Review Rewind (2)

Here are some more reviews that nobody commented on the first time around! I'm ready to show you guys some more "older" new books!

The Heartbreak Pill http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/heart-break-pill.html

Defying the Diva http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/defying-diva.html

Speak http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/speak.html

Gamma Glamma http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/gamma-glamma.html

Free Style http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/free-style.html

Unbelievable http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/unbelievable_26.html

Must Monday

Here is what I'm waiting for this week!

Vintage Veronica
by Erica S. Perl

Summary:

Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

Why?

It sounds like a cute novel about being who you are! I enjoy this type.

Bungalow Mystery

The Bungalow Mystery
Carolyn Keene
Grosset & Dunlap
$4.95 usd
Many years ago
FTC: This is my mom’s collection. I did not receive it from the publisher.

Total grade: A

Total rating: 10+

Summary: (Goodreads)
While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, teenage detective Nancy Drew has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow.
[close] While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, teenage detective Nancy Drew has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow.


My Thoughts:
I love Nancy Drew and took a break from the YA world to read some “children” literature. I think everyone should take a break and enjoy the classic’s of Nancy Drew.

Quotes:
Here is a random quote I found by turning to a random page.

“I presume he meant to hand over the jewels.”

The Virginity Club

The Virginity Club
Kate Brian
Simon Pulse
$5.99 USD
April 2008 (for the newer edition, older is called The V Club)
FTC: This is my book. I am not being compensated in anyway for reviewing this novel.

Characters 10/20
Plot 15/20
Setting 15/20
Cover 20/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 80% B

Total rating: 14+

Summary: (Amazon)
Mandy, Kai, Debbie, and Eva have one thing they must do before graduation...win the prestigious Treemont scholarship. It's a free pass to the college of their choice. But the award has one very bizarre requirement; "Purity of soul and body."

In an effort to proclaim their "purity" to the whole school, Mandy starts the Virginity Club. The friends agree that a social service club is a great idea, but agreeing to keep the big V until graduation is another story. Because Mandy, Kai, Debbie, and Eva are each hiding something from the others. Something important.

Their secrets may cost them a whole lot more than just a scholarship.

My Thoughts:
I expect so much out of Kate Brian because I adore the Private series. This was lacking. I believe the reason it was lacking was because she tried to have too many points of view with no real distinguishing characters. Yes the characters were all different but their voice was practically a copy of each other.

The whole plot was unique but not well filled. I felt that too many aspects were just left “as is” and many details were not needed but just filler.

I would recommend this to those people who have never read Kate Brian and wont have such high expectations.

Quotes:
Here is a random quote I found by opening to a random page:

“She’ll totally corrupt you.”

Perfect You

Perfect You
Elizabeth Scott
Simon Pulse
$9.99
March 2008
FTC: This is my book. I did not receive it from the publisher or author.

Characters 20/20
Plot 15/20
Setting 18/20
Cover 20/20
Ending 18/20
Total grade: 91% A

Total rating: 13+

Summary: (Goodreads)
Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast.

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.
And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.
Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them....

My Thoughts:
This was not what I expected out of Elizabeth Scott. I thought the plot was too common. Usually she can tackle a “common” plot in a unique way but not this time. This time she just made it seem ordinary.

There was definite chemistry between the characters which is always good but there was no huge “spark”.

I recommend this book to Scott diehards.

Quotes:
Here is a random quote I found by opening to a random page:

“Yeah, it’s crazy. You want to sit down?”

Tenners

Before I start this interview I want to clarify a bit of confusion. When I say tenner's I mean an author who has a book coming out 2010 not just the "specific" Tenner group. I can change the title of this feature if anyone is offended. Please just email me.

Anyways today Irene Latham, author of LEAVING GEE'S BEND is here to chat

1. What has been the most exciting part of getting published?
The whole process has been SO exciting, it's hard to pick just one part. But I can say that seeing the cover for the first time was hugely emotional for me -- something about those bare feet and how one is raised, actually walking -- that really got me. Because that's Ludelphia. That's my girl

2. How long did it take you to get published?
I published first in the genre of poetry, but moving to fiction was quite a leap. From the time I first started writing prose pieces to the point of sale was about four years.

3. Were you faced with rejection at first? How did you handle it?
I subbed to a few editors first - not just LEAVING GEE'S BEND, but other stories I was working on - and got lovely, warm rejections. Which are nice, but what I wanted was a sale. So basically I got impatient and decided to pursue an agent. LEAVING GEE'S BEND at the time was a novel in verse (poetry: my comfort zone), and when I sent it to my now-agent, she said, "I like the concept, but I can't sell it." She didn't ask for a rewrite, but I took it as a challenge and rewrote the darn thing in prose. When I resubmitted, I didn't mention the previous submission -- just threw her the new story, as if I'd never contacted her previously. This time she said, YES.

4. Where did you get your ideas for this book?
LEAVING GEE'S BEND was inspired by The Quilts of Gee's Bend art exhibit, as seen at The Whitney Museum of American Art in 2003. I was moved by the colors and textures of the quilts, and the voices of the women. The more I read, the more fascinated I became, especially by the history of this community of strong survivors. I knew I wanted to write a story that included the real-life 1932 raid on Gee's Bend and the subsequent Red Cross rescue.

5. What do you think or hope readers will gain from your novel?
That no matter if your feet are bare and it's cold outside and you're all alone, go your own way. Create the life you want, and tell your story -- maybe even in a quilt.

6. When writing do you outline or just begin?
I start out with a character who has a strong desire. Then I "outline" the obstacles and ultimate resolution. This basically amounts to a sentence summary for each chapter. So I always know where I'm going. But all the in between stuff? I let that fly.

7. What authors inspire you?
So many! I really enjoy "brave" writers, ones that aren't afraid to give kids credit for their depth of emotion. Writers like Katherine Paterson and Sharon Olds.

8. Complete this: While writing this book I learned... not to use so many exclamation points!
9. Complete this: You should buy my novel because... "Ludelphia Bennett defines survival and reaffirms the human spirit in this beautifully stitched quilt of a novel." (Richard Peck said it, and he's awesome!)

Wednesday Wishlist

Here is what's on my Amazon.com wishlist this week!

Sloane Sisters
by Anna Carey

Summary:

Style. Sabotage. Sisterhood.

When Cate and Andie Sloane's Upper East Side dad met Stella and Lola Childs's British-model mom, nobody thought a transatlantic relationship would last. But then their parents drop the M-bomb—marriage—and it looks like Cate, Andie, Stella, and Lola are going to be one big happy family. Well, big anyway. Meet:

Cate Sloane: She dominates the ninth grade at exclusive Ashton Prep. Tantrum-prone and competitive, Cate would rather wear Laura Ashley every day than be second best at anything. Luckily there's not a rival in sight. Yet.

Andie Sloane: Twelve-year-old Andie desperately wants to walk the runway. Her face is flawless, and boys flock to her like love-struck sheep. There's just one leetle problem: She's only 4' 11". But with a new supermodel stepmom, she'll be voguing in no time. Right?

Stella Childs: With her take-charge attitude and a closet full of supermodel swag, Stella was the It Girl at her London middle school. She's determined to rule Ashton Prep—even if that means dethroning the current queen bee. Can you say British Invasion?

Lola Childs: London boys called gawky Lola "Sticks," but she's got a new mission in Manhattan: boyfriend or bust! With the help of her boy-magnet stepsister, Lola sets her sights on supercute Kyle Lewis. Too bad Kyle's only got eyes for . . . Andie.

Why?

This sounds really quirky and light. I am craving a light read!

Review Rewind (1)

I am going to take the time every now and then (once a week or every other week) to list some reviews that never got commented on! I just want everyone to have the chance to see them and be reminded of some now older great books!

My first review EVER http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/03/every-boys-got-one.html

Perfect by Sara Shepard http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/03/perfect-sara-shepard.html

The Band: Finding Love http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/03/band-finding-love.html

Split by a Kiss http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/03/split-by-kiss.html

Airhead http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/airhead-meg-cabot.html

The Juliet Club http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2008/05/juliet-club.html