Oh no...

I had planned to post a new review today but I'm way upset to even try and write a good one. So I thought I'd let you all know why and ask a question. Last night I had my heart broken by the only guy who had ever broken my heart before. Why I let him close enough to do it again will remain a mystery. So anyways... for those of you who have ever had a broken heart what is the best book to heal it?

Wednesday Wishlist: Take Three

Hey guys sorry its Thursday again when I'm posting Wednesday wishlist. I was having computer traumas and so I was unable to post. Hopefully I can stay up-to-date now...



I've read a few of these real diaries but this one sounds good too. HIV/AIDS needs more awarness.

Eating disorders are a very important issue. More fiction books should put that onto the pages....

I read this book and loved it. i really want it on my bookshelf.

I love Ellen Hopkins so I thought I should try this one out...

I have read all the other what if books and really enjoyed them. Hopefully this one is just as good...

So with Black Friday tomorrow its really time to start Christmas shopping... Whats on your list?

xo, Ashley

Here's the Story

"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia."



Title: Here's the Story

author: Maureen McCormick

age: 14+

rating: 4.5 of 5 stars



From the book:

Marcia Brady, eldest daughter on televisions The Brady Bunch, had it all-style, looks, boys, brains and talent. No wonder her younger sister Jan was jealous. For countless adolecents across America who came of age in the early 1970's, Marcia was the ideal American teenager. Girls wanted to be her. Boys wanted to date her. But what viewers didnt know about the always-sunny , perfect Marcia was the offscreen, her real-life counterpart, Maureen McCormick, the young actress who portrayed her, was living a very different-and-not-so-wonderful-life. Now for the very first time, Maureen the shocking and inspirational true story of the beloved teen generations have invited into their living rooms and the woman she became.



My thoughts:

My mom grew up watching The Brady Bunch. In her highly religious family it made the cut onto approved tv shows. Then when I came into the picture I got sick a lot. During a bad night of non-stop coughing I was introduced to The Brady Bunch. I wanted to be just like Marcia, as pretty as her. I was flipping through the channels and heard this was coming out. I just had to read it! I love how real and open Maureen was. She doesnt mask her problems or pretend she's someone she's not. We should strive to be like her. A definite must read for inspiration.



overall grade:

overall rating:

Tagged

Laina tagged me to open the nearest book and post the 5th sentence on the 56th page. I sont pass these on so just do it if you'd like.
The book is TTFN (its my little sisters)
"Huh?"
"It's so tacky I know. *ducks for cover*
"what pray tell is a shirt-on-shirt?"

Wednesday Wish list - Week two

Ah I'm horrible.... Don't stone me! I have been super busy starting home school so the weekly wish list slipped my mind(along with middle school review but that'll be back next week). So here is Wednesday wish list.... on Thursday.


This looks like a really good book although I haven't seen many reviews for it. Anyone read Harmless?


A bunch of people I know have read it but I haven't yet...



I still haven't read all the A-list books! Can you beleive that?!



I'm putting these two together since they are the same series and all. The couple I read from the summer collection were pretty cute.



Another book that has been on my wishlist forever.... I'll buy it eventually haha

Now its up to you guys again....
What books are on your wish list this Holiday season? No chance of winning them if you dont tell me what they are!
xo,
Ashley

New Books

Hey everyone, I know its been a while. Okay only a few days but still....
I wanted to let you know a few bits of exciting news. I have two author visits coming up. The first will be about the novel The Elite and the second will be Frenimies.
Also coming up... a review for a not out yet book that I'm sure you all will love. It's not my usual read so I'm gonna make you wait and see....
xo, Ashley

The Au Pairs

"Its all about the Benjamin's, baby."

Title: The Au Pairs
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Age: 15+
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

From the back:
Summer in the city? Way overrated. Everybody who's anybody in New York City summers in the Hampton's. Mara, Eliza and Jacqui all want a piece of the action, all for different reasons.
So the girls answer a classified ad to be become au pairs. How bad can it be, watching a couple of kids on the beach all day? They've got the swank address, the sweet ride, and an all-aces pass to the hottest social scene on the East Coast. Its shaping up to be the summer of their lives.

