, a mysterious local boy, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship, reality..... and love.

I really fell in love with this book. I only picked it up because I have this obsession with mermaids. Im so glad I did. This was just...wow. Granted I was a little ticked off that the mermaid thing was never verified but still.... Great book. Great romance. I fell in love with the characters and the mystery behind the story. I think most people do. This was one of those stories that you cant help but love. It had a little bit of everything for everyone. It was almost like a medley of a bunch of different stories. If you need a book to read I really recommend you hunt down this one, this is one of the best stories youll read.

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

2010-06-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Pages: 336
Pub Date: December 22, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.emmaandnicola.com/
Synopsis: 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 seh 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.

Lets face it, we all have dreams of becoming famous. I mean everyone makes it seem so glamorous. But is it? The Real Real opens up the world of being a celebrity to the average person, and we learn that being a celebrity isnt all its cracked up to be. We all value our privacy, but it seems people will give that up at a chance to see their name and picture plastered on a magazine cover. We already hate rumors that go through high school about us. Imagine it even worse, instead of being passed through the mouths of a few hundred kids its passed through the mouths of a few hundred million people. You are constantly judged. You cant even make your own life decisions any more. The Real Real shows all of this to us. It really opens our eyes and make us think to ourselves, "Do I really want fame?"

Little Miss Red by Robin Palmer

2010-06-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Red by Robin Palmer
Pages: 272
Pub Date: February 9, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://robinpalmer.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Sophie Greene gets good grades, does the right thing, and has a boyfriend that her parents and her younger brother just love. (Too bad she doesn't love him.) Sophie dreams of being more like Devon Deveraux, star of her favorite romance novels, but, in reality, Sophie isn't even daring enough to change her nail polish. All of that changes when Sophie goes to Florida to visit her grandma Roz, and she finds herself seated next to a wolfishly goodlooking guy on the plane. The two hit it off, and before she knows it, Sophie's living on the edge. But is the drama all it's cracked up to be?

Little Miss Red was supposed to be a modern un-magical retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I mean it had a wolfish stranger that she meets that takes advantage of her, it has the red head assesory it had the trip to grandmas house, and it had the villian who caused Grandma harm! So the basic plot sticks to the story but not much else does. Really it was just a cute story about a girl who wants something more exciting than her boring boyfriend who has currently put the "pause" on their relationship. It was still a great book. I enjoyed it more then I would have if it followed the yellow brick road for the plot to LIttle Red Riding Hood. Its a great summer read, so see if you can find it!

Does My Head Look Big In This by Randa Abdel-Fattah

2010-06-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Does My Head Look Big In This by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Pages: 368
Pub Date: August 1, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.randaabdelfattah.com/
Synopsis: As soon as sixteen-year-old Amal makes the decision to start wearing the hijab full-time, everyone has a reaction. Her parents, her teachers, her friends, people on the street. But she stands by her decision to embrace her faith and all that it is, even if it does make her a little different from everyone else. Can she handle the taunts of "towel head" and the prejudice of her classmates, and manage her growing friendship with the cutest boy in school?

This book was a great look into a whole other culture that most of us prejudge. It shows us how they feel and how they react to how we treat them. It also shows their opinions on things like 9/11. It was a great book. I was raised in a house hold that taught me that anyone from an arabic country is evil, but thats in part that my dad was in the isreali military. However this book gave me a whole new perspective. It showed my that my dad wasnt completely right. Some of them are normal people. They dont deserve any of the treatment we have been giving them. This gave me a whole new look at the problems they face just because of their beliefs. It was a great book.

Candor by Pam Bachorz

2010-06-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Pages: 256
Pub Date: September 22, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.pambachorz.com/blog/
Synopsis: In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town's founder, Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.
But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant-perfect-through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar' s built a business sabotaging his father's scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before they're turned. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks? Then he meets Nia, the girl he can't stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more.

Candor was an interesting story. When I first read the synopsis I was wary. I was unsure that it was going to be a good book. But some friends read it and told me it was amazing. So I sighed, and checked it out. It was actually a really good book. It had a great story. But the ending was sad. He risked everything for a girl. And he ended up no better than a small child. Its actually pathetic how brainwashing does that to someone. It just shows you how cruel people can be. Especially people who believe in a form of perfection. Perfection is dangerous. Something more people are starting to realize. This book agrees with those people. It will help open your eyes showing you, perfection can cause problems, and no one wants that.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

2010-06-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Pages: 303
Pub Date: April 1, 2007
Author Website/Blog: http://www.simoneelkeles.net/index1.html
Synopsis: Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk and crashed into Maggie Armstrong. One year later, both teenagers have become outsiders in their small community. Pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak," Caleb and Maggie end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Leaving Paradise was a book that several people told me I Just HAD to read. I saw it at the library and grabbed it. I already loved Simone Elkeles because of her novel Perfect Chemistry. I loved this book also. It was just perfect. The perfect secret, the perfect plot, the perfect reason to hate someone. This was just a brilliant story. I fell in love with the characters. The whole story just came together perfectly, what with Caleb just out of jail and Maggie desperately reaching to move on with her life. SHe struggles as she works with him, she is supposed to hate him. She is supposed to wish that he was dead. So she would still be perfect. So she would be able to impress her dad who walked out on her. She didnt care that she used to love Caleb. She was supposed to hate him. But of course that doesnt last long. And nasty secrets come out.

Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel

2010-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel

Pages: 176
Pub Date: May 12, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/lurlene/index.html
Synopsis: Travis Morrison is a high school athlete on the rise. He is an excellent diver, and his whole high school team is counting on him to help them win the state championship next year. Travis is looking forward to the competition too; in the meantime, though, he plans on enjoying summer. He loves being in the water and often wonders if he is part fish. On the first day of summer vacation, he goes out to the lake with his girlfriend Darla, his best friend Cooper, and his kid sister Emily. It is a beautiful day, and the water is perfect. Travis decides to do a diving stunt because he cannot stand being near water and not diving. His friends and sister do not think it is a good idea, but Travis is fearless. When he takes the dive, something goes very wrong. In an instant, Travis's life changes forever.

This was a heart breaking story of a all star diver who discovers he has cancer. One day out on the lake with his girlfriend, his sister, and his best friend he goes for dive. And the fatal crack happens. He assumes its only a broken leg. Until hes checked into the hospital and dozens of tests are run. They amputate his leg and he begins to hate his life. He fights with the world as he discovers that he doesnt want to live like this. He wants to be how things used to be. He doesnt want to be having poison sent into his body and being cut up like a frog on a dissection table. This story is told through four different point of views. This story is a guessing game. Who helped Travis die?

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