Rich Girls

Title Rich Girls (A teen nanny book)
Author Victoria Ashton
Publisher HarperCollins
Price $15.99 USD HB

Age 13+
Rating A-

Summary: (Barnes and Noble)
I understand you dated this Byron, didn't you?" Mrs. Warner asked.

"His name is Brian," Adrienne said. "Yes, I did."

"Well," Mrs. Warner said, "wouldn't it be nice if you two got back together? And wouldn't it be wonderful if you did that before the debutante ball?" Mrs. Warner continued. "And then my darling Cameron could find someone more appropriate to escort her to the ball. Oh, Mr. Warner and I would be very grateful if that's what happened."


My thoughts:
It had been awhile since I had read the first Teen Nanny book but Victoria made it easy to remember just where we left off. I loved how the plot kept shifting and secrets began unraveling. I felt that the characters were much more developed in this second installment. The only reason for the minus next to the A was one slow part. It bothered me a bit. Once the story picked back up I was in awe again though.

Recommendation: I recommend this series to fans of Gossip Girl and The Au Pairs.

Blogger Interview

Harmony from http://harmonybookreviews.wordpress.com/ is here to visit! Lets see what she has to say.

1. Who or what made you start blogging? How long have you been doing this?
I was just bored one day and came across a few blogs and decided to give it a shot. I've been doing it since January 2008, so about a year and a half now.

2. Have you considered getting into publishing later on in life?
Definitely. I would love to work in online marketing.

3. Do you have many friends in the blogging community? Do you find them helpful?
I do. I have quite a few of them and I absolutely love them. Every time I have a problem related to books/reviewing/whatever, they always help me out.

4. Who is your favorite author you have chatted with?
Julia Hoban! I actually got to speak with her on the phone...she's such a sweetheart and she's so fun. I really hope to get to meet her when I go to NYC.

5. Do you tell everyone that you review books?
I try not to. I had a year before my dad found out. A few of my close friends know and the librarian knows but it's not something I brag about.

6. Do any of your real life friends review books?
Not yet. One is thinking about it though.

7. How old were you when you started reading? I find that sometimes the ones who started later are actually more into it!
I'm not really sure. I don't remember being read to a lot but I can't remember a time when I didn't read.

8. Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
Don't do it for the free books and make sure you always post reviews a couple times a week or more if you do a lot of "I want these!" or "I got these!" posts or else it will look like you're doing it for the books. Also, find something that will make your blog stand out.

Thanks Harmony!

If you would like to be interviewed email me!

Winners

This is my second post today, sorry. I have selected the winners of my follower contest. You have been emailed if you won. Thanks to all who entered :)

wednesday wishlist

From now on Wednesday Wishlist will be featuring one book I'm pining for and why.

Touch
by Francine Prose

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

What really happened at the back of the bus?
Did they, or didn't they?
Did she, or didn't she?

Something happened to fourteen-year-old Maisie Willard—something involving her three friends, all boys. But their stories don't match, and the rumors spin out of control. Then other people get involved . . . the school, the parents, the lawyers. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie's life and the talk of the school, and, horribly, it becomes news. With just a few words and a touch, the kids and their community are changed forever.

From nationally acclaimed author Francine Prose comes an unforgettable story about the difficulties of telling the truth, the consequences of lying, and the most dangerous twist of all—the possibility that you yourself will come to believe something that you know isn't true.

Why I want it: Take one look at this cover and you are drawn in. Read anything about this book and you need to find the answers. There is so much going on and such a unique plot that I just can resist.

Reminder:

The contest is getting closer to ending! 7 more followers and the prizes will be given away!

Follow me and then enter http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2009/07/contest.html
Old followers welcome too!

Ughhhh

So I am behind on reading. I promise to get some reviews to you this week but the past few days have beeen HECK. Sorry guys :(

Death by Bikini

Death by Bikini

Linda Gerber

Sleuth Speak- Penguin Imprint

$6.99 U.S. Paperback

Summary from Barnes and Noble:

A fun, sexy, murder-mystery, romance for all teen sleuths!

Aphra Behn Connolly has the type of life most teenage girls envy. She lives on a remote tropical island and spends most of her time eavesdropping on the rich and famous. The problem is that her family's resort allows few opportunities for her to make friends—much less to meet cute boys. So when a smoldering Seth Mulo arrives with his parents, she's immediately drawn to him. Sure, he's a little bit guarded, and sure his parents are rather cold, and okay he won't say a word about his past, but their chemistry is undeniable. Then a famous rock star's girlfriend turns up dead on the beach—strangled by her own bikini top—and alarm bells sound. Is it too great a coincidence that Seth's family turned up just one day before a murder? As the plot thickens, Aphra finds that danger lurks behind even the most unexpected of faces. . . .

My Thoughts:

I had been hearing so much about this novel for so long. Although it was a good book I will admit I was a bit disappointed. I do however believe people were correct when they praised the plot, setting and writing style. The thing that bothered me was how slow it started out. Another issue I had was predictability. I had the antagonist figured out from the moment they arrived on the scene. It was a worthwhile read though.

Recommendation: Fan's of mystery of the young-adult variety.

Would You

Title: Would You
Author: Marthe Jocelyn
Publisher: Wendy Lamb (Random House)
Price: $15.99 USD Hardback
Release: 2008

Grade: C
Age: PG

Summary: (Amazon)
Natalie and Claire are more than sisters; they're also friends. Only two years apart, they've always shared secrets, clothes, and a bedroom, and Natalie can't imagine what it's going to be like in the fall when Claire goes away to college. Only Claire doesn't go away. At the beginning of the summer, she's struck by a car and suffers massive head trauma. The next time Natalie sees her is at the hospital. There are tubes snaking in and out of her swollen body and there's a crisscrossing of stitches on her shaved head. This is not Claire's story, but Natalie's. It takes place over the course of 12 days of grief and coping, and continuing to live when the unimaginable happens. Natalie, her friends, and her family are well delineated, but as the story is told from Natalie's point of view, hers is the most complete portrayal.

My Thoughts: This novel was not at all what I expected. The start was slow and I didn’t like that there were some aspects that were super dull. The writing style was impressive, but the plot was lacking. I would try another book by Marthe but this one was not for me. It was nice to see all the emotions captured though.

Recommendation: People who don’t mind a slow start.

Listening to: Shake It (Metro Station) Thriller (M J)

Testimony

Title: Testimony
Author: Anita Shreve

Grade: C
Rating: R

Summary: (From Barnes and noble) At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's Box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

My thoughts: When Lexi reviewed this novel a while back I just knew I wanted to read this. Upon completion of this book I can honestly say it was not all that I hoped and expected it to be. The plot was very unique but the writing struck me as pure average. The way it bounced from person to person, present to past, was just obnoxious. It was not confusing but it was just weird. Overall an average book.

Recommendation: For fans of private school books with naughty kids.

New blog:

Hey guys check out my friends awesome blog. She is back for good!
http://booksaremybff.blogspot.com/2009/07/revelations.html

Second Skin

Title: Second Skin
Author: Jessica Wollman

Grade: A
Rating: PG

Summary: (from Amazon)
Beauty is only skin deep. Popularity goes much deeper. . . .Appearances can be deceiving. Sam Klein’s found that out firsthand. All she wanted was to be popular. But sometimes what we want is the absolute worst thing for us.Sam discovers that Kylie, It-girl of Woodlawn High, owes her popular status not to her expensive clothes, highlighted hair, and spot on the cheerleading squad but to a magical second skin. Nobody can actually see it—but they can feel it. And if you’re wearing the skin, you feel incredible. Invincible. Popularity is yours.So Sam stole the skin from Kylie. Now she’s the most popular girl at school, while Kylie’s social life takes a serious hit. Sam can barely recognize herself. Her old geek clique is history—but are her new friends really people she can count on? The skin is clinging tighter to her each day . . . can Sam get it off before it’s too late?

My thoughts:

Second Skin was not what I expected, it was better! Not the typical want to be popular story, by any means. The skin aspect was so unique and I was shocked at how in-depth Jessica was able to get. Usually if a book has fantasy in it then an author gets detached. Go buy a copy!

Recommendation: A must for all teen girls!

What I was hearing as I wrote: Fire Burning- Sean Kingston and Long Shot- Katy Perry

Runaway

Title: Runaway
Editor: Wendelin Van Draanen
Publisher: Random House
Price: $15.95 USD HB
Release: 2006

Grade: C
Age: 13+

Summary: (Amazon)
From May until November, Holly writes in her journal, by turns fierce, angry, scared, heartbroken, defiant. Her teacher gave Holly the journal in the hopes of allowing her to work through her mother's overdose and stays in a succession of foster homes. But Holly has more immediate issues--hunger and shelter and not being cold. Running away again from an abusive foster family, she makes her way by stealth and cunning to Los Angeles. She writes poetry in her journal, too--vivid and wired poems that it seems a smart 12-year-old actually could write. She refuses to see herself as homeless, but as a gypsy, making a home where she can--libraries and schools are among her favorite places to hide. As her situation gets increasingly desperate, readers long for Holly to find a bath and a hot meal and someone to care for her. The ending of this taut, powerful story seems possible and deeply hopeful.

My Thoughts: I liked the start of this book a lot. As it went on though it got a little to weird. 12 year olds aren’t supposed to be streetwise. It kinda annoyed me with how mature this 12 year old thought she was. Also the step parents pissed me off. The book was well written but just made me mad. I cant like a book that makes me mad. I’m sure if I could then I would have liked this story.

Recommendation: Fans of books about young kids who come off as older, due to being streetwise.

Listening to: I’d Lie (Taylor Swift)

Must Monday

Here is what I want this week!

Suspicion by Kate Brian

In the newest Private book from Kate Brian, Suspicion sets up a mystery that even Reed has never faced.

Buy it September 8th.

My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman

With Roz and Eva everything becomes a contest—who can snag the best role in the school play, have the cutest boyfriend, pull off the craziest prank. Still, they’re as close as sisters can be. Until Eva deletes Roz from her life like so much junk e-mail for no reason that Roz understands. Now Eva hangs out with the annoyingly petite cheerleaders, and Roz fantasizes about slipping bovine growth hormone into their Gatorade.

Buy it September 29th

One Lonely Degree

Title: One Lonely Degree
Author: C.K. Kelly Martin
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Price: $16.99 USD
Release: May 27 2009
Author site: ckkellymartin.com

Grade: B
Age: 14+

Summary: (From Amazon)
Anything is possible. . . .

Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey? With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?

My thoughts:

When this book arrived I was super excited. I hadn’t heard much about C.K. Kelly Martin. I loved how she was open to expressing the real emotions of a sexual desire among teens. I also loved that there was an aspect of turmoil in her parent’s relationship. That is a common aspect that authors tend to avoid. The fact that her world began falling apart after a bad night in September was unique. Most stories font pin-point the exact spot.

Jersy was an adorable guy. The fact that he was so reckless made him more desirable. I was rooting for him and Finn from the beginning. When they start to have their “thing” I felt all these wonderful emotions. It’s always great to see the main characters life going right…

Overall it was written superbly and combined three important aspects. What a refreshing summer read!

Recommendation: Anyone wanting a light summer read

Listening to: Discovery Channel Song “You and me Baby ain’t nothing but mammals…”

Review

Title: I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets
Editor: Smith Magazine
Publisher: Harper Collins
Price: $8.99 USD
Release: 9/1/2009
Author site: www.harperteen.com

Grade: A
Age: 12+

Summary: 6 Word memoirs from teens who are normal and famous.

My thoughts: When I received this I had heard nothing but honestly I was intrigued. It was so unique and insightful! These teens were able to grasp so many aspects in teen lives these days within 6 words. Some made me smile while others made me sad. A couple even brought tears to my eyes. Go buy yourself a copy when it comes out. I LOVED IT!

Recommendation: Anyone who wants a refreshing quick book with a real insight into teen minds.

Listening to: Fearless (Taylor Swift) Mad (NeYo)

Lovestruck Summer

Title: Lovestruck Summer
Author: Melissa Walker

Grade: A
Rating: PG

Summary: (From Amazon)
Austin music fest
Yay, summer in Austin!
Good food, good times. Fun for everyone!
Okay, living with my sorority-brainwashed cousin, who willingly goes by "Party Penny," is not exactly what I had in mind.
All your favorite bands
But the cute musicians I've met totally make up for it . . . like Sebastian. Swoon.
All ages welcome
So why can't I stop thinking about Penny's friend All-American Russ and his Texas twang??
Saturday & Sunday, from noon to midnight
Don't wait up!


My thoughts:
There was one aspect of this novel I couldn’t get over. I was just in Austin, Texas about three weeks ago and so I was still connected. It was super the author included real Austin things. The whole “keep Austin weird” thing is not made up. They have shirts all over that say that. The only tourist town where they all say that instead of “I love Austin”. Trust me, I know, I spent a whole day looking for an I love Austin shirt since my boyfriends name is Austin.

The romance I admit was extremely predictable but cute all the same. I was gawking at how adorable it was the whole time. It’s the kind of book that makes you appreciate relationships you in or realize you could have better. We all need an escape from our boys from time to time. What better then a cowboy frat type to help you escape?

Recommendation: Music fans everywhere :)

What I was listening to as I wrote: Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship and Leighton Meester

Reminder

This is a contest reminder and update! One I have 18 more followers I will be giving away those books and swags. If you already follow me enter at the link below. New people click follow, then enter :)

http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/2009/07/contest.html

Killer

Remember to enter my follower contest!!!

Title: Killer
Author: Sara Shepard

Grade: A
Rating: TV-14

Summary: (From amazon.com) In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie—and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls.
Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her.
Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing—from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence.
The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

My Thoughts: Anyone who has been awaiting Killer’s release date won’t be let down. The new “A” has some information and it appears he or she has changed their dirty, blackmailing ways. The boy drama was funny in the hope it never happens to you way. There were so many devastating secrets you just couldn’t resist the urge to keep on reading. The only bad thing about this book was that it ended!!! One last thing… somebody is back. Who it is, will shock your socks off.

Recommendation: Fans of mysteries, girl drama and murder must read this series.

Listening to: Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes of (By?) and Go Girl (Pitbull)

After The Moment

Title: After the Moment
Author: Garret Freymann-Weyr

Grade: B
Rating: TV-14

Summary: (From Barnes and Noble) Maia Morland is pretty, only not pretty-pretty. She’s smart. She’s brave. She’s also a self-proclaimed train wreck.
Leigh Hunter is smart, popular, and extremely polite. He’s also completely and forever in love with Maia Morland.
Their young love starts off like a romance novel—full of hope, strength, and passion. But life is not a romance novel and theirs will never become a true romance. For when Maia needs him the most, Leigh betrays both her trust and her love.
Told with compassion and true understanding, After the Moment is about what happens when a young man discovers that sometimes love fails us, and that, quite often, we fail love.

My Thoughts: I would first off like to thank my contact for the chance to read this lovely book. Secondly I would like to thank Garret for addressing the issues within this novel so openly. This novel discusses sexuality as it being normal. I would have to agree and am finally glad that an author was willing to be so honest with the audience.

This novel also addressed the issue of self-mutilation, seen with both cutting and burning. This is such an important issue that so many authors hide. I loved that Garret was able to share the emotions of all the people affected by these choices, rather then just the self-mutilator.

A final aspect I found important was rape versus regret. I will not get into this and give you specifics, as that would ruin an important plotline. So many girls get drunk and have sex that I believe there has to a line drawn somewhere about what truly is rape. Garret seems to agree in the way she expresses herself on the issue.

Recommendation: I would say this is an important novel to read. I recommend you be at least fourteen to read this because the issues are so deep and dark.

Must Monday

Here is what I'm waiting for this week :)

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

Buy it October 1st

Beautiful by Amy Reed

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.

Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

Buy it October 6th

Sorry

I have been horrible at posting this week. My computer went wacko and I had no desire to figure out how to blog. Starting tomorrow it'll get better. Thanks for hanging in there.

Remember to enter the follower contest

Contest

So I think it's time for a... Contest

Here's whats up for grabs:
3 copies of Suite Scarlett
3 Runner up prizes (bookmarks and such)

Here's how to enter:
1. You have to be a follower. If you are comment
2. If your a new follower comment
3. I will not give these prizes away till I have 140 followers. If you get someone to follow me, you get another entry.

So lets begin :)

New blog

I have a new blog: http://notyourtypicalbookgirl.blogspot.com/

Check it out :)

Where was I?

So you all may have noticed I went MIA this weekend. I set my blog to post but for some reason it didnt work. Anyways I was at my beach house for the fourth. That may sound fun but its not, and I had no time to read! So I was wondering... Where is your least favorite vacation spot? Give me three reasons why.

1. It's the Oregon Coast so, yippee it's cold.
2. There is so much fog I couldnt even see any fireworks. The show was cancelled. :(
3. My dad thinks if I'm there I should crab and fish. Do I look like I like touching those?
4. Ohhhh a new reason. The ocean swallowed my best friends $150 cell phone

So your turn :)

weekly mail call

wow it's been a while. Here is wat I got just last week. No covers this week.


It Happened to Nancy: A True Story from the Diary of a Teenager by Beatrice Sparks, Dathan Sheranian (Foreword by)
The editor of the classic GO ASK ALICE has compiled the poignant journals of a 14-year-old date-rape victim who contracted AIDS and died.

Testimony by Anita Shreve
At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old identical twins, the daughters of a district court judge father and politician mother running for Congress. Everything on the surface of their lives seems Norman Rockwell perfect, but underneath run deep and damaging secrets.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

Lost Summer by Kathryn Williams
"I died one summer, or I almost did. Part of me did. I don't say that to be dramatic, only because it's true."

What a Life

Title: What a Life!
Author: Ola Lydia Taiwo

Grade: A-
Rating: Pg-13

Summary: (From Amazon) Ola faced several years of abuse. She was abused verbally, physically and emotionally - the physical scars are still there to prove it; the broken teeth and head injuries - All this at the hands of her own mother and father. It was strange that even the courts and the Social Services were well and truly deceived. This book is a personal, reflective account of a tough life.

My thoughts: When I was contacted about reviewing this shortly after Child Abuse Month I jumped at the chance. This was a serious issue and I felt the need to get into it yet again.

I loved how this was a true story and Ola was able to share the dark aspects so many hide. It was extremely brave of her and I applaud her for that. The many different times we see abuse in this story are shocking. How a mother could act this was just appalls me. Kinda ironic that its yet another true abuse story where the mom abuses and the dad allows it.

The only thing I didn’t find extremely FANTASTIC was the flow. I felt like it bounced around a bit too much. The fact of the matter is when you devour a book that wont matter as much.

Recommendation: This is a tough story, with real physical abuse. Use discretion. For fans of A Child Called It.

Up Next: Identical

Wishlist Wednesday

Here is what I'm wanting this week

Suspicion

by Kate Brian

Perfect Mistake
by Kate Brian

Flirtin' with the Monster
by Ellen Hopkins