Readergirl Reviews

Hush, Hush Winners/ RGR News/ New Years!

2009-12-30T23:44:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! X_x The holidays had me super busy this year... I don't know why I end up trying to do so much extra stuff during the holidays cause I'm always so busy anyways, but I do! xP

Anywho, I had a drawing tonight, and the winners of the Hush Hush giveaway are as follows:

Hang Yourself From Stolen Dreams (Faye) won the Hardcover Prize pack!

Kieran won the Paperback ARC Prize pack!

Katie won the Hush, Hush bookmark and postcard!

And Tisa won a Hush Hush Postcard!

Plz send me your addresses soonish! I probably wont be able to send these until after the New Year, But I shall send them soon!

Now some news about the blog!

This year of blogging really has been awesome, and while I've enjoyed so much of it, it's also been pretty draining... (I literally haven't had a chance to read anything in like the past three months, which is kind of counter productive... >_<)

So I've decided that while I'm not saying I'm going to stop posting, I'm definitely not going to be posting AS MUCH from now on. 2010 is bringing me a lot of new challenges already, and a lot more work, and as much as I love the blog, I'm just going to have to slow down so I can handle it all! I hope that's understandable enough. =/

This way I can stock up on more reviews for you guys, and read a bunch more, so that the whole point of this blog (my honest reviews) won't be forgotten in the frenzy of prizes and giveaways and such. (Of course I love those too, but they can wait for a while till my reviews are more frequent!)

PLUS it'll give me time to work on a new project I'm WAY excited to share with you guys! I was really hoping to have it up and running by New Years but I'm not sure that'll happen... guess we'll see how much work on it I can crank out till 12 am tomorrow night! ;D

But I'm really excited about it, and I hope some of you guys will like what I post there along with my reviews and such. :) Eventually I'll probably blog mainly from that blog, IndiGrrrls, but even then I'll still post reviews sometimes. No worries! ;)

So guess that's all, not goodbye but see you later! (Probably on Twitter! ;) haha) Love you all SOOOO much, and thanks for being my readers! Happy New Year!
xoxoxo

Hush, Hush Review! (Last chance to enter + donate!)

2009-12-24T01:05:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! All I can say is that I’m soooo sorry that this past week’s fizzled out so much, my computer FAILED ME and I wasn’t able to post anything for a while because my Internet wouldn’t open, but here I am now, and I’ve got my Hush, Hush review!

I’d also planned on doing another interview and review but since the weeks gotten cut short it looks like that won’t be happening, though I’ll definitely still post it, it just might be a few days after Christmas or sometime in January, but for now, I’ll say that 20 Boy Summer was additionally one of the best deb. books of 2009! MAJOR props to Mrs. Sarah Ockler on that one.

Anywho! Sorry about all the confusion and general disappointment this week; what can I say, the holidays have everyone in a tizzy!

But here’s my review of Hush, Hush; hopefully it will make up for it!

For those of you wanting to know a bit more about the plot, check out this book trailer!

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*girlysigh* OK, so.......his name is Patch.........*gigglefit*

Ok, honestly, I HAVE had a lot of fangirl crushes on fictional characters this year, but Patch is definitely my number one bad boy crush of 2009!

He’s dark, mysterious, and devilishly handsome…. I am in love with this guy! And the best part is, not only is he awesome, but so is the book he’s in—Hush, Hush!

The story line was wonderfully weaved with the brilliant injection of plot twists at just the right moments, and the awesome pacing between interludes with Patch–that left me momentarily dazzled–and the developing plot line of Nora’s investigations into his past.
Nora was also an awesome narrator and I loved seeing the story unfold from her POV. (Not JUST because she bumps into Patch more then she’d like! Ok, well, maybe a little because of that...)

I really can’t recommend this book enough, I’ve already told so many people that they HAVE to read it already, but I’m not done because you have to read it too!

Seriously one of my favorite books of the year, definitely a win, win, win (!) for the Twilight fans, and anyone else just looking for an awesome story that they won’t be able to put down.

LOVE!

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Don’t forget you have today and tomorrow to get your last minute entries in for a SIGNED copy of Hush, Hush, and other prizes! Trust me when I say this is one prize you will definitely enjoy!

Also if you’re going to donate books for Home Base Youth Services please get those donations to me ASAP, ok?

You can find out into on that and the Hush, Hush giveaway HERE.

Thanks so much guys! Love you all!

xoxoxo

Interview with Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)!

2009-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Can you remember the moment you decided to go into storytelling and
become a writer? Tell us about it. :)

I do remember! The day was February 3, 2003, and the event was my twenty-fourth birthday. After a long debate between Japanese cooking lessons and an eight-week writing class, my husband decided to give me the writing class for my birthday present. I have to admit, I was hoping for the Japanese cooking lessons because A) I took one English course in college and my professor threatened to fail me, and B) I didn't think I had a story to tell. But at the same time, I felt a scary and almost magnetic draw to the class. When I was eight years old, I watched Romancing the Stone for the first time and promptly announced to my mom that I would grow up to be a writer. Granted, I thought all writers hunted for treasure in Colombia and fell in love with a sexy, mysterious stranger a.k.a. Michael Douglas...

What authors have influenced you in your writing so far? Have you
gotten to meet any one them since you've been published?

I love the stories Diana Gabaldon, Sandra Brown, Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling tell. Also, it was after reading Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK that I knew I had to write YA. I haven't met Laurie in person, but I did get to hear her talk at NCTE 2009 in Philadelphia. It was so cool! She's just as entertaining and clever in person.

What was one book that got you hooked on reading as a kid? A WRINKLE IN TIME instantly comes to mind. I started it on a school night, and raced home the following day after school to finish. That was the fourth grade, I believe.

What's your writing process like? Do you outline? A long time ago, when I first started writing, I didn't outline. Now, I swear by it. I find that it saves me a lot of time. Also, I rarely hit writers block when I have a strong outline telling me where the story will go next.

You have great play lists for both of your books on your website! Do you listen music like a soundtrack while you're writing? Or do you just feel like certain songs connect to the story?

Laughing! I absolutely canNOT write to music. I wish I could, but every time I try it, I find that the music makes me think my writing is better than it actually is. That's the power of good music!

I'm so excited for Crescendo! Can you give us any hints to tide us over until next Fall?

I'm not releasing many details, but I will say that readers will find out what really happened the night Nora's dad was murdered. Let's just say he was living a secret life...one with ties to Patch...

Does you're press tour start soon? I wanna come see you!

YAY! So glad you want to meet me in person! I'll be going on tour in January and February 2010, but I'm not allowed to say where just yet. I promise I'll update my website as soon as I can.

Happy Christmas! What are your plans?

The family and I are going to Estes Park, Colorado. My two boys really, really want to go snowmobiling.

Do you have any books on your Christmas list this year? If so, which ones?

I'm giving THE DARK DIVINE by Bree Despain and BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl.

Last question! What were some of your favorite books of '09?

To be honest, most of the books I've read in the past six months don't come out until 2010. Is there any way I can pimp them instead? SISTERS RED by Jackson Pearce was amazing! I also loved in a mad way HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins and PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White. NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer is wicked good fun. PRINCESS FOR HIRE by Lindsey Leavitt is nonstop laughs. THE SECRET YEAR by Jennifer Hubbard was also really, really good – it reminded me of a modern THE OUTSIDERS.

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Haha awesome! Thanks so much to Becca for being with us the week! And don't forget that I'm giving away a SIGNED hardcover, An ARC, Bookmarks, Postcars, and Book Cover Posters of Hush, Hush! You can learn more about that contest here!

Look out for a review of Hush, Hush later in the week!

xoxoxo

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Edited by Smith Magazine (Review)

2009-12-13T22:51:00.000-08:00

Product Description From Amazon:
One life. Six words. What's yours?

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

"Met online; love before first sight."

"Hair's pink to piss you off."

"I fulfilled my awkwardness quota today."

"I'm seventeen, engaged, and not pregnant."

"My mom had my boyfriend deported."

"Late for school every single day."

"According to Facebook, we broke up."

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Fans of FML, FOUND, Post Secret, and MLIA will LOVE “I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets”. It’s funny, thought provoking, and sometimes so deeply moving that you literally have to stop reading--to wonder, shiver, cry, think, feel, love, hate, want, see, know, have, be-- before you can go on. Truly stunning and visionary, this book is definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and one that I can’t recommend enough.

I read it in one sitting, but it’s one of those books that’s nice to take in little pieces too. The idea is that every entry consists of only six words, which means, six words that tell you’re life story, or highlight a particularly important turning point in your life or something that you might be going through at the time.

With every memoir you either smile to yourself or start sobbing HARD at the graciously shared piece of another persons life offered up to the world in one giant neon sign that reads, “You are not alone,” to the youth of America.

And the awesome thing is that as you’re reading it you suddenly feel this deep sense of connection; to the world, to your own life, your family, your friends, people you hardly know, people you would be nervous to get to know, people who seem superficial, people to seem lost—everyone and everything—and it’s happy, and sad, and satisfying, and lovely, and hungry, and desperate, and beautiful, and—

Yeah. Please read this one guys, pick it up at the bookstore and just read a few to see what I mean, or even check out the Smith Magazine site and read some of the entries there—anything so long as you take a moment to take this in, because it seriously is so humbling, and just… well, epic. It’s a really great read and one you’ll definitely re-read and want to pass on to everyone you know and care about, and even to people you may not know. It’s a book to be shared; please read it, and spread the word. You are not alone.

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Please donate books to HomeBase Youth Services and Get ten extra entries in my Hush, Hush giveaway for donating! More info here!

xoxoxo

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (Review)

2009-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Product Description from Amazon:
Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Review:

What a fun read by a 2009 YA Deb Jackson Pearce!

I’ve been a fan of Jackson’s ever since I started reading her blog at the end of the last year, so I was so excited and proud to finally see her books on the shelves, and even more so when I finally read As You Wish!

Honestly, it exceded all of my expectations, Jackson has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re totally involved in the main characters life from the get go, and through the ups and the downs of her life, you somehow remain strangely optimistic about her future all the way through. Viola herself was very relatable in some aspects, and her story was told beautifully.

As for Jinn, well, I’ve never been one to dis a supernatural figure, especially a hot one, but I really do mean it when I say he was awesome! He made me laugh out loud so many times and I loved his voice as a character.

The whole story was just magical, and I literally couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read Jackson’s next book, Sisters Read, due to bookshelves next year.
xoxoxo

A Message on Book Donations

2009-12-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

Maybe you've already donated and maybe you're skeptical, but I just want to take the opportunity to give you a little more information about Home Base Youth Services and encourage you, once again, to PLEASE consider donating to a great cause! Here's a little more info about HBYS from Rachel Dallmann HBYS's Development & Volunteer Coordinator.

HomeBase Youth Services is an Arizona-based, non-profit organization
founded in 1991 to address the growing needs of at-risk and homeless
youth age 21 and younger. At age 18, many youth "age out" of the foster
care or juvenile justice systems without the necessary life skills to
live independently; as a result, they quickly end up homeless and on the
streets. Other youth choose to flee their homes after years of mental,
physical and emotional abuse, or neglect. HomeBase addresses the needs
of this "forgotten" population, and assists these promising young people
with the tools they need to live healthy, independent lives. The
programs and services we offer include Street Outreach, Mobile Medical
Outreach, Employment and Life Skills Training, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Care, a Resource Center, a Transitional Living Program,
and an Independent Living Program.

The books would be added to the small library that has been started at
the Resource Center where youth who are living on the streets and in the
shelters can escape everything that is going on out there.

We would also have books available at the Transitional Living Facility
for youth who are working and/or going to school.

Books are a great way for the youth to escape to a temporary safe place
while they are working on getting there themselves. Right now, both
locations only have a shelf or two to choose from. We would also be
able to offer the youth the option of keeping a book or two, that they
would enjoy rereading. Many of the youth have very little material
possessions, so it would be nice for them to have something that is
theirs.

Thanks for reading guys! Also I'm going to say, that if you donate at least one book for this cause, I'll give you ten extra entries in the Hush, Hush giveaway!

You can find out more about how to donate through the link above.

xoxoxo

Interview with Jackson Pearce! (As You Wish)

2009-12-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

As You Wish is your first published book--YAY! What a gift! Is there anything you could get for Christmas that could top finally seeing your book on the shelves after all the time spent preparing it for your readers?

To be honest...no! Nothing realistic, anyway. If we're going for unrealistic, I'd like to get a long, stable writing career with lots of good books. But I don't think that fits in a stocking :)

What got you started as a writer?

I couldn't find the book in the library that I wanted to read, so I decided to write it myself-- I was about nine or ten at the time. I've been writing ever since.

Did it take you long to break into the business?

Long is such a subjective thing-- at the time, it felt like centuries, but I know some people have to wait much longer (and some much shorter). It took me about two years.

When you first heard the news that As You Wish was going to be published, what expectations did you have, and did any of those change as time passed?

I thought EVERYONE at my publisher would be backing my book with all their hearts. But then I realized all those editors have their own authors who have their own books to back, and that it, alas, wasn't just about me. I learned to not expect to be a big fish in a small pond right away.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Separate writing from publishing. Writing is something you do because you love it. Publishing is something you do because you want to make money. They are two very different things.

As a writer you get lots of perks (right?!) including some ARC's of upcoming releases. What were some of your favorite books of '09?

I loved SHIVER, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES...I feel like I've read a million books this year, and to be honest, there were very few duds.

Did you ask for any books for Christmas? If so, which ones?

I didn't! Because I buy books all the time for myself, haha-- hey, it's for business! I did, however, just order HATE LIST, MAGIC UNDER GLASS, and STORY OF A GIRL (still hadn't read it!), I guess I could call that a Christmas present to myself?

What plans do you have for the holidays?

I spend the holidays with family. I LOVE Christmas in a serious, serious way.

Do you tend to avoid writing this time of year, or use the cold
weather as an excuse to stay inside?

I write about the same amount regardless of the season, though I am especially busy this winter-- I'm juggling several books at once.

As the year draws to a close what are you most thankful for?

The fantastic friends I've made in the industry, and how fortunate I've been to be able to do what I love for a living.

Last question--I'm dying to know how you're Nanowrimo went! Did you
finish and do you think you'll try to get it published?

I did not finish! FAIL on me. I got about 30k in and had to step back to work out some plot stuff, and by then I was woefully behind. I will finish it though, eventually. I'd like to try and get it published, but I'm trying to remember that it was my "just for fun" book.

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Thanks for the wonderful interview Jackson!

You can learn more about Jackson's upcoming books, as well as read her delightful chatter at her blog here. Look out for my review of As You Wish sometime this week!

ALSO! Don't forget you have until the end of the month to send me books to donate to HomeBase Youth Services! Old or new, all donations are welcome! And You also have till the 25th to enter to win HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick, and other prizes by visiting this link!

xoxoxo

Re-Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin (Review)

2009-12-04T12:00:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys!

For those of you who don’t yet know about the awesome that is Cycler, check out my review here! Or watch this awesome book trailer Lauren made!

OR! Read the first three chapters here! There's just so many options, you can't NOT at least give this book a try. For me?! You will love it I swear!!!

And here's my review of Re-Cycler!

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Among the many wonders of our world, one in perticular has captured my heart… and his name Jack McTeague!!! 8D *gigglefit*

Ok, seriously though, if you were as in love with Cycler as I was, you will adore this sequal! Lauren does a great job in taking the story in a whole new direction that keeps you so glued to the book that you better clear a day or so to read it in one sitting.

The charicters have already developed so much in this book, and I felt like I knew them so much better after reading it. Jack really seems to come into his own more, and I loved that we got to get to know him more as a person and not just the other half of Jill*. And Jill was definitely moving past all the rough stuff that happened in Cycler to find herself again and remember that she isn't just defined by Jacks existance.

As a fan I was really excited that I was able to read this one early**, and I was so glad I wasn’t dissapointed in how it turned out.

Although, I may have to have a talk with Lauren about how she’s supposedly not writing another book***.... We gotta work that out... -_-

But so good! haha Read it! ^_^

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* Of course we got to see him as a person in Cycler too, but there was MOAR of that in Re-Cyler! 8) SO good.

** Especially since I feel like I’ve been waiting YEARS to get to read it!

*** See interview I did with Lauren on Wednesday.

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Thanks guys! <3

xoxoxo

ARG!

2009-12-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys! Sorry, but todays just been way too busy, aunts in labor, we've been gone, etc. and I wont be able to post the review today. =/ I'm sosososooooo sorry! But I'll definitely post it tomorrow! In the meantime check out what Lauren said about the interview and about giving your book donations on her blog, she's awesome! :)

http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/12/03/interview-with-readergirl/

So sorry again! Tomorrow I swear! D8

xoxoxo

RG

Interview with Lauren McLaughlin (Cycler+ReCycler)

2009-12-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Ok, guys, time for some serious book love! hehe Lauren McLaughlin in the author of two of my favorite books; Cycler and Re-Cycler! You can read about my mad love for Cycler here, and you WILL be able to read all about my love of Re-Cycler in my review tomorrow! In the meantime, check out this exclusive interview with Lauren! Enjoy!

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How are you finding New York during this wonderful winter-y season?

I love this time of year because I tend to divide my time between New York, which is often frigid but bright; London, which is a bit warmer but also gray; and Florida, which is full of sunshine. It gets confusing, but I like the variety. And I make sure to listen to plenty of Bing Crosby to remind myself that, wherever I am, it's still Christmas.

Did you ask for any books this Christmas? If so, which ones?

I always ask for books for Christmas and books are what I give people too. This year I've asked for The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan. I'm both frightened and excited by both of them and have heard lots of great things about them. I'm in the mood for a good scare.

What were some of your favorite books of '09?

I've read some really great ones. The ones that stand out, however, are Liar by Justine Larbalestier, Skinned by Robin Wasserman, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. All quite different and all compulsively readable. I love books that teach me something and keep me guessing. These three books all did that, plus they played with morality in fascinating ways. I love that. I like to be challenged.

Any we should look out for in 2010? Maybe a little book about a
certain boy/girl that we all adore? *___* (For serious-- Jack and Jill
need one of those couple names that gives them one name! Jackill?
Jillack? Something!)

I have no doubt that 2010 will be full of fantastic books. Sadly, they will not be sharing space with any new Jill/Jack adventures, however. I'm putting the McTeague twins on ice for now. I think they need some breathing room. I do have another book coming out, however, called Steal the Future. It's about ubiquitous surveillance combined with high stakes testing and will introduce readers to a tasty new romantic couple.

How long do you envision the series going?

For now, I only envision Cycler and (Re)Cycler but I won't rule out another one. I just had this other book burbling away inside my brain and I had to write it.

What was the sparking idea that got you on the path to writing about
body snatching? (Not really the right word but you know what I mean.
xD I hope! e_e;;)

I think body snatching is a great term for it. I've always been intrigued by the idea of body snatching and mind control. The scariest movies I can remember as a kid were Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Stepford Wives. Both involve some kind of mind/body swap. It's possible that seeing those films as a teenager planted a seed somehow. Of course, I'm not consciously aware of the precise spark that gave rise to Cycler. Like most stories, it burbled away for a while until it was so big I had to do something about it. At that point, Jack basically sprang from my head fully formed and it was on.

Was Cycler the first story you'd written?

Cycler is actually the third novel I've written. I've also written about a dozen short stories and several screenplays. Sometimes things get published out of order. Truth be told, it took me two novels to learn how to write a novel properly because I had to unlearn all of my habits as a screenwriter.

What's the writing process like for you -- writing a series that you
stick to for a long period of time and delving more and more into the
world you've created with every book?

When I wrote Cycler, I envisioned it as a stand-alone novel. The characters got richer and more nuanced with every draft, but I didn't feel as if I'd finished with them by the end. The story felt complete, but the characters were only beginning to flex their muscles and come out of their shells. Writing a sequel was a wonderful opportunity to let them breathe. But in some ways it was more difficult. I couldn't revise their personalities to suit the plot because their deep characters had already been established. That put a lot of restrictions on what I could do but also it forced me to go deeper. I loved that.

Do you have any advice for aspiring/ beginning writers?

There's so much I've learned over the years that it would be difficult to boil it down. I think the most important thing for a writer, however, is dogged commitment. If you're not insanely passionate about telling your story, you'll never have the stamina to get through the rough patches. It's all rough patches. It never goes smoothly. Not for anyone. It's a slog, a battle, a creep through the underbrush, an out of control freight train, and many other metaphors. Only those writers with a blind, stupid determination to see it through, no matter what, succeed.

What's your one gottahaveit present for '09?

A new piano. I'm treating myself. I've wanted it for a long time and this year I'm finally going for it.

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Thanks so much Lauren, it was so great chatting with you!

You can find out more about Lauren via her blog/website here!

Look out for Re-Cycler review tomorrow!

xoxoxo

RGR Needs YOUR help + Win Hush Hush!

2009-11-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

While we're all spending the holidays typing up christmas lists, drinking eggnog by the fire, and enjoying the comforts of the season, some kids, our age and older, don't even have a warm place to sleep at night.

At age 18, many youth "age out" of foster care or the juvenile justice systems, without the necessary life skills to live independently. Some of them choose to leave their homes after years of mental, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect, so they turn to the streets, making themselves vulnerable to untreated mental health disorders, drug use, and sexual exploitation.

These homeless teens have no homes to go to, or family to be with, for christmas. They wont be getting any presents,the most they can wish for is a safe holiday, and hopefully somewhere warm to sleep at night. Luckily, there are a lot of shelters willing to help, but even staying in a shelter, there's nothing like a real home, and being able to be close to the ones you love, to make it feel like christmas.

Though everyone's having financial trouble right now, we have to hold onto the fact there are people out there, far worse off then we are. While we have to cut out some of our small luxuries, these kids have to cut out much more from their everyday lives. Nessecities.

And we can help. My idea is, to collect as many books as possible, YA Genre and above, to send to an orginization called HomeBase Youth Services.

They have street outreach teams that drive around with food and supplies for those still on the street, as well letting them know about their transitional living center which can be hard for them to find out about/get to, mobil medical outreach services for those still on the street, and their transitional living center to help them get back on their feet, and get an education while still having the opertunity to work and earn money to support themselves.

I know that books won't change the situation these kids are in, and I know that it's not food or anything. But whenever I get so wrapped up in my own issues that I just need an escape, I read. I love that I have that outlet, and I really do think that by donating these books we could be giving these kids a chance to be carefree, if only for a few moments. Moments that could make a huge diffrence on their outlook on life, inspire them to rise above their situations, and know that they can change things.

Even if you could donate just one book, used or new, you would be a big part in helping give these kids a way to escape all of their aweful circumstances for just a little while, and get pulled into new world, full of possibilities.

All book donations will be put in the HomeBase Transitional Living and Day Recorse Libraries, and EVERY donation is appreciated.

We're looking for mainly YA books, and they LOVE Twilight so think along those lines (Science Fiction, and Fantasy type stuff too) but I'm not going to be too picky, just books, please send me books!

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Thanks so much for reading guys! Now about that contest....

One of my favorite books of the year was Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick, (LOVE!) And I'm so excited to announce a Hush, Hush giveaway!

I have a SIGNED Hardcover to give away, and also My ARC in perfect condition! I will give each of these away to two lucky winners who will also recive...

~ A Hush, Hush bookmark

~ A Hush, Hush postcard

~ AND a Hush, Hush cover art poster!

All you have to do to enter is....

1 Comment telling me what some of you're favorite books of '09 were

+2 Tell all you're friends to give up some of their old books to a great cause!

+3 Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, whatever about this post, specificlly about donating books to HomeBase Youth Center

+5 Make a youtube video encouraging people to donate.

**EDIT** Plus 10 if you donate at least one book (Above for details)!

Unfortunatly I can't affor international postage so this is just open to residents of the US, but if you'd like to donate from out of the country and are willing to pay the postage of course we'd be more then happy to accept you're donations.

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That's all everyone! I'd love it if you'd concider donating, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the months festivities!

Keep an eye out for new posts every weekday for Interviews, Reviews, and chances to win cool prizes!

xoxoxo

RG's Best Picks of '09: An Intro to the Month of Awesomeness

2009-11-30T02:22:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Oh, how I've missed you all!

November was a crazy month, mostly filled with school, school, and oh yeah a little bit more school. Then some NEW MOON(!), and Thanksgiving, and being the moral support to people who actually finished Nanowrimo.... T_T But all and all a great month! 8D And suddenly, December is upon us! Which means right back into blogging for me--and what better time then right now as we're gearing up for a season of snuggling up by the fire with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and an amazing read?

This month is all about my favorite books of the year; of course there's so many, that it's very hard narrow it down, but I've managed to to decide on my top four favorites and I can't wait to share them with you. The others will still get reviewed (Probably this month or in the near future), as books I'd definitely recomend, along with some reviews of my favorite books of all time that I want to recomend to you for the holidays.

But that's not all!

On Tuesday I'll be announcing a special project that I'd love to have you all be a part of, as well as announcing the prizes in a HUGE christmas giveaway!

More on that then! For now...

xoxoxo

Winners, and Random Chat

2009-11-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of blogging lately! X_x Nano.... hasn't been going well for me xD I actually managed to hold onto the dea of starting for 3 days this year instead of two, but hey that's progress! 8D

Naw, honestly this month just started out really crazy for me and it's just not a good month for Nano! D8 But I'm thinking about saming all the pep talks in my email and trying again in January as a good karmic way to start out the year on a positive note. 8) hehe

Anywho, how's everyone elses nano's going?! Seriously I wanna know! And if you have tips bring them on!

Also, the winners of the posters are... Kieran and Kelsey! hehe

Let me know which ones you want!

xoxoxo

RG

OMGeee I Suck + Contest Winners

2009-10-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, Happy Halloween!

(**EDIT** GRRR! I wanted to embed THIS video sooo badly but I'll link it anyways cause it's awesome! ^_^)

So, as you can probably tell, Vampire week didn't exactly happen... e_e;; and I'm so sorry! I just ended up being so busy this week that I had NO ROOM to fit in writing of reviews and such. :( I feel so, SO awful about it, but oh well I guess. =/

Anyway, putting that behind us, I do have a few updates about the site as well as our Halloweeny Month winners!

First off, next month, as I hope you know, is November ;) and that means... NANO! (Wrimo ;P) So, posts are going to be pretty scattered then, and I probably wont be doing a lot of reviews since I'll have no time to read! xD But I will try to post about my Nano progress and if any of you guys decide to join up you should follow me here!

Then, as I'm winding down from November, I'll be posting reviews, contests, and interviews in a new monthly feature I like to call, "ReaderGirl's Favorite Books of '09"! The idea is that by posting these things around Christmas I will be giving you new book suggestions you MUST add to you're Christmas list because they were just that fabulous! ;P and I hope you will because I know you will love them too!

I'm hoping to do this all through December, but as we know the holidays are very busy so I can't promise that I will do things everyday of every week, but I'll try to post lots! Especially since '09 was like a super-trifecta of YA greatness, and I really want to catch you up on any awesome titles you may have missed out on before New Years!

So... yeah guess that's all.... xD OH! Also just as a side note, in January I'll probably go through some of my '10 ARC's reviewing them and such and then I will probably slow down a ton and go to doing reviews here and there again, because honestly, I'm getting really wiped out! >_<

As much as I enjoy reviewing and hearing from you guys, I'm just plain exhausted, and I also really, really, really want to start focusing more on my new blog Indi.Grrls because I feel like it's going to be awesome and I just want to start posting there already!

But THAT is all. :) More on future stuffs in the future; for now, our WINNERS!

The Winner of the Fairy Tale Hardcover is... Book Pixie!

The Winner of the Paperback Blood and Chocolate is... Natalie!

And that's all.... e_e;;.... BUT THAT SOUNDS KINDA PITIFUL! xD So GUESS WHAT I'm gonna do?! Add some more prizes!

Let's see how about...

A mini Cirque Du Freak movie poster

and...

A mini New Moon movie poster?!

Enter by Sunday night @ 10 PM!

Just comment to WINNNN!

Now a fun video from the boys of Panic to get you in the spirit!

So NOW that's all! ^_^ lol What's everyone doing for Halloween?!

xoxoxo

We Have A Winner!

2009-10-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

BUT I can't tell you who it is untill the end of the month! :(

Until then, check out these other fab contests going on now!

Win an awesome Ghost Girl candle, win a copy of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld!

Enjoy and thanks for joining me for Were-Week!

Vamps coming atchu Monday!

xoxoxo

RG

(WWDay4) Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne Review!

2009-10-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

Product Description From Amazon:

I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

My Review:

Moonlight was a great read! I stayed up many a night to finish this one because I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! I was totally captivated by Lucas (Uh, HOT! 8D) and I loved Kayla—I loved watching their relationship develop and mostly I just loved reading about all the mystery behind the guides and Lucas. It was a really great read! Very much my kind of book!

I do wish the author had taken Lucas and Kayla’s relationship into another story, but I think it’s cool that she followed up with the other characters in her other books too. I definitely want to read them as well. The story flowed really nicely, and it was well written too. Rachel Hawthorne is definitely one to watch!

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This is your LAST DAY to enter the Blood and Chocolate contest, so be sure to ENTER HERE by tonight!

xoxoxo

(WWDay3) Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis Review!

2009-10-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

Produuct Description from Amazon: Moonlight can totally change your life.

And it all starts so simply.

You. Him.

The moon.

You're toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

My Review:

I was so excited to get this book because A. I love werewolves and B.….. Well, I don’t have a “B”, but I seriously love werewolves, and I was so glad that I ended up liking this book as much as I did! It ended up being a really cute read that I’d definitely recommend!

Shelby was cool, and though I didn’t love her step mother, I thought she handled the whole “beingshippedoffbyanalmosttotalstranger” thing really well! I would’ve freaked out WAY more! Lol

Shelby was also very relatable, even though it seemed like she would have had more money than the average person, and I liked that she wasn’t stuck up about that; she always seemed very down to earth. It kind of shows that just because some people have more money than others doesn’t make them that different from each other; she was still a teenager dealing with teenage crap, so I could relate!

Of course, the love interest Austen stole my heart…. (Darn those bad boys!) But they’re so hard not to love! X_x……………… HE HAD AN ACCENT!.................

All in all a super cute light read that I finished in about a day. I’d deffo recommend it! (Especially if you’re being shipped off to a reform camp by your step mother, your father's going along with it, and you need a good plane read! ;))

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Hope you like the review, and make sure to check out the interview I did with Heather yesterday if you havn't already!

Also enter to win a copy of Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause here!

(WWDay2) Interview with Heather Davis-- Author of Never Cry Werewolf

2009-10-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

What's your best Halloween memory?
Halloween was always very popular around my house because my dad is a joker by nature. I guess my favorite Halloween memory is from when I was about eleven. I built an amazing costume in our basement -- a chocolate chip cookie. It was like a "sandwich board" with two flat sides of the cardboard cookie on my front and back side and I wore a piece of my dad's old brown courduroy pants leg on my head tied like a chip. It was so huge and flat I couldn't sit down.

Anyway, I totally should have won the costume contest at the party I went to, but instead a girl whose mother had sewn her Merlin costume took the prize. So unfair! My dad sent me a Halloween card a few years ago, mentioning that cookie costume -- even he remembered it as pretty great.

Does Halloween inspire you to write more supernatural YA?

Not really. I'm always in the mood for a story beyond the ordinary.

How true do you think those werewolf stories are...?

True. Throughout history people have always been cast out of regular society because of genetic problems or deformities. It's so not right. I think that many of the legends we hear about today - vampires, werewolves -- are all about people who lived differently or had physical challenges or oddities.

What inspired you to write a story about werewolves?

I've always loved the duality of werewolves - the "normal" side you show to the world and your "wolf" that you keep hidden. Also, I used to live in a mountain town filled with deep, dark woods -- that really inspired me to say "what if?"

I adored Never Cry Werewolf! What's next for you?

Thanks! The Clearing is coming out in April 2010 - it's the story of a modern girl who moves to the country to her great aunt's farm to reclaim her life after an abusive relationship. There in the misty clearing at the back of the property she meets a boy stuck in a time loop -- it's always the summer of 1944 for him. They form a unique bond that teaches each of them that letting go and moving on is some times the best thing you can do. It's a serious, romantic YA that is quite different from Werewolf, but I think that readers will connect to the emotional heart of the story. After that... who knows?

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Thanks SO much to Heather for the awesome interview; it was a joy to have her. :) Keep an eye out for a review of Never Cry Werewolf later this week!

(WWDay1) Blood and Chocolate Review and Givaway

2009-10-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Were-Week! To start things off, how about a giveaway?!

To enter, leave a comment on this post about your favorite werewolf. Shouldn't be too hard, right?? ;P

+1 if you spread the word in some way

+1 if you follow the blog or my twitter

+2 if you repost

You have till Friday to enter, I'll pick a winner on Saturday morning.

Here's a look at you're prize, a review of Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Clause!

Product Description From Amazon:

In Blood and Chocolate, Annette Curtis Klause does for werewolves what Anne Rice has done for vampires.
Sixteen-year-old Vivian Gandillon is trying to fit in to her new home in the suburbs. But trying to act "normal" isn't always easy, since Vivian and her family are werewolves. It's glorious to have the power to change, and Vivian is a beautiful loup-garou with all the young wolves howling for her. But she wants no part of her squabbling pack, left leaderless by her father's recent death.

Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. If she reveals herself, will he relish the magic of her dual nature? When a brutal murder threatens the pack's survival, Vivian's divided loyalties are further strained. What is she really--human or beast?

My Review:

From the moment I picked up Blood and Chocolate I was hooked. Of course, I’m a huge fan of the supernatural in general, so maybe it was an easy sell, but I thought it was awesome from the get go.

Of course there were a few things I didn’t love along the way, but as a whole I actually really liked it. It ends diffrently from the movie for those of you who’ve seen that, and it’s actually quite a bit sadder that I thought the movie was, but still really good.

I actually watched the movie first so I have a bit of a soft spot for the movie version, but it was really interesting to read the book because there’s so much extra stuff in the book that gets left out or changed in the movie.Vivian’s cousins are always kind of entertaining to read about (Especially when picturing the guys from the movie…. e_e;;) and I actually liked Gabriel soooo much better in the book!

Annette did a great job with the writing and description-wise it was spot on. Definitely worth the read and if you’re a werewolf fan, you’ll love it!

xoxoxo

(FW Day (4)) Review of Fary Tale by Cyn Balog

2009-10-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, we've reached the end of our "Week of Fey", but it was fun times for all right?! I really enjoyed interviewing Cyn Balog, and I hope you all like the reviews! This week I also got sick so stuff was a little light for a few days there, but whatcha gonna do; cold and flu season right?! Anywho, next week is Were-Week, and I'm I'm super excited about it, but more on that tomorrow! For now, here's my review of Fairy Tale! :)

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Product Description From Amazon:

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

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

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

My Review:

I actually love a good love triangle (It makes things more interesting!), so I liked that aspect of Fairy Tale, and I ended up being kind of happy about who Morgan ended up with which I was glad about! Morgan’s voice throughout the story is very honest and from the beginning you feel for her and her situation and you also feel for the male characters as well. Pip tugs on your heartstrings and Cam sounds like such a great boyfriend that you’re just as heartbroken as Morgan when he gets caught up in his blood ties.

All in all book was a cute, light, read that was very enjoyable. Though the basic plot of the story was more serious, I thought Cyn did a good job of keeping things light and entertaining.

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Now, I DO have the winner of this contest, but like I said before I'm going to keep all the winners names under lock and key until the last day of our Halloweeny feature! Luckily, it's creeping up on us so it'll be here in no time, but keep checking back for more contests, reviews, and author interviews!

Were-Week starts tomorrow! EEP!

xoxoxo

Interview with Cyn Balog/ Cirque Du Freak Winners!

2009-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

So I was supposed to do a review of Cyn's book, Fairy Tale, YESTERDAY but I'm sick with an awful cold and now everything's backed up! :( But rest assured I'll be posting it sometime this weekend when I'm hopefully feeling better. Until then, here's an interview with Cyn!

OH! Also, as it is Friday, the winners of the Cirque Du Freak books are....
Kate and Kristen!
Congrats guys, I'll email you too, but remember to get me your address before Monday or I have to give the prize to the next runner up. =/

NOW, Cyn Balog! :)

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What are you doing for Halloween this year?

I am going to be going to Disney World!!! We have tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which I have always wanted to go to. I am a huge Disney freak. I actually may end up not coming back home this time, I love Disney so much.

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

Last year, I took my daughter trick-or-treating for the first time (she was 2). She couldn't believe that she could actually just go up to a house and people would give her candy! The first house we went to, she was dressed like Little Red Riding Hood, and when the opened the door she tried to go inside. And then of course she wanted to keep going and going and going to every house in the neighborhood. And then she wanted to do it again on November 1, too.

What was you're best ever Halloween costume?

My mom made me a really cool Reeses Peanut Butter cup costume when I was a kid. I just loved that costume, and it was really special because I watched my mom make it and she put a lot of time and effort into it.

Witches, Ghosts, Zombies, Vampires, Werewolves, Jinn, or Fey?

I should be saying Fey, right? But I really have no alliance to them. Personally, I have always loved Zombies. All the Romero movies are my absolute favorites. And 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later?? The best!!!!

We all loved Fairy Tale, but what's next for you? When can we expect a new book?

SLEEPLESS is coming out July 13, 2010. It's about a Sandman who falls in love with a mortal girl whose sleep he controls.

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Thanks so much to Cyn for the interview, and don't forget to enter to win a hardcover copy of Fairy Tale here!

xoxoxo

Oh my geez, what a terrible blunder (You CAN win a copy of Fairy Tale in this post! X_x)

2009-10-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Sooooo sorry guys! I meant to post about this in my Monday post, but I totally spaced OUT! So.... yeah... major suckage on my part, but you CAN enter to win a copy of Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (Hardcover) through this post! xD

To enter, comment and let me know about your favorite fairy of all time. :)

+1 if you follow the blog in some way.

+2 if you tell a friend to enter. ;P

I'll pick a winner on Sunday, but as for all giveaways this month (Except for the Cirque Du Freak prize pack) I won't be posting the winners names until the end of the month because it's more fun to announce them all at once, right?!

Anywho, sorry again about that, won't happen again I swear! xP

xoxoxo

RG

(FW Day 3) Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

2009-10-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Product Description from Amazon:
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything

My Review:

Wicked Lovely is one of those books were the moment that you pick it up you instantly feel like you’re a part of the story; you’re swept up into a world you’ve never experienced, and yet somehow it feels all too familiar.

You realize that you must have always known Aislinn and that you’re the closest of friends; that you’ve always thought Seth was a hotty, though you’d never mention that to Aislinn since you knew how crazy he was about her. You feel like you too have felt the fey watching you at some point in your life, and are curious and afraid by the idea that they may not be figments of your imagination after all.

It’s these kind of stories that I love.

When you can write a book with characters that feel like old friends, a setting that feels like home, and an adventure that I’ve only ever dreamed I could be a part of, you’ve got me hooked. Wicked Lovely was one of these books.

I bonded with Aislinn from the beginning and loved her fierce tenacity throughout the story. She was completely kick ass, and amazing, and I loved going through this chapter of her life with her. Seth stole my heart many a months after I finished the book, and still has it through Fragile Eternity… The fey sounded startlingly beautiful and frightening, and I was completely sucked into their history.

The novel on the whole was very beautifully written, I loved Seth, I loved Aislinn, and I’d definitely recommend this book to lovers of the fey.

xoxoxo

Hush, Hush And Fat Cat out today!!!

2009-10-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Just wanna take a quick break from faries to give a shoutout to two lovely authors whom I love whose books hit the shelves TODAY!

I can't stop saying how much I loved Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and you can read about how much I loved Robin Brande's last book, Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature HERE, so I can't wait to read her next book, Fat Cat!

Go check out the shelves today and please consider picking up one of these fabulous new YA titles. :)

xoxoxo

RG

Fey Week In Full Swing! Win A copy of Fairy Tale!!!

2009-10-12T18:31:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys! Eep, October is here, and you know what that means.... Our first week of reviews, interviews, and GIVEAWAYS! Plus cooler weather ;) haha

Last week I left things pretty open because that was a hugely busy week for me, but I hope you all looked up interesting facts on freak shows as your entry to WIN ALL THE CIRQUE DU FREAK BOOKS BY DARREN SHAN as part of the promotion for the new Cirque Du Freak movie (Out October 23!)! Also don't forget to vote on you're favorite T-Shirt saying at the bottom of the page for a chance to win the soundtrack! (If my blog wins of course ;))
On to the faries! This week we'll have reviews of Wicked Lovely, and Fairy Tale, Plus an Interview with author Cyn Balog!

Plus though angels don't EXACALLY fall into the fey catagory, THEY DO HAVE WINGS! And Becca Fitzpatricks upcoming YA book Hush, Hush comes out tomorrow! I Loved this book and I really want to shout out to her tomorrow in honor of the release of her book. :) Unfortunitely I won't be posting a review till December-ish in my Favorite Books of '09 feature, but I want to make sure I get the word out about this amazing first instalment in her series that's gonna totally blow you away!

Anyways, stay tuned for all the fun this week, and make sure to enter to win the Cirque Du Freak books HERE!

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (8)

2009-10-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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Well this week I've mostly been busy reading City of Bones, and just plain busy with LIFE >_< But I did get a few good books since my last IMM post!

Stop In The Name Of Pants by Louise Rennison (I panicked because the new one is coming out SOOOON and I still have to finish this one! Eep! But these books are sooo cute, I love them, so I was happy when I saw it at the library since they've been asking for it back every time I get it. X_x)

Ash by Malinda Lo (*screamsingiddyexcitment* I've been wanting to read this for so long! *grabbyhands* I can't wait to start it!)

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (David has a really unique way of writing so I'm really excited to read this one. :))

The a bunch of books about traveling to Europe; it sounds so awesome there, I wanna go! xP

ANYWHO! Kind of a light week, but I'm super excited about all the books I got, and can't wait to get started reading!.... right after I finish a few other books.... e.e;;

P.S. Don't forget to vote on your favorite Cirque Du Freak T-shirt saying (at the bottom of the page), and enter to win the Cirque Du Freak books here!

xoxoxo

Cirque Du Freak Promotion! Win Books!

2009-10-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

What better way to start off our Halloween themed month then with something truly horrifying; freak shows!

What better way to start off our Halloween themed month then with something truly horrifying; freak shows!

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, is the first book of Darren Shan's wildly popular series of books for the YA genre, and also the book that the new movie is based on(In theaters October 23rd)! If you don't know much about the books or the movie, you can click here to find out more!

The new movie edition (The Vampire's Assistant and Other Tales from the Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan) features the first three books in the series--Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood-- all in one book!

Here's a quick blurb about it:

Do you love to be scared? Then don't miss the terrifying adventure that begins when Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the CIRQUE DU FREAK, a wonderfully bizarre and creepy freak show. Brace yourself for thrills and chills as the boys witness a parade of grotesque creatures and face their deepest fears by entering the darkest world of the vampire. In the blood-curdling tradition of Anne Rice and Stephen King, CIRQUE DU FREAK will have you shrieking for the next horror show!

Now, on to the prizes!

Two lucky winners will receive...

A Cirque Du Freak book Set (3 titles in one book)

And a...

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror Woo! Free stuff! 8D Here's what you can do to win:

1 Entry: Comment telling me one interesting fact about freak shows, or Darren Shan.

And for an extra entry, follow the blog, or follow me on twitter! (But only if you really want too! ;)

You can only enter one time for this one (Unless you're letting me know about a second entry or just want to say, "Hey!" ;P) Because last time I was WAY overloaded with entry which was an awesome thing, but still, it was alot! xD

ALSO! Don't forget to vote for your favorite Cirque Du Freak Movie T-shirt saying at the BOTTEM of the page! Lots of blogs are doing these promotions and the one with the most votes gets an ipod touch and a copy of the soundtrack which I would of course giveaway to one of you in thanks for voting! 8D (Cause I really need a new pod, mine is shot! T_T)

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! And ENTER, ENTER, ENTER!!! (hehe)

xoxoxo

Month of Halloween On RGR!

2009-10-05T23:03:00.001-07:00

Welcome to THE MONTH OF HALLOWEEN on ReaderGirl Reviews!

Eep! I'm so excited! I know this message is coming through a little late but I've had a heck of a day to bear with me. xD I've been a bit unorganized about Halloween Month this year, especially as it's the first year I've done it,. but I've got so much stuff planned--so much awesome to spread around the bloggosphere--that if I can get it all up and running for your enjoyment it will be miracle! xD And AWESOME, AWESOME Miracle that YOU will have a chance to be a part of!

Here's how it's gonna go down:

This Week, we start off our Halloween-ness with a Cirque Du Freak movie promotion sponsored by Big Honcho Media! Now there's MANY awesome things about this promotion (I hope they're obvious enough! ;D) And as much as I'd like to list them all just because, the contest doesn't officially start until tomorrow so you'll have to wait for more details till then! *zipslips*

The after this week, each week with feature a different creature.

Fey-Week

Were-Week

and Vamp-Week!

Including Author interviews, LOTS of reviews, and a new contest EACH WEEK!

It's going to be so fabby, and I really hope you guys enjoy it! :) Check the blog tomorrow for more news on the Cirque Du Freak Promotion!

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (7)

2009-10-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't want to forget to post today, but sadly I haven't been keeping up my the blogs I usually follow and that's how I find out about awesome upcoming YA books, so no books IMMB for me this week.... T_T

BUT! While I was drowning my sorrows in some nummy cereal over THAT I decided to check out my blogroll and look what I found!

Kristi (The Story Siren) got some good ones this week, in perticular Beautiful by Amy Reed sounded good, and I CAN'T WAIT to read Fat Cat by Robin Brande, I'm pretty sure I've been waiting for this one ever since I first reviewed Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature! (Literally my first review! Awww, just like bringing out the baby pictures. ;))

Harlequin Twilight Book Blog got Lips Touch by Laini Taylor (The artwork looks so much like Brett Helquist's that I MUST read it! Plus everybody is blogging about it so it must be amazing right??) She also got Ash by Melinda Lo which makes me so jealous because-- WHY? WHY?? Why must Hardcovers cost so much?! I want it! D8

Anywho, check out these posts, these ladies run awesome blogs and it's always fun seeing what they're reading. :)

Look out for Halloween related posts Starting Monday! This week is going to be mostly random reviews and Halloween talk but this month I am going to try to blog EVERY DAY so it's gonna be a blast anyways! 8D haha

xoxoxo

Geez I'm Slow! (A Banned Books Week Post)

2009-10-01T22:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, so somehow this years banned books week has slipped right past my radar, and I am only now doing a post about it.... EPPPPIIICCCC FAAAAIIIILLLL ALLLEEEERRRRTTT!

Anyways, this is Banned Books Week! (Or the end of it anyways.... >_e) YAY for banned books!

Some of my favorites are...

Forever by Judy Blume
Reason For Ban:
Graphic scenes involving SEX, candid details about teen relationships and the way the Judy Blume wrote about adolescent sexuality to plainly. (The book that everyone freaks out over! Seriously everyone I've met has said they don't want to read it because of the reputation it's gotten. Honestly? Sex exists people, and yeah it's awkward and personal and our culture doesn't like to have it talked about so publicly but so what?! It's a fact of life, DEAL. X_x *couldgoonandonaboutthisbutwillspareyou* This book was terrific!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reason For Ban:
Use of the word N****r. (Definitely not a nice word, but that was one used in the time period the book was written so banning it really doesn't seem fair to me.)

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Reason For Ban:
"Profanity" and "Pornography", I guess most of this series were taken off the shelves at one point. o.o

The His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
Reason For Ban:
Political and religious viewpoints and some violence. (These books are literary genius! D8)

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Reason For Ban:
Use of the word N****r. (Definitely not a nice word, but that was one used in the time period the book was written so banning it really doesn't seem fair to me.)

Annie on My Mind by
Reason For Ban:
In short; homosexuality. (Don't get me started...;_;)

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Reason For Ban:
Well, it's ABOUT censorship for one... X_x And also i guess someone Complained about the use of the word "God damn" in the book.

And MORE!

Harry potter Series

Lord of the Rings Trilogy

the Giver

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I Am The Cheese

A Raisin In The Sun

What I Know Now

On The Bright Side, I'm Now The Girlfriend of a Sex God

Catcher In The Rye

Rainbow Boys

Of Mice and Men

Bridshead Revisited

And that's not All! The sad thing is that most books (Magazines, Movies...etc.) Have probably gone under the eyes of censorship at one point or another.; but there is a way to fight it! If you're reading this now, please borrow one of these books from a friend or the library or by all means, buy them! Also please, please, please, spread the word when you love it! ;D These are all fabulous books that deserve a life without censorship. Vivi la Banned Books!

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (6)

2009-09-27T18:26:00.001-07:00

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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So this has been a CRAZY week, we've been here there and everywhere which has left very little time for any fun reading (The most I've read this week is history stuffs! o.o)

BUT Part of being busy includes the library! (And the mailbox of course xD) And so, this weeks lovelys are....

The Illustrated Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (I tried reading JE once before and had a hard time so I figure, what the hey?! When all else fails look at the pictures! ;D)

Hunger by Micheal Grant (Finally! I've been staking out the library for weeks for dis one! *evillaughs*)

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley (Sounds so cool, I've been considering this one for a while and just happend to see it.)

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Sounds good! 8D Thanks to Harlequin Teen!)

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani (Sounds uber cute, can't wait to read it!!!)

Ballad by Mahhoe Striefvater (I still need to read the first one, but I won it in a contest so YAY! ^^)

Woot woot! I love my books. *smiiiillleees*

What's everybody else reading?!

xoxoxo

OH, WAIT!

P.S. Anyone have questions @RichelleMead (Author of Vampire Academy Series)? Email them to me readergirlreviews@gmail.com

And the winners are... (Maximum Ride Promotion)

2009-09-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Jackeline R. and Lady Storm!

Congrats guys! I hope you get my emails, if I don't hear back from you by Monday the prize packs will go to someone else so check you're emails or get in touch with me somehow. :)

Thanks again to Big Honcho Media for letting me host this awesome promotion, and also thanks to everyone who entered!Even if you didn't win, please check out the Maximum Ride series, and be sure to get you're copy of Max in Paperback now!

xoxoxo

RG

Maximum Ride Review/ Last day to enter to WIN!

2009-09-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

“It’s sooo great,” “You’re gonna love it,” “Fang is soooo hot!”

At one point I was being pressured from all sides to read this book, and to be honest at first I was very hesitant… but that was before I read the first one…

I dipped into the world of Maximum Ride coming in on a mad flight, running away from a crazy group of Erasers, and fighting for my life, alongside my new friend Max. We narrowly escape but that’s not the end of our trouble. Nearly as soon as I’m introduced to the rest of the gang, we learn that trouble has followed us home.

In that one moment, my life of lounging on the couch with a soda, a bowl of Cheese-Its, and a book has turned upside down, and now I’m part of an adventure; a scary story that’s ending is sitting right in my hands, only I’m too nervous to look. And so, I keep reading. There’s no turning back.

I wish I could say that now I know we’ll make it through ok, but the fact is, I still have a few books to go, and I honestly don’t know. But Max and the gang could really use your help. Are you game?

If you’ve ever wanted to fly to great heights, be a part of something bigger then yourself, and kick butt, Maximum Ride is the book for you. You’ll constantly feel like you’re right there in the action with Fang, Iggy, Gasman, Nudge, Angel, and of course Max.

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

Hey guys, this is your LAST DAY to enter to WIN ALL OF JAMES PATTERSON’S YA BOOKS. I don’t want anyone to miss out their chance to win so MAKE SURE TO ENTER BEFORE 12 TOINIGHT! I’ll be posting the winner FRIDAY.

REMEMBER, all you have to do to enter is comment on the promotion post, and then you're in! You can comment as many times as you want until 12 tonight and then it's officially closed.
Thanks guys!

xoxoxo

In my Mailbox (5)

2009-09-14T01:07:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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Hiya readers! You may or may not have noticed I haven't been posting "in my mailbox" for quite a few weeks now, and perhaps you are wondering why?

The simplest answer is that I haven't in fact gotten much "In My Mailbox" as of late! xD However I did also totally space on posting one week (a few weeks ago) and so I shall now attempt to make up for it by posting the books I got then and recently bought or got from the library!

~ Max by James Patterson (Don't forget to COMMENT on the James Patterson promotion post for a chance to WIN all of James' YA books!!!)

~ The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (ARC I am BERY excited to read!)

~ Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (I want to end the series now, I've been putting it off for far too long! T_T From Book Mooch!)

~ The Vampire Diaries: the Awakening and Struggle by L.J. Smith (Bought today! I LOVED the pilot of the TV show on the CW and now I HAVE to read the books! This IS the first book right?? e_e)

~ Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (Eeeep! READ THESE!)

So that's my past few weeks! xD I honestly feel like I should have more but I don't. :( I've got soooo much to read right now though so I'm deffo trying to buckle down and lower my reading mound at least a little.... e_e

Please, please, please, please, PLEASE comment on the James Patterson promotion page to possibly WIN one of two HUGE JAMES PATTERSON PRIZE PACKS including ALL OF HIS YA BOOKS!

You still have A WEEK LEFT TO ENTER so make sure you do lots of times! I don't want anyone to miss out on the chance to win these awesome prizes!

xoxoxo

TADA Tuesdays

2009-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

So just moments ago I was inspired to do a new meme by non other the the Persnickety Snark, the amazing and wonderful Adele, who recently did a post on "Bad Boys in YA" which I LOVED! And so, TADA Tuesday has been born!

Every Tuesday I'll highlight a blogger/ blog post I found particularly delightful for that week and blab on and on about how great it is! 8D

Sound fun? I think so! *_* And so, Bad Boy's in Ya....

Y.U.M.

I have realised, as of late, that no book is complete without a bad boy. When you set out to write a story without one it doesn't work; there's something missing if you will; that spark of trouble, that glint of pure bad boy that entices the reader to go on. Without it you have a heroine but no one to challenge her, to show her the ways of the dark side in which there are no gender restrictions holding her back. Without it you have a plot line yes, but no one bad enough to twist it all up into one satisfying delicious read that will make me swoon and love you forever!

Along with this rather obsessive realization I've also found that I've been attracted to the bad boy since the dawn of my time. But havn't we all? Come on, let's take a poll, raise you're hand if you have always been a bad boys girl.... (You-- yeah you in the corner there with the Edward t-shirt, I know you see me! Raise you're hand!)

See? So many hands!

From Gossip Girls Chuck Bass (Womanizer, yes, but he's now reformed!), to Peter Pan (Even in the animated version... and the fact that he could fly! 8D *coughcough* NEwho.... e_e)

We've all come across our far share of bad boys, and even when we know that loving them will not end pleasantly, we continue to fall to their feet in admiration and longing. I think it's fairly simple to tell why, but let's list the reasons anyways!

In order of importance:

~ The Grin

~ The Eyes

~ The Hair

~ The Voice

~ The... Muscles... *gulp*

Take that Image for a moment, and match it to all the things you love the most in life, and you will soon realize their influence over you. From TV, to movies, to books... chocolate (They give it to you (Feed it to you preferably))<, Cologne (YUM), Flowers>(They think of you when they see them and pick one and (Sneak through you're window and drop in on you're pillow with a dangerous note asking you to meet him at the clock tower at midnight! *eep!*) gives it to you.)

*swooooons*

And instantly they have our hearts. So here's to you bad boys, for making us turn all gelloied at the very site of you. (Must have ninja powers! 8O) Bravah!

Here's a list of some of my favorite bad boys! ;)

From Books:

~ Gilbert Blithe (Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery)

~ Loren (House of Night series, books 2 and 3 (mostly three) by Kristen and P.C. Cast)

~ Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

~ Jack (Cycler, and Recycler by Lauren McLaughlen *LOVESMOST*)

~ Fang (Maximum Ride series by James Patterson)

~ Cephan (Water Trilogy by Kara Dalkey (Great read that doesn't get enough attention! Go read um!))

~ Adrian (Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead)

Movies/ TV:

~ Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

~ Tom (Becoming Jane, played by James Mcavoy)

~ The Brothers of Ipswitch (AKA, All "the Covenant" boys for their.... amiable qualities....*_*)

~ Chef Gordon Ramsey (Hells Kitchen, the F Word... I know, ladies, I know...X_x)

~ Daniel Craig (If you have to ask.... O_o)

~ Drew Roy (iCarly: iLikeaBadBoy (or whatever) and Hannah Montana: He Could Be The One.... He could be! o_o)

~ Warren Peace (Is it unfair that Steven Straight made the list TWO times? e_e From Sky High)

Thanks again to Adele for her inspirational post and her awesome reviews and general book chat! We love her!

Don't forget to check out the Maximum Ride promotion post so you can ENTER TO WIN a HUGE PRIZEPACK of ALL HIS YA BOOKS!

So..... who're YOUR favorite bad boys, huh? *raiseseyebrowssuggestivly*

xoxoxo

ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS!

2009-08-25T13:31:00.002-07:00

MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

Welcome to the promotion of epic proportions readers! In honor of the James Patterson Bestseller, Max, coming out in paperback, Big Honcho media is teaming with ReaderGirl Reviews to give YOU (the reader) a chance to read the whole series for free!

BUT WAIT, there's more! ;D

Not only do you get the whole series if you win, but also You get the first two books of James' Daniel X series!
If you don't know what series I'm talking about (shame! haha just kidding. =P) click here to learn more about the books from James Patterson's webby!

And a little blurb about Max...

Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction?

Even if you don't win, paperbacks are affordable right? So go out and read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series asap, on sale in paperback NOW!

OK, but seriously, but to the prizes! Big Honcho Media has supplied me with two HUGE prize packs including:

~ Maximum Ride: Max (paperback)
~ Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (paperback)
~ Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever (paperback)
~ Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (paperback)
~ Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (paperback)
~ Maximum Ride: Manga (paperback)
~ The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (paperback)
~ Daniel X: Watch the Skies (hardcover)

All you have to do to enter is comment! *is a comment glutton* As many times as you want to be entered, you should comment saying whatever you want! Not so much one word an entry, it doesn't hurt you to say a little something with each entry, but you don't have to write you're first novel out into the comment form either. xP

I'll pick the winners on Friday the 18th of September, so you have roughly two weeks to enter.

Also here's the "Fine Print" for you're consideration:

The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 2009. There will be two prizes for each Promotion. Each prize consists of the following eight (8) books: Maximum Ride: Max (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (paperback); Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever (paperback); Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (paperback); Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (paperback); Maximum Ride: Manga (paperback); The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (paperback); and Daniel X: Watch the Skies (hardcover). The approximate retail value of each prize is $72.00. Winners will be confirmed on or about September 28, 2009 by email. Prizes will only be shipped to confirmed winners with addresses in the US. Prizes will be shipped within 30 days after a selected entrant is confirmed as a winner.

Awesome! I'm so excited and I'm not even eligible! lol Thanks again to Big Honcho Media for allowing me to be apart of their promotion and giving you all this awesome chance to WIN! haha Big props to them and all the work they did to make this possible for you guys.

You may enter... NOW!

Long time no... um, read?

2009-08-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hey all! It's been weeks since I've blogged properly but school's started and it's been a bit of a hassle going from my summer schedule to my school schedule, so I promise I'm working on it but it'll just take a little balancing... e.e

Lots of fun stuff planned for September though, I've gotten a ton of great new upcoming books that'll be coming out next month that I've loved and I can wait to tell you just how much I loved them! ;)

We'll be having a week of Maximum Ride by James Patterson the first week of September, with an review of Maximum Ride and moooaaar! Plus Big Honcho Media is doing a HUGE promotion for Max the latest Maximum Ride Novel (Out in Paperback NOW!)that I'm lucky enough to be apart of!

It basically includes all of the Maximum Ride books including the Manga of the first book and James' new best seller, Daniel X! So, seriously guys, it's gonna be a great month. Trust me!

Hope you guys've stuff with me even though I've been a bit lax about posting as of late. Really love hearing from you guys, and I'm trying to plan as much stuff ads I can so you'll keep coming to visit me but I am just human despite popular belief so I sometimes have massive blogging fails at random intervals. It happens! ;)

Love ya'll, and keep checking back for posts eventually they will be here! XD

xoxoxo

Gone by Michael Grant

2009-08-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Product Description from Amazon:

In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

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My Review:

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book. The descriptions, sometimes pretty out there and scary, were also very vivid. While that was sometimes hard to read, in a way, it also added a bit of edge to the story that you would expect when you understand the circumstances of the setting for Gone.

A community devoid of parents and grandparents – people with more experience compromising and dealing with others in everyday life, and the knowledge to understand more complex situations – can’t be without hardships. As kids, older people are absolutely essential, and without them it doesn’t leave the world in good hands to think the oldest kids in the bunch are just starting puberty.

Add to this the fact that not every child has in an ideal home environment and grows up to have hateful feelings towards peers, and you’ve got some major problems to deal with. And yet, they slowly but surely find their way.

One of the things I loved about this novel was how the kids were able to find some sort of solace in their desperation. The ability they learned to bond with perfect strangers just because they were all in the same boat definitely lended an air of hope to the story, and I think the author (Michel Grant) did a great job balancing out the terrible situations with hope found in the connections the kids had made with one another.

Such as Sam and Astrid, who’s relationship I LOVED. But of course I loved them both as individual characters before they got together, so when they did I “squee’d” for about ten minutes in my excitement! Lol

The only thing that I was slightly bothered about in this novel was the powers. The idea definitely grew on me, but I think at first it felt a little out of nowhere for a while. Guess I was thinking it’d go a different direction, but it ended up being alright in the end.

All in all, the characters were very well written, the book had an interesting premise, and I definitely think I’ll have to read the next book in the series, Hunger, right away!

xoxoxo

New Moon trailer Leaked!

2009-08-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know it's way, way, way hard to watch in french, but still, this movie is seriously going to be AMAZING!

http://www.readersquill.com/

Winner of Crazy Beautiful ARC

2009-08-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Is...............

*drummroll*......................

ERICA!

Congratulations! Email me at readergirlreviews@gmail.com a with your address and I'll send it SOON!

xoxoxo!

RG

Lauren Baratz-Logsted Takes Over The Blog!

2009-08-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

In September my next YA novel will come out, CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, a contemporary re-visioning of Beauty & the Beast told in he-said/she-said fashion about a boy with hooks for hands and a gorgeous girl who meet on their first day at a new school.
Now, about those hooks...

When I originally conceived the book, the first draft I wrote had it as a middle-grade novel for the 9-13 set. Because of a contractual obligation - an editor had an option on my next book for that age group - I showed it to that editor who, for clarity purposes of not repeatedly calling her "that editor," we'll refer to as Editor X.

Editor X said she liked the book well enough, but the hooks bothered her, because: 1) for some reason she couldn't articulate, she found them off-putting; and 2) she didn't "buy" them - she was absolutely certain that the boy would have something more technologically advanced, like mechanical hands. This was a problem, since in my mind my story was married to those hooks. But what if she was right? What if it made no sense for Lucius Wolfe to look the way I wanted him to?

I began doing research, lots of it, and found plenty that supported my vision. The most significant was an article about returning Iraqi War vets who were double-arm amputees and who were overwhelmingly opting for what they referred to as "the WWII technology" of hooks over mechanical hands because of features like less weight and greater flexibility. Additionally, a physician told me a boy might opt for hooks based on other factors like expense, insurance coverage and how much growing the boy still had to do. Thrilled, I told Editor X about what I'd learned. She still wasn't buying those hooks. They bothered her.

I always say that with every book I write, nearly everything is negotiable. This means that I'm always open to hearing other people's views on what will improve the work. You say I need to find a way to increase reader sympathy for a character? I can shift the mirrors and do that. You don't like having the kid sister on stage so much? Poof, now you hardly know she's there. But if nearly everything is negotiable, there's always one thing that is not negotiable; the one thing that if changed, destroys the integrity of my vision for the work.

So I wasn't changing the hooks, and now Editor X wasn't buying the hooks or the book, but that was OK because somewhere during this extended Hook Debate, I'd realized there was something not right about my book: it needed to be a YA novel, not middle grade, in order to really get at the heart of the story I wanted to tell.
So I re-cast the whole thing.

See? I'm not unwilling to work. I'll work forever to make something better. I just won't change the thing that makes something what it is.
Here's what wound up happening: another editor at Editor X's publishing company liked the proposal for the YA version of CRAZY BEAUTIFUL so much, she wound up bidding on it at auction against an editor at another house. [Note: Editor X's publishing company lost the auction.]

Since then, CRAZY BEAUTIFUL has aroused more pre-publication interest than any book I've written. [Note: I've sold a total of 20 books to various publishers.] YA bloggers have been requesting ARCS, interviews and guestblogs in numbers unprecedented in my career. And the thing that apparently intrigues them most? Those hooks. They're fascinated by those hooks.

Now, getting back to Editor X: was she wrong not to buy CRAZY BEAUTIFUL? No, she was not. Taste is subjective, and we all simply feel what we feel. What would have been wrong would have been for her to buy and publish a book that she had no feeling for.

So she wasn't wrong, but I was also right.

I'm pretty sure there's a moral to the story in there. We, as writers, need to become fully in tune to our own internal editors. Does it pay to be the kind of author who's so inflexible that she never listens to anyone else's opinion, never changes a thing? No, because chances are, unless that author is naturally brilliant, she will never be published. Does it pay to be the kind of author who will change anything in order to get published? Your mileage may vary, but for me the answer is simply: No. If it ever becomes that way - writing someone else's vision for my work, no matter how I feel about it - then I might as well get a different job, one with less grueling hours, a reliable paycheck and, oh, medical benefits would be nice.
Find that one thing in your work that is non-negotiable. Find that thing that makes your book different and special. And hold on tight.

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Thanks so much to Lauren for being with us this week, and don't forget to enter the contest on Lauren's interview page for an ARC of Crazy Beautiful!

xoxoxo

"ABOUT THOSE HOOKS"

Crazy Beautiful (Review)

2009-08-02T23:14:00.001-07:00

From the back cover:

“In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.”

My Review:

To start, I’d been hearing buzz about this book for quite a few weeks before I actually started looking into it, but once I did I had to read it. Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite Disney movies (I cry EVERY time… >_<) and so I was super excited but also a little nervous to read Crazy Beautiful, hoping it would be a good retelling, and not too sad. I was NOT disappointed.

Lucius is a great reimagining of the beast; dark and brooding, hardened by his past, yet still maintaining the softness of character that we look for in our favorite anti-hero.

Aurora fits the bill of Belle perfectly, from pretty face, to her saintly morals and manners; she’s the picture of loveliness, and we can easily see why Lucius is drawn to her from the start.

The POV switching between chapters kept the story moving along nicely, and I loved getting to see their reactions to each other, and the chapters never got to long so all and all it flowed really well!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I felt like it ended kind of abruptly, I wanted more! But overall it was a great quick read I’d definitely recommend!

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Don't forget to comment on Lauren's interview post as many times as you want to be entered to win my ARC of Crazy Beautiful!

xoxoxo

Interview With Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2009-08-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

~ In Crazy Beautiful, one of the main characters Lucius has hooks instead of hands. One questions I'm sure a few of us are wondering is, why hooks? (LOVE the idea, but just curious.)

Because in his world they make him visually unique. In his school, Lucius is the only one who has hooks, making others' perception of him be that he's like no one else.

~ Aurora, your heroine, is sensitive to Lucius' feelings throughout the book, while the rest of her classmates either treat him badly or avoid him entirely. This is a good example of how people who are different can be treated in schools/ society today. Do you have any thoughts on why that might be a standered reaction in schools today?

I don't think it's always an evil thing, but humans can't help but notice the physical appearance of others: skin color, size, gender, disabilities. They're all salient features and humans immediately assume certain things about others based on those first physical impressions. It's what we do with that information after the first impression that counts. Do we react as Aurora does, with a generosity of spirit? Or do we let ourselves be guided by fear based on rumors, as almost everyone else in the book does? It would be Utopia if people were always judged by their actions and not by their looks, but it's impossible to ignore that the first thing we encounter is another person's looks.

~ Aurora is also very close with her father in the book since her mothers death, and Lucius in his own way has had to deal with loss as well, so it definitely seems to be a central theme of the book. Is there an experience/s in your life that you used to help you get into to mode of writing from these character's perspectives, dealing with all that?

I'm not my characters, meaning I've never been as intriguingly complex as Lucius or as purely good as Aurora, but like most human beings I've suffered my share of losses: pets, friends, relatives, relationships. Elizabeth Bishop has a great poem called "One Art" about losing tings in which she claims to have lost a continent once. I don't think I've ever lost a whole continent! But I've certainly lost plenty.

~ During my reading of the books I had a hard time visualising Lucius doing a lot of the everyday things he had learned how to do with his hooks for some reason. Do you have a clear mental picture of what it's like for Lucius going through everyday tasks with hooks?

You know, it's not necessarily a bad thing that you had a hard time visualizing those things. I think the challenge of a character like Lucius is that it takes work to picture what he must go through just to accomplish the simple tasks you and I take for granted. It's a little easier for me to form those mental pictures since I used to shoot pool with a guy who had hooks for hands - very different situation than Lucius in that he'd lost his hands in a train accident. He was one of the best pool shooters I ever shot with, which is where Lucius gets his authentially mad skills at the game. I also have strong visuals of seeing my friend do basic things like put on a jacket, hoist a glass of beer and light his own cigarettes with a small lighter. At least Lucius is smart enough not to smoke.

~ While Aurora's problems have brought her closer to her father, Lucius' problems seems to have pulled his family apart altogether. Do you think it was just the difference of situation that made things work out that way or something else?

I think it absolutely comes down to circumstance. Aurora and her father suffered a natural loss, even if it was brought about by disease. Lucius's loss, on the other hand, without getting into spoilers, is the fault of his own actions. And not only did Lucius lose his hands but his family also lost their house and felt the need to move to a new town. So while Aurora and her father may blame the unkind Fates for the loss of Mrs. Belle, Lucius and his family pretty much focus all their blame on Lucius.

~ Let's talk the first story you ever wrote; did you ever finish/ give up on it? Try/ plan to publish it? Show it to anyone else?

If you mean the first short story I remember writing, that would be something I wrote when I was 12. My English teacher read it to the class three days running and it was the first time it occurred to me that people might be interested in what I wrote. If you mean my first novel, that was in 1994 and was a comedic mystery. I did try to get it published, and even had an agent for it, but alas and alack, that one has yet to see the published light of day.

~ The first time you thought seriously about becoming a writer you were....:

Twelve, then thirty-two.

~ Describe your writing process in 3 words:

Write, write, write. I'm compulsive that way.

~ Finish this sentence, "Aspiring writers should...":

Read, read, read - you can't be a good writer if you're not a good reader.

~ "Before I wanted to be a writer......."-- You wanted to be....?

A psychologist or a vocalist, but my family laughed when I suggested the latter, so I went for the former.

~ Has there ever been a point in your writing where you got seriously stuck and considered quiting?

I've never gotten stuck on the writing and the writing has never made me want to quit - I love that part! - but the publishing aspect can sometimes get a person down. It took me eight years to get published and I'm glad now that I never quit.

~ Does music Influence your writing?

Almost never. I wrote the adult novel VERTIGO while listening to the original soundtrack from The Piano but mostly I labor in silence. Well, except for 3-4pm on weekdays when I turn General Hospital on in the background.

~ What are your favorite books of '09 so far/ to come?

My favorite YA novels of what I've read so far this year are: Freeze Frame, Heidi Ayarbe; Impossible, Nancy Werlin; What I Saw & How I Lied, Judy Blundell; Graceling, Kristin Cashore, Evermore, Alyson Noel; Fade. Lisa McMann; Dust of 100 Dogs; A.S. King, Right Behind You, Gail Giles. I'm look forward to any books coming out by my sisters over at Teen Fiction Cafe - http://teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com/ - and many more.

~ What's next for you?

A lot! In addition to CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, which comes out in September, I have four more books coming out in 2010:

THE EDUCATION OF BET in spring 2010, about a 16-year-old girl in Victorian England who impersonates a boy in order to get a proper education.

The next two books in THE SISTERS 8 series for young readers which I write with my novelist husband Greg Logsted - www.greglogsted.com - and our nine-year-old daughter Jackie: MARCIA'S MADNESS (April) and PETAL'S PROBLEMS (Sept).

THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER in fall 2010, about a Victorian girl whose life is changed forever when she learns her society mother has an identical twin who was raised in a workhouse.

Thanks so much for having me!

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

Thank YOU Lauren!

And on to the contest, I'll be giving away my ARC of Crazy Beautiful to a USA entrant who comments on this post! I'll be pulling them out of a bag (hat, stirafoam cup, something!) so enter as many times as you want!

And if you get a friend to enter I'll take on an extra 2 entries for you. Sound fun?! I'll be posting a winner next Sunday with my In My Mailbox post, so you have until Saterday to enter. Enter awaaayyyy!

xoxoxo

It's a Crazy Beautiful Kind of Week!

2009-08-02T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! CB doesn't hit shelves until next month, but in preperation for it's release we'll be having a week with the author, Lauren Baratz-Logsted!

Here's the plan:

Tuesday - an interview with Lauren and "Mystery Contest" is announced.

Wednesday - Crazy Beautiful Review.

Thursday - Inspired by Beauty and the Beast....

And.... Friday: Lauren does a blog.

Hope you'll watch out for our posts this week,and remember to comment on Lauren's interview tommarrow to be entered to win the prize that will be announced tommorrow! (US entrys only, sorry. =/)

xoxoxo

In My Mail Box (4)

2009-07-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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This weeks books are....

As you Wish by Jackson Pearce (Eeek! I started it, and kudos to Jackson cause it's as adorable as I thought it'd be so far!)

Max by James Patterson (Technically I'm totally cheating here... e_e I just finished the first book but I don't know when I'll have time to read them all and it's so confusing finding the right one so I thought I might just double check on Fang and Max's relationship before deciding to continue the series... *collectivegasps* I know! I'm terrible! BUT you still have time to convince me not to look.... *hinthint*)

Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott (Kieran follows me on twitter, and she's awesome so I've been meaning to read this one!)

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman (Been wanting to read FOREVER! Eek!)

And Meridian by Amber Kizer (The cover looks brillient!)

That's it for this week! Sorry for no picture but my camera isn't working and I'm already late posting as it is! X_x

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (3)

2009-07-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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Haul this week! I was so excited and kind of nervous at the same time! XD It seems kind of Daugnting having so much to read, but they all look so good! T_T Oh well, I'll get everything finished eventually.... e.e definitely...

This weeks books are:

Secret Society by Tom Dolby (Looks amazing!)

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (Eep! Love Seth!)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (For a book club, and general knowledge. XP)

Rome: Antonio and Carrie Book 3 in the Year Abroad Trilogy by Rachel Hawethorne (*Want's to go abroad so badly...* X_x From Book Mooch)

Captive Hearts #2 by Matsuri Hino (Matsuri Hino is an amazing artist, if your thinking about giving manga a try def. look her up first.)

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets Six Word Memoirs by Teens Edited by Smith Magazine (Read already in one sitting, very nicely done, review to come.)

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (Bookmooch, looks cute. :))

Duplikate by Cherry Chena

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis (So excited to read this one, look out for Werewolf week starting on the 17th of August!)

Night's Child Sweep Series #15 by Cate Tiernan (Been putting off rapping up this series for must, but alas it must happen eventually. ;_; *LOVE*)

The Demons Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (I hear it's fab. MUST READ.)

Eep! So excited! lol How'd everyone else do this week?

xoxoxo

Alice in Wonderland Teaser LEAKED!

2009-07-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

Omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg!

I'm SOOOOOOO excited right now!!! Eep!

If you live in a cave and know nothing of this, Tim Burton is redoing Alice in Wonderland with his peeps (Helena, Johnny, and additionally Anne Hathaway (!)) In a spectcular way! Take a look at THIS to see what I mean! ;)

I'm so glad we FINALLY could see a bit of Johnny acting as the hatter, and I think from what we've seen so far, he's rocking it! I'm a huge Johnny fan already, but this is a really out there role so I'll be so happy to see him pull it off, as I know he will, with such style.

I don't think I've seen other movies with the girl who plays Alice, but she looks kinda like alice to me, so I'm thinking she'll be good too! And of course Helena! :P

Also, I really (really, really) want to read the book before I see the movie though cause I've only ever seen the Disney Movie version.

Anyways, they seriously have done a great job, and I can't wait to watch it!!! They better have a midnight showing! ;)

What do you guys think??

Birthday Fun

2009-07-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me! I had a party with friends this week in which i got about 5 Barnes and Noble gift cards to spend how I may (Most of it's gone now sadly... T_T), Blue Moon by Alyson Noel, A Target gift card (Makeup, hair products, cds, and movies are also high on the list of things I like to obsess over! 8D), and THESE!

Get ready for some FUN Twilight series reinactments via youtube people! LOL

Anyways, back to the B&N gift cards, I bought.... Fragile Eternity, Prophecy of the Sisters (WOOT!), and a book about Meditating (There's so much stress in my life... X_x lol kidding! Sorta... e.e)

And I'm waiting very impatiently for Shiver to come out so must save a little money for that! *grabby hands*

All and all good birthday! :) I've had like 5 party/ get together/ treat type things this year, so I'm doing very well! lol

YAY for being older! :P

YOU Interview AUTHORS!

2009-07-19T01:24:00.001-07:00

So I'm in the process of gathering questions for authors Cyn Balog (Fairy Tale) and Lauren Baratz-Logsted (Crazy beautiful) And I want questions from YOU!

*Can't promise all of the questions posted here will be used as this can't be a never ending interview, but I'll try and fit in as many as possible. :)

xoxoxo

RG

In My Mailbox (2)

2009-07-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox/ Too Many Books Tuesday MESHED (?)

2009-07-12T00:18:00.000-07:00

First ever "In My Mailbox"! Wooo! hehe

But, before I get started, I do have one question for those of you who are regulars: What number am I supposed to put in the ( )'s in the title? Date? In My Mailbox Number? Much appreciated! >_<

ALSO! I haven't done my "Too Many Books Tuesday" for about a week because I've decided to do it on the weekend so I can be apart of the In My Mailbox post group thingy. XP So THIS IS STILL TOO MANY BOOKS TUESDAY, just on Sunday with a new post name. XP

And now, THE BOOKS! 8D

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Haurding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what You ARE reading. Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY ON In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

Quite a haul this week actually, with not having done a TMBT post for a week or two (In massive preparation of this post *ohyesh*) and just generally being a book hoarder, it seems like I've got tons! *maniacal eye glint* So For this week only (hopefully) I'm going to show all of the covers but only single out a few that I was super excited about so this won't be a never-ending post.

Here we have...

Bookmooch:

Witch by Christopher Pike (Seemed right up my ally! xP)

Wicca Series (Sweep Series)book #5 Awakening (I LOVE this series, can't say enough how AMAZING and AWESOME it is. Probably one of my all time favorite series', it is just that good. And so, naturally, I have to collect both the American and British versions! The UK one is just sooo cool looking! *_* Anywho! *girlyexcitment*)

ARC's "In My Mailbox":

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (EEP! All I can say! lol Can't wait to start it, and the cover is even more breathtaking in "person"!)

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Bareatz-Logsted (READ! It was soooo good! Review and Interview soon!)

Devoured by Amanda Marrone (Cover is gorgeous!)

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (Literally JUST finished it, it was sooo adorable! Review soon!)

The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart (LOVED The Disreputable History of Frankie Landow Banks, can't wait to read more by this author!)

Library:
The Forest of Hands and teeth Audio book by Carrie Ryan Narrated by Vane Millon (Honestly I'm a huge chicken, so I'm a little scared to read this one.. XD But Kami tells me it's fabulous so I shall give it a try! Plus i miss audio books! I used to listen to them ALL THE TIME when I was younger but lately not so much! So it'll be good to get back into them, and seriously if you haven't before, having somebody read the story too you takes it to a whole nutha' level, so try it if you can! ^^)

Bass Ackwords and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain (Got the 2nd book from the Library a while back but returned it and saw this one on the self last week so I snatched it up. Looks very cute! ^^)

Tips On Having a Gay Ex-Boyfriend by Carrie Jones (Sounded good! 8D)

Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron (Heard good things about this one, worried it might be sad just from the title though the back says it's funny so who knows (?? getting mixed messages! T_T) but I like coming of age stories so I'm excited to read it!)

Woot! So there you have it, first In My Mailbox and it felt good! 8D lol

If any of you reading this now have In My Mailbox posts send me a link? Love to hear what everybody round the blogosphere's been reading! ^^

xoxoxo

Awards!

2009-07-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

From Steph Bowe, The Humane Award.

This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship through the blog world.

AND The Kreativ Blogger Award:
This is also a meme, so here are the rules: If you accept it, you are supposed to list seven of your favorite things and nominate seven blogs that deserve this award.

1. BOOKS! 8D
2. AUTHORS!
3. Movies. XP
4. Clothes
5. coffee!
6. My Characters
7. My Mommy! 0:) *hehe*

And the seven fab blogs I nominate for BOTH of these awards are...

1. Persnickety Snark
2. A Flight of Minds
3. Presenting Lenore
4. Just Blinded Book Reviews
5. The Faeire Drink Review
6. Bloody Bookaholic
7. Ravenous Reader

Thanks again to Steph for the wonderful awards!

And the Winner is....

2009-07-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Darelaine who followed me on Twitter! Congratulations!

Email me your adress and I'll get you your signed paperback of Generation Dead ASAP! ^^

IN OTHER BLOGS: Bloody Bookaholic is hosting a cool contest for a copy of Meridian by Amber Kizer!

Eep! I want! hehe

xoxoxo

RG

Interview With Daniel Waters!

2009-07-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

What inspired you to write Generation Dead?

The idea for GD came from when I was in a hotel channel surfing, and I stopped to watch a newsmagazine program about violence in schools. basically, kids were having fights or engaging in random acts of violence just so they could film it and put the clips on YouTube. The show ran a few of those clips and I was horrified. I started thinking about all the reasons why a kid would and could hurt another kid, and for some reason as I was thinking this the thought that if zombies existed, they would be the most persecuted kids in the school. I started to wonder what they would do if a zombie tried to take a living girl to the prom!

How has writing Generation Dead and Kiss of Life and learning more about the lives of your "differently biotic" characters shaped your thoughts about death and life in general?

Writing about the characters and what they are trying to do, as well as what they've gone through, constantly forces me to examine life as a transient state of existence. Our time here on this planet is temporary and life--everyone's life--is precious. It makes me constantly aware of what kind of life I want to lead and what I want to leave behind when I'm gone.

So far this is the second Generation Dead novel, but the story seems far from being over. How many more books do you think you'll write in the series?

The story is far from over. I'm anticipating at least five books plus a book of short stories. We'll see.

What about future projects? What evil plans have you been making?

Evil plans? I'm one of the good guys. I've got a few other projects I'd like to unleash on the world when the time is right.

Along with your personal blog you run mysocalleddeath based off of the site that your character Tommy runs, what kind of things do you post there?

Tommy posts news items of interest to the zombie community, updates on his friends, and pieces of his general philosophy. Every so often Karen or Phoebe will post as well. The "zombie meme" they created is pretty popular.

Have you ever thought of making a play list of music that Phoebe and Tommy would listen too?

Well, Tommy isn't quite the music nut that Phoebe is. She has a playlist but it is about a hundred songs long and counting.

(Actually, Dan posted a link on his log a while after doing the interview about this question, and gives us a link to an interview he did at Largehearted Boy giving us some songs from his writing playlists!

Also he just recently did a blog about some groups Phoebe would <3 here!

What's you're writing process like? Is there sweets involved?

Haphazard and ever evolving. I drink a lot of (very sweet) coffee and diet cola.

What were some of the books you were required to read in school? Did you enjoy any of them? If so, which ones?

Hm. High school, you mean? I seem to remember reading The Scarlet Letter, Hard Times, Frankenstein, various Greek myths, Persuasion, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, The Sun Also Rises, The House of the Seven Gables, Dubliners, Walden, lots of Shakespeare. Maybe I dreamt it all. I enjoyed them all but some more than others.

What's the most recent book you've read and LOVED?

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland, and Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez, which is a huge graphic novel that collects all the Palomar stories he did in Love and Rockets.

Finish this sentence.... "I am the biggest fan of....?"

The cosmic all.

Thanks Daniel for the week, and can't wait for the next book!

Contest Extended

2009-07-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

Decided to extend the contest until next Friday since I'll prolly be MIA this weekend. XP Happy (early) Fourth!

RG

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2009-07-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, taking a breather from zombies, just wanna say how stoked I am for Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater! I can't can't wait to read her book, and as if I wasn't excited enough, she's posted this awesome home video about it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX82ggGCF7c&feature=player_embedded

MUST. READ.

*love*

RG

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters Review

2009-07-02T12:03:00.001-07:00

Summery:

Since Adam crossed the bridge from life to undeath, things for Phoebe haven’t been easy. She’s wracked with guilt over the fact that he lost his life trying to save hers, and she’s dealing with the emotional turmoil that arose when Tommy wasn’t willing to take the same risk. In fact she hasn’t spoken for Tommy for months for just that reason.

While taking care of Adam’s family, and help Adam recover from the change of becoming a zombie is a daunting task, Phoebe complies, seeing it as her responsibility to help; a way to repay Adam’s undying love. But does she love him?

Every day she spends with him she feels more and more like the answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten all about Tommy. Not at all. As much as she wants to mend the rift in their relationship she can’t get over the fact that Adam lost his life because of Tommy, and that Tommy could’ve taken the bullet and not-lived to tell the tale.

Then, with the arrival of two new guests at the Hunter Foundation, trouble arises. There have been more and more cases of the infamous white vans killing innocent differently biotic teens and their care takers and the new students didn’t escape an attack unscathed.

But worse, thinking they’ve come to the Hunter Foundation for a safe place to live, they, and all the other Differently Biotic club kids, are finding out that a conspiracy may be haunting the halls of the foundation, and if word gets out, the whole place will come down in ruins. The zombies begin the split into two halves, the innocent deaths that want to find a way to unite the world, and the startling monsters from our legends, out for revenge against those who have wronged them, and everybody else too.

Things are changing in the zombie world, and whether for better or for worse we don’t know, but by the end of this captivating sequel, we know for sure that a war is coming, and we’re on team zombie.

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Review:

I actually think I may have liked this one better... I don't know how, but SOMEHOW Daniel Waters has outdone himself. Kiss of Life was somehow even better then the first book. More intriguing, exciting, shocking, and amazing then I'd even imagined.

Though I was sad at Tommy's departure I was happy in a way that Adam was with Phoebe and that all seemed semi well with them in the end. Still though, I can't decide if I'm hoping for her to stay with Adam, or be with Tommy. =/ I think I'm just about as confused and Phoebe herself on that one.

But all and all a terrifically captivating read! I can't WAIT for the next book! Eeeep!

5 flowers!

Generation Dead Review/ Win SIGNED Paperback Copy

2009-07-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

Summery:

Phoebe Kendall’s not exactly popular at her school. Her black hair and Goth wardrobe tend to send out a “don’t come hither” vibe, and when she starts hanging out with Zombies, things only get worse.

Though joining the newly formed Hunter Foundation for the “Differently Biotic”, a research facility that also serves as a home for zombies in need, seemed like a good idea at the time, the piles of hate mail, and bullies in and out of school who are against the zombies rights to live are making it seem like a bad one.

In the first book, Phoebe meets Tommy, a differently biotic boy who joins the school football team, facing opposition from the start, not only from the parents, teachers, and general community, but even from his team mates. The other boys don’t want Tommy on the team, and not just because being differently biotic makes him move slower than a normally biotic person, but because he’s a zombie.

All the boys threaten and bully Tommy to the point where someone else might have quit the team all together, but Tommy sticks it out with the help of the only player on the team who’s semi-sensitive to Differently Biotic relations.

Enter Adam, former football bully turned enlightened martial arts master. He’s got a huge thing for his childhood friend Phoebe and when Phoebe shows an interest in Tommy it makes trying to be friendly a little hard, but Tommy’s got bigger problems then Adam’s grudge. Pete, Adam’s former best friend and newly appointed enemy has it out for all of the undead since his girlfriend Julie died and didn’t come back to life.

Meanwhile, Phoebe’s started going out with Tommy, making things tense between her, Adam, and Tommy. As her feelings for Tommy grow, she can’t help but wonder if she’s falling in love with a Zombie. Then, Tommy tells her that he’s heard a kiss from your one true love might be able to bring you back from the undead, and the revelation sets Phoebe to thinking he might just be using her to get another chance at the life he lost.

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Review:

Can't say enough how much I LOVED this book! The charicters were very relatable (even the zombies) and the only one I really didn't like was Pete but I think that was mostly to be expected. >_< Actually the chapters in his POV bothered me a little because I wanted to get back to Phoebe's story (And Tommy.... *Swoooon*) and I found them pretty depressing because of all of the Zombie bashing, *doesn't read sad books* but they have an important place in the story so I was glad that I'd kept with it in the end. :P

Phoebe as a main character is so cool to me, I think part of the reason is that she dares to be different even if that means having Adam pretend not to be BFFs with her at first, or getting strange looks in the hall. It's like she's above caring so much that it brings her down, and that made her seem really strong.

I loved the progression of her relationship with Tommy and how he seemed to say so much with few words. *giggle* It was like it developed on a mental level really deeply because it was hard for him to communicate and that was just insanely cool to me.

Adam = <3! Whether I'd choose him over Tommy I'm still undecided about, but Adam's a really stand up guy and somebody I'd love to know in real life!

Margie's fun, her prejudice against the zombies put me off a little in the beginning but you know, she's Margie so I forgave her... ;)

Other then the Pete chapters that slowed it down a bit for me, the plot flowed really nicely, the story was really original, and well writtenm and I was really happy I'd read the book in the end! I'd actually been wanting to buy it for MONTHS before I was finally able to, so I was so glad when I finally got to read it, and liked it a ton! ^^

Would definetely recomend this one to anybody who will listen! XD

And now... how to win a SIGNED paperback copy of Generation Dead!

First Entry: Comment and tell me about you're favorite Zombie out of Dan's books.

+1 Follow me on Twitter. (And Tweet me! Seriously, I love hearing from you guys! ;P)

+1 Follow Dan's Blog. (I'm sure he'd love to hear from you too!)

+2 Link this post to your blog, or tweet, facebook, myspace, whatever it and leave me a link.

+3 Take, draw, paint, or photoshop a picture inspired by Generation Dead/ Kiss of Life, and email it to me. (Or post it on your blog, send me a link to it on photobucket, whatever.)

+5 Make a Video inspired by Zombies and leave me a link in your entry post.

Leave a comment about whatever you're doing to enter, and for postage reasons, USA entries only please, sorry!

There you have it! Go enter, and good luck! Enjoy the rest of Daniel Waters week!

xoxoxo

Too many Books Tuesday: Zombie Edition

2009-06-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

Since this week is ALL about Zombies, Too Many Books Tuesday will be too! Though I don't have any of these books in my possession right now, here's the Zombie books everybody's talking about.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

(Not much description needed here... it's Pride and Prejudice.... and Zombies.... yup... *thumbsup* but for the sake of being helpful...)

Product description from Amazon: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read.

Breathers: a Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne

Product description from Amazon: Meet Andy Warner, a recently deceased everyman and newly minted zombie. Resented by his parents, abandoned by his friends, and reviled by a society that no longer considers him human, Andy is having a bit of trouble adjusting to his new existence. But all that changes when he goes to an Undead Anonymous meeting and finds kindred souls in Rita, an impossibly sexy recent suicide with a taste for the formaldehyde in cosmetic products, and Jerry, a twenty-one-year-old car-crash victim with an exposed brain and a penchant for Renaissance pornography. When the group meets a rogue zombie who teaches them the joys of human flesh, things start to get messy, and Andy embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will take him from his casket to the SPCA to a media-driven class-action lawsuit on behalf of the rights of zombies everywhere.

Darkly funny, surprisingly touching, and gory enough to satisfy even the most discerning reader, Breathers is a romantic zombie comedy (rom-zom-com, for short) that will leave you laughing, squirming, and clamoring for more.

Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry For Your...Brains by Ryan Mecum

Product description from Amazon: What you are looking at is a document from the early days of the zombie plague. Little is known about the author before his infection--only that he was a poet. This facsimile of his actual journal recounts the events of humanity's darkest hours through the intimate poetry of haiku. Inside you'll find increasingly disjointed and terrifying three-line poems (all in the classic 5-7-5 syllable structure), and follow the undead poet on a journey through deserted streets and barricaded doors. Experience every eye-popping, gut-wrenching, flesh-eating moment of the eventual downfall of the human race from the point of view of a zombie, and gain insight to help you survive--if you can.

Zombie Blondes by Brian James

Product description from Amazon: From the moment Hannah Sanders arrived in town, she felt there was something wrong. A lot of houses were for sale, and the town seemed infected by an unearthly quiet. And then, on Hannah’s first day of classes, she ran into a group of cheerleaders—the most popular girls in school. The odd thing was that they were nearly identical in appearance: blonde, beautiful, and deathly pale. But Hannah wants desperately to fit in—regardless of what her friend Lukas is telling her: if she doesn’t watch her back, she’s going to be blonde and popular and dead—just like all the other zombies in this town. . . .

In the Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Product description from Amazon: 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?

You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

Product description from Amazon: Q: HOW MANY ZOMBIES DOES IT TAKE TO RUIN A SOCIAL LIFE?
A: NOT MANY.
Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you're trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it's kinda hard to score a date. Let's just say Megan's love life could use some major resuscitation.

Megan's convinced her life can't get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it's up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Product Description from Amazon: Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha—cheerleading goddess and miss popularity— who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She’s sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

Man, have I given you enough Zombie reading material for the decade or what?! XP

xoxoxo

The Week of Daniel Waters

2009-06-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, welcome to our second author week featuring Daniel Waters! (**Side note** From now on these will be held every two weeks, featuring a new author cause it's way past time for me to get organized about this blogging thing! ;P)

Here's how the week's gonna go:

Monday: (TODAY!) Contest for Signed paperback of Generation Dead by Daniel Waters! *Rules below*

Tuesday: Too Many Books Tuesday: Zombie Edition

Wednesday: Review of Generation Dead (First book in the series)

Thursday: Kiss of Life Review (Eep! *girlysqueal*.... *coughcough* Anywho!)

And....

Friday: Interview with Dan, and I announce the winner of the contest!

WOO! I'm so excited! >_<;; OK, so, on to how to get a signed book.

First Entry: Comment and tell me about you're favorite Zombie out of Dan's books.

+1 Follow me on Twitter. (And Tweet me! Seriously, I love hearing from you guys! ;P)

+1 Follow Dan's Blog. (I'm sure he'd love to hear from you too!)

+2 Link this post to your blog, or tweet, facebook, myspace, whatever it and leave me a link.

+3 Take, draw, paint, or photoshop a picture inspired by Generation Dead/ Kiss of Life, and email it to me. (Or post it on your blog, send me a link to it on photobucket, whatever.)

+5 Make a Video inspired by Zombies and leave me a link in your entry post.

Leave a comment about whatever you're doing to enter, and for postage reasons, USA entries only please, sorry!

There you have it! Go enter, and good luck! Enjoy the rest of Daniel Waters week!

xoxoxo

Thinking On Thursday: Where did you hear about this book?

2009-06-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Great disscussion going on at the Ravenous Reader's blog talking about where you hear about newer books and ones that haven't come out yet cause apparently publisher wanna know! :O

Personally I hear about them a lot from just blogging. I mean it's a huge community and I don't know how other people find out but I find out from them! XP

Be sure to comment with your "Where did I hear about that book" on Ravenous Readers blog, I'm sure she'd love to hear your thoughts! ^^

xoxoxo

Too Many Books Tuesday

2009-06-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ok so I think I've missed quite a few Too Many Books Tuesdays lately, but NO MORE!

*giggle*

Ok, so THIS week I've compiled the books I've gotten mostly since the last post I did which was a while ago and narrowed it down to the most important. ;P

Reincarnation by Suzanna Weyn (Sounds fabby!)

David Inside Out by Lee Bantle (Read it... review coming soon... e_e)

You're Amazing by Claire Mysko (LOVE Claire Mysko, and can't wait to read her book!)

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough (Came in the mail today, I'm so excited!!!)

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Marry E. Pearson (Saw a review of this and it looked good so I'm excited to read it soon!)

You Are So Undead To Me by Stacy Jay (Vampire = LOVE hehe I have a total thing for them!)

A guide to Rome (I WANNA GO!)

Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim (Never heard of it before but it looks good! ^^)

And...

Witches' Night Out by Silver Ravenwolf (I have a thing for witches too... e_e)

Must get back to reading Once a Witch! *girlysqueal*

xoxoxo

Movie Monday cancled/ where the heck have I been

2009-06-22T20:07:00.001-07:00

WELL! You may have noticed I've been rather inactive as of late, not posting my weekly memes and such and I felt it was time for some explenations/ excuses.

Mostly I've just been to busy as far as the memes go, SO to make it easier on myself Movie Monday (Sadly) is no more. BUT I will be able to keep up my Too Many Books Tuesday posts by getting rid of Movie Monday so I see it as a good thing! ^^

Also this doesn't mean I'll NEVER post about movies I see again... Actually I hardly ever go to the movies, the last Movie Mondays were a freak coincidence XD so it'll work out better, and that way I can devote more time to Reviews cause that's what this is all about anyways! :)

Also I haven't completly fallen off the radar cause I am on my Twitter just about every day... *obsessedwithtweets* Talking about random stuff and books I'm reading! XD It's fun times for all! (Or so I like to think...) ANyways, thanks for reading, and also big thanks to the new blog followers and new twitter followers for stalking me, it means a lot! :)

xoxoxo

Contest Mania

2009-06-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

Because book blogger/ lovers love contests...

Win a **SIGNED** copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl by Barry Lyga over at Solitude.

And let Lenore know what two YA books you're most excited for this Summer and you may win some books!

Cupcake Witch is giving away a whole load of stuff in her Spring Cleaning contest like arcs, and swaaaag, so much fun!

You can win a copy of Suite Scarlet by Maureen Johnson here AND here! Whoa, double whammy...

Win BOOKS here at Tower of Books....

Win The Summoning and The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong at Escape in a Book!

xoxoxo!

Fairy Tale Contest!

2009-06-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

The second contest at the Beautiful Creatures blog is underway... Win SWAAAAG and an ARC of Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog!

Entering contests is fuuun! 8D lol

xoxoxo

Yet another fab contest!

2009-06-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

The Story Siren is hosting a contest for her extra ARC of Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted! I'm so, so so, stoked for this book you guys, ohmygosh.... here's the description from Amazon:

"In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away. In fact, they don’t make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does."

Go enter if it seems like you thing! ;)

xoxoxo

CONTEST MANIA!

2009-06-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

So many great contest lately! BTW If you don't follow me on Twitter then you wont know, but I one the ARC and Swag giveaway on the Caster Girls Blog! I was so excited!!! XD NEways.... contests:Lee Verday, husband to Jessica Verday Authoress of The Hollow due to bookshelf's in a few months, has a fabby fab one going for a signed copy of Wondrous Strange by Lesely Livingston!

The I <3 Monster is giving away her copies of Marked and Betrayed in the House of Night series by Kristen and P.C. Cast because she says they weren't for her. I liked them a lot so maybe one of ya'll will have better luck?

Jackson Pearce is having a contest for a ARC of As You Wish, her first published novel! I Know I'm totally freaking out about this one so i thought I'd better post it even though it's only available to Good Reads users. (Yes, I made a good reads, and you can friend me here if you want, though the reason I hadn't posted the news yet was because I haven't had any time to organize it and it's all messy! XP)

Then Em from Em's Bookshelf is giving away the ending to the Harry Potter series! No, not like that.... the last 3 books silly! Go win um!

And if you enter you're info here, you can get a copy of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush!

All in all- fun fun! ^^ Go enter peoples!

xoxoxo

Win Eyes Like Stars!

2009-06-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Fun fun contest at Reviewer X's blog! http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2009/06/contest-eyes-like-stars.html

You know you like winning! ;) And the book looks super cool!

Also check out Lisa Mantchev's Pub Story!

Review and interview with Daniel Waters author of Kiss of Life Coming next soon!

CONTEST!

2009-06-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

Great new contest over at the Beautiful Creatures blog! Plus if you add it to your blog roll you can get the latest news on all their new book club contests for ARC's and other fun stuff! Be sure to enter, and drop a line to Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (authors of Beautiful Creatures) on twitter or their blogs! :)

http://www.beautifulcreaturesthebook.com/

Help With Upcoming Interview From YOU!

2009-06-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've got an interview with Daniel Waters (Author of Generation Dead) coming soon, possibly next week, but I really need some help with questions! Any ideas? Much appriciated! >.<

xoxoxo

Movie Monday: New Moon

2009-05-31T20:03:00.000-07:00

OK so i know I haven't actually SEEN New Moon yet, BUT I'm so majorlysuperfantasticly excited for it, and after seeing the new trailer on the MTV Movie Awards, you'll know why, that I just had to post abou it! XD Now, I don't want to spoiler anyone who hasn't or doesn't want to see it, so if you don't want to hear I'd click the little "x" at the top right corner of the screen now.... but lets just say it was amazing beyond words and I can't wait, wait, wait till November!!!!

If you havn't seen the trailer you can see it here!

OK, so, like I said, I LOVED it! The effects seem really well done, and kudo's to Chris for finally getting Bella and Edward to say I love you! *pshew* Taylor is so cute though, right?! His hair looks much better short, but he's always a cutie! *giggle* I can't wait to see his portrayal of New Moon Jacob!!! In general it just seems like everythings beingreally well done and I think Chris is doing a great job. 8D *SOcited*

What did you guys think???

xoxoxo

The Literary Blogger Award

2009-05-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

"The Literary Blogger Award acknowledges bloggers who energize & inspire reading by going the extra mile. These amazing bloggers make reading fun & enhance the delight of reading!"

From Steph Bowe! ^^ Thanks so much Steph, sooo nice of you. :)

The Rules:

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate:

Free Book Friday Teens

Reverie Book Reviews

Lenore

Persnickety Snark

IB Teen

The Story Siren

Omgomgomgomgomg!

2009-05-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

So you know the supposed "clip" from the New Moon movie MTV was suppose to be airing on Sunday night at the MTV Movie awards? WELL! According to this It's not just a clip people, it's the first trailer! *squeee* SOOOO excited, I'll probably cry... again... e_e but YAY! *whoopwhoop* Ok that's enough. XD

Thanks to Reverie for the heads up! ^^

Thinking on Thursday: Sex in YA Novels

2009-05-28T00:48:00.000-07:00

Steph Bowe's got a great discusion going on over on her blog, go check it out!

I commented too, but there was quite a few so here's what I had to say on the subject:

"I've actually thought about this too as far as my own writing goes, and how much I'm willing to put "onto paper", but like Sarah Laurence (Other commenter) said in reference to Forever by Judy Blume, I think at the time the book came out that was such a shocking thing to see sex written about for teens in such a detailed way especially, but to me it's like isn't it better to have it written because, "Hello, it's out there...", then to have no discussion about it at all and leave us teens with more questions then we already have? Understating it by not showing it at all doesn't exactly open up the discussion about it either, and that probably does more harm then good, especially these days, because if we don't talk about it it puts us at risk because we wont have all the information.

I think as long as it's not like, "Let's hook up with random strangers unsafely!" A la Gossip Girl (Which, in all honesty, I'm in love with that show, but also I think a lot of the time it depends on the person. I don't want to go out there and say, "All teens are picking up on the messages and getting the wrong ideas about sex!" because I don't think that's necessarily true, though I think probably a lot of kids are doing this, there are some kids who are merely looking to shows like Gossip Girl for harmless, silly, (WONDERFUL) entertainment, and aren't picking up anything worse then their parents are picking up from Desperate Housewives.)

If it deals with the situation as the meaningful thing that it is, or can be, with the right person then that's good because sometimes teens might jump into something like that just because it's new to them and kind of scary but like a roller coaster where, though it's scary, it feels exciting to be doing something that feels like something you shouldn't be doing (If that makes sense. >_<). Like they should have examples of it, good ones, so that they understand that it's something that needs to happen at the right time, and with the right person, and I think the stories and shows where it does get rushed are good too though because it gives you a chance to experience that without having to really go through it you know? And then it's like, "Whoa, that's terrible that it had to happen that way for ___," and then it can give you perspective as to how you want to handle that situation in the future so you can say, "Eek, that was bad, I don't want that to happen to me.", where as if it's not brought up at all you can't learn from other peoples mistakes."

Go add the post with your opinion, and send me a link? I'd love to discuss with you too, but I don't want to take away from Steph's thing so comment there first! ;P

xoxoxo and thanks to Steph for opening up the topic! ^^

Whatcha Reading Wednesday

2009-05-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

So late! X_x I'll do better next week, I promise!

Anyways, this week I'm finishing up Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters.

SO. GOOD. I am LOVING it! >_< But I'll say no more! Review in a few weeks! But read it people! Seriously. o_o lol

Then I found out I'll probably be going to the library sometimes this week but it would be easier just to do the post for the books I've gotten next Tuesday according to schedule. BUT I will say that I bought 20 Boy Summer by Sara Ockler and it's VERY good so far! So well written and just pretty writing. I'll be finishing that one next. ^^

So what have you guys been reading?

xoxoxo

(P.S. Thursday is no longer review day bcause it's been hard for me to get one done by a specific day, but I'll be posting a review a week still, just not on Thursdays (ever week). XP Thanks!)

Win Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted ARC

2009-05-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to read this book! *squee* Go enter to win at The Story Siren's blog!!!

http://www.thestorysiren.com/2009/05/win-crazy-beautiful.html

Also sorry I didn't put "Too Many Books Tuesday" yesterday... I'm actually probably not going to make it to the library this week, so it's sort of been canceled for the week. XD BUT! I will have "Whatcha Reading Wednesday" up later today and I'll add the one book I got since last week! >_<

Movie Monday: Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

2009-05-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

So I saw Night At The Museum 2 this weekend with my family (We LOVED the first one) and though nobody wanted to admite we were dissapointed, I think we were little bit... XD

I mean, it was very cute... Amy Adams is SUCH a gem and did an amazing job as Amelia Airheart (I totally want to learn more about her now, and if I met her I'd love her to be like that! ;P), and also the Jonas brothers as the baby cupids was pretty darn adorable... but then some of the jokes just felt a little too rushed or something. =/ The cast was great, pleanty funny, but I think if they'd taken it a little slower with the jokes it would have been funnier and I would have enjoyed it more.

But still overall a cute movie. :)

Anybody see any movies this weekend? What'd ya do?

xoxoxo

And the results are in!

2009-05-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

Winners of the YABBA Awards are in!

20 Boy Summer Contest

2009-05-22T12:06:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you guys, but I seriously need to buy 20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler! o_o

But why buy it when you could win it in a
href="http://margaretstohl.typepad.com/beautifulcreatures/2009/05/bc-book-club-contest-twenty-boy-summer-arc-goodies-giveaway.html">awesome contest hosted by the amazing, the wonderful, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, authors of Beautiful Creatures out in December??

Go enter peoples, quicksies!

xoxoxo

Frostebite by Richelle Mead

2009-05-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

After Victor Dashkov kidnaps his own niece, Lissa, and escapes prison, with the help of his newly turned Strigoi daughter, Rose thinks things can’t get any worse, but then she remembers abruptly that Victors absence will let Christian and Lissa finally get closer and take their relationship to the next level, and Rose can read Lissa’s mind... Greeeaaattt.

As if Rose doesn’t have enough to deal with - Mason’s persistent attentions and Lissa thinking the medication she’s on might be wearing off - her crush on Dimitri is getting more and more difficult to ignore and while Christian’s aunt and guardian is in town visiting, with butt kicking magical self-defense and a major crush on Dimitri, it’s going to be a long winter… Especially since Dimitri seems to like her back.

But within a short amount of time the vampire world is in turmoil again, and the Strigoi attack on a royal family has everyone in an uproar, because there’s no way that Strigoi could have broken the magical barriers surrounding the house by themselves, they would have had to have human help…

Now the question of whether it’s time to fight back and get rid of the Strigoi once and for all has come up, only there’s not enough Dhampirs to fight the Strigoi and still keep the Moroi alive; if only the Moroi could be trained to fight alongside their guardians, then maybe they could defeat the Strigoi once and for all…

But if none of the Moroi want to put themselves on the front lines, and the ones that are willing aren’t allowed to fight, how will the Dhampirs stop the Strigoi from taking out every royal Moroi family they can?

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

SO intense! I liked this book a lot though I cried at the end (as I did with Shadow Kiss… see review next week.) It was still very good, the writing and plot got better in this one, not that either was bad before but you can tell they’ve developed really well. I felt for Rose even more then the first book because of how much she’s put on the line in being Lissa’s guardian. She grows so much in this novel and it was great to see. ANYWHO, a great sequel to Vampire Academy, and it was quite good.

Four stars!

Whatcha Reading Wednesday

2009-05-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

WELL. I've had a pretty productive reading week I think! Since I totally spaced and didn't post last week at least... I finished Eat, Prey, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert for school, which was so amazing and made me want to travel the world even more!

Then I finished Shadow Kiss which-- oh wait, review next week... grr... e.e

I JUST finished How To Be Bad which was so much fun! XD I NEED to dounload "These Boots Are Made For Walking" now. >_< I Also loved that it was written collaboratively by three authors I so want to do that someday! XD But it made the book really interesting. :) And then I've just been wanting to road trip so bad lately so it was a great escape for me, very fun. :D

What have YOU been reading??

~ Readergirl

New Award

2009-05-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

From Dahlia of Dahlia's Eclectic Mind (Right there with ya, girly! XP)

It's the... One Lovely Blog Award!

Honestly, I was so thrilled to get this! XD (Thanks Dahlia!) Cause I've seen it around the blogosphere quite a few times and it's just so darn pretty! D8 SO YAY! *claps*

Dahlia said that she was supposed to give it to 15 bloggers and while that would be awesome I don't even think I follow that many XD SO I'm just going to give it to the ones that I really look forward to reading (Minus Dahlia cause I don't think I can reaward it to her... XD Mentally though!)

LiyanaLand

Persnickety Snark

Writers Block Reviews

Em's Bookshelf

Reverie Book Reviews

Imperial Beach Teen

Just Blinded Book Reviews

{Insert Book Title Here}

Reviewer X

And there you have it! Be sure to check out these awesome bloggers, and comment cause we all love comments! XP

xoxoxo

Too Many Books Tuesday!

2009-05-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

So late e_e but better late then never! lol

To start, the winner of the Poseur book is Bookworm! :D Congrats, email me your address please and thank you!

This week...

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow (Looks AWESOME!)

Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar (Gotta love the furry things...)

SASS Novel: Getting the Boot by Peggy Guthart Strauss (Love books where the MC goes overseas! xP)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian BY Sherman Alexie (AGAIN! I WILL read this this summer!.... really... e.e)

Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares (Must finish the series soon, it's been years lol)

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti (Need to read!)

and....

KISS OF LIFE BY DAN WATERS! (Yay, and ohmagoshing! *hyperventalates* I've been wanting to book so badly...D8 *runs to read it*

What book have you all gotten latly?

xoxoxo

GOSSIP GIRL!

2009-05-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

Gossip Girl- I cried, sobbed, fell on the floor in a puddle of my own sad/ outraged/ happy/ blissful tears. And then I screemed for about five minutes! AMAZING!

YABBA

2009-05-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, voting for the Young Adult Book Blogger Awards at Hey Teenager of the Year is now closed! Thanks for voting, and stay tuned for the winners!

xoxoxo

Two New Blogger Awards!

2009-05-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

From Steph Bowe over at Hey Teenager of the Year Blog!

And this one which I must pass on to 5 of my fave bloggers! Hard to choose! X_x I love you all!

The rules are:
1. Rockin' bloggers who are awarded should pass it on to up to 5 blogs that rock your world either for content, writing, layout, or whatever!
2. Be sure to display the badge on your blog and leave a link to the person who gave it to you.
3. Write a post about it, and don't forget to thank the one who gave you the gig!
4. Oh yeah, and be sure to inform your nominees about their award by leaving them a comment. It's just good manners.

I choose.... e.e

The Cupcake Witch

Em's Bookshelf

Just Blinded Book Reviews

The Story Siren

and....

The Ravenous Reader! :)

Thanks again Steph!

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

On another note I haven't heard back from Ambersaaays about the copy of Poseur she won from a contest a while back so I'm giving it away to a random commenter. :) (Sorry Amber e.e) Comment!

Also on another note I totally skipped my review last week because of technical and life difficulties but I'll for sure have one up this coming Thursday for Frostbite by Richelle Mead! :D

xoxoxo

Too Many Books Tuesday!

2009-05-12T17:14:00.001-07:00

This week we have The Anatomy of Wings by Karen Foxlee (YAY! Summer reading!)

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (Swore I'd never read this but then I found out it's written in verse and now I'm intregued)

How To Be Bad by Lauren Myracle, Sarah Mlynowski, and E. Lockhart! (Been wanting to read this forEVER! O_O)

Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters (SOOOO sad so far, but I feel like I should finish it. T_T Grr....)

And...

Playing it Cool by Joaquin Dorfman! (Sounds cool! *giggle*)

CONTEST!

2009-05-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

Contest at Reverie Book Reviews for a paperback copy of Vampire Kisses (New Version witht eh first three books in the series! The cover = so pretty! *_*)

Go enter, you!

http://reveriemedia.blogspot.com/2009/05/foto-friday-contest.html

Movie Monday: Star Trek

2009-05-10T23:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so along with my book obsession I am also a HUGE movie buff, SO I thought I'd take mondays to gush about the latest one I've seen wether it be on tv oor in the theater. SO here we go this weekend I saw..... STARTREK! Now I know what you're thinking (*mindreader*) but NO I am not a Trek-y..... yet.... e.e But seriously you guys, the movie was SOOOO good! Like way way way more amazing then I expected. I mean, it looked cool and all in the previews but that wass nothing compaired to the whole thing!

Now there was only one delema I had while watching the movie.... who did I like more, Spock, or Kirk?? And so I've decided that since they're friends it's pretty much totally fine for me to have them both! XP But seriously you guys, they just made Star Trek cool (for me at least, don't take offence long time fans!). >.< All about the hotties for this girl.... and they were. lol

But anyways the effects were really amazing and the actors all did a great job! I never personally watched Star Trek but I was watching it with some definite Trek-y's and they seemed pretty pleased though they said they definitely left stuff out but that the core of the story was there and I think that's good. :)

I don't think you have to be a fan to see the movie either cause like I said I wasn't at all before but now I totally want to watch every season! >_< Though I must say it did seem like I was missing things from time to time, like inside fan only (stay away impostor) sort of stuff, which as a fan I think I would have enjoyed cause I love those moments in things I am a fan of myself XD But alas I didn't really catch them.... T_T

But anyways it was a terrific movie and probably the best of the year so far!

What did you guys think?

WHOA....

2009-05-08T00:22:00.001-07:00

http://watersdan.blogspot.com/2009/04/face-made-for-radio.html

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

2009-05-06T23:17:00.001-07:00

Best friends Lissa and Rose are in hiding, escapees of St. Vladimir Academy, a boarding school for Moroi vampires and their possible Dhampir guardians in training. When the girls get caught and brought back to the school all they want is to plan an escape again. We don’t find out until later in the book exactly why they ran away in the first place, but when we do, the story gets even more complex.

Since they’ve been in hiding Rose has been looking out for Lissa on her own, keeping a guard out for the Strigoi- vampires turned evil by other Strigoi- but at the academy Lissa’s real guardian until Rose graduates is Dimitri. He’s a Russian Dhampir and amazingly gorgeous, not to mention Roses new tutor in all things guardian since she’s gotten behind in training because of her absence.

She knows all too well that teacher student relations are so not allowed, but working out with Dimitri, even though he can be harsh and sometimes infuriating, is totally working out for Rose.

But Lissa’s been depressed, and has been hurting herself over weird abilities neither Rose nor herself can fully understand. Lissa can heal things, animals, plants, people… but since animals have been turning up dead around her and, animal lover that she is, Lissa can’t help but try to heal them, which makes her physically weak and depressed. Every time she uses her powers her symptoms get worse. Rose makes it her mission to help Lissa, looking for any sort of information she can, but she ends up learning more then she had bargained for, finding similarities between Lissa’s condition and that of St. Vladamire the founder of the school and a crazy old teacher, Mrs. Karp.

Rose wants so badly to help her friend, but will she be able to save Lissa from her own powers? From herself?

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

OK, so, I was hesitant about it at first, mostly because this is not my favorite book cover in the world of books, BUT Vampire Academy ended up being a really great read! The characters were fun and I liked following them around the academy, getting themselves into trouble and such. It was a little hard, because while I did like Rose right away (Mostly i think it's the first person thing for me, because it's as if that person is being totally open with me about their innermost thoughts and that makes me trust them more which makes me like them for doing that. (Just characters, I know.... *sigh*) and I definitely admire her fieryness's (wish i could pull that off) she did sort of worry me a little at first XD cause I really wanted to like her but I still wasn't pulle dinto her fan club yet... But she really grew on me and now that I'm reading the 3rd book and she's changed a lot as a person I really like her! lol

Then Dimitri's charicter is... *coughcoughz* Niiiiccceee....and I <3 Christian too! >.<

Anyways, it's cool cause this was a really different take on the whole vampire thing that has been so well done in the YA book world, and I really enjoyed it. :) Five flowers! (*giggle* SUCH a girl...X_x)

Writers Encouraging Writers

2009-05-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! The lovely ladies over at ReadergirlZ posted this today and I wanted to pass it along too cause i think it's just so awesome!

http://readergirlz.blogspot.com/2009/05/cheers-for-girls-write-now.html

xoxoxo

Interview with Daniel Waters plus Contest!

2009-05-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

Way cool! I can't wait for Kiss of Life!

http://ibteens.blogspot.com/2009/05/were-here-were-dead-get-used-to-it.html

Too many Books Tuesday!

2009-05-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

While this week I didn't find TONS of books I wanted at the library (Or was guilting myself into not getting that many cause I'm already having to borrow other peoples cards to get them...) I still seem to have lots of books this week from purchases that I made. XP

So this week we have...

Honeymoon With My Brother by Franz Wisner (Looks like a cute memoir, plus.... well reasons to be revealed tomarrow. XD)

Shadow Kissed by Richelle Mead (Cause I just finished Frostbite and cried! T_T MUST read! Review for book one on Thursday!)

The Writers Portable Therapist by Rachel Ballon (Cause I'm a writer in need of some therapy... e.e)

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (Been meaning to read this for a while.)

Casanova by Ian Kelly (Cause I'm interested. lol Heads out of the gutters kids! It's history... >_<)

Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint (Looks pretty! *_*)

Pendragon: The Graphic Novel (Cause I havn't had time to finish the book and I like pictures.... lol)

Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers edited by Betsy Franco (Luuurrrvvveee poems!)

and...

Je ne sais, what? by Jon Winokur (Cause I want to learn French!)

Woot! Nice haul this week, how about you guys??

xoxoxo

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

2009-05-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

Being dumped right before prom is Nicolette’s nightmare, and when Rascal, the hottie (hot-hottie) of Nic’s dreams who invited her to prom in the first place, makes it a reality, she’s left with one gorgeous dress that fits her in all the right places, and nowhere to wear it. And the worst part is that not only does she have the dress as a stunningly painful reminder of her (almost) happily ever after, but she also can’t stop thinking about Rascal. Too bad the reason he dumped her is coming back for vengeance; and she just got her claws done...

Add to that the fact that her parents’ divorce has basically eliminated her dad from her life, and her mother hasn’t sold a house in weeks and you’ve got her life! But Nicolette’s determined to turn it all around, even if it means mooching rides of her best friend Allison’s (pain in the butt) brother Jared, and having to deal with the rivalry between him and Rascal that may (or may not) be about her.

But Nicolette doesn’t really mind, especially because she’s finding out that hanging out with Jared might totally be worth the social risk…. And then some.

With conflicting feelings about Rascal, his surprisingly sudden interest in her, and feeling confused about Jared’s intentions, WHILE worried about how her own feelings could affect Allison, Nicolette’s more than a little lost. Zipping up and applying gloss isn’t going to help with this one, and so what? It’s not like she’d ever get a chance to wear her dress again anyways… right?

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

Yet another fab book by Tina! I actually cried at the end of this one. XD It's not like it was because the subject matter was so deep but it had such a happy ending which I <3 and I just couldn't help it! XD *secretly loves crying over books* (Better reading experience! ;P)

Anyways I really cared about how Nicolette's story would end and I was pretty happy with the way it ended. :) I thought the idea for the book was really smart and it was just an amazingly cute, fun read.

5 stars!

(Sorry this was so late guys! I meant to post it on Thursday but life happened so now it's late. XD Hope you like!)

Changes!

2009-04-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys, ReaderGirl's going through some remodeling so bare with us ok? Things should be all new and sparkling soon! :P

xoxoxo

ReaderGirl

Win WIngs!

2009-04-30T11:31:00.001-07:00

The Ravenous Reader has a contest going to win a copy of Wings by Aprilynne Pike, go enter! You know you want to! ;)

http://lushbudgetproduction.blogspot.com/2009/04/author-interview-with-aprilynne-pike-of.html

Check it!

2009-04-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, go check out Reviewer X's awesome contest to win an ARC of the Prophecy of the Sisters!

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2009/04/contest-prophecy-of-sisters.html

Also check out Michelle Zink's pub story here!

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2009/04/pub-story-michelle-zink.html

Too Many Books Tuesday (A new Meme)

2009-04-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

OK, so, I've been wanting to do a Meme (caps?) for a while now and I got to thinking, "What would be a cool idea for one that I wouldn't have to stretch too much to pull off?" Well I think I've found my (Not totally original or interesting, but it's fun and will be good kind of...)answer.

I bring you: Too Many Books Tuesday! In which I will relate the books I've bought or gotten from the library since the last Tuesday!

Here we have...

Frostbite by Richelle Mead (Loving Vampire Academy!!!)

How to Live Like an Italian by Annalisa Coppolaro-Nowell (I don't belive she's Italian do you?? XP)

The Declaration by Gemma Malley (Seems Interesting!)

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro (Review coming sometime this week, keep an eye out!)

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray (Research... e.e)

Boys Will Put You On A Pedestal *So They Can Look Up Your Skirt* (I've gotten this quite a few times because I never get a chance to finish it! =/)

So there's my books! How about you guys? What books have you gotten this week? What books are you reading? Love to hear from you!

xoxoxo

Peoples Choice YA Book Blog Awards!

2009-04-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Go vote peoples!

http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2009/04/peoples-choice-ya-book-blog-awards.html

ReaderGirl