Wednesday Wishlist

The Lonely Hearts Club

Elizabeth Eulberg

What?
Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

Why?
I have been wanting this book for so long. I need to read it!!!

Must Monday

Falling in Love with English Boys

Melissa Jensen

What?
Sixteen-year-old Catherine Vernon has been stranded in London for the summer—no friends, no ex-boyfriend Adam the Scum (good riddance!), and absolutely nothing to do but blog about her misery to her friends back home. Desperate for something—anything—to do in London while her (s)mother’s off researching boring historical things, Cat starts reading the 1815 diary of Katherine Percival her mom gives her—and finds the similarities between their lives to be oddly close. But where Katherine has the whirls of the society, the parties and the gossip over who is engaged to who, Cat’s only got some really excellent English chocolate. Then she meets William Percival—the uber-hot descendant of Katherine—and things start looking up . . .

Why?
EUROPE!!!!!!

When?
December 23rd 2010!!!

Mars Needs Moms

I don't know a ton about this new movie but I would love to share what I do know with you!

MARS NEEDS MOMS (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D)

WALT DISNEY PICTURES/IMAGEMOVERS DIGITAL

Genre: Comedy Adventure

Rating: TBD

U.S. Release Date: March 11, 2011

Cast: Seth Green, Dan Fogler, Elisabeth Harnois, Mindy Sterling, Kevin Cahoon and Joan Cusack

Director: Simon Wells

Producers: Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Steven Boyd

Screenplay by: Simon Wells & Wendy Wells

Based on the book by: Berkeley Breathed

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

Tweet Heart

Tweet Heart
Elizabeth Rudnick
Hyperion
$7.99
June 2010
FTC: I received this from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Characters 15/20
Plot 15/20
Setting 15/20
Cover 20/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 85% B


Total rating: 13+

Summary:

Claire is a #hopelessromantic. Lottie is determined to set up her BFF with Mr. Perfect. Will wants his #secretcrush to finally notice him. Bennett is a man with a plan.

Claire can’t believe it when her dream guy starts following her on Twitter. She never thought he noticed her, and suddenly he seems to understand her better than almost anyone.

But the Twitterverse can be a confusing place, especially when friends act differently online than they do in person. Things get even more complicated when Claire realizes she’s falling for someone else, the last person she ever would have expected….

My Thoughts:
I was a bad, bad book reviewer and took way to much personal time lately. I am working very hard to get back into the swing of things. So I read this book over a month ago and have just now wrote this review. Whoops.

I thought this was a fairly good book. As you would assume just from the synopsis it is predictable. We all know what will have through the whole ride of the book. That took away a bit but did not make it a bad book. I also felt we did not get to know our characters enough with the way it was written. We knew who they were with certain people but not as an individual.

It was cute, fun and quirky. No meaningful substance can be found but you will enjoy yourself. I recommend this to younger romance fans. *Cough-cough* cousin Kaylee... :)

Pretty Little Liars

I was asked to remind all my readers that the AMAZING show Pretty Little Liars will be back January 3rd at 8pm or 7 central. I have a few pretty pictures to share with you guys too.

Wednesday Wishlist

What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando

What?

We were going to see the world together, Lindsay and I. We were going to eat it up, whole. But it didn't happen that way. It didn't happen that way at all....

When Chloe's parents decide to take her to Europe the summer before senior year of high school, she's ecstatic...she only wishes her best friend, Lindsay, could come too. Living in Las Vegas, they have long imagined the world through the casinos inspired by great cities and have vowed to travel the globe together someday. Unfortunately, Lindsay's parents won't agree to send her along.

So Chloe goes to Europe and sends postcards to Lindsay every day. But when she comes home, she must cope with shocking news that rips her family — and Lindsay's — apart. And as she tries to uncover the truth about what happened, Chloe soon begins to feel that Lindsay's brother, Noah, is the one person alive for whom she'd go to the ends of the earth....

Why?
The suspense of this book is already exciting me!!!!

Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank
Celia Rivenbark
St. Martin Press
$13.95
2007
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.


Total grade: A+

Total rating:16+

Summary:

Celia Rivenbark is an intrepid explorer and acid commentator on the land south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In this collection of screamingly funny essays, you'll discover:

*How to get your kid into a character breakfast at Disney World (or run the risk of eating chicken out of a bucket with Sneezy)

*Secrets of Celebrity Moms (don't hate them because they're beautiful when there are so many other reasons)

*ebay addiction and why "It ain't worth having if it ain't on ebay"

*Why today's children's clothes make six-year-olds look like Vegas showgirls with an abundance of anger issues

My Thoughts:
O-M-G this book was hella funny. I cracked up over and over. This is not a book for the immature or the sheltered. It has so many stories that you have to have lived through or know a tad about to enjoy, but if you do you will be in hysterics.

I recommend this book to all mom's and anyone looking for a funny book. It is a real pick me up for sure.

Must Monday

Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris

What?

Quigley Johnson has, reluctantly, given up the rest of her last year of high school to take part in her best friend Ann's Betterment Plan, which will turn them into the best-dressed, most sought-after, most admired girls at their senior formal. Because - hey - who doesn't want the perfect prom, complete with a dream dress and a devastatingly handsome date?

But the prom costs money - lots of money - and even though the girls could easily have Ann's mom design their dresses (she's only Victoria Parisi, one of the most famous designers in the world), Ann insists that they pay their own way. And that's how Quigley gets stuck making artistic topping masterpieces on frozen pizzas canvases, before becoming a live model for Ms. Parisi's fashion design class, where she meets Zander.

He's cute, and cool, and funny, with a killer design sensibility (even if he can't sketch). But is he too good to be true? And what about David, the hot, talented artist at school, who's also kind of a jerk, but won't leave Quigley alone? And Ann - she started the Betterment Plan to improve Quigley and herself, but it seems like it's ripping their friendship to shreds.

This road to the prom dream may just end in disaster.

Why?
Books about proms are always very cute and fun to read!

When?
February 8th, 2011

Death Wind

Death Wind
William Bell
Orca Soundings
$14.95
2006
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any way for my review.


Total grade: B

Total rating: 12+

Summary:
The woman's dress was ripped and her tears made white streaks in the dirt on her face. She stared into the mass of jumbled lumber. Allie could hear a baby wailing from somewhere in the mess. Allie's life has just taken a turn for the worse; not only do her parents fight all the time, but she is failing more classes than not and now she thinks she might be pregnant. Unable to face up to her parents she decides to run away. She hooks up with her old friend Razz, a professional skateboarder, and goes on the road. Razz is ranked number one but constant confrontations with the challenger Slash put Allie in some dangerous situations. With the rivalry heating up, Razz and Allie head toward home - right into the path of a fierce tornado. To survive in the horror and destruction that follow the storm, Allie has to call on an inner strength she didn't know she had.

My Thoughts:
I adore books about Natural Disasters, my problem with this however was it's length. By the time the tornado got raging it was already half over. Not a ton of storm details were included. I should have expected that though because of it's length.

Since the book was not super traumatic I find it to be a good "adventure" story for younger teens. I suggest it to all middle school educators and recommend it to reluctant readers as well.

Wednesday Wishlist

Let's Get Lost

by Sarra Manning

What?
Isabel is the girl who rules the school with an iron fist and a gang of minions who do her bidding. Her friends are scared of her, her teachers can't get through to her, and that's just the way she likes it. With her razor-sharp edges and tall walls, nothing gets to Isabel—and no one, but no one, is ever going to discover her dark, sad secrets. Then she meets Smith. And Isabel learns that sometimes when all the expectations and pressures are too much, you just need someone to help you get lost.

Why?
Bitch with dark secrets? I think it sounds delicious.

Something Girl

Something Girl
Beth Goobie
Orca Soundings
$9.95
2005
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any way for my review.


Total grade: B

Total rating: 12+

Summary:
I couldn't swallow. I couldn't talk. When I got scared like this, a hand came up from inside and grabbed all the words out of my mouth. My dad started coming toward me and everything went into slow motion. I tried to run into the kitchen, but every step seemed to take five minutes. So I grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of me. My dad picked it up and threw it across the room. Then he grabbed my arm. "Stupid," he hissed. "No good. Nothing." Sophie is in a lot of trouble. She is on probation for stealing and is doing poorly at school. Her mom doesn't really talk to her, and the other adults in her life are pressuring Sophie to talk about her bruises. Sophie worries that if she tells, she will be sent to live in a group home. Her friend Jujube is the only person who knows the truth, and now Jujube, too, wants Sophie to speak up.

My Thoughts:
This book was incredibly sad but also incredibly moving. Child abuse books are usually to devastating for younger readers but this kept enough out that I would insist they read it. It was very short and super easy. There was no filler garbage but in my opinion it could have been a little longer.

I think this is an important issue and should receive more focus in schools. I would highly recommend this book to educators and younger teens.

Must Monday

Something Like Hope

by Shawn Goodman

What?
17-year-old Shavonne has been in juvenile detention since the seventh grade. Mr Delpopolo is the first counselor to treat her as an equal, and he helps her get to the bottom of her self-destructive behavior, her guilt about past actions, and her fears about leaving the Center when she turns 18. Shavonne tells him the truth about her crack-addicted mother, the child she had (and gave up to foster care) at fifteen, and the secret shame she feels about what she did to her younger brother after her mother abandoned them. Meanwhile, Shavonne's mentally unstable roommate Cinda makes a rash move, and Shavonne's quick thinking saves her life—and gives her the opportunity to get out of the Center if she behaves well. But Shavonne's faith is tested when her new roommate, mentally retarded and pregnant Mary, is targeted by a guard as a means to get revenge on Shavonne. As freedom begins to look more and more likely, Shavonne begins to believe that maybe she, like the goslings recently hatched on the Center's property, could have a future somewhere else—and she begins to feel something like hope.

Why?
I love books where juveniles are actually given a chance to change and be who they are.

When?
December 28th 2010

Guest Review

Back on the stage is my mama :)

Promise Me
Richard Paul Evans
Simon & Schuster
$19.99
October 5, 2010
Ftc: This book was sent to my daughter by the publisher. We are not being compensated for this review.

Grade: A

Age: Aimed at adults.

Summary:
"As you read my story, there is something I want you to understand. That in spite of all the pain—past, present and that still to come—I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Nor would I trade the time I had with him for anything—except for what, in the end, I traded it for." Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change. For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life. Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

Thoughts:
It had been a long time since I had read a book by this author so this was a great opportunity to reacquaint myself with his writing. I read this book in one day which was very quick for me. It was a book that I kept wanting to pick up. I enjoy the authors style of writing as it keeps your attention but is not a difficult read. I felt the editing of the book was really good which is something that I really appreciate! It is a very sweet story that I would recommend to everyone.

Wednesday Wishlist

Fake Boyfriend

by Kate Brian

What?

Lane and Vivi have had it with Isabelle Hunter's boyfriend, Shawn Littig (a.k.a. Sluttig). He is the only person who can turn their smart, confident best friend into a complete mess. When Shawn Sluttig cheats on and dumps Izzy just months before the prom she's been planning since the ninth grade, Lane and Vivi decide to take action.

With a few quick keystrokes, they create a MySpace page for "Brandon," the perfect guy to get Izzy out of her revolving-door relationship with Shawn. Too bad he's totally fake. Vivi's younger brother, Marshall, who they hire to be the "man" behind the profile, is way too into being Izzy's fake boyfriend. So they turn to cute, prep-school Jonathan to be the face of Brandon. But when Vivi falls for Jonathan, and Sluttig tries to wedge his way back into Izzy's prom picture, the whole plan starts to go south faster than you can say "fake boyfriend."

Why?
Kate Brian!!!!!! Need I say more? :)

Guest Review

Please welcome as a new blogger (every now and then) on my blog, Lenae. She is my mom as well :).

Good Enough To Eat
Stacey Ballis
Berkley Publishing Group
$14.00
September 7, 2010
Ftc: This book was sent to my daughter by the publisher. We are not being compensated for this review.

Grade: A

Age: Aimed at Adults (Some language and content)

Summary:

The last thing Melanie expected to lose when she went on a diet was her husband.

Former lawyer Melanie Hoffman lost half her body weight and opened a gourmet take-out café specializing in healthy and delicious food. Then her husband left her-for a woman twice her size. Immediately afterwards, she's blindsided by a financial crisis. Melanie reaches out to a quirky roommate with a ton of baggage and becomes involved in a budding romance with a local documentary filmmaker.

Thoughts:
This was the first time I had read a book by this author and I was very pleased. This was a cute story and was a very fun read. This story actually gave me the desire to cook. I felt motivated and encouraged by this book which to me shows that it was well written. I now look forward to reading other things written by this author!

Must Monday

Other Words for Love

by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

What?
When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York—and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future.

When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?

Why?
It sounds so good. I am just super excited for this one!

When?
January 11th, 2011 (MY BIRTHDAY!!!!)

The Help

I was asked to share this with you :)


THE HELP
DREAMWORKS STUDIOS
Website and Mobile site: DreamWorksStudios.com
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheHelpCommunity
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HelpCommunity

Genre: Drama
Rating: TBD
U.S. Release date: 2011

Cast: Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone
Director: Tate Taylor
Producers: Brunson Green, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan
Executive Producers: Tate Taylor, Mark Radcliffe, Dean Jones, Nate Berkus, Jennifer Blum, Jeff Skoll, Mohamed Khalef Al-Mazrouei
Screenplay by: Tate Taylor
Based on the novel by: Kathryn Stockett

Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (star of the breakout hit, “Zombieland”) as Skeeter, a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives—and a small Mississippi town—upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Academy Award® nominee Viola Davis (“Eat Pray Love”) stars as Aibileen, Skeeter’s best friend’s housekeeper, who is the first to open up—to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter’s life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories—and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly—and unwillingly—caught up in the changing times.

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling novel, “The Help” is a provocative and inspiring look at what happens when a southern town’s unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.

Wednesday Wishlist

Boy Crazy

by Hailey Abbott

What?

How to Date Like a Guy:

1. Flirt constantly.

2. Keep your options open.

3. Don't get attached.

Cassie and her two friends, Gretta and Keagan, are so over boyfriends. But just because the girls are anti-boyfriend doesn't mean they're anti-boy. So they make a pact for the summer: They'll each kiss ten different guys before school starts no commitments, no drama, just fun. Sounds easy enough. Then Cassie meets the perfect guy(nine boys too soon), and the pact starts to seem like a terrible idea. Not to mention Boy Number One turns out to be her best friend's ex. Ugh Cassie's summer just went from carefree to complicated faster than she can say "heartbreaker."

Why?
Sounds like a flirty romance!

Getting the Pretty Back

***** I MET MOLLY RINGWALD!!!!!

Getting the Pretty Back
Molly Ringwald
Harper Collins
$25.99
April 2010
FTC: This is my book. I am not being compensated in any way for my review.


Total grade: A

Total rating: 16+

Summary:

In Getting the Pretty Back, Molly encourages every woman to become "the sexiest, funniest, smartest, best-dressed, and most confident woman that you can be." She shares personal anecdotes and entertaining insights about the struggle to get through the murky milestones and identity issues that crop up long after the prom ends. Whether she's discussing sex and beauty, personal style, travel and entertaining, motherhood, or friendship, Molly embodies the spirit of being fabulous at every age, and reminds us all that prettiness is a state of mind: it's "the part of you that knows what you really want, that takes risks."

Lavishly illustrated by Ruben Toledo, Getting the Pretty Back is sure to charm women of all ages with Molly's unforgettably personal, refreshingly outspoken take on life, love, and, of course, finding that perfect red lipstick. . . .

My Thoughts:
I adored this book. It was super cute and I admit I am a huge Molly fan. I wasn't alive when she came around so it was super fun reading her book and seeing just how she started. The stories were all entertaining and meshed well. The only thing I was confused on was the point of the book. At some times it felt like self help and a moment later it was like a memoir!

I think this is a great book for all women (young and old) to read. Molly can help you feel like things are going up if your 16 or about to turn 40. The best part of this book was that I got to meet her! I bought her book because she was at the WeHo Bookfair. Super exciting :). This is also a very fast read.

Must Monday

The Transformation of Things

by Jillian Cantor

What?
What if the reality you thought you knew was nothing but a fantasy?

Jennifer Levenworth has a great big pounding headache. It could be because her husband, a judge, is indicted on bribery charges, leaving her unsure about everything in her marriage. Or it could be caused by the media, who are relentlessly covering the story. Or because the friends Jennifer thought she knew and trusted have turned their backs on her in her greatest hour of need.

And then the dreams begin. . . .

And while Jennifer sleeps, she swears she can see—and hear—her friends' and family's most private moments. Soon Jennifer realizes she is actually learning the truth about their lives, which is also leading her to question everything she thought she knew about herself. But when the dreams start to reveal a startling reality, can Jennifer find the strength to ultimately transform her life?

Why?
Doesn't it sound beautiful?!

When?
Tomorrow!!!!

Happy Howl-oween!

Hope you all have a happy Halloween. You know I will, pigging out on junk (Who wants to fit in their wedding dress ;)) and getting spooked! See you all tomorrow!

Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
Stephenie Meyer
Little Brown
$9.99
June 2010
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.

Characters 20/20
Plot 20/20
Setting 20/20
Cover 15/20
Ending 15/20
Total grade: 90% A

Sexual content: mild
Violence: extreme
Drugs: n/a
Underage drinking: n/a
Swearing: mild
Total rating: 16+

Summary:
Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

My Thoughts:
I adored this book. It was nice to get some Twilight, minus the Bella whining we usually are drowned in. I felt this book was written much better. I think that with the original four Stephenie was trying to fill to many pages but this was a great length for her.

I read this on my way to California for the WeHo Bookfair (oh how long ago). It was an easy car book as it dint require to much thinking and kept me captive. It's nice when you can lose an hour of a long drive in a book.

The only things I didn't like were the cover and ending. The cover was really dull and lifeless. I wish it had more life to it. The ending was expected but I still didn't like it. I just wish she could have took the story in a different direction.

I recommend this book to Twilight fans.

Uh-oh I made a boo-boo :)

So guys I have been AWOL for the past couple weeks and I am so sorry! I'm back. So much happened that I just needed to get a grip on things. Two major things happened within the past two weeks.

1. I bought my wedding dress!!! If you want to see I am going to be emailing a picture this weekend so email me at princessashley9@gmail.com and I will show you!

2. I started my last year of high school. This school is unique. At first I was scared because they are all so different than me. We have ex gang members, drug addicts and teen moms. I am one of few who has not been arrested. This school only has 100 students. They have grown on me and I am starting to love them. They are all doing their best! First week of school we had a lockdown because the bank on the school grounds was robbed! 'twas scary!


Anyways, I"M BACK! Did you miss me? :)

WeHo Fun! Part 4 of 4

Today's final post is dedicated to Allison Burnett. Ever since I read Undiscovered Gyrl I have been dying to meet him. It was a super amazing and exciting book. Katie Kampenfelt kept me wanting to read. I just knew I had to have him there.

Our interview went extremely well. He was fun to talk to. We discussed banned books, the cliff hanger of Undiscovered Gyrl and more. If you haven't read that book you should. I am reading it again and forgot just how much I loved it!!!!

So thank you Allison for coming to the WeHo Book fair to talk to me!!!!

Must Monday

Teenage Waistland

by Lynn Biederman, Lisa Pazer

What?

“You all believe that losing one-hundred-plus pounds will solve everything, but it won’t. Something far heavier is weighing on you, and until you deal with that, nothing in your lives will be right.”
–Betsy Glass, PhD, at first weekly group counseling session for ten severely obese teens admitted into exclusive weight-loss surgery trial

Patient #1: Female, age 16, 5'4", 288 lbs.

• Thrust into size-zero suburban hell by remarried liposuctioned mom. Hates new school and skinny boy-toy stepsister.
• Body size exceeded only by her big mouth.

Patient #2: Male, age 16, 6'2", 335 lbs.

• All-star football player, but if he gets “girl surgery,” as his dad calls it, he’ll probably get benched.
• Has moobies—male boobies. Forget about losing his V-card—he’s never even been kissed.

Patient #3: Female, age 15, 5'6", 278 lbs.

• Morbidly obese and morbid, living alone with severely depressed mother who won’t leave her bed.
• Best and only friend is another patient, whose dark secret threatens everything Patient #3 believes about life.

Why?
The synopsis has me fascinated!

When?
November 9th 2010

WeHo Fun! Part 3 of 4

Today's post is in thanks to the beautiful Alexa Young! I loved meeting her. We had talked a bit before and I instantly felt a connection. I know it can't be imagined since at the book fair and couple people asked if she was my mom :).

Her books are adorable and fun to read. We talked about her writing and general questions but it felt more like friends sitting down to talk. I was very angry to hear that books three and four wont be out in English. I tried learning French and it did not go far so that leaves me screwed... I think her books just didnt get enough publicity and in the right ways or they could have thrived!

Anyways end of rant :). Thanks so much for talking to me Alexa! I really appreciated it!

Secret Life of It Girls

Secret Life of It Girls
Dakota Lane
Simon and Schuster
June 2007
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review

Characters 10/20
Plot 10/20
Setting 10/20
Cover 10/20
Ending 10/20
Total grade: 50% F

Sexual content: moderate
Violence: mild
Drugs: mild
Underage drinking: mild
Swearing: heavy
Total rating: 15+

Summary:

It girl n 1. The girl that you want to be. She gets the guys AND the girls because she has something beyond money, clothes, and attitude. She's got something you either have or you don't have -- and YOU DON'T HAVE IT. (See SUPERSTAR, GODDESS, DIVA.) 2. The girl you hate and fear. She has the power to make you into a slut or outcast, or make you crawl like a loser wannabe/stalker/groupie. There's at least one of her in every school, and she's never going away, so you better figure out your place in her world, before she figures it out for you. (See BACKSTABBER, WITCH, DEMON.) 3. The girl that completely believes she's better than you -- or maybe just acts like she does. She's got all the power, but would be defenseless if left by her herd. (See PATHETIC, INSECURE, MANIPULATIVE.)

Here, in words and pictures, are the thoughts,

the secrets, the lives of It girls.

The stories are fiction, but the feelings are real.

You might think you know these girls. But look closer. You'll be surprised by what you find.

My Thoughts:
This book was just weird. It bounced in so many directions I was constantly "like what the hell?" I don't like how it seemed to try to come together but I just could not connect it! It should focus on one person or not connect all the different stories. Also the book is shaped more like a picture book so it looks weird. That's the whole reason I picked it up while shifting in the Teen Section at my library. I almost wish I wouldn't have.

Wednesday Wishlist

Snow Queen

by Emma Harrison

What?

Chamberlain Ski Resort and Spa

Welcome to the 10th Annual Snow Queen competition!

I can't believe I got roped into this.

Snow Princesses must attend all pageant rehearsals, with appropriate outfits.

Well, no matter what it takes, I'm going to wipe that smirk off Layla Chamberlain's face.

Our rehearsal space can be booked to practice your talent.

Um, does "looking dumb in a dress" count as a talent?

See Grayson Chamberlain, the assistant director, with any questions.

If you insist! First question: How can someone so sweet (and hot!) be a Chamberlain?

Good luck! One of you will soon be our new Snow Queen!

Oh joy.

Unless Grayson comes with the tiara . . .

Why?
Sounds like a great Winter read and it's getting close to Winter

WeHo Fun! Part 2 of 4

Today I am writing in thanks to Jay Asher. I remember when I put him on my "wish list"
of authors to interview I didn't expect a yes. Come on, HE'S A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER! But he took time out of his busy life to come chat with me!

As I was sitting there talking to him I could feel my heart flipping out and I was sweating (although that may be because of the 110 degree weather ;>). He was so fun to chat with and super sweet. It was cool that he was my first interview because it went perfectly and put me at ease.

So THANK YOU MUCH, Jay!

Loose Girl

Loose Girl

Kerry Cohen Hoffman

Hyperion

$18.76 (Barnes and Noble)

Reprint 2009

This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any way for my review

Total grade: C. The style kind of got to me

Total rating: 16+ (Obviously a ton of sex)

Summary:

Some girls turn to alcohol. Some to drugs. Kerry Cohen turned to sex. This is her memoir.

My Thoughts:

This book had interested me ever since I read Easy a few years back. My only real problems with this book was the style. It seemed to run on a bit too much for my taste. I was also a little too upset by the way this girl allowed her body to be treated. I didnt really find it as a powerful DONT SCREW TONS OF GUYS story, it was more like, I had sex with him, and him, and him, and oh dont forget him. If there would have been more of a point I think I could have accepted this book more.

WeHo Fun! Part 1 of 4

In this first post I want to thank the whole reason I was able to be an interviewer as the West Hollywood Book Fair! Her name is Leigh Purtill (or C. Leigh Purtill on her books). Months ago I got an email from her asking me if I was up for interviewing on a stage at the book fair. The people person in me went "HELL YES" and the deep down Ashley went "OH MY GOD. That means people will be watching me. Uh...". Of course there was no way I was turning down this opportunity though, so off I was.

When we got to L.A. I was so nervous. It was almost to the point that I needed some anxiety medicine but I was trying to beat my fear unmedicated! As soon as I met Leigh I knew it would all be okay! She was so sweet and it really calmed my nerves.

I feel so lucky to have got the chance to meet her. Her personality really shone through and I am now ecstatic to read her books! So I just wanted to take a minute and say, THANK YOU Leigh!

Wednesday Wishlist

All We Know of Heaven

by Jacquelyn Mitchard

What?
Bridget Flannery and Maureen O'Malley have been BFFs since forever. Then a brief moment of inattention on an icy road leaves one girl dead and the other in a coma, battered beyond recognition. Family and friends mourn one friend's loss and pray for the other's recovery. Then the doctors discover they have made a terrible mistake. The girl who lived is the one who everyone thought had died.

Why?
I've never read anything like this. It sounds really dramatic and like it would pull you in.

Must Monday

Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

What?

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Why?
It sounds adorable and the cover is super cute :)

When?
December 5th, 2010

West Hollywood Book Fair

Today is the day of the West Hollywood Book Fair. I will be there and if your in the area you should come too!

9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair
Sunday, September 26, 2010

10AM to 6PM

West Hollywood Park
647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

FREE Parking at the Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave.

Here is the site: http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/?page_id=1824

WeHO and Disneyland

Today I start my journey (about 16 driving hours) to West Hollywood to interview Alexa Young, Allison Burnett and Jay Asher. I will also be visiting Disneyland again while down there! So in honor of my Disney trip I want to know what your favorite ride is at Disneyland or California Adventures????

Mommywood
Tori Spelling
Simon and Schuster
$18.00
2009
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any way for my review.


Total grade: A (based on the writing, not her life)

Sexual content: mild
Violence: n/a
Drugs: n/a
Underage drinking: n/a
Swearing: heavy
Total rating: 14+

Summary:

Tori Spelling might have grown up with everything a girl could wish for, but these days, she's just another suburban working mom...whose toddler regularly recognizes her in the pages of Us Weekly. Welcome to Mommywood, where the stars are two feet tall and your neighbors know who you are before you move in.

Like most parents, Tori wants her children to have the one thing she didn't have as a kid — a normal family. On their hit Oxygen reality show, Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, the starlet and her husband Dean McDermott regularly wrestle dirty diapers, host the neighborhood block party, and tackle temper tantrums on the red carpet. But when the cameras aren't rolling, Tori's still having awkward run-ins with a former 90210 costar at a Laser Tag birthday party, scooping rogue poo out of the kiddie pool on a resort vacation, and racing to win back her pre-baby body before the media starts calling her fat. For all her suburban fantasies, Tori Spelling is no June Cleaver.

From learning to be the kind of parent her own mother never was to revealing what it's like to raise a family while everyone is watching, Mommywood is an irresistible snapshot of celebrity parenthood that you won't get from the paparazzi.

My Thoughts:
I adore Tori Spelling and loved her first book. When I got the opportunity to read this one I was ecstatic! It was just as great finding out about her life as a mom. I feel that the majority of mom's can connect with this. Her struggle between normal and having to protect really was large.

I actually listened to this on audio book and that was even better. It was cool having her read it in her own voice. You know the tone she was trying to set.

Wednesday Wishlist

Breakfast At Bloomingdale's

by Kristen Kemp

What?
Kat's come to New York City with a dream: to be a big fashion designer and to see her name on a label in Bloomingdale's. Back in upstate New York, she imagined a city paved in Prada . . . but the reality isn't quite so fashionable. Still, there are friends to be made, boys to be flirted with, and amazements to be found . . . sometimes when she least expects it. Even when her lame boyfriend from back home comes to the city to try to reclaim her, Kat knows she's found her place . . . now all she has to do is have NYC find her back!

Why?
Books in NYC are always entertaining! This sounds fun and cute!

Unwritten Rule

Unwritten Rule
Elizabeth Scott
Simon and Schuster
$12.23 (Barnes and Noble)
April 2010
FTC: I received this book from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Characters 15/20
Plot 20/20
Setting 20/20
Cover 15/20
Ending 15/20
Total grade: 85% B

Sexual content: mild
Violence: n/a
Drugs: n/a
Underage drinking: n/a
Swearing: moderate
Total rating: 13+

Summary:
The unwritten rule is plain: "You don't like your best friend's boyfriend." But Sarah does. She likes Ryan a lot, and she has for a very long time. They share a moment at a party, but the next thing she knows, he belongs to Brianna. Then one night, something happens that Sarah can't take back and doesn't want to. She feels guilty, she doesn't want to hurt her friend, but she can't stop thinking about Ryan, either.

My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good book over all but it had its issues. I loved all of the characters except Brianna. She was a total brat and I cant stand her. I guess she had to be that way for the story to work but I still hated her. The plot was super and very connectible. I think that at some point everyone wants something they really cant have. The setting wasn't overly common, nor was it blah. That is why I enjoyed it.

The cover was cute but the feet grossed me out. Can't the people wear some damn socks? ;) That's my weird ticks kicking in there! The ending wasn't expected but it pissed me off big time. I would recommend this to Elizabeth Scott fans.

Must Monday

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

by David Levithan, Rachel Cohn

What?
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Why?
Sounds like a fun and exciting book.

When?
October 2010

WeHo Bookfair

I think I mentioned a few months ago that I was asked to be an interviewer at the West Hollywood Book Fair. When asked who I wanted to interview I chose Alexa Young, Jay Asher, and Allison Burnett. I am super excited and currently working on some interview questions. So if any of you have any questions you want answered comment away. The other exciting thing about the Book Fair is that Molly Ringwald is gonna be there. I WANNA MEET HER :) Anyways, just wanted to let you know that Next Friday I leave for the fair AND DISNEYLAND until the following Wednesday. I will try to have posts set through then.

Wednesday Wishlist

Here is what is on my wish list this week!

Labor of Love

by Rachel Hawthorne

What?

To Do:

Investigate the French Quarter
Buy new hammer
Stop worrying that hard hat is going to ruin my hair
Stop thinking about ex-boyfriend. No guys this summer!
Find some cool jazz clubs to visit later
Get psychic readings with Jenna and Amber
Get Jenna and Amber to stop talking about psychic readings, the cute guy the psychic said I would meet, and the cute guy I just met. No guys this summer!!!
Throw self into work. Stop thinking about the cute guy!

Why?
Doesn't it sound super cute??? :)

Sliding Into Home

Sliding Into Home

Kendra Wilkinson

Simon and Schuster

$18.00

July 2010

FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.

Total grade: A (I don't like to judge people's lives)

Sexual content: heavy

Violence: mild

Drugs: heavy

Underage drinking: heavy

Swearing: heavy

Total rating: 16+

Summary:

KENDRA BARES ALL

Fans of the E! smash hit series The Girls Next Door fell in love with sporty Playboy beauty Kendra Wilkinson’s care- free spirit, infectious laugh, and down-to-earth nature. Now that she’s moved out of the world’s most famous bachelor pad and into her own delightfully chaotic world on Kendra as wife to NFL star Hank Baskett and mother to their newborn son, we’ve watched her hilarious antics as she adjusts to domestic life. But how much do we really know about the fun-loving star? In this humorous and optimistic, sometimes heartbreaking, but always unfailingly honest memoir, Kendra reveals the highs and lows of her extraordinary journey.

She wasn’t always the quintessential girl next door. Before she was a reality television superstar, Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend, or one of the most popular Playboy cover models ever, Kendra was an athletic tomboy whose father walked out on her family when she was a little girl. She grew into a rebellious teenager with a serious drug habit before she quit cold turkey and beat the odds to graduate from a high school that almost didn’t give her a second (or third, or fourth) chance.

Following her rocky teenage years, an out-of-the- blue phone call from Hugh Hefner changed everything. Kendra dishes candidly about life in the Playboy Mansion: the sex, the parties, the show, and even her relationships with her Girls Next Door costars—Hef, Holly, and Bridget. She tells the true story about how she and Hank met and built a relationship in secret while she was still Hef’s girl- friend and a public face of Playboy. Finally, she reflects on the slew of unexpected changes in the short space of a year that have brought her sliding into home from Playboy party girl to wife and mother with a blooming Hollywood career. If you think you’ve seen all of Kendra, think again. She’s only warming up. . . .

My Thoughts:

This was a very entertaining book. I hadn't known much about Kendra except that she was the baby bunny until I read this. I also didn't know much about Playboy. I began to respect her a hell of a lot more for turning her life around and keeping values while being a girlfriend to Hef. It was well written and her personality really shone through. I recommend this to fans of The Girls Next Door. Because it is non-fiction and I dont like to judge people's lives (characters, setting etc.) there isn't a whole lot to mention, other than it was good.

Must Monday

Secrets of a First Daughter

by Cassidy Calloway

What?

Morgan is a National Disaster.

Morgan Abbott couldn’t be happier. Super-cute Max has quit her Secret Service detail to be her (secret) boyfriend, and the annoying Brittany Whittaker has been ousted from class president, leaving the post open for Morgan! Life is pretty sweet.

Now Morgan just has to tackle college applications—but she has so much else to juggle that looking that far ahead seems impossible! Good thing she’s graceful under pressure . . . well, sometimes.

A trip to London should be just the thing to take her mind off all the craziness, but true to form, chaos follows Morgan wherever she goes—and the trip turns into an international disaster. Can she make it right? Or will she cause a royal mess?

Why?
This sounds like such a cute series. I have book one and plan to read it soon!

When?
Tomorrow!!!!!

Non-Fiction?

I have recently read three non-fiction books that I am not going to review. I did however want to mention them so my readers could be aware that they are very good books.

#1: Why Do Men Have Nipples by Mark Leyner
This was a very funny book. I was cracking up at many of the random questions people want answered.

#2: Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex by Mark Leyner
Same with the nipple book.

#3: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
It was cool seeing what I need in a relationship as well as what my fiance needs. Our number ones were both physical touch. That was pretty cool.

Bastard Out of Carolina Review

Bastard Out of Carolina
Dorothy Allison
Penguin
$10.80 (Barnes and Noble)
Years Ago, but new editions recently
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.

Characters 20/20
Plot 20/20
Setting 15/20
Cover 10/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 85% B

Sexual content: heavy (rape)
Violence: heavy (abuse)
Drugs: n/a
Underage drinking: mild
Swearing: heavy
Total rating: 16+

Summary:
Greenville County, South Carolina, is home to the Boatwright family - rough-hewn men who drink hard and shoot up each other's trucks, and indomitable women who marry young and age all too quickly. At the heart of this astonishing novel is Ruth Anne Boatwright, known simply as Bone, a South Carolina bastard with an annotated birth certificate to tell the tale.

Observing everything with the mercilessly keen eye of a child, Bone finds herself caught in a family triangle that will test the loyalty of her mother, Anney. Her stepfather, Daddy Glen, calls Bone "cold as death, mean as a snake, and twice as twisty", yet Anney needs Glen "like a strong woman needs meat between her teeth". At first gentle with Bone, Daddy Glen becomes steadily colder and more furious - until their final, harrowing encounter, from which there can be no turning back.

My Thoughts:
I have seen this movie a few times and finally decided to read the book. It is very upsetting and rather haunting. You just want to pick Bone up and love her so she can’t be hurt anymore. The mom is a total whack job for most of the story but I realize it was necessary. As for Daddy Glen, what an asshole. If he were real I would want someone to beat the cred out of him. Think I have strong opinions on child abuse?

The plot was devastatingly honest. It broke my heart over and over again to think that real children are put in that place on a daily basis. The setting had one problem for me. It was way to descriptive. I don’t need someone going, “the green grass was shaded by the lush green tree’s.” Duh, grass is usually green and if tree’s are lush they are green too.

The cover was kind of dull. I think someone could do a much better job. The ending was pretty predictable but a great way to end the story. I recommend this to all my older readers, and the movie as well.

Bliss

Bliss
Lauren Myracle
Amulet
$16.95 (much cheaper on Amazon)
2008
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.

Characters 20/20
Plot 20/20
Setting 15/20
Cover 20/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 95% A

Sexual content: mild
Violence: heavy
Drugs: mild
Underage drinking: n/a
Swearing: moderate
Total rating: 16+

Summary:
In the summer of 1969, hippie teenager Bliss in the Morning Dew sees her whole world turn upside down. One day, she is unceremoniously dropped at her grandmother's house in Atlanta after her parents decide to leave their commune and move to Canada. Now, not only does she need to get to know her grandmother, but she also has to learn the ways of the society she now inhabits. That includes attending the exclusive Crestview Academy. This might sound like a typical story of a girl getting to know a long-lost family member, but it's not. This story is straight-up horror—with Bliss right in the center of the storm. The nice, polite, nonjudgmental teen has been singled out by one girl at school—a girl whose obsession with blood rituals borders on insanity. Lilliana was once a student at Crestview, but her mysterious death has long haunted the school. Yet, one girl believes that Lilliana can and must be brought back from the dead, and there's only one student who can help—Bliss. However, the protagonist has some secrets of her own, and she's not going to let Lilliana return without a fight. Myracle also works in period references, including the "The Andy Griffith Show" and the Manson Family murders. Although the story drags a bit in the middle and Bliss seems a bit too forgiving of a new friend, this novel is sure to cause goose bumps all the way to the dramatic and surprising end.

My Thoughts:
This book was not what I was expecting but it was delicious. I devoured it. The characters were all crazy and unique. It was fun getting to know each of them. The plot was very different. I know I had never read anything like it. It was creepy and chilled you to the bone. I was home alone one night while reading this and had to put it down because I was so freaked out.

The setting was just kinda blah. It wasn’t super but it wasn’t bad. The cover is amazing. To be honest that’s why I wanted to read the book! The ending was shocking. I never once expected what happened to happen.

I recommend pretty much anyone who likes a little creep to try this out.

I'm Back!!!! Plus big news!!!

During my little sabbatical I read quite a bit so many reviews are headed your way! But the biggest news from my break... MY BOYFRIEND PROPOSED! Yes, I am engaged. It'll be next summer when we get married. Anyways I just really wanted to share my excitement with you all.

Uh, oh! or Please dont be mad!

Hey guys, I just wanted to let all my readers know I am taking a break from posting this week. I will start up again Wednesday of next week. I am spending time with friends before they start school that week (I dont start till mid October). I also feel like I'm in a funk. I want to provide great reviews and right now I know I need a break to do that. See you all in a couple weeks and I hope you'll continue to follow me and support the brief pause. Feel free to comment on back reviews. I read every comment you leave me!

XO's and books,
Ash

Not My Daughter

Not My Daughter
Barbara Delinsky
Knoph Doubleday
$17.96 (Barnes and Noble)
January 2010
FTC: This is a library book. I am not being compensated in any manner for my review.

Characters 20/20
Plot 20/20
Setting 20/20
Cover 20/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 100% A

Sexual content: mild
Violence: n/a
Drugs: n/a
Underage drinking: n/a
Swearing: moderate
Total rating: 16+ Even though it is fairly clean it targets adults

Summary:
When Susan Tate's seventeen-year-old daughter, Lily, announces she is pregnant, Susan is stunned. A single mother, she has struggled to do everything right. She sees the pregnancy as an unimaginable tragedy for both Lily and herself.

Then comes word of two more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily's best friends-and the town turns to talk of a pact. As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students.

My Thoughts:
This was a really great book! I enjoyed all the characters. They each lived such different lives and handled the pregnancies in different ways. I loved seeing all of the different mother-daughter relationships and what the pregnancies did for them. The plot left no holes and kept the reader engaged. That made the book even more enjoyable. The setting was not common which I enjoy in a book. It makes everything seem more real.

The cover was gorgeous and made you want to dive in. As for the end, it was perfect! You couldn't have asked for a better ending. I recommend most teen girls and mothers get this book! I think it was amazing.

Wednesday Wishlist

Suite Dreams

by Rachel Hawthorne

What?

Hello, mate!
(Practicing my Australian.* How am I doing?)

I'm so glad the timing worked out for this couch exchange. I'll be crashing on yours by the time you get to mine.** If you run into any problems, just find Alyssa. She'll help you out with whatever you need.***

Your couch-swapping mate,
Rick

*That's cute. Go have fun in Australia and leave ME—your girlfriend for an entire semester—to waste away on campus, alone.

**Um, think again. Your couch is already taken.

***Great. Now I've got to find a place for the (unbelievably hot, it turns out) Aussie to crash. But there's only one couch available: the one in my dorm room. .


Why?
It just sounds super cute and fun!