Susane Colasanti Sampler

I read and loved When It Happens, and I'm eagerly waiting for Waiting For You, so imagine how excited I was to spot this sampler of Susane Colasanti's work. Check it out!

Susane Colasanti Sampler

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Fiction Books when it happens take me there

Review: Being Nikki, Meg Cabot

Being Nikki
Meg Cabot

Official Summary:

Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.
But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.
How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...
Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

What the Pros Say:

PW: Cabot…dishes up all the story ingredients her fans have come to know and love - romance, humor, believable teen dialogue and even a fantastical twist…Pure fun, this first series installment will leave readers clamoring for the next.

Kirkus: The text's abundant references to current pop culture and Em's witty character keep this read both grounded and fun.

What I Say:

Do you love love love Meg Cabot and all of her books? Then this one's definitely for you.

Are you a little iffier on her style, or haven't tried any of her books yet? Then I think I'd recommend that you start with another of her series (and you've got a whole bunch of gems to choose from: The Princess Diaries, The Mediator books, even the "Boy" books, which I absolutely adore and were some of the first books to drag me into the chick lit section).

Being Nikkiis a fun, enjoyable read, and if you read and enjoyed Airhead, then I would say that you're good to go. In this follow-up, the mystery around Em's transformation deepens--why is she really stuck in Nikki's body? Plus, all of her relationships become much more complicated, and Em's left trying to fix the mess that was Nikki's life while creating a new life all her own.

One nitpick that I did have with the book was that Christopher wasn't always the most likeable boy, but I think we can give him a miss on the theory that the love of his life had just died. Basically though, this one's a fun, quick read that will definitely appeal to Meg Cabot fans and will probably tickle anyone who enjoys fun, chick-litty reads with a little bit of geeky-girl-sass.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!


On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott generally has weekly giveaways.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:

Reader Rabbit is giving away two books by Kelly Armstrong. (Ends: 5/7)

Mrs. Magoo Reads is giving away Willow. (Ends: 5/11)

Boy With Books is giving away a copy of Rampant. (Ends: 5/15)

Reviewer X is giving away Waiting For You. (Ends: 5/16)

Presenting Lenore is giving away No One You Know. (Ends: 5/19)

A Maze of Books is giving away Sea Change. (Ends: 5/20)

Presenting Lenore is giving away a copy of Cycler. (Ends: 5/21)

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf is giving away a copy of How to Buy a Love of Reading. (Ends: 5/22)

Sharon Loves Books and Cats is giving away a copy of Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff. (Ends:5/31)

Shooting Stars Mag is giving away three vampire books. (Ends: 5/31)

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away two books to celebrate May. (Ends: 5/31)

Books by Their Cover is giving away a copy of How to Buy a Love of Reading. (Ends: 5/31)

Presenting Lenore is giving away a realistic fiction prize pack. (Ends: 6/3)

Presenting Lenore is giving away a fantasy prize pack. (Ends: 6/3)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away You Had me at Halo. (Ends: at end of blogiversary)


This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!

Review: Perfect Fifths, Megan McCafferty

Perfect Fifths
Megan McCafferty

Official Summary:

Old flames are reignited in the fifth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Jessica Darling series.

Captivated readers have followed Jessica through every step and misstep: from her life as a tormented, tart-tongued teenager to her years as a college grad stumbling toward adulthood. Now a young professional in her mid-twenties, Jess is off to a Caribbean wedding. As she rushes to her gate at the airport, she literally runs into her former boyfriend, Marcus Flutie. It’s the first time she's seen him since she reluctantly turned down his marriage proposal three years earlier–and emotions run high.

Marcus and Jessica have both changed dramatically, yet their connection feels as familiar as ever. Is their reunion just a fluke or has fate orchestrated this collision of their lives once again?

Told partly from Marcus’s point of view, Perfect Fifths finally lets readers inside the mind of the one person who’s both troubled and titillated Jessica Darling for years. Expect nothing less than the satisfying conclusion fans have been waiting for, one perfect in its imperfection. . . .

What the Pros Say:

PW: McCafferty writes strong characters with rich, believable inner lives, but the attempts at formal cuteness don't allow the book to properly flourish.

What I Say:

I have to preface this by saying that I was an enormous fan of the first and second books. I actually picked up Second Helpings first, because I'd bypassed the two books so many times in the bookstore that I was sure I wouldn't like them. I was just looking for another book to top off my stack, and Second Helpings fit the bill. But by the time I was finished with the last page, I was already running out the door to get Sloppy Firsts from the bookstore, unable to wait until the checked out copy was returned to the library to rewind and read the beginnings of Jess and Marcus's adventures.

I loved those books. Devoured them. Could probably have quoted from them. I felt like Jess was me, and, like every other fan of the series, wished for a Marcus of my own. But I've got to say that the third and fourth books just didn't quite work for me. I wanted Jess to have matured more, or maybe I wanted her to have matured less. The constant references to the first two books seemed jarring--they pulled me out of Jessica's adult life and felt like a rehash of the first two books. I know that the third and fourth books have their fans, I just wasn't one of them.

So I was slightly dubious about this last book in the Jessica Darling series. Not dubious enough to keep me from racing out to get it the day it came out, but definitely slightly doubtful. Luckily, I think this one finally lived up to my expectations. Maybe it's that I'm a little bit older, maybe it's just that this one was a bit more my style, but I really think that Perfect Fifths provided the "perfect" ending for the series.

One of the big things that made that possible was the departure from the diary style and the foray into a variety of interesting formats to get across the reunion between Jessica and Marcus. Then too, the going back over of old events seemed somehow much fresher and more organic; wouldn't two long lost lovers rehash their past upon meeting again, after all? I've got to say that this is definitely my favorite since the first two, and all fans should give it a try.

That said, if you haven't been a fan of the series before, I would definitely go back and start at the beginning--I have a feeling that this book would be much less enjoyable without a working understanding of the trials and tribulations that Marcus and Jessica have gone through in their relationship to get up to this point.

Review: Taken, Edward Bloor

Taken
Edward Bloor

Official Summary:
BY 2035 THE RICH have gotten richer, the poor have gotten poorer, and kidnapping has become a major growth industry in the United States. The children of privilege live in secure, gated communities and are escorted to and from school by armed guards.

But the security around Charity Meyers has broken down. On New Year's morning, she wakes and finds herself alone, strapped to a stretcher, in an ambulance that's not moving. She is amazingly calm - kids in her neighborhood have been well trained in kidnapping protocol. If this were a normal kidnapping, Charity would be fine. But as the hours of her imprisonment tick by, Charity realizes there is nothing normal about what's going on here. No training could prepare her for what her kidnappers really want . . . and worse, for who they turn out to be.

What the Pros Say:

Booklist: "This page-turner will grab readers at the outset, and its unexpected twist at the close will send them back through events to look for embedded clues."

PW: "Deftly constructed, this is as riveting as it is thought-provoking."

What I Say:

I loved the first novel I read by Edward Bloor, Tangerine, but felt that his followups to that book were either overly preachy or just plain weird. With Taken, however, I finally found another of his books that I could really sink my teeth into. This one's another story of a dystopian future, here with rich children protected on all sides from the horrors of kidnapping, and we're presented with a world in which the rich are increasingly held prisoner by their own wealth, separated from the real world by necessity and greed.

In this world we meet Charity Meyers, whose eventual kidnapping forces her to reevaluate the things she has taken for granted all her life. Her conversations with one of her captors help her to come to terms with her new situation and to reconsider her old life, until she's not certain that she could ever be the same Charity again. Bloor's work is typified by his satirical approach, and in this one he's finally gotten a good balance between enjoyable narrative and social commentary. If you're interested in general futuristic dystopias, pick this one up for a good fun read with a genuinely surprising twist.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!


On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott generally has weekly giveaways.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:


Reading is Bliss is giving away a copy of Cold Hands, Warm Heart. (Ends: 4/20)

Sharon Loves Books is giving away a copy of Me, My Elf, and I (Ends: 4/21)

Reviewer X is giving away a copy of Silver Phoenix, and you can read the author's Pub Story here. (Ends: 4/22)

Rebecca's Book Blog is giving away three simon pulse romantic comedies. (Ends: 4/23)

Korianne Speaks is having an awesome, music-themed birthday giveaway! (Ends: 4/25)

Addicted to Books is giving away four books to celebrate their sweet sixteen. (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is having an Ultimate Canadian Giveaway! (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is giving away a copy of Miss Smithers. (Ends: 4/29)

Reviewer X is giving away all FOUR Secret Society Girl novels! (Ends: 4/29) Check out Diana Peterfreund's Pub Story here as well.

Reader Rabbit is also giving away a copy of Courtney Summers' Cracked up to Be (Ends: 4/29)

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away City of Bones and The Summoning. (Ends: 4/30)

Shalonda is giving away your choice of 2 books and a $25 gift certificate. (Ends: 4/30)

Big contest surrounding How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. (Ends: 4/30)

Shooting Stars Mag organized a HUGE contest around the release of Willow by Julia Hoban. TONS of awesome prizes. (Ends: 4/30)

And Another Book Read is having a Spring Giveaway. (Ends: 4/30)

Keri Mikulski is giving away four cool books in her Spring Giveaway! (Ends: 4/30)

WORD for Teens is having an April giveaway. (Ends: 4/30)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away Evermore. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away Swoon. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away an Elizabeth Scott book of your choice. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away a copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. (Ends: 4/30?)

Another Book Read is giving away Being Nikki and Airhead. (Ends: 5/1)




This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Carrie Ryan

Official Summary:
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

What the Pros Say:
PW: That Mary maintains emotional distance serves to render her yearnings and romantic feelings even more poignant and powerful. Fresh and riveting.

Kirkus: But despite plot holes, more angst than action and an excess of philosophical meanderings, Mary's story delivers what's important: zombie apocalypse.

What I Say:
I read the first two chapters of this book online and I was hooked. HOOKED. So hooked, in fact, that I broke my "never buy a book before you read it" rule and ordered this one online after not being able to find it in the library or any of the local bookstores. The first two chapters just delivered this amazingly well-developed world, and gave us a protagonist in Mary who was full of curiosity and potential and fire, and I could NOT wait to read more.

I suppose it's not too much of a surprise that with expectations as high as all that I was slightly (and here let me emphasize the slightly) disappointed by the rest of this book. For a book about a zombie apocalypse, a whole lot of this book takes place in Mary's head, and there's a surprisingly small amount of action (both in the violent and romantic senses, interestingly). On the other hand, Mary's musings are definitely interesting, as is the world that Carrie Ryan has created for her characters to flee zombies inside of.

This book definitely left me wanting more, because with all the groundwork that has been laid in this book I can't help but wonder what's coming next for the zombie survivors. Forest of Hands and Teeth didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it was fantastic nonetheless, and I can't wait to read the follow-up.

Review: A Map of the Known World

A Map of the Known World
Lisa Ann Sandell

Official Summary:
Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother's secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined. With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl's journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love.

What the Pros Say:
Kirkus: The attractive cover will draw romance readers, who are in for a satisfying read if they can get past the first 50 pages.

What I Say:

I haven't read either of Lisa Ann Sandell's previous books, but from poking around on the internet I found out that they were written in verse, which makes complete sense after reading A Map of the Known World. The official summary describes Sandell's prose as "lyrical," and that's an apt evaluation. Some of Sandell's descriptions were simply breathtaking, and that was definitely one of the strongest points of the book.

At the same time, the plot and characters were thoroughly enjoyable. Cora's evolution over the course of her freshman year of high school is painful to witness but realistic, and her attempts to reconcile her memories of the happy boy her brother was in childhood with the angry, brooding young man he became in the years before his death are accurate in their frustration and grief.

Even as she deals with the loss of her brother, Cora is forced to deal with the withdrawal of her father and her mother's overbearing protectiveness--her parents are caught in their own webs of grief, unable to help their daughter cope with her mourning of her brother. Life at school is no better, and as Cora feels her familiar friends falling away from her she's forced to turn to new friends and herself in order to pull herself through her first year in high school, her first Nateless year.

Overall, I enjoyed the book enough to keep me up late finishing it, but I wouldn't say it lives up to some of the other (admittedly amazing, so perhaps I'm drawing the line too high) books I've read recently. I don't have any specific complaints though, and would definitely read it again, so I'll go ahead and say that unless you're anti books about sad things, go ahead and pick this one up.

Review: Cracked Up to Be

Cracked Up to Be
Courtney Summers















Official Summary:

Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her.

What the Pros Say:
SLJ: Marked by explicit language and frank sexuality, this compelling read is taut with tension.

What I Say:

Parker used to be perfect. She used to be the kind of perfect that annoys other people but doesn't allow them to say anything about it; after all, how can you argue with that kind of perfection? But all that's over now, and now Parker is as deliberately imperfect as she once one impeccably flawless. From the very first page Parker's pain and confusion and anger flows off the page freely and honestly. This book captures the voice of a smart teenage girl in immense amounts of pain better than almost any other book I've read recently.

From the very first paragraph, I was absolutely certain that I was going to love this book, and I was not disappointed in the least.

Imagine four years.
Four years, two suicides, one death, one rape, two pregnancies (one abortion), three overdoses, countless drunken antics, pantsings, spilled food, theft, fights, broken limbs, turf wars--every day, a turf war--six months until graduation and no one gets a medal when they get out. But everything you do here counts.
High school.

The author does an amazing job of showing us that violent nature of high school: the constant struggles to stay true to yourself, to overcome actual, serious problems that may be written off as typical teen angst and to keep on fighting through the constant "turf-wars" that compose high school. But at the same time, we also see the small glints of hope that manage to claw their way through the seemingly invincible wall Parker has created around herself.

I loved the relationship between Jake and Parker--the new guy fascinated by the mysterious, dangerous girl, and the damaged girl reluctantly seeking friendship with the one guy who can't possibly know her past, her mistakes--but my favorite relationship in the book was the one between Parker and her ex-boyfriend, Chris. Chris is a typical horny teenage boy; he's crudd and lewd and sometimes insensitive, but he also clearly cares deeply for Parker, and all of her hostility can't quite chase him away.

There were things that I wasn't an enormous fan of: Parker's dog seemed to be a slightly clunky narrative device and the appearance of new boy Jake seemed a little serendipitous, but these small gripes were in no way sufficient to keep me from enjoying this book. It was fantastic and heart-breaking and beautiful, and everyone should run out and read it.

Intrigued?
Check out Courtney Summers' blog here, and then check out an interview with her here.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!


On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott generally has weekly giveaways.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:



Steph Su is giving away two Cara Lockwood novels. (Ends: 4/14)

Katie's Bookshelf is giving away a copy of the Shape of Water (4/15)

Steph Su is giving away a copy of Swim the Fly (4/17)

Aye Captain is having a winter themed giveaway of two cool new books. (Ends: 4/19)

Reading is Bliss is giving away a copy of Cold Hands, Warm Heart. (Ends: 4/20)

Sharon Loves Books is giving away a copy of Me, My Elf, and I (Ends: 4/21)

Reviewer X is giving away a copy of Silver Phoenix, and you can read the author's Pub Story here. (Ends: 4/22)

Rebecca's Book Blog is giving away three simon pulse romantic comedies. (Ends: 4/23)

Korianne Speaks is having an awesome, music-themed birthday giveaway! (Ends: 4/25)

Addicted to Books is giving away four books to celebrate their sweet sixteen. (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is having an Ultimate Canadian Giveaway! (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is giving away a copy of Miss Smithers. (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is also giving away a copy of Courtney Summers' Cracked up to Be (Ends: 4/29)

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away City of Bones and The Summoning. (Ends: 4/30)

Shalonda is giving away your choice of 2 books and a $25 gift certificate. (Ends: 4/30)

Big contest surrounding How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. (Ends: 4/30)

Shooting Stars Mag organized a HUGE contest around the release of Willow by Julia Hoban. TONS of awesome prizes. (Ends: 4/30)

And Another Book Read is having a Spring Giveaway. (Ends: 4/30)

Keri Mikulski is giving away four cool books in her Spring Giveaway! (Ends: 4/30)

WORD for Teens is having an April giveaway. (Ends: 4/30)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away Evermore. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away Swoon. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away an Elizabeth Scott book of your choice. (Ends: 4/30?)

Bookluver-Carol is giving away a copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. (Ends: 4/30?)





This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!

Review: What They Always Tell Us

What They Always Tell Us
Martin Wilson

Official Summary:
JAMES AND ALEX have barely anything in common anymore—least of all their experiences in high school, where James is a popular senior and Alex is suddenly an outcast. But at home, there is Henry, the precocious 10-year-old across the street, who eagerly befriends them both. And when Alex takes up running, there is James’s friend Nathen, who unites the brothers in moving and unexpected ways.

What the Pros Say:
PW: "Insightfully evoked, Alex, James and their friends will leave a lasting impression on readers."
Kirkus: "Smoothly written and psychologically astute, this story eloquently charts the cross-currents between social status, loyalty and brotherly love."

What I Say:

These two brothers could not be any more different from each other. Alex is all alone; labelled a loser after swallowing Pine Sol at a party, while James is the popular athlete, the boy who gets all the girls, the boy who should be living without a care in the world. At home and at school these boys are like strangers to each other, and neither one is quite sure when, or how, it happened.

My hands down favorite part of this book was the realistic portrayal of Alex and James' relationship. As brothers they want to love and be there for each other, but they've fallen out of the habit and aren't sure how to get back to it. Each feels betrayed by the other--Alex can't understand why James hasn't been there for him after the "incident", while James can't understand why Alex did what he did in the first place. They're frustrated with each other, but they're also afraid of losing each other, and the author's portrayal of that confusing situation is well-done and realistic.

I also like the evolution of each brother throughout the story, both in regards to each other and in the way each sees the world. The changes each brother goes through are thoroughly believable and incredibly understandable, and altogether this is a good, heartfelt read about brotherly love and the traumas of high school.

Review: The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It

The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It
Lisa Shanahan

Official Summary:
IN MY FAMILY, when anyone rides the wave of their emotions, we say they're chucking a birkett. When the emotion drives out all common sense, we say they're chucking a big one. The telltale signs are: flaming cheeks, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, and a prolonged illogical outburst.

Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actually insane to chuck one in front of a complete stranger. But that was before she fell for a boy who barely knows she exists, before she auditioned for the school play, before she met the family of freaks her sister Debbie is marrying into, before the unpredictable Raven De Head took an interest in her, and before she realized that at the right time and for the right reason, a birkett could be a beautiful thing.

What the Pros Say:
SLJ: "Shanahan's quirky characters are a riot, but the depth of Gemma's growth and heartbreak is genuinely profound."
Kirkus: "Writing with impressive attention to details, Shanahan uncovers life's small everyday details to encourage readers to look again and appreciate."

What I Say:
Gemma's story took me by surprise. Looking at the front cover of this book, with the girl happily blowing her bubble, I was expecting a story as "bubbly" as the cover. Instead, Lisa Shanahan presents a delightfully ridiculous story with a surprising amount of depth.

The love triangle set up between Gemma, "perfect" Nick, and messed up Raven de Head is somewhat predictable, but it's touching regardless of its predictability. Nick, while perfect on the outside, becomes less and less admirable as Gemma gets to know him, while Raven, for all his faults, is undeniably earnest. I appreciated that Gemma was able to get to know these two boys, and herself, through her participation in a school production of The Tempest, which provided an interesting backdrop for the rest of the story.

Mainly, I was impressed by the author's ability to relate a story with serious undercurrents with an enjoyable amount of humor and hilarity. Overall, this is definitely not the basic light read that I was expecting: it has all the humor and fun of one of these novels, with an added dose of food for thought.

Fresh Films

"

Feel like making a movie this summer?

Fresh Films is welcoming applications from aspiring production crewmembers and screenwriters to create some pretty awesome, teen-driven movies this summer. Send in your application now!

Review: Melting Stones, Tamora Pierce

Melting Stones
Tamora Pierce

Official Summary:
Four years have passed since Evvy left the streets of Chammur to begin her training as a stone mage. At fourteen, she's unhappy to be on a new journey with her mentor, prickly green mage Rosethorn, who has been called to the Battle Islands to determine why the plants and animals there are dying. Evvy's job is to listen and learn, but she can't keep quiet and do nothing. With the help of Luvo, the living stone heart of a mountain, Evvy uncovers an important clue. Now, with the island on the brink of disaster, it's up to Evvy to avert the destruction that looms ahead.

What the Pros Say:
PW: "The novel is not one of Pierce's more surprising or innovative, but her typically strong characterizations and the superb acting camouflage its deficiencies."

Kirkus: "Related in a strongly individual voice, expertly set in context without longwinded explanations and well-stocked with nuanced characters of several ages and species, this suspenseful tale is lit up with magic."

What I Say:

I think I've mentioned before that Tamora Pierce is one of my faves, but to be honest this one didn't really grab me. I'll admit that I like her Tortall books better than the Circle books, but this one is definitely my least favorite of anything I've read by her. That's not to say it's bad, just that it's not up to par with others. If you're put off by this one, definitely give another Tamora Pierce book a try, because I would say that this isn't characteristic of her strength as a storyteller.

I think the main problem that I had was that the stakes simply weren't high enough. While the characters were as loveable as I have come to expect from Tamora Pierce, the conflict simply wasn't strong enough to keep my interest. Luckily, it's a pretty quick read, and I'm glad I read it, since I couldn't let it go unread, but if you're a slow reader or not already a fan I would recommend starting out with another title.

Review: City of Glass, Cassandra Clare

City of Glass
Cassandra Clare

Official Summary:
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

What the Pros Say:
Booklist: "plenty of romance, loss, honor, and betrayal to make the journey worthwhile"

What I Say:
Did you read the first two books? Did you like them? Because if so, then come on back for helping number three. I'd say that City of Glass is one of the more satisfying ends to a trilogy that I've read lately. While the resolution comes somewhat predictably, it also has a feeling of having been earned--perhaps it feels expected because this world has been built up so deftly, and the characters have been rendered so sharply, that we can see the action unfold as it happens, leading us to its inevitable conclusion.

Story-wise, Jace remains smolderingly appealing while Simon is as endearing as ever, and Clary seems to finally have come completely into her own. She is no longer the confused Mundie she once was, and she clearly begins to step into her role as a Shadowhunter in this book, using her status as an outsider to help her gain perspective on the feuds between the Downworlders and the Nephilim instead of succumbing to age old prejudices.

If you liked the first two books, this conclusion will not disappoint. It's full of action, intrigue, and some sinister new characters you'll hate immediately. Run out and get it now!

Intrigued?
Check out Cassandra Clare's blog, then check out the Mortal Instruments website, where you can learn all about the series and the upcoming prequels.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!


On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott generally has weekly giveaways.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:



Steph Su is giving away two Cara Lockwood novels. (Ends: 4/14)

Katie's Bookshelf is giving away a copy of the Shape of Water (4/15)

Steph Su is giving away a copy of Swim the Fly (4/17)

Aye Captain is having a winter themed giveaway of two cool new books. (Ends: 4/19)

Reading is Bliss is giving away a copy of Cold Hands, Warm Heart. (Ends: 4/20)

Sharon Loves Books is giving away a copy of Me, My Elf, and I (Ends: 4/21)

Addicted to Books is giving away four books to celebrate their sweet sixteen. (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is having an Ultimate Canadian Giveaway! (Ends: 4/29)

Reader Rabbit is also giving away a copy of Courtney Summers' Cracked up to Be (Ends: 4/29)

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away City of Bones and The Summoning. (Ends: 4/30)

Shalonda is giving away your choice of 2 books and a $25 gift certificate. (Ends: 4/30)

Big contest surrounding How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. (Ends: 4/30)

Shooting Stars Mag organized a HUGE contest around the release of Willow by Julia Hoban. TONS of awesome prizes. (Ends: 4/30)

Keri Mikulski is giving away four cool books in her Spring Giveaway! (Ends: 4/30)

WORD for Teens is having an April giveaway. (Ends: 4/30)





This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!

Review: How to Build A House, Dana Reinhardt

How to Build a House
Dana Reinhardt

Official Summary:
Harper's Dad is getting a divorce from her beloved stepmother, Jane. Even worse, Harper has lost her stepsister, Tess; the divorce divides them. Harper decides to escape by joining a volunteer program to build a house for a family in Tennessee who lost their home in a tornado. Not that she knows a thing about construction.

Soon she’s living in a funky motel and working long days in blazing heat with a group of kids from all over the country. At the site, she works alongside Teddy, the son of the family for whom they are building the house. Their partnership turns into a summer romance, complete with power tools. Learning to trust and love Teddy isn’t easy for Harper, but it’s the first step toward finding her way back home.

What the Pros Say:
PW: "Reinhardt artfully parallels the construction of a house with the reconstruction of a broken family in a work as intimate and intelligently wrought as her previous YA novels."

Kirkus: "a well-paced first-person narrative spiced with summer flings and teen romance."

What I Say:
I'd heard good things about both of Reinhardt's previous novels, A Brief History of My Impossible Life and Harmless, but I've never actually read either one. Nonetheless, I was pretty excited when I spotted How to Build a House on the shelves at the bookstore. I was expecting a light, fun, summer romance, and I got that and more.

Harper's family is literally being torn apart, which means losing the woman who has been like a mother to her, the stepsister who has been her best friend for as long as she can remember, and the sense of safety that having a family gave her. Unable to deal, Harper flees, and it is as she rebuilds a house in Tennessee she finds herself slowly rebuilding her life at the same time.

Harper was a charming and relatable narrator. She was clearly flawed, but at the same time she never veered into the pathetic or the obnoxious. Instead, I loved watching as her confidence and sense of self worth grew--she slowly discovered that she was worthy of love regardless of the actions of those around her, and it was an exciting transformation to view.

Plotwise, the book didn't have too many surprises, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. It wasn't monotonous in the least, instead, while I had an idea of what might come next, I found myself eagerly flipping the pages to find out what would happen with Harper and Teddy, Harper and Tess, and Harper and herself.

I also think that this book addresses an interesting question that's becoming more and more important these days, and that I don't think I've seen dealt with in very many other books. What do we do when so-called "blended" families unblend? When a family is connected by love, but not by blood, what happens when the legal connections binding them together dissolve? I think that it's an important question to ask, and Dana Reinhardt offers intriguing answers in this book.

Intrigued?
Visit Dana Reinhardt's website to find out more about her and her books.

Six Word Memoirs

Evidently this has been around for a while, but it's news to me. There are a whole lot of six word memoirs and stories out there, from Smith Magazine's collection of books, to Wired's collection of six word science fiction stories.

My personal favorite? The original, Hemingway's: For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

It is at once heartbreaking and beautiful, and much of that beauty comes from its brevity and simplicity.

And there's a version especially for teenagers. Reading the stories and seeing the art that accompanies some of them is inspiring, and it seems like a pretty perfect medium for the generation of texting, twittering, facebooking teens who are growing up now.

Love Formula?

In John Green's An Abundance of Katharines, former child prodigy Colin Singleton tries to make a mathematical formula to predict the success of romantic relationships in a last ditch effort to reclaim the "gifted" title that was shoved upon him as a child. I'm not telling whether Colin was successful or not, for that you'll have to read the book, but it looks like some researchers have come up with a real life love formula, and evidently it's 94% accurate.

I don't know though, would you want to know whether or not your relationship would succeed without ever giving it a shot? I think I'd prefer to take my chances groping (heh) blindly in the dark.

Tipping Points

Here's a great way to enter a cool contest and make a little bit of a difference at the same time. Stephanie Kuehnert (author of I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone and Ballads of Suburbia) is offering up an ARC of Ballads, her upcoming novel. What do you have to do? Just go to this website and vote for Tipping Points, an awesome company that was started by her cousin.

Here's the description of what Tipping Points does: Greg Lowe (Greater Philadelphia-Camden Corps ’05) is the founder of Tipping Points Test Prep, an organization that provides high-quality, low-cost tutoring and test preparation services to at-risk, underprivileged youth to help them access college and higher education opportunities. Compared to for-profit models like Kaplan, Greg’s approach will only charge $50 per student for a 12-week tutoring course, but still attract high-quality tutors by paying them at the same rate as Tipping Points’ for-profit competitors. By helping erase part of the resource gap between low-income youth and their more affluent peers, Tipping Points hopes to play a role in closing the achievement gap.

Once you've voted, head over to Stephanie Kuenhert's blog to enter the contest for Ballads!

Review: The Other Side of the Island, Allegra Goodman

The Other Side of the Island, Allegra Goodman

Official Summary:
Honor and her parents have been reassigned to live on Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea. Life is peaceful there-the color of the sky is regulated by Earth Mother, a corporation that controls New Weather, and it almost never rains. Everyone fits into their rightful and predictable place. . . .

Except Honor. She doesn't fit in, but then she meets Helix, a boy with a big heart and a keen sense for the world around them. Slowly, Honor and Helix begin to uncover a terrible truth about life on the Island: Sooner or later, those who are unpredictable disappear . . . and they don't ever come back.

What the Pros Say:
PW: The plot line depends on coincidence and inconsistencies, but dramatic pacing and otherwise shrewd psychological insight help camouflage these flaws
Booklist: . . . the book is at its best when it's inside Honor's head, as she struggles to balance her parents' unorthodoxy with her craving to belong . . . will keep readers engaged.

What I Say:

I picked this one up because I was in the mood for a dystopian read, and I wasn't disappointed. While the story is fairly predictable, it's also thoroughly enjoyable, and Honor is a strong and sympathetic protagonist. While her parents are fiercely opposed to the controlling government, Honor has no idea why her parents are so different, and as a result does everything she can to be normal.

This is an interesting juxtaposition of a child's wish to differentiate herself from her parents and her wish to fit in, and while the reader hopes that Honor will snap out of her conforming ways, her desire to fit in is completely understandable. At the same time, the world and the chilling force of "Enclosure" is well drawn and understandable. Interestingly, this novel takes the approach of over-zealous climate-lovers having taken over the planet instead of your typical military dominance by eevil forces.

I wouldn't say that this is a particularly earth-shattering read, but if you're in the mood for something futuristic and dystopian, then this should fulfill your needs. Pick it up, it's a good way to fill a few hours.

Intrigued?
Check out this cool cover story from the artist's perspective, and read the first chapter here.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!


On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott is giving away books every day leading up to the release of her (much-anticipated) latest, Something, Maybe.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:


In Bed With Books is having a huge blogiversary contest, with different giveaways all the time! Check out the rules here. (Ends: first round: 3/18)

Win a copy of Wherever Nina Lies at Reading is Bliss! (Ends: 3/27)

Epic Rat is giving away five copies of the Little Red Book. (Ends: 3/27)

Karin's Book Nook is having a huge giveaway to celebrate two years of blogging. Check it out here! (Ends: 3/27)

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf is giving away a copy of Siobhan Vivian's A Little Friendly Advice. (Ends: 3/27)

The Book Muncher is giving away a copy of Circle of Friends by Diane Wolf. (Ends: 3/28)

Reading Keeps You Sane is giving away two personalized copies of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey. (Ends: 3/30)(Check out my review)

Addicted to Books is having an awesome contest to win FIVE books. Check it out!

Mrs. Magoo Reads is giving away a copy of the Rule of Won. (Ends: 3/30)

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is having a contest to win three cool books. (Ends: 3/31)

Epic Rat is giving away a copy of Sapphron Dreams. (Ends: 3/31)

Word for Teens is giving away three great books in their March Giveaway. Check it out! (Ends: 3/31?)

Genevieve at Caprubia is giving away a copy of What Would Emma Do? (Ends: 3/31)

Booklover Carol's Reviews is having a big giveaway here! (Ends: 4/1)

Join Sarah Land for a chance to win an early copy of Sarah Dessen's latest,Along for the Ride!(Ends: 4/1)

Bookworm Readers is giving away a copy of Violet in Private by Melissa Walker as the first of their weekly March Madness giveaways! (Ends: 4/1)

The Story Siren is giving away a copy of Willow by Julia Hoban (Ends: 4/2)

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf is giving away a copy of This Is What I Want to Tell You. (Ends: 4/3)

Sarah's Random Musings is giving away a copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. (Ends: 4/4)

Writing it Out is giving away a signed copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth along with goodies from the launch party. (Ends: 4/4)

Presenting Lenore is giving away a six-pack of awesome books. (Ends: 4/5)

Over at the Story Siren, you can enter to win TEN ARCs. (Ends: 4/7)

Steph Su is giving away two Cara Lockwood novels. (Ends: 4/14)

Aye Captain is having a winter themed giveaway of two cool new books. (Ends: 4/19)

Addicted to Books is giving away four books to celebrate their sweet sixteen. (Ends: 4/29)

Big contest surrounding How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. (Ends: 4/30)

Shooting Stars Mag organized a HUGE contest around the release of Willow by Julia Hoban. TONS of awesome prizes. (Ends: 4/30)

Keri Mikulski is giving away four cool books in her Spring Giveaway! (Ends: 4/30)

Amanda Ashby is giving away her fresh novel Zombie Queen of Newbury High. Check out her blog to find out how to win. (Ends: when her blog tour does)

Yan at Books by Their Cover is having a random giveaway of Going too Far by Jennifer Echols! (Ends: Unkown)




This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!

Review: Jellicoe Road, Melina Marcheta

Jellicoe Road
Melina Marcheta

Official Summary:
"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

What the Pros Say:
Printz Award Committee Chair Mary Arnold: "This roller coaster ride of a novel grabs you from the first sentence and doesn t let go. You may not be sure where the ride will take you, but every detail from the complexities of the dual narrative to the pangs of first love is pitch perfect."

Kirkus: "A beautifully rendered mystery."

What I Say:
This is one of those books that grabs hold of you somewhere deep down and doesn't let go until long, long after you've snapped the book shut for a long time. I was caught from this sentence in the prologue:

My father took one hundred and thirty-two minutes to die.

I counted.

I had to know what happened. I had to know whose story this was and why they were waiting and watching and counting while their father died. The plot summary posted above does the story little justice, although it was enough to intrigue me into buying the book in the first place. This is Taylor's story, and the story of five intertwined lives that were lived on Jellicoe Road long before Taylor ever set foot there. It's maddening, and frustrating, but more than that it's captivating.

Taylor is injured and guarded, and she has a difficult time letting anyone in, and in that she's one of the most relatable damaged heroines I've ever read about. You can see her destroying herself, and you just want to reach into the page and give her the hug that you know she deserves and have never been able to get.

I won't try to summarize the plot myself, or to say too much about what happens. It'll just have to suffice to say that this is a beautiful, beautiful book, and that while I think some people may be frustrated by it, or tempted to put it aside, it is one of those books that is simply worth reading, word for word, all the way through. And then, when you've put it down, pick it up and read it all over again, because there is no way to pull the full oomph out of this story with one reading, and maybe not even with two, or three. It is beautiful, the kind of book that should simply be read and loved and not forgotten.

Intrigued?
Check out Melina Marcheta's website.

Vampire Neck Cream

Just what I was looking for, a neck cream that attracts vampires...I blame a sparkly someone.

Rockville, CA

I've been checking out the new online TV show Rockville, CA, and I've really been enjoying it. It's straight from the Josh Schwartz (The OC, Chuck) school of television entertainment, complete with an awkward, gawky, dark-haired protagonist (a little like Josh himself, perhaps?). The show centers around a music club and the young wannabes who hang out there, and incorporates a new band playing live in the club in each episode. It's cool and short, so check it out here.

Year One

I've been digging the idea of Year One since the day I heard Michael Cera was starring (opposite Jack Black, who's no slouch in the comedic department either).

The Year One follows the journey of two dumb hunter-gatherers (Cera and Black) who are forced to embark on an epic quest after being banished from their primitive village. I was planning to watch it simply based on the fact that Cera's in it (what can I say?), but the brand-new trailer makes it look pretty darn good too.

'Year One' Theatrical Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

Review: Year My Sister Got Lucky, Aimee Friedman

The Year My Sister Got Lucky
Aimee Friedman

Official Summary:
When Katie and Michaela Wilder are uprooted from NYC and planted in rural Fir Lake, Katie is horrified by their new surroundings: the too-friendly neighbors, the local uniform of sandals paired with socks, the very idea of milking a cow. But while Katie suffers through shopping withdrawal, Michaela transforms into a small-town social firefly, flirting with the hot quarterback and soaking up nature with her new hick-town friends. As in, people who think camping is *fun*. Does Katie even know her sister anymore? And after Michaela hides a jaw-dropping secret from her, does Katie even want to?

What the Pros Say:
PW: "Friedman deftly demonstrates the positives of moving forward and not clinging to the past; she also presents a sister dynamic that many girls-particularly younger sisters-will recognize."
SLJ: "Though the conflict seems perhaps a little too weak to carry a 400-page book, and parts of the plot seem totally unrealistic, the story is still likely to be popular. There's sweetness in Friedman's teen world, and some of her characters are delightful. And who can resist a good sister book?"

What I Say:
I went in expecting something fun and light, and got just what I expected. This one's not particularly memorable, but Katie and Michaela's story is definitely entertaining enough to while away a few hours.

In terms of the story, it's fairly predictable, but there are enough fun details to keep the reader interested. Katie's dislike of Fir Lake is understandable, and as we see her getting to know her new town and the people within it she becomes infinitely more likable. Michaela and Katie, first seen in the tense world of dance, seem to loosen up as their days in Fir Lake continue. Maybe all the fresh air is getting to them?

I doubt I'd reread this, but I don't regret picking it up for a first go-round. If you're looking for something quick and cute that will leave you smiling, try this out!

Intrigued?
Check out Aimee Friedman's website.

More?
Read an interview with Aimee Friedman at Teens Read Too.

Where the Wild Things Are...creepy?

So there's a new poster out for the Where The Wild Things Are movie. I love, love, loved reading about Max and his wild things when I was a kid (who didn't?), but am I alone in thinking that this movie poster is just a little bit creepy?

Smart Girls

The latest (and last) episode of Amy Poehler's online television show featured Cameron, a ten year old who has been writing paranormal fiction for years now. It's always great to see that there are smary, eloquent girls out there growing up to do great things (and probably read lots of YA fiction) and I think it's pretty great that Amy Poehler is showing these girls off to the world.

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins

Official Summary:

COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, IN THE WILD, WITH EVERYONE FIGHTING AGAINST YOU?

Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

What the Pros Say:
Booklist: "...a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance."

NYT: "...brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced...a futuristic novel every bit as good and as allegorically rich as Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies' books."

What I Say:

I'm an unabashed lover of dystopian fiction, and The Hunger Games is a satisfying addition to the genre. Katniss, Peeta, Gale...all of the characters are appealing and understandable, and the nature of the gladiator-like competition of the Hunger Games provides constant suspense and conflict.

I especially appreciated that Katsa was a strong player all by herself--although she and Peeta sometimes collaborated, it was made clear that Katsa was a formidable foe all by herself. She's the main provider for her family, she's selfless, she's brave...and she's caught in the middle of a game to the death and a love triangle.

Suzanne Collins has crafted a strong world and interesting characters, and the book deserves all of the buzz it's been getting. There are some interesting questions to ask about poverty and class that are tied into the novel, but overall it's just a fun, thrilling ride.

Intrigued?
Check out Suzanne Collins' website and the official website and then check out the snazzy new site for the Hunger Games series. Pretty fancy, right?

More?
Read about Lionsgate's new plans to make a Hunger Games movie then head over to TeenReads to read an interview with Suzanne Collins.

Operation Teen Book Drop

Check it out!

Storybook Fashion

Ever stopped to think what characters from the books you loved as children might be wearing if you were ever lucky enough to meet them on the street? I've got to say that the idea had never popped into my head before, but Blaze Danielle has captured some childhood faves brilliantly. Check out the first of her Storybook Fashion posts to see what Nancy Drew or Lucy Pevensie might wear today, then look at her second post for playful looks for Pippi Longstocking and Ramona Quimby.

City of Ashes, Cassandra Clare

Official Summary:
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace.How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

What the Pros Say:
SLJ: "like watching a particularly good vampire/werewolf movie, and it leaves readers waiting for the next in the series."
Kirkus: " Readers of urban fantasy will devour this deliciously overwrought adventure."

What I Say:
If you liked City of Bones then you'll love City of Ashes. This book picks up right where the first left off, and the reader is immediately plunged back into chaos and action. Valentine has the Mortal Cup, the Clave is suspicious of Jace, and Clary and Jace are trying to deal with a difficult change in their relationship.

This one felt a little darker than the first to me, but in an enjoyable way. Clary is coming into her own as a Shadowhunter, but she is confronted at every turn by new challenges and obstacles. With drama on every page this one will be tough for fantasy fans to put down, but don't worry--the third book in the series will be out soon!

Intrigued?
Check out the Mortal Instruments website for deleted scenes, excerpts and more.

More?
Read Cassandra Clare's blog, and check out some interviews with the author at Story Siren and Chicklish.

Book Contests!

This is a weekly compilation of all the contests in the YA book blogosphere, arranged here for your enjoyment. The list is posted once a week, but updated throughout the week, so remember to check back often!

The Book Muncher has discontinued the Contest List, so I figured I'd pop my personal list up here for anyone to use. After all, who would ever say no to free things? Here's a quick roundup of some current contests to check out:

On-Going:

Elizabeth Scott is giving away books every day leading up to the release of her (much-anticipated) latest, Something, Maybe.

Alyssa at The Shady Glade hosts Contest Monday, and gives away a new book each week.

Stephanie Kuenhert hosts Women Who Rock Wednesdays on her blog, and they come with freebies. Check it out!

There's a new giveaway every week at Free Book Friday Teens (and while you're at it, check out their adult site, too).

Melissa Walker hosts Win-It Wednesdays over at her blog.

Teenreads.com has a monthly Grab Bags of Books contest.

RandomBuzzers has an ARC giveaway every Friday. You have to be a member to be eligible, but sign-up is simple and free, and participating in activities gives you the chance to get other free books!

Linda Gerber hosts Freebie Fridays every week at her blog, so remember to check back.

Carmen Rodriguez hosts Take it Home Tuesdays on her Myspace.

YA Books Central have a couple of giveaways each month, just check on the right on their main page.

Teens Read Too have a monthly contest.

One-Time Things:

Steph of Reviewer X and Lenore of Presenting Lenore have teamed up to offer twenty copies of Speak. Enter here or here. (Ends: 3/12)

Not So Closet Geeks is having a really cool Geekfest, with different interviews and giveaways all week long. Check it out! (Ends: 3/14 or 3/20)
The first contest is up, so enter! Enter to win 666 or Love is Hell with stories by Laurie Stolarz here! And win a copy of Eyes Like Stars here! Win What Would Emma do by Eileen Cook here! Win Steph Feraro's How to Hook a Hottie here! Win Lauren Henderson's books here! Win Song of the Sparrow and an ARC of Map of the Known World here!

Book Reviews by Jess is giving away a copy of Eyes Like Stars (Ends: 3/14)

Jillian Cantor is giving away a signed copy of her new book The September Sisters. (Ends: 3/15)

Win the Inside Girl books from Alloy. (Ends: 3/16)

Abby Mcdonald is giving away two ARCs of her new book Sophomore Switch. (Ends: 3/17?)

In Bed With Books is having a huge blogiversary contest, with different giveaways all the time! Check out the rules here. (Ends: first round: 3/18)

For the Love of Books is having a February giveaway where you can win Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies, Taken by Storm, or Speak. (Ends: 3/21)

Brooke of Brooke Reviews is giving away three paranormal novels. (Ends: 3/20)

Shooting Stars Mag is giving away a signed copy of Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph. (Ends: 3/21)

Book Reviews by Jess is giving away a copy of Evermore by Alyson Noel. (Ends: 3/22)

Mrs. Magoo Reads is giving away a copy of The Life and Crimes of Wallflower (Ends: 3/22)

Win a copy of Wherever Nina Lies at Reading is Bliss! (Ends: 3/27)

Epic Rat is giving away five copies of the Little Red Book. (Ends: 3/27)

Karin's Book Nook is having a huge giveaway to celebrate two years of blogging. Check it out here! (Ends: 3/27)

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf is giving away a copy of Siobhan Vivian's A Little Friendly Advice. (Ends: 3/27)

The Book Muncher is giving away a copy of Circle of Friends by Diane Wolf. (Ends: 3/28)

Reading Keeps You Sane is giving away two personalized copies of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey. (Ends: 3/30)(Check out my review)

Addicted to Books is having an awesome contest to win FIVE books. Check it out!

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is having a contest to win three cool books. (Ends: 3/31)

Epic Rat is giving away a copy of Sapphron Dreams. (Ends: 3/31)

Word for Teens is giving away three great books in their March Giveaway. Check it out! (Ends: 3/31?)

Booklover Carol's Reviews is having a big giveaway here! (Ends: 4/1)

Join Sarah Land for a chance to win an early copy of Sarah Dessen's latest,Along for the Ride!(Ends: 4/1)

Bookworm Readers is giving away a copy of Violet in Private by Melissa Walker as the first of their weekly March Madness giveaways! (Ends: 4/1)

Sarah's Random Musings is giving away a copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. (Ends: 4/4)

Over at the Story Siren, you can enter to win TEN ARCs. (Ends: 4/7)

Aye Captain is having a winter themed giveaway of two cool new books. (Ends: 4/19)

Big contest surrounding How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. (Ends: 4/30)

Shooting Stars Mag organized a HUGE contest around the release of Willow by Julia Hoban. TONS of awesome prizes. (Ends: 4/30)

Keri Mikulski is giving away four cool books in her Spring Giveaway! (Ends: 4/30)

Amanda Ashby is giving away her fresh novel Zombie Queen of Newbury High. Check out her blog to find out how to win. (Ends: when her blog tour does)

Yan at Books by Their Cover is having a random giveaway of Going too Far by Jennifer Echols! (Ends: Unkown)




This is by no means a complete list, but I keep track for myself and I'll keep ya'll posted as well. If you've got a contest you'd like to have listed, just let me know in the comments!