My thoughts:
This was a fantastic story. I loved how it managed to grasp every angle of being a teen. It showed a need to fit in, the need for love and finding your true self. As for all the catty girl drama.... just an added bonus.

Overall grade:
Overall rating:

Keeping the Moon

"Let it go..."

Title: Keeping the moon
Author: Sarah Dessen
Age: 12+
Rating: 4 out of 5

from the book:
Fifteen-year-old Colie has never fit in. First , it was because she was fat. Then, after she lost the weight, it was because of a reputation she didn't deserve. So when she's sent away with her eccentric aunt Mira for the summer, Colie doesn't expect much. After all, why would anyone in Colby, North Carolina, want to bother with her when no one back home does?

My thoughts:
I thought is was a pretty good book. It took me a few chapters to get into it but after that we were coasting. Its one of the rare teen books I'd actually recommend my little sister read. The quote at the top "let it go" is so important through out. Letting go of who you were. Letting go of what people think. This really shows the positive side of finding yourself.

overall grade:
overall rating:

Story of a Girl

"We all have stuff we wish we could change.
Right?"

Title: Story of a girl
Author: Sara Zarr
Age: 14+
Rating: 3.5 of 5

From the book:
I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him.
In a moment, Deanna Lambert's teenage life has changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut," Deanna longs to escape a life defined by her past.

My thoughts:
Although parts of this novel were really good the language took away from it. There were to many F-bombs for it to be an incredible book. I did however like the heavy aspect of change through out the book. Changing who you are and who your family is. I thought it was a nice change from the common "teen slut" thing we see through out so many novels these days. The fact that she wasn't one and refused to let that define her meant a lot.

overall grade:
overall rating:
On the verge of being rated R for all the F words.

Contest Winner

I decided I'd pick a winner tonight instead of first thing tomorrow....
So congrats Lexi!!!! You won Sticky Fingers.
Please email me your mailing address!


Stay tuned for another contest coming soon

This Lullaby

"This lullaby is only a few words
a simple run of chords..."

Title: This Lullaby
Author: Sarah Dessen
Age: 14+
Rating: 5 of 5

From the cover:
Remy always knows the perfect time to give a boyfriend "the speech" telling him its over: right after the first romantic rush, but before any real emotional involvement happens. And Remy should have perfect timing, since she's had plenty of experience dumping guys. Not to mention what she's learned from her own mother, who's been married four times and is heading for wedding number five.
So then what is it about Dexter that makes it so hard for Remy to follow her own rules? He's everything she hates: messy, disorganized, impulsive, and worst of all, a musician like her father. The father Remy never knew, the one who wrote a famous song for her but disappeared from her life. Remy has never had trouble getting out while the getting is good. But there's just something about Dexter... Could it be the Remy is finally finding out what all those love songs are about?

My thoughts:
This book was one of extreme talent. Sarah Dessen made me not only feel like I was witnessing the story first hand but that I was Remy. You could feel all the passion in ways a lot of books don't capture. Love although an extreme point of this novel was not all boyfriend and girlfriend. You were shown the love of family, the love of friends, the love of yourself. I defiantly recommend this to anyone who wants a fairly clean yet delicious romance story. There will be moments you want to smack Remy and say "You idiot" along with moments you'll want to cry for her.

Overall grade:
Overall rating:

The Secret Papers of Madame Olivetti

Title: The Secret Papers of Madame Olivetti
Author: Annie Vanderbilt
Age: 15+
Stars: 4 of 5

Summary:
Lily's life has been turned upside down. Her husbands shocking death has left her far more then I little shaken. With a heart that isn't ready for love and a mind that tells her differently will she be able to remain true to herself, to her family, in France? Can she avoid the loud silence of her dead husband that echo's through out their French home as she decides to make so choices she is not sure he'd be pleased with?

My thoughts:
I thought this book was pretty good, although I'd say its primarily and adult novel. Many of the concepts are not ones teens tend to care about, but I being a hopeless romantic, enjoyed reading Lily's bumping road of love and lust. I must say it was a a very long and entertaining path.

Wednesday Wish list - Week one

With Christmas coming up I have decided to start a new feature!!! This one called Wednesday Wish List will be where I'll post five books a week that I'm wishing for this Holiday Season.


Ok so maybe its a really easy read but come on.... Flash backs to that "family" show we like to call 7th heaven.


I know what your thinking. Another one?! But they are seriously quick reads and who doesnt enjoy a reminder of what used to be?


Last 7th heaven book, I promise.


This series was so long but I need this one so I can finish all 40 books.


I read Summer Boys a while back and loved it. It was really sweet and refreshing. This is book three.

So now its up to you... Leave me a comment with what you want for Christmas. Maybe if your lucky you might find a couple in the next few contests....

xo, Ashley

Middle School Review- Week One

Before I start this I should explain what it is. Girls are reading books that discuss topics they are yet to understand. I was one of those girls once upon a time. By 15 we start to know what most things are, although I must say I was a tad confused when it came to some terms in Secret Diary of a Call Girl. My little sister and some of her friends see me reading books. They will ask if its a good book and I say yes, for someone older then you. That only encourages them to read it. Middle School Review will give us an insight as to what girls, like my 6th grade sister, are reading. The fact that she turns read discussing this book shows she is to young. I myself read it when I was in 6th grade but I was more grown up than she was in that point of time. The time to read a book is different for everyone but this just comes to show what books do when your not ready for them. I hope eventually I will be interviewing her on age appropriate books but for the time being it does not appear that way.


"My name is Ruby,
This book is about me."


The stats---
Title: One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
Author: Sonya Sones
Suggested reading age: 12+

From the back:
It tells the deeply hideous story of what happens when my mother dies and I'm dragged three thousand miles away from my gorgeous boyfriend, Ray, to live in L.A. with my father, who I've never met because he's such a scumbag that he divorced my mom before I was born.

The only way I've ever seen him is in the movies, since he's this mega-famous actor who's been way to busy trying to win Oscars to even visit me once in fifteen years.

Everyone loves my father.
Everyone but me.

This book from a 6th graders point of view:
Me. What book Have you just finished?
Her. You know dummy. You helped me find it.
Me. Tell me anyways...
Her. whatever, its called One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

Me: Who wrote it?
Her: uh... I think her name is Sonya Sones.
Me: Your lucky I already knew that. What if you'd been wrong?

Did you like it?
Yep! (goes back to her emails)
Pay attention!

How many stars out of five?
Five.

Me: Who should read it?
Her: Probably not 6th graders. (her face turns red)
Me: Duh thats what I told you before you read it!

Who Should not read it?
6th graders (red faced again)

Me: What are you gonna read next?
Her: TTYL
Me: oh my another book not for 6th graders.
Her: You read it in 6th grade
Me: Thats besides the point....

New feature...

Hey everyone.... Just wanted to tell you about this new feature I'm gonna start soon. It's going to be called Middle School Review. I know there are quite a few book blogs ran by 7th or 8th grade readers, but I'm in high school so I wanna keep some of the younger books around here too. I have a 6th grade sister who is just starting to love reading and so every week or so I will post a question and answer with her about what she is reading/ just read and her thoughts. Come on guys, you gotta read this, it could be funny. So please comment if you have any suggestions on books she should read. She is pretty girly when it comes to the books she reads so lets try to keep it that way for now... also remember she's only in sixth grade so I dont wanna totally corrupt her. = D
xo,
Ashley

Love and sex

Please note: Although this is a young adult book it did contain some very graphic material.


Title: Love and Sex
Author: Michael Cart
Age: 15+
Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Usually this is where I tell you whats on the back but this book didnt really have a back. Just a bunch of praise for the book wherever you looked.

My review: Let me start of by saying gross. I usually do not feel hate fro books but I could not stand this. All it was, was a bunch of stories about porn, lesbians and having babies. When I had heard of this book from a teacher it sounded good. After reading it I just feel dirty. To be honest with you guys I actually skipped a couple stories thats how bad they were. The first story I liked and a couple in between but other than that it made me sick. I know when people tell you not to read a book you usually want to, come on we all did that with forever, but honestly dont read this. Sonya Sones did right a great story in there. One of the two I liked. Just please I cant get this across how some of the stories are so disgusting. It also has drug use and such to go along with the already gross stories.

overall grade:
Overall rating:


ah my first hate felt review....

more contests

No sadly the contest isnt mine but have you guys ever been to reviewer x's blog? I hadnt really spent much time there but after today I'll have to. You guys should check out YA connection linked at http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/ it ends today but I've had 60+ views in the past 24 hours so lets get over there guys.
I also found this amazing book giveaway here...http://elainareads.blogspot.com/2008/11/contest.html good luck guys!
xo,
ashley

Guest Review with Laina: Heck Superhero

My review!! Oh, darn it, I need a picture. Why do I keep forgetting that? Okay, people, be right back.
Heck Superhero by Martine Leavitt

This one actually is young adult. It's rated ages 12 and up on Red Deer Press' website, which is, of course, the company that published it. It's 144 pages long and... my copy was hardcover... and... dudes and dudettes, it's a book. You all know what they look like.

Summary (from reddeerpress.com because the summary on the inside flap of the dust jacket is really long and I don't want to type all that): Thirteen–year–old Heck is a pretty normal kid with some artistic talent and a hyperactive imagination. Life with his mother has been hand-to-mouth but not catastrophic. He has a modest, passive support system: his best friend and some kindly acquaintances.

When he and his mother are evicted, she assumes he's staying with his friend. Heck, confident of his own ability to get by and wanting to protect his mother from criticism, decides not to ask for help. For the next few days he brushes up against a harsher reality than he anticipated. He's hungry, broke, homeless and plagued by a toothache.

Heck has a series of encounters involving varying degrees of callousness, harshness, and risk. He sustains himself (and the reader) with his wit, imagination and optimism. As Heck faces the challenges of growing up on the streets—including drugs, pain, hunger, theft and homelessness—he must come to terms with his choices, his perceptions of himself, and his perceptions of others.

Heck Superhero is award–winning author Martine Leavitt's most recent foray into the world of today's urban teenager. Heck is as real as Martine's other troubled teenager, Tom Finder. And, like Tom Finder, Heck must find the inner strength to face the truth.

My review: Heck was not an easy character for me to like. He was gullible. He was in total denial. When things got bad, he refused to deal with the real world, choosing instead to hide in his superhero fantasies. At times he was just plain stupid.

But he was also so darn sweet I just couldn't stop reading. He loved his mom so much that he refused to tell anyone that she'd gone missing. He believed that by doing good things, Good Deeds, he called them, things would go right for him. Believed that he alone good find his mom when she disappeared and that would fix everything. It really did amaze me how innocent he was.

One thing that cracked me up was his best friend Spence, who is the total opposite of Heck. At one point, Heck calls Spence from a mall pay phone and during their conversation, Heck admits that he tried a drug called Velocity Nine because his teeth hurt so badly, and Spence yells, "What did you say?"

Heck said, "I'll never do it again."

After another silence, Spence said very calmly, "So you did the stupid thing, huh? You did Velocity Nine?"

Heck didn't answer.

"You've joined the stupid crowd, become one of the stupid."

"I know," Heck said. "I won't-"

"Didn't we talk about the Hi-Ho stupidity of that?"

Spence has some great lines like that, and I actually wish he'd been a more prominent character. And unlike some other books that I've read lately, Levitt doesn't make out teenagers doing drugs to be an everyday thing, no big deal, just all fun and games. She is clear that there are serious consequences and dangers, and I very much liked that.

Summary: While this book is somewhat similiar to others using this format, mainly Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt, it's very good, definitely worth reading, and it's going on my recommend list. It even made me cry at the end, but I'm not going to tell you why. Happy reading, people!

My blog: http://lainahastoomuchsparetime.blogspot.com/

New Contest

This may seem kinda soon but I am starting a new contest. The book up for grabs this time is Sticky Fingers. I have posted a review for it on here as well. Here's how to enter.
1. Post a comment here with your email address. If no email address is posted I'm sorry but you wont have a chance of winning. It just makes things easier on me.
2. If you subscribe to follow my blog you will receive and extra entry.
3. If you post a link to the contest you will get an extra entry. Post the link in your comment.
4. For every person you send to the contest you will get two extra entries. Just have them mention your name.
The contest ends November 14th so happy entering!
xo, Ashley
P.s. I hate to do this to you guys but US and Canada residents only. Our last contest winner was from far far away so I still have to see how much it'll be to send that far. No worries, she'll still get her book.

Contest winner

I want to thank you all for entering along with tall you to watch out because I have another contest on its way...
The moment you've all been waiting for...
Congrats to BunnyB ! you are the winner of does this book make me look fat.
Please email me Princessashley9@gmail.com with your mailing address.
xo,
Ashley

Burned

Title: Burned
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Age: 14+
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

From the back:

After A while she asked

did you ever wish you were
someone else?

"All the time.
Who'd want to be me?"

I would. Your smarter
than most, Patty.

"Whats so great about
being smart?"

God has something in mind
for you. Something Special.

"You think God would let
a girl do something special?"

Not every girl. Maybe just
you. Your different.

I felt different. Still
"How do you know?"

I can see it in your eyes
when they stop and stare.

"What?" What could she
see, buried inside of me?

Your not like the rest
of us. Your not afraid.

-----From Burned

My thoughts:
I completely enjoyed this novel. It was not the usual happy romance that we always seem to find. Pattyn is a woman in which we can find both love and hate. We will experience ever emotion and you'll probably want to cry at points through out. There is some sexual content but until the last quarter or so of the book its not a main focus. The reason I deducted half a point in my rating is the ending. I like books who finish it up. It didn't leave you feeling like there could be a sequel and it just didn't conclude. To many things were left unfinished.

overall grade:
overall rating:

ah be excited....

I just went to the library and got some new books. I only have three weeks with them so all other books put aside here's what I'm going to be reading, I'll try to have reviews up soon too.



They all look really good dont they?
xo,
Ashley

Along for the Ride Countdown

Since I'm doing ratings now....

Since I am now rating books in two ways here is the key:
A: Amazing
B: Pretty Dang Good
C: Okay I guess
D: Time Waster
F: Finish this?! No way!

Y: Youth or everyone. No bad content
G: Maybe some brief kissy stuff
Pg: Kissing/ brief swearing
Pg-13: Sexual content/ swearing
R: Very bold sexual content/ lots of F bombs

Hope that helps....
xo, Ashley

whats to come....

Hey everyone.... I was just gonna give you an update on whats coming up.

The current contest will end the 9th and a winner will be announced that day or the next. I will start a new contest within a couple days for the book Sticky Fingers.

The next books up for review are The Secret Papers of Madame Olivetti and Story of a Girl
I also have a couple guest reviews planned so stay tuned.

xo,
ashley

Sticky fingers

Title: Sticky Fingers
Author: Niki Burnham
Age: 13+
Rating: 3 of 5 stars

From the back:
Busting my a** makes me feel good.

Bulletproof, thats how Jenna Kassarian sees herself. It's all about control: as long as she works hard nothing can hurt her. So Jenna constantly pushes-for perfect grades, the ideal boyfriend and the best best friend.

The only problem is, she doesn't know if she can stop. If she relaxes even for a second, she'll lose control completely.

Then Jenna decides its now or never. She goes to a party and has one drink. But one drink is all it takes for her facade to shatter. Suddenly she realizes straight A's cant protect you from the real world.

My Thoughts:
In my opinion the book started to slow. The back makes it sound like the drinking will be a prominent part of the book but in reality it was way past half way before things picked up. The story was pretty good and not extremely common. I think the characters were well rounded but there was a bit of unneeded details. The chapters are really long so its not a book you can do the "one more chapter" thing with. I would recommend this to readers who want a story around sex and romance with out all the gory details.

Overall grade:


overall rating